Epaper – May 13-2022 ISB

Friday, 13 May, 2022 I 11 Shawwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 313 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

ISPR dePloReS ‘ImPRudent’ RemaRkS by PolItIcIanS about Gen FaIz

RAWALPINDI

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Staff RepoRt

Nter-services public relations (ispr) took exception to the “imprudent comments” made by the country’s senior politicians about peshawar corps commander lt gen Faiz Hameed, terming them “very inappropriate”. in a statement, the military’s media affairs wing said the peshawar corps was an “illustrious formation” of the army and was spearheading the national war against terrorism for over two decades. “one of the most competent and professional officers is entrusted with the responsibility to lead this prestigious formation. imprudent comments made by important senior politicians recently about [the] peshawar corps commander are very inappropriate,” the ispr said. it added that such statements undermined the honour and the morale of the institution and its leadership. “it is expected that the senior political leadership of [the] country refrains from passing objectionable remarks against the institution, whose brave officers and men are constantly putting their lives on the line to guard the integrity and sovereignty of pakistan,” the statement concluded.

speaking to the media shortly after the press release was issued, ispr director general (dg) Major general Babar iftikhar reiterated that “many statements” were made in the last few days by the country’s politicians and termed them “highly inappropriate”.

Maj gen iftikhar said that the institution was showing “tolerance and restraint and requesting that the army is not dragged into politics”.

He said the army was fulfilling important responsibilities for ensuring security on the country’s western, eastern, and northern borders, while also taking measures for internal security. “We, as an institution, have nothing to do with the political situation of the country,” he said. the army’s spokesperson also said that the appointment of the next army chief should not be made “controversial” by turning it a topic of debate. He said the procedure for the appointment of the army chief had been outlined in the constitution, adding that it would take place in accordance with the law. the dg ispr said that there was no chance of anyone being able to cause rifts within the army. “it must be clarified that there is no problem with fair criticism”, the military spokesperson said, lamenting that social media was being used to create

propaganda instead of mere criticism.

He clarified that the decision for early elections had to be taken by politicians and not the army and underlined that politicians were capable of making better decisions. “Whenever the army is called in a political matter, the matter becomes controversial.” the dg ispr said the army never invites politicians for meetings but whenever a request is made from the other side, the army chief has to oblige, it added.

While the ispr statement did not name any particular politician, it comes after ppp co-chair asif ali Zardari and pMl-N’s Maryam Nawaz made comments about lt gen Hameed, who served as the inter-services intelligence chief from June 16, 2019 to oct 19, 2021. on Wednesday, Zardari had been asked about lt gen Hameed at a presser in Karachi and had replied with: “the helpless Faiz Hameed has been sidelined.” However, he had later issued a clarification that he had “unintentionally” uttered the sentence.

Meanwhile, Maryam stated outside the islamabad High court earlier today that that the army chief should be a person who had a “flawless reputation”, free from any criticism or doubts. the pMl-N vice president made the remarks while answering a question about defence Minister Khawaja asif’s comments, wherein he had said that lt gen Hameed’s name could be considered for the new army chief. in her media talk, she said that the army was a respectable institution for the country and its people. “the nation looks at the army for the unity and security of pakistan. so it is important that the army chief is a person who is worthy and stainless so that people salute the pakistan army.” addressing a rally last week in Fateh Jang, Maryam had also criticised lt gen Hameed while referring to imran Khan’s recent podcast appearance where he had said the intelligence chief was the “eyes and ears” of the government. the pMl-N leader had said: “We know that he wasn’t your eyes and ears [rather] he was your hands through which you throttled your political opponents.”

Ready to die but won’t accept ‘govt of slaves, thieves’: Imran Khan ATTOCK Staff RepoRt

Former prime minister and pti chairman imran Khan has said that he is ready to go to jail or could even sacrifice his life for “true freedom” of the country but will not accept the incumbent government led by “slaves of us and thieves”. “i will not accept this government of slaves and thieves till i am alive… i will not bow down before anyone nor will let my people be a slave to anyone,” he said while addressing a rally in punjab’s okara district on thursday. the anti-government public gathering was part of his party’s ongoing campaign to pile pressure on the pMl-N-led government to call early elections. the deposed premier has time and again claimed that a “foreign plot” was hatched to topple his gov-

ernment over his refusal to have pakistan’s foreign policy be influenced by others. since his ouster, he has held public rallies in major cities of the country and announced that he would give a call for a long march

to islamabad after May 20. the pti has finalised its plan and strategies to lead out its anti-government long march and to draw a deluge of protestors from across the country to islamabad and block the routes leading to and

FIA backtracks on its ‘withdrawal’ of money-laundering cases against PM Shehbaz, son g

‘Not iNterested’ iN prosecutiNg pM, soN iN MoNey lauNderiNg case: Fia tells court LAHORE Mian abRaR

controversy over the alleged request of Federal investigation agency (Fia) with a special court in lahore for withdrawal of money-laundering cases against prime Minister shehbaz sharif and his son Hamza shehbaz took a new turn on thursday as a spokesman of the agency said the case had not been withdrawn. the controversial request for withdrawal comes after sudden removal of the investigating officer of the case, dr Mohammad rizwan, director Fia who passed away of cardiac arrest on Monday. soon after his demise, the Fia went ahead with withdrawal request. per the documents available online, the Fia informed a special court in lahore days before the latter was scheduled to frame charges against the prime minister and the punjab chief minister that it wanted not to pursue the cases. according to a written application, dated april 11, 2022, submitted in court, the Fia director general (dg), via the investigating officer, told special prosecutor sikander Zulqarnain saleem not to appear in court as the “accused in the case are going to be elected the prime minister of pakistan and chief minister of punjab”. “the concerned quarters are not interested to prosecute the accused persons,” it stated, requesting that these instructions be made part of the case record.

However, the judge later rejected the agency’s request and announced his court will indict shehbaz sharif and

from the capital, sources privy to the plans said. “as soon as the call for the long march is announced, various cities will be jammed,” the sources shared and added the points of convergence have also been determined for the demonstrators to bring the city to halt.

His first anti-government roadshow on april 13 in the centre of his party’s political power, peshawar, saw a big turnout where imran announced his plan to continue protesting against the newly-installed government until fresh elections were held.

He termed the newly-formed set up an “imported government” and lashed out at prime Minister shehbaz sharif, saying the “decisive moment” had come for the people to decide if they wanted “slavery or liberty”.

Meanwhile, senior pti leader Fawad chaudhry said in a video statement that imran Khan will make an important announcement in today’s power show. “Millions of people are ready to come to islamabad for the real freedom march,” he added.

his son Hamza shehbaz on May 14. after the agency submitted its request on Wednesday, the court took the application on record and annexed it with the case. However, when the Fia’s request went viral on social media, the Fia issued a clarification, claiming the news as ‘fake news’. “a fake news is circulating in media regarding withdrawal of the case against political leaders of a party in lahore. the Fia had registered the case. the case has not been withdrawn. proceedings are continuing in the court. Next date of hearing is 1405-2022,” reads the clarification. the Fia spokesman said that in fact, on 11-04-2022, the prosecutor of the case submitted his opinion based application in the court regarding the change of the prosecutor wherein he was instructed not to appear on behalf of prosecution.

“He mentioned the investigation officer, and through him the then dg Fia. He was allegedly asked for not appearing as prosecutor. it was not a withdrawal application anyway,” the clarification said. it added that on 1104-2022, Mr sanaullah abbasi was the dg Fia. at the time of submission of application, new pM had not yet taken oath,” the spokesman said. the spokesman said that tahir rai was posted as dg Fia on 22-04-2022. “this matter pertains to the timing before his arrival in Fia. change of prosecutor is a routine matter. in the time of previous government too, prosecutor was changed several times in this very case.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

MORE INSIDE

Gen Bajwa attends War Game session at Kharian STORY ON BACK PAGE

pakistan lNg awards tender to petrochina for two June lNg spot cargoes STORY ON PAGE 02

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Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

NA PAsses resoLutioN deNouNCiNG BJP’s demoGrAPhiC eNGiNeeriNG iN ioK

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NeWS DeSK

HE National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution to denounce the latest Indian attempt at demographic engineering in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK) through the ‘delimitation commission’ constituted in March 2020.

The resolution moved by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged India to immediately halt and reverse unilateral and all illegal actions it had taken in IOK and fulfill its obligations under the relevant UNSC resolutions.

The NA recalled the resolution unanimously passed by the Parliament of Pakistan on August 6, 2019, which rejected India’s “illegal, unilateral, reckless, and coercive actions aimed at altering the internationally recognised disputed status of IOK.” The assembly expressed gave concern over the series

of illegal measures taken by the Indian occupation forces to change the demographics of the territory, in violation of international law, “particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),” the draft read.

The House rejected categorically the report of the commission, which “seeks to convert the Muslim majority region into a minority, and further marginalise, disenfranchise and disempower the Kashmiri population of IOK.” The NA declared that no facade of ‘elections’ based on a sham ‘delimitation’ exercise could substitute the legitimacy and indispensability of a free and impartial plebiscite.

The NA furthered that the Kashmiri people must be enabled to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.

Legislators demanded that India honours and fulfills its obligations under international law, and must refrain from illegally changing the demographics of the region.

The assembly urged the Indian government to end its “oppression and widespread violations of human rights,” and called upon the international community to “ensure accountability of India’s grave and persistent violations of human rights and war crimes.”

Pakistan reiterated its “unflinching commitment and solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters” and reaffirmed that the state will “continue to extend all possible support in their just struggle for freedom and self-determination.” The NA requests the government to continue to “expose and counter Indian moves before the international community and highlight the forceful project that Kashmir cause at all bilateral and multilateral fora, including the UN and the OIC [Organisation of Islamic Cooperation].”

Bilawal had earlier asked the UNSC to take immediate cognizance of the grave implications of the controversial illegal delimitation of IOK, describing it as India’s sinister ploy to reduce the representation of

Muslims. Bilawal, in the letter, had apprised them, in particular, of India’s sinister ploy of reducing the representation of Muslims through the unlawful ‘delimitation’ exercise.

He had underscored that these illegal measures constituted a flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and were ipso facto illegal and null and void.

He had also highlighted India’s gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations in the IOK and drew particular attention to the ongoing Indian efforts to further marginalise, disempower and divide the beleaguered Kashmiri population.

Pakistan, Turkey need to ‘fortify bilateral relations’: security dialogue ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL anadolu agency

Pakistan LNG awards tender to PetroChina for two June LNG spot cargoes KARACHI ReuteRS

Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) on Wednesday awarded a tender to PetroChina for the delivery of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) spot cargoes in June, an industry source said. PetroChina offered the lowest bids of $23.96 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) for June 1-2 delivery and $22.49/mmBtu for June 28-29 delivery in reply to a tender advertised late last month, documents uploaded on PLL’s website showed. PLL, a public sector entity running under the government, has picked up seven spot cargoes in three weeks as the country continues to seek fuel to meet rising local power demands as summer approaches. PetroChina’s June 1-2 bid beat out TotalEnergies’ offer of $24.77/mmBtu, while its June 28-29 bid beat out Vitol Bahrain’s offer of $22.94/mmBtu, documents showed.

Plastic exports surge 29.88pc to $303,225 in nine months ISLAMABAD newS deSk

Plastic materials’ exports during the first nine months of the current fiscal year grew by 29.88 percent as compared to the exports of the commodity during the corresponding period of last financial year. According to the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), plastic materials, worth $303,225, were exported during July-March 2021-22 as compared to exports of $233,458 during the same period of the last fiscal year. Other chemicals’ exports also increased by 46.23 percent as the exports during the current fiscal year recorded worth $598,938 as compared to the exports during the same period of last year which recorded $403,428. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical products’ exports decreased by 3.25 percent, worth $200,529 in the current fiscal year, as compared to the exports of valuing $207,269 of the same period of last year. However, furniture exports from the country during the first nine months of the current financial year registered an astronomical increase of 111.59 percent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of the last year. The volume of furniture exports touched the figure of Rs7,141 million as compared to Rs3,375 million in the same period during last corresponding year.

Pakistan and Turkey need to fortify their bilateral relations while expanding the scope of their engagements to research and exchanges of experiences, from battling terrorism to know-how in defense and high tech, scholars from the two countries agreed on Wednesday.

“Turkey and Pakistan need to build sustained, resilient cooperation mechanisms to face growing international challenges,” said Mustafa Caner, addressing the second day of the first Turkey-Pakistan Security Dialogue held in Istanbul. “Bilateral relations should be fortified and the two countries should engage regional countries including Iran,” he said, adding the re-launch of the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad train was a move in the right direction.

Caner is a research fellow at Sakarya University’s Middle East Institute. He was part of a galaxy of scholars, academicians, former soldiers and practitioners from Turkey and Pakistan who are holding wide-range deliberations on challenges facing the two countries and possible mechanisms to jointly solve them.

Welcoming delegates from Pakistan at the office of the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social

Research (SETA) in the Turkish metropolis, Professor Muhittin Ataman said a sustainable process of the exchange of views between the two sides should be maintained. A day earlier, the delegates, led by Professor Rabia Akhtar from the Center for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore, deliberated on varied aspects of regional security issues at Istanbul Aydin University. The delegates are visiting several Turkish universities and think tanks for the joint security dialogue.

‘ReconsideR noRms of inteRnational politics’: Professor Murat Yesiltas from Ankara Sosyal Bilimler University said that international politics was undergoing a “period of transition” in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The UN cannot bring solutions, (nor) does it have any comprehensive framework. It has a framework to bring peace but it does not work,” he said, noting that the world was witnessing the return of “great power politics” viz-a-viz US’ moves against the “rise” of China.

Citing the Russian attacks in Ukraine as a “textbook example of how great power politics is working,” the Turkish academic said Turkey and Pakistan will have to consider “different threat metrics, and terrorism is one of the important issues besides militarization, armament and the emergence of non-state actors.”

Arguing that the world is moving towards multipolarity, Yesiltas said the two countries will have to also “reconsider norms of international politics” amid an “erosion of Western strategic dominance on international politics.”

Foreseeing what he called the “rise of the East,” Yesiltas said Turkey and Pakistan “are two strategically important states with important roles, which have great opportunities and potential to deliver their objectives.”

Academic Ataman discussed how Turkey was left by its allies with no choice but to heavily invest in its own defense industry. “Our NATO allies dismantled air defense systems from Turkey, transferred them to eastern EU countries, and that is why Turkey invested in defense for self-help,” he said. He argued that every state “has to depend on its resources.” “And Pakistan enjoyed this to an extent,” he said, referring to the only Muslim country being a nuclear power.

However, he insisted that the two countries will have to “take a position which will require a maximation of its national interests.” Ataman said Turkey “cannot remain indifferent to regional tensions around us.” “We began to intervene in these crises because it directly affects our national security,” he said, citing Syria as an example of how the PKK’s branch in the war-torn country threatened Turkey.

Imran threatened to impose martial law before confidence vote: Bilawal ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A night before the National Assembly voted on the noconfidence motion against Imran Khan, who was ousted as prime minister on April 10, one of his ministers had threatened Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to either accept snap elections or face martial law, the foreign minister claimed Thursday. “I’d like to share with this House that in the hours leading up to the no-confidence vote, I was sent a message […] a threat that either we [the Pakistan Democratic Movement alliance] accept early elections or the government would bring in the military to take control,” he said on the floor of the House.

This threat, he said, was conveyed to him by a minister through a colleague. The Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) chairman had initially tried to stop the vote, which was first scheduled to be heard in the National Assembly on April 3, by dissolving Parliament and calling for fresh elections, claiming the vote was part of a “foreign conspiracy” to topple him.

But this manoeuvre was frustrated by the Supreme Court, which declared Khan’s actions in violation of the Constitution and ordered for the vote to go ahead.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman declared alleged the threat was an attempt to foil the vote against Khan which, “despite the provocations of the PTI, was successful within the parameters of the law and the Constitution”.

Khan and his party were still adopting the same strategy where they were trying to create political instability and making irresponsible attacks so that one of two things could happen: early elections without the necessary reforms or that an undemocratic step is taken.

In April, the Guardian, citing sources, reported the message which was sent by a minister to an opposition leader read: “Martial law or elections — your choice.”

“If martial law is imposed on the country, the opposition parties would be responsible for this, as they have been involved in buying and selling votes,” Fawad Chaudhry, then information minister, told reporters.

In his speech, Bilawal called on the House to form a high-level parliamentary commission to investigate the

events leading up to April 3 when the vote was blocked, postApril 3, of the night of April 9 and 10, and the events that have taken place to date after the vote was successful.

The PPP chairman said the “attacks on the constitution and the house” should be taken seriously, and an investigation should be held to determine who was at fault.

“Even the Supreme Court termed the previous government’s acts of April 3 as unconstitutional. In the way that the former government tried to escape from the challenge of the noconfidence motion, it was unconstitutional and the people of Pakistan demand accountability,” he added. india asKed to RestoRe KasHmiR aUtonomY: Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution calling upon the international community to ensure accountability of India’s grave and persistent violations of human rights, and war crimes being committed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution was moved by Foreign Minister Zardari and urged India to immediately halt and reverse unilateral and all illegal actions it had taken in the occupied region and fulfill its obligations under the UNSC resolutions.

The House recalled the resolution of August 6, 2019, adopted unanimously by the Parliament and subsequent resolutions rejecting India’s illegal, unilateral, reckless and coercive actions aimed at altering the internationally recognised disputed status of occupied Kashmir.

The alarming situation in Kashmir is arising out of continued occupation in violation of international law and UN resolutions. The House expressed grave concern over the series of illegal measures that New Delhi had been taking to change the demographic composition of the occupied territories in stark violation of international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention.

It denounced the latest attempt at demographic engineering through a so-called “Delimitation Commission” constituted in March 2020 in the occupied territory aimed at artificially altering the electoral strength of the Muslim majority of the region.

Noting that the Commission’s recommendations had been rejected by a cross-section of political parties in Kashmir, the House reaffirmed Pakistan’s complete support and solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

22 men sentenced to five years in prison for attacking temple BAHAWALPUR Staff RepoRt

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Bahawalpur awarded five years imprisonment and a Rs 0.4 million penalty apiece to 22 people accused of attacking and damaging a Hindu temple in the town of Bhong in Rahim Yar Khan. The attack took place in August last year after a court granted bail to an eight-year-old Hindu boy who purportedly desecrated a seminary days before.

The mob damaged statues, burned down the temple’s main door and briefly blocked a nearby road. The boy was earlier arrested on charges of intentionally urinating on a carpet in the school’s library that housed religious books. The mob alleged he committed blasphemy. Imran Khan, then prime minister, immediately ordered the Punjab police chief to take action against any officers whose negligence may have contributed to the attack. He had also promised the government would restore the temple. Some 84 people were charged and trialled for the incident. Of them, 62 were acquitted after the prosecution said they were entitled to the benefit of that doubt. The prosecuting team further said the convicts will spend 11 additional months if they failed to pay the fine. All the suspects were brought to the court amid tight security, from the New Central Jail in Bahawalpur before the judge announced the verdict. The official said the court handed out the punishment to the accused after the prosecution presented the relevant evidence in the form of footage and witnesses testified against them. On the order of the Supreme Court, the government had earlier recovered more than Rs1 million in compensation from the suspects. The temple was later restored on the order of the Supreme Court. Muslims and Hindus have mostly lived peacefully in Pakistan, but there have been some attacks on Hindu temples in recent years.

Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

sLoGANeeriNG CAse: PoLiCe BArred from BooKiNG Pti LeAders uNder BLAsPhemy ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday stopped the police from registering cases under sections of the blasphemy law against the top leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

On May 1, Faisalabad police booked party’s chairman Imran Khan, senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry and Awami Muslim League (AML) president Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, among 150 people, on blasphemy charges over sloganeering against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation in Medina.

The first information report (FIR), lodged after midnight in Medina Town police station in Faisalabad, the home town of Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan, nominated some “100 to 150” for purportedly violating the sanctity of Masjid al-Nabawi, hurting the sentiments of Muslims around the globe, insulting Islamic and violating its code of conduct at one of the holiest places in the religion, and hurling abuses and chanting slogans of thieves and traitors. Following the filing of the complaint, Sanaullah vowed to arrest

Khan in the case.

Calling the former prime minister a fitna (mischief), Sanaullah, in a statement, said those who “planned” the sloganeering “will be taken to task”.

“Imran Khan will definitely be arrested,” he added. Today, Chief Justice Athar Minallah said it was the responsibility of the political leadership of a country to create harmony in society.

“Religious sentiments are important but the state has some responsibility. We have seen in the past that religion was employed to target political opponents

CdWP clears four projects worth rs136.74bn APP The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) Wednesday cleared four development projects worth Rs136.74 billion during its meeting held here under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan. The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary, PD&SI, Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, Secretary Ministry of Health, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum, Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA), Members Planning Commission and other key stakeholders. The forum took up the Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication project worth Rs13,1996.191 million, Replacement of Obsolete Equipment’s & Procurement of new Electro-Medical Equipment for National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Islamabad worth Rs524.690 million, Expansion and Up-gradation of Pakistan Petroleum Core house for its sustainable operations to facilitate Oil & Gas exploration research worth Rs819.102 million, Establishment of Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Mirpur worth Rs3,400 million. The forum also cleared the Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication project for 5-year in line with the current National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication 2021-23 and GPEI strategy 20222026 with focus on eliminating the Wild Polio Virus and CVDPV2 across the country and achieving post-polio certification. The primary goal of the project is to interrupt wild polio virus type 1 and circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2 transmission as a path to global polio eradication. The program plans to limit circulation to core reservoirs and shared transmission corridors and then interrupt all polio virus within the reservoirs by 2024. Secretary Health informed the forum that the project will be executed for five years to eradicate polio from the country. However, he added that recently two cases of polio were reported in North Waziristan which emerged from neighboring country Afghanistan. He said that due to porous border polio cases emerged from Afghanistan and that matter was discussed with the Afghan government. Pakistan asked the Afghan government to conduct a door-to-door polio campaign and secure the border in order to avoid further polio cases. Similarly, the forum also approved the Expansion and Up-gradation of Pakistan Petroleum Core house for its sustainable operations to facilitate Oil & Gas exploration research at the cost of Rs819.102 million. The Ministry of Petroleum is the executing agency and the project envisages expansion of Pakistan Petroleum Core house to increase its storage capacity, upgrade its laboratory facilities for analytical services and value addition of well samples archived in it to facilitate oil & gas exploration. The expansion of Petcore building with additional racking system with storage material (standard wood pulp cardboard boxes and vial trays) for well samples and up-gradation of existing lab facilities through procurement of stateof-the-art equipment will provide necessary services to the E&P sector.

[…] but it was the Constitution which united people,” CJ remarked.

Justice Minallah said that he read the police cases and they should not have been registered in the first place and in general the cases registered in Pakistan are not correct.

The judge said using religion for politics is tantamount to contempt of oneself and a violation of human rights.

He said that things will go wrong if society will not have tolerance and forgiveness. “What happened in Medina city was not the right thing to do but it

occurred there [and not in Pakistan].”

The judge said that there should be some rules of policies and that religion must not be used for politics.

Chaudhry appeared before the IHC and said that he was surprised at the lodging of such cases against members of his party.

He said: “We have full commitment.

We will not use religious cards against each other. The government should also not use the religious cards.”

Chaudhry added that he witnessed martial laws and other discriminations in the past but never a contempt of religion case was registered.

He said he was a friend of the incumbent Minister for Law and Justice but he was surprised by his statements.

He added: “This trend that has started will pose dangerous consequences.”

Last week, Chaudhry moved IHC against the lodging of the cases. The interior secretary, Sanaullah, the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as well as the police chiefs of Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan were made respondents in the petition.

The case hearing has been adjourned for two weeks and summoned by the attorney general in the next hearing.

Committee to recommend fair distribution of water among provinces AHMAD AHMADANI A committee comprising the representatives of the centre, Punjab, and Sindh province has been constituted to remove the serious concerns of provinces and give recommendations regarding the fair distribution of water among the federating units.

Following the suggestions of Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, a committee was formed on Thursday during a meeting of National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Water Resources.

This committee will gauge the water inflow and outflow positions of Guddu and Sukkur Barrages and their subsidiary canals on Friday while the committee is also tasked to give recommendations regarding fair distribution of water among the federating units.

Briefing the NA Standing Committee on water distribution formula, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) presented data on the water shortages and said that the country is currently facing an acute water shortage of 38 percent against the projected shortage of 22 percent while Sindh and Punjab are facing a severe shortage of water for the cultivation of Kharif crops.

According to IRSA, the inflows of the Indus from 1 to 30 April at Tarbela were 13 percent less, 1.831 MAF from the expected flows of 2.102 MAF, whereas the inflows of the Kabul had declined by 46 percent, Mangla by 44 percent, and the Chenab by 48 percent.

The actual inflows during this period were recorded

at 5.350 MAF as compared to the projected 8.590 MAF, showing a shortage of 38 percent, the IRSA informed the NA Standing Committee on Water Resources.

The IRSA also informed that countrywide rainfall in April 2022 was 74 percent below normal and was ranked as the second driest month since 1961. The rainfall in April remained below normal all over the country.

Punjab received 89 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 79 percent, Balochistan 79 percent, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 56 percent, and GB 51 percent. The IRSA also mentioned that the massive reduction in the inflows from the Kabul River was unexpected.

Responding to a point of order in the NA session raised by several members of National Assembly about shortage of water in Sindh and Punjab provinces, Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that the country is facing water shortage problem and tail areas of Sindh and Punjab are among the more sufferers. He said that the water shortage situation would improve by June 15. He assured that all the provinces will be given water as per their share while water shortage will also be shared with the provinces accordingly. He also requested the Punjab government to provide upto 300 cusecs of water to the Cholistan areas of south Punjab from its share.

It is pertinent to mention that there was a heated debate between the Members of IRSA from Punjab and Sindh regarding the water shortages in their provinces and also about the mechanism for water distribution and the water shortage in both provinces.

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AdB indicates additional support of $2.5bn in upcoming fiscal year APP The Asian Development Bank (ADB) here on Thursday indicated to provide additional support of $2.5 billion to Pakistan for the next fiscal year, out of which $1.5-2 billion could be available in the ongoing calendar year, finance ministry said.

According to statement issued by finance ministry, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Aisha Ghous Pasha held a meeting with Country Director ADB Yong Ye and his team here. Senior officers of Ministry of Finance participated in the meeting.

Welcoming the team from ADB, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue acknowledged that ADB has always assisted in pursuance of reform and development agenda in the country. She acknowledged the all-weather and trusted partnership of ADB with Pakistan especially in the areas of energy, education, and debt management. Further, she shared that currently Pakistan was facing various fiscal and monetary challenges but the present government was keenly working on various structural reform measures to bring back the economy on an inclusive and sustainable growth path. Ms Pasha thanked Yong Ye and his team for their dedication and assured them of full support and speedy implementation of the ongoing programs The Country Director ADB briefed the Minister of State on ADB’s portfolio and the country strategy.

It was shared that ADB has been devoted for providing the support for reform agenda of State Owned Entities (SOEs) governance and regulations, women inclusive finance sector development and PPP frameworks.

No change in policy on trade with india: Commerce ministry GHULAM ABBAS The Ministry of Commerce said that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy on trade with India, a statement issued by the commerce ministry said on Wednesday. According to the statement, the commerce ministry managed 57 trade missions in 46 countries, including the post of minister for trade and investment in New Delhi, India. The post of minister for trade and investment in New Delhi exists for more than two decades and has no connection with the operationalization of trade with India or otherwise in the current context. The current cycle for selection of trade and investment officers (TIOs), including in New Delhi, was initiated in December 2021 and the final recommendations of the interview board were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office on April 1, 2022, during the tenure of the previous government. The present government has given the final approval to the recommendations of the previous government for the selection of 15 TIOs. The appointment of a minister of trade and investment in New Delhi, therefore, may not be seen in the context of any relaxation of trade restrictions with India. According to Indian media reports, Pakistan “had taken a U-turn” and will be working on restoring ties with India.

Govt mulling to dissolve DISCO’s board of directors AHMAD AHMADANI The government has been mulling to dissolve the incumbent board of directors (BoDs) of all power distribution companies (DISCOs) and power division has verbally stopped the BoDs of DISCOs from taking ‘important decisions’, said sources on Wednesday.

According to sources, the government in an apparent bid to appoint blue eyed BoDs of DISCOs has been making efforts to dissolve the incumbent BoDs of DISCOs. They said that the power division has barred the BoDs of DISCOs from taking ‘important decisions’ regarding their respective power utility. They said the power division has also decided to review and analyse the performance of the boards.

The power division has conveyed its intentions to the board members and senior management of all DISCOs, said sources.

“The power division has verbally asked BoDs of DISCOs to avoid taking decisions pertaining to financial matters,” said sources.

They added that BoDs of DISCOs have been advised to approach the power division before taking important decisions.

Sources also said that the government is more interested to appoint favourite directors in the boards of DISCOs by dissolving the present BoDs of DISCOs. They said that new BoDs of DISCOs will be notified after getting a formal approval of the federal cabinet.

It is pertinent to mention that there are ten DISCOs under the administrative control of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division). These DISCOs are Public Sector Companies (PSC) as defined under Section 2 (1) (54) of the Companies Act, 2017 and Rule 2(1) (g) of the Public Sector Companies (Corporate Governance) Rules, 2013 (CGR).

Since the federal government owned these DISCOs, it had the power to nominate all directors of their BoDs (Section 165 of the Act).

In terms of rule 3(1) of the CGR, Directors of a PSC have to possess a requisite range of skills, competence, knowledge and experience so that BoD as a group includes core competencies and diversity considered relevant in the context of the functions of the PSC. Rule 3 (2) of the CGR lays down that the Board shall have at least 1/3 of its total members as

Independent Directors.

Section 166 of the Act provides that such independent directors shall be selected from a data bank containing names etc of the persons who are qualified and willing to act as independent directors,

maintained by an institution as may be notified by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance is such an institution and maintains a data bank of independent directors on its website.

Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

04 NEWS IHC to extend stay order in journalists’ harassment case News Desk The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday extended a stay order, restricting authorities from harassing journalists till July 26. Hearing a case against harassment of anchorperson Arshad Sharif, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) or any other authority should inform the journalist’s organisation or the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) about the case before they arrest them. At the outset of the hearing, the IHC CJ questioned where was ARY News’ bureau chief as the court had summoned him for airing content that was against the judiciary. At this, Sharif’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry told the IHC that he was currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. However, it is feared that he might be arrested upon arrival, the counsel said. The court asked the director of FIA whether a case was registered against the bureau chief.

The FIA official said at this time, no complaint was registered against the journalist. The IHC CJ told the lawyer that since no case has been registered against the bureau chief, the counsel should file a separate plea if it fears that the journalist might be arrested upon arrival. Moving on, Chaudhry told the IHC CJ that FIA has a counter-terrorism wing that harasses journalists and political workers and would also accuse them of being traitors. The IHC CJ wondered whether it would be better if the political leadership refrained from using the term “traitor” for their opponents.

Agency to lift Europe suspension of PIA operations kARACHI Staff RepoRt

A suspension of the authorisation for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate in Europe is expected to be lifted in June as a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) team is expected to visit to review safety concerns. The agency had placed the ban on the national airline, initially for a period of six months, in June 2020 in a move following the grounding of 262 pilots after they were suspected of cheating on mandatory licence tests. In January, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) gave the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) the allclear in terms of resolving significant safety concerns.

The EASA delegation will visit PCAA and PIA offices during their visit to carry out a safety audit of the two agencies prior to lifting the suspension. Earlier this week, the ICAO expressed satisfaction over safety measures taken by PCAA, leading to the removal of the agency from the list of the safety-significant concern (SSC).

Child dead in Chaman explosion QUeTTA MonitoRing RepoRt

A child died and a man sustained injuries following a bomb blast in Chaman city of Balochistan on Thursday. According to police, the blast occurred in the drain that flows along the mountain range near the Rehman Road neighbourhood. The injured has been shifted to the hospital for treatment. Police and other security agencies are investigating the incident.

PAkIstAn, IMF to rEsuME dIsCussIon For EFF rEvIvAl on 18tH

t

sTAff RepoRT

HE local authorities and a team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will meet on May 18 to resume discussions over policies for completing the seventh review of the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

If the IMF review is cleared, Pakistan will get more than $900 million of its $6 billion loan programme, which would in turn unlock additional external funding.

Discussions have been slowed since earlier this year due to unfunded subsidies introduced by the last government of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan to keep fuel and power prices steady for consumers, going against IMF recommendations. Last month, the new government of Shehbaz Sharif rejected a proposal to raise the prices of petroleum products “so as not to burden the consumers.”

“We can confirm that an International Monetary Fund team led by Nathan Porter will meet the Pakistani authorities on May 18 to go over the latest economic

developments and policy implementation,” an IMF spokesperson told a local daily.

She said it is “important for the authorities to pro-

ceed with the implementation of policies with the aim of achieving macroeconomic stability, and inclusive, sustainable growth, as discussed at the time of the Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. We look forward to continuing policy level discussions during the second half of May.” Earlier on April 24, IMF Pakistan Mission Chief Nathan Porter said it had been agreed after a meeting with Finance Minister Miftah Ismail “that prompt action is needed to reverse the unfunded subsidies which have slowed discussions for the 7th Review.”

The government has said that it is facing enormous economic challenges, with the fiscal deficit likely to exceed 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) at the end of the current financial year in June ahead of presenting the annual budget.

The government also needs to deal with doubledigit inflation, and slow growth of the economy, which the IMF said in its last report was likely to stay at 4 percent against Pakistan’s earlier projection of 4.8 percent.

Nuclear arsenals maintain credible deterrence in South Asia: experts IsLAMABAD anadolu agency

The nuclear capabilities of Pakistan and India have maintained a “strategic and military” balance not only between the two South Asian neighbours but also with New Delhi’s eastern rival China, say defense and security experts.

On the eve of the 24th anniversary of the nuclear tests conducted by the archrivals in May 1998, experts from both countries reckon that the presence of nuclear warheads has reduced the chances of full-scale wars between nuclear rivals.

But it has nevertheless raised fears about nuclear safety.

India conducted five nuclear tests from May 11-13, 1998 in the Pokhran range of Rajasthan state, which borders Sindh, triggering a new arms race in the already tense region.

Only two weeks later, Pakistan conducted six “successful” nuclear tests in the remote Chaghi district of Balochistan on May 28.

“Pakistan’s nuclear capability has not only established strategic stability between New Delhi and Islamabad, but it also acts as a bulwark against the aggression,” said Maria Sultan, an Islamabadbased security expert who often writes about nuclear issues.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sultan, who heads an Islamabad-based think tank, the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute, said that Pakistan’s nuclear ability has not only helped establish a deterrence between the two nuclear rivals but also helped mitigate the “threat of global war efforts from spreading in the region beyond the international parameters”.

Sameer Patil, a senior fellow at India’s Observer Research Foundation

(ORF) think tank, said that “nuclear technology, particularly in the case of India, has been one of the under-appreciated reasons for maintaining the military balance in the region.”

Patil said that New Delhi’s nuclear capability has reduced the chances of a large-scale war with neighbouring China.

“India’s ability to readily perform under both peace and wartime conditions is the direct result of India’s nuclear technology, which has evolved over the years to maintain a credible minimum deterrence in the region, comprising three nuclear powers — China, India, and Pakistan,” he said.

Sharing a similar view, Soumya Awasthi, a New Delhi-based defense analyst, said “India’s nuclear capabilities along with the existing leadership have amplified the deterrence between India and China and India and Pakistan.”

“The cue can be taken from India’s stance over the 2019 Pulwama attack (in Indian-administered Kashmir) and the (ongoing) standoff between India and China in Ladakh,” she said.

Nuclear safety coNcerNs: “Nuclear weapons are primarily weapons of non-use, and their use and strength lie if they can create a deterrence and able to stop the threat of large-scale war against a country,” said Sultan.

“There are no serious concerns about the safety of nuclear weapons. Both Pakistan and India have maintained required safety protocols in this regard,” he added.

Citing the “accidental” launch of an Indian cruise missile into Pakistan in March, which caused no casualties, Sultan nevertheless raised concerns about the safety of radioactive material, mainly at civilian nuclear facilities.

She called for the establishment of an

independent regulatory authority by the two nuclear countries to ensure the “safety and security of the nuclear materials, processes and facilities.”

Commenting on some recent uranium theft incidents in India, she said that “unfortunately, the case of uranium theft in India is not small but indicates a larger problem of the safety and security mechanisms in place in India to secure its nuclear arsenal.”

Awasthi said India “responsibly” acknowledged the accidental firing of the unarmed missile into Pakistan.

“However, it does raise concern over the technical malfunction, but good sense prevailed, and any sort of escalation was avoided,” added Awasthi, who is a co-author of the upcoming book Biographic Tale of the Indian Nuclear Program.

Describing the accidental firing of the missile as a one-off incident, she said the government has ensured proper investigations into it. slim chaNces of Nuclear war: Experts from both sides see “very slim” chances of a nuclear war between the two neighbours, who have long been locked in a string of land and sea disputes, notably the lingering Kashmir issues. Kashmir is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed both in full.

A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China. Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought four wars — in 1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999.

Three of them were over Kashmir.

“In my view, there exist very slim or minimal chances of (a) nuclear war between the two countries, “said Munawar Hussain Panhwer, an assistant professor at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad.

Enumerating the factors in favour of his argument, he cited no occurrence of

a major war between the two adversaries since they acquired the status of declared nuclear powers.

“It indicates that deterrence works between the two nations,” he maintained.

Since 1998, there were at least three occasions when the two nuclear-armed neighbours were on the brink of a fullfledged war — the 1999 Kargil skirmish, the 2002 terrorist attack on India’s parliament, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Secondly, both sides also possess a second-strike capability that assures mutual destruction.

“The stakes of the international community are high in the South Asian region. They in the past have managed crises between the two arch-rivals and would do the same in the future,” he further said.

Citing the economic hardships and grinding poverty the two neighbours have been grappling with, Panhwer added: “The lethality of the traditional weapons has become accurate, which makes the balance of terror more credible. So, both states would likely prefer a very limited war just like the Kargil crisis rather than a nuclear one.”

Supporting the argument, Patil said: “There is a slim chance of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan because both countries realize the destruction that would be caused by the nuclear exchange.”

“While Pakistan has engaged in nuclear sabre-rattling on many occasions, it has been primarily for coercive purposes rather than actual deployment of nuclear weapons,” he said.

Awasthi said: “Nuclear weapons are political weapons and not war-fighting weapons. They are merely used as a tool of deterrence.”

SHC gives directive to authorities to present Dua Zehra in court News Desk The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued a written order in the case of the alleged kidnapping and underage marriage of Dua Zehra and ordered the authorities to present the teen at the next hearing.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro issued the order, instructing Super Superintendent of Police (SSP) East and the station house officer (SHO) Alfalah to present Dua Zahra at the next hearing.

The court further issued notices to the prosecutor general Sindh and others.

In the petition, Dua’s father, Mehdi Ali Kazmi, had maintained that SSP East, SHO Al-Falah and the investigating officer should be ordered to recover Dua and the investigating officer should be instructed to recover the teen from husband Zaheer Ahmed.

It pleaded that Dua should be present in court and that she and her family should be protected. The petition further stated that the

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teen and Zaheer Ahmed’s marriage on April 17 should be declared illegal.

The petition states on the record that on April 16, at one o’clock, Mehdi Ali Kazmi’s wife informed him that their daughter Dua was missing and a case of her abduction was registered against unknown persons at AlFalah police station.

Dua’s father maintained that the investigating officer of the case had still not submitted the challan in the court of the judicial magistrate.

The petitioner further claimed that he found through social media that his daughter was married to Zaheer Ahmed.

It stated that at the time of marriage, Dua was 14 years old and according to NADRA records she was 13 years of age.

Earlier this week, the SHC issued notices to the Home Department, IG Sindh, SSP Sharqi, SHO Al-Falah Police Station and Dua Zehra’s husband Zaheer Ahmed on her father’s appeal regarding the teenager’s alleged

abduction and early marriage.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro heard the plea earlier today. In the petition, Dua Zehra’s father had stated that his daughter had been abducted.

“My daughter was forcibly married. She should be brought to court to find out the facts,” the petition read. He pleaded that the court should record Dua’s statement and that police officials should be directed to bring her to court.

Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

05

StudeNtS fACe trouBLeS AS SeCurity tiGHteNS At Ku After terroriSt AttACK KARACHI

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ageNcIeS

HE security inside the University of Karachi has been tightened since the terrorist attack on the Chinese nationals, due to which students are facing a myriad of issues on campus. To enhance security, the university has barred unauthorised persons and private vehicles from entering the campus because of

which students have no means to commute within the campus.

Owing to the size of the university, students said they have to walk several kilometres in scorching heat from the university gate to their respective departments.

Students are allowed to enter the university after showing their university identity cards at the gate. However, security guards are not allowing students to travel on their motorcycles even after showing their iden-

Nazim Jokhio Murder: AtC to decide jurisdiction on May 23 KARACHI

tity cards.

Recently, in an incident outside the Sheikh Zayed Gate of the university, security personnel started hitting a university student and detained him.

On the other hand, all the canteens have been closed for an indefinite period of time, due to which students are unable to buy clean drinking water.

According to the security adviser of the University of Karachi Dr Zubair, security

measures are taken upon the advice of the law enforcement agencies to protect the students and teachers. “The CCTV cameras are being repaired, while walk-through gates and metal detectors have been ordered,” he added.

About the reopening of the canteens, Dr Zubair said that the canteens were being run without tenders and there was no record of the employees. “Therefore, the canteens will be opened once the tenders are issued and

employee records are verified,” he said.

Regarding the accommodation of unrelated persons in the Staff Colony, the administration said that action is being taken against the unrelated residents inside the colony.

Moreover, teachers have rented out their allotted plots illegally. The administration said that arrangements to save the students from trouble are being “improved.”

Work underway to enhance trade, connectivity with Central Asia, NA told

Staff RepoRt

An anti-terrorism court on Thursday once again deferred a decision on the jurisdiction of the Nazim Jokhio murder case. The court has decided to announce the verdict on May 23 after the counsel representing the National Commission for Human Rights Pakistan (NCHR) shared that they have challenged the issue of jurisdiction before the high court where those concerned have been issued notices for May 20. The court announced that it would decide if the Nazim Jokhio murder case would be heard by the anti-terrorism court or not on May 23. Previously, the names of PPP MNA Jam Kareem Jokhio, his brother MPA Jam Awais Jokhio and six others have been eliminated from the case. The investigation officer of the case, Siraj Lashari, submitted the challan to the anti-terrorism court. In the challan, Haider, Mairaj and Niaz have been nominated as accused in the case. The judicial magistrate Malir had ordered to include antiterrorism clauses in the Nazim Jokhio murder case.

Earlier, in October 2021, the family of Nazim Jokhio claimed that PPP MPA Jam Awais Gohram Jokhio and his men had allegedly tortured Nazim to death as he tried to stop his foreign guests from hunting houbara bustards in the Memon Goth area of Karachi. Police registered a murder case against PPP MPA Awais, his brother MNA Jam Kareem and others. They detained Awais but Jam Kareem left the country and flew to Dubai.

SHC orders to book SBCA officials over illegal structure in Nazimabad KARACHI Staff RepoRt

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday ordered to register FIRs against the builder and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officials in a case related to illegal constructions in Karachi’s Nazimabad Block 2-D. The SHC heard a petition against construction of illegal portions in Block 2D, Nazimabad. The petitioner’s counsel contended that illegal portions are being constructed on residential plot No2/8 Block 2-D in Nazimabad area of the metropolis. He pleaded with the court to order razing the illegal structure. At the outset of the hearing, the bench showed resentment over illegal construction of portions and directed DG SBCA to register FIRs against SBCA officials and builder within 15 days. The court also directed the DG of the authority to appear before the court in person in case of non-registration of cases against Sindh Building Control Authority officials. Earlier, the Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered to register FIRs against the builder, plot owner and the Sindh Building Control Authority officials in a case related to illegal constructions in Karachi’s North Nazimabad Block C.

IsLAmABAd Staff RepoRt

The government is working on a policy to enhance trade and connectivity with Central Asia through Afghanistan and Iran and has already taken several measures to materialise this policy.

Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar told the National Assembly on Thursday.

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan have finalised and implemented the main operational part of Afghanistan Pakistan

Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA 2021) which would ensure free movement of trucks between the two countries.

He said that an agreement between Uzbekistan and Pakistan on Transit Trade was signed on July 15, 2021 which provides free movement of trucks between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

The transit trade agreements, he added, are also being negotiated with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan while the Pak-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed on March 3rd, 2022.

The agreement provides preferential access to products of one country in the market of the other, by eradicating trade barriers.

He said the PTA is also being negotiated with Azerbaijan whereas Pakistan has also established Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Trade with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

The JWGs would help to ensure economic cooperation by holding business forums, exhibitions, seminars and eradicating technical barriers to trade by har-

FIA backtracks on its ‘withdrawal’ of money-laundering cases against PM Shehbaz, son ContInued fRom pAge 01 It is requested that fake news may not be spread in this matter,” concluded the spokesman.

When contacted, Rai Tahir, the FIA DG, said that the press release ‘contains all’. He said no court proceedings had taken place in past two days.

Interestingly, this is not the first controversy since new DG FIA took over the charge. The FIA also filed a plea in the Supreme Court last week, seeking restoration of Section 20 of the infamous PECA law introduced by the outgoing PTI government.

However, soon after the news went viral, the FIA took a U-turn after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the FIA to immediately withdraw its petition.

Apparently, the prime minister’s directives to the FIA were issued after the government was severely criticised on social media for approaching the top court to restore a clause that made online public defamation a cognisable and a non-bailable offence and also increased the jail term for defaming any person or institution from three years to five years.

Hours after the filing of the petition, the government distanced itself from the FIA’s move. It claimed that the agency had approached the apex court on its own and the premier and other cabinet ministers learned about it later.

As if it was not suffice, the FIA entered into another controversy by booking senior journalist Sami Ibrahim for his ‘anti-state’ statements under the same infamous PECA law which was widely condemned by journalists bodies and human rights organisations.

It merits mention that Premier Shehbaz Sharif and his family are facing charges of money laundering of billions of rupees using accounts operated in the name of their businesses and employees, according to the agency.

The reference mainly accused Sharif of being a beneficiary of assets held in the name of his family members and benamidars, who had no sources to acquire such assets.

It said the family members and benamidars of his family received fake foreign remittances of billions in their personal bank accounts. In addition to these remittances, the bu-

reau said, billions of rupees were laundered by way of foreign pay orders, which were deposited in the personal bank accounts of Hamza and his brother Suleman Shehbaz.

The reference further said that the family of Shehbaz failed to justify the sources of funds used for the acquisition of assets.

It said the suspects committed offences of corruption and corrupt practices as envisaged under the provisions of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, and money laundering as delineated in the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010. It asked the trial court to try the suspects and punish them under the law.

Rizwan had not only supervised the crackdown against the sugar cartels responsible for the shortage of the commodity but also carried out investigations against former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretary-general Jahangir Khan Tareen and Sharif.

He was replaced with Additional Director Malik Abubakr Khudabakhsh as head of the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the 2020 sugar crisis in April, days after the coalition government assumed power.

monizing standards. The minister said that Pakistan and Iran have established a framework of Joint Trade Committee, under which economic cooperation in the fields of trade, banking, customs are agreed. In addition, Pakistan and Iran have signed an MOU to establish six joint border markets.

Pakistan has also signed customs and banking cooperation agreements with Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan and had been negotiating Mutual Recognition Agreements with Central Asian Republics on SPS and technical standards.

PPP, MQM-P agree to amend LG law news desK The PPP and MQM-P on Thursday agreed to work together for adopting a local government law that would benefit the residents of urban and rural parts of Sindh.

The parties made the announcement in a joint press conference at the MQM-P’s head office in Bahadurabad. Talking to journalists, the leaders of the two parties said that they have to work together for the sake of Sindh and the rest of the country and said that the parties have agreed to continue with their talks to further amend the provincial local government law. They said the two parties have held talks in a cordial and pleasant manner as the meeting discussed in detail issues related to local government law and the prevailing water crisis in Sindh, particularly in Karachi. The MQM-P leaders said on the occasion that the coordination committee of the party would make the final decision whether to join the Sindh government after the accord signed by them with the PPP before the change of government is implemented and amendments are also incorporated into the local government law. The PPP was represented in the negotiations by Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Shah and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani while MQM’s leaders Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Amir Khan, Waseem Akhtar, Kanwar Naveed Jameel, Javed Hanif, and Khawaja Izharul Hassan were also present on the occasion.

Photovoltaic is solution to Pakistan’s energy crises: Asif Zardari IsLAmABAd INp

As electricity tariffs in Pakistan keep rising, former President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the necessity of increasing solar power generation in the country, according to a report published by Gwadar Pro on Thursday.

“Electricity is so expensive that ordinary people cannot afford it; we should focus on solar power generation,” Asif Ali Zardari said while talking to newsmen in Karachi.

“Instead of setting up solar powerhouses, we should help individuals have their own solar system in their homes and on their farmlands,” Zardari suggested, adding

that to this end, the government should provide soft loans to individuals.

If there is more energy than their consumption, it should be supplied to the industrial sector, he said.

Pakistan has immense potential for solar power generation, but less than 2% of the total energy consumed in the country comes from solar power plants.

The Government has not made substantial progress in fully utilizing the country’s solar energy potential.

In 2015, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) introduced NetMetering Pakistan, an electricity policy for consumers to set up Renewable Energy (RE)

facilities. They can use their own electricity and also can sell surplus energy to the National Grid.

However, the speed of Net-Metering adoption is very low in the country. According to data available with Gwadar Pro, so far, 20,296 licenses have been issued to consumers. Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has issued 5,431, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESC) 4,900, K-Electric 3,402, MEFCO 2,130, FESCO 1,310, PESCO 1081, GEFCO 1073, BTPL 484, DHA-EME 396, HESCO 47, SEPCO 24, QESCO 16 and TESCO only two.

Apart from Net-Metering, the adop-

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tion of Solar PV Technology is very high.

Solar energy is not only slashing power bills but also providing uninterrupted electricity. Pakistan is processing RE (wind/solar) projects of 1400 MW under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), of which 700MW have been commissioned. They include four PV solar projects of 250MW. The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, under a project entitled ‘Solarization Schools & Health Facilities’ is providing solar power to 8,000 schools, 4,000 worship places, and 187 health facilities. Under another project, the government is solarising business centers and

Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by setting up solar mini-grid stations (Photovoltaic Solar System).

In addition to government initiatives, people who cannot afford to install a proper solar power facility can use one or two solar panels to run DC fans and other appliances during the daytime. Some people have also installed solar-powered tube wells on their small farms to cultivate vegetables and fruits.

Since the majority of solar panels, rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, and inverters used in Pakistan come from China, the two countries need to expand their cooperation in the photovoltaic industry.

06-07 Comments - 13th May 2022_Layout 1 5/12/2022 11:46 PM Page 1

Friday, 13 May, 2022

06 COMMENT

Beating the rap

After FCR, need to review Section 124A

T

he Indian Supreme court has suspended Section 124A IPC, known as sedition law. Many expect Pakistan’s SC also to review the law.

The sedition laws of India and Pakistan stem from a common ancestor: Section 124A of the 1860 Indian Penal Code (IPC) was originally introduced by the British government in 1870.

The British needed the sedition law. The plunder of India gave birth to resistance which the rulers tried to crush by force. With the passage of time laws had to be enacted to keep the restive population under control. The idea underlying the sedition law was that the local population was obligated to feel affection for the British rulers and remain loyal to it. The principal target of the sedition law were the leaders of the freedom movement.

The colonial relic however continued to thrive in both free India and Pakistan. In India every ruling party used the law against its political opponents, most of all the BJP which widened its scope to target minorities, ideological dissenters and rights activists. Police in Indian Occupied Kashmir last year jailed three students for sedition after they celebrated India’s defeat against arch-rival Pakistan in a cricket match. A 22-year-old climate change activist was arrested for sedition for allegedly creating a “toolkit” to aid anti-government farmer protests.

In Pakistan, sedition cases have been filed against politicians who happened to be on the wrong side of the establishment including nationalist leaders demanding autonomy and equal right, poets with leftist orientation, human rights defenders, student activists, and independent journalists.

Courts in Pakistan have laid down a number of mandatory guidelines on how Section 124A should be applied. These include the injunction that complaints could only be initiated by the federal or provincial government which must give reasons explaining their decision to institute such proceedings.

In practice, the police and lower courts have routinely flouted such directions. Organisers and participants of the students’ solidarity march in Lahore, as well as those peacefully protesting the arbitrary arrests of political activists in Islamabad, have been charged with sedition. even when there was no conviction, the charges caused enough harassment and weakened the movement for freedom of expression. What is needed is to strike down a law that is no more required in an independent country with an elected government.

How important is staying out of jail?

At Penpoint M A NIAZI

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y threatening legal action against PTI chief Imran Khan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif merely added to what is already a long list of legal battles that Imran may have to face, while interestingly some at least of the charges against him have to do with his post-ouster conduct.

It is also noteworthy that Shehbaz has made the threat with reference to remarks that Imran is supposed to have made about the Army, which is thought to have ‘selected’ Imran to become Prime Minister in a hybrid regime. The irony lies in how Imran is supposed to have turned on the people who brought him to power, but who stopped keeping him in power any longer, because of which his government collapsed.

It is worth noting that, of the charges arising out of his rule, none appertain to his oppression of the press, or the charges made against opposition leaders. however, there is still a widespread feeling that the charges against him are essentially acts of vengeance by the ‘ins’ who were so recently ‘outs’ and who faced the wrath of the investigating agencies, particularly NAB, under Imran.

Imran has not been charged with anything except being behind the desecration of the Masjid-i-nabvi, when PTI workers chanted slogans of ‘thief’ against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif when he visited.

Imran has been successful in getting bail before arrest in this case, and has thus come off successful in his first legal battle with the new government.

Perhaps the reason why the government was obliged to register the case was because it has attacked the religious sentiments of the entire nation.

Though the Saudi authorities had the matter well in hand, it was essential for the government to do something, lest it become a victim of charges that it took the blasphemy lightly. While the case is serious, more serious are the charges of what Imran was up to while in power, specifically cases which show him as corrupt and sleazy. This is important for both sides, for while no politicians have based their appeal on being corrupt, few have made their appeal rest so heavily on their campaigns against corruption.

One attack on his anti-corruption efforts is that they have been directed against political opponents.

Another has been that his government has failed to

ECP decision

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he decision of the election Commission of Pakistan about the dissident PTI legislators, declining to deseat them, seems to be so good in law as to be unexceptionable. The losing side, the PTI, has already announced it will go into appeal before the high court, and eventually presumably before the Supreme Court, but it will really take some clever arguments to overcome the fact which probably led to the eCP’s decision: that the impugned legislators had not cast their votes in violation of the party line, but had abstained just as their other colleagues had done, presumably in obedience to the party’s directions under Article 63A. The decision comes ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision on the presidential reference on Article 63A, though the lifetime disqualification demand of the PTI will probably not take place, even if the decision has not been formally announced, given the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s remarks from the bench. The decision has the effect of ensuring that there can be a Leader of the Opposition appointed from within their ranks, an office essential to the appointment of a caretaker PM and a new CeC, both essential if the PTI demands for fresh elections, and the removal of the CeC, are met. If the PTI felt that its recent campaign against the eCP would bear fruit, the eCP decision has proven it mistaken.

The PTI has two cases still pending before the eCP, the foreign funding case and the Punjab MPAs’ disqualification. While an adverse decision in the first threatens the very existence of the parity, in the second it would stymie its efforts to bring down the Punjab government. The eCP has shown that its decisions will be according to the law and Constitution, not according to the wishes of the PTI. It does the PTI no good that, on the face of it, the PTI may face disappointment in both cases.

The situation gets out of hand

MIAN RAuf

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he Federal Cabinet Division notified that Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema has ceased to hold office and asked the Speaker Provincial Assembly Punjab to act as acting governor of the province. In the fierce battle between the incumbent government and the former government, no attempt is being left to make mockery of the constitutional provisions. The federal government has committed contempt of the constitutional offices of both President and Governor with the illegal and unconstitutional removal of the Governor through a notification.

The Governor has practically the same relationship to administration of provincial affairs, as the President has to the administration of federal affairs.

The Constitution of Pakistan underpins a system of federal parliamentary Democracy and the Governor of a province under the constitution enjoys an exalted position, as he is a nominee of the President and a symbol of the federation in the province. In a pluralistic society rent with political polarization, ethnic, racial, provincialism and other diversities, for strengthening the process of social harmony, democracy and other creative enthusiasm, the role of the president and the governor becomes all the more important. Both the president and the governor, apart

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That early elections mean that the next PM will nominate the next COAS also counts. That provides Imran an opportunity, for if the present government is to make that appointment, it could be driven to collapse, as the two major components squabble over the choice. It is a distant prospect, but that it has been mentioned shows it is not beyond the realm of possibility that a PTI-led coalition might take office in time for the appointment

The constitutional crisis in Punjab

Not only saves the government, but shows the way it is leaning

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

make any recoveries. Amid this faltering narrative, if Imran himself is shown to have indulged in corruption, his Mr Clean image, the only asset he has left in the anti-corruption crusade, will take a beating.

It may or may not be significant that he has not stressed the corruption card in his current round of rallies. he is now stressing the nationalist card, of being ousted by a USbacked conspiracy directed against his foreign policy.

The first case that is being raised is that of the toshakhana gifts. It seems that while Imran Khan did get certain items out of the toshakhana by paying the official fee, he then sold them.

The effects of selling presents from foreign dignitaries apart, the knowledge that Imran bought at well below market price and then sold at market price, pocketing the difference does not make for good optics, especially for the squeaky clean image.

The supposed sale of postings and general corruption by Farhat Shahzadi ‘Gogi’, with vast wealth accruing not just to her, but to various relatives, had not been given the sort of depth that NAB gave to various officials and politicians, but NAB is apparently seized of the matter. Ms ‘Gogi’ and her husband, a former district council Chairman, are returning to Pakistan, to clear their names. Imran himself has defended her in a press conference, drawing some adverse comments for doing so. There is also a rumour that she is willing to become an approver, which adds to the excitement that will be occasioned by her return to the country.

Another vulnerability of Imran to the corruption smear will be the foreign funding case which is before the election Commission of Pakistan. There are allegations of corruption by not just Imran, but other leaders of the party. Imran could end up being disqualified because of certificates he issued as party

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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chairman. The party could also be banned.

Then there are the allegations of high treason, with the President, the Punjab Governor, the Speakers of the Punjab Assembly, and of the National Assembly, as well as the Deputy Speaker, joining Imran under charges of subversion of the Constitution. Only the federal government can file an FIR. So far, no FIR has been filed.

Another sword of Domacles held over Imran’s head has been the potential release of videos starring him. Indeed, there was recently as much stir as before the release of a hollywood blockbuster. Indeed, the stir has been such that Imran and his cohorts have warned that there are ‘fake videos being prepared as part of a campaign for his character assassination.

It is alleged by some that those videos are being held back, and are being used as bargaining chips, which will not be released if he cancels his threatened Long March.

That might cause him a problem, for while it is safe to predict that if his supporters receive evidence that he has been a bad boy, it will not cause them to abandon him. however, his image as Mr Clean can be eroded, and he might find his support dwindling because of that.

Then there is the question of why the government is hesitating about acting against him. It may be because it does not wish to appear vengeful, but it may find that ending the politics of vengeance is perhaps too high-minded an approach for its opponents.

There is another conundrum still not solved. Imran’s demand for fresh elections is not just because he has got the wind behind him, but also because he wishes to avoid the electoral consequences of being prosecuted. That early elections mean that the next PM will nominate the next COAS also counts. That provides Imran an opportunity, for if the present government is to make that appointment, it could be driven to collapse, as the two major components squabble over the choice. It is a distant prospect, but that it has been mentioned shows it is not beyond the realm of possibility that a PTI-led coalition might take office in time for the appointment.

from their other constitutional functions, are under an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution which implies that their role is not mere restricted to the advice of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister. They are also bound by their oath.

Though under Article 101 the governor of each province is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister, the governor holds his office at the pleasure of the president and not of the prime minister. Article 101(3) reads as “the Governor shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President and shall be entitled to such salary, allowances and privileges as the President may determine. Article 101(5) further states that the President may make such provision as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of a Governor in any contingency not provided for in this Part”. The bare reading of Article 101 suggests that neither the Prime Minister nor the Cabinet have got the constitutional prerogative to remove the Governor from his office.

The government is invoking Article 48(1) to justify its illegal move of sacking Governor Punjab.

Let’s analyze Article 48(1) which reads as “ In the exercise of his functions, the President shall act on and in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or the Prime Minister provided that within fifteen days the President may require the Cabinet or as he case may be, the Prime Minister to reconsider such advice, either generally or otherwise, and the President shall within 10 days act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration”. In is interesting to note here that in the present scenario the President has not asked the Prime Minister or the Cabinet to reconsider such advice either generally or otherwise. he has simply rejected the summary with reasons therefore, it’s not a matter of reconsideration within

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the meaning of Article 48(1) of the Constitution. The automatic implementation of the Prime Minister’s advice takes effect after the period during which the President has to act on it has lapsed, but not in the case of removal of the Governor as the Governor holds office at the pleasure of the President.

Furthermore, sub-article (2) to Article 48 states that “Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), the President shall act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so and the validity of anything done by the President in his discretion shall not be called in question on any ground whatsoever”. It is a universally recognized principle of law that when law requires something to be done in a particular manner or way, it must be done in that particular manner. Therefore, as long as the president does not remove the governor from office under Article 101(3) of the Constitution, the latter will continue in his office.

Given the current situation of the country, it seems that this matter too will be taken to the courts for interpretation. The recent judgment of Lahore high Court Lahore has also contributed towards the current crisis in when it asked the Speaker National Assembly to administer the oath of office to Chief Minister to hamza Shehbaz. his lordship Justice Jawad hassan erred while construing the constitutional provision as no provision in the Constitution allows the Speaker National Assembly to administer the oath of office to the Chief Minister. Under Article 255 of the Constitution the oath is to be administered by a specified person and if it is impractical for the oath to be made before that person, it may be made before such other person as may be nominated by that person. The judiciary cannot perform the constitutional functions entrusted to the parliament and the executive.

Given the current situation of the country, it seems that this matter too will be taken to the courts for interpretation. The recent judgment of Lahore High Court Lahore has also contributed towards the current crisis in when it asked the Speaker National Assembly to administer the oath of office to Chief Minister to Hamza Shehbaz

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer is a columnist and legal practitioner.

He holds an LLM from Punjab University.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 13th May 2022_Layout 1 5/12/2022 11:46 PM Page 2

Friday, 13 May, 2022

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

Life-threatening ailment

An open letter to Myanmar’s policymakers Bangladesh and Myanmar must cooperate for the region ZubedA ChowdhuRy

Dear respected Policymakers of Myanmar,

B

ANGLADeShI citizens want a friendly relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar with a neighbourly spirit. you are our immediate neighbours. Thus, you should strengthen the bilateral ties with Bangladesh by resolving bilateral problems such as the Rohingya crisis.

Currently the strained Myanmar-Bangladesh relations need to be smoothened. January 13, marked the 50 years of bilateral ties between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Myanmar recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign state on 13 January 1972. But there weren’t any seminars, discussions, statements, reciprocation, felicitations between the two neighbours to mark the special day. There were many ups and downs between the two neighbours over 50 years. But Myanmar and Bangladesh need to strengthen ties for ensuring the greater interest of the two regions, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

When Bangladesh celebrated its glorious journey of 50 years, many countries in the world felicitated Bangladesh. even Pakistan PM Imran Khan felicitated Bangladesh marking the 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence. But it’s a matter of sorrow that its neighbour, Myanmar didn’t congratulate Bangladesh. even both countries’ respective embassies remained silent on the issue. Why is this? Because the relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar are strained now. But this strained tie must be smoothed for ensuring greater regional interest. however, the relationship between Myanmar-Bangladesh has never been smooth and has gone through frequent ups and downs over the last 50 years on a number of issues. Despite having many possibilities, the two countries have not been able to build a real relationship with each other. The people from both sides are deprived of enjoying neighbourly advantages for these stained relations.

The improved ties between the two neighbours can ensure some common regional advantages.

Geographically, Myanmar is located to the east of Bangladesh with a 271 km border. To its southeast, it is at least 150 km wide, due to its hilly terrain and dense forest cover. Strategically, Myanmar enjoys a distinct position between the two Asian giants, China and India. The same position applies to Bangladesh. Naturally, both Bangladesh and Myanmar enjoy important strategic positions in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Basically, Myanmar and Bangladesh both can be used as gateways between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Myanmar can use Bangladesh as a transportation route to reach the markets of Bhutan, Nepal, North east India easily. Bangladesh and Myanmar share some regional common platforms such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and economic Co-operation (BIMSTeC), an organization made up of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand which seeks strategic and economic development. If Bangladesh and Myanmar improve their relations with each other, their dependence on China and India could be reduced and they could increase trade with other countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Bangladesh can be used as an important hub to connect ASeAN and SAARC. Myanmar too, as an ASeAN member, can access the SAARC free-trade bloc through Bangladesh if the Myanmar-Bangladesh ties can be improved.

In the case of bilateral relations, there were two issues that caused some annoyance between them. The first was the demarcation of the seaboundary between them. It is a matter of satisfaction that the matter was settled peacefully by the 1982 International Tribunal of the Sea Convention in March 2012. As Myanmar and Bangladesh, both share the Bay of Bengal area and 271km long border, Myanmar and Bangladesh both can take part in tackling nontraditional security threats in the Bay of Bengal such as tackling piracy, illegal drug dealing, human trafficking, environmental degradation, countering terrorists in the region.

The second is the Rohingya refugee issue.

Between August and November 2017, it was reported that a military operation in Myanmar had forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to cross the border into neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government has faced the Rohingya crisis many times. In 1978, an anti-insurgency operation by the then military government of Myanmar in Rakhine State resulted in a massive brutal crackdown, with some 300,000 Rohingya crossing the border into Bangladesh.

Then again in 1991-92, the second wave of more than 250,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh to escape the ongoing military repression. The two countries have resolved the issue peacefully through bilateral talks.

But the current 2017 Rohingya crisis needs a fruitful sustainable solution between Myanmar and Bangladesh to bolster the ties. Definitely, Bangladesh and Myanmar should find a durable solution. Closer Bangladesh-Myanmar ties have great economic potential,but the Rohingya issue must be resolved. enhanced bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Myanmar could contribute to the growth of trade and investment relations with ASeAN and BIMSTeC countries.

There are other routes to bilateral cooperation. Myanmar is rich in natural resources such as tin, zinc, copper, tungsten, coal, marble, limestone, natural gas, hydropower, and so on.

Myanmar could thus be a major source of energy for Bangladesh to ensure its energy security.

Myanmar is also a major supplier of natural wood to the world. While it has traditionally eyed foreign investment in the oil and gas sector, the country has recently shifted its focus to attracting production-based investment. The country is well ahead in power generation following a good investment in hydropower generation. The tourism industry is also a promising sector of the country.

Religious tourism can be a source of potential.

There are many Buddhist Biharis in Bangladesh.

A number of important Buddhist archeological sites have already been uncovered in different parts of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is believed to be a rich repository of South Asian Buddhist heritage. In order to draw the world’s attention to the rich Buddhist heritage in Bangladesh, the Government organized an international event in collaboration with World Tourism Organization in October 2015.

There are a number of magnificent modernera Buddhist temples in Bangladesh. The Golden Temple at a hilltop in the Bandarban district is probably the most charming Buddhist temple in Bangladesh. Gigantic Buddha statues in Dhaka,

Chittagong, and other parts of Bangladesh are special attractions for devotees and tourists.

There are also a number of Buddhist learning centres and pilgrimage spots in Bangladesh.

This area of archaeological sites refers to Paharpur in Naogaon, Mahasthangarh in Bagura, Mainamati in Comilla, and Bikrampur in Dhaka district. each of these sites has unique qualities as part of history. Some archaeological sites are important for both hindu and Buddhist investigation because religious sculptures of each can be found. Thus, Myanmar and Bangladesh can exchange religious tourism.

Through the import of gas and electricity, Bangladesh can obtain its future energy security.

The two countries can jointly explore oil and gas fields in the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh can also contribute to the development of Myanmar’s infrastructure.

The proposed construction of the Asian highway, funded by the Asian Development Bank, can increase land connectivity between the two countries and increase trade in products such as fertilizers, plastics, cement, furniture, among others. Bangladesh is on the way to the completion of its railway project, the DohazariCox’s Bazar railway line. The line will run from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar (one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country). This line can be extended to North east India, Nepal, and Bhutan. If this line can be extended to China-South east Asia via Bangladesh’s Ghundhum-Myanmar as part of the proposed Trans Asian Railway Network and Asian highway Network, the whole region can definitely benefit Myanmar should take such an initiative to join the Trans Asian Railroad.

Myanmar, which at present does have sophisticated manufacturing, can import electronics and pharmaceutical products that are readily produced from Bangladesh and benefit from the technology transfer. however, the two countries can also increase agricultural production through joint ventures. Apart from adopting joint investment projects, Bangladesh can increase imports of various agricultural products including pulses, spices, fish, and rice. enhanced bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Myanmar could contribute to the growth of trade and investment relations with ASeAN and BIMSTeC countries.

This will create an opening to solve the Rohingya problem and stop militant activities.

Basically, the Rakhine region of Myanmar can be used as a trade hub between Bangladesh and Myanmar. The agro-products in Rakhine need a viable market. Bangladesh can be a big market for the goods that are produced in Rakhine. On the other hand, Bangladesh has vast and tremendous experience in garments and production of agricultural sectors. Myanmar can exchange Bangladeshi expertise to benefit.

Myanmar’s products (known as Burmese products they are very popular in Bangladesh).

Myanmar and Bangladesh can set up some border hats (border market) between Bangladesh and Myanmar to boost up the trade. India and Bangladesh are benefitting from such kinds of border hats.

Thus, strengthening people-to-people contact, bolstering public diplomacy between the two sides can mend the strained ties between two neighbors. Thus, we urge the policy makers of Myanmar-Bangladesh to bolster the ties.

Sincerely regards On behalf of the Citizens of Bangladesh The writer is a freelance columnist

POLyCyThAeMIA vera is a form of cancer that begins in the marrow causing the marrow to make too many blood cells, which makes the blood thick. The disease usually develops slowly because of which people fail to identify any symptoms during the initial stages. Without treatment, the disease can become life-threatening. however, adequate medical assistance can help ease the symptoms and complications of the disease.

The disease occurs when a mutation in a gene causes a problem with blood cell production.

Normally, the body regulates the number of each of the three types of blood cells i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. however, in polycythaemia vera, the number of blood cells can be irregular. Symptoms can vary among different people, but they include the inability to concentrate, fatigue or weakness, nosebleeds, numbness, night sweats, bruises, etc. Some women also experience a heavy menstrual flow. It is worth noting that these side effects also occur in other blood issues or medical conditions. Therefore, people must consult a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. The doctor will undertake a physical exam and blood tests to check for the increased number of red blood cells in your body.

If individuals do not have many symptoms, doctors will not suggest an immediate treatment. however, in more severe cases the treatment includes the phlebotomy in which the doctor takes the blood from the veins to reduce blood cells. Once it’s done, the blood is thinner and flows more easily. The doctor will decide how often you need phlebotomy as some people do not require frequent treatment. To keep yourself comfortable and healthy during the treatment, you should undertake leg and ankle exercises, drink more water and bathe with cool water if warm water makes you itch, avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, and avoid situations that can impact your condition.

SYED FAREHA NAZ KARACHI

Governance of Hamza Shehbaz ThROUGh hamza Shehbaz in the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s base of Punjab, he must now focus on excellent governance and delivery if he is to maintain his political hold on the state.

Despite the PTI attempting every trick in the book and, according to legal experts, going outside the boundaries of the Constitution, this pulling of the reins from their hesitant hands was accomplished. This had allowed the ruling party and its PML-Q allies to postpone the inevitable, but only for a short time. hamza Shehbaz’s every step will be scrutinized by the opponents and the country’s remaining independent media to see if his nomination and ascension to the top post in Pakistan’s most populous province are based on merit or patronage. he can’t afford to stumble because the PTI’s aggressive and contentious post-election campaign would mercilessly criticize him for deeds of omission and commission.

One of the first tests of his nerves and talents might be his management of the Imran Khan-led protest march to Islamabad.

MUHAMMAD USAMA SHOAIB RAHIM YAR KHAN

Impactful charity ALThOUGh people engage in charitable work throughout the year, during Ramadan many people double their donations and give zakat to different charities and NGOs. It has been estimated that Pakistanis donate nearly Rs554 billion annually. While people’s generosity is appreciable, it is also important that people make sure that your donations are utilised appropriately. Many people are misled by unregistered and unauthorised organisations that extort money from naive citizens for personal gains and other purposes.

Instead of donating to organisations arbitrarily, people should donate items or give money to individual recipients as it is likely to be more effective. Not everyone can make large donations; therefore, people should make small cash donations regularly to needy individuals. This is easier because we come across many needy people daily and one can avoid doubts about the use of their donations. Often mosques and madrassas also have the means to collect smaller donations, which people can resort to.

Although individual donations help many, there is also a need for people to engage in more impact-oriented philanthropy. The different NGOs and civil society organisations must adopt transparency and accountability so that people can trust them. They must expand their fundraising networks among the public and inform people that giving to organisations has a greater impact than giving to individuals. Also, the relevant authorities should take necessary measures to protect valuable donations from being misused by taking strict action against those found misusing donations or extorting money.

IBTASAM ALI MANDI BAHAUDDIN

Limelight in threat SheIKh Rasheed has lodged a complaint with the Koshar Police station about the threat to his life from PML-N top leadership. his complain should be processed according to law. however, the fact of the matter is that hitherto PMLN leadership has shown utmost restraint and tolerance to provocative statements and actions from the PTI brigade. Sheikh Rashid was among those who regularly hurled accusations, and insinuations and mocked PLM-N, PPP and other leadership but they hardly got any retributive comments. PML-N, PTI, JUI-F and others also showed a high degree of political maturity when none other than the head of PTI occupying no less than the top executive position mocked and called them insulting.

It is logical that when in opposition, the PDM leadership did not issue harsh statements, then, how can they being in government threat or execute threat against the ilk of Sheikh Rasheed and make them heroes out of nonentities? It is evident that the present collation government wants political stability and it is hoped that they would focus on cleaning mess made by PTI. The only motive of the Sheikh Rasheed might be to remain in headlines.

GULSHER PANHWER JOHI

08 WORLD VIEW 13th May 22_Layout 1 5/12/2022 9:39 PM Page 1

Friday, 13 May, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

WhaT is behiNd bashar al-assad’s visiT To TehraN? THE RUSSIAN FAILURE IS A SOURCE OF GREAT CONCERN FOR THE SYRIAN REGIME, ESPECIALLY SINCE RUSSIA IS WITHDRAWING SOME OF ITS UNITS FROM SYRIA TO THE BATTLEFIELD IN EASTERN UKRAINE AND HAS EVEN STARTED USING SYRIAN FIGHTERS IN ITS INVASION OF THAT COUNTRY

middle easT moniTor Gilbert achkar

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HE President of the Syrian regime, Bashar Al-Assad, paid a surprise visit to Tehran last Sunday and, adding to its surprising nature, is the fact that he had rarely dared to leave his country since the popular uprising against his regime began in 2011. His first visit outside Syria, since then, was to Moscow in October 2015, a month after the start of Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian war. Then the Syrian President’s visits to Russia were repeated, during which he met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Sochi (2017 and 2018) and, again, in Moscow last September to mark the end of the sixth year of Russia’s armed forces participating in the destruction of Syria and

killing its people.

As for Tehran, Bashar Al-Assad visited it only once before his last visit, and that was in February 2019. It is likely that the visit was a pleasantry, after three visits to Russia without any visit to Iran until then, although Iran was the first to intervene in Syria to save the Assad regime by intensifying the intervention of its forces (Iranian and Afghan forces) and the forces of its Lebanese and Iraqi allies, starting in 2013. However, the recent visit has another meaning that is far from symbolic and closer to strategic concern.

This is because a major development has taken place since the Syrian President visited Moscow last fall. At the time, Russia was at the height of its power. Putin was threatening Ukraine while Russian forces are concentrated on the outskirts of this country, and he was indifferent to the warnings of Western forces, whether they are Washington’s warnings or the friendlier warnings of Berlin and Paris. Observers believed this to be symptomatic of a state of “paranoia”.

Today, however, it became clear that Putin’s calculations were completely wrong.

The goals he announced at the beginning of his forces’ invasion of Ukraine, when he was

promising regime change in Kyiv, similar to America’s regime change in Baghdad in 2003, which called for an occupation of the Ukrainian capital, suffered a setback. This is what the Russian forces tried to achieve at the beginning of the invasion, but they failed in the face of the intensity of the Ukrainian resistance, which surprised the whole world.

Although Russia announced changing the direction of its invasion, confining it to the occupation of eastern Ukraine, it has been unable to achieve that limited goal after two and a half months of fighting, and is still striving to expand its areas of occupation very slowly and with great difficulty. Perhaps, the most striking expression of the Russian failure was Putin’s dull speech on Monday to mark the annual celebration of the victory over Nazism in 1945 (a Soviet victory that Ukrainians participated heavily in, and celebrated the same victory on Sunday).

Instead of declaring victory on what is known as Victory Day, Putin made do with a very short speech, in which he explained that Russia was forced to invade Ukraine in self-defence and to avoid its neighbour’s armament with nuclear weapons and attacking Russia. This was how George W. Bush and

his partners explained occupying Iraq, claiming it was in self-defence and in order to prevent it from developing its arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. They claimed it intended to use these against America. It seems that the world imperialist powers have a limited imagination, so they regurgitate the same excuses.

In fact, the Russian failure is a source of great concern for the Syrian regime, especially since Russia is withdrawing some of its units from Syria to the battlefield in eastern Ukraine and has even started using Syrian fighters in its invasion of that country.

With the impact of the economic sanctions on Russia coming into full effect in the coming months, and the exacerbation of the difficulties the Russian forces are facing in the face of the valiant Ukrainian resistance, counting on Russia has become fraught with dangers. This is likely what prompted Bashar Al-Assad to visit Tehran, and has increased Iran’s weight greatly in the balance of protecting the Syrian regime as much as Russia’s weight has decreased.

In this sense, the Russian failure in Ukraine only strengthens Iran’s position, contrary to what might be thought at first

is diplomacy between russia and the West still possible?

ProJecT syndicaTe richarD haass

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mid more than two months of intense media focus on the war in Ukraine, one story was largely overlooked. In late April, the United States and Russia carried out an exchange of prisoners. Russia released an American (a former marine) whom it detained some three years ago, while the US released a Russian pilot imprisoned over a decade ago on drug smuggling charges.

What makes the exchange noteworthy is that it took place at a time when Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has brought relations with the US to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. The US has opted to avoid direct military involvement in the war, but it is doing a great deal to affect its trajectory, including providing Ukraine with large quantities of increasingly advanced arms, intelligence, and training so that it can successfully resist and potentially defeat the Russian forces. The US has also taken steps to strengthen NATO and impose severe economic sanctions on Russia.

The war is likely to stretch on for some time.

Although Ukraine’s fundamental interest is to end the war and prevent more death and destruction, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s desire for peace is conditional. He seeks to regain territory that Russia occupies and ensure the country’s sovereignty is respected so that, among other things, Ukraine can join the European Union. He also wants those responsible for war crimes to be held accountable.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, needs to achieve an outcome that justifies his costly invasion lest he appear weak and be challenged at home. There is little chance that a peace could be negotiated that would bridge the gap between these two seemingly irreconcilable positions. It is far more likely that the conflict will continue not just for months, but for years to come. This will be the backdrop for US and Western relations with Russia.

One possibility for the West would be to link the entire relationship with Russia to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. This would be a mistake, though, because Russia can affect other Western interests, such as limiting the nuclear and missile capabilities of Iran and North Korea, and the success of global efforts to limit the emissions that cause climate change.

The good news is that, as the prisoner exchange demonstrates, profound differences over Ukraine need not preclude conducting mutually useful business if both sides are willing to compart-

mentalize. But protecting the possibility of selective cooperation will require sophisticated, disciplined diplomacy.

For starters, the US and its partners will need to prioritize and even limit their goals in Ukraine.

This means renouncing talk of regime change in Moscow. We need to deal with the Russia we have, not the one we would prefer. Putin’s position may come to be challenged from within (or he may succumb to reported health challenges) but the West is not in a position to engineer his removal, much less ensure that someone better replaces him.

Likewise, Western governments would be wise to put off talk of war crimes tribunals for senior Russian officials and stop boasting about helping Ukraine target senior Russian generals and ships.

The war and investigations are ongoing, and the Russians need to see some benefit in acting responsibly. The same holds for reparations.

Similarly, although Russia will likely find itself worse off economically and militarily as a result of initiating this war of choice, the US government should make clear that, contrary to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s remarks, America’s goal is not to use the war to weaken Russia. On the contrary, the US should underscore that it wants the war to end as soon as possible on terms that reflect Ukraine’s sovereign, independent status.

As for the war in Ukraine, the West should continue to provide support for Ukraine and prevent escalation by avoiding direct combat. The Kremlin, though, should be made to understand that this restraint is premised on its not widening the war to a NATO country or introducing weapons of mass destruction, at which point such self-imposed Western limits would disappear.

The West also should consider carefully its war aims and how to pursue them. The goal should be that Ukraine controls all its territory, but this does not necessarily justify trying to liberate Crimea or even all of the eastern Donbas region by military force.

Some of these goals might be better sought through diplomacy and selective easing of sanctions. But, until Russia’s behavior changes, sanctions should not just remain in place but be extended to cover energy imports that are funding the Russian war effort.

Diplomacy is a tool of national security to be used, not a favor to be bestowed, and it should continue to be pursued with Russia. Private meetings between senior civilian and military officials of Western countries and Russia should resume, in order to reduce the risk of a miscalculation that could lead to confrontation or worse, and to explore opportunities for limited cooperation. It may well be that constructive relations with Russia do not emerge until well into a post-Putin era. But this in no way alters the West’s interest in seeing that relations do not fall below a certain floor in the interim.

Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, previously served as Director of Policy Planning for the US State Department (2001-2003), and was President George W. Bush’s special envoy to Northern Ireland and Coordinator for the Future of Afghanistan. He is the author, most recently, of The World: A Brief Introduction (Penguin Press, 2020).

Jordan Times Michael Jansen

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ATO’s proxy war on Ukraine has captivated Western leaders and media and created a fresh division largely but not completely between the First World and the Third World. It is impossible to escape constant news about the battle for Mariupol in the east, rockets striking Odessa in the south, women and children escaping battleground cities, towns and villages, and the destruction wreaked on that country’s residential areas, public buildings, roads, railroads, airports, fuel depots, manufacturing plants and farms.

When the war ends who will pick up the tab for reconstruction? Russia? Sanctions could take such a toll on its economy that reparations could be impossible. Will the West simply confiscate all or part of the $600-plus billion belonging to the Russian Central Bank which held in Western banks? While the US has admitted it seeks to “weaken Russia”, does it really want to wreck Russia and impoverish its people as has been the case in other conflicts involving Western powers?

Hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent by NATO members on a war no one will win, while other wars rage on and UN and international aid agencies beg for humanitarian relief for people caught up in chronic conflicts and economic crises.

Yemen is a prime example among many in this region and elsewhere. While the Saudi and Emirati sponsored presidential council and the rebel Houthis have been observing a Ramadan ceasefire and could eventually begin peace talks, 23.4 million out of 30 million Yemenis are in urgent need of food, medicine and protection. The UN’s aid team resident in Yemen has called or nearly $4.3 billion to reverse the accelerating deterioration of conditions in the country. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that there are 161,000 Yemenis who face “the most extreme hunger” and 2.2 million are acutely malnourished.

The March funding conference raised only $1.3 billion, just 30 per cent of the total amount required. Although another $300 million has been pledged since then, leaving agencies strapped for funds at a time major programmes have been forced to reduce services or close down programmes.

Syria is another example. After 11 years of civil and proxy warfare, at least 60 per cent of Syrians are also facing hunger thanks to Western sanctions and blockade. Food and fuel prices are rising rapidly. Drought in northern Syria has prevented farmers from sowing their crops and is creating a shortage of water for residents. While warfare has waned since 2019, there are frequent clashes between the Syrian army and takfiri factions as well as interfactional fighting between government opponents. Daesh has regrouped and resumed attacks on US-backed Kurdish militia based in north eastern Syria and across the border in Iraq.

While the Iraqi economy is set to recover this year from COVID and the fall in oil prices in 2020, recovery remains threatened by drought due to climate change and rising prices of grain and foodstuffs caused by the Ukraine war.

Bound by the unworkable sectarian system of governance bequeathed to Iraq by the US occupation, Iraqi politicians have not been able to form a government following the Oc-

glance, and weakens the rest of the reactionary regional alliance which includes the reactionary Arab regimes, especially the normalisation pioneer, Abu Dhabi, alongside Israel and in cooperation with Moscow. From this perspective, the purpose of the Syrian President’s visit to Tehran has become clear, along with his announcement that “In the years of resistance and confrontation with Western and Takfiri aggressions, Iran was the only country that stood by us from the beginning,” as quoted by Tehran Times. This comes off as ingratitude towards Russia, which has been the main supporter of the Syrian military regime for decades. AlAssad was also describing relations between Iran, his regime, and the Palestinian forces in the “axis of resistance” as “strategic,” noting that “the success of the Palestinian resistance has shown that compromise by some Arab states has backfired.” What sort of compromise is he referring to, as the “normalisation” regimes, which are the closest to his regime, are not only compromising with Israel, but openly colluding with it?

This article first appeared in Arabic in Al-Quds Al-Arabi.

The West will eventually abandon Ukraine too WILL THE WEST SIMPLY CONFISCATE ALL OR PART OF THE $600-PLUS BILLION BELONGING TO THE RUSSIAN CENTRAL BANK WHICH HELD IN WESTERN BANKS? tober 2021 parliamentary election. The country is being administered by a hamstrung caretaker cabinet led by Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi while the party of Muqdada Al Sadr, which won the most seats in the assembly, battles proIranian militia leaders for dominance. He seeks to form a “majority government” of reform minded Shia, Sunni and Kurdish parties but has been stymied by Shia opponents who lost seats in the election but insist on a power-sharing Cabinet. Meanwhile, 1.2 million internally displaced Iraqis remain in dire straits. Villages in Nineva, Diyala and Erbil provinces have been prevented by Shia militias to return to villages formerly ruled by Daesh.

Suffering from a French-designed sectarian model of governance, Lebanon continues to sink into poverty while its politicians squabble and international donors withhold financial aid until reforms are implemented. The UN estimates that 80 per cent of Lebanese live below the poverty line while of this number, 36 per cent are affilicted by extreme poverty. Lebanese sources say the May 15 parliamentary election is unlikely to effect change as its political system operates on the basis of patronage which provides citizens with access to a wide range of services, including healthcare, education, welfare, electricity, bank loans and so forth. Consequently, most of the current 128 deputies are likely to be returned to parliament and the downward slide will continue. If this goes on for much longer, however, Lebanese could return to the streets and squares, block highways, and mount strikes as they did in 2019 to demand the overthrow of the sectarian regime.

Confronted with a never-ending Israeli occupation and apartheid, individual young Palestinians, both citizens of Israel and West Bankers, seem to have been inspired to act

by Ukraine’s fight against Russia. More than a dozen Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks in recent weeks while Israel has slain more than two dozen Palestinians.

Palestinians are no longer prepared to endure Israeli rule and maltreatment and are ready to use guns, knives, and cars as means to protest. They see billions of dollars being spent of weapons for Ukraine while 30 per cent of Palestinian residents in the West Bank and Gaza live in poverty.

COVID caused the Paletinian economy to contract and rising grain and fuel prices due to the Ukraine war are creating a hunger crisis which is exacerbated by Israeli army and settler violence, house demolitions and land expropriations.

These are examples from only the Eastern Arab World, people living in North Africa, Sub-Sarahan Africa, Asia and Latin America have long been struggling while the West has done little or nothing for them and the global media largely ignores what has been happening. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a European country, has the West’s full attention for now. Eventually, “Ukraine fatigue” will cause the abandonment of that country as well.

Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

Js investments launches Js microfinance sector fund Press release JS Investments, Pakistan’s oldest private sector asset management company has led by example again via the introduction of a microfinance sector-specific income fund called the JS Microfinance Sector Fund (JSMFSF). The initial public offering of the fund was on May 11, 2022, and is available to invest through opening an account with JS Investments (online or physical) or via our distribution channels. With this addition, the company stays true to its vision of providing investors of Pakistan access to all asset classes. JS Microfinance Sector Fund is designed to provide investors the opportunity to tap into the growth potential of Pakistan’s Microfinance Sector. The loans in this rising sector have relatively higher yields compared to the traditional banking sector providing the informal sector with access to capital. In that, the relationship between the lender and borrower also remains mutually beneficial.

The microfinance sector has witnessed great success in Pakistan with 42% per annum growth since 2012 as opposed to the traditional banking sector’s 13% growth. The sector is also leading the spectrum of available fixed income instruments in terms of yield. JS Microfinance Sector Fund is an open-end Income Fund and its investment objective is to contribute to building a sustainable, robust, and inclusive financial sector in Pakistan. The Fund's goal is to achieve a reasonable rate of return while maintaining high liquidity by investing primarily in the low-risk Microfinance sector, the details of which are further available in our offering document available on our website. The fund offers the investors many benefits including attractive returns, professional management, diversification, tax-saving, and no lock-in period.

Power suspension schedules for today Press release According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 13th May, From 08:00 AM to 02:00 PM Matwa Feeder, From 07:00 am to 01:00 pm, Chip Board, Industrial, Borian Feeders, From 07:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Jermot, Samoot Feeders and Surroundings will remain off. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time.

09

Zindigi brings Pakistan’s largest tech event – future fest IslaMaBaD

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Press release

INDIGI - Pakistan’s first customizable digital banking experience powered by JS is proud to bring Future Fest, Pakistan's largest tech conference and expo 2022, which will be held in Islamabad from May 13-15. Zindigi Future Fest will be a three-day event hosting four conferences and an exhibition arena covering an innovation exposition and workshops by

renowned local and international speakers. JS Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Imran Haleem Shaikh, COO – JS Bank will be delivering a key note at the event to share the vision of JS Bank and its role in developing tech eco system of Pakistan.

It is the first of its kind event which is being held in Pakistan and is expected to host more than 30,000 participants, showcase 250+ world-class speakers, and over 100 stall installations by exhibitors.

Speaking about this, Mr. Imran

Shaikh said “Zindigi Future Fest is the first of its kind tech event on such a large scale which is bringing tech enthusiasts together and giving an opportunity to startups, freelancers, small & large scale tech businesses and many others to explore the potential in Pakistan. In our efforts to support the tech ecosystem, Zindigi is at the forefront to provide an enabling environment in Pakistan and this is a major milestone. The festival will hold sessions including innovation to Life, the role of digital in changing times,

blockchain technology, and many more” At the Zindigi Future Fest, the participants will get a chance to enjoy well-curated unlimited networking. It will include many activities crafted to make the conferences an experience apart. To avail 50% discount on the entry pass, download Zindigi and buy your pass now!

So join in at the Zindigi Future Fest and experience the process of digital transformation.

Zindigi is a Digital financial service initiative powered by JS Bank.

Nurses, other healthcare workers deserve to be recognized: Ms. Misbah Zafar IslaMaBaD Press release

International Nurses Day is being celebrated around the world every May 12, on the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale's. ICN commemorates this important day each year with the production and distribution of the International Nurses' Day (IND) resources and evidence. Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing organized an awareness walk on International Nurses Day on 12th May, 2022 at Fatima Memorial Hospital. The theme for the 2022 resource is Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health.

Ms. Misbah Zafar-Director Academic Nursing, Nursing Lecturers from Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing and Assistant Director Clinical Nursing Ms. Anjum Saleemi along with clinical nurse managers and nursing staff arranged the walk jointly. Prof. Dr. Zahid Mohyuddin Medical Director FMH, Dr. Farhan Feroz Medical Superintendent FMH, Prof. Dr. Tayyab Abbas Principal FMH College of Medicine, internees of BSN 4 year’s program and other officials from FMH participated in a large number in awareness walk.

Prof. Dr. Tayyab Abbas (Principal FMH College of Medicine & Dentistry) said that Nurses are the world’s lifesavers. They are risking their own health and too often sacrificing time with their family to help those suffering from COVID-19. The safety of health care

workers during this pandemic is crucial for communities to overcome the disease.

They not only save people from COVID19, they also ensure the continuity of life saving health services to protect people from accidents and other illnesses.

Ms. Misbah Zafar (Director Academic Nursing) shared her views that our Nurses are the backbone of the medical profession. Moreover, she shared that Nurses and other health care workers deserve to

PMC conducts All Pakistan Dental Colleges Seminar

be recognized and commended for their lifesaving efforts. A Cake cutting ceremony regarding Nurses Day was held in the auditorium after the walk.

Prof. Dr. Zahid Mohyuddin, Prof. Dr. Tayyab Abbas, Dr. Farhan Feroz and Ms. Misbah Zafar addressed the audience and appreciated the efforts of nurses for the advancement of profession Best employee award was given to Mr. Anjum Sohail (Male Nurse) from (High Dependency

Unit) Medicine department. After the program, all seniors visited the wards of FMH that were decorated by the nurses.

Certificates were awarded to the best ward and employee of the month.

Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing is an ideal institute for producing the best quality nurses in Pakistan under Fatima Memorial System. The graduates of SWCON are providing their leading services throughout the world.

Hashoo School of Hospitality Management collaborates with Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar IslaMaBaD Press release

IslaMaBaD Press release

Pakistan Medical Commission conducted a Seminar of all Pakistan Dental Colleges to discuss issues pertaining to admissions in dental colleges followed by other issues.

The seminar was attended by The PMC Council, Academic Board, National Medical Authority, and representatives of all Pakistan public and private dental colleges.

During the seminar, participants shared their observations and recommendations regarding the low admissions ratio in the Dental Program, MDCAT examination, and introduction of 5 years BDS program along with other issues.

Representatives of Public and Private Dental Colleges appreciated the role of the Pakistan Medical Commission

in organizing such consultative and interactive seminars on the issues, which clearly reflects the intentions of PMC in addressing the pressing issues faced by these colleges and students. On the occasion Member, Academic Board stated that PMC is working closely with all dental colleges and conducts seminars and workshops to identify and resolve issues relating to them. He added that the academic performance of a student is directly linked with the academic institute.

A further session was held on 11th May 2022 with the representatives of Public and Private Dental Colleges of Sindh regarding specific issues of Sindh in which the Principals and representatives of Public Dental Colleges of Sindh participated along with JSMU while some of the Private Dental Colleges sent their written suggestions.

Hashoo School of Hospitality Management (HSHM) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar (IMSciences) for hospitality educational based projects and skill development programs for the youth, in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Haseeb Gardezi, Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality and Education Division, Hashoo Group, and Dr. Muhammad Mohsin Khan, Director IMSciences, during a special ceremony, attended by Mr. Murtaza Hashwani, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Hashoo Group, Chairman Board of Governors, HSHM, along with the senior management of Hashoo Group, IMSciences faculty members and HSHM students.

With a global curriculum, along with seasoned faculty from around the world, HSHM is looking forward to providing worldclass education in hospitality, tourism, and hotel management to the students of KPK. “Pakistan is experiencing a lot of shortage when it comes to qual-

ified and experienced hospitality and tourism leaders. By launching the HSHM programme in KPK, we are actively trying to overcome this shortfall by contributing well trained hospitality students in multiple cities. Upon their graduation from HSHM and IMSciences, we will be offering them guaranteed job placements at Hashoo Hotels”, said Mr. Haseeb Gardezi.

Dr. Muhammad Mohsin Khan, while addressing the audience highlighted the importance of the hospitality industry in Pakistan. He elaborated the need of hospitality and tourism-based education in Pakistan which will open doors for students globally. He also mentioned that young faculty at IMSciences is very excited towards

this collaboration, and they will strive to make this venture a success. He also showed his interest in future collaborations in different fields with Hashoo Group IMSciences is a highly reputed government owned autonomous institute which was found in 1999.

Catering to a large number of students, it is ranked 1st in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in management sciences, and holds its strong position at number 4 in business studies by HEC. On this occasion, Mr. Murtaza Hashwani also interacted with the HSHM students and highlighted the importance of hospitality and tourism education in Pakistan whilst encouraging them to excel in their studies.

Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

10 FOREIGN NEWS

China uRges us to DRoP taRiffs on Chinese gooDs in its ‘own inteRest’

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Agencies

eIJING on Thursday urged Washington to drop additional tariffs on Chinese goods, saying it would be “in the interests of U.S. firms and consumers.” “[The removal] will benefit the U.S., China and the whole world,” said Shu Jueting, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), during a press conference.

MOFCOM’s comments came amid signs that the Biden administration may revise its stance on trade.

Last Wednesday, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it would conduct a review of the initial Section 301 tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in 2018 under Donald Trump’s presidency.

From May 7 until July 5, the USTR will gather industry comments on the first batch of Chinese industrial imports worth $34 billion. The agency will carry

DPRK fires 3 short-range ballistic missiles toward eastern waters

sri Lanka president set to name new PM cOLOMBO AFP

US Republicans block Senate bill to protect access to abortion WAsHingTOn AFP

Agencies The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired three short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Thursday, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) military. If confirmed, the launches would have come two days after the inauguration of new ROK President Yoon Sukyeol and would have been the DPRK’s 16th weapons test this year as tensions escalate on the Korean Peninsula and a stalemate in denuclearization talks continues. The ROK’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches from the Sunan area of Pyongyang at 6:29 p.m. local time and that the missiles flew some 360 kilometers at a top altitude of about 90 km. “The North’s recent series of ballistic missile launches are serious provocations that undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community,” the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters. Yoon’s National Security Office “strongly” condemned the latest launches, calling the move a serious threat to peace and safety. In his inauguration address on Tuesday, Yoon offered to revive the DPRK’s economy with an “audacious plan” if it takes steps toward “complete denuclearization.” DPRK leader Kim Jun Un said in late April that the country will develop its nuclear capabilities “at the fastest pace.” Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, who attended Yoon’s inauguration ceremony, told the ROK president on Tuesday that China sincerely supports Seoul and Pyongyang in improving relations and advancing reconciliation and cooperation. China stands ready to cement communication with the ROK to advance the peninsula’s denuclearization and promote lasting peace, Wang said.

out the same procedure on the second batch of $16 billion imports from June 24 to August 22.

“It is important for us to focus on a

durable, effective strategy with respect to our ability to compete with China, in this global environment and through the very disruptive period that we are experiencing right now that is causing pain to the ordinary American back at home,” U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai said earlier.

The U.S. consumer prices, which tracks what consumers pay for goods and services, increased peaked 8.5 percent in March compared with a year ago, hitting the fastest inflation rate since 1981.

Despite the consumer price inflation in the U.S. slowed slightly last month, jumping by 8.3 percent compared to April 2021, the annual inflation remains at its highest rate in 40 years.

Shu said trade teams from both sides were maintaining communications.

A Democratic drive to make the right to abortion the law of the land failed in the US Senate on Wednesday after Republicans refused to allow a vote on the deeply polarising issue that threatens to upend the upcoming midterm election campaign.

The House-passed Women’s Health Protection Act would have created a federal statute assuring health care providers have the right to provide abortions and patients have the right to receive them.

The effort came amid a political firestorm ignited by a leaked draft opinion that showed the Supreme Court’s conservative majority preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 ruling guaranteeing abortion access nationwide.

But it was always a doomed and largely symbolic push, as Democrats already knew they would not be able to secure the 60 votes needed to advance towards a final yes or no vote in the evenly divided 100-member Senate. In the end, all 50 Republicans and one of the 50 Democrats, West Virginia centrist Joe Manchin, rejected considering the legislation. Manchin’s vote was no surprise as he had telegraphed his “no” hours earlier.

President Joe Biden vowed never to “stop fighting to protect access to women’s reproductive care” and urged voters to elect more pro-choice senators.

“Republicans in Congress — not one of whom voted for this bill — have chosen to stand in the way of Americans’ rights to make the most personal decisions about their own bodies, families and lives,” he said in a statement. Although the outcome was never in doubt, the rejection is seen as significant, with abortion rights set to be a hot button issue for November’s midterm elections, when control of both the House and Senate will be at stake. A raucous crowd of lawmakers from the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, which passed the legislation last September, gathered on the Senate side of the building chanting “my body, my decision” ahead of the vote.

They had been encouraged by new Politico/Morn-

ing Consult polling showing 53 percent of voters thought Roe should not be overturned, up three percentage points since last week, while 58 percent said it was important to vote for a candidate who supports abortion access.

“Generally, the people who vote and turn out based on abortion policy are those who support more restrictions on abortion rights,” said Shana Gadarian, professor of political science at Syracuse University.

“By striking down Roe, this is likely to create a new constituency of pro-choice voters who are activated to turn out and donate in ways that they would not normally in a midterm election.”

Day of action: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested over the weekend that a federal abortion ban is “possible” if Roe is overturned, although he has since acknowledged that no position on the issue has ever achieved the 60-vote threshold.

But Democrats seized on the initial remark, arguing that highlighting their disagreement with Republicans could help them in the midterms.

“If we are not successful, then we go to the ballot box,” Senator Amy Klobuchar told ABC on Sunday.

“We march straight to the ballot box, and the women of this country and the men who stand with them will vote like they’ve never voted before.”

Activism around the issue is becoming increasingly acrimonious, with angry protesters in favor of abortion rights gathering at the homes of Supreme Court justices in Washington over the past week. Multiple organisations that support abortion rights have called for a “massive day of action” on Saturday, with marches in New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as hundreds of smaller events nationwide.

Police in the nation’s capital, still on edge after Congress was attacked by a mob of former president Donald Trump’s supporters in 2021, have set up temporary fencing around the court. The leaked opinion is also spawning renewed calls by progressives to add justices to the court, fueled by the possibility the conservative-majority bench could overturn other landmark decisions.

Beleaguered President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set to name a new prime minister Thursday to try to steer Sri Lanka out of its dire economic crisis after days of violence, officials said. Respected five-time former premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was the frontrunner to head a “unity government” with cross-party support in the 225member parliament and replace Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda who stepped down on Monday. “A swearing-in is likely today unless there is a last-minute hiccup,” a senior official close to the president told AFP. In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday night, Rajapaksa stopped short of yielding to weeks of nationwide protests calling for him to resign. The country of 22 million people is in its worst economic crisis since independence with severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines and long power cuts. But in a bid to win over the opposition who wanted Rajapaksa to quit, the 72-yearold pledged to give up most of his executive powers and set up a new cabinet this week. “I will name a prime minister who will command a majority in parliament and the confidence of the people,” Rajapaksa said in the televised speech. Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as prime minister on Monday after his supporters attacked antigovernment supporters and ran a riot in Colombo. This unleashed several days of violence that killed at least nine people and injured more than 200, with dozens of Rajapaksa loyalist homes set on fire. Security forces patrolling in armoured personnel carriers with orders to shoot on sight anyone engaged in looting or violence have since cracked down on public disorder. A curfew was lifted Thursday morning only to be reimposed after a six-hour break allowing people to stock up on essentials. The main opposition SJB party was initially invited to lead a new government, but its leader Sajith Premadasa insisted that the president first step down. However, about a dozen MPs from the SJB pledged support to Wickremesinghe, 73, who has been prime minister five times since 1993 and is seen as a pro-West free-market reformist. Wickremesinghe is the only legislator from his United National Party (UNP) which was routed at the August 2020 election that gave Rajapaksa a twothirds majority. With the economic crisis, the Rajapaksa government began to unravel with mass defections to the opposition, but since April no group in the 225-member assembly enjoys an absolute majority. Sri Lanka is in talks with the International Monetary Fund and others about a bailout package after a shortage of foreign currency forced it to default on its foreign debts last month.

The island nation’s central bank chief warned Wednesday that the economy will “collapse” unless a new government was urgently appointed.

China experiencing ‘deja vu’ effect in COVID-19 pandemic BeiJing Agencies

While China seems to have defeated the coronavirus for a long time thanks to the success of quarantine measures in Wuhan, where COVID-19 was first detected, highly contagious delta and omicron variants leading to outbreaks have made the compelling measures permanent.

Mass virus tests, curfews, travel restrictions, and quarantine measures have become a normal part of life in China in the last six months due to the outbreaks in densely populated metropolitan cities, including Xian, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Shanghai that host critical business and industry branches.

Thanks to its strategy to combat the COVID-19, the “zero-COVID policy,” China was able to almost completely contain the pandemic until December 2021. The highly contagious omicron variant has become a test for China’s “zero case” strategy against the disease.

The strategy, which aims to suppress COVID-19 infections where they occur and cut the chain of transmission, requires strict and large-scale measures such as quarantine, travel restrictions, and mass testing.

The measures sometimes cause controversy regarding their interference in the normal flow of life and their cost to the country’s economy.

It remains unclear how China will adopt its combat strategy over time, while other countries have largely removed their protection measures against COVID-19 and entered normalization processes. closures hit proDuction: Production in factories was suspended due to the closure in the Changchun city where the factories of the FAW Group (First Automotive Works Group) — the automotive company that produces world brands — are located.

A week-long shutdown in the technology center Shenzhen, which hosts Chinese tech giants Huawei, Tencent, BYD, and Foxconn, also disrupted production.

China is witnessing a resurgence of COVID-19 across the country with the economic hub Shanghai the worst hit.

The city of 26 million imposed a severe lockdown and held several rounds of mass testing to arrest the spread of the deadly infection.

Many cases have also been reported in the capital Beijing which has imposed severe measures to halt the spread of the infection.

China reported 324 new cases, seven deaths, and 817 recoveries over the past 24 hours.

In total, China has reported 220,721 confirmed cases, including 5,198 deaths, since the outbreak in December 2019.

Friday, 13 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

SPORTS 11

Shaheen afridi tO return PakiStan ahead Of WeSt indieS SerieS stAff RepORt

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IDDLESEx Cricket today confirmed that overseas player Shaheen Shah Afridi will return home to Pakistan immediately ahead of his country’s white-ball series against the West Indies in June.

Shaheen was due to leave Middlesex in early June to prepare for

his country’s bi-lateral series against the West Indies, however after speaking with Shaheen this week, the Club are fully supportive of his desire to return home immediately to rest and spend time with family and friends ahead of his international commitments commencing.

Shaheen is scheduled to return to Middlesex upon completion of the international series to represent the Club in the latter stages of the Vitality Blast

competition. Speaking of Shaheen’s immediate departure, Alan Coleman, Middlesex Cricket’s Head of Men’s Performance Cricket, commented: “We have thoroughly enjoyed having Shaheen here with us at Lord’s for the last month.

He has settled into the group really well and has been a real asset for us on the field. It has been a pleasure working with him.

“Shaheen has played interna-

tional cricket in all three forms of the game already this year and came to Middlesex off the back of a busy playing schedule, so we are fully understanding and supportive of his request to go home and recharge ahead of him representing his country.

“We look forward to his return in late June, when we hope he will be in a position to make an impactful return to us and help us in our Vitality Blast campaign.”

Brendon McCullum appointed England men’s Test head coach AgeNcies Brendon McCullum has been appointed as the head coach of the England men’s Test team, the ECB announced on Thursday, 12 May. His appointment comes following a host of changes around the England men’s team after a string of poor results in the longest format.

Rob Key was appointed the Managing Director of the men’s team and his first order of business was to hand the captaincy of the longest format to Ben Stokes, after Joe Root stepped down following the 1-0 series loss in the West Indies.

McCullum’s appointment comes after Chris Silverwood departed from the role, following the 4-0 drubbing in the Ashes away. It means the England men’s coaching duties have now been

split, with separate coaches for red and white-ball cricket.

McCullum has coaching experience in franchise cricket, currently serving as the head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. McCullum was also the head coach of the CPL franchise Trinbago Knight Riders.

As the head coach of the England Test side, McCullum’s first order of business will be improving England’s position in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 table. England are currently languishing at the bottom after a string of poor results.

England have a blockbuster summer of Test cricket ahead, with home series against McCullum’s home country New Zealand, the conclusion of the five-match Test series against India and also a three-match series against South Africa.

Suzuki confirm they want to leave MotoGP at end of 2022 MADRiD ReuteRs

Mohammad Rizwan praises Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara AgeNcies

Osaka launching own sports agency: report LONDON

Mohammad Rizwan has praised Cheteshwar Pujara’s quality while elaborating on the things he has learned from the Indian batter during their stint together in County cricket.

The duo is currently playing together for Sussex in Division Two of the County Championship. Pujara has been in sensational scoring touch, aggregating 717 runs in four matches at an average of 143.40, with four centuries. The pair have also enjoyed a fruitful partnership of 154-runs together in a match against Durham in April. Rizwan has been left impressed in particular by Pujara’s powers of concentration and his ability to construct a long innings. Speaking to cricwick.net, the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter was effusive in Pujara’s praise, ranking him alongside his compatriots Younis Khan and Fawad Alam.

Rizwan said, “In my life, the player with the highest levels of concentration and focus I have seen is Younis bhai. So No.1 is Younis bhai. After that, it was Fawad Alam but now Pujara is No.2 and Fawad Alam No.3.”

Rizwan also revealed the batting tips he picked up

from Pujara, especially how to play close to his body.

“With Pujara, I had a chat when I had just come to England and got out a couple of times. He told me a few things, that you should play close to your body. Now it is no secret that we play a lot of white-ball cricket and there we play well away from the body because the white-ball doesn’t swing or seam much and you are always looking for runs.” He further elaborated, “So here, I got out chasing a couple of wide deliveries early on.

Then I sought him out at the nets and he said, ‘in Pakistan or in Asia, we are accustomed to forcing our drives. You cannot force your drives over here. Secondly, you have to play closer to your body.'”

Rizwan also stated that it wasn’t strange for him to play with Pujara and that the pair had established a good rapport on and off the field. Rizwan also stated that all the international cricketers were a part of one large family, irrespective of their nationalities. “Believe me, I haven’t felt strange at all about it. I even joke around with him and also tease him a lot. He is a very nice person and his concentration and focus are unreal. If you can learn something from someone else, you must take that opportunity.

Former world champions Suzuki want to leave MotoGP at the end of this year and are in talks with promoters Dorna about the possibility of doing so, the Japanese manufacturer said on Thursday. Suzuki said in a statement ahead of the French Grand Prix tHat the move was for financial reasons and it was also considering ending other racing activities. “Unfortunately, the current economic situation and the need to concentrate its effort on the big changes that the automotive world is facing in these years, are forcing Suzuki to drastically decrease racing-related costs,” it said. Suzuki added that it wanted “to use all its economical and human resources in developing new technologies”. Dorna said last week it had contacted Suzuki to remind the manufacturer that it could not take a unilateral decision under the terms of the contract with MotoGP. Suzuki Motor Corporation only last year renewed its involvement in the MotoGP championship in a deal running until the 2026 season. The manufacturer has quit MotoGP before, leaving the premier class after the 2011 season due to economic recession and a stronger Japanese yen. It made a full return in 2015. The factory team won both championships in 2020 when Spaniard Joan Mir won his maiden title in a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Suzuki also won multiple championships in the top category over the decades since the 1970s with Britain’s Barry Sheene, Italians Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini and Americans Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr. Team leader Davide Brivio left before the start of the 2021 season to join the Alpine Formula One team as their racing director. Suzuki project leader Shinichi Sahara said at the time that Brivio’s departure was “shocking news” and a major blow to the Japanese manufacturer. Suzuki’s proposed departure leaves the future of current riders Mir and compatriot Alex Rins uncertain.

AFP

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is departing IMG and launching her own sports agency with agent Stuart Duguid, Sportico reported. Japan’s Osaka, the highest-paid female athlete in the world for several years, told the sports-business publication in an e-mail that the agency, called Evolve, was the “next step” in her journey as an athlete and businesswoman. “I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional,” Osaka said. “Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way.” Osaka’s contract with sports management giant IMG expired at the end of 2021 and she opted not to renew her deal with the company. Instead, she struck out on her own, alongside former IMG agent Duguid. Both have equity stakes in the new firm, and there are no outside investors at this point, according to Sportico. “I strongly believe in the power athletes have to use our platforms to drive meaningful business,” Osaka told Sportico, adding that she wants the agency to “be at the forefront of breaking down the barriers that still exist in sports and broader culture.” Osaka this week withdrew from the Italian Open to reset an Achilles injury ahead of the French Open. Osaka, currently ranked 38th in the world, has shown signs of a return to form this year. The 24-yearold reached the Miami Open final, where she fell to world number one Iga Swiatek.

Ehsan Mani reveals why Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed from captaincy AgeNcies Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has clarified the claims regarding ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s reported interference matters in the PCB-based decisions.

While talking in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan from London, Ehsan Mani also dismissed the rumours that Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed on Imran Khan’s advice.

“There was not even a single instance where Imran interfered in PCB matters and all the decisions were based on merits. Take the example of Sarfaraz, his performances were dropping and removing him from captaincy was not taken by Imran at all. We replaced Sarfaraz with Rizwan, who has been phenomenal from the get-go,” he concluded.

Moving on to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the relationship between the franchise representatives and PCB under Mani’s tenure deteriorated to

the extent that matter was dragged into the courts. Responding to this, Mani said that he was ‘willing to compensate franchises better than their current deal but if they are happy then so be it.’

Speaking about the inclusion of Wasim Khan in the PCB setup, Ehsan Mani said that it was a necessary thing to do as he had no aspirations or desires to maintain complete control of PCB for himself.

“I have worked with a number of toplevel organisations and I am fully aware how corporate governance works. The role of a chairman is related to big-picture; to set a direction, creating strategies, and approving business plans”.

“The power to implement these things should lie with the Chief Executive. He is then answerable to the board about the progress he has made based on the plans put forth by the board itself. He himself has no power to take ground breaking decisions,” Mani added.

“Wasim Khan is an excellent man.

Whether he was pushed out or whether he left himself, I will not comment on that. But what happened afterwards? The ICC jumped at the opportunity to secure his services; this is an honour because ICC has an abundance of people to choose from across the globe,” he gave valid justifications.

Ehsan Mani refused to comment on Wasim Khan’s departure and said ‘ask Ramiz Raja why he was let go because I don’t know.’

Mani’s administration was also criticised for offering hefty salaries to certain individuals but he rejected the claims and stated that ‘you pay what people are worth.’

“The entire media refused to understand why people like Wasim Khan were compensated handsomely. If you look at how much he is now earning with ICC, it is almost double to what PCB were offering him at that time. Coaches were compensated according to what was agreed upon,” he added.

Ehsan Mani further responded to the criticism that Pakistan is perhaps not financially stable to adopt the new domestic system that was introduced under his tenure.

“There are not many people in the world who understand cricket administration and business of cricket better than I do. Had that not been the case then why does ICC still consult me on such matters till date?”

“When I introduced the system, I worked out all the finances of this model. We have to compete with the top nations such as England, Australia, and India who have an annual budget of £350 million, £300 million, and $1.6 billion respectively,” Mani added.

“We worked on grassroot level, which meant promoting school and university cricket. I was delighted to see that after years, around 3800 genuine clubs played cricket in Pakistan. There is cricket on city level with around 92 or 96 cities participating”.

“Eventually, this would have helped in promoting good players to provincial level; there were two levels to that as well – the first team and their second team. It was a complete pathway,” Mani elaborated on the system he helped introduced.

Friday, 13 May, 2022

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GEN BAjwA AttENdS wAR GAmE SESSiON At KhARiAN

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eneral Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Thursday attended War Game session at Kharian aimed at refinement and crystallisation of formation’s plans. The COAS also witnessed field demonstration encompassing perfection of drills, procedures and validation of new concepts and proficiency enhancement on newly acquired technologies.

COAS appreciated the overall training spirit and proficiency of participating troops.

At War Game session, COAS reviewed the planning process and operational preparedness of Central Command’s Strike formations.

The COAS commended the overall operational readiness of the formations against an evolving threat regime while further emphasising on learning relevant lessons from the ongoing conflicts around the world.

Earlier, on arrival the COAS was received by Commander Central Command Lieutenant General Shaheen Mazher Mahmood.

Alvi requests CJP to form judicial commission to investigate ‘regime change conspiracy’ stAff RepoRt President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday wrote a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, requesting him to form a judicial commission to thoroughly probe the regime change conspiracy, which former prime minister Imran Khan claims was behind his removal from the top office.

In his letter, the president said the commission would help avert the political and economic crisis in the country.

Underlining the importance of constituting the commission, the president said a serious political crisis is looming in the

Services of Gen. Bajwa for elimination of terrorism unforgettable: Parvez Elahi lAHoRe stAff report

Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has said that the services which rendered by Pakistan Army under leadership of Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa for elimination of terrorism and enhancing the prestige of the country and the nation at the international level are unforgettable, as such elements who are running poisonous and baseless campaign against Pakistan Army and General Qamar Javed Bajwa are in fact want to destabilize the defence of the country and the nation. In a statement issued here on Thursday, he said that the army and the Army Chief are not separate from each other, when Army Chief is targeted it has negative impact on the entire army, hearts of not only the officers but also the jawans who are performing their duties on the borders are badly hurt. Chaudhry Parvez Elahi said that the PML-N is twisting the statements of Imran Khan and using these against the Army and the Army Chief, Imran Khan has said categorically in clear words that the army is the sole guarantor for safeguarding and security of the country and the nation, he has even stated to this extent that Pak Army is more important and essential than his person and politics for the country and the nation. “It is Nawaz Sharif who has been running campaign against General Qamar Javed Bajwa by naming in the public meetings and media team of Maryam Nawaz is in the forefront in this regard, the nation and the army are fully aware about this track record of NLeague against Pak Army,” he added.

country and major polarization is taking place in politics as well as among the people of Pakistan in the wake of recent events. He emphasised that it is the collective duty of all institutions to make utmost efforts to avert damaging consequences to the country and prevent further deterioration.

He regretted the fact that random comments are being quoted out of context, misunderstandings are increasing, opportunities are being lost, and with the economy also in crisis, the situation on the ground is approaching a political powder keg that might ignite at any time.

The president pointed out that in the

past, the Supreme Court had taken initiatives to constitute judicial commissions in matters of national security, integrity, sovereignty and public interest.

“A judicial commission, headed by [former] chief justice Nasir ul Mulk and two judges of the top court, inquired into rigging allegations in 2013 elections. Similarly, judicial commissions were also formed to investigate the Memogate matter, and moreover, a judicial commission is also currently functional for missing persons, that is headed by a sitting judge”, he observed. He cited press reports as saying that the prime minister had also expressed his desire for a commission. President Alvi

said the commission should investigate the matter based not only on technicalities of law but in the real spirit of justice. “Who knows better than your Honour that to prove, that a ‘smoking gun’ has been identified in the hand of a conspirator, or to find a possible money trail, or to identify meetings where people have been motivated towards cover action, or where people have been bought and sold, could be a vigorous exercise”, he added.

The president noted that he is of the strong opinion that “even recorded circumstantial evidence” can lead to some conclusions based not on technicalities of law but in the real spirit of justice.

COAS should have a ‘flawless reputation’: Maryam Nawaz IslAmAbAd stAff report

PML-N Vice-president Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said that the army chief should be a person who had a “flawless reputation”, free from any criticism or doubts. Maryam made these remarks in a press conference outside the Islamabad High Court on Thursday while answering a question about Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s comments, wherein he had said that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name could be considered for the new army chief.

“If his name is on the seniority list, it will definitely be considered,” Asif had said in an interview with the BBC. The PML-N leader has been critical of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who served as the ISI chief from June 16, 2019, to Oct 19, 2021, and is currently posted as the Peshawar corps commander.

Addressing a rally last week in Fateh Jang, Maryam had criticised Gen Hameed

while referring to Imran Khan’s recent podcast appearance where he had said the intelligence chief was the “eyes and ears” of the government. The PML-N leader had said: “We know that he wasn’t your eyes and ears [rather] he was your hands through which you throttled your political opponents.” In her media talk today, she said that the army was a respectable institution for the country and its people.

“The nation looks at the army for the unity and security of Pakistan. So it is important that the army chief is a person who is worthy and stainless so that people salute the Pakistan Army.” Maryam added that it was a “good thing” that the military had decided to stay away from politics and limit itself to its constitutional role, something politicians had struggle for.

“But there’s only one man who has a problem with this … who has gotten used to cheating, who doesn’t have feet of his own and needs support,” she said.

“And it suits him to drag institutions into politics and make them controversial. It’s only one man and his name is

Imran Khan.” Maryam also asserted that elections had to happen and they were the solution to the crisis.

She said that a short-term coalition government could not make big decisions. “Nawaz Sharif inherited Pakistan in a bad shape but eventually things got better in two to three years. Unfortunately, this interim setup cannot do it.”

“I just want people not to get lured [into backing the opposition] and I want them to vote for Nawaz Sharif whenever elections are held,” the PML-N leader said. Meanwhile, recalling her conversation with Professor Israr and Hakeem Saeed in the 1990s, she said that she now understood when people said Imran Khan was being prepared to “ruin Pakistan”.

“The conspiracy that he hatched against Pakistan, even if all countries united, they couldn’t have done it,” she claimed, saying that the man who was primarily responsible for the country’s economy today was blaming the PML-N government for inflation.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, seeking the annulment of the apex court’s April 7 decision regarding voting on a no-confidence motion.

Earlier on April 3, the SC had taken a suo motu notice against the scrapping of the then opposition’s no-confidence motion by former National Assembly deputy speaker

Qasim Suri. On April 7, the apex court had declared the NA deputy speaker’s ruling regarding the rejection of the no-confidence motion unconstitutional.

The review petition contended that the bench of the apex court has erred to appreciate the provisions of the Articles 66, 67 and 69 of the Constitution read with Article 248 that bars the superior court to interfere in the proceedings of the parliament and/or hold inter alia the president, prime minister,

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Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi on Thursday informed the National Assembly that as many as $22 billion remittances have been received so far and they are likely to cross the $30 billion mark during the current financial year 2021-22. Replying to a question during the question hour, the minister said the country received around $29 billion remittances during the last fiscal year. He said there were around 8.9 million overseas Pakistanis across the world and most of them are in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. On the other hand, more than 11.85 million Pakistani workers have been registered for overseas employment from 1971 to March 2022, he said. He said these overseas Pakistanis are contributing to the economy and all-out steps would be taken to address their problems. The house unanimously passed a resolution denouncing the latest Indian attempt of demographic engineering in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir through a socalled delimitation commission. The resolution moved by Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said this is aimed at artificially altering the electoral strength of the Muslim majority in IIOJK. The resolution categorically rejected the report of the so-called delimitation commission that seeks to convert the Muslim majority of IIOJK into minority and further marginalize, disenfranchise and disempower the Kashmiri population and advance the political and electoral objectives of the BJP. The resolution noted that through the delimitation exercise, India is making attempts to further its illegal actions of 5th August 2019 and subsequent measures. The resolution recalled that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute and a long standing item on the agenda of the UN Security Council. It declared that no façade of elections based on sham delimitation exercise can substitute the legitimacy and indispensability of a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.

One killed, 13 injured as explosion rips through Karachi’s Saddar area KARACHI Agencies

At least one person was killed and thirteen were left injured in a blast that rocked the Saddar area of Karachi late Thursday night. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Sharjeel Kharal, several cars were also damaged during the blast while the windows of the nearby buildings were shattered. He added that the nature of the blast is currently being determined by the bomb disposal squad, while the injured have been shifted to the city’s Jinnah Hospital. An emergency has been imposed in all public hospitals of Karachi, while sources at the Jinnah Hospital said that the condition of four individuals is serious. Hospital sources added that the people brought to the hospital have sustained injuries caused by ball-bearings.

Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has instructed the additional inspector-general of police and Karachi commissioner to submit a report as soon as possible. The CM has also instructed the relevant authorities and Rangers personnel to reach the site of the incident immediately. He further told the authorities concerned to ensure the provision of the best medical aid to the injured. Condemnations pour in Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, in a statement, condemned the blast and expressed grief over the loss of life. The PML-N leader also prayed for the early recovery of those injured.

Imran files review petition against SC ruling on deputy speaker’s April 3 actions stAff RepoRt

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speaker as well as deputy speaker of the National Assembly.

“The stated institution cannot be subordinate and answerable to the jurisdiction of a bench of the apex court due to the unequivocal bar of jurisdiction contained in the abovementioned articles of the Constitution,” the petition maintains.

“The apex court has erred to appreciate the mandate of the Constitution which ensures that parliament, as well as the mem-

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

bers/officers thereof, the president as well as the prime minister, are not answerable in the exercise of their functions well as discretionary powers before any court nor their discharge of constitutional obligations can be called into question before any court under the Constitution.” The entire jurisdiction exercised by the top court is in violation of Article 175 of the Constitution, the appeal read.

“That it is pertinent to mention herein that the ruling issued by the deputy speaker of the National Assembly was meant for the enforcement of Article 5… It did not have any connection with the petitioner [Imran Khan], who being the executive head of the government has nothing to do with the functions and or ruling of the deputy speaker,” the appeal claimed.