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Saturday, 12 February, 2022 I 10 Rajab, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 225 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

No-trust motioN agaiNst Pti to be tabled, coNfirms Pdm

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AKISTAN Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the opposition is all geared up to table a no-trust motion against PM Imran.

He further revealed that the opposition will contact the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government’s allies in the centre for this purpose.

Fazl, while talking to reporters alongside PML-N leaders Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz after a meeting of the PDM’s constituent parties in Lahore, stated that “all parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard” He further stated that the PDM would approach the government’s allies and ask them to end their association with the government. “[We will ask them] to have mercy on this country and nation, considering their impoverished condition,” he added. “[We will tell them] that remaining an ally of such a government was not politically and economically beneficial for the country.”

When asked when the PDM planned to table the no-confidence motion, he replied: “We will first complete our homework.”

He elaborated that they needed to approach the government’s allies as their votes were needed to for tabling the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

He went on to state that the opposition alliance would be forming a body, whose members would be decided later, for approaching the government’s allies and convincing on joining the PDM in tabling the no-trust motion.

To another question, he clarified that they would not approach any individuals on the matter and only political parties.

“We will not approach individuals. We will [only] talk to parties.”

When asked about the PDM’s plan if the government’s allies would not join it, he said, “We will sit together..

Fazl added that the PDM would also not approach any PTI members and neither it would lure parties and people with the prospect of giving them seats in parliament.

In regards to the PDM’s long march in Islamabad on Pakistan Day, he said the march would take place as had been decided and the alliance’s steering committee had been asked to work on its details.

It is pertinent to note that the PDM’s announcement has come hours after PML-N

coroNavirus iN

PakistaN

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,477,573

LAST UPDATED AT 9:03 AM ON FEBRUARY 11, 2022

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

39

3,498

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

1,365,518 29,687 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

555,920

493,478

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

207,820

34,986

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

41,584/11,074

132,711

Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb, during a presser, stated that opposition parties were deliberating on tabling a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and the nation would “soon hear good news” in this regard.

Aurangzeb also commented on the awards distributed by the PM among the best performing federal ministries. She stated that the ceremony showed that ministries that were mandated to provide relief to the masses had “failed miserably” as they were not among those recognised by PM Imran. “Ministries including health, defence, foreign affairs, economy and law have all failed,” she said.

The PML-N spokesperson further lambasted the prime minister for allegedly using state machinery to put party President Shehbaz Sharif behind bars. She stated that PM Imran had recently appointed a new head of the Asset Recovery Unit, previously headed by former aide Mirza Shahzad Akbar, and tasked him with imprisoning Shehbaz within a few weeks.

A day earlier, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz stated that the situation for tabling a no-confidence motion against PM Imran was now “favourable”.

The PML-N’s Central Executive Committee meeting on Monday remained unable to decide on moving a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, leaving it to supreme party leader Nawaz Sharif to take a call on the matter when he deemed appropriate.

In a press talk in Islamabad on Thursday, Maryam admitted that Nawaz was initially not in favour of a no-confidence move against the government. But, she said, “party members pressed him that people’s wishes ought to be listened to as it is the only way to steer the country out of crisis.”

As per the sources, former president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had met PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam last week in Lahore and pledged to weigh all options to send the premier home, including a no-confidence move and a joint long march. News Desk

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Punjab govt’s medical board rejects report on Nawaz’s health condition Punjab government’s medical board has refused to accept the report on former PM Nawaz Sharif’s health condition, as submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC) earlier this month. The report restrained him from travelling to Pakistan without undergoing “definitive medical treatment”.

Dr Fayaz Shawl had warned in the report that “if he [Sharif] returns to solitary confinement, he may develop what we call the takotsubo syndrome due to stressful environment” and it could have “devastating consequences” However, the nine-member medical board on Friday termed the report “incomplete”, while stating that the three-page report authored by Dr Shawal did not contain any laboratory tests or medical report of any health institution. It is pertinent to note earlier this month, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan had written a letter to the Punjab Home Department, seeking a medical board’s opinion on Sharif’s health condition.

The provincial government was requested to place the Jan 28 document, issued by Dr Fayaz Shawl from Maryland, US, before the medical board with a request to examine it and evaluate the “known and reported facts and public activities” of the for-

Tarin reveals details of $3bn funds received from Saudi Arabia Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin informed the Senate on Friday that Pakistan has to return $3 billion, that was placed in the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) account following an agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) in 2021, within a span of 1 year.

Sharing the details of the deal during the Senate session today, Tarin said that the interest rate on the loan was four per cent which would have to be paid every three months. “Interest rates are rising across the world. The interest rate for the Saudi loan being four per cent is not something bad,” he said.

He further added that the loan amount would have to be returned in one go, he added.

The loan has been provided in accordance with Saudi laws, the finance minister further said.

Tarin further explained that if there was a clause in the agreement to extend the loan repayment, “then it would have been written [in the accord] that an extension can be allowed for a year”. However, “we asked for a loan from Saudi Arabia only for a one-year period,” he added.

“The Saudi government has told us that they can ask for their [entire] money back if Pakistan defaults at any point,” Tarin

mer premier to form an opinion.

The AGP last month issued stern caution to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif that contempt proceedings will be filed against him in case he fails to provide medical reports of his elder brother and party supremo Nawaz Sharif within 10 days.

The AGP office, in a letter, said as per the undertaking given

by Shehbaz to the LHC, he was bound to provide regular “duly notarised” medical reports of his brother to the court.

It was evident from the observations of the special medical board formed by the Punjab government to examine PML-N supreme leader’s medical reports, the letter pointed out, that Shehbaz has not fulfilled his obligation as per his solemn undertaking and order of the court.

Earlier in November 2019, Nawaz left the country after he signed a court-approved undertaking, saying that he would return to the country within four weeks.

Shehbaz too had signed an undertaking, that stated he would “ensure the return” of his brother “ within four weeks or on certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return back to Pakistan”. N e w s D e s k

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BAP threatens to leave PTI govt over no representatio n in cabinet STORY ON PAGE 02

said. He assured the house that Pakistan “will not default”.

Tarin also informed the Senate that Pakistan would start getting crude oil from Saudi Arabia on deferred payments from March.

Saudi Arabia had also provided $3bn in cash deposits and promised a $3bn oil facility to Pakistan to help the latter shore up its foreign exchange reserves in 2018. However, as bilateral relations deteriorated later, Islamabad had to return $2bn of the $3bn deposits.

The finance minister, while talking about petroleum prices, said that the government had tried not to pass the “full bur-

den” of the increase in international petrol rates, pointing out that sales tax and petroleum levy had been reduced to “provide relief for the masses”.

He added that the SBP’s reserves had risen over the last year which would help decrease pressure on the rupee.

Responding to another question, he said Pakistan had fulfilled 27 out of 28 conditions set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). “We have fulfilled our targets and hope the country will come out of the grey list in the next review meeting of the FATF,” he was quoted as saying in the report. N e w s D e s k

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Steps afoot to facilitate expatriates: PM STORY ON BACK PAGE

India’s SC refuses to hear hijab ban plea STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

BAP threAtens to leAve PtI govt over no rePresentAtIon In cABInet

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News Desk

HE coalition partner of the ruling PTI, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) threatened the federal government to leave if it did not get adequate representation in the cabinet, and in protest staged a walkout from the Senate session, on Friday.

It is pertinent to note that friction between the ruling party and BAP appeared during the Senate session held earlier today in which the coalition partner demanded representation in the cabinet and said that failure in doing so will result in them not supporting the PTI. Following this, BAP’s Senator Prince Omar Ahmadzai along with other party members staged a walkout in protest, prompting PPP’s Sherry Rehman to offer them a seat at the opposition benches.

“BAP should come to the opposition benches, the opposition will end their problems and frustrations,” Rehman

said.

PTI’s Azam Khan Swati convinced the BAP to return to the floor. Following this, the party’s General Secretary Manzoor Ahmed Kakar expressed his grief over the mistrust their party has faced from the federal government.

“We are not allies for the ministry,” Kakar stated, adding that they have been the ruling PTI’s allies for three-and-ahalf years and affirmed that they “will remain an ally.”

However, the party’s general secretary urged the Senate to take Balochistan’s rights into consideration when formulating policies, including their right to representation, border security and job protection under quotas, claiming that “we are being walled off.”

Kakar reminded the House of the pivotal role the province plays. “[The] CPEC is affiliated with Balochistan, have mercy,” he pleaded on the floor.

The cracks between the BAP and the ruling party comes on the heels of

PM Imran invites Prince charles to visit Pakistan News Desk PM Imran Khan on Friday invited Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Shand, to visit Pakistan to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As per sources, PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari met Prince Charles in London and conveyed the invitation.

“Pakistan and the UK are close friends and longstanding partners,” Bukhari said. “Pakistan and UK want to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in a grand manner. Prime Minister Imran Khan is looking forward to the visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to Pakistan. We hope that you will visit Pakistan soon this year. Their visit to Pakistan will be effective for global efforts to tackle climate change.” As a response, the Prince of Wales thanked PM Imran and Bukhari for the invitation and also thanked the federal government for the safe evacuation of British citizens and diplomatic staff from Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover of the country. He said Pakistan had a historic relationship with the UK and lauded Islamabad’s positive role in role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Prince Charles further commended PM Imran for his efforts to tackle climate change and said he appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in global affairs under his leadership. It is pertinent to note that in 2019, another British royal couple – Prince William and Kate Middletonvisited Pakistan on a five-day tour.

FBr disposes 2,100 confiscated cigarette cartons worth rs60.9m The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has set on fire 2,100 confiscated cartons of cigarettes worth Rs60.9 million. Sources said that the Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation Inland Revenue (IR) Hyderabad set on fire 2,100 confiscated cartons of cigarettes. The value of these confiscated cigarettes were Rs60.9 million which involved duties & taxes of Rs45 million, sources added. Meanwhile, the FBR on Friday in a Press Release stated that FBR’s Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN), has seized 93,526,800 illegal cigarettes worth Rs225 million involving duties and taxes of Rs183.9 million in the seven months of FY 2021-22. It is pertinent to mention that IREN was established in September 2019 with a Chief Coordinator, Central Field Coordinator and seven regional enforcement hubs all across Pakistan, tasked to conduct raids and seizures on the counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes. As a part of ongoing crackdown against illicit cigarette trade country wide, all IREN hubs have intensified their operation against businesses dealing in non-duty paid and counterfeit cigarettes to save national exchequer from revenue loss.

Moreover, IREN has also been entrusted to ensure its enforcement in the entire supply chain of the sugar Industry. For this purpose, the Chief Coordinator IREN and his Regional Enforcement Squads across Pakistan are geared to conduct raids and ensure seizures on the non-tax paid sugar stocks, which move out of the factory premises without tax stamps.

opposition leaders reaching out to the federal government’s allies for support.

Earlier, on Monday, former president and PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari reached out to the ruling party’s only ally in Punjab – the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) – just a couple of days after the PPP leadership met the PML-N leaders to chalk out a strategy to oust the incumbent government.

The meeting sent a clear message to the ruling PTI and has given a push to the opposition parties’ goal to remove PM Imran Khan from office as the Chaudhry brothers have a reputation of being kingmakers because of their political influence behind the scenes.

On Tuesday an MQM-P delegation – another coalition partner of the ruling party – held back-to-back meetings with the opposition PML-N and another ally PML-Q. The delegation included MQM-P Senior Deputy Convener Aamir Khan and former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar, and it first met with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in

Shehbaz to meet PML-Q leaders soon: report News Desk Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif and PML-Q’s Chauhdry brothers is expected in the coming days.

As per reports, PML-N president is expected to visit the residence of the PML-Q leaders this Sunday.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is expected to call Shahbaz today.

They said that the leaders would share views on the current political situation of the country and finalise a programme to launch an antigovernment movement.

Later, the Opposition leaders will attend a PMD meeting virtually.

Sources revealed that the Tareen group will not steer clear of the political

scenario. Instead, it will play its full role in national politics and it has already started informal meetings.

It is pertinent to mention here that Shahbaz has reportedly made contact with Tareen and talks between the two

leaders have been going on for several days. Moreover, Shahbaz also held had a meeting with the PTI government’s ally, MQM-P on Tuesday, with the PML-N leader claiming that Prime Minister Imran Khan has turned a “blind eye” to Karachi’s problems.

Meanwhile, a preliminary round of contacts between members of estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen’s group has been completed and an official meeting of the group is likely to be called.

They said that after meetings with the PML-N leaders, efforts to develop connections between the disgruntled Tarin group and PML-Q leaders are underway. Some “mutual friends” are trying to bring the two groups closer and the Tareen group will launch its political activities in full spirit from next week, the sources said.

Mansha attends British Asian Trust’s annual reception, meets Prince Charles press release Nishat Group Chairman Mian Mohammad Mansha attended the British Asian Trust’s annual reception and met Charles, the Prince of Wales, on Wednesday.

The reception and dinner at the British Museum was held to celebrate the organisation’s many accomplishments over the past year and efforts to raise funds to support Covid-19 recovery across South Asia.

Mansha was recently appointed by the British Asian Trust as the chair of its advisory council in Pakistan.

Other notable guests at the event included Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Adar and Natasha Poonawalla, heads of the Serum Institute of India and long-term supporters of the Trust.

On the occasion, Mansha said: “I am honoured to have met the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the British Asian Trust’s annual reception and dinner at the British Museum. The British Asian Trust’s fundraising efforts to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice in South Asian countries such as Pakistan is highly commendable and quite a feat in the current Covid-19 environment. I am grateful to the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and British Asian Trust for their kind hospitality and generosity. Having just learnt of his health, I also take this opportunity to wish the Prince of Wales a swift recovery from Covid-19.”

The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by the Prince of Wales and British Asian business leaders to tackle widespread poverty, inequality and injustice in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Over the last year, the British Asian Trust raised over £10 million for its post-Covid recovery efforts. It secured £2 million of matched funding from the UK government for the

BAT’s Women’s Economic Empowerment programme, which will enable nearly 10,000 Pakistani women to find a job or start a business in a post-Covid world.

Mansha is a committed philanthropist and provides

support to a number of causes in healthcare, women’s education, sustainable tourism, sports, poverty alleviation and social uplift. He has provided financial assistance and support to several hospitals in Pakistan on

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

03

Ihc declAres UMAr gAndAPUr elIgIBle For tAKIng PArt In KP lg Polls

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News Desk

HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declared the ruling issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the disqualification of Umar Amin Gandapur as null and void.

It is pertinent to note that the ECP had earlier barred Umar Amin from contesting the mayoral slot for Dera Ismail Khan in the local government elections after he was found in violation of the local government polls’ code of conduct, and federal minister Ali Amin from engaging in any political activity in the constituency.

The order for the disqualification of Umar Amin, who is the brother of Ali Amin Gandapur, had earlier been suspended by the high court.

It is pertinent to note that Umar Amin is now eligible to contest in the upcoming local body elections.

The hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah partially accepted Umar Amin’s petition challenging the restraining orders, maintaining the ECP’s ban on Ali Amin.

The IHC said that the ECP order would remain in the field as far as Ali Amin Gandapur is concerned.

Earlier on Tuesday, Umar had moved the IHC to declare the ECP’s decision “null and void” claiming it was made without the summary inquiry and therefore, violated the code of conduct.

As per the detail, in the verdict, the Chief Election Commission (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja had ruled that PTI candidate Umar Amin has been disqualified from contesting polls for the city’s mayor seat.

Earlier, the CEC had said that this case would be made an example so that the election laws are strictly followed by all the contestants.

Terming the ECP’s decision as “unexpected” for him and his constituents, Umar Amin had said he would approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“I am hopeful the Supreme Court will give me temporary relief,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the ECP lifted the ban on Ali Amin Gandapur’s visit to Dera Ismail Khan. However, has been barred from

going to any political meetings and rallies in the district.

On February 4, the ECP ordered the

forcible ‘ouster’ of Gandapur from Dera Ismail Khan district during the second phase of local body elections in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa. He was expelled from the district for violating the code of conduct and allegedly running his brother’s political campaign.

At the outset of today’s hearing, the ECP said that Gandapur could only go to family gatherings and ceremonies in the district.

The ECP warned that strict action would be taken against Gandapur if he violates the election laws again.

Polling for the city council’s mayor slot will be held on February 19 in Dera Ismail Khan.

Earlier, the ECP had even warned him that in case of repeated violations of the code of conduct, disqualification proceedings could be initiated against him.

During his speeches at various public gatherings in AJK, the minister had announced development packages worth billions of rupees and also made offensive and provocative remarks.

It may be recalled that during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections in July 2021, Ali Amin Gandapur was banned by the ECP from participating in election rallies and speeches.

K-3 power plant likely to be operationalised in March IslaMaBaD TLTP

The nuclear power plant K-3 is likely to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD)

by March 2022.

The power plant being set up at Karachi is in the final stages of commissioning. The plant is likely to begin commercial operation by next month after the completion of operational and safety tests.

After the commissioning of K-3 and decommissioning of K-1, the total installed capacity of six nuclear power plants would reach 3,620MW. With the induction of K-2 and K-3 into the national grid, the share of nuclear power in the energy mix would exceed 10 percent.

Upon receiving a formal fuel load permit from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), the authorities concerned had completed loading fuel to the nuclear power plant earlier.

A new era in the nuclear power development

programme of Pakistan had commenced with the signing of ‘Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy’ between the governments of China and Pakistan in 1986.

Nonetheless, the first concrete step in the remarkable journey was taken 30 years ago when China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) signed a contract for the construction and installation of a 325-megawatt Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) at Chashma on December 31, 1991.

The cooperation strengthened with the construction of three more nuclear power plants at the Chashma Nuclear Power Generation Station (CNPGS) site. The contract for the construction of two more units (K-2 and K-3) was signed on February 18, 2013. These nuclear plants near Karachi have a generation capacity of 1100 megawatts each. Despite the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, construction work continued on both K-2 and K-3.

Authorities to launch ‘grand’ operation in Larkana prison News Desk All police officials captured by hardcore prisoners in Central Prison Larkana were released as the authorities considered launching a ‘grand operation’, using personnel of the Sindh Police and Pakistan Rangers to wrest back control of the facility from the inmates, after more than a week of being held hostage.

It is pertinent to note that the prison in Larkana, which is considered the most undisciplined and unruly jail in the country, has almost double the number of inmates as its sanctioned capacity.

The situation in the prison deteriorated on February 4 when one of the prisoners, Mohammad Ali Khokhar, who was shifted to Jacobabad jail, was produced in a local court in Larkana.

Orders had been issued to shift Khokhar to Larkana, allegedly at the request of the inmate.

However, the prison authorities, who consider the inmate to be a trouble maker, shifted him to Shikarpur prison under orders from DIG Prison.

Getting wind of the transfer of Khokhar to Shikarpur, inmates at Larkana prison took nine police officials hostage and demanded Khokhar’s return to the prison. Two policemen also managed to escape from

captivity after two days.

As per sources, the hostages stated that they are being “held hostage by the prisoners because the jail superintendent shifted the inmate [Khokhar] to Shikarpur”. They added that the sessions court in Larkana had ordered the jail authorities to shift the troublesome inmate to Larkana. “No one has come for us. We are under their custody for the last four days,” the policemen had

saidin the video.

On Friday, Jail Superintendent Ashfaq Kalwar confirmed to that all policemen being held hostage had been freed and the “situation was under control”. However, sources have stated that Kalwar has demanded a ‘grand’ joint search operation in the jail premises.

“At least 500 Rangers and 600 policemen are needed for this operation with sufficient anti-riot gear to cleanse

the jail from contraband,” sources revealed.

Kalwar, who was posted as jail superintendent of the prison last year in July, has shifted at least 80 prisoners to other jails. Some members of the prison staff, including medical personnel, have also been transferred after they were accused of providing and smuggling contraband into prison.

“Some of the prisoners were caught red-handed with narcotics and alcohol in their food and other items,” an official disclosed.

“There is no writ of law and no administrative control in the Jail,” said an official quoting Kalwar’s reports to IG Jail and Sindh’s Home Secretary.

It was also revealed that certain senior officials of the prison were involved in providing narcotics, cell phones and providing access to sex workers to those incarcerated at the facility.

A press release issued on July 30, 2021, by the office of the Senior Superintendent Central Prison stated that the prisoners “were protesting against prison administration for getting their illegal demands fulfilled such as allowing mobile phones, narcotics, rugs, alcohol, etc. which are prohibited under Prison Laws and Rules”.a

sindh govt replaces Karachi police chief Yaqoob Minhas News Desk The Sindh government on Friday abruptly dismissed the Karachi police chief Additional Inspector General Imran Yaqoob Minhas, from duty, and replaced him with Ghulam Nabi Memon.

As per the details, the development comes amid growing complaints of a rise in street crime in the metropolitan city from all segments of society, which have also called out the security administration for its failure to curb such incidents. In the notification, Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah said: “Ghulam Nabi Memon, an officer of Police Service of Pakistan (BS-21), additional inspector general of police, Special Branch, Sindh, is transferred and posted with immediate effect and until further orders as additional inspector general of police, Karachi range vice Imran Yaqoob Minhas, transferred.”

The notification added that Minhas, an officer of Police Service of Pakistan (BS-21), had been transferred and posted as the additional inspector general of police at the Sindh Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). In addition, Allah Bux alias Javed Akhtar Odho, an officer of Police Service of Pakistan (BS-21), was appointed the additional inspector general of police, Special Branch, Sindh, in place of Memon. It is pertinent to note that Memon’s appointment as Karachi police chief came as a surprise to many as he was transferred from the same office in May 2021 and given charge of Special Branch, Sindh — a post that was previously held by Minhas. A host of new challenges await the new police chief, including a growing number of street crimes, questions regarding the performance of the force in the port city and allegations of protecting high-profile suspects such as those in the Nazim Jokhio murder and Dua Mangi kidnapping cases. Memon was appointed the Karachi police chief for the first time in July 2019. He was transferred as the federal government had requisitioned his services.

The Establishment Division, in a letter to the Sindh government, had contended that as per the new policy, the transfer of an officer was required if he or she had served in a province continuously for 10 years. However, the Sindh government had shown reluctance to hand over the services of Memon to the federal government and appointed him as the chief of Special Branch.

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

04

NEWS

LCBDDA rEADy to AuCtion PLotS for LAhorE’S firSt Downtown LAhore

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Shahab Omer

hE Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) on Thursday has started preparations for the auction of commercial plots for the first downtown in Lahore on February 23, 2022.

According to the details, the authority had planned to offer seven mixed-use commercial plots in Gulberg, Main Boulevard, Lahore. however, LCBDDA Executive Director Commercial Mohammad Omer informed that the reserve price of these commercial plots will be announced soon.

“After securing a hefty investment of Rs24 billion in the first round of auction last year, LCCBDA is all geared up to launch Lahore’s first downtown. This first downtown of Lahore is spread over an area of about 92 kanals having seven commercial plots ranging between 12 and 14 kanals,” he said.

Omer said that the ideal location with an exceptional approach to downtown has attracted many local and international investors and downtown has already left

a positive mark on Lahore’s economic landscape.

“LCBDDA is expecting a huge response from the business community in

the upcoming auction in the third week of February,” he added.

Omer explained that to create an ease for the investors authority has created a

flexible payment plan, which offers the bidders to pay 10 per cent in 45 days of bid acceptance letter and remaining in 60 months.

“Moreover, the authority is giving an economical perk of offering 5 per cent discount on full payment. Comparatively with the same offering like Lahore prime, downtown has skyscraper buildings by law and one window operation facility for investors. Mix-used commercial plots which will turn into architectural masterpieces, financial towers, hospitality hubs and business centers which will be available on Buy and Build basis via open auction,” Omer added. he said that LCCBDA has come up with ‘Smart City Mission’, an initiative that will be beneficial for residents across CBD (Central Business District) Punjab.

“LCBDDA is also aiming to play a vital role in increasing the economic growth of Punjab by just attracting the people seeking businesses and job opportunities. One window fast track solution is the main highlight for addressing the queries of clients and assisting them in processes like timely submission of dues, approval of building plan, possession process and relevant queries to these,” he said.

PTCL reports 7pc growth in revenue ISLAMABAD Pr

The country’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), posted 7% growth in its revenues, owing to a robust commercial strategy that cements its market standing.

The company has announced its annual financial results for the year 2021 at its Board of Directors’

meeting on February 10, 2022.

PTCL GrouP • PTCL Group posted a revenue of Rs 138 billion in the year 2021 which is 6.3% higher as compared to 2020.

• PTCL continued its growth trajectory by posting 7% YoY revenue growth which is the highest since 2013.

• PTML (Ufone) also posted a revenue growth of 4.3% despite stiff competition in the

market.

• U Bank continued its growth momentum and has achieved 8.4% growth in revenue.

• PTCL Group has posted a net profit of Rs 2.6 billion.

PTCL : • PTCL continued its strong performance throughout 2021. PTCL’s revenue of Rs 77 billion for the year 2021 is 7% higher than 2020, mainly driven

by Broadband and Corporate & Wholesale business segments.

• PTCL registered highest Fixed broadband Sales and Net Adds in 2021 since 2015, which allowed PTCL to grow in the broadband business segment.

• PTCL is the fastest growing Fiber-To-The-home (FTTh) operator with highest Net adds within FTTh market in 2021.

• The company has posted operating profit of Rs 4.2 billion, which is higher by 21% compared to 2020.

SECP prescribes regulations for fixed rate mutual fund ISLAMABAD TLTP

In order to facilitate growth in the mutual funds industry, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has prescribed the regulatory framework for Fixed Rate Mutual Fund through a circular.

CMYK

Car sales surge over 61pc in seven months Car sales have registered a massive growth of 61.53 percent during the first seven months (July-January) of the current fiscal year 2021-22 owing to macroeconomic recovery.

According to Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), total car sales increased to 156,586 units during the first seven months of the current fiscal year as compared with 97,469 units in the same period of the last fiscal year. however, the sale of passenger cars decreased by 30.6 percent on a month-on-month basis during January 2022, clocking in at 16,985 units as opposed to 24,471 units sold in December 2021 on the back of a hike in prices due to an increase in taxes announced in the mini-budget and higher raw material cost, PAMA data showed. On the other hand, car sales saw an increase of 17 percent on a yearly basis as compared to 14,543 units sold in January 2021.

Car sales (including sales of non-PAMA members) clocked in at 24,000 units, which is down 25 percent MoM in January 2022.

Pak Suzuki (PSMC) and honda Atlas Car (hCAR) posted a decline of 42 percent and 14 percent MoM respectively due to high base effect, and supply constraints for PSMC. Indus Motors (INDU) sales were up 9 percent MoM in January 2022 led by increase in Fortuner and hilux Sales. New entrant into Pak Auto space, hyundai Nishat sold 612 units in January 2022; down 20 per cent YoY. Tractor sales in January 2022 are up by 11 percent MoM (-5 per cent YoY). Al Ghazi Tractors (AGTL) recorded an increase of 66 percent MoM and 45 percent YoY while Millat Tractors (MTL) sales declined by 9 per cent MoM and 22 per cent YoY. Pakistan bike sales were up 8 percent MoM and down 6 percent YoY in Jan-2022.

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | iSlamabad

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Tarin reveals details of $3bn funds received from Saudi Arabia continued from page 01 It is pertinent to note that Saudi Arabia had in October last year agreed to revive its financial support to Pakistan, including about $3 billion in safe deposits and $1.2bn to $1.5bn worth of oil supplies on deferred payments.

The facility was expected to help Pakistan convince the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about its financing plan.

Pearl-Continental Hotels launches mobile app

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No-TruST MoTioN AgAiNST PTi To be TAbled, CoNfirMS PdM

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continued from page 01

NTERIOR Minister Sheikh Rashid was quick to respond to the announcement made by the opposition leaders and said that today’s PDM meeting was a gathering of “an unsuccessful and defeated opposition”.

“The failure and early defeat was evident on the faces of the PDM leaders,” he said in a series of tweets, adding that the opposition was welcome to fulfil its wishes by tabling a no-trust move and organising a long march.

Rashid said that the opposition was meeting with the government’s allies to ask for “charity”. “Imran Khan has won. The PDM has lost. The no-trust move has [fallen flat].” The minister predicted that the opposition would not table the no-confidence

motion in parliament and would also not carry out the long march scheduled for March 23. He also congratulated PM Imran on the “win”.

He further stated that the opposition did not possess the “manpower” required to organise a long march and was not even aware of the number of votes it would secure from their own parties in parliament.

“The opposition is not capable of defeating PM Imran inside or outside parliament,” the minister said, adding that the opposition parties were fighting for their survival.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also responded to the PDM’s announcement in a video message, saying that the “Pakistan Corruption Limited Party” had held a meeting wherein opposition leaders had decided to table a no-trust move against the government.

“You sit and talk about things and you think that your indictment, set for Feb 18, will be delayed,” he said, referring to Shehbaz’s indictment in the money laundering case. “It will not happen.”

Chaudhry dared the PDM to move the no-confidence motion by tomorrow, adding that the reality would then become apparent to the opposition.

He further stated that the Maulana had been trying to send the government packing since day one.

“Your arms do not have the strength.”

He went on to say that today’s PDM meeting had highlighted the “weakness” of the opposition.

“You are still saying that you will talk […] I challenge you to have courage and table a no-trust move by tomorrow,” he said, adding that PTI lawmakers, as well as opposition lawmakers, would give them a “surprise”.

Attock Refinery Limited celebrates 100th anniversary islamabad PR

Hashoo Hotels, Pakistan’s leading hospitality brand, has unveiled the next chapter in its mission to change the way people travel, offering an alternative to the conventional methods. PearlContinental Hotels is rolling out their PC Mobile App, including a range of new and exciting features.

Speaking about the app, the Deputy Chairman and CEO of Hashoo Group, Mr. Murtaza Hashwani said, “With the introduction of PC Mobile App, Hashoo Hotels aims to further improve the quality of hospitality experience, with high-tech, seamless solutions for its valued customers. The desire to be the catalyst for positive change and to create best possible customer experience, is driven by our guest-centric culture at Hashoo. Our growth is conditioned by the ability to provide such enhanced and unprecedented conveniences for loyalty and high customer retention.”

Talking about the innovations in hospitality industry, he further added, “As the world is transitioning towards fast and smart solutions, embracing mobile technologies was the next step for Pakistan’s largest hospitality brand. The convenience and reliability of being able to book your hotel room, get rewarded with benefits and promotions with your loyalty points, planning your travel and events, through your smart phone. The future is now in your hands.”

The app’s technology has been built to support the needs of timeconstrained, on-the-go consumers and is available on iOS and Android. Users can flick through hotel photos, check property facilities, book rooms, make restaurant reservations, keep a track of their loyalty rewards, join the privilege club, arrange car rentals, airport pick and drops, tours and packages and can even plan their venues for meetings, celebrations, and weddings, through the PC Mobile App.

Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) commemorated its 100 years anniversary on 11th February, 2022 in a solemn ceremony at the Company’s General Office, Morgah Rawalpindi. Mr. Shuaib A. Malik, Group Chief Executive, Attock Group and Chairman ARL graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The Chief Guest in his address congratulated ARL management and workers on centenary celebration. He said that ARL has reached this milestone after successfully navigating through many hurdles and challenges over 100 years. He further said that Morgah Refinery has unique distinction of first and only refinery of northern region of Pakistan and it has played a pivotal role in war and peace. He especially mentioned the contribution and compassionate nature of Late Dr. Ghaith R. Pharaon, Founder, Attock Group for development of Pakistan and wellbeing of Attock Group employees even in turbulent times. He hoped that with the support of Government of Pakistan and other stakeholders, ARL management and employees will work for the interest of the Country, shareholders and community with more zeal, commitment and dedication. In his closing remarks, he reiterated his best wishes for ARL management and employees and prayed for success of ARL in its future endeavours.

Earlier to this, Mr. M. Adil Khattak, Chief Executive Officer ARL, in his opening address, welcomed the participants on the historical day of Centennial celebration. He shared exemplary bonding of employees with ARL with some employees now serving in ARL as 4th Generation. He also highlighted rich history of ARL evolution, growth and expansion since its inception on 11th February, 1922 and how it has now grown into a modern state-ofthe-art refinery with a nameplate capacity of 53,400 barrels per day. He further said that ARL is planning for carrying out projects of Continuous Catalyst Re-

generation Unit (CCR) and revamp of the DHDS unit to increase production of petrol and meet EuroV products’ specifications. He hoped that approval of the new Pakistan Oil Refining Policy would enable successful execution of above-mentioned projects. He expressed his gratitude and pride in 100 years of glorious past of ARL which have been achieved with outstanding human resource working relentlessly and with dedication in pursuit of excellence. In the end, he thanked the Chief Guest for his

continuous support and presence at this event.

Mr. Hameed Khan Jadoon, President Refinery CBA also expressed his views regarding the Centennial celebration. He expressed sentiments of workers and extended their everlasting support for progress and success of the Refinery.

The ceremony ended with cake-cutting by the oldest 97 years old ex-employee of ARL as token of recognizing long association of employees with the organization. PR

PSO reports profit of Rs32.2bn The country’s largest energy company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) continues to gain momentum and outperform the industry reporting the highest ever half year gross revenue of PKR 1.12 trillion and profit after tax of PKR 32.2 billion (1HY21: PKR 9.5 billion). The net profit translated into a healthy earning per share of PKR 68.56 vs. PKR 20.28 in 1HFY21.

PSO’s Board of Management reviewed the performance of the company together with its subsidiary Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) for the first half of the financial year 2021-22 (1HFY22) during the meeting held in Islamabad on February 11, 2022. On a consolidated basis, the group collectively posted a net profit after tax of PKR 32 billion (1HFY21: PKR 9.3 billion).

Chairman, Board of Management, PSO, Mr. Zafar I. Usmani said “This is a momentous occasion, we have once again made history, delivering strong financial performance in the first half of fiscal year 202122. Our operational excellence, financial strength and discipline underpin the transformation of the company.

While mounting receivables continue to pose a serious threat to PSO’s financial health, we are actively pursuing the matter with the concerned authorities. Going forward, we have a robust strategy in place keeping our customers at its core and are well-positioned to expand our portfolio in-line with our future growth and diversification strategy”.

PSO has been on a steady growth trajectory as the company’s profits increased by 238% over the same period last year. The company’s strong operational performance and strategic thrust is reflected in its market share which rose by 340 basis points over the same period last year.

PSO continued to outperform the market, leading the downstream sector with volumetric growth of 20.8% in liquid fuels against the industry’s growth of 12.3%, capturing around 48% share of white oil and

60% of black oil markets of the country. Major contributions came from motor gasoline, high speed diesel and furnace oil, in which the company achieved volumetric growth of 15.5%, 18.3% and 30.4% against industry’s growth of 7.9%, 15.2% and 14.1%, translating into market shares of 44.0%, 48.9% and 60.1% against 41.1%, 47.6% and 52.6% as of the same period last year respectively.

Managing Director & CEO, PSO, Syed Taha said “Our half-year results further reinforce the company’s growth story and our strong standing as the nation’s energy lifeline. I am extremely proud of our teams, who have adapted quickly to the evolving operating environment, while delivering on our long-term strategy. We have ambitious plans to provide innovative and environmentally friendly products and services to our customers, keeping sustainability at the heart of our operations and a steadfast focus on maintaining high levels of safety, quality and customer experience.”

PSO continued to boost innovation and increase its digital capabilities by embracing technology to

drive growth and enhance efficiency. The company made significant strides on its journey of digital transformation and established a centralized command and control system as part of its robust digitalization strategy. This initiative will streamline the supply chain by connecting operational locations, retail outlets and logistics to the system for data gathering, monitoring, analyzing and controlling the company’s value chain nation-wide.

PSO increased the reliability, availability, efficiency and capacity of its infrastructure to meet the country’s growing energy needs by adding a capacity of 55 thousand tons to its storages. During the first half of FY2022, PSO continued to deliver on its promise of bringing modern, digitally-enabled fuel retail convenience to customers and communities with the opening of 20 new stations nationwide.

The company further strengthened its business with the signing of MoUs of strategic importance to fortify sustainability and secure the energy value chain including those with Frontier Works Organization and Pakistan Railways. As a responsible corporate citizen, PSO, through its PSO CSR Trust extended support of approx. PKR 90 million in the fields of healthcare, education and community-building. The company also continued its nationwide campaign of inoculating citizens against COVID-19, administering more than 200,000 doses nationwide.

The Board expressed concern over mounting trade receivables, noting an increase of PKR 77.7 billion in receivables from Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited compared to June 30, 2021. The matter is being actively pursued with the concerned authorities for settlement. The management extended its gratitude towards its stakeholders including the Board of Management, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), shareholders and employees for their continued support. PR

cmYK

Senator Nauman visits Millat Tractors’ office Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, (Member EDB Management Board) visited Millat Tractors Limited factory in Lahore on Friday to review the research & development, achievements and introduction of technological advancements in Agri.

Implements and Tractor attachments introduced by Millat in Pakistan. These implements have enhanced the productivity of farmers across the country and are aiding fast track municipal operations in the urban areas. Chairman Millat Group Mr. Sikandar Mustafa Khan, along with Sr. Executive Directors, Mr. Sohail Bashir Rana and Laeeq Uddin Ansari and the CEO MTL Mr. S M Irfan Aqueel briefed regarding 10 various tractor models developed by Millat to meet the diverse requirements of the farmers. He also apprised the senator on the under development 03 new tractor models which are under field testing at present and will be launched in the near future which will further enhance the level of farm mechanization and food security in the country. PR

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06 COMMENT

The UNSC’s report on Afghanistan’s terrorism potential

Contradicting PM’s important claims How to counter China’s growing influence?

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HILE announcing the performance awards for federal ministers and advisors Prime Minister Imran Khan admitted that he could not bring a change in the country as he had promised. However he refused to take responsibility for the negligence, shifting the blame instead to what he called the “flaws” in the system and the team chosen by him. This raises questions.

How come a self-proclaimed seasoned politician with an experience of over two decades under his belt failed to notice the faults in the system and could not set them right. Again, Mr Khan is not justified to throw up arms and ask what he could do if ministers failed to perform.

He had claimed before the elections that he had personally trained his team and if elected, it would hit the ground running. Many ascribe Mr Khan’s failures to incompetence and prejudice. For three years he failed to rein in the nAB because it fulfilled his directives to punish the opposition leaders and their alleged collaborators in the bureaucracy. He ignored the protests by bureaucrats and businessmen till government servants started to avoid signing files and businessmen were reluctant to make fresh investments. After sufficient damage having been dome the PM claims that he had now streamlined the nAB and bureaucrats should have no excuse for not signing the pending files.

The performance awards raise a number of questions.

The announcement shows that over 40 Federal Ministers, Ministers of State, Advisors and SAPMs failed to put up satisfactory performance which indicates a weak leadership. This also challenges claims that the economy is doing well and the government has made outstanding achievements in protecting the environment as the names of the Finance Minister and SAPM Climate Change find no mention in the awards list.

Missing from the list are names of important ministers like Fawad Chaudhry, Shaukat Tarin, Hammad Azhar, Pervez Khattak, Ayub Afridi, Azam Swati and Farrukh Habib. This has caused heart burning among the cabinet members. As Mr Khan himself noted, the ministers not given awards failed to turn up at the ceremony. It was claimed by a prominent minister that those who had failed to fulfill their responsibilities had been rewarded.

The Taliban takeover has only provided a haven for Pakistan’s enemies

Dr QAisAr rAshiD

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n 7 February 2022, the United nations Security Council (UnSC) made public its report on Afghanistan’s terrorism potential.

The 22-page report, the 29th edition, was prepared by the Un’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team which monitors counterterrorism-related sanctions against the alQaeda and the Islamic State (Daesh). The report, which is prepared twice a year, consisted of information from June to December 2021 on changes in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces.

Concerning Pakistan, the report identifies six main points. First, Afghanistan has been regaining its potential to become a safe haven for the al-Qaeda and a number of terror groups enjoying ties to the Central Asia region and beyond. For instance, Central Asian terror groups, namely the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Islamic Jihad Group (IJG), and Khatiba Imam al-Bukhari (KIB), enjoy sufficient leeway in Afghanistan.

Second, Al-Qaeda’s relationship with the ruling Afghan Taliban and the supportive Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is strong and intertwined, as al-Qaeda stood by both organizations in their hour of need. A son of Osama bin Laden (namely Abdullah) visited Afghanistan in October and held meetings with the ruling Afghan Taliban.

The current chief of Al-Qaeda, Aiman-ul Zawahri, was reported alive as recently as January 2021.

The PAC, the FBR and the PM The concept of putting off the PAC should be unthinkable

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HE failure of the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to appear before the national Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) cannot be brushed over, for it seems to be creating a pattern involving the Prime Minister. The PAC has been avoided before by a senior official, the Chairman nAB, who bluntly wrote that the Prime Minister had forbidden him from appearing before any parliamentary committee.

He later withdrew that. But the damage had been done.

The assumption that mentioning the PM would be enough to get officials is not easily understood. Indeed, it is not possible to contemplate the possibility of avoiding a summons by a parliamentary committee. However, the Committee’s failure to take any action against the nAB Chairman probably contributed to the cavalier spirit in which the FBR Chairman asked the PAC Chairman over the phone to be excused because he had to go to the PM Secretariat. At the time of the committee meeting, the PM was addressing an awards distribution function. The Chairman FBR was very obviously not in a meeting with him.

The failure of the PAC to take action might have something to do with its having a government majority, and indeed the PAC is so important that it is the only parliamentary committee mentioned in the Constitution, and which supervises the work of the Auditor General of Pakistan. It is interesting that the PTI, whose leader has decried the failure to build institutions, has instead worked to denigrate institutions, and has taken steps which make government officials feel that Parliament can be ignored with impunity.

It is perhaps too much of a coincidence that both nAB and the FBR have been used against Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Is there a disinclination by the Prime Minister to let this interfere in the way civil servants are allowed to deal with Parliament, with the PAC supervised by a Parliamentary committee. Its free functioning is embarrassing to government if it has something to hide. What is the PM trying to hide?

M AthAr Noor

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n almost every corner and region of the world, the claws of domination are spreading in different forms and in different ways. At a glance, these marginal and regional hegemonic interests are intertwined with regional and global issues. And around the problems, various crises are being created in the world from age to age.The Russia’s recent deployment of hundreds of thousands of troops along Ukraine’s border has raised suspicions in international politics about a resumption of hostilities over the “Ukraine crisis.”

After the fall of the pro-Russian government in Ukraine in 2014, Russia invaded the country and occupied Crimea. Ukraine and Russia signed a ceasefire agreement successfully in 2015 in Minsk. The capital of Belarus, mediated by France and Germany, to end the conflict. Relations between the two countries have been strained recently as a result of renewed Russian military mobilization on the Ukrainian border. Amid tensions between Russia and the USA over Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed a desire to mediate in the ongoing dispute. For

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Turkey’s mediation offer is actually an attempt to mend fences with the USA

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M. A. Niazi

ternational recognition which would come at a cost. nevertheless, the report may offer a stumbling block to the efforts of the Afghan Taliban who are out to seek the legitimacy of their rule to be recognized by the world. This is a key point. The report is about setting the tone for the future course of dealing with Afghanistan.

The report reveals that the Afghan Taliban have their own priorities. They are inclined to consolidate their hold on Kabul, instead of getting enmeshed in lesser affairs ranging from suppressing the TTP to appease Pakistan to quelling Al-Qaeda to mollify the USA and its allies. nevertheless, on the one hand, the Afghan Taliban are concerned about the Chinese interests in Afghanistan whereas on the other hand the Afghan Taliban are creating a cushion between the Chinese dissidents, who have sought refuge in Afghanistan, and the mainland of China.

The report lays much focus on Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. With the mention of weakening of the al-Qaeda ranks, the report sends a promising and propitious signal to the world. For the region of Asia, the report offers a point of concern. The implications are for the countries bordering the north of Afghanistan.

That is, the report entails a regional concern, though the report tries to see the future of militancy if it keeps on sprouting from Afghanistan.

Interestingly, the report is silent on the apportioning of weapons and ammunition which were left behind in August 2021 by foreign forces at the time of leaving Afghanistan. The report may render Pakistan conscious of the developments in Afghanistan, especially in the wake of terrorist activities in Panjgur and noshki in Baluchistan (February 2), though the report is also silent on the Baloch separatists who have presumably got hold of abandoned weapons and ammunitions available in Afghanistan.

Though the report has talked about the activities of the TTP, the report has shown that the Afghan Taliban may not be able to take any punitive action against their benefactors including the TTP, which has recently (February 5) launched an attack from Afghanistan’s soil and taken the lives of five Pakistan soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Whether or not the report is of any immediate concern of the USA, it is vital to Pakistan’s security and interests. The report offers Pakistan a chance to review its security strategies.

Turkey’s balancing act in the Ukraine-Russia conflict

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

nevertheless, Al-Qaeda is still short of conducting high-profile attacks overseas. The Afghan Taliban have not taken measures to limit the activities of AlQaeda elements residing in Afghanistan.

Third, in Afghanistan’s provinces such as in Ghazni, Helmand, Kandahar, nimruz, Paktika and Zabul, and led by Osama Mehmood and his deputy Atif Yahya Ghouri, Al-Qaeda is present as the AlQaeda In the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has between 200 and 400 fighters hailing from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

Fourth, the conflict between the TTP and Pakistan is interminable. Led by noor Wali Mehsud, the TTP has from 3,000 to 5,500 fighters. nevertheless, the Afghan Taliban have restrained the TTP from attacking Pakistan. Further, the Afghan Taliban would act only as mediators between the TTP and Pakistan, and they would not take any coercive action against the TTP. Fifth, the TTP and Al-Qaeda have joined hands with the Uyghur militant group, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), having around 700 fighters inclined to launch jihad in Xinjiang (China) and carry out attacks on Chinese interests in Pakistan in collaboration with Al-Qaeda, the TTP and the Jamaat Ansarullah. However, the Afghan Taliban have dissuaded the ETIM from inflicting harm on the Chinese. As a restraining measure, the Afghan Taliban have relocated the ETIM from its traditional stronghold in Badakhshan (bordering China) to Baghlan, Takhar and other provinces.

Sixth, led by an Afghan national Sanaullah Ghafari (aka Shahab al-Muhajir), with a wider regional agenda and the prime focus on sectarian cleansing, Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) offers an alternate platform to the Taliban and foreign extremists disgruntled with the Afghan Taliban’s ruling regime. Consequently, the number of the IS-KP fighters has risen from 2000 to 4000 after August 2021.

Enjoying a limited territory in Afghanistan, the ISKP offers a kinetic threat to the Taliban. Consequently, the IS-KP eyes Central and South-Asian countries for its future course of action. It considers West Africa as its next abode, whereas Southeast Asia remains its bright spot.

Generally speaking, the report says that various regional militant groups supported the Afghan Taliban during their travail and torment from 2001 to 2021. The Afghan Taliban have not left their benefactors unrequited. It is time to pay the courtesy back.

The Afghan Taliban are ready to reciprocate favours, though they themselves are struggling for seeking in-

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this purpose, Erdogan has already completed a significant visit to Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) on Thursday at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. There, six important agreements were signed between the two countries. Among them are the duty-free trade agreement and the agreement on Turkey’s drone production in Ukraine. It remains to be seen how Russia will deal with the new drone production in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the USA is quite satisfied with Erdogan’s visit to Ukraine. Erdogan also hopes that the US attitude towards Turkey may change now, because Ankara’s position is gaining importance in the competition of the big-power states in one way or another. Also significant are Turkey’s role in the Black Sea region,and Ankara and Washington’s shared interests in Ukraine, Iraq and Libya.

Omar Ozkizilchik, a researcher at the Ankarabased Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, says a comprehensive dialogue is essential to the Ukraine crisis, but everything depends on the goodwill of Russia. Therefore, all parties should focus on diplomatic talks rather than the military situation in the region.

President Erdogan’s visit to Kyiv is based on his support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. His offer of mediation to resolve the crisis has become a real challenge. It can be said that Erdogan’s government will work impartially to resolve the conflict. Thus, Turkey has the experience and strength to work for the restoration of regional peace.

The question is that elsewhere, Ankara refused to accept Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014, and since then Turkey has avoided any dispute with Russia over Ukraine. But suddenly : why is Turkey trying so hard to avoid war in the Ukraine crisis, and what is the secret behind President Erdogan’s race for mediation in resolving the conflict? Because, if war breaks out, Turkey will face one of the worst tests in its history. You can’t be neutral, you can’t fight for either side. That means it will not be able to go against Russia, nor will it be able to stay away from Ukraine. It will fall into an incredible dilemma.

If Turkey takes a direct stand against Russia, then Russia will trap Turkey again in the old way. Russia

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could, for example, attack Turkish troops or Turkishbacked forces in Syria and Libya. In addition to suspending or canceling various important military agreements, Russia will seek to do great harm to the economic sector by imposing travel bans on tourists in Turkey. And these are capable of throwing Erdogan into extreme disarray inside the country. For these reasons, Turkey does not want any wars to take place around this crisis.

Turkey, on the other hand, has a dynamic military relationship with Ukraine, particularly over the supply of attack drones to the country. There are also ongoing projects to bring in various military industries and important engines. There is already a gap between Turkey and the USA and the European Union. Despite being a member of nATO, Turkey has maintained a strategic position in international politics through its own influence and power. Erdugan’s efforts to establish a strategic autonomy by developing an independent defense industry have not been well received by the rest of nATO’s powers. Therefore, the traditional relations of the western countries with Turkey have been getting weaker. Therefore, if Turkey is on the side of the USA in the Ukraine issue, then the ongoing enmity between them will decrease. This is a great opportunity to normalize the relationship.

Erdogan-led Turkey has built parallel relations with the Russia-China axis. On the other hand, the USA and European countries want to move forward with the conviction to restore the damaged relations.

Erdogan’s innovation has increased Turkey’s acceptance in international politics due to its foreign strategy.

Therefore, in order for President Erdogan to accelerate Turkey’s ongoing efforts to build a positive and balanced relationship in the international arena and to brighten its future in the international arena, it is important that Erdogan’s role as mediator be successful. now it remains to be seen how President Erdogan will resolve this conflict through dialogue, peacefully and on the basis of international law, and how it brightens Turkey’s image in the world.

The writer can atharnoor2019@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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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

India - A terrorist state

The fear raj in India The coming state elections will test the BJP’s hate strategy

AMjeD jAAveD

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HERE are seven Indian states (Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Goa, Manipur, and Uttarakhand) which are heading for assembly polls soon. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is sanguine that it would bag 300plus seats in the 403-seat Uttar Pradesh State assembly. The party’s optimism stems from a number of factors. They include the appeal from sloganeering, “allure” of freebies, and monopoly of the “fearful Muslim vote bank”.

With a population of 204.2 million, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the Indian Union. Hindus constitute 79.7 percent of the state’s population and Muslims 19.3 per cent.

The Muslim community numbers over 38,483,967, the largest among the Indian states.

The BJP won the previous elections riding a wave of slogans and narendra Modi’s charisma as a strong man who could carry out so-called surgical strikes within Pakistan. Or see eyeball-to-eyeball to China. The BJP banks on the hope that the voter does not measure the performance of an incumbent strictly on the basis of scientific parameters.

At least six BJP’s stalwarts have left the party. But, only the hustings would tell whether Modi’s magic is waning or not. The last elections were a debacle for the Congress in the UP. Even Rahul Gandhi lost its citadel, Amethi. Yet, it is wrong to perceive Congress as just a dynasty. It embodies an ideology of secularism, socialism and pluralism. It could still throw up a surprise in the coming state assembly elections.

Several factors account for Congress’s debacle: less money, poor slogans, weak leaders, infighting, missing alliances, and lack of RSS-like foot soldiers. Modi’s self-image brand prevailed.

The RSS held many conclaves to reach out to intellectuals. Muslim Manch, distributed RSS leaflets. Even after winning the elections, BJP stalwarts visited Madrassa Deoband. Modi captivated popular imagination as a strong leader: Modi hai to mumkin hai (If Modi is there, then it’s possible). Modi brazenly bagged credit for all achievements of previous Congress governments. Yet the fact remains that it was Jawaharlal nehru who abolished the zamindari (feudal) system. It is nehru, not Modi, who set up the space centre that catapulted India’s ASAT Shakti.

The parties also promise exotic freebies to voters, ranging from hard cash to electric scooters to mobile phones, laptops, gas cylinders, free electricity, cooking vessels, cycles, mixergrinders, government jobs, or even gold jewellery for daughters’ marriages.

In the last assembly elections, the BJP offered free robots to homemakers to help in their

chores, three-story houses with a swimming pool for everyone, a mini-helicopter, 100 gold sovereigns to women for their marriage, a boat for every family, and $50,000 to youths to start business ventures.

The BJP’s bonanza for UP this time includes a cash transfer of $30 to Indian farmers per month; $800 million to self-help groups empowering women; $15 sent to primary school students’ families for buying school gear, and $30 per month to 1 million girls.

Various political parties had paid only lip service to women until now. The Congress has now pledged 40 percent of its candidates will be women. The congress now draws inspiration from West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and former UP CM Mayawati.

Congress won just seven seats in the last state polls . The Congress women are diverse.

Sadaf Jafar, the actress jailed for her role in antiCAB demonstrations is now a spokeswoman.

Another candidate, Poonam Pandey, led a protest for wages by women frontline anticovid-19 vaccinators.

The Congress women have a catchy slogan “I’m a girl and I can fight” To attract female voters, the Congress has released a separate “women only” manifesto offering smart phones and electric two-wheelers to girls, a rise in the amount of monthly pension for widows/senior citizens as well as free bus travel within the state for them.

In 2014 Yogi Adityanath authored an article that affords a peek into dark recesses of his mind, entitled matrushakti bhartiya sanskriti ke sandarbh mein (power of the mother figure in the context of Indian culture).He says, ‘Shastras (scriptures) have talked about giving protection to women. Just like urja (energy) left free and unchecked causes destruction women also do not need independence, they need protection. Their energy should be channelized to be used productively’. He added, ‘Stree shakti (women power) is protected by the father when a child, by the husband when an adult, and by the son in old age. If the woman adopts the qualities of men, that of bravery (shaurya) or masculinity (purush arth), then she becomes a devil (rakshasa).

In disregard of India’s Freedom of Religions Act, Adityanath abhors inter-caste and inter faith marriages. Anti-Romeo squads in connivance with police discourage such marriages. The legislation is used to harass the Muslim community and institute false cases against them.

Most converts are –reconverted through trickery or social pressure.

His supporters have called for digging up Muslim women from their graves and raping them. In 2015, he said that if he was given the chance, he would install idols of Hindu gods in every mosque.

In an undated video uploaded in 2014, he said, “If [Muslims] take one Hindu girl, we’ll take 100 Muslim girls. If they kill one Hindu, we’ll kill 100 Muslims.” (nilanjana Bhowmick , Meet the militant spreading Islamophobia in India, Washington Post 24 March, 2017).

A Muslim woman from Uttar Pradesh re-

ported, ‘We are submerged in pools of fear. The pools are deep. Unending. I cannot get out.’

Both Modi and Adityanath are deeply polarizing figures in Indian politics. Muslims nurture a palpable fear of persecution at the hands of the BJP’s government. Modi sloganeered ‘sab ka vishwas (everybody’s trust), but practically he has engendered a trust deficit and cynicism in the minds of Muslims by marginalising them.

Modi’s former role as Chief Minister of Gujarat during the deadly riots of 2002 cast a dark shadow over his prime ministership since 2014.Instead of healing old wounds, Modi has created new fissures in the minds of Muslims, making them feel alienated and helpless. There has been a spike in vigilante attacks against Muslims accused of killing or transporting cows for slaughter or simply eating beef, chiefly in states governed by the ruling party since Modi came into power in 2014. Countless Muslims lost their livelihood for closure of abbattoirs under pressure of Hindu fanatics.

Muslims are portrayed as anti-national, terrorist, pro-Pakistan and enemies of the Hindu nation. Religious minorities including Muslims have been threatened to convert to Hinduism, text books have been revised to demonise Muslim rulers of India, and cities renamed to erase India’s past links to Muslims. The Citizenship Amendment Act and the national register of Citizenship targets Muslims, called “infliltrators” and “termites” by leading BJP leaders including Amit Shah. Appointing hardline nationalists to key government posts, at the recommendation of the RSS, beclouds Modi’s pledge for an “inclusive India”. In 2017, Yogi Adityanath, called for India to become a Hindu state.

To avoid persecution, many Muslims joined the Muslim Manch, a wing of the RSS. Modi’s government did not rebuke calls for Muslim genocide. In a US Congressional briefing, Gregory Stanton, Genocide Watch president said on January 12, “We are warning that genocide could very well happen in India.” For Stanton, genocide is a ten-stage, non-linear process, which culminates in “extermination and denial”. The Genocide Convention, though, defines it not as a process but as acts “committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. These acts include killing, inflicting bodily harm, or preventing births.

Surveys reflect that the BJP’s expectations may not be outrightly outlandish; yet, a discernible change in the Congress’s strategy may strengthen their winning tally. It is the nouveau appeal to the women’s vote bank. Emerging coalitions also may alter the scenario. Akhilesh Yadav is forging alliances with smaller parties to widen his support base beyond the Yadavs and the Muslim.

Some nascent changes in electoral strategies indicate that BJP may find it difficult to realise its tals dream of bagging 300-plus seats in the 403 Uttar Pradesh state assembly.

Surveys reflect that the BJP’s expectations may not be outrightly outlandish; yet, a discernible change in the Congress’s strategy may strengthen their winning tally. It is the nouveau appeal to the women’s vote bank.

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

InDIA, the so-called largest democracy in the world, wearing the mask of hypocrisy has ever been a threat to the peace and prosperity of the world.

India is not just hoaxing the world and its 150 million people but very nimbly playing a victim card across the globe quite viciously. It would be quite justified to assert that India has become a hub of terrorism not only for the neighbouring countries but also for its natives.

The intelligence agencies of India are persistently trying to fan terrorism in Pakistan, by giving refuges to militants such as Brahamdagh Bugti and many more. India has always been financing aid and ammunition to anti-Pakistan organisations such as TTP, JUA, and BLA, which was behind the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on 29th June 2020. The attack on Pearl Continental Hotel at Gawadar in 2019 and the attack on the University of Agriculture in Peshawar in October 2017 were headed by none other than Indian intelligence agency RAW. Pakistan has given the details of the two transactions made by RAW to Anti Pakistan organizations for the promotion of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa via Afghanistan. The first transaction of $28000 was made by Punjab Bank in India while the second transaction of $55,851 was made by an Indian national, Manmeet from an Indian bank in new Delhi, which was received by Afghanistan International Bank. Around $60 million was spent on raising militia for razing CPEC. India is making utmost efforts to sabotage Pakistan’s attempt to get out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. In 2015 on a visit to Bangladesh, narendra Modi openly confessed that India is destabilizing Pakistan and has connections with BLA. The violation of LOC on regular basis speaks volumes of Indian aggression but due to the velour and bravery of our armed forces India had to pratfall always. India is contravening three international laws but a question arises as to why the world is hushed at this deafening silence of Indian atrocities and brutalities of the bestial mentalities masked behind the uniforms of Indian forces? It is for this reason that India is the 7th largest economy (12th largest exporter with a 3041 billion export) and the 9th largest importer which has taped the lips of the world to utter silence.

According to the latest Google survey report, a new case of rape is reported after every 22 minutes in India. Moreover the second most dangerous country for women to live in. Furthermore according to the Indian national Crimes Bureau (nCRB) there were 228 acid attacks reported in the country in 2018 ranking it on number 2 at the list of the countries notorious for acid attacks. The corrupt judicial and police system is not hidden from the eyes of public. Mumbai police, ‘’Fake Encounter Specialist’’ is notorious for fabricating fake encounters ‘’A high-profile case filed in 2012 before the Supreme Court of India related to allegations of 1,528 extrajudicial killings in the state of Manipur, which is conflict-affected.

TUASEEN AHMAD KHAN LAHORE

Cardiovascular diseases CHOLInE is an essential nutrient similar to B vitamins. It is used in many chemical reactions in the body and also has importance in the nervous system and for the development of normal brain functioning. Choline might also help decrease swelling and inflammation related to asthma.

Animal foods, especially eggs, beef, chicken, fish, and milk are the richest sources of choline and among plant sources, certain beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains also contribute choline to the diet. It is recommended that adult females consume 425 mg daily and adult males consume 550 mg daily to maintain adequate nutrition and recommendation for children depending on age. In supplements, choline has most often been used by adults in doses of 1-3 grams by mouth daily for up to 4 months.

High intakes of choline can lead to low blood pressure (hypotension) and liver toxicity. It may also lead to the excess production of trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO), which is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis and other poor health outcomes, including the development or progression of hypertension, diabetes, and renal failure. Muhammad Asif Ali conducted his PhD research to evaluate the association of blood choline and cardiovascular diseases under the supervision of Dr Muhammad nasir.

Whole-blood choline and plasma choline are emerging biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To examine the association of whole-blood choline as an early predictor of cardiac events. In a case-control study, we enrolled 240 individuals, including 120 normal (39 females and 82 males) and 120 cases (49 females and 71 males) where the age limit was up to 40 years). Data was collected through interviews, family disease history, 24 recall diet assessment and blood sampling. The results are expressed that non-CVD patients had good dietary habits and active lifestyles, on the other hand, CVD patients had significantly higher levels of blood choline level. In the intervention phase the antioxidants (vitamins C and E) were given to patients and observed significantly improving their lipid profile.

MUHAMMAD ASIF ALI LAHORE

Food inflation In the last two years, food prices have soared drastically in Pakistan, which has fuelled concerns over the rising cost of living. One of the reasons for the rising food inflation is the implementation of stabilisation policies aimed at regulating the fiscal and current account deficits. We cannot expect food prices to remain stable when everything else is becoming more expensive because of government policies or market dynamics.

In addition, the pandemic led to disruptions in the food supply chain and raised input and transportation costs for farmers, which compelled farmers to raise selling rates to recover costs. The reduction in the output of minor and major food crops, particularly wheat, and an increase in demand since the outbreak of the virus created a supply gap in the country. This led to a further increase in prices because the government failed to predict the market and make timely arrangements to fill the gap through imports. One solution lies in developing the capacity to predict both domestic and global food commodity markets. This will help in addressing supply chain disruptions and cover shortages through early imports. Long-term food price stability depends on the government’s willingness to revamp agricultural policies, liberalise the trade regime by allowing market forces to freely play their role, reduce costs of farm input, invest in high-yield and drought-resistant seed technologies, and give growers incentives to adopt modern farm practices to increase yields. To stabilise food prices, crop output will need to be increased.

Ahsan Murtaza ISLAMABAD

08 WORLD VIEW 12th February 22_Layout 1 2/11/2022 9:59 PM Page 1

Saturday, 12 February, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

Russia belongs at the centRe of euRope NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE REACHED THEIR LIMITS. HERE’S WHAT SHOULD COME NEXT

FOreign pOlicY

t

anatol lieven

He Western attempt to expel Russia from europe has failed. That there was such an attempt was always implicit in the strategy of seeking to admit every european country but Russia into nATO and the european Union. In this context, the nATO slogan “A europe Whole and Free” is an explicit statement that Russia is not part of europe.

But as French President emmanuel Macron has reminded us, Russia is part of europe and is simply too big, too powerful, and too invested in its immediate neighborhood to be excluded from the european security order. A continued strategy along these lines will lead to repeated Russian attempts to force its way back in. At best, this will lead to repeated and very damaging crises; at worst, to war.

A structure needs to be created that can defend the interests of nATO and the eU while at the same time accommodating vital Russian interests and preserving peace. The solution lies in a modernized version of what was once called the “Concert of europe.”

The current security order has reached its limit. Until 2007-2008, the expansion of the eU and nATO appeared to have proceeded flawlessly, with the admission of all the former Soviet satellites in Central europe and the Balkans, as well as the Baltic states. Russia was unhappy with nATO expansion but did not actively oppose it.

Then, however, both nATO and the eU received decisive checks, through their own overreach.

At the nATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, in 2008, the United States and its allies, though denied an immediate Membership Action Plan for Ukraine and Georgia because of the opposition of France and Germany, procured

a promise of those countries’ eventual membership. Seen from Moscow, this created the prospect that nATO would include countries with territorial disputes (and in the case of Georgia, frozen conflicts) with Russia; that (as in the Baltic states) nATO would give cover to moves to harm the position of local Russian minorities; and that nATO would expel Russia from its naval base at Sevastopol and from the southern Caucasus.

Later that year, the Russo-Georgian War should have sounded the death knell of further nATO expansion, for it demonstrated beyond doubt both the acute dangers of territorial disputes in the former USSR and that in the last resort Russia would fight to defend its vital interests in the region, and the West would not fight. This is being demonstrated again today by the repeated and categorical statements from Washington and Brussels that there is no question of sending troops to defend Ukraine; and if nATO will not fight for Ukraine, then it cannot admit Ukraine as an ally. It is as simple as that.

The rise of China is the other factor that makes the exclusion of Russia unviable. For this project was developed at a time when Russia was at its weakest in almost 400 years and when China’s colossal growth had only just begun. This allowed the West possibilities that today have diminished enormously, if as seems likely China is prepared to strengthen Russia against Western economic sanctions.

The eU too has reached the limit of its expansion eastward. On the one hand, there is Ukraine’s size (44 million people), corruption, political dysfunction, and poverty (GDP per capita that’s one-third of Russia’s).

Perhaps more importantly, eU expansion to eastern europe no longer looks like the unconditional success story that it did a decade ago.

Romania, Bulgaria, and other states remain deeply corrupt and in many ways still ex-communist. Poland and Hungary have developed dominant strains of chauvinist and quasi-authoritarian populism that place them at odds with what were supposed to be the core values of the eU—and that in some respects bring them closer ideologically to the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. After this experience, there is no chance that the eU will admit a country like Ukraine in any foreseeable future.

An acknowledgment of these obvious truths (which are acknowledged in private by the overwhelming ma-

jority of Western officials and experts) should open the way to thinking about a new european security architecture that would incorporate nATO and the eU while reducing the hostility between these organizations and Russia. We should aim at the creation of this new system as part of the solution to the present crisis, and in order to avoid new ones.

This requires a return to a more traditional way of thinking about international politics. For a key problem of the West’s approach to Russia since the end of the Cold War is that it has demanded that Russia observe the internal rules of behavior of the eU and nATO without offering eU and nATO membership (something that is in any case impossible for multiple reasons).

In recent years and in the wider world, the U.S. establishment by contrast has loudly announced “the return of great-power politics”—and this is true enough as far as it goes. Certainly the idea of a monolithic “rules-based global order,” in which liberal internationalism acts as a thin cover for U.S. primacy, is now dead.

The problem is that most members of the U.S. establishment have become so wedded to belief in both the necessity and the righteousness of U.S. global primacy that they can see relations with other great powers only in confrontational and zero-sum terms. Rivalry, of course, there will inevitably be; but if we are to avoid future disasters, we need to find a way of managing relations so as to keep this rivalry within bounds, establish certain genuine common rules, prevent conflict, and work toward the solution of common problems. To achieve this, we need to seek lessons further back in diplomatic history.

The essential elements of a new, reasonably consensual pan-european order should be the following: a traditional nonaggression treaty between nATO and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), by which both sides pledge not to attack the other militarily. As a matter of fact, neither side has any intention of doing so, and to put this on paper would reduce mutual paranoia and the ability of establishments on both sides to feed this paranoia for their own domestic purposes.

Full diplomatic relations should be established or reestablished between nATO and the CSTO and between the eU and the Russian-led eurasian economic Union. On the basis of this, intensive negotiations should

Modi government: March 2022 to mid-2024 THE NEXT TWO YEARS WILL BE TURBULENT FOR INDIA AND COULD HAMPER THE MANAGEMENT OF POST-COVID NORMALCY

Open Magazine Swapan DaSgupta

o

ne of the more astonishing things that happened during the seven working days from January 31st is that Parliament worked without any interruption. Yes, there were a few verbal skirmishes and even a walkout by Congress and its love-hate partner Trinamool Congress. However, these are part of the normal drill of Parliament and facets of the defined adversarial contests of the democracy we have chosen for ourselves.

So, why is this unusual for a democracy that has endured for 75 years without moving away from the parliamentary form of government? This is because the past 18 months or so have witnessed such disruptions in the normal working of the two Houses—particularly, Rajya Sabha—that many of us were tempted to conclude that Parliament has become dysfunctional and that, if the trend persisted, we may have to start exploring alternatives. I know that one swallow doesn’t make a summer and that, if the state Assembly elections in five states, but particularly Uttar Pradesh (UP), doesn’t go in favour of BJP, the disruptions will resume with

a vengeance. Indeed, the path of the Modi Government from March 2022 to mid-2024 (the scheduled date of the next General election) will depend quite substantially on the mahant of Gorakhpur securing re-election. If the opposition draws blood, the next two years will be turbulent for India and could hamper the management of post-Covid normalcy.

Of course, the opposition as it stands today, is an amorphous creature. never mind the two-party systems that exist in most Western democracies, India is a multi-party polity with BJP as the dominant party. However, unlike the first 20 years after Independence when Congress prevailed in nearly all the states, the extent of BJP’s control over the states is not all that total. Likewise, in the opposition ranks, Congress is still the most important player, having a measure of support in nearly all the states. However, the erosion of Congress support in the Ganga belt, which was first noticed in the General election of 1991 when mandir and Mandal played a role, has never been reversed. At one time, it was suggested that Priyanka Gandhi would make a difference to Congress but despite her active involvement in the local politics of UP, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

The opposition is essentially a cluster of powerful regional parties that has a common agenda—to oust BJP. But whether this by itself is sufficient to secure the confidence of voters in a General election is doubtful. Mamata Banerjee thinks she can emerge as a consensus opposition alternative to narendra Modi, but her acceptability outside the borders of West Bengal is yet to be tested and is a matter of pure conjecture. How this grand alliance of powerful regional players will seem to voters when choosing who is to govern from Delhi is a matter of doubt. Modi, if nothing else, is a larger-than-life, purposeful

leader who is known for getting things done.

Will the electorate risk uncertainty by voting in a cluster of parties whose relationship with each other is a big question mark?

With the opposition banking less and less on Congress to show the way, why did Modi direct his machinegun fire in both Houses of Parliament at Congress? Why did he ridicule Congress’ national standing and its present political and ideological orientation? There is some bewilderment even in BJP’s own ranks about this. After all, Congress isn’t a player of consequence in UP, although, to be fair, it still counts in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

Modi, perhaps as a response to Rahul Gandhi’s speech claiming that the Constitution defined India as a Union of states and not a nation, chose to suggest that Congress is embracing the beliefs of the Urban naxals.

The claim isn’t entirely unfounded. From being the default party of mainstream Indian nationalism, Congress appears to have moved to the margins, going to the extreme extent of eschewing Indian nationhood. Rahul Gandhi has conceded to BJP its self-defined role as the bulwark of Indian nationalism. This positioning may not be critical in state elections but its importance in a General election is undeniable. Congress may have its eye on securing strategic alliances with regional parties, which is understandable. Yet, the ideological price it seems willing to pay for forging an anti-BJP front seems very high.

Moving to the fringes may be tactical, but it seems a shortsighted move that doesn’t address the main issue of its lack of leadership.

Swapan Dasgupta is an MP and India’s foremost conservative columnist. He is the author of Awakening Bharat Mata: The Political Beliefs of the Indian Right

be launched to achieve two goals: new arms control agreements in europe, starting with nuclear missiles, and economic arrangements that would allow nonmembers of the eU and the eurasian economic Union to trade freely with both blocs, rather than forcing on them a mutually exclusive choice of trading partners.

When it comes to the avoidance and solution of conflicts, however, institutions involving all european countries are too large and too rigid to be of much use. The Russian establishment has also decided—not without reason—that these are simply excuses for Western countries to agree to a common position and then present it to Russia as a fait accompli. The need is for a regular, frequent, but much smaller and less formal meeting place for the countries that really count in european security: the United States, France, Germany, and Russia (plus the United Kingdom, if it survives as one state and emerges from its post-Brexit bewilderment).

Such a european security council would have three goals: firstly, the avoidance of new conflicts through early consultation about impending crises; secondly, the solution of existing conflicts on the basis of common standards of realism—in other words, who actually controls the territory in question and will continue to do so; and thirdly, democracy—the will of the majority of the local population, expressed through internationally supervised referendums (a proposal put forward by Thomas Graham).

Finally, a european security council could lay the basis for security cooperation outside europe. Here, the present situation is nothing short of tragicomic. In Afghanistan, the United States, nATO, the eU, Russia, and the CSTO have an identical vital interest: to prevent that country from becoming a base for international Islamist terrorism and revolution. And for all the greater complexity of the situation, this is also true in the end of the fight against the Islamic State and its allies in the Middle east and western Africa.

Among the other benefits of such a new consultative institution would therefore be to remind both the West and Russia that while Russian and nATO soldiers have never killed each other and do not want to, there are other forces out there that have killed many thousands of Americans, Russians, and West europeans, would gladly kill us all if they could find the means to do so, and see no moral difference whatsoever between what they see as Western and eastern infidel imperialism.

Anatol Lieven is a senior fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the author of Pakistan: A Hard Country. His most recent book, Climate Change and the Nation State, is appearing in an updated paperback edition in September 2021.

Russia and china unveil a pact against america and the West IN A SWEEPING LONG-TERM AGREEMENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN AND XI JINPING, THE TWO MOST POWERFUL AUTOCRATS, CHALLENGE THE CURRENT POLITICAL AND MILITARY ORDER

new YOrker

i

Robin wRight

n their matching mauve ties, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping last week declared a “new era” in the global order and, at least in the short term, endorsed their respective territorial ambitions in Ukraine and Taiwan. The world’s two most powerful autocrats unveiled a sweeping longterm agreement that also challenges the United States as a global power, nato as a cornerstone of international security, and liberal democracy as a model for the world. “Friendship between the two States

has no limits,” they vowed in the communiqué, released after the two leaders met on the eve of the Beijing Winter Olympics. “There are no ‘forbidden’ areas of cooperation.”

Agreements between Moscow and Beijing, including the Treaty of Friendship of 2001, have traditionally been laden with lofty, if vague, rhetoric that faded into forgotten history. But the new and detailed five-thousand-word agreement is more than a collection of the usual tropes, Robert Daly, the director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, at the Wilson Center, in Washington, told me. Although it falls short of a formal alliance, like nato, the agreement reflects a more elaborate show of solidarity than anytime in the past. “This is a pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder against America and the West, ideologically as well as militarily,” Daly said. “This statement might be looked back on as the beginning of Cold War Two.” The timing and clarity of the communiqué—amid tensions on Russia’s border with europe and China’s aggression around Taiwan—will “give historians the kind of specific event that they often focus on.”

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

MCB Bank posts record profit of Rs51.989bn Lahore PR

The Board of Directors of MCB Bank Limited (MCB) in its meeting under the Chairmanship of Mian Mohammad Mansha, on February 10, 2022, reviewed the performance of the Bank and approved the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Board of Directors has declared final cash dividend of Rs. 5.0 per share i.e. 50% bringing the total cash dividend for the year ended 2021 to 190%, continuing with its highest dividend per share trend in banking sector.

MCB’s Profit After Tax (PAT) for the year ended December 31, 2021, posted a growth of 6% to reach Rs. 30.81 billion; translating into Earning Per Share (EPS) of Rs. 26.00 compared to EPS of Rs. 24.50 reported in last year.

Average Policy rate registered a decline of 19% (166bps) from an average of 8.95% in last year to 7.29% in current year.

However, on account of strategically aligned growth in average current deposits and a balanced mix of earning assets, net interest income of the Bank decreased by only 10%, from Rs. 71.33 billion to Rs. 63.99 billion.

Non-markup income registered a growth of 11% and aggregated to Rs. 20.1 billion against Rs. 18.1 billion in last year. Improved transactional volumes, surge in business activities, diversification of revenue streams through continuous enrichment of Bank’s product suite, investments towards digital transformation and an unrelenting focus on upholding the high service standards supplemented a growth of 14% in fee income whereas dividend and foreign exchange incomes increased by 86% & 48% respectively.

The Bank continues to prudently manage its operating expenses with a moderate increase of 8%, despite sustained inflationary pressures amid currency devaluation and rising commodity prices, higher compliance related regulatory charges, expansion in branch outreach and regular performance and merit adjustments of the Human Capital.

On the provision front, proactive monitoring and recovery efforts led to a net reversal of Rs. 910 million in specific provision maintained against non-performing loans (NPLs) while the general loss reserve of Rs. 4 billion created amid the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak was reversed, as the systematic risks surrounding the economic recovery have receded and the Bank has created specific provision against exposures that reflected signs of financial distress.

Persistent focus on maintaining a robust risk management framework encompassing structured assessment models, effective pre-disbursement evaluation tools and an array of post disbursement monitoring systems has enabled MCB to effectively manage its credit risk. The Non-performing loan (NPLs) base of the Bank recorded a decrease of Rs. 698 million and was reported at Rs. 50.49 billion. The Bank has not taken FSV benefit in calculation of specific provision and carries an un-encumbered general provision reserve of Rs. 636 million.

The coverage and infection ratios of the Bank were reported at 90.83% and 7.94% respectively. On the financial position side, the total asset base of the Bank, on an unconsolidated basis, was reported at Rs. 1,970 billion (+12%). The gross advances of the Bank registered historic growth of Rs. 122 billion (+24%), above the industry growth, to close the year at Rs. 636 billion.

The corporate lending book grew by Rs. 106 billion (31%) whereas the consumer loan portfolio garnered significant interest and increased by Rs. 9.5 billion (32%) on the back of significant activity in the construction and auto segments.

On the liabilities side, achieving growth in no-cost current account base remained a key strategic objective for the Bank.

Thereby, non-remunerative deposits grew by 15.1% to close at Rs. 563 billion; improving their mix in the total deposits to 40% in absolute terms as at December 31, 2021. CASA mix was reported at 93% whereas the total deposits of the Bank grew by 9% to close out the year at Rs. 1,412 billion.

Return on Assets and Return on Equity reported at 1.65% and 19.11% respectively, whereas the book value per share was reported at Rs. 135.13. During the year MCB attracted home remittance inflows of USD 3.527 billion to further consolidate its position as an active participant in SBP’s cause for improving flow of remittances into the country through banking channels.

The inflow by MCB till Dec 31, 2021 under the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) initiative has stood at USD 216 million. While complying with the regulatory capital requirements, the Bank’s total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is 17.01% against the requirement of 11.5% (including capital conservation buffer of 1.50% as reduced under the BPRD Circular.

SSGCL to ReSuMe GaS SuppLy to CNG StatioNS fRoM MoNday

S

UI Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) has announced it will resume gas supply to all those Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations that are operating on Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) from Monday.

On Friday, SSGCL, after 45 days of gas supply suspension to the CNG sector, announced that the SSGCL management has decided to resume gas supplies to all those CNG stations that are operating on RLNG. The supplies will resume from 08:00 am on Monday, February 14, 2022, said SSGCL. According to SSGCL, gas supply was earlier suspended to the CNG sector from December 1, 2021 till February 15, 2022 in accordance with the gas load management plan. AhmAd AhmAdAni

SCCI calls for strengthening Pak-UAE economic ties

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad on Friday called for strengthening mutual economic ties and bilateral trade relationship between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, he emphasized the establishment of business to business contact and launching of joint ventures to further improve bilateral trade and economic relations between two brotherly Islamic countries.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is a lucrative destination of foreign investments wherein vast opportunities were available for investors to make investment in hydel power generation, mine, minerals, oil, gas and especially tourism sectors, the SCCI chief said.

Furthermore, he said the significance of KP has been further increased after the changing regional scenario, which is a gateway to neighboring Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics. He hoped

the national economy would be boosted after enhancing mutual trade with Afghanistan and the rest of the regional countries.

Hasnain Khurhsid was talking to a member of the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a leading Dubai-based businessman H.E Suhail Al Zarooni during a meeting here at the chamber’s house on Friday.

The SCCI president said the law and order situation has much improved in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that has paved the way for foreign investments as national and international famous companies/brands have made investments in the province.

Suhail Al Zarooni while speaking on the occasion that Dubai has become economic and trade hub as participation of millions of people in Dubai Expo 2020 was a clear testimony of it. He said the UAE government was taking pragmatic steps to provide facilities to local as well as foreign investors.

Hascol CFO, director granted pre-arrest bail in Rs54bn fraud case The Special Court for Offence in Banks (SCOIB) in Karachi on Thursday granted interim pre-arrest bail to 25 suspects in a case pertaining to Rs54 billion alleged bank fraud by various officers of Hascol Petroleum Limited (HPL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and other organisations.

Those granted pre-arrest bail include HPL’s Chief Financial Officer Khurrum Shahzad and Director Najumus Saqib Hameed and others.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had booked HPL founder Mumtaz Hassan along with some 30 suspects, including present and former top officials of the NBP, HPL and other organisations, over their alleged involvement in the said case.

After arrest Mumtaz Hassan was sent to jail in judicial custody.

Presiding officer of the SCOIB, Imdad

09

Hussain Soomro after hearing the counsel of the applicant granted them pre-arrest bail with direction to cooperate with the FIA in investigation.

The FIA alleged that an inquiry had revealed that the detained HPL founder and others were involved in the country’s biggest financial fraud committed by the HPL officers in connivance with then NBP’s top management and other commercial banks.

The agency stated that from 2015 to 2020 in the shape of bank loans, funded and non-funded financial facilities were granted to the HPL by the NBP in alleged violation of the prudent banking laws and practices, which amounted to criminal breach of trust causing wrongful loss to the national exchequer and wrongful gain to the HPL. The FIA claimed that the total amount of alleged default stood at Rs54 billion, of which

Rs18 billion pertained to the NBP alone.

It mentioned that Hascol’s credit line was increased by ex-NBP presidents and credit group officials from Rs2 billion to Rs18 billion against weak securities.

It mentioned that the HPL was incorporated by Mumtaz Hassan as a private limited company in 2001 for procurement, storage and marketing of local or imported petroleum products, chemicals and LPG. It was converted into a public utilised company in 2007 and listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in 2014. The HPL’s first significant borrowing started with the Summit Bank in 2009, but the NBP entered the scene in 2014 when it gave Rs2 billion to it in response to the HPL’s request addressed to accuse Ms Reema Athar who had moved from Pak-Iran Investment Company (PIIC) to the NBP as its SVP (senior vice president). TLTP

Similarly, he said his country has given much importance to strengthen mutual trade, economic and traditional/cultural relationship with Pakistan, because of which Dubai based investors had made huge investments in different areas of Pakistan.

Suhail Al Zarooni said the mutual trade and economic relationship had been much improved. However, he said there are ample opportunities to further strengthen these relationships by the close business community of both the countries.

He urged the Government of Pakistan to make initiatives to further improve bilateral trade and economic relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries.

The SCCI chief on the occasion thanked Mr Suhail Al Zarnooni for visiting the chamber house and hoped the meeting will produce positive results toward boosting up trade, economic and cultural ties between Pakistan and UAE. Aziz BuneRi

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

10 NEWS

US, IndIa, aUStralIa and Japan meet to deepen bUlwark agaInSt ChIna

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AFP

HE top diplomats of the United States, Australia, Japan and India opened talks in Melbourne Friday on deepening their Quad alliance, hoping to blunt China’s expanding power across the Asia-Pacific region.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison kicked off the day by highlighting the group’s importance in building cooperation among democracies while making a thinlyveiled allusion to his country’s troubled relationship with Beijing.

“We live in a very fragile, fragmented and contested world,” he told the visiting officials. “We stand up to those who would seek to coerce us,” he said.

Without mentioning China by name, Morrison said it was a “great comfort” that the three fellow Quad members understand “the coercion and the pressure that Australia has been placed under”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that even though Russia’s threat to Ukraine occupies Washington right now, the longer-term issue is China’s rising power.

“To my mind, there’s little doubt that China’s ambition over time is to be the leading military, economic, diplomatic and political power not just in the region but in the world,” he told The Australian newspaper on the eve of the talks.

Tech, healTh, climaTe: The Quad was first launched in 2007 but only took root a decade later after China aggressively pro-

jected its military power into the South China Sea, and following violent border clashes with India.

While the four held joint naval exercises in 2020 in the Bay of Bengal, the meetings in Melbourne are aimed at deepening cooperation across other fields like fighting Covid-19 and coordinating on critical information technology issues, including the global rollout of 5G telecommunications networks.

Blinken said they were seeking to develop an “affirmative vision” on a range of challenges, such as agreeing on technology standards and cooperating on health issues and climate change.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been central to giving the grouping greater meaning beyond its image of trying to “contain” China.

The four countries used the Quad framework to commit to distributing 1.3 billion vaccine doses, with more than 500 million already delivered, according to Payne.

As for Washington, the meeting is a chance to reaffirm its decision to make Asia and the Pacific the centrepiece of foreign and defence policy, even as the White House and Pentagon are currently consumed by the potential for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

While Ukraine is “front and centre” in Washington right now, Blinken said ahead of his arrival in Australia: “The world is a big place.” “Our interests are global and you all know very well the focus that we put on the Asia-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific regions,” he said.

Biden plans to free half of $7bn frozen Afghan funds for aid

WASHINGTON ReuteRs

The US government plans to free up half of $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on its soil for aiding the Afghan people, while the rest will remain in the United States pending lawsuits from victims of terrorism, sources said.

A US judge last month gave President Joe Biden’s administration until Friday to come up with a plan on what to do with the frozen funds, amid urgent calls from US lawmakers and the United Nations for them to be used to address the dire economic crisis in Afghanistan.

The US government will work to ensure access to $3.5 billion of those assets for “the benefit of the Afghan people and for Afghanistan’s future,” said one of the sources, without providing details about how these funds would be distributed.

The multi-step plan calls for the other half of the funds to remain in the United States, subject to ongoing litigation by US victims of terrorism, including relatives of those who died in the September 11, 2001, hijacking attacks, the sources said.

Washington froze the Afghan funds held in the United States after the Taliban’s military takeover in August but has faced mounting pressure to find a way to release the funds without recognising the Taliban, who say the money is theirs.

However, some Sept. 11 victims and their families have filed lawsuits seeking to cover un-

satisfied court judgments related to the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

As part of the plan, Biden will sign an executive order on Friday that will require US financial institutions to transfer all Afghan central bank assets they hold into a newly consolidated account held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the sources said.

Afghanistan has another $2 billion in reserves, held in countries including Britain, Germany, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Most of those funds are also frozen.

The United States, the largest single donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, will keep working with the United Nations and humanitarian aid groups to ensure continued assistance to the people of Afghanistan, the sources said.

It is also working closely with the United Nations on mechanisms to ensure UN agencies and aid groups have the liquidity needed to support critical humanitarian assistance programs, the sources said.

Reuters reported on Thursday that the UN aims to kickstart this month a system to swap millions of aid dollars for Afghan currency that would help solve that issue. read more UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a mechanism to free up about $9.5 billion in Afghan reserves frozen worldwide, including in the United States.

US sanctions ban doing financial business with the Taliban. Humanitarian support for the Afghan people is allowed.

Russia holds drills in Belarus as West warns of 'dangerous moment' MOSCOW ReuteRs

Britain said on Thursday the "most dangerous moment" in the West's standoff with Moscow appeared imminent, as Russia held military exercises in Belarus and the Black Sea following the buildup of its forces near Ukraine.

Ukraine also staged war games and the United States urged Americans in the country to leave immediately due to increased threats of Russian military action. But leaders on all sides signalled they hoped diplomacy could still prevail in what British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Europe's biggest security crisis for decades.

In a new round of talks, Britain's foreign minister sparred publicly with her Russian counterpart in Moscow, Johnson visited NATO headquarters in Brussels and Germany's leader met his Baltic states counterparts in Berlin, where officials from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France were also holding discussions.

Russia, which has more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, denies Western accusations it may be planning to invade its former Soviet neighbour, though it says it could take unspecified "military-technical" action unless demands are met.

"I honestly don't think a decision has yet been taken" by Moscow on whether to attack, Johnson told a news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "But that doesn't mean that it is impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed."

"This is probably the most dangerous moment, I would say, in the course of the next few days, in what is the biggest security crisis that Europe has faced for decades."

The way forward was diplomacy, Johnson later told reporters in Poland.

Stoltenberg also said it was a dangerous moment for European security, adding: "The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down." In a new point of friction, Ukraine criticised Russian naval exercises that it said were part of a "hybrid war" and had made navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov "virtually impossible".

Nearly nine hours of talks between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday failed to produce a breakthrough on signing a joint document, but both sides agreed to keep talking, the chief of staff to Ukraine's president said after the talks in Berlin. Russia said the talks with Ukraine, France and Germany on the conflict in eastern Ukraine fell short of any new agreement and criticised what it called a lack of clarity in the Ukrainian position.

'Things could go crazy quickly': The U.S. State Department urged Americans in Ukraine to leave immediately due to what it called increased threats of Russian military action.

"American citizens should leave now," President Joe Biden told NBC News in an interview. "We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly."

Asked whether there was a scenario that could prompt him to send troops to rescue fleeing Americans, Biden

replied: "There's not. That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. We're in a very different world than we've ever been."

Visiting Moscow, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was upbraided by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who accused her of refusing to listen.

"I'm honestly disappointed that what we have is a conversation between a mute person and a deaf person," the 71year-old veteran diplomat told a news conference.

"Our most detailed explanations fell on unprepared soil .. numerous facts that we produced bounced off (the British delegation)."

Truss, who warned of tough Western sanctions if Ukraine was attacked, challenged Lavrov over his assertion that Russia's build-up of troops and weaponry was not threatening anyone.

"I can't see any other reason for having 100,000 troops stationed on the border, apart from to threaten Ukraine. And if Russia is serious about diplomacy, they need to remove those troops and desist from the threats," she said. Lavrov said Moscow favoured diplomacy to resolve the crisis.

De-escalation efforts: Truss's talks in Moscow follow shuttle diplomacy from French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Moscow and Kyiv this week. In contrast to US and British leaders, Macron has played down the likelihood of a Russian invasion soon.As part of US efforts to "reduce chances of miscalculation", the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, spoke on Thursday with his Belarusian counterpart, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Urging de-escalation, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany and its allies were ready for dialogue with Moscow and wanted peace.

However further military aggression against Ukraine "would have very serious political, economic and strategic consequences for Russia," Scholz told reporters in Berlin.

Moscow has used the tensions to seek security concessions from the West that would include a promise never to admit Ukraine to NATO and halt the military alliance's expansion. The EU said on Thursday it had delivered a single letter in response to Russia's proposals on European security, NATO and the United States having earlier portrayed Russia's main demands as non-starters.

Stoltenberg said last week that Russia was expected to have 30,000 troops in Belarus as well SU-35 fighter jets, S400 air defence systems and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles. Russia held a briefing for military attachés that lasted just eight minutes, and gave notice of an exercise that was already underway, a senior US State Department official said.

"That's highly inconsistent with agreements for transparency for large military exercises in Europe. That's bad news," the official said.

Ukraine launched its own war games on Thursday which, like Russia's joint drills with Minsk, will run until February 20. The Ukrainian forces, whose numbers have not been disclosed, are set to use Bayraktar drones and antitank Javelin and NLAW missiles provided by foreign partners. Kyiv was due to receive a further shipment of US military aid later on Thursday.

Saturday, 12 February, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

HBL PSL 7: LaHore QaLandarS Beat MuLtan SuLtanS

SPORTS 11

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News Desk

AHORE Qalandars on Friday finally broke the unbeaten streak of the Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition, as they bowled out their opponent at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

After being invited to bat, in-form Lahore Qalandars handed a 183-run target to unbeaten Multan Sultans, but the Mohammad Rizwan-led side could not live up to the situation as they were defeated by 52 runs.

Lahore Qalandars’ bowling attack shined against Multan Sultans as they managed to bowl out the defending champions for 130.

20-year-old Zaman Khan claimed three wickets and gave away only 21 runs in 3.3 overs.

Skipper Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Rashid Khan took two wickets each to dismantle Multan Sultans batting line-up.

Rashid Khan took two crucial wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Rilee Rossouw.

With the win, Lahore Qalandars have moved to second position in the table.

Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman had lit the Gaddafi Stadium with his exceptional knock against table-toppers Multan Sultans, scoring a quick 37-ball 60 runs.

Kamran Ghulam and Muhammad Hafeez played two spectacular knocks to help the Qalandars set a big total of 183 runs for Multan Sultans. Phil Salt also scored a blistering 13-ball 26.

Multan Sultans did quite a decent job but could not properly dismantle the Qalandars batting order.

It should be noted that this is the second time that the two sides faced each other in this year’s PSL, with Sultans toppling Qalandars when they first met in Karachi.

India defeat West Indies by 96 runs to complete dominant series sweep neW deLHI AFP

Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant hit half-centuries to set up a thumping 96-run victory for India in the third one-day international against the West Indies and sweep the series on Friday.

Iyer, who made 80, and Pant, who hit 56, guided India to 265 after they lost three early wickets while batting first in Ahmedabad.

Bowlers, led by pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj, then combined to bowl out the West Indies for 169 in 37.1 overs to seal their first ever ODI series sweep over their opponents. Siraj and fellow paceman Prasidh Krishna took three wickets apiece, while quick bowler Deepak Chahar and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also claimed two each.

But it was the 110-run fourth-wicket partnership between Iyer and Pant that made India bounce back from 43-3, having lost two key wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for nought.

Chahar and Washington Sundar, who made 33, got useful cameos before India were bowled out on the final ball of the 50th over. For the West Indies, pace bowler Jason Holder stood out with figures of 4-34. Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph struck twice in the same over to take the wickets of Rohit (13) and Kohli – for the second time in the series – to rattle the hosts.

Rohit edged an incoming delivery on to his

stumps for 13 while Kohli, who scored eight and 18 in the first two matches, got caught behind in his attempt to flick the ball down the leg side.

Dhawan, who returned to the team after recovering from Covid-19 along with Iyer, departed for 10 after a 26-ball stay. But the right-left batting pair of Iyer and Pant got going to rebuild the innings and take the attack to the West Indies bowlers.

Chahar, at number eight, played an attacking knock and put on 53 runs for the seventh wicket with Sundar before being caught behind off Holder who wrapped up the tail. The West Indies were never in the chase after Siraj trapped Shai Hope lbw for five in the fourth over and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Stand-in-skipper Nicholas Pooran, who led the side after regular captain Kieron Pollard missed the final two matches due to a niggle, made 34 and Odean Smith hit 36 off 18 balls.

Meanwhile, vice-captain KL Rahul and Axar Patel have been ruled out of the upcoming three Twenty20 matches, the Board of Cricket for Cricket in India said.

Rahul, who made 49 in India’s second ODI, suffered a left hamstring strain during fielding. Patel is in his final stage of rehabilitation after recently recovering from Covid.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Hooda have been named replacements for the T20s starting Wednesday.

Prize distribution ceremony of National Ski C’ship held

PR Prize distribution ceremony of 29th National Ski Championship-2022 was held at PAF Ski Resort, Naltar on Friday. Air Marshal Muhammad Mughees Afzal, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex was the Chief Guest at the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of PAF and WSFP for the promotion of winter sports in Pakistan. He also congratulated all stakeholders for successfully holding the mega event.

The Chief Guest also awarded medals among the winning players. Gilgit Baltistan Scouts clinched the winner trophy of 29th National Ski Championship-

2022. In Giant Slalom category, Mr Zahid Abbas, Mr Mir Nawaz and Mr Waqas Azam of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively. Gold medal for 5th Snow Boarding Championship-2022 was won by Mr Khalid Hussain of Gilgit Baltistan Winter Sports Association, Silver medal was earned by Mr Zahid Abbas of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts and Bronze medal was awarded to Mr Ali Hasnain of Hindukash.

Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Imran Majid, Air Officer Commanding, Federal Air Command said in his address that PAF is fully committed to not only promote Skiing in Pakistan but also train budding players for participation in international winter sports events.

Australia defeat Sri Lanka by 20 runs in rain-hit opening T20 Sydney ReuteRs

Paceman Josh Hazlewood claimed careerbest Twenty20 international figures of 4-12 to guide Australia to a 20 run victory against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, in the rain-affected opener of the five-match series.

Australia comfortably defended a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern adjusted target score of 143, with spinner Adam Zampa (3-18) in-

flicting early damage before Hazlewood iced the game with late wickets.

The tourists ended on 122-8 after 19 overs, with the chase reduced after rain interrupted in the 15th over.

The Sri Lankans struggled to adjust to the pace of the wicket, with opener Pathum Nissanka (36) making the only meaningful contribution before being caught off Zampa.

“I thought we had to bowl well to defend that total on this wicket, it wasn’t the easiest wicket to bat on,” said Australia skipper

Aaron Finch.

“It was pretty clinical with the ball.”

The home side, playing their first whiteball international since winning the T20 World Cup in Dubai last November, were sent in to bat after losing the toss.

Ben McDermott struck three sixes in his knock of 53, combining with debutant Josh Inglis (23) to lay a solid foundation for Australia.

From 75-1 after 10 overs, the middle and lower-order faltered but Marcus Stoinis

scored a quick 30 to ensure a competitive total of 149-9.

The world’s top-ranked T20 bowler, legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga (3-38), had mixed fortune with his low-release roundarm variation, conceding multiple boundaries but also accounting for Glenn Maxwell who holed out for seven.

Seamer Binura Fernando was the most economical of Sri Lanka’s bowlers with 212 from four overs.

“We didn’t get any partnerships going

from the start ... (so) we should come up with a better plan for the next game,” said Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.

The hosts have experienced a tumultuous month in which the men’s team went from winning the Ashes to unceremoniously parting ways with head coach Justin Langer, who resigned citing a lack of support from senior players.

The second match, on Sunday, will also be played in Sydney before the series moves to Canberra and Melbourne.

Saturday, 12 February, 2022

PrAyer Timings

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FAJR SUNRISE

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ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:30

12:17

3:19

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STePS AfooT To fAciliTATe exPATriATeS: PM ISLAMABAD

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TLTP

RIMe Minister Imran Khan has said that overseas Pakistanis are a precious asset of the country and the government is taking unprecedented steps to facilitate them.

Chairing a meeting of Roshan Digital Accounts on Friday, the prime minister said that the government’s measures like granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis and online issuance of certificates of power of attorney and inheritance will have far reaching impact for their welfare and facilitation.

The prime minister was apprised that remittances worth over $3 billion have so far been received through Roshan Digital Accounts.

Imran Khan directed the State Bank of Pakistan to provide online facilitation on a real time basis to overseas Pakistanis for sending their money to Pakistan. He also instructed the concerned authorities to launch an effective marketing campaign to convince overseas Pakistanis to use Roshan Digital Accounts.

Meanwhile, the prime minister, while chairing a meeting regarding anti-corona measures, commended the performance of National Command and Operation Centre and the Ministry of National Health Services and directed them to ensure implementation of SOPs and expe-

dite vaccination.

He commended the sacrifices and services of the frontline workers in containing the spread of the contagion.

The prime minister said that Covid-19 pandemic has the least effects on industries and economic activities as a result of relief measures taken by the government.

The meeting was informed that omicron cases have started declining in Pakistan due to the government’s measures to ensure strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The meeting was informed that the number of Omicron patients receiving in-

tensive care is 71 percent less than the fourth wave. Since yesterday, the number of positive cases decreased by 6.8 percent, while hospitalization and the need for intensive care did not increase, which is a positive trend. It was said that the new wave of corona in Pakistan is causing an average of 42 deaths per day.

Besides, the meeting was briefed on the progress made on the corona vaccine.

It was said that 90 million out of 150 million people over 12 years of age have been fully vaccinated so far and this number will increase to 110 million by next month. In addition, 115 million peo-

ple have received a single dose and will reach 130 million by next month.

At present, 61,329 teams are working for the first phase of every Pakistani is Safe vaccination in the country and doses of 2.2 million vaccines are being administered daily. Vaccination Phase II will begin on the 7th of next month. Fifty nine percent of students between the ages of 12 and 17 have been fully vaccinated and 3.4 million people over the age of 18 have been given booster doses.

The meeting was further informed that there is sufficient stock in the country for vaccination of the entire population.

At the provincial level, Punjab ranks first in terms of vaccine speed, followed

by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and other areas.

The meeting was also briefed on the future course of action regarding vaccination and appreciation of the front line health workers during the Corona pandemic.

Separately, the premier paid a surprise visit to an under-construction apartments of Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme in Islamabad’s G-13 sector.

According to a news outlet, he visited the project site without any protocol and security while his staff and other officials concerned were unaware of his visit.

The report said Imran paid a surprise visit after receiving complaints of slow pace of work on the project. He reviewed the progress on the ongoing project and directed its early completion.

Remittances fall 14.9pc to $2.14bn in January: SBP KARACHI

Pakistan heavily relies on remittance inflows to boost its foreign currency reserves that remain under

TLTP

pressure due to a high current account deficit, imports and external debt repayments.

Remittances from overseas workers declined by 14.9 percent on a month-on-month (MoM) basis in January 2022, amounting to $2.14 billion.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Friday, "At $2.14 billion in January 2022, workers’ remittances remained above $2 billion for the 20th consecutive month." However, this has been the lowest monthly remittance figure since August 2020.

"Remittances declined 5% compared to January 2021, partly reflecting an easing of travel restrictions.

Compared to the previous month, they fell by 14.9% due to seasonality," said the SBP. Remittance inflow during December 2021 stood at $2.5 billion. However, during the 7 months of FY22 (July-January), remittances have risen to a record $18 billion, 9.1% higher than the same period last year, added the central bank.

Remittance inflows during January 2022 were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia ($540 million), United Arab emirates ($374 million), United Kingdom ($320 million) and United States of America ($208 million), the SBP data showed.

Afghan Taliban say explosion near mosque kills 1, wounds 7 An explosion on the doorsteps of a mosque in northern Afghanistan killed one worshipper and wounded seven others on Friday, a Taliban official said.

According to Russian news agency TASS, the blast occurred in the city of Qala-e-Naw, the capital of Badghis province, which borders the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan.

Baz Mohammad Sarwari of Badghis province said the cause of the explosion is unknown but investigations are ongoing.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion. A local outfit affiliated with the militant Islamic State group has in the past repeatedly claimed responsibility for similar attacks.

Sarwari said the wounded were transferred to the provincial hospital while Taliban troops secured the area. The explosion went off while dozens of worshippers had gathered inside the mosque for Friday prayers. Last month, a bomb blast on a minibus had killed at least seven people in the western Afghan city of Herat. The sticky bomb was attached to the fuel tank of the bus and left nine other people wounded. The AssociATed Press

Hong Kong extends ban on flights from eight countries, including Pakistan Hong Kong has extended a ban on incoming flights from eight countries, including Pakistan, India, the United States and Britain, and imposed one on Nepal until March 4, with the government citing concerns over a growing Covid-19 outbreak.

The other countries are Australia, Canada, France and the Philippines.

Flights to Hong Kong are down 90 percent and hardly any are allowed to transit as the financial hub isolates itself from the world in the hope it can contain a coronavirus outbreak, even though new infections are overwhelmingly local transmissions. reuTers

India’s SC refuses to hear hijab ban plea Amid the ongoing hijab row in India, the Supreme Court of the country on Friday said that “it will only interfere at an appropriate time” A girl in the Indian state of Karnataka had approached the apex court after the state’s high court on Thursday advised students to avoid wearing “religious garments” until it decides on a case involving hijab restrictions in schools and colleges.

“Don’t spread these things to a national level. We will interfere only at an appropriate time,” Chief Justice NV Ramana, who declined an urgent hearing on the matter, was quoted as saying.

According to the report, when a lawyer pressed the court to take it up, arguing that the case had “far-reaching implications” and that students had been wearing the hijab or headscarf for 10 years, the Supreme Court remained firm.

“Please do not spread it to larger levels… we know what is happening. Think over, is it proper to bring these things to Delhi? The national level? If there is anything wrong, we will protect…” CJ Ramana said.

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday

said that the matter would be heard again on Monday to decide if schools and colleges can order students not to wear the hijab in classrooms.

“These matters give rise to certain constitutional questions of seminal importance in view of certain aspects of personal law,” the judge hearing the case was quoted as saying while referring it to a panel of judges to be led by the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court.

PHowever, the counsel for the petitioners objected to the interim order, saying it amounts to “suspension of our rights”, reported The Wire.

A ban on Islamic headscarves or hijab at schools has prompted an outcry among Muslims in southern India, with large crowds taking to the streets to protest against the restrictions.

The stand-off in Karnataka state has galvanised fears among the minority community about what they say is increasing persecution under the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The state machinery seems to be helpless before the saffron scarf group. Instead,

some ruling party members are issuing statements to defend the ban on hijab which encouraged the RSS members to provoke the situation.

In one incident in a video widely shared online, a lone Muslim student wearing the hijab is surrounded by Hindu male youths shouting religious slogans while trying to enter her school in Karnataka.

The protesting students in Kolkata on Wednesday were predominantly women wearing hijabs, a Reuters eyewitness said, adding the demonstrations were without incident. The students told Reuters that they plan to reconvene on Thursday.

“We will keep protesting until the government stops insulting the students,” said Tasmeen Sultana, one of the protestors. “We want our fundamental rights back…you cannot take away our rights.”

The government of Karnataka, where 12% of the population is Muslim and which is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has said in an order that students should follow dress codes set by schools. Agencies

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