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Thursday, 9 July, 2020 I 17 Dhū al-Qa‘dah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 11 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition
imran Calls for Combined strategy to helP labourers during PandemiC g
PM SAyS MANy COUNTRIeS, INCLUDING PAKISTAN, DePeND UPON ReMITTANCeS SeNT By OveRSeAS WORKeRS
ISLAMABAD staff report
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RIMe Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday urged the international community to formulate a combined strategy to protect the most vulnerable segments of the society, especially labourers from the impacts of Covid-19. Addressing the online ILO Global Summit on Covid-19 and the World of Work, Imran pointed out that many countries, including Pakistan, depend upon remittances sent by overseas workers. “Though the host countries are also faced with many problems owing to the coronavirus, we need to convince them to
be more sympathetic to these labourers,” he added. Imran emphasised that the lockdown has hit these labourers the most. “The future is very uncertain, as we do not know how long the economy will take to recover from the impacts of the pandemic,” he stated, adding that till vaccines are found the world community will need to share their experiences and exchange ideas to protect the vulnerable groups. Sharing the initial lockdown experience of Pakistan, the premier said it rendered daily-wage earners and labourers unemployed. “Hence, we came up with the smart lockdown idea under which public gath-
Coronavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
239,729
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
83
2,980
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
SINDH:
PUNJAB:
140,965 4,954 99,362
83,599
KP:
BALOCHISTAN:
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
29,052
11,052
1,419/1,595 13,650
erings were stopped, but we allowed other activities like reopening of construction and agriculture sectors,” he added. Imran also shed light on the ehsaas Programme under which the government is providing cash assistance to labourers after completing their registration process. “It is the first time in Pakistan’s history that such huge money was disbursed in such a short space of time,” he said stressing that this saved the country from the worst effects of the lockdown. “Never in the country’s history was so much money transferred to so many people in a short time,” he remarked. “This saved us from some of the worst aspects of the crisis. Unlike in India, where they imposed a curfew which pushed people into deeper poverty.” The prime minister continued, “No one is sure when the coronavirus will end. We are all praying a vaccine comes out for the virus soon, but, meanwhile, uncertainty prevails.” “The small and medium enterprises (SMes) are the most affected by the virus and these employ the most number of labourers, which is why we need to come up with the idea to solve their issues,” he said. Speaking about the overseas labourers, the prime minister said a collective strategy is needed to tell other countries to be sympathetic to these labourers. “We need some joint strategy on how we can ‘soften the impact’ on labourers across the world,” he said. “We would love to share ideas with the world; we would love to know what other countries are doing. Pakistan will keep other countries updated on the situation and how we intend to move forward,” he said. “The exchange of ideas will, I’m sure, help us to solve our problems.”
Jadhav refuses offer to file review plea against death sentence g
FO SAyS CONvICTeD RAW SPy HAS DeCIDeD TO FILe MeRCy PeTITION ISLAMABAD staff report
While refusing Pakistan’s offer to file an appeal in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his conviction, Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav has decided to apply for a mercy petition, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday. Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel — a serving commander of the Indian Navy associated with Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) — was arrested on March 3, 2016, from Balochistan while attempting to crossover into Pakistan through the country’s border with Iran. Subsequently, in April 2017, a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) handed him death sentence on charges of espionage and terrorism. In a press conference here on Wednesday, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Ahmed Irfan and Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry said that an ordinance was promulgated by the government on May 20, which allowed the Indian government, Jadhav and his legal representative to
Murad flays Centre over ‘irresponsible’ comments on Uzair Baloch JIT report KARACHI staff report
A day after the federal government accused the Sindh government of “tampering” the joint investigation team (JIT) report on Lyari ganglord Uzair Jan Baloch, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday said Minister for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi “acted irresponsibly” in doing so. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi had presented what he said was the “original” JIT report on Baloch, which according to him accused the top leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), including its co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, of having been in contact and patronising the gangster. Speaking to reporters outside the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office in Islamabad after being questioned by the anti-graft agency, Shah questioned how the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) minister had obtained the purportedly “original” JIT report. “I think he revealed someone came to his house on a motorcycle and gave him that report. If he had said that some respon-
file a review petition in IHC within 60 days, which is due to expire on July 19. They said Indian authorities had requested to appoint an Indian counsel to advocate for Jadhav but if an appeal is filed in the IHC, only a lawyer that holds a license of the respective court would be able to represent the spy. Therefore, an Indian lawyer cannot advocate for the convicted spy but they may be allowed to assist Jadhav’s counsel. Pakistan had allowed consular access to Jadhav twice in the past and has offered to do so again, the officials said. Authorities have also offered to arrange Jadhav’s meeting with his father and wife, they added. The two officials expressed hope that the Indian government will respond positively to this offer. Both officials recalled that Pakistan had earlier allowed Jadhav’s mother and wife to meet him and said that the government had complied with the verdict of the International Court of Justice passed last year.
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more inside
CJP wants 120 new accountability courts for early disposal of cases STORY ON PAGE 03
All educational institutions to reopen in September sible man gave it to him and now he was revealing it, it might have made sense. But this was not appropriate for a man who is a member of the National Assembly and a sensible person.” Zaidi had said that the JIT comprised six members — one person each from the Special Branch and the Crime Investigation Department, from the Sindh government, as well as officials from the Intelligence Bureau, Rangers, Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence, from the federal government. He claimed, however, that the two members from Sindh had not signed what he called was the original report, which he said included findings that Baloch was working at the be-
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hest of senior PPP leaders. Responding to the claim, Shah clarified that the JIT had seven members and not six, adding that the report submitted to the Sindh home department had all seven signatures. He further said that this was the same JIT report that was “submitted to the Sindh High Court (SHC) in a sealed envelope, read by the honourable judges and then returned to the provincial government”. Shah further said JIT reports in “several forms were being circulated [on social media]” and since there is “no official seal” that is used for these documents, it might have confused many people.
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STORY ON PAGE 02
BRI moot lauds CPEC, seeks greater regional connectivity STORY ON PAGE 05
Shehbaz Sharif telephones Bilawal, agrees to hold APC soon STORY ON PAGE 02
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Thursday, 9 July, 2020
NEWS
All educAtionAl institutions to reopen in september ISLAMABAD
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STAFF REPORT
HE federal and provincial education ministers have decided to reopen educational institutions across Pakistan in the first week of September; however, a final decision in this regard will be taken by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The educational institutions had been closed since March following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision was taken during an inter-provincial education ministers’ conference presided by Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood. All the provinces presented their opinion at the meeting. A proposal to allow ex-
aminations in educational institutions keeping in place strict precautionary measures was also discussed and agreed upon. Two meetings before September 1 will be held to further discuss the details regarding reopening educational institutions. After consultation with the provinces, the proposal would be forwarded to the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) whereas the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) would give its final approval on Thursday. Education ministers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) participated via video link. On June 21, the federal education ministry sought recommendations from the provinces on the reopening of educational institutions across the country. Schools across the country were
shehbaz and bilawal discuss Apc agenda LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLL-N) President Shehbaz Sharif held on Wednesday a telephonic conversation with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during which the two leaders discussed the date for the opposition’s allparty conference and the points to be discussed in it. The APC would mull over the government’s incompetence and key issues facing the country, according to informed sources. The PPP chairman inquired after Shehbaz and extended his good wishes to the PML-N president. Shehbaz also extended his best wishes for former president Asif Ali Zardari. On Tuesday, PMLN spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Shehbaz Sharif would soon host the APC of the joint opposition. All opposition parties had agreed to attend it, according to Aurangzeb. She, however, didn’t specify a date for the conference.
pakistan seeks re-election to unHrc ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to seek reelection to the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which has 47 elected members. In a note verbal to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Pakistani Mission to the world body said that Pakistan will contest one of the four seats reserved for Asia Pacific Group of States for 2021-2023 term. Pakistan’s current term will expire at the end of this year. Pakistan has already served on the Human Rights Council four times since its creation. The UN General Assembly will hold elections to fill the vacant seats of the Council in October during its 75th session. STAFF REPORT
closed owing to the coronavirus breakout in the country. However, in the first phase, the federal government seeks to reopen them on a trial basis. As per the notification issued by the Federal Education Ministry Joint Secretary Syed Umar Javed, the federal government decided to reopen educational institutions across the country on a trial basis. For this purpose, the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers conference was called on July 2. The circular read that all provinces have been directed to forward recommendations regarding the reopening of schools until June 23. The provinces had been directed to frame suggestions that include possible precautionary measures that could be taken to keep students and teachers safe from the pandemic virus.
Rawalpindi journalist arrested for allegedly killing wife RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT
A journalist working for a private TV channel was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly killing his wife in Rawalpindi’s Yousuf Colony. According to the FIR registered at Airport Police Station by the victim’s sister, the incident occurred on June 29. In the complaint, she stated that the suspect, identified as Ali Salman Alvi, called her from her sister’s phone at 2pm saying that he was “ruined” and the victim, identified as Sadaf Zahra, had “done something”, before hanging up. She rushed to their home, along with her husband and mother, where they found the suspect standing at the main door while the rest of the doors had been locked from the inside, the FIR said. She added that the suspect
then led them to their room where they found Zahra’s body hanging from the ceiling fan by a bed sheet tied around her neck and a ladder lying close by. The victim’s sister alleged that the suspect had beaten her sister on multiple occasions, despite being warned repeatedly. She urged the police to investigate the incident. Airport Police SHO Jawad Shah said the accused was arrested under Section 302 (murder or Qatl-i-Amd) of the Pakistan Penal Code the same
Indonesia’s Lion Air intends to start flights from Pakistan, envoy says BUSINESS DESK Indonesian airline Lion Air intends to start flights from Pakistan and negotiations with aviation officials in this regard were already underway, said Ambassador of Iwan S Amri on during a webinar with Pakistani journalists on Wednesday. "Lion Air wants to start from three cities of Pakistan. The plan is still on the table. Let us hope that
negotiations between the Lion Air officials and Pakistani aviation officials make some early headway," he stated. He said that Covid-19 continues to play havoc with human lives and global economies, nevertheless, simultaneously the damage control efforts were also in full swing to minimise the devastating socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. The ambassador said that the Indonesian
day the incident occurred. He added that the accused was currently in police custody on physical remand. He said that the deceased’s autopsy report was still awaited, after which it will be concluded whether she was a victim of domestic violence. The incident was highlighted on social media on Wednesday as citizens demanded justice for the victim, who had previously spoken up about domestic violence on Twitter. embassy in Islamabad had also organised a virtual meeting with the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) which is headquartered in Karachi. "It represents the country’s leading corporate and business groups and as an advocacy forum work to improve the general business environment of the country. Through its research projects, it also provides valuable input to the government of Pakistan for bilateral agreements such as the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and other countries."
pm orders strict implementation of sops during eidul Azha ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed authorities to strictly implement the standard operating procedures (SOPs) during Eidul Azha festival to further curb spread of coronavirus. PM Imran chaired a meeting to review the pandemic situation which was attended by federal ministers, special assistants, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman and others. The premier was briefed over the positive results of smart lockdown measures. He was also apprised about the facilities being provided to the nationals in hospitals across the country. The participants of the meeting also held consultation over anti-coronavirus strategies for Eidul Azha and Muharram. The prime minister was told that smart lockdown was imposed in 227 localities in 30 cities which gave positive results to curb Covid-19 spread besides reducing burden on hospitals. He expressed satisfaction over the positive outcomes of smart lockdown and the decreasing number of coronavirus cases.
Body formed to prevent coronavirus misinformation on social media ISLAMABAD APP
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has formed a committee under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah to prevent the spread of misinformation and fake news related to Covid-19 pandemic on social media. The committee will prepare a legal framework to prevent and counter misinformation in addition to suggesting action against those involved in spreading false information about the pandemic. Representatives from ministries of Information and Broadcasting, National Health Services and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and other related departments will also be part of the committee. The first meeting of the committee will be held in a few days to finalise modalities and measures. The NCOC panel was also apprised about the United Nations which has also made an appeal to stop the spread misinformation. The meeting chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar reviewed comprehensive death data analysis, Epi Curve Chart and update on the newly-formed committee. Speaking on the occasion, Umar said that NCOC
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would also visit all provincial headquarters besides holding meetings there in order to further enhance coordination between NCOC and provinces. He directed for preparing a comprehensive schedule in this regard. The minister said they would turn the current crisis into an opportunity to bring further improvement in health sector. The meeting was attended by Umar, Shah, prime minister’s focal person for pandemic Dr Faisal Sultan and other senior officials.
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
NEWS
cJp wAnts 120 new AccountAbility courts for eArly disposAl of cAses Court sAys ACCountAbILIty LAw seems to be rendered futILe If Courts were ALLowed to remAIn vACAnt ISLAMABAD
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STAFF REPORT
HIEF Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Wednesday asked the government for formation of 120 new accountability courts for speedy disposal of pending corruption references within three months. He asked the law secretary to set up new courts after getting approval from the authorities concerned. The court also summoned the attorney general, prosecutor general and law secretary for the next hearing.
The court also sought suggestions from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman for the expeditious disposal of pending references. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Yahya Afridi, made these remarks while hearing the case regarding delay in trial of cases by the accountability courts in light of Section 16 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 199,9 requiring decision of NAB cases within 30 days. The court in its order said five accountability courts were vacant in Pak-
istan whereas 1,226 cases were pending. The bench said no reason had been given as to why the vacant posts had not been filled up till now. “We are unable to understand the rational or logic behind the courts vacant for long periods by the relevant authorities. More so when we see that the cases before the accountability court are to be decided in terms of law within 30 days. The courts keep lying vacant for even years and cases of that court remain pending,” the court order stated. The bench said that the whole purpose of making of accountability law apparently seemed to be rendered futile if the courts were allowed to remain vacant. The bench noted that the number of pendency of cases in the accountability court demand more than hundred number of judges/courts for dealing with and deciding these cases as such cases were being filed regularly and their num-
bers were also increasing while the numbers of courts were totally stagnant. “In these circumstances we direct the law secretary to immediately seek instructions from the government on proposal of creating at least 120 accountability courts in Pakistan and to fill-up such courts with the judges and distribute all pending cases among them so that these cases were decided at fast pace and also in accordance with the time frame provided in the law,” the court order stated. The court said that the civil miscellaneous application number 715 of 2020 filed by NAB showed that the cases even of the years, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 onward were pending before the accountability courts and apparently there seems to be no valid justification as to why these cases were being allowed to remain pending as they had to be disposed of without delay at all.
International pilots body offers to assist in PIA air crash, 'licensing scandal' NEWS DESK The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Association (IFALPA) has offered to assist the Pakistani government in the investigation of PIA flight 8303, which crashed in Karachi earlier this year, and the fake licence allegations that were made in the aftermath. “The international pilot community is deeply concerned about the unfounded statements made by the Pakistani Minis-
ter for Aviation declaring that many Pakistani commercial pilots hold licenses that, in his words, are ‘fake’,” reads the letter written by IFALPA President Captain Jack Netskar to Prime Minister Imran Khan. “We find these statements on the brink of being reckless not just for individuals named, but for Pakistan and its ability to continue operating international air services,” claimed the IFALPA president, citing the recent ban placed on Pakistani airlines by the European Union
as an immediate example of the impact of the aviation minister’s statements. Further, he added, it is clear to all independent observers that there are problems within the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and perhaps within the aviation community in Pakistan as well. Stressing on the need to address the ‘perceived or real’ problems for the sake of aviation safety, which is a common goal, he said that his organisation believes this could only be done with the in-
Abdul Sattar Edhi remembered on fourth death anniversary KARACHI APP
The fourth death anniversary of philanthropist and social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi was observed on Wednesday across the country. One of the most renowned and respected personalities of Pakistan, Edhi passed away in 2016 at the age of 88. He was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2013 but had been unable to get a transplant due to frail health. He was receiving treatment at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). The late humanitarian established one of the biggest charity
foundations of the country, through which he helped the poor, children, women and differently-abled persons as well as animals. He also laid the world’s largest volunteer ambulance network. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari offered a tribute to Edhi in a message posted on the party’s Twitter account, in which he said that the humanitarian “made history by working tirelessly” for those in need. “The coming generations will give his example,” Bilawal was quoted as saying. EDHI’S WELFARE EMPIRE: Revered by many as a na-
Gen bajwa hails improved security situation in tribal districts RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday appreciated the improved security situation and measures for better border management, including fencing in tribal districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the army chief said this while visiting the Corps Headquarters Peshawar where he was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing security situation, progress on development works and socio-economic uplift in the tribal districts. The army chief lauded efforts of security forces in assisting civil administration for the fight against Covid-19, particularly the effective containment efforts. Earlier, on arrival at the Corps Headquarters, the COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood, the statement added. STAFF REPORT
tional hero, Edhi created a charitable empire out of nothing. He masterminded Pakistan’s largest welfare organisation almost single-handedly, entirely with private donations. Born to a family of traders in Gujarat, Edhi arrived in Pakistan in 1947. The state’s failure to help his struggling family care for his mother — paralysed and suffering from mental health issues — was his painful and decisive turning point towards philanthropy. Edhi opened his first clinic in 1951 in Karachi. “Social welfare was my vocation, I had to free it,” he says in his autobiography, ‘A Mirror To The Blind’.
lHc dismisses mir shakil's bail petition in plots allotment case LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday dismissed a bail petition filed by Jang/Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakilur Rahman in illegal plot allotment case. The bench comprising Justice Sardar Ahmad Naeem and Justice Farooq Haider heard the post-arrest bail petition filed by Mir Shakil. At the start of proceedings, defence counsel Advocate Amjad Pervaiz resumed his arguments and submitted that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed reference against his client and the same had been made a part of record in present proceedings. He submitted that the bureau had alleged that Mir Shakil caused Rs143 million loss to national exchequer and obtained illegal exemption of 54 plots of one kanal in Johar Town Lahore. The counsel claimed that his client had been arrested in a baseless case while rejecting all allegations levelled against him in the reference. He submitted that Mir Shakil obtained exemption in accordance with law in 1986 after due process and no body questioned the same till 2019. APP
clusion of independent international bodies. Captain Netskar offered assistance by IFALPA, and cited the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as other independent bodies which could participate in the process. The letter added that the Pakistan Air Line Pilots Association (PALPA) has long been a member of IFALPA, and that “it is our desire to see PIA return to its historical place as an aviation leader in the region”.
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six die from electrocution after rain in Karachi KARACHI: At least six people were electrocuted to death in different areas of the port city following a short spell of moderate rainfall on Wednesday. According to details, a child was electrocuted at his house in Muslim Town. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. A 30-year-old man died of electrocution near Nagan Chowrangi area of Karachi. A motorcyclist lost his life after being electrocuted in Karachi’s Karsaz area when an electric wire fell on them. Police and rescue teams reached the site and pulled the body from the motorbike. He was died on the spot, said police. Meanwhile, three other people died of electrocution in Hijrat Colony, Model Colony and Kareemabad. Taking to the micro-blogging website, Twitter, a K-Electric spokesperson said that they were aware of the unfortunate incident near Karsaz. He said, “We are urgently looking into details and investigating. K-Electric’s relevant teams have already been mobilised.” TLTP
Ashraf's acquittal plea in third rpp reference rejected ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Wednesday rejected the acquittal plea filed by former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the Naudero-II Rental Power reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The bureau had filed the reference against the PPP leader for alleged abuse power when he was serving as the minister for water and power during the Yousaf Raza Gilani government. Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir issued the verdict on the petition and ordered that trial against the accused would continue. Ashraf and the others had filed an acquittal plea under the amended NAB Ordinance in 2019. The reference was filed against the accused in 2013 and NAB had opposed the acquittal plea. The NAB has alleged that the accused incurred a loss of Rs75 million to the national exchequer. TLTP
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
04 NEWS
FurTher DelayS In PeShaWar BrT Won’T Be ToleraTeD, WarnS KP CM PESHAWAR
a
APP
high-level meeting to review progress on the completion of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project was held here Wednesday with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair. The meeting was given a detailed presentation on the progress so far made on the completion of the mega developmental project. The chief minister termed BRT as
Faisalabad couple allegedly abandon three-year-old outside hospital FAISALABAD: A couple allegedly abandoned their three-year-old differently-abled son outside Allied Hospital in Faisalabad Wednesday morning. The child was found by a tea vendor, Naveed, near the hospital who dressed him in new clothes and fed him. “After I found the child, I reported the incident at the police station inside the hospital but have not heard back from them yet,” he told the media. According to Naveed, he found the child outside the hospital’s waiting room. He said that the child could not speak, therefore, was not able to give any details about his parents. Naveed added that despite reporting the incident at 6:40 am, no one from the police or Child Protection Bureau has gotten back to him. INP
a flagship project of the provincial government and directed the high-ups of all the concerned departments and entities for result oriented steps to fulfill their parts of responsibilities on war footings in order to ensure 100 per cent completion of the project without any further delay. The meeting was informed that work on all the reaches of the BRT corridor was in final stages and finishing works were in full swing whereas test run of BRT buses on the main corridor has also been started. Besides Adviser to CM on Information Ajmal Wazir, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Additional Chief Sec-
Four die, 20 injured in South Waziristan road mishap WANA: At least four people died and 20 others injured in a dreadful road accident on Wednesday, district administration said. According to details, a passenger vehicle turned turtle due to over speeding near district Headquarters Wana area of South Waziristan. Four people died on the spot in the accident while 20 others were injured. The injured were shifted to District Headquarters hospital D I Khan and Wana where condition of some wounded people was stated to be critical. INP
Dr Qureshi loses battle against coronavirus PESHAWAR: Dr Faisal Qureshi died of coronavirus at ICU Ward of Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad on Wednesday. Fighting on the front line against the coronavirus outbreak, he remained admitted at the hospital for two weeks but did not recover from the virus and breathed his last on Wednesday. Dr Qureshi was working as medical officer at Ayub Medical Complex on ad hoc basis. After his death the total number of doctors died due to coronavirus has reached 17 in KP. The provincial doctors’ association has demanded Risk Allowance and Shuhada Package for Dr Qureshi and others who died while fighting on the front line against coronavirus in the province. APP
Islamabad admin to lift lockdown in three areas ISLAMABAD: The authorities in federal capital Islamabad on Wednesday have decided to lift lockdown in three areas after significant decrease in coronavirus cases. According to details, these areas include Sector G-6/1, G-6/2 and G7/2. These three localities were sealed 14 days ago due to surge in the number of Covid19 patients. On the other hand, Pakistan has confirmed 83 deaths in a single day by coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 237,489. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 4,922. According to the latest figures by the NCOC 2,980 persons have been tested positive for Covid-19 in 24 hours. INP
be inaugurated once only, and directed all the concerned quarters to ensure cent percent completions of the all the responsibilities on their parts as soon as possible. He assigned additional chief secretary the task to review physical progress on the completion of the project by holding daily meetings of all the concerned departments so that formal inauguration of the project could be made possible without further delay.
Karaciites suffered during recent rains due to ‘corrupt’ PPP govt: Haleem Adil
Karachi man arrested on child pornography charges KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday arrested a man from Karachi’s Gulistane-Jauhar on child pornography charges, and recovered thousands of videos from his laptop. The operation was conducted after Interpol shared some IMEI and mobile phone numbers with the FIA director general (DG). The FIA said that the suspect confessed to downloading child pornography videos and sharing it on Facebook and WhatsApp groups. His Facebook ID had been blocked for violating its policies. The data recovered from his laptop has been sent for forensic testing. The FIA said that they are investigating if the suspect was involved in selling these videos as well. “We have received information about 50 groups where child pornography videos are shared,” said Investigating Officer Shoaib Shahab. INP
retary, Shakil Qadir and administrative secretaries of the concerned departments, the meeting was also attended by the high-ups of Peshawar Development Authority, TransPeshawar Company and other concerned entities. The chief minister made it clear to all the relevant quarters that any further delay in the completion of the project would not be tolerated, adding that in case of any further delay, stern action would be initiated against the responsible ones and no one would be spared. He rejected the proposal for partial inauguration of the project and made it clear that the entire project would
KARACHI INP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President and leader of parliamentary party in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh has said that Karachiites have been suffering immense troubles during ongoing spell of rains due to the corrupt and inefficient provincial government of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Addressing a press conference at Hunaid Lakhani Secretariat, flanked by Baitul Mal Sindh President Hunaid Lakhani, PTI leaders Agha Arsalan, Sumair Mir Sheikh, Jam Farooq Ahmed and others here on Wednesday, Haleem Adil said the monsoon rains are considered as a blessing but the corrupt PPP rulers of Sindh have made them the source of tormenting Karachiites.
He said in a rain of one hour more than six people lost their lives. He said that the World Bank had given money to clean gutters of Karachi but no one knows where these funds went. He added that the gutters were overflowing in almost every locality of the megacity. The PTI vice president said that their MPs were protesting against the K-Electric (KE). He said in 2009 Zardari government had inked deal of giving KESC to Abraaj Group till 2023 and the Karachiites are paying the price of this shoddy and murky deal. He alleged that the KE is extorting money from the citizens of Karachi under different pretexts. “However, we will not allow the owners of the KE to flee but will make them accountable before public,” he added. Adil claimed they have to return back the money of copper wires of the megacity “stolen” by them. He said that Federal Minister for Power Omar Ayub said in a press conference that the KE had to invest $2billion, but it did to invest this amount. He added that Sindh governor Imran Ismail was also supporting their stance against the KE. Talking on the issue of JIT reports, Adil said that the advisers of the PPP government have been befooling the public for last five days. He said that the innocent face of Murtaza Wahab is being presented before the public, adding why the faces of hardened criminals are not being presented to public who was patronised by the PPP. He also said Wahab reads whatever paper they hand over to him. He further said Murtaza should go to the Cheel Chowk Lyari along with him and ask from Lyariites whose henchman Uzair Baloch was and they will tell him that he is the henchman of PPP.
Punjab to conduct physical verification of flour, sugar mills' stocks LAHORE INP
Punjab Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal and Chief Secretary Punjab Jawwad Rafique Malik jointly chaired an important meeting held at the Camp Office on Wednesday to review the action against hoarders of flour and sugar. Commissioner Lahore Division Danish Afzal, CCPO Lahore Zulfiqar Hameed and officers concerned attended the meeting while divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners, and DPOs participated through video-link. The meeting decided to carry out physical verification of stocks in flour and sugar mills and take stern action in case of non-cooperation by the millers. The Chief Secretary asked the administrative officers to send verified reports on stocks as soon as possible. He directed that under the anti-hoarding law action
be taken against the mills that are not giving supply in the market in accordance with their stocks. These mills' stocks must be confiscated and sold in the market at government rates within the 24 hours, added. Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique said that it was the responsibility of the district administration to ensure the sale of flour and sugar at the official rates and the administrative officer, who is not providing relief to the people, would be removed from his post. The meeting also decided to shift cattle markets out of the cities in connection with Eidul Azha.
aJK ShaKen By 4.3 MagnITuDe earThQuaKe on SeConD SuCCeSSIve Day MIRPUR: Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s 9AJK) lake-city of Mirpur jolted following earthquake of the same 4.3 magnitude experienced the second successive day at 01.42 am (midnight) on Wednesday, local authorities confirmed. The area was shaken following the catastrophe that lasted for about three to four seconds. The catastrophe emerging from 10 km deep underground with epicentre at 18km west of Jhelum and 82 km south-east of Rawalpindi created panic in different parts of Mirpur city and the district where the tremors last for about three to four seconds without any pause. No loss of life or property was immediately reported from any part of the Mirpur and adjoining areas following the calamity. Earlier earthquake measuring the same 4.3 magnitude at the Richter Scale had hit Mirpur city and adjoin areas at 12.27 am on Tuesday. People rushed out of houses to open spaces in panic. The frequent wave of the earthquakes in Mirpur city containing the country’s largest reservoir – Mangla Dam, has spread severe panic among local population who have demanded conducting seismic survey in entire Mirpur city and district to ascertain the real cause of the repeated earthquakes in the area. APP
Terrorist involved in attack on Karachi police arrested by CTD KARACHI: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a wanted criminal during a raid in Karachi. According to CTD In-charge Chaudhry Safdar, the arrested terrorist is involved in several high-profile cases including attack on police mobile and other crimes. He said that the arrested terrorist Faizal was wanted by Korangi town police after he attacked police mobile on May 8 in Zaman Town area of Korangi. Chaudhry Safdar said the suspect flee scene after launching attack on police mobile while his other three partners had been arrested in injured condition. A case has also been registered against accused, he said. On the other hand, Sindh Rangers on Wednesday claimed to have apprehended 13 suspects during raids conducted in different areas of Karachi. The arrested suspects were involved in street crimes, drugs peddling and other heinous crimes in the city. INP
Umar directs timely completion of Islamabad water supply project ISLAMABAD APP
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Wednesday directed for early completion of process for improving water supply to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He was chairing a review meeting on Water Supply Project to IslamabadRawalpindi from Khanpur Dam. Special Assistant to PM on CDA Ali Nawaz Awan, and senior officials of CDA, RCB, WAPDA and Ministry of Planning participated in the meeting. The meeting was briefed on the progress of various initiatives aimed at addressing the issues of supply of water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Representatives of MCI informed
that water supply to various sectors of Islamabad had been considerably im-
proved through a number of maintenance and rehabilitation activities which
had been pending for quite some time due to shortage of resources. The SAPM on CDA apprised the minister of the efforts being made to enhance the supply of water to the twin cities from Khanpur Dam. He said that work was on going on signing an interdepartmental agreement which would facilitate the regular maintenance of the water channel which runs through territory of two provinces and Islamabad. The minister directed CDA to take the lead and draft a detailed progress covering all aspects of rehabilitation as well as long term operation and maintenance of the water supply system. Representatives of CDA informed the meeting that hiring of consultants for supply water from Ghazi Barotha was at an advanced stage.
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
BRI MOOt lAuDS CPEC, SEEkS gREAtER REgIONAl CONNECtIVIty ISLAMABAd INP
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HE Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) convened the first ever Non-Governmental Online Conference on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), of which CPEC is the flagship, which was attended by 8 countries. The conference, which lasted for 2 hours and 45 minutes, had participants from Pakistan, China, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Myanmar & Sri Lanka. There was a wide-ranging discussion on different dimensions of BRI, which was followed by a 35-minute Question and Answer session. Five key consensus areas regarding BRI emerged from the conference: The Coronavirus crisis has underlined the need for global interdependence to forge closer cooperation to tackle common challenges. BRI is the way forward as it promotes regional connectivity, based on the principles of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit while acclaiming CPEC as ‘BRI success story’. The propaganda about the so called
‘Debt trap’ was rejected by participants as in the case of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, total debt from China is a very small percentage of what is owed to other countries or multilateral institutions. ‘New Cold War’, demonization or stigmatizing any country using Covid-19 as a
political weapon or targeting BRI on geopolitical grounds were rejected. The India factor was recognized by countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka as they are neighbours and they would like good relations with both China and India and it was made clear that neither BRI is a military al-
liance nor it is directed either against India or against any Western country. Senator Mushahid Hussain, in his opening remarks, termed BRI as the biggest and most significant Diplomatic and Developmental initiative of 21st century. He said that CPEC, as flagship of BRI, is already a success story and has entered its the second phase successfully. Energy and infrastructure projects have been completed on schedule, 75,000 Pakistanis have got jobs in BRI projects and 28,000 Pakistani students are studying in China. He also thanked China for support to Pakistan during Covid-19 crisis and he mentioned the two resolutions passed by the Pakistan Senate, February 12 and May 14, in which the parliament of Pakistan appreciated China’s role and support. Afghanistan’s former Ambassador to Pakistan and China, Janan Musazai, gave a specific five-point plan for Afghanistan’s role in BRI and he referred to CPEC as well, since Afghanistan can be a land bridge for connectivity and he said that China could facilitate to provide market access for BRI countries. Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Myanmar referred to the respective role of their coun-
NEWS
tries as part of BRI and how different projects were being initiated as well as exchange of high-level visits between these countries and China. Media leader, Shubha Shankar Kandel from Nepal also mentioned, how through BRI, landlocked countries can become landlinked countries and he as well as Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage from Sri Lanka welcomed the role of BRI. They also underlined that both these countries would like to maintain good relations with India concurrently, while being part of BRI Professor Jayanath also debunked the ‘Debt Trap’ theory regarding Sri Lanka citing facts and figures, that of Sri Lanka’s total debt of $57 billion, only $8.5 billion was owed to China, and he also warned that with about 120 warships in the Indian Ocean, it is becoming ‘the most militarised ocean in the world’. He also underlined the need for countries to have food and medicine security. Former Chinese Vice Minister Ai Ping talked of people-people connectivity and he mentioned that in this regard during Covid-19 crisis, 60 NGOs of China organised 40 online events which aimed at sharing information and experiences based on mutual support. Professor Huang Youyi and Kalyan Raj Sharma in their presentations also emphasised that any effort to stigmatise any people or culture or country should be rejected and there is a consensus that BRI is the way forward. The conference was moderated by Pakistan-China Institute Executive Director Mustafa Hyder Sayed while the question and answer session was conducted by LUMS China Centre for Legal Studies Director Professor Sikandar Shah.
Smart lockdown in seven Lahore neighbourhoods Murad flays Centre over ‘irresponsible’ LAHORE APP
The Punjab government on Wednesday decided to impose smart lockdown in seven neighbourhoods of the city following a significant surge in coronavirus cases there.
According to details, the areas that will be sealed for two weeks starting midnight tonight include Wapda Town, Defence Housing Authority (DHA) EME, A-2 block of Township, Johar Town’s C Block, Chungi Amar Sadhu’s main bazaar, Punjab Government Scheme and Green City.
Punjab has reported 930 new cases, taking the provincial tally to 83,599, according to the government’s database on coronavirus. It has also reported 30 additional fatalities from the virus, taking the death toll to 1,929. The number of recovered patients in the province has risen to 50,916.
Cop dead, two injured in Swabi police encounter PESHAWAR APP
A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) was martyred while two constables sustained injuries during an encounter in the Swabi district on Wednesday.
MOHR's Domestic Violence Bill 2020 to be tabled in NA: Shireen Mazari ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mehrunnisa Mazari has said that Domestic Violence (Protection and Prevention) Bill 2020 prepared by Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR) will be tabled in National Assembly (NA). In a twitter message on Wednesday, Shireen Mazari said that bill approved by Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) and the federal cabinet will be tabled in NA. “Our Senior Citizens Bill has been with NA Standing Committee on Human Rights since before the pandemic restrictions. Hoping it is expedited soon,” she said. INP
According to police, an encounter took place between police officials and suspected militants. In the exchange of fire, DSP Allama Iqbal lost his life and a suspect was killed. “The search operation in the area is underway to arrest the other accused,” the police added.
More than 50,900 people recover from coronavirus in Punjab LAHORE: As many as 930 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Punjab during the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the province to 83,599. According to details, 30 more people died due to complications related to the virus, taking the death toll in the province to 1,929. More than 50,900 patients have so far been cured of the disease in the province. More than 550,00 tests have been conducted in the province thus far. It is pertinent to mention here that the district administration has decided to enforce lockdown in seven more areas of Lahore after increasing number of coronavirus patients were reported from these areas. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Danish Afzaal has announced ‘smart lockdown’ in these localities of the city for a week from Wednesday midnight at 12:00 am. INP
comments on Uzair Baloch JIT report COntInuEd On PAgE 01 Responding to a question, the chief minister said the provincial government’s legal department had advised them against making the reports public. “We were under political pressure. It was in the courts. I talked to the attorney general and told him we would have to make these reports public because we were under political pressure.” Shah pointed out that the report Zaidi presented to the media mentioned one of the six members belonging to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) which had been renamed to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in 2015. “I don’t know where he creates [these reports] from. I believe he is in some way trying to give favours to suspects [named in the JIT],” Shah claimed. “He acted very irresponsibly in a very important matter.” “A person comes and gives it [to him] on motorcycle and
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[Zaidi] waves it in the National Assembly the next day. You saw how he could not defend himself in a program yesterday. If he had told us before [how he obtained the report] then we might not have released it but laughed instead.” Responding to a question, Shah said that it was up to the federal government to decide whether an inquiry would be conducted into the matter. He added that if Zaidi had harmed the case against Baloch, proceedings would be conducted according to the law. He said that the claims made by Zaidi had not damaged the [reputation of] PPP. “They made an attempt to malign [the PPP]. They showed pictures and videos of Baloch and his accomplices saying they were going to join the PPP. “PPP is a democratic party, [former president] Zia tried to destroy it, he couldn’t. Musharraf tried to destroy it, he couldn’t. What can these people do,” he asked.
Murad appears before NAB in Roshan Sindh scam ISLAMABAD: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau’s Islamabad office in connection with the Roshan Sindh Programme graft reference related to the installation of solar streetlights in different districts of Sindh. The case is related to the multi-billion-rupee fake bank accounts case being tried against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership, including former president Asif Ali Zardari, party’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Faryal Talpur and senior bankers and bureaucrats besides Shah. STAFF REPORT
Jadhav refuses offer to file review plea against death sentence COntInuEd On PAgE 01 They said Pakistan had provided evidence of Indian state terrorism to the international community multiple times and will continue to do so. ICJ VERDICT: On April 10, 2017, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had endorsed the death penalty for Jadhav. In June 2017, the Indian spy had filed a mercy petition against the death penalty, in which he again confessed to his involvement in terrorist activities. However, before Pakistani authorities could make a final decision, the ICJ, after being approached by India, had ordered a stay in his execution through an interim order in 2019. Later that year, ICJ announced its verdict in the case, ruling that Jadhav be allowed consular access immediately and asking Pakistan to ensure “effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences”. The ICJ, however, rejected all other remedies sought by India, which included the annulment of the military court decision convicting Jadhav, restricting Pakistan from executing the sentence, securing Jadhav’s release and ordering his return to India.
Coronavirus claims 22 more lives, On both sides of LoC, Burhan Wani infects 1,736 others in Sindh remembered on fourth death anniversary KARACHI PPI
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday said that Covid-19 infected 1,736 more people, raising the tally to 99,362 and claimed 22 more lives, lifting the death toll to 1,637 in Sindh. In a statement issued from CM House, he said that 9,318 samples were tested which detected 1,736 new coronavirus cases constituting 19 percent detection rate. He added that so far 533,540 tests had been conducted against which 99,362 cases were diagnosed that came to a 19 per cent detection rate. “Our
current and overall detection rate stands at 19 per cent which is high and worrisome,” he said. According to the statement, 23 more patients died due to coronavirus. So far, 1,637 patients have died which constituted 1.6 per cent death rate. Shah said that currently, 41,352 patients were under treatment, of them 39,199 were in home isolation, 352 at isolation centres and 1,801 at different hospitals of the province. He added that the condition of 655 patients was stated to be critical, of them 75 had been shifted to ventilators. The CM said that 1,697 patients had recovered overnight and re-
turned to normal life. So far, 56,373 patients have recovered that constitutes a 57 per cent recovery rate. Shah giving district-wise breakup of the new cases said out of 1,736 new cases, 764 were detected from Karachi. They include 317 in South, 179 East, 110 Central, 65 Malir, 58 Korangi and 35 West. He added that Hyderabad had 123, Ghotki 122, Khairpur 77, Dadu 53, Kambar 46, Shaheed Benazirabad 40, Shikarpur 38, Jamshoro 36, Sukkur 33, Kashmore 32, Tando Allahyar 30, Umerkot 29, Jacobabad 22, Larkana 16, Mirpurkhas 14, Badin eight, Naushehro Feroze seven, Sanghar four, Matiari and TM Khan one each.
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Go to the southern villages in Indian-held Kashmir and they will tell you stories about Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen commander who was martyred by security forces four years ago today. Wani — a resident of Tral, south of Kashmir — was martyred along with two associates by the Indian troops in a staged encounter in Kokernag town on July 8. His martyrdom had triggered a sustained wave of violent protests
that claimed the lives of at least 100 civilians. In death, Wani became something that India has long feared ─ a homegrown freedom fighter openly lionised across the embattled region, a powerful symbol against Indian occupation who has united IHK’s many factions. RALLIES HELD: In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, mass public rallies and demonstrations have been organised to pay tribute to Wani. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) said they would stage protests across the occupied valley
to convey a message to the world, particularly the United Nations, that the people of the disputed valley completely reject forcible occupation of their land. In Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, a special prayer meeting will be held for Wani and his martyred companions. Hurriyat leaders and organisations, while paying tributes to Wani, said that he symbolises the unrelenting resistance of the Kashmiri people who are waging a struggle for the right to self-determination for more than seven decades, Kashmir Media Service reported.
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
06 COMMENT
SOPs can make a difference
Is covid-19 on way out? In pandemics science, not politics, should guide decisions
One benfit of the pandemic has been familiarization with SOPs
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eVeRAL government leaders, the latest being Information Minister Shibli Faraz, have claimed that the coronavirus is on the decline in Pakistan. The conclusion is reportedly based on four parameters: the number of daily positive cases, of hospitalized patients, of those on ventilators and of deaths. The government maintains that all the four parameters have been showing positive signs which indicates that the pandemic cases are decreasing. The media campaign has led many to observe the SOPs though there are still people who defy wearing masks. The government’s critics maintain that the figures of positive cases have gone down due to a reduction in tests. even if the stand taken by the administration is accepted, so many government leaders announcing victory to gain political advantage can only make people careless and stop taking precautionary measures, thus reversing the slight improvement in the situation. The government would do well not to lower its guard. The government must not forget the warning by the WhO of the possibility of a second wave of the pandemic issued after a cluster of cases appeared in Beijing suddenly after there being no new case for 50 days. It is widely realised that Pakistan can ill afford a second wave. Being extra careful might irk some but it is wiser to err on the side of caution. As the Punjab health Minister has observed, any failure to take preventive measures in cattle markets around eidul Azha can take the coronavirus to the villages. This could be calamitous as health facilities in Tehsil hQ hospitals are simply inadequate to deal with a pandemic-like situation. While the coronavirus has done incalculable damage to the country, it provides an opportunity to improve and expand the health infrastructure, provide many more beds and reduce the existing doctor-patient ratio. The government has managed to set up 128 testing laboratories across the country which is still a very small number. About 5000 health workers are to be trained by Chinese experts, of whom 1000 are reportedly ready to perform duties in critical care management wards. With about 240,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, about 5,000 dead within four months and the virus still infecting people, the situation should convince the government to allocate much larger funds to the health sector.
Dr FariD a Malik
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he crusade against the coronavirus continues. One good outcome of the current pandemic are the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures ). Now everyone has been introduced to the importance of this concept. With KPIs ( Key Performance Indicators ), SOPs to meet them and effective accountability against these SOPs most organizations can be corrected. The newly formed National Command Operation Center ( NCOC )under the Chairmanship of Asad Umar and technical guidance of Dr Faisal Sultan, an infectious disease specialist and the Chief executive Officer (CeO) of Shaukat Khanum hospital, are leading the crusade against the spread of the life-threatening coronavirus. Both are established professionals in their own fields. While Asad rose in the ranks of the corporate world following the footsteps of two very able leaders, Shaukat Mirza and Asif Qadir, Dr Faisal has managed the hospitals well under the leadership of Imran Khan and technical guidance of Dr Nausherwan Burki. I have yet to confirm who introduced the application of SOPs into the non-performing administrative machinery of the country, but the NCOC is effective because of the use of this management tool. That is where we have erred in the land of the pure though we started off well. As the first-born free generation of Pakistan, we have seen both the rise and fall of our own nation in our lifetime. Some radical steps have to be taken before we lose the next generation. In the absence of SOPs and accountability most civilian insti-
Trilateral meeting
Which LAC or status quo?
Ensuring stability in Afghanistan
Indias record is not encouraging
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AKISTAN, China and Afghanistan had a videolink meeting of the deputy foreign minister level on Tuesday, in which the participants expressed the need for an orderly withdrawal of US forces, showing the lurking danger all feel to the still-fragile Afghan peace process, which should have as its object achieving peace in Afghanistan, rather than getting US forces to withdraw in time to suit US President Donald Trump’s re-election needs. The fact that China was part of a trilateral process showed that its stake in the peace process could not be neglected. At the same time, the fact that the Afghan government also participated showed that there was now no longer the sort of divisions which prevented the Afghan government from putting forward a united stand in the past. It seems that this unity has allowed the overcoming of the hurdle of the Taliban-government prisoner exchange. As so much effort has gone into the success of the peace process, with the Taliban themselves dicey at one point, especially after the USA apparently withdrew from it, it must be taken forward to its logical conclusion, which would be peace. One of the prerequisites is for the Taliban to dial down the level of violence they have shown, but one way out would be to leave recalcitrant groups out of any final peace, to be fought into submission afterwards by the government. Achieving peace is the only way of bringing stability to the war-torn country. This is not only a need in itself, but is also the compulsion of the regional neighbours of the country. The entire region has been destabilized by the situation in Afghanistan. It must be noted that both Pakistan and China find themselves sucked into the Afghan issue because of their own compulsions as neighbours of Afghanistan. The USA might try to see Chinese participation through the prism of their mutual rivalry, but it would be making a mistake if it did so, one which could jeopardize a lasting peace in Afghanistan, something in its own interest, as well as the stability of the entire region.
aMjeD jaaveD
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he post-Galwan joint statement resolves that the LAC and status quo shall be abided by. In the past also similar statements have been made. For instance, India’s externalaffairs spokesman Anurag Srivastava said as much at a press conference in June: `Respecting and strictly observing the Line of Actual Control is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas and explicitly recognized so in the 1993 and subsequent agreements. Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors of the India-China border areas and abide scrupulously by it.’ China and India have divergent perceptions of the LAC. Flanked by Pakistan’s prime minister, before a meeting at the Great hall of the People in Beijing, China’s President Xi Jinping said it opposed India’s “unilateral actions” in Kashmir and called for a dialogue. The India-China border is divided into three sectors, where the LAC in the western sector falls in the union territory of Ladakh and is 1597 km long, the middle sector of 545 km length falls in Uttarakhand and himachal Pradesh, and the 1346 km long eastern sector falls in the states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The middle sector is the least disputed sector, while the western sector witnesses the highest transgressions between the two sides. how is the LAC different from the Line of Control with Pakistan? One could peek into Indian mind through books such as Shivshankar Menon’s Choices: Inside the Making of India’s Foreign Policy, Shyam Saran’s How India Sees the World, and A G Noorani’s India-China Boundary Problem 1846-1947. It is a common misperception that the LAC is more sacrosanct than the LoC. For instance, India’s prestigious Indian express explained `The LoC emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the UN after the Kashmir War. It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. It is delineated on a map signed by DGMOs of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement. The LAC, in contrast, is only a concept – it is not agreed upon by the two countries, neither delineated on a map nor demarcated on the ground. The newspaper asks `what was India’s response to China’s designation of the LAC?’. It then explains India rejected the concept of LAC in both 1959 and 1962. even during the 1962 war, Nehru was unequivocal: “There is no sense or meaning in the Chinese
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tutions in the country have ceased to function. While I am sympathetic to the retirees, I think the serving bureaucracy should neither be paid nor allowed perks as they function only on the basis of pay for service. The rule being no gratification no delivery. Rates should be fixed for all procedures in order to avoid multiple expenditures, delays and embarrassment. My father the fighter left this world fighting against these bureaucratic abuses leaving 20 court cases for me to follow,as he would not let go an injustice. Learning from his ordeal I tried to avoid litigation but finally fell into the trap as I did not grease the palms of the concerned officials. Now the struggle goes on I will prevail in the end but not before being badly bruised. The case had been settled and the decision announced in my favour. I kept getting calls from the staff of the officer to see them. On my insistence that I would visit the office to collect the copy of the decision, the settled case was reopened and placed into scrutiny. I was taught a lesson for being upright and not following their system of gratification. Yes we started off well in August 1947 as there was spirit to serve. Though we inherited a colonial system of governance which gave discretionary powers to the bureaucracy with almost no accountability, the officers and staff worked with honesty and zeal to serve the in new land. Jobs were taken seriously with no misuse of perks, merit prevailed both in hiring and promotions. As the task was challenging, the focus was on running the departments, so not much attention was paid towards reforms. Modern management tools were widely ignored. The Cornelius Commission in the early 1960s was the first serious attempt to create a balance between the rulers and the ruled. Two members of the bureaucracy sabotaged the effort by leaking its findings before its application and the bureaucrats were able to operate without accountability which has continued till today. The elected government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto introduced the current grade structure ( Grade 1 to 22 ) together with the induction of technocrats through lateral entry to make the system more efficient. The founding fathers of the bureaucracy mostly retired in the 1980s, and with their departure the spirit of service was also lost. Then came the Zia dark ages that destroyed all civilian institutions and worked against the masses and merit. With no spirit to serve left in the administrative machinery and in the absence of SOPs and account-
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offer to withdraw 20 kilometres from what they call ‘line of actual control’… In July 1954, Nehru issued a directive that “all our old maps dealing with this frontier should be carefully examined and, where necessary, withdrawn. New maps should be printed showing our Northern and North eastern frontier without any reference to any ‘line’. The new maps should also be sent to our embassies abroad and should be introduced to the public generally and be used in our schools, colleges, etc”. This map, as is officially used till date, formed the basis of dealings with China, eventually leading to the 1962 War’ (Indian Express, June 6). There are genuine differences on border ‘perception’ that intermittently lead to face-offs. India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km. Shyam Saran discloses that the LAC was discussed during Chinese Premier Li Peng’s 1991 visit to India, where PM P V Narasimha Rao and Li reached an understanding to maintain peace and tranquillity at the LAC. India formally accepted the concept of the LAC when Rao paid a return visit to Beijing in 1993 and the two sides signed the Agreement to Maintain Peace and Tranquillity at the LAC. The reference to the LAC was unqualified to make it clear that it was not referring to the LAC of 1959 or 1962 but to the LAC at the time when the agreement was signed. To reconcile the differences about some areas, the two countries agreed that the Joint Working Group on the border issue would take up the task of clarifying the alignment of the LAC. It appears India is short on fulfilling its promises, be they related to the LOC/LAC or plebiscite. Resolution of border disputes with China is intertwined with resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Aside from India’s atoot ang some mantra, China and Pakistan regard Ladakh as part of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir State. At heart, Jawaharlal Nehru did not care a fig for the LAC, or for the disputed state’s constituent assembly, Indian Parliament or the UN. This truth is interspersed in Avtar Singh Bhasin’s 10-volume documentary study of India-Pakistan Relations, 1947-2007.It gave new perspectives on Nehru’s vacillating state of mind on Kashmir. In his 2018 book India, Pakistan: Neighbours at Odds, Bhasin discusses Nehru’s perfidy on Kashmir. Let us lay bare a few of Nehru’s somersaults: Nehru banked on the Instrument of Accession and its authentication by `Constituent Assembly’. In a letter dated 31 October 1947 to the disputed state’s prime minister, on the fourth day of the ‘signing’ of the mythical accession instrument on October 26, he
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ability, the system became totally non-functional. Since the 1980s the decline has continued unabated and unchecked. The civil administration today is in the firm grip of mafias. The Sharifs in their long stints in power created a ‘Darbari System’ where the bureaucracy was served with out-of-turn promotions and enhanced salaries and perks for their compliance. Without major reforms of the system, honesty alone will not deliver. Transitions are never easy and must be carefully planned and implemented to take on the mafias that have been in control for decades. As a matter of policy all government procedures should have SOPs, violation of which can then be checked through accountability. The colonial powers of discretion have to be done away with. Public should have access to these SOPs which they can then follow to get the job done. Such a system was introduced in the 1970s for obtaining passports. Till that time it was almost impossible to get a passport without the attestation of a Class I gazetted officer. Qayyum Khan as Interior Minister introduced two SOPs, one for getting a National Identity Card (NIC ) and the other for passports. For the NIC, filled forms were given to the local postman who verified the contents and then forwarded them to the department, cards were then delivered by mail to the applicant. Similarly passport forms with copy of the NIC were submitted by mail to the Passport Office which was required to make them ready within 14 days. I followed both the SOPs. I received a letter from the Passport Office asking me to collect my passport in person. I wrote back asking them to mail the same as per the SOPs as I was busy with my final year engineering studies. Prompt came the reply, requesting me to visit the office just once for verification with the promise that my time would not be wasted. As it was a request, I complied and got my first document to travel within 15 minutes. I used this passport to travel to the USA for higher studies in 1979, and the rest is history, as they say. SOPs, together with accountability, is the only way forward. The bureaucracy as always will resist. In Persian there is a saying, “If the choice is between death and ailment, almost everyone will choose the latter”. For the health of the tormented people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan such an ultimatum has to be served to the non-performing, spiritless colonial bureaucracy by the elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. The NCOC has set the trend, and focus should now be on SOPs and more SOPs in all government departments. Well done,Asad Umar and Dr Faisal Sultan for bringing us into the 21st century.
says ‘after consideration of the problem, we are inclined to think that it [plebiscite] should be held under United Nations’ auspices.’ he reiterated in New Delhi on 3 November 1951 that “we have made it perfectly clear before the Security Council that the Kashmir Constituent Assembly does not [insofar] as we are concerned come in the way of a decision by the Security Council, or the United Nations”. Again, at a press conference on 11 June 1951, he was asked `if the proposed constituent assembly of Kashmir “decides in favour of acceding to Pakistan, what will be the position?”’ he reiterated, ‘We have made it perfectly clear that the Constituent Assembly of Kashmir was not meant to decide finally any such question , and it is not in the way of any decision which may ultimate flow from the Security Council proceedings’. he re-emphasised his view once again at a press conference in New Delhi on November 3, SAYING, “We have made it perfectly clear before the Security Council that the Kashmir Constituent Assembly does not [insofar as] we are concerned come in the way of a decision by the Security Council or the United Nations.” Bhasin points out ‘there was a perceptible shift in his [Nehru’s] stand on July 24 1952’ about the future of the State– if the decision of the Security Council was at variance with that of the Constituent Assembly’.Nehru said, “Unless the Security Council functioned under some other Sections of the Charter, it cannot take a decision which is binding upon us unless we agree to it.” Bhasin points out `At the same press conference on 24 July, 1952 when asked what the necessity of plebiscite was now that he had got the Constituent Assembly, he replied “Maybe theoretically you may be right. But we have given them an assurance and we stand by it.” If Kashmir is India’s integral part, what is the United Nations’ Military Observers’ Group on India Pakistan doing on LOC since 24 January 1949? Besides being a geographical dispute, the Kashmir dispute has a human rights dimension. even the Simla accord does not repeal the UN resolutions and Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. India does not own the LOC or LAC. It shrugs off UN resolutions or Simla Accord. Then will it abide by the LAC or status quo? A buffer zone is a temporary measure to ward off conflict with China. A permanent solution lies in resolving the Kashmir dispute. Pending a final settlement, softening the borders appears to be need of the hour to mitigate suffering of the Kashmiris. If a broad solution is not hammered out, then, still, there are two solutions- a nuclear holocaust or, perhaps divine intervention. Amjed Jaaved is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com.
Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
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
Freedom of religion FReeDOM of religion is a fundamental right. Pakistani Constitution has guaranteed freedom of religion but non of us really respect that. I often wonder what is the point of white portion in our flag when we really don’t value the minorities in our country. The hatred towards those with different religion has a long history like accusing them of blasphemy or forcing them to recite the kalma. Lately, this pandemic has shown the worst hatred of Muslims for other religions like not giving fund foods to them. The disheartening example was denying to give plasma to the patient due to being a Shia. The recent controversy is the temple being built in Islamabad. We are the first one to raise our voice against religionism when India denies to build a mosque. But we can’t see ourselves being religionists while stopping a temple’s construction. Islam is the religion of love and even holy Quran says, “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error”. Freedom of religion is the basic right of every human. We must respect every religion and stop discriminating people due to their faith. Afroz MJ TurbAT, KEch
Rights and responsibilities
A pariah state’s pariah national carrier We asked for it
QUDSSia akHlaQUe
F
OR years we knew it was coming. That our national flag carrier was going downhill but successive governments conveniently looked the other way, making matters worse. The last nail in PIA’s coffin was virtually hammered in by our Aviation Minister’s sweeping declaration about ‘dubious’ and ‘fake’ pilot licenses that has had disastrous ramifications. After the 9/11 terror attacks in the USA, Pakistan was reduced to a pariah state and faced diplomatic isolation. For long we suffered international clamour about Pakistan being ‘a safe haven’ for terrorists and ‘epicentre’ of terrorism. Discovery of the ‘most wanted’ Al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan, including Osama Bin Laden, weakened our case on the global stage besides causing huge embarrassment. There were endless reports in international media (often planted and leaked) questioning Pakistan’s credentials as a responsible nuclear state. The fear that our nuclear weapons could ‘fall in the wrong hands’ was a constant refrain in the international security and foreign policy circles. Pakistan feverishly fought on the diplomatic front to undo this perception by building a counter-narrative. To establish Pakistan’s credibility as a responsible nuclear state has been a major foreign policy challenge for almost two decades. Fast forward to year 2020. Pakistan is in the midst of an unprecedented civil aviation scandal that has grabbed screaming headlines in the international media. The PIA swan song was recently rendered by PTI’s Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, also its composer-in-chief! The Minister inaccurately pronounced on the floor of the National Assembly last month that 262 of the Pakistani airline pilots, almost a third of the total, had fake degrees or dubious licenses. It generated shockwaves across the global aviation industry with grave consequences for all Pakistani commercial airlines. The minister’s criminally irresponsible declaration has blighted the careers of hundreds of competent Pakistani pilots and engineers in the aviation industry worldwide. european countries and the UK have suspended PIA operations. The european Union Aviation Safety Agency (eASA) has banned PIA in europe initially for a period of six months, noting “it no longer has confidence that Pakistan, as the state of operator, can effectively ensure that operators certified in Pakistan comply at all times with the applicable requirements for crew qualifications.” In the latest bombshell, eASA informed non-member airlines on Tuesday that it had recommended to its 32 member states to consider suspension of validations issued against Pak-
Pakistan could face a global ban on its naistani pilot licenses, and advised all airlines to not schedule Pakistan-licensed pilots for oper- tional carrier. Apparently, there is mounting pressure from the public and the aviation giants on ations to europe. The european authority’s stricter action the International Civil Aviation Organisation came just over a week after Malaysia and Viet- (ICAO) and on eASA to ban Pakistani airlines. nam decided to ground pilots with Pakistani li- The May 22 PK-8303 Airbus crash in Karachi censes. UAe aviation authorities have also has already raised questions about aviation safety sought verification of the credentials of Pakistani standards in the country. Reportedly eASA has serious reservations about the CAA that compilots, flight operation officers and engineers. Meanwhile, the UN Department of Safety prises largely retired Pakistan Air Force officials. The mega damage is now done. It will take and Security has removed Pakistani airlines from its ‘Recommended List’ and advised staff more than just diplomacy to restore confidence not to travel on any Pakistan-registered airlines. of the international aviation industry and travelers in PIA. Clarifications, assurances and belated Other countries may follow suit. Understandably, all this is deeply resented explanations won’t help. They carry little weight by many whose credentials and competence are once confidence has been eroded through ‘misunquestionable, yet who face the brunt of the firing’ of the man in charge of aviation in Pak‘unlearned’ minister’s reckless announcement. istan. Certainly the last thing this cash-strapped his indecent haste is seen as an example of the government wanted when it is so keen to procurrent government’s political immaturity and mote international tourism in Pakistan. PIA has for the longest time been plagued by illustrates how severely damaging unthinking pursuit of slogans can be. PTI leadership has de- issues of merit violation, nepotism and political fended the folly by claiming that it acted trans- interference in key appointments. As a conseparently. The ruling party’s leaders forgot that quence, professionalism, maintenance of the ageing, ailing PIA fleet, they were the govand above all flight ernment and it was safety standards, retheir responsibility main largely comto gather authentic promised. Not information before PIA has for the longest time been surprising given that acting in aid of 11 CeOs of PIA transparency. The plagued by issues of merit have changed in the road to hell was, in violation, nepotism and political past two decades, no this case, traversed addition on a container! interference in key appointments. significant has been made to the The Minister’s fleet since 2006 and, going to town with As a consequence, as the Aviation Minhis half-baked inforprofessionalism, maintenance of ister said, an aircraft mation has made piwas stolen!! Surely lots of Pakistani the ageing, ailing PIA fleet, and PIA’s great excluorigin suspects and sive. the butt of all jokes above all flight safety standards, Frankly the only the world over. And remain largely compromised thing going for PIA wonder of all wonis its amiable, polite ders that the offiand very welcoming cially certified list of cabin crew. It partly some 150 pilots who compensates for all supposedly fall in the ‘dubious’ category includes a couple of pilots who that is lacking. One comforting aspect of PIA is have already retired and two who are no longer in the recitation of a travel prayer just before the flight take-off if some ‘technical’ fault does not this world. PTI-style accountability to the grave! The government can do whatever damage- delay it. Otherwise finding a seat with a fully control it wishes, but it has dug a deep hole with functional reclining mechanism, tray table that its mindless and unwise handling of the whole is stable, lights that work, seat belts that latch affair. While it remains in denial about many a and a toilet that is in order is often a matter of mess it has created on various fronts, it went luck. Never mind the retro PIA headphones that overboard this time round and made the an- squish ears out of shape! And do not bother asknouncement without checking facts first. A clas- ing the cabin crew about the dysfunctional personal TV sets as the standard response would be sic case of putting the cart before the horse. The broadcast of the Aviation Minister’s that PIA is in the process of upgradation, hence poorly framed statement conveyed the false im- excuse the inconvenience. I have had this repression that pilots flying PIA planes were not sponse to all queries about ‘missing services’ pilots! The disclosure that of 860 pilots, 262 had during last three years of frequent flying beappeared in exams through proxies, is shocking. tween Islamabad and London! Returning from London in February I paid an It is a matter that must be investigated and the offenders punished. however, contrary to the additional sum to book a window seat. The winimpression conveyed, these exams– mandatory dow seat I got but the light right above my head as they are– test a pilot’s knowledge of rules and refused to switch off and my seat didn’t recline! regulations, not skill in flying an aircraft. This is When I raised the matter with the airhostess she ensured by an airline’s training department by said to me with a disarming smile: “Madam PIA conducting sixmonthly training and checks. The ka jo haal hai Allah ka shukar karein ke jahaz urr exam is a mandatory requirement for a first of- to raha hai!” (madam the state PIA is in, thank God that the plane is flying!) ficer to graduate as captain. God bless PIA! By no means should issues troubling the airline be kept under wraps. Transparency and acQudssia Akhlaque is a senior journalist countability are important but there must be a prudent way of ensuring it. According to a based in Islamabad. She has been a diplomatic Bloomberg report in 2011, the Indian government correspondent for leading dailies. She can be screened licenses of its 400-plus pilots on suspicion reached at: qudssia@hotmail.com of forgeries but never made the findings public. twitter@qudssiaakhlaque
A responsibility is a duty you should do, such as doing your own work. A good citizen always does such things which make his country proud. You can also be a good citizen by respecting others opinions and rights. A good citizen always pays his taxes fully, honestly and promptly. he always follows rules obediently which are set by the government. A good and responsible citizen always knows the complexities of problems his country is going through and makes solutions for that. he also takes care of his neighbors too by sharing problems and happiness with them. Besides that you can make your friends group and make your country clean and green by putting trash in dustings and by planting more trees. You should donate to local animal shelters near you and help those people who are homeless. Some of the students think that they have only one responsibility of studying No! They have responsibilities too. Whatever you have learned in your school, college, university or wherever you go. You should convey that knowledge to those people of your country who don’t know about that or to those who are not educated. These days we have one more responsibility. I have seen and heard about some people that are COVID positive but they don’t tell anybody about that they have met before because they get scared about thinking of isolation. Being a responsible citizen if you are COVID positive please tell those people you have met before so that they can also get their testing done. Citizens have rights too. Right to freedom, right to talk about wrong doings, right to follow their own religion etc. On August 11, 1947 the Quaid gave the message of the right to freedom of religion in these words. “You are free; you are free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship. AfIA IrShAD TuNIo KArAchI
Grievances of students MeANWhILe all educational institutes have been closed since March in all over Pakistan, yet all other people have been living a common life in every subject of field since then.Markets, playgrounds, transport, secret wedding ceremonies are opened to everyone including the students, whereas doors of educational institutes have been facing delay so far.Does corona only infect if the students are at university, college and school and it doesn’t when the same students are enjoying common life somewhere else like market places or playgrounds or traveling to see his/her relatives? If every other institute is allowed to carry out its obligations by following SOPs guidelines, then same should be done with the educational institutes.. ANEElA MuSTAfA NANKANA SAhIb
Heavy rains ACCORDING to news there are signs of heavy rain in various regions of sindh with presages of urbun flooding. Rain has already started to drizzle in karachi with strong wind and crakes outrageous temperatures with breeze. Weather casters has alerted public that it can rain up to 50mm. In past decades pakistan has seen massive floods in 1992, 95, 2009, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17 and 19 which ceased livelihood, demolished properties and give rise to deaths and its affects were seen for years. The main reason is drainage system most commonly the word —Drain— is used to run liquids or water out but here in pakistan drain is made to chock water and to modify street and roads into lakes and rivers. Ineligible government is waiting for flood to tear down huts of poor people and make them homeless for no reason, where they failed to put a stop on virus. Its gonna happen if they will not take any measures for cleaning pipes and gutters filled with disgusting garbage and begin to construct border lines for precautions. Rather than dedicating them selves with their promises they just fly out of the window and let people suffer. SuhAIl SAEED TuNIo lArKANA
Overlooked drainage system The announcement of the monsoon forecast by the Meteorological Department had brought excitement for most people. In this heated atmosphere where everyone was so frustrated by the increasing temperature and shortage of electricity in every corner of this country, these rainfalls have become a sign of relief and joy but as said everything has consequences. In this case overlooked drainage systems are the consequence and it’s effect will be on the health of people. This period of joy and fun, will soon turn into a disgusting scenario due to the poor sewerage. It’s not just a monsoon problem which will dwindle when rains are over. The health issues, it will cause and the effects, it will leave on the people in this pandemic scenario, must not be neglected. The government and sewerage system departments around the country should come up with a plan within time to finish these easy tasks before it gets worse. MIAN AIzAz AhMED ShADAKoT
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
08 WORLD VIEW
Mary TruMp’s explosive Tell-all book abouT presidenT TruMp
daily Beast
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LachLan cartwright, andrew KireLL and Scott bixby
ARY Trump’s book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man, paints her uncle the president in a horrifying light and reveals explosive details about his character and disparaging comments made by his sister, retired federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry. “If he is afforded a second term, it would be the end of American democracy,” Mary bluntly declares in the book. “donald, following the lead of my grandfather and with complicity, silence, and inaction from his siblings, destroyed my father. I can’t let him destroy my country.” In one particularly disturbing scene from a trip to Mar-a-lago, Mary recounts how when she was 29 and wearing a bathing suit and a pair of shorts to lunch at the resort, her uncle looked up at her and remarked, “holy shit, Mary. You’re stacked.” “donald!” Marla Maples said to her then-husband, slapping him on the arm. “I was twenty-nine and not easily embarrassed, but my face reddened, and I suddenly felt self-conscious,” Mary recounts. “I pulled my towel around my shoulders. It occurred to me that nobody in my family, outside of my parents and brother, had ever seen me in a bathing suit.” The daily Beast first reported that the book would see Mary revealing herself as playing a critical role in helping The New York Times print its Pulitzer Prize-winning bombshell investigation of the president’s taxes, including how he was involved in “fraudulent” tax schemes and received more than $400 million (adjusted for inflation) from his father’s real-estate empire. As she reveals in the book, Mary supplied the paper with Fred Trump Sr.’s tax returns and other confidential financial information. The book, obtained by The daily Beast, opens with a family dinner at the White house in April 2017 to celebrate the birthdays for Mary’s aunts, Maryanne and Elizabeth. As Mary was walking through the halls of The White house, she recalls passing life-sized paintings of former first ladies. “I stopped in front of hillary Clinton’s portrait and stood silently for a minute. I wondered again how this could have happened.” At the dinner, just a few months after her uncle had moved into the White house, Mary recounts how donald gestured towards Eric Trump’s wife, his daughter-in-law. “lara, there,” he said. “I barely even knew who the f*** she was, honestly, but then she gave a great speech during the campaign in Georgia supporting me.” The couple had been together for eight years. don Jr. went on to give a toast to his father, at which point Mary got a waiter’s attention. “Can I have some more wine?” she asked. When the server returned with two bottles, and asked red or white, Mary responded “yes, please.” The dinner wrapped in two hours and, as Mary notes, while it was twice as long as Thanksgiving or Christmas at her grandparents’ house, it was less time than donald spent at a dinner with Kid Rock two weeks later. The book also publishes intimate and damning thoughts from retired federal court judge Maryanne Trump Barry about her brother. “The only time donald went to church was when the cameras were there. It’s mind boggling. he has no principles. None!” “he’s a clown,” Maryanne allegedly confided in her niece. “This will never happen.” Mary says she asked her aunt, “does anybody even believe the bullshit that he’s a selfmade man? What has he even accomplished on his own?” “Well,” Maryanne responded, “he has had five bankruptcies.” Maryanne also reportedly lashed out at donald for using the death of her other brother, Fred Jr., for political gain when addressing the opioid crisis. “he’s using your father’s memory for political purposes,” Mary says Maryanne told her, “and that’s a sin, especially since Freddy should have been the star of the family.” When white evangelicals such as Jerry Falwell Jr. started endorsing don-
“THE ONLY TIME DONALD WENT TO CHURCH WAS WHEN THE CAMERAS WERE THERE. IT’S MIND BOGGLING. HE HAS NO PRINCIPLES. NONE!” ald for president, Maryanne, a devout Catholic, allegedly remarked: “What the f*** is wrong with them?” Mary also relays details from a combative phone call Maryanne had with her presidential brother, shortly after the election, in which Trump asked his older sister to assess his performance, seemingly assuming her response would be unequivocally positive. “When she said, ‘Not that good,’ donald immediately went on offense,” Mary writes. “‘That’s nasty,’ he said. She could see the sneer on his face. Then, seemingly apropos of nothing, he asked her, ‘Maryanne, where would you be without me?’” The jab, Mary writes, was “a smug reference to the fact that Maryanne owed her first federal judgeship to donald because Roy Cohn had done him (and her) a favor all those years ago.” Mary continued: “My aunt has always insisted that she’d earned her position on the bench entirely on her own merits, and she shot back at him, “If you say that one more time, I will level you.” In another disturbing anecdote, Mary Trump writes that her father, Fred Trump Jr.—a heavy drinker who ultimately quit working for his father in favor of a job as a pilot for Trans World Airlines—died alone at the hospital in 1981 following an alcohol-induced heart attack. he was just 42. The night his family sent him to the hospital alone, President Trump had gone to see a movie, she said. “Mary Trump describes her uncle as a man who practiced cheating ‘as a way of life,’ even allegedly hiring someone to take the SAT for him.” Mary Trump also contends the president is a narcissist, meeting all nine criteria for the personality disorder, and potentially incapable of surviving “in the real world.” “donald’s pathologies are so complex and his behaviors so often inexplicable that coming up with an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis would require a full battery of psychological and neurophysical tests that he’ll never sit for,” she writes. She calls her uncle his father’s “monster—the only child of his who mattered to him—[who] would ultimately be rendered unlovable by the very nature of Fred’s preference for him. In the end, there would be no love for donald at all, just his agonizing thirsting for it. “After the election, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and Mitch McConnell, all of whom bear more than a passing psychological resemblance to Fred, recognized in a way others should have but did not that donald’s checkered personal history and his unique personality flaws make him extremely vulnerable to manipulation by smarter, more powerful men,” Mary writes. “his pathologies have rendered him so simple-minded that it takes nothing more than repeating to him the things he says to and about himself dozens of times a day—he’s the smartest, the greatest, the best—to get him to do whatever they want.” Elsewhere in the book, in an excerpt first reported by The New York Times, Mary Trump describes her uncle as a man who practiced cheating “as a way of life,” even allegedly hiring someone to take the SAT for him when he was a high-school student in Queens. his high score would eventually help him get into Wharton business school at the university of Pennsylvania, she said. Growing up, donald Trump sought to win his imperious father’s approval, lying as a means of “self-aggrandizement” and seeking to differentiate himself from Fred Jr., whom their father saw as weak. “By limiting donald’s access to his own feelings and rendering many of them unacceptable, Fred perverted his son’s perception of the world and damaged his ability to live in it,” Mary Trump writes, according to an excerpt reported by The Washington Post. She recalled how donald Trump would hide his younger brother Robert’s toys and threatened to destroy him when he wouldn’t “stop crying” over it. First lady Melania Trump also makes an appearance, with Mary writing that after her uncle Robert and his then-wife Blaine had met Melania for
the first time, “Rob told me that Melania had barely spoken throughout the entire meal. “‘Maybe her English isn’t very good,’ I said. “‘No,’ he scoffed. ‘She knows what she’s there for.’” The book was originally set for a late July release, weeks before the Republican National Convention. however, on Monday, citing “extraordinary interest” in the book—which included an almost-immediate ranking atop Amazon’s best-sellers list—publisher Simon & Schuster pushed its release up to next week. The Trump niece’s tell-all was the subject of a quick and vicious court battle, centered around Mary having signed a nondisclosure agreement with the family in 2001 as part of a settlement over her and her brother, Fred III, disputing the disposition of their grandfather Fred Sr.’s estate. In the book, Trump details that fight over the elder Trump’s will, and suggests her aunts and uncles lied about the size of the estate in order to stiff her and her brother. She recalls lawyers arriving at a settlement figure “based on suspect numbers,” and her counsel informing her that “We know they’re lying, but it’s [a he-said, she-said]. Besides, your grandfather’s estate is only worth around thirty million dollars.” She added: “That was only a tenth of the estimate Robert had given The New York Times in 1999, which itself would turn out to be only 25 percent of the estate’s actual value.” President Trump’s younger brother, Robert Trump, 72, launched a legal attack on Mary’s book almost immediately after being discharged from a 10-day stay in a hospital intensive-care unit, with the assistance of the president’s celebrity attorney Charles J. harder. “her attempt to sensationalize and mischaracterize our family relationship after all of these years for her own financial gain is both a travesty and injustice to the memory of my late brother, Fred, and our beloved parents. I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Mary’s actions are truly a disgrace,” Robert said in his statement issued merely 48 hours after his discharge. After failing to block Mary Trump’s book in Queens Surrogate Court, Robert Trump took the case to his home turf, upstate New York’s dutchess County, where he successfully obtained a temporary restraining order from Judge hal Greenwald. But days later an appeals court tossed the order. Lachlan Cartwright is Senior Reporter, Andrew Kirell is Senior Editor and Scott Bixby is National Reporter.
Should ISIS fighters with Canadian citizenship be repatriated? PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU RECENTLY SAID THAT REPATRIATING CANADIANS WITH ALLEGED TIES TO ISIS IN SYRIA IS “COMPLICATED”
Calgary Herald Licia corbeLLa
hould Canadian citizens who fought for ISIS in Iraq and Syria be repatriated to Canada? A chorus of human rights advocates argue that they should. But the brother of a young man killed by ISIS isn’t so sure. “Abandoning citizens to indefinite, unlawful detention in filthy, overcrowded and dangerous camps and prisons does not make Canada safer,” says letta Tayler, a senior researcher at human Rights Watch and author of a June 29 report called Bring Me Back to Canada: Plight of Canadians held in Northeast Syria for Alleged ISIS links. It’s a nonsensical statement. If those terrorists are in a jail in Syria more than 9,000 kilometres away, obviously Canada is safer than if they were here getting mollycoddled. “At time of writing, Canada had repatriated or assisted the returns of more than 40,000 citizens and permanent residents from 100 countries in response to CoVId-19, including 29 from Syria — but not one of at least 47 citizens held without charge in northeast Syria,” states the 62-page report.
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The Canadian detainees include eight men, 13 women, and 26 children, most under age six. “The lives of Canadians are on the line, and the time to bring them home is now,” adds Tayler. Not so fast, says Andriy Bazelevsky. his younger brother and only sibling, Misha Bazelevsky — a commerce student at MacEwan university in Edmonton — was murdered along with 85 others by an ISIS terrorist in Nice, France. Misha had won one of four spots awarded to top students at the university to attend a three-week trip to France to attend the European Innovation Academy. he was killed on his 11th day of the trip on July 14, 2016. “Misha was a bright light in the world,” said Andriy Bazelevsky, 40, from his home in Toronto. he was a prize-winning ballroom dancer, he learned to speak French, he was a member of student council at MacEwan and he was “very, very kind and generous,” adds Bazelevsky. “he was very entrepreneurial and had worked for Suncor, applied to work at Tesla and planned to change the world,” says his grieving brother. Misha, an international ukrainian student, had completed his third year towards a degree in commerce when he was killed by a radicalized Tunisian resident of France, who deliberately drove a 19-tonne cargo truck into crowds of people celebrating Bastille day. Besides killing 86 people — 14 of whom were children — 458 others were injured, many very seriously. “This concern for the safety of these men who joined ISIS willingly — who left Canada to join this organization that kills civilians and beheads people — rubs me the wrong way,” said Bazelevsky, who moved to Canada from ukraine when he was 18. Misha, who was
just four, remained in ukraine with their parents Mykola and olena. “I feel very sad for the children because obviously they did not choose this life to go to Syria or to be born there to ISIS parents. Perhaps Canada could bring back the women and children?” suggests Bazelevsky. According to the human Rights Watch report, at least 20 countries have repatriated about 100 of their citizens from the same camps and prisons where the Canadians are held including, since mid-october 2019, denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, the united Kingdom and the united States. France repatriated 10 children as recently as June 2020. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently said that repatriating Canadians with alleged ties to ISIS in Syria is “complicated.” “Syria is an area where we do not have any diplomats or any Canadians on the ground, and therefore we work through intermediaries to try to provide consular assistance as best we can,” Trudeau said. For Bazelevsky, that answer by Trudeau is much better than Trudeau’s 2015 declaration that “a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.” That’s why Bazelevsky says before any of these men — and possibly their wives — are repatriated to Canada, the government should establish a law with a mandatory minimum sentence for any Canadian citizen who joins a terrorist group abroad to fight against Canada and its allies. “They should not be allowed to just come home and be free,” argues Bazelevsky. “They should know before they return that there will be automatic time behind bars … And then, once they’re behind bars, investigate them for crimes they may have committed.” It’s a good
plan. otherwise, these so-called Canadians might enjoy the fate of the Canadian ISIS fighter who goes by the jihadi nom de guerre Abu huzaifa al-Kanadi. he confessed to the New York Times that he killed civilians in Syria before returning to the greater Toronto area in 2016, where he lives freely and has never been charged with a crime in Canada. he didn’t even suffer a slap on the wrist for joining the worst, most barbaric organization in the world, that posts videos of beheadings on the internet and targets civilians. Mohammed Khalifa, who goes by the jihadi name Abu Ridwan, is another Canadian ISIS member; he is currently being held in a crowded Kurdish-run jail in northern Syria. Impressed by his proficiency in both Arabic and English, the Toronto man became the English voice of ISIS in videos, including the horrific 55-minute Flames of War video. In that film, a man who sounds like Ridwan goes from narrating what’s going on in the video, to standing over men as they dig their own graves and then shooting one of the men in the back of the head. Canadian security experts believe it’s Ridwan, but he has denied that claim. he says he would like to return to Canada provided he can bring along his non-Canadian wife and their three children, he told The Fifth Estate in a 2019 interview from the prison where he’s being held. But if his return means he will likely face justice in a Canadian court, Ridwan told the CBC he would rather remain locked up where he is. “In terms of going back to be judged, then no.” Good. Canada can safely wipe our hands of him. As for the rest, before any moves are made to repatriate any of these men, the federal government must swiftly pass a retroactive law that ensures all returning men and perhaps the women, will go directly to jail. Licia Corbella is a Postmedia columnist in Calgary.
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
BUSINESS 09
102MW Gulpur Hydropower Project starts producing power LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Gulpur Hydropower Project has achieved certified commercial operation and has started producing cheap electricity for the national grid, said NESPAK Managing Director Dr Tahir Masood in a press communiqué on Wednesday. NESPAK, in a joint venture with MWH Inc USA, has provided consultancy services as 'owner’s engineer' to Mira Power Limited, a subsidiary of KOSEP South Korea, for the 102MW Gulpur Hydropower Project. "NESPAK has played a very vital role in the successful completion of Gulpur Hydropower Project, as it provided complete technical support to Mira Power Limited in getting approvals from different government agencies as well as supporting the EPC contractor in resolving complex issues that arose during construction," said a statement issued by the company. The successful completion of this project has added another feather in NESPAK’s cap, as the company had recently played a major role in the development and completion of 84MW New Bong Escape Hydropower Project. Gulpur Hydropower Plant is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation project located on Poonch River, a major tributary of Jhelum River near Gulpur in Kotli District of Azad Kashmir. The project financing has been provided by Korea Exim Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Islamic Development Bank and ECO Bank. The project is developed under the federal government's 'Policy for Power Generation Projects 2002' as adopted in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The project has the capability of generating average annual energy of 102MW. It was developed in the shortest possible time and would play an important role in Pakistan’s national vision. The project was completed at a total cost of Rs52 billion.
DG Khan Cement receives export orders from Philippines Pakistan's leading cement manufacturer DG Khan Cement Company Limited (DGKCC) has managed to procure export orders from the Philippines. "Congratulations to DG Khan Cement for making a breakthrough in winning orders for export of cement to the Philippines. This follows on their success in China," said Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood in a tweet on Wednesday. He also urged other exporters to follow suit and expand their market reach across the globe. "Once market reach extends, then market share will increase. Increasing geographical diversification is an important part of our strategic trade policy," Dawood stated. DGKCC is among the top manufacturers of Pakistan with a production capacity of 22,400 tonnes per day. The company has four cement plants, two plants located at Dera Ghazi Khan, one at Khairpur (Chakwal) and one at Hub (Lasbela). All the plants operate on the latest Dry Process Technology. It may be noted that Pakistan's exports during the fiscal year 2019-20 stood at $21.387 billion as against the target of $24 billion. In 2018-19, Pakistan exported goods and services worth $22.958 billion. BUSINESS DESK
China to provide $4m equipment for vocational training institutes ISLAMABAD: China will provide training equipment worth $4 million for vocational training institutes and schools across Pakistan through the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission. The signing ceremony for the letter of exchange for the provision of vocational school equipment and material was held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing, Embassy of China Minister Counsellor Dr Wang Zhihua attended the ceremony while the Federal Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Noor Ahmed signed the letter of exchange. The ambassador reassured the Pakistani side of cooperation by China for socio-economic development in Pakistan. APP
GolD rises to all tiMe HiGH of rs108,300 Per tola KARACHI
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ARIBA SHAHID
HE price of 24-karat gold increased by Rs2,400 on Wednesday and reached its highest ever level of Rs108,300 per tola as per the Karachi Sarafa Association. The price of 10-gram of gold rose by Rs2,058 to reach Rs92,850 from its price of Rs90,792 on Tuesday. Explaining the rationale behind the increase in prices, All Sindh Sarafa and Jewellers Association (ASSJA) President Haji Haroon Rasheed Chand said that investor interest had increased in yellow metal, raising the demand for the commodity. Meanwhile, the losing
value of rupee against the dollar is also putting pressure on local prices. Local gold prices have primarily increased due to the rally in gold prices in international markets. However, due
to the weak purchasing power in the local economy and a lack of consumption interest, gold prices in Pakistan have increased by a relatively lower extent compared to increase in interna-
SBP cuts markup rate to 5pc on two refinance schemes KARACHI
market daily
Bull run continues as stocks jump 321 points KSE-100 HAD LAST CLOSED NEGATIVE ON JUNE 26
MEIRYUM ALI
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reduced markup rates on two of its refinance schemes to 5pc, from 7pc and 6pc respectively, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Specifically, SBP has curtailed the end-user markup rates on Temporary Economic Refinance Facility (TERF) from the existing 7pc to 5pc, and on Long Term Financing Facility (LTFF) for the nontextile sector to 5pc from 6pc. In its statement, the SBP said the central bank had reduced the policy rate by 625 basis points since 17 March to 7pc. “To extend the benefits of this reduction in the policy rate to the users of its refinance schemes, SBP has now decided to align the end-user markup rates on two of its refinance schemes for promoting investment in the country,” the SBP stated. TERF was introduced on
tional gold prices. On Wednesday, gold breached $1,800 an ounce in the international market for the first time since 2011 as investors lay cautious and use it as a safe haven investment owing to the uncertainty brought about by Covid-19. Moreover, concerns have been raised in the international market that post Covid-19 economic recovery will be long and gradual, as opposed to a v shape, which has led investors to hedge their positions against riskier assets. Spot gold rose 0.4 per cent to $1,802.15 per ounce by 1217 GMT, after hitting its highest since November 2011, at $1,804.41, earlier in the session. US gold futures rose 0.2 per cent to $1,814.10 per ounce.
KARACHI ARIBA SHAHID
March 17 to provide stimulus to the economy by supporting new investment, balancing, modernization and restructuring of the existing projects. Under this scheme, as of 2 July, Rs10.5 billion have been approved by banks for 21 projects. Under the new rates, SBP will now be providing refinance to banks at 1pc, with banks’ maximum margin of 4pc. LTFF had previously been available for export-oriented projects for purchase of imported and locally manufactured new plant and machinery. However, in March, the SBP opened the LTFF to all sectors
across the board. Earlier, the end-user markup rate under this scheme was 5pc for the textile sector and 6pc for non-textile sectors. The State Bank has now reduced its refinance rate for the non-textile sector by 1pc, and therefore the end-user rate for all sectors across the board will be 5pc. “Taking cognizance of the negative fallout of COVID-19 Pandemic for the economy, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been constantly taking steps to safeguard the businesses and households and a reduction in the policy rate has been a key step since March 2020,” the SBP noted.
Annual GDP to contract 6.6pc if pandemic persists: LSE BUSINESS DESK The Lahore School of Economics’ Modelling Lab Innovation and Technology Centre has made a quarterly update of the estimated impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pakistan’s GDP and employment by using a General Equilibrium Macro (GEM) model for the Pakistan economy developed at the LSE. For a three-month lockdown scenario (March-May 2020), annual GDP growth for the calendar year 2020 is expected to contract by 3.2pc. Annual job losses over 2020 are estimated at 1.6 million (1.3 million job losses in informal economy and 0.3 million in formal economy). For a six-month lockdown scenario (MarchAugust 2020), with a more prolonged and graduated easing in the lockdown over these six months, annual GDP growth is expected to contract by 4.4pc, while job losses over 2020 are es-
timated at 2.2 million (1.8 million in informal economy and 0.4 million in formal economy). Meanwhile, for a nine-month lockdown scenario (March-November 2020), annual GDP growth is expected to contract by 6.6pc, whereas job losses are estimated at 3.4 million (2.8 million in the informal economy and 0.6 million jobs lost in the formal economy). Meanwhile, the LSE’s body also recommended immediate policy measures to counter this loss in GDP and jobs, saying that the strategy has to be based on replacement of lost income. “Replacement of lost income must prioritize not income lost by everyone, but the poor.” Four percent of the population of 221 million fell below the internationally established extreme poverty line of $1.90, on last count. The job and income loss can be expected to swell this number. Therefore, policy must be predicated on an estimate of the increase in poverty in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued with the positive momentum on Wednesday, with the KSE-100 Index closing in the green for the ninth consecutive session. The massive rally at the stock market had started on June 26 following the surprise State Bank policy rate cut by 100 basis points. “Positivity was observed across the board on Wednesday, with cement and banking sectors contributing the most,” said a report issued by Arif Habib Ltd. “Investors’ sentiment had also improved after the State Bank’s decision to further reduce the rates for ERF facility to banks, which indicates lowering of financial charges in FY21.” The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained in the green throughout the day, registering its intraday high at 35,703.22 after gaining 329.87 points. It closed higher by 321.54 points at 35,694.89. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index gathered 208.88 points to end at 56,880.55, while the KSE All Share Index accumulated 201.47 points, settling at 25,562.78. Of the total traded shares, 205 advanced and 110 declined. The overall market volumes contracted from 333.87 million shares in the previous session to 317.49 million shares. Average traded value, on the contrary, increased by 6pc, from $73.2 million to $78.2 million. TRG Pakistan Limited (TRG +7.09pc), Pak Elektron Limited (PAEL +2.13pc) and Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF +0.89pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 38.34 million, 20.60 million and 17.50 million shares, respectively. Sectors that brought positivity to the benchmark index included banking (+162.36 points), automobile assembling (+30.78 points) and technology (+28.60 points). Among the companies, Habib Bank Limited (HBL +81.54 points), United Bank Limited (UBL +33.93 points) and Pak Petroleum Limited (PPL +27.47 points) remained the top contributors. Adding 2.17pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the automobile assembling sector emerged as the session’s best performer, with Indus Motor Company Limited (INDU +4.16pc), Millat Tractors Limited (MTL +5.62pc), Hinopak Motors Limited (HINO +7.50pc) and Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited (AGTL +2.15pc) closing with decent gains. Meanwhile, according to a recent PSX announcement, “The Organic Meat Company Limited (TOMC) has conducted its book-building wherein a total of Rs1,371,162,584 was received against the issue size of Rs720,000,000 at a floor price of Rs18 per share. The issue was oversubscribed by 1.9 times. Of 136 participants, 95 became successful investors.”
Online medicine delivery startup emeds.pk secures six-figure seed investment LAHORE TAIMOOR HASSAN
Lahore-based health-tech startup emeds.pk has successfully secured $250,000 seed funding to scale its operations of providing healthcare essentials to customers. The startup announced that the investment was raised from a London-based tech company, VM Interactive. "We started only a few months back and our plan is to branch out within the next six to seven months and go for a bigger SeriesA round. We are currently operating in Lahore only and plan to scale it all across
Pakistan," emeds.pk Chief Operating Officer (COO) Faizan Sajid told Profit. The seed investment could not have come at a more opportune time as Covid-19 pandemic was pushing online consumers of all the essential items towards a safer and convenient way to shop. That is beside the fact which Faizan highlights that the pandemic has exposed the already fragile health sector of Pakistan, and has highlighted the need for technology in the industry. "Having worked with Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) on health-tech projects in the UK, it became imperative for us to bring a system to Pakistan that we feel will make health-
care accessible to the masses. We feel that the confidence shown by VMI in us and our industry can be a stepping stone for improving our healthcare system," Faizan added. emeds.pk’s digital pharmacy is an expansion of the company’s business that also runs a retail pharmacy of the same name and holds inventory in a warehouse in Lahore. “emeds.pk is bolstered by a team of qualified medical and pharmaceutical experts, user-friendly service and state of the art digital technology which will revolutionise the way medicines are acquired in Pakistan," the company statement read. VM Interactive’s COO Alex Kalavrezos
stated, "Having seen the Pakistani tech industry grow leaps and bounds and with the government focused on taking the tech industry to another level, the chance to invest in the health-tech sector during this time was an opportunity not to be missed." Besides placing orders online, emeds.pk’s platform also offers the convenience of uploading a prescription. Their systems also offers users with a patient area which maintains a record of the user’s order history, prescriptions and refill reminders so that patients are never left without their medicines. “Once a user has uploaded it’s prescription, it is examined by the licensed pharmacists
for appropriate dosage, duration, and other points of validity, ensuring the safest way of ordering medicines,” the statement said. Authorised and regulated by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), emeds already lists more than 8,000 prescription and non-prescription over-the-counter products. Besides medicines, emeds.pk offers personal care, wellbeing and fitness products and medical devices on its website. emeds.pk’s direct competition is dawaai.pk which has been operational since January 2014. In March this year, dawaai.pk raised a seven-figure investment in a pre-Series-B round.
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
10 FOREIGN NEWS
US tOpS 3 MiLLiOn knOWn infectiOnS aS cOrOnavirUS SpreadS HOUSTON
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AGENCIES
HE US coronavirus outbreak crossed a grim milestone of over 3 million confirmed cases on Tuesday as more states reported record numbers of new infections, and Florida faced an impending shortage of intensive care unit hospital beds. Authorities have reported alarming upswings of daily caseloads in roughly two dozen states over the past two weeks, a sign that efforts to control the transmission of the novel coronavirus have failed in large swaths of the country. California, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma and Texas on Tuesday shattered their previous daily record highs for new cases. The biggest jumps occurred in Texas and California, the two largest US states, with more than 10,000 each. About 24 states have reported disturbingly high infection rates as a percentage of diagnostic tests conducted over the past week. In Texas alone, the number of hospitalized patients more than doubled in just two weeks. The trend has driven many more Americans to seek out COVID-19 screenings. The US Department of Health and Human Services said on Tuesday it was adding short-term “surge” testing sites in three metropolitan areas in Florida, Louisiana and Texas.
WHO declares Sri Lanka, Maldives measles-free COLOMBO AGENCIES
Measles and rubella have been eradicated from Sri Lanka and the Maldives after decades of immunisation programmes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Wednesday. "Coming at a time when the entire world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, this success is encouraging and demonstrates the importance of joint efforts," WHO Regional Director Khetrapal Singh said in a statement. The Maldives recorded its last endemic case of measles in 2009 and rubella in October 2015, the global health body said. Sri Lanka's last endemic cases of measles and rubella were reported in May 2016 and March 2017 respectively, it added. There has been no evidence of endemic transmission of the two viruses for over three years "in the presence of a well performing surveillance system," the WHO said. Bhutan, North Korea and East Timor were also declared to be measles-free. The declarations came amid measles outbreaks in developed countries, including the United States. An anti-vaxxer movement in the US and elsewhere has surged with the social media-fuelled rise of conspiracy theories. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted healthcare systems in South Asia and Southeast Asia, the WHO added, including immunisation and surveillance programmes. It said it was committed to supporting member countries and partners "fully revive" such activities.
In Houston, a line of more than 200 cars snaked around the United Memorial Medical Center as people waited hours in sweltering heat to get tested. Some had arrived the night before to secure a place in line at the drive-through site. “I got tested because my younger brother got positive,” said Fred Robles, 32, who spent the night in his car. “There’s so many people that need to get tested, there’s nothing you can do about it.” Dean Davis, 32, who lost his job due to the pandemic, said he arrived at the testing site at 3 a.m. Tuesday after he waited for hours on Monday but failed to make the cutoff. “I was like, let me get here at 3, maybe nobody will be here,” Davis said. “I got here, there was a line already.” In Florida, more than four dozen hospitals across 25 of 67 counties reported their intensive care units had reached full capacity, according to the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration. Only 17 percent of the total 6,010 adult ICU beds statewide were available on Tuesday, down from 20% three days earlier. Additional hospitalizations could strain healthcare systems in many areas, leading to an uptick in lives lost from the respiratory illness that has killed more than 131,000 Americans to date. At least 923 of those deaths were reported Tuesday, the biggest single-day toll since June 10 but still far fewer than the record 2,806 tallied
back in April. A widely cited mortality model from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) projected on Tuesday that US deaths would reach 208,000 by Nov 1, with the outbreak expected to gain new momentum heading into the fall. A hoped-for summertime decline in transmission of the virus never materialized, the IHME said. “The US didn’t experience a true end of the first wave of the pandemic,” the IHME’s director, Dr. Christopher Murray, said in a statement. “This will not spare us from a second surge in the fall, which will hit particularly hard in states currently seeing high levels of infections.”
‘PRESSURE ON GOVERNORS’: President Donald Trump, who has pushed for restarting the US economy and urged Americans to return to their normal routines, said on Tuesday he would lean on state governors to open schools in the fall. Speaking at the White House, Trump said some people wanted to keep schools closed for political reasons. “No way, so we’re very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.” New COVID-19 infections are rising in 42 states, based on a Reuters analysis of the past two weeks. By Tuesday afternoon, the number of confirmed US cases had surpassed 3 million, affecting nearly one of every 100 Americans and a population roughly equal to Nevada’s.
US FORMALLY SUBMITS WITHDRAWAL FROM WHO WASHINGTON: The United States has officially submitted its notification of withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the United Nations secretary-general, setting in motion the country's exit from the global body in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. US President Donald Trump and his administration repeatedly assailed the WHO for months and threatened to cut ties with the organization. Trump also announced in mid-April that his administration would halt US funding to the WHO. Experts and Democrats criticised that the Trump administration was trying to shift the blame of its mishandling of Covid-19 response and would be counterproductive to addressing the public health crisis. "To call Trump's response to COVID chaotic & incoherent doesn't do it justice. This won't protect American lives or interests - it leaves Americans sick & America alone," Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, tweeted on Tuesday. AGENCIES
Brazil's Bolsonaro, who downplayed pandemic for months, catches Covid-19 SAO PAULO/BRASILIA AGENCIES
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday he tested positive for the novel coronavirus after months minimising the severity of the pandemic and defying medical experts, even as the virus has killed more than 66,000 people in his country. The right-wing populist gave the news to reporters at his official residence standing just inches away from him, adding to criticism of his cavalier approach to the outbreak in Brazil, the world’s worst outside the United States. Even as he announced his infection, the 65-year-old former army captain dismissed the dangers of the virus and credited unproven treatments for his mild symptoms, echoing his political role model US President Donald Trump. “If it weren’t for the test, I wouldn’t know the result. And it turned out positive,” he told the television cameras, adding he had started to feel sick on Sunday and grown worse on Monday, with a fever, muscle pains and exhaustion. The president said he was taking hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug with unproven effectiveness against COVID-19 that has been touted by Trump and some of his supporters and pro-government factions in Brazil as a potential cure.
Finishing the interview with three TV channels, Bolsonaro stepped back and removed his mask to reveal a smile, adding: “You can see from my face that I’m well and I’m calm.” The leader released a separate video later on Tuesday, showing him sitting at a desk and gulping down what he described as his third dose of hydroxychloroquine. Bolsonaro, like Trump, has blasted experts at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and voiced skepticism about the virulence of the virus, although the US president has moderated his tone. The Brazilian leader repeated his claim on Tuesday that the risks of COVID-19 were exaggerated and most Brazilians did not need to worry: “Be assured that for you the chance of something more serious is close to zero.” He has regularly appeared in public without a mask and on Friday vetoed parts of a bill that made the use of masks mandatory in public places. His veto removed the requirement to wear a mask in enclosed spaces such as churches, factories, commercial or educational locations. He also blocked the stipulation that masks be provided on such premises and people removed if they are not using them. CRITICISM OF HIS APPROACH: With more than 1.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases in Brazil, Bolsonaro’s
handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from public health experts as he fought state and city efforts to impose social distancing, arguing that the economic damage would be worse than the disease itself. He has fired two health ministers during the pandemic, both trained doctors, and replaced them with an activeduty army general on an interim basis. Asked about Bolsonaro’s health, a White House spokeswoman said “we wish him well and a speedy recovery.” Bolsonaro joins a shortlist of government leaders infected with the coronavirus, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, both of whom were treated in hospitals and needed extra oxygen. Over the weekend, Bolsonaro was also in close contact with US Ambassador Todd Chapman during July 4 celebrations, and pictures showed neither wearing a mask. The US embassy said Chapman had tested negative but would remain in quarantine. HEALTH BODY URGES MORE ACTION: After his diagnosis, Bolsonaro said he would keep working via videoconference and “rarely receive one person or another to sign a document.” Pan American Health Organization director for communicable diseases Marcos Espinal wished Bolsonaro a “speedy recovery” but said his infection carried a message.
rain pounds central Japan as 61 feared dead in south KURUME: Torrential rain pounded central Japan Wednesday as authorities said 61 people were feared dead in days of heavy downpours that have triggered devastating landslides and terrifying floods. Rains that began early Saturday on the island of Kyushu have already inflicted widespread damage across a swathe of the southwestern portion of the country, causing rivers to burst their banks and hillsides to collapse. As the weather front moved north, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of heavy rain in central Gifu and Nagano prefectures, but downgraded its advisories from their top level. Evacuation orders were lifted for hundreds of thousands of people. Nevertheless, a JMA official warned of "an unprecedented level" of rain for parts of central Japan. "Especially in areas designated as high risk for landslides and flooding, the possibility is extremely high that some kind of disaster is already happening," he added. At least 80,000 rescue workers have already been deployed to reach survivors stranded by flooding and landslides, with another 10,000 troops set to join them. The toll in the disaster has risen steadily as the rescue operation continues. An official of the hardest-hit Kumamoto region told AFP that there had been 55 deaths and "four people are in cardio-respiratory arrest" -- the term used before confirming death. There were also two deaths in Omuta city, also in Kyushu. More than a dozen people are still missing and authorities are investigating whether six other deaths are linked to the disaster. 'OVERCOME WITH HELPLESSNESS': In hardest-hit Kyushu, the rains had mostly stopped by Wednesday morning, leaving residents to pick up the pieces. Keisuke Masuda, a 67-year-old resident of Hitoyoshi city told the Jiji news agency he had watched in horror as a tide of water from the swollen Kuma river carried away a neighbour. "He was swept away right before my eyes," Masuda said. The elderly man had been clinging to a bush trying to withstand the flood water but eventually could hold on no longer, Masuda said, describing his neighbour waving to his wife as he was washed away. "I was overcome with a sense of helplessness," Masuda added. AGENCIES
india arrests South korean ceO, 11 others for gas leak at LG polymers NEW DELHI: Indian police have arrested 12 LG Polymers officials, including its South Korean chief executive, an officer said on Wednesday, two months after a gas leak at the company’s south India chemical plant killed 12. The arrests were made under a case of culpable homicide filed against the company’s South Korean parent, LG Chem Ltd, when the leak occurred in May, police commissioner Rajiv Kumar Meena said. “A total of twelve members including the CEO and two directors were arrested on Tuesday evening,” Meena, the top officer in the port city of Visakhapatnam where the plant is located, said. Among those arrested were two directors, one of whom was a South Korean, Meena said. Toxic styrene gas leaked from the chemical plant in the early hours of May 7, choking many people who were sleeping. This week, a government-appointed committee recommended that the plant be shifted away from human habitation and called for action against the top employees. AGENCIES
WHO to issue new brief on airborne transmission of coronavirus, after further discussions UNITED APP
The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to issue a brief on the modes of transmission of the new coronavirus, a senior official has said. Epidemiologist Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19, was responding to a journalist’s question at a news briefing in Geneva about an open letter signed by hundreds of scientists urging the UN agency to update its recommendations on airborne transmission. Dr. van Kerkhove said WHO welcomes interaction with the scientific community. She reported that the group first wrote to the UN agency on 1 April and there has been “active engagement” since then. “Many of the signatories are engineers, which is a wonderful area of expertise, which adds to growing knowledge about the importance of ventilation which we feel also
is very important”, she said. WHO has been studying the various potential modes of coronavirus transmission, including by airborne or aerosol droplets, but also other channels such as from mother-tochild, and from animal-to-human. The agency is producing a scientific brief that consolidates the growing knowledge around this subject, which will be issued in the coming days. The WHO chief has repeated his longstanding appeal for global solidarity to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that although cases are accelerating globally, the peak of the pandemic has yet to be reached. “While the number of deaths appears to have leveled off globally, in reality some countries have made significant progress in reducing the number of deaths, while in other countries, deaths are still on the rise”, he said.
“Where there has been progress in reducing deaths, countries have implemented targeted actions toward the most vulnerable groups, for example those people living in long-term care facilities.” As of Tuesday, there were 11.4 million cases of COVID-19, and more than 535,000 deaths. Tedros said while it took 12 weeks to reach 400,000 cases worldwide, this same number was recorded over the past weekend alone. “I will say it again. National unity and global solidarity are more important than ever to defeat a common enemy, a virus that has taken the world hostage”, he told journalists. “This is our only road out of this pandemic. I repeat national unity and global solidarity.” WHO is concerned about how the pandemic is having an impact on efforts to tackle HIV, as some 73 countries are at risk of running out of antiretroviral medicines (ARVs). To address difficulties in accessing treat-
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ment during the crisis, WHO recommends prescribing these treatments for longer periods of time, up to six months. The UN agency also urged countries to ensure uninterrupted prevention, treatment and services for HIV amid the pandemic. While more than 25 million people worldwide have access to ARVs, WHO said progress has stalled in the areas of prevention, testing and treatment because services are not reaching those who most need them. The confirmation on Tuesday that Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for COVID-19 shows that the disease can affect anyone, according to UN health officials. Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the pandemic threat, made the announcement on Brazilian television. He joins other world leaders, senior government officials and politicians who have contracted the virus, including United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“I think it brings home for us all the reality of this virus. No one is special in that regard. We are all potentially exposed to this virus”, said Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO Executive Director. “The virus does not really know who we are. Whether we are prince or pauper, we are equally vulnerable.” Both Dr. Ryan and the WHO chief wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery. Tedros also highlighted how the new coronavirus is “public enemy number one”, an expression he has used throughout the pandemic. “It’s very important to understand the seriousness of this virus and to be really serious. No country is immune, and no country is safe. And no individual can be safe”, he said. WHO experts will be traveling to China this weekend to prepare scientific plans with their local counterparts for identifying the zoonotic source of COVID-19.
thursday, 9 July, 2020
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BaTSmEN aND BoWLERS aRE aDapTINg WELL To ENgLISH coNDITIoNS: azHaR aLI KARACHI
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AKISTAN Test team captain Azhar Ali feels that the players getting time to practice ahead of the Test series in England conditions will come handy for the team. Pakistan men’s national cricket team have started their preparations for the Test and T20I series against England with a two-day inter-squad scenariobased practice match played on 5-6 July at Worcester. The team returned to training on 30 June after a gap of more than three months and captain Azhar Ali believes the scenariobased match will prove to be beneficial for the players to ready themselves for the all-
England, West Indies take a knee in first Test SOUTHAMPTON AGENCIES
England and West Indies players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign as international cricket resumed after the coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday. Both teams had already announced they would be wearing BLM logos on their shirts during the three-match series. England captain Ben Stokes decided to bat after winning the toss, with rain having washed out the morning session. The players gathered in a semi-circle in the middle at Southampton to observe a minute's silence in memory of both the victims of Covid-19 and West Indies great Everton Weekes, who died last week at the age of 95. West Indies players also wore a black glove on their right hand in an echo of the Black Power protests made famous by US athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos after they received their gold and bronze medals following in the 200 metres at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Kemar Roach bowled the first ball and Rory Burns survived a confident lbw appeal off the fourth ball of the match. But England lost their first wicket off the 10th ball when Dom Sibley was bowled for a duck by fast bowler Shannon Gabriel playing no shot. Rain stopped play at 1317 GMT with England one for one off three overs.
Tottenham's Eric Dier given four-game ban over fan confrontation LONDON AGENCIES
Tottenham's Eric Dier has received a fourmatch ban and been fined £40,000 for climbing into the stands to confront a supporter after his side's FA Cup exit to Norwich. The England international has been sanctioned by the Football Association on a charge of misconduct for the incident, which happened on March 4. Dier, whose team had just lost a penalty shootout, saw his brother being abused by a fan and raced to his aid. There was no physical exchange and the matter was not pursued by the police after a brief investigation. However, the FA opted to punish Dier. "Eric Dier has been suspended for four matches with immediate effect, fined £40,000 ($50,000) and warned as to his future conduct following a breach of FA Rule E3," it said in a statement. "The Tottenham Hotspur FC player admitted that his actions at the conclusion of a fixture against Norwich City FC in The FA Cup on 4 March 2020 were improper but denied that they were also threatening. "An independent regulatory commission subsequently found Eric Dier's actions to be threatening." The punishment, which rules Dier out for all but one of Spurs' remaining Premier League games this season, will anger boss Jose Mourinho, who has defended his player. He recently said he did not expect Dier to receive any punishment after the FA chose not to sanction Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi for grabbing Brighton striker Neal Maupay around the neck. Dier's absence will be a blow for Spurs in their pursuit of European football next season who has been first choice in central defence since the season restarted last month.
important three ICC World Test Championship fixtures against England, which commence from 5 August at Old Trafford. “We are playing cricket after a long time and it is not going to be easy to start at fullstrength,” Azhar told pcb.com.pk. “We have to go step-by-step and I am very happy that the boys utilized their practice time of four days well.” “No matter how much you practice, playing matches is always more beneficial. If you spend half of your practice’s time in scenario-based matches, it gives you a lot more confidence. Playing this scenario-based match was very important for us.” In what will be their third Test series in England in the last five years, Pakistan will take on the hosts in a three-match series. The
first match will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, followed by the last two Tests at Ageas Bowl, Southampton, which start on 13 and 21 August. The Pakistan captain is optimistic that his players will be ready for the challenge when the series arrives. “Both batsmen and bowlers have adapted to the conditions. The wind was troubling the bowlers initially but they overcame it, which was heartening. Definitely, the players are going to need some time to adjust. Despite the break, they are in good shape which is a positive sign for us. “All the batsmen batted quite well especially Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq and Abid Ali seemed in total control, Shan Masood adapted well to the conditions and Moham-
mad Rizwan looked in good shape. “Mohammad Abbas is our experienced bowler and his presence is of advantage for us as he also keeps guiding the youngsters. He is someone who can be a very important member of the attack for us. Naseem Shah bowled very well in the scenario-based match. He will attain more control as he continues to bowl.” To prevent the proliferation of Covid-19, the International Cricket Council has introduced changes in its playing conditions which do not permit the bowlers from shining the ball with saliva and handing their sweater, cap or hat to the umpires while bowling. Azhar said that adjusting to the new regulations was a little difficult, but the practice games will help in the adaptation. “There are some areas where we have to
adapt,” he said. “In this weather, it was only the fast bowlers who sweated so it was a challenge for us to shine the ball. But that is something which will change as the weather continues to get warm. “The most challenging thing, however, was that the bowlers had to put their sweaters and caps outside the boundary rope because of which managing the over rate was getting a bit difficult. Especially, in Yasir Shah’s case he fields in the circle but had to go all the way to the boundary to put his things. But I am comfortable that we will adapt to these changes as we still have a twoday and two four-day matches to play and they will help us.” Pakistan are currently under a 14-day quarantine period, following which they will travel to Derbyshire on 13 July.
ICC’s saliva ban to affect Pakistani pacers more: Junaid Khan ISLAMABAD APP
Left-arm pacer Junaid Khan believes the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban the usage of saliva to shine cricket balls, would affect the Pakistani fast-bowlers more, as they rely on reverse swing with the old ball to take wickets. ICC has temporarily banned the fastbowlers from applying saliva to shine the ball, which help them generate greater swing in the air. The ban would be implemented from the forthcoming three-match Test series between England and West Indies in the United Kingdom. Junaid said that all fast-bowlers would generally take a hit from the ban but it will affect the Pakistani bowlers more, as they
rely on reverse swing with the old (used) ball to take wickets. “Both sides will have difficulty if there is no reverse swing on offer due to the saliva ban. However, our bowlers are likely to struggle more. Anderson bowls well with the new ball and his reverse swing is not that good. Similarly, Broad and Archer’s reverse swing is not as effective as our bowlers,” cricketpakistan.com.pk quoted Junaid as saying. “Even though Abbas bowls at 125 kph, he has done well with reverse swing in Asia. Shaheen’s reverse swing may not be as good as Abbas, but it is still alright. The four Test matches that Naseem has played, he has taken most wickets with reverse swing. Our pacers, particularly the likes of
Shaheen, Naseem and Musa will have a difficult time as they do not have the experience of playing in England and are not used to the conditions there,” he added. The 30-year-old was disappointed to miss out on the opportunity to represent Pakistan in the aforementioned series despite having considerable experience in England. “I was disappointed when my name wasn’t in the 29-member squad announced for England tour. I am more experienced than the bowlers selected for the tour and want to play Test cricket,” he said. “Apart from Abbas, no other bowler in the current Test squad has a better bowling strike rate or average than me. I have played County cricket for six years, have toured England with the Under-19 team
Djokovic says still undecided over US Open BELGRADE AGENCIES
Novak Djokovic, who recently tested negative for coronavirus after testing positive during his Balkans charity event, told a Serbian newspaper on Wednesday that he still was not sure if he would play the US Open. "I still do not know if I will play the US Open," the tennis world number one said in an interview with the Sportski Zurnal daily paper. "I will certainly not play Washington or Cincinnati as planned." The ATP and WTA tours are set to resume next month, even though several professional players have contracted Covid-19. The US Open will be the first Grand Slam following the restart, due
to get underway behind closed doors in New York on August 31. Djokovic resumed training on Tuesday and said he would take part on clay events. "Participation at Roland Garros is certain for now, Madrid and Rome are part of my agenda," he said. The Serbian said he thought the ATP's revised ranking system, due to be introduced in August, was "correct". Djokovic said on July 2 that he and his wife Jelena had both tested negative for coronavirus after testing positive during the Adria Tour in late June. The couple had been self-isolating since returning to Belgrade from Croatia, where the second leg of his ill-fated tournament was held. Four players -- Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki -- tested positive for the virus
after the event which saw little social distancing and packed stands. Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic also contracted Covid-19. Players had embraced across the net, played basketball and even danced in a nightclub during the week of the first leg played in Belgrade. Djokovic, widely criticised for hosting the tournament, issued an apology, saying he was "so deeply sorry" that the event "caused harm". But Djokovic said the widespread criticism he received was like a "witch hunt". "I see nothing but critics lately, many malicious. "Obviously there is something more than criticism, as if there is an agenda, someone has to 'fall', a personality, a big name has to be the main culprit for everything," he said.
Solskjaer says Man Utd aiming for maximum points to reach Champions League LONDON AGENCIES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United may need to win all of their remaining Premier League games to qualify for next season's Champions League. Leicester's 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Tuesday means if United, who travel to Aston Villa on Thursday, win their remaining five matches they are guaranteed a top-four finish. They are in fifth place, four points behind Leicester with a game in hand. Fifth spot could prove enough pending the outcome of Manchester City's appeal against their two-year European ban. "You never know what is going to happen, but the teams around us are playing well," Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. "We just focus on this one, the next one. "If we win every single one of them, we are in the top four. We cannot rely on help from anyone else, we just have to do it ourselves." The Norwegian boss said the team's 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions had infused them with confidence. "As a footballer you know you can't just pick out your
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confidence from the fridge," he said. "You have to (get) it from what you do every day in training, but the results, they matter. "The last 16 games unbeaten gives us more confidence, but 16 games is nowhere near where a Manchester United team should strive towards. We can still go many games unbeaten if we concentrate on the right things." The form of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood has dampened talk of the need for a new striker at the club after Romelu Lukaku left last year. Solskjaer was asked whether he felt vindicated in the changes he had made. "This isn't a popularity contest, that's for sure," he said. "I have to make decisions that I think are for the benefit of the club. "The decisions we made last summer and in January, bringing players in, allowing players to move on. I think, in my mind they were always for the good of the club and the team, both in terms of giving youngsters a chance but also in terms of giving trust to the other ones." He added: "So, for me, I would still make the same decisions if I could go back 12 months or six months."
and my performances in Champions Trophy were also outstanding. As far as Twenty20 cricket is concerned, I have the most wickets as an overseas bowler for Lancashire after James Faulkner.” Junaid also rued the lack of consistent chances and support he got from the Pakistan team management as compared to his fellow left-arm pacer, Mohammad Amir. “I am not jealous of Amir. It is his luck that he got support from the team management despite not performing in 14 or 15 ODIs. Whereas I did not have the same luck, as I was dropped after not performing in only two games,” he said. Junaid made his international debut in all three formats in 2011. The left-arm pacer has represented Pakistan in 22 Tests, 76 ODIs and nine T20s.
Spain to play postponed friendly against Holland in November MADRID AGENCIES
Spain will play their postponed friendly against Holland on November 11 in Amsterdam, the two federations confirmed on Wednesday. The match was originally scheduled for March 29 but had to be called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. Spain will return on September 3 against Germany in the Nations League, for what will be Luis Enrique's first game since being reappointed coach.
RB Leipzig sign South Korea's Hwang to replace Werner BERLIN AGENCIES
RB Leipzig announced Wednesday the signing of Hwang Hee-chan from their sister club Red Bull Salzburg to replace Timo Werner, but the South Korea forward is unavailable for the Champions League next month. The 24-yearold inherits the number 11 shirt Werner vacated when he left for Chelsea last month. Hwang has agreed a five-year contract in a transfer reportedly worth nine million euros ($10 million). He is the 17th player in eight years to move from Salzburg to Leipzig as both clubs are backed by Austrian energy drink giant Red Bull. "He fits perfectly into what we require, can play any position in attack, on the wing or acting as a central striker," said Leipzig sports director Markus Kroesche. "With his speed and agility he makes our attack even more flexible." However, Leipzig pointed out Hwang has signed for 2020-21 campaign and will miss the Champions League finals tournament in Lisbon next month. The German side, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season and knocked out Tottenham in the last 16, will discover their quarter-final opponents in Friday's draw. Hwang scored 16 goals making 22 assists in helping Salzburg win the Austrian league and cup double last term.
Thursday, 9 July, 2020
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FBR likely To Miss TaRgeT FoR 1sT quaRTeR oF Fy21, new chaiRMan Tells na Body ISLAMABAD
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NA COMMITTEE CRITICISES FBR’S TAX REFUND PROCESS, SEEKS DETAILED BRIEFING ON STUCK-UP AMOUNT
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DMITTING that the revenue collection target for the financial year 2020-21 (FY21) would be “very difficult” to achieve, the newly-appointed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman has said that his department may not be able to meet the target for the first quarter (July-Sept) due to the impact of Covid-19. "I cannot say whether we would be able to collect revenue as per target of the first quarter," FBR Chairman Javed Ghani said while briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on Wednesday. During the meeting, which was chaired by MNA Faizullah, the members expressed
dissatisfaction on the presentation given by Member (Inland Revenue) Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed about refunds issued by the FBR on account of income tax, sales tax and customs duty. Earlier, Dr Ashfaq informed the committee that the FBR had released an amount of Rs174.8 billion in refunds during the fiscal year (FY20), adding that the department had also paid Rs100 billion additional refunds under the prime minister's package.
Telenor Microfinance Bank reports Rs16.3bn loss for 2019 KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI
Telenor Microfinance Bank on Wednesday, released its financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2019 announcing a loss after tax of Rs16.35 billion. According to the financials, the bank’s loss after tax fell from Rs2.51 billion in 2018 to Rs16.35 billion for the year ending December 2019. The bank also reported a revenue of Rs18 billion for 2019. The bank’s loss per share for the year clocked in at Rs45.25, which is a fall from the loss per share of Rs9.64 during the same period of the previous year. A part of the loss came from fall in the net interest income which fell from Rs6.1 billion in 2018 to Rs5.6 billion in 2019. Moreover, during the financial year ended in December 2019, the bank had to set aside a hefty Rs8.81 billion as provisions against non-performing loans, compared to the Rs1.36 billion set aside in 2018. This led to the net interest income after provisions to report a loss of Rs3.25 billion in 2019, compared to the income of Rs4.73 billion earned in 2018. Meanwhile, the total noninterest income stayed relatively stable at Rs8.5 billion, compared to Rs8.386 billion in 2018. However, non-interest expenses shot up, from Rs15.24 billion in 2018, to Rs21.06 billion in 2019. Most of this was due to rise in administrative expenses, which stood at Rs20.8 billion in 2019, compared to Rs14.94 billion in 2018. WHAT HAPPENED? In explaining what led to the net loss of Rs16.3 billion, Telenor Microfinance Bank blamed the provision of around Rs8 billion it had to set aside for fraud in the bank, due to an investigation in the bank’s branches that has been ongoing since at least October 2019. “While a major part of the net loss is attributed to investments in expanding the digital payments business, the other contributor is credit impairment loss, for which a provision of Rs8.9 billion was made by taking into account expected losses and credit irregularities that also include fraud,” the bank said in a press release.
ZTBL URGED TO HELP FARMERS BY PROVIDING LOANS AT LOWER RATES On this, MNA Naveed Qamar asked the FBR members to share the actual volume of unpaid refunds. "The committee should also be briefed on the stuck-up amount along with the payment procedures." MNA Hina Rabbani Khar claimed that the total stuck-up refund amount was Rs600 billion, asking the FBR to present complete details of pending refunds. PML-N's MNA Ayesh Ghous Pasha accused the FBR of "issuing refunds only to the elite", while others were being put in an
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
The government on Wednesday sought to address concerns regarding the construction of a Hindu temple in the federal capital, saying the real issue was whether or not it could be built using pubic funds. “There is no need to debate on the rights of minorities as they are protected by the PTI government. The party’s manifesto calls for removing all obstructions in the implementation of constitutional provisions regarding the rights of minorities,” Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri said while addressing the National Assembly. Qadri said that a few minority members of the assembly had contacted him and said they had acquired four kanals for the temple and asked him to arrange funds for its construction. “I told them that I had limited funds for renovating existing places of worship and can’t arrange such a large sum. “On the request of the members, the matter was referred to the prime minister and there has been no progress in this regard,” he said, adding that since then, a few religious scholars had issued statements opposing the construction of the temple using public funds. “There is no question on the temple’s construction. The issue is whether or not it can be built using public money.” He added that the issue has been sent to the
endless queue. The committee chairman seconded the observation of the MNAs and gave the FBR officials a one-day deadline to come up with details regarding payments of the refund and pending amounts so far. Meanwhile, the committee recommended the government that newly appointed FBR chief Javed Ghani should be made a regular chairman so as to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of the FBR. The government had recently given an additional charge of FBR chairman to Javed Ghani for a period of three months. Moreover, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) President Shahbaz Jameel briefed the committee about the bank’s situational analysis and suggestions for the way forward. He informed that the Finance Division on May 15 had constituted an advisory committee for the restructuring of ZTBL. The
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Govt says CII to advise on use of public funds for Hindu temple in capital Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). Qadri said construction had been halted due to technical reasons and issues with the Capital Development Authority (CDA). His remarks come a day after the Islamabad High Court disposed of three identical petitions filed against the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad’s Sector H-9/2. The court observed that the construction of a worship place required mandatory approval of the regulator, in this case the CDA. Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that it was “unacceptable” to deprive minorities of their places of worship and the rights granted to them under the Constitution. “We have condemned violence against Muslims in India and Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. When we speak out against all these issues, the persecution that Muslims are facing, the annexation in Israel […] if we don’t protect and defend our own minorities then how will we fight the case of other Muslims across the world?” Addressing the assembly, Mazari said that
the government had a very clear stance on the issue and supported and defended the rights afforded to minorities under the constitution and international conventions signed by Pakistan. The human rights minister was responding to PMLN leader Khawaja Asif’s speech, in which he had highlighted that a “planned campaign” against minorities was being run on social media. “It can’t happen that we endanger them, strip them of their rights, and prevent them from celebrating their festivals in their places of worship. That is unacceptable,” Mazari said. Commenting on the issue raised by Asif, she said that the government will take action against this as soon as they receive the evidence and will report to the House about the steps taken. “Pakistan’s vision is the same as Quaid-i-Azam’s. We stand with it and draw strength from it when we raise our voice against the persecution of Muslims around the world because we know our law and Constitution safeguard the rights of minorities.
multilateral fora, and regional situation, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson in a press release on Wednesday said. The foreign secretary extended condolences over the loss of precious lives in Spain due to Covid-19 and commended Spain’s efforts to contain the virus and steps to revive the economy. He also briefed his Spanish counterpart on the measures being taken by the government of Pakistan, with central focus on saving lives, securing livelihoods, and stimulating the economy. The two sides exchanged views about the socio-economic effects of the pandemic. The foreign secretary apprised his Spanish counterpart of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s domestic stimulus package as well as his call for “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” for developing countries. APP
Govt takes away drug pricing power from pharmaceutical companies ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI
The federal government has put an end to the power of pharmaceutical companies to increase prices of drugs while not paying any heed to opposition from some cabinet members and pharmaceutical companies. According to sources, on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan who also holds the portfolio of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the federal cabinet has granted its approval to put an end to all provisions of Drug Pricing Policy, 2018 which contradict Section 12 of Drugs Act, 1976. Sources informed that the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza opposed the decision while Ministry of Health Secretary Aamir
Ashraf Khawaja favoured the decision. After the federal cabinet’s approval, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination will determine drug prices on the applications of pharmaceutical companies and notification of price hikes will be issued by the federal government, said sources. According to sources the Federal Health Ministry had earlier submitted a summary before the federal cabinet seeking an end to paragraph seven of Drug Pricing Policy, 2018. However, the summary was dropped from the agenda of the federal cabinet’s meeting held on June 24 after Prime minister's aide Dr Zafar Mirza allegedly approached the Cabinet Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera. Documents available with Profit disclosed that a meeting on the drug pricing was chaired by the prime minister on July 2,
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committee members included Shaukat Tareen, Zubair Soomro, and Atif Bokhari. MNA Ahsan Iqbal intervened on the matter and said there was no need for the constitution of any committee at a time when locusts and coronavirus have badly damaged the agriculture sector of the country. He said the bank should focus on providing loans at lower rates to help the farmers. Hina Rabbani Khar recalled that in November 2019, the committee had given a twoweek deadline to the bank for the formulation of board of directors but the same was not carried out despite a lapse of seven months. The committee expressed its displeasure on the delay for the formulation of the bank's board of directors and directed Finance Secretary Naveed Kamran Balooch to apprise the committee in this regard on Thursday. The committee also showed resentment over lack of disbursements of agriculture loans to the farmers by ZTBL as compared to previous years. The members were of the view that the government should analyse the current situation before carrying reforms in the bank. The committee also took notice of purchase of pulses at higher prices and directed that Utility Stores Corporation (USC) managing director to appear before the committee on Thursday.
Pakistan conveys concerns to Spain on temporary suspension of PIA flights ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood during a video conference with Spanish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Cristina Gallach highlighted Pakistan’s concern on temporary suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights into European Union as follow up to European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) recent decision and called for its review. He underlined that all necessary steps were being taken by the government of Pakistan to ensure the highest level of flight safety in PIA operations. PIA remained committed to maintaining the highest standards and quality in its operations. Both exchanged views which covered a broad range of subjects including response to Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral relations, close cooperation in
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which was attended by special assistant to the prime minister for national health services, members of task force on health, ministry of health secretary and DRAP chief executive officer. The Health Ministry convinced the federal cabinet that the pricing powers of pharmaceutical companies under paragraph seven of the Drug Pricing Policy, 2018 was against Section 12 of Drugs Act, 1976 and that the federal government should hold the power to determine prices of drugs. According to sources both prime minister's aide Dr Zafar Mirza and Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood were of the stance that putting an end to pharmaceutical companies powers will increase the indulgence of bureaucracy in the pharmaceutical industry. Earlier, owing to a massive hike in prices of drugs during the last ten months, the prime minister had advised the review of the Drugs Pricing Policy, 2018.
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