EpaperISB_21-07-7

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021 I 26 Dhul-Qadah, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 8 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

PM, China's Xi eCho saMe vision to Contribute to world PeaCe

IsLAMABAD Mian abRaR

C

HINeSe President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday echoed the same vision and compassion to contribute to the world peace and wellbeing of humankind, calling upon the political parties of the world to join hands for world peace and development.

While addressing a virtual summit held to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the leaders of China and Pakistan shared their vision and support for world peace and the wellbeing of the people.

General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People’s Re-

public of China, Xi Jinping chaired the summit titled, “CPC and World Political Parties Summit.

Over 500 political parties and over 10,000 political workers/representatives from various parts of the world attended the virtual Summit. Twenty-one world leaders joined the Summit and make statements. A Joint Statement of Proposals was issued at the conclusion of the Summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the CPC will shoulder its responsibilities as a major party in a major country to improve the well-being of humankind.

“Together, we must oppose all acts of unilateralism in the name of multilateralism, hegemony and power politics,” Xi said.

“Looking from the angle of ‘My Country First’, the world is narrow and crowded, and

Coronavirus in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

964,490

LAST UPDATED AT 7:17 AM ON JULY 6, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

25

830

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

908,648 22,452 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

341,275

347,014

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

138,616 AJK/GB: 20,588/6,504

27,445 ISLAMABAD:

83,048

often full of fierce competition,” Xi said in an apparent reference to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy.

Xi renewed a call to work towards “building a community with a shared future for mankind” and said any country that engages in “technology blockades” and “developmental decoupling” should be rejected.

Xi said the judgment on whether a country is democratic or not should be made by its people, not by a handful of others. There are different pathways toward well-being, and people of all countries are entitled to choose their own development path and institutional models, he stressed.

Xi called on political parties worldwide to oppose the practice of politicizing the COVID-19 pandemic or attaching a geographical label to the virus.

“In the face of the ongoing COVID-19, we need to continue with a science-based response approach and advocate solidarity and cooperation so as to close the ‘immunization gap,'” he told the summit.

PAKISTAN SUPPORTS CHINA’S EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD WORLD PEACE, SAYS PM KHAN: Prime Minister Imran Khan extended full support to Xi’s efforts for global peace and said that Pakistan supports China’s efforts to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and preserve international order.

“Pakistan supports China’s efforts to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and preserve international order.

On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, I would like to convey our heartfelt felicitations to His excellency President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people on the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China,” he said and added that the founding of the CPC in 1921 was a seminal event in world history.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Balochistan’s prosperity bedrock of country’s progress: COAS News Desk Balochistan’s prosperity is the bedrock of Pakistan’s progress, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the COAS passed these remarks while addressing the 7th National Workshop Balochistan at GHQ in Rawalpindi.

“Balochistan’s peace and prosperity is the bedrock of Pakistan’s progress. It is time to reap dividends of hard-earned peace and expedite socioeconomic development adopting people centric approach for attaining enduring stability,” said the army chief.

However, Gen Bajwa warned that the security forces will “remain steadfast and determined” to defeat enemies of peace and prosperity of Balochistan and Pakistan.

The military’s media wing said that the army chief during his talk highlighted the “internal and external challenges”. He advised the participants that

Govt recommends referring domestic violence bill to Council of Islamic Ideology IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The government has requested National Speaker Asad Qaiser to sent the much-delayed proposed legislation on domestic violence to the Council of Islamic Ideology to seek its advice as it believes that the matter involves the interpretation of Islamic injunctions.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan has written a letter to Qaiser, seeking a review of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2021, by the body. The proposal, presented

by Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari in July last year, was adopted by the House in April this year. The bill was then referred to the Senate, where the opposition had defeated the government by one vote to block the immediate passage of the proposed law, insisting that the bill be referred to the relevant standing committee for further deliberation.

At the time, PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gilani, the leader of opposition in the Senate, had argued that while the bill was important

the full spectrum threat required a “comprehensive national response”.

“Balochistan is in sharp focus of national leadership and army is fully engaged in enabling national and provincial response in synergy with other institutions of the state. We are a resilient nation that has endured the tests of time on its path to achieving peace and stability,” said Gen Bajwa.

The ISPR said that the workshop was attended by a large number of parliamentarians, bureaucrats, civil society members, youth, academia and media representatives. It added that the workshop is held to enable the future leadership of the province to understand “vital national and provincial issues” and mount a “cohesive response” to those challenges.

Separately, Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada on Tuesday paid a farewell call to COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa here at General Headquarters.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

President cautions of ‘unrest in India’ if persecution of Muslims continues STORY ON BACK PAGE

legislation that had taken months to be cleared from the NA, it needed to be referred to the standing committee.

A voice vote was then suggested to decide on the matter and when the opposition had defeated the government by 35-34, the Senate chairperson had directed the then yet-to-be-formed committee to present its report to the House on the matter two days after its formation.

The legislation aimed to “establish an effective system of protection, relief and rehabilitation of women, children, elders and any vulnerable persons against domestic violence”,

Mazari said at the time.

In the letter dated July 5, Awan pointed out that the bill was passed by the National Assembly in April but was referred back to the House after the Senate suggested amendments to it.

The letter further stated that concerns have been raised “regarding various definitions and other contents of the bill”. “Most importantly it is being highlighted that the bill contravenes the Islamic [injunctions] and way of life as enshrined in the responsibility of the state in Article 31 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” it read.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Dialogue agenda with Baloch nationalists to be set as Indian terror network dismantled: Fawad STORY ON PAGE 02

PM Imran announces not to use protocol for private functions STORY ON PAGE 02

Maryam asserts govt has recognised Israel STORY ON PAGE 03

02

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

Dialogue agenDa with Baloch nationaliStS to Be Set aS inDian terror network DiSmantleD: FawaD ISLAMABAD

t

STAff RePoRT

HE government will set an agenda for dialogue with nationalists groups in Balochistan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference that the minister held in Islamabad after a meeting of the federal cabinet where several decisions were taken related to different aspects of the country, the minister said that Balochistan will soon be a “cradle of peace” in the country.

He further said that those involved in Lahore’s Johar Town blast — who the government earlier said have links with India — have been arrested by authorities.

“We have lauded our agencies for arresting the culprits within a short span of time,” he said.

The minister said that ever since Indian

spy Kulbhushan Jadhav was found in Pakistan, intelligence agencies have also exposed a network of Indian-backed elements within the country.

Chaudhry lauded the Punjab police and the Counter-Terrorism Department for jointly “exposed such a big network of India”, adding that more details about the network, including accounts, the names of people involved and the banks in Delhi through which money was transferred to the network, would be shared soon.

“It was the second-biggest network after [the one operated by Indian spy] Kulbhushan Jadhav which has been exposed in Pakistan. We have also broken the Indian network in Balochistan with great success.”

Chaudhry said that people who were part of the network had been apprehended to a “large extent”.

“I am hopeful that there will be betterment in the peace situation in the

country,” he added.

The minister made similar remarks earlier in the day when he said that the “Indian terrorist network” operating in Balochistan had been dismantled and that now the government will set an agenda for dialogue with Baloch nationalists.

He said that owing to the government’s timely measures and efforts, the situation of law and order in Pakistan will improve as compared to the past.

“It is the job of the government to create a national security policy, and the PTI is currently working on it,” he said.

“Progress related to the policy is already visible.”

Fawad said that during the meeting of the cabinet, a discussion on the introduction of electronic voting was also held.

“Local companies will manufacture electronic voting machines by July 15,” he said. Chaudhry, earlier in a tweet, said the

federal government had planned to execute 131 development projects worth Rs731 billion in Balochistan while the provincial government’s development budget for this year was Rs180 billion.

“Balochistan is close to Imran Khan’s heart,” he said. The minister further announced that the security agencies have dismantled the Indian terrorist network in the province “to a great extent”.

“Now, we have to set an agenda for talks with Baloch nationalists.”

UMAR HAILS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES: Separately, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar hailed the development initiatives launched for Balochistan during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.

Speaking to the media in Gwadar, he said the prime minister was informed that schemes worth more than Rs1.2 trillion had been allocated for the province.

“WiFi has been introduced in Kech

2 million doses of Sinovac vaccine arrive in Pakistan

PM Imran announces not to use protocol for private functions NEwS DESk Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday announced that he will “save taxpayer money and avoid inconvenience to the public” by no longer travelling with protocol and security when he is going to any private function.

The PM said on the popular social media site, Twitter, that he would also be reviewing the protocol and security available to ministers, governors and chief

ministers belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf “to decide how we can minimise expenditure and end public inconvenience”. The federal cabinet will decide on a comprehensive policy in this regard next week, he added.

“We will put an end to the colonial legacy of pomp and glory used to overwhelm the people,” the prime minister wrote.

Before coming into power, Imran Khan routinely opposed VIP movements

and security protocols and launched a campaign to adopt ‘austerity’ and lead a simple lifestyle after being elected the prime minister, reported Dawn.

On a Sunday in May, Imran had made a surprise visit to different public places in Islamabad “without any security and protocol”.

Pictures and videos shared by the Prime Minister’s Office and lawmakers had shown Prime Minister Imran driving himself to different areas and talking to

BEIJING

people. He had also inspected business activities, implementation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures and development works during the tour.

Similarly, the premier last month inspected handcart (vendors) market recently set up in the capital’s G-10.

Driving his car, the prime minister arrived at the market without any protocol and was warmly welcomed by the bystanders, handcart owners, residents and shopkeepers.

IHC summons Zardari in New York apartment case ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday summoned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday (today) over his pre-arrest bail application in a case pertaining to his alleged property that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has unearthed in New York.

The division bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq passed the orders while hearing Zardari’s pre-arrest bail application after turning down his counsel’s Farooq H Naik plea seeking exemption to his client from appearance on medical grounds.

Responding to the court’s query, Farooq H Naek submitted that Zaradari was currently getting treatment in the hospital. However, the bench observed that if the court gives exemption to Naek’s client then it will become a

precedent for others.

It is pertinent to mention that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated a fresh inquiry against PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali

district and it is in the process of being introduced in other districts,” he said.

“Never before has development work been carried out in Balochistan at this scale,” the minister said, adding that this was being done in partnership with the Balochistan government.

PM VISITS COMMUNITY: The statement came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a day-long trip to Balochistan on Monday, revealed his intention to reach out to the “separatist elements” and “estranged” youth for the sake of durable peace in the province.

On Monday while speaking to the Gwadar business community in his official visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan said if it was not for his sincere intentions for Balochistan he would instead be spending summers in London and shopping from Harrods since he did not win elections here.

Zardari. The corruption watchdog served him a notice along with a questionnaire to provide information and documents concerning the pricey apartment he allegedly owns in New York City to a combined investigation team (CIT). Sources disclosed that according to the content of the notice, “This notice hinges around the property at the Belaire, 524 East 72nd Street, 37F, Manhattan, New York, United States,”.

It said an initial inquiry revealed that former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari owns the apartment, however, “this property does not figure out in the disclosures made by you in Pakistan”.

“Moreover, there appears to be no lawful remittances by you from Pakistan for the acquisition of the said property as well. In view thereof, you are requested to provide detailed answers to the enclosed questionnaire along with supporting information/documents concerning the subject apartment in New York City, United States,” the notice said.

APP

A special plane of Pakistan International Airlines PK-6853 airlifted two million doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine from the Beijing Capital International Airport to Islamabad on Tuesday. This special flight of the national flag carrier is in addition to the special flight PK-6852 which transported two million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China to Pakistan in last month, Qadir Bux Sangi, PIA Country Manager for China told APP. According to official sources, around two million more Chinese Covid vaccines will be brought to Pakistan from China in the next few days. Up to 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine, Sinopharm, had already arrived in Pakistan from China while another 1.3 million doses of the same vaccine are expected to reach the country very soon. On June 22, a special flight of the PIA PK-6852 airlifted two million doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine from the Beijing Capital International Airport to Islamabad.

The government aims at inoculating 70 million people by year’s end. Islamabad received the first Covid-19 vaccine consignment after a military aircraft transported it from Beijing on February 1, this year. Pakistani health authorities had launched the nationwide vaccination drive with around a million doses of Sinopharm vaccine donated by China, starting with older people and frontline healthcare workers, in March. Pakistan has mainly been using Chinese vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac for its mass vaccination campaign. The drive began with a focus on the oldest people in the community, generally over the age of 80 and worked its way down. Initially, the government had to deal with vaccination hesitancy and a shortage of vaccine supplies and had limited shots for people aged 30 or over.

Govt to unveil EVMs within 10 days, says minister NEwS DESk The government will unveil electronic voting machines in the next 8-10 days, announced Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz on Tuesday, adding that the new machine will be provided to the opposition and relevant stakeholders to allow for thorough testing.

Speaking to media persons in Islamabad, the federal minister said the machine would be user-friendly and would be able to function for two days after being charged.

“There is no chance of the votes going to waste through EVMs,” he said.

The science minister said that each EVM would cost around Rs65,000 to Rs80,000, while it could function in extreme temperatures — 55°C to -10°C — as well.

“There will be a paper ballot along with the electronic voting record […] the paper used for paper ballots can be utilised for a total period of five years,” he said.

In the coming days, we will be able

to make 2,000 machines on a daily basis, he said, adding that the government is trying to make waterproof machines.

The minister said the government would test the EVMs in by-elections, while a total of 400,000 machines will be required for the general elections.

The science minister said he did not know much about ventilators earlier, but after he was briefed about it, he learned that the locally-developed ones did not meet international standards.

Talking about the government’s plans, he said 500,000 youngsters would be made familiar with the usage of modern technology — and once they are familiar with it, the government will help them get jobs abroad.

The National University of Sciences and Technology and COMSATS University Islamabad are among the three institutions working on the EVMS. Separately, Faraz, while addressing at an international webinar on the “Role of Science and Technology Universities in Promoting National High-Tech Growth” at NUST, urged the universities to play their part in science and

knowledge diplomacy.

He stated that universities were helping shift the focus of the world slowly but gradually from geopolitical competition to knowledge-based cooperation.

In today’s world, there is an urgent need to promote peace-enhancing diplomacy rather than diplomacy driven by war and conflict,” he added.

Shibli Faraz said that the government was keenly aware that the long-term growth of the country depended on the successful development of national systems of innovation and a mature knowledge economy based on a favourable economic and institutional regime, high-quality human resource development, multi-type innovation driven by science and technology, and promotion and utilisation of advanced information and communications technologies.

Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology Chairman Dr Attaur Rahman, shared his vision for improving the Science and Technology landscape of the country.

He said that innovation was transforming economies and a comprehensive S&T-based apparatus was a crucial determinant of long-run growth, competitive edge, and economic autarky of a state.

He stated that universities served as the critical nodes of new growth through their inherent diversity, dynamism and unmatched ability to introduce new ideas and talent.

Their key performance indicators must be the promotion of policy research and technological evolution of the production function of industry. The process may comprise scientific research, foresight exercises, and networking, combined with the direct and indirect facilitation of new industrial clusters like business and technology incubators, science and technology parks, high technology zones, and innovation areas.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey, UK, Professor David Sampson highlighted the crucial role of universities in national development.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

islamabad

NeWs

03

MaryaM asserts govt has recognised israel

P

NEwS DESk

AkISTAN Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz has expressed the belief that the incumbent government has recognised Israel due to their lack of denial on reports and statements from news agencies stressing upon Pakistan’s reported acceptance of the Jewish nationstate.

Talking to media persons after appearing before Islamabad High Court, the PML-N VP underscored that the government needs to inform the nation of

its decision [on Israel].

“It’s not your personal decision… it’s something that is linked to 220 million people of Pakistan,” she maintained.

Prime Minister Imran khan in November last year had said Pakistan was facing great pressure from the United States to recognise Israel, but he clarified that “this will not be possible unless there is a just settlement, which satisfies Palestine”.

Commenting on the country’s foreign policy, the PML-N leader asked the government to bring its own house in order first.

“Your foreign policy should not alter in

view of a changing political landscape. It should not be based on your political standing,” she said, calling for a unified stance on issues.

Moreover, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday rejected reports of a deal.

She also questioned the rationale behind striking a deal and said that they are not stupid to go for a deal after so many hardships and a

long struggle.

Responding to the statement of PM Imran khan about engaging estranged people of Balochistan, the PML-N leader said that she is in favor of addressing grievances of Balochs but added that the Hazara community was also from the province and Imran khan refused to visit the protesting families until they buried their dead.

Talking about the Azad kashmir

elections, Maryam Nawaz said that everyone knows that the position of PMLN is very strong over there, and if free and fair elections are held, her party will emerge victoriously.

Responding to a question about her absence from the Pakistan Democratic Movement Swat rally, she said that the public meeting was attended by the party president and there was no need for her to also attend the meeting if Shehbaz Sharif is already present.

She underscored that the PML-N was “not going anywhere”, saying the party was well intact.

minister launches e-portal, app for issuance of equivalence certificates ISLAMABAD INp

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood launched on Tuesday an eportal and a mobile application for the issuance of equivalence certificates.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, he said that previously, students would have to go through the hassle of applying to the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen and waiting in long queues to get equivalence certificates. The launch of the e-portal and app would simplify the lengthy process, he added.

Shafqat Mahmood said a student can apply online for the issuance of the equivalence certificate and will not have to go anywhere, adding the payment will also be made online.

He said the manual system was not being done away with and would remain in place in case some people opted for it.

Terming the move a revolutionary change, he said it was aimed to facilitate the youth and make the process simple.

The minister said the government is taking steps to bring improvement to the education system.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, the minister said everything from the submission of payment challan to documents had now been digitalised and students would be able to track their application status.

He added that students would brave difficulties because most of them were unfamiliar with the banking process.

Mehmood said the entire process was a burdensome one and there were fears of misplacement of original documents submitted by the students. He said the new system was devised after meetings with all stakeholders, including the 30 boards in Pakistan and international education boards such as Cambridge.

He said once the online application had been completed, students would receive a certificate at their address, adding that in the future “these certificates will also be given to students in PDF format”.

Five suspected militants killed in raid on Quetta hideout QUETTA Staff RepoRt

Security forces shot five militants to death late on Monday during a raid on their hideout near Quetta, a spokesman for a counter-terrorism department said. In a brief statement, it said there was an exchange of gunfire during the raid and officers seized weapons from the militant hideout after the successful operation. Quetta has recently been the scene of cross-border militant attacks and insurgency by small Indiafunded separatist groups.

830 new Covid-19 cases reported amid concerns over guidelines’ violations ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Health Ministry on Monday reported 830 new Covid19 cases besides raising serious concerns over the violation of the standard operating procedures by the people, the National Command and Operation Centre said on Tuesday.

The NCOC, the department leading the campaign against the pandemic, said that the number of overall cases had risen to 964,490, including 908,648 recoveries.

The number of active cases has seen an upward trend during the last 10 days, increasing the figure to 33,390 who are under treatment across the country, including 1,968 patients admitted to intensive care units in different hospitals. According to the NCOC, 25 people

lost their lives on Monday, increasing the overall death toll to 22,452.

Punjab is the worst-hit province with 347,014 infections and 10,786 deaths followed by Sindh which reported 341,275 infections and 5,528 deaths.

The NCOC said on its website that it has administered a total of 17,390,346 Covid-19 vaccine doses across the country, with 3,363,490 people fully vaccinated so far.

Earlier on Monday, the NCOC issued a statement expressing serious concerns over violations of guidelines in the fields of indoor dining, transport, markets, gymnasium, wedding halls and tourism spots.

The NCOC feared that stringent curbs in these sectors will be imposed if such violations continue,

adding that a special meeting will be held on Tuesday to review the violation and evaluate enforcement mechanisms and measures to accelerate the vaccination process.

PMA WARNS AGAINST FOURTH WAVE: Pakistan Medical Association Secretary-General Dr Qaiser Sajjad has warned of a fourth coronavirus wave in Pakistan by late July or early August, reported Geo. Dr Sajjad said that Covid-19 cases are increasing again in the country.

Pakistan’s daily coronavirus caseload went below the 1,000 cases in a day mark for the first time in six days after the country reported 830 new cases Tuesday morning.

Coronavirus: Pakistan records under 1,000 daily

cases for the first time in almost a week The daily case count has been over 1,000 since July 1. The country last reported 979 cases in a day on June 30. Another 25 people died of coronavirus in Pakistan in the last 24 hours, pushing the national death tally since the pandemic started to 22,452.

Dr Sajjad said citizens have stopped following coronavirus standard operating procedures. “If precautions are not taken, the fourth wave of coronavirus may occur in late July or early August,” he said, saying there is a danger of the coronavirus situation in Pakistan turning similar to the situation in India.

He appealed to the citizens to follow SOPs and refrain from hugging and shaking hands on Eid. People should be vaccinated without any delay, he said.

Plea against Pml-N VP rejected by Karachi court NEwS DESk A plea filed by the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board to register a case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President leader Maryam Nawaz, her husband Capt Safdar Awan, and party workers over the alleged violation of the sanctity of Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum was rejected by a karachi court on Tuesday The decision was announced by judicial magistrate South in a hearing held in karachi.

Back in March, a judicial magistrate in karachi directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigations) to investigate Maryam and her husband Safdar over the alleged violation of the sanctity of Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum last year.

The case, filed by the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board, states that Capt Safdar and his accomplices physically harmed the mausoleum. karachi court quashes FIR against PMLN’s Captain Safdar In November last year, a judicial magistrate had quashed a different FIR filed against Safdar Awan after categorising the case as “C class”.

The police complaint had accused Awan, husband of PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law of former premier Nawaz Sharif, and a cohort of PML-N

supporters to have violated the sanctity of Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum by chanting political slogans and intimidating people.

Safdar was arrested in October from the hotel after he was booked for violating the sanctity of the Mazar-e-Quaid. He was presented before a judicial magistrate in the afternoon where he was granted bail.

At the time, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, while addressing a news conference flanked by Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, she said, “Mariyum Aurangzeb has just informed me that retired Captain Safdar has been released on bail.”

“Me and Captain Safdar will go from karachi together,” she said after a lengthy press conference in which she bashed the federal government.

Speaking on the incident, Maryam said, “Safdar opened the door and police were standing outside who said we are here to arrest you. Safdar told them he’ll change and take his medicine, since he is diabetic, but they broke down the door and came inside.”

“Safdar asked them to not enter since I [his wife] was inside but they did and arrested him,” she added.

Safdar was earlier kept at the Aziz Bhatti Police Station before he was presented before the magistrate. Maryam had taken to Twitter

after Safdar was arrested and tweeted that police had “broken” the door of the hotel room they were staying in to arrest her husband.

“Police broke my room door at the hotel I was staying at in karachi and arrested Capt Safdar,” Maryam said via tweet.

The PML-N leader had been taken into custody after a case of violating of the sanctity of the Quaid-e-Azam’s Mazar. A day earlier he had chanted the slogan “vote ko izzat do (honour the vote)” and urged people to join him. The case had been registered on Section 6, Section 8 and Section 10 of the Mazar’s protection and maintenance ordinance.

Maryam defended her husband’s actions earlier. “What is wrong with repeating Quaide-Azam’s stance at his mausoleum?” she asked, “What is wrong with Madar-i-Millat (mother of the nation) slogans? No one chanted slogans for Nawaz Sharif or me.”

While reacting to the development, Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar said on Twitter, “Mohtarma, Sindh police is under the complete and direct control of [Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari] (Your ally these days). Either the arrest of your husband was staged by you [and] your new ally as a publicity stunt or you’re working against each other STILL! Which one is it?”

In the aftermath of the arrest, Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar,

along with other police officials, had submitted a formal request for leave after the “stressful situation”, but a few days after the submission for leave, the police chief has deferred his leave and has asked his officers to do the same.

The police chief’s decision to defer his leave until the conclusion of the inquiry into Safdar’s arrest was taken “in the larger national interest”, and he has asked his officers to follow suit and hold off on their leaves for another 10 days, pending the conclusion of the inquiry.

Earlier, the IGP, at least two additional inspectors general, seven deputy inspectors general and six senior superintendents of Sindh police applied for leave in order to “come out of […] shock” caused by the “episode of registration of FIR against Capt (R) Safdar”.

“In such a stressful situation, it is quite difficult for me to discharge my duty in a professional manner,” the applications — all of which were identical — read.

They said that the handling of the First Information Report (FIR) had lead to the police force in Sindh being “humiliated and manhandled”. Furthermore, they mentioned that the ranks of the police force have been demoralised after this incident.

In a series of tweets, the Sindh Police said, “The unfortunate incident that occurred

on the night of 18/19 October caused great heartache and resentment within all ranks of Sindh Police.”

“As a result, IG Sindh decided to proceed on leave and subsequently all ranks decided that they would also apply for leave to protest the humiliation meted out to Sindh police.

This was a spontaneous and heartfelt reaction and made on an individual rather than a collective basis,” it said. “because every single member of the department felt an acute sense of disrespect. Sindh police is immensely grateful to the Army Chief for realising the sense of hurt that prevailed within a uniformed force, and for promptly ordering an inquiry into the matter,” it added.

“Which he has also assured will be impartial in order to restore the prestige of Sindh police. Sindh Police is also grateful to the chairman of the PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the honourable CM Sindh for coming to the IG House and showing solidarity with the police leadership,” it further said.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Vice President Maryam Nawaz commended the move. “I salute the Sindh Police!” she said in a tweet.

She also said that it was “heartening to see civilians breaking shackles of fear, standing up for supremacy of constitution & reclaiming their long lost rights. The conspiracy & conspirators stand badly exposed”.

The PML-N VP also attached a quote of the Quaid to encourage them to not “fall victim to any pressure”.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

04 NEWS

ISLAMABAD

Funds Approved For vArious deveLopMenT sCHeMes in punjAB LAhore

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ShAhAb omeR

HE Punjab Planning and Development Board in its first meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party for the financial year 2021-22 approved a total of Rs45.55 billion for 10 development schemes in different sectors whereas the meeting was chaired by Chairman Planning and Development Board Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Pakistan Today learnt.

Among the schemes approved by the Development Board in the Provincial Working Party meeting, the following schemes have been approved which include: • Rs19.29 billion for construction of Chobara Branch Canal (Phase II) under Greater Thal Canal Project • Rs19.78 billion for component command area

development (phase II) of the Greater Thal Canal project • Rs75 crore for provision of Cricket High Performance Center at Divisional Headquarters One, Faisalabad • Rs75 crore for provision of Cricket High Performance Center at Divisional Headquarters One Sialkot • Rs60.55 crore for Tehsil Complex, King Suleman Stadium, mini zoo and construction of pile foundation bridge, Mettalled Road and Toyota Center in Sanghar Nala area in DG Khan Tehsil Taunsa Sharif • Rs441.474 million for construction, repair, opening and rehabilitation of Khambi to Mari Meteled Road in Rajanpur, • Rs2.2 billion for a double road in Lodhran Karor Paka, Melsi and Vehari • Rs1.27 for Rawat Haraka Dhadial Road

(Length 36 km) (Phase I) in Rawalpindi • Rs526.984 million for construction of Kahuti to Cliary Road in Rawalpindi (length 31 km) • Rs104.485 million for setting up of project management unit in connection with Nala Layee Express and its accompanying urban regeneration project The meeting was attended by P&D Provincial Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch, senior officers of relevant provincial departments and members of Punjab Planning and Development Board, senior chief coordination, assistant chief coordination.

It is pertinent to mention here that the meeting of the Provincial Working Party was held under the chairmanship of P&D Chairman Abdullah Khan Sumbal while the meeting was attended by P&D Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch, P&D Board members and relevant administrative secretaries.

Those going abroad can receive Moderna jabs by showing work permit, passport: official ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

In the wake of the decision to give vaccine on priority to students going abroad for studies and those leaving for employment, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Nausheen Hamid Tuesday said that Pakistan nationals living or working abroad could get Moderna shots on producing either a work permit or passport with a valid visa stamped on it. Talking to a news channel, Hamid said that around 2.5 million doses of Moderna had arrived from the United States and will be used primarily to vaccinate expatriates. To a question, she said the vaccine would be available in special centres for dual nationals. Hamid said that more than three million doses of PakVac — developed

by CanSino and packaged at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad — would be prepared this month and its single dose would be sufficient to protect against Covid-19.

NIH MONITORING VARIANTS: Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health officials were monitoring different variants of the coronavirus, a spokesperson of the Ministry of National Health Services said. The mutants were being monitored with genome sequencing of the test samples. “In May and June, the presence of different variants in the country was confirmed,” the spokesperson said. The presence of Alpha, Beta and Delta variants — first detected in the UK, South Africa and India, respectively — has been confirmed in Pakistan. The institute is following the protocols with regard to foreign-origin coronavirus cases, the spokesperson added.

Ameer Bhatti takes oath as LHC chief justice LAhore StAff RePoRt

KARACHI: A view of a cattle market in the provincial capital. INP

Punjab to establish separate schools for transgender community: minister LAhore APP

The Punjab government will establish separate schools for the transgender community in selected cities of the province and the first of its kind will be established in Multan very soon, Education Minister Dr Murad Raas announced on Tuesday.

Addressing a ceremony of the Insaf Afternoon School Programme in Lahore, the minister said that the government had decided not to enroll transgender persons in regular schools due to reservations regarding

the behaviour of other students.

He added that the attitude of students of regular schools could be insulting towards the transgender community, which is why separate schools would be established for them. He claimed that it was unfortunate that no government, except for the Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf, had thought about the welfare and provision of education and jobs to the community.

Appreciating the efforts of the education chief executive officers and the teachers for a successful enrollment drive across the province, the minister expressed the hope that a large number of out-of-school children

would be enrolled in schools.

He said that selected schools under the IASP would be upgraded according to the needs before starting classes, adding that the registration of such schools was in progress and would be completed till July 15.

In response to a question, he said that only a small number of private schools were open for summer classes to cover the syllabus, adding that from August 1, all government institutions would also be reopened.

He urged parents and school heads to ensure the implementation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures in schools.

Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti took oath as the new chief justice of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar administered the oath at a ceremony at Governor House in Lahore, which was also attended by Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. Justice Bhatti is the 51st chief justice of the high court.

He was elevated to the LHC on March 12, 2011, and will retire on March 7, 2024. Before his elevation to LHC, Justice Bhatti served as a member of American Bar Association between 2000-2002, general secretary of the Multan High Court Bar Association from 1999-2000, legal advisor to several government- and non-government organisations including Water and Power Development Authority, House Building Finance Company and Multan Development Authority. His predecessor, retired Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan, had reached superannuation on Monday after serving the judiciary for over eleven years.

‘Significant’ progress made towards 2015 Paris climate goals: expert ISLAMABAD ANAdolu AgeNcy

“Significant improvement” has been achieved since the 2015 Paris climate deal in efforts to limit global warming, a climate scientist said on Tuesday.

However, there is still a “long way to go” to cap temperatures at 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, physicist and climate scientist Bill Hare said at a side event being held as part of Asia Pacific Climate Week 2021.

Climate policies need to be more ambitious towards preventing the negative effects of climate change, argued Hare, who works at Climate Analytics, a non-governmental organization based in Berlin. During the online event held by Climate Analytics, experts made presentations and commented on countries’ plans to limit global warming to 1.5C, including key benchmarks for domestic action, such as fossil-fuel phase-out deadlines for some Asia-Pacific countries.

Speaking on Bangladesh, energy research and policy analyst Nandini Das noted that the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the country came from energy and agricultural activities. “Primary energy use is heavily dominated by fossil fuel and it is mainly by natural gas, […] (as) around 75 percent of electricity in Bangladesh is generated from natural gas,” stated Das, who also works at Climate Analytics.

Traditional biomass also takes a major share in the primary energy mix, added Das,

highlighting that renewables play a small role in the country.

On Pakistan, climate scientist Fahad Saeed said the country is one of the most vulnerable to climate change.

“Two main sectors account for the bulk of the country’s emissions, the energy and agriculture sectors — 47 percent and 42 percent, respectively,” he noted. Pakistan benefits from diversified energy sources, Saaed said, but also stressed that fossil fuels make up around 60 percent of primary energy.

In recent years, the country has met growing energy demand mostly through new coalfired plants and gas imports, he added.

According to Climate Analytics, 16 Asia Pacific countries are highly reliant on fossil fuels, and account for about 76 percent of global coal generation capacity. The APCW 2021, hosted by Japan, seeks to take the pulse of climate action in the region, explore challenges and opportunities, and showcase ambitious solutions, according to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

ISLAMABAD

China lauds imran’s remarks on ruling party BEIJING

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APP

hina has appreciated the remarks of Prime Minister imran Khan wherein he praised the ruling Communist Party of China for finding a “unique model of governance” and introducing enormous development for the society in its own way.

Last week, the prime minister, while speaking to reporters from China, said: “While they had been told that the best way for a society to improve itself is to follow the Western system of liberal democracy, the CPC actually beat all Western democracies by nurturing a society that brings things forward.”

“What the CPC has done is that, without that electoral democracy, it has actually fared much better. What i saw in China when i visit the Communist Party headquarters and when they give us briefings about their system of sifting talent and then grooming it and bringing it up, for me it is probably more remarkable than any electoral democracy,” he added.

During a briefing held Monday, Chinese Ministry of Foreign affairs Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the comments were “appreciable”. “i have noted the relevant report. also noted that Prime Minister imran Khan said that CPC has found a unique

model and brought enormous developments for the Chinese society in its own way beating many Western democracies.

We appreciate these remarks,” he said.

Wenbin said, lately, many foreign media outlets and people from different social segments have expressed warm

congratulations on the CPC centenary.

“They said that the CPC committed to its founding mission has overcome all kinds of difficulties and led the Chinese nation to great achievements in socioeconomic development,” he added.

The spokesperson said that the century-long journey of the CPC has shaken the world, adding that as its General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out at a ceremony marking the centenary: socialism with Chinese characteristics is a fundamental achievement of the party and the people forged through innumerable hardships and great sacrifices and it is the right path to achieve national rejuvenation.

Wenbin said: “as we have upheld and developed the socialism with Chinese characteristics and driven coordinated progress in material, political, cultural, ethical, social and ecological terms, we have pioneered a new and unique Chinese path of modernization and created a new model for human advancement.” he expressed confidence that the Chinese nation will continue to follow this path.

PM, China's Xi echo same vision to contribute to world peace coNtINuEd from paGE 01 “Chairman Mao Zedong, and subsequently Deng Xiaoping, guided the Chinese people in reclaiming national dignity, self-pride, self-respect and China’s rightful place in the world.

For decades, the CPC’s spirit instilled new vigour and hope beyond China’s borders. it inspired peoples of colonized nations and contributed to the end of colonialism. CPC’s astonishing success rests in the people-centric approach of its inclusive development philosophy,” he added. he said that the CPC’s achievements of all-around national development, poverty alleviation, anti-corruption campaign, and nation-building, are truly remarkable. it is something we hope to emulate in Pakistan, he added.

“CPC’s achievements have opened new vistas of thought for political parties across the world. CPC has proven that the attainment of political power is primarily meant for bringing a transformation in the lives of people and making them masters of their own destiny. indeed, political parties can only enjoy public support and legitimacy if they continue to serve the people selflessly,” he added. imran Khan said that Chinese President Xi’s visionary leadership has played a pivotal role in China’s transformation and continued rise. “his people-centric philosophy has made a critical difference as China has eliminated extreme poverty, one of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind, and achieved CPC’s goal of building a ‘moderately prosperous society’,” he added.

he said that President Xi’s vision of shared prosperity, through BRi, has made a major impact on global sustainable development, thus proving his credentials as a world statesman.

Under President Xi’s stewardship, China has achieved major success in the ‘people’s war’ against the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

“CPC’s mission of ‘Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese nation’ and PTi’s vision of ‘naya Pakistan’ reflect the respective aspirations of the people of our two countries,” he added. he said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of BRi, complements Pakistan’s renewed efforts of this geo-economic shift with an emphasis on economic integration and regional connectivity. “in an era of complex and profound changes at the global and regional level, our ‘all-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ remains a strong anchor for peace, progress and prosperity,” he added.

PM KHAN’S STATEMENTS ENCOURAGING FOR CHINA, SAYS AMB NONG RONG: addressing the participants of a reception held here at a local held to observe centenary celebrations of the CPC, Chinese ambassador nong Rong said that recent supporting statements by Prime Minister imran Khan and other Pakistani leaders were very encouraging as these came in difficult times. he said that China stands committed to helping Pakistan in challenges it faced and this cooperation with our iron brother would continue despite all odds.

Burhanullah Bayazeed Kasi, the host and Chairman of the Friends of China Forum, said that China, Pakistan

friendship had no parallel in history and both countries were working diligently towards the development and connectivity of the entire region.

Qasim Suri, the chief guest and Deputy Speaker national assembly, said that in the past 100 years, China pulled out over 800 million people out of poverty. Credit goes to Chairman Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaopeng and Xi Jinping.

Mian abrar, Resident Editor of daily Pakistan Today, gave an overview of the achievements of the Communist Party of China in the past 100 years and explained how CPC had played its role as a linchpin to the phenomenal transformation of modern China.

Khurram Elahi, the host of the event, announced the opening of the CPC and world political parties summit. he gave an overview of the summit and said that China, Pakistan friendship was a world model of friendship and cooperation which was unparalleled in human history.

Zhang Baozhong, CEO of China Port holding Company of Gwadar, said that in 30 years, China has transformed immensely. he said the strong leadership of CPC has helped achieve this transformation. he said Pakistan is like his own home. he said that Pakistan is the safest and invest friendly destination across the globe.

People from all walks of life including politicians think tanks, media professionals, activists and students attended the event.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf and CPC also held a separate meeting to commemorate the 10-year-long partnership between the two parties. They also issued a joint statement vowing to work together to ensure the progress and prosperity of the people of the two countries.

NEWS

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Balochistan’s prosperity bedrock of country’s progress: Coas coNtINuEd from paGE 01 During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, including the afghan Peace Process and measures to further enhance bilateral and defence cooperation were discussed, said an iSPR media release. The COaS thanked the ambassador for his services in Pakistan and acknowledged his contributions towards strengthening Pak-azerbaijan relations. The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role for ensuring peace and stability in the region and also pledged to contribute positively towards afghan peace.

us left Bagram airfield without informing new commander: afghan military KaBuL The AssociATed Press

The US left afghanistan’s Bagram airfield after nearly 20 years by shutting off the electricity and slipping away in the night without notifying the base’s new afghan commander, who discovered the americans’ departure more than two hours after they left, afghan military officials said. afghanistan’s army showed off the sprawling air base Monday, providing a rare first glimpse of what had been the epicentre of america’s war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks on america. The US announced Friday it had completely vacated its biggest airfield in the country in advance of a final withdrawal the Pentagon says will be completed by the end of august. “We (heard) some rumour that the americans had left Bagram […] and finally by seven o’clock in the morning, we understood that it was confirmed that they had already left Bagram,” Gen. Mir asadullah Kohistani, Bagram’s new commander said. US military spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett did not address the specific complaints of many afghan soldiers who inherited the abandoned airfield, instead referring to a statement last week. The statement said the handover of the many bases had been in the process soon after President Joe Biden’s mid-april announcement that america was withdrawing the last of its forces.

Leggett said in the statement that they had coordinated their departures with afghanistan’s leaders. Before the afghan army could take control of the airfield about an hour’s drive from the afghan capital Kabul, it was invaded by a small army of looters, who ransacked barrack after barrack and rummaged through giant storage tents before being evicted, according to afghan military officials. “at first we thought maybe they were Taliban,” said abdul Raouf, a soldier of 10 years. he said the US called from the Kabul airport and said “we are here at the airport in Kabul.” Kohistani insisted the afghan national Security and Defense Force could hold on to the heavily fortified base despite a string of Taliban wins on the battlefield. The airfield also includes a prison with about 5,000 prisoners, many of them allegedly Taliban.

The Taliban’s latest surge comes as the last US and naTO forces pull out of the country. as of last week, most naTO soldiers had already quietly left. The last US soldiers are likely to remain until an agreement to protect the Kabul hamid Karzai international airport, which is expected to be done by Turkey, is completed.

Meanwhile, in northern afghanistan, district after the district has fallen to the Taliban.

Govt recommends referring domestic violence bill to Council of Islamic Ideology coNtINuEd from paGE 01 Citing article 230-1-b of the Constitution, the letter said it “empowers the islamic Council to advise a house, a Provincial assembly, a President or a Governor on any question referred to it as to whether a proposed law is or is not repugnant to the [injunctions] of islam”.

Moreover, under article 230-1-a, the body can make recommendations to parliament regarding ways and means to encourage Muslims in Pakistan to lead their lives, individually and collectively, in accordance with the principles of islam, awan said.

THE LEGISLATION: The bill, which also extends to islamabad, defines domestic violence as “all acts of physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and economic abuse committed by a respondent against women, children, vulnerable persons, or any other person with whom the respondent is or has been in a domestic relationship that causes fear, physical or psychological harm to the aggrieved person”. it includes, but is not limited to, acts such as repeated exhibition of possessiveness or jealousy which lead to invasion of

privacy, liberty, integrity and security, threats of divorce or second marriage on baseless accusations or infertility, wilful or negligent abandonment, stalking, harassment, or compelling the wife to cohabit with anybody other than the husband.

The bill also criminalises insults, ridicule, and false allegations on the character of a female member or any member of the shared household, as well as intentional deprivation of economic or financial resources or hindrance to access of such resources which the aggrieved person is entitled to under the law.

The act of domestic violence [if the offence committed does not fall under the Pakistan Penal Code] shall be punishable with imprisonment of a maximum of three years and a minimum of six months, depending on the gravity of the crime committed. according to the bill, if an offence falling under the PPC is committed in a domestic relationship, the crime shall be punishable as under the PPC. a fine ranging from Rs20,000 to Rs100,000 would also be imposed on the perpetrator, which would be paid as compensation to the aggrieved person. in case of de-

fault in payment of fine, the perpetrator may be awarded three months imprisonment.

HISTORY OF THE BILL: Last month, the opposition in the Senate had raised alarm over the bill, along with other key human rights legislation it had sponsored, disappearing into a black hole to emerge in the form of government bills. “a wrong practice is going on for quite some time which is a disincentive for members of the Senate who work hard on the bills with the civil society and their colleagues,” PPP parliamentary leader Senator Sherry Rehman had said while raising the issue in the house.

She had regretted that instead of using parliamentary committees for scrutinising and reviewing bills, countless progressive bills had just vanished from parliamentary agendas under the Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf (PTi) government. “it is shocking how my Bill, ‘Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2020’, has been silently omitted from the agenda,” Rehman had added. in 2016, the Cii had proposed a bill that allowed a husband to “lightly” beat his wife “if needed” and prohibited mixing of the

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genders in schools, hospitals and offices.

That proposal had come under fire by rights activists.

Farzana Bari, human rights activist and academic at Quaid-i-azam University, had termed the proposed bill unconstitutional. “allowing a husband to beat his wife, in any way, is against Pakistan’s Constitution and the international laws and treaties that Pakistan has signed and is bound by. This Council is a burden on the Pakistani taxpayer and bringing a bad name to Muslims throughout the world,” she had said, warning that the bill “will take Pakistan further into ignorance.”

TWITTER ENRAGED CII INVOLVEMENT: The news that the bill was being sent to the Cii sent shockwaves across Twitter as many took issue with the fact that there is no female representation on the Cii, despite it being mandated by article 228 of the Constitution.

There was little women representation throughout the process, except Mazari who put forward the bill.

Many people believed the bill was comprehensive enough to terrify men. Others took on the notion that it was “against Pakistan’s

culture” and gave the internet a wake-up call.

Some believe the law may be weakened by any further amendments.

One Twitter user wanted to know what was so objectionable about the bill in the first place. actor Osman Khalid Butt was left nonplussed by the news.

“Okay let me clarify, imagine a country that hates its women so much that a bill to protect them from violence needs to be proposed only to be rejected,” wrote Model Eman Suleman on an instagram story.

“Let this be a reminder to us that laws are made by men to protect men and to help them maintain their power over women/gender minorities. Our country literally refused to pass a bill to keep women and children safe from physical violence,” she wrote in a second story.

“So the next time you put your faith in [the] law, think twice. and shut up with your innocent until proven guilty. Powerful men will get away with pretty much anything because the law is on their side. i am especially talking to other women.” actor and author Mira Sethi believed the government does not prioritise protecting women.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

06 COMMENT

UN must protect children in India-Occupied Kashmir

Talks with the ‘angry Baloch’ Is the establishment on board?

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RiME MinistER imran khan is right when he says that addressing the grievances of the alienated Baloch youth would prevent hostile elements from using them to spread chaos. For this Mr khan is prepared to hold talks with the Baloch insurgents. What one would like to remind him is that while lack of development in the province is one of the grievances in Balochistan, what is equally, if not more, important is a feeling in the province that it has no voice in the echelons of power and that decisions about Balochistan are made without taking the Baloch on board and solemn promises made with them are broken. the grim history of Balochistan is not simply spread over a decade or so but begins soon after the creation of Pakistan. the forced annexation of kalat state while this could have been done peacefully, use of military force against those who opposed One Unit under ayub khan. Dismissal of the first ever-elected government of Balochistan by Zulfikar ali Bhutto accompanied by a military operation. Despite all these negative developments, the Baloch nationalists joined the mainstream and fought the elections in 1988 hoping that this would make the tone-deaf strong centre hear their voice.

Hell broke loose after akbar Bugti was killed in military action ordered by Pervez Musharraf. this showed that the establishment was not willing to resolve Balochistan’s issues through talks. the cruel method to quell the insurgency added fuel to the fire. this helped foreign agencies to use the situation to fulfil their nefarious plans. sui gas reached karachi, Lahore and Peshawar but for decades it was not available to the people of Balochistan. the Baloch nationalists want the control of the province’s resources and a say in development projects made for Balochistan. they also demand an end to forced disappearances and the release of all those forcibly taken away.

Holding talks with the Baloch insurgents is a good idea provided it has the backing of the establishment.

BnP (M) chief akhtar Mengal left the ruling alliance as the aforementioned demands were not fulfilled. Perhaps new developments have led to a rethinking among those who matter. But talks with the insurgent leaders might require a general amnesty and a release of all in custody, as happens in situations of the type. this is where the establishment’s nod would be necessary.

The Indian occupation forces do not spare even children

Kashif Mirza

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akistan urged the Un security Council to act immediately to protect children in conflict zones, particularly in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir where indian forces have been deliberately targeting children with pellet guns. Un secretary General antónio Guterres also urged india to end the use of pellets against children in Occupied Jammu and kashmir and stop associating children with the security forces in any way. according to an analytical report, it said that the killing of 95,686 including 7147 in custody from 1 January 1989 to 30 september 2020 speaks volumes about the goodwill gesture of the brutal indian forces towards the kashmiri people. the report also mentioned the destruction of 110,367 civilian properties including houses and structures and gang-rape or molestation of 11,219 of women by the troops during the period to expose the reality of indian army’s operations.

During 2020, some of the worst atrocities and state terrorism took place in iOJk. More than 300 innocent kashmiris, including women and children, were killed in fake encounters and staged cordon-and-search operations, and 750 kashmiris were critically injured, while 2,770 innocent kashmiris were arbitrarily detained, and 922 houses destroyed as part of collective punishment inflicted on the kashmiri communities. such inhuman actions are not only in violation of the UnsC resolutions on Children and armed Conflict but are also in breach of the best interests of the child principle under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which india is a state party. the worsening situation and increased attacks against children in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir, calls for the security Council’s intervention by holding india accountable for its grave breaches of international humanitarian law and war crimes in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir. according to the Un secretary General’s latest report, the overall number of grave violations remained alarmingly high at 26,425. these violations include the continued killing and maiming of children, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, sexual violence and abduction, attacks against schools and hospitals, and

Afghan endgame Taliban to give written plan

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he prospect of movement in the intra-afghan talks at Doha was held out by the taliban when their spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that the taliban would present a written peace plan to the afghan government. He said that the talks would pick up pace in a month. this would indicate that the pressure applied to the taliban by Pakistan has finally had some effect, and the taliban are finally willing to agree to some sort of process by which some post-withdrawal settlement could be arrived at. the agreement may not appear very great, but it is, because the taliban have an interest in delaying the talks as long as the military momentum favours them. as a rule of thumb, they are advancing in the countryside, and the retreat of more than 1000 kabul troops into tajikistan highlighted this, while it highlighted the taliban gains in Badakhshan province. it must be remembered that the respective strengths at the negotiating tables will depend on the positions on the battlefield, and while they seem to be an advantage militarily, it would be in the taliban’s interest to delay negotiations.

However, the sop held out another taliban spokesman, sohail shaheen, that the taliban did not include the taking of kabul as one of their military aims, was an indication that it did not intend the overthrow of the kabul government, thus increasing its incentive to engage constructively in talks.

His disclaimer of any intention against diplomats or nGOs was also meant to get the Usa to be ready to reduce the forces it would leave behind to protect its diplomats and to keep kabul airport open. His saying that any military personnel, left behind after the announced deadline of september 11, would be at risk as occupiers, indicated that the taliban did not want any loophole allowing for foreign forces to protect the kabul government. there has been precious little progress in the recent past, and thus this is to be welcomed, but it should be realized that all the parties have a considerable distance to travel, and thus this be regarded as nothing more than what it is: a beginning.

The underlying problems have not been changed

Washington Watch

A

Editor Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Dr JaMes J zogby

decade ago, we were in the throes of what observers in the West termed the “arab spring.” an assessment is now in order.

Because analysts in the West first assumed that these uprisings in tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen were organically linked, mirroring the revolutions that brought down the Communist regimes that had operated under the protective cover of the soviet Union, they termed them the “arab spring.” these arab uprisings, however, were not threads of one unraveling region. While sharing some common characteristics, in each instance local factors shaped them.

One shared feature was their almost exclusive occurrence in the so-called “arab Republics”— countries that for decades had been ruled by military regimes that lacked broad legitimacy and had become increasingly ossified, distant from the needs of their publics, and corrupted by privileged elites who drained wealth for themselves and their cronies. also, each of these uprisings had begun as largely non-violent youth-led protests focused on poverty, employment, the need for services, and the desire for greater freedom and political rights.

While some Western analysts mistakenly termed

Arif Nizami

Managing Editor

reach the resolution. kashmir conflict needs a sustainable resolution. the international community is responsible for sustaining the world peace and resolving conflicts between and among the states, thus, succumbs to influence the parties, india and Pakistan for a peaceful resolution of kashmir conflict. nonetheless, to lead the kashmir conflict in the right direction is essential, only defining structural ways does not seem enough for the resolution. therefore, a certain framework needs to be made that must be mutually agreeable by the parties. it’s evidently proved that kashmiris are not satisfied with the indian illegal control of kashmiris, which therefore causes frequent protests in the area. the abrogation of article 370 and 35a has further worsened the situation in kashmir and one can see strong reactions from the international community also. it is high time for india to look into its domestic policies towards its minority especially the Muslims. the world community is not only showing criminal indifference to the humanitarian crisis in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir and the illegal indian action to annex the territory but is also looking the other way at the anti-Muslim actions of the Modi regime within india. First it deprived 1.9 million Bengali Muslims who were residing in assam for decades before Partition, and now through the new citizenship bill, which denies Muslims the right of citizenship. the bill, which has racist and xenophobic connotations, has already triggered protests in several states of india. Regrettably the Un is not in a position to play any positive role without the support of the proindian powers enjoying veto power. in view of these serious concerns, the Un security Council must act immediately to stop india from such practices and take preventive measures to protect children, including by ending the use of pellets against children in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir. Whatever the causes of modern-day brutality towards children, the time has come to call a halt. these acts must end, and perpetrators must be held to account. Pakistan, for which kashmir is an item on the unfinished agenda of the partition, will and must continue to persist with its moral, political and diplomatic support to the freedom struggle in indianOccupied Jammu and kashmir until it succeeds.

The writer is an economist, anchor, analyst and the President of All Pakistan Private Schools Federation.

President@pakistanprivateschools.com

10 years since the Arab spring

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

denial of humanitarian access. the report further revealed that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated difficulties in the protection of children affected by armed conflicts, with humanitarian agencies finding it hard to conduct their work safely. Despite persistent concerns raised by multiple special Rapporteurs and Mandate Holders of the Human Rights Council and experts on Children and armed Conflict, the human rights and humanitarian situations continue to deteriorate for the innocent children of indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir since 5 august 2019.

Jammu and kashmir is an unresolved agenda of partition left behind by Britain and a disputed territory between india and Pakistan. Both the parties acknowledged the disputed status of the state of Jammu and kashmir in the Un security Council resolutions of 13 august 1948, and on 5 January 1949, to which both countries are considered a party. the Un resolutions remained operative and cannot be unilaterally disregarded by either party. as agreed in the Un security Council resolutions, peaceful and bilateral negotiations would be made between india and Pakistan over the future status of Jammu and kashmir. it therefore entails a fair, free and internationally supervised plebiscite that should be aimed to secure the right of self-determination for the people of kashmir. the current status shows both the positions on kashmir, as Pakistan is in the favour of the Un plebiscite as per the wishes of the kashmiri people. kashmiris in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir are going through an ordeal of oppression due to massive human rights violations by indian security forces. kashmir is the most violent and volatile conflict zone between india and Pakistan in south asia. the conflict becomes more dangerous when the stakeholders are nuclear-armed because it certainly risks regional and international peace. the continuing curfew in indian-Occupied Jammu and kashmir is in the backdrop of revoking articles 370 and 35a of the indian Constitution 5 august 2019, heavy military presence, media blackout, kidnapping of young boys, brutal patterns of violence and suppression of masses’ voices, which have all ignited a wave of protest and condemnation from the global community, which is emphasising a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the long- standing kashmir conflict. through cost-benefit-analysis one may get to know about the cost observes as what india and Pakistan are costing from their active engagement in conflict. since 1947 a several proposals for kashmir conflict are being offered by the analysts aiming to

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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these uprisings “revolutions,” tunisia has been the only true revolution, bringing about a change in governance— though its result remains quite fragile. Our polling shows that despite retaining grievances, tunisians have some hope in their situation. Our polling also shows that other arabs see tunisia as the only mildly successful arab spring country.

While developments in Egypt have gone through ups and downs, nothing close to a revolution occurred, as the military remained in control throughout. they deposed Mubarak non-violently and then later violently removed the Muslim Brotherhood, in the face of increasing concern from Egyptians, according to our polling, that the Brotherhood was attempting to impose its politicized version of islam as the law of the land. in the process, however, the Egyptian military may have created a problem for themselves. Repression has increased with tens of thousands imprisoned or cowed into silence. Our polling also shows that, as a result, Egyptians’ approval of the military has plummeted by more than 35 points. By more than three to one Egyptians now say they are worse off than they were before, and by a two-to-one margin say that they have less hope their situation will improve in the future. Despite the government’s confidence, the situation should be seen as quite worrisome. the experiences of syria, Libya, and Yemen have been different. Because they were fragmented societies— syria by sect and tribe, Libya by tribe and region, and Yemen by sect, tribe, region— with the deposing of the old regimes, groups either sought or were sought out by external powers, resulting in prolonged and bloody civil conflicts, the outcomes of which remain uncertain.

Even with this checkered record, new uprisings are still occurring in several more arab countries. in recent years there have been sustained mass protests in sudan, algeria, Lebanon, and iraq. Once again, while different and not fundamentally linked, each of these uprisings have exploded for similar reasons: lack of jobs and needed services, bad governance, and a lack of hope. the revolts in algeria and sudan are somewhat similar to those in the other “arab Republics,” with

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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only sudan being a potential success story. there, the military dictator has been deposed, and after continuing protests the military agreed to form a new government with equal participation of military and civilian leadership. Because this “experiment” is projected to have a three-year run, only time will tell whether the transition leads to full civilian control. the outcomes in Lebanon and iraq are even more difficult to predict. While the demands of their uprisings are similar, and include an end to sectarianism, the repressive violence of iranian-supported militias in both countries (and the stubbornness of the corrupt sectarian feudal elites in Lebanon) pose real roadblocks to change. ten years after the first uprisings, the fragile “stability” that once characterized the old order of the “arab Republics” has given way mostly to chaos. Despite the uneven record of these unsettling events and their uncertain futures, there are lessons to be learned.

Regimes should know that repression is no substitute for unresponsive governance that fails to provide services, opportunity, and hope. they should understand that those who are protesting, especially the young, are not the enemy, but their citizens and their nation’s future. Leaders should respond to the protestors’ legitimate concerns and offer them real hope for change. the protesters, especially in Lebanon and iraq, need to develop a coordinated leadership, a coherent programme of demands, and a plan for implementation. Where possible (as in Lebanon, Egypt, sudan, Libya, and iraq), protestors must organize politically for the next election. in too many instances, because of the lack of political organization, the uprisings have been co-opted by the Muslim Brotherhood or other politicized sectarian movements— because they were the only organized political forces in the country. the Usa needs to understand that any new deal with iran must include pressing iran to stop exploiting sectarian divisions and end its meddlesome and violent behaviour in Lebanon, syria, iraq, and Yemen. and the Usa should tailor future assistance programs to these governments to focus on job creation, private sector growth, and improvements in education, health care, and delivery of social services.

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 7 July, 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

Bags not tools aCCORDinG to Wikipedia,“Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially or morally harmful.” knowing the consequences of child labour, UniCEF declared 12 June as “World day against child labour” still, in our country child labour is quite common.

Children, who are the future of Pakistan, are holding tools instead of bags. according to a survey conducted by the Federal Bureau of statistics and the national Child Labour, approximately 19 million children below 14 years of age are working as child labourers in Pakistan due to poverty. they are deprived of their due rights along with education. if our youth is going to be uneducated and engaged in work, how will the country progress? the government must make sure that every child must be a student rather than a labour.

Afroz MJ TurbAT

WHO warning

Friendship with no parallels Nothing can drive a rift between them

MaliK MuhaMMaD ashraf

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RaZiLian lyricist, eminent literary figure and winner of several international awards, Paulo Coelho de souza, describing friendship, said “Friendship is not about whom you know the longest. it is about who came and never left”. What he said is quintessential of the friendship between Pakistan and China, which is far beyond and above the realm of normal diplomatic relations between two states. the epithet of ‘iron brothers’ proudly claimed by the two countries reflects the impregnable nature of relations between the two countries which have withstood the vicissitudes of times. it is a friendship with no parallels.

Prime Minister imran khan was right on money when in an interview with China Global television network he said, “it is very unfair of the United states and Western powers to force countries like Pakistan to take sides and downgrade their ties with China. the relationship with China is very deep. it’s not a relationship between governments, it’s a people-to-people relationship. to sum up, whatever will happen, the relationship between the two countries, no matter what pressure is put on us, is not going to change.”

Pakistan is surely under pressure from the Usa and its western allies to take sides in their snowballing rivalry with China. However Pakistan understands the hazards of the rivalry between these two giants and would like to have good relations with everybody, as rightly pointed out by the Prime Minister. to be honest, the Usa has always been an unfriendly ally of Pakistan while China, even not a formal ally, has done more than any ally could do. notwithstanding the fact that Pakistan was a Us ally, the development of relations with China has been the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Pakistan has been supporting China on all issues of importance to the latter, especially those relating to China’s sovereignty over Hong kong, taiwan, tibet and other sensitive matters such as human rights. it was also Pakistan which orchestrated rapprochement between China and the Usa in 1972 and consequently President nixon travelled to China to meet Chairman Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Zhou Enlai, ending China’s global isolation. Chinese leaders do appreciate Pakistan’s role in that regard as well as its steadfastness and

unqualified support on issues of concern to her. similarly Pakistan is also greatly indebted to China for her continued unflinching support on kashmir. it was with the Chinese support that the issue of kashmir came up for discussion in the meeting of the Un security Council after 50 years in the backdrop of the unilateral action by the Modi government to end the special status of indian-Occupied kashmir.

China has played a significant role in the economic progress of Pakistan. the construction of the karakoram Highway, the Heavy Mechanical Complex at taxila, the Pakistan aeronautical Complex (PaC) and the Chashma nuclear Plants are the monuments of the ever-spiking relationship. in the backdrop of Us-india deal for transfer of civilian nuclear technology which Pakistan regarded as a discriminatory act, China exhibited the strength of the friendship between the two countries by agreeing to help Pakistan in building Chashma iV and V. it has also been extending support to Pakistan regarding its stance for criteria-based admission of new members to the prestigious nuclear suppliers Group. it has also helped in saving Pakistan from being pushed into the black list

by FatF. it is pertinent to mention that Pakistan was put on the grey list in 2018 as a result of a Us-sponsored resolution. that surely was not a friendly gesture.

Pakistan and China also have very strong defence ties. in early March 2017, the Chinese-built Low to Medium altitude air Defence system was inducted into the air defence system of the Pakistan army that would considerably enhance its response capability to the current and emerging threats as the Chinese Mobile air Defence system is capable of tracking and destroying a variety of aerial targets at longer ranges and flying at low and medium altitudes. the co-production of JF-17 thunder aircraft at PaC is yet another milestone in defence relations between the two countries.

China fully understands the challenges being faced by Pakistan, its geo-political relevance, and its contributions towards regional peace and stability, and has repeatedly assured full spectrum support for Pakistan in grappling with those challenges. it has always appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to deal with the phenomenon of terrorism, urging the world as well to acknowl-

edge those achievements. the CPEC, a flagship project of the BRi, has undoubtedly added eternity to the infallible relations between the two states and their people.

By becoming part of the CPEC, Pakistan is poised not only to make up for the lost opportunities but also to become an economic powerhouse within the next two decades. apart from radically changing the dynamics of regional connectivity and trade, CPEC is going to act as a catalyst in the process of Pakistan’s transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy. CPEC is a mix of infrastructure projects, energy producing units and industrial zones along the corridor routes. the development of infrastructure under CPEC will lay a firm foundation for industrialization of Pakistan. the CPEC has been acknowledged as a perfect recipe for lifting the economic profile of the countries which are part of the BRi initiative worldwide. Even the Un has recognized its economic potential and the collateral outcome of promoting peace through economic interdependence. CPEC is a win-win initiative for China, Pakistan and the entire region.

China has also shown remarkable flexibility by expanding the scope of CPEC to the social sectors, particularly alleviation of poverty, in consonance with the Pti manifesto. the development occurred during the visit of Prime Minister imran khan to China. Chinese leaders pledged to make increased investments in those sectors besides extending $2 billion financial support to tide over the financial crisis confronting the country.

China also made a commitment to rectifing the trade imbalance between the two countries by taking steps to enhance Pakistani exports to China, proving her credentials as a time-tested friend of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s economic and security interests are inextricably linked to the region it belongs to. therefore its focus on recalibrating relations with the countries of the region and taking her relations with China to a higher trajectory is a right thing to do without getting involved in the dynamics of global politics and the rivalry between the Usa and China. it is heartening to note that Prime Minister imran khan has spelt out the future contours of Pakistan’s foreign policy without mincing any words.

Pakistan’s economic and security interests are inextricably linked to the region it belongs to.

Therefore its focus on recalibrating relations with the countries of the region and taking her relations with China to a higher trajectory is a right thing to do without getting involved in the dynamics of global politics and the rivalry between the USA and China. It is heartening to note that Prime Minister Imran Khan has spelt out the future contours of Pakistan’s foreign policy without mincing any words

Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic.

He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.

it’s an horrifying fact that the sheesha smokers are not well perceived about the damaging effects of “sheesha” to the health.it is proved that smoking of sheesha is worse than cigrattes. in a hour long session of smoking sheesha contain 200 puffs while cigrattes contain only 20.

When one smokes it, it not only effect him but also the people around him gets terribly effected without even smoking it.the world health organisation (WHO) had published a report in 2005 mentioning that smoking of sheesha is hazardous for health. sheesha cafes must have been banned but still there’s no action took regarding this. But now one must understand that a health is above all and sheesha is a silent killer. fizA NASir TurbAT

What a day in Karachi aFtER meeting and touching situation of karachi, a sudden accident or natural disaster wreaked havoc the whole joints of karachi. there is a multitude of people who faced the music. Especially those penury people who unable to survive their live in this hot and heavy issue. i may say, a natural disaster is a benediction from almught allah, but to sort out this dilemma is responsibility of all people, whether they are in the government sector or private sector.. the whole political leaders as well as ministers of sindh have carte blanche to overcome this hit potato which has been hocked a person of karachi. this terrifying gloom is not only faces of middle-class neighbourhood, but also elite class.

Furthermore, this monstrous world already as been faced the music DUE tO COViD-19, a DOZEn OF PEOPLE has LOst tHEiR LiVEs at tHE DROP OF Hat. it was a setback to this world. Most of the sudden, an incident can be occurred to you at any time. saME as natural disaster which is an inevitable.

Recently, i have seen the whole enchidela of the of cities where Rainwater was stagnant on road of each city of Pakistan especially, Lahore and karachi. Regarding this natural occurrence, Everyone has arisen heap of cinders regarding CM sahab. some of them, defamed his reputation in writing words servely. We know that, CM is final and absolute authority to wipe out all daunting tasks from the city, but it is a not only dilemma of karachi to spick and span the water from the roads but also the others cities are still remaining. this monstrous society is plenary of pompous ass people. We always see our interests and benefits.

We take up-turned and some time, we depart from our right principles. so We’re being selfish and rapacious regarding our monetary interest and other one. . a hallmark mark quoted can be stated here. this maxim can be infallible at some angles, but not completely top-notch to sigh. so to mock at others, or musterjocular expression, or your facial expression toward personality personality which feels a vestige of degrading our authority concerned who fought with this pandemic situation and tried to prevent us from this baneful disease.

Who took such miraculous and effective steps to desist this disease from occurring again and again, but this society still opposed against him in lieu of extolling. in the nutshell. there is a sophist who depicts that. same situation happens above given sweeping statement; try to Change, tRY tO use creativity to your life, try to be mature, do not change your paths, where you feel under the weather, try to stand at one’s feet, try to love choose loved ones leader and proponent him inwardly and outwardly.

Because of Public. they are nothing, but you must take action or protest regarding any illicit act and you do not allow to defame charming personality at any cost.

NirMAl oAd ShikArpur

Punishment and discipline DisCiPLinE is the practice of training to obey rules or using punishments to correct disobedience. it is the teaching of the boundaries. the teaching of what is right and what is wrong. Discipline can be both “positive and negative” For example the positive discipline is admiring children for doing something “Good”, or stopping them for doing wrong by counseling. negatives can be like smacking and threatening them for doing something inappropriate. some Parents and most of the teachers in school believe that they do well by punishing them or “safe smacking”, Whereas the actual discipline is helping them to understand why certain behaviour is unacceptable. sometimes after getting smacked children (students) get impinge and start to think that it is alright to beat others. Punishment is not the way to motivate them in order to behave more properly. Yes! sometimes somewhere it is right to punish but many times the best way is to understand what was the reason behind the aggressive reaction, behaving in an inappropriate way or doing an offence . after this if they are wrong, the better way is admonishing them to make them stop from doing something unacceptable! not using corporal punishments.

ArifA SAEEd lArkANA

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW STanding up To The uS on The iran deal iS noT an opTion for iSrael THE CONSEQUENCES OF SABOTAGING A DEAL WITH IRAN WOULD BE DIRE FOR ISRAEL

AL JAzeerA

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AKIvA ELdAR

nitED states President Joe Biden’s expected signature on an amended nuclear agreement with iran puts israel’s new government before a strategic dilemma. it essentially has two options: to adhere to the policy of former Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu who ruled out any deal with iran that would include even a partial lifting of sanctions, or to adopt a “if you cannot beat them, join them” approach by cooperating with the Biden administration and trying to plug the holes it identifies in the emerging deal.

On his first meeting with his american counterpart antony Blinken on June 27, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hinted at what direction the new government may take. “We believe the way to discuss those disagreements is through direct and professional conversation, not a press conference,” Lapid said. this would be the exact opposite of the aggressive campaign mounted by netanyahu against the 2015 deal, when he declined the Obama administration’s offer to take part in consultations prior to the sealing of the agreement. the agreement, which had limits of 10 to 15 years on some of its provisions, was not perfect. However, some senior israeli defence officials insisted that it was far better than no agreement at all, as it forced tehran to give up enriched uranium it had stockpiled and accept a regime of unprecedented inspections of its facilities. netanyahu went behind Obama’s

back to mobilise Congress against the 2015 agreement, but failed. the deal was signed. netanyahu took advantage of the close relationship he subsequently forged with President Donald trump and the republicans, playing an influential role in the 2018 Us withdrawal from the agreement. and what did israel get out of this, other than the anger and frustration of the other signatories – russia, China, the UK, and France?

President-elect Biden provided an answer to this question in December 2020, just weeks before moving into the White House, declaring that opposition to the deal with iran yielded the opposite result to the one its opponents desired. “[iran] increased the ability for them to have nuclear material. they’re moving closer to the ability to be able to have enough material for a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Biden’s January 2020 criticism of trump for pulling the Us out of the iran agreement can also be read as criticism of netanyahu. Biden said at a rally in nevada that “everything that has happened in iran and iraq in recent weeks was brought on by trump walking away from a nuclear deal in 2018 that enjoyed strong international support”. netanyahu obviously does not recognise his resounding failure in an area that was for years his claim to fame as “Mr security”. From the opposition benches of the Knesset, he continues to incite against Us efforts to renew the nuclear agreement with iran. He is breathing down the necks of Prime Minister naftali Bennett and Lapid, whom he accused of damaging israel’s security interests by pledging to give the Us advance warning of any military action against iran. “if there were no surprises, we wouldn’t have been able to destroy the reactor in iraq,” netanyahu said, referring to the 1981 israeli bombing of an unfinished nuclear reactor near

Baghdad. He also suggested that the Us had repeatedly asked him for such a commitment but he had refused.

On his first day in office, Lapid said one of his first tasks would be to rehabilitate israel’s ties with the Democrats. He followed this up with Blinken at their June 27 meeting in rome. “in the past few years, mistakes were made,” Lapid told Blinken. “israel’s bipartisan standing was hurt. We will fix those mistakes together.” a breakthrough in Us-iran negotiations would force Bennett to adopt a decision on whether to “go with the flow” or risk double trouble – with the Us and other world powers, and with Lapid and the government’s centre-left partners at home. the Biden administration has made no secret of its attempts to nurture relations with israel’s new government. israel’s prime ministers have always insisted that when it comes to iran’s nuclear programme, “all options are on the table”. in other words, israel does not rule out an attack on iran’s nuclear installations.

However, when the occupant of the Oval Office is a rational leader seeking to resolve conflicts peacefully, rather than a loose cannon, such an option is not really an option.

On the other hand, if negotiations fall through, not due to israel’s opposition, and iran succeeds one of these days in obtaining nuclear weapons, an israeli air force attack squadron will head for the nuclear facilities under a supportive international umbrella. netanyahu’s dual failure – the acceleration of iran’s nuclear programme and the crisis in relations with the Democrats – should teach Bennett an important lesson. israel cannot defeat the Us. Even when it wins, it ends up losing.

Akiva Eldar is an Israeli author and was formerly an editorial writer and columnist for Haaretz.

Britain’s re-engagement with Southeast Asia THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS ALREADY EXPRESSED ITS WILLINGNESS TO PLAY A BIGGER ROLE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC Lowy InstItute

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RAHUL MISHRA

ritain’s Foreign secretary Dominic raab made a whirlwind trip last week to Vietnam, Cambodia and singapore – three key nations that figure prominently in the UK’s post-Brexit trade calculations. raab boasted the Cambodia visit was the first to the country by a British foreign secretary in three decades, but the major theme across each country was trade and deepening bilateral cooperation. raab had also visited Kuala Lumpur last year to promote the Johnson government’s “Global Britain” strategy, but his latest trip to southeast asia coincided with a nationwide Covid19 lockdown in Malaysia.

Post-Brexit Britain is keen to revamp its old image of a regional security provider and register its presence independent of the European Union (EU) in southeast asia and the wider indo-Pacific region. the United Kingdom signed trade pacts not just with Vietnam and singapore, but also with Japan and australia. to keep the trade momentum, the United Kingdom has also pledged to join the Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for trans-Pacific Partnership (CPtPP) – one of the largest trade blocs in the world. the influence of the EU is still evident. For instance, there is a remarkable similarity between the EU–singapore and UK–singapore trade pacts. raab also signalled in singapore an aim to put cooperation over the digital economy on the agenda. that said, trade is not the only dimension of Britain’s renewed southeast asia and indo-Pacific engagement. HMs Queen Elizabeth, the flagship of the royal navy, sailed for the disputed south China sea waters while raab was visiting the region. the ship visit was designed to showcase the UK’s military capability for friends and partners, demonstrate support for the United states, which has conducted freedom of navigation operations (FOnOPs) near China’s artificial islands, endorse the principles of a rules-based order and work closely with its main proponents – Japan, india, australia and the United states. the United Kingdom has already expressed its willingness to play a bigger role in the indo-Pacific, highlighted in March with the release of its “integrated review of security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy: Global Britain in a Competitive age”. the increased UK engagement will be welcomed by the association of southeast asian nations (asEan) as well, with the regional organisation keen

to engage with as many middle and major powers as possible. talk that the United Kingdom will soon join as a dialogue partner for asEan is a further dimension to its regional engagement – ironic, in a fashion, given that Britain’s decision in the 1960s to withdraw from east of the suez led to considerable anxieties among the southeast asian nations about communist threats in the region and influenced the establishment of asEan. Britain has other historical ties it will seek to draw on – with singapore and Malaysia through the Five Power Defence arrangements (FPDa), a defence pact that also includes australia and new Zealand, and via the Commonwealth of nations, with Brunei, Malaysia and singapore as members.

But reviving old relationships will not be an easy task. London will have to do a lot of work to capture influence that is presently held by the EU and its leading powers – France and Germany.

France, which had already launched its indoPacific policy, is geographically a part of the indo-Pacific region via its territories and historically an important stakeholder in southeast asia.

French ship visits to the region are becoming more frequent and its partnership with southeast asian nations is growing stronger. this includes the newly established india–australia–France minilateral cooperation framework and France’s three-pronged strategy to work with india in the southern indian Ocean. it’s a surreal twist that two of the countries on raab’s itinerary once had a strong French influence.

Germany also has robust economic ties with all three of asia’s big economies: China, Japan and india. the EU already has a trade pact with Japan, and trade negotiations with india are also likely to be resumed. Germany was the largest EU exporter of goods to asEan in 2020 and is also the top investor in the region. Here again, it cannot be a mere coincidence that two of the three countries that raab visited were the largest (singapore) and second largest (Vietnam) asEan destinations for EU exports of goods in 2020.

Motivation and sentiment are laudable – but concrete plans will matter more. in that regard, the CPtPP might not only help Britain fill the postBrexit trade vacuum but also generate new opportunities. in essence, raab’s visit should be seen as London’s attempt to make up lost politico-strategic and economic ground in southeast asia and the wider indo-Pacific region. But in order to win back old friends and re-establish influence in the region, it has to go beyond catching up with the EU and go the extra mile.

The government is launching an attack on freedom of expression THE REAL REASON WHY GOVERNMENTS FIGHT SO HARD TO MAINTAIN THEIR MONOPOLY CONTROL OVER INFORMATION IS NOT TO KEEP SECURITY SECRETS VITAL TO THE NATION, BUT TO USE OR LEAK THAT INFORMATION THEMSELVES

Independent

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PATRICK COCKBURN

att Hancock’s bungling effort to conceal his affair with Gina Coladangelo may give hope to some that all government attempts to keep information from the public will be equally futile.

Unfortunately, the government has launched a carefully targeted multi-front offensive to hide its activities more effectively. among measures being considered or already under way are a reformed Official secrets act that will conflate investigative journalism and whistleblowing with espionage. On another front, the Freedom of information act (FOia) is being crippled by rejecting requests and under-resourcing. at an individual level, ministers and senior officials escape scrutiny by using encrypted messaging services that can make conversations disappear from the record.

Hancock himself was apparently so concerned over the contents of his emails that he used a private email account. any enquiry into the test and trace debacle or the mass deaths in care homes may find it difficult to discover with whom the former health secretary was in contact. in the last year, the rejection of requests for information from central government under the FOia have soared to 50 per cent compared to 15 per cent when it was first introduced. “the importance of FOia is that it is a symbol of transparency which is why politicians hate it so much,” says Ben Worthy, a senior lecturer at Birk-

beck specialising in transparency and freedom of information. He says that governments do not dare to abolish the act, but they can defang it by across-the-board rejections, deliberately long delays or simple non-compliance.

Most threatening of all to the public knowing what the government is doing are proposed changes in the Official secrets act which would treat journalists, whistleblowers and leakers as if they were spies. a little-noticed 67-page consultative paper issued in May by the Home Office and titled Legislation to Counter state threats (Hostile state activity) says anybody revealing information that the government chooses to label as a state secret would be liable for prosecution. the papers defines espionage particularly broadly as “the covert process of obtaining sensitive confidential information that is not normally publicly available”.

Critics say the proposed legislation would leave journalists and others facing the threat of 14 years in prison for publishing whatever the government may say is damaging to national security. the burden of proof for a successful prosecution would be reduced and juries would not necessarily be told why some disclosure poses such a serious threat. in Priti Patel’s introduction to the document, the home secretary portrays Britain as beset by enemies at home and abroad who pose a mounting danger to the nation. Her declared purpose is “to empower the whole national security community to counter the insidious threat we face today”. supposing all these proposals are implemented then Britain will be well on the way to joining those countries where the disclosure of any information damaging to the government is punishable. Offences range from revealing war crimes to disclosing trivial failures. the indian government would like to silence anybody revealing the true death toll in the Covid-19 epidemic; turkey has jailed journalists for writing that it had supplied weapons

to al-Qaeda-type organisations; the Egyptian government once stopped an academic from publishing a paper showing that more Egyptian farmers were going blind because of the spread of a waterborne parasite.

Britain does not have the same tradition of authoritarian censorship, but freedom of expression here is more fragile than it looks for two reasons. the Johnson administration has been more moderate than many nativist populist governments that have taken power around the world over the last decade. But it shares with them a strategy of systematic threat-inflation, frequently modelled on the agenda of the republican Party in the Us. in the paper cited above, Patel speaks of the necessity of introducing voter iDs and combating foreign powers interfering in British elections. a second feature of British culture makes the country particularly open to the belief that somewhere in the heart of government lie informational crown jewels, well-guarded secrets so important that their disclosure would pose an existential threat to us all. such a myth is central to the plot of thousands of spy novels and films.

But in my experience as a journalist few such earth-shaking secrets exist and what many people think of as a secret is either trivial or can be deduced by any reasonably well-informed person. the disclosures by Dominic Cummings, recently in the top ranks of government as Boris Johnson’s chief of staff, are a good example of what might be termed “the fallacy of the state secret”. For more than seven hours he testified to a parliamentary committee about the inner workings and personal likes and dislikes within the Johnson government. He made damaging allegations about Hancock, Johnson, inadequate preparations for the Covid-19 pandemic, the failure to protect care homes and shambolic mistakes in calling the second lockdown.

Yet none of these revelations were “secrets” in any

sense of the word since the facts about these disastrous decisions and decision-makers had long been obvious.

What made Cummings’s testimony so fascinating was that it provided eye-witness confirmation of what most people already knew.

Much the same is true of the Wikileaks publication of hundreds of thousands of classified Us diplomatic and military cables in 2010 for which Julian assange is currently incarcerated in Belmarsh high security prison in London. Despite the best effort of the Us government to prove the opposite, these supposed “secrets” revealed little that was not known previously, deeply embarrassing though it was for the Us government to see proof that its helicopters were machine-gunning civilians in the streets of Baghdad. to try to maintain the classic spy movie narrative that secrets betrayed means that there is blood on the hands of the betrayers, the Us army set up a task force to try to find a Us agent who had died because of the Wikileaks revelations. But after long researches the team of 120 counterintelligence officers failed to find a single person, among the thousands of american agents and secret sources in afghanistan and iraq, who could be shown to have died because of the revelations. the real reason why governments fight so hard to maintain their monopoly control over information is not to keep security secrets vital to the nation, but to use or leak that information themselves. they know that it is one of the key levers of their power and will persecute and punish anybody who tries to take it from them. as Ben Worthy puts it, the struggle, which people imagine is about keeping secrets, is really about who discloses them and is consequently “a battle to control the news agenda”.

Patrick Cockburn is the author of War in the Age of Trump (Verso).

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD

MiNiStRieS, diviSioNS diRected to SubMit tHRee-yeaR PeRfoRMaNce RePoRtS of SuboRdiNate eNtitieS Hyundai Nishat launches 8th Gen Sonata sedan in Pakistan starting at Rs6.3mn LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Hyundai Nishat Motors Private Limited has officially revealed its 4th CKD (completely knocked down) model Hyundai Sonata in Pakistan, priced at Rs6.3 million and Rs7 million for two variants. Hyundai Sonata, which is the 8th Generation Luxury Sedan launched by HNMPL, is a product launched for the first time in the D-Sedan segment, thereby providing Sonata a first mover advantage in this category for Pakistani consumers. It is pertinent to mention that the 8th Generation is the latest generation of Hyundai Sonata available worldwide.

Hyundai Sonata will be offered in two different variants including a 2.5L Smart Stream MPi engine at ex-factory price of Rs7,099,999, while the other variant comes with a 2.0L MPi engine at ex-factory price of Rs6,399,000.

Hyundai Sonata matches against Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and BMW 3-Series, all of which cost north of Rs10 million in Pakistan. In the category of Luxury Sedan (D-segment), Hyundai Sonata will be the first CKD car to be available in Pakistan. Hyundai Sonata is lauded due to its executive outlook and luxury comforts and specs. The 2021 model has industry best features such as 12.3" High Resolution TFT LCD Cluster and 8” Infotainment Floating Display. It also has a wide headup display, shark fin antenna and panoramic roof, powered rear sunshade and rear side curtain. Besides, the sedan has rain sensing wipers, shift by wire automatic transmission, five driving modes, six SRS Airbags, sensing door locks, parking sensors, besides other features. In a bid to get mileage and gain customer confidence, three exclusive preview events were organised in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad that were attended by notable personalities.

REPORTS TO BE FURNISHED TO PM OFFICE TO GAUGE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ISLAMABAD

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AHMAD AHMADANI

HE federal government has directed all government ministries and divisions to gather three-year performance reports from all the organisations and entities under respective ministries and divisions, and submit them to the Prime Minister (PM) Office for an overall review of the government entities.

According to sources, the Petroleum Division has asked its subordinate organisations/companies to furnish a performance report for the last three years and submit the report to the division as early as possible.

The division has instructed all its subordinate entities including Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL), Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Pak Arab Refinery Limited to submit performance report of their activities/programmes for the last three years.

Other entities under the Petroleum Division that have been asked to furnish performance reports are Inter State Gas Systems ISGS), Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), Saindak Metals Limited, and Lakhra Coal Development Company Limited These state-owned companies/entities have been asked to submit their respective performance report as early as possible, said sources.

The sources also said that all the divisions/ministries will submit their performance report to the Prime Minister (PM) Office and a complete performance report will be made public after getting PM Imran Khan’s approval in this regard. They said that the Pakistan

Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would make public a complete performance report of all state-owned entities for the period of three years with the aim to highlight the government’s achievements or lackings.

They said it was expected that all ministries/divisions, state owned entities will present a rosy picture to the PM regarding their performance over the last three years. The prime objective of seeking such reports from ministries/divisions regarding their subordinate companies/organisations was to improve their performance.

Sources added that the performance report will enable the government to remove any gaps/obstacles in the administrative, legislative and policy spheres.

An official from the Petroleum Division, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the information and said that instructions have been issued in this regard to all subordinate organisations/companies of the division to be forwarded to the PM Office.

“This is a step of the government in the right di-

rection, towards improving its performance,” said the official. “It will help evaluate the performance of stateowned entities under the tenure of the incumbent government,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that PTI government had been facing criticism from opposition parties regarding its performance. The opposition parties believed that the incumbent regime had so far not delivered a satisfactory performance and failed to change the conditions of poor countrymen.

On the other hand, the government spokesmen, while responding to the criticism of opposition parties, used to hold the past rulers responsible for the country’s problems, terming past rulers as thieves.

Besides, the publication of performance reports of ministries/divisions and their subordinate organisations will help the government tighten noose around those responsible for poor performance and hold them accountable.

CCoE to take up implementation status of commission’s report on shortage of petroleum products ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

Next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) is likely to take up the matter of implementation status on the report of the inquiry commission to probe into the shortage of petroleum products that hit the country in June 2020.

On April 1 this year, the federal cabinet considered the recommendations of the committee under convenership of minister for planning, development and special initiatives in light of the findings of the report, and directed that timelines for policy, administrative and legal changes be worked out and presented for approval of the cabinet by the Petroleum Division. The cabinet also directed that the reports of the two inquiry commissions be made public.

According to sources, the Petroleum Division has so far taken various actions on the matter. Some of the policy, legal and administrative actions have been completed while remaining will take some time.

However, the Petroleum Division is expected to outline the implementation status of each recommendation and future timelines for the task related to the division during the next meeting. Furthermore, the minister in charge of the division has seen and authorised the submission of a summary in this regard, said sources.

As per details, the cabinet, in its meeting held on ]December 15, 2020, constituted a committee comprising the planning minister, minister for education, minister for human rights, railways minister and adviser to prime minister on accountability to make recommendations on the administrative and policy actions that were needed to be taken in the light of the findings of the report. The committee, after having carried out a detailed review of the findings and recommendations, had given certain recommendations.

The committee recommended that following matters may be referred for forensic

PETROLEUM DIVISION EXPECTED TO REVIEW IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF EACH RECOMMENDATION AND FUTURE TIMELINES

investigation to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to unearth evidence/proof of criminal act/intent, with the direction to submit its report within 90 days: failure to maintain minimum 20-days stocks as per the license requirement of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) over a prolonged period;

failure to ensure lifting of products by the OMCs from local refineries as per PRM decisions of February, March and April 2020; failure to ensure implementation of PRM decisions regarding imports; and apparent maneuvering of berthing plan of vessels.

The committee also recommended in-

CMYK

vestigation in respect of fake sales, hoarding and discrepancies between the reported and actual supplies to retail outlets by OMCs, illegalities regarding provisional marketing licenses to OMCs, unlawful joint ventures (JVs) and hospitalities, illegal private storages and illegal retail outlets, and inquiry of

companies involved in adulteration of petroleum products etc.

The committee also recommended certain legislative and policy changes to fix the gaps in law, the regulations and policies including review of OGRA Ordinance 2002 to remove ambiguity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Petroleum Division and regulator, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the task may be assigned to law, petroleum and cabinet divisions.

Similarly, redefining punitive measures to make them more stringent against illegalities, irregularities by the OMCs like figure fudging to show fake supplies, establishing illegal petrol pumps, sale of smuggled and adulterated products, was recommended while it was also recommended that OGRA should take lead in this regard. Furthermore, construction of strategic storages of refined products and crude oil was recommended besides recommending up-gradation of outdated refineries with modern technology to reduce cost, increase efficiency and provision of environment friendly products to the people of Pakistan. The committee, under convenership of the planning minister, further recommended certain administrative actions by the Petroleum Division, the Maritime Affairs Division and OGRA to address the shortcomings in the present system.

The committee recommended removal/transfer of officers of directorate general of oil, removal/transfer of relevant officers of port authority who were involved in alleged delay in berthing of ships, and appointment of professional officers on technical positions such as DG oil, through an objective criteria.

It was also recommended to create a monitoring cell in the Petroleum Division for reliable data collection, analysis and decision making to do away with reliance on Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) and establishment of new testing labs, able to test all petroleum products and mandatory testing of imported petroleum products.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

PlAnE with 28 PEOPlE On bOArd CrAShES in rUSSiA’S fAr EASt MOSCOW

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AFP

ONE of the 28 people on board a Russian An-26 plane have survived its crash on Tuesday in the country’s far east, Interfax and RIA news agencies quoted sources in the rescue service as saying.

The plane, en route from regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the village of Palana, lost contact with air traffic control during the flight, according to Russia‘s emergencies ministry.

There were 22 passengers and six crew on board, the ministry said. Village mayor

Olga Mokhireva was among the passengers along with four local government officials, local authorities said.

The plane, an Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop, was on approach for landing when contact was lost about 10 kilometres away from Palana’s airport. The weather in the area was cloudy at the time, Interfax news agency said, quoting the local meteorology centre.

“All that is known at this time, what has been possible to establish, is that communication with the plane was interrupted and it did not land,” Valentina Glazova, a spokeswoman for the local transport prosecutor’s office, told AFP.

Israel sees drop in Pfizer vaccine protection against infections JERUSALEM ReuteRs

Israel reported on Monday a decrease in the effectiveness of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in preventing infections and symptomatic illness but said it remained highly effective in preventing serious illness. The decline coincided with the spread of the Delta variant and the end of social distancing restrictions in Israel. Vaccine effectiveness in preventing both infection and symptomatic disease fell to 64 percent since June 6, the Health Ministry said. At the same time, the vaccine was 93 percent effective in preventing hospitalizations and serious illness from the coronavirus. The ministry in its statement did not say what the previous level was or provide any further details. However, ministry officials published a report in May that two doses of Pfizer’s vaccine provided more than 95 percent protection against infection, hospitalization and severe illness.

Search teams in the remote far eastern Kamchatka peninsula found wreckage of the aircraft, according to the country’s aviation agency.

“Rescuers found the wreckage of the aircraft. Given the geographic features of the landscape, rescue operations are difficult,” the aviation agency said in an emailed statement, adding that the debris was found along the region’s Pacific coast.

POOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE, LAX SAFETY STANDARDS: Russia, once notorious for plane accidents, has improved its aviation and air traffic safety record in recent years.

But poor aircraft maintenance and lax safety standards still persist, and the country has seen several deadly air accidents in recent years.

The last major air accident took place in May 2019, when a Sukhoi Superjet belonging to the flag carrier airline Aeroflot crash-landed and caught fire on the runway of a Moscow airport, killing 41 people.

In February 2018, a Saratov Airlines An148 aircraft crashed near Moscow shortly after take-off, killing all 71 people on board.

An investigation later concluded that the accident was caused by human error.

Russia also frequently experiences non-fatal air incidents that result in re-

routed flights and emergency landings, usually stemming from technical issues.

In August 2019, a Ural Airlines flight carrying more than 230 people made a miracle landing in a Moscow corn field after a flock of birds were sucked into the engines shortly after take-off.

In February 2020, a Utair Boeing 737 carrying 100 people crash-landed on its belly in northern Russia after its landing system malfunctioned. All of the flight’s passengers and its crew survived.

Flying in Russia can also be dangerous in the vast country’s isolated regions with difficult weather conditions such as the Arctic and the Far East.

Death of 84-year-old Christian priest in custody stirs outcry in India NEW DELHI ReuteRs

A top United Nations human rights official has deplored the death in custody of an 84-year-old Indian Christian priest who campaigned for the rights of tribal people and was denied bail after being detained under an anti-terrorism law.

Father Stan Swamy was arrested last year on suspicion, which he denied, of ties to a banned radical leftist group that police accused of having instigated violence in Maharashtra state in 2018.

His death will revive criticism of the increasing use of the antiterrorism statute under nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Opponents of the law say it is used to hound people critical of the government.

Swamy, who suffered from Parkinson's disease and also contracted Covid-19 while in prison, died in a Mumbai hospital on Monday. More than a dozen people gathered outside the St Peter's Church in Mumbai, where his funeral service was being held, to protest his death.

“The news from India today is devastating. Human Rights Defender & Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy has died in custody, nine months after his arrest on false charges of terrorism,” said the UN special rap-

Explainer: OPEC disagreement lays bare growing UAE-Saudi economic rivalry DUBAI ReuteRs

Rare public disagreement between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia over OPEC policy points to a growing economic rivalry between the two largest Arab economies which only looks set to intensify, several regional analysts said. The UAE’s opposition this weekend to a proposed eight-month extension to output curbs, favoured by Saudi Arabia, was a rare display of defiance by Abu Dhabi, whose Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan has been a staunch ally of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The disagreement led the OPEC+ talks to be called off on Monday. “The current OPEC standoff signals a wider push by the UAE to assert its economic and national self-interest vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia,” said Amir Khan, senior economist at Saudi National Bank. The alliance between the young ambitious princes had propelled a hawkish foreign policy that saw them launch a military campaign in Yemen, lead an Arab boycott of Qatar and combat Islamist political groups in the Middle East and beyond.

But as Saudi Arabia tries to wean its economy off oil, it is vying with the UAE for foreign capital and talent, although economists say it will take time to truly challenge the region’s business, trade and tourism hub.

“There is this creeping economic competition in the relationship between the two biggest Arab economies and the competition is bound to intensify,” said Emirati political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla. “The UAE is speaking its mind … but the relationship is strong and the leadership know how to resolve issues,” he said.

The UAE foreign ministry and the Saudi government communications office did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on their economic and political relations. While common perceived threats from different groups in the region are likely to keep a lid on political differences, analysts say, the two states are seen as likely to increasingly butt heads on matters of economic sovereignty. Riyadh has warned foreign firms they could lose out on state contracts if they do not set up regional headquarters in the kingdom by 2024 and in another challenge to the UAE’s status as the region’s trade and business hub, it this week amended rules for imports from Gulf states to exclude goods made in free zones, a major driver of Dubai’s economy.

porteur for human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor.

“Jailing HRDs is inexcusable,” she added in a Twitter post, referring to human rights defenders.

At a briefing in Geneva, UN human rights commission spokeswoman Liz Throssell said the agency had repeatedly urged India's government to protect a robust civil society. “We are very concerned with the way he was treated,” she said, calling for the release of people detained without proper legal basis.

India's National Investigation Agency, which was pursuing the case against Swamy, did not respond to requests for comment. The federal home ministry and the foreign ministry also did not respond to a request for comment.

In previous court hearings, the government denied accusations of mistreatment of Swamy, and said the law must be allowed to take its course.

Supporters of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said there could be no tolerance of violence by Maoist guerrillas, some of whom operate in remote areas where tribal people live.

Swamy was the oldest of a dozen people, most of them academics and human rights activists, accused of violence in 2018 and imprisoned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which allows for prolonged detention for questioning.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

sports 11

islamabad

SaBalenKa, Barty reach WIMBledon SeMIS LONDON

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Boxer Mary Kom, hockey captain Singh named India’s flagbearers NEW DELHI ReuteRs

Boxer MC Mary Kom and men’s hockey captain Manpreet Singh will be India’s flagbearers at the Tokyo Olympics later this month, the Indian Olympic Association said. The joint flagbearer role for teams is a break with tradition after the International Olympic Committee changed the rules to send a message of gender parity. A six-time women’s world champion, 38-year-old Kom won flyweight bronze at the 2012 Games in London and she is hanging up her gloves after Tokyo.

Hockey skipper Singh, who hopes to end India’s 41-year medal drought in the sport, was delighted to be chosen alongside the boxer. “I think it’s a huge honour to be named the flagbearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom,” Singh said late on Monday. “I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey.” The men’s hockey team won eight gold medals between 1928 and 1980 but have not been on the podium since winning in Moscow. India is sending a 201-strong delegation, including 126 athletes, to Tokyo and hopes to have them all fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they arrive. The sports ministry on Monday requested help from the external affairs ministry to help get second doses to seven athletes training overseas along with 17 support staff. The athletes include javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is currently training in Sweden, four boxers in Italy and two wrestlers in Russia.

“It is likely that the Indian athletes and the support staff will get their second doses in the Indian missions in those countries,” the Sports Authority of India said in a statement.

ReuteRs

OWER trumped panache as second seed Aryna Sabalenka blasted past Tunisian Ons Jabeur into the Wimbledon semi-finals with a 6-4 6-3 victory under the Centre Court roof on Tuesday.

In a classic clash of styles the 23-yearold Belarusian had too many destructive weapons for Jabeur as she set up a clash with fellow big-hitter Czech Karolina Pliskova. Playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, Sabalenka kept the intensity and decibel levels turned up to 10 throughout, allowing 21st seed Jabeur few chances to settle.

It was never completely comfortable and Jabeur, making history as the first Arab woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, did produce flashes of the mercurial game that has made her a favourite with the crowds this week.

But Sabalenka was relentless and closed out the win with her 27th winner of a match played mainly on her terms.

"Guys you make this place special, thanks so much for your support. The atmosphere was unbelievable today," Sabalenka said of the 15,000 crowd on Centre Court -- the first day of the tournament that 100% capacity was allowed.

"It looks like everything is working for

me. It's really tricky, shots on the grass. It fits my game and I'm really enjoying my time on the court."

MATCH WINS: Jabeur had beaten three Grand Slam champions -- Venus Williams, Garbine Muguruza and Iga Swiatek -- en route to the last eighth and topped the list of match wins on Tour this season with Sa-

balenka, both having 33 to their name.

She had a break point in the opening game but could not convert it and from them on the pattern of the match was set, with three or four-stroke rallies the norm.

That suited Sabalenka and after the first nine games all went with serve Jabeur was the first to wobble at 4-5.

Jabeur showed great dexterity to fend off three set points but she buckled on the fourth as Sabalenka crunched another ferocious groundstroke close to the baseline.

Cranking up the pace on her heavyweight serve, Sabalenka went 2-0 up in the second set but Jabeur replied to break back with a trademark dropshot and then hold for 2-2.

But the Tunisian looked flustered by the depth and power of her opponent and her challenge faded away.

Jabeur had a break point when Sabalenka served for the match at 5-3 but could not convert and the Belarusian finished it off with a screaming backhand down the line.

Meanwhile, top-ranked Ash Barty reached her first Wimbledon semi-final.

Barty beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 6-3 in the first all-Australian Grand Slam quarterfinal in 41 years.

Barty broke for a 5-3 lead in the second set and then served out the win with an ace. She finished with 23 winners to just five for Tomljanovic, who was playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Barty will play 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

Barty won the girls' singles title at Wimbledon in 2011 but had not been past the fourth round at the All England Club in four previous appearances.

England name new squad for Pakistan series after Covid-19 cases LONDON AFP

England named an entirely new squad, featuring nine uncapped players, on Tuesday for their upcoming one-day international series against Pakistan after a major Covid-19 outbreak within their camp.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said PCR tests administered in Bristol on Monday showed three players and four support staff, all of whom have not been named, returning positive results, with the rest of the group deemed to be close contacts and having to self-isolate as well.

Nevertheless, the three-match series against Pakistan, due to start in Cardiff on Thursday, will go ahead, with Ben Stokes taking over the England captaincy from Eoin Morgan.

Stokes, who has been playing for county side Durham following a finger injury suffered on Indian Premier League duty, is now set to make his first England appearance since March.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: “We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio-secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak.

“We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall well-being of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions. “Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are

grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to captain,” he added.

England, the reigning men’s 50-over world champions, completed a 2-0 ODI series win over Sri Lanka when the third and final match of the series in Bristol on Sunday ended in a no-result washout.

England head coach Chris Silverwood, who had been due to miss the Sri Lanka and Pakistan ODIs as part of a planned rest break, is now due to take charge again.

Incoming squad players and support staff will now undergo PCR tests and bridging protocols later Tuesday to ensure their safe entry into the England camp.

England announced later Tuesday an

brazil beat peru 1-0 to move into Copa america final RIO DE JANEIRO ReuteRs

Brazil reached the Copa America final after a first-half goal from Lucas Paqueta — his second in two games — gave them a 1-0 win over Peru on Monday.

The host nation will play the winner of other semifinal between Argentina and Colombia in the title decider at the Maracana stadium on Saturday.

Brazil have won the Copa America every time they hosted the tournament and in the early part of Monday’s match showed exactly why they are favourites to do so again.

Within the first 20 minutes Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made two point-blank saves in succession from Neymar and Richarlison plus another two blocks when Casemiro tried his luck from further out.

With Paqueta, who scored the winner in their 10 quarter-final win over Chile, a standout in midfield, Brazil played some intricate, audacious football, replete with flicks, nutmegs and backheels but it took them 35 minutes to break the deadlock.

Neymar beat three men on the left and clipped the ball across goal for Paqueta to volley home from

10 metres.

“It was a very tough game, very hard fought,” Paqueta said.

“They are a very strong side but we managed to make it through a difficult spell.”

Neymar was quick to sing his team mate’s praises and said there was more to come.

“Paqueta is a great player, he’s getting better with each game,” he added. “He had a great season with his club and here he is showing that he can be a very important player for Brazil.”

While Brazil were in the ascendancy in the opening period it was a different story in the second half as the introduction of Marcos Lopez and Raziel Garcia at the break shook Peru awake.

Losing finalists in 2019, Peru pushed forward in search of an equaliser with Gianluca Lapadula forcing Ederson into a key block, with the Brazil goalkeeper looking uneasy on a couple of other occasions.

Peru pinned Brazil back for long spells of the second half but could not make their possession count as the home side extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.

18-man squad to replace the originally selected group, including nine players yet to be capped at ODI level.

‘UNPRECEDENTED TERRITORY’: Test batsmen Zak Crawley and Dan Lawrence will now have a chance to make their 50-over debuts for England and they will be joined by several white-ball newcomers in Durham’s Brydon Carse, the Middlesex duo of Tom Helm and John Simpson, Surrey’s Will Jacks, Gloucestershire’s David Payne, Somerset’s Lewis Gregory and Phil Salt of Sussex.

Meanwhile, Hampshire captain James Vince, Craig Overton, Jake Ball, Danny Briggs and Ben Duckett have all been re-

called.

“It’s a great opportunity to play on the biggest stage, and for most of the players selected it’s not necessarily something they would have been expecting 24 hours ago,” said Ashley Giles, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket.

The former England spinner added: “We’re in unprecedented territory, in terms of replacing an entire squad and management team, and I’m very proud of how everyone has come together in order to get it done — both those within the ECB and from the county game.

“Ben (Stokes) hasn’t captained our ODI side before so it’s a huge honour for him. We all wish him well and it’s a role I’m sure he’ll thrive in.”

Giles also thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for “their support and understanding during this time”.

After Thursday’s match in Cardiff, the ODI series continues at Lord’s on Saturday before finishing at Edgbaston in Birmingham a week on Tuesday.

England and Pakistan are then due to play three T20 internationals on July 16, 18 and 20, with the matches taking place at Trent Bridge, Headingley and Old Trafford respectively.

In December, England abandoned an ODI series in South Africa due to Covid concerns caused by positive tests in both squads and among staff at the hotel where the teams were staying.

The England tests were proved to be false positives, but by then the series had been postponed.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

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President cautions of ‘unrest in india’ if Persecution of MusliMs continues ISLAMABAD

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APP

resident dr Arif Alvi on tuesday cautioned india of internal strife if it continued persecuting Muslims under its Hindutva ideology, based on racism and hate. “the future of peace within india greatly depends upon the treatment it metes out to its minorities, particularly Muslims,” the president said at the international Conference on ‘institutionalization of Hindutva in india: A regional security Perspective’. the conference organized by the international relations department of the national defence University gathered intellectuals from the United states, China, iran, Germany and Pakistan to deliberate upon the global rise of islamophobia in the local perspective of Hindutva extremism.

He said india in its historic outlook had never been a country, but a combination of over 500 princely states that could even crumble today if it did not stop genocide and persecution of minorities.

President Alvi said Hindutva ideology was being promoted under the patronage of the Modi regime, which would create violence and unrest in indian society, adding that resultantly india would blame Pakistan for its flawed and extremist policies.

He stated that the brutalities against Muslims and their ethnic cleansing in the indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was the practical manifestation of Hindutva policies.

He said india’s recently amended “Citizenship Act, reflected the prejudiced mindset of Hindutva which aimed at changing the demography of the Muslim-majority Kashmir.

He regretted that such acts on part of the Modi regime were amounting to “ethnic cleansing” that required the special attention of the world to build pressure on india to stop committing human rights violations in iiOJK.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi addresses during a seminar at National Defence University.

dr Alvi said the world, due to its vested interests, was not seriously taking the disturbing situation in iiOJK. “We want the international community to see the ‘true colours’ of india, that reflect an open hatred against Muslims,” he said.

He pointed out that the Muslims constituted almost 15 percent of the indian population, but regrettably, they had been kept deprived of their due representation in the indian parliament as well as their share in the government’s jobs.

He maintained that india could not tolerate other minorities, particularly Muslims, and thus wanted to rewrite history by erasing the contributions done by the Muslims for india.

He quoted, in this regard, an excerpt from ‘the Book of Laughter and Forgetting’ authored by Czech historian Milan Kundera who had stated that the first step to liquidate a people is to take away their memory by destroying their books, culture and history.

the president also mentioned the books ‘end of india’ by indian intellectual Khushwant singh and ‘Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up’ by indian woman journalist rana Ayyub that highlighted the dark contours of india’s history, deeply rooted in violence, bigotry and prejudice.

Appreciating the talent of the Pakistani nation, the president said he was proud of the Pakistani nation which had the resolve and potential to overcome challenges and prove itself in the comity of nations by gaining an ‘intellectual edge’ in all fields of life. “i can see the country rising which will soon overcome the socio-economic challenges being faced by the country,” he added.

President ndU Lt Gen Muhammad saeed said Pakistan’s major external threats emanated from india, whose defence capabilities were primarily Pakistan-centric.

He said to maintain the equilibrium, Pakistan was justified in building its military

might for the purpose of defending its frontiers and the people. He mentioned that since 2014, india was using religious sentiments for political gains, saying that it could have dangerous consequences for Pakistan as well as the region. separately, President dr Arif Alvi stressed the need for adopting international standards of facility and building management by the government organisations for better service delivery, increased efficiency and ensuring cost-effectiveness. the president made these remarks while chairing a meeting on “Adopting isO standardised Practices” at Aiwan-e-sadr on tuesday. the meeting was attended by senior officials of Aiwan-e-sadr.

He expressed the hope that the documentation of all facility management tasks of Aiwan-e-sadr, in line with isO-41001 standards, would enhance efficiency and prolong the lifespan of physical assets of the Presidency. He affirmed the resolve to make

Torkham border closed as coronavirus rages out of control in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD StAff RePoRt

the government has closed the torkham border crossing with Afghanistan amid a surge of Covid-19 cases in the war-battered country, Minister for interior sheikh rasheed Ahmed said tuesday. the health crisis is spiralling out of control

in Afghanistan, with cases rising 2,400 percent in the past month alone, hospitals filling up and medical resources quickly running out.

A reuters tally showed the country has reported 123,465 infections and 5,107 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began early last year. it has also administered at least 886,854 doses of Covid-19 vaccines so far.

Highways from Kabul and islamabad

pass through torkham, the main border crossing at the end of the Khyber Pass which connects the town of Landi Kotal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Peshawar.

“On the advice of the nCOC [national Command and Operation Center], all types of immigration departure and arrival will be close from today at torkham Border till the fresh guidelines of nCOC,” rasheed said in a tweet posted tuesday. On Monday, the nCOC announced safety protocols for 3,000 students from Afghanistan directing them to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. the session was chaired by its head and Minister for Planning and development Asad Umar. the forum was informed that the students were studying in various educational institutions across the country. An effective coronavirus testing regime had been installed to test the students on arrival, the body was informed. it added that the students with positive samples will be sent back while the rest of them will be kept in compulsory quarantine. in line with the safety protocols, at the culmination of their quarantine, they will be vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine.

US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan more than 90pc complete: Pentagon WASHINGTON AfP

Pentagon’s Central Command announced on tuesday that 90 percent of the withdrawal of Us forces from Afghanistan has been completed.

CentCom said it had officially handed over seven former Us bases to the Afghan security forces and had evacuated the equivalent of nearly 1,000 C-17 air freighter loads of equipment from the country, ahead of the september deadline to complete the pullout.

On Friday, Us forces handed over the sprawling Bagram air base north of Kabul,

the main centre of Us military operations in the country for most of the past two decades of conflict. tuesday’s announcement underscored that most of the process of withdrawing Us military and civilian personnel ordered by President Joe Biden in April had been completed.

At the time of Biden’s order, there were officially 2,500 Us troops and 16,000 private contractors.

According to reports, there were also some 1,000 Us special forces operating in Afghanistan at the time as well not included in the official tally.

While Biden had set a deadline of september — the 20th anniversary of the Afghan-based Al Qaeda attack on the United states that sparked the American invasion of the country — the Pentagon has moved quickly to reduce its presence to a minimum this month.

“We expect it to be completed by the end of August,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday after the Bagram handover. the United states is expected to keep a reported 650 or more military personnel in the country to protect the Us embassy and diplomats.

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

Aiwan-e-sadr a role model for other government organisations in adopting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

He added that Pakistan is being affected by climate change and the country needs to adopt renewable energy technologies, and sustainable water and land management techniques to overcome the harmful effects of climate change. expressing satisfaction over the adoption of isO-50001 energy Management system (eMs) at Aiwan-e-sadr, the president said that eMs would not only save rs32 million annually but would also reduce energy consumption by 31.2 percent.

He stated that the recently inaugurated 01 MW Green Presidency solarisation Project would meet all the energy requirements of Aiwan-e-sadr, besides contributing surplus energy to the national grid. He said that Pakistan’s Presidency is one of the few in the world which is fully operating on green energy technology.