Epaper – May 16-2022 LHR

Monday, 16 May, 2022 I 14 Shawwal, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII No 316 I 48 Pages I Lahore Edition

PML-N decides Not to raise fueL Prices, for Now ISLAMABAD

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staff report

ederal Government has decided not to pay political cost for a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and rather continue with the costly subsidies on the oil prices and other daily-use commodities.

Sources in the ruling coalition have told this scribe that the decision was taken in the recently held top huddle in london chaired by Pakistan Muslim league–Nawaz (PMl-N) supremo and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The sources said that the meeting decided not to pay political cost in view of the rising public popularity of PTI

leader Imran Khan as any such step would cost the party heavily.

The sources said that Sharif has tasked Finance Minister Miftah Ismail to hold fresh talks with the IMF and try to convince the IMF to doll out support package for cashstrapped Pakistani economy.

The sources said that the meeting also decided that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has been tasked to visit friendly countries including US and China and seek financial assistance for Pakistan.

Sharif on Sunday telephoned the leaders of the coalition parties on Sunday and sought their advice on the possibility of raising fuel prices or providing relief to the masses in across the country. He also shared the PMl-N’s decision of continuing with subsidies on daily use items.

Sources in the ruling party told this scribe that the PMl-N Chief took allies into confidence over the decisions of PMl-N regarding electoral reforms and sought their advice over the option giving relief to the people.

The sources added that Nawaz Sharif telephoned asif ali Zardari, Maulana Fazlur rehman, Sardar akhtar Mengal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Khalid Magsi, Mahmood achakzai and others.

The former PM Nawaz Sharif also directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take all the allies into confidence and said that the PM should work out a common strategy.

On the other hand, it is also expected that PM Shehbaz to address the nation in the next two days.

Meanwhile, Miftah Ismail told media here that the PMl-N-led federal government has decided against hiking fuel prices.

Miftah Ismail said the government is not going to increase fuel prices and added that he is going to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the revival of the loan package for Pakistan.

“We are not going to increase fuel prices,” Miftah said and advised the masses not to wait in long lines at the petrol pumps in this hot weather.

Taking on the former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, he said, the latter agreed with the IMF to end subsidy on the fuel prices phase-wise.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

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Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

TimE To TAkE difficUlT Economic dEciSionS: fm BilAwAl

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News Desk

OReIGN Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari on Sunday said the time had come to take “difficult decisions” for Pakistan’s benefit to rescue it from the current economic crisis.

“Now the time has come to take those difficult decisions in the country’s favour so we can take it out of an economic crisis,” the foreign minister said while addressing a rally in Karachi. Bilawal was seemingly referring to the decision to hike petrol prices, which

is being delayed by the government.

FM Bilawal said the government had two options in front of it: to maintain short-term relief and thrust the people into long-term problems, or “we bear short-term pain and arrange long-term relief.”

“We have to take those difficult decisions through which we can take the economy out of the crisis created by [Imran] Khan,” the PPP chairman said, adding that solutions could be found by working together. Bilawal said the nation was facing “war-like” issues and difficulties and various political opponents had

Bilawal to visit US to attend food security meeting

come together in the “unity government” to take responsibility and resolve them.

“Did you ever think we would be part of the cabinet and run the government with Shehbaz Sharif? Did you ever imagine that we would sit with MQM and do this?” the PPP chief asked.

He explained that personal and political differences were forgotten during times of hardship in favour of “national interest”. FM Bilawal added that allied political parties would pursue reforms and work hard to deliver relief to the people.

PM Shehbaz is not increasing petrol prices: Miftah

News Desk

News Desk

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit the United States on Tuesday to lead Pakistan’s delegation at a ministerial-level meeting on global food security in New York on Wednesday. The meeting, convened by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is aimed at responding to the escalating food prices across the world in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who convened the meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, will preside over the meeting with the foreign ministers on May 18 to “review the urgent humanitarian needs and identify steps to build resilience for the future”, according to diplomatic sources. The meeting will review the urgent humanitarian needs and identify steps to build resilience for the future. The ministerial meeting will be followed by a UN Security Council debate on “Conflict and Food Security” the following day. During his visit, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also hold meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of UN General Assembly Abdullah Shahid, and some bilateral meetings with his counterparts. Since Russia and Ukraine stand-off since February 24, the global wheat prices have increased by roughly 21 percent, barley by 33 percent, and some fertilizers by as much as 40 percent. “This upcoming food security ministerial in New York is a prime opportunity to talk about the immediate solutions and long-term strategies which are really important,” one source said.

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Sunday said the government was not increasing petrol prices “for now”, going back on an important pre-condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the resumption of its loan programme.

Ismail said he would talk to the IMF and find a solution, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “is not in favour of putting this burden [increased oil prices] on people. “I had recommended him to increase [petrol] prices but he said people can’t bear it,” the finance minister said.

He, however, emphasised that petrol prices could be “adjusted anytime in the future” keeping in view international prices. “I am not saying we will never

Early polls only way to fix shattering economy: Asad News Desk Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central leader, Asad Umar has called for early elections to save the economy from further deterioration. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the PTI leader demanded early elections, saying the new government cannot decide on how to manage the economy and the early elections are the only solution to take the country out of the current crisis. He claimed that ex-prime minister Imran Khan tried his best to “save the masses from inflation.” Umar listed his government’s economic achievements during its fouryear tenure and claimed the economy was functioning smoothly until the no-confidence motion against Imran. He said the motion with the alleged help of foreign powers was brought against the PTI chief because the “economy was doing great”. Umar claimed that the industrial sector, trade and power generation witnessed growth and added that economic growth this year would hit six per cent. He said that the PTI government had introduced “farmerfriendly” policies that resulted in record growth. The sugarcane crop recorded 9.6% higher growth compared to last year. The corn crop also saw a record increase, he added. According to Umar, the economic situation postImran government was “precarious”. He added that foreign exchange reserves were reduced by $6 billion since the noconfidence motion against Imran. “On the one hand, the foreign exchange reserves were declining while on the other, the government was facing difficulty in borrowing money from outside Pakistan,” he said.

increase the prices … the point is, we are not increasing them today, but we can adjust them at any time in the future,” he told a press conference in Islamabad.

Right after his media briefing, the minister reiterated his message in a statement on Twitter, saying that the government would not raise petrol prices today. “But due to changing circumstances and international oil prices, we may have to revisit our decision soon.”

Despite not meeting an important ‘prior action’ conveyed to him by the IMF, the finance minister said the government would approach the Fund, hold talks and “conclude them positively”.

Criticising the PTI government, Ismail said it had “promised” the IMF in December that the primary deficit would

be Rs25bn and the total deficit would be around Rs4,000bn. “The primary deficit has increased from Rs25bn to Rs1,320bn,” he said, questioning how the new government could cut it down in a few months.

He alleged that the IMF had ended its programme with the PTI government and the latter had been requesting the Fund to not make it public.

“I went to the IMF as soon as I came and asked them to start talks with us. They said give us a political commitment and I said we are ready to extend the programme by a year. They said okay let’s talk then.”

The finance minister said he had requested the IMF that since the programme would be extended, a further

Shahbaz Gill to pursue FIR against Sialkot DPO for ‘inadequate security’ endangering Imran Khan’s life News Desk PTI leader Shahbaz Gill has expressed his desire to file an FIR — “when circumstances permit” — against Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) Hasan Iqbal over what he claimed was the latter’s failure to provide security to party chief Imran Khan during his rally at the city’s VIP cricket ground.

The PTI was compelled to hold the jalsa at this ground after authorities refused to allow the political rally to be held at the CTI ground, and sent a contingent of police to dismantle structures PTI workers had erected for the purpose. Upon resistance, police charged at the activists and employed tear gas. PTI leader Usman Dar and other activists were arrested and subsequently released.

The police action took place because the CTI ground, according to DPO Iqbal, is private property owned by the local Christian community, who objected to its use for a political rally.

The claim, however, was denied by Shunila Ruth, a PTI lawmaker from Punjab who belongs to the Christian community. According to her, this objection was raised by Christian members of the PML-N who were polticising the issue. Ruth claimed that the ground in question was not part of a church compound and was not reserved just for religious events, adding that the “imported government is using the Christian community for its politics”.

“This ground has been used for

multiple purposes including weddings, funerals and sports activities for kids,” Ruth said. PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb and other cabinet members separately pilloried the PTI for what they said was the party’s attempt to forcibly hold a rally on a property belonging to a minority community.

PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar had said the government would not allow “religious divisions” to be promoted.

Viral social media videos depicted DPO Iqbal calmly explaining to Dar and the other leaders at the scene that the field they were insistent on holding the rally on belongs to the minority community and it would be wholly inappropriate to organise one there, particularly when community had objected to it.

The video was retweeted by PML-N leaders like Maryam Nawaz.

By the afternoon, PTI’s Punjab

president Shafqat Mahmood announced that the rally would be held at the VIP ground instead.

“Hasan,” Gill tweeted early Sunday morning, hours after the rally was held.

“You destroyed the jalsa venue.

“You did not provide any security at the alternative place. And then by not providing security to Imran Khan, you put his life in danger. As his chief of staff, as soon as circumstances permit, I will file an FIR against you and there will be a complete legal reckoning. Your actions will be remembered.”

However, before Gill’s tweet, the Sialkot DPO’s office had said on Twitter that more than 1,600 police personnel, including several police superintendents and their deputies, were on hand for the event’s security.

After Shafqat Mahmood announced the party would be holding the rally at the other venue, the Sialkot DPO’s office pledged on Twitter that it would be providing “full security” for the jalsa which would be commensurate with Imran Khan’s stature as a former prime minister. In the same tweet, the DPO’s office clarified that the police action was undertaken to ensure the Christian community’s religious sentiments were not hurt. Then, after Imran Khan’s jalsa was over, the Sialkot DPO’s office tweeted a photo of a Christian boy named Allen Masih saluting the DPO Iqbal for “ensuring the protection of the Christian community’s religious rights”.

Minutes after, the office tweeted

Taking one’s history from comic books CITY NOTes M A NIAZI

Well, it’s official. Imran Khan thinks we’ve all got the mental acuity of Usman Buzdar.

He clarified his remark about Mir Sadiq in Abbottabad by saying that he meant Shehbaz Sharif. Who did he think he was going to fool? Usman Buzdar, that’s who.

Buzdar had given two pieces of evidence that he would accept that explanation. The first is that he was perhaps the only person in Pakistan who didn’t have any problems with Imran’s telling the world that Germany and Japan were neighbouring countries that solved their mutual problems after World War-II. (It’s ironic that they were separated by the USSR, which as Russia is supposed to have been the reason for the conspiracy against Imran.) The

$2bn should be added. The Fund said they would discuss it, Ismail added. He said Pakistan’s delegation would go for the upcoming talks with the IMF mission and added that “we are bound to fulfil the promises that Imran Khan did [with the IMF] since they were the sovereign promises of Pakistan’s prime minister.”

“However, the impossible conditions they’ve agreed to with the IMF [will not be fulfilled],” he said, claiming that former finance minister Shaukat Tarin had committed to increasing petrol levy, along with tax. “We won’t do this. I know there is a lot of inflation and there will be further inflation if petrol and diesel are made expensive. I’m going to the IMF and will talk to them again and we will find a solution.”

second is that he doesn’t even know how to write a resignation.

No, it isn’t that it was illegible, but it was addressed to Imran Khan, not the Governor. Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, who is hanging on for dear life has rejected the resignation, even though it was accepted by his predecessor. Governor Cheema is also going to reject the annexation of the Punjab, which was done by the Raj back in 1949, and the erstwhile Kingdom was brought under a British Lieutenant-Governor. He is also likely to shift the capital to Sheikhupura, in honour of Farah Khan ‘Gogi’, who belongs to that district. If the old Sikh kingdom is reestablished, it would mean the return of Jat rule, for which he as a Cheema is preeminently qualified, though no doubt he would face competition from Shahbaz Gill.

Of course, there’s also Ch Pervez elahi,

the last Jat ruler of the Punjab.

However, I won’t take the Mir Sadiq remark too seriously. I mean, should we take our history from Imran? We’ve already had an actual descendant of Mir Sadiq (the guy who betrayed Tipu Sultan). Iskander Mirza, President of Pakistan, and who actually invited Ayub to impose the first Martial Law. Maybe there should be an extension of the caretaker principle, not just from elections, but also to whenever a noconfidence motion is moved. Compare how the PTI itself smoothly took over from caretakers. Also, whenever there’s a caretaker situation, it shouldn’t be just the Cabinet, but also the President and Governors. The PTI has shown how even these offices can be weaponised.

As for other offices, the PTI is showing the way: it is moving the Supreme Judicial

Council against the Chief election Commissioner. The problem is that the new one will have to be appointed by the consultation of the PM and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

Both, according to the PTI, are beyond the pale. Who would the PTI want or CeC? Sahibzada Jahangir? (brought to our TV screens straight from Madinah as ‘Cheekoo Bhai’) Or maybe Anil Mussarat?

I’m not sure Imran is looking at this particular issue, being too busy watching

photos of armed police personnel at the VIP ground — supposedly during the rally — with the accompanying caption: “Sialkot Police provided the best security to the PTI meeting held at VIP Ground. In this connection, 1,678 police officers and men including 2 SPs and 11 DSPs performed their duties.”

Gill then responded to the Sialkot DPO’s tweets, criticising his decorum. He first responded to the tweet showing the boy saluting DPO Iqbal. “You’re in uniform. If you want to salute, do it standing up.

“At least respect that uniform. Now, after these dramas, join the PML-N officially and stand for the MPA election next time under Khawaja Ventilator.

Because your actions are those of patwaris (PML-N supporters).”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was elected as a lawmaker from Sialkot, and PTI leaders disparagingly refer to the PML-N leader as “ventilator” after he remarked in a media briefing on March 31 that if the US wanted, it could “pull the plug on Pakistan’s economy which is running on ventilators and drips”.

Gill then responded to the tweets detailing the number of police personnel provided for security and dismissed it as “all drama and lies”. “All these people were silent spectators. Standing on the side, no one was on security duty.”

He added that he spoke to a few personnel himself, who told him that DPO “forbade us to go further” and that they should stand on the side.

events in Sri Lanka, where the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, showed a lack of fighting spirit and resigned. The President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is his brother, but he swore in Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe for a fourth term. Wickramasinghe has contested presidential elections before, always losing. But he keeps popping up as PM. He has seen a lot of violence in his time, and the first time he became PM, back in 1993, it was because the PM had to take over as President, as the President Ranasinghe Premadasa, was assassinated.

It isn’t just him that is looking abroad.

Shehbaz Sharif led a troupe of ministers to the UK, to consult Mian Nawaz about the issues facing the government. It was good to see everyone off the eCL, and it was also good to see that the FIA suddenly realised it didn’t want to prosecute Mian Shehbaz or Hamza Shehbaz any more. The FIA probably wants to prosecute Imran and Buzdar, but it will have to wait until some case is registered against them.

Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

RUPEE PlUmmETS 3.16Pc AgAinST dollAR foR SEcond wEEk

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News Desk

AKISTANI rupee got a massive hit against the US dollar for the second week in a row and shed 3.16 percent (Rs5.90) after losing 0.5 percent (94 paisas) in the preceding week.

The rupee fell from 186.63 to 192.53 against the American currency in the interbank market last week. Within the open market, the rupee suffered from 186/187 per dollar to 194/195 a dollar during the week. Overall, the rupee has depreciated by Rs35.04 against the US dollar during the ongoing fiscal year 2021-22 and Rs15.02 during the current year 2022.

The rupee started the week under pressure and depreciated in all five sessions of the week. The rupee shed 90 paisas (-0.48 percent) on Monday,

Rs1.13 (-0.60 percent) on Tuesday, Rs1.36 (-0.72 percent) on Wednesday, Rs1.75 (-0.91 percent) on Thursday and Rs0.76 (-0.39 percent) on Friday. The rupee set four all-time new lows during the last four sessions of the week.

The main reason behind this rapid depreciation of rupee is delay in finalisation of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Pakistani authorities and the IMF team will resume discussions over policies for completing the seventh review this week.

Traders and markets are looking at the IMF as progress with the Fund instils investor confidence in the economy, stabilises Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, and unlocks funding from other international financial institutions.

The government’s indecisiveness over economic decisions is heavily weighing on the local currency. This

Three children die as lethal heatwave engulfs Pakistan

has led to the rise in oil import bill and thus stressed the foreign exchange reserves and the currency.

On the other hand, the total liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the country dropped to their lowest level since December 2019 at $16.4 billion in the week that ended May 6, from $16.5 billion a week earlier. The central bank’s reserves also decreased to a 23-month low to $10.308 billion, the SBP reported on Thursday last.

According to experts, gloomy macros will continue to put pressure on the local unit. They said though there is stress on the economy, yet some stability is visible. Despite better exports, the current account deficit has surged to alarming levels and in order to address this challenge, there is a need to look at the agriculture sector and curtail needless imports, they added.

Cash-strapped PSO’s receivables surge to Rs 551 billion

News Desk A searing heatwave continued to bake most parts of Pakistan as temperatures soared up to 51 degrees Celsius (about 124 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday, meteorological officials and local media reported. The southern Sindh and northeastern Punjab provinces are predominantly bearing the brunt of the scorching heatwave, which, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), is likely to persist for at least another week. Jacobabad recorded 51 degrees Celsius — the highest ever this year — followed by Nawabshah, where the mercury touched 50.5 degrees. At least three children died because of the severe heat in the Kaccho region of Sindh on Saturday, local media reported, while temperatures in Larkana were recorded as 50 degrees. The rise in temperatures has also caused water and energy crises in several cities, apart from posing a threat to crops across the nation. The meteorological department, in a statement, cautioned that the prevailing hot and dry weather could cause stress on water reservoirs, crops, vegetables, and orchards, advising farmers to manage their crops accordingly. The South Asian nuclear country, which is among the 10 nations badly affected by climate change, has been facing severe heat since 2015 with lengthening summers and diminishing winters. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman last week warned that the country could face severe water shortages by 2025 due to climate change.

sharp depreciation is also attributed to the prevailing uncertainty on the economic and political fronts.

The healthy remittance flows also failed to improve sentiment on the rupee.

Remittances from Pakistani citizens employed abroad rose to a record high of $3.1 billion in April. Total remittances in 10 months of this fiscal year rose to $26.1 billion, 7.6 percent higher than in the same period in 2020-2021.

The trade deficit of the country is increasing to an alarming extent which is putting pressure on the rupee. The country’s trade deficit jumped 65 percent to $39.3 billion in 10 months of this fiscal year amid higher imports. Oil sales clocked in at 2.2 million tonnes in April, compared with 1.672 million tonnes, up by 32 percent year-on-year and 21 percent month-on-month. These sales on the back of high consumption

IsLAMABAD AhMAd AhMAdANI

State-owned oil giant Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has been facing severe financial constraints as its receivables have increased to more than Rs 551 billion while payables reach above Rs 277 billion.

According to well-informed sources, delay in the clearance of billion rupees worth dues by the stateowned Sui Gas company, power sector and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has worsened the financial health of PSO. And, if the government does not release funds to clear PSO’s dues then the PSO may not be able to meet its obligation to fuel suppliers, resulting in the country’s energy security being at risk.

“PSO has been requesting the government to release funds to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), power generation companies (GeNCOs) and PIA so that

they will be able to clear PSO’s dues,” said sources.

They added that the country’s fuel supply chain can face severe problems in case of more delay from the government in release of funds to the defaulters of PSO. Sharing details of PSO’s receivables position, the sources said that SNGPL has become the top defaulter of PSO as it (SNGPL) is required to pay approximately Rs 289 billion, while the second defaulter is the power sector which owes more than Rs 172 billion and receivables from PIA and GoP (Government of Pakistan) stand at Rs 90 billion. As per details, GeNCOs are required to pay above Rs 143 billion, the Hub Power Company (HUBCO) is to pay Rs 21 billion, and the Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO) is to pay Rs 7 billion. Similarly, the PIA is required to pay Rs billion. Likewise, the government is to pay Price Differential Claims (PDC) amounting to Rs 8.9 billion for the period 1996-2014 and Rs 41.6 billion for the financial year 2022 and Rs 16.7 billion under the

Pakistan’s third polio case in 2022 reported from North Waziristan News Desk A one-year-old boy from North Waziristan was left paralysed by wild poliovirus in the third such case reported in Pakistan this year, it emerged on Sunday.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health, the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was confirmed in the boy from Miranshah on May 15 by the polio laboratory at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad. The onset of paralysis was observed in the child on May 14.

No foreign country is offering support to PML-N govt, leaving them ’empty handed’, says Asad Umar News Desk PTI leader and former planning minister Asad Umar on Sunday claimed that no foreign country was willing to offer support to the incumbent government, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned “emptyhanded” from trips seeking to secure financial support to prop up Pakistan’s ailing economy.

PM Shehbaz and members of his cabinet had embarked on their first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia since coming to power. During his three-day visit, he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials. A joint statement at the conclusion of the trip said the two countries agreed to discuss extending the term of a $3 billion loan to help Pakistan’s new government tide over the prevailing economic crisis.

PM Shehbaz later went to the UAe, following which a joint statement said the two countries expressed their desire to strengthen “bilateral economic cooperation”. Late last month, the new government also resumed talks with the IMF to revive its stalled programme, with negotiations being led by Finance Minister Miftah Ismail. In a talk at the Atlantic Council, he said he agreed with a key demand of the IMF to remove fuel subsidies — instituted by the PTI. “They’ve talked about removing the subsidy on fuel. I agree with them,” Ismail had said.

He had also blamed the PTI for “ruining the economy”. Weeks later, the government has appeared to be reluctant on doing away with the costly subsidies, which is estimated to haemorrhage cash to the tune of another Rs75 billion over the next fortnight.

In his presser today, Asad Umar said: “No countries including China, Saudi Arabia, UAe — even the International Monetary Fund — are giving money to

Pakistan.” He quoted experts as saying that the situation in Pakistan was bleak and it was just “weeks away from a Sri Lanka-like situation”.

The ex-minister claimed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was “clueless” and did not have the courage to take decisions. “Finance Minister Miftah Ismail is looking at Shehbaz, who is looking at Ishaq Dar, who is reliant on Nawaz Sharif, while the convicted former PM, in turn, is hopelessly looking at Zardari… and the cycle goes on.”

He claimed Zardari was “enjoying” the current situation the most in which PM Shehbaz is completely “helpless”. Umar also spoke at length about the PTI’s economic record. He predicted the growth rate could go as high as 6 per cent this year, saying it was due to the steps taken by his government in the last two years to revive the economy.

“This will be for the first time after 15 years that economic growth is above 5pc for two consecutive years,” the PTI leader said, adding that the noconfidence motion had “hampered” economic progress.

He underlined the reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan declined by 37pc after the no-confidence motion against the PTI government succeeded.

Umar said that the industrial sector never witnessed a growth of up to 7pc since 2005, however, “the current year is the second consecutive year where our industrial growth rate stands at 10pc”. Similarly, he said, energy production increased by 10pc during the PTI government’s tenure. He recounted a statement Miftah Ismail made several months ago wherein he had warned the PTI regime of an opposition protest if the price of petrol would be raised from Rs137 per litre. “Miftah Ismail must keep in mind his statement before taking any further decision on the petrol price,” said the PTI leader.

After staying a polio-free country for almost 15 months, Pakistan reported its first two cases of the virus on April 22 and April 30, respectively — both from North Waziristan. The victims, a 15-month-old boy and a two-year-old girl, belonged to the Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan. On January 27, Pakistan had seen one year without the detection of a polio case. The only infection in 2021 was reported from Balochistan while all other federating and administrative units remained polio free. “Another child will live with lifelong physical disabilities because of this preventable disease.

NEWS

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Emergency relief measures underway in cholera-hit Pir koh: Pm News Desk Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said emergency relief measures were “underway” hours after state media reported he had taken notice of a cholera outbreak in Dera Bugti district’s Pir Koh tehsil. Pir Koh tehsil has been the centre of a cholera outbreak of late, which health officials attribute to a lack of access to potable water. At least six people have died, which has led to protests. PM Shehbaz took to Twitter to announce that the situation “is being monitored very closely” and that the federal government would extend its support & assistance to Balochistan. earlier, it has been reported prime minister — who is expected to return later today after travelling to London and the UAe — had issued directives for providing food items, clean drinking water and other assistance to those affected while also ensuring provision of medicines. The developments come a day after the residents of Pir Koh took out a rally and staged a sit-in over a lack of clean drinking water and the alarming rise in the number of cholera cases. People took to the roads in droves, carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands, chanting slogans against the government and the local administration, before finally staging a sit-in and blocking the road leading towards the gas plant. Local tribal elders speaking on the occasion said there was an outbreak of cholera due to the absence of clean drinking water in Pir Koh. “We have no other option but to drink contaminated water from the ponds along with the animals,” they said.

People had been protesting for the last two days, but no steps had been taken so far to provide clean drinking water, they lamented, adding that around a dozen, including children, people had lost their lives to cholera so far in Pir Koh tehsil. However, health officials have confirmed six deaths so far.

2 Sikhs shot dead near Peshawar News Desk Two members of the Sikh community were killed after unidentified assailants opened fire on them near the outskirts of Peshawar, police said on Sunday. In a statement, Peshawar Capital City Police Office Ijaz Khan said that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Sarband police station. He also identified the victims as 42-year-old Suljeet Singh and 38-year-old Ranjeet Singh, adding that they owned spice shops in the Batatal locality. Police reached the scene soon after receiving information about the incident and shifted the bodies to the hospital for an autopsy, Khan said, adding that officials were also collecting evidence from the scene of the crime. “CCTV cameras from surrounding areas are also being checked,” he said, adding that a search operation had been launched in the area to nab the suspects who managed to escape. “Those involved in the incident will soon be unmasked,” the officer said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan took notice of the incident and order the KP Inspector General of Police to arrest the perpetrators. He added that the incident was an attempt to disrupt the law and order of Peshawar. Government officials and rights bodies voiced their shock and horror at the killings.

Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

04

NEWS

Gold fallS 3.77pc for fourTh WEEK GloBally, 0.09pc locally

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news desk

OLD price decreased for the fourth straight week by 3.77 percent – the second largest one-week drop of the year – to near a three-month low, as the strongest dollar in two decades dampened demand outlook for greenbackpriced bullion.

Broad-based US dollar strength and a sharp upsurge witnessed in the Treasury bond yields kept non-yielding gold under pressure. The gold futures closed the week on a negative note in the international market at $1,812.20 from $1,883.10 per ounce, shedding $70.90 on a week-on-week basis.

The price of 10 grams of 24-carat

yellow metal in Pakistan, meanwhile, decreased by 0.09 percent (Rs100) to Rs112,350 from Rs112,450 during the last week. A relatively lower decrease in the local gold prices was due to the Pakistani rupee’s depreciation against the US dollar, which devalued by 3.16 percent last week.

Overall, gold’s value has decreased by 8.34 percent or $165 per ounce during the last four weeks. A major factor pressuring gold prices lower has been the dollar’s strength. The dollar has gained value for the last six consecutive weeks. Over the last four trading weeks, the US dollar has gained 4.15 percent in value. This means that dollar strength accounted for just under one-half of gold’s price decline. Currently, the dol-

Bitcoin rises to $30,263 as cryptos consolidate gains The cryptocurrency market remained positive for the third consecutive day on Sunday, with market capitalisation gaining 3.3 percent to reach $1.36 trillion.

As of 1205 hours GMT, the largest cryptocurrency Bitcoin’s (BTC) price surged 4.4 percent to $30,263. With this increase in price, the market capitalisation of the biggest crypto has reached $576 billion. Bitcoin has shed 14.9 percent of its value over the last week. Bitcoin hit a 16-month low of around $25,400 on Thursday.

Ether (ETH), the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, gained 5.1 percent to reach $2,084. With this increase in price, the market capitalisation of ETH has reached $251 billion. ETH has been 21.1 percent down in the past seven days. It was the first time on Thursday last that the token fell beneath the $2,000 mark since July 2021. Ether dropped to as low as $1,700 on Thursday. Binance Coin (BNB) price jumped 8 percent to $302. With this increase in price, the market capitalisation of BNB has reached $50.9 billion. BNB has shed 17.4 percent of its value during the last seven days.

lar index is fixed at 104.515 and the last time the dollar was so strong in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Last week, the US central bank increased its benchmark overnight interest rate by an aggressive half-a-percentage point. Bullion is sensitive to rising US short-term interest rates and bond yields, which raise the opportunity cost of holding it. Gold’s recent slide has wiped out most gains made in a rally driven by safehaven demand in anticipation of and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

The conflict powered gold prices all the way to near-record levels in mid-March.

From a technical perspective, the fact that gold closed below the 200-day SMA during the last two straight days could be seen as a significant bearish development

and cause buyers to remain on the side line in the near-term. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart dropped to 30 for the first time since August following this week’s price action, suggesting that gold could stage a technical correction before the next leg lower.

On the upside, the 200-day SMA forms dynamic resistance at $1,840, which could be seen as a recovery target.

As long as gold fails to make a daily close above that level; the bearish bias may stay intact. Next levels of resistance for week will be $1,860 and $1,880. On the flip side, $1,800 (psychological level and Friday’s low) is the first technical support ahead of $1,790 and $1,780, which was the January 28 low.

Petroleum group imports rise 96pc to $17.033bn in 10 months news desk The petroleum group imports increased to a record high of $17.033 billion during the first 10 months (July-April) of the current fiscal year 2021-22 as compared to $8.697 billion during the same period of the last fiscal year, showing a growth of 95.84 percent.

According to the data released

by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the petroleum group imports registered a 19.44 percent growth in April 2022 and remained $2.223 billion when compared to $1.861 billion in March 2022, and registered a 94.38 percent growth on a yearon-year basis in April 2022 when compared to $1.143 billion during the same month of the last year.

The country’s imports during July-April 2021-22 totalled $65.537

billion as against $44.731 billion during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 46.51 percent. The overall import bill in April remained $6.679 billion as compared to $6.407 billion in March 2022, showing an increase of 4.25 percent. On a year-on-year basis, the imports in April surged by 27.41 percent as compared to $5.242 million in April 2021.

Construction and mining machinery imports witnessed a growth of 33.19 percent during July-April 2021-22 and remained at $151.852 million compared to $114.012 million during July-April 2020-21.

The country’s trade deficit widened by 64.90 percent from $23.826 billion in July-April 202021 to $39.290 billion in July-April 2021-22.

Main commodities of imports

during April, 2022 were petroleum products (Rs232,765 million), petroleum crude (Rs98,427 million), natural gas liquified (Rs71,072 million), palm oil (Rs67,840 million), plastic materials (Rs51,678 million), mobile phone (Rs39,460 million), raw cotton (Rs38,533 million), iron & steel (Rs35,157 million), iron & steel scrap (Rs32,751 million) and electrical machinery & apparatus (Rs28,572 million).

Based on the provisional figures of imports and exports the balance of trade in April 2022 was $3.782 billion. The balance of trade figures cumulative from July-April 2021–22 remained $39.29 billion.

However, due to $3.1 billion remittance, the current account deficit hovered around $682 million during April 2022.

Brent falls but WTI rallies for 3rd week to reach 8-week high news desk Crude oil futures, except West Texas Intermediate (WTI), snapped two-week winning streak on fears that resurgent Covid-19 pandemic in China and a delay in European sanctions on Moscow’s energy exports can cut global demand.

Brent, the international benchmark for two-thirds of the world’s oil, fell for the first time in three weeks.

Brent came down by $0.84 (-0.75 percent) to $111.55 from $112.39 on a week-on-week (WoW) basis. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the main oil benchmark for North America, went up by $0.72 a barrel (+0.66 percent) to $110.49 from $109.77 on a weekly basis. That has been the highest close for WTI since March 25 and its third straight weekly rise.

The price for Opec Basket decreased from $113.04 to $109.30 on a week-on-week basis, showing a decrease of $3.74 (-3.31 percent). The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of Saharan Blend, Girassol, Djeno, Zafiro, Rabi Light, Iran Heavy, Basra Light, Kuwait Export, Es Sider, Bonny Light, Arab Light, Murban and Merey.

The price of Russian Sokol decreased by $2.19 (2.19 percent) to $97.62 from $99.81 on WoW basis.

Similarly, Arab Light prices witnessed a decrease of $7.14 (-6.21 percent) to reach $107.90 from $115.04 a barrel on a weekly basis.

Overall, oil prices remained lower during the week, though a 4 percent rise on the last trading session of the week trimmed the overall losses and even pushed WTI from red to green territory as US gasoline prices jumped to a record high, China looked ready to ease pandemic restrictions and investors worried supplies will tighten if the European Union bans Russian oil.

Pressuring oil prices during the week, inflation and interest rate rises drove the US dollar to a near 20year high against a basket of currencies, making oil more expensive when purchased in other currencies.

This factor also kept the oil prices in check.

The imposition of Covid-19 curbs in parts of China, the world’s second largest economy and the top importer of oil, weighed on crude prices, limiting further gains. China has introduced strict movement curbs in Shanghai, its largest city, to control the spread of the pandemic. New cases have also been detected in the capital Beijing as the government continues to carry out mass testing to isolate every infected person as part of its “zero-Covid” strategy.

The European Union’s (EU) proposal to ban imports of all Russian crude and oil products by the end of the year seems unlikely. Some member states are strongly dependent on Russian oil. Some EU members, most notably Hungary, are pushing against a full embargo on Russian oil, and talks among member states continue as they look to reach a consensus since the Commission’s proposal requires the approval of all 27 EU countries. The proposal is yet to be officially approved by the EU Parliament.

The European Union (EU) also said there is enough progress to relaunch nuclear negotiations with Iran.

The US said it appreciates the EU’s efforts but there is no agreement yet and no certainty that one might be reached. An agreement with Iran could add another one million barrels per day of oil supply to the market.

KSE-100 bleeds 1,354 more points for fourth straight week Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained bearish for the fourth consecutive week amid rupee’s continuous depreciation, depleting foreign exchange reserves, domestic political turbulence and economic uncertainty, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding 1,354.31 points (-3.02 percent) to close at 43,486.5 points. Overall, the benchmark index has shed 3,114 points during the last four weeks. During the previous week, the benchmark index lost around 2,000 points during the first three sessions. However, the last two sessions cumulatively added 623 points, helping the index trim some of the losses, on the back of value hunting of attractive stocks amid news of highest-ever remittances during April 2022.

The record remittances rejuvenated investors’ interest, as they were continuously looking for some positivity on the economic front. They even downplayed the fresh depreciation of the local currency that stood at an all-time low against the US dollar on Friday, and resumed the cherry-picking of stocks. Remittances in April crossed the $3 billion mark for the first time in history, reaching $3.1 billion and extending support to foreign exchange reserves and rupee against the US dollar.

According to statistics released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday, remittances grew by 7.6 percent during the first 10 months (July-April) of the current fiscal year 2021-22 to reach $ 26.1 billion as compared to $24.22 billion during the same period of the last financial year 2020-21.

Moreover, the investors welcomed the news of upcoming funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), worth $2.5 billion for the fiscal year 202223, out of which $1.5-2 billion can be available in the ongoing calendar year. Agencies

CMYk

Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

PML-N decides not to raise fuel prices, for now continued from page 01 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to call a meeting of coalition parties in the federal government to decide on tough measures needed to bring economy out of crisis.

According to sources privy to the matter, the meeting of the coalition parties is likely to be held on Monday or Tuesday where participants will be taken onboard with regard to decisions made by PML-N leadership in London.

The prime minister will return to Pakistan after his London and UAE visits today where he would hold consultations on the economic situation.

The sources said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will visit United States (US), China and Switzerland in the next week where he would be meeting his foreign counterparts and would also attend a meeting of the World Economic Forum.

According to sources in the foreign ministry, the foreign minister will visit the United States on May 17 where he would meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and attend a meeting on Global Food Security.

“On May 19, he will return from the US and visit China on May 20 for two days,” they said adding that the visit was planned at the invitation of the Chinese foreign minister. “Bilawal will visit Guangzhou and meet his counterpart.”

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, according to sources, will then visit Davos and attend meeting of World Economic Forum and will also meet multiple foreign ministers at the sidelines of the meeting. “He will return Pakistan on May 25,” they said.

Rasheed demands NSC meeting to elect interim prime minister FaIsalabaD: Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday said the PDM government has failed and the National Security Council meeting should be held to elect an interim prime minister, saying that the politics of 11 parties have failed.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said the National Security Committee (NSC) is the country’s top body on security issues and includes the three services chiefs among its members, besides the prime minister and federal ministers.

Sheikh Rasheed said the country’s situation had become worst and the economy was being destroyed “because the politics of 11 parties have failed.”

“The interim government should be established by May 31 because they are all incapable and have failed to deal with anything,” he said.

The former minister claimed that just because of the people in the current government Imran Khan had become a hero among the people.

Talking about the elections, Rasheed said that a delay in the election would only benefit Imran Khan but before the elections the meeting of the National Security Council (sic) should be held to elect an interim prime minister. stAff rePort

Govt orders fool-proof security for PTI dissident Noor Alam pesHaWar: Taking notice of the attack on the house of PTI dissident MNA Noor Alam Khan, the interior minister has asked the authorities to provide the politician from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa fool-proof security.

Rana Sanaullah on Sunday took notice of the assault by some ruffians on the house of MNA Noor Alam and directed the secretary interior to provide fool-proof security to dissident PTI member and his family. stAff rePort

05

ShAukAT TARIN SAyS ‘PTI GovT NeveR PRoMISed IMF To eNd SubSIdy’ isLamaBad

F

stAff rePort

ORMER finance minister Shaukat Tarin Sunday criticised the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government for having no policy and being completely confused in every decision.

He was commenting on the PMLN-led federal government’s decision against hiking fuel prices. Shaukat Tarin told media that the PTI govern-

ment had never promised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to end subsidy as a comprehensive plan was presented to arrange the required funds.

Tarin said that the present government is panicked after failing to cope with the economic challenges.

“Our government had provided a subsidy for giving relief to the nation.

Prior to approving subsidy, the PTI government had arranged the required funds.”

“This [PML-N] government is bearing pressure of IMF for not re-

ceiving another tranche of loan money before ending subsidies. The country’s market is facing a situation of uncertainty. They are not sitting on the opposition benches now and they should now show to handle these issues,” he said.

The former finance minister said that the PTI government had never asked IMF to end subsidy as the global finance institution was apprised about the source of funds. “PML-N government’s decision will increase the pressure on the rupee in the coming days

besides hiking the interest rate. I had told them from where to get the required funds.”

Former minister Hammad Azhar also slammed the PML-N government for giving contradictory statements regarding the fuel subsidy. He said that the present government is blaming Imran Khan for taking a wrong decision by not hiking the oil price, on the other hand, they are following it.

Azhar censured that such policies will further increase problems instead of improving the national economy.

Investigators prepare sketch of alleged female handler of terrorist in KU blast KaracHi stAff rePort

Investigators have prepared a sketch of an alleged female facilitator in the Karachi University suicide blast that targeted Chinese teachers.

According to details, the sketch has been prepared by experts with the help of eyewitnesses and the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have appealed to the citizens to help them find the woman.

The investigators are doubtful if the alleged woman facilitator met the female suicide bomber accidentally or with a purpose. Some officials

believe the woman approached the female bomber for monetary assistance in a similar way she previously had approached a man asking Rs500 from him.

“The woman herself or someone from her family should voluntarily come forward if she is not guilty of any wrongdoing,” they said.

Police have previously released another CCTV footage related to Karachi University blast which shows an alleged facilitator of the female suicide bomber Shari Baloch.

The attack which killed at least four people including three Chinese teachers who were working

for the Confucius Institute at University of Karachi, was carried out by a female suicide bomber of a banned terror organisation.

Now, police have released another footage related to the the incident which shows another woman meeting the suspected suicide bomber and possibly handing over her a bag.The footage shows the suspected suicide bomber reaching the department in an auto-rickshaw and then standing at a distance when the other burqa-clad woman, who was already standing there approaches her, communicates something and woman hands over a bag.

Experts warn citizens against heatwave in across country raWaLpindi APP

As the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast mainly very hot and dry in most parts of the country during the next week, health experts have suggested the residents of the twin cities adopt protective measures to stay safe from various diseases which were likely to be caused by hot weather.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Faiza Kanwal told APP that patients suffering from stomach-related ailments such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach ache and loose motions visited hospitals more often than in other seasons. She said that the temperature rising results in various respiratory disorders, adding that children with low immunity and vulnerability to sickness often fall sick during the summer days.

The CEO advised the people to drink plenty of water and juices to wash out their upper respiratory system. Stressing upon preventive measures, Deputy District Health Officer Dr Waqar Ahmed advised to avoid going out unnecessarily in the sun from 10 am to 5 pm. If they do, they must take preventive measures to cover their heads and drink ORS and water frequently to stay hydrated. If they feel their body temperatures rising or any headaches, they should im-

mediately find a shade and drink water, as headaches are caused when the body is dehydrated.

Medical Specialist Dr Haseeb u Rehman said that signs and symptoms of heatstroke were dry skin with severe headache, lethargy and vertigo and ex-

treme tiredness.

He asked the residents not to use substandard food items and drinks sold at roadside stalls. Chat, pakoras, samosas and other fried items should be avoided, and homemade food should be prioritised.

Impact of Ukraine crisis on International Security: Options for Pakistan

By afnan Wasif On February 24, 2022 President Putin launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine.

This was a major conflict with the direct involvement of Russia after World War 2. Before this incident, the US was considering the re-emergence of Russia as a threat to herself.

All the European nations also felt a threat from Russia after the invasion. As in this conflict, a major power is involved so it

has obvious repercussions on international security.

Destruction of infrastructure and casualties of Ukrainian civilians have forced them to flee their homes in search of safety, assistance, and protection. As a result of this conflict, approximately five million people have become refugees. These refugees have mostly found refuge in European countries such as Poland, Romania, and Hungary.

Their presence may become a real and potential threat to the host’s internal stability and global security. There may emerge a situation of tension between newcomers and native populations of host countries due to competition for scarce goods, land, and resources. They also demand economic assistance and social services from the host government and in case host countries are unable to do so they will face international pressure demanding the fulfillment of the basic needs of refugees. Ultimately, the flow of refugees to other countries disturbs international security.

Ukraine contributes 50% of the global sunflower oil supply, 10% of the worldwide grain supply, and 13% of the global corn supply. This year now up to 30% area in Ukraine will not be utilized to produce such

agricultural products because of the Russian attack. Supply chains have been disrupted due to the closure of the Black Sea ports. Because of such blockades, the lack of production of enough food commodities will affect the availability of food for people around the globe. It also causes the price increase of food items in the short term and shortages in long run. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens international food security.

After the invasion, Ukraine’s neighboring countries and European nations sensed that Putin would push beyond Ukraine’s borders. They are passing through a state of ambiguity that Russia may attack us. They have started piling up the arms and weapons.

NATO has started large military exercises in Poland and in other allies’ countries. They are intended to invest massively to attain hardcore power to counter the possible threat from Russia. For example, Germany has announced to allocate 110 billion dollars to further boost its defense capabilities. It will eventually lead to an arms race and the arms race is a substantial threat to international security.

After the coronavirus pandemic, the Russian invasion harshly hit economic progress all across the globe. Inflation rates

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are increasing immensely. Inflation in the energy sector is unchecked. Russia is a major supplier of oil and gas. To restrain Russia from further escalation the USA and European nations imposed economic sanctions on her. To counter these sanctions, Russia has partially or wholly halted oil and gas supplies to Europe. The decrease in the availability of these goods has considerably increased the prices. To control the energy crisis, the US has announced to release of oil from its strategic reserves. Other Western countries are subsidizing oil and gas products to bring down the hike in prices. Consequently, the global economic condition is badly affected.

Impact on ForeIgn polIcy oF pakIstan: After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pakistan’s foreign policy is under pressure from Europe and America. Pakistan’s premier visit to Russia was perceived as the endorsement of Russia’s invasion by the Western world. They were demanding that Pakistan stand wholly with Ukraine and extend her support for Ukraine. They were trying to dictate our foreign policy. The Ukraine crisis has brought political instability to Pakistan. It has badly affected the internal matters of Pakistan.

possIble optIons For pakIstan’s ForeIgn polIcy: Pakistan must maintain a nonaligned posture in its foreign policy and it must protect and prioritize its national interest. Pakistan must endorse only a peaceful and diplomatic solution to this conflict. She must remain neutral and not join any camp politics as she did in the cold war. She must maintain equilibrium in her diplomatic relations with the USA, Russia, and European Union. Pakistan must condemn innocent civilian casualties and support the humanitarian aid process.

For example, India is maintaining its neutral role and emphasizing a diplomatic resolution of the conflict. She is maintaining strategic relations with the USA and importing oil from Russia at the same time. She is protecting her national interest while equally maintaining relations with major powers.

Despite the Western pressure, India has abstained to vote against Russia in United Nations. Hence, Pakistan must adopt a neutral and peaceful foreign policy in order to protect its own national interest.

The author is a student of BS Strategic Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. He could be reached at afnanwasif84@gmail.com

06-07 Comments - 16th May 2022_Layout 1 5/15/2022 10:47 PM Page 1

Monday, 16 May, 2022

06 COMMENT

Heading towards a collapse

UK trip decisions The Ministers return, but without any clarity

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He Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers have returned from the UK, and have met party supremo Mian Nawaz sharif, but have not achieved the clarity on certain issues that they had gone to seek. basically, there are two issues, and they are interlinked, being the petrol subsidy and the timing of fresh elections. it is apparent that the split within the PML(N) is so great that Mian Nawaz was not able to paper over the cracks, let alone resolve the differences and thus end them.

One dangerous difference that has come into the open is that Prime Minister shehbaz sharif believes the petrol subsidy should continue, because the poor cannot bear the burden of inflation that would follow. That inflation is going to be made worse because of the depreciating rupee, while Finance Minister Miftah ismail made it clear in his remarks after returning that he favoured at least a partial removal of the subsidy. He probably fears the time when the government is unable to meet the subsidy. The subsidy is not sacrosanct, being only introduced by the PTi government as a populist measure in its dying days.

The shehbaz government would not have introduced it, and would probably have absorbed the blow of its withdrawal by now. With no end to the russo-Ukrainian war, and rising world oil prices, in sight, the increasing burden can only have one end in sight: the government running out of money, a default on salaries and a plunging rupee, and paralysis because of a failure to import fuel.

Does the government wish to hold elections only when this has happened? Though there is a section within the PML(N) that wants the government to last its full constitutional term, it might well end up taking more baggage into an election at present than it would like to. at present, there is only the inability to handle the crisis the PTi left behind. at the end of a year and a half, the government would take a record of economic underperformance, indeed mismanagement, that would form a seamless whole with the PTi, with the difference that the present government could be carrying the can, The visit has shown, if nothing else, the problems of having a government-in-waiting as well as a governmentin-office, not to mention the party trying out that peculiar balancing act also having to carry along a wide array of coalition partners. With the party also faced with an internal split, perhaps expecting any decision at all would be shooting for the moon.

The nation will suffer because the parties are stubborn

MUHAMMAD ALI ALVI

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eT us leave this for a moment how correct imran Khan is when he refers to his removal from the office as a result of a foreign conspiracy hatched against him and his government by a foreign country as a response to his “absolutely not”, and when he says the PDM government is backed by a foreign power. imran Khan, whose popularity was at the lowest level of his political career, without any doubt, has suddenly got his spark and charisma back. People are buying his stance and his popularity has reached its peak.

What has been observed about the supporters of the PTi from previous years is that like supporters of other political parties they were enthusiastic, energetic and animated but lacked determination, devotion, sacrifice and obstinacy. The characteristics one can expect from the supporters of religious parties. but in a strange turn of events, the supporters of PTi and imran Khan seem to be charged up and up and ready for any favourable or unfavourable circumstances. They are ready to say ‘yes’ to every call and order of imran Khan. They are willing to go to any length the PTi chief wants them to go. One can feel enthusiasm with devotion, dedication, and commitment in the supporters of imran Khan now.

The reason is that they feel that they are fighting

Imran should act as a responsible citizen

Librarians have a key role to play

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Ti chief imran Khan is almost revealing a new conspiracy every rally. at sialkot, alongside his usual tirades against the iniquities of the state institutions that saw him removed from office, he added another to the conspiracies against him. While the theme of a foreign conspiracy against him has grown familiar, he has added to it the conspiracy to kill him. The only measure he has taken, he told the rally, was to record a message on a video to be released after his being killed, detailing who the conspirators are. This means that he has claimed the halo of a martyr without actually having gone through the painful experience of being assassinated. as a responsible citizen, one still has sufficient trust in the state’s institutions to practice the essentially peaceful and democratic politics of rallies, sit-ins and elections and would go to the police. Mr Khan’s reluctance to do so says little good about his years in office. still, as a former PM, and more important, a responsible citizen, he should bring whatever he knows to the attention of such institutions as are responsible for such assessments. it is only in b-grade spy movies that the very institution dedicated to providing security is penetrated by the baddies.

Mr Khan should realize that Pakistan has had a sitting PM and an ex-PM shot, and another ex-PM hanged. it cannot afford another tragedy. Political capital out of such serious matters is in poor taste, and the government should not wait. Mr Khan’s security must be beefed up, and he be made to share the information he has obtained, presumably over and above the agencies responsible for such matters. Considering how explosive the political situation has become, in no small measure because of Mr Khan’s own incendiary rhetoric, not even an attempt of any kind can be afforded, let alone any untoward happening. The government should note that it can afford such a tragedy even less than the PTi.

AbID HUssAIn

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ibraries are community places in any society and are open to all without discrimination of caste, creed, religion, or age. in educational institutions, libraries are central places that provide essential services to help people and neighbourhoods thrive. Library offers vital resources to address community needs and is regarded as a central information-sharing hub. after the advent of advanced technologies, libraries have undergone many hurdles, like budget cuts, lack of professional staff, administrators’ poor policies, stakeholders’ negligence and education mafias, among others. information Communication technologies devalued the physical presence of readers who usually came to the library to quench their thirst for knowledge. Hence, strategic changes prompted awareness among librarians about how to deal with clients in the era of information Technology. Librarians are worldwide experiencing and executing these technologies to reach the current and retrospective patrons. The question arises whether libraries are still inhabited or uninhabited by patrons.

The answer is puzzling for librarians. However, there are numerous tactics which, if adopted, will ensure that the desolate places, which are called libraries, will again be inhabited. (1) a building with a sound ventilation system in summer and winter attracts more library users. (2) building of professional website can bring your patrons again into the library (3) Various social media applications, if adopted, can

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But, unfortunately, both sides are not willing to take a step back. As a result, time is running out of hand with each passing day and the whole system is sliding downwards rather hastily

The writer is freelance columnist

36 Ways to connect people with the libraries

… And now a death threat

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

a battle for freedom under the command of their leader. it is the current fervour, craze, zeal and devotion of imran Khan fans that can bring the PTi to power again, many analysts anticipate. and, to keep the morale of the supporters high imran Khan has to be in public. For this purpose, the ex-Prime Minister is on a mission to address 14 public gatherings in only 2 weeks.

The anti-government campaign will reach its peak with the call for islamabad March after 20th May. PTi aims to bring two million people to islamabad, block major cities and fight for freedom.

Two million is a huge figure and it will take PTi a lot of effort to take out this many people. but if PTi manages to bring only 200,000 people to islamabad, it will create problems for the government.

The only option acceptable to PTi is fresh elections and nothing seems to stop them right now. shahbaz sharif, in an unexpected turn of events, has got the Premiership of the country. His son is the chief minister of Punjab. so, the father-son duo would never want early elections. an initial couple of weeks of the coalition government has failed to create any major impact. The story till now is rather an old one. The PM and his cabinet are making people realise they are now rectifying the policies of the previous government and taking the country out of the mess created by the previous government. but, the Pakistani rupee has hit an all-time low and prices of the goods are increasing. so there is no change in the economic condition of the country.

However, the battle with PTi has continued. The PML(N) has also decided to go public. The recent string of rallies announced is one example. similarly, other coalition parties are also mulling over public gatherings to show their strength. The verbal attacks and abuses from both sides are a routine matter though.

The polarization has reached a level where it will

take years for things to normalize. The role of state institutions and attacks on them in public gatherings is compromising their sanctity day by day.

The chaos and uncertainty over what will happen or what will be the outcome of this political unrest has taken over every sane mind.

What happened in sri Lanka recently serves as a lesson to Pakistan. Things can go out of hand quickly if they are not controlled in time.

One side wants early elections and the other side wants to prolong its rule. but, if fresh elections are not announced, for how long can this political crisis continue? imagine two million people in islamabad with the Capital blocked, all major cities choked, Government and its machinery trying to disperse the masses. With both the government and PTi stuck with their preferences, with no one ready to take a step back, who will be at a loss? Only Pakistan and the people of Pakistan will suffer.

With no one holding back, everyone should understand that nothing is above the state. be it politicians, political parties or institutions all exist because of the state.

The question every wise mind asks is that could this mess have been avoided?

The current confusion could have been avoided had the action been taken in time.

Currently, we are standing at a point where any miscalculation can result in a big loss. an independent investigation was all that was needed to avoid all this mess. it would have revealed the truth and ended speculations. but, that is not the case. The PDM government and PTi leadership are fighting and abusing and polarization is increasing. and, no clear future is in sight. Unless both sides bow down and hold back for the state. but, unfortunately, both sides are not willing to take a step back. as a result, time is running out of hand with each passing day and the whole system is sliding downwards rather hastily.

I

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bring your users back into the library (4) start posting to your social media and website (5) Make advertising and offers (6) add yourself to local business directories (7) adult discussion group on a weekly basis (8) arrange a business discussion for people in business inside the library (8) Orientation system for students living in surroundings (9) Making contacts with educational institutions to send their students in leisure time (10) Contact local authors to come forward and discuss your book with the audience (11) Movie shows and other aesthetic events (12) Create space for group discussion of learned classes (13) arrange continuing education programmes for professionals (14) Give the users freedom to use library material with care (15) placing of iT tools inside the library like Computers, scanning, photocopier machines and printing facilities (16) High-speed internet and Wi-Fi facilities.

(17) collaboration with other local libraries to exchange library services (18) inter-Library Loan facilities among regional libraries (19) To create a community hub, libraries should make partnerships with local organizations and companies Partner with local organizations and companies (20) Organize information literacy programmes regularly (21) Partnership with nonprofit organizations to fill connectivity gaps (22) bookmobiles are more important now than ever, bookmobile services on bike delivery systems can attract more users into the library (23) Use of social community centres like masjid, church, public and similar places of public gathering where people from different spheres come and share their views (24) Conducting library survey programs from time to time (25) enlist yourself in local media centres to capture more public (26) Make community members feel safe, accepted, and welcomed in their spaces (27) up-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

date the library catalogue and share it with patrons on social media, this will increase the interest of readers (28) Hosting holiday events like eid Milan, Christmas and other festivals for local people to celebrate (29) arrangement of book Walk programmes and inviting students and teaching faculty members (30) Featuring student poets through hosting poetry reading programme, display of students’ art work or organizing student talent shows in the library (31). Many libraries have events and meeting rooms inside the library that require reservation (32) information for reservation of the library hall should be made available on the library website (33) Host craft classes that not only teach patrons how to make greeting cards, decorations, and more (34) Use of mobile apps for awareness programs like Whatsapp, Messenger, etc.

(35) e-Newsletter, which covers other news and fresh arrivals in the library, should be shared with patrons regularly to bring them back into the library. (36) The last but not the least attitude of librarians is because librarians’ friendly and loving attitude can utilize both resources and services in the given libraries. it is said that libraries house plenty of online resources like research databases, ebooks, movies, and online articles; in addition to the digital material, there are a lot of other sources that can be utilized to attract patrons back into the library. Libraries and librarians are committed to preserving the freedom to read, enhancing learning, and ensuring access to information. These are some essential tips that help attract clients back into the library.

It is said that libraries house plenty of online resources like research databases, ebooks, movies, and online articles; in addition to the digital material, there are a lot of other sources that can be utilized to attract patrons back into the library.

Libraries and librarians are committed to preserving the freedom to read, enhancing learning, and ensuring access to information. These are some essential tips that help attract clients back into the library

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The author is a library officer at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and can be accessed at abidhussain@issi.org.pk.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 16th May 2022_Layout 1 5/15/2022 10:47 PM Page 2

Monday, 16 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

Global unity

Myanmar-Bangladesh’s relations through the lens of strategic advantages Democrats dealing with the Tatmadaw

PArVej sIDDIqUe bHUIyAn

T

He power shift in Myanmar and the subsequent polarization among the major powers triggered a new geopolitical flashpoint in bangladesh’s strategic backyard, which the latter cannot afford to ignore. it seems that the Usa and other western countries are taking a heavy-handed approach while other big powers, such as russia, China, india, and Japan, have started explicitly or covertly normalizing their relations with the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military).

Myanmar always gets priority in bangladesh’s economic and security strategy. although democratic bangladesh has a moral dilemma in supporting the military government, it has yet to formally condemn the military coup or demand aung san su Kyi’s release. it underscores Dhaka’s careful support for the junta’s “one-Myanmar government policy.” so, in foreign policy circles, the immediate discussion is whether Dhaka’s stance is a “well-thought-out approach or simply a premature polarization.” in-depth analysis suggests that bangladesh’s stance has stemmed from some very specific strategic considerations. First, bangladesh is well aware that sanctions and condemnation, a typical western practice, are counterproductive in Myanmar as long as China and russia continue to extend their diplomatic and military shields. second, the previous NLD government failed to facilitate Dhaka’s long-expected connectivity, border security, or rohingya crisis issues. Third, Dhaka seeks to develop cozy relations with Myanmar’s army based on a non-confrontational and non-interference approach. so, it doesn’t want to enrage the Tatmadaw by taking part in a smear campaign that would not even address the country’s core security concerns.

Given the rapidly changing geo-political dynamics, it is not strange to predict that major powers like China, india, russia, and Japan will remain on the Myanmar military’s side, underlining their own strategic narratives. it will undoubtedly give the military a chance to consolidate its grip on the country as well as its diplomatic status and military position. With a recent resumption in diplomatic exchanges, China is warming up its historical “Pauk-Phaw” (sibling) ties with Myanmar. it has begun to normalize relations with the state administration Council, mainly to secure its strategic infrastructure projects that would give beijing a vital gateway to the indian Ocean.

Despite the fact that russia, one of Myanmar’s largest arms suppliers, has no pressing geostrategic imperatives in Myanmar, it has been trying to diversify its cooperation with the country to increase its investment portfolio. besides, the China-russia axis is expected to play a more active role in the centre of the indo-Pacific to offset expanding western dominance. although india and Japan, two QUaD allies, feel uncomfortable doing business with a military regime, they will avoid the West-centric coercive measures and instead follow a “twintrack diplomacy” to engage with military administrations as well as pro-democracy forces. apparently, the key strategic reason for this stance is to avoid alienating Myanmar and pushing it towards China’s lap.

This is how bangladesh finds its major strategic and development allies, who wield meaningful leverage over Myanmar, are on the Tatmadaw side. so, based on a rational calculation of interests, aligning with the National Unity Government (which is in exile to boot), which holds no solid territory and no de jure recognition from any foreign government, would have negative ramifications for burmabangladesh ties.

No doubt, finding an early and sustainable solution to the rohingya crisis is a “top priority” issue for bangladesh right now. but policy analysts acknowledge that this protracted issue has become more complicated and would require a “consultative and constructive approach” between the two governments, along with international stakeholders. in this case, bangladesh would have to deal with the Myanmar military even if it is governed by people’s representatives because the 2008 Constitution places the military in a central position in the government with complete authority over the ministries of defence, home, and border affairs. as a result, any attempt to solve the crisis without the active cooperation of the country’s military would be futile. it’s worth remembering that, bangladesh has repatriated rohingya twice, in 1978 and 1992, through dialogue and diplomacy with the military regime. so, Dhaka doesn’t see any problem with keeping its communication channels with the burmese generals open to manoeuvre a step-by-step crisis-resolution model. both countries are wary of the arakan army’s growing control over rakhine state, as well as the resurgence of the arakan rohingya salvation army (arsa), which has been accused of several violent attacks on Myanmar’s police outposts, as well as the murder of Mohib Ullah, an influential rohingya community

leader. arsa is believed to have a political agenda to prevent rohingyas from returning home, prolonging the crisis.

Furthermore, it is easy to speculate that the 270-km bangladesh-Myanmar border would be a hotspot for cross-border insurgencies and crimes due to the persistent security crisis in rakhine and its proximity to the Golden Triangle. as a result, bangladesh might consider that collaborating with the military administration is the only tactical option for combating escalating drug and arms smuggling and human trafficking. another main strategic objective of bangladesh is to materialize its look-east policy by connecting itself with China and the aseaN countries via Myanmar. bangladesh has also been eyeing joining the aseaN bloc and the india-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway initiative. Therefore, bangladesh ought to convince Myanmar’s central government to draw up plans for access to each other’s markets as well as regional markets to face the post-LDC challenges.

Despite past strained ties, bangladesh’s military chiefs have traditionally paid goodwill visits to Myanmar, seeking to develop a more meaningful relationship from a security standpoint. What is important to note is that bangladesh was among only eight countries that sent their defence attachés to attend the Myanmar armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw in March 2021, a month after the coup, prompting Min aung Hlaing to consider Dhaka one of his allies. Very evidently, Dhaka doesn’t want to close the door of negotiation with the new military administration.

Tatmadaw’s recent participation in aseaN Military intelligence and Chiefs of Defence Forces Meetings, as well as in the indian Navy’s largest multilateral exercise, MiLaN 2022, along with those of the QUaD members, may pave the way for other countries to adopt military diplomacy to address political and diplomatic concerns. bangladesh might calculate that very intense engagement in the security domain through security dialogue and cooperation, joint exercises and training, staff-to-staff meetings, and intelligence sharing will forge meaningful ties to tackle major challenges such as the rohingya crisis, insurgency, transnational crime, and other non-traditional security threats. in a nutshell, bangladesh is trying to reorient its Myanmar policy in light of the regional power setting and the army’s new rule in Naypyidaw. Pursuing a multi-dimensional approach of engagement with the Myanmar govt. and convincing them to address security concerns could be a viable strategic option for bangladesh right now.

In a nutshell, Bangladesh is trying to reorient its Myanmar policy in light of the regional power setting and the army’s new rule in Naypyidaw. Pursuing a multi-dimensional approach of engagement with the Myanmar govt. and convincing them to address security concerns could be a viable strategic option for Bangladesh right now

The writer can be psbhuiyan92@gmail.com

contacted

at

CLiMaTe change is the gravest of all challenges facing the world today. its costs are incalculable and damage irreparable. it has gripped the whole world and wreaked havoc all over the world.

The reality is that climate change is costing lives and it is a humanitarian crisis as well as an environmental one. The menace of climate change has been triggered by many factors such as excessive greenhouse gas emissions, enormous use of non-renewable energy sources, deforestation and other anthropogenic activities. Ostensibly, thanks to these factors, the earth gets warmer which leads to changes in climate patterns.

The intergovernmental panel on climate change (iPCC), the leading body of the United Nations for the assessment of climate change has proved some scientific evidence for the warming of the climate. Unequivocally, scientists, climate experts and authorities of the world have observed the changing patterns of rainfall, floods and temperature rising are some indicators of climate change. Over several decades the scientists have sounded the alarm about this global problem they have come together to show a pattern that the current atmospheric warming driven by human activities, has the potential to change in ways that could profoundly affect human livelihood in many parts of the world. However, the process of the industrial revolution in the 18th century and the phenomena of decolonisation spewed an alarming rate of carbon emissions. The global emissions rate keeps worsening over time. in addition, colonialism has also greatly influenced the shape of prevalent economic systems, which have enabled vast accumulation via the ruthless exploitation of people and our planet. some prominent scientists and climate experts have warned if the global temperature continues to rise at the current pace it should have catastrophic consequences.

Most importantly, deforestation is warmly welcome to global warming and has profoundly exacerbated green energy and climate change. Therefore, the effects are significant and include melting polar ice, rising sea levels and severe storms, droughts and flooding. international cooperation and coordination is prerequisite to significantly mitigate the impact of climate change and could bring unprecedented changes in the pattern of the climate system. First of all the large dynamic emerging economies- China, india, brazil and indonesia have assured leadership, offering contributions of their own and prodding other industrial countries to take their actions. Moreover, all the largely emitters must make their contribution to galvanize the technological revolution. They would take early actions to eliminate fossil fuels, subsidies commit to matching carbon price increases in the future, and strengthen the protection of intellectual property for green technology. Now, China is the leading country in carbon emissions, for instance, it plans to spend $780 billion on renewable energy by 2030. similarly, saudi arabia, one of the leading countries in the production of fossil fuels, intends to invest $50 billion in its renewable energy sector.

ZAKIR ULLAH MARDAN

Oxidative stress in anemic dogs aNeMia is a condition in dogs or pets animals related to a decrease in the level of erythrocytes and a lower in hemoglobin concentration. based on the scale and form of rbCs anemias are categorized as Normocytic normochromic, Normocytic hypochromic, Microcytic normochromic, Microcytic hypochromic, Macrocytic normochromic, and Macrocytic hypochromic and on the idea hemorrhagic and hemolytic anemia. The intention of our examine changed into to categorize the distinctive forms of anemias like normocytic normochromic, normocytic hypochromic, microcytic hypochromic, and many others in different breeds of dogs inclusive of German shepherd, Labrador retriever, pointer, Pitbull, and German shepherd. another examine by tells us that rDW and MCV are useful tools to identify the anemia in different breeds of dogs.

This study was conducted in Department of Pathology in University of Veterinary and animal sciences, Lahore and Chugtai Lab Lahore. in this study different breeds of dogs were involved which were anemic in condition due to different infections or nutritional deficiencies. Total of 30 samples were included in this study in which 20 were diseased and 10 are normal or control group. 3 ml of blood were collected from the cephalic vein of each dog.

Complete blood count was study through the analyzer. The analyzer which was used for this study is MiNDraY (bc-5000-vet). Different parameters were studied through this analyzer which hemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (rbC), white blood cell count (WbC), hematocrit (HCT), mean carpuscular volume (MCV), mean carpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean carpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Through complete blood count we were able to classify the anemia in different breeds of dogs in different conditions. The most common type of anemia which was found in samples was normocytic normochromic. The rare was microcytic normochromic, microcytic hypochromic, macrocytic normochromic and macrocytic hypochromic. The serology values of samples showed that in most of anemic conditions in dogs the serum aLT and serum aLP fall in normal ranges while the serum asT increase in anemic conditions. There were two oxidative stress biomarkers included in research which are superoxide dismutase (sOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The value of sOD in anemic conditions was higher while the value of GPX was declined from the normal range. The Pearson Correlation was applied between three parameters of study. red blood cells count (rbC) with glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (sOD). The correlation of results tells us that there is positive correlation of rbC with GPX and negative correlation with the superoxide dismutase (sOD). so, decrease in the rbCs mean decrease in the GPX and increase the sOD. Correlation is the significant at the 0.01 level (2 tailed). This result was checked on sPss version 2020.

MUHAMMAD SAJID LATIF LAHORE

Dangerous spaces on Twitter TWiTTer spaces and discussions are risky as most topics are unsafe and banned in most places and countries. Listening to a Twitter discussion can be very detrimental to certain people because it is a spot where every time of topic is discussed. if you discuss a space where they have morals that follow every injustice, then your followers can see you. as a result, one can be targeted, hurt, and blackmailed. Thus, avoid joining and speaking in unsafe discussions. before concluding, i should state that of course now freedom of speech is the priority of Twitter but believe me, it can be dangerous to your personal safety as you have no idea who it can offend.

PARVEZ MOULA BAKHSH KARACHI

08 WORLD VIEW 16th May 22_Layout 1 5/15/2022 10:45 PM Page 1

Monday, 16 May, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

RUSSIA HAD ‘FOURTH MAN’ AS SPY INSIDE THE CIA, NEW BOOK SAYS

intercept James Risen

R

USSIAN President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a new freeze in relations between the United States and russia. But for some veterans of the CIA and FBI, the spy wars that punctuated the first Cold War never really ended.

During the 1980s, in the final decade of the Cold War, three Americans who spied for the Soviet Union — CIA officers edward Lee Howard and Aldrich Ames and FBI agent robert Hanssen — are known to have helped Moscow identify, arrest, and imprison or execute most of the Soviet agents who were secretly spying for the United States. Those agent losses left the CIA virtually in the dark in Moscow for years. Ames and Hanssen were eventually caught and arrested and today remain in federal prison, while Howard defected to Moscow, where he died in 2002.

Now there is growing evidence that there may have been a fourth major American spy who was never caught. According to a new book, a mole hunt for the “fourth man,” who was suspected of being a CIA officer, began in the 1990s, but no one has ever been arrested or charged in the case. Secret details of that investigation are being disclosed for the first time in “The Fourth Man,” a new book by former CIA officer robert Baer, which is due to be published Tuesday.

“The story of the russian double agent in the CIA who got away may sound like some unfinished piece of business from the Cold War,” Baer observes in his book. But

THE BOOK BY ROBERT BAER PROVIDES NEW DETAILS ON THE HUNT FOR A RUSSIAN SPY INSIDE THE CIA AS VLADIMIR PUTIN CAME TO POWER “it’s starting to look more like the mystery of the fourth man is a lot more historically significant than an old-school spy tale. It’s part of the much larger story of how America completely missed Putin and the KGB’s resurrection.”

The fact that U.S. officials believe there was a “fourth man” inside the CIA was first disclosed in 2003 in “The Main enemy,” a book I co-authored with former CIA officer Milt Bearden. Baer has now provided a wealth of new details about the case, including the key role of a KGB agent who supplied crucial information to the CIA on the fourth spy. I interviewed several former CIA and FBI officials this week who agreed that there was a fourth mole.

“I believe there is a fourth man, and a lot of things point that way,” Jim Milburn, a former FBI counterintelligence agent who was involved in the investigation, said in an interview this week. “There is more that I can’t talk about. It all leads to my sense that there is a fourth man.”

“Absolutely there was a fourth man,” added John Lewis, former FBI assistant director for national security. “We had a lot of unexplained things that couldn’t be explained by the three others.” In many ways, the narrative of the “fourth man” investigation reads like “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” the John le Carré novel about a mole hunt inside British intelligence. Baer’s book reveals that the seeds of the case go back to 1988, when a CIA officer stationed in Addis Ababa, ethiopia, first met a KGB officer named Alexander Zaporozhsky. The CIA gave Zaporozhsky the code name “GT-

ZOrrO” and nicknamed him “Max.” As a series of CIA officers continued to meet Zaporozhsky over the years, he began to provide clues revealing that the KGB had moles inside U.S. intelligence, according to Baer.

At some point, Zaporozhsky suggested that the KGB had two moles, one in the CIA and another in the FBI, although he didn’t know their names. One was known inside the KGB as “Karat,” and the other as “rubine.”

Zaporozhsky’s information about the existence of two moles came long before either the CIA or FBI was convinced that Moscow had double agents inside U.S. intelligence.

Before Zaporozhsky, “there’d been devastating, unexplained losses of CIA russian agents … and there certainly were those who suspected the problem was a mole. But there was nothing in the way of air-tight evidence to support the theory,” writes Baer.

Zaporozhsky’s evidence ultimately led to Ames at the CIA and Hanssen at the FBI, Baer writes. He describes Zaporozhsky as one of the most important russian spies the CIA ever had. At some point, Zaporozhsky also began to tell the CIA that there was yet another KGB mole inside the CIA, one who was believed to be ranked higher in the organization than Ames. American spy hunters began to call that the “big case.”

FIRST ARRESTS: In 1994, Ames was arrested and charged with spying for Moscow, thanks in part to the information Zaporozhsky had provided. After Ames was arrested, the CIA secretly created a new counterintelligence team to try to determine whether there were any losses that could not be ex-

plained by Ames or Howard, who had defected to Moscow in 1985. The agency’s team, Baer writes, included CIA officers Laine Bannerman, Diana Worthen, and MaryAnn Hough. They began to sift through old tips, leads, and other evidence relating to compromised agents and operations that couldn’t be explained by either Ames or Howard. eventually, they became convinced that there were at least two more moles.

Some of their evidence pointed toward Hanssen, who was arrested in 2001.

Baer’s book discloses that the team still believed there was another, fourth mole — thus coming to the same conclusion as Zaporozhsky. This was confirmed to The Intercept by one of the now-retired CIA investigators: “I do believe there is a fourth man,” said Worthen in an interview this week.

In 1996, a CIA officer met again with Zaporozhsky, this time in Tbilisi, Georgia.

He told the CIA that he believed he had come under suspicion in Moscow. But he also said he had heard that russian intelligence had recruited another American CIA officer. This officer had been recruited in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was now assigned to “the Farm,” the CIA’s training center outside Williamsburg, Virginia. With Zaporozhsky’s information, the CIA was quickly able to identify CIA officer Harold Nicholson as a russian spy, and he was arrested in November 1996. But Nicholson had never worked in the CIA’s Soviet or russian operations and so was quickly ruled out as being the “fourth man.”

In 1998, Zaporozhsky was resettled in the United States by the CIA, pulled out of

In politics, money talks, and loudly

NATO’s northward expansion risks turning Europe into a new powder keg global tiMeS

“F

editoRial

INLAND must apply for NATO membership without delay,” Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin jointly announced on Thursday. A similar announcement will come from Sweden. After its eastward expansion, NATO is moving northward, which might turn europe into a new powder keg.

The term Finlandization, which refers to the policy of strict neutrality that Finland followed during the Cold War, has been brought up since the outbreak of the russia-Ukraine conflict.

Maintaining neutrality has also brought many benefits to the development of neutral countries, including Finland and Sweden.

However, the two countries, which did not join NATO even during the Cold War era, decided to join the military alliance now. The move will result in, most directly, a boom in NATO’s power, forming a new acute challenge to europe’s security order, observers noticed.

A crucial background is - when it comes to the european security architecture - there is no way to kick russia out of the concept. russia is there, right next to europe, with a territory of about 17 million square kilometers, 145 million people as well as the world’s second-most powerful military. How is european security in any way enhanced by threatening russia’s security?

For europe, it is simply not realistic to maintain the ongoing tensions with russia.

After the end of the Cold War, the european security balance was broken, when NATO, which no longer had excuses to exist after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, not only stayed alive, but even obtained a new role as the military support of US global hegemony.

Worse, there was no other military organization in the world that could check and balance NATO. This is already a huge imbalance, Sun Keqin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International relations, told the Global Times.

After several rounds of eastward expansion, NATO has absorbed quite a few members of the former Soviet Union. It has already been proved the bloc’s expansion has made europe more dangerous instead of making it safer. Still,

NATO welcomes another round of northward enlargement. europe’s security imbalance will only deteriorate. The geopolitical map of europe is being redrawn.

If Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometerlong border with russia - longer than the russia-Ukraine border - joins NATO, it will be a dangerous escalation of the provocation right on russia’s doorstep. The possibility of new conflict between russia and NATO will only increase. europe will get nothing but an even more fragile security status. ATO may think it has strong conventional forces and economic power. But russia retains thousands of nuclear warheads. This is its ace in the hole. That being said, a further provocation from NATO against russia will jeopardize not only europe, but also the world. Finland and Sweden may now think that after joining NATO, they could receive protection from others. But be careful: Finland will be right at the forefront in the anti-russia campaign. If anything goes wrong on the front line, Finland will be the first to face the consequences, Sun noted.

The fatal imbalance in the european security architecture has brought the continent to great disruption and catastrophe. This should offer a lesson to the Asia-Pacific.

After the end of WWII, the US had always wanted to establish a global security framework to contain socialist countries. Yet the attempt has not worked out given contradictions between itself and its allies.

But very recently, South Korea’s national intelligence agency joined the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of excellence as the latter’s first Asian member. Both South Korea and Japan were invited to the NATO Summit to be held next month. It may signal that US’ Asian allies and NATO are forming institutional interactions. This is something to be vigilant about.

The US and NATO, with strong logic of power politics, bloc politics and a Cold War mind-set, may apply its tactic of turning other regions into tinderboxes in the Asia-Pacific region. With the lessons drawn from the Ukraine crisis, Asia-Pacific countries should join hands in saying no to foreign interference in the region, and start building its own security regime, avoiding the crisis in europe from taking shape on our doorstep.

Moscow along with other agents believed to be in danger. With Zaporozhsky and its other agents gone, the CIA was in the dark in Moscow just as Putin was beginning his rise to power.

Zaporozhsky misread Putin’s russia too.

After he resettled in the United States, he made the mistake of traveling back to russia, where he was arrested and then spent years in prison. He was released and sent back to the United States in 2010 in one of the biggest spy swaps ever conducted. Zaporozhsky was one of four people whom Moscow sent back to the U.S. in exchange for 10 russian “sleeper” agents arrested by the United States. The story of the russian “illegal” agents who had burrowed into American society, including Anna Chapman, who became a celebrity as a result of her spying, became the inspiration for the popular television series “The Americans.”

Sydney Morning Herald

A

Jon Faine

re we about to elect the best politicians money can buy?

Quite possibly – and we would not even know. Australia’s political donation laws are absurdly out of date and not fit for purpose.

Yet reform of this vital component of our democratic machine is not even being discussed. After all, neither the current crop of large donors nor their beneficiaries would welcome debate about how these mutually beneficial arrangements protect their exclusive access to power.

Fundraiser cocktail parties, lunches and dinners raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, typically paid by property developers, lobbyists and sundry business figures to get close to senior ministers and leaders from state and federal parliaments.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, but there are cheap ones. The ongoing Independent Broad-based Anticorruption Commission inquiry into property developer John Woodman has revealed allegations that a mere $5000 can get you an MP’s ear – a small part of the cost of doing business for the seemingly less scrupulous.

In pursuit of the dollars, ministers take time out from their onerous schedules, and priority is given to glad-handing donors at yet another ghastly, tedious, rubber chicken – or lobster – dinner. recycled Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy cannot shake the Lobster with a Mobster (alleged) tag so effectively weaponised by the ALP, a legacy from a lavish lunch with an accused crime boss during his tenure as planning minister in the previous Coalition government.

That is quite apart from the challenge to our democracy posed by billionaire Clive Palmer donating millions to his own party and spending it to influence

how some voters mark their ballot. His barrage of full-page newspaper, billboard and TV ads that assert ex-Liberal backbencher now UAP “leader” Craig Kelly will be the next PM or that mortgage rates will be somehow magically capped are arguably not just absurd but misleading. But there is nought that can be done under existing laws to prevent them.

While the concerns of wealthy donors are pushed to the front of the queue, the combined voices of the respected and authoritative Transparency International, the Centre for Public Integrity, the Australia Institute and the Australian Democracy Network are being mostly ignored. They all advocate urgent political donation law reform.

There is nothing wrong with people and corporations donating money to help their preferred political party into power.

But there is everything wrong with it being done covertly, using the smokescreen provided by the ineffectual disclosure rules. A major problem with our current regime is that donors are not identified until well after the event. It often takes 18 months for details of who gave what to be made public. There is no reason to persist with this system designed with technology no more sophisticated than morse code in mind.

Uncoupling the disclosure of political donations from the release of the following financial year’s full accounts is technically simple. The ALP, Liberals and Nationals already have all the information at their fingertips – they know where their money comes from. But they prefer we do not find out until the carnival has moved on. The teal independents, however, are showing a different path, with the simple application of existing technology allowing anyone to see who is donating how much to any individual campaign.

For instance, at the time of writing, my former ABC colleague Zoe Daniel, the independent challenging Liberal MP Tim Wilson in Goldstein, has a list on her website declaring roughly $1,380,000 in total from about 2500 individual donors.

Most supporters fork out a couple of hundred dollars, although some declare amounts in the thousands. About a quar-

ter prefer to remain anonymous.

Major political donors across the parties include gaming giants in every state and, until recently, the troubled casino operator Crown resorts, which announced it would stop making political donations just as separate royal commissions in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia started investigating close links to organised crime.

From its first days, Crown enjoyed preferential treatment from successive governments (for instance, exemption from smoking bans) which has always been justified by its status as a major employer, not a major donor (or it being a huge source of tax revenue).

Under existing laws, political parties need not reveal who makes a donation unless it is more than $14,300, a threshold which is annually indexed. ridiculously, there is nothing stopping someone from making multiple undeclared donations of $14,295, a technique independent MP in Warringah, Zali Steggall, was found to have benefited from.

The delay in disclosure means joining any dots between money donated and favours awarded is more difficult than it ought to be.

It is no coincidence the states with problems in recent years – NSW, Queensland, WA and Victoria — have all ended up with strong anti-corruption commissions. All have adopted stricter laws than the federal scene. We derive no comfort from a set of rules so deficient that they frustrate their stated purpose.

Will either party accept the reform challenge? Don’t hold your breath.

Along with a truly independent anticorruption commission and a long-overdue review of freedom of information laws, our democracy needs better protection from the corrosive impact of unaccountable power. Whether solving crimes or tracing political influence, always follow the money – it explains everything.

Jon Faine is a regular columnist and former ABC Radio Melbourne broadcaster. He is a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne.

Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner Special squads to curb onewheeling and road stunt activities in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has erected constituted special squads to curb one-wheeling and road stunt activities in the city.

Following the directions of Inspector General of Police Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younis, these special squads have been erected to check practices of one wheeling, car racing and rash driving which not only put the lives of violators in danger but also of other road users.

Various teams and special squads of ITP would continuously patrol in various areas of the city especially in 7th avenue, 9th avenue, Margallah Road, Kashmir Highway, Expressway, Murree Road to take action against speedsters who play stunt on roads.

The policemen of these teams and squad performing in these areas would ensure special vigilance and stopping youngsters to get involved in these stunts putting their lives on risk.

Acting SP (Traffic) Majid Iqbal said that strict action would be taken against one-wheelers and rash drivers. He appealed the parents to ensure strict vigilance of their children and do not allow them to play stunt on the roads and risk their lives.

"Such steps by the ITP have the only purpose to ensure safe road environment for the citizens of Islamabad," he said but termed the cooperation of the parents vital to stop such life-threatening stunts.

The Acting SP (Traffic) said that bikes of one-wheelers would be impounded and heavy fine tickets will be delivered to them. No laxity will be tolerated in this regard, he added. pr

BOP partners with Mastercard and becomes latest Credit cards issuer with unique offering

TexTIle exPOrTS rISe TO reCOrd $16Bn In 10 MOnThS T nEwS DESk

ExTILE group exports during the first 10 months (JulyApril) of the current fiscal year 2021-22 hit a record high of $15.981 billion against $12.688 billion during the corresponding period of the last financial year 2020-21, showing an increase of 25.96 percent.

According to the data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the textile group exports increased by 7.01 percent on a month-on-month basis and remained $1.739 billion in April 2022 compared to $1.625 billion in March 2022. On a year-on-year basis, textile group exports witnessed 30.50 percent growth in April 2022, when compared to $1.332 billion in April 2021.

Cotton yarn exports registered a growth of 22.11 percent during JulyApril 2021-22 and remained at $1.006

billion compared to $823.952 million during the same period of last year, and decreased by 4.95 percent in April 2022 and remained at $97.655 million when compared to $102.736 million during the same month of last year.

The country’s overall exports dur-

ing July-April (2021- 22) totalled $26.247 billion against $20.905 billion during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 25.55 percent. The country’s exports during April 2022 were $2.897 billion as compared to $2.777 billion in March 2022,

Peace and Harmony Birth Rights of Every Individual: Ibrahim Hasan Murad LAHORE pr

The Bank of Punjab (BOP), one of the country’s leading financial institutions, with network of 664 branches and 655 ATMs across Pakistan, has signed an agreement with Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry. The partnership will see the bank’s customers in the region and across the globe benefit from a new range of electronic payment products.

The agreement will see BOP issuing Mastercard debit and credit cards to its customers and enable point-of-sale (POS) and e-commerce acquiring, utilizing Mastercard’s industry-leading Mastercard Payment Gateway Services platform. Representatives from BOP attended the signing ceremony, including Zahid Mustafa – Group Chief, Consumer & Digital Banking, Asim Qureshi – Head Cards, Syed Shahzad Shahid – Head of Digital Banking and Rai Usman Mujahid – Head of Customer. From Mastercard, the event was attended by J.K. Khalil – Country General Manager for MENA East and Nabeel Ahmad – Director of Business Development, Pakistan.

Addressing the participants, Mr. Zahid Mustafa said: “Cards and payments are critical components of our digital banking strategy to provide ease and convenience to our customers. We have developed a strong value proposition for our cards with the help of Mastercard as we seek to give value to our customers with every transaction. We are bringing learnings from international markets to Pakistan and the partnership with Mastercard is playing a pivotal role in digitization of retail, as well government initiatives.” Speaking on behalf of Mastercard, Mr. J.K. Khalil shared: “Pakistan is fast embracing digital payments and the endless opportunities it presents to people and communities. We are delighted to deepen our longstanding partnership with The Bank of Punjab through this milestone launch. Together, we are committed to offering world-class payment solutions to support the country’s digital transformation ambitions.” pr

09

University of Management and Technology (UMT) President, Ibrahim Hasan Murad ,said that peaceful and harmonious existence was the birth right of every individual.

Speaking on the eve of the International Day of Living Together in Peace on May 16, Murad said there was a dire need to promote harmony, patience, inclusion, understanding and unity. He added that the Day aimed at setting aside differences and building a sustainable and peaceful world for everyone.

The UMT president said we must “respect, recognize and appreciate individuals to promote peace for the benefit of all of humanity and the future generations”. To build a sustainable and developed nation, all kinds of differences need to be disregarded whether

it was race, colour, language, religion, politics, disability or any other, he added.

Murad revealed that the Centre for Critical Peace Studies at UMT was focused on building an active international scholarly community that examined the problems of peace and justice from the perspective of the Global South.

The UMT president went on to say that education played a

vital role in bridging gaps in the society and helped in appreciating cultural diversity.

“Focused education can aid in resolving cultural conflicts and eradicate issues of intolerance, inequality and violence.

Our youth, the nation-builders and the educators must put all their energies to create a peaceful society, as an educated youth is the guardian of prosperity,” Murad added.

showing an increase of 4.32 percent and by 30.61 percent as compared to $2.218 billion in April 2021.

The main commodities of exports during April, 2022 were knitwear (Rs90,096 million), readymade garments (Rs64,669 million), bed wear (Rs51,398 million), cotton cloth (Rs38,763 million), rice others (Rs32,704 million), towels (Rs19,974 million), cotton yarn (Rs18,016 million), made-up articles (excl. towels & bedwear) (Rs15,277 million), rice basmati (Rs15,198 million) and surgical goods & medical instruments (Rs8,067 million).

Based on the provisional figures of imports and exports the balance of trade in April 2022 was $3.782 billion.

The balance of trade figures cumulative from July-April 2021–22 remained $39.29 billion. However, due to $3.1 billion remittance, the current account deficit hovered around $682 million during April 2022.

AIOU extends admissions’ date of MA/M.Sc programs till June 15 ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) has extended the admissions date of MA/M.Sc programmes offered in Semester Spring, 2022 till June 15 with late fee charges. According to Director Admissions, Syed Zia Ul Hasnain Naqvi, the University has offered the admissions of MA/M.Sc programs last time under the policy of Higher Education Commission, these programs will be closed from next semester, so the admissions date of these programs has been extended to benefit maximum number of students. Nominated banks have also been instructed to collect fees from students till the new date of admissions. This is the last chance for the students who want to get admission in the two years MA/M.Sc programs, he added. Vice-Chancellor, AIOU Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum has expressed the hope that the aspiring students of the Master’s programs will take full advantage of this opportunity.

He directed all Regional heads of the University across the country to provide full support and guidance to the students coming in the campuses in the admissions’ process.

IESCO customers informed of power outage through WhatsApp messages ISLAMABAD: Consumer friendly initiatives and implementation of customer friendly policies is the most important initiative of any public utility organization.

In the light of Ministry of Energy Power Division directives to solve all the problems of the consumers on their doorstep, The IESCO Chief Executive has issued instructions to all the field formations to ensure prior intimations to customers regarding power failure, load management due to gap in demand or supply or due to system maintenance. So that IESCO Customers could manage their routine activities accordingly. Following the instruction of Federal Secretary (Power Division) all field formations have been issued directive to create WhatsApp groups, of customer on each feeder and a focal person/Facilitator officer may also be nominated who will ensure timely dispatch of WhatsApp messages to relevant customers in case of any power failure or any temporary shutdown. pr

Police experts discuss technology-oriented policing ISLAMABAD staff report

The 6th AFIGP Annual Conference was held at National Police Academy in Islamabad under the auspices of Association of Former Inspectors General of Police (AFIGP).

The conference was set on the theme of “Reform through Technology Oriented Policing TOP” and was chaired by the President AFIGP Mr. Iftikhar Rashid and Mr. Dil Jan Khan. The conference dilated upon the rampant global technological advancement and its specific impacts on policing in Pakistan. To conform with emerging phenomenon, almost all police organizations have realigned themselves with integration of technology & digitalization.

Focus of the conference was to evaluate different initiatives, proposals and developments primarily in the area of technology oriented policing and to solicit inputs for

consideration of police leadership and policy makers. The conference was followed by AFIGP Executive Committee Elections.

AFIGP stated to have firm belief that the prevalent law & order situation and terrorist activities in the country could be regulated through vigorous & enhanced Technology Oriented Policing TOP capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).

It has also been felt that internal functioning capabilities of police as an institution is directly proportionate to the technological based backup up support. Enhancing such Technology Oriented Policing TOP not only aids in following best practices but helps devise an explicit road map to deal with emerging challenges faced by police.

Taking the foregoing into consideration, the AFIGP invited experts for sharing their knowledge & ideas on the subject for policy guidelines for various stakeholders.

In the beginning, General Secretary of AFIGP Mr. Kamal Uddin Tipu presented comprehensive progress and activities report of AFIGP. While sharing activity report, General Secretary AFIGP, stated that “Reform through Technology Oriented Policing TOP” is not only for knowledge but for assimilating such practices in our police working and processes. The Commandant National Police Academy congratulated AFIGP for holding such a successful conference on very contemporary and relevant issue.

Mr. Akbar Nasir Khan gave introductory briefing on Technology Oriented Policing TOP which was followed by presentation on Role of Technology in Urban Policing; Safe City Projects Punjab Police by Mr. Asim Jasra, SP. Mr. Arfan ul Haq from NPB gave a presentation on Development of Platform for Sharing of Crime Statistics and Integration of Criminal

Database. He urged to work on joint platform for creating and sharing digitized data of the criminals and crime among all the law enforcement agencies.

Ms. Amna Baig, SP presented IT-Based interventions in ICT Police in detail to the participants of the conference. Mr. Ashraf Zubair Siddique, ADG Immigration FIA shared practices of IT in Federal Investiga-

tion Agency: Present and Future. Technology on the Highways: Today & Tomorrow was presented by Mr. Shabih Hussain, SSP from Motorways Police. Mr. Saqib Sultan Al Mehmood, Director NPB shared a report on Police Reforms Committee Recommendations: Implementation Status. Mr. Saud Mirza, former IGP briefed on Police Icon – Mr. Sharif Khan IGP West Pakistan.

Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

US maSS ShootINg ExPoSES daNgEroUS trENd of whItE SUPrEmacISm

a

newS DeSk

mass shooting Saturday afternoon at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, suspected of being a racially motivated attack, has resulted in 10 deaths, once again exposing the US’ increasingly serious and dangerous trend of neo-Nazi and white supremacist terrorism. It highlighted another social and economic predicament the US is facing, which is likely to push the already highly-divided, problem-laden country into a much bigger crisis, said Chinese observers.

Observers noted that due to its inability to address those deep-rooted problems, the current US administration would rather look the other way, focusing instead on marshalling allies against China and Russia, while some politicians even exploit such dangerous social issues to score political points.

But eventually, the US failure to put the brakes on its most prominent domestic problems will take the country off the moral high ground when it comes to criticizing other countries in the name of “human rights” is-

sues, and that conniving with the rising white supremacist terrorism will eventually backfire against the country, said experts.

Authorities identified the gunman as 18year-old Payton S. Gendron of Conklin, a small town in New York. Mr. Gendron drove more than 200 miles to mount his attack, which he also livestreamed, the police were

quoted by US media as saying. The shooting left 10 people dead and injured three more, almost all of them black.

Shortly after Gendron was captured, a manifesto believed to have been posted online by the gunman emerged, riddled with racist, anti-immigrant views that claimed white Americans were at risk of being re-

placed by people of color.

The 10 people killed in Buffalo represent the highest number of fatalities in a mass shooting in the US this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks them.

In a statement made late Saturday night, US President Biden expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and praise for law enforcement, adding that “a racially motivated hate crime is abhorrent to the very fabric of this nation… Any act of domestic terrorism, including an act perpetrated in the name of a repugnant white nationalist ideology, is antithetical to everything we stand for in America,” the president said.

In a news conference Saturday evening, Gov. Kathy Hochul decried the attack as a frightening reminder of the dangers of “white supremacist terrorism.”

The rise of white supremacy, widening racial divides and growing inequality are deep-rooted problems that have long poisoned US society, said experts. Similarly to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to high inflation, rising prices and surging deaths, those problems are becoming more and more

Finnish government officially announces its application for NATO membership AgencIeS

Palestinians fear another ‘Nakba’ amid Israel’s unbridled illegal colonial policies: Embassy ISLAMABAD Agencies

After seventy four years of illegal creation of Israel on the occupied land of Palestine, the Palestinians are facing the threat of another Nakba (destruction) that will completely destroy Palestine, if Israel is allowed to continue with it’s illegal colonial policies against Palestinian people. On 15th of May, Palestinians all over the globe commemorate Nakba Day in memory of the almost total destruction of their presence in their homeland of Palestine, said a statement issued here by the Embassy of the State of Palestine. It said the creation of Israel on Palestinian land in 1948 constitutes a grave historical injustice to the Palestinian people that persists until now. As Seventy four years have passed since the Nakba of 1948, the year that marked the expulsion and exodus of the Palestinian people. “The Nakba of yesterday is the ongoing reality of today. Palestinians are denied all basic human rights as Israel continues to adopt the policies of forcible transfer, oppression and humiliation to pave the way for the construction of more Israeli settlements and settlers in occupied Palestine”. The continuous vicious colonial attempts to erase the Palestinian identity, to ethnically cleanse the people of Palestine and to humiliate their dignity at the hands of Israel was not only one dark chapter in history, but a daily life under humiliation, oppression and occupation for each and every Palestinian, it added. “It’s time for this dark chapter to end and for a new promising one to begin. It’s time for justice in Palestine”.

During the Nakba (“catastrophe”), Israel destroyed 531 Palestinian towns and villages and committed at least 33 massacres, and more than 800,000 Palestinians were uprooted and expelled to live as refugees at the mercy of others in refugee camps and in diaspora. Since 1948, Israel has employed deliberate and systematic acts of violence, colonialism and destruction at the expense of the Palestinian people, their rights, lands, and resources. “Fundamentalist Zionism is bent on pursuing these policies unilaterally to superimpose ‘Greater Israel’ on historical Palestine”. More than seven million Palestinian refugees reside in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in exile. Palestinian refugees have suffered for far too long, and it is time that their plight is recognized by the international community and resolved in accordance with international law and conventions, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 (1948), the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).

The Finnish government on Sunday announced that it has officially decided to apply for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said the country’s leadership has decided to join the military alliance.

“This is a historic day,” Niinisto said, adding that the change is not targeted against anyone.

Marin said a NATO membership would strengthen Finland’s security, which is the most important aspect, but as a member of NATO, Finland would also assume its responsibilities. The leaders said the President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy had completed a report on Finland’s joining of NATO. The report will be submitted to a government council meeting later on Sunday, and is expected to be presented to parliament, which will review it on Monday.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told reporters that the written application will be officially submitted by the country’s ambassador to NATO headquarters in Brussels, which will “most likely” take place on May 18.

The latest official confirmation of Finland’s bid comes three days after the leaders publicly said their country “must apply for NATO membership without delay,” in a

major policy shift prompted by Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine. On Saturday, during a phone call with the Finnish president, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Finland’s rejection of the traditional policy of military neutrality would be a mistake, and the changes in foreign policy may have a negative impact on relations with Russia. Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, the longest of any European Union member.

Sweden is also expected to follow suit as public support for NATO membership has grown amid security concerns. Foreign ministers from NATO’s 30 member states are holding two days of talks this weekend in Berlin that are focused on the two Nordic countries’ membership bids. NATO’s Deputy SecretaryGeneral Mircea Geoana said on Sunday that he was confident that the alliance can overcome objections by Turkey and quickly admit Finland and Sweden.

Many allies at the Berlin meeting backed the two countries, stressing

the need for swift ratification of their membership bids, which typically take up to a year. After the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced confidence Sunday that Sweden and Finland would join NATO once they formally apply.

“The United states would strongly support the NATO application by either Sweden or Finland should they choose to formally apply to the alliance,” Blinken told reporters in Berlin.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said on Saturday that should Sweden and Finland join NATO, Russia would have to strengthen its land, naval and air forces in the Baltic Sea. Medvedev also explicitly raised the nuclear threat by saying that there could be no more talk of a “nuclear free” Baltic – where Russia has its Kaliningrad exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. “There can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic – the balance must be restored,” said Medvedev.

prominent, and has fueled other crises such as racial tensions and gun violence.

Under the Trump administration, which brought white supremacy to an unprecedented height, racism in the US, which had been walled up out of “political correctness,” expanded greatly. “The fact is that racial hatred within the US, including hatred against Asians after the pandemic, has been constantly on the rise. It’s hard to say whether Biden has done a better job than his predecessor,” Xin Qiang, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Sunday. Many US netizens also noticed that the manifesto Gendron published used the same “black sun” Nazi symbol used by the Azov Battalion, an infamous Ukrainebased neo-Nazi military regiment founded by white supremacists, which is suspected of being supported by the US. Pictures were circulated of Gendron wearing the “black sun” on his chest in photos taken prior to the mass shooting. The killer also revealed in his manifesto that he had been influenced by a New Zealand white supremacist who murdered dozens of people in a pair of shootings three years ago. In an article introducing the New Zealand terrorist, Brenton Harrison Tarrant from ABC Australia, Australia’s international television service, published an article in 2019 detailing in depth how the attacker was influenced by Ukraine’s Azov movement, a far-right movement. However, as the US firmly supports Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine crisis, no mainstream US media has singled out the link.

Shanghai to restart businesses in stages AgencIeS Shanghai will promote the resumption of business in stages under epidemic prevention measures from May 16, said Chen Tong, vice mayor of Shanghai, at a press conference on COVID-19 prevention and control on Sunday. The Chinese megacity, home to 25 million people, has been hit by a new wave of COVID-19 since late March. It has been forced to take strict measures to curb the spread of the virus. In order to ensure the basic living guarantee and the supply of daily necessities, the Shanghai government has vigorously promoted the opening of business outlets and the return of personnel to ensure supply, Chen said. The number of commercial outlets operating in the city has increased from the lowest point of 1,400 to 10,625, with daily delivery orders reaching 5 million, he said. Shanghai registered 166 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,203 asymptomatic cases on Saturday, local authorities said, sharply down from April. For the next step, the government will continue promoting the resumption of businesses and markets in stages, while strictly implementing various measures to prevent and control the outbreak, Chen said. Commercial outlets, such as shopping malls, department stores, supermarket stores, convenience stores and pharmacies, will gradually resume offline operations in an orderly manner while limiting customer traffic, according to the vice mayor. Wholesale markets will conduct contactless transactions but suspend retail business, while vegetable markets will resume offline business and control the rate of stalls opening as well as customer traffic. Online and offline takeaway services will be offered, while hair salons will implement staggered service plans limiting customer traffic.

Trade picks up: Shanghai has revealed two “white lists” for foreign trade firms to resume business, respectively including 142 and 562 firms, and 63 percent of those on the first list have resumed work and production, Director Gu Jun of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce said on Sunday, adding that the third white list will be announced soon. In April, Shanghai ports recorded a total of 980,000 shipments of imported and exported express goods, a significant decrease from a year earlier. After the measures for resumption of work and production were introduced in the city, the number of import and export express shipments reached 353,000 in the only first 10 days of May, China News Service reported on Saturday citing Shanghai customs.

China’s 2nd large destroyer ‘fully ready for far sea missions’ newS DeSk The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s second Type 055 large destroyer, the Lhasa, recently passed a fullcourse training assessment that comprehensively tested the vessel’s air defense, maritime attack and anti-submarine capabilities in mock battles.

Experts said on Sunday that the warship with more than 10,000 tons of displacement is 100 percent ready for far sea missions beyond the first island chain.

Organized by a vessel training center attached to the PLA Northern Theater Command Navy, the assessment put the Lhasa, together with three Type 056A corvettes, through a three-day maritime test at an undisclosed region in the Yellow Sea, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday. Led by the Lhasa, the flotilla fired weapons including main guns, close-in weapon systems, jamming rounds and torpedoes, and comprehen-

sively honed the ships’ air defense, maritime attack and anti-submarine capabilities under complex electromagnetic environments, the report said.

In order to make the tests more challenging and realistic, other surface vessels, submarines, early warning aircraft and helicopters joined the assessment either as mock enemies or as friendly forces, CCTV reported, with scenes showing a Z-9 helicopter taking off from

the flight deck of the Lhasa, and what seems to be a Type 052D destroyer sailing not far away, although it was not fully distinguishable due to heavy sea fog.

With the completion of the full-course training assessment, the Lhasa is now at 100 percent in terms of combat capability, with the crew well integrated with the ship’s advanced weapons and equipment, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times on Sunday.

This is demonstrated by the participation of other vessels and aircraft, as they can help examine the Lhasa‘s capabilities in facing real targets and test its coordination with other elements in joint combat, Wei said.

As the PLA Navy’s second out of eight currently launched Type 055s, the Lhasa entered service in March 2021.

The Type 055 is a large ship designed to carry out missions in far seas beyond the first island chain, Wei said. Analysts predict that the Lhasa will follow the steps of the Nanchang, the first hull in the Type 055 class, and start far sea voyages and join aircraft carrier groups this year. With its outstanding situational awareness capabilities and a whopping 112 vertical launch missile cells capable of launching a combination of surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, land-attack missiles and anti-submarine missiles, the Type 055 is widely believed to be one of the more powerful surface vessels in the world.

Monday, 16 May, 2022 | LAHORE

SPORTS 11

Former AuStrAliAn cricketer Andrew SymondS dieS in cAr crASH ageNcieS

F

ORMER Australia all-rounder and two-time World Cup winner Andrew Symonds has died following a car accident in Queensland, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Sunday. Symonds was aged 46. He had played 238 matches, including 26 tests, for Australia between 1998-2009.

Police said the accident occurred in Hervey Range, 50 km from Townsville on Saturday night. The car Symonds was driving left the road and rolled, according to a police statement, which described it as a single vehicle incident. Queensland Police said an investigation into the crash has been opened.

“Emergency services attempted to revive the 46year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries,” the police statement said.

CA chairman Lachlan Henderson said Australian

cricket had lost “another of its very best”.

“Andrew was a generational talent who was instrumental in Australia’s success at World Cups and as part of Queensland’s rich cricket history,” he said in a statement. “He was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends.

“On behalf of Australian cricket our deepest sympathies are with Andrew’s family, team-mates, and friends.” Symonds was a member of Australia’s World Cup-winning teams in 2003 and 2007 and appeared in 198 one-day internationals in addition to 14 T20 Internationals.

Known for his swashbuckling batting and electric fielding, he could bowl both off-spin and medium pace.

“Everyone had him earmarked as a white ball player,” former team mate Mark Taylor told Channel Nine. “He wanted to prove to the world he could play test cricket and he did that way.

“He was just an entertainer. He wanted to go out there and have fun and play the game he remembered to play it as a kid.

“At times he got in trouble for not going to training or maybe having a few too many beers…but that is the way he lived his life and the way he wanted to play his cricket also.”

Symonds’ death occurred with Australian cricket still coming to terms with the passing of all-time greats Rod Marsh and Shane Warne, who both died in March.

Symonds’ career-high test score of 162 not out came against India in a 2008 Sydney match remembered more for a racism controversy around him.

An Anil Kumble-captained India team threatened to abandon the series after bowler Harbhajan Singh was deemed by a match referee to have racially abused Symonds, a ruling that was later overturned.

“Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of An-

Venezia dent roma’s european hopes

Andrew Symonds: Australian all-round great loved by teammates afp Andrew Symonds, who died on Saturday night in a car crash aged 46, was instantly recognisable on the cricket field with a mop of dreadlocks poking out from his baggy green cap and lips gleaming with white zinc cream.

A hulking presence at 6ft 2in (1.87m) with a grin as broad as his shoulders, he was a supremely talented all-rounder equally at home bowling spin or lively medium-pace.

Despite his size, Symonds was a lithe and athletic presence on the ground, with safe bucket-like hands and a laser throw that saw him rated one of the game’s greatest fielders.

But he was at his most destructive with a bat in his hands.

Symonds — nicknamed “Roy” played 26 Tests and 198 50-over games for Australia in an international career spanning more than a decade, from 1998 until 2009.

A pivotal member of Australia’s 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cup-winning sides, Symonds took 133 wickets

and scored 5,088 runs at an average of 39.75 in that format.

He passed three figures six times in the 50-over game and fifty on 30 more occasions, with a top score of 156 against New Zealand in 2005.

In Tests, mostly batting at number six, he scored 1,462 runs at a healthy average of 40.61, with two hundreds and 10 fifties.

Symonds was used only as an occasional bowler in the five-day game, taking just 24 wickets.

His best innings of 162 not out came against India in the Sydney New Year Test of 2008 — but it was overshadowed by the “Monkeygate” scandal that erupted later in that match.

Symonds accused spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a “monkey” during an ill-tempered third day.

Singh, who denied any wrongdoing, was suspended for three matches, but the ban was overturned when India threatened to quit the tour, sending India-Australia cricket relations hit a low point.

Coming of age: Symonds was

born in Birmingham, England, on June 9, 1975, with his parents Ken and Barbara adopting him when he was 15 months old.

They moved to Australia soon after, settling down in the rural northern Queensland town of Charters Towers.

Loved by teammates, he was dubbed “Leroy” by an academy coach in the early 1990s who thought he looked like Queensland basketball player Leroy Loggins.

It got shortened to “Roy” and he was affectionately known by the sobriquet for the rest of his life.

In 1995, he turned down a call-up from his country of birth to play for England A, and three years later made his one-day international debut for Australia against Pakistan.

It was against the same opponents in the opening match of the 2003 World Cup that Symonds came of age.

A surprise selection at the behest of Ricky Ponting, Symonds rewarded his captain’s faith with his first international century.

The match-winning 143 was made

drew Symonds,” Harbhajan, who later played with Symonds at Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), tweeted.

“Gone too soon. Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. Prayers for the departed soul.” Kumble also took to Twitter to express his condolence.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also mourned the death of his friend.

“Devastated to hear about Andrew Symonds passing away in a car crash in Australia,” Shoaib tweeted.

“We shared a great relationship on & off the field.

Thoughts & prayers with the family.”

in Johannesburg against an attack boasting all-time greats Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi. It cemented Symonds’ place in the side.

Symonds liked life’s simple pleasure and away from the field was never happier than with a beer or a fishing rod in hand, though he had problems with alcohol on more than one occasion.

In 2005, he arrived for an ODI against Bangladesh in England still drunk from the night before.

In June 2009, Symonds was sent home from the World Twenty20 in England due to “an alcohol-related incident” and he was stripped of his Cricket Australia contract.

After stints in the Indian Premier League with Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians, Symonds retired in 2011 to become a familiar voice in the commentary box.

He also played in the English County Championship for Gloucestershire, Kent and Surrey. Symonds leaves a wife, Laura, and two young children, Chloe and Billy.

Rome: David Okereke scored within the first minute as Venezia frustrated European hopefuls AS Roma 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico hours after being relegated from Serie A on Saturday. Salernitana’s 1-1 draw at Empoli earlier in the day had sent down bottom team Venezia who had rejoined the top flight last summer. Spezia ensured top flight safety with a 3-2 comeback win at Udinese as Salernitana boosted their chances of survival with a seventh consecutive match unbeaten to move out of the relegation zone with one match left to play.

In Rome, Okereke’s flicked header 50 seconds into the game shocked Jose Mourinho’s side who are sixth and battling for a Europa League place with Fiorentina just one point behind before travelling to Sampdoria on Monday. Roma proved wasteful in their final game of the season in the Stadio Olimpico, hitting the woodwork four times with more than 40 shots on goal against 10-man Venezia who had Sofian Kiyine send off in the first half. Roma substitute Eldor Shomurodov blasted in the equaliser in the 76th minute but the result is a blow for Roma’s European qualification hopes. The capital side next play away to Torino, before next Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord. Earlier Salernitana missed the chance to claim almost guaranteed Serie A survival after Diego Perotti had a late penalty saved at Empoli. Perotti’s spot-kick was pushed aside by man-of-the-match Guglielmo Vicario, who made a series of superb saves to stop Salernitana from gaining a win which would have moved them five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of their rivals matches this weekend. Before their current run of four wins and three draws Salernitana had been rooted at the bottom of Serie A the whole season. AgeNcies

‘Mentally monsters’ Liverpool win FA Cup LoNDoN News Desk

Haris Sohail ignored by selectors despite having Babar Azam’s support Staff RepoRt Contrary to skipper Babar Azam’s wishes, Pakistan men’s team selectors have again ignored left-handed batter Haris Sohail. The 33-year-old was not among the 60 cricketers in the recently announced conditioning camp at National High-Performance Centre (NHPC).

According to sources, Haris Sohail is shocked and upset over the treatment meted out to him. On the other hand, Babar Azam is keen to strengthen the middleorder of the ODI side. He believes Haris can play for a long period on slow and spin tracks, but selectors are also not listened to the captain. Haris Sohail has an average of 46.82 in ODIs. He was dropped after the last Test against New Zealand in January 2021, while he last represented Pakistan in ODIs in October 2020 against Zimbabwe, where he scored 71 runs. Despite assurances from selectors, he is not being given the opportunity to participate in domestic matches. As per his close friends, he is regularly practising to get rid of his injury problems.

Jurgen Klopp hailed his “mentality monsters” as Liverpool held their nerve to win the FA Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout against Chelsea kept the quadruple chasers’ history bid alive on Saturday.

Klopp’s side won 6-5 on penalties at Wembley as Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas was the unlikely hero with the decisive kick after Alisson Becker kept out Mason Mount’s effort.

A hard-fought final had finished a 0-0 draw after extra-time, setting the stage for a nerve-jangling shootout that featured misses by Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, whose shot was saved by Edouard Mendy when he had a chance to clinch the trophy.

For the second time this season, Liverpool emerged victorious against Chelsea on penalties, having already beaten them 11-10 following another 0-0 draw in the League Cup final in February.

Liverpool’s first FA Cup triumph since 2006 keeps them in the hunt to become the first English team to win all four major trophies in a single season.

With two prizes already secured, the Reds will hope for a slip from Premier League leaders Manchester City, who are three points clear of them in the title race with two games left for both teams.

“It was an incredible, intense game.

Chelsea would have deserved it exactly the same way, but that’s how small the margins are,” Klopp said.

“We overcame good moments from

Chelsea, then had really good moments ourselves.

“We are mentality monsters but there were mentality monsters in blue as well. Chelsea played outstanding but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today.”

Even if Liverpool are unable to win a second English title in three seasons, they could still cap an astonishing campaign by winning the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris on May 28.

With that ambition in mind, Klopp’s only concern as he danced jubilantly in front of the Liverpool supporters amid a swirling mist of red flare smoke was whether his team will be at

full strength against Real.

Liverpool lost Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to injuries that could rule them out of their last two Premier League games next week and will spark fears about their ability to recover in time for the Champions League final.

“I think Virgil is fine but his muscle was hurt,” Klopp said.

Liverpool have won both domestic cups in the same season for the first time since 2000-01, with Klopp getting his hands on the famous old trophy for the first time. For Chelsea, it was a painful third successive FA Cup final defeat after previous losses to Leicester and Arsenal.

“I have no regrets. I told the team

I’m proud. We struggled in the first 15 minutes, we looked nervous and tense but then we were excellent,” Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said.

“We held maybe the most dangerous attacking team in the world to 0-0 and created chances ourselves.

“We are sad. Everybody is in pain.

We have to digest it and keep on going.

That is life in sport.”

Diaz should have put Liverpool ahead during their blistering start when he accelerated onto a sublime pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Mendy saved and Trevoh Chalobah scrambled back to clear off the line.

With Tuchel gesticulating furiously on the touchline, Chelsea dug in and finally turned back the red tide.

Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic clipped his shot just wide and Marcos Alonso’s poor touch squandered another good opportunity.

Chelsea were on the offensive after the interval and Pulisic’s strike was well saved by Alisson before Alonso’s free-kick cannoned off the bar.

But Klopp’s side haven’t come this close to a quadruple without remarkable fortitude.

They wrestled back the momentum and Diaz clipped the outside of the post before Robertson volleyed against the woodwork.

Tuchel had sent on his penalty-saving specialist keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of the League Cup final shoot-out in a move that backfired.

Tuchel stuck with Mendy this time, but the result was still the same as Tsimikas rolled his penalty home to trigger wild celebrations from Klopp and company.

Monday, 16 May, 2022

prayer timings

NEWS

Three soldIers, chIldren mArTyred In sUIcIde blAsT neAr mIrAnshAh: IsPr

T

HREE Pakistan Army soldiers and as many children were martyred after a suicide blast occurred in the vicinity of Miranshah, North Waziristan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.

In a brief statement, the military’s media affairs wing identified the martyred soldiers as 33-year-old Lance Havaldar Zubair Qadir from Pakpattan, 21-year-old Sepoy Uzair Asfar from Haripur and 22-year-old Sepoy Qasim Maqsood from Multan.

Meanwhile, the children were identified as 11-year-old Ahmed Hassan, eight-year-old Ahsan and fouryear-old Anum.

“Intelligence agencies are investigating to find out about [the] suicide bomber and his handlers and facilitators,” the statement concluded.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the suicide attack and expressed grief over the lives lost. In a statement, PM Shehbaz also

paid special tribute to the martyred soldiers, and offered his condolences to the families of the children.

“The killers of innocent children are the enemies of both Islam and humanity. We will not sit idle until this brutality is eradicated,” he said, vowing to punish the facilitators of the attacker.

He went on to say that the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces was

a golden chapter in the country’s history, adding that Pakistan was proud of its martyrs.

Taking to Twitter, the prime minister also said: “Blood of our soldiers and citizens is a debt on us that we will repay by eradicating terrorism from our country.”

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also condemned the attack

and offered her condolences. According to Radio Pakistan, the minister said miscreants wanted to “destabilise law and order in the country”. She also said that the sacrifices rendered by the security personnel would not go in vain.

Foreign Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari also paid special tribute to the martyred soldiers. “The whole nation stands with the army against terrorism,” he said in a statement.

Last month, two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan district during a gun battle with terrorists.

According to the ISPR, armed terrorists attacked the soldiers in the Sararogha area, prompting immediate retaliation from the troops and an intense exchange of fire ensued.

On April 23, three soldiers were martyred in the Dewagar area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district during an exchange of fire with terrorists from across the Afghan border. staff report

The way Imran is crying shows establishment has blocked his number: Maryam Nawaz KOTLA staff report

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Sunday took a jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan and said that the way he was “crying” shows that the “establishment has blocked [his]number.”

Addressing a jalsa in Kotla, Gujrat, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, Maryam said that the number that Khan is trying to dial has been changed.

“Whenever you try to call on that number, you get the message that you do not have access to this facility”, she said.

Maryam was referring to Khan’s statement when he said that the establishment has been “sending him messages” but he has “blocked their numbers” because he “did not want to speak to anyone before the elections are called.”

Criticising the coalition government had also

Imran Khan tried his best to ‘save the masses from inflation’: Asad Umar

said that “it would have been better to drop an atom bomb on Pakistan than to have these people in power.”

The PML-N vice president went on to say that whenever Khan would go to mingle with the masses, he would hear the message “wrong number”, implying that people would ignore him.

“Imran Khan, you have lost the game forever.

Your game has ended for good,” she told the PTI chairman.

Responding to Khan’s demand for elections, Maryam said that the country will only go to the polls when PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif will greenlight it.

Maryam also censured Khan for using the atom bomb reference for Pakistan and said: “I have never seen anyone saying that Pakistan should be bombed.

As long as Nawaz Sharif is alive, no one can harm the country.”

Regarding the rising inflation ever since the new

government came into power, Maryam also said that “this liar has crossed all the limits of dishonesty.

Allah Almighty humiliated him and removed him from power.”

Referring to Khan’s claim that his life was in danger and that he has recorded a video to name the conspirators, Punjab CM Hamza Shahbaz — while addressing the rally — said that Imran Niazi is the name of that “coward who sometimes cries of a conspiracy and sometimes says that his life is in danger.”

“Imran Niazi you are deceiving the people of Pakistan. These young people are witnesses that you showed them false dreams,” he said.

Hamza said that while Khan had claimed that he would rather commit suicide than go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he did not stand true to his words. “You went to the IMF and never committed suicide but the people of Pakistan committed suicide when they had to see their children die of hunger,” he said.

PM arrives in UAE for condolence over Sheikh Khalifa’s death, on way back from UK news desK Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has touched down in the United Arab Emirates to offer condolences over the death of its former president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The prime minister made a brief detour to the wealthy Gulf nation on his way back from the United Kingdom after the UAE’s ailing president passed away on Friday. The late Sheikh Khalifa’s brother, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was elected yesterday to succeed him.

Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar on Sunday claimed that ex-prime minister Imran Khan tried his best to “save the masses from inflation” as he called for early elections to save the economy from further deterioration. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the PTI leader demanded early elections saying the new government could not decide on how to manage the economy and the snap polls were the only solution to take the country out of the current crisis. news desk

PM Shehbaz will today offer condolences to the newly elected President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed on the death of the late president.

On Saturday, the Foreign Office released a statement which said the Prime Minister will convey the “profound sympathies and condolences of the leadership, Government and people of Pakistan”.

Describing the Pakistan-UAE ties as a “close fraternal relationship”, the Foreign Office said under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa, the relationship between Pakistan

and the UAE “scaled new heights”.

“He was a sincere friend of Pakistan,” the statement said. “His invaluable contributions will be long remembered by the Government and the people of Pakistan.”

In solidarity with the brotherly people of UAE, the Pakistan announced a three-day national mourning period from May 13-15, with the national flag at half-mast.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed died on Friday, the UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced. He was also ruler of Abu Dhabi emirate.

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Imran Khan’s unceremonious ouster and the aftermath news desK On April 10, 2022, a few minutes after midnight, Imran Khan was removed from his position of prime minister of Pakistan.

Labelled as a constitutionally mandated vote of no-confidence, Pakistan watched in silence the carefully crafted coup against Khan in the fourth year of his governmental tenure.

The whats, whys and hows of the coup are unfolding a dramatic build-up of months of preparation by multiple players with a single point agenda: how to remove Imran Khan from power. For all those who have been chronicling the dismissals of almost all prime ministers of Pakistan since its creation in 1947, April 10, 2022 is the newest chapter in the long convoluted ugly history of Pakistan’s civilianmilitary uneven tug of war.

The 13-party coalition of ideologically different groups, ironically named Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), cobbled together to orchestrate a bloodless coup against Khan.

Together, they have formed a government haloed in the noble intentions of a Khan-free, an inflation-free, and a revenge-free Pakistan—Khan will be made politically irrelevant, all will be well, no one will be harmed. The last thirty days have seen a very noisy collapsing of the fragile edifice of everything PDM had built its castle of cards on. Khan is more popular than ever. And things are awry on every level.

Contrary to the expectations of PDM, their spokespersons in media, aka most of the current prime time talk show hosts, and PDM’s major enablers—the ones who shall not be named—had apparently misestimated people’s reaction to the overthrow of a prime minister who despite the issues of bad governance and inflation hanging on its government’s head was still the same leader whom most Pakistanis considered financially incorruptible and fiercely committed to Pakistan’s wellbeing. One question echoed in Pakistan: what did Imran Khan do to deserve such a clinical ouster?

A series of events occurred with a dizzying velocity. The Supreme Court convening on a Sunday, April 3, 2022, to debate the legality of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s Deputy Speaker’s ruling to not have a vote of no-confidence; media’s almost united stance supporting the dismissal of Khan; superior judiciary’s silence on the issue of the blatant horse trading of PTI’s parliamentarians; PDM leadership’s solemn statements of upholding the Constitution of Pakistan while secure in the support of Pakistan’s Establishment, an entity that PDM parties had chanted for years—and true democrats still hold sacred—should not ought not must not interfere in the civilian prerogative of government formation. It was all cloaked in the supremacy of democracy. Pakistan watched in shock.

Another vote of no-confidence happened on April 9, 2022.

PTI parliamentarians, after hours of speeches and counterspeeches, walked out of the National Assembly. The Islamabad High Court was opened close to midnight to hear a petition against PTI government’s apparent refusal to have the vote. Prison vans appeared like misplaced exclamation marks outside the National Assembly building. Speaker National Assembly resigned, handing over power to the PDM chosen speaker. A vote took place. Imran Khan was ousted.

Without any allegation of misuse of power or financial corruption, Khan’s prime ministership ended in three years and seven months. Pakistan watched in horror.

Since April 10, Khan’s popularity, which was on a downward spiral because of the issues of bad economy and uncontrollable inflation haunting his government, has seen an unexpected turnaround.

‘Can you handle the economy?’ Imran questions PM Shehbaz FAIsALABAd staff report

Former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday questioned the new PML-N-led coalition government if it could handle the economy, pointing out that the rupee was continuing its slide against the dollar, the stock market was under pressure and inflation was soaring.

Addressing a public gathering in Faisalabad as part of a series of of rallies he has announced in the run up to his party’s planned long march on Islamabad, Imran reiterated that his government was ousted through a conspiracy prepared inside the United States.

He said the conspiracy was abetted by local “Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs” – a historical reference he has used consistently over the past month as a pejorative for those

he claims were part of the alleged conspiracy against him.

Imran Khan reiterated that a conspiracy was being hatched to kill him, saying that his rivals were left with only option of assignation to get rid of him.

“I got to know few days ago that a conspiracy was being hatched… conspirators thought what to do with Imran that we employed every tactics but he overcame all challenges including coronavirus and economic crisis,” he said.

Today’s rally is part of his party’s so called ‘real freedom’ movement against coalition government led by PML-N. The PTI chairman said those who removed him from power expected that people would celebrate his ouster. “But instead of distributing sweets people took to street to protest against [my removal,” he added.

Amid fears that a “sea of people” would

march on Islamabad, ‘conspirators’ concluded that only way to do away with me is to take my life, he added.

Imran said he has recorded a video of all those elements involved in the alleged USbacked conspiracy against him “so that if anything happens to me people should know about them [conspirators]”.

The former PM said he has recorded a video and named all elements involved in the foreign conspiracy. “If people see this video then they should make sure that all those I have named should be brought before the court.

The former premier has time and again claimed that a “foreign conspiracy” was hatched to topple his government over his refusal to have Pakistan’s foreign policy be influenced by abroad. Since his ouster, he has held public rallies in major cities of the country.

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”.

On Saturday, he dropped a bombshell claiming an “assassination attempt” was being hatched against him – video evidence of which was kept in a “secure place”.

The former prime minister, who is poised to take the great leap to the federal capital, made the startling claims while addressing a charged public gathering in Sialkot.

In what was a prelude to his ‘Azadi March’ as the country braces for another acrimonious chapter in the political landscape, Imran told his supporters a plot was being orchestrated against his life, saying: “I have named all those elements involved in the conspiracy in the video. I knew about it and

I got full knowledge of it a few days ago.”

On April 10, Imran Khan, the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan, became the first chief executive to be removed from office after losing majority in the National Assembly.

Imran’s party, which governed the country for over three-and-a-half years, had been struggling to stay in power as its allies betrayed to join hands with the opposition parties that had joined forces against the government.

While Pakistan’s history has been marred with political instability, no prime minister has ever been removed from office through a no-trust motion.

Ever since his ouster, Imran maintains the stance that the no-trust move was a result of a conspiracy hatched abroad by those who didn’t want Pakistan to pursue an ‘independent foreign policy’.

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