EpaperKH_2020-08-13 by Pakistan Today

Thursday, 13 August, 2020 I 22 Dhul-Hijjah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 44 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

MaryaM aMong PML-n Leaders booked for ‘thuggery’

LAHORE sTaff rePorT

HE Punjab police on Wednesday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz and scores of party workers and leaders for attacking police and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials outside the agency’s Lahore office a day earlier. A violent clash had erupted between police and PML-N supporters after Maryam arrived for a hearing in a case pertaining to “illegal” acquisition of land injuring many on-duty officials. Many people, including some officials, were injured and around 50 men were rounded up after police fired tear gas besides hurling back stones at the activists, with each side blaming the other for triggering the clash. Maryam claimed that the government had planned to “cause harm” to her through police action while posting a video of her bulletproof car’s broken windshield on her Twitter account. The FIR, which was filed by NAB’s Director of Security and Intelligence Mohammad Asghar at the Chung police station, stated that Maryam had been called to the bureau’s Lahore office in a “personal capacity”. But instead of merely appearing for the hearing, the FIR alleged she “incited PML-N workers at the behest of her husband Safdar Awan”. “The workers then started displaying

thuggery — pelting stones and creating disorder.” Besides Maryam and her husband, the FIR also named multiple PML-N leaders including Rana Sanaullah, Mirza Javed, Javed Latif, Mian Abdul Raouf and 184 other supporters. It also pointed to the involvement of another 300 unnamed workers who the security team “would be able to identify from the pictures and video footage”. The FIR also identified different vehicles that came to the NAB office as part of Maryam’s caravan. “This is the first time in NAB’s 20-year history that this level of horrendous attitude has been shown in which the day to day office operations of the organisation have been destroyed and the state’s work has been interfered with,” it said. “This evil act was done by Maryam Safdar and her husband Safdar Awan after proper planning and coordination with the PML-N workers. They also brought stones in their cars from Jati Umra,” the FIR stated, adding that MPA Mirza Javed and his son had also come to the NAB office with bags of stones in their car. The FIR also alleged that the workers had organised an “unlawful assembly on Maryam’s instigation” and were told to disperse by the police. “The PML-N workers under their leadership’s guidance also pelted stones at the police officials.” The NAB official also stated in the FIR that the movement of the accountability body’s employees and passers-by was “restricted” and fear and chaos was created, adding that the building’s glass was

Coronavirus in

Pakistan

also broken by throwing stones. He requested the police to “start action against them according to the law”. The FIR was registered under section 147 (punishment for rioting), section 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), section 290 (punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for), section 291 (continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue), section 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), section 109 (punishment of abetment), section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and section 86 (offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated) of the Pakistan Penal Code. PETITION FOR PHYSICAL REMAND OF PMLN WORKERS REJECTED: Meanwhile, a Lahore district court rejected a petition by the investigating officer for granting an eightday physical remand of more than 50 PMLN workers and activists who were held after Tuesday’s clashes. Judicial Magistrate Hafiz Nafees Yousuf heard the case. Advocate for the PML-N workers Farhad Ali Shah said that they were citizens of the country and could go wherever they wanted according to the rights granted by the Constitution. “The police inflicted torture on them,” he said, adding that six of the sections under which the case was registered were bailable offences and section 440 was “not applicable”. He added that none of the workers had any weapons and the police “beat whoever they wanted”. The court sent all the accused to a 14day judicial remand. However, all those held filed a petition for bail, arguing that they were implicated in a “false and baseless” case. “The accused have no connection to the incident. The police made the PML-N workers a target for torture,” the petition read.

Safdar seeks police case against PM Imran, NAB chief STORY ON PAGE 03

Indian cyber attacks against govt, defence officials foiled: ISPR RAWALPINDI TLTP

Security agencies have foiled multiple Indian cyber attacks aimed at hacking mobile and other equipment used by the government and defense officials of the country. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Indian spy agencies were behind a bid to launch multiple cyberattacks in Pakistan. “We have improved our cybersecurity after the recent bid was foiled,” the army’s media wing said on Wednesday, adding that it came to the notice of the security agencies after they carried out a thorough probe into the targets of the cyber attack. It further said that all government institutions have also been intimated to improve cybersecurity to avoid such attempts in the future. It is pertinent to mention here that Kaspersky Lab has ranked

Five FATF-related bills sail through NA

285,920

STORY ON PAGE 02

NAB asks Punjab CM to submit reply in graft case by 18th

LAST UPDATED AT 09:41 AM ON AUGUST 12, 2020 DAY'S DEATH TOLL: NEW CASES:

730

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

263,193 6,129

124,556

94,715

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

34,859

11,956

2,157/2,382 15,296

more inside

CJP Gulzar terms Sindh govt a ‘complete failure’

CONFIRMED CASES:

Pakistan among the most unprotected countries with regard to cybersecurity. A report of the Russian based multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus provider said that internet consumers in Pakistan are greatly unprotected. The situation in Bangladesh, Iran, China, and India is comparatively far worse, it said. This may be noted that the Kaspersky Lab report has ranked India a more insecure country than Pakistan. Kaspersky Lab said about 25 per cent of mobile devices in Pakistan had been attacked by malware and viruses, while in India it was more than 25 per cent. Bangladesh has been rated as the most unprotected country of the cyber world, Nigeria is second most unprotected, China fifth and India sixth, while Pakistan stands at number seven in the list. Only eight countries were included in the research as their numbers were completely and easily available.

STORY ON PAGE 03 ISLAMABAD sTaff rePorT

A day after the government and the opposition succeeded after much dilly-dallying in developing a consensus on six out of eight Financial Action Task Force(FATF)related bills, the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday smoothly passed five bills after their approval from Standing Committee on Finance. The bills, presented by Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem, included: the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill,

2020 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Bill, 2020. Speaking on the floor of the House, the minister termed the day a historic one, saying that the legislation was carried out in the larger interest of the country. “Whitening the economy and keeping a check of potential terror financing is important to take the country forward on the road to development,” Naseem said. Earlier, while addressing the House, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said terror financing and money laundering was a menace the country needed to confront. “Long deliberations were held with the opposition parties to reach consensus on the FATF

related legislation,” he said referring to opposition parties complaints about the bill being approved NA Standing Committee on Finance on Monday. The government had deferred the presentation of the legislation for a day in order to meet conditions of the FATF and engage the opposition parties through Speaker Asad Qaiser with whose efforts the government had previously managed to get three such bills approved through parliament. The treasury had decided to take the opposition on board on the legislation that had already been passed by the assembly’s standing committees amid protest by the opposition parties and following their announcement to block these bills in parliament.

PTI govt’s flagship Peshawar BRT becomes operational today STORY ON PAGE 02

Democrat Joe Biden chooses Kamala Harris for White House running mate STORY ON PAGE 10

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

NEWS

CJP GulzaR TERmS SInDh GovT a ‘ComPlETE FaIluRE’ KARACHI

STAFF REPORT

BSERvING that neither the Sindh government nor the local government is working on removing the encroachments, the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to clean up all the nullahs in Karachi and remove encroachments along them. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, issued these directives while hearing a petition related to encroachments on nullahs in the port city. The top judge remarked that the Sindh government is a “complete failure” and its people are only enjoying themselves. Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani presented a report to the court over operations undertaken by the authorities against encroachments. However, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the report

KE top officials get protective bail in electrocution death cases

SC ASKS NDMA TO CLEAN NULLAHS, REMOVE ENCROACHMENTS IN KARACHI

and instead lambasted the Sindh and local governments over lack of progress. The court also directed the Sindh government to assist the NDMA. The report said that Karachi has 38 major nullahs

and 514 small nullahs which are under the control of the DMCs. The commissioner told the court that the NDMA is working on cleaning only three major nullahs of the city. The commissioner told the court that people had

FM Qureshi to leave for China to discuss Kashmir situation, CPEC development

KARACHI

ISLAMABAD

TLTP

MIAN ABRAR

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday granted protective bail to K-Electric Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Syed Moonis Alvi against two cases relating to electrocution deaths in the metropolis. The court also granted protective bail to KE Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) Amer Zia. The SHC bench has approved bails against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each. The court has directed both the accused to cooperate with concerned authorities in the investigation related to the deaths. The K-Electric CEO moved SHC after police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday against four K-Electric officials, including its CEO, over the death of 19-year-old Faizan Ahmed due to electrocution. The incident occurred on the morning of August 11 in Karachi’s DHA Phase 7Extention area. A day earlier, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed had expressed displeasure over prolonged power cuts and ordered to put the name of K-Electric CEO on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is likely to leave for Beijing on a very important two-day visit to China on August 21. The visit aims at the exchange of views on bilateral cooperation, review of development on the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) with a specific perspective of China, and China-India border skirmishes in Ladakh sector. The crucial visit comes on heels of key developments taking place in the region, including clashes between border forces of both China and India in Ladakh sector of IOK. “Qureshi would be briefed by his Chinese counterpart, State Councillor Wang Yi, on the overall regional situation. The China-India border skirmishes in Ladakh sector of Jammu & Kashmir would be on top of the agenda,” sources told Pakistan Today on the condition of anonymity. It is pertinent to mention here that media reports suggested that the Chinese troops have overtaken miles of Indian-occupied land at the Line of Control (LoC) in Leh area in Ladakh sector and Chinese troops have seized control of strategic areas in Indian-occupied land

SC bins petition against Khusro, brother ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakht Yar and his brother Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht for concealing assets while filing nomination papers for 2018 general elections. A petition was filed with the apex court’s Lahore registry claiming that the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) leaders had concealed their assets, therefore, were ineligible to be a member of the parliament. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, while rejecting the petition, upheld the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict in a similar case seeking to de-seat the PTI leaders. The short court order further remarked the petitioner should have completed the legal requirement of filing the case before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). APP

PTI to move court against appointment of Fazl's brother as Karachi Central DC KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced to approach Sindh High Court (SHC) against the appointment of Ziaur Rehman, the brother of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Fazlur Rehman, as deputy commissioner of a key Karachi district by the Sindh government. The Sindh government had on July 23 posted Rehman, an officer of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Provincial Management Service in grade-19, as the deputy commissioner of Karachi’s Central district. However, the decision did not sit well with PTI and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) who voiced concern over the move. Subsequently, on July 27, the federal government transferred his services back to the KP government.

been living on land encroached on the mullahs for the last ten years. “The Sindh government has done nothing for the people. You did nothing in the last 20 years,” remarked CJP Ahmed. To this, the Sindh advocate general intervened and informed the court that when the government goes to remove the encroachments, people start “attacking” them. He added that a “law and order situation” gets created. “This is the writ of your government. Where is the writ of the government in Karachi?” asked the CJP for the government lawyer’s response. He remarked that the city is full of sewerage water and people walk on streets by placing stepping stones on the water. Meanwhile, Justice Faisal Arab also expressed his disappointment with the state of affairs in the province, deploring that people have to approach the courts for water and electricity. “There is a mafia operating here. There is no law,” said CJP Ahmed. He added that the “complete government machinery” was involved in how the situation was in the province. During the hearing, the attorney general of Pakistan informed the court that the federal government is closely looking into the matters of Karachi. “We are looking at all constitutional and lawful options,” the attorney general informed the court. He added that Karachi is a metropolitan city and no one can see its metropolitan city being “destroyed”. “I cannot give my final word on Karachi but a decision will be made soon,” the attorney general told the court.

including the Pangong Tso Lake, Galwan River, Daulat Beg Oldi, etc. Sources said that Qureshi would be briefed on the Chinese perspective of the Indo-China clash in Galwan valley and the adjoining areas Indian and western media have been misleading the readers on Galwan clashes. They said that the details of the intended visit are being finalised and the officials of the ministry of foreign affairs is in touch with its Chinese counterparts to give final touches to the visit. Sources rejected the notion that the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan is likely this year. “For the time being, the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan is not on the table. There is a proposal that the visit may take place once China and Pakistan get rid of Covid-19. So, this visit may be postponed for year 2021,” the sources said. During the visit, sources said, important consultations will be held on the situation in the region and both sides would also discuss progress on the second phase of CPEC. Meanwhile, on the eve of on the 93rd anniversary of the establishment of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said that China is keen to further strengthen military ties with Pakistan, strengthening military ties with Pakistan to maintain peace and stability in the region.

NAB files review petition in Khawaja brothers’ bail case ISLAMABAD APP

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court regarding Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Salman Rafiq’s bail case. The review petition filed by the NAB additional prosecutor general prayed that the review petition is accepted and the impugned order dated July 20 should be reviewed with all consequences, and paragraphs 18 to 48 and 56 to 70 should be expunged. The Supreme Court (SC) had made serious remarks and observations against the NAB in the said paragraph.

The apex court in its observations commencing from paras 37 to 38 has elaborated the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice which emphasis the constitutional role of Supreme Court. It is pertinent to mention here that the provisions of Articles 4, 9 and 10 of the Constitution take into account the security of persons and lays down the parameters of safeguard as to arrest and detention, however, in juxtaposition to this fundamental right there are exceptions to these provisions of law, holding a position otherwise for the purpose of arrest and detention which clearly state that lawful arrest is no detention or compromise of liberty.

PTI govt’s flagship Peshawar BRT becomes operational today PESHAWAR APP

All arrangements have been finalised to inaugurate the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, the flagship project of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, on Thursday. Terming the BRT project a gift from the PTI government for the people of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan announced at a news conference on Tuesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan would formally inaugurate the project on August 13. The inaugural ceremony is likely to be attended by Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, KP Governor Shah Farman, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, federal and provincial ministers, advisers and special assistants, and other senior government officials. The BRT built at the cost around Rs70 billion, will bring revolution in the provincial capital’s transport sector as approximately 340,000 common people, including labourers, dailywagers, students and employees will enjoy a safe, comfortable and affordable travel in luxury buses on daily basis. Each passenger will have to pay only Rs50 for a 45-minute journey between Hayatabad and Chamkani against Rs70 charged by private wagons and Mazda buses, which cover the distance in about three hours. No fare will be charged for small children. According to Trans Peshawar Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fayyaz Khan, about 220 buses had already arrived in the city and were ready for formal operation. The BRT consists of a 27.5-kilometer-long main corridor track with 31 stations, besides seven feeder routes of total 62 kilometers with 146 stops to facilitate hundreds of thousands of passengers every day. The main track is connected with seven different areas of the Peshawar city. Small buses running on the feeder routes will carry the residents of these areas to the main BRT corridor.

Peshawar BRT: Citizens to get a decent mode of transportation ISLAMABAD APP

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is achieving multiple benchmarks in the arena of economic development, and it is all set to leap forward with another flagship programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Despite odds and plethora of allegations by the opponents, the KP government steered through the challenge and commitment of providing a convenient and cheaper mode of transportation in the provincial capital. The project was pursued determinedly, and now it stands completed in all respects well before the scheduled timeframe and sooner be inaugurated with great splendour. The multi-billion project will ensure a decent mode of transportation to Peshawaris within the city. This much-an-

ticipated project was also indispensable in the provincial capital due to the growing population and traffic load. “The federal and provincial governments have been diligently pursuing this project despite cynical manipulation of public opinion about this flagship project merely as a publicity stunt,” said Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister on Information and Local Government, Kamran Bangash.Congestion on roads had made the life of commuters miserable as traffic snarls on the busy road transportation had been eating up hours of travellers resulting in wastage of time and fuel. Since laying the foundation stone of the mega project, the critics of the BRT project were hell-bent upon creating various illusions and controversies about the multi-billion project just for their petty political gains. “Those who used to say that the project will not be successful can now see that we have succeeded in executing it

according to the international standard,” Bangash said. It is worth mentioning that despite many mega intra-city projects in other provinces, the successive governments in KP remained oblivious to mounting demands of rapid and cheaper mass transportation projects. Unfortunately, those criticising the PTI initiated project today had been in the government for decades but failed to launch any such facility for the commuters. They had been diverting funds to projects of least importance in constituencies of either former chief ministers or cabinet members. “The media should see itself that the grand project of BRT has been completed and buses on this 27 kilometres long route will start running from Thursday,” Bangash said. As it is most often challenging to deliver but easier to criticize, and the critics opted for the latter option of criticising

the PTI government. But when one goes through the facts, it is revealed that most of the arguments of the critics carry no weight. The facts negate the allegations of starting the project without a feasibility report as BRT was the only road project where there was complete technical evaluation, design, and environmental assessment before implementation. Asian Development Bank, the largest donor of the project, oversaw the project (No 48289-001, 48289-002, and 48289003) regularly while simultaneously releasing review reports. Analysing the costs, the project was within the budgets, and saying it was expensive is untrue. Initially, the cost of the BRT project as per ADB documentation (Project 48289-002) was $ 570 million, equivalent to Rs 60 billion (as per the rate of 104 of dollars). Today, the dollar stands at Rs170 due to which the cost of the project is considered Rs100 billion and people are being confused by the opposition into believing that the provincial government has overspent, when its actually about the fluctuations in the market price of the dollar. It is pertinent to mention here that the cost of the BRT project included buses, construction of parking plazas, and hundreds of shops.

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

naB aSKS PunJaB Cm To SuBmIT REPly In GRaFT CaSE By 18Th TWO GOVT OFFICIALS READY TO BECOME APPROVERS IN LIQUOR LICENCE CASE LAHORE

TLTP

HE National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday directed Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to submit his reply by August 18 in a case pertaining to allegedly receiving Rs50 million in bribe to get a liquor licence issued to a hotel in violation of the law. Buzdar turned up at the NAB Lahore office to record his statement without any protocol. He was quizzed by a com-

bined investigation team (CIT) of the bureau for about one hour and forty minutes. He was handed over a 12-page questionnaire to furnish replies by August 18. NAB sources said that the chief minister was handed over the questionnaire after he failed to answer some of the questions put to him. According to them, issuance of liquor licence falls under the domain of the Excise DG, however, the Punjab chief minister allegedly used his influence to favour a hotel in Lahore.

Flash floods kill 13 so far in Balochistan: PDma QUETTA TLTP

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Balochistan has climbed to 13 as two more people swept away in floodwater in different areas of the province on Wednesday. According to a report released by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) regarding the casualties and damages in rain-related incidents, 13 people including two women and three children have died in Balochistan during the recent monsoon rains. The flash floods injured seven people and caused damage to 861 houses, while 46 houses were partially destroyed. The fresh spell of monsoon rainfall caused damages to three houses in Kechi, two each in Dera Bugti and Khuzdar, 135 in Jhal Magis and five houses were damaged in Harnai. Moreover, N-65 motorway remained closed for traffic on the fourth consecutive day as Pinjara barrage was destroyed by floods in Bolan. On August 10, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan visited the flood-affected areas of Harnai district. The chief minister assured all possible support to the flood affectees to minimise their sufferings.

Indian troops martyr another youngster in IoK SRINAGAR TLTP

Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one more Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in the Kamrazipora area of the district. The operation was going on till the filing of this report. Indian troops martyred 24 Kashmiris, including three in a fake encounter, during July. The troops and police personnel also destroyed or damaged eleven residential houses and structures and also looted several houses in the month. A day earlier Pakistan strongly condemned the extrajudicial killings of three Kashmiri laborers from Rajouri by the Indian occupation forces in a fake encounter in the Shopian region of IOK. Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that over 200 innocent Kashmiris have been martyred by the Indian occupation forces since the beginning of this year in fake encounters and so-called ‘cordon-and-search’ operations. The condemnable crimes against Kashmiri youth by the Indian forces are being perpetrated with complete impunity, under the cover of draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Public Safety Act (PSA), and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), he added.

Last year in April, the NAB had launched an investigation into Buzdar’s alleged corruption after two complaints were filed with the corruption watchdog against him. Sources had said that Buzdar is accused of getting a liquor-sale permit issued to a private hotel in the provincial capital. The chief minister is also accused of getting a helicopter for his official use insured for Rs70 million, instead of Rs30 million, according to sources. Buzdar had directed to pay the insurance amount through a supplementary grant.

The allegation had been rejected by the then Punjab government spokesperson Shahbaz Gill. On the other hand, two government officials have reportedly shown their consent to become approvers against Buzdar in the liquor licence case. Former Excise director general and another person, whose name has been kept secret, have filed a plea to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to become approver against CM Buzdar, sources said. The approvers in their initial statement stated that they were forced to issue liquor licence to a private hotel from the Punjab Chief Minister House.

NAB summons PML-N leadership over allegations of underselling land LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and government officials on August 17 for allegedly underselling land in Lahore, Pakistan Today has learnt. NAB has issued call up notices to former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mian Mohsin Latif, and officials of Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department, Lahore Development Authority (LDA), and Board of Revenue regarding the case of sale of land at the rate of Rs900 per Marla in Katchi Abadi, Shah Shams Qari, Lahore. “The competent authority has taken cognizance of the offence of misappropriation and misuse of authority committed by subject under the provisions of NAO, 1999. Whereas the inquiry against the subject has re-

vealed that you were the member of the committee constituted on 20.02.2009 regarding (fixing land) rate of Katchi Abadi, Shah Shams Qari, Lahore,” the notice issued on August 10 read. “In view, therefore, you are hereby requested to appear on August 17, 2020, at 11:00 am, at NAB Complex, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore before Asmat Baig, Investigation Officer, IW-III to record your statement and justification of amount of Rs900 per Marla of the land of Katchi Abadi, Shah Shams Qari, Lahore,” it added. Sources in the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs department informed that the land worth billions of rupees in the name of the shrine of Hazrat Shah Shams Qari, which was 30 kanals 10 marlas and 81 square feet, was sold to the LD) for only Rs900 per Marla. Sources further informed this scribe that Katchi Abadi is located in GOR (I), the poshest area of Lahore, making it a very expensive area in terms of land value.

NEWS

Gold price retreats to Rs120,000 per tola KARACHI ARIBA SHAHID

In line with the recent trend, gold price fell by Rs6,100 on Wednesday and was traded at Rs120,000 per tola, as compared to the previous day's closing at Rs126,100. The price of 10-gram tola also receded by Rs5,229 and was traded at Rs102,881. This retreat in gold prices was due to a decline in the international market where gold prices fell by $55 and were traded at $1,933 after breaching $2,000 levels and attaining a record high of $2,075. The price of yellow metal has witnessed an intense sell-off pressure since August 7, 2020, resulting in the biggest drop in gold prices since 2014. Analysts believe that this is a correction in the gold prices and that they may rebound once the sell-off pressure settles. However, analysts believe that the reason behind the decline in gold prices is also the gains experienced in the dollar.

Interest rate on youth loans slashed by half: hafeez Shaikh ISLAMABAD INP

In a major relief, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Wednesday announced that the government has slashed interest rate by 50 per cent on loans to youth under 'Kamyab Jawan Programme'. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Hafeez Shaikh said that the government has provided over Rs1 billion to 2,900 youths under the scheme. He maintained that 7,500 more youths will benefit from the scheme. The adviser said that the government will enhance the loans limit from Rs5 million to Rs25 million. Talking about the country's economic situation, he maintained that the government’s effective measures were bearing positive results. He said that Moody's had confirmed Pakistan's B3 credit rating with a stable outlook which was a major success for the government's economic team.

Every institution is busy in housing society business: IhC CJ NEWS DESK

Safdar seeks police case against PM Imran, NAB chief LAHORE APP

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar on Wednesday approached Chuhang Police Station in Lahore to register a First Information Report (FIR) against some 100 people, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman

Justice (r) Javed Iqbal for allegedly attempting to assassinate his wife Maryam Safdar. Safdar, in his petition, claimed that attempts were made to assassinate Maryam at the behest of the accused. “Sensing the seriousness of the situation, I drove away [from the NAB office] to save the life of my wife,” he said. Meanwhile, PML-N central spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that if police fail to book the accused, the party would move Lahore High Court (LHC).

Car manufacturing down 49.73pc YoY in July ISLAMABAD APP

The production of passenger cars in the country posted a record decline of 49.73 per cent to 8,280 units during the first month of the fiscal year 2020-21, compared to the production of 16,472 units during July 2019. According to the latest data issued by Pakistan Automobile Manufacturing Association (PAMA), the production of farm tractors in the country witnessed an increase of 18 per cent to 3,317 units during July

2020, compared to the production of 2,811 units during the same month of last year. During the month under review, production of trucks decreased by 29.39 per cent to 245 units compared to production of 347 units during July 2019. Similarly, the output of buses decreased by 19.67 per cent to 49 units during July 2020 compared to production of 61 units during July 2019. Production of pickups also decreased by 33.26 per cent to 1,312 units in July 2020, from production

of 1,966 units during the same month of last year. Moreover, during the period under review, the production of Light Commercial vehicles (LCvs), vans and jeeps decreased by 24.06 per cent to 385 units compared to production of 507 units during July 2019. Similarly, production of motorcycles and three wheelers also decreased by 26.74 per cent to 146,916 units during July 2020 compared to the production of 115,205 units during July 2019.

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minullah on Wednesday said that every state institution “seems to be busy in the business of real estate” while they should rather be the one looking into the irregularities of the business. The CJ passed his remarks while coming across a case related to housing societies in Islamabad being built under the name of state institutions. “Is the Federal Investigation Agency authorised to do business? FIA should be the one looking into these matters, but it has become a part of it,” said the chief justice.

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

NEWS

4.6M kidS To Be AdMiNiSTered polio dropS iN kp: CM khAN PESHAWAR TLTP

HYBER Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that 4.6 million children would be administered polio drops during the five-day polio campaign in 21 districts of the province. The chief minister KP said this on Wednesday while launching the anti-polio immunisation campaign in the province. The chief minister said, “The KP government is fully committed to eradicating poliovirus from the province and all available resources are being used for this purpose.” While talking about the Metro Bus Project in Peshawar, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit on Thursday. He said that the BRT Peshawar would provide state of the

art travelling facility to the people at affordable fares in the provincial capital. The BRT project consists of a 27.5 kilometers main track with 31 stations. The polio vaccination campaign will be carried out in 21 districts of KP. Overall, 4.6 million children would be administered polio drops during the five days campaign, while 19 polio teams have been formed for the vaccination campaign. Strict coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be followed during the anti-polio campaign as workers have been provided with adequate training for the purpose Earlier, the federal government decided to launch an anti-polio immunisation campaign in the country ahead of the month of Muharram from August 13 over security reasons. The campaign would be launched in 130 districts of the country as well as parts of Azad Jammu and

Two more killed in Sindh for ‘honour’ JACOBABAD TLTP

Kashmir (AJK). Around 225,000 polio workers will take part in the drive. The polio immunisation drive would be launched in Punjab and Sindh province on August 15, covering 9.26 million children in 41 districts of Sindh and 17.86 million children in 33 districts of the Punjab province. The anti-polio campaign will begin on 17 August in Balochistan and AJK, covering 2.1 million children in 25 districts of the former area.

Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa programme to be formally launched today

Two, including a woman, were killed over honour in Sindh’s district of Jacobabad on Wednesday. According to police, the incident occurred in the limits of Taju Dero PS. The bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital by the rescue teams. Earlier on July 25, a man and his wife were killed at their residence in Nazimabad area of Karachi in the name of honour. As per details, 50-year-old victim Saleem and his wife Hina were killed by two assailants, identified as brothers of the deceased woman. They had contracted love marriage some time ago. According to a report, around 769 people, including 510 females, had been stabbed in the name of honour from 2014 to 2019 in Sindh while 108 women fell victim to it last year. Police presented charge sheets in 649 cases and the courts awarded sentences to accused in 19 of those cases. Accused in 136 cases have been acquitted and 494 cases are still pending trial. The conviction rate stood at a mere two per cent against the acquittal rate of 20.9 per cent.

Metro bus resumes service between twin cities ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD APP

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar on Wednesday announced that the first-ever 'Ehsaas Nasho-Numa' programme to address the issue of stunted growth faced by 40 per cent of the children in Pakistan would formally launch on August 13. In a news briefing, she said Prime Minister Imran Khan would formally launch the 'Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa' programme by visiting the Ehsaas Nash-oNuma Centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Khyber tribal district. Dr Sania said that the issue of stunting among children in Pakistan had always been among the top priorities of the prime minister as in his initial address to the nation soon after assuming responsibilities, he showed the CT scan of a child affected by stunting and highlighted the gross issue. She said that around 40 per cent of children in Pakistan suffered from stunting due to malnutrition and other reasons. The highest incidence of stunting disease in Pakistan in terms of provinces and regions

was in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, GilgitBaltistan (GB) and Sindh, she added. Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa programme has been launched to prevent stunting due to malnutrition in children under the age of two years, pregnant women and lactating mothers. The deserving Nash-o-Numa beneficiary women will be given a quarterly stipend including Rs2,000 for girls and Rs1,500 for boys besides providing

healthy food sachet. She said that the programme being implemented with the support of World Food program is the result of a year and a half of comprehensive planning, technical consultation and public-private partnership. In the first phase, a total of 33 development centers are being set up in nine districts across the country, including Khyber, Upper Dir, Bagh, Ghizer, Hunza, Kharmang, Kharan, Badin and Rajanpur under the programme. All the 33 development centres of the first phase would be made functional by the end of August, she added. The four Nash-o-Numa centres have been set up in Rajanpur district of Punjab province, six in Upper Dir and three in Khyber district of KP while six centres will be set up in Badin district in Sindh. Three Nash-o-Numa centres are being established in Kharan district of Balochistan province, three in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and eight in GB. She pointed out that a number of facilities would be provided to the women and their children at every 'Nash-o-Numa' centre. A separate registration desk has been set up at each centre to facilitate the deserving women. The 'Nash-o-Numa' app has been de-

veloped to keep track of the health of the beneficiaries while a special guidebook has also been prepared to guide them. The deputed staff at the registration desk will register pregnant and lactating women and their newborns in the development app and conduct a detailed examination of the height, weight and health of women and their children less than two years of age. The arrangements for immunisations of affected children and women have also been made in the centers. It has been made mandatory for women beneficiaries of 'Nash-o-Numa' programme to participate in the awareness sessions which have been specially arranged in regional languages, Dr Sania informed. Special charts, posters and informative videos on food, hygiene and health had been compiled for the awareness of the women beneficiaries, she added. She said that ATM machines are being specially installed at all the Nasho-Numa centres for biometric payments of quarterly stipends to the women beneficiaries. After getting healthy food packets, women will be able to get Nash-o-Numa stipend from the ATM machine set up at the center, she added.

The metro bus has resumed its service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday after four and a half months. However, the administration has devised special standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the passengers and the staff. Under the SOPs, the distance would be maintained, all the passengers had to wear the masks before boarding in the buses.“The decision was taken to protect the passengers from coronavirus. More than 125,000 people used Metro Bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad daily,” an official said. “Tissues will be provided to passengers who do not have a mask. Though we will not offload the passenger without a mask, he will be instructed to be careful next time,” he said. The bus service had been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since Mar 22.

Court rejects bail plea of accused in MBBS student's murder case PESHAWAR INP

ANF arrests 12 in 9 operations; seizes drugs worth $17.97m

A court on Wednesday turned down a bail application of an accused person in the 2018 murder case of medical student Asma Rani in Kohat. The court rejected the bail plea of Shahzeb accused of aiding and abetting main accused Mujahid Afridi. Asma Rani, a third-year student at Ayub Medical College, was shot dead in January 2018 at her hometown in Kohat after she allegedly rejected the marriage proposal of Afridi. Police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) of the case on the complaint of brother of the deceased, Muhammad Irfan, under Section 324 and 304 of Pakistan Penal Code. Asma was returning home in a rickshaw with her sister-in-law when Mujahid Afridi, who was lying in wait outside their house, allegedly shot her dead. Soon after the incident, the accused had fled to Dubai following which his name was placed in the Interpol's most wanted people's list. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police had approached Interpol through Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for his arrest.He was brought back via Dubai to Islamabad after his arrest by Interpol in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has seized 591.799-kg narcotics, arrested 12 culprits, including a female, and impounded six vehicles while conducting nine counter-narcotic strikes. The seized drugs, worth $17.970 million, comprise 398.4-kg opium, 178.255kg hashish and 15.144-kg heroin, said the ANF spokesperson. According to details, ANF Quetta intercepted a single cabin Toyota Pickup at Lak Pass Toll Plaza, Quetta and recovered 10-kg hashish during search of the said vehicle. A person on board namely Syed Dad Shah, resident of Mastung, was arrested during the operation. In another operation, ANF Quetta conducted an intelligence-based raid at Sohrab Lop general area of teshil Mashkil, district Washuk, and recovered 398.4-kg opium from the place. ANF Rawalpindi raided at village Manga, tehsil Murree, and arrested two accused persons namely Muhammad Faisal Abbassi and Muhammad Arslan Abbassi, both residents of Rawalpindi, and recovered 20.250 kg hashish and 15.750 kg hashish, respectively, from their personal possession. In another operation, ANF Rawalpindi conducted a raid at house of Muhammad Nouman Abbassi located at village Manga and recovered 84.375 kg hashish and arms. The other operations were conducted in Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Karachi, said the spokesperson. He said all cases have been registered at respective ANF police stations under CNS Act 1997 and further investigations are underway.

Punjab health minister inaugurates polio campaign LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid inaugurated the polio campaign in Punjab at the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department on Wednesday. Present on the occasion were Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Captain (r) Usman Younis, EOC Coordinator Punjab Sundas Irshad and representatives of WHO and UNICEF. The campaign will continue from August 15 to August 19 in the province. “More than 41,000 teams will perform their duties in

the five-day campaign and over 17 million children will be administered polio drops. Arrangements for polio drops have also been put in place at entry and exit points of the province besides fixed centers and government health facilities. PSH Department Secretary Captain (r) Younis will personally supervise the polio campaign in the province. We are making all out efforts to make Punjab polio-free. I urge parents to cooperate with polio teams and ensure their children get polio drops,” she said. Later, the Minister chaired a meeting of the Development Wing of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. Present in the meeting were Primary and Secondary Healthcare Depart-

ment Captain (r Secretary) Younis, Special Secretary PSH Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretary PSH Dr Asim Altaf, Technical Advisor Dr Akhtar Rashid, Additional Secretary Omar Farooq and other officers of the department. Additional Secretary Development Omer Farooq apprised the minister of status of ongoing development projects in the province. The minister said that the work on revamping of health facilities in eight districts is underway at full pace. She said that all projects must be completed within stipulated deadlines without any compromise on quality and transparency. She also asked the PSH secretary to visit the site and review the status of development activities.

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

SBP governor SayS communication key to central Bank'S SucceSS karaChi

STAFF REPORT

TATE Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Reza Baqir during a podcast said that communication was key to the central bank's success. During the podcast, the SBP governor expressed his views regarding Pakistan’s economy, markets, Covid19 and Emerging Markets (EM) debt reduction. At a time when uncertainty haunts households and businesses around the world, Baqir was certain that the key to central bank’s success lies in communication. There are three contexts in which this cropped up during the podcast. MOVING FROM FIXED TO MARKET-BASED EXCHANGE RATE: The SBP governor described the transition towards a market-based exchange rate as ‘swimming upstream in a river’, indicating that ‘[the] need to sell dollars to prevent a currency from depreciating’ is a never-ending process that causes structural impediments. Moving to a market-based regime (a rate primarily determined by supply and demand, but which does leave room for the central bank to intervene during disorderly market conditions) enables the exchange rate to move both ways and is less costly for the balance sheet In order to enable this transition the central bank, halved the deficit prior to the regime change, the government announced it would not borrow large amounts from the state bank; the rupee was allowed to depreciate significantly so that much pent up excess demand for the dollar had already been allowed to be reflected in the exchange rate and the interest rates were raised by the state bank. The governor said that he is aware that some corporate firms may struggle with the resulting exchange rate volatility, but said that, over time, they would learn to manage inflows and outflows themselves (although he emphasised that the central bank would be there if there are disorderly market movements). USING INFLATION EXPECTATIONS AS A NOMINAL ANCHOR: Without an exchange rate anchor, the country needed to anchor expectations against inflation effectively. For this, the central bank began to reorient monetary policy statements, placing an emphasis on expected inflation. So far, the SBP believes good communication has successfully enabled the market to make this transition. Surveying inflation forecasters, it found that market predictions have converged on a range that the state bank had expected. How did they do it? Firstly, the state bank announced at the start of the fiscal year that it expected inflation to be, on average, 11-12 per cent. Furthermore, at the end of every monetary policy meeting, the state bank held closed door discussions with leading market analysts. This was done to convey trust to the wider business community, which the governor says have, on occasions, had good reason to mistrust public information. The focus of these meetings was to discuss policy decisions, expected inflations and state bank forecasts.

‘TODAY, WHEN I LOOK AT THE FUTURE, I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT THE WORST, IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL TURMOIL, IS BEHIND US’ USING INFORMAL CONNECTIONS AS A GOOD SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Baqir is not the only governor to be navigating his way through turbulent times. In response to a question around communication between central bank governors, he responded: ‘Only one governor can appreciate the pain, the constraints, the challenges of another governor, especially when you’re dealing with such a powerful external shock’. He then continued to say that he has had discussions with other central bankers and that ‘informal communication is the most reliable and biggest source of high-quality information’. PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC STATE PRIOR TO COVID-19: Answering a question regarding Pakistan’s macroeconomic state prior to the pandemic, Baqir made it clear that, in the context of an overvalued exchange rate, a historically low savings rate and a central bank with insufficient reserve holdings, the $2 billion a month current account deficit and primary fiscal imbalance of more than 1 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are impairing Pakistan. He said that the solution requires a radical adjustment of the imbalances, a recognition that the governor admits came right from the top. “The stabilisation that we achieved from July 2019 to March 2020 would not have been possible without the ownership at the very highest possible level. Prime Minister Imran Khan recognised the depth of the problem and the need for adjustment,” the SBP governor said. This adjustment came in the form of a reform package, supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which began in the middle of last year. Baqir said that at the heart of the difficult reforms were two things. One, the country needed to transition from a fixed exchange rate regime to a market-based one. Second, it needed to increase the amount of reserve holdings. The latter, according to the governor, has historically been the best predictor of when Pakistan has needed to go to the IMF. Due to Pakistan’s savings/investment gap, the country has had to borrow. In the context of a fixed and overvalued exchange rate, there have been occasions where Pakistan has had insufficient reserves to meet foreign exchange obligations. This is what the governor said he is hoping to avoid in the future. RESPONSE TO THE 'MOTHER OF ALL EXTERNAL SHOCKS': Without a doubt, the major transitions Pakistan has had to go through over the last year would

have been easier without what Baqir describes as ‘the mother of all external shocks’. Nevertheless, the timing of the adjustments has probably helped mitigate some of the economic downside to Covid-19. As it stands, several core macroeconomic indicators have improved, which has ‘only been made possible through difficult reforms’. Nevertheless, the relatively fragile state of EM countries, which includes Pakistan, has meant the policy responses to the pandemic have been measured. The higher level of public debt and lower foreign reserves mean that if macroeconomic indicators worsen, EMs could be left in a very vulnerable position post Covid. INNOVATIVE MONETARY POLICY: Given the macroeconomic constraints, there has been a push towards innovative monetary policy measures in response to Covid-19. On this front, the SBP governor emphasises the need to focus on quantities as well as interest rates. Since the onset of pandemic-related economic pressure, the State Bank of Pakistan has dropped interest rates by 625bps, the largest cut in EMs, apart from Argentina, introduced a presumptive one-year extension in principle payments of borrowers to banks, doubled the period (to 180 days) in which a bank’s clients can restructure their loans, introduced concessional credit facilities for payroll financing targeting job savings. Baqir is positive on the uptake of these schemes, suggesting that the impact of all these measures has been about 3 per cent of GDP. 'THE WORST IS BEHIND US': Altogether, Baqir said that the reforms have moved the macroeconomic landscape in Pakistan towards an environment that is more equitable and supports sustainable growth. In addition, if the country can maintain the current improvement in terms of the health crisis, the governor believes there is room to be optimistic about the future. “Today, when I look at the future, I am quite confident that the worst, in terms of financial turmoil, is behind us,” he says. The SBP governor says that there are a number of indicators that are moving in the right direction. The current account deficit has fallen tenfold. In monetary terms, it has reduced to about $200 million a month by December 2019. One of the key reasons for this was the adjustment of the exchange rate. In the most recent fiscal year, the primary fiscal balance has moved to a surplus. Exports are starting to recover, however, the SBP governor says that Pakistan needs to monitor remittances closely. Moreover, since the start of the year, growth reserves grew by about $5 billion, and net reserve buffers have doubled the amount on the books (from $7 billion to $14 billion). Similarly, according to Baqir the transition to a market-based exchange rate has been successful. Baqir concluded that despite big strides forward, there are three main priorities that the state bank is striving towards which include increasing exports, financial inclusion and promotion of savings.

Energising the energy sector in Punjab By: Dr. MuhaMMeD akhtar Malik Punjab Energy Department was established to enhance energy security of the largest province of Pakistan and fuel economic growth by creating an environment that would reliably meet the energy demands of all the sectors of Punjab’s economy through a sustainable and affordable energy mix and of course, its efficient use. That was the vison behind establishing this pivotal public sector department but then things get drifted away from the original goals and objectives. Vested interests, centralized and controlled administration or one man show in Punjab resulted into expensive foreign fuel run mega projects, frauds and massive managerial and administrative issues. During ten years of previous regime, the department had a minister for six months only! That was the level of seriousness and governance by PML-N regime in Punjab. The prevailing state of affairs made it clear to me that the Energy department itself needs to be energized to live up to its true potential. Almost two years ago when I took over as Minister for Energy, I found out there was ban on clean and green energy projects and there was no Energy Policy in place. The department was making progress only on massive media campaigns as it was a tradition in previous regime. Companies were incurring huge losses. Especially, Punjab Power Development Company (PPDCL), alone had incurred a loss of 350 million Rupees over a decade since its inception in 2008. Small hydel projects which should have been completed much earlier were put into cold storage. The much talked about Punjab Thermal Power Plant at Haveli Bahdur Shah had not been given gas by SNGPL. It is just like you purchase an aero plan but don’t have the fuel to fly it. The whole department was in shambles. My first priority was to save

the public money by completing the incomplete and neglected projects in the department. Also, we decided to retrieve stolen public money of worth Rs.234 Million from Mr. Ikram Naveed, Ex-CFO of PPDL who had embezzled this amount together with Mr.Ali Imran, son-in-law of Ex- CM Punjab, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif. We set our target to convert the loss incurring entities into profit making public sector assets.

After two years, we have been able to retrieve the stolen money from PPDCL with the help of NAB. The same company that was continuously losing for the last ten years has turned into a profit making asset. PPDL earned Rs.193 Million during my first year as Minister Energy due to better management and Rs.217 Million during current FY which is a huge achievement. Similarly, in Quaid-e-Azam Solar, we

CMYK

saved Rs. 62 Million by rationalizing staff, better administration and continuous vigilance. It earned a profit of Rs.2.44 Billion which 37% higher than the previous year. As far as the hydal projects are concerned, 7.46 MW Hydro Power Plant Marala, 2.82 MW Hydro Power Plant Pakpattan have been completed and inaugurated. However, 5.38 Mw Hydro Power Project at Chianwali and 4.08MW Deg Outfall hydro projects will be completed by October this year. We have also identified 786 sites for mini hydel projects on various canals in Punjab with a potential of 846.379 MW to promote production of clean and cheap energy from indigenous resources. Presently, the department is facilitating 18 hydropower projects with a capacity of 264.21 MW canals, streams and rivers including 135MW Taunsa Hydropower Project. Meanwhile, we have started a massive Anti-Theft Campaign against electricity theft and the results have been extremely positive. Since its start in September, 2018, we have detected electricity theft of worth Rs. 4.937 Billion out of which Rs. 3.315 Billion have been recovered. In future, we are going for home solar solution policy with promotion of net metering, energy efficient buildings to reduce the burden from national grid. Our main thrust will be on projects based on alternative energy resources to provide cheap and clean energy to our needs. Last but not the least, Energy Department with its thorough professional and immensely hardworking team of officers, engineers and other technical or administrative staff in the administrative department and lower formations is working with missionary zeal towards building a Nia Pakistan as per the vision of our leadership. Long Live Pakistan! The author is Minister for Energy in Punjab Cabinet. He can be reached on Twitter at PunjabEnergy

NEWS

Do not put of till tomorrow what you can do today! Marina Pervaiz To the extent where we have seen the dwindling deterioration of our country’s economy due to the pandemic we all are suffering in, the disease a virus is known to even a 2 year child “Coronavirus”. We are in a time when we need to bring every little details to the upfront and find solutions for all the humankind. The situation of Pakistan is more like “Out of the frying pan in to the fire”. The virus badly affected the economy, our social relationships, job insecurities, health issues being hazardous as ever before and in this situation, the food we intake is something which is not to be neglected as looking into the teeny tiny details of the food we have in our country with immense amount of variety in every God’s creation is just uncountable but the dilemma is that with the variety of food we have variety of “adulteration mafia as well” we eat what we have and not always it is the safest choice; looking into the current scenario of world we can see that how much good food is important for the immunity of our wellbeing, even if we look into the virus which tells us that how much your immunity needs to be strong to fight against the virus, we know that how much good food is important for our health. Pakistan has seen corruption at all levels whether it is politics, administrational level, health departments, food and other departments but when we talk about the bad elements we must also considerate the fact that we have the soul of good people still alive who are in the front line fighting for all the right things for us, to provide us the basic necessities which needs to be provided without people paying any cost for it especially the cost which is called “life”. In this regard we can say that Pakistan government is trying their best to provide food to the people and if we talk about department wise than; Health departments: working for vaccines, providing health facilities to the people especially if we look into the current situation of Pakistan where after Eid-ul-Adha we are seeing a complete different picture from the one we saw back then at the time of Eid-ul-Fitr, people actually understood the SOP’s and followed all the instructions in a way which has lessen the number of Coronavirus. And from now on the work environment is seen to be coming back to place; while being considerate to the SOP’s local shops are being opened, work places are opened and many more changes. Food departments: In Punjab, which is the biggest province and caters most of the population the food department of Punjab Food Authority came up with many initiatives during the time of COVID-19 and to fight against it we have seen them initiating the Mobile Mile Testing Labs which was indeed appreciable and by taking the task of getting rid of the spineless adulteration mafia who have no fear of God Almighty as well, and in other provinces as well we have seen great number of improvement as we talk about the Public Service Messages which are to inform the people to take care of their health and to avoid all kinds of places and food which are there in the market to only harm your health. Government: nothing can come into place if the government does not consider the facts that how important it is to have good relationships with their allies, China for instance helped Pakistan in the time of COVID-19 when we were facing problems in our health departments (shortage of PPE, masks, ventilators, beds, medicines etc.) in the time of need China was there for us to help our government cope up with the situation. Many initiatives, many solutions to the problems but let’s realize the point that implementation and follow up takes great sense of responsibility and high time of proper understanding of the entire scenario is required and to make the future better everyone has to thrive for it. Any kind of security whether it is food, health, governmental or at non-governmental level every third party such as normal people meaning the public can take part in it, how? By starting with being responsible for what they do and how things are happening around them, by taking the problem to the authorities for example if you see a man putting adulterants in the food we eat immediately file a complaint against them and do not wait for someone else to do anything about it and else just do it yourself, this will not only be better for your country and people around you but also for your inner pear as you will find a sense of relaxation that you did the right thing and that your country is your responsibility as well, consider your country as the child you never want to have anything bad to.

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

06 COMMENT

Pareto analysis for political clean-up

Waiting for Afghan dialogue Permanent ceasefire and power sharing agreement

HE latest Corps Commanders’ meeting has called for early start of Intra-Afghan dialogue. This was considered necessary as fighting in Afghanistan has harmed Pakistan a lot. Unsettled conditions in Afghanistan have helped terrorists to use Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan. The Monday blast in Chaman and the Wednesday suicide attack in Ladha are the latest examples. According to a recently released Un report, more than 6,000 Pakistani insurgents are presently hiding in Afghanistan. Terrorist organisations like the Tehrik-eTaliban-e-Pakistan, Al-Qaeda, Jamaatul Ahrar, the Islamic State, the Lashkr-e-Jhangvi and Baloch extremists have set up safe havens in Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan and a strong government capable of enforcing its writ is in Pakistan’s interest. Pakistan should do all it can to help the Afghans’ conciliation. It should control the tendency to patronize or order about the Afghans as it invariably leads to resentment in a proud nation that has brought three empires to their knees. Left to themselves to decide, the Afghans are likely to seek better relations with Pakistan. Pakistan can win over the Afghans through projection of soft power like providing more scholarships to Afghan students, more hospital access to those from the neighbouring country and promotion of trade. With President Ashraf Ghani ordering the release of the remaining Taliban prisoners, peace talks are likely to begin within days. Most controversial would be the post settlement constitution. Under Mullah Umar, power was centralized in the hands of an “Amir-ul-Momineen” who was the head of state and exercised ultimate authority. An Islamic council, handpicked by the supreme leader, served as the legislature. The country was run under strict Sharia laws. TV and music were banned, men were forced to pray and grow beards, women required to cover themselves from head to toe. They could not go to school or workplace. Will the Taliban be willing to elect a sovereign Parliament? Will they allow women get an education and go to workplaces? Will the Taliban revise their draconian laws like amputations and stoning to death? Will they allow freedom of opinion and an independent media? The negotiations would be complex and protracted and might take months if not years to resolve differences. What is immediately required is a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing arrangement.

Applying management methods to politics

Dr FariD a Malik

n Quality Management, a Pareto Analysis is carried out to prioritize corrective action. The purpose is to separate the vital few from the trivial many for an effective outcome. As the land of the pure is undergoing a clean-up operation to regain its purity, it is important to resolve the vital few instead of running after the trivial many as is being pushed by the unscrupulous political elements to survive. According to my Pareto Analysis for an effective political clean-up the focus has to be on the first four vital corrupt elements, namely: I-Sharif, II-Zardari, III-Chaudhry, IV-Electables while the four trivial can be addressed later that include: V-MQM, VI-Religious Parties, VII-PTI, VIII-GDA. no one should escape accountability but focus and prioritization is important for a clean-up. The Sharifs lead the pack of the corrupt as they face the highest number of corruption cases in their roughly three decades of rule with Zardari (not the Bhuttos) is a close second. The Chaudhrys of Gujrat, who were the founders of corruption-driven politics under the patronage of Ayub Khan, come third. The evergreen electables keep going while stalling reforms in this vital sector. They jump from party to party to cling on to power to protect their wealth and privileges and hoping to get the top slot one day. Some of them profit from their dead by clinging to be caretakers (mujawars) of their earthly remains. Mian Muhammad Sharif, a small foundryman was the founder of this political dynasty. He very skillfully continued his corrupt business practices with state power through his oldest son nawaz Sharif (nS), first as a provincial minister, then Chief Minister and finally Prime Minister. From a small foundry on Fleming Road where manhole lids were produced, stolen, recycled to the local municipality, he built an empire. When the menace became un-manageable it was decided to replace the metal lids with concrete. The worst period for the country was when one brother was running the province and the other the federation. Burning of vital records was their standard practice to erase trails. To get their way, almost all national institutions were rendered non-functional. Their dream of total control remains unfulfilled as the Armed Forces stand in their way. Their slogan of ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’ is the biggest joke coming from back door entrant to politics. Asif Zardari was always impressed by the Sharifs’

A woman of substance? As expected, Biden picks a woman of colour for running-mate

ORMER US Vice-President Joe Biden, who is assured of the Democratic nomination for the US presidential election, has chosen US Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running-mate. He was widely expected to choose a ‘woman of colour’ for the position, and he did. In an election season where the Black Lives Matter movement came to the fore, even of the covid-19 pandemic, it was not enough for Biden that he was not incumbent Donald Trump. He had to counter the dark passages in his own history, when he supported Ku Klux Klanners against forced busing, and the allegations that, while not as predatory as Trump, he had been guilty of groping women on previous campaign trails. So he picked a black woman. Senator Harris fits the profile, where people who have run for the presidential nomination unsuccessfully, are nominated for Vice-President. Indeed, that is how Biden himself was nominated vice-president in 2008. Harris provides geographical balance, being from the Western state of California, while Biden hails from the north-eastern state of Delaware. She has a statistically significant chance of becoming President, because Biden will be 78 if he wins, and his chances of winning are quite bright. However, though he has a considerable lead in the polls, he should not count his chickens before they are hatched. It should not be forgotten that in 2016, Trump was behind according to most polls, but pulled off an amazing victory, where he lost the popular vote, but won in the Electoral College. That could happen again. The Pakistani government cannot look at this choice with equanimity. Ms Harris is not just the first female candidate of colour on a major-party presidential ticket; she is the first person of Indian descent. Though she identifies as a black woman because of her Jamaican father, her mother was an Indian. She herself was greatly influenced by her maternal grandfather, a diplomat, in her youth. With Trump such a friend of narendra Modi, Pakistan might have hoped for a Democrat victory. However, with someone of Indian descent placed just a heartbeat away from the Presidency, in a Biden White House, policymakers in Islamabad must be hoping that Russian interference does keep Trump in the White House.

akhtar aly kureshy

RDER passed in a suo motu case by the Chief Justice of Pakistsn, Mr Justice Gulzar Ahmad, is really a breakthrough in our judicial history as the entire judicial system has already collapsed, whereas nAB cases also disappointed the entire nation. There is no progress, as nothing coming out in nAB cases, some of which have been pending since 1999, and the index of corruption is going speedily higher, and everybody, including politicians and particularly those who are facing nAB cases, are condemning nAB for being onesided, whereas public is helpless at the dead-slow accountability. It is an open secret that without strict accountability you can’t be a live and prosper as a nation, and Pakistan being a Muslim nation, its responsibility is more strict and wide. It is very unfortunate after 73 years of independence we still awaiting some angels from the Almighty or some type of religious leader like Khomeini (of the Iranian revolution) who orders the shooting of anyone who does the corruption of a rupee. As a result, everybody has no option except become honest and good or go underground. Although nAB is an independent and national institution which has a heavy responsibility to clean up corruption from Pakistan, surprisingly our leaders who made the nAB law and this institution, never tried to build the credibility of this institution as independent and impartial. Rather nAB is seriously lacking its basic infrastructure and suffers from capacity building issues, even shortages of nAB courts and judges, meaning thereby our leaders are not sincere for accountability, as earlier General Musharraf misused nAB 1999-2008; then the Zardari government of 2008-13 was not interested in accountability as the majority of their leaders, MnAs & MPAs, and so on, were liable to be arrested in nAB cases. Sim-

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democracy which has to be dealt with to close the Zia era. In the 1970 elections the ideology-driven People’s Party knocked out most of the electables created by the first dictator. Again the PTI was denied an election victory in 2013 to protect status-quo electables. Kaptaan was hospitalized, and there was no one left to lead the spontaneous protest of the youth that erupted when their vote was stolen by PML(n) in Lahore. Both Khawaja Saad Rafique and Ayaz Sadiq were de-seated by the election tribunal, Hamid Khan was also denied victory. now that political cleansing has started it must lead to conviction or in no sense for a logical close. Unfortunately common law is unable to control white collar crimes as there are no trails or witnesses. There is no murder if the weapon or the body is not discovered. The process of bails and appeals is unending. While some believe that, ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ others are of the opinion that, ‘justice rushed is justice crushed’. In order to move forward and to reverse the effects of four martial laws the stalemate to clean-up has to be overcome. A separate tribunal or a Truth and Reconciliation or an Assets Reconciliation Commission may be required. The Pareto Chart if followed can effectively clean-up the political arena, but the analysis must continue to ensure credible politics as it was in the periods of 1947 to 1958 and then 1971 to 1977, the two real democratic eras. Dr Farid A Malik is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

A blessing and a milestone

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

ability to generate wealth while avoiding conviction. Zardari succeeded where even Zia failed. At the cost of Bhutto’s legacy and sacrifices he has been able to build his financial empire that runs into billions of dollars, closely competing with the Sharifs of Lahore. While Zia is accused of killing Shahnawaz and ZulfiKar Ali Bhutto, Zardari has been blamed for the murder of Murtaza and Benazir Bhutto. Recently I read that even the wedding of Zardari with daughter of the East was staged by Zia to neutralize her threat to the establishment. Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi, a dismissed sub-inspector of Police, was the founder of the Chaudhrys’ political dynasty. Ayub Khan wanted to counter the growing influence of Governor Malik Amir Muhammad Khan through a compliant and corrupt lackey. The autocratic Malik, who was financially honest, disliked the politician from Gujarat who was willing to compromise for wealth and power. Starting from one bungalow in FCC Scheme the Chaudhrys now own a major portion of the street. It is now called Zahoor Elahi Road from where the empire operates while roads are blocked by their guards, visitors and opportunity-seeking politicians. On one hand they stall corruption cases against them while on the other they seek relief claiming that the investigations are time-barred. Because of our political realities the PM is in alliance with their PML(Q), but is unwilling to accommodate the next generation, so as to end this legacy of political corruption. After the 1985 partyless elections the electables, or lotas as they are called, emerged as a major threat to

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ilarly the PML(n) in 2013-18 was also the least interested in accountability. none of them ever tried to reform the nAB laws and now all of them are crying after they have fallen under the thumb of nAB and are raising question marks on the credibility and performance of nAB. Even the present PTI government too has no vision of impartial and across-the-board accountability as their two year passed hopelessly. A nation can’t survive or make progress unless its judicial system is empowered to deliver justice instantly and inexpensively. It is the prime duty of the State to create such legislation and infrastructure. Without justice a civilized society is a dream and a blind support to create a brutal and inhuman society as will happen in the jungle. These days when the whole World has become a global village with ultramodern devices and systems and every country is claiming to be more powerful and civilized and some even to have made atom bombs, to have no system to access instant and easy justice is an abuse for those who are leaders and ruling the nation. Unfortunately our country Pakistan is also facing such a situation and has no justification for this corrupt practice. The leaders remained busy in looting national money to buy foreign properties and comforts, leaving the poor nation without health care, Education and justice system and there is no option except to compromise and become a corrupt citizen and give a twist to nAB authorities, who are also members of the same society. In Pakistan, it is clearly understandable that three persons can change the Pakistan. First is the PM, who is the leader and enjoys the command and confidence of public, but apparently he is too lacking accountability vision. Just quoting the Chinese example is not enough and similarly the present government or cabinet has had no meeting or agenda or funds allocation or shown any reform intention for nAB or its capacity building, at least none was ever announced, though nAB with its traditional style of dead slow speed is going on disappointing the nation. The sec-

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ond personality is the Army Chief who can build pressure for impartial and across-the-board accountability, but apparently he is not so inclined after the case of his extension in the Supreme Court. Last but not least is the Chief Justice of Pakistan who has taken notice of nAB performance and passed an appreciable order and sought suggestions from the Chairman nAB and Government in the suo motu case. This is really a blessing for the system to speed up and finish its backlog and make its line and length clear to punish those who are corrupt. On a similar question of deeprooted corruption, I asked Ijaz Hussain Batalvi, a legendary barrister and intellectual, who smiled and said, “There is need to appoint a policeman with every citizen of Pakistan.” True, to keep 220 million people honest and corruption-free, nAB requires a huge capacity building of human resource, law officers, judges, courts and infrastructure, as SC has rightly ordered completion of trials within three months and appeal time in High Court is mentioned as just 30 days in nAB laws. It is easy to have a corruption-free society, but the schedule of nAB proceedings must be followed, like the three months fixed for inquiry, then strictly three months for investigation, three months for trial in the nAB Court and one month for appeal in the High Court. This is the secret, and rests with the present Government which claims for change and accountability. The order of making of 120 nAB Courts will begin a new era when the speedy process of nAB Courts and their judgments will generate a new atmosphere of accountability and justice. This will let us redesign our society as ordered in the Holy Quran and for those fascinated by Europe, enable us to stand in the comity of nations with sobriety and respect to pursue prosperity, eliminating poverty and corruption. Akhtar Aly Kureshy is an Advocate of the Supreme Court and a former Assistant Attorney General

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Thursday, 13 August, 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

Remembering Jinnah

Decline of art and culture in Covid-19 Dr rajkuMar singh

OR centuries, the existence of art and culture remained an integral part of human life and its history. It not only exhibits that our natural instincts are in safe custody but also keeps them preserved for generations to come. The word “culture” is a wide term in itself, of which the word “art” is a part. In larger terms, culture refers to the universal human capacity to classify experiences and to encode and communicate them symbolically. The inherent human capacity is a defining feature which varies among the people living in different places and therefore, they also differ by country and by continent. In thiss context, art being a vast subdivision of culture, is composed of many creative endeavours and disciplines. It is an expression of creativity or imagination through visual arts expressed in the form of visual arts, literary arts and performing arts. The performing arts have also several components such as music, theatre, dance, the spoken word, and film. Thus, the nature and scope of both, culture and art, are very wide and include each and every human activity expressed as a result of our creativity and imagination all over the world. The outbreak of coronavirus covid-19 at the close of 2019 and its spread across the globe in early 2020 have profoundly affected all human activities related to art and culture. There is hardly any technological alternative for human expressions, as art and culture demand to go the public directly and perform before them. In the context there are many organisations and institutions that help, guide and support these artists and cultural activists. The coming of the pandemic has brought for them a series of forcedclose orders from the competent authorities for further order till the active cases of Covid -19 are found frequently or the situation becomes normal. As a result, the organisations’ operations and individuals who are employed or work independently have no work to do, but only to follow the precautionary guidelines of the government, generally the health ministry, and local authority to keep safe. Only a few of them are employed permanently on monthly salary basis, while the mass of them depend on casual funding and donations from the artists. It largely depends on government’s capacity and will to provide them financial help and other facilities they need and desire. As the pandemic has spread in the larger part of the globe, or in more than 200 countries, the art and culture-related organisations and activities such as libraries, archives, museum, film, television productions, theatre concert tours, music, art festivals and zoos are either closed, suspended, or working in a very restricted way. If they are working or allowed to work, various techniques and strategies have been employed by the venues of art and culture to reduce the risk of transmission of covid-19. In addition, the number of working persons have also been reduced and those who are permitted to work use hand sanitiser, wear masks compulsorily and

submit to temperature checking, among other food from visitors who visit the zoo. now that those visitors are not coming, they are on the measures. The new situation has brought a lot of verge of starvation. For example, about 1,000 changes in workers’ lives. Long closure of all es- elephants are facing a food crisis in absence of tablishments has also compelled them to con- visitors and the health of other small as well as tinue their mission and the objectives they stand big animals and birds need financial help. Likefor. And now, they have moved towards social wise, the cinema, television and radio are suffermedia and online activities for entertaining the ing from the cancellation of the making of people. All artists have now began to offer per- further episodes of serials, making and release formances via their personal accounts from their of new films and recording of new radio prohomes through singing, poetry readings, live grammes. In comparison to previous year’s earnings, in March a loss in the film industry books, and other creative works. Viewing the long retention of the effects of was recorded of $5 billion while in April there Covid-19 several organisations and institutions was a global loss of about 40 percent or $20 bilof the world began their digital programmes to lion. It also led to either suspension or delay of reach the greater audience and make them know several film festivals and award ceremonies about the aspects of art and culture. For exam- across the globe. However, due to so many people staying home ple, the BBC, the there was a sudden Sydney Biennale increase in the use and the national of video streaming Arts Festival of The outbreak of coronavirus services, and the Africa moved faster video demand servin this direction. covid-19 at the close of 2019 and ices and film The BBC launched archives have proa new programme its spread across the globe in vided many cinema called “Culture In early 2020 have profoundly clubs. The sudden Quarantine” the and increase in the use Sidney Biennale beaffected all human activities of videoconferenccame the first intering services such as national arts festival related to art and culture. There Zoom for work and to go totally digital. education caused an is hardly any technological In Africa an entirely unprecedented load new event called the alternative for human on the internet infra“Social Distancing structure. Since the Festival” was creexpressions, as art and culture outbreak of the ated to give the message to the peodemand to go the public directly coronavirus and its wide spread, the liple that a separate and perform before them. In the braries, archives, space should be publishing industry, given to artists who context there are many music including perare unable to performing arts face a form in public and organisations and institutions challenging time. whose exhibition that help, guide and support Although the possihas been impacted bility of coronavirus by the large outthese artists and transmission from break of covid-19. paper was very low, In line with this, cultural activists. several precautionseveral agencies ary guidelines were also made available also issued for litheir artistic docubraries. On the one ments that contain various relevant contents. In the period of pan- hand the libraries across the globe managed to demic, by the encouragement of UnESCO and conduct online classes to ease the problems of other governing agencies, the bodies related to students. In the context, fund crunch is a common archives, libraries, museum, and documentary heritage also began to collect and preserve the issue of the people and organisations attached to physical and digital records of this particular pe- the various aspects of art and culture. As the riod. In addition to this, several governments ticket sales in various shows are the main source have issued orders for preservation of official of the income in the performing arts, due to long records related to the pandemic. This highlights lockdowns and complete closure, worldwide art the importance of memory and in future it would dealers calculated a revenue decrease of about be a documentary heritage of social connectivity 70 percent. It has impacted the gross domestic to be used in coming days if such misfortune product (GDP) of nations in negative because the industry also pay a handsome amount to the arises again. In general, the position of art and culture is government in the form of different entertainin bad shape due to covid-19, but its each and ment taxes. every branch is facing problems not similar to Dr Rajkumar Singh is head of the political others. The zoo, cinema and television, libraries, sports, publishing, music, and a host of other science department of the B.N.Mandal sectors are in queue. The birds and animals that University, Madhepura, Bihar, India and can be are kept in the zoo get the larger share of their reached at rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

“IF the Muslim League had 100 Gandhis and 200 Azads and Congress had only one Jinnah, then India would not have been divided!” These words were stated by Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, a prominent figure of undivided India and Sister of nehru. That statement had made the fact clear that how much Jinnah was important for the Muslims of the Subcontinent. He fought the case of Muslims and won it. Jinnah was probably the first leader who told the world that a country can be founded without waging war. As a young politician he took some time to grasp the importance of two nation theory but later on he became a firm believer of it. Being a man of his own principles Jinnah always believed that one day Pakistan would be a reality and his commitment, firm determination and visionary slant led the muslims to glory. He was so attached to his vision that he urged his doctor not to disclose the secret of his ailment otherwise it would be almost impossible for the Muslims of the Subcontinent to acquire a separate homeland for themselves and coming generations. All his adversaries were illustrious and influencial personalities of Subcontinent but in spite of that he followed his own path, initially few Muslim leaders also opposed his ideology but by the passage of time he became their leader he became “Quaid-e_Azam. Surrounded by leaders like Allama Iqbal, Sir Aga Khan,Liaqat Ali Khan, Molana Mohammad ali and Molana Shaukat Ali he was always comfortable at executing his strategies and candidly arguing for the Right of the Muslims of the Subcontinent. He was a bitter opponent of violence and class discrimination and his speech of 11 August speaks volumes about his vision for Pakistan. Today we as a nation can only flourish and thrive by Acting upon the guidance of our Leader. Renowned Historian Stanly Wolpert penned in his book Jinnah of Pakistan.“Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.” May our Country Progress and Prosper.. Pakistan Zindabad Kamran KhamiSo Khowaja Sujawal

Emerging Pakistan PAKISTAn has become “a must go to place for the leaders around the world”, it is an emerging power and also has a reflection of activist foreign policy that Prime minister Imran Khan has pursued. It still is lacking in Pakistani system that we don’t not follow-up, there is a substance to the relationship that we are trying to establish with our partners and those structural weaknesses are what we need to focus on. The kind of network of relationship that we are developing around the world is appraisable but the focus has to remain on the neighborhood because if Pakistan doesn’t manage its periphery well then it is difficult to think in terms of credible, regional and global affairs. However the attention for the next few years needs to be to maintain the relations in our sub-continent in a manner that freezes us to really focus the larger region of Asia and the world. We are in a sense at a moment of geo-politics opportunity because when the world order is settled then there are very few spaces left for us to expand. Today the great advantage for Pakistan is a great deal of transaction of dynamic change which is taking place in the geo-politics landscape that itself is creating opportunities for emerging countries like Pakistan and this is a moment for us to seize and ensure that our foreign policy is really geared to. Shafi ahmEd Khowaja jati Sujawal

Need of positive curriculum MAInSTREAM education grabs the same degree of importance in modernization and progress of a nation as somatotropin (growth hormones) for a human body, the curriculum also deserves the same magnitude of significance because, without positive literature, education is not just futile, in fact, it is too much harmful owing to the noxious fumes it produces. These fumes composed of chemicals like false history and imperialist national interests upset the health of geographical history and civilization. When students are introduced to the schooling system at juvenile age, their minds are not competent enough to choose between “right and wrong” so they fell short in ascertaining the facts. At this stage of immature mentality, students should be asked to think critically and question as much as they can but they are forcefully directed towards a single route without glancing at other directions. This non-questioning culture goes in favor of boosting the life of an ancestral standard school of thought. There are a million dogmas and doubts in different articles of faith and for the observation of diverse grounds of ideologies, one should be provided with a satellite view not only for consideration of different beliefs but also for scrutinizing his/her own. Discerning the potentiality of students on account of their grades adds impetus to facilitate a rote learning system, this is how creative thinking is murdered, innovative ideas are slaughtered and thoughtful ideas are muted. The void of ideological control in the curriculum should be filled with a productive intellect rather than xeroxing the same feeble dumbness. Some sheets of paper can never decide one’s future, but the way he/she thinks and struggles and behaves is all the fruit of the seed that curriculum had sown in the soil of education system. Education is not all about having expertise and knowledge but having proper etiquettes and moral character makes you a well off for education, so ethics and character-building should also be made an important part of the curriculum. Another crucial thing that is more or less lacking in our curriculum is awareness of human rights and how to elevate the spirits of students to fight for the rights of fellow people, as education is not limited to differentiate between employed and unemployed. Education, in real means, is a perpetual journey from “Learn to Lead”. And leaders are made by the magnitude of leading aspirations, not by the heavyweights of satchels. Therefore, the education system should accentuate students to participate in social work too and engage in such activities. There are no noticeable borders of knowledge. It starts from nowhere and keeps flowing like a stream, this stream must keep going in our curriculum as well, implanting different of its kinds like World & geographical history, ethnic heroes, local politics, mental health, interfaith studies, self-defense, stage performing arts and logical reasoning. haSnain Bhutto daharKi

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW Russia’s Covid-19 vaCCine bReaCHes CRuCial sCientifiC and etHiCal inteRnational standaRds PUBLIC HEALTH IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOVE GEOPOLITICAL STRUGGLES AND NATIONALIST BOASTING Moscow tiMes

LAwREnCE O GOStin

UssiaN President Vladimir Putin has announced regulatory approval of a covid-19 vaccine developed by Moscow's Gamaleya institute. He plans to start mass vaccinations in october. Naming the vaccine sputnik V, Putin asserted that russia had won the vaccine race. His action is reckless and dangerous, gambling with the health and safety of the russian people. What is important is not to be first with a covid-19 vaccine but to be the best, which means it must be proven safe and effective. Vaccines are the only medical treatment given to otherwise healthy people. that is why vaccines must pass rigorous scientific tests. the russian vaccine is scientifically plausible, using two adapted strains of the adenovirus to trigger an immune response. But it does not meet even the most basic international scientific standards. a vaccine can be considered safe and effective only if it is proven in Phase 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted on a large population. Until successful completion of Phase 3 trials, a vaccine must still be considered investigational. currently, there are eight vaccines in Phase 3 trials, but sputnik V is not among them. the Gamaleya institute has not released safety or immunity data from its early phase clinical studies. the

lack of transparency makes it impossible to independently verify the hyped claims. russian vaccine studies have not been published in any reputable peer reviewed medical journal. compare this with recent lancet articles showing promising results in Phase 2 trials for a vaccine developed at oxford University and the Wuhan institute of technology. No regulatory agency has approved any of these vaccines, except for russia. rigorous regulatory agencies like the European Medicines agency or the U.s. Food and Drug administration will only approve a vaccine that has been proven in Phase 3 trials. all research data must be made available to the agency. the international community will not recognize russia’s claims until rigorous scientific and ethical standards have been met. in fact, russia has already probably breached ethical standards in its rush for a covid-19 vaccine. it claimed that members of the russian military “volunteered” to be tested with a Phase 1 experimental vaccine. yet, soldiers are in no position to give informed consent. Mr. Putin even boasted that his daughter received an unproven vaccine as “an experiment.” No one should be placed in the position of feeling even subtle pressure to be a human participant. Untested vaccines can cause severe harm. a covid-19 vaccine, for example, could cause serious adverse reactions. it could even make covid-19 infections more lethal. in other words, an unproven vaccine can cause thousands of needless hospitalizations and deaths. When the Philippines rolled out a dengue vaccine, it actually caused

more severe illness in vaccinated patients. Vaccine hesitancy has been a major challenge globally, resulting in a resurgence of measles and other childhood diseases. a rush to win the “vaccine race” using terms like “sputnik” or President trump’s “operation Warp speed,” can cause grave public concern. russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko even echoed the moon race, hailing the vaccine as a big step towards "humankind's victory.” Public health isn’t supposed to be caught in the middle of a geopolitical struggle or nationalist boasting. Populist politicians who cut ethical and scientific corners will only fuel conspiracy theories about a future covid-19 vaccine. russia’s approval of a covid-19 vaccine has not resulted in international acclaims or adulation of its scientific prowess. Just the opposite. the World Health organization (WHo) urged russia to follow international guidelines. “Between finding or having a clue of maybe having a vaccine that works, and having gone through all the stages, is a big difference,” said the WHo. the WHo has every right to independently verify russian vaccine data, but the agency has not been granted access. Even the association of clinical trials organizations (acto), which represents top drug companies operating in russia, urged the health ministry to postpone approval until after Phase 3 trials. Granting approval of a vaccine based on less than 100 participants in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials is irresponsible. the Gamaleya institute claims russia has already received orders for 1 billion doses from 20 countries,

Religious freedom is under attack like never before GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE USING REGULATIONS TO CRUSH AND SQUEEZE OUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Newsweek

KELLY SHACKELFORD

istorically, religion and its adherents have been often oppressed by government. By contrast, america has been singular in its dedication to preserving the freedom of its people to expect and experience religious freedom. that is now rapidly changing. the number of violent attacks on churches and church gatherings witnessed in recent months is unsettling. Protesters and rioters across the country have decapitated statues of Jesus, desecrated images of the Virgin Mary and vandalized monuments to a Jesuit priest. churches—in Washington, D.c. and california—have been set ablaze as "symbols of oppression." Fire, chain and boot are the tool and trade of a culture laying siege to religious freedom. Using the pandemic as an excuse, elected officials have threatened to permanently shut down synagogues, banned drive-in church services and forbidden singing or chanting in religious services, while decreeing that massive protests with shouting and singing are allowed. add to these the toxic comments of leading newspapers recklessly blaming churches for the spread of coViD-19. a nation truly committed to religious freedom would, in a time of national crisis, welcome the essentiality of religion's exercise—not ban it. the data reveal the breadth of the siege. according to a four-year study on the topic by pollster George Barna, a belief exists—among americans—that religious freedom is on the decline in the land of the First amendment. americans join their global neighbors, according to the Pew research center, in observing a global downgrade in religious freedom. religious freedom, the world population feels, is under siege. in the face of such hostility toward religion and religious freedom, the faithful have celebrated the progress made in recent years in the courts. But wins to defend freedom in court, as the attacks are increasing nationwide, is not fully good news. ask one of our firm's newest clients, Gail Blair, a blind woman who has been banned from a public park because she offered a free copy of the Gospel of John to those who may want one. Even if we win this case, which we will do all in our power to do, these increased attacks are not good news. Undoubtedly, wins in favor of religious freedom before the nation's high court are critical and welcome. Just last year, my firm, First liberty institute, achieved an important precedent, helping reduce the impact of a nearly 50-year old legal doctrine accounting for the removal of dozens—if not hundreds—of

monuments, memorials or displays displaying religious symbols on public property. as much as we should be thankful for the successful cases that have been of critical importance to religious freedom in the past nine years, it masks the seriousness of the siege against religious freedom: We have had 14 cases at the supreme court of the United states in only nine years defending our "first freedom." Put in the context of legal history, the numbers are truly shocking. For the first 110 years of the american republic, the U.s. supreme court decided only three questions concerning religious liberty. the supreme court's jurisprudence concerning religious freedom begins in earnest in the 1940s, and climbs off the charts from then to the present day. Put another way, for the first almost 100 years of our republic, there were zero cases decided by the U.s. supreme court concerning the Free Exercise clause of the First amendment, and 110 years passed before the high court heard a case on the First amendment's Establishment clause—and then not another case on either clause for another 41 years after that. since 1940, litigation on religious liberty has exploded at an alarming rate in nearly every area of religious life: school prayer, legislative prayer, release time education, religious land use, distribution of religious literature, conscientious objection, wearing religious head coverings in military service, the Pledge of allegiance, religious beard length and so forth. our country has witnessed a barrage of litigation directed at the fundamental freedom of religious liberty— more than 75 cases since 1940. the numbers do not lie: it took 110 years to see three supreme court cases challenging religious liberty, but only 80 years to litigate more than 75 more. religious freedom has been under increasing siege for eight decades now. Just look at some of the many cases that are right now being litigated across the nation's lower courts. coach Joe Kennedy took a knee in silent prayer after a high school football game and lost his job. a multiethnic church in the middle of nowhere Nebraska just wants to care for its community, providing care to the members of the omaha nation that make up most of the town. yet, the church has been under physical attack and city leaders would rather allow its main street to fall into disrepair than permit light of the World Gospel Ministries to build a church on the dilapidated town square. orthodox Jewish synagogues in california have faced 10 lawsuits brought by animal rights in a span of just five years over a religious tradition dating back to at least the seventh century. a nation not experiencing a siege against religious freedom would not find its courthouses filled with lawsuits over a Marine corps veteran-turnedfootball coach fired for praying, a Northern irish emigre pastoring Native americans in Nebraska or our orthodox Jewish neighbors reserving an annual court date in order to practice what the First amendment clearly protects. the fact that litigation is even necessary is thanks, in some measure, to the lack of political will

by leaders to preserve and defend religious freedom. take the religious Freedom restoration act (rFra). Not only has the once-wildly popular statute, which almost passed unanimously through congress, now become the central target of one political party's sworn opposition, but in 2014, just five of the nine justices of the supreme court agreed that its protection extends to religious freedom in the marketplace. that it was one vote away from the opposite result reveals the progress of the siege against religious freedom well enough; but why was Burwell v. Hobby lobby even at the supreme court, in the first instance, if our political leaders were so committed to religious freedom? if there were no siege on religious liberty, why has an order of catholic nuns, the little sisters of the Poor, been embroiled in litigation to protect their fundamental rights of conscience since 2013? Government officials are using regulations to crush and squeeze out religious freedom across the country. as my colleague Justin Butterfield recently observed, the true genius of Justice clarence thomas' majority opinion in yet another little sisters of the Poor case is that it gave the country something quite profound: "a requirement that agencies engaged in rulemaking not only may, but must, consider the impact of rFra (as well as the First amendment to the U.s. constitution) on their regulations or risk having those regulations struck down as an arbitrary and capricious exercise of rulemaking power." that such an opinion is necessary speaks volumes. religious liberty may be under siege, but all is not lost. the First amendment still exists, and its principles are shared by most. though the ramparts rise to the level of the walls guarding religious freedom, its defenders stand athwart demands for its redefinition or destruction. We have, in our recent pandemic, lived through what many on the legal, political and cultural left envision as religious freedom, but often downgrade to "the right to worship": stay in your homes, worship in a virtual environment and don't let your religion outside and certainly not into your workplace, lest you infect the rest of us. that has rightly chafed many americans. they understand that religious freedom is something more: that one's duty to the Divine is not something granted by government and, therefore, not something permissibly taken by it, either. rather, it is a freedom attached to our humanity. it is a right meant not merely to permit religious worship, but for it to be exercised. it is a liberty not only to hold one's convictions and conscience, but to speak about them publicly and to live them out freely. it is a sacred human benefit to be fought for—and protected by neighbor, elected official and jurist alike. religious freedom is not the default experience for human history. it will not protect itself against the siege laid at its gates. that duty falls to you and me. Kelly Shackelford is president, CEO and chief counsel for First Liberty Institute, a non-profit law firm and think tank exclusively dedicated to defending religious freedom for all Americans.

with plans to manufacture the vaccine in countries such as Brazil, india, and cuba. if an unproven vaccine were given to large populations in russia and globally, it could be like playing “russian roulette.” it could live up to the high hopes expressed by President Putin. But it could equally be catastrophic. if it proved ineffective, people would feel protected and stop social distancing and wearing masks, amplifying the global pandemic. or worse, if the vaccine caused grave harm, including more severe coronavirus disease, then health systems would become overwhelmed. thousands would die. and public confidence in vaccines — the greatest achievement of the 20th century — would be shattered. that is a huge global gamble. i’ve worked in global health, law, and ethics for over 30 years, advising the WHo and U.s. centers for Disease control and Prevention. i would not volunteer to be vaccinated with sputnik V. By early 2021, there will be a number of covid-19 vaccines approved by rigorous regulatory agencies in china, Europe and the United states. We can rely on these agencies to demand rigorous scientific proof. the only thing russia is proving is that it does not have strong “institutional guardrails” to assure the public that medicines and vaccines are safe and effective. Lawrence O. Gostin is University Professor and Director, O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University. Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law.

A-level algorithms: failing the test of fairness editorial GuARDiAn

From the moment in mid-March when schools closed indefinitely to curb the spread of covid-19, it was obvious that 2020 would be an anomalous and stressful year in the education of millions of young people. For pupils scheduled to take GcsEs and a-levels, the situation has been particularly disorienting and strange. as it became clear that end-of-school exams would not take place, pupils’ future prospects were taken out of their hands and placed at the mercy of an assessment system to be devised by exam regulators. they have been badly failed. instead of coming up with a system that focused on individual students, taking into account the wholly exceptional circumstances that jeopardised their life chances, regulators made it the priority to achieve a “normal” statistical spread of results and avoid grade inflation. England’s exam regulator, ofqual, has done this by combining teacher assessments of likely grades with the pupil’s previous performance and the past record of the school as a whole. on the basis of a similar contextualisation, the scottish Qualifications authority last week downgraded 124,000 pupils’ awards, which were based on teacher estimates of what they would have achieved. Pupils in the poorest areas were marked down the most. this thursday, when 250,000 English pupils will receive their a-level results, almost 40% of grade assessments by teachers may be revised downwards, according to research seen by the Guardian. the socioeconomic dimension to the inequalities in our education system is well-established. the higher property prices near “good” schools reflect a sociological sorting process which entrenches class divides in the state system. With varying success, governments have attempted to address the problem. the pupil premium, a sum of money given to schools each year which is proportionate to the number of disadvantaged pupils, is one example. the government’s championing of “improving” schools shows a recognition of the work being done in challenging areas to shift the dial. But by building in a criterion of past school performance to this year’s a-level and GcsE results, ofqual has tied the fortunes of individual students to pre-existing inequalities of outcome. to try in this way to impose a standard spread of results, which pupils are powerless to affect, is unjust. Nicola sturgeon has rightly apologised on behalf of the scottish government to pupils and on tuesday, in an extraordinary U-turn, all downgrades in National and Higher exams were reversed. What a shambles. on tuesday, the former conservative education secretary Justine Greening described the government’s approach in England as “levelling down in action”. Failing a pre-emptive U-turn in England, mitigating action must be urgently undertaken following thursday’s publication of results. the appeals process, only introduced last week under pressure from schools, must be made easy, broad-ranging and cheap to access. schools should ensure the voices of families who might normally lack the self-confidence to challenge the system are heard. too often, post-exam appeals are the province of middle-class parents who are not afraid to assert themselves. in what promises to be a torrid clearing process on thursday, universities should show flexibility, particularly to pupils from poorer backgrounds. Finally, the government must make sure that all pupils who wish to take autumn “resits” are given support and assistance ahead of them. Vouchers to pay for extra tuition for the less well-off would help. the government bears responsibility for what is beginning to look like an almighty mess. it must act swiftly to help those affected extricate themselves.

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

BUSINESS 09

CORPORATE CORNER Process of AkzoNobel’s PSX delisting completed ISLAMABAD: AkzoNobel has increased its investment in Akzo Nobel Pakistan Limited to greater than 96pc. More than 80pc of the minority shares have been acquired and the process of delisting from the Pakistan Stock Exchange has been completed. This move further strengthens AkzoNobel’s presence in South Asia and helps to consolidate its position as a leader in the Pakistan paints and coatings market. The company will continue to provide customers in Pakistan with world class products, solutions and services. The share purchase process is ongoing and minority shareholders will be able to tender their shares until June 18, 2021. PRESS RElEASE

ISLAMABAD: Aimed at sharing practical experience to help strengthen cybersecurity measures in Pakistan, Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim delivered an engaging presentation to under-training officers of the Federal Investigation Agency's Cybercrime Wing at the National Police Academy. PRESS RElEASE

LAHORE: Hyundai Nishat Motor (Pvt) Limited has launched its 2nd CKD presenting their flagship vehicle, Hyundai TUCSON. In a first ever digital car reveal of Pakistan automobile history the grand launch of Hyundai TUCSON took place. Pakistan’s top celebrities like Ali Rehman and Ayesha Omer were part of the digital launch event which took place online. PRESS RElEASE

ECC okAyS TImEly SETTlEmENT of RooSEvElT HoTEl'S loAN COMMITTEE GIVES IN-PRINCIPLE APPROVAL TO PAYMENT OF ALL LIABILITIES RESULTING FROM $105M DEBT SECURED BY PIACL-OWNED ROOSEVELT HOTEL IN NEW YORK ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday gave in-principle approval to the payment of all liabilities and responsibilities resulting from a debt of $105 million secured by the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL)-owned Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The ECC meeting, chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, also asked the Finance Division to engage with the Law Division, Aviation Division and Planning Commission to formalise the mode of payment/refinancing, as per the schedule of the loan contracted by the Roosevelt Hotel, in order to address its financial constraints. Meanwhile, the ECC approved a Cabinet Division proposal for the reallocation of lapsed funds of Rs8.01 bil-

one-year fee exemption would be approximately Rs17 million. Moreover, the cabinet committee took up the issue of ‘rescheduling of financing facilities and deferment in re-payment of principal loan amount by one year’ upon a written request of the borrowers received before June 30, 2020, to mitigate the effects of Covid19. It extended the same facility to borrowers under Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan Scheme (PMYBL) and Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme upon written requests received before 30th September 2020, provided the borrowers would continue to service the mark-up amount as per the agreed terms and conditions of the relevant scheme. Among other agenda items, the ECC approved a proposal for additional funds equal to $3 million for contribution towards SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund announced during a video conference of SAARC leaders in March

NESPAK to develop Rs100bn housing scheme in Peshawar LAHORE As per Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan’s vision, NESPAK is playing an active role in the housing sector and has always been ready to serve in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s dream of eliminating housing shortage in the country. “In line with the government’s policy, Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHAF) has engaged NESPAK for providing engineering consultancy services for development of a Housing Scheme at Surizai Peshawar through competitive bidding,”

said Dr Tahir Masood, Managing Director NESPAK, in a press release. “Estimated cost of the project is Rs100 billion and it spreads over an area of 8,500 kanals.” NESPAK’s scope of consultancy work includes detailed surveys and investigations, feasibility study along with preparation of PC-I and PC-II, master planning, infrastructure design, detailed designing of houses, apartments, commercial and public amenities, preparation of detailed tender documents including cost estimates, BOQs and technical specifications, prequalification of constructors, preparation of construction drawings, assistance to Client in

bid evaluation and top construction supervision. NESPAK Chief Engineer (Islamabad) Salman Shahid is designated as the project manager. Meanwhile, NESPAK Islamabad office has been selected by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board to provide consultancy services for Pakistan Digital City Haripur. NESPAK’s scope of work comprises master planning, infrastructure design development and design of a building having covered area around 50,000 sqft. in Haripur having an area of around 86 Kanals. Tentative Project cost is around Rs. 406 million.

Pakistani exporters urged to tap China's meat market LAHORE APP

The Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) on Wednesday suggested Pakistani exporters develop close linkages with Chinese businesses in order to explore China's meat market. "After the outbreak of Covid-19,

2020. The ECC was told that similar contributions had also been announced by other member countries. Also, the ECC approved a supplementary grant of Rs540 billion, which had remained unutilised due to procedural conditions, under the Covid-19 relief measures announced for FY21. Lastly, the committee considered and approved a Revenue Division proposal for the arrangement of Rs40 billion to pay income tax refunds of up to Rs50 million pending since 2013. The Finance Division was asked to arrange the required funds. The chair asked the FBR to apprise the committee of the current status of pending refunds in the next meeting, observing that payment of refunds to the taxpayers was the topmost priority of the government and that taxpayers had already been given Rs250 billion tax refunds in the outgoing financial year, which was more than double the amount of refunds paid to taxpayers in the previous year.

‘IT ministry’s DigiSkills programme has trained 1.28m people in freelancing’ ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPORT

LAHORE: Federation of Realtors Pakistan Group Head Raheel Haroon being honored a souvenir by ilaan.com Country Head (Operations) Major (r) Atique Minhas at Realtors Day celebration ceremony held at Bahria Town. PRESS RElEASE

lion (through technical supplementary grant) to respective ministries and divisions under the sustainable development goals achievement programme (SAP). It also okayed amendments to the Import Policy Order 2016, in order to streamline animal and meat trade products in line with international rules and practices. Furthermore, the committee approved a proposal by the Finance Division to allow the Asian Development Bank to launch Offshore Pakistan Rupee (PKR)-Linked bonds based on conducive market conditions. The ECC also approved a revision in key terms of Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, making it accessible to all Pakistani citizens meeting the laid-down criteria. A proposal by the Ministry of InterProvincial Coordination for exemption from payment of annual renewal fee of licences issued to travel and tourism-related business was also approved on the occasion. The financial impact of the

ECC ASKS FINANCE DIVISION TO ARRANGE RS40BN TO CLEAR INCOME TAX REFUNDS OF UP TO RS50M PENDING SINCE 2013

China's meat requirement has been increasing rapidly, as the country is turning away from its traditional food towards Halal food," said PCJCCI President Zarak Khan while addressing a PakChina think-tank session. He noted that Chinese farmers were not being able to keep pace with the country's meat demand, since a very low percentage

of Chinese land was available for livestock. "As a result, China is falling short of all three basic requirements, i.e land, water and feed; the country has no choice but to import meat from the international market." Currently, China was importing meat from Vietnam, Brazil and Australia, Khan informed, adding that in such a competitive environment, there was a great possibility

for Pakistan to initiate production of quality meat so as to meet China's market demand. He opined that Pakistan could become a leader in meat export to China by adopting the 'Turkish Cattle Fattening Model'. Cattle fattening activity would not only help the country generate employment opportunities but would also improve the quality and volume of its meat, he added.

Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) Minister Syed Aminul Haque has said that the national-level training programme of the IT ministry has imparted training to 1.28 million youth in freelancing. He said this during a meeting with DigiSkills freelancers on Wednesday. The minister met DigiSkills freelancers to have a direct account of their experiences of learning and earning through DigiSkills, the ministry announced through their Twitter page. He assured that his ministry is taking necessary steps to equip the freelancers, students, housewives, professionals, etc. with knowledge, skills, tools & techniques necessary to seize the opportunities available in local and international online marketplaces to earn a decent living. He also informed the visiting freelancers that MoITT has entered into a partnership with JazzCash that will enable them to transfer money from their Payoneer accounts into their JazzCash Mobile Account in real-time and at the best exchange rates. In addition to this, DigiSkills freelancers can also register their Payoneer Account from the JazzCash App, eliminating the need for commercial bank accounts. The IT minister said that all issues of freelancers will be resolved and ordered for extending the outreach of DigiSkills programme to schools and colleges. He also directed to increase the ratio of women in DigiSkills programme from 23pc to 33pc and to incorporate minorities and transgender persons in this programme. The minister appreciated the youth for their initiative to learn marketable intermediate digital skills that have enabled them to be self-employed, besides earning vital foreign exchange for the country.

Stocks tumble 85 points on selling pressure KSE-100 CLOSES IN RED DESPITE ACCUMULATING OVER 500 POINTS IN EARLY TRADE KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Failing to carry forward positive momentum from the last session, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed volatility on Wednesday, with the benchmark index closing in the red despite accumulating over 500 points intraday. Global equity markets also displayed a mixed pattern, whereas crude oil prices continued to move north; WTI crude price surging 1.63pc to $42.29 while Brent crude price rising 1.48pc to $45.16. "The stock market opened on a positive note mainly on the back of a rally in E&P, banking and fertiliser stocks, but selling

pressure later in the day brought the index below the opening level," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. "The fertiliser sector felt the heat of the Supreme Court's decision on GIDC, which is scheduled to be announced tomorrow (Thursday). Gaining 559.45 points in early trade, the KSE-100 Index recorded its intraday high at 41,118.60. It, however, lost all the momentum and fell to its intraday low at 40,390.39 after shedding 168.76 points. The index finally settled lower by 85.97 points at 40,473.18. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index was short of 568.33 pts closing at 64,503.80. While the KSE All Share index declined by 126.61 pts ending at 28,221.08. The overall market volumes contracted from 600.04 million shares in the previous session to 590.88 million shares (-2pc). Average traded value also declined by 10pc, from $147.9 million to $133.6 million. Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL -3.00pc), TRG Pakistan Limited (TRG +2.73pc) and Pakistan

Refinery Limited (PRL -0.07pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 88.37 million, 36.33 million and 32.35 million shares, respectively. Sectors that dragged the benchmark index in the red included cement (55.63 points), oil & gas marketing (33.01 points) and oil & gas exploration (23.49 points). Among the companies, Pak Petroleum Ltd

(PPL 16.52 pts), Lucky Cement Ltd (LUCK 16.04 pts) and MCB Bank Ltd (MCB 15.07 pts) dented the index the most. Losing 1.49pc from its cumulative market capitalization, the cement sector turned out to be the session’s top loser, with DG Khan Cement Company (DGKC 0.40pc), Bestway Cement (BWCL 1.48pc)

and Fauji Cement Company (FCCL 2.64pc) closing in the red. Meanwhile, Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL -3.00pc) has announced that it has been granted a permanent marketing licence by Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) in place of its existing provisional marketing licence.

PAKISTAN STOCK BROKERS ASSOCIATION BECOMES OPERATIONAL BUSINESS DESK: In accordance with the law applicable to the trade organizations, Pakistan Stock Brokers Association (PSBA) has completed all the legal formalities to become operational. “The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has incorporated the association as required under Trade Organization Rules 2013, following the license granted by the Ministry of Commerce,” PSBA said in a statement issued on Wednesday. The PSBA held its second meeting under the Chairmanship of Aqeel Karim Dhedhi and in the presence of the members of Executive Committee, including Azneem Bilwani, Hamad Nazir Kehar, Muhammad Adil Ghaffar, Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Munir Khanani, Noman Abdul Majeed Adam, Yasir Mahmood, Zahid Latif Khan, and Secretary-General Bilal Farooq Zardi. The association declared itself to be operational in its entirety, with the executive committee also discussing plans for the development of the capital market and protection of the rights of its members. The meeting emphasized exploiting best possibilities for the promotion of the brokerage industry. It also decided to hold a formal event for the introduction of PSBA, and to honour the opening ceremony. The association requested the PM’s fiance adviser to join them in the inauguration ceremony. In addition, members of the association, officials from the mutual fund industry, banks as well as the board of directors of the exchange were also invited to attend the event.

CMYK

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

10 foreign neWS US attempts to win more support with streamlined bid to extend Iran arms embargo NEW YORK: The United States streamlined its bid on Tuesday to get the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran, a move that could win Washington more support in the 15-member body but is unlikely to overcome opposition by veto-powers Russia and China. The new text, seen by Reuters, is just four paragraphs and would extend a weapons ban on Iran “until the Security Council decides otherwise,” stating that is “essential to the maintenance of international peace and security.” The 13-year-old arms embargo is due to expire in October under a 2015 nuclear deal among Iran, Russia, China, Germany, Britain, France and the United States that prevents Tehran from developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief. The previous US draft resolution was described by diplomats and analysts as “maximalist.” It was more than a dozen pages long, would have required countries to inspect cargo going to or coming from Iran and included an annex of individuals and entities for targeted sanctions. Diplomats said that while the new simple draft text might win the United States some more votes, it was unclear if Washington could get the minimum nine votes needed, and they said it was unlikely to convince Russia and China to abstain. “Don’t let the brevity of the new US draft fool you. The key point is that it authorizes an indefinite extension of the Iran arms embargo … and China and Russia will *not* like that,” Richard Gowan, UN director for conflict prevention advocacy body the International Crisis Group, posted on Twitter. “So good chance this US draft will fail by Friday,” he said. The United States has asked council members for comments by Wednesday morning. The council is operating virtually so once a vote is called, members would have 24 hours to submit their response. The result would be announced at a public meeting. AGENCIES

Virus pushes Britain into record recession, New Zealand mulls election delay LONDON: The global coronavirus pandemic pushed Britain into its deepest-ever recession, data showed Wednesday, as New Zealand warned the reemergence of Covid-19 could delay its upcoming election. The British economy -- the world's seventh in size -- contracted by an unprecedented 20.4 percent in the period from April to June, far worse than any of its European neighbours and also well below the so-called Group of Seven richest countries in the world. By comparison, France's economy contracted by 13.9 percent in the second quarter, Canada 12 percent, Germany 10.1 percent, the United States percent and Japan 7.6 percent. The news that the virus has knocked down a fifth of its economy came as Britain continues to grapple with one of the highest death tolls in the world from the pandemic, which some observers blame on the government's early dithering over the imposition of strict confinement measures. Nevertheless, the subsequent lockdown brought activity shuddering to a halt particularly in the key services, production and construction sectors. "It is clear that the UK is in the largest recession on record," said the Office for National Statistics, which compiles the data. Even if some experts are still predicting a "V-shaped" rebound, Britain's economic woes could not come at a worse time as it still has to reach a trade deal with the EU following its exit from the 27-country bloc. Experts agree that the absence of any trade deal with the EU would only further exacerbate Britain's problems. On the other side of the world, New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern said the upcoming election in September could be postponed as the coronavirus seems to have re-entered the Pacific country. APP

2 DeaD, 100 aRReSteD IN BaNgaloRe VIoleNce oVeR aNtI-ISlaM FaceBooK poSt NEW DELHI

AGENCIES

T least three people were killed in India's Bangalore after a derogatory Facebook post about Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) sparked riots and resulted in clashes between police and thousands of protesters, it emerged on Wednesday. According to the Times of India, the violence, that erupted at 7 pm on Tuesday, went on for at least five hours. The report added that 110 others had been arrested as of Wednesday morning. The report stated that the violence erupted after a close relative of a local lawmaker, Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, made a derogatory post about Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon

Him) on the social media site. The post has since been deleted. Reacting to the post, a mob gathered outside the lawmaker's house and set two cars on fire. Police confirmed that Muzamill Pasha and six others from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were also detained for questioning, the publication said. Bangalore Police Commissioner Kamal Pant wrote on Twitter that the lawmaker's relative had been arrested for the post, along with about 100 others for rioting and arson, and the situation was now under control. At least 60 officers were injured the previous evening as a furious crowd attacked a police station and set vehicles on fire. Local media images showed protest-

ers trying to barge into the police building and shouting slogans outside the politician's home. Police opened fire with live ammunition and tear-gassed the violent crowds. Three people were critically wounded during Tuesday's violence and at least one reporter was injured, police told AFP. The TOI report added that protesters had demanded that the lawmaker's relative be placed under arrest, who had later claimed that his Facebook account had been hacked and he did not post the objectionable content. Meanwhile, Srinivasamurthy called the incident an "an act of miscreants". "The police and government will investigate and initiate legal action against mischief mongers. I am the MLA of this constituency and everyone here is my

Don't play with fire: China warns US on Taiwan trip BEIJING AGENCIES

Tensions between the US and China increased further after the visit of a high-level delegation to Taiwan, with Beijing warning Washington "not to play with fire" on Wednesday. Beijing has been infuriated by the highest-profile visit in decades to Taiwan, which it sees as part of its territory, as US-China relations plunge to a record low over a range of issues from trade to military and the coronavirus pandemic. Health chief Alex Azar finished a three-day visit to Taiwan, during which he criticised China's handling of the pandemic and visited the shrine of a former Taiwan president hated by the Communist Party leadership. Beijing slammed the visit Wednesday and said it "firmly opposes official exchanges between the US and Taiwan under any pretext". "On issues involving China's core interests, some people in the US must not harbour illusions, those who play with fire will get burned," said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a regular press briefing. "I would also like to remind the Taiwan authorities not to be subservient to others, to rely on the sup-

port of foreigners, and to be bent on pursuing independence, which is a dead end," Zhao said. Beijing insists that Taiwan — which has been self-ruled since 1949 — is part of "one China" and has vowed to react with force if it ever formally declares independence. On the last day of the trip, Azar visited a shrine to Taiwan's late president Lee Teng-hui Wednesday, praising his role in steering the island´s transition to democracy. The US cabinet member wrote a message of condolence for Lee, who died last month aged 97. "President Lee's democratic legacy will forever propel the US-Taiwan relationship forward," Azar wrote. Lee was a towering figure in Taiwan's recent history. He defied China by pushing for the island to be recognised as a sovereign nation and earned the nickname "Mr Democracy" for the part he played in its transition from authoritarian rule.Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, loathed Lee. When news emerged of his death, Chinese state media called him "the godfather of Taiwan secessionism". Both Washington and Taipei portrayed Azar's trip as an opportunity to learn from the success of Taiwan's battle against the coronavirus.

The island has fewer than 500 infections and just seven deaths, compared with more than 160,000 fatalities in the United States. But the visit has also been an opportunity to ruffle Beijing's feathers at a time when US President Donald Trump is taking an increasingly hard line against China as he seeks re-election in November. OUR FRIEND AND PARTNER: "We will continue to support Taiwan as our friend and our partner across security, economic and healthcare issues," Azar told reporters after a visit to a mask factory on Wednesday, shortly before flying back the the States. China takes umbrage at any formal recognition of Taiwan. It called for Azar's trip to be cancelled and Taiwan accused Beijing of sending fighter jets over a de facto border on Monday, the day the US health chief met President Tsai Ingwen. During his visit Azar has repeatedly contrasted Taiwan's open, democratic system with China´s authoritarian leadership. In a speech on Tuesday he suggested the coronavirus might have been stopped sooner had it emerged in a more transparent and democratic place, such as Taiwan, rather than China.

Democrat Joe Biden chooses Senator Kamala Harris for White House running mate WASHINGTON: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday picked Senator Kamala Harris as his choice for vice president, making her the first Black woman on a major-party US presidential ticket and giving him a partner well prepared to go on the attack against Republican President Donald Trump. With social unrest over racial injustice rocking the country for months, Biden had been under increasing pressure to select a Black woman as his running mate. Harris is also the first Asian-American on a major presidential ticket. In Harris, a 55-year-old senator from California who made her own run for the White House, Biden gains an experienced politician already battle-tested by the rigors of the 2020 presidential campaign as they head into the final stretch of the November 3 election. Biden on Twitter called Harris “a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants.” AGENCIES

family. I request you to maintain peace. I fear miscreants may take advantage of the situation," he was quoted as saying. A ban on gatherings was in effect in some areas of the city on Wednesday, with nearly 10,000 police reservists patrolling the streets to keep order. Bangalore is home to a sizable Muslim community among its eight million people. India is officially a secular country but has been plagued by a long history of violence between its Hindu majority and Muslim minority. These incidents have increased in recent times, particularly since the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. More than 50 people were killed during riots in the capital New Delhi earlier this year, with most of the victims Muslims.

Myanmar bars Rohingya candidate from election YANGON APP

A Rohingya Muslim has been barred from standing in Myanmar's upcoming election, in a decision decried by rights groups as discriminatory and a symptom of the "ongoing genocide" against the persecuted minority. A 2017 military operation drove 750,000 Rohingya out of the country into sprawling refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, prompting genocide charges at the UN's top court. Myanmar has denied the allegations and justified the military operations as a means of rooting out terrorists. Another 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, but most are not regarded as citizens and will have no vote, living in what Amnesty International describes as "apartheid" conditions. Three Rohingya-led parties had hoped to field at least a dozen candidates in November's vote, according to regional watchdog Fortify Rights. But Abdul Rasheed, 58, a member of the Democracy and Human Rights Party, told AFP on Wednesday that his candidacy was rejected by the district election commission in Rakhine state capital Sittwe a day earlier. The commission said this was because his parents were not Myanmar citizens when he was born, Rasheed said -even though he had proof his parents and grandparents were granted citizenship in 1957, four years before his birth. "This is not in line with the law," he said, adding he would appeal the decision. "The Rohingya are being degraded so we cannot compete." Sittwe's election commission was not immediately available to comment. The Muslim minority has had citizenship and other rights eroded over decades. Rasheed, who said his father worked as a Myanmar government civil servant for more than 30 years, also tried without success to stand in the country's landmark 2015 election. "This rejection is discriminatory and not unrelated to the ongoing genocide of Rohingya," said Matthew Smith from Fortify Rights, a group for which Rasheed also consults. "The government of Myanmar must end its mass disenfranchisement of Rohingya."

Japan faces World War Two anniversary in shadow of coronavirus TOKYO AGENCIES

In a 4 1/2-minute radio speech on August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender in World War Two, telling his subjects he had resolved to pave the way for peace by “enduring the unendurable”. Seventy-five years later, the unresolved legacy of the conflict haunts Tokyo’s ties with China and South Korea, even as the countries cope with a Covid-19 pandemic that is forcing Japan to scale back its August 15 ceremony for the war dead. In Japan, consensus over the war’s legacy is elusive. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has adopted a less-apologetic stance and wants to revise a post-war, pacifist constitution that conservatives see as a humiliating symbol of defeat. A majority of the public opposes altering the charter, long viewed as a breakwater against repeating past mistakes.

“The legacy of the war, the unresolved issues of historical justice and historical understanding, remain very much with us,” said Daniel Sneider, a lecturer in East Asian studies at Stanford University. “Does time heal all wounds? Soon there will be nobody who experienced the war … Do the issues disappear?” Sneider added. “No, they don’t, because they are so wrapped up with the formation of identity in all these countries.” Many Koreans, who mark August 15 as “National Liberation Day”, still resent Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule, while China has bitter memories of Japan’s invasion and occupation from 1931 to 1945. It celebrates “Victory Over Japan” day on September 3, one day after Tokyo’s formal surrender. A LONG SHADOW: Partly because the Covid-19 pandemic dominates attention, the debate over Japan’s war responsibility has been more muted than on the 70th anniversary, which Abe marked with a contro-

versial statement. At the time, Abe expressed “utmost grief” over the conflict but said future generations should not have to keep apologising for mistakes of the past and offered no fresh apology. “Fear of getting drawn into military conflict continues to strongly impact public opinion while … a defensive attitude among Japan’s conservative political leaders about Japan’s actions during the war keeps them from saying and doing things that might convince their neighbours that Japan is truly repentant,” said Gerry Curtis, a Columbia University professor emeritus. “It will probably take 100 years for Japan to move out from the shadow of the Second World War.” Disputes with Seoul over Koreans forced to work for wartime Japanese firms and “comfort women”, a euphemism for those pushed into Japan’s wartime military brothels, are still flashpoints. A South Korea court last week said it would begin procedures to sell assets of Nip-

pon Steel Corp. seized after the Japanese company did not follow a 2018 order by Seoul’s Supreme Court to compensate Korean wartime workers. Tokyo says the issue was settled by a 1965 treaty normalising ties and has threatened retaliation if the sale goes ahead. The feud between the US security allies spilled over into trade and security last year. “Relations will face another crisis, albeit not immediately,” said Chang Ho-jin, a former South Korean presidential secretary. Tokyo regards the comfort women controversy as resolved by a 2015 agreement under which Abe apologised and pledged a fund to support the survivors, but South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s government has declared the deal flawed. CHINA TIES: Japan’s ties with China had improved ahead of a planned visit by President Xi Jinping, but the trip was postponed because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Some Japanese ruling party members

want the visit cancelled over Beijing’s clampdown on Hong Kong and its push to assert territorial claims in the East China Sea. The row over disputed islets there could flare up if Beijing, as reported by some Japanese media, this month ends a ban on its fishing vessels entering surrounding waters. China, locked in a confrontation with the United States over human rights, trade and security, has sidelined historical spats with Japan. Tokyo shares US concerns about China, but the Asian neighbours’ economies are deeply intertwined. “History issues have not been resolved, but they are on the back burner,” said Andrew Horvat, a visiting professor at Tokyo’s Josai International University. Since 2013, Abe has not visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, where wartime leaders convicted as war criminals are honoured with war dead, avoiding a potential flashpoint with Beijing.

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

SPORTS 11

BEn STokES ABSEnCE lEAVES EnglAnd WiTH proBlEmS For SECond TEST AgAinST pAkiSTAn

SPORTS DESK

England´s 2-1 series win over the West Indies last month — a campaign that marked international cricket's return from the coronavirus lockdown — and the first Test against Pakistan saw vice-captain Stokes effectively deployed as a specialist batsman by skipper Joe Root. Stokes, however, still took two important wickets on the third evening against Pakistan. 'CONFIDENCE': The obvious move for England would be to recall batsman Zak Crawley, who has missed out on the last two matches while an extra bowler has been deployed because of Stokes' injury problems. Buttler underlined his skill in a run-chase last week but the wicketkeeper, by his own admission, had a poor match with the gloves. England do have the option to recall Ben Foakes, widely regarded as a better keeper, and play Buttler as a specialist batsman. But Root appeared wary of that suggestion when he praised fellow World Cup win-

EN STOKES' absence for the second Test against Pakistan has left England in a selection conundrum going into Thursday's second Test at Southampton. Pakistan were the much better side for a large part of last week's first Test at Old Trafford and, despite a second-innings collapse, were still favourites to win when they reduced England to 117-5 in pursuit of a target of 277. But a sixth-wicket partnership of 139 between Chris Woakes (84 not out) and Jos Buttler (75) turned the tide as England went 1-0 up in a three-match series on Saturday. Since England won with more than a day to spare in Manchester, it has been announced that star all-rounder Stokes will miss the rest of the series as a result of travelling to New Zealand to be with his ill father. A quad injury meant that the end of

ner Buttler's innings by saying: "I think it will provide him with a huge amount of confidence in all aspects of his game and he should take that forward for the rest of the series." Root himself could do with a big score having managed just one Test hundred in 18 months. England are in the middle of a sequence of six Tests in seven weeks, a gruelling schedule that has seen them adopt a policy of rotating their quicks. James Anderson, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker bristled at talk he was considering retirement after a meagre match haul of 1-97 at his Lancashire home ground last week meant the 38-year-old has taken just six wickets at an expensive average of 41 in three Tests this season. He could now make way for left-armer Sam Curran, who has won all his eight home Tests, or fast bowler Mark Wood. 'DEAL WITH PRESSURE BETTER': Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq insisted

his side could recover from an agonising loss as they try to avoid a defeat that will condemn them to a first series defeat by England in a decade. "We need to improve 10 to 15% deal with pressure situations a little better but we shouldn't be mentally down," he said, with Pakistan denied the usual vocal support they enjoy in England after Covid-19 turned this campaign into a behind closed doors series. Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, criticised for his tactics during Buttler and Woakes' decisive stand, has made just one fifty in 10 innings since becoming skipper in November.

Stuart Broad fined by father for Yasir Shah send-oﬀ SPORTS DESK England's Stuart Broad was fined and given one demerit point by his father Chris, for a breach of the ICC's code of conduct involving Pakistan's Yasir Shah during the first Test against Pakistan. Broad was fined 15% of his match fee — equivalent to around £2,000 ($2,617) for a level one breach and also given one demerit point for using inappropriate language when dismissing Yasir following a flurry of runs in Pakistan's second innings at Old Trafford on Saturday, hours before England completed a three-wicket win. Broad admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad, the former England batsman who is now a match referee. The punishment prompted Broad to joke on Twitter that his father was "off the Christmas card and present list". Broad senior would not normally be officiating in a match involving his son.

But in a bid to cope with travel restrictions imposed by the coronavirus, Chris Broad — the only Englishman on the

Hafeez to self-isolate after breaching bio-security protocol in England SPORTS DESK The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday that all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will self-isolate until he tests negative for Covid-19 after breaching a bio-security protocol by posing for a photograph with a member of the public in England. The photo posted on Twitter by the 39-year-old all-rounder was taken on a golf course next to the hotel where Pakistan are staying, which is part of a bio-secure bubble. Hafeez is not part of Pakistan's 20-man Test squad playing in England but is on the tour for the three-match Twenty20 international series starting August 28. “As it was evident from the photograph that Hafeez had breached the two-metre social distancing protocol ... the team management has decided to isolate him until he returns a negative Covid-19 test,” PCB said in a statement. “The team management believes it was an inadvertent mistake, but a good reminder for everyone on the importance of following the bio-secure protocols, which have been designed for the health and safety of everyone involved in the series.” The PCB said Hafeez was tested for the virus on Wednesday afternoon with the results expected on Thursday. Earlier in June, Hafeez was among the 10 Pakistan players who tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of their England tour but he returned a negative result a day later following a subsequent examination at a private laboratory in Lahore.

ICC's elite panel of referees —together with a team of English umpires, is officiating in the current three-match series.

Chris Broad also presided over England's 2-1 win against the West Indies last month. Under the interim Covid-19 regulations, all such decisions are referred back to the ICC's headquarters in Dubai to guard against accusations of bias. But as Stuart Broad did not contest the charge brought by on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth, there was no need for a formal hearing. Stuart Broad now has three demerit points on his record. The two previous instances concern Broad's use of a swear word towards South Africa's Faf du Plessis in Johannesburg in January and "aggressive language" directed at India's Rishabh Pant two years ago. Demerit points stay on a player's record for 24 months, meaning the Pant sanction will lapse next week. Broad, however, could risk a onematch ban if he commits a similar offence during the second Test against Pakistan at Southampton, starting on Thursday.

‘Gautam Gambhir was not able to see the ball’: Pakistan pacer Mohammad Irfan recalls 2012 series against India SPORTS DESK Speedster Mohammad Irfan recalled the 2012 tour to India in which he faced off against a strong Indian batting lineup comprising of Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Yuvraj Singh. Pakistan drew the T20 series in India 1-1, and then went on to win the three-match ODI series 2-1. Irfan, who stood over 7 feet tall, made a huge impact in the series with the new ball. In an interview to a local news outlet last year, Irfan had claimed that he ended Gautam Gambhir’s career in that series. Gambhir was dismissed twice in five games by Irfan in the series. In a recent chat with Pakistan broadcaster Sawera Pasha on her Youtube chat show Cric Cast, Irfan recalled the 2012 series and explained why he had said that he ended Gambhir’s career. “Actually, whenever we have India-Pakistan matches, whoever does not perform well he becomes a zero and whoever performs becomes a hero,” Irfan said. “The way I was bowling to Gautam Gambhir, he was not able to see the ball, the way he was playing my bouncer, everyone was saying that he is not looking like Gautam Gambhir,” he added. On being asked to explain his remarks in the interview last year, Irfan said: “Because there was so much pressure of my height and my bowling, so I had said from my side that I felt like

But he denied captaincy was affecting his batting. "When I bat, I'm not thinking about the captaincy, whether or not I'm out of form. "And when I'm captain, I don't think about my batting at all." Should Pakistan have concerns about the fitness of their pace trio of Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, they could bring in another quick such as Sohail Khan. Pakistan played two leg-spinners at Old Trafford, with Shadab Khan backing up Yasir Shah, but they could now deploy a fourth seamer if they feel the Ageas Bowl pitch won't take as much turn.

Fawad Alam to play in Southampton Test against England After suffering a defeat in the first match of the series, Pakistan have decided to include Fawad Alam in the team for the second Test against England, a local news outlet reported on Wednesday. According to sources, Fawad will replace Shadab Khan in the team and will bat at number 6. The second Test will mark Fawad's re-entry into the five-day format after almost 11 years as he last played a Test match for Pakistan in 2009. Reportedly, Abid Ali, Shan Masood, captain Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, and Naseem Shah will be part of the team in the Southampton Test. During the first test, England had sealed an unlikely three-wicket victory after slumping to 117-5 at one point in their pursuit of 277, as Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 139 runs to turn the tide. SPORTS DESK

Babar Azam must become a matchwinner: Shahid Afridi Pakistan batsman Babar Azam must "become a match-winner" before he can be compared to the likes of England's Joe Root or India's Virat Kohli, says former all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Babar, 25, scored 69 and five as Pakistan lost to England in the first Test of the three-match series. He averages 44.74 from 27 Tests. "He is very talented - the backbone of the team - but needs to score big runs," Afridi told BBC Sport before the second Test, which starts on Thursday. Babar is ranked as the number one batsman in Twenty20s and third in one-day-internationals, but Afridi who retired from playing for Pakistan in 2017 - says he has more to do in the longer format of the game. SPORTS DESK

Serena Williams sets up meeting with Venus on return after Covid-19 hiatus

that because after that he didn’t come back in the team, he was dropped from the team.” Also read: Record-breaking double-centurion dropped for breaching Covid-19 protocols “After that he played a few matches only and there also he could not perform. So, that was his last tour in 2012 when he played against me. So, that is

CMYK

why I said like that,” he further added. Gambhir is regarded as one of the batting greats of Indian cricket. In his career, the left-handed batsman played 58 Tests in which he scored 4,154 runs at an average of 41.85. Gambhir also played 147 ODIs in which he scored 5,238 runs. Gambhir also played 37 T20Is in which he scored 932 runs.

Serena Williams made a winning return to competitive tennis on Tuesday as she rallied from a set down to beat Bernarda Pera 4-6, 64, 6-1 at the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday in her first match of the Covid-19 era. Williams was five points from falling to the American left-hander in the second set but suddenly showcased her fighting spirit and pulled away to set up a secondround showdown with older sister Venus, a 63, 6-2 winner over Victoria Azarenka. "It's good just in general because I haven't played. A lot of players have been playing - little things and little matches and playing against other players - but I've only been training so this was really good for me," said Serena, who is gearing up for the August 31-September 13 US Open. SPORTS DESK

Thursday, 13 August, 2020

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk