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Saturday, 9 January, 2021 I 24 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 191 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

imran terms Hazaras’ refusal to bury miners until His visit as ‘blackmail’ g

MaryaM hits out at PM for not having visited hazara Protesters ISLAMABAD sTAff RePoRT

riMe Minister imran Khan has said that he will visit Quetta after the protesters bury their dead, as their refusal to do so until he visits is “akin to blackmailing the prime minister”. speaking at a ceremony in connection with the launch of special technology zones authority in islamabad on friday, PM imran said that he will visit Quetta on the very same day when slain coal miners are buried. the prime minister was of the view that linking the burial with his prior visit makes no sense, adding that no one blackmails a sitting prime minister like this anywhere in the world. “if this condition is accepted then everyone will blackmail the prime minister,” the premier said, adding that a gang of robbers – the opposition parties – has also been trying to blackmail him for the last two-and-a-half years. PM imran said that hazara is the most targeted community in the country. he said that he has visited them many times in the past and witnessed their fear, adding that “no community has been oppressed the way the hazara community has been oppressed over the years”. the premier said that the government has accepted all the demands of hazara community and the bereaved families will be compensated and fully taken care of as they have lost their bread earners in the despicable incident. he said that he also sent his cabinet members to hazara community to deliver a message that the government fully stands behind them. PM imran said that the Mach incident is part of the indian conspiracy to instigate anarchy and sectarian strife in Pakistan. he once again accused india of spreading chaos in Pakistan, saying he has been saying it since March 2019 that “india is fully involved in spreading chaos” and wants to spread sectarian violence in the country. he said that the indian plot was to murder the religious scholars of different

schools of thought. he commended the intelligence agencies for foiling four major terrorist activities including one in islamabad. he said, “we have put out the fire which the enemy was conspiring to stoke through sectarianism.” “india is trying its best to create chaos [in Pakistan],” he said. “i had already told the cabinet that shia ulema may be targeted in a bid to spread unrest. a sunni alim was murdered in Karachi — we put out that fire with great difficulty.” “the Mach labourers were killed with extreme brutality. i sent the interior minister as soon as i learnt about the Mach incident. later, two federal ministers were sent

CONFIRMED CASES:

497,510

LAST UPDATED AT 8:01 AM ON JANUARY 8, 2020

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

2,435 DEATHS:

453,828 10,558 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

222,999

143,511

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

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ISLAMABAD:

60,536

as well,” he said. “i want to make it clear that we have accepted all the demands but this is not appropriate that you put forth a condition that does not make sense.” turning to the launch of special technology zones authority, the prime minister said that the step is aimed at giving incentives to the it sector to bolster its growth. this, he said, will provide immense job opportunities to the youth and boost national it-related exports. Meanwhile, interior Minister sheikh rasheed ahmed has said that cooperation of religious scholars has been sought to amicably settle the matter of burial of victims of the Mach terror incident.

gulf state bestows Coas with bahrain order for signifiCant Contributions in defenCe CooPeration

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ISLAMABAD: the shuhda action Committee and the federal and provincial governments reached an agreement on friday night, after which the families of hazara martyrs agreed to bury their loved ones. Moreover, according to sources, Prime Minister imran Khan is set to fly to Quetta as per his commitment where he will meet the martyrs’ families. the announcement in this regard was made in Quetta after balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan and federal ministers syed ali zaidi and syed zulfiqar abbas bokhari reached the protest camp and held talks with the mourners. though the agreement paved way for the burial of martyrs, a decree by a senior religious authority of iran, naser Makarem shirazi, had played a key role in convincing the martyrs’ families to bury their dead in line with their religious obligations. later, the martyrs committee expressed gratitude to Prime Minister imran Khan and chief minister for yielding to the demand of the martyrs’ families and said that an agreement was formally signed between the two sides. zaidi also addressed a press conference and endorsed the agreement reached between the two sides. MIAN ABRAR CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

Pakistan

VICTIMS’ FAMILIES AGREE TO BURY HAZARA MARTYRS

coronavirus in

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Bahrain reaffirms special relationship with Pakistan

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RAWALPINDI TLTP

bahrain has reaffirmed its special relationship with Pakistan and pledged to keep working for even better relations between the two brotherly countries. these views were expressed by the bahraini leadership during talks with Chief of army staff (Coas) general Qamar Javed bajwa, who paid a three-day (January 6-8) visit to bahrain, a statement issued by inter-services Public relations (isPr) on friday stated. during his stay, the army chief called on Crown Prince of bahrain salman bin hamad bin isa al Khalifa, Commander in Chief of bahrain defence force Khalifa bin ahmed al Khalifa and Commander bahrain national guard lieutenant general sheikh Mohammed bin isa al Khalifa and discussed matters pertaining to bilateral defence and security cooperation and regional security situation. Pakistan and bahrain pledged to keep working for better relations be-

LeT leader Lakhvi sentenced to 15 years in prison LAHORE TLTP

an anti-terrorism court (atC) in lahore on friday sentenced un proscribed terrorist zakiur rehman lakhvi, a leader of the proscribed lashkar-e-taiba (let), to 15 years in prison and a fine of rs300,000 in a terrorism financing case. lakhvi, 61, who was on bail since 2015 in the Mumbai attack case, was arrested by the Counter-terrorism department (Ctd) of Punjab province on saturday. the court was also told that lakhvi, a resident of renal Khurd okara district of Punjab, was living in islamabad before his arrest in this case. atC-iii Judge ejaz ahmad buttar pronounced the verdict and awarded the fine to lakhvi for running a medical dispensary to collect and disburse funds for militant activities. during the trial, naseeruddin Khan nayyar and Muhammad imran fazal gul were cross-examined. in its written order issued on friday, the atC found lakhvi guilty under three sections of the anti-terrorism act (ata), 1997, for running a dispensary

tween the two brotherly countries. the army chief was presented with the bahrain order (first Class) by the bahraini Crown Prince for making significant contributions in defence cooperation between the two countries. Coas also witnessed the closing ceremony of Pakistan-bahrain joint military exercise al-badar-v at sakhir Camp. he appreciated the standard of training and the results attained. Coas bajwa said that the exercise signifies the joint efforts of both nations against terrorism. separately, a united states delegation visited the general headquarters (ghQ) on thursday to hold formal consultations on Pakistan-us strategic level defence dialogue, said the isPr. the us delegation was headed by indo-Pacific security affairs assistant secretary of defence david hevley, whereas Pakistan’s delegation was led by Chief of general staff (Cogs) lt general sahir shamshad Mirza.

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more inside

Three get death penalty for posting blasphemous content on social media STORY ON PAGE 02

Cops involved in usama satti’s murder dismissed in Kot lakhpat to raise funds for financing terrorism. lakhvi was sentenced to five-year prison terms under each section, to be served concurrently, with an additional fine of rs100,000 on each count. the court also handed over possession of the said dispensary to the state. “in default of payment of fine, he will have to undergo an imprisonment of six months each on three counts. he has been sent to prison to serve the sentences,” the official said. lakhvi will now be sent to Central Jail, adiala, to serve out his sentence.

the court also directed law enforcement agencies to arrest the co-accused in the case, abu anas Mohsin, due to availability of sufficient evidence against him. as the leader of the banned militant group, let, lakhvi is blamed by the united states and india for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. he was first arrested in 2008 but was later released on bail. india has long called on Pakistan to bring lakhvi to trial, but islamabad says delhi has not provided concrete evidence to try the let leader.

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STORY ON PAGE 02

Hundreds of inmates suffering from Covid-19: report STORY ON BACK PAGE

enemies trying to fan sectarianism, senate told STORY ON PAGE 02

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

NEWS

Three GeT deaTh PenalTy for PoSTInG blaSPhemoUS ConTenT on SoCIal medIa ISLAMABAD

TLTP

n anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday sentenced three men to death for posting blasphemous content on social media. ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas delivered the verdict in the presence of the accused, identified as nasir Ahmad Sultan, Rana

noman and Abdul Waheed. According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), their investigation of the case had revealed that Rana nouman Rafaqat and Abdul Waheed used fake profiles as a means of disseminating blasphemous content on social media. The FIA also revealed that nasir Ahmad had uploaded blasphemous videos to a Youtube channel. On Friday, the verdict was announced by ATC Judge

Prime suspect in Karak temple incident arrested: IGP PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sanaullah Abbasi on Friday announced that the police have arrested the prime suspect behind vandalism of a Hindu temple in Karak district. “He was arrested from Karak district and was involved in gathering public for the vandalism and inciting them to commit the act,” the IGP said while identifying him as Faizullah. Abbasi further said that overall 110 people have been arrested by the police for their alleged role in the incident. “We will ensure complete security to minorities and their worship places,” the IGP said. Earlier on December 30, a highly-charged mob, reportedly led by local clerics, vandalised and set ablaze a historic Hindu temple in KP’s Karak district, officials said. The temple in Karak's Terri area was considered a site of pilgrimage for Hindu community due to its importance as a Yogi Astan. However, local residents were resentful due to the ongoing renovation work in the temple and they attacked the building, demolished it and then set it ablaze. Police and local authorities were unable to prevent the incident due to the large number of people involved. The historic temple became non-functional after the partition of subcontinent when all local Hindu families migrated to India but four years ago it was handed over to the Hindu community by the Supreme Court (SC) and ever since it was a site for pilgrimage for the community from all over the country especially from Sindh who paid a weekly visit to the site every Thursday. TLTP

Abbas, who found all three guilty of having committed blasphemy. Another accused, Professor Anwar Ahmed, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and had a Rs100,000 fine imposed on him for defaming religion. The court ruled that all accused have been proved to have committed blasphemy. The court also issued permanent arrest warrants against four absconding accused.

According to the first information report (FIR), registered by the FIA on March 19, 2017, “There are several unknown people/groups disseminating/spreading blasphemous material through internet using social media i.e. Facebook, Twitter, websites, etc. through alleged profiles/pages/handles/sites etc… and several others wilfully defiled and outraged religious feelings, belief by using

Enemies trying to fan sectarianism, Senate told NEWS DESK Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan has told the upper house of the parliament that enemies of the country are trying to create a rift between sects and ethnicities. He was speaking in the Senate, which resumed its session on Friday under Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and started discussion on a motion moved by opposition members regarding government’s crackdown on opposition parties’ workers. Winding up discussion on the motion in the Senate, the state minister said that the opposition’s remarks about crackdown on opposition’s workers are unfounded. He said that the people have rejected the opposition during their public gatherings. Leader of the House Senator Shehzad Waseem in his remarks said that allegations from the opposition are absurd and baseless. He said that the opposition is trying to blame the government for their failures when they were in government. The leader of the House said that people of the country have rejected the opposition's narrative. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had predicted that all opposition parties will be united to protect their own vested interests. Leader of Opposition Raja Zafarul Haq

said that the government should accept criticism openly. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Senator Mohsin Aziz said that it is unfortunate that some of the parliamentarians consider themselves as sacred cows. He said that it is bad that some of the parliamentarians think that they are above the law. He also said that he presented himself before the national Accountability Bureau (nAB) for his alleged role in the lease of land in Malam Jabba, Swat. Referring to Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other opposition parties’ leaders, he said that all are equal before the law. Speaking on the occasion, Senator Sassui Palijo of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) criticised the government for allegedly targeting opposition for its political gains. Senator Usman Khan Kakar said that the government is registering fake cases against Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) workers. Those who also spoke on the occasion include Manzoor Kakar, Maulana Attaur Rehman and Tahir Bizenjo. Earlier, nusrat Shaheen of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) took oath as a senator. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oath to her. nusrat Shaheen was elected unopposed from the province against a vacant seat after the death of Senator Kalsoom Parveen due to Covid-19. The House will now meet again on Monday at 3:00pm.

Victims’ families agree to bury Hazara martyrs CoNtINuED froM pAgE 01 He said that the demands of the victims’ families had been accepted and the government would adopt a long-term strategy to prevent targeted killings of the Hazara community. He also said that injustice meted out to the persecuted communities needs to end and improvement in governance needs to be ensured. He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was making efforts to improve governance but there were elements who had destabilised Pakistan during the past 70 years. Regretting delays in the

agreement, Zaidi said that the responsibility has been fixed over security officers and they have been sacked. Moreover, he said, a joint investigation team (JIT) has been formed under Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Lango to probe the terrorist attack. He further said that two members of the martyrs committee would also be part of the JIT. The minister also announced employment opportunities for the victims’ families in the provincial government. He added that special jobs and funds would be allocated for the victims’ families from his own ministry. The chief minister and members of the martyrs committee also addressed the press conference.

Five bikes set on fire as commuters, protesters clash in Karachi NEWS DESK At least five motorcycles were set ablaze after commuters clashed with Shia community protesters near Drigh Road on Friday. The countrywide protests that began three days ago, to express solidarity with families of 11 Hazara

community miners in Machh, Balochistan last week, have spread to over 15 different spots in Karachi. Roadblocks put in place owing to the protests have resulted in gridlocks across the city at peak hours. However, traffic is being diverted from affected roads to alternative routes.

Dr Imran Ali elected as chairman of Punjab Club Managing Committee NEWS DESK Dr Imran Ali has been elected as the chairman of the Managing Committee for Punjab Club for the year 2021, a notice issued by the club said on Friday. The elections for the managing committee were held on December 30, 2020, wherein 13 candidates were selected. Then on January 8, 2021, the committee unanimously elected Dr Ali as the chairman. Punjab Club, established in 1884, is the oldest premier club of Lahore. It is private social club that has elected members consisting of high ranking civil and armed forces personnel, leading industrialists, entrepreneurs and executives.

derogatory words/remarks/graphic designs/images/sketches/visual representations in respect of the sacred names.” The cases had been pending before the court for the past four years. The ATC had completed the trial and reserved its decision on December 15, 2020. Blasphemy is a sensitive topic in Pakistan. Rights advocates have long been demanding a reform of the controversial blasphemy laws, which were introduced by military dictator General Ziaul Haq in the 1980s. The trial in this case was completed last year. The court had reserved its verdict on December 15, 2020. Pakistan sentenced a man to death due to the sharing blasphemous content about Islam on social media for the first time in 2017.

Cops involved in Usama Satti’s murder dismissed ISLAMABAD TLTP

The five policemen arrested over their involvement in the murder of 22-year-old student Usama Satti in an alleged staged shootout were fired from service on Friday. The cops, identified as sub-inspector Iftikhar Ahmed and constables Muhammad Mustafa, Shakeel Ahmed, Mudassar Mukhtiar, and Saeed, are currently in police custody on physical remand. They have been dismissed from service for “failing to handle the situation in a professional manner and directly firing on the vehicle”, thereby “bringing a bad name to the department.” “Keeping in view of the whole episode and his unprofessional approach towards official duties which has resulted [in] such unpleasant incident, the undersigned reached to the conclusion that his attitude towards official tasks is unbecoming and his further retention in the disciplined force like Islamabad Police is not justified,” read a dismissal letter issued to one of the personnel. “Therefore, finding him guilty of gross misconduct, he is awarded a major punishment of “Dismissal from service” as provided under Punjab Police (E & D) Rules, 1975 duly adopted by ICT Police.” An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday had extended the physical remand of the five accused cops for seven days. On the occasion, ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas had accused the investigation officer (IO) of colluding with the suspects when the investigating officer failed to present photographs of the victim’s vehicle from the front. The IO had attempted to the court that five bullets hit Usama from the back and one from the front. However, he was unable to produce a photograph of Usama having been hit from the front. “You have brought the picture that shows he was shot at from behind, but not the one that shows he was shot at from the front,” the judge had stated. “It seems that you are all working together,” the judge had said, further questioning the reason for shooting at the victim. On January 2, at around 2 am, Usama had gone to drop his friend in Sector H-11. When he was returning, the police officials intercepted his vehicle in Sector G-10 and fired at him from all sides.

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

06 COMMENT

Making electric vehicles more mainstream

The absence of a healing touch PM Khan and Hazara killings

N Friday mourners sat around 10 dead bodies of Hazara miners for the sixth day. Protests against the brutal killings and in sympathy with the Quetta mourners meanwhile spread outside Balochistan also. The protesters maintained that they would bury the dead only after the PM came to condole with the grieving families. The PM flatly refused to accept their demand, calling it an attempt at blackmail. Daesh, which had been targeting the shia community in afghanistan for years, accepted responsibility for the Machh attack. The horrendous way the victims’ throats were slit elicited worldwide condemnation, including from UN secretary-General antonio Guterres and UN General assembly President Volkan Bozkir. Inside the country, the PM and leaders of the opposition parties issued statements denouncing the horror. While hundreds of Hazaras gathered to condole with the families sitting near the coffins, no provincial minister cared to turn up on the first day, which was not only a violation of Balochistan’s time-honoured traditions, but was also bound to strengthen the perception of insecurity in the Hazara community. The next day the mourners said that now nothing short of a visit by the PM would provide them solace and confidence. Had the PM turned up on the first day to console the mourners and assure them of the government’s determination to arrest the accused, the dead would have been buried and the protestors departed. The delay further strengthened the perception that the government did not care. It provided yet another opportunity to the opposition leaders to lambaste the government in their speeches on Thursday. What the protestors have wanted is a compassionate handling that would soothe them and help them wipe away their tears. The PM on the hand wants the affected families to take the compensation and go home. In case they still insist on a prior visit from him, this would constitute blackmailing in his eyes. The weather in Quetta goes below freezing point during the night. The families of miners have lost their sole breadwinners and badly need money. They might finally succumb to the pressure. But the treatment would leave a bad taste in their mouth that no ehsaas emergency Programme will wash away.

Lack of a charging network is the biggest obstacle Zubair Khaliq

esla, which is without a doubt the main driving force behind the rise of electric Vehicles (eVs), is now the most valuable car company in the World, surpassing the automotive giant Toyota… well, this is true at least as far as the financial pundits at the stock exchange are concerned. But last year Tesla produced and sold about 350,000 vehicles, but on the other hand Toyota produced and sold over 9 million vehicles in the same period. still, less than 2 percent of cars sold in the Usa are electric. It seems that the stock market likes electric Vehicles much more than the actual buyers. so much for the hype and glamour, but the mainstream buyers are still not switching to eVs. This phenomenon is true worldwide but even more pertinent in Pakistan despite the incentives being offered. eVs drive better, they are more economical to operate and require less maintenance. They are nippy and quick around town and are generally fun to drive. and above everything else they are good for the environment… so why is it that they are not selling in really big-numbers? When cameras went digital and the image quality started getting better and better, almost everyone switched to the digital cameras. It was, as they say, “a no-brainer”. We don’t even hear about the film cameras anymore. Companies like Kodak which were in the business of making camera films, went bankrupt. This was a major industry disruption. It would seem that similar scenario should take place for the eVs, but it does not seem to be happening, at least not the way it happened for the cameras. almost all the major car manufacturers have come up with their version of eVs. Nissan, BMW, Mercedes Benz and audi. even the Koreans are not far behind with Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Ionic. But one notable exception is Toyota. They have been in the best possible position to launch a rock-solid eV for over a decade. They have a highly reliable and tested Hybrid Drive system (Toyota Prius, aqua and Camry and some other models are equipped with it). all they needed to do was to increase the battery size and motor size and instantly they could have had a product that would be the most reliable and dependable eV. But they have waited… and are still waiting…. I think that there may be concrete reasons behind this wait.

Trade deficit going up The trade figures point to the real flaw

He foreign trade figures for December are not heartening, for they showed a 32 percent increase in the trade deficit year-on-year to $2.7 billion, which has meant that the deficit for the current fiscal year’s first half is $12.4 billion, up from last year’s $11.7 billion. at this time last year, the covid-19 pandemic had not yet struck, so while international trade had not yet been depressed, oil prices still put pressure on the import bill. While exports may have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, it seems that so have imports, with the result that the trade deficit is going beyond the limits estimated. Meanwhile, instead of taking a broad-based approach, the government is poised to give Rs 960 billion incentives to the textile industry in the hope that this will boost imports of something that Pakistan is already exporting. The proposals in the draft Textile Policy propose not just subsidies and duty drawbacks and sales tax refunds, but cheaper power. How this is to be done in view of the circular debt crisis in the power industry, has not been spelled out. That particular problem has got the IMF on the brink of cancelling its esaF with Pakistan. Circular debt has ballooned to Rs 2.3 trillion as of November 30, up Rs 156 billion this fiscal year, and there seems no end in sight. Instead of taking hard decisions, like much-needed reforms in the FBR and ending tax exemptions granted to influential lobbies, the Prime Minister seems to drift off into fantasy. He devoted himself to a meeting of the apex Committee on economic Outreach, which was told by National security advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf that a ‘mapping exercise’ had identified a potential of an additional $31 billion in goods, and $2 billion in services. If that could be realized, that would probably solve Pakistan’s foreign exchange woes, but the government should not count that money as being in its coffers. The government has already shown a penchant for fantasy in economic policymaking, and it should not be encouraged to indulge any further.

COVID-19: A wake-up call for non-traditional security Dr imran ali SanDano

N the changing global security environment, the security agenda of the states, regional and international organizations have been broadened dramatically. long ago, security policies and practices of states were mostly limited to countering the threats of survival, mainly posed by direct engagement with other states. It emphasized on them spending more on military capabilities. In spite of the fact that inter-states security threats prevails significantly, especially in different hot spots of the world, the widespread and growing series of transnational non-traditional security (NTs) threats cannot be ignored. NTs threats have opened new fronts to tackle. The threats like energy crisis, food crisis, environmental degradation, terrorism, extremism and separatism, drug trafficking, water insecurity, economic crisis, maritime piracy, money laundering, transnational crimes and pandemic diseases are irregular, and difficult to tackle. These issues are diverse and interconnected, and which cannot be tackled by any single strategy, country, government or organization. In academia, the concept of non-traditional security is the product of the post-Cold War era and it is actually the amalgamation of different concepts of international security and international relations like, constructivist security, post-colonialist security, critical security, feminist security, post-structuralist security, the Copenhagen school and human security. NTs breaks the limited paradigm of national-centric security– the traditional security doctrine. Human security is one of the prominent concepts of underdeveloped countries, of how to meet the human security needs like, health, food, environment, population growth, and the gap between economic opportunities, among others. High defence expenditures and corruption is a great obstacle for these countries to overcome. Human security guarantees improved healthcare. The glossary of bio-security is increasingly dis-

Arif Nizami Editor Umar Aziz

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There are a number of efforts which have been taken to develop a vaccine for covid-19, and luckily a few have succeeded. On the other hand a new varicernible at the vanguard of the global agenda. The ant of the virus has been identified across the south emergence and spread of pandemic diseases are east of england. It has opened a challenge to tackle. Covid-19 is a very difficult challenge for all (decauses of concerns, as they are a risk to the health and veloped, developing and underdeveloped) states. It lives of the people. The growing population and changing dynam- has threatened the traditional attitude of the diploics in systems of social, ecological, technological matic mindset and forced them (especially the Usa and China) to cooperate with and biological processes each other. have given rise to new No doubt the global kinds of diseases which extransition of the security enploit ecological niches. vironment has changed the Modern forms of diseases Covid-19 has opened new nature of conflicts and are like south asian Respifronts to tackle. It is crossing threats. But covid-19– as an ratory syndrome (saRs), NTs threat– has opened new Middle east Respiratory all the obstacles of fronts to tackle. It is crossing syndrome (MeRs), HIVall the obstacles of nationalaids, dengue, Congo virus, nationalities, religions, ities, religions, colours and brain-eating amoeba, bird colours and the international the international class sysflu and now coronavirus tem. It is also increasingly disease (covid-19). class system. It is also damaging the world econThe reasons for the increasingly damaging the omy, the world’s demograspread of these diseases are phy and may change the ripe conditions for their world economy, the world’s world order as a whole. cells to breed on, which inIt is high time for the naclude pollution, unhealthy demography and may change tion states to revisit their practices, standing waters the world order as a whole. It stances before formulating on roads and homes, lack their security policies. The of regular cleaning. is high time for the nation present situation is giving an Poverty and illiteracy have states to revisit their stances open and loud wake-up call also paved the way for such for non-traditional security. diseases. before formulating their Policy makers should decide The current covid-19 either they are willing to outbreak is one of the new security policies. fight the real enemy– NTs NTs issues and the biggest threats like covid-19 – challenge for the world which have no respect for since World War II. Coundeveloped, developing or tries around the world have imposed a series of measures, including restricting under-developed states, or to keep their traditional sepeople’s movements and closing most businesses, to curity, which might be familiar, but which may no longer be relevant. curb the spread of the virus. No doubt, diseases have always been a reason for The writer is Assistant Professor at Department deaths. But growing advancement in the fields of science, medicine and technology allows humans to live of International Relations, University of Sindh, and can be reached at long through better medicines to cure and modern Jamshoro, iiman110@gmail.com forms of surgery, and machinery.

Security doesn’t just mean other countries

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Which is not possible in an eV. Coming back to the Toyota philosophy, the first most important vehicle that they have come up with in this category is just that. a plug-in hybrid version of their RaV4 crossover. It can be plugged in at night and will take you around town on electric charge (up to 80 km) and then switch to a petrol engine when required. so, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. The car is not just a “trophy car” but an all-purpose vehicle that you can rely on, even if your life depended on it. For countries like Pakistan, the government I have been an eV user for many years now. I am should give special import privileges to this category certainly one of pioneers in Pakistan to switch to an of cars as well and treat them the same way that pure eV. I drove a Nissan leaf for many years and now I electric cars are treated. In countries such as Norway have moved to an audi eV. and Finland where eVs have I have found the eVs to be really caught on, they treat highly reliable, very ecothe plug-ins as eVs as well nomical, fast and fun to and the owners of these also If the EVs are to be drive and extremely low enjoy the special privileges maintenance; but when it that are given to pure eV encouraged the government comes to range, there are isowners. a hybrid and plugsues. even the best eVs can in hybrid is easily distinshould promote both the realistically go less than 400 guishable and import laws import and local production km on a charge. after that can be amended accordingly. you need to find a superThis will certainly help of plug-in-hybrids and offer charger (not available in make eVs the car of choice same import duties for them Pakistan yet) to give you a for many who are unable to range of another 400 km in buy them due to the absence as well so that people who about 30 minutes (under of charging network which best circumstances). may take a decades to matend to drive more than the so far there is no eV ture to the desired level. range available on a charge charging network in PakUnder the current sceistan and it may take many nario in Pakistan, if you buy on pure electrics can also years for a dependable eV an eV (audi and MG seem benefit to reduce their charging network to mature. to the available choices), Despite the much publicized anyone who spends from Rs expenses and carbon promotion of electric vehi7 Million to Rs 20 Million cles the government is not footprint for their daily drives. will also need to have a pushing anyone to start deconventional car for And at the same time make it spare veloping an eV charging long trips. This is not possinetwork. Oil Marketing compulsory for oil marketing ble for everyone. Thus if the Companies can easily be reeVs are to be encouraged companies to install fast DC quired to put up a certain the government should pronumber of eV chargers or mote both the import and chargers in strategic the major importers of eVs local production of plug-incan be asked to start devellocations. Major EV importers hybrids and offer same imoping a charge network as port duties for them as well should also be asked to well. But this does not seem so that people who tend to to be happening. drive more than the range actively participate in another good answer available on a charge on developing EV charging lies in “Plug-in Hybrids”. pure electrics can also beneThese are predominantly fit to reduce their expenses network in the country electric cars with an internal and carbon footprint for their combustion engine to help daily drives. during long trips or when it and at the same time is not easy to find a charging make it compulsory for oil network. Generally a good plug-in-hybrid will be marketing companies to install fast DC chargers in able to give you a range of 50-100 km on electric strategic locations. charge alone. But then there is an engine to take you Major eV importers should also be asked to acfurther, if required. For someone like me and most tively participate in developing eV charging network users, the daily drives are generally less than 100 km. in the country. But every once in a while there is a trip to Islamabad or sialkot or Hyderabad or Multan and back….. The writer is a freelance columnist

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Saturday, 9 January, 2021

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. e-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Pubg game PUBG a video playing game which is mostly being played by people in our country. We have our own set of culture and traditions of modesty and respect, but this application is clearly against the values, and norms of society.The application is being used by children and youngsters a lot. according to the islam, if anyone plays pubg then he or she is out of the circle of islam because islam says that do not do worship of bulls, but in pubg players are complied to verge infornt of the bulls, and to get power they have to to worship of bulls.It is all muslims monolater of credal that verging in front of bulls is pantheistical. On the other hand, Islam says “if anyone is married, he or she plays pubg then his or her matrimory will not remains any more, so he or she has to do another matrimory”. another point of view it has detrimental effects on the minds of young people of pakistan. In conclusion, I would request the Pakistan telecommunication authority to ban such kinds of applications which are not according to our culture and our religion . Nabeel Iqbal awaraN

India gets UNSC seat

‘Learning on the Job - Politicians’

SirajuDDin aZiZ

ll offices and positions demand minimum educational qualification; some years of experience and a host of core competencies relevant to the assignment. In consequence of this need and approach, there is the demand for requisite education and training. To acquire the appellation of being a ‘professional’ there are basic educational requirements, coupled with specific certifications. Doctors, engineers, pilots, educationists, teachers, bureaucrats, bankers, etc., all have to necessarily qualify for acceptance as such by passing the minimum educational qualification; alongside professional examination certifications. even the armed services require testimony of minimum education, following which the necessary training is imparted, with focus on skills development. all professions, regardless of which segment of economy or society they belong, require educational and technical qualifications. The only exceptions are politicians’. They require neither minimum education nor any certification of technical proficiency to be labeled and recognized as a politician. In sharp contrast to all professions, politics require no formal college or university education. President Musharraf attempted to impose a minimum qualification for the parliamentarians- he had to backtrack! at that point of time, there was a massive surge of ‘fake degrees’- its need reached its zenith, when one politician commented and said, “a degree is a degree, even if it’s fake”. By implication, in our land of the pure, the entire Parliament, depending on popular vote, can be of illiterates. anyone who is able to manage requisite votes, qualifies to be a parliamentarian─ uneducated and untrained. Hence, we see the offspring of politicians emerge as ‘heir-apparent’, with no skill, knowledge or sometimes even education. Their claim to fame is they have ‘followers’ who vote for them. Only the populace knows best, why they vote? (Recommended reading is George Orwell’s Animal Farm). Bureaucrats, with whom the ministers have to necessarily deal, have to their credit education and experience. after every few years, to qualify for enhanced responsibilities, they have to attend courses at the Civil services academy. The same is true of the armed forces, whose officers have

to pass several different types of courses at the of the armed forces it has hovered between 6-8 National Defence University, before moving up percent per annum. No further corroboration rethe hierarchy. Politicians, who are invariably un- quired! Politicians need to be trained. The concept trained, therefore are at the mercy of the secretary of the Ministry he or she has to govern and of ‘shadow Cabinet’ of the opposition as pracrun. a co-civil servant of my father, had the au- ticed in western democracies must be seriously dacity to alter the words of alfred Tennyson, considered. If there is a parallel minister in waitwhere in his composition, The Brook, he says, ing of a specified domain of activity, how much “Men may come, or men may go, I go on for- interesting would the debates be in both Houses ever” to “Ministers will come, ministers will go, of Parliament. Imran Khan had at least one or two close associates marked as ‘shadow Ministhe Bureaucrats will go on...” No political government can deliver upon its ters’, but even they failed to deliver. a shadow promises and pledge made to the nation, without minister has to be not merely proficient but even active support and participation of the bureau- more competent than the serving minister. Those politicians who read voraciously are cracy. Japan and Italy are cases in point; in the last 50 years, each had more than 40 prime min- capable of giving vision and direction. They have to demonstrate isters, but the countries their adeptness at hanprogressed, because the dling policy making by economic vision was participation. They prepared and delivered The nation hopes that what ought to have the abilby the bureaucrats. This ity to write file notes was also true of our Imran Khan is learning, he and not merely append beloved country until their signatures to the late 1960s. No wonshall pass it to others This ‘summaries’ presented der therefore that our begs an answer; is he by bureaucracy. Readbeloved Prime Minister ing books again does recalls that era with preparing his back up? ‘Time not appear to be the ‘inmuch pride. and Tide waits for no man.’ thing’ with most politiRecently, Imran The comments Khan made some honMost political leaders fall prey cians. they make on numerest remarks about his ous TV Channels serve and his team’s state of to the temptation of being as a good reminder, preparedness for runclassified ‘what after him?’ So that ignorance is bliss! ning the Government. Imran Khan, in He was absolutely right therefore they have no making not an admisthat it must have taken succession plan A or B ready. sion but a comment, a lot of time to underthat there is in our stand how bureaucracy But after any self-professed country, no proper and governance works process of briefing the in our country. In short, diehard belief of incumbent to an office, he admitted that he indispensability, life continues, was absolutely corwasn’t trained to be rect─ in fact hit the Prime Minister and that after their departure... bull’s eye. The subhe is learning on the Sometimes for better. committees of the Parjob, and admittedly, he liament must have is really learning fast. I, sMes (subject Matter as a fellow countryman experts) as members, of his, not only admire him for his honest admission but also for being who regardless of party affiliations must offer bold enough to say so. Following the admission, good counsel to the Prime Minister. abraham the opposition has gone into overdrive to equate lincoln, had at least three cabinet members, who his statement to a fatal note of political suicide. were not from his party and were virulent adverNay, it is not suicidal to speak the truth; albeit it saries during election time; but once in the cabis a characteristic not much in favor with most inet, they served their country, not the party. politicians. sadly, all those who are calling him lincoln’s take on this was, since they are the incompetent have no credentials of having held best brains, america must put them to use. Is it any office of any sorts, except that they wrongly too much to expect such democracy in our pobelieve ‘leadership’ is a trait that qualifies for in- litical arena? Possibly, yes. The nation hopes that what Imran Khan is heritance. sad, but true. since 1971, barring ZaB, Benazir Bhutto learning, he shall pass it to others This begs an and Gen Pervez Musharraf, none of our leaders answer; is he preparing his back up? ‘Time and had any clue of the many dimensions of political Tide waits for no man.’ Most political leaders economy. During the period 1977 to year 2000, fall prey to the temptation of being classified the wily bureaucrats, who took turns to become ‘what after him?’ so therefore they have no sucministers of finance or even Central Bank Gov- cession plan a or B ready. But after any self-proernors, said very little, and did very little about fessed diehard belief of indispensability, life the economy. Our GDP growth trends speak for continues, after their departure... sometimes for themselves - under democratic (?) dispensation, better. the growth rate has been in the region of 2-3 perThe writer is a freelance columnist cent; while under the patronage of (some form)

IT is disappointing to learn that India has been awarded a non-permanent membership of the security council for two years. India is a country that has defied UN resolution on Kashmir blatantly for seventy years. People in the Indian held Kashmir are facing the worst of atrocities while the world looked the other way. It has been holding Kashmiris under siege for more than a year now with little reaction from the world leaders. Recently, the Indian army attacked a vehicle of the United Nations carrying its envoy visiting the line of control from Pakistan side. This attack on the UN envoy is very serious and a threat to the organization. The security councils’ job is to resolve disputes between countries with estranged relations. However, it appears that world powers are concerned about their own economies, progress, and the safety of their own people. India having seat on the UNsC places it in an advantageous position in the dispute with Pakistan. Hence their representatives can play an active role to win favors of various countries and seek vote for a permanent seat with veto power. India has longed to destroy Pakistan and seems to be working on this mission. Unfortunately, our leaders have not done anything beyond lip service and fiery speeches. We need to come together as one nation to strengthen our economy and send a strong message to our enemy that we are here to stay, forever, Insha allah. raja Shafaatullah ISlamabad

American political turmoil DeaR sir, That midnight I was really shocked to watch a group of brutes descending on the Us Capitol Hill and storming the house on CNN and BBC. This unfortunate incident reminds me of many such bad political events that had taken place across the world during my schooldays in the early 1990s. as young school students in my native areas like Korkai, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, we had enjoyed studying interesting american history and learning beautiful political personalities like abraham lincoln. But today what has been happening in the Us has been disturbing besides bringing out some serious lessons about the current dangerous political climate out there. Maybe it is time to induct a bunch of educated and well-mannered people into the american political world before it is too late. From science to Hollywood to technology, america has been a source of inspiration. For the sake of good things and political stability, the world media, europe and asia should come forward to help the Us emerge out of this crisis through the voice of support and the counsel of right-thinking people. sometime into future or a few years from now and down the line, america could possibly come into contact with such new political threats. Therefore, the american political domain should be protected from such undemocratic threats through strong legal systems and powerful government action. P. SeNthIl SaraVaNa duraI mumbaI

Everything for fame We live in a society where one can get thousands examples of people who are in a search of a chance for being famous. There is no denial that being widely known is accurate and it is not wrong but the ways which most people use for being famous and prominent among the public is what really matters. Why do we remember Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, abraham lincoln, and many other peace-abiding people? Not because they wanted the people to admire them actually they wanted the people to live a prosperous life. It simply means, doing something for fame does not worth so, but it worths when it is done for humanity, unity, peace, and prosperity. alas, in today’s era most people have created different ways to be known which include social media that ,however, is the fastest way to become famous which includes Tiktok, Facebook, YouTube, twitter, Instagram, etc. But there happens a bundle of wrongs. Really, people try their worse to get famous, they cross the limit of queerness and spread a number of wrongs to gain fame. Of course, we all like to be known for a specific thing and it is the desire of everyone to be reputed and famed. Unfortunately, most of people fail to be remembered in the history not because they are inefficient actually because of their ways of achieving reputation. Therefore, we should recognize what is beneficial and what is detrimental as well as while aiming reputation, everybody should fix it in his mind that one can not achieve fame if he works for it. But, he can be honored if he works for peace and prosperity. Thus, we all need to work for the betterment, prosperity and the rights of homo sapiens in order to make the history remember us. ParVez moula bakhSh karachI

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

DoMeSTic TerroriSM STrikeS The US cAPiTol THOSE WHO ANSWERED HIS CALL ACHIEVED WHAT OSAMA BIN LADEN FAILED TO ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: A SUCCESSFUL ASSAULT ON THE CHERISHED AND SACRED CITADEL OF US DEMOCRACY—WHICH WAS BROADCAST TO THE WORLD Council on Foreign Relations Q: You track armed movements and terrorism around the world. Were these domestic terrorists? Yes. Terrorism is determined by the act itself, not by the type of perpetrator or their cause. This is the U.S. government’s approach. The FBI, the lead agency for countering terrorism, cites the definition of terrorism found in 18 U.S. Code 2331(5): “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” The FBI further defines domestic terrorism as acts intended to be a means to “Intimidate or coerce a civilian population; [or] Influence the policy of government by intimidation or coercion.” What occurred at the U.S. Capitol conforms to this definition. It involved people using violence or the threat of violence to intimidate democratically elected representatives, the wanton vandalization and destruction of government property, the deliberate subversion of the U.S. electoral process, and the derailment of the peaceful transfer of power that is the hallmark of U.S. governance. Q: How much is the president to blame for the violent actions of these rioters?

President Donald J. Trump repeatedly perpetuated false claims of election fraud that have just as repeatedly been invalidated by state and federal courts, state legislatures, and appointed and elected officials. He brazenly invited protesters to Washington to attempt to reverse the election. Trump told them on Twitter: “Be there, will be wild.” Those who answered his call achieved what Osama bin Laden failed to on September 11, 2001: a successful assault on the cherished and sacred citadel of U.S. democracy—which was broadcast to the world, thus tarnishing America’s image and undermining confidence in U.S. leadership and institutions. Just as lamentably, President Trump has yet to condemn the Capitol’s occupation. Instead, he validated events by telling his followers that he loved them and that they are “very special.” Q: What does this say about the physical security of the Capitol and other federal buildings? This was a tragic and altogether avoidable lapse of security. Inadequate planning and preparation endangered elected representatives and resulted in hitherto unimaginable damage and destruction. Americans have already witnessed scenes like this: last year, at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, protesters easily gained access to the building. Authorities should have ensured that there were sufficient personnel and the requisite barriers

to prevent any breaches. The 1995 bombing of a federal office building in Oklahoma City resulted in the permanent closure of Pennsylvania Avenue and forever changed public access to the White House. After the events, there will likely be major changes to enhance security at the Capitol and nearby congressional offices. The knockon effects seen in the past, such as the installment of Jersey barriers or large concrete flower pots around federal government buildings to restrict access, will likely follow this time as well. Q: What are your expectations for Washington, DC, ahead of the inauguration? The effects of weeks of President Trump fomenting doubt and harnessing anger and frustration are not over. The president reiterated at a White House rally— thus egging on the mob—that, “We will never give up, we will never concede.” That was a green light for continued unrest. The COVID-19 pandemic had already resulted in a uniquely reimagined inauguration. The fact that it will not entail the traditional parade and other festivities lessens the physical security challenges, since there will be few public venues or activities to police. But the unthinkable has already occurred. Those who were sufficiently emboldened to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College vote may feel encouraged, both by the president’s words and the ease with which they achieved it, to attempt to upend PresidentElect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Q: Where does the country go from here? Many believed that the peaceful transition of power, the hallmark of U.S. governance for over two centuries, could never seriously be threatened. These events have undermined faith in the sanctity of American institutions and constitutional values. America is now at an epochal moment, which calls for strong moral leadership and

President Pranab Mukherjee on his two prime ministers, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi Scroll

Pranab MukhErjEE

UrIng my own presidency, I had the opportunity to work with two PMs – Dr [Manmohan] Singh (from 25 July 2012 to 26 May 2014), almost two years in the first half of my five-year tenure; and then, from 26 May till the day of my retirement from the office on 25 July 2017, I had narendra Modi as my PM, for a little more than three years. The route to prime ministership for the two PMs I worked with was very different. Dr Singh was offered the post by Sonia gandhi; she had been chosen as the prime ministerial candidate by the Congress Parliamentary Party and other constituents of the UPA, but she declined the offer. The issue of her foreign origin was being heatedly debated in the public domain, and she did not want to create a controversy as a result of the division that had been created out of the matter. Senior leaders such as SharadPawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar had in 1999 insisted that the Congress name an Indian by birth as its prime ministerial candidate and not someone like Sonia gandhi, who was of foreign origin and had become the party chief. They were expelled and went on to form the nCP. Once the Congress realised that Sonia gandhi would not relent, it authorised her to name a candidate. She named Dr Singh and others accepted her choice. He was essentially an economist, though he had spent time in government as a minister and in politics as a rajya Sabha member. But he had determination and a strong sense of propriety. He had a steely willpower, which he demonstrated during the civil nuclear deal that India finalised with the US, despite opposition from various quarters, including certain parties that supported the government from outside. He did well as a PM. Modi, on the other hand, became PM through popular choice after leading the BJP to a historic victory in 2014. He is a politician to the core and had been named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate as the party went into campaign mode. He was then gujarat’s CM and had built an image that seemed to click with the masses. He has earned and achieved the prime ministership. I had already had a long working relationship with Dr Singh since the mid-’70s. When I was appointed minister of state for revenue and expenditure in the Ministry of Finance in 1974, Dr Singh was chief economic advisor to the finance minister. In 1982, when I took over as the union minister for finance, he was appointed governor of the rBI. Again, in 1991, when Dr Singh was appointed the finance minister, I was the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, and while formulating the eighth FYP, I received the utmost cooperation and support from him. From 1993 onwards, when I concurrently discharged the responsibility of commerce minister, we worked together in expanding India’s international trade. He was one of the cabinet ministers who fully endorsed my approach to establish the WTO after the Marrakesh Declaration of 1994. Later on, both of us worked closely in the rajya Sabha as he was leader of Opposition and I was the chief whip of the Congress party. Again, from 2004 onwards, I joined his cabinet, first as defence minister, then as external affairs minister, and finally as finance minister, till 25 June 2012, when I resigned to contest the office

of president. With this long working relationship spanning over five decades from 1970, I had an excellent sense of understanding with Dr Singh, and I believed both of us knew each other so well that there was no scope of any misunderstanding between us as president and PM. Moreover, when I agreed to accept the nomination of the Congress-led UPA as the presidential candidate and was elected by an overwhelming majority, I knew that my active political role had come to an end and that I would have to conduct myself as a constitutional head and not interfere unnecessarily in the domain of the executive. I had done enough of executive work for decades and now it was time to step back and adhere to the constitutional role that a president is expected to perform. I had a clear understanding of the constraints of holding this highest constitutional office and had convinced myself that, as president, I was not supposed to intervene in the day-to-day matters of the executive, since the cabinet, and the cabinet alone, is responsible for that. The president has the right to know and to be informed. It is not his job to mentor anybody. Perhaps this understanding of constitutional propriety helped me have a smooth sailing as the 13th President of the republic. However, on one occasion I questioned the PM on an ordinance his government proposed to bring. The recommendation for the ordinance came to my office accompanied by a note from the member in charge (or the relevant minister). I called for an explanation from the said minister. He had in Parliament sought to refer the issue, on which the ordinance was routed to me, to a parliamentary panel for further discussion. I wanted to know the urgency of issuing the proclamation, especially when the member in charge as the author himself did not believe the issue was urgent, since he had wanted it referred to a committee. I have always held that an ordinance should only be issued in emergency cases when a legislation cannot be delayed any further. Sensing my disquiet, the PM spoke to his minister, who then informed me that the government had decided to withdraw the ordinance. The matter ended there. My approach to maintaining cordial relations with PM Modi was rooted in the fact that I believe in the parliamentary form of government and its principle. Modi had received a decisive mandate from the people to administer the country. Administrative powers are vested in the Council of Ministers, which the PM heads. Therefore, I did not breach my jurisdiction. Whenever tricky occasions arose, the issues were resolved. At an event in which PM Modi released a book and I was present, I remarked that it was not that I did not have any differences with him, but that both of us knew how to manage those differences, without bringing them out in public. As I look back, I can take satisfaction over my performance both as president and earlier as a member of the executive. At all times I have followed the law of the land and held the Constitution supreme. Looking ahead, I believe that the country is firmly on the path of progress despite the many challenges that it faces. We must, however, not allow complacence to set in and endanger the gains that we have had because of the relentless efforts of the founders of our independent nation and the framers of our Constitution.

Bruce Hoffman is Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations. He has been studying terrorism and insurgency for four decades. He is a tenured professor at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

sober reflection. The U.S. image as a bastion of democracy, rule of law, and respect for institutions has perhaps been irrevocably tarnished. The United States has always been a place of prophetic destiny and hallowed mission—a beacon for the principles of democracy and rule of law. These beliefs are enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility…” After the shameful events, the country should rededicate itself to the building of a more perfect union, through civility and respectful debate and discourse so that it can reestablish domestic tranquility and secure the blessings of liberty for all Americans.

The dangers of populism Haaretz

Editorial

n unprecedented horror show took place Wednesday on Washington’s Capitol Hill. A mob comprising thousands of people, some of them armed, broke into the Capitol building with the goal of stopping the joint session of Congress, convened to confirm the Electoral College results and the election victory of President-elect Joe Biden. The rioting mob drew inspiration from a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump, who encouraged his supporters to take action to thwart what he called the theft of the election by Democrats. This was a shameful and frightening nadir for the campaign of wild incitement and thuggery Trump has waged for weeks, since the november election results showed that Biden had won a clear, sweeping and decisive victory. It’s hard to imagine a worse blow to American democracy, which is grounded in democratic process, respect for the rulings of the courts – which rejected all of Trump’s claims of election fraud and vote theft – and the supremacy of Congress as the representative institution of the people. His attempts to destroy the democratic pillars of the superpower that made him president made clear the danger he poses to his country and the entire world. A glaring warning was written on the walls of the Capitol of the dangers of populism – politics that appeal to the emotions, offer panaceas and lash out against “the elites.” This is a widespread, global problem, so its dangers must be called out worldwide, including in Israel. There are too many similarities between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu. For netanyahu, incitement has changed from being a rhetorical tool to being a policy. He views large segments of society as traitors and fifth columns. He depicts the left as an enemy of the nation and the courts, especially the High Court of Justice, as seeking to undermine the foundations of democracy, and his criminal trial as libel and persecution. netanyahu’s disciples have already amply demonstrated their ability to riot and to attack people who don’t comply with the dictates of the leader-defendant. “Lawlessness and violence are the opposite of the values we know Americans and Israelis cherish,” netanyahu said Wednesday in response to the violent scenes in Washington. “I have no doubt that American democracy will prevail – it always has.” But instead of making grandiose statements, netanyahu would do better to tend to democratic values in Israel – values that have been under incessant attack under his leadership due to the devastation he himself has sown.

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

BUSINESS 09

Punjab govt approves five development schemes worth Rs4.6bn LAHORE: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP)-Punjab has approved five development schemes of various sectors with an estimated cost of Rs4.592 billion. The schemes were approved in the 19th PDWP meeting of the fiscal year 2020-21, chaired by Planning & Development Board Chairman Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh. All P&D board members, relevant provincial secretaries, Senior Chief (Coordination) Javed Latif, Assistant Chief (Coordination) Shahid Idrees and other representatives of departments concerned were present on the occasion. According to the P&D spokesperson, the approved development schemes included 'construction of a dual carriageway from Faisalabad Dry Port to Sahianwala via Chak Jhumra (19.27-km)' at a cost of Rs1.13 billion; 'feasibility study for mega water supply scheme for Ahmadpur East, district Bahawalpur (PC-II)' at a cost of Rs12.383 million; 'construction of a spur at Lalu Daira Shah in district Dera Ghazi Khan' at a cost of Rs1.1 billion; 'feasibility study for remodeling of BambanwaliRavi-Bedian-Dipalpur (BRBD) link canal to meet shortage in Lahore and Kasur (PC-II)' at a cost of Rs118.006 million; and 'Land Records Services at Qanungoi level (revised)' at a cost of Rs2.21 billion. APP

Crackdown ordered on sugar hoarders, profiteers ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday ordered strict action against those involved in profiteering and hoarding of sugar across the country. Chairing a meeting on prices and availability of sugar, the prime minister stressed taking indiscriminate action against the culprits so as to ensure the availability of essential commodities at affordable rates. Imran Khan maintained that profiteers and hoarders were enemies of the poor and did not deserve any concession. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, and Asad Umar, advisers to PM Abdul Razak Dawood and Dr Ishrat Hussain, and SAPM Dr Waqar Masood. The Punjab chief secretary, via video link, gave a detailed briefing on sugar production, crushing and available stock in Punjab. The PM was informed that in order to ensure ample availability of sugar stock at controlled prices, video-link meetings among all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners were being held on a daily basis. It was updated that action had been taken against those involved in under-weighing of commodities; 79 persons have been arrested while 190 First Information Reports (FIR) have been registered so far. APP

SBP warns public against dealing with illegal forex operators KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has warned the general public against sale and purchase through illegal operators and transfer of foreign currency through hawala and hundi. The SBP informed the public that a person may unknowingly become part of money laundering and terrorism financing offence by dealing with illegal foreign exchange operators. "Money laundering and terrorism financing offences are punishable under the Anti Money Laundering (AML) Act, 2010, and Anti Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997," the SBP said in a statement on Friday. "It is advised in your self-interest to carry foreign currency sale, purchase and remittance transactions only with SBP-authorized banks and exchange companies." The SBP further advised the public to always collect system generated official receipt of transactions. "If a person comes across any illegal foreign exchange sale/purchase and hawala/hundi operators, he/she should immediately report to the Federal Investigation Agency." Business of foreign exchange in Pakistan is regulated under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), 1947. The SBP issues authorisation to banks and exchange companies to conduct foreign exchange business. Any person (individual or entity) other than those authorized by the SBP are illegal under FERA 1947 and AMLA 2010. TLTP

PM laudS diaSPoRa foR ReMittinG oveR $2Bn foR 6th StRaiGht Month ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Friday thanked Pakistani diaspora for keeping remittances above the $2billion mark for sixth consecutive month. "I want to thank our overseas Pakistanis for yet another record-breaking month of remittances in Dec: $2.4 bn," the prime minister wrote on his official Twitter handle. He said that for the first time, Pakistani remittances have been above $2 billion for six consecutive months. "Total for 6 months of this fiscal year $14.2 bn - a 24.9pc growth over last yr

'REMITTANCES SURGE 25PC YOY DURING JULY-DEC FY21 -- HIGHEST HALF-YEAR GROWTH SINCE FY07' [year]," the PM added. Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed on Friday that inflows of workers’ remittances registered 25pc growth during the first half (July-Dec) of the current fiscal year (FY21). This is the highest half yearly growth recorded since fiscal year 2007. “During the period under review, workers’ remittances reached an unprecedented level of $14.2 billion,” the central bank stated. “December remittances clocked in at $2.4 billion, growing 16.2pc on a year-on-year basis

(compared with Dec 2019) and 4.2pc on a month-on-month basis (compared with November 2020).” Remittance inflows have been welldiversified, as most inflows during H1FY21 were sourced from Saudi Arabia ($4.0 billion), United Arab Emirates ($3.0 billion), the United Kingdom ($1.9 billion) and the United States ($1.2 billion). “This strong growth in workers’ remittances is attributable to the increased use of formal channels on the back of sustained efforts by the government and

SBP to encourage inflows through official channels as well as limited crossborder travel due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with favorable foreign exchange market dynamics,” the SBP maintained. On Thursday, the central bank had reported that its foreign exchange reserves increased 1.98pc or $261 million to $13.41 billion during the week ending on December 31, 2020. Overall, liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $20,512.1 million. Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks clocked in at $7.09 billion. According to SBP, the rise came on the back of official inflows of the government.

Shell ties up with K-Electric to set up EV charging stations Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) and K-Electric Limited (KE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop three electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Karachi and its connecting highways. According to a statement issued on Friday, the locations selected for installation of 50KWH rapid chargers include ‘Shell Defence Filling Station’ on Khayaban-e-Bahria, ‘Askari Filling Station’ at Gulshan Town and ‘Mardan Filling Station’ at Gadap Town. “Over the next 3 to 5 years, SPL and KE will explore the op-

portunity of additional sites and strategically expand the EV charging network,” the statement read. “While SPL will engage in the deployment of charging station equipment, site preparation, installation and manage its operations; KE will ensure grid enhancement.” Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Taha Magrabi, General Manager Retail of Shell Pakistan Limited, stated: “The Government of Pakistan approved the EV policy to help tackle effects of climate change and offer affordable transport to its people. Playing a key role in this sector, SPL along with KE are

keen to support the EV policy and its objectives, with our collaboration.” K-Electric’s Chief Strategy Officer Naz Khan said: “As the world moves towards cleaner modes of transport, KE looks to enable this shift by adding to infrastructure that will support the introduction of EVs across Karachi and Pakistan. With the Government of Pakistan announcing a target for 30pc of all vehicles in the local market to be electric by 2030, KE, with Shell, looks forward to facilitating our customers towards utilizing EVs and contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.” NEWS DESK

FBR forms body to simplify tax return form ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday constituted a committee for simplification of income tax return form for Tax Year 2021. According to a press statement, as part of various reform initiatives and in pursuance to the special instructions of the prime minister, the FBR chairman has constituted a committee for timely designing/finalisation and simplification of income tax return forms for individuals, associations of persons (AOPs) and companies for the tax year 2021. "While departing from the previous practices, the FBR aims at designing the return forms in advance so that forms are available to the taxpayers on the very first day of the tax year," the statement read. The committee shall be chaired by Member (IR-Policy), whereas chief information officer, chiefs of Inland Revenue Operations & Inland Revenue Policy, and second secretary, Domain Business Team (DBT) of FBR’s Information Tech-

nology Wing, would be members of the panel. "The committee will look to simplify income tax return forms to the best possible extent, besides developing the forms that require least possible interventions on a year to year basis. International best practices shall be a guiding principle for the committee," the FBR maintained. "The idea behind this endeavour

is to facilitate taxpayers and make the income tax return form more user-friendly and free from unnecessary complications." In order to make this initiative more fruit bearing and result-oriented, the FBR, through a separate communication, has requested the ICAP, ICMAP, tax bar associations and chambers of commerce to give their input in designing a simplified version of returns.

Govt urged to curtail tobacco lobby's influence in legislation ISLAMABAD: The government should take strict measures to curtail the influence of tobacco lobby in legislative affairs and avoid giving tax benefits to multinational companies. This was suggested in a research study titled ‘Regional Tobacco Tax Regime and Its Implications for Health’ conducted and released by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) – a think-tank based in Islamabad. As per the study, laws against tobacco products should be implemented in letter and spirit without any discrimination. In addition, statistically false claims of tobacco companies regarding the illicit trade of cigarettes should be rejected, and no favours should be offered to them in taxation, it added. The SDPI stated that the ruling elite should also keep distance from the tobacco industry, as the industry uses it as a vehicle of their influence and interest. "It makes the tobacco lobby becomes powerful enough to demand tax relaxations in the name of illicit trade." As per the report, "While the consumption figures stand at a whopping 86.6 billion cigarettes per year, official figures by the industry remain restricted to 55 billion only. The rest is usually blamed on illicit trade; but the volume of illegal trade is not more than 9pc, which is way less than the tall figure of 41pc being reported by companies." Therefore, the average price of a cigarette pack in Pakistan remains low in the region, thereby affecting not only the revenue generated by the tobacco industry but also causing severe health repercussions, the report maintained. The study suggested that a uniform tax system needs to be enforced at all levels so as to control tax evasion, urging the government to abolish the tier system which was providing tax evasion opportunities to tobacco companies. "The single tiered system would not only help strengthen the revenue generation mechanism, but would also effectively address the problem of illicit trade," it concluded. STAFF REPORT

MARKET DAILY

Stocks extend rally with 309-point gain KSE-100 GAINS 2.74PC IN WEEK, CLOSES AT 45,654.34 POINTS KARACHI STAFF REPORT

In line with the recent trend, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) traded in the green throughout the session, with the benchmark index accumulating over 300 points on Friday, thus recording a weekly return of 2.74pc.

Global equity markets also showed positive trend, whereas crude oil prices continued with the upward trend on Saudi output cut pledge; WTI crude price rising 1.46pc to $51.57 while Brent crude price appreciating 1.60pc to $55.26 (as at 4:58pm PST). "Improvement in macro indicators such as growth December exports (highest figure since Sep 2013) as well as consistent increase in SBP forex reserves enabled the investors maintain an upbeat sentiment, especially on banking stocks, which remained relatively muted in the previous bull run," a report issued by Arif Habib Ltd read.

MARKET SUMMARY Reminiscent of the last two sessions, the benchmark KSE-100 Index started accumulating gains right from the word go, registering its intraday high at 45,916.33 (+571.79 points). It settled higher by 309.80 points at 45,654.34. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index gathered 310.17 points to close at 73,990.13, while the KSE All Share Index added 237.10 points, ending at 31,889.53. The overall market volumes increased from 641.41 million shares in the previous session to 696.40 million shares (+8pc). Av-

CMYK

erage traded value, however, declined by 15pc, from $159.5 million to $135.1 million. Byco Petroleum Pakistan Ltd (BYCO +6.12pc), Hum Network Ltd (HUMNL +4.55pc) and Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL +1.66pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 163.81 million, 44.94 million and 38.01 million shares, respectively. Sectors that painted the benchmark index green included banking (+158.79 points), textile composite (+24.46 points) and engineering (+24.21 points). Among the companies, United Bank Ltd (UBL +48.38 points), MCB Bank Ltd (MCB +37.12

points) and Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDC +26.17 points) remained the top contributors. Adding 1.65pc to its total market capitalization, the banking sector ended as the session’s top performer, with HBL (+0.89pc), MCB (+2.04pc) and UBL (+3.13pc) posting decent gains. Meanwhile, in a notification to the exchange, DG Khan Cement Company Ltd (DGKC +0.66pc) informed that it has completed and commissioned 10MW Waste Heat Recovery Power Plant at its site in Hub, Lasbela.

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Democrats inch toward second Trump impeachment after Capitol siege WASHINGTON

AGENCIES

oNGRESSIoNAL Democrats on Friday weighed impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time, two days after his false claims of election fraud helped encourage a mob that stormed the US Capitol. Democratic leaders including House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for immediate impeachment proceedings if Vice President Mike Pence and Trump’s cabinet refused to take steps to remove Trump from power. “The president’s dangerous and seditious acts necessitate his immediate removal from office,” they said in a statement on Thursday evening, accusing Trump of inciting an “insurrection.” As calls for his ouster mounted on Thursday, Trump released a video in which he denounced the violence that left five people dead. The Republican president came the closest yet to conceding his loss in the November 3 presidential election, promising to ensure a smooth transition to a “new ad-

ministration”. President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, is set to be sworn in on January 20. Trump’s words were in stark contrast to his speech on Wednesday, when he exhorted a crowd of thousands to descend on the Capitol as Congress met to certify Biden’s election victory. Rioters stormed the building, overwhelming police and forcing authorities to transport lawmakers to secure locations for their own safety. A Capitol police officer died from injuries sustained in the assault, the force said late on Thursday. A woman protester was fatally shot by the authorities, and three people died from medical emergencies. The FBI offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information on people responsible for placing pipe bombs in the headquarters of the two main US political parties. The agency released a picture of a suspect wearing gloves and a hoodie, carrying an object. With less than two weeks left in Trump’s term, it was not clear whether enough time remained to complete the impeachment process. Pelosi has not announced a decision, though she made clear at a news conference that rank-and-file Democrats in her caucus wanted action following Wednes-

day’s siege. If impeached in the House, Trump would theoretically face trial in the Republican-controlled Senate, which is scheduled to be in recess until January 19. Aides to Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, have not said what he would do if the House approved articles of impeachment. The Democratic-led House impeached Trump in December 2019 for pressuring the president of Ukraine to investigate Biden, but the Republican-held Senate acquitted him in February 2020. only two other presidents in history have been impeached, and none has ever been impeached twice. Democrats will control the Senate after sweeping two runoff elections in Georgia on Tuesday, but the new senators, Jon ossoff and Raphael Warnock, will not be sworn in until the state certifies the results. The state deadline to do so is Jan. 22, though it could come sooner. In Thursday’s video, a flat-toned Trump struck a conciliatory note seldom seen from him during his presidency, calling for “healing.” As recently as Thursday morning, however, Trump was still claiming the election had been stolen, and he stopped short of acknowledging his loss. Since November, Trump has base-

UAE to reopen all entry points with Qatar following Gulf dispute thaw

lessly denounced the election results as “rigged” due to widespread fraud. The Trump campaign and its allies filed dozens of lawsuits challenging the vote counts but almost all were rejected in state and federal courts. Election officials have said there is no evidence to back Trump’s claims. Pelosi and Schumer called on Pence and Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the US Constitution’s 25th Amendment, which allows them to strip the president of his powers if he cannot discharge the duties of his office. Pence opposes the idea, according to an adviser. At least two Republicans, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and US Representative Adam Kinzinger, said Trump must go. The Wall Street Journal editorial page, seen as a leading voice of the Republican establishment, on Thursday evening called on Trump to resign. Several high-ranking Trump administration officials have resigned in protest over the invasion of the Capitol, including two Cabinet members: Elaine Chao, the transportation secretary and McConnell’s wife, and Betsy DeVos, the education secretary. At a news conference to introduce his pick for attorney general, Biden blamed Trump for instigating the attack but did not comment on his possible removal.

DUBAI AGENCIES

The United Arab Emirates will reopen all its land, sea and air entry points with Qatar starting Saturday (today), state news agency WAM reported on Friday. Saudi Arabia announced a breakthrough in ending a dispute between Gulf Arab states and Qatar at a summit on Tuesday, with its foreign minister saying Riyadh and its allies would restore all ties with Doha severed in mid-2017. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed the embargo on Qatar over allegations that it supports terrorism and is cosying up to foe Iran. Doha denies the charges and says the boycott aimed to curtail its sovereignty. A UAE official told a virtual news conference on Thursday that Arab states boycotting Qatar could resume travel and trade links with Doha within a week of the US-backed agreement, but restoring diplomatic ties would require more time as parties work to rebuild trust. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said measures would include “practical measures of airlines, shipping and trade”. Qatar Airways on Thursday said it would begin rerouting some of its flights through Saudi airspace. Restored air links to the UAE’s regional aviation hub will be important for Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

US envoy to UN to visit Taiwan; China says playing with fire TAIPEI AGENCIES

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, will visit Taiwan next week for meetings with senior Taiwanese leaders, Taiwan’s government and the US mission to the UN said, prompting China to warn they were playing with fire. Beijing, which claims the self-governed island as its own territory, has been angered by stepped-up support for Taiwan from the outgoing Trump administration, including trips to Taipei by top US officials, further straining Sino-US ties. Chinese fighter jets approached the island in August and September during the last two visits - by US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, respectively. “During her trip, the Ambassador will reinforce the US government’s strong and ongoing support for Taiwan’s international space in accord with the US oneChina policy that is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three US-PRC joint communiques, and the Six Assurances to Taiwan,” the US mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Thursday. She will be in Taiwan from January 13 to 15, it added. While the United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it is the island’s strongest international backer and arms supplier, being obliged to help provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards unveil underground missile base in Gulf: report DUBAI AGENCIES

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards unveiled an underground missile base at an undisclosed Gulf location on Friday, Iranian state media reported, at a time of heightened tension between Tehran and the United States. “The base is one of several bases housing the Guards’ Navy’s strategic missiles,” the state media quoted the head of the Guards, Major General Hossein Salami, as saying. Last year, the Guards said Iran had built underground “missile cities” along the Gulf coastline, warning of a “nightmare for Iran’s enemies”. “These missiles have ranges of hundreds of kilometres, enjoy pinpoint accuracy and huge destructive power, and can overcome the enemy’s electronic warfare equipment,” Salami said. He said the base was “one of several bases housing the Navy’s strategic missiles”. There have been periodic confrontations in the Gulf in recent years between the Guards and the US military, which has accused the Guards’ navy of sending fast attack boats to harass US warships as they pass the Strait of Hormuz.

China said it was firmly opposed to the visit. “We wish to remind the United States that whoever plays with fire will burn himself. The United States will pay a heavy price for its wrong action,” China’s UN mission said. “China strongly urges the United States to stop its crazy provocation, stop creating new difficulties for China-US relations and the two countries’ cooperation in the United Nations, and stop going further on the wrong path.” Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Craft, whom it called a “staunch friend”, would meet President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. The visit is highly symbolic as Taiwan is not a UN member, because of objections by China, which views the island as one of its provinces and not a country, and that only Beijing has a right to speak for Taiwan on the international stage. Taiwan says that right belongs to its democratically elected government, not China, and has complained of Chinese pressure preventing it from getting real-time information from the World Health organization during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

sMITh sCores 27Th CenTury as IndIa TraIl By 242 In seCond TesT SYDNEY

AGENCIES

USTRALIA snapped up two wickets in the final session on Friday to leave India with work to do in the third Test as they chase the hosts’ 338 following Steve Smith’s first century in more than a year. Pace spearheads Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins got the breakthroughs, dismissing openers Rohit Sharma (26) and Shubman Gill (50) as India reached stumps at 96-2, leaving them 242 adrift. The dogged CheteshwarPujara was not out nine and captain AjinkyaRahane, who scored a century in the last Test at Melbourne, on five. Australia resumed their first innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 166 for two, but only managed another 172 in the face of India’s spirited fightback led by spinner RavindraJadeja who took 4-62. Smith, though, was the star attraction, smacking 131 – his 27th century, and his first since the 2019 Ashes in England – before being the last man to fall. MarnusLabuschagne made 91 and Will Pucovski 62 on debut. India’s openers negotiated a tricky nine overs before tea to be 26 without loss, and they put on another 44 before Hazlewood struck, removing Sharma for 26. The veteran right-hander hadnot played since straining a hamstring in October and only joined the team last week after spending a fortnight in quarantine. But he quickly shook off the rust, hitting a big six off Nathan Lyon before surviving a scare on 24, when he was given out before the decision was reversed on review. His reprieve proved short-lived, however, making just two

IndIA 96 for 2 (GIll 50, rohIT 26) TrAIl AuSTrAlIA 338 (SmITh 131, lAbuSchAGne 91, JAdeJA 4-62) by 242 runS more before being caught and bowled. At the other end Gill, who made his debut in Melbourne, scoring 45 and 35 not out, again showed his composure and skill, reinforcing his status as a potential long-term opener. Just 21, he brought up a maiden Test half-century before nicking an edge to Cameron Green off Cummins. It left Pujara and Rahane to dig in and see India safely to stumps as the runs dried up. Smith, who averages more than 61, failed to reach double figures in the first two Tests but roared back to life on his home ground, reaching his ton off 201 balls. He looked comfortable throughout,

Prioritise athletes for vaccine so Tokyo Games can go ahead: IoC member TOKYO AGENCIES

Athletes should be prioritised for the novel coronavirus vaccine so the beleaguered Tokyo Games can go ahead later this year, according to senior Olympics official Dick Pound. Canadian Pound, the longest-serving member of the International Olympics Committee (IOC), told Sky News in the UK that the Games could still go ahead with mass athlete participation, but only if they were vaccinated. “In Canada where we might have 300 or 400 athletes–to take 300 or 400 vaccines out of several million in order to have Canada represented at an international event of this stature, character and level–I donot think there would be any kind of a public outcry about that,” Pound told Sky News. “It is a decision for each country to make and there will be people saying they are jumping the queue but I think that is the most realistic way of it going ahead.” During his visit to Tokyo in November, IOC President Thomas Bach said athletes would be encouraged to get the vaccine but it would not be mandatory for their participation in the Games. Separately, Pound told the BBC the ever-changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic meant nobody could be sure whether the Games would go ahead in less than 200 days. “I cannot be certain because the ongoing elephant in the room would be the surges in the virus,” Pound said, according to the BBC. Over 15,000 athletes from almost every country in the world are expected to descend on Tokyo for the Olympics, which start on July 23, and the subsequent Paralympics. Fears over whether the Games can be held in Tokyo have increased in the last few weeks as Covid-19 cases surge in Japan and around the world. Japanese Prime Minister YoshihideSuga reiterated on Thursday his intention to hold the Games, even as he declared a state of emergency in the capital and surrounding prefectures.

crunching a four off JaspritBumrah on the first ball he faced from India’s top bowler Friday to signal his intent. He survived an ambitious lbw review on 41 before bringing up a patient century then letting rip, adding a quickfire 31 before being run out by Jadeja’s fabulous direct hit. Smith had resumed on 31 and Labuschagne 67, with both men making the most of a relatively flat pitch to bring up a 100-partnership. It was a typically gritty innings from Labuschagne on a ground where he scored 215 this time last year against New Zealand. But as he closed in on a fifth Test century, he was bamboozled by a Jadeja

ball that took extra bounce, thick-edging it to Rahane at slip. Smith brought up a 30th Test halfcentury before light rain set in. On their return from 24 minutes off the field, following an earlier eightminute break, Matthew Wade was undone by his natural aggression, recklessly skying a Jadeja ball to Bumrah. Green went without scoring, trapped lbw by Bumrah who then clattered the stumps of Tim Paine (1). Cummins was then bowled by Jadeja for nought as Smith began running out of partners. He found an ally briefly in Mitchell Starc to ensure he made his century, before the tailenders were mopped up.

SA include five newcomers in 21-member Test squad for Pakistan tour CAPE TOWN AGENCIES

South Africa’s cricket selectors on Friday named a 21man squad for two Tests in Pakistan, starting in Karachi on January 26. The squad includes two fast bowlers, DarynDupavillon and OttneilBaartman, who have not yet played at Test level. Dupavillon has played in one one-day international. The pair effectively replace fellow fast bowlers GlentonStuurman and Migael Pretorius, who were in South Africa’s squad for the recent Test series against Sri Lanka but who suffered injuries and had to be released. Also included is KagisoRabada, South Africa’s leading fast bowler, who missed the Sri Lanka series because of injury. Baartman as well as batsmen Keegan Petersen and SarelErwee are the only players who have yet to appear in an international match, although Petersen will be part of a South African squad for the third time. Also named were two extra spin bowlers in leftarmers George Linde and TabraizShamsi. “Considering that the conditions that will be faced are largely unknown to the South African team, we wanted to strengthen the attack,” said selection convener Victor Mpitsang. According to a statement from

Cricket South Africa, the team will depart for Pakistan on a commercial flight on January 15 and will spend a period in quarantine in Karachi before starting a programme of training and intra-squad matches. Some of the players will take part in domestic oneday matches in the week before departure with the domestic teams already in a bio-secure environment in Potchefstroom, where all the matches will be played. It will be South Africa’s first tour of Pakistan since 2007-08, although Faf du Plessis captained a World XI in 2017 in the first high-profile international cricket match in that country since a bus containing the Sri Lankan team was attacked in Lahore in 2009. Head coach Mark Boucher made three tours of Pakistan as a player, with South Africa winning two and losing one of the Test series. A separate squad will be announced next week for three Twenty20 internationals which will follow the Tests. South African Test squad:Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, KagisoRabada, Dwaine Pretorius, KeshavMaharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, LuthoSipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, SarelErwee, Keegan Petersen, TabraizShamsi, George Linde, DarynDupavillon, OttnielBaartman.

SPORTS 11 PCB announCes sChedule for Psl 2021 LAHORE APP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the schedule for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021. According to the PCB's statement, Karachi Kings will begin from where they finished their successful PSL 2020 campaign, by taking on 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators in the opening fixture of the 2021 edition at Karachi’s National Stadium on February 20. The tournament will last a little more than a month and conclude on March 22 with its final here at Gaddafi Stadium. To ensure health and safety of all the participants in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, only Karachi and Lahore will host the matches, while Rawalpindi and Multan, which had hosted matches in the 2020 edition, will miss out this time. PCB Director Commercial Babar Hamid said, “We are delighted to announce the schedule of our marquee event, HBL PSL, which for the second successive season will be held in Pakistan in its entirety. "We had to make the tough decision to limit matches to Karachi and Lahore. This decision has been taken in the larger interest of the event, participants, and country. We want to limit the unnecessary exposure of the players as much as practically possible so that the players can operate in a safe and healthy environment," he added. “The crowds in Multan and Rawalpindi were awesome last year and we owe a big thanks to them for their contribution in making the 2020 edition a resounding success. I am sure when life returns to normal, the two cities will get their share of matches as the PCB remains committed and determined to stage matches of the league at as many venues as possible," Hamid further said. As per the schedule, the PCB has divided the 2021 edition into two legs. The first leg will start in Karachi on February 20 and end on March 7 while the second will begin in Lahore from March 10 and conclude with the final on March 22. Total 34 matches will be played during the edition. The participation of fans inside the stadiums will be decided at a later date.

Trump awards Medal of freedom to golfers sorenstam, Player, Zaharias WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US President Donald Trump, facing calls for his removal from office, turned from controversy to ceremony on Thursday as he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to golfers Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. With just 13 days left in his term, Trump gave the nation’s highest civilian honour to Sweden’s Sorenstam, a 10-times major champion, and South African Player, winner of nine major titles. Receiving the honour posthumously was Zaharias, who also won 10 golf majors as well as two track and field gold medals at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games and is regarded as one of the greatest American athletes of all time. She died in 1956 at the age of 45. “Today [Thursday], President Donald J. Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Babe Zaharias. The President also presented the award to previously announced recipients Annika Sorenstam and Gary J. Player,” the White House said in a statement. The trio join Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Charlie Sifford and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to receive the award. Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Woods last year after he won his fifth Masters title. It was announced in March that Sorenstam, Player and Zaharias would be presented with the award but the ceremony was postponed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Trump, who is an avid golfer and owns several course around the world, has played with both Sorenstam and Player.

Top men, women tennis players to quarantine in Adelaide ahead of Australian open MELBOURNE AGENCIES

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will be among top men and women players heading to Adelaide to serve their 14day mandatory quarantine before travelling to Melbourne for next month’s Australian Open, organisers have said. Hundreds of players and entourages will arrive in Australia from January 15 and undergo a mandatory, 14-day quarantine as part of Covid-19 health protocols before the February 8-21 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley said the organisers needed a second city to ensure they did not exceed the limit set by the authorities for people quarantining in Melbourne. Adelaide will now host the top three men and women players, including Ash Barty and Simona Halep,

who will also play an exhibition event before heading to Melbourne for warmup events to be played at the Australian Open venue from January 31. “We approached the South Australian government about the possibility of them quarantining at least 50 people,” Tiley told Tennis Channel. “But they would not have any interest in doing it, because there’s no benefit to them to put their whole community at risk. “But it would be a benefit if there was an exhibition just before Melbourne. So we chose the top three men and top three women and they’ll play an exhibition on the 29th and 30th of January.” The players will be allowed five hours outside their hotel rooms to train during the 14-day quarantine and Tiley confirmed that health regulations would be the same in Adelaide. South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the exhibition event was a “massive win” for the state.

“We have been working really hard with Tennis Australia,” Marshall said. “We will have some of the top seeds playing right here ahead of the Australian Open.” Tiley said he expected Melbourne Park, which saw about 800,000 people attend the Grand Slam last year, to have 50 per cent to 75 per cent of its normal capacity of fans in February. Rod Laver will, however, not be one of them this year at Melbourne Park, which has its main showcourt named after the Australian great. “I have made a decision to stay home this year and sadly will miss the Australian Open,” Laver, the only player ever to win all four major tennis championships in a calendar year twice, said on Twitter. “I am really looking forward to seeing tennis start up again in my house at RLA (Rod Laver Arena) and will have a virtual front row seat! Best wishes to everyone competing and to Tennis Australia for making it happen.”

Saturday, 9 January, 2021

Prayer Timings

NEWS

Hundreds of inmates suffering from Covid-19: rePort COVID-19 CLAIMS 48 MORE LIVES; 2,435 FRESH CASES REPORTED iSLamaBad

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HE federal ombudsman on Friday revealed that hundreds of inmates across Pakistan are suffering from Covid-19. The federal ombudsman submitted the eighth progress report on the suo motu notice by the Supreme Court (SC) on the plight of prisoners in jails. The report was related to the predicament of women prisoners. The report revealed that the highest number of 291 coronavirus positive prisoners were in Sindh jails whereas 126 inmates were in jails of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 80 in Balochistan and three in Punjab. “Apart from Balochistan, the jails of the three provinces have overcrowded inmates while most of the women are imprisoned in Punjab jail,” the report revealed. The federal ombudsman suggested setting up jails in every district and in Islamabad adding that sepa-

rate cells should be set-up for women, minors and drug addicts in the prisons whereas appropriate arrangements should be made for their welfare and education. In November last year, a three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar, issued the directions that the advocate generals concerned should ensure implementation of the reports in their respective provinces. Report submitted by the counsel of the federal ombudsman proposed recommendations to the governments concerned related to the improvement in the conditions of jails. Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic claimed 48 more lives while 2,435 new infections were reported during the last 24 hours, said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday. With these 48 more deaths, the death toll has reached 10,558. According to the NCOC, with fresh inclusion of the infections in the country, the national tally of cases

now currently stands at 497,510. Around 3,313 patients have recovered from the virus on Thursday and 2,285 patients are in critical condition including 34 new patients. The total count of active cases is 33,124 and the positivity rate stands at 6.35 per cent. Overall, 453,828 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far. A total of 300 patients of coronavirus are on ventilators out of a total of 2,801 people admitted to 627 hospitals across the country. A total of 38,369 tests were conducted across the country during this period, while 7,002,706 samples have been tested so far. Separately, the federal government has made another progress in ongoing preparations for anti-Covid vaccination drive as it has decided to establish 12 coronavirus vaccination counters in Islamabad. The counters will be established in urban and rural areas located in the federal capital Islamabad in order to facilitate its citizens. The Covid-19 vaccination counters will be established in different health centres located in rural areas, as well as in the federally administered hospitals to administer coronavirus vaccines. The medical facilities where the vaccination counters

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will be established include Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Poly Clinic, Federal General Hospital (FGH), National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), Social Security Hospital (SSH), Rawat Hospital, health centres of Sihala, Tarlai, Bhara Kahu, Shah Allah Ditta and Temar. A three-member health team will be deputed on every vaccination counter which will be supervised by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC), sources added. Earlier, the experts of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had initiated the special training sessions of staff ahead of launching an anti-coronavirus vaccination drive which will be completed in phases across the country. During the sessions, the health authorities are giving training to the groom master trainers, whereas, the sessions for master trainers for provinces will be completed till January 11. The master trainers for KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) are also being trained at Islamabad, whereas, master trainers are receiving sessions at the provincial offices of the EPI. The master trainers will conduct training sessions at district and tehsil level in provinces from January 1115, sources added. The Expanded Programme on Immunisation will conduct the corona vaccination drive and will assist the health department in the first phase of vaccination. Earlier in December last year, the federal government had prepared the National Immunisation Management System (NIMS) with the joint efforts of different ministries for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines across Pakistan.

Imran terms Hazaras’ refusal to bury miners until his visit as ‘blackmail’ Continued from page 01 Imran terms Hazaras’ refusal to bury miners until his visit as ‘blackmail’ Rasheed said that the reason the premier is waiting for the burials is that he could sit down with the community and speak to them in detail. The minister said that the premier supports the Hazara community completely and if the funeral rites are completed by that day then the premier will visit the community on the same day. Talking about the speeches made by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, Rasheed said that some individuals were trying to turn this tragic incident into a political issue.

He pointed out that the international powers have been behind the targeting of the Hazara community over the last many years. He said that four such groups have been busted including one in the federal capital which wanted to stoke sectarian strife in the country by targeting the religious scholars of different schools of thought. Strongly condemning the Mach incident, the interior minister said that the Frontier Corps (FC) has been directed for a large scale search operation in the area to bring the culprits to justice. Rasheed said that it is the commitment of the prime minister to eradicate terrorism and those trying to stoke sectarian violence in the country. Responding to a question, the interior minister admitted that there is a new wave

of terrorism in the country. Currently, the cities of Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar are on high alert. He said that there are security threats to twenty personalities and these also include religious personalities. He said that the government is making utmost efforts to further improve law and order in the country. He added that the opposition is holding a protest demonstration outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the 19th of this month. He said that the opposition parties will not resign but they are now taking part in the by-elections and the Senate elections. On the other hand, PML-N VP Maryam, while addressing a press conference in Karachi, said that PM Imran had admitted today that he was not going to Quetta “not because of a security threat but ego [and] his stubbornness”. “The nation wants to know what was the problem which prevented you from going and putting your hand on their heads. If this was due to obedience, then the nation wants to know is obedience more important than the people’s lives?” she asked. “If this is superstition then tell the nation so [it] knows the lives of 220 million people are not in the hands of any person or government but decided through superstition,” she lashed out at the premier. “If this is insensitivity and ruthlessness then tell the nation so we know not to look towards you in crisis and [know that] you won’t come and call innocents blackmailers,” the PML-N leader added. Terming his remarks “devoid of humanity” in her presser, Maryam said that the “callous leader” and his government had failed to take the needed steps to protect the vulnerable Shia Hazara community from becoming the targets of terrorism.

“They are not demanding inheritance from you or asking to resurrect the dead or demanding a long list,” she said in reply to the prime minster’s comment of so-called nonsense demands. “They only wanted you to come and give a hand of support so they could bury their dead; they only wanted two words of sympathy”. Lashing out at the premier, she said, “This statement I heard today shook my heart, this ruthlessness, negligence in your duties and so much pride. We can only pray for you”. She asked why the government would not reveal the reason behind why the premier could not visit Quetta. If it is a matter of “threats”, she said, then the opposition leaders faced those same threats. “He is not in a position to give NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance-like concession),” Maryam said, referring to PM Imran. “The one who did not get the permission to go to Quetta, what worth does he have to give NRO?” Thousands of members from the Shia Hazara community protesting the killing of coal miners in Balochistan continued the sitin for the sixth straight day on Friday, refusing to bury the bodies despite a request from PM Imran and assurance of a visit. On Sunday, the so-called Islamic State (IS) militants slit the throats of 11 miners belonging to the Hazara community in a residential compound near a mine site in Mach town of Balochistan’s Bolan district, filming the entire incident and later posting it online. Six of the miners were already dead when found, and five who were critically wounded died on the way to the hospital. Thousands of Hazaras have since staged a protest, arranging the coffins across a highway in Quetta, refusing to withdraw until the prime minister meets them and the killers are

Bahrain reaffirms special relationship with Pakistan Continued form page 01 Both sides exchanged views on regional security, deepening bilateral defence and security ties, as well as military cooperation, the military’s media wing added. According to the statement, David Hevley reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a long-term, mutually beneficial security partnership with Pakistan and thanked Lt Gen Mirza for Pakistan’s pivotal role in supporting Afghanistan peace negotiations. The US envoy discussed opportunities for strengthening cooperation on counterterrorism and the urgency of reducing violence, restarting meaningful negotiations between Islamic Republic negotiators and the Taliban. A day before crucial intra-Afghan talks set to resume in Doha, the top US diplomat, spearheading peace efforts, visited Pakistan on January 4, and met COASBajwa and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General (DG) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Soon after his meeting with the Pakistani authorities, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called for a peace deal as well as a ceasefire at the earliest amid the continued violence in Afghanistan. The meeting between Ambassador Khalilzad and the Pakistani military leadership focused on the “overall regional security situation with particular reference to ongoing Afghan reconciliation,” according to the official handout issued by the ISPR.

brought to justice. Despite extremely harsh weather as the mercury drops to below freezing point, the mourners, including women and children, have refused to leave until Prime Minister Imran Khan meets them and the killers are brought to justice. In a show of solidarity with the victims of the Mach killing, the business community called for a complete strike in Quetta. All main business centres of the provincial capital remained shut. Maryam and PPP Chairman Bilawal had visited the Shia Hazara community on Thursday, wherein Maryam had criticised PM Imran for not visiting the region yet. “I ask Imran Khan, these bodies that lie here, is your ego greater than these?” she had asked while addressing the crowd which was protesting the Mach killing victims. Maryam had rhetorically asked if PM Imran had not come in fear of criticism, and advised him to come to share in the grief. “I salute you all. You have more than 2,000 people you have lost. Each one of you is an open book, telling the story of such pain and sorrow,” she had said. Bilawal had deplored the state’s failure to implement the National Action Plan for deterrence of such crimes and how every time one comes to visit the community, it is because such an incident has occurred. “Pakistan is a country where even our martyred and the dead have to protest,” he had said during his visit. Bilawal had added that while living expenses such as gas and electricity kept becoming more expensive, “the people’s blood is cheap”. “The blood of our labourers is cheap, and that of political workers, police officers, lawyers, residents and the Hazara community.”

LeT leader Lakhvi sentenced to 15 years in prison Continued form page 01 A UN Security Council sanctions committee says Lakhvi is LeT’s chief of operations and accuses him of being involved in militant activity in a number of other regions and countries, including Chechnya, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier this month, the CTD of Punjab Police arrested Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi on terrorism financing charge. “He and others also collected funds from this dispensary and used these funds for further terrorism financing. He also used these funds for personal expenses,” the CTD had said. The arrest was made in relation to terrorism financing, spokesman for CTD clarified, and not for a “specific militant attack”. “Proscribed organisation LeT leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi (has been) arrested on charges of terror-

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ism financing,” he said. According to a UN Security Council sanctions committee, Lakhvi is the chief of operations and military commander of the LeT. Hafiz Saeed, who has been designated a terrorist by the US Justice Department and has a $10 million bounty on his head, is presently serving multiple jail terms in Pakistan after being convicted in several cases in recent months. The Pakistani government has seized Saeed’s extensive network of mosques, schools, seminaries and charities and other assets in the country. Lakhvi was designated as a global terrorist by the UN in December 2008 for being associated with LeT and al-Qaeda and for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of” both the entities.