Friday, 6 August, 2021 I 26 Zil-Hajj, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 37 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
On secOnd annexatiOn anniversary, Pakistan draws wOrld’s attentiOn tO atrOcities in kashmir g
PM IMran, COaS Bajwa SlaM InDIa fOr '2 yearS Of OPPreSSIOn' In OCCuPIeD KaShMIr
ISLAMABAD
a
staff report
S people of Kashmir on either side of the line of Control and the world over observe the second anniversary of the Indian annexation of occupied Kashmir, Pakistan thursday urged the international community to hold new Delhi accountable for gross rights violations in the disputed region. august 5 (today) is being observed as youm-i-Istehsal (the day of exploitation) of people of the Indian-occupied region across the country in order to register protest against new Delhi’s decision to strip it of its autonomy. In his message, Prime Minister Imran Khan said India has failed to break the will of the people of Kashmir. “today marks two years since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 august 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied jammu and Kashmir,” the prime minister said in a series of tweets.
“these actions were followed by an unprecedented military siege and restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people to perpetuate Indian occupation in the occupied territory.” Imran added that Kashmiris face unabated extrajudicial killings, custodial torture and death, arbitrary detentions, burning and looting of houses to inflict collective punishment and other worst forms of human rights abuses. two years ago today, India revoked the special status of the himalayan region, scrapping a constitutional provision that allows the state of jammu and Kashmir to make its own laws. It also scrapped the local special citizenship law, guaranteed under article 35 (a) of the Indian constitution, lifting the ban on property purchases by non-residents, opening the way for Indians to invest and settle there, just as they can elsewhere in India. Introduced decades ago, the constitutional provisions reserved government
cOrOnavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,053,660
LAST UPDATED AT 9:25 AM ON AUGUST 5, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
60
5,661
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
952,616 23,635 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
392,433
360,494
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
146,485 AJK/GB: 25,778/8,473
30,880 ISLAMABAD:
89,117
jobs and college places for Kashmir’s residents, among other limits aiming to keep people from other parts of India from overrunning the state. the move was seen as part of an organised attempt to bring demographic changes to the disputed territory. “India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 august 2019 and subsequent measures particularly pertaining to domicile rules and land ownership laws are aimed at changing the demographic structure of IIOjK and converting the Kashmiris into a minority in their own land,” the prime minister said today. he termed august 5 measures a blatant violation of international law, including the un Charter, united nations Security Council resolutions, and the fourth Geneva Convention. “Pakistan, the Kashmiris and the international community forcefully rejected these steps.” he reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and gave assurances of extending all possible assistance to the people of Kashmir until the realisation of their inalienable right to selfdetermination and a just resolution of the jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant un Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Discontent in occupied Kashmir on second anniversary of loss of autonomy STORY ON BACK PAGE
UK Home Office rejects Nawaz’s visa extension application g
SharIf faMIly tO aPPeal the DeCISIOn
the home Office of united Kingdom has rejected Pakistan Muslim league-nawaz supreme leader and three-time prime minister nawaz Sharif’s request for visa extension. “the uK home Office has excused itself from further extending Muhammad nawaz Sharif’s visa,” PMl-n spokesperson Marriyum aurangzeb said in a statement. the Sharif family has also decided to appeal the decision. She said the home Office had stated that nawaz could file an appeal against this decision in the immigration tribunal. “nawaz Sharif’s lawyers have filed the appeal in the British immigration tribunal,” Marriyum added. She said the home Office’s order would remain “without effect” until a
Pakistan will not accept ‘forceful takeover’ in Afghanistan: NSA national Security adviser Dr Moeed yusuf has said that Pakistan will not accept a “forceful takeover” in afghanistan and instead support a political solution to the war-torn country’s conflict. “we will not accept a forceful takeover,” he told reporters at a press conference held at the Pakistan embassy in washington, DC late on wednesday, wrapping up a week of talks with the uS administration. the nSa stressed that the only solution for peace in afghanistan was a “political one”. “we have made it absolutely clear that we are with the international community on where this goes,” he said. “But the world also needs to be clear that the uS invests in a political settlement.” Dr yusuf said the harsh rhetoric of the afghan government against Pakistan was making it impossible to maintain good relations between the neighbours. “we are beginning to see a very conscious, deliberate effort by the afghan government to scapegoat Pakistan,” he said, adding that afghanistan wanted to shift the entire blame of its failures onto Islamabad. he reiterated that although Pakistan wanted to
decision on the appeal, and that “nawaz Sharif can reside in the uK legally until the appeal is decided.” nawaz has been living in london since november 2019 after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment. In December last year, adviser to the Prime Minister on accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad akbar had told a press conference that Pakistan had written a letter to the uK for the cancellation of nawaz’s visa, which was issued for medical treatment after taking an undertaking. the six-month visa had not been extended by the uK, he had said at the time, adding that negotiations were continuing with uK for the deportation of nawaz. news desk
more inside
Top judge takes notice of attack on Hindu temple STORY ON PAGE 02
threats of cellphone blocks, work bans boost vaccination rate STORY ON PAGE 03 have very good relations with the afghan government, “unfortunately, the vitriol and rhetoric coming from there is making that impossible”. he urged the afghan government and the taliban to “compromise and reach a peace settlement” as the insurgents make rapid gains amid the uS troop withdrawal. he stressed that the internationally recognised government in Kabul needed to stop looking for a military victory and should include a broader range of afghans in any future talks. “there will have to be some compromise given the ground reality. But the violence will have
to stop,” he said. yusuf said his uS counterpart jake Sullivan and others in President joe Biden’s administration did not make specific requests of Pakistan, but discussed “how quickly we can get all these actors in one room to have a sincere conversation”. he dismissed talk of Islamabad exerting leverage over the taliban. “whatever limited leverage we had, we used,” he said, pointing to Pakistan encouraging the taliban to enter talks with the afghan government in Doha.
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Court rejects bail request of suspect’s parents in Noor murder STORY ON PAGE 03
Barrister Murtaza wahab appointed as administrator of Karachi STORY ON PAGE 02
02
Friday, 6 August, 2021
ISLAMABAD
NEWS
ToP judge TaKes noTiCe of aTTaCK on Hindu TeMPle ISLAMABAD
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StAff RePoRt
HIEF Justice Gulzar Ahmed has taken notice of the attack on a Hindu temple by a mob in a village of Rahim Yar Khan district, Pakistan Tehreek-i-ensaf MP Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said Thursday. A charged mob stormed the temple in the remote town on Wednesday, damaging statues and burning down the temple’s main door. The attack followed an alleged desecration of a seminary by a Hindu boy
PM IMRAN CONDEMNS ATTACK, DIRECT ACTION AGAINST CULPRITS earlier this week, the police said. The top judge took cognisance of the incident after Vankwani, who is also the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, called on him at the Supreme Court in Islamabad to discuss the attack. The judge “showed grave concern over the tragic incident”, according to a press statement issued by the court. Justice Ahmed fixed the matter before
Barrister Murtaza Wahab appointed as administrator of Karachi NEWS DESK Barrister Murtaza Wahab has been appointed as administrator of Karachi by the Sindh government, stated a notification issued by the by the local government secretary. Wahab, the son of former PPP leader (late) Fauzia Wahab, is currently serving as adviser to Sindh chief minister on Law, Environment, Climate Change & Coastal Development Department. He was inducted by Sindh Chief Murad Ali Shah into the provincial cabinet in 2016. Amid rumours of Wahab’s name being touted for the post, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail had said on July 10 that Wahab’s appointment as the city’s administrator will not be acceptable to him at “any cost”. He had underlined that the Karachi administrator must be appointed after mutual consultation of the PPP and the PTI. “The administrator will be the one having experience in administration,” he had said. Later on July 24, Chief Minister Murad had called on the governor and insisted that it was his prerogative to choose anyone for the administrator’s post. In response to a question about the governor’s reservations over such a development, the CM had said: “The governor and PTI have no right to raise any objection to the appointment [of Murtaza Wahab] as the Karachi administrator. He had said PPP believed in every institution’s right to work within its domain. “Other political parties should also behave and work as per the Constitution and law while exercising their authority, powers etc,” he added.
Court remands 5 suspects to police custody in missing girls’ case NEWS DESK A district court in Lahore on Thursday remanded five suspects to police custody and two women to judicial custody in the case of kidnapping of four girls from the city’s Hanjarwal area on July 30. Earlier, the Hanjarwal police produced the suspects in the court of Judicial Magistrate Noman Nasir, where the girls were also presented. The police requested the court to grant 14-day physical remand for the suspects’ interrogation. However, the court remanded the five men for four days to police custody and sent the two women to jail on judicial remand for 14 days. The judge also ordered medical examinations of the four girls and fixed the next hearing for Friday. GIRLS MOVED TO CHILD PROTECTION BUREAU: POLICE Deputy Inspector General Shariq Jamal said that the four missing girls, who were found from Sahiwal on Wednesday, have been brought back to Lahore. “The young women were presented in court today. They have been sent to the Punjab Child Protection Bureau after they refused to go back home,” he said in a media briefing. The court will decide whether the young women will be handed back to their parents or moved to a shelter home on Friday. According to the law, we can’t force them to go back home if they don’t want to, the DIG said. GIRLS TRACED THROUGH MOBILE’S LOCATION: According to the FIR, earlier this week, four girls, between the ages 8, 10, 11, and 14, left their houses for a Metro train ride and did not return. The police said on Wednesday that one of the girls was carrying a mobile phone with her. They traced the cellphone to a location in Sahiwal and alerted the police there. When they reached the location, the girls were found with a man, identified as Qasim. He called himself their relative and was a rickshaw driver by profession. “We traced their location using CCTV cameras and visited the crime scene,” DIG Jamal revealed. “All the suspects involved in the case have been arrested and are being questioned.” The DIG claimed that the girls were taken to Sahiwal for human trafficking. “The suspect sold one of them for Rs100,000.” The police are going through Qasim’s criminal record. “We found out that his wife recently travelled to Dubai multiple times. The police are trying to ascertain the purpose of those visits,” the policeman added.
the court on August 6 (tomorrow) at Islamabad and directed Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik and police chief Inam Ghani to appear in person along with a report. Vankwani has also been summoned, the statement added. In a related development, the Punjab government deployed paramilitary forces in the town to check communal unrest.
Ahmad Nawaz, a spokesperson for the Rahim Yar Khan police, told Reuters police were searching for the attackers and trying to ascertain if the suspect in custody suspected of desecrating the seminary was from the local Hindu community. The temple was attacked after someone posted details of the incident on social media on Wednesday, Vankwani said on Twitter. Police had the post deleted, he said, but a crowd gathered near the temple. “Finally seeing the mob, even the police left, and I asked for (paramilitary) Rangers or the army to deploy, but by then the temple
was destroyed and set on fire.” Vankwani later said that the situation has been brought under control. He said the initially slow response from the police had made the situation and the damages to the temple worse. Prime Minister Imran Khan also condemned the attack and directed action against culprits. “Strongly condemn attack on Ganesh Mandir in Bhung, RYK yesterday. I have already asked IG Punjab to ensure arrest of all culprits & take action against any police negligence. The govt will also restore the Mandir,” he tweeted.
Court rejects bail request of suspect’s parents in Noor murder ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt
A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday turned down the bail request of the parents of the prime suspect in the murder of the daughter of a former ambassador. Noor Mukadam, 27, was found murdered at the residence of one Zahir Zakir in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad last month. Zakir, widely believed to be the killer, was arrested the same day for his purported involvement in the gruesome incident. A first information report registered on the complaint of Ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam nominated Zakir under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Islamabad police on July 24 arrested Zakir Jaffar and Asmat Adamjee, the parents, and the domestic staff of Zakir for “hiding evidence” and “being complicit” in the incident that shook the nation, prompting outrage and nationwide protests. Following their arrest, the parents were sent to jail on judicial remand until August 9. They subsequently moved a petition challenging their detention.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, counsel for the parents, claimed the couple was made a part of the probe on the basis of their son’s statement, insisting they did not know what was happening in the house where the victim and the perpetrator were present. However, the public prosecutor, Naseem Zia, argued that at the time of the murder, Zakir was in contact with his parents, who did not inform the police. “The servant called [them] when the act [Noor’s murder] was being committed but instead of informing the police, they sent [employees of] Therapy Works [an Islamabad-based drug rehab and Zakir’s purported employer],” he told the court. The detailed verdict suggests the judge, Muhammad Sohail, did not accept the argument that the parents were implicated as a malicious afterthought and observed they were implicated only after their role became apparent after further investigation. The parents “not only caused abetment but also made utmost efforts to wipe off the evidences [sic],” the court ruled. Following the proceedings, the court reserved its decision, announcing to release it Thursday (today).
PM appreciates efforts, sacrifices of security forces NEWS DESK Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday appreciated the continued efforts and sacrifices of the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, civil armed forces, and other law enforcement organisations in meeting both internal and external challenges. The premier's comments came during a highlevel meeting during which the law and order situation and the implementation status of the National Action Plan 2014 — that was formulated to ensure security in the length and breadth of the country — were reviewed. The Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid were present during the meeting. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, DG MO Maj Gen Nauman Zakria, DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, and other senior civil and military officers were also in attendance. While reviewing the law and order situation in the country, especially in tri-border areas of Punjab and Balochistan, it was decided to establish an Inter-Provincial Border Committee to address boundary issues using the Survey of Pakistan 2021. It was also decided to further strengthen civil
POLICE DIRECTED TO HALT ‘VIP TREATMENT’ TO SUSPECT: Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan said he had directed prison authorities to stop with “immediate effect” any preferential treatment for the suspect, confirming he was being kept in solitary confinement in a high-security cell at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Arab News reported. The development came a day after Zakir was purportedly taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences after he complained of a headache. “I’ve ordered the jail superintendent that no VIP treatment should be given to Zahir or his family and he should not even be allowed to meet his father who is in another barrack at the same jail,” Chohan said. “They are not in jail to celebrate birthday parties.” He said hospital visits, clothing changes and other special treatment would no longer be granted to Jaffer or his family. “He [suspect] will have to eat jail food from now on.” Adiala Jail Superintendent Arshad Warraich confirmed his office had received these orders from the minister, adding: “No one is allowed to see Zahir as he is being kept in a tightlyguarded solitary confinement cell.”
PM to inaugurate digitalisation of state media on today ISLAMABAD APP
and police administration in the area to improve the security situation. The meeting also approved, in principle, a five-year comprehensive socio-economic development plan for the less-developed areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur to bring them at par with other parts of the province, especially in the area of infrastructure development, provision of water, health, and education. Reviewing the implementation status of the National Action Plan 2014, the meeting expressed satisfaction over the achievements made so far and decided to update the plan to make it more effective and cater to the needs of present times, especially meeting the challenges related to espionage, subversion, and cybersecurity.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the digitalisation of state media organizations, including the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan, and Digital Media Wing (DMW) at a ceremony to be held here at Pak-China Center on Friday. In the first phase of Digital Transformation of State Media (DTSM) project, initiated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, news dissemination services of APP, PTV News, Radio Pakistan, and DMW will be digitalised. The first phase of the project also includes the digitalisation of Directorate of Electronic Media and Publication (DEMP) as well as the advertisements of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The digitalisation will streamline the services of these organizations, enhancing their speed, accuracy, and reach. Keeping in view the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for a Digital Pakistan and directives of Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, the Associated Press of Pakistan has also acquired the ISO 9001:2015 and 27001:2013 certifications to bring the quality standard of management at par with the international level. Under the certification, the APP stands transformed from conventional to a dynamic digitalized mass media service, and aims at setting new trends and lead as the key source of digitally accessible news and factual public information. The standards of certification will help improve APP’s business credibility and authority as well as its overall efficiency.
Parliamentary proceedings cannot be challenged in any court of law: Barrister Ali Zafar ISLAMABAD APP
Any decision associated with parliamentary proceedings could not be challenged before the courts, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar, arguing in Senate elections case in Islamabad High Court (IHC), said on Thursday. He pleaded that the powers of parliament, its officers, committees and members could not be challenged under the law. He said only a single party had challenged the decision of presiding officer as parliamentary or any of its committee’s decision could only be discussed in the house. Justice Aamer Farooq inquired the counsel that in case of any clash between the members of parliament, either they could register the first information report (FIR) against each others. To this, Barrister Ali Zafar said an FIR could only be registered if anyone was killed in the fight. Quoting another country's precedence of a quarrel
in parliament, he said the parliament served a contempt notice to lawyers who challenged the parliamentary violence in the court. He said English courts also treated the parliamentary proceedings as their inner subject. The courts could not interfere directly or indirectly in the affairs of parliament, he contended. The lawyer said Pakistan’s parliament had the same privilege as the British parliament kept. Justice Farooq said traditions were also followed in several matters in Britain. Barrister Zafar said the basic affairs here were similar to the British parliament. His arguments were based on three points including freedom of expression, sovereignty and powers of parliament and its members, he said adding the institution could not be strengthened without these basic points. He said the house had freedom of expression under Article 66(1) and it had powers to make rules for regulating its procedure and the conduct of its business
under Article 67. He said neither the parliamentary matter could be challenged in any court under Article 68 of the Constitution nor the court could raise question on the parliamentary proceedings under Article 69. The Senate chairman’s lawyer said Article 66 also mentioned the privilege of parliamentary members. The 66(1) stated that the speech or vote of any member also could not be challenged in courts. The Constitution had drawn a clear line regarding the powers of parliament and courts, he said. The court instructed the lawyer to conclude his arguments on the next hearing and adjourned the case till August 10. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the case. It may be mentioned here that Pakistan Peoples Party’s Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani had challenged the rejection of his seven votes by the presiding officer in elections for the Senate chairman.
Friday, 6 August, 2021
ISLAMABAD
ThreATs of cellphone blocKs, worK bAns boosT vAccInATIon rATe ISLAMABAD
T
reuterS
ENS of thousands of people are thronging coronavirus vaccination centres daily after officials announced penalties for the unvaccinated, including blocked cell phones and barred access to offices, restaurants, shopping malls and transport. Queues for inoculations stretched more than a kilometre in some locations this week, in response to measures designed to help slow a Delta variantfuelled surge in infections that has put pressure on poor health infrastructure. In a country that has a long anti-vaccination history, health workers said many in line were more afraid of the restrictions — some started August 1 while others kick in on August 30 — than the health threat of Covid-19. That perception was supported by people queuing who spoke to Reuters. “I’m personally not scared of corona[virus],” said banker Abdul Rauf as he stood in a queue at a vaccination centre in southern Karachi, with his mask down to his chin. “Our salaries will be stopped, our SIMs will be blocked, so all these things are out there, so that’s why I got my second dose done.”
Pakistan has a long anti-vaccination history — Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only countries in the world where polio is still an endemic disease — and Covid-19 hesitancy has been high. Out of a population of 220 million, only 6.7 million people have been fully vaccinated, according to the National Command and Operations Centre. The federal government announced late last month it would ban staff from entering public offices, schools, restaurants, transport, shopping malls and air travel without vaccination certificates. The announcement prompted an immediate rise in vaccination rates, which hit one million a day last week. “I came here and obtained this card after getting the vaccination, merely because I have to travel abroad, and I will not be able to travel without doing this,” said Mohammad Atiq Qureshi, a lawyer based in Karachi. The local government in the southern province of Sindh went even further, warning it could withhold the salaries of government servants and block people’s cellphone SIM cards unless they had the required certificates. “There is a small percentage who are coming to get a shot for fear of the disease or for
their safety, but a majority of the people are coming for fear of having their business closed […] or the youngsters who want a shot for fear that their SIMs will be blocked,” said Dr Jamila said, a health worker at one of the vaccination centres. NO VACCINE, NO BIG MAC: Pakistan on Thursday reported 5,661 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day number in more than three months, and 60 deaths. Around 70 percent of the new cases are the Delta variant and more than 4,000 people in critical condition, officials said. The country has recorded more than one million infections and around 23,600 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan said the requirement of a vaccination certificate had “helped to encourage vaccination.” Murtaza Wahab, a Sindh government spokesperson, said work was underway on the logistics of blocking cell phones. Anecdotal reports suggested some businesses had already begun restrictions on service. “We were denied McDonald’s at a rest area on a motorway if we couldn’t show a text message to prove that we are vaccinated,” said Moiz Raja, who travelled from Islamabad to Lahore last week.
Kohsar University decides to convert rooms for YDC into VC House LAHore Shahab OMer
Kohsar University Murree has decided to convert the rooms of the Youth Development Centre – Murree allotted at Punjab House Murree into the residence of the vice chancellor of the university, Pakistan Today has learned by a reliable source. Well-established sources in the Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF) informed this scribe that after the establishment of PEEF, the centre was established by the previous government in Murree. However, the centre was under the administration of PEEF. “The centre was set up inside the Chief Minister’s House at the Punjab House in Murree and has been running successfully ever since. The center was set up to encourage and honour the students who achieved top positions in the examinations, as well as to accommodate them in the Chief Minister’s House and train them in leadership. During the tenure of former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, a foreign PhD programme was also started here
Afridi blames Modi of replicating Israeli settler plan in Jammu & Kashmir ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Khan Afridi, on Thursday accused Indian regime of replicating Israel’s ‘settler’ tactics in Kashmir, adding that Modi’s Hindutva government was aiming to bring in demographic changes in Kashmir to turn Muslimmajority region of Jammu and Kashmir into Hindu-majority state. Addressing a seminar held here jointly by the Human Security Institute and Kashmir Committee on the eve of Youm-e-Istehsaal being observed on August 5, Shehryar Afridi said that issuance of around four million new domiciles to non-Kashmiri Hindus by the illegal occupational regime of Jammu and Kashmir have totally exposed the Indian nefarious designs aimed at turning the Muslim-majority State of Kashmir into a Muslimminority region. The conference was attended by diplomats, human rights activists, Kashmiri diaspora, civil society and youth. Major General (r) Samrez Salik welcomed the guests with warmheartedness and Director-General THSI, Rafique Ahmed Qureshi emphasised how the Indian imposed curfew and outrage in the region is further deteriorating the state of human security. He said that India’s illegal actions have endangered all spheres of human security in Jammu & Kashmir. Afridi said that the world would never allow Modi’s Hindutva regime to artificially engineer the Muslim-majority Kashmir into a Muslim-minority territory through bringing in demographic changes in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The chairman emphasised that in a region, where one out of five Kashmiris has been tortured or detained, cannot be expected to have peace or even the most basic human rights.
and through this programme, foreign scholarships were also given to 35 people annually and they [scholarship holders] were sent to study in one of the fifty best countries in the world,” the informed. Sources claimed that later it was decided to establish Kohsar University and it was informed that Punjab House would be handed over to the university. “Punjab House covers a large area where guest houses for members of National Assembly and members of Provincial Assembly are also established. 10 or 12 years ago, a block for senators was built here called S Block and a few rooms in this block were allotted for the Youth Development Center,” a source added. Sources further claimed that four days ago, it was decided secretly that the rooms allotted for the youth development centre should be converted into the house of VC of Kohsar University. “In this regard, the VC visited the place and chose these rooms for himself. However, the thing to think about is that these are the only rooms in the entire Punjab House where there is no entertainment and party
of any kind, but the students stay here only for the purpose of education and training,” a source said. Sources believed that it would be a strange logic to ignore the space vacant for entertainment in such a large Punjab House and select a space reserved for the use of students. “Earlier also, due to the stupidity of bureaucracy, the rent of guest houses of Punjab House was increased to Rs12,000 per day and the result is that no one comes there anymore because the service of the guest house is very poor and tourists do not go there. Now those rooms are empty and MPAs and MNAs use them for their parties. The change is nothing but a change of label, earlier, PML-N ministers and members used these guest houses and now PTI. The Punjab House has 500 to 600 rooms and out of these three or four rooms were reserved for students which will now be converted into VC House,” they lamented. On the other hand, a PEEF official, Muhammad Naveed, when contacted, said that no such decision has been taken yet and even if such a decision has been made, he has no knowledge about it.
On second annexation anniversary, Pakistan draws world’s attention to atrocities in Kashmir ContInueD froM pAge 01 In a separate message, President Dr Arif Alvi lamented over the rights violations in Kashmir and said the people of the region were being subjected to collective punishment by Indian forces, which have turned the territory into the world’s largest militarised zone. “For the past 24 months, Kashmiris have suffered the worst human rights violations inflicted by Indian occupation forces, including a military siege and unprecedented restrictions on fundamental freedoms of Kashmiris,” he said. “To this day, the senior Kashmiri leadership remains incarcerated under trumped-up charges. Extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests and detentions also continue unabated.” “The people of Pakistan stand solidly by the Kashmiri
brothers and sisters in their just struggle and will continue to highlight the Jammu and Kashmir dispute to the international community. Our ultimate objective remains the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” Alvi added. Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said the “continuation of [an] inhuman military siege, machinations to bring demographic changes and gross violations of human rights and international laws are perpetuating humanitarian and security crises in [occupied Kashmir]” that imperils regional security. “Resolution of Kashmir dispute as per UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people is imperative for enduring peace and stability in the region,” he said.
NEWS
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MAn rApes fIlIpInA In lAhore LAHore Shahab OMer
An incident of rape of a Filipina was registered under sections 376 and 377 in the Factory Area Police Station of the provincial capital. The woman was allegedly raped with the lure of a job. The victim complained in the FIR that she had come to Pakistan in February this year for employment and she had approached Goodwill Manpower Company to get a job. She added that the agency had called her to the office for an interview on July 7. “When I reached the office, Abdul Rehman sent me to Model Town for an interview with a rickshaw driver he knew. After completing the interview, I was on way to my flat when Rehman called the rickshaw driver (Fayyaz) and asked him to bring me back to his office. It was 6:30 in the evening and the rickshaw driver had taken me back to Rehman’s office,” she said. “When I reached the office, Rehman seated me in the room he had made behind his office and locked it from inside. Rehman asked me to give him a massage and he took off his clothes. He threatened me with serious consequences if I did not massage and I started massaging his back in fear. Meanwhile, Rehman forcibly stripped me naked. I begged a lot but he forcibly raped me and threatened to kill me if I told anyone. Later, he left the office and told the rickshaw driver to drop me off at home. As soon as I had the opportunity, I contacted the embassy of my country and informed about the incident and sought help for legal action.” After the incident, the Philippines’ embassy in Pakistan has been activated in the matter. Sources in the embassy informed that the Philippines is one of the largest manpower exporting countries in the world and Philippine manpower is spread all over the world.
ncoc daily update: 5,661 new cases, 60 deaths from covid-19 ISLAMABAD Staff repOrt
Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed 5,661 new Covid19 cases, the National Command and Operation Centre said on Thursday. The NCOC, a department leading campaign against the pandemic, said that the overall confirmed cases reached 1,053,660, including 952,616 recoveries. The number of active cases dropped to 77,409, including 4,050 critical patients. The NCOC added that the pandemic killed 60 people on Wednesday, taking the death toll to 23,635. Sindh is the most affected province of the country in terms of the number of cases with 392,433 infections, followed by Punjab which reported 360,494 cases. According to the NCOC website, the country has administered 34,204,053 doses of vaccine and completed the vaccination of over 7 million people.
pakistan will not accept ‘forceful takeover’ in Afghanistan: nsA ContInueD froM pAge 01 “Now with the troop withdrawal, that leverage has logically gone down further,” he added. Yusuf further said Pakistan was no longer in a position to accept Afghan refugees as it currently hosts about 3.5 million. “Peace in Afghanistan is non-negotiable for us,” he said. “We under no circumstances are prepared to see protracted instability that in the past has caused spillover into Pakistan.” The NSA’s remarks came after the US said it wanted Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, a demand that could strain already tense relations between the two countries. “So, in a place like Pakistan, it’ll be important that their borders remain open,” said a senior State Department official while briefing journalists on the new US refugee admission programme for Afghan nationals. NSA Yusuf had said at a briefing in Washington this week that arrangements should be made to keep displaced Afghans inside their country instead of pushing them into Pakistan. “Why make them dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make arrangements for them inside their country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to take more refugees,” he said.
‘Litmus test’ for India to allow Kashmir to decide future democratically: envoy AnKArA anadOlu agency
Pakistan’s top diplomat in Turkey said that a litmus test to Indian democracy was to conduct a democratic exercise to allow the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir to decide their future. On eve of the second anniversary of India’s annexation of the disputed region, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Pakistan’s ambassador to Ankara, told Anadolu Agency that August 5, 2019, will go down in the history of Kashmir as
a black day because New Delhi clearly conveyed to the world that it does not care about the wishes of the people of Kashmir. “India indulged in the same practice that all occupation powers have been doing throughout history, restriction on movement and internet closure of press, restriction on people coming out and going inside their houses, closure of schools, arrest of leaders,” he said. “Everything that occupying powers do to deprive the people they have occupied and are oppressing any means of
registering a protest.” Qazi said India does not have any moral or legal argument to justify its actions in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and that the only thing propping India’s position in Kashmir was not law, morality, or ethics, it was an only force. He recalled that several UN Security Council resolutions as well as the 1972 Simla agreement have recognized Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory. He added that the UNSC resolution number 122 adopted in 1957 even bars Pakistan and India from taking any measure
that would prejudice the future disposition of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “The only people who have any right to make any change in the status of Jammu and Kashmir are the Kashmiris themselves, and they can do it through an UN-administered fair and impartial plebiscite to which both Pakistan, India and of course the UNSC agreed but unfortunately, India has now conveniently forgotten its own promise to the Kashmiris to the Pakistanis and the international community,” said the diplomat.
Friday, 8 August, 2021
04 NEWS
ISLAMABAD
PM diREcts finaLising tigHt gas PoLicy By sEPtEMBER End ISLAMABAD APP
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday directed to finalise the formulation of tight gas policy by the end of September. Tight gas refers to natural gas reservoirs produced from reservoir rocks with such low permeability that considerable hydraulic fracturing is required to harvest the well at economic rates. The prime minister issued the directives while chairing a meeting on gas re-
govt seeks $400m WB loan for energy sector MONITORING REPORT The government has sought approval for an approximately $400 million energy sector loan by the World Bank (WB) by end-September in order to cope with a 20 per cent increase in peak summer electricity demand. In this regard, a visiting WB delegation led by its vice president for South Asia Hartwig Schfer, had a meeting with Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar and Minister for Planning Asad Umar on Wednesday. According to a report by Dawn, a meeting of WB’s Board of Directors is expected on September 27 and the authorities are making efforts to address outstanding issues including finalisation of the Circular Debt Management Plan (CDMP) in advance to ensure smooth sailing. An official statement said that the delegation was informed that due to effective measures by the government the growth in circular debt was being curtailed to a considerable amount. During FY21, around Rs130bn was added to the circular debt which was some Rs408bn lower than in FY20, adding that the Power Division has planned an addition of considerable capacity in the existing transmission network by the end of FY22 for which funds have also been allocated. Meanwhile, the circular debt had been reconciled at about Rs2.33 trillion as of June 30, 2021, about which the Power Division claims that a major part was due to unbudgeted and unpaid subsidies.
serves in the country. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Shaukat Fayyaz Tareen, Hammad Azhar, Asad Umar, Special Assistant Tabish Gohar and senior officials. The meeting discussed in detail the potential resources of tight gas in the country. The meeting was informed that Pakistan had the potential to have vast reserves of tight gas, which could help reduce the country’s dependence on imported expensive Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
Pak-Germany trade records 2.68pc surplus in FY21 ISLAMABAD APP
Pakistan’s goods and services trade with Germany witnessed surplus of 2.68 per cent during fiscal year 2020-21 (FY21) as compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year (FY20). The overall exports to Germany were recorded at $1511.227 million during the July-June period against exports of $1302.991 million during FY20,
showing growth of 15.98 per cent, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Meanwhile, on year-to-year (YoY) basis, exports to Germany during June 2021 also increased by 31.87 per cent, from $110.212 million against the exports of $145.342 million. On month-on-month 9MoM) basis, the exports to Germany rose by 20.53 percent during June 2021 as compared to the exports of $120.577 million in May 2021, the SBP data revealed.
HBL launches an industry first, a fully ERP integrated QR payment solution KARACHI
year to $129.955 million. On a MoM basis, imports increased by 5.50 per cent during June 2021 when compared to the import of $123.180 million in May 2021. The overall imports into the country increased by 23.23 per cent from $43.645 billion to $53.784 billion. The trade surplus during the period under review was recorded at $363.192 million against $353.711 million during same period of last year, showing 2.68 per cent growth.
NEPRA to decide new power tariff slabs on August 9
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HBL becomes the first bank in Pakistan to launch the Dynamic QR code transaction process. In partnership with Visa and Confiz, the new transaction process offers a seamless, safe and convenient payment mechanism for the customer. Reinforcing its passion for customer-centric digital banking under the slogan of ‘more than just banking’, HBL Mobile and Konnect by HBL are tirelessly working towards developing a deeper understanding of customer needs in order to serve them better by offering them intuitive banking solutions. The Dynamic QR code process will enable HBL Mobile, Konnect by HBL and other Visa QR issuing bank customers a “One scan solution” to process their payments. Customers no longer have to manually enter the transaction amount after scanning to make a payment. Through this new process, customers will only scan one QR code which will be printed on the in store POS reciept or displayed on the in-store POS terminal and all of their transaction details will be captured and processed automatically.
Overall Pakistan’s exports to other countries witnessed growth of 13.72 per cent during FY21, from $22.536 billion to $25.629 billion, the SBP data showed. On the other hand, imports from Germany into the country during the period were recorded at $1148.035 million against $949.280 million last year, showing increase of 20.93 per cent during FY21. Imports from Germany on YoY basis during June 2021 also rose by 60.74 per cent, from $80.843 million last
ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI
The government has decided to create new categories of electricity tariffs for consumers ostensibly to reduce the volume of subsidy and the Ministry of Energy has asked National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to take a decision in this regard. As per details, Ministry of Energy (Power Division) vide request dated 09-06-2021 has filed policy guidelines with NEPRA under section 31 of Regulation, Generation, Transmission, Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997 for providing basis for re-targeting power sector subsidies in future. The Ministry (MoE) in the said guidelines, requested the NEPRA for incorporation of some modification/adjustment in power distributing companies (DISCOs) including K-Electric (KE) schedule of tariff (SoTs) as well as uniform SoT as was determined by NEPRA and notified through different SROs including the KE Schedule of Tariff (SoT) currently in field. The Energy Ministry has requested NEPRA to expand the definition of lifeline consumers to include the residential Non-Time of Use (ToU) consumers having maximum of last 12 months and current month’s consumption of 100 units. Two tariff rates for 50 and 100 units will continue. NEPRA has also been requested to create a new category of protected consumers which include those consuming 200 units (kWh) per month and consistently for the past six months. The Ministry of Energy has further requested
NEPRA to break the 301-700 slab into four slabs301-400, 401-500, 501-600 & 601-700 with the same marginal tariff. And, each of these slabs would continue to get the previous slab benefit of 300 units as today. Sources in the power sector informed that approximately eight (08) million power consumers will be out of the subsidy net in the first phase after the implementation of the said decision. At present, 22 million electricity consumers are getting the subsidy which, however, will be limited to 13.9 million consumers. According to NEPRA’s hearing notice regarding policy guidelines for providing basis for retargeting power sector subsidies in future, the Authority (NEPRA) has decided to hold a hearing on August 09, 2021 (Monday). And, following issues have been framed for discussion and presenting response by the MoE during the hearing; What is the financial impact of the policy guidelines on different category of consumers as well as on DISCOs? Whether the proposed guidelines shall be applied retrospectively or prospectively? It is pertinent to mention that NEPRA through a notice has invited all the interested/affected parties to raise written/oral objections as permissible under the law at a hearing scheduled on 9th August 2021. Similarly, ancopy of the Policy Guidelines provided by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Act Rules and the determinations of the Authority are available at NEPRA website.
Pakistan to terminate 23 bilateral investment treaties MONITORING REPORT Pakistan has decided to terminate 23 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with different countries in order to avoid international arbitration with foreign firms on commercial contracts. According to a report by the Express Tribune on Thursday, so far 10 cases have been lodged by foreign investors in different international arbitral forums, thus exposing the state of Pakistan to billions of dollars in compensation whereas there are nine other bilateral investment treaties. However, those nine treaties could be terminated or reformed by engaging the respective countries bilaterally. Pakistan mulled over an option of taking up these nine treaties with the respective states to revise them in line with its revised BIT strategy. There are 16 other treaties which the government does not want to ratify to avoid financial exposure in case foreign firms file cases in international courts due to litigation in commercial contracts with Pakistan. All 16 un-ratified BITs may not be further processed for ratification. In case of nonagreement by the other state(s); the following strategy may be adopted on case to case basis. The BOI proposed to engage the contracting states for signing the Joint Interpretation Protocol to mitigate its harmful effects; or it proposed to engage the contracting states in amending certain provisions like ISDS, FET, SBA, and expropriation etc. In case none of the above two options were possible, Pakistan would have to wait till the timeline of termination as provided in the respective BIT is reached.
KP govt to create eight new economic zones PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to establish eight new economic zones in the current financial year (FY22) to develop industries and facilitate investors in the province. The press was informed that the new economic zones will be established in Bannu, Mohmand, Palai, Chitral, Ghazi, Buner Marble City, Draban Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Karak after a meeting of the KP Economic Zones Development and Management Company officials with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. The CM was briefed regarding the existing economic zones in the province, newly established and future economic zones.
Govt to launch Kamyab Pakistan Programme on August 9 ISLAMABAD APP
The government has announced to launch the Kamyab Pakistan Programme on August 9. Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch the government’s largest welfare project, Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin said while chairing a consultative meeting on Wednesday to finalise arrangements for the launch of the programme. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Usman Dar and high officials of the ministry attended the meeting, according to a press release issued by the
WB OFFICIAL CONFIDENT FOR PROJECT TO PROVE EXEMPLARY finance ministry. The minister said with the help of the programme, the prime minister wanted to bring hundreds of thousands people out of poverty. Tarin said that the prime minister had decided in principal to boost the welfare projects in the country. He said the Kamyab Pakistan Programme would include various projects including housing, skill development and soft loans. Furthermore, health cards and agriculture services would also be part of the pro-
gramme. Usman Dar on the occasion said billions of rupees were being allocated under the programme. He said under the programme, people would get interest free loans of up to Rs 0.5 million and the poor farmers would also get interest free loans to start their businesses. "The government would also provided technical education to one member of each deserving family," he added. World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia Hartwig Schafer in a meeting with Prime
Minister Imran Khan on Thursday termed Ehsaas a unique socio-welfare programme and expressed confidence that the Kamyab Pakistan project would also prove exemplary. Hartwig Schaffer told the prime minister that the World Bank was appreciative of Pakistan’s socio-welfare programmes aimed at poverty alleviation and social security. He mentioned that the World Bank was working on a number of projects in Pakistan and was interested in providing
full support to social security projects. He commended the government’s economic reforms and smart lockdown policy during Covid-19. Highlighting the features of Kamyab Pakistan programme, Prime Minister Imran Khan said to be launched soon, it would provide soft loans to farmers, affordable accommodation and ensure ease of doing business. He thanked the World Bank for extending cooperation to Pakistan in difficult times and said that one of the top priorities of the government was to provide protection to the economically weaker sections.
Friday, 6 August, 2021
ISLAMABAD corporate corner luxury condominium ‘golf Floras’ rush record walk-in hits at Multan-Mardan open houses
PSX ShEdS 149 POInTS AMId PROFIT-TAkIng In vOlATIlE SESSIOn KARACHI
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MULTaN/MarDaN: Transforming the real estate practices of Pakistan by successfully hosting open-houses nationwide, Graana.com recorded a massive turnout at the open houses for luxury condominiums - Golf Floras, held in Multan and Mardan. The sessions offer interactive opportunities for visitors/walk-ins, potential buyers with real estate and investment advisors looking to invest. The event was held at Ramada Hotel - Multan city and Shelton’s Memories - Mardan ensured all COVID-19 health SOPs were checked. While lauding the teams for hosting successful events simultaneously, Group Director Mr. Farhan Javed informed, “The luxury residential project comprising 523 high-end condominium apartments -Golf Floras is scheduled to be completed till the year 2025. The project offers best-in-class amenities and lush landscaping with glorious views of the mountains.” ‘’The reason for the city to become a center of attention in the recent years is its stable socio-political, educational and economic situation which is why it is being populated on a faster pace as more and more people are moving here from the nearby districts like Bahawalpur and Muzaffar Garh’’, he further added. It’s worth mentioning that a fusion of nature and luxury, a golfer’s paradise, and a natural nirvana – Golf Floras project is located in Bahria Garden City, Islamabad, and approved by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Waking up to an exquisite view of an 18-hole golf course, coupled with all the luxury-oriented amenities, makes Golf Floras an unforgettable experience. The luxury project features one-bed studio, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, with an easy investment plan of 4 years, starting from Rs. 16 Lacs, and an easy claim and buyback policy. Waking up to an exquisite view of an 18-hole golf course, coupled with all the luxury-oriented amenities, makes Golf Floras an unforgettable experience. Apart from this, other topselling projects by Graana.com include Florence Galleria, Imarat Builders Mall, and Mall of Arabia, with the group successfully delivering Amazon Outlet Mall in the promised. PRESS RElEaSE
WASA-BOP Signing Ceremony: Online Integration for Bill Collection Arrangement
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HE Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained volatile throughout the session on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing in the red by shedding 149 points (-0.31 percent) to close at 47,640.88 points. Profit-taking gripped the bourse in the closing hours, as the KSE-100 Index gained 734.59 points in the preceding three sessions. The market opened on a positive note but it switched between the green and red zones. The KSE-100 Index moved in a range of 313.6 points, showing an intraday high of 47,896.3 points and intraday low of 47,582.7 points. Among other indices, the KSE All Share Index shed 28.18 points (-0.09 percent) to close at 32,635.99 points, while All Share Islamic Index shed 57.48 points (-0.25 percent) to close at 23,332.68 points. A total of 397 companies traded shares in the stock ex-
change, out of them shares of 179 closed up, shares of 200 closed down while shares of 18 companies remained unchanged. Of the 98 traded companies in the KSE-100 Index, 35 closed up, 62 closed down, while one remained unchanged. The overall market volumes increased by 13.86 million to 546.81 million shares. Total volume traded for the KSE-100 Index was 207.13 million shares. The number of total trades decreased by 13,250 to 149,309; however, the value traded increased by Rs0.22 billion to Rs15.37 billion. On the other hand, the market capitalisation decreased by Rs7.22 billion. Among scrips, PTC topped the volumes with 62.14 million shares, followed by TPL (42.66 million) and TELE (35.64 million). Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include PTC, TPL, TELE, GGL and HUMNL, which formed around 35 percent of total volumes. Sector wise, the index was let down by miscellaneous with 36 points, cement with 22 points, technology & communication with 20 points, oil & gas
marketing companies with 17 points and pharmaceuticals with 14 points. The most points taken off the index were by PSEL which stripped the index of 36 points followed by SYS with 15 points, TRG with 13 points, BAHL with 10 points and SNGP with 10 points. The sectors propping up the index were automobile assembler with 12 points, insurance with 10 points, textile spinning with 5 points, chemical with 2 points and close–end mutual fund with one point. The most points added to the index were by JLICL which contributed 9 points followed by MTL with 9 points, PTC with 8 points, MEBL with 6 points and HMB with 5 points. According to analysts, the market opened on a positive note but due to the absence of fresh positive triggers, it witnessed volatile swings throughout the day. The KSE-100 index went up by around 107 points in the morning; however, near the close of the trading session, the market witnessed profit booking which brought the index down by 149 points, they said.
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Rupee strengthens by 24 paisas against dollar Pakistan rupee continued the winning streak against the US dollar for the second straight session on Thursday and appreciated by Rs0.24 (+0.15 percent) in the interbank. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the US dollar opened at Rs163.47 and closed at Rs163.23. Within the open market, the rupee was traded at Rs163.50/164.20 per dollar. Overall, Pakistani rupee has shed Rs0.80 against the US dollar during the last four days, while depreciation during the fiscal year 2021-22 has been Rs5.87. The local unit has shed Rs3.14 against the US dollar in the current year 2021. Currency experts said that the market witnessed sufficient supply of the foreign currency during the day. The supply of the greenback helped the rupee make gains. They said that the rupee is likely to make further gains in the coming days due to expected inflows of $2.8 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during this month. NEWS DESK
Bitcoin, ether come down after hitting $40,000, $27,000 marks The cryptocurrency market extended losses on Thursday, with the market cap decreasing 0.4 percent to $1.63 trillion as of 1335 hours GMT. The price of Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency, decreased to $37,873 by shedding 3.00 percent after hitting the $40,000 mark. With this decrease in price, the market capitalisation of the BTC has reached $711.1 billion. However, ethereum (ETH) price turned towards north and gained 0.19 percent to reach $2,615. With this increase in price, the market capitalisation of ETH has reached $305.9 billion. On the other hand, XRP shed 1.25 percent to reach $0.711. The market capitalisation of XRP stands at $71 billion after this decrease. Similarly, Cardano (ADA) price reached $1.35 with a 1.19 percent decrease in its price. Its market capitalisation has reached $43.5 billion after this decrease. Likewise, Dogecoin (Doge) price depreciated by 2.10 percent to reach $0.196. NEWS DESK
Gold price slips to Rs95,500 per 10gm Gold traded flat in the international market on Thursday despite the latest pullback in the US dollar across the board. At 1330 hours GMT, gold in the international market was available at $1810.60 per ounce after shedding $2 as compared to its closing value on Wednesday last. Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of yellow metal in Pakistan decreased to Rs95,500 after shedding Rs500. The closing prices of the yellow metal in the country remained Rs96,000 on Wednesday last. According to experts, the gold price is trading almost unchanged, unable to hold at higher levels. The cautious tone across the European markets fuelled the risk-off flows in the US Treasuries, downing the yields alongside the dollar. The daily technical chart for gold price shows
a downside consolidative mode is underway, as bears cling onto the critical 21-Daily Moving Average (DMA) at $1811. Meanwhile, the 200DMA at $1819 continues to challenge the bullish commitments. They said that despite Wednesday’s spike, gold prices failed to find acceptance above the latter and turned south, keeping the bears hopeful. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) holds steady at the midline, suggesting that gold traders remain indecisive of the next direction in prices. They said that gold traders remain cautious ahead of the Bank of England’s monetary policy decision, with a potential tapering signal to drag gold price further southwards. A withdrawal of stimulus support from any of the central banks is unlikely to be good for gold prices. NEWS DESK
The hidden menace in cigarette trade
Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) was established in 1976, by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) for the purpose of development and maintenance of water supply, and sewerage drainage services in the district of Lahore. WASA is servicing more than 750,000 customers in its area of operations, and its operations/ services continue to grow with the development of Lahore district. BOP through its Transaction Banking Department, will continue to play a pivotal role in the collection of these bills with the transformation of manual to online module and provide real-time collection information to the organization that will substantially reduce the reconciliation issues faced by WASA and improve the overall bill collection process and customer facilitation services. The signing ceremony was held at WASA Head Office, Gulberg, Lahore. Mr. Farid Ahmed Khan (Group Chief Corporate & Investment Banking), Mr. Reza Asghar (Head Transaction Banking) represented The Bank of Punjab & Mr. Syed Zahid Aziz (Managing Director WASA), and Mr. Imtiaz Sheikh (Chief Vice Chairman WASA) signed said SLA along with their officials from both sides. PRESS RElEaSE
NEWS
IPSOS is an International global leader in market and social research. to research by IPSOS, it was revealed that illegal tobacco trade is causing tax evasion worth PKR 80 billion every year in Pakistan. Illicit cigarettes make up approximately 40% of the total tobacco market. According to the report, there are tax leakages in several sectors of the Pakistani economy that have been the direct cause of depleted revenues. These losses can potentially result in direct benefits to the economy in a variety of ways. Almost all of the tax collected from the tobacco industry, amounting up to 98% is paid by only two companies in Pakistan. However, these two companies hold no more than only 60% market share in the tobacco industry, while there is no accounting for the remaining 40 percent of the market. Taxes are evaded through the illegal trade of tobacco and in three main categories; local non-duty-paid cigarettes,
smuggled cigarettes, and counterfeit ones. Each category of illegal cigarettes can be held accountable for its own share of detriment to the economy andfor violating numerous laws in the country. The local, non-duty-paid cigarettes holds the largest share of tax evasion amongst the above-mentioned three types of cigarettesand dominate the illicit market with a 90+ percent share. The mandated minimum price of a cigarette pack in Pakistan dictated by law is PKR 62.76, which is inclusive of a minimum tax of PKR 42.12. There are at least 200 local brands that are selling throughout the country at rates lower than PKR 42.12, making illegal cigarettes easily available at more affordable rates than legally allowed. This creates a vicious cycle of illicit trade, while the entire economy suffers. It’s important to defeat the menace of tax evasion for the economic prosperity of every Pakistani, as it continues to
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cause billions or rupees in losses to the national exchequer. The current losses faced by Pakistan because of tax evasion in different sectors are higher than PKR 310 billion. Illicit cigarette trade makes up more than 40 percent of the total cigarette market and locally manufactured illegal cigarettes evade all taxes and duties that they owe to the country. Hundreds of illegal cigarette brands around Pakistan are thriving as they sell at prices ranging anywhere between PKR 15 and 40. This is not only compromising the government’s fiscal objectives but also harming the governments health agenda. Experts predict that the cost of this particular kind of tax evasion will cross PKR 462 billion ( Please provide source for the number 462 billion) by the year 2027. The government must counter the tax evasion menace and stop it from harming Pakistan’s economy and its right to economic prosperity. PRESS RElEaSE
Lahore: Engineer Azaz Ahmad has assumed the charge of the new Managing Director National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC). PR
Engro Powergen Thar wins Top Plant award KaraChI: Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) power plant has been declared as one of the ‘World’s Top Coal Plants’ (coal-fired category) by the prestigious forum of ‘POWER Magazine’ – an integrated energy vertical – being published from North-America, since 1882. The EPTL plant, a 660 MW power plant in Thar Block II, has won this international accolade and recognition for adopting global best-practices and meticulous mitigation processes. The EPTL power plant was evaluated amongst 40+ coal power plants from across the world and was declared as a Top Coal Plant. The pioneering coal-fired power-plant – and the first plant in the country to run on indigenous Thar coal - has cutting-edge technology, as it has gained critical importance for accelerating the progress of the region of Thar and positively impacted the whole of Pakistan. With a 90% utilization factor, the plant has remained fully functional and available since its commissioning in July 2019 with a net electrical dispatch of approximately ~8.5 TwH in its second year. The electricity generated by the project is promising economic-benefit for the country, as it is enabling energy-abundance and spurring socialdevelopment through provision of local employment and other socio-economic opportunities in Thar. PRESS RElEaSE
SngPl organized corona vaccination camps In view of the directives of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited organized Corona vaccination camps in coordination with District Health Authorities vaccinating 4151 Nos. of general public in Nowshera city, Sohbat Keley District Nowshera, Village Zando Banda District Nowshera, Village Chak Mahmood Dinga Road Gujrat, Village Ali Pur Chatha Gujranwala, D.I Khan, Khan Garh, Jhok Quresh Mouza Uch Sharif, Chaks No. 34 NB, 29 NB, 21 NB Bhalwal Road SGD, Islamabad, Faqirabad Peshawar, Hangu, Deedwal Village Chakwal, Lakki, Bannu, Gujranwala, Daud Khel, Faisal Saeed Textile Mill Jhang Road Faisalabad, UC Gagga Sraay Kot Wassin Singh Pattoki, District Kasur. Also 05 Nos. of data entry operators have been provided to District Health Administration Gujranwala as per their requirement contributing vaccination of hundreds of general public on daily basis. PRESS RElEaSE
Friday, 6 August, 2021
06 COMMENT
Business as usual
Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir A rare display of national unity
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UGUST 5 was observed all over Pakistan to condemn the revocation of the special status of Indian-Occupied Kashmir by the Modi government on this day two years back. Soon after the action, India had locked down an entire population of 12.5 million Kashmiris. While the hurriyet leaders were already under detention, pro-India Kashmiri leaders and hundreds of political activists were also nabbed. Security operations against Kashmiri freedom fighters were accelerated while internet services in the occupied valley were blocked. As peaceful protests were put down by recourse to brutal repression, public anger found expression in militant attacks which continued. The Modi government meanwhile held local government nt elections in Indian-Occupied Kashmir hoping that these would bring forth a docile leadership at the grass roots level. Instead, most of those who were elected belonged to parties whose leadership had opposed the revocation of Article 370. The Modi government finally released the pro-India arrested leaders. In June this year they were all called to Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the resumption of political process in the region. To Mr Modi’s discomfiture. none was ready to sanctify the August 5 action. The PTI government has frequently been accused by the opposition of giving only lip service to the Kashmir cause. It was a rare day when the government, the military establishment and opposition were on the same page. Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa called out India over its continuous “inhuman military siege” and “unprecedented oppression” in occupied Kashmir. The President ruled out any talks with India till pre-5 August 2000 status was restored in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. The rally in Islamabad was led by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi, and a number of important ministers and members of public participated in it. Notables who joined the Karachi rally led by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah included provincial ministers, the corps commander Karachi and the Sindh IGP. The Peshawar rally was led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Mahmood Khan. In Punjab Governor Sarwar led a walk inside the Governor house. Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif issued a strongly worded statement in support of the Kashmiri people. While the show of support would boost the Kashmiris’ morale, they still have a long and tortuous road to traverse.
Who really won in AJK and Sialkot At Penpoint M A NIAZI
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he PML(N) may find itself reeling under the losses inflicted upon it by the PTI in the Azad Kashmir elections and then the Sialkot by-election, but it might take comfort in the fact that the elections do not mark a PTI upsurge, so much as return to normal. The PML(N) might look back to the PDM’s success in getting former Prime Minister Yusuf Reza Gilani elected to the Senate from Islamabad. That was a reversal of the normal course of events. The government was supposed to win. That it did not, reflected a failure in management. Of course, there are wheels within wheels. Yousaf Reza won because of the sudden switch of BAP votes in his favour. The BAP marches to the beat of its own drum, so to speak. Thus its vote switch marks not so much a failure of management, as some devious mind game. It is noticeable that the ‘same-page’ rhetoric of the PTI government has been dialed down. Be that as it may, the re-election of Aslam Sanjrani as Senate Chairman showed that normal service had resumed. It was thus perhaps too much to expect the AJK elections to have any result other than what they had. This was particularly the case where the Indian government had changed the status of the portion of Kashmir it occupies. however, the election in AJK was not really a fair estimate of how public opinion there has reacted, but fell into the tradition of the party in Islamabad forming the government. The AJK government has two functions: it acts as a provincial government for AJK, and it also works towards the fulfillment of the UN resolutions, which call for a plebiscite of the whole of the state to determine the will of the Kashmiri people. Because of the latter function, it has been assumed that the AJK government and the federal government should be on ‘the same page’. The government in Islamabad required a government in AJK of the same stripe. It is ignored that India has not followed this policy, leading the government to be formed according to the local politics of the region. It is worth noting that all the parties participating in Indian Occupied Kashmir are ready to ally with the Indian government, while the parties calling for a plebiscite (grouped in the All-Parties hurriyet Conference) have always boycotted elections. This has led to a particular type of puppet politician domination of the Indian-Occupied Kashmir politician by a particular type of puppet.
Afghan refugees Unrealistic US hopes
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he American wish that Pakistan keep its borders open for displaced persons is both high-handed and disturbing. It has so far not gone beyond a suggestion to Nation Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf in his recent meeting at the State Department, but it seems to ignore Pakistan’s previous experience with Afghan refugees, when over three million refugees were accommodated during the Soviet invasion of the 1980s. Not only did many simply disappear into the local population, with which it had many affinities, but they brought with them not just the heroin trade but also the casual symbolized by the AK-47 Kalashnikov. It is also highhanded because the USA is not suggesting that Pakistan keep open its borders for any refugees but those intended for resettlement in the USA, and that it keep only for 14 months. Turkey has already rejected a similar suggestion, which seems to be based on a sense of American exceptionalism. Perhaps the biggest question is what is supposed to happen to refugees who are rejected by the USA for resettling in the USA. It seems that the USA wants both Pakistan and Turkey to act as sites of US holding camps, where the refugees would be initially processed. It is possible to envisage a flood of refugees from Afghanistan, who would intend getting to the USA for primarily economic reasons, not because they are afraid of the Taliban or whatever Afghan regime that might result. Rejected refugees would still then quite possibly wish to make the economic migration to Pakistan. Pakistan has seen one result of this, as the demographic balance between Baloch and Pashtun in Balochistan was disturbed, with consequences that have not yet plated themselves out. What the USA seems to contemplate is a neat process. however, if Pakistan allows refugees to swarm over its borders in the hope of US fair dealing, it is going to be let in for as much of a disappointment as it experienced in facilitating the US-Taliban agreement, that the USA would manage a political agreement. Though the USA accepted many Afghan refugees during the 1980s, the first postTaliban President hamid Karzai among them, the possibility of Indian involvement in the process, does not inspire confidence.
History casts a long shadow
WAlI EjAZ NEkokArA
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AK-RUSSIA relations are a saga of mistrust. There are three main periods in which a trust deficit was triggered between the two countries. The first period began in the 1960s when Pakistan decided to help the USA against the USSR by providing the former with intelligence and air bases for spying on the latter. The U2 incident marked this period when a Lockheed U-2 Spy-plane was shot down in Soviet airspace in May 1960. Secondly, Pakistan’s bid to facilitate a rapprochement between the USA and China in the 1970s can be identified as the second period. In reaction to Pakistan’s policy, Russia signed a mutual-friendship treaty with India in August 1971. This treaty paved the way for assistance to India in the 1971 war. Thirdly, the Pak-US alliance to counter the USSR following its invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s further added to distrust. Moreover, the USA’s imprudent policy to turn back on Pakistan after the withdrawal of the USSR from Afghanistan and imposition of sanctions under the Pressler and Glenn amendments, left Islamabad bewildered. USA’s ebbing and flowing relations spurred Pakistan to reconsider its policy towards Russia. Then, official visits to Moscow showed some semblance of proximity. Ayub Khan in 1965 and Nawaz Sharif in 1999 visited Russia but in June 2002
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One result of the two elections has been to generate an almost anxious debate within the PML(N). After all, it has been the gig loser: it has lost power in AJK, and lost a provincial seat. The establishment has shown that it still matters to anyone who wants to win
The writer is a member of staff.
Pak-Russia ties: prospects and challenges
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
The assumption that AJK requires a government of the same stripe as Islamabad has been disproven because of the difference between the AJK and Pakistan elections. ever since 1985, when elections were held in both Pakistan and AJK, while Pakistan has experienced early elections, the AJK Legislative Assembly has always completed its full term, with the result that there is now a slippage. It has not helped that AJK continued to have elections in the Musharraf years, while Pakistan did not. That has meant that all Islamabad governments have spent some time in ‘cohabitation’ with an AJK government of a political party which opposes it. The recent election provided an appropriate example. The AJK government was formed by the PML(N). The PML(N) had been elected in 2016, when the PML(N) ruled in Islamabad. Therefore, from August 2018, till date, the PTI rule in the centre, and had to tolerate the PML(N) in AJK. Imran Khan’s 2018 UNGA speech, in which the PTI insists he raised the issue of Kashmir for the first time, was made with the PML(N) in office in Muzaffarabad. The PML(N) government also absorbed Imran’s announcement that henceforth he was the ambassador for Kashmir. his announcement that a plebiscite would be followed by a referendum on whether Kashmir would accede to Pakistan, or obtain independence, which came in his final campaign rally, was also technically under the PML(N) government, for in AJK, there is no caretaker government, but the sitting government also conducts the election. Federal government interference is through the Kashmir Affairs Ministry, in this case headed by Ali Amin Gandapur, whose tireless efforts in favour of the PTI extended to using strong language against both PPP and PML(N). his defying he AJK election Commission order banning him from the campaign showed that he AJKeC was not all that strong, and thus that elections there could be swayed. In the same way, the sitting provincial governments conduct by-elections. The eCP asserted itself at the Daska by-election on a national seat. Another seat in the same district of Sialkot was up for grabs,
but this time, the government won. By reversing the general election result, the only thing proved was that the system had restored itself. There are two factors which must be taken into consideration. First, this is a seat close to AJK. even if the AJK result had been managed, there would still be a spillover in areas close by. Second, the previous holder of the seat, Ch Khush Akhtar Subhani, who was a former minister, had a history which indicated that the establishment could take care of him if it wished. his father Akhtr Ali Vario was first elected in 1985, and after serving in the Nawaz Sharif Cabinet, joined whichever part was flavour-of-the-month, moving from the IJI to the PML(J) and then the PML(Q). Since 2013, the Varios had been in the PML(N). While Ch Akhtar Ali, who passed away in 2008, was never in the Opposition, Ch Khush Akhtar went into opposition in 2018, having won a provincial seat. The PTI is unfairly presented as an establishment party. The PML(N) history of being anti-establishment is quite recent. Though Mian Nawaz Sharif’s Mein dictation nahin loonga (I won’t take any dictation) speech goes back to 1993, it was not until the last election that he insisted vote ko izzat do (respect the vote). Mian Nawaz has been brought to power twice, and each time it has ended badly for him. In 2000, there was a coup, in 2007 he was disqualified. Ultimately to be replaced by Imran Khan, after it won the 2018 election. The AJK elections are important, because they are the testing ground in which the establishment tries out methods which will yield results in national elections. Combined with the Sialkot by-election, they indicate that the establishment has the ability to determine election results. This will be the methodology to use in the 2023 Pakistani general election., about which it is now openly speculated that, despite problems of inexperience, the establishment wants the PTI back, as it has proved a better fit than any other party. The enhanced performance of the PPP in the AJK elections has to be seen as a reward for indications that it is now willing to be cooperative. One result of the two elections has been to generate an almost anxious debate within the PML(N). After all, it has been the gig loser: it has lost power in AJK, and lost a provincial seat. The establishment has shown that it still matters to anyone who wants to win.
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the Musharraf-Putin meeting at the Multinational Security Summit in Almaty made the institutionalization of relations possible. Pakistan and Russia have made considerable efforts to thaw the relations, especially in the last 15 years. A recent visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has proved to be a positive omen in terms of bridging the gap. he said that “we have provided 50,000 doses of anti-Covid vaccine to Pakistan and intend to provide 150,000 more”. he further mentioned that “both countries were considering a new protocol on the ‘stream gas pipeline project’”. he hinted at Russia’s desire to help Pakistan militarily. he emphasized the significance of trade ties between both nations. he also stressed the need of increasing the Pak-Russia Trade by 46pc. Along with economic relations, Russia can help Pakistan in various manners. Firstly, When US President Donald Trump restricted Pakistan from participating in the International Military education Program; Russia took advantage of the situation and inked a ‘Security Training Agreement’. That agreement helped Pakistani military officers to get training in Russian institutions. Pakistan’s joining Russian military institutions can prove to be an appropriate alternative to the USA and it will have an impact on the strategic thinking of the Pakistani military because institutions shape the way of thinking. Secondly, Pakistan can learn the strategies to counter hybrid warfare from Russia because Russia has a good understanding of hybrid warfare. Russian General Valery Gerasimov is known as an architect of hybrid warfare in Moscow. Thirdly, Russia can help Pakistan in enhancing its energy output. Islamabad wants to establish business ties to acquire nuclear fuel, nuclear reactors, and technical assistance from industrial nuclear suppliers. Pakistan wants Nuclear Supplier Group Membership to achieve nuclear legitimacy in the world. Pakistan emphasizes a criterion-based approach to membership but France, the UK and Russia favored the merit-based approach. Russian embassy officials in Islamabad hinted at a policy shift from backing the merit-based to backing the criteria-based approach. Russia’s support to Pakistan in achieving NSG membership will be a great step towards amicable ties. Palpably, Russia’s attempt to gain ground in South Asia and to get proximity to Pakistan is not free of challenges. According to some analysts, Russia can have three main challenges in South
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Asia. First is India’s changing equation with Russia and her dependence on the USA. Second is Russia’s challenge to walk a tightrope for keeping the balance between Pakistan and India. Indeed, Moscow cannot afford to abandon India despite the latter’s changing preferences because of the size of the market it provides. On the other hand, mistreating Pakistan will be tantamount to damaging its newfound interests. The third is the sprawling influence of China in South-east Asia, its proximity to Pakistan, and the BRI project. ll of which are attracting Russia. As Pakistan is deemed as a major player in the BRI project, it has unavoidable importance. Russia is interested in becoming a part of CPeC. Furthermore, there are some areas of divergence which have the potential to mar the establishing of relations. First, Russia is not comfortable with Pakistan’s support to jihadists in Kashmir and Afghanistan. Pakistan’s commitment to eradicate violent forces will serve Pakistan’s as well as Russia’s interests. Secondly, Russia does not see India as a trouble maker in Afghanistan that will not be in favor of Pakistan’s interests. Thirdly, there are remote possibilities of Russia’s support to Kashmir’s cause as it can be a blow to his relations with India. Fourthly, Russia will not downgrade its defense and trade ties with India. It is also contrary to Pakistan’s objectives. Last but not least is the uncertain relationship between Pakistan and the USA. history shows that when the USA left Pakistan the latter resorted to Russia. It leaves a negative impression on Russia because it suggests Russia is less important to Pakistan than the USA. Conclusively, Pakistan needs to form economic relations with Russia because, in this age, only economic ties have the power to create mutual understanding and amicable relations among nations. In simple words, a state’s relevance is determined by the economy. Secondly, Pakistan should form relations with Russia based on realpolitik without expecting Russia’s support to solve the Kashmir issue. Without over-expecting and with a deep understanding of mutual interests, Pakistan should try to bridge the gap. Thirdly, Pakistan should not overlook Russia as it is a major player in the region. here Pakistan needs bilateralism to keep a balance between Russia and the USA. The writer can waliejaz04@gmail.com
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Friday, 6 August, 2021
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
Abrogation of Article 370
What the failure of the Afghan State can do War with Pakistan and the USA being dragged back to conflict ZIA PAchA khAN
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ITh the ongoing Afghan Taliban military offensive in Afghanistan against the backdrop of the planned full withdrawal of USled NATO forces, the uneasy relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan can explode if the Afghan state fails. The Afghan government, established on the heels of the US-led invasion in 2001, is at a critical juncture and will need to decide on how to respond best to the worsening situation as more cities and districts fall. Old wounds and nationalist sentiments could be ignited which could lead to a direct war with Pakistan and which could drag the USA back into the AfPak region. Both nations have had an uneasy relationship marked by shifting alliances, general distrust, betrayals, paranoia and fear. Pakistan, with its double role in both supporting the US-led efforts in Afghanistan as well as enabling the Afghan militants, have become a common scapegoat for Afghans. Overtly, the Pakistan state and military leadership support a peaceful and stable Afghanistan next door, but covertly the reality has been understood to be different. It is known that the Afghan Taliban have sanctuaries and safe havens in Pakistan, and they enjoy massive propaganda, funding and recruitment support in the country of over 200 million. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby recently called the safe havens in Pakistan a historical problem, where the Afghan Taliban replenish, retrain, and refurbish themselves. The Afghan Taliban in Pakistan have not received the same wrath and crackdown from the Pakistani state as the Pakistan Taliban received through operations such as Zarb-e-Azb. For much of the conflict, the Afghan populace has viewed the Pakistani state as a key supporter of the Afghan Taliban group. While the velocity and impact of current support of Pakistan to the Taliban is questionable as compared to the initial support given to the Taliban regime in the 1990s, this notion of support has yielded much hatred and exaggerated bias against Pakistan, and more specifically of its military and intelligence bureaucracy. In Pakistan, likewise, similar bias and sentiments have persisted against Afghans and the Afghan government. Nationalists on both sides are eager to exploit this critical moment, and any mishap can result in fateful results. With the Afghan conventional military struggling against the Taliban, the casualty figures for the Afghan National Defense Forces continue to rise as noted in the recent massacre of 22 Afghan commandos. Furthermore, Afghan civilian casualties are up in record numbers, causing more sentiments among the victims’ families. This presents a major challenge for the Kabul administration. Out of desperation, the administration, through its networks in the tribal areas of AfPak, can turn the enormous anti-Pakistan sentiments of the populace into an armed conflict by directly and indirectly igniting a war with Pakistan. In
fact, a war with an external entity (Pakistan) can unite the different ethnic and militant groups in Afghanistan and could lead to the survival of the current Afghan administration. The main crux of Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan and hence of Afghanistan’s meddling in the tribal areas of Pakistan has been the Durrand Line issue. Given its experiences with the east Pakistan ethnic war which led to the establishment of Bangladesh, Pakistan’s worst fear is another ethnicity-driven conflict that leads to more partition. Pakistan does not want nor trust a nationalist establishment next door, who can ignite a Pashtun or Baluch insurgency. hence, Pakistan sees the Afghan Taliban as a more friendly regime compared to a nationalist Afghan one. Pakistan is happy with a proxy neighbour that worries less about borders and more about subjective Shariah implementation and one which will make it easier to control the long porous border. In the ideological world, Pakistan’s conservative influence resonates with the political aspirations of the Afghan Taliban group. Furthermore, a friendly Afghanistan’s Taliban-run foreign policy will be beneficial to Pakistan to leverage in the region in its own separate rivalry for influence against the Indian state through its longheld concept of gaining “strategic depth.” For Afghans, the Afghan Taliban are just one more militant group in the arena along with plenty more in the country as multiple militant and ideological groups hold key positions in the Ghani government of Afghanistan. Almost every militia or warlord in Afghanistan justifies actions with Islamic reasoning, so the question begs on what difference is the Afghan Taliban group bringing to the table. The current Kabul administration is also based on Islamic law and has an Ulema council that it works with and seeks advice from. Sharia is the dominant formation of the current Afghan Constitution. Almost all members of Afghan government, military and civic society are Muslims as they come from the same conservative tribal and civil societies that nurture the Afghan militants. For Afghans, it doesn’t make sense to support and promote one specific militant group. As Badal. “revenge,” Afghanistan can guarantee Mutually Assured Terrorism. Afghanistan, through its long historic networks in the tribal lands, can easily turn to supporting guerilla and insurgents’ movements to destabilize Pakistani state and society. Afghanistan, through NDS, can
ramp up support for the Baluch insurgents and fuel more ethnic tensions in Pakistan as well as ensure terrorism and militancy is at large and reverse Pakistan’s economic growth. Afghanistan can covertly target the Gwadar port project and dent Pakistan’s ambition to become a regional transshipment economic hub. Afghanistan knows Pakistan needs the territory and economic activity of CPeC to ensure its sustained growth and any damage to it can adversely affect the economy and social fabric. For the Afghans, if the Pakistani state, through its support of the Taliban, did not allow Afghanistan to fully benefit from the fruits of US and NATO efforts, then why should it allow the Pakistani state to fully benefit from the fruits of Chinese efforts? If such targeted operations continue against Pakistan and its economy, Pakistan will be forced to carry out cross-border conventional military incursions– which will then receive direct symmetric and asymmetrical response from the remaining Afghan forces and militias leading to a full-scale war. Not only will it be a catastrophe for the region, but it will also have great international impact. It has the potential to drag the USA and NATO back into the AfPak region, who will not only worry about containing the war but also maintaining the safety of the nuclear weapons in Pakistan. Pakistan– with its conventional military might, and Afghanistan– with its long experience of symmetrical and asymmetrical warfare, can mutually destroy each other if they choose to continue the war footing. It is best for both nations to pursue a non-confrontational stance as allies in the region and pursue a diplomatic approach for economic growth and stability. Pakistan and Afghanistan can in fact work together in the areas of developments in information technology, transport and communications, medicine, trade and commerce. The concept of ‘strategic depth’ and “strategic militancy” and ‘Loy Afghanistan’ will need to be shelved for the better good. Now is the time to be covertly and overtly sincere as stability of South Asia and the region beyond depends on real peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It is best for both nations to pursue a nonconfrontational stance as allies in the region and pursue a diplomatic approach for economic growth and stability. Pakistan and Afghanistan can in fact work together in the areas of developments in information technology, transport and communications, medicine, trade and commerce
The writer is a DC-based Afghan American foreign policy analyst and a consultant/auditor with a BA in Global Affairs and Economics and a Masters in Public Administration
AT the time of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to the Indian Union, Article 370 was the foundation of accession. however, When the other states who are under the prince rule had the choice of whether they join Pakistan and India after Independence of 1947. In 1949, The article came into repercussion and free Jammu and Kashmir state from the Indian constitution. Article 370 gave relief to the Indian-Administrated region jurisdiction to make and implement their laws to expect the defense policies, foreign affairs, economics, and communication. Under the umbrella of Article 370, It has the right to established a separate constitution, a separate flag, and denied property rights to any outsider in their region. It means the people of the state live their life under different laws and constitutions from the rest of the country. The state of Jammu and Kashmir under article 370 was allowed to have its own flag and constitution. The people were disallowing to purchase the property in the state from belongs to another part of India. The special status of Kashmir could only be amended through the advocacy of the state assembly. The BJP provoke the article 370 and 35 A at the beginning of August 2019 by making use of the political vacuum in the country. In the event, The BJP prepare the ground for this revocation by dismissing the state assembly and put the governor’s rule. The Indian Government was expected that the population of Jammu and Kashmir can be aggressive and violated by his action. And the Modi government moved the army personnel and paramilitary forces to Kashmir which already has a heavily militarized area that is already half a million army troops stationed there. The blanket curfew was exposed by the announcement of the change in the special status of the Jammu and Kashmir was a semi-autonomous region to a union territory and block the communication links, which include the internet, telephone line, mobile signals and imposed a hard lockdown on Kashmir. even the situation can be judged by in an unprecedented move, hindu pilgrims attending their religious tour which were asked to leave the territory urgently, and all tourists and visitors were also ordered to leave the territory. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been limited to their homes and being locked down and didn’t move outside. The soldiers are stationed in front of every house door, every street. Peoples have no food to eat and no medical assistance, no supplies. A huge amount of people have been detained. The Indian Army has applied the aggressive and violent action on the Muslim women in Kashmir. The United Nations Security Council resolutions declare this territory is disputed, to which Pakistan is a legal party to authorize the Kashmiri peoples to decide their future through a free and fair referendum under U.N patronage. The issue of Kashmir unresolved, Kashmir people are suffered from years and don’t have any self-determination due to the two country conflict on the land of Kashmir. The Kashmir issue between the two countries has remained an issue that has no peaceful resolution or any solution that is acceptable by two countries since their independence. Indian genocide and brutality have faced by innocent Kashmiris. The Indian Atrocities day by day increased in Kashmir. The Old ages, Women, and Children’s are suffered from Indian Army brutalities, and Using ballot guns which are psychologically affected the children’s minds and Kashmiri genocide will be caused a long-lasting effects on the Kashmiri’s identity which is not acceptable by Kashmiri peoples. MuhaMMad uMaiS Rizwan iSlaMabad
Karachi drainage system I want to draw your attention towards an important issue that is with the monsoon season fast approaching so is the impending fear of what the state of Karachi will be, considering how unmanaged our drainage systems are. Last year, due to excess rainfall, many people had water flowing into their homes and shops making work and life hard for them. It is urgent that our municipal department cleans up the trash in our drainage system and make sure they are enough to handle any of the excess rain we could be facing this year-round. wania aShRaf KaRaChi
Closed schools IT is an accepted and established fact that the state schooling sector in Sindh has failed miserably. however, that same failed state regulator is now responsible for regulating private schools which have had an impeccable track-record spanning nearly 50 years, and is the sole reason a literacy rate in Pakistan has existed. When the state operates in such an illogical fashion, do we really have any faith in the merits of their decision making? The Directorate of Private Schools is now on the verge of forcing private school closures which will leave hundreds of thousands of children without schools in the province. The directorates only purpose seems to be withholding registrations and renewals in exchange for guaranteed admissions for their cronies, and making decisions about fees without any understanding of the operating costs of a school. If they really possess the know how of operating successful schools, why don’t they use this to fix the government schools that need fixing and make education free and accessible to everyone in the province? Maaz abbaSi KaRaChi
Traffic mess OUR burgeoning population and lack of public transport has resulted in traffic jams becoming a part of daily life. The ever-increasing rush of heavy traffic on the roads often results in loss of human life. This traffic jams compelling people to drive recklessly in order to reach their destinations timely, increasing the rate of deadly accidents. Furthermore, the poor condition of the roads also contributes towards traffic jam and accidents, as ambulance get caught up in traffic, patients are often unable to get the urgent care they require. There is a need to have a serious consideration over these factors for improvement. I request the higher authorities and the department of traffic police for taking severe steps, so that everyone can travel with comfort and the problem of traffic jams can be handled properly. MaMoona GhaffaR iSlaMabad
Friday, 6 August, 2021
08 WORLD VIEW
BuIlDIng a new marItIme surveIllance network across the InDIan ocean StrategISt DavID BREwSTER & SamuEl BaShfIElD
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He Indian Ocean is an increasingly contested strategic environment. a growing Chinese naval presence raises the prospect that Beijing may seek to challenge U.S. naval dominance, potentially sparking a competitive naval arms race in the region. This would be of huge concern to australia, forcing us to divert limited defence resources from other priority areas in the Indo-Pacific. australia and its partners need to consider how to best leverage their strategic advantages to deter or limit China’s naval ambitions in the Indian Ocean. One of the biggest advantages of australia and its Indian Ocean partners, and one of China’s biggest vulnerabilities, is in maritime domain awareness. The ability of even large vessels to effectively disappear in the vastness of the Indian Ocean puts maritime domain awareness at a premium. If you can find a naval adversary and they can’t find your ships, the odds are definitely in your favour. The Chinese navy already has significant disadvantages in the Indian Ocean, operating with limited logistical support far from home ports that are accessible only by transiting the narrow straits through Southeast asia, where they can be easily located and tracked. China also lacks a comprehensive maritime
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, INDIA HAS REACHED MUTUAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT AGREEMENTS WITH THE U.S. AND FRANCE picture of even significant parts of the Indian Ocean (although it is working to plug that gap, including through the use of satellites and other new technologies). Individually, australia and partners such as the United States, India and France already have significant capabilities, including maritime patrol aircraft and uncrewed aerial vehicles, and facilities that, if combined in a collaborative network, would allow comprehensive maritime surveillance of much of the Indian Ocean. The level of maritime domain awareness that could be achieved through such a network would make any Chinese naval presence highly vulnerable in a conflict. Such a collaborative network would require information sharing, as well as collaboration in use of facilities to support maritime air surveillance. Crucially, adequate surveillance coverage of the Indian Ocean by maritime patrol aircraft would depend on access to air staging points and facilities across the region. The U.S. and its allies already have arrangements to provide access and logistical support in each other’s facilities, including the U.S. bases at Diego Garcia and in the Persian Gulf. But India, with its growing
fleet of Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and staging points around the region, is an essential partner in building a comprehensive regional network. Over the past several years, India has reached mutual logistics support agreements with the U.S. and France. The signing of an australia–India Mutual Logistics Support arrangement in 2020 represented a big step in building a web of agreements, opening the possibility of mutual use of facilities throughout the region. But the australia– India piece is yet to be put into practice. India undertakes surveillance of much of the northern Indian Ocean with P-8Is based at INS rajali, near Chennai, and INS Hansa in Goa, as well as airfields in the andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indian P-8s are increasingly also using facilities of regional partners such as Seychelles, Mauritius and French reunion in the western Indian Ocean. It is anticipated that Indian P-8s will soon also be able to operate from the new Indian-built airfield on Mauritius’s agalega island near the northern end of the Mozambique Channel. australia has its own strengths in the eastern Indian Ocean. Since at least the 1980s, the royal australian air Force has undertaken aerial surveillance of the coun-
try’s northwest approaches and the Malacca Strait/Bay of Bengal as part of Operation Gateway. The raaF’s use of P-8a maritime patrol aircraft now provides an opportunity for collaboration with India in sharing of facilities and logistics across the region. Both countries are becoming more confident working together following exercise aUSINDeX 2019, which saw raaF and Indian Navy P-8s cooperating in anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Bay of Bengal, as well as the Quad exercises off Guam earlier this year. australia has several facilities in the eastern Indian Ocean that could substantially extend the range of India’s operations. There is an existing offer by australia for Indian P8s to use australian facilities at Darwin and potentially also the Learmonth and Curtin air bases in Western australia. There has been discussion of potential Indian use of the airfield on australia’s Cocos Island, and an agreement was reached in February for India to place a temporary satellite tracking station there. But until the runway on Cocos is strengthened and widened (currently scheduled for 2023), it won’t be suitable for P-8 operations. If Indian Navy operations from australian facilities were normalised, there might also be opportunities for the raaF to extend the area of cooperation throughout the Bay of Bengal and further afield into the western Indian Ocean. In particular, the abil-
ity for the raaF to stage out of Indian bases in Tamil Nadu and/or Goa would help extend australia’s reach in the central and western Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy P-8s have already conducted operations from these Indian bases, providing opportunities for combined cooperation among the three countries. Port Blair in India’s andaman Islands is another potential staging point. Foreign militaries in the past were rarely given approval to use those facilities, but in October 2020 a U.S. Navy P-8 aircraft was permitted to refuel in Port Blair for the first time. While the facility could deliver additional operational flexibility for australian P-8s, given australia’s access to Butterworth in Malaysia, the use of facilities on the Indian mainland would be more advantageous. all these facilities could be considered as part of a new network of air staging points and facilities around the Indian Ocean potentially available to australia, India, the U.S. and other partners. This would support a collaborative maritime surveillance system that, potentially, could help deter a damaging naval arms race in the region. David Brewster is a senior researcher and Samuel Bashfield is a PhD candidate and research officer at the National Security College at the australian National University. This article is part of a two-year project being undertaken by the National Security College with the support of the Department of Defence.
Why vaccination should An open letter from the UK’s media to the prime minister be compulsory about the need to protect MANDATORY VACCINATION LAWS MAY BE RESTRICTING ONE KIND OF FREEDOM, BUT THEY ARE DOING SO IN ORDER TO PROTECT OTHERS TO GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS SAFELY
project SyndIcate
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PETER SINGER
’M writing from Victoria, the australian state that became, in 1970, the first jurisdiction in the world to make it compulsory to wear a seat belt in a car. The legislation was attacked as a violation of individual freedom, but Victorians accepted it because it saved lives. Now most of the world has similar legislation. I can’t recall when I last heard someone demanding the freedom to drive without wearing a seat belt. Instead, we are now hearing demands for the freedom to be unvaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. Brady ellison, a member of the United States Olympic archery team, says his decision not to get vaccinated was “one hundred percent a personal choice,” insisting that “anyone that says otherwise is taking away people’s freedoms.” The oddity, here, is that laws requiring us to wear seat belts really are quite straightforwardly infringing on freedom, whereas laws requiring people to be vaccinated if they are going to be in places where they could infect other people are restricting one kind of freedom in order to protect the freedom of others to go about their business safely. Don’t misunderstand me. I strongly support laws requiring drivers and passengers in cars to wear seat belts. In the U.S., such laws are estimated to have saved approximately 370,000 lives and to have prevented many more serious injuries. Nevertheless, these laws are paternalistic. They coerce us to do
something for our own good. They violate John Stuart Mill’s famous principle: “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” The fact that the coercion is for the individual’s own good is “not a sufficient warrant.” There is a lot to be said for this principle, especially when it is used to oppose laws against victimless acts like homosexual relations between consenting adults or voluntary euthanasia. But Mill had more confidence in the ability of members of “civilized” communities to make rational choices about their own interest than we can justifiably have today. Before seat belts were made compulsory, governments ran campaigns to educate people about the risks of not wearing them. These campaigns had some effect, but the number of people who wore seat belts came nowhere near the 90% or more who wear them in the U.S. today (with similar or higher figures in many other countries where not wearing them is an offense). The reason is that we are not good at protecting ourselves against very small risks of disaster. each time we get into a car, the chance that we will be involved in an accident serious enough to cause injury, if we are not wearing a seat belt, is very small. Nevertheless, given the negligible cost of wearing a belt, a reasonable calculation of one’s own interests shows that it is irrational not to wear one. Car crash survivors who were injured because they were not wearing seat belts recognize and regret their irrationality — but only when it is too late, as it always is for those who were killed while sitting on their belts. We are now seeing a very similar situation with vaccination. Brytney Cobia recently posted on Facebook the following account of her experiences working as a doctor in Birmingham, alabama: “I’m admitting young healthy people to the hospital with very serious COVID-19 infections. One of the last things they do before they’re intubated is beg me for the vaccine. I hold their hand and tell them that I’m sorry, but it’s too late. a few days later when I call time of death, I hug their family mem-
bers and I tell them the best way to honor their loved one is to go get vaccinated and encourage everyone they know to do the same. They cry. and they tell me they didn’t know. They thought it was a hoax. They thought it was political. They thought because they had a certain blood type or a certain skin color they wouldn’t get as sick. They thought it was ‘just the flu.’ But they were wrong. and they wish they could go back. But they can’t.” The same reason justifies making vaccination against COVID-19 compulsory; otherwise, too many people make decisions that they later regret. One would have to be monstrously callous to say: “It’s their own fault, let them die.” In any case, in the COVID-19 era, making vaccination compulsory doesn’t violate Mill’s “harm to others” principle. Unvaccinated Olympic athletes impose risks on others, just as speeding down a busy street does. The only “personal choice” ellison should have had was to get vaccinated or stay at home. If the International Olympic Committee had said that only vaccinated athletes can compete, that would have freed thousands of athletes from a heightened risk of infection and would have justified overriding ellison’s desire to compete without being vaccinated. For the same reason, rules announced last month in France and Greece requiring that people going to cinemas, bars, or traveling on a train show proof of vaccination are not a violation of anyone’s freedom. This past February, when the Indonesian government became the first to make vaccination mandatory for all adults, the real tragedy was not that it was violating the freedom of its citizens, but that richer countries did not donate the vaccines it needed to implement the law. as a result, Indonesia is now the epicenter of the virus and tens of thousands of unvaccinated Indonesians have died. Peter Singer is a professor of bioethics at Princeton University and founder of the nonprofit organization The Life You Can Save. His books include “Animal Liberation,” “Practical Ethics,” and “Ethics in the Real World.”
Afghan journalists WE NOTE THAT THE NOVEMBER 2020 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT PANEL OF LEGAL EXPERTS ON MEDIA FREEDOM, CHAIRED BY LORD NEUBERGER AND SET UP AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT, RECOMMENDS A VISA PROGRAMME FOR JOURNALISTS AT RISK IN THEIR HOME STATE
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Independent
ear prime minister and foreign secretary, We are a coalition of British media organisations who have led the reporting from afghanistan over the past 20 years, providing the British and international public with vital, in-depth coverage over the course of the United Kingdom’s involvement there. Our reporting has been heavily reliant on the loyalty and commitment of the afghan journalists, translators and support staff who have worked with us throughout this period. They were committed to the vision, shared by the British government and its Nato allies, of a free media as a vital part of a stable, peaceful democracy. But today fighting is worsening nationwide and the Kabul government has already lost control of more than half the country. after the withdrawal of the final British and Nato units, there are very real fears of brutal Taliban reprisal against those who worked for British media organisations. In recent years the Taliban have masterminded a campaign of targeted killings against reporters. Prominent victims include Helmand-based reporter elyas Dayee, who was a vital contributor to much of the UK and international coverage from the province where Britain focused its military effort. He was murdered last year. Pultizer Prizewinning Indian press photographer, Danish Siddiqui, was killed in afghanistan and his body mutilated in Taliban custody last month. These attacks, and Taliban closure of media outlets in areas they control, have led human rights and press freedom organisations to raise the alarm about the safety of journalists in afghanistan. They list journalists among civilians most at risk of Taliban persecution and attacks for their work to build a better afghanistan. With that in mind, we write to you to highlight the urgent need for a special afghan visa programme for afghan staff who have worked for the British media so that they and their families can leave afghanistan and find safety in the United Kingdom. Britain has recognised the vital role of afghans who served as translators for our armed forces, and the unique dangers they face because of their service, through the creation of a visa programme for them. The afghans who worked for UK media outlets have also been critical to our national understanding of what British men and women fought for in afghanistan, and the conduct of our allies in the afghan government. The numbers concerned are small, perhaps a few dozen people including family members, yet their work in illuminating the realities of afghanistan to the British public has carried an exponential impact. There is an urgent need to act quickly, as the threat to their lives is already acute and worsening. If left behind, those afghan journalists and media employees who have played such a vital role informing the British public by working for British media will be left at the risk of persecution, of physical harm, incarceration, torture, or death. The Biden administration this week recognised the threat to journalists and media staff with US links, giving them access to its refugee programme for afghans. We hope that a British government committed to democracy, which recognises the important role of a free press, will recall their help in their time of need and vulnerability and offer similar sanctuary. We note that the November 2020 report of the Independent Panel of Legal experts on Media Freedom, chaired by Lord Neuberger and set up at the request of the government, recommends a visa programme for journalists at risk in their home state. Thank you for your consideration in this important matter. Yours sincerely, The Daily express, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, economist, Financial Times, ITN (independent news provider for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5), Mail on Sunday, NUJ, reporters Without Borders UK, Sky News, The Independent, The Frontline Club, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Observer, The People, The Sunday Telegraph, The Sun/The Sun on Sunday, The Sunday Mirror, The Sunday Times, The Times, Tortoise Media
Friday, 6 August, 2021
BUSINESS 09
ISLAMABAD corporate corner UBL subscribes to PPTFC of Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company Ltd
FBR nOTIFIEs sALEs TAx OF LOCALLY PRODUCED sTEEL, sCRAP GOODs ISLAMABAD
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KARACHI: United Bank Limited (UBL) has successfully subscribed to a secured, unlisted Privately Placed Term Finance Certificate (PPTFC) of Rs2.5 billion issued by Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company Limited (PMRCL) for a tenor of 3 years. Mohsin Tayebaly & Co. acted as the transaction legal counsel. The subscription will contribute in building the housing and construction loan portfolios, as part of the strategy by the government and SBP for extending mortgage loans and financing to developers and builders. The facility is aimed at improving the quality of living conditions for the people of Pakistan through construction of affordable housing. Its linkage to dozens of allied industries, offers substantial potential for boosting economic activities in the country. The facility has been successfully disbursed and the proceeds will be used for mortgage refinance. A signing ceremony in this regard, was recently held at UBL Head Office, Karachi. UBL was represented by UBL President & CEO Shazad G Dada whereas from PMRCL CEO Muddasir H. Khan was led the team. Press release
PIA, HBL partner to bring exclusive discounts to customers
KARACHI: Pakistan’s national flag carrier - PIA and the country’s largest bank- HBL signed an agreement to offer HBL clients an exclusive discount on all their international and domestic travel tickets. The agreement was signed between PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik and HBL President and CEO Muhammad Aurangzeb. This alliance will allow HBL Debit and Credit Card holders to enjoy exclusive discounts on their domestic and international travel via PIA. Transactions can be made both at the PIA booking offices domestic and international as well as through its corporate website, making the process convenient and seamless for the customers. Press release
ICI Pakistan Ltd. announces results for year ended June 30, 2021 KARACHI: Following the meeting of the Board of Directors, ICI Pakistan Limited (the Company) announced its financial results for the year ended June 30, 2021. On a consolidated basis (including the results of the Company’s subsidiaries: ICI Pakistan PowerGen Limited and NutriCo Morinaga (Private) Limited) net turnover for the year under review was Rs64,766 million, a 17% increase over the same period last year (SPLY). The consolidated operating result at Rs8,045 million was 43% higher in comparison to the SPLY. The strong results were driven by exceptional performance across all businesses particularly the Polyester, Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health businesses. The consolidated Profit after Tax (PAT) for the year was Rs5,229 million of which loss of Rs341 million is attributable to noncontrolling interests. This translates into PAT attributable to the owners of the Holding Company at Rs5,569 million and an EPS of Rs60.30, both higher by 114% as compared to the SPLY. These stellar results were driven by operational excellence across all businesses, lower finance costs due to lower interest rates and debt levels, and a exchange gain compared to exchange loss during the SPLY. The Company recognised Rs527 million as a share of profit from its Associate - NutriCo Pakistan (Private) Limited. On a standalone basis, PAT and EPS for the year under review at Rs5,959 million and Rs64.52 per share respectively, are 92% higher than SPLY. Based on the results, the Company has announced a final cash dividend of 200% i.e. Rs20/share. This is in addition to 200% interim cash dividend (i.e. Rs20/share) already paid, making a total cash dividend of 400% (i.e. Rs40/share) for the year ended June 30, 2021. Press release
sTaFF rePOrT
he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has fixed the value of locally produced steel and scrap goods pertaining to payment of sales tax. As per the SRO issued by FBR on Wednesday, the values have been fixed in respect of locally produced goods for the purpose of payment of sales tax on ad valorem basis. Documents seen by Profit state that FBR has fixed Rs140,000 per metric tonne value of steel bars and other long profiles, Rs125,000 per metric tonne steel billets, Rs120, 000 per metric ton steel ingots, Rs120,000 per metric tonne ship plates and Rs118,000 per metric tonne on re-rollable iron and steel scrap. In case the value of supply of the goods specified in the notification is higher than the values fixed, the value of goods shall be at the same rate at which the
GOVT TO IMPOSE WITHHOLDING TAX ON ONLINE MARKETS FROM SEPT 1 supply is made. hybrid electric Vehicles The FBR has also cancelled its notification pertaining to imposition of 50 per cent sales tax on upto 1800CC and 75pc on 1801 cc to 2500cc hybrid electric Vehicles (heVs). It is pertinent to note the government has taken back this sales tax in the budget announced on June 11, 2021. Imposition of withholding tax on online marketplace The FBR has also imposed a 2pc withholding tax on the gross value of supplies on online marketplaces, other than active taxpayers, from September 1, 2021.
Bank AL Habib declares Rs9.04bn profit after tax KARACHI: The Board of Directors of Bank AL Habib Limited announced the bank's financial results for the half year ended 30 June 2021. The bank posted profit after taxation of Rs9.04 billion i.e. an increase of 25.10 percent compared to corresponding period last year. The bank’s profit before tax was recorded at Rs.14.34 billion, highlighting a growth of 18.51 percent as compared to corresponding period last year, driven by markup income as well as fees and commission income translating into an EPS of Rs8.13 per share as against Rs6.50 per share for the corresponding period last year. Net markup income increased to Rs27.40 billion, reflecting the Bank’s success in maintaining sustainable growth. Despite the challenging conditions and free online offerings during the pandemic Covid-19, the bank managed to significantly increase its fee and commission income by 42.70 percent as compared to the first half of 2020. Total Assets reached Rs1.85 trillion, an increase of 21.59 percent as compared to 31 December 2020. Net loans and advances grew by 18.23 percent to reach Rs603.26 billion whilst the investments increased by 28.59 percent to reach Rs983.66 billion, leading to overall growth in the total assets. Due to the bank's sound risk management practices and prudent financing strategy, the NPL ratio was recorded at 1.07 percent. The bank achieved a coverage ratio of 189.43 percent which reflects the prudent approach adopted towards non-performing loans. Deposits of the bank increased 11.30 percent bringing the total deposits to Rs1.22 trillion as on 30 June 2021. Gross advances to deposit ratio stood at 50.31 percent. The bank continued with its strategy for outreach expansion, adding significant number of branches every year. The bank’s branch network has now reached 939 branches/sub branches and two booths having coverage in 376 cities in Pakistan, 3 foreign branches (one each in Bahrain, Malaysia, Seychelles) and 4 representative offices (one each in Dubai, Istanbul, Beijing, Nairobi) outside Pakistan. In line with the bank’s vision to provide convenience to customers, the bank is operating a network of over 1094 ATMs across Pakistan. Pakistan Credit rating Agency (PACRA) has upgraded the Bank’s long term entity rating from AA+ (Double A plus) to AAA (triple A) while maintaining the short term entity ratings at A1+ (A One plus). The long term credit rating (AAA) denotes the highest credit quality with the lowest expectation of credit risk, and indicates exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. The ratings of our unsecured, subordinated Term Finance Certificates (TFCs) have also been upgraded from AA (Double A) to AA+ (Double A plus) for TFC-2018 and from AA- (Double A minus) to AA (Double A) for TFC- 2017 (perpetual). These ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk emanating from a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. Press release
KE shares plans for Karachi’s future including Enhanced Rs440bn investment plan KARACHI: Highlighting the need for investment in Karachi's power sector for the continued growth of the city, K-Electric (KE) shared that the utility had submitted a revised investment plan of around Rs440billion for the tariff control period of 20172023. Per the Multi Year Tariff 2017 – 2023 (notified in May 2019) determined by NERPRA for KE, the utility was allowed an investment plan of Rs299 billion. Subject to regulatory approvals, KE has submitted plans to make additional investments to the tune of around Rs140bn beyond the NEPRA allowed. The revised investment plan was developed keeping in mind the dynamic and challenging environment we operate in. This plan aims to ensure Karachi’s power infrastructure can cater to the rapidly growing energy needs of the city and its adjoining areas, invest in network reliability and safety initiatives, while also driving fleet efficiency. Going forward, KE is working with the federal government to build a 500 kV and 220 kV interconnections at key locations where KE’s network connects with the national grid enabling the utility to offtake up to 2,050MW additional power from the National Grid which currently has an excess of generation capacity. With support from Ministry of Energy, NTDC and CPPA, and under guidance from NEPRA, KE managed to off-take additional power from National Grid which enabled KE to ensure smooth operations during summer of 2021. Press release
Your next best buy – HUAWEI Band 6 goes on sale nationwide KARACHI: Huawei’s latest fitness band, HUAWEI Band 6 is now on sale for Rs9,999/- only. Huawei’s first ever smart sports band the HUAWEI Band 6 encourages users to get into new forms of exercise through a variety of animated fitness courses, workout modes and scientific health tracking features. Available from Wednesday, August 4, at outlets nationwide and exclusively on Daraz.pk, Telemart.pk, OLX.com.pk and cubeonline.pk. Huawei’s latest fitness band ushers in a new era of smart wearables, challenging users to style up their fitness as they reframe their outlook on their own performance and the world around them. HUAWEI Band 6 supports 96 workout modes with advanced data tracking. 11 professional workout modes cover the most popular exercise types, including running, walking, cycling, swimming and more. A further 85 workout modes, including fitness training, dancing, ball games, water sports, winter sports and extreme sports, ensure consumers are covered no matter how niche their athletic interests are. Users can easily select their favourite workout mode to record their performance, with the smart sensors detecting heart rate, heart rate interval, calories, exercise time and other data. Press release
The 2pc sales tax of gross value of supplies would be applicable on the online marketplace. The online marketplace would cover e-commerce platforms, portals or similar means, which facilitate sale of goods, including third party sale. According to the Finance Act 2021, the online market place includes an electronic interface such as a marketplace, e-commerce platform, portal or similar means, which facilitate sale of goods, including third party sale by controlling the terms and conditions of the sale; authorising the charge to the customers in respect of the payment for the supply; or ordering or delivering the goods. Meanwhile, the revenue body on Thursday issued a notification for the imposition of withholding tax on online markets that shall be effective from September 1, 2021. In the budget FY22, the government had proposed a withholding tax at the rate of 2pc of the gross value of supplies made by persons other than active taxpayers.
Turkey’s Consul General meets Dawlance CEO to discuss matters of mutual interest
KARACHI: The Consul General of the Republic of Turkey Tolga Ucak met with Dawlance CEO Umar Ahsan Khan today. The two discussed matters of mutual interest including new investments being made by Dawlance, the effective COVID-19 response by the company and sustainable initiatives under ‘Dawlance for Humanity’. They also had a friendly, indepth exchange of views on how the company can promote further innovation in the local home appliances market. Dawlance’s team also briefed the Consul General about the company’s ‘Dawlance for Humanity’ programme. Under this programme, Dawlance has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Wildlife Fund to actively begin work towards achieving its annual sustainability objectives. The first initiative under this MoU was the plantation of 5,000 mangrove saplings along the coastline of Balochistan’s Sonmiani Beach. Press release
Bank Alfalah at forefront of digitising payment processing KARACHI: Bank Alfalah has introduced a simple, secure and innovative online payment gateway with which the acceptance of online payment transactions for a variety of e-commerce needs has been made easy with Bank Alfalah. Alfa Payment Gateway’s (APG) offers key benefits like Instant Digital On-boarding, No Set up Cost or Annual Fee, Lowest per Transaction Charges. Multiple Payment Modes – All Bank Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Alfalah Accounts & Wallets, 3D Secure and Fraud Management along with Merchant Financing Bank Alfalah has transformed the merchant on-boarding process by making it digital end-to-end and hassle free where merchants can collect payments instantly. APG is for all types of ecommerce merchants, corporates, SMEs and home based businesses. Furthermore, to cater to the needs of merchants doing businesses on social media platforms and those who do not have a website or app, a ‘Pay by Link’ invoicing system has been developed to facilitate seamless payment collection. The platform is also technology agnostic, enabling simplified integrations via plug-ins for platforms such as WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop and Shopify. A powerful merchant portal with user friendly interfaces, analytical tools and refund/chargeback management is also available. APG is a comprehensive solution for all digital payments needs that an online business might have. To register, merchants can simply visit https://merchants.bankalfalah.com/MerchantSignUp/. For further assistance, please call us at 111-225-111, email us at contactus@bankalfalah.com or visit the Bank Alfalah website. Press release
Friday, 6 August, 2021
10 FOREIGN NEWS
ISLAMABAD
TUrkey and Greece reel from raGinG wildfireS dUrinG heaTwave ISTANBUL
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AFP
URKISH coastguards evacuated hundreds of villagers from a burning power plant on Thursday and Greek firefighters battled a major blaze near the ancient Olympic site as a record heatwave wrecked havoc across Europe's southeast. The two regional rivals have been united this week in their fight against disasters that officials and experts link to increasingly frequent and intense weather events caused by climate change. Eight people have died and dozens have been hospitalised across the southern coasts of Turkey since the wildfires erupted last week. The blazes in Greece this week briefly cut off the main road leading to Athens and saw worrying fires break out in Olympia -- the birthplace of the Olympic Games that is usually crowded with tourists -- and on the island of Evia. Greece deployed large forces near Olympia to protect archaeological sites where the first Olympic Games were held in antiquity.
"We're waging a battle of the titans!" Greek deputy minister for civil protection Nikos Hardalias said. But perhaps the biggest shock came when winds whipped up a flash fire that subsumed the grounds of an Aegean coast power plant in Turkey storing thousands of tonnes of coal. An AFP team saw firefighters and police fleeing the 35-year-old Kemerkoy plant in the Aegean province of Mugla as bright balls of orange flames tore through the surrounding hills. Hundreds of villagers -- many clutching small bags of belongings grabbed from their abandoned houses as the evacuation call sounded -- piled onto coastguard speedboats at the nearby port of Oren. The regional authority said "all explosive chemicals" and other hazardous material had been removed from the strategic site. "But there's a risk that the fire could spread to the thousands of tonnes of coal inside," regional mayor Osman Gurun told reporters. A few older villagers in Oren refused to leave the disaster-hit region even while thousands of others were shuttled out by car or boats racing along the Aegean Sea.
US approves potential sale of howitzers to Taiwan: Pentagon WASHINGTON
"Where do you want us to go at our age?" asked 79year-old Hulusi Kinic. "We live here. This is our home. Our last solution was to throw ourselves in the sea (if there was an explosion), but thank God that did not happen." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said an initial inspection showed the overnight blazes left "no serious damage to the main units in the plant". More than 100 blazes were still burning in Greece and 180 have ignited in Turkey since July 28 -- more than a dozen of them still active on Wednesday night. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service said July was the second-hottest on record in Europe. Greece's Hardalias said earlier this week that the ferocity of the fires ravaging the region meant that "we are no longer talking about climate change but a climate threat". The unfolding disasters saw the leaders of both countries come under pressure from local officials for what they felt was an insufficiently resolute response. "We are asking the authorities to reinforce the air and land forces to so as not to risk human lives," Limni mayor Giorgos Tsapourniotis told Greece's
ANA news agency. The Turkish mayor of the town of Milas spent days waging a social media campaign trying to get officials to send firefighting planes that could douse the flames before they engulfed the power plant. Erdogan has come under especially withering criticism for being slow or unwilling to accept some offers of foreign assistance after revealing that Turkey had no functioning firefighting planes. The crisis has posed an unexpected challenge to the powerful Turkish leader two years before he faces an election that could extend his rule into a third decade. Erdogan tried to mount a political counterattack in a television interview Wednesday that began just as news broke that the fire had reached the Aegean power plant. "When fires break out in America or Russia, (the opposition) stands by the government, We don't have this," Erdogan said. The prosecutors' office in Ankara said Thursday it has launched an investigation into social media posts about the fire that were "trying to create anxiety, fear and panic in the public, and to humiliate the Turkish government".
Japan expands Covid-19 curbs as surges strain hospitals
ReuteRs
TOKYO
The US State Department approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. This comes after a series of arms sales last year that included drones and coastal missile defenses meant to upgrade the island’s capabilities and discourage a “Chinese invasion”. The Biden administration has approved other direct commercial sales of arms to Taiwan since taking office. The package would include the howitzers, 1,698 precision guidance kits for munitions, spares, training, ground stations and upgrades for Taiwan’s previous generation of howitzers, the Pentagon said. The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Wednesday. Taiwan’s defense ministry expressed “sincere gratitude” to the US government in a statement on Thursday, saying the sales would help its ground forces increase their “capacity for speedy reaction and fire support”. The ministry called the continuous US arms support a “basis for maintaining regional stability.” Like most nations, the United States has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but provides the Chineseclaimed island with the means to defend itself and is its most important international backer, to Beijing’s anger. Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded. The Pentagon said BAE Systems Plc. was the prime contractor for the weapons.
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Japan decided on Thursday to expand its Covid-19 emergency curbs to cover more than 70 percent of the population, as a record surge in cases strained hospitals in the Olympics host city Tokyo and other parts of the country. Japan had avoided the explosive outbreaks seen elsewhere. But infections are rising fast as new cases hit record highs in Tokyo, overshadowing the July 23-August 8 Olympics and fuelling doubts over Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s pandemic response. Suga announced the new steps – which are mostly voluntary, unlike strict lockdowns overseas – as new daily cases in Tokyo hit a record 5,042. Nationwide new cases topped 15,000 for the first time, while medical advisors to the capital said the Tokyo figure could double in two weeks, NHK public TV reported. “The situation on the ground (at hospitals) is extremely severe,” Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a panel of experts before Suga’s formal announcement. He said serious cases had doubled in the past two weeks. The panel signed off on the proposal to declare “quasi-emergencies” in eight more of Japan’s 47 prefectures. But Nishimura told a news conference some members had said the situation was severe enough to
require a nationwide emergency. Suga told reporters the government was “not considering that now” and would focus on hot-spot areas. Six prefectures including Tokyo are already under full states of emergency to last through Aug. 31 and another five are under less strict directives, meaning just over half the population is covered by some restrictions. Both types of curbs have recently focused on asking restaurants to close early and stop serving alcohol while urging people to stay at home as much as possible. Suga on Thursday also asked people to refrain from travel during summer holidays. The latest steps, to take effect from Sunday, mean that more than 70 percent of the population will be under some form of restriction. Criticism of Suga, his ratings already at record lows, is growing over his handling of the pandemic. BACKLASH OVER HOSPITAL POLICY: The government says the Olympics has not caused the latest surge but experts say holding the Games now has sent a mixed message to an already weary public about the need to stay at home. Games organisers on Thursday reported 31 new Games-related Covid-19 cases, bringing the total since July 1 to 353. It remains to be seen whether the latest Covid-19 restrictions, which are mostly voluntary, will have much impact as the highly transmissible Delta variant
spreads. “I do not think that more (quasi-emergency steps) will make much difference – (it’s) simply a political statement,” said Kenji Shibuya, former director of the Institute for Population Health at King’s College London. The latest expansion follows a backlash against Suga’s plan to limit hospitalisation of Covid-19 patients to those who are seriously ill and those at risk of becoming so. Others are told to isolate at home. The shift is intended to address a hospital bed crunch, but critics say it will lead to an increase in deaths since the condition of patients can worsen rapidly. In response to criticism from within and outside his ruling coalition, Suga said on Wednesday the change was aimed at regions suffering a surge in Covid-19 cases, such as Tokyo, and was not nationally uniform. On Thursday, he appeared to back-pedal further, saying moderately ill patients in need of oxygen treatment would be admitted to hospital and doctors would make final decisions. The backlash is another blow to Suga before a ruling party leadership race and parliamentary election this year. Just under 31 percent of residents of Japan are fully vaccinated. With 15,221 deaths recorded as of Wednesday, the Covid-19 mortality rate was about 1.6 percent, in line with the United States.
Palestinian dad expects no justice for son killed by Israel WEST BANK the AssociAted PRess
A week after the death of his eldest son, Moayed al-Alami sat on the sofa on his ground floor patio, protectively hugging and kissing two of his remaining children. Israel has opened an investigation into the killing of 12-year-old Mohammed alAlami who was shot by its soldiers as he rode in the family car. But that is no comfort to his father, who is devastated by his son’s death and has little faith that he will see justice. “I have no confidence in the investigation until I see the soldiers in court,” he said. The rear of Moayed’s car is riddled with bullet holes and the back seats are still covered in bloodstains. Mohammed was shot and killed by Israeli forces as he travelled with his father and two siblings in their hometown of Beit Ummar in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. His death sparked two days of violent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops, resulting in the death of one protester. Recounting the events of last week, alAlami said he had just picked up some snacks for the children, using his car, when Mohammed asked to return to the store. “Mohammed told me, ‘father you have forgotten something.’ I asked if it was necessary, and he said it was very necessary. So,
I told him that we will go back and buy it,” said al-Alami. Al-Alami said he turned the car around. Moments later, his white Renault was struck by gunfire from the rear, including at least three bullets that he said hit Mohammed. The boy was rushed to hospital and operated
on for four hours before he died. The Israeli military has claimed soldiers in the area called on the van to stop, and that the forces fired warning shots and only aimed at the vehicle’s tires. Al-Alami said he never heard any warnings. Over 10 bullet holes riddled the vehicle.
The army also said that al-Alami’s car resembled a vehicle driven by a group of men who were seen burying what turned out to be a dead baby earlier that day. Al-Alami’s brother — who witnessed the entire event from the balcony — said the two events were not related and that earlier, another family had been burying a stillborn baby in a cemetery. “The three people who arrived earlier had come to bury a baby that had died in the womb,” Ashraf Al-Alami said. After the three people had left, he said he began to worry when he saw soldiers arrive. He feared they would mistake the burial site as a crime scene and grow suspicious. That was when his brother’s car approached. The Israel human rights group B’Tselem this week released what it said was a security-camera video of the shooting. In the video, al-Alami’s van is seen approaching a dip in the road, with a group of Israeli soldiers standing further down a hill. Al-Alami is seen doing a U-turn before being chased up the street by troops, who are heard shouting at him to stop, before opening fire. The actual shooting is not seen, but at least a dozen shots are heard. B’Tselem said the video shows the family posed no threat to the troops. The army has said that senior commanders and military police — which investigate suspected wrongdoing by troops— are involved in the probe. But Moayed said that he did not expect
the investigation to lead to anything. He said the military helped transfer the boy to the hospital after the shooting, but that he has not heard from investigators. And B’Tselem, a major human rights group, grew so frustrated with the military justice system that in 2016 it halted its longtime practice of assisting in investigations. It accuses the army of whitewashing wrongdoing and says soldiers are rarely punished. In the first seven months of this year, Israeli fire has killed 11 Palestinian children in the West Bank, surpassing the total number of child killings in 2020, according to the advocacy group Defense for Children Palestine. Israeli soldiers man a watchtower next to Beit Ummar in order to protect traffic going in and out of the nearby Israeli settlement of Karmei Zur. Mohammed’s funeral the following day resulted in large clashes in which a 20-yearold Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire. His funeral was held on Friday, followed by more clashes. The mayor of Beit Ummar – who is also a member of the extended al-Alami family — said that most of Beit Ummar’s 17,000 residents attended the boy’s funeral. “The soldiers did not allow us to bury our child in dignity,” said Habis Al-Alami. “To kill a boy with just bread in his hand. It is a crime, we just want to be treated as human beings.”
Friday, 6 August, 2021
SPORTS 11
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GIants fall, crouser sets record, swImmers navIGate elbows and fIsh TOKYO
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S men continued to splutter on the athletics track at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, while kayaker Lisa Carrington became New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian and American Ryan Crouser broke his own shot put world record three times. Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment stunned viewers and himself with an upset win over the overwhelming favourite, Grant Holloway from the United States, in the 110 metres hurdles. The Americans individually remain bereft of a running gold – a prize they have won every time they have entered since the inaugural 1896 Games. A bedraggled US 4×100 metres performance added to the American woes. Elsewhere in the Games, which end on Sunday, skateboarders soared in the Tokyo heat, open-water swimmers had to navigate elbows as well as fish, and a Japanese mayor grossed out the nation and prompted a rebuke from automaker Toyota for biting a softball player’s gold medal. US men, who once dominated the 4x100m, failed to qualify for the final despite having two individual 100m finalists on the team. A ragged run, with poor changeovers and a shocking second handover, dragged them to a desultory sixth in their semi-final. Carl Lewis, the superstar sprinter of the 1980s and ’90s, called his compatriots’ performance “a total embarrassment, and com-
pletely unacceptable”. China were the surprise heat winners, while Jamaica took the other semi. In the 110m hurdles, world champion Holloway looked set to win until Parchment surged past him to add a gold medal to his London Olympic bronze in one of the biggest athletics shocks of the Games. “The greatest feeling, the greatest feeling, I’ve worked so hard,” the Jamaican said. “It’s unbelievable that I caught this guy.” Sydney McLaughlin notched a huge world record in the women’s 400m hurdles, besting fellow American Dalilah Muhammad as the super-fast track and new shoe technology continue to make a mockery of historical comparisons. ‘THOUGHT MY EYE HAD FALLEN OUT’: Crouser, wearing shades and a hat with the US flag on it, broke his own record in the shot put three times – only the third time that has happened – to grab gold with a mark of 23.30 metres. He donned a cowboy hat afterwards and celebrated with his countryman and silver medallist Joe Kovacs, draped in the Stars and Stripes. Crouser, from a family of throwers, held up a card reading: “Grandpa, we did it, 2020 Olympic champion”. At the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo Bay, Carrington’s gold in the women’s kayak single 500m brought her overall medals haul at the Olympics to six, including a bronze in 2016. She is now New Zealand’s most successful Olympian. Fellow kayakers Ian Ferguson and Paul MacDonald, and equestrian athlete Mark Todd each have five medals.
Italian great valentino rossi to retire from motoGP ROME ReuteRs
Valentino Rossi, one of motorcycling's greatest and most charismatic champions, announced on Thursday his retirement from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season after a quarter of a century in grand prix racing. The 42-year-old Italian, who races with the number 46, is a nine times world champion with seven of his titles won in the top category. "I decided to stop at the end of the season," he told a specially arranged news conference ahead of this weekend's Styrian Grand Prix at Austria's Red Bull Ring. "Unfortunately this will be the last half season as a MotoGP rider. It's difficult, it's a very sad moment because it's difficult to say and to know that next year I will not race with the motorcycle. "I do this thing for more or less 30 years. Next year my life will change. But anyway, it was great, I enjoy very much this long, long journey and it was really, really fun." Rossi is riding for the Malaysia-based Petronas Yamaha team this season but his form has faded, the veteran languishing 19th in the championship with a best finish of only 10th from nine races. The sport and his army of fans will miss him nonetheless, the Italian still very much a crowd favourite with global recognition. The only rider to have started 400 or more races, Rossi has 89 wins from the top category and 26 others from the junior 125cc and 250cc categories.
IndIa wIn bronze after dramatIc vIctory over Germany TOKYO: India won the bronze medal in hockey after a thrilling 5-4 victory over Germany at the Tokyo Games on Thursday, giving the country its first Olympic medal in the sport in more than 40 years. India forward Simranjeet Singh stood out from the other players by scoring two goals for India, including the winning goal of the match. “It’s a dream come true,” Simranjeet said. “We’ve made 1.3 billion Indians proud by finishing on the podium.” The goal-rich match was not an easy one for the eight-time Olympic champions. Germany took an early lead through a second-minute goal by Timur Oruz, and posed a threat to India in the first quarter. After Simranjeet equalised with a backhand shot for India, Germany kept their cool, scoring two goals to take a 31 lead in the second quarter. But India pulled level late in that quarter thanks to goals by Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, making it 3-3 at the halftime break. “We’re very angry at ourselves that we got India back into the game,” Germany’s head coach Kais al Saadi said. “They’re a great team. You can’t give away opportunities like that to a fantastic team like that.” India then took a 5-3 lead after Rupinder Pal Singh notched in a penalty stroke and Simranjeet scored the winning goal of the match not long into the second half. Germany came back a goal and tried to force the equaliser, even taking out its goalkeeper to bring in an extra field player late in the game. But the Germans could not get another ball past India goalie Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, who was a star of the match with nine saves. ReuteRs
“It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do,” she said. “It’s amazing.” At nearby Odaiba Marine Park, however, the waters were more turbulent. Marathon swimmer Hector Thomas Cheal Pardoe of Britain got elbowed in the eye on the last lap, sustaining a cut and losing his goggles. “I couldn’t see anything, I thought my eye had fallen out in the water,” he said in an interview after leaving the race. “I was going up to the lifeguard saying, ‘My eye!
My eye! Is it OK?’.” Dutch rider Shanne Braspennincx came back six years after a heart attack to snatch a surprise gold medal in the women’s keirin. “A heart attack isn’t like something you have when you are an athlete,” said Braspennincx, 30, who required surgery to widen an artery that had become totally blocked and also had a stent fitted. ‘GERM MEDAL’: Japan’s punishing summer continued, offering no respite to race walkers whose event was shifted to Sapporo
in the north to beat the heat. Men in the 20km race walk poured water over their steaming bodies and also gulped it down as temperatures hit 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit). “We came up here because we thought it would be cool. It’s not – it’s not much cooler than Tokyo,” said American Tricia Adkins who came to the northern capital Sapporo to watch the race. Just a degree cooler in Tokyo, skateboarding continued to wow at its maiden Games, with skaters sweatingthrough their final runs, before taking selfies. Australian Keegan Palmer glided to gold at Ariake Urban Sports Park in what looked an effortlessly smooth ride packed with tricks in the men’s park event. Brazil’s Pedro Barros took silver for his lightning fast run through the concrete bowl. Less hip, Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura suffered an online backlash for having feted softball pitcher Miu Goto the day before by pulling down his mask and putting her gold medal between his teeth. It did not help that he was standing in front of a backdrop urging people to take proper Covid-19 precautions in a country looking to expand pandemic states of emergency as infections soar. The hashtag #GermMedal was trending on Japanese social media – the words for germ and gold sound the same in the language. Hometown giant Toyota Motor Corp called the mayor’s stunt “unfortunate” and “extremely regrettable”, a criticism to which his office did not immediately respond.
Jofra Archer ruled out of T20 World Cup, Ashes NOTTINGHAM AFP
England fast bowler Jofra Archer will miss both the Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes series in Australia after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday he had been ruled out with an elbow injury. The ECB said in a statement that scans last week on the currently sidelined 26year-old's right elbow had revealed he had suffered a recurrence of a stress fracture. "In response to these findings, he has been ruled out for the rest of the year and will miss the current LV= Insurance Test series against India, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 and the Ashes series in Australia," the ECB statement added. Archer was a central figure in 2019's World Cup triumph on home soil and the Sussex quick was considered vital to England's hopes of winning both the T20 World Cup and regaining the Ashes in Australia. But he now faces the prospect of a potentially career-ending injury, with major doubts over whether the Barbados-born bowler will ever be able to resume his 13match Test career given the demands of the five-day game. Archer was first diagnosed with a
stress fracture in his bowling arm after breaking down on the South Africa tour of 2019-2020, before returning to action. He has since been treated with corti-
sone injections in the joint, most recently during another injury-hit tour of India earlier this year. Archer then underwent surgery in May
Nadal battles to victory in return from two-month layoff WASHINGTON AFP
Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return from a twomonth layoff on Wednesday but aggravated a foot injury and needed a third-set tie-breaker to outlast American Jack Sock and advance at the ATP Citi Open. The 35-year-old Spanish left-hander, a 20-time Grand Slam champion making his Washington debut, dispatched 192nd-ranked Sock 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) in a three-hour thriller before about 7,000 spectators at the US Open hardcourt tuneup event. "My fitness is fine," Nadal said. "I need to have a little bit less pain in the foot." Third-ranked Nadal had not played since losing to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in June's French Open semifinals, skipping Wimbledon and the Olympics due to the left foot injury that hindered him in the match. "The foot was hurting me," Nadal said. "It was painful tonight. Hopefully it will feel better tomorrow. Winning the match helps.
"I finished the match playing better. That's important. I hope to be ready for tomorrow." Top seed Nadal, chasing his 89th career title, will next face 50th-ranked Lloyd Harris of South Africa for a quarter-final berth. Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer all enter the US Open with a men's record 20 career Slam titles, with
Djokovic trying to complete the first men's calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. An electric atmosphere greeted Nadal's first US match since beating Daniil Medvedev in the 2019 US Open final and his first hardcourt match since February. "In terms of energy, in term of the crowd, has been amazing," Nadal said. Nadal improved to 6-0 all-time against Sock by taking their first meeting since 2017, but needed to grind out a dramatic victory in a tension packed duel. "These kind of matches help you get better," Nadal said. "You need matches like this to be fitter after a month without competing. "But that's part of the process, so it's something I am not worried about. "If I'm able to improve with my foot, I think the rest of the things going to come step by step." Nadal took the first five points of the tie-breaker and clinched it with a forehand winner. "I know will not be easy after a couple of months coming back from a tough situation with my foot, a couple of months without playing," Nadal said. "But here I
to remove a bone fragment, having had an operation in March to remove a piece of glass from his finger following a bizarre injury involving a dropped fish bowl.
am. I fighted. I'm able to play again." Sock broke Nadal to open the final set and fought off a break point in the second game, Nadal sending a forehand just wide. Fans yelled for a Nadal comeback, prompting Sock to blow a kiss to the crowd after a winner on his way to taking a 3-1 lead. Nadal broke back in the sixth game, making a backhand save on a drop volley that Sock could only swat into the net to level matters at 3-3, Nadal pumping his fists and screaming in celebration. Nadal showed maestro moments with his shotmaking, including a backhand overhead smash winner in holding the seventh game, as they battled into the tiebreaker. Japan's Kei Nishikori stayed in Nadal's path by downing ninth seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 62, 7-5. The 2015 Washington champion meets British seventh seed Cameron Norrie for a possible last-eight date with Nadal. British sixth seed Daniel Evans, in his first match since contracting Covid-19 and missing the Olympics, lost to US wildcard Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7/1), 6-0. Australian third seed Alex de Minaur lost to 81stranked American Steve Johnson 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2 and Bulgarian fourth seed GrigorDimitrov was ousted by 65th-ranked Ilya Ivashka of Belarus 6-2, 7-6 (7/4).
Friday, 6 August, 2021
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DIsContent In oCCupIeD KashmIr on seConD annIversary of loss of autonomy SRINAGAR
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ROOPS patrolled the streets on Thursday in Srinagar, the main city of Indian-occupied Kashmir, where many shops were shut to mark the second year since the Himalayan region was stripped of its autonomy. In 2019, in a purported effort to bind the restive region closer to the rest of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government withdrew long-standing constitutional privileges accorded to the disputed Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. The measure also split the state into two federal territories including the remote Buddhist-dominated Ladakh region, which further angered Kashmiris. Troops manned checkpoints in parts of Srinagar, which has been a hotbed of pro-freedom activity, carrying out security checks on people and vehicles, witnesses said. However, Kashmir’s police chief, Vijay Kumar, told Reuters that no extra security measures had been levied, insisting that conditions were normal, including internet links, often severed in the past to forestall protests. “But our surveillance system has been increased,” he added, without providing further details. Pro-freedom fighters have battled India’s rule in Kashmir for more than seven decades, a revolt it blames Pakistan for having stoked. Islamabad denies this, saying it provides only moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people. In Islamabad, President Arif Alvi led a solidarity rally outside the parliament house and demanded
that India restore Kashmiris’ rights. “I warn India not to play with fire and [to] give Kashmiris their due rights, which has been pledged by the United Nations,” he said. A grouping of political parties in Kashmir, the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, said it would keep up its struggle for the restoration of partial autonomy. However, a minister in Modi’s office, Jitendra Singh, claimed Kashmir was better off fully integrated with India, where its special laws had resulted in an unhealthy divide. “Today such distinctions are history,” he wrote in the Indian Express newspaper.
OIC body calls for improved rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir ISLAMABAD: A 12-member delegation of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Thursday stressed the need to put an end to state-sponsored atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir and improve the rights situation in the disputed region. In a briefing held by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation called for a just resolution of the dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. The foreign secretary briefed the delegation on the deteriorating situation in the held region. He also highlighted the legal, humanitarian, and peace and security dimensions of the dispute. The visit of the delegation between August 4 to 9 coincides with the completion of two years of Kashmir’s annexation of August 5 which took place in blatant violation of UNSC resolutions. The delegation will also visit the Line of Control to monitor the on-ground situation, the Foreign Office said. “During the visit, the IPHRC delegation will travel to Muzaffarabad and the Line of Control, and interact with Kashmiri leadership, refugees from IIOJK and victims of Indian atrocities,” it said in a statement. The visit is part of the agency’s mandate to monitor the deteriorating humanitarian and rights situation in occupied Kashmir. “The visit would be significant in drawing international attention towards the urgent need to address the egregious human rights situation in IIOJK and for a peaceful resolution in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” the FO said. The commission was mandated by the 13th Islamic Summit Conference of 2016 and the 42nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers of 2015 to monitor the rights violations in Kashmir and submit regular reports. The IPHRC, at its 17th regular session held in March this year, regretted the lack of response from New Delhi on a fact-finding visit to Kashmir. Accordingly, the commission decided to undertake a visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir for an impact assessment. Consistent with its mandate, the IPHRC has been expressing concern about the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir. In the aftermath of August 5, 2019, the body held a so-called open session on the situation in Kashmir in November 2019 and expressed serious concern on the Indian move to change the status of the held region. The IPHRC conducted its first visit to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir in March 2017. It submitted a detailed report on the state of gross rights violations in occupied Kashmir to the 44th Session of OIC-CFM held in July 2017. app
ISLAMABAD New Zealand will tour Pakistan for the first time in 18 years when it plays three one-day internationals and five T20 matches beginning in September. New Zealand last toured Pakistan in 2003 for a five-match ODI series while the tourists last played a test match in Pakistan in 2002. International tours to Pakistan have been affected by concerns over player safety. In May 2002, New Zealand abandoned its test series in Pakistan after a suicide bomb attack outside their Karachi hotel. In 2009, the Sri Lanka national team’s bus was attacked near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “With leading cricket playing countries resuming their tours to Pakistan in 2019 […] the series against New Zealand will prove to be a catalyst in rejuvenating our talented young-
sters while attracting new fans to the game that has the most passionate following in the country,” Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Wasim Khan said in a statement on Thursday. With the T20 World Cup scheduled for the United Arab Emirates in October, Khan said New Zealand Cricket had accepted PCB’s request to play five T20s. “These [matches] will not only provide extra games to both the countries as part of their T20 World Cup preparations but will also allow New Zealand players to spend extra days in Pakistan, familiarize with our culture and enjoy our hospitality,” Khan said. Rawalpindi will host the three ODIs on September 17, 19 and 21 while Lahore will host all the five T20s in between September 25 and October 3. New Zealand will arrive on September 11 and after remaining in room isolation until September 14 it will have two days of practice
Xinhua
Five Pakistani movies will be screened at the ongoing Pakistan Film Festival that kicked off Wednesday in Beijing, a move aimed to help the Chinese audience further understand Pakistani culture. Sponsored by the China Film Administration, Pakistan Embassy and China Film Archive, the event is being held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. “The movie exchanges between China and Pakistan have been playing an important role in enhancing the mutual trust and friendship be-
tween the two countries and peoples,” said Zhang Xiaoguang, deputy director of the China Film Archive, adding that Chinese audiences expect to watch more Pakistani movies, and the event will further deepen the friendship between the two sides. The five movies selected to be shown during the film festival cover a wide range of genres, such as biographies and musicals, reflecting the social reality in Pakistan. “Last year, China introduced the Pakistani movie ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon,’ which tells the story of a Pakistani pilot, manifesting the friendship between China and Pakistan,” said Ahmed Farooq, deputy chief of The Mission, Embassy of Pakistan. Farooq added that he welcomes more
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India is flexing its maritime muscles to counter growing Chinese influence, conducting sea trials on its first indigenous aircraft carrier and dispatching a task force for joint exercises with the United States and other allies. The INS Vikrant, which began trials off the southern state of Kerala on Wednesday, will be India’s second aircraft carrier in operation. The Indian Navy said the country can now “join a select group of nations with the capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier, which will be a real testimony to the ‘Make in India’ thrust of the Indian Government.” The new 262-metre (860-foot) carrier joins the INS Vikramaditya, the Soviet-made Admiral Gorshkov that India bought in 2004. The navy said 44 other ships and submarines were being built indigenously. It is also pressing the government for a third carrier, with Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh saying the force could not remain “tethered”. China, vying for influence in the Indian Ocean where New Delhi has traditionally held sway, is currently building its third aircraft carrier. The Indian Navy said separately on Monday that it was sending a task force of four ships to South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific for two months of exercises including with Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Australia and the United States. The deployment “seeks to underscore the operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between India and countries of the Indo Pacific,” it said. India, Japan, Australia and the US together form the “Quad” alliance seen as a bulwark against China. Last year, 20 Indian troops died in a clash on their disputed Himalayan border with China. This year, India has also conducted naval exercises with France and most recently with a British task force in the Bay of Bengal last month led by the new HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier. This week, broadcaster Al Jazeera reported that India may be building a naval facility in the Mauritius archipelago, citing satellite imagery, financial data and on-the-ground evidence. Mauritius on Wednesday said that although work was underway on an air strip and a jetty on the island of Agalega, they would not be used for military purposes. The Indian foreign ministry declined to comment. ReuteRs
and an intra-squad match. “We’re very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season,” NZC Chief Executive David White said in the statement. “It’s great that, after such a difficult time for Pakistan, international cricket is again being played in the country.” The PCB has termed the 2021-22 cricketing season as a “bumper” year with the New Zealand tour followed by England’s two T20s in Pakistan before the T20 World Cup. West Indies is expected to tour Pakistan in December while Australia will undertake a full tour to Pakistan in next February and March. The ODI series is part of ICC’s Super League with Pakistan having 40 points from nine games and New Zealand won all its three ODIs. The seven top-ranked teams from the Super League and the World Cup host India will progress directly for the World Cup in 2023.
Across China: Pakistani movies in Beijing to boost people-to-people ties BEIJING
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India flexes muscles with new aircraft carrier, task force to counter China influence
New Zealand to tour Pakistan for first time since 2003 the associated pRess
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Chinese movies to be introduced to Pakistan to strengthen the cultural exchanges, and hopes Chinese people can have more opportunities to watch Pakistani films. “I am really interested in Pakistani dance, and there are three song and dance movies being shown during the film festival. I want to figure out the different understanding and presentation of romance between Chinese and Pakistani movies,” said Tang Zhengming, who watched an opening film on Wednesday evening. “I really love this activity and hope that more Chinese people will love Pakistani culture. In this way, the two countries can enhance cultural exchanges,” said Saira Raza from Pakistan who attended the event.
Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk