EpaperKHI_2020-10-7

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020 I 18 Safar, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 98 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Former FIA chIeF clAIms wAs ordered to FrAme terrorIsm chArges AgAInst mAryAm g

bashir memon says 'highest office' had ordered case against social media cell of Pml-n leader ISLAMABAD staff report

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ormer federal investigation agency (fia) chief bashir memon has claimed during his tenure, the “highest office” had ordered him to file a terrorism case against members of the social media cell of the opposition Pakistan muslim league-nawaz (Pml-n) maryam nawaz after a picture of first lady bushra maneka was found circulating on social media. memon, a career civil servant of the Pakistan Police service (PsP) cadre, resigned from service in november last year, days before he was supposed to retire, in protest against being posted out close to retirement. memon had resigned the same day the government, while booting him out of office, appointed incumbent fia director general Wajid Zia, also a PsP, in his pace. in an interview with journalist matiullah jan, the first part of which was uploaded on the latter’s youtube channel on monday, memon said: “there was a picture on social media, regarding which they [said] that a terrorism case should be filed.” “it was a picture of the first lady [uploaded] on social media. how is this terrorism? there is a definition of terrorism in law. it was a normal picture, how was that terrorism,” he questioned. it merits a mention here that the first lady clads a burqa and strictly adheres to face veiling. she also keeps out of the public eye and has rarely accompanied the prime minister on his domestic and international visits. during the interview, then jan asked memon to name the authority who gave him the order, he said that he was sum-

moned by the “highest office in Pakistan”.

When the host wondered if Prime minister imran khan had attended the meeting memon was summoned for, memon refused to take names. “i said the highest office,” he reiterated. “[they told me] to take action on this against [maryam nawaz’s] social media cell. i didn’t say that this couldn’t be done. i said, under which law? because we have to work according to the law.” he claimed that the government’s “expectations” which it had from the fia “are [now] being fulfilled”. in response to another question, memon declared that the government expected the fia to “do exactly what nab [national accountability bureau] has done [with the opposition leaders]”. “especially regarding his [nawaz sharif’s] son-in-law captain safdar […] just

coronAvIrus In

PAkIstAn

CONFIRMED CASES:

315,727

g

6

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

467

DEATHS:

300,616 6,523 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

138,593 100,033 KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

38,105

15,420

2,874/3,857 16,845

the islamabad high court (ihc) took up an appeal related to the appointment of a state counsel for indian spy kulbhushan jadhav, but attorney-general of Pakistan (agP) khalid javed on tuesday informed the islamabad high court (ihc) that the indian reply had indicated that it was not serious about the implementation of international court of justice (icj)’s decision pertaining to its spy. attorney general of Pakistan khalid jawed khan and senior lawyer hamid khan appeared in the hearing as amici curiae, whereas makhdoom ali khan and abid hassan manto recused themselves from assisting the court in the case. a larger bench of ihc sought assistance from the agP and amicus curiae in a case pertaining to the appointment of a lawyer for indian spy, keeping in view past identical decisions of the icj. the larger bench, presided by chief justice athar minallah and comprising justice aamer farooq and justice miangul hassan aurangzeb, conducted the hearing on a petition moved by the ministry of law and justice, seeking the appointment of a lawyer for india spy to implement the decision of icj. at the outset of the hearing, the attorney general informed the court that the government had conveyed the court orders to india on september 4, giving it another opportunity to appoint a counsel for yadhev to contest his review petition but it answered Pakistan with objections on september 7. “india, in its reply to Pakistan on september 7, raised four objections in the case,” the attorney general told the court. “india’s all four objections are baseless,” he added.

Punjab crosses grim mark of 100,000 infections: 12 marriage halls, 193 restaurants, 4 schools, 23 shoPs sealed in karachi ISLAMABAD

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

ISLAMABAD staff report

Covid-19 recoveries cross 300,000 mark in Pakistan

staff report

LAST UPDATED AT 7:18 AM ON OCTOBER 6, 2020

what nab is doing with him,” he said. memon also said that the authorities wanted fia to pursue corruption cases against Pml-n President shehbaz sharif, his sons and his entire family including his relatives. the members of the sharif family are being investigated in several cases of graft and abuse of authority. the anti-graft agency arrested shahbaz last week after the lahore high court rejected his bail petition in a money laundering case which also involves his family members. the agency accuses him of having laundered billions of rupees of black money during his tenure as the chief executive of Punjab.

When asked why he refused to pursue those cases, memon said: “there were two reasons. one, i didn’t have the inquiries. second, this was the mandate of the provincial anti-corruption [unit].” the former fia chief recalled that he was sent to lahore where a meeting was convened by Punjab chief secretary akbar durrani and attended by all secretaries as well. memon added that he was provided with the record of the case he had been asked to take up. “end of the day, i told them that all of this is the mandate of provincial anti-corruption [unit]. they can do this, we cannot. because fia is a law enforcement agency. a law enforcement agency will [handle issues related to] law. We will remain within our mandate. We can’t go and jump around, in my opinion,” memon said. memon said that the cases that were first referred to fia were later transferred to the nab. he said that the reason behind referring the cases to fia first may have been that “they (authorities) feel that we are more competent”.

India only doing politics on Jadhav case, AGP tells IHC

the number of patients recovered from coronavirus in the country has now crossed 300,000 mark, reaching 300,616 with more than 95 per cent recovery ratio of the affected patients, said the national command and operation centre (ncoc) on monday. according to the latest statistics shared by ncoc, 467 new cases of coronavirus surfaced in the country after tests of 28,280 people were conducted over the last twenty-four hours, lifting the national tally of infections to 315,727. there are now 8,588 active cases in the country. the pandemic claimed the lives of six more people during the last twentyfour hours. so far, 6,523 covid19 related fatalities have been reported across the country. since the pandemic outbreak began, 315,727 infec-

tions have been detected in the country, including 138,593 in sindh, 100,033 in Punjab, 38,105 in khyber Pakhtunkhwa (kP), 15,420 in balochistan, 16,845 in islamabad, 2,874 in azad jammu and kashmir (ajk) and 3,857 in gilgitbaltistan (gb). a total of 3,702,607 coronavirus tests have been conducted so far. meanwhile, Punjab crossed the grim mark of 100,000 covid-19 infections with 92 new cases in the province during the last 24 hours. overall cases of coronavirus in the province have reached 100,033, provincial health department spokesperson said in a statement. most of the new infections, 39 were reported in lahore, while nine cases surfaced in rawalpindi and two in attock, the spokesperson said. three coronavirus patients, who were under treatment in hospitals, died in the province, increasing fatalities by the virus to 2,243

spokesperson of the Primary and secondary healthcare department said. meanwhile, local administration in karachi continued its crackdown against marriage halls, restaurants, and schools violating covid-19 standard operating procedures (soPs) amid rising virus cases. according to details, the district administrations in karachi imposed heavy fines and sealed marriage halls, restaurants and schools violating the covid-19 soPs, besides issuing a warning to some of them. the authorities sealed 12 marriage halls, fined five others and issued a final warning to 47 marriage halls in the city. around 193 restaurants were sealed over severe violations against precautionary measures, besides imposing a fine of rs300,000 against 38. four schools and 23 shops were also sealed during the drive of the district administrations in the city.

he said that the neighbouring country was not concerned about the future of its former navy officer, adding that the indian government could approach this court to get relevant documents if it was serious in the implementation of icj orders. the india reply, the agP said, had shown that it did not want to be part of court proceedings in Pakistan about its spy and engage in only giving controversial statements to politicise the matter. “they asked for a convener council practicing in london to represent jadhav,” said the attorney general. “it seems as if india is not interested in jadhav’s future, it is only pursuing the matter for political reasons.” the government had also informed yadhev regarding the promulgation of an ordinance under Vienna convention to appoint a lawyer for him but he had refused to contest the case, khalid javed told the court. he said that india had been using these tactics as it just wanted to give a false impression to the world vis-a-vis that Pakistan was not willing to implement icj decision.

CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE

more inside

Nawaz, Maryam booked on complaint of private citizen, not state: police STORY ON PAGE 03

india's belligerence threatens regional peace: fm STORY ON PAGE 03

Pressure builds for ceasefire as Karabakh fighting rages STORY ON BACK PAGE

black hole discoveries win 2020 nobel Prize for Physics STORY ON BACK PAGE

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Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

NEWS

Code of CoNduCt foR INteR-SeCt hARMoNy ISSued By CII

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NEWS DESK

T Paigham-e-Pakistan conference held on Tuesday, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) issued a 20point code of conduct to promote harmony between sects in the country. This code emphasised to the government the need for protection of non-Muslims, promotion of inter-sect harmony as well as censorship of any hate speech regarding any sect in Pakistan on TV, print and electronic media.

Here are the points of the Paigham-ePakistan code of conduct: 1. It is obligatory on every citizen of the country to recognise and accept the Constitution and fulfil their oath of loyalty towards the state.

2. All citizens in the country should ensure implementation of all basic rights of the people enshrined in the Constitution that pertain to social and political lives, freedom of expression, right to worship and religious

beliefs, etc.

3. The protection of the Islamic identity of the Constitution should be guaranteed. It is the right of every citizen to strive peacefully for the implementation of Shariah laws in the country.

4. Injustice, armed struggle against the state, torture and spreading chaos in the name of religion will be considered an act of rebellion. It is against the spirit of Islam and no individual has the right to declare any person, government or state institution an infidel or ‘kafir’.

5. It is necessary for ulemas, scholars and citizens to support state institutions, especially those tasked with enforcing law and order so that terrorism can be rooted out from society.

6. Every individual should abstain from joining any anti-state movement that focuses on ethnic, religious and sectarian issues.

7. No person should impose inter-sect hatred, armed inter-sect conflict and his ideals upon another person as this is against

PPP becomes party in case against Cynthia's repatriation ISLAMABAD APP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday accepted the petition of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to become a party in a case moved by American blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie against her possible repatriation on expiry of her visa.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted the hearing and subsequently accepted the petition.

The court served the notice to the PPP leader Chaudhary Iftikhar and ordered to submit the comments till the next date of hearing. The petitioner had adopted the stance that the American citizen could not stay in Pakistan after the expiry of her visa in accordance with national and international laws. He alleged that the American citizen had hide facts in her petition and prayed the court to allow him to become a party in the case.

The court accepted the petition and adjourned the hearing of the case.

Islamabad mayor calls it a day ISLAMABAD TLTP

Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz on Tuesday resigned from his post, months after he was restored by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after being suspended over corruption allegations. Aziz, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), resigned from his post four months ahead of the completion of his tenure. Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) spokesman has confirmed that it has received the resignation from the mayor, however, he expressed his unawareness regarding the reasons behind the move. The IHC on May 21 restored Sheikh Anser Aziz as Islamabad mayor and suspended the notification of his suspension issued by the federal government. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani issued orders while hearing a petition filed by Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz. Aziz challenged his suspension in the Islamabad High court (IHC). Mayor pleaded before the court to suspend the interior ministry order and restore him to the position of mayor. A week before the federal government suspended Islamabad’s first elected mayor Aziz, for a period of 90 days over corruption allegations. Aziz was facing allegations of corruption in an intercity bus terminal project. The Local Government Commission (LGC) had recommended suspending Aziz on account of misuse of powers.

the Shariah.

8. Private, government and religious educational institutions should neither train nor provide knowledge relating to militancy, hatred and extremism to students. Strict action, based on solid evidence and proof, will be taken against such institutions or elements found involved in these practices.

9. Strict action will be taken against any elements found promoting extremism, sectarian hatred and torture, regardless of which organisation or belief they belong to.

10. All sects belonging to Islam have the right to propagate their message but no one will be allowed to utter any sentence which promotes hate against any person, institution or organisation.

11. No one will be allowed to insult the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), the Righteous Caliphs, the Ahl-e-Bayt (Peace Be Upon Them), the Companions of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Mothers of the Faithful. No person or group will be allowed to take the law into their

hands nor obstruct the investigation or prosecution of cases pertaining to blasphemy cases.

12. It is the prerogative of the courts to decide who is guilty of an act of kufr. The definition of a Muslim, as mentioned in the Constitution, will remain the same.

13. No person will commit acts of terrorism and neither provide training to terrorists.

He will neither be involved in any terrorist activities nor include militants into his organisation.

14. Religious, public and private educational institutions will accommodate the differences of opinion of various Islamic schools of thought in their syllabi as religious institutions are the best places where ideological differences can be studied and investigated.

15. All Muslim citizens and government officials will carry out their duties based on the laws of Islam and the Constitution.

16. Islamic knowledge regarding the rights of the elderly, women, children and

Gen Bajwa inaugurates software tech park: ISPR

Police arrest alleged killer of Ahmadi professor NEWS DESK Dr Naeemuddin Khattak was recently killed in what appears to be a religiously-motivated crime, and the Peshawar police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested a man who allegedly shot the Ahmadi professor.

Dr Naeemuddin was a zoology professor at Superior Science College Peshawar. According to his brother, the two had been travelling home on separate vehicles when two thugs on a motorcycle opened fire on the professor’s car in the Wazir Bagh area. He received five shots and died on the spot.

Mubasir, the arrested suspect, is a “close relative” of the late professor, said police officials.

Two suspects were directly named in the First Information Report (FIR) by Khattak’s family. Previously, Saad Farooq, a colleague of Khattak, had been the prime suspect in the murder, as he had reportedly had a heated argument with the slain professor over a religious issue a day before the murder.

Police official Moharrar Ashoor Khan told a local

news outlet that a police team raided a house in Lala Rukh Colony in Syed Hassan Pir area and arrested Mubasir.

Farooq, a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, is the other suspect and remains at large.

Mubasir was still being questioned, said another police official. He will be presented before a judicial magistrate on Wednesday for obtaining his physical remand.

Khan added that the initial investigation indicates the professor was slain over his religious beliefs.

The body was given to the family after the postmortem and laid to rest.

This was the third murder of a member of the Ahmadi community in Peshawar since July 29, when Tahir Naseem, an American national, was shot dead by a teenager in a court. On August 12, Meraj Ahmed, an Ahmadi trader, was shot dead by attackers in the Gulbahar area.

On September 10, a mob besieged the residence of an Ahmadi in the Phandu area of the city and the family was rescued by police. However, one of the family members was arrested and charged with blasphemy.

Disgruntled PML-N MPA meets Buzdar LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) disgruntled MPA Chaudhry Ashraf Ali Ansari called on Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Tuesday.

This was his second meeting with the CM. He was recently expelled from the party for meeting Buzdar without permission last month. During the meeting, the issues facing the people of Gujranwala and other matters of mutual interest came under discussion.

PML-N leader Chaudhry Muhammad Younis Ansari was also in attendance at the meeting.

The meeting condemned elements peddling a nefar-

the differently-abled will be provided at every level.

17. It is the right of the non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan to practice their religious activities according to their beliefs.

18. Islam protects the rights of women.

No person is allowed to snatch the rights of employment, vote and education from women. People should abstain from committing acts such as marrying women to the Holy Quran, honour killings, karo kari, Vani and other similar practices as these are against the teachings of Islam.

19. No person will use the mosque, mimbar, Imambargahs or majalis to make speeches or issue controversial statements that promote inter-sect harted. Controversial statements on sectarian issues should be avoided on print, electronic and social media.

20. Freedom of expression operates within the Constitution and the laws of Islam, hence no program should be aired on media that promote sectarian hatred or damages Pakistan’s Islamic identity.

ious campaign against state institutions.

CM Buzdar said that those speaking against institutions are not sincere with the nation and public. He added that the people trying to make institutions controversial are following the agenda of the country’s enemies.

“Pakistani nation strongly condemns such elements,” the chief minister said, adding: “220 million people outright reject such provocative narrative.” He further said that there is no room for such a narrative in Pakistan.

He said the ruling PTI respects state institutions.

“Making institutions controversial for personal interests is uncalled for,” he maintained.

GILGIT: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa inaugurated a stateof-the-art software technology park on Tuesday, said a statement by the ISPR. “#COAS visited Skardu and Gilgit today. On arrival at Skardu, COAS was briefed on latest situation and operational preparations of FCNA troops deployed along #LOC. Interacting with officers and men, COAS appreciated their high morale, operational readiness,” read a statement from the ISPR.“COAS emphasised to ensure highest levels of readiness for effectively responding to emerging threats.

COAS also visited Gilgit and inaugurated state of the art Software Technology Park, an initiative of Special Communication Organisation (SCO). The facility will help create environment for research and innovation in the fields of #IT and defence communication by honing and harnessing the skills of our brilliant youth,” it added. STAFF REPORT

Interim bails of PML-N leaders extended in NAB office clash case LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Tuesday extended till October 12 the interim bails of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leaders Rana Sanaullah Khan and Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar in a case related to a violent clash between authorities and party’s supporters outside the National Accountability Bureau office last month. Many people, including some officials, were injured on August 12 when heavy police contingents and workers of the opposition party confronted each other during the appearance of PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz there in a graft investigation.

At the outset of the hearing, the investigation officer from Chuhang police station presented the report in the case. STAFF REPORT

Dr Yasmin served as true team leader during pandemic: Punjab governor LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid granted approval for the budget as well as other key agenda items at the 11th Senate Meeting of the King the Edward Medical University on Monday.

Present on the occasion were Vice-Chancellor Professor Khalid Masood Gondal, Mayo Hospital CEO, Professor Asad Aslam Khan, deans, medical superintendents, and representative of finance, health education, and other departments.

The governor, who is also Chancellor of the KEMU, and Punjab health minister granted approved the budget for the fiscal year 2019-2020 and the proposed budget for the year 2020-21. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Masood Gondal shared with the chancellor and the minister the history of the institution, its central role in the coronavirus pandemic, and the measures to increase the performance of the university. Registrar Dr Riyasat presented the agenda items of the Senate meeting. The governor and health minister appreciated the services of Dr Khalid Masood Gondal for introducing telemedicine and other initiatives at the KEMU. Approval was granted for the rules of the Employees Benevolent Fund. Governor Sarwar

said, “During the coronavirus pandemic, KEMU played a pivotal role in all areas of research and treatment.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

NEWS

nawaz, maryam Booked on complaint oF private citizen, not state: police LAHORE

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STAFF REPORT

ouRS after it booked deposed prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and scores of party leaders for “conspiring” against the country and its institutions, Lahore police late Monday night clarified the case was registered on the complaint of a “private citizen” and not the state or the security agencies.

A first information report (FIR) was filed against several key members of the opposition PML-N including Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Farooq Haider Khan on the complaint of a citizen, Badar Rasheed, under Section 10 (cyberterrorism) of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2016) and sections 120-A (definition of criminal conspiracy), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121A (conspiracy to wage war against Pakistan), 123-A (condemning the creation of the country and advocating the abolishment of its sovereignty), 124-A (sedition) and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

It alleged that in the speeches made on September 20 and october 1 to a gathering of the opposition parties and his party’s working committee respectively, the former premier supported the

policies of neighbouring India, so that Pakistan would continue to remain on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list.

The complaint observed Sharif’s consecutive addresses come less than three weeks before a virtual meeting of the global terror financing watchdog will decide if Pakistan should be excluded from its grey list. The meeting will be held from october 21 to october 23.

The FIR also named party leaders Rana Sanaullah Khan, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pervez Rashid, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and et al that participated in recent meetings of the central executive committee and central working committee of the party, implying that they endorsed the accusations levelled in those speeches.

In a statement shared with reporters and attributed to “a spokesperson of Lahore capital city police”, the department said, “different speculations were being made in the media but in reality, this case was registered on the request of a citizen, Badar Rasheed”.

It said Shahdara police acted according to the rules and registered a case under the applicable sections of the law based on the request.

“This case is being investigated on merit keeping in view all legal aspects,” it said, adding that action will only be taken against the person or persons proved to have committed a crime.

“Dispensation of justice will be ensured at any cost in the case,” the statement said.

However, controversy has arisen regarding the matter when it came to light that the petitioner has a criminal recording, including an attempted murder charge.

The police confirmed that Basheer has cases of attempted murder, illegal weapons and interference in government matters lodged against him and that he has been arrested previously.

Furthermore, Basheer’s recent sedition case was registered in the Shahdra Police Station, which is the same police station where his attempted murder case has been registered.

It has also come to light that Basheer contended for a union Council chairman post on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket. Basheer’s alleged ties with the PTI were highlighted further as pictures of him and Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar emerged on Tuesday.

In reply, the PML-N accused Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar of having a hand in the criminal conspiracy case filed against party supremo Nawaz Sharif, and lawmaker in Punjab, Azma Bukhari alleged that the case against Nawaz had been registered at the behest of Sarwar.

“PTI members were already wanton in intelligence, but it seems they have no clue of the requirements of the law,” she

India's belligerence threatens regional peace: FM ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that India’s belligerence poses a serious threat to peace and security in the region.

Addressing the virtual meeting of Conservative Friends of Pakistan, the foreign minister said that he has written a number of letters to the uN secretary-general and the president of the Security Council on the Indian posture. Referring to Indian blatant human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), Qureshi said that on the August 5 last year, New Delhi illegally and unilaterally attempted to alter the disputed status of the territory in clear violations of international laws.

He said that India has deployed additional troops in the area which is already the most militarized zone in the world. Kashmir leaders are incarcerated whilst extrajudicial killings of innocent young Kashmiri are tactics used to break the will of the people fighting for their right to self-determination, he added. He further said that facts are well documented in reports of human rights organisations.

The foreign minister said that India should be pressurised to stop human rights violations in the occupied territory and move towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the uN Security Council resolutions.

He said that the commencement of intra-afghan dialogue is a significant and positive development for regional peace. He also said that Pakistan has facilitated the uS-Taliban peace agreement signed in Doha early this year. on the domestic front, Qureshi said that the things have started improving due to the structural reforms initiated by the present government regardless of the challenge posed by Covid-19. He said, “We have recorded current account plus for the first time in many years whilst other economic indicators are also showing improvement. our domestic tax collection has increased by thirty percent. The remittances for the first time crossed $20 billion. The confidence of investors is improving as a result of our policies.”

Regarding bilateral relations with the uK, the foreign minister said both the countries are in agreement to further build on the excellent relationship. He said, “We need to look at new areas of cooperation.”

Shehbaz gave, received lavish gifts worth millions, reveals NAB ISLAMABAD INP

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), investigating PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his family over alleged money laundering and assets beyond means, on Tuesday revealed that he gave and received lavish gifts worth hundreds of millions of rupees.

According to the corruption watchdog’s documents report, he gave away presents worth over Rs242 million to his wife and children and received more than Rs42.6 million worth of gifts from his sons.

Shehbaz, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, gifted a piece of land measuring 749 Kanal to his wife, Nusrat Shehbaz. He received 867 Kanal and 18 marla land from his mother and 748 Kanal and 19 marla land from his father as gifts.

He gave a sum of Rs171.2 million to his son Suleman Shehbaz in the tax year 2011-12, and Rs10.7 million to Hamza in 2013. He gave a present of Rs24 million worth of plot in DHA to his wife Tehmina Durrani in 2015 in addition to buying her Rs16.3 million worth of a cottage and a villa in Haripur in the same year.

Court orders to declare Suleman Shahbaz absconder LAHORE STAFF REPORT

An accountability court in Lahore on Tuesday ordered to initiate proceedings to declare Suleman Shahbaz an absconder in the money laundering case against him.

The court issued a four-page verdict in the case against written by accountability judge Jawadul Hassan.

The verdict also directed that PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif, who is currently in NAB custody, be served food with dignity. It recalled that the inmate was the National Assembly opposition leader and must be accorded due respect.

“No authority is allowed to damage the self-es-

teem of any prisoner,” the verdict stated.

With regard to Suleman, the court noted that according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has failed to obtain a non-bailable arrest warrant.

It added that Suleman is deliberately not receiving the court’s orders while abroad.

The court further observed that Shahbaz has assured the court of the presence of Nusrat Shehbaz and Rabia Imran — his wife and daughter — in court soon for the trial.

Proceedings against Nusrat and Rabia to declare them absconders have therefore been halted for the time being at Shahbaz’s request.

The court ordered the accused that are absent to join trial soon.

remarked.

Azma Bukhari also alleged that specific clauses in the FIR were registered on the orders of PM Imran Khan, and hat Fawad Chaudhry was shedding “crocodile tears” to claim that the prime minister had no knowledge about the FIR. “Imran sahab, if you do not know about the orders and powers of the executive, then why are you in the Prime Minister’s House?” asked Bukhari.

Sarwar, responding to his alleged association with the complainant, said it was highly regrettable, and that he had “never declared anyone a traitor”.

The Punjab governor said that the man in question, Badar Rasheed, “also has photos with members of the PML-N and the establishment”.

“Both good and bad people come to visit me,” he said, in his defense.

He said that the PTI categorically denies any involvement in the matter, and PTI Punjab president Ijaz Chaudhry also distanced the party from the matter.

He added that PTI did not have any youth wing.

‘FIR AIMED AT SUPPRESSING OPP’: PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, in a statement condemning the registration of the case, said: “Registering treason cases against politicians cannot hide the ineptitude of the government. Instead of addressing unemployment, inflation and poverty, the government is using state machinery to suppress the opposition.”

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Bodies oF teenage girl, Boy recovered From well in tharparkar THARPARKAR: Bodies of a teenage girl and boy who allegedly committed suicide were recovered from a well here on Tuesday, police said. According to details, bodies of 13-year Padman and her first cousins Ramesh 14, were recovered from a well in tehsil Islamkot of Tharparkar. The bodies were shifted to hospital. Police said that two committed suicide by jumping into well over unknown reasons.

However, the investigation will be conducted after the postmortem report. It is worth mentioning here that at least 99 people have committed suicide over various reasons in different areas of Tharparkar during the ongoing year. INP

Five killed as armed group clash in Bolan district BOLAN: At least five people were killed and two others received injuries when two rival groups opened fire at each other in Bolan district of Balochistan province on Tuesday. According to Dadh tehsildar, the deceased and the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital. There was no immediate word on the identification of those killed and injured in the armed clash. Soon after getting information, heavy contingents of security forces reached the scene and cordoned off the area to control the situation. Ambulances shifted the injured and the deceased to Civil Hospital. Earlier this year, at least eight tribesmen were killed and several others got injured when a deadly clash broke out between the two heavily armed tribes in Balochistan’s Chagai district. Levies officials had confirmed that the land dispute in Baracha, an area close to the PakAfghan border in Chagai district, resulted in the bloody clash, leaving eight people dead. TLTP

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Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

NEWS

ajk committed to managing population growth: masood MUZAFFARABAD

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STAFF REPORT

ZAD Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has said that it is the priority of the state government to maintain a balance between the population and resources in order to ensure economic development.

A high-level led by the UN Fund for Population Affairs (UNFPA) Country Representative Lina Mousa called on the AJK President at Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed in detail with him various issues including

population control as well as mother-child healthcare-related problems. AJK Health Minister Dr Najib Naqvi, Minister for Population Welfare Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi and Secretary Population Welfare Raja Mohammad Razzaq were also present during the meeting.

The AJK president assured the visiting UN delegation that the state population welfare department and the health department are fully prepared to work jointly with the UNFPA and other UN agencies.

He maintained that to ensure population welfare, family planning, reproductive health through training of lady health

workers and to reduce the mortality rate of newborn and their mothers are among the priorities of the state government, adding the cooperation and the technical support of the UNFPA in this regard would be highly appreciated.

He said, “At present, the population of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir increases at the ratio of 2.1 per cent, and if necessary measures are not adopted to control the population growth, we would be faced with a shortage of food, mass transfer of population, and other economic issues shortly.”

The UNFPA Country Representative

Lina Mousa said that it is obligatory for all partners, including the private sector and various government departments, to play their role in population planning and they also desire that the government with the cooperation of the private sector should draw up a comprehensive roadmap to provide family planning facilities in accordance with international standards.

She lauded the determination of the state government regarding reproductive health, gender equality, women’s rights and youth development, and assured full cooperation to the state government in this regard.

Youth brutallY tortured over 'parking issue' in karachi KARACHI: A young man has been brutally tortured by a group of armed men, including two police officials, over a parking issue in Kashmir Colony neighbourhood of Karachi’s Mehmoodabad area. A group of influential persons has brutally tortured a young man on a street of Kashmir Colony over refusing to move his parked motorcycle. The young man was identified as Usama, who sustained severe injuries on his body and face which could leave him blind in one eye. The ACCTV footage of the incident was also surfaced where a group of men on motorcycles immediately surrounded the young man and started torturing him in front of other residents. Two police officials were also included among the armed men who have subjected Usama to brutal torture. It emerged that the local police station rejected him to register a case against the influential persons. INP

gujranwala asi arrested after video of him beating up woman goes viral GUJRANWALA: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in Gujranwala was arrested after a video of him beating up a woman went viral on social media. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the video and sought a report from the Gujranwala regional police officer (RPO) in this regard. He ordered that departmental proceedings be initiated against the cop as per the law. Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) was registered against ASI Akbar Ali in Saddar police station and he was taken into custody. The video clip showed the ASI mercilessly slapping the woman. The chief minister stressed the need for respecting women saying the government cannot permit anybody to torture them. He issued directives for providing justice to the torture victim. INP

former lb secy seeks bail in illegal land lease case

ISLAMABAD: Government employees march towards the Parliament House to push their demand for an increase in salaries in line with increasing inflation. ONLINE

president lauds outgoing naval chief for modernising navy

Navy, Japanese maritime force hold joint drill in Gulf of Aden

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPROT

President Dr Arif Alvi has appreciated the services of outgoing Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi for the country. Admiral Abbasi paid a farewell call on President Dr Arif Alvi here on Tuesday. The President lauded Admiral Abbasi’s efforts for building Pakistan Navy on modern lines. He said that Pakistan Navy defended the country’s maritime boundaries well under the command of Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. He also wished the admiral well. It is pertinent to mention here that Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi will replace Admiral Abbasi as new naval chief on October 7. The outgoing naval chief was appointed to the top slot in October 2017.

Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Zulfiqar has participated in Passage Exercise with Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Ship Onami in the Gulf of Aden.

Both the ships are presently operating in the vital area of the Gulf of Aden as part of international efforts to counter piracy and ensure the security of international shipping.

The Passage Exercise encompassed various operational serials with aim to enhance interoperability and augment collaborative efforts to ensure maritime security in the region. PNS Zulfiquar is also undertaking Regional Maritime Security Patrol in Gulf of Aden.

The exercise is the testimony of Pakistan Navy’s resolve to provide a secure maritime environment in the global commons for international

asad invites eu to invest in pakistan ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has invited European Union (EU) investors to invest in Pakistan to contribute to economic development of the country. Talking to EU Ambassador in Pakistan Androulla Kaminara on Tuesday, the speaker of the National Assembly said that Pakistan has vast potential for investment in various sectors. The speaker said that the present government has introduced investment-friendly policies for the development of economic and industrial sectors. He said that the projects being executed under CPEC have accelerated economic activity in the country. Qaiser said that peaceful Afghanistan is imperative for peace and progress in the region, including Pakistan. The EU ambassador said that steps are being taken to enhance trade with Pakistan. She said that the EU mission will continue playing its role for improving parliamentary cooperation.

She said that the European Union will also continue to extend its cooperation for socio-economic development in Pakistan, including infrastructural development.

shipping and contribute towards international efforts to counter illicit activities at sea.

The exercise will further con-

tribute in improving the bilateral ties between the Pakistan Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force.

KARACHI: A bench of Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday referred the bail petition of former local government secretary Roshan Ali Shaikh to the chief justice for a decision. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Shaikh along with two former officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in August after the high court dismissed their pre-arrest bail applications in a reference of illegal allotment of 265 acres of state-owned land. The reference, approved for further investigation in 2018, accused the suspects of being involved in the illegal sale of the land situated at Deh Ghangiaro in Malir, Karachi. Shaikh had since been on interim bail before his arrest in August. According to an earlier observation of the high court, as per the record, the land in question was allotted to the KMC in 1960 for utilisation/shifting of woolwashing tanneries from Lyari and on payment of malkhana, but it was not properly leased nor malkhana was paid and the land was resumed by the government of Sindh in 1993 and, thereafter, the KMC was not entitled to lease it out. “The act of petitioners seeking pre-arrest bail by taking efforts for de-facto approval of the land was a misuse of their authority and was based on mala fides resulted in a huge loss to the national exchequer,” it had added. A single-member bench comprising Justice Iqbal Kalhoro forwarded the plea to Chief Justice Ahmed Ali before adjourning the hearing till October 13. STAFF REPORT

Pak–China friendship time-tested: NHA chief ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Capt (r) Sikander Qayyum has said that Pak–China friendship is time-tested and Beijing has always extended all possible help to Islamabad to cope with challenges.

He stated this during a meeting with a six-member delegation of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) that visited NHA headquarters here on Tuesday.

A simple but graceful ceremony was held at the NHA auditorium in which the CSCEC Chief Represen-

tative Xiao Hua handed over Covid-19 protective equipment to the chairman NHA, which included 3002 surgical masks, 1000 goggles, 2016 sanitizers and 1000 protective clothes/coveralls. Senior officers of NHA were also present on this occasion.

Sikander Qayyum thanked the visiting delegation for providing urgently needed safety supplies. He added that longstanding ties between the two countries are based on a solid foundation and with the passage of time this friendship will certainly strengthen as China has extended significant relief assistance to Pakistan to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said, in this time of trial, China’s timely help is

encouraging for Pakistan to cope with the coronavirus.

China is also supporting Pakistan to build motorways in the country. He assured that this safety gear provided by China will be used in the best possible way.

On this occasion, Xiao Hua said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperation partners. To control coronavirus in Pakistan, China will extend its help and that providing protective gear to Pakistan is an effort to this effect.

Other Members of CSCEC included Executive Project Manager PKM Ding Zhaojie, Marketing Manager Chang Chun, Senior Assistant Ji Changhe, Ni Peng and Wang Wei.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

TCP To IMPorT 151,700 TonnEs oF sugAr ISLAMABAD

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PunjAB CM orderS indiSCriMinAte CrACkdown on hoArderS And ProfiteerS

SHAHAB OMER

HE Provincial Cabinet on Tuesday allowed the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and the Punjab Food Department to import 151,700 tonnes of sugar.

The meeting was held in the Chief Minister’s Office under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar wherein provincial ministers, special assistants, advisors, chief secretary and concerned officials were present.

A representative from the Ministry of Industries and Production informed the meeting that private dealers’ stocks of 0.445 million tonnes are available till November 4 whereas the Sindh cane commissioner reported that a total stock 0.565 million tonnes of sugar will be available till November 9.

Similarly, the Punjab government’s representative informed the meeting that the crushing of sugarcane will begin in the first week of November, adding that

the provincial government has imposed a heavy fine through legislation in order to expedite the process to meet deadlines.

Sugarcane crushing in Sindh will start by mid-November.

The Cabinet decided to amend the Sugar Factories Control Act, 1950 and approved it whereas the amendment will give the Punjab government the power to fix zone wise dates for starting the crushing season.

A ministerial committee which will present its final recommendations in three days was also set up to fix the price of sugarcane at the meeting.

The meeting decided to repeal Section 4 of the Punjab Privatisation Board Act 2010 for which the commissioner will supervise the auction process of government lands and on the other hand, approve amendments to the policy for assigning proprietary rights to the tempo-

Major embezzlement scam emerges in withholding tax regime ISLAMABAD: A scam worth billions has emerged in withholding tax regime as huge purchases of goods and services have been carried from ostensibly fictitious persons in a number of cases. The director-general (DG) Internal Audit wrote a letter to the member of IR operations with regard to scams in withholding tax regime, extrapolating on its details. The modus operandi (MO) seems to be that many taxpayers – in order to show reduced profits, pay less tax or claim illegal refunds – falsify purchase orders and invoices.

The letter states that It is similar to the method of fake flying invoices in case of sales tax, but the volume is much larger. Furthermore, the letter states that the withholding agents have made dubious purchases of goods and services worth Rs4,193.687 billion in the last five years, on which withholding tax of Rs1,258 billion has been evaded. The letter Insists that scrutiny of the data reveals many discrepancies which substantiate the view that these are fake persons and acquisitions being used to show huge purchases of goods and services and thereby reduce the withholding agents' profit and tax liability. In this situation, DG internal audit suggested that data may be shared with real-time operating systems (RTOs) and they be directed to conduct verification of the existence of the withholders, and to enforce their Income tax returns along with payment of minimum tax and sales tax, wherever applicable. The DG internal audit also suggested that RTOs should confirm whether the tax shown as deducted/withheld from these withholders has been deposited in the treasury. If not, legal action under relevant provisions should be taken against them to recover the amount. The IT Wing to put in checks in the system to prevent such frauds and malpractices, the DG also suggested. SHAHZAD PARACHA

rary farming lease scheme for which farmers will be able to submit applications till December 31.

The meeting approved in principle relaxation of policies for allocation of government land for Naya Pakistan Housing Program while Punjab Housing, as well as the Town Planning Agency Affordable Housing Scheme, Rules 2020.

The semi-annual monitoring report on the implementation of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for January to June and July to December of 2018 and January to June of 2019 was also approved during the meeting.

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) also approved the audit reports of the Government of Punjab for the accounts for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Furthermore, the Punjab CM ordered an indiscriminate crackdown against

hoarders and profiteers. “The Provincial Price Control Committee (PPCC) and the administrative officers should take indiscriminate action against those who sell essential commodities above the stipulated prices. Ensure availability of essential commodities to the people of the province at notified rates.”

The meeting was also informed that CPI inflation YoY was recorded at 9.0pc in September against 11.4pc during the same month last year.

It was also noted that average inflation during July-September FY 2020-21 also showed a declining trend and recorded at 8.8pc as compared to 10.1pc in the same period last year.

It was, however, also noted that the profit margin between wholesale and retail has risen which are affecting the common man.

It was observed that an upward trend was witnessed in prices of perishable commodities during Sept-October 2020.

The reason cited for the upward pricing trend was unprecedented rainfall which adversely affected the local produce.

Brokerage firms mixed as Agha Steel book building underway KARACHI ARIBA SHAHID

Agha Steels is in the process of getting listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and is currently undergoing the book-building process, scheduled to end on Wednesday.

For the book building process, institutional investors and high net worth individuals are currently bidding for 90 million shares of Agha Steel.

The floor price is Rs30 and the book-building process will determine the strike price at which Agha Steel will go public on October 14 and 15 with 30 million shares.

Considering the book-building process, brokerage firms across the country have given their financial advice regarding investing in the Initial Public Offer (IPO). Profit has surveyed 10 brokerage firms to gauge the market sentiment regarding the Agha Steels IPO. Out of the ten surveyed brokerage firms, seven brokerage firms issued a subscribe option. These include Abbasi and Company, Al Habib Capital Markets, Darson Securities, Foundation Securities, KASB Securities, Pearl Securities, and Rafi Securities. AKD securities, however, remains skeptical of Agha Steels and suggested investors to subscribe but with caution. JS Research does not recommend subscription, whereas, Taurus has not

given an opinion regarding the IPO. As per analysts, the general consensus remains that the steel industry has strong potential keeping in mind the stimulus provided to the construction industry.

Usman Arif from Foundation Securities, in a report titled 'Agha Steel Industries Ltd - At the cusp of a new phase! Subscribe' writes, "Resumption of construction activities given government incentive package amid fiscal and monetary stimulus would help the company sales to grow by 43pc/11pc/10pc YoY in FY21/22/23, in our view. The same has been reflected in highest ever monthly sales of cement during the month of Sep' 20, as per APCMA." Moreover, Arif commented on Agha Steel's strong "financial muscles" that enable it to offer products on credit which helps the company charge a premium in comparison to its competitors.

Umer Farooq from AKD research in a report titled 'AGHA steel IPO - All that glitters is not gold' stated, "The key competitive advantage of the company is its ability to generate superior margins against its peers (last 3yr average GM: ~23pc vs. ~10-12pc for its peers)."

However, while the margins being higher may be taken as a strong case for investing in Agha Steels, Farooq further explained why this may not be taken at face value.

"While a company with the ability to generate superior margins generally commands premium valuations, we remain skeptical in AGHA's case both in terms of sustainability (higher fix cost due to low utilization would hurt margins going forward) and the means to achieve it (i.e. use of low grade scrap)."

As Al Habib Capital Markets suggested investors to subscribe and saw a target price of Rs57.03 by June 2022, the report highlights that the margins act as a risk to the numerical thesis of the company. In addition, the report highlights that Agha Steels has understated the cost of operating an electric furnace in their opinion.

Furthermore, the report also highlights new competition posed by Naveena Steel which is penetrating the market by competitive prices.

Despite that, Abbasi Securities feel that the usage of an electric arc furnace will be a basis of saving. The report reads, “... savings of 20pc-25pc of the total electricity cost, less laborintensive, and higher efficiency in terms of yield recovery are some of the competitive advantages the company has by having an electric arc furnace instead of an induction furnace."

While it cannot be said with certainty that Agha Steels will be the right bet, what can be said with certainty is that brokerage firms are usually excited when it comes to IPO considering how they are rare.

NEWS

05

Former FIA chief claims was ordered to frame terrorism charges against Maryam COntInuED On pAgE 01 “However, I always said that this is what the law says and this is what it doesn’t. We have to work according to the law,” he told Jan. He further said that after NAB picked up the cases which were initially being probed

by FIA, he was “relieved of that pressure”. “Regarding NAB cases, whenever I hear the remarks and the verdicts that are given […] I say that God wanted to protect my dignity. In this age, all you care about is your respect,” he said. He also talked about a “peculiar case” against PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, in which it was alleged that the latter was working for a company in Dubai while he was defence and foreign minister.

The former FIA official said that it was suggested that a treason case against Asif should be lodged over the allegation. “I’m not saying that [this is not possible].

But we need evidence for that,” he said and added that there was no available evidence when he was told to file the case. When asked who told him that such a case should be filed, he said it was said during a cabinet meeting and was included in the minutes.

“Cabinet had asked to carry out an inquiry. We did that but could not find evidence,” he explained. He also mentioned a meeting, which was also attended by the prime minister, in which officials of government regretted that Karachi Electric was “ruined”. Memon said that FIA had proven that K-Electric had to return Rs87 billion to Sui Southern Gas Limited and that the money should be recovered. “In his (prime minister’s) opinion, FIA did wrong by conducting this investigation [against KE]. That this investigation should not have been conducted,” Memon claimed.

No official from the government has yet commented on Memon’s claims.

Export of services falls 16.8pc YoY in August ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

The export of services from Pakistan dropped 16.79pc year-on-year to $352.92 million in August 2020, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed on Tuesday. In July 2020, the export of services had also posted a decline of five per cent. On a cumulative basis, services' exports in July and August fell by 14.26pc to $758.05 million, as against $884.14 million in the corresponding months of last year. Services' exports had dipped 8.66pc YoY to $5.449 billion in FY20 as compared to $5.966 billion in FY19. The recent decline in services' exports could be attributed to the lockdowns imposed by the government to contain the pandemic across the country. On the other hand, services imports into the country dipped by 51.39pc to $454.99 million in August 2020, when compared with $936.03 million in the corresponding month of last year. Cumulatively, the import bill of services declined by 32.81pc to $1.220bn in July-August FY21, as against $1.815 billion in the corresponding months of FY20. Services' imports had fallen to $8.284 billion in FY20, as compared to $10.936 billion in the same months last year, reflecting a decline of 24.25pc.

Swift progress on CPEC

BY SYED MOHAMMAD WAJIH ZAFAR ChIneSe InveStMent In AgrICuLture The more we talk about Cpec, the more it becomes evident that the flagship program of Belt Road Initiative (BRI) is an absolute game changer for the region. Pakistan is an an agro-based economy. 48% of Pakistan’s labour force (more so in rural Pakistan) is engaged directly or indirectly in agriculture.

Agriculture is also the backbone of Pakistan’s industrial sector as it provides lots of raw material to Pakistan’s manufacturing industry. Hence agriculture is vital for Pakistan’s survival and growth and now under Cpec, the influx of Chinese technology and expertise will add great value to our existing agricultural setup.

There is work going on in the energy and infrastructure sectors but alongside them is a vast socio-economic positive spill over in the agriculture sector too. This will enable Pakistan to fully exploit the fruits of this multi-billion dollar flagship program of BRI. China’s assistance in agriculture as a larger part of the ongoing Cpec activities is vital for Pakistan. To fully engage the Chinese with assistance in agriculture, Pakistan has devised an action plan (also suggested and encouraged by China) for its agricultural sector. This plan if implemented effectively will have limitless positive externalities for Pakistan in terms of socio-economic benefits for not just agriculture but various industries.

The first and foremost priority of the action plan was/is to rid the country of locusts more commonly known locally as “tiddi” as it destroys produce in most parts of Punjab and Sindh. Pakistan’s Chinese counterparts have stressed that it is futile to invest in agriculture when this issue is on the rise as it greatly effects both the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. The fertile lands of Punjab and Sindh are never fully utilized due to swarms over swarms of locusts year after year. As a result, the government of Pakistan took initiative and formed NLCC (National Locust Control Centre). Experts in this Islamabad based facility, devise ways to bring the locust issue under control and so far they’ve been successful at driving the swarms out of Sindh and Punjab towards the relatively barren West of the country where

not much is affected.

The exchange of specialists ie Phd’s and researchers between Pakistan and China for a thorough exchange of knowledge and industry techniques is also a vital part of the agricultural plan. The goal is to achieve a synergy like effect where 1 plus 1 equals 11 once both the Chinese and Pakistanis will have greater technical knowledge after brainstorming together and studying each other’s agricultural climate and conditions.

Other techniques which will bring value addition to Pakistan’s agriculture industry are accreditation, certification and supervision of seeds and quality of products. A minimum standard of quality is to be kept to maintain, and eventually uplift overall quality standards of the industry.

Product processing which is an essential part of this action plan. The emphasis is on all the uses of a commodity apart from the most commonly known one(s). For instance, an apricot is also used as a dry fruit, there are uses of apricot oil, there is also an apricot paste. The extra utilities give the whole apricot growing process more value. Additional facilities on farms are to be introduced as well like drying washing, grading and sorting in the case of dates. Dehydrating technologies are also being introduced to further add value to the whole ordeal. Another good example is the life cycle of a potato and its extended uses like making flake, flour, starch and modified starch. All of these value adding techniques will increase the total ca-

CMYK

pacity of agricultural units along with the types of services available at units resulting in a boost in the respective sector.

Technology exchanges with China (mostly importing) is an important point on the agenda. The Chinese are identifying Pakistani enterprises in the agriculture sector to explore business potential. Together they will carry out existing practices in a better and more productive way with the help of new methods and technology that include high efficiency irrigation systems and PVC panels. These will eventually be called model farms and the techniques used here will be replicated by those in the sector in different areas of Pakistan. A large part of these model farms will include drip irrigation systems as this is especially useful in deserts. Capacity building and awareness programs for farmers and related personnel will be organized in order to make this replication easier for a layman. These programs and demonstrations will be easily accessible to all.

Fish farming is also an area that will undergo massive changes to boost activity in Pakistan’s aquaculture. Breeding fish for new varieties through new age technologies like the SMTA, is a core function of this plan along with bringing cost effectiveness as part of value addition to the whole process. Other techniques being incorporated by the Govt here are maintaining uniformity in fish farming methods and upkeeping a minimum quality standard; this standard will require

all these fish nurseries to be disease and infection free. As a result, the fish farming industry will become a productive component of Pakistan’s agricultural mix.

The Govt of Pakistan acknowledges the problem of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cows and large animals. A consistent effort to identify and maintain FMD free zones is underway. The FMD free zones will be regularly monitored for this particular disease. This will enable Pakistan to export beef as it will meet international standards once it is free of FMD helping our balance of trade and payments.

Lastly, an all important exchange of germplasm resources is underway to increase yield per acre of all produce especially vegetable, fruits and cotton. It is a direct value addition to perhaps the largest agriculture components of Pakistan so the positive spill will be sizeable. There will be more to export and more to consume locally as well. A centralized database for all scientists and researchers is also being made for reference (just like model farms are made for reference). Experts in the field can refer to this database and move ahead with new ways of farming. Since the database will be accessible to all, there will be one set of information hence chances of ambiguity and one being misled will be very low.

With this action plan, the govt intends to streamline the agriculture industry of Pakistan and make it ready to inculcate Chinese methods and technology as effectively as possible.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

06 COMMENT

The Covid’s good talk

PDM throws the gauntlet A test for both the opposition alliance and the government

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The pandemic contains important lessons

he PDM had teething problems. An 11 party alliance takes time to coordinate joint activities.

This explains why the PDM changed the date of its first pubic rally twice. It remains to be seen if the coordination issues have finally been resolved. In the first phase of anti-government protests the PDM has announced six rallies, three in Punjab and the rest in each of the other provincial capitals.

The choice of Gujranwala for the first rally indicates that the alliance wants to start its protests from a point where it hopes to gather the largest number of workers.

Gujranwala city has all along been a PML(N) stronghold while the party has won all the six National Assembly seats from the district. Attempts have already been made to change the loyalties of the party’s elected legislators.

An MPA has dissociated himself from former PM Nawaz Sharif’s anti-establishment tirade while another has been booked, along with Captain (retd) Safdar, on treason charges. The rally will test the loyalties of the PML(N)’s lawmakers, who are supposed to bring the crowds to the gathering. As PML(N) vice president Maryam Nawaz is also scheduled to address the Gujranwala rally and the JUI(F) reportedly enjoys influence in local seminaries, anything less than a mammoth crowd will give birth to questions.

The second rally in Karachi that is scheduled for October 18 coincides with the anniversary of the Karsaz bombing and is expected to draw PPP supporters from Karachi and interior Sind. The Quetta rally would bring together the JUI(F) workers and supporters of Pashtun and Baloch nationalist groups. In Peshawar, all the parties opposed to the PTI will try to put up a show of strength.

The last two rallies will be organized in Multan and Lahore. The PML(N) has announced that the Lahore rally would be the largest in the city’s history. holding protests is the opposition’s right. The alliance however needs to act as a responsible opposition by ensuring that its rallies remain peaceful. The government has to avoid arrests of PDM leaders and workers on trumped-up charges. It has to also abandon tactics like imposition of Section 144 which amounts to banning the rallies and could cause avoidable confrontations.

Iqra Naseer

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here is a lot of talk about the negative effects of covid-19. Many have described, warned, and suggested steps against the impacts of the disease which undisputedly has been the immediate need given its global spread. Now as covid-19 is fortunately subsiding, the lockdown is officially being lifted across the world, and institutions and businesses are opening up again in the country, the positive impacts, the opportunities, and the areas to be reflected on, must all be discussed. education, business, and working experiences are tremendously shaken, yet these are the same areas in which we have been witnessing new opportunities whereas the health sector deserves immediate attention.

Notwithstanding the challenges, which include but are not limited to, connectivity and technological issues, the education sector is now opened to a number of opportunities. Learning is now borderless, timeless, independent and more convenient.

Students treated and taught under the current digital settings are efficient digital users and ultimately the leaders of yet more digitally advanced eras. The sharing of material and submission of assignments have become much easier. Furthermore, educators, pedagogues and researchers have a wider platform to increase their outreach and impact. For institutions, it has reduced a large proportion of the cost of arranging and managing conferences, seminars and sessions and at the same time the influence of all these is greater, as a greater audience can be reached and educators are not bound to be present at the event physically.

Physical classes are indeed not unimportant, especially in Pakistan where digital challenges are recurrent, however while the country is resuming the education, an aggregate system of both online and offline education can be generated where students and educators can enjoy the pleasures of learning. Besides, it is the duty of institutions to create digital awareness among parents and other stakeholders for this aggregate system to run smoothly.

Despite businesses being affected worldwide, the world has also seen a rise in e-commerce as it both ensures social distancing and reduces the chances of being exposed to the virus. Pakistan has seen the Internet usage surge by over 15 percent in the last few

Air pollution Supreme Court takes notice

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MrAN KhAN’S PTI was able to form a government in KP following the 2013 general elections and in 2018 became the first incumbent party to win consecutive terms in the province, that too with a thumping majority, which had never happened before either. One would assume then, that with such a significant mandate and seven years to deliver on the promises made, the PTI would have performed better in the province. One such deliverable was to combat climate change and pollution for which the much-touted ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ project was launched. If the comments of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr Justice Gulzar Ahmad, regarding Peshawar’s out of control air pollution and lack of trees is anything to go by, the PTI has failed quite miserably at bringing any real tangible change. With regards to its tree plantation programme, the PTI has misrepresented a key ratio by keeping it in the fine print: 60 percent of the effort is aimed at ‘protected natural regeneration’ of trees while the remaining 40 percent consists of planned plantation. Therefore, the major section of this process is up to nature with a minimal level of manual labour actually required. The real work, the difficult part that demands attention and competency is the planting of new trees, and that is where much is left to be desired. Photo ops of ministers holding shovels and planting saplings or distributing seeds to people, expecting them to plant and grow trees might be good for optics but it does little to nothing to add to forest cover that is around two to five percent, much below the 12 percent recommended by the UN. Controlling industrial air pollution requires legislation that is later implemented in order to make companies pay their fair share for the amount of carbon they emit into the atmosphere. The PTI is yet to table, let alone pass, any such bill in the KP assembly. Peshawar is one of many cities in the country that faces the annual problem of smog and that gets worse with each passing year, indicating that the air quality is not improving despite whatever measures the government is taking. While the PTI can be credited for highlighting climate change as an issue, its lacklustre efforts to address it are quite inadequate.

An unsolved dilemma ZubaIr alI

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he recent conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the disputed area of NagornoKarabakh was triggered a week ago. Consequently, 100 Armenians, civilians and combatants have lost their lives, but Azerbaijan has not officially disclosed any data regarding deaths. But, throwing a glance at some clips taken by Azerbaijanis, one can estimate that she has also had losses, perhaps even more than Armenia. Both sides claim that opponent had initiated firing first, the other one had just retaliated. This has not been confirmed.

De facto, the clash has its roots in the 20th century.

Astonishingly, this time the clash is different than before. Conceivably, the clash can be transformed into an all-out war that will not only decimate the citizens of both countries, but the impact will also disseminate across the region, destabilizing regional peace. Already Turkey is being called in on the side of Azerbaijan, while Armenia is seeking help from russia.

Basically, the tussle is all about the NagornoKarabakh region, which is internationally recognized as a de jure part of Azerbaijan, but is controlled by the self-declared republic of Artaskh.

Nagorno-Karabakh had long been an autonomous region of Azerbaijan, even though it had an Armenian minority. In 1988, in the last years of the USSr, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh demanded that the region be detached from Azerbaijan and handed over the Armenia. This the Soviet authorities, then headed

by Mikhail Gorbachev, refused. When the USSr broke up, and the Azerbaijan and Armenian SSrs became independent countries. War over NagornoKarabakh then broke out almost at once.

As the war progressed, both hostiles– Azerbaijan and Armenia- entangled themselves in a protracted, undeclared war in Karabakh as Azerbaijan attempted to curb the secessionist movement in NagornoKarabakh. Further, Armenia demanded to transfer of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan to Armenia that is also cause behind dispute.

Moreover, Armenia captured the territory in

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In addition, russia plays a contradictory role in the conflict. Though bilateral ties and collective Security Treaty Organization, Moscow guarantees security to Armenia, but it does not extend to internationally recognized area of Azerbaijan.

Some commentators are of this view. As Thomas de Waal has argued that there is an Azerbaijani narrative that russia is constantly supporting Armenia 1993. After capture of the territory, clashes continued side. he further said that russia has more supported frequently on border. It further shaped in violence, Armenia. And some political scientists and scholars continued fighting, helicopters shot down, and spo- opine that russia plays both sides. razmik Panossian, radic fights, as a result of which thousands of people Canadian-Armenian historian and political scientist, were killed and about one million inhabitants were said that russia indirectly supports the Armenian side displaced from both sides. by supplying arms, fuel, and Despite the mediation of forlogistical support and she eign powers and various has also contributed $1 bilceasefires signed by both rilion worth of weapons.

The fight can be annihilatory vals, the clash could not be Svante Cornell wrote terminated and left an unthat Turkey stands by Azerfor both countries and region baijan. solved dilemma for young She has supported bloods of both countries. as well. As Nagorno-Karabakh Azerbaijan with active miliCurrently, the clash aptary and solid weapons to is internationally recognized pears so serious. heavy arAzerbaijan. tillery, tanks, missiles and regretfully, India, for as a de jure part of Azerbaijan, drones have been used. The tarnishing the image of her the UN should work on prevailing fighting depicts decades-old adversary: Pakan attempt by Azerbaijani istan, associates her with this international laws and forces to recapture swathes clash. She spread propaof territories occupied by ganda that Pakistani Army command Armenia to Armenian forces in the soldiers are fighting on bewithdraw her forces from the Karabakh war after the colhalf of Azerbaijan, but Paklapse of the USSr. Moreistan denied this, saying that disputed area so that peace over, populated areas within this is a baseless allegation. and harmony be rethe disputed territory of however, it has exressed Nagorno-Karabakh have support for Azerbaijan in line established in the region been hit by missile strikes with its existing position. and bombardments for the Other regional powersfirst time since the 1990s.

Iran, Georgia, and QatarAlso, civilian targets have have offered to mediate for been hit in both hostile countries. stabilizing peace and harmony in the region.

Furthermore, the intervention of foreign powers Additionally, the UN came to resolve the matter. for support in clash can be horrendous, destructive, The UN Security Council has called for an immediate and a risk for regional peace. Since Sunday, Turkey return to negotiation. The Azerbaijan president narhas declared unconditional support for Azerbaijan rated that Armenia should leave its land unconditionand is lending various kinds of military capability, ally, completely, and immediately. sources disclosed. Armenia claims that Turkey is To sum up, the fight can be annihilatory for both seeking a pretext to enter into the conflict. She has countries and region as well. As Nagorno-Karabakh also claimed that Turkey has sent Syrians to fight for is internationally recognized as a de jure part of AzerAzerbaijan, but Turkey denied this, saying that this baijan, the UN should work on international laws and is groundless allegation and it has just declared sup- command Armenia to withdraw her forces from the port for Azerbaijan. disputed area so that peace and harmony be re-estabTurkish President rejep Tayyip erdogan, on lished in the region.

Monday, said, “If Armenia leaves the occupied territory, the region will go back to peace and harmony.”

Zubair Ali is a freelance columnist

The Nagorno-Karabakh crisis in perspective

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

months, while youth have turned to online businesses, is reduced and energy saved could be utilized for with e-commerce projected to achieve a drastic other healthy activities. In fact many people, during growth of rs 158 billion in the current year from rs quarantine, have developed healthy habits such as 99.3 billion recorded in 2018. These online busi- exercise, meditation, and many have addressed themselves to various hobbies. Working from home nesses are mainly home-based and include SMes. Although Pakistan’s trajectory is promising, on- means one could spend more time with family and line businesses still depend on Cash On Delivery that is an undeniable blessing.

By the end of the first (COD) sales, as youth lack quarter of 2020, the mushbusiness development skills room growth of covid-19 and crossborder e-comhad caught the attention of merce is yet to be develThe best or the worst, the the world. It has exposed the oped. Many businesses use weaknesses the global private courier services response to the pandemic has health system.ofPakistan has which speaks volumes for been no exception. When the state of Pakistan Post. given us a few takeaways to the dilapidated health care Banks should come forlook into: the pandemics and system of the country was ward with better incentives to replace CODs, and the epidemics are uncertain, thus overloaded, we came to know that we never were government should look the plan must be to spend on prepared for an emergency into reducing sales tax for response. There were shorte-payments. Introducing emergency response ages of medical staff, equipbusiness development courses in both private and preparedness; the other need ment and quarantine centres.

What added insult to the inpublic educational instituis to establish a proactive jury was the lack of a united tions is one of the many imleadership; our leaders took mediate needs of ever public health care system long to come onto the same exploding Pakistani youth, where every citizen of the page, and meanwhile engiven the global demand gaged in bashing each other for e-commerce. state could access the same to score political points.

The pandemic has also The best or the worst, altered the working patterns health care facilities, though the response to the panfor the employees. Work now liable to be exploited by demic has given us a few from home has blurred the working hours for many but private hospitals and such-like takeaways to look into: the pandemics and epidemics it has been proved suitable commercial organizations. The are uncertain, thus the plan for a sufficiently large nummust be to spend on emerber of members of the workgoal and priority must be the gency response preparedforce, largely for women ness; the other need is to considering the social setwelfare of the citizens. The establish a proactive public ting in Pakistan. Where it talk is done, now is the time to health care system where has disturbed the working every citizen of the state environment for some, to walk the talk could access the same health others, it has also given an care facilities, though now opportunity to work in the liable to be exploited by pricomfort of the home. Alvate hospitals and such-like though it is necessary to maintain decorum at a certain level, the employers commercial organizations. The goal and priority must mostly exploit it. For example, they usually make de- be the welfare of the citizens.

The talk is done, now is the time to walk the talk. ductions from the salaries of latecomers. Besides, regardless of the nature of the job, the presence of the Iqra Naseer is a freelance columnist employee is mandatory. Now, the commutation cost

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Wednesday, 7 October, 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

Stating the obvious ThIS refers to the ‘Orange Line Train Project’; as much as it is a positive initiative towards development and improvement of the living conditions of poor, I consider it an irrelevant expenditure, nevertheless.

You see, transportation is only a secondary need. There are more immediate and primary requirements in dire need of fulfillment. I was reading only yesterday that Pakistan would soon be encountering a food crisis, with most of our rural land turning into urban areas now, leaving only little land for agriculture. The food produced from this land, sadly, would be insufficient for the growing population of Pakistan. This also relates to the many children who are famishing in Thar. Surely, it is not the transportation facility that we require foremost, but food and safe drinking water. The census has already been delayed for an indefinite period but that does not mean, I am sure, that our government in oblivious of our growing population. Our leaders, at this moment, must be thinking of effective ways for meeting our needs instead of our demands. For who will travel in these trains if the people, these trains are meant for, are not alive?

USAMA MIr LAHorE

WHO warning

Meeting FATF requirements Pakistan has worked hard to get off the grey list

MalIk MuhaMMad ashraf

T

he Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in its plenary session on October 21-23 would determine whether Pakistan has been able to comply with the 13 outstanding benchmarks for foolproof arrangements against money laundering and terror financing or not. The FATF assessment is crucial to take Pakistan out of its grey list. The review session which was scheduled to be held in June was postponed, giving Pakistan another four months to remove all the discrepancies pointed by FATF and get the opportunity to get out of the grey list which is hanging over the country like a sword of Damocles. It was indeed a welcome moratorium.

Pakistan is reported to have submitted its initial draft report to the joint group of FATF, showing progress and compliance on the remaining 13 points in August. It shared its updated version of the progress report with the FATF review group in the first week of September after it had the legislation regarding FATF requirements approved by Parliament, demonstrating its political will to comply with the demanded benchmarks. This was followed by a virtual meeting with the FATF review group on September 14-21, in which Pakistan defended its position.

It is pertinent to point out that inclusion of Pakistan in the grey list of the FATF also has political overtones. Pakistan was put on the grey list by FATF in June 2018 as a result of the US resolution, supported by its allies and other countries. Placing Pakistan on the grey list was surely a political move by the USA with a view to keep Pakistan under pressure.

It was very much expected in the backdrop of the nosedive in relations between Pakistan and the USA since the announcement of the new Policy on South Asia and Afghanistan by President Donald Trump and its outright rejection

by Pakistan. It was a most unfortunate development, in view of the fact that Pakistan which had been the US ally since the early 1950s, and had suffered the most in the War on Terror, remained a suspect in the eyes of the latter in regards to its indiscrimination action against the terrorist outfits.

The reality was that Pakistan had been a sincere partner in the War on Terror and had not only dismantled the infrastructure of all

the terrorist outfits based on its territory in- of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, referring to cluding North Waziristan, but was also faith- the FATF decision, had said, “In recent years fully engaged in eliminating the remnants of Pakistan has actively taken measures to their supporters within the country. It had also strengthen financial supervision and has taken all possible administrative and legal cracked down on terrorist financing and made measures to check and block the sources of important progress. We have always believed funding to the terrorist organizations. Pakistan that the great efforts and sacrifices made by the had already promulgated a presidential ordi- Pakistan government and people for the fight nance to amend the anti-terror legislation in against terrorism are obvious to all. The interorder to include all UN-listed individuals and national community must give full recognition groups in the national listings of proscribed and trust to these efforts and treat those efforts outfits and persons. The Securities and ex- objectively and impartially instead of relying change Commission of Pakistan (SeCP) also on criticism and pressure.”

In fact Pakistan had done its homework on took measures in keeping with the FATF regulations and issued the Anti-Money Launder- the diplomatic front well before the Beijing ing and Countering Financing of Terrorism meeting. Besides taking administrative and regulations 2018. The government had also legal measures to comply with the FATF rechalked out a comprehensive plan to eradicate quirements it also undertook intensive lobbying and diplomatic efforts terrorist financing to muster support for which was shared with her cause. Foreign the international Minister Shah Mahwatchdog. The FATF Pakistan’s removal from the mood Qureshi met US decision was reflecof State tive of the US rhetoric grey list and up-gradation to Secretary Mike Pompeo and disof do more. It was also cussed the issue with indicative of how the white list is absolutely him, seeking support much influence the imperative in regards to for getting out of the USA could exercise grey list. Prime Minison world bodies like getting financial support ter Imran Khan, in his the FATF. meeting with US Preshowever the kink from the international ident Donald Trump on in the relations bethe sidelines of Davos tween the two counlending agencies for Forum among other tries disappeared in the financing its economic things, also deliberated backdrop of Pakistan on the issue of FATF. facilitating dialogue reform agenda and putting In the October rebetween the USA and view meeting Pakistan, the Taliban, a role acthe country on the road to a besides meeting the knowledged and apsustained economic growth given targets, would preciated by President also require diplomatic Trump and his adminbesides political gains on support for coming out istration. It was due to of the grey list. Acthis development that, the international level cording to the FATF despite the best Indian regulations a country efforts during the Beineeds at least three jing and Paris meetvotes for not being relings, Pakistan could avoid being pushed into the black list because egated to the black list and at least 12 votes for no other member of the FATF, including the upgradation to the white list. The FATF has 39 USA and the eU, supported the Indian view. members. In view of the recalibration of relaThe outcome of these moots represented a tions between the USA and Pakistan, and the major blow to the Indian diplomatic efforts to concrete and credible steps taken by Pakistan penalize Pakistan. however Pakistan was not ever since placement in the grey list, and the taken out of the grey list, but was given an- positive vibes emanating from the Beijing and other chance to fully comply with the action Paris meetings, it could be genuinely hoped that things would have a positive outcome plans given by FATF by June 2020.

The change in the attitude of the USA and when Pakistan gets the chance in October to its allies was also indicated by the statement of present its case before the FATF. Official acting US assistant Secretary of State for South sources have revealed that Pakistan has put in Asia Alice Wells when, after the arrest of hafiz place a broad-based strategy for taking necesSaeed and before the FATF meeting she said, sary action to complete the outstanding com“Conviction of hafiz Saeed is an important step mitments with the FATF. Pakistan’s removal from the grey list and upforward in regards to both holding the LeT accountable for its crimes and for meeting com- gradation to the white list is absolutely imperamitments of the Khan government in tive in regards to getting financial support from combating terrorist financing.” The Turkish the international lending agencies for financing President, during his visit to Pakistan while ad- its economic reform agenda and putting the dressing the joint session of Parliament had country on the road to a sustained economic also reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan growth besides political gains on the internaon the issue. In fact, it was due to the support tional level. extended by China, Turkey and Malaysia that Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic.

Pakistan could not be pushed to the black list and has stayed in the grey list. The spokesman He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com

The world has suffered a lot due to Coronavirus whether facing financial hardships or losing precious lives.Following the emergence of Coronavirus, the world leaders took stern actions either declaring complete or partial lockdown in their countries, so we could see a great reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases at first.But now, suddenly the cases started escalating. According to a report issued by WhO (World health Organization), 10% percent of the world’s population is infected with Coronavirus currently.It further warned the of a difficult time ahead.Now, it is a matter of concern for everyone that why the COVID-19 cases are increasing? Is it because the lockdown is easied in some of the countries?

Well, it can be one of the causes, but the main reason behind this is our carelessness.After seeing the cases of Coronavirus reduced, people started believing that Coronavirus is ended and left the said SOPs unfollowed, therefore, the cases of COVID-19 began escalating.Finally, it is the need of time for every citizen of very country to follow the told SOPs to save themselves and their family members from the menace of Coronavirus.

AkhtAr UmrAni kEch

Cleanliness is a virtue OWING to Islam cleanness is the virtue as everyone has to take part in cleaning their surroundings. Sadly, the people of Turbat are ignoring the importance of it.

The Municipal corporation has taken the responsibilities to the cleanness of the district ( Turbat) but yet no one witnesses to see them in performing their jobs solemnly.

Keeping our city clean means to avoiding ourselves from diseases.

It is my humble request to the government to solve the serious problem as soon as possible. mAlik JAn Sol JAn tUrbAt kEch

Unity can defeat Covid-19 IN education Institutions of Quetta, Balochistan the cases of Covid-19 is increasing day by day since reopening of education Institutions On 15 September.

Meanwhile, most of the students were affected including some of staff but still the public and the government still not taking it seriously. As Dr Waseem baig said “we want to stop covid-19 in Balochistan in educational sector as same as in public sector” but still none of us is ready to be supported with such people who always care of the public as Will as the nation. The resent death of Covid-19 is 146 and 550 are affected during only 20 days In Quetta .

At last, I request the Government and the public to be supported each other and Unite as Unity is only thing by which we can defeat Covid-19 easily. mUhAmmAd hAnif QUEttA

Locusts attack There are some of the major ongoing issues in Pakistan.wheat and flour,auger crises, the locust attack is one of the highest one which is destroying the various croops in the varied areas of the country.While the Sindh and Punjab are the higher numbers .The croops which has a due role for the constructing welfare economy .Unfortneatly, the cultivated crops are wholly being destroying. The Government is doing nothing for the Farmers.It is impose for a farmer to buy a chemical which, is in high praise to save the croops.It is the deauty of the Government of Pakistan to abide with them unless such crises should get,s eradicate.

ASif JAmEEl AwArAn

The lost star The Baloch journalist and artist, Shaheena was killed lately. however, the authorities does not seem to be interested to give her justice. Being, a part of Balochistan, she had struggled to much to reach at that point but unfortunately she was killed. her death is the death of every dreams of Baloch women. how can one go for pursuing her dreams when she is not protected? And without the participation of women, Balochistan can never be developed. Therefore, I request the government to provide justice to Shaheena. It is not only about her, it is about every daughter of Balochistan and a developed Balochistan.

Afroz mJ tUrbAt kEch

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

STATE DEPARTMENT CUT FUNDING FOR CONTROVERSIAL “IRAN DISINFO” PROJECT — BUT KEPT WORKING WITH ITS CREATORS “FUNDING THAT WAS MEANT TO COUNTER ISIS PROPAGANDA WAS MORPHED INTO FUNDING TO SILENCE ACTIVISTS AND EXPERTS WHO WANT TO REFORM US POLICY ON IRAN”

Intercept negar Mortazavi and MUrtaza hUssain

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N June 2019, the State Department suspended a contract for a counterpropaganda program called the Iran Disinformation Project, widely known by its combative Twitter handle, @IranDisinfo. The project had come under scrutiny because, on Twitter, it was dedicating a significant amount of its output to attacking U.S. critics of President Donald Trump’s Iran policy. Within days of complaints being brought against Iran Disinfo, the project was suspended; by early June, the remainder of the $1.5 million contract had been terminated.

But the State Department did not end all its funding for Iran Disinfo’s implementing organization, the E-Collaborative for Civic Education, or ECCE, which has received nearly $10 million from the U.S. government to operate a number of Iran projects over the past decade. Internal documents obtained by The Intercept show that even after Iran Disinfo’s grant was terminated, State Department officials continued talking and collaborating with the co-founder and president of the ECCE, Mariam Memarsadeghi, seeking to use her other U.S.-funded platforms to distribute Trump administration messaging on Iran. In one document, department officials acknowledged that they continued funding another ECCE project, Tavaana, an online platform for civic education in Iran.

The documents were obtained by The Intercept through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the State Department, with help from Protect Democracy, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that advocates against authoritarianism in the U.S. Hundreds of pages of documents offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” policy and the Trump State Department’s hawkish rhetoric against Iran. Over four years, the policy has resulted in significant suffering in Iran, mostly through the reimposition of crushing economic sanctions, but failed to achieve the administration’s goal of bringing Iran to the negotiating table with Trump or toppling its government.

In the wake of the Iran Disinfo scandal in 2019, according to internal documents, State Department officials discussed a proposal from the program implementer to amplify Twitter messages from Richard Grenell, a combative Iran hawk and, at the time the documents were created, Trump’s ambassador to Germany. An official at the U.S. Embassy in Germany wrote of a June 2019 meeting with Memarsadeghi. “Mariam was eager to amplify Ambassador Grenell’s social media/Twitter messages in Farsi through the Tavaana platforms, but she also mentioned her organization was also linked to the Disinfo project that was discontinued,” wrote the embassy official, whose

name was redacted in the email exchange.

In a subsequent email, whose senders and recipients are also redacted, another department official seems to give a blessing to the collaboration between Grenell and Tavaana, explaining that the public was unaware of the links to Iran Disinfo. “We’ve reviewed Tavaana social media feeds carefully and have not found any inappropriate or out-of-scope behavior. We don’t have concerns with these social media accounts and are still funding them,” the official wrote. “To my knowledge, it’s not (widely) public or in the press reporting that Tavaana and IranDisinfo are/were run by the same group ECCE.” Although Iran Disinfo was a separate project, it shared the same leadership and staff with other ECCE projects: Memarsadeghi was the project lead, and Brittany Hamzy was project manager for both Iran Disinfo and Tavaana and remains on at ECCE as deputy director.

(Memarsadeghi, who did not respond to requests for comment, resigned from her position at ECCE in December 2019.)

In response to a question about their current relationship with the ECCE, a State Department spokesperson said, “The GEC ended its work with E-Collaborative for Civic Education (ECCE) in 2019 following a 2019 review. The State Department does not currently provide funding to any ECCE programs.” The State Department, however, refused to confirm whether it has ended its working relationship with the ECCE. Government grantees occasionally spend short periods of waiting time between finished projects and new grants. (ECCE did not respond to requests for comment.)

The revelations about attempts to continue its work with a disgraced contractor suggest a determination by the Trump administration to keep pressing its hard line against Iran.

“It seems that the State Department is playing bait and switch with the American people, announcing they had cut funding to a project that used tax dollars to attack American human rights researchers and academics considered not sufficiently warhungry on Iran, but quietly funding other projects by the same organization under the same leadership,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, former director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch.

Whitson had publicly flagged Iran Disinfo’s State Department funding last year after the group made a disparaging tweet about Human Right Watch’s Iran researcher, who was investigating the negative impact of U.S. sanctions on access to medicine in Iran.

Whitson told The Intercept, “The real bottom line here is that funding that was meant to counter ISIS propaganda was morphed into funding to silence activists and experts who want to reform U.S. policy on Iran.”

The FOIA documents obtained by The Intercept show how many of the State Department’s efforts — such as the ones describing efforts to quietly keep the relationship with ECCE going — have been marshaled in the service of pushing a hardline view of Iran policy. Diplomatic counter-

propaganda resources continue to be poured into pursuing the administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, with the result being combative public messaging. In the case of Iran Disinfo, the funds came from State Department’s Global Engagement Center, whose mission is to “recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts.”

“The Global Engagement Center was designed to protect Americans and democracies from the threat of disinformation,” said Brett Bruen, former director of global engagement in President Barack Obama’s White House. “They have failed miserably. They have done little, even as the danger grew.”

Instead, funds disbursed by the GEC were used, as in the case of Iran Disinfo and its affiliated Twitter accounts, to wage online campaigns against groups and individuals based in the U.S. — smearing human rights researchers, former political prisoners in Iran, analysts who are critical of Trump’s Iran policy, and even Persian media outlets and journalists (including a reporter on this story) as “mouthpieces” and apologists for the Iranian regime.

“It has been used by the administration for publicity and the pursuit of those who opposed their foreign policy, especially on Iran,” Bruen said. “Astonishingly, those who were targeted included American citizens.

This violates the law and fundamental beliefs about how our country should operate.”

The money given out to groups like ECCE over the years is part of a purported effort to promote democracy in Iran, initiatives for which Congress has appropriated more than $515 million since 2004. In 2020, the State Department received $55 million from Congress for Iran democracy programs under the rubric of Near East Regional Democracy initiatives, known as NERD. NERD-funded programs include online initiatives based outside Iran, due to the Iranian government’s deep suspicion of U.S.-funded democracy projects and the security risks posed to those who implement them. For this reason, the State Department does not publicize NERD activities, grantees, or beneficiaries.

The secrecy has created a funding ecosystem that lacks transparency and rigorous congressional oversight, and is not open to media and public scrutiny that can result in scandals.

“The Iran Disinfo campaign was a clear example of why we need more transparency with respect to all operations within the State Department. It was unacceptable that Americans were being targeted and harassed online, financed by tax dollars for being critical of the Trump Administration’s policy with Iran,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., in a statement to The Intercept. “I was happy to see the contract cancelled, but it’s deeply disturbing to hear that the State Department continued to fund the program’s implementers.”

Since taking office in 2017, Trump embarked on a reversal of the approach that Barack Obama took toward Iran. After exit-

ing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal over opposition from America’s European allies, Trump ramped up economic sanctions against Iran and even carried out targeted killings of Iranian military officials.

Efforts like Iran Disinfo are part of the administration’s overall strategy. Though the public scrutiny of the initiative led to its downfall, the modus operandi of launching personal attacks against critics is typical of the Trump administration’s general approach — visible in statements from the president himself, as well as top officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The documents obtained by The Intercept give an inside look as the State Department scrambled to deal with inquiries from Capitol Hill and the press about Iran Disinfo’s online behavior.

Memarsadeghi, who founded and ran ECCE with her husband, Akbar Atri, has promoted a hard-line view of Iran policy, frequently engaging in the sort of online attacks that became Iran Disinfo’s calling card.

In the internal documents, State Department officials even complained about Memarsadeghi attacking their own agency, referring to a tweet she shared questioning why Pompeo did not take a more hard-line stance on Iran during a speech. The softer stance, according to the emails, turned out to have been a translation mistake. Officials continued to complain, however, that Memarsadeghi didn’t amend her tweets even after she was notified of the translation error.

As scrutiny on Iran Disinfo’s combative social media presence mounted, the behavior became a problem for the GEC. “It is explicitly prohibited to use public diplomacy funds, which are designed to influence foreign audiences, to propagandize Americans,” said Bruen. Bruen added that the Iran Disinfo flap reflected a broader problem with counterpropaganda funding in the Trump administration. “A recent Inspector General report noted that in most cases, they don’t even bother to ask what impact their work is having against the spread of disinformation,” he said. “Instead, they are pretty much just shoveling money out the back of pickup trucks to anyone who says they’ll do something about propaganda.”

Memarsadeghi and key members of her team had not been vetted for their work on the Iran Disinfo project as late as April 2019, months after the project had started, according to the emails obtained by The Intercept.

An email written by Memarsadeghi on March 28, 2019 said, “Several key members of our staff (myself included) have NOT been confirmed to be cleared, as well as several consultants we’re hoping to work with.”

The email asked for the vetting process to be expedited to avoid future problems.

As public concern over Iran Disinfo’s activities grew, questions were raised inside Foggy Bottom. On May 30, 2019, TJ Rodebaugh, a State Department official, sent an email to Lea Gabrielle, a former intelligence official and Fox News reporter who was appointed by Trump to lead the GEC. Rodebaugh laid out the background of the Iran Disinfo flap, including a timeline, and distributed talking points for the official to use.

“At 12:15 Scott called the implementer” — Iran Disinfo — “to explain that, based on the Scope of Work they agreed to, their activities should be focused on foreign audiences (not engaged in online debates with U.S. based organizations) and should utilize their fact based reporting, documentaries, and briefing packets,” the email to Gabrielle said. “If they cannot keep the scope of their

Nothing new here on Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Subrata Roy

Scroll Udita JhUnJhUnwala

Delayed by legal challenges from two of its four subjects, Bad Boy Billionaires: India is finally out on Netflix. The investigative docuseries follows business tycoons mired in allegations of fraud and corruption. While the episode on former Satyam Computer Serv-

ices head Ramalinga Raju has thus far been withheld, we meet liquor baron Vijay Mallya, diamantaire Nirav Modi and chit fund operator Subrata Roy. Both Modi and Mallya are in the United Kingdom, fending off extradition bids by the Indian government.

The King of Good Times, directed by Dylan Mohan Gray, explores Mallya’s rise and fall through archival news footage and interviews with family members and acquaintances, including his son Sid Mallya, his executive assistant Tushita Patel and his friend Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. The 60minute episode summarises the trajectory of Mallya’s good times and bad times, from inheriting his father’s empire to diversifying into racing, airlines and cricket.

The Johanna Hamilton-directed Diamonds Aren’t Forever, about Nirav Modi, and Nick Read’s The World’s Biggest Family, about Subrata Roy, similarly offer few

new insights or revelations.

The series depends largely on journalists and commentators. Information that is already in the public domain is packaged as a catalogue of the enigma around the businessmen, their backroom dealings and financial fraud, and their dramatic decline. Arrogance and a disregard for public sentiment went hand-inhand with institutional malpractices. Mallya’s vulgar 60th birthday celebrations took place even as his Kingfisher Airlines was sinking and his employees were staging protests for overdue salary payments. Modi was spotted strolling around London in a now infamous ostrich-skin jacket. Roy had private yoga classes while in jail. The episode on Nirav Modi is the weakest. The commentators’ perspectives are ordinary and the footage is limited to shop openings and product shoots. There is a passing mention of his uncle Mehul Choksi’s influence and Modi’s partnership with his wife

that established him as the diamantaire du jour.

Nick Read captures a flavour of the sycophancy surrounding Subrata Roy and the cult he crafted around his business, including a distinctive style of greeting, a dress code and an attractive chit fund scheme. So compelling was his idea that at its peak, one in 17 Indians were depositors in the Sahara pyramid scheme. Through talking heads that include former employees and economically backward investors, Read balances Roy’s hubris with the dismay of the small depositor. The series gains currency if you consider the systemic and sustained corruption and mismanagement that have resulted in frauds running into thousands of crores. But we already knew this. Producers Reva Sharma and Francis Longhurst’s series merely scratches the surface. The narrative sidesteps irony or satire. As legal proceedings are still ongoing, the episodes remain cautiously non-committal.

activities to that of the project SOW and work plan then they risk the longevity of the project. The implementer’s president, Mariam Memarsadeghi, said that she will immediately contact the account operators and get them back within scope.”

The effort to save Iran Disinfo’s public image would prove futile. By early June, the State Department suspended the project under pressure from the media and Congress. On July 10, Gabrielle publicly acknowledged in a congressional hearing that the $1.5 million Global Engagement Center contract with Iran Disinfo had been canceled.

At around the same time, however, the U.S. official in the German embassy was seeking cooperation from Memarsadeghi to distribute Grenell’s statements. The internal documents also show that the same month, ECCE officials were communicating with the State Department about a new grant opportunity for which they had been invited to apply.

As the State Department became a machine for promoting the Trump administration’s Iran policy, officials at Foggy Bottom remained highly attuned to public scrutiny of their activities.

Internal emails show officials held internal discussions about a 2019 article published in The Intercept titled “How Voice of America Persian Became a Trump Administration PR Machine.” The article outlined how the ostensibly apolitical Persian-language outlet had become another tool in Trump’s maximum pressure program against Iran. In a series of emails to various officials, then-State Department senior adviser Mora Namdar called the article “misleading and inaccurate,” and offered to brief higher-ups about the news story. Namdar was later installed as acting vice president for legal affairs at Voice of America’s parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. (In response to a request for comment, the State Department declined to expand on its complaints about the story.)

With the Iran Disinfo grant discontinued, the State Department still had $1.2 million of its original budget to spend. An October 2019 memo requested approval from Gabrielle to disburse the remainder of the funds to the Stabilisation Network, an organization that describes itself as being involved in countering violent extremism and has very limited online presence, including a website that does not mention State Department funding.

In a statement to The Intercept, a representative of the Stabilization Network said the group received funding to support social cohesion, youth, and civil society organizations in Jordan. The group’s representative said it does no work on Iran and has no connections to Iran Disinfo, ECCE, or other related projects.

In late November, months after the public scandal over Iran Disinfo and its subsequent termination, nationwide protests broke out in Iran. The government cracked down on protesters violently. Christopher Taylor, a State Department official in the Near Eastern Affairs bureau, wrote to Memarsadeghi to thank her for the “excellent” work by Tavaana — the ECCE project then still receiving grant money — in covering the protests. Taylor also asked if the State Department could forward videos of the protests it received to Tavaana, for wider distribution. “Of course, Chris,” Memarsadeghi wrote back. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

BUSINESS 09 corporate corner Lucky Cement distributes rations bags among 5,000 families under PM’s Ehsaas Programme ISLAMABAD: Lucky Cement Limited, in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Emergency Rashan Programme/Scheme, distributed ration bags to families affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the rural areas of Lakki Marwat, KP. Under this initiative, rations bags were distributed among 5,000 families in various areas of Lakki Marwat including Tajori, Landiwa, Lakki Marwat City, Sarai Naurang and Pezu. Since the outbreak, the company is already at the forefront of providing support to the marginalized communities of Pakistan. Earlier, 20,000 ration bags were distributed amongst the affected families in the rural areas of KP and Sindh. And now the company is further expanding its muscle to support more deserving families. PRESS RElEASE

PM IMRan sEEKs CoMPEhEnsIvE stRatEGy to CoMBat food InfLatIon ISLAMABAD

P

STAFF REPORT

RIME Minister Imran Khan has directed the officials concerned to evolve a comprehensive strategy to bring down the prices of essential items. Briefing the media about decisions taken in the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Information & Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz said the prime minister had expressed serious concerns over rising prices of edible items.

The minister said the cabinet was given a detailed briefing about stocks of wheat and sugar in the country. "It was observed that sufficient quantity of these commodities is available in the country."

He said wheat prices were higher in Sindh due to the

provincial government's reluctance to release the stock.

"The cabinet was told that the target of cotton crop for the current year cannot be achieved due to massive losses inflicted by rains and floods," he informed.

Meanwhile, the minister said, the meeting was informed that despite liabilities of Rs400 billion and difficult situation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased its revenue up to Rs7.6 billion. He added that the cabinet lauded PIA's performance for repatriating 250,000 stranded Pakistanis from abroad.

During the meeting, Shibli Faraz said, Planning Minister Asad Umar briefed the meeting about economic indicators, which were showing positive signs.

He said foreign remittances have increased beyond expectations while current account deficit remained under control in the last two months.

On the country’s political situation, Shibli Faraz

Pakistan eyes six LNG spot cargoes for Dec to prevent gas shortage KARACHI: TPL Life has partnered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) to provide health and life insurance services to its members. An agreement in this regard was signed by TPL Life CEO Faisal Abbasi and ICAP President Khalilullah Shaikhh. PRESS RElEASE

KARACHI: Adamjee Life and MIB have come together to sign an agreement for Bancatakaful Referral Model to facilitate Bank’s customers and offer the state of art life insurance products and premium financial services. PRESS RElEASE

ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

In order to meet the gas requirements of the country, Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has invited bids for the delivery of six Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargoes to Port Qasim, Karachi, during the month of December.

As per details, PLL has advertised a tender for spot cargo purchases for six delivery windows in the month of December 2020. The quantity for each cargo will be 140,000 cubic meters.

The deadline for submission of bids is November 2, 2020. The bids will be opened the same day at 1230 hours PST as per PPRA rules.

"Pakistan LNG Limited reserves the right to reject all bids prior to the acceptance of a bid or proposal, as per rule 33 of Public Procurement Rules, 2004," said the PLL advertisement.

According to PLL, the first LNG cargo will be delivered on 3-4 December, second on 8-9 Decem-

ber, third on 13-14 December, fourth on 18-19, fifth on 24-25 while sixth cargo will be delivered on 3031 December on a Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis.

Sources in the gas sector said the demand for gas in the winter season usually goes up in the country due to higher consumption and low supply. However, they added, the gap between demand and supply can be bridged by importing LNG into the country.

"Although Pakistan had earlier inked a longterm agreement with Qatar for the supply of LNG, the incumbent government has been active on the spot market since last August mainly due to a surge in the demand of gas," an insider informed. "PLL had previously issued tenders for delivery of two LNG cargoes in October and three cargoes in November, while the company has now issued a tender for supply of six LNG cargoes for December 2020."

PLL is a subsidiary of Government Holding (Private) Limited (GHPL), which is owned by the federal government. The company has the mandate to procure LNG to meet the country’s gas requirements.

‘MoC to establish four expo centres in Punjab’

LAHORE: Allied Schools held an award ceremony for ‘Matric High Achievers 2020’ of Central Punjab I & II Region. Covid-19 SOPs were strictly followed in the event. From Allied School Central Punjab-I Region, Subhan Amjad from Daroghawala Campus, Lahorem got 1st position and received the cash prize of Rs10,000/along with a gift pack and a merit certificate. PRESS RElEASE

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said on Tuesday the commerce ministry would establish ‘joint expo centres’ in four cities of Punjab. “I had a meeting last week with CM Punjab, Usman Khan Buzdar, who also supported the idea,” the adviser tweeted on Tuesday. He said that the Punjab government would be requested to provide land for common expo centres in Sialkot, Gujrat, Wazirabad and Gujranwala. The adviser appreciated the role of industrials in the above mentioned cities and assured full support to the exporters of Punjab. He reiterated that this measure was essential to strengthen the economy through export-led growth. Meanwhile, the adviser also shed light on his meeting with the rice exporters. “I had a very productive meeting with the Rice Export Association of Pakistan (REAP) representatives yesterday in MOC regarding the Indian application in European Union (EU) for Global Indication Law (GIL) tag on Basmati. This matter is being taken very seriously by the government and we are engaging the best resources,” he said. “I sat with the representatives of the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) to oppose the Indian claim.” Dawood said that all stakeholders would be consulted while chalking out the strategy for the way forward. APP

Traders demand PTA to resolve internet connectivity issues in markets LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

The officials of Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have demanded the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to improve mobile data coverage in major markets of Lahore.

On Tuesday, delegations from various trade organizations met with LCCI officials to brief them on difficulties being faced by business community due weak mobile signals in markets.

Reprenentatives of trade associations said that weak mobile signals in the provincial capital were severely affecting the performance of their businesses, adding that cellular companies and PTAs should look into the

matter immediately.

The LCCI officials were informed that mobile data signals were extremely weak on Brandreth Road, Shah Alam market and adjoining areas, Badami Bagh, Akbari Mandi, Hall Road, Ferozepur Road, industrial estates, Gulberg, Shadman, Model Town and other commercial areas of the city, creating serious problems for businesses.

Earlier this year, the Lahore High Court had issued orders to the officials of all cellular companies as well as the PTA Lahore director to resolve this issue, the traders recalled, adding that the trade associations would now the matter to consumer courts.

They also noted that cellular companies had recently assured merchants that their grievances would be resolved this September, but “the issue has not been re-

solved and we are now in October”.

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah assured the traders that their problems would be resolved at the earliest. “LCCI will take this issue to the next level and ensure its timely redressal.

Going to the courts is the last resort."

Misbah admitted that the importance of communication in business cannot be denied, noting that main markets in Lahore were being badly affected due to lack of mobile signals.

"At present, the supply of signals through satellite systems is being ensured even in remote areas of the world, while the problems of internet connectivity in the main commercial centers of major cities in Pakistan are yet to be resolved," he lamented.

said the opposition's narrative was similar to that of the enemies of Pakistan, as "opposition leaders are talking as if they are foes of Pakistan".

He said India was trying its best to push Pakistan to the blacklist of Financial Action Task Force, adding that Pakistan's adversaries were attempting to weaken its institutions to create a similar situation to that in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Responding a question, he said the cabinet would coordinate with provincial governments, police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure security measures on occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

On another query, Shibli Faraz said Prime Minister Imran Khan was working for a developed and corruption-free Pakistan, adding that impartial and transparent accountability would continue unabated in the country.

K-Electric Board approves Rs9.5bn for 'rain risk mitigation plan' NEWS DESK: Following the recent rains in Karachi, the K-Electric Board of Directors (BoD) constituted a special committee to review the power utility's performance during the rains, identify gaps, if any, and to chalk out a proposed risk mitigation plan. The committee conducted a thorough investigation with support from the management and subsequently approved a plan for the improvement and further upgrade of the system before the next monsoon season. "The BoD has, therefore, approved an additional investment of Rs9.5 billion for rain mitigation measures -- over and above budgeted investment of Rs24.4 billion for the upgradation of infrastructure and advancement of the distribution network approved earlier," said a statement issued by KE on Tuesday. The board also approved engagement of an external consultant to review the project plan and further strengthen its execution. The upgradation project would include raising of distribution equipment foundation levels in areas that remained waterlogged during the recent rains; waterproofing of identified substations; replacing of old equipment and main cables at key identified locations, and increasing the capacity to augment the dewatering efforts made by civic agencies. “The city received unprecedented rainfall of 730mm during this monsoon and while KE was able to keep its system functioning, it is important that upgradations are made to improve the availability of power to citizens. To this end, the utility will carry out all necessary actions to ensure enhanced service," said KElectric CEO Moonis Abdullah Alvi. The company is also making substantial investment in high loss area under its flagship Sarbulandi Project, which constitutes about 40pc of the city, to improve service delivery and safety of the residents. These investments will also ensure the deployment of theft resistant Ariel Bundled Cables (ABC) in these areas, which will improve the safety standards and will bring more people on the legal network.

According to the statement, the KE special committee recommended formal engagement with and cooperation from all concerned stakeholders for taking timely steps before the next monsoon season such as clearance of the intercity drainage systems and removal of encroachments to ensure that KE’s ability to provide power is not impaired during rain.

Gold price continues to rise, reaches Rs113,300 per tola ISLAMABAD: The price of 24-karat gold increased

by Rs800 on Tuesday and was traded at Rs113,300, as against its price at Rs112,500 on Monday. Likewise, the price of 10-gram gold also increased by Rs686 to Rs97,136 as compared to its previous day’s sale at Rs96,450, Karachi Sarafa Association reported. The prices of per-tola and ten-gram silver remained stagnant at Rs1,200 and Rs1,028.80, respectively.

Gold price in the international market increased by $7 to $1,913 per ounce. APP

MARKET DAILY

PSX lands in green after volatile session KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Investors of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a tug of war between bulls and bears on Tuesday, with the indices swaying in both directions before landing in the green.

Global equity markets also showed a positive trend, whereas crude oil prices moved further north from the previous close; WTI crude price increasing 1.20pc to $39.70 while Brent crude price rising 1.16pc to $41.77.

"After the initial buying trend, selling pressure resumed at the exchange that

caused the index to plunge over 500 points.

Although international oil prices saw a rebound of approximately 5pc, local exploration & production stocks failed to reflect the same during the session. Cement sector saw active buying activity by the end, helping the index close in the green," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. MARKET SUMMARY: The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained volatile throughout the day, recording its intraday low at 38,568.95 (-503.52 points) and intraday high at 39,349.29 (+276.82 points). It settled higher by 55.01 points at 39,127.48.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index appreciated 178.95 points or 0.29pc to close at 61,966.40, while the KSE All Share Index added 61.72 points, ending at 27,856.42.

The overall market volumes fell from 409.94 million shares in the previous session to 400.95 million shares (-1pc). Average traded value also declined by 2pc, from $76.7 million to $75.3 million. Hascol Petroleum Ltd (HASCOL -1.37pc), Unity Foods Ltd (UNITY +6.65pc) and TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +0.19pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 78.20 million, 36.81 million and 29.39 million shares, respectively.

CMYK

Sectors that helped the benchmark index close in green included cement (+18.39 points), insurance (+14.62 points) and oil & gas marketing (+9.00 points).

Among the companies, Bank AlFalah Ltd (BAFL +12.55), Engro Corporation Ltd (ENGRO +11.30 points) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP +10.88 points) remained the top contributors.

Adding 2.92pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the refinery sector emerged as the session's top performer, with National Refinery Ltd (NRL +3.89pc), Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL +5.54pc), Byco

Petroleum Pakistan Ltd (BYCO +2.00pc) and Attock Refinery Ltd (ATRL +4.06pc) posting decent gains.

In a notification to the exchange, Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Ltd (FFBL -2.16pc) announced 38.25pc right shares at Rs14 per share to reduce current debt levels, manage working capital and to support subsidiaries.

Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of KElectric Limited (KEL +2.13pc) approved Rs9.5 billion for rain mitigation measures, over and above the budgeted investment of Rs24.40 billion for upgradation of infrastructure and advancement of distribution network.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS turkey asks NAtO allies to show ‘concrete solidarity’ ANKARA AGENCIES

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked NATO members to demonstrate "concrete solidarity" with his country, the presidential communications directorate said.

During his meeting with visiting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Erdogan "stressed that NATO allies should demonstrate concrete solidarity with Turkey" as "NATO has a very important role and responsibility to prevent attempts that risk the functionality of the Alliance," said the directorate in a statement released after the meeting.

Turkey-NATO relations, the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria, and regional developments particularly in Libya were on the agenda of the meeting between Erdogan and Stoltenberg, according to the statement. The visit of Stoltenberg came after the tension between Turkey and Greece over hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean calmed down through the mediation of Germany and NATO's initiative aimed to establish a military deconfliction mechanism to reduce the risks in the region. "My firm hope is that this (the military deconfliction mechanism) can create space for diplomatic efforts," Stoltenberg tweeted after the meeting.

Us, russia hold nuclear arms control talks in Helsinki HELSINKI AGENCIES

The United States and Russia have held negotiations on strategic stability and nuclear arms control in the Finnish capital Helsinki. According to the Office of President of Finland, the discussions are the continuation of the latest round of talks on strategic stability and nuclear arms control between the two countries that started in Vienna earlier this year. The Russian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, while the U.S. delegation is headed by Marshall Billingslea, Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control. In a press release issued by the Office of President of Finland, no details of the negotiations between the two sides were disclosed. The press release said that Finnish President Sauli Niinisto met separately with both Ryabkov and Billingslea after the discussions. Niinisto welcomed the continued dialogue between the U.S. and Russia, saying in the press release that he had interesting talks with the two guests and hoped for further progress in agreeing on arms control. "In the current world situation, all dialogue is important, and I welcome its continuation between the United States and Russia," the president added.

The two countries' bilateral nuclear arms control treaty, the so-called New Start Treaty, or the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, is due to expire in February 2021. While the two have been discussing a new agreement, previous talks have ended with no results, reported Finnish national broadcaster Yle.

eU court rules against european Commission over 2017 inspections BRUSSELS AGENCIES

The General Court of the European Union (EU) has said that while the European Commission has every right to carry out surprise inspections to investigate suspicions of illegalities, it could not violate the homes of those it was probing. The court was ruling on a number of complaints it had received about the investigative rights the European Commission had to probe businesses and service providers when it had reasonable suspicion to believe that they were in breach of the competition rules. The court heard how in 2017 the European Commission had adopted a series of decisions ordering several French companies to submit to inspections after it had received information concerning exchanges of information between a number of undertakings and associations of undertakings in the food and non-food distribution sector.

During the inspections, the commission visited the premises of the relevant companies where copies of the content of computer equipment were taken. Following the inspections, a number of companies filed court actions seeking the annulment of those decisions, claiming the inspections were illegal and violated their right of the inviolability of the home.

Some of the applicants disputed the legality of the seizure and of the copying of the data relating to the private lives of their employees and managers and the refusal to return that data.

OppOsitiON iN KyrGyzstAN ClAims pOwer After stOrmiNG GOverNmeNt bUildiNGs BISHKEK AGENCIES

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RESIDENT Sooronbai Jeenbekov said the country, which hosts a Russian air base and a large Canadian-controlled gold mine, was facing an attempted coup d'etat. He called for calm and ordered security forces not to open fire on protesters after overnight unrest in which the government said one person was killed at 590 wounded. Officials said later the vote would be rerun, but it was not clear who would run it.

Burnt out cars littered Bishkek, the capital, after protesters stormed the main government building, known as the White House, which briefly caught fire before emergency services put out the blaze.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD: Debris from inside, including government papers, and office furniture, was strewn outside after protesters ransacked parts of it.

Kyrgyzstan, which borders China and is a close

ally of Russia, has long been a platform for geopolitical competition between Moscow, Washington and Beijing and has a history of political volatility: two of its presidents have been toppled by revolts in the past 15 years. The opposition said it had set up a coordination council and was discussing the line-up of a provisional government.

“The leaders of parties that took part in the election have assumed responsibility for restoring public order,” the council said.

Opposition groups also had freed Almazbek Atambayev, a former president jailed on corruption charges after falling out with Jeenbekov. Atambayev was not named to any role, however, and Jeenbekov showed no immediate signs of relinquishing power.

The cabinet, which operates out of a building separate from the White House, said it continued to function although Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov has not appeared in public since the unrest began.

The central election commission said it had annulled the results of the election, meaning a new vote

would have to be held shortly.

Parliament said it would try to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday after lawmakers failed to gather a quorum on Tuesday. Several opposition politicians urged them to install a provisional cabinet to legitimise a transfer of power.

Interior Minister Kashkar Junushaliyev did not show up for work on Tuesday, a ministry spokesman said, saying that Kursan Asanov, an opposition politician and a former senior security official, had taken over as acting interior minister.

The speaker of parliament in Kyrgyzstan resigned after unrest over a parliamentary election prompted protesters to storm government buildings, Russia's TASS news agency reported later.

It cited parliament's press service as saying the speaker, Dastan Jumabekov, had stood down.

The Russian embassy to Kyrgyzstan said it supported resolving the situation in the country through legal means while ensuring stability and people's safety.

Navalny says Russian authorities poisoned him as threat ahead of parliament elections MOSCOW AGENCIES

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said he believed Russia’s intelligence services had poisoned him with a Novichok nerve agent because authorities saw him as a threat ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.

“They understood that there were big, big problems threatening them ahead of elections for the State Duma,” Navalny said in a YouTube interview with a Russian blogger, his first video appearance since being discharged from a Berlin hospital.

The outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin emerged from a coma in early September after collapsing on a domestic flight in Siberia on Aug. 20.

German doctors say he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. Germany, France and other Western countries have demanded an explanation from the Kremlin for Navalny’s illness.

The Kremlin has rejected any suggestion that Putin or the Russian authorities were responsible for Navalny’s condition.

Navalny said he did not know how a Novichok nerve

agent had got into his system, but that he could have touched something.

He said his recovery could take another two months. At one point in the interview he held out his hand to show it shaking.

Navalny said he was undergoing physical therapy, but that his health had improved significantly and that doctors were surprised at the speed of his recovery.

Russia’s parliamentary elections are due to take place in September, although some media reports have suggested they could be brought forward to next spring.

UNGA moving ahead with planning for special session on Covid-19 NEW YORK

IFC to grow ME, Africa investments amid pandemic, lower oil prices DUBAI AGENCIES

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is planning to increase its investments in the Middle East and Africa region during its 2021 fiscal year to support private sector projects amid a weaker economic environment resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and lower oil prices.

The corporation, a part of the World Bank Group, invested more than $5.6 billion in the region during its 2020 financial year, which ended on June 30. Vice president Sérgio Pimenta did not give a figure for 2021 but said it would be higher than last year. “We believe that there is really more we can do this fiscal year in the context of the (pandemic) crisis response by bringing both financing and advisory work to help the economies be resilient and rebuild after the crisis,” Sérgio Pimenta, IFC vice president for the Middle East and Africa, said in an interview with local media.

The IFC is a development finance institution whose mission is to bridge funding gaps in emerging economies by providing finance to projects that might otherwise not be able to secure it, unlocking further private sector investment.

The Washington-based institute invested $4.6bn in Sub-Saharan Africa in its most recent fiscal year, exceeding the $4.1bn invested in 2019. In the Mid-

dle East and North Africa, the total investment in its 2020 fiscal year reached more than $1bn.

“We have a very solid pipeline for this year and we are looking at instruments in terms of crisis response and in terms of helping projects that will have an impact on SMEs (small and medium enterprises), including job creation or some of the areas such as climate change and water that are very sensitive in the region,” he said. “We also have a pipeline of projects with a long-term perspective with the vision of helping on the infrastructure side, on the manufacturing side.”

The world economy is set to slide into the deepest recession since the Great Depression, with the International Monetary Fund projecting a 4.9 per cent contraction this year and a sluggish recovery in 2021.

The economies of the Middle East and Central Asian countries are projected to shrink by an average of 4.7 per cent, according to the fund. The IFC has put together a strategy to deal with the crisis that includes providing “immediate and urgent” help for private sector companies hurt by the economic downturn caused by the spread of Covid-19, Pimenta said. As part of its phase one strategy, the IFC is providing an $8bn fast track finance facility to various companies across the globe with “a good part” of that total being deployed in the Middle East and Africa region.

AGENCIES

A UN spokesman has said that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) "is moving ahead" with planning for its special session on Covid-19.

"The General Assembly is moving ahead with planning for its special session on Covid-19. This will be the first time the Assembly is holding a special session on a pandemic," Brenden Varma, spokesman for the UNGA president, said at a daily news briefing. "Today, the president is transmitting a letter to member states from the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations on the special session's modalities.

The co-facilitators are the permanent representative of Azerbaijan and the deputy permanent representative of Canada," said the spokesman. "The letter contains the draft resolution on these modalities. Negotiations on this will be held this Wednesday. The president will attend those," Varma said. Regarding the dates for the meeting, they will not be set until the resolution is adopted. But as the president said at his press conference last month, he would like to see the meeting happen before the end of the year, according to Varma. Asked why it takes so long for the UNGA to hold its special session on Covid-19, the spokesperson noted that the UNGA president, in his press conference last month, made it clear that the meeting should be held as soon as possible. In fact, the UNGA president said it should have been held already as the discussion of this topical issue is so crucial for the health of the world. Varma said that member states appeared to be "coalescing" around the dates of Dec. 3-4. He added that the president is "in their hands on that."

Economists expect slower US recovery amid 2nd Covid-19 wave concerns WASHINGTON AGENCIES

Economists have become less bullish about the US economic recovery from the Covid19 induced recession amid concerns about a potential second wave of the virus, according to a recently released survey.

A panel of 52 economists has lowered the forecast for U.S. economic growth rate for the fourth quarter of 2020 as well as 2021, the National Association for Business

Economics (NABE) said in its October Outlook Survey. The median forecast for real U.S. gross domestic product (inflationadjusted GDP) growth for the fourth quarter of 2020 was lowered to an annual rate of 4.9 percent from 6.8 percent in the prior survey in June.

The median real U.S. GDP growth estimate for 2021 is 3.6 percent, compared with an expected increase of 4.8 percent in the June survey. Panelists still have a negative outlook regarding the balance of risk

to economic growth, with 66 percent indicating that the balance of risk through 2020 is weighted to the downside, the NABE said.

About 55 percent of the panel consider a second wave of Covid-19 as the greatest downside risk to economic growth. Other downside risks include fiscal policy inaction, a political/geopolitical event, and an increasing number of bankruptcies, according to the NABE. Eric Rosengren, president of the Federal

Reserve Bank of Boston, recently warned that a second wave of Covid-19 infections in the fall and winter and the lack of further fiscal aid could make the U.S. economic recovery more gradual than hoped.

About half of panelists put the odds of a "double-dip" recession in the United States at 20 percent or less, while 12 percent of panelists place those odds at 50 percent or greater, according to the NABE survey.

Economists remain divided over when the U.S. economy will return to pre-pan-

demic GDP levels, with roughly 38 percent saying the second half of 2021, 32 percent saying the first half of 2022 and 22 percent believing it will occur in the second half of 2022, the survey showed.

The survey also showed that panelists expect the U.S. economy to grow at an annual rate of 25 percent in the third quarter after contracting 31.4 percent in the second quarter. But for the whole year 2020, the U.S. economy is expected to contract by 4.3 percent.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

SOuTh PuNJaB BEaT SINDh TO STay IN ruN fOr SECOND XI NaTIONaL T20 CuP TITLE raCE KARACHI

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PPI

OUTHERN Punjab outplayed Sindh by eight wickets to keep their Second XI National T20 Cup title hopes alive on the sixth day of the single-league competition at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

In the afternoon match, Southern Punjab dismissed Sindh for 109 in 19.5 overs and then raced to victory for the loss of two wickets in 16.1 overs to record their third win in four matches. The comprehensive victory also helped Southern Punjab to improve their net run-rate (0.416), which can

potentially decide the title-winner on the final day of the tournament on Thursday.

For Sindh, it was all but over as they have ended with three wins in five matches with a poor net run-rate of -0.140.

Central Punjab is the other side, which remains in the hunt for the title. Like Southern Punjab, Central Punjab has three wins in four matches with a net run-rate of 0.849. On Wednesday, Southern Punjab will play Balochistan, while in the only match on Thursday, Central Punjab will take on Northern.

If both the Punjab sides win their final league matches, they will end up with four wins in five matches with the net run-rate

afghaN CrICkETEr NaJEEB TarakaI PaSSES aWay aT agE 29 IN TragIC aCCIDENT Afghanistan cricketer Najeeb Tarakai has passed away at age 29 after sustaining fatal injuries in a road accident, the country's cricket board announced on Tuesday.

"ACB and Afghanistan cricket loving nation mourns the heart-breaking loss of its aggressive opening batsman and a very fine human being Najeeb Tarakai (29) who lost his life to a tragic traffic accident, leaving us all shocked," the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Twitter. Tarakai represented Afghanistan in one T20I and 12 ODIs. His average in first-class cricket was 47.20 which includes six centuries and a career-high 200. His last professional cricket match was on September 8 last month in Shpageeza Cricket League. While representing Mis Ainak Knights against Kabul Eagles, he had made 32 runs off 22 balls. AGENCIES

England must rethink attack without Tuilagi, says Jones England must find a new attacking "focal point" without injured talisman Manu Tuilagi, coach Eddie Jones said on Tuesday as he prepares his squad for the upcoming of autumn internationals. Sale Sharks centre Tuilagi faces up to six months on the sidelines after tearing his Achilles tendon in the latest injury setback for the Samoa-born midfielder. "Manu was the focal point of our attack, and we have to find other ways of having focal points of our attack," said Jones. "We'll miss Manu greatly. He's been a terrific team-mate, terrific team player, and we feel for him. But we move on, we'll find other alternatives and other ways of playing."

England take on the Barbarians in a non-cap international on October 25 before playing their delayed Six Nations fixture against Italy the following weekend. The Autumn Nations Cup will then follow immediately, before the 2021 Six Nations, which should fall into its usual slot, meaning Tuilagi, 29, could miss the entire schedule. Injuries have limited Tuilagi to 44 Tests, including one for the British and Irish Lions, in an international career dating back to 2011. AGENCIES

to decide the champion. Defending champions Northern are winless after three matches. Sindh needed to, at least, win their final league match to remain in contention for the title but they faltered badly to be bowled out for 109 in 19.5 overs.

Southern Punjab’s Zia-ul-Haq turned the tables on Sindh when he returned figures of 3.5-0-18-4, and received good support from Mohammad Irfan (two for 19) and Dilbar Hussain (two for 24).

For Sindh, Jahid Ali was the top scorer with 30, while captain Fawad Alam contributed 21. In turn, Southern Punjab reached 110 for the loss of two wickets with Zain Abbas (55 not out, 47 balls, one

six, eight fours) and Mukhtar Ahmed (44, 41 balls, one six, six fours) leading the way with a 99-run second wicket partnership.

Earlier in the morning fixture, Balochistan, put into bat, collected 152 for five in their allocated 20 overs. Opener Abdul Wahid Bangalzai carried the innings, scoring 90 off 55 balls with four sixes and 11 fours. Together with Ayaz Tasawar (27), Abdul Wahid added 68 runs for the fourth wicket after Balochistan had slipped to 23 for three. In their target chase, Northern lost their way from 87 for two to finish at 133 for six in 20 overs despite a half-century by Nihal Mansoor (51, 48 balls, two sixes, four fours) and Shoaib Ahmed (25).

Premier League defies virus crisis to flex financial muscle AGENCIES The spectre of empty stands and uncertainty over future broadcast and commercial contracts failed to halt the Premier League's arms race as clubs again splashed out more than £1 billion in the transfer window.

English top-flight clubs committed to deals worth a reported £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion), the lowest spend for a summer transfer window since 2015.

However, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic was more marked when it came to player sales as Europe's other major leagues tightened their belts.

Outgoings of around £400 million mean the £800 million net spend is the second-highest on record in a single window. "The sensible way to look at it was that maybe the transfer market is not going to be as buoyant as in previous years," John Purcell of football finance specialists Vysyble told AFP. "What we've ended up with is actually the second-highest net spend total for a summer window ever.

"When clubs are doing these deals it tends to be a low down-payment and then the rest of the amount that needs to be paid is back-ended. "That suggests to us that, firstly, the clubs are thinking this Covid situation is not going to last forever. Secondly, it is forcing the clubs to stack up their risk exposure a little bit further down the track."

BARCA'S BLEAK OUTLOOK: In stark contrast to the Premier League's investment, transfer spending in La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga shrank dramatically. Far from going for a new Galactico, Real Madrid did not make a single signing.

Barcelona's dire financial figures for the 2019/20 season show why they spent most of the summer trying to get the big salaries of Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic off their books.

All three were sold for nominal fees.

The Catalan giants saw revenue fall by an estimated 203 million euros last

season and expect at least a further 60 million euro drop for the current campaign, with more of the season played behind closed doors.

Meanwhile spending in Serie A fell by over half a billion euros compared to the 2019 summer window, despite Juventus' 60 million-euro deadline day deal for Italy winger Federico Chiesa and Napoli splashing up to 80 million euros on Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, according to daily Gazzetta Dello Sport. However, the competition for lucrative Champions League places and the battle to remain in the top flight is driving the need to spend in the Premier League. Just a month into the new season, champions Liverpool have been thrashed 7-2 by Aston Villa, while Manchester City and Manchester United have been humiliated at home by two sides that finished outside the top four last season -- Leicester and Tottenham. "It's no secret that the Premier League is getting increasingly competitive. We used to talk about the big four, now we talk about the big six," said Chris Winn, football finance expert at the UCFB Global Institute of Sport.

"As things are getting more and more competitive, especially in this environment where seemingly anything is possible, the last thing that clubs want to be worrying about beyond the uncertainty of the pandemic is the effect of relegation or not qualifying for Europe.

"The impact of that alone could be even greater than the amounts we are seeing spent by clubs on an individual basis this summer."

The huge transfer fees do not even take into account the extra financial commitments some clubs have taken on in terms of salaries -- Gareth Bale moved to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid and Edinson Cavani joined Manchester United on a free transfer.

Further financial pressure comes from the British government, which wants the Premier League to help out clubs further down the football pyramid who rely on gate receipts. No rescue package has yet been agreed but failure to do so would risk another PR disaster for the Premier League.

Liverpool and Tottenham backtracked after initially planning to use government funds to furlough nonplaying staff earlier this year.

And Arsenal faced a backlash after it was reported that the man who played club mascot Gunnersaurus had been released as part of cost-cutting measures on the same day the club paid £45 million to sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid. On the field, the Premier League has defied the Covid gloom with unpredictable goalfests taking the eye off empty backdrops.

Now it is betting on that product to sustain revenues even in a global economic crisis.

SPORTS 11

Vitality Blast champ Imad Wasim set to rejoin Northern for remainder of National T20 Cup

League leaders Northern's bid to defend their National T20 Cup title is set to receive a major boost as their captain Imad Wasim is expected to join them on October 8 after helping his county side Notthinghamshire Outlaws lift the 2020 T20 Blast trophy in England.

Nottinghamshire beat Surrey by six wickets in the final late Sunday evening following a complete washout on Saturday. Though Wasim did not play a big role in team’s win in the final, he struck two runs required on the last ball in the quarter-final against Leicestershire, enabling his team to make it to the semi-final.

In the semis, Outlaws defeated Lancashire by five wickets. “Imad will be back on October 6 and join Northern on October 8 - a day ahead of the National T20 Cup’s second leg at the Pindi Stadium. Babar Azam, fresh from his own T20 Blast campaign with Somerset, will also be seen leading Central Punjab in the second leg,” a PCB official said when contacted. AGENCIES

Misbah says ODI, T20I squads for Zimbabwe series to be named on Oct 19 Head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has revealed that Pakistan’s limited-overs squads for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe will be named on October 19, once the National T20 Cup has concluded. “We will announce the squads for the Zimbabwe series after the National T20 Cup,” Misbah, also the chief selector, told the media upon his arrival at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, where he is to assess the National T20 Cup’s Second XI matches. “It will be a 22 or 23-member squad.” Misbah reiterated that the ongoing National T20 Cup could double as auditions for the upcoming Zimbabwe home series and the tour of New Zealand. “We want to monitor the performances of players in both the First and Second XI tournaments of the National T20 Cup,” he said. “Those who perform well could be given a chance against Zimbabwe and New Zealand.” At the same time, Misbah said that it hasn’t been decided if Pakistan will go at full strength against Zimbabwe or experiment with newer, younger options. “We are still mulling whether or not the seniors should be rested against Zimbabwe,” he said. AGENCIES

Switzerland's Shaqiri adds to Liverpool Covid-19 cases LAUSANNE: Switzerland forward Xherdan Shaqiri has joined Liverpool team-mates Thiago Alcantara and Sadio Mane in contracting coronavirus, the Swiss football federation announced on Tuesday. Shaqiri had joined up with the national set-up at the start of the week hoping to make his first appearance for his country since June 2019, but will now be quarantined. He will miss Wednesday's friendly with Croatia as well as the Nations League fixtures in Spain on Saturday and in Germany on October 13. On Friday, Premier League champions Liverpool announced Senegal forward Mane had tested positive for Covid-19 four days after the club said new signing Thiago had the virus. AGENCIES

English Premier League: Transfer market's biggest winners and losers AGENCIES Premier League clubs on Monday went on a spending spree before the international transfer window closed.

Manchester United and Arsenal made the biggest headlines on deadline day with deals for Edinson Cavani and Thomas Partey respectively. Lets take a look at how the top teams fared in the summer market: LIVERPOOL: What do you give the manager who has everything?

Heading into the final days of the transfer window, it seemed Jurgen Klopp´s desires had been well catered for as he bolstered a squad that powered to the title last term and won the Champions League just two seasons ago. Klopp´s headline addition was Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who arrived from Bayern Munich in a £20 million ($25 million) swoop. The Reds boss also spent £41 million on Wolves for-

ward Diogo Jota, while Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas arrived from Olympiakos as back-up for Andrew Robertson.

But Sunday´s astonishing 7-2 defeat at Aston Villa has cast a fresh spotlight on Liverpool´s squad and the glare wasn´t entirely flattering. Liverpool have conceded 11 goals in just four league games this season, with Joe Gomez looking especially vulnerable amid suggestions Klopp should have brought in a centre-back to provide competition for the berth alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.

MANCHESTER CITY: Frustrated by the defensive deficiencies that ruined City´s bid for a third successive title last season, Pep Guardiola spent over £100 million on a pair of centre-backs. Nathan Ake was signed from Bournemouth for £41 million, but after the Dutch international was part of a back four that conceded five goals at home to Leicester, Guardiola decided to double down

on the position with a £61 million move from Benfica´s Ruben Dias. Dias is regarded as a natural leader and he will need to live up to that billing as City have looked bereft of organisation and fight since Vincent Kompany´s departure to Anderlecht last year. Ferran Torres´s £20 million arrival from Valencia seemed an extravagance given City´s wealth of options on the flanks.

MANCHESTER UNITED: Lurching from one bungled deal to another, United endured a troubled transfer window that added to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer´s problems on the pitch. United´s third place finish last season raised hopes of a big leap forward fuelled by a host of star signings, but instead they became embroiled in a protracted and ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.

Ed Woodward, who takes the lead on United´s transfer deals, also failed to land Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish and

CMYK

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele.

Signing former Paris Saint Germain striker Edinson Cavani, 33, on a free transfer on deadline day smacked of desperation and did little to appease frustrated fans still fuming after Sunday´s 6-1 thrashing by Tottenham. Porto left-back Alex Telles also arrived on Monday for £13.5 million, but neither he nor Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, who joined for £40 million in the close-season, are likely to set pulses racing.

CHELSEA: Snap judgement suggests Frank Lampard was the window´s big winner. Looking to close the gap on Liverpool, Lampard convinced Blues owner Roman Abramovich to bankroll a £200 million spree that landed German forwards Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech, Leicester defender Ben Chilwell, Rennes keeper Edouard Mendy, plus Thiago Silva on a free transfer.

Whether Lampard will be able to gel

those new signings into a cohesive unit is the question that will define Chelsea´s season as a success or failure.

THE CHASING PACK: The teams hoping to break into the top four all strengthened their cases with some astute deals.

Arsenal met a £45 million release clause to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey just minutes before the deadline, a deal that followed their signings of Chelsea winger Willian and Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes earlier in the window.

The return of prodigal son Gareth Bale on loan from Real Madrid was a coup for Tottenham, who also signed Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Unbeaten table toppers Everton have been revitalised by the arrival of Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, while Carlo Ancelotti´s rebuild included deals for Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ben Godfrey and Robin Olsen.

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

PrAyEr TImINGS

NEWS

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

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Pressure builds for CeAsefire As kArAbAkh fighTiNg rAges b agenCieS

ATTLES raged between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region on Tuesday, with both sides vowing to pursue the conflict despite increasing international pressure for a ceasefire.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu landed in Azerbaijan for talks after Russia, the United States and France on Monday called for an “unconditional” halt to the fighting. Western powers are urging Turkey, a longstanding ally of Azerbaijan, to use its influence with Baku to restore calm after 10 straight days of clashes that have claimed more than 260 lives.

The battles began on September 28 in a long-simmering territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Azerbaijan in the

1990s. Neither side has shown any inclination to slow hostilities despite a mounting civilian death toll.

Azerbaijan’s defense ministry and Karabakh’s foreign ministry both said fighting was continuing on several fronts on Tuesday morning.

Both sides continued to claim to have inflicted heavy losses in manpower and equipment and to accuse each other of targeting civilian areas. The conflict has expanded in the last few days with shelling on big cities, including the regional capital Stepanakert and Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, Ganja.

After several days of heavy bombing, Stepanakert was calm on Tuesday, according to an AFP journalist in the city, with the streets nearly empty. Warning sirens rang out and the city was littered with glass and debris from previous shelling, but no explosions had been heard by mid-day.

POTENTIAL ‘WAR CRIME’: Armenian

iNdiA's CoroNAvirus iNfeCTioNs rise To 6.69 millioN BENGALURU: India’s total coronavirus cases rose by 61,267 in the last 24 hours to 6.69 million on Tuesday morning, data from the health ministry showed. Deaths from Covid-19 infections rose by 884 to 103,569, the ministry said. India’s death toll from the novel coronavirus rose past 100,000 on Saturday, only the third country in the world to reach that bleak milestone, after the United States and Brazil, and its epidemic shows no sign of abating. Last week, India further eased restrictions and permitted states to open schools and movie theatres. AGENCIES

Trump faces backlash for removing mask on return to White house WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump faced a fresh backlash on Tuesday for removing his mask when he returned to the White House and urging Americans not to fear the Covid-19 disease that has killed more than 209,000 people in the country and put him in hospital. Trump arrived at the White House on Monday in a made-for-television spectacle in which he descended from his Marine One helicopter wearing a white surgical mask only to remove it as he posed, saluting and waving, on the mansion’s South Portico. “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it,” Trump said in a video after his return from the Walter Reed Medical Center military hospital outside Washington where he was treated for the disease caused by the coronavirus. “I’m better, and maybe I’m immune – I don’t know,” he added, flanked by American flags and with the Washington Monument in the background. “Get out there. Be careful.” Trump, who was treated by an army of doctors and received experimental treatment, has repeatedly played down a disease that has killed more than 1 million people worldwide and left his own country with the highest death toll in the world. The Republican president, running for re-election against Democrat Joe Biden in the Nov 3 election, was admitted to hospital on Friday after being diagnosed with the disease. Trump has repeatedly flouted social-distancing guidelines meant to curb the virus’ spread and ignored his own medical advisers. He also mocked Biden at last Tuesday’s presidential debate for wearing a mask at events, even when he is far from others. His decision to remove his mask after climbing the staircase to the White House South Portico – a perch that put him at some distance from others – and his insistence that Americans should not fear the disease horrified some physicians. “I was aghast when he said Covid should not be feared,” said William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. “This is a disease that is killing around a thousand people a day, has torpedoed the economy, put people out of work. This is a virus that should be both respected and feared,” he added.

Democrats also weighed in. “This is a tragic failure of leadership,” Democratic Senator Chris Coons tweeted.

But Trump depicted himself as a man who vanquished the disease and emerged stronger. “If the President bounces back onto the campaign trail, he will be an invincible hero, who not only survived every dirty trick the Democrats threw at him, but the Chinese virus as well,” he wrote on Twitter. Biden quickly hit back on Twitter with side-by-side images of himself donning a mask and Trump removing his. A caption said, “Masks Matter. They save lives.” AGENCIES

health minister Arsen Torosyan told reporters near the border that he had seen a rocket landing very close to Stepanakert’s main hospital.

“I’m not ruling out they are deliberately targeting medical facilities, which is a war crime,” he said. Azerbaijan’s defense ministry claimed on Tuesday that separatists had incurred major losses and were forced to retreat. It said an ammunition depot near Stepanakert, rocket launchers and artillery had been destroyed. The two sides have reported 265 deaths since the fighting erupted, including more than 45 civilians, but the real total is expected to be much higher as both sides are claiming to have inflicted heavy military casualties.

Most of the confirmed deaths are from the Armenian side, which has reported nearly 220 fatalities among separatist fighters. Azerbaijan is not releasing any figures on its military deaths.

Armenia is in a military alliance of former Soviet states led by Russia, which has a permanent base in the country but has not shown any appetite for a military escalation of the conflict.

Turkey is a loyal ally of Azerbaijan, a fellow Muslim and Turkic country, and has been accused of dispatching mercenaries from Syria and Libya to join the fighting.

Moscow and leaders in several Western capitals have condemned the deployment of foreign fighters via Turkey and instead urged Turkey’s leadership to work towards a political settlement to the fighting.

Karabakh’s declaration of independence from Azerbaijan during the collapse of the Soviet Union sparked a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives.

Talks to resolve the conflict — mediated

by Russia, the United States, and France — have made little progress since a 1994 ceasefire agreement.

In Tokyo, Pompeo slams China and seeks support from Asian allies toKYo AGENCIES

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Japan on Tuesday to rally support from Washington’s closest allies in Asia, calling for deeper collaboration with Japan, India and Australia as a bulwark against China’s growing regional influence.

The East Asia visit, Pompeo’s first in more than a year, coincides with worsening tensions with China. Yet the call for a united front against Beijing is a sensitive subject for Washington’s allies, which are reliant on China for trade.

In comments before the start of a meeting of the Quad grouping of the four nations’ foreign ministers, Pompeo spoke in typically unsparing terms against Beijing’s ruling Chinese Communist Party. That was in contrast to his three counterparts, all of whom avoided calling out China directly.

“As partners in this Quad, it is more critical now than ever that we collaborate to protect our people and partners from the CCP’s exploitation, corruption and coercion,” Pompeo said, referring to the ruling party. “We see it in the South and East China Seas, the Mekong, the Himalayas, the Taiwan Strait.”

China has denounced the Quad as an attempt to contain its development.

Pompeo’s visit was supposed to include trips to Mongolia and South Korea but was cut back to one day after President Donald Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19.

He also reiterated the Trump administration’s criticism of China’s handling of COVID-19 after it first broke out in the city of Wuhan. “When we met, now, last year, the landscape was very different. We couldn’t have imagined a pandemic that came from Wuhan.

That crisis was made infinitely worse by the Chinese Communist Party’s cover-up,” he said.

“The regime’s authoritarian nature led its leaders to lock up and silence the very brave Chinese citizens who were raising the alarm.”

REGIONAL RIVAL: The Quad meeting is unlikely to yield a specific action plan, although the gathering itself may serve as a warning to China and play to its fears that the grouping might one day grow into a formalised structure like NATO, experts have said.

The United States and China, the world’s top two economies, are at loggerheads over a wide range of issues from Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus to its imposition of a new security law in Hong Kong and ambitions in the South China Sea. Most Asian allies have been pleased with Washington’s toughness toward their regional

rival China but have not so eagerly welcomed Trump and Pompeo’s highly charged recent rhetoric and remain wary of going too far in antagonising China.

Part of the problem for Washington’s Asian allies is their dependence on China for trade. China was the top destination for Australian exports in 2019, the No. 2 destination for Japanese exports and the No. 3 destination for Indian exports, according to IMF direction of trade statistics compiled by Refinitiv.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said after the talks the nations had confirmed they would advance with practical talks on infrastructure, cybersecurity and other areas.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the Quad promotes an inclusive, open Indo Pacific, a common refrain among the ministers.

The United States has said it greatly values the meeting of the Quad grouping of foreign ministers as a platform to strengthen its solidarity against China with regional allies.

“We’re hoping to have some significant announcements, significant achievements,” Pompeo had told reporters in the United States before departing for Tokyo, declining to say what they would be.

As expected, there was no joint statement from the members.

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AssAd blAmes Turkey for NAgorNo-kArAbAkh fighTiNg, russiA sees 'Terrorism' risk YEREVAN: Syrian President Bashar alAssad accused Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan of being the main instigator in the deadliest fighting between Armenian and Azeri forces for more than 25 years.

In an interview published on Tuesday that is likely to exacerbate international frictions over the clashes in the South Caucasus, Assad also said militants from Syria were being deployed to the conflict area. Turkey has denied involvement in the fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountain enclave that belongs to Azerbaijan under international law but is governed by ethnic Armenians, and has dismissed accusations that it sent mercenaries to the area. But Assad told Russian news agency RIA: “He (Erdogan) … was the main instigator and the initiator of the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia.” Reiterating accusations first levelled by French President Emmanuel Macron that Turkey has sent Syrian jihadists to fight in the conflict, Assad said: “Damascus can confirm this.” AGENCIES

india only doing politics on Jadhav case, AgP tells ihC Continued from page 01 Pakistan had introduced the ordinance to implement the decision of ICJ in letter and spirit and its period had been extended for further 120 days. The government had approached this court to appoint a legal representative for Indian spy under ICJ judgment after he refused to contest his appeal, he said, adding the IHC could appoint a lawyer for him as it was necessary to honour the decision of ICJ. The chief justice observed that the government had given enough opportunities to India in this regard but it was not ready to take advantage of Pakistan’s offers in this case. He remarked that what would be its importance in light of ICJ’s decision if this court appointed a lawyer, adding that every step should be in accordance with the international court. The bench asked the AGP to satisfy the court that how the appeal could be heard when India and its arrested spy were not ready to contest it. “Can the court, on its own, appoint a lawyer for Kulbhushan Jadhav?” asked Chief Justice Athar Minallah. “Help the court in figuring out the implications of what consequences will occur if a lawyer is appointed [for the Indian spy] without India and Jadhav’s permission?” To this, Khalid Javed said that this matter was not related to the review of the death sentence instead it was regarding the appointment of a lawyer, the fate of Yadhev would be decided in his review petition. Justice Athar Minallah said that the basic purpose was to implement the ICJ decision in its true meaning and directed the AGP to assist the court in light of identical decisions of ICJ in the past. The attorney general said that India had to approach only this court to get relevant documents but it didn’t. To this, Justice Aamer Farooq said that India could directly approach this court. He said that the court would ensure to protect the basic rights of Jadhav pertaining to his life but he had to approach the court to avail the legal option. The attorney general requested the court to grant around three-week time so that they could view the previous decisions of ICJ and submit a report. The court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing on the matter till November 9.

Black hole discoveries win 2020 Nobel Prize for Physics StoCKHoLm AGENCIES

Britain’s Roger Penrose, Reinhard Genzel of Germany and American Andrea Ghez won the 2020 Nobel Prize for Physics on Tuesday for their discoveries about one of the most exotic phenomena in the universe, the black hole.

Penrose, professor at the University of Oxford, won half the prize of 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million) for his work using mathematics to prove that black holes are a direct consequence of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Genzel, of the Max Planck Institute and University of California, Berkeley, and Ghez, at the University of California, Los Angeles, shared the other half for discovering that an invisible and extremely heavy object governs the orbits of stars at the centre of our galaxy.

Ghez – only the fourth woman to be awarded the Physics prize after Marie Curie in 1903, Maria Goeppert-Mayer in 1963 and Donna Strickland in 2018 – said she hoped it would inspire others.

Asked about the discovery of a massive yet invisible object at the heart of the Milky Way, Ghez said “the first thing is doubt”. “You have to prove to yourself that what you are really seeing is what you think you are seeing. So, both doubt and excitement,” the 55-year-old astronomer said in a call with the committee after receiving the award.

“It’s that feeling of being at the frontier of research when you have to always question what you are seeing.” Genzel, 68, told Reuters Television soon after hearing he had shared the prize that had been on a Zoom call with colleagues when the phone rang. “Just like in the movies, a voice said: ‘This is Stockholm’,” he said.

He admitted to being flabbergasted by the news: “I cried a little bit.”

WHERE TIME ENDS: Scientists have wondered since the 18th century whether any object existed in the universe that would exert a gravitational pull so strong that light may not be able to escape.

Einstein predicted in 1915, in his general theory of relativity, that space and time could be warped by the force of grav-

ity. Yet he did not actually believe in black holes, and finding a way to prove their existence baffled scientists for another 50 years. “It was a theory – there was nothing to make black holes visible,” said Genzel. It was not until a seminal paper in 1965 that Penrose, now 89, proved that black holes can really form – describing them in detail and stating that, at their centre, time and space cease to exist.

Illustrating Penrose’s insight at the awards presentation in Stockholm, Ulf Danielsson of the Nobel Committee held a black ball the size of a grapefruit in one hand and pointed at it with the finger of his other hand. At the ball’s edge, time stands still, Danielsson said, and as his finger pushed into it, its tip moves into the future. It would be impossible to withdraw one’s finger without tearing it apart. Instead it would be “carried all the way into the centre of the black hole, where time ends and the known laws of physics cease to apply”.

‘AWE-INSPIRING’ MYSTERY: Subsequent efforts to find a black hole focused on the clouds of dust in a region of

the Milky Way called Sagittarius A*. By observing movements of stars, teams of astronomers led by Genzel and Ghez concluded that around 4 million solar masses are packed into a region the size of our solar system.

“Penrose, Genzel and Ghez together showed us that black holes are awe-inspiring, mathematically sublime, and actually exist,” said Tom McLeish, professor of natural philosophy at Britain’s University of York.

While black holes are now accepted science, much about them remains a mystery. “What is the black hole? We don’t know, we have no idea what is inside a black hole and that is what makes these things such exotic objects,” said Ghez. Physics is the second of this year’s crop of Nobels to be awarded, after three scientists won the medicine prize for their discovery of Hepatitis C on Monday.

The Nobel prizes were created in the will of Swedish dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel and have been awarded since 1901.

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