EpaperISB_21-03-06

Saturday, 6 March, 2021 I 21 Rajab, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 247 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

PM lobbies ParliaMentarians ahead of confidence vote g

Allies stAnd by imrAn, sAy will support him through thick And thin

ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

P

rime minister imran khan on Friday vowed to continue fighting against mafia groups and thugs, saying that he could not be persuaded by the politics of blackmail as the war with the mafia is still on and the pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) and its allies have to fight the mafia groups. he expressed these views while addressing the parliamentary party meeting of the ruling coalition at prime minister’s house. According to sources in the ruling party, 176 members attended the parliamentary party meeting while chaudhry moonis elahi, syed Ali Zaidi, ghulam bibi bharwana and Amir liaquat hussain could not attend the meeting. party sources said that the four lawmakers were traveling and would join the vote of confidence while national Assembly speaker Asad Qaisar would not be able to cast his vote as he would administer the lower house’s proceedings.

during the prime minister’s speech, the party lawmakers got emotional and chanted slogans to express solidarity with the prime minister. the lawmakers assured the prime minister of their blind support through thick or thin. pm imran made it clear to the lawmakers that even if he fails to win the vote of confidence, he will continue fighting the mafia and would bring more majority in the future. “this time, i did not have a huge majority. i have more experience of winning and losing. i have no worries of losing. i would keep fighting the mafias,” he said. the parliamentary party expressed full confidence in the prime minister and chanted slogans in his favour. the premier said that he had started politics for a purpose. “i believe in democracy and freedom of opinion. my peace is to get rid of money from politics, those who are with me will be with me tomorrow. but those who do not trust me openly express, if i am wrong in your eyes, of course leave with

coronavirus in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

587,014

LAST UPDATED AT 7:06 AM ON MARCH 5, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

52

1,579

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

556,769 13,128 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

259,164

175,051

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

73,258

19,097

10,409/4,957

45,078

me,” he said. premier imran said that the people have entrusted the vote to the house. he said that to be honest, 16 of ruling coalition members sold themselves for money which led to the defeat of hafeez shaikh. “you decide on the basis of conscience. if i fail in the no-confidence motion, i will get a majority in the future. i have more experience of winning and losing,” he said. imran said that he had no worries of losing the vote of confidence. “A man learns from mistakes and defeats. even if i lose, i will bring more majority in future, this time i did not have a huge majority,” he said.

ALLIES ASSURE PM OF THEIR SUPPORT: earlier, a delegation of government allies, pakistan muslim league-Quaid (pml-Q) and muttahida Qaumi movement-pakistan (mQm-p) called on prime minister imran. during the meeting, issues related to defeat in senate election and vote of confidence were discussed. sources told pakistan today that the mQm-p delegation assured that they were and will remain allies and they are a part of the ruling coalition. the mQmp delegation said that they would continue supporting the pm in any situation. sources, however, said that mQm-p urged the prime minister to nominate mQm-p nominee for the slot of senate deputy chairman. during a meeting with the pml-Q delegation, the premier said that all the promises made to the allies would be fulfilled. the pml-Q delegation said that they had voted for hafeez shaikh and would also vote for the prime minister. sources said that the grand democratic Alliance (gdA) delegation also assured the government its full support for prime minister imran.

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ECP says it can’t make amendments against the law ISLAMABAD staff eport

the election commission of pakistan (ecp) on Friday expressed its disappointment over the allegations raised by prime minister imran khan during his address to the nation, and added that it cannot make any amendments against the law. in its declaration issued after the meeting to review the allegations leveled by the prime minister and the federal ministers, ecp stated that if anybody has reservations, the constitutional way is open for all. “the election commission listens to everyone but fulfils its obligations only according to what is written in the law and the constitution.” “if the constitutional institutions continue to be ridiculed in this way, it is tantamount to their (government’s) weakness and not that of the ecp,” it added. “it is a shocking matter that under the same staff in the same [election] under the same roof on the same day, [what they won] is acceptable and [what they lost] is unacceptable. is this not open contradiction?” the commission questioned, adding: “the ecp rejects this.”

Opp plans to boycott today's NA session

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more inside

Training, commitment enhance capability to tackle threats: COAS

ISLAMABAD staff report

Jamiat ulema islam-Fazl (Jui-F) chief and pakistan democratic movement (pdm) president maulana Fazlur rehman has said that the opposition will boycott the special saturday session of the national Assembly (nA) wherein prime minister imran khan plans to seek a vote of confidence after the loss in the senate. the ruling pakistan tehreek-einsaf (pti) lost the senate general seat in islamabad, wherein its candidate, Federal minister of Finance hafeez shaikh got 164 votes while the pdm joint candidate received 169. president dr Arif Alvi had convened a session of the lower house on saturday at 12 pm during which pm imran would seek a vote of confidence from the parliamentarians in an apparent move to counter the opposition’s ability to challenge the legitimacy of his government.

Addressing a press conference, Fazl said that pakistan people’s party (ppp) senior leader yousuf raza gillani’s victory was itself a no-confidence motion against the premier. “so when the president talks

the meeting, chaired by chief election commissioner (cec) sikandar sultan raja, was attended by the members of the ecp, secretary and the officials of the law wing. the returning officer (ro) of islamabad briefed the participants about the senate polls. the meeting reviewed allegations of horse-trading leveled by pm imran and the federal ministers, said sources, and added that the ecp will issue a declaration about the meeting. the ecp statement read that if the electory body was willing to listen to recommendations, then it would just as well listen to complaints, but only if there would evidence to back to up. it advised the premier and the federal ministers not to “mudsling” at them. the ecp said that the senate elections were held according to the law and the constitution and were conducted in a “good way”. it said that the statements and discussions that had come to the electoral body through media reports were “saddening”, especially statements made by “some members of the federal cabinet and specifically what the prime minister said in his address yesterday”.

STORY ON BACK PAGE

daily coronavirus tally becomes highest in over a month about losing trust to call the session of the national Assembly, then this further strengthens the stance of the opposition,” he said.

After the opposition’s boycott of the session, rehman said, “this session will have no political importance” and the pti government “will not be considered the representative government of this nation”.

Fazl said that pm imran called his own party members “salable commodities”. Votes of these members would also be included in tomorrow’s session, he reminded the premier.

in reply to a question, he underscored that the absence of the opposition parties from tomorrow’s session would not help the incumbent government. “the importance of his whole narrative will be eliminated,” he said. “they formed a fake government and have been involved in one-sided procedures from day one,” the Jui-F chief added. “we stand by our decisions and announcement. A meeting has been called on march 8 in islamabad [to discuss the fate of the long march],” he added.

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STORY ON PAGE 02

ECP’s press release response seems ‘inappropriate’, says minister STORY ON PAGE 03

two sessions: china puts its gdp growth target at 6pc STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

saturday, 6 march, 2021

islamabad

news

daily coronavirus tally becoMes highest in over a Month DRAP APPROVES SINOPHARM VACCINE FOR PEOPLE ABOVE 60 ISLAMABAD

p

TLTp

AKISTAN recorded the highest daily number of new Covid-19 cases in over a month during the last 24 hours, only days after it has relaxed a number of coronavirus restrictions. The country recorded 1,579 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, said the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) on Friday. With the fresh inclusion of the infections, the national tally of cases has reached 587,014.

52 more coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 13,128. The total count of active cases is 17,117 and out of them, 1,551

patients were stated to be in critical condition.

In the past 24 hours, as many as 1,527 patients recovered from the virus, while so far 556,769 people have recovered.

A total of 37,998 tests were conducted across the country during the last 24 hours, while 9,135,393 samples have been tested so far. Punjab provincial tally for coronavirus cases reached 175,051 after the province recorded 860 fresh cases of Covid-19 in a day.

At least 30 more people also succumbed to the virus in the province, taking the death toll to 5,510. The province has so far recorded 163,752 recoveries.

The increase in the coronavirus cases comes after the NCOC on February 24 eased most of the restrictions, allowing commercial activities to resume with no time

2 COLLEGES SEALED IN ISLAMABAD limits and offices and other workplaces to function at full strength, without the 50 per cent work-from-home condition.

The NCOC also allowed Pakistan Super League (PSL) pool matches with 50 per cent spectators. On Thursday, however, the tournament was postponed after a number of players tested positive for the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has approved the Sinopham coronavirus vaccine for people above 60 years of age. According to the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), the Sinopharm vaccine was being administered to people up to the age of 60 years; however, it would now be used to inoculate citizens above 60 years of age too.

The body has approved China’s

Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine for inoculations to registered health workers over 60 years.

Meanwhile, the district health administration in the federal capital has sealed two colleges after 10 coronavirus cases were reported on Friday.

According to details, two boys colleges in Islamabad’s sectors I-10/1 and F-7/3 were sealed where 10 Covid-19 cases were detected.

According to a report forwarded to the deputy commissioner Islamabad by the district health officer (DHO), three coronavirus cases have been reported in Model College for Boys in Sector 10/1 while seven others were diagnosed in Model College For Boys, located in F-7/3. The DHO has directed the Islamabad

administration to seal both colleges until further orders. The virus cases have been rising in the educational institutions since they were reopened and resumed regular classes. According to Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) District Health Officer Dr Muhammad Zaeem Zia, 231 patients have been tested positive against 5,766 tests run in the federal capital having positivity at 4.0 per cent in the last 24 hours. The number of patients reported in a day from the city is the highest in the last many months, he said.

Earlier, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood had announced that all schools would conduct regular five-day classes from March 1. “Important announcement. All schools would go back to regular 5 day classes from Monday, March 1,” he tweeted. “Restrictions imposed in some major cities on schools to conduct staggered classes was only till Feb 28,” he tweeted.

Man, woMan killed for ‘honour’ in kohistan: police In yet another case of honour killing, a woman and a man were executed in the name of honour by unknown assailants on Friday in Jalkot area of Kohistan district. According to details, police have confirmed the duo, including a woman, was killed for honour.

However, the identities of both, the deceased and the assailants have not yet been made public. Police are probing the crime and are on the lookout for the suspects in the killings. Earlier on February 23, a man in Swat killed two people including his wife, said police.

According to police, the incident of twin murder took place in Madeen area of Swat where a man killed his wife and a man for ‘honour’. Police arrested the accused, while the bodies were moved to a nearby hospital for legal formalities. Earlier on February 6, a man allegedly opened fire at his niece and another man in Jacobabad district of Sindh, killing them on the spot. According to police, the incident occurred within the limits of Miranpur police station. “A man opened fire at his niece as she accompanied another man,” they said, adding that both of them died on the spot. They further said that the accused was able to run away from the incident site. The police shifted the bodies to a hospital for medico-legal formalities as they launched an operation to apprehend the accused. NEWS DESK

KARACHI: An artist paints a portrait of Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa' Dr Ruth Pfau on a wall near the Karachi Press Club. ppi

differences between PTi, Gda over Pir saddaruddin shah Rashdi’s defeat KARACHI iNp

Differences between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and one of its coalition partners, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) emerged on Friday, as the GDA leaders revealed that PTI lawmakers did not vote for Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi in recently held Senate elections.

The GDA leaders have claimed that Pir Saddaruddin

Shah Rashdi lost the election contest as the PTI lawmakers did not vote for him. The proofs, along with the names of the MPAs, have been dispatched to Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action, they stated. “Six to seven lawmakers of PTI did not vote for Rashdi.” The names shared with the premier include Karim Gabol, Rabistan Khan, Umer Umeri and others. Abdul Razaq Rahimoon alleged that these are the MPAs who refrain from voting for Saddaruddin Shah Rashdi.

Nusrat Sahar Abbasi said that PM Imran has been informed about the situation.

PTI won 18 seats in Senate elections 2021. The PTI– backed candidates won 10 out of total 12 seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), five from Punjab (unopposed), two from Sindh, and one Senate seat from Islamabad, according to unofficial results.

As per unofficial results, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which is an ally of ruling PTI won six

Senate seats. Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P) secured victory on 2 Senate seats from Sindh Assembly. Similarly, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has won eight Senate seats, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) five, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) secured three seats, Awami National Party (ANP) 2, BNP-Mengal one, PML-Q 1, whereas, two Senate seats were won by independent candidates, unofficial results show.

Chinese legislature hails performance in year 2020 ISLAMABAD MiaN abrar

The opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) started at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and other state leaders.

Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report on behalf of the State Council to the national legislature for deliberation.

WORK REPORT: Li said China was the world’s only major economy to achieve growth in 2020 and has won a complete victory in the fight against extreme poverty.

With GDP growth of 2.3 per cent in 2020, a betterthan-expected recovery was achieved in the country, he noted. In the past five years, over 60 million urban jobs were added and the world’s largest social security system was established, Li said.

As the national legislature prepares to review the draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP), China has accomplished the major goals and tasks of the 13th FYP, Li affirmed in the report. The country has set its GDP growth target at above 6 percent for 2021, the premier said.

‘ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’: “We will stay true to the letter and spirit of the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy.

We will improve the relevant systems and mechanisms of the two special administrative regions for enforcing the Constitution and the basic laws,” Premier Li said.

China will ensure the implementation of laws and enforcement mechanisms for the two special administrative regions to safeguard national security.

“We will resolutely guard against and deter external forces’ interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao,” he said.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMID GLOBAL

PANDEMIC: The global economy continues to face grave challenges as the Covid-19 pandemic rages on around the world, the premier said. “We will face these problems and challenges squarely, make every effort to make improvements, and do all we can to live up to our people’s expectations,” he affirmed.

With the world still battling the pandemic, Li said China supports global cooperation on combating Covid19 and calls for building a global health community.

China has also made important contributions to advancing global peace and development, he added.

OPENING-UP: China will pursue high-standard opening-up and promote stable and improved performance in foreign trade and investment by promoting the steady growth of imports and exports, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and strengthened multilateral, bilateral and regional economic cooperation, Li said.

“We will open up more sectors of the economy in a more thorough fashion and participate more fully in international economic cooperation,” he said, adding, “China will improve and adjust import tariff policies and increase imports of quality products and services.”

FINANCIAL SYSTEM REFORM: China will strengthen budget constraints and performance management and promote greater transparency in the process, Li said. The premier added that China will focus on reform in 2021, in areas including state-owned enterprises, energy, transportation and telecommunications.

He called for efforts to promote the common development of enterprises under diverse forms of ownership and reduce their production and operating costs.

POVERTY ALLEVIATION: China will continue to implement its rural revitalisation strategy and promote steady development of agriculture and increase incomes of the rural population, Li said.

The country will consolidate and expand its achievements in poverty alleviation with efforts to promote rural revitalisation. A five-year transition will also be introduced to enhance continuous monitoring and assistance mechanisms.

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS: Innovation will continue to be a key priority for China, with further efforts to boost the role of enterprises through tax deductions and bringing them together with research institutes, universities and end-users, Li stressed.

China will continue to grant an extra tax deduction of 75 per cent on enterprises’ R&D costs “and we will raise this to 100 per cent for manufacturing enterprises,” the premier told the meeting.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION: China will intensify efforts to “keep our skies blue, our waters clear and our lands pollution-free,” Li said at the meeting.

He said that China will strengthen comprehensive measures and joint efforts on air pollution prevention and control, with the goal of clean heating accounting for 70 per cent of all heating in northern China.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

ECP’s PrEss rElEasE rEsPonsE sEEMs ‘inaPProPriatE’, says MinistEr IsLAMABAD

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INP

eACTING to the press release issued by the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) over allegations raised by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Friday said that press release statement response seems ‘inappropriate.”

Addressing a press conference along with the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and Senatorelect Barrister Ali Zafar, Fawad said that the federal government respects every state institution of the country including the eCP. “eCP is respectable to us and will remain so,” said Fawad and added that institutions show their impartiality through practical steps, not through press releases.

PM said that horse-trading during Senate polls was not stopped. Was that the matter of shame for eCP? asked Fawad.

The minister, while extending every possible support to the eCP, urged for a joint mechanism devised by the eCP and the government to stop rigging in the polls.

“I want to assure the chief election commissioner (CeC) and members that we want to see you strong,” said Fawad.

He said that the directions of the Supreme Court (SC) for holding fair and free Senate elections were neglected by the eCP. We are not planning to hold any protest in front of the supreme electoral body, Fawad added.

He said that the evidence was there in the form of “videos of vote-buying, Sindh Information Minister Nasir Shah’s audio,

FARAZ SAYS RESULTS OF SENATE ELECTIONS VINDICATED PREMIER'S STANCE

and Maryam Nawaz’s speech”.

The minister hoped that the eCP will “reviews its stance and not rely on press releases”. He added that he rather expected the eCP to “prove its independence through its actions”.

“From Daska elections till Senate elections you have to realise that there have been shortcomings and it cannot be said that all that has happened is correct,” said Fawad, adding that if the eCP requires the government’s help, then it is “available 24/7”.

Speaking on the occasion, Faraz said that the scourge of corruption was introduced in politics after 1985 party-less elections when the persons like Nawaz had entered the

political arena.

The society’s social and ethical values, he said, were destroyed and importance was given to accumulating wealth instead of protecting the people’s interests.

Both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) were responsible for moral degradation in the political culture and democratic values, ruining economy, and undermining the credibility of traditional institutions, he maintained.

The minister said that Prime Minister Imran joined politics with the slogan to end corrupt practices like horse-trading, use of money and bullying.

He stressed that elections are the essence of democracy. A building could not be erected properly if its foundation was faulty; with transparency in the electoral process, the image of institutions and parliamentarians could be restored, he added.

Faraz said that the PTI did strive to materialize the PM’s narrative about transparent elections by introducing the bill in the National Assembly (NA), and sending a presidential reference to the SC for guidance for open balloting in the Senate polls.

He explained that on one side there was PM Imran, the torch-bearer of hope and truth, and on the other there were the harbingers of ‘darkness’. The results of recent Senate elections had vindicated the prime minister’s stance.

Replying to the questions from the mediapersons, he said that the PTI had expelled its members of the provincial assembly for violation of party discipline in the 2018 Senate elections. He added that the media should ask the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties as to how many members they had expelled on that count.

The PTI’s struggle, he said, was for purging the system of corruption for the coming generations keeping political considerations aside.

He maintained that the prime minister’s decision to take a fresh vote of confidence proved that values were more important for him than power, and no such example existed in the country’s political history .

He also said that PM Imran was fighting against those who had plundered the national resources, and every upright and honest person stood by him in that struggle.

The minister said that one had to face

Maryam says Imran has already lost the confidence vote News Desk Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz has said on Friday that “vote of no-confidence” was already done, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan has no right to remain in office.

Addressing the media and flanked by senior party leaders, Maryam congratulated President Dr Arif Alvi for finally recognising that the premier “had lost the confidence of the people”.

She read out Article 91(7) of the Constitution during the presser and said that the prime minister calling a vote of confidence means that the president has asked for one. She further claimed that the president too had accepted “what everyone saw in Daska, Nowshera” and other by-elections.

“Imran Khan is selected and will remain with the same status forever,” said Maryam, adding that just a single seat in Islamabad had exposed him.

Reiterating the opposition’s stance that the premier is “selected”, the PML-N leader said that the government will not be any good if PM Imran wins the confidence vote after “bullying and harassing his own members”. She taunted the premier by asking how he could hope to achieve a vote of confidence from them when the PM himself had accused them of being “sellouts”. PML-N, Maryam said, was not the party that would remain silent. For secret balloting, a constitutional amendment was required, which could only be done in the parliament, she added.

Furthermore, she pointed out that military leadership “should not have been seen” with the premier a day after the loss the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered in the Senate elections.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had met Imran at Prime Minister House on Thursday, a day after the much-hyped Senate polls took place. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was also present during the meeting. “Is he not dragging the institutions into politics?” she asked.

She pointed out that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG had often told politicians not to pull the military into political affairs. Maryam maintained that the DG should have told the premier that “you have lost, been humiliated, failed, and lost the trust of the people […] so kindly do not drag us into this politics”.

Regarding the statement issued by the eCP earlier today, wherein they asked the PTI not to mud-sling and

PTI challenges ECP’s decision of Daska re-polling in SC IsLAMABAD INP

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday challenged the election Commission of Pakistan’s (eCP) decision of re-polling in NA-75 Daska in the Supreme Court (SC).

PTI candidate Ali Asjad Malhi has made his opponent Nosheen Iftikhar party in the petition along with others and maintained that the eCP did not follow the rules and regulations while issuing the order of reelection in the entire constituency.

Ali Asjad Malhi said that the eCP verdict violates Article 10-A and requested the apex court to issue results of the by-election after nullifying the eCP decision.

Last Thursday, the eCP had declared the by-election for a National Assembly (NA) seat in a Sialkot constituency as null and void and had ordered the government to hold re-election on March 18.

The commission had stopped the initial results of the NA-75 (Sialkot-IV) by-election — a seat in Daska Tehsil of the city which fell vacant after the demise of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MP Sahibazada Syed Iftikharul Hassan Shah in August —

a day after polling was held, suspecting vote fraud.

In a press statement, the eCP had said that it had suspected that the results of 20 polling stations in the constituency had been falsified because it received the results of the constituency with “unnecessary delay”.

A short verdict, announced on an application of PML-N candidate Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, had ordered re-election in the constituency because “conducive environment was not available for the candidates and voters and the election had not been conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in a transparent manner.”

“On the day of the election, chaos was spread in the entire constituency,” it had read.

The order was issued using the powers conferred on the eCP under Article 218 (3) of the Constitution and Article 19 (1) of the election Act, 2017.

The government at the time had said that it would wait for the detailed order and to decide its future course of action.

The PML-N has been the loudest proponent of the rigging allegations within the constituency. Vice President Maryam had alleged claims of interference in the NA-75 Daska by-polls and had accused the ruling party and agencies of being involved in the so-called conspiracy.

expressed disappointment with the stance the premier took during a televised address after the elections, the PML-N VP said that the whole country can now see “what a mafia is and how they pressurise and defame institutions”.

She said that the eCP stand on holding the polls through secret ballot was not its personal opinion but a constitutional stance which was “more or less accepted by the SC”. No institution except the parliament can amend the Constitution, she stressed.

“Now even the institutions know who is making them controversial, they know who is bullying them,” she said, adding that while the PML-N faced decisions even when they went against it, the government faulted the institutions when the results were not in its favour.

A day earlier, the PML-N VP had said that those who were trying to break Muslim League are breaking themselves. She had maintained that the slogan of ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’ was being accepted by people across the country. Addressing a meeting of the general council of the PML-N in Islamabad, she had responded to the allegations by government ministers that the Senate elections were rigged, wherein Maryam had asked whether the recent by-elections were also rigged or not.

She had said that money did not prevail in Senate elections but the PML-N s ticket prevailed.

Maryam had paid tribute to all parliamentarians who accepted Nawaz Sharif s narrative. She had said that our parliamentarians observed discipline and voted for Yousaf Raza Gillani.

“Agencies, which come under Imran Khan, the vote thief, were involved [in the rigging],” she had claimed while speaking to media persons in Lahore on Wednesday last. The PML-N VP had warned that she would “expose the names” if the government does not come clean.

On February 23, she had taken to Twitter and had claimed that she had the names of two people, adding that the staff of the eCP had been abducted and kept in one place all night.

Since the elections occurred, Maryam has been untiring in her pursuit of a recount, and had issued multiple videos on Twitter that purportedly showed the closure of polling stations “by design”. She had claimed that some stations were purposefully closed for nearly six hours.

“When [they saw] that despite this historic, blatant and naked rigging, PML-N was still in the lead, they kidnapped 20 officials in the garb of fog,” she had said.

“This is not me saying this, election Commission’s press release is also saying it. It said that when they returned, results were altered.”

She had insisted that a re-poll in only 20 stations was not enough when the election of Daska in its entirety was stolen. The PML-N VP had also urged the election Commission to ensure that action is taken against the officials who were allegedly involved in rigging.

03

odds and difficulties in the fight for truth, but it was more important as to who stood firm on their stance.

He underscored that Prime Minister Imran, as an individual, started his struggle against the status quo and now with the grace of Allah Almighty, the PTI was the single largest party in both the National Assembly (NA) and the Senate.

Faraz said that the opposition leaders considered those elections fair and free which they won and, otherwise, the polls were termed unfair and rigged. Whereas the PTI leadership had the clear stance that objections would be raised if elections were not free, he added.

To a question, he said that the PML-N had made a ludicrous claim that they had offered party tickets to the PTI members for voting for the PDM candidate Yousuf Raza Gillani. The PML-N ticket had no value in comparison to that of the PTI, he said, and further implied that PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz had used the word ‘ticket’ as stand-in for ‘currency notes’.

It was also a matter of disappointment that PPP Chairmain Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, despite being an educated person, was giving justifications for corruption, he added.

They were the people, who made victory signs while coming out of jail for court proceedings in corruption cases, and PM Imran was fighting against that mindset, the minister remarked.

About the incumbent Sadiq Sanjrani nomination for the Senate chairmanship, Faraz said that the PTI leadership took the decision after consultations with the allied parties.

Sanjarani belonged to Balochistan and the government wanted that province’s representation in the federation as the NA speaker belonged to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the PM to Punjab, and the president belonged to Sindh, he added.

Another reason for Sanjrani’s nomination was his performance of the past three years as Senate chairman as he was a popular figure who had run the House in a very efficient manner, he further said.

Bilawal felicitates PDM leaders on Gillani’s victory News Desk Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday telephoned Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and National Party head Dr Abdul Malik and congratulated both leaders on the success of PDM joint candidate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani in the Senate elections. While talking to them, he said that PDM’s joint candidate Gillani’s victory is the victory of democracy. Strong opposition alliance created cracks in government’s ranks, he added. Bilawal said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s so-called change was also rejected by conscientious public representatives of the government. The PPP chief also telephoned the Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chapter President Aimal Wali Khan and discussed the current political situation of the country. He also congratulated Khan on the victory of PDM’s joint candidate.

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Saturday, 6 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

laHORE: People gather during a spring festival at Jilani Park in the provincial capital. Zubair mehfooz

PakisTan, sri Lanka air fOrCes agree TO enhanCe COOPeraTiOn ISLAMABAD

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staff report

HE air forces of Pakistan and Sri Lanka have agreed to explore new avenues to enhance bilateral professional cooperation. The understanding was reached at a meeting between Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and his Sri Lankan counterpart Air Marshal Sudarshana Karagoda Pathirana in Colombo on Friday.

Bilateral matters pertaining to mutual professional interest came under discussion during the meeting.

Air Chief Mujahid said it is a moment of pride for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) that the commander of the Sri Lankan air force was trained in Pakistan. He added, “Our armed forces in general and air forces in particular have strong ties of friendship.”

The Sri Lankan air chief thanked the PAF chief for his sincere offer of cooperation.

Mujahid also attended the Sri Lankan air force's 70th anniversary parade as a guest of honour at Katunayke.

Pakistan to chair WTO’s CTD for 2021: Dawood ISLAMABAD tLtp

Adviser to the PM on Commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood has said that Pakistan has been elected to chair the Committee on Trade & Development (CTD) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for 2021. In a tweet on Friday, Dawood said that under Pakistan's leadership, the Committee on Trade and Development would strive to work for expansion of trade and investment opportunities for developing countries. He said that the CTD was “established in 1965 in GATT (now WTO) for the economic development of Developing Countries”. Its inception came, in particular, to deal especially with issues related to the “Enabling Clause” to provide non-reciprocal trading preferences to developing countries, keeping in mind the Generalized System of Preferences, or GSP. Separately, earlier in the day, the trading corporation of Pakistan (TCP) sanctioned the import of a further 300,000 metric tonnes of wheat to the country for which it has received seven bids on the tenders it released. It said that out of seven offers made for the import, the lowest was US$332.44 per metric tonne against which the deal has been made.

Cost of Peshawar heritage trail project surges to Rs700m Islamabad: Politician Munir Ahmed Khan meets Prime Minister Imran Khan to join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. PR

Private schools allowed to hike tuition fees by 5pc

PESHAWAR staff report

After spending Rs700 million on the Peshawar heritage trail, the project fell into disrepair as Rs25 million more will have to be spent on its restoration and repair work, Pakistan Today learnt on Friday.

Sources said that despite spending Rs700 million on the trail, the directorate of archaeology and museums failed to

take effective steps to make it a success.

Before starting the project, it was decided that the fist market and other encroachments within the project limits will be removed but the plan could not be fulfilled and now more funds will be required to repair the trail.

The heritage trail was completed by the KP directorate of archaeology and museums in June, 2018 at an initial estimated cost of Rs312 million. However, the project cost was later surged

to Rs507 million.

It was recently reported by the directorate that there are 39 damaged items in the trail and the repair and maintenance working papers of the items have been prepared.

According to the report compiled by the city district government of Peshawar, out of 12,602 Waziri bricks, 400 bricks are broken while a total of 350 benches, 50 dustbin, 80 bulbs and some other equipment are dam-

aged due to carelessness of the authorities.

The report said some protective walls, doors and windows of adjoining buildings will be constructed, besides other repair works, including paint and manholes. It added a draftsman, three electricians, two plumbers, five sweepers, four security guards, four traffic police officials and two food inspectors will be recruited for the track.

WHO renews support to strengthen primary healthcare in Pakistan LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department on Friday rejected the application of private schools for hiking annual tuition fees up to eight per cent.

Three private schools had sent the application to the provincial authorities for seeking an annual increase in tuition fees up to eight per cent. However, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas issued directives to the private schools for not making an increase more than the proposed ratio, which is five per cent. Murad said in a statement that the schools have failed to provide relevant documents to the education authorities and it will not be allowed to make an annual tuition fee hike of more than five per cent. The education minister clarified that the school administrations are bound to comply with the court directives in terms of a hike in tuition fees.staff report

ISLAMABAD tLtp

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reaffirmed its support to Pakistan for strengthening primary healthcare in the country.

The assurance was given by the representative of WHO in Pakistan, Dr Palitha Mahipala, while addressing a press conference on Friday.

Mahipala said the WHO is providing support to the government of Pakistan for expansion of universal health coverage by investing in health systems. He also assured complete and unflinching support to the government in implementing its agenda to achieve the target of Universal Health Care (UHC) by 2030.

He appreciated the government for the various steps taken to improve the health status of the pop-

ulation. He particularly mentioned the expansion in the coverage of Sehat Sahulat Programme, which will be instrumental in decreasing the financial burden on the poor and marginalised population, and endorsement of the Universal Health Coverage Benefit Package (UHCBP).

He affirmed, “I am confident that these recommendations will facilitate the government in developing strategies and plans for strengthening the primary healthcare services and securing sustainable financing to achieve the UHC, and for implementation of a recently endorsed UHCBP.” “I am very sure and confident that with the current political commitment and UHC-related programme and interventions, Pakistan will achieve the targets of UHC by 2030 and the WHO will support the government in every possible way towards this end,” he said.

He added that the Pakistani media has always stood for any national cause. “I expect and urge the media to play its vital role in raising public awareness and advocating with relevant stakeholders for it. I am thankful to all the agencies for participating in this mission and admire the efforts of all the mission members,” he concluded.

Speaking on the occasion, UNICEF representative in Pakistan, Aida Girma said, “The adaptation of Universal Health Coverage Investment Case into provincial plans with focus on strengthening district health governance, Lady Health Workers Programme, and robust health information system will accelerate primary healthcare for UHC in Pakistan.” She added the children and their mothers will benefit from essential health services, including immunisation through comprehensive primary healthcare.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

PM lobbies parliamentarians ahead of confidence vote cONtiNuED fROm pAgE 01 “The allies have assured that they will give a vote of confidence to the prime minister. Imran Khan said that the coalition parties are part of the government and will remove all reservations,” a source said. It is for the second time in the history of Pakistan that a prime minister is seeking a vote of confidence from the House. On May 27, 1993, the then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif had sought a vote of confidence. The then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had sacked Nawaz’s government in 1993, but the Supreme Court (SC) had restored the government and the next day Nawaz took a vote of confidence from the NA.

Oil hits almost 14-month high after OPEC+ extends output cuts

FBR SignS $120M tRaCk & tRaCE COntRaCt With aJCL COnSORtiUM iSLAmABAD

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SHAHZAD PARACHA

HE Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday signed a $120 million contract for track & trace system with AJCL Consortium.

According to officials, a contract has been signed between FBR and AJCL, along with its lead partners Authentix Inc of USA and Mitas Corporation of South Africa, to operationalize track & trace solutions in tobacco, cement, sugar and fertilizer sectors.

FBR Member (IR-Operations)

LONDON Oil prices jumped more than 2pc on Friday, hitting their highest in nearly 14 months after OPEC and its allies agreed not to increase supply in April as they await a more substantial recovery in demand. Brent crude futures were up $1.52, or 2.3pc, at $68.26 a barrel by 1008 GMT and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed $1.30, or 2pc, to $65.13 as both remained on track for weekly gains. Both contracts surged more than 4pc on Thursday after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, together known as OPEC+, extended oil output curbs into April, granting small exemptions to Russia and Kazakhstan. “OPEC+ settled for a cautious approach … opting to increase production by just 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) in April while market participants looked for an increase of 1.5 million bpd,” said UBS oil analyst Giovanni Staunovo. Investors were surprised that Saudi Arabia had decided to maintain its voluntary cut of 1 million bpd through April even after the oil price rally of the past two months on the back of Covid19 vaccination programmes around the globe. “An array of factors coalesced to bring the parties together, but the resultant price increase will almost certainly push the parties to change their minds when they meet again on April 1,” Citigroup said in a note. Analysts are reviewing their price forecasts to reflect the continued supply restraint by OPEC+ as well as US shale producers, who are holding back spending to boost returns to investors. Goldman Sachs raised its Brent crude price forecast by $5 to $75 a barrel in the second quarter and $80 a barrel in the third quarter of this year. UBS raised its Brent forecast to $75 a barrel and WTI to $72 in the second half of 2021.

Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Authentix Inc CEO & President Kevin McKenna, Mitas Corporation (Pty) representative Sten Bertelsen and AJCL Private Limited CEO Omer Jaffer signed the contract on behalf of their respective organisations.

Officials said that the track & trace solution will be rolled out across tobacco, cement, sugar and fertilizer sectors from 1st July 2021 with a view to increase tax revenue, reduce counterfeiting and preventing the smuggling of illicit goods.

Welcoming the members of the consortium, FBR Member (IR-Oper-

ations) Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed remarked that FBR shall be working closely with AJCL Consortium during the rollout of the programme across different industries on very aggressive timelines.

Authentix Inc CEO Kevin McKenna stated that like in other countries, it is expected that the programme would help provide a transformational boost to the local economy, enhance revenue and make the tax collection process more transparent for the benefit of the industry.

AJCL CEO Omer Jaffer on the occasion said that the consortium is look-

Opp plans to boycott today's NA session cONtiNuED fROm pAgE 01

AGENCIES

05

When asked whether he considered the “the direction of winds had changed”, the PDM chief said they had changed a long while ago. “The winds had changed when we first held the Azadi March,” he said.

Regarding the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) statement issued earlier today, the PDM president said: “We believe blaming the ECP [for their loss] in Senate election is not the matter”.

“We believe he [PM Imran Khan] blamed the ECP to put pressure on them [to not pursue] the foreign funding case.”

Fazl maintained that the government was now out of the PM’s hands, and advised the premier to hold fresh elections immediately.

Separately, it emerged that former president Asif Ali Zardari held a telephonic conversation with Fazl and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss the opposition’s future course of action on Friday.

According to party sources, the three leaders came to an agreement wherein it was decided that it was time for fresh polls and Prime Minister Imran must resign immediately.

Thanking both party leaders

for their support for Gilani’s victory as the joint PDM candidate, Zardari said that the PDM had ensured the defeat of the PTI candidate and exposed the government with its political strategy.

During the conversation, the leaders also decided that the nominee for the Senate chairman slot would be finalised after consultations with the PDM member parties.

On the other side of the board, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Work and Culture Shaukat Yousafzai expressed confidence about the upcoming confidence vote and said that the entire nation stands united with Prime Minister Imran.

The majority of members of the NA will repose trust in him during the vote of confidence on Saturday (March 6), he maintained.

In a statement issued on Friday, he said that the prime minister is an honest and brave politician therefore the whole nation supports him and have confidence in his leadership.

Criticising the opposition parties, Shaukat Yousafzai said that they first looted the country and used to call thief each other, but now they have gathered under the PDM umbrella to attain their ulterior motives.

Prime Minister Imran is a great hurdle in their way as their

motive is to steal resources of the country, he added.

The provincial minister said both Zardari and Nawaz had never thought that someone will take actions against them and make them accountable.

Lauding the policies of the incumbent government, he said that despite the negative impact on commercial activities because of coronavirus, economic indicators are showing progress because of the prudent policies of Prime Minister Imran who kept the wheel of the economy rolling.

PTI, Shaukat Yousafzai continued, is not fighting the war of Imran Khan, but it is the fight for the cause of the poor strata of Pakistan.

PM Imran is fighting for the right and empowerment of poor people who are getting under burdened in the debt trap because of the bad policies of the past regimes.

The leadership of opposition parties remained in power for decades turn by turn, but not tolerating the PTI in power for a single parliamentary term.

Referring to recent Senate polls, the provincial minister said that Gillani was made a Senate member by spending billions of rupees to protect the interest of Zardari.

PSMA rebuffs media reports regarding hike in sugar prices LAHORE: The spokesman of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association has rejected recent news in the media in which it was stated that prices of sugar have touched Rs100 per kg in the market.

“This news is not correct, as present prices of exmills of sugar are ranging between Rs88 to Rs89 per kg.”

The spokesman also drew the attention of media towards the last crushing season period, wherein the sugar industry had warned the Punjab government that middlemen were fleecing millers and farmers by artificially raising the prices of sugarcane by purchasing the standing crop in certain areas and making cash payment to certain farmers, whereas sugar millers were bound by government to make payment through the banking channel and were forbiddento make cash payments.

He said this middlemen mafia in sugarcane has been created after the elimination of zoning system in the 1980s and after the elimination of zone system this middlemen mafia got created.

During the ongoing crushing season average sugarcane price remained around Rs300 per 40 kg.

The sugar mills as you know cannot run on small quantities of sugarcane, they need certain quantities to run mills on a certain viable capacity. Sugar millers were blackmailed by the middlemen who gave higher rates of sugarcane to these middlemen but the government did not jump in or intervened to control this middlemen mafia. As a result, mills ended up having higher cost of production. The spokesman said sugar mills would like to extend their full cooperation to the government, if asked to. STAFF REPORT

ing forward to working with FBR to configure and implement the various components of the solution, including the tax stamp application and production monitoring equipment and ramping up the production of the specialized tax stamps that will act as unique identification marks on the products.

It is believed that installation of the track and trace system in the specified sectors would be a game-changer and would bring more than 45million tonnes of cement, some 4 billion sticks of tobacco cigarettes, more than 4million tonnes of sugar and some 30 million tonnes of fertilizer into the tax net.

US trade deficit widens as goods imports hit record high WASHINGTON: The United States’ trade deficit increased in January as goods imports jumped to a record high amid a sharp rebound in consumer spending, offsetting a continued recovery in exports. The Commerce Department said on Friday that the trade gap rose 1.9pc to $68.2 billion in January. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a $67.5 billion deficit in January. Goods imports advanced 1.6pc to $221.1 billion, the highest on record. Consumer spending increased by the most in seven months in January, boosted by government checks to low-income households as part of nearly $900 billion in additional Covid-19 pandemic relief.

The surge in demand also reduced inventories at retailers in January, according to an advance estimate published by the government last week.

Lean inventories and anticipated strong domestic demand as new coronavirus cases decline and the pace of vaccinations accelerates, suggest imports will continue to rise. Exports of goods gained 1.6pc to $135.7 billion. Trade has subtracted from gross domestic product growth for two straight quarters. AGENCIES

Work on establishment of five port terminals underway: minister LAHORE TLTP

Maritime Affairs Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi has said that work on the establishment of five port terminals in the country is underway.

Addressing a ceremony at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, the minister maintained that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, is striving to ensure ease of doing business. He noted that maritime and shipping activity had reduced due to Covid-19 and decrease in imports.

He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had made substantial gains in the Senate elections. "PTI has become the largest party in the Senate after recently held polls in the Upper House of the Parliament," Zaidi stated.

"Everyone knows how one seat was bought in the Senate polls." He said that the country is making progress and showing improvement in different sectors which could be witnessed by all.

ECP says it can’t make amendments against the law cONtiNuED fROm pAgE 01 On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi along with his cabinet fellows, Shibli Faraz and Fawad Chaudhry had lamented that the ECP was responsible to hold free and fair polls, however, it failed in performing its duty.

On Thursday, during his televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Imran had questioned the transparency of the Senate elections, saying that the ECP failed to conduct fair elections. PM Imran had said that the ECP did not take measures to ensure transparent polling and held it responsible for the illegal practice of buying and selling of votes as it did not introduce traceable ballots.

During his address, the premier had called out the electoral body for “protecting those who made money by holding the Senate elections through secret ballot”.

Prime Minister Imran had said this a day

after he had decided to take a vote of confidence following the ruling party suffered a setback when its candidate Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh lost a Senate seat from Islamabad to a joint candidate of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The ECP, he said, could have employed the latest technology in order to know who the turncoats in the Senate elections were.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader and former finance minister Ishaq Dar has urged the ECP to initiate contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Imran.

In a tweet on Friday, Dar said: “There was no complaint when Imran Niazi kept hiding behind the ECP in foreign funding case for six years.”

He stated that there was no complaint when they got elected Senate chairman with 20 extra votes in ECP’s presence. Now, Dar

said, they were raising hue and cry against the ECP after Federal Minister for Finance Shaikh was defeated in the Senate election.

The former finance minister said that the ECP should under Section 10 of Election Act 2017 launch contempt of court proceedings.

“The Election Commission has damaged the democracy by holding Senate elections through secret ballot,” the Prime Minister said. “Why the ECP told the top court that the Senate elections should be held through the secret ballot?” the prime minister questioned.

Furthermore, it emerged on Friday that the ECP was moved in order to stop the notification of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani’s success in the Senate election.

Separately, Advocate Azhar Siddique moved the ECP and maintained in his petition that action should be taken against PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Ali Haider Gillani – Yousaf Raza Gillani’s

cmYK

son – over rigging.

The plaintiff argued that Ali Haider Gillani’s video and Maryam’s statement are proofs of rigging. He demanded to lodge cases against both individuals under Sections 167, 168 and 170 of the Election Act. The claimant questioned that why latest technology was not used in the elections despite the Supreme Court’s (SC) orders, and termed it as a contempt of court. He demanded inquiry into the matter.

In this regard, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, while reacting to Shaikh’s loss, has said that it was not PDM, but “money [that] had won” the senate elections.

He blamed the ECP for having failed to hold transparent elections and said, after the emergence of Ali Haider’s “confession”, that the video was true and that it was the ECP’s responsibility to declare Gillani ineligible to contest elections and file a refer-

ence against him.

Talking to a private news channel on Friday, he said that it was necessary to stop all such mafias to fulfill their nefarious designs, and the ECP’s role in that regard was crucial.

He maintained that beauty of democracy was in holding of transparent elections and only independent institutions could strengthen the democratic process.

Sadaqat said that “money” was used in senate elections and ECP was bound to obey SC orders for holding transparent corruption free elections. The apex court had also urged ECP to use modern technology to ensure transparency in the elections but the commission did not follow and organised the polls as per traditional way, he mentioned.

He also criticised that opposition is celebrating victory for Senate election which they won with the spending of ill gotten money belong to the poor people of Pakistan which is shameful for them.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

06 COMMENT

Modi reignited the Khalistan movement

PTI’s hate campaign It’s destabilizing system

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Hindutva under Modi is crushing other identities

HAT Prime Minister Imran khan has gone into conniptions is unfortunate. Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh’s defeat in the Senate election must have come as a shock but being a PM, Mr Imran Khan was supposed to react with restraint. As is his wont, to blame others for his failures, Mr Khan directed his ire at the Election Commission of Pakistan in a language used in chargesheets issued to subordinates before taking disciplinary action. He failed to realize that the ECP is a constitutional and independent body that is not accountable to him.

Seeking a vote of confidence through show of hands will not secure the government for long. A vote of noconfidence at the proper time could lead to a repeat of what happened to Dr Sheikh.

Corruption among politicians is an important issue that needs to be dealt with properly by institutions set up for the purpose. The PM has to have a broader vision to deal with the whole gamut of issues that faces the country like economic backwardness, internal stability, unemployment, and regional peace. The PM’s monomaniacal approach has taken away the government’s focus from problems faced by the common man like rising prices of essential goods, power and energy charges, jobs, and reduction of poverty. Hype over corruption has scared the business community as well as the bureaucrats replacing enthusiasm with time wasting caution. The PM is expending all his energies on a narrow agenda, unconcerned about the polarization and political instability his policy is creating in the country.

By remaining in an eternal state of conflict the PTI is destabilizing the system which is harmful for the country.

The PTI created conditions for the opposition to choose the warpath. The ongoing hate campaign against opponents by labeling them thieves and dacoits has given birth to a harmful polarization in the country that weakens the state. Mr Khan should have left the corrupt to be dealt with by the nAB and courts, and paid full attention to putting life in the national Assembly, taking major issues facing the country there, evolving consensus and legislating. One had expected vainly that during the second half of his tenure the PM would come down his high horse to do all it takes to have working relations with the opposition and arrest the ongoing destabilization. His address has falsified those hopes.

Sajjad Shaukat

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n India, dominated by politicians from the Hindi heartland, Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) has been using brutal force mercilessly against any move to free Assam, Kashmir, Khalistan, Mizoram, nagaland, Tamil nadu, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Manipur where wars of liberation continues in one form or the other. These states are rocked by a large number of armed and violent rebellions, some seeking separate states, some fighting for autonomy.

Since narindra Modi, the leader of the ruling BJP, became Indian Prime Minister, he started implementing the Hindutva ideology. Under his regime, persecution of religious minorities such as Christians, Muslims and Sikhs, even of lower-caste Hindus such as Dalits, have been intensified by the extremist Hindus.

Meanwhile, India’s counterinsurgency strategy to crush the separatists’ movements has badly failed.

In this respect, in its annual report of 2017, Human Rights Watch pointed out, “Authorities continue to use sedition and criminal defamation laws to prosecute citizens who criticize government’s policies. In rare cases in 2016, police were held accountable for abuses. In April, 47 policemen were sentenced to life in prison for involvement in the killing of 11 Sikhs in 1991 in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh state. Despite calls for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, soldiers continue to have immunity from prosecution when deployed in areas of internal conflict.”

According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s report, “Religious tolerance deteriorated and religious freedom violations increased in India…Minority communities…Sikhs experienced nu-

Special treatment The Biden Administration must not give India a free pass

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HAT the Biden Administration intends to give India the same special treatment that its predecessor, the Trump Administration did, and ignore the way it is suppressing its non-Hindu minorities, was shown both by its reaction to the recent downgrade India was given to the Freedom House Freedom Index and to India’s introduction of a new law which allows the purchase of property in Kashmir and Ladakh by nonresidents and foreigners. The Freedom House report, which annually ranks the countries of the world, has downgraded India’s status from ‘free’ to ‘partly free’, which is an acknowledgement of how the Modi government has caused, according to the report, a decline in human rights since it came to office in 2014.

India has long boasted of being the world’s largest democracy, but this has meant that it has protected its minorities from the excesses of the Hindu majority. That majority has flexed its muscle by electing the BJP to office. One of its major oppressive measures has been the ending of Kashmir’s special status and the bifurcation of the state into two union territories. More to the point has been the changes in domicile and property laws, designed to convert the demography of the former state, converting the Muslim majority into a minority.

There are strong economic reasons for the USA to wink at India’s decline from a country paying lip service to secularism, human rights and the rule of law. Also, as it wants India on its side as it prepares to confront China, it has an even greater motivation to let India do what it wants. However, the USA should realize that its forgiving attitude does not suit it, and will lead to an ultimate rupture with India. The alternative would be for the USA to change itself and become an overt oppressor itself.

President Joe Biden should remember that his predecessor, Donald Trump, not only showed symptoms of converting the USA into an illiberal sate which ignored human rights, but also struck up a friendship with narendra the architect of today’s India and its hostility to minorities.

Gilani’s election may prove a game changer

MuStafa abdullah baluch

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FTER the thrilling episode of the Senate elections the political temperature in Pakistan is quite high. The game changing victory of Yousuf Raza Gilani has turned the tables and brought the Khan regime on the backfoot.

The economic hitman, Hafeez Shaikh, who was the PTI Senate candidate from Islamabad got defeated, bringing sheer embarrassment to prominent faces of government. now PM Imran Khan is left with minimal options after losing his majority in the national Assembly. Either he may resign or opt for a vote of confidence. The former would be quite a difficult task for him as he would never want any other face from the PTI to sit on the throne after he himself gets ousted. Khan will go for the second option but will he gather the required number of votes? Or will his party and allies disown him for his dictatorial decisions and arrogance which was seen recently in the distribution of Senate tickets, where his loyal workers were ignored and billionaires were awarded them.

Arif Nizami Editor Managing Editor

Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Notably, the Khalistan movement which has been rapidly spreading among the Indian Sikh youth has been internationalised. In this regard, thousands of Sikhs gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on 12 August 2018.

The beginning of the end

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

merous incidents of intimidation, harassment and violence, largely at the hands of Hindu nationalist groups.”

The Sikhs have been fighting for a separate homeland since 1947, but the movement attained impetus by the efforts of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, which in June 1984 resulted in most brutal operation against a highly sacred Sikh religious place, the Golden Temple complex (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, Punjab, which resulted in the killing of thousands of Sikhs.

The Indian Army, led by Maj Gen Kuldip Singh Brar, had broken all records of state terrorism and extrajudicial killings through the barbaric Operation Blue Star, ordered by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to get control over the Harmandir Sahib complex.

In this context, in their book, The Sikh Struggle, Ramnarain Kumar and George Sieberer write, “The army killed every Sikh who could be found inside the temple-complex. They were hauled out of rooms, brought to corridors on the circumference of the temple and with their hands tied behind their backs, were shot in cold blood. Among the victims were many old men, women and children…

However, all visitors were locked up in rooms for two days without any food, water, or electricity and were starved to death. Besides, the Harmandir Sahib remained under the army control for many months”.

The brutality of the Operation was not confined to the Harmandir Sahib. Indian armed forces simultaneously attacked 40 other historical gurdwaras all over East Punjab. When Sikhs in other states came to know about the desecration of the Harmandir Sahib and the massacre of their brethren, they quickly left for Punjab. new Delhi tried to stop them before they could reach Punjab. Many Sikhs were assassinated on the way and many others were arrested.

In the same year of november, two dedicated Sikh policemen named Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, who were posted at Premier Indira Gandhi’s residence in new Delhi, assassinated her. Then Hindu riots erupted in the capital and other cities in which more than 15,000 Sikhs were murdered in cold blood by the supporters of Indira Gandhi, while the police watched silently to provide the Hindus with a free hand to massacre Sikhs. nevertheless, the attack on the Harmandir Sahib

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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and genocide of Sikhs accelerated the liberation movement for Khalistan, as Bhindranwale became a folk hero.

Another attack was launched on the Temple in 1987, called ‘Operation Black Thunder’. That time only Sikh resistance, which was natural outcome of the tragedy was the main target. Afterwards, ‘Operation Woodrose’ and ‘Operation Black Thunder-II’ were conducted against the Sikh community, which also assassinated them extra-judicially.

After these barbaric operations, Sikhs organised themselves into an armed power in order to fight the Indian state terrorism. Many Sikhs left India to escape religious persecution. Sikhs have spread out all over the world to keep the Khalistan movement alive. now, new Delhi and Indian intelligence agency RAW is trying to create division within the Sikh community-platforms in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Pakistan. notably, the Khalistan movement which has been rapidly spreading among the Indian Sikh youth has been internationalised. In this regard, thousands of Sikhs gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on 12 August 2018. Protesting against Indian occupation, they demanded a referendum for an independent Khalistan in november 2020. Due to the epidemic of Covid-19, the referendum has been postponed. now, the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has planned the referendum in Punjab, including Punjabi majority areas, in 2022.

Besides, the Sikh community also rejected article 25 (b) (2) of the Indian Constitution, which declares Sikhism to be part of Hinduism.

Earlier, Gopal Singh Chawla, leader of the Khalistan movement for independence, has announced that “Peace for Sikhs” has stepped up the registration process for the Khalistan referendum 2020. He has asked the other Sikh leaders to resign and join the movement and revealed that 11000 to 13000 Sikh leaders have already left the Indian Army without any benefits and joined the Khalistan movement— from now onwards Sikhs will only lay their lives for Khalistan. nonetheless, Modi-led fanatic policies against Sikhs have reignited the Khalistan movement for independence.

On the other hand, the PDM is roaring with consecutive victories on the scoreboard. Winning by-elections from Karachi to nowshera, exposing the rigging in Daska and forcing the ECP to call for a re-poll there, and recently the landmark victory in the Senate, have certainly provided an upper hand to the PDM. Apparently it is the wisdom of former President Asif Zardari that has worked for the PDM, it was his idea not to leave the ground open in the by-elections and Senate which worked big time.

He was of the opinion that the PDM should flex its muscles in parliamentary forums and oust Imran Khan as he has become largely unpopular in public.

Poor decisions and politically immature advisors took Imran Khan to the downhill slope. His own tyrannical mindset brought deep cracks within his party and allies. His own parliamentarians were gutted on the distance he maintained since the day he came to power, later the exercise of the PM meeting his MnAs one by one just before the Senate elections remained pointless, with more than a dozen not voting for his candidate from Islamabad. now the PDM, after playing the Gilani card well on time, is planning to grab the post of Chairman Senate for the former PM. The numbers suggest that it won’t be a tough task for the PDM as it has tasted blood already. Apparently the next target of PDM is to jolt the weak Punjab government, as hinted by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The Wasim Akram-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

Sajjad Shaukat can sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

be

reached

at:

plus, who is already on a weak ground, won’t be able to sustain the shocks and might seemingly succumb to the no-confidence motion. This will trigger a chain reaction and if PDM maintains the pressure through the anticipated long march, it will bring Khan in an extremely tight spot once matters reach the red zone.

It is also being speculated that the opposition is eyeing impeaching the President as the majority of his references were turned down, especially the reference against Mr Justice Qazi Faez Isa, which was an attempt to create a divide within the judiciary.

His actions are not in consonance with the office of the President. If the PDM successfully impeaches him then it won’t be easy for the PTI to get its new President elected from all four provincial assemblies and Parliament, making way for Gilani to go to the Presidency if he successfully manages to secure the Senate Chairmanship, the chances of which are bright.

The informal address to the nation by the PM with the same old rhetoric that he has been drumming since years, left no significant impact on the nation. Rather his body language translated that he is already defeated, but not ready to give up.

This time he was blaming the ECP for not giving decisions in his favour, which is not appropriate as being the chief executive, he must remain neutral in the electoral process and must not dictate to or manipulate the ECP. The upcoming events are decisive for democracy in Pakistan, and if the PDM successfully plays its cards well on time, then it will be difficult for Khan to continue as Prime Minister. This will be the beginning of the end of the economic crisis, poverty, inflation, unemployment and uncertainty which was gifted by the PTI government.

The upcoming events are decisive for democracy in Pakistan, and if the PDM successfully plays its cards well on time, then it will be difficult for Khan to continue as Prime Minister. This will be the beginning of the end of the economic crisis, poverty, inflation, unemployment and uncertainty which was gifted by the PTI government

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer tweets @MustafaBaloch_ and can be reached at mustafarind01@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Saturday, 6 March, 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

Lessons from 2020

India-Pakistan Ceasefire: What Next?

Fresh start for old fraud?

dr. GhulaM Nabi fai

I

nDIA and Pakistan reached a ceasefire arrangement at the Line of Control (LoC) and 8n all sectors with effect from midnight February 24/25, 2021.

It is a happy augury to know that India and Pakistan finally agreed for a ceasefire. It is welcome. The ceasefire announcement offers hope for peace in South Asia if the course of justice is followed and parties concerned undertake to abide by their commitments.

A lot more can be achieved from this ceasefire announcement if a focus is put on concrete proposals and those proposals are so framed as to admit alterations in the negotiating process without detracting from the principle involved.

We believe that talks between the civilian government and the armed forces of India and Pakistan are the only way to resolve the Kashmir issue that has dominated the South Asian region for the last 73 years. We are maintaining this constructive position, despite the outrage caused, and the indescribable suffering inflicted on the Kashmirisby 900,000 Indian occupation forces.

Much ink has been spilled over the maneuvering of DGMOs that resulted in such an unexpected development. I do not believe such speculations are edifying. More enduring motivations must be explored to grasp the nettle of what the future may hold for peace and justice in Kashmir.

The people of Kashmir share a vision of peace and stability between India and Pakistan and of progress and prosperity in Kashmir. They want the people of India and Pakistan to live in peace, prosperity and happiness. That is why they believe that the Kashmir conflict has to be resolved through peaceful negotiations between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership, not through military means. They agree that lasting peace, harmonious relations and friendly cooperation will serve the vital interests of the peoples of both countries, enabling them to devote their energies to a better future.

Retired Indian Foreign Service Officer M.K. Bhadrakumar, said on 1 March 2021. “India’s past experience has been that the best means to push back at western pressure on Kashmir is by highlighting that we have a direct, bilateral line of communication with Pakistan and there is no need of gratuitous interference by third parties.

Therefore, the sky is the limit, so to say, to build on the DGMOs’ statement — provided, of course, there is political will.”

I agree India’s sabre-rattling at this delicate moment might indicate its design to reap as much advantage as it can from diverting inter-

national attention from the realities of the Kashmir dispute and the principles of a healthy and viable international order involved in it.

In the past, Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed at the Un on 24 September 2004 “to explore all the possible options to settle the issue of Kashmir.”

Then Dr Singh said at the Un on 16 September, “What I do believe, I have also said that borders cannot be redrawn but we must work together to make borders irrelevant.”

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed the agreement saying “It could be a good start for the future. India will have to abide by this ceasefire agreement with sincerity. How can we make progress on the issue of occupied Kashmir unless the environment is conducive.”

Indian Ministry of External Affairs, however, said on February 26: “India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. We have always maintained that we are committed to addressing issues, if any, in a peaceful bilateral manner.”

Four days later, Pawan Kumar Badhe, on behalf of the Permanent Mission of India said at the Un Human Rights Council in Geneva that Jammu & Kashmir was an integral and inalienable part of India.

We believe that ceasefire can be useful if it reflects a sense of urgency and prepare the ground for an earnest effort at the SAARC meeting to frame a step-by-step plan of settlement.

Mere announcement of ceasefire will in no way defuse the situation permanently. Unintentionally though, it will mock the agony of the ceasefire rather than assuage it.

It is a matter of record that during the 73 years of the dispute, India has merely used ceasefires and even talks as a façade to evade settlement and ease internal and foreign pressure. Therefore, we believe that the ceasefire can be meaningful only if accompanied by practical measures to restore an environment of non-violence in Indian occupied Kashmir. This can be done by: a). The immediate and complete cessation of military and paramilitary actions against the civilian population; b). Withdrawal of the military presence from towns and villages; c).

Dismantling of bunkers, watchtowers and barricades; d). Releasing political prisoners; e). Annulling various special repressive laws; f).

Restoring the rights of peaceful association, assembly and demonstration; g). Permitting travel abroad without hindrance, Kashmiri leadership who favor a negotiated resolution; and h). Issuing visas to the Diaspora Kashmiri leadership to visit Jammu and Kashmir to help sustain the peace process, if and when it takes place.

A.S. Dulat, Former RAW Chief, has an interesting take on ceasefire announcement. He wrote in The Tribune on March 1. “The news from across the border is that Pakistan is working on a consensus for a settlement on the Line of Control, to which Manmohan Singh and General Pervez Musharraf had come close. It is not surprising, therefore, that Pakistan, which was undoubtedly shocked by the abrogation of Article 370, may now be reconciled to Articles 370 and 35A being internal matters of India.“ We know that there exist apprehensions that, whether on account of its present internal weakness or under external pressure, the Government of Pakistan has been forced to dilute its stand on Kashmir. If that is true, it will not end the dispute because the people of Kashmir will not consent to rule by a power that has visited death and destruction on them to brutalize them into submission.

An indication of misplaced focus is the wrong-headed talk about the Musharraf formula as suggested by A. S. Dulat. Musharraf’s formula amounts to completely giving up Pakistan’s stand and according legitimacy to what was achieved by the use of force.

The Musharraf formula talks about self-governance. It is problematic because under this plan, the people of Kashmir will be given selfgovernance without independence. Will people have a hand in the politics and influence who has the mandate to rule? Will they pass new laws which infringe on the limited self-rule the Kashmiris possess? Will they be able to revoke Article 35 A, the Domicile Law, and suchlike?

Where does self-rule begin and where does it end, if Kashmir does not possess sovereignty over its land?

The idea of self-governance is a deceptive and misleading term that gives an appearance of sovereignty without any substance. It is purely a mask. It prohibits further discussion on the subject of independence and promotes internalization of the Kashmir dispute. Without actual sovereignty for Kashmir, under the Musharraf formula, the people of Kashmir will have to accept the supremacy and rule of India over their lives, and the possibility of that being eroded by whatever whim, fancy or circumstance may intervene in the future.

US State Department spokesman Ted Price said, “When it comes to the US role, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern. We certainly welcome the arrangement that was announced that will take place— go into effect, I should say, on February 25.”

“The Secretary-General of the United nations is encouraged by the joint statement and he hopes that this positive step will provide an opportunity for further dialogue,” a spokesperson said.

UnGA President Vokan Bozkir tweeted his wholehearted welcome.

We appreciate the deep interest taken by the USA, the EU, the Un, and others to support the dialogue process between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

We want to emphasize, however, that as the dispute involves three parties – India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir who are the most directly affected– any attempt to strike a deal between two without the association of the third, will fail to yield a credible settlement. The contemporary history of South Asia is abundantly clear that bilateral efforts have never met with success. Every arrangement that has not provided for a concrete course of action toward determining Kashmir’s status by the will of its people has only allowed the dispute to fester.

The Un Secretary General and the world powers must intensify their watch over the situation in Kashmir and not be lulled into the belief that a ceasefire between India and Pakistan will soften the conflict or lessen the urgent need for mediatory initiatives. The policy that aims at merely defusing the situation, whatever that may mean, and not encouraging credible settlement, has not paid in the past. It is likely to do even less now. no settlement of the status of Kashmir will hold unless explicitly based on the principle of self-determination agreed by both India and Pakistan and supported by the Un Security Council.

Dr. Fai is the Secretary General, Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum. He can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435 or gnfai2003@yahoo.com

2020 was the worst year which we all experienced. It was tough and full of uncertainties. We lost many living legends, faced many troubles and difficulties.

Everyone says goodbye to the departed year with many good and bad memories and welcomes new year with many many hopes and expectations. However, this is not an event to celebrate and party but to learn something from it. Amidst last year many of us lost their loved ones, relatives and friends. But look we are alive even after sustaining many losses and deprivations. It is proof that time and life stops for nothing. neither time breaked for anyone nor life paused for someone.

Last year, everyone committed many sins and mistakes willingly or unwillingly. But we can’t undo them. One mistake once done can’t be reversed but wisdom is to learn from that and strive not to make that mistake again. Doing a mistake is not a big mistake but not learning any lesson from it, is the biggest mistake. So, promise yourself to be something better than your old version. Try to make your 2021 better than 2020. Don’t waste even a single moment of the new year. Utilize your time for achieving your goals and targets.

At the commencement of every new year, we set news plans and goals.

We hope that the new year will bring many improvements in us. But an alteration in the calendar can’t change your life unless you yourself want to change yourself. Change doesn’t come from only gossiping about it but you have to work for it.

I wish this year brings prosperity and happiness to every individual who is seeking it. May this year pass quietly and peacefully!

Muzaffar KhoSo SuKKur

Vandalising sacred places ACCORDInG to the constitution of Pakistan, every individual has equal rights to live one’s own life in accordance with the law of the state whether one is a muslim or a non-muslim. Similarly, minorities, being citizens of Pakistan, have the same rights as others have. But it is sad to state that condition is conversely adverse in the land of pure; where they people are treated as second class citizens; where minorities have been become soft targets either in the form of forced conversions or vandalizing their sacred places whether in the name of religion or personal enmity by extremist minded people. Though, demolishing holy places of other religions also lie in the ambit of blasphemous law. The recent incident of setting fire to a shrine (demolished in 1997 too by another mob) of a Hindu saint by mobs in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is also an intolerable and condemnable act.

However, no law has been passed to fight this peril out-and-out from our society. no serious action is taken against those ill-minded people who are involved in these ill-planned acts. Hence, it’s a dire need of hour for the ruling government as well as concerned authorities of the state to take pragmatic measures for overcoming this cruelty, and look into this matter for the protection of the vulnerable as well as marginalized sections of the society and its sacred places.

KaMlESh BanSari.

Sujawal

Making the most of 2021 InITIALLY, I had thought it to be just another new Year. But my mindset had started changing for better perspectives immediately after watching some new Year eve programmes live on Cnn. And a lot of laugh, plenty of wishes and a plethora of love had then been exchanged between the Cnn anchormen and a few other people including certain new Yorkers during that beautiful TV programme on the Times Square ball drop. On the whole, it seemed like they were all laughing away that bloody pandemic.

What a good start to 2021 just born! This could be a positive call to everyone out there.

On the other hand, the universe has been facing a lot of business and trade challenges straight from time immemorial. Additionally, the current COVID-19 crisis has just added to the trade issues across the globe. However, continents like Asia, America and Europe have started taking steps to reconcile the current fiasco. More to the point, the intercontinental business/trade activities are the need of the hour in the current context.

Economically speaking, the current business statements from the Asian region have been pretty encouraging. Furthermore, sincere efforts and mutual business cooperation are badly needed to expand the potential trade platforms like APEC-Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, RCEP-Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership all aimed at encouraging regional business activities through free trade. Free trade has been deemed to be the best way out of economic slump in contrast to the trade war intended to harm other countries. My first-ever job was in fact into export and import activities through the Tuticorin Port in Tamil nadu. Any attempt to place an embargo on trade activities will only entail a strong backlash. My native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli have been thriving on easy and free trade, selling the locally procured farm produce like paddy, bananas, betels within the region and to outside areas too.

Plus, the idea of protectionism will never go down well with the people and countries. Getting down to free trade is the way forward and well ahead. Countries from the East and the West should come forward to strengthen the global economic status through bold business steps like multilateral negotiations and transboundary free trade.

P SEnthil Saravana Durai MuMBai

Unpaid teachers THE schools in the Sindh have been closed since after the first case reported in the country of coronavirus. But there are many teachers like me who are working in private schools, and are still waiting for their salaries.

The school’s management has declined to pay the salaries for the month of March and giving the excuses like- the students didn’t pay them the fees of the month of March and will release the salaries the moment they think they are in a position to do so. Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I want the education department authorities to look into the issue and all the private schools teachers should be paid on time. raBia Khan Karachi

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

What Is IsRael buIldIng at Its dImona nucleaR sIte? SATELLITE PHOTOS INDICATE THAT CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR TWO YEARS, WHILE NETANYAHU CONTINUES TO PAINT IRAN AS THE REGIONAL VILLAIN MIddle east eye

a

richard silversteiN

n international nGO devoted to halting the proliferation of nuclear weapons recently released satellite imagery showing that Israel, for the first time in decades, was engaged in new construction at its Dimona nuclear site. The reactor there, which first became active in the mid-1960s, manufactures plutonium as fuel for Israel’s reputed stockpile of 80 nuclear warheads.

This excavation has piqued the curiosity of nuclear experts and intelligence agencies around the world. Since the Dimona reactor has long since passed its projected lifespan, some have speculated that Israel may be building a new plutonium reactor.

This seems unlikely, as this element is long lasting, and Israel has already produced enough for current or future needs. Some have speculated that the existing reactor is either substantially shut down or being decommissioned.

If Israel does not need a new reactor to replace the old one, then what else might it be building there? In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Daryl Kimball, execu-

tive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, pointed to another critical element in nuclear warheads: tritium. It is a hydrogen isotope used to increase the yield of nuclear warheads. It also makes the explosive reaction more efficient, so less fuel (in Israel’s case, plutonium) is needed.

Tritium has allowed for advances in weapons design, including smaller devices whose explosive power is magnified. It is also used in neutron bombs, which are designed to kill humans while having a reduced blast area. Kimball told the AP that Israel “may want to produce more tritium, a relatively faster-decaying radioactive byproduct used to boost the explosive yield of some nuclear warheads”.

Tritium, like plutonium and other substances used to produce nuclear weapons, is manufactured in a nuclear reactor. It can be produced by irradiating lithium metal. The isotope is less stable than plutonium, meaning it requires replenishing more frequently for use in a nuclear arsenal.

If, as leading nuclear expert Avner Cohen has speculated, the old Dimona reactor is to be retired, Israel would need a new source for the production of tritium. Perhaps a reactor is being specifically built for that purpose. Construction appears to have begun, according to an analysis of satellite photos, sometime in late 2018 or early 2019.

The Himalayan hazards nobody is monitoring

BBC

R

NaviN siNgh KhadKa

ETREATInG glaciers in the Himalayas are not only dangerously filling up glacial lakes but they are also causing other hazards that are not being monitored, scientists have warned. The recent flash flood disaster in India's Uttarakhand state, they say, is the latest example of such a perilous knowledge gap.

The Himalayas have the largest number of glaciers on Earth outside the poles and they have lost billions of tonnes of ice due to accelerated melting caused by global warming.

"There is simply no comprehensive understanding of what actually is happening in terms of such hazards," said Professor Jeffrey Kargel, a senior geologist in the US who has researched a number of disasters in the Himalayas and who is also looking into the Uttarakhand disaster. "We are just reactive when incidents like what happened in Uttarakhand happen. We are not monitoring the glaciers with such hazard attributes, at least not the majority of them."

Experts say when glaciers retreat or thin out, some of them can become dangerous. for instance, in some cases, remaining ice of retreated glaciers can hang perilously on steep walls of mountains and can collapse at any time.

It is also possible that thinned or retreated glaciers can destabilise the ground below and around them which they would have otherwise buttressed. This can make the area prone to landslides, rockfall or icefall and even potentially lead to the collapse of entire mountain slopes.

Scientists say such events can also block rivers and rivulets below that eventually burst, sweeping away everything in their path - just like what seems to have happened in Uttarakhand recently, according to preliminary findings. But they say they don't know where exactly such glacier-related dangers are lurking and which human settlements and infra-

structure downstream are under threat.

The difficult geography of the Himalayas makes such monitoring extremely challenging, they add. "There are more than 50,000 glaciers in the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush region and only 30 of them are being closely observed, including field studies," said Muhammad farooq Azam, a glaciologist with the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore.

"Only around 15 of those studies have been published. We need to be observing our glaciers more closely, particularly because so many factors are at play."

Scientists say as the youngest mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas are still growing and earthquakes often destabilise their slopes. Changing snowfall and rainfall patterns in the wake of climate change make the mountains more vulnerable, they add.

And the warming-related changes in the glaciers make things worse, they warn.

A glacier in Tibet's Aru mountain suddenly collapsed in 2016 causing massive ice avalanche that killed nine people and hundreds of livestock. A second glacier on the same mountain collapsed unexpectedly just a few months later. Experts say an avalanche of ice and rock from the Siachen glacier in Kashmir in 2012 killed nearly 140 people, most of them Pakistani soldiers.

A recent study of some high mountains of Asia - including the western Himalayas, the eastern part of the Pamir, Karakoram and south of the Hindu Kush mountain range linked the number of larger landslides and their increased frequency between 1999 and 2018 to the retreat of glaciers.

Scientists with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who conducted the study with the help of satellite images from the United States Geological Survey, identified 127 such landslides that had happened between 20092018. "Our results show a shift in the frequency-area distribution that indicates an increasing trend of large landslides over the last decade. A decline in glacier area is associated with the increase in landslide area," said the study, published in the journal nature in January. Dalia Kirschbaum, a landslide expert who heads nasa's hydrological science lab, said dangers associated with retreating glaciers were becoming evident. "Before, for instance, those rocks on the mountain slopes were glued by glaciers. And now if there are no glaciers, those rocks are hanging and that is a potential danger."

A special report on cryosphere by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2018 said: "Glacier retreat and permafrost thaw have decreased the stability of mountain slopes and integrity of infrastruc-

This means that work has likely been underway for around two years. The current images mainly indicate excavation, but no buildings yet being constructed.

Why is the process moving so slowly? It could indicate indecision among policymakers about when and whether to shut down the old reactor, or budgetary constraints preventing a faster pace of construction.

THE REAL NUCLEAR DANGER: But why has the imagery become public only now, after two years of construction? Given the looming conflict between Israel and US President Joe Biden over the revival of the Iran nuclear negotiations, it’s possible that the US administration wants to remind the world where the real nuclear danger lies and it’s not in Iran.

If the construction is related to the production of tritium, this would suggest that Israel is not building a new class of nuclear arms, such as the hypersonic weapons of which Russian President Vladimir Putin has boasted - at least not at Dimona. Rather, Israel is likely refining the potency of its existing arsenal. The ultimate irony of the Dimona project is that no one questions Israel’s right to make nuclear weapons or to improve the lethality of its arsenal. Digging a hole the size of a soccer field to build Godknows-what? Go right ahead. Yet, should a single particle of uranium fall to the ground

ture." Cryosphere is the part of the planet that has water in a frozen state such as mountain glaciers, continental ice sheets, snow and ice covered areas, and sea ice.

Of the limited studies on Himalayan glaciers to date, most are focused on their accelerated melting and whether that will dangerously fill up glacial lakes, causing them to burst. Some of them have also looked into what could happen to glacier-fed rivers in the region if glacial retreat accelerated with rising temperature. But critics say glacial lakes have received all the attention while other hazards associated with fast-melting glaciers have been ignored. "It is something that has received less attention," said Summer Rupper, professor of geography at the University of Utah, who has studied changes in Himalayan glaciers, including with the help of spy satellite images. "That could be because disasters like avalanches and icefalls have been rare and glacier-related hazards have been episodic."

Experts with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, which has been working in the Himalayan region for many years, say glacial-lake related floods have historically caused more problems in the region. "As these floods can affect people without warning far from the glacier themselves, it makes this particular hazard very dangerous," said Miriam Jackson, programme co-ordinator with the centre's cryosphere initiative.

India's own government agencies have been criticised for not paying adequate attention to the threat. "We had initiated a centre in 2009 to study glaciers and that was supposed to be developed into India's national institute of glaciers," said Dr DP Dobhal, a senior glaciologist who recently retired from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science. "That never happened and, as a result, studies of glaciers were significantly affected and around one dozen glaciologists that we had trained became jobless." The Indian government has eight national missions under its national Action Plan on Climate Change and one of them is "sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem". Its goal states it should look at "the development and adoption of new methods for assessing the health of the Himalayan ecosystem including those of glaciers and create a database of the same".

Some experts say tension between India and its neighbours like China and Pakistan, that share borders in the Himalayas, has also been a major hindrance. "They need to come together, they need to share information on the glaciers across borders," said Anjal Prakash, who was a lead co-ordinating author for the IPCC special report on ocean and cryosphere. "Only then we will be able to comprehensively monitor the dangers associated with retreating glaciers and can prepare ourselves to deal with disasters."

in a place where it should not be in Iran, the whole international community begins tuttutting that Tehran is a few weeks from nuclear breakout and imminent catastrophe.

Why the double standard? Why does the world believe that Israel has the right to such an immense arsenal, and that it will maintain it responsibly, while Iran has no right to even a single weapon - and that should the latter create one, it would blow up the world?

What has Israel ever done to deserve such credibility, and what has Iran ever done that is so much more heinous as to deserve this level of obloquy?

KEEPING ENEMIES IN CHECK: In a facebook exchange with Cohen, he called Benjamin netanyahu Israel’s most “nuclearkeen” prime minister since David Ben-Gurion, who founded the country’s nuclear programme. netanyahu has taken far more interest in the nuclear project and made numerous speeches, both at Dimona and at Ben Gurion’s graveside nearby at Sde Boker, threatening Iran with nuclear destruction.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that netanyahu is any more likely to use such weapons than previous prime ministers. It means that he sees a critical need for Israel to have credible nuclear deterrence to keep its enemies in check. This is a key element of Israel’s geopolitical strategy, a means of projecting power and guaranteeing the na-

tion’s regional dominance.

It fends off threats by hostile forces in Iran, Syria and Iraq. In the past, former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin ordered an attack on an Iraqi nuclear reactor, and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered an attack on a Syrian reactor being built in its eastern desert. netanyahu’s obsession with Iran’s nuclear programme might derive from his being loath to be the first Israeli leader to permit an Arab enemy to join the nuclear club.

Over the past decade, the US and Israel have played good cop-bad cop roles regarding the Iranian nuclear threat. US presidents have used a combination of covert sabotage and public diplomacy to advance a policy of restraining Iran, while Israel has, at times, advocated an outright military attack. Both collaborated on the covert Stuxnet malware that destroyed uranium centrifuges.

But the US has never been willing to join in an attack on Iran, despite netanyahu’s lobbying. Will the Israeli leader show restraint, or will he test Biden’s resolve and Iran’s commitment to negotiations by continuing to assassinate nuclear scientists and otherwise undermine a political-diplomatic approach to resolving the crisis?

Biden has learned from the past experiences of former President Barack Obama not to trust netanyahu. It is an unenviable position to have to distrust both one’s enemy (Iran) and one’s ally.

Richard Silverstein writes the Tikun Olam blog, devoted to exposing the excesses of the Israeli national security state.

His work has appeared in Haaretz, the Forward, the Seattle Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Pfizer or AstraZeneca?

Vaccine snobbery is becoming a serious problem

Independent

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James moore

f the virus had a collective intelligence, it would be laughing so hard right now its sides would be splitting. “You guys,” it might say, “your scientists have bust a gut, they’ve managed to produce multiple vaccines, all of which are capable of mucking things up for me and my minions, in an astonishingly short time.

Hey, these things used to take 10 years to get right. But instead of celebrating you’re sulking about not getting the right brand? I thought it was only the muppets in the anti-vax ‘movement’ on my side but it seems I have more allies than I expected. Damn, they’re sure going to help with the latest mutation I’ve cooked up.”

I’m not sure whether we should refer to this phenomenon as “vaccine snobbery” or out and out stupidity on a par with touching a live electrical wire or going swimming with box jellyfish. Either way, it’s there and it’s making for the mother of all headaches.

The AstraZeneca-Oxford jab seems to be suffering the most from it. french president Emmanuel Macron got the ball rolling, taking shots at its suitability for the over 65s – “almost ineffective” – without anything resembling science to back his assertions up.

There has since been something of a volte face in france, but the damage was done. Those words had real world consequences and not just among the wing nuts on the internet who spend their days keeping the toxic soup of conspiracy simmering.

The slow pace of Europe’s vaccination programme is a major problem for its leaders and yet there are now Astra shots going begging – unwanted, amazingly – just a few weeks after a cross-Channel

spat over who should get their hands on supplies produced in Britain.

German health minister Jens Spahn put himself at the head of the continent’s still sizeable sensible brigade by saying he would have no qualms about having the Astra shot in an attempt to persuade his countrymen and women to do the same.

But given that he’s only 40, he’s going to have to wait a while to back that up by posting the obligatory picture of him getting it done on Twitter.

Before “Brexity” types start engaging in their usual juvenile antics, blowing raspberries at Brussels and such like, this sort of snobbery/stupidity is here, too. My wife and I spoke to one of the health workers when I was getting the Astra shot.

They told us about people walking away from their appointments if they weren’t offered their preferred brand. Dozy vaccine nationalism seems to have made the Astra jab more popular here because it’s made by the home team. All those hapless “Buy British” campaigns that governments used to indulge in are, it seems, finally having an effect. That really isn’t something to be celebrated.

This almost feels like a latter day version of the soda wars, with the Pfizer jab as Coke and the Astra one cast in the role of Pepsi. If the US courts would just “free Britney”, they could maybe sling her a couple of million dollars to sing a song extolling the virtues of the latter. It’s the Astra Generation. Jab me baby one more time!

I jest, but I’m not sure they’d appreciate the joke in less wealthy parts of the world where the debate over Pfizer/Astra/Moderna/Sputnik V (which a study published in The Lancet found to be highly effective) is completely academic.

Moldova, for example, only received its first shipment from neighbouring Romania under the auspices of the European Commission a few days ago. Others are in a similarly difficult position. Low and middle income countries could be forgiven for flipping us all off for behaving like spoiled brats.

I’ve read various articles comparing the merits of the various vaccines. Mercifully they mostly conclude that the best vaccine you can get is the one you’re offered on the day. The virus is still busy killing people and vaccine snobbery is only serving to assist its deadly cause.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD

ColoniSation of SeConD CPeC eConomiC zone BeginS with RS53.6Bn PlanneD inveStmentS

MARKET DAILY

ISLAMABAD

a

Bulls return to PSX as benchmark index gains 558 points

GHULAM ABBAS

FTER the launch of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor's first special economic zone (SEZ) in Rashakai, colonisation of the 2nd CPEC SEZ, Allama Iqbal Industrial City (AIIC)Faisalabad, has commenced with planned investments of Rs53.6 billion.

According to details, a meeting of the AIIC SEZ Committee on Friday accorded approval to 15 applications and allotted 320 acres of land to enterprises.

As per the Board of Investment (BoI) officials, the applicants included a Chinese firm, Zhengbang Agriculture

Pakistan Private Limited, with planned investments of Rs800 million in agriculture sector. Among local firms, Zahid Jee Textile Mills, Ocean Ceramics, and Ittehad Metals have planned business establishments worth Rs11.8 billion, Rs11.2 billion and Rs7.5 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Vehari SEZ Committee approved its 1st zone enterprise. The colonisation of this zone started with the admission of a firm, Suraya Aslam Paper Private Limited, to establish a project worth Rs100 million.

Likewise, the SEZ committee of Rahimyar Khan has allotted land and approved the entry of Naseem Export Private Limited with a planned Rs4.5

billion investment.

It may be noted that the application for zone enterprise entry and allotment of land were submitted and processed via SEZ’s MIS Module recently designed by the Federal Board of Investment. The module ensures transparency and facilitation and works as a one window operation, a vision of the government to ensure ease of doing business.

Along with the allotment of land, these enterprises are now entitled to SEZ’s benefits, including custom duties and tax exemption under the SEZ Act 2012.

Atif R. Bokhari, Minister of State/Chairman Board of Investment, while appreciating the development, said that the automation process of SEZs, en-

visioned by the Prime Minister Imran Khan, is now bearing fruits. The SEZ MIS Module was approved to facilitate investors to gain admission in zones and ensure transparency in allocation of plots in various SEZs, he added.

BOI Secretary Fareena Mazhar stated that international investors could easily avail the opportunity to identify and select the potential locations to set up their units in SEZs. She said that BOI will leave no stone unturned to provide timely facilitation, particularly the availability of utilities, to SEZs. She added that the BOI will ensure handholding of the investors and provinces at every stage of industrial development.

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

After a lacklustre performance in the previous session, Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on witnessed bullish trend on Friday, with the benchmark index recovering most losses ahead of prime minister's Vote of Confidence.

Global equity markets, on the other hand, showed a negative trend, whereas crude oil prices continued with the uptrend; WTI crude price appreciating 2.49pc to $65.43 while Brent crude price rising 2.68pc to $68.54 (as at 4:29pm PST). "The market staged a partial recovery from yesterday's session, with investors largely banking on the PM's Vote of Confidence scheduled for tomorrow, which was further aided by release of Sensitive Price Index data that showed a surprise jump of 15pc YoY, prompting an active buying in banks," a report issued by Arif Habib Ltd read. "A 5pc jump in international crude oil prices also favoured the otherwise lethargic E&P sector."

SUMMARY: The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained in the green throughout the session, registering its intraday high at 45,946.69 after accumulating 668.15 points. It settled higher by 558.81 points at 45,837.35.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index gained 1,073.71 points to close at 76,412.89, while the KSE All Share Index added 268.12 points, ending at 31,402.02. The overall market volumes fell from 441.42 million shares in the previous session to 316.82 million shares (-28pc).

Average traded value also declined by 25pc, from $135.1 million to $101.5 million. Azgard Nine Ltd (ANL +3.19pc), TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +2.17pc) and Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL +2.03pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 29.25 million, 21.08 million and 17.89 million shares, respectively. Sectors that painted the benchmark index green included oil & gas exploration (+139.60 points), banking (+128.05 points) and cement (+60.57 points). Among the companies, Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDC +52.77 points), Pakistan Oilfields Ltd (POL +43.38 points) and Habib Bank Ltd (HBL +34.84 points) remained the top contributors. Adding 2.90pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the oil & gas exploration sector ended as the session’s top performer, with Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDC +3.57pc), Mari Petroleum Company Ltd (MARI +2.55pc) and Pakistan Oilfields Ltd (POL +3.90pc) posting decent gains.

Meanwhile, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd (GSKCH -0.92pc) announced its financial performance for FY20. The company’s sales appreciated by 21.63pc YoY, while finance cost was down by 70pc YoY. Earnings per share clocked in at Rs10.78 as compared to Rs10.74 in FY19.

Dollar slips to Rs157.12 Pakistani Rupee appreciated by 4 paisas (+0.03 per cent) against the US Dollar on Friday. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the US Dollar opened at Rs157.16 and closed at Rs157.12. The dollar has fallen to the lowest level witnessed the last one year. The rupee has gained Rs1.98 against the greenback since February 19. Currency experts said that demand for the foreign currency remained high due to upcoming two weekly holidays.

However, inflows of workers’ remittances and export receipts helped the rupee make gains. Export receipts have increased by 4.3pc to $16.3 billion during the first eight months (July – February) of 2020/2021 as compared with $15.6 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Friday. NEWS DESK

APTMA opposes import of Indian cotton KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has strongly rejected the government's plan, if any, to import cotton yarn from India.

In a statement issued on Friday, Asif Inam, Chairman of APTMA Sindh and Balochistan chapters, expressed deep concern on the drastic decline in the price of fine counts of yarn by Rs10,000 per bag in the Faisalabad Yarn Market. “This is due to expected tax evasion plan by individuals in anticipation of permission for cotton yarn import from India through Wagah Border."

Asif Inam said that the industry has procured cotton at very high prices and that they are not in a position to sustain further losses.

He said that about 90pc of yarn produced in the country is available for the domestic market and there is no shortage of yarn in the country. He urged the gov-

ernment not to allow import of cotton yarn from India, as India has imposed restriction on import of all Pakistani products.

To restrain import of yarn from India and support the local industry, he demanded the government to withdraw the levy of sales tax on zero-rated sector so that the genuine industry may flourish and be able to provide yarn at affordable prices.

"DLTL should not be provided to those textile products produced by using imported materials, as all such textile items are incurring losses to the national exchequers since most exporters fall under the category of fixed tax regime, whereas they are also availing DLTL facility ranging between 2pc to 4pc as well as the subsidized Export Refinance Facility which is provided from the revenue earned by the government."

He demanded that DLTL and ERF should only be applicable on products produced using domestic yarn and fabrics.

Registrations for Pakistan’s first ecommerce awards underway ISLAMABAD PRESS RELEASE

ICT admin to conduct four-year audit of Sabzi Mandi ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

Amid reports of massive irregularities, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has decided to conduct an audit of the capital's Sabzi Mandi.

According to sources, irregularities worth Rs17.9 million had surfaced in the collection of entry fee at Sabzi Mandi, following which the administration has decided to conduct a four-year audit of the market record.

In January 2018, former market committee chairman Rosh Dil Khan Hoti had signed an agreement worth Rs61.2 million per annum with the M/S Saido & Co for a period of two years. As per the contract, the party was bound to make payments worth of Rs15.3 million on a quarterly basis. However, a shortfall of Rs17.9 million was found in the overall payments under the head 'toll and entry fee' of the Sabzi Mandi.

"Neither the market committee imposed a penalty on the company nor was there any notice served for late payments despite the court giving the decision in favour of the department to recover the arrears in 45 days," an insider informed.

According to sources, the market committee has been running the

affairs of Sabzi Mandi in a highly unprofessional manner. Only the chairman and vice chairman have been active while rest of the members have almost been nonexistent, resulting in price control lapses, besides problems related to cleanliness, especially during rain.

Sources further informed that more than two dozens of employees were working illegally at places other than the market, while the market committee has hired the services of around 40 employees to run the affairs, with costs running into millions.

Meanwhile, ICT Agriculture Director Waqar Anwar in his report stated that the non-implementation of contract clauses could not be pos-

sible without the involvement of someone "who wants M/s Saido & Co to continue its operations in clear violation of the law".

He directed the administrator to initiate a comprehensive inquiry to calculate the actual loss to the exchequer, and also fix responsibility for the loss by digging out the acts of omission and commission on the part of the erstwhile market committee.

It may be noted that the Ministry of Interior had de-notified the committee last month. Subsequently, the district administration gave the charge of Sabzi Mandi administrator to Kamran Cheema, who enjoys a good reputation in the department.

The much awaited first eCommerce Awards of Pakistan have officially begun and are accepting registrations from participants. On the first day, an overwhelming number of participants sent in their registrations with entries soaring above the 100 participants mark. The eCommerce Awards 2021 are being held to celebrate the growth, successes and explore collaborative learning opportunities across the industry. Formally launched on March 4, 2021, the awards are hosted by Profit Magazine. The awards aim to crown a winner in each of the 18 categories set forth under the 2 major classifications of founder’s choice awards and public choice awards. People’s choice awards are centered around a customers preference for a platform where each registered voter is allowed to vote for one company in its respective category. Likewise, founder’s choice awards are centered around identifying the preferred service providers in different segments of the technology stack that the eCommerce companies use. The awards are of great importance to the eCommerce industry due to the lack of validation and admiration there is towards the people working behind the scenes. With companies bonding over healthy competition and exposure in the spotlight, the awards are bound to highlight the efforts of digital commerce in Pakistan nationally and internationally as well. The event has already grab attention and spotlight with its launch in March backed by its amazing support system of prestigious partners including Profit by Pakistan Today and Pakistan eCommerce Consortium and managed by seasoned industry professionals Raza Matin, CEO & Founder @ Brandverse, Adam Dawood, CEO & Founder @ bSecure), Imtiaz N. Mohammad, Growth, Analytics and Retention Consultant, Orange Fox. Winners of the eCommerce Awards 2021 will be announced on March 27.

Auto industry seeks EV-like incentives for hybrid vehicles ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

As the government has introduced incentives for electric vehicles through the Electrical Vehicle (EV) Policy, the country's automotive industry seeks similar facilities for hybrid vehicles as well.

"Incentives for hybrid cars, to be manufactured/assembled in the country, could be introduced through the revised auto policy, which is currently in the process of consultation as the existing policy (2016-21) expires by the mid of this year," Indus Motors Limited

Chief Executive Officer Ali Asghar Jamali said while talking to journalists on Friday.

He said the government should also announce incentives for vendors to encourage manufacturing of spare parts locally. This, according to him, would boost localization of the auto industry.

Shedding light on the global mechanism for sale and purchase of vehicles, Jamali urged the government to adopt a wholesaleretail mechanism for sale of vehicles, as this can help counter 'on-money' and delayed delivery of vehicles.

He said the current system under which

new cars are being sold in Pakistan has become unviable for dealers who on a transaction of around Rs4 million (retail price of 1,800cc car) have to pay Rs294,945 as government levy, while their net commission is only Rs56,760.

Elaborating further, he explained, "A dealer acts as a commission agent under the present system. Customers place orders through the dealer and make the required advance payment. The dealer dispatches the payment order to IMC or OEM that generates invoice in customers name and dispatches the car to the dealer that delivers the car to the buyer."

CMYK

He said on a car worth Rs399,9000, the customer/dealer pays withholding tax worth Rs75,000. "IMC or OEM pays the dealer commission of Rs64,000, which, after deducting WHT of 12pc, comes to Rs56.760.

The dealer has to pay 1.5pc minimum turnover tax also, that is almost 8 times the WHT on commission income."

Moreover, he added, the WHT applicable on purchase by the dealer and later on sales to the customer at 4pc is too high.

To avoid this double taxation, he proposed that instead of terming dealers as commission agents, they should be treated as

retailers while manufacturers as wholesalers.

"The minimum turnover tax then should be reduced from 1.5pc to 0.25pc in line with tax applicable to motorcycle distributors, fast moving consumer goods, pharmaceutical and petroleum products. In addition, the government should exempt withholding tax paid by the distributor at the time of purchase of cars from the manufacturers. " In reply to a query, the CEO said that the Additional Custom Duty (ACD) on the auto industry should be abolished in the upcoming budget, as the same has already been challenged in the court.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

IndIan farMerS plan Major road blocKade outSIde delHI to MarK 100tH day of proteStS NEW DELHI

I

Agencies

NDIAN farmers who have been protesting for months against deregulation of produce markets plan to block a major expressway outside New Delhi on Saturday (today), the 100th day of their campaign, they said.

Tens of thousands have been camped outside Delhi since December, demanding

Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeal three farm laws that open up the country’s agriculture markets to private companies, which the farmers say will make them vulnerable.

Farmers from the northern states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh plan to stop all traffic on the six-lane Western Peripheral Expressway that forms a ring outside New Delhi for up to five hours, union leaders said on Friday.

“We believe that after these 100 days,

our movement will put a moral pressure on the government to accede to our demands, because the weather will also worsen,” said Darshan Pal, spokesperson for the farmer unions’ coalition Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), or United Farmers’ Front. “It will weaken the government, which will have to sit down with us to talk again.”

The government says the reforms will bring investment to the antiquated agricul-

ture markets, and that new entrants would operate alongside government-regulated market yards, where farmers are assured of a minimum price for their produce.

Several rounds of talks between the government and farm leaders have failed and the movement has gained widespread support, including from international celebrities, posing one of the biggest challenges to Modi since he took power in 2014.

As the harvesting season begins this

month, Pal said neighbours and friends back in the villages would help tend to farms while he and other farmers carry on the protests.

The capital typically has harsh summers with temperatures rising up to 45 degree Celsius, but Pal said that won’t hinder the movement.

“The laws are like a death warrant to us,” he said. “We are prepared for the long haul.”

UN Security Council due to meet on Myanmar crisis as protesters are again met with gunfire YANGoN Agencies

Police in Myanmar on Friday opened fire on protesters against last month’s military coup, killing one man, as international condemnation rained down on the junta ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the crisis.

The violence took place as the United States announced new sanctions targeting military conglomerates after the deaths of dozens of civilian protesters.

Activists demanding the restoration of the elected government of veteran democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi held more demonstrations in several towns and cities, with thousands marching peacefully through the second city of Mandalay.

“The stone age is over, we’re not scared because you threaten us,” the crowd chanted.

Police opened fire and one man was killed, witnesses and a doctor told Reuters by telephone.

In the main city of Yangon, police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse protesters who had been joined by about 100 doctors in white coats, witnesses said.

Crowds also gathered in Pathein, to the west of Yangon, and in central Myingyan, where dozens of women in straw hats held up signs calling for Suu Kyi’s release, witnesses said.

A spokesman for the ruling military council did not answer telephone calls seeking comment.

Thousands also rallied in the southeastern Karen state, accompanied by fighters from the Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic armed group engaged in a long-running war with the military.

During the rally - the strongest indication yet of support for the anti-coup movement from one of the country’s myriad ethnic armed groups - KNU troops flashed the three-finger salute popularized by protesters and handed out water bottles.

The KNU said in a statement it would not tolerate attacks on peaceful protesters by the army.

“People in urban areas, ethnic armed groups, and the international community must work together until the military dicta-

Saudi-led coalition says it downed six Houthi drones fired at Khamis Mushait DUBAI Agencies

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi group in Yemen said it had intercepted six explosive drones fired towards the kingdom on Friday, with the Houthis claiming to have launched attacks into southern Saudi Arabia since dawn. The Houthis have recently stepped up cross-border drone and missile attacks on Saudi cities, mostly targeting the southern part of the country. The coalition says it intercepts most attacks. The Houthis fired the six intercepted drones towards Khamis Mushait near the Yemen border in attacks since dawn, the coalition said in statements carried by Saudi state news agency SPA and Ekhbariya TV. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in Twitter posts on Friday that three drones had been fired at dawn, and five in the afternoon. They hit Abha International Airport and King Khalid Air Base, in the Khamis Mushait area, he said. Yemen’s Houthi forces said on Thursday they fired a missile and hit a Saudi Aramco facility in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

There has been no confirmation from the Saudi authorities. The United States and United Nations have renewed peace efforts as fighting has also intensified in Yemen’s gas-rich Marib region. On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on two Houthi military leaders. The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However, the Houthis deny being puppets of Tehran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

torship falls,” it said.

On Thursday, police broke up rallies with tear gas and gunfire in several cities but the crackdown was more restrained than on Wednesday, when the United Nations said 38 people were killed in the bloodiest day of protests.

In all, at least 55 people have been killed since the February 1 coup.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet demanded the security forces halt what she called their “vicious crackdown on

peaceful protesters”. Bachelet said more than 1,700 people had been arrested, including 29 journalists.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said some Red Cross volunteers had been injured and wrongfully arrested and Red Cross ambulances had been damaged. .

The military seized power saying that the landslide victory of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) in an election in November was fraudulent. The electoral commission has said the ballot was fair.

The junta has promised new elections but not given a date. Activists have rejected that and demand the release of Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the coup.

DISOBEDIENCE: Singapore has been the most outspoken of Myanmar’s neighbours and its foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said it was a “national shame” for armed forces to use weapons against their people.

But condemnation of the coup and subsequent violence has come largely from the West, with Asian nations, including India, mostly more restrained. The junta can count on some support from Russia and China - a major investor - at the United Nations.

The military has weathered isolation and sanctions during previous eras of army rule and has indicated it will not be swayed this time around.

The UN human rights investigator on Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, urged the Security Council-which meets to discuss the situation late-to impose a global arms embargo and targeted economic sanctions on the junta.

The United States has told China, which has declined to condemn the coup, that it ex-

pects it to play a constructive role. China has said stability is a top priority.

The military, which ruled directly for nearly 50 years until it embarked on a tentative transition to democracy a decade ago, has been struggling to impose its authority on a country where many people abhor the thought of a return of army rule.

A civil disobedience campaign of strikes running parallel with the protests has been supported by many government workers including a trickle of policemen.

Indian security forces meanwhile stepped up border patrols to stop any more people entering, Indian officials said. About 20 policemen crossed into India this week fearing persecution for disobeying orders to enforce the crackdown.

“As of now, we are not letting anybody enter,” Maria Zuali, a government official in Mizoram state, told Reuters.

The move follows the defection over the border of some low-ranking Myanmar police officers who were unwilling to obey orders to suppress demo More than 10 Myanmar diplomats in foreign missions have also declared their support for the pro-democracy campaign, the Irrawaddy news outlet reported. In Washington, it was unclear whether Myanmar’s embassy was still representing the junta.

In New York, a clash over who represents Myanmar at the United Nations was averted after the junta’s replacement quit and the Myanmar UN mission confirmed that Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun remained in the job.The junta fired Kyaw Moe Tun on Saturday after he urged countries at the UN General Assembly to use “any means necessary” to reverse the coup.

More than a quarter of lawmakers worldwide are women, but parity 50 years away GENEVA Agencies

More than a quarter of lawmakers worldwide are women after the proportion inched higher in 2020, but progress is so slow that it will take 50 years at the present rate before they achieve parity with men, a global body of legislatures said on Friday.

“Although progress has been steady over the past few years, it is still excruciatingly slow,” the Inter-Parliamentary Union, made up of 179 national member parliaments and 13 regional parliaments, said in an annual ‘Women in Parliament’ report.

“At the current rate, it will take another 50 years before gender parity is achieved in parliaments worldwide,” the Geneva-based IPU said.

Women made up 25.5 per cent of parliamentarians in 2020, up 0.6 percentage points from 2019. In 1995 the portion of women was just 11.3 per cent.

Only three countries have as many women in their legislatures as men: Cuba, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates. Some countries including, Papau New Guinea, Micronesia and Vanuatu, have no women in parliament at all.

IPU secretary-general Martin Chungong said quotas were important to make more headway.

“We have seen in 2020 again confirmation of the fact that quotas, when legislated, well-designed and ambitious, have the potential to drive up women’s political and parliamentary representation,” he told journalists.

He hailed progress in places such as the United States, where women now hold 26.9 per cent of seats in the two house of Congress, a record high. But other countries were backsliding, including Jordan and

Burkina Faso, he said.

Overall, the Americas had the highest portion of

women in parliaments with 32.4 per cent. The Middle East and North Africa had the lowest with 17.8 per cent.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

CenTuRion PanT, unbeaTen SundaR Pull india ouT of TRouble

SPORTS 11 Tsitsipas beats Hurkacz to set up quarter-final with Khachanov at Rotterdam RotteRdam Agencies

Stefanos Tsitsipas had to dig deep to edge out Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday in three sets to set up a quarter-final against Karen Khachanov in Rotterdam. The Greek second seed dropped the second set but won in a tight decider on his third match point, securing a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory. The 22-yearold, who beat Rafael Nadal en route to the Australian Open semi-finals last month, will face Russia’s Khachanov for a semi-final spot. “I played really well. Both of us, we played a high level of tennis and didn’t give many break-point opportunities,” Tsitsipas said in an on-court interview. “There were pretty good serves from both sides and I am really glad that I fought so hard towards the very end. It was exhausting, but it paid off.” Tsitsipas, playing his first ATP Tour event since losing to Daniil Medvedev in the semis in Melbourne, clinched the opening set by breaking to love in the 10th game. He was pushed all the way by the impressive Hurkacz, but despite squandering a match point in game 10 of the third set, he sealed a last-eight spot two games later. The world No 6 is the favourite for the title, after the early exits of top seed Medvedev and Alexander Zverev in the Netherlands. Earlier on Thursday, Zverev’s conqueror Alexander Bublik lost 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-1 to American Tommy Paul. Frenchman Jeremy Chardy ended David Goffin’s hopes of back-to-back ATP titles with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5) win.

ahmedabad Agencies

Rishabh Pant hit a defiant 101 to put India in control of the fourth and final Test against England on Friday.

India reached 294 for seven at the end of the second day in response to England’s 205. The South Asians lead by 89 runs with Washington Sundar batting on 60, and Axar Patel on 11 at the end in Ahmedabad.

India, leading 2-1 in the series, had struggled to make runs and lost crucial wickets, including skipper Virat Kohli who failed to score.

But Pant put on 113 for the seventh wicket with Washington to hit back after the England bowlers reduced India to 146 for six at one stage.

James Anderson claimed three wickets while fellow pace bowler Ben Stokes and spinner Jack Leach took two each.

Left-handed wicketkeeper batsman Pant made light of the tough conditions and reached his third Test hundred with a six off Joe Root’s spin. Pant, who smacked Anderson for his 13th boundary with an audacious reverse hit over slips, finally fell to the veteran quick and walked off to a standing ovation.

Washington kept up the attack reach-

ing his third Test 50.

Stokes earlier took two key wickets, including Kohli, and catching Ajinkya Rahane in the slips added to his key role after hitting 55 on day one.

He combined with Anderson, who bowled 11 maidens in 20 overs to make India work for their runs after they resumed the day on 24-1.

Spinner Jack Leach took the day’s first wicket after trapping Cheteshwar Pujara lbw for 17 with the overnight batsman adding two to his score.

Stokes generated pace and bounce at the venue where England lost the previous match inside two days on a viciously

turning pitch.

A day after his confrontation with Kohli, Stokes sent back the captain for his second duck of the series when he edged a rising delivery to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

Another Stokes delivery hit Rohit Sharma on the helmet and he took a sharp catch at second slip to dismiss Rahane for 27 off Anderson on the stroke of lunch.

The all-rounder denied Sharma his fifty when he trapped him lbw for 49.

India need to avoid defeat to book a meeting with New Zealand in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.

Finch stars as Australia crush Mount helps Chelsea New Zealand to level series 2-2 down troubled Liverpool, WeLLington Agencies

Australia crushed New Zealand by 50 runs in a low-scoring fourth Twenty20 international in Wellington Friday to level the series at 2-2.

The result sets up a winner-takes-all blockbuster in the final match at the same venue on Sunday, with Australia in red-hot form after struggling early in the series.

The Australians scored 156/6 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. In reply, New Zealand were all out for 106 after 18.5 overs.

Captain Aaron Finch anchored the tourists’ innings with a gritty 79, making him Australia’s most prolific T20 international run scorer on 2,310, ahead of David Warner’s 2,265.

Finch chiselled out his 14th T20 half-century off 55 balls before cutting loose with four sixes in the final over, in which Kyle Jamieson conceded 26 runs. But he struggled for partners as the Black Caps pinned back Australia’s batters with accurate bowling and a steady flow of wickets.

Despite his player-of-the-match batting performance, Finch singled out his bowling attack for praise, saying they were outstanding on a wicket that did noy play as expected.

“I thought we adapted really well, it was a really polished performance with the ball,” he said.

Paceman Kyle Richardson ended with the best figures of 3-19, but spinners Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell all contributed with two wickets each.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, claiming 3-32.

The Black Caps made a slow start, with openers Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert managing just one boundary apiece in the opening three overs on a spin-friendly wicket.

Guptill departed cheaply for seven but it was only the beginning of New Zealand’s woes as they lost a further six wickets for 30 runs.

The collapse effectively ended the contest, despite some tail-end resistance from Jamieson, who top-scored for the Black Caps with 30.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was frustrated at a passive display that he said needed to improve for Sunday’s decider.

“That was a pretty poor performance from us, particularly in the second half,” he said. “We lacked a little bit of intent at times.”

Everton boost top four bid London Agencies

Mason Mount fired Chelsea into fourth place in the Premier League as the midfielder’s superb strike clinched a 1-0 win against troubled Liverpool, while Everton boosted their top four bid with a 1-0 victory at West Brom on Thursday.

Mount’s first half goal was enough to see off lacklustre Liverpool and extended Chelsea’s impressive renaissance under new boss Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions since Tuchel replaced the sacked Frank Lampard in January. The Blues sit one point clear of fifth placed Everton, who have a game in hand on the west Londoners.

“It was a very good team performance. It was a six-point game because the others lose,” Tuchel said.

“We played with courage, had excellent moments with the ball and never lost the attitude and desire.

The race is on. We can never rest and never celebrate.

There is no time.”

While Chelsea are on the up, injury-hit Liverpool crashed to a fifth successive home defeat for the first time in their illustrious history, leaving the spluttering champions without a win at Anfield since before Christmas.

Jurgen Klopp’s team are languishing in seventh place, four points behind Chelsea after losing five of their last six league matches.

“It is a massive blow,” Klopp said. “It is not about Anfield or whatever, it is in general, too often.

In the decisive moments we have to improve. We have to show our quality in these moments and we don’t do that often enough.”

After Chelsea’s Timo Werner was denied by the narrowest of offside decisions, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane missed a sitter.

Chelsea took the lead in the 42nd minute when N’Golo Kante launched a high pass towards Mount and the England midfielder cut in from the left, leaving Fabinho trailing in his wake before curling a superb finish into the bottom corner.

Liverpool did not have an effort on target until the 85th minute as Klopp surprisingly hauled off

leading scorer Mohamed Salah.

Everton made it three consecutive victories thanks to the in-form Richarlison, while their improving defence recorded a third successive clean-sheet.

Richarlison headed home from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 65th minute cross as the Brazilian netted for the fourth time in as many games after scoring just twice in the league this season before that run.

“We’re doing well and now we’re in the fight at the top of the table. The season is still long but we are there and pleased to be there,” Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti said.

Second bottom Albion, who had a late Mbaye Diagne effort disallowed for offside, remain nine points adrift of safety as they slide towards relegation.

Dele Alli delivered in his first league start since the opening day of the season as Tottenham won 10 at Fulham. Alli was not credited with his first league goal for just short of a year as his effort deflected off Tosin Adarabioyo into his own net.

Fulham’s Josh Maja saw his effort harshly disallowed for a handball by Mario Lemina, but eighth placed Tottenham held on to move within five points of the top four with a game in hand.

“In the end it was not a very different game from some we had and we managed to concede late goals,” Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho.

“Against Palace, Wolves, Newcastle, we concede late goals that took points away from us. Tonight was different, tonight we kept it.”

Gareth Bale and Alli have struggled for form and fitness this season and have largely been bystanders as Son Heung-min and Harry Kane kept Tottenham’s chances of a place in the Champions League next season alive.

However, after Bale struck twice in a 4-0 thrashing of Burnley on Sunday, all four started together for the first time in a Premier League game as Mourinho finally let off the handbrake on his attacking talents. Three of the front four combined for the only goal as Bale’s pass picked out the run of Son and his cross appeared to have been turned in by Alli only for the final touch to come off Adarabioyo.

Saturday, 6 March, 2021

prayer timings

NEWS

TrAining, commiTmenT enhAnce cAPABiliTy To TAckle ThreATs: coAs THE TROOPS AND UNITS PARTICIPATING IN THE EXERCISE DISPLAYED A GREAT DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM AND SYNERGY WHILE CONDUCTING OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MANOEUVRES IN DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE EXERCISE: ISPR RAWALPINDI

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staff report

HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that excellent training and commitment enhance the operational capability for an effective response to all threats and challenges, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The military’s media wing in a statement said that the army chief expressed these views during a visit to a field training area in the Cholistan Desert on Friday.

The COAS was briefed about conduct modalities of a two-week long Corps level exercise “Zarb-e-Hadeed” aimed at enhancing operational preparedness of formations by creating synergy among the infantry, mechanised forces, combat aviation, surveillance platforms, army air defence and artillery while operating within the defensive operation cycle of a corps.

“The troops and units participating in the exercise displayed a great degree of professionalism and synergy while conducting offensive and defensive manoeuvres in different phases of the exercise,” the ISPR added.

Appreciating the dedication and professionalism of the participating troops, the COAS expressed complete satisfaction over combat readiness and training standards of Bahawalpur Corps. “Excellent training and commitment enhance the operational capability for an effective response to all threats and challenges,” General Bajwa emphasised while addressing the troops.

Later, the COAS visited logistic installations of Bahawalpur Corps and lauded the engineering skills and maintenance standards achieved at the facility.

Earlier, the army chief was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Zia on his arrival at the exercise area.

and killed at least 10 fuel couriers, known as sookhtbar, in Sistan and

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Biden announces nomination of Pakistani-American in key administration post SYED HAS BEEN NOMINATED TO SERVE AS DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, ANNOUNCES THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON app

UN condemns up to 23 killings in Iran’s border area with Pakistan At least a dozen people and possibly up to 23 have been killed in Iran’s SistanBaluchestan province where Revolutionary Guards and security forces have used lethal force against fuel couriers from ethnic minorities and protesters, the United Nations said on Friday.

Iran is investigating an incident in which at least two Iranians were shot dead this week at the border with Pakistan, and Islamabad has handed over the body of one of the victims, the Iranian foreign ministry said a week ago.

The shooting of people carrying fuel across the border led to protests that spread from the city of Saravan to other areas in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, including the capital, Zahedan.

“The series of violent events and unrest began on February 22, when Revolutionary Guards are alleged to have shot

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Baluchestan province at the border with Pakistan, after a two-day stand-off trig-

gered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps blocking the road to the city of Saravan,” UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a news briefing in Geneva.

The killings had triggered demonstrations in several cities across the province, during which the revolutionary guard and security forces fired lethal ammunition at protesters and bystanders, he said.

Colville said that it has been difficult to verify the death toll due to disruptions of local mobile data networks, but some unconfirmed reports have estimated that as many as 23 people may have been killed.

“We call on the authorities to immediately restore internet access in areas that remain disconnected,” he said.

Iran has some of the lowest fuel prices in the world and has been fighting smuggling to neighbouring countries. agencies

United States President Joe Biden has announced his intention to nominate Dilawar Syed, a Pakistani-American, to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). “I’m deeply humbled & honoured by President Biden’s nomination of me to help lead @SBAgov as the Deputy Administrator,” said Syed, ratifying the news on Twitter the following day. He further added that, “If confirmed by the US Senate, I will put my heart & soul into helping small businesses everywhere in these challenging times.” Syed is president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Lumiata, an artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare company, since April 2018, the White House said in a press release on Thursday. At the intersection of clinical knowledge, data science, and machine learning, Lumiata delivers cost and risk insights to health plans and health systems, helping companies drive down costs. Previously, Syed was president at Freshworks where he is credited with helping scale the software company’s products to thousands of small and medium businesses. He founded the company’s North America business overseeing sales and marketing, customer success, and partnerships, according to his profile on Linkedin.com. Earlier in his career, Syed oversaw business operations at Yahoo!’s Platform & Infrastructure Division and was a product manager at Siebel Systems.

“Syed has driven civic efforts at the Federal, state, and local level focusing on economic growth and entrepreneurship,” the White House said. He served on President Barack Obama’s White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and chaired the White House Initiative on AAPIs’ Economic Growth Committee. He has an MBA. from The Wharton school of the University of Pennsylvania and earned a BA in Economics and Computer Science from The University of Texas at Austin. Syed immigrated to the United States from Pakistan as a freshman student to attend The College of Wooster in Ohio. In December, President Biden appointed Pakistan-born Ali Zaidi as deputy White House Climate Coordinator. Zaidi, 33, works under Gina McCarthy, who ran the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under former President Barack Obama and now leads a major advocacy group, to coordinate the new administration’s domestic climate agenda. Biden has given nearly a dozen jobs in his administration to Americans of Indian origin, including Vivek Murthy as the surgeon general. But he had to withdraw the nomination of Neera Tanden, an IndianAmerican, for the key position of director of the Office of Management and Budget for lack of support in the Senate which must clear the nominees. Vice President Kamala Harris, a daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, is the highest-ranking woman in America’s 244year existence.

Two Sessions: China puts its GDP growth target at 6pc ISLAMABAD mian abrar

China on Friday set a gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of over 6 per cent for 2021 and outlined a plan to promote innovation, green development, and common prosperity in the next five years.

Addressing China’s annual legislative session, also known as Two Sessions’, Premier Li Keqiang explained how China is going to tackle the numerous challenges it faces in a new development stage.

The main projected targets for developments in year 2021 include GDP growth of over six per cent; Over 11 million new urban jobs; A surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 per cent; CPI increase of around three per cent; Steady increases in both the volume and quality of imports and exports; A basic equilibrium in the balance of payments; Steady growth in personal income and a drop of around three per cent in energy consumption per unit of GDP. “China remains in an important period of strategic opportunity for development.

Yet, there are changes in both the opportunities and challenges we face,” Li said when delivering a government work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature.

Describing 2020 as “an extraordinary year in the history of the People’s Republic of China,” the premier underscored China’s “major strategic success” in fighting Covid19 and the fact that it was the only major economy to achieve positive growth.

“We attained a complete victory in the fight against poverty, and we scored decisive achievements in securing a full victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects,” Li said.

Key achievements in 2020: – Major strategic success in Covid-19 response; – GDP growth of 2.3 per cent; – A reduction of burden on market entities by over 2.6 trillion yuan ($402 billion); – 11.86 million new urban jobs; – Lifting the remaining 5.51 million poor rural residents out of poverty.

FROm 13th FyP PeRiOD tO 14th FyP PeRiOD: China has made “historic new achievements” in economic and social development in the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period (2016-2020), Li said in his report.

The country’s GDP increased from less than 70 trillion yuan ($10.8 trillion) to over 100 trillion yuan ($15.5 trillion) over the past five years, he said, noting that over 60 million urban jobs were added.

The 14th FYP period (2021-2025) will be the first five years when China embarks on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, he stressed, before outlining the draft Outline for the 14th FiveYear Plan for Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives through the Year 2035. main taRGets in the 14th FyP PeRiOD: – Major economic indicators to be kept within an appropriate range, and annual targets for economic growth to be set in light of actual conditions; – Surveyed urban unemployment rates

of within 5.5 per cent; – An annual increase of R&D spending by more than 7 per cent; – An increase of permanent urban residents to 65 per cent of the population; – A reduction of energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 13.5 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively; – A raise of the average life expectancy by one year; – Basic old-age insurance to cover 95 per cent of the population.

These targets are set to improve the quality of economic growth, pursue innovationdriven development, create a robust domestic market, promote green development and improve people’s well-being, according to the premier.

“Innovation remains at the heart of China’s modernisation drive,” he said. The country will strive to make major breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and formulate and implement a ten-year action plan for basic research, he added.

In order to foster a new development

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

pattern, China will give priority to domestic circulation and work to build a strong domestic market and turn the country into a “trader of quality,” he said.

“We will leverage the flow of the domestic economy to make China a major magnet for global production factors and resources, thereby promoting positive interplay between domestic circulation and international circulation,” Li explained.

The Chinese government will take various measures this year to ensure “a good start” for the country in the 14th FYP period, Li said. main PROJecteD taRGets FOR DeveLOPment in 2021: – GDP growth of over 6 per cent; – Over 11 million new urban jobs; – A surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 per cent; – CPI increase of around 3 per cent; – Steady increases in both the volume and quality of imports and exports; – A basic equilibrium in the balance of payments; – Steady growth in personal income;