Epaper – January 9 KHI 2022

sunday, 9 january, 2022 i 5 jamadi-al-sani, 1443 i rs 15.00 i Vol Xii no 192 i 12 Pages i karachi edition

10 children among dead Suffocation, not cold weather, likely cauSe of deathS MURREE

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staff report

ivil and military authorities evacuated all the trapped tourists to safety Saturday night after 22 tourists died inside their respective cars after being trapped in one of the worst snowstorms the hill-station witnessed in decades.

Met office has predicted another snowstorm for the hilly areas of Murree during Saturday night as authorities are preparing for the challenge.

“All stranded vehicles have been checked. All people in those vehicles shifted to relief camps. Military Engineers troops and dozers currently working to clear snow on Road Jheeka Gali-Kuldanna and Road Kuldanna – Barian,” said the iSPR. “More than 300 snow-affected people including children have been provided medical care by team of army doctors and paramedics. Cooked meal served to more that 1000 stranded people in Jheekagali, Kashmiri Bazar, lower Topa and Kuldana. Stranded People have been accommodated & provided shelter with hot meals and tea at Military College Murree , Supply Depot, APS and Army logistics School Kuldana,” the iSPR added.

About road clearance, the iSPR Jhika Gali Traffic is plying from Jhika Gali to Expressway. Jhika Gali to Kuldana traffic is cleared, however, no traffic is plying due to slippery conditions.

Gharial to Bhurban track is open and traffic is plying over.

Army Engineers troops with road clearance machinery were working continuously for road clearance at Kuldana to Barian road.

Earlier, federal government deployed personnel of the Pakistan Army and other civil-armed forces for rescue operations in the calamity-hit Murree following the tragic deaths of at least 22 tourists who died in their vehicles after being stranded due to heavy snowfall in the area.

All the routes in and around Murree were blocked for traffic after thousands of vehicles entered the city which witnessed “unprecedented snowfall” in decades, according to local administration.

The dead bodies included Zahid S/o Zahoor, 27y, Kamal Abad, was riding Carry Bolan; ishfaq S/o Younis, Age: 31y, Gujranwala, CAR lEA 9312; Maroof S/O Ashraf , Age: 31y, lahore, CAR lEA 9312; Unknown Male, 30y, lahore, CAR lEA 9312; Naveed iqbal S/O Muraqab (ASi islamabad Police); 49y, islamabad, CAR 483; MRS Naveed iqbal, 43y, CAR 483; 04 Daughters and 02 Children of Naveed iqbal (Name unknown); Sohail Khan S/o Fazal Khan, 27y, Mardan, CAR vXR NG-424; Asad S/O Zaman Shah, 22y, Mardan, CAR vXR-424; M Bilal S/o Ghaffar, 21y, Mardan, CAR vXR-424; M Bilal Hussain s/o Syed Ghous Khan, 24y, Karachi, CAR vXR-424; M Shahzad S/o ismail , 46y, Rawalpindi; Mrs Shahzad, 35y; Two Children of Shahzad.

Another two unidentified bodies were recovered. All dead bodies shifted to Army School of logistics.

Pakistan army joins rescue oPeration: The interior minister said five platoons of the Pakistan Army have been called in for rescue efforts, while Rangers and Frontier Corps will be deployed on an emergency basis.

“At least 1,000 vehicles have been stuck since last night […] some have been evacuated; 16-19 deaths took place in cars.

The locals provided food and blankets to the stranded people.” iSPR said that all the stranded people are being shifted to 5 army relief camps established at Murree where food and shelter will be provided to people affected by heavy snow fall.

“Army relief centre has been established at Army School of Technicians Barian, Military college Murre, Jhika Gali, APS Kuldana, Station supply Depot Sunny Bank. FWO dozers and army engineers are busy to keep roads open. Murree Express opened and cleared for any fresh snow by NHA/ FWO/Army Engineers,” the statement said.

All resources at the disposal of Muree division in terms of engineers machinery mobilised and will remain in the field till all people are evacuated, the statement said and added that special arrangements are made to evacuate people on military transport.

“Central Control Division has been established at Murree Division. Rescue centres have been established at APS and Army School of logistics Kuldana.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

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Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

27 journalists died in PaKistan due to CoVid-19 ISLAMABAD

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aNadolu ageNcy

hE coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 journalists in 94 countries — including 27 in Pakistan — since March 2020 but the figure is “a low overall estimate,” according to a report.

At least 1,400 media workers succumbed to the virus in 2021, an average of 116 each month or around four a day, the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said. “The actual number of victims is certainly higher, as the cause of journalists’ deaths is sometimes not specified, or their deaths not announced,” the group said. “In some countries, there is no reliable information, and the 2,000 figure is a low overall estimate.”

The PEC noted that the death toll slowed down last year after vaccines became available. Of the 1,940 deaths of journalists registered by the PEC since March 2020, just about half — 954 to be precise — were in Latin America.

Asia followed with a death toll of 556, ahead of Europe at 263, Africa with 98, and North America at 69.

More than 50 of the fatalities are still under investigation, the group said.

Among countries, Brazil and India lead the count with 295 and 279 deaths, respectively. however, the figure could be as high as 400 in India, according to Nava Thakuria, the PEC’s representative for the South Asian country. Peru has recorded 199 virus deaths of journalists, followed by Mexico with 122, Colombia at 79, and Bangladesh with 68.

In the US, at least 67 journalists have died of COVID-19, while Italy has the highest toll of 61 among all European states.

It was followed by Venezuela (59), Ecuador (51), Argentina (46), Indonesia (42), Russia (42), Iran (34), the United Kingdom (33), Turkiye (29), Dominican Republic (29), Pakistan (27), Nepal (23), Egypt (22), and Bolivia (20). honduras, South Africa, Spain, and Ukraine all have registered 19 deaths so far, the PEC said.

Impact of vaccInes: “After a spike in deadly infections in the first half of 2021, the death toll thankfully slowed in the second half thanks to advances in vaccination,” said PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.

Karachi police recover grenades, file terror case

In the first half of 2021, the virus killed 1,175 journalists, but the figure dropped to 225 in the second half, with an increase in Europe and a sharp decrease in Latin

America and Asia.

Lempen said the PEC is hopeful that the slowdown will continue in 2022, but the rising infection numbers due to the spread of

the omicron variant are a cause for concern. he urged media workers to take all necessary precautions, including booster vaccine shots.

Sindh announces higher grades for primary teachers

KARACHI

KARACHI

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Staff RepoRt

Karachi police on Saturday filed a case following the recovery of 20 hand grenades stuffed in a shopper from a garbage dump in the Garden neighbourhood. The case has been registered under the explosives and anti-terrorism laws with Sub-Inspector Malik Rasheed as the complainant. It said the grenades were kept there with an intention to use them in a terrorist act. “A Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) inspector informed on the phone about the presence of hand grenades at the dump,” according to the FIR. “20 hand grenades were found from the garbage dump, one of them was without a number.” Unidentified militants have been mentioned in the case.

The Sindh government has decided to upgrade the status of the primary school teachers, promoting them to higher grades on completing nine and 15 years of service, respectively.

The province has also decided to remove the restriction of having a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree for primary teachers to get an upgrade in their basic pay scale (BPS), paving way for 15,000 primary teachers in the province to receive promotions.

The teachers who have completed their 15 years of service would be given a BPS-16 while those who have completed nine-year in service will receive a BPS-15.

In October, a meeting of the provincial cabinet approved the proposal of easing the recruitment policy for the teachers after only a

Covid-19 transmission rate stays above 2pc for third straight day ISLAMABAD

fewer number of candidates were able to clear the test for over 40,000 vacancies.

The meeting was told that only 11,549 candidates passed the test for primary school teachers (PSTs) against the total seats of 32,510 in the province.

Similarly, 14,000 candidates appeared in the test for the junior elementary school teachers (JESTs) for the total seats of 14.039 but only 1,385 candidates could clear it. The meeting proposed to reduce passing marks from 55 percent to 50 percent for the women, while the education department also proposed to lower the passing criteria for the special candidates from 55 percent to 33 percent.

The passing criteria for the candidates from the minority communities was proposed to be set at 50 percent. The proposals were approved by the Sindh cabinet.

INp

Pakistan reported one death by coronavirus in the last 24 hours as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,302,486. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 28,962 on Saturday. According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,345 persons tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Till now, 13,077 people have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,678 in Sindh 5,941 in KP, 967 in Islamabad, 747 in Azad Kashmir, 366 in Balochistan, and 186 in GB. Furthermore, 485,782 cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 447,082 in Punjab 181,673 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 109,167 in Islamabad, 34,696 in Azad Kashmir 33,657 in Balochistan and 10,429 in GilgitBaltistan. Pakistan has so far conducted 23,752,912 coronavirus tests and 46,537 in the last 24 hours.

1,258,332 patients have recovered in the country whereas 629 patients are in critical condition. The Covid-19 positivity ratio was recorded at 2.89 percent. So far, 99,144,159 people have received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine including 280,295 in the last 24 hours. 73,484,322 citizens have been fully vaccinated while 489,208 received their second dose in the last 24 hours. The number of total administered doses has reached 161,409,693 with 758,688 in the last 24 hours.

Red Crescent distributes aid to Rohingya refugee students in Karachi ISLAMABAD MoNItoRINg RepoRt

The Turkish Red Crescent provided educational materials to 1,260 Rohingya refugee students at seven schools in Karachi, an official said.

The aid was provided in cooperation with the Pakistan Red Crescent and the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE), an umbrella organisation working towards building an enabling environment for gender equity in education, employment, rights and leadership.

A ceremony marking the distribution of the educational materials was held in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood and attended by Cemal Sangu, Consul General of Turkey in Karachi, officials from the Turkey and Pakistan Red Crescent organisations and other guests.

Ibrahim Carlos Camilo, head of the Turkish Red Crescent delegation in Pakistan, said the students showed great interest and were very happy to receive the educational materials.

FIA serves notice on cryptocurrency exchange in $100mn scam KARACHI MoNItoRINg RepoRt

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said it issued a notice to Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, during the investigation of an alleged cryptocurrency scam involving $100 million.

The notice called the general manager or growth analyst of Binance Pakistan to appear and explain the organisation’s

position on the linkage of fraudulent online investment mobile applications with Binance, the statement from the agency’s cybercrime wing said Friday.

“A relevant questionnaire has also been sent to Binance headquarters Cayman Islands and Binance US to explain the same,” it added. In December, people from all over Pakistan launched complaints to the FIA against at least 11 mobile applications which had stopped working over a period of

time and defrauded their billions of rupees, the agency said. The initial findings revealed that each such application had on average 5,000 customers with hFC, one of the applications, reportedly having a maximum of 30,000 customers, said the statement.

According to the FIA: “The reported range of investment per person was from 100 to $80,000 with an estimated average of $2,000 per person thus making estimated scam stand at nearly $100 million.”

Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

PM reViews PreParations for PaKistan’s diaMond jubilee ISLAMABAD app

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RIME Minister Imran Khan Friday chaired a meeting to review preparations for celebration of Pakistan’s diamond jubilee. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad hussain, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Shehbaz Gill, SAPM Shehzad Nawaz, Secretary Information Shahera Shahid and senior officials attended the meeting.

The prime minister said the diamond jubilee celebration is aimed at expressing the united Pakistani nation’s pride in its freedom.

During the diamond jubilee events, the ideology

and views of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal would be highlighted, he said, adding that on the independence day, the world would see Pakistanis as a united and strong nation.

The prime minister said the identity of Pakistan is cultural plurality, natural resources and national harmony.

The core message of the diamond jubilee celebrations is unity, justice and independence, he added. he directed that the content regarding the celebrations should be unique, authentic and according to the country’s history.

Earlier, SAPM Shehzad Nawaz briefed the prime minister regarding preparations for the celebrations.

NEWS

03

sindh reports 938 new Covid cases, highest since mid-sept KARACHI NewS deSk

Sindh has reported 938 coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, the highest single-day tally since September 16, 2021, when the province had recorded 980 infections. According to the daily situation report issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the province’s infection tally now stands at 485,422. The province has also reported three more coronavirus-related fatalities, following which the death from the virus has climbed to 7,681.

six killed, 17 injured in road accident ISLAMABAD

Karachi brings Covid-19 vaccines to women’s doorstep KARACHI ReuteRS

Karachi is launching a door-to-door campaign to vaccinate women, who are lagging behind men in rates of coronavirus inoculation as the country enters a fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, a senior official said.

Pakistan on Saturday reported nearly 1,345 cases in a single day, its highest tally in two months, with a positivity rate of 2.89 percent. Karachi’s positivity rate rose to 10 percent, from 4.74 percent on December 31.

“We have found that a sizable population of housewives are unvaccinated, and they socialise and attend weddings without face masks,” Qasim Siraj Soomro, parliamentary secretary health of the Sindh government, told Reuters.

In contrast, the rate of vaccination among male family members who go out to work is higher than the rate among women, he added.

The provincial government’s campaign will use female health workers, who have long played an instrumental role in country-wide polio vaccination campaigns in the nation.

“We plan to target clusters in urban areas and at a later stage in rural areas,” said the parliamentary secretary.

About 70 million people in Pakistan, or 32 percent of the population, have had two vaccine doses.

The first case of the Omicron variant was reported on December 13 in Karachi, and the federal government has acknowledged that a fifth pandemic has started in the country, with Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad seeing most of the cases.

NewS DeSK The Lahore high Court (LhC) Judge Justice Ali Zia Bajwa on Friday dismissed a petition filed against a woman who remarried without completing her iddat (period a Muslim woman has to observe after the dissolution of marriage). A case was filed in the LhC in which the petitioner, Amir Baksh, filed a case of fornication (zina) against his ex-wife Amina and her new husband Ismail. The petitioner, in his application, said that his ex-wife Amina unilaterally took a verdict of annulling the marriage from the court and tied the knot with Ismail the next day. he termed the new marriage “null and void” as well as zina (fornication). The LhC dismissed the petition by saying that a woman remarrying without the completion of her iddat cannot be termed fornication. It added that even if the petitioner’s stance is accepted, such a marriage cannot be considered invalid. however, the court said, the act of remarrying without the completion of iddat would be considered “corrupt or irregular.”

The court further stated that a couple marrying without the woman completing her iddat cannot be charged with the crime of zina.

Six people were killed and 17 others including women and kids injured in a late-night road accident in Balochistan, police said. The incident happened in the Khuzdar district of the province when a van hit a trailer coming from the opposite direction on a highway in the province, police told media. The van was carrying over 25 people who were on their way to attend the wedding of a relative in the district, according to the reports. The injured and the bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital where at least three of the wounded are said to be in critical condition.

Younger brother of Chairman senate, driver die in lasbela car accident The government has not yet announced new restrictions but has urged people to follow precautionary measures. The government has authorised booster doses for citizens over the age of 30 from Monday. Children over the age of 12 are being offered vaccinations at their schools.

Omicron less severe but still threat to health systems Marrying without completing ‘iddat’ cannot be considered fornication: lHC

MoNItoRINg RepoRt

PARIS afp

Omicron is causing record numbers of cases around the world, and though it causes less severe Covid-19 experts warn this wave still threatens to overwhelm health systems. nose and throat, not lungs: Six weeks after it was first sequenced in southern Africa Omicron cases are smashing infection records with average new daily cases at nearly two million this week, according to an AFP tally. At the same time, the illness caused by the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is proving less severe.

On Friday, the French public health authority said the risk of hospitalisation was about 70 percent lower for Omicron, citing data from the US, the UK, Canada and Israel.

Experts point out that the lack of severity may be due to widespread immunity thanks to vaccination or previous infection.

But studies on animals point to another peculiarity: rather than affecting the lungs where severe Covid takes root, it seems to proliferate in the nose and throat.

This would not only explain the variant’s lessdangerous symptoms but also its ability to spread quickly through coughing and sneezing.

Because of this, some experts are calling for better mask protection and Austria on Thursday made medical grade FFP2 masks mandatory outside. hospItals on edge: But even though Omicron is causing less severe illness, the surging caseload overall has scientists urging caution to keep from overwhelming health systems.

“Even if the percentage of cases with severe disease is proportionally lower, when there are record cases, that still means record numbers of people in the hospital,” tweeted US virologist Angela Rasmussen on Friday.

Unlike previous variant waves, however, this one seems so far to be affecting regular hospital admissions rather than ICU capacity.

This is the case in Denmark where national health service SSI reported that between December 1 and January 1 new Covid cases rose by about 70 percent across the country.

But hospitalisations only rose by 47 percent and ICU admissions by 20 percent.

Jab ImmunIty weaker: Lab tests show that antibody levels in blood samples from people vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs drop when faced with Omicron.

The drop is even greater in those vaccinated with AstraZeneca or Sinovac, a Chinese jab authorised in about 50 countries.

A booster seems to increase antibodies, with both Pfizer and Moderna announcing positive results from recent tests. But nobody knows how long the booster will be effective.

This does not mean vaccines are useless against Omicron: the body has a secondary immune defence called T-cell response, which fights the virus by attacking infected cells.

This secondary response is particularly important in preventing severe forms of illness.

A recent study from South Africa showed Pfizer/BioNTech remained effective at preventing severe Covid from Omicron even after just two shots. last wave?

Some experts and officials have openly expressed hope that by spreading a less-severe Covid, Omicron could be helping the planet achieve herd immunity along with jabs.

Echoing French and Israeli counterparts, top Danish epidemiologist Tyra Grove Krause tweeted her “cautious optimism about the situation when we have overcome the Omicron wave”.

The World health Organisation (WhO) however is urging caution.

“The more Omicron spreads, the more it transmits and the more it replicates, the more likely it is to throw out a new variant,” WhO senior emergencies officer Catherine Smallwood told AFP in an interview Tuesday.

But even if Omicron isn’t the last variant, experts think immunity from previous waves might mean the worst will soon be behind us.

“New variants may challenge us,” Grove Krause said, “but with vaccines hopefully SARS-CoV-2 will turn into just another airway virus we can live normally with.”

UTHAL INp

Salar Sanjrani, the younger brother of Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, along with his driver died in a road accident here on Saturday. According to details, a car and tanker collided on Quetta-Karachi highway near Uthal, in district Lasbela, Balochistan.

Younas Shah s/o Yaqoob Shah, the driver of Salar Sanjrani, died on the spot while Salar himself was critically injured and was rushed to hospital. however, Salar also succumbed to his wounds. Federal Ministers, MNAs, Senators and leaders of different political parties have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Salar Sanjrani and condoled with Sanjrani. They prayed that may the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

04 NEWS

Green LIne BrTS To Be FuLLy oPerATIonAL on JAn 10: ASAd umAr KARACHI

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staff RepoRt

EDERAL Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has said that the federal-funded Green Line Bus Rapid Transit Service BRTS) will be made fully operational on January 10.

While addressing an event in Karachi, he said that Green Line BRTS will become fully operational on January 10. He said that the federal government is developing the metropolis as there was no existing infrastructure there.

Asad Umar demanded a powerful local government in accordance with the constitu-

tion of the Bhutto-era. He said that they will not beg for Karachi’s development anymore.

Regarding the Ehsaas poverty alleviation programme, the federal minister said that the nationals were being provided with financial assistance and the federal government distributed Rs66 billion among deserving people of Sindh during the COVID-19 lockdown.

He said that a project like the Ehsaas programme had neither been launched in Pakistan nor anyone worked for the young generation.

Asad Umar said that the progress of the Kamyab Jawab Programme is also remarkable and the federal government is going to launch its Kamyab Pakistan Programme.

Abid Khagga appointed Chairman Agriculture Task Force for revival of cotton

The green line bus service will be made fully operational from January 10 and its duration will be from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

The bus service will start from KESC Powerhouse Chowrangi in Surjani Town and terminate at Municipal Park after passing through Nagan Chowrangi, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad and Gurumandir, with 25 stations along its route. The bus service will cater to 300,000 passengers on a daily basis.

80 buses will be operated by 200 drivers who have completed their training. Around 22 stations between Surjani Town and Numaish Chowrangi have been completed. Another three stations to extend the service to Municipal Park are yet to be constructed.

Govt extends deadline for exchange of old banknotes NewS DeSK The federal government on Friday announced an extension in the last date for exchanging old banknotes of Rs10, 50, 100 and 1,000 on the recommendation of the central bank, according

to Geo News. The government extended the last date for exchanging old banknotes of Rs10, 50, 100 and 1000 by one year to December 31, 2022, in order to facilitate public.

Previously, the last date for exchange of old notes was December 31,

2021. “As per the federal government’s gazette notification dated December 23, 2021, upon expiry of the period, the old design banknotes will stand cancelled and will not be exchangeable,” the State Bank of Pakistan said.

The central bank further empha-

LAHORe staff RepoRt

Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi has appointed Abid Mehmood Khagga as Chairman of Agriculture Task Force for revival of cotton especially in South Punjab. A notification has been issued in this regard. The Secretary South Punjab will work with the Chairman Agriculture Task Force to take action against counterfeit agricultural interventions in South Punjab. The newly appointed chairman of the task force, Abid Mahmood Khagga belongs to Khanewal district. The Minister Agriculture said that mafia selling counterfeit inputs is being dealt with iron hands and those involved in this heinous business are being punished. Punjab Government has zero tolerance against those involved in counterfeit agricultural pesticides and every possible step is being taken to root out this business, he added.

In this regard, the Agriculture Department is taking every action against the accused .The appointment of Abid Mehmood Khagga will help in getting rid of agricultural inputs in South Punjab and help in providing agricultural inputs to the farmers.

Flood warning issued for Islamabad’s nullahs after heavy rainfall

Corruption declared major hindrance to development ISLAMABAD app

Participants of an international seminar on Saturday adopted the so-called Islamabad Declaration recognising corruption as a major impediment to sustainable development. The declaration stressed the need to strengthen existing national, regional and international legal and human rights mechanisms and institutions to combat corruption and in building resilient systems.

The two-day international seminar on the theme of “Combating Corruption: A Prerequisite For the Full Enjoyment of All Human Rights and Sustainable Development” was organised by the government and the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Based on deliberations, the participants adopted the “Islamabad Declaration on Combating Corruption For the Full Realisation of All Human Rights and Sustainable Development”. The declaration underlined the need for improving transnational cooperation for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of corrupt

offences, as well as in the recovery and return of confiscated assets.

“Following a people-centric and human rights-based approach in combating corruption, enhancing the capacity of the judiciary, prosecution service and law enforcement agencies to combat corruption; promotion of civic engagement and social accountability, establishing of an OIC intergovernmental working group (IGWG) to actively explore innovative ideas and initiatives under the OIC and the UN auspices for mutual legal assistance on issues of corruption and stolen legal assets,” the declaration further said. The declaration also noted the need to integrate the role of technology in promoting increased transparency, accountability, accessibility and public participation and introduction of strong anti-corruption legislation to end impunity and recovery of stolen assets. The seminar was part of Pakistan’s persistent efforts to strengthen the international framework against corruption, recovery of stolen assets, promotion and protection of all human rights, and achievement of inclusive and sustainable development. It was attended by more than 200 international and national stakeholders including government officials, OIC member and observer nations, IPHRC commissioners, members of the OIC secretariat and various United Nations agencies, practitioners, academia, civil society and media representatives.

Karachi to have 26 towns, 233 union committees under Sindh LG Act KARACHI staff RepoRt

According to the gazette notification issued by Sindh Local Government, Karachi will have 26 towns and 233 union committees under the controversial Sindh LG Act. The delimitation of constituencies will be made in accordance with new Sindh Local Government Act. The opposition parties have denounced the new law while some parties are also holding a sit-in against the law in the provincial capital, Karachi.

According to the gazette notification, Karachi will have 26 towns, 233 union committees including 37 UCs and 5 towns in District Korangi, 26 UCs and 2 towns in District South, 26 UCs and 3 town councils in District West, 30 UCs in District Malir while Gadap, Ibrahim Haideri and Malir came under the category of towns. In District Central, there will be 45 UCs and 5 towns, 26 UCs and 3 towns in District Keamari, whereas, the constituency of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Saeed Ghani was declared Chanesar Town in District East. In District East, there will be 43 UCs and 5 towns.

sised that this is the final extension in the date of exchange of these banknotes granted by the federal government and public is advised to avail this opportunity and exchange their old design banknotes through SBP BSC Offices till December 31, 2022.

At least 13 killed in rain-related incidents in Punjab, KP ISLAMABAD News Desk

At least 13 people lost their lives while several others were injured in heavy rains and snowfall in various parts of the country, reports suggested on Saturday. The roof of a house collapsed due to snowfall in the Menadug village of Sheringal Dogdara area of Upper Dir, killing a mother and four of her children. A dozen others were reported to be injured in similar incidents in other parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the past 24 hours. According to a report issued by Provincial Disaster Management Authority in Peshawar, eight houses were partly damaged in the incidents. It said that relief goods were being distributed among the affected families in Charsadda and Upper Dir. The district administration and relief departments are engaged in efforts to remove snow from the roads. Moreover, the entry of vehicles in Galiyat has been banned by the administration. In Gujranwala, the roof of a house situated on Hafizabad Road collapsed due to rain, killing two children and injuring a child and his father were injured in the accident. The deceased included five-year-old Asma and eight-year-old Iqra, while the injured, threeyear-old Ismatullah, is stated to be in a critical condition. In Kasur, four people were killed and 10 others were injured when the roofs of their houses collapsed due to rain. In one incident, eight buffaloes were buried under the rubble of the roof of the house. In Hildarke Pemar village near Kot Radha Kishan, the roof of a house collapsed, killing a man and his son. The deceased were identified as 75year-old Barkat and 45-year-old Yaqub.

NewS DeSK The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) on Friday issued a flood warning in the federal capital and ordered rescue teams to remain on high alert, according to Geo News. The corporation said a flood-like situation in the nullahs is feared and directed concerned authorities to keep the control room operational throughout the day and respond to the citizens’ calls on top priority. On the other hand, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued statistics of rainfall in Islamabad and surrounding areas. Earlier, rain disturbed routine life in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. There was a low presence of staff in all government and private offices in Rawalpindi and Islamabad due to rain. The majority of the passengers preferred to travel through the metro bus service in rain.

Economy witnessing strong growth, creating jobs: PM ISLAMABAD INp

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that profits of listed businesses have grown and this shows that the economy is witnessing growth and creating jobs.

In a message from his Twitter handle, Imran Khan said that profits of listed businesses have grown 59 percent year-on-year basis for the first nine months despite Covid-19 challenges.

“This shows our economy is witnessing strong

CMYK

growth and creating jobs,” he said and added that he is hopeful that the businesses and employers will share these gains with their employees.

Earlier on Friday, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin had said that Pakistan’s stock market had claimed the highest profit of the previous 10 years in 2021. In a message from his Twitter handle, Tarin had shared a graph from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), showing year-onyear growth of profits in the stock market after taxes.

He had said that the stock market had secured

aggregate profits of Rs258 billion in 2021, the highest ever during the last 10 years.

Adviser to PM on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill had also commented on the report and said that the statistics shared by the finance minister were meant for those who launched propaganda on the decline of the economy in the country.

He had said in a message from his Twitter handle that other than an aggregate Rs258 billion profits, the overall volume of trade in the PSX had remained highest as compared to the last four years.

Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

BIlAwAl lAudS JuSTICE AyEShA’S ElEvATIon To SuPrEME CourT KARAcHI

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staff report

PP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended his warm wishes to Justice Ayesha Malik on her elevation to the Supreme Court.

In a statement on Saturday, the PPP chairman said it would augur well that for the first time in the history of Pakistan a woman had been elevated to the apex court creating a positive image of the country among the comity of nations.

He was of the view that Justice Ayesha’s elevation to the highest court of

the country had opened up new possibilities for the development of women in future. It’s a step towards gender equality, Bilawal concluded. On Friday, the US Embassy Islamabad in its tweet greeted the Harvard Law School-graduated Justice Ayesha Malik on her elevation to the apex court considering it a momentous achieve-

ment in the 74 years’ history of Pakistan.

The embassy wrote: “We welcome the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Justice Malik, who completed her LL.M. from Harvard Law School, will become the first woman in the Pakistan Supreme Court’s 74-year history.”

NEWS

05

Another girl medical student found dead in Sindh KHAIRPUR NATHAN SHAH inp

Murree calamity claims 22 lives as rescue operation continues

coNTINUed fRoM PAge 01 All relief camps have been provided with heating arrangements. Heavy machinery from Murre, army engineers Division and FWO are working without any pause to assist people who are struck.

Troops are out in the field. Where machinery can’t reach, troops have been moved and they are clearing traffic and opening roads,” the statement added.

In a video message, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said the crisis unfolded as Murree witnessed “a huge number of tourists after 15-20 years”.

Rasheed said the government was forced to close the road from Islamabad to Murree. “Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s commissioners, deputy commissioners, and police are carrying out rescue operations,” he said.

Citing police officials, AFP reported that at least six people had frozen to death in their cars, while it was not immediately clear if others had died from asphyxiation after inhaling fumes in the snowdrift.

Ateeq Ahmed, an officer with Islamabad police, said eight of the fatalities were from the family of fellow capital police officer Naveed Iqbal, who also died.

The interior minister said the authorities would evacuate 1,000 vehicles by today evening, while the roads would remain closed to Murree till Sunday 9pm.

“We have also decided to ban tourists who are planning on coming to Murree on foot; this is not the time to come to Murree,” Rasheed said.

‘TourisTs did noT die of cold’: SHO Murree Police Station Raja Rasheed that there has been over 4 to 4.5 feet of snowfall in Murree which never received this much snowfall.

He said that most of the people who died in Murree did not die due to the cold, they died as they left their heaters on in the car and went to sleep.

“The fumes from the heater killed them.”

Punjab declares Murree calaMiTyhiT area: The Punjab government has declared Murree as a calamity-hit area after heavy snowfall wreaked havoc in the city. Taking notice of the chaos and emergency situation, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar directed to open the government’s offices and rest houses for the stranded tourists.

He directed to provide every possible relief to the tourists and accelerate the ongoing rescue operation to evacuate the people from the hill station.

The chief minister ordered to move additional resources from Rawalpindi and other cities to Murree to speed up the relief operation.

CM Buzdar also directed to send his official helicopter to Murree for the rescue mission.

PriMe MinisTer orders Probe: Prime Minister Imran Khan, responding to the incident, said: “Shocked and upset at tragic deaths of tourists on road to Murree.”

He mentioned that “unprecedented snowfall and rush of people proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district administration unprepared”.

The prime minister said he has ordered an inquiry into the matter and was putting in place a “strong regulation” to ensure the prevention of such tragedies in the future. snowsTorM: According to the local administration, rain and blizzards are also forecast on Sunday night in and around Murree, with thunderstorms at a speed of 50-90 kmph and heavy snowfall.

The administration has warned the citizens not to leave their homes in severe weather or turn to Murree as severe weather conditions are likely to continue till late at night.

GovT aPPeals To PosTPone Plan for a

few days: Earlier, Sheikh Rasheed had appealed to the tourists, especially families, to refrain from travelling to Murree and Galyat.

He had maintained that the tourists will not be allowed to go beyond 17 Mile Interchange. However, citizens with an extreme emergency will be granted permission to travel to Murree and Galyat.

Similarly, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that a large number of vehicles were heading towards Murree and other hilly areas, making it impossible for the local administration to facilitate them.

Murree receives 17 inches snowfall: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that Murree has received 17 inches of snow in the last 24 hours. It added that more rains and snowfall are expected tonight that will continue till Sunday.

As per the Met Office, Murree has received 32 inches of snow and 94 mm of rain since January 3. rescue oPeraTion by Paf: On the special instructions of PAF Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, the air force’s Kalabagh and Lower Topa bases are actively participating in relief operations in the affected areas. Crisis management cells have also been established at both bases to facilitate the stranded personnel and families. Shelter, food, warm clothing and medical facilities are being provided to the tourists stuck in heavy snow.

During the operations, PAF personnel have rescued a number of families and shifted them to safe places.

Following the improvement in weather conditions, helicopter operations will also be started for evacuation of the stranded tourists. oPPosiTion leaders exPress sorrow: Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives in snow storm in Murree and other northern areas.

Shehbaz, in a tweet, said: “My profound condolences and sympathies are with the bereaved families.

May Allah rest the departed souls in peace”.

He blamed the government for the tragedy and asked where the government was all the while and what arrangements did it make to deal with such an influx.

Incompetence is fast turning into criminality, he added.

He further said that prior arrangements and round the clock supervision were the normal SOPs in the past.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that Murree tragedy is heart wrenching. She added that government’s job is not only to count the number of tourists but also make arrangements for them.

These people did not die of snow but from incompetence of the government, she added.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the entire nation is saddened over the unfortunate incident in Murree.

“It would have been better had [the administration] informed the tourists about the weather situation in Murree […] the administration should immediately begin rescue services for the tourists,” he added.

A bullet-riddled body of a medical student was recovered on Saturday from Seeta Road, Khairpur Nathan Shah. According to police, the dead body of Dr Asmat who was a fourth-year student of the MBBS was recovered from Ward No. 7 in the precincts of Seeta Road police station. Her body was pierced by a gun bullet that might have caused her death. Police have sent the body of the final year student to a hospital for autopsy. A couple of months ago, on Nov 25, 2021, a body of another medical student Noshin Kazmi was found from the girls’ hostel of Chandka Medical College in Larkana. The initial post-mortem report of the incident revealed that Ms Kazmi’s death was caused by hanging. She was found to have 26cm long and 1cm wide scars on her neck and blood marks in both of her lungs.

MQM’s Amir Khan, Ishratul Ebad discuss future alliance Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) senior leader Amir Khan met with former governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad in Dubai, said well-placed sources. Matters relating to the unification of warring factions of MQM, joint efforts to resolve problems being faced by urban areas of Sindh and other issues were discussed in the meeting, said the sources privy to the matter. Dr Ebad assured Khan of full support for the joint struggle and the unification of the party.

Underscoring the need for unity, Amir Khan stressed joint efforts for creating of a separate province and to deal with the biased policies of the PPP. “MQM’s doors are open for everyone,” he added.

Both the leaders agreed to continue consultations and contacts with each other. news desk

People of Thar will get their basic rights: CJP MITHI inp

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Saturday directed people to file a petition in Supreme Court for resolution of the problems of Thar region.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed, who is visiting the region, was addressing a gathering of local lawyers.

The CJP vowed that the people of Thar will get their basic rights, adding that there is no reason to deny them from their legitimate rights. “Tharparkar have big potential for faith-based tourism,” he observed. He urged for providing education, health, water, employment and other facilities to the local people of Thar. The chief justice also directed local deputy commissioner for solution of local problems. Justice Gulzar Ahmed thanked local people for their warm welcome.

Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to direct Olympic ceremony again BeIJINg afp

Acclaimed Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, who masterminded the spectacular opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, will reprise that role for next month’s Winter Games in the capital, organisers have announced.

Zhang, 71, promised a “totally innovative” unveiling, while conceding that the global pandemic and colder weather will limit its scale compared to 14 years ago when 15,000 performers took part.

“Being simple, just as in martial arts films, is like a master’s sword,” Zhang told state-run Xinhua news agency in an interview released late Friday. “It looks like a very simple stab, but with fateful power.”

The director of Chinese classics such as “Red Sorghum”, “Raise the Red Lantern” and martial-arts epics like “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers” said around 3,000 performers would take part.

Zhang said it would feature “a bold idea”

for the lighting of the Olympic torch that will take in concepts such as “environmental protection and low carbon emission.”

He gave no other clues, but state broadcaster CGTN separately quoted Zhang saying that Chinese Lunar New Year elements also would feature in the theme.

The February 4-20 Olympics coincide roughly with China’s extended Lunar New Year holiday.

“I’m very nervous. I think it’s totally innovative and people will be surprised,” Xinhua quoted Zhang as saying.

The stunning 2008 version featured 2,008 musicians beating ancient Chinese drums in perfect timing, along with thousands of others — martial artists, dancers, opera singers, acrobats, and trapeze artists — in lavish costumes.

The 2008 ceremony focused on China’s rich history and civilisation but also was widely seen as an exclamation point underlining the country’s re-emergence as a global force.

“It’s different now,” Xinhua quoted Zhang as saying. “The image of the Chinese,

and the rise of our national status, everything is totally different now.”

“In the wake of the pandemic, the world needs a new and strengthened vision, that is, people of the world come together to face difficulties and look forward to a bright future.”

The Games will be held under the shadow of the pandemic and tension with the West over a range of issues.

The United States and some of its allies have announced a diplomatic boycott of the Games, meaning they will send no government representatives, a snub that has incensed Beijing.

The Games will be the world’s strictest mass sporting event held since the global pandemic began two years ago.

China this past week activated its Olympic “bubble”, in which thousands of athletes, coaches and Games-related staff and volunteers will be cocooned.

Anyone entering the bubble must be fully vaccinated or face a 21-day quarantine to get in. Everyone inside will be tested daily and must wear face masks at all times.

cMYK

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Sunday, 9 January, 2022

06 COMMENT

50 years of Bangladesh and its declining political stature

PPP tries to steal a march on PDM But is it really prepared for a show of strength?

T

he PPP and PMl(n) cooperate with each other in Parliament to give a tough time to the PTI, though here too they give primacy to their party interests.

Outside the Parliament they are in competition with each other. With their eyes fixed on the coming elections each one follows a strategy that it thinks can bring it to power.

The PMl(n) is a part of the PdM which has representation from all the provinces with the JUI(F) capable of gathering thousands of seminary students. The PPP can at best rely on the anP which enjoys limited support in KP and Balochistan. While denouncing the establishment’s role in politics publicly, both the PPP and PMl(n) keep discreet contacts with those who matter. The PMl(n) and JUI(F), which is its main partner in the PdM, are currently following a soft policy towards the establishment. With the former having displayed its public support in the Punjab bye-elections and the latter in the KP lg polls, both have put the promised march on the backburner to resort to it only if the establishment is seen to be playing foul.

The PPP wants Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to be elected PM in the coming elections. For this it needs support from Punjab which is currently the stronghold of the PMl(n).

The PPP’s attempts last year to win over electables from south Punjab through wheeling and dealing drew a blank as electables support parties who are likely to win. Major players in south Punjab like Jahangir Tareen remain uncommitted because they are still reading the tea leaves.

This has led the PPP to put up a show of strength in Punjab. The PPP leadership has once again camped in lahore. On Friday Mr Bhutto Zardari told leaders of the PPP’s Balochistan chapter that the party is going to form the next government and those keen to fight the coming elections should submit applications to the party. he emphasized that the party’s march on Islamabad starting on February 27 would be an impressive event.

The PPP has taken a risk. In case it manages to hold impressive rallies in major Punjab cities, drawing large crowds from Punjab, it might attract the electables. But if the show turns out to be a run-of-the-mill affair, neither electables nor those who matter would give it importance.

AAdersh hAmzA mAlghAni

B

angladesh has marked the golden Jubilee of its birth. 50 years of partition from the western wing of Pakistan means a lot of time where things would have changed for good but is Bangladesh headed in the right direction – politically? We have all been in praise of Bangladesh’s economic rise but politically, there is so much of it that gets ignored under the massive censorship imposed by shiekh hasina Wajid who is ruling Bangladesh for more than a decade now. democratic values of once socially diverse and politically rich Bangladesh are fading under that authoritarianism. People of Bengal have historically been very conscious and have stood up for their rights in different times. among them were the famous leaders of Pakistan Movement who led the movement with great passion and devotion. however, over the years Bangladesh has started to turn up into a one-party state, where dissent means putting your life in danger. any kind of dissent from the state’s narrative in Bangladesh on the events from March to december 1971 are not just unendurable but subjected to severe repercussions; if anyone dares to take that step. Recalling an incident from 2014, a British Journalist david Bergman was punished in a contempt of court case for questioning Bangladesh’s notorious International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) about the trials conducted on the 1971 war. ICT has been sentencing voices of political dissent under the guise of ‘betrayal

Murree tragedy Responsibility must be fixed

T

he catastrophe brought upon by extreme weather conditions in Murree resulting in 21 deaths is a tragedy that could have been avoided, or at least mitigated to the extent that such unnecessary loss of life could be kept to a minimum. horrific details and videos that have since emerged paint a disturbing picture of how those who perished expired in a state of helplessness and despair. It is a bitter irony that the very thing that thousands of tourists had attempted to witness by making their way to Murree is what ended up taking their lives: the snow. It is most unfortunate that the deaths were not a result of low temperature, rather the poisonous fumes that were inhaled by passengers stuck in the massive traffic jam who had turned their car heaters on and gone to sleep, leading to suffocation. That 10 among the 21 were children is a figure hard to digest. Moreover, the death toll is expected to increase as the rescue operation proceeds and more cars are dug out.

While the Punjab and federal governments have expressed their grief, the leadership in both cases has not provided any rationale as to why such a large number of travellers were allowed to enter the galyat in the first place. What is worse, days earlier, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry was treating the entry of ‘over 100,000 vehicles’ in the area as the government’s success in promoting tourism. Put simply, this is a case of counting your chickens before they hatch.

Both factors in this case were easily measurable and predictable; the intensity of the weather and influx of cars, with only the latter being under the control of relevant authorities. Clearly no attention was paid to this lack of road capacity and the traffic was allowed to build up in search of a meaningless accolade of increased interest in the country’s northern area tourist sights. entire families have died under the most horrendous of circumstances due to a lack of diligence and competence. There is a need to fix responsibility here and punish carelessness. however, it is more than likely that the usual drivel of monetary compensation and ‘investigations’ will follow and eventually the matter will be off the airwaves and parked neatly in cold storage, no pun intended!

AttiyA munAwer

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is eminent for developing loans and trapping developing countries around the world, employing a large team of vigilant experts to persuade and work with developing countries that if they want to achieve development and stability, they should take a loan package from the IMF. as soon as a country shows willingness to do so, it is encased in the trap of conditions and thus that country will last for a long time as a slave to the IMF. The formulation of the country’s economic policies and other important decisions are made by the representatives of the IMF. Pakistan has also been playing the game of the IMF loan package for a long time. Pakistan is completely under the control of the IMF. People have been appointed to key positions there such as governor of the state Bank and Federal Minister of Finance, who have been imposing on the public every policy and decision taken by the IMF in the name of development and stability of the country.

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

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one or two but 25 of them, who murdered Fahad in his hostel dorm. Recently, 20 of them were given death sentence by the lower court of Bangladesh but independent observers doubt if the justice would be served because Bangladesh has a history of Presidential pardon given to highly accused murderers, especially in political cases.

Biharis in Bangladesh are still living in constant fear of persecution, not so different from India where they are being deprived of their very basic rights by getting their citizenship revoked in the aftermath of national Register of Citizens (nRC). From the Bihari massacre of 1971 to the unfortunate Kalshi clashes of 2014, Bihari community still long for justice in Bangladesh where the law enforcement agencies (leas) are among the major human rights violators.

Former Chairman of Bangladesh’s national human Rights Commission (nhRC) Mizanur Rehman confirmed that 90% complaints of human rights violations that they received were against different law enforcement agencies including Bangladesh’s elite, RaB (rapid action battalion). Will the trial court of Bangladesh put these and other cases of Bihari persecution from 1971 into trial as well? Or the court is just staged up to follow a one-sided agenda?

On the 50th Victory day Celebrations in Bangladesh, one thing which outshone everything else was the overwhelming presence of Indian dignitaries stamping their illegal intervention in 1971 and the events that preceded that. Over the years, in hasina’s regime Bangladesh has tilted a lot towards one particular neighbuor, which to their bad luck surrounds them from three sides. This inclination is partially because of her own political bias and partially because of the continuous bullying that it faces from India is leaving them with very little choice.

It is now up to the people of Bangladesh, especially the diaspora to see and question if Bangladesh is gradually being left with no other friends internationally? Is this the liberty that they longed for– a state where a certain lot is unquestionable and political dissent is becoming costlier with each passing day.

The incumbent authoritarianism is becoming a threat to Bangladesh’s multiplicity, which used to be its identity and pride worldwide. The people of Bangladesh will have to do an internal reflection and take a leap, before the prevalent suppression eats up their society internally.

The writer is a Research Officer on the Balochistan Think Tank Network, Quetta

The burden of IMF should not be placed on the people

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

in 1971’ which was condemned by different International human Rights Organizations including amnesty International, United nations and human Rights Watch Bergman in his blog writes; “It is a common trope in Bangladesh for the government to allege that those they consider its critics to be “Jamaat supporters”, “against the liberation war”, and are “haters of Awami League” – all of which have been levelled against me.” Bergman is a son-in-law of prominent political figure of Bangladesh, dr. Kamal hossain, who is renowned as the father of Bangladesh’s Constitution. If someone with such prominent linkages can be subjected to such draconian measures, imagine the magnitude of plight that a normal dissenter goes through in showing any kind of political dissent.

In 2019, famous Indian author and Booker Prize Winner arundhati Roy was barred from entering Bangladesh for the second time, where she was supposed to speak in Chobi Mela with participation from 21 countries from across the world. after the initial nod, organizers of Chobi Mela were informed that Roy cannot participate in the event due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’. arundhati Roy, quite evidently has been vocal for atrocities and human rights violations across the world but what irked Bangladesh was rather insane - her 2011 video in which she claimed that Pakistan army was never used against its own people. her statement was criticized in Bangladesh and ever since she has faced hostile treatment from the government of Bangladesh. arundhati Roy later clarified her stance but that did not end her censorship in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, one political party, the Jamaat e Islami, faces complete ban with all its factions including the student wing, on bizarre charges of its charter being not in line with Bangladesh’s constitution, just because it puts Islamic values first. While in complete contrast to that, Chhatra league, the student wing of the ruling awami league, acts as a vigilante mob persecuting anyone who disagrees with them and their leader sheikh hasina.

In 2019, Fahad abrar, a 21 years old student from Bangladesh University of engineering and Technology (BUeT), questioned sheikh hasina’s dealings with India in one of his Facebook posts. Fahad stated that Bangladesh’s recent dealings with India are compromising Bangladesh’s own national interests. his post went viral in no time for it was backed with concrete facts.

What followed next was brutal and insane. Members of Chhatra league were unleashed onto him, not

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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It is a fact that in every era of power there have been many claims of getting rid of the IMF, but instead of the shredding out of the IMF, the country has been pushed to the brink of economic ruin by imposing more debts. When the government’s fourth Finance Minister, shaukat Tarin, took over the reins of office, the nation was reassured that things would improve with regard to the IMF but so far what is happening and the policies and decisions, by the way, it seems that this Finance Minister is trying to play more or less the same role as the Finance Ministers who have been identified as representatives of the IMF before.

Unfortunately, Pakistani Finance Ministers have always proved to be euphoric to the IMF instead of the people. Federal Finance Minister shaukat Tarin, on the one hand, is implementing the agenda coming from the IMF and on the other hand, he is trying to increase the anxiety of the nation through his statements. The Federal Finance Minister says that this time the IMF is looking at the country very strictly, and it is being forced to do a lot of things that it does not want to. The IMF is asking for a 17 percent sales tax and said Rs 700 billion new revenue, but we have brought it to Rs 343 billion. We are trying to impose taxes at different rates so that as the tax collection increases, we will reduce tax rates. The government is making every effort to impose a minimum burden on the people, but the pressure of the IMF is forcing a burden on the people. however, the IMF, after the striking efforts of Pakistani authorities, had agreed with Pakistan on necessary measures required to revive the $6 billion extended Fund Facility (eFF) for the south asian country striving to counter economic challenges. after several months of dialogue with the IMF, Pakistan sought no considering relaxation in terms of the package, which demanded more reforms and amendments in law bills with a specific focus on the government approving the Finance (supplementary) Bill and the state Bank of Pakistan amendment Bill 2021.

The people have never said that they want the government to go to the IMF again and again. The

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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government has been forced to go to the IMF instead of the people, because of its poor policies.

The people have been bearing the brunt of the IMF for a long time so it has not been possible for the Finance Minister to entertain the people by merely stating the directions, because the people are well aware that at this time the IMF is completely dominant over the economy of Pakistan. From the borrowing of governments to the collection of bills from the people, is at the dictation of the IMF. This so-called mini-budget was also made entirely at the request of the IMF. The government has accepted the responsibility of passing it and presenting its report before the IMF Board in obtaining the loan itself. The government can try to save itself by playing tricks in the mini-budget, no matter that the IMF cannot be given any leeway, nor can the people be further fooled by various means.

Undoubtedly, it has been a common practice around the world that in developing countries, the Finance portfolio is entrusted to magicians who narrate figures that confuse the economy in such a way that the people seem to see the benefit in their loss as well, but now the situation in Pakistan has reached such a stage that even the eloquent words of the Finance Minister have disgusted the people. The burden of incompetence of the rulers on the people was not less that the additional burden of IMF that has to be borne.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has always insisted on increasing tax revenue and adopting austerity measures to pay off the country’s debt. The aim is to improve the living standards of the people as a result of economic stability, and reduction of poverty and unemployment in the country.

Imran Khan had also promised the nation to save the country from the IMF along with economic reforms after winning the elections. If due to some constraints it is not possible for the government to fulfill its promises, then the entire burden of the IMF should not be placed on the people, because the people have lost all ability to bear any kind of burden.

The writer can attiabutt121@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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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

Bid adieu to the year of sorrow

A litany of deceit and deception Slandering the state that feeds and nurtures

Candid Corner rAoof hAsAn “Deceit and falsehood, whatever conveniences they may for a time promise or produce, are, in the sum of life, obstacles to happiness. Those who profit by the cheat distrust the deceiver, and the act by which kindness was sought puts an end to confidence.” — Samuel Johnson

T

he chicanery practiced by multiple layers of the PMl(n) leadership ever since their drubbing in the last elections has begun to fall apart owing to fault lines which run through their devious strategy and machinations. The recent setbacks pertaining to the busting of the so-called foreignfunding case against the PTI, orchestrated rumours about the possibility of a deal with the establishment having been denied by the military and the tell-all audio leak regarding the tactics practised by the party leadership to keep the media hostage together with the abusive language used in reference to some of the journalists, amply demonstrate the fascist approach that the party leadership has employed through its years in and out of power. It remains an integral component of its governance game plan.

In the tradition of goebbels, they believe that one must not only lie, but do so repeatedly and aggressively till it actually begins looking like the truth. Their narrative so far over the last three years, and well over some decades since the inception of the faction called PM(n), has been a shameful litany of lies, deceit, deception, forgery and crookedness in whatever they have set out to do. learning the tricks early with stabbing his benefactors for political gains, nawaz sharif went on to exploit every tool that he could muster, most notably the use of money, to rise upward. It would not be untrue if one were to claim that he literally bought his way to the top: from being the finance minister of Punjab to becoming its chief minister to being the prime minister of the country three times, and dreaming to keep going to install a family oligarchy. strictly in the mould of the instruments and tactics that he guilefully employed to ensure his advance in the political arena, he also bred a bunch of people, both from his immediate family and among party members, who could further improve upon this to stamp permanence to their tenure in the annals of power. But, somewhere along the way, things went horribly wrong and the veneer of performance which had been so fallaciously crafted started falling apart and exposing vast reservoirs of pelf, incompetence, deceit and fraud.

But, they also possessed a rare commodity in ample stocks, unmatched by any competitor in the political domain. This is the ingredient of shamelessness which oozes out of every word

they speak, every step they take and every trick they employ. an appraisal of their defence regarding the cases emerging from the Panama leaks would provide a classic repertoire of the sinister strategy they have consistently espoused to advance their political stakes.

In the beginning, nawaz sharif did not pay much attention to the accusations contained in the Panama leaks because he was convinced that this would soon pass. But when it did not and the crescendo rose to deafening decibels, he first resorted to addressing the people using the state apparatus and resources, laying out a retinue of assets that he and his family had for purchasing the alleged properties. When that did not work, he used the floor of Parliament to make false claims and strangle the noise that had kept rising. When even that did not achieve the needful and the matter went to the court of law, he came up with the crudest blend of lies, fake letters, forged documents and just about everything he and his legal team could lay their hands on to convince the judges that he actually had the legitimate resources to invest in acquiring a string of the most expensive properties throughout the world. simultaneously, his heir apparent, Maryam safdar, went public with the ludicrous claim that she did not own any property at all, either in Pakistan or abroad.

The stockpile of ‘evidence’ they ended up submitting before the court did not have any value and was duly rubbished. nawaz sharif and Maryam were convicted and declared ineligible for holding any public office for life. They were also awarded time in jail.

That is when that other segment of their devious strategy started unfolding: nawaz sharif pretended that he was suffering from a life-threatening disease which had impacted his platelets count. It became an endless drama which played on from morning to afternoon through the night to the next morning– without any hint of a respite!

It was a phenomenal enactment in the art of make-believe: to convince people about a disease which did not exist in the first place. he was shifted to the hospital and his daughter was awarded a suspended sentence to look after her father. so, as a first step, both of them were out of the jail and ensconced in the comfort of the hospital through the courtesy of their cronies who had been planted in every state institution by indulging the culture of gross nepotism.

Then, they started work on routing their escape through the medical board. after getting the requisite prescription from there, they managed to assure the court that nawaz was only going abroad for his treatment and would return within the stipulated time span. a guarantee to the effect was furnished that he would come back within the time span of eight weeks. so, off he went to london.

It is now almost 20 months since then, yet he has not returned. In the meanwhile, he has been declared a proclaimed offender and orders passed that he should be brought back by the state through employing all possible means. Maryam safdar, who was released on suspended sentence to look after her father in the hospital, remains free shooting B-grade videos, churning out nasty tweets, packing piles of lies in her press conferences, and even leading protest marches. and the guarantor of his brother’s return, shahbaz sharif, is busy delivering lectures on morality and the need for ascendancy of the rule of law.

Money has been the core constituent of the brand of politics the sharifs have introduced and practised in the country. There was corruption in politics even before they entered the arena, but it was with their induction that money was introduced as a dominant factor and politics was reduced to a trade of buying and selling. human

beings became the commodities that the sharifs traded in. In their quest for the top, they were able to dismantle every resistance they encountered with the power of their illicit billions.

But tragedy stalks in its own ways. Whenever he got the coveted office, and that was more often than any of his political adversaries, he remained uncomfortable because the fear of the fraudulent tactics he had used to get there in the first place kept reminding him that someone else could do it even better. after all, in this morbid venture, he had left behind a trail of sickness which did not entail any shred of competence and integrity. It was all about a commodity that anyone could get hold of by using the same lurid tactics that the sharif clan had employed. so, he remained afraid of his political opponents whom he bribed profusely both with money and positions in the government; he remained afraid of the military chiefs with whom his petty and demeaning tricks did not work; he remained afraid of the judges whom he subjugated through the din of coins and the use of brute physical assault, and he remained afraid of the institutions which he packed with paid cronies completely denuded of character and integrity. so, in spite of the fact that apparently, everything had been taken care of and there was no challenge to deny the sharifs the opportunity of hoisting a family fiefdom in the garb of democracy, this fear syndrome kept lurking within their minds. They were hostage to this fear and, thus, prone to becoming more dictatorial, more fascistic. adversity has its own dynamics and its own manifestations. It does not always follow the pattern scribbled by the conspirator. It draws its own lines and traces its own paths which may be at variance with those desired by the authors.

That is what was to befall the sharifs in the end, driving them into a stupor they have still not been able to recover from. Crime always catches up with the perpetrator. They became the victims of their own deception which they had practised in gleeful abundance upon others. It all came back to haunt them.

The sharifs’ dilemma is that they are unwilling to believe that their days in power are well nigh over because of untangling of the web of deceit they had woven and the rabid tactics they had employed to assault the state, its institutions and strategic stakes. That reflected an absolute bankruptcy of intellect. In the present times, they remain sickeningly infatuated with getting the levers of power back in their control. having slipped miles away from that prospect, the sharifs can’t rest with this bitter truth and are still fighting it with all the wrong tools they can conceivably get hold of.

The problem is that evil minds would always resort to evil tactics to secure their objectives.

This is what the sharifs have been doing through their tenures in power, and since their oyster. In assaulting the state and its institutions with indescribable venom and hatred, they have as good as burnt their boats. The journey back to the top, if such a path can still be conceived, is strewn with insurmountable impediments which are mostly of their own making. They have virtually ousted themselves from contention.

The fear that I have is that this litany of deceit and deception which they have so artfully and so remorselessly practised should not become a norm in politics. as a society, we need to grow away from this scourge. This would be a monumental undertaking.

The writer is a political and security strategist, and heads the Regional Peace Institute – an Islamabad-based think tank. Email: raoofhasan@hotmail.com.

Twitter: @RaoofHasan

BId adieu to the year 2021, it was not favourable for the people of Pakistan. This past year has taken the lives of two legends. One was iron man dr abdul Qadir Khan who has empowered the first Islamic country of the world, Pakistan with a nuclear bomb. and another was a versatile film actor, best scriptwriter, and stage comedian Muhammad Umar sharif who won the audience with laughter. These two legends were the pride of the nation lost the life in this past year 2021.

This past year has witnessed an unfortunate tragedy in the form of a blast on independence day in Karachi taking the life of 12 individuals and injuring several during the ring grenade attack on a mini-truck in the outskirts of Karachi.

In the year 2021, the reported rape cases total in the country were 1040, of which in sindh reported 60, Punjab 936, Islamabad 13, Balochistan 11, KPK 20.

There were several high-profile cases where crimes of the most heinous nature were reported on social media, then later they got the attention of the authorities. The sexual assault by Mufti aziz Rehamn of the madrassah student, Usman Mirza’s sexual assault on the couple at his apartment, and noor Mukadooms murder case all received a lot of attention; unfortunately, we have not seen swift justice.

The most shameful incident happened near the end of the year.

Priyantha Kumar was assaulted by a mob of hundred people before being dragged into the streets and set on a fire at sialkot. he was a major of the sports manufactured factory.

This past year saw record inflation in the country. The people are not only hand to mouth but have cried over the cost of life living. The salaried man and the small businessman complained over the incremental surge of inflation in the country. life becomes very miserable to live. due to extreme poverty, the crime ratio has increased. helpless indigent people go to practice heinous crimes to sustain their life. This past of 2021 was sorrowful, it has happened to cause some tragic events in the country.

But, at the same, it has brought some favourable events as well.

Vaccines for the coronavirus were rolled out over the world. Pakistan has managed a relatively successfully vaccination campaign, and some sectors of society, previously shut down by the pandemic, have opened up like the educational sector. students had suffered a lot in 2020 due to education being made online. In 2021, campuses of educational institutes were finally opened again.

It is hoped that 2022 will be bright for Pakistan and the world. We dream that it shall cause the eradication of poverty, corruption, and unemployment. The law and security shall be at the best of people. There shall be no violation of rights and abuse of human values. The fundamental rights of people shall be respected. The state shall ensure to function properly and play its role as a parent.

The new year 2022 will meet the expectations of the poor and needy people humbly. The suppression of any sort that we have endured in the following year shall culminate.

MUJEEB ALI SAMO LArkAnA

Sunk cost fallacy The sunk cost fallacy is the inclination to follow an endeavour if one has already invested time, effort, or wealth into it, whether the current costs offset the benefits. It means making irrational decisions because we favour influences other than the current alternatives.

This theory is not limited to ordinary decision-making but involves institutional and bureaucratic issues as well. For example, Pakistani society has constantly carried out decisions based on past imaginations, which means that we go against evidence that shows it is no longer the best decision. For instance, people in both urban and rural areas have consistently voted for representatives that have had a poor track record.

Currently, our economy is also dealing with the same scenario. a dozen new ministers have been tested on inconsistent economic decisions that have strained the economy.

The old, practised laws and modes of commerce need to be regulated and renewed by gauging their pros and cons. Implementing past precedents may somewhat vary from the present because the world is progressively changing, and new regulations will require time. The sitting government successfully broke the bar on the rotten laws and planned new trade strategies, something that signals a positive boost. There may be several reasons for predilection to this sunk cost fallacy. still, the primary observing factor is loss aversion. loss aversion is an intellectual prejudice that specifies why, for the individual, the grief of losing is twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining. although challenging to overcome such cognitive fallacies, it is difficult to eradicate the gargantuan of irrational choices. still, we can focus on current and future costs and benefits instead of past commitments. We should focus on concrete actions instead of feeling guilt that accompanies dropping an earlier commitment, as studies have shown that when we are deterred from making decisions based on our emotions, the effects of the sunk cost fallacy are reduced. nAzIM khAn kArAchI

Misplaced policies The galloping inflation is the outcome of the poor and mismanaged economic policies, which have pushed the country to the verge of destruction and economic disaster. The insurmountable pressure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is making matters worse as the policies are devised by IMF’s directions.

The worsening economic conditions of the country have made it nearly impossible for lower and middle-class families to eat two square meals a day. essential items have gone out of reach for the common people and a surge in electricity and fuel prices has further added to their predicaments. Many people have found it increasingly difficult to travel via public transport and are forced to pick and choose on what to spend on. given the high unemployment rate and rising inflation, there is a high chance that people will be drawn towards illegal or criminal activities to make ends meet, which will put yet another strain on the country’s resources and wellbeing. The government needs to devise and chalk out the people-friendly economic policies that might ease the sufferings of the low-income groups so that they can heave a sigh of relief from this back-breaking inflation.

MUdASSIr AhMEd SOOMrO hydErABAd

08 WORLD VIEW 9th January 22_Layout 1 1/8/2022 9:47 PM Page 1

Sunday, 9 Janauary, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

Will 2022 be A MAke-Or-breAk yeAr fOr indiA’s GrAnd Old PArty?

NatioNal CHitraBHanU KaDalaYil

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video that best captures the struggles of India’s primary opposition party, the Indian national Congress, emerged from its 137th foundation day celebrations last week. In the video, you’ll see Congress president Sonia Gandhi making an unsuccessful attempt at unfurling the party flag shortly before it falls off the flagpole, thereby providing an awkward moment for those in attendance.

India’s Grand Old Party, which led the freedom struggle against British colonial rule under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal nehru – and dominated national politics in the first six decades of independence – is floundering these days.

The party has just 53 seats in the 543-strong lower house of Parliament. It is in power on its own in just three of the 28 states and is part of coalition governments in just three others. Most importantly, it has been routed in successive general elections, in 2014 and 2019, with voters handing the narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party brute majorities both times.

If Congress doesn’t get its act together and win key state assembly elections in 2022, this year could well begin the acceleration of the political behemoth’s gradual descent into irrelevance. And another drubbing against the BJP’s formidable election machinery, in the 2024 general election, could ring the death knell for the party, with possibly dire consequences for the republic’s liberal, secular character.

Sure, similar predictions have been made over the past seven years. But we’ve arrived at a point where it isn’t just the BJP that poses an existential threat to the GOP. exasperated by Congress’s inability to reinvent itself, fellow opposition parties – including former allies – are striking out on their own, beginning by aggressively co-opting the party’s sizeable but increasingly disillusioned base.

Despite its diminished footprint, Congress still holds on to about 20 per cent of the national vote. While that’s not enough to win general elections these days, no other opposition party has such pan-India appeal. This gave

ELECTORAL SETBACKS IN 2022 COULD HASTEN THE CONGRESS PARTY’S DECLINE – AND THAT OF INDIAN SECULARISM AS WE KNOW IT Congress precious bargaining chips while stitching together electoral alliances in the past, whether it was over seat-sharing or who became the face of those alliances.

The party’s centrality was always a given. Which doesn’t seem the case any longer.

Many of Congress’s problems are of its own making.

Its organisation is in disarray, and it doesn’t even have a full-time president; Mrs Gandhi has been serving in an interim capacity for the past two years, as she waits for her son, Rahul Gandhi, to take over the reins after the 2019 election debacle prompted him to step down.

Amid widespread criticism, and in a bid to energise the cadre, Mrs Gandhi has promised to reform the party structure and hold long-suspended internal elections. Mr Gandhi, meanwhile, is expected to return as president, possibly this year, having been empowered to usher in new leaders and rid the party of the older, more established ones. With many of the independent-minded colleagues either sidelined or forced to leave, the Gandhi dynasty’s takeover of the firm seems complete.

But its vice-like grip leaves supporters in a real quandary. For although Mr Gandhi is the most popular leader among the party’s rank and file, the general electorate has yet to warm up to him. Whatever be the reason – his dynastic background, mediocre oratory skills, apparent aloofness, perceived lack of focus – he’s just not feeling the love like his father, grandmother and great-grandfather – all former prime ministers – used to in their heyday.

Leaders of several opposition parties, particularly those with more experience and heft than Mr Gandhi, privately raise doubts about his winnability. They point to the voters’ rejection of his leadership in 2014 and 2019 and want someone else to be given the mantle in 2024. It’s an idea Mr Gandhi has unsurprisingly refused to endorse.

This has resulted in some parties not only opting out of a Congress-led anti-BJP alliance in the future but resolving to foray into Congress strongholds and courting its voters. The All India Trinamool Congress, dominant

CONGRESS’S DECLINE IS A SYMPTOM OF THE ALREADY CHANGING CONCEPTION OF INDIA IN THE MINDS OF ITS CITIZENS – FROM A SECULAR DEMOCRACY TO THAT OF AN ETHNOCRACY

in eastern India, and the Aam Aadmi Party, a rising force in the country’s north and west, are notable examples.

Trinamool – which broke away from Congress in 1998 but remained an ally – wants its leader, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to be named a united opposition’s prime ministerial candidate in 2024. Her considerable political and administrative experience combined with Trinamool’s resounding Bengal assembly election win against the BJP last year, party colleagues say, makes her the ideal candidate to take on Mr Modi.

Having failed to convince the Gandhis, Ms Banerjee has effectively declared war against Congress by poaching many of its leaders across the country and contesting in next month’s elections in a series of Congress bastions, including the state of Goa. The AAP is playing the long game. Less focused on poaching, it is instead building from scratch its presence in states across northern and western India, where Congress still enjoys wide support, with efforts beginning to bear fruit in Punjab and Goa. Led by Arvind Kejriwal, a charismatic former bureaucrat and anti-corruption crusader, the AAP aims to replace a dwindling Congress as India’s premier opposition party in five years. Polls even give the AAP a shot at supplanting Congress as Punjab’s ruling party in 2022, eight years after achieving this feat in Delhi.

Over the past decade, India’s political landscape has seen a rightward tilt that mostly explains the rise of the BJP, a Hindu nationalist party, and the corresponding decline of Congress, an avowedly secular outfit. Opposition parties have taken cognisance of this. The AAP, and to a lesser extent Trinamool, is using Mr Modi’s template of combining the politics of nationalism and Hindutva (political Hinduism if you will) with welfarism of the kind championed by left-wing parties. It seems to be working for them. Regeneration is not a step too far for Congress. At least, not yet.

Congress’s challenge is that it’s been less effective in its own outreach to the Hindu electorate than the AAP has,

while conceding the nationalist vote to the BJP – despite its well-documented role in India’s freedom struggle. The good news for the GOP is that, in the face of the ruling party’s policy missteps regarding the economy and the pandemic, regeneration is not a step too far for it. At least, not yet.

For it to continue claiming primacy in the opposition space, however, it needs to start winning elections again.

Going through another drought in 2022 could stop that regenerative process in its tracks.

India’s political future really rides on this, not least because Congress’s possible replacement by the AAP and/or Trinamool as a counterweight to the BJP could forever unravel India’s secular ethos. For neither party, particularly the AAP, has shown the same ideological commitment to what’s been the bedrock of the republic since 1947.

The corollary, of course, is that Congress’s decline is a symptom of the already changing conception of India in the minds of its citizens – from a secular democracy to that of an ethnocracy, where the state apparatus is controlled by a dominant ethnic or religious group (in this case, by those who identify themselves as Hindu).

This may well be true; Mr Gandhi himself has often shared his concerns about a creeping majoritarianism in Indian society. But if he really cares to defeat it, he must ensure his party’s survival, which he can do only by winning elections again while maintaining opposition unity.

It will be vital for him to reach out to other parties, including the AAP and Trinamool, and to get everyone behind a cogent narrative and as widely acceptable a face as possible in time for the 2024 general election. He should do this even if it might mean suspending his own prime ministerial ambitions. else, all that talk about safeguarding secularism and India’s constitution will be just as perfunctory as Congress’s foundation day celebrations are these days.

Chitrabhanu Kadalayil is an assistant comment editor at The National.

More of the same for Asia’s economy in 2022 THE FOUR SIGNIFICANT MACRO RISKS WILL ALL PROVE RELATIVELY UNEVENTFUL OVER THE YEAR Nikkei William Bratton

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ne of the challenges when considering Asia’s near-term outlook is that the trends shaping its economic, financial and political future are multi-decade affairs. They roll remorselessly forward irrespective of the constraints of the Gregorian calendar, and it is often misleading to assume that the trends over the next 12 months will be materially different from those that typified the years recently passed.

As such, although 2022 may see periods of volatility and heightened uncertainty, it is unlikely to witness substantial changes to existing trajectories. The four significant macro risks: the COVID overhang, higher U.S. interest rates, slower-than-forecast China growth and increased tensions over Taiwan will all prove relatively uneventful over the year, albeit for different reasons.

With respect to the COVID pandemic, for example, it has to be assumed that this will ease through next year, despite the different normalization paths across the region and the current omicron wave.

Although new variants may slow efforts to normalize and even result in another lost year for specific countries, there now appears to be a consensus that the earlier uncompromising travel and movement restrictions have become unsustainable given their social and economic costs, especially in a largely vaccinated population.

China remains the exception to this with its zeroCOVID stance. This is likely to persist until after the 20th national Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and possibly well beyond. In fact, it is still unclear how China will extricate itself from this draconian policy.

And although this isolation will have little impact on its own growth momentum, the continued absence of outbound Chinese travelers and their sizable wallets will be punitive for many of its neighbors.

But while COVID will recede in prominence, U.S. interest rates will become a bigger issue as they inch up in 2022. The markets currently expect the Federal Reserve to hike its targeted federal funds rate at least twice over the year by a cumulative 50-75 basis points while the end of its current quantitative easing measures will shut off the easy flows of capital that have benefited much of Asia over the last decade.

In the past, such Fed moves would have resulted in a degree of trepidation. This was vividly seen in 2013 when the taper tantrum sent tremors across the region and caused severe angst for both investors and policymakers alike. But the backdrop today has materially changed, and Asian countries are likely to prove more resilient to the U.S.’s tightening cycle than many other emerging markets.

To an extent, this reflects the region’s stronger fundamentals, including improved external balances, higher foreign-exchange reserves, subdued inflationary pressures and stronger corporate balance sheets. There is also significantly better institutional understanding on the use of policy and regulation to control periods of financial stress, even if this lesson has often been learned the hard way.

There are admittedly exceptions to this benign view, for example, India’s relatively high inflationary pressures. But overall, the growing regionalization of the Asian economic system, as seen in the growth of local currency debt markets and declining dependence on dollar financing, now insulates Asian countries from trends on the other side of the Pacific.

In fact, it is China’s outlook, not the U.S.’s, which matters more. Current forecasts are for China’s economy to grow between 5.3-5.6% next year, which will be a marked deceleration from the 8.0% achieved in 2021 and

ASIA IS STEADILY MARCHING TOWARD VARIOUS UNAVOIDABLE REALIZATIONS, CONFRONTATIONS, TIPPING POINTS AND DIFFICULT CHOICES, WHICH WILL ONLY BECOME MORE LIKELY AS EACH SUCCESSIVE YEAR ROLLS will no doubt prompt much excitement about the country’s perceived loss of economic momentum.

The pandemic has, however, made year-on-year comparisons almost irrelevant. What is more salient is that China’s 2022 gross domestic product in current dollar terms is expected to be 29% larger than it was in 2019, an increase only bettered within the region by Taiwan. This relative outperformance will further increase China’s share of regional GDP, even though it already accounts for more than half of Asia’s economic activity, and will further entrench its core status.

Furthermore, China’s economy could surprise to the upside in 2022, given the desire for a positive backdrop into the CCP’s national Congress. That suggests a move away from the regulatory shocks and fiscal tightening experienced over the last 12 months in favor of more positive and supportive policies. As such, the recent cut to banks’ reserve requirement ratio may be a harbinger of a more benign policy environment, which would significantly diminish downside risks.

In contrast, the region’s geopolitical risks will continue to escalate throughout 2022 since it is inevitable that as China’s relative strength and influence continue to expand, clashes with the existing global hegemon keen to preserve its primacy will only increase.

In some situations, direct China-U.S. confrontations will be avoided by the development of parallel systems.

For example, China’s efforts to construct an alternative financial architecture around the digital yuan will be worth watching in 2022. Although such dual solutions may allow the two competing superpowers to coexist, they will force the rest of Asia to make very difficult choices between China’s economic riches and the U.S.’s security umbrella.

But the real regional flashpoint will, of course, be Taiwan. It can be safely assumed that this will, at some stage, become messy given China’s clearly stated intent.

The only real question is the matter of timing.

Importantly, tensions are unlikely to ignite during 2022. It is not just that China will want a peaceful backdrop to the CCP’s national Congress, nor that the country’s military is probably not completely ready, despite its dramatic technological advances. But more fundamentally, China’s integration into the global economy creates dependencies and vulnerabilities which, until mitigated, inherently constrain its scope for action.

There are two risks to this sanguine near-term view.

First, the U.S. takes steps which force a response from China, for example, a more formal recognition of Taiwan’s status; and second, if the West’s response to a potential attack on Ukraine by Russia is weak and halfhearted, thereby emboldening China’s perception of its relative strength. either of these developments would materially change the 2022 risk balance. But in their absence, the Taiwan conundrum will be more of a longerterm issue than one for next year.

As such, none of the more significant risks facing the region over the next 12 months will substantially change the existing dynamics. Asia will continue to become more regional in orientation, as reflected by trade and financial flows, while China’s status as the region’s core will become more entrenched. In fact, certain developments next year could actually accelerate these trajectories, for example, if China is admitted into the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Barring any rapid escalation over Taiwan, therefore, 2022 is set to look very similar to 2021 in terms of the region’s economic, financial and political trends. But as a result, Asia is still steadily marching toward various unavoidable realizations, confrontations, tipping points and difficult choices, which will only become more likely as each successive year rolls by.

William Bratton is author of “China’s Rise, Asia’s Decline.” He was previously head of equity research, Asia-Pacific, at HSBC.

Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

corporate corner THE HUNAR FOUNDATION & AMRELI STEELS HONOR CREATOR OF THE WORLD’S FIRST NEUROCHIP KARACHI: The creator of world’s first neuro-chip, Pakistani born Canadian Neuro Scientist, Prof. Dr. Naweed Imam Syed was honored at a special ceremony held at a local hotel in Karachi recently. The Hunar Foundation, Pakistan’s leading non-profit organization in the private sector with a strong focus on vocational and technical training and future technology, was the organizer while Pakistan’s leading steel manufacturer, Amreli Steels was the Sponsor of the event.

On this occasion, Mr. Mehboob Ali Shaikh a renowned humanitarian activist and global ambassador of THF expressed that THF was deeply committed to its vision of Creating A Skilled Pakistan and is spreading its essence all over Pakistan thus helping and empowering young men and women to adopt skills and lead a dignified life without economic stress. Also, the youth will be able to support their families and realize the importance of skills and education thus leading to a new generation of skilled and educated Pakistanis.

Furthermore, the Chairman of Amreli Steels and founding member of The Hunar Foundation in his welcome address expressed his happiness that seeing the youth in the ceremony was a moment of pride as they are the future of Pakistan. He said that the idea of Hunar Foundation was the brainchild of five likeminded friends including himself as it would help the youth to uplift their families from poverty. He added that while THF has already established eight campuses nationwide and three more were in the planning, he stressed that THF requires the support of the society and the masses, because we should realize that we pass through this world but once and hence we should give back to the people to remove poverty and uplift the poor.

Also, a young student of THF CVI Campus, Karachi, Maheen Ilyas related her experience as to how she came to know about The Hunar Foundation and it helped to transform her life and made her the confident and ambitious person that she is today.

The evening then was addressed by the legendary scientist Prof. Dr. Naweed Imam Syed who expressed his thanks and appreciated the efforts of THF in the noble cause of uplifting the poor through vocational training and added that the youth is our treasure and the future of this country. He encouraged the youth to come forward and take up the mantle to lead the country towards a bright future. Dr. Naweed then explained the infinite potential of the brain, talked about mindfulness and how the functions of the brain can be used to harness disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence and create a transformation for success. pr

STZA to provide an enabling environment for Freelancers

WB CONgRATULATES PAKISTAN ON COMPLETION OF NSER SURvEy ISLAMABAD app

W

ORlD Bank (WB) Country Director Najy Benhassine has congratulated Pakistan on the successful completion of South Asia’s first digital national socioeconomic registry (NSER) survey for Ehsaas, the flagship welfare programme of the government.

He was speaking at the launching ceremony of the NSER survey, chaired by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Senator Dr Sania Nishtar.

Speaking on the occasion, the WB country director said: “I congratulate the government of Pakistan and Ehsaas on achieving this historical milestone. The

World Bank feels proud to be the technical partner in this game changer survey. This is not just Pakistan’s but also South Asia’s first digitally enabled socioeconomic census. It will be really transformative that the registry will now facilitate data sharing for social protection programmes of federal government, provinces, government departments and development agencies.”

In her opening remarks, Dr Sania said: “As part of Ehsaas strategy, we have just concluded a new national socioeconomic registry of 34.41 million households. We did various validations of the data to precisely identify the real poor. Tehsil level Ehsaas Registration Desks have also been opened all over the country to keep the national socioeconomic registry dynamic. Further, the registry will be regularly updated every four years.”

She then added: “I congratulate Ehsaas team on

Pakistan loses textile exports worth $250m: APTMA

Pakistan has been deprived of textile exports worth $250 million in December 2021 after gas supply was suspended to the sector in Punjab for 15 days, The News reported Saturday.

Talking to the The News, Executive Director All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Shahid Sattar confirmed the loss of

millions of dollars and said that it could “never be recovered”. According to the newspaper, the APTMA had earlier agitated against interruptions in electricity supply in a letter to Adviser to PM on Commerce and Textiles Abdul Razak Dawood on January 7, which it said was causing a huge loss to the industry. news desk

Sania opens Ehsaas Nashonuma Center in Khanewal MULTAN pr

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) is a non-profit organization founded to empower Pakistani freelancers through mentoring, providing opportunities, collaborating with government, industry and academia, and providing them a platform as well as a support group to help grow their career and overcome their challenges. Pakistan has registered remarkable growth in recent years and become the fourth fastestgrowing freelancer market in the world. Pakistan's current freelance market consists of more than one million individuals working in various specialized fields.

STZA envisions collaborating with PAFLA to provide an enabling environment to the freelancer industry in Pakistan where the self-employed workforce is treated as equal partners and contributors to the economy. Mr. Amer Hashmi, the Chairman of STZA called for undertaking joint efforts to make Pakistan a leading enabler and top marketplace for freelancing by providing ease of doing business, capacity building, mentorship, and broad basing the technology jobs to all corners of Pakistan to achieve the sustainable economic growth.

STZA aims to jointly organize and arrange youth focus awareness sessions, workshops, and training programs with PAFLA for the youth, establish a brand presence among academia by appointing university students as brand ambassadors. Primary qualitative research will be conducted including interviews, surveys, and questionnaires, to assist STZA in creating a robust framework to identify the gaps and challenges of the freelancers' community of Pakistan. STZA envisages that this MoU will support prosperity and growth in the freelancers' community. It will also create global opportunities for Pakistani freelancers, create job opportunities for youth, and help to remove any hurdles for the Pakistani freelancers' community. pr

09

On the second day of visit to South Punjab, Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM spent a very busy day in Multan and Khanewal. At the District Headquarter Hospital Khanewal, she opened the Ehsaas Nashonuma Center.

Four Ehsaas Nashonuma Centers are functional in Jahanian, Khanewal, Kabirwala and Mian Channu Tehsils of Khanewal. Currently, Ehsaas Nashonuma Centers are operational in two districts of South Punjab: Khanewal and Rajanpur. “In line with PM’s vision to address stunting in children, Ehsaas Nashonuma Centers will be opened in all tehsils of the country this year”, said Dr. Sania.

Under Ehsaas Nashonuma, nutrition centered cash transfers are granted to the pregnant and lactating mothers and those with children under 2 years of age. Disbursements are linked to the consumption of nutritious food, immunization, checkups, and participation in health awareness training.

Earlier, Dr. Sania met with children and mothers at Government Girls Primary School, Kot Ala Singh in Khanewal to witness the digital process of children being registered for Ehsaas School Stipends. She also spoke to beneficiary children and their mothers. At Kot Ala Singh school, 60 out of 160 total

children are currently being enrolled for Ehsaas School Stipends. “Under the programme, girls’ stipends are high as compared to boys.

This is the first of its kind girl favoring programme worldwide to inspire poorest families to send their children especially girls to schools”, commented Dr. Sania.

Dr. Sania was also joined by senior officials of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for Ehsaas Rashan Registration drive with Kiryana retailers in Khanewal. She visited a local market to guide retailers about the process of registration via website: ehsaasrashan.gov.pk. She also briefed them about the Ehsaas Rashan App for Kiryana stores. “NBP enabled Kiryana retailers will get 8% tax free commission on each subsidy sale”, stated Dr. Sania.

In morning, Dr. Sania held a policy consultation with Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship awardees from Bahaud-

din Zakariya University Multan. Ehsaas Scholarship awardees widely lauded that the programme had financially empowered them to gain access to university education.

Appreciating the transparent execution of Ehsaas scholarships, Vice Chancellor Prof.

Dr. Mansoor Akber Kundi termed it a life changing programme for poor students.

While in Multan, Dr. Sania made an unannounced visit to Ehsaas Registration Desks in Gulgasht area of Multan as well. She met with women who had come for self-enrollment under Ehsaas Kafaalat. “With the most recent completion of Ehsaas survey, we have established over 490 Ehsaas Registration Desks at Tehsil level”, she said.

Dr. Sania also chaired a meeting on Pakistan’s first precision safety net “Ehsaas Tahafuz” with Vice Chancellor Nishtar Medical University at Nishtar Hospital Multan.

successful completion of survey. This is great achievement as despite COVID-19, this survey has been completed after a lag of ten years.”

Ehsaas has successfully accomplished a countrywide national socioeconomic registry survey, which includes households’ information in terms of geographic data, demographics, socioeconomic status, education, health, disability, employment, energy consumption, assets, communications, agri-landholdings, WASH, livestock etcetera.

Ehsaas conducted a door-to-door computer aided survey all across the country to gather data about the socioeconomic status of households. With the conclusion, this will be the most reliable data set for the use of public sector institutions, think tanks and development agencies for designing social protection and poverty alleviation programmes.

ITP puts all possible efforts to maintain flow of traffic during rain

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic Police(ITP) has made all possible efforts to maintain flow of traffic during rain at busy roads of the city including under-passes and under construction roads. SSP Traffic Mazhar Iqbal said that in the wake of under construction roads, underpasses and recent rains in Islamabad, ITP maintained the flow of traffic with utmost diligence and commitment. SSP Traffic said that state-of-the-art equipment and facilities should be provided to the Traffic Police, which would further improve its performance. All the traffic staff did their duty more than their working hours during the rain so that the citizens do not face any difficulty and to avoid congestion on roads. pr

Chairman FBR Holds Weekly E-Kachehri

ISLAMABAD: As a sequel to E-Kachehries held regularly to comply with the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)/Secretary Revenue Division, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed held yet another Weekly E-Kachehri at FBR (HQs) on Friday to listen to the complaints and concerns of taxpayers.

This is the fifth week of holding E-Kachehri by the Chairman FBR after he decided to hold it on every Friday to expedite redressal of grievances of taxpayers. He listened to the complaints of the taxpayers and issued on-spot directions for immediate resolution of complaints. He also advised the taxpayers to visit their nearest RTO and Collectorate of Customs for redressal of any problem confronted by them.

The Chairman FBR appreciated the suggestions put forth by the taxpayers and assured them that their valued input would be duly considered for formulation of tax policies and initiatives for taxpayers’ facilitation. He reaffirmed that FBR was making all out efforts to facilitate the taxpayers. The Chairman FBR has already issued specific directions to all Field Formations for according top priority to the grievances and concerns of female taxpayers and those belonging to remote and marginalized areas of Pakistan. Needless to add that the weekly E-Kachehri being held by Chairman FBR on regular basis will not only contribute significantly to the timely redressal of the grievances of taxpayers but it will also keep a strong check on the performance of the Field Formations.

Chairman FBR has already instructed all field formations to resolve the outstanding issues of taxpayers and made it clear that any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated. pr

Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

PUTIn, LUKaShenKo hoLd Phone conveRSaTIonS wITh ToKayev

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AgencIeS

USSIAN President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have respectively held phone conversations with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Kazakhstan’s current situation.

Putin held a lengthy phone call with Tokayev in which the leaders exchanged their views on the measures being taken to quell unrest in Kazakhstan, the Kremlin

said on Saturday.

Tokayev told Putin that the situation in Kazakhstan was stabilizing and thanked him for the deployment of a Russian-led military bloc to Kazakhstan to curb the worst violence the Central Asian country has witnessed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Kremlin added that Putin supported Tokayev’s idea of holding a video conference in the coming days with allies from the Collective Security Treaty Organ-

Taliban issue posters ordering women to cover up

ization (CSTO), which groups six former Soviet republics, to discuss measures to restore order in Kazakhstan.

During the phone call between Lukashenko and Tokayev on Saturday, the two leaders discussed the situation in Kazakhstan and further possible actions, said the press service of the Belarusian leader.

Lukashenko also talked to Putin on the same day regarding future talking formats of the CSTO.

Global media watchdog asks India to release Kashmiri journalist

kABUL Agencies

The Taliban’s religious police have put up posters around the capital Kabul ordering Afghan women to cover up, an official said on Friday, the latest in a string of creeping restrictions. The poster, which includes an image of the face-covering burqa, was slapped on cafes and shops this week by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Since returning to power in August, the Taliban have increasingly curtailed freedoms — particularly those of women and girls. “According to Sharia law, Muslim women must wear the hijab,” the poster reads, referring to the practice of covering up. A spokesman for the ministry, responsible for enforcing the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, confirmed on Friday that it was behind the orders. “If someone does not follow it, it does not mean she will be punished or beaten, it’s just encouragement for Muslim women to follow Sharia law,” Sadeq Akif Muhajir said.

In Kabul, women already cover their hair with headscarves, though some wear modest western clothing. Outside of the capital the burqa, which became mandatory for women under the Taliban’s first regime in the 1990s, has remained common. “What they’re trying to do is to spread fear among the people,” a university student and women’s rights advocate, who did not want to be identified, said. “The first time I saw the posters I was really petrified, I thought maybe (the Taliban) will start beating me. They want me to wear a burqa and look like nothing, I would never do that.”

The Taliban, desperate for international recognition to allow funding flows to reopen to the war-wracked country, have so far refrained from issuing national policies. Instead, they have published guidance for men and women that has varied from province to province.

Mother Teresa charity in India gets back access to foreign funds kOLkATA AFP

The Indian government renewed permission for late Catholic nun Mother Teresa’s charity to receive foreign funds, weeks after rejecting it, the organisation said Saturday. On Christmas Day the Narendra Modi government moved to cut off foreign funding to the Missionaries of Charity and refused to renew its licence under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Charities and non-profit firms need to register under FCRA to receive money from abroad.

“The FCRA application has now been renewed,” Sunita Kumar, a close aide to Mother Teresa, told AFP. The Missionaries of Charity, which runs shelter homes across India, was founded in 1950 by the late Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who devoted most of her life to helping the poor in the eastern city of Kolkata. She won the Nobel Peace Prize and was later declared a saint. India’s home ministry issued a statement in December saying it was rejecting the renewal application because the charity did not meet “eligibility conditions” and that “adverse inputs were noticed”. Last week, Oxfam India said the Indian government had blocked its access to international funds, a move which it said would have severe consequences for its humanitarian work. The Modi government has been accused of cutting off access to funding of charities and rights groups in the country.

Amnesty International announced in 2020 that it was halting operations in India after the government froze its bank accounts.

The ASSOcIATeD PreSS The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists asked authorities to immediately release a journalist in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), days after police arrested him for uploading a video clip of a protest against Indian rule. The media watchdog on Saturday said it was “deeply disturbed” by the arrest of Sajad Gul, an independent journalist and media student.

It wrote on Twitter it was asking Indian authorities to “drop their investigation

related to his journalistic work”. Indian soldiers picked up Gul from his home in northeastern Shahgund village on Wednesday night and later handed him over to the police, his family said. He had posted a video of family members and relatives protesting the killing of a freedom fighter on Monday. Initially, police said he would be released but on Friday, his family was told that a formal case was opened against Gul on charges of criminal conspiracy and working against national integration. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Journalists have increasingly voiced concerns about harassment and threats by the police that have effectively restricted reporting after India revoked IoK’s semi-autonomy and divided the region into two federally governed territories in 2019.

Many journalists have been arrested, beaten, harassed and sometimes investigated under anti-terrorism laws. The Kashmir Press Club, an elected body of journalists in the region, has repeatedly urged the Indian government to allow them to report freely, saying security agencies were using physical attacks, threats and summons to muzzle the press. India’s decision to strip the region of its special powers in August 2019 brought journalism to a near halt in IoK for months.

India began implementing a policy in 2020 that gives the government more power to censure independent reporting. Fearing reprisals from government agencies, most of the local press has wilted under pressure. Journalists have also come under scrutiny through anonymous online threats the government says are linked to rebels fighting against Indian rule.

Since 1989, a full-blown armed freedom movement has raged in IoK seeking a united Kashmir — either under Pakistani rule or independent of both countries. The region is one of the most heavily militarised in the world. Tens of thousands of civilians, freedom fighters and government forces have been killed in the conflict.

Ethiopia announces amnesty for prominent opposition figures ADDIS ABABA

WeB DeSk

AFP

The Ethiopian government announced Friday it was pardoning a number of high-profile political prisoners, including members of the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), in a bid to promote “national dialogue”.

The surprise move comes amid a lull in the brutal 14-month conflict in northern Ethiopia after a dramatic shift in battlefield fortunes at the end of last year saw government forces retake a string of key towns and the TPLF retreat to its stronghold in Tigray.

“The key to lasting unity is dialogue. Ethiopia will make any sacrifices to this end,” the government communications service said in a statement announcing the amnesty. “Its purpose is to pave the way for a lasting solution to Ethiopia’s problems in a peaceful, non-violent way… especially with the aim of making the all-inclusive national dialogue a success.”

It listed several prominent members of the TPLF as well as opposition leaders from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, and the Amhara.

It was not immediately clear how many of those granted amnesty had yet been freed.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed — a Nobel peace laureate who reportedly went to the battlefront in November to lead his troops — had also called for “national reconciliation” and “unity” in a statement issued as Ethiopia celebrated Orthodox Christmas.

The war in the north has claimed the lives of thousands of people and left hundreds of thousands more facing famine conditions in Tigray, which is under what the United Nations says is a de facto blockade.

The pardons coincided with a mission to Ethiopia

by US envoy Jeffrey Feltman, who is pushing for talks to end a conflict that has threatened to tear apart Africa’s second most populous state and destabilise the Horn of Africa region.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Twitter he welcomed the amnesty announcement.

“I will remain actively engaged in assisting Ethiopia to bring an end to the fighting and to restore peace and stability,” he added.

Ethnic tEnsions: Among the prominent TPLF

Russia teaches US ‘history lesson’ after Kazakhstan snide

figures to be granted amnesty are Sibhat Nega — a founder of the party — as well Kidusan Nega, Abay Woldu, Abadi Zemu (also a former ambassador to Sudan) and Mulu Gebregziabher.

One of those already freed is Amhara politician Eskinder Nega, one of several leading government opponents rounded up after deadly protests erupted in 2020 over the killing of popular Oroma singer and activist Hachalu Hundessa.

Balderas for Genuine Democracy, which Eskinder founded, posted a picture on Facebook of him and a colleague posing with fist-pumps outside the maximum-security Kality prison in the capital Addis Ababa where they had been held.

Jawar Mohammed, an Oromo media mogul and one-time Abiy ally turned opposition politician who was also arrested after the 2020 bloodshed, was also given a pardon.

In all, 239 people were killed in the demonstrations and violence over just a few days in June and July 2020 that saw Abiy grapple to maintain control and keep a lid on the simmering ethnic tensions and resentments.

Hachalu’s songs channelled marginalisation among his Oromo ethnic group, and were the soundtrack to anti-government protests that swept Abiy, the country’s first Oromo leader, to office in 2018.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry hit back at the United States on Saturday after its Secretary of State Anthony Blinken ridiculed the deployment of Russian troops in Kazakhistan in the wake of massive anti-government protests. According to BBC, Kazakhistan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made the request for assistance after protesters stormed the mayor’s office in Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, and overran the city’s airport. However, Blinken, while addressing reporters at a State Department briefing, warned that “one lesson of recent history is that once Russians are in your house, it’s sometimes very difficult to get them to leave”. “It would seem to me that the Kazakh authorities and government certainly have the capacity to deal appropriately with protests to do so in a way that respects the rights of protesters while maintaining law and order,” Blinken said. “So it’s not clear why they feel the need for any outside assistance. So we’re trying to learn more about it.” ‘sElf-inflictEd jab’: In a statement, Russia lambasted Blinken, saying he “tried to make a funny joke today about the tragic events in Kazakhstan”. “A boorish attempt, but then again not his first one so no surprise there. The head of State Department ridiculed a totally legitimate response of the CSTO to the call of the leadership of Kazakhstan in order to provide assistance in ensuring security (the UN Security Council has already been fully informed on the matter) with such a snide remark,” the statement added. In its “history lesson” to the US top envoy, the Russian foreign ministry said: “When Americans are in your house, it can be difficult to stay alive, not being robbed or raped.” “Mr Blinken’s jab turned into actually a self-inflicted one as the entire 300 years of American statehood (not just the recent history) teaches us the abovementioned lesson,” the statement added as it listed a number of military operations by the US military.

Sunday, 9 January, 2022 | KARACHI

SPORTS 11

NO RONaLDO aS SaLaH jOINS MeSSI, LeWaNDOWSkI fOR fIfa aWaRD ZURICH

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News Desk

RISTIANO Ronaldo was left off the three-man shortlist on Friday for FIFA’s best player award for 2021, with Mohamed Salah on it instead.

Six-time FIFA award winner Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are also candidates to win the award on Jan 17.

Lewandowski won last year ahead of Ronaldo and Messi.

No player from Italy’s European Championship-winning team or Chelsea’s Champions League title squad was on the shortlist.

Ronaldo, a five-time winner, failed to make the cut for only the second time since he was first nominated at the 2007 FIFA awards. He missed out at the 2010 awards when Messi won ahead of Andrs Iniesta and Xavi.

Juventus, with Ronaldo on the team, lost

their long-time hold on the Serie A title, placing fourth, and defending champions Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2020.

Salah was rewarded for another standout year with Liverpool by joining the shortlist for the second time. He placed third in 2018 behind winner Luka Modric and Ronaldo.

In a year when Messi moved from Barcelona to Paris St Germain, he peaked by helping Argentina win the Copa Amrica for his first senior title with the national team.

He won his seventh career Ballon d’Or trophy last month.

Lewandowski broke two Bundesliga records by scoring 41 goals for Bayern Munich in the 2020-21 season and 43 in the calendar year of 2021. Both marks were held since 1972 by another Bayern great, Gerd Mueller.

Voting was done by national team coaches and captains, specialist media and fans making their choices on FIFA’s website.

They selected from a longer list of players

proposed by FIFA-appointed panels.

Barcelona team-mates Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso, and Chelsea player Sam Kerr were put on the women’s shortlist.

Putellas won the Women’s Ballon dOr last month, with Hermoso second and Kerr third.

The winner will succeed England’s Lucy Bronze, who took home the previous award.

The awards ceremony will be held virtually from FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich on January 17.

Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Edouard Mendy are in the running for best men’s goalkeeper honours, while Roberto Mancini, Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola are the three nominees for best men’s coach.

Lluis Cortes, who led Barcelona’s women to a treble last season, is up against Chelsea coach Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman, the former Netherlands boss now in charge of England, for top women’s coach.

David Warner shares how ‘hurt’ he is on being dropped as SunRisers Hyderabad captain Web Desk

PSL 2022: Who is Peshawar Zalmi’s new rapper?

NeWs Desk Pakistan Super League (PSL) is just around the corner and teams are getting ready for the seventh edition of the country’s biggest cricket tournament. The official anthem for the T20 tournament has not been released and neither do we know who will be singing it, but Peshawar Zalmi’s Shoaib Malik has shared a photo, in which it seems that he will be singing for his franchise.

“The Zalmi rapper,” Malik wrote, sharing a photo on Instagram, where he can be seen wearing accessories on his hands and fancy sunglasses like rappers. Zalmi’s anthem “Kingdom” for PSL 6 was sung by Abdullah Siddiqui and it also featured Turkish actress Esra Bilgic, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Rehman. Meanwhile, PSL had released “Groove Mera”, which featured Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig, and Young Stunners. The Pakistan Cricket Board had said that the song refered to the “swing and feel of the movements of cricketers”.

Pakistan women’s cricket team coach David Hemp tests positive for COVID-19

NeWs Desk Pakistan women’s cricket team coach David Hemp on Friday has tested positive for COVID-19. While coming to Pakistan from England to join the women’s cricket team camp, his sample was taken for a rapid antigen test that came out positive. The coach has been isolated, delaying his arrival to Karachi. However, he will join the camp next week, per the report. Pakistan women’s cricket team camp for International Cricket Council (ICC) world cup is scheduled to take place in Karachi on January 8.

Australian opener David Warner has lost his position as captain of SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) because of his poor form with the bat in the last IPL season. He was not retained by SRH among the other IPL retentions, leaving him to be a part of the mega auction ahead of next season.

The swashbuckling Warner, who helped Australia win the T20 World Cup title in 2021 after regaining form in the tournament, expressed how “hurt” he was at his unceremonious exit from SRH. On the show “Backstage with Boria”, Warner said: “If you are going to drop a captain and then not pick him in the team after what he has done, what message does that send to the young kids in the team? What message does that send to the rest of the group?”

He further said: “What hurt me the most is that the other guys are now thinking, ‘oh, this could happen to me’. Whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, whatever happens, cop it cop it on the chin. If you want to have those conversations, just have them. It’s not hard. Don’t shy away from them. I am not going to bite. I am going to sit here and accept that for what it is because you are not picking me in the team.” He feels that the move would have hurt SRH’s younger fans.

Warner elaborated: “I am passionate about where I play. I will connect in any

way I can with the fans because I know how important fans are. Those kids in the playground wanting to be Sachin (Tendulkar), Virat (Kohli), myself, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith – you name those players, they want to be us. Now we have to connect with them. If they see something like that, it hurts them. That’s what hurt me the most.”

Sania Mirza-Nadiia Kichenok lose women’s semi-finals at Adelaide International ADeLAIDe News Desk

Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok on Friday faced a defeat in the women’s doubles semi-finals at the Adelaide International.

The Sania-Nadiia duo was beaten by locals Ashleigh Barty and Storm Sanders 1-6, 6-2, 8-10 in a fiery match that lasted one hour and five minutes.

The Indian-Ukraninan duo was knocked out of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournaments after failing to bag the win at the Adelaide International 1 WTA event.

Meanwhile, the Indian duo Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan exceeded the semis with a straight-set win and will be playing against Tomislav Brkić and Santiago Gonzalez to reach the finals.

Injured Osaka pulls out of australian Open warm-up MeLbOURNe AFP

Reigning Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka pulled out of a warm-up tournament for the opening Grand Slam of the year Saturday with an abdominal injury, casting a shadow over her preparations. At the Melbourne Summer Set event this week, the Japanese superstar hit the court for the first time since her tearful early exit at the US Open, after which she took a long break to deal with personal issues. She was due to play a semi-final against Russian Veronika Kudermetova in an evening clash at the Rod Laver Arena, but opted out. “I had a lot of fun playing here in Melbourne,” she said in a statement released by the Australian Open on Twitter. “Unfortunately I have an abdominal injury which I need to rest and prepare for the #AusOpen.” “Thank you to the tournament and the fans,” she added. The fourtime Grand Slam champion beat France’s 61st-ranked veteran Alize Cornet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in her first match back on Tuesday. She then demolished Belgium’s Maryna Zanevska 6-1, 6-1 before blasting past Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 7-5 to make the semi-finals. After winning the Australian Open last year, Osaka withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon over mental health issues, before her early US Open defeat. During her absence after Flushing Meadows, she tried to live a normal life away from the pressures of the tennis tour, spending time with family and friends.

“Then I just slowly started to regain the feeling of love that I had towards the game — and it’s not like it ever completely went away,” she said after her first match back.

“But I felt like it got overshadowed by a lot of emotions that I was feeling, just by constantly playing year after year… sometimes it’s good to remember why you’re playing.”

Sunday, 9 January, 2022

prayer tiMings

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FAJR SUNRISE

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ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:55

12:35

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Be PatIent PakIstan, MIllIons of joBs coMIng In cPec 2nd Phase KARACHI

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Mian abrar

ONsUL General (CG) of Peoples Republic of China Mr Li Bijian has said that the Chinese companies have provided over 100,000 direct jobs to Pakistani workers in the first phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Pakistanis would benefit with millions of more jobs in the second phase of the CPEC – the pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“Other than contributing to power generation, bringing investments, generating employment and reviving Pakistani economy, the Chinese investors have also brought about a change in the social and economic transformation of Pakistan. Today, hope has defeated despair and Pakistani economy is being rated among a few thriving economies of the world,” said the Chinese diplomat in an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today. sitting in a cozy office and wearing traditional Chinese attire, the Chinese CG looked perturbed over the lack of appreciation of the contributions made by the Chinese workers and investors by a section Pakistani media.

The CG said that the Chinese companies have been contributing to the revival of Pakistani economy by purchasing large quantity of the local materials, enabling increasing the country’s exports and employing millions indirectly.

He said the Chinese companies have been contributing to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

“Chinese companies have built infrastructure projects including highways, power plants, ports, airports and telecommunication facilities etc. Chinese companies also constructed roads, schools, hospitals, clinics, water treatment facilities in Pakistan. The

local people have benefitted enormously from these projects,” he said.

Li Bijian said most of the projects of the first phase of CPEC have been completed including the upgradation of Karakorum Highway, Gwadar Port, Optic Fibre cable, dams and power plants which signify China’s contributions for Pakistan’s economic and social development.

The Chinese diplomat, however, lamented that despite all these contributions, there are elements who still blame China for every wrong they come across.

“We need to change the narratives regarding CPEC and China, Pakistan cooperation. We need to tell the people how Chinese companies are helping Pakistan.

Chinese companies always adhere to the practice of doing more and speaking less as silence is a robust way to contribute to friendly countries. Outside media, however, plays its tricks and misleads people,” he said.

He said it’s an irony that the outside media says that Chinese companies did no good to Pakistan and some certain people buy the false claims.

“The same western countries refused to come and invest in Pakistan when Pakistan needed the foreign investments. Finally, it were the Chinese who came to Pakistan back in year 2013 when Pakistan was facing worst power shortages was at its peak,” he asserted.

Li said Pakistanis must acknowledge whatever we have done for Pakistan. “Pakistani people must have a sense of appreciation for the Chinese companies. Pakistani people should not be misled by the false outside media propaganda so easily,” he added.

He said that some western media always tries to tarnish the good work done by China in Pakistan.

“Pakistanis must have a sense of justice.

Pakistanis must know that things have changed a lot and the whole country of Pakistan has

benefited a lot since the CPEC started”.

“When the Chinese companies came here, Pakistan was facing worst times due to load shedding and Pakistani industry was shifting to other countries and investors were moving to Bangladesh, UAE and even India.

Now after almost eight years, Pakistan has transformed in power generation and you have surplus electricity today. With exports and incomes growing, Pakistani economy is rising again – thanks to the CPEC,” he said.

Mr Li Bijian deplored the fact that some sections of the Pakistani media, perhaps under the influence of the outside propaganda, also have been making negative reports on CPEC. “But we don’t care much and would keep working for the welfare of the people of Pakistan. The Chinese engineers and staff stations here have been sacrificing their lives and making great efforts for Pakistan. Most of them have been away from their families for the past two years in this age of pandemic. They couldn’t go and meet their families in China and contributed to help implement CPEC projects on time,” he said.

“The sacrifices, dedications and contributions by China need to be acknowledged by Pakistani people,” he said and added that the Chinese investors and workers are badly hurt when they see some Pakistani media speaking the language of the unfriendly forces.

The senior diplomat warned that if this situation continues to remain like this, the Chinese investors may be scared away.

“Eventually, Pakistani people would suffer if the Chinese investments also go. This insensitive attitude towards Chinese companies may prove detrimental to the interests of Pakistan and its people. CPEC authority should do something on this,” he added.

Asked if the Pakistan government was of any help in changing the narratives, the Chinese diplomat said that words need to be supplemented by actions.

Balochistan special destination for chinese investments: Chinese Consul General mentioned some projects recently launched to help support the people of Balochistan including blood transfusion center in Quetta and the study center for supporting women of Balochistan.

“Balochistan is sparsely populated province of Pakistan with around 43 percent of the total area of Pakistan. The province has also a special historical background. We are trying to reach-out to maximum people and offering poverty alleviation projects. some of the projects are in Gwadar. Gwadar Institute of Vocational Training has been completed and handed over to the Pakistan government. The trainees would be recruited in February this year,” he said.

“Gwadar Port is in operations for several years but its capacity has not been fully utilized. The authorities are putting in efforts to get more business and transit cargos last year started destined for Afghanistan and some central Asian states,” he said.

“LNG terminal has been also installed and operational. We hope that the people of Balochistan would benefit a lot with the completion of other key projects like Gwadar New International Airport, East Bay Express Way and the Gwadar Friendship Hospital”.

He said the local people of Gwadar should be patient and wait for the completion of these projects.

“There should not be expectations that things would change in Gwadar overnight.

Gwadar transformation would require some time. They should have rational attitude towards the projects as transformation requires adequate timeframe”.

He said that the southern pilot area of

PM Imran Khan likely to visit China, attend Beijing Olympics despite Covid scare ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to attend the Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing scheduled to commence on February 4 despite Covid-19 scare.

While some of the western countries have observed boycott of the Beijing Olympics, the prime minister’s presence at the Beijing would be a clear signal that Pakistan stands by China through thick or thin.

The United states, Britain, Australia, and Canada have announced a diplomatic boycott of the event, while North Korea was the latest country to pull out, citing the pandemic.

Though athletes from around the world will travel to compete in the four-yearly event, no dignitaries from these western countries are expected to watch the games.

According to the sources, the Chinese government and the China sports Authority are keenly looking forward to the prime minister’s presence at the opening or the closing ceremony, or during the event.

Pakistan sports Board (PsB) has already received an invitation.

“We have received an invite and have forwarded it to the foreign ministry through the official channel. We are in contact with the Chinese author-

ities,” the official at the PsB said. special Assistant to the Prime Minister on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Khalid Mansoor, a couple of days back, had revealed the prime minister’s plan to visit Beijing early next month.

It is likely that during his visit, the PM would also meet the Chinese leadership.

Gwadar Free Zone have so far attracted a few score of companies and operating well.

He said that the Northern area of the Free Zone has been opened for investment.

“A fertilizer project has been recently started the initial work and making progress.

It has been highly convinced that more investors shall come and start their business.

All these efforts would add to the fortunes of the people of Balochistan”.

Mentioning mineral development projects in Balochistan, Chinese Consul General Li Bijian said that the local people have benefitted hugely from China’s mineral development projects in saindak and Duddar.

Li said that the Chinese companies working on these two projects have been working hard on social uplift of the locals under their Corporate social Responsibility (CsR) mandate. He said that the locals have been provided with almost all basic necessities including water, electricity, schools, clinics and roads. They are benefiting hugely through these projects, he added.

He said that the people of Hub were also benefiting from Hub Power Plant in Lasbela area of Balochistan. He said that the electricity produced by the Chinese power plant has been connected to the national grid through transmission line and continuously providing energy to the smooth operation of the gigantic economic powerhouse of Pakistan.

He said that China has also been contributing to the social development of Balochistan in education and health sectors.

He said that China International Development Cooperation Agency has been giving specific focus for the social and economic development of Balochistan, and some “small but beautiful” projects including schools, clinics, water, power and training etc. shall be implemented in due course.

He said China, in collaboration with the Pakistani side has decided to provide solar panels to the local people in Gwadar to help them meet their needs of electricity.

Li Bijian said that the people to people exchange Program has been badly hit by the pandemic. He said China plans to restart the project once the pandemic comes to an end. so far, he said, around scores of delegations of officials, tribal leaders, students and youth have been invited to China from Balochistan. He said this process would continue.

‘Power-hungry’ Modi planned Pulwama attack: Indian politician Indian Congress Leader Udit Raj has claimed that “power-hungry” Narendra Modi had planned the Pulwama terror attack that took place in February 2019, just weeks before the Indian parliamentary elections that saw the latter consolidating his grip on the country. In a tweet, the Congress leader termed the security breach during recent Modi’s visit to Indian Punjab a “drama”, saying it proved that Modi was behind the ghastly terror attack in which 40 personnel lost their lives. “Why the soldiers were allowed to travel in a convoy and were not airlifted,” Times Now quoted Raj as saying. Earlier, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi including other Indian politicians had also raised doubts over the terror attack. Lawmaker from India’s Wayanad district asked who benefitted the most from the attack and why no accountability was fixed over the security lapses that led to the attack.

Last year, Pakistan urged the international community to hold India accountable for vitiating the regional security environment after it emerged that New Delhi had staged the Pulwama attack to ensure election win for Narendra Modi.

A damning transcript of WhatsApp messages between Arnab Goswami, chief editor of Republic TV, and Pratho Dasgupta – the incarcerated head of ratings company Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) – had exposed New Delhi’s smear campaign against Islamabad.

The conversation is part of a 3,400-page supplementary charge-sheet filed by Mumbai Police investigating the alleged tampering case.

The Foreign Office, in a statement, said the conversation has vindicated Pakistan’s stance on India’s hegemonic designs.

India was quick to blame Pakistan for the attack and rejected repeated offers of cooperation by Prime Minister Imran Khan. news desk

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