EpaperKHI_21-07-14

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021 I 3 Zil-Hajj, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 15 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Universal access to covid-19 vaccine vital to revive global economy: Pm

ISLAMABAD app

P

rime minister imran Khan on thursday said as the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the interdependence of nations, a joint action was essential to fight the Covid-19’s triple challenge through vaccine supply, reallocation of international monetary Fund (imF) quotas by high-income states and adaptation of climate finance. the prime minister stressed that the “universal and affordable access to Covid-19 vaccine was vital to defeat the virus and to revive global trade, investment and growth”. “the global economy will not recover fully until all countries – rich and poor – are enabled to accelerate and expand investment for achieving the sustainable Development Goals and climate goals,” the prime minister said in his virtual address at the Un High-

level political Forum on sustainable Development, held at the Un Headquarters in new york. imran Khan said the world must ramp up vaccine production, including in the developing countries, and ensure its rapid distribution. to enable developing countries purchase vaccines at fair prices, he emphasized on waiver of intellectual property rights even if temporary, vaccine production under license, full funding of CovaX facility, and grants and concessional lending. the prime minister said adequate finance was important to mobilize the developing countries meet the triple challenge of Covid recovery, implementation of sustainable Development Goals (sDGs) and realization of environmental goals.

He commended the excellent role played by the Un secretary General and the entire relief and recovery efforts of the Un system in the wake of the pandemic.

coronavirUs in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

976,867

LAST UPDATED AT 11:39 AM ON JULY 13, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

21

1,590

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

914,605 22,618 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

348,385

348,509

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

139,593 AJK/GB: 21,256/6,972

28,321 ISLAMABAD:

83,831

the prime minister said by the grace of almighty allah, pakistan remained fortunate compared with other countries as the government through its policy of ‘smart lockdown’ and focus on the disadvantaged, had been able to somehow contain the virus. after managing precious lives and the livelihoods through ehsaas sociowelfare programme, he said, pakistan was making efforts to accelerate its vaccination campaign. imran Khan said the high-income countries injected $17 trillion to stimulate their economies while the developing countries were estimated to need at least $4.3 trillion to recover from the crises and implement the sDGs. they have so far unfortunately secured access to less than five percent of this amount, he added.

He recalled that last september, he had proposed the creation of new imF special Drawing rights as an effective way to generate development financing and welcomed the agreement to create $650 billion in new sDrs. He endorsed the proposal of the imF Director General to enable the high-income countries voluntarily reallocate a part of their unutilized imF quotas, and stressed its urgent approval.

He hoped that at least $150 billion would be reallocated to finance sustainable development projects and programmes in developing countries through the imF, world bank and other development banks and institutions. “the restructuring of high-cost debt is another essential instrument to provide fiscal space and development finance for the affected developing countries,” he added.

He pointed out that any “common framework” for debt restructuring should not involve protracted negotiations that could defeat the purpose of relief.

Ban on TLP unchanged: Fawad g

FeDeral Cabinet approves 15 perCent speCial allowanCe For paKistan army ISLAMABAD staff report

the cabinet has decided to keep the ban on the proscribed tehreek-e-labbaik pakistan in place, minister for information and broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced tuesday. in may, the ministry of interior forwarded a summary to the prime minister seeking approval of a committee to revisit the decision after the hardline group submitted an appeal, requesting it to revisit the decision to proscribe it under provisions of the anti-terrorism act. addressing a press conference following a meeting of the cabinet, the minister said a report was presented before the cabinet by the committee which concluded that the decision to proscribe the group was based on merit since it was involved in the killing and torturing of policemen, and torching of public property.

Following the report, the cabinet decided to keep the proscription intact, the minister said, adding that the ministry of law was in contact with the election Commission of pakistan to get the group’s election symbol cancelled. the government had proscribed the group in april this year after it paral-

Delta variant hits country amid fourth wave fears ISLAMABAD anadolu agency

Concerns of a fourth wave of coronavirus have grown amid the emergence of the Delta variant, a strain of the virus first identified in india. the mutation has been found in more than 80 countries since it was first detected. experts say it spreads more easily because of mutations that make it better at latching onto cells in our bodies. “the Delta variant is spreading across the country,” a senior official in the national Command and operation Centre told anadolu agency on condition of anonymity. this spread comes despite the positivity ratio, which shot up to 9 percent in may, recently hovering between 2 percent and 4 percent. viruses constantly mutate and most changes are not concerning. but there is a worry that some variants might evolve enough to be more contagious, cause more severe illness or evade the protection that vaccines provide. in the United Kingdom, the variant is now responsible for 90 percent of all new infections. in the Us, it represents 20 percent

ysed swathes of the country with antiFrance protests over the French government’s support for Charlie Hebdo — a satirical weekly best known for vulgar irreverence — to republish blasphemous caricatures of the Holy prophet (peace be Upon Him). the decision was taken after thousands of its supporters and activists blocked major intersections in cities throughout the country and killed two police officers in violent clashes. the group’s demands risked making pakistan look like a “radical nation” to the outside world, minister for interior sheikh rasheed ahmed told a news conference at the time.

During the week-long protests, tlp supporters brought several cities, including lahore and Karachi, to a standstill igniting heavy street fighting and forcing authorities to cut mobile phone coverage in islamabad and surrounding towns.

SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR ARMY: Chaudhry said that during tuesday’s meeting, the cabinet approved a 15 percent special allowance on running basic pay for pakistan army personnel. there had been no increase in the salaries of armed forces personnel for the last two years, he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Imran reaffirms commitment to Kashmir cause STORY ON PAGE 02

Captain, soldier embrace martyrdom; three terrorists killed in Zewa operation: ispr of infections, and health officials say it could become the country’s dominant type as well. last week, prime minister imran Khan also called the variant “the biggest concern,” and urged the public to follow safety precautions. “after a downslide, infections are on the rise again. we fear that the Delta variant could strike pakistan,” he said in a televised address. “i appeal to the nation to wear masks and take protective measures.” earlier, minister for planning and Development asad Umar, who heads the nCoC, said he had reviewed artificial intelligence models and that in the absence of strong enforcement of health guidelines such as wearing masks and main-

taining social distancing, a “fourth wave could emerge in pakistan in July.”

‘DISREGARD’ FOR RESTRICTIONS: Due to the reluctance of some to get Covid-19 shots, the official said, authorities have banned the entry of the unvaccinated to tourist spots, hotels, movie theatres, and other picnic spots during next week’s holiday of eidul adha.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Covid-19 pandemic: 35 cases of Delta variant confirmed in Karachi STORY ON PAGE 03

STORY ON PAGE 03

Qureshi stresses equitable vaccine distribution to tackle Covid challenges STORY ON BACK PAGE

taliban surge in north afghanistan sends thousands fleeing

STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

IMrAN reAffIrMs COMMITMeNT TO KAsHMIr CAUse ISLAMABAD

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resident of British India, who was being tried on the charge of sedition, for inciting the people against the Dogra ruler at a gathering in Khanqah-e-Moula on June 21.

“We stand with Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day & pay tribute to 22 Shuhada of 13 July 1931, martyred when the Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers fired on peaceful protestors,” Imran said in a series of tweets.

“Kashmiris’ struggle against tyranny & illegal Indian Occupation is steeped in a history of resistance & sacrifice.”

The prime minister observed that the “indomitable spirit of resistance” remained alive in the disputed region as it fought the “illegal Indian” occupation.

STaff rePorT

S people of Kashmir living on both sides of the Line of Control and around the globe observed Martyrs Day on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to people struggling for self-determination in Indianoccupied Kashmir.

The day is celebrated on July 13 in commemoration of a gory incident in 1931 on the same day, when 22 Muslim protestors were killed while they were protesting the sedition case against Abdul Qadeer, a

Since 1931, the people of Kashmir observed Youm-e-Shuhada every year. The incident marked the beginning of the modern-era freedom struggle which has traversed through different phases including civilian protests and political and armed struggle.

Interestingly, until 2019, the day was also observed in occupied Kashmir.

However, in December 2019, four months after revoking the special status of the disputed region, the Bharatiya Janata Party government removed this day from the region’s official holiday list.

According to Kashmir Media Service, a complete strike is being observed across the

held territory today as part of the week-long protest calendar, a call for which has been given by the joint resistance leadership.

FREEDOM NOT FAR-OFF: ALVI Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi terming the resistance against Indian occupation “just and selfless”, said the day was not far when they would achieve their ultimate goal of freedom.

“The Kashmiri battle against illegal Indian occupation is just and selfless.

Pakistan will continue to provide diplomatic, political and legal support to the Kashmiris in IIOJK till they achieve their goal of freedom,” his office said in a series of tweets. “That day is not far Insha’Allah. We shall see.”

He said the spirit of the tragic incident had been kept alive by the descendants of the martyrs who “demand self-determination as guaranteed by the international community”.

“Struggle for freedom continues by the brave,” he said.

FULL SOLIDARITY: The Foreign Office,

Political recruitments have dismantled Railways: top judge ISLAMABAD inP

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed Tuesday said that the political recruitments have derailed the department of Pakistan Railways.

The chief justice gave the dressingdown while hearing a case pertaining to the regularisation of the employees recruited in the department on an ad hoc basis.

The court suspended the decision of the service tribunal regarding the regularisation of 80 contractual employees

and also admitted for hearing a petition of the department against them.

The counsel for the railways told the court that these employees had been recruited in 2013 in spite of not meeting the relevant policy.

Justice Ahamd said: “The temporary recruitments are made on a political basis.

The railways is in dire straits due to the non-professional attitude of its employees.

The department is rife with wrongdoings due to these political recruitments.”

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a second member

Book seized for printing Malala’s picture was confiscated for want of NOC: PCTB LAHORE MoniToring rePorT

A day after the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board confiscated the copies of social studies book for grade 7 ostensibly for printing the picture of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in a section featuring important personalities, the department clarified Tuesday that the publisher had not been issued a no-objection certificate mandatory for publication. Pictures of some important personalities had been printed in the book — published by the Oxford University Press — that included founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah, national poet Muhammad Iqbal, educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, slain prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan and his spouse Begum Ra’ana, philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, 1965 war hero Major Aziz Bhatti and Yousufzai. While the book was already circulated in various educational institutes, the officials, late on Monday, conducted a raid on the OUP office in Gulberg II and confiscated the entire stock of the book. The book had been submitted to the PCTB for review and to seek a NOC in 2019, Dawn reported quoting a source. The board, after reviewing its contents, did not approve it for publishing but the company published the book nevertheless, it reported.

Last year, the board had directed all the publishers to get clearance certificates for publishing any book, besides imposing a heavy NOC fee for publishing Single National Curriculum textbooks. It directed the publishers, printers and schools to get clearance and approval to publish any book from grade 1 to 12, warning of action under Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Amended Act, 2015 — including the imposition of a fine or registration of criminal cases — in case of violation. Under the latest regime, the publishers are required to submit the publishing material to the board for getting approval and the certificate as no book would be allowed to be published without prior approval.

of the three-judge bench hearing the case, said the officers coming to the department by way of political recruitments frame policies based on political affiliations to regularise such employees.

“80 percent income of the railways is spent on salaries and pensions,” the judge said. Justice Ahmed said the temporary employees draw their salaries in spite of not attending office. “The sorry state of affairs is behind the frequent train accidents,” he declared.

Justice Ahsan said there was no system

in the railways as employees received their salaries and went home without doing their work.

“Still hundreds of people are being recruited by the PR on a temporary basis every month,” said the judge. At this, the counsel for railway intervened to inform the court that there was a ban on temporary recruitments.

Quick to respond, Justice Ahsan said the railway officials still found a way to new hirings. He said these political recruitments had destroyed the department.

IHC seeks federation’s response over woman representation in CII ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday sought the federation’s response over a plea seeking woman member appointment in the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is a constitutional body that recommends laws conforming to the Quran and Sunnah to the Parliament and provincial assemblies. One of its major objectives is to advise the Parliament, government of Pakistan, president, or governor over any question referred to the council as to whether or not a proposed law is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam.

Invoking the jurisdiction of the IHC in the matter, the petitioner Maham Ali Khan made the federal law secretary and chairman of the Council as respondents.

Appearing before a single-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq on Tuesday Advocate Ms. Zainab Janjua contended that constitutional provisions provide the composition of the Council saying

under sub-Article 3(d) of the Article 228 there has to be appointment of one woman member.

Seeking the court directives to respondents for appointment of a woman member in the Council she apprised the bench that currently there are as many as 12 members saying none of them is a woman.

Substantiating her arguments Advocate Janjua contended that importance and urgency of such matters is underscored by the Federal Government’s recent recommendation that the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2021 having already been passed by the National Assembly, now be reviewed by the Council.

She further argued that it was just one example of the many instances where the Council would have required a female perspective, adding that given the nature and impact of its functions, the Council would be representative of a wide range of interests and backgrounds.

After a brief hearing of the matter, the bench sought response from the respondents and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

Govt to provide conducive environment to investors: Kamal QUETTA TLTP

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has said that the top priority of the provincial government is to provide a conducive environment to investors.

The chief minister said this while addressing a threeday business conference on investment opportunities in the province, organised by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBOIT) at a local hotel in the provincial capital.

The chief minister said the federal government is cooperating and taking steps to bring investments, especially foreign direct investment (FDI), to the province. He said the government is committed to facilitating investors, adding if there is no investment then who will be taxed.

He said that overseas investors always approach local businessmen and take feedback prior to investing in any sector. It is important to have a business friendly environment at the local level so that investors from abroad also come to Pakistan, he added.

While lauding RCCI’s efforts for holding a business conference in Balochistan to promote trade activities, the CM said that Pakistan is a country with a population of 220 million people which in itself is a big market.

Pakistan is a country rich in minerals. He said that steps

are being taken to provide better infrastructure and facilities for markets at the borders, like customs and WeBOC. “The Rawalpindi Chamber should become our ambassador and join hands with us to promote trade activities in the province,” he further said.

Speaking on the occasion, RCCI President Nasir Mirza said that the aim of the conference is to promote emerging investment opportunities in Balochistan, promotion of trade activities and improve networking.

He said that RCCI believes that CPEC is a game changer for the entire region, especially for Pakistan, and it will pave the way for enhancing ties with Central Asian countries. The conference aims to strengthen ties and increase networking with local businesses and chambers of commerce in Balochistan, he added.

RCCI leader Sohail Altaf said that for the promotion of investment and industry, it is necessary to make communication links better, faster and easier. He suggested that the scope of the prime minister's Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme should be extended to Gwadar.

He said that direct flights to Gwadar can double the impact of FDI in Balochistan. A special desk will be set up in the Rawalpindi Chamber to highlight trade opportunities in Balochistan, he added.

The conference was attended by ministers, secretary industries, Chairman Board of Investment Saeed Ahmed Sarpara, former president RCCI Zahid Latif Khan and industrialists.

in a statement, said the government and people pay homage to the sons of Kashmir who laid down their lives fighting the Dogra regime.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Youm-e-Shuhada-eKashmir is observed in Pakistan and on both sides of the Line of Control as well as by Kashmir-origin people across the globe.

The statement noted over 390 people have been killed by the security forces in Indian-occupied Kashmir since August 5, 2019. In 2021 alone, the troops have killed 85 people, including young boys and women, arbitrarily arrested and detained 537, and destroyed 31 civilian residential units.

However, the unabated repression has failed to break the will of the people, it said.

The Foreign Office called on the world, particularly the United Nations and human rights organisations, to probe the extrajudicial killings in the region and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Court extends Usman Mirza’s physical remand in extortion case ISLAMABAD TLTP

A district and sessions judge Tuesday extended physical remand of Autoland co-owner Usman Mirza who was booked for harassing and assaulting a couple in the federal capital. Mirza and his accomplices, Farhan, Adaris Butt and Attaur Rehman physical custody have been given to police for four more days. Islamabad police have added more sections of Pakistan Penal Code to the FIR, implicating the accused persons in rape and extortion on Monday after the couple recorded their statements separately under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. According to the police, the couple will be provided protection and legal assistance as a police official said that the men blackmailed the woman into giving them Rs1.3 million. Mirza forced the woman to strip naked and shot her video two months ago, which he has been using to blackmail her since. The accused person used weapons to threaten the two. Usman Mirza is the coowner of Autoland, a showroom in Islamabad that deals with new and used cars, real estate, and rent-a-car. His Facebook page says he studied computer science at Punjab College of Commerce in Islamabad. The page is filled with short, slow-motion videos showing him walking with an ‘entourage’ of young men. In one post he says, “Come become my disciple and I’ll show you how to rule”. In other videos, he is seen with men carrying guns. On May 27, he posted a video on Facebook saying that his cell phone might be turned off for a while as some people had booked him in a case. He expected that his bail would be cancelled and so he would not be reachable for fifteen to twenty days. It is unclear if this is related to his arrest in the harassment case.

‘Honour’ claims 81 women’s lives in Punjab in 2021, PA told NEWS DESK Expressing grave concern over brutality and heinous crime against modesty of women, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Zehra Naqvi on Tuesday moved an adjournment motion in the Punjab Assembly over killing of 81 women for honour across the province in the ongoing year. She pointed out that as many as 81 women across the province have lost their lives in the name of honour saying administration remained failed to control the rising incidents. MPA Naqvi in her motion submitted in the Punjab Assembly further said a total of 62 out of 178 accused persons were named in the honour killing cases who are at larger as they have declared them absconders. Out of 81 killings of women in Punjab, the highest number was reported in the Gujranwala region, where 17 females lost their lives, the motion stated. As many as 12 women in Faisalabad, 11 in Multan, 10 in Bahawalpur region, 5 in Lahore, eight in Sargodha region, six in DG Khan, four in Rawalpindi and 2 women in Sahiwal regions were killed under the pretext of honour. The adjournment motion has urged the authorities to take tangible steps for safeguarding the lives of females and control the increasing number of honour killings in the province.

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

COvid-19 paNdEmiC: 35 CaSES Of dElTa vaRiaNT CONfiRmEd iN KaRaChi

3

NEWS DESK

5 cases of the highly contagious Delta variant confirmed in Karachi alone so far as fears of the fourth wave of the pandemic rise across the country.

The 35 Delta variant cases have been detected through genome sequencing performed on confirmed infections of Covid-19, suggesting there could be more undetected cases of the Delta strain within communities.

According to the Sindh health department, five members of the same family in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood were found to have the Delta variant.

It said that 18 cases of the Delta variant were confirmed this month alone, while all

affected patients were undergoing treatment.

It further said that “severe symptoms” of the virus had been observed in people who were confirmed to be suffering from the Delta variant.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho on Tuesday urged the public to strictly adhere to the coronavirus standard operating procedures.

She urged the public to limit their movement and follow precautionary measures, including wearing masks in public places.

“The effects the Delta variant had in India are before us; the public will have to show responsibility,” she added.

Citing Sindh health department spokesperson Atif Vighio, Dawn reported that genome sequencing was being

conducted in cases where a person arrived in the province from another country where the Delta variant is the pre-dominant strain, and tested positive for Covid-19.

He said from a total of 78,000 people who arrived in the province from abroad in June and July, 214 tested positive for Covid19; all these cases were sent for genome sequencing which confirmed 35 Delta infections. The Delta variant is a version of the coronavirus that has been found in more than 80 countries since it was first identified in India. It got its name from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which names notable variants after letters of the Greek alphabet. Viruses constantly mutate and most changes aren’t concerning. But there is a worry that some variants might evolve enough to be more contagious, cause more

NCOC daily updaTE: 1,590 NEw CaSES, 21 dEaThS fROm COvid-19 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday reported 1,590 new Covid-19 cases, the National Command and Operation Center announced Tuesday. The NCOC said that the number of overall confirmed cases had risen to 976,867, including 914,605 recoveries. The number of active cases has risen to 39,644, including 2,181 critical patients.

According to the NCOC, the pandemic killed 21 people on Monday, taking the overall death toll to 22,618. Punjab is the most affected province of the country with 348,509 infections and 10,832 deaths followed by Sindh which has reported 348,385 cases and 5,613 deaths so far. Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, who also heads the NCOC, said in a tweet on Tuesday that for the first time, more than half a million vaccine doses were administered in a single day on Monday, with a total amount of 525,000 doses. STaff RePoRT

severe illness or evade the protection that vaccines provide.

Experts say the Delta variant spreads more easily because of mutations that make it better at latching onto cells in our bodies.

In the United Kingdom, the variant was responsible for 90 per cent of all new infections last month.

In the US, it represented 20pc of infections, and health officials said it could

Karachi anti-encroachment verdict: SC urged to form larger bench NEWS DESK Court has been moved with a plea seeking larger bench formation to revisit its verdict under which directives were issued to demolish Gujjar and Orangi nullahs in Karachi.

Earlier, on June 14, heading a three-member bench the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed had dismissed application filed by some people affected during the anti-encroachment operation around Gujjar and Orangi Town nullahs and directed the authorities to continue the operation.

Seeking a review of the Supreme Court over June 14 order, counsel for the petitioner Advocate Faisal

SEZs establishment to be expedited, Tarin tells Rong

Siddiqi requested for the constitution of a larger bench to hear the review petition.

He submitted that it was ordered that the government of Sindh, NDMA [National Disaster Management Authority] and the Administrator Karachi are to ensure that all lands of both Gujjar Nullah and Orangi Nullah and the right of way are cleared. He further said that the drive aims to clear the nullahs as well as construct a 30-feet wide road on both sides.

"Therefore, the consequence of the impugned order was a continuing demolition of thousands of houses/buildings/structures and dispossession of over 50,000 people, without any immediate substantive compensation or temporary rehabilitation," the counsel

said.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier, scores of children affected by the drive staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, appealing to the court to uphold the stay order issued by the Sindh High Court against demolitions.

Holding placards and shouting slogans, the children decried the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Karachi's Central district with several families displaced.

Civil society groups claim that the antiencroachment drives have already rendered a large number of children homeless. They argue that some 21,000 children will be displaced if all the marked houses along the nullahs are demolished.

NADRA directs branches to turn away people not coronavirus-vaccinated ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

STaff RePoRT

TLTP

Pakistan and China have underscored the importance of expediting the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for creating abundant investment and employment opportunities in identified areas. This was expressed during a meeting between Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong on Tuesday. SAPM on Finance and Revenue Dr Waqar Masood and secretary finance were also present in the meeting. While extending a warm welcome to Nong Rong, the finance minister stated that the China-Pakistan bilateral relationship is an epitome of enduring friendship and brotherhood. He said that CPEC has ushered a new era of economic prosperity and is of utmost importance for Pakistan. The CPEC will generate abundant employment and investment opportunities in Pakistan and beyond, he added. The finance minister said that the Joint Corporation Committee (JCC) has been activated. Working groups have been formed under the umbrella of JCC which would focus on different areas including planning, energy, industrial cooperation, infrastructure, communication, agriculture and overall socioeconomic development.

The National Database and Registration Authority on Tuesday directed field offices to turn away people who have refused a Covid-19 vaccine.

According to the notification, 200,000 people visit NADRA centres across the country on a daily basis for identity-related services. While having the vaccine is not compulsory, the branches might require proof that people have been vaccinated before allowing them in.

Many feared that if the agency stops entertaining the

non-vaccinated, a large number of people won’t be able to get a vaccination certificate.

It raises questions over whether the government might use immunity passports as a way to get people back into public venues. They are already used by some countries to see whether people have protection against yellow fever or polio. It merits a mention here that an identity card is a pre-requisite for administering vaccines to the public. Moreover, National Command and Operation Centre directions regarding precautionary measures against the spread of coronavirus are implemented in the centres in letter and spirit.

Over 500,000 people vaccinated in single day: Asad Umar ISLAMABAD aPP

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Tuesday said that over 500,000 people got vaccinated against Covid19 in a single day which was the highest number since the vaccination started in the country.

“For the first time, we crossed half a million doses of vaccinations yesterday.

525,000 doses were administered yesterday,” he said.

In a tweet, the minister who is also head of National Command and Operation

03

Center (NCOC) said out of the total, 390,000 people were administered first doses. He hoped that this pace would further increase in future.

become the country’s dominant type as well.

“It’s not clear yet whether the variant makes people sicker since more data needs to be collected,” said Dr Jacob John, who studies viruses at the Christian Medical College at Vellore in southern India.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned of a looming fourth wave of Covid-19 in the country, terming the Delta variant “the biggest concern”.

CapTaiN, SOldiER EmbRaCE maRTyRdOm; ThREE TERRORiSTS KillEd iN ZEwa OpERaTiON: iSpR RAWALPINDI: The Security Forces on Tuesday conducted an Area Sanitisation Operation in Zewa, Kurram District on reported presence of terrorists where three terrorists were killed during the operation.

During intense exchange of fire with terrorists, an officer, Captain Basit, age 25 years, resident of Haripur and a soldier, Sepoy Hazrat Bilal, age 22 years, resident of Orakzai embraced shahadat (martyrdom), said an said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release. A cordon and search operation was in progress to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, it added. aPP

wOmaN KillEd aS RaiN CauSES flaSh flOOdS iN Kp Rains with windstorms continued on Tuesday in the Malakand and Hazara divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), resulting in the death of a woman, Dawn News reported. Flash floods and landslides triggered by rains and windstorms damaged several properties and vehicles. The KP’s rescue department engaged in providing relief to the affected people and areas of the province. Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Mohammad Khateer said that heavy downpour in different districts of KP, including Abbottabad, Shangla, Manshera, Battagram, Swat and Lower Dir, caused flash floods, damaging public properties. He further said, during the last twenty four hours, different areas of Abbottabad, including PMA Road, Karakorum Highway, Hassan Town and Kala Bridge, became inundated. Rescue teams shifted 23 patients and injured to different hospitals, out of whom condition of three was declared as precarious. In Abbottabad, around 70 people were shifted to safe places, the DG added. Similarly, around 72 vehicles struck in flash floods were taken out from gushing water to safe places. NewS DeSk

Pakistan wants to adopt joint regional strategy on Afghanistan: Qureshi ISLAMABAD aPP

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that Pakistan wanted to adopt a joint strategy on Afghanistan after consultation with important countries of the region.

“As Pakistan is fulfilling its responsibilities, the improved situation in Afghanistan will benefit all. If, God forbids, the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, all will be affected.” Qureshi said in a statement from Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

The Foreign Minister said since he was in Tajikistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, he wanted to

utilize the opportunity to discuss the situation in Afghanistan with important countries of the region, who were also monitoring the situation.

Qureshi said with a detailed discussion already held with his Tajik counterpart on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday, he besides holding meetings with Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan today, was also expected to meet with the Foreign Ministers of China and Russia.

The Foreign Minister said that India by playing the role of a spoiler in Afghanistan was disturbing regional peace.

He urged the international community to prohibit India from the negative attitude, adding, India should also let Afghanistan

live with peace.

Qureshi said that as the neighboring countries would be affected by the situation in Afghanistan, it was a golden opportunity to take consultative process forward.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan was the only country which despite its limited resources was hosting three million Afghan refugees since decades, adding, however, if the situation in Afghanistan deteriorated again, it cannot afford to welcome more refugees from Afghanistan.

Qureshi said Pakistan by sacrificing 70,000 lives and suffering huge economic losses had paid a heavy price in the war against terrorism.

He said that since under the guise of Afghan refugees, some anti-Pakistan

elements can enter the country, it was their obligation to remain cautious.

The Foreign Minister said he considered most of the Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan as innocent who wanted to return to their country.

He said that Pakistan wanted to help the Afghan people on humanitarian ground, but also wanted to ensure the safety and security of its own people.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan desired sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan. How long fingers will be pointed towards Pakistan, he questioned.

He urged Afghans not to repeat the mistakes of past and find a way by sitting together. “We invite the important Afghan personalities for dialogue. Afghan leaders should sit and tell how we can help them?” he added.

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

04 NEWS NTDC Secures Rs 6400 million Financing Facility for Evacuation of 1224 MW Power from Wind Power Plants

KARACHI

NEPRA ALLoWS 26.44 PAiSA CuT iN PoWER TARiFF IrAn to provIde more electrIcIty to pAkIstAn

Lahore: The National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) has secured Rs 6400 million Financing Facility from Consortium of Banks (Habib Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan & Bank Islami Pakistan Limited). The financing facility will be utilized for the construction of 220 /132 kV substation and 35 km long allied Transmission Lines to evacuate 1224 MW clean renewable energy generated by wind power plants located at Jhimpir Wind Corridor. Managing Director NTDC Engr. Muhammad Ayub singed the contract of financing facility with Mr. Asad Altaf GM Corporate Banking Head (Central) HBL, Mr. Zia-udDin Tahir Unit Head NBP (Corporate) and Mr. Amir Ashraf Head Corporate (Central) BankIslami during a signing ceremony held at WAPDA House Lahore, today.

Managing Director NTDC has said, for the first time NTDC has explored the option of raising a financial facility at its own resources (balance sheet) without GOP guarantee. Whereas, previously, it had relied on GoP guaranteed loans from the local market. This financing facility would be a precursor for more funding for upcoming NTDC projects. He furthered said that PC-1 cost of the Jhimpir-II project is Rs 10.753 billion and the funding required was Rs 6.40 billion. The project will have sufficient capacity to transmit more power in future. To meet the future developments in Gharo-Jhimpir wind corridor, the 220 kV grid station will be upgraded to 500 kV capacity in coming years.

Deputy Managing Director NTDC Mr. Safdar Ali, Chief Financial Officer NTDC Mr. Wasim Saadat and other senior officials from NTDC and Banks were also present on the occasion. PRESS RElEASE

Luxury condominium project ‘Golf Floras’ attract record visitors at Lahore & Peshawar open house

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MONITORING REPORT

HE National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Monday slashed power tariff by 26.44 paisa per unit on account of fuel cost adjustment for the month of May 2021.

It allowed the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPAG) to return 26.44 paisa per unit, which it had overcharged from electricity consumers during the month of May. The CPPA-G had requested

Nepra to allow refund of the overcharged tariff of 12.5 paisa per unit to the consumers of distribution companies for May 2021 under the fuel cost adjustment (FCA) mechanism.

In a statement, Nepra said that the FCA for May 2021 shall be charged in the billing month of July 2021 for all consumer categories of XW-distribution companies, except lifeline consumers having consumption up to 50 units, domestic consumers consuming up to 300 units and agricultural consumers of all the distribution companies.

Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Monday said that Iran is ready to deliver more electricity to Pakistan and necessary infrastructure in this regard is being built.

He said this during a meeting with Federal Minister for Energy Muhammad Hammad Azhar, to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

The Iranian ambassador emphasised that close coordination between relevant organisations dealing with the import of electricity was needed for early materialisation of the new project.

Cryptocurrency trading volumes slump 40pc in June LONDON AGENCIES

‘Affordable power supply top priority’ ISLAMABAD APP

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Power and Petroleum Tabish Gauhar has vowed to ensure an inexpensive and reliable power generation and distribution system under the newly approved National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2021.

“Seamless power supply at an affordable rate with efficient distribution is one of the top priorities of the government,” he said while speaking at the inaugural consultative session of the National Electricity Plan 2021 on Monday.

He said that the approval of NEP by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) was an important development. The NEP provided goals, principles and directives for the power sector on sustainable contours, he added.

The SAPM said that the Renewable Energy (RE) Policy 2019 had also been approved to enhance the share of RE in the energy mix. Hydel energy was also included in the definition of RE for the first time and it was necessary, he added.

He said that the government had set an ambitious target to generate 60% of total power generation from RE by 2030 on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Gauhar said there had been no structural planning

for the last few decades, which resulted in no concrete electricity policy in the country.

The Rental Power Project Policy was also introduced unnecessarily for a stop-gap arrangement, he added.

He said that due to the front-loaded and costly agreements (take-or-pay) regardless of the need, the current government was compelled to pay capacity payments to the independent power producers (IPPs) amounting to Rs900 billion in the current year, which would increase from Rs1,455 to Rs1,500 billion by 2023.

He said that various projects having cumulative capacity of over 25,000MW were in the pipeline, which could not be rolled back. Now, Pakistan’s total demand was fluctuating around 23,000MW and in the next 10 years, it would double.

The SAPM said that it was time to review the 10year debt payment policy for power generation projects and its period should be extended to 15 or 20 years. “We could not afford a short-term, 10-year debt servicing policy for power projects anymore,” he added.

He said the government was taking steps to set up a power commodity market under a multi-seller and multibuyer model along with a liberalised wheeling regime that would not only give the power consumers more choice of supply but also reduce prices and improve customer service quality.

Trading volumes at major cryptocurrency exchanges fell by more than 40% in June, research showed on Monday, with a regulatory crackdown in China and lower volatility among the factors depressing activity. Spot trading volumes fell 42.7% to $2.7 trillion, with derivative volumes down 40.7% to $3.2 trillion, Londonbased researcher CryptoCompare’s data showed. “Headwinds continued as China persisted with its crackdown on bitcoin mining,” CryptoCompare said. “As a result of both lower prices and volatility, spot volumes decreased.” Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, fell more than 6% last month, touching its lowest since January, as authorities in China tightened restrictions launched a month earlier on bitcoin trading and mining. It had tumbled 35% in May, with its losses sparked by Beijing’s moves to rein in the fast-growing sector. Crypto trading volumes tend to spike during periods of extreme price swings. Major cryptocurrency exchange Binance, which has faced scrutiny from regulators across the world, retained its position as biggest platform by spot trading volume, CryptoCompare said. Still, volumes at Binance fell 56% in June to $668 billion.

Tarin orders import of 100,000 tonnes sugar ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Lahore: The leading real-estate marketing business outlet Graana.com organizes a stunning open house events to involve the contemporary triumph on country’s first luxury Condominium ‘Golf Floras’ offering by Imarat Group of Companies, aiming to intermingle the buyers and walk-in customers in Peshawar & Lahore. While ensuring the COVID-19 safety precautions in check, the event was held on Saturday & Sunday at local hotels to present and carry sensations of luxury in both the commercial and residential real estate sector of the country. The stunning event of ‘Golf Floras’ open house was attracted a large number of potential registered buyers, visitors, walk-in families and realtors, while the management of Imarat Group, Graana and Agency21 International were present there to showcase the lucrative investment opportunity as well apart from just providing a heavenly compound to live in. It’s worth mentioning that construction work on site ‘Golf Floras’ has been started for the last couple of weeks and the project of 523 high-end condominium apartments, best-in-class amenities and lush landscaping with glorious views of the mountains will be completed till the year 2025. A fusion of nature and luxury, a golfer’s paradise and a natural nirvana – the Golf Floras project is located in Bahria Garden City, Islamabad, and approved by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The chairman Imarat Group, Mr. Shafiq Akbar while acclaiming to participants of open house said that Pakistan’s first luxury Condominium, Golf Floras makes for a very lucrative investment opportunity as well apart from just providing a heavenly compound to live in. ‘The on-site construction work has been started and the project will be completed by 2025, it’s a lucrative opportunity not only for Pakistani folks but overseas communities also can also enjoyed the pledged return against the investment accordingly’, he maintained The group director, Farhan Javed said that Golf Floras is an ideally located gated community which offers 24-hour security and maintenance, retail, recreational, educational and health facilities with a rooftop restaurant, a helipad and an infinity pool, adding that ‘construction work at site has been started and the project will be completed by 2025’, he maintained. The director Agency21 International, Sharjeel A. Ehmer said that Pakistan’s first luxury Condominium, Golf Floras makes for a very lucrative investment opportunity as well apart from just providing a heavenly compound to live in. ‘It’s a lucrative opportunity not only for Pakistani folks but overseas communities can also enjoy the pledged return against the investment accordingly’, he added. PRESS RElEASE

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, while chairing a meeting of National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) on Monday, directed to import another 100,000 of sugar in one month in addition to an equal amount of the commodity arriving in Pakistan by mid of August.

The finance secretary briefed the meeting about a slight increase of 0.07 per cent in the weekly Sensitive Price Index (SPI) indicating price stability as compared to previous weeks. The committee noted that year-on-year weekly inflation was coming down for the past two months from a high of 17.23pc on May 20, 2021 to 12.28pc on July 8, which is a significant decline in SPI. Similarly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on July 1 showed an annual inflation at national level at 8.9pc

which was down from 10.74pc a year ago. Urban and rural inflation stood at 8.15pc and 10.05pc as compared to 10.17pc and 11.63pc, respectively.

“Clearly, the inflation is coming down across all measures,” an official statement said. While reviewing the year-onyear and week-on-week inflation trends, the finance minister asked the respective district administrations and departments to take stern measures to keep the prices of essential items, including vegetables, in check on Eidul Azha to eliminate profiteering.

Tarin constituted a working group under the NPMC comprising provincial chief secretaries, secretary finance division and representatives of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) and other relevant departments to work out measures for bringing price stability in basic commodities by

using mystery shopping exercise and building strategic reserves of wheat, sugar, pulses, ghee, tomatoes, onions and potatoes to eliminate undue profit margins and ensure availability of these items at affordable prices.

The finance minister directed the PBS to present a detailed variance analysis vis-a-vis weekly SPI highlighting food prices prevailing across mainstream cities and districts for real-time comparison. The data would be used by the respective provincial administrations and departments to ensure that notified rates are being followed across the board and help minimise price differential between farm gate and retail rates.

The Ministry of Industries and Production secretary told the committee that after increase in prices of soya bean and palm oils, the international prices have registered a decline.

Tarin directed the Ministry of Indus-

tries and Production, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Federal Board of Revenue to take requisite actions to ensure that current decline in the international prices of edible oil was passed on to the domestic consumers soon. The CCP chairperson said the commission had already undertaken an inquiry in the edible oil and ghee sector to ascertain information and crosscheck facts regarding alleged collective fixing of retail prices of various products of cooking oil and ghee for different market segments.

The meeting noted an uptick of 0.07pc in price of the foods, which mostly remained under use on daily basis and grouped in the weekly SPI. Participants, however, expressed their satisfaction over the nominal increase in the prices in the wake of downward trend in weekly SPI over the past two months.

Oil demand surges, market set for deficit and volatility: IEA PARIS AGENCIES

Oil demand surged last month as rising vaccination rates helped underpin robust economic activity, but with OPEC+ nations pumping less than needed prices are set to be volatile until it reaches a deal to raise output, the IEA warned on Tuesday.

A meeting of OPEC+ nations earlier this month was deadlocked over plans to gradually ease production cuts, imposed to reverse the plunge in oil prices at the start of the coronavirus pandemic as demand tumbled.

But demand is rebounding, with the International Energy Agency estimating it surged by an estimated 3.2 million barrels per day (mbd) last month,

which is more than a third of the overall drop in demand last year. The IEA expects oil demand to rise by another 3.3 mbd in the three months from July. That is more than twice as large as the seasonal increase registered during the same period in 2019, which the IEA said is a result of easing Covid restrictions and increasing vaccination.

While OPEC+ had been set to gradually raise oil output, the stalemate means production is frozen at current levels until an agreement is found.

"Oil prices reacted sharply to the OPEC+ impasse last week, eyeing the prospect of a deepening supply deficit if a deal cannot be reached," the IEA said in its latest monthly report.

The main international oil

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contracts have been trading around $75 per barrel, and some analysts see a spike to $100 as possible.

But there is another possibility: the overall OPEC+ deal breaks down and producers open the taps and try to gain market shares, which would likely lead to prices crashing.

"At the same time, the possibility of a market share battle, even if remote, is hanging over markets, as is the potential for high fuel prices to stoke inflation and damage a fragile economic recovery," said the IEA. Investors have been worried that a surge in inflation could force central banks to raise their ultra-low interest rates, thus removing one of the main supports for the economic recovery.

The IEA said that absent increased production by OPEC+ nations the market for crude is set to tighten, with additional stocks built up during the pandemic already gone and reserves running below the long-term average in industrialised nations.

Furthermore, it forecasts the biggest draw upon stocks in at least a decade will happen this quarter as OPEC+ pumps nearly 2 mbd less than market demand. The gap will rise to 3.2 mbd in the final three months of the year.

"Oil markets are likely to remain volatile until there is clarity on OPEC+ production policy," the IEA warned.

It also noted that a spike in prices would not be in the longterm interest of oil producers.

"While prices at these lev-

els could increase the pace of electrification of the transport sector and help accelerate energy transitions, they could also put a drag on the economic recovery, particularly in emerging and developing countries," the IEA report said.

While the agency, which advises oil-consuming nations, foresees oil demand recovering along with the global economy, it doesn't discount the pandemic continuing to weigh upon the market. "Covid-19 remains a significant threat to oil demand growth in the near- to medium-term, in particular in the non-OECD." Emerging nations not in the OECD group of advanced nations -- such as China and India -- were responsible for much of the growth in the global economy before the pandemic.

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

Ban on TLP unchanged: Fawad continued from page 01 “They [Pakistan Army] had frozen their salaries. On the civil side, discretionary allowances up to 25pc were given to Secretariat [employees] and a general allowance of 10pc was given to civil employees. To make it equal, special allowance of up to 25pc is being given [to Pakistan Army personnel] after two years.”

Chaudhry said the special allowances were not being given to Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel for now but the prime minister said “discussion should be done to include them.” Therefore, officials from the interior ministry and the finance ministry would hold meetings and it was expected that the salaries of Rangers and FC personnel would also be increased, he added. The minister said that the government was “very concerned” about the worsening situation in Afghanistan and was making efforts to ensure that a situation was not created in which Afghans would have to leave their homes. He said that the global community should “stand with Pakistan” instead of simply predicting the number of Afghan refugees. Chaudhry said Pakistan was observing the situation in Afghanistan and “full efforts” were being made to learn from past experiences and form a policy. “This isn’t only the responsibility of Pakistan but of the whole world,” he said. “You cannot only come and [destroy] the country and then say [Pakistan can deal with it]. The international community and countries should fulfill their responsibilities. Pakistan’s full effort is [geared towards ensuring] peace in Afghanistan.”

Chaudhry said Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed a “lot of concern” over encroachments on Islamabad’s green areas and had directed the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy to remove their walls/other security arrangements from the green areas as well. “They have started acting on it. When institutions like the air force and navy do not have that permission, there is no question that anybody else will be given permission” to build on green areas, he stressed, adding that the federal cabinet has instructed the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to make Islamabad an “encroachment-free city”.

During the meeting, the prime minister said the government’s plantation campaign this monsoon season would be the “biggest in Pakistan’s history” in which 50 million trees would be planted. He also directed all ministers to participate in the plantation campaign, Chaudhry shared. The federal government also approved a three-day holiday for Eidul Azha starting from July 20, he said. A report on security protocols would be presented to the prime minister next week after which “standards will be reviewed and security rationalised,” he added.

Crude prices inch up due to expected fall in inventories Oil prices increased on Tuesday due to an expected fall in US inventories. At 1415 GMT, Brent, the international benchmark for two-thirds of the world's oil, gained 0.31 percent to reach $75.39 a barrel.

Similarly, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reached $74.12, up 0.03 percent. The price for Opec Basket was recorded at $74.18 a barrel with 3.07 percent decrease, Arab Light was available at $75.70 a barrel with 0.38 percent increase, while the price of Russian Sokol reached $74.68 after gaining 0.44 percent. The US crude stocks are expected to decline for the eighth consecutive week, as they hit their lowest level since February 2020 in the week that ended on July 2. NEWS DESK

05

HiGH oiL PriCeS THreaTen GLoBaL eConomiC reCovery

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INCE oil prices exceeded $70 per barrel earlier this year, analysts, economists, and central banks have been fretting about whether higher crude prices could disrupt the momentum in global economic recovery from the pandemic.

Most experts argue that inflationary pressure is no doubt rising in developing economies, which are more sensitive than developed markets to rising oil prices, reported Oilprice.com.

Fuel and food prices generally account for more consumer spending in emerging economies, so they hurt them more than mature markets when oil prices rise. Inflation concerns have also started to emerge in the United States and other developed countries.

Yet, most analysts believe that oil prices—currently at around $75 a barrel— are not as high as to seriously slow down economic growth, especially in the US and Europe. In those areas, services account for a large and growing share of gross domestic product, and the cost of oil as a share of GDP is still below the long-term average.

Oil prices have not reached the point yet where they could derail the economic rebound in developed markets, economists and analysts told The Wall Street Journal last week.

Globally, the cost of oil as a share of GDP, also known as the oil burden, will rise this year because of the higher oil prices, but it will still stay below long-term averages, according to estimates from

Morgan Stanley cited by the Journal.

In 2021, the oil burden is set to increase to 2.8% of the world’s GDP if prices average $75 a barrel. But even this higher burden than in previous years would be lower than the long-term average of 3.2%, the investment bank says.

Oil would have to average $10 a barrel higher—$85—in order for the so-called oil burden to reach the long-term average, the Journal quoted a Morgan Stanley report from earlier this year.

Current economic projections for developed economies show that this year’s oil price rally will not be a significant bump to the post-pandemic growth recovery.

Just last week, the European Commission (EC) raised its short-term economic

PESD chalks out emergency plan for Eid-ul-Adha 11,130 RESCUERS REMAIN ON HIGH ALERT DURING EID HOLIDAYS: DR. RIZWAN NASEER The Punjab Emergency Service Department (PESD) has chalked out a rescue contingency plan for the holy festival of Eid-ul-Adha in all 36 districts to ensure prompt response to emergencies across Punjab. A total of 11,130 rescuers will remain on high alert during holidays at various spots of the cities in Punjab. DG PESD Dr Rizwan Naseer was briefed in a review meeting of emergency arrangements through a video link meeting, held at Rescue Headquarters here on Tuesday. This video link meeting was participated by all District Emergency Officers (DEOs), Heads of Wing of Rescue Headquarters and Academy.

While presiding over the meeting, Dr Rizwan Naseer directed DEOs to ensure close coordination with Districts/ Tehsils Headquarters Hospitals for better management of victims of emergencies. He also ordered to restrict the leaves of Rescue staff during Eid holidays. DG

PESD wished the citizens a safe & prosperous Eid and asked the motorists to drive safely and refrain from swimming in canals and rivers. He also requested the public to avoid unnecessary travel and observe all necessary precautions/instructions to contain the spread of coronavirus. The citizens should be adopted the electrical safety tips during the rainy season/monsoon to ensure electrical safety.

On this occasion, the Head of Operations appraised the DG Dr Rizwan Naseer that around 11,130 rescuers will be deployed at strategic sites during Eid holidays in order to ensure prompt response in case of any untoward situation. He also informed that specialized Rescue Teams will also be deputed to timely respond to water and COVID19 emergencies. DG PESD was briefed that 11,130 rescuers will perform Eid duties in three shifts at 650 key points established across Punjab including

250 key points of emergency vehicles and 400 Motorbikes Ambulance Service. The Provincial Monitoring Cell (PMC) and Patient Transfer Services Cell at Rescue Headquarters will also remain operational round-the-clock to ensure the effective implementation of District Emergency Plans.

Earlier, All DEOs briefed DG PESD that Emergency plans for Eidul-Adha, flood preparedness/arrangements to cope with water and rescue emergencies. They informed that emergency plans were finalized at their districts at District Emergency Board Meetings in consultation with Deputy Commissioners (DCs). They told that emergency response & management plans have been chalked out at their districts for effective & efficient management of any untoward incident during Eid holidays. The DEOs said that special Mobile Rescue posts will provide optimum Emergency Cover at Major Eid Prayer Venues.

Banking ombudsman provides Rs305.5m relief to customers ISLAMABAD: The Banking Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Pakistan has provided monetary relief amounting to Rs305.5 million to the banking customers by disposing of 14,910 complaints during the first half (January to June) of the current calendar year, 2021. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, about 99 percent (14,755) complaints were resolved amicably while only1 per cent (155) complaints required resolution through formal Orders.

There is no letup in the number of complaints being lodged against commercial banks with the Banking Mohtasib as nearly 20,220 new complaints, including 13,027 from Prime Minister’s Portal, were received from 1st January to 30th June, 2021. There has been 81 percent increase in the number of complaints lodged with the Banking Mohtasib against commercial banks during the first half of the current year, 2021.

growth projection for the European Union and the Eurozone, expecting the economy to expand by 4.8% in 2021 and by 4.5% in 2022. The latest forecasts in the Summer 2021 interim Economic Forecast are 0.6 and 0.5 percentage points higher for the EU and the Eurozone, respectively, than in the spring forecast made just a quarter ago.

Still, the Commission expects rising energy and commodity prices to put upward pressure on inflation this year, alongside production bottlenecks and shortage of some raw materials.

However, pent-up consumer demand in developed economies, mostly in the United States and Europe, is set to sustain the economic rebound and offset, at least for now, the rising oil burden, analysts say. NEWS DESK

Delta variant hits country amid fourth wave fears continued from page 01 “They are also not allowed to enter makeshift cattle markets,” he added, referring to a key venue for the holiday, in which animals are sacrificed and the meat shared with the poor, in remembrance of the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. He added: “We are also prohibiting domestic air travel from August 1 for those who are not getting jabbed.”

Provincial governments in the past warned that people who refuse to get immunized could have their cellphones blocked or salaries withheld. There are, however, doubts the orders will be implemented due to poor enforcement mechanisms. Last week, Umar lamented that there was a “complete disregard” of the vaccination requirement for those attending indoor weddings and entering indoor restaurants and gyms.

“If the owners of these facilities do not show responsibility & ensure compliance, there will be no choice but to shut them down,” he tweeted. The government has expedited the inoculation drive in the past weeks, and anyone 18 or over is eligible for vaccination. Over 20 million vaccine doses have been administered to date, with a record over 0.5 million shots in the last 24 hours. The government had initially focused on giving shots to older populations and other high-risk groups. However, with the spread of the Delta variant, it is trying to reignite the campaigns by overcoming scepticism about the vaccine and misconceptions that the young do not need a shot. But only a little more than 4 million people are fully vaccinated. With 1,590 infections in the last 24 hours, the overall caseload in the country has crossed 976,000 along with more than 22,000 deaths.

Govt developing integrated plan to fix structural issues in energy sector: Gauhar Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Power and Petroleum Tabish Gauhar has said that the government is developing the first-ever Integrated Energy Plan to address various structural challenges in the energy sector. NEWS DESK

Faraz Haider releases enigmatic music video for Don’t You Dare Electronic musician, Faraz Haider, has released his latest music video for a hypnotic and hard-hitting track, Don’t You Dare. Brimming with Haider’s signature style and beats, Don’t You Dare is the fourth music video to be released from his album, Playroom.

Featuring a picturesque neon club setting, the video shows Haider bartending and engaged in some flirty eye contact with the female lead. We see things progressing between the two, with dancing, teasing, and finally leading up to a private room. Keeping the fun alive with a hint of noir to it, the video ends with a killer plot twist, leaving many viewers stunned, wondering what just happened and rushing to re-watch in hopes of finding some answers.

Lyrically, Don’t You Dare is one track off the album that talks about refraining from falling in love. Similarly, the other tracks on

the album also speak of Haider’s own experiences with events as such. “We took elements that would align with the story and the previous music videos. The inspiration for the album, however, is derived from my personal life, my own experiences and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. The narrative is driven by my own views on relationships, marriage, and love. Whatever I’m trying to show is also embedded in the lyrics and is present in the whole feel of the album,” he stated.

“The album as a whole and the film’s subject matter has a lot to do with desires and fantasies. The way I see it, Playroom is like a room where no one will judge you, and you can do whatever you want. You will be in control of your narrative. It evolved to a point where it felt like a simulation, especially when we’re living inside an encrypted

world, it all felt too close to what I was doing,” Haider shared.

This music video of Don’t You Dare builds on the story of three previous music videos namely Feels, Serum of Love, Come to Me, and paves the way for much more to come from Haider this year. Already having mastered the art of moving fluidly from genre to genre, the musician is now all geared up to branch towards a visual treat with the highly anticipated release of his digital short film. Inspired by the likes of Black Mirror, Cyberpunk, and sci-fi-fantastical films Haider grew up watching, Playroom’s digital film will finally show us how the story unfolds.

Hailing from Karachi, Faraz Haider is a singer, music producer, and filmmaker known for his passion for music and candid storytelling.

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Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

06 COMMENT

A gamechanger route to Central Asia

A recognition of blunders And a wake-up call

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n an unusually candid speech in the national assembly on Monday, the PMl(n)’s Khwaja asif termed the conditions in the region alarming and warned that if the situation worsened in afghanistan it would become difficult for Pakistan to face it as it had numerous fault lines on the basis of religion, ethnicity, economic disparity, and provincial differences. He hinted at the military establishment being also aware of the situation. according to Kh asif there was now a recognition that mistakes had been committed by all governments, both civil and military. He admitted that politicians themselves had been approaching the establishment in the past to seek its intervention for personal or party gains.

He enlarged the concept of establishment by including in it top people in the military, the bureaucracy, the judiciary, and the media. Instead of settling their differences in Parliament, politicians invited the establishment to interfere and adjudicate, thus surrendering their turf.

Kh asif admitted that he was also a part of acrimony in the 1990s. later, the PPP and the PMl(n) realized that their no-holds-barred fights took toll of the system and agreed to sign the Charter of Democracy. this ensured a peaceful transfer of power during the so-called decade of democracy. according to Khwaja asif, what was needed to deal with the fall out of the worsening regional situation was a united national response. to start with, there was a need to strengthen the Parliament as the most powerful institution. the recent rowdy scenes in the national assembly were a collective failure of the politicians. He called upon the Speaker to play a crucial role in restoring the dignity of the national assembly.

While he stressed the need for fair and free elections that correctly reflected the voters’ aspirations, citing it as the true meaning pf “vote ko izzat do”, the ideal remains illusory as political parties have not been able to forge a consensus on the reforms required to safeguard against electoral malpractices. last month, despite the opposition boycotting the session, the government succeeded in passing 21 laws, including laws on electoral reform, by the lower House of Parliament.

Kh asif’s remarks make sense and he was heard in silence. However with deep rooted suspicions still prevailing between the PMln, PPP and PtI one is not sure if these would be taken seriously by the other two parties.

Central Asia’s states find their best route to the sea lies through Pakistan

Kashif Mirza

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entral asia is the core region of the asian continent and stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east and from afghanistan in the south to russia in the north. the vast area of Central asia, sparse population and abundant resources demand a very careful approach in dealing with the ever energy-hungry world. Superpowers like the USa, China and russia are involved in the asia region to continue to exert their influence in any energy-related deal for their interests in the outcome of the new Great Game. the region has the world’s biggest reserves of untapped fossil fuels, and estimates range from 50 to 110 billion barrels of oil, and from 170 to 463 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. the Central asian republics, individually and collectively, moved to forge multi-vector links with states in the region and outside, while maintaining their traditional ties to russia. the USa is also interested in various oil and gas export routes. the USa favours the turkmenistan-afghanistan-PakistanIndia (taPI) pipeline because of the economic dependency it creates of regional powers on each other, minimizing the chances of conflicts and maximizing their cooperation as well. russia prefers the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline (IPI) over taPI and has offered to finance the projects. Pakistan due to its links with both central and south asia, assumes great significance in the whole scenario. Its importance can enhance manifold, would it successfully play a bridge state role through mutually beneficial trade and by providing easy access to these landlocked states? after the disintegration of the USSr, the Chinese trade has increased 200 times to reach $80 billion in 2020. the China-Pakistan economic Corridor (CPeC) would link Gwadar with China. the Chinese idea of an asian highway and the US idea of a new

Custodial deaths The national assembly must pass the bill

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He Senate has just passed a bill tabled by Senator Sherry rehman criminalizing the torture of prisoners in custody and custodial deaths in the country. the landmark piece of legislation is expected to fly through the national assembly as well since a number of PtI lawmakers voted in favour of it as well.

Once this is brought into law, it will fill a gap that has existed for far too long. Criminalizing custodial deaths will have a significant culture not just on the prison and policing culture in the country, but is also a long needed human rights concern that is finally being addressed. the government must be lauded for finally bringing a law of this nature and being on the brink of passing it. However, we must remember that it still does have to go through the national assembly, and it is of the utmost importance that it does. the implications of this bill being brought into law are vast. Yes, there is the human rights angle since so many prisoners in Pakistan face undue torture during both custody after conviction and during interrogation. Many die during this process, and their deaths are written off with no consequence. this law will mean that there will be consequences and law enforcement will be held accountable - which should in principle mean a massive shift in policing culture and the public being less afraid of the police than they currently are. there are also other implications. While Human right minister Shireen Mazari has indicated that she supports the bill, she must be pushed to acknowledge that one class of people it will be protecting are political dissidents who often face torture and extrajudicial killing in custody. the death of these people can no longer be written off as an accident or some sort of mistake, but will now have legal ramifications.

Moreover, perhaps one of the reasons for the government doing this now is the fact that the european Union’s special status that Pakistan has cannot be maintained so long as we do not have a law regarding custodial deaths. even if it is just for that reason, it is imperative in all possible ways - both moral and economic - that this law pass through the national assembly and come into effect. It is long overdue.

The repeated lesson of history: we never learn anything from history

Washington Watch

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Editor Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Dr JaMes J zogby

remember albert einstein’s definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I’ve been thinking about this quote in relation to the recent bizarre behavior of all the parties involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel, the US government, and the major Palestinian actors, Hamas and the Palestinian authority. each of them appears determined to keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over, without ever learning the lessons from their past disasters. let me start with Israel and Hamas. I’ll never understand what Israel feels it gains by massively bombing Gaza, destroying buildings, hospitals, and the desalination and power plants. this has been going on for decades, first in response to Hamas-directed suicide terror bombings in Israel and now following rocket attacks originating from Gaza.

While Israel terms their bombings “self-defense,” respected international jurists and human rights organizations have correctly called them war crimes, both because of the overwhelmingly disproportionate

Arif Nizami

Managing Editor

issue and the relations between India and Pakistan. economic security has become a matter of national security; hence the trade activity of the route through Pakistan would bring an option to resolve Kashmir issue amicably and also tremendous benefits for Pakistan economically, enhancing national security as well.

Pakistan’s foreign policy, since its very inception, has been conditioned by two interrelated factors: Indian aggression in Occupied Kashmir and an urge to seek a strategic balance with India. India is currently the largest regional country trading to afghanistan, spending over $2 billion since 2001. Indian covert support to the militants on the Pak-afghan border, and involvement in Balochistan needs to be managed wisely in our own interests while talking trade through Pakistan. the Indian military presence in tajikistan and afghanistan, and her defense cooperation with Central, adia has great security implications for Pakistan. establishment of military bases in Central asia since 2002 near the border of afghanistan indicates the level of strategic cooperation and interest of India and has connotation for Pakistan’s security concerns especially under the prevailing environment of trouble from the western border of Pakistan with likely Indian involvement. thus Pakistan has to walk a tightrope and do a very careful balancing act to safeguard its interests in the region. the security and safety of trade routes can be ensured by formulating SOPs agreeable to all stakeholders. Pakistan must ensure all safeguards are in place regarding security concerns and diplomatic compulsions in order to gain strength from the route in the long run. It must ensure no unwanted goods or personnel are offloaded on route. a reliable system must be implemented for entry and exit, Sealing containers, surveillance and surprise checks must ensure no unlawful activities. tracking system may be introduced to track the vehicles from entry to exit.

Keeping in mind the advantages, disadvantages and implication repercussions, Pakistan should engage India diplomatically, while gaining the confidence of its own people, and evolve measures for confidence building between the two states. However, to achieve this, Pakistan will have to start a dialogue to ensure the solution of the Kashmir issue and foolproof security arrangements have to be made for the transition of containers and personnel. Pakistan must use regional and international forums in order to find an amicable solution to the Kashmir issue under Un resolutions. We shall find ways to end the present deadlock with India amicably in order to normalize the relation and proceed further for the better future of our future generations.

The writer is an economist, anchor, analyst and the President of All Pakistan Private Schools Federation.

President@pakistanprivateschools.com

Doing stupid is never smart

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Silk road are gaining gradual acceptance. the regional trade benefits by developing 58 various potential corridors to link Central asia to sea ports in Iran and Pakistan were studied. the majority of these roads would link to Pakistani ports. the calculated increase in the regional trade was 170 percent, whereas 115 percent was the increase in combined transit trade. the total growth was estimated to be $6 billion with 5 percent GDP growth annually. the participating countries would enjoy enhanced employment of 2 million jobs at a combined nominal investment of less than $6 billion for the entire region. taPI with $2 billion and power projects of worth $500 million are being reconsidered to expand the options among the regional countries in general and Pakistan in particular to fulfill its energy demands. russia will also take a central role, as Moscow will be able to secure access to the Gwadar deep seaport in Pakistan’s Balochistan province– that will prove a gamechanger for the russian economy. Pakistan should seek close energy cooperation with russian energy companies to explore oil and gas reserves in Pakistan as well as establishing russian export zones in Gwadar to facilitate trade between russia and its clientele across the world.

Pakistan must develop close trade and commerce relations with russia through Central asia, and also facilitate the construction of road and railway infrastructure needed to connect russian export hubs. as India brings SaarC to its knees due to its hegemonic ambitions, Pakistan needs to form new alliances with its Central asian partners based on quantifiable interests– while engaging all South asian countries at a bi-lateral level to promote trade. Pakistan’s policymakers must re-consider Pakistan as a Central asian State.

Pakistan would be a hub of economic activity, or roundabout for trade in the region, by providing links in the form of ports, pipelines and land routes to facilitate at the domestic, regional and even at the global level. India, with a population of around 1.3 billion, is the world’s second most populous country and ranks fifth in the world in terms of primary energy consumption, accounting for about 4 percent of the world’s commercial energy demand. India has been making all out efforts to persuade Pakistan for utilizing the most beneficial and preferable land route to Central asia via Pakistan. India would have to rethink its strategy in the region to gain access to Central asian energy resources for its future needs that are going to be increased 95 percent by 2030. engagement of Central asia is essential to Indian economic security to fulfill the future energy requirements, and the north and South route provide alternatives to Indian trade with Central asian states, but at a higher cost than the route through Pakistan. the availability of the route through Pakistan is largely dependent upon the solution of the Kashmir

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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death and destruction they have caused and because these attacks have deliberately targeted the civilian infrastructure. the “self-defense” argument is further called into question given Israel’s Iron Dome network which has shown itself capable of neutralizing Hamas’ attacks.

Since Israel has been using such violence for decades, even before the use of rockets, the more likely reason Israel acts as it does is its belief that by demonstrating uncontested power, it will force Palestinians into submission. Sometimes they have cruelly referred to their assaults as “mowing the grass”, by which they mean causing enough damage to buy a few years of peace. the problem, of course, is that it never works quite that way. Instead, their actions only create more suffering and hatred, seeding the ground for more violence.

In 2005 Israel left Gaza ignoring the appeal from US Secretary of State Condoleezza rice that they do so in an orderly fashion, turning the area over to the Palestinian authority. Instead, they chose to depart unilaterally, leaving the territory ripe for a Hamas takeover. after Hamas seized control, Israel imposed a suffocating economic closure, believing that this would force Palestinians into submission. Since then, Hamas has only gained strength in the territory.

During the past decade, Israel has behaved in a contradictory manner toward Hamas. at times it mercilessly punishes the Palestinian civilian population for Hamas’ actions, while at other times allowing funds from external parties to go to Hamas and even engaging in indirect negotiations with the group over prisoner exchanges– something they have refused to do with the Palestinian authority.

It appears that Israel is pleased to have fostered a deep division in the Palestinian polity– weakening and discrediting the Pa, while strengthening Hamas, which it sees as a convenient whipping-boy.

For its part, Hamas appears more than happy to play the part of spoiler. In the aftermath of the Oslo accords, they suborned young Palestinians to commit suicide attacks that killed scores of Israelis in a suc-

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cessful campaign to sabotage the failing peace process. each time, the result was the same– a massive Israeli response that killed many more innocent Palestinians.

It was only after the blockade and closure of Gaza, that Hamas turned to firing primitive rockets– with the same tragically fatal results. In all of this, the victims are the people of Gaza. too many are homeless, jobless, suffering from PtSD, and left without hope. after the last round of violence, it has been both unnerving and infuriating to see Hamas’ leaders visiting arab capitals on a “victory tour.” a writer recently chided me for calling into question Hamas’ actions saying, “How dare you criticize the group that brought Israel to its knees.” My response was “On what planet do you live? What victory? Hundreds of Palestinians are dead, and Gaza is in ruins, again. and Israel is proceeding apace with demolitions in Silwan, seizures of homes in Sheikh Jarrah, and settlement expansion in the West Bank!”

It is as though for Hamas’ supporters, like Israel, lessons are never learned. Just as overwhelming bombardments and massive oppression will not end the resistance to the injustices of the occupation, neither will rockets or suicide bombings end the occupation.

From all available evidence, neither Israel nor Hamas appear to have learned anything. Israel has stepped up its efforts to seize homes in Jerusalem and expand settlements and intensify repression in the West Bank, while continuing to strangle Palestinians in Gaza. For its part, Hamas, riding high on its hollow boasts of victory, demonstrates no understanding of the devastation wrought by its insistence on provoking confrontations it cannot win. let me be clear, while both Israel and Hamas stand guilty of stupidly repeating their mistaken approaches, Israel bears the greater responsibility. It is the oppressive occupying power that has created the nightmare of Palestinian existence. It could change this reality, but it is unwilling to do so. that said, Hamas bears responsibility for not altering its course. this is not blaming the victim; it is asking Hamas to be smarter, and not continuing to play into Israel’s hands.

The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

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

No jobs for the poor

Historical perspective on persecution of Kashmiris Martyrs’ Day shows the commitment of Kashmiris to freedom

MaliK MuhaMMaD ashraf

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He persecution of the people of Kashmir and their struggle against oppression has roots in history. the first chapter of blood-letting was written on 13 July 1931 when the forces of the Maharaja martyred 22 Kashmiris when they were agitating against the injustices perpetrated on them and the arrest of a young man abdul Qadeer who dared to speak against the oppressive regime. the state of Kashmir, with the majority of its population Muslim, was ruled by Dogra Dynasty of Hindu rajputs from 1846 to 1947. the Dogras treated the Muslim subjects badly and even interfered in their religious affairs. there was wide-spread discontent and resentment against the oppressive governance which kept simmering underneath. according to the recorded evidence police fired 160 rounds of bullets into the crowd, killing 17 people on the spot while another five died later in hospital. a Hindu writer, Prem nath Bazz, in his work Inside Kashmir, published in 1941, wrote “the driving force behind the mass agitation till the 13th July was the discontent among the rank and file of the Muslims. the attack on the jail was in no way directed against the Hindus, and those who laid down their lives at the jail gate did so fighting against an unsympathetic government… It was a fight of the tyrannized against their tyrants, of the oppressed against the oppressors.” the incident marked the beginning of the modern-era Kashmir freedom struggle which has passed through different phases, including civilian protests, political struggle and armed struggle.

Unfortunately the plightof the people of Kashmir did not end with partition of the Subcontinent. the 52 princely states under the Independence act were allowed to accede to any of the two newly created states of India and Pakistan, keeping in view the geographical proximity and demographic realities, or remain independent. Kashmir was a fit case for accession to Pakistan due to geographical proximity, a majority Muslim population and cultural, religious and trade links with the areas that formed parts of the latter.

But the ruler of the state., Maharaja Hari Singh, announced the accession of the state to

India. His action could be better understood in the backdrop of the Dogra rule in Kashmir before Partition rather than the ground realities. the people of Kashmir revolted against this decision. lord Mountbatten, while accepting the accession temporarily, unequivocally said that the issue would be decided through a reference to the people. the situation however became very precarious, leading to the first war between Pakistan and India which took the matter to the United nations. after thorough deliberations on the issue the UnSC passed a number of resolutions calling for holding the plebiscite under the auspices of the Un to settle the question of accession of the state to either of the two countries.

Both the countries accepted those resolutions and the then Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal nehru, in a number of communications with his Pakistani counterpart reiterated his commitment to holding of the plebiscite. He also in his speeches in the Indian parliament unequivocally stated that India would stick to its obligation under the Un resolutions. But India reneged on its commitment and tried to have the question of accession resolved through the constituent assembly of Kashmir in 1957. that move was repudiated by the Un through its resolutions 91 and 122, maintaining the issue could not be settled through any arrangement other than a Un-sponsored plebiscite. as is evident, the Indian position on Kashmir has no legal and moral basis. the plebiscite unfortunately remains an elusive dream so far due to Indian intransigence to grant the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir. the partition of the SubContinent pushed the people of Kashmir into an unending ordeal. Indian refusal to give them the right to self-determination forced them to take up arms in 1989 to win their freedom. the freedom struggle of the Kashmirs is also replete with myriad of massacres at the hands of the Indian security forces, including also the killing of some prominent leaders of the freedom movement after it was launched in 1989. among them were Mir Waiz Farooq and abdul Ghani lone who were martyred by the Indian security forces on 21 May in 1990 and 2002 respectively. the Day remains an Indian shame since then as the movement not only gained further momentum after their assassina-

tion but the people of Kashmir also started observing 21 May as their martyrdom day to make an unequivocal declaration that no amount of oppression could dent their resolve to win their right to self-determination.

India has been using its military might ruthlessly to quell the uprising. Its security forces have since then killed more than one hundred thousand Kashmiris besides raping thousands of women. Kashmir remains a venue of oppression and persecution. the Modi government has further aggravated the situation by ending special status of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, its annexation to the Indian Union in sheer violation of the UnSC resolutions, followed by the promulgation of a new domicile law to change the demographic features of the state which constitutes willful breach of international law and fourth Geneva Convention. Kashmir was put under a complete lockdown. Since 5 august 2019, the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir are leading a miserable life and the Indian forces continue the killing spree during the cordon and search operations. Hardly a day passes without the murder of the Kashmiris by the Indian security forces. the world media has continuously been reporting about the blatant violation of human rights in the state. Pakistan has been raising this issue at all international forums and warning the world about the possible consequences. India has also adopted a belligerent posture towards Pakistan and the latter rightly feels that Indian disposition towards her and what it has done in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, inebriated by the rSS philosophy of Hindutva, constitutes a grave threat to the security of the region. regrettably the world and the Un remain oblivious to the sufferings of the people of Kashmir. One really wonders for how long the people of Kashmir will have to suffer and endure the ongoing ordeal? Indian oppression in Indian-Occupied Kashmir and its defiance of the UnSC resolutions is indeed an affront to the conscience of the global community. How long it can afford to be indifferent remains to be seen. However it is clear that the people of Kashmir are determined to win their right to self-determination no matter how many more sacrifices they might have to render. History is a witness to the fact that freedom movements cannot be suppressed with barrel of the gun.

Regrettably the world and the UN remain oblivious to the sufferings of the people of Kashmir. One really wonders for how long the people of Kashmir will have to suffer and endure the ongoing ordeal? Indian oppression in Indian-Occupied Kashmir and its defiance of the UNSC resolutions is indeed an affront to the conscience of the global community. How long it can afford to be indifferent remains to be seen.

Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic.

He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.

YeSterDaY, when I met an old age of my neighbour that showed me people’s disappointment and governments failure.He said that jobs are for the rich and the poor are born to labour only. He told me that his younger brother had done his B.e with good grades and he is still unemployed. He further told me that his brother passes written tests every time but he is dropped in interview again and again because they ask for money and we don’t have any cash to pay off, we just had been living from hand to mouth existence, that’s why my younger brother is still jobless. His words made my heart cry tears of blood. I felt shy and guilty to be part of a society where violation of merit is so common and everything is for the rich, the poor are ignored and neglected as if they don’t even exist.

Our each and every institution is corrupt and buyable. It is said that hard work pays off. nay, in Pakistan hard work doesn’t pay but wealth does. We can see many examples around ourselves, competent and hard working students are left behind while the rich and amateurs are getting jobs easily. there is no job in Pakistan which can’t be bought with wealth.

What to talk of other professions even our politicians can be bought off.

Indeed, they all are dishonest and venal.they deserve harsh punishments and vengeances. the question is that who is will bring them to book?—our whole system from a sweeper to the established government is corrupt. a balance in society is important without fairness, opportunities will always mean for the wealthy peoples. the penniless poor will be disregard and passed over in every walk of life. and the rich will be favoured everywhere, such a society will never stand and make progress.

Muzaffar KhoSo SuKKur

Old problems SInCe inception, our country has been unfortunate that our leaders remained self-centered and short-sighted. We adopted the wrong policies and did not take the right steps to lay the foundation of a strong economy.

Soon after the partition, Pakistan decided to join the america camp, isolating itself from the USSr led the communist block. the aid from the US did bring some financial benefits but it brought a plethora of problems too. the development on the back of american aid was isolated to urban centers mostly in West Pakistan. this led to a sense of deprivation among the under-developed regions, especially the east Pakistan. another problem we have suffered the most from is the lack of continuity in policies of national interest. every party or the person, democratic or a dictator, tried to come up with his / her own holy grail for strengthening the economy and getting the country out of misery. the result was that there was no continuity of policies that would ensure continued progress. On the other hand, our neighbor India became a member of the non-aligned movement, inter-alia establishing good relations with the USSr. India drew maximum financial and military benefits from all sides. In addition, there was a continuity of policies pertaining to the national interest in successive governments. India banned imports and took steps to develop its own industrial base. today, it manufactures everything from cars to satellite components to sophisticated electronics. India has a strong industrial and economic base and is rising as a power on the global scene. Pakistan on the other hand is still struggling, continuing with the policy of pact-work and short-sighted initiatives. Seventy-three years have gone by and we still are mostly dependent on foreign aid. Our industrial base is weak, and the economy is heavily dependent on imports. raja Shafaatullah ISlaMabad

Drug free Pakistan It is heartening to see that the government of Pakistan has finally decided to impose a healthy levy on cigarettes and other types of tobacco products in the country. In 2012, about one billion cigarettes were consumed in Pakistan. every year the sale of cigarettes increases across the county. the availability of cheap cigarettes allows young people to develop the injurious habit of smoking. Smoking is the single largest cause of lethal diseases. It is estimated that some 75, 000 persons using tobacco die at a young age every year in Pakistan, while the health of millions remains at great risk. Due to huge revenues earned on cigarettes and tobacco, the past government remained insensitive and indifferent to the hazards of smoking. the government’s decision to adopt policy measures to check smoking is a step in the right direction.

MurwarId NazIr ahMEd juSaK

PM defiant PrIMe MInISter Imran Khan on Saturday categorically stated that he will give up his office but will not give any nrO (national reconciliation Ordinance) to the opposition. the premier made the comments while speaking to actor Hamza ali abbasi during an interview on Humnews that covered a myriad of topics, including his own spiritual journey and his thoughts on Western culture.

Commenting on the opposition, PM Imran said that the parties have been blackmailing the government since day one to grant them amnesty.

He maintained that the nrO given to the opposition by former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf had had disastrous effects on the country, leading to an increase in debt liabilities. “Our biggest problem is that we have debt and there is a deficit between what we earn and what we spend.” He added that the opposition wanted to be “forgiven”, but said that even the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) had said he would not forgive his daughter when it came to corruption. If I want to let them go, then I should open up our jails,” he said, adding that he would “give up his seat but not give [the opposition] an nrO”. Commenting on the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) upcoming rally in lahore on December 13, the premier said that the government has decided to not grant them permission for staging the demonstration. “Cases are increasing rapidly [...] those putting up the sound systems and chairs, FIrs will be registered against them.” However, PM Imran made it clear that the government would not stop the opposition from participating in the rally.

EhtIShaM ahMad lahorE

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

Sex and the cIty In medIeval IndIa WHAT EXPLAINS THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EROTIC SCULPTURES FROM HINDU TEMPLES IN MODERN INDIA?

GlobAlist

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naMit arora

HE ideology of Hindutva has gained currency under the current, BJP-led government in India.

Its proponents make vapid claims about an “eternal” Hindu religion that has always been pure, chaste and sexually austere.

Among the most captivating and enigmatic features of medieval Indian art is the explicit erotica on the walls of temples like the UnESCO world heritage complex at Khajuraho. However, modern Indian temples have no trace of it.

In fact, most Indians today are so prudish that they feel scandalized by this imagery from their past. So, what motivated it back then? And why did it disappear so completely?

THE AGE OF THE KAMASUTRA: Some observers presume the erotic friezes to be the artifacts of a liberal age – the age of the Kamasutra – when Indians had few hang-ups about sex and cavorted with the opposite sex easily. However, the Kamasutra, the best-known of the many secular treatises on ars erotica from mid-first millennium CE, was meant for the urban upper crust who pursued erotic pleasure as an end in itself.

It advised them on sexual love, courtship and even adultery. Partly epicurean, it stressed the importance of

grooming, etiquette, diplomacy and even post-coital conversation. It also advocated love marriages over arranged ones. But as a secular treatise, it can at best explain erotic imagery in pleasure palaces and other private spaces. It fails to explain why it was alright to depict graphic sex and genitalia on temple walls, next to the gods?

We often forget that early medieval religious culture in India was in fact very different to that today. Because its views are no longer current, it makes these depictions seem alien and scandalous to modern Indians.

TANTRA FOLK SPIRITUALITY: The key difference has to do with a Tantric religious substrate that thrived in the first millennium, in which sex and spirituality were deeply intertwined pursuits. The prehistoric roots of Tantra were not connected to mainstream Hindu texts like the vedas. Rather, they were nurtured by a prominent strand of folk spirituality that, from early on, valued symbols of fertility as auspicious. Such symbols, at first basic and abstract, began to appear as decorative motifs on temple doorways.

SEX-POSITIVE ARISTOCRATS: Over the centuries, the symbols grew more complex and realistic, evoking the idea of fertility through images of male-female unions. These evolved from coyly amorous pairs to explicit sexual couplings. Across India, this Tantric belief system, embraced by many sex-positive aristocrats of the age, inspired the erotic art on state-sponsored temples.

BEAUTY, DIVINE ORDER, FERTILITY, ABUNDANCE: Because these depictions had come from grassroots beliefs and aesthetics, the public were not shocked or scandalized by them. They saw in the depictions a sense of beauty, divine order, auspiciousness, abundance, fertility and propitiatory power. It is not a stretch to imagine that the depictions were also sources

of mirth and delight. For their part, the royals who sponsored these grand temples hoped mainly to communicate a stable, harmonious vision of life – and to acquire merit, renown and legitimacy for their rule.

SEX AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS: By late in the first millennium, the Tantric mode of worship was a mainstream part of popular religious culture. In Tantra, properly guided sex had become a path to spiritual progress and eventual liberation.

The magical use of sex to propitiate the gods was a shortcut to moksha — or liberation from the cycle of birth and death — the spiritual goal of Hindu practice.

The Tantric means of achieving moksha competed directly with the path advocated by orthodox Hindus.

The latter required renouncing worldly temptations, cravings and physical desires.

TANTRA AND THE STATUS OF WOMEN: Tantra also tended to venerate goddesses, accorded higher dignity to women and opposed practices like the caste system and sati (the practice of burning widows on the funeral pyres of their deceased husbands). not surprisingly, Tantrism clashed with the conservatism of orthodox or Brahminical Hinduism. And this clash is also partly why the Tantric substrate waned, which is a fascinating story in itself.

ORTHODOX REVIVAL: The late-first-millennium CE in India saw the rise of the mystical, self-denying “Bhakti movement,” as well as an orthodox revival led by an influential theologian, Adi Shankaracharya. The combined result was a vast swelling of the ranks of the straight-laced. Henceforth, religiosity in India grew sharply more conservative, devotional, puritanical, hierarchical and patriarchal. It marginalized both Buddhism and the sex-positive Tantric substrate. This profound

shift had far-reaching effects that would impair the wider intellectual culture of India.

MARGINALIZATION OF TANTRA AND ITS GODDESSES: As Tantra receded to the fringe, where it lingers to this day, depictions of sex on temple walls also declined. Little of this style of art survived in later centuries. The Kamasutra too fell into obscurity.

In parallel, the centrality of goddesses declined too — or rather, the goddesses nominally remained, but gradually became sidekicks to male gods.

TRANSFORMATION IN RELIGIOUS CULTURE: With Tantra’s fall, India’s religious culture changed drastically, eventually producing men like the nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi, with his guilt-ridden denial of his sexuality and tortured struggles with desire and celibacy.

Their prudery would’ve drawn amused laughter from Khajuraho’s religious leaders a thousand years ago. This conservative turn had emerged from fault-lines and conflicts that long predated the rise of Muslim rule in Delhi, which began around 1200 CE. Of course, the Indo-Muslims and the Victorian English – no less prudish than Brahminical Hindus – helped neither the cause of Tantra, nor fairly assessed its place in the history of religious thought. India’s encounter with its sexually squeamish colonial masters further rejuvenated Hindu conservatism.

CONTEMPORARY POLITICS AND HINDUTVA: Eventually, this led us to today’s reactionary Hindu nationalists. Embodied in the ruling political party, the BJP, the latter support an ideology called Hindutva, which makes vapid claims about an “eternal” Hindu religion that has always been pure, chaste and sexually austere.

Hindutva ideologues now rail against Valentine’s Day, demand sexual modesty from women, and even harass couples indulging in mild expressions of public displays of affection. And they do this, without irony, in the name of preserving Indian tradition! One imagines countless medieval Indians turning in their graves.

Namit Arora is a Delhi-based writer, humanist and travel photographer.

Why is Egypt building a new capital?

AND WHO WILL THIS MULTI-BILLION PROJECT BENEFIT THE MOST? Al JAzeerA Mustafa Menshawy

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n Egypt, a huge “new Administrative Capital” is being built, approximately 45km (28 miles) to the east of Cairo, on a swath of desert equal to the size of Singapore.

If you take a walk or drive across Cairo, you may be tempted to think that the Egyptian government embarked on this multi-billion-dollar project to meet an urgent need.

Indeed, the current capital is hardly functioning. Ministries and embassies surrounding Cairo’s central Tahrir Square are clogging the city’s arteries. With many streets blocked to ensure the security of these buildings and their occupants, it is at times impossible to go from A to B in the city. Moreover, the already overcrowded capital’s 22million population is expected to double by 2050.

So it is easy to believe the new Administrative Capital, which is expected to house embassies, government agencies, the parliament, 30 ministries, a spiralling presidential compound and some 6.5 million people when completed, is a necessity. It seems that it will not only move administrative buildings out of Cairo, but also create much-needed housing. Moreover, the government committed to allocate 15 square metres of green space per inhabitant in the new development. The new capital will have a central “green river”, a combination of open water and planted greenery twice the size of new York’s Central Park. So the project is also being sold as an effort to tackle pollution and make Egypt “greener”.

But if you look beneath the surface, and most importantly, follow the money, you will clearly see this project is much more than an altruistic effort by the government to decongest Cairo and improve the living conditions of the city’s inhabitants.

THE ARMY PAYS, THE ARMY BENEFITS: The new Administrative Capital is expected to cost about $40bn. Fifty-one percent of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD), the company which oversees the project, is owned by the Egyptian military and the remaining 49 percent by the Ministry of Housing.

The military’s enormous role in funding the project is further proof of the conflation of the civil and the military in a country ruled by a former army general – Current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power on the back of a “coup” that removed Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president.

And the military is not only “paying” for the project.

It will also reap enormous financial benefits from this ambitious endeavour. The ACUD, in which the military has the majority stake, is in charge of selling housing units in the new capital. Moreover, the company is also responsible for selling or operating the buildings in Cairo that will be vacated after agencies, ministries and embassies move to their new locations. Some of these buildings are in the very heart of Cairo, overlooking Tahrir Square, and have significant value.

This means the military will see huge financial returns once the new capital is completed. Moreover, these gains will not be inspected by a civilian authority, as the government has little oversight over the military’s finances.

The construction effort itself is a huge economic opportunity. To build a new city you need not only funds but also cement, bricks, electrical appliances, carpentry, security equipment and, most importantly, manpower.

Thus, this project is an opportunity to create muchneeded jobs and rejuvenate Egypt’s core industries, such as construction.

But there are fears that the project will not only help the country’s backbone industries and struggling businesses to get back on their feet, but also allow the military to spread its tentacles further across the Egyptian economy. The military, for example, has the capacity to provide much of the steel and cement needed to complete the construction of the new city. Furthermore, it has access to cheap manpower in the form of low-paid conscripts. As such, it will likely be the military that gains the most from this unprecedented construction drive.

A NEW CITY FOR THE PRIVILEGED FEW: It is also not clear who will be able to live in the new capital once it is completed. The housing units there are being sold at very hefty prices. A two-bedroom apartment in the new capital goes for about $50,000 – a huge sum that is out of the reach of many in a country where the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is about $3,000.

Thus it seems the new Administrative Capital is going to serve as yet another gated community for the rich and will do little to meet the housing needs of Cairo’s poor and underprivileged residents.

If the government does not take urgent steps to ensure the gates of this new city are also open to poorer citizens, this new project will achieve little in helping underprivileged Egyptians. This is why the new Administrative Capital is already being seen by many as a colossal waste of resources. Critics say the money spent on building the new capital should have instead been used to improve living conditions in the impoverished parts of what would soon be known as “old Cairo”. In response to these critics, the government said the city will eventually also include social housing, but provided no details as to when these units will be built and made

available to those in need.

All this brings to mind the regime of Hosni Mubarak and its fall. The final decade of Mubarak’s rule was underpinned by the rise of rich capitalist cliques helping the economy grow, but simultaneously blocking the benefits of this growth from reaching the poorer sectors of society. And one of the most prominent slogans in the January 2011 protests that toppled the Mubarak regime was “social justice”. With this project – which will likely make the country’s rich richer, the military stronger, and contribute to the ever-increasing misdistribution of resources – el-Sisi appears to be repeating the mistakes that led to Mubarak’s downfall.

But if the project is not going to help the people, and increase their support for the government, why is el-Sisi going forward with this enormous effort?

STABILITY, LEGITIMACY AND LEGACY: Egypt’s new Administrative Capital may not do much to help ordinary Egyptians, but it will provide some key benefits for President el-Sisi.

First, this new project will help bring Egypt’s powerful businesses to el-Sisi’s side. The private sector had significant economic and political clout in Egypt during Mubarak’s rule. But after el-Sisi’s rise to power, it has mostly been sidelined by the military and reduced to a secondary actor.

In neo-liberal economies such as Egypt’s, authoritarian governments need the support of the private sector to maintain stability. And el-Sisi knows that a huge construction effort – like building a new capital – is the best way to win businesses over.

While the military will likely be the one that benefits the most from the construction of the new Administrative Capital, the project is so large and so lucrative that it will also create opportunities for the private sector.

For example, one of Egypt’s biggest construction companies, Talaat Mustafa Group, has laid the foundations for “noor City”, a “smart city project” in the new Administrative City. Such projects give the private sector incentive to support the government, and also provide significant tax revenues. noor City, for example, is expected to generate estimated tax revenue of $7bn. The new capital will also give el-Sisi much-needed legitimacy.

Personality cults have long been an important aspect of Egyptian politics. Over the years, Egypt’s rulers have repeatedly tried to demonstrate the legitimacy of their authority by naming cities, buildings, roads, and bridges after themselves. There is a city named after Egypt’s former leader Anwar Sadat, and dozens of bridges and roads carrying the name of former President Hosni Mubarak.

While the new Administrative Capital is not named after el-Sisi, it is his flagship project and legacy. His regular visits to the city are being obsessively covered by the state-controlled media. It is impossible to think of the new city without thinking of el-Sisi. The main mosque in the new Administrative Capital is called ‘Al-Fatah alAleem’ [the opener, knowledgeable], two names of God, but some take them as connotative references to the president, whose first name is Abdel-Fatah.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the new project will help el-Sisi control any future revolt against his regime and consolidate his power.

Back in 2011, it was clear to all of us in Egypt that Mubarak lost power the moment he lost control of the strategic Tahrir Square.

Protesters took over the square on January 28, 2011, and created what they dubbed “the Republic of Tahrir”.

They appointed ministers to a symbolic cabinet, created their own security apparatus and burned down the headquarters of the ruling national Democratic Party overlooking the square. Suddenly, the Mubarak regime had no legitimacy.

And in June 2012, on the day of his election, Morsi went to Tahrir Square, greeted the crowds and unbuttoned his jacket – showing the people that he was not wearing a bulletproof vest, and as their representative, was not afraid of them. He was in control of Tahrir Square, and hence, Egypt.

Just a few months later, Morsi’s opponents filled the same square to first call for and then celebrate his removal from power.

Through all this, el-Sisi was undoubtedly taking notes and became aware that Tahrir Square is the key to gaining and holding on to power in Egypt.

Hence, after taking power, he immediately started working towards stripping the square of its status as the arena where the legitimacy of Egyptian regimes is decided.

It is now impossible for the people to take over Tahrir Square and challenge the legitimacy of el-Sisi’s regime. His government dotted the space with Pharaonic monuments and private security guards to ensure it cannot be filled with anti-government protesters. now, to diminish the square’s importance further, he is moving the country’s centre of gravity, its leading institutions, and seats of power, to a fortified, artificial desert oasis some 45km (28 miles) away.

On February 11, 2011, the people of Egypt walked from Tahrir Square to Mubarak’s presidential palace to force him to resign. Once the president moves to the new Administrative Capital, however, such a demonstration of public will is not going to be possible again.

The state already confirmed that the new capital will be well secured with state of the art electronic monitoring systems. And more importantly, it will be miles away from Tahrir Square and any other public arena where Egyptians can come together to voice their grievances with those ruling over them.

In short, the new Administrative Capital will help the military and the government consolidate their power.

It will help the private sector to make money and strengthen its relations with and loyalty to the government. It will allow el-Sisi to give legitimacy to his regime and build a legacy. But the government’s responses to these claims also hold truth – this project will make a tangible difference in the lives of ordinary Egyptians living in the country’s congested capital and the major construction effort will push the national economy forward. So what to make of the new Administrative Capital? As the project will take years to complete, the jury is still out.

Dr Mustafa Menshawy is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Lancaster’s SEPAD, the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization Project.

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

BUSINESS 09

KARACHI

PakiSTaN, RuSSia begiN NegOTiaTiONS OveR PSgP PROjeCT

corporate corner

ISLAMABAD

KARACHI: A A President and CEO of U Microfinance Bank Limited Kabeer Naqvi and President and CEO of Bank Alfalah Limited, Atif Bajwa, signed off a strategic partnership to promote financial inclusion in the country.

The ceremony was held in the head office of Bank Alfalah and witnessed by the senior management of both institutions. This new relationship not only strengthens the bond between both banks, but also promises to open up multiple avenues for collaboration, including medium to long term debt funding, credit structuring and synergizing their respective businesses to scale. Pr

LAHoRe: A Daraz (Alibaba Group) has announced its Olympic Games partnership to support the National Olympic Team of Pakistan. Through this partnership the organizations aim to support national athletes who are partaking in the prestigious sporting event and uplift and inspire local communities. Pr

PSO okay with discontinuing fuel supply agreement with Pakistan Railway KARACHI: A A Reacting to the recent news report regarding Pakistan Railways’ consultant report, PSO spokesperson said “Pakistan State Oil has been fueling the national economy for the last 45 years, and has been catering to the POL requirements of Pakistan Railways (PR) for more than three decades, as both PSO and Pakistan Railways share the common goal of national progress and growth.

In addition, PSO is the only OMC that uses PR for fuel transportation as well, since no other OMC has the capability, or willingness, to do that”. Responding to a question regarding the recent news, he informed that PSO has always supported PR, both operationally and financially, in normal circumstances and in all national emergencies, at times at the cost of the company’s other commitments. Most recently during the ongoing Covid period, PSO continued to supply PR over and above its contractual obligations despite multiple payment defaults and delays. The company also doubled the credit limit extended to PR to Rs.3 billion during this difficult time.

Such news coming from them therefore is disappointing.

He added that both organizations have commercial and contractual obligations which can be reconsidered if required. As regards the Tax matters mentioned by the PR, PSO’s stance is “all deductions that PSO makes are in full compliance to, and in accordance with, the relevant Federal and Provincial Tax laws and we ensure that we follow all Tax regulations that apply to our business. We have continued to maintain that PR can get the required Tax exemptions from the relevant authorities so that PSO can act accordingly”.

Commenting on reported consultant review by PR, he said that “it is encouraging that PR is looking at measures to reduce costs in their system, which will benefit the national exchequer. All commercial organizations try to ensure that they are as cost efficient as possible. This applies to both PR and PSO, and both organizations have a right to review all elements of their business with a view to increasing their profitability.

Since PSO is also a national organization, we are equally obligated to review all our contracts and business relationships from time to time to ensure the best possible outcomes for PSO, and we will be conducting a similar critical review with regard to our multiple agreements with PR as well”. Press releAse

N

AHMAD AHMADANI

EGOTIATIONS on the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP) Project (PSGP) have started between senior officials of a Russian company and high ups of Pakistan to finalize agreement for the construction of PSGP Project, it was learnt on Monday.

According to sources, negotiations on the PSGP project started on Monday between high ups of Pakistan and officials of Russian company named as ETK in the federal capital whereas the final decision, regarding whether the project's construction will be carried out by a russian company at an estimated cost of $2.5 billion or by Pakistani companies at an approximate low cost of $1.6 billion, is likely during the next week.

As per details, the Russian delegation comprising twelve members has arrived in Pakistan to negotiate the Head of Terms, shareholders agreement, and other corporate documents with the Technical Committee constituted by the government for the project.

The negotiations will continue till July 15.

The Russian delegation comprises A.A.Tolpatov, Deputy Director of Department of Foreign Economic Cooperation and Fuel Markets Development, V.I. Sheherbatykh, General Director, A.I.Rubtsov, General Director Advisor, Yousef Asif, Deputy General Director, A.V. Bolshakov, Deputy Chairman, I.L.Per-

strikov, Deputy Chairman, E.V. Bulgakova, Deputry Chairman, V.V.Shmatovich, Vice President, V.A. Romanov, Deputy Project Director, A.V.Saraykin, Legal Counsel, B.B.Neimerovrts, Deputy Finance Director, A.R. Bargulakov, Project Technical Director.

On Pakistan’s side, Secretary to the Attorney General for Pakistan, Secretaries of Finance, Law and Justice Division, Director General (Gas &LGs) of Policy Wing, petroleum division, Managing Director of Government Holdings (Pvt.) Limited (GHPL), and Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt.) Limited (ISGS), Head of Technical, Finance and Legal ISGSL and Company Secretary, ISGSL of petroleum division are part of a team.

“Despite the reservation raised by Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Petroleum and Power Tabish Gauhar and the Cabinet Committee on Energy to explore alternate options to materialise the project, a high level Russian delegation has arrived to finalise the agreement,” said sources.

Earlier last month, owing to the heavy cost estimation of the project, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) had advised to explore alternate options. CCoE while considering a summary dated June 23 submitted by the Petroleum Division observed that there are massive negative consequences of the delays in the implementation of this project and the deadline set by the Supreme Court of Pakistan has been missed with no imminent possibility of start of work. Therefore, an alternate plan needs

to be finalised as soon as possible, but not later than mid-July 2021.

Sources said that the PSGP is likely to be constructed with Russian cooperation under which Pakistan will give 70 percent of the total estimated cost of $2.5 billion to North-South Gas Pipeline while Russia will offer 30pc of this total cost of this pipeline project.

It is pertinent to mention here that the delay in the construction and heavy cost estimation have already put an additional burden on the national exchequer.

“Under this project, 1.2 billion cubic feet of imported gas per day will be supplied from Karachi to Lahore mainly to avoid energy shortage,” said the sources.

It is pertinent to mention here that state owned sui companies and local companies may construct the gas pipeline. Former Additional Secretary Petroleum Division Ayub Chaudhry was in favour of construction by Pakistani companies.

He was of the view that Pakistani companiesSui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) have already constructed South North Gas Pipeline for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and can do the work at a lower cost.

Despite efforts, Secretary Petroleum was not available for an official statement regarding meetings with senior officials of the Russian company and plans for the PSGP.

JCC to mull inclusion of Dera motorway, Dir expressway projects in CPEC PESHAWAR sTAFF rePOrT

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday said the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) would consider the inclusion of the Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and Dir Expressway projects in the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative in its upcoming meeting on July 16.

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) had approved the two mega projects for the socio-economic development of the province.

After the meeting, the chief minister said that the successful completion of these highways will not only provide best transportation facilities but also lead to the

rapid development of the province in the context of CPEC and boost trade and economic activities in the region.

The KP chief minister directed concerned authorities to formulate a new and comprehensive mechanism to remove hurdles in private land acquisition for public welfare-oriented projects and submit it to the Cabinet for approval within a month.

He also directed authorities to transfer lands owned by various government departments in the province to the ownership of the provincial government and bring them together in one pool.

The provincial cabinet also approved the establishment of the Directorate of Land Records by amending the Rules of Business, 1985.

Furthermore, Mahmood di-

rected the industries department to complete the environmental study for the establishment of Buner marble city within a month.

He directed the health department to take necessary steps for setting up four new major hospitals in the province.

The KP cabinet has approved the operational and financial rules of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade besides approving the reconstitution of its board of directors (BoD).

Moreover, the provincial cabinet made some necessary amendments to the Bank of Khyber Act, 1991, and referred the matter to the Cabinet Committee for presenting proposals in the next meeting. The committee will include the finance minister, food, local government, and minister for communication.

Remittances soar to all-time high in FY21 LAHORE APP

Remittances sent home by Pakistanis working overseas exceeded $2 billion in June for a record 13th month in a row, registering a growth of 27 per cent in FY21 over the previous year which was the fastest rate of expansion since FY03, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Tuesday.

Inflows of around $2.7 billion in June 2021 showed 9 per cent growth on a year-on-year basis and 8pc on a month-on-month basis, the central bank said.

“Workers’ remittances continued their unprecedented streak of above $2 billion for a record 13th

consecutive month,” the SBP said, adding seasonal pre-Eid ul Adha related inflows helped further boost remittances level during June.

Remittance inflows during FY21 were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia (at $7.7 billion), United Arab Emirates ($6.1 billion), United Kingdom ($4.1 billion) and the United States ($2.7 billion).

“Overall, record high inflow of workers’ remittances during FY21 was driven by proactive policy measures by the government and SBP to incentivise the use of formal channels, curtailment of cross-border travel in the face of Covid-19 infections and altruistic transfers to Pakistan amid the pandemic,” the central bank said.

FMCO in Malaysia halts PROTON’s operations KARACHI Pr

A Full-Movement-Control-Order (FMCO) has been imposed in Malaysia effective from June 1, due to surge cases of COVID-19 infections. Throughout this FMCO, all economic sectors, including PROTON’s factory and nationwide showrooms, will be closed, and there will be no production, no shipment activities allowed until further notice.

The Government of Malaysia (GOM) has only allowed essential economic and service sectors to operate during the FMCO period.

As the automotive manufacturing sector is not listed in essential services, it is not allowed to operate.

For PROTON, all operations at PROTON Tanjung Malim (State of Perak) and Shah Alam (State of Selangor) factories have come to a halt during FMCO. PROTON headquarter employees are instructed to work from home. Sales showrooms are closed nationwide; however, vehicle service centers are authorized to operate following strict guidelines.

Malaysia is to remain under this FMCO period until the daily reported cases fall below 4000, ICU wards start operating at a moderate level, and the nation vaccination rate reaches 10% of the population.

Meanwhile, due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in the state of Selangor, which contributes more than 50% of the national infection rate, the GOM has imposed a stricter movement control in the state, Enhanced-Movement-Control- Order (EMCO). This EMCO is scheduled to go under review on July 16, 2021, after which the decision to either extend or end EMCO will be taken.

Pakistan included in Asian Growth Cubs ETF listed on NYSE KARACHI sTAFF rePOrT

Dawn Global launched the Asian Growth Clubs Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on June 17, 2021. Cubs is the first active thematic ETF to focus on public equities in emerging and frontier growth markets.

Cubs offers investors actively managed exposure to five large, fast growing markets – Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam. These five economies have individually grown GDP faster than 6% a year in USD since 2000, Bangladesh and Vietnam have compounded GDP for 40 consecutive years including 2021. Yet these markets remain inaccessible to most foreign investors due to little or no ETF coverage or American Deposit Receipt listings.

“Most emerging market investors focus in Asia on China and India, yet there is a compelling long-term secular growth story in five Asian countries with a combined population of more than 860m people, expected to grow to one billion by 2035, and with attractive demographics. The average age is 28 in these markets with a burgeoning middle class and accelerating digital adoption” said Maurits Pot, Founder and CEO of Dawn Global.

Dawn Global is re-inventing the conventional approach to emerging markets equities investing by positioning Cubs as an actively managed, content driven, thematically designed, regionally diversified ETF. “The passive, index-driven emerging market ETF asset class is concentrated on six countries (the BRICs2 + Korea + Taiwan) overlooking the attractive and sizeable opportunity in the next generation of

emerging and frontier growth markets. The index driven market-cap weighting approach risks skewing portfolio construction to current size, not future growth potential.

Instead of grouping emerging markets into a single product, we intend to give investors the option of which specific markets they have exposure to, through regionally diversified products.”

Dawn Global believes active investment management is required to identify the most compelling growth companies in these nascent markets as well as to mitigate company and governance risk. The investment process involves top-down company screening and bottom-up company analysis to identify the most compelling investment opportunities.

Cubs’ high conviction, diversified portfolio is reviewed quarterly and rebalanced twice a year, through equal weighting across all secu-

rities to mitigate single country and single company risk. The portfolio is geared towards tomorrow’s economy, with a bias towards Healthcare, Telecom Media Technology, Consumer Goods, and Financials.

Exchange Traded Concepts, an ETF platform provider, is the investment adviser and Kingsway Capital Partners Limited (KCPL) is the investment sub-advisor to the fund. Dawn Global is the sponsor to the fund and an appointed representative to KCPL. Foreside Fund Services LLC., a provider of investment management services, is the distributor of Cubs.

What is Dawn Global?

Dawn Global was founded by Maurits Pot. Maurits has been a public and private equity investment partner at Kingsway Capital, a leading emerging and frontier markets specialist with assets under management of

more than $2 billion, where he has represented investors on the boards of several emerging market companies. Prior to this, Maurits worked in M&A at Goldman Sachs and at the commodity trader Vitol. Maurits earned a BA in Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from Middlebury College, Vermont.

He works with three experienced analysts based in Asia who he has worked with for multiple years.

What is Pakistan’s position in the ETF? Out of all the countries, Pakistan has the smallest weight. While speaking to Profit Maurits commented on the growth options and opportunities in Pakistan. He explained that the smallest weight in the ETF was given to Pakistan considering it’s is the smallest stock exchange in comparison to the other countries, has low liquidity and a small number of large liquid companies.

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

KARACHI

Worst violence in years spreads in south africa as grievances boil over JOHANNESBURG

c

ReuteRs

rowds clashed with police and ransacked or burned shopping malls in south Africa on Tuesday, with dozens reported killed as grievances unleashed by the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma boiled over into the worst violence in years.

Protests that followed Zuma’s arrest last week have widened into looting and an outpouring of generalised anger over inequality that persists 27 years after the fall of apartheid. Poverty has been exacerbated by severe social and economic restrictions aimed at blocking the spread of Covid-19. security officials said the government was working to halt the spread of the violence and looting, which has so far spread from Zuma’s home in KwaZulu-Natal province to Gauteng province surrounding the country’s biggest city Johannesburg.

They deployed soldiers onto the streets to try to contain it, but stopped short of declaring a state of emergency.

“No amount of unhappiness or personal circumstances from our people gives the right to anyone to loot, vandalise and do as they please and break the law,” Police Min-

ister Bheki Cele told a news conference, echoing sentiments expressed by President Cyril ramaphosa overnight.

The bodies of 10 people were found on Monday evening after a stampede at a soweto shopping mall, premier david Makhura said.

Hundreds of looters raided warehouses

and supermarkets in durban, one of the busiest shipping terminals on the African continent and a major import-export hub. outside a durban warehouse of retailer Game, reuters filmed looters stuffing cars with electronic goods and clothes. Inside, the floor was a wreckage of discarded packaging as the crowd systematically emptied the

shelves.

Aerial footage from local channel eNCA showed black smoke rising from several warehouses, while debris lay strewn.

Troops were moving into flashpoints on Tuesday as outnumbered police seemed helpless to stop the unrest. Columns of armoured personnel carriers rolled down highways.

The rand, which had been one of the best performing emerging market currencies during the pandemic, dropped to a three-month low on Tuesday, and local and hard currency bonds suffered.

UNFULFILLED PROMISE: At least 45 people have so far been killed duringthe unrest, 19 in Gauteng and 26 in KwaZuluNatal, according to state and provincial authorities. Police Minister Cele put the official death toll at 10. on the streets, protesters hurled stones and police who responded with rubber bullets, reuters journalists said.

In soweto, police and military were patrolling as shop owners assessed the damage.

Cele said 757 people had been arrested so far. He said the government would act to prevent it from spreading further and warned that people would not be allowed “to make a mockery of our democratic state”. defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-

Nqakula, speaking at the same news conference, said she did not think a state of emergency should be imposed yet.

Zuma, 79, was sentenced last month for defying a constitutional court order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating highlevel corruption during his nine years in office until 2018.

The legal proceedings have been seen as a test of post-apartheid south Africa’s ability to enforce the rule of law.

But any confrontation with soldiers risks fuelling charges by Zuma and his supporters that they are victims of a politically motivated crackdown by his successor, ramaphosa. The violence worsened as Zuma challenged his 15-month jail term in south Africa’s top court on Monday. Judgement was reserved until an unspecified date.

The deteriorating situation pointed to wider problems and unfulfilled expectations that followed the end of white minority rule in 1994. The economy is struggling to emerge from the damage wrought by Africa’s worst Covid-19 epidemic, with authorities repeatedly imposing restrictions on businesses. Growing joblessness has left people ever more desperate. Unemployment stood at a new record high of 32.6 percent in the first three months of 2021.

64 dead in fire at coronavirus ward in Iraq: health officials NASIRIYAH the AssociAted PRess

china hotel collapse kills eight, rescuers search for nine missing SHANGHAI ReuteRs

Part of a hotel collapsed in the Chinese city of suzhou killing eight people and rescue workers were searching on Tuesday for nine people missing in the ruins, state media reported. The collapse of part of the siji Kaiyuan Hotel in the coastal city happened on Monday afternoon. The Ministry of Emergency Management sent a team to help with the rescue work, media reported. The cause of the collapse was under investigation, the Xinhua news agency reported. It published photographs of rescue workers combing through rubble in the search for survivors. The siji Kaiyuan is a budget hotel that opened in 2018. The part that collapsed was three storeys tall while an online booking site said the hotel had 54 rooms.

The death toll from a catastrophic blaze that erupted at a coronavirus hospital ward in southern Iraq the previous day rose to 64 on Tuesday, Iraqi medical officials said.

Two health officials said more than 100 people were also injured in the fire that torched the coronavirus ward of alHussein Teaching Hospital in the city of Nasiriyah on Monday.

Anguished relatives were still looking for traces of their loved ones on Tuesday morning, searching through the debris of charred blankets and belongings inside the torched remains of the ward. A blackened skull of a deceased female patient from the ward was found.

Many cried openly, their tears tinged with anger, blaming both the provincial government of dhi Qar, where Nasiriyah is located, and the federal government in Baghdad for years of mismanagement and neglect.

“The whole state system has collapsed, and who paid the price? The people inside here. These people have paid the price,” said Haidar al-Askari, who was at the scene of the blaze. overnight, firefighters and rescuers, many with just flashlights and

using blankets to extinguish small fires still smoldering in places, had frantically worked searching through the ward in the darkness. As dawn broke, bodies covered with sheets were laid on the ground outside the hospital.

Earlier, officials had said the fire was caused by an electric short circuit, but provided no more details. Another official said the blaze erupted when an oxygen cylinder exploded. The offi-

cials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.

The new ward, opened just three months ago, contained 70 beds.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi chaired an emergency meeting in the wake of the fire and ordered the suspension and arrest of the health director in dhi Qar, as well as the director of the hospital and the city’s

director of civil defense. A government investigation was also launched.

In the nearby shiite holy city of Najaf, mourners prepared to bury some of the victims.

It was the second time a large fire killed coronavirus patients in an Iraqi hospital this year. At least 82 people died at Ibn al-Khateeb hospital in Baghdad in April, when an oxygen tank exploded, sparking the blaze.

That incident brought to light widespread negligence and systemic mismanagement in Iraq’s hospitals. doctors have decried lax safety rules, especially around the oxygen cylinders. on Monday, Ammar al-Zamili, spokesman for the dhi Qar health department, told local media that there were at least 63 patients inside the ward when the fire began. Maj. Gen. Khalid Bohan, head of Iraq’s civil defense, said in comments to the press that the building was constructed from flammable materials and prone to fire.

Iraq is in the midst of another severe Covid-19 surge. daily coronavirus rates peaked last week at 9,000 new cases. After decades of war and sanctions, Iraq’s health sector has struggled to contain the virus. over 17,000 people have died of the virus among 1.4 million confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray region launch new offensive CHIBA AFP

Tigrayan forces have launched a new offensive in the conflict-torn northern region of Ethiopia, two weeks after the federal government declared a unilateral ceasefire in the face of rebel advances.

A spokesman for the Tigrayan forces told AFP they had seized Alamata, the main town in southern Tigray, after launching the offensive on Monday. “we promised to liberate every square inch of Tigray,” Getachew reda said, adding that fighting was also taking place in western Tigray.

The claims could not be independently confirmed because communications were largely down in the area, while an Ethiopian military spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Tigray defence Forces last month swept across large parts of

Tigray and seized the regional capital Mekele after eight months of brutal conflict with federal troops.

The fighting—marked by grisly massacres and widespread sexual violence—has killed thousands of people, while the United Nations says hundreds of thousands are on the brink of famine. security forces and officials from the neighbouring Amhara region had moved in to both the southern and western areas of Tigray in November in support of the Ethiopian army, after Tigrayan forces cleared out during the early phase of the war.

‘IN HOT PURSUIT’: “Yesterday (Monday) we launched an offensive in (the southern region of) raya and were able to absolutely rout federal defence forces and Amhara special forces divisions,” Getachew said. “we have been able to secure most of southern Tigray including Korem and Alamata (the main town in the area)”.

Getachew said TdF fighters were still “in hot pursuit” of progovernment fighters, adding: “we don’t want to give them a chance to regroup.”

The offensive was launched just two days after election results showed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had won a landslide in a June election that went ahead despite the Tigray conflict that has battered his global reputation.

The TdF had described its seizure of Mekele and most of Tigray as a major victory and branded the government’s unilateral ceasefire a “joke.” rebel leaders later said they accepted the ceasefire “in principle” but posed strict conditions including the withdrawal from the region of Eritrean and Amhara forces.

Abiy and other officials have countered that federal forces executed a strategic pullback to focus on other threats.

Abiy—who won the Nobel

Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts of rapprochement with neighbouring Eritrea—sent the army into Tigray last November to oust the region’s

once-dominant ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Abiy had accused them of or-

chestrating attacks on Ethiopian military bases in Tigray, an important economic and industrial region in the Horn of Africa nation.

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

SPORTS 11

KARACHI

BABAr AzAm StArS wIth 158 AgAINSt ENglANd IN 3rd OdI eDGBASTON

Former Olympian Naveed Alam passes away NeWS DeSk Former hockey Olympian and member of Pakistan’s winning team in the 1994 Hockey World Cup, Naveed Alam, died due to blood cancer in Lahore on Tuesday. He was 47. His family informed that he was under treatment in Shaukat Khanum Hospital. He was shifted to the intensive care unit on Monday after his health deteriorated, news channels reported.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also expressed grief on Naveed’s demise. Naveed had competed in the Atlanta Olympics, coached hockey teams from Bangladesh and China, and served as Pakistan Hockey Federation’s development director. He had also served as Pakistan’s hockey team manager at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Balbirnie leads Ireland to first-ever win over South Africa DUBLIN ReuteRs

Captain Andy Balbirnie scored a stylish century as Ireland recorded their first ever OneDay International victory over South Africa with a win by 43 runs in the second match of their three-game series in Malahide on Tuesday. Balbirnie stroked 102 from 117 balls as the home side posted 290 for five in their 50 overs, before restricting the tourists to 247 all out in their reply to secure the historic victory and a 1-0 lead in the series after Sunday’s opener was washed out. Ireland will have the chance to claim the series when the third and final match is played at the same venue on Friday. "I'm extremely proud with the character we showed," Balbirnie said. "We knew it was a pretty tough pitch to take 10 wickets on, but the way we stuck at in the middle and towards the death was a credit to them (the bowlers). "It is a huge day for cricket in Ireland. We will have a couple of beers and enjoy this, but at the same time we have to look to Friday, when we could potentially win a series." After being sent in to bat, opener Balbirnie received excellent support from Harry Tector (79 from 68 balls), while there was also a flourish from George Dockrell (45 from 23) at the end. South Africa, who again rested key batsman Quinton de Kock, battled to keep up with the run-rate throughout and when opener Janneman Malan (84 from 96) and Rassie van der Dussen (49 from 70) fell in quick succession with the score on 160, their chances of victory slipped away.

P

AFP

AKISTAN captain Babar Azam returned to form with a brilliant 158, his highest one-day international score, as the tourists tried to deny England a series sweep at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

Azam’s 14th century in 83 matches at this level was the centrepiece of Pakistan’s 331-9 after they lost the toss.

Together with Mohammad Rizwan (74) he shared a stand of 179 — Pakistan’s highest for any wicket in an ODI against England — after adding with opener Imamul Haq (56).

Azam’s innings was also the highest individual score in a 50-over ODI at Edgbaston with New Zealand’s Glenn Turner scoring 171 in a 60-over World Cup match against East Africa in 1975 and England’s Robin Smith making 167 against Australia in a 55-over match in 1993.

Fast bowler Brydon Carse dismissed both Azam and Rizwan before collecting some late wickets as Pakistan hit out for a return of 5-61.

Azam, the world’s top-ranked ODI batsman, had been dismissed for nought and 19 by fast bowler Saqib Mahmood as England — who had to change their en-

tire squad for this three-match campaign following a Covid-19 outbreak within their camp — went 2-0 up with commanding nine-wicket and 52-run wins at Cardiff and Lord’s, respectively.

Pakistan were in the runs from the first ball, with Imam clipping Mahmood off his pads for four, after managing just one run in total in the first two games.

Mahmood, however, had Pakistan’s other left-handed opener, Fakhar Zaman, well caught above his head by a leaping Zak Crawley at second slip for just six.

Azam spent 14 balls on nought and went to fifty in a relatively sedate 72 balls. But so long as he stayed in there was every chance he would increase his scoring rate and so it proved with a cut boundary off Mahmood taking him to a hundred in just 104 balls including nine fours and two sixes.

And having gone past his previous highest ODI score of 125 not out, against the West Indies at Providence in 2017, he was dropped on 126 before going to 150 in 134 balls.

Not only did the 26-year-old Azam punish the loose ball, he also drove Carse through the covers for a rasping boundary.

Stokes, the most experienced member of the side, eventually brought himself on to bowl in ther 20th over only to be pulled for four by Azam to the delight of a large

Pakistan contingent in the crowd.

Imam was bowled by a superb delivery from leg-spinner Matt Parkinson that pitched outside the left-hander’s off stump and then turned sharply to bowl him between bat and pad.

Rizwan’s fifty, off just 42 balls, however, gave Pakistan valuable impetus.

Azam was dropped on 126 when Carse failed to hold what would have been an excellent catch at midwicket following a powerful pull off Parkinson.

Azam cashed in, driving Carse over long-on for a majestic six.

Rizwan was caught behind down the legside off Carse before Azam holed out in the last over.

TEAMS: England: Phil Salt, Dawid Malan, Zak Crawley, James Vince, Ben Stokes (captain), John Simpson, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson.

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Sohaib Maqsood, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.

Tennis star Osaka gets own line of Barbie dolls WASHINGTON ReuteRs

Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka now has her own line of Barbie dolls.

The 23-year-old world No. 2 tennis player, who has used her position to call attention to issues of police violence and racial inequality, became a part of Mattel Inc’s push to make its iconic toy line more diverse with dolls based on different role models and professions.

“It’s such an honour to be a part of the Barbie Role Model series, and to remind young girls that they can make a difference in the world. I want young girls everywhere to feel empowered to dream big,” Osaka, who grew up idolizing 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, said in a statement.

Mattel’s tie-up with Japan’s Osaka is the latest example of brands becoming more comfortable with taking a stand on social issues and banking on partnerships with female athletes to pull in new customers.

In April, Gap Inc’s Athleta brand signed four-time Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles for a new apparel partnership, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Mattel also has Barbie dolls modelled on US soccer player Alex Morgan and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.

“Barbie is committed to celebrating real-life role models […] remarkable women who are breaking

boundaries and inspiring the next generation,” Mattel said in a statement, announcing the Osaka doll that is sporting a Nike tennis outfit and a racket.

Osaka, who did not compete in the Wimbledon

championships for personal reasons, following her withdrawal from the French Open for a mental health break, will be competing in the Tokyo Olympics later this month.

Gayle’s half-century powers West Indies past Australia

GROS-ISLeT AFP

A Chris Gayle half-century blasted the West Indies to victory over Australia in St Lucia on Monday, clinching the five-match T20 series between the sides.

Chasing a modest target of 142, Gayle recaptured his

most destructive form in racing to 67 off only 38 balls to take his team to the target with five overs to spare at the Daren Sammy Stadium.

By spearheading the West Indies to an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the series, the 41-year-old also sent an ominous warning that he could yet be a factor in the Caribbean side’s defence of the World T20 title later this

year.

Gayle’s pyrotechnics followed another efficient West Indies performance in the field as wrist-spinner Hayden Walsh again presented the most effective challenge to the Australians with figures of two for 18 in limiting the visitors to 141 for six.

All-rounder Moises Henriques topscored with 33 and struck the only two sixes of his team’s innings.

Henriques’ contribution followed his side’s best opening partnership of the series — 41 — between captain Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade.

However, the tempo of the innings dropped considerably when they were separated by Obed McCoy in what proved to be the seamer’s only over of the innings.

‘I STILL HAVE IT’: Mitchell Marsh fell cheaply for the first time in the series and when Walsh accounted for Alex Carey and Finch in the same over, their hopes of a first formidable total of this campaign effectively came to an end given the relative inexperience of their batting line-up.

Walsh should have claimed a third wicket but standin captain Nicholas Pooran missed a straightforward stumping offered by Henriques who managed to make some use of the reprieve.

Yet all of that effort was put into proper context by Gayle’s muscular performance — his first T20 international half-century in six years, with seven sixes and four fours.

Fully aware of all the speculation off the field as to his value to the team, he went after the Australian bowlers

not long after arriving at the crease in the opening over when Mitchell Starc dismissed Andre Fletcher.

Starc would actually emerge relatively unscathed from the celebrated power-hitter’s assault, returning his most economical T20I figures ever of one for 15 from four overs.

However, all the other bowlers felt the weight of Gayle’s bat although paceman Riley Meredith had the consolation of picking up three wickets, including the rampaging Jamaican, for the first time in his brief T20I career.

“I have to thank my entire team for the faith they have shown in me because everyone knows the struggles I have had with the bat in the last few matches,” said Gayle on receiving the Man of the Match award.

“They have all stood up for me and I am happy that I was able to stand up today and deliver to remind everyone that I still have it in me to do something special at the World T20.”

Gayle passed 14,000 runs in all T20 matches during the innings, the only player to so far reach that milestone.

For Finch, it was another case of his team failing to meet the expected standards.

“We really should have built on that start but I didn’t help the situation when I got out and when you’re playing a team like this with so much experience and so many world-class players it is always going to be tough,” he explained. “Yes, we are missing a number of key players here but that is no excuse. We expect better of ourselves and haven’t managed that yet so far in this series.”

Wednesday, 14 July, 2021

PrAyer Timings

NEWS

Qureshi sTresses eQuiTAble vAccine disTribuTion To TAckle covid chAllenges

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oREIgN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while addressing a virtual meeting of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), hosted by Azerbaijan on Tuesday, stressed the need for equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The foreign minister said that “we must urgently mobilise financial resources to recover from Covid-19 and help developing countries get back on the path to achieving sustainable development goals by 2030”.

He underlined that Pakistan’s fight against the coronavirus was based on a policy of smart lockdowns. “We pursued a three-pronged strategy focused on saving lives, securing livelihoods and stimulating the economy. Through our Ehsaas emergency cash programme, the government disbursed around $1.25 billion to over 15 million families in the vulnerable segments of the population,” he told the session.

The foreign minister said Pakistan also launched a vaccination drive that will cover 70 million people by December 2021, adding that more than 18 million vaccine doses had already been

administered to over 14 million citizens.

Highlighting the significance of NAM, Qureshi said that “we must revive the Movement’s role in decisively addressing the systemic challenges which have been exposed and exacerbated by

the Covid-19 pandemic. our collective response should avoid partisan objectives and narrow national agendas”.

He also underscored that “we must reaffirm our commitment to cooperative multilateralism to pursue our

shared goals of a more democratic, equitable, fair and just international order, not based on privilege and power, but one that fosters the universal idea of prosperity and well-being for all.”

He stated that Pakistan deeply valued the fundamental ideals of the NAM, especially its principled support for the right and self-determination for people living under foreign occupation.

“People of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine are still waiting to exercise their right to self-determination for over 70 decades now,” he remarked.

Qureshi said Pakistan will continue to support the movement’s efforts for peace and cooperation and wellbeing for all.

The NAM, born at the height of the Cold War, started out as a group of nations seeing themselves as independent of the two power blocs centred on Washington and Moscow.

Since then, it has become a vehicle for championing the interests of developing states, calling for reforms to limit the powers of the UN Security Council, promoting a Palestinian state, and condemning Western sanctions on some of its members, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Zimbabwe. news desk

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Taliban warn Turkey against extending troops in Afghanistan The Taliban on Tuesday warned Turkey against extending its presence in the country when US-led forces leave the country, insisting the decision was “reprehensible”. “The decision … is ill-advised, a violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity and against our national interests,” the group said in a statement, days after Turkey promised to provide troops to protect Kabul airport when foreign forces leave next month. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said on July 9 that Turkey and the US agreed on the “scope” of how to secure Kabul airport under the control of Turkish forces after Washington’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Turkey promised to provide security for the airport once the troops leave next month, in a move hailed as an example of improved relations between Ankara and Washington. Erdogan said the issue was discussed between Turkish and American defence ministers on Thursday, adding: “During discussions with America and Nato, we decided on what would be the scope of the mission, what we would accept and not accept.” Turkey’s move comes after Erdogan held talks with US President Joe Biden in Brussels on the sidelines of a Nato summit in June.

However, the Taliban have opposed Ankara’s proposal, saying that Turkey should also withdraw its troops in line with the 2020 deal for the pullout. Washington hailed Ankara’s “clear commitment” to playing a lead role in securing the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the leaders’ discussions. The dialogue between the Nato allies continued to cement the details of the future Turkish mission with a visit to Turkey by a US delegation last month and multiple phone calls between Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.

Taliban surge in north Afghanistan sends thousands fleeing KABUL The AssociATed Press

Sakina, who is 11, maybe 12, walked with her family for 10 days after the Taliban seized her village in northern Afghanistan and burned down the local school.

They are now among around 50 families living in a makeshift camp on a rocky patch of land on the edge of the northern city of Mazar-eSharif. They roast in plastic tents under scorching heat that reaches 44 degrees Celsius at midday. There are no trees, and the only bathroom for the entire camp is a tattered tent pitched over a foul-smelling hole.

As the Taliban surge through northern Afghanistan — a traditional stronghold of US-allied warlords and an area dominated by the country’s ethnic minorities — thousands of families like Sakina’s are fleeing their homes, fearful of living under the insurgents’ rule.

In the last 15 days, Taliban advances have driven more than 5,600 families from their homes, most of them in the northern

reaches of the country, according to the government’s Refugee and Repatriations Ministry.

In Camp Istiqlal, family after family, all from the Hazara ethnic minority, told of Taliban commanders using heavy-handed tactics as they overran their towns and villages — raising doubts among many over their persistent promises amid negotiations that they will not repeat their harsh rule of the past.

Sakina said it was the middle of the night when her parents packed up their belongings and fled their village of Abdulgan in Balkh province, but not before the invading Taliban set fire to her school.

Sakina said she doesn’t understand why her school was burned.

In Camp Istiqlal, there’s not a single light, and sometimes she hears noises in the pitch blackness of night. “I think maybe it’s the Taliban and they have come here. I am afraid,” said the girl, who hopes one day to be an engineer.

Yaqub Maradi fled his village of Sang Shanda, not far from Abdulgan, when the Taliban arrived. He

said they tried to intimidate villagers into staying. Maradi’s brother and several members of his family were arrested, “held hostage to stop them from leaving,” he said.

“Maybe he is released today, but he cannot leave,” Maradi said from inside his small sweltering plastic tent pitched over a sunbaked mud floor, with mattresses folded in one corner.

A howling, brutally hot wind ripped through the tent as Mohammad Rahimi, the self-appointed camp leader, who also fled from Abdulgan, recalled how a poorly equipped militia force in his Zari district tried to defend against a larger Taliban force. Rahimi named a handful of militia fighters he said died defending their district.

In areas they control, the Taliban have imposed their own fees and taxes. Ashor Ali, a truck driver, told The Associated Press he pays the Taliban a 12,000 Afghani ($147) toll for every load of coal he brings from a Taliban-controlled part of neighbouring Samangan province to Mazar-eSharif. That amounts to more than half of what he makes on each haul.

Masood calls UN role in Kashmir dispute ‘disappointing’ ISLAMABAD AnAdolu Agency

Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has deplored the role of the international community, mainly the United Nations, in the long-standing Kashmir dispute, calling it “conspicuously disappointing”.

“The UN role in Kashmir has been conspicuously disappointing because practically it has taken a handsoff approach, though they realize Kashmir is the elephant in the room,” Khan said in an interview with Anadolu Agency on the occasion of Kashmir Martyrdom Day, which is being commemorated on Tuesday across the Line of Control that divides the region.

People across the dividing line are observing the 90th anniversary of the killings of dozens of Muslims in the city of Srinagar on July 13, 1931, when they were protesting against the Hindu Maharaja Hari Singh, then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.

The event is seen as the starting point of the current phase of Kashmiris’ longstanding freedom struggle.

“The US wants the status quo, an option preferred

by India, and the European Union is hamstrung. But the citizens of the world can be mobilised. Today, for the Kashmir cause, the streets are more promising than official chambers — bilateral or multilateral,” he said.

By ignoring the Kashmir issue, Khan added, powerful nations which claim to be the custodians of inter-

national law are “underwriting impunity for crimes against humanity” in Jammu and Kashmir.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been the main ingredient in the long-simmering rivalry between Pakistan and India since the two nuclear-armed neighbours gained independence from the British Empire in 1947.

The picturesque Himalayan valley is held by the two countries in parts and claimed by both in full. Since 1947, the two neighbours have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir.

Some pro-freedom groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence or unification with Pakistan.

According to several human rights organisations, thousands of people have been killed and tortured in the conflict in the region since 1989.

Already heightened tensions between the two countries touched a further low after India stripped the longstanding semi-autonomous status of the valley in August 2019, prompting Islamabad to downgrade diplomatic relations with New Delhi and suspend bilateral trade.

INDIA DESIRES ‘COSMETIC’ ENGAGEMENT: Khan, a veteran diplomat who served as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN from 2012 to 2015, contended that New Delhi is looking for a “cosmetic engagement” with Islamabad for “good optics” following the scrapping of the valley’s decades-long special status.

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