Epaper – December 27 LHR 2021

Monday, 27 December, 2021 I 22 Jamadi-al-Awwal, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII No 179 I 52 Pages I Lahore Edition

Government excoriates sharif over claim london affidavit prepared at his office

ISLAMABAD

m

Staff report

EMBErS of the cabinet Sunday censured Nawaz Sharif after a report claimed the notorious affidavit of a former GilgitBaltistan judge that accused the judiciary of bias against members of the Sharif family was prepared in the presence of the deposed prime minister London.

Charles Guthrie, the London-based solicitor who notarised the affidavit of retired Justice rana Muhammad Shamim, said the document was notarised at an office in Stanhope Place in the British capital, The Express Trib-

une reported.

Guthrie said the office belonged to Flagship Developments Limited, a company that also employs Sharif’s son Hasan Nawaz as a director.

Stanhope Place is the same building where top Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leaders, including Sharif, often hold their meetings.

According to the report, Guthrie indicated that Sharif was also present when Shamim signed the affidavit and took the oath. When asked if the two “were like quite cosy when they were in there [Sharif’s office],” Guthrie responded: “Very […] yeah.” responding to the development, ministers and members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party

coronavirus in

pakistan 1,293,440

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

In an apparent bid to turn down the government’s tirade over the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif has clarified that Nawaz had no plans to return to Pakistan in immediate future.

In a statement issued late Saturday, Shehbaz Sharif said that Nawaz Sharif might stay in the United Kingdom legally until the immigration tribunal rules on his appeal against the British Home Office’s rejection for extending his visa.

It is pertinent to note that as per the reports, the British Home Office has turned down Nawaz’s appeal for visa extension.

Shehbaz further stated that the incumbent government had allowed Nawaz Sharif to leave Pakistan for treatment on the basis of reports of its own medical board.

“It is inhuman to politicise the health of a three-time premier. The government machinery is bent upon defaming Sharif for political motives, which is earning a bad name to the country,” he stated.

Meanwhile, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also took to her Twitter to state that the visa issue had again proved how her father was on the nerves of the Khan government members.

“This fake government has accepted its defeat from Nawaz Sharif who is the present and future of Pakistan. By targeting a towering personality, the stature of a pygmy cannot be elevated,” she tweeted. PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb in this regard stated that it was a routine procedure for anyone seeking extension in their stay in the UK and Nawaz Sharif had the right to an appeal in the immigration tribunal.

“Even Imran Khan had verified all these facts after the inspection of doc-

Sufficient FO stock available to meet country’s winter energy needs: Hammad g

CONFIRMED CASES:

viewed the story as a validation of their position that Shamim was receiving orders from the top leadership of PML-N. In a tweet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said: “The latest developments have once again exposed the Sharif family to be the Sicilian mafia and how, like a mafia, they possess the power to blackmail the courts and institutions.” inister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib adopted a similar stance. In a tweet, he recalled that the fact that retired Justice rana Muhammad Shamim remained an office-bearer of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was admitted by his own son on television.

This confirmed that the document — which was prepared in London — was written in Sharif’s presence to attack the institution of the judiciary, the minister observed.

This was the reason the court in a verdict against Sharif likened him to a “godfather of the Sicilian mafia”, Habib said.

“From assault on SC to calls to Justice Qayyum to this latest Affidavit saga, it’s a repeated story of corruption on all fronts,” tweeted Minister for Human rights Shireen Mazari.

The Sharif family “just cannot move beyond trying to thwart justice through buying influence or physically attacking SC”, she added.

In November, Shamim opened Pandora’s box claiming former chief justice Saqib Nisar did not want Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz to be released on bail ahead of the general elections in July 2018.

Nawaz Sharif has no plans to return in immediate future: Shehbaz Sharif

Energy minister says new refinery policy being finalised to shift refineries away from production of FO ISLAMABAD app

LAST UPDATED AT 7:36 AM ON DECEMBER 26, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

2

358

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

1,254,859 28,907 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

480,525

444,553

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

181,204

33,624

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

34,655/10,429

108,450

Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar on Sunday clarified some ‘misconceptions’ about the availability and consumption of furnace oil (FO), saying it was ‘well stocked’ to meet the winter energy needs of the country.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, the energy minister said, “In summers Pakistan faced a moderate shortage of furnace oil as the FO (based) power plants ran more than last year (as per merit order) due to low water levels in dams.”

He added that the FO consumption was 116 per cent higher. “Now the FO plants are running because of lowering flows from dams (canals closure) and in a couple of days will be consuming 13,000 tonnes per day of FO,” he said, adding that local refineries produce is only half that volume and IPPs stocks levels are still below the required levels.

Azhar further said that the

tors from his trusted Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. The provincial and federal governments sent Nawaz Sharif abroad for treatment after fulfilling all legal requirements,” she said.

Nawaz Sharif’s health had deteriorated while being in the custody of NAB and the government, headed by Prime Minister Khan, insisted that medical reports and tribunals had said they could not treat his ailment in Pakistan.

She asserted that Nawaz would not seek political asylum in the UK, as he could legally stay there until a decision on his appeal by the British immigration tribunal.

It is pertinent to note that the Islamabad High Court declared Nawaz Sharif a proclaimed offender in December 2019 after he failed to appear before it after his conviction in Avenfield properties and Al-Azizia Steel Mills cases.

According to the legal experts, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a huge backlog of cases at the immigration tribunal and that Sharif’s case may take a year or more to get a verdict.

Until such time, he is expected to stay in the UK. PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said with conviction that the return of Nawaz Sharif was subject to approval by his doctors. “I categorically say Nawaz Sharif will return by next flight available once his doctors allow him to do so,” said Ahsan.

Earlier, Ayaz Sadiq, another PML-N stalwart, claimed that Nawaz Sharif was returning soon as the time of justice had arrived for him. Sadiq’s claim stirred the political scenario, as he has just got back home after meeting Nawaz Sharif in London. Ahsan Iqbal clarified that the PML-N and masses, in general, believed that Nawaz Sharif would be exonerated once he got a fair trial.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

MORE INSIDE

Hammad Azhar, Miftah Ismail spar on Twitter over use of furnace oil for power generation STORY ON PAGE 02

Chinese company to collect waste from Karachi industrial zone country was well stocked on furnace oil in case of further LNG defaults. “The surplus at some refineries is going to IPPs as FO consumption is already above 6000 tonnes/day.”

The minister informed that “a new refinery policy is being finalised to shift refineries away from [the] production of FO.” Earlier on Friday, the energy minister, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, had said that gas reserves in Pakistan were declining, but the government was making efforts

to meet the shortfall of gas.

“We can supply only as much as coming out of the ground,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s gas reserves were declining by nine per cent on an annual basis.

He said that the demand for gas from domestic consumers increases in the winter and the government stops its supply to the industrial sector to meet this domestic demand. “We cannot provide cheaper gas beyond a certain limit,” he added.

STORY ON PAGE 03 IN TODAY S ISSUE

ATTENTION Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy. Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint.

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

02

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

NEWS

Chinese ComPAny to ColleCt wAste from KArAChi industriAl zone

s

NEWS DESk

ERvICES of a Chinese company have been engaged to launch for the first time a proper system of collection of waste from the Korangi industrial estate in Karachi, Gulf News reported.

After launching the waste collection system in the industrial estate, the company — Gansu Construction Investment Heavy Industry Technology — will expand its doorto-door service to the entire District Korangi

of Karachi in the next three months.

The full-scale implementation of the system will lift 2,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily generated in the entire Korangi.

Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab appreciated that the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) had become the first body of the industrialists in the city to sign a contract with the SSWMB for launching the proper waste collection system.

He said the agreement would allow the Sindh government to get the help of the

Cricket Australia chief assures Pakistan tour will go ahead despite Covid-19 concerns NEWS DESk The chief executive of Cricket Australia (CA) has cleared the air over uncertainty surrounding his team’s tour of Pakistan scheduled for next year, saying the bilateral series will go ahead as planned despite Covid-19 concerns. Australia will play three Tests, three one-day internationals (ODIs) and one Twenty20 international (T20I) match in a month-long series commencing from March 3. The Test matches will be played in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore from March 3 to 25, while all four white-ball matches will be played in Lahore from March 29 to April 5. “We are working closely with the Pakistan Cricket Board and all the authorities. It’s a really complex endeavour, we are very committed to touring. It is absolutely our intention to tour as long as it is safe to do so,” CA chief Nick Hockley was quoted as telling reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday by Gulf News. Australia have not visited Pakistan since 1998 and the two countries have met only in Australia, UAE and England. PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had earlier this week expressed confidence that Australia, along with England and New Zealand, will tour Pakistan next year as per schedule. “We have made the world realise about our presence at the International Cricket Council meetings,” Ramiz had said, sitting alongside incoming PCB chief operating officer Faisal Hasnain.

England, who were due to send their men’s and women’s team in October — with the men’s team due to play two Twenty20s, then withdrew their teams due to concerns over their players’ mental health while travelling to Pakistan.

Pakistan condemns ‘extrajudicial killing’ of six in occupied Kashmir ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan on Sunday condemned the extrajudicial killing of six people in occupied Kashmir by members of the Indian security forces. In the first “cordon and search operation”, the police “neutralised” one Faheem Bhat — who it accused of killing a police official — in the village Kalan Sirgufwara town of Anantnag city, The New Indian Express reported. In the next 48 hours, the raiding teams killed five more in what the report claimed were anti-terrorist operations. “Pakistan strongly condemns extrajudicial killings […] by Indian occupation forces in the last three days in continuing fake encounters and so-called cordon-and-searchoperations,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. The spokesperson said a 19-year-old student was among those killed by the Indian forces with impunity in Islamabad (Anantnag). At least 18 people have been killed in December so far, he recalled. The spokesperson said the occupation army had intensified arbitrary detentions, night raids, coercion, harassment and humiliation of the people of Kashmir, as the extrajudicial killings in staged encounters and cordon-and-search operations continued unabated. He said the burial of the last remains of the dead at undisclosed locations since April 2020 without the consent and presence of their families was yet another abhorrent manifestation of the callous behaviour and moral bankruptcy of Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh combine. The official said India should be well aware that no amount of oppression and use of force could break the will of the valiant people of Kashmir who were resolutely standing up against the state terrorism in the region, and struggling for their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions. The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s call on the international community to hold India accountable for its grave and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Kashmir.

industrial units for launching an effective and sustainable waste management system in the city.

He hoped that the system would enable Korangi industrial estate to emerge as the modern industrial zone in Karachi where a proper sanitation system was in place.

Saleem uz-Zaman, former KATI president, said the industrialists in the Korangi industrial estate were willing to pay a fee to the SSWMB for launching of the door-to-door waste collection system.

He hoped that in the next phase a system

would be put in place for launching of the specialised process for disposal of hazardous industrial waste.

The new system envisages for the first

time a system of collection of monthly fees ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs10,000 from every industry, depending on its size, for disposal of its waste.

Wajiha Swati’s killer planned to flee and seek asylum in Poland: police ISLAMABAD newS deSk

Following police claim of finding the body of missing Pakistani-American woman Wajiha Swati from Lakki Marwat, further revelations have come to light in the murder, including the prime suspect’s intention of fleeing to Poland and seeking asylum.

Police sources told media on Sunday that Swati’s ex-husband, Rizwan Habib, who has been arrested for allegedly murdering her and who police claimed a day earlier had confessed to the crime, disclosed further details to the interrogation team.

According to the police, Habib revealed that his father — who has also been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting the murder — had said that it would cost only Rs50,000 to kill Wajiha.

Police said that Habib told interrogation officers that he killed his ex-wife Wajiha with a sharp instrument and shifted her body to Hangu.

They further said that Habib confessed to skillfully hiding Wajiha’s body in a car and taking it to a close relative’s house in Hangu.

They further said that the suspect told police that he had planned to seek asylum and citizenship in Poland after the murder, for which he had obtained a

passport.

According to police sources, further physical remand of Habib will be obtained from the court.

On the other hand, sources within Swati’s family have confirmed that her body will be sent to the United States.

According to the sources, Wajiha’s children have refused to bury their mother’s body in Pakistan, due to which the US embassy officials are making arrangements to send the body to New York. swaTi’s body found in lakki MarwaT: The body of Wajiha Swati, who went missing from Rawalpindi in October, was found from Lakki Marwat,

police said yesterday.

City Police Officer Rawalpindi Sajid Kiani, addressing a press conference, said that the case is under investigation and the police will not divulge too many details at this point.

Kiani did reveal some aspects that came to light during investigations, such as Swati arriving in Pakistan on October 16 and being received by her former husband Rizwan Habib.

He went on to say that three people — Habib, his father, and one other suspect — have been arrested in connection with the case.

The CPO said that Wajiha’s body was found from Lakki Marwat’s Pizu area and that it is being brought to Islamabad.

He said that further investigations are underway and more arrests are expected.

The police officer said that the probe team gathered sufficient evidence after which the arrests were made.

He added that the US embassy sought details from the police owing to Swati being a US citizen.

“How the murder was carried out, what weapon was used, is something it would be too premature to comment on,” the CPO said.

He vowed that the police will ensure the culprits get their just desserts.

Loss of top general delaying India’s military reform plans, say experts NEW DELHI anadolu agency

As India is still awaiting the appointment of a new chief of defense staff (CDS) following the death of Gen Bipin Rawat on December 8, analysts fear the defense sector reform process may suffer, if only temporarily.

India’s first CDS Gen Rawat and his wife were among 13 killed when a helicopter crashed in the southern province of Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency strategic analyst Pravin Sawhney said while the government has made it clear to go ahead with military reforms, which Gen Rawat had started, it needs to be seen, whether they (government) will do reforms with or without appointing his successor.

“I think there will be a temporary halt to his reforms. But as far as the government is concerned, it has made it very clear that they will go ahead with the military reforms which he had started,” said Sawhney, who also edits a security journal, Force.

Analysts believe the creation of the post of CDS over the head of three service chiefs was not easy for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government.

Soon after the 1999 limited war with Pakistan on the heights of Kargil in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, a high-level committee had found gaps in the coordination between the army, air force, and the navy along with different intelligence wings.

To bridge such gaps in the future, it had recommended the creation of the post of chief of defense. But keeping in view the structure of defense forces in the country and the fear of concentrating authority in a single person, successive governments delayed the decision for about 20 years, believe the analysts.

Sameer Patil, a Mumbai city-based security analyst and a former senior official at the National Security Council Secretariat — a body that advises the prime minister on key strategic issues — said that the death of Gen Rawat has been a setback for the process of military reforms.

TrusT of poliTical leadership: Maintaining that Rawat had the trust of political leadership, Patil said he had embarked on indigenization projects by prioritizing the weapons and

platforms.

“He had the trust of the political leadership, which probably his successor won’t have,” said Patil.

Before becoming India’s first CDS in 2019, Gen Rawat had served as army chief.

Patil said after taking over, he had conceived the idea of setting up five theatre commands to combine army, air force, and naval assets under a single command to ensure joint combat capability.

“These commands would replace the existing 17 service-specific commands. These commands would combine the assets of the three services,” he said, adding “that his passing away would delay the country’s integration plans for now”.

Currently, India has two integrated theatre commands: One, set up in the Indian Ocean and named the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and the second Strategic Forces Command, which looks after India’s nuclear assets.

“The creation of the CDS was long due. It could not be appointed earlier because there were persistent turf battles between the three services,” said Patil.

He added that both navy and air force were reluctant to cede space to an already dominant army.

“But Modi government demonstrated the political will to keep aside these differences and finally create the post,” he said.

Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the New Delhi-

based Centre for Policy Research told Anadolu Agency that the next CDS will have to complete the task of creating the theatre commands started by Gen Rawat.

He said that the task requires a smooth relationship with the bureaucracy, the three defense services, and the political leadership.

“It is in this aspect that the next incumbent will face the biggest challenge,” he said, adding that it is hard to predict any timeline for something on which a broad agreement is yet to be achieved.

Many responsibiliTies: “He (Rawat) wore three hats, of the chief of defense staff, the secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee,” he said.

“It was in his role as the CDS that he was undertaking activities to create integrated theatre commands, but that is an institutionalized process which should proceed without much trouble,” said Singh.

Mandeep Bajwa, a military historian said that the modernization program, will not have any major effect.

“Everyone at the higher echelons of the military is committed to modernization in terms of equipment, weapons, doctrine, technology, and best practices.

Whoever steps in will continue the program,” he said, Patil pointed out that while Rawat was going ahead with the idea of theater commands, it was not completely supported by everyone.

“Gen Rawat’s dismissal of navy’s proposal for a third aircraft carrier and description of the air force as a supporting arm only heightened concerns within these two services,” he said. four Tasks: Explaining the significance of the post, Sawhney said it does four things.

“Firstly, CDS is the military advisor to the defense minister. Secondly, a new department has been created i.e., Department of Military Affairs under the Defense Ministry where you have both civilians and military bureaucrats and the whole idea was that all military issues could be expedited,” he said.

Also, since CDS is the permanent chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, in that capacity, the post has a direct operational role. “Lastly, he (CDS) is directly in the nuclear weapons loop with the NSA (national security adviser). So, these are four significant tasks which were given to him,” he said.

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

NEWS

KArAChi looKs for AlternAtive fuels Amidst gAs Crisis

K

NEWS DESk

ARACHI has been experiencing severe gas shortages ever since Siberian winds gripped the megacity.

Amidst gas crises, citizens have been forced to look for alternative heat sources like LPG cylinders and burning coal, wood or biofuel.

Resultantly, the price for these alternative options has also gone up by 20 to 30 per cent, backed by increased demand from domestic as well as commercial sectors.

Ayesha Khatun, a working-class woman who is a resident of the Musa Colony area, said that she cannot even afford to buy LPG, so her only option is to burn wood like the dark ages. “You would think wood is cheap, for us, that too is a great investment. Even a sack of wood costs Rs250 while a wood stove retails for Rs800. It’s because dealers have increased their prices seeing the increasing demand for wood,” the woman lamented.

Per Sehar Tariq, a resident of Liaquatabad, her area experiences gas suspensions that can last an entire day.

“I couldn’t make breakfast or as much

boil water on most days, and was eventually forced to get a LPG stove cylinder. It cost me Rs2,500 for one that comes with 4 kilogrammes of gas, but it runs out every other day and I have to pay for refilling which takes a serious toll on my budget,” she told.

According to Malik Zahoor Ahmad, a local stove dealer, said that LPG cylinder stoves, which are available for

Rs2,000 to Rs4,000 have seen a surge in demand in the last month. “Since the prices have increased, a lot of people are currently opting for cheaper light-sheet cylinders and stove cylinders, which not safe for domestic use and present a huge risk of catching fire and exploding.

People should only buy company brand cylinders,” he highlighted.

Owing to the surged prices of wood

and the current state of economy, there is a portion of population that cannot afford what is perhaps considered the cheapest form of fuel. “So we have resorted to burning dried cow dung patties to cook food and heat water. But if you don’t have a cow at your disposal, a sack of dried cow dung can cost Rs150, which isn’t cheap at all,” told Hajra Bibi, a resident of Khuda Ki Basti, a settlement dedicated to the urban poor. However, there are also parts of the city, like the Kemari area, where LPG cylinders are a rare find.

People here, according to resident Asif Shah, have been buying food from hotels every day, which means an extra Rs500 to Rs600 added to their daily budget.

“We can’t do this for long, which is why everyone in our area if fed up and scared of the gas shortages,” he commented.

Addressing the gas shortages, Sui Southern Gas Company spokesman Salman Siddiqui however maintained that Karachi is getting a normal supply of gas. “In areas where there are complaints of gas shortages, we respond immediately. I appeal to the people to immediately remove compressors from their stoves and use gas carefully,” he stated.

Karachi receives first winter rain kARACHI Staff RepoRt

Karachi received its first winter showers intermittently throughout the day on Sunday as westerly winds lashed the metropolis and are expected to remain here till Tuesday.

Light showers were reported in neighbourhoods including Model Colony, North Nazimabad, North Karachi, M. A. Jinnah Road, Malir, Guru Mandir, Lasbela, and adjoining towns.

A Met department official explained that coming from neighbouring Iran, the westerly winds after passing over Balochistan on Friday and Saturday crossed over into Sindh and reached the city in the early hours of Sunday.

The showers came a day after the

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast Karachi may receive its first winter shower in the next 24 hours i.e. Sunday.

According to the official, Karachi will experience a cold wave from December 28 with temperatures remaining below nine and 10 degrees.

The Sindh chapter of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Thursday issued an alert after the Met forecast rainfall in several parts of the province.

In a letter addressed to the deputy commissioners, the authority said rains are likely to occur in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, Dadu, Jamshoro, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad, and asked the district administrations to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of lives and damage to property.

three members of K-pop sensation Bts test positive for Covid-19 SEOUL afp

Three members of K-pop sensation BTS have tested positive for Covid-19 since returning from the US, where they held their first in-person concerts since the pandemic began, the group’s management said Saturday.

Rapper RM and vocalist Jin tested positive for the virus Saturday evening, according to Big Hit Music. The announcement came a day after the agency confirmed that Suga, another member of the septet, was “administering self-care at home” following a positive test. The South Korean group gave their first offline concerts since the start of the pandemic in Los Angeles, which took place from late November to early this month. They have been on holiday since then, and each of the three infected members returned to South Korea on different dates. While RM and Suga are asymptomatic, Jin has mild fever, the agency said. All three members have been fully vaccinated, and none of them had any contact with other group members after their return to South Korea, Bit Hit Music added.

Among the three, RM and Suga received their positive tests while still in self-quarantine after arriving back home, while Jin was released from quarantine after testing negative and received his positive result later.

Both the US and South Korea are struggling with rising Covid cases as the hyper infectious Omicron variant spreads globally. The company will place its “highest priority on the health and safety of our artists”, Big Hit Music said in a statement. BTS achieved global superstardom with their single “Dynamite” that entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number one last year, making them the first South Korean act to top the US chart.

03

nCoC daily update: 358 new cases, two deaths from Covid-19 ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan added 358 Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Sunday. The overall tally of the infected people rose to 1,293,440 across the country, said the NCOC, the department leading the campaign against the pandemic. A total of 28,907 people died of Covid-19 in Pakistan, including two patients who lost their lives to the pandemic over the last 24 hours, the NCOC said. Sindh has been the worst hit, with a total of 480,525 cases, followed by Punjab where the virus was detected in 444,553 people.

Over the last 24 hours, 446 patients have recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,254,859, said the NCOC.

President asks children to adopt values of faith, unity, discipline ISLAMABAD app

President Dr Arif Alvi Saturday called upon school children to adopt the values of discipline, unity and faith espoused by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to achieve success in life. He was speaking at an event “Quaid aur Bachay” organized at the President House in connection with the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Samina Alvi, wife of President Dr Alvi, ministers, members of Parliament and people from different walks of life attended the event. The president congratulated children for their impressive performance at the event that had become an annual feature at the President House. The president praised the performances of children who paid tribute to founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e -Azam and in their speeches highlighted different aspects and achievements of his life. The president said freedom was a blessing and many nations struggled for hundreds of years to get freedom which was the most precious quality. He expressed his optimism that country’s vibrant youth would take the leadership roles in future and play a pivotal role in the affairs of the country.

Police says ‘no sign of sexual assault on teenage girl’s body’ NEWS DESk The body of a teenage girl was found hanging in a house near Nishan-eHaider Chowk, Sector 11½, Orangi Town, Karachi.

The body was immediately shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for legal formalities.

In this regard, SHO Pakistan Bazar Akhlaq Ahmed said that the deceased was identified as Anusha, 13, daughter of Akhtar. There was a headscarf wrapped around the neck of the deceased girl. At the time of the incident, the deceased and her younger siblings were at home. Her grandmother also lives in the neighbourhood and when she saw the body of the girl, she opened the noose around her neck. Her father is a carpenter who was not at home at the time of the incident. The deceased’s mother died three months ago due to illness after which the children lived alone in the house.

The SHO said that the 60-squareyard house was in a dilapidated condition.

However, initial investigations revealed the incident was a homicide. He further said that the father of the deceased has 11 children including eight daughters and three sons of which he had married seven daughters while other younger brothers including the deceased lived alone all day long.

DSP Jaffar Baloch said that the initial examination of the body did not find any evidence that the girl had been sexually assaulted. However, no

evidence was found at the scene to suggest that the deceased had committed suicide.

The neck bone was found broken on one side and it is suspected that Anusha was strangled to death.

However, police are investigating in the light of all available evidence and soon the mystery of her death will be solved.

SSP West Sohai Aziz has formed a team headed by DSP Jaffar Baloch to investigate the incident while the incident is being investigated from all angles. He said that the family was living in extreme poverty and did not even have utensils in their house.

However, it is important to know the real cause of death. The statement of the younger brothers of the deceased is

also important.

When media representatives spoke to the younger brothers of the deceased, they said that a boy had come to the house and was strangling their sister lying on the ground. In this regard, the police said that in the light of the revelations made in the children’s statement, the police have raided several places but no significant success was achieved.

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

UniverSitY of tUrbat to Provide eqUal oPPortUnitieS to women in everY field TURBAT

P

StAff RePoRt

RO Vice Chancellor (PVC), University of Turbat (UoT), Dr. Mansoor Ahmed has said that the University believes to provide opportunities of equal participation to the women in every field of life.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Regional Director Women’s Development Department Balochistan Ms. Shazia Riaz at UoT. A delegation of Women’s Development

Department, Government of Balochistan, led

by Regional Director Women Development Department Balochistan visited the University of Turbat and met with Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Turbat.

During the meeting, they discussed the matters related to the upcoming Women’s Expo 2022 which going to be organized at Turbat in February next year by the Women’s Development Department, Balochistan in collaboration with district administration of Kech.

Dr Mansoor Ahmed appreciated the ef-

forts of Government of Balochistan for holding such an important social festival under the auspices of Women’s Development in Turbat city for the first time.

On behalf of Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, Vice Chancellor of the University of Turbat, he assured the visitors for full cooperation during the forthcoming mega event in District Kech.

PVC acknowledged that women can play a very important role in the development of society therefore it is imperative to ensuring their participation in developmental process. He said higher education empowers

the women to play their due role in nation building.

The visiting officials also lauded the efforts of Vice Chancellor and his administrative and academic team for creating an academic environment of gender-equality in the University of Turbat where female stu-

dents are being encouraged and motivated to play their role in every fields of life.

The officials from Women’s Development Department also visited different academic departments of the University and interacted with the teaching faculty and students.

Local body elections likely to be postponed in Sindh News Desk

Houthi missile attack on Saudi city condemned

Local government elections are likely to be postponed in Sindh, as sources revealed on Wednesday. As per sources, the authorities could not carry out delimitation of constituencies for the local body polls.

Sources further stated that at the Sindh government’s request, the Election Commission of Pakistan

(ECP) postponed the schedule for delimitation.

It is pertinent to note that the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2021, passed last month, is yet to be formally implemented.

The bill has received widespread criticism from the opposition, who have criticised it as a move by the provincial government to absorb the authority of the local bodies.

IsLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

Pakistan has strongly condemned a missile attack on the Saudi Arabian city of Samtah that resulted in one killed and another injured. The Houthi missile attack on Friday night hit a car maintenance workshop in Samtah, killing a Saudi citizen and a Yemeni migrant worker, and injuring seven others, including a Yemeni migrant worker, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency. Two other people were injured when another shell hit a workshop in the same city. “Such attacks not only violate international law but also threaten peace and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement issued late Saturday. Calling for an immediate cessation of these attacks, Pakistan reaffirmed its full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity, the statement added. Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sana’a. A Saudi-led coalition aimed at reinstating the Yemeni government has worsened the situation, causing one of the world’s worst human-made humanitarian crises, with nearly 80 percent, or about 30 million people, needing humanitarian assistance and protection, and more than 13 million are in danger of starvation, according to UN estimates. As the war has dragged on, Houthis have stepped up the brazenness of their attacks on Saudi Arabia. Using drones and missiles, the Houthis have launched attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities and military sites. While Houthi attacks have failed to cause massive devastation, they have been enough to rattle global oil markets.

Saudi-led coalition hits Yemen rebel camp in capital Sanaa AgeNcIes The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen says it struck a Houthi rebel camp in the capital Sanaa, as it intensified an aerial bombing campaign against the Iran-backed fighters. The coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis in the civil war, said it destroyed weapons storehouses in the rebel-held capital, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). “The operation in Sanaa was an immediate response to an attempt to transfer weapons from Al-Tashrifat camp in Sanaa,” it said in a statement on Sunday. Yemen has been wracked by civil war since 2014 pitting the government against the Houthis who control much of the north. Tens of thousands of people have been killed as a result of the war, leaving the country in what the United Nations has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia has long accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with sophisticated weapons and its Hezbollah proxy of training the rebels, charges Tehran denies. On Saturday, the coalition launched a “large-scale” military operation against the Houthis after missiles fired by the rebels killed two people in the kingdom, the first such deaths in three years. Those air raids on Saturday killed three civilians, including a child and a woman, Yemeni medics told the AFP news agency.

Peshawar’s BRT faces Rs4.67bn deficit in past two years

PesHAwAR Aziz BuneRi

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has suffered a deficit of Rs4.67 billion over the past two years.

The government has spent more than Rs77bn on this project for which loan has been borrowed from Asian Development Bank and France Agency. It was launched during the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

It was promised to be completed in six months but it inaugurated in 3 years but the attached shopping and parking plazas have yet to be completed.

The BRT officials said that over one million Zu cards have been distributed while more than 60 million passengers have traveled since August 2020. According to sources, the development work has been slowed down due to non-provision of funds by the provincial government to the construction companies working on the project.

Since its inauguration, thirty new buses were added to the BRT buses, the first zu bicycle sharing system of its kind was launched under which 360 modern bicycles and 32 docking stations were set up in different parts of the city.

The government has set a target of more than 300,000 passengers per day but at present it daily commutes 250,000 passengers daily. Before BRT, the female travel rate in the city was less than 2% which increased to more than 20% now.

The project had incurred a deficit of over Rs 1 billion during the last financial year while it is facing a deficit of over Rs 2 billion this year.

Mass Transit spokesman Umair Khan said that the BRT service was established by the government not for profit but for the convenience of the general public.

Khan said that the the BRT has staged earning revenue by posting advertisements inside and outside the buses.

He informed said that the KP government has approved an annual subsidy of Rs 2.8 billion for successful operation of the BRT project.

According to Umair, all the civil work of BRT project, including construction of parking plaza and shops mall, is the responsibility of the Peshawar Development Authority as it will be completed in the second quarter of the next financial year, 2022.

Punjab chief secretary visits hospitals MULTAN APP

Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal paid a surprise visit to the Nishtar and Children’s hospitals in Multan late Saturday night. Afzal inspected wards to review medical facilities, sanitation and other arrangements in both healthcare centres and expressed satisfaction over the performance of staff doing night shifts.

He went to various wards of the hospital to inquire after the patients about the medicines and other facilities in the hospital. He also reviewed the sanitation arrangements and the presence of staff in emergency, surgical and other wards.

The chief secretary also checked the provision of medicines in the hospitals and expressed satisfaction and commended the staff on night duty. Talking to patients and their families, Afzal said he was visiting the hospital to inspect various issues and ensure their early solutions, and assured them that concrete steps were being taken to improve health services. The chief secretary said: “Health card is a revolutionary step and the facility has been issued to people of Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan.” Soon, the facility would also be extended to all people of Punjab, he said. Earlier, he was briefed about the construction of a shelter house at Nishtar Hospital to accommodate the families of the patients.

Additional Chief Secretary retired Captain Saqib Zafar was also present.

Another illegal hydrant demolished in Karachi News Desk The Water Board Anti-Theft Cell incharge and the Chief Security Officer Water Board conducted a joint grand operation against illegal hydrants and demolished another illegal hydrant within the limits of District Malir Memon Goth on Saturday.

On the instructions of Sindh Local Government Minister and Chairman Karachi Water and Sewerage Board Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and MD Water Board Engineer Asadullah Khan, the operation of Water Board against illegal hydrants continued for the second day.

The anti-theft cell in-charge said that the suspects used to steal water from District Malir through illegal hydrants and sell it in different areas of the city through tankers. He added that hundreds of feet of pipes had been seized during

the operation. “They will be brought to justice and further action will be taken against them,” he said.

The operation was led by Abdul Wahid Sheikh, in-charge of Water Board Anti-Theft Cell. Chief Security Officer Water Board Retired Colonel Zia Zaidi, Retired Major Abdul Majeed Awan and others took part in the operation.

It may be mentioned that three illegal hydrants have been demolished within the limits of District Malir Memon Goth in the ongoing operations of the Water Board since Friday.

On the other hand, Sindh Local Government Minister and Chairman Karachi Water Board Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the scope of operation against water thieves should be widened and those who steal water from the citizens should be brought to book and the operation should be done without any discrimination.

CMYK

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

NEWS

05

MINorItIeS Are CoMPletely Free to PrACtICe theIr relIGIouS rItuAlS IN PAkIStAN: FArrukh hAbIb fAISALABAD

S

APP

TATE Minister for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Sunday said that Christians are an integral part of Pakistan and minorities are completely right to practice their own religious rituals without interference of any element.

He was addressing a Christmas cakecutting ceremony while inaugurating various development schemes at Khushhal Town.

He said that government was promoting religious harmony which would not only attract the foreigners to visit their religious holy sites in Pakistan but also enjoy the serenity, beauty and cultural harmony of our society.

He on the behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistani nation congratu-

lated Christian community on Christmas and said that all available resources were being utilised to provide basic amenities to minorities in addition to protect their rights.

Farrukh said that: “Khushhal Town is plagued by sewerage, dilapidated roads and other problems for the last 40 years. However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has started to fulfill its promises and various development schemes have been launched to improve life standard of the people.”

He said that 8,000 feet long sewerage line would be laid down in Khushhal Town area and the project would be completed in 4 to 5 months on war-footing. Similarly, public parks and playgrounds would also be constructed on government lands while Rs.100 million had so far been spent on water filtration plants in the area and added that more plants would also be arranged to

provide clean drinking water to 100 per cent population of the locality.

He further said that construction work at Sitiana Road, Sammundri Road and Jhang Road had been started to facilitate the commuters and motorists while development of General Hospital Haseeb Shaheed Colony was also in full swing and the project would be completed by June 2022.

State Minister for Information said, “Provision of health cards has been started and the facility will be extended to each family in Punjab up to March 2022.”

He said people of Christian community and other minorities had also been included in this scheme and the card holder would be entitled to get free-treatment up to Rs.10 million per annum from the hospital of his own choice.

Farrukh said that Rs.120 billion had been allocated under Ehsaas Ration Pro-

gramme to facilitate 20 million low-income families and under this programme, each family would get subsidy of Rs.1,000 per month on flour, pulses and ghee.

He said that the government had also made the banks bound to provide loans for 15 to 20 years for construction of houses and for this purpose Akhuwat Foundation are active to provide interest-free-loans to the people so that they could start their own businesses. Later, the minister also cut Christmas cake and offered Dua for security of the country.

Provincial Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Ejaz Alam Augustine, Minority Member Provincial Assembly Yudester Chauhan, former Punjab Assembly candidate Chaudhry Khalid Rafi Cheema, Mian Nabeel Arshad and Christian leader Habqooq Gill and a large number of area people were also present.

Follow in Quaid’s footsteps, says CM Murad NeWS DeSk

Ch Shujaat welcomes Putin’s statement on Islamophobia

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah paying, rich tribute to the father of nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, said that it was his vision and untiring leadership that enabled people of the country to lead a respectable life.

CM Murad, while talking to the media along with Governor Sindh Imran Ismail at Mazar-e-Quaid stated that “December 25 is a great day that our great leader was born to lead the Muslims of the subcontinent towards a separate country. Now it becomes our utmost responsibility to follow in his footsteps and strengthen Pakistan by strengthening democracy.”

He was accompanied by his cabinet members, the Sindh chief secretary, IG Po-

lice and other top officers. Shah said that he has visited the Mazar and offered fateha for the great leader, “Great leaders are born in centuries, and the nations achieve the targets of progress and prosperity when they follow the guidelines of their leaders,” he said.

The CM added that locals must strengthen democracy, establish rule of law, respect human rights, including those of the minorities, empower women, improve the educational system and inculcate the spirit of tolerance. “These were a few guidelines of our Quaid,” he said.

“The purpose of visiting Mazar of Quaid on his birth anniversary is to reaffirm our commitment to follow the footprints of our Quaid to make Pakistan a great nation.” Earlier, the chief minister

laid a floral wreath on the mazar and recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hosted a reception for notables of the Christian community at CM House to celebrate Christmas with them. The programme was attended by Minister for Minorities Gianchand Israni, Senator Anwar Lal Dean, MPA Naveed Anthony, Bishop Frederick John (Church of Pakistan), Mr. Zafar Iqbal, Pastor Mouzzam John, Pastor Robin Raz, Pastor Ashar Mansha, Pastor Pervaiz Lazar, Pastor Shafqat Gill, Bishop Gulfam Jawed Cardinal Joseph Coutts /Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, Senator Anwar Lal Dean, Roma Mushtaq Matto, Mushtaq Matto, Amant Zia, Razzaq and others.

The CM said that the Christian com-

munity, like other communities, has contributed a lot to the development of different sectors such as education, health, and social. He assured them that he would visit them shortly and resolve their issues, if any.

The chief minister exchanged views with them on different matters of mutual interest and had tea and sweets with them.

On the occasion, the chief minister cut a cake along with them and shared the meal.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that he was happy to receive notable Christian community members at CM House.

“We, the PPP, respect minorities and consider them like our brothers and sisters,” he said. Shah continued that his government had given people equal rights.

LAHoRe StAff RePoRt

Pakistan Muslim League (Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Sunday welcomed the statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin, wherein he said that disrespecting Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was not free speech. According to a press release issued here, Ch Shujaat said, “Muslims love the last prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) more than their lives and anything.” He said that blasphemous action related to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) severely hurt the sentiments of Muslims. He said that now world had realised that disrespecting any religion and the messengers was not freedom of expression.

Government excoriates Sharif over claim London affidavit prepared at his office CoNtINueD fRoM PAge 01 The two were convicted in a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference related to their ownership of four multi-million-dollar London apartments weeks before the elections on July 25. When their counsels moved the high court for suspension of the conviction, the case was adjourned until the last week of July.

Nisar had travelled to the mountainous region for vacations in 2018, an affidavit Shamim purportedly signed in London during a trip to the British capital last month, said.On one occasion, the then top judge

appeared “very disturbed” while speaking to the Supreme Court registrar on the phone, asking him to get in touch with a high court judge. Once able to get in touch with the judge, Mr Nisar ordered him that “Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he [Nisar] became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea.”

The other judge was not named in the affidavit.

Earlier this month, the government placed Shamim on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), thereby barring him from flying abroad.

Students advised to submit applications till Dec 30 for admission under Ehsaas scholarships project Govt committed to provide favorable atmosphere to investors: Swati ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati has said the government was committed to provide favorable atmosphere to investors who were keen to invest in the country. During a meeting with Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi who called on him here, the minister said that UAE investor should get benefit from the investor-friendly policies of the present government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Both the dignitaries discussed the ways to improve and enhance economic ties between Pakistan and UAE during the meeting. The ambassador appreciated the potential of investment opportunities in Pakistan and lauded the government’s resolve to improve the Railway sector in the country.

RAWALPINDI APP

The University of the Punjab has advised the students to submit online applications till Dec 30, for new admissions under Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Phase-III Project.

The students have been advised to apply through Higher Education Commission (HEC) online application portal https://ehsaas.hec.gov.pk. to get admission in University of Punjab.

The Ehsaas Undergraduate scholarship program was launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan for needy and poor students and all the students with a family income of less than Rs 45,000 per month and studying in the undergraduate programmes across any of the 129 public sector universities recognized by HEC are eligible to apply.

BS 1st and 2nd semester students are eligible to apply and the students who are enrolled in morning section’s are eligible for

Ehsaas Scholarship phase-III. The students who are enrolled in evening sections on self finance basis are not eligible and the students who are taking other scholarship like the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, HEC Need Based Scholarship or any other are also not eligible for this scholarship.

The students who did not fulfill their aim to get more education due to financial problems can apply and get admission under the scholarship program.

Rana Shamim's affidavit was prepared in presence of Nawaz Sharif: Farrukh ISLAMABAD APP

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said on Sunday that Rana Shamim

was an official of PML-N lawyers' wing and his son has admitted this on a television channel. In a tweet he said that it was a great revelation now that Nawaz Sharif got the affi-

CMYk

davit written in his presence to attack the judiciary. Farrukh remarked that this was the reason Nawaz Sharif was called godfather of the Sicilian mafia.

Fawad grieved over demise of Shoaib Akhtar's mother ISLAMABAD APP

Minister for Information and Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Sunday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the mother of former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. In a condolence message, the minister said that the death of mother was a big shock for Shoaib Akhtar and he shared the grief of the bereaved family.

He prayed Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.

Nawaz Sharif has no plans to return in immediate future: Shehbaz Sharif CoNtINueD fRoM PAge 01 “Everyone knows Nawaz Sharif was victimised in the name of accountability, where he was disqualified on Iqama (permit) in the Panama case,” Ahsan said. Emphasizing that Nawaz Sharif’s stay in London was only for medical reasons, Ahsan said permission to go abroad for treatment was conditional with the government contacting the doctors of Nawaz Sharif through the high commission in London if it felt or found that he was misusing his stay in London, but the govt didn’t use this channel even once in these two years as they know that his ailment and treatment are of a serious nature.

06-07 Comments - 27th December 2021_Layout 1 12/27/2021 12:58 AM Page 1

Monday, 27 December, 2021

06 COMMENT

Theological roots and politics of TLP

The exile’s return?

Talk of Nawaz’s return causes jitters

E

x-PM nawaz sharif’s return to Pakistan is at the moment merely being talked about, but even that is enough to cause jitters in the ruling Pti. the primary reason is that the talk is seen as not being without substance; that it is occurring at all means that something is cooking. What exactly, Pti supporters cannot tell, but the suspicion is that it is their goose. indeed, the Pti supporters would be right, for Mian nawaz’s return would only mean that those who had backed imran have realized their mistake, and that the Pti government will not make a turnaround in the 20 months or so it has left, and will only bring more obloquy down on those who brought it to power. in short, the Pti will be bereft of anything ‘extra’, while fresh elections will be held.

Mian nawaz’s return before the next election is essential. He seems now to have completed his medical treatment, and to be able to travel. Perhaps more important, he needs to return if he is to remain relevant in the country’s politics. However, he will also have to be careful about whether or not he will be thrown behind bars as soon as he sets foot on Pakistani soil. it is true that he will not return unless given the green light by those who gave him the green light to leave in the first place. then, the Pti could do little but complain that he was not at all as ill as was claimed, but this time, they might still clap him in irons. the Pti can argue that it is still a potent political force. While there is much being made of its defeat in the kP local body elections, it can be seen as a proof of the Pti’s ability to garner the support of a proportion of the electorate, even though it did not have the sort of support it had in previous elections.

However, the Pti should note that it itself has driven its backers to dicker with Mian nawaz, if that is what they are doing, because of its poor record of governance. the Pti is veering dangerously close to the argument that it would have been a good administrator if only it had not had to show its obedience. But without such a plea, how can it argue for a second term, especially with an election disaster in Punjab local body polls early next year looming?

Barelvis are not pacifists as has been assumed by some

Wali Ejaz NEkokara

P

akistan got independence in the name of islam. Pakistan is a sunni-dominated country having further sub-divisions in the sunni sect. there are three prominent sunni groups such as salafi, Barelvi, and Deobandi. the Barevwi faction is at the top as it constitutes 75-80 percent of the total population, while Deobandis and salafis, also called ahle Hadith constitute 20 percent and 5percent respectively. Unlike Deobandis and salafis, Barelvis perceive sufism as an unavoidable part of islam. Love of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is central to the Barelvi creed. they maintain that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is created from the light of God (nur). He (PBUH) is omnipresent, alive, and infallible. Barelvis celebrate the birth of Prophet (PBUH) and Urses of saints. the Deobandi group is at odds with the Barelvi over the superhuman characteristics the latter have attached to the Prophet (PBUH). as we know that the tehrik Labbaik Pakistan (tLP) follows the Barelvi tradition, so we have to focus on Barelvi roots of tLP. the erosion of the Mughal Empire since the early 18th century was being taken as a loss of Muslim power. Furthermore, the 1857 War of independence’s failure left the religious scholars or ulema shocked. they construed it as a result of a moral crisis among Muslims and felt the need of revitalizing the islamic faith. to revive faith, religious scholars preferred the unsullied and original form of the islamic version. the bid to revive or reform religion resulted in various movements like ahle Hadith and Deoband in the subcontinent.

Gradually, as colonialism got more currency, sufism came under extreme criticism. the vociferous critics of sufism were influenced by the ‘Enlightenment’ or ‘the age of reason’. Modernists took sufism contrary to rational thinking and reformists thought that sufism was not a part of pure version of islam.

Gas shortage Driving industry to protest

t

HE gas shortages this winter have set in so badly that after domestic consumers and vehicle owners depending on CnG, now industry is being affected, with the result that exporting ability is being affected. Both domestic consumers and CnG pump owners were driven to take to the streets in karachi on Friday, with the result that traffic was blocked at three different places. Energy Minister Hammad azhar’s declaration that no more Reliqufied natural Gas (RLnG) cargos would be imported because people could not afford the gas thus produced, seemed to have merely added fuel to the fire. Mr azhar is guilty of having failed to import RLnG in summer even though it was known that there would be a spurt in demand in winter. instead of ordering at leisure, the country is now in the position of ordering when the need is urgent, and the gas companies can smell blood. in summer, they would have been aware that such orders would provide them a firm revenue stream even if the spot price was higher. it is perhaps only a matter of time before the domestic industry, some exporting, and others substituting for imports, are affected. Gas is used directly as a feed-stock for fertilizer production. if production in this industry begins to stutter, fertilizer imports would be needed, and food autarky, already ended by this government, would be left almost permanently out of reach. But to pay for those fertilizers, the country would need to export more, particularly textiles. that would become particularly difficult if gas remains in as short supply as at present.

While gas may not be used as a raw material, it is used to fuel the Captive Power Plants that generate the electricity needed when WaPDa is engaged in loadshedding.

Long-term solutions include examining the possibility of gasifying tha coal deposits, instead of just burning them up to produce power (and pollute the atmosphere).

However, in the short term, Mr azhar must ensure that this winter’s errors are not repeated, and that RLnG cargoes are booked for next winter well in advance. this winter of discontent should be enough.

Local bodies are not being allowed to function as the Constitution envisages ihsaN afzal khaN

P

akistan has remained, and continues grimly to remain, engaged in repeated constitutional reengineering of policies formulated for the centralization and the decentralization of political powers in the hands of the representative and the non-representative fraternities, starting with ayub khan’s basic democracies disguise in regaining stability and continuing till present in various dilatory strategies.

Moreover, from the start, an inconsistency has been seen between the autonomy of local bodies and bureaucratic institutions. Hierarchical bureaucracy, by restraining the resources distribution, has reduced the involvement of local bodies in administrative-related matters like infrastructure development and so on. the constant changes in the local government laws amount to the political favor of respective governments. thus destroying the smooth evolution of democratic values in the country. the real essence of democracy always lies in devolution of power and effective functioning of local governments. the provisions of articles in the 1973 constitution like article 140-a act as the framework and basis for the local governments to be functional, but the execution and the delays in elections by the governments and nonrepresentative tier are problematic. there is an utter need to pay attention to article 140-a which states that “Each Province shall, by legislation, create a local government system and transfer political, administrative, and financial responsibility and power to the elected representatives of the local governments.”

Pakistan has seen several local government acts with a lot of amendments done afterwards. instead of evolving and improving the established acts after the consultation of the stakeholders, the introduction of whole new bills and amendments debase the spirit

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer can be reached at waliejaz04@gmail.com

The enigma of local governments in Pakistan

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Palpably, another sunni sect, ‘Barelvi’, came into being in the 19th century. this sect emerged to defend sufism and syed ahmad Raza khan (R.a) spearheaded the Barelvi movement. He was a sufi of Qadriya order and presented sufism as a crucial part of islam. He answered various questions akin to sufism which were raised by the opponents. Usha sanyal in her book, ahmad Riza Khan Barelvi; in the path of the Prophet writes that ahmad Raza khan was of the view that “the saints are intermediaries between the believer and God in a chain of mediation that reaches from each pir to the one preceding him, all the way to the Prophet and thence to God”. similarly, there was another controversy among the Muslim reformers regarding the belief in the intercession of saints with allah on behalf of common people. ahmad Raza khan was in favor of the saints’ intercession. in his second visit to Mecca in 1905-6, ahmad Raza wrote three Fatawa. One of them was AlDawlat-al-Makkiyya bi’l Maddat-al- Ghaybiyya. it was written on the “Prophet’s knowledge of unseen”. this was a topic of much debate between ahmad Raza khan and Deobandi Ulema. ahmad Raza khan explained the Prophet’s and allah’s knowledge in a very explicit manner. Usha sanyal mentions ahmad Raza’s ideas that “One (allah) is the source of knowledge and other (Prophet s.aWW) is dependent upon it. in allah’s case, the knowledge is zaati (personal) and in the second case, it is ata’i (gifted)”. He further postulated that the “Prophet also knew what was going on inside people’s minds. Even he was aware of the fears and intentions of people”. to dispel all the doubts of opponents regarding the Prophet’s knowledge of the unseen, ahmad Raza resorted to the Quran. He presented verse 179 of surah aal e imran and verse 26-27 of surah Jinn as an argument in which allah says that he gives secret knowledge to those he wants among his chosen ones. so, ahmad Raza khan issued many Fatwas to answer the various questions regarding sufism, fasting, prayer, pilgrimage, and relations with other groups of Muslims and non-Muslims. Following the death of ahmad Raza khan Barelvi in 1921, Barelvis laid the foundation of the all india sunni Conference to expand its influence in the subcontinent. as far as Pakistan’s establishment is concerned, thomas k. Guglar in chapter 13 of the book Faithbased violence and Deobandi militancy in Pakistan writes that “the Barelwis were among the first to support the Pakistan Movement and the demand for an independent islamic state. in contrast, the Dar-alUloom Deoband and the majority of the Deobandi clerics opposed the creation of Pakistan and interpreted the project of establishing a Muslim state as an obstacle against the islamization of india as a whole. ironically, islamic state politics in Pakistan was mostly in favor of Deobandi, and more recently salafi, institutions”.

Maulana shabir ahmad Usmani was leading a small pro-Pakistan faction of Deobandis. His party

all india Jamaat e Ulema islam turned into Markazi JUi in 1947. similarly, the Barelvi party all india sunni Conference transformed into Makazi-Jamaati-Ulema-i-Pakistan in March 1948. after the inception of Pakistan, Deobandis who were in favor of Pakistan’s creation played a more imperative role in Pakistan’s politics than Barelvis. Maulana Usamani was selected in the constituent assembly. the Barelvi party (MJUP) was not happy with the emerging nexus between the Deobandi Party (MJUi) and aiML. ayub khan’s bid to introduce a ‘modernized’ form of sufism and his establishment of the auqaf department to bring the shrines under state control left a negative impression on Barelvis. Until the 1970s, the Barevwi party (JUP) could not get sufficient attention vis-à-vis Deobandis. Zia ul Haq’s alliance with Deobandi institutions and the creation of the taliban led to further dominance of Deobandis.

Occupation of Barelvi mosques by Deobandis and Barelwi’s little political representation led them to take arms in hand for securing their rights. this sense of alienation paved way for a militant group, sunni tehreek, in 1990. the slogan of this militant group was that ‘we will sacrifice our youth to protect our mosques’. then Deobandi-Barelwi conflicts became rife. Both targeted each other’s leadership.

Musharraf’s bid to use sufism or Barelwism to counter Deobandi militancy could not work more.

Furthermore, PPP also used Barelwism to combat the talibanization of Pakistani society but to no avail. arslan ahmad and Bilal Zafar Ranjha have explicitly explained the Barelwism’s turn to militancy. in their research paper titled “salafising Barelwiyat: salafi Doctrine of al Wala’ Wal Bara and tLP politics in Pakistan”, they mention that “after the incident of nishtar Park (2006) (in which abbas Qadri, the sunni tehreek leader with his followers was killed), asia Masih case (2009) and assassination of salman taseer (2011), the Barelwis who engaged in militant activities for self-protection have changed their policy from militancy to the process of activism around the issues of namoos-e-Risalat and ishq e Rasool (PBUH). this has made them powerful to the extent that they can challenge the writ of state whenever they want”. in addition to this, the researchers maintain that tLP is following some of the elements of salafist ideology “al-Wala’ Wal-Bara” which directs to love those Muslims who follow your way of thinking and abhor non-Muslims along with Muslims who are against your ideology. the case of Dr tahir ul Qadri is in point, who was badly criticized by the tLP leader khadim Rizvi for condemning the killing of salman taseer. so, the analysis of tLP’s roots suggests that from the emergence of Barelvi sect to the creation of Pakistan, there were ideological differences but unavoidable support to Deobandis, and a sense of alienation among Barelvis after Pakistan’s creation led to Barelvi militancy. now, Barelvi militancy has further changed into politics on sensitive issues as tLP is doing.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

and the autonomy of local governments.

For instance, the former local bodies system, Punjab Local Government act 2013, was abolished after the governor signed the Punjab Local Government Bill 2019 on 4th May 2019. PLGa 2019, which has equivocally brought new theories to operate LGs. this tier of democracy always remains a conundrum, wiping out the true essence of democracy. Presently, LGs are facing the same fate. in March 2021 the supreme Court ordered to restore the local governments but the government delayed the restoration process till October 2021, when the supreme Court had ordered an investigation into the delay and remarked that whoever is responsible for the delay would be held accountable and ordered to restore the LGs immediately. the question arises who will be responsible for the lost period after the dissolution of LGs, even after the order of the supreme Court. the Lahore High Court has dismissed the pleas that the tenure must be of five years as promised before elections. Moreover, the supreme Court ordered to give power to LGs in March 2021 but that was delayed till October 2021 and even now union councils have not been able to gain financial powers. the supreme Court is hearing another petition regarding the delay in implementation of the order under the contempt petition, but has not extended their period in office. in the present circumstances, the legal hurdle to end the local governments on 31st December 2021 was removed by the LHC. in all the enigma, local bodies’ current tenure is going to end on 31st December 2021.However, the Pti government has not even announced the schedule for the local government elections in Punjab the Punjab government’s haste to introduce PLGa 2021 without consultation of stakeholders is despotic. the presentation delivered to the cabinet was not even complete and Punjab Governor Chaudhry sarwar approved the Punjab Local Government act 2021, where the elections would be con-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

ducted through the usage of already conflicted electronic voting machines (EVMs). implementing the new Local Government act through an ordinance in the presence of the assembly in Punjab is not according to democratic norms. this game of disrespecting the assemblies and bulldozing the legislative process needs to stop. this ordinance has followed the precedent of the Peshawar High Court which ordered the holding of the holding of village and neighborhood council elections on party basis in khyber Pakhtunkhwa. and there are multiple judgements that there would be no non-party elections, starting from the judgement of chief justice iftikhar Chaudry. the judiciary is insisting on the local bodies’ proper restoration, whereas the incumbent government is resistant to handing over the powers completely and is waiting for the tenure to end by 31 December, and then the elections would be held on the basis of the new law. it is yet to see the fate of local government elections under new law as the Election Commission of Pakistan has already submitted more than 70 objections in Lahore High Court and the way the government is passing the bills through ordinances without consultation of stakeholders is annoying as there are always flaws in the bills/laws brought without the consultation of the stakeholders. the Punjab government has delayed things already, but it is understandable that ECP is frustrated with the Punjab government’s obstructions. the time where Pakistan’s bureaucracy is demarcated within the barricades, local governments need to become endogenous to strengthen the democracy. the public exclusion by the authoritarians and the incumbent government’s unhesitating suspension of the local governments in all the provinces they govern, protecting under the name of amendments adds insult to injury to the already suffering democracy. the outlandish deferrals in reinforcing local governments and conducting elections are exacerbating conditions for the average person.

The writer is a freeelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 27th December 2021_Layout 1 12/27/2021 12:58 AM Page 2

Monday, 27 December, 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

Books over drugs tHE dream that our children will hold books instead of heroin must not just remain a dream. in Buleda, kech drugs are supplied so easily under the open sky with no fear, which is why every other person in buleda is a drug addict, including children. the people of Buleda region of district kech has came out from their homes and took out the third rally on sunday against the widespread use of drugs. the people had appealed the concerned authorities to take immediate action against the drug dealer and users. Particularly, the new generations who are our future, has to be protected against the use of drugs. the reason behind the unfavorable situations in Buleda is the increasing rate of drug trafficking. We beseech the government to take concrete actions against the smugglers to prevent the future of our youth against narcotics.

Fiza NaSir TurbaT

Voice for justice

Bangladesh’s Assistance to Sri Lanka increases its image and prestige Helping Sudan and Somalia as well hafizur Talukdar

B

anGLaDEsH, debt-ridden a few years ago, is now a country of unprecedented success in debt relief. the world today looks at Bangladesh in amazement. Bangladesh only borrowed from other countries or organizations. now that history has changed and started giving loans. Bangladesh has given loans to sri Lanka and sudan. Bangladesh gave a loan to a country for the first time by giving the first installment of the loan promised to sri Lanka in august.

Once upon a time, Bangladesh was a ‘bottomless pit’ and a donation seeker in the international arena. now it is a lending country. it shows all-south asian countries how to revive from ashes. Bangladesh establishes an example in south asia how to ensure economic growth amidst various socio-political aspects.

Overcoming various adversities, Bangladesh today is a confident and promising country. today, Bangladesh has risen to the top of every index of the economy. When the ongoing 10 mega projects are completed, the trend of economic growth of the country will increase and prosperity will increase. it shows all south asian countries how to increase their growth amidst various adversities. the economy of the south asian island nation of sri Lanka is under a lot of pressure at the moment due to the wounds of the civil war and additional foreign loans for development projects. at present, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have come down to $4 billion. Meanwhile, in the midst of the epidemic, Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a milestone of over $45 billion. the Prime Minister of sri Lanka was accompanied by the Governor of the Central Bank of sri Lanka on his visit to Dhaka last March to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu. at that time, they made a proposal to Prime Minister sheikh Hasina Wazed in this regard. after she agreed to the proposal, the sri Lankan government sent a formal proposal to the Central Bank. then in May, the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh Bank approved in principle a loan of $250 million to sri Lanka under the currency swap.

Bangladesh Bank released $50 million in the first installment on august 16 based on sri Lanka’s demand. Bangladesh entered the list of lender countries by making that loan. the second installment of $100 million was released in June 2021. this money is being given from the foreign exchange reserves of Bangladesh Bank.

Reserves are above $46 billion after a $100 million discount in favor of sri Lanka in June.

With the current foreign exchange reserves of Bangladesh, it is possible to meet the import cost for more than eight months. Bangladesh ranks second among the south asian countries in terms of foreign exchange reserves. Bangladesh is giving dollars in this way for the first time. the number of dollars that Bangladesh will give will be reduced from the reserve. this will make Bangladesh famous.

sri Lanka has been suffering from a foreign exchange reserve crisis in recent times. at that time, they had only $500 million in foreign exchange reserves. With this reserve, it was not possible to meet their import expenses for three months. in order to keep the reserves risk-free, at least three months of import expenditure has to be kept by the central bank.

For the first time in 50 years of independence, Bangladesh gave a loan to a country for the development of the country or to meet various needs. Bangladesh made the list of lenders by lending $50 million to sri Lanka. in the last decade, Bangladesh has gained this ability to lend due to the huge economic development, increase in exports and increase in expatriate income as the country’s foreign exchange reserves have swelled. Economists hope that this will change the image of the country. and sri Lanka will be lent a total of $250 million. this money will be released in five installments. sudan, an african country, is unable to repay a loan from the international Monetary Fund (iMF).

Bangladesh has taken the responsibility of repaying that loan. this information has been highlighted in a notification of the Ministry of Finance on June 16, 2021. Earlier, Bangladesh had given similar benefits to somalia, another african country. sudan’s external debt skyrocketed to nearly $50 billion at the end of 2019. it is known that the iMF will get $6 billion from sudan. in other words, tk 5.1 trillion. When the iMF called on all its members to stand by the country in repaying the debt, almost everyone responded. as a friendly country, Bangladesh also agreed to cooperate with sudan. in response to the iMF’s call, Bangladesh on June 15, granted sudan a loan waiver of $650 million the next day, on Wednesday, the Finance Ministry said in a statement that in response to the iMF’s call, Bangladesh had given sudan a “debt waiver” of tk 65 crore. “sudan is a very indebted and poor country,” the finance ministry said in a statement. the government hopes the funding will strengthen sudan’s fight against poverty.”

Bangladesh has begun to prove its economic potential in a very dramatic way. at one time the country was very poor. Us secretary of state Henry kissinger, therefore, commented that Bangladesh is a bottomless basket. after 46 years, the Us media Bloomberg says, Bangladesh is

now an address of surprising success. the country’s per capita income is now $2500. it is ahead of india. at the moment, india’s per capita income is $2116. Pakistan is far behind. the country’s per capita income is $1260.

However, what happened that Bangladesh is creating one surprise after another? Economists say there are some reasons behind this. Exports, social progress and economic foresight. there are three more reasons besides economic capability. sympathy, economic diplomacy and political will.

When this was the case, the sudden news came that Bangladesh had provided $200 million in financial assistance to sri Lanka. the sri Lankan media has raised the question if Bangladesh can be selfsufficient, why can’t we? in June, the Finance Ministry of Bangladesh gave more startling news. it has been said that Bangladesh stands by sudan, the poorest country in africa. tk 650 million had been provided to reduce the debt burden of the iMF. the country borrowed tk 5.1 trillion from the iMF. the economic crisis was so severe that the country could not repay the debt. Bangladesh has come forward after sending messages asking for help from country to country. the government hopes the funding will strengthen sudan’s fight against poverty. at one time sudan was a British colony. the country gained independence on January 1, 1956, under a treaty. it may be recalled that last year, Bangladesh also provided more than tk 80 million to somalia, another african country. that was also for repaying the iMF loan. sudan, a member of the OiC, has been crippled by debt and poverty and the financial assistance is expected to help overcome the crisis.

Last year, Bangladesh also handed tk 80 million to help somalia combat poverty as part of the iMF initiative. Everyone is fascinated by the development of Bangladesh. the image of Bangladesh and the respect for the people of this country has increased due to the assistance to sri Lanka and sudan from its foreign exchange reserves. now the question is valid. Bangladesh is now a lending country! if Bangladesh can be a self-sufficient, lender, an economic miracle in south asia, why can’t others do that? Why does south asia not take lessons from Bangladesh? Of course, south asia can learn a lot from Bangladesh.

The image of Bangladesh and the respect for the people of this country has increased due to the assistance to Sri Lanka and Sudan from its foreign exchange reserves. Now the question is valid.

Bangladesh is now a lending country! If Bangladesh can be a self-sufficient, lender, an economic miracle in South Asia, why can’t others do that? Why does South Asia not take lessons from Bangladesh? Of course, South Asia can learn a lot from Bangladesh.

The writer is freelance columnist

a Baloch from turbat, Hayat Mirza Baloch was killed by a FC personal, after a blast in absor, despite being innocent. now the question is how many parents have to lose their hayats like this? it was called a mistake but the young man was shoted eight bullets that clearly shows it wasn’t a mistake. He lost his life with the dream of being a Css officer and serve his country. none of us can imagine the heartbreaking scenario of his parents as he was gunned down in front of them. Undoubtedly, Hayat cannot be back but raising our voice is necessary to give him justice.

MahNaz MuShTaq TurbaT

Transgender issue in Pakistan Pakistan is the second largest islamic state in the world. islam has given equal rights to everyone. through electronic and print media, we found that being an islamic state; still transgender are neglected by the government and the local society. there is many nGO’s working for human rights, but also they have ignored the transgender. We found, that in Pakistan the transgender are ignored in every walk of life including, education, government jobs, health care and even security for their life. the supreme Court of Pakistan gave certain rights to the trans community, but these rights are still not properly implemented. Even their own families do not accept them. One of the most sensitive social issues in Pakistan is discrimination and violence against the transgender community. trans people, also known as the “third” gender, are considered an abomination by society.

We stand together in opposition to such abuse and inequality. as believers in human rights and justice, it is our duty to support all marginalised communities as they fight for respect and equality. and as feminists, we believe that we need to keep fighting for gender-based services and resources together. irMa youSuF Karachi

Power problems to continue tHERE is a misunderstanding that recent negotiations between the government and iPPs resulting in signing of MoUs have settled the power issues in favour of the client . as a matter of fact , the contracts signed between the parties still hold good . the government does not gain anything materially through these MoUs , as their contents are not binding on the iPPs as long as the wishes of the client ( the government) as mentioned there in are not converted into fresh contracts between the parties . iPPs have not given any legal undertakings to undo the previous sovereign contracts already in force . so there is no occasion of being optimistic prematurely on the final fate of the MoUs . the problem of continuously rising circular debt haunts us as before and the authorities are silent on this grave issue which is eating away our economy. the wretched power distribution system continues unattended with its technical and commercial pitfalls . it is pity that many parts of the country suffer load shedding even in these times of surplus generating capability simply because power can not reach the end consumers because of transmission & distribution bottle necks .

Only God knows when will our power system will be corrected .

ENgr riaz bhuTTa LahorE

Reopening with caution tHE Government took a bold decision to lift restrictions on many sectors following a drop in Coronavirus cases. this decision was taken for the sake of economic survival. the business community, industrialists, and mill owners and the general public will benefit from this concession as it would likely revive the economy. However, this also puts the responsibility on everyone to do their part to stop the spread of this deadly disease. it is our collective responsibility to avoid social and physical contact as much as possible. We must all do our part by wearing masks, avoiding unnecessary handshakes, hugging, and close interactions to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. the owners of big stores and Malls should use their influence on their customers to encourage safe behaviors. i would go to the extent that the business community must not only follow all precautions itself but also refuse to entertain anyone not following the sOPs at their business. similarly, politicians (Mnas, MPas, and ministers) and prominent personalities should lead by example and follow all precautions in public. We must as a nation understand that the decision by the government to lift the restrictions was to revive the economy and by no means it should be taken as a declaration that the virus is over. the Coronavirus is still lurking around and we all must exhibit responsible behaviors to stay safe while keeping the economy going. raja ShaFaaTuLLah iSLaMabad

08 WORLD VIEW 27th December 21_Layout 1 12/26/2021 10:20 PM Page 1

Monday, 27 December, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

Next yeAR’s gloBAl chAlleNges ARe the most dAuNtINg IN decAdes IN A DOCUMENTARY THAT AIRED ON RUSSIAN TELEVISION, PUTIN SAID THE FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION THREE DECADES AGO REMAINED A TRAGEDY FOR MOST OF HIS FELLOW CITIZENS

CNBC.Com Frederick kempe

B

race yourself for 2022, a year of living dangerously. Many of the world’s most profound gains of the post-World War II era will be tested. The security of europe and asia, the resilience of democratic governance, the advance of open markets, the sanctity of individual rights, and the certainty of human progress all are in the balance.

Never in the thirty years since the cold War’s end has a US president entered a new year confronting such an explosive brew of geopolitical and domestic political uncertainty. They are intertwined like a Gordian knot that only bold action can untangle.

The convergence of these external and internal perils, amid deep US political divisiveness and international diffidence, raises the difficulty level for any effective response.

Then layer onto all that the most disturbing rise of inflation in three decades and the persistent torment of cOVID-19. add to that the certainty that all these issues will drive an even greater wedge between rich and poor countries and peoples. Increased global volatility seems inevitable.

all that said, these are the three external factors that should concern us most immediately in 2022: a revanchist russia is bent on keeping Ukraine within its grasp; china, similarly, is escalating its threats to Taiwan’s independence (don’t fool yourself that Ukrainian and Taiwanese freedoms can be separated); and Iran is so rapidly moving toward nuclear-weapons breakout capability that Israel may be forced to respond.

These dangers are escalating at a time when chinese, russian, and Iranian leaders alike—having witnessed the Biden administration’s withdrawal from afghanistan and its understandable focus on domestic issues—may see 2022 as the best moment yet to advance their geopolitical ambitions.

The optimists among us can take some comfort in the fact that there is a possible path through this briar patch. advances in technology, health care, and wider human access to knowledge may very well usher in a new epoch of global progress.

There’s also more than enough evidence that democracies, particularly the United States, have sufficient resilience to rebound and regroup.

History also has shown that the most authoritarian forms of government prove ultimately to be the most fragile. china’s remarkable rise as the world’s

first capitalist-communist experiment is running up against a series of setbacks, mostly self-inflicted.

President Xi Jinping is doubling down on domestic repression and reinforcing communist Party control over china’s most successful companies, particularly in the technology space. In so doing, he is choking them off from international financial markets—and he may be killing the panda that laid china’s economic miracle.

Vladimir Putin’s russia seems to be a country on the march, pumped up by spiking energy prices and geopolitical muscle-flexing from Syria to the Donbas. However, the weight of existing and new economic sanctions, demographic challenges, and an economy entirely reliant on energy will hamstring Putin’s aspirations to undo the humiliations of his lifetime.

In a documentary that aired on russian television, Putin said the fall of the Soviet Union three decades ago remained a tragedy for most of his fellow citizens. He talked for the first time publicly about how he had to work driving a taxi during that period to make ends meet. “after all, what is the collapse of the Soviet Union?” he asked. “This is the collapse of historical russia under the name of the Soviet Union.” regarding Iran, how much longer can the

regime endure such rampant corruption? The republic has produced so few goods for its people while engaging in countless, expensive adventures abroad—in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and elsewhere in the Middle east.

Yet perhaps this all points to the greatest danger of 2022: the swirl of uncertainties around the United States. adversaries and allies alike question our internal cohesiveness and our external capability and willingness to act.

The glue that has held the global system together during most of the period after World War II—the United States—looks unstuck to many in the world. america doesn’t want china or anyone else to replace its traditional global leadership role, and it’s not retiring from the scene. But it’s struggling to find updated and effective means to shape world affairs.

To be fair, the Biden administration and its remarkably accomplished foreign-relations team diagnosed each of these challenges early and brilliantly.

Indeed, in this space a year ago, I wrote, “Joe Biden has that rarest of opportunities that history provides: the chance to be a transformative foreign-policy president.”

In March, Biden said, “Our world is at an inflection point. Global dynamics have shifted. New crises demand our attention…

[O]ne thing is certain: We will only succeed

in advancing american interests and upholding our universal values by working in common cause with our closest allies and partners, and by renewing our own enduring sources of national strength.” It’s never easy to turn rhetoric into execution, but that is what 2022 needs to be about. a president’s first year in office is always messy, and this one has been particularly so.

The true test of Biden’s second year will be less over whether his administration understands the historic nature of the challenges (it does) and more about whether it can organize itself domestically and internationally to manage 2022’s geopolitical challenges. Worse than questioning our values, our partners and allies are worried about our capability and competence to act.

This year of living dangerously will get off to a brisk start with the Winter Olympics in Beijing and more russian troop movements near Ukraine. It will wrap up with a chinese communist Party congress likely to make Xi leader for life and US midterm elections. In this year of living dangerously, however, it may be the United States, more than any other actor, whose actions and inactions will drive the plot.

Frederick Kempe is president and chief executive officer of the Atlantic Council.

Pilgrimages, conflicts and naked women: A Russian merchant’s impressions of 15th-century India OVER THREE YEARS, AFANASY NIKITIN TRAVELLED FROM INDIA’S WEST COAST TO THE DECCAN PLATEAU. HIS NOTES GAVE RUSSIA ITS FIRST GLIMPSE OF LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

SCroll AjAy kAmAlAkArAn

I

N Tver, a picturesque and historic town where the Tvertsa and Tmaka rivers join the traditional lifeline of european russia – the Volga, an adventurous merchant decided to set sail down the water and cross the caspian Sea to Persia. This merchant, a deeply religious man by the name of afanasy Nikitin, had already tried his luck trading in crimea, Georgia, asia Minor and Walachia. His journey, starting in 1466, is now called the “Voyage Beyond Three Seas”.

It took him to Shirvan in present-day azerbaijan and to Baku and Persia, before leading him finally to India, a country he became fascinated with.

It was in Hormuz that Nikitin first began to hear about the riches of India and the products it offered that were not available in his own country. On finding out that horses were not bred in India at that time, he took a horse and set sail on a dabba, a small ship, for western India in 1469.

In his notes, Nikitin mentions that his dabba arrived in a place called Dega, which russian historians assume is Diu. “From Dega we sailed to Gujarat, and thence to cambay, where there are indigo and lac, and from cambay to chaul.” The journey from Muscat to chaul, which is near alibaug in Maharashtra, took six weeks. “and that is where the land of India lies,” he wrote on arriving in chaul, adding that everyone there was “naked” and that the women “go bareheaded and with breasts uncovered, their hair plaited into one braid”. He noted that he was an item of curiosity in chaul, and where he went, people followed him around.

He almost immediately came in contact with the local rulers in chaul, commenting on their appearance: “and their prince wears a dhoti upon his head and another about his loins; their boyars (aristocrats) wear a dhoti round their shoulders and another about their loins; their princesses wrap a dhoti round their shoulders and another round their loins. as for the servants of the prince and the boyars, they wear a dhoti wound about their loins, and carry shield and sword in their hands, while others have spears or knives or sabres, or

bow and arrows.”

From chaul, Nikitin travelled to Pali and then to Umra and Junnar, a town near modern-day Pune. at the time of his visit, Junnar came under the Bahmani empire, which was ruled by Muhammad Shah III. The russian merchant wrote, “and at Junnar, there lives the Indian asad Khan, a servant of Malik-at-Tujjar, they say he has 70,000 men from Malik-at-Tujjar. and Malik-atTujjar has 200,000; for 20 years he has been fighting kaffirs, sometimes they beat him, but he beats them oftener.” The term kaffir in this case refers to Hindus and this is how the Muslim rulers referred to them when talking to Nikitin.

RURAL LIFE: The russian was so rivetted by life in India that he keenly observed and wrote about the dayto-day occurrences. “Throughout four months there was water and mud everywhere, both by day and at night.

That is the season of ploughing and sowing wheat and rice and pulse, and all the other foods.” He also seemed to take an interest in local alcohol: “Wine is made in big coconuts, and beer is brewed from Tatna.”

He could not help but make repeated references to the dressing habits of Indian royalty and commoners. “In winter people there wear a dhoti round their loins, another above their shoulders, and a third round their heads,” Nikitin wrote. “as for the princes and boyars, in that season they put on trousers, a shirt and a caftan; they also wrap a dhoti about their shoulders, girdle themselves with another, and wind a third round their heads.” a 1956 film jointly directed by Khwaja ahmed abbas and Vasili Pronin, titled Pardesi in Hindi, showed Nikitin (played by Oleg Strizhenov) falling in love with an Indian woman named champa (Nargis). Nothing in the merchant’s notes indicated that he was in a relationship when in India. He did, however, write frequently about Indian women in his notes: “In India strangers put up at inns, and the food is cooked for them by women, who also make the guests’ beds.”

Wanting to sell his stallion in India, Nikitin observed that what he heard about horses in the country was true.

“No horses are bred in India, but oxen and buffaloes are,” he wrote. “They are used for carrying persons and sometimes goods. They serve all purposes.”

Horses were indeed a prized commodity in the country and the russian noted how they were fed pulse and khichdi, made with sugar and ghee, as well as rice cakes.

The ruler of Junnar took away his stallion and offered to return it under one condition. “When he learnt that I was a russian and not a Muslim, he said: ‘I shall give thee back they stallion and pay thee a thousand pieces of gold, if only thou wilt adopt the Mohammedan faith, (if not) I shall keep the stallion and exact a ransom of a thousand

pieces of gold from thee.’”

He was given four days to make up his mind. Luckily for him, Khoja Mohammed Khan of Khorassan rode into Junnar before the ultimatum expired and Nikitin asked him for help. The Khan of Khorassan managed to convince the ruler of Junnar not to convert Nikitin and got him to return the stallion. Nikitin seemed traumatised by the episode and wrote, “and so, my christian brothers of rus, those of you who want to go to the land of India must leave their faith in rus and invoke Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) before setting out for the land of Hindustan.”

DECCAN PLATEAU: Nikitin travelled south from Junnar and wrote about Bidar and Gulbarga. “at Bidar, horses and various goods are sold: brocade, silk, and all kinds of other goods: black people, too, are on sale there,” he wrote, adding that there was nothing in Bidar’s market that would be of use in russia.

The merchant was welcomed to the ruler’s palace, where he seemed impressed with the architecture.

“The Sultan’s palace has seven gates, with a hundred guards and a hundred kaffir scribes at each gate; some of them register those coming in and others, those going out; but strangers are barred from the palace,” he wrote. “and the palace is very beautiful, with fretwork and gilt all over it, and its every stone is fretted and very beautifully painted in gold, and inside the palace, there are sundry vessels.” Nikitin noted that a thousand men guarded Bidar by night and that the city’s streets had 14-foot-long snakes. The russian also documented a battle between the Bahmani empire and Vijayanagar.

HINDU PILGRIMAGE: Nikitin managed to befriend some Hindus in Bidar and said they treated him well when they found out that he was not a Muslim. “They did not hide from me when eating, trading, praying or doing something else, nor did they conceal their wives.” He wrote that there were 84 different faiths in India. “People of different faiths do not eat or drink together, nor do they intermarry; some eat mutton, fowl, fish and eggs, but of no faith do the people eat beef.” after spending four months in Bidar, Nikitin went with his new Hindu friends on a pilgrimage to Parvat (Srisailam), a group of temples by the Krishna river, around 215 kilometres to the southeast of Hyderabad.

He compared the pilgrimage spot to Mecca and Jerusalem.

“It took us a month to reach the butkhanah (temple complex),” Nikitin wrote. “The market by the butkhanah lasts for five days. and the butkhanah is very large – half the size of Tver – and is built of stone,

in which the deeds of But (the deity) are carved; in all there are 12 carvings that show But working wonders, or appearing before Indians in many shapes; first, in the shape of a man, second, of a man with an elephant’s trunk; third, of an ape-like man; fourth of a man having the form of a ferocious beast. He has always appeared before them with a tail, and his tail, which is carved in stone, is seven feet long.”

He noted that crowds of up to 100,000 came from all over India to the pilgrimage spot. What he saw in the temple complex impressed him. “In the butkhanah, But is carved in stone, and is very big indeed, his tail is slung over his shoulder, and his right arm is raised high and stretched out like emperor Justinian’s in constantinople, while in his left hand he holds a spear; and he wears no clothing, save that his buttocks are wrapped in a cloth; his face is that of an ape.” This was the first russian description of a Hanuman idol.

The merchant paid close attention to Hindu prayer rituals. “and they pray facing eastwards, in the russian manner; they raise high both hands and put them on the crown, and lie face downwards on the ground and stretch out on it – that is how they worship,” Nikitin wrote INFORMATION SOURCE: In his writings, the merchant describes what he heard about places he did not visit, such as ceylon, writing about its monkeys, rubies and crystals. He also mentioned pepper, nutmeg, clove, areca nuts and dyes of calicut, as well as indigo from Gujarat. His notes became the most important source of information about India in russia at that time.

Nikitin spent close to three years in India, but was eager to return home. The trip took a physical and mental toll on him and his notes indicated a great degree of homesickness. He wrote, “May God protect the russian land! There is no land in the world like it, although the boyars in the russian land are unjust. May the russian land be well-ordered, and may there be justice there.”

In 1472, he left India from Dabhol for ethiopia.

From there, he managed to get back to russia via Persia and asia Minor. He passed away before reaching his hometown of Tver. In 2001, afanasy Nikitin’s notes were translated into Hindi and english by Suniti Deshpande, who had an illustrious career as a russian language professor. a special edition booklet with the notes in russian, english and Hindi was published before the foundation stone for a monument to Nikitin was laid in chaul.

Ajay Kamalakaran is a writer and independent journalist, based in Mumbai. He is a Kalpalata Fellow for History & Heritage Writings for 2021.

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

World economy to top $100 trillion in 2022 for first time: report LONDON

t

reuters

HE world’s economic output will exceed $100 trillion for the first time next year and it will take China a little longer than previously thought to overtake the United States as the No.1 economy, a report showed on Sunday.

British consultancy Cebr predicted China will become the world’s top economy in dollar terms in 2030, two years later than forecast in last year’s World Economic League Table report.

India looks set to overtake France next year and then Britain in 2023 to regain its place as the world’s sixth-biggest economy, Cebr said.

“The important issue for the 2020s is how the world economies cope with inflation, which has now reached 6.8% in the U.S.,” said Cebr deputy chairman Douglas McWilliams.

“We hope that a relatively modest adjustment to the tiller will bring the non-transitory elements under control. If not, then the world will need to brace itself for a recession in 2023 or 2024.”

ISLAMABAD Pr

The report showed Germany was on track to overtake Japan in terms of economic output in 2033. Russia

could become a Top 10 economy by 2036 and Indonesia looks on track for ninth place in 2034.

CDA to use drones for protecting forests, wildlife ISLAMABAD staff rePort

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to use drones for protecting forests and wildlife in the federal capital.

According to CDA, its would use latest technology for the purpose.The initiative would also improve its workforce efficiency.

Initially, it has decided to use drones for Model Forestry Park Malpur. Tenders for purchase of drones have been floated in the national dailies. The use of drones would help detect encroachments in the forest area which would enable the authority to take timely action against the encroachers.

Likewise, these drones would also help in determining the types of wildlife found in the forests of Islamabad. Presence of migratory wildlife would also be determined through the initiative.

In addition, the technology could be used for other measures, including preventing illegal logging. Other problems, including forest fires, could also be identified and addressed in time properly.

The use of drones would help in decision making process regarding forests and forest life. The CDA said it has been taking all possible steps for the protection of wildlife and forests in Islamabad.

The forests were the beauty of Islamabad and every effort would be made to maintain it, it added.

Police launches crackdown against overloading vehicles, rickshaw drivers ISLAMABAD Pr

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has launched a special crackdown on rickshaw drivers for illegally entering into federal capital Premises, especially in rural areas and also against overloading vehicles. During the ongoing month, more than 410 rickshaw drivers and 4114 Overloading Vehicles were fined and

nEwS 09 power suspension schedule for 27th december 2021

more than 87 rickshaws were impounded in different police stations. SSP Traffic directed the orders to Zonal DSPs for taking Strict legal action against over loading vehicles and illegal rickshaws pullers, report sought on daily basis.

Overloading vehicles and Illegal rickshaws will not be allowed to enter into Islamabad Premises under any circumstances, the rule of law will be ensured as much as possible, the purpose of the action is to en-

According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore, power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 27th December, 08:00 AM to 12:00 PM, BB Shaheed Feeder, From 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM, Humayun Road, CNC, Jhanda. Navy-1, PWD-2, Swan Garden, FECHS, CBR-1, Doctor Town Feeders Further, if required, 30 to 40 MW load management can be done at 132 KV grid station Chakwal, From 09:00 AM to 02:00 PM, on Japan Road. , Major Hanif, Doberan, Keller, Fazal Ahmad Shaheed, New Chuah, Ghazan Khan, Mill Awan, Duffer, PD Khan, Abdullahpur, Shahpur, Mengal, Angori, Shahdara, T&T, Treat, Golf City, NI H, Desto, Muslimabad, Gulzar Shaheed, Quaidabad, Dhok Hasso, Pirudhai, Race Course, Askari XI, Misryal Road, Iqbal Road, Zeeshan Colony, Jhangi, EME Complex, P&T Winni, Khanna East, Karwar. Orchard Scheme, F-7/1, Faisal Masjid, G-10/3, International School, Old Exchange, G-13/3, Shahullah Dutta, AQ Khan, Kaldana, Gharial, Patriata, Zafarul Haq, Iqbal Road. , Westridge, Gulzar Shaheed, Bani, F Block, Urology Center, Al Noor Colony, Tench Bhatta, Peshawar Road, Amir Hamza Colony, Azharabad, Zircon Heights, Siham, Chakra, Ranch Road, Bank Road-1, Tipu Road, PA F, Swan Garden, National Park, Lalkarti, Dhok Noor, Priyal, Church-1, Kent, Sihala, Mandira, Jhatta Hathial, Bengali, Nishan Haider, Gagan, Bohi Ghar, Salar Gah, Kashif Gul, Model Town, Kohistan Enclave, Mix industry, proof, Shafi Chauhan, Hussainabad, Shahullah Dutta, Sarai Kharboza, Kala Khan, Marvi Hazro, Akhori, Fawara Chowk, Nad Topa, Qaziabad, Shamsabad, Pindi Gheep Rural, F-13 Garmala, Langarpur, Fatehpur, Kohar, Pakhwal , Dina Three Rohtas, Gadri, Pedial, Safdar Shaheed, Sanghui, Nathwala, Mumtaz Shaheed, Scheme-1, Jarmut, Chhapar Sharif, Kantrila, Smoot, Bhoon, Ara Bazar, Murid, Sarpak, Adi, Durga Rajgan, Bhikri, Duffer. PD Khan, Abdullahpur, Karsal, Dharnal, Talagang City, Akwal, Bilalabad, Timon, Khairpur feeders and surroundings will be affected. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time.

sure the flow of traffic and the provision of an integrated traffic system to the citizens, SSP Traffic Rai Mazhar Iqbal said.

Following the direction of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younis , to ensure smooth flow of traffic, to keep the citizens safe from accidents and keeping in view the road safety rules, Islamabad traffic Police have launched crackdown against illegal rickshaw pullers entering into federal capital Premises especially in rural areas. In this regard two teams have been formed for special crackdown on rickshaw drivers in rural areas, especially in Bhara Kahu and Shehzad Town areas. During the ongoing Month crackdown challan tickets have been issued to more than 410 rickshaws and 4114 Overloading Vehicles , 87 rickshaws have been impounded at various police stations.

On this occasion, SSP Traffic issued special instructions to zonal DSPs to take action against illegal rickshaws pullers on daily basis. While Special Squad is operating and taking action against illegal rickshaws pullers by setting up special roadblocks on Expressway, IJP Road, Murree Road, Seventh Avenue, Ninth Avenue and all other major highways of Islamabad. The night shift incharge is also taking legal action against them under his supervision and education Wing is providing awareness to the public about road safety on a daily basis. Special broadcasts were also arranged on ITP Radio FM 92.4 through which they are informing about the crackdown against illegal rickshaws.

IGP introduces new SOPs for effective policing ISLAMABAD Press release

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younus has introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for effective policing in the federal capital.

The SOPs are related to complaint management, registration of FIR, schedule of inquiries and investigations, investigation of offences, arrest of accused, police station management and front desk management. Addressing at a ceremony here at po-

lice lines headquarters, IGP Younus said under the SOPs the police station staff would ensure FIR registration in time.

The front desk staff was bound to register the case of missing persons in minimum time, In case of delay the concerned officials would be responsible.

Similarly, police counters would be set up at the Polyclinic and PIMS Hospital to facilitate the personnel. He said the Moharar strength would be divided into seven sections with weekly off for each personnel.

There would be at least three Jawans in the patrolling vehicle as well as on each picket during snap checking.

All officers on duty must ensure wear bulletproof jackets and helmets.

The DIG (operations), SSPs, SDPOs, Zonal SPs and SHOs would remain present in the respective areas from 12pm to 5am morning to supervise the teams.

He said he would pay visit in person to check the presence of senior officers at the spot and no laxity would be tolerated in that regard. The IGP Islamabad asked all the participants to evolve a comprehensive policy with special focus to criminal elements and crime pockets.

He directed the officers to expedite crack down on criminal elements and mobilize the recovery of stolen goods, including the arrest of those involved in heinous crimes.

He further asked them to take measures to improve public service delivery by providing speedy justice at the level of police stations. The officers should ensure merit and reveal black sheep to improve performance of the department. DIG (Operations) SSPs Operations, Investigation, Zonal SPs, SDPOs, SHOs 'Moharars' and other Jawans of the department was also present on the occasion.

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

10 fOREign nEws

PuTIN doesN’T rule ouT oPTIoNs To resPoNd To NATo’s eAsTwArd exPANsIoN

r

AgenCieS

USSIAN President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that he doesn’t rule out various options for responding to NATO’s further eastward expansion.

“It depends on the proposals of our military experts…” he told Russia 1 TV channel, adding that the Russian side isn’t to “stop something,” but “in order to achieve a diplomatic negotiation result.”

Putin’s remarks came one day after Russia announced that more than 10,000 troops had finished month-long drills near Ukraine and were returning to their permanent bases.

Western countries have accused Russia of massing upwards of 100,000 troops near Ukraine ahead of a possible winter invasion.

Russia says it is free to move its forces on its territory how it sees fit and denies that it is planning a large-scale attack.

Russia will enter talks with the United

No trips for Afghan women unless escorted by male relative: Taliban AFP Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities said on Sunday that women seeking to travel anything other than short distances should not be offered transport unless they are accompanied by a close male relative. The guidance, issued by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also called on all vehicle owners to offer rides only to those women wearing hijabs.

“Women travelling for more than 45 miles (72 kilometres) should not be offered a ride if they are not accompanied by a close family member,” ministry spokesman Sadeq Akif Muhajir told AFP on Sunday, specifying that it must be a close male relative. The guidance, circulated on social media networks, comes weeks after the ministry asked Afghanistan’s television channels to stop showing dramas and soap operas featuring women actors. The ministry had also called on women TV journalists to wear hijabs while presenting.

Muhajir said on Sunday that the hijab would also be required for women seeking transport. The ministry’s directive also asked people to stop playing music in their vehicles. The Taliban’s interpretation of the hijab — which can range from a hair covering to a face veil or full-body covering — is unclear, and the majority of Afghan women already wear headscarves. Since taking power in August, the Taliban have imposed various restrictions on women and girls, despite pledging a softer rule compared with their first stint in power in the 1990s. In several provinces, local Taliban authorities have been persuaded to reopen schools — but many girls still remain cut off from secondary education.

Early this month, the group issued a decree in the name of their supreme leader, instructing the government to enforce women’s rights. The decree did not mention girls’ access to education. Activists hope that the Taliban’s battle to gain international recognition and get aid flowing back into one of the poorest countries in the world will lead to them making concessions to women.

Israel unveils plan to double settlers in occupied Golan AgenCieS Israel on Sunday unveiled a plan to spend more than $300 million to double the Jewish settler population in the Golan Heights, 40 years after it annexed the territory captured from Syria. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who held his weekly cabinet meeting at the Mevo Hama community in the Golan on Sunday, vowed this was the “moment” to boost the number of Jewish Israelis living in the territory. “Our goal is to double the population in the Golan,” the right-wing Bennett said as he presented his one billion shekel ($317 million) programme to improve housing, transportation, tourism and medical facilities in the area. Around 25,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights, along with some 23,000 Druze, who remained on the land after it was seized by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel annexed the territory on December 14, 1981, in a move not recognised by most of the international community. Former US president Donald Trump, widely viewed as pro-Israeli, granted US recognition to Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in 2019. “It goes without saying that the Golan Heights is Israeli,” Bennett said on Sunday, noting the Trump recognition and what he described as the “important” fact that President Joe Biden’s administration had “made it clear that there is no change in policy”.

Shortly after the Biden administration took office in January, Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested there were legal questions surrounding Trump’s move, which Syria condemned as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.

States on security guarantees it wants from the West at the start of next year, and NATO has also confirmed it would seek meaningful discussions with Moscow early next year to address tensions.

Russia waRns of ‘seRious consequences’ if finland, sweden join naTo: Russia’s foreign ministry has warned against the inclusion of Finland and Sweden in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“It’s quite obvious that Finland and Swe-

den joining NATO… would have serious military and political consequences that would require an adequate response from the Russian side,” Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, said.

“The policy of not being part of any alliances, traditionally pursued by Stockholm and Helsinki, is viewed by Moscow as an important factor in ensuring stability in northern Europe,” Zakharova added.

China launches new camera satellite with 5m resolution to find resources MiAn AbrAr China on Sunday launched a new satellite with a camera that can take pictures of the ground with a resolution of five meters, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The satellite, called “Ziyuan-1 02E” or “five-meter optical satellite 02,” was launched at 11:11 a.m. Beijing Time by a Long March-4C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province.

Ziyuan-1 02E weighs about 2.5 kilograms and is equipped with infrared, near-infrared and hyperspectral cameras.

The cameras can take full-color panchromatic images of the Earth.

The satellite will work with the fivemeter optical satellite 01 and shorten the revisit time of Chinese territory from three days to two days. Pictures taken by the satellite duo will help engineers survey China’s geological environment and search for minerals. People working in other areas like transportation, agriculture and disaster mitigation will also receive help from the pictures.

Launched along with the Ziyuan-1

02E was a small satellite used for teaching by Beijing 101 Middle School. The satellite is also part of a China-Africa co-

operation project called “Xiwang” (Hope) to popularize science among teenagers.

This is the 39th launch of the Long March-4C rocket and the 403rd launch of the entire Long March series.

Russia completes 10,000-troop drills near Ukraine MOSCOW Agencies

Russia announced Saturday that more than 10,000 troops had finished month-long drills near Ukraine, amid Western accusations that Moscow was plotting an invasion of its ex-Soviet neighbour.

The defence ministry said in a statement that the drills for Southern Military District forces had taken

place in a host of southern regions including Rostov, Krasnodar and Crimea, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014.

But the drills also took place further afield, including in Stavropol, Astrakhan, North Caucasus republics and even in Russia’s Caucasus ally Armenia.

The defence ministry said the troops were returning to their permanent bases and that stand-by units would be readied for the New Year’s holidays.

Western countries have accused Russia of massing upwards of 100,000 troops near Ukraine ahead of a possible winter invasion.

According to Kiev’s estimates, the number of Russian troops along Ukraine’s borders has increased from around 93,000 troops in October to 104,000 now.

Russia says it is free to move its forces on its territory how it sees fit and denies that it is planning a large-scale attack.

It has presented the West with sweeping security demands, saying NATO must not admit new members and seeking to bar the United States from establishing new bases in former Soviet republics.

German-Russian meeting Tensions reached a boiling point on Wednesday when President Vladimir Putin said Russia would take “appropriate retaliatory” military steps in response to what he called the West’s “aggressive stance”.

But he lowered the volume the next day, saying he had seen a “positive” reaction from the United States to Russia’s security proposals and said talks would take place next month.

A senior US official has said Washington was “ready to engage in diplomacy as soon as early January”, both bilaterally and through “multiple channels”.

On Saturday, a German government official said Moscow and Berlin had agreed to a meeting in “early January”. German leader Olaf Scholz and Putin in a phone call Thursday agreed to the meeting between the chancellor’s diplomatic adviser, Jens Ploetner, and the Kremlin’s pointman on relations with Ukraine, Dmitry Kozak.

In an interview on Friday, a senior Ukrainian security official told AFP that there was no risk of an imminent Russian invasion.

Kiev has been battling pro-Russia separatists since shortly after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 in a conflict that has claimed over 13,000 lives.

The West has long accused the Kremlin of providing direct military support to pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies the claims.

Monday, 27 December, 2021 | LAHORE

BABAR AzAM HAIlS PAkISTAN’S UNdeR-19 SqUAd foR defeATINg INdIA

P

WEb DESk

AKISTAN skipper and national cricket team captain Babar Azam Saturday lauded Pakistan’s under19 cricket squad on their performance that lead to a two-wicket victory against India in the group stage of the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Asia Cup. Taking to Twitter, Azam advised the young cricketers to keep up their perform-

ance and continue to make the nation proud.

The skipper also prayed for greater successes of Pakistan’s under-19 team players in their cricket careers.

“Well done boys, keep performing like this and continue to make all of us proud.

Praying for your more successes in cricket,” Azam wrote.

Pakistan’s young stars Muhammad Shehzad and Zeeshan Zameer’s heroics led their team to victory against arch rivals India after

Mother of Shoaib Akhtar dies, buried Mother of former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar died late Saturday. The former pacer’s mother was rushed to the hospital after her health deteriorated, however, she could not survive.

Taking to Twitter, Akhtar said: “My mother, my everything, with the will of Allah taala, has left for heavenly abode.” The funeral prayers will be held in Islamabad’s sector H-8, the pacer said. Namaz Janaza for the departed soul was performed at H-8 Graveyard on Sunday evening and the burial followed. Akhtar is regarded as one of the fastest and fiercest bowlers in international cricket, as he possesses the record for the fastest delivery bowled in international cricket — 161 kph against New Zealand in 2002. The former cricketer has represented Pakistan in 224 international matches — 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is. News Desk

Aqeel, Ushna win Serena Hotels National Tournament titles ISLAMABAD: Top seed Aqeel Khan has won the Men’s Singles title of the 6th Serena Hotels National Ranking Tennis Championships 2021 after beating Mohammad Shoaib 2-0 in the final at SDA-PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad on Sunday. The final score-line was 6-2 and 7-5. Earlier, in Women Singles final, Ushna Suhail outclassed Sarah Mahboob in straight sets 2-0, as she did not concede even a single game in both sets. It was a one-sided contest in the final. The final score-line was just 6-0 and 6-1. Hussain Odhwani Senior Manager -Marketing and Communication Serena Hotels Islamabad graced the prize distribution ceremony as chief guest and Iftikhar Rashid SEVP-PTF as guest of honour.

RESuLtS: Men’s Singles -Final: Aqeel Khan beat Mohammad Shoaib 6-2, 7-5 Boys’ Under-18 Singles -Final: Hasheesh Kumar beat Abdullah Adnan 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 Ladies Singles -Final: Ushna Suhail beat Sarah Mahboob 6-0, 6-1. stAFF RePoRt

ICC expresses sadness at the passing of Ray Illingworth DuBAI, uAE: The International Cricket Council has expressed grief at the passing of former England captain Ray Illingworth at the age of 89. Born in Pudsey, Yorkshire, the off-spinning all-rounder, started his first-class career in 1951 at the age of 19.

Illingworth represented England from 1958 to 1973, playing 61 Tests, scoring 1836 runs and picking 122 wickets. He captained England to a famous 2-0 Ashes victory in 1970/71. He had a tremendous first-class career, accumulating 24,134 runs and taking 2072 wickets. He also led Yorkshire to three consecutive County Championship wins from 1966 to 1968. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “Ray Illingworth was a giant of English cricket and was one of England’s finest captains. He made an enormous contribution to the game, not just as England’s captain, but also as coach and chairman of selectors. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.” After retirement, Illingworth turned to broadcast and was a part of BBC’s television coverage. He also served as England’s coach in 1995/96 and was the chairman of selectors between 1994 and 1996. stAFF RePoRt

skipper Qasim Akram put them to bat after winning the toss.

The Men In Blue were restricted to 237 in the 50-over match at the ICC Academy Ground on Saturday.

Batting first, India gave Pakistan a 238run target. Aaradhya Yadav smashed 50 runs off 83 balls and Harnoor Singh hit 46 runs, while Rajvardhan Hangargekar added 33 runs to the scoreboard.

Pakistani bowlers rose to the occasion,

as Zameer took an amazing five-wicket haul in 10 overs, followed by Awais Ali, who picked up two scalps, while Maaz Sadaqat and Akram were able to take a wicket each.

When put to bat, Pakistan’s Shehzad performed exceptionally well, hitting 82 runs off 105 balls, including four 4s and five 6s.

Irfan Khan hit 33 runs off 50 balls before he was sent back to the pavilion.

The Indian bowlers kept the Pakistani batters under pressure, but it was not enough,

SPORTS 11

as the Men In Green reached the target in 50 overs. Raj Bawa took four wickets, while Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravi Kumar, and Nishant Sindhu picked up a scalp each.

Taekwondo Championship: KPK on top with 3 gold and 2 silver medals PESHAWAR News Desk

Khyber PakhtunKawa remained on top with three gold and two silver medals in the 2nd IGFC National Taekwondo Championship in District Tank. Waziristan Azmari, Gilgit Baltista and Islamabad claimed one each gold medal.

RESuLtS: Under 54 KG 1st.

Hasnaat Khan (GB) 15 2nd.

Hassan Muttayab (KPK) 10 3rd.

Rashid Khan (Waziristan Azmari) 05 4th.

Hasan Mohammad Atta (Punjab) 05 under 87 KG 1st.

Khan Ibrar (KPK) 15 2nd.

Ahmed Ijaz (Baluchistan) 10 3rd.

Javed Mohammad (Punjab) 05 4th.

Karim Zafar (GB) 05 Over 87 KG 1st.

Khan Tariq (KPK) 15 2nd.

Hakeem Luqman (Waziristan Azmari) 10 3rd.

Tehseen Khan (GB) 05 4th.

Shah Ahmed (Baluchistan) 05 under 45 KG 1st.

Ishaq Saqib (Islamabad) 15 2nd.

AWAIS Mohammad (Baluchistan) 10

3rd.

Sheikh Moiz (Sindh) 05 4th.

Jan Zain Raza (Waziristan Azmari) 05 under 78 KG 1st.

Fahad Khan (Waziristan Azmari) 15 2nd.

Abdul Jabbar Khan ( KPK) 10 3rd.

Mohammad Sudais (Baluchistan) 05

4th.

Hashir Ali (Sindh) 05 Over 78 KG 1st.

Bilal Khan (KPK) 15 2nd.

Arifullah Khan (Islamabad) 10 3rd.

Mohammad Danyal (Waziristan Azmari) 05 4th.

Mohammad Rehan Mughal (Punjab) 05.

Openers get India off to good start in first Test CENTURION AFP

India’s opening batsmen KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave their side a solid start on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday. India were 83 for no wicket at lunch, justifying captain Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first on a green-tinged pitch after winning the toss.

Rahul (29 not out) and Agarwal (46 not out) both showed good judgement in deciding which balls to play against steady but largely unthreatening bowling.

New cap Marco Jansen created the only chance of the morning, having Agarwal dropped by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock with his score on 36 and the total 52.

Jansen, 21, a tall left-arm fast bowler, was selected

ahead of Duanne Olivier, the form bowler of the South African first-class season.

Olivier took 28 wickets in four first-class matches.

Agarwal hit Jansen for three boundaries in his first over when the debutant came into the attack in the tenth over of the day.

However, Jansen bowled some good deliveries and beat Rahul outside the off stump in the over after Agarwal was dropped.

The new ball was shared by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, neither of whom had played any first-class cricket since South Africa’s Test series in the West Indies in June.

The South Africa team wore black armbands in honour of anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu, described as the country’s moral compass, who died on Sunday aged 90.

Both teams also held a minute’s silence.

Canada’s Shapovalov tests positive for Covid in Sydney SYDNEY: World number 14 Denis Shapovalov has tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Sydney, he said Sunday, highlighting the virus threat to the Australian Open. The 22-year-old was among the first players to enter Australia ahead of the ATP Cup teams event from January 1, where he was supposed to be playing for Canada, and with the first Grand Slam of the year three weeks away.

He said on Twitter he was experiencing mild symptoms and isolating — the latest player who competed at an Abu Dhabi exhibition this month to get coronavirus. “Hi everyone, just wanted to update you that upon my arrival in Sydney, I tested positive for Covid,” Shapovalov said. “I am following all protocols, including isolation and letting the people who I’ve been in contact with know.

“Right now I am experiencing minor symptoms and look forward to getting back on the court, when it is safe to do so.” Shapovalov played Rafael Nadal in Abu Dhabi, with the Spanish superstar later also testing positive for Covid, throwing his plans for the Australian Open into chaos. Australian Open chief Craig Tiley last week said he was confident the former world number one would still play at the Melbourne event, which is due to start on January 17. “Players that are testing positive now will complete a period of time until they are no longer infectious and they’ll be fine,” Tiley told reporters. Olympic tennis champion Belinda Bencic and Tunisian Ons Jabeur also tested positive after playing in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Monday, 27 December, 2021

pRayeR timingS

NEWS

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:34

12:03

3:30

7:00

5:07

6:34

HAmmAd AzHAR, miftAH iSmAil SPAR oN twittER ovER uSE of fuRNACE oil foR PowER gENERAtioN

m

News DesK

INISTER for Energy Hammad Azhar and former finance minister Miftah Ismail on Sunday sparred on social media site, Twitter, over the use of furnace oil for power generation. It all began when Azhar tweeted a thread to “clarify some misconceptions” on the status of operations in the country’s refineries and the use of furnace oil.

The energy minister said that this summer Pakistan faced a “moderate shortage” of furnace oil as furnace oil power plants ran more than last year, attributing it to a merit order that ranks available sources of energy in ascending order of costs associated. He said furnace oil had to be relied on due to low water levels in dams. Consequently, furnace oil consumption was 116% higher.

He went on to state that for winter, 200,000 tonnes of furnace oil has been imported due to three reasons: a higher demand projection, risks of further default by LNG cargoes and low stock levels at independent

power producers.

Azhar said that fortunately, during the NovemberDecember period, no defaults of LNG cargoes were experienced and so with LNG supply intact, furnace oil plants did not need to run.

The minister continued to say that furnace oil plants are indeed running again currently but that is because of lowering flows from dams as canals have been closed (an annual activity usually done for maintenance purposes). He said that in a couple of days, these plants will be consuming 13,000 tonnes per day of furnace oil.

“Local refineries produce only half that volume and IPP stock levels are still below the required levels,” he added. He assured readers that the country is “well stocked on furnace oil” in case any further LNG cargo defaults are experienced.

Meanwhile, the surplus of furnace oil at some refineries is being given to IPPs whose furnace oil consumption “is already above 6,000 tonnes per day”.

Azhar also said that a “new refinery policy” is being finalised to shift refineries away from furnace

oil production.

Miftah Ismail, responding to the thread, said he would like to “add some info”.

He said that two refineries are currently shut down “because they don’t have space to store furnace oil” and one is trying to “export” the fuel.

“And yet Pakistan State Oil, on government instructions, is importing furnace oil. This seems like miscoordination, no?” he asked.

The former finance minister said that the energy ministry produced “1,223 million kWh power with furnace oil in October”, saying it was “695% above” the level produced in October last year.

Ismail also drew attention to the gas and LNG shortage across Pakistan. “Homes have no gas to cook or heat water and factories are shut because of no gas,” he said.

“This is PTI’s fourth winter. Who do you reckon is responsible?” he demanded to know.

Azhar shot back by saying that the two refineries, which shut down due to lack of storage for furnace oil, became full because there was no need to run furnace oil

Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu dead at 90 CAPe TOwN afp

South African anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu, described as the country’s moral compass, died on Sunday aged 90, President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” he said in a statement.

“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead,” he said.

“A man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.”

A tireless activist, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for combatting white minority rule in his country.

Famously outspoken, even after the fall of the racist apartheid regime, Tutu never shied away from confronting South Africa’s shortcomings or injustices.

Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday condoled the passing of Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a veteran of South Africa’s struggle against white minority rule.

“My deepest condolences on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Laureate, a close confidant of Nelson Mandela, an icon of antiapartheid struggle & champion of human rights,”

PM Imran wrote on his official Twitter handle.

The premier said that Tutu’s critical role in liberation and national reconciliation is an inspiration for future generations.

The long struggle Tutu preached against the tyranny of the white minority but his fight for a fairer South Africa never ended, calling the Black political elite to account with as much feistiness as he had the white Afrikaners.

In his final years, he regretted that his dream of a “Rainbow Nation” had yet to come true.

It was Tutu who coined and popularised the term “Rainbow Nation” to describe South Africa when Nelson Mandela became the country’s first black president.

However in recent years, Tutu slammed even the ruling African National Congress (ANC) — the vanguard of the fight against white-minority rule — for cronyism and nepotism after apartheid ended in 1994.

In the past, he has confronted homophobia in the Anglican Church, challenged Mandela over generous salaries for cabinet ministers and stridently criticised the corruption that mushroomed under ex-president Jacob Zuma.

Ordained at the age of 30 and appointed archbishop in 1986, he used his position to advocate for international sanctions against apartheid, and later to lobby for rights globally.

Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 and underwent repeated treatment.

He had retired a year earlier to lead a harrowing journey into South Africa’s brutal past, as head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

For 30 months, the commission lifted the lid

on the horrors of apartheid.

‘Universal champion of rights’ Tutu, with his instinctive humanity, broke down and sobbed at one of its first hearings.

“As Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission he articulated the universal outrage at the ravages of apartheid and touchingly and profoundly demonstrated the depth of meaning of ubuntu, reconciliation and forgiveness,” Ramaphosa said.

“From the pavements of resistance in South Africa to the pulpits of the world’s great cathedrals and places of worship, and the prestigious setting of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the Arch distinguished himself as a non-sectarian, inclusive champion of universal human rights,” he added.

Tutu was born in the small town of Klerksdorp, west of Johannesburg, on October 7, 1931, to a domestic worker and a school teacher.

He trained as a teacher before anger at the inferior education system set up for black children prompted him to become a priest.

He lived for a while in Britain, where, he recalled, he would needlessly ask for directions just to be called “Sir” by a white policeman.

Tutu relentlessly challenged the status quo on issues like race, homosexuality and religious doctrine and gave his pioneering support for the assisted dying movement.

“I have prepared for my death and have made it clear that I do not wish to be kept alive at all costs,” he said in an opinion piece in The Washington Post in 2016.

“I hope I am treated with compassion and allowed to pass on to the next phase of life’s journey in the manner of my choice.”

Trickle-down misery: How Afghanistan’s asset freeze hurts everyone KABUL afp

Afghan businessman Shoaib Barak is struggling to pay his workers and suppliers, unable to access funds from a banking system crippled by the freezing of the nation’s overseas assets.

They, in turn, can’t pay their bills — and so the country’s economic woes trickle down and hurt everyone along an unbroken chain of misery. “I feel very ashamed,” said Barak, who until recently employed some 200 people across the country — mostly in his construction business. “For me, for every Afghan, it’s really disgusting. I do not even have the ability to pay salaries for my staff.”

To avoid giving the Taliban access to Afghanistan’s reserves, Washington froze an estimated $10 billion held by the central bank abroad after the hardline group seized power on August 15.

Equating to around half what the country’s economy produced last year, that move, in turn, starved banks used by Afghan businesses and citizens of access to dollars. Even if limited funds were released, the bulk could be tied up in the American legal system for years while subject to claims by victims of September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the US. Ordinarily, the reserves could be dipped into to pay overdue government bills and development projects, but the freeze has trick-

led down to the rest of the economy.

“Just release the reserves,” Barak pleaded. “If you have a problem with […] the Taliban, don’t take revenge on the nation, the people.” Barak’s cash flow crisis illustrates the problems faced by tens of thousands of Afghans who simply can’t access most of their money. He says he has around $3 million tied up in Afghan banks — money earned over the years from lucrative private and government contracts, which were paid in dollars as aid poured into the public purse under the preTaliban regime. But with local banks limiting weekly withdrawals to five percent of a business account’s balance — up to a maximum of $5,000 — Barak is months behind on both invoices and salaries to his staff. The 55-year-old engineer was earning 60,000 Afghanis per month — equivalent to $770 before the Taliban took over and the currency plunged 25 percent.

Four months later, Zia is struggling to make ends meet and fears his once comfortably-off family of six will only “eat one or two times” per day.

It isn’t just Barak’s employees who are suffering.

Ehsanullah Maroof’s now-defunct law business relied heavily on a monthly retainer from Barak’s construction company. “The kids went to a very good school,” he told AFP, noting proudly that his nine-year-old daughter Rana topped her year.

But now he can’t afford the right medicine for

an epileptic son, and Rana has been expelled because the family can’t pay school fees.

The misery trickles down even further — to the Maroof family maid, who is now jobless.

Gulha, 42, earned 8,000 Afghanis a month and was the main breadwinner in her seven-strong family. Now she is two months behind on rent and running out of food. “I have 14 kilogrammes (30 pounds) of rice, 20-21 kilogrammes of flour and some oil,” she told AFP in a one-room apartment where she allows neighbours to share the nightly warmth of a wood-burner as winter descends.

“It will last 10 days.”

Once that is gone she will join millions of her compatriots who are utterly dependent on aid.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday unanimously adopted a US resolution to help humanitarian aid reach desperate Afghans while seeking to keep funds out of Taliban hands — a move welcomed by the group as a “good step”. But whether enough cash arrives to contain the unfolding humanitarian disaster ultimately still depends on “the viability of the banking system”, said Hanna Luchnikava-Schorsch, Principal Asia Pacific economist at IHS Markit.

Many Afghan banks are “pretty close to collapse”, she told AFP, and overseas institutions will probably be “terrified” of falling foul of sanctions despite the UN resolution.

plants. He reminded the PML-N stalwart that LNG deliveries had been “better than expected” in NovemberDecember, quoting an 80% retainage.

“Had it not been so you would have been tweeting about bad LNG delivery cargos and thus the need to run expensive furnace oil plants,” the minister said.

He explained that the percentage rise in the use of furnace oil this year “seems big because of a low base effect from last year”, and insisted that the levels are “still four times [lower]” than what the PML-N government used and still abide by the merit order of energy sources.

He ended by referring to an attached screenshot of Ismail’s fellow party member Khawaja Asif which said that when Pakistan faced an extreme gas shortage from 2009 to 2016, at that time too, in Sindh and especially in Karachi, the supply of gas to industries was better than to other consumers.

“Reasons for gas shortfall in winter are identical to gas shortfalls your government faced each winter,” Azhar told Ismail, asking him to refer to Asif’s tweet.

Rashid offers ticket, visa if Nawaz Sharif is ready to return to Pakistan KARACHI Staff RepoRt

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Sunday took a jibe at the former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, offering to pay for his air ticket and issue him a visa if he was willing to return to Pakistan. Addressing a press conference here, Rashid said Nawaz, who has been living in London since 2019, went abroad on the pretext of medical treatment but had not consulted any doctor since landing there because he was healthy. Rashid was referring to the PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq’s prediction that the country’s political arena will soon witness a major event. The prediction followed right after Ayaz’s speech at an event, wherein he made the announcement that Sharif was returning to Pakistan soon. “If Nawaz Sharif is returning, I offer him a ticket out of my own pocket,” the interior minister remarked. He reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government will complete its five-year tenure, saying that Nawaz’s speeches against institutions would not make any difference. Rashid also hit out at PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leader Asif Zardari, saying that both were the most corrupt people of this country. Speaking about other issues, the interior minister said the PTI’s vote bank did not reduce in the recently-held local body elections in KhyberPakhtunkhwa wherein the ruling party faced a major setback.

Projects worth Rs2 billion continue without necessary assessment: SEPA News DesK The Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has yet again raised the issue of projects for the construction of roads and sewerage system, worth over Rs2 billion being executed in Qasimabad town of Hyderabad without conducting an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). Earlier, SEPA highlighted issues of dust and environmental pollution caused by these projects, with the commissioner Hyderabad division Muhammad Abbass Baloch. In a letter addressed to the Hyderabad commissioner, Hyderabad Region SEPA Incharge Imran Ali Abbassi underscored that the provisions of the Sindh Environment Protection Act, 2014, which regulated the construction works, are not being followed. He complained that the measures to mitigate the air pollution have not been taken by the contractor and the executing agency.

“Resultantly, the air quality has deteriorated due to high levels of dust emissions causing health hazards to the general public,” he stated. He further mentioned the over six-kilometers long Wadhu Wah road reconstruction and widening project, being executed at the cost of over Rs260 million. “Instructions should be issued to the executing agency to sprinkle water at least twice a day to suppress dust on the road for protection of human health,” he added. He went on to add that the act has made it mandatory to conduct EIA and IEE before commencing the construction projects. The law is aimed at protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment as well as prevention and control of pollution and to support the sustainable development in the province.

Civil, military leadership to assess regional situation IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to convene a special meeting of the National Security Committee. A well placed source told Pakistan Today that the ministers of defence, information and broadcasting, interior, National Security Advisor and services chief are also invited to attend the meeting. The sources said that the meeting would take stock of the regional and global developments taking place while measures regarding Covid-19 would also be discussed.

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