EpaperKH_2020-07-23

Thursday, 23 July, 2020 I 1 Dhul-Hijjah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 25 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Govt removes Hafeez sHaikH from nfC, restores Previous tors g

AGP PreSentS new notifiCAtion reGArdinG nfC’S formAtion before iHC

ISLAMABAD

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GHULaM aBBas

He government on wednesday removed Pm’s Adviser on finance dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh as a member of the 10th national finance Commission (nfC) and issued a new notification on the composition of members. the government made the decision after opposition from provinces and balochistan High Court’s (bHC) verdict against the composition of the nfC. Shaikh being the finance adviser cannot chair the nfC, since under the constitution only the finance minister can chair the commission. in case of absence of the finance minister, the prime minister being the minister in-charge has to chair nfC’s meetings. moreover, in addition to nfC’s composition, previous tors were also restored, since the new tors gave the Center a higher share in nfC without making any constitutional amendments. earlier on may 19, Pakistan muslim League-nawaz (PmL-n) leader Khurrum dastagir had challenged the formation of 10th nfC in the islamabad High Court (iHC). on June 24, the bHC had annulled the

notification issued by President Arif Alvi for the constitution of the 10th nfC, ruling that the appointment of nfC members was not in accordance with the constitution.

As per the constitution of 10th nfC notified in may 2020, the government had introduced some new tors in the new nfC, which were not part of the previous commissions. these included assessment and allocation of resources to meet expenditures made on security and natural disasters and calamities. Another addition made to the tors was the assessment of total public debt and allocation of resources for its repayment. the joint opposition had recently also rejected a motion in Senate moved by muttahida Qaumi movement (mQm) Senator muhammad Ali Saif regarding a constitutional amendment bill for lifting the cap on nfC Award and providing a share of resources to provinces not less than what they got under the previous nfC Award. the mQm senator also wanted distribution of resources as per the current needs of the provinces.

As per the new composition of the nfC notified by the finance division on wednesday the finance minister will chair the commission while finance ministers of

Coronavirus in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

268,815

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

38

1,332

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

210,468 5,702 115,213

90,816

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

32,753

1,937/1,878

11,517

14,701

four provinces will be members of the commission. other members include tariq bajwa from Punjab government, dr Asad Sayeed from Sindh government, musharraf rasool Cyan from KP government and dr Kaisar bengali from balochistan government.

Under the existing nfC arrangements, provinces get a 57.5 per cent share of the federal divisible Pool (fdP) while the federal government gets a 42.5 per cent share.

According to Article 160 of the constitution, after every five years the president has to constitute the nfC for a period of five years. while the 8th and 9th nfC remained inconclusive, the revenue distribution mechanism set under the 7th nfC Award under the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in 2010 would be extended to the new nfC. IHC DISPOSES PETITION: meanwhile, a two-member bench of the iHC presided

by Justice Amir farooq disposed of dastagir’s petition after Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan informed the court that the government had issued a new notification regarding the nfC’s formation. “the first notification has become ineffective,” said the AGP. “now this notification is on the field. the financial adviser has not been included in the commission.” the AGP further added that the terms of references (tors) against the formation of nfC have also been changed. “i also objected to the notification of the formation of the old finance Commission,” he added.

Justice Amir farooq told the petitioner that the new notification, which was challenged, was withdrawn by the government and the petition was complied with. After the new notification of the commission, the PmL-n leader’s petition became ineffective.

Addressing reporters after the hearing, dastagir’s lawyer and PmL-n leader mohsin Shahnawaz ranjha said that their objection was that nfC was formed without their consultation. “it is our achievement that we forced the government to work according to the constitution,” he added.

SC expresses displeasure over sharing of ‘objectionable content’ on social media ISLAMABAD staff report

the Supreme Court (SC) on wednesday took notice of “objectionable content” against the judiciary being shared on social media platforms, including Youtube, and issued notices to the foreign office (fo) and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan in this regard.

A three-member bench, comprising Justice mushir Alam, Justice Qazi muhammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Aminuddin Khan, took notice during a hearing on a bail petition of a man accused of a sectarian crime. during the hearing, Justice Amin remarked that the public had a right to comment on the judiciary’s performance and judgements but social media “did not even spare their families and shamed the judges”. “they become ‘uncles’ on social media and incite people against the Pakistan Army, judiciary and government,” he said, adding that the judiciary “has no objection to the right to freedom of speech,” the judge said. “our salaries come from the public’s money, [but] the Constitution gives us the right to our private lives.”

Journalist was abducted to ‘scare others’, iHC declares ISLAMABAD staff report

the islamabad High Court (iHC) on wednesday declared that the alleged abduction of journalist matiullah Jan, who was released late on tuesday night after brief captivity, was meant to “scare others” as it wrapped up a habeas corpus petition filed by the journalist’s brother.

Jan, who was due to appear before a Supreme Court (SC) bench on wednesday in a suo motu case against him for posting a “contemptuous” tweet against the judiciary, was abducted on tuesday by half a dozen plainclothes and police uniformed men from outside a government school in islamabad’s G-6 Sector. He was released late night near fateh Jang, some 48 kilometres from the federal capital. while Jan was missing, a petition was filed by his brother Shahid Akbar Abbasi, through barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon, before the iHC. the high court had accepted the petition “keeping in view the gravity of the matter and its implication in the context of constitutionally guaranteed rights of the citizen”. iHC Chief Justice Athar mi-

nallah, who heard the case on wednesday, noted that alleged CCtV footage of the incident showed that those who picked him up were in police uniforms.

“Someone has the nerve to do such a thing in police uniforms,” Justice minallah remarked, observing that vehicles that had surrounded Jan’s car had police headlights as well. “what impression will the public get that people are roaming around freely in police uniforms,” he said, adding that the episode was meant to “scare others” without elaborating further. the chief justice said because footage showed men in

police uniforms, Jan’s abduction would be a “test case” for the police. “if there is no rule of law, there will be nothing here except chaos,” Justice minallah said. during the hearing, a representative of the interior ministry and deputy inspector General (operations) waqaruddin Syed appeared before the court in response to the high court’s notices to interior Secretary Yousaf naseem Khokhar, Chief Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmad and islamabad inspector General of Police (iGP) Amir Zulfiqar Khan.

Justice minallah termed the incident as “alarming”, saying that such an act “cannot be tolerated”. “it is our misfortune that such an event happened in islamabad,” he lamented, adding that the federal government should “ensure the freedom of expression”. diG (operation) Syed told the court that an fir had been lodged, at which the chief justice asked why clauses related to terrorism had not been added. “terror clauses are included in [the case of] any crime committed against a journalist,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Justice Amin said that the top court had announced a judgement on a case a day earlier which was then discussed on Youtube. “we are showing patience [but] this has to come to an end.”

Justice Amin questioned whether the federal investigation Agency (fiA) and the Pakistan telecommunication Authority (PtA) had seen what was happening on Youtube. “there are several countries where Youtube is banned. try uploading content against America and the european Union,” he said, observing that “many countries control social media through local laws”.

PtA authorities, present in court, replied that they could not remove “individual content but could only report it”. following notices to the AG and foreign office, the hearing was adjourned for an indefinite period. the top court last week took suo motu notice of an alleged contemptuous tweet by journalist mateeullah Jan. A Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Alam and Justice ijazul Ahsan, had issued notices to the attorney general, Jan and president of the Supreme Court of bar Association.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

International media visits LoC, meets victims of Indian aggression STORY ON BACK PAGE

Pm imran discusses Pakistanbangladesh ties with Pm Hasina STORY ON PAGE 05

CPEC, SEZ, roads, energy projects to change fate of Pakistan: Bajwa STORY ON PAGE 03

PPP echoes PmL-n’s demand for abolishing nAb STORY ON PAGE 02

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Thursday, 23 July, 2020

NEWS

PPP eCHoeS PML-N’S DeMAND for AboLISHINg NAb BILAWAL SAYS NAB CHIEF SHOULD RESIGN AND GO HOME ‘IF HE HAS ANY RESPECT’ LAHORE

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STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari on Wednesday demanded that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) be abolished and its chairman, Justice (r) Javed Iqbal should resign and go home, two days after the Supreme Court’ (SC) slammed the anti-corruption watchdog for its “utter disregard for the law” in its verdict in the Paragon Housing Society case.

Bilawal’s remarks came a day after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) demanded a new accountability body in view of the apex court’s ruling.

“Our first step should be to end NAB and shut it down as it’s a scar on the face of the legal system of Pakistan,” Bilawal said while addressing a press conference here.

He said that after the top court’s ver-

dict there was no reason for NAB to stay.

“The NAB chairman, who was a judge at one point, should resign if he has any respect or has read the judgement,” he added.

“If the highest court in this country has put it out there then we cannot leave it just here. The parliament should act at once,” he said. He added that NAB should “clarify” itself as the SC order said that it was not taking action against the government’s mega corruption cases.

“The Bureau should launch an investigation into the foreign funding case, BRT, billion tree cases, special assistants’ assets declaration and dual nationality cases at once,” Bilawal said.

The PPP chief said if his party had made such a declaration then they would have been “facing an asset beyond mean cases and the media would have declared them as traitors”.

“If our system is two-faced then how can he [NAB chairman] come and say ac-

SAYS NAB SHOULD ‘CLARIFY’ WHY IT IS NOT TAKING ACTION AGAINST INCUMBENT GOVT’S ‘MEGA CORRUPTION CASES’ countability will be done from head to toe?” asked Bilawal, calling for an end to the “joke” that was being done with Pakistan.

PML-N leaders, including Khawaja Saad Rafique, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday had said after the SC’s verdict NAB has no standing.

“NAB should be abolished […] The opposition and government should legislate for a new accountability body,” he said, adding: “There is no atmosphere of justice in NAB.” Rafique said that history bears witness that the descendants of those who had strived for the creation of Pakistan were mistreated but there is “no precedent for what happened this time”.

“This trend, of injustice, must be stopped.”

The SC on Monday in its detailed verdict on a bail petition filed by PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique in the Paragon Housing

Society case highlighted severe lapses in due process and legal procedure by NAB. In the detailed, 87-page ruling, penned

by Justice Maqbool Baqar, the court highlighted the definition and purpose of bail as well as due process in criminal cases.

According to the judge, it was unfortunate that “even after 72 years since the creation of our country, and despite 47 years since the adoption of the constitution, we have not been able to realize the spirit and essence of the ideals set out therein”.

Justice Baqar went on to say that the present case was “a classic example of trampling fundamental rights, unlawful deprivation of freedom, and liberty and the complete disregard for human dignity as guaranteed by the Constitution”.

The judge also slammed NAB over various actions and processes, saying its “conduct throughout this case is a clear manifestation of their utter disregard for the law, fair play, equity and propriety”.

PM summons CCI on August 6 to discuss 8-point agenda ISLAMABAD TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday summoned a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on August 7 to discuss an eight-point agenda.

All the four provincial chief ministers and some members of the federal cabinet will attend the CCI’s 42nd session to be held in the federal capital.

The meeting will discuss a range of issues, including amendment to the OGRA Ordinance 2002 and issue of giving control of Lower Portion Chashma Canal to Punjab.

The eight-point agenda includes amendments to the Minerals Act, 1948 and the implementation of HEC decisions will be reviewed in the meeting.

The suggestions will be presented in the upcoming meeting on the issue of water distribution among

PM Imran appoints Shahzad Akbar as adviser on accountability and interior ISLAMABAD STAFF RPEORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday appointed Barrister Mirza Shahzad Akbar as his adviser on accountability and interior with the status of a federal minister with immediate effect. According to a notification from the Cabinet Division, Akbar “shall cease to hold the office of the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior” consequent to upon his appointment as the adviser. Akbar’s appointment as the adviser came on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s advice to President Dr Arif Alvi. Akbar had been wearing three hats — that of Special Assistant on Accountability and Interior Ministry as well as the chief of the Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) with the status of minister of state — since December 2019, making him one of the powerful individuals in the PTI-led government, according to a media report. A former official of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Akbar is a human rights lawyer who has campaigned globally for the victims of drone strikes. He is also the director of the Foundation for Fundamental Rights, an organisation that provides legal aid to enforce fundamental rights guaranteed under the country’s constitution.

IHC stays new recruitment in PTDC ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued a stay order against new recruitment process in the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) on identical petitions pertaining to terminations of employees and appointment of Syed Zulfiqar Bokhari as its acting chairman. The bench directed the federation to submit its reply till August 10. The petitioner’s lawyer prayed the court to declare the termination notifications dated July 1 and 7 as null and void. APP

provinces in the light of decisions taken in the previous CCI meeting.

According to an agenda, the CCI meeting will consider national strategy against the coronavirus pandemic while the implementation of taxes, LNG import and other important decisions will be reviewed in the meeting.

The participants will also review the implementation on the decisions taken during the previous CCI meetings.

In the last CCI meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that all provinces would be given their fair share and the government would resolve the complexities pertaining to the issue of funds’ allotment.

The CCI’s 41st session, which had a 16-point agenda, included a discussion on national-level issues between the Centre and provinces. The PM underscored that all four provinces — Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab — would be given their fair share of money.

APP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday admitted the appeal of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for hearing against the acquittal of former prime minister Pervaiz Ashraf and others in rental power references.

A division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb conducted the

hearing. NAB said the accountability court had ignored the facts in its judgement pertaining to the acquittal

NEWS DESK Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will retain his office as long as he has the trust of Prime Minister Imran Khan. “If a chief minister has backing from the PM they will keep on working,” Fawad said while speaking on a TV show. The minister also remarked that the opposition was not an issue for the incumbent government but it was the expectations that people have with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf that were an issue.

“Opposition is not an issue, the issue is that the people have a lot of expectations from the PTI and people hope that the party will bring a sea change in Pakistan and that is a challenge for us,” he said. The minister explained that the opposition did not pose a threat as political parties are based on individuals, adding that if one individual is eliminated then the party goes into confusion. He cited the example of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying that the party was headless since the exit of supremo Nawaz Sharif. On the moon-sighting issue, Fawad said that his ministry has formalised a system for moon-sighting and sent it to the legislative affairs ministry for approval; adding that the ministry forwarded it to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) as well. “Now it is their and the cabinet’s job if they want to impose it or not,” he said. “If people continue to rely on sighting the moon with the naked eye, the country will never be able to determine a single or certain Eid because it will be different every time and it will go on like this,” he added. “If you say you want to see it from the naked eye, then the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee should comprise men and women of 20 to 22 years age whose eyesight [is perfect],” said the minister.

Fawad also went on to claim that the Hajj moon was born on Monday night at 10:33pm and yesterday was present for “more than 24 hours” but the moon sighting committee said they did not see it “as there were clouds in Karachi”. He further asked that if seeing the moon was “halal” using an old technology, then “why was it haram for seeing it using new technology?”

govt moves IHC for appointment of counsel for Indian spy ISLAMABAD APP

IHC admits NAB's appeal against ex-PM Ashraf's acquittal ISLAMABAD

buzdar to remain Punjab CM as long as he has PM Imran's backing, fawad says

of the accused. The accused were given benefit under the NAB Amendment Ordinance, it said adding that the accused were not entitled for the relief after the lapse of the ordinance.

The bench served notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing of the case.

It may be mentioned here that the trial court had acquitted Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others in two rental power references under the NAB amendment Ordinance.

The federal government has approached Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the appointment of legal representative for detained Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. The petition, which nominated defense secretary and General Headquarters (GHQ) as respondents, stated that Jadhav, who was awarded death sentence on charges of espionage and terrorism, has refused to file a review petition against the sentence. The spy is unable to appoint a lawyer for himself in Pakistan without assistance from his motherland, India, the petition added. Last week, Pakistan had offered to grant consular access to Jadhav for a third time, a day after India’s diplomats stormed out of a meeting with the spy. Confirming the development, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui had said that this time the authorities had offered to give consular access without the presence of a security guard.

China’s satellites help Pakistan monitor locusts BEIJING APP

China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has released special reports on remote sensing data of locust attacks in Pakistan, which according to media reports, can be used to monitor desert locusts and provide early warnings to relevant parties in the country.

“China’s Fengyun series satellites can generate information for analysis of locust-affected area by monitoring rainfall, soil moisture and land surface temperature (LST) changes of the African and South Asian countries,” China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Wednesday.

It said that a hotter and wetter climate favours more multiplication of locusts, and studies have also linked wind direction, speed, and other weather parameters to the migration of locusts, besides, it

added that Fengyun satellites were helpful in the assessment of vegetation damage.

According to an update from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the summer breeding of desert locust swarms has

CMYK

commenced in Pakistan’s Tharparkar, Nara and Cholistan deserts where hatching and band formation will increase later this month.

Locust swarms ravaged crops and pastureland, destroyed food and vege-

tation and jeopardised food security across Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of South Asia. Fengyun-3 (FY-3) polar orbit meteorological satellite, therefore, is used to monitor how the crops are growing. With the monitoring data generated by FY-3, Pakistani scientists can offer remote sensing-based assessment of vegetation damage in locust-invaded areas. According to the CMA, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has been using data collected from China’s CMACast – an updated satellite data broadcast system based on digital video broadcasting.

In addition, data collected by China’s Meteorological Information Comprehensive Analysis and Process System (MICAPS) has been used by Pakistan to analyse and forecast weather for relevant institutions and the public.

The number of countries using Fengyun satellites data has increased to 108 (including 75 countries involved to BRI) by May 2020, and 30 countries have established earth stations to transmit and receive information to and from Fengyun satellites.

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

PM DIreCTS QuALITy HeALTH ServICeS IN PuNjAb ISLAMABAD

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APP

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday stressed upon provision of better facilities and arrangements in the existing health centers of Punjab, besides ensuring availability of latest quality health services.

He also underlined that special attention should be paid to run the newly established health centers on modern lines and in an organised manner.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting to review upgradation of health sector in Punjab.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Punjab ministers Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Dr Yaseem Rashid, PM’s Assistants Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Dr Shahbaz Gil,

chief secretary Punjab and other senior officials. The prime minister was briefed in detail about improvement and upgradation in the health sector in Punjab, especially progress on federal government’s assisted projects and their benefits for the pubic.

The prime minister was apprised of provision of quality health facilities in

President lauds NCoC’s role in tackling Covid-19 as active cases decrease ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi visited the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) and lauded its role in tackling the coronavirus in the country, as the number of active cases continued to decrease on Wednesday. According to statement, President Alvi said that the timely and effective steps taken by the NCOC to control the outbreak of the novel coronavirus were commendable. He also presided over a meeting at the NCOC. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar briefed the meeting on the situation arising out of Covid-19 in the country. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Minister of Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and all the four chief secretaries participated in the meeting through video link. Separately, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has achieved the target of providing 2000 oxygen beds to hospitals across the county before time which is commendable.In a tweet on Wednesday, Umar who also heads National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for Covid19 said, "The federal government had decided to ensure availability of 1000 oxygen beds by end June while 2000 beds by end of July especially for corona patients in critical health." Expressing utmost satisfaction over the performance of NDMA in this regard, he said by now 2,277 beds had been made available in various hospitals across the country and more work was in progress. STAFF REPORT

bilawal's call for closure of NAb condemnable: Shibli ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz has said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari’s call for the closure of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is condemnable. The information minister said that in a tweet on Wednesday in response to the press conference of PPP chief. Faraz alleged that the call was meant to give them free hand to loot people. Separately, in a tweet, the information minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government are firmly committed to the freedom of media, the betterment of journalists and provision of a conducive environment.

He said that the government will continue to strive for the promotion of independent and responsible journalism. INP

cities like Gujranwala, Lahore, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Layyah, Rajanpur, Attock, Mianwali and Chakwal where latest health centers including maternity hospitals and nursing centers were being established costing about Rs80 to Rs90 billion. During the current year, about Rs17 billion would be

spent, it was told and federal government’s cooperation was sought in this regard.

The prime minister directed the Punjab government to encourage private-public partnership for the improved health system.

Referring to incentives on import of machinery by the federal government, provision of abandoned properties at affordable prices for the hospitals and educational institutions, he said, adding that encouragement of private-public partnership in the health sector was the government’s top priority and assured all possible facilities in this regard.

The prime minister regretted that in the past, health facilities in the backward areas of the province had unfortunately been neglected. He also emphasized upon focusing on the maternity health centers because these places lacked facilities.

Later, the prime minister was also briefed on different projects for better arrangements over water resources and irrigation in the province.

Bar leaders laud SC's ruling in Paragon housing case ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Abid Saqi and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Syed Qalb-i-Hassan on Wednesday lauded the Supreme Court (SC) verdict given in the Paragon Housing Society corruption case, terming it as one of the landmark judgements in the country’s history.

In a statement, the bar leaders said the judgement, authored by Justice Maqbool Baqir, truly reflected the ground realities and real problems of the people on account of rapidly deteriorating performance of different state Institutions.

They eulogised the legal acumen of the judges on the twomember bench, which handed down the historic judgment, emphatically touching upon the importance of human dignity, significance of fundamental rights of the citizens and

respect for the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution.

“The findings and remarks of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, as per its verdict against the National Accountability Bureau, amply reflect about the bias of NAB in handling cases to utter disregard of basic principles of dispensation of justice and fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” the statement read. “The handling of cases by NAB, over the years, for political victimisation just to please the government, has lowered down the image of anti-graft body which, in fact, has become a tool for arm-twisting of political opponents of government of the day.”

The joint statement called upon the government and all the state institutions to act in accordance with dictates of the judgment to ensure fair play and easy access to justice which was the only way for good governance and providing true justice to the people coupled with their sense of security and safety. 90

Pakistanis risk unproven plasma treatment in virus fight ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

Pakistanis with Covid-19 are risking their lives and navigating a shady black market to get blood plasma transfusions, despite scant medical proof about the remedy’s effectiveness.

Convalescent plasma treatment, where the antibody-rich part of the blood from a recovered patient is transfused to a coronavirus sufferer, is growing in popularity across the country amid widely circulating claims of success on social media.

Like some other nations, Pakistan is conducting medical trials on the treatment, which has shown promising signs but is far from proven.

But with lengthy wait times and uncertain access, people are turning to the black market and private clinics, where there are no guarantees about the safety or origin of the blood product.

“It’s all born out of desperation because everyone wants to believe there is an answer to this (coronavirus) question,” Fareeha Irfan, a public health specialist, told AFP. “It is easy to exploit the people who are not very well versed in what’s going

on in the scientific world. It is very easy to coerce them.”

Country has declared about 260,000 cases of coronavirus and some 5,500 deaths. With low testing rates, the true figure is thought to be considerably higher. The Pakistan Society of Haematology said plasma hype had led the public — and even some health professionals — to believe the therapy was the standard treatment for the virus. “Use of convalescent plasma can sometimes lead to life-threatening transfusion reactions and transmissions of infections,” the society said.

Nawaz Murad, a lecturer from Lahore, said doctors advised him to organise plasma therapy as a last-ditch attempt to save his father, rapidly deteriorating from Covid-19. Frantic, he turned to Facebook, where he found a donor within hours.

To complete the treatment quickly, the family did not get the blood screened, leaving open the risk of infections such as hepatitis or HIV. “Of course it was worth the risk, there was no other option but to get the transfusion done as soon as possible,” Murad told AFP. “It was not a normal situation, my family were under immense stress.”

The donor provided his plasma for free, but Murad paid the equivalent of about $100 to a doctor to provide the transfusion at home. Some private clinics are reportedly charging up to $300 in the impoverished country.

Legal expert Osama Malik said provincial and federal authorities are “looking the other way” as non-approved centres administer plasma therapy at high prices. “The seven (official) centres are not enough to deal with the high number of desperate patients,” he told AFP. Murad’s father has now recovered, and relatives believe the plasma treatment saved him.

BLACK MARKET DEALERS: While plasma therapy is so far unproven in fighting coronavirus, small studies have found it successful against other infectious diseases including Ebola and SARS. Zoraiz Riaz Syed, who runs the “Corona Recovered Warriors” group of former patients on Facebook, said it had helped connect more than 750 people to blood donors. His group is “providing a central platform for the whole of Pakistan”, he said, adding that people trusted members of the community more than the country’s creaking health care system.

NEWS

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CPeC, SeZ, roads, energy projects to change fate of Pakistan: bajwa ISLAMABAD APP

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information, Broadcasting, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Chairman Lieutenant General (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa on Wednesday said that special economic zones (SEZ), roads, motorways, and energy projects would change the fate of Pakistan. The prime minister has given special directives to speed up the projects falling under CPEC, he stated while talking to a private news channel.The work on special economic zones being carried out in Faisalabad, Karachi, Rashakai area was in progress, he stated. Chinese companies are taking keen interest in corporate farming of Pakistan, he added.He said that priority was given to generate cheap electricity for Pakistan, and for this purpose, domestic coal would be utilised to achieve the objective.Lt Gen (r) Bajwa said that water reservoirs, dams and other hydel projects, including Diamer-Bhasha, would benefit the agriculture sector. To a question, the CPEC Authority chairman said that civil and military leadership had unanimous priorities for CPEC which will improve lives of the people of this region.

Country witnessing downturn in new Covid-19 cases, Qureshi says ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said Pakistan was witnessing a downturn in the coronavirus cases with the number of recovered cases outnumbering the tally of active cases. In conversation with his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qureshi said that a result of government’s efforts and smart lockdowns in various cities, the coronavirus curve had started to flatten. Qureshi, who has recently recovered from the virus, thanked Al Nahyan for inquiring about his health. He also apprised the UAE foreign minister of the latest virus situation in Pakistan. The foreign minister congratulated the leadership and the people of the UAE on the successful launch of its Mars-bound interplanetary mission. He conveyed that the launch of the mission, Hope Probe, was a moment of pride for all Muslims. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Al Nahyan appreciated the response of Pakistan’s government in tackling the pandemic. He also highlighted the efforts of UAE’s government towards controlling the pandemic and shared that the Emirate was engaged with efforts towards developing a vaccine for the virus in collaboration with its international partners.

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Thursday, 23 July, 2020

NEWS

PaRlIamEnt BEIng PuBlIc REPRESEntatIvE can RESolvE ISSuES oF common man: QaISER ISLAMABAD

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INP

ATIONAL Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser has said that the provision of basic amenities to the common people is the chief policy objective of the PTI government. He said that basic amenities especially the continuous supply of electricity is the special concern of parliament.

While chairing the meeting on the issues of electricity supply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the Parliament House on Wednesday, the Speaker directed PESCO that the issues of load-shedding, overbilling, transformer installation and

SAYS PROVISION OF BASIC FACILITIES LIKE ELECTRICITY AT DOOR STEPS OF MASSES PRIORITY OF PTI’S GOVT tripping of electricity be resolved at the earliest. He expressed his concern over the unannounced load shedding in the province. He also directed the PESCO to resolve the overbilling issues especially faced by the farmers in the KP. He also expressed his concern that repairing of transformers be the priority of the PESCO as delay in repairing cause a lot of miseries to the common especially in this hot season. He said that official in PESCO should be public friendly and resolve issues related with electricity mat-

‘Honour’ claims lives of couple in Kaghan MANSEHRA: A boy and a girl were killed in Kaghan Valley on Wednesday allegedly to ‘save honour’. According to local police, the girl wanted to tie the knot with her cousin instead of her fiancé. However, their parents were against the wedding and as a result, killed them both. When police rushed to the scene, the families refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) of the incident, said police. Police said that father of the boy Muhammad Shahid, the father of the girl, and Muhammad Shahid, the uncle of both deceased, were arrested and shifted to the police station. Police said the parents of the slain couple first planned the killing and then executed the plan.TLTP

Punjab govt decides to reopen restaurants after Eid LAHORE: Punjab Commerce Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal on Wednesday announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen after Eidul Azha. Mian Aslam Iqbal said that marriage halls will be reopened in first week of September with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs). He also added that SOPs will be prepared and sent to Centre before Eidul Azha. INP

Federal board announces special examinations date

ters.

The MNAs expressed their appreciation for the NA speaker for taking keen interest to resolve the issues of masses. They expressed their deep concern over the inefficiencies of PESCO in the provision of uninterrupted supply of electricity in KP. They also apprised the meeting regarding issues of electricity in their constituency. They said that they have to face the embarrassment in front of their voters due to inefficiencies of PESCO. The NA speaker asked the members to

present their issues in written so that these are taken up by PESCO and he directed the chief executive of PESCO to immediately address these issues.

Federal Minister for Power Division Omar Ayub assured the august committee that all issues related to electricity in KP will be resolved on priority basis. He also said that government is fully cognisant of its responsibility to provide continues supply of electricity in KP and other parts of the country as well. He asked the members for their cooperation to eradicate the theft of electricity in KP. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Pervaiz Khattak, Omar Ayub, MNAs from KP and senior officers from Energy Department and PESCO.

SOPs for Eidul Azha prepared: Nasir Shah SAYS SINDH TO CUT TAX FOR CONSTRUCTION SECTOR KARACHI TLTP

Sindh Minister of Information and Municipality Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding Eidul Azha have been given final shape.

Shah expressed these views while briefing the media on Wednesday. He said that the federal government has now formulated a policy to promote mass sacrifices on the Eid, which will apply to all provinces.

“In Sindh, we have also taken steps to organize mass sacrifices at specific places under the guidelines given by the federal government, which will allow for the sacrifice of animals at specific places in all districts and to arrange sacrifice places at each UC level.” All deputy commissioners, MCs and municipal rep-

resentatives will take steps to prevent the trend of individual sacrifice under mutual strategy, he added.

"We have appealed to the public to prioritise mass sacrifice organised by mosques, prayer leaders and schools in our areas to prevent both coronavirus and filth," the provincial minister said. He also appealed to the public to avoid public gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus situation and to perform Eid prayers and other religious duties with caution.

Shah said that that the provincial government has also taken steps to promote the construction sectors and the authorities will approve tax cuts to increase investment in the industry.

He said that Sindh government will provide all facilities to the construction industry, whereas, the provincial cabinet reduced the taxes

and focused to start one-window operation for the small businesses. He also said that the government is willing to create more employment through its policies.

Shah praised police forces and other law enforcement agencies for giving best performance. He clarified that his statement did not mean to claim for the elimination of crimes, however, the crime rate was significantly reduced across the province especially in the provincial capital Karachi since June.

The minister said that anti-state elements had lodged attacks on police, Rangers and sensitive installations which were successfully foiled by the law enforcers.

He said that the Sindh inspector general (IG) gave a briefing over the law and order situation in the cabinet meeting. He also briefed about the Safe City project and told the cabinet regarding the installation of more CCTV cameras in the metropolis.

Shahzad Waseem calls for joining hands to remove weakness in accountability laws

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) on Wednesday announced the dates for special examinations. According to a notification, the special examinations for Matric students will begin from September 23.

The last date to submit the admission form is August 10. The form is available on the board’s website while the notification also stated that no fresh candidate is allowed to appear for these special examinations. On Monday, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) had announced results of the matric exams, promoting students on the basis of their ninth-grade results.

The female students once again secured top position in the matric exams of the federal board with Manahil Aman from Army Public School (APS) and Nisha Yaqoob of the Model College secured the top position with 1097 marks. Fahim Abbas and Zartasha Abbasi secured the second position with 1096 marks. 11 candidates were declared successful on the third position with 1095 marks. Chairman Federal Board said that they had promoted the students keeping in view the government advice amid Covid-19 pandemic. INP

ISLAMABAD APP

Leader of the House in Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem on Wednesday urged the opposition to come forward and join hands for removing weakness and shortcoming in accountability laws in order to strengthen accountability process in the country.

Responding to various points raised by Senators in the House, Dr Shahzad Waseem said it was a high time that the parliament played its key role to ensure fair and transparent accountability process in the country.

He said corruption was grave issue which was badly affecting the country. The people voted PTI to ensure fair and transparent accountability in order to eradicate menace of corruption, he added.

He said the national accountability commission was set up in 1997 under the headship of Saifur Rehman during

PML-N government. The then national accountability commission was mainly set up to frame cases against PPP and Benazir Bhutto, he added.

Later, he said the commission was converted into National Accountability Bureau (NAB) during Gen Musharraf regime. However, he said both PPP and PML-N during their tenures did not bother to bring any amendment in it. Even, the incumbent Chairman was also appointed by PPP and PML-N, he added.

Dr Waseem said it was the PTI led government which made efforts to bring amendments in the NAB law.

Regarding Kashmir, he said that the whole nation was on same page on Kashmir issue. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan effectively raised the Kashmir, Burhan Wani Shaheed and Islamophobia issues at UN platform. No one could compromise on Kashmir issue, he added.

Regarding asset declaration, he

said credit should be given to the PTI government as all its advisors and Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) declared their assets as per party manifesto. Although, there was no legal and constitutional compulsion to declare assets, all advisors and SAPMs made their assets public, he added. He said it would help ensure transparency.

Regarding participation of SAPM in cabinet meetings, Shahzad Waseem called upon the opposition to end double standard and said that whether Dr Tariq Fatimi and Sirtaj Aziz did not attended the meetings regarding foreign affairs.

He said overseas Pakistani was our assets and they sent record remittance during Covid-19 pandemic. He said the government was cognizant of their issues and set up a portal for expatriate Pakistani. As many as 40,000 expatriate Pakistani has made registration at the portal so far, he added.

Rawalpindi man, who tortured mother in viral clip, arrested, gets interim bail RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Police on Wednesday arrested a man accused of torturing his mother in a video clip that went viral on social media. Punjab Police said on Twitter the accused, identified as Arsalan, was included in the investigation after being granted interim bail. “I apologise to my mother, as well as mothers across Pakistan and all over the world, for my actions,” Punjab Police quoted Arsalan as saying following the latest development.

Police had confirmed earlier in the day that a case against Arsalan and his wife had been registered for severely assaulting his mother after the viral video. The woman said her son and daughter-in-law fought with her everyday and that they both beat her. Rawalpindi CPO Ahsan Younus had taken notice of the incident in the Sadiqabad police station’s jurisdiction and ordered the accused to immediately be booked and arrested. Superintendent of Police (SP) for Rawal had said the elderly woman’s medical test had been conducted.

Action would be taken as per the law and the accused arrested soon, he had said.

“Those accused of violating the sanctity of relationships and brutally abusing women will be brought to justice,” the SP had said further. Police had confirmed earlier that Arsalan and his wife had fled after subjecting his mother to the beating. A video that went viral on social media Tuesday night showed a man beating his mother while his wife stood in the background, encouraging him. The woman can be seen pleading with her son repeatedly to stop but he continued to thrash her. The video generated a hue and cry on Twitter with many calling for the man to be arrested for subjecting his mother to torture.

‘BISE working to resolve academic issues on priority basis’ LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore Chairman Professor Riaz Ahmed Hashmi has said that academic matters pertaining to students, teachers, institutions and the general public are dealt with on a priority basis through an organised online system to avoid any difficulty. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Hashmi said that Punjab government’s coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) were being fully observed to protect the staff from this disease. Hand sanitisers and face masks have been provided to the staff and the teachers deputed for marking of answer sheets at different centres. Similarly, the board was actively pursuing redressal of complaints forwarded through telephones, Pakistan Citizen Portal or complaint box at board’s website, the statement added. The board, the chairman said, was fully committed to playing its strong role in the educational journey of the students.

PTI set to create business friendly environment: Bangash PESHAWAR TLTP

Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister for Information and Local Government, Kamran Bangash Wednesday inaugurated the Building Plan Online Approval System for public convenience in the construction sector in the province.

Briefing the media persons on the occasion, the special assistant said that it is the mission of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to create a conducive environment for business and investment in the country and significant steps are being taken in this regard.

In order to attract international investors

INAUGURATES ONLINE APPROVAL SYSTEM FOR BUILDING PLAN IN KP to invest in Pakistan, easy rules and policies are being formulated. Bangash said that KP government is working on priority basis to increase employment opportunities, adding that the provincial government has taken the online building plan approval system which will further improve the construction sector.

He said that maps of residential buildings could be obtained in 15 days while maps of commercial buildings could be obtained in a month. He said that this would not only encourage the construction companies but will also ensure that the construction work is carried out in an accurate manner as

per the standards.

Bangash said that the World Bank (WB) prepares its report every year on business opportunities in which business activities in different countries are ranked after examining them from ten different aspects, adding that in report published by the WB for the year 2020, Pakistan has got a lead of 28 places. He said the WB report was compiled after reviewing business opportunities and investment climate in 190 countries. Pakistan's ranking shows that the government has provided an excellent environment for investment.

Bangash said that in order to increase business opportunities and attract investors in the province, the government has focused on reforms in six sectors, including starting a business, issuing construction permits, acquiring electricity, registering property, paying taxes and cross-border trade.

Referring to the practical steps taken by the government, he said that the government has made the process of obtaining construction permits quick and easy to promote business activities in the construction sector. He remarked that the issuance of NOCs has now been facilitated under the simplified proce-

dure while the procedure for commercial and residential building plans has been simplified. A checklist has also been issued for the documents required for the acquisition of the building, he said. Highlighting the steps taken at the level of tehsil municipal administration, Bangash said that one window operation i.e. facilitation centers have already started functioning while in the second phase similar centers will also be started. Bangash informed that reforms in the building permit system would create jobs adding that the people will get direct and indirect employment from construction projects.

"This will not only create income opportunities for the people but also generate more investment and taxes," he added.

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

PM IMrAn dISCUSSES PAkIStAnBAnglAdESH tIES wItH PM HASInA ISLAMABAD

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RIME Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina in a rare occurrence of diplomacy as the two estranged countries seek rapprochement.

“Pakistan is committed to deepening fraternal relations with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect and sovereign equality,” said PM Imran, according to a statement issued by his office.

The premier reiterated his invitation to Sheikh Hasina to visit Pakistan.

He also extended condolences for the lives lost during the pandemic, and offered his commiserations on the material and human losses due to the recent flooding in Bangladesh and prayed for early recovery of the people affected by this

natural calamity.

The two leaders exchanged views on their respective steps to deal with the myriad of challenges posed by Covid-19.

Imran apprised of his government’s efforts and commended his Bangladesh counterpart on the measures taken by her leadership to contain the virus.

He also apprised her of his ‘Global Initiative on Debt Relief’ for developing countries.

In the bilateral context, Imran underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to closer ties with fraternal Bangladesh and highlighted the significance of regular bilateral contacts and people-topeople exchanges.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to SAARC, Imran underlined the importance of both countries working for enhanced regional cooperation for sustainable peace and prosperity.

He shared Pakistan’s perspective on

PM Imran stresses comprehensive planning to meet gas requirements ISLAMABAD TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday stressed the need for comprehensive planning to meet gas requirements of both domestic and industrial sectors in the country. The PM said this while chairing a meeting to discuss demand and supply of gas and problems faced by the sector. The prime minister noted that the gas-related matters are not restricted to one province or region but the whole country.

"Therefore, it is important that the future strategy on this matter is formulated after mutual consultations." Imran Khan directed his special assistant Nadeem Babar to furnish all the matters regarding gas before the Council of Common Interests (CCI). In addition, he said consultations should be held with energy experts in order to find a durable solution to gas-related matters. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Pervaiz Khattak, Shibli Faraz, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Asad Umar and Umar Ayub Khan, and special assistants Nadeem Babar and Dr Shahbaz Gill.

BHC orders submission of report on online classes QUETTA STAFF REPORT

The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Wednesday ordered authorities concerned to submit a report on online classes and its framework. Last month, a petition was filed in the BHC against online classes in educational institutions by the higher education commission in the province. A two-judge bench, comprising BHC Chief Justice Jamal Khan and Justice Nazeer Ahmed, heard the case. The Baloch Students Organisation had challenged the HEC’s decision to hold online classes arguing that they had no internet facility and electricity problems because of unannounced loadshedding. The petitioner’s lawyer said several institutions had even issued exam schedules instead of cancelling online classes. This has caused concern among students, he said. On this, the BHC CJ questioned what the status is of the committee established to formulate how a framework for how online classes function. The additional home secretary responded that a meeting had been held and a plan worked out for the framework. The court ordered the committee to submit its report in the next hearing. Online classes started in Balochistan on instructions by the federal government in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak.

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SC expresses displeasure over sharing of ‘objectionable content’ on social media conTInUED on pAgE 01

SAYS PAKISTAN IS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING RELATIONS WITH BANGLADESH ON BASIS OF ‘MUTUAL TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT AND SOVEREIGN EQUALITY’ STAFF REPORT

NEWS

During Wednesday’s hearing, Jan was given more time to submit his reply. Earlier this month, the SC formally charged Rawalpindibased cleric Mirza Iftikharuddin with contempt of court by delivering a derogatory and scandalous speech against the judiciary which went viral on social media. The court indicted the cleric under Section 5 of the Contempt of the Court Ordinance 2003 after rejecting his unconditional apology he tendered for making an objectionable speech in a private meeting in which he had hurled abusive language at Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court as well as the institution of judiciary. the grave situation in the Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K) and stressed on the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for a safe and prosperous region.

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui held a rare meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in Dhaka. The meeting raised eyebrows in New Delhi, which viewed the development with sus-

picion, according to media reports.

The Bangladesh government called the meeting a “courtesy call” but reports said it was much more than that. It is believed that Imran-Hasina telephonic conversation on Wednesday was the result of that meeting.

Relations between the two countries have remained tense for the last many years. The two countries have yet to overcome the bitter memories of 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

PC approves transaction structures for Jinnah Convention Centre, First Women Bank ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

The Privatisation Commission (PC) on Wednesday approved transaction structures of four entities, including Jinnah Convention Centre (JCC) and First Women Bank Limited (FWBL).

According to details, a meeting of the commission was held under the chairmanship of Privatization Minister Mohammadmian Soomro, wherein transaction structures of four entities, namely House Building Finance Corporation (HBFCL), Services International Hotel (Lahore), JCC and FWBL were recommended for approval.

The transaction structures/models would now be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) and subsequently before the federal cabinet. The minister stated that all required NOCs, documents, approval from Capital Development Authority, Pakistan Airforce and other relevant ministries be positively sought/completed before placing these structures for CCoP and cabinet.

On Jinnah Convention Centre and Services Int'l Hotel (Lahore), the OC board decided that the status of these entities would be converted into commercial entities for highest possible valuations. The subject conversion proposal

would be submitted for approval of the federal cabinet.

Furthermore, the divestment of 20pc shares of Pakistan Reinsurance Company Ltd also received nod from the PC board. The minister said that matters regarding subject transactions should be completed steadily so as to avoid unnecessary delay in the completion of these transactions. He added that the resultant cash flow would help the government in debt retirement.

The update on the ongoing privatization of PSEs was also shared with board members, including two RLNG power plants, Pakistan Steel Mills and sale of federal government properties. Soomro said he would meet heads of banks in Karachi today (Friday) to discuss matters regarding debt arrangement for the privatization of two RLNG power plants of NPPMCL.

US diplomat hails Pakistan’s improved security ranking ISLAMABAD: Laura E Kennedy, a retired United States career diplomat, on Wednesday hailed Pakistan’s improvement in security ranking in the NTI Nuclear Security Index.The NTI Nuclear Security Index is a public benchmarking project of nuclear security conditions on a country-by-country basis in 176 countries.“One welcome bit of news reported by #NTIindex is that #Pakistan ranked as most improved in security of those countries holding nuclear materials,” she said in a tweet. STAFF REPORT

Journalist was abducted to ‘scare others’, IHC declares conTInUED on pAgE 01 The hearing was subsequently adjourned. A written verdict is yet to be issued.

SC TAKES NOTICE OF ABDUCTION: Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also took notice of Matiullah Jan’s abduction and directed the Islamabad police chief to submit a report on the incident in two weeks. A threemember bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to alleged contemptuous tweets by Jan. At the outset of the hearing, the bench inquired about Jan’s abduction from Islamabad’s sector G-6/1-3 the previous day.

The attorney general, who had appeared before court, said that “immediate proceedings” had been initiated in the matter.

Justice Gulzar summoned the Islamabad police chief in the next hearing and questioned why the police had not recorded the journalist’s statement till now. “What are the institutions doing?” he asked the attorney general. Representatives of Pakistan Bar Council and SC Bar Council also attended the hearing. During the proceedings, SCBC’s Latif Khosa, while observing that the journalist was “picked up in broad daylight”, said: “Is this a banana republic?” Khosa demanded that the kidnappers be identified from the CCTV footage available with the police. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists’ former president Afzal Butt insisted that those responsible for the act be brought to light at which the court assured him that “the case was not being wrapped up”. Meanwhile, the bench granted Jan, who was present in court, two weeks to hire a legal representative and submit his reply on the SC’s notice for contempt. The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.

Pakistan, UAE FMs discuss coronavirus pandemic ISLAMABAD

LHC reserves verdict on maintainability of plea seeking ban on liquor sale LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition seeking a ban on the sale of liquor except on religious events of minorities. The single bench comprising Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza heard the petition filed by Arfan Ali. The petitioner’s counsel argued before the court that as per law, liquor could be sold to non-Muslims on their religious events. However, certain hotels were selling liquor throughout the year, he added. He submitted that there was no provision under Section 17 of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979 which allowed a legal possibility for granting general licences to a hotel or other shop owners to operate throughout the year but hotels were selling alcohol throughout the year in contravention of the provision as well as the terms of their licence. He pleaded the court to issue directions for ban on sale of liquor except on religious events of minorities. APP

TLTP

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that with the steps being taken by the government and especially after smart lockdown in various cities, Pakistan is witnessing a downturn in the Covid-19 pandemic and recovered cases have been outnumbering new cases. He said this during telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday. The foreign minister thanked Sheikh Abdullah for enquiring about his health, his prayers and best wishes. He also apprised his UAE counterpart about the

India's fascist ideology poses threats to regional peace: FM ISLAMABAD TLTP

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that India's fascist ideology and aggressive policies pose serious threats to peace and stability in the entire region.

Chairing a high-level meeting on Wednesday regarding situation of peace

and stability in the region, the foreign minister said that India is targeting civilians by committing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) to cover up its serious human rights violations and internal weaknesses.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan is raising the issue of Indian military invasion in occupied Kashmir and its continued violations of human rights

CMYK

at all international forums, including the United Nations (UN), and exposing the real face of the Indian regime before the world.

He said that the global community will have to play its effective role in getting the unarmed people of Kashmir rid of Indian occupation and oppression.

Qureshi said that India also wants to sabotage peace efforts to restore tranquility

in Afghanistan.

The meeting also discussed various suggestions to draw world attention towards unilateral actions taken by the New Delhi regime in Indian occupied Kashmir on fifth August last year and to further highlight this matter internationally.

It held detailed consultations on matters relating to Afghan peace process and regional security.

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

06 COMMENT

Rose versus the Lantern

Is the PM listening to SC? The means are as important as the end

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HE government deserves credit for bringing down the number of coronavirus positive cases and deaths. Winning a battle, however, does not guarantee the winning of the war. The government cannot afford to drop vigilance as there are serious challenges ahead. The cattle markets set up prior to Eidul Azha could spread the virus to the rural areas if SOPs are not strictly enforced by the local administrations which have to be supervised by the NCOC. Hundreds of Muharram gatherings and processions all over the country can also cause a spurt in the pandemic if guards are lowered by the government. A second wave of coronavirus too cannot be ruled out. Permanent vigilance over the coming years alone is the way to deal with the new virus, whose behaviour can still not be predicted with precision Stupendous amount of funds from the national kitty, foreign loans and grants are being spent on controlling the pandemic. The common man in Pakistan as well as the donors expects the government to ensure that the funds are not misused, wasted or pocketed. There is a need, as never before, for transparency and strict vigilance on the part of relevant government departments, particularly the NDMA, NCOC and Ministry of Health. As the suo motu proceedings in the Supreme Court reveal this is apparently not happening.

There is something wrong with the way the NDMA is importing pandemic-related equipment. It transpired during the hearing in the Supreme Court that a business company has been favoured by the NDMA for importing machinery through a chartered plane. The NDMA has avowedly made cash payments to companies unmentioned in the agreement. Suspicions are bound to rise as the NDMA failed to submit detailed reports to the apex court despite being ordered a number of times. The Chief Justice of Pakistan observed that it was not comprehensible how billions of rupees were being spent, and further, that the NDMA would have to be abolished as its chief has failed to provide explanations.

Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot blame the past governments in this case as the present NDMA chief was appointed by him. Unless the matter is cleared at the earliest, Mr Khan is going to get a taste of his own medicine.

How Ayub diverted the country

Dr FariD a Malik

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y 1965 Ayub Khan had managed to declare himself Field Marshal and omnipotent ruler of the first Islamic Democracy of the world. Like most dictators and political upstarts he sought legitimacy for his rule.

His son Capt ( R ) Gohar Ayub Khan was the heir apparent to the Ayub Dynasty of Haripur. Presidential elections were announced under his own imposed constitution of 1962 in which the electoral college consisted of 40,000 members from each wing called Basic Democrats (BD Members ). He chose ‘Rose’ as his election symbol, it was not the local small aromatic variety called ‘Desi Gulab’ rather an imported large variety was chosen that looked impressive but lacked aroma or character. In his new capital, Islamabad, the CDA had established a huge Rose Garden that boasted of over 400 varieties of imported flowers. Some of them were unique and exotic, like black or green, never seen before in this part of the world.

The largest Red Rose was chosen from this nursery to represent the dictator in the electoral contest. The other notable collection was at Packages Limited on Ferozepur Road. Growing up in Lahore, I was quite content with the local variety but my Uncle Aurangzeb Malik, who lived in Rawalpindi, took a keen interest in flowers and had a collection of his own.

With him I had the chance of visiting all these exotic collections of imported flowers for the elite.

With the announcement of the election the Rose was all over. A run-over victory was projected for the usurper. As a serious Badminton and Table Tennis player I was on my way to the yMCA Hall for practise, I saw a car parked outside the Light House, the famous outlet on the Mall, with a Lantern on its roof while the owner had gone inside the shop. As a conscientious citizen I stood beside the car to warn the

The image created A journalist kidnapped and released

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HE episode of the kidnaping and then release of journalist Matiullah Jan on Wednesday in Islamabad has thrown a garish light on Pakistan, as a land where journalists are still kidnapped for what they might report. The government needs to consider the effect of the kidnapping in its capital of a journalist on the world’s investors, already rendered skittish by the covid19 pandemic. One of the more bizarre elements of the episode was how the abduction was carried out by people in police uniforms, using what seemed to be police vehicles. An important takeaway was that Mr Jan was presumably released because of the immediate widespread outcry, which changed the nature of the incident, from that of a kidnapping by criminals, to that of a journalist being punished for what he had broadcast.

Mr Jan was facing contempt proceedings for something he had broadcast while tweeting, in front of the Supreme Court. As a matter of fact, that probably showed the path to be taken: legal proceedings. However, that has been avoided, and Mr Jan’s abductors are assumed to be the shadowy agencies that do not emerge into the spotlight. However, they prefer to execute the will of the government by applying such scare tactics, such naked displays of power, as in Mr Jan’s case. After all, impersonating policemen and kidnapping a peaceable pressman beats doing anything that actually runs any risk of violent resistance.

At a time when the country is facing a number of challenges, when there are still elements in Waziristan to be tackled, when Balochistan is facing separatist sabotage, at the hands of RAW-funded groups, it seems counterproductive to go after people like Mr Jan, who are after all doing nothing more than expressing an opinion. Of course, Islamic militants and Baloch separatists are not as easy a target as Mr Jan was. It may be that opinion is only that of one person, but it must be protected against attempts to silence it. Such an opinion is itself in the public domain, and thus subject to legal proceedings, but strong-arm tactics will never succeed. They have never worked before, and will not work now.

Overview of the last fiscal year Not as bad as it could have been UsMan rasheeD

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EFORE the covid-19 epidemic, Pakistan’s economy was fraught to stay afloat but was not in impending danger of collapse.

However, the epidemic has severely impacted the nation’s economy and almost pushed many businesses to the brink of bankruptcy and economic failure, while Pakistan’s economy does not have the capacity to absorb the gigantic disruption caused by the pandemic. Out of the 14 global slumps since 1870, the present covid-19 oriented global recession will be the fourth-deepest and steepest, and the most severe since World War II. Consequently, Pakistan’s national output is likely to worsen with the effects of covid-19 and the medium to long term prospects of the country could be endangered. Before the covid-19 tragedy there were some positive indicators for the economy. In the first six months of Fy2020 (July 2019–December 2019) the current account deficit dropped by nearly 73 percent, the fiscal deficit was at 1.6 percent of the GDP, the primary balance was positive at 0.3 percent of the GDP, the credit rating had upgraded from negative to stable and the Pakistan’s rank on the Ease of Doing Business Index had upgraded from 136 to 108. Foreign banks and ratings agencies, too, have recognized Pakistan’s management of the economy. In December 2019, Moody’s elevated Pakistan’s credit outlook from negative to stable. In its second-quarter report on the state of the country’s economy, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) claimed that the “collective effect of stabilization and regulatory measures taken during the past one year had led to prominent enhancements in the economy.

Moreover, there was an upsurge in foreign investment, exports and in tax and non-tax revenues. Further, currency had stabilized, inflation had started to ease and large-scale manufacturing exhibited some encouraging signs. While the SBP annealed its optimism with several cautions, on the whole, it seemed to suggest that the economy was on the right track.

However, an in-depth look at Pakistan’s preCOVID-19 economic scene discloses a very differ-

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

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istan Muslim League (Convention) contested the 1970 elections with the symbol of cycle but badly lost in both the wings. In West Bhutto’s ‘Sword’ and in East Pakistan Mujib’s ‘Boat’ prevailed. After the 1977 disputed elections, Sardar Sahib again tried to save democracy. According to the 1973 Constitution the post of Prime Minister could not be kept vacant, and in case of resignation the senior most minister was redriver that he had left the Lantern on the roof and it quired to take over. Sardar Sahib tried for an in-house might fall and break while driving. To my utter as- change, but his efforts did not succeed and Zia took tonishment he told me that it was the election symbol over on 5 July 1977, plunging the country into another of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah who had agreed to con- era of political dark ages from which the nation had test against the untouchable Field Marshal. It was a barely emerged after the break-up of Quaid’s Pakistan.

‘Desi Gulab’ plays an important role in our lives. stroke of genius, as only the sister of the Quaid-eAzam was in a position to take him on. Through his Its beauty, aroma and character is unmatched by any EBDO ( Elected Bodies Disqualification Ordinance imported variety. It can be seen and smelt in our wed) the dictator had sent the entire opposition home. In dings, Sufi Shrines and graveyards. I remember as a 1963 Hussein Shaheed Suhrawardy who had success- child I used to visit the old flower market in Lohari fully contested his disqualification was also found Gate outside Anarkali, and it was always overflowing dead in a Beirut hotel. It was widely rumored that with our King of Flowers. It is still the country’s Sardar Shaukat Hayat had played a key role in con- largest selling variety which is sold in several forms; vincing her to contest. He even led the long proces- garlands, petals, floral and wedding decorations etc.

Even politicians and sions camouflaged Ms criminals use them when Jinnah as she was frail. they manage to get bail It turned out to be a from our weak legal sysone-on-one contest betem. Ayub Khan was imtween frivolous pomp and Golden era yes, but for a few posed on us, he then tried show on borrowed money chosen ones, the homework for to sell what was not rerepresented by the imquired by the nation. ported Rose and an inthis growth had already been Even his election symbol digenous source of light to of an imported Red Rose enlighten and guide the done by the founding fathers in that only looked rosy nation through the prevailwasdeceptive as it lacked ing darkness of dictatorthe first decade ( 1947-1958 ) all aroma or character and ship that had divided the he did was to change the symbolised what he population into haves and for, imported soluhave-nots. Wherever she direction of the beneficiaries from stood tions for the elite and to went the crowds greeted please the external powher. She challenged the the masses to the classes. ers. Some of his minisrule of the dictator, reters were on foreign jected his imposed constipayrolls who formulated tution and demanded policies to suit their masrestoration of the 1956 consensual version to be implemented, which meant re- ters. Under the Indus Water Treaty he gave up three turning to parliamentary democracy. The lawyers de- rivers in violation of international laws. His debt-dricided to challenge the self-bestowed rank of Field ven economic model has proven disastrous. Golden Marshal in the Lahore High Court, to avoid embarrass- era yes, but for a few chosen ones, the homework for ment he withdrew it unilaterally. Now it was General this growth had already been done by the founding Muhammad Ayub Khan versus Madar-e-Millat. In East fathers in the first decade ( 1947-1958 ) all he did was Pakistan her reception was tumultuous. All major cities to change the direction of the beneficiaries from the where the Patwaris and Police were not in control, she masses to the classes. Pakistan which was once was an easy winner. Despite all the administrative pres- poised to be the first Asian Tiger never recovered sures she prevailed in Karachi and Dacca. Her victory from this detour. The flickering light from Fatima Jinin two major cities of the country seriously dented the nah’s lantern showed us the path to get rid of the first invincibility of the dictator and proved to be the begin- usurper. As the first fading generation of Pakistan at ning of the end for him. Quite like Suharwardy, she too least we have succeeded in keeping the flame of freewas found dead in her bed in July 1967. According to dom alight hoping that the struggle would continue Sardar Sahib who attended her funeral she had stran- even when we are not there to lead. gulation marks on her neck. A case was registered reDr Farid A Malik is ex-Chairman, Pakistan garding her mysterious death but never investigated.

In March 1969 Ayub Khan was removed through Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: massive student protests all over the country. His Pak- fmaliks@hotmail.com.

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ent picture. The 70 percent decline in the CAD was GDP was recorded at $315 billion and $279 billion due to import compression and sharp devaluation of in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Presently, Pakthe Pakistani rupee which came at the price of eco- istan’s net liability ranges around $90 to 100 billion.

The economy has been twisting at such a baffling nomic growth. The upsurge in foreign exchange reserves (after the IMF approved the EFF programme speed that even seasoned institutions and individuals in 2019) was mainly based on borrowed money, cannot precisely estimate the extent to which the episuch as bailout loans from China, Saudi Arabia and demic will affect growth. In the first week of March, the UAE. Regardless of a nearly 30 percent depres- the Asian Development Bank (ADB) came up with a sion in the value of the Pakistani Rupee, exports am- number that seemed incongruous with the terrible plified only marginally. In the first nine months of predictions being made around the world. According the current fiscal year, exports rose by only 2.2 per- to the ADB, Pakistan’s economy would lose around $16 million in the bestcent in dollar terms. case scenario and around The tax target of $61 million in the worstPKR 5.5 trillion set for case scenario. In the the Federal Board of event of a significant outRevenue (FBR) became Pakistan has to decode the break of covid-19, the impossible to achieve loss would amount to after the sharp fall in disastrous COVID-19 crisis into around $5 billion, the growth. The Government an opportunity for undertaking GDP would contract by of Pakistan and the IMF 1.57 percent, and nearly applauded the 17 percent improvements in its economy, a million people would rise in revenue but failed their jobs. By the to factor in the inflation polity, foreign and security policy. lose third week of March, the of 12–14 percent, which meant that the actual Failing this, the country will face ADB had radically revised its estimates to a augment in revenue was the prospect of further corrosion $415 million loss in the only three to four perbest-case scenario, and a cent. In December 2019, in its economy $6.6–17 billion loss in at the time of the second case of significant erupreview of the EFF protion, with the loss of emgramme, Pakistan reployment ranging from quested the IMF for a lower tax target of Rs 5.23 trillion. By February 1.2 million to 3.2 million jobs and the GDP contract2020, however, Pakistan was forced to demand a fur- ing by two to five percent. Moody’s, is also continuther reduction to Rs 4.8 trillion, but the FBR man- ally reviewing its growth projections for Pakistan. aged to collect Rs 4.123 trillion during Fy 2019-20. The Pakistan Planning Commission stated that the As a result of substantial contractionary meas- virus would lead to a 0.8–1.3 percent loss in the GDP, ures espoused by the Federal Government and the which would bring the growth down from 3.3 percent ongoing epidemic, Pakistan’s GDP growth has to around 2.5 percent but the provisional GDP calcudropped from 5.53 percent in 2017-18 to -0.38 per- lated at the end of the Fiscal year 2019-20 witnessed cent in 2019-20. Furthermore, the GDP growth of negative growth of 0.38 percent.

Pakistan has to decode the disastrous COVID-19 the country for 2018-19 has also been revised down to 1.91 percent, as compared to provisional figures crisis into an opportunity for undertaking improvements in its economy, polity, foreign and security polof 3.3 percent.

The last time Pakistan observed a negative GDP icy. Failing this, the country will face the prospect of growth in the country was in 1951-52. Under the im- further corrosion in its economy. perative regime, the GDP size in US dollar terms has Usman Rasheed is a freelance columnist dropped to $264 billion in 2019-20. The size of the

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Thursday, 23 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

Opposition barrage yOU are well-known that the restrictions on the opposition parties speeches is usually based on the country's responsible and especially Prime Minister Policies and efforts. Well, yet now PTI's government Khan has its own governmental rules.

Even during the COVID-19 challenge, economic shutdown, mafias, smuggling if foods , terrorism, Khan is approximately blamed by the opposition. yesterday when I listened the speech of Bilawal's. I was really astonished. Did you know what does he narrated? "PM should see the writing on the wall and resign himself ".

In this appropriate time to get united, oppositions are envolved blaming the government's laws and regulations. What's happening in the country? If daily I see news headlines , Khan is the only man blamed of not maintaining his responsibilities. If we see the country's situation we are not happy with and opposition are a more dangerous virus even risky than COVID-19 which is made a business to make us fool and inorder to eke out alot of money.

Barkatullah turBat

Blue economy: parallel option for economic growth Pakistan must look to the sea Jawaria abbasi

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HE worsening economic situation is unfortunately not supporting the economic health of the country. On top of that the covid-19 andemic has brought in additional challenges to the prevailing economic situation. According to the government officials, the estimated loss for Pakistan due to Covid-19 is around Rs 2.5 trillion. To support the economic challenges, Pakistan is mainly relying on IFDIs and other friendly support; however, the reliance on agriculture, industry and services sectors are still intact. Exploration of the new alternatives are limited to tackle the economic challenges. The Blue Economy is one of the options to be explored.

Pakistan has a long coastline of approximately 1050 km. It is divided between the provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan. This divides the maritime area of Pakistan into exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and the buffer zones. Recently the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has acknowledged Pakistan’s claim on 350 Nautical miles of Sea and resultantly Pakistan’s offshore area has been extended up to 50,000 sq km. After this, the EEZ has become the second-largest province of Pakistan. There are myriads of opportunities to explore in the coastal areas and maritime sector.

“Blue Economy” or Ocean economy has many sectors such as Shipbreaking, shipping, ports, seafaring, fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism, minerals and offshore basins. Pakistan is already on the path of blue development as a signatory of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as its Goal No 14 calls for the steps for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. Pakistan has fully acknowledged this goal and has included it in Pakistan’s Vision 2025. This Vision 2025 recognizes the need for sufficient and cost-effective resource building for sustainable growth. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has declared 2020 as the year of the “blue economy”. Additionally, the federal Minister of Maritime Affairs, Ali Zaidi, has also stressed the “Blue Economy” in his address to the National Assembly. He also mentioned that the new shipping policy would pave the way forward for the Blue Economy. These initiatives by Federal governments are commendable. However, there is a need for promising initiatives on urgent basis apart from white papers.

The neighboring countries of Pakistan, India along with Bangladesh, are earning a handsome revenue from initiatives in the Blue Economy.

According to the data from the World Bank, Bangladesh has earned $6 billion revenue from the maritime sector in 2019. The country is earning substantial revenue in the fisheries, shipbreaking, tourism, energy, minerals and ship-making sectors. The state-owned Shipping Corporation has exerienced a 1000 percent increase in profit over the last five years. The shipbreaking industry is dismantling around 45 percent of the world’s ships. Similarly, the maritime revenue of India is $7 billion and it is focusing more on the ‘Blue Economy” through projects like “Sagar Malla”.

Pakistan, in spite of having huge potential for vides jobs to almost 390,000 people of Pakistan growth and investment in the maritime sector or directly and almost 400,000 people indirectly the “Blue Economy”, is only able to generate only through such areas as transportation and retail0.4 percent of its GDP through maritime sectors. ing. Additionally, coastal communities are heavThe potential sectors of the maritime economy ily dependent on this source of economy and which have been mentioned earlier (Shipbreaking, food. Fish is a major export of Pakistan. Accordshipping, ports, seafaring, fishing, aquaculture, ing to the reports of the World Fish Centre, due coastal tourism, minerals and offshore basins) are to the growing population, the demand for fish is many, but Pakistan is earning from only a few, expected to increase globally by 50 percent over like, fishing, shipbreaking, ports and shipping. the next 15 years. Currently, Pakistan’s fish is relPakistan is not even fully utilizing the potential atively low-priced at $2.27 to $2.5 per kg as of these sectors. Pakistan was ranked at number compared to $ 7 per kg in the region, due to its one in the shipbreaking industry earlier. How- poor export quality and deteriorating transportaever, now India has taken over the Number One tion method. The fishing industry can improve spot, is followed by Bangladesh and only then the export quality by providing quality fishing comes Pakistan. Both the countries are ahead of boats, sustainable nets and capacity building Pakistan despite having favorable conditions like training. Additionally, illegal fishing should be heavy tides, cheap labour and a long beach. The banned by legislation. Thus the addition of value-added prodshipbreaking indusucts in the export try is in a terrible basket will bring condition after the more revenue to the fire incident took place at Gadani in The maritime potential of Pakistan country.

Fourthly, the role 2017. Pakistan can is vast and it is aptly right to say of the ports, and esearn billions in this of Gwadar, sector by breaking that, the maritime economy or blue pecially is very crucial for the large vessels which developwere used to carry economy can be used as a parallel economic ment of Pakistan. crude oil. The govPorts play an imporernment can facilieconomy. As the economic tant role in transporttate public-private condition of Pakistan dwindles due ing freight at the partnership in the rate. Along shipbreaking and to factors such as low growth and cheapest with this, ports proshipbuilding indusvide employment optry. massive uncertainties, the export portunities to a large Secondly, Pakbasket is limited and major chunk of the nation. istan has beautiful other ports of and untapped profitable sectors of the economy Two Pakistan, Karachi beaches along with and Port Qasim are its coastlines. Globare limited, Pakistan needs to carrying the major ally tourism industry discover its untapped resources. freight of the country. accounts for more Gwadar than 10 percent of Pakistan is a maritime nation. This However, has the potential to the GDP. Coastal introduce more marareas of Pakistan parallel economy will solve the itime potential in have a variety of landforms such as issues of foreign debt, twin deficit, Pakistan. Along with the development of sand beaches in poverty, unemployment, low export Gwadar Port and its Baluchistan, rock adjacent area, there is cliffs, headlands, and inflation. a need to meet the bays, lagoons, grievance of the lodeltas, mud volcacals. For this the noes, estuaries, and Government can mudflats and so on.

However, Pakistan is not utilizing this natural po- look into the Pakistan Navy’s Ormara model. This tential and losing its potential expected income will have twofold benefits, one being security and of around $4 billion. According to the report of the other smooth economic development.

The maritime potential of Pakistan is vast the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistan is among the least competitive countries of South and it is aptly right to say that, the maritime econAsia in tourism and is ranked at 121 out of 140 omy or blue economy can be used as a parallel countries globally. Pakistan needs to invest in economy. As the economic condition of Pakistan coastal tourism development by building infra- dwindles due to factors such as low growth and structures like a resort, theme parks, islands and massive uncertainties, the export basket is lima food industry. Additionally, water sport like ited and major profitable sectors of the economy boating, diving, snorkelling, sport-fishing, jet- are limited, Pakistan needs to discover its unskiing and scuba diving should be started. Pak- tapped resources. Pakistan is a maritime nation. istan also needs to create a cruise industry for This parallel economy will solve the issues of attracting more tourists in the areas of Karachi foreign debt, twin deficit, poverty, unemployment, low export and inflation. Therefore, this is and Gwadar.

Thirdly, Pakistan needs to improve its fishing high time for the government and Ministry of industry and invest more on aquaculture. Fish- Maritime Affairs to work on the Blue Economy. eries play an important role in the agriculture and Jawaria Abbasi is a freelance columnist food economy of the country. This sector pro-

Corruption in offices THERE is perhaps no better platform for a person like me to explain the increasing corruption in the offices, the complete economy and morality of the people. Nowadays there is no office which is free from this malady.

Corruption is the mother of all evils. It breeds and promotes all other conceivable vices in society. It is responsible for lawlessness, disorder, injustice, frustration and anarchy. The civil services, policy legislatures and business houses, all are victims of this disease.

Corruption has become a way of life and acquired a new meaning in Pakistan. Power, wealth, inadequacy of laws, administration inadequacies and impediments of civilization, poverty and ignorance of masses are the major causes of corruption, law income in offices is also the result of corruption. Corruption can be remove from our society by adopting same suggestions.

Firstly, there must create a spirit of patriotism among the people.

Secondly government should encourages people to lodge complaints against corrupt officials. Thirdly, the law enforcing agencies should be equipped with appropriate means. Fourthly, better salary scales must be provided to the officials. In this way in offices employers will work honestly and devotedly.

ShEhzadi haSSan ali karachi

Police brutality THE debate whether police is a service or a force has once become the talk of the town as the George Floyd incident and the Tehkal incident in Peshawar reflects police cruelty and inhumanity. As the police “use of physical force” becomes center stage, analysts are now coming up with new definitions to explain police brutality that rests on the use of unjustified interrogations leading to harassment, abusive language and threatening tone. There is no denying in the fact that it is the duty of the police institution to enforce law and order situation in a state of chaos however, in doing so, they should not cross the fine dividing line between proper and inappropriate use of force. If the police force crosses that fine line, then police becomes nothing but a framework of nonnegotiable intimidating force.

Unanimously, the citizens’ compatibility with police in Pakistan appears to be miserable primarily because the two parties always have a face-off at the backdrop of worsening situations. In this regard, calling the whole police service bad and incompetent might be too simple minded or overstated. However, when cases such as Tehkal incident emerge before us, it is necessary to find out the reasons why police behaves so brutally.

Discussed under the lieu of sociological and psychological theories, it can be deduced that police might behave harshly because its overall culture is violent and desensitizing.

Although the police reforms through the 2017 Police Act were enforced in KP, the fundamental concern remained unaddressed. With the focus now on revitalizing the dealings with the public by adopting a more socio-political approach, such reforms appear to be workable on paper only. Therefore, resting upon the “watchman-style”, the autonomy and power the service exerts remains unbridled and chances of corruption within the police department manifolds.

The best way forward in this regard is that the policy makers and concerned authorities should work towards making the police department a service-oriented entity on which people can have trust and faith on rather than becoming terrorized by it that ultimately compels them to take law in their hands and rebel making chaotic situations even worse. hadia Mukhtar karachi

Farewell sister Ruth Lewis HUMANITy is the cause greatest of all there are many people in this world who spend their whole life serving Mankind and sister Ruth lewis was among those.Since 2000 she was serving as incharge at Darul-Sukun Organisation Karachi. She was among the founders of Darul-Sukun along with and Sr Gertrude Lemmens and Margaret D’Costa who established it for disable people especially children. A considerable number of well-to-do citizens helped her run this organization. It was a moment of immense pleasure and pride for her when four children from Darul-Sukun won medals in special olympics held in the United States in 1998. She had been serving this organisation for 50 year. She was bestowed with Hakim Mohammad Saeed Award and Pride of Karachi award in Recognition for her exquisite services to humanity. People from different walks of life expressed deep grief on her demise, calling it a great loss. She will always be remembered for her unparalleled contribution for humanity.

May Her Soul Rest in Peace. kaMran khaMiSo khowaja Sujawal

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

DoNalD Trump Is a brokeN maN IN ANOTHER TIME, IN A DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE, THERE WOULD PERHAPS BE ROOM TO PITY SUCH A PERSON

aTlaNTiC

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PeTer WeHner

He most revealing answer from donald Trump’s interview with Fox news Channel’s Chris Wallace came in response not to the toughest question posed by Wallace, but to the easiest. at the conclusion of the interview, Wallace asked Trump how he will regard his years as president. “i think i was very unfairly treated,” Trump responded.

“From before i even won, i was under investigation by a bunch of thieves, crooks. it was an illegal investigation.”

When Wallace interrupted, trying to get Trump to focus on the positive achievements of his presidency—“What about the good parts, sir?”—Trump brushed the question aside, responding, “Russia, Russia, Russia.”

The president then complained about the Flynn investigation, the “Russia hoax,” the “Mueller scam,” and the recusal by his then– attorney general, Jeff sessions. (“now i feel good because he lost overwhelmingly in the great state of alabama,” Trump said about the first senator to endorse him in the 2016 Republican primary.) donald Trump is a psychologically bro-

ken, embittered, and deeply unhappy man.

He is so gripped by his grievances, such a prisoner of his resentments, that even the most benevolent question from an interviewer—what good parts of your presidency would you like to be remembered for?—triggered a gusher of discontent.

But the president still wasn’t done.

“Here’s the bottom line,” he said. “i’ve been very unfairly treated, and i don’t say that as paranoid. i’ve been very—everybody says it. it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. But there was tremendous evidence right now as to how unfairly treated i was.

President obama and Biden spied on my campaign. it’s never happened in history. if it were the other way around, the people would be in jail for 50 years right now.”

Just in case his bitterness wasn’t coming through clearly enough, the president added this: “That would be Comey, that would be Brennan, that would be all of this—the two lovers, strzok and Page, they would be in jail now for many, many years. They would be in jail; it would’ve started two years ago, and they’d be there for 50 years. The fact is, they illegally spied on my campaign. Let’s see what happens. despite that, i did more than any president in history in the first three and a half years.” With that, the interview ended. such a disposition in almost anyone else—

a teacher, a tax accountant, a Ceo, a cab driver, a reality-television star—would be unfortunate enough. after all, people who obsess about being wronged are just plain unpleasant to be around: perpetually ungrateful, short-tempered, self-absorbed, never at peace, never at rest.

But donald Trump isn’t a teacher, a tax accountant, or (any longer) a reality-television star; he is, by virtue of the office he holds, in possession of unmatched power.

The fact that he is devoid of any moral sensibilities or admirable human qualities— self-discipline, compassion, empathy, responsibility, courage, honesty, loyalty, prudence, temperance, a desire for justice— means he has no internal moral check; the question is this the right thing to do? never enters his mind. as a result, he not only nurses his grievances; he acts on them. He lives to exact revenge, to watch his opponents suffer, to inflict pain on those who don’t bend before him. even former war heroes who have died can’t escape his wrath. so donald Trump is a vindictive man who also happens to be commander in chief and head of the executive branch, which includes the Justice department, and there is no one around the president who will stand up to him. He has surrounded himself with lapdogs.

But the problem doesn’t end there. in a single term, Trump has reshaped the Republi-

Where women are kidnapped to be brides BRIDE KIDNAPPING, OR KAWIN TANGKAP, IS A CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE IN SUMBA WITH DISPUTED ORIGINS WHICH SEES WOMEN TAKEN BY FORCE BY FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS OF MEN WHO WANT TO MARRY THEM

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Liza Tambunan

ndonesian officials are vowing to end the controversial custom of bride kidnapping on the remote island of sumba, after videos of women being abducted sparked a national debate about the practice. Citra* thought it was just a work meeting.

Two men, claiming to be local officials, said they wanted to go over budgets for a project she was running at a local aid agency. The then 28-year-old was slightly nervous about going alone but keen to distinguish herself at work, so she pushed such concerns aside. an hour in, the men suggested the meeting continue at a different location and invited her to ride in their car. insisting on taking her own motorbike she went to slide her key into the ignition, when suddenly another group of men grabbed her. “i was kicking and screaming, as they pushed me into the car. i was helpless. inside two people held me down,” she says. “i knew what was happening.” she was being captured in order to be wed.

Bride kidnapping, or kawin tangkap, is a controversial practice in sumba with disputed origins which sees women taken by force by family members or friends of men who want to marry them. despite long-standing calls for it to be banned by women’s rights groups, it continues to be carried out in certain parts of sumba, a remote indonesian island east of Bali. But after two bride kidnappings were captured on video and widely shared on social media, the central government is now calling for it to end.

‘IT FELT LIKE I WAS DYING’: inside the car, Citra managed to message her boyfriend and parents before arriving at a traditional house, with its high peaked roof and solid wooden pillars. The family who kidnapped her, she then realised, were distant relatives from her father’s side. “There were lots of people waiting there.

They sounded a gong as i arrived and started doing rituals.” an ancient animist religion, known as Marapu, is widely practised in sumba alongside Christianity and islam. To keep the world in balance, spirits are appeased by ceremonies and sacrifices. “in sumba, people believe that when water touches your forehead you cannot leave the house,” Citra said. “i was very aware of what was happening, so when they tried to do that i turned at the last minute so that the water didn’t touch my forehead.” Her captors told her repeatedly that they were

acting out of love for her and tried to woo her into accepting the marriage. “i cried until my throat was dry. i threw myself on the ground. i kept jabbing the motorbike key that i was holding into my stomach until it bruised. i hit my head against the large wooden pillars. i wanted them to understand i didn’t want this. i hoped they would feel sorry for me.” For the next six days she was kept, effectively a prisoner in their house, sleeping in the living room. “i cried all night, and i didn’t sleep. it felt like i was dying.” Citra refused to eat or drink anything the family offered her believing it would put her under a spell: “if we take their food, we would say yes to the marriage.” Her sister smuggled food and water to her while her family, with the support of women’s rights groups, negotiated her release with village elders and the family of the potential groom.

NO POSITION TO NEGOTIATE: Women’s rights group Peruati has documented seven such bride kidnappings in the last four years, and believe many more have taken place in remote areas of the island. Just three women, including Citra, ended up being freed. in the two most recent cases that were captured on video in June, one woman stayed in the marriage. “They stayed because they didn’t have a choice,” says activist aprissa Taranau, the local head of Peruati. “Kawin tangkap can sometimes be a form of arranged marriage and women are not in a position to negotiate.” she says those that do manage to leave are often stigmatised by their community. “They’re labelled as a disgrace and people say they will not be able to get married now or have children. so women stay because of a fear of that,” she says.

That is what Citra was told. “Thank God i am now married to my boyfriend and we have a one-year old child,” she says with a smile, three years on from her ordeal.

PROMISES TO OUTLAW THE PRACTICE: Local historian and elder Frans Wora Hebi argues the practice is not part of sumba’s rich cultural traditions and says it is used by people wanting to force women to marry them without consequences. a lack of firm action by custodial leaders and the authorities means the practice continues, he says. “There are no laws against it, only sometimes there is social reprimand against those who practice it but there is no legal or cultural deterrent.” Following a national outcry, regional leaders in sumba signed a joint declaration rejecting the practice early this month.

Women’s empowerment Minister Bintang Puspayoga flew to the island from the capital, Jakarta, to attend. speaking to the media after the event she said: “We have heard from custodial leaders and religious leaders, that the practice of capture and wed that went viral is not truly part of sumba’s traditions.” she promised that the declaration was the beginning of a wider government effort to end the practice that she described as violence against women. Rights groups have welcomed the move but described it as “a first step in a long journey”. *Citra’s name has been changed to protect her identity.

can Party through and through, and his dispositional imprint on the GoP is as great as any in modern history, including Ronald Reagan’s. i say that as a person who was deeply shaped by Reagan and his presidency. My first job in government was working for the Reagan administration, when i was in my 20s. The conservative movement in the 1980s, although hardly flawless, was intellectually serious and politically optimistic. and Reagan himself was a man of personal decency, grace, and class. While often the target of nasty attacks, he maintained a remarkably charitable view of his political adversaries. “Remember, we have no enemies, only opponents,” the former indiana governor Mitch daniels, who worked for Reagan, quotes him as admonishing his staff. in his farewell address to the nation, Reagan offered an evocative description of america. “i’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but i don’t know if i ever quite communicated what i saw when i said it,” he said. “But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.

That’s how i saw it, and see it still.” a city tall and proud, its people living in harmony and peace, surrounded by walls with open doors; that was Ronald Reagan’s image of america, and Ronald Reagan’s Republican Party.

When Reagan died in 2004, the conser-

vative columnist George Will wrote a moving tribute to his friend, saying of america’s 40th president, “He traveled far, had a grand time all the way, and his cheerfulness was contagious.” Reagan had a “talent for happiness,” according to Will. and he added this: “Reagan in his presidential role made vivid the values, particularly hopefulness and friendliness, that give cohesion and dynamism to this continental nation.”

There were certainly ugly elements on the american right during the Reagan presidency, and Reagan himself was not without flaws. But as president, he set the tone, and the tone was optimism, courtliness and elegance, joie de vivre. He has since been replaced by the crudest and cruelest man ever to be president. But not just that. one senses in donald Trump no joy, no delight, no laughter. all the emotions that drive him are negative. There is something repugnant about Trump, yes, but there is also something quite sad about the man. He is a damaged soul. in another time, in a different circumstance, there would perhaps be room to pity such a person. But for now, it is best for the pity to wait. There are other things to which to attend. The american public faces one great and morally urgent task above all others between now and november: to do everything in its power to remove from the presidency a self-pitying man who is shattering the nation and doesn’t even care.

PETER WEHNER is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

Netanyahu in a hurry for war with Iran WAR IS ALSO NOT NECESSARILY GOOD FOR US BUSINESS. THE US PREFERS TO KEEP TENSIONS IN THE REGION HIGH, JUSTIFYING ITS “SECURITY” ROLE, AND ALLOWING IT TO SELL WEAPONS TO ITS LOCAL CLIENTS

JordaN Times

I

Hasan abu nimaH

sRaeL is hoping to start a war with iran before the Us elections in november, according to the analysis of Jason ditz, editor of the news site antiwar.com. Quoting a Business insider article from July 16, ditz observes that recent attacks against iranian targets have been blamed on israel.

The Business insider report, citing a former israeli defence official, asserts that it is “common knowledge that at least some of the latest attacks in iran were done by israeli intelligence”. one of the attacks was at an iranian missile production facility on 22 June.

The new York Times also reported earlier this month that israel was responsible for a devastating July 2 explosion at iran’s natanz nuclear enrichment facility. a third attack targeted an important shipyard at Bushehr on July 15. a european Union official told Business insider that the bloc “feared israel was planning to provoke iran into military confrontation while Trump remains in office”. The israelis apparently fear the circumstances would be much more difficult if Joe Biden wins the Us election in november. israel has for years, if not decades, been trying to push the Us and others into a war with iran that it dare not launch on its own. at times, however, israeli leaders even suggested they would start a war themselves believing that a “reluctant” Washington would be drawn in it once israel started it. israel’s attempts to convince successive Us administrations, including Trump’s, to start a war have been relentless. some hardliners in the current administration pushed for the idea too: Former national security adviser John Bolton wanted to nuke iran. as there were bellicose hawks such as those who fabricated pretexts to go to war against iraq in 2003, a war that not only destroyed iraq, destabilised the entire region and created the worst terror organisation the world ever known, there are also cautious voices that warn against a new foolish adventure.

Political leaders have turned to warfare at times in the hope of deflecting from domestic scandals and problems. israeli Prime Minister netanyahu is currently on trial for corruption, though even for him this kind of adventure might be too risky as a political strategy. Yet

the danger is there. iran, which has always been a convenient target, may look more vulnerable than ever from Tel aviv, with mounting economic problems in iran caused by Us sanctions and the pandemic. Just as with annexation, israel might not want to “miss the chance” presented by Trump. indeed, the Us position on iran has been even more than usually tied to israel’s, right from when the Trump administration withdrew from the multilateral iran nuclear agreement in 2018.

That was followed by more severe sanctions on iran as well as on any other countries that would deal with iran. israel has major grievances against iran. in israel’s view, iran is directly responsible for creating and arming Hizbollah to the point where the Lebanese militia is a serious military threat, possessing thousands of precision missiles and a fighting capability that humiliated the israeli army in 2006. iran is also blamed for arming Hamas in Gaza, also a formidable force that can cause enormous harm to israel in any future confrontation. Hamas, though no match for israel’s military capabilities, also owns missiles that may reach many cities in israel including Tel aviv and the airport.

The war in syria, which was expected to topple President Bashar assad, destroy the syrian-iranian alliance and sever the supply of Hizbollah, ended up bringing both iran and Hizbollah right on israel’s eastern border. as is now widely reported and documented, israel even armed and funded al Qaeda-linked groups in syria as part of this effort. Yet all of israel’s rocket attacks on syrian locations over the past few years and the other attempts to get iran out of syria did not succeed.

That could be leading to israeli desperation to strike while Trump is still there. nevertheless, even the Trump administration has not been in favor of an open war, probably cognizant of the terrible consequences it would have.

War is also not necessarily good for Us business.

The Us prefers to keep tensions in the region high, justifying its “security” role, and allowing it to sell weapons to its local clients. War would only disrupt this lucrative arrangement without necessarily providing any advantage.

The Us has also learned that despite its might it is far from invincible: its facilities in the region are all within range of missiles like those used by iran to retaliate against american bases in iraq after the Us murdered iranian general Qassem soleimani last december.

Moreover, despite Us military support and superior Us weapons, Us allies in the region have been unable to end the war in Yemen in their favor. There is no guarantee that a war against iran would be easily winnable. it would also expose vital targets in the Gulf region: as well as american bases and ships, oil and gas installations could be destroyed, and shipping lanes closed down, adding to the likely global chaos and crisis.

That only accounts for the immediate material damage, but the far reaching human and political consequences could set the region decades back. i do not need to spell out here how disastrous it would be.

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

BUSINESS 09

ECC APPRovES mARkuP SuBSIdY FoR NAYA PAkISTAN HouSINg AuTHoRITY AIIB approves $250m loan for Pakistan's Covid-19 economic response BUSINESS DESK The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Wednesday announced that its Board of Directors have approved a loan of $250 million to help Pakistan strengthen its response to the adverse economic and social impacts of Covid-19 pandemic. The $250 million loan is co-financed by the World Bank (WB) and will help the government improve its Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (RISE) Programme, said a statement issued by AIIB. The RISE programme aims to pave the way for Pakistan’s economic recovery from Covid-19. According to the WB, the programme will help the country strengthen its fiscal management, promote transparency and private sector growth, and undertake foundational reforms in the energy sector to transition to low-carbon energy. The $250 million loan announced by AIIB on Wednesday brings the investment bank’s total support to Pakistan’s Covid-19 response to $750 million. The Covid-19 health crisis in Pakistan is expected to have long term repercussions for economic growth which may undermine hard fought progress towards macroeconomic stability in the country, AIIB said in its statement. “Already, employment in the formal and informal sectors has seen a downturn with the poor, women and other vulnerable groups disproportionately affected,” read the statement. “The pandemic has rapidly evolved in Pakistan and now threatens to undo many of the hard-won gains made in reducing poverty over the past two decades,” said AIIB Vice President Investment Operations Konstantin Limitovskiy. “Our immediate support is critical and will contribute to the government’s efforts to mitigate pandemic-related shocks, so that the country may continue on its path to sustainable development,” he added. The AIIB said that while it does not have a regular instrument for policy-based financing, it is extending such financings on an exceptional basis under its Covid-19 Crisis Recovery Facility (CRF) created to support its members through projects co-financed with the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank.

Sports goods' exports drop 15pc in FY20 ISLAMABAD APP

The export of sports goods from the country witnessed a decrease of 14.97pc during the fiscal year 2019-20, as against the corresponding period of last year. The country exported sports goods worth $262.370 million during FY20 as compared to the trade of $308.552 million during FY19, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported. During the period under review, the export of footballs decreased by 10.18pc, from $160.580 million last year to $144.235 million during the period under review, while the export of gloves declined by 26.47pc, from $96.56 million to $71.00 million. In addition, the exports of all other sports goods went down from $51.412 million to $47.135 million, showing a decrease of 8.32pc. Meanwhile, on a year-on-year basis, the export of sports products in June 2020 decreased by 20.30pc to $18.516 million when compared with the exports of $23.232 million in June 2019. The export of footballs, gloves and all other sports products dipped by 12.60pc, 42.74pc and 11.60pc YoY, respectively. On a month-on-month basis, however, the export of sports products increased by 34.24pc in June 2020 when compared with the exports of $13.793 million in May 2020.

The exports of footballs and other goods increased by 91.19pc and 24.33pc MoM, respectively, whereas the export of gloves decreased by 27.68pc MoM. It is pertinent to mention that the country's trade deficit witnessed a significant reduction during FY20, declining by 27.12pc as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

ISLAMABAD

T

SHAHZAD PARACHA

HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved markup subsidy for the housing finance proposed by the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NPHDA).

The prime minister on July 10th had announced special incentives for the housing and construction sector to revive economic development amid Covid-19 pandemic.

"The markup subsidy will be provided for 10 years on bank financing," said a statement issued by the finance ministry. "Accordingly, end-user markup rate on housing units measuring up to five marlas will be 5pc for

‘End-uSEr markuP ratE on houSing unitS mEaSuring uP to fivE marlaS will BE 5Pc for thE firSt fivE yEarS and 7Pc for thE nExt fivE yEarS' the first five years and 7pc for the next five years."

For housing units measuring 10 marlas, end-user markup rate would be 7pc for the first five years and 9pc for the next five years.

The subsidy would be given on units where the price of the housing unit does not exceed Rs3.5 million for five marlas and is not more than Rs6 million in case of a 10-marla house.

As many as Rs33 billion were allocated for the loan tenor of 10 years, with Rs4.77 billion to be allocated in

the current financial year for the payment of markup this year.

Meanwhile, the ECC, chaired by Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, decided to allocate 150,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Pakistan Army from PASSCO resources on payment criteria set for 2020-2021.

The committee also approved the prices of tobacco recommended by the Price and Grade Revision Committee in pursuance of Section 8(1) of the PTB Ordinance 1968, directing the Ministry

KP businessmen urge FBR to accelerate tax refund process PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

The business community on Wednesday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to accelerate the tax refund process and refrain from issuing unwarranted notices to businesses.

The demands were made during a joint meeting of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SCCI) Standing Committee on Inland Revenue Services and Income Tax chaired by the SCCI President Engineer Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz on Wednesday.

Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) business community stressed that instead of putting additional burden of taxes on existing taxpayers, FBR should take steps to bring more people under the tax-net.

SCCI Senior Vice President

Shahid Hussain, Vice President Abdul Jalil Jan, other members of SCCI and tax officers were present in the meeting.

SCCI president while speaking on the occasion stressed the need for taking steps to facilitate business suffering from the adverse economic impacts of Covid-19. He urged the government to further accelerate payment of tax refunds.

SCCI Standing Committee on Inland Revenue Chairman Zahidullah Shinwari appreciated the FBR and RTO Peshawar for bringing amendments in tax laws and taking initiatives to provide relief to Covid-19 affected business community.

He said that the business community is willing to pay all taxes, however, unnecessary notices are being issued to them which creates mistrust between the business community and the government. He

urged FBR to take further steps to facilitate the business community.

SCCI Standing Committee on Income Tax Chairman Muhammad Asif said that the SCCI has always maintained close liaison and cordial relations with the Regional Tax Office (RTO).

He said that the tax base should be increased adding that meetings with small trade bodies should be arranged in order to inform them of the advantages of filing taxes.

RTO Additional Commissioner Ajmal Khan agreed with proposals and recommendations of the business community and assured them that his department will take proactive steps to resolve their issues.

Earlier in the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Usman Asif and Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Yasir Nabi delivered a presentation regarding amendments in tax laws and other initiatives.

SBP goes green, expands renewable energy refinance scheme KARACHI MEIRYUM ALI

In an attempt to encourage clean energy in the country, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has enhanced the scope of its Refinance Scheme for Renewable Energy, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

The scheme allows financing under category III to solar and wind-based energy sale companies.

After feedback received from stakeholders, the size of the project established by the vendor, supplier, or energy sale company has been increased from 1MW to 5MW. The cumulative financing limit has also been increased from Rs1 billion to Rs2 billion.

"This revision in the scheme is expected to not only attract fresh local and foreign investment in the sector but also facilitate production of clean energy in the country, helping in managing climate change," the SBP said.

The SBP Financing Scheme for Renewable Energy was announced in June 2016, with an aim to

help address the challenges of energy shortages and climate change in the country.

Initially, the scheme had two categories. Category 1 allowed financing for setting up of renewable energy power projects, with the capacity ranging from 1MW to 50MW for own use or selling of electricity to the national grid, or combination of both.

Category II allowed financing to domestic, agriculture, commercial and industrial borrowers to install renewable energy-based projects of up to 1MW to generate electricity for own use or selling to the grid and distribution company under net metering.

Later, in July 2019, the SBP introduced Category III for facilitating financing to vendors and suppliers to install wind and solar systems of up to 1MW. The SBP also launched a Shariah-compliant version of the scheme in August 2019.

Since the introduction of the scheme, total outstanding financing under the scheme has reached Rs15.6 billion for 217 projects. This has the potential of adding 292MW to energy supply.

of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR ) to give a detailed presentation on the mechanism of determination of prices and also point out the gaps in the system.

Moreover, the committee approved an allocation of Rs41.8 million for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication/NITB for the deployment of systems, data analysis, modelling and mobile apps for NCOC stakeholders and government departments with the instructions that wherever possible the budget would be rationalized/ minimized with the consultation of Finance Division.

Lastly, the ECC approved the Establishment of Balochistan Mineral Exploration Company Limited (BMEC) with the support of the federal government.

National Investment Trust launches new web portal, mobile app ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first Asset Management Company, National Investment Trust Ltd (NITL) is proud to announce the launch of its new web portal and mobile app. NIT Managing Director Adnan Afridi said, “As part of NIT’s commitment to digitalization, the ‘NIT Web Portal & Mobile App’ combines nearly 60 years of experience with best in breed technologies to enable investors with seamless digital investment experience. An expertly crafted User Experience (UI) empowers investors with a range of tools from managing investments, redemption and fund-to-fund transfer to generating e-statements and connecting to the NIT call centre.” The launch of this application is also a milestone in NIT’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and is a major step in the organization going paperless. The application is available on the Android Play Store and IOS App Store as “Invest in Trust”. NITL has a strong nationwide distribution network which comprises 27 online branches, investors’ facilitation centre and a customer care call centre. NITL has also recently launched Pakistan’s first Exchange Traded Fund (NIT-PGETF) and Asset Allocation Fund (NIT-AAF). STAFF REPORT

Planning ministry recommends Rs2.45bn for Tree Tsunami Programme ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has recommended the release of Rs2.45 billion out of the total allocation of Rs4.9 billion under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2020-21 allocation for phase-I of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme. The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme aims to up scale the Green Pakistan Programme. The total approved cost of the Green Pakistan Programme is Rs125.184 billion which will be spent on planting trees all over the country, through the Ministry of Climate Change, according to a statement issued by the ministry of planning on Wednesday. So far under the Green Pakistan Programme, 280 million plants have been cultivated, planted and regenerated.

The project also provides employment to 83,224 daily wage workers. APP

MARKET DAILY

Stocks manage modest gains in range-bound trading KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange moved within a narrow range on Tuesday, with the indices swaying in both directions before ending in the green.

"The market traded in a similar fashion as yesterday, whereby cement, fertilizer, banks saw profit booking/selling pressure, which was counterweighted by index heavyweights HUBC and ENGRO," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. "However, the cement

sector managed to attract the highest volumes following the ECC's approval of funds for the construction sector. Also, international crude oil prices increased overnight, which helped exploration & production stocks stage recovery."

The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained volatile throughout the day, registering its intraday high at 37,986.37 (+286.06 points) and intraday low at 37,552.07 (148.24 points). It settled higher by 104.30 points at 37,804.61.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index

accumulated 567.70 points to end at 61,146.99, while the KSE All Share Index gathered only 56.73 points, closing at 26,902.11.

The overall market volumes fell from 457.13 million in the previous session to 404.98 million. Average traded value also declined by 9pc, from $116.5 million to $106.2 million. Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL +2.55pc), Unity Foods Limited (UNITY +3.48pc) and Agritech Limited (AGL +13.20pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 21.01 million, 20.10 million and 19.26 million shares, respectively.

CMYK

Sectors that rescued the benchmark index from the red zone included cement (+77.80 points), automobile assembling (+41.16 points) and oil & gas marketing (+25.78 points). Among the companies, Lucky Cement (LUCK +73.68 points), Millat Tractors (MTL +28.73 points) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO +19.000 points) remained the top contributors.

Adding 2.41pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the automobile assembling sector emerged as the session's top gainer, with Honda Atlas Cars Ltd (HCAR

+7.50pc), Ghandhara Industries Limited (GHNI +7.50pc), Ghandhara Nissan Limited (GHNL +7.49pc) and Pakistan Suzuki Motors Company Limited (PSMC +4.70pc) posting decent gains.

Meanwhile, in a notification to the exchange, Balochistan Particle Board Ltd (BPBL +2.07pc) announced that the company has received a 'Letter of Intent' for the acquisition of majority shares of the company from Progressive International on July 15, 2020. The BoD's had already recommended the winding up of the company.

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

US orderS CHINa To CloSe HoUSToN CoNSUlaTe aS TeNSIoNS Soar WASHINGTON

T

AGENCIES

HE United States has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston and accused it of ramping up spying operations, dramatically escalating diplomatic tensions between the feuding superpowers.

Wednesday’s announcement infuriated Beijing, which vowed to retaliate as the two countries squabble over a slew of issues ranging from trade to the coronavirus pandemic — and China’s policies in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea. “We have directed the closure of PRC Consulate General Houston in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans’ private information,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told reporters during a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Denmark.

She added that under the Vienna Convention, states “have a duty not to interfere

in the internal affairs” of the receiving state, but there were no further details about the reasons behind the decision.

In another statement, the State Department said China has engaged in massive

Biden vows to overturn Trump’s ban on Muslim travellers WASHINGTON

spying and influence operations throughout the United States for years.

“These activities have increased markedly in scale and scope over the past few years,” it said.

Before the news emerged, firefighters and police were called Tuesday evening to the consulate building in Texas on reports that documents were being burned in trash cans in the courtyard, according to local media.

The Twitter feed of the Houston police force said smoke was observed, but officers “were not granted access to enter the building”.

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China was told Tuesday that the consulate would have to close, calling it an “outrageous and unjustified move which will sabotage China-US relations”.

“China urges the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, or China will definitely take a proper and necessary response,” Wang said at a press briefing.

“It is a political provocation unilaterally launched by the US side, which seriously violates international law… and the bilateral consular agreement between China and the US.”

14 injured after shooting outside Chicago funeral home

AGENCIES

Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden says he will overturn President Donald Trump’s travel ban targeting several predominantly Muslim countries on his first day in office if elected president in the November elections. The former US vice president and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee to challenge Trump in his re-election bid, says that the Muslim communities were the first to feel Trump’s assault on Black and brown communities in this country with his vile travel ban. Trump placed travel restrictions on seven Muslim-majority countries in January 2017, shortly after he took office. The president had argued that the travel ban was for national security purposes. “That fight was the opening barrage in what has been nearly four years of constant pressure and insults, and attacks against Muslim American communities,” Biden told the ‘Emgage Action’, the largest Muslim political group in the United States. “Donald Trump has fanned the flames of hate in this country across the board through his words, his policies, his appointments, his deeds, and he continues to fan those flames,” Biden said.

“Under this administration, we’ve seen an unconscionable rise in Islamophobia.” Biden’s remarks came shortly after ‘Emgage Action’ endorsed him in a letter to supporters. It organised an online ‘Million Muslim Vote Summit’ as part of a campaign to have one million Muslim voters cast their ballots in the 2020 presidential elections. “We’re putting our trust in you,” Khurrum Wahid, a PakistaniAmerican who is the chairperson for Emgage Action’s board, told Biden. “We have a swing state strategy and we will deliver for you Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida,” he added. “We will activate large groups of voters in Texas and Arizona. We will turn out one million votes nationally. We’re going to ask everyone we know to ‘vote Joe’ on November 3rd,” Wahid added. Biden, who spoke for about 10 minutes, did not answer questions. He described Islam as “one of the great confessional faiths” and decried recent spikes in hate crimes as well as appointments of government officials with histories of anti-Muslim comments. If elected, Biden said, “we could work together to right the wrongs and see our world bettered, with our hearts, with our hands, with our votes.”

CHICAGO AGENCIES

Fourteen people were injured, one person was being questioned and multiple suspects were being sought after gunfire erupted outside a funeral home on Chicago’s South Side where at least one squad car was present, police officials said Tuesday.

First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter said mourners outside a funeral home in the Gresham neighborhood were fired upon from a passing vehicle. Carter said several targets of the shooting returned fire. The vehicle later crashed and the occupants fled in several directions. Carter said all the victims were adults.

A person of interest was being questioned Tuesday night but no arrests had been made, said police spokesman Hector Alfaro.

The victims were taken by the Chicago Fire Department to nearby hospitals in serious condition, said spokesman Larry Langford. They include at least four women between the ages of 25 and 38, one of whom was shot in the chest, police said. Other victims include a 40-year-old man who was shot in the chest, arm and forearm, and two men, 32 and 22, who were shot in a hand, police said.

Police said the shooting happened at or near the site of a funeral or postfuneral event for a man fatally shot last week in the Englewood neighborhood.

Arnita Geder and Kenneth Hughes said they heard gunshots while in their home watching television, adding that they came outside to find bodies that were shot up and “laying everywhere.”

“We thought it was a war out here,” Geder told the Chicago Sun-Times.

“It’s ridiculous all the shooting that’s going on out here, it really has to stop.”

Carter said at least 60 shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting. It wasn’t immediately known if anyone other than attendees of the fu-

India cancels historic Hindu pilgrimage as coronavirus cases mount SRINAGAR AGENCIES

India has cancelled a historic Hindu pilgrimage to a holy cave high in the snow-capped mountains of contested Kashmir for the first time, as cases of the novel coronavirus continued to rise on Wednesday. There were 37,724 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to federal health data released on Wednesday. India has reported almost 1.2 million cases overall, behind only the United States and Brazil. Organisers of the Amarnath Yatra, where saffron-clad Hindu ascetics walk 46 km (28 miles) to the cave across glaciers and waterlogged trails, said a “very sharp” spike in coronavirus cases had forced the cancellation. “The health concerns are so serious that the strain on the health system, along with the diversion in resources to the Yatra, will be immense,” said a statement by the organising committee released late on Tuesday. A strict lockdown was reimposed in Kashmir – also claimed by India’s arch rival Pakistan – on July 12 after a major spike in cases and deaths. Shops and businesses are shut, and in most parts of the main city of Srinagar roads are sealed and people are not allowed to leave their homes. The mountain cave contains an ice stalagmite that is considered a physical manifestation of Hindu god Lord Shiva. It is the first time the pilgrimage has been cancelled since the cave was discovered by a farmer in the 19th century.

Netanyahu coalition ally wants military to lead Israel's anti-virus campaign JERUSALEM AGENCIES

neral were victims, nor if anyone in the SUV had been wounded. The person being questioned was uninjured, according to authorities. Investigators haven’t determined how many people were involved in the shooting.

A squad car was assigned to monitor the funeral as a precaution because of the sizable number of mourners attending, Carter said, adding that he was unaware of any warnings from community activists that trouble at the funeral was imminent.

“The district commander took every precaution that he could,” Carter said.

The shooting comes as the Department of Homeland Security is planning to deploy dozens of federal agents to Chicago to deal with an uptick in violent crime in the city.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, after threatening to sue if President Donald Trump acted without her permission, said Tuesday the city would be working with federal agents to fight crime.

Lightfoot has been skeptical of federal agents being sent to Chicago by Trump due to the controversy in Port-

land, Oregon, where the Trump administration sent federal officers after weeks of protests there over police brutality and racial injustice that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Lightfoot said she expects Chicago will receive resources that will plug into existing federal agencies that already work with the city, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Oregon’s governor and Portland’s mayor have expressed anger with the presence of the federal agents, saying that the city’s protests had started to ease just as the federal agents started taking action. Trump has framed such protests in the nation’s large cities as a failure by “liberal Democrats” who run them, praised the officers’ actions and said he was looking to send agents to other cities.

He pointed to rising gun violence in Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city, where more than 63 people were shot, 12 fatally, over the weekend.

The military should take over responsibility for keeping Israel’s spreading coronavirus epidemic in check, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main coalition partner said on Tuesday, in comments likely to fuel tensions within the government. Israel lifted a partial lockdown in May, but a second surge of infections has seen cases rise above 50,000 and deaths above 400, while Netanyahu’s approval ratings have plunged to under 30 percent and employment soared to 21 percent. Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, of the centrist Blue and White party, said he expected a decision “this week” to hand the running of anti-coronavirus containment measures from the health ministry to the armed forces’ Homefront Command. “This virus will not leave us for an entire year. Therefore, there needs to be a change in management,” Ashkenazi told Ynet TV. “Put [the] ego aside …

I am saying this to Bibi [Netanyahu] … I am saying we need to shift responsibility to the defence establishment.” Netanyahu’s office had no immediate comment, but he may be reluctant to empower Defence Minister Benny Gantz — who is also the Blue and White leader — when they are already at odds over proposed Israeli annexations in the occupied West Bank and budgets. Formed primarily to protect citizens from missile attacks, the Homefront Command is also trained to help during natural disasters and well equipped to communicate quickly with Israel’s ethnically diverse sectors. Its troops have already helped out during the epidemic with evacuations and food distributions. A Blue and White source said Gantz and Ashkenazi want that role expanded to include testing and contact-tracing. Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish warned against drawing the conscript military into controversy among Israel’s 9 million population akin to what met the use of counter-terrorism technologies to track coronavirus carriers.

Is it safe to go to the gym during the coronavirus pandemic?

LONDON AGENCIES

Is it safe to go to the gym during the coronavirus pandemic?

It depends on where you live and the precautions you and the gym take.

If cases of Covid-19 are poorly controlled where you live, experts say it’s best to stay away. But if you live in an area where the spread is being contained, there are ways to minimize risk when going for a workout.

To ensure everyone stays at least 6 feet apart, gyms should take steps such as moving machines, blocking off areas and limiting

the number of people allowed inside, says Dr. Marybeth Sexton, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at Emory University.

Avoiding the locker room, bringing your own water bottle and using hand sanitizer also helps reduce risk, Sexton says.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests checking in online, rather than in person, and seeking activities that are outdoors instead of indoors when possible.

Gym staff should be cleaning exercise machines between uses and regularly wiping down other frequently touched areas with products that kill viruses.

And experts say face coverings should be worn at the gym whenever possible.

Sexton also suggests bringing a backup mask. If the one you’re wearing gets really damp with sweat, she says it might not be as effective.

Even for those being careful, gyms pose a risk. Many are indoors, where ventilation is limited and social distancing can be challenging. In an ongoing pandemic, if you can manage to break a sweat without returning to the gym just yet, that’s the best option, according to Sexton.

“If you can exercise by yourself outside, that’s safer than being at the gym,” she said.

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

IPL 2020 TO bE hELd IN ThE UAE MUMBAI

T

AGENCIES

HE 2020 edition of the IPL will be played in the UAE, Brijesh Patel, the IPL Governing Council chairman, confirmed to ESPNcricinfo today. Patel said that a formal announcement on the matter would be made when the body meets next.

Patel did not confirm the dates for the tournament, but as reported recently, the BCCI has penciled in the window between for the IPL, which comprises 60 matches.

Patel said that the BCCI had been waiting for the ICC to formally postpone the men’s T20 World Cup this year, which has happened now, and freed up a window for the tournament. “We were waiting for the ICC to officially announce [the postponement],” Patel said. “We have applied [for permission] with the Indian government. Should get it.”

Patel said Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah would be the three main venues. Asked about whether the tournament would be played behind closed doors, Patel said that “depends on the UAE government”. It is understood that the franchises are yet to be formally informed about the tournament being shifted out of India.

SPORTS 11

In April, the BCCI had postponed the IPL indefinitely because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the BCCI had intended to host the IPL in India, the pandemic’s spread has over the last few months has made that unfeasible. With officially more than a million Covid-19 infections confirmed, India ranks third on the list of active cases worldwide.

When the plan was to host the tournament in India, the BCCI wanted to conduct it behind closed doors in limited venues and had singled out Mumbai as the hub, but India’s commercial capital has a huge number of Covid-19 infections, putting paid to those thoughts. This would be the second time for the IPL in the UAE, after the first 20 matches of the tournament were staged in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in 2014 because of the general elections in India. The franchises are likely to set up their bases a month in advance if and when the green light is given - for training and also to abide by any quarantine measures imposed by the UAE government.

It is understood that the main reason for marking November 7 as the date for the IPL final was to ensure Indian players get enough time to travel to Australia for the four-match Test series, set to begin in December.

Mohammad Amir not indispensable, will pick him if he’s ‘up to the mark’

LAHORE AGENCIES

Pakistan bowling coach believes ‘s return to the team will spark competition amongst the bowlers and liven up intensity as they gear up for next month’s T20 series against England. He said Amir’s from Test cricket “hurt at the time” but Pakistan had moved past it, and said his recall did not equate to the left-armer being indispensable for the team, insisting no Pakistan player could lay claim to that status.

In a media interaction, Younis was intensely questioned on the just weeks after the bowler had of the tour owing to the impending birth of his second child. Pakistan had already made arrangements for replacements when Amir earlier excused himself; nevertheless, after the birth of his daughter last week, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq approached Amir for his availability and - should he return two negative Covid-19 tests - is set to link up with the squad later this week.

“We do have a lot of bowlers here and we don’t need them all,” admitted Younis, “but since it’s a camp and we have plenty of time, it’s better to have a look at what everyone can do. It’s not just about this series but also about going forward. The idea is to have a better idea about our players and a clear picture about who we’d like to take along. Amir is an experienced fast bowler and was in our white-ball plans, and we are just utilising the chance to have as many ready bowlers as we can.

“The doors are never shut for anyone even if they have played for Pakistan or [are] yet to play. He [Amir] is a seasoned bowler and at times it did hurt when he left Test cricket at a crucial time and we all expressed our displeasure on it. But we have moved on and we have to see

where he stands. If he’s up to the mark, then we will pick him and play him. But nobody is indispensable. I never thought we couldn’t function without one cricketer. That’s the wrong way to think.”

Since Amir at the age of 27, Pakistan brought in a number of young quick bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi, who has become a mainstay in the side and Naseem Shah, while Mohammad Abbas has emerged as a pivotal senior option. Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan Shinwari, Musa Khan and Imran Khan have all played a part, particularly since Wahab Riaz joined Amir in red-ball retirement last year.

Younis said the decision to include Amir wasn’t made on impulse and wouldn’t hurt any of the young players in the side. “In a way it’s actually good that he came and young players can actually learn from him,” he said. “But we will prioritise those who are doing well, and they are definitely going to get a go. With 29 players here, there’s a good healthy competition and that’s a great luxury.

“There should be competition; that actually helps the team. If you go back to the 90s, Wasim [Akram], me, Shoaib [Akhtar] and many others around [were] pushing hard for international selection, and that is where teams really blossom.”

The Pakistan players and support staff arrived in England on June 28, several weeks before the start of the first match to be able to train in the country, as well as complete the mandatory quarantine period for all foreigners travelling to the UK. The touring party is living in a biosecure bubble where they will not interact with anyone outside of the group, and regular tests for Covid-19 will be conducted on the tour. The three Tests and three T20Is will all be played behind closed doors.

CMYK

Arsenal season not good enough, says Mikel Arteta LONDON AGENCIES

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s season “is not good enough for this club” after confirmed their worst finish since 1995. The Gunners can now finish no higher than eighth in the Premier League after Trezeguet’s strike gave Villa three massive points.

“It has to hurt and we have to suffer, it’s not good enough for this club,” Arteta said. “We need to improve in many areas, the team and individually.”

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League under former manager Arsene Wenger but now must beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final on 1 August to play in the Europa League next year.

They last played Champions League football in the 2016-17 season and will go into Sunday’s final league game against Watford at least nine points short of the top four.

They last failed to finish in the top six in 199495 - when caretaker manager Stewart Houston oversaw a 12th-placed finish after George Graham’s departure in February.

A plane flew a banner across Villa Park reading “Back Arteta Kroenke Out” as fans showed their opposition to owner Stan Kroenke during the defeat.

Arteta said: “The Kroenkes and the board and the sporting director, I have their full backing. I have that 100% - the fans have to believe what I’m saying.

“We are putting a strong plan together to do as

Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem first Pakistani to directly qualify for Tokyo Olympics

Arshad Nadeem, a 23-year-old athlete, has made the nation proud after becoming the first Pakistani to directly qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2021. The global sporting event, which was earlier scheduled to be held in July, has now been postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nadeem, a javelin thrower, is a four-time national champion, and among many honours and platitudes, holds the distinction of being the sole representative from Pakistan at the World Athletics Championship at Doha, PTV Sports tweeted on Wednesday. With a number of accolades and awards under his name, Nadeem also represented Pakistan in the 2019 South Asian Games and clinched gold with a throw of 86.29 metres, which also translated into an automatic feature in the Tokyo Olympics as he surpassed the mandatory 85 metres qualification criteria for this event, the national broadcaster notified. SPORTS DESK

much as we can in a short period and the league table doesn’t lie. “The top teams in certain areas are better than us. We know the challenge, it’s really big and we’re excited for what we have ahead of us.”

Midfielder Granit Xhaka, who came on as a halftime substitute, blamed his side’s attitude for the defeat, which saw the Gunners fail to have a shot on target. “In my opinion you can’t come here and play like this,” he said.

“It’s not good enough and you can’t play with this mentality. We could have got into the Europa League, but now we have to win the FA Cup and we have more pressure. “But we will do everything to win the FA Cup now.”

‘Enough is enough’: England’s Jofra Archer speaks on racial abuse MANCHESTER: Jofra Archer has revealed that he received racist abuse on social media after his biosecurity breach ahead of the second Test against West Indies at Old Trafford. The fast bowler has passed on details of the abuse to the English Cricket Board and is seeking to have action taken. “Some of the abuse I have taken over the past few days on Instagram has been racist and I have decided that enough is enough,” he wrote in his column in the Daily Mail on Wednesday. “Since Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace footballer, was abused by a 12-yearold online I drew a line and I will not allow anything to pass, so I have forwarded on my complaints to the ECB and that will go through the correct process.”

Archer was fined and warned by the English Cricket Board and forced to isolate on his own after being left out of the second test at Old Trafford, which England won by 113 runs on Monday to level the series at 1-1 The 25-year-old went home last week instead of heading straight from the first Test in Southampton to Manchester under the strict health guidelines laid down for the series. Once the breach had been discovered, he had to spend five days in isolation but has since twice tested negative for Covid-19 and is eligible to play in the third Test starting on Friday. “I found I was struggling for motivation in the circumstances when it came to returning to bowling in the nets. When I walked outside of my room for the first time since being placed into self-isolation for breaking the Covid-19 protocols, I heard the cameras clicking with every single step I took,” he wrote. AGENCIES

Thursday, 23 July, 2020

PRAyER TImINGS

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IntErnatIonal mEdIa vIsIts loC, mEEts vICtIms oF IndIan aggrEssIon ISLAMABAD

I

STAFF REPORT

NTERNATIONAL media visited the Line of Control (LoC) in Chirikot Sector on Wednesday and interacted with the victims of continued Indian ceasefire violations and witnessed the situation along the de facto border between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

During the visit, the international media was shown areas in Poonch sector towards

the Indian side from where the Indian troops deliberately targeted civil population with heavy weapons, mortars and even using cluster ammunition in various sectors of the LoC against all international conventions.

The international media personnel also witnessed military posts deployed along the LoC eyeball-to-eyeball. The journalists were shown the Indian surveillance grid and obstacle system along the LoC, having depth of anti-infiltration grid, 3 to 4 kilometres from the LoC.

Female leaders doing 'better job' in virus crisis, says ECB chief

This surveillance system consists of three-layered defence. The first tier, which is close to the LoC – 500 to 1,000 meters – includes mines, surveillance detachments, underground sensors and long-range observation system. The second tier on the border fence and main defences – 1,0002,000 metres – includes wire obstacles, battlefield radars and anti-infiltration obstacle system, while the third tier is on the ridge lines, nullahs, gaps and roads.

The local population denounced the di-

Global coronavirus cases exceed 15m

BRUSSELS AGENCIES

Female leaders are doing a better job handling the coronavirus crisis, European Central Bank (ECB) chief Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday, praising them for their honest communication and for showing they cared.

The differences in policies and communication were “quite stunning” in countries led by women, she said in an online interview with The Washington Post. “I am going to be extremely biased. I’m not going to be a central banker at this very moment but I would say that for myself, I’ve learned that women tend to do a better job,” she said.

Lagarde, who is the ECB’s first female president, singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel for praise. She cited Merkel’s science-based approach as an example of how “very honest, transparent” explanations on coronavirus data and infection rates helped members of the public appreciate why masks, social distancing and confinement measures were necessary. “It became very quickly sort of a common lingua franca, common knowledge that people would understand those scientific elements,” Lagarde said. The female leaders of Taiwan, Belgium and New Zealand had also “carried the water of bad news as well as the water of clear explanation and strong recommendations”, she added.

Germany has weathered the coronavirus crisis better than many of its European neighbours, while Taiwan and New Zealand are considered success stories in the fight against the pandemic. By contrast, observers have noted that male, populist leaders like US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have struggled to contain the outbreaks in their countries. Former French finance minister Lagarde, 64, said leadership was about “being both responsible and accountable”.

vision of Kashmir as 85% population in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) is Muslim with Kashmir Valley having 95% Muslim population.

Wednesday marked the 347th day of continued siege of IOJ&K by more than 900,000 Indian troops with ratio of one soldier for every 8 Kashmiris as a result of August 5, 2019 illegal actions aimed at

NEW YORK AGECNIES

Global coronavirus infections surged past 15 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, with the pandemic gathering pace even as countries remain divided in their response to the crisis.

In the United States, which has the highest number of cases in the world with 3.91 million infections, President Donald Trump warned: “It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better.”

The top five countries with the most cases is rounded out by Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa. But, the Reuters tally shows the disease is accelerating the fastest in the Americas, which account for more than half the world’s infections and half its deaths.

Globally, the rate of new infections shows no sign of slowing, according to the Reuters tally, based on official reports. After the first Covid-19 case was reported in Wuhan, China, in early January, it took about 15 weeks to reach 2 million cases. By contrast, it took just

eight days to climb above 15 million from the 13 million reached on July 13.

Health experts stress that official data almost certainly underreports both infections and deaths, particularly in countries with limited testing capacity.

The official number of coronavirus cases at 15,009,213 is at least triple the number of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to World Health Organization data, while the death toll of more than 616,000 in seven months is close to the upper range of yearly influenza deaths.

RELAX OR TIGHTEN: With the first wave of the virus still to peak in several countries and a resurgence of case numbers in others, some countries are reintroducing strict social distancing measures while others relax restrictions.

Stung by low approval ratings for his handling of the epidemic and downplaying the risks during the early stages, Trump made a significant shift in rhetoric on Tuesday, encouraging Americans to wear a face mask.

While the epidemic worsened in the United States, Trump’s focus ahead of a presidential election in November

has been on reopening the economy, and governors in the hard-hit states of Texas, Florida and Georgia continue to push back hard against calls for stricter restrictions.

In Brazil, more than 2.15 million people have tested positive including President Jair Bolsonaro, and more than 81,000 people have died. While Bolsonaro has played down the outbreak, its scale has made Brazil a prime testing ground for potential vaccines.

India, the only other country with more than 1 million cases, reported almost 40,000 new cases on Wednesday.

Having been keen to reopen its economy, India is now facing the twin challenge of combating the pandemic and massive flooding in the country’s northeast. Two ministers in South Africa’s cabinet were admitted to hospital with Covid-19, as Africa’s most-industrialised country counted a total 372,628 confirmed cases and 5,173 deaths.

Other countries are reintroducing restrictions in response to fresh outbreaks. In Spain, the number of people allowed on Barcelona’s beaches was limited after crowds flocked to the seaside over the weekend despite advice to stay home.

In Australia, residents of Melbourne, the country’s second biggest city, were ordered to wear masks in public from Wednesday after the country reported a record 501 new cases.

Officials in Canada were closely watching a spike in cases as the economy reopens, attributing the rise in part to large numbers of young people gathering in bars.

China, meanwhile, announced that passengers on inbound flights must provide negative Covid-19 test results before boarding, as authorities seek to reduce the risk of imported cases amid increased international travel.

IMF increases annual financing limit for countries amid pandemic WASHINGTON TLTP

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has temporarily increased the amount of financing which the member countries can request in an year and removed caps on the number of funding disbursements, which poor countries can secure as the fund looks to help strengthen economies struggling in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Washington-based lender approved the temporary increase in annual limits on access to resources in its General Resources Account (GRA) and the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), as an “unprecedented number of member countries" sought financial support, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Many of the countries that have received financial support from the IMF since the onset of the pandemic “have reached, or are approaching” their annual access limits, the lender said.

The fund’s annual access limit to the GRA has now risen to 245 per cent of quota, from 145 per cent previously. For the PRGT it has increased to 150 per cent of quota until April 6, 2021, from its earlier level of 100 per cent. The IMF’s board also supported a temporary increase in the exceptional annual access limit under the PRGT to 183 per cent of quota during the period.

As of mid-July, 72 countries had received financial assistance from the IMF’s emergency financing instruments

after the fund doubled the annual access limits under these facilities on April 6.

“Further requests for assistance, the majority of which are likely to be met through the IMF’s regular lending instruments, are expected in the months ahead,” the lender said.

Access to funding resources is the amount of financing that a member country can request on an annual basis.

Requests for amounts in excess of these limits are viewed as exceptional and are subjected to tighter scrutiny in terms of strength of policy, the sustainability of debt levels and a capacity to repay.

The IMF’s executive board also approved the temporary suspension of the limit on the number of disbursements under its Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) until April 6 next year. The move allows it to provide emergency financing to its poorest member countries, grappling with the economic aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. They will now be able to receive frequent disbursement of funds, provided the combined amounts under the RCF do not exceed the annual limit on access under the facility, the IMF said.

The IMF and the World Bank, along with other multilateral financial institutions, are providing credit facilities and grants to help the poorest nations to strengthen their health infrastructure and deal with the economic fallout from the pandemic. In April, the group of the world’s 20 biggest economies also agreed on the time-bound Debt

Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) for poor countries, allowing suspension of debt until the end of this year.

So far, 42 countries have asked for assistance under the scheme, resulting in the deferral of about $5.3 billion in debt repayments. The G20 last week said it will consider extending the initiative when its financial policymakers meet later this year.

The initiative stands to benefit 73 members of the International Development Association on a debt service plan with the IMF and the World Bank, as well as the least developed nations as defined by the United Nations.

changing demography of area.

Since the BJP govt in power there have been increased ceasefire violations (CFVs). Since 2015 till date 11,815 CFVs committed by Indian troops along the LoC. The Pakistan Army doesn’t target civil population, as beside the Muslim population, targeting of civilians is against all ethos and conventions.

Planning Commission reaffirms commitment to mitigating Covid-19 PC TO PROVIDE RS70BN FOR CORONAVIRUS-RELATED PROGRAMMES IN FY20 ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission (DCPC) Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan on Wednesday chaired what was the third high-level interprovincial meeting at the Planning Commission in less than two weeks to discuss Covid-19 national plan. In his opening remarks, the DCPC informed that the Rs70 billion funding, which would be provided under the Public Sector Development Programme 202021, would support the provinces in executing four priority initiatives namely 'National Health Upgradation Plan', 'Strengthening the Public Health Disease Surveillance and Response Systems', 'National Programme for Water Sanitation and Hygiene' and 'National Programme for Creating Livelihoods'. The DCPC emphasised the importance of a credible network of labs, establishment of quarantine facilities at entry points and having electronic medical record systems. "We must realize that the storm is still hovering around and there is a need to be mindful of the ever-mutating nature of viral infections and be prepared before the next wave," he stated. "The government has prioritized investment in critical care and infectious disease management at the tehsil and district headquarter hospitals, as we know that we cannot go wrong with that." Social Sector Member Dr Shabnum Sarfraz in her presentation said that the Covid-19 pandemic has proven to be a deadly reminder of the gaps in healthcare systems' capacity globally, underscoring the need for a significant investment of resources to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and build system resilience to whether public health shocks. "Now 146 days into the pandemic, Pakistan is witnessing a decline in daily cases, along with decreasing positivity rates," she noted, lauding the exhaustive efforts of the provinces. She said that while Pakistan has been spared from the disastrous morbidity burden and death toll related to Covid-19, the likes of which have been seen in US, UK, Italy, Brazil and now India, "we continue to teeter on the edge of disaster". "As there is an urgent need to strengthen the public health infrastructure for building our resilience for future, it is equally important for Pakistan to optimize the THQs and DHQs for critical care and infectious disease management." Speaking on the occasion, IDAP CEO Mujahid Sherdil shared the details of completed and ongoing projects and also provided comprehensive information on establishing High Dependency Units (HDU) in the hospitals across Pakistan. The forum deliberated and developed consensus around the four priority national initiatives for which dedicated funds of Rs70 billion have been earmarked in PSDP 2020-21. Federal health secretary Amer Ashraf Khawaja, while appreciating the initiative, informed that in his recent meeting with the provinces, the initiative was welcomed by all. He said that the funds would not only address the current situation but would also build the country’s resilience. He informed that the cabinet had recently approved the NIH Act 2020 which would support the Covid-19 response and preparedness interventions.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk