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Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 I 4 Ramzan, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 278 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

SC to only determine legality of na deputy Speaker’S ruling: CJp

ISLAMABAD

C

staff report

hief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday said the Supreme Court would only determine the legality of National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s ruling on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister imran Khan.

As a constitutional crisis gripped the country following the speaker’s ruling and dissolution of the NA by President Arif Alvi, the apex court had taken a suo motu notice to resolve the matter on the insistence of the opposition parties that had also petitioned the court for the same.

At the previous hearing, opposition lawyer farooq h Naik had presented arguments for two hours.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the CJP, who is heading the five-member larger SC bench, said that the court did not want to investigate the policy matters as it only aimed to ascertain the constitutionality of the deputy speaker’s ruling.

The bench comprised Justice ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan, counsel for the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz, proposed that the apex court

could seek an in-camera briefing about the foreign conspiracy from the intelligence agency chief.

Upon this, the chief justice said the court was focusing only on the deputy speaker’s ruling and it was its priority to decide on that particular issue. it wanted to see whether it could review the ruling.

The court did not interfere in the state matters and foreign affairs, he added, and advised all parties to focus only on that point.

Justice ijaz said the court at present was concerned with the constitutional matters only. The chief justice said the bench was looking at the law and Constitution.

The PML-N’s counsel said the court could judicially review an illegal and unconstitutional move.

Justice Munib Akhtar said the NA and provincial assembly speakers were masters of their respective houses. The distribution of powers was also enshrined in the Constitution, he added.

Makhdoom Ali Khan said the noconfidence motion was submitted to the NA with the signatures of 152 members of National Assembly, while (on March 28) 161 had voted in favour of tabling it. After that, the NA proceedings were adjourned till March 31, he added. he said the deputy speaker did not give the opposition a chance to

speak during the session held on April 3 and gave the floor to the former information minister.

Justice Munib Akhtar said the process of the no-confidence motion was underlined in the Rules of Procedure, not in the Constitution.

The counsel argued that the rules were formed on the basis of the Constitution. The no-confidence motion could not be dismissed by the speaker once it was tabled in the National Assembly.

The chief justice asked whether a debate was held on the no-confidence motion.

Justice Mandokhail said the real question was whether the deputy speaker’s ruling was legal or illegal. The real issue was to examine the constitutional status of the ruling. he asked whether illegal factors in the no-confidence motion could be investigated.

The counsel replied that the apex court had the right to do so.

Justice Munib Akhtar asked how could the court give an opinion on the constitutional rights of the speaker over minor flaws. he asked the counsel whether he wanted to open a new door for litigations. if it happened, applications against provincial assemblies would start pouring in the high courts, he added.

Justice Mandokhel asked if the deputy speaker could use powers without taking permission from the speaker.

Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan replied that it was unconstitutional for the deputy speaker to exercise his powers without the permission of the speaker. The deputy speaker, while reading aloud the ruling, had taken the name of the speaker too, he added. he alleged that the deputy speaker’s ruling fell under the definition of a mala fide decision.

Advocate Raza Rabbani said the court had to examine the extent of the immunity of parliamentary proceedings.

According to Article 95 of the Constitution, the no-confidence motion could not be dismissed without voting on it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 04

LETTERGATE

Shehbaz asks army chief, spymaster to share ‘evidence of treason’ ISLAMABAD staff report

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) president Shehbaz Sharif demanded of the army chief and inter-Services intelligence (iSi) directorgeneral to make public “any evidence” their institutions have about the “treason” committed by the opposition alliance.

Talking to reporters outside the Supreme Court in islamabad on Tuesday, Sharif asked the two to share “minutes” of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in which the “conspiracy letter” was discussed. he claimed the government was lying about of meeting which was attended by all three service chiefs, among other top officials of the government. he wondered whether Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa had seen the minutes of the meeting. he called upon Gen. Bajwa and Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum to issue a clarification regarding the meeting’s statement. he said Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf (PTi) leader fawad Chaudhry and deputy speaker of the outgoing National Assembly declared 192 MPs — of the opposition and those who deflected

to PML-N, “traitors” under Article 5. “if we are traitors, then bring evidence,” he added. Lashing out at the deputy speaker’s ruling, the PML-N president deplored that if voting on the no-confidence motion was not held again, then Pakistan risked becoming a banana republic. he said while the early election was the opposition’s demand, the government announced elections in violation of the constitution. he insisted that both President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister imran Khan violated the constitution. “The Constitution of Pakistan has been trampled by the two leaders,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sharif also claimed that he hadn’t received “any letter” from Alvi regarding the proposal of names for the appointment of caretaker prime minister. “As i speak, i have not received officially any letter from President Alvi,” he said.

On Monday, the President’s Secretariat shared copies of letters written to Khan and Sharif, asking them to propose names for the post of caretaker prime minister.

Taking a dig at the prime minister, the opposition leader declared that telling lies was in Khan’s nature.

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Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

PIPE drEaMS: SEwagE worKErS HoPE for bEttEr futurE LAHORe

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AFP

EARLY naked and covered with a black, foul-smelling muck, Shafiq Masih struggles out of a sewer he has just cleaned by hand in an upmarket district of Lahore.

Every day the 44-year-old descends into the city’s sewers, braving toxic gases emitted by excrement, pollutants and other waste, to manually unblock the drains of the city.

“When someone goes down, they have to sacrifice all self-respect,” he told AFP. “People go to the toilet, flush the toilet, and all the dirt gets dumped on us.”

Like the vast majority of sanitation workers in Pakistan, Shafiq is a Christian, and doing a job that comes with strong social stigma — one considered impure by many

Pakistan, the drains in Lahore — a city of 11 million — are routinely unclogged with a long bamboo stick. If this doesn’t work, someone has to go in.

For doing this, and after 22 years of service, Shafiq receives just Rs44,000 a month — still, almost double the salary of street sweepers and garbage collectors.

But the associated risks are immense with infections including tuberculosis and hepatitis common, as well as skin and eye diseases.

Accidents also happen frequently. At least ten people have died since 2019 in sewers across Pakistan, according to the Centre for Law and Justice (CLJ), a local NGO which says the figures are probably far higher than reported. In October in Sargodha, two Christian sewage workers died rescuing a third who had been forced by his Muslim supervisors to enter a sewer

he knew to be full of poisonous gas. Their families filed a complaint of criminal negligence — a first in Pakistan — but agreed to an out-of-court settlement. “When you go to work, you are never sure you will get home,” said Shahbaz Masih, 32, who was once overcome by fumes in the sewer before being revived in hospital. state exploitation: Industry insiders say companies responsible for the city contracts take advantage of worker illiteracy and disorganisation to pay them monthly salaries of under Rs10,000 — less than half the legal minimum.

“The state is directly responsible for this exploitation,” says Mary James Gill, a lawyer and politician who heads the CLJ and received the 2021 Human Rights Award from France for her “Sweepers are Superheroes” campaign.

Sahulat account simplifies investors’ access to stock market

& CEO of PSX, Farrukh H. Khan, stated, “The Sahulat account involves an extremely simplified and straightforward process of account opening. Coupled with the recent improvements in online account opening and local KYC sharing, it has never been easier for individuals to open a brokerage account and benefit from investing in the stock market.”

He added, “Pakistan Stock Exchange continues its efforts to expand our outreach and become accessible to investors, particularly retail investors, throughout Pakistan. The ease with which investors can open a Sahulat account is proof of PSX’s efforts to not only provide greater accessibility to individual investors but also increase the number of investors on the stock exchange. We are now counting upon our ecosystem members, the securities brokers, to leverage these developments to facilitate and bring in new investors.”

Muslims.

Even in death, there is no dignity. In 2017, Muslim doctors sparked outrage and protests in Umerkot when they refused to treat a Christian sewage worker overcome by toxic gases, saying they could not touch his soiled body because they had to remain pure during Ramadan.

Caste disCrimination: Most Christians in Pakistan are descendants of lower-caste Hindus who converted during the British colonial era in the hope of escaping a system that frequently forced them into a life of toil almost from birth.

They make up less than two percent of the population, but occupy more than 80 percent of jobs involving refuse collection, sewage work and street sweeping, according to figures cited regularly by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The remainder are filled mostly by Hindus, another tiny community in the Muslim-majority nation.

Even though the caste system doesn’t officially exist in Pakistan, it persists in these occupations, experts say.

The word “chuhra“, traditionally used to describe those working in the sanitation industry — and considered extremely derogatory — is now synonymous with being a Christian. Institutionalised discrimination is also rampant: some job adverts from public bodies have specified menial cleaning jobs are reserved for “non-Muslims”, with the Centre for Law and Justice, a local NGO, identifying nearly 300 such announcements over the past decade.

The NCHR has recently launched a campaign to protest against this practice. immense risks: Like much of

TLTP

CM Punjab Election: Hamza Shehbaz warns of ‘conspiracy’ News Desk Hamza Shehbaz on Tuesday accused the ruling alliance of hatching a conspiracy to suspend PML-N members to win the chief minister’s election. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly and chief minister’s candidate, Hamza Shehbaz said that Azam Nazeer Tarar has informed the Supreme Court today that 40 members of the assembly being suspended. “We had 200 members for the election of the Leader of the House, if Pervaiz Elahi had majority, he could not left from the back door,” he said. “You are a veteran player and king of these things,” addressing Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi he said. “I respect you but will keep the facts above,” he said. “Speaker is the custodian of the house but what the game is planned, you have to be accountable for it,” Hamza Shehbaz said. “I will go to the assembly tomorrow to prove majority,” he added.

He also called the Supreme Court to take notice of the situation. Ahead of an all-important task to elect a new chief minister after Usman Buzdar’s resignation, the Punjab Assembly session has been adjourned till April 16. The session, with the election of new chief minister on the agenda, was due to be held tomorrow (April 6) but now the Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari has adjourned the session till April 16, citing some repair work in the assembly.

Investors can invest on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) through the highly simplified Sahulat account.

The Sahulat account provides exceptional ease of account opening for investors whereby they can open a Sahulat account by only submitting their CNIC and start investing up to an amount of Rs800,000, said a press statement issued on Tuesday.

This is an ideal account for Pakistani individuals such as students,

housewives, novice investors or others wanting to invest in the stock market but have thus far felt hesitant to do so as they may have found the conventional account opening process tedious with numerous documents required to be submitted. All licensed securities brokers are offering the Sahulat account facility.

Moreover, the Sahulat account can be opened online as well.

For Sahulat account, investors need not submit any specific evidence of source of income such as salary slips or bank statements etc. In order to remove

any kind of ambiguity on part of securities brokers and their customers, Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has already issued a notice with respect to the account opening process for the Sahulat account. As per this process, any individual identified as ‘low risk’ through risk assessment can open a Sahulat Account. The securities broker may apply simplified due diligence measures which include verification of the identity of customers.

Highlighting the utmost convenience offered by the Sahulat account, the MD

Karachiites suffer due to gas loadshedding during Iftar

Pakistan to import 32.7mn barrels of oil under Saudi facility this year TLTP Pakistan will import around 32.7 million barrels of crude oil this year under the $1.2 billion Saudi facility that allows Islamabad to defer payments for oil imports.

Pakistan is currently facing a wide range of economic challenges, including high inflation, sliding forex reserves, a widening current account deficit and a depreciating currency.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a $4.2 billion Saudi support package, which included the $1.2 billion oil loan facility, during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Riyadh in October last year.

The financing agreement for the oil facility was signed last November between the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Pakistani Economic Affairs Division. In December, Pakistan received the $3 billion loan but the oil facility had yet to be put to use.

The Pak-Arab Refinery Company Limited and National Refinery Limited are planning to import 16.89 and 15.81 million barrels of oil in the year 2022 respectively. As per the agreement, the crude oil worth 100 million dollars per month for one year could be imported on deferred payment.

News Desk

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy deep-rooted religious, fraternal and strategic relations. There are over two million Pakistanis living in the Kingdom, who are the biggest source of foreign remittances to Pakistan.

Contrary to the claims that no gas loadshedding would be carried out during Sehr and Iftar, parts of Karachi experienced hourslong outages during Iftar hours on third Ramazan, ARY News reported. The gas outages during Iftar time irked Karachiites and multiplied their difficulties. Many areas of the metropolis, including North Karachi, Sir Syed Town, Sector Eleven C-1, and Gulistan-eJauhar Block 17 experienced gas loadshedding during Iftar hours. Earlier on April 24, according to the news outlet, a spokesperson for the federal energy ministry had said that the federal government will ensure the continuous provision of electricity during Sehr and Iftar throughout the holy month of Ramazan. He had maintained that no unannounced power outages will take place during these the timings.

USA, China, UK top 3 destinations of Pakistani exports during 8 months APP The United States remained the top export destinations of Pakistani products during the first eight months of financial year (2021-22), followed by China and United Kingdom (UK). Total exports to the USA during JulyFebruary (2021-22) were recorded at $4410.593 million against the exports of $3079.375 million during JulyFebruary (2020-21), showing growth of 43.23 per cent, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

This was followed by China, wherein Pakistan exported goods worth $1841.113 million against the exports of $1165.949 million last year, showing increase of 57.90 per cent.

UK was the at third top export destination, where Pakistan exported products worth $1472.599 million during the months under review against the exports of $1308.686 million, showing growth of 12.52 per cent, SBP data revealed.

Among other countries, Pakistani exports to UAE stood at $1180.538 million against $944.576 million during last year, showing an increase of 24.98 per cent

while the exports to Germany were recorded at $1131.971 million against $989.878 million last year, the data said.

During July- February (2021-22), the exports to Holland were recorded $916.795 million against $715.361 million whereas the exports to Italy stood at $651.691 million against $483.830 million.

Pakistan’s exports to Spain were recorded at $699.382 million against the exports of $512.644 million while the exports to Afghanistan were recorded $295.866 million against $ 629.787 million last year.

The exports to Bangladesh stood at $559.118 million against $375.669 million, showing growth of 48.83 per cent, according to SBP. Similarly, the exports to France during the months under review were recorded at $334.009 million against $287.618 million while the exports to Belgium stood at $459.587 million against $357.658 million.

Pakistan’s exports to Saudi Arabia were recorded at $260.260 million during the current year compared to $326.668 million last year whereas the exports to Canada stood at $255.500 million against $192.843, to

Malaysia $268.693 million against $127.265 million.

Overall Pakistan’s exports to all other countries witnessed an increase of 28.11 per cent in eight months, from $16.092 billion to $20.616 billion, the SBP data revealed.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NatIoN doESN’t waNt aNy forEIgN INtErfErENCE IN INtErNal affaIrS of PaKIStaN: QurESHI

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AgeNcies

ICE Chairman of PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said the nation does not want any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

In a statement, he said our decisions should be in accordance with the constitution and public aspirations.

He also regretted the use of money

for buying the conscience of elected representatives.

He said that Pakistan is free and independent country. “The National Security Committee of Pakistan is saying that external interference is inappropriate so it shall be demarched.

“We called diplomat in foreign office and demarched it. We have also recorded our protest in Washigton through our ambassador,” he

maintained.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Turkey is a friend of Pakistan. “It helped Pakistan in every difficult time. Foreign minister of Turkey has called me and said that he is keenly watching the situation in Pakistan. They want betterment in Pakistan. Similar statements also came from China.

Today, Russia has also given a clear statement,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday chaired Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting at his Bani Gala residence.

Sources privy to the matter reveal that matters pertaining to the constitution of party’s parliamentary board and other issues arising out of the prevailing political situation in the country came under discussion.

The CEC meeting approved the formation of a parliamentary board, said sources, adding that the

PtI to give election tickets to local workers: aamir Kiani

board will finalise policy regarding awarding tickets to candidates for the next general elections.

The committee also discussed the present political situation of Punjab.

In the meeting, the prime minister directed CEC to expedite preparations for fresh general elections in the country. Imran Khan said that he will himself monitor the process of awarding tickets. “PTI will award tickets to loyal party workers for next general election and won’t repeat mistake committed in 2018 elections,” he said.

“Turncoats have no place within PTI,” he said and added that PTI will form the government without allies.

It is pertinent to mention here that President of Pakistan Arif Alvi on April 3 dissolved National Assembly on advice of PM Imran Khan/ Immediately after Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri ruled to reject the no-trust motion from the opposition parties against Prime Minister Imran Khan, over having links with the foreign conspiracy, the prime minister announced dissolution of assemblies in an address to the nation.

ECP serves notice to KP minister over attack on polling stations

News Desk Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will give election tickets only to those workers who are loyal to Pakistan and the party, said senior PTI leader Aamir Kiani on Tuesday, after attending the party’s parliamentary board’s meeting in Islamabad. Senior PTI senior in his message said Pakistan will emerge as a great country in the world under the leadership of PM Imran Khan.

He said that the PTI parliamentary board is agreed in principle that this time party tickets for the upcoming general elections will be given to those only who are loyal to Pakistan and the party. Aamir Kiani said today the faces of external and internal traitors have been exposed and added that the masses will not vote for them in the upcoming polls. In the meeting, the prime minister directed CEC to expedite preparations for fresh general elections in the country. Imran Khan said that he will himself monitor the process of awarding tickets. “PTI will award tickets to loyal party workers for next general election and won’t repeat mistake committed in 2018 elections,” he had said. “Turncoats have no place within PTI,” he said and added that PTI will form the government without allies. It is pertinent to mention here that President of Pakistan Arif Alvi on April 3 dissolved National Assembly on the advice of PM Imran Khan.

News Desk The election commission on Tuesday heard the case of attack on three polling stations in North Waziristan in local councils election.

The election commission decided to serve notices to a provincial minister and his brother over the incident.

A three-member commission headed by the chief election commissioner heard the case with regard to attack on polling stations,

manhandling and taking the polling staff hostage.

“The Returning Officer reported about rioting at three polling stations, beating the polling staff and stealing the electoral material” special secretary told the ECP bench.

“The RO requested for repolling at three polling stations,” special secretary said.

Presiding officers of the three polling stations appeared before the election commission. “Women

polling agents were attacked at my polling station,” a lady presiding officer told the ECP. “I was forced to flee from the polling station to save my life,” presiding officer said.

Deputy Commissioner North Waziristan district also appeared in the election commission hearing.

“How you act as returning officer, being DC you could not protect the polling staff,” the chief election commissioner asked the RO. “One feels to cry over the statement of the lady presiding officer,” the CEC remarked.

“There are complaints of rioting against the provincial relief minister,” special secretary told the ECP panel.

“Did you take any action against the provincial minister. It seems the provincial government has itself influenced the election,” CEC observed.

The election commission decided to serve notices to the provincial minister and his brother.

The ECP also ordered to provide security to three presiding officers.

General election to be held within three months: PM LAHORe TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that the next general election will be held within three months across the country. Addressing a public gathering here on Tuesday, the prime minister said this time Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will give tickets to its ideological workers after proper consultation at grassroots level.

He admitted that in the past, his party committed mistakes regarding the distribution of tickets resulting in heavy price for the party, adding, “However, we learn lessons from our mistakes.”

The prime minister said that the Pakistani nation would teach a lesson to those traitors in the general elections who tried to topple an elected government that was pursuing an independent foreign policy. “The people of the country will teach a lesson to these traitors (opposition leaders) in the next general elections by burying their politics forever,” he added.

While commenting upon the recent developments, the prime minister said, “A conspiracy was hatched from abroad and our people became traitors in this move.” He expressed hope that people would reject this move and teach the lessons to those politicians during

the forthcoming elections, who become part of foreign conspiracy.

He said that these traitors have planned to end the country’s independent foreign policy and “we will fight against them at all costs at all fora.”

The prime minister referring to his main political opponents said that these three stooges had been

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bill gates lauds Pakistan’s progress in fight against polio News Desk

PTI begins preparations for General Elections News Desk

NEWS

plundering the national wealth for the last thirty years and stashed it abroad. “They can say that beggars are not choosers,” owing to their vested personal interests, he added.

He said a drama had been staged in the country. In the local hotel of Lahore, the PTI defectors who had sold their party allegiance are put together. With such shabby tactics, the democracy, future of the coming generations and solidarity of the nation have been put at stake, he added.

He said these elements are traitors to the nation, to the country and to the coming generations, adding unless they are punished, they will continue bargaining over the democracy for petty monetary gains.

The prime minister said with such a trend, any foreign country could purchase the localities of the lawmakers and topple an elected government. He resolved that they would fully confront them legally.

The case was taken up by the Supreme Court. “All those are traitors who have played a part in the foreign conspiracy,” he added.

The prime minister said the entire nation would resist such trends as it was a defining moment, and would not let the conspiracy succeed as it has perilled country’s future and democracy.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Co-Chair Bill Gates has expressed gratitude to President Dr Arif Alvi for “warmly” welcoming him on his first visit to Pakistan and honouring him with ‘Hilal-e-Pakistan’ award, ARY News reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Gates, in a letter to the president, commended the government’s “high-level commitment to protect the health and well-being of every child in Pakistan, including the work to secure a polio-free for generations of children to come.” He noted that Pakistan has made remarkable progress in the fight against wild poliovirus with no cases for over a year – although circulation of the disease has persisted in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Your continued engagement on polio will go a long way to accelerating your country’s continued progress,” the Microsoft cofounder said. “I’m also glad we had the opportunity to discuss other challenges of vital importance, particularly tackling stunting and malnutrition, access to family planning services and commodities, and effective targeting of social protection programmes such as Ehsaas,” he added. Gates said he looks forward to a deepening partnership between the government of Pakistan and his foundation to tackle these and other issues of shared interest.

Pakistan’s trade deficit soars to $35.393bn MONiTORiNg RePORT Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday shared data showing the trade deficit reaching $35.393 billion during July-March FY2022, compared to $20.802 billion during the same period of 2020-21. This shows a 70 per cent increase during the first nine months of the ongoing fiscal year. March’s trade deficit was $3.44 billion, the PBS’s monthly data on foreign trade statistics showed. It increased by 5.48 per cent compared to March 2021 and by 11.63 per cent compared to Feb 2022. The country’s exports increased by 15.91 per cent to $2.740 billion in March, compared to $2.364 billion in March 2021. March’s imports recorded an increase of 9.86 per cent and clocked in at $6.186 billion as against $5.631 billion during the same month last year.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

04 NEWS

Four PAkISTANI YouTube ChANNeLS AmoNg 22 bLoCked bY INdIA over SeCurITY FeArS

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agenCieS

NDIAN government on Tuesday said it has banned 22 YouTube channels, including four of Pakistani origin, for “disinformation” on subjects concerning national security and public order, the latest such federal crackdown in the country.

The country’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said the blocked YouTube channels had a combined total of 2.6 billion viewers.

The government, which invoked “emergency powers” under India’s IT laws, said it had for the first time blocked

SC to only determine legality of NA deputy speaker’s ruling: CJP Continued from page 01 He said the NA session held on March 21 was adjourned after offering prayers for a deceased lawmaker and this had not happened in the past. The assemblies could not be dissolved during the no-confidence process. He urged that the minutes of the National Security Committee and the threat letter should also be presented. The lawyers representing the Pakistan People’s Party and the Awami National Party presented their arguments wherein they endorsed the arguments made by Makhdoom Ali Khan. The petitioners completed their arguments in the case whereas PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan said he would argue before the court on Wednesday. Barrister Ali Zafar would represent President Arif Alvi in the case. Imtiaz Qureshi said he would represent PM Imran Khan. Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan informed the bench he would deliver his arguments on Thursday after the conclusion of the lawyers’ arguments. He said he wanted to brief the court in detail as the case pertained to the national security. Justice Ijaz said though the time was running out, the court could not decide the case in haste. Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.

18 Indian YouTube channels, with previous actions focusing on accounts it has said operated from neighbouring Pakistan.

“Multiple YouTube channels were used to post fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces,” the Indian government said in a statement.

In December and January, the information ministry used similar emergency powers to block 55 channels on Alphabet Inc’s YouTube, and some Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The Indian government has been using new IT rules introduced in 2021 which were mostly aimed at regulating large so-

River Jhelum shirking at alarming rate iSLamaBad anadolu agency

Lifeline for people living across the divided line in Jammu and Kashmir — the River Jhelum is shirking at an alarming rate due to heavy siltation, unabated pollution, and encroachments, say experts.

The river known as Vyeth in the local language is the main waterway of the Kashmir region that originates from a spring in the southern town of Verinag and navigates through the capital city of Srinagar and North Kashmir in occupied region, before crossing the Line of Control (LoC) into Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ajaz Rasool, a hydraulic engineer, said that due to the large-scale cutting down of the trees and with no afforestation in place, massive soil erosion has taken place in the catchment area of the river.

“When you decrease the catchment area and cut down the trees at a large scale, the siltation level in the river is going to increase as you are minimizing the water retention capacity of the river,” he said.

Not only for Kashmir Valley, but the river is also a lifeline for the farmers in Punjab. The river travels 725 kilometres (450 miles) from its source in South Kashmir to the Jhang district, where it merges with

River Chenab, another tributary of River Indus.

The river also feeds the seventh-largest earthfilled water reservoir in the world, Mangla Dam near Mirpur in Azad Kashmir, which provides irrigation and electricity to large parts of Pakistan. Tracing deterioration back to the 1960s, when authorities leased forest land in the Pir Panchal region for developmental activities, Rasool said the green cover was acting as a catchment area for the River Jhelum.

He warned that the region could again witness the massive flood like in 2014, which left massive devastation and over 200 deaths if proper steps are not taken to safeguard the river.

HEALTH of rIvEr: An official of the State Pollution Control Board, on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to talk to the media, told Anadolu Agency that successive governments did not act to improve the health of the river.

“We have done its deterioration with our hands and many successive governments slept on this issue. Though many projects were approved for its restoration, it has remained just on paper,” said the official.

He said that in 1997, the Indian government had approved a plan to install interceptors to prevent the flowing of sewage into the river. But it was never implemented.

ECP doesn’t own report that polls not possible in three-month time iSLamaBad Monitoring report

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) distanced itself from a report claiming the agency has expressed its inability to conduct general elections within three months for various legal hitches and procedural challenges.

Citing sources, a report in Dawn said the preparations for the general elections would require some six months.

“Fresh delimitation of constituencies, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the number of seats had been increased under the 26th Amendment, and bringing district- and constituency-wise electoral rolls in conformity were the major challenges,” the report quoted the source as saying.

“The Election Commission of Pakistan has not issued any statement regarding the [conducting of] polls,” the commission said in a tweet.

The tweet came hours after former minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari criticised the body, wondering if the article showed “mala fide intent”.

Is it a “mere coincidence that this comes after […] Bilawal declares elections cannot be held in 3 months? PPP

[is] not prepared to go into elections after their extinction in KP LG [polls]”, she wrote in a series of tweets.

‘GIGANTIC CHALLENGES’: According to Dawn report, the ECP official said a “minimum of three months would be required to complete the exercise, followed by another gigantic task of updating voters’ lists.”

Moreover, some other challenges included procurement of election material, arrangement for ballot papers, and appointment and training of polling staff. According to the law, a ballot paper with a watermark is to be used which is not available in the country and would have to be imported. The official disclosed the ECP had proposed to “amend the law to provide for ballot papers with a security feature, instead of the watermark.”

He further said that inviting bids and scrutinising financial and technical quotations would also require some time. Shedding light on the issue regarding the procurement of election material, he said for around 100,000 polling stations, nearly two million stamp pads would be required.

“This is just one example, other material in huge quantities, including scissors and ballpoints, will also have to be procured,” he said.

NCOC daily update: 155 new cases, zero deaths from Covid-19 iSLamaBad Staff report

Pakistan on Sunday reported 155 new Covid-19 cases but no new death for a second consecutive day, the Ministry of National Health Services said on Monday. According to the data released by the ministry, the overall tally of Covid-19 cases has risen to 1,525,775, including 1,486,252 recoveries. There are 9,162 active cases in the country, including 320 patients in critical condition. Sindh is the most affected province in terms of the number of cases, with 575,872 infections, followed by Punjab which has reported 505,186 cases so far.

CMYK

cial media firms and gave the government more powers to take down content.

India has been seeking tougher action from US tech giants including Google and Facebook on what it describes as fake news on their platforms.

In a meeting in February, officials told the firms their inaction was forcing the government to order content takedowns, which in turn drew international criticism that authorities were suppressing free expression, Reuters reported.

Google in that meeting had proposed that the ministry should avoid making takedown decisions public, but the idea was summarily rejected by the officials.

Imran meets PTI lawmakers in Lahore

iSLamaBad Staff report

Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold meetings with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members of the Punjab Assembly during his day-long visit to Lahore, his office said Tuesday. The prime minister will also address the workers of the ruling party in the provincial capital. After the dissolution of the National Assembly, Khan is continuing with his office till the appointment of caretaker prime minister under Article 224-A (4) of the Constitution.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | islAMABAd

neWs

PaKiSTan STrOnGly COndemnS vandalizaTiOn, burninG Of muSlim HOuSeS by Hindu zealOTS

corporate corner

ISLAMABAD FrieslandCampina Pakistan’s leadership visited the students at Raast School in Qayumabad, Karachi. School going children in inner city areas are the most adversely affected, by stunting and malnutrition. Through these awareness campaigns, FCEPL aims to educate the students, teachers and their families about the importance and benefits of drinking milk daily. pr

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staff report

AKISTAN Tuesday strongly condemned the senseless vandalization and burning of more than 40 houses of Muslim community in Karauli, Rajasthan by radical Hindu zealots belonging to BJP-RSS dispensation with connivance of the local security authorities.

Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement that equally alarming is the apathy of state machinery which wantonly looked the other way and failed in its basic duty of protecting the lives and properties of its citizens.

“Regretfully, the minorities in India, especially the Muslims, continue to live under fear and intimidation. The BJP-RSS combine has enabled perpetration of senseless violence against minorities as part of its ‘Hindutva’ agenda marked by hate and majoritarianism,” an official statement said.

The statement said that the recent history is replete with traumatic instances that reflect the current regime’s deep-seated animosity against the Muslims in India.

“Deafening silence of the BJP leadership and absence of discernible action against ‘Hindutva’ proponents must ring alarm bells across the international community. Rather than relenting in their hostilities

against the Muslims, the BJP-RSS activists have intensified the atrocities,” the statement added.

Recently, on 3 April 2022, Mr. Yati Narsinghan, the infamous Haridwar priest, once again brazenly called upon the Hindus to take up arms against the Muslims.

“Pakistan calls upon the international community to take immediate notice of the worrying level of Islamophobia in India and prevail upon Indian authorities to prevent systematic human rights violations against minorities particularly Muslims and take effective steps to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all minorities in India,” the statement concluded.

Chohan advises Sarwar, Aleem to ‘not throw stones while living in a glasshouse’ Omer Sarfraz Cheema assumes charge as Governor Punjab LAHORE staff report

Punjab Governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema officially assumed office of Governor Punjab on Tuesday.

He met the staff and employees of the Governor House one by one. Expressing his views on the occasion, he said, “I am honored to be part of the struggle for a strong and independent Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the last 26 years, adding, he said that he will take forward the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

The Governor Punjab further said that he was deeply grateful to Prime Minister Imran Khan for the confidence he had reposed in him and that he would be come up to his expectations.

He said that it was a matter of pride for him that on the very first day of assuming his responsibilities, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan visited the Governor House today and met senior party leaders, parliamentarians and party workers.

Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Punjab and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Fayyaz Ul Hassan Chohan advised on Tuesday former Punjab governor Chaudhry Sarwar and estranged PTI leader Aleem Khan to ‘not throw stones while living in a glasshouse’.

The PTI leaders remarks came following Sarwar and Aleem’s allegations against Prime Minister Imran Khan and the incumbent government, during separately held press conferences.

Commenting on the former governor’s press conference, Chohan said that he was himself removed from minister-level positions twice, but never spoke ill of the party because one has to bear all kinds of weathers for the party and its leadership.

He stated that Chaudhry Sarwar should’ve remained quiet for a few months, after he was removed as governor, and instead discussed issues with party leaders, and “maybe things would have been sorted and you [Sarwar] would have been placed in a better position”.

Chohan claimed that Sarwar had always been on a different ship and used to openly criticise former Punjab chief minister Usman Buz-

dar and speak against the party inside the Governor House, as well as during his foreign trips.

“You would call MPAs and tell them to join the Aleem Khan or the Jahangir Tareen factions, ask them to sway from party policies,” he alleged, maintaining that there were witnesses to these acts of his.

He further maintained that he was removed on the basis of these actions and it was wrong of him to indulge in negative, accusatory politics afterwards.

Highlighting another one of his “lies”, Chohan stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan had never pressured Sarwar to break the Punjab Assembly.

“I’m surprised at your wisdom.

There is no law, no clause that says that a governor has the authority to break a provincial assembly without the chief minister advising him to do so,” he said, pointing out that Buzdar could not have made the suggestion as he was facing a vote of no-trust in the provincial assembly.

He maintained that Sarwar’s statement was a complete “lie”, and advised him to not speak before the media again.

Commenting on Aleem Khan’s press conference, the PTI MPA stated that he no longer respected

How GB is different from Murree for tourists in case of a natural calamity?

ISLAMABAD Ghulam abbas

Though natural calamity and lack of facilities have been major issues for tourists in northern areas of Pakistan, what matter the most is how the local government, administration and locals deal with the visitors.

After the horrific incident of snowstorm in Murree this year which claimed 23 precious lives in snow-stranded vehicles, the approach of government, local administration and residents of major tourist areas has been under debate in the country.

There was a social media campaign urging tourists to stop visiting Murree after videos showing local hoteliers and transporters misbehaving with tourists surfaced on the internet.

Visitors in the areas were shown complaining about substandard food, lack of hospitality ethics and sky-high prices for accommodations.

However a government inquiry regarding the issue had reportedly found the widespread propaganda exaggerated. The committee also reportedly learns about selfless acts of support by local individuals and hotels.

However, the situation in Gilgit Baltistan seems quite different where thousands of tourists, visiting both in the summer and winter seasons, found praising the local community for extending support to the outsiders.

Talking to this scribe, Arif Amin and his family, who, along with hundreds of others,

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was stranded in Hunza after blockage of Karakorum Highway (KKH) following a dispute between two villages in Districts Hunza and Nagar over a piece of land, said that it was very pleasant surprise to see locals opening their houses for tourists to stay.

“The locals offered us free stay and meals at their houses when we were stuck up after the violent dispute erupted between residents of Ganish village of Hunza and Nagar Khas area of Nagar over a land dispute on the KKH,” Arif said, adding that the hospitality of the locals shown during the blockage, which continued for couple of days, was amazing and unprecedented.

Even those residents actively engaged in the dispute were trying to protect the tourists from any unwanted situation and difficulties, he added.

Another tourist, Ahmed Ali, said that not only the local residents but the owners of the hotel had also offered free accommodation to those stranded in the area. “I am sure the hospitality of people in GB is known to everyone,” he added.

Mrs Arif, who owns a holiday spot in Hunza, was of the view that hospitality and cooperation of locals in GB have no match in the tourism industry. There is almost zero street crime in GB which gives confidence to the visitors and tourists to visit and live in picnic points of the beautiful mountainous region.

“What the industry here needs is basic fa-

cilities like uninterrupted electricity supply, water, sanitation and other related things to promote more tourism in the area,” she said.

The Government should at least not allow every protester to come on road and block highways and main trajectories as the same would definitely affect the overall tourism industry, she concluded.

When contacted, Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Minister for Tourism, Sports, Culture and Archeology and Youth Affairs of GilgitBaltistan, said that the hospitality and tourists friendly attitude of locals were among the major factors encouraging visitors to visit the hilly areas of GB. He said the local government was paying special attention to promoting tourism in GB. According to him, a number of steps were being taken to develop infrastructure, facilities of adventure sports and tourism services etc in GB. “The local government now has a ‘Tourist Police’ to ensure smooth movement of tourists across the region. It has also established a ‘Tourist helpline’ for security and provision of timely assistance to tourists,” he added.

Jafar Ali, a local journalist, however, opines that as GB attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists especially during summer season, the government, apart from infrastructure development, needed to focus on environmental or social consequences of the boost in tourism industry.

CMYK

Aleem due to his disrespectful comments towards Imran Khan and PTI. “His first lie was that he was given three NAB notices in his first ten days as MPA. However, he was given his first NAB notice on January 11, 2018 – during PML-N’s government,” Chohan said while apparently waving the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) first notice to Aleem.

“His NAB case was open and shut and the reference is still on the NAB chairperson’s desk, but there has been no action against him because he has someone’s favour,” Chohan alleged.

Referring to Aleem’s accusations against Imran Khan for calling Pervez Elahi – the premier’s choice for Punjab chief – a thief, Chohan maintained that Aleem Khan also used to speak against Hamza Shehbaz – the opposition’s choice for Punjab chief minister who the Aleem Khan faction is now supporting.

Unable to play audio proof before the media due to technical difficulties, Chohan stated that Aleem had called Shehbaz Sharif and the entire Sharif family “the biggest thieves of all” and had threatened to drag them across the streets of Lahore. staff report

Tribute paid to Chinese martyrs of Karakorum Highway ISLAMABAD staff report

Officials and locals from Gilgit-Baltistan paid tribute to Chinese workers and engineers who lost their lives about 50 years ago in the construction of Karakoram Highway (KKH).

According to Gwadar Pro, the “April 4, National Mourning Day” was organised by Overseas Chinese Association Gilgit Baltistan (OCAGB). Officials, local notables and students were gathered at “China Yadgar”, the Chinese cemetery, located in Danyor, about 10 kilometers away from Gilgit city across the Gilgit Giver.

The officials, locals and students laid floral wreaths on the graves of Chinese workers and engineers who laid their lives in the construction of KKH, also known as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Poems eulogizing the sacrifices and Chinese and Pakistani workers who laid their lives in the construction were also played.

“Fifty-four Chinese are buried in the cemetery; every year on April 4, we pay tribute to the Chinese workers and engineers at China Yadgar,” said Ali Ahmad Jan, a local from Gilgit, adding “China and Pakistan’s friendship is a perfect example of one soul and two bodies.

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06 COMMENT

Double Standards

Imran Khan’s dilemma Will PTI get majority in Punjab Assembly?

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FTeR failing to get majority in the national Assembly, the PM dissolved it, declaring his opponents traitors.

He is now finding it difficult to keep control over Punjab. As was the case in the national Assembly Imran Khan had enjoyed a majority on account of the support provided by the establishment. The PM had appointed Usman Buzdar CM because, among other considerations, he was unwilling to hand over Punjab to anyone capable of building a personal support base in the largest province of the country and becoming a threat to him in days to come. This caused heartburning among some of the PTI leaders who had financed the party and worked hard to poach electables from other parties to form PTI governments at the centre and in Punjab. This led them to form groups of their own within the party. As long as the PTI and the establishment remained on the same page, it was easier to keep the dissenters under control, sometime by registering cases against them The dissenters remained within the fold in Punjab till signs of a break between the PTI and the establishment appeared.

The first sign of open rebellion in Punjab by PTI dissenters appeared after the opposition submitted a noconfidence motion against Mr Buzdar. Already rattled by the revolt of over a dozen PTI MnAs, Mr Khan finally decided to drop Mr Buzdar despite having vowed to keep him CM till the end of the PTI tenure. Mr Khan bargained with the PML(Q), promising to hand over Punjab to Ch Pervez elahi. This led the PTI dissenters to join hands with the opposition.

The hurriedly called meeting of the Punjab Assembly to elect Ch Pervez elahi CM on Saturday had to be postponed when it was discovered that the PTI did not have enough numbers. The voting on Sunday had again to be postponed to April 16 as the PTI was still found to be short in numbers. On Monday a group of PTI protestors tried to force their way inside a hotel where party dissenters were lodged. The PM also reached Lahore to ensure enough votes for Ch Pervez elahi.

It remains to be seen how Mr Khan will act if he finds that like the national Assembly, the opposition is in a majority in the Punjab Assembly also. Will he ask the newly inducted Governor, who is a dyed-in-the wool PTI man to declare the majority traitors and dissolve the Punjab Assembly also?.

The Speaker has to act according to the Constitution

saRmad sattaR

“O you who believe, be maintainers of justice, bearers of testimony for Allah, even though it be against your own selves or (your) parents or near relatives whether one be rich or poor….” ( The Quran 4:135);

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n a politically charged environment, the incumbent Government is trying to put up a brave face and believes that the Prime Minister Khan has defeated the no-trust motion against him. What an awe-inspiring week it has been, for the people of Pakistan who have been striving for the basic necessities and its dignity, as opposed to the alleged foreign interference orchestrated by the joint opposition.

On April 3 the Federal Minister for Law and Justice rose on a point of order in the national Assembly and drew the attention of the Chair to the no-trust Resolution moved by the joint opposition against Prime Minister Khan. During his speech, Minister of Law & Justice emphasized the spirit of Article 5 of the Constitution, whilst expounding the gist of it and the cardinal duty of every citizen to show loyalty to the State.

The controversy can be devolved into two fundamental questions. Firstly, whether Article 5 of the Constitution amounts to a mandatory or directory provision? The second question that entails from the discussion brought before the Apex Court in the Suo Moto Case no. 1 of 2022, is whether it could prove fatal, if interpreted otherwise or not observed. To distinguish where the directions of the legislature are im-

SC benches Need to review the process of judges’ selection

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Are we better off?”

Zain abbas RiZvi

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Re we better off or worse than the pre-pandemic era? I bet the answer has wavered from one extremity to the other through the peaks and troughs of the past two years.

Sure, inflation is the mascot of the legions of current economic perils. But the price tide has undoubtedly brought along economic growth as restitution. Pakistan, for instance, posted record-high inflation of 13 percent in January. Yet, the economy is set to expand by 4-5 percent in this fiscal year, despite the tightened monetary policy. It makes a fascinating case study if we observe the economy of Pakistan to answer the question: are we better off today?

Historically, economic growth gets publicized by every governing regime of Pakistan as a personal achievement. However, this scenario in particular is ruefully intriguing! The Ministry of Finance claims that GDP growth could even breach the 5-percent mark

by July 2022. However, the IMF claims that 4 percent is the likeliest level of expansion. Differences of estimates aside, the Finance Ministry fails to acknowledge that the current account deficit, currently hailed as the lowest monthly tally in FY21-22, is also likely to breach the historic $20 billion mark, almost 5 pcent of the national GDP, by the end of this fiscal year.

While growth in the Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector gets celebrated as a milestone, the bulging circular debt gets conveniently avoided in celebratory debates. It seems as if the wishful agenda of carving the circular debt below Rs 2 trillion got long forgotten. On the contrary, political point-scoring is costing billions in price differential accruals because the governing regime holds a fanatical purview that a temporal slump in petroleum prices is the bliss of relief. Tangible relief would have been long-term

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer is a lawyer based in Lahore

The Delusive Matrix of Policymaking in Pakistan

LUnGeD into a constitutional crisis by the actions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to stop the opposition’s no-confidence motion going to a vote, Pakistan’s democratic future and the supremacy of the Constitution are now at the mercy of the Supreme Court.

While it is important that proceedings in this regard are expedited so that a return to normalcy is made sooner rather than later, it was equally necessary that a full 14judge bench would be formed to hear a case of such importance and sensitivity. That CJP Umar Ata Bandial has limited this bench to five judges of his choosing as is his prerogative raises questions about the methodology and criteria according to which a judge is assigned a case.

The non-inclusion of senior-most judges in cases requiring the SC’s interpretation of particular articles of the Constitution, verdicts on which are likely to have lasting implications on the running of the country and its democratic processes, is unfortunate.

Similar concerns were raised by Justice Maqbool Baqar at a full-court reference on the eve of retirement of Justice Qazi Muhammed Amin Ahmed and earlier, by Justice Qazi Faez Isa through a letter to CJP Bandial.

Both honorable justices made valid observations that the practice of the CJP unilaterally selecting judges in the absence of any meaningful framework creates room for viewing certain SC proceedings and judgments compromised and biased. Being the final appellant court in the country, such a perception about the Apex court is one it ill-affords, especially considering the increased frequency with which rival political parties have started petitioning it in the past few years.

A clear division in the higher judiciary can be seen due to this matter, which must be effectively removed promptly. The easiest way to proceed would be determine a basic method under which formation of benches and assignment of cases to judges, perhaps on the basis of seniority. Short of this, there will always remain an unnecessary question mark over the impartiality of judges and general discontent within the higher judiciary.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

perative and where they are directory, the real question is whether a thing has been ordered by the legislature to be done and what is the consequence, if it is not done. Some rules are vital and go to the root of the matter, they cannot be broken; others are only directory and a breach of them can be overlooked provided there is substantial compliance. Therefore, a provision in a statute is mandatory if the omission to follow it renders the proceedings to which it relates illegal and void, while a provision is directory if its observance is not necessary to the validity of the proceedings.

Thus, some parts of the articles of the Constitution may be mandatory whilst others may be directory. It can even be the case that a certain portion of a provision or an article, obligating something to be done, is mandatory in nature whilst another part of the same provision or an article, is directory, owing to the guiding legislative intent behind it. Suffice it to say, the plain reading of Article 5, vis a vie, loyalty to the State and Obedience to the Constitution, is directory in nature, as opposed to its mandatory attribute.

In these realms of affairs, the Deputy Speaker of the national Assembly, disallowed the motion of noconfidence against the Prime Minister Khan, on the pretext of interference orchestrated from a foreign State in the democratic process of Pakistan; thus the constitutionality of the ruling passed by the custodian of the house, stands under scrutiny before the August Supreme Court of Pakistan. Whereby, the stalwarts of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) prepare to execute their next move and the Prime Minister Khan through an unprecedented move dissolves the national Assembly and calls for early elections within 90 days.

Conversely, the disgruntled opposition did not seem to decipher what had happened. The ruling of the Deputy Speaker came as an utter surprise to the joint opposition. The unanticipated surprise that Mr. Khan had been warning of since the last week.

Insofar as much, the PTI veterans believe that all the proceedings of the national Assembly are shielded under the garb of Article 69 of the Constitution. nonetheless, Article 69 of the Constitution does not grant absolute immunity but is rather viewed as a qualified right. The said adage is also incorporated in Article 122 of the Indian Constitution so as to restrict the court’s jurisdiction to examination of the Parliament’s procedure in case of unconstitutionality, as opposed to illegality, which would amount to doing violence to the constitutional text.

Applying the principle of expressio unius est exclusio alteriusl (whatever has not been included has

by implication been excluded), it is plain and clear that prohibition against examination on the touchstone of “irregularity of procedure” does not make taboo judicial review on findings of illegality or unconstitutionality. The fundamental constitutional basis for the distinction between an irregularity of procedure and an illegality is that unlike in the United Kingdom where Parliamentary sovereignty governs, countries like India and Pakistan are governed by constitutional supremacy.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has also reaffirmed the relevant principles, in a judgment reported as Munir Hussain Bhatti v. Federation of Pakistan (PLD 2011 SC 407). While dilating upon the power of judicial review of the Court vis-à-vis Article 69 of the Constitution, the Apex Court noted that although the committee constituted under Article 175A of the Constitution bore the title of “Parliamentary Committee” its nature and functions were such that its proceedings were not to be considered the internal proceedings of Parliament. Its functions were of an administrative nature and related to judicial appointments rather than parliamentary business. Therefore, its proceedings were held to be reviewable by the superior courts and there was no immunity from judicial scrutiny under Article 69 of the Constitution. The same principle applies to the Speaker’s ruling under Article 63(2) of the Constitution. The Speaker performs the administrative task of determining whether a question of disqualification has arisen and if in doing so he goes beyond his constitutional remit, misapplies the applicable law or misuses her discretion, then his decision will be subject to judicial review.

Unfortunately, that’s the political democratic system we have. Where the joint opposition wants to build its narrative of subverting the Constitution through these allegedly unfavourable acts of the ruling elite. On the same stature, just a few weeks ago, about 20 dissident members of the PTI were all set to vote in favor of the resolution of no confidence. Whereas the turncoats were given a deadline to submit their clarifications. Does this mean that the act of luring the disgruntled PTI legislators and their undue captivity does not amount to un-constitutionalism? Can the President order dissolution of the national Assembly, under Article 58(1) of the Constitution, on the advice of the Prime Minister against whom a notice of resolution for a vote of no confidence had been given in the national Assembly but has not been voted upon?

At this point, things have heated to an extent that the threat of violence looms large. If it decides to reverse the prime minister and deputy speaker’s ruling, the ruling PTI and its supporters are not likely to accept it. The political party’s base is highly charged as they see Khan as a victor who defeated an international conspiracy. Pakistan’s political turmoil has loomed, and all eyes are on the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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crude contracts in 2020, when a ruthless price war rendered oil prices in a sub-zero range. That could have sailed us through the soaring oil markets today.

A recent headline sparked my interest: ‘Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) registers historic growth of 18% in the financial year 2020-21’. A joyous moment for a layman Pakistani: the same gullible strata of this society that unknowingly falls to the deceit and duplicity of our policymakers. This supposed growth in the coffers of the FBR was achieved by leeching the salaried class of Pakistan.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), about 1.24 million salaried people filed their tax returns in 2021. That makes up just about 6 percent of the entire population of Pakistan.

That is the arching achievement of the FBR: a practically non-existent tax net. Out of these 1.24 million Pakistanis, 27 percent fall in the income bracket of Rs 50,000 per month. The Uber-rich making more than Rs 4.1 million per month, barely make up 2000 individuals filing tax returns.

What about bringing more of the elite class to pay their dues to society? no, that’s an achievement that has been in progress for the past four years but to no apparent avail.

The nominal tax rate levied on the upper class is 30 percent, which is nominal, thanks to brazen tax evasion. However, the middle-class is still taxed at 15 percebt to 20 percent with dire measures of scrutiny over capital income. Research shows that the average household income of the highest quintile is three times the average income of the lowest quintile in Pakistan. Then why is the tax brace tightened like a noose for the lowest quintile? And what has the noble government offered to the richest quintile?

Well, for starters, a relief package to the elite indus-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

trialists (who should rather fall in the targeted tax bracket for fiscal revenue collection). Lucrative interest rates have been offered to the overseas Pakistanis - a plea to bring the money back without a penalty but a reward!

The IMF has now proposed a ludicrous proposition under the seventh review for the next tranche of the $6 billion loan. The proposal aims to levy a single tax rate of 30 percent on the salaried class earning in the range of Rs 104,000 to Rs 1 million per month. The blatant lack of equity in this proposal perfectly sums up the misery of a lower-middleclass family earning Rs 110,000 per month. The family would end up paying Rs 30,000 in taxes amidst soaring prices and interest rates. employment opportunities would vanish, and investment endeavors (besides government securities) are sadly theoretical. Ultimately, the revenue goal of the FBR would be compensated by the same strata of the society that is helpless to revolt, homeless to exile, and tactless to evade poor policymaking.

The answer to my question earlier is an emphatic nO! no, we are not better off but further down the abyss. The pandemic might have wrecked the economy for a brief stint. But it did disabuse the myth of prosperity in Pakistan after a really long time. The rich are richer in a post-pandemic reality; the working class is still the cash cow of the economy. Let me rephrase my answer earlier - not all of us are better off in a post-pandemic reality. That being the case, I am vexed enough to posit another question: are we better off governed by corrupt politicians or deceptive noblemen like Imran Khan?

No, we are not better off but further down the abyss. The pandemic might have wrecked the economy for a brief stint. But it did disabuse the myth of prosperity in Pakistan after a really long time.

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

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

Exploitation of women in public transport MAnY female passengers that regularly use the metro buses in Lahore have complained of misbehaviour of male passengers as well as harassment. The male passengers include college and university students as well as working men who enter female compartments to bother/harass women. Unfortunately, other passengers are merely bystanders and do little to help the women. even when women do complain to platform guards, the guards casually suggest that they are outnumbered by the boys and fail to protect the female passengers.

Most women are compelled to travel via buses as they cannot afford alternative means of transportation. However, this does not mean that they should be subjected to misbehaviour or exploitation. Metro buses are a public good and all passengers should feel safe and secure using them. The relevant authorities should increase the number of guards present at platforms who must remain vigilant and remove such thugs from the platforms. The bus driver and conductors should be instructed to not allow men in women’s compartments on the bus. Many women have also accused the bus drivers, conductors and other platform staff of being complicit in the harassment. The authorities should enforce strict rules for the metro buses staff and give exemplary punishments to those found guilty. Unfortunately, the harassment or abuse of women is not limited to metro buses alone and there is a need for more widespread measures to protect women in different public domains across the country. One of the foremost measures for the empowerment of Pakistani women is to ensure safe and secure travel conditions for them across the country.

ALI ABBAS LAHORE

Cautiously emerging from the Covid cave Life remerges after the pandemic

Washington Watch dR James J Zogby

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few weeks back, US President Joseph Biden gave his long-delayed State of the Union message before a joint session of Congress. Both the content and the visuals from the event spoke of a return to normalcy. Unmasked members of Congress were seated next to one another. As has become pro forma for these annual affairs, Democrats cheered for much of the speech, while the opposing party sat on their hands.

There were also a few bipartisan moments when the president spoke about Ukraine and both sides of the aisle rose together in support. It all seemed so normal, except it wasn’t. every member had to be vaccinated and tested before they could gain admission. It was normal— but a cautious normal.

Because Americans are tired of this pandemic and crave a return to normal life, it was understandable that President Biden was eager to send a message of relief to a beleaguered nation. Parents want their children back in school and restaurants need to reopen. Social isolation has taken an enormous toll on a generation of children and has had a negative impact on their learning. And while many businesses have been forced to close (some never to reopen), lost revenues have been devastating for those that struggled to remain open and weather the storm of the past two years.

Mask mandates have now been lifted in all 50 states and people are re-emerging. Downtown Washington feels alive once more. Restaurants are filling up, and rush hour is once again a nightmare. But a note of caution is in order.

We felt the same last summer when some thought that the pandemic had receded. Then too, people reacted with relief and began to act “normal” only to be smacked down by two new waves of the virus— both of which took a deadly toll. And now as we read about yet another wave of the virus ascendant in europe and China, it seems best to maintain some caution

lest we completely let down our guard only to be smacked down again.

Taking my cue from these developments, I uncomfortably emerged from my Covid cave a few weeks ago to attend a few political meetings and return to my office in downtown Washington, DC. I want to share how all this felt because I know I’m not alone in feeling uneasy at the strangeness of being back in the world again.

What prompted my emergence was the fact that the Democratic national Committee was holding its first in-person meetings in over two years. Because I am the chair of the DnC’s ethnic Council— representing Democrats of european and Mediterranean ancestry— I needed to be present to preside at our council meeting. I also was invited to attend a gathering of the chairs of all councils where I was able to speak briefly with President Biden. everyone at the DnC was required to show proof of vaccination, to pass a Covid test on the morning of the meeting, and to wear masks while on site. even with these measures in place, it still felt strange and uncomfortable. I chose not to participate in any of the larger DnC gatherings or the unmasked social activities that took place during the three-day event.

While it was a delight to see old friends and colleagues, whom I had only “visited” on Zoom during the last two years, I still trod cautiously on what had become unfamiliar turf. Part of it was, no doubt, a fear of infection. Coming from a large extended family that includes members who are immuno-compromised, I wasn’t willing to put them or myself at risk. But I freely acknowledge the simple, yet inescapable, truth that after two full years of social isolation, getting out into the world and reengaging with others is both joyous and difficult. Some may say I’m like a victim of “Stockholm Syndrome”— more comfortable in my cave than outside in the world. But the reasons for the discomfort were more complicated.

The past two years have been a nightmare of loss and isolation. They have also been a void.

It has been as if time stood still. There was life before Covid, and we hope there’ll be life after Covid. The problem is we’re not entirely finished with this pandemic.

I take some comfort in polls showing that I’m not alone. The US public is evenly divided on the issue of ending the mask mandates and

relaxing restrictions on social gatherings. To some extent, the division is partisan. It is tragic that in today’s deeply divided America, the pandemic, like most everything else, has become politicized. Many Republicans believe that the pandemic was a Democratic-hyped conspiracy from the start. One quarter of Americans are still unvaccinated and one-half aren’t fully vaccinated— mostly Republicans— and there’s compelling data that the unvaccinated are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with serious illness from the disease than the fully vaccinated.

In any case, despite the significant drop in daily reported cases, covid-19 still accounts for one out of every seven deaths in the USA. By any measure, we’re not out of the woods.

After my DnC outing, I decided to make an effort to return to my DC office. I’ve been there only four times in the past two years. each time I’ve gone, it reminds me of Pompeii— a place frozen in the past before the disaster struck. Messages from two and a half years ago that I won’t need to return. Stacks of reading materials so dated I’ll never read them. It’s strange to feel the need to be reacclimated to a place I went daily for 35 years.

It’s the same place. It’s just that everything else has changed.

Struggling to continue my emergence into the world, this week I’m taking an even bigger leap as I travel to upstate new York for a few speaking engagements, my first in-person events since covid-19. The prospect of this has me feeling uneasy. You would think that this would be unusual for someone who has spent the majority of his adult life making speeches before audiences around the world and, even since covid-19, does at least one a week via Zoom. But the prospect of doing what was once normal— getting on a plane, speaking before a few hundred people, exchanging pleasantries afterwards, and all the rest— now feels unsettling.

But I am now out of the cave and committed to making a go of it. Unlike those who never took covid-19 seriously, I did. And unlike those who behave as if it was all just a passing nightmare and it’s over, I do not. For me, there’ll be no blissful return to “normal.” But life does go on, and I am determined to make the best of it while we can, and to do so cautiously.

Unlike those who never took covid-19 seriously, I did. And unlike those who behave as if it was all just a passing nightmare and it’s over, I do not. For me, there’ll be no blissful return to “normal.”

But life does go on, and I am determined to make the best of it while we can, and to do so cautiously

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Democratic values WITH time, we are witnessing increased intolerance and uncivil behaviour in Pakistan’s political sphere. In the past, we have seen many political leaders adopt a vile attitude towards different parties or the government.

More recently, political accusations and idle gossip on television talkshows appear to have become the norm. Different tactics such as name-calling, shaming, discrimination and use of religion have been undertaken to ridicule political counterparts.

Political leaders serve as role models for the masses. Undemocratic and uncivil behaviour sets a bad example and normalises intolerance. The common man follows his leader and the leaders play an important role in shaping the public discourse and opinion. now and then we hear of clashes amongst regular citizens over different political parties. At times, people go as far as threatening the leaders or supporters, and often such clashes result in fatalities.

The rising intolerance and polarisation amongst the public are extremely unfortunate and dangerous as they can result in a wider civil conflict in the country. This hatred between the opposition and the government is fostering a culture of violence. All political leaders must engage in a healthy debate and should avoid retorting with crude remarks and personal attacks. Under a democracy, politicians have the responsibility of training and inculcating good ethics and patience amongst their followers. Our politicians must accept dissent and encourage their followers to be tolerant. Without tolerance, patience, and dissent, democracy will lose its essence in the country, and we will descend into a culture of bigotry and savagery.

FARIS KHALIQ TURBAT

Stray animals ReCenTLY, I have witnessed an increased number of stray dogs within my locality and around the city. naturally, these dogs are untrained and underfed because of which they bark or bite whenever anyone walks past them.

Pedestrians and children playing in the streets are constantly fearful of attacks by dogs and there is also a risk of disease spread. The dogs often run towards vehicles, which confuses the driver and can cause dangerous accidents.

Across the city, many people have registered complaints of being attacked by stray dogs; however, the authorities have failed to produce a comprehensive solution. In some areas, when a complaint is received, a team goes to kill the dog to protect the residents. However, this has done little to reduce the number of stray dogs in the city. Instead of killing them, the dogs should be caught by authorities and taken to animal shelters where they should be vaccinated for rabies and sterilised to prevent their breeding.

Different departments must work collaboratively to curb this menace and ensure the safety and protection of all citizens. A hotline should be set up for people to report stray dogs in the area. Lastly, the health department should make sure that patients with dog bites receive proper treatment.

HAMD NAEEM LAHORE

Miserable Muslims InDIA claims itself to be a modern democratic and secular state; however, the poor treatment of Muslims tells the world a different story. Several global organisations have warned of an impending genocide of Muslims in India. Since Prime Minister narendra Modi of BJP came into power in 2014, anti-Muslim sentiment has intensified because of his discriminatory policies and hate speech.

The 40 million Muslim population of the state of Uttar Pradesh has been living in a constant state of terror. In the last 8 years, Muslims have been lynched and become targets of hate crimes. The government has turned a blind eye to the violence and the police have also done little to bring justice to the victims and their families. The perpetrators are free and continue to terrorise Muslims while the victims remain fearful.

The revocation of the autonomous status of occupied Kashmir in 2019 stripped Kashmiris of the special autonomy they had for seven decades.

Ironically, the Citizenship Amendment Act was introduced the same year, which granted citizenship to religious minorities but excluded Muslims.

Kashmiris have been continuously subjected to violence and human rights abuses. even the Indian media has promoted propagandistic content to present Muslims in a negative light. In the state of Karnataka, Muslim students are not allowed to wear hijab. All of this is just a glimpse of the miserable state of Muslims in India, the reality is much bleaker.

BALACH MB AWARAN

08 WORLD VIEW 6th April 22_Layout 1 4/5/2022 10:07 PM Page 1

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

nAtionAl intereSt Wallace c. GreGSon

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USSIA’S invasion of Ukraine and China’s support puts “paid” to any lingering notions of an enduring U.S. unipolar moment, and thoughts that a liberal democratic order is the settled future of world governance. Polling in many democratic countries shows a remarkable change of attitudes about deterrence and defense, perhaps reflecting a recognition of the challenge. But this change of attitude, and the resources it may generate, are temporary. We must respond quickly with meaningful security policies and strategies for today’s international balance of power and profound changes in the conduct of warfare. We must show we can take the initiative, win this thing, and not merely react.

We did this before in the years immediately following World War II. But that day’s template is no longer apposite. The Cold War was a singular event with unique conditions, including an enemy right out of central casting with an autarkic economy. This is not a “new Cold War,” but there is a need to compete while keeping our competition “cold.” Effective deterrence, defined as an undoubted capability to prevail, is essential.

A fair summary of our national interests is that they are centered on the health, welfare, and security of our allies and friends, specifically including Taiwan. Our allies are our greatest strength. Our vital interests lie along the First Island Chain, not on Asia’s mainland. It’s been this way since the Truman administration. More recent descriptions of our national interests can be found in the 2017 National Security Strategy and the 2021 Interim National Security Strategy.

What’s changed from the Cold War? The short answer is “a lot.” One constant is that nuclear weapons shape the conditions of conflict. Three Asian nations, Russia, China, and North Korea are so armed. Attacking the mainland of a nuclear-armed nation requires some deep thinking.

The most jarring change facing the United States and our allies is that our air and sea superiority is challenged.

From 1945 throughout the rest of the twentieth century, the United States enjoyed unchallenged air and sea superiority. We could fly, sail, and operate anywhere we

UnIpolarIty Is over: Great power rIvalry has retUrned to asIa THE MOST JARRING CHANGE FACING THE UNITED STATES AND OUR ALLIES IS THAT OUR AIR AND SEA SUPERIORITY IS CHALLENGED. FROM 1945 THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, THE UNITED STATES ENJOYED UNCHALLENGED AIR AND SEA SUPERIORITY. WE COULD FLY, SAIL, AND OPERATE ANYWHERE WE WANTED

wanted, projecting and sustaining forces ashore as we wished. Even in the early days of the Korean War, our forces offshore were the foundation of all our success and the salvation of our disasters. Japan became the offshore sanctuary in those days, supporting the combat theater on the Korean Peninsula. Our forces offshore in the Vietnam War were essentially unchallenged, projecting gunfire, aviation forces, and logistics ashore as we wished. The sea was indeed a secure operational maneuver space. Our force structure in Asia, and its disposition, developed assuming enduring unchallenged air and sea superiority.

Now our air and sea control are seriously challenged

by China’s massive force development program; longrange precision munitions; and ubiquitous, pervasive surveillance. China took advantage of its massive geographic sanctuary, building a missile arsenal that looks to establish sea control from the land. But they are not limited to one option. Their naval building program, and that of all other armed elements of the People’s Liberation Army, including paramilitary organizations, continues unabated. China conducted an unchallenged dredging operation in the South China Sea to create large military outposts on seven previously submerged features. Some estimate that China achieved and demonstrated de facto control over the South China Sea through this action. Our allies and friends, and our forces on and within the First Island Chain, are within range and targeted. Intelligence estimates vary, of course, but there is no disagreement that China’s naval and air forces enjoy a great numerical advantage over U.S and allied forces. We’re outnumbered and outranged. And allies, notably Japan and the Philippines, are in the Chinese weapons engagement zone.

While this balance within the traditional air, land, and sea domains was changing, new domains of conflict rapidly emerged, adding still-growing complexity to the situation.

We must prepare for the prospective fight we have, not the one we might prefer. But “the way we’ve always done things” exerts powerful influence and is not easily overcome. In 2016, General Joseph Dunford, serving as

Iran blames Us for halt In nUclear talks

chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said: “we’re already behind in adapting to the changing character of war today, in so many ways.” A longer, sobering read is the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission report of 2018. The commission concluded that the United States could very well lose the next big war because we have not done the hard intellectual work to know how to win the competition we have.

The prospect of starting a fight already within range of a vast enemy arsenal is not without precedent. In December 1941, Manila Bay in the Philippines was powerfully defended by coastal artillery on Corregidor against attacks by enemy warships. But it was totally vulnerable from the air. General Douglas MacArthur’s air force was parked wingtip-to-wingtip as a counter sabotage measure at Clark Airfield. Surprise was deadly, and decisive. We must do better this time.

If our allies are critical to our national strength in Asia across the full range of national capabilities, then it follows that our policy and strategy must support their welfare and security and be something that they can actively support. Our policy and strategic concepts must demonstrate how our alliance forces contribute to successful deterrence and effective combat operations if necessary.

One common geographic circumstance they all share—save Australia—is a coastline on the East or the South China Sea. Taiwan touches both. Australia has already declared its concern with these seas, and is shaping its defense program accordingly, most notably through the AUKUS agreement that supports its power projection there. Fortunately, sea and air control over the South and East China Seas is also high on the list of U.S. vital interests. We must build allied force capabilities to ensure that we can maintain, or quickly regain, sea and air control while operating inside China’s weapons engagement zone.

The emergence of long-range precision strike and pervasive surveillance demands that sea and air control be a joint function. No longer can forces ashore afford to wait with fixed bayonets for the enemy to show up.

Wallace C. Gregson served as a former assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (2009-11) and is currently a senior advisor at Avascent International as well as senior director for China and the Pacific at the Center for the National Interest. Gregson last served as the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific; Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Pacific, headquartered at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. He is a senior advisor to General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems.

Iran nuclear deal: how to overcome the final obstacle US Special Envoy Robert Malley recently reiterated that Washington would maintain sanctions on the IRGC even if the organisation is ultimately delisted.

Iran’s foreign ministry claims the United States still has not decided to return to talks Al-Monitor StAff Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh addressed reporters about the fate of the nuclear talks in Vienna.

Khatibzadeh accused the United States of bringing the talks to a “suspension point.” He said, “What has become clear for us in the last two weeks is that [US President Joe] Biden and the White House have not made a decision.” He continued that the United States has made the nuclear talks a “hostage” in domestic partisan issues. Khatibzadeh said that the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was supported by UN Resolution 2231 and it is up to the Biden administration whether to abide by it or allow another international agreement to fall apart due to domestic partisan fighting. He added, “The US is responsible for the suspension of the negotiations.” If talks are resumed, the United States must provide a “logical answer” to Iran’s demands, Khatibzadeh said. According to most observers, the stalemate is over the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.

The Trump administration, which exited the JCPOA in 2018 and reapplied sanctions, added the IRGC to the list in addition to implementing a number of sanctions in order to make it difficult for subsequent administrations to reenter the deal. As a result of the US withdrawal, Iran expanded its nuclear program, including its level of enrichment and use of advanced centrifuges, steps that the JCPOA had limited. On the US side, the Biden administration is weighing the politics of delisting the IRGC, especially with congressional mid-term elections in November.

While most Americans support a return to the nuclear deal, primarily as a means to check Iran’s nuclear program, delisting the IRGC is considered more risky politically, and has been opposed by some Democrats as well as Republicans. Speaking about the visit to Iran a week ago by the European Union’s coordinator for the nuclear talks Enrique Mora, Khatibzadeh said that views were exchanged and messages were sent to the United States. Mora traveled to the United States after the Tehran trip. Khatibzadeh said that the Biden administration must decide whether to “continue the legacy of [former President Donald] Trump or act as a semi-responsible administration.” He said that “an agreement is accessible,” but warned, “Iran will not violate its red lines nor compromise on its demands.”

The odds are so great that we cannot accept serial engagement—sea then land—across the terrestrial conflict domains. Forces ashore must contribute materially to the fight for sea and air control. Forces ashore must be widely distributed and agile to ensure survival. They must be armed with weapons that can range the sea and airspace, fully integrated into the maneuver and fires of U.S. and allied forces at sea and in the air. All forces, in the air, at sea, and on land, U.S. and allied, must be networked into the same common operational picture, and operating as component parts of an articulate and robust kill web across the East and South China Sea littoral. It’s the only way to fight while outnumbered and win.

All elements of national power must be brought to bear. The current conflict in Ukraine demonstrates a remarkable ability of the United States, European allies, and many other nations to quickly agree on the employment of a wide range of national capabilities, including painful sanctions and seizure of ships. The same can work in Asia. With sea and air control over the South and East China Seas in conflict, we gain the ability to control access to the limited number of straits that enable China’s seaborne trade. This gives us the ability to control the conflict and contain it while working toward acceptable war termination conditions. Building and demonstrating this capability establishes the undoubted capability to prevail essential to deterrence.

Middle eASt eye Seyed HoSSein MouSavian

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HE European Union’s foreign policy chief announced in mid-March that significant progress had been made in talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal, but a pause was needed. During the last week of March, Enrique Mora, the leader of the EU delegation, travelled to Tehran and Washington to meet with Iranian and American nuclear negotiators in an effort to overcome the remaining dispute.

There were two reasons to pause: Iran’s insistence that the US remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from its list of foreign terrorist organisations, a designation applied during the Trump era; and Russia’s demand that western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine war would not affect its trade with Tehran.

Russia was reportedly satisfied on the latter demand after it was agreed that Russian-Iranian cooperation within the framework of the nuclear agreement would not be hindered by US and European sanctions on Moscow. The remaining obstacle is thus the removal of the foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) designation for the IRGC. US allies in the region - notably Israel and Saudi Arabia - have opposed removing the FTO designation for the Revolutionary Guards, arguing it could increase regional threats from Iran, and Republicans in the US Congress are also against such a move. But for the Iranian government, this issue is a red line.

FACILITATING DIALOGUE: There are two relevant considerations here. Without the IRGC’s participation, there can be no agreement with Iran on regional crises. This is an argument for the Biden government to delist the IRGC in order to facilitate bilateral dialogue on regional issues.

General Kenneth McKenzie, the outgoing head of US Central Command and an Iran hawk who carried out the order to kill Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, recently told the Washington Post that “we need to find an accommodation with Iran going forward”.

Moreover, State Department spokesman Ned Price recently noted that after former US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018, “the number of attacks by Iran-backed groups went up 400 percent” between 2019 and 2020. “That was in the aftermath of leaving the [nuclear deal], the FTO designation and killing General Soleimani,” he told reporters.

But the Biden administration would be in a difficult position to defend itself from internal political pressure over a delisting decision after Iran threatened to avenge the killing of its top general.

Soleimani’s assassination was a clear violation of international law, for which Iran swiftly retaliated by firing more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two US military bases in Iraq.

To resolve this obstacle, one option is for the Biden administration to apologise to the Iranian government for Trump’s illegal assassination, and for Washington and Tehran to pledge to adhere to the principle of non-interference and non-use of force under the UN Charter.

But the US and its regional allies need Iran to commit to cooperating on de-escalation in the region. Iran has already tacitly agreed to de-escalation, but it cannot link this issue to the nuclear deal, fearing that the anti-Iran campaign in Washington and the region would then blame Tehran for any new incident, and press the US to again abandon the agreement.

REGIONAL COOPERATION: Qatar’s foreign

minister this week reiterated the importance of reaching a nuclear deal with Iran, citing the need for an agreement on comprehensive security in the region.

Since the end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, all governments in Iran, from moderate to conservative, have called for a de-escalation of regional tensions and suggested establishing a regional system for security and collective cooperation in the Gulf, the details of which are described in my book, A New Structure for Security, Peace, and Cooperation in the Persian Gulf.

The way forward is to revive the nuclear deal and to begin a serious dialogue on a regional security architecture that promotes security for all through common norms and principles, such as the sovereign equality of states; refraining from the threat or use of force; and providing for peaceful conflict resolution, inviolability of borders, and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other states.

The UN Security Council’s Resolution 598 provides a workable framework for resolving the outstanding issues between Iran and its Arab Gulf neighbours, specifically Saudi Arabia. A collective security arrangement would help with fighting terrorism, sectarianism, organised crime and drug trafficking, among other mutual concerns.

The first step would be to immediately halt hostile rhetoric and propaganda, and then forge a regional dialogue forum to discuss security issues.

Negotiations between Iran and neighbouring states can succeed if their political objectives are compatible, and they avoid zero-sum calculations.

A comprehensive security and cooperation system would also need confidence-building measures, such as military-to-military visits, pre-notification of military exercises, transparency in arms procurements, reductions in military expenditures, non-aggression pacts, joint task forces on crisis management, and elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Commitment to these principles could address the concerns of all interested parties, including the US, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Seyed Hossein Mousavian is Middle East Security and Nuclear Policy Specialist at Princeton University, and a former Chief of Iran’s National Security Foreign Relations Committee.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

NEWS

corporate corner Power shutdown notice for today ISLAMABAD: According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 06th April, From 06:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Captain Muhammad Akram Shaheed, Rohtas Feeders, From 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Race Course, Askari-XI, Misryal Road, Iqbal Road, Social Security Hospital, Westridge, Eid Gah,Raja Sultan, Kohallah Feeders and Surroundings will remain off. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time. pr

aIOU launches nationwide plantation campaign ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has launched a tree plantation campaign at its regional offices and model study centres in all the provinces of the country, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Dr. Malik Tauqeer Ahmad Khan, Director Regional Services (DRS), regional directors have been directed to engage students, teachers and social activists in this plantation drive. Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum directed the DRS to launch a nationwide tree plantation campaign and plant trees in the Regional Offices and Model Study Centers. Dr. Zia said that Plant for Pakistan is a national project and each of us has to play our part to make this project a success. He further said that this campaign aims to provide a healthy and pollution free Pakistan to the coming generations. pr

Livvel introduces a refreshing wave of excitement in Pakistan Livvel has recently started its operations in Pakistan, it is a Food and Beverage company that offers an exciting and comprehensive portfolio in beverages so far. They have brought significant investment and have brought about new employment opportunities in Pakistan which in short will boost the economy for the better.

It is a progressive and energetic company with a refreshingly modern take on today’s tastes that is why we continuously innovate and aspire to attain a pure expression of pleasure. They have sourced the highest quality ingredients from around the world with the commitment to deliver unique experiences and quality.

They are effortlessly balancing vitality, finesse, freshness, and boldness to elevate the beverage experience. Hence, for the first time in Pakistan, they have introduced the first-ever Organic Cola – which has the great taste and buzz of a cola, but with organic ingredients. Its unique taste will make you crave more.

Not only this, Livvel has launched different beverages under its banner such as two different variants of Rev (Stimulant drink), Chillup in Limca and Salted Lemon Flavors and Nero cola which has a regular and an organic variant. pr

OGDCL, KP GOverNMeNt INK MOU FOr CONStrUCtION OF KaraK DaM

a

N MOU between Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Energy & Power Department, Irrigation Department and Public Health Engineering Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been inked to construct a Dam for Nashpa Greater Water Supply Scheme (NGWSS) in District Karak, KPK. Large population of Nashpa block had been facing acute shortage of drinking water, as there was neither ground water potential to feed them with deep wells/tubes wells nor they had any perennial spring/source to be developed to establish a water supply scheme to meet the drinking water requirements of the area. Therefore, an agreement was signed between OGDCL, MOL and the notables of sur-

roundings of Nashpa Field to construct a Dam at suitable site where gravity flow could be maintained to 11 villages of Nashpa i.e (Lorgai, Sanda Manzai, Salkhani, Sand Khurram, Nashpa, Faqiri banda, Zanrraka banda, pirmila, paindi banda, Mir kalam and Khazi bai).

The population of Nashpa block is about 21,916 people with a water demand of approximately 15 GPCD is about 328,745 Gallons, 0.611 cusec or 442.240 acre-ft/year. The proposed

dam is located at a distance of 24 KM North-East of Karak city. The site is accessible after 54 KM from Kohat on Indus highway towards left side with an un-metalled road via village Shaheedan.

Currently, OGDCL is providing drinking water through bowzers on daily basis to meet the requirement of locals of Nashpa area with cost of Rs. 16.63 million per year. Since signing of OGDCL’ agreement in the year 2012, it has always honored its obligations and approval & execution

NSU Welcomes Climate Change Education Experts

A group of 45 science teachers, including resource persons of the training workshop on climate change education through inquiry-based science education (IBSE), visited National Skills University Islamabad.

This workshop has been or-

ganized by the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO, and Sukkur IBA University. According to the Vice Chancellor National Skills University Islamabad, climate change workshop is a timely initiative as

the Pakistani population is touching above 210 million. Continuous increase in population adversely affects the overall weather due to heatwaves, melting of glaciers, floods, and droughts. It was also disclosed that National Skills University Islamabad has embarked on a climate change educational initiative through its green youth program.

The chief guest of the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tabassum Afzal, stressed avoiding deforestation and removing trees to make new colonies and houses.

According to him, plants have an immense relationship to healthy living and the stability of the environment. After the ceremony, Vice Chancellor NSU, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar presented flower bouquets to the workshop's chief guest and resource persons from Malaysia and Pakistan. pr

Meezan Bank, SNGPL join hands for digitalization of consumer bill collection in Punjab, KP and aJ&K KARACHI: Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank has recently signed an agreement with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), the largest integrated gas company in North Central Pakistan, to enable digitalization of consumer bill collection via the Bank’s state-of-the-art Transaction Banking Solution (eBiz+). The agreement was signed by Mr. Irfan Siddiqui - Founding President & CEO, Meezan Bank and Mr. Ali J. Hamdani - Managing Director & CEO, SNGPL in the presence of other key management members including Mr. Ariful Islam - Deputy CEO, Mr. Abdullah Ahmed - Group Head Corporate & Institutional Banking, Mr. M. Saqib Ashraf - Head Transaction Banking and Mr. M. Munir - Head Payments & Cash Management from Meezan Bank, and Mr. Faisal Iqbal Chief Financial Officer, SNGPL. As per the agreement, Meezan Bank will provide transaction banking services (eBiz+) to SNGPL enabling payment of gas bills by the residents of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) via e-channels and branch banking avenues offered by the Bank. On this occasion, Mr. Ali J. Hamdani shared SNGPL’s ambition to become a leader in sourcing energy across Pakistan while providing ease of access to its consumers via eBiz+ collection services. pr

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of NGWSS depicts fulfilment of another commitment in this regard. The Nashpa Dam project for Karak was approved in principle by OGDCL on 13th May 2020 with the condition that necessary analysis and proper estimation/ PC-1 would be shared with the Board for formal approval. Keeping in view the limited technical capacity regarding construction of dam, the project in principle was shifted to the Govt. of KPK which would execute it through its relevant line departments. The relevant line departments of KPK are experienced and technically most suitable to execute the project efficiently and cost effectively. During the next phase, Government of KPK shall present final project feasibility along with cost estimation & execution timelines for approval from OGDCL.

‘First Women National Savings Centre’ inaugurated in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: The Director General National Savings, Hamid Raza Khalid inaugurated First ever Exclusive Women National Savings Centre in Abpara Islamabad. Addressing the ceremony the Director General appreciates the management, Lady Officers and staff of RDNS Islamabad on establishment of Women Branch.

The Director General said this is token of gratitude to women of Pakistan in general and women customers of National Savings in particular who make around 50% of National Saving’s clientele. This is indeed first step to achieve the objective of broad based Financial Inclusion. The DG further aimed to open more such exclusive NSCs in other cities of country in near future. The women make more than half of country’s two hundred twenty million population however, their share in commercial banking accounts is less than 10 percent. National Savings has always been a preferred institution for women where female clients are around 50% of total customers. The Director General also emphasized market appetite to introduce specialized National Savings Scheme for women in near future. The ceremony was attended by Senior Management of CDNS, Lady Officers of National Savings and members of Civil Society. STAFF rEpOrT

Philip Morris takes on a mission to clean Pakistan

Dr. Zeelaf Munir, Managing Director & CEO English Biscuit Manufacturers, along with her team receiving gold award for New Product and Service Introduction at the Effie Awards 2022. pr

Bank Alfalah, PAFLA collaborate to provide digital payments and collection infrastructure to freelancers in Pakistan KARACHI: Bank Alfalah, one of the largest private banks in Pakistan and pioneer in digital banking has partnered with Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) to facilitate digital payments and collections for freelancers. Under the partnership, PAFLA will acquire the ability to enable freelancers in selling services globally through an integration with Alfa Payment Gateway. pr

KARACHI: Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (“PMPKL”) partnered with SEED Ventures (Social Entrepreneurship and Equity Development) to carry out #MissionCleanerPakistan, an anti-littering project (“Project”) aimed at raising awareness across Pakistan regarding proper disposal, promoting behavioral change and supporting the required infrastructure for proper disposal.

Under this Project, PMPKL has carried out 20 antilittering drives across Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Balakot within the last year with an aim to create a movement which instills proper waste disposal habits in our communities and to raise awareness about the impact littering has on our environment. More than 2400 volunteers comprising of women, men, and transgenders have been engaged during the drives and over 4000 KGs of trash have been collected. The recyclable portion of the waste was recycled in a sustainable manner through the PMPKL’s recycling partners while the non-recyclable portion of the waste was turned into an art piece which serves to represent the ecological disaster that is imminent if the public continue the current method of waste disposal. pr

Jazz to increase female mobile broadband users, promote diversity at workplace ISLAMABAD pr

Aimed at enabling more women to access health, financial, and other life-enhancing services, Pakistan’s leading digital operator Jazz has committed with GSMA Connected Women initiative to increase the proportion of female broadband users on its network by 8% by the end of next year with a dedicated focus on female smart phone ownership.

The commitment was announced by Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim during the ‘Power to be You’ event held at Jazz Digital Head-

quarters in Islamabad.

The company’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) statement was unveiled at the event along with key initiatives towards empowering women at the workplace. Jazz has announced six months phase back support for new mothers on top of the already available six month paid maternity leave, an executive program on women leadership in collaboration with LUMS, and dedicated offsite learning retreats for women. Moreover, an MoU was signed with Chughtai Labs for the provision of the Pink Card which offers Jazz employees and their families a 50% discount on

women related medical tests.The event featured multiple activities, interviews, and panel discussions from industry experts including Dr. Omar Chugtai, Chughtai Lab; Dr. Sadia Nadeem, FAST School of Management; and Dr. Rakshinda Perveen, a social entrepreneur. Ayesha Raza, Co-founder of Abey Khao, a fast-food café and a startup scaled under Pakistan’s premier accelerator program Jazzxlr8, also inspired the audience with her entrepreneurship journey and how her venture is promoting social inclusion of people with hearing impairments by providing them employment opportunities.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Shanghai ScreenS over 24m reSidentS for covid-19 in one day

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AgencIeS

HANGHAI has finished collecting samples for nucleic acid testing from over 24 million residents as part of the city’s latest effort to cut off COVID-19 transmission in communities and contain the resurgence of the virus, local authorities said on Monday night.

“With the active cooperation of the local residents, the city finished the latest round of nucleic acid sampling work on April 4,” the office of the Shanghai municipal leading group for COVID-19 prevention and control said in a statement.

Shanghai conducted citywide nucleic

acid testing on Monday after mass antigen testing on Sunday.

The city has been placed under temporary closed-off management after the rate of COVID-19 infections surged in recent days.

Further work, including testing, multiple checks, the transportation of positive cases, and the analysis and assessment of the COVID-19 situation, will be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the statement.

After all the work is completed, followup control measures will be implemented based on relevant national regulations and the results of the mass screening.

More than 38,000 medics from 15

provincial-level regions across China have rushed to Shanghai to aid in the battle against the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).

Some 27,000 medics are responsible for sampling and testing work, and another 11,000 are working in temporary hospitals, according to Jiao Yahui, a senior NHC official.

Shanghai reported 268 local transmissions of COVID-19 and 13,086 asymptomatic cases on Monday, local authorities said on Tuesday morning.

As of 9 a.m. on Monday, more than 92,000 close contacts and over 111,000 secondary close contacts had been placed under medical observation in the latest

resurgence, according to a press conference held by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.

The commission noted that children who test positive can stay with their parents

who also test positive in children’s wards, and be treated simultaneously. Pediatric facilities are in place to ensure the professional treatment and care of all children who test positive in the city, it added.

7.1 million internally displaced in Ukraine: UN geneVA aFP

Kremlin says europe expulsions of diplomats ‘short-sighted move’ AFP The Kremlin on Tuesday called mass expulsions of Russian diplomats by a number of European countries a “short-sighted move” that will only complicate communication. “Narrowing down opportunities for diplomatic communication in such an unprecedentedly difficult crisis environment is a short-sighted move that will further complicate our communication, which is necessary to find a solution,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “And this will inevitably lead to retaliatory steps,” he added. Italy, Denmark and Sweden on Tuesday joined EU allies in expelling Russian diplomats over the war in Ukraine, with more than 120 sent packing in the last 48 hours. On Monday, France expelled 35 Russian diplomats, and Germany announced it had expelled a “significant number” of Russian envoys. The expulsions come amid international outrage over killings in the town of Bucha, near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where dozens of bodies were found over the weekend in mass graves or littering the streets.

north Korea to nuke South Korea if targeted first: Kim yo Jong AgencIeS Pyongyang opposes war, but if Seoul chooses military confrontation or makes a preemptive strike, then Pyongyang’s nuclear forces will have to attack, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un said on Tuesday. Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the government and ruling party, said it was a “very big mistake” for the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s minister of defense to make recent remarks discussing attacks on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), state news agency KCNA reported. ROK Defense Minister Suh Wook said on Friday that his country’s military has a variety of missiles with significantly improved firing range, accuracy and power, with “the ability to accurately and quickly hit any target in (the) DPRK.” A picture released by the KCNA shows the test launch of a new type of ICBM Hwasongpho-17 at an undisclosed location in the DPRK, March 24, 2022. Pyongyang has test-fired a range of increasingly powerful missiles this year, and officials in Seoul and Washington fear it may be preparing to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time since 2017 amid stalled negotiations. Kim and another DPRK official issued earlier statements on Sunday condemning those remarks, and warned that Pyongyang would destroy major targets in Seoul if it takes any “dangerous military action” such as a preemptive strike. In her second statement, on Tuesday, Kim said Pyongyang opposes war, which would leave the peninsula in ruins, and does not view ROK as its principal enemy. “In other words, it means that unless the ROK army takes any military action against our state, it will not be regarded as a target of our attack,” she said. “But if the ROK, for any reason – whether or not it is blinded by misjudgment – opts for such military action as ‘preemptive strike’ touted by (Suh Wook), the situation will change,” Kim added. “In that case, the ROK itself will become a target.” If the ROK military violates even an inch (2.5 cm) of DPRK territory, it will face an “unimaginably terrible disaster” and the DPRK’s nuclear combat force will have to inevitably carry out its duty, she said.

More than 7.1 million are estimated to have been internally displaced by Russia’s war in Ukraine, having fled their homes but remained in the country, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The figure issued by the UN’s International Organisation for Migration is up from the 6.48 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) estimated in a first study by the IOM on March 16.

“People continue to flee their homes because of war, and the humanitarian needs on the ground continue to soar,” said IOM director general Antonio Vitorino.

“Humanitarian corridors are urgently needed to allow the safe evacuation of

civilians and ensure the safe transportation and delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid in order to rapidly assist those internally displaced.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, causing millions to flee their homes — including more than 4.2 million Ukrainians who have left the country entirely.

The IOM conducted its second survey between March 24 and April 1, and estimated that 7,138,715 people were internally displaced within Ukraine as of Friday. 59 percent of IDPs were estimated to be women.

It was estimated that nearly 2.4 million people had fled the Kyiv region; 2.4 million had fled the east, and 1.7 million had fled the north.

The survey found that 41 percent of

the IDPs — 2.9 million people — were now located in the west of the country.

It found that more than 60 percent of displaced households had children; 57 percent included elderly members; and 30 percent had people with chronic illnesses.

More than a third of displaced households indicated that they had had no income in the last month.

Safety fearS: Beyond the estimated 7.1 million IDPs, “more communities in need remain trapped”, said the IOM. A further 2.9 million people were estimated to be considering leaving their homes. As for the reasons why people are staying in their homes, 16 percent said it was not safe for them to leave; six percent said they did not want to leave

family members behind; three percent said they would not know where to go, and one percent said they could not leave due to health issues.

The rapid representative assessment was conducted through interviews with 2,000 anonymous respondents aged over 18 who were contacted at random over the telephone.

The survey is used by the IOM to gather insights into internal displacement and mobility, and to assess the humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

The IOM said cash, transportation, food, shelter and hygiene items were among the most pressing needs for displaced people.

IDPs also need greater access to medicines and health services, the organisation said.

Neighbours agree to mega plan for Afghanistan’s economic reconstruction ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

All the seven neighbouring countries of Afghanistan have pledge to a 72-point agreement support Afghanistan’s economic reconstruction in areas such as humanitarian assistance, connectivity, economy and trade, agriculture, energy and capacity building.

The agreement was made at the third Foreign Ministers’ meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan was held in Tunxi, Anhui Province in China recently. Foreign ministers or high-level representatives of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were present.

All parties at the meeting note that with the end of long years of war in Afghanistan, the country is now struggling with serious economic and livelihood difficulties as well as challenges across sectors. Ⅰ．Humanitarian assistance All parties decide to provide further humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, and call on the international community to give more support to Afghanistan, to help it restore cash liquidity and avoid humanitarian disaster.

China will speed up delivering its commitment of providing Afghanistan with emergency humanitarian assistance such as food, winter supplies, COVID19 vaccines and medical equipment, and is ready to provide additional humanitarian assistance through bilateral and multilateral channels.

China will continue to provide Afghanistan with vaccines, medical equipment, medicine and other anti-epidemic supplies, carry out cooperation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, support the operation of Afghanistan’s medical and health systems, and help Afghanistan fight COVID-19.

Iran has sent more than 30 humanitarian aid shipments including food, medicine and health items to help the people in different cities of Afghanistan, and is consulting and coordinating with the Afghan side to send new supportive shipments. Iran will continue to provide emergency fuel and food and other nec-

essary daily life items to the people of Afghanistan.

Pakistan announced in-kind humanitarian assistance package of Rs. 5 billion (around $ 30 million). Pakistan has provided more than 13,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum and provided three consignments of wheat to Afghanistan. Pakistan has also been channelizing humanitarian assistance from various philanthropic organizations of Pakistan.

Pakistan is also acting as a channel to facilitate the flow of international humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including providing transit facility for Indian wheat to Afghanistan on an exceptional basis for humanitarian purposes and facilitating the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) airbridge between Islamabad and Kabul.

Pakistan hosted 17th Extraordinary Session of OIC-CFM in Islamabad on 19 December 2021 where, inter alia, the following was decided: a. Establishment of a Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan (formalized during the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Islamabad) b. Appointment of Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet as Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the OIC for Afghanistan c. OIC General Secretariat, together with Islamic Development Bank and the Humanitarian Trust Fund, to devise a roadmap in concert with UN system organizations for unlocking financial and

banking channels d. OIC General Secretariat, in concert with World Health Organization and other relevant stakeholders, shall secure vaccines and medical supplies for Covid-19 e. Launching an Afghanistan Food Security Programme, under the aegis of Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) Pakistan continues to provide free Covid-19 vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan, works with the Bill Gates Foundation for the eradication of Polio in Afghanistan, and is allowing Afghan patients and their attendants entry into Pakistan to enable their treatment in hospitals across Pakistan.

Russia stands ready to continue its humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Tajikistan will continue to provide its logistics means, in particular through the six bridges across TajikAfghan border, to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

Tajikistan will maintain the functioning of border crossing point Panji Poyon for transporting food and other vital products to the people of Afghanistan.

Tajikistan will also continue to offer medical services to the citizens of Afghanistan residing in Tajik-Afghan border areas. Turkmenistan will continue to provide humanitarian support to Afghanistan on a systematic basis, which is expressed in the construction of medical and educational institutions on the territory of the neighboring country, preferential supplies of electricity, training of Afghan students in educational in-

stitutions of Turkmenistan, regularly sending of humanitarian convoys to Afghanistan, and other types of help and assistance. Turkmenistan will continue to send humanitarian cargoes to Afghanistan with food, textile and household products, medicines and medical supplies, as well as oil products.

Turkmenistan from its own resources will supply medicines to the medical center built by Turkmenistan in the province of Faryab and the maternity hospital in the Turgundi city of the province of Herat.

Uzbekistan expressed readiness to use the capabilities of the international transport and logistics hub in the city of Termez for the delivery of humanitarian cargo to Afghanistan.

II．Connectivity All parties recognize the importance of connectivity to the sustainable development of Afghanistan as a “land-locked country”, and stand ready to leverage their respective strengths to support Afghanistan in, based on the existing transportation networks with neighboring countries, exploring step by step new convenient channels to strengthen “hard connectivity” of infrastructure and “soft connectivity” of rules and standards with neighboring countries.

All parties are ready to strengthen cooperation in the implementation of transport agreements developed within the framework of the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP).

China supports the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, and is ready to promote synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of Afghanistan, and support the smooth operation of the China-Afghanistan freight train services, to help Afghanistan better integrate into the regional economic integration process. Iran has paved the way for Afghanistan to connect to the world markets by the Khaf-Herat railway and plans to complete the railway and extend it to Central Asian countries via Mazar-e-Sharif to help Afghanistan get rid of land-lock limitations.

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022 | ISLAMABAD

SPORTS 11

RAmiz RAjA To mEET indiAn CRiCkET BoARd offiCiAlS nExT WEEk

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NEws DEsk

AKISTAN Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja is set to meet officials from the Indian cricket board for a formal meeting in Dubai.

Raja will meet the officials during the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and it will play a crucial role in the future of both cricketing nations’ schedules.

The ICC meeting is scheduled to be held in Dubai from April 7 and will last for three days till April 10.

Ramiz Raja and Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain will leave for Dubai tomorrow. The session will begin with a chief executive meeting where various issues will be reviewed.

The meeting will look at Finance and other committees. According to sources, in the board meeting, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja will share a

special report to the ICC on hosting the Pak-Australia series.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the PCB chairman will also hold meetings with various heads of the respective boards to improve relations and create future opportunities for Pakistan cricket. The Chairman PCB will also share the proposed plan for the four-nation T20 tournament with other board officials.

The four-nation T20 tournament consists of arch-rivals Pakistan and

India, and the Ashes rivals Australia and England. The proposed tournament has an estimated revenue generation of USD 650 Million to be distributed among all four participants and ICC. The money can be used to develop cricket for the Associate Countries.

This meeting will be the first physical meeting in two years – due to Covid-19 – as all the board members will be arriving in Dubai by tomorrow.

Afghanistan’s Rashid eager to learn from Younis NEws DEsk Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan is eager to learn from former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, who has recently been appointed as a batting coach for the Afghanistan team for the upcoming UAE training camp.

Younis will join Umar Gul who was appointed as the bowling coach for the Afghanistan team. On this occasion, the former right-handed batter shared his sentiments on his Twitter handle. He expressed his desire to work with the Afghanistan team since his playing days, and finally, he accepted the role.

“It has been my utmost desire to work with Afghanistan Cricket Board

(ACB) as a coach, and the discussions have been going on since 2011 during my playing days. I now feel it’s the right time and the UAE camp is a perfect opportunity to work with ACB and get to know the upcoming talent more closely.”

Younis posted on Twitter.

In response to Younis’s Tweet, Rashid responded eagerly, showing his respect for the legend. The 23-year-old replied to Younis’s tweet in Pashto.

“Pakhair raghle Younus Bhai, looking forward to learning the most from you, INSHALLAH.” Rashid tweeted.

Younis and Gul will join the team in Abu Dhabi for 15 days. The duo will work with an expanded squad of 25 at a training and preparatory camp.

Good to be back home for struggling Ricciardo MELBOURNE ReuteRs

Daniel Ricciardo thinks he might once have taken the Australian Grand Prix for granted but three years without any Formula One action at Albert Park has left him hankering for a race on home soil.

The 32-year-old will get his wish this weekend when the world championship circuit returns to Melbourne for the first time since the 2020 race was called off at the 11th hour as the COVID-19 pandemic first took a grip

on Australia.

The eight-time Grand Prix winner’s last race in Melbourne, his first for Renault, was effectively ended in the first few seconds when he lost his front end in the trackside grass, leaving him with even more of a sense of longing.

“In a way, it’s kind of like, ‘You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’,” the Australian told the Herald Sun newspaper.

“When I look back, obviously we were there in 2020 but we did not race, we were there in 2019 but my race did not last very long.

“It feels like the last time I actually had a proper race there was in 2018 so it has been a long time so I am very, very excited to get back.

“Whether we are competitive or not I think just to race on home soil will be a good time.”

Now in his second season at McLaren, Ricciardo has good reason to question the competitiveness of his car after finishing 14th at the seasonopener in Bahrain and being forced to retire in Saudi Arabia.

That is a stark contrast with his former team Red Bull, who have already

got their first win of the season through world champion Max Verstappen.

Ricciardo, who twice finished fourth at Albert Park with Red Bull, accepts that there will always be questions about his decision to walk away from the team at the end of the 2018 season.

“It doesn’t bother me,” he added.

“Obviously at the time, I felt like that was the right thing for me. You kind of stand by that.”

“It’s not something I look back on and regret it, or think I should have done differently.”

Babar gets car delivered to home after stellar performance against Australia NEws DEsk Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Monday received a Jeep — BAIC BJ40 Plus 2022 — at his home for his record-breaking performance against Australia in the three-match ODI series, according to a news outlet.

Babar had scored 276 runs in three matches and was named player of the series. He was gifted a brand new jeep. Just after a day, the vehicle was sent to the skipper’s home. Babar’s brother Safeer Azam shared the arrival of the vehicle at their home on his Instagram story.

Fans, as always, are loving the moment of their favourite and one of the finest cricketers in world cricket right now. The Pakistani skipper had scored two backto-back centuries to help his team win an ODI series against Australia after 20 years.

Coach Stead hopeful of Williamson’s return for England Tests

wELLINGTON ReuteRs

New Zealand coach Gary Stead hopes to have captain Kane Williamson back for their three-Test tour of England in June but says they will need to manage his workload to prevent the recurrence of an elbow injury.

Williamson, 31, missed the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa with a tendon injury in his left elbow that has been troubling him over the last 18 months. While Kane has returned to action in the Indian Premier League, Stead said there was no need to rush his return to the ‘Black Caps’. “The catch-22 is, Kane comes back early, scores a hundred, and his elbow is gone again, and then we’d be in the same place,” Stead told reporters on Tuesday. “Kane, like any of us, needs breaks at certain times. He’s dying to play cricket for New Zealand again, I can absolutely assure you of that, but we can’t burn him out in the future. “We have to be smart around those things.” Williamson, who reached out to India great Sachin Tendulkar and Australia’s Steve Smith for advice on recovering from elbow injuries, told reporters in February he was so tired of dealing with the elbow there were times he wanted to “cut it off”. Tom Latham led the side against Bangladesh and South Africa, as well as in the limited-overs home series against the Netherlands, in Williamson’s absence. “At the moment, Kane is just out of that role because he hasn’t been available for us,” Stead said. So when Kane comes back, I expect him to be captain for us again.”

Wednesday, 6 April, 2022

prayer timingS

NEWS

PUNjab aSSEMbLy SESSIoN to ELEct chIEf MINIStER PoStPoNEd UNtIL aPRIL 16 LAHORE

a

Staff repOrt

session of the Punjab Assembly to elect the next chief minister — with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who is backed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and Hamza

Shehbaz of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) going head to head in the race — was postponed until April 16, a notification issued by the assembly secretariat announced Tuesday.

The notification said Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari moved the session — originally scheduled for Wednesday (tomorrow) — to the rescheduled date at 11:30 am.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), stepped down late last month as Prime Minister Imran Khan, nominated Elahi, the head of coalition partner PML-Q, as the new chief executive of the province.

In return, the PML-Q, which has five seats in the National Assembly pledged support for Khan against the

no-trust motion.

Elahi, who served as the Punjab chief minister from 2002 to 2007, is currently the provincial assembly speaker.

With 183 members, the PTI holds a majority in the 371-seat assembly.

Any party needs a simple majority — support of 186 members –– to form a government.

Pakistan wishes to enhance long-term multidomain relations with Nepal: General Bajwa

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

4:29

12:12

3:46

5:54

6:30

7:55

fiqah-e-hanfia lahore sehr: 4:23 am iftar: 6:26 Pm

islamabad sehr: 4:24 am iftar: 6:32 Pm

karachi sehr: 5:01 am iftar: 6:51 Pm

fiqah-e-jafaria lahore sehr: 3:33 am iftar: 6:36 Pm

islamabad sehr: 4:34 am iftar: 6:42 Pm

karachi sehr: 5:11 am iftar: 7:01 Pm

US rejects claim it’s behind no-confidence vote against Imran WASHINGTON Staff repOrt

Early election not a problem for us, says PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah The PML-N does not plan to boycott the early election in the country, said a senior leader of the party.

“Early election is not a problem for us, in fact, our movement has been about early polls,” PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah stated, “That has been our demand, as the previous national election was rigged. We do not plan to boycott it.”

On Sunday, in a sudden turn of events, Prime Minister Imran Khan dissolved the parliament in a bid to avoid being ousted by a vote of no confidence. The prime minister further sought a fresh election after 90 days.

A member of Khan’s party, who is the deputy speaker of the parliament, also blocked the no-trust resolution terming it part of a foreign conspiracy.

The Opposition parties have taken the deputy speaker’s decision to the Supreme Court to have it declared unconstitutional and beyond the speaker’s jurisdiction.

But at the same time, Pakistan’s largest Opposition party, the PML-N, says it does not have any concerns about the election being held either, as long as the illegal proceedings in the parliament are reversed.

“If this unconstitutional and illegal step by the government is declared null and void [by the Court] and the government is formed by the Opposition then we will also head towards election,” said Sanaullah.

“The PML-N’s stance is very clear that polls should be held immediately. However, other [Opposition] parties want election reforms to be conducted first.”

The PML-N leader further explained that another reason that his party is comfortable heading into polls is that those responsible for pre-poll rigging in the past are staying out of the political sphere this time.

“Those calls are not coming anymore,” he said.

Amid the political turmoil, the Punjab assembly is also scheduled to go to vote on Wednesday for a new chief minister of the province.

The PML-N has fielded Hamza Shehbaz, while Khan’s PTI is backing Pervaiz Elahi from the PML-Q, which was an ally of the ruling party.

Sanaullah told Geo.tv he is confident of a win in Punjab, estimating that Hamza Shehbaz has the support of 198 members of the provincial assembly, much above the 186 votes he needs to win.

“This number will further go up from 198 to 201 on Wednesday,” the PML-N added. Staff repOrt

RAWALPINDI Staff repOrt

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday said that Pakistan wishes to enhance long-term multi-domain relations with Nepal based on common interests.

General Bajwa expressed these views during a call on him by Mr Tapas Adhikari, Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan here at the GHQ.

COAS reiterated that all regional countries need to work collectively for enduring peace and stability in the region. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and measures to improve bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability and pledged to play his part for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

‘Shameless’ US sought to punish ‘disobedient’ Imran: Russia MOSCOW/ISLAMABAD Staff repOrt

Days after the deputy speaker dissolved the National Assembly to sidestep a no-confidence vote against Imran Khan citing claims of a US-backed conspiracy, Russia lambasted “another attempt of shameless interference” by Washington in the internal affairs of Islamabad to punish a “disobedient” prime minister.

Khan, an outspoken critic of Washington’s War on Terror and Pakistan’s partnership in that war, says the US wants him gone because of his foreign policy choices and for refusing to distance Pakistan from China and Russia.

He met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on February 24, as Russian forces continued their attacks in Ukraine, with the former expressing “regret” that a military conflict was not averted, according to a Foreign Office statement.

In a statement, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia noted that President Dr Arif Alvi dissolved the assembly on April 3 on the prime minister’s advice as well as the events preceding it.

“Immediately after the announcement of the working visit of Imran Khan to Moscow on February 23-24 this year, the Americans and their Western associates began to exert rude pressure on the prime minister, demanding an ultimatum

to cancel the trip,” she said.

“When he nevertheless came to us, [Lu] called the Pakistani ambassador in Washington and demanded that the visit be immediately interrupted, which was also rejected,” she said.

“According to the Pakistani media, on March 7 this year, in a conversation with Pakistani Ambassador Asad Majid, a high-ranking American official sharply condemned the balanced reaction of the Pakistani leadership to the events in Ukraine and made it clear that partnerships with the United States are possible only if Imran Khan is removed from power,” Zakharova said.

The official said that further developments left no doubt the US “decided to punish the ‘disobedient’ Imran Khan”, noting how MPs from within the PTI switched sides to the opposition while the no-confidence vote was submitted to the speaker.

“This is another attempt of shameless US interference in the internal affairs of an independent state for its own selfish purposes. The above facts eloquently testify to this,” Zakharova said.

“The [Pakistan] prime minister himself has repeatedly stated that the conspiracy against him was inspired and financed from abroad. We hope that Pakistani voters will be informed about these circumstances when they come to the elections, which should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly,” she said.

The United States dismissed the charge that it is trying to engineer a regime change in Islamabad — including Prime Minister Imran Khan’s naming of an American diplomat who he said called for his ouster — while reiterating support for a constitutional process and rule of law in the country.

“There is no truth to these allegations. We respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law,” a State Department spokesperson said on Monday.

Ned Price said Washington is “closely following developments in Pakistan,” even as the matter of constitutional propriety was taken to the Supreme Court.

“As you heard from me last week, we support the peaceful upholding of constitutional and democratic principles in Pakistan,” Price told reporters at his daily press briefing.

“It is the case around the world. We do not support one political party over another. We support the broader principles, the principles of rule of law, of equal justice under the law,” he said.

Price reiterated that there is no truth in the allegations that the United States is interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan and tried to topple Khan’s government.

“There is absolutely no truth to the allegations,” Price said in response to a question.

Over the weekend, Khan, in a meeting with his parliamentary party, named Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, as the person who sought a regime change in Pakistan if ties between Washington and Islamabad were to improve.

Lu, a veteran of the State Department, is a former ambassador to Albania and Kyrgystan and is currently the State Department’s point man for the region.

According to Khan, Lu held out threats to Pakistan in a meeting with outgoing Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan, warning there could be implications if he (Khan) survived the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

Rupee hits new low against US dollar amid political crisis The Pakistani rupee continued to decline against the US dollar in the interbank market amid ongoing political crisis that erupted with the National Assembly deputy speaker deeming the no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan “unconstitutional”.

According to forex dealers, the US dollar on Tuesday reached an all-time high against the rupee, soaring to Rs185.40 in the interbank market during intraday trading.

The rupee depreciated by Rs1.31 against the dollar in the interbank market.

The domestic currency also lost ground in the open market, trading at over 185 against the greenback.

Experts say political chaos in the country and uncertainty surrounding the seventh review of the $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program are keeping the rupee under pressure. mOnitOring repOrt

Maryam Nawaz accuses Imran Khan for using NSC platform for personal interests LAHORE Shahab Omer

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan for using the National Security Committee’s (NSC) platform for his personal interests.

Speaking at a press conference, Maryam said that the PTI-led government, instead of talking about its achievements, resorted to using a “fake letter” to gain popular support.

Maryam was referring to the “threat letter” against the PTI government that — according to PM Imran Khan — was sent to Pakistan by a US diplomat.

She said the premier, in a bid to save his government, not only used a “fake letter” based on an “unfounded conspiracy”, but he also misused the platform of the NSC. “You have already read out the contents of the letter that you were trying to hide,” she said to the premier. “Then why is it that you are not showing the letter to anyone?”

Maryam maintained that the premier is not showing the letter to anyone because there is nothing in the letter that he claimed.

“You waved an empty paper during your jalsa,” she alleged, adding that there was no threat, to begin with. “This letter was drafted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

She said that once PM Imran Khan realised that he had already let the cat out of the bag and wanted to hide his hoax, he sent the concerned ambassador to Brussels immediately so that no one could question him.

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