EpaperISB_21-03-27

Saturday, 27 March, 2021 I 12 Shaban, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 268 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

AsAd UmAr sAys sAPm NAdeem BABAr Asked to steP dowN over fUel crisis g

MINISTeR ASSeRTS NeITHeR NADeeM BABAR NOR MIAN ASAD HAyAuD DIN HAVe BeeN FOuND GuILTy IN LAST yeAR'S PeTROLeuM CRISIS ISLAMABAD

s

staff report

PeCIAL Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar has been asked to step down from his post on orders from Prime Minister Imran Khan, Federal Minister For Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad umar said on Friday.

This decision was taken to ensure transparency in the the findings of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a probe launched on the direction of the prime minister to determine reasons behind the shortage of petroleum in the country.

The minister stressed that neither SAPM on Petroleum Babar nor Secretary Petroleum Mian Asad Hayaud Din has been found guilty in the petroleum crisis occurred last year, however, they have been asked to resign for a transparent investigation into the matter.

Adding to Asad’s point, education Minister Shafqat Mehmood said that

Babar and secretary petroleum have been asked to resign so as not to affect the inquiry.

“We forwarded our recommendations to the prime minister, after which he asked for some additional information. When some more information came to the fore, we were given the go-ahead to share our recommendations,” said Asad.

“It was said about some of the people sitting in administrative positions that their background is such or they don’t have the capability or ability to be sitting on those positions. The petroleum division has been told to look at those administrative decisions and quickly report to the PM after making those decisions,” the minister told the presser.

“The FIA will probe the criminal negligence in the entire episode as they have been tasked to bring forward evidence in this regard,” he said adding that the FIA would bring forward the report carrying out a forensic audit within 90 days.

Moreover, he informed media persons in the detailed briefing that the

government has decided to to make the ministerial committee report on fuel crisis 2020 public.

The federal minister said that the petroleum division had previously dropped its responsibilities on Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and that there was a need to end this ambiguity.

“To end that ambiguity, a law will be made and whatever amendments are required [will be done], so it is completely clear who has the authority and responsibility,” he said, adding that during the investigation into the fuel crisis,

OGRA stated that some tasks were to be done by the Petroleum Division and vice versa, “and both were quoting different sections of the law”.

“This is a message from Prime Minister Imran Khan to the mafia that their time is up,” the planning and development minister maintained.

The minister on the occasion said that a number of facets for improvement have been identified and will be reported to the division, after which it will makes its action plan.

Answering a question, Asad said that

Gillani declared Opp leader in Senate with support of 30 lawmakers ISLAMABAD staff report

With the declaration of Syed yousaf Raza Gillani as leader of the opposition in the Senate, the ruling coalition has played a smart stroke by further dividing the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance.

With the election of Gillani, a new parliamentary group of the opposition parties has emerged in the Senate.

The number of members of the new parliamentary group has increased to 30. According to sources, Senator Dilawar Khan has emerged the leader of an independent group in the Senate with five members.

The group formed under the leadership of Senator Dilawar Khan includes Senator Ahmed Khan, Senator Kahda Babar, Senator Samina Mumtaz and Senator Naseebullah Baazai.

The five members of the new parliamentary group applied to make Gillani the leader of the opposition.

Moreover, the PPP got signatures to nominate Gillani as leader of the opposition of 21 senators of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), two Senators

of Awami National Party (ANP) and one member of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

After becoming the leader of the opposition, Gillani told the media that the PDM is not over, Dilawar Khan has an independent group.

Dilawar Khan’s group has come to sit with us in the opposition. As leader of the opposition, we had to show the majority that we have shown. Gillani said that “the Balochis-

tan Awami Party (BAP) did not vote for me, not to be called the official opposition, we are together and will walk together, we want the PDM to remain united, there is no misunderstanding because of one step”.

“Should be, I will take the PDM parties into confidence,” he added.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal said that in his response

to the election of Gillani as the leader of the opposition in the Senate, he said that the PDM parties had announced their support for Azam Nazir Tarar. “PPP senators should also have respected the PDM decision.

The 27 PDM senators had Nazir Tarar.

The specific senators with whose support the required number was obtained, everyone knows who said what,” he said.

This was a blow to the PDM’s goals, struggle and unity. The PML-N is expected to play a role in the Senate and National Assembly along with the parties agreeing to the PDM charter. He said that ANP has also taken a unilateral decision against the decision of PDM. “I will ask the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take notice of [Prime Minister] Imran Khan for violating coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he added. earlier, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz had said that her party representative Azam Nazir Tarar would be the leader of the opposition in the Senate.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Pakistan registers highest daily coronavirus cases since last July

ISLAMABAD staff report

The single-day coronavirus infections soared to over 4,000 as Pakistan reported another 63 deaths during the last 24 hours, showed the figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday morning.

With the addition of 4,368 new infections, the

highest numbers since July 3, 2020, the number of positive cases has now surged to 645,356 with the nationwide tally of fatalities jumping to 14,091, after adding the 63 new deaths.

As usual, Sindh remained the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

Most numbers of casualties have been reported in Punjab. So far, 264,062 coronavirus cases have now been confirmed in Sindh, 207,765 in Punjab, 82,677 in KP, 19,427 in Balochistan, 54,347 in Islamabad, 12,095 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and 4,983 in GilgitBaltistan (GB).

As many as 6,142 individuals have lost their lives to the pandemic in Punjab, 4,486 in Sindh, 2,260 in KP, 205 in Balochistan, 555 in Islamabad, 340 in AJK and 103 in GB. Pakistan has so far conducted 9,976,791 coronavirus tests and 42,418 during the last 24 hours (Thursday) with 591,145

coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas 2,758 patients were in critical condition.

According to data shared by the spokesperson of the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD), 1,566 new cases were reported in Lahore, 11 in Kasur, 19 in Sheikhupura, 17 in Nankana Sahib, 126 in Rawalpindi, four in Attock, nine in Jehlum, one in Chakwal, 58 in Gujranwala, 12 in Mandi Bahauddin, seven in Narowal, four in Hafizabad, 72 in Sialkot, 61 in Gujrat, 190 in Faisalabad, 21 in Toba Tek Singh, eight in Chineot, seven in Jhang, 45 in Sargodha, four in Mianwali, three in Khoshab, five in Bhakkar, 83 in Multan, 10 in Vehari, three in Khanewal, two in Lodharan, five in Dera Ghazi Khan, 33 in Rahimyar Khan, 17 in Bahawalpur, eight in Bahawalnagar, 13 in Okara, four in Pakpattan and 20 new cases were reported in Sahiwal district during the last 24 hours.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

there is no doubt in believing that the responsibilities given to some state institutions were not duly fulfilled.

“We have to find out why the institutions could not perform and ascertain whether this is due to the prevalence of corruption,” he said, adding that it is important to discover the names of the people who have not been doing their jobs properly and whether they have any accomplices.

Besides this, the petroleum division has also written a letter to the auditor general of Pakistan (AGP) in a bid to carry out the forensic audit of oil marketing companies.

The letter was written in order to unearth the involvement of companies in the fuel crisis in the country during June 2020. The letter from the Petroleum Division while attributing to the letter on March 16, directed to conduct the forensic audit in order to unearth as to which company befitted from the hoarding.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

PPP’s request for Senate slot ‘a setback’ for PDM’s cause: PML-N STORY ON PAGE 02

coroNAvirUs iN

PAkistAN

CONFIRMED CASES:

645,356

LAST UPDATED AT 7:04 AM ON MARCH 26, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

63

4,368

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

591,145 14,091 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

264,062

207,765

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

82,677

12,095/4,983

19,427

54,347

more inside

Pakistan holds successful flight test of Shaheen-1A surface to surface ballistic missile STORY ON BACK PAGE

Prosecution failed to substantiate charges against Omar Sheikh, says SC verdict STORY ON PAGE 03

02

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

PPP’S requeSt for Senate SLot ‘a SetbaCK’ for PDM’S CauSe: PML-n LAHORE

P

'WHOEVER BETRAYS THE PDM'S OBJECTIVES WILL PAY A HEAVY PRICE', SAYS IQBAL

INP

AKISTAN Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday criticised the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) move to attain the post of Senate opposition leader, saying it was a “setback” for the 10-party alliance. Flanked

by PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Iqbal spoke to media outside Jati Umra in Lahore.

“If the Balochistan Awami Party [BAP] senators are included to attain the post of the leader of the Opposition in Senate, then indeed [Pakistan Democratic Movement’s] objectives, its struggle and the opposition alliance have suffered a setback,” said the former interior minister.

Referring to the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) senators, Iqbal said: “The entire Islamabad knows on whose directions they vote.” Referring to it as a “suspicious transaction” he said that such a move was not in line with the PDM’s transparent politics. “If this slot [leader of the

opposition] was so necessary for the PPP, the party should have informed Nawaz Sharif about it. He would have happily ceded the post to them,” said the PML-N leader.

Iqbal condemned the PPP for seeking support from the BAP without informing the PDM, adding that such a move has delivered a blow to the opposition alliance.

In response to a question, former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said that the party will take up the PPP’s recent move in the upcoming session of the PDM’s meeting.

Iqbal said that all opposition parties had expressed their support for the PML-N’s Azam Nazeer Tarrar for the post of Senate opposition leader.

“JUI-F [Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl] chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hasil Bizenjo’s National Party [NP], Akhtar Mengal, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and other leaders as well supported [Azam Nazeer Tarar],” he said.

The PML-N stalwart said that the party

Covid-positive witness causes panic in accountability court ISLAMABAD TLTP

A National Accountability Bureau (NAB) witness caused panic during a hearing in the accountability court on Friday after the revelation that he was infected with the Covid-19. “I’m Covid-19 positive, please record my statement quickly,” the witness named Amir Haider Malik pleaded with the court in the Mudaraba scandal case hearing. The revelation caused panic in the courtroom at the Islamabad Judicial Complex. AC Judge Azam Khan, lawyers and others vacated the courtroom quickly. Later, the room was disinfected with chlorine spray, while the Covid-19 infected witness was asked to leave the courtroom with immediate effect. In a separate situation that occurred earlier this month in the Supreme Court (SC), a Covid-19 positive lawyer had appeared before the court of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed. As per details, Barrister Dr Adnan Khan who was diagnosed with coronavirus had appeared before CJP Gulzar for the hearing of the case.

was hurt that the Awami National Party (ANP), which is part of the PDM, took the ‘unilateral decision’ to support the PPP’s bid for the Senate opposition leader slot.

In response to a question, the PML-N said that the PDM will not be affected by the exclusion of one or two political parties. He said that the alliance represented the aspirations of 220 million Pakistanis, adding that it will continue to perform its role in the future as well. “The PDM is lethal and our manifesto yet remains alive,” he said.

“Whoever betrays the PDM’s objectives will pay a heavy price,” added the former minister in a veiled warning to the PPP. The strong reaction from the PML-N leadership came a few minutes after former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani filed nomination papers for the post of Senate opposition leader. According to a report published by a local news outlet, Gillani had filed for nomination with the support of 30 opposition senators for the post, pulling a

surprise coup that has upset the other main opposition party, the PML-N. Talking to the media after submitting the request, Senator Sherry Rehman said that the PPP’s request contained the signatures of 21 senators from the party, two from the ANP, one from the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), two from erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and four members of the upper house belonging to an independent group headed by Senator Dilawar Khan.

This new rift within the alliance comes a day after the joint endeavour of the PDM allies to force the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to postpone Maryam Nawaz’s Friday’s hearing had seemingly reinforced the need for the opposition parties to stand united. An informed source in the PDM had divulged to Pakistan Today that the unity among the opposition alliance was possible due to the efforts of the PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M).

PPP postpones Rawalpindi rally on April 4 amid Covid-19 surge POSITIVITY RATE STANDS AT 17PC IN RAWALPINDI NEWS DESK The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has postponed the Rawalpindi public gathering, scheduled for April 4, to mark the 42nd death anniversary of its founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, amid the coronavirus outbreak in the city.

The announcement was made by Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani. He further said it is expected that the same public gathering would now be held in Larkana on April 4.

Earlier in the day, the Sindh Health Department had voiced concerns over the PPP’s Rawalpindi public gathering in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Covid-19 cases positivity rate in Rawalpindi is currently at 17 per cent, while the rate in Sindh currently stands at 2 per cent. The public

gathering in Rawalpindi may result in a pandemic outbreak in the province, the health department had informed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. It would be better to postpone the public gathering in Rawalpindi to remain safe from the Covid-19 outbreak in the province again, the health department advised Bilawal.

Earlier, keeping in view the rising number of Covid-19 cases and the security concerns, the Rawalpindi administration rejected an application of the PPP, seeking permission to hold a public rally on April 4 to mark the 42nd death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The PPP had sought permission from the Rawalpindi district administration to allow them to hold a public gathering but was denied by the local administration owing to the growing number of Covid-19 cases.

Law Ministry constitutes special committee for anti-rape ordinance implementation NEWS DESK The Ministry of Law and Justice has constituted a 42member special committee for the implementation of Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Ordinance, 2021, headed by Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Barrister Maleeka Bokhari.

The committee includes Justice (r) Nasira Javid Iqbal; Advisers to the Law Ministry Hasan Mehmood

and Zahoor Ahmed as well as representatives of the Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) and provincial forensic agencies. The committee will present its recommendations to the prime minister.

The first meeting of the committee was convened on Friday under the chairpersonship of Barrister Maleeka at the Law Ministry. Preliminary

matters pertaining to implementation of the provisions of Anti-Rape Ordinance, including drafting of various guidelines, were under discussion. Regular weekly meetings are expected to be held over the next few months.

According to a local media outlet, the government has also decided to set up anti-rape crisis cells in every district in order to curb the growing incidents of sexual assault in the country.

Prioritisation of Covid vaccination for seafarers, aircrew stressed NEWS DESK Different world organisations have stressed the need for prioritising of Covid-19 vaccination for seafarers and aircrew.

According to a joint statement issued on Friday, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have demanded early vaccination for seafarers and aircrew to ensure safe travelling.

The statement said that the coronavirus pandemic has triggered devastating consequences for human life and the global economy. Maritime and air transport are two essential activities that underpin global trade and mobility and are key to a sustainable socio-economic recovery.

According to the statement, more than 80 per cent of global trade by volume is moved by maritime

transport. The global economy depends on the world’s two million seafarers who operate the global fleet of merchant ships. Seafarers have been severely impacted by the travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

As of January 2021, it is estimated that some 400,000 seafarers are stranded on board commercial vessels, long past the expiry of their contracts and unable to be repatriated. A similar number of seafarers urgently need to join ships to replace them.

The statement said that the passenger air transport carried about 5.7 billion passengers in 2019 while airfreight represents 35 per cent of the value of goods shipped in all modes combined. The total number of licenced aviation professionals, which include pilots, air traffic controllers and licenced maintenance technicians, was 887,000 in 2019, according to ICAO personnel statistics. Application of stringent public health rules to air crew, including quarantine, has resulted in hindered connectivity, operational complexity and significant cost.

“For shipping and air transport to continue to operate safely, the safe cross border movement of seafarers and aircrew must be facilitated. We reiterate our call upon countries that have not done so to designate seafarers and aircrew as key workers,” said the statement.

“With this statement, our organisations also call on governments to prioritise seafarers and aircrew in their national Covid-19 vaccination programmes, together with other essential workers, in accordance with the advice from the WHO SAGE Roadmap for prioritising the use of Covid-19 vaccines in the context of limited supply published in November 2020,” the statement said. Seafarers and aircrew need to be protected through vaccination as soon as possible, to facilitate their safe movement across borders. We also call on governments to identify and prepare for the challenges of Covid-19 vaccination of seafarers and aircrew, particularly for seafarers spending long periods of time away from their home country.

The source had said that the PDM President Fazl contacted former premier Nawaz and former president Asif Ali Zardari several times, during which the grievances between the two parties were resolved. As a result, all the parties of PDM had come together on one platform. Moreover, PMLN Vice-President Maryam on Wednesday had shot down reports of a rift with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

The PML-N vice-president, speaking to the media, had said that both the parties — PML-N and PPP — had their strategies, while for a common goal, they stood united on the opposition platform.

“PDM will decide its plan of action, and no one will interfere with it,” she had said.

However, it now appears that the PPP’s actions have once more caused the difference in strategies to highlight the disarray of the PDM. It is pertinent here to mention that various members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have called the alliance “unnatural” – of which, the most vocal has been Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz.

Shehbaz Sharif receives first dose of vaccine at Kot Lakhpat jail LAHORE INP

Incarcerated Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Friday received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Kot Lakhpat jail.

Shehbaz was vaccinated against coronavirus by the medical team of Jinnah Hospital, which visited the Kot Lakhpat jail. The team was led by MS Jinnah Hospital.

The PML-N president will receive the next dose of the Sinopham Covid-19 vaccine after 21 days. It is to be noted that the current vaccination of Pakistan citizens of 60 or over 60 years is underway. Prime Minister Imran Khan, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, Governor Punjab, Chaudhry Sarwar, Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazl Pechucho and other government officials have received the vaccine jabs. The UK strain of the deadly virus is rapidly spreading in Pakistan, over which the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) has slapped tougher restrictions. The latest statistics of the NCOC showed the Covid-19 has claimed 63 more lives and 4,368 fresh infections were reported during the period. Moreover, Shehbaz on Friday moved to the Lahore High Court (LHC) to get bail in the money laundering reference. Shehbaz submitted his bail petition in money laundering reference through his counsel Amjad Pervaiz in which the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and others were made parties. It was stated in the petition that the money laundering reference had been filed while the trial of the case was also continued in the accountability court that will take a long time. Sharif stated that he was kept in jail for months and it will take time to conclude the trial in the case.

The PML-N president further stated that all records are with the anti-corruption watchdog and no recovery was due to be made in the case. It read that Shehbaz could not fulfil his constitutional responsibilities as the opposition leader due to being jailed. He is continuously attending the hearing, hence the court is requested to issue his release on bail, it added. An accountability court in Lahore a day earlier had directed the Punjab government to administer the coronavirus vaccine jabs to Pakistan PML-N President and National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Shehbaz within two days.

Judge Jawadul Hassan had resumed hearing in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case with Shehbaz and his son Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz in attendance. During the proceedings, Shehbaz had said that he would be 70 this year. He inquired about the health of the accountability judge and had said: “A medical board was constituted on the orders of the respected judge. One month ago, tests were conducted but I did not get the results to this day.” At this, the court had ordered Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik and the medical board to provide the report to Shehbaz. The PML-N president was brought from prison as the court heard witnesses and the crossexamination of the defence counsel. The accountability judge had also reprimanded Inland Revenue Deputy Commissioner Tanveer Hussain for going offline while testifying in the case. The judge had told him to leave his office knowledge at home since he was just a witness in the court. A number of PML-N supporters had come to the court premises to show solidarity with Shehbaz and Hamza. On November 11, an accountability court had indicted Shehbaz, his son Hamza, daughter and other family members in a money-laundering reference filed by the NAB.

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

03

PerPeTraTors of killiNgs of HareeM faTiMa To be arresTed sooN, says afridi IsLAMABAD

P

AUTOPSY REPORT REVEALS MINOR GIRL WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BEFORE BEING KILLED

STaff RePoRT

ARLIAMENTARY Committee on Kashmir Chairman Shehryar Khan Afridi on Friday said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) law enforcement agencies were investigating the killing of a child in Kohat and also the killing of a youth in Jaani Khel, Waziristan.

The minor girl went missing from the city’s Khattak colony on Wednesday, March 24, and her body was found a day later from a nullah. Her autopsy report revealed that she was sexually abused before being tortured to death.

On Friday, while speaking to the media after offering Fateha for the minor, Hareem Fatima, at her hometown, Babal Khel Town, Karak District, Afridi said that the

perpetrators would be arrested and brought to justice soon Karak MNA Shahid Khattak, Kohat commissioner, the police deputy inspector general (DIG), the district police officer (DPO) and other high ranking officials were also present on the occasion.

Moreover, Naveed Iqbal, the father of the victim child was also present on the occasion besides local elders of various tribes.

Grandfather of Hareem, Farhad Khattak, and local elders of the bereaved family expressed gratitude to Afridi and others for arriving to condole the departed soul but demanded immediate arrest of the killer.

Afridi said that he had visited the victims family in Baba Khel village on directives of

Prime Minister Imran Khan and entire senior officials were present to send a message to the victims family that the government would leave no stone unturned to arrest the murderer of the little child.

“We will soon arrest the killer and this is an assurance from Prime Minister Imran Khan. We are equally bereaved on the incident,” Afridi said.

He added that KP Chief Minister Mehmood Khan had directed the law enforcement agencies to resolve the matter as a test case and the entire force was activated to arrest the killer.

“Whosoever is responsible for killing the little child would be arrested soon. We have some leads and Police are working on these leads. It would not take much time,”

he assured the family.

Talking about Jaani Khel incident where three youth were beheaded in Waziristan, Shehryar Afridi said that the KP CM Mehmood Khan had offered the local elders to form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate brutal killings of the Waziristan youth and the local authorities are making efforts to arrest the killers and make them an example. He maintained that local elders are also being engaged and a JIT would prove the matter.

He underscored that the government would not allow hostile forces to use the killings for political purposes and all state institutions are being employed and geofencing and forensics are being conducted to arrest the killer.

Briefing the jirga on the police investigation, the Kohat DIG said that police would solve this case as a test case and the perpetrator would not be allowed to escape.

“Based on technical information, we will crack this matter and culprit would be arrested. We have done all data record, geofencing, CDR and we have found credible evidence. We are cross-examining our results and soon we will arrest the culprit,” he added. MNA Shahid Khattak said that he had contacted Afridi as soon as the body of the minor girl was found and he said that based on the evidence shared with him, he hoped that the culprit would be arrested within a day or two.

Former MNA Shah Abdul Aziz also expressed gratitude to Afridi and other officials and said the way the minister had acted on the happening, he was indebted for their efforts.

Prosecution failed to substantiate charges against Omar Sheikh, says SC verdict IsLAMABAD TLTP

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday issued a detailed verdict in the January 28 decision to release Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, saying that the charges could not be substantiated by the prosecution.

Sheikh had been held on charges of kidnapping and killing American journalist Daniel Pearl. The apex court, on January 28, had rejected the Sindh government’s appeal and ordered the release of Sheikh, the prime accused in the 2002 murder of the American journalist in Karachi.

The provincial government had approached the top court after the Sindh High Court (SHC) had overturned

Sheikh’s conviction.

A three-member SC bench headed

by Justice Mushir Alam, including Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, released the detailed verdict on Friday, given with a 2:1 majority.

The court, in its ruling, said the prosecution had presented a policeman as a taxi driver and turned him into a state witness. “Even if a convict in handcuffs admits to a crime, it has no legal value,” the judgement said. The verdict said that the false witness was not shown Pearl’s photo for identification.

Moreover, the verdict observed that the deceased journalist’s wife kept emails containing threats away from the police. It said that the journalist’s life

Pak-China cooperation to bring economic stability in region: Masood kOTLI STaff RePoRT

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has said that completion of energy projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help overcome the energy crisis on the national level, and at the same time, it would bring a visible change in the socio-economic life of the people of AJK. He expressed these views after a briefing given by the chief executive officer of China Three Gorges South Asia Investment (Pvt) limited, Yao Feixiong, on the hydropower generation project currently under execution at Karot Hollar under the CPEC initiative. While describing CPEC as an important project for the economic development of Pakistan, the AJK president said that on the one hand, the project would help develop infrastructure in Pakistan and AJK, on the other, it will raise the living standard of people by providing job opportunities to the local educated people.

“The execution of 720-MG Karot hydropower generation project would provide jobs to the local people and the completion of this project early next year will provide electricity to more than two million households in the country,” he added. He maintained that the accomplishment of similar other CPEC projects will promote economic activity in AJK and provide jobs to the local educated youth. Earlier on arrival at Hollar, the state president was warmly received by the China Three Gorges South Asia Investment (Pvt) Ltd CEO Yao Feixiong, deputy executive officer, general manager (environment and social safety), manager administration and other Chinese officials, and gave him a briefing on the Karot project. He said that it is a major pilot project of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor, which is expected to be completed early next year and generate 3.2 billion units of cheap, clean electricity for Pakistan. The state president was told that the project which has a capacity of generating 3.2 billion units of electricity would be completed next year.

was in danger, however, his wife refrained from filing a complaint for about 12 days and remained quiet.

“The FIR [first information report] does not mention threatening emails, nor was Pearl’s wife questioned,” the judgement noted.

Furthermore, the top court ruled that the accused cannot be identified in the murder video and the original video was deliberately hidden from the police.

“Had the original video clip been found, a forensic analysis would have been conducted as the court cannot rely on video evidence without it,” the SC ruled. The court remarked the prosecution had failed to prove the allegation that Sheikh had killed Pearl and the journalist’s family’s non-

cooperation with the authorities in the investigation led to flaws in the investigation.

“It is the court’s job to highlight flaws in the investigation, not correct them,” the three-member bench said in the verdict.

There were doubts in the version of events presented by the prosecution […] the defendants are being released as the prosecution was unable to provide solid evidence,” it read.

Meanwhile, Justice Yahya Afridi wrote a dissenting note in the detailed verdict, saying Sheikh was the last person to be seen with the journalist, and the evidence proves it. “The prosecution’s evidence against Ahmed Omar Sheikh […] in Daniel Pearl murder case was sufficient,” the judge said.

Religious scholar killed over blasphemy allegations News Desk A religious scholar was axed to death by an assailant over allegations of blasphemy in Punjab’s Jhang district, a local news outlet reported on Friday.

The incident took place during a festival in Basti Murad of Shorkot tehsil on Wednesday wherein the victim, Taqi Shah, had been roaming around with a friend, Hasnain Shah, when they were approached by a man who attacked them.

The scholar and his friend had been on a motorbike, while the attacker was on foot. As he cut them off, the two friends fell forward onto the road, and the assailant used the opportunity to axe Taqi to death.

Police then reached the spot after the suspect had already fled the scene and shifted the body to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police have registered a murder case against three suspects – one identified man and two unidentified persons – at Shorkot City police station on the complaint of a family member of the deceased.

The complainant alleged that the victim was killed by the primary suspect after developing a dispute with him “while playing volleyball”.

According to Investigation Officer Tariq Mehmood, the suspect was arrested the day of the incident and sent on a 14-day judicial remand.

Mehmood maintained that the reason behind the killing was not the grudge between the suspect and Taqi over their volleyball dispute. He stated that their argument had been resolved previously, but the killer held a grudge against the scholar.

On the other hand, Jhang District Police Officer (DPO) Sarfraz Virk stated that the suspect had killed the man after accusing him of committing blasphemy against companions of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

“The suspect in his statement confessed to have killed the victim, Taqi Shah, over blasphemy allegations,” the DPO said, adding that blasphemy case against the victim had been registered in 2019.

Three accused of Naltar firing incident arrested; confess crime: police GILGIT aPP

The Gilgit Baltistan (GB) police arrested three individuals who also confessed the crime of killing six innocent people in a firing incident took place Thursday in Naltar Valley, Gilgit Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Waqas Ahmed said. Addressing a press conference to update the media, the police officer said that the killing was a result of personal enmity and a 12-14 years old land dispute between two groups of Naltar Bela and Naltar Paeen. At least six people were killed and seven others injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a passenger vehicle in GB’s Naltar valley. According to police, a van carrying 18 local passengers, including women, was on its way to Naltar from Gilgit when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.

Waqas said that under the same enmity, another killing incident had taken place last year but the latest one was far more gruesome, as a woman was killed and a minor was injured. He said that the police meticulously collected the evidences from the crime scene which led to the arrest of the accused. He added that by tracing their footprints, the police were able to find the motorcycles and arrest the accused.

The victim families had nominated 16 people in the first information report (FIR), in which, the DIG police said, the efforts were being made to arrest rest of the accused. He said that a joint investigation team had been formed under his supervision to probe the incident. The DIG police vowed to deal with the culprits – who were threatening by uploading pictures with weapons on social media for creating chaos – with iron hands.

Pandemic threatens lost decade for development: report News Desk The Covid-19 pandemic has reversed development gains for millions in poor countries, creating an even more sharply unequal world, according to a new United Nations (UN) report.

“The global economy has experienced the worst recession in 90 years, with the most vulnerable segments of societies disproportionately affected,” said the Interagency Task Force on Financing in their Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2021, pointing out that some 114 million jobs have been lost, and about 120 million people have been plunged back into extreme poverty.

The highly uneven response to the pandemic has “widened the already yawning disparities and inequities within

and between countries and peoples”, according to the 60 international agencies that authored the report. And while an historic $16 trillion in stimulus and recovery funds released by governments worldwide have helped to stave off the worst effects, less than 20 percent of it was spent in developing countries. By January, all but nine of the 38 states rolling out vaccines were developed countries. Before Covid-19, around half of least developed and other low-income countries were under threat of, or already experiencing, debt distress.

Coupled with falling tax revenues, that has subsequently sent debt levels soaring.

In the world’s poorest countries, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could be pushed back another 10 years, warns the report. The report says that immediate action is needed to address

widening inequalities, rebuild better, and prevent the development reversal. “What this pandemic has proven beyond all doubt is that we ignore global interdependence at our peril. Disasters do not respect national boundaries”, Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed said.

Meanwhile, Liu Zhenmin, head of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) that produced the report, flagged that countries must be helped to stay afloat financially and to invest in their own development.

“To rebuild better, both the public and private sectors must invest in human capital, social protection, and sustainable infrastructure and technology”, he said, adding that the “troublingly retrogressive” gap between rich and poor countries, requires “an immediate course correction”.

Among other things, the report suggests providing ultra-long term fixed interest financing to developing countries and realigning capital markets with sustainable development, by removing short term incentives along the investment chain. The report emphasised that sustainable development must be conscious of risk, to respond to the crisis and reset socalled “future-proof” global systems. It maintained that lessons learned today can allow reforms to be put in place that create resilience ahead, such as international financial architecture and policies that support financing for development.

“To change trajectory, we need to change the rules of the game”, Amina said.

“Relying on the pre-crisis rules will lead to the same pitfalls that have been revealed over the past year”.

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

04 NEWS

ISLAMABAD

PRCS officer declared ‘innocent’ in Kainat death case

Bait-ul-Mal ChaiRMan’S Son StoRMS Gully BiteS ReStauRant with GoonS LAHORE

ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR

The Islamabad Judicial Magistrate has ordered the cancellation of FIR against former Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) secretary general Khalid bin Majeed in a case related to the death of a university student, Kainat Tariq, who was also an employee at the PRCS. In the verdict, the Judicial Magistrate Waqar Hussain Gondal said that the police could not find any incriminating evidence against the accused and filed an FIR cancellation request with the court. “Keeping in view the facts and statement of the counsel for the complainant in the case, I do agree with the police’s opinion,” the judge maintained in the verdict. “The FIR lodged against Khalid bin Majeed stands cancelled,” he ruled, ordering the police to cancel the FIR “by drawing a red line across the page, noting the name of this court….with number and date of this order.”

The I-9 Industrial Area police had registered a murder case on the complaint of Mohammad Tariq, father of the deceased, who in his written application in November last year had alleged that his daughter was murdered by the then secretary general of PRCS through poisoning. After registering the FIR under section 302 of the CrPC, the police had arrested Khalid bin Majeed for investigation before he was granted bail by the court just two weeks after the arrest.

P

SHAHAB OMER

AKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Punjab Bait-ul-Mal Chairman Malik Mohammad Azam’s son Malik Mohammad Ahmed along with his friends and personal security guards attacked and injured the staff of a restaurant in Lahore on Friday.

The residents of the area informed that Ahmed was driving a government-owned vehicle with his friends and bodyguards when his car collided with a motorcycle in a street of Gulberg area. While looking for the motorcyclist, Ahmed and his friends entered the Gully Bites restaurant and stormed the kitchen staff and severely beat them up.

An eyewitness to the incident said, “Last night, the son (Ahmed) of Punjab Bait-ul-Mal chairman and his friends stormed the kitchen of Gully Bites restaurant and severely beat up the kitchen staff. Ahmed, Gulfam, Tahir and their friends were looking for an employee from another restaurant in Ahad Arcade, when they entered the Gully Bites’ kitchen and started thrashing its staff without any reason.

They were carrying guns with them and tried to even open fire on the spot. Luckily, a gun was captured by the restaurant staff and later handed over to the concerned police inspector, when he arrived at the scene.”

“The staff resisted and managed to defend themselves during the attack. One member of the staff had fallen unconscious for a few hours. He is out of danger now after getting treatment. Despite having absolutely nothing to do with Ahmed or his group, the employees were severely

beaten up.” The footage and photos of the incident, received by Pakistan Today, clearly show how the restaurant staff was brutally attacked.

ACTION BY POLICE: Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official of the Gulberg police station informed that the police arrived at the scene as soon as the incident was reported. The staff said the owners of restaurants informed SHO Mohammad Waseem that their staff had been subjected to torture, but the SHO continued to act reluctantly, intimidated the restaurant owners that the other party is too powerful, and returned the gun to Ahmed even without any investigation.

When Ahmed and his friends saw that the restaurant management would not hesitate to take legal action

against them, they assured the management that they would apologise to the staff and compensate them so that the matter could be settled. “At the same time, Ahmed received a phone call and told the SHO to talk to his CCPO. After talking to the SHO on the phone, Ahmed, his accomplices and guards agreed to a compromise instead of apologising and withdrew from compensation commitment,” the staff added. However, after all these arguments, an FIR was registered in favour of Ahmed and against the staff of the restaurant under sections 147, 149 and 382.

“What is the fault of the Gully Bites’ staff, who were beaten up by these thugs, who are now using political pressure against the staff? These workers were serving and trying their best in coronavirus pandemic. But now they are badly injured and not being paid any compensation,” a worker of the restaurant expressed his grief over the situation.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH SHO? Another interesting move was witnessed, when the SHO was suddenly changed from the police station.

Sources in the police department informed that the SHO had tried hard to please the Bait-ul-Mal chairman but he was transferred due to keeping Ahmed in the police station for some time.

On the other hand, another police official told that the SHO’s transfer was a routine affair as four to five other SHOs of the city were also transferred. “Wasim's removal has nothing to do with the incident. Hamad Butt has taken charge of the police station,” the official said.

Talking to Pakistan Today, the restaurant owners said that they would take legal action in the incident and register an FIR against Ahmed and his associates.

Court orders registration of FIR against Aurat March organisers PESHAWAR TLTP

A sessions court on Friday ordered for registration of a case against the organisers of this year’s Aurat March.

The court ruled this while hearing a petition against the organisers for allegedly committing un-Islamic acts in the name of the women's march. Granting the petition, the court ordered to register an FIR against the organisers.

Earlier this month, the Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) threatened the organisers of the Aurat March, accusing them of obscenity.

The TTP statement followed a flurry of images and video clips on social media that suggested participants in the March 8 protests had insulted Islam,

which they strongly denied. “We want to send a message to those organisations who are actively spreading obscenity and vulgarity in our beloved Pakistan,” the statement said, addressing the marchers.

“Fix your ways, there are still many young Muslims here who know how to protect Islam……,” the TTP stated.

Messages spread on social media, included allegations that the French flag was waved at the Women’s Day march, while video and audio showed participants chanting slogans. “Each and every one of these allegations are completely false and part of a malicious campaign to silence women from speaking out about their rights,” the Aurat March organisers said in a statement.

Hyderabad: A view of dried areas of Indus River due to shortage of water flow. INP

Sindh CM reviews education sector development schemes KARACHI PPI

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has started reviewing the ongoing development schemes launched by different departments of the provincial government.

He reviewed the progress of education sector portfolio in a meeting on Friday, which was attended by Provincial Minister for Education Saeed Ghani, Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Planning & Development (P&D) Chairman Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Jamal Abro, School Education

Secretary Mohammad Bux Narejo, Finance Secretary Hassan Naqvi, College Education Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah, P&D Member Fatah Tunio, Education Special Secretary Asif Memon and some other concerned officers. The chief minister reviewed the progress of each and every scheme of the education sector and expressed his concern regarding lack of furniture in the schools and colleges. However, the education minister informed that a court has issued a stay order against the purchase of school furniture. To this, the chief minister directed the chief secretary to talk to the chief law officer and present the government case in the court ef-

Punjab retrieves 2482 acres of state land in two days LAHORE INP

On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the provincial administration has retrieved 2482 acres of state land, worth more than Rs.4.93 billion, in different cities of the province during the last two days, besides registering 32 FIRs in this regard.

According to details, a 763-acre state land worth more than Rs3.46 billion was recovered in a city and 18 cases were registered in this regard, a 58-acre state land

worth more than Rs0.96 billion was retrieved in Khanewal while a 239-kanal land worth more than Rs27 million was retrieved in Narowal and six FIRs were registered.

Another 400-acre land of Rs80 million was recovered in Rajanpur, besides retrieval of a 22-acre land worth more than Rs. 19 million in Layyah.

Meanwhile, the chief minister said the action will be continued till the complete elimination of the land grabbers, adding that those illegally occupying the state lands do not deserve any leniency.

fectively. Talking about school education, the chief minister said that out of allocated funds of Rs13,150 million in the current financial year, he has released Rs7,289.547 million and Rs4,598.039 million have been utilised, which shows 63.06 per cent utilisation of the released amount. The CM directed the education minister to personally review the progress of 129 ongoing schemes and get them completed before the end of current financial year.

The chief minister also directed the P&D chairman to take personal attention to complete the on-going schemes of special education.

Man found dead in his house in Burewala BUREWALA: A man was found dead in his house in Chak 201/EB of Burewala, the local police said on Friday. According to the details, Mohammad Ashraf son of Ibrahim had left his wife and children at his relatives’ house in Chak 193/EB the other day. Later, the family was calling Ashraf on mobile phone but he was not receiving the calls.

When his brother-in-law visited his residence in Chak 201/EB, Ashraf was found dead on his bed. The body was shifted to a nearby hospital for legal formalities and the Gaggo Mandi station police, after registering a case into the incident, started an investigation. INP

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

05

ForeiGN iNveStMeNt dowN 77Pc iN eiGht MoNthS: MiNiStry

Pakistan registers highest daily coronavirus cases since last July cONtiNueD frOm page 01

iSLamaBaD

In light of these numbers, the Punjab health department has urged the masses to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs), stressing the need to cover one’s face with a mask, to wash hands frequently, and to maintain social distance. Lahore continues to witness a surge in Covid-19 cases as 1,566 new infections surfaced in the provincial capital overnight – the highest in 10 months. Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) President Ashraf Nizami termed the 18 per cent positivity rate “alarming”. He stressed that the Punjab government needs to declare a health emergency in the province right away, calling for tougher restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.

VACCINATIONS FOR 50 AND ABOVE CITIZENS: Covid-19 vaccine registration for Pakistani above 50 years of age will start from March 30, announced NCOC chief Asad Umar on Friday. He encouraged everyone falling in that age group to get registered. Registration for people over 60 is ongoing. The two-dose Sinopharm vaccine is being given in this phase. People over 60-70 years can text message their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number without spaces and dashes to the government’s official 1166 number to register. You can send a text message from any mobile phone number, and the government would text message the citizen back with the following information: Your vaccine centre The date Your PIN code (which the vaccinator will ask for to verify it is you at the centre) Vaccination centres are open from 9 am to 5 pm. You can also register for your vaccination at the government’s website: nims.nadra.gov.pk Pakistan is still awaiting doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine through COVAX. India, whose Serum Institute is producing the vaccine, has delayed deliveries as it prioritises its own population. The Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine reached Karachi on March 18. The consignment arrived at Jinnah International Airport. Local drug firm AG Pharma Ltd received it. “This is the first shipment of 50,000 doses which came last night only,” said an official of AGP. The price of two doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has been fixed at Rs8,500 by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The Cambridge International Examination (CIE) board has confirmed that O Level and IGCSE exams in Pakistan will start on May 15. The exams were scheduled for April 26 and have been rescheduled at the request of the education ministry. As many as 4,474 senior citizens have so far been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the Faisalabad district. District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Ata Al-Moenum said on Friday that the vaccination process continued at five vaccination centres, established in the district, from 8 am to 8 pm daily. He said that the centres had been established at Sports Complex Samanabad, Rural Health Centre Khurarianwala new building, Sports Complex Chak Jhumra, Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Tandlianwala new building and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Sammundari new building.

Govt likely to appoint Khurram Agha as petroleum secretary ISLAMABAD: The federal government is likely to appoint Khurram Agha as petroleum secretary, it was learnt on Friday. Sources said that former Gilgit-Baltistan chief secretary Khurram Agha has been waiting for his posting in the Establishment Division, as he had relinquished the charge two days ago. On the other hand, the Prime Minister’s Office, on the recommendation of the four-member ministerial committee which probed the June 2020 petrol crisis, has also directed the incumbent petroleum secretary Mian Asad Hayaud Din to report to the Establishment Division. STAFF REPORT

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SHAHZAD PARACHA

OTAL foreign investments in Pakistan, including foreign direct and portfolio, declined 77.1pc during the first eight months (July-Feb) of the current fiscal year (FY21).

According to monthly data shared by the Ministry of Finance, total foreign investments into the country were recorded at $911 million during 8MFY21, as compared to $3.9 billion in the same period of last year.

MoF’s Monthly Economic Update & Outlook further revealed that the country's fiscal deficit stood at 2.9pc of the GDP (Rs1,309 billion) during July-Feb

FY21 compared to 3.2pc (Rs1,430 billion) in the same period of FY20.

“The primary balance continues to remain in surplus, increasing 0.9pc of the GDP to Rs416 billion during 8MFY21, as opposed to Rs53 billion (0.3pc of GDP) in the same period of last year,” it added.

During the period under review, remittances grew significantly by 24.1pc, from $15.1 billion to $18.7 billion. However, exports in term of value declined 2.3pc to $16.1 billion from $16.4 billion, whereas imports increased 8.6pc to $32.1 billion from $29.6 billion.

Meanwhile, the FBR reported a 6pc growth in revenue during the period under review, from 2,750 billion last year to Rs2,915 billion. Non-tax consolidated

revenue, however, decreased 1.7pc to Rs941 billion as opposed to Rs957 billion in 8MFY20.

Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) authorization clocked in at Rs479.2 billion from 1st July till 5th March 2020-21, compared to Rs466 billion during the same period of last year.

Agriculture credit (provisional) stood at Rs806 billion, up 2pc from Rs783.8 billion a year ago, while credit to the private sector (flows) was recorded at Rs365.9 billion compared to Rs244.9 billion last year.

As per the MoF, expectations of economic recovery are strengthening on the basis of improvement in business confidence evident from industrial growth. The State Bank of Pakistan in

Oil prices rise on fears Suez blockage may last weeks LONDON AGENCIES

Oil prices were up about 2pc on Friday, rebounding on concerns it could take weeks to dislodge a giant container ship blocking the Suez Canal, which would squeeze supplies of crude and refined products.

Prices, however, were still headed for a third consecutive weekly loss, with the outlook for demand dented by fresh coronavirus lockdowns in Europe.

Brent crude rose $1.18, or 1.9pc, to $63.13 a barrel by 1122 GMT, after dropping 3.8pc on Thursday. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $1.25, or 2.1pc, at $59.81 a barrel, having tumbled 4.3pc a day earlier. Both benchmarks were on track for weekly losses, following a more than 6% decline last week.

Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority said on Friday operations to free the stranded container ship would resume after completing dredging operations, which are 87% complete. The salvage company said on Thursday dislodging the ship could take weeks.

its recent monetary policy statement is now projecting higher growth in the fiscal year 2021 compared to its previous anticipation.

The third wave of Covid-19 spell in Pakistan has raised the daily cases to around 3,500 with a 2.2pc death rate. In response, the government has started a ‘smart lockdown’ strategy to ensure the public to observe SOPs strictly will be helpful in the continuation of economic recovery along with decelerating inflationary pressure and preserving the external balance.

"The fiscal performance from July till February shows that the fiscal consolidation policy helped preserve fiscal discipline, increase revenues, and control expenditure," the ministry stated.

Asad Umar says SAPM Nadeem Babar asked to step down over fuel crisis cONtiNueD frOm page 01

Of the 39.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of total seaborne crude in 2020, 1.74 million bpd went through the Suez Canal, according to tanker tracking firm Kpler. Additionally, 1.54 million bpd of refined oil products flow through the canal, about 9pc of global seaborne oil product trade, Kpler said.

Reeling from the blockage in the Suez Canal, shipping rates for oil product tankers have nearly doubled this week, and several vessels were diverted.

The oil markets were also lifted by worries over escalating geopolitical

risk in the Middle East. Yemen’s Houthi forces on Friday said that they launched attacks on facilities owned by Saudi Aramco.

Expectations that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will likely maintain their lower production also supported prices.

Acting a week ahead of the OPEC+ meeting, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has deepened crude oil supply cuts to Asian customers in June to 10pc-15pc from 5pc-15pc in May, several sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here to mention that this announcement comes shortly after Information Minister Shibli Faraz had talked about a possible federal cabinet reshuffle. Information Minister Senator Faraz had told a local news outlet on Friday that PM Imran is likely to replace several ministers and pick up some new faces as he is reportedly not happy with some key ministers’ performance and has already conveyed that only those would stay in the cabinet who can deliver. The information minister said that discussions were still underway as to whose portfolio should be replaced with whom and why.

“Performance is the parameter,” he said, adding that potential was the other factor.

Gillani declared Opp leader in Senate with support of 30 lawmakers cONtiNueD frOm page 01 Addressing a news conference in Lahore on last Sunday, Maryam had made it clear that the opposition leader in Senate will be from her party as it was decided “in principle” at the PDM huddle ahead of elections for chairman and deputy chairman of the upper house.

She had said that when the leaders of the 10-party alliance met at Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s residence, they decided to support Gillani for Senate chairman, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Abdul Ghafoor Haideri for deputy chairman, and a PML-N candidate for the leader of the opposition slots.

“Winning or losing Senate chairman poll was not discussed as a factor for any change in the decision,” she maintained, further reinforcing reports of rifts within the anti-government alliance.

Earlier in the day, Gillani along with the PPP leaders Rubina Khalid and Sherry Rehman had filed the application along with the signatures of a majority of the house members.

The PPP claimed to gain the support of four inde-

pendent senators, namely Senator, Ahmed Khan, Senator Kehda Babar, Senator Naseebullah Bazai and Senator Dilawar Khan.

It is pertinent here to mention that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday while citing Article 69 of the Constitution which bars courts from inquiring into the proceedings of the parliament, had dismissed Gillani’s plea against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani’s election.

The court in its 13-page verdict had said that the petition to declare Senate chairman election results null and void, filed by Farooq H Naek of PPP on behalf of Gillani, is beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

Responding to the verdict, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had stated the polling process at a polling station cannot be described as parliamentary proceedings, adding that the PPP will exercise its legitimate right to go to an elevated forum for seeking justice under the principle that a presiding officer has no right to engineer the polling process and results.

He had said that the PPP believes in parliamentary and constitutional supremacy, admitting that the Con-

stitution bars calling into question the proceedings of the parliament. “However,” he added, “this was not a proceeding of the parliament”.

He termed the so-called theft of Senate chairmanship as a “litmus test” for the democratic system, expressing the fear that such manipulations may occur again in the future.

He had maintained that the PPP candidate Gillani had a legal right to the position of Senate chairman. Bilawal underscored that the PPP had the right to knock on elevated forums and that the theft would not be allowed to stand.

On March 12, the ruling PTI-backed candidates grabbed the top slots of the Senate in a controversial contest. In the polls, incumbent Senate Chairman Sanjrani was re-elected. He defeated Gillani, a joint candidate of the PDM – an opposition parties’ alliance.

98 senators had exercised their right to vote, out of which seven votes – most of which cast in favour of Gillani – were rejected. Sanjrani who had received 48 votes as opposed to 42 votes of Gillani was later declared the winner by the presiding officer.

India’s PM Modi faces big electoral test in Muslim areas India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party are making a serious bid for electoral victories in three states that have sizeable minority Muslim populations.

But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has for years been accused of stoking religious polarisation and discriminating against minorities, and faces stiff challenges in making inroads in the local elections.

Top BJP leaders, including Modi, have been campaigning heavily to win West Bengal and dislodge the state’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, as well as retain power in northeastern Assam and expand the party’s influence in the southern states.

The BJP has soared in Hindu-dominated regions in central and northern India since Modi was elected in 2014. The upcoming state elections are seen as crucial for the party to gain a foothold in the northeast and

south. The prime minister also wants to project the BJP as a national party, replacing a dynastic Congress party that governed India for more than six decades after independence from British rule in 1947.

The run-up to the elections — which begin Saturday and are spread over a month, with results to be declared on May 2 — has been nothing short of dramatic.

In West Bengal, rival groups have attacked each other with sticks and rocks, and even set vehicles on fire. Images of the fiery and determined Banerjee, 66, who’s been addressing massive crowds from a wheelchair after a leg injury, have set the tone for a tough battle.

The elections also come as tens of thousands of farmers have rattled Modi’s government with months long protests on the fringes of the capital, New Delhi. And

India’s economy, which was battered by the pandemic, is still struggling to emerge out of the crisis — another pivotal challenge for Modi, who came into office partly on promises of economic development. Coronavirus cases are surging steadily nationwide, after dropping earlier this year.

Down south, experts say the BJP’s chances remain low. The party is vying for a third spot in Kerala, currently ruled by a Communist Party-led government. And in legislative elections being held in Tamil Nadu in April, both the BJP and main opposition Congress party have allied with powerful regional parties as junior partners.

But in West Bengal and Assam, the BJP is banking on its strong Hindu nationalist ideology to draw votes. The party is trying to galvanise Hindu support by promising to deport hundreds of thousands of

cmYK

Bangladeshi Muslims who fled decades ago to neighbouring West Bengal and Assam. In 2018, Home Minister Amit Shah described them as “termites” eating into India’s resources.

The BJP also enacted a controversial citizenship law in 2019 that provides a fast track to naturalisation for some migrants who entered the country illegally while fleeing religious persecution. But it excludes Muslims, which critics say is discriminatory and a violation of India’s constitution.

Nationwide, Muslims comprise nearly 14 per cent of the 1.4 billion population, while Hindus make up 80pc.

However, across three states that are heading to the polls — Assam, Kerala and West Bengal — Muslims comprise around 30pc of the population. “[The BJP’s] success depends on if it is

able to polarise Hindu votes to a huge extent, and get half of the 70pc of Hindu votes,” said Subir Bhowmik, a political analyst.

The test for Modi is likely to be the toughest in West Bengal, analysts say, where the political discourse has shifted from issues to personalities.

And despite anti-incumbency fatigue against Banerjee, Modi is facing off against one of the state’s most popular figures in history, experts say. She’s been in power for 10 years after unseating more than three decades of Communist Party rule in the state.

In 2016, the BJP made history by winning power in Assam for the first time, ending the Congress party’s 15-year rule there. Observers say the BJP pulled off the win by reiterating its Hindutva message, raising the issue of illegal Muslim immigration from Bangladesh to appeal to Hindu voters. AGENCIES

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

06 COMMENT

The Kashmiris’ indomitable fighting spirit

A new irritant for the PM Return of local governments in Punjab

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Only freedom will serve

He Supreme Court has ordered the restoration of local government institutions in Punjab after declaring their dissolution unconstitutional. The local bodies which were working in the province before being dissolved by the PTI government stand restored and will complete their term in accordance with law.

Under the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the state to encourage local government institutions. The irony is that while military rulers have shown keenness to set up elected local governments, political parties try to delay their elections as long as they can. Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers as well as members of National and Provincial Assemblies are reluctant to hand over locallevel administration and development funds to the elected bodies at the grass roots. This shows why, after being in power for nearly two and a half years, the PTI government has failed to hold local government elections in KP. In Punjab it dissolved the local bodies on May 4, 2019, although the prescribed term of the institutions was until 1 January 2022.

Purely political reasons led to the premature dissolution of the Punjab local bodies as they were mostly dominated by PML(N) supporters who constitute a major bugbear for the PTI leadership. It was concluded by the PTI government that if allowed to function the local bodies would become a source of constant friction with the Punjab government. They would lay claims to appointments to lower level staff in designated departments and to funds allocated for development which are now at the disposal of the lawmakers belonging to the PTI and allied parties.

Days after the dissolution of the local bodies. Mr Khan announced that the action was taken to introduce a better local government system through the new Punjab Local Government Act 2019. The promise to hold the elections within six months was violated and no elections were held for nearly two years for fears that fresh polls might again return mostly pro PML(N) deputies.

The revived local bodies will have a short span of life comprising nine months only. The period would however test the capability of all those collectively educating and guiding CM Usman Buzdar. There is a likelihood meanwhile of political activities picking up pace at the local level. In case this happens, it would further add to the worries of the Punjab government.

Amjed jAAved

A

group of envoys visited the illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir State ostensibly to get a first-hand account of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and government’s efforts to restore normalcy. Srinagar welcomed the envoys with a spontaneous shutdown.

Prior to the visit, political leaders and human-rights activists were detained. The envoys did not visit Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti or any of the other opposition Kashmiri leaders.

The Hindu of February 17 reported ‘The J&K government showcased “deepening democracy” to visiting 24 foreign diplomats, who arrived on a twoday tour of the Union Territory (UT) on Wednesday amid a spontaneous shutdown in Srinagar and alleged detention of recently elected National Conference (NC) district council members in Budgam’.

After abrogation of the special status, India took a number of steps to silence public dissent, including diurnal and nocturnal search operations to hound, kidnap or kill the Kashmiri people, an Internet shutdown, and blatant use of draconian laws against ordinary Kashmiris and their leaders alike. A law was passed to jail parents of stone-pelters., if any. Meanwhile local body elections were held in which the ruling BJP was cut to size. But, India, as reported by The Hindu also, showcased the elections in international media as a proof of popular participation and contentment of the people with the status quo.

The mysterious silence in the Valley during the envoys’ visit speaks volumes on how much the Kash-

Throwing caution to the wind Imran Khan missed an opportunity

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He photograph of Prime Minister Imran Khan meeting the PTI’s spokesmen could not have sent a worse message. Spokesman Faisal Javed, one of the participants in the meeting, took the view that it showed how dedicated Mr Khan was to the public good, and how he was not letting the quarantine, in which he had to go because he had caught the coronavirus, stop him from working for the public benefit. The PTI’s adulation does not seem to take into consideration that the spokesmen were risking infection by their pilgrimage to Mr Khan’s presence. The reason for quarantine is that the person observing it is a danger to others. The subject of the meeting included PML(N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz’s appearance before NAB. There has to be some irony in that appearance being cancelled— because of covid-19 fears.

Mr Khan could have shown by example the importance of quarantine, and how to self-isolate during one. He was photographed getting a dose of the coronavirus vaccine just before testing positive for the virus. Obviously, he is not the best advertisement for vaccines, but he must have been infected even before getting the vaccine, which shows why the vaccine should not be taken as a substitute for the kind of social distancing still needed to combat the coronavirus. Mr Khan seems to be following former US President Donald Trump, who tried to pretend the coronavirus didn’t exist right to the end of his Presidency.

Mr Khan too had found wearing a mask irksome, but ultimately he gave in, and set the kind of example expected from someone heading a government which has put in place numerous SOPs, and which claims that its efforts have not only succeeded, but have won kudos abroad. However, Mr Khan may have undone all of his good work so far by a single meeting. That meeting also exposed his spokesmen, who clearly do not think covid19 is particularly dangerous, not even though positivity rates are hitting new heights, and the number of new infections shows that the disease is out of control. So casual were they that, instead of trying to hide or minimize the meeting, it was actually uploaded on social media.

ZAinAb nAZir

“In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy, and peace.” — Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate

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He fierce urgency of the climate crisis, the spark of neoliberalism, indigent political leadership, and an increasing apprehension of injustice are the holes out of which something new would appear. covid-19 is temporary, environmental insecurity is permanent. Fears of a nuclear holocaust and other forms of violence have long haunted the world and our environment. Only when there is no green life left, the last fish is consumed and there is no water left; man will know that he cannot live by fighting for money.

The reconciliation is that we all need biodiversity. ecosystems worldwide are greatly threatened by human activities, including climate change and the degeneration and disintegration of natural habitats.

Growth of the human population is majorly affecting the environment. The growth in population and the vast trend of urbanization is increasing the habitat destruction. Safe habitat is the first option to preserve biodiversity. environmental security has become a political issue in today’s world which is creating conflict among all regions. This issue ties heavily into the

Editor Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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

The problem can no longer be ignored

Arif Nizami

Managing Editor

vans were not humane enough to stop for a while in the snowy passes to look after the injured porters (or ‘human beasts of burden’). Besides performing the forced labour, the Kashmiri had to pay heavy taxes.

The whole of their produce was confiscated by the Dogra. Little was left for tillers and their children to eat. On every item, the oppressed Kashmiri had to pay multiple taxes. Take shawls. Not only the shawlmakers were taxed, but also the other intermediaries like importers of pashmina (wool) from Ladakh, and storekeepers, whether wholesalers or retailers.

The regressive revenue system resulted in a famine during winter of 1877. People began to die of starvation. Instead of releasing grain stocks from the royal godowns, the maharajah’s constabulary drowned the starved, crying people in the Wullar Lake. A historian writes: “Whole boatloads of starving people have been conveyed by the Maharajah’s officials to the Woolar Lake, and there drowned.”

The reign of terror by Indian forces (now estimated at about 900,000 regulars and security personnel), who replaced the maharajah’s constabulary on 27 October 1947, is no less gruesome. International human-rights organisations, as well as India’s National Human Rights Commission, have brought into limelight the Kashmiris’ mysterious disappearances, their custodial deaths, and countless rapes of hapless Kashmiri women.

Like the Dogra, Indian rulers are mercilessly exploiting Kashmiris’ economic resources. The bulk of the electricity generated there is being diverted to Indian states. The tourism industry is in shambles.

Highly-educated people have no jobs. With no inflow of tourists, the shopkeepers have no business. Unlike the occupied Kashmir, all the socio-economic sectors in Azad Kashmir are progressing by leaps and bounds.

Toynbee’s Challenge and Response Theory suggests that if the challenge is too strong, a nation becomes apathetic. Ibn-e-Khaldoon’s asabiya (spirit of national cohesion) also suggests that a nation’s spirit is likely to be smothered by a challenge which is too heavy. Historical lessons do not apply to the Kashmiris struggle. Neither the Dogra nor the Indians could gag them. The struggle for freedom has continued unabated.

The lesson from Kashmiris’ struggle for freedom is that repression or palliatives like elections in occupied Kashmir are no good. The Kashmiri wants “freedom”. Their group instinct is `resistance’. But they need to learn from peaceful resistance movements like Occupy.

The ecological debate

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

miris hate India. However, it appears the Kashmiris could have shown their ennui through some mode of peaceful protest. They could draw lessons from the Occupy the Wall Street Movement in the USA. Occupy has six letters. A group of six persons mostly celebrities in their fields, stand up at some busy street holding letters O,C, C, U, P, and Y. The Kashmiris also could have displayed the letters in the word `AZADI’ through a group of five persons.

Arnold Toynbee, in his Challenge and Response Theory postulates that if a challenge is too onerous a nation may become apathetic. In similar vein, Ibn-eKhaldun suggests that survival of a tribe (nation) depends on cohesion (asabiya, nationalism) of a tribe faced with life-and-death threat around its frontiers.

Amy Chua (Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations) talks about the static or dynamic response of a society as shaped by group instincts of various components of a society.

Chua challenges the view that the conventional mechanism of demokratia (government by the people) is a panacea for all the problems of a society.

Thus the recently-held local level elections or even `state assembly’ elections in occupied Kashmir are no panacea for the Kashmiris’ simmering discontentment, their revulsion to yoke of Indian rule. Chua, in her afore-quoted book analysed situations in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Venezuela, besides socalled terror tribes, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Chua’s framework would suggest it is naïve to believe that Kashmiris are resigned to their fate. By analogy, even a thousand years of exploitation by a microscopic Chinese population did not subdue the Vietnamese hatred of the Chinese. As soon as the Americans left Vietnam, the native Vietnamese preyed upon the rich Chinese community like a pack of wolves. The Americans plunged into a decade-long futile war with Vietnam without realizing that the Vietnamese were not Chinese stooges.

Indian forces had been using pellet guns to blind the Kashmir. Now, according to former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, they have begun to use even chemical weapons against the Kashmiris.

Let us have a glimpse of the Dogra regime’s reign of terror in Kashmir. To stifle the Kashmiris’ fighting spirit, the regime punished even Kashmiri children who played with slingshots (ghulail) and stones.

Under the Dogra rule, the Kashmiris were treated no better than beasts of burden. Instead of donkeys and horses, Kashmiri Muslims were used to transport goods across Gilgit, Leh and Skardu. They carried luggage on their backs across glaciers as high as 17,000 feet. Thousands of them perished along the way each year owing to frostbite, falls from precipices, and hunger or sickness. The Dogra cara-

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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concept of global security. The relation between environment, issues of security, economic growth and social stability has gained importance since the end of the Cold War. Climate change is amplifying ecological tensions. environmental security is deemed expanding and complex, which exists in both objective and subjective realms. Innovative ecological security crises have been responsible for engulfing the lives of innocent people over time than conventional intrastate military threats, and therefore represent a collateral and arguably more important source of instability and insecurity. In today’s world, climate change is seen as a greater threat exacerbating existing threats to security and increasing environmental stress.

Positive environmental momentum should be maintained with a high functioning economy. The covid-19 pandemic has suffocated the global economy, wiping out everything. It has brought several effects on the environment and ecosystem. The world has seen an unprecedented destruction of habitats. Changes in our lifestyle, changes in how we use our resources, intensification of agriculture and unsustainable trade has all had its effects on our ecosystem. This pandemic has become a new form of global pollution due to the drastically increasing waste products, disinfectants and antiseptic soaps.

The world is changing at a rapid rate. The onetwo punch of environmental change and rampant population growth is already shrinking the world’s limited resources, forcing us to make hard choices about how we use our resources, feed ourselves and power our technology. The climate change is here and it is very much real, because of which the mountains are suffering, forests are becoming red, temperatures are rising, we are expecting water scarcity and power cuts in coming times. With most of the global population in urban cities, some people may be enticed to

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

ignore the security and sustainability threats to our biophysical sphere and to the ecosystems that constitute it. Some may think we can somehow ignore and surpass nature, but we cannot. Despite the wonders of science and technology and the ingenuity that creates it, we humans remain organic, living beings. ecology is a legitimate science. Planet earth would undergo an unfavorable transformation creating a major non-discrete kill off. Our ecological crisis is an unprecedented one.

Preservation and strengthening of environmental security should be top priority for any government. environmental devastation is a worldwide problem. Theft of natural resources, environmental degradation and the resultant climate crisis always threaten ecological, social and economic security at all levels of society which can produce destabilising political systems.

The earth is screaming for its life and is in desperate need of humanity’s help. We cannot afford to simply ignore the distress-call of planet earth and all its inhabitants. To successfully tackle the challenge of ecological stability and security, it is crucially essential that we stand together as a unified human population and act immediately, because the time frame for the deterrence of an unprecedented ecological and environmental catastrophe is shrinking by every passing day. Together we can adopt the measures required to stop the ecological crisis of our planet and precede a new age of morality, unity and responsibility for all life on earth.

Our selfish needs are destroying our mother earth. We should save this beautiful earth. Save our wildlife. Save the forests. Save our environment. We should transform our cities to eco-cities. Despite earth’s countless services for us, we are unable to pay off her kindness to us.

The Earth is screaming for its life and is in desperate need of humanity’s help.

We cannot afford to simply ignore the distress-call of planet Earth and all its inhabitants.

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The writer is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Saturday, 27 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

Honouring oaths

What went wrong with Imran Khan?

Why the gap between promises and performance

ZAfAr AZiZ ChAudhry

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eFORe he entered practical politics, Imran Khan had too many amazing feats to his credit as cricketing sportsman, educationist, philanthropist, social worker, traveller, charismatic personality, and world-renowned figure. In personal attributes, he is extremely honest, very resolute and determined to achieve his object for which he zealously works hard. After founding a political party he zestfully worked hard for over 20 years and suffered many electoral reverses but did not lose heart. At last, in the aftermath ofthe 2018 elections, he gained sufficient strength to get a majority in Parliament and form the government.

Now came the time to set into motion his dreams to eliminate corruption, to ameliorate the lot of the poor man, and to put an end to the decades-old system of political exploitation.

When he took oath of office on 18 August 2018 his immediate challenges included flawed energy policies, a spiraling fiscal deficit, all-pervasive corruption, a grossly inadequate tax-to-GDP ratio, under-investment in education and health sectors, and more. The PTI economic reform programme also envisaged an increase of 9 percent of GDP with a 5 percent increase in tax collection, 2 percent reduction in wasteful expenditure and 2 percent reduction in losses of PSes. This economic agenda projected a growth rate of 6 percent, inflation brought down to 7 percent, fiscal deficit brought down to 4.5 percent, tax revenues raised by 15 percent. These were his ambitious plans and big challenges ahead.

The trouble with Imran Khan is that he is a very good sportsman, but is unfortunately not a good politician. For a good politician, one should have a generous heart and mind, should proceed with a spirit of accommodating one’s political rivals, and give them due weight as long as they do not run counter to one’s own programme, and try to take them along through the thick and thin of their political journey for the common good of their people.

Being a democratically elected leader, Imran Khan must pause for a moment to think why the popular mood across Pakistan has increasingly

turned against him. It is also clear to him that if this mood persists, the time is not very far when people will stand up against the existing order, and will not go away until it is replaced by a more benevolent ruler. Several at-site surveys conducted randomly by the media in markets and streets have already shown faces of masses full of deep anguish and dismay with his governance which is because of the unprecedented price hike of consumer goods, which have skyrocketed and have become out of their reach.

Just as charity begins at home, in the same manner perdition causes cracks at the lowest level.

Riding on the crest of victory soon after the elections, Imran Khan announced that all the sprawling buildings of PM House, Governor’s Houses, and the official residences of Chief Ministers, will be taken away and put to public use, by converting them into universities , hospitals, and public welfare projects. More than two years have passed, but nothing has been heard about the outcome of his first declaration.

That appeared to be a vacuous slogan in celebration of victory.

Later Imran Khan promised his nation that he would create 10 million jobs, and make five million homes, but even after the lapse of over two years indeed, of more than half of his tenure, he has failed to give them a single job or home . Instead he has created more instability and many millions of people have been laid off due to the economic instability.

He declared with a flourish that he would rather commit suicide than go asking other nations for aid; but later he went to every single country with the same begging bowl in his hand and yet could not muster the requisite funding as had been expected by him.

The present state of economy under his rule presents a dismal picture. Inflation is at an alltime high; similarly, unemployment is at the highest level. The cost of living has gone so high that even people of moderate means cannot afford the essential commodities of daily use. The prices of oil, gas and electricity have registered an increase which are difficult for an average consumer to meet. The increase in the prices of consumer goods is even more alarming because it badly affects the common man, who is the backbone of the society. The leaders of PTI have no answer for this lacklustre performance except to say they had inherited a bad economy. The present economic indicators, compared to Pre-

PTI rule, even belie this claim. A few days ago, Imran Khan had to confess his slow progress, but added that his government will now attend to the more fundamental issues, which too, due to the paucity of time at his disposal, appears to be a tall claim. Many structural reforms, like of the energy sector, revenue collection and human capital development, are hard to achieve in the remaining time of his tenure.

Politically, Imran Khan in all his speeches and interviews has lambasted the opposition leaders as ‘dacoits’ and ‘thieves’ who looted the wealth of this country and stacked their assets in foreign countries. This allegation may be true, but it’s excessive repetition by the PM (especially when dealing with the corrupt is exclusively the responsibility of the NAB, an independent forum, with which the PM has got nothing to do) is likely to cast an aspersion on the integrity and impartiality of the PM, vis-a-vis NAB. Moreover the assertion of Imran Khan that he will force them to disgorge their hidden wealth, and by so doing put Pakistan on the road to progress, is another example of his political naivety. So far no remarkable recovery has been effected from any politician which has even a remote chance of making Pakistan economically better off. As a Prime Minister, he must know that calling someone ‘corrupt’ in public without a judicial decree by a court of law is itself reprehensible and also criminally liable to action.

There are some cogent explanations for these failures which one cannot deny. Imran Khan indeed inherited a bad economy with enormously heavy debts, which no government in the past tried to minimize.

Amongst the factors which have influenced the price hike are the rapid growth of population, rising non-development expenditure of the government, inadequacy of agricultural and industrial outputs and mounting imports.

To give some relief to the very poor sections, he launched “ehsas” programme which disbursed cash help to 12 million families on the lines of Benazir Income Support Programme.

Imran Khan initially vowed not to get any foreign loan, but failed to get help of friendly countries and was thus led to seek help from the IMF to secure a loan of $6 billion, to help resuscitate the country’s ailing economy. But most of the demolition work was done by COVID-19.

The assertion of Imran Khan that he will force them to disgorge their hidden wealth, and by so doing put Pakistan on the road to progress, is another example of his political naivety. So far no remarkable recovery has been effected from any politician which has even a remote chance of making Pakistan economically better off

The writer is a former member of the provincial civil service and can be contacted at zafar.aziz.ch@gmail.com.

THeRe are numerous Hadiths which signify the sanctity of an oath taken publicly and voluntarily, which can be renounced only under rare circumstances, if there is danger to life of self or family, or quoting Abu Huraira “whosoever swears an oath of obedience to God, should remain obedient to Him, and whoever swears an oath of disobedience to God, should not disobey him”. Quaid-e-Azam in his 14 June 1948 address at Quetta, emphasized upon the significance of the oath, its legal implications and bindings, and the responsibilities it places on the person who pledges an oath. The recitation of the Kalema is basically an oath which any individual if he recites voluntarily and willingly, enables them to enter the fold of Islam. By reciting the Kalema an individual pledges belief in one Almighty Allah SWT, as master of the universe, and that Muhammad PBUH is his last messenger. Any doubts, automatically expels the individual from Islam in the eyes of Almighty Allah SWT. The State has no role to perform, except to cater for the welfare of all citizens. It is obligatory on the state to provide justice, equal opportunities to all lawabiding citizens, without any fear or favor, irrespective of his caste, creed, sex or ethnicity. Unfortunately, the ease and frequency with which, the oath to protect the Constitution and Rule of Laws, has been violated is shocking for a country with Muslim majority population. In other countries where there is constitutional democracy such as in the USA, when former President Trump wanted the army to impose some sort of martial law, Gen Willey refused and in a rare statement stated that the armed forces have taken an oath to protect the constitution. Quaid-e-Azam promised that Pakistan would be a modern democratic welfare state, with justice and equality before law for all citizens. Unfortunately, those at helm after MAJ’s sad demise have betrayed Father of Nation and the country suffered many humiliations and tragedies such as the 1971 debacle, and yet no lessons have been learned.

Malik Tariq ali lahorE

Why just schools?

AS today’s meeting of all provincial education ministers held decision of re-closing the educational institutions across the country.Different parts of provinces around the country closed schools on 15 march of this month and remaining ones remain reclosed from today.As it is already known that the first and second seasons of covid damaged the education system across the country but once again Govt taken the same decision.However the gatherings of thousand people are allowed in rush places across the country and only one hundred students are banned in schools and other institutions.This is representing the enmity with education and injustice with overall students.Govt has to root-out the coronaviruse not education.As saveral students have gave-up their studies due to the covid vacations during of per year from different areas of country specially the Balochistan students. I humbly request the Govt to take the decision back regard the re-closing of schools which may not harm more the education system of country. alTaf adaM awaran

Mobile snatching KARACHI is no new to mobile snatching. There has been a surge in mobile snatching in Karachi in the last few weeks; one has to think what’s the reason behind it. With upcoming Ramadan followed by eid, prices are increasing. People from stable financial backgrounds are set amid this COVID-19 economic crises, but people from low-income backgrounds are looking for ways to meet their ends and feed their families. Unfortunately, many people resort to snatching or illegal ways to earn money to fulfil their family’s needs. The lives of the Karachites are at stake because these thieves shoot the person to death who tries to resist their precious belongings. As the holiest month of the year approaches, the unholiest practices have started taking place. The rate at which snatching and mugging occur is inversely proportional to the number of days left in Ramadan. To tackle this growing issue, the concerned authorities should look into this matter immediately.

Moreover, the government should make the basic commodities of life easily accessible and affordable for everyone so that people from low-income backgrounds don’t resort to illicit ways to fulfil their family’s necessities.

Vania ali karachi

The overlooked disease A medical illness, caused due to stress, Barriers in communication and bad experiences, that can affect your Mindset negatively. We know this disease as depression. Around 2-6% of the world's population is facing depression.

But unfortunately, In Pakistan, this serious illness is not even a health issue.

During the covid-19 pandemic, The lockdown has affected the minds of many. More over, during this situation, We got to see the bright side of Pakistan. Many organizations offered their help to individuals suffering From depression.

People should be aware Of depression and acknowledge it as a disease as their own kid might be a victim of this disease too.

YaMEEna JaVEd karachi

Humanity is dead ReCeNTLY I saw the news of a girl being locked in the guard room because her school fee was due.Is it humanity? How could the staff of the school can do such inhuman act? I often saw such private schools in which these pathetic acts are practised.It is the matter of the school and parents if fee is not paid,the student has nothing to do with that.The student’s fee was not paid so the school staff locked up her in the guard room as punishment.

Is this okay? Where is the government? Is there anybody who can ask about this pathetic act? hiba Shazad karachi

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

BIden must end the AfghAnIstAn wAr On mAy 1

19ForTyFive group

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daniel davis

ORMER National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster wrote on Monday that President Joe Biden should not withdraw from Afghanistan by May 1, as the deal negotiated by the Trump Administration in february 2020 requires. The arguments McMaster provides to justify the continuation of the war, however, ironically do more to support a decision for withdrawal.

As many advocates of forever-war do, McMaster provides skewed representations

of the arguments for full withdrawal. In a Monday editorial for fox News opinion, McMaster inaccurately accused those who advocate for a full withdrawal of basing their policies on a belief that “the Taliban has become less murderous and is disconnected from other terrorist organizations.”

No credible advocate for keeping to the May 1 withdrawal schedule has so much as implied the Taliban are “less murderous” and have often expressly stated – as I have – that we should in no way trust our security to the word of the Taliban that they won’t work with other terrorist organizations in the future. The argument that we do make, is this: Continuing to fight a perpetually failing war is unnecessary, costly, and counterproductive for our national security. We will continue to keep America safe from terrorist attacks with our global intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance network and powerful ability to strike direct threats to our security (known as “ISR-Strike”), no matter where in the world such threats arise.

What I personally observed from traveling thousands of miles within Afghanistan, especially during my second combat deployment there in 2010-11, is that having a mere

More queries than answers in Mehta’s case

Tribune, india

O

Yogendra Yadav

UR collective reaction to Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s ouster from Ashoka University is disappointing for more than one reason. A short-lived outrage in a small circle seems to have given way to a quiet acquiescence. Professor Arvind Subramanian’s response was exemplary in its timing and messaging, not the least because he cannot be dubbed as anti-government. The statements by the faculty and the student body showed more courage than you would expect in a private university. Add to that statements by academics based abroad and a few editorials, and that’s all we have by way of response to this defining moment in the shrinking academic space in India. The contrast with the nation-wide reaction to attempts to silence lawyer Prashant Bhushan tells a story. It is hard to avoid the impression that envy may have diluted our moral sensibility. Apparently, a famous academic, an elite private university and its rich patrons do not stir our public conscience.

Even more disappointing is the nature of our response. It is a sign of the times we live in that we ask every question except the one that needs to be asked. We ask tough and valid questions of the founders and trustees, but with an emphasis that seems misplaced. We ask questions about the elite nature of Ashoka University, its faculty and students, without appreciating that these are beside the point here. This occasion has been used by some to take potshots at Mehta as a public intellectual. All these leave us with little energy to pose a question to those who orchestrated it all, those who arm-twisted the university, those who cannot take any expression of dissent. The one-who-cannot-be-named remains untouched.

WHAT PRATAP’S WRITINGS DID: Let us begin by asking a simple question: Why is this government so nervous about a highbrow political scientist? After all, Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes only in English, much to the disappointment of friends like me. He does not appear on TV despite incessant requests. And he keeps away from any political party, movement or ground ac-

HE IS A SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO THE HIDDEN HAND THAT SHAPES THE POLICIES AND POLITICS TODAY. HENCE, THE NEED TO SILENCE HIM tion of any kind. So, why should the government bother about him? It can’t be just the erudition and scholarship that backs his intellectual criticism of the ruling ideology. His writings cover an astonishingly vast range of fields: moral philosophy, jurisprudence, political institutions, foreign policy, national security and political economy, to name a few. He is among the few Indian intellectuals who have learnt something, other than accent and mannerism, from their stint at elite universities abroad while retaining cultural self-confidence.

His intellectual fearlessness is not reserved for this government. He has the courage to question his dear friends, publicly. His views on caste and reservations annoy most of my friends. He and I have publicly disagreed on this.

But I see his willingness to take a position on this issue as a mark of his intellectual courage. But, to be fair to the ruling dispensation, it simply does not have the intellectual equipment to be perturbed by these qualities of Pratap.

The heart of the matter is his criticism of the policies, politics and the personality of the current government, including that of the Supreme Leader.

He is not one of those virulent and nagging Narendra Modi-critics who are a pain in the neck every morning. Pratap is sharp but subtle. He questions their ideology, but you cannot put him in an ideological box. He chronicles the decline and fall of our institutions without falling back on ready-made descriptions. He takes apart the Modi government’s nationalist claims by clinically examining issues of national security.

And Pratap exposes the PM, after giving him the maximum benefit of doubt, not just for his ideology, but for his sheer incompetence. That must hurt.

Pratap Bhanu Mehta is not one of those deracinated Left-secular critics the Modi government would not mind. He understands, decodes and lays bare the architecture of New India. He is a serious challenge to the hidden hand that shapes the policies and politics today.

Hence, the need to silence him.

IN A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY: This relates to the question about the institution: Why should we be bothered about

handful of troops on the ground in Afghanistan in no way “prevents” the Taliban from doing anything. What does keep us safe, right now, is our ISR-Strike capability.

McMaster argues, after 20 years of failed war, that the Biden Administration should engage in a new, “sustainable long-term strategy based on what the situation demands and what the American people will support rather than wishful thinking.” Yet, after correctly eschewing “wishful thinking” as a basis for strategy, he argues for something nearly the epitome of wishful thinking: predicating his plan’s chances of success on convincing “reconcilable elements of the Taliban that they cannot prevail through the use of force.”

On the surface that would seem a curiously un-realistic objective upon which to base ultimate success, especially given that the Taliban is in its strongest position since 2001. We don’t have to waste yet more years to find out whether that objective would work or not, however, as it’s already been tried – and proved to have utterly failed.

In 2009, Ashley J. Tellis, the Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote an analysis of a then-emerging idea of how the war might

the happenings inside a private university? This incident has triggered many dissents that have interrogated the ‘liberal’ self-image of the university. There is no doubt about its elite character, and not just in intellectual terms. Most of these private universities are sites of caste and class privilege. Middle-class parents would have to dip into their life savings to afford this education. (Disclosure: the author belongs to this category of parents.) No doubt, the impressive faculty that the university has managed is often at the cost of public universities. There is something odd about teaching liberal values, justice and fairness in such an island of power and privilege. No doubt, the university’s liberal self-image has taken a beating. Yet, these critics forget that in this instance, their argument cuts the other way.

Pratap’s exit is significant precisely because it happened in an institution that did not depend upon the government for grants, precisely because it is secured by power and privilege. If such an institution cannot protect its bestknown face, what would be the fate of any other academic?

A SILENT ACCEPTANCE: finally, the question about the surrender by the trustees: Why did the independent and philanthropic founders of a university give in to the powers that be? We do not yet know if the trustees “crawled when asked to bend” as Ramachandra Guha put it. Maybe they just bent when asked to bend, or were ordered to crawl. We do not know whether the government used a carrot or a stick, or both, whether it was big or small. But we do know that Ashoka University draws more on genuine private philanthropy than most teaching shops that pass off as private universities in India. We also know that its founders and trustees include a wide range of new-tech entrepreneurs not beholden to any regime. Logically, therefore, it must have fewer skeletons to hide and be less fearful of the government. Was this a meek surrender? Or was the pressure from the top just too much for any institution to take? We may never know the full answer. But we do know that when this set of patrons can be arm-twisted into pushing someone like Mehta to quit, the message for every other academic is loud and clear. As they say in Hindi: Tum kis khet ki mooli ho?

That is the real silence in this debate. We have flogged the messenger, perhaps rightly so, but no one speaks about the author of this message. Not because anyone is in doubt about who the author is, or about the content and the intent of this message. The reality is too familiar, frightening and boring. So, we pick soft targets, we discuss inanities, but we do not talk about the elephant in the room. That has already become furniture. We start treating the nature of political power as a fact of nature. That is how we become complicit in the suppression of our liberties.

The attempt to send a message by silencing Prashant Bhushan did not succeed. Will this attempt to send a message via Pratap Bhanu Mehta succeed?

That is the question we must ask.

come to an end. “Reconciling with the Taliban is a deceptively beguiling strategy for pacifying Afghanistan,” he wrote, “and one that is doomed to fail presently.” Even trying to reconcile, he darkly warned, “could lead to a perverse set of consequences” in which a “Western defeat was imminent.” His words proved prescient.

The next year, NATO ignored Tellis’ warnings and established the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP), which sought to reconcile the Taliban and the government. The program ran for six years before it was disbanded.

In 2019 the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) published an assessment of the APRP which concluded that, “U.S. and Afghan governments and the UN have all acknowledged that APRP was largely ineffective and possibly counterproductive.” Advocating an extension of the war into literal perpetuity on the basis of hope that re-trying a strategy that failed over six years will somehow work this time is not a basis for sound policy.

What is optimal policy – given the realities on the ground in Afghanistan – is to stick to the May 1 withdrawal date. Bonnie

Kristian, writing in USA Today on Tuesday, warns that abrogating the deal could allow the Taliban to, “justify more violence, chaos and perhaps even total rejection of diplomacy.” If the U.S. and Taliban start openly fighting each other again, the risk increases greatly that the war will expand in the coming months, not come to a close.

In that case, Kristian added, it would be “no exaggeration to say canceling this deadline could lead to a U.S. presence in Afghanistan essentially unchanged (or even expanded) by the end of Biden’s term.”

That’s a risk Biden and the United States simply cannot take.

We are at the 20-year mark of combat failure precisely because none of the previous three presidents would acknowledge the unpleasant realities on the ground that the war can never be won. If Biden doesn’t want to hand the same problem off to the next president, he must show the courage and resolution none of his predecessors did and end the war, on schedule, on May 1.

Daniel L. Davis is a Senior Fellow for Defense Priorities and a former Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army.

The world’s electric cars are leaving Australia for dust BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY AND JAPAN WILL BAN SALES OF COMBUSTION ENGINES BETWEEN 2025 AND 2030, CALIFORNIA BY 2035 Sydney Morning Herald

I

John hewson

f you ask Scott Morrison about electric vehicles he throws poor, and inaccurate, marketing lines at you, such as they will “end the weekend”, they “won’t tow your trailer – it’s not going to tow your boat”, as he did when former Labor leader Bill Shorten backed fairly modest objectives concerning the electrification of our vehicle fleet in the run-up to the last election.

Our nation drifts further and further behind the world on electric vehicles, or as Volkswagen puts it, Australia is becoming “an automotive Third World”. Specifically, we continue to lag on Euro 5 global emissions standards, with no intention of meeting Euro 6 until at least 2027, having delayed a reconsideration of our fuel standards until then. We persist with some of the dirtiest fuel in the OECD, with sulphur content some 15 times the European standard.

The reality is that a Euro 6 vehicle wouldn’t get far from the showroom using our dirty petrol, particulate emissions from which kill many more people than the road toll each year. Rather than encouraging the take-up of electric vehicles, two of our state governments want to tax them.

Hence, while VW wants to import its electric vehicles to Australia, as do others, the German carmaker’s spokesman says Austrralia’s “regulatory backwardness makes it almost impossible to make a case to the factories for prioritisation … first World markets – where there are significant penalties for failing to meet emissions targets – will naturally be the first in line for zero-emissions vehicles.”

Even when Morrison drove a Volvo fL Electric truck at the company’s Queensland manufacturing plant recently – the first to arrive in Australia, to be trialled by Linfox next month – the PM’s media comments were not distributed by his overly protective office. Volvo simply reported that Morrison had declared: “We make things in Australia and we make them well.” Certainly, there was no hint of an EV policy.

Although the Morrison government claims to have a strategy in relation to electric vehicles, it has ruled out targets and subsidies for take-up of EVs, arguing they are not value for money in emissions reductions; it has renewed the petroldriven Commonwealth car fleet. It says it will encourage businesses that want to include more low-emissions cars in their fleets and it commits to install EV charging stations where needed and to shore up the grid to cope with recharging.

Norway, meanwhile, leads the world in EV ownership. Its EV sales were 54 per cent of its market last year, reflecting the waiving of sales tax, import tariffs and registration fees and tolls.

The US, Germany france, Italy, Britain and Japan have incentives worth about $10,000 for EV purchases. There have also been substantial financial

commitments to public-private charging points, and to facilitate the transition to low-emissions vehicles. Britain, france, Germany and Japan will ban sales of combustion engines between 2025 and 2030, California by 2035.

Britain, as host for the COP26 climate summit later this year, initiated last November a new Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council made up of ministers and representatives from California, Canada, Denmark, EU, france, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands Norway, Spain, South Korea, Sweden and Britain to “enable the transition to be faster, cheaper, and easier for all”, decisions “critical for laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive (global) growth”.

Most recently, US President Joe Biden has made substantial commitments to an EV strategy, resulting almost immediately in decisive action from the two largest US manufacturers, GM and ford. Biden’s commitments include: electrifying the whole government fleet – some 650,000 vehicles – and increased consumer incentives, more ambitious fuel economy standards, manufacturing incentives, all US-built buses to be electric by 2030, investment in battery research, and zeroemissions public transport options in all cities with 100,000 or more residents.

GM led the industry response. It included Will ferrell’s Super Bowl ad, lamenting that that the US lags in the race to electrify but, in a playful shot at Norway, promising: “We’re going to crush those lugers [sounding like losers].” GM’s commitments include that 40 per cent of US models will be electric by 2025; it would stop selling fossil-fuel vehicles by 2035 and be carbon-neutral by 2040. ford’s rollout has been slower in the US, now focusing on an electric Mustang (to rival Tesla) and a pickup truck launch next year. It has committed to making its whole European passenger line-up electric by 2030, and expects two-thirds of its total commercial vehicle sales to be electric or hybrids by 2030. China has invested heavily in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. The International Energy Agency estimates 47 per cent of EVs globally are in China. The likes of the now Chinese-owned Volvo have committed to substantial electrification by early 2020s.

All this will drive intense competition to produce affordable EVs, ultimately ensuring the global electrification of transport. Share markets anticipate this, valuing Tesla at more than the total of all other listed car manufactures, even with its relatively low output. Remember, it took only 10 years, from 1903 to 1913, for the US to transition from horse-drawn to petrol-driven vehicles, a period of slower adaptation. Scott Morrison is costing our nation control of its future. Watch for the EU and British carbon border taxes to drive home the point.

John Hewson is a professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, and a former Liberal opposition leader.

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD China keen to invest in food processing, embroidery sectors: PCJCCI LAHORE STAFF REPORT

China is keen to invest in the food processing area, besides joint ventures in clothing, dyeing and embroidery sectors, said Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President SM Naveed on Friday. Naveed said this while addressing the PCJCCI think tank which included Senior Vice President Daud Ahmed and executive committee members Khalid Raffique Chaudhry and Salahuddin Hanif. Naveed said that the potential market of Pakistani food and clothing with Chinese assistance will enhance competitiveness and will add value to the existing standards of production.

“Joint ventures of both countries will prove to be momentous in increasing mutual conviction, cooperation, and regional connectivity between China and Pakistan.” He mentioned that Pakistan ranked in the world top 10 in terms of food production but due to lack of technology and post-harvest losses, it is unable to expand its exports base of food items. He said that the transformation of food processing technology from China to Pakistan would bring a remarkable shift in expanding export base by reducing cost and introducing state of the art features. Daud Ahmed said that there are vast prospects in developing some important areas that are currently functioning at small scale with diminutive expertise and technology.

Such areas include, fruit processing, spices, marine foods, clothing, wood working, re modified vehicles, automotive spare parts, power tools, medical equipment and condiments. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI, said that PCJCCI will arrange visits of Chinese delegations in different food processing units including relating to herbal health products, food and horticulture processing. He affirmed that Chinese people had keen interest in food and herbal products of Pakistan. “We will send samples of these products for the purpose of marketing them in China. There is enormous scope for joint ventures in amalgamated Chinese eastern medicine system with Pakistani expertise,” he said. The think tank also discussed the new prospects for establishing processing units for fresh foods including vegetable preservation, dehydration, and life enduring plants of fruits and vegetables.

Punjab tightens noose around travel agencies A day after promulgating two ordinances related to food security in the province, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has promulgated two more ordinances, including the Punjab Travel Agencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2011, and the Punjab Museum Board Ordinance. A spokesman of the tourism and archaeology department, while providing details, said that word ‘Punjab’ has been substituted for ‘Pakistan’ in Punjab Travel Agencies (Amendment) Ordinance and the posts of the controller and deputy controller have been created to deal with travel agencies. He said that travel agencies with up to five years expired licences could get them renewed and the controller would be authorised to seal defaulter travel agencies lacking licence or fee.

The spokesman stated that the controller or inspector could inspect travel agencies in office timing, and agencies will be bound to provide business guarantee through a scheduled bank. According to the ordinance, a fine of up to Rs100,000 and up to Rs200,000 will be imposed on the first and second violation of the law and the controller office is also authorised to seal the travel agency. Meanwhile, Punjab Museum Board will be established under the second ordinance and the CEO and chairman will also be appointed under this ordinance. This board will be authorised to formulate policies about the archaeology sector while CM Punjab will be empowered to appoint the chairman of the museum board. NEWS DESK

CRBC stREssEs aggREssIvE maRkEtIng stRatEgy foR RashakaI sEZ ISLAMABAD

a

GhuLAM AbbAS

delegation of China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC), led by its Vice President Sun Yaoguo, met Board of Investment Chairman Atif Bokhari on Friday to review development progress and marketing plans for Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The CRBC chief informed that development work on Rashakai SEZ is being carried out at a fast pace, with respective teams already mobilised. He stressed aggressive marketing of the SEZ for its speedy occupation and operationalization.

Sun Yaoguo said due to high standard of services combined with attractive incentives offered by the government, Rashakai has the potential to become a regional hub of economic activity. "Rashakai SEZ is the flagship project of CPEC and its success will further strengthen industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China," he added.

SUPPLY OF 30MMFCD GAS, CONSTRUCTION OF 160MW TRANSMISSION LINE UNDERWAY AT RASHAKAI SEZ Speaking on the occasion, BoI chief Atif Bokhari welcomed the delegation and praised CRBC’s impressive work in the Rashakai SEZ. He concurred with Sun Yaoguo for the perusal of an aggressive marketing campaign that effectively highlights the monetary benefits for investors. In this regard, Bokhari apprised the delegation about approval of two major incentives for SEZs i.e. customs duty exemption on capital goods and elimination of 1.5pc turnover tax.

He also shared that domestic companies have shown keen interest in setting up enterprises in the Rashakai SEZ and desired that this should also be looked into.

Both sides discussed the interest of Chinese enterprises in Rashakai.

Bokhari agreed to a suggestion from CRBC to effectively communicate with the Chinese business community incen-

tives and sectors for investment, saying that he would be part of a webinar on the issue.

On CRBC’s mega project in Karachi, Sun Yaoguo said that development of Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone, in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, will transform Karachi into an economic hub, while simultaneously generating employment opportunities for millions and bringing in sizable FDI. Meanwhile, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar chaired a separate meeting to review the development of Rashakai SEZ on Friday. CPEC Authority chairman, representatives from KP BOI and senior officials of federal & provincial governments was also present on the occasion.

As per officials, the meeting was ap-

prised of the progress on the SEZ, especially regarding supply of gas and electricity. It was informed that 10MW electricity is available for Rashakai SEZ while the transmission line for another 160MW is under construction and will be completed by November 2021. A further addition is also planned for 2022.

SNGPL representatives informed that work on supply of 30MMCFD gas to Rashakai SEZ is underway and scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

A representative of developers stated that the first unit of a steel plant was under construction and would be soon importing its plant and machinery.

"In the first phase, they plan to set up their first unit with an investment of $79 million to produce 500,000 tonnes of rebar/construction steel, whereas in the second phase, they intend to set up their second unit for production of industrial steel with an investment of $77 million and the total investment for three phases would be $42.2 million," he added.

MARKET DAILY

Bears return to PSX as KSE-100 loses 204 points KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Bears dominated Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index failing to sustain early gains, plunging nearly 300 points intraday.

Global equity markets, on the other hand, showed a positive trend, whereas crude oil prices also moved north from the previous close; WTI crude price appreciating 2.85pc to $60.24, while Brent crude oil price rising 2.58pc to $63.55 (as at 4:54pm PST).

"Last day of the rollover week saw the market turning negative. Confirmation of amendments to the income tax ordinance (withdrawal of Rs140 billion tax exemptions) had a bearing on steel, cement, fertilizer, O&GMCs, whereas banking sector stocks also went down due to overall selling pressure," a report issued by Arif Habib Ltd read.

SUMMARY: The benchmark KSE-100 Index moved in a narrow range today, registering its intraday high at 45,757.56 (+31.40 points) and low at 45,436.91 (-289.25 points). It settled lower by 204.54 points at 45,521.63.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index dropped 465.01 points to end at 74,401.43, while the KSE All Share Index lost 129.71 points, closing at 31,054.89.

The overall market volumes appreciated from 470.38 million shares on Thursday to 528.41 million shares (+12pc). Average traded value, on the contrary, declined 3pc, from $167 million to $162.9 million. Byco Petroleum Pakistan Ltd (BYCO +4.91pc), Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL +7.22pc) and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTC +0.30pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 83.19 million, 56.41 million and 39.61 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that dragged the benchmark index lower included banking (-91.08 points), cement (-71.01 points) and oil & gas exploration (-45.61 points).

Among the companies, Habib Bank Ltd (HBL 53.39 points), Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd (PSO -27.21 points) and Bank AL Habib Ltd (BAHL -24.78 points) dented the index the most.

Shedding 1.41pc from its cumulative market capitalization, the cement sector ended as the session's worst performer, with Lucky Cement Ltd (LUCK -0.87pc), Bestway Cement Ltd (BWCL 1.27pc) and DG Khan Cement Company Ltd (DGKC 2.02pc) closing in the negative.

Meanwhile, in a notification to the exchange, Avanceon Ltd (AVN -0.64pc) informed that it has signed a new three-year licence agreement with Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS), which is part of the Dover Corporation. The company will provide DFS wetstock management services in Pakistan.

ECC approves Rs1bn for Covid-19 advertisements The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a Rs1 billion technical supplementary grant to launch advertising campaigns to raise awareness among people amid the third wave of Covid-19.

According to a statement issued on Friday, the ECC meeting, chaired by Finance and Revenue Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, considered and approved a summary moved by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) regarding a Rs1 billion TSG to launch advertisement campaign to sentsitise masses on the third wave of Covid-19. NEWS DESK

Rupee ascend continues as dollar slips to one-year low KARACHI TLTP

LAHORE: Petrol being sold illegally in the outskirts of the provincial capital. The government in January had claimed to have sealed 1,556 illegal fuel stations as part of a countrywide crackdown against sale of smuggled petroleum products. ZubAiR MEhFOOZ

Pakistani Rupee continued its winning streak against the US Dollar, appreciating another 42 paisas (+0.27pc) in the interbank on Friday. This is the highest level of Pakistani Rupee against the greenback since March 9, 2020. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the US Dollar opened at Rs155.01 and closed at Rs154.59 on Friday. The rupee has gained Rs1.38 against the greenback this week, while it has gained Rs4.49 against the dollar since February 19. As per currency experts, the market remained positive due to approval of foreign funding for Pakistan. The World Bank on Friday announced $1.3 billion for Pakistan, while on March 24, the International Monetary Fund had approved $500 million for Pakistan under the EFF loan programme.

ICCI seeks withdrawal of amended tax laws to avoid economic collapse ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has called upon the government to withdraw amendments to tax laws introduced through an ordinance to meet the conditions of International Monetary Fund (IMF) "as it would prove to be a fatal blow to businesses and investment and may cause a collapse in the overall economy".

ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan noted that amendments to tax laws envisaged withdrawal of tax exemptions of Rs140

billion from various sectors, besides imposition of fine of Rs5,000 on shop owners for not displaying NTN or business cards and another fine of Rs5,000 for not filing of tax returns or wealth statements. He said that these amendments have created a lot of concerns in the business community as they would give more powers to FBR officers and create an environment of harassment for the business community.

He said that at the one hand, the prime minister is focusing on elimination of direct interaction between taxpayers and tax collectors through promotion of automation in

FBR systems, but on the other hand, bureaucracy is introducing amendments in tax laws that would thwart the vision and intentions of the PM for policy reforms in FBR. Khan further said that the prime minister had announced an attractive package for the construction industry due to which mega construction projects have started across the country. However, now the government has unilaterally registered all tax returns-filing real estate dealers as Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions (DNFBPs) under pressure from FATF requirements and directed them to provide

CMYK

full details of their clients and property transactions by completing a four-page questionnaire within 7 days.

He said that this move would discourage new investment in the construction sector and kill the construction package of the prime minister. He urged that such anti-business and anti-investment measures should be withdrawn to save the economy from plunging into deep troubles.

The ICCI president said that the government is preparing to put an additional burden of more than Rs700 billion on the power consumers by granting more autonomy to

NEPRA. He said that such autonomy to NEPRA would make energy costs unviable for businesses and industries as a result of which a large number of businesses and industries would face closure.

Therefore, he emphasised that the government should withdraw this move in the larger national interest. He said that the business community was the main stakeholder of the economy and the government should make all important economic decisions after thorough consultation with them so that the business sector could be saved from their negative impact.

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

China sanCTions UK poliTiCians For Xinjiang 'liEs' BEIJING

C

Agencies

HINA imposed sanctions on nine Britons including lawmakers in the governing Conservative party for spreading what it said were “lies and disinformation” about alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, prompting a sharp rebuke from London.

Relations between China and the West are souring fast, particularly as Beijing pushes back hard against sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain and Canada for what they say are rights violations against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.

China sanctioned four entities and nine individuals, including lawmakers such as former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, and the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, that “maliciously spread lies and disinformation”.

Targeted individuals and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering Chinese territory, the Chinese foreign ministry said, adding that Chinese citizens and institutions will be prohibited from doing business with them.

Britain condemned the move as an attempt by Beijing to stifle criticism, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying he stood in solidarity with those affected and foreign minister Dominic Raab saying he would summon China’s ambassador in London.

Those sanctioned “are performing a vital role shining a light on the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against Uyghur Muslims,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.

Lawmaker Duncan Smith said he wore the sanctions as a “badge of honour”.

This month Britain published a review of foreign policy which set out its ambitions to gain more influence in the Indo-Pacific region as a way to moderate China’s growing global power, but acknowledged that it must work with Beijing on trade and global issues like climate change.

British luxury fashion brand Burberry has in recent days been hit by a Chinese backlash over Western accusations of abuses in Xinjiang.

“China is firmly determined to safeguard its national

Train collision kills 32 people, injures dozens in Egypt: ministry CAIRO Agencies

At least 32 people were killed and 91 injured when two trains collided in central Egypt on Friday, health ministry officials said. “Unknown individuals” triggered the emergency brakes on one of the trains causing it to stop, the rail authority said. The second train, which was travelling in the same direction, crashed into the first from behind, it added.

Pictures showed train carriages derailed, several of them badly damaged, above a channel of water, as crowds looked on. The public prosecutor’s office said it had ordered an investigation into the crash which took place close to the Nile-side town of Tahta, about 365 km (230 miles) south of Cairo. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi mourned the victims of the crash in a statement posted on his official social media and said those responsible would be punished. Sisi also told Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to head to the site of the crash with the ministers of health and social solidarity, state television reported. The health ministry said 32 people had died and dozens of ambulances were taking casualties to local hospitals. A health ministry spokesman said 91 people were injured.

Egypt has one of the oldest and largest rail networks in the region and accidents involving casualties are common. In the country’s worst train disaster, a fire tore through seven carriages of an overcrowded passenger train in 2002, killing at least 360 people.

sovereignty, security and development interests, and warns the UK side not to go further down the wrong path,” the Chinese ministry said. “Otherwise, China will resolutely make further reactions.”

London and Beijing have been trading angry words over a range of issues including China’s reforms in former British colony Hong Kong and China’s trade policy.

Activists and UN rights experts say at least a million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. The activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations.

China has repeatedly denied all accusations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

Indian farmers squat on railway tracks to mark four months of protests NEW DELHI Agencies

Dozens of farmers squatted on railway tracks in northern India on Friday, disrupting traffic to mark four months of a campaign against the opening up of agriculture produce markets to private players.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been camped on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi since last year, saying new farm laws enacted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government will leave them at the mercy of big corporations.

Farm unions called for a 12-hour nationwide shutdown to keep up the pressure on the Modi government which says the reforms will help farmers realise better prices for their produce and bring investment.

“Four months ago, this day, farmers came to the borders of Delhi with their demands. But this government isn’t listening to the farmers,” said union leader Gurinder Singh Pannu “This protest will continue,” he added.

Across the northern states of Haryana and Punjab, protesters blocked railway tracks at 32 loca-

tions, leading to the cancellation of at least four passenger trains.

“Around 30 trains are held up,” Deepak Kumar, an Indian railways spokesman, told Reuters. Freight movement had also been affected, with around 20 goods trains currently stalled, Kumar said. At a major protest camp in Delhi’s Ghazipur, protesters blocked a highway connecting the capital city with neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state.

US needs new understanding with China or it risks conflict, Kissinger says LONDON Agencies

The United States will have to reach an understanding with China on a new global order to ensure stability or the world will face a dangerous period like the one which preceded World War One, veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger said.

Kissinger, now 97, influenced some of the most important turns of the 1970s

while serving as secretary of state under Republican Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Speaking at a Chatham House event in London via Zoom, Kissinger said the ultimate question was whether or not the United States and its Western allies could develop an understanding with China about a new global order.

“If we don’t get to that point and if we don’t get to an understanding with

China on that point then we will be in a pre-World War One-type situation in Europe, in which there are perennial conflicts that get solved on an immediate basis but one of them gets out of control at some point,” he said.

“It is infinitely more dangerous now than it was then,” Kissinger said. He said the high-tech weaponry on both sides could lead to a very gave conflict.

Amid worsening relations between

Police also erected additional barricades, topped by concertina wire, and hundreds of personnel had been deployed.

Of around a thousand protesters at the site, some danced and sang on Friday. “Take back the black laws,” they chanted in Hindi.

Several rounds of talks between the government and the farm leaders have failed and there are no new meetings planned for now.

China and the West on a range of issues from human rights and trade to Hong Kong, Taiwan has said China is bolstering its ability to attack and blockade the China-claimed island.

Kissinger said the United States would likely find it difficult to negotiate with a rival like China that would soon be larger and more advanced in some areas. The other question, he said, was whether or not China would accept that new order. Kissinger praised China’s skill at organising itself for technological advance under state control.

But he said the West had to up its game. “The West has to believe in itself,” Kissinger said. “That is our domestic problem - it is not a Chinese problem.”

“It seems I am to be sanctioned by the PRC (Chinese) government for speaking the truth about the Uyghur tragedy in Xinjiang, and for having a conscience,” Jo Smith Finley, a Uighur expert at Newcastle University, said on Twitter.

“Well, so be it. I have no regrets for speaking out, and I will not be silenced.”

Four killed in Myanmar protests, World Bank warns of slump YANGON Agencies

Myanmar security forces shot dead four pro-democracy protesters on Friday, witnesses and local media reports said, as activist leaders called for a huge show of defiance to the ruling military junta on the country’s Armed Forces Day on Saturday. The World Bank said Myanmar’s economy could slump 10 per cent this year due to the turmoil since the coup last month that overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. But in a week that saw international pressure on the generals ramped up with new US and European sanctions, Russia offered support for the military and said it wanted to strengthen ties. Protesters against the junta have taken to the streets almost daily since the February 1 coup, prompting an uncompromising crackdown by the security forces. Demonstrations took place across the country overnight and on Friday, including in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions, as well as in Karen and Chin states, media reports said Security forces opened fire on protesters waving black flags in the southern town of Myeik, a witness said.

“Two were killed by head shots,” the witness told Reuters. “We cannot pick up the (third) dead body as many security forces are there”. Several other people were wounded, said the witness, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution. Another witness said he had seen a fourth body. Myanmar Now news said four people were killed in the town. At least 320 people have been killed in the weeks of unrest that followed the coup, according to figures as of Thursday night from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) activist group. Its data shows that at least 25 per cent of those who were killed died from shots to the head, raising suspicions they were deliberately targeted for killing. Reuters could not independently verify the numbers killed. A military spokesman did not respond to calls seeking comment. The United Nations’ special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, said the military had turned against its own citizens. “Women, youth and children have been among those killed,” she said in a statement. US Ambassador Thomas Vajda and his wife Amy Sebes placed a wreath in front of a Yangon school where a protester was shot and killed last month. “We honour the memory of all those who have lost their lives since the February 1 coup,” the embassy said in a Twitter post. Half an hour later, troops took the wreath away, witnesses said. STRATEGIC ALLY: While Western powers have condemned the coup and the lethal crackdown, Russia said it wanted to strengthen ties with the Myanmar military. Russian deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin met junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Friday and said Myanmar was a reliable ally and strategic partner of Moscow, Tass news agency reported.

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

SPORTS 11

ISLAMABAD

Jonny Bairstow, Ben stokes decimate india to level series PUNE

d

Agencies

ESPITE suffering a collapse of 10 for 116 to bungle a chase of 318 in the first ODI, England captain Eoin Morgan insisted that there was no reason for the world champions to veer away from the turbo-charged approach that has served them well. Three days later, Morgan wasn't available for the second match - he has been ruled out of the third too with a hand injury - but Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow epitomised that approach to help England mow down a bigger target of 337 with almost 40 balls to spare. Jason Roy also did his thing at the top, as England reduced KL Rahul's more sedate century in the first half to a footnote.

Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya had exploded in the end overs for India, but overall they couldn't match up to England's sustained aggression. While India hit 34 boundaries in their entire innings, England ticked past that mark in the 34th over of the chase. By then the asking rate had plummeted to less than five an over. India's left-arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya bore the brunt of the Stokes-Bairstow assault, conceding 0 for 156 runs between them in 16 overs.

Stokes, Bairstow and Jos Buttler all fell in a space of eight balls, but debutant Liam Livingstone and Dawid Malan, who was playing his second ODI, completed England's drubbing of India to set up a decider on Sunday.

It was Roy who made the early running for England, tucking into Prasidh Krishna's short balls and swatting him for a triptych of pulled fours in the sixth over. Roy followed it with back-to-back fours off Bhuvneshwar Kumar; by the end of the powerplay he claimed 39 of the 59 runs England had scored. He notched up his first half-century of the tour when he hauled a Yadav wrong'un over long-on for six.

Bairstow, becalmed in the early exchanges, sailed to his own fifty with a flurry of boundaries. He forged his 13th century partnership with Roy - which is now the most by any English pair. It needed a moment of brilliance from Rohit Sharma in the field to separate the duo. He swooped down to his right from midwicket to capitalise on a mix-up and run Roy out for 55 off 52 balls.

Enter Stokes. He was a bit of a nonstarter in the first ODI (1 off 11 balls). He had started in skittish fashion in the second, too, padding up to a wrong'un from Yadav, although it wasn't threatening the

stumps. Krunal then drew an outside edge from Stokes, but there wasn't anyone at slip to snaffle that. All of this was a red herring, with Stokes revving up to smash 84 off a combined 33 balls from Yadav and Krunal, including ten sixes.

Only Morgan and stand-in captain Buttler have struck more sixes for England in an ODI innings.

After Stokes got to his fifty off 40 balls, he went 6,6,6,1,6,4,2,6,6,2,4, but fell just short of a hundred, with Kumar having him caught behind down the leg side. Bairstow, however, had brought up his hundred in the same manner as he had raised his fifty: with a towering six off Yadav.

After India were inserted again, Rahul had made a contrasting hundred, getting 68 of his 108 runs through singles and doubles. He cautiously navigated the spinners and it was only after passing fifty that he hit over the top. Likewise, Virat Kohli accumulated in risk-free fashion after the hosts had dawdled to 41 for the loss of openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in the powerplay. On Tuesday, India had two fewer runs in that period for the loss of no wickets, but such a cagey start hadn't hurt them then. It did come back to bite them on Friday despite a 28-ball half-century from Pant and a 16-ball 35 from Hardik.

Reece Topley, who was playing only his second ODI since 2016, was particularly impressive with the new ball, often landing it on the seam and gleaning substantial movement and bounce off the pitch. After hitting an awkward in-between length against Dhawan, he pushed one across him from a fuller length to have him nicking off for 4 off 17 balls.

Rohit, who had got out chasing what might have been an off-wide wide from Stokes in the first match, tickled a legstump half-volley from Sam Curran straight to short fine leg in the second.

Moeen Ali, who has had a rough winter, put in a fine shift, returning 0 for 47 in his 10 overs. He gave up only one boundary in his spell, but that was down to a fumble from Stokes at extra-cover. As for Adil Rashid, he cut short Kohli's innings at 66, besting him for the ninth time in international cricket. Rashid could have got him much earlier - when Kohli was on 35 - had Buttler not closed his gloves too early. The keeper's error meant 31 more runs for Kohli, and the subsequent correction brought Pant to the crease. The lefthander closed out Rashid's spell with a powerful slog-swept six over midwicket.

Pant soon went on a six-hitting spree, but the lack of urgency from the top four and England's own six-hitting spree meant it was in vain.

ENGLAND 337 FOR 4 (BAIRSTOW 124, STOKES 99, ROY 55, KRISHNA 2-58) BEAT INDIA 336 FOR 6 (RAHUL 108, PANT 77, TOPLEY 2-50)

BY SIX WICKETS

New Zealand clean sweep series with crushing 164-run win against Bangladesh WElliNgtoN Agencies

Maiden centuries for Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell set up a crushing 164-run win for New Zealand in the third one-day international against Bangladesh in Wellington on Friday, giving the hosts a series clean sweep.

Conway blasted 126 from 110 balls and Mitchell finished on 100 not out after New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat, making 318-6. Bangladesh were never in the hunt for the 319 target, all out for 154 after 42.4 overs, with Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 76 the only highlight as eight batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Jimmy Neesham and Matt Henry did the damage for New Zealand with the ball, taking 5-27 and 4-27 respectively. Paceman Rubel Hossain was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, with three for 70, but the tourists’ attack struggled on a green

Basin Reserve wicket.

“We were just not good enough,” Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal said. “No doubt the Black Caps played unbelievably well but we didn’t perform. Sometimes the small things can hurt you, the (dropped) catches and the run-out chances.”

Conway capitalised on the tourists’ woes and his century was just reward for the South Africa-born batsman, who has been in outstanding form since he was first selected for the Blacks Caps late last year.

His performances include 72 in the second Bangladesh ODI and an unbeaten 99 when he was left stranded in a Twenty20 match against Australia last month.

Mitchell looked like he would suffer a similar fate in Wellington before scrambling home to bring up his century on the last ball of the innings as wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim tried to stump him.

“I was just trying to swing as hard as I

could, there were a few played and missed in there,” Mitchell said. “I’ll take them any way they come. It’s just nice to get the job done.”

Both Conway and Mitchell were making only their third ODI appearances for New Zealand after debuting in the series opener against Bangladesh in Dunedin last week.

New Zealand were looking shaky before their arrival after losing three wickets within 13 balls to slump to 57-3. Tom Latham and Conway consolidated with a 63-run partnership before the New Zealand skipper departed for 18. That was the cue for Conway and Mitchell to go on the attack, combining for a 159-run stand that put the match beyond Bangladesh’s reach.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar were dismissed in the first five overs and a steady stream of wickets prevented any meaningful partnerships forming. The teams will met next in a three-match Twenty20 series opening in Hamilton on Sunday.

Pakistan cricket players depart for South Africa NEWS DESK The Pakistan limited-overs squad left for South Africa on a chartered flight on Friday to play three one-day internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals, according to a news outlet.

According to the report, the 34-member squad, including 21 players and 13 officials, departed while 10 members of the Test squad will leave for Zimbabwe on April 12.

Earlier, the selection committee and team management had replaced Saud Shakeel with Asif Ali in the ODI squad due to fitness issue. Asif is already part of the

T20I squad.

In South Africa, Pakistan will play three ODIs from April 2 to 7 and four T20Is from April 10 to 16 before departing for Zimbabwe to play three T20Is and two Tests.

SquadS: T20I: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohamamad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Arshad Iqbal, Usman Qadir.

OdI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-

Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir.

TeST: Babar Azam (captain), Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Tabish Khan, Hasan Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mehmood, Sajid Khan.

Bonner leads West Indies resistance to secure draw against Sri Lanka ANtigUA Agencies

A patient, unbeaten maiden Test hundred by Nkrumah Bonner anchored a day of West Indies batting resistance against Sri Lanka as the home side ground through the fifth and final day of the first Test to ensure a draw on Thursday.

In just his third Test, the 32-year-old Bonner further enhanced an already burgeoning reputation as a middle-order batsman with considerably more substance than style. He compiled a dogged 113 not out in just over seven hours during which he faced 274 balls, stroking 13 fours and one six. It ensured his team comfortably saved the match at 236-4, having been set the unlikely target of 375.

After missing out on hundreds in each of his first two Test matches in Bangladesh last month, the Jamaican right-hander was not to be denied third time round on a day when the home side needed his brand of resolute solidity once it was determined that getting 341 more runs on the final day with nine wickets in hand was not a realistic prospect.

“I did some work in the nets with the batting coach (Monty Desai) after the first innings and it paid off,” said Bonner. “Sri Lanka’s bowlers are very disciplined and it was important for me to also be disciplined and keep the ball in the ‘V’ for as much as possible.” He featured in a 105-run thirdwicket partnership with Kyle Mayers which occupied almost three hours and effectively killed off Sri Lankan hopes of completing

an excellent fightback from a poor first day with victory.

It ensures both teams will have everything to play for when the second and final Test starts at the same Sir Vivian Richards Stadium venue on Monday.

Sri Lanka will be concerned though about the fitness of first-choice wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella who appeared to have either sustained or aggravated a finger injury on more than one occasion during the course of the day, each time requiring prolonged treatment on the field before he continued.

Mayers, who marked his Test debut on that Bangladesh campaign with a sensational, match-winning unbeaten 210 in the first match in Chattogram, curbed his naturally aggressive style admirably in reaching

CMYK

52 before falling to the left-arm orthodox spin of Lasith Embuldeniya at the start of the final session. Embuldeniya had claimed Sri Lanka’s lone success of the morning’s play when he removed Kraigg Brathwaite to keep the tourists’ hopes alive at that stage of pressing for the win later in the day.

Having batted with exaggerated care in getting to 23 off 124 balls, the West Indies captain charged down the pitch to be bowled 20 minutes before lunch, terminating a partnership of 66 for the second wicket.

Sri Lankan hopes again flickered briefly in the final session as Mayers’ demise was followed by the dismissal of Jermaine Blackwood, bowled by the impressive Vishwa Fernando operating with the second new ball to give the fast bowler his second wicket of

the innings.

At 204 for four, and with more than an hour left to play, the visitors kept pressing for more success but Bonner and former captain Jason Holder ensured there were no more alarms for a West Indian team grateful to come away from the match with a draw.

“I am really pleased with the way we fought back in the second innings,” said Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne in reflecting on the entire match.

“Today, maybe we tried too hard sometimes but the pitch got better and better to bat on and you have to give credit to Bonner and the rest of the West Indies batsmen.

“At least we know now what to expect from the pitch as we go into the second Test.”

Saturday, 27 March, 2021

prayer tiMings

NEWS

PAkiStAn HOLdS SuCCESSfuL fLigHt tESt Of SHAHEEn-1A SuRfACE tO SuRfACE bALLiStiC MiSSiLE RAWALPINDI

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AKISTAN has conducted a successful flight test of Shaheen-1A surface-to-surface ballistic missile, having a range of 900 kilometres.

The test flight was aimed at re-validating of various design and technical parameters of the weapon system, including the advanced navigation system, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Babar Iftikhar said a statement on Friday.

The flight test was witnessed by Strategic Plans Division DG Lieutenant General Nadeem Zaki Manj, National Engineering & Scientific Commission

(NESCOM) Chairman Dr Raza Samar, Army Strategic Forces Command Commander Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali and the scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.

The Strategic Plans Division DG congratulated scientists and engineers on the conduct of this successful test. He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists and engineers, who contributed whole-heartedly in making the missile launch successful.

President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and services chiefs have congratulated the scientists and engineers on the successful conduct of the missile test.

ISLAMABAD

COAS visits multiple logistic workshops in Rawalpindi GEN BAJWA LAUDS UNTIRING EFFORTS OF COMMANDANT AND STAFF AT AVIATION BASE WORKSHOP RAWALPINDI staff report

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday visited multiple logistic installations/workshops at Rawalpindi station. He visited various facilities and infrastructures of the workshops handling vast range of specialised equipment for Pakistan Army. He was briefed regarding facilities being developed, upgradation mechanism of vehicles and aviation assets and handling of central stores. The COAS, during the 200th rollout ceremony of aircrafts at Aviation Base Workshop, specially appreciated indigenous capability of complete overhaul of different service helicopters. He lauded the untiring efforts of commandant and staff on their marvelous achievement, which will considerably reduce spending on imports. Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Chief of Logistic Staff (CLS) Lt Gen Azhar Saleh Abbasi.

World Bank and Pakistan have signed seven project agreements worth $1.336 billion to support government's initiatives in social development.

Economic Affairs Secretary Noor Ahmed signed the financing agreements on behalf of Pakistan during a ceremony held in Islamabad, while representatives of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments signed their respective project agreements online. World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine signed the agreements on behalf of the bank.

"This financing will support government's initiatives in social protection, disaster & climate risk management, infrastructure improvement, agriculture & food security, human capital development etc.," a statement issued on Friday read.

Speaking on the occasion, Khusro Bakhtyar thanked the World Bank management for extending their continuous support to Pakistan's sustainable development agenda. "This continued and enhanced support shows the confidence of international financial institutions and development partners on the progress and reforms being undertaken by the present government," he remarked.

The minister reiterated the federal government's commitment to extend all possible support to the provincial governments in order to overcome development woes.

Meanwhile, WB Country Director Najy Benhassine assured the govern-

ISLAMABAD

ment of the bank's continuous financial and technical support to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.

The agreements signed between WB and the Government of Pakistan include: Crisis-Resilient Social Protection Programme: The objective of the $600 million programme is to support the development of more adaptive social protection systems that will contribute to future crisis-resilience among poor and vulnerable households in the country.

The programme is focused on the key initiatives being undertaken by Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) under the Ehaas Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes, namely Kafalat, Waseela-e-Taleem, and Nashonuma. Financial inclusion and informal worker support initiatives of Ehsaas have also been included in the programme.

Locust Emergency and Food Security Project: The $200-million project, through a strengthened and better coordinated federal‐provincial government system, will introduce and implement a set of customized activities, such as conducting locust surveillance and controlling operations, rehabilitating livelihoods of affected rural communities and farmers, strengthening and operating the Food Security & Nutrition Information System, emphasizing climate‐smart agriculture measures and women’s participation to effectively address desert locust outbreak and to reduce vulnerability to climate change in the long term.

KP Human Capital Investment

Project: The objective of this $200 million project is to improve availability, utilization and quality of primary healthcare services and elementary education services in four KP districts that have been hosting refugees i.e. Peshawar, Nowshera Haripur and Swabi.

Sindh Resilience Project: The $200-million project aims to mitigate flood and drought risks in selected areas and strengthen Sindh’s capacity to manage natural disasters and public health emergencies. The project will support the establishment of the Sindh Emergency Service, including the development of six divisional headquarters operational facilities, provision of equipment, and training of personnel.

The project will also support the construction of 35 small rainwater-fed recharge dams in drought prone regions of Sindh including Karachi, Jamshoro, Thatta, Dadu and Nagarparker in Tharparkar districts.

Balochistan Projects: 'Balochistan Livelihood & Entrepreneurship' and 'Balochistan Human Capital Investment' projects, worth $86 million, aim to promote employment opportunities for rural communities, achieve sustainability of enterprises, and improve utilization of quality health and education services in various districts of Balochistan.

Refugees' Management: The objective of this $50 million project, titled 'Institutional Interventions for Management of Refugees Project', is to improve organizational and institutional capacity to manage refugees and host communities.

Four people killed in Bangladesh during protests against Modi’s visit: police At least four people were killed in the Bangladeshi city of Chittagong on Friday after police fired at protesters during a demonstration against a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, police officials said. “We had to fire teargas and rubber bullets to disperse them as they entered a police station and carried out extensive vandalism,” Rafiqul Islam, the police official told Reuters, referring to protesters. Modi arrived in the capital Dhaka for a two-day visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence. The protesters in Chittagong were from the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a group opposed to the visit of Modi, who critics say has been pushing a Hindu-first agenda in India. Mohammad Alauddin, another police official in Chittagong, said that eight people were brought to a hospital in the city with gunshot wounds, of which four succumbed to their injuries Protests also flared in the capital Dhaka, where dozens of people, including two journalists, were injured in clashes with police, witnesses said. The protests have continued since Thursday when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at hundreds of mainly student demonstrators. Police had said the protests got out of hand as demonstrators marched in Dhaka, with many throwing rocks and stones at officers, injuring at least four. agencies

A brigade command level flagstaff meeting was held between the military officers of Pakistan and India at the Rawalakot-Poonch border crossing point, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday.

According to the military’s media wing, the meeting was held to review the implementation of the points of the ceasefire agreement that was reached between the director-generals of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries earlier.

Earlier in February, the nuclear-armed

neighbours agreed to observe the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors. The announcement was made simultaneously by both Islamabad and New Delhi after a telephonic conversation between senior military officials of the two countries.

“The director generals of military operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact,” said a joint statement issued by the Indian and Pakistani armies.

“The two sides reviewed the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere,” read the official handout. The statement added that in

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End of an era: Literary giant Haseena Moin loses life battle against cancer tLtp

Pakistani, Indian commanders hold meeting at LoC staff report

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WB to provide $1.3bn for Pakistan’s social sector development gHULaM aBBas

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the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns that have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence.

“Both sides agreed to strictly observe all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors, with effect from midnight 24/25 February 21,” the statement said.

It further noted that both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.

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

Renowned dramatist and novelist Haseena Moin passed away in Karachi on Friday.

She was 80. The renowned playwright had been battling cancer for the past few years.

Her funeral prayers were offered at Madni Masjid, North Nazimabad, Block I, Karachi. She was perhaps one of the most celebrated playwrights and scriptwriters to come out of Pakistan and had several accolades under her belt. These include the Pride of Performance award from the government for her services to the performing arts in the country. She also holds the distinction of penning Pakistan’s first original script, Kiran Kahani, in the early 1970s. She was born on November 20, 1941, in Kanpur, India, from where she received her primary education. With a career spanning more than four decades, Haseena was one of the most prominent names in the Pakistani entertainment industry. The celebrated dramatist, known as the famous PTV drama writer, pursued her master’s degree from the University of Karachi in 1963. She authored memorable dramas including Shehzori, Zair Zabar Paesh, Uncle Urfi, Ankahi, Tanhaiyyan, Dhoop Kinaray, Dhundh, Aahat, Pehr, Parosi, Bandish, and Aaina. Soon after the news of her death made headlines, celebrities and famous personalities offered their condolences and remembered the popular artist. “Haseena Moin was a shining name in the field of literature and she played a constructive role in society through her writings,” Alhamra Arts Council Executive Director Dr Aslam Dogar said. “Her vision regarding social issues and society’s welfare was evident in her scripts and she impressed many minds, especially the youth of our country. Her work could easily serve as a guide for all aspiring writers. Alhamra will miss her on every occasion,” he added. Punjab Culture Minister Khayal Ahmad Kastro said, “Haseena Moin will be remembered as a wonderful writer. In her career, she wrote excellent dramas including Tanhaiyan, Ankahi, Dhoop Kinare and others. Every single one of her dramas was impressive. A bright period of literature has come to an end with her. This is shocking news for all of us.” Echoing the sentiments, Dr Sugra Sadaf, famous writer and Punjab Institute of Language Art and Culture DG shared, “Haseena Moin had a beautiful and downto-earth personality. I am yet to come across a woman as humble as Haseena Ji in the field of literature. I have spent an ample amount of time with her and noted that she was like a student who was always willing to learn during literary gatherings.” Sadaf added, “She earned fame during the golden era of PTV, which was rather competitive.

Even in such trying times, she managed to prove her mettle. She was second to none.”

Speaking about the same, renowned literary personality Muneeza Hashmi said, “Haseena Moin’s passing away is a big loss for the literary community and the country.

Her contribution to the welfare of the Urdu language and Urdu literature will always be remembered and cherished.” Actors Samina Peerzada, Sakina Samo and Imran Abbas, alongside filmmaker Mehreen Jabbar and politician Faisal Javed Khan also remembered Haseena as one of the most prolific writers in the entertainment industry.