Epaper – May 22-2022 ISB

Sunday, 22 May, 2022 I 20 Shawwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 322 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

Court sets Mazari free, orders judiCial probe into arrest g

PTI leader manhandled, arresTed from ouTsIde her home ISLAMABAD staff report

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slamaBad high Court Chief Justice athar minllah late saturday night ordered immediate release of PTI leader dr shireen mazari and directed the federal government to carry out a judicial inquiry into her arrest.

IhC Chief Justice athar minllah was hearing shireen mazari arrest case after she was produced on the court’s directives at 11:30Pm. The court ordered the federal government to devise Tors for the Judicial Commission to investigate arrest of shireen mazari.

“The court will never compromise on its jurisdiction. This country has a Constitution for running the

state affairs and everyone will have to obey and respect this”, the court observed.

The IhC CJ noted that the arrest was apparently “illegal”, and ordered immediate release of mazari. The court asked the authorities to return cellphone of the former federal minister to her.

The court also ordered the Islamabad Police IG to take action against the police officials involved in the arrest. earlier, talking to reporters on the premises of Islamabad high Court, shireen mazari held Prime minister shehbaz sharif and federal Interior minister rana sanaullah responsible for her “unwarranted arrest.”

“I don’t know who ordered my arrest but I heard the officers, taking me to lahore, that shehbaz sharif and rana sanaullah are behind my arrest”,

PM Shehbaz, Zardari, Fazl devise strategy to meet simmering challenges

LAHORE staff Correspondent

amid rising political temperature in the country, former president asif ali Zardari called on Prime minister shehbaz sharif here on saturday and discussed ways and means to counter political and economic challenges

faced by the country.

The meeting was attended by senior government ministers including Pml-n and PPP leaders. a statement issued after the huddle said the coalition parties appreciated the steps taken by the Pml-n-led government for the welfare of the people. The allies also reposed full confidence

in the government, it added.

Both the leaders agreed to steer the country out the economic crisis through mutual cooperation, read the communiqué. sources said that the two leaders discussed options to deal with PTI’s upcoming long march. a strategy was also being worked out to defeat the opposition in the Punjab assembly as Chief minister hamza shehbaz lost majority after PTI dissidents were de-seated over defection. sources said Pm shehbaz has held two meetings with Zardari and JuI-f chief maulana fazlur rehman in the last 24 hours.

The proposals for calling the national security Committee meeting and holding ‘Grand national dialogue’ involving all stakeholders including PTI to stabilise the economy and end political crisis were also discussed in the meeting, said the insiders.

Court extends interim bail of PM, CM in money-laundering case LAHORE staff report

a special court extended on saturday the interim bail of Prime minister shehbaz sharif and his son Punjab Chief minister hamza shehbaz in rs16 billion money laundering case and adjourned the hearing till may 28. during the hearing, special Court (Central-I) Judge Ijaz hassan awan issued arrest warrants for suleman shehbaz, Tahir naqvi and malik maqsood in the case for their absence from the hearing. shehbaz and hamza were set to be indicted in the case in the previous hearing on may 14 but it was delayed because the prime minister was in the uK and postponed his return to the country in order to visit the uae to offer condolences over the death of its ailing president. at the outset of the hearing, Judge awan observed that conditions outside the court were “not good”, referring to security personnel obstructing entry of people onto the court premises. Pm shehbaz responded that he would look into the matter.

The judge also expressed an anger at the sP Civil lines for stopping judges’ vehicles from entering the court. meanwhile, federal Investigation agency (fIa) prosecutor farooq Bajwa contended that three of the suspects in the case were ab-

sconders and an application had been submitted for action against them. he requested the court to indict all the suspects at the same time. The judge observed that action had been taken against the absconders by a magistrate court. however, the fIa prosecutor argued that proceedings to declare the three suspects as absconders should be completed, adding that if the case continued in this way, it would benefit them. meanwhile, mohammad amjad Pervaiz, the counsel for shehbaz and hamza, said that charges were filed against his clients between 2008 and 2018 and the prosecution team had removed many of them in the challan.

“It was said that matters were handled through fake companies and transactions of rs2 billion were done through one account. many of the charges filed by the previous investigation team were not included in the new challan,” he told the court.

“There is a world of difference between the fIr and the challan.” he added that the entire investigation against shehbaz was conducted by the former adviser on accountability. shehbaz, while speaking in the court, said that the united Kingdom’s national Crime agency (nCa) had conducted an investigation for nearly two years but could not find “even one rupee of corruption”.

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she explained. she said she was tortured and kept in isolation.

“I will tell everyone how i was manhandled, dragged from my car and whisked away to lahore. They also snatched my cellphone.”

In the meanwhile, Imaan mazari hugged her mother and wept. To a question about arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, shireen mazari said that how many people the government will arrest? adding that the entire nation has come out and will sweep away the “imported government.” earlier saturday morning, senior PTI leader and former federal minister for human rights shireen mazari was manhandled and arrested from outside her residence in Islamabad by police officials. according to footage of the incident, went viral

on social media, mazari could be seen being dragged out of a car by female police personnel and she could be heard protesting: “no. don’t touch me.” unidentified voices in the footage could be heard telling her that “there is no issue” and the matter could be discussed “peacefully”.

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Maryam backs Mazari’s arrest LAHORE: Pml-n Vice Presdient maryam nawaz on saturday defended arrest of former federal minister for human rights and PTI leader shireen mazari, saying that the Punjab anti-Corruption establishment would have a reason for it. “no one is above the law and it has to take its course whenever and wherever it requires.”

Pml-n Vice Presdient maryam nawaz was addressing the Pml-n’s social media team in lahore on saturday. maryam claimed that she came to know about the arrest through a TV channel, saying she was not happy to hear this. staff report

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sunday, 22 May, 2022 | IsLAMABAD

news

AHsAn diRects AutHoRities to sPeed uP ML-1 PRoject

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xPRESSING concerns over delay in the mega project of Railway Main Line (ML-1) under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Friday directed the railway authorities to speed up the pace of the project.

Chairing a preparatory meeting on the joint working group on Transport Infrastructure which was attended by officials from CPEC Authority, NHA, Gawadar Port Authority, and senior officers from the Ministry of Planning and Railways, the Minister

observed that due to negligence of the previous regime, the depth of Gawadar port has decreased to 11 meters which should be 18 meters deep for navigation of big ships it had led to hindering the anchoring of big ships on the port.

Minister for Planning also expressed his concerns about the ML-1 project and took notice that the project should have been started in 2018 but the delay has caused a huge financial loss to the national exchequer.

Minister also directed to evaluate of the cost of the 250 km/hour track for the future viability of the project. He asked Railway authorities to speed up the

processing of the ML-1 project.

Minister emphasized that laying down the Fiber optic cable project should be integrated within ML1 to economize the project.

Minister said that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) is another important mass transit project which should be executed on the same model as Orange Line in Lahore. Minister remarked that the Mansehra- Muzafarabad and Babusar Tunnel and Zhob – D.I Khan Projects should be taken up on priority for inclusion in the upcoming JCC. He directed NHA to do a feasibility study of the KabulPeshawar Motorway.

Health crisis brewing in Lahore amid heatwave conditions

Dr Akbar Nasir appointed New IGP Islamabad KP proposes Rs170bn development program for next financial year azIz bunERI The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has proposed to increase the volume of development programs for the settled districts for next financial year to Rs170 billion. The planning and development department said that the development program of most of the administrative departments has been finalised.

According to P&D sources, the volume of the development program for settled districts for the current financial year was Rs165 billion but for the upcoming financial year, an increase of Rs5 billion has been proposed. The same development program also includes the funds of the local governments. Sources said that for the next financial year, there will be more focus on the ongoing development projects as administrative departments have been tasked to complete their projects. According to sources, the Chief Minister will be briefed by each department on its development program, after which the next year’s program will be finalised.

Ghazi Gandkar hills fire destroys miles long forests

lahORE

IslamabaD

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Staff RePoRt

Amid continuing heatwave conditions, a heath crisis is brewing in Lahore with hundreds of patients of diarrhea, typhoid and other diseases reported at the city’s hospitals on Saturday. An alarming number of patients being brought to Lahore’s five government hospitals suffering from typhoid, gastroenteritis, diarrhea and other health conditions, doctors said. In a week there have been a total of 10,000 patients reported to different government hospitals including Jinnah Hospital, General Hospital and Services Hospital due to gastro, jaundice and diarrhea. Dr Javed Akram, the Vice Chancellor of Punjab Institute of Health Sciences, has said that in the existing weather conditions increasing number of jaundice and typhoid patients have been reported.

“Substandard drinks and polluted water are the main reasons of gastro and typhoid,” Dr Akram said. He has advised residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid spicy food and refrigerated food items. He also advised general public for maximum use of fresh vegetable and fruits. Pakistan is in the grip of a blistering heatwave, with parts of the nation already scorched by temperatures of nearly 50 C as officials warn of acute water shortages and a threat to health.

Heat Stroke relief centreS: Meanwhile, Pakistan Army established Heat Stroke Relief centres in areas hit by recent heatwave across the country with special focus on the desert belt in Thar and Cholistan. The centres were established in Karachi, Hyderabad, Gadra, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Dadu and Balochistan. According to a press released issued by the ISPR, some centres were also established in urban areas of Punjab, where necessary medical care is being provided by doctors and paramedics to ease lives of common people.

The government on Saturday appointed Dr Akbar Nasir Khan as the new inspector general of police (IGP) for the federal capital, replacing Mohammad Ahsan Younas.

The move comes amid heightened tensions between federal government and the opposition led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan who is about to announce a long march on Islamabad.

“Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, a BS-20 officer of Police Service of Pakistan, presently serving in National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), is transferred and posted as Inspector General, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, under Interior Division, under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973, with immediate effect and till further orders,” a notification issued by the Establishment Division stated.

Dr Nasir faces a daunting task of handling mega protest march being announced by Khan. Sources say that federal government has decided to tackle the long march with iron fist and Dr Nasir would be playing a key role in handling the ‘rioters and anarchists’.

In another notification, the Establishment Division stated that Khan’s predecessor Younas, who served in the role for less than six months, was transferred to Punjab.

Younas had been appointed as the Islamabad IGP — the capital’s second police chief in less than a year — in December 2021 by the then PTI government.

Younas’ successor, Dr Khan, is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School and was previously working as DG Nacta Monitoring, Evaluation and Capacity Building. His earlier work includes National Internal

Security Policy of Pakistan and establishment of Punjab Safe Cities Authority.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Faisal, a BS-19 officer in Islamabad police was transferred to Punjab while Lt commander (retd) Yasir Afridi, another BS-19 officer, was transferred from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police to ICT Police.

Earlier this week, Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar (a grade-22 officer) was removed from the post of inspector general of Sindh Police and Dr Kamran Fazal (a grade-21 officer) was appointed as the acting police chief of the province.

GSMA recommends gradual abolishment of Advance Income Tax Ghulam abbas

haRIPuR NewS DeSk

The jungle fire in two days destroyed miles-long forests and killed rare species of animals and birds in the hilly areas of Gandkar Tehsil Ghazi. According to the details, the fire erupted in the forest due to unknown reasons, around several miles of forests on the hills of Gandkar along with the rare type of birds and animals have been burnt alive in the North of Haripur still waiting for KPK government to extinguish the fire. Locals told to media that besides the precious forests the fire also burnt the rare species of wildlife and their eggs including Grey Goral, Black Partridge, Grey Partridge, Chakur Partridge, See-see Partridge etc, in the breeding season. Despite the efforts of locals to extinguish the fire, they failed and incredibly no provincial department have taken any step to cope with the catastrophe. The locals disclosed that the fired erupted two days ago around the hills of Gandkar spreading miles long areas which also increased the temperature and endangered the rare species of wildlife, as people of the area were frightened of the degree and amount of the ablaze.

To improve the affordability of mobile services and encourage the adoption of communication services, especially for lower income segments in Pakistan, the global mobile industry association (GSMA) has proposed gradual abolishment of Advance Income Tax (AIT or withholding tax) on essential telecom services.

In a letter to the Federal Board of Revenue, GSMA has made key recommendations on tax reforms to accelerate the digital economy including the reduction of AIT from 15% to 8% in the upcoming federal budget as envisaged in the Finance Act, 2021 and repealing the increase in AIT rate made through the Finance (Supplementary Act) 2022.

As per the report mobile consumers face a high-level of sector-specific taxes in addition to general taxes. There is 19.5% sales tax on mobile services, plus

15% AIT, which is amongst the highest in the region. This creates additional barriers to digital inclusion, for lowincome households. Removing sector specific consumer taxes would accelerate digital inclusion by facilitating access and usage of mobile services. Such a reduction of consumer taxes would generate higher government tax revenue and GDP in the medium term. This would result from the expansion of the mobile sector and the induced growth in productivity.

Moreover, the AIT is particularly regressive given many users on low income are not required to, and do not, file their tax returns and therefore are unable to claim the tax back. Therefore, the application of this tax to entire telecom subscriber base only disproportionately adds to the cost of mobile ownership for poorer individuals and further deepens the gap in mobile ownership and usage.

Over the past decade, the mobile

sector in Pakistan has expanded rapidly, enabling life-enhancing benefits such as financial inclusion via mobile money, access to educational resources and connected businesses. As highlighted by the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision, the mobile sector plays a critical role for the development of the country’s economy and its digital transition.

However, there remains a significant unconnected population in terms of unique subscribers. The GSMA estimates that about half of Pakistan’s population (43% unique-subscriber penetration) remains unconnected to a mobile network and only 30% population (unique penetration) are using mobile internet services which is lower than the average in South Asia.

The tax contribution of the mobile sector in Pakistan remains considerably higher than the average for Asia and other regional averages which constrains mobile operators’ ability to

invest in connectivity, as well as the availability and affordability of mobile services to consumers.

In 2020, the total tax contribution of the mobile sector, amounted to Rs170 billion ($1.1 billion), equivalent to 38% of mobile sector revenues. Furthermore, this is substantially higher than the Asia Pacific average (24%) and the global average (22%).

GSMA further highlights that the 100% cash margin restriction on imports imposed by the State Bank of Pakistan should be removed for telecoms equipment, to avoid jeopardizing current and future network roll-out. Custom duties should be reduced on batteries used for telecom infrastructure to encourage green energy use.

A conducive regulatory environment, especially the tax framework, is required to accelerate countries’ digital transformation and maximise the benefits of connectivity.

Police probes brutal ‘honour-killing’ of two Pakistani-Spanish sisters aGEncIEs Punjab police started probe on Saturday into the murder of two Pakistani-Spanish sisters as an “honour killing”, a brutal patriarchal practice that sees women put to death for bringing “shame” on their families.

The police spokesperson said Aneesa Abbas, 24, and Arooj Abbas, 21, were seeking separation from their husbands and were lured back from Spain to Gujrat where they were strangled and shot on Friday night.

“The family created a story to convince them to come to Pakistan for a couple of

days,” said Gujrat police spokesperson Nauman Hassan.

“Preliminary investigations show this is a case of honour killing, but it is still developing and the investigation is ongoing,” he added. Police also said the women were being “pressurised” by their spouses — who were also their cousins — to aid their emigration to Spain.

Seven members of the sisters’ family are currently wanted for murder.

The Spanish embassy in Pakistan could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Swathes of Pakistani society still operate

according to strict codes of “honour” that radically undermine women’s rights.

Entitlements to education, reproductive rights and the choice of who to wed are all curtailed by the practice.

There were more than 450 honour killings last year, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Men are sometimes targeted but the majority of victims are women and it is suspected that many cases go unreported.

In the past, women have been shot, stabbed, stoned, set alight and strangled for the charge of tainting their family’s

“honour”.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz has taken a notice of the murder of two sisters in the jurisdiction of police station Guliana of district Gujrat and sought a report from the Inspector General Police (IGP).

The CM directed to ensure expeditious arrest of the accused involved in the incident and stern action be taken against them according to the law.

He also directed the authorities concerned to ensure early provision of justice to the heirs of the victims at any cost.

sunday, 22 May, 2022 | IsLAMABAD

MiLitARy continues ReLief effoRts to contRoL BALocHistAn foRest fiRe IslamabaD

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Staff RePoRt

ELIEF efforts, spearheaded by Pakistan Army and Balochistan FC, are underway to control the fire in a pine forest near Shergali in Balochistan’s Sherani district, the military said in a statement.

According to Inter-Services

Public Relations (ISPR), the fire began on May 18 and yet to be brought under control. “Balochistan PDMA in coordination with NDMA is steering relief effort and organising firefighting activity,” it added.

The military’s media wing said that the army and Balochistan FC are providing maximum assistance, adding that Quetta Corps is also coordinating closely

with the PDMA. “Fire is mostly on mountain tops (10,000 feet high) away from population centres but continues to spread due to hot weather, inaccessible nature of the terrain and dry winds,” the statement said.

The ISPR said that the nearest village is approximately eight to ten kilometres away from the location of the fire, adding that

about 10 families residing in isolated houses have been shifted to the medical relief camp established in Manikhawa by Balochistan FC. Highlighting the details of the rescue operation, it said that FC wing and two army helicopters along with local administration and levies have been employed for firefighting and relief efforts.

“One helicopter is being used to

drop water and the other is being used to drop fireball and fire extinguishing chemicals on the fire,” it added.

The military’s media wing further said that 400 fireballs, 200 fire suits, blankets, tents, mats and fire extinguishing equipment have been provided by NDMA through Balochistan FC. It further said that the army has also transported relief

Pak-Sino ties bring about development in Pakistan: Marriyum Aurangzeb IslamabaD NewS DeSk

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Saturday to mark the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that people and governments of both the countries mark this day as a historic day.

“Pakistan-China relationship has not only brought economic and human development in Pakistan but also contributed to bringing regional prosperity.”

She said China withstands Pakistan through thick and thin and has always protected interest of Pakistan at all forums across the world. Marriyum Aurangzeb said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a historic strategic partnership example.

Referring to the recent terror incident in Karachi in which three Chinese nationals were killed, the

his message on the occasion.

In her remarks, Chinese Charge d’ Affaires Pang Chunxue said China and Pakistan are close neighbours, connected by mountains and rivers and the two countries have shared future.

She said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries, China-Pakistan relations have

Minister said that Pakistan will bring the culprits to justice. She said the entire security infrastructure is being monitored by the Prime Minister himself. The Minister said the CPEC projects will be expedited.

The Information Minister, who visited the embassy on the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, read out

news

continued to grow.

She said China always regards its ties with Pakistan as a priority. The Chinese Charge d’ Affaires said we firmly support Pakistan in defending national sovereignty and dignity, maintaining unity and achieving stability, development and prosperity.

Referring to the recent terrorist attack near Confucius Institute at Karachi University, the Chinese Charge d’ Affaires said any attempt to undermine China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation is doomed to fail. She said the Confucius Institute will continue to teach Chinese to Pakistani students through various means. She said hearts of our two peoples will become closer.

To celebrate 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the Information Minister, the Chinese Charge d’ Affaires and Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shahera Shahid cut a cake. The Minister also recorded her impressions in the visitors’ book.

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equipment from Lahore to Zhob.

At least three people were killed when a burning log fell on them in Sherani. They were trying to extinguish the fire. Four people sustained serious burn injuries in the incident.

Local residents claimed that fire erupted in the adjacent Mughal Kot area of KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) province on May 9 and local levies and forest guards tried to extinguish it on their own but due to difficult terrain they failed.

Koh-e-Sulaiman is also known for being the world’s largest chilghoza (pine nut) forest on higher elevations. The 26,000hectare forest produces around 640,000 kilogrammes of chilghozas annually.

Karachi police raid Pti MnA Alamgir Khan’s residence KaRachI INP

Police raided Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Alamgir Khan’s house in Karachi on Saturday. As per details, the Karachi police reached MNA Alamgir Khan’s residence and investigated his family. However, no one was arrested. Following police action, senior PTI leaders reached the Gulshan-e-Iqbal police station and submitted an application against the raid. Condemning the police raid, former federal minister for maritime affairs Ali Haider Zaidi said that the Sindh police have become a military wing of PPP. He said the police violated the ‘sanctity of the four walls’ by entering the residence of a public representative at midnight. The PTI leader warned that the Sindh government would be held accountable soon. Referring to the rising crime rate in the city, the former minister said that the Sindh police have failed to detain the robbers and street criminals in the port city and on the other hand the force is harassing the noble citizens.

Police leave Bani Gala after wee hours ‘raid’ IslamabaD NewS DeSk

Tarbela Dam getting empty due to continuous flow of water into link canals: shoro KaRachI INP

Sindh Minister for Irrigation Department Jam Khan Shoro has said that Tarbela Dam has been drastically getting empty due to continuous flow of water in Chashma Jhelum and Taunsa Panjnad Link Canals.

He said: “The Chashma-Jhehlum and TaunsaPanjnad canals are being run illegally with the help of the member of Balochistan through illegal voting

Overall punctuality of trains improved by 90 percent last month IslamabaD aPP

The overall punctuality ratio of Pakistan Railways trains improved by 90 percent in last month due to untiring efforts of the management to improve facilities on tracks. “Pakistan Railways has observed 77 percent punctuality of mail and express, 100 percent in intercity and over 90 percent punctuality in the month of April,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP. He said that with the punctuality of trains and concrete measures taken by the government, over 20 million passengers have been added in the system, which is an ample proof of department’s achievement.

“The quality of food served in the passenger trains had been improved considerably as it had been officially supervised by the authorities that passengers should get pure and quality food on the trains,” he added.

To a question, he said in pursuance to the policy of the Federal Government, Pakistan Railways had outsourced some of its trains under Public Private Policy (PPP).

According to policy decision given by Railways Board, Ministry of Railways, the bids more than the

Railways earning would be accepted, he added.

He said it was quite evident that the decision had been made to minimize the losses of Pakistan Railways by bridging the gap between earning and expenditure.

Hence under this policy, Pakistan Railways had introduced outsourcing of commercial management of passenger and freight trains, luggage/brake vans, dinning cars etc.

He said Pakistan Railways was getting fixed amount per annum from these activities through private sector without any complicity.

The official said a number of steps had been initiated by the coalition government to rationalize and improve the affairs of Pakistan Railways including the hiring of a new Chief Finance Officer (CFO) from private sector to ensure strict financial discipline in Pakistan Railways.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Railways Freight Transportation Company (PRFTC) had also been hired from private sector to improve and enhance the freight earning of the department, he added.

He said e-ticketing was being modernized by introducing the Rail Automated Booking and Travel Assistance (RABTA) system.

carried out by Indus River System Authority.”

Shoro said that IRSA is creating more water shortage in Sindh and as a result of which, water crisis would be escalated in the province.

He said Sindh has suffered a lot during kharif season due to such illegal and unjust decision.

The minister demanded that the federal government should immediately take the notice of such illegal decisions of IRSA and ensure equal distribution of water shares among the provinces.

A heavy police contingent had to leave without carrying out any search or arrest after it reached Bani Gala in the wee hours of Saturday to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) workers guarding PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence. According to sources, the police heavy contingent, comprising the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Bomb Disposal Squad and Special Branch personnel reached Bani Gala to disperse the PTI workers. As soon as the police reached the scene, the PTI workers who are guarding the residence of their leader also came out of their tents and raised slogans against the government. Sources in the Police claimed that the search operation in Bani Gala is being launched due to security concerns, clarifying that the operation is not launched to arrest any PTI worker. Following the incident, PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur reached Bani Gala. Meanwhile, the police contingent left Bani Gala without carrying out any search operation.

Sunday, 22 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

04 NEWS pTi dissident noor alam made new pac chairman ISLAMABAD

Tareen group members To discuss ecp’s decision on dissidenT mpas

Staff RepoRt

dissident MNA of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) has been appointed as new chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly. According to details, PML-N’s rana Tanvir has resigned as Chairman PAC while Shehbaz Sharif, raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Amir dogar and riaz Fatyana are also no longer part of the high-power committee. On the other hand, another PTI dissident Wajiha Qamar will also be made part of the PAC. It merits mention that PML-N MNA from Sheikhupura rana Tanvir Hussain was appointed as the chairman of the PAC in November 2019 after Shehbaz Sharif resigned from the post earlier that month.

Kp may face financial constraints as centre stops funds AzIz BunERI The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could face serious financial difficulties due to the political confrontation with the federal coalition government. The finance department sources stated that a major challenge for KP government is to secure the uplift funds of the tribal districts stopped by the centre. The official source added that funds from the center have slowed down and this month not a single penny has been transferred to the province. The KP officials feared that if issues with the federal government were not settled in the right direction by the month of June, then the province may face more difficulties. According to sources, the KP government has stopped the use of grants with the aim to use it in a difficult situation in the future. After the change of government in the center, the provincial government is facing severe difficulties as center has put a stop to it’s funds.

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STrANGEd’ member of Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf (PTI) Jahangir Khan Tareen on Saturday called his group’s meeting to discuss the situation arising out of the deseating of the party’s dissident MPAs by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The group members will mull over challenging the ECP’s decision in the courts, besides chalking out their future course of action.

Earlier on Friday, giving its decision on the reference sent by Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, a three-member bench of the ECP, headed

by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan raja, had deseated 25 MPAs of the PTI, who had voted in favour of Hamza Shehbaz Sharif in the chief minister’s election. Those deseated also included the MPAs belonging to the Tareen group.

The ECP had said in its judgement that it had reached the conclusion that during the election for Punjab chief minister, PTI’s dissident members had cast their votes in favour of the candidate of the rival party.

Prof Bhutta ranked among top 100 scientists KARACHI ageNcIeS

Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta of the Aga Khan University (AKU) has been ranked among the top 100 medicine scientists in the first edition of the top scientists ranking for medicine published by research.com, one of the major knowledge centres for research.

According to a statement, the ranking is based on criteria that considers h-index, which indicates how productive and influential a researcher is, publications and citations.

The ranking team examined 166,880 scientists on Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Graph, and over 65,743 profiles for the discipline of medicine.

Professor Bhutta is the only scientist from Pakistan and the low- and middle-income countries who made it to the top 100.

“As is the case for other recent recognitions, though a personal recognition, this ranking reflects the achievements of scores of young researchers and faculty members across the world who have worked with me on problems of the most marginalised and impoverished women and children in poor communities,” commented Professor Bhutta, who is the founding director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health and the Institute for Global Health and development at AKU. He is also Co-director of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health, robert Harding Chair in Global Child Health and Policy, and a Senior Scientist in the

Child Health Evaluative Sciences programme at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

“Congratulations to Professor Bhutta and his team for this great achievement. Their relevant research at AKU has changed lives not only in the countries where we seek to serve but also globally,” said AKU President Sulaiman Shahabuddin.

Professor Bhutta is one of the original members of AKU’s faculty since the establishment of the University.

Having begun his career at AKU in 1986, the University provided a foundation for the development of an illustrious career in which he built research programmes on maternal and child health and nutrition with national and global impact, despite the challenges of political turmoil and economic insecurity in Pakistan.

Between 1996 and 2002, Professor Bhutta and his team at the University undertook extensive community outreach and research programme in an urban slum of Karachi and several rural areas of Pakistan, which then expanded to many regions and provinces of Pakistan as well as other low- and middle-income countries.

Over the last two decades, he has closely collaborated with the government of Pakistan to assess effectiveness of health care approaches and innovations in real-world settings through partnering with public sector community health workers.

Many of these large community-based cluster randomised trials led by Professor Bhutta have generated findings that changed global policy, most notably the finding that using chlorhexidine for cord care among

home births was associated with significant reduction in the risk of neonatal sepsis and death, and that public sector community health workers could successfully work with communities to reach those at greatest risk and reduce prenatal mortality as well as maternal morbidities.

His work has been the foundation of multiple international guidelines, including changing World Health Organisation policy on the treatment of persistent diarrhoea and malnutrition along with establishing lady health workers (LHW) as foundational members of community-based interventions in Pakistan, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

His team in Pakistan and Canada has extensively worked on strategies to improve maternal and child health and nutrition in conflict settings and emergencies. Notably, his team works with community volunteers and health workers in tribal areas of Pakistan to improve polio and routine immunisation coverage.

At AKU, Professor Bhutta holds the title of distinguished University Professor – the highest faculty rank the University can confer – as well as an Award of distinction and Award of Excellence in research.

He has received several international awards and recognition. recently, he received the roux Prize for turning evidence into health impact and the John dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for outstanding achievements in global health research.

PM greets Chinese president on 71st anniversary of Pak-China ties ISLAMABAD NewS DeSk

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has extended his wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the governments and the people of the two countries on the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.

In his message on the occasion, PM Shehbaz Sharif said China and Pakistan are the names of two brothers. The prime minister said the leadership and people of the two countries have nurtured this evergreen tree of friendship over the past 71 years.

The premier paid rich tributes to all the leaders of both the countries, who made efforts to transform this unmatched friendship into a Cooperative Strategic Partnership and the Iron Brothers relationship. He said no untoward incident, storm in global politics or

jealousy could make any dent to this iron bond.

He said our Chinese brothers and sisters were recently attacked outside Karachi University. We salute these and all others who sacrificed their lives for Pak-China friendship and express grief and sorrow with their families.

PM Sharif expressed commitment to bringing the culprits of the Karachi incident to justice. Shehbaz Sharif said that CPEC provides a strong foundation for economic cooperation, poverty alleviation and connectivity not only for the two countries but for other countries of the region. This project is a symbol and guarantee of a bright future of the next generations.

He expressed resolve to take this economic bond, cooperation and mutual trust of two iron brothers to new heights.

MoFA briefs ASEAN diplomatic missions on CPEC ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A briefing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for resident diplomatic missions of ASEAN member countries was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Additional Secretary (AsiaPacific), chaired the panel of briefings including senior officials of the Ministry, CPEC Authority, and the Board of Investment.

The Additional Secretary shared the underlying vision of CPEC, which was based on Pakistan’s desire for connec-

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tivity with the region and interest in deepening linkages with Central Asia, the Middle East, and the East Asian region as envisaged under the Vision

East Asia policy.

She emphasized that CPEC had added a new dimension in the Pakistan-China AllWeather Strategic Cooperative

Partnership, which was based on mutual understanding and respect.

Pakistan welcomes development partners and enterprises from around the world to strengthen investment and trade linkages and consider opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The heads of diplomatic missions thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant Government departments for the briefing and underscored abiding mutual interest in enhanced economic cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN member countries.

Sunday, 22 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

05

FM Bilawal laNdS iN GuaNGzhou oN MaideN oFFicial viSit iSLamaBad

F

Mian abrar

OREIGN Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari late Saturday landed in China on his maiden visit to the country in his capacity as foreign minister, with an aim to strengthen bilateral and economic ties.

The foreign minister’s trip two-day trip — May 21-22 — is his first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office last month. Bilawal is in China at the invitation of State

Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Foreign Office had said in a statement.

“Landed in Guangzhou on my first bilateral visit. Today also marks 71st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China,” the foreign minister said in a tweet. Bilawal said he was looking forward to meeting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for in-depth discussions on Pakistan-China relations.

A Foreign Office statement issued before the foreign minister’s visit said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar

and senior officials are part of the delegation.

During the visit, Bilawal will hold extensive consultations with Yi, the statement said. “The two leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China,” the Foreign Office said.

Fast-tracked progress on the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative will also feature in the discussions.

The two sides will also have a wideranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues.

“Foreign Minister Bilawal’s visit will also coincide with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China,” the statement read. State Councilor Yi had written a letter of congratulations to Bilawal on his assumption of the office of FM. The two foreign ministers had previously held a virtual meeting on May 11. The foreign minister’s visit is part of the high-level exchanges between

Court extends interim bail of PM, CM in money-laundering case continued from page 01 The prime minister said he had lived in the UK and done business in that country, claiming that the cases against him were “political”. At this point, Judge Awan said he had issued an order for declaring Shehbaz an absconder.

For his part, Shehbaz’s counsel argued that the court had issued orders for declaring those people absconders whose names had been highlighted in red in the FIA’s challan. The FIA prosecutor said the suspects could take advantage of any legal loophole at which the judge asked why the prosecution had remained silent for four months.

Prosecutor Bajwa responded by requesting the court to begin action against the absconders mentioned in the challan. Subsequently, the court reserved a decision on declaring Shehbaz’s son, Suleman Shehbaz, an abscon-

der. When Shehbaz again took the stand, he told the court he had served as the chief minister for 10 years but had never taken a salary. “My salary would be Rs10 million but I did not take it. I also went on official tours using my own money. I used to get the government car refuelled from my own pocket.”

The premier’s counsel argued that the 14 accounts mentioned by the FIA were through banking channels.

“Baseless propaganda was carried out in this case for one and half years. The suspects tolerated insults despite lack of evidence. It seems the FIA is inspired by [streaming platform] Netflix. This is a film-inspired FIR,” he argued.

Shehbaz was given a questionnaire and investigated by the FIA while he was in jail in December 18, 2020, he continued. The FIA had remained “completely silent”

about the case from January 8, 2021 to June 2021, he said.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) had granted the PML-N president bail on merit in the money laundering and assets beyond means cases, Pervaiz said.

The FIA then sent a notice to Shehbaz on June 15 when the budget was about to be presented, he added.

“Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz believe in the rule of law. They are prime minister and chief minister, respectively, but they still appeared in the court. There were several issues in the case, including which court could hear the trial and under which law was the crime committed, he argued. The decision to extend bail would be in accordance with Supreme Court judgments,” Pervaiz argued. When the court asked for bail arguments to be completed, the FIA prosecutor said it could not be

Court sets Mazari free, orders judicial probe into arrest continued from page 01 “You are using violence. Don’t you take my phone.” In tweet, her daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir claimed that her mother was “beaten and taken away by male police officers”, adding: “All I have been told is that AntiCorruption Wing Lahore has taken her.”

Later, officials of the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) confirmed Mazari’s arrest.

The Islamabad police, however, refuted Mazari’s daughter claim, saying: “Dr Shireen Mazari was arrested by female police officers as per the law on the request of the anti-corruption department, terming reports of any mishandling is baseless.”

IHC MOVED AGAINST MAZARI’S ARREST: Soon after the incident, Iman Mazari, daughter of Shireen, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the arrest. Through, the petition, she requested the court to accept her plea and order produc-

tion of her mother at the earliest.

She also requested the high court to restrain the law enforcement agencies from “extending threats” to the petitioner and her family.

“It is in the public knowledge that the petitioner’s mother was a furious critic of the violation of human rights in the hands of the law enforcement agencies. It is also on record that petitioner and her mother were often made target for their bold and straightforward stance with regard to human rights violations in the country,” the petition said. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was at his residence when he was informed about the urgent nature of the petition.

The IHC reopened outside its usual working hours after Mazari’s daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir filed a petition against her mother’s arrest.

The high court in a three-page order, said that when it has already given orders that no MNA can be arrested without the permission of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and since Mazari is still an MNA on account

Maryam Nawaz backs Shireen Mazari’s arrest continued from page 01 Talking about details of the case against Mazari, Maryam claimed it was registered during the government of former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar on charges of transfer of 800 kanals of state property to a “bogus company”. “I was hearing on TV that the PTI is playing the aurat (woman) card on this [incident] that a woman was arrested,” she said. Maryam warned the PTI not to resort to the aurat card as she narrated the details and circumstances of her own previous arrests and the “treatment meted” out to her.

“I didn’t play the aurat card … I was also a woman, someone’s daughter and was in jail for a baseless political case but I never feigned being mazloom (oppressed).” Despite that, Maryam said she did not believe in revenge. She said Mazari should face the charge she has been arrested on and provide answers and evidence to prove it wrong. “If she is successful in this and proved innocent then I promise the nation that Maryam Nawaz Sharif will be the first one standing with her. “But this can’t happen that you brutally violate the Constitution and then you start blaming the courts why they were opened at night for you,” the PML-N vice president said, apparently referring to PTI Chairman Imran Khan. She claimed that Imran was still the blue-eyed of the establishment. In contrast, she said what PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif did was “constructive criticism” of the institutions and asked them to remain within their boundaries. “Nawaz Sharif isn’t the blue-eyed of the system but is of the nation that brings him [to power] again and again.” Maryam lashed out at Imran and other PTI officials for their critical comments about the institutions and alleged violations of the Constitution, referring to the events leading up to the no-confidence vote. Interestingly, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, earlier today, ordered Mazari’s release, saying that he did “not agree with” the arrest and that action would be taken against the anti-corruption staff that was behind the incident. “As a woman, Shireen Mazari should be respected,” he said in a statement. “The arrest of a woman is not in line with our social values.”

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of not having been de-notified form her seat, then “under what authority of law the fundamental rights of Dr Shireen Mazari were violated?”.

The IHC issued directives for the interior secretary and also summoned Islamabad Inspector General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan and Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon. The court said that its order should also be sent to Islamabad Advocate General Barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon and Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali. ACE FIR AGAINST MAZARI: The first information report (FIR) registered against the former minister said during the scrutiny of record, it revealed that Shireen Mehrun Nisa Mazari with the connivance of revenue officials fraudulently and through bogus mutation transferred 800 Kanal land in favour of bogus company namely M/s Progressive Farms Limited.

Furthermore, the FIR said the Federal Land Commission in its report declared this mutation bogus.

“During the perusal of record, it revealed that land

the two sides, which recently also included a message of felicitations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from his counterpart Li Keqiang and a telephone conversation between the two premiers on May 16.

“The foreign minister’s visit will contribute towards further fortifying the timetested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China, enhance and deepen CPEC-related engagement, and help in identifying new avenues for bilateral cooperation to the benefit of the two countries and peoples,” the FO said.

made today and pointed out that the investigation officer was also not present.

Pervaiz requested the court to allow the suspects to leave, saying he would present the arguments. “Even if we hold daily hearings, the arguments cannot be completed within a week.”

He noted that other suspects were also nominated in the case and their lawyers would argue separately.

Subsequently, the court allowed Shehbaz and Hamza to leave and adjourned the hearing for some time.

When the hearing resumed, their counsel Pervaiz argued that “not one rupee” was transferred from the 14 accounts mentioned by FIA to Shehbaz’s account and there was no evidence regarding the same.

When the hearing resumed, security officials appeared in the court. “They were working strangely and not allowing anyone to enter the court premises,” the judge observed.

However, Pervaiz requested the court not to make the issue of security personnel a matter of record.

measuring 1,386 Acres of Mst. Shireen Mehr-un-Nisa Mazari was surrendered to Provincial Govt through Land Commission. In Mutation No. 39 dated 05.07.1973, there is cutting and tempering.”

PTI SUBMITS APPLICATION FOR FIR: Meanwhile, PTI leaders including Asma Qadeer, Zille Huma and Anita Mehsood filed an application with the Kohsar Police for the registration of an FIR against Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz for “what they dubbed Shireen Mazari’s kidnapping”.

In the application, the PTI leaders stated that according to the rules, the Punjab ACE official had to record details of their arrival and departure from the capital at the Kohsar police station, since Islamabad does not fall in the remit of Punjab province.

They, in the application, held Hamza Shehbaz responsible for the “entire incident”. They requested the police to register an FIR against those responsible, who can be seen in the video, and Hamza Shehbaz for this illegal action and “kidnapping of Shireen Mazari.”

Outside the Kohsar police station, a visibly distraught Imaan gave a brief statement to the media, in which she termed her mother’s detention a “kidnapping”.

06-07 Comments - 22th May 2022_Layout 1 5/21/2022 11:55 PM Page 1

Sunday, 22 May, 2022

06 COMMENT

Mercurial politics

Making the National Assembly functional

Immediate stability increasingly unlikely with each passing day

Worthwhile only if allowed to complete tenure

W

ITH 123 PTI members resigning from a House of 272 the National assembly was left a shadow of its former self in the wake of the no confidence motion against Imran khan.

Speaker Raja Pervaiz ashraf faces difficult challenges in making the House functional. He had to wait for the Supreme Court's decision on a presidential reference seeking the interpretation of article 63a. a total of 22 disgruntled PTI members of the Lower House of Parliament who did not submit their resignations are now participating in the National assembly session. What needs to be done is to revive the House committees that became moribund after the resignation of the PTI lawmakers.

Raja Riaz, one of the PTI dissidents, has been elected Leader of the Opposition. His election will help the government as it makes three key appointments. The government can now appoint the two missing members of the election Commisssion of Pakistan. Their posts continue to remain unfilled because of lack of cooperation by former PM Imran khan. a helpful Leader of the Opposition can be of use in the appointment of a new National accountability Bureau chairman and the selection of the caretaker Prime Minister who will look after the country for three months as he organizes the elections.

To make the National assembly fully functional, the Speaker is trying to hold talks with PTI MNas who resigned with an aim to find if some of them had been pressured to do so and help them return to the House. What constitutes the biggest hurdle in the way of this is the lack of clarity about the life span of the House. While the ruling coalition wants the Lower House to complete its tenure till august 2023, Mr khan wants immediate dissolution of the National assembly followed by the announcement of the elections date which he wants to be within the next few months. This is however against the calculations of the eCP. There is a need to realise that Mr khan not only wants early elections but also election results that suit him. He will be on the roads again if he were to lose the election, even if it were conducted in the fairest manner.

Yousaf Nizami

P

akISTaN is currently going through one of the most turbulent and unpredictable periods since it came into existence. The ouster of former Prime Minister Imran khan at the hands of the PDM-PPP coalition through a vote of no confidence and the political crisis that ensued continues to deepen. The situation in Punjab is even worse following the eCP’s decision to deseat 25 PTI MPas who voted in favour of Hamza Shehbaz for Chief Minister. additionally, the Supreme Court’s 3-2 decision on the PTI-backed presidential reference seeking interpretation of article 63a of the Constitution has raised more questions than it answered, or provided much clarity. By ruling that a dissenting vote by any lawmaker would not be counted, the SC has essentially made voting on important legislation or confidence/no-confidence votes redundant. That the dissenting judges have described the decision as a ‘constitutional amendment’ speaks to how consequential its impact will be on future parliamentary and legislative matters. It is perhaps a mere coincidence that only a day after the SC verdict, CJP Umar ata Bandial took a suo motu notice of the “perceived interference in the independence of the prosecution branch” that may influence certain cases. The notice was supposedly in response to news reports, which were refuted later, about the FIa’s unwillingness to pursue a money laundering case against PM Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz Sharif.

Both father and son appearing in court yesterday while holding the offices that they currently do was necessary to dispel any concerns that attempts were being made to use these very offices and quash cases and investigations against themselves.

Back-to-back judicial hits for the PML(N) is giving rise to a familiar perception that the apex court is being overbearing in its judgements and therefore in-

Of foul mouths No country for women

T

He political class represents the best and worst that a country has to offer. That latter bit implies that it is also going to include quite the gallery of rogues. at corner meetings, at mini-rallies, even at larger conventions, or perhaps even the odd television program, a politician or two from the student wing, a trade wing, or a third or second-tier leader might make an unsavoury comment.

No political party should have any delusions of pristine morality about their conduct. all political parties, specially in the age of social media, where a party’s accountable signalling done by its members, as opposed to the unaccountable signalling done by its supporters, is getting more and more blurred, are guilty of inappropriate behaviour.

But in the case of Imran khan, certain lines seem to have begun being crossed. He is the party chair himself, not merely an important leader. and though zingers and barbs targeting rival parties can (perhaps should?) fly at rallies, the PTI chairman has started sexualising his female political opponents. We are not talking about sexist slurs, but sexual slurs. The former was his once disparagingly calling Maryam Nawaz Sharif a grandmother (it could only be sexist and not ageist, because she is young enough to be his daughter.) No, in his rant at the rally in Multan the other day, he directed sexual slurs at her. The sort of passion with which she takes my name, he said, speaking of Maryam Nawaz, would make her husband jealous.

Now, one does not wish to psychoanalyse in this space the fantasies of an aged man. even if he were his other bête noire, Bilawal Zardari’s age, the fact of the matter is that such crass language is just not on. He is the leader of a major political party. The followers of his party, specially the younger members, look up to him and hang on to every word of his. It gives them the impression that such crass language is not only allowed, but also encouraged. The huge applause after his joke proved as much.

Our leaders need to do better.

Why do universities exist?

Society as a whole must know the answers, not just students

Rameez mahesaR

H

ave you ever gone through the mission statement of your university before you applied there for admission? This is an attention-grabbing question that I have been asking students again and again. What is most shocking for me is that they answer ‘no’ to that question. The next question which I ask them is: why do you not read the mission statement of your university? Since I invariably carry with myself FaQs (Frequently asked Questions) about different subjects which I ask people. Securing answers to the latter question, students complain that the universities have not mentioned their mission anywhere on their websites.

On the other hand, they are not introduced ever by their teachers to the mission of the university; it could be imparted during introductory classes in the initial days of new students every year. a hard-to-accept truth is; universities start failing badly when their students are unacquainted with what the mission their universities do have.

Many universities leave their mission statements

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

ernment’s position on the matter. The fact that he defended Imran khan over the unfortunate optics of him being in Russia on a bilateral visit on the day the war in Ukraine broke out, despite being fierce political rivals, displays a level of maturity and nuance that is commendable and welcome.

Whether or not the US warming up to Pakistan fluencing the political trajectory of the country. This is once again translates into much-needed dollars being somewhat similar to how the PTI felt wronged when released by the IMF, only time will tell, but until such the SC’s decision on Imran khan’s unconstitutional at- a time, it seems the political temperature will continue tempt to stop the vote of no-confidence against him to increase until and unless one of two things happens.

One, through some miracle, there is a sudden and made no mention of the alleged foreign interference drastic drop in international oil prices that coincides nor the ‘cypher’ that was being offered as proof.

Parallel to this, the economy is tailspinning into with an inflow of dollars from multiple donors and chaos with no reprieve in sight. The rupee is in per- friendly countries, effectively solving many of the petual freefall, breaking that crucial psychological problems with the external account that has necessibarrier of 200, first in the open market and then even- tated a ban on ‘non-essential’ imported items.

Second, the present government is made to tually the interbank. It will continue to remain under pressure against the greenback over the coming step aside due to multiple factors, not least of which is a consistent, targeted but indirect interweeks unless the SBP deference in the running of cides to intervene in the margovernment. This would ket with the limited reserves force them to call early it has, an unlikely move, or elections and an interim the present government is setup will be put in place able to restart the IMF deal With the PML(N) and PTI at made up of pre-selected and qualify for a fresh each other’s throats, and the technocrats whose sole obtranche. jective would be to staThere was a strong exlatter planning a march to bilise the economy. pectation that on his return Islamabad while the former Developments such as from London, Prime Minisformer finance minister ter Shehbaz Sharif would ramps up efforts to start Hafeez Sheikh arriving in take some tough decisions, filling up jails with PTI’s top karachi after securing prechief among them being the revocation of the fuel subcadre including Imran Khan; arrest bail and a persistent delay in PM Shehbaz sidy initiated by the previous a mercurial situation is in Sharif’s address to the nagovernment. Not only has no such announcement been play where civil unrest, chaos tion, suggests that the second outcome is far more made, there is even less clarand violence cannot be ruled likely and plausible. In ity over how the PML(N) government plans on adout. Such uncertainty cannot place for a short period of time with no political skin dressing this matter where be left unaddressed by the in the game, a caretaker the exchequer is haemorgovernment will be able to rhaging taxpayer money. establishment that prefers make the tough calls and Despite the tragic state and makes sure it holds all of take the public heat that folof affairs, there is at least lows. some positive development the cards at all times, no However, if this arrangeon the foreign policy front as matter how bad the hand ment is able to bring about Foreign Minister Bilawal improvement in macroecoBhutto Zardari met with US nomic indicators early on Secretary of State antony such as the rupee gaining Blinken on the sidelines of a food security summit at the UN and has described the some of its lost value and returning to under-200 levinteraction as “productive, positive and encouraging”. els, it could pave the way for it to stay in place for Repairing Pak-US relations— currently at an all- longer, even until elections are constitutionally due.

With the PML(N) and PTI at each other’s throats, time low due to closeness with China and Russia and Imran khan’s endless barrage of allegations of an and the latter planning a march to Islamabad while ‘american conspiracy’ to remove him— is a crucial the former ramps up efforts to start filling up jails first step towards diplomatic stability. Better relations with PTI’s top cadre including Imran khan; a mercuwith the USa are essential to make the IMF more rial situation is in play where civil unrest, chaos and amenable towards providing the economic relief Pak- violence cannot be ruled out. Such uncertainty cannot be left unaddressed by the establishment that prefers istan desperately needs.

Foreign Minister Bilawal has carried himself well and makes sure it holds all of the cards at all times, during this all-important first assignment, especially no matter how bad the hand. with regards to tackling complicated subjects such as Writer is editor, Pakistan Today Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the previous gov-

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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on notice boards, but students are not ready to read them at all. Some universities are not serious about producing and uploading a strongly effective mission statement on their websites.

This is a serious concern for both students as well as university authorities. It is the mission that really tells people what exactly the universities are for. It sets some agenda to be implemented across universities. It explains the purpose of a university and secures accurate answers to the question that this piece asks: why do universities exist?

Those who read the mission statements of universities do not get what in reality those statements are highlighting. The answer is quite simple. Those mission statements are written blurrily with lousy language. Or these missions are recklessly impractical in most universities. For example, if a university has mentioned in its mission ‘discovery of new knowledge’ as a top-notch objective, it seems practical nowhere. No discovery, no research, no creativity, no exploration. Phew!

Let’s again interfere with the central question for this piece: why do universities exist? I asked a few students to answer that question. Prior to answering this question, universities highlight more opposite to what they are actually providing. It’s a globally recognized fact that the universities are the places of knowledge creation and its dispersion. But today, students answered, saying they have entered university solely for career development. aligned with their answer, I do believe that the universities have now turned into job-oriented places rather than unavoidably remaining education-oriented places. Do they really not exist to provide people with jobs in lieu of any new knowledge?

Most importantly, universities actually have two roles to play; research and teaching. Through research a university brings and circulates possibly new thoughts; with the help of teaching it shapes them all.

This process enables students to distinguish between true and what is just seemingly true. Since these two ingredients are truly an asset of universities, generally

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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speaking, I have the right to label them to be the wings of universities like birds have. No bird can ever fly without its wings, even it can never go high with just one wing; balance matters most. Correspondingly, teaching and research are such kinds of wings which can outstandingly help universities fly through the ceiling. If the wings– teaching and research– of universities are used badly, universities can possibly receive very poor marks.

Many universities have been focusing on just one of the two, by dint of which they move like a lame man who moves not so long and can get tired in less than no time. Likewise, none of the two can ever show a stellar performance singlehandedly in the universities. However, they must keep their eyes circumspectly upon both the pillars equally. a university must adopt carefully new teaching methods which can lead students to arise with creative ideas to change the world. This innovation is only possible when research and teaching are equally strongly performed. I am free to say that the universities must implement it practically as their biggest mission. Throughout the very first days, students must be taught about the mission statement of their universities so that they might have a clear view of how and what they should expect from universities.

Sadly, hard evidence shows that the students are left bereft of a fair understanding of why they come to universities.

Universities have an outstandingly huge place in our society so it is of great importance to extrapolate here that societies want to be clear about what the universities are for. To them, universities have now turned machines to produce degrees to award people after they have consumed four consecutive years of their hard struggle. Throughout those four years, they are taught short-term priorities to achieve; it can never guarantee a beautiful success rather it could turn frequently irrelevant.

To this end, universities must have a clear view of their long-standing value to society which lets them be adaptive in main concerns from generation to generation. Many argue that the universities must stay institutions of learning for the sake of learning; they must be primarily devoted to deepen and extend the human understanding of real global society.

The writer can be contacted at rameezalimahesar@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 22th May 2022_Layout 1 5/21/2022 11:55 PM Page 2

Sunday, 22 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

Inheritance rights PakISTaN has a poor record of providing women with the right to inheritance and property. although there is clear Islamic jurisprudence on it, women across the country still have to fight for their inheritance rights.

One example is the case of Zahra Banu who was given property by her father; however, upon his death, her brothers claimed all the property. article 23 of the Constitution guarantees the right to own property for every man and woman. Other legal acts protecting women’s property rights include the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, the West Pakistan Muslim Personal Law Shariat application act 1962, and the Prevention of antiWomen Practices act 2011. More recently, the enforcement of Women’s Property Rights (amendment) Bill 2021 was also passed to ensure that women’s right to own and possess property is not violated through harassment, coercion, force or fraud. even though depriving women of their inheritance or property through deceitful or illegal means is punishable with imprisonment, most Pakistani women remain unable to claim their inheritance. Many women often do not claim their property to avoid disputes and appease their brothers. Some do not want to take the risk of going to court because of the cultural taboo against women who appear in court. There is a disconnect between the laws and the ground reality of what is happening in the country because of regressive culture and tradition. Many women are subjected to emotional blackmail and violence, which eventually compels them to forego their inheritance share. also, there is a large proportion of the female population who are unaware of the existence of laws.

FARIS KHALIQ ISLAMABAD

Prevailing crises

Countdown to collapse; but from where to begin!

As the contenders fight amongst themselves, where are the spoils?

Naqi akbaR

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ay 2022 can easily compete with May 1857 for its defining nature; a watershed moment for a nation state; which route it intends to take from here? May 1857, for all practical purposes was a formal obituary of the already decadent Mughal dispensation. The centrifugal forces were in full throttle mode, the foreign powers were preying upon the spoils and the populace was completely out of tune with what was happening around them; they were barely trying to understand and comprehend.

However, no despair intended in the following paragraphs. But one thing remains undeniable is that the country after its transition from full colonial to neo-colonial mInvariably, it is a 1971 moment with all ingredients present and available. However, it might not be a complete doomsday scenario; but it does allow the stakeholders to do some soul searching; foremost amongst it the importance of an economic growth recovery in place of blindfolded hybrid fifth generation wars which do not accrue any revenue or foreign exchange earning for the economy and the people. This decisive moment may not be squandered on the altar of expediency. We need a new Pakistan; based on consensus and not on personal visions or the vision of the few…ode has not been able to achieve what it should have. To become a nation to be envied for its brilliant benchmarks; not a nation state to be avoided.

With the media screaming headlines that talk of the battle line-up for the political forces, in the background the viability of the system itself is under great pressure and peril. With few countries ready to lend reserves for even keeping in the central bank account without conditions; we are invariably on the verge of what is called in the economics dictionary a sovereign default.

How we reached that stage; is a matter of objective soul searching. The following paragraphs might be food for thought for the economists/political science students as to how nation states may find themselves in peril out of their own making Pakistan formally got independent in 1947 solely due to the hard work of the founder of the nation and his select band of committed comrades. What was to be road ahead; we still depend upon bits and pieces of the words of wisdom of the founder and his ideological predecessors in one way or another. The same situation was faced by the country when we were left to fend for ourselves when our founding father and others left the arena too early. For a nation orphaned too soon was not a tragedy in isolation; but a tragedy which continued to haunt until today.

Like all independent nation states, the pri-

mary goals are economic wellbeing of the populace; best realized through creating an environment where people can exercise their creative and entrepreneurial skill to earn well as well as in the process contribute to the growth of the economy. Towards that goal; building a human development infrastructure coupled with a balanced growth strategy are the benchmarks, which need to be achieved by these budding nation states.

The educational base automatically provides the nation states with enough human capital, which can be utilized in industry, agriculture and the services sector. Our immediate neighbour and competitor India worked on the counts of building the human capital, as well as the infrastructure necessary for creating an industrial base. even today, any Pakistani student of any discipline of engineering can rest assured that he can get a better understandable, affordable book from an Indian author, instead of looking out for any Western author. early years of political instability and all-out war for power (as is happening now) paved the way for those who wanted to make the country a front line state for all types of foreign wars. We gradually transformed into a national security state; where economic growth was not the prime goal; rather a sideline goal, which could be put on the back burner; once the prime nature of the state, that of national security, is reaping enough funds in one way or another.

The national preferences for seven decades can be gauged from the fact that central Punjab is known round the globe for producing the best citrus quality; actually replanted from California; yet we know that the area remains economically underdeveloped and known only for being “eagles Nest”; nothing more and nothing less…

Likewise, constrained to compare with our neighbour; if a particular state in that neighbouring country is known for providing the human capital for that country's armed forces; the same state commands respect for being the breadbasket of that neighbouring nation state; born one day later..

Rejoining the track of discussion again; the preferences which were to become embedded in our national psyche and consequently in our national plans of action. Towards that end, national preferences towards growth have never been proactive to say the least. We as a nation have been an accidental signatory of the new world trade regime, the successor of GaTT, the WTO. We never tookt the initiative to look after our interests in the Doha Round and similar other policy finalization forums.

To elaborate further; economies have perfected the quality assurance infrastructures to make the most of opportunities in the developed world, whether the merchandise is agricultural commodity, finished textile products, jewellery or Information technology software exports. We boast of Urdu as our national language; yet much of the groundbreaking work in software

development is done elsewhere. In the domain of open source software development, our footprint leaves much to be desired.

The dividends for those other economies and nation states in concentrating on economy and trade has been that while they do take SDRs from the IMF, yet they also earn enough foreign exchange to finance their import bills without looking for loans from anywhere else. These nation states, with even being named here, are no way close to default.

Here, it is important to note that our superficial takes on economic growth have been faulty. Our second plan of 1960-65 under a proUS administration was the first step towards our being a national security state. Towards that end, the economic goals were just a sideline project. even if we showed our interest in education, it was only to churn out business leaders able to ensure “capitalist surplus” and not plan any “equitable” economic growth.

Incidentally, that five-year plan also envisaged the principle of keeping the Dollar artificially overpriced. The 1965 growth rate never returned as it was based on weak grounds.

Rather we slid down to the current position in five decades. The inequalities, which were generated in the 1960-65 economic plan period, were enough to split the electorate along right of the centre and the left of the centre politics; with the east Pakistani left wing strains finding the situation opportune to part ways with the Pakistani experience.

Here it is interesting to note that the 1971 national tragedy itself was the first casualty of the national security state paradigm; best illustrated in the policy brief for the then President Nixon by Secretary of State kissinger , dated 28 april 1971. The brief says, “The West Pakistanis, on their part, face serious financial difficulties within the next several months. They have told us that unless they receive emergency foreign exchange help they will have to default on outstanding external loan repayments and restrict imports to the point of stagnating the economy and possibly bringing on a financial crash. It may well be that, as these costs become apparent to a wider group in West Pakistan, the pressure on President yahya to let east Pakistan go will mount.”

Invariably, it is a 1971 moment with all ingredients present and available. However, it might not be a complete doomsday scenario; but it does allow the stakeholders to do some soul searching; foremost amongst it the importance of an economic growth recovery in place of blindfolded hybrid fifth generation wars which do not accrue any revenue or foreign exchange earning for the economy and the people. This decisive moment may not be squandered on the altar of expediency. We need a new Pakistan; based on consensus and not on personal visions or the vision of the few…

The writer is a freelance columnist

THe very notion that the incumbent political class is equipped to handle the severity of the prevailing economic crisis is indeed a sweet pill for citizens to swallow. However, this could not be far from the truth. It is a matter of great concern that there is an inability to do any substantial work for the sake of progress and prosperity. agriculture, education and healthcare — the three pillars that lead to socio-economic development — have long remained neglected. Covid-19 has shown that in case of an emergency, it is extremely difficult for these sectors to cope, which could eventually result in a complete collapse.

The degradation of the housing stock is currently the most visible indicator of the population’s well-being. Pakistan has witnessed an erosion of property title and civic rights, under whichever jurisdiction plaintiffs have wished to contest. How has such immaturity remained persistent under practitioners of the constitution? It may well derive from a shared principle amongst many of the political class that the people of Pakistan are “servants” of the state and they the “rulers”. karachi was deemed as a city having national importance, a city that kept Pakistan functioning.

Unfortunately, neither the federal nor the provincial government have made substantial progress in improving the standard of living of the residents of this tattered city. There has long been a willingness by the political heavyweights in Sindh to forgo the required work, which has in turn caused the people of karachi to become averse to bringing investment within the regulatory purview of the provincial administration. This, having been the case for over a decade, has presented a singular issue with regard to the functioning of karachi: With the welfare of the nation in question, will karachi ever see a time when there is no corruption?

ABRAIZ SHAH KARACHI

Eco-preneurship THe concept of eco-preneurship emerged from the growing trend of sustainability because it is a possible solution for the transition toward a more sustainable society. ecopreneurs execute businesses based on sustainable ideas and methods and aim to tackle environmental and social needs.

Globally eco-preneurship has gained significant momentum and has encouraged businesses to pay closer attention to their social and environmental impact. The transition toward a more sustainable system requires interactions between technology, economics, policymaking, and sociology.

This interrelation between businesses and the environment concerning the role of entrepreneurs concludes that sustainability has developed as a key policy in executing business. Green entrepreneurs have speeded up innovation and demonstrated the ability to adapt and respond promptly to changes, which has also increased employment opportunities. Some examples of green entrepreneurship include energy auditing for impact assessment, green consulting for reducing environmental pollution associated with industrial activity, the use of environmentally friendly and ecological products (e.g., food, beauty products), renewable energy installations, etc. In Pakistan, eco-preneurship has received little attention in research and practice. However, it has the potential to provide opportunities for economic growth and can assist in the transition toward sustainability. Relevant authorities should facilitate educational institutes to raise awareness and provide training on green entrepreneurship. The introduction of green technologies coupled with eco-preneurship will support the country in sustainable development and fighting the impact of climate change.

INTIKHAB ULFAT KARACHI

My way or highway PakISTaN, a nuclear power and a country of over 220 million people, has been embroiled in a constitutional crisis. This is because individual ego seems to prevail over the collective national interest. This country also faces an acute economic crisis because of years of mismanagement, poor governance and political engineering. This needless prolonging of political uncertainty is not only having an adverse impact on an already ailing economy but is also sowing seeds of hatred and division among the masses. In the process, the Quaid’s motto of “unity” between all citizens who have “faith” in the constitution and “discipline” enforced through laws to which all citizens must submit to is being ridiculed. Who gains if Pakistan and its citizens suffer needlessly because of the egoistic pursuits of a few? a political party which enjoys the support of the majority in the parliament is allowed to form a government and exercise all the powers given by the constitution. The moment the political party loses support of the majority, it stands removed from office. It is the constitution which allows a vote of no-confidence to be moved against the ruling party. There is no rocket science involved.

MUHAMMAD SHAHZAIN LAHORE

08 WORLD VIEW 22nd May 22_Layout 1 5/21/2022 10:02 PM Page 1

Sunday, 22 May, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

It’s tIme for a new HIndu-muslIm deal...because IndIan secularIsm was doomed to faIl OPen Magazine

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HAsAn suROOR

am often reminded of the popular Urdu poet and film lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi’s famous line: “Woh Afsana Jise Anjaam Tak Laana Na ho Mumkin Us-e ek Khubsoorat Mor De Kar Chorna Achha (When it’s not possible to take a story to the desired conclusion, it’s better to give it a dignified turn and end it)”. he was, of course, writing about unrequited love—how to get over it and move on.

But it is an equally apt prescription for the troubled afsana of India’s experiment with secularism which seemed like a good idea after the traumatic events of Partition. But, 70 years on, it is unravelling amid widespread disillusionment—across the hindu-Muslim divide— with the way it has been practised. Questions have been raised whether a Western concept was suited to a deeply religious society. It has even been suggested that it was destined to fail. There’s an argument to be had whether the idea of declaring India a secular state was really born of Nehru’s innate liberalism. Or was it intended to score a political point over rightwing hindu nationalists and Muslim separatists represented by the Muslim League: a Congress attempt to shame Muhammad Ali Jinnah even while it was itself laying the foundations of a minority vote bank?

Ostensibly it was meant to foster communal harmony but in the event secularism has become a source of division, breeding resentment among the majority community which believes that it is disproportionately weighted in favour of minorities, especially Muslims.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, riding a wave of hindu nationalism, accuse secularists of minority ‘appeasement’ and peddling ‘pseudo-secularism’ for electoral gains.

Muslims and other minorities have their own reasons to be suspicious of the secular establishment. Far from benefiting from secularism, they say their grievances and frustrations were manipulated by Congress and other secular parties and they were used as proxies in their battles with their rightwing political rivals. The emphatic Muslim rejection of Congress underlines the strength of their anger. Their withdrawal of support has been an existential blow to Congress, plunging it into terminal decline. Which shows how reliant it had been on Muslim votes, and lends credence to claims that it was interested in secularism only as a route to building a Muslim ‘vote bank’—presenting itself as their saviour against ‘communal’ hindu groups.

The story of Indian secularism is a classic example of good intentions being derailed by misguided practices.

Over the years, there has been enough post-mortem of why secularism has not worked and who’s to blame. But we are where we are, and frankly, it makes no sense endlessly debating it. That will only generate more acrimony leading to more polarisation. The effort now should be to ponder ways to find a way out of the mess.

This is not a plea for abandoning secularism altogether but to look for a model more in tune with contemporary political and social realities, and the current national mood. A settlement underpinned by realism rather than idealism. The effort should be to try and strike a balance between minority rights and the majority community’s sensitivities It will not be easy, particularly for Muslims who might be required to make some hard choices in pursuit of an end to the insecurity and the uncertainty they face about their future in India. More broadly, it will involve acknowledging our historic failure to deliver secularism compounded by a profound change in hindu public opinion which in recent years has swung towards majoritarianism. The idea that hindus have a first right over India has become deeply ingrained, even among many liberals. Any sustainable solution will have to be within the context of these realities.

This is not a plea for abandoning secularism alto-

PhiliPPine Daily inquirer

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EDITORIAL

here are no illegitimate children, only illegitimate parents,” declared Irish politician and civil rights activist Bernadette Devlin when her daughter was born out of wedlock.

In agreement, the Supreme Court recently abandoned the use of the terms “legitimate” and “illegitimate” in distinguishing between the nature, rights, status, and privileges of children whose parents were married or unmarried at the time of their birth. Instead, the high tribunal preferred to use the terms “marital” and “nonmarital,” if only to differentiate the marital status of a child’s parents.

As a recent decision of the Supreme Court explained, “legitimate” and “illegitimate” are pejorative terms based on “the presumption that nonmarital children are products of illicit relationships, or that they are automatically placed in a hostile environment perpetrated by the marital family.”

This is more than a change in nomenclature. It also heralds a change in society’s perception of children who happened to be born—for various reasons—before their parents could get married.

THE QUESTION BEFORE THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IS WHETHER IT WANTS TO PROLONG THE AGONY AND CONTINUE TO SUFFER DAILY HUMILIATION, OR TRY AND FIND A DIGNIFIED WAY OUT OF IT gether or suddenly embracing a theocratic hindu state but to look for a model more in tune with contemporary political and social realities, and the current national mood. A settlement underpinned by realism rather than idealism. The effort should be to try and strike a balance between minority rights and the majority community’s sensitivities which it believes have been ignored in the name of secularism. The hindu sense of grievance—real or imaginary—will have to be addressed in the larger interest of India’s unity.

There’s a mistaken notion that the only alternative to a secular state is a theocracy. I argue that a state can have an officially recognised religion—in India’s case it will be hinduism—and yet remain secular in practice by treating all citizens as equal and making sure that their religious and civil rights are protected by law as for example in many Western liberal democracies, including Britain, where the state is Christian but government practices are secular. There is a robust and strictly enforced equality law which ensures that nobody is discriminated against because of their religion or ethnicity.

We can find successful examples of the British model or its variations in other countries, including in South Asia and the Muslim world. It will be worth examining these models as a starting point, as the basis for a new constitutional framework that would be seen to be fair to everyone without abandoning the essential elements of a secular society.

No debate on hindu-Muslim relations will be complete without a reference to the role of nationalism in muddying the waters. The term ‘nationalism’ is tossed around a great deal these days as a great virtue and badge of honour, but what is often forgotten is the notorious history of competing hindu and Muslim cultural nationalisms—and how they have been used to divide people.

Partition was a result of the clash between rival nationalisms, peddled by the Muslim League on the one hand and the hindu Mahasabha and its allies on the other, both feeding on each other. Both sides believed in the “twonation” theory, namely that Muslims and hindus represent two separate civilisations and cultures and never the twain shall meet. It is instructive how this worked on the ground with the hindu Mahasabha actually collaborating with the Muslim League in opposing Congress even as the League campaigned for a separate Muslim homeland.

Notably, that was the last time we saw Muslim civil society activism in action in a significant way. Post-independence, Indian Muslims have shown little interest in mass action, and whenever they have it has failed to take off because of a lack of credible leadership. The 2019 Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA—the new citizenship law that Muslims regard as discriminatory—was the first serious attempt by the community to organise, especially around a secular issue.

But its failure amid politically fuelled conspiracy theories about its aims underlined the limits of any mass action not supported by the vast majority of the population; in other words, one which is restricted to a minority group. For all the hype around it, the non-Muslim support for the Shaheen Bagh movement remained restricted mostly to the usual liberal suspects—and towards the end, even some of that support fizzled out. Most revealing was the reluctance of the so-called secular parties to be seen supporting a Muslim protest for fear of being seen as anti-hindu. In the end, the protestors were left high and dry, politically isolated and demoralised. It

greatly diminishes the prospects of similar action in future, reinforcing the argument that Muslims have few options other than seeking a new compact with the Indian state even if it means having to make some unpalatable concessions.

Meanwhile, in the prevailing politically and culturally polarised climate, it has become well-nigh impossible to have a rational argument on hindu-Muslim relations— with either Muslims or hindus. I’ve personally stopped arguing for fear of losing friends on both sides of the divide… So, what went wrong? how did the transition from ‘secularism’ to ‘sickularism’ happen, and Indian-ness morph into majoritarianism without anyone ostensibly noticing it? how did we come to this?

The answer is: To some degree, we have all been complicit in messing it up—political leaders of all hues, rightwing hindu nationalists, the Muslim leadership, and the wider secular/liberal establishment. even if inadvertently, we all contributed to undermining secularism through ideological prejudice, or political abuse, or sheer complacency in the face of a simmering backlash.

There’s a liberal narrative that we were blindsided by a sudden resurgence of majoritarian nationalism.

But the fact is that we could see it coming since as far back as the 1980s-90s, starting with the ram temple campaign. Signs of an ideological shift were all around us, and those leading the charge made no secret of their intentions. The hindu right can be accused of many things but not of hiding its agenda. On the contrary, it announced it from the rooftops with LK Advani, the then BJP chief, sneeringly dismissing Indian secularism as “pseudo-secularism”, and calling for “hindu pride” to assert itself. The demolition of the Babri Masjid was not carried out secretly in the

dead of night but in broad daylight and in front of live TV cameras… Yet, the liberal/secular impulse was to dismiss it simply as an act of vandalism by a fanatical fringe, and an administrative failure. There was a lot of hand-wringing and angry rhetoric but no serious effort was made to understand the phenomenon behind it. To grasp the fact that the old idea of India was dying on its feet.

Looking back, it seems extraordinary how quickly an idea which formed the ideological cornerstone of post-independence modern India fell out of favour across large swathes of the political and intellectual spectrum.

To the extent that many hitherto avowed secularists— academics, media commentators and social scientists— switched sides proudly ‘confessing’ that they had got it wrong the first time; and that secularism was indeed a foreign import imposed on the country by a leftwing liberal elite to appease Muslims.

Ironically, at some point even Muslims started questioning the idea amid a growing sense that they were being used by self-styled secularists for their own ends.

By way of flavour, here’s what Shahid Siddiqui, a relatively moderate Muslim leader and editor of Nai Duniya, wrote at the time echoing BJP’s attacks on secularism: “how long are Indian Muslims going to be the slaves of this ‘electoral secularism’, the sole purpose of which is to create fear in the minds of the minorities?” A former MP, who has been associated with assorted secular groups, including Congress, Siddiqui also posted a series of angry tweets denouncing secular “saviours” of Muslims as their “worst enemies”. he tweeted that Muslims had been “pushed into socio-economic ghetto not by BJP but by Cong& SP”; and that “Muslims r unable to see that they have become slaves of secularism to suit a coterie ruling this country using… Muslims as a vehicle to power”.

The liberals refuse to acknowledge how secularism was abused by secular parties, not least Congress. Its record on secularism is dire. It not only failed to protect minorities but, often, actually stoked sectarian violence, most infamously during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. even the demolition of the Babri Masjid on its watch had its roots in its attempts to appease competing strains of Muslim and hindu fundamentalism. (rajiv Gandhi had opened up a part of the masjid for hindu worship to deal with the criticism of his government’s decision to overturn the Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case, granting an elderly divorcee the right to claim a maintenance allowance from her ex-husband.)

Politically isolated and facing an existential crisis, the question before the Muslim community is whether it wants to prolong the agony and continue to suffer daily humiliation, or try and find a dignified way out of it.

There are no easy options: either we continue to be trapped in a no-man’s land—nominally secular but practically discriminatory—waiting for Godot to deliver us from our misery; or swallow our ego, grind our teeth, and give up the tottering ghost of secularism for good.

Let’s stop endlessly arguing about the past and, instead, move on. And try and make the best of a bad situation.

It’s easy to bury one’s head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge the reality; but it requires courage to confront it and deal with it.

This essay draws on Hasan Suroor’s latest book Unmasking Indian Secularism: Why We Need a New HinduMuslim Deal.

‘Iron curtain rule’ struck down DATA FROM THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF NONMARITAL CHILDREN IN THE PHILIPPINES STANDS AT 53 PERCENT The decision stems from a case filed by a petitioner who sought to assert her right to inherit from her paternal grandfather. her father had died before she was born and before he could marry her mother. her grandfather chose to take care of her, helped raise her, and supported her education from kindergarten to college. But when the grandfather passed away in 1999, her uncles excluded her from inheriting from him.

Their action was based on Article 992 of the Civil Code which says that an “illegitimate child has no right to inherit ab intestato from the legitimate children or relatives of his father or mother; nor shall such children or relatives inherit in the same manner from the illegitimate child.” however, the present Supreme Court, in its latest en banc ruling

penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, ruled that grandparents and other direct ascendants are outside the scope of “relatives” under Article 992.

In previous cases, the Court had interpreted Article 992 as barring nonmarital children from inheriting from their grandparents and other direct ascendants, as they are covered by the term “relatives.” The Supreme Court called this prohibition the “iron curtain rule,” inferred from a perceived hostility between the marital and nonmarital sides of a family. But in reexamining the “iron curtain rule,” the Supreme Court found that Article 992 “should be construed to account for other circumstances of birth and family dynamics.”

In addition, the SC ruled that “both marital and nonmarital children, whether born

from a marital or nonmarital child, are blood relatives of their parents and other ascendants. Thus, a nonmarital child’s right of representation should be governed by Article 982 of the Civil Code, which does not differentiate based on the birth status of grandchildren and other direct descendants.”

Indeed, UP Law professor and author elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan, who was drafted as a “friend of the court” in this case, has found that the number of nonmarital children in the country has been increasing.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the number of nonmarital children in the Philippines stands at 53 percent, with the biggest proportion from eastern Visayas (65 percent) and the National Capital region (64.9 percent). Associate Justice ramon Paul

hernando then queried: “The bigger number of nonmarital children as shown by statistics would also be reflective of a change in societal attitudes with respect to marital children and nonmarital children, meaning is it safe to assume based on these statistics that now society is more than willing to accept nonmarital children as human beings, equal in the eyes of the law and of God and of everything else that stands in our universe?”

While Pangalangan agreed that society’s mind has become more open, nonmarital children still suffer some stigma, with Article 992 seen as a legal setback against nonmarital children.

Former Ateneo Law dean Cynthia del Castillo, also a “friend of the court,” said the issue of unfairness “is the one that strikes the heart most.” She added that “the distinction between the illegitimate and the legitimate is several decades long overdue. Today, in the year 2019 (when oral arguments took place), this is really so much that it is irrelevant to make that distinction.” The Supreme Court should be commended for this wise and just decision that will have a huge impact on the lives of children, whatever are the circumstances that brought them into this world. It is time for the “iron curtain rule” to fall.

Sunday, 22 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

corporate corner oGDcl, district administration initiate emergency response in cholera-hit Pirkoh

Mushaal asks uN to eNsure fair trial iN YasiN Malik case islAMABAD

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Cholera outbroke in Pirkoh due to shortage and use of contaminated water in the area. Local administration of Pirkoh declared emergency in the area on 12th May 2022 and requested OGDCL for assistance against Cholera.

OGDCL and District Administration jointly announced and launched CSR Emergency response package for the people of Pirkoh area, which is the operational district of OGDCL. Under the announced package 09 water tractor trollies were hired for provision of water to the locals on immediate basis whereas, four OGDCL owned water bouzers are also involved in helping the people in this time of need.

Expanding its assistance and to play better role, OGDCL dispensary has been declared as temporary Cholera Emergency Center for provision of 24/7 services to cholera affected patients. Apart from this, provision of medicines and ambulances on war footing basis to DHO Dera Bugti is also a crucial step towards fulfilling responsibilities by OGDCL regarding CSR, which will not only help the quick recovery of patients but will be essential for shifting the critical patients to nearby hospitals.

Boarding and lodging facilities for doctors and para medical staff has been provided within the premises of OGDCL Pirkoh Gas field. The organization also plans to drill two water bores at Pathar Nala, resistivity survey in this regard has been carried out and cost estimates are in progress. OGDCL also installed two RO plants at Pirkoh for supply of clean drinking water in Past, which are operational and benefiting the local community.

Considering the chaos situation and to avoid reoccurrence in future, OGDCL is planning to explore alternate water supply mechanism as a permanent solution to the problem for the local community. pr

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uSHAAL Hussein Mullick, wife of Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, has asked the united Nations to intervene and provide justice as the Indian authorities are set to convict her husband in a fabricated case on May 25.

Speaking during a presser along with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Mullick said that she is speaking as a mother and daughter after the Indian authorities shifted her husband to Tihar prison, where he suffered from a brain hemorrhage due to

constant imprisonment.

“Even international basic rights guaranteed for prisoners are not been given to Yasin Malik,” she said and added that he

was tortured in Tihar prison.

She blamed that Yasin Malik is not being given any facilities inside the jail and killers outside the court are direct-

ing the Indian judiciary on decisions regarding Malik.

Mushaal also asked the Pakistani government to declare the Kashmiri freedom fighter as a prisoner of consciousness and lead a global campaign against Malik’s conviction in fabricated cases by the Indian courts.

“We are deprived of our due rights and my daughter has not listened to her father during the last eight years,” she said.

In February 2019, the Indian troops had launched a major crackdown in occupied Kashmir and arrested Yasin Malik. The Indian troops had raided Malik’s Maisuma residence in Srinagar.

The crackdown was launched against pro-freedom leaders and activists.

GB govt to introduce teachers award GilGiT-BAlTisTAn News Desk

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has decided to introduce “GilgitBaltistan Teachers Award” so that teachers are encouraged to play their respective roles.

For that matter, teachers will be assessed on the basis of steps taken by them to increase student’s enrollment, Education of Women and Girls, disabled children and in introducing technical and vocational skills amongst students, a press release on Friday said.

The innovations will further include need-based and student-specific curriculum covering essentials like out-of-box methods for promotion of education and critical thinking, employment of technology, promotion of local/endangered languages and highlighting of challenges faced by society.

Government of Gilgit-Baltistan will honour three such teachers who have demonstrated outstanding and unwavering resolve and commitment to their profession. The selection will be monitored by Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in the respective divisions and districts.

A committee consisting of representation from the Government, Education Sector and civil society will then scrutinize the nominations and finalize the subject award. The GB government seeks to radically alter the paradigm of education. This involves redefining curriculum, promoting regional and International languages and inculcating critical/logical thinking skills as well as fostering culture of employees’ welfare and social security.

The planned reforms also seek to develop all-rounded individuals with this newly designed curriculum em-

phasizing on social skill, logic enhancing endeavors such as Chess and job oriented skills such as learning and developing CVs/Resumes.

In order to develop confidence and

motivation in the employees, Teachers’ Facilitation Cells and Advisory Councils will be established for training of teachers and resolving their administrative/financial issues.

iesco power suspension schedule for today National Bank of Pakistan announced winners of Golootlo sponsored Debit Card Campaign. Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President NBP, Mohammad Hamayun Sajjad, Chief Digital Officer NBP and Fahad Mehmood, CEO of Golootlo presented lucky winners with car keys. pr

PMc conducts first-ever dental Nle Chairman BARD Foundation Abdul Razak Dawood (3L) along with other board members of the foundation and representatives of Ghulam Ishaq Khan institute of Engineering Sciences and Technolgy (GIKI) at the MoU signing. BARD Foundation will establish a DESCON Endowment Fund for underprivileged students at GIKI University. pr

According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 22nd May, From 09:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Rawalpindi. III, CNC, VIP, Jhanda, SBP, Humayun Road Feeders, From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Chatta Bakhtawar, Muslimabad, Gulzar Shaheed, Quaid. Abad, Ahsanabad, Pirwadhai, Bagh Sardaran, Dhok Hasso, Carriage Factory Feeders, From 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tramri, Lehtar Road, Park View, Pindi Board, Jail Park 1, Kar Chowk, Mehboob Shaheed, FF Hospital. , X-Lair Colony, Wilayat Complex, AOWHS, Morgah Feeders, From 07:30 AM to 12:30 PM., Qaziabad Feeder and and surroundings will remain off. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage.

If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time. pr

World Bank’s Country Director calls on CM Balochistan QUETTA App

Pakistan Medical Commission with an aim to reform and improve health care education and service delivery standards working tirelessly for its all stake holders. The whole purpose of the NLE is to test the competency, knowledge, and skills of a graduate to ensure they are a ‘safe doctor’ as they would be granted a license to treat patients independently. The NLE skills exam represents the basic skills that are mandatory for patient handling and management in the absence of which patients would be at severe risk. For the First time Pakistan Medical Commission conducts Dental National Licensing Examination-2 (Clinical Skills Examination) of Foreign Graduates in School of Dentistry, SZAMBU Islamabad.

Number of students appeared in the Examination and stated it to be a good initiative to screen students.

Spokesperson PMC stated that the National Licensing Examination is likely to protect the right of the patients and to encourage all able and learned students to assume practice in the mainstream field. He added that PMC is working with clear vision and dedication to facilitate and improve the healthcare system in Pakistan. pr

World Bank Country Director to Pakistan, Mr. Benshssine Najy along with his technical team called on the Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Abdul Qaddos Bizenjo here on Friday.

Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mir Muhammad Khan Lehri was also present on the occasion.

The ongoing and proposed projects of the World Bank was discussed and the proposals and measures for increasing the assistance of the World Bank were reviewed in detail. The Country Director expressed confidence in the development policy of the Government of Balochistan and assured that he also agreed to increase support for the development of water resources, agriculture, energy and human resource sectors.

Expressing his views on the occasion, the chief minister said that Balochistan was a vast province and the best projects were needed to improve the economic and social life of the people here.

He welcomed the increase in assistance from the World Bank. “We are grateful to the World Bank for this invaluable assistance,” he said adding that his government wants the World Bank to provide grants

instead of loans and reduce the markup of loans for the people of Balochistan.

“Our priorities are climate change, human re-

source development, education and vocational training, employment, water, agriculture and energy development”, he said this to WB’s country director.

Sunday, 22 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Biden on mission to Corner China, visits samsung u

S President Joe Biden arrived in Seoul to kick off his first Asia trip and was scheduled to have the first summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on a string of issues, and analysts said Biden may use the US-led IndoPacific economic framework and threats from North Korea as acting points to further pull South Korea closer. However, what benefits a geopolitical tool will bring to South Korea remains a question and many people alerted that standing unconditionally with the US will not maximize South Korea’s interests.

According to Yonhap News, after Biden arrived, he and Yoon visited a Samsung chip plant in Pyeongtaek, “underscoring the two countries’ commitment to working together to strengthen supply chains.” On Saturday, Biden and Yoon will meet again to discuss the full range of security and economic challenges facing them and the region.

Biden’s visit, which came 10 days after Yoon took his oath as South Korea’s president, is the second time for a US president to visit South Korea ahead of the new South Korea president’s visit to the US since 1993, and it’s also rare to see US president make South Korea the first destination before Japan in an Asia trip. Some observers said such arrangements underscored Biden’s scheme to pull South Korea into its strategies to contain China.

Even before Biden embarked on the Asia trip, the US and Japan had racked their brains to hype China topics. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Wednesday that Biden intends to seize the Asia trip – “this pivotal moment” – to as-

sert “bold and confident American leadership” in the Indo-Pacific and send a message to China that the West and its Asian partners will not be divided and weakened. However, he also noted that the US wanted not so much to confront China on the trip.

In response to Biden’s Asia trip and Sullivan’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Friday that China hopes the US’ actions will be in line with its remarks. He urges the US to work with regional countries for cooperation and not to collude for divisions or confrontations, or bring chaos or disturbance to the region. hypIng threats: North Korea will be used as an acting point for the US to further pull South Korea closer, analysts said, as Yonhap News reported that topics

on “the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs” will top the agenda of the leaders’ summit to bolster “combined defense and deterrence.”

Chung Youngjune, a South Korean scholar who now works in Tongji University, told the Global Times that the Yoon government may discuss restoring joint military drills with the US, of which the scale shrank during the Moon government, and reactivate the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) over the permanent deployment of US strategic assets to South Korea on a rotational basis.

Chung said that as there are presumptions on North Korea’s possible nuclear tests, the US and South Korea are very interested in strengthening military cooperation.

However, the main topics of the sum-

mit between South Korea and the US may still remain in economic security, not military security, as two countries want to improve cooperation in the supply chain of semiconductors and batteries, digital economy, setting technological standards, and clean energy, said Chung.

As one aspect of the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy, launching the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is one of Biden’s main missions. One pillar of the IPEF is a stable supply chain and this is why Biden made Samsung his first stop in South Korea, Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

The IPEF, which was unveiled by Biden at the East Asia Summit last October to strengthen US economic cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners, is widely viewed as an anti-China coalition aimed at excluding China from global supply chains.

Samsung takes a large account of the global high-end chips and in November 2021, Samsung announced a site in Texas for its new $17 billion computer chip plant, amid a global shortage in semiconductors, which is the South Korean electronics giant’s biggest US investment.

To push the US-proposed Chip Alliance into reality, discussions between governments are not enough and companies should also be involved. This is why Biden went to Samsung to have interactions. Moreover, how to contain China is the unspoken tune of Biden’s trip and he may also send a message to Samsung to take back cooperating with China, Da said. Agencies

Women TV presenters defy Taliban order to cover faces on air

Women presenters on Afghanistan’s leading TV channels went on air Saturday without covering their faces, defying a Taliban order that they conceal their appearance to comply with the group’s austere brand of Islam.

Since surging back to power last year the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on civil society, many focused on reining in the rights of women and girls.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a diktat for women to cover up

fully in public, including their faces, ideally with the traditional burqa.

The feared Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ordered women TV presenters to follow suit by Saturday.

Previously, they had only been required to wear a headscarf.

But broadcasters TOLOnews, Shamshad TV and 1TV all aired live programmes Saturday with women presenters’ faces visible.

“Our female colleagues are concerned

that if they cover their faces, the next thing they will be told is to stop working,” said Shamshad TV head of news Abid Ehsas.

“This is the reason they have not observed the order so far,” he told AFP, adding the channel had requested further discussions with the Taliban on the issue.

Taliban orders such as this have caused many female journalists to leave Afghanistan since the militants stormed back to power, a woman presenter said.

“Their latest order has broken the hearts of women presenters and many now think they have no future in this country,” she said, requesting not to be named.

“I’m thinking of leaving the country.

Decrees like this will force many professionals to leave.”

‘Implement the order’: Mohammad Sadeq Akif Mohajir, spokesman for the vice ministry, said the women presenters were violating the Taliban directive.

“If they don’t comply we will talk to the managers and guardians of the presenters,” he told AFP. “Anyone who lives under a particular system and government has to obey the laws and orders of that system, so they must implement the order,” he said.

The Taliban have demanded that

women government employees be fired if they fail to follow the new dress code.

Men working in government also risk suspension if their wives or daughters fail to comply.

Mohajir said media managers and the male guardians of defiant women presenters would also be liable for penalties if the order was not observed.

During two decades of US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, women and girls made marginal gains in the deeply patriarchal nation.

Soon after they took over, the Taliban promised a softer version of the harsh rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

Since the takeover, however, women have been banned from travelling alone and teenage girls barred from secondary schools.

In the 20 years after the Taliban were ousted from office in 2001, many women in the conservative countryside continued to wear a burqa.

But most Afghan women, including TV presenters, opted for the Islamic headscarf.

Television channels have already stopped showing dramas and soap operas featuring women, following orders from Taliban authorities. AFP

China will unswervingly open wider to outside world: Premier Li Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday reiterated that China’s resolve to open up to the outside world will not change, and that China will continue to build itself into a big market and a hot destination for foreign investment.

“International economic and trade exchanges are not only necessary for countries to draw on each other’s strengths and exchange needed goods, but are also an important engine for world economic growth and human development,” said Li. He made the remarks during a symposium for the 70th anniversary of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), held in Beijing on Friday.

“China is ready to work with other countries to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, uphold free trade and fair trade, advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and maintain the stability and unimpeded flow of global industrial supply chains,” said Li. As for epidemic control and production resumption, Li noted that the Chinese government attaches great importance to international cooperation on vaccines and medicines.

“With regard to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the production and business activities of foreign-funded enterprises in China, relevant Chinese authorities and local governments have taken active measures to help coordinate and resolve the issues, such as resumption of work and production, entry of personnel, logistics and transportation while conducting epidemic prevention and control,” said Li. As the world’s largest developing country and a major economy and trader of goods, China’s economy has become deeply integrated globally.

Such deep integration can be seen in China’s foreign trade. China’s trade in goods increased from 24.4 trillion yuan ($3.7 trillion) in 2012 to 39.1 trillion yuan in 2021, an increase of 14.7 trillion yuan, and its international market share increased from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 13.5 percent last year, according to statistics released by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on Friday during a press conference.

Premier Li reiterated that no matter how the international landscape may change, China will remain committed to opening wider to the outside world.

“We will continue to deepen the reforms to delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services. We will create a market-based, law-based and international business environment.

We will have clear, transparent and stable regulatory rules. We will further relax market access and ensure that foreign-backed enterprises have equal access to open sectors in accordance with the law. We will strictly protect intellectual property rights,” said Li. These measures will continue to make China a big market for the world and a hot destination for foreign investment.

China is now a huge market with a total economic output of 114 trillion yuan, 158 million market entities and 1.4 billion consumers, per the SCIO data.

The CCPIT symposium was attended by representatives from nearly 30 institutions and multinational companies, including the US-China Business Council, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the Malaysia-China Business Council, the London-based 48 Group Club, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China and the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Li expressed gratitude to foreign business institutions and enterprises that have been actively participating in and supporting China’s reform, opening-up and modernization drive for a long time. Agencies

China, Pakistan iron-clad friendship is rock-solid

By NoNg RoNg news desk

China and Pakistan are very close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, are indestructible iron-clad brothers with a shared future.

Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Pakistan relations have continued to forge ahead, and have always maintained robust vigor despite the changes of the international situation.

2021 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. More than 100 celebrations were held, which injected new vitality into China-Pakistan relations. The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century. China and Pakistan are both at a critical period of national development.

It is an inevitable choice for the two

countries to join hands and move forward together to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

The all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan is unique. The friendship between the two sides will be passed on from generation to generation and will not be shaken or changed by a single event.

China always regards its ties with Pakistan as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries. China will firmly support Pakistan in defending national sovereignty and security, maintaining unity, achieving stability, development and prosperity.

Developing amicable relations with China has always been a common perception in Pakistan that transcends all political differences and enjoys a high degree of agreement throughout the country. The two countries and two militaries have maintained

the momentum of close high-level exchanges, strengthened strategic communica-

tion and jointly led the direction of ChinaPakistan relations.

In February this year, President Xi Jinping met with then Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing during his visit to China to attend the Opening Ceremony of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Recently, Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties.

In March, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan and the Chinese Foreign Minister attended the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers for the first time in history. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made his first official bilateral visit to China on 21 May, the anniversary day that China and Pakistan established diplomatic relations.

On 11 March, the first batch of six J-10C was formally inducted to Pakistan Air Force.

The Pakistani political and military leadership praised this grand military cooperation project as another important symbol of China-Pakistan all weather friendship, and will strongly boost the new development of Pakistani military capacity.

Under the strategic planning of President Xi Jinping, the CPEC has been expanded in an all-round way, entering a new stage of enrichment and expansion. The two sides have initiated or completed 46 of the 70 early harvest projects with a total investment of 25.4 billion US dollar.

CPEC improved the Pakistan’s infrastructure, which is playing an major role in the economic development of the country.

New breakthroughs keep flourishing in industrial cooperation. The East Bay Expressway of Gwadar Port has been completed and will open for traffic soon. This year, China donated another 3,000 sets of solar panel to Gwadar people, which brings the total number of donation to 7,000 sets. The construction of a desalination plant aided by China will start soon in Gwadar.

sunday, 22 May, 2022 | isLaMabad

spoRts 11

BAngLAdEsh Must dEfy injuriEs to win dEcisivE sri LAnkA tEst

h

OSTS Bangladesh hope that team spirit will propel them to victory in the series-deciding second Test against Sri Lanka from Monday with their four frontline bowlers all out injured.

Bowlers from both teams struggled to make an impact on all five days of the drawn first Test in Chittagong.

But the wicket at Dhaka’s Sher-eBangla National Stadium is expected to offer some assistance and no Test has been drawn at the ground since 2016.

If Bangladesh, who enjoyed the upper hand in the first Test, are to get a result they will do so with their bowling stocks badly depleted.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who claimed 6-105 in the first innings of the first Test, was the latest to be ruled out with a finger injury on Friday.

The hosts are also without Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan and Shoriful Islam.

Bangladesh have opted not to replace

Lahore Qalandars finds Malinga-style bowler in trials news desk Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars has once again unearthed a special talent during their Player Development Program (PDP), which left Aaqib Javed, Sameen Rana, and Darren Gough all in disbelief.

Tayyab Abbas, who appeared in the Qalandars’ PDP, showcased his ability to bowl similarly to Sri Lanka’s legendary unorthodox bowler Lasith Malinga.

His ‘slingy’ action and ability to bowl 87mph despite having no formal training left former England pacer and Yorkshire Managing Director, Darren Gough in sheer disbelief.

“He bowls 87mph in trainers with no spikes, doesn’t really know how to hold the ball properly, and has no real stability when he lands but somehow gets the ball on the other end at 87mph – I mean, wow,” said Darren Gough while speaking to the media.

Former Pakistan pacer and PSL title-winning head coach, Aqib Javed, also stated that he too was impressed with Tayyab’s unique talent and he has the potential to become a real asset to the franchise.

Hailing from Jhang, Tayyab has aspirations to change his fortunes as he currently works as a welder while his father owns a small bakery in the city.

Speaking to the media, Tayyab also expressed his delight after being highlighted during the trials.

“I have a dream to play for Lahore Qalandars and I have taken the first step by coming to the trials and going through with them,” he said.

pacer Shoriful, who suffered a hand injury in Chittagong, while a replacement for Nayeem is yet to be named.

Skipper Mominul Haque said it would need to be a team effort.

“Batsmen or bowlers, we get good

results when we can play as a team. The team gets into a good position whenever we give a collective effort. It will help us in Dhaka,” Mominul said.

Mominul pointed to the hosts’ extensive experience of the wicket in the capital.

“We play our most matches in Dhaka. I think we know how to handle spin and pace,” he said.

Sri Lanka struck an equally upbeat tone. They have won all three Test matches they have played at Sher-eBangla stadium, including a 215-run victory during their last visit in 2018.

“Our pacers did better than theirs (in the first Test). We have a few positives in that aspect,” all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva said.

Outlining a winning formula for the second Test, de Silva said the Dhaka wicket “will be helpful to the spinners”.

“If we are batting first we will try to get 275-300, and then get them out for less than 150 in one innings,” he said. “It will give us a chance to win.” Pace bowlers took seven of Sri Lanka’s nine wickets in the first Test, with right-arm quick Kasun Rajitha — playing as a concussion substitute for Vishwa Fernando — leading the way with 4-60. Agencies

Multan Transmission bags first prize at SNGPL Annual Sports Gala 2022

The fun-filled sports activities of Sui Northern Gas concluded here on Friday. During the three-day Sports Gala, teams from all the regions actively participated. Last day of event ended with final 100-meter race and a thrilling tug of war game. In these

Social media pays tribute to Saeed Anwar’s historic 194 against India

competitions, Multan (Transmission) team won the match with first position by scoring 59 points while Lahore (Distribution) got second position with 52 points while Head Office and Faisalabad (Distribution) secured third position with 27 points

each. Yaqub (Multan-Transmission) got the Best Player prize for his outstanding performance.

Managing Director Ali J Hamdani also participated in the event as the Chief Guest. While addressing the ceremony, he said SNGPL employees should actively participate in games. Regions should also engage in regular sports in a more organized manner. Thats how we will be better able to monitor the overall performance of the teams. Ali. J Hamdani, MD also expressed interest in sprint race and tug of war game, lauded passion and efforts of all players. After the address, Managing Director Ali. J Hamdani distributed prizes amomg teams who won the competition.

Senior Management of SNGPL & Zubair Khan, President CBA also participated in closing ceremony.

After the ceremony, all players and organisers posed for a group photo with the Managing Director. pr

Pakistan star opener Saeed Anwar battered India in the Independence Cup match in Chennai on this day, smearing 194 off only 146 balls — then the biggest individual score in ODIs — in Pakistan’s 35-run victory.

None of his teammates got more than 39. It might have helped that he had Shahid Afridi as a runner from the

19th over — Anwar was free to concentrate on bashing boundaries, and he did: there were 22 fours and five sixes, three of them off consecutive deliveries from Anil Kumble.

The social media showered the legendary batter with praise as an honor and here’s what everyone had to say: Agencies

Azhar Ali scores maiden double century in English county news desk After a poor start to the County Championship 2022, Azhar Ali has bounced back strongly and has registered his first-ever double century in English county.

Azhar, who is representing Worcestershire, remains unbeaten on 202 before stumps were called on day two. His innings included 18 fours and a maximum.

The former Pakistan Test captain had a horrid start to the campaign after he only scored 34 runs in the first six innings. However, since then, he has contributed splendidly with the bat with 92, 88, 62, and now 202*.

Azhar becomes the second Pakistani batsman to score a double century in the ongoing edition of the County Championship after Shan Masood.

Real prep for Champions League final with draw MAdRId Agencies

Real Madrid’s last game before the Champions League final against Liverpool ended in a goalless draw against Real Betis on Friday as Marcelo bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong side for Madrid’s last La Liga game of the season but with the title long sewn-up and the final in Paris just around the corner, neither team were keen to over-exert.

Instead, the contest was notable for the tribute paid to Marcelo and the lack of one for Gareth Bale.

Both players are expected to leave when their contracts expire this summer but only Marcelo was involved here, with Bale absent again from the squad.

Marcelo came on in the second half to a standing ovation and was given the captain’s armband by Karim Benzema, who played the whole 90 minutes. Marcelo accepted applause from his teammates after the final whistle and

left, waving to the stands as he went.

“One of the greats of world football is saying goodbye, and one of the best fullbacks in the world,” said Ancelotti.

Bale, meanwhile, has been struggling with a back problem in recent weeks, the lack of any goodbye just the latest anti-climax at the end of his Madrid career, which for too long has been characterised by drift and irrelevance.

“He couldn’t be on the bench,” said Ancelotti. “He wanted to say goodbye to the fans but he has one last chance, because I think Bale will be fine for the final.”

The draw means Ancelotti’s team finish the season on 86 points, 13 ahead of Barcelona, who could reduce the gap when they play at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

Real Betis sit fifth, three points clear of Real Sociedad, with Europa League qualification already secured.

The match almost felt like an exhibition at times, less a competitive league fixture than a cosy end-of-season event.

Before kick-off, there was a double

guard of honour, as Real Madrid recognised Real Betis’ victory in the Copa del Rey before Betis saluted Madrid’s triumph in La Liga, the crowd applauding throughout.

As well the warmth shown for Marcelo, there was applause as well for Isco, who is also out of contract at the end of June, and even for Real Betis’ Joaquin, the 40-year-old coming on for his 600th La Liga match in the second period.

Ancelotti picked a strong team that could be the line-up that starts against Liverpool, although David Alaba remains out injured meaning he will be playing his first game in just over a month next weekend if the Austrian is thrown straight back in.

“Alaba will be there to play the final,” said Ancelotti afterwards. “In this type of match, it’s not only about the physical aspect, it’s about ability and experience.”

Both teams coasted through the first half, with neither side playing with enough intensity to force mistakes or precision to create clear chances.

There were periods when Madrid’s

lethargy slipped into sloppiness, with Casemiro drawing the disapproval from fans and teammates alike when he rushed a clearance and then skewed a wild shot from close to the halfway line.

Benzema had his first real opening early

in the second half and connected well with DaniCarvajal’s cross but the shot was straight at Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva. The Frenchman almost won it with seven minutes left, but fired over after chesting down Rodrygo’s ball in.

Sunday, 22 May, 2022

prAyer Timings

NEWS

PAkiStAn, tuRkEy to woRk togEthER foR REgionAl StAbility RAwALPInDI

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INISTER of National Defence of the Republic of Turkey General (retd) Hulusi Akar called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed issues of mutual interest, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.

The two discussed regional stability, as well as defence and security cooperation between both the countries and overall regional security.

According to the military’s media wing, the visiting dignitary also appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to regional security and connectivity and also reaffirmed Turkey’s full sport to Pakistan’s stance on regional and international issues.

During the meeting, both COAS and the Turkish defence minister reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations including efforts for bringing peace and stability to the region.

The Turkish national defence minister has met the army chief several times during the past few years.

In a similar meeting last year, the army chief had

CPPA seeks Rs 4.5/unit hike in electricity price

said that both countries share a great history of brotherly relations which is being transformed into an enduring partnership.

Akar has repeatedly expressed deep appreciation on behalf of Turkey for Pakistan’s efforts and sacri-

fices in the war against terrorism.

In 2017 General Qamar Javed Bajwa was awarded the Legion of Merit in Ankara in recognition of his services in the promotion of PakistanTurkey defence ties.

PM suggests latest fire dousing arrangements ISLAMABAD App

ISLAMABAD AhmAd AhmAdAni

Power tariff is likely to go up as Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has sought Rs 4.5 per unit hike and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is scheduled to hear the matter on 31st May, 2022.

As per details, inflation-hit masses are likely to bear a jolt in the form of hike in electricity price as CPPA has submitted an application and asked to jack up the power tariff by Rs 4.0554 per kilowatt hour (kWh) on account of fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for the month of April for Ex-WAPDA Distribution Companies. And, NEPRA’s hearing on the application of the CPPA is scheduled to be held on May 31.

According to sources in power sector, if NEPRA approves Rs 4.5/unit hike in the power tariff then power consumers of DISCOs will bear additional burden of approximately Rs 59 billion and 45 crore. However, NEPRA will take final decision after hearing the matter and scrutiny of data submitted by CPPA. The CPPA, on behalf of power distribution companies (DISCOs), has informed the NEPRA that total 13 billion and 55 crore unit of electricity was produced with different fuels at production cost of Rs 10.66/kWh while the reference cost for April 2022 was set at Rs 6.60/unit.

According to the CPPA, electricity generated with hydel source was 18.55 percent, coal 16.74pc, furnace oil 12.07%, gas 9.85%, Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) 19.42%, nuclear 17.37%, wind 3.59%,

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday suggested to the authorities concerned to utilize the latest fire fighting techniques and arrangements to overcome fire eruption incidents like the one that took place in Shirani area of Balochistan.

Chairing a meeting over the recent incident of forest fire that burnt precious pine trees in Balochistan, the prime minister stressed that all the latest tools and techniques should be employed to handle such situations in future. He referred to the use of the latest fire suppression tactics in the United States and Australia, including spraying of wildfire retardants through helicopters.

The prime minister also directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for the compensation of those families who had lost their near ones in the incident.

He assured the provincial government of the Federal Government’s full support to share the grief of the bereaved families and assist them financially, including bearing of educational and medical expenditures of the siblings of these families. The prime minister said precious lives were lost in the unfortunate incident and observed that immediate and emergency steps were required to cope with the catastrophe.

He, however, expressed satisfaction that all the stakeholders were making commendable efforts.

The prime minister also directed that monitoring teams should be deployed in the affected area and keep close coordination with other related authorities till the issue was resolved.

He also sought a future mechanism to overcome such incidents and tasked the National Disaster Management Authority chairman to submit a plan within next two weeks after consultation with other relevant authorities.

The chief secretaries and relevant authorities attended the meeting through video link.

ECP issues notice to PM Shehbaz Sharif ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef for failing to conduct intra-party elections of PML-N. The last date to conduct the intra-party elections of the PML-N was March 22. However, the ECP had extended the date on PML-N’s request to May 14, but the party could not submit the certificate of elections to the ECP within the extended time. The ECP warned the party president that the party can be disqualified for not conducting intra-party elections. According to the notice, not conducting timely intra-party elections is a violation of the law as well as the party’s manifesto. It is pertinent to mention that all the registered political parties were ordered to conduct intra-party elections by the ECP. inp

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Dr Mazari arrested in case lodged when she was only 6 years old LAHORE inp

The details of a case registered against former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shireen Mazari have come to light according to which she has been arrested against a case registered against her father.

Interestingly, Mazari was arrested in a case that was registered when she was only six years old. The former federal minister, who was born on April 26, 1966, was booked on a complaint registered against her father in 1972.

The case was re-registered on April 12, 2022, on the complaint of Deputy Commissioner Rajanpur.

Per details, a reference was sent to Anti-Corruption Punjab on April 9 in the capacity as Deputy Commissioner Rajanpur/Deputy Director Anti-Corruption Rajanpur, alleging that the original record of Mouza Kachh Mianwali Jumabandi was embezzled in which registration of case against those responsible was recommended.

DG Anti-Corruption Punjab Rai Manzoor Nasir on April 11 accepted the recommendations of DC Rajanpur.

A case was registered against Kismat Ali Patwari, Shaukat Ali Patwari and other responsible persons, while the recommendation to determine the role of the remaining accused had been approved.

During the interrogation, Mohammad Afzal Tehsildar Rojhan and Mohammad Waqas Mureed, Land Reforms, Clerk DC Office Rajanpur, Mohammad Asghar, Abdul Rehman Patwari recorded their statements.

During the investigation and examination of records, it was found that Shireen Mehrunnisa Ansari Mazari, in connivance with the Revenue Department, committed fraud in the name of MS Progressive Farm Ltd. However, the record of deed proved that neither the buyer nor the seller has thumbprints and signatures.

However, Abdul Rehman, Patwari also presented the record, while Federal Land Commission had declared the deed bogus on May 26, 1975. It was found from the records that Shireen Mazari had handed over 1386 kanals of land to the Provincial Land Commission. According to the records, tampering and cutting was done by the former federal minister.

PM orders inquiry into mishandling at court nEwS DESk Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz to hold an inquiry into the disruption caused by security officials after judge of Special Court (Central-I) Ijaz Hassan Awan and others complained of being harassed by security officials.

The order came after the judge complained his car was intercepted and others were stopped from entering the court premises.

The judge was hearing the pre-arrest bails of Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz in the money laundering case.

During the morning hours, after the arrival of the prime minister at the court premies, that gate was closed by security personnel and litigants, lawyers, court staffers, and journalists were not allowed inside.

During the court proceedings, the judge expressed his dismay over the security personnel intercepting his car and staffers.

Shehbaz took the rostrum and told the court that he was also stopped by the security at the main gate.

“Mr prime minister, you are the prime minister in or outside the courtroom”, the judge remarked. “Who will take action?

You have administrative control, it is also your obligation to see things and decide what sort of action may be taken in such a situation”, he furthered.

Upon this, the PM directed CM Punjab to hold an inquiry into “why or who created such a situation at court premises”.

Pakistan must continue to engage with US ‘at all levels’, says Bilawal Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says the United States and Pakistan must move beyond past tensions over Afghanistan and are entering a new engagement after years of strained relations under former prime minister Imran Khan.

Bhutto Zardari spoke in an interview with The Associated Press in New York, where he was attending meetings this week on the global food crisis at UN headquarters.

He has also held talks with top diplomats, including a one-hour discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Bhutto Zardari called the meeting with Blinken “very encouraging and very positive and productive”.

“We believe that Pakistan must continue to engage with the United States at all levels,” he said. “This meeting was indeed an important first step.”

US-Pakistani ties deteriorated under Khan, who as prime minister tapped into antiAmerican sentiment in Pakistan that has spread ever since Khan accused the Biden administration of colluding with the opposition to oust him, a claim the administration denies.

Afghanistan also raised mistrust between

the two countries. Washington felt Islamabad did too little to help ensure peace as the US and Nato withdrew their troops from Afghanistan; Pakistan insists it did all it could to broker peace. During the final weeks of the American withdrawal, the Taliban overran Kabul in mid-August and seized power.

Bhutto Zardari said the Pakistan-US relationship in the past had been “too coloured by the events in Afghanistan, of the geopolitical considerations, and it’s time for us to move beyond that to engage in a far broader, deeper and more meaningful relationship.”

Under Khan, Pakistan pushed hard for the world to engage with Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers, and Bhutto Zardari said his country continues to do so.

“Regardless of what we feel about the regime in Afghanistan,” the world can’t abandon the Afghan people and must immediately address the country’s humanitarian crisis and crumbling economy, he said. A total collapse of the Afghan economy would be a disaster for Afghans, Pakistan and the international community, he said, expressing concern that many Afghans would flee the country.

Pakistan is also insisting the Taliban live up to their international commitments that the country not be used for terrorism, that girls and women be able to pursue education, and that they form an inclusive government, he said.

The Taliban, however, have taken a more hard-line turn in recent weeks, imposing new restrictions on women.

Bhutto Zardari said the more the humanitarian crisis is alleviated and the economy is saved from collapse, “the more likely we are to succeed in our pursuit for women’s rights and the more likely we are to succeed in our efforts against terrorism.”

He said his focus in talks with Blinken was on increasing trade, particularly in agriculture, information technology and energy.

He said he is looking forward to working with the US on an initiative to empower women, including women entrepreneurs.

On economic, defense and military coordination, “if we continue to engage, then we can move forward in a more positive direction,” Bhutto Zardari said.

‘Not jeALouS’ of uS-INDIA tIeS: Asked about Khan’s anti-US rhetoric, Bhutto

Zardari dismissed the ex-premier’s accusation of American collusion, calling it a “fanciful conspiracy theory based on a big lie” to explain his removal.

“I am particularly anti the politics of hate, division and polarisation,” the foreign minister said. “If we consistently pursue the politics of ‘you’re with us or against us’, whether that’s on an international level or a domestic level, I don’t believe it serves the interests of the people of Pakistan.”

He said he believes Pakistanis understand their country needs to engage with the US and all countries, in order to become democratic and progress economically.

President Joe Biden has strengthened ties with India, but Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan is not “jealous” of their relationship.

“We believe the world is big enough for both Pakistan and India,” he said.

Biden will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leaders of Australia and Japan at a summit in Tokyo on May 24 of the so-called Quad, an Indo-Pacific alliance which China sees as an attempt to contain its economic growth and influence.

Pakistan has a very close economic and

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

military relationship with neighboring China, where Bhutto Zardari is heading to on Saturday. He told the AP he didn’t think the growing relationship with the US would hurt its ties to Beijing.

Pakistan has abstained on UN General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and withdrawal of its troops. Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan used to rely a lot on Ukrainian wheat and fertiliser and has been affected by rising food prices and calls for diplomacy to end the war.

In the interview with the AP, Bhutto Zardari recalled the legacy of his mother Benazir Bhutto and grandfather Zulfikar Bhutto. He called them “towering figures on the world stage,” and said he feels “the burden of history”.

“What motivates and drives me is the pursuit of their unfulfilled mission,” he said.

“I hope that we live up to the expectations of the people of Pakistan” who have longed for true democracy and struggled for their economic, political and human rights.

“These are the ideals that we hold dear and we work towards every day,” Bhutto Zardari said. The AssociATed press