Epaper – May 28 ISB 2021

Friday, 28 May, 2021 I 16 Shawwal, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 327 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

FM, UNGA presideNt discUss issUes iNclUdiNG pAlestiNe, KAshMir g

Bozkir urges india, Pakistan to work for peaceful solution to kashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD

F

Staff RepoRt

oreiGn Minister shah Mahmood Qureshi and united nations General assembly President volkan Bozkir on thursday held a meeting and discussed matters of international and regional importance, including the Palestine and Jammu and kashmir. the fM welcomed the unGa president at the ministry of foreign affairs, who had arrived in the capital on Wednesday on a three-day visit.

Qureshi appreciated the efforts of the unGa president to convene an emergency session of the unGa on Palestine.

He said ceasefire was the first step towards stopping the israeli atrocities, however, added the only just solution to resolve the issues of Palestinian and kashmir was implementation of the un security Council resolutions.

Qureshi said establishing of peace in the Middle east without resolving the Palestinian issue on a permanent basis was not possible. similarly, he said, without resolving the kashmir issue, there can be no peace in south asia.

He said Pakistan wanted peace in afghanistan and intended to continue playing a conciliatory role in the afghan peace process. the fM appreciated the initiative of the unGa

president, ‘vaccine for all’, to overcome coronavirus pandemic challenge and said for its complete eradication, it was necessary to make everyone safe. according to fo spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Bozkir reiterated the “un position on the Jammu and kashmir dispute is governed by the un Charter and relevant unsC resolutions, calling for a ‘free and impartial’ plebiscite under the un auspices.” the unGa president also visited the national defence university and gave a speech on the importance of multilateralism during a joint press conference with fM Qureshi. speaking at the university in islamabad, the fM said, “there are similarities between the Palestinian situation and that of Jammu and kashmir”. “the oppressed people in both the territories, being faced with the worst form of human rights violations, are demanding their right to self-determination,” he added the fM categorically stated that the india illegally occupied Jammu and kashmir dispute is a reality and nobody can remove it from the agenda of the unsC. “Pakistan expects the un to continue to play its leadership role for the revival of the peace process in the Middle east,” the foreign minister added. “the fire can be extinguished through dialogue and a two-state solution in accordance with the

un security Council resolutions.” fM Qureshi maintained that timely humanitarian assistance should also be provided to the Palestinians affected by israeli aggression.

Bozkir shed light on various issues, including Palestine, the kashmir issue, and the coronavirus pandemic. “inaction on the issue of Palestine, which is a grave matter, is damaging the credibility of the united nations and the security Council,” Bozkir said, adding that it is hoped that the security Council will also hear a unanimous vote on this important and necessary issue.

“Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in blatant human rights abuses,” Bozkir said. “negotiations are urgently needed to establish two independent states. the unGa will not sit idly until peace is restored in the Middle east,” he said. regarding kashmir, Bozkir said, “i have always urged the parties to refrain from changing the status of the disputed territory. i urge india and Pakistan to work for a peaceful solution to this problem”. He added that peace, stability and prosperity hinge on the normalisation of relations between Pakistan and india through the resolution of the Jammu and kashmir dispute.

Bozkir commended the government’s measures for social support during the Covid-19 pandemic and its strategy to tackle the pandemic, saying they had produced positive results.

He said the disbursement of emergency cash assistance prior to and during the pandemic to the most vulnerable citizens demonstrated how “developing countries can leapfrog into the digital era to support financial inclusion”. the unGa president also commended Prime Minister imran khan for highlighting the importance of illicit financial flows and praised the “professionalism and dedication” of the Pakistani military and law enforcement agencies serving in the un’s peacekeeping operations.

Bozkir had reached Pakistan on a three-day visit on the invitation of Qureshi after concluding his visit to Bangladesh. “after an important and fruitful official visit to Bangladesh, i arrived in islamabad for my official visit to Pakistan,” Bozkir had said. “i look forward to my important meetings in islamabad.”

Bozkir is the first turkish national to preside over the unGa. He is a former diplomat and a senior politician. following his 39-year-long diplomatic career in the turkish foreign service, Bozkir was elected thrice as a member of the turkish parliament and has served as the chairperson of the Parliamentary foreign affairs Committee and minister for european union affairs.

rasheed, sindh CM agree to launch operation against dacoits in kacha area KARACHI INp

federal Minister for interior sheikh rasheed on thursday arrived at sindh Chief Minister House and met CM Murad ali shah. the interior minister discussed law and order situation in the province and other important matters with the CM. Both the leaders agreed on launching operation against dacoits in kacha area. rasheed is visiting karachi on the directives of Prime Minister imran khan to formulate a security strategy for sindh against the backdrop of recent incidents of violence in the upper part of the province. rasheed told the chief minister that he could seek rangers’ assistance for the operation at any time, according to a press release by the sindh government. earlier in the meeting, the chief minister said Pakistan, which was previously ranked the sixth most dangerous country in the world, has now ranked 126th, implying that the law and order situation has improved. “Previously, we had to travel with a convoy, but the PPP-led sindh government initiated an operation [against criminal elements] and got the highways cleared,” he recalled, adding that back then, the law and order situation had worsened to such an extent in karachi that the city saw the emergence of no-go areas.

He told the federal minister that the law and order in karachi was so bad that it had become a nogo area. “the whole of sindh is a rough area from Guddu to kotri barrage, with only five to six kilometres of dense forest,” he said. “you are the interior minister, you can come whenever you want and we will work together. We welcome you in sindh,” CM shah told rasheed. rasheed said the interior ministry will provide sindh with anything it needs.

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Pakistan records lowest Covid-19 positivity rate in three months g

Coronavirus kills 75, infeCts 2,726 in a day ISLAMABAD sTAFF REPORT

Pakistan has reached to a coronavirus positivity rate of 4.34 percent – the lowest since March 6 – as the country sees a steady decline in coronavirus cases amid the deadly third wave of the pandemic. on March 6, the country had recorded a positivity rate of 4.2 percent. according to the official figures provided by the national Command and operation Centre, the total cases of the virus now stand at 911,302 with 831,744 recoveries so far. in the last 24 hours, 62,706 tests were conducted for coronavirus out of which 2,726 returned positive. at least 75 more people lost their lives to coronavirus in the last 24 hours, pushing the total death tally to 20,540 across the country.

the number of active cases stands at 59,018. although coronavirus cases are decreasing across the country, sindh is reporting a spike in infections, resulting in stringent restrictions imposed by the authorities across the province. in a provincial breakdown, sindh has reported 313,059 cases so far, Punjab 337,073, khyber Pakhtunkhwa 131,027, islamabad 80,779, Balochistan 24,823, azad Jammu and kashmir 19,008, and Gilgit Baltistan 5,533. Moreover on thursday, Pakistan opened registrations for citizens aged 19 and above for the coronavirus vaccination. nCoC Chief asad umar, a day earlier, had tweeted about the government’s move to open registration for the 19 and above age group. umar had said that registration will be open for the entire national population, which is approved by health experts for the vaccine. on the other hand, a meeting of the sindh Co-

CONFIRMED CASES: coroNAvirUs iN

911,302

pAKistAN

LAST UPDATED AT 7:38 AM ON MAY 26, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

75

NEW CASES:

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MORE INSIDE

Govt taking steps to address challenges of climate change: PM STORY ON PAGE 02 President for enhanced Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in diverse fields STORY ON PAGE 02

PUNJAB:

831,744

313,059

ISLAMABAD:

337,073

80,779

DEATHS: 20,540

KP:

131,027

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

24,823

ali shah, presiding over the session, said that the strict measures have helped in decreasing the rate

2,726

SINDH:

RECOVERED:

rona task force on thursday decided to keep the restrictions unchanged to control the coronavirus cases in the province. Chief Minister syed Murad

19,008 / 5,533

un body orders probe of 'systematic' abuses in israel, Palestinian areas STORY ON BACKPAGE

02

Friday, 28 May, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

Govt takiNG StePS to addreSS cHaLLeNGeS of cLiMate cHaNGe: PM HARIPUR

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Staff RePoRt

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the government is taking steps to address the challenges of climate change. He expressed this while addressing the ceremony in connection with Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme in Haripur district of Punjab.

Special Assistant for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam briefed the PM on the achievements of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme.

The prime minister also took briefing on the report on the “Nature Capital of Pakistan” of the United Nations Environment Programme.

The premier said that Pakistan has taken challenges of climate change very seriously and the country is taking practical steps to deal with its effects. Pakistan is included in the list of 10 countries that are most affected by climate change. We want to leave a better Pakistan for our upcoming generations, the prime minister.

Highlighting the importance of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, he said that the project was initially kicked off from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is expanding now.

PM further said that Pakistan’s efforts to fight climate change are being appreciated worldwide and Islamabad is hosting World Environment Day on June 5.

“This is a great honour and acknowledgement of the fact that Pakistan is among a handful of countries trying to reduce the impact of climate change and global warming. We are not doing this for show. We are doing this so that we can leave behind a better country for our future generations. The biggest impact of climate change is that it will affect our future generation.”

The premier said, “The water in our rivers comes from glaciers. And if the rate at which they are melting continues, we will have to face many issues.”

This is also the situation in India, he said, adding that the Ganges River also depends on glaciers. “So through our efforts, we are trying to slow down the impact of climate change, and we want to leave behind a country for our future generations the way it was when I was growing up.”

The Pakistan, I grew up, in had a lot of forest cover and wildlife while the cities were also manageable, he said. “With time, we caused harm to our cities due to a lack of long-term thinking.”

Imran said when he first visited Singapore, the river was like a sewerage drain. “Now if you look at it, the river has fish. They have cleaned it up. So it can be reversed. This is what we are trying to do […] we are trying to restore our environment and wetlands.”

Previously, a UNEP director presented to the prime minister a UN report titled “Inclusive Wealth of Pakistan: The Case for Investing in Natural Capital and Restoration.” According to the report, Pakistan’s inclusive wealth increased at an average of 2.3 percent annually in absolute terms during the period 1992-2019.

Analysis of the individual capital categories show that human capital and produced capital grew at a rate of 2.9 percent and 3.2 per cent respectively, while natural capital declined negligibly around 0.1 percent.

“There have been exciting recent developments in Pakistan’s management of natural capital. Afforestation across the country as part of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme is expected to boost the nation’s renewable natural capital resources, particularly in the decades to come,” the report said.

It said the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme has

helped to make Pakistan a global pioneer in forest restoration by combining community participation, green job creation and strong political commitment.

Overall objectives of the initiative were to improve the quality and extent of protected areas, encourage ecotourism and promote community engagement and job creation. Earlier, Malik Amin Aslam said Pakistan would become the world’s best example in green energy revolution as the government is on track to meet its renewable energy targets by 2030 and will raise it to 60 percent through renewable resources.

Pakistan was encouraging private sector investment in renewable energy projects to reach its clean energy goal by 2030 and it would produce 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, he said while talking to Pakistan Television.

He said the “green Pakistan” vision of PM aims to transform the country into lush green land with a clean environment for people and it is the topmost priority of the government. Amin said Imran is committed to the challenge of initiating a green recovery through ecosystem restoration to protect nature and create muchneeded green employment.

“Pakistan has made remarkable progress in recent years, bringing electricity connections and impressively scaling up the use of renewable energy, particularly solar,” he added. He said Pakistan is also set to approve its first-ever forest policy which aims to protect and promote the rational use of national forests, protected areas, natural habitats, and watersheds.

These ecological zones have immense significance and their restoration can improve livelihoods and human welfare, he added.

Talking about food security, he said the government has been adopting the policy of climate-smart agriculture

initially with eight districts to achieve food security and broader development goals under a changing climate and increasing food demand.

He said the government is taking revolutionary steps to develop technologies to address climate change issues, adding that the climate-smart agriculture would help increase sustainable productivity, strengthen farmers’ resilience, reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

The project aims to increase the income of households through enhancing employment potential and increasing agricultural productivity and production.

Replying to a question about agricultural land, he said to fight against overpopulation, vertical cities are the best solution and vertical cities would accommodate thousands of people in a building that could save the agricultural land.

He said all housing societies have to get a regular no-objection certificate from the government before starting their projects on agricultural land, adding that housing projects on non-productive, barren lands are preferred to reduce pressure on agricultural lands which would safe food baskets.

President for enhanced Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in diverse fields ISLAMABAD INP

President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday underscored the need for increasing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia in the areas of trade, culture and technology for the mutual benefits of two brotherly countries.

He said that Pakistan attaches significant importance to its ties with Malaysia as the two countries enjoyed excellent relations in various fields and had

unanimity of views on regional and international issues.

The president was talking to the outgoing High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan Ikram Bin Mohammad Ibrahim, who called on him at Aiwan-eSadr. Talking to the high commissioner, he said that there existed tremendous amount of goodwill between the two countries and bilateral cooperation needed to be further expanded for the mutual advantages of the two sides.

President Alvi stated that Pakistan

Sinopharm available and being used for vaccination in Pakistan: Health ministry ISLAMABAD INP

The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination on Thursday issued a statement on the Sinopharm vaccine in Pakistan, after a spate of confusion and misinformation surrounding its availability and use in Pakistan was seen among people.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on Twitter, the Sinopharm vaccine is available in Pakistan and is currently being administered to people. The statement said that all such rumours that Sinopharm is no longer available in the country are false. It added that people who were given Sinopharm as their first dose, will be administered Sinopharm for their second dose.

The ministry further said that Pakistan is working to acquire more doses of Sinopharm.

offered tremendous investment opportunities and Malaysia needed to take advantage of the investment-friendly environment.

He said that a number of Malaysian mega companies such as auto maker Proton and Teleco Edotco had already entered into Pakistani market and were benefiting from the investment opportunities. The president also highlighted the brutalities being committed by the Indian Security Forces against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu

& Kashmir and Israeli military forces against the Muslims of Palestine.

He urged the international community to fulfill its obligations by granting inalienable right to self-determination to the people of IIOJK and Palestine.

The president thanked the government of Malaysia for supporting Pakistan’s position on Kashmir.

He appreciated the contribution made by the high commissioner towards strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and Malaysia.

Nation likely to face difficult circumstances if PM keeps taking loans: Bilawal KARACHI INP

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Thursday said the nation will likely face difficult circumstances if Prime Minister Imran Khan keeps taking loans at current pace. The PPP chairman said in his statement that running the country’s economy on loans will create problems for future generations as well as next governments.

Bilawal Bhutto said Pakistan’s policy making has been handed over to the countries which have given us loans. A $10 billion loan, with an increase of 35 percent, has been taken only this year, he said.

Pakistan’s foreign loans have surpassed $ 95 billion after Imran Khan assumed power, the PPP chairman said while adding that the PM, despite knowing his ineligibility, is destroying the economy to satisfy his ego.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill Thursday said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari should take a look at his party’s history of taking loans from the International Monetary Fund before lecturing others.

Reacting to Bilawal Bhutto’s statement while calling him ‘parchi chairman’, he said Bilawal is perplexed because Pakistan’s economy is going in right direction.

Shahbaz Gill said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government returned loan and interest worth Rs 35,000 billion in two and a half years. He said Pakistan would not have been in such a state had the former governments worked to strengthen the economy. It is pertinent here to mention that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said earlier today that the nation will likely face difficult circumstances if Prime Minister Imran Khan keeps taking loans at current pace.

The PPP chairman said that running the country’s economy on loans will create problems for future generations as well as next governments.

Bilawal Bhutto said Pakistan’s policy making has been handed over to the countries which have given us

loans. $ 10 billion loan, with an increase of 35 percent, has been taken only this year, he said.

Pakistan’s foreign loans have surpassed $ 95 billion after Imran Khan assumed power, the PPP chairman said while adding that the PM, despite knowing his ineligibility, is destroying the economy to satisfy his ego.

Moreover, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib Thursday said the government was spending around Rs three trillion annually to pay off the debts borrowed by the previous regimes of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People’s Party.

In a statement, he said the present government’s borrowing till March 2021 constituted 21 per cent of the total loans. The minister said the external debt stood at $46 billion in 2008, and then reached $60.09 billion in 2013. The foreign loans surged by 32 per cent during the PPP’s tenure . Likewise, the foreign loans witnessed a 56 per cent increase during the PML-N’s stint (2013-2018) as the external debt reached to $95.24 billion in 2018.

He said the primary balance of present government would be surplus, if the interest being paid on the loans subtracted. “It means, according to the budget, the government’s revenue is higher than its expenditures,” he added. Farrukh said the Pakistan Stock Exchange had set a new record of trading volume of one and a half billion shares the other day, adding the strong confidence of investors in the government’s policies would pave the way for achieving more economic dividends.

He said all such achievements were made due to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s prudent policies and decisions. The minister chided PPP Chairman Bilawal over alleged off-shore assets of his father, and asked him to show some courage and bring back billion of dollars plundered wealth of Asif Ali Zardari to the country from Switzerland and other countries.

He asked Bilawal as to why he could not digest the Gross Domestic Product’s projected growth of four percent.

PML-N decides to give tough time to govt during budget session LAHORE INP

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that he would not let the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government pass an “anti-people budget.” In a statement, Shehbaz Sharif said that he would resist getting the budget approved because it is “against the public interest,” adding that he has directed the party’s economic advisory to hold a pre-budget seminar so that the people can understand the reality of the economy.

“Economists will tell the nation the reality of the economy in the pre-budget seminar,” said Shehbaz. “The masses are paying the price of the government’s economic manipulation every day due to inflation.” Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday claimed the government presented incorrect financial statistics before the nation.

In a statement, he said unity among opposition parties is inevitable to save the people from what he said was the government’s fraud. All the opposition parties need to adopt a joint strategy on this matter, he suggested. Sharif further urged the opposition parties to come together to expose the historical incompetency and ineligibility of the government. Sharif hosted a dinner reception for all the opposition parties on Monday night in an attempt to again include Pakistan People’s Party in the dysfunctional Pakistan Democratic Movement. PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari skipped the event but sent a three-member delegation comprising Yousuf Raza Gillani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Sherry Rehman.

Awami National Party that had left the PDM earlier this year was also represented by Ameer Haider Khan Hoti. However, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman did not attend the event. Maryam Nawaz had clarified that the dinner had nothing to do with the Pakistan Democratic Movement and it was hosted by Shahbaz in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition in the NA. She claimed the government had “lied” about the gross domestic product (GDP) growth, which even the ruling party’s own representatives are not ready to accept. The PML-N leader said people from all walks of life have been affected by inflation.

Friday, 28 May, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

SHEHryar aFrIdI BlaMES IndIa FOr rEPlIcatInG ISraElI OccuPatIOnal MOdEl In JaMMu and KaSHMIr ISLAMABAD MiAn AbRAR

K

ASHMIR Committee Chairman Shehryar Khan Afridi Thursday blamed India for replicating the Israeli occupational model in Jammu and Kashmir under a well thought out plan and said that India had sent its top police and civilian bureaucrats to Israel who later helped India annex Kashmir after August 5, 2019 events.

Addressing the participants of a seminar titled ‘Palestine and Kashmir Crisis: Call for justice’, held here jointly by Kashmir Committee and Muslim Institute at PIPS, Shehryar Afridi urged the world to stand up and prevent genocide of Kashmiris by the occupational regime of Hindutva terrorists.

Afridi said that before October 5, 2019, the Indian regime had sent its top police and civil bureaucrats posted in Jammu and Kashmir to Israel for learning, training and then brought back to replicate the Israeli model in Jammu and Kashmir.

He maintained that those sent to understand the Israeli security system included the infamous police officer, Imtiaz Hussain, who is blamed for killing 200 Kashmiri Muslims. Upon return, Afridi said Imtiaz Hussain was posted as security in-charge in Srinagar to suppress protests in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the disposition of local population from Jammu and Kashmir was another area where India is learning from Israeli regime and India is replicating the same in Kashmir.

“Settler colonial project of Israel is being implemented in blatant violation of UN resolutions.

40,00,000 new domicile certificates have been issued out of which 500,000 issued to people from mainland India who never visited Kashmir. Non-local Indians are being given tourism opportunities while jungles are also leased to people from mainland India while Kashmiris are being refused. Gulmerg hotels are being refused to locals and India is leasing those to Indians now. India is economically strangulating Kashmiris and dispossessing the Kashmiris in blatant violation of the UN resolutions,” he added.

He added that, in a bid to cement the military occupation on Kashmir, a militarisation process is being pushed to a new hight and the new bunkers are being constructed with concrete material on sides of roads and streets.

“There is 400 percent increase in bunkers post August 5, 2019 and the military men harass the Kashmiri people on streets on one pretext or another just to provoke them. India has imposed military lockdown in guise of Covid-19 lockdown,” he said.

Afridi stressed that the Modi regime is silencing the genuine voices and rights activists in Kashmir, depriving families from their very basic livelihood opportunities in a fascist manner. The Indian authorities have illegally and illogically terminated the services of many Muslim government officials in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he noted.

The Kashmir Committee chairman said the Indian authorities have set up a Special Task Force to initiate action against government employees on their social work and pro-freedom sentiments, beating youth to the submission.

Govt to provide EVM facility to PBC for elections: Fawad ISLAMABAD App

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Thursday said that the government would provide Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to Punjab Bar Council (PBC) for its upcoming elections.

Talking to a delegation of PBC along with Adviser to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan and Senator Barrister Ali Zafar, Fawad said the council would be briefed about electronic voting process.

The PBC delegation had requested for the biometric voting facility for its elections.

Fawad said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-

Insaf (PTI) government is well aware of the lawyers’ problems and resolving their issues is its top priority.

He said that a proposal is under consideration to provide approximately Rs1 million loan to young lawyers under Kamyab Jawan Programme. The government is taking steps to establish housing colonies for lawyers while a proposal to provide health cards to lawyers is also under consideration.

He urged the legal community to play a leading role on national issues.

The members of Punjab Bar Council apprised the minister about their problems and Fawad assured them of cooperation.

The PBC delegation was comprised of PBC Vice Chairman Amjad Iqbal Khan, PBC Intra Provincial and Foreign

TLTp

The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that the government has decided to import wheat and sugar to avoid shortage and price hike.

The National Assembly resumed its session at the Parliament House with

Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri in the chair.

Responding to a question during the question hour, Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Zain Hussain Qureshi said that four million metric tonnes of wheat and sufficient quantity of sugar will be imported to maintain strategic reserves of the commodities.

ppi

National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf has said Pakistan and China are strategically aligned on the vision of growth and prosperity in the region.

Talking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong who called on him here, the Adviser said both the countries are synergizing their efforts to achieve the goal of peace and development in the region.

Moeed Yusuf said China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project whose success is nonnegotiable for the two countries.

He said the CPEC fits perfectly with Pakistan’s geo economic paradigm which is now the vision of the government.

NSA Yusuf stated that CPEC was a flagship project and success of which was non-negotiable for both countries.

Pakistan and China had always enjoyed strong and close ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations, he added.

He added that Pakistan and China have come even closer recently and are strategically aligned on the vision of growth and prosperity in the region.

“Pakistan and China are moving in the same direction and synergizing their efforts to achieve the goal of peace and development in the region”, the NSA

ISLAMABAD App

Pakistan on Thursday categorically rejected Indian allegations of cross-border infiltration, saying the movement against illegal occupation in Jammu and Kashmir is indigenous. "The movement against the Indian occupation and its statesponsored terrorism in IOJK is indigenous and is likely to continue till India decides to act in accordance with the UNSC resolutions, mandating a free and impartial plebiscite in the occupied territory," Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez said in a statement. The FO spokesperson issued the statement in response to media queries regarding the comments made by Indian Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday. The spokesperson said peace and security in the region is threatened on account of India’s brutalisation of Kashmiri people. He mentioned India's refusal to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and its pledges to the international community and the Kashmiris.

"India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 in IOJK are against international law," he said.

KHATMANDU Agencies

Affairs Committee Chairman Munir Hussain Bhatti, Raja Zafar Iqbal, Chaudhry Mohammad Ashfaq Kahut, Rana Zameer Ahmed Jhado, Asif

Shehzad Chaudhry, Farrukh Arif Bhatti, Chaudhry Sohail Shamshad, Zafar Iqbal Mangan, Wasim Asghar, Kamran Manjad and Nadeem Tahir.

Answering another question, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Aliya Hamza Malik said that Pakistan’s exports are increasing by 13.4 percent and have reached $21 billion during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, which is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. She expressed the hope that the exports will touch the mark of $25 billion

in the coming days. Regarding price hike in the country, Aliya Hamza Malik said rising inflation has been observed across the world because of supply and demand disruption due to the pandemic. She said Iran recorded inflation at 49.5 percent and Turkey 17.1 percent, while Pakistan witnessed a price hike of just 8.6 percent during this fiscal year.

Chinese envoy lauds efforts to constantly improve Pakistan-China relationship ISLAMABAD

Pakistan rejects Indian FM's allegations of 'cross-border infiltration': FO

Hong Kong woman breaks record for fastest ascent of Everest

Govt to import wheat, sugar to avoid shortage, price hike ISLAMABAD

03

added.

Ambassador Rong also vowed to continue building on the strong and long-lasting partnership between the two countries.

He appreciated ongoing efforts to constantly improve the Pakistan-China relationship.

Ambassador Nong Rong vowed to continue building on the strong and long lasting partnership between the two countries. He appreciated ongoing efforts to constantly improve Pakistan-China relationship. Since the beginning of CPEC, around 1100km long road network has been completed while 850 km is under construction.

According to Gwadar Pro, the new motorways and highways are now built on Public-Private Partnership Policy.

World Economic forum has reported earlier that Pakistan has been ranked with a better road network than Iran, Russia, Bangladesh, Vietnam and many others.

The country is likely to further improve its ranking and quality significantly with the construction of new mega projects under CPEC. The development of road projects under CPEC and National Highway Authority (NHA) will not only improve the ranking of the country, but it will also enhance the quality of the road network, transportation and logistics as well.

In the next two weeks, the construction of the 69km long Sialkot- Kharian Motorway & 62km long Multan-Lodhran Highway is also expected to start.

Whereas the construction of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway will start in August 2021.

Apart from Sindh and Punjab, work on the CPEC western route, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan province has been in full swing. The new road network under CPEC will improve Pakistan’s transportation to Iran.

The work on CPEC western route will benefit the most underdeveloped areas of Balochistan and KPK province. The CPEC road network would help promote economic activities in those areas.

The road infrastructure projects are being launched in the less developed areas of the country to bring them at par with other developed areas.

Recently, a ground breaking of the 103 kilometerlong Naukundi-Mashkhel road was done by Prime Minister Imran Khan. After connecting N-40 with N85 and M-8, (Western Route CPEC) linking Chagai-Nokundi Sector with Gwadar will open the entire remote region.

According to the PM, the Naukundi-Mashkhel project will be a great facility for the scattered population of Baluchistan. It is of great importance for the development and future of Baluchistan and to strengthen the federation of Pakistan.

Hong Kong mountaineer Tsang Yin-hung has recorded the world's fastest ascent of Everest by a woman with a time of just under 26 hours, a Nepal official said Thursday. Tsang, 44, scaled the 8,848.86-metre (29,031 feet) mountain in a record time of 25 hours and 50 minutes on Sunday, Everest base camp's government liaison officer Gyanendra Shrestha said. "She left the base camp at 1:20 pm on Saturday and reached (the top at) 3:10 pm the next day," Shrestha told AFP. But Tsang still needs to present her claim to officials from Guinness World Records to receive certification of her feat, he added. The Nepal government certifies that climbers have reached the summit but does not issue certifications for records.

Grenades hurled at KP minister’s home in Bannu BANNU inp

Unknown persons riding a motorbike threw two hand grenades at the house of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Transport Malik Shah Muhammad Khan Wazir in Bannu on Thursday. However, the provincial minister was not present at home at the time of the attack.

Guard Naseeb Nawaz, who was injured in the attack, was shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Bannu. Police said a hunt for unidentified assailants had been launched after the registration of the case.

Govt replaces finance secretary ISLAMABAD sHAHZAD pARAcHA

The federal government on Thursday replaced Finance Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal with Yusuf Khan. The Establishment Division notification stated that “Yusuf Khan, a BS-21 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service, is transferred and posted as additional secretary incharge at finance division with immediate effect and until further orders”.

Meanwhile, Kamran Ali Afzal was posted as secretary industries and production.

04

Friday, 28 may, 2021

IslamabaD

news

StudentS uRGe GoveRnment to PoStPone exAmS SHAFQAT SAYS BRITISH COUNCIL WILL HOLD SPECIAL EXAMS FROM JULY 26 sIaLkoT

I

INP

NTERMEDIATE students in Sialkot have asked the governmental authorities to postpone their exams. The students gathered at Clock Tower and Allama Iqbal Chowk to protest against the holding of exams after Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood allowed exams to take place.

“Our request is just that the exams be delayed so we get more time to study or they may be cancelled altogether,” said a student.

The protesters complained that due to Covid-19, classes were not taking place on campus. “We went to college only for a month this year,” said a student, urging the authorities to “take an exam based on just a few chapters then.”

The education ministry has decided to hold intermediate and matriculation exams in the third week of June. Moreover, the federal education ministry has issued a no-objection certificate to the British

Council to conduct “special” O level exams from July 26 till August 6, which the government had earlier postponed amid a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths.

“We issued an NOC today to British Council, allowing it to hold special O level exams from July 26 to August 6. This will facilitate O level students to start A level or FA/Fsc from September. This kind of exam in July is unprecedented and I am happy that Cambridge is arranging it,” the education minister tweeted on Thursday.

A letter shared by the minister that was sent to the country director of British Council-Pakistan stated that the agency “is fully authorised to conduct [a] mini exam series from July 26 to August 6, subject to all approved/notified Covid-19 SOPs existing for ‘A’ level [exams]”.

In a second tweet, Mahmood said the pandemic had “created immense difficulties in all walks of life but [e]specially in education”.

“We have been taking difficult decisions to ensure that education/learning continues. Every

Pakistan, Russia to sign gas pipeline pact today

decision has pros and cons but for us the interest/welfare of students is always paramount,” he added.

In late April, the education minister had announced that no examinations would take place in the country until June 15 as Covid-19 cases and deaths were on a rise.

He had also announced the postponement of O and A level exams that had already started and said the exams would now take place in the October-November cycle. However, the government had allowed A2 exams to be held at the time to facilitate the students who wanted to appear for the purpose of applying to foreign universities.

Mahmood had said at the time that the decision to postpone exams was taken to address the “health concerns of students and parents”.

The decision had come after widespread calls from students, activists and politicians for the government to cancel the Cambridge exams in view of the third coronavirus wave. Separately, the Balochistan education department suspended summer vacations in

those areas experiencing cold weather after modifying the schedule of short and long-term holidays.

The education authorities in Balochistan changed the schedule of short and long duration vacations of schools across the province. Follow-

ing the decision, the short holidays of school students were suspended in specific areas that will experience cold weather.

In a notification, the authorities stated that the summer vacations in the said areas will not be observed

AGP’s driver dies in Karachi after car rams into security camp

Deposed IHC judge seeks early hearing of plea

News Desk

IsLaMaBaD INP

IsLaMaBaD TLTP

Pakistan and Russia are set to formally sign Friday (today) an amended Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP) project. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan will sign the agreement on behalf of Islamabad in Moscow. The cost of the project is estimated at $2.25 billion by some Pakistani officials, which is, however, not yet finalised by the Russian side. Under the revised agreement, Pakistan will own 74 percent stakes in the pipeline and Russia 26 percent.

Once the amended agreement is signed, both sides will have to sign within 60 days the shareholding agreement. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company will also be constituted that will materialise the project. The PSGP project will deliver gas from coastal regions to industrial areas in the north and will boost the country’s capacity to internally transport imported LNG. It has been held up since 2015 due to a disagreement over fees and the US sanctions against Russian state conglomerate Rostec. Last November, Russian officials had visited Pakistan for three-day-long negotiations to finalise work on the project, the biggest infrastructure deal with Russia since the early 1970s when the Soviet Union set up the Pakistan Steel Mills industrial complex at Port Qasim, near Karachi. The project was also a main topic of discussion during Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s two-day trip to Islamabad last month. Indigenous natural gas contributes around 38 percent to Pakistan’s total primary energy supply mix. Pakistan produces around 4 billion cubic feet per day against an unconstrained demand of 6 billion cubic feet per day and imports gas to meet the deficit, particularly when demand peaks in winters.

Former judge of Islamabad High Court Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Thursday again filed a request before the Supreme Court for an early hearing of his petition against his removal by the Supreme Judicial Council two years ago.

Siddiqui, who is retiring on June 30, requested the SC to fix his case on June 1 for day to day hearing. The former judge in his application narrated how his case is being delayed.

On October 11, 2018, President Arif Alvi had removed Justice Siddiqui as IHC judge on the recommendation of the SJC. The president had take the decision under Article 209(5) on the SJC’s recommendation under Article 209(6) read with Article 48(1) of the Constitution, a notification issued by the ministry of law and justice had stated. The council had unanimously opined that while delivering a

speech before the District Bar Association in Rawalpindi on July 21, Justice Siddiqui had displayed a conduct unbecoming of a high court judge.

US Consul General Rodriguez congratulates graduates of English programme Lahore PR

US Consul General to Lahore Catherine Rodriguez congratulated the 250 students on successful completion of the US-funded two-year English Access Microscholarship Programme, which provides English language skills.

She appreciated the hard work of the teachers, dedication of the students, and cooperation of their parents.

During the virtual graduation event, the students shared their success stories, recited poetry, and sang different songs. In her virtual address to the graduation event, Rodriguez said, “Congratulations students on reaching this milestone in your educational journey. We know that you worked many extra hours each week to

attend classes, practice at home, and collaborate with your classmates. Thank you to your families for their support of your studies too.”

Thanking the partners, she said, “I would like to give a special “Bohat Shukriya” to our implementing partners, Lahore Institute of Future Education CEO Dr Abdul Majid Khan Rana, Workers Welfare Board Director Education Sajjad Aslam, Access Programme Manager Mohammad Umer Azim, and Access coordinators and teachers, for their dedication to our shared goals.”

She observed that in Punjab, the US Mission to Pakistan has sponsored five English Access sites in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Der Ghazi Khan, and Multan.

“In these programmes, our partners help young adults not only to learn English, but also to learn about the sim-

from August 21 to 31 in schools.

Moreover, the summer vacations were also reduced up to 15 days in those areas having hot weather conditions as the annual holidays will be observed from June 1 to July 31.

Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan’s driver was killed on Thursday outside the AGP’s house in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority neighbourhood, while three people, including two policemen, were injured in the accident. Senior Superintendent of Police Zubair Nazir Shaikh, while speaking to a local news outlet, said that the driver, who was present in a security camp outside the house — located on Khayaban-e-Shahbaz — died after a car rammed into it. He added that three others, including two policemen, were injured in the accident. The SSP said that the man driving the car was also wounded in the accident and that all the injured were shifted to a private hospital. Shaikh said that the car was impounded, adding that the accident took place due to overspeeding.

ilarities and differences between Pakistani and American culture, society, art, music, and traditions. The Access programme is a platform for engagement among students, women entrepreneurs, different US exchange programmes’ alumni, emerging leaders in Pakistan, US diplomats, and experts.”

She added, “We know that English language proficiency can open doors to more opportunities for young adults. It is a pathway to higher education, science study, and business on a national, regional, and global market level. It is one way to help build a stronger rapport with other countries around the globe.”

She said that strong English skills are essential to take advantage of many exchange programmes offered through the Consulate such as Fulbright. “We are eager to see more Pakistanis take part in our people-to-people exchanges.”

The Access Microscholarship Programme is for economically disadvantaged students aged 13 to 20 years.

So far approximately 22,000 students have graduated from this programme in Pakistan.

Govt to announce new policy to revive film industry IsLaMaBaD APP

The government will form new policy parameters in order to ensure the film industry's revival and overall growth in the country, announce a substantive package and review of major taxes to spur productions.

In this regard, Federal Minister for In-

formation and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and representatives of Pakistani Film Producers Association (PFPA) held a formal meeting to work out modalities for the revival of the industry.

It was revealed out that the government had been working to revise current film policy for the past several months and that a new film policy would be announced by next

month. The PFPA delegation was also informed that the new policy would review taxes on films, in addition to providing special incentives for TV and film productions.

Earlier in April, Senator Faisal Javed had stressed the need for new guidelines that ensure safety of film stars besides, ensuring their right to royalties.

Entertainers, writers and people associ-

ated with industry have welcomed the government’s initiative to rationalise major taxes on film production, terming it a major move to revive the sector.

Talking to APP on Thursday, Ishtiaq Asif Naqibi, a writer and poet said, “The step will encourage new investors to work hard to revive the industry with quality productions."

Veteran actor and entertainer, Aijaz

Aslam, in his remarks to foreign media said that government’s new approach would encourage new and young producers to work in the country.

Actress and model, Saheefa Jabbar Khattak also advocated for royalties. “I am pleased to hear that the government is working to protect the rights of artists by instituting a policy which will allow them to earn royalties.”

Friday, 28 May, 2021

ISLAMABAD

Govt to GenerAte $1bn throuGh AuCtion oF nGMs sPeCtruM iSLamaBaD

t

STAFF REPORT

HE government is looking to pocket more than $1 billion by offering minimum spectrum for telcos in the upcoming auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) Spectrum. As the tenure of the auctioned spectrum would be 15 years, the government has decided to extend the same to GB and AJK, as a demand of the people especially students who strongly protested against the lack of internet facilities in their areas.

Documents available with Profit show that the Advisory Committee for the release of NGMS Spectrum has approved the auction of 27.8 megahertz (MHz).

On the other hand, sources in the Ministry of Infor-

Pakistan remains top importer of Chinese goods in 10MFY21

mation Technology & Telecom (MoITT) said that up to 44MHz band was available in the system in Pakistan.

The meeting of the committee chaired by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin approved the draft policy directives for the release of NGMS Spectrum in Pakistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which will allow improved voice and 3G/4G internet services.

The MoITT will forward the draft to the federal cabinet for approval and after auction process will be initiated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The draft policy states that PTA would auction 12.8 MHz paired spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band and 15 MHz paired spectrum in the 2,100 MHz. The base price for 1MHz spectrum in 1,800 MHz is $31 million while the base price for 1MHz spectrum in

2,100 MHz is $29m.

The base price amounts to almost $832m if the four telecommunication companies do not compete for the spectrum. However, industry players have criticised the policy.

“If the government offers more than 40 MHz band, all the four telcos will easily buy between 10-12 MHz band at an affordable rate and focus on long-term investments to improve voice as well as broadband service,” a senior executive of one of the mobile companies said.

“At the same time there is no benefit for the government or the consumers if the additional and spare MHz band remains idle in the system and people continue to suffer from slow service,” the executive added.

Even the policy document said, “Demand for data services grew exponentially and in a short period of

Airbus to raise plane production

iSLamaBaD

pariS

APP

AGENCIES

China topped the list of countries from where Pakistan imported different products during the first ten months of the current financial year (10MFY21), followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore. The total imports from China during the (July-April) period were recorded at $10,312.1 million against the $7,638.1 million during the corresponding period last fiscal year, showing an increase of 35.02 per cent, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said. From the UAE, where Pakistan imported goods worth $5,604 million against the imports of $5,663 million last year, showing a decline of 1.04 per cent. Singapore was the at third top country from where Pakistan imported goods worth $2,492 million against the imports of $1,991 million in FY20, showing growth of 25.16 per cent, SBP data revealed. Among other countries, Pakistani imports from United State of America (USA) showed a growth of 5.94 per cent while the imports from Saudi Arabia showed an increase of 61.97 per cent, the data revealed.

Airbus said Thursday it will produce more single-aisle planes in 2023 than before the coronavirus crisis as the European aerospace giant sees the aviation sector ascending from the pandemic.

The aircraft maker had slowed its production early on in the pandemic last year as Covid-19 and border closures caused a massive drop in air traffic, severely denting the earnings of airlines.

But Airbus said Thursday that it expects the commercial aircraft market “to recover to pre-Covid levels between 2023 and 2025, led by the single-aisle segment”.

“The aviation sector is beginning to recover from the COVID-19 crisis,” Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said in a statement.

Airbus shares soared at the Paris stock exchange following the announcement.

Airbus is currently producing 40 planes of the A320 family per month but the company said it would increase the average rate to 45 during the last three months of this year.

It added that suppliers should “prepare for the future by securing a firm rate” of 64 A320 planes by the second quarter of 2023.

The cadence will increase to 70 per month in 2024 and possibly 75 by 2025.

The company was producing 60 planes per month before the pandemic and had planned to increase the rate to 63 in 2020 until Covid-19 changed those plans.

The aerospace firm also cut 15,000 jobs out of 135,000 posts, though the company

avoided layoffs in France, Germany, Britain and Spain, its main locations.

The A320 jet is made at assembly lines in France, Germany, the United States and China.

Airbus will also step up production of its smaller, single-aisle A220 airplane.

The recovery of wider-bodied planes is less bright as long-haul flights have been the most affected by the pandemic. Airbus said it would increase production of its A350 twin-aisle planes from five to six per month by autumn 2022 compared to 10 before the crisis.

A330 production will remain at two per month compared to three before the pandemic.

Airbus has posted profits for two consecutive quarters and expects to deliver 566 planes in 2021, the same as last year.

France’s Total to face climate plan pressure at investor meeting pariS AGENCIES

Several Total shareholders plan to demonstrate their concern that the French firm is not doing enough to curb carbon emissions at its shareholder meeting on Friday, as global oil and gas companies come under growing environmental pressure.

The International Energy Agency has warned that new fossil fuel projects must stop this year if the world wants to reach net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century, a far faster pace than that envisaged so far by oil producers.

Total, which has faced growing investor calls in recent years to set more ambitious climate change targets, is seeking backing from shareholders for a motion on its environmental goals, which includes reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

But several French and international investors including Meeschaert Asset Management (AM), PME,

OFI, Ircantec, La Française, Sycomore and Actiam have said or confirmed to Reuters they plan to vote against the motion or abstain.

Beyond these investors, who together hold a small proportion of Total’s shares, it was not immediately clear how widespread the revolt would be. Previous moves to take Total to task on its climate goals have not had enough support to change its plans.

Amundi, which is Total’s biggest investor, and the Norwegian oil fund, its fourth-biggest shareholder, have said they are planning to back the plan at this week’s meeting.

Total said on Thursday it did not want to comment on voting intentions ahead of its AGM. The scale of the rebellion will be keenly watched for any indications it could prompt action

by Total’s board.

This week a tiny hedge fund dealt a major blow to Exxon Mobil, unseating at least two board members in a bid to force the company to do more on climate change.

Shell and BP both faced increased pushback at recent AGMs for not doing enough to align their business plans with the transition to a low-carbon economy as targeted in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate.

Total remains committed to new projects and plans to increase gas production in the coming years, and is also involved in building new projects in the Arctic and East Africa.

“It remains unclear how it will meet its goals given its current pace of fossil fuel production and investments that still significantly outpace those in renewables,” Actiam said. Climate Action 100+, the world’s leading investor group focused on pushing heavy emitters to accelerate their efforts, said Total was still not doing enough.

Total is also seeking shareholder approval to rebrand as TotalEnergies, reflecting its drive towards electricity production and investments in renewable energy.

NEWS

05

seven years, the broadband subscribers in the country increased from a mere 14m in 2014 to over 100m in April 2021.” “This ever increasing reliance on wireless mobile broadband services necessitated the demand for availability of more spectrum and hence to meet the connectivity needs of the citizens of Pakistan.”

Under the current policy the government was offering 5MHz spectrum blocks in auction for the mobile companies.

After the policy is approved by the federal cabinet, PTA will issue an Information Memorandum (IM) specifying the detailed procedure of the auction, including eligibility criteria and steps for participating in the auction process.

The government has plans to finalise the auction process before June 30 this year.

Under the draft policy, spectrum fee and related mark-up will be in dollar denominated, however, the amount shall be paid either in US dollar or in equivalent to Pak Rupees.

The payment can be made either 100 per cent upfront or minimum of 50pc upfront payment, and the remaining to be paid in five equal instalments in five years with cumulative mark-up rate of one year LIBOR+3pc.

The tenure of frequency assignment is 15 years.

Amazon to buy MGM studios for $8.45bn HOLLYWOOD AGENCIES

Amazon has agreed to buy the storied MGM studios for $8.45 billion, the companies said Wednesday, giving the US tech giant a vast library to further its ambitions in streaming. The deal bolsters Amazon Prime Video, which competes with Netflix and others in the fast-evolving market, with some 4,000 films — including the James Bond franchise — and 17,000 television shows. “The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGM’s talented team,” said Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios. The deal comes with Amazon experiencing surging growth in online retail and cloud computing, making a push into entertainment as consumers turn to stream media. It gives Amazon the fabled Metro Goldwyn Mayer studios, an iconic name in Hollywood that has been through a series of ownership changes and bankruptcy in recent years. In addition to the James Bond franchise, MGM owns the rights to film productions including Rocky, Legally Blonde, and Tomb Raider, and television shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

Pakistan records lowest Covid-19 positivity rate in three months COntinueD frOm page 01 “The people’s cooperation if continued, it will help to overcome the spread of the virus soon,” he hoped. “The province conducted 22,043 tests yesterday and 1293 positive cases were detected,” the session was informed in a briefing on the coronavirus situation in Sindh. “Overall ratio of coronavirus positive cases in the province remained 5.9 percent,” the meeting was told.“The worrisome matter is 24 deaths by coronavirus in the province in 24 hours,” the chief minister said. “Positivity ratio of the tests in Karachi has been 8.34 percent, which was 12.86 percent last week,” he said. “The ratio of positive cases in Hyderabad has also dropped from past week’s 11 percent to 4.42 percent this week,” he added. “The ratio of coronavirus positive tests in other districts of Sindh remained 3.3 percent,” he added. The chief minister appealed for more cooperation and advised the people to get vaccinated to overcome the virus situation in the province.

Rasheed, Sindh CM agree to launch operation against dacoits in Kacha area COntinueD frOm page 01 Interior Secretary Yousuf Naseem Khokar, DG Ali Nawaz, legal adviser, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah and Sindh IG Mushtaq Maher were also present in the meeting.

Earlier, Rasheed had visited Sindh Rangers Headquarters during his visit to Karachi to review security situation following the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Director General Sindh Rangers Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry welcomed Rasheed on reaching the Sindh Rangers Headquarters.

He was briefed on the overall law and order situation in Sindh province including Karachi at Rangers Headquarters. Suggestions for improving the law and order situation in Sindh also came under discussion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rasheed said that Karachi is the backbone of Pakistani economy and we will ensure law and order here. Rasheed also lauded the role of Sindh Rangers in maintaining law and order in Karachi. Separately, the interior minister called on Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at Governor’s House.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, including the political and law and order situation in Sindh, were discussed.

Rasheed said that strict action would be taken against those destroying law and order in Sindh province and all steps would be taken to ensure law and order situation.

Speaking on the occasion, the Sindh governor said that all the elements who hindered the development and prosperity of Sindh province would be eliminated.

Speaking to the media during a presser

later on Thursday, Rasheed dismissed any rumours of governor rule within the province. He clarified that Prime Minister Imran Khan does not want to interfere in the matters of Sindh and said no operation is taking place in Karachi, adding the Centre would provide all kinds of weapons to the Sindh Police to eliminate the dacoits in the areas.

“If any big names are found to be involved in dacoities, they will be dealt with severely and terrorism cases will be registered against the culprits,” said Rasheed.

The interior minister added that the National Database and Registration Authority would take action against corrupt officials in Karachi who have facilitated criminals in obtaining fake identity cards.

LAW AND ORDER REPORT SENT TO PM: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice

President and Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh sent a comprehensive report on law and order in Sindh province to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He also sent copies of this 12-page report to Federal Minister Umar Asad and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail.

Haleem Adil stayed in Katcha area for four days and arrived in Islamabad on Thursday.

The report of Haleem Adil showed that during last three months more than 250 people have been killed in Sukkur and Larkana region. In his report, he demanded to remove the Sindh inspector general of police.

The report said more than 300 people have been injured in tribal clashes during last three months. More than 70 people are kid-

napped and more than 400 robberies reported. He said in fact during last three months more crimes are committed than the reported cases.

The PTI VP said dacoits killed 10 people of Chachar tribe but no action was taken. In police encounter, dacoits targeted the APC of police with rocket launcher. He said three cops were martyred in firing of dacoits and some others injured.

He said penetration of bullets into police APC is quite worrisome. He said inquiry should be made through NAB and other institutions about huge corruption in purchase of APCs for Sindh police.

Haleem Adil said that so far more than 450 people have already been killed in tribal clashes in this area.

He said law and order in Sindh has worsened during the rule of PPP government.

on

Friday, 28 May, 2021

06 COMMENT

A fragile peace

Moeed Yousuf’s pipedream Need to first end the civil war in Afghanistan

Everyone was shown up by the recent round of bloodletting

I

N utter disregard of ground realities National Sevcurity Adviser Moeed Yousuf wants Pak-US relations not to be based on security and defence but on economy, trade and business. As things stand, Pakistan does not possess an extra-large middle class to be considered a big market for US consumer goods. Unlike some of the Middle eastern countries Pakistan does not spend billions of dollars on purchase of US armaments.

What the USA currently needs is Pakistan’s support to persuade the Taliban to end violence and join efforts to create a coalition government in Afghanistan capable of bringing peace to the war-torn country and ensuring that the country does not turn into a terrorist hub threatening the world at large.

This explains why military leaders and ambassadors from the USA, the eU, the Middle east and several other important countries have over the year made a beeline to GhQ instead of calling on anyone else. There have been three telephone calls between the Army Chief and the US Defense Secretary and one between General Bajwa and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken over the last three months.

There is a widespread perception that Pakistan, more than any other country, can persuade the Taliban to enter into talks with the Afghan government. The perception is based on the past practice of the Taliban to seek shelter in adjoining tribal areas of Pakistan when under pressure in Afghanistan while their leadership got medical treatment or traveled through Pakistan to other countries. Pakistan needs to make use of whatever leverage it possesses to persuade the Taliban to work out a peaceful solution to the Afghan imbroglio.

A continuation of the civil war does not suit Pakistan.

In order to win the war the Taliban will inevitably join hands with all the terrorist networks currently operating from Afghanistan. As happened earlier, the bloody war will be fought on ethnic and sectarian lines also. This will turn millions of Afghans into refugees, who will trek to Pakistan as before, bringing with them numerous terrorists who had escaped the dragnet in Swat, Waziristan and other tribal districts. They will bring weapons and narcotics with them. Their arrival in Pakistan will strengthen violent extremist networks like the TLP and the remnants of banned outfits who would create lawlessness in the country.

At Penpoint M A NIAZI

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he latest bloodletting in Gaza has ended with a truce between the Israelis and hamas, and though there is now no threat of a general war developing, the entire episode has ended up exposing ugly truths about both participants and observers that they would have preferred to keep concealed.

Perhaps the Israeli government had most to hide, and its exposure has been most damaging. The way in which its policy had been shown up as a failure has left it in a cul de sac. The whole thrust of the Netanyahu government was that it would obtain peace from both Palestinians and Arabs on its own terms, because they knew they were beaten. It had signed peace treaties with two combatants of the various wars against it, egypt and Jordan, and it added treaties with three more Arab states (but non-combatant) last year, the UAe, Bahrain and Sudan.

It was widely rumoured that Saudi Arabia, once a combatant and a leader of the Muslim world against Israel, would sooner or later join the bandwagon, which was widely expected to lead to a large number of Arab and Muslim states recognizing Israel and establishing diplomatic relations with it.

All of this was in pursuit of the goal of security for Israeli citizens. The level of that security was shown up by the rocket salvos from Gaza into Israeli territory. That they caused no casualties is another matter, but the effects in terms of air raid precautions and the fear among the citizenry was also immense.

The highly expensive Iron Dome air defense system also proved ineffective in protecting the civilian population, as it let through a few missiles. Iron Dome is indigenously developed, but has received major US funding for both development and deployment. The US Army has acquired and deployed two batteries.

While Israeli policy has had its bankruptcy exposed, so has that of the USA. Its purpose was to create peace in the region. That has clearly not been achieved. Its relentless backing of Israel has shown the world that it does not support liberation or selfdetermination, but only the pursuit of Zionist interests. Its support for Israel is not simply because of the clout of the American-Israeli Political Action Committee, which funnels vast funds of elected officials, on Capitol hill. It is not merely because American Jews and evangelicals are Zionists (with the latter believing the Second Coming of Christ requires the building of the Third Temple– on the site of Al-Aqsa), but because the presence of Israel in the Middle east means that it has a toehold in a region highly impor-

Not accepting adjudication Court judgments must be honored

T

he government does not seem to be willing to accept the Supreme Court judgment in Mr Justice Faez Isa’s case, because it went through the highly unusual step of filing a review petition of a judgment which itself was delivered on a review petition. The petition was rejected by the Registrar’s Office, but the government is said to be adamant about filing the petition, vowing to do so after removing the objections raised.

Clearly, the Law Ministry is not willing to let the judgment attain finality, and will try every trick in the book and a few that are out of it, to get Mr Justice Isa off the Bench. It is suspected that all of this activity, which led to Mr Justice Isa having to argue the petition himself, and have his wife appear before the Supreme Court, is because of the prospect of him becoming the Chief Justice of Pakistan in September 2023, of which he has legitimate expectancy. he will remain Chief Justice until he retires in October 2024.

This is a crucial period, because while it will not cover the elections, it will cover the period after, when governments are being formed. At the same time, this is the year of the retirement of the COAS, and if there is any litigation on the issue, as there was in 2020, as CJP he may have to deal with some matters. The present insistence seems to be fuelled by Law Minister Farogh Nasim and PM’s Accountability Adviser Shahzad Akbar’s desire to avoid Mr Justice Isa as CJP. Mr Justice Isa seems to be still paying for his judgment in the Faizabad dharna case, in which he had criticized those institutions that interfered in politics.

This refusal to accept the Supreme Court judgment seems to reflect a refusal to accept the rule of law. Just as much as no one accepts losing an election, losing a case is unacceptable. If the government’s legal advisers take this attitude, that not only means that the government is being led up the garden path into a fool’s paradise, but also that it is badly served.

On Yaum-i-Takbir, a look at the peaceful nuclear programme RAbIA JAved

P

RIMe Minister Imran Khan on 21st May virtually inaugurated the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 (K-2), a third-generation state-of-the-art plant with improved safety systems. Over the years, Pakistan has been commendably successful in the application of nuclear energy and technology for the benefit and development of society. Director General of International Atomic energy Agency (IAeA) hails the commissioning of the K-2 Nuclear Power Plant as a leap towards Pakistan’s clean energy future. Additionally, Pakistan has placed sufficient human resources capable of taking up more challenging assignments to harness nuclear energy for the economic progress of the country.

Pakistan established the Atomic energy Commission (PAeC) in 1956. PAeC is pursuing numerous programmes and doing research and development in many diverse scientific areas, including basic and applied sciences, food, agriculture, and biotechnology, human health, energy, and industry.

Pakistan raised its first nuclear power plant with the help of a Canadian firm during the 1960s. Named KANUPP, it started producing electricity by the end of 1972 with a total power generation of more than 100 MW. This marked a distinguished year in the history of Pakistan because it joined the club of the few countries that were producing electricity by using nuclear reactors.

Despite many constraints, gradually, Pakistan established four nuclear power plants at Chashma – Chasnupp 1, Chasnupp 2, Chasnupp 3, Chasnupp 4.

All these nuclear reactors are now collectively producing 1435 MW of electricity.

Nuclear Energy for Economic Progress The nuclear programme of Pakistan is effectively contributing to the welfare of people and towards the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To illustrate, PAeC is putting a lot of emphasis on peaceful applications of nuclear energy in

Arif Nizami Editor Managing Editor

Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The government may preen itself on helping achieve the truce that ended the fighting, but it cannot help awkward questions being raised by the people of Pakistan who found that there was no help to be sent to Palestine, and then by the Kashmiris, who must be forced to wonder whether there will be another accounting of a truce brokered as a victory

The writer is a member of staff.

Pakistan’s Nuclear Energy: An efficient alternative

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

tant to it. Israel allows the USA a military presence in the region, whose oil wealth is crucial to its prosperity. Though there is a Palestinian diaspora in the USA, it is not valued. If the US policy is ‘what Israel wants, Israel gets’, it is not because of American Jewry, but because of Mid-east oil.

Tracing the history of Israel, it may be discerned that it was dominated by American Zionist Jews. One symbol of this is that the present PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been educated in the USA after having been born in Israel itself. he has been PM since 2009 (after having served a term from 1996 to 1999. Being PM is very important to him, for it saves him from arrest on corruption charges, for which the trial continues. It is seen by some as no coincidence that the recent conflict torpedoed the coalition that was being built to replace him, because the pro-hamas party that was supposed to join it had to pull out.

The extent of Arab friendship towards Palestinians was also tested, and the Arab regimes were found wanting, and not just those states which had made peace with Israel, perhaps because they still hoped to make an accommodation with it. It is worth remembering that the OIC was founded after an arson attempt on Al-Aqsa, by a visiting Australian evangelical who thought this would clear the way for the building of the Third Temple, and thus for the Second Coming. It should be remembered that the Israeli bombing of Gaza took place because hamas fired missiles from there, in reply to the Israeli police’s invasion of Al-Aqsa.

After having been used to the support of the entire Muslim world, the Palestinians found that they were completely alone. All of the armies of the Arab world, indeed of the Muslim world, did nothing to help. Of the Ajami Muslim armies, the classic Ajami, Iran, did nothing despite all its previous protestations.

Its Al-Quds Force, which is dedicated to the liberation of Jerusalem, did not go beyond firing some rockets from Lebanon. Clearly, Iran is not really interested in liberating Jerusalem as in projecting Iran-

ian power in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Lebanon, where it finds Shia populations it can appeal to. Incidentally, Iran’s appeal to Shias in the region shows the weakness of national bonds. however, Palestinians, though with the full complement of communal and sectarian divisions, seem to have come together in their misery. What started as a problem for Palestinians in the West Bank engulfed those in Gaza, and even those in Jordan and Israeli Arab citizens themselves.

One of the more disturbing developments of this episode was the emergence of Jew-Arab clashes in Israel. Arabs in Israel already face discrimination from the government. Now they faced riots. A certain number of cities in Israel were held up as examples of how Jews and Arabs could live peaceably side by side, like Lod, Ramla and Acre. however, just as Israel attacked Al-Aqsa and then Gaza, gangs of Jewish louts started terrorizing the Arabs of these cities. The Arabs hit back, and the rioting began.

This is the first sign of a problem that Israeli rightwingers (everybody, more or less) face: Demography.

Jews have fewer children than Arabs. Israel will become an Arab-majority state. how will it then be possible to keep it a Jewish state? Israel also has to contend with the political problem posed by the increasing number of Arabs elected to the Israeli Knesset. What happens when the Arabs enter the Cabinet? how can you have a Jewish state where Jews are a minority?

But before this happens, Pakistanis have got to face the fact that the PTI did a pretty poor job of representing their sentiments. The protests in major cities reflected the kind of frustration that was engendered by the attack on Al-Aqsa. The PTI’s haplessness was shown by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s saying on CNN that Jews had ‘deep pockets’, thereby gladdening the hearts of the PTI case, and then hastening to deny anti-Semitic bias when the TV reporter accused him of it.

That seems to have been the extent of the PTI’s claim of having won.

The government may preen itself on helping achieve the truce that ended the fighting, but it cannot help awkward questions being raised by the people of Pakistan who found that there was no help to be sent to Palestine, and then by the Kashmiris, who must be forced to wonder whether there will be another accounting of a truce brokered as a victory.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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the medical sector. In this regard, the organization has so far established 18 nuclear medicine and oncology hospitals throughout the country. These achievements are a matter of national pride. highlighting the civilian use of nuclear resources, Pakistan has used its Centres of excellence to promote and share best practices in nuclear security through three affiliated institutes, the Pakistan Centre of excellence for Nuclear Security (PCeNS), the National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS), and the Pakistan Institute of engineering and Applied Sciences (PIeAS).

Similarly, Pakistan has also achieved excellence in operating safe and secure nuclear energy plants. It is evident from the history, when in 1959; PAeC signed an agreement with Canadian General electric Company for construction of a 137-MW electrical nuclear reactor in Karachi. The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant-1 (KANUPP-1 or K1) started commercial operations in 1972 under International Atomic energy Agency (IAeA) facility-specific safeguards.

Karachi was the first Pakistani city to benefit from nuclear energy after KANUPP was connected to the grid. The construction of two more units i.e. (KANUPP-3) is ongoing, when completed it will bring more energy to the metropolis.

The Karachi Coastal Power Project is part of Pakistan’s Nuclear energy Vision Programme that seeks to generate 44,000 MW of electric power by 2050.

Pakistan is proactively engaged with the international community to promote nuclear safety and security. Nuclear power plants in Pakistan are under

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

IAeA safeguards. All these efforts of expanding the nuclear energy programme are in pursuit of a clean and effective option to address Pakistan’s energy deficit and meet the international community’s ambitious goal of lowering global temperatures by two degrees in the next 30 years.

To further secure its civil nuclear materials, Pakistan has joined the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (CPPNM) and the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS). Pakistan has introduced an extensive institutional and legislative response to secure sensitive technologies and nuclear materials to implement UN Resolution 1540.

It is highly commendable that despite being embargoed under the organized hypocrisy of the global nuclear order, Pakistan is one of the 30 countries that operate nuclear fuel cycle and operational power plants.

Pakistan’s clean history in utilizing nuclear energy is a clear depiction of its national resolve and commitment towards effective implementation of a stringent peaceful nuclear programme. Pakistan is in a position not only to use nuclear energy for its national programmes for development and progress, but also can provide assistance to other countries of the region in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

There is a need to admire the efforts and commitments that Pakistan has in place for its peaceful nuclear programme by rewarding Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state. Pakistan has an inherent interest in pursuing safe and efficient forms of civil nuclear energy and should continue investing in this sector.

There is a need to admire the efforts and commitments that Pakistan has in place for its peaceful nuclear programme by rewarding Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state. Pakistan has an inherent interest in pursuing safe and efficient forms of civil nuclear energy and should continue investing in this sector

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The writer is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Friday, 28 May, 2021

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Addressing increasing deadly gutka consumption I want to draw your kind attention towards the eating Gutka by different age of people in our locality. Gutka, a combination of arecanut, slaked lime, paraffin and katechu along with tobacco, is virtually poison.

Promoted as a mouth freshener.

People get addicted to it as gutka is reported to have stimulant and relaxation effects. While most consumers believe that the blend is not harmful, doctors, especially oncologists, say consumption of gutka is more harmful than any other form of tobacco. Overall, people can develop cancers of mouth, throat, lung and Oesophagus; heart disease and related ailments. While most youngsters get easily addicted to it, women are also in the habit of chewing Tobacco. I here request you to take kind action against it so that we can save our society from danger. Thanking you in advance.

HaSan noor UmEr anSari KaraCHi

Illicit use of drugs and smoking in youth

Ostrich Modi amid the raging pandemic India should concentrate on its internal crisis

Amjed jAAved

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he protesting farmers have announced to hold a countrywide protest to demand annulment of the newly enacted farm laws on May 26. Despite having seen the havoc of the Kumbh congregation, the Modi government is stone-wall silent to the ultimatum. Twelve opposition parties have pilloried the Modi government for its obduracy.

India spent the sum of Rs. 4.1 million on the ceremony to induct the first batch of Rafale aircraft (Ambala air base), under contract to purchase 36 aircraft costing Rs 590 billion.

Apathetic to te plight of the people, the Indian army chief talked to the US army chief to enhance cooperation under Basic exchange and Cooperation agreement to hit Pakistan’s land and surface targets in real time. There being no freebies, the BeCA equipment will cost billions.

About 4000 COVID patients are dying each day for want of beds or oxygen. Poor people dump dead bodies of their loved ones in the Ganges River as they can’t afford costly wood to cremate them. In just one day 150 dead bodies were recovered to save them from vultures and stray dogs.

There is only one electric incinerator/cremator in India at Calcutta, yet to be operated.

Author Shobha De asked `What’ll it take for Modi to stop playing ostrich?’. The national students’ union registered an FIR against the “missing” home minister Amit Shah. It is time India diverted its resources to stop the third wave.

Because of insanitary conditions and infected oxygen, the scourges of white and black fungi have emerged adding to Covis-19 fatalities. The white fungus is also known as candidiasis, the nlack as mucomycosis. Steroid treatment can cause white fungal infection in Covid-19 patients while unsterile use of oxygen cylinders can also be a reason. White fungus infection is more dangerous than black fungus because it affects vital organs, including the lungs, brain, kidney and private parts along with the mouth, stomach and skin. Symptoms of white

I would like to draw your kind attention towards the illicit use of drugs and smoking in youth through the column of your well known newspaper.

Consumption of drugs and smoking is becoming common practice among the children now days which is bad for their health they don’t even focus on their studies. Drugs and cigarettes are easily available in different shops of Karachi that shouldn’t be allowed. Our youth is our future but instead of working hard for their future they are lacking interest in every work because of drugs and cigarettes they are moving towards the wrong path. These issues need immediate attention which requires appropriate steps taken by concerned authorities. Being a regular reader of your magazine, I hope a solution to stop the use of drugs and smoking in our youth. m ZUHair KaraCHi

Palestinian lives matter!

fungus infection are similar to that of coronavirus infection. Chest pain and low oxygen levels are seen in critical patients while white patches in the oral cavity, white discharge and skin lesions are also seen among patients.

Medicines like caspofungin or micafungin are used to treat critically ill patients. But besides vaccines there is a shortage of almost everything, beds, oxygen, and even wood to cremate the dead bodies. Media reported 100 to 150 dead bodies floating in the River Ganges.

Instead of facing the truth, The BJP states prosecute even social posts about the covid-19 situation under India’s National Security Act. For instance, journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem and activist erendro Leichombam were booked under the NSA for Facebook posts that pointed out that cow dung or urine cannot cure covid-19.

Cowsheds are being used as covid-19 clinics. Oxygen and concentrators are being sold at exorbitant prices. even fire-extinguisher cylinders were sold as oxygen cylinders (Fire extinguishers painted and sold as oxygen cylinders, 3 arrested, India Today May 6, 2021).

India and China have signed accords not to use firepower in case of any conflagration. Modi admitted at an all-party conference that China has not annexed an inch of India’s territory. Yet,the tiff between the Chinese and Indian troops was portrayed as a landmark achievement.

In view of the pandemic, India should have diverted its troops from borders to pandemic duty. But, no such initiative is visible. even in May there was a faceoff between the Chinese and the Indian troops.

Through propaganda onslaught, Modi’s government has brought home the message that Congress is unpatriotic and bent upon disintegrating India (tukreh tukreh gang).

Referring to self-professed patriots, in 1774, Samuel Johnson had said that patriotism was the last refuge of the scoundrel. The irony in calling the Congress (or other BJP opponents) “anti-national” is that politicians of the Congress (and others too) had actually gone to jail fighting for India’s freedom from the British. Leaders of the BJP’s ideological predecessors did little during the freedom movement.

India should mend its fences not only with China but also with Pakistan. Many Pakistani rulers, including Gen Pervez Musharraf, offered out-of-box solutions to resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute. But India shrugged off the offers with disdain.

In his memoirs In The Line of Fire, President Musharraf proposed a personal solution of the

Kashmir issue. This solution, in essence, envisions self-rule in demilitarised regions of Kashmir under a joint-management mechanism. The solution pre-supposes reciprocal flexibility.

The out-of-box Musharraf Kashmir solution is in fact a regurgitation of former Indian foreign secretary Jagat S. Mehta’s proposals. Mehta presented his ideas in his article, ‘Resolving Kashmir in the International Context of the 1990s’. Besides Kashmir, there are the Sir Creek and Siachen Glacier issues. India’s former foreign secretary Shyam Saran, in his book How India Sees the World makes startling revelations about how this issue eluded solution at last minute. Saran says India itself created the Siachen problem. he reminisces, in the 1970s, US maps began to show 23000 kilometers of Siachen area under Pakistan’s control. Thereupon, `Indian forces were sent to occupy the glacier in a pre-emptive strike, named Operation Meghdoot. Pakistani attempts to dislodge them did not succeed. But they did manage to occupy and fortify the lower reaches’. he recalls how Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek agreements could not fructify for lack of political will or footdragging. he says ‘NN Vohra, who was the defence secretary at the time, confirmed in a newspaper interview that an agreement on Siachen had been reached.

At the last moment, however, a political decision was taken by the Narasimha Rao government to defer its signing to the next round of talks scheduled for January the following year. But, this did not happen… My defence of the deal became a voice in the wilderness’.

Similarly, the demarcation of the Sir Creek maritime boundary was unnecessarily delayed.

Saran says ’if we accepted the Pakistani alignment, with the east bank of the creek as the boundary, then Pakistan would get only 40 per cent of the triangle. If our alignment according to the Thalweg principle was accepted, Pakistan would get 60 per cent. There was a keen interest in Pakistan to follow this approach but we were unable to explore this further when the Siachen deal fell through. Pakistan was no longer interested in a stand-alone Sir Creek agreement’ (Thalweg principle places the dividing line midchannel in the river).

The Modi government should turn a new leaf in India’s relations with its neighbours by shunning the strong-man image.

The Modi government should turn a new leaf in India’s relations with its neighbours by shunning the strong-man image.

The writer is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com

We all have been aware of the Palestine-Israel Conflict since it has been the top news from all over the world. Israel, which is not even an independent state, has been tremendously inhumane and monstrous. There is an extreme bestial behavior and the genocide taking place. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed including women and children. In a recent interview of an Israeli soldier, he told the sources that he would not take a minute to take the life of an eight year old child if he throws a stone at him. There are a dozen of stories running through the social media which are so sickening. Protests were made in several countries of the world for peace and justice for Palestinians.

Genocide and wholesale slaughter must end and there should be a proper conversation between the two states to decipher the conflict just like the Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in his recent interview with CNN. There is no humanity and justice in slaughtering people and making them homeless. Israel needs to stop this racial killing. This is not a war, it’s a wholesome slaughter.

MARIA EJAZ KARAcHI

Life is action, not contemplation MAN is the most active of all animals. The activities of all other animal are limited only to their search for food and reproduction off spring’s. But man’s activity is spread over a far field. he doesn’t only grow food and produce children, but he also makes numerous useful and beautiful things.

For the security of his life he has built up a complex social organisation; and for the proper satisfaction of his wants, an equally complex economic system. Man’s energy flows through many channels and through many unfamiliar activities.

Man’s greatness therefore lies in his capacity to act. The most active nations of the world have been most progressive. They have made progress in different spheres of life. They have built their industries, have developed their natural resources, and have often penetrated into foreign lands and built empires across the seas. Thus, they have brought to their land the riches from remote corners of the earth.

Inactive nations, on the other hand, live in sloth and poverty. They are dominated by foreigners who develop their resources for their own benefit.

They become their slaves and work for strangers in their own land. Thus, the slavery demoralizes them. The history of mankind shows that the nation given to hard labour and constant work have made great achievements, while the achievements of dull and inactive have been very small. Action is the royal road to success, both for nations and individuals. The philosophy of action, therefore, has been highly valued through the ages. But action is the outcome of thought. If our thoughts are mean and narrow, our actions will be cruel and selfish. If, on the other hand, we think of the good of mankind, we shall strive to do good to everyone. The actions of good men are inspired by the ideals of universal love and brotherhood. The persecution of the backward races, on the other hand, is the outcome of the ‘get-rich-quick ‘policy. But, thoughts do not always translate themselves into actions. At times one doesn’t proceed beyond the level of contemplation. We may think like hamlet, and think deeply; but when the time for action comes, we may find that the requisite will is wanting. Disparity between thought and action is quite common in our world. There is no dearth of great ideals, but there is certainly a dearth of correspondingly great actions. Our statesman talk of lasting world peace, and yet threatens the world with atomic weapons. Our scientists, with their ideals of the pursuit of knowledge, are devising more and more terrible means of mass destruction. Likewise, our religious scholars, with all their mission or peace and love, are afraid to condemn violence and aggression. In the history of mankind great actions have often been done by comparatively small men. In their case the normal disparity between thought and action was eliminated. Inspired by great ideals, they did things which were calculated to do good for mankind, to remove its degradation and to mitigate its sorrows and sufferings. maliK mUHammad abdUllaH iSlamabad

Friday, 28 May, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

is two-state solution back on isRael’s agenda?

ISRAEL’S LEADERSHIP MUST UNDERSTAND THAT AS FAR AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION IS BACK ON THE AGENDA al-MoniTor

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MaZal MUalEM

HE meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem May 25 offered insight into the enormous changes taking place in the region, ever since President Donald Trump left office.

On the one hand, it was a very good meeting. Blinken made every effort to showcase the close friendship between the two countries, with an emphasis on President Joe Biden’s longstanding commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself against a terrorist organization firing rockets on its citizens. This was more than just rhetoric, too. Over the last two weeks, during Operation Guardian of the Walls, Biden’s actions proved that he stood with Israel. He maintained regular and cordial contacts with netanyahu, while his calls for a ceasefire were made quietly, with calculated diplomatic tact. Biden made a point of respecting netanyahu. The White House made no threats, nor did it bully him, as happened on more than one occasion during the Obama administration.

On the other hand, despite all the elegant diplomacy, the last two weeks show that there have been enormous changes to

American attitudes toward Israel, particularly when it comes to Israel’s relationship with the Palestinians.

What Biden effectively did was return negotiations with the Palestinians — with the goal of achieving a two-state solution — back to center stage, after they were frozen indefinitely in 2014. This happened when Biden felt forced to intervene as a result of the recent conflict in Gaza. What made his new policy notable was that it consisted of more than just rhetorical flourishes. It had a number of operative components, too.

The most obvious and immediate example of this is the Biden administration’s decision to reopen the US Consulate in East Jerusalem, which was shut down by the Trump administration. Blinken informed netanyahu of this decision during their meeting, and reiterated the new policy during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

This is, of course, much more than some symbolic act. Over the last three decades, the consulate served as the United States’ diplomatic representation to the Palestinian Authority (PA). It was shut down in October 2018, when Trump moved the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It was decided at the time to merge the two diplomatic offices in Jerusalem. What this meant in practical terms was that the consulate, which was once responsible for all contact with the PA, was subordinated to the ambassador to Israel. In other words, it lost its independent status.

The decision to shut down the consulate was a highlight of the unusually warm rela-

Regulating digital media

tionship between Trump and netanyahu. Inevitably, it led to any efforts to achieve a two-state solution being removed from the agenda. The Palestinians considered this an act of belligerence and part of a larger policy that showed preference to Israeli interests over any national aspirations they had.

That is why the reopening of the consulate is considered to be an important step forward in the effort to renew the relationship between the United States and the Palestinians. It was a conciliatory gesture to Abbas, who had been subjected to a chilly and sometimes hostile attitude from Trump.

And Blinken had even more surprises for the Palestinians. He informed both netanyahu and Abbas that the United States plans to send $75 million to Gaza in 2021 to help rebuild the enclave after the current round of violence.

There is no doubt that in his first official visit to Israel and the Middle East, Blinken presented a new American policy toward the region, which differed markedly from that of the previous administration. Reflecting back on the summer of 2020, when the Abraham Accords began to emerge, shows how serious this change is. Trump eliminated two key factors that President Barack Obama tried to advance: a nuclear deal with Iran, from which the United States withdrew, and talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which were taken off the table. Both of these are, once again, prominent points on the American agenda, even if the style used to advance them is different.

It looked like Blinken wanted to address the Israeli people directly. He knew that they

What’s next after US/NATO leaving Afghanistan

Tightrope act over privacy, social order

THE UNITED STATES HAS STARTED TO WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN. THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE REGION WILL BE PAINFUL. THE PLAN IS FOR US FORCES TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN BY SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 — A SYMBOLIC DATE MARKING THE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 ATTACKS THAT BROUGHT AMERICAN TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN. FOR THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT, NEIGHBOURING STATES, AND THEIR KEY ALLIES LIKE RUSSIA AND CHINA IT MEANS MORE TROUBLE

Tribune, india The tussle over an individual’s right to privacy vis-a-vis the state’s duty to identify and punish wrongdoers has taken an interesting turn. The management of WhatsApp, the messaging application used by 53 crore Indians, has gone to court against the Indian Government guidelines under which digital media companies are sought to be regulated. Citing user privacy, WhatsApp has taken the moral high ground. The new rules state, among other things, that digital media companies such as WhatsApp must disclose the identity of the ‘first originator of information’ when the government seeks it. WhatsApp contends that in order to comply with the new rules, it would have to break the end-to-end encryption that ensures user privacy, undermining people’s right to privacy.

But there’s much more to the issue than just user privacy. The new user policy of WhatsApp, introduced earlier this year, allows it to share an individual’s information — generated when a user interacts with a business account on WhatsApp — with its parent company, Facebook, and other group firms. The idea is for Facebook to use this data to its financial benefit.

In other parts of the world, such as Europe, users can refuse to allow WhatsApp to share their data — in India, this option is not given to the users.

WhatsApp bends to the rules of the European Union because they have a data protection law in place there — in India, such a law has been in the works for two years but it is yet to see the light of day. This has enabled WhatsApp to discriminate against Indian users.

Over the last few years, after several cases of mob violence following rumours disseminated over WhatsApp, the company has attempted to arrest spread of misinformation. In a significant judgment in 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that individual privacy is a fundamental right, except when ‘legality, necessity and proportionality’ all outweigh it; digital media companies, thus, must disclose the identity of those causing or abetting crime through rumours or hate speech. Free speech advocates, however, fear that the government could use this provision to stifle dissent or criticism of its policies. Seeing the track record of the governments, it is a legitimate fear. Among these competing interests, a fair balance must be brought through debate, negotiation and a new law.

were enamored with Trump, and this was his chance to introduce them to the new Biden agenda. On the one hand, he wanted to highlight the absolute nature of the US commitment to Israeli interests, while at the same time, he wanted to breathe new life into the two-state solution to the conflict.

Before leaving Israel for Egypt and Jordan, Blinken gave an exclusive primetime interview to Israel’s main news broadcast on Channel 12. When asked if there would be an attempt to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, he responded, “We continue to believe very strongly that a two-state solution is not just the best way, but probably the only way to really assure that going forward Israel has a future as a secure Jewish and democratic state, and the Palestinians have a state to which they’re entitled. So I think we want to get to that. But right now, the focus is on dealing with the aftermath, the recent violence, trying to build on the cease-fire, address the immediate needs and concerns, and then see if over time the conditions are such that there’s a better environment for trying to pursue a two-state solution.”

Israelis had gotten used to being the beneficiaries of Trump’s generous gifts. He moved the embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and fostered peace treaties with moderate Arab states. now, Israelis are beginning to realize that something new and different was happening.

At the same time, however, they also recognize that Biden is unlike Obama, who was considered by many Israelis to be decidedly pro-Palestinian. Biden succeeds in pre-

senting himself as someone who really understands the mood in Israel, and who loves Israel dearly.

So far, netanyahu, an experienced politician, managed to get through this baptism by fire unscathed. In contrast to his heated dealings with Obama, netanyahu had no public disputes for the moment with Biden.

All these changes coming from Washington catch Israel in a state of political instability. It is very possible that netanyahu’s long term in office will soon end. now that a new coalition made up of parties from the left and the right is on the table yet again, the question being raised is what policies it will adopt in dealing with the Palestinians.

The prime minister of this new government would probably be Yamina party Chairman naftali Bennett, who advocates the annexation of Israeli West Bank settlements, while the alternative prime minister, Yair Lapid, supports a two-state solution. Furthermore, the left-wing parties, headed by Meretz, consider the settlements to be a symbol of the Israeli occupation, with all the corruption this engenders. Meretz party Chairman nitzan Horowitz came under attack from the right last March, when he expressed support for the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which announced that it was investigating Israel for war crimes. On May 27, Horowitz said in a radio interview that he supports renewing negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

The significance of this is that if a new government of change is, in fact, formed, there would be no consensus on how it will handle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The situation in the Gaza Strip was relatively quiet when the parties agreed to form such a government with the express purpose of removing netanyahu from office. It therefore had the leeway to claim that it would avoid the Palestinian question and focus on other civil and military issues. The last two weeks have restored the security situation to the top of the national agenda and returned the possibility of a two-state solution to centre stage.

russia in Global affairs

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PIOTR DUTKIEWICZ

n previous years, many experts pointed to the threat of war spilling over from Afghanistan into Central Asia. Some called those warnings a “worn cliche”. They were wrong.

With the US and another 7000-strong contingent of nATO troops withdrawing, the possibility of multiple uprisings in the region and increased terrorist activities becomes a realistic scenario. If that happens, the regional security and domestic politics in Central Asia will be deeply shaken. Why that might be the case?

How can Central Asian states respond?

What can Russia and China do?

First off, we need to seriously consider the possibility that after US/nATO withdrawal, the Afghan state may collapse under Taliban pressure. Military assets left behind may fall into the hands of the Taliban or other radical groups, as it was the case in Iraq. This could lead to a civil war that could further divide the country. This opinion is shared by top US military commanders. For instance, Kenneth McKenzie, the general in charge of Central Command, has expressed concern about the “ability of the Afghan military to hold the ground that they’re on now.” Similar conclusions were reached by a recent US Intelligence Report, which claimed that “The Taliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support”. The Afghan Study Group report issued recently by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) warns that “the risks of state failure and renewed conflict are extremely high.”

It’s also the case that the US/nATO presence in Afghanistan – from Central Asia states security perspective – made those countries more secured since 2001.

Until now, Central Asian states bordering Afghanistan were in many respects security free riders, protected, for instance, from the spread of radical militants. For almost twenty years, the US – and the Afghan military – have been a de facto security force for the entire region. The US providing intelligence, air power, securing borders, eliminating militant’s leadership, among other actions, has left the region’s governments unprepared for the threat they may soon face.

Growing social inequalities and feeble economic performance translate into minimal social support for those in power.

Many will agree with Ivan Safranchuk’s assessment that “they [Central Asian states – mine] still hardly have a clue or even properly reflect on a few security-related dilemmas, which shape their economic and foreign policies.” In short, most Central Asian regimes may be quite vulnerable to increased internal dissent supported from the territory of Afghanistan. So far, the limited scale of dissent has permitted them to put opponents in jail (Kazakhstan has listed more than 23 terrorist/extremist groups, Kyrgyzstan has detained approximately 520 radicals, while Tajikistan has detained more than 13,000, and Uzbekistan has detained 18,000). The tactics of exclusive domestic repression may prove insufficient after US/nATO withdrawal.

Many militant groups (such as Jamaat Ansarullah, the Islamic Jihad Union, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and an Islamic State of Khorasan/ISK), all of which could threaten Central Asian stability, are simply waiting for foreign forces to leave to re-supply, re-group and re-launch new war. According to Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan Igor Lyakin-Frolov, (ISK), a

branch of the terrorist Islamic State has about 3000 fighters in the northern Afghanistan (Afghan government sources — however — estimate it as at least three times that number). Without external support, any spillover effect from renewed conflict in Afghanistan may trigger a new round of regional instability. Russia and China are concerned and watching. At stake is the safety of their major regional projects in Eurasia – BRI and EAEU. For Russia, stability and smooth cooperation with Central Asia is the third chance (after the failure of western and CIC integrational projects) to show the attractiveness of cooperation with Russia within her traditional area of influence.

The US withdrawal will undoubtedly push Russia to provide more security for her allies (in particular Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan), not only to assist them but also to show to other regional players including China that Russia can be an effective regional security provider. That might be one of few strong cards in Russia’s hand, but it will also saddle Russia with the problem of Afghanistan-based militants for the foreseeable future. Seem that Russian military planners and decision makers are already acting. “[In this context,] defense cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan is becoming increasingly important,” Ambassador Igor Lyakin-Frolov noted, stressing the importance of the 201st Russian military base, which serves as a reliable guarantor of security and stability both in Tajikistan and in the region. Lyakin-Frolov also said that the Tajik armed forces received modern weapons and military equipment from Russia as part of their modernization, which also involved military training at the Russian Defense Ministry’s universities and at the 201st base.”

In short, by end of September a rotten egg of Afghan based militants will be firmly placed on Russian security menu.

China, meanwhile, is worried that her favorite, grand, massively expensive and complex BRI project may be jeopardized by a few thousand militants. Beijing views militant activity in Central Asian countries with alarm. As Sergey Sukhankin has pointed out “Beijing has already sought multiple means to address this threat. Between 2015 – 2020, China made significant investments in security in Central Asia, expanding to 18 percent its share of the region’s arms deliveries.

The PRC has also strengthened security coordination with Central Asian countries through events such as the “Cooperation2019” […] anti-terrorism exercise, which was held in August 2019 between Chinese and Tajik forces. The PRC is also considering new measures for the protection of Chinese BRI investments in Asia, to include the greater use of private security companies (PSCs) such as the Frontier Services Group (FSG)”. That is on top of China building eleven military border posts on the Tajik – Afghan border. For China such investments will not only provide additional security but more control over Tajikistan’s politics and resources, which Russia, in turn, may not appreciate.

There is every reason to believe that if US/nATO withdrawal from Afghanistan stays on schedule, the region will again see more turbulence. This might happen as soon as the end of the year. Stabilizing the region will require coordinated planning and action by Central Asian states with Russia and China. This will require Russia and China going outside their comfort zone to coordinate arms sales, construct infrastructure, and coordinate training and planning. It will also require more robust securitization of regional institutions and organizations (for instance BRI and EAEU). Regional actors need to start working on cooperation and coordination now because it is what’s best for the region’s future. There is no time to waste.

Friday, 28 May, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD CORPORATE CORNER

ExPoRT oRiENTEd SECToRS To GET SuBSidiSEd PowER oN ACCRuAl: TARiN iSLaMaBaD

committed to Karachi’s economic growth, K-Electric cEO, Moonis alvi, and North Karachi association of Trade and industry (NKaTi) President, Faisal Moiz, jointly inaugurated a new feeder to benefit over 120 industries in the NKaTi area. Picture shows Faisal Moiz and industry presenting honorary shield to The K-Electric cEO.

Samsung Electronics Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. is proud to partner with Sukh chayn residence and shall provide them and the consumers with the complete air care solutions in their enclave of F-10. Standing 12 floors tall with 304 apartments, the premise shall be equipped with Samsung VrF system (DVM Eco) with WindfreeTM technology. The project commenced in april 2021 and shall be completed in one year.

Karachi: hBL becomes the first bank in Pakistan to invest in a digital fintech startup with its rs176 Million participation in the last tranche of Finja’s rs1.56 billion Series a1 round. hBL joins an impressive list of leading global fintech funds that have invested in Finja including BeeNext, Vostok Emerging Finance, Quona capital, and icU Ventures. PR

PayFast becomes first payment gateway to be granted commercial license by SBP Karachi

M

STAFF REPORT

INISTER for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin has said that power subsidies for the next budget will be allocated on the basis of actual consumption whereas the government will adopt a more targeted approach for disbursement.

The finance minister said this while chairing a meeting at the Finance Division to discuss new tariffs for the industry as well as export-oriented sectors in the upcoming budget. Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, and Minister for Energy Muhammad Hammad Azhar were

also present in the meeting along with Adviser to PM on Commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood.

The meeting discussed different options for concessional tariff, along with their implications on the subsidies, earnings, production and revenue generation.

It was a general consensus that there is a need to generate a database which could establish the nexus between tariffs and progress of export-oriented sectors.

Hammad Azhar pointed towards the scarcity of natural gas in the system, which is cheap, the excess units of electricity available at a higher rate, and to the already decided principle that the domestic users have the first right of

use when it comes to natural gas.

It was also acknowledged that the least cost units offered by the government have proved beneficial for the overall productive health of the economy, especially export-oriented sectors.

Shaukat Tarin reiterated his firm commitment for accelerated growth with the willing contribution from the business community.

After discussion with the relevant stakeholders, he also decided that the government's main objective will be the growth of the export-oriented sector while offering any change or consistency in the rates so that the industry uses its full potential.

Earlier on May 3, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had said the govern-

Morris Garage HS SUV price revised with Rs0.3m hike NEWS DESK The price of the Morris Garage (MG) HS CBU has been increased to Rs5, 749,000, showing an increase of Rs300, 000.

The new price for the premium SUV is effective as of Thursday, whereas the booking price remains the same at Rs2, 000,000.

According to local media reports, the hike was obvious given recurring difficulties in international

trade and the global chip shortage impeding the production of vehicles all over the world and claim that the vehicle will see another hike before the end of the year.

On the other hand, reports also link recoverable customs duty payments imposed by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) to the price hike. Commenting on the FBR’s actions, MG Pakistan chief had said that Pakistani automobile consumers have been exploited by

“cartels” for a long.

“As new entrants bring in exciting new models at far lower prices, instead of competition, we expect maligning campaigns and baseless rumors, … We invite everyone to join in a fair competition to serve Pakistani consumers with a bigger and better variety of vehicles at lower prices,” he tweeted.

It is pertinent to mention here that MG Motors Pakistan closed the booking of MG HS on March 19.

Engro Polymer & Chemicals Ltd. to establish CPI to promote circular plastics economy Karachi PR

In line with Engro’s central idea of solving the most pressing issues of our time, the CPI is aimed to be a pioneer establishment in Pakistan that will streamline efforts towards the circular economy through knowledge exchange and collaboration across Government, businesses, and civil society sectors.

By rethinking its plastic problem, Pakistan can benefit from effective resource management to support job creation and innovation in the economy, while also conserving the environment through lower plastic waste. Globally, countries like Sweden and Germany are reaping the benefits of promoting a circular economy by making it a key part of government policy.

A virtual signing ceremony of

this initiative was organised in the presence of EPCL CEO Jahangir Piracha , Capstone Advisor Will O’Brien, Instructor Judith Rodriguez, Global Development Practice, Division of Continuing Education, EPCL CCO Fahd Khawaja, Harvard University’s Extension School graduate Maleeha Habib graduate and the management team of EPCL and Engro Foundation.

PR

PayFast, the indigenous payments solution by APPS, is now the first payment gateway in the country to receive a commercial license from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) under its rules for Payment System Operators / Providers (PSO/PSP). PayFast enables merchants, billers and aggregators to receive payments from their customers through a variety of methods such as bank accounts, wallets and domestic and international payment schemes. The gateway operates with state of the art security, thereby mitigating risk for its customers through PCI-DSS certification and a data-driven fraud monitoring system.

Jazz’s long-term credit rating updated to ‘AA’ by PACRA Karachi PR

The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA) has upgraded Jazz’s long-term rating to the highest credit quality of ‘AA’ with a stable outlook. The rating depicts the strong financial depth of the company in the industry. This review was conducted by incorporating the company’s business profile and performance with the long-term rating dependent upon the leading market position, healthy revenue growth and profitability, and dynamic financial environment. An upgrade to its credit rating allows Jazz far-reaching market access to meet the funding pertinent for technology upgrade and 4G network expansion. Moreover, it also reflects on its strong financial profile, liquidity and commitment towards the lending community. PACRA highlighted in its report that the company's financial profile exhibits a stable outlook demonstrated by eased working capital strategies, comfortable coverages and moderate leveraging (Dec'20).

Cryptos turn choppy as bounce momentum ebbs SiNGaPOrE AGENCIES

Cryptocurrencies slipped on Thursday, though without falling through recent lows, as traders clung to hopes that a nascent recovery from last week’s plunge can regain its momentum.

Bitcoin has failed to hold above its 200-day moving average and it fell about 4% in the Asia ses-

sion to $37,619.

Ether, the coin linked to the ethereum blockchain network and the second-biggest cryptocurrency by market value, fell more than 7% to $2,675.10.

Both have marked sizeable year-to-date gains, with bitcoin up about 30% and ether more than tripling.

But a month-long selloff culminating in a sharp collapse last week has each of them well below record peaks made in April.

China hands Alibababacked Nice Tuan new 1.5 million yuan fine BEiJiNG AGENCIES

The Chinese market regulator has asked Alibaba-backed Nice Tuan to suspend its operations in Jiangsu province for three days and fined it 1.5 million yuan ($235,302) for failing to take action over product dumping practices and pricing fraud. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said in a statement on its website that the community group buying service provider had failed to correct wrongdoings in some areas since it was fined by the regulator in March, despite company claims of active rectification. For example, Nice Tuan offered a type of pear at 0.99 yuan per 250 grams, despite its cost being 3.89 yuan, according to SAMR. Such behaviour “undermines the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized enterprises” and other grocers, it said. Nice Tuan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In March, China fined five community group-buying platforms, including Nice Tuan, and others backed by the likes of Meituan, Pinduoduo (NASDAQ:PDD) and Tencent Holdings (OTC:TCEHY), citing “improper pricing behaviour”. China has vowed to strengthen oversight of its big tech firms, which rank among the world’s largest and most valuable, citing concerns that they have built market power that stifles competition, misused consumer data and violated consumer rights.

Sanofi, GSK initiate global phase 3 study of Covid-19 vaccine candidates LONDON: Sanofi and GSK have started enrollment in their Phase 3 clinical study to assess the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of their adjuvanted recombinant-protein Covid-19 vaccine candidates. The global, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 3 study will include more than 35,000 volunteers aged 18 and older from several countries, including sites in the US, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. PR

MoF commits Rs47bn non-development budget for GB REGION LIKELY TO BE GRANTED AROUND RS150BN ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FY22 iSLaMaBaD GHULAM ABBAS

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has committed to grant Rs47 billion to the Gilgit Baltistan (GB) government as opposed to the regional government’s demand of Rs60bn as non-development budget for the next fiscal year (FY22).

The regional government had demanded the allocation for meeting the expenses of administrative affairs, employment, promotion of employees and other non-development expenses.

In this regard, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin,

chaired a virtual meeting with GB Chief Minister (CM), Muhammad Khalid Khursheed, GB Finance Minister Javed Manwa and GB Chief Secretary Asif Daman and other officials of the ministry on Wednesday to discuss budget proposals forwarded by the regional government.

It may be recalled that the federal government had approved Rs32 billion as non-development budget in FY21 for GB against the demand of Rs44.8 billion.

During the meeting, provincial secretary Finance gave a detailed presentation on the financial require-

ment should prepare a developmentoriented budget for the fiscal year 202122 (FY22) in which improving GDP growth and tackling inflation would be the main areas of focus.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Shehbaz Sharif said that he would resist getting the budget approved because it is “against the public interest,” adding that he has directed the party’s economic advisory to hold a pre-budget seminar so that the people can understand the reality of the economy.

“Economists will tell the nation the reality of the economy in the pre-budget seminar,” said Shehbaz. “The masses are paying the price of the government’s economic manipulation every day due to inflation.”

ments of GB’s administration during the current and next financial year.

Agreeing to cooperate with the regional government for the provision of additional funds during the next financial year, Tarin, however, stressed that the GB government must rationalise its expenditures as the federal government is exercising strict financial discipline.

The Finance Minister approved the requests for the provision of additional subsidy incurred on the purchase of wheat, issuance of NOCs for purchasing vehicles to monitor developmental activities, purchase of

school buses, health ambulances, excavators, road making machinery, operational vehicles for education, health works, water and power, emergency services and law enforcing agencies (LEAs). According to Javed Manwa, the center and regional government governments were working on a historic development budget of around Rs100 billion, which includes Rs74 billion development fund under the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Rs25 billion of Annual Development Plan (ADP). If approved, the region may be granted around Rs150 billion annual budget for FY22.

According to officials privy to the matter, Shaukat Tarin stated that the government intends to undertake several projects for hydel power generation, enhancing tourism connectivity and imparting vocational training and granting scholarships for the youth under the GB Development Package.

Friday, 28 May, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

California transit worker kills 8, extending Us epidemiC of mass shootings SAN JOSE

a

Agencies

California transit employee killed eight coworkers and wounded another before taking his own life on Wednesday, the latest in a spate of deadly US mass shootings, prompting the state’s governor to ask: “What the hell is wrong with us?”

Authorities did not immediately offer many details or a possible motive for the shooting, which unfolded about 6:30am Pacific Time (1330 GMT) at a light-rail yard for commuter trains of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in the heart of Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A bomb squad was searching the yard and adjacent buildings after at least one explosive device was found, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputy Russell Davis said at a news conference.

Sheriff Laurie Smith told reporters that gunfire was still going on when her first deputies arrived on the scene, and that the assailant took his own life, apparently when he be-

came aware that police were closing in on him.

Officers never exchanged gunfire with the suspect, Davis said.

Still, Smith credited swift action by sheriff’s deputies, who rushed to the scene from their own headquarters next door to the rail yard, preventing what might have been a much greater loss of life.

Governor Gavin Newsom, appearing with Smith and others in San Jose, voiced exasperation at the frequency and regularity of gun violence in America.

“There is a sameness to this and that numbness, I think, is something that we are all feeling,” Newsom said. “It begs the damn question, What the hell is going on in the United States of America? What the hell is wrong with us and when are we going to come to grips with this?”

The gunman, the eight victims shot dead, and a survivor who was hospitalised in critical condition were all employees of the transit agency situated near the city’s airport, officials said. The victims were found in two buildings on the site.

The County of Santa Clara medical examiner-coroner’s office identified the victims late on Wednesday.

twitter urges indian government to respect freedom of expression NEW DELHI Agencies

Twitter on Thursday said it is worried about the safety of its staff in India and called for the government to respect freedom of expression, days after Indian police visited its office in New Delhi over its labelling of a tweet by a governing party spokesman as “manipulated media”. Twitter has been involved in a tense battle with the Indian government, which has often asked it to restrict content alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration is trying to silence criticism, including of its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Twitter said it has “concerns with regards to the use of intimidation tactics by the police” and “the potential threat to freedom of expression for the people we serve.” On Monday, Indian police visited the Twitter office in New Delhi to serve a notice directing it to answer questions about its tagging of the tweet as manipulated. “It appears that Twitter has some information which is not known to us on the basis of which they have classified it as such,” police said in a statement. On Wednesday, the messaging app WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in Delhi High Court arguing that new government rules that require it to make messages “traceable” to external parties are unconstitutional and undermine the fundamental right to privacy. WhatsApp currently uses end-to-end encryption for its messaging service, which encrypts messages in such a way that no one apart from the sender and receiver are able to read the messages sent between them. Sweeping new regulations for technology companies were announced in February that hold them more accountable for content shared on their platforms. A 90-day grace period for complying with the rules ended on Wednesday. Leaders from Modi’s party last week tweeted portions of a document they said was created by the main opposition Congress party to make the government look bad over its handling of the pandemic. Some Congress leaders complained to Twitter, saying the document was forged. In response, Twitter marked some posts as “manipulated media”. Under Twitter rules, it applies “manipulated media” tags to posts that have been “deceptively altered or fabricated”. Twitter said in its statement on Thursday that “to keep our service available, we will strive to comply with applicable law in India.” “But, just as we do around the world, we will continue to be strictly guided by principles of transparency, a commitment to empowering every voice on the service, and protecting freedom of expression and privacy under the rule of law,” it said. Critics accuse Modi’s government of silencing criticism on social media, particularly Twitter, a charge senior leaders of the governing party have denied. The new social media regulations give the government more power to police online content. They require internet platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to erase content that authorities deem to be unlawful and to help with police investigations, including identifying the originators of “mischievous information.” Social media sites, including Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp, were given three months to comply.

They appeared to all be men and ranged in age between 29 and 63.

Their names are: Paul Delacruz Megia, Taptejdeep Singh, Adrian Balleza, Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, Timothy Michael Romo, Michael Joseph Rudometkin, Abdolvahab Alaghmandan and Lars Kepler Lane.

Authorities did not release the gunman’s name or age. The San Jose Mercury News and other media outlets identified him as Samuel Cassidy, 57, a maintenance worker at the yard. Cassidy had worked for the transit authority since at least 2012, when he was listed as an “electromechanic,” and was promoted to “substation maintainer” in 2015, according to records posted by the nonprofit website Transportation California. Last year, he earned a salary of $102,000, plus benefits and $20,000 in overtime, the records showed.

The suspect and another individual filed domestic violence restraining orders against one another in 2009, three years after Cassidy divorced his spouse, according to online court records.

“A horrible tragedy has happened today and our thoughts and love go out to the VTA family,”

Glenn Hendricks, chairman of the VTA board, told reporters.

The shooting took place in a section of the rail yard where workers perform maintenance on vehicles, and was not in the facility’s operations and control center, he said. Rail service on the commuter line was suspended after the shooting.

San Jose, a city of about 1 million residents, lies at the heart of Silicon Valley, a global technology hub and home to some of America’s biggest high-tech companies.

“These are, and were, essential workers,” San Jose’s mayor, Sam Liccardo, said of the victims.

He confirmed in television news

interviews that authorities had also responded to a fire at the home of the suspect that erupted at about the same time as the shooting.

Multiple fire department, police and bomb squad vehicles were still parked outside the suspect’s house, along a cul-de-sac in southeastern San Jose, hours after the shooting.

No relation to reality: UK PM Johnson brushes off ex-aide’s claims LONDON Agencies

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday brushed aside allegations from his former chief aide that his failings had caused tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths from Covid-19, saying “some of the commentary” bore no relation to reality.

Asked if that accusation was true, Johnson said: “No, I don’t think so, but of course this has been an incredibly difficult series of decisions, none of which we’ve taken lightly.

“We’ve followed to the best we can, the data and the guidance that we’ve had.”

Johnson’s poll ratings have rebounded sharply this year thanks to a fast rollout of vaccines, despite an initial response to the pandemic last year that produced a higher death toll than in some comparable European countries.

“Some of the commentary I’ve heard doesn’t bear any relation to reality,” Johnson told reporters, saying the public wanted the government to focus on taking the country out of the pandemic lockdown.

Asked about the allegation from Cummings that Johnson had said he would rather “let the bodies pile high” than impose a second lockdown, an accusation he has previously denied, the prime minister merely said: “I make no comment on it.”

Health minister Matt Hancock also hit back at Cummings on Thursday after the former aide accused him of repeatedly lying to colleagues and the public about the government’s response.

“These allegations that were put yesterday … are serious allegations and I welcome the opportunity … to put formally on the record that these unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, and that I’ve been

straight with people in public and in private throughout,” Hancock told parliament.

One of the most damning allegations from Cummings was that it was nonsense the government had thrown a “protective ring around” care homes at the start of the pandemic, and that instead people had been sent back from hospital who had contracted the coronavirus. read more “We did everything we could to protect the NHS (National Health Service) and to protect care homes as well,” Johnson said.

The opposition Labour Party said Hancock should lose his job if he lied. But lawmakers from Johnson’s governing Conservative Party rallied around him in parliament.

Jeremy Hunt, a Conservative former health secretary and co-chairman of the committee at which Cummings had appeared, said the former aide’s accusations should be treated as unproven until there was evidence to back them up.

Hancock is also due to face further questioning from media at a news conference later.

The British government “disastrously” failed the public by mishandling the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s former top adviser and Brexit architect Dominic Cummings told lawmakers on Wednesday.

In an excoriating account of the crisis’s early days, Cummings — a divisive figure who carved out a uniquely powerful role in Johnson’s government before stepping down in December — said senior ministers and officials “completely failed” to adequately plan.

Covid-19 has claimed nearly 128,000 lives in Britain — the fifth-highest official death toll in the world — while the virus is noted on more than 152,000 UK death certificates, in a sign of its true impact. Cummings ac-

cused Johnson of branding coronavirus “a scare story” and of being too reluctant to impose a lockdown because of the economic impact. He also hit out at Johnson’s leadership, assessing the crisis as a case of “lions led by donkeys over and over again”.

And he repeatedly singled out Health Secretary Matt Hancock for extraordinary criticism, alleging he lied to colleagues on numerous occasions and could have been fired for “at least 15 or 20 things”.

“The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis,” Cummings told a parliamentary committee.

“When the public needed us most the government failed,” he said, adding an apology “to all the families of those who died unnecessarily”.

In response, Johnson told parliament he took “full responsibility” but insisted decision-making during the pandemic had been “appallingly difficult”.

“I maintain my point that the government acted throughout with the intention to save life… in accordance with the best scientific advice.”

The testimony of Cummings, the strategist behind the “Leave” campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum, was much anticipated after he began attacking Johnson’s coronavirus policies and financial dealings in recent weeks. During hours of questions from parliament’s health and science scrutiny committees, he conceded “many, many institutions failed around the world” in their initial handling of the pandemic.

But he blasted senior UK officials for failing to grasp the seriousness of the situation.

“Lots of people were literally skiing in the middle of February,” Cummings said.

He accused officials of “catastrophic” group-think, pursuing a haphazard strategy of so-called herd immunity before belatedly abandoning it when the likely death toll became clear.

Cummings said Britain’s top civil servant suggested to Johnson in mid-March that he could encourage gatherings to spread infections and build immunity. Comparing officials’ eventual realisation of the situation to a scene in the movie “Independence Day” after an alien invasion, Cummings said the deputy cabinet secretary conceded to him that “there is no plan, we’re in huge trouble”.

“The prime minister’s view throughout January, February, March was… the real danger here is not the disease, the real danger here is the measures we take to deal with the disease and the economic destruction that that will cause,” he added.

Cummings was appointed chief adviser by Johnson when he took power in July 2019, helping him to secure a thumping election victory that December. But his frequent clashes with colleagues are said to have led to persistent tensions and he left government a year later.

The 49-year-old was criticised for undermining the government’s lockdown message early in the pandemic when he went on a lengthy cross-country journey with his family.

Friday, 28 May, 2021

SPORTS 11

ISLAMABAD

villArrEAl EdgE MAn UnitEd in Epic shootoUt to win EUropA lEAgUE GDANSK

v

AGENCIES

ILLARREAL defeated Manchester United 11-10 on penalties to win their first major trophy after a 1-1 draw in the Europa League final as goalkeeper David de Gea missed the decisive spot-kick in a remarkable shootout.

Gerard Moreno gave Villarreal the lead 29 minutes into the Spanish club’s first European final, but Edinson Cavani equalised early in the second half before Unai Emery’s team prevailed on spot-kicks, extending United’s four-year trophy drought.

“It’s a disappointed dressing room.

That’s football for you. Sometimes it’s decided on one kick – and that’s the difference between winning and losing,” said United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“We have to learn from it, taste this feeling and make sure we don’t get it again.”

He added, “We didn’t turn up. We didn’t play as well as we know we can.”

Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin was delighted that the victory also led to a place in next season’s Champions League.

“It feels really good. To play against a very good side like Manchester United, we knew it would be tough,” Coquelin told BT Sport. “We didn’t manage to get to the Champions League through the league so to get it through the Europa League is something special – and a first title for the club as well – something amazing.”

Eric Bailly replaced the injured Harry Maguire in central defence, with the United captain surprisingly named among the substitutes despite suffering ankle ligament

damage two weeks ago.

De Gea started ahead of Dean Henderson in goal, while Paul Pogba took up a more orthodox midfield role as Fred was only deemed fit enough for a spot on the bench. An early collision between Juan Foyth and Pogba left the former Tottenham defender bloodied but both sides were slow to click into gear on a damp and chilly night on the Baltic coast.

Carlos Bacca’s clever rabona cross created an opportunity for Pau Torres, the centre-back linked with a summer move to United, while Marcus Rashford tested Geronimo Rulli with a dipping effort from distance. Yeremy Pino, who at 18 years and 218 days broke Iker Casillas’ record as the youngest Spanish player to start a major European final, scuffed wide on the counter, but Villarreal were soon ahead.

Moreno’s 82nd goal: Dani Parejo swung in a free-kick from the left and Moreno peeled away from Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, steering beyond De Gea as the Swede desperately tugged at his shirt.

Moreno’s 82nd goal for Villarreal equalled the club record of former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi.

But it also sparked a reaction from United, as a battling Scott McTominay watched his shot deflected over before Mason Greenwood burst into the area and sent in a fizzing cross that Raul Albiol nearly diverted into his own net.

Another Parejo set-piece caused panic in the United box right after half-time, Manu Trigueros crossing back towards goal before the ball was scrambled clear with Moreno and Carlos Bacca lurking dangerously. slICe oF lUCK: Alfonso Pedraza was perhaps fortunate no further action was taken

when he appeared to catch Greenwood in the Villarreal area, although United benefitted from a slice of luck to level.

A headed clearance at a corner dropped to Rashford, whose dragged volley ricocheted into the path of Cavani to stab home with Rulli unable to recover after anticipating the initial shot. It was the Uruguayan’s sixth goal of the competition this season, all coming in his past four matches, and one that

handed United the momentum.

Bruno Fernandes drilled wide as Cavani tried in vain to readjust with the ball flashing by, and the striker then headed straight at Torres from Shaw’s miscued shot.

United continued to dominate possession as Villarreal soaked up the pressure, but the Spaniards remained a threat as Torres curled over at the end of normal time. Alberto Moreno slashed wide as United began to tire,

prompting Solskjaer to make his first change after 100 minutes as Fred replaced Greenwood. Weariness and a raft of substitutions slowed the tempo in the closing stages as the rain intensified with penalties almost inevitable. The first 21 penalties were successfully converted before De Gea had his attempt palmed away by Rulli as United lost for the sixth time in seven shootouts, handing Emery a record fourth Europa League crown.

Zidane resigns as Real Madrid coach Sri Lanka, Bangladesh clash in third ODI today DHAKA AGENCIES

MADRID AGENCIES

Zinedine Zidane has stepped down as Real Madrid coach with immediate effect five days after his team were pipped to the La Liga title by city rivals Atletico Madrid, the Spanish club said on Thursday.

The Frenchman led Real to two league titles and three Champions League triumphs in two spells as coach since 2016.

"Real Madrid announces that Zinedine Zidane has decided to bring an end to his current spell as coach of our club," said Real's statement.

"Now's the time to respect his decision and show our respect and gratitude for his professionalism, dedication and passion in the last few years and for

what he represents for Real Madrid.

"Zidane is one of Real Madrid's alltime greats and his legend goes beyond what he has done as a coach and player for our club. He knows that he is always in the heart of the club's supporters and that Real Madrid will always be his home." Real finished second in La Liga, two points behind Atletico, were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage by Chelsea and suffered a humiliating exit in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey to third division minnows Alcoyano.

It was a far cry from Zidane's first three seasons at Real when he guided the club to a hat-trick of Champions League crowns, a La Liga title and two Club World Cups.

The World Cup winner stepped down after the last of those Champions

League titles in 2018, saying the club needed a change, but returned in March 2019 on a three-year deal after the club sacked his two successors, Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari.

A second La Liga title followed in the Covid-19-affected 2019-20 season.

Former Juventus and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is likely to be in the frame to replace Zidane, having walked away from Inter Milan on Wednesday after leading the club to the Serie A title.

Conte was a target of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez in 2018, according to media reports at the time.

Club captain Sergio Ramos suggested, however, that a disciplinarian style might not go down too well at the Bernabeu. Club great Raul, who is in charge of the club's reserve side Real Madrid Castilla, is also a candidate for the job.

UAE visAs of sArfArAz, 25 othErs dElAyEd NEWS DESK The visas of former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and 25 other participants of the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) sixth edition for United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been delayed, a news outlet reported on Thursday. Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, Imran Khan, Asif Afridi, Umar Amin, Mohammad Musa, Zaid Alam, Zeeshan Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Imran Randhawa, Mohammad Haris, Aamir Khan and PCB Media Officer Emad Hameed are among the players, who have been denied their visas. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the players, who will receive their visas after delay, will be taken to Abu Dhabi via a separate chartered plane.

CMYK

Although they are 2-0 up and have sealed the series, Bangladesh will not allow themselves to relax in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Dhaka.

The home team has just got out of a ten-match winless streak and there remain many areas to still get right, with bigger challenges coming up later in the year. The same, if not more, applies for Sri Lanka. It has so far been a tough few days for the visitors who, after enduring a Covid-19 scare, went down in both ODIs quite easily.

Sri Lanka's biggest headache on this tour has been the lack of runs from their recognised batters. Wanindu Hasaranga is their highest run-getter with 80 runs, including a half-century in the first game. But those runs were made from No. 8, with Sri Lanka's top seven yet to register a half-century across both matches.

But as much as there has been criticism of their selection policy to drop some of their experienced players from the squad, the likes of Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva have been around for long enough to carry a batting line-up. Pathum Nissanka, Ashen Bandara and Dasun Shanaka are relatively new, but they all possess the ability to play spin.

What should have heartened the team must be their bowling and fielding in these two matches. Dushmantha Chameera and Lakshan Sandakan have been among the wickets, while Hasaranga has bowled some accurate legspin too.

Sri Lanka have had Bangladesh on the ropes a few times, but the home side has fought back from situations like 99 for 4 in the first ODI, and 15 for 2, 74 for 4, and 184 for 7 in the second to eventually post match-winning totals.

This is where the experienced Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah have made the difference between the two teams. Whenever they have faced trouble, one of the three has stood up with the bat. While Rahim has made 209 runs in the two matches, equally important have been his partnerships of 109 and 87 with Mahmudullah from difficult positions.

The lack of runs from the likes of Liton Das and Afif Hossain could be a worry though. Mohammad Mithun and Mosaddek Hossain have got a match each, but on the whole, there has been an over-reliance on the senior batters, who may not always manage to score at a higher rate in every phase of the innings.

Bangladesh's bowling, though, has really

sQUAds Bangladesh (proBaBle): Tamim Iqbal (captain), Liton Das/Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman. sri lanka (probable): Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera. come forth in difficult times. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mustafizur Rahman have been great support acts to Shakib Al Hasan, while youngster Shoriful Islam didn't look out of place either on his ODI debut in the last game.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz is now the second-best bowler in the ICC ODI bowlers' rankings, having picked up seven wickets in the two matches. He has taken control of Sri Lanka's middle overs while using a fine mix of flight, spin and accurate length. Dushmantha Chameera bowled a superb first over in the second ODI, removing both Tamim and Shakib in the space of four balls. And though Sri Lanka couldn't take advantage of it, Chameera has come off as one of the highlights for the visitors on this tour.

Mohammad Naim's inclusion in the squad suggests that the team management must be seriously considering Das' spot. Soumya Sarkar and Mahedi Hasan are the others who remain unused in the squad so far. A decision on the availability of Mohammad Saifuddin will be taken on match day. The allrounder had suffered a blow to his head during the second ODI, but was cleared of anything serious. Niroshan Dickwella could replace Ashen Bandara to beef up Sri Lanka's middle order. Although allrounder Ramesh Mendis and Akila Dananjaya are also in the squad as spin-bowling options, it is the team's batting that needs more attention. pITCh and CondITIons: Bangladesh opted to bat first in the first two matches as the pitches appeared two-paced, thus hardly encouraging big-hitting. The pitches also seemed to get slower as the game progressed, and it is unlikely to be too different in the third ODI. The weather forecast is mostly for clear conditions in Dhaka.

Friday, 28 May, 2021

Prayer Timings

NEWS

PSX imProveS higheSt volume record to 2.2bn in 24 hourS KARAcHi

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HE Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) broke its highest volume record set on Wednesday on the very next day after the market recorded all time high volumes of 2,220.06 million shares on Thursday.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell by 21.56 points (-0.05 percent) to close at 46,790.75 points.

The KSE-100 index moved in a range of 528.5 points, touching an intra-day high of 47,204.1 points and intra-day low of 46,675.6 points.

Among other indices, the KSE All Share Index shed 119.29 points (-0.38 percent) to close at 31,463.37 points, while All Share Islamic Index shed 30.78 points (-0.13 percent) to close at 22,779.93 points.

A total of 432 companies traded shares in the stock exchange against 423 a day earlier, out of them shares of 173 closed up, shares of 241 closed down while shares of 18 companies remained unchanged.

The overall market volumes increased by 656.70 million to 2220.06 million shares. The number of total trades increased by 43,278 to 284,312, and value traded Rs14.50 billion to Rs42.84 billion. However, the market capitalisation decreased by Rs30.80 billion.

Among scrips, WTL topped the volumes with 950.1 million shares, followed by HUMNL (172.4 million) and SILK (126.3 million). Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include WTL, HUMNL, SILK, BYCO and KEL, which formed 65 percent of total volumes.

Sector wise, the index was let down by fertilizer with 29 points, tobacco with 21 points, automobile assembler with 19 points, oil & gas exploration companies with 14 points and engineering with 13 points. The most points taken off the index was by PAKT which stripped the index of 21 points followed by FFC with 18 points, MTL with 16 points, MCB with 14 points and BAFL with 12 points.

The sectors propping up the index were technology & communication with 45 points, invest-

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Kabul unlikely coronavirus stopover for Pakistani workers going back to Saudi Agencies

ment banks/ investment companies/ securities companies with 23 points, commercial banks with 13 points, cement with 12 points and paper & board with 4 points. The most points added to the index was by TRG which contributed 46 points followed by LUCK with 30 points, HBL with 23 points, DAWH with 17 points and KTML with 8 points.

Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that MSCI rebalancing created excitement in the market with heavy flows in OGDC, LUCK and TRG which were the key subjects in the changes announced earlier during the month.

Besides, WTL repeated the performance shown on Wednesday being the volume leader consecutively and helping the market realise total trading volumes of 2,220 million shares, the highest ever after posting 1560 million shares on Wednesday.

Since MSCI orders were mostly MoC, the last half an hour caused the index to trade red with a decline of 137 points. Banking sector kept the index green for most part of the session, with particular interest in HBL and UBL, they said.

Afghanistan’s capital has become an unlikely pandemic transit route for Pakistanis desperate to reach the riches of Saudi Arabia despite deteriorating security and the threat of bomb blasts.

With most Gulf flights from Pakistan cancelled as the country is added to a growing number of coronavirus travel blacklists, thousands of workers are hoping to reach the kingdom after first spending two weeks in Kabul. “I’m a little bit worried,” said Sohaib Siddiqui, a 31-year-old electrical engineer from Lahore, in line at the Afghanistan embassy in Islamabad.

But he added that he was “willing to take risks”, explaining that a job in Saudi Arabia would allow him to send between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000 a month to his family of three.

The Gulf countries have long been a vital avenue of employment for Pakistanis, who send back billions of dollars in

remittances every year, propping up the cash-strapped economy.

In the past month alone, tens of thousands of Pakistanis have applied for transit visas at the Afghan embassy in Islamabad, according to an official at the mission. Over the past week, hundreds have camped overnight to submit their paperwork. The plan is not foolproof, however, with the one direct flight between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia cancelled in recent days, according to a travel agent in Kabul. Special flights were available only to workers who already had Saudi residency — at a cost of around $1,300.

TRAVEL WOES: The influx of travellers into Kabul comes as US troops are pulling out of the country following nearly 20 years of war, with violence surging.

Large swathes of the population in Kabul also nurture a seething hatred for their Pakistani neighbours, with authorities there long blamed for supporting the Taliban insurgency.

PM urges Muslim states to follow principles of Medina isLAMABAD TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the Muslim countries to follow the basic principles of State of Medina, the foundation of which was laid by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), to rise again in the world.

The prime minister said this while virtually delivering a keynote address at the International Conference on Civilisational values in the Prophet (PBUH) Seerah organised by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation at Rabat, Morocco, on Thursday.

Quoting philosopher poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, he said whenever in history the Muslims have risen up, they have gone back to the old principles embedded in the State of Medina. The prime minister said the very principles of this state were based on rule of law, meritocracy and compassion. mran Khan said, “Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set up the first welfare state in the history of mankind where the state took responsibility of the weak segments of the society including the poor, the orphans, the widows and the elderly people. He said that this

unique state also brought the powerful under the law. He noted that this is the main thing which distinguishes between the civilised and banana states.

Alluding to China, the prime minister said this rising power took over seven hundred million people out of poverty in thirty years, besides bringing ministerial level people under the law. He said this is the basis of a society which emerges and ascends.

Separately, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday.

They discussed the overall political situation of the country.

UN body orders probe of 'systematic' abuses in Israel, Palestinian areas Agencies The UN Human Rights Council decided Thursday to create an openended international investigation into violations surrounding the latest Gaza violence, and into "systematic" abuses in the Palestinian territories and inside Israel.

The resolution, which passed with 24 of the council's 47 members in favour, will spur an unprecedented level of scrutiny on abuses and their "root causes" in the decades-long Middle East conflict.

The text, which was presented

by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, was debated during a special one-day council session focused on the surge in deadly violence in Gaza this month.

Opening the session, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet voiced particular concern about the "high level of civilian fatalities and injuries" from the attacks on Gaza, and warned the Israeli attacks on the enclave "may constitute war crimes".

She also said Hamas's "indiscriminate" firing of rockets at Israel was "a clear violation of international humanitarian law".

'ROOT CAUSES': Before a truce took hold last Friday, Israeli air

strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict, the health ministry in Gaza says. A barrage of thousands of rockets and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager, medics say.

Some 357 people in Israel were wounded. Thursday's resolution ordered the launching of an investigation into violations surrounding the latest violence, but also into "systematic" abuses spurring a repetitive cycle of violence over the decades.

The council agreed to establish "an ongoing independent, international commission of inquiry... in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel". The investigators, the text said, should probe "underlying root causes of recurrent tensions and instability, including systematic discrimination and repression based on group identity".

The investigation should focus on establishing facts and gather evidence for legal proceedings, and should aim to identify perpetrators to ensure they are held accountable, it said. It also urges countries to

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

"refrain from transferring arms when they assess... that there is a clear risk that such arms might be used in the commission or facilitation of serious violations or abuses."

OPEN-ENDED: During the debate a wide range of countries decried the latest violence, stressing the need for urgent aid to Gaza and to resume talks towards a lasting, peaceful two-state solution.

Many highlighted the 14-year blockade on Gaza, settlement expansion, and evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes among root causes sparking continued tensions. This month's flare-up was ignited amid protests against the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah to make way for Jewish settlers.

Tensions that started in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramazan spread to Gaza as a result of Israeli assaults on worshippers in the flashpoint Al Aqsa mosque compound and the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Thursday's vote created the council's first ever open-ended commission of inquiry (COI) — the highest-level investigation that can be ordered by the council.