Friday, 6 May, 2022 I 4 Shawwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 306 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Govt to form inquiry commission to probe ‘foreiGn conspiracy’: marriyum islamabad
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staff report
NFORMATION Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced on Thursday the government had decided to form an “independent” inquiry commission to probe the alleged “foreign conspiracy” that former prime minister Imran Khan has been claiming was behind the ouster of his government. The minister told a press conference in Islamabad that the commission will “fairly decide that the narrative of foreign conspiracy was all drama and the real character behind it was Imran Khan”. “These allegations are an attempt to cause irreparable damage to the country,” the information minister said.
Punjab governor decides to file reference against LHC judge for decision on Hamza’s oath islamabad staff report
Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema said on Thursday that he had decided to send a reference against Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Jawad Hassan to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for what he called an “illegal decision” of directing the National Assembly speaker to administer oath to Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz. The SJC is a specialised forum created under Article 209 of the Constitution specifically for determining complaints of misconduct received against judges. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Cheema said he had decided to take legal action against the judge after consultations with professionals over the last two days. Last month, Justice Hassan had issued a ninepage verdict after Hamza approached the high court for the third time, ending a days-long deadlock over the chief minister’s office in Punjab. Subsequently, Hamza, who was elected as Punjab chief minister on April 16, was administered the oath by NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on April 30. In his press conference today, Cheema termed the LHC judge’s verdict “illegal”, saying
that according to the honeycomb principle, no institution could “interfere” in the working of another institution. There was no provision in the Constitution that stated that anyone besides the president or the governor could issue a notification regarding the new chief minister, he added. The governor also shared that he had requested meetings with the president and the army chief to discuss the situation in the province. He also advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make his son, Hamza, aware of how to contest the election for the chief minister in a constitutional way, stressing that he would administer the oath himself if Hamza did that. Earlier in the day, Cheema claimed that if Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa provided him with one subedar and four jawans, he would arrest recently sworn-in Chief Minister Hamza, who he termed “illegal, unconstitutional and counterfeit”, and throw him in jail. In a series of early morning tweets, he said that the province, which was facing a constitutional and legal crisis, had been “taken hostage by force” and termed the political parties’ silence “very concerning”.
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Govt trying its best to maintain petrol prices: Miftah Ismail
islamabad staff report
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Thursday that the government would try its best to maintain petrol prices and assured that even if the rates were increased, no new tax or levy would be imposed. The previous PTI government
had announced a four-month freeze (until June 30) on petrol and electricity prices on February 28 as part of a series of measures to bring relief to the public. The PML-N led coalition government has severely criticised the previous Imran-led government for first failing to control fuel prices in the country and later for “derailing” the Interna-
tional Monetary Fund (IMF) programme through fuel subsidies. In recent meetings with the new finance minister, the IMF has linked the continuation of its loan programme with the reversal of fuel subsidies, which Pakistan cannot afford. But Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now twice rejected the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s (Ogra) summaries to increase fuel prices — a move that has been criticised by experts. Ismail, in his Thursday’s presser in Karachi, said the government had previously never sold petrol at a loss because the economy could not afford it, adding that if fuel prices are not hiked in May, the treasury will lose Rs102 billion. Ismail blamed the previous Imran Khan-led government for implementing policies that contradicted what was agreed by them during meetings with the IMF in Washington.
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Predicting the post-inquiry scenario, Aurangzeb said anyone who levelled such allegations “will be dealt as per the law” in light of the decision made by the inquiry commission. She reiterated that the commission would be independent and its probe report would be brought before the public. “This drama should now end.” The minister said the terms of reference of the inquiry commission would be placed before the cabinet for approval in its next meeting. No one including Imran Khan would be able to raise an objection to the name of the commission’s head, Aurangzeb added. She accused the PTI chief and former premier of attempting to divert public attention from the alleged cor-
ruption of Farah Khan — a close friend of Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi. The minister lambasted Imran, saying the PTI-led government facilitated opening of around 34 bank accounts between 2018 and 2022, most of them in the name of Farah. “Rs 870.4 million were transferred into those accounts during the period.” The PML-N leader went on to say the PTI government “sold” Pakistan’s foreign policy and invited the wrath of “friendly countries”. She said Imran would not accept the inquiry commission but “its findings will be accepted by the parliament and people of Pakistan.” The controversy surrounding the noconfidence motion against the former premier Imran Khan took a dramatic turn when the embattled PM brandished a letter at a rally on March 27 — days before his ouster — claiming it contained evidence of a “foreign conspiracy” hatched to topple his government. Imran had kept mum about the contents of the letter when he first unveiled it but he spilled the beans days later by naming the United States when the exit of his government appeared imminent.
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Friday, 6 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
PM URgES int’l coMMUnity to initiAtE AiD PRogRAMME foR AfghAn flooD AffEctEES
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News Desk
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the international community to come forward and provide emergency assistance to the Afghan people dealing with the aftermath of devastating floods in Afghanistan. The premier expressed grief over the floods which led to the loss of precious lives and financial damages in 10 provinces of the war-torn country, adding that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan will likely intensify.
Currently, emergency measures are required as the risk of casualties increases. PM Shehbaz has ordered relief provisions, including emergency aid, to be sent to those affected by the floods. The premier reiterated his solidarity with the Afghan interim government and people in this hour of need. “We will do everything possible to help, and call on the international community to deal with the devastating floods,” said the premier adding that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been requested to step up efforts to assist the affected Afghan people through the Afghan
Shehbaz discusses economic ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
In the follow-up to the recent visits of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a high-level economic delegation of the latter visited Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss economic and trade relations. Sharif while talking to the delegation said Islamabad attached the highest priority to its relations with the UAE and was desirous to strengthen the relations to the next level, especially on the economic front. “This visit during the Eid holidays exhibited the keenness of the sheikhdom to invest in our country. Pakistan warmly welcomed this brotherly gesture, and had a keen interest to welcome significant investments from the Emirati brothers,” the PM further stressed. The two governments agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation including in the fields of trade, energy, infrastructure, petroleum and other important sectors. They agreed to remain in close contact for the implementation of the investment and trade decisions made at the leadership level. PM, SAUDI VOW TO BROADEN TIES: Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also reaffirmed the desire to work together for further deepening and broadening bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of the nations. The prime minister made a telephone call to the prince to extend his best wishes and greetings on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr. He conveyed his warm wishes and prayers as well as greetings for King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the people of Saudi Arabia. Sharif expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded by the kingdom’s leadership during his visit to the nation. Recalling his interaction with the prince during the visit, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen the historic ties with Saudi Arabia and further elevate the strategic relationship in all spheres. He also underscored his firm resolve to implement the decisions taken during his recent meeting with the crown prince.
Detention of Rasheed’s nephew in sloganeering case extended IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
A district and sessions court in Attock on Monday extended for another two days the detention, or physical remand, of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MP Sheikh Rasheed Shafique in connection with a case involving sloganeering against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation in Medina. Shafique, nephew of Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, was arrested on May 1 after the Faisalabad police registered a case under the blasphemy laws against former prime minister Imran Khan and top leaders of his party, among 150, in the wake of the incident. The first information report (FIR), lodged after midnight in Medina Town police station in Faisalabad, the home town of Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan, nominated some “100 to 150 people” for purportedly violating the sanctity of Masjid al-Nabawi, hurting the sentiments of Muslims across the globe, insulting Islam and violating its code of conduct at one of its holiest places, and hurling abuses and chanting slogans of thieves and traitors. Shafique was the first suspect arrested in this case on his arrival from Saudi Arabia on Sunday night. He was accused of leading a delegation of PTI party workers from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to raise political slogans at the holy mosque. On Monday, police produced Shafique in the court of duty magistrate Jamal Mehmood amid tight security. The district court complex was sealed and even lawyers were not allowed to enter the premises. During the hearing, the police sought an extension in the remand so that they could recover the mobile phone used to upload a video message by the MP.
Humanitarian Trust forum. PM Shehbaz expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to launch a programme to provide shelter, food, medical aid to the displaced. On Thursday heavy rain and flooding killed 22 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged crops in Afghanistan, which is already facing a humanitarian crisis. The Taliban government, struggling to cope with the disaster that has affected more than a third of its provinces, will approach
international relief organisations for help, officials said. “Due to flooding and storms in 12 provinces, 22 people have died and 40 injured,” said Hassibullah Shekhani, head of communications and information at Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. Shekhani said 500 houses were destroyed, 2,000 damaged, 300 head of livestock killed and some 3,000 acres of crops damaged. He said the International Committee of the Red Cross was helping and officials will approach other international organisations
for help. The international community is grappling with how to help the country of some 40 million people without benefiting the Taliban.
Mazari seeks UN intervention on ‘blasphemy’ case against Imran IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari has sought the United Nations’ intervention to cease the government’s “misuse of the blasphemy law” against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and senior leadership of the party. The letter comes days after police booked Khan, party’s senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry and Awami Muslim League (AML) president Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, among 150 people, on blasphemy charges over sloganeering against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation in Medina. The first information report (FIR), lodged after midnight in Medina Town police station in Faisalabad, the home town of Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan, nominated some “100 to 150” for purportedly violating the sanctity of Masjid al-Nabawi, hurting the sentiments of Muslims around the globe, insulting Islamic and violating its code of conduct at one of the holiest places in the religion, and hurling abuses and chanting slogans of thieves and traitors. Following the filing of the complaint, Sanaullah vowed to arrest Khan in the case. Calling the former prime minister a fitna (mischief), Sanaullah, in a statement, said those who “planned” the sloganeering “will be taken to task”. “Imran Khan will definitely be arrested,” he added. Dated May 2, the letter has been addressed to the
UN’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, special rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression, and special rapporteur on the freedom of religion and belief. It said Pakistan had been engulfed in a political crisis ever since Khan was ousted in the aftermath of a “regime change scheme” and replaced with a government led by Sharif who has been named in “multiple money-laundering and corruption cases and is out on bail”. Mazari recalled that in March, Khan’s government had concluded in a cabinet meeting that there had been a “US-backed regime-change conspiracy” against the former prime minister assisted by the military “establishment” and “opposition political parties”. “This conclusion was premised upon the content of a cipher message received from Pakistan’s envoy in Washington DC detailing a formal meeting between Mr Donald Lu of the State Department with the envoy and 3 other members of the embassy along with note-takers on both sides.” The cipher message reflected Washington’s anger over Khan’s visit to Russia just as the Ukraine conflict was about to begin. It said if the no-trust motion against Khan succeeded, “all would be forgiven”. Mazari then mentioned that the events that followed included the submission of the no-confidence motion, the National Assembly deputy speaker’s rejection of the motion and the Supreme Court’s intervention in the matter which ultimately resulted in Khan’s ouster.
“Since then, there has been a groundswell of public anger reflected in huge rallies by Imran Khan’s parties across the country as he leads a movement for the restoration of democracy and sovereignty of Pakistan,” the letter said. However, it added, the government, “backed by the establishment”, had responded with repressive measures. Subsequently, the former rights minister drew UNHCR’s attention to what she called three major human rights violations conducted against Imran. “One: A complete blackout of media coverage by state-owned media as well as almost all private channels through a carrot (advertisements) and stick (establishment). In this connection, the governmentcontrolled PTCL, which provides cable connections to cable operators, has denied this access to any private channel seen covering Khan’s massive rallies.” The second violation highlighted by Mazari was the registration of blasphemy cases against Khan and his aides in connection with the incident in Medina where Sharif and his ministers were heckled by a crowd of pilgrims. She argued that it was not a planned incident as similar treatment had taken place with opposition members at other places as well. “To use the Madina incident as an excuse to file charges of blasphemy means endangering lives of Imran and party’s leadership,” Mazari wrote. “It also provides for making immediate arrests and one member of the NA from the PTI-allied party was immediately taken into custody on arrival at Islamabad airport on blasphemy charges.”
Opponents have hired companies to ‘prepare material’ for my character assassination: Imran Khan News Desk PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that his opponents have hired companies that are “preparing material” for his character assassination. He expressed those views during an interview with actor Shaan Shahid. During the interview, the actor asked the cricketer-turned-politician about marketing companies being used in politics and fifth-generation warfare. His remarks also come as PTI-linked social media accounts have warned supporters of the dangers of “deepfakes”, videos which use a form of artificial intelligence called deep learning to create life-like but fake videos of people. “I had to face mafias, the biggest of which is the Sharif mafia […] they always attack on a personal level because are indulging in corruption for the past 35 years. When someone [points out] their corruption, they attack a person’s character,” Imran said. He said that his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith was also targeted in the past and a campaign was run against her accusing her of being part of the “Jewish lobby”. He said that a false case was also filed against her accusing her of exporting antique tiles from the country. Continuing after a short commercial break, the former premier said that the Sharifs had made preparations to launch a character assassination drive against him after Eid. “Now that Eid is over, you will see they are fully prepared for my character assassination. They have hired companies that are readying the material,” the former premier said. He added that 60 per cent of the federal cabinet was out on bail. “The father (Shehbaz) is on bail and so is the son (Hamza). Maryam is also out on bail and Nawaz Sharif has been convicted [while] his sons have fled abroad. So what [other] defence will they have?” He said that in a democracy, they were required to give an answer for the allegations levelled against them. “You can’t come up in any democracy if you are
out on bail; you can’t get any position.” The PTI chairman claimed that instead of giving an answer for the billions of rupees they had stolen, the Sharifs would now focus on his character assassination. “What was Jemima’s crime? She was my wife [… ] now they have found Farah [Khan]. Farah’s crime is that she is a close associate of Bushra begum (his wife),” he said. He went on to say that the Sharifs had also made further preparations and “made tapes” similar to the ones of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and late Judge Arshad Malik. “This is mafia style. I only want the nation to understand that if you want to smear anyone’s name, there are companies that can help you to achieve this.”
He added that the PTI had announced its long march to Islamabad by the end of May due to which the Sharifs wanted to lower his respect in the eyes of the public and assassinate his character. “But they have been doing this before too. This is not something new.” Earlier today, the PTI chairman announced that he would be kicking off his campaign for “true freedom” from Friday (May 6) by staging a rally in Mianwali. In a video message, he said that he would be coming to Mianwali before Maghrib prayers. He stated that this campaign was part of the movement to rid the country of the “imported government”. “I am starting with the people that got me elected to the National Assembly for the first time,” he said, calling on citizens to participate in the rally.
Friday, 6 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
PEoPlE ShoUlD not BlAME ARMy foR iMRAn’S oUStER, SAyS RAShEED
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News Desk
ORMER interior minister Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said that people should not blame the Pakistan Army for the ouster of former premier Imran Khan from the government. Rasheed made the remarks during an interview in Islamabad with a private TV channel, wherein he asserted that the “army is the most prestigious and sensitive institution of the country”. “The plan of the international forces [to undermine Imran Khan] has turned on its heels and Imran has emerged as the most prominent leader,” he said. Rasheed, who also heads the Awami Muslim League (AML), expressed fears of a potential civil war leading to bloodshed in the upcoming long march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). On April 30, PTI Chairman Imran announced that his party would hold a long march to Islamabad in the last week of May against an “imported government” that was imposed on the country in cahoots with foreign powers. “The long march could be
frightening, alarming and serious. If the situation worsens, Imran Khan will not be able to stop it,” the former minister warned. “People have now made it a matter of national honour and selfdetermination.” He added that the current government was stuck in a hard place as it was brought into power with only a
majority of two votes in its favour. “If anyone from [the] MQM, BAP, GDA or any other group disassociates itself with this government, then it would end. It is a slave government that is lying on the floor. It will do as it is told,” he said. Rasheed added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a ‘boot licker’.
“Shehbaz in [the] 90s used to polish boots and is compromised. He has no prestige and value. I urge the whole nation to prepare for general elections,” he said. Talking about his nephew, Rasheed Shafiq, who was sent on a two-day physical remand by the district court in Attock on May 2, the former interior minister said that no one could prove that Shafiq was at the location at the time when the slogans were raised against the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leadership in Saudi Arabia. Shafiq was taken into custody on Sunday at the Islamabad Airport when an FIR was lodged against him and former ruling party PTI leaders in Faisalabad over the recent incident of pilgrims surrounding PM Shehbaz’s delegation in Masjid-e-Nabwi and shouting slogans. “The PML-N only registered an FIR against him [Shafiq] when they found out that he was proven innocent in a probe by Saudi authorities and after he had boarded the aircraft to return to Pakistan,” he claimed.
Sharjeel Memon urges federal govt to combat Sindh’s water problems News Desk Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon on Thursday appealed to the federal government to provide water to the province to address its water woes. In a statement, Memon said that the federal government should take notice of the water woes in Sindh as the province is facing an acute water shortage. “There is a severe shortage of drinking water in the province along with problems in irrigation canals,” the provincial information minister said.
He added that Sindh has played an important role in the country’s agricultural economy, which is already facing challenges. “The economy will face more difficulties if the situation is not addressed,” the minister said. “Water scarcity is affecting agricultural production and orchards,” he said. “Farmers and cultivators are worried as the costs of crops were not being met,” he added. Memon urged the federal government that the water supply to Sindh should be ensured under Pakistan’s Water Apportionment Accord
Won’t allow anyone to misuse blasphemy laws: cleric IsLAMABAD app
Tahir Ashrafi, the prime minister’s special representative for interfaith harmony and the Middle East, on Wednesday said the government won’t allow anyone to misuse blasphemy laws on their opponents. Responding to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari’s letter to the United Nations about the “misuse” of the laws, Ashrafi, in a video message, said the abuse of laws on the basis of personal and political grudges against anyone won’t be permitted at any cost. He said he had already assured the party about it through his media talks after discussing the issue in detail with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan. Ashrafi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, proposed to Mazari to raise the issue at the national forums like courts, Muttahida Ulema Board (MUB) and Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), keeping in view the “sensitivity” of the matter. He said blasphemy cases lodged against PTI leadership would be decided in the light of the Quran and the Constitution if and when they come to the religious fora through courts. Lamenting the letter, Ashrafi said it would help provide a basis to the “international conspirators” for making propaganda in a bid to weaken the law. He expressed the hope that the PTI leadership and Mazari would withdraw the letter as it was not in Pakistan’s interests. He said it was the collective responsibility of the treasury and opposition in the parliament to keep the laws alive and further strengthen them. He declared instead of seeking national institutions’ assistance, Mazari launched a drive against the blasphemy law which was not acceptable in any way. He assured the national and international stakeholders that neither the misuse of blasphemy law occurred in the last two years, nor would be in the future and the cases pertaining to blasphemy would be treated on merit.
of 1991 “Due to depletion of water reserves in the country, the shortage should be addressed among the provinces according to the water formula,” he suggested. On May 2, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah stated that the province is facing a severe water shortage with a 42% drop in water in the Indus River. Talking to the media in Sehwan, Jamshoro district, Shah blamed the federal authorities for the unjust distribution of water among the provinces.
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new SBP boss as talks on stalled iMf programme resume IsLAMABAD ReuteRS
The government named a deputy governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as its new chief on Wednesday as the country restarts talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a stalled $6 billion programme. Murtaza Syed, an “eminently qualified economist with rich IMF experience”, takes over at the end of the three-year term of incumbent Reza Baqir, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail announced on Twitter. It was not immediately clear if Syed would be a long-term replacement or an interim appointment by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which came to power last month after ousting Imran Khan through a no-confidence vote. The government had the option of offering another term to Baqir, who was appointed by Khan in 2019. The appointment comes as Pakistan faces a number of economic challenges, including ballooning deficits and depleted foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan’s new government has sought an increase in the size and duration of the IMF programme, which has been slow moving forward. Increased autonomy for the central bank was among reforms agreed upon between the lender and Pakistan as part of the programme that began in 2019. Legislation to ensure greater autonomy was passed earlier this year and includes insulating the central bank’s policymaking bodies from government interference and increasing the governor’s fixed tenure to five years from three. As a result, the next governor, whenever formally appointed, will have more autonomy and a longer fixed tenure than his or her predecessors.
Pakistan slips further on press freedom index IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Pakistan plunged 12 places in Reporters Without Borders’ annual press freedom ranking for 2022 and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said the drop has placed the democracy in a “bad light”. Pakistan placed 157th out of 180 countries surveyed by the organisation known by its French acronym, RSF or Reporters Sans Frontiers. “Despite changes in political power, a recurring theme is apparent: political parties in opposition support press freedom but are first to restrict it when in power,” RSF said in an analysis attached to the ranking. The “media regulators are directly controlled by the government and systematically put the defence of the executive government before the public’s right to information.” The new government of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) component parties, led by Sharif, has cracked down on journalists giving coverage to its rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, taking Samaa TV anchor Imran Riaz Khan off-air and carrying out night raids at the residence of ARY News anchor Arshad Sharif. Personnel claiming to be from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also carried out night raids at the residence, and harassed the septuagenarian mother, of defence analyst retired Maj. Aadil Raja, forcing him to seek exile in the United Kingdom. The Paris-based campaign group further observed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), adopted by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) government in 2016, is “used more to restrict online freedom of expression than to crack down on online crime.” But Sharif, instead of looking into the shortcomings of his own government, chose to launch a scathing attack against his predecessor. “Pakistan fell 12 points […] during last year of Imran Khan’s [government and] 18 points during his tenure. It not only earned him [the] shameful title of “press freedom predator” but also placed our democracy in [a] bad light,” he tweeted.
“We are fully committed to freedom of press [and] speech!” ‘COLLECTIVE DUTY’: Commenting on the development, Minister for Information and Broadcast Marriyum Aurangzeb said the ultimate conscience of society was a responsible, conscientious free press. In a tweet, she said the contribution of the press was transparency, accountability and healthy discourse with high standards of ethics and journalism. She was of the view that it was the collective duty of all to stand unified in condemnation of persecution and intimidation of the press. RANKING ‘UNDERMINES’ PAKISTAN’S
IMAGE: Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is aware of the curbs on media and civil society in Pakistan and such restrictions on freedom of speech undermine Islamabad’s image and ability to progress. Responding to a question from a Pakistan reporter during a press briefing on World Press Freedom Day, Blinken said Washington “take this [issue of press curbs] up in our engagements with Pakistani counterparts.” “Of course, this is also a feature of the annual Human Rights Reports that we put out, and, of course, we’re aware of significant restrictions on media outlets and civil society more broadly in Pakistan,” he added.
Friday, 6 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
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NEWS
FireFighters in Karachi worKing against odds KARACHI
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anadolu agency
NFAzED by the danger that could even risk their lives due to the lack of proper protective equipment, mainly the fire-resistant suits, firefighters in Karachi are always seen negotiating with narrow streets and packed roads to reach the site to douse flames. Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the eve of International Firefighters’ Day, which was observed on Wednesday, Humayun Khan, the head of the rescue operations of Karachi’s fire brigade, said the lack of equipment was a handicap in their work to cater to the 20 million population of the city. “A lack of fire-resistant suits, gas masks, gloves, shoes, helmets, and other equipment often result in loss of lives, injuries, and multiple diseases, the firefighters have to confront in the long run, ” he said. Currently, the city’s century-old fire department is operating with only 45 operational fire engines, and slightly over 1,000 firefighters to respond to fire accidents across the sprawling metropolis. The department has only five snorkel ladders, of which only two are in working condition to put out fires in high-rise buildings. Khan said that according to international standards, a city like Karachi should have at least 600 fire engines along with 200 ambulances and as many snorkel ladders, in addition to a workforce of at least 2,000. Over the past two decades, some 18 firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty, while dozens have been severely burned or injured, he said. “We risk our lives to protect others’ lives and properties. (But) in return, we don’t enjoy even basic incentives or any kind of recognition. Even, there is no life or health
insurance for us,” he said. Some 12 Karachi firefighters have so far been awarded medals of bravery by the government for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty. Karachi got its first fire station in 1914 during the British colonial era. ‘best fIrefIghters In the world’: “They are the best firefighters in the world, I would say. Because they are operating against all odds, and without any recognition,” an emotional Khan said. “They operate in the two 12-hour shifts, which is against the international labour laws,” he added, acknowledging that the firefighters do get an overtime allowance for their extra work, but that too has not been
paid off for a long time. The shortage of staff and capacity frequently compel the fire brigade to seek the help of armed forces, notably the Pakistan Navy, and other government departments, which have their own fire departments, in case of a huge fire. Ali Hassan Sajid, a spokesman for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), which runs the fire department, said another 44 fire engines and three snorkel ladders are “repairable,” contending that shortage of funds has been an issue in revamping the fire department. “The fire department is presently having no major issues except for a shortage of staff, for which measures are being taken to induct
further trained manpower,” Sajid told Anadolu Agency. He said the fire department plans to train the private sector, especially industrial workers, which will help reduce the number of losses in case of fires. Unplanned urbanization and the growing city population in recent decades have made things worse for firefighters to perform their duties, according to city planning experts. rampant urbanIsatIon: “A string of issues emanating from rampant urbanization, and illegal constructions in cities like Karachi have made business further complicated and difficult for the firefighting department, which is already reeling from the unavailability of equipment and funds,” Arif
Hasan, a renowned city planner, told Anadolu Agency. Mushroom growth of high-rise buildings, and construction of housing units without maintaining the required gap, he said, have narrowed the streets, making it difficult for fire engines to reach the accident sites. Local fire units do not even have the required equipment to operate in case of fire in high-rise buildings, he added. “Violations of relevant laws, especially the construction of dual fire-exits in highrise buildings, and water hydrants (to provide water to fire engines) in new housing projects are other factors behind the losses, which otherwise could be averted,” he maintained. polItIcal appoIntments: Once a promising and effective unit until the mid’80s, the fire department has gradually been marred by political appointments. “They (political appointees) hardly come to their duties. They simply draw salaries, while either staying home or working at their respective political parties’ offices,” a senior department official told Anadolu Agency, on the condition of anonymity. “We are unable to take any action against them. Even if we serve (them) any notice, their political mentors come to rescue them.” Many put the blame for political appointments on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which claims to represent the city’s Urdu-speaking population that had migrated from India during the partition in 1947. The MOM, which has been part of different government coalitions over the past three decades, denies the charge. Citing shortages of funds as a key factor behind the restructuring of the fire unit, the official said the government of Sindh has deprived the KMC of huge earnings by taking control of its “most lucrative” departments.
Behind the veil: The double life of rapper Eva B
KARACHI afp
Breakthrough rapper Eva B has racked up millions of views online, but walking through the labyrinthine streets of her Karachi neighbourhood, she is anonymous. Her hair covered with a hijab and a veil falling below her eyes, she evades the attention of fans and detractors. “It’s funny that people don’t recognise me, they play my songs but when I’m in front of them they don’t know it’s me,” the 22-year-old told AFP from a rooftop overlooking the mega port city of Karachi. Inspired by American rappers Eminem and Queen Latifah, she started writing lyrics from her bedroom and posting her raps on Facebook where she built up a following. Afraid of angering her family, she would sneak to music studios to record full tracks with the help of other emerging artists in her neighbourhood, under the pretext of studying. But when word reached her brother, she received a backlash from her family who considered the genre indecent for a young girl and who feared she would struggle to marry in deeply conservative Pakistan.
“Later they realized that I was quite persistent, so they surrendered. They realised I couldn’t be stopped,” she laughed, adding that her mother now supports her in the studio and on set. Eva B’s rise to fame was accelerated this year when Coca-Cola’s international music franchise Coke Studio — one of the most popular television programmes in Pakistan — invited her to collaborate for its 2022 series. The music video for “Kana Yaari“, which features Eva B rapping in a bright orange hijab about the betrayal of a love interest, has more than 16 million views on YouTube. But unlike other artists in the series, she has shunned a celebrity status. “It is strange to live two lives. People know me, but at the same time they don’t really know me,” she said. She finds it amusing to nod along to conversations in cafes or at friends’ weddings when people talk about the latest track from Eva B. On rare occasions, she says people recognise her from her eyes, but she always denies her stage identity. “I’m ok with what I am. I can’t handle everybody,” she says of the attention from media and fans she would otherwise attract. Industry ‘astonIshed’ by hIjab: Most women wear some form of hijab covering in Muslim-
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majority Pakistan but there are very few music artists in local pop culture who are veiled. Turning up to studios for the first time, industry producers and managers were often left “astonished”, she said. “They reacted like ‘what is this?’,” she said. “But then everything soon became normal.” For Eva B, the hijab has always been a proud part of her Muslim identity — but it has also defined her image as a rapper. “These days I wear more stylish clothes for the music videos so I stand out. But even then I always wear my hijab,” she said, adding that she sometimes swaps the face veil for a pandemic-era mask. She has, however, grown weary of the conversation around how she dresses. “The media has focused on my hijab rather than me… they do it for hype,” she said. “It’s normal in my society. Don’t let it be breaking news.” What she does delight her are the stream of Instagram messages from girls and women thrilled to see a woman in a hijab represented in mainstream media. “I feel happy that I inspire them… that they feel proud of me,” she said. But as a woman rapper in a hijab, disapproval for not being “a good girl” is never far away, she says. “There is nothing harmful in what I am doing, I openly sing songs and there is nothing bad in that.” straIght outta KarachI: Eva B grew up in Lyari, a Karachi neighbourhood haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades and once considered one of Pakistan’s most dangerous areas, but which inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene. With its close proximity to the sea and history of smuggling, the largely ethnic Balochi neighbourhood in Karachi stands apart for its history of violence and lawlessness — even by Pakistan’s standards. But the worst of the violence has abated, and an increase in security has led to the flowering creativity. The embattled neighbourhood now clings fiercely to its reputation for producing top footballers, ironchinned boxers, and most recently socially conscious rappers. “We didn’t attend any prestigious music schools, we learned everything ourselves, driven by our passion. So I keep highlighting Lyari and I’m proud of it,” she said. The rise of hip hop in Lyari mirrors the genre’s birth decades ago in New York’s Bronx borough, where it largely centred around street performances and featured lyrics that addressed social ills and life in urban ghettos. Eva B also speaks straightforwardly about the difficulties women face and the disparity in wealth in Pakistan, and even the sensitive issue of local corruption. Her favourite song, “Bayani Rog”, in her native Balochi language, tells the story of her evolution from shy, nervous teenager to the self-assured, frank woman she is today. “I realized that keeping silent won’t work, so I better speak up,” she said.
10 killed, several injured in road accidents ISLAMABAD staff report
Ten people were killed and several others injured in separate road accidents over the Eid ul-Fitr in Pakistan, media reported. Seven people were burnt to death after a vehicle fell into a dry canal in the Nawabshah district of Sindh. The accident occurred when an over-speeding vehicle lost control and crashed into the canal on the national highway, according to the reports. A fire erupted in the vehicle following the accident, resulting in the death of seven people including two children and four women, police told local media. Immediately after the incident, police said, locals rushed to the spot and removed the victims from the vehicle, adding that they were shifted to the local hospital. Police said that the victims belonged to the Moro city of the province. Separately, three people were killed and several others injured in a collision between a truck and a passenger van on Monday at Tando Muhammad Khan road in Hyderabad. All the victims were shifted to the local hospital, according to the media.
Friday, 6 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
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GOvt tO fOrm iNquiry COmmissiON tO prObe ‘fOreiGN CONspiraCy’: marriyum
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contInued fRom PAge 01
MRAN’s allegation that the US spearheaded his exit from power was based on a cable received from Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed, in which the envoy had reported about a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu. Majeed had reportedly said that Donald Lu warned that Imran Khan’s continuation in office, who was set to face a vote of no confidence, would have repercussions on bilateral relations. The US
Overweight men more likely to die from prostate cancer: study PARIS afP
It had also termed the interference “unacceptable under any circumstances” and said the language used in the communique was undiplomatic. While the forum had stopped short of calling the interference a conspiracy at the time, another meeting of the NSC was held on April 22 with newly elected premier Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, and which included the same military chiefs who attended the March 31 session. During its second meeting, the NSC statement said it “reaffirmed the decisions of the last NSC meeting” and explicitly went on to add that it found no evidence of a foreign conspiracy.
Govt trying its best to maintain petrol prices: Miftah Ismail contInued fRom PAge 01
Every 10 centimetres (four inches) on a man's waist increases his risk of dying from prostate cancer by 7%, according to a new study on Thursday — the largest ever conducted on a possible link between obesity and the disease. Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the fourth most common overall, according to the World Health Organisation, but its relationship to obesity remains unclear. To get a better idea of the size of the risk, researchers examined all the relevant studies published on the subject so far, which covered 2.5 million men, and analysed new data on more than 200,000 men in the UK. With each five-point increase in body mass index (BMI), the risk of dying from prostate cancer rose by 10%, according to the study published in the journal BMC Medicine. Aurora Perez-Cornago, a nutritional epidemiologist at Oxford University who led the research, said that if men shaved five points off of their BMI, there would be 1,300 fewer deaths from cancer every year in the UK alone. "The key message is: please, men, maintain a healthy weight," she told AFP. Previous research had suggested that stomach fat could be "more important for aggressive prostate cancer" than overall weight, the study said. But Perez-Cornago said they found that "it doesn't seem to matter that much where the fat is located." It is still unknown whether obesity directly causes prostate cancer to develop. Perez-Cornago is carrying out further research on the subject but does not yet have results. "To date, we don't know, because it is also possible that men with obesity may be diagnosed with prostate cancer at a later stage," she said. "If they are diagnosed at a later stage, the tumour is likely to be more aggressive and they may be less likely to survive." Perez-Cornago said there were several reasons why prostate cancer is often detected later in overweight men, including that they could be less health-conscious. "For example, if they start going to the toilet at night more often — a classic symptom of prostate cancer — they may be less likely to go to a GP," she said. Even if they tested, it is less likely to pick up the molecule indicating cancer because obese men have more blood, diluting the sample. The study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in the Netherlands.
was said to be annoyed with Imran over his “independent foreign policy” and visit to Moscow. The Pentagon and the State Department have repeatedly rejected the accusations, saying there was no veracity to it. The National Security Committee (NSC), which includes all services chiefs as well as the head of Pakistan’s top intelligence agency, took up the matter on March 31 with then premier Imran Khan in the chair. The forum decided to issue a “strong demarche” to a country that it did not name over what it termed as “blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan”.
The government was currently accruing a loss of Rs30 per litre on petrol, he said, claiming the previous government had agreed to not only avoid a loss of Rs30 per litre but also impose a tax of Rs30 and 17pc sales tax. The price of petrol should have been Rs245 per litre according to the agreement the former government did with the IMF, he said. However, the PML-N led government was still selling petrol at Rs145 per litre and would try its best to maintain that price, he added. “The difference in their (PTI government’s) words and actions is Rs100,” he said. The incumbent government was losing Rs70 per litre on diesel, the finance minister shared, claiming that the burden of these subsidies had been placed on the public. In his press conference, Ismail said if the current oil prices were maintained for May — and asserted that no decision had been taken to increase them — then the government would lose Rs102 billion. “The entire monthly cost of running the civilian government is Rs45bn, including the courts, the education and police systems. We are accruing losses of Rs102bn only on fuel which is equal to the cost of running two and a quarter governments … This cannot happen.” The finance minister elaborated that the government had to borrow Rs102bn from the market but liquidity had been tightened. The government could no longer
borrow money from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) because of new laws related to its autonomy, he added. “If I did that, the federal government would have to pay interest but it would come back to the State Bank. When the SBP lends to us, it means we are printing money which increases inflation.” However, when the government borrowed money from private banks, a few other factors came into play, including a higher interest rate, he said. The interest rate was so high, the market had been shaken, he claimed, adding that when the government borrowed from private banks, they did not have enough money left to lend to the private sector which resulted in reduced investment and industrialisation. In addition, banks did not have enough money left to open LCs (letters of credit), leading to increased inflation, he said. “When the big companies do not have money and banks delay opening LCs, then there is a shortage of fuel because of which load-shedding increases.” Ismail claimed that 7,500 megawatts power plants remained shut during the PTI government’s tenure because they did not have fuel while 2,000 MW power plants were closed because of lack of maintenance. The PTI government had discouraged meritocracy from the first day, he said, claiming that since the government had borrowed so much money, his ministry did not have enough to pay
the Power Division to purchase fuel for the plants. The Pakistan State Oil’s (PSO) receivables were over Rs500bn and it would not be able to function if money was not provided, he said. “In [Imran] Khan sahb’s time, the PSO wrote to the energy secretary that it cannot import oil for other companies because it does not have the capacity. SNGPL (Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited), which supplies gas in Punjab and KP, has faced Rs200bn losses in the last three years. “We have to fulfil that loss otherwise it will also face supply problems. We also have to give PSO money. Imran Khan’s government has left problems everywhere because of incompetence and corruption.” When the PML-N government’s tenure ended in 2018, the country was progressing and there was no circular debt in the gas sector, Ismail said. “There was no load-shedding in the gas sector. Now, loadshedding in the gas sector [is because of shortage of] Rs1,500bn. Can Imran Khan get me that money? “We left [the circular debt at] Rs1,062bn in 2018. Circular debt is at Rs2,600bn now. Will they (PTI) give me that?” he asked, questioning who would be held accountable. Earlier on Wednesday, Miftah had said that the government had requested Saudi Arabia not to withdraw its deposits given to the SBP and extend its oil facility for Pakistan.
NLC distributes gifts among children The National Logistics Cell distributed Eid gifts among children at government hospitals in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Pindi. Children admitted at mostly government hospitals for medical treatment, were ecstatic to receive eid gift packs from NLC that included colouring books, colour pencils, Rubik’s cube and other stationery. Thousands of gifts packs were distributed at The Children’s Hospital in Lahore, Benazir Children Hospital and Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, and at the Children’s Hospital Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and also at the Omair Sana Foundation Hospital in Karachi. It was a cheerful sight at these hospitals as most children were elated upon receiving eid gifts. Dr Raza, the deputy medical superintendent of the Lahore Children’s Hospital (the 2nd largest children's hospital in the world) said, “This was a surprising act of kindness for these children. It made their eid special”. Hospital administrations and parents appreciated this act and hoped this would inspire others. A statement released by NLC’s Corporate Communications department read, “As a responsible corporate entity, NLC has always believed in giving back to the society, and also in an inclusive tomorrow. We realise that these children need our encouragement, and we are glad that we were able to add some colours to their eid with the help and support of hospital staff and administration”. PR
Punjab governor decides to file reference against LHC judge for decision on Hamza’s oath contInued fRom PAge 01 If everyone had accepted the Hamza Shehbaz “formula” for becoming the chief minister in Punjab, the other provinces should start worrying for themselves, he added. In a follow-up tweet, he said that if those who had “torn up the Constitution and the law by force” were protected, then anyone could take over a constitutional office in the same way in the future. Cheema said he had always demanded a “neutral umpire” in his 26-year-long political career. He elaborated that a “neutral umpire” maintained the same rules for both sides, otherwise, he could not be called “neutral” and the game would not be fair. “I have clarified in my statement what kind of intervention I expect and what is needed. I would have appealed to the public if I wasn’t the governor. “Political parties have always demanded the [army’s] 111 Brigade in the past. I have asked to at least provide me with four jawans and one subedar,” he tweeted.
The crisis in Punjab had begun when Governor Cheema on April 17, a day after the election of the chief minister in a stormy session of the Punjab Assembly that descended into downright violence, refused to administer oath to Chief Minister-elect Hamza, stating the assembly secretary’s report, LHC’s instructions and facts presented to him raised objections on the validity of the election. In the election, scores of PTI MPAs were injured, as well as assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi — one of the two candidates for the chief ministership. Hamza had bagged 197 votes, including 26 from PTI dissidents, while Elahi did not get any as the PTI and PML-Q lawmakers felt they were not allowed to vote. Subsequently, Hamza had approached the Lahore High Court on April 21, which instructed President Dr Arif Alvi to appoint a representative to administer the oath in the absence of the governor. However, after a delay by the president in following the court’s directive, Hamza had approached the court again on April 25.
This time, he had asked the LHC to instruct Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to administer oath to him. In his ruling, LHC Chief Justice Ameer Bhatti had directed Governor Cheema to complete Hamza’s oath-taking
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process by April 28. When the president and governor still failed to follow the court’s instructions, Hamza sought the LHC’s intervention for a third time on April 29. On the court’s directions, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf finally administered the oath to Hamza the next day. However, hours before Hamza’s oathtaking ceremony, Cheema had rejected previous chief minister Usman Buzdar’s resignation and restored his cabinet, which even convened for a meeting. While the oath-taking ceremony was underway, Governor Cheema had urged the chief justice to take notice of the “ghunda gardi” (thuggery) at the Governor House. He had also said the “drama of a fake chief minister’s oath” was being performed in an “unconstitutional” manner. The governor had also termed the notification for Hamza’s assumption of the CM office “fake”. “As the governor, I am not allowing the notification for the appointment of any un-
constitutional and fake chief minister. The way they forcibly and deceitfully put up a drama of the oath-taking, they have now attempted to prepare a fake notification for it,” he tweeted at the time. In a press conference a day later, Cheema had called Buzdar’s resignation as a real “fitna” (mischief) behind the constitutional crisis in Punjab. He had described the consequent oathtaking ceremony “after taking Governor House hostage” as unlawful and unconstitutional. He said the prime minister’s son Hamza used the Punjab police and bureaucracy as his “ghunda force” and eventually had CM Buzdar denotified and Hamza notified as chief minister without sending his advice to do so. Meanwhile, the formation of the new provincial cabinet has been delayed till Cheema’s removal. The PML-N had already announced handing over the Punjab governor’s office to its ally PPP that nominated Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood, its south Punjab president, for the slot.
06-07 Comments - 6th May 2022_Layout 1 5/5/2022 11:23 PM Page 1
Friday, 6 May, 2022
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How can the courts keep quiet?
Out of sync, out of touch Stop rant about civil war
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he governments of PPP and PMLN have been dismissed before the completion of their tenures in the 90s. After 2008 PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gilani and PMLN’s Nawaz Sharif were required to leave office prematurely. While the parties protested, they did not challenge the system. Benazir Bhutto’s assassination could have led to extremely strong reaction but it was contained by Zardari’s “Pakistan Khapay.” This is how one expects PTI to react. A leader’s or a party’s interests must remain subservient to the country’s interests. This has not unfortunately been so in the case of the PTI. Soon after the success of the no-confidence move, a number of PTI leaders started targeting the establishment and superior judiciary through suggestive and disparaging remarks. Now two leading figures of the former PTI establishment are blatantly hinting at a civil war if elections are not held immediately. Fawad Chaudhry has said the country was on the verge of civil war and even Imran Khan “won’t be able to stop this very angry mob and we will see country plunging into a civil unrest.” The angry mob he refers to are PTI supporters. In a similar vein Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has warned that the country was heading towards a civil war and holding fresh elections was the only way to ensure stability. The system in Pakistan is being run under a unanimously accepted constitution. The allied government came to power through a no-confidence move sanctioned by the SC. An independent judiciary is in place and has stopped govt from arresting PTI leaders. elements in the allied govt have strongly opposed use of blasphemy laws against PTI leaders, indicating that the opposition is likely to be treated fairly. The PTI has therefore no reason to complain that it is being pushed to the wall. The NA is in place and has not accepted the resignations by PTI MNAs who would be welcomed if they withdraw resignations. The country has a strong army that can deal with those who try to destabilse the county. Those who talk about civil war must realize the tragic outcome of the civil war in Lebanon: thousands killed and maimed, hundreds of thousands made homeless, infrastructure destroyed and the state flat-out broke. No cause is good enough to encourage a civil war which will only suit countries hostile to Pakistan.
Imran faces a plethora of cases At Penpoint M A NIAZI
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he apparent decision of the federal government to institute cases under Article 6 of the Constitution raises perhaps more dust than it settles, and forces the whole nation to confront some of the problems that exist in the drafting of the Constitution, apart from indicating the ways in the present crisis where the Constitution was violated. The fact of the violation is perhaps the best place to begin. The whole idea of a constitution is that it cannot be violated. The most blatant example was the Deputy Speaker’s ruling that the motion of no-confidence, instead of being voted upon, was dismissed. The Constitution is clear; once such motion comes before the house, it can only be disposed of by a vote. If there is a problem with the motion, it should not have been admitted. however Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri thought that the motion could be disposed of by being ruled out of order at that stage. he interpreted the Constitution to reach that conclusion. A full bench of the Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the matter, and reached a different interpretation of the Constitution, ruled that the Deputy Speaker’s ruling was illegal, and the rest is history. The prosecution would rest on the premise that the Deputy Speaker was attempting to subvert, even to suspend it, the Constitution (surely there is no one willing even to argue that there was any attempt to abrogate). While disobedience of the Constitution points in that direction, prosecution would also have to show that he had the intention of preventing it from operatIng. Similarly, Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema is thought to have been guilty of an offence under Article 6 because of his refusal to administer the oath of office to hamza Shehbaz. It is true that the Constitution does not contemplate a situation in which the Governor of a province could refuse to swear in a duly elected Chief Minister. But is that refusal to obey the Constitution a subversion of it? The same applies to the President. his refusal to act promptly on the advice of the Prime Minister may be a violation of the Constitution, but in itself cannot be construed as an offence of subversion, suspension or abrogation. The language of Article 6 is such that it is easiest applied to military coups. At the time it was drafted,
Economy not recovering None of the signs are good
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heRe has been nothing to indicate a revival of the Pakistani economy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not get any significant help from either Saudi Arabia or the UAe, with the former agreeing to roll over its deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan, and the latter agreeing to vaguely worded joint ventures. The IMF has indicated that it will extend its current eSAF by two years, and lend an additional $ 2 billion under it, but all that will do is help Pakistan service the present eSAF, itself mainly used to service the previous IMF package. Mr Sharif will be left to use the last arrow in his quiver, China, and hope he can get some help from that direction. True, as Punjab CM he developed a good reputation as a doer, but it remains to be seen whether that can translate into. Meanwhile, there was no foreign participation at the last Treasury Bill auction, even though the SBP has fixed its base rate at the highest in years, at 14.75 percent. That foreign investors are not willing to bring in funds even at such mouth-watering rates indicates that the change of regime has not created the impression of political stability. That is understandable, what with the ousted Prime Minister, Imran Khan, still on the warpath and threatening to create chaos. The present government must realize that it will have to take difficult decisions. The landmines scattered by the PTI in its last days in office remain, such as the petrol subsidy. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which made it spike in the first place, nowhere in sight, the prospect of the budget collapsing is very real. The government should realize that the longer it puts off this step, the more unpalatable it will be to the public. This government has the unfortunate task of preparing the coming budget. It must gear up for that, which will involve successful negotiation with the IMF, and be ready to pay the unavoidable political cost. The PTI would probably not have done better at all, and the academic qualifications of the government team (both the Finance Minister and the Minister of State have PhDs) will not help when the economy is sputtering so violently.
WAshINgtoN WAtch
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Yousaf Nizami Umar Aziz
Joint Editor
Executive Editor
Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965
Dr JAMes J Zogby
he Lebanese people are going to the polls in just a few weeks. Without exaggeration, what will be decided in this election is whether their country has a chance to survive. Lebanon has been in an economic tailspin and unless drastic reforms are implemented, it will be bankrupt by the end of this year. The country is also in a state of political collapse, with the vast majority of Lebanese no longer having confidence in the traditional sectarian parties or the political system that has been in place for three generations. Finally, and most importantly, the Lebanese people are both frustrated and exhausted. Our polling shows that record numbers are struggling simply to make ends meet. It’s deeply disturbing that in the country that elevated the preparation of food to a high art, our polling indicates that food insecurity and even outright hunger are widespread. And the country that has boasted some of the region’s finest centres of learning is now witnessing a hemorrhaging of its educated youth. Once again, our polling data shows significant numbers of young people, having lost hope in their future in Lebanon, are expressing the desire to emigrate. Our polls also point to what the Lebanese people want. They want a government that’s responsive to their needs: the creation of jobs, social services, national unity, and security. They also want an end to corruption and nepotism and the sectarian system of patronage that has drained the country’s wealth
Founding Editor
Joint Editor
The writer is a member of staff
The upcoming elections are make-or-break
Arif Nizami (Late)
M. A. Niazi
of government without having a majority in the National Assembly seemed to have been attempted to be imitated by Imran Khan, who no longer had a majority in the National Assembly. That there should be a new Assembly (as a result of fresh elections) is a demand by the PTI, but there was the episode of the Supreme Court ordering the Speaker what to do. The Legislature is free of interference, and the jurisdiction of the courts has been specifically ousted. True, that is for proceedings, to avoid members appealing the Speaker’s rulings on such matters as who was to have the floor, or in any way giving any court appellate jurisdiction over the Speaker. Unfortunately, that has now happened, and even if the courts reject as inadmissible, they are still likely to face a number of petitions asking that the Speaker’s ruling be reversed because it violates the Constitution. however, one area in which The Supreme Court oversees the Legislature is in its ability to strike down any law it has passed, or portion thereof. Similarly, it is constantly giving instructions to federal and provincial governments to act according to the courts’ interpretation of the law, not its own. This has led it to examine actions by the executive and decide whether they are legal or not. Judgments may contain passages where the executive has been asked to keep the courts out of disputes, especially asking politicians not to get political disputes settled by courts, but judges have not shrunk from overseeing executive actions whenever there is a doubt about their constitutionality. Because of this, while the courts may find legislators turning to it, there would be no surge in petitions challenging executive actions. however, it perhaps cannot be over-emphasized that there was no real way the courts could have refused to do what theory did. If a constitutional official, whether by reason of sudden insanity or misplaced loyalty to a party rather than his or her oath of office, acts contrary to the Constitution (and not just potentially, but clearly and blatantly), how can the courts refuse to intervene? The debate should perhaps look at the Constitution itself. It is not a matter of the Deputy Speaker having been right or wrong, but why the Constitution does not provide for foreign interference or conspiracies. however, the Constitution is the least of Imran’s worries. First is the Medina incident, and there he already finds himself embroiled in litigation. Then there is the toshakhana case. Then there are the alleged misdeeds of Ms Farhat Shehzadi aka ‘Gogi’. But before any of these, he must negotiate the shoals of Article 6.
Lebanon’s last chance?
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
there had been two military coups, both of which had been accompanied by an abrogation of the Constitution. This was followed by the promulgation of an interim constitution as CMLA Order No. 1. The 1973 Constitution was followed by two impositions of Martial law, but on neither occasion was the Constitution abrogated. Article 6 has made slow progress, with General Musharraf’s1999 coup becoming the first where the coupmakers was sentenced under the high Treason Act , when General Musharraf was sentenced to be hanged. however, one of the issues with that was that General Musharraf was tried alone, even though the coup could not have occurred without the active participation of a large number of other officers, some of high rank, and men. however, one effect seems to have been that there has been no military coup since, but a hybrid regime was introduced, where both the major political parties were sidelined, and the path to power for the PTI was ensured. Now, it seems, those civilians who tried to perpetuate the hybrid regime are to be tried. however, they will not be tried as accomplices to the hybrid regime but as those who tried to subvert the Constitution in their own right. The take-no-prisoners attitude of the PTI towards the Constitution meant that friction was caused between the three pillars of state. The judiciary, in the shape of the Supreme Court for the Deputy Speaker and the President, and the Lahore high Court for the Punjab Governor, found itself forced to tear down those walls which were supposed to exist between the Judiciary, the Legislative and the executive. however, the courts concerned were also aware of their duty to interpret the Constitution. If one of the other two branches misinterprets the Constitution, is the Judiciary supposed to shrug its collective shoulders and do nothing? It must be remembered that, of the three, the judiciary is the only one independent of the others. In a Parliamentary system, the executive is given to whoever controls the Lower house of Legislature. If the executive loses its majority in the Legislature, it is ousted. Of course, when martial law is imposed, the head of the army (and calling him Chief of Army Staff instead of Commander-in-Chief of the Army didn’t help) gathers legislative and executive powers into his hands, by virtue of being able to do so, without any constitutional provision allowing him to do so. The ability of a COAS to have his orders obeyed is the reason he has the potential to stage coups. however, the COAS’ ability to obtain the reins
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and resources to serve the interests of a handful of feudal lords. When more than a million Lebanese from all segments of society took to the streets in October 2019 chanting, “All of them must go,” and “When we say all, we mean all of them,” they were expressing, in a nutshell, the deep frustration with the decadent old order that had brought the country to its knees. The problem, of course, is that the representatives of the ancien régime are not willing to let loose their reins of control. And so, they continue to act like Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned. To make matters worse, they are backed by the armed presence of hizbollah— which acts as the praetorian guard protecting, with force of arms, the corrupt sectarian system from which they derive significant benefits. What we also have learned from more recent polling is that for the first time, the Lebanese are reporting that they are slightly optimistic about the future, in part because of the hope generated by the mass civil society-led protests, and the belief that elections may bring about real change. The problem is that the way elections are structured in Lebanon favours the entrenched, traditional sectarian parties. even if the electoral process is deemed “free and fair” by outside observers, the elections are structurally rigged and almost guaranteed to bring back to power many of the same failed leaders who have brought the country to the brink of collapse. There are, however, a few hopeful signs. The overwhelming majority of Lebanese clearly recognize the problems facing their country and their political system. And they want change. eighty percent have lost faith in the traditional parties. One-half have no confidence in hizbollah, and two-thirds want the
Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
arms of this group to be brought under the control of the official armed forces— the most supported institution in the country (with the confidence of nine in 10 Lebanese). While the system is rigged against them, representatives of the progressive opposition feel that if they can win just 12 to 15 seats (out of the 120 seats in Parliament), they will have enough leverage to block the “same old guys” from forming the next government. They would be in a position to push instead for a government that supports at least the modest reforms needed to prevent total collapse. If a new government can be formed that can make the changes required by international investors and financing institutions and restore some degree of confidence and stability in Lebanon’s currency, and negotiations can be completed to secure Lebanon’s drilling rights to offshore gas reserves, then Lebanon will be able to avert a meltdown. Much more will be required. Accountability is needed for those who have been responsible for the billions drained from the country by corruption, for the devastating bombing of the Port of Beirut, and for the assassinations of former Prime Minister Rafiq hariri, members of his cabinet, and supporters in parliament and media. And hizbollah will still need to be brought under control of state institutions. We should not be under any illusions. Though absolutely necessary, none of this will be easy to accomplish. If, however, these elections produce nothing more than the “same old, same old,” then as I’ve said before, Lebanon, which for years has been on the brink of breaking, will most likely be broken.
If these elections produce nothing more than the “same old, same old,” then as I’ve said before, Lebanon, which for years has been on the brink of breaking, will most likely be broken
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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk
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The writer is President of the Arab American Institute
Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
06-07 Comments - 6th May 2022_Layout 1 5/5/2022 11:23 PM Page 2
Friday, 6 May, 2022
COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
Pakistan’s Trump
If freedom fails The challenges faced in 1947 are still there
Dr FArID A. MAlIk “For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail? “ – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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read this quotation for the first time which was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty at ellis Island just outside the city of New York. Good governance yes, but not without freedom. It is widely believed that the system ran very efficiently under the ‘Gora Sahib’, the so called freedom has not helped. There has been a constant decline in service to the people, the term ‘Zawal’ (decline) is extensively used to describe the grave situation the common man encounters today. After driving out the ‘Colonists’ in the 18th century, Americans were able to build the most developed country on the globe while we have failed despite achieving the same in the last millenium. While their march to freedom was well defined and then defended, ours was not. On 14 August 1947, 27Ramazan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah announced on Radio Pakistan “You are Free” It was not ‘Freedom’, even the boundaries of the new land were confused. There was a mass exodus of people together with riots and bloodshed. Rehabilitation of the refugees became a big challenge. Instead of major reforms of the colonial establishment, the focus shifted to basic survival. My late father Nazir Ahmed Malik, the Tehreek-e-Pakistan Gold Medal list and a worker of the Freedom Movement, wrote a detailed account of his personal experiences in migrating from Ludhiana east Punjab to Lahore, leaving a flourishing watch business behind to start life all over again. It was a life of struggle and sacrifice in the land which was pure only in name, where honesty and integrity was not revered. Where attempts to curtail ‘Freedom’ started very early. As the first free-born generation of the republic though we considered ourselves blessed, yet we did not fully comprehend the challenges of liberty. It was Patrick henry who said “Give me liberty or give me death”. The Amercians took up arms and drove out the colonists from their land to take complete control of what rightly belonged to the people. The entire system of governance was first pulled down and then redefined There was total
disconnect with the past. A new nation emerged with a fresh start: a new phrase was coined; ‘ Land of the free and home of the brave’. Individual freedom was guaranteed by the constitution. Rights of the citizens were clearly defined and then defended by every leader and state institution. Free people think freely, there is no negative energy in the system, no one to pull you down. A level playing field is ensured for everyone, and there is no concept of more than equal There are around 20 articles covering fundamental human rights in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, yet none of them has ever been provided or even discussed in Parliament. Constitutional clauses are only invoked for narrow personal interests. even the courts open at midnight for selective justice, reminding one of a famous Sultan Rahi line, “When crime is committed all the time, why do the courts only operate during the day time?” These daylight courts have failed to dispense justice for the common man. Growing under the tutelage of a freedom worker was not easy. he had to fight the system all the way for an upright existence worthy of real freedom. It was a valiant struggle which at times turned violent but he kept going. When his health failed he resorted to filing cases in the court of law. After his passing away, I inherited about 20 civil suits waiting to be adjudged. his journey of life ended before he could get relief from a non-functional system where executive abuse has been the norm. In the USA the citizens have a right to bear arms. Despite cases of mass shooting resulting in casualties, the right has not been taken away. In the land of the pure where individual freedom is blatantly curbed, there is a debate to allow bearing of arms for speedy relief. I have the experience of interacting with the bureaucracy in all the four provinces. Undoubtedly Punjab comes at the bottom where relief to the public is blatantly ignored. The slave menatlity exists even after over seven decades of independence. During my tenure as Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (2002 to 2005), I offered to help government departments in building ISO 9000 based Quality Management Systems (QMS). The registrar of the Lahore high Court wanted to know more. On my explanation that it improved the customer interface, he replied that LhC had no customers, only litigants. In
other words they were beneficiaries who did not matter. Unfortunately the LhC continues to uphold this tradition till today. After partition in August 1947, the first major blow to our ‘freedom’ was the murder of the first Prime Minister Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan in the Garrison city of Rawalpindi in 1951, where the GhQ (General headquarters) was under the command of Gen Ayub Khan (PA 10). Ayub Khan was promoted against the principle of seniority and merit, a tradition that has continued till today in the selection of the Sipah-eSalar (COAS/C-in-C). The second onslaught against our ‘ Freedom ‘ took place in 1979 when another real PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was eliminated through judicial murder. ZAB committed the same mistake of promoting Zia-ul-haq against seniority/merit. I have had the chance of meeting both Zia and General Muhammad Sharif, who was bypassed to lead the Army, and there was no comparison. ZAB himself called Zia, ‘ Monkey General ‘ yet he was promoted. Now after about four decades, Imran Khan, the ex-PM, is leading the charge for our freedom. he has the support of the people while the establishment is pitted against him. Despite heavy odds, he continues with his crusade, though history is not on his side. The enemies are both internal and external which now stand fully exposed. Battle lines have been clearly drawn. On one side there is mention of Ventilators and Beggars while on the other integrity and freedom are being pursued. For long term gains, short term sacrifices have to be made. If IK prevails, we will be free at last, the cost will be worth the pain that we may have to endure as a nation. Despite being a nuclear power with the world’s most battlehardened Army, I fail to understand why we are repeatedly threatened with being pushed to the ‘Stone Age’. It is time to stand up for our freedom and be counted as free people under a Constitution and genuinely elected credible leadership, it is the only time tested approach towards emancipation followed by real development and growth. Perhaps, finally a new dawn awaits us. IK may prove to be the right man for this herculean task. Our journey as the first free-born genration of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan may end up in glory and jubilation without ventilators and beggary, enabling us to rest in peace for a job well done. May ‘God bless the republic’ as envisioned by the founding fathers, a Progressive Welfare State that seeks friendship of all with the slavery of none.
Perhaps, finally a new dawn awaits us. IK may prove to be the right man for this herculean task. Our journey as the first free-born genration of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan may end up in glory and jubilation without ventilators and beggary, enabling us to rest in peace for a job well done. May ‘God bless the republic’ as envisioned by the founding fathers, a Progressive Welfare State that seeks friendship of all with the slavery of none
The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.
WheN Imran Khan was taking oath as PM of Pakistan, on 18 August 2018, millions of Pakistanis were hoping for change – Naya Pakistan. Khan said in his inaugural address said, “I promise my nation today that we will bring the tabdeeli (change) that this nation was starving for”. Same time, popular TV host and comedian, Trevor Noah put forward his arguments as to why he thinks Khan, in many ways, mirrors US President Donald Trump. he compared, Trump and Khan, from their three weddings to their political careers. here we shall discuss some more similarities between the two: Both were celebrities, Trump; a real estate tycoon, and Khan; a cricket superstar, turned politician with sky-high egos. Both possess conservative views and exploit the deep anti-government grievances of right-wing constituencies and use the nationalist-cum-religious card to win the sympathy of the masses. Both assert to be the agent of change against the ruling class and messiah for marginalized regions of the country. Both made tall claims, Trump pledged to build a wall and named it the “Great Wall of Trump” to keep Mexican immigrants out of America. Khan vowed to eliminate corruption and terrorism in 90 days to keep plunderers and corrupt politicians out of politics. Both were showpieces in front of the camera and having zero progress on ground, spoiled their strategic relations with other countries and crippled the economy. When voters rejected Trump in the second term, his supporters reacted violently and attacked capitol hill to change the election results. Same did khan’s supporters when the resolution of the vote of no confidence moved in NA, they attacked the Sindh house and on the day of voting on the no-confidence motion, its puppet speaker dismissed the resolution which is a flagrant violation of the constitution. Trump narrowly won the first presidency and failed to be re-elected, Khan also become PM with a thin majority, and have no chance to win the vote of no confidence in parliament. Both men are unabashed charismatic narcissists who see themselves as deserving attention and power. They are masterful impression managers, dress to impress, disguise arrogance as confidence, and are superb social networkers. Convinced they are never wrong, they take credit whenever things go well. When things go awry, they blame colleagues and subordinates, it is always easier to fool others when you have already fooled yourself; it is always harder to feel guilty when you think you are innocent. Both use abusive language against their critics and rival politicians. Both used to change their opinion quickly as it suits their purpose, Khan was famous for his U-turns. Both preferred winning, like in real estate and in sports, always and by using all their means. Concluding both consider themselves as they are their own man, an expert in all things, faintly hedonistic, vengeful, pitiless, sentiment exploitive, intimidating and bullying, manipulative, dishonest, cheat to win, highly prejudiced, mean-spirited, militant, nationalistic, tell others what they want to hear. AYAZ AHMED SINDH
Parking issues in Lahore WITh the courtesy of your newspaper, I would like to invite the attention of the provincial government of Punjab to the largest metropolitan city of Punjab. I’m Rehab Ali, a citizen of Lahore and a student as well, for the research purpose I’ve to go to different places in Lahore. Yesterday, I visited the G-1 market Johar Town, Lahore. I faced a lot of difficulty in parking my car, there is no proper place for the parking. People are parking their vehicles in the middle of the road and causing continuous road blockage. The government should take action in the clearance of roads and proper parking places should be provided nearer to the public places. REHAB ALI LAHORE
Public’s perception WheN PM Imran Khan came into the government, the public was not happy in the first 2.5 years. his government was being criticised by the public and opposition. The majority of the public was against him because of high inflation. After that circumstance got turmoiled, the public and opposition gave a march against the government so PM Khan held a press conference. he said that rulers who used to rule in past looted the country economically, and they made the country vulnerable. They took lots of loans from foreign countries which is why our country is bankrupt. Moreover, he said these so called leaders didnt develop the country but they build their bank balance. Lastly, he said keep calm I will do my best to develop the country. however, after the press conference, people still criticised him and accused him of lying. PM Khan kept on his endeavour to develop the country. Consecutively he emboldened the people so the opposition trolled him and said the PM is merely good at embolding. Thus PM Khan took some useful actions which are admirable. his government brought the ehsaas programme, established the Sehat Card for needy people, increased the export quantity and help the country to be in surplus. his government build lots of dams to store water in addition to creating electricity. Pakistan hosted OIC in his government. Furthermore, he proclaimed that lots of work are in progress. Pm Imran Khan kept proving himself by his great effort and braveness. MUHAMMAD KHAN SHARIF KECH
Footballers’ dream ThIS letter is to cart the attending of the concerned authorities towards a dire requirement of a football ground for girls in Kohi Goth. There is one prodigious football ground for boys where the boys are being trained and we have numerous footballers but we don’t have any ground for girls. Due to the unavailability of this much-needed facility, girls here in Kohi Goth Malir are deeply disheartened by the scenario, despite having a great appetite for football. There are innumerable girls who have an interest in football but, due to lack of a ground, they aren’t capable to accomplish their dream. The government is requested to make a ground for girls. AMEENULLAH QAMAR BALOCH KARACHI
Friday, 6 May, 2022
08 WORLD VIEW
Why is Macron hatEd? THE REASONS FRENCH VOTERS GIVE FOR REJECTING MACRON ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE CITED BY US VOTERS WHO COULD NOT BEAR HILLARY CLINTON
PRoject syndIcate
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ian buruma
raNCE is not the United States. many liberals, including me, worried that marine le Pen might just win the French presidency for the same reason that donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016: loathing of the more liberal candidate would enable the far-right populist to squeak through. Fortunately, enough people who dislike President Emmanuel macron held their noses and voted for him in the second-round runoff in order to thwart le Pen. if one must choose between cholera and the plague, many voters stated, then the former was clearly the better option. macron himself acknowledged as much in his victory speech, stating that, “To all those who voted for me, not in support of my ideas but to block the far-right from winning, your vote obligates me.” But the fact that 41.5 per cent of voters chose le Pen, a candidate who represents a deeply reactionary, nativist and illiberal strain in French politics, is still worrying enough. Why, then, do so many people hate macron? The reasons French voters give for rejecting macron are similar to those cited by US voters who could not bear Hillary Clinton. They are the candidate’s perceived arrogance, entitlement, aloofness, and, as with Clinton’s
infamous “basket of deplorables” remark about Trump supporters, a history of insulting less educated people with conservative views. True, Clinton lacked the common touch, unlike her husband, former US President Bill Clinton. and macron can come across as being contemptuous of anyone who stands in his way. But while personality counts in democratic politics, individual quirks do not explain everything. The visceral aversion to Clinton and macron also reflects deeper social fissures resulting from shifts in party politics that began decades ago. Political parties used to be held together by classbased economic interests. The left, closely linked to trade unions, represented the interests of the industrial working class, and the right spoke for small and big business. liberal democratic systems worked because these parties held each other in balance. it was clear what they stood for, and most voters felt that they had a stake in the fortunes of one side or the other. This began to change in the 1980s, when the left started drifting away from economic, class-based interests toward social and cultural issues such as anti-racism, gender and sexual emancipation and multiculturalism. Trade unions were weakened, especially in the US and the United Kingdom, by de-industrialisation, and their links with socialist and social-democratic parties began to fray. The left became more popular with educated and relatively well-off urban voters, many of whom disliked organised religion and opposed various kinds of social conservatism, such as racial prejudice. The big mistake these left-wing elites made was to
assume that the working class, urban or rural, would naturally share their “progressive” social and cultural ideals. in fact, many people who would classify themselves as working class are conservative. religion thrives among the poor. immigrants are often perceived as a threat to their jobs. Gay rights do not rank high on their list of concerns. and this is not just true of white voters. in the US, many latinos, and even Black people, now vote for the republican Party. The left’s shift away from class-based politics began in the union-busting era of UK Prime minister margaret Thatcher and US President ronald reagan, and became even more apparent after the collapse of communism in the Soviet bloc. in the West, the need to balance freemarket economics with moderate redistribution was no longer regarded as an urgent priority. Even the UK’s formerly socialist labour Party under Tony Blair, and the US democratic Party under Bill Clinton, became keen promoters of the neoliberal policy agenda. Yet, if socially and culturally conservative rural voters and the urban working class felt increasingly alienated from center-left parties, they did not necessarily find the traditional pro-business centre-right hospitable, either. For a long time, the so-called “country-club” republican elite in the US would pay lip service to the conservative views of mostly white, blue-collar voters without college degrees by stirring up racial fears and promoting “Christian values”. But, once elected, these republicans would turn their attention to business as usual. many working-class voters thus felt betrayed by
both the left, which they thought no longer represented their economic interests and despised their social attitudes, and the right, which took no notice of them once it was in power. Both Trump and macron exploited this opening. Trump took over the republican Party and turned it into a populist cult, while macron blew up France’s centreleft and centre-right parties and replaced them with himself. Both men promised that they alone could fix their country’s problems, as though they were latter-day absolute monarchs. But macron has a problem. le Pen and Trump grew up in Paris and New York, respectively, with far greater wealth than macron, but they share and understand the resentments of people who hate educated elites. although macron comes from France’s provincial middle class, he climbed his way into the upper class and assumed the superior attitudes of the old left-wing and right-wing political parties that he helped to destroy. That is why he must rely on the votes of older, highly educated people in big cities. The old French working class supports either the far-left leader Jean-luc mélenchon or le Pen. rural voters prefer le Pen. and the young are on the far left or do not vote. We should feel relieved that enough French voters managed to stave off disaster. But macron was right to temper any sense of triumph, and also to voice his obligation to those who dislike his policies but still voted for him. many French voters feel abandoned, and macron needs to take their interests seriously. after all, the liberal center cannot rely on urban elites alone. let us hope that US democrats are paying attention. Ian Buruma is the author, most recently, of “The Churchill Complex: The Curse of Being Special, From Winston and FDR to Trump and Brexit” (Penguin, 2020).
the day america lost its status as the European neutrality is dying out ‘ultimate defender’ of human rights Lowy InstItute
IN 2001, THE US WAS EXPELLED FROM THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
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robert briDge
aY 4, 2001 marks the day when the US was voted off the United Nations Commission on Human rights. The decision should have provided the superpower with a much-needed wakeup call. instead, it just became more reckless on the global stage. With the benefit of hindsight, there was no loss of irony about Washington losing its seat on the body for the first time since the panel’s founding in 1947. That’s because, as far as america’s track record on human rights was concerned, the ‘best’ was yet to come. in a few short years, the United States would rewrite the book for inhumane behavior in its decades-long War on Terror. and while that is something nobody could have predicted in may 2001, perhaps the feeling that america had lost its moral compass was already in the air. One of the stated reasons for the Genevabased organization voting out the global power was its increasing frustration with Washington balking on its commitment to international treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. in direct opposition to the opinions of its European allies, George W. Bush withdrew Washington's tentative support for the measure, arguing it would cause “serious harm to the US economy.” another cited reason for the americans being ousted from their chair was due to the relentless support of israel over the latter’s perennial conflict with the Palestinians. in march 2001, following non-stop episodes of violence and killing, with the Palestinian side suffering the brunt of the casualties, the UN Security Council attempted to pass a resolution that would have created “an appropriate mechanism to protect Palestinian civilians, including through the establishment of a United Nations observer force.” Predictably, the United States was the only member to deliver a thumbs down on the motion, with four abstaining. in fact, nearly all US vetoes cast since 1988 blocked resolutions aimed at israel, because, as the US claims, Palestinian terrorist groups were not adequately condemned.
Not everyone, of course, agreed with the decision to drop the US from its membership of the human rights club. amnesty international, for example, jumped to america’s defense, calling its removal “part of an effort by nations that routinely violate human rights to escape scrutiny.” Whatever the case may be, this brings us to the real irony of america being stripped of its seat in the first place. as stated earlier, not only did the Washington fail to heed the warning over its increasingly arrogant actions, its behavior actually worsened over time. in his State of the Union address on January 29, 2002, George W. Bush branded three countries — North Korea, iran and iraq — as an “axis of evil.” Just prior to the US leader casting judgment on those nations, Washington opened the doors to the Guantanamo Bay detention Camp (Gitmo), or, as amnesty international famously dubbed it, “the Gulag of our time.” Situated on the southernmost tip of Cuba at the Guantanamo Naval Base, Gitmo has become synonymous with the very things that the UN Human rights Commission fought to prevent, namely brutality, torture, and the perversion of justice. moazzamBegg, a prisoner-turned-activist who spent three years at Gitmo, described the horrors he witnessed. “i saw two people beaten to death,” Begg told rT. “i saw one prisoner with his hands tied above his head to the top of the cage being repeatedly punched and kicked until he was killed. The americans have accepted that this was a homicide.” in april 2004, it was also discovered that the United States was responsible for severe human rights violations at the abu Ghraib prison in iraq. Euphemistically described as ‘enhanced interrogation techniques,’ prisoners were systematically tortured, raped and sodomized. The Guardian published some of the shocking images, and viewer discretion is strongly advised. against all expectations, america’s human rights record did not get better with the arrival of Barack Obama, america’s first black president who rose to power on the promise of “hope and change.” in 2016 alone, on Obama’s watch, US forces dropped some 26,171 bombs on foreign countries. Syria and iraq were both targeted some 12,000 times each, while afghanistan (1,337), libya (496), Yemen (35), Somalia (14), and Pakistan (three) also experienced attacks on their territory. in his last year in office, Barack Obama had the ignoble distinction of being at war longer than any other president in US history. Has the United States learned anything
over the past several decades since being voted off the UN commission? Judging by the fate of some of its biggest detractors, it would appear not. in 2010, the australian activist Julian assange published a series of leaked documents – with Hollywood-sounding names like ‘Collateral murder’ and ‘iraq War logs’ detailing possible war crimes by the US military – provided by army analyst Chelsea manning. after being granted asylum for seven years at the Ecuadorian Embassy in london on the grounds of political persecution (assange was also wanted in Sweden on sex assault allegations, but feared that if he were there he would be delivered into the hands of american prosecutors), he was arrested by the UK police. in may 2019, President donald Trump's government charged him with violating the Espionage act of 1917. The move was harshly condemned by media outlets as an infringement on the First amendment. Since april 2019, assange has been incarcerated at the Belmarsh maximum-security prison in london as his health reportedly deteriorates. meanwhile, Edward Snowden, the former Cia analyst turned whistleblower, has also paid a hefty price for shining a light on some of the US government’s less admirable activities, like spying on citizens both at home and abroad. Now living in russia, Snowden reportedly awaits the day when he will be allowed to return to his homeland. For those believing inhumane treatment was reserved for “terrorists” and “traitors,” just this week, russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko returned home after enduring more than a decade in a US prison over his alleged involvement in a drug-smuggling scheme. Yaroshenko revealed the horrors he was exposed to during that time. “There was a torture room where i was tortured for two-and-a-half days. it was inhuman torture, physical and psychological, with enormous pressure. at some point, i didn’t even want to live… i didn’t want to return back into this world.” Clearly, this is not the sort of behavior one would expect from a country that regularly passes judgment on other governments. The saying about ‘people who live in glass houses’ comes to mind. Unsolicited sermons on human rights make more sense coming from those who practice what they preach. Robert Bridge is an American writer and journalist. He is the author of 'Midnight in the American Empire,' How Corporations and Their Political Servants are Destroying the American Dream.
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Daniel Woker
ladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had the opposite effect of his desire to divide Europe. Former neutrals – Finland, Sweden, austria and Switzerland – are evaluating their traditional non-alignment policy. ireland might change, too, shifting from its longstanding “Neither King nor Kaiser” attitude that stretches back to the foundation of the republic. and not only Ukraine, but moldova as well as a clear popular majority in Belarus, want to join the European Union to institutionalise security cooperation. Finland and Sweden’s talk of joining NaTO in particular has swept away years of tradition and the conviction of best contributing to European peace by not openly aligning themselves with the Western alliance. Both countries would bring considerable firepower to the defence of northern Europe against any russian incursion – Finland with its legendary infantry, who repeatedly beat back the red army in the past, Sweden with its considerable navy in the Baltic Sea. Together with founding NaTO members Norway and denmark, and the relatively newly-minted partners lithuania, latvia and Estonia, these countries would consequently form a sturdy and reliable northern European pillar. This would also render less threatening the russian enclave Kaliningrad on the shores of the Baltic Sea between Poland and lithuania. No wonder then, that the three Baltic states vigorously advocate the swift adhesion of their two Nordic neighbours. To call both austria and Switzerland neutral has been, at least since the end of the Cold War, something of a misnomer. Both are solid Western democracies much like their neighbours and have in security policy relied on NaTO protection as well as their own armed forces. The latter are stronger in the Swiss case compared with austria, who did away with belligerence, much like Germany, after the disastrous experience of the world wars. Yet the Ukraine example has driven home a realisation, even in these two somewhat complacent alpine republics, that they would be lost on their own and that more is expected from them
to contribute to European security. austria, of course, is an EU member state and expected to participate fully in future security policy arrangements. Yet at first sight the (almost) full adoption of EU sanctions against russia by traditionally neutral Switzerland has surprised. But not when considering that the opposite would have meant favouring Putin by creating a safe haven for russian assets – and also because a clear majority of the Swiss wanted to condemn Putin’s aggression. The real test for Swiss compliance will come should all fossil fuel flows from russia into Europe be sanctioned given the bulk of respective traders are domiciled in Switzerland. But for russia’s immediate neighbours Ukraine, moldova and Belarus, there is no prospect of NaTO membership in the foreseeable future, even if Putin does not survive his Ukrainian folly. US President Joe Biden will preserve a few remaining redlines beyond which a global confrontation with russia looms. However, as with Ukraine now, moldova and a future Belarus without alexander lukashenko could join part of the “enhanced opportunities” Partnership interoperability initiative of NaTO, short of the crucial article 5 protection stipulating that an attack on one member is an attack on all. and it is here that the security policy side of the European Union comes in as a substitute. Ukraine and moldova have already requested EU membership, which its regular June summit will likely accept by placing both countries in an official candidate category. in Belarus, a clear popular majority will want to do likewise, as manifested on occasion of the last presidential election only to be temporarily put down by Putin’s lackey lukashenko with active help from the Kremlin. One of the side effects of Putin’s gradually more visible defeat in the Ukraine might well be regime change in minsk as russian armed might loses its deterrence capacity in its immediate neighbourhood. Dr. Daniel Woker is the former Swiss Ambassador to Australia, Singapore and Kuwait and now a Senior Lecturer at the University of St Gallen. He is Co-founder and President of the start-up “Share-anAmbassador - geopolitical coaching” (www.swiss-ambashare.ch).
Friday, 6 May, 2022 | IslaMaBaD
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PakiSTani worker ShoT in Greece in SUSPecTed haTe crime ATHENS
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Taiwan says it cannot afford new US antisubmarine helicopters TAIPEI REUTERS
Taiwan signalled on Thursday that it had abandoned a plan to buy advanced new anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the United States, saying they were too expensive. Taiwan had earlier said it was planning to buy 12 MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters, made by Lockheed Martin unit Sikorsky, but domestic media said the United States had rejected the sale as not being in line with the island's needs. Asked in parliament about recent changes to Taiwan's purchases of new US weapons, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng mentioned the helicopter case first. "The price is too high, beyond the scope of our country's ability," he said. Two other arms purchases have also been delayed M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems, and mobile Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The Raytheon Technologies' Stingers are in hot demand in Ukraine, where they have been used against Russian aircraft, but US supplies have shrunk and there are significant hurdles to producing more of the anti-aircraft weapons. Chiu said they had already signed the contract for the Stingers and paid for them, and they would press the United States to deliver them. "We don't view arms sales as a trifling matter, and we have back-up plans," he added, without elaborating. Taiwan says the United States has offered it alternatives to the M109A6, including truck-based rocket launchers made by Lockheed Martin called the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. Chiu said they were still considering their options on that. Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, is undertaking a military modernisation programme to improve its capabilities to fend off a Chinese attack, including with precision weapons like missiles. President Tsai Ing-wen has championed the concept of "asymmetric warfare", which involves developing hightech, highly mobile weapons that are hard to destroy and can deliver precision attacks. US officials have been pushing Taiwan to modernise its military so it can become a "porcupine", hard for China to attack. China has been ramping up its own military modernisation and pressure against Taiwan as it seeks to force the democratically governed island to accept Beijing's rule. Chiu said the recently - he did not give a timeframe - there were many "enemy ships" in the waters around Taiwan, which "in principle stand off" with Taiwanese forces, though he did not give details.
afp
Pakistani worker was shot in the head in Greece in a suspected hate crime ahead of a key appeal trial involving the notorious neo-Nazi organisation Golden Dawn, an anti-racism group said. The Keerfa group said Ali Riaz, 26, had been repeatedly fired at by a passing taxi driver in central Athens on Monday as he and other Muslims were returning from Eid prayers. Doctors later removed a pellet from his left temple, the group said. “I did not see his face… but he was white,” Riaz told state TV ERT. The incident comes ahead of an ap-
peals trial on June 15 involving dozens of members of the Golden Dawn
group, formerly Greece’s third most popular party.
In a ruling in October 2020, Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos and nearly 60 other members were found guilty of participation in a criminal organisation. Crimes attributed to the group included the murder of a Greek antiracism rapper and the serious beating of an Egyptian fisherman. Of the 57 people convicted in 2020, 40 were jailed and 35 are still in prison. Golden Dawn, a xenophobic and anti-Semitic organisation, existed on the fringes of Greek politics until the country’s 2010 debt crisis. It capitalised on public anger over immigration and austerity cuts, entering parliament for the first time in 2012 with a total of 18 seats.
Millions in Beijing urged to work from home to fight COVID BEIJING afp
The streets of Beijing's business district were deserted on Thursday as the government called for people to return to work remotely, with scores of subway stations shut after a national holiday muted by coronavirus curbs. Chinese authorities have stuck to their zero-COVID policy of lockdowns and mass testing as they battle the biggest outbreak since the early days of the pandemic, with entire neighbourhoods in the capital sealed over handfuls of infections. Beijing reported 50 local cases on Thursday, a day after it said people in Chaoyang, its most populous district, should work from home. Those among the district's 3.5 million residents who needed to visit their offices were encouraged to drive themselves and avoid gatherings. At least one other Beijing district has also encouraged residents to work from home, while dozens of subway stations across the capital remained closed. Open restaurants offer only takeaway. But Feng Yinhao, a massage parlour employee in Chaoyang district, said Beijing was "still normal" compared to the country's largest city, Shanghai. Authorities have been treading
cautiously since an extended lockdown in the southern finance hub led to food shortages and public anger. "Residents can accept the situation now," Zhan Jun, a man living in Chaoyang, told AFP. But "if things are like in Shanghai... if it's too severe, things will sound different." Shanghai — epicentre of the latest outbreak — reported more than 4,600 mostly asymptomatic infections on Thursday and 13 more deaths. Quiet holiday: The call to work from home followed an unusually quiet Labour Day holiday, with the capital stepping up COVID testing requirements for entering public spaces, discouraging travel and shutting down gyms. Domestic tourism revenue from the five-day break was down by more than 40 per cent from a year ago, according to official data. Dozens of Chinese cities were implementing full or partial lockdowns, or measures restricting mobility as of May 3, analysts from Nomura said. The economic impact of the stringent measures has started to weigh, with independent data on Thursday showing that activity in China's services sector slumped in April to its second-lowest level on record. Meanwhile, the case of a Beijing COVID patient who infected dozens of others via the city´s public toilets
sparked amusement on social media — with Weibo users sharing photos of one public restroom that now appeared to be requiring proof of a recent COVID test to enter. "Don't go to the toilet unless necessary, apply for a one-day loo permit with your neighbourhood committee with your 24-hour PCR test," one user on the Twitter-like service joked. Some curbs were being loosened, however, with Beijing announcing
Wednesday that international travellers can be released from quarantine after 10 days in a centralised facility and a week of home isolation, down from a total of 21 days. Government spokesman Xu Hejian told reporters the move was due to the Omicron variant's shorter incubation period and usually milder symptoms. Close contacts of confirmed cases will also have a shorter centralised quarantine, officials said.
Russia fights for control of Ukraine's Mariupol stronghold KYIV REUTERS
Russian forces battled on Wednesday for control of the last stronghold in Ukraine's besieged city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials said, and the European Union proposed tough new sanctions against Moscow including a phased oil embargo. Mariupol authorities say some 200 civilians, as well as Ukrainian fighters, are still holed up in a vast network of underground bunkers in the Azovstal steel plant, which has suffered repeated bombardment from encircling Russian troops. Civilians who were evacuated to safety this week under a United Nations-led deal voiced fear for those still trapped inside. "God forbid more shells hit near the bunkers where the civilians are," said evacuee Tetyana Trotsak, who was among dozens of Ukrainians who reached the Ukraine-controlled town of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday. After failing to capture the capital Kyiv in the early weeks of an assault that has killed thousands and flattened cities, Russia has accelerated attacks on Ukraine's south and east, where the Azov Sea port of Mariupol is its main target. Russia declared victory over Mariupol on April 21 after weeks of siege and shelling. The city is key to Moscow's efforts to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea - vital for
grain and metals exports - and link Russiancontrolled territory in the south and east. Ukrainian fighters inside Azovstal are fighting "difficult, bloody battles" against Russian troops, said Denis Prokopenko, a commander with Ukraine's Azov regiment. A Ukrainian parliamentarian said Russian forces were inside the plant. Russia's military said it would pause military activity at Azovstal during Thursday daytime and the following two days to allow civilians to evacuate. Humanitarian corridors will be opened "for the evacuation of civilians (working personnel, women and children) whose pres-
ence in the underground facilities of the plant (has) been announced by the Kyiv authorities," Russia's military said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to help rescue more people from the plant. "The lives of the people who remain there are in danger. Everyone is important to us. We ask for your help in saving them," Zelenskiy said. Over 300 civilians were evacuated from Mariupol and other areas in southern Ukraine as part of a joint U.N.-Red Cross operation that concluded on Wednesday, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine
Osnat Lubrani said. "While this second evacuation of civilians from areas in Mariupol and beyond is significant, much more must be done to make sure all civilians caught up in fighting can leave, in the direction they wish," Lubrani said. Piling pressure on Russia's already battered $1.8 trillion economy, Brussels proposed phasing out imports of Russian crude oil within six months and refined products by the end of this year. "(President Vladimir) Putin must pay a price, a high price, for his brutal aggression," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told applauding EU lawmakers in Strasbourg. The plan, if agreed by all 27 EU governments, would follow U.S. and British oil bans and be a watershed for the world's largest trading bloc, which remains dependent on Russian energy and must find alternative supplies. U.S. President Joe Biden said he would speak to other Group of Seven leaders this week about possible further steps against Moscow. "We're always open to additional sanctions," Biden told reporters in Washington. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the news from the EU, but stressed the urgency of acting to starve Russia's war machine. "My position is simple: every euro paid
to Russia for gas, oil or other goods ends up as rounds of ammunition in Ukraine to kill my compatriots," he told Austrian TV channel Puls 4 in an interview. The Kremlin said Russia was weighing various responses to the EU plan, adding that the measures would be costly for European citizens. A source said EU envoys could reach a deal on Thursday or later this week on the plan, which also targets Russia's top bank, its broadcasters, and hundreds of individuals. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu renewed a warning that Moscow would seek to hit U.S and NATO shipments of weapons into Ukraine. His ministry said Russian forces disabled six railway stations used to deliver Western arms to Ukraine's east. It later said it hit 77 military targets throughout the day, including ammunition depots and artillery. Ukrainian authorities said Russian strategic bombers fired 18 rockets "with the aim of damaging our country's transport infrastructure" and confirmed an attack on the railways. Announcing surprise military drills, Belarus's defence ministry said they posed no threat to neighbours, but Ukraine's border service said it could not rule out that Belarusian forces might join Russia's assault. "Therefore, we are ready," spokesman Andriy Demchenko said.
10 Foreign News-6th May 2022_Layout 1 5/5/2022 8:44 PM Page 1
Friday, 6 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
10 FOREIGN NEWS
Heavy rain and floods in afgHanistan kill 22, destroy Hundreds of Homes
KABUL
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REUTERS
EAVY rain and flooding has killed 22 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged crops in Afghanistan, which is already facing a hu-
manitarian crisis, a disaster management official said on Thursday. The Taliban government, struggling to cope with the disaster that has affected more than a third of its provinces, will approach international relief organisations for help, officials said. “Due to flooding and storms in 12
provinces, 22 people have died and 40 injured,” said Hassibullah Shekhani, head of communications and information at Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. The rain and flooding was particularly severe in the western provinces of Badghis and Faryab and the northern province of Baghlan. Afghanistan has been suffering from drought in recent years, made worse by climate change, with low crop yields raising fears of serious food shortages. The weather has exacerbated problems of poverty caused by decades of war and then a drop in foreign aid and the freezing of assets abroad after the Taliban took over, and US-led forces withdrew, in August. Shekhani said 500 houses were destroyed, 2,000 damaged, 300 head of livestock killed and some 3,000 acres of crops damaged. He said the International Committee of the Red Cross was helping and officials would approach other international organisations for help. The international community is grappling with how to help the country of some 40 million people without benefiting the Taliban.
Indian police officer arrested for ‘raping’ gang-rape victim LUCKNOW REUTERS
Indian police have arrested an officer accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh after she went to him to report her gang-rape, an incident that sparked outrage in a country notorious for assaults on women. The head of a rural police station in Lalitpur, a district about 580km (360 miles) south of New Delhi, the capital, was among four people arrested on Wednesday, a state police official said. “Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” Prashant Kumar, a senior police officer, told Reuters on Thursday. “The rape survivor has been admitted to the district hospital for treatment.” Reuters could not contact the accused officer to seek comment, as he is in custody. The incident only came to light this week after the victim, a teenager from the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system, managed to file a complaint with the police. In her complaint, she said she had been gang raped by four boys who took her to a neighbouring state on April 22, but escaped from them a few days later
and went to the police station on April 27, where she was raped again. Politicians and activists demanded urgent steps to protect women. “If police stations are not safe for women, then where will they go with their complaints?” asked Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a senior leader of the main opposition Congress party. India adopted the death penalty in 2018 as a punishment for the rape of girls
younger than 12, in response to public pressure after a spate of assaults on children. That followed the gang rape of a young woman in a moving bus in the capital in 2012 that caused national uproar and brought new laws, though the number of assaults on women stayed high. Nearly 32,000 rapes or attempted rapes were reported in India in 2020, the government’s most recent crime data shows.
North Korea fires ballistic missile as South gets ready for new president SEOUL REUTERS
North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea and Japan said, about a week after Pyongyang vowed to develop its nuclear forces “at the fastest possible speed”. The North’s 14th known weapons test this year comes days before the South’s new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, takes office on May 10. North Korea’s last test, on April 16, involved a new tactical guided weapon aimed at boosting its nuclear capability. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at about noon in the Sunan area of the North’s capital of Pyongyang, home to an international airport and the area from which the North said it had fired its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-17, on March 24. The missile flew about 470 km (292 miles) to a maximum altitude of 780 km (485 miles), the JCS said. “A recent series of North Korea’s ballistic missile launches poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of not only the Korean peninsula but also the international community,” the JCS said in a statement, urging the North to immediately stop such actions. The offices of both outgoing and incoming South Korean presidents strongly condemned the launch, with Yoon’s team vowing to strictly respond to such actions and devise “more fundamental deterrent measures”. The United States also condemned the test and repeated calls on Pyongyang to return to dialogue over its nuclear and missile programmes. “Like the DPRK’s recent tests of at least three intercontinental ballistic missiles, this launch is a clear violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions,” a State Department spokesperson said. Referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, it said the launch showed the threat the weapons programmes pose to the country’s neighbours and the region. The US military urged Pyongyang to refrain from further destabilizing actions. “While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory, or that of our allies, we will continue to monitor the situation,” it said in a statement.
In Seoul, officials and experts said it was too early to say if the latest test involved another ICBM. Lee Jong-sup, Yoon’s pick for defence minister, told his confirmation hearing it “might be an ICBM or something with a shorter range.” Japanese deputy defence minister Makoto Oniki put the missile’s range at 500 km (311 miles) and its maximum altitude at 800 km (497 miles). He said the ministry was still analysing the data to determine its type. “North Korea’s recent action, including frequent missile launches, cannot be tolerated, as it poses a threat to the security and safety of the region and international community,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters, adding that Japan had logged a protest against North Korea. When he oversaw a huge military parade last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to hasten development of the country’s nuclear arsenal amid stalled denuclearisation talks with the United States. In its March 24 test, the North’s first fullcapability launch since 2017, a missile flew 1,080 km (671 miles) to an altitude of 6,200 km (3,900 miles), with a flight time of 71 minutes, the JCS said. Ankit Panda, a nuclear policy expert at the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the launch possibly involved technology for satellite reconnaissance systems, which the North tested in February and March. Cheong Seong-chang, a specialist on North Korea at the Sejong Institute think tank in Seoul, agreed. “Today’s range and maximum altitude was similar to those recorded in the two previous tests, but showed progress in its capability,” Cheong said. Wednesday’s test came as South Korean and Japanese nuclear envoys held talks in Seoul, urging the North to stop escalating tensions and return to diplomacy, Seoul’s foreign ministry said. China’s nuclear negotiator, Liu Xiaoming, also met Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun, who called for Beijing’s constructive role in stabilising the situation, the ministry said. Ahead of Yoon’s inauguration, he is mapping out a foreign policy agenda after signalling a tough line against Pyongyang, while leaving open the door for dialogue. Lee, a retired former deputy chairman of JCS, told the hearing he would beef up South Korea’s deterrent capability to “sternly” respond to the North’s nuclear and missile threats.
France and India call for immediate end to Ukraine hostilities UKRAINE AFP
India and France on Wednesday called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities” in Ukraine, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi again stopping short of condemning Russia’s invasion of its neighbour. India, which imports much of its military hardware from Russia, has long walked a diplomatic tightrope between the West and Moscow — notably refusing to denounce the latter or vote against it at the United Nations over its actions in Ukraine. “France and India expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian crisis and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement after they met in Paris for talks and a working dinner. “Both countries unequivocally condemned the fact that civilians have been killed in Ukraine, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in order for the two sides to come together to promote dialogue and diplomacy, and to put an immediate end to the suffering of the people.” However, only France condemned “Russian forces’ illegal and unjustified aggression against Ukraine”. The two countries said they would “respond in a coordinated and multilateral way” to the risk the conflict
would intensify a global food crisis, with Ukraine one of the world’s main wheat producers. Ahead of the meeting, Macron’s office had said he would “emphasise the consequences of the war for the international order well beyond the European Union, including in Asia” to Modi. France wants to “help the Indians diversify their supply” away from Russian arms and energy, officials
added. The aim, they said, “is not to leave the Indians with no way out, but to offer solutions”. Modi, who is on a European tour, told reporters after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday that “there won’t be any winners in this war and everyone will lose.” ‘TrusTing relaTionship’: The Elysee said Macron has an “extremely warm relationship” with
Modi, who has visited France three times since 2017, while the French leader went to India in 2018. Modi invited Macron to visit India again to deepen cooperation on defence technology and the transition to clean energy. The two men embraced and posed for photographs when Modi arrived in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace, where he was also greeted by Macron’s wife Brigitte. Going into the meeting, officials described France’s relationship with India as “trusting”, and the joint statement reaffirmed the two countries’ desire to strengthen the “strategic Franco-Indian partnership, particularly in the Indo-Pacific”. Securing France’s place in the region is especially important after Britain, the United States and Australia last year sealed their AUKUS security pact — dumping a lucrative French contract to supply Canberra’s next generation of submarines along the way. India has bought dozens of French Rafale fighter jets and six submarines, and cooperates with Paris on civil nuclear projects. French state-owned energy giant EDF wants to build six next-generation EPR reactors in Jaitapur on India’s west coast. The Elysee said it was pushing hard to get that deal signed, fitting in with Macron’s vow ahead of his re-election last month to renew France’s nuclear industry and replace its fleet of ageing power plants.
11 Sports 6th May 2022_Layout 1 5/5/2022 9:03 PM Page 1
Friday, 6 May, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
ReAl MAdRid stuN MANCHesteR City iN extRA tiMe to ReACH CHAMpioNs leAgue fiNAl
MANchesteR
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AFP
ARIM BENZEMA scored an extra-time penalty as Real Madrid pulled off another astonishing comeback in the Champions League to stun Manchester City 3-1 on Wednesday and book a showdown with Liverpool in the final. City looked certain to go through when Riyad Mahrez put them 1-0 up and 5-3 ahead on aggregate but Rodrygo, on as a substitute, scored an incredible late double, his goals in the 90th and 91st minutes sending the tie to extra time. With City still reeling, Real Madrid landed the knock-out blow as Benzema earned and then converted a spot-kick to snatch a 6-5 win on aggregate, with another remarkable fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu added
to the club’s long list of magical European nights. This season, Madrid had already performed the unlikeliest of rescue acts to defeat both Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 and Chelsea in the quarter-finals but, given the stakes and how close they were to defeat, this one against Manchester City was surely the most dramatic. Like PSG and Chelsea before them, City will wonder how they emerged as losers from a match they largely controlled and there will be fresh scrutiny too on coach Pep Guardiola, who, for all his success, goes another year without leading City to the European glory they so crave. City’s collapse would have been almost inexplicable had it been against anyone other than Real Madrid, who advance to their 17th final in the competition. They are a victory against Liverpool away from lifting a 14th Eu-
ropean Cup. “Another magic night from the kings of Europe,” read a banner draped over the stand at one end before kick-off but for most of normal time, this match failed to live up to the seven-goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium last week. Real Madrid were the more assertive early on, with Benzema given a couple of difficult opportunities that only he, in his current form, might have expected to convert. Instead, he headed over and fired high. In between, Luka Modric and Rodri clashed over a Casemiro challenge and then City stepped forward, squeezing Madrid into errors as Kevin De Bruyne hit Thibaut Courtois from distance before the goalkeeper had to make a smart reaction save from Bernardo Silva. Real Madrid survived and then improved before the break, Modric
causing a roar of satisfaction when he outsprinted De Bruyne to cut off a counter. Probably their best chance came within seconds of the restart as Dani Carvajal found space down the right but Vinicius Junior shot wide at the back post. City were on the back foot as space opened up for Modric in the box but a poor touch made his finish difficult. A sloppy Kyle Walker pass set Casemiro loose but the weaving Vinicius was unable to find a way through. Mahrez strikes: An injury to Walker checked Madrid’s momentum and when the game found its rhythm again, City struck, Ilkay Gundogan’s pass cutting through Madrid’s midfield and finding Silva, who danced through to the edge of the box. Silva shaped to shoot but instead wedged the ball right to Mahrez, who smashed it hard, early and past Courtois. Modric went off and with the Croatian seemed to go some of Madrid’s belief. Jack Grealish, on as a substitute, could have made it two for City but somehow Ferland Mendy cleared off the line, before another Grealish shot flashed past the post. It felt inconsequential because Madrid looked dead and buried but somehow, out of nowhere, they found a way back. It was the 90th minute when Benzema cushioned a ball brilliantly across for Rodrygo to feather in at the near post and the cheer for the goal was only a little louder than for the stadium announcer then saying there would be six minutes of added time. Madrid only needed one as City, for so long so compact and composed, were suddenly sprawled and all it needed was for Carvajal to swing a cross into the box, where the diminutive Rodrygo headed in. When play resumed, Madrid emerged the stronger and four minutes in, they had a penalty, Benzema tumbling over the tired, lunging leg of Ruben Dias before ignoring City’s attempts at distraction by rolling the spot-kick into the corner. City pushed as Fernandinho came up just short at the back post when Courtois parried away. A late flick from Dias into the box floated harmlessly into the hands of Courtois, City’s final attempt coming to nothing.
SPORTS 11 Nadal wins on return from injury in Madrid MADRID AFP
Rafael Nadal enjoyed a winning return after a six-week injury break, opening his Madrid campaign with a 6-1, 7-6(7/4) success over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic on Wednesday. The Spanish star had been sidelined with a rib injury since his Indian Wells final defeat in March but showed little sign of rust as he skipped into the third round. Nadal said his preparation for the tournament was “non-existent” due to his rib problem limiting his ability to train and was thrilled by how well he played against one of the most in-form players of the season. “Today I was able to play one hour, 55 minutes against an opponent that was playing really well in these last months, so a really good victory, a lot of value to it,” said the 35-year-old Mallorcan. “It helps me a lot to reach my final goal, which is to recover my previous health and previous fitness. I’m very excited about it.” The 22-year-old Kecmanovic entered the match carrying the second-highest tally of wins on tour this season – his 23 victories placing him just one behind Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal, a threetime title winner in 2022, improved to 21-1 for the year and now plays Belgian qualifier David Goffin. After a fairly routine opening set and a brief rain delay, Nadal faced significant resistance from the world number 32, who was broken in game five of the second set but struck back immediately as he started to find his range from the baseline. Nadal found an opening at 5-5 and broke on his first opportunity, thanks to a long backhand from Kecmanovic. The number three seed could not serve out the win though, dropping serve as Kecmanovic forced a tie-break. The pair were neck and neck, gifting each other mini-breaks before Nadal finally secured the win in just under two hours with an ace. Second-seeded Alexander Zverev began his title defence with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over former US Open champion Marin Cilic. The German is a two-time Madrid champion and now owns a 16-2 win-loss record at the Caja Magica. Fourth seed Tsitsipas beat French wildcard Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-4, while Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime both won in straight sets. British ninth seed Cameron Norrie edged past John Isner 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 to advance to a last-16 clash with teenage star Alcaraz, but fifth seed Casper Ruud lost in three sets to Dusan Lajovic. Earlier on centre court, Ons Jabeur marched into the women’s semifinals with a crushing 6-3, 6-2 win over former world number one Simona Halep.
County Championship: Hasan Ali named player of the month News Desk Pakistani bowler Hasan Ali — who is representing Lancashire County Cricket Club — added an award to his name for outstanding performance in the ongoing County Championship 2022. He was named “Player of the Month” for April. He had taken five wickets twice in two innings last month. Hasan had taken five wickets in the first innings and a single in the second innings against Hampshire County Cricket Club. Earlier in the match against Gloucestershire, the fast bowler had taken six wickets in the first innings and three in the other. Acknowledging Hasan’s performance, Lancashire Cricket on Twitter said: “Your @Hilton Player of the Month for April, is… @RealHa55an! [Hasan Ali]”
MIAMI AFP
World champion Max Verstappen will seek to ignore all the hype and razzmatazz this weekend when he bids to trim Charles Leclerc’s lead with a third win of the season at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. Fresh from victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix where he led Sergio Perez home in a resounding Red Bull one-two, the 24-year-old Dutchman arrives in Florida trailing championship leader Leclerc of Ferrari by 27 points. After four races, both drivers know there is a long way to go in the title race and will be aware that their long-awaited Formula One duel has captured the imagination ahead of Sunday’s keenly-anticipated contest. Round five of the new era battle between a younger generation of racers takes place at the selfstyled Miami International Autodrome, a fast street track built around car parks at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The stadium is, by rich irony, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins whose name serves to remind F1’s bruised drivers of the pain generated by their new ground effect cars this season as they bump up and down, ‘porpoising’ at high speeds on the straights. “It is an exciting new challenge and a step into the unknown,” said Toto Wolff, team boss of champions Mercedes whose cars have suffered extreme porpoising this year. “The track looks demanding, with a real mix of low and high-speed corners, and it’s set to be a spectacular showcase for the sport to a growing US fan-base. We’re set for a fantastic event.”
Verstappen bids to trim Leclerc’s lead
The race will be the first of two in America this year, adding to the successful United States Grand Prix held in Austin, Texas, and pre-event hype has drawn suggestions that it will be F1’s answer to the Super Bowl, complete with A-list celebrities and vast crowded hospitality areas. A third American race in Las Vegas is
scheduled to join the calendar next year. “I think this weekend is going to be pretty crazy,” said Verstappen. “I’m looking forward to the racing – I’ve driven the track on the simulator and we’ve practiced and prepared as much as we can without visiting in real life. “I love racing in Austin, so it’s fun that we get to go to another state exciting to
CMYK
see F1 getting so much bigger in the US.” “It looks positive,” said Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, when asked about the track layout and prospects for good racing. “Let’s see how it goes in real life. To me, on paper, it looked good. As an event, I’m sure it will be amazing.” While Leclerc and Verstappen are the main attractions, there will also be
much interest in the ongoing struggles of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes after a poor start to the season. Without a win in four races, he is already 58 points behind Leclerc and has written off his own hopes of a title challenge, but he has been contradicted unexpectedly by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. Horner told the respected F1Nation podcast: “Lewis had a horrible weekend, but he hasn’t forgotten how to drive. Only five races ago, they were fighting for a world championship. “They’ll get that car sorted out and he can still be a factor in this championship. We don’t underestimate any of our opponents.” Hamilton finished 13th at Imola where team-mate George Russell endured acute spinal pain on his way to fourth and both have been in the Mercedes simulator since to help fix and develop their troublesome car. “Since then, we have learned as much as we can,” said Wolff. “In the wind tunnel and in simulations and found several directions for improving the car. “We will be conducting experiments in Miami to correlate those simulations and hopefully confirm a development path for the coming races. Both drivers have been in the simulator and the factories have been producing updates.” In front of a sold-out weekend crowd of around 420,000, Mercedes will be desperate to end their early-season agonies and rediscover competitive pace and performance in a key market for car sales for all the big brands. But Ferrari and Red Bull, like McLaren, Renault and home favourites Haas, are unlikely to make it easy.
Friday, 6 May, 2022
prayer timings
NEWS
FAJR SUNRISE
ZUHR
ASR MAGHRIB ISHA
3:52
12:06
3:48
5:23
6:49
8:20
EidUl Fitr cElEbratEd with traditioNal zEal
islamabad
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staff report
IDUL Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan, was celebrated across the country with solemnity and religious fervour. The festival, celebrated sans Covid-19 curbs for the first time after two years, symbolises piety, patience, fortitude and socially reminds us to share the festivities with the poor, the orphans underprivileged, the downtrodden and neglected people. The celebrations began as a large number of people gathered in mosques and open-air places across the country to kick off the festival with special congregational prayers in the morning which were followed by feasts and fun-filled activities. In their addresses, the clergy highlighted the significance and philosophy of Eid. Special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of the country and the welfare of the
Islamic world. ‘A DAY OF BLESSING’: People embraced their families, relatives and neighbours and wished them a happy and prosperous Eid. The main congregation in Islamabad was held at Faisal Mosque where President Dr Arif Alvi, civil servants and diplomats of Muslim nations offered Eid prayers. Later, the president exchanged greetings with the people. In his message, President Dr Arif Alvi, while greeting the nation on Eidul Fitr, said it was a day of giving, blessings, and forgiveness. The president prayed to Allah to make the day a source of joy and bliss. SHARIF URGES TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE: In Lahore, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz offered prayers at their Jati Umrah residence while Governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema did the same at Badshahi Mosque where he prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country. The prime minister also exchanged Eid greetings with the people.
In his message on the occasion, Shehbaz extended greetings to the nation as well as Ummah on Eidul Fitr and urged the nation to show compassion and take special care of the people in need while celebrating the festival. Addressing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers after Eid prayers, Shehbaz vowed to resolve current economic challenges with the support of the people and members of the ruling coalition. ARMY CHIEF VISITS LOC: Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa spent the day with troops in the Dungi town of Azad Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) and offered prayer with the troops. Gen Bajwa and his wife visited the families of slain captains Muhammad Kashif and Muhammad Saad Bin Amin. There, the army chief paid rich tribute to the two and their families for their ultimate sacrifice in the service of the country, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release. He said: “Remembering our he-
roes is a source of inspiration both for the Pakistan Army and the nation. The nation remains forever indebted to these valiant sons and their courageous families.” KARACHI: In Sindh, the day dawned in Karachi with special prayers for the safety, security and prosperity of the country and for the unity of the Ummah. The main congregation was held at Gulshan-i-Jinnah. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with acting Governor Agha Siraj Durrani and former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah offered Eid prayers in front of the Bhutto family mausoleum at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Eid was celebrated a day earlier on Monday, congregations were held in various parts of Malakand, Hazara and Dera Ismail Khan divisions. Acting Governor Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani offered Eid prayer in Abbottabad. After the prayer, he interacted with the public and exchanged Eid greetings. QUETTA: In Quetta, the main gathering was held on Tughi Road. More than 190 congregations were held across the Balochistan capital. Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo congratulated the people of Balochistan on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr. GILGIT-BALTISTAN: In GilgitBaltistan as well, Eid was celebrated with traditional zeal and fervour. Congregations were held in all Gilgit, Diamer, and Baltistan divisions where people offered prayers. In Gilgit, the biggest Eid congregations were held in Imamia Eidgah on Quaid-e-Azam Road and Masjid Ahle Sunnah where thousands of people offered Eid prayers. The Gilgit administration has made elaborate security arrangements and no untoward incident was reported. AZAD KASHMIR: In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, special prayer congregations were held in all cities and towns where the people offered prayer.
US condemns Karachi suicide attack NEws dEsk The United States condemned the suicide bombing attack at a Chinese language and cultural centre at the University of Karachi that killed three Chinese teachers. The blast detonated by a 30-year-old woman blew up a minivan outside Confucius Institute, killing her, the Chinese teachers and their local driver. It was the first major attack this year against nationals of China working in Pakistan, and it drew Beijing’s condemnation. A militant group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) based in Balochistan, said the mother of two, who held a graduate degree in zoology and was studying for another, had volunteered for the attack targeting China whose investment projects in Balochistan they oppose.
Addressing his daily press briefing on Wednesday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price deplored the attack, terming it “a true affront to mankind”. “A terrorist attack anywhere is an affront to humanity everywhere, but for a terrorist attack to take place at a university, or at a religious site, or at some of the locations we’ve seen recently — that is a true affront to mankind,” he said when asked to comment on the attack. Price said the US attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan. “When it comes to your question, what I’ll say is that we value our bilateral relationship. We want to continue to work together in areas where we do have mutual interests with our Pakistani partners. That includes counterterrorism. That includes border security as well,” Price added.
Shahbaz Gill injured in car crash on motorway islamabad staff report
PTI leader and former special assistant to the prime minister for political communication, Dr Shahbaz Gill, received minor injuries along with three other people in a car crash on M-2 Motorway near the Khanqah Dogran interchange, Sheikhupura, on Thursday, a motorway police spokesperson said. The incident, which Gill later said was an attempt to murder him, occurred when a speeding vehicle rammed into his car from the rear side. “The four persons in [Gill’s] car received minor injuries,” a motorway police spokesperson said in a statement. Gill, who is former prime minister Imran Khan’s chief of staff, was travelling to Islamabad from Lahore when the incident happened. In a statement on Twitter after the incident, Gill said the car crash was in fact “a murder attempt” on him. “I want to tell those who attacked me, I am alive because of the Almighty and the prayers of my people. My car was chased and deliberately hit. This was done under a plan.” He recalled his statement from yesterday, saying: “I had said just a day ago that the most you could do is to get us killed. Do it. But, I will not betray [my cause].” The PTI leader said the “local handlers” — who, according to him, were part of a foreign conspiracy to topple the PTI government — knew that Imran Khan and his associates would not keep mum. “They will make all attempts to silence us.” Gill said he stood with Imran and would remain with him and claimed the same elements would also “attack” Imran. “God willing, we will expose everyone,” he said.
Pakistan urges UN to fight social media disinformation UNiTEd NaTiONs app
Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, called on the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) to fight the proliferating fake news and disinformation on social media platforms, and pay greater attention to the promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in the coronavirus and conflict-hit countries. “The United Nations remains the indispensable foundation of a peaceful and just world — its messages must be heard in a clear and effective manner,” Ambassador Munir Akram told the Committee on Information, a subsidiary body of the General Assembly, on Tuesday. Describing the Committee as vital in that regard, he said that following the challenges of the last two years, many countries now face the serious threats of food, energy and supply chain disruption. Pakistan is the current chairman of G-77 and China, which now has 134 members and is the United Nations’ biggest intergovernmental group of emerging countries. In his remarks, Ambassador Akram said the world at large faces severe stress due to proliferating conflicts, a new arms race, rising xenophobia and hate speech, violence and disinformation, he noted, adding that, against that backdrop, the Department has worked relatively well. The envoy emphasised that the growing trend of “fake news” and disinformation on online platforms demands that the Department intensify its support for efforts across the United Nations system to fight disinformation while disseminating factual, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information.
IIOJK redrawn constituencies give Hindus greater representation NEw dElHi reuters
India published on Thursday a new list of redrawn political constituencies for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, giving greater representation to the Muslimmajority region’s Hindu areas and paving the way for fresh elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government broke up IIOJK into two federal territories in 2019 as part of a move to tighten its grip over the disputed region Anticipating protests, the government put many political leaders under house arrest and cut off internet connections when it announced the move to split the state. IIOJK
originally comprised the mainly Muslim Kashmir Valley, the Hindu-dominated Jammu region, and the remote Buddhist enclave of Ladakh. The government said a delimitation commission had finalised 90 assembly constituencies for J&K, excluding Ladakh, with 43 seats for Jammu and 47 for Kashmir. Earlier, Jammu had 37 seats and the Kashmir valley 46. The commission, whose report has been rejected by J&K's Peoples Democratic Party, said it had been difficult to accommodate competing claims from various sides, citing in a statement the region's "peculiar geo-cultural landscape". Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said in January that elections would be held in J&K
soon after the delimitation process was completed. He also promised to reinstate its statehood once its "situation became normal". The Jammu Kashmir National Conference, which has governed the region, said it was studying the implications of the move that has been championed by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "No amount of gerrymandering will change the ground reality, which is that whenever elections are held the voter will punish the BJP and its proxies for what they have done to J&K over the last 4 years," the National Conference said on Twitter. The BJP said on Twitter it would change J&K's image and future for the better if voted to power.
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