EpaperKHI_21-08-15

CMYK

15 August, 2021 I 6 Muharram, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 46 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Pakistan criticises Modi for ‘distorting history’ in tweets about Partition 10 killed, several injured in explosion in Karachi

P

akistan on saturday criticised Prime Minister narendra Modi for his tweets regarding partition of the indian subcontinent and said no modern state is so much in contradiction with itself as the indian state.

Earlier in his tweets, the indian prime minister had made the controversial announcement.

“Partition’s pains can never be forgotten. Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence. in memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th august will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day,” Modi wrote in a tweet.

“May [this day] keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of

social divisions, disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment,” he added.

Responding to the tweets, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, in a statement, termed Modi’s move “a political and publicity stunt”, saying that “no modern state is so much in contradiction with itself as the indian state – the so-called ‘largest democracy’.”

He said, “it is shameful that the practitioners of ‘Hindutva’ ideology, and purveyors of hate and violence, would so hypocritically and one-sidedly invoke the tragic events and mass migration that occurred in the wake of independence in 1947. Distorting history and stoking communal-

coronavirus in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,094,699

LAST UPDATED AT 11:35 AM ON AUGUST 14, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

73

4,786

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

983,754 24,339 409,578 370,599 KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

151,466

31,507

28,982/9,228

93,339

ism is the special forte of the Rss-BJP regime. Far from doing anything to heal old wounds, they would go to any extent to sow further dissensions for electoral gains.”

“We are sure that the people of goodwill in india would completely reject this political and publicity stunt that only seeks to divide.”

Meanwhile, the indian government also notified the decision to observe the day of Pakistan’s independence as “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”. the gazette notification, shared by the indian news agency ani, stated that the move was aimed at reminding “the present and future generations of indians of the pain and sufferings faced by the people of india during the Partition”. news desk

at least 10 people died while several others were injured due to an explosion inside a truck in karachi’s Mawach Goth area on saturday, Dawn reported. senior superintendent of Police Fida Husain Janwari told Dawn that a cylinder explosion took place inside a “mini truck” after the driver picked up a family, including women, from Pareeshan Chowk in Baldia.

Deputy inspector General south Javed akbar Riaz said that according to initial reports, the Hyundai truck was carrying 20-25 people when the explosion occurred. He said that the passengers were returning home after attending a marriage ceremony.

He said that the bomb disposal squad had been called in to confirm the nature of the blast.

On the other hand, the Edhi Foundation spokesperson said that the explosion was occurred at a petrol pump near Mawach Goth and seven bodies were shifted to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital by the officials. another official from Chippa rescue service said that they took three more bodies from the spot, bringing the total death toll to 10.

Pakistan celebrates 75th Independence Day with traditional zeal KARACHI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE staff report

Pakistan on saturday marked the 75th anniversary of its creation and independence from Britain with a series of celebrations and military ceremonies. at dawn, a 31-gun salute in islamabad marked the start of festivities to commemorate august 14 1947, the day colonial rule ended. in an occasion filled with military pomp, cadets changed the guard at the domed mausoleum of the founding father, Mohammed ali Jinnah, in karachi.

Overnight, revellers poured onto streets throughout the country despite monsoon rains, waving the olive green and white flag and setting off firecrackers. the chief feature of the celebrations was a national flag hoisting ceremony at the President House in islamabad attended by President Dr arif alvi, among others, Radio Pakistan reported. similar flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at provincial, divisional and district headquarters-level across the country. Buildings, streets, and markets were illuminated to mark the event.

interior Minister sheikh Rasheed ahmed, while taking notice of the incident, sought report from DG Rangers and iG sindh. He said that the incident should be investigated from all angles, adding that federal institutions would fully cooperate with the sindh government.

Chief Minister sindh syed Murad ali shah directed the local authorities to immediately evacuate the injured to a local hospital.

He also directed the transport minister to provide details about the vehicle’s fitness certificate and the cause of the explosion. shah also directed the health secretary to shift the injured to the Burns Centre of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital karachi for treatment. administrator karachi Metropolitan Corporation and PPP spokesperson Murtaza Wahab contacted ssP keamari and asked him about the incident.

“We are investigating the incident from various angles,” he added.

Expressing regret over the loss of human lives, the administrator directed officials to provide the best possible medical treatment to those who were injured. news desk

more inside

Imran directs for reforms to attract foreign investment STORY ON PAGE 02

Pakistan rejects indian denial of involvement in Dasu attack STORY ON BACK PAGE ‘ON PATH OF DEVELOPMENT’: ALVI addressing the gathering, alvi, who was the chief guest at the event, congratulated the nation on the completion of 74 years of independence.

He observed the country was on the right track and all set to become a stronger economy, stressing the need to inject hope into the people and reject the propaganda and fake news maligning the country.

Paying rich tributes to the struggle and sacrifices of founding fathers, the president recalled the country achieved major success in different spheres and surmounted many challenges since its independence in 1947.

He pointed out Pakistan successfully curbed terrorism, observing the security forces and the society deserved appreciation for defeating the menace.

‘NAYA PAKISTAN’ MEANS ECONOMY: IMRAN in his message, Prime Minister imran khan said as the nation hoisted the national flag to mark the occasion, “we must reiterate the firm resolve to uphold our national values of unity, faith and discipline as envisioned” by Jinnah.

He observed Pakistan has rendered immense sacrifices and paid a heavy toll for instability on its western border linking the country to afghanistan.

Taliban now 50km away from Kabul as US ramps up Afghan evacuations

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

STORY ON PAGE 03

STORY ON BACK PAGE

sindh govt committed to promote industrialisation: Ghani

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

02

KARACHI

NEWS

ImraN dIrECtS fOr rEfOrmS tO attraCt fOrEIgN INvEStmENt ISLAMABAD

P

STAff RePoRT

RIME Minister Imran Khan Saturday directed the authorities to expedite the reforms process to attract international investors and improve the functioning of stateowned enterprises to reduce dependence on international rescue funds.

Chairing a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council to review the government’s introduced reforms in the

NCOC daily update: 4,786 new cases, 73 deaths from Covid-19 ISLAMABAD STAff RePoRT

Pakistan confirmed 4,786 new Covid-19 cases over the last 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Centre said on Saturday, as the overall confirmed cases rising to 1,094,699, including 983,754 recoveries. The disease killed 73 people over the last 24 hours, increasing the overall death toll to 24,339, the NCOC said, and 4,729 are in critical condition. Sindh is the most affected province of the country with 409,578 infections followed by Punjab which has reported 370,599 cases.

Soldier martyred, 3 militants killed in Balochistan shootout QUETTA STAff RePoRT

Security forces killed three militants during a shootout on Saturday following a militant attack on a security patrol in Balochistan, the military said. In a brief statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said there was an exchange of gunfire after militants opened fire on a security vehicle near Shahrig in the Loralai district. One soldier was also martyred and two were wounded during the exchange. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Afghanistan-based militant groups, funded by India, have often claimed such attacks in the recent past.

According to a news outlet, in June this year, at least five FC men were martyred in a terrorist attack in the Sibi district of Balochistan. The FC men had come under attack while patrolling.

Economy on inclusive, sustainable growth path ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistan’s economy is moving progressively on a higher inclusive and sustainable growth path on the back of various measures and resultant achievements despite a myriad of challenges. According to Arab News, Pakistan implemented a policy of stabilisation following the national economic crisis of 2017-18 and the economy recovered from macroeconomic imbalances, but the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic slowed down the pace. During the past three years of the incumbent government, it has faced numerous economic challenges which were somehow aggravated by the pandemic. However, the federal government has quite successfully progressed from recovery and stabilisation of the national economy to its sustainable growth. Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) rate was estimated to be 2.9 percent against the targeted growth of 2.1 percent through the policy initiatives. Besides extending the economic stimulus for the fiscal year in 2021, an amount of Rs155 billion was also released to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. Home remittances by overseas Pakistanis grew significantly. The current account balance showed improvement. The country’s exports also showed an appreciable turnaround. Furthermore, the World Bank recognised the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme as being among the top four social protection interventions in the world in terms of the number of people it covered. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also said government policies have been crucial in supporting the national economy during the Covid-19 pandemic.

mega sectors, the prime minister also directed for extension of facilities under ease of doing business, and exploration of avenues to further increasing exports and fixation of imports.

He further underlined that the government, in addition to focusing on gas and mineral sectors, was also encouraging overseas Pakistan nationals to invest in the key priority domains, the media wing of the PM Office said in a press statement.

During the meeting, the prime minister was apprised of the reforms in 14 priority

sectors which had been identified by the EAC, so that in the next three years, the GDP growth ratio could be enhanced to 6 percent whereas GDP to investment ratio could be brought to 20 percent from the present 15 percent.

These sectors included financial stability and durable development, houses and construction, financial sector and loaning arrangements, privatization, domestic trade, circular debt, agriculture, CPEC, price stability and social protection.

CCP imposed Rs44bn fine to 81 sugar mills: Gill LAHORE APP

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Saturday said that the Competitive Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a fine of Rs44 billion to 81 sugar mills for embezzlement, corruption and exploitation of the farmers.

Addressing a press conference here at the Press Information Department (PID), Gill said that the highest fine of Rs300 million has been imposed on the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) for its persistent anticompetitive practice.

He said that two of the four members of the CCP have been fined immediately and two have been under further investigation, adding that the CCP existed even before the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf but it remained silent about the corruption of sugar mafia because it was occupied by politicians.

He said that the law is equal for all and whoever commits corruption would be accountable, adding that the owners of sugar mills always blackmail the government and get subsidies but Prime Minister Imran Khan is the only ruler, who could not be blackmailed.

He said that for the last several years, a subsidy of Rs30 billion was being given to sugar mills, adding that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has stopped this subsidy and provided relief to the people and farmers.

“Why so many landlords came to politics, made sugar mills or established TV channels”, questioned the SAPM and replied that they wanted to get benefits

from government and make more money.

He said that PSMA did not perform its actual work but wasted its energy to manipulate the market for its own interest, adding that the PSMA sets up zonal committees in Punjab for determining the price, stock in the market and makes its own decisions in this regard.

He said that that PSMA stopped crushing of 15 sugar mills illegally in the Punjab zone from December 30,2019 to January 11, 2020, adding that during the period, farmers suffered from severe

losses and stood in lines outside the mills for several days.

He said that PSMA sold 20,000 metric tonnes of sugar to utility stores in 2019 and made a lot of money, adding that he was eyewitness in Punjab that the owners of sugar mills blackmailed the government and took subsidies from it.

Gill said that for the first time in the history, a premier has gripped his hands around their necks, adding that Imran Khan would recover looted money from every corrupt mafia and return to farmers. He said that players in the sugar business are present in every sector like

politics, businesses, bureaucracy and other powerful sectors of the country therefore they influence the accountability process.

He said the PTI government is providing Health card to people.

In his message on the Independence Day, he urged the nation to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Imran Khan against the mafia.

He said that Quad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s stance proved correct that Hindus were narrow minded people.

DNA tests confirm Zahir murdered Noor: police ISLAMABAD TLTP

DNA tests conducted on clothes, weapon of offence and other material collected from the crime scene in last month’s gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam confirmed that Zahir Zakir Jaffer was the killer, according to the police.

“The DNA tests on samples collected from the clothes of both Zahir and Noor, and the weapon of offence, have confirmed the fingerprints of the principal accused in this case,” Inspector Abdul Sattar, who is investigating the case, said.

Police had last month submitted all evidence gathered from the crime scene, including CCTV footage from the Jaffer house, to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency in Lahore for analysis. Noor’s heart, lung, stomach, liver, spleen, nail scraping and vaginal swabs were also sent to the agency for chemical examination.

A forensic report by the agency confirmed that the CCTV footage was original and had not been edited, and the people in it were Jaffer and Mukadam, Sattar said.

“The accused has verbally accepted during police investigation that he sexually assaulted the victim before beheading her,” the inspector said. “But we will get a final scientific report on this from the forensic agency in a couple of days.”

“We haven’t received a complete report of the victim’s post-mortem yet,” Sattar said, adding that the decision regarding the submission of a complete or interim charge sheet in the court next week was still pending.

Mukadam was found beheaded at a residence in Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 sector on July 20 in a case that has sparked public outrage and grabbed media attention unlike any other recent crime against women.

The victim was the daughter of Shaukat Mukadam, Pakistan’s former ambassador to South Korea and Kazakhstan.

Jaffer was arrested from the crime scene, his home, on the day of the murder and remained in police custody on physical remand until last week, when he was sent on 14-day judicial remand to Adiala Jail in Islamabad’s twin city of Rawalpindi. He is to be presented before a judicial magistrate on August 16.

Police are also scheduled to submit a detailed charge-sheet (challan) of the case in a district court in Islamabad on August 16, though the investigation officer said his department was yet to get all the required scientific reports to complete the challan.

In the footage obtained from the suspect’s house, Mukadam could be seen jumping from a balcony before Jaffer chased her and dragged her back into the house, the official, who had examined the video, said.

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

KARACHI

Sindh govt committed to promote induStrialiSation: ghani KARACHI

S

tLtP

INDH Minister for Information, Labour and Manpower Saeed Ghani has said that Pakistan is one of the few lucky countries in the world in terms of resources where all the blessings are available, but despite 75 years of independence, it is in debt and behind the world.

Addressing at a flag hoisting ceremony held at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day on Saturday, Saeed Ghani said that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) under the leadership of its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have always believed in industrialisation.

Ghani congratulated the country and the nation on the Independence Day and said that the elected representatives in Pakistan did not get the powers they should have got. Pakistan is going through a tough time. “We should think more about our performance than the role of others. [The] nations develop only by respecting and abiding the law and constitution.”

The provincial information minister

said, “As a nation, we have failed to fulfil our responsibilities, but time has not passed yet, every year Independence Day gives us a chance to reform ourselves and see what we did not do last year.”

“With self-improvement, we can make progress,” Ghani said, adding that the government is providing all-possible facilities for the promotion of industrialisation and the Sindh government’s priority is that if industries are set up then prosperity will come to the country, unemployment will be eliminated, resulting in a developed and wealthy country.

Earlier, Kati President Saleem-uzZaman congratulated the nation on the Independence Day and said that education and industrial revolution are of utmost importance for the development of any country. He thanked the Sindh government for its full support in the industrial development of Karachi.

Zaman said that these are the directives of the leadership, including S M Muneer, patron-in-chief of Kati, to always strive for the development of industries, which is why Kati is the most successful industrial area of Karachi.

He said: “Covid-19 took our senior

and valuable members apart from us, which is why Kati, in collaboration with the Sindh government, is fighting war against the Covid-19.

The Kati president said he was happy to announce that Kati had vaccinated more than 75,000 employees in collaboration with the district health and the government of Sindh.

Kite CEO Zubair Chhaya said that the focus on employment, national income and foreign exchange is essential for the economic growth, adding that industrialisation in Karachi is essential.

The police, Rangers, citizens, especially the Pakistan army have made immense sacrifices for the sake of the country and the nation. It is clear that India is the enemy and the situation in Afghanistan is worrisome. “We must move forward as a nation, forgetting all our differences,” he said.

Welcoming all the participants, Farhan-ur-Rehman, chairman Kati Event Committee, said that Saeed Ghani cooperated at every opportunity. “We celebrate independence every year, but after that day we forget our responsibilities,” he said, adding, “We have to live up to our responsibilities.”

He said all the members are united for the development of the country under the leadership of SM Muneer.

President leaves for Turkey to cement defence, trade relations NEWS DESK President Dr Arif Alvi embarked on a three-day official visit to Ankara on Saturday to cement defence and trade relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

The president is visiting Turkey on the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the visit, the two presidents will participate in the launching ceremony of the first of the four MILGEM corvettes for the Pakistan Navy in Istanbul.

The two leaders will hold talks on bilateral relations as well as exchange views on regional issues. President Alvi will also interact with the media and leading Turkish businessmen.

The fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey are deeply embedded in common faith, culture and history and underpinned by exceptional mutual trust and respect.

The strategic relationship between the two countries continues to grow from strength to strength, with an increasing

focus on the economic dimension. The frequent leadership-level exchanges and regular coordination on a range of issues between the two countries signify the commonality of views and strength of the bilateral relationship.

In July 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM Ada class ships with Turkish state-owned defence firm ASFAT. According to the plan, two corvettes will be built in Turkey and the other two in Pakistan, which will also include technology transfer.

These corvettes will be fitted with the state-of-art surface, sub-surface and anti-air weapons and sensors, integrated through an advanced network central combat management system.

The induction of MILGEM corvettes will significantly enhance maritime defence and deterrence capabilities of the Pakistan Navy. These corvettes will become a core element of Pakistan Navy's kinetic response to traditional and non-traditional challenges and to

NEWS

03

Khadija unharmed after firing at her car in lahore NEWS DESK Unidentified assailants allegedly opened fired at the car of Khadija Siddiqui, who was stabbed 23 times in 2016, outside her residence in Lahore’ Gulberg area on Saturday, Dawn reported. According to Dawn, Khadija, in her complaint to the police, said that she was at her home when she heard a gunshot and when she went outside to investigate, she saw that a bullet had hit the hood of her car. She said, "Unidentified people opened fire on my vehicle."

While mentioning that she was attacked in 2016 as well, Khadija said that her life is in danger and asked police to take action. Meanwhile, Barrister Hassaan Niazi, a member of Khadija's legal team, said that there was "direct firing" at her home while she was present inside. "Stay strong Khadija Siddiqui ─ you were born a fighter ─ these bullets can’t scare a warrior like you," he said as he called on Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to take notice of the incident. He said that one of the bullets went through her father's car, but added that she was safe. "Just spoke to her. She was not scared at all. Sounded stronger than ever." Niazi said that the Lahore DIG (Operations) had taken notice of the incident, sent a team and promised them justice.

honours conferred on military personnel ISLAMABAD staff RePoRt

President Arif Alvi, on the occasion of Independence Day, conferred honours on the members of the armed forces, Radio Pakistan reported Saturday. The awards included two Sitara-i-Basalat (star of good conduct), 61 Tamgha-i-Basalat (medal of good conduct), 42 Imtiazi Asnad (honour for gallantry), 70 army chief commendation cards, 22 Hilal-i-Imtiaz (crescent of excellence) (military), 106 Sitara-iImtiaz (star of excellence) (military) and 128 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (award of excellence) (military), said an Inter-Services Public Relations statement.

gold jumps to rs94,000 per 10gm ISLAMABAD tLtP

maintain the balance of power in the Indian Ocean Region.

MILGEM vessels are 99 meters (325 feet) long with a displacement capacity of 2,400 tonnes and can move at a speed of 29 nautical miles. MILGEM antisubmarine combat frigates, which can be hidden from the radar, will further

enhance the defence capability of the Pakistan Navy.

In October 2019, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with the then Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi had cut the first metal plate of the first MILGEM Ada-class corvette during a ceremony in Istanbul.

‘Pakistan-The Hidden Treasure’ campaign launched at Burj Khalifa NEWS DESK Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up with Pakistan's national flag on Saturday evening as “Pakistan The Hidden Treasure” campaign was launched with an impressive performance.

The crowd, gathered at the fountain area of Burj Khalifa to see the Pakistan flag, later got surprised to witness a contemporary cultural performance with high energy moves and dances on a national song “Hum Aik Hain” (We are One).

The performance was also a dedication to Expo 2020 Dubai’s vision

“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”.

It carried well-integrated messages as the nation plans to showcase its vast opportunities in tourism, commerce & investment to the global audiences.

The people at Burj Khalifa were enthralled with the impressive campaign launch by Pakistan.

A video of the Burj Khalifa lit Pakistan's colours was shared on the world's tallest skyscraper's social media.

"Burj Khalifa commemorates Pakistan’s Independence Day, wishing the Republic peace and prosperity," its official Twitter handle said.

Gold prices jumped by around 1.40 percent in the international market to close the week on a positive note as the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index slumped to its lowest level in nearly a decade at 70.2 in August. Gold in the international market was available at $1,780.60 per ounce after gaining $25.70 as compared to its closing value on Thursday last. Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of yellow metal in Pakistan increased to Rs94,000 after gaining Rs1,700. As the local market closes ahead of the international market, the difference is settled on the next day.

The closing prices of the yellow metal in the country remained Rs93,000 on Friday last.

According to experts, bullish potential in gold price remains intact amid the ongoing weakness in the US Treasury yields, which remains a drag on the US dollar. They said that the US dollar selloff ahead of the weekend helped gold build on its recovery gains. They said the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index slumped to its lowest level in nearly a decade at 70.2 in August, which helped the yellow metal make gains. They said with the decisive rebound witnessed in the second half of the week, gold’s near-term outlook seems to have turned neutral with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator on the daily chart rising to the 50 area. On the upside, the next target is located at $1,790 (20-day SMA, static level). A daily close above that level could open the door for additional gains towards $1,800 (psychological level) and $1,805, where the 50day, 100-day and 20-week SMAs are located.

Huawei accused of stealing trade secrets, spying in Pakistan CALIFORNIA ReuteRs

Business Efficiency Solutions LLC, a California-based software company, has sued Huawei in a federal district court of the American state for allegedly stealing its trade secrets following their work together on a project for Pakistan’s government.

BES also accused the Chinese tech giant in the Wednesday complaint of using its technology to create a “backdoor” that allowed it to collect sensitive data “important to Pakistan’s national security”.

Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for

comment, neither did BES nor its counsel.

According to the complaint, Huawei subcontracted with BES in 2016 for its $150 million bid to develop software for a government programme providing new technology for police and law enforcement in Lahore.

BES said it created software for the project that collects data from government agencies, controls access to buildings, monitors social media and manages drones, among other things.

The eight software systems BES developed for the project included proprietary code, designs, diagrams and other information that are “valuable trade secrets at the core of BES’s business,” the complaint said.

Huawei officials allegedly demanded that BES send this information to the company in China for testing, and BES said it agreed to the demand but terminated its authorisation to use the technology after Huawei revoked its access to the testing laboratory.

The complaint said Huawei has yet to return any of the confidential software design tools or uninstall the software, as BES said it had agreed to.

BES claimed Huawei later demanded it install its data-aggregation software — used by Pakistan’s law enforcement to collect and analyse “sensitive data from different sources and government agencies” — in its Chinese lab, “this time not merely for testing purposes

but with full access to data at the Lahore Safe City project”.

BES said it agreed, under threat of termination and withheld payments, after Huawei said it had approval from Pakistan.

The complaint accused Huawei of using the software “as a backdoor from China into Lahore to gain access, manipulate, and extract sensitive data important to Pakistan’s national security”.

BES also claimed that Huawei never paid for some of its software and that Huawei is purportedly misusing its trade secrets in similar safe city projects in Pakistan and around the world.

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

04 NEWS

KARACHI

VEtErAnS rECAll PAKIStAn’S bIrth PAngS Karachi

A

AnAdOlu AgEncy

S Pakistan celebrated 75th Independence Day on Saturday, those who participated in the movement to carve out a separate nation for Muslims recall the birth pangs and challenges to the survival of the country in the initial days.

The birth of Pakistan on the midnight of August 14, 1947, witnessed one of the world’s largest displacements, questions on its survival due to economic hardships, ragging communal riots, and the beginning of tensions with India on the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an estimate, 6.5 million Muslims from different parts of India migrated to Pakistan, following the end of the British colonial rule.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abrar Fatima, in her early 90s, recalls her family’s journey from the city of Aligarh in India to Karachi. “For uprooted, and unsettled environment it was not easy for the migrant community to establish themselves, and their businesses easily because resources at government and corporate level were scanty,” she said. She said migrants were out in camps everywhere in a desperate bid to find shelter.

“Locals were indeed very supportive, and helpful to look after the refugees,” she said, adding that some migrants were occupying houses, and properties left behind by the local Hindus who started to migrate to India.

Many others, who had resources bought

properties from Hindus, who were migrating to India. “When we moved to Karachi, the city had only a few hundred cars. It was a clean city of a small population with trams, and double-decker buses,” she recalled.

Further, the city was small to the extent that the mausoleum of the nation’s founding father, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, now located near the downtown, used to be in the outskirts of Karachi.

UNDERDEVELOPMENT: Shahabuddin Haider, 91, also a resident of Karachi, had first moved to Dhaka, the capital of then East Pakistan and now Bangladesh, from the eastern Indian state of Bihar in 1952.

“There was no comparison between (then) Dhaka and Patna (provincial capital of Bihar). Dhaka was underdeveloped compared to Patna or Calcutta,” recollected Haider, who took part as a young activist in the Pakistan movement.

Sporting a white kurta-pyjama, and hunched on a sofa in the lounge of his house in central district of Karachi, Haider further said: “A few good buildings were having been constructed by the Nawabs (rulers of Dhaka), whereas a couple of thoroughfares could be taken as proper roads.”

The level of education, he said, was low even compared to West Pakistan as there were only a couple of medical and engineering colleges in entire East Pakistan at that time. Those who owned cars at that time could be counted on fingers, he said.

The development of modern Dhaka, according to Haider, began in 1954, with the construction of infrastructure and educa-

tional institutes. “That Dhaka was opposite to today’s glitzy Dhaka in terms of infrastructure development,” he said. Karachi and Lahore were comparatively better in terms of infrastructure at the time of independence but were facing a flood of migrants.

Among the numerous tales of bloodshed and mass killings at the time of partition, Qamar Ahmad, a former BBC cricket commentator and senior sports journalist, has a pleasant account to share.

He and his family were saved by their Hindu neighbours during communal riots in Bihar, commonly known as “Bihar carnage” due to massive casualties.

With British colonial rule of India heading towards its end in the mid-1940s, unrest

between the Hindu and Muslim communities also grew, leading Muslims to demand a separate nation.

WORST COMMUNAL RIOTS: According to Raza Kazimi, a Karachi-based historian, the worst communal riots took place in Calcutta in August 1946 and Bihar in October 1946, in which hundreds of thousands of people, mainly Muslims lost their lives.

Days after, he added, violence erupted in the Noakhali district-now in Bangladesh, which also claimed thousands of lives, mainly Hindus. Like many other historians, Richard Lambert in his book Hindu Muslim Riots has documented vivid details of the carnage. Ahmad was nine years old when his home was attacked by an infuriated mob,

which was looking for his father, a local Muslim League leader in Chapra city of Bihar in October 1946.

The fearful family took refuge in the house of Hindu neighbours, who saved their lives. “My family was saved by our Hindu neighbours, a family of doctors like my father was,” Ahmad recalled while speaking to Anadolu Agency.

“They sheltered, and protected us from the mobsters for a month before calm was restored in my hometown,” he added.

REVISITING BIRTHPLACE: Ten months later, following the creation of Pakistan, Ahmad’s family like millions of others decide to migrate to the newborn country and settled in Karachi.

“It was not that Karachi, which you see today. It was clean and less populated but in terms of economy and infrastructure there is no match with today’s metropolis,” said Ahmad, a former cricketer-turned-sports reporter. “Rome was not built in a day. Pakistan gradually started to stand on its feet with all the struggle to go with it in early years,” he said.

Ahmed said those were traumatic times, but the role of the Hindu neighbour, who saved his family has rejuvenated his trust in humanity. Therefore, his quest to see his Hindu saviours never ceased. Finally, 30 years after partition, while accompanying Pakistan’s cricket team, he visited his place of birth “To my surprise, my house had become a hotel where I stayed and was greeted by my Hindu neighbors. Emotions flowed, which cannot be described,” he said.

Jazz 100pc vaccinated against Covid-19 Karachi PR

LSM surges by 14.85pc in FY21 iSLaMaBaD STAFF REPORT

Despite the lockdowns and partial closure of markets during various waves of Covid-19 pandemic, Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) posted a growth of 14.85 per cent during 2020-21 (FY21) against the previous fiscal year due to higher output in textiles, auto, cement, sugar, iron and steel, fertiliser and the petroleum sectors. As per data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), LSM output increased by 18.42pc for June, 2021 compared to June, 2020 and 4.36pc if compared to May 2021.

Production output in almost all sectors increased in FY21 against FY20. These sectors included textile, food, beverages and tobacco, coke and petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automobiles, fertilisers, non-metallic mineral products, paper and boards and iron and steel products. However, the output was negative in products including wood, engineering, electronics, rubber products and leather.

Textile, the top contributing sector to the overall big industry output, increased by 15.31pc, food, beverages and tobacco 11.01pc, coke and petroleum products 18.05pc, pharmaceuticals 12.03pc, chemicals 19.19pc, automobiles 51.06pc, nonmetallic mineral products 26.66pc, fertilisers 7.23pc, paper and board 3.35pc, and iron and steel products 15.58pc during FY21 compared to the same period FY20.

The sectors showing a decline during FY21 compared to fiscal year FY20 included electronics 4.43pc, engineering products 15.37pc, leather products 26.45pc, wood products 39.35pc, and rubber products 14.99pc. Petroleum products witnessed an increase of 18.05pc as the output went up from 12.13 billion litres during FY20 to 14.32bn litres in FY21. High speed diesel production in country witnessed a growth of 23.92pc at 5.61bn litres. Petrol (motor spirit) production was enhanced by 27.61pc to 3.424bn litres during FY21. Output of furnace oil increased by 14.65pc while the production of LPG and kerosene oil wit-

Engro renovates Karachi’s iconic PIDC bridge

nessed growth of 15.08pc and 9.12pc, respectively.

Cement witnessed 27.31pc growth at 49.80bn tonnes. In FY21, 50,486 tractors were produced, witnessing a growth of 54.83pc. The country manufactured 2.47m motorcycles – showing a growth of 36.53pc in F21 against the previous fiscal The PBS also released provisional numbers of LSM output for the month of June 2021 which showed a growth of 18.42pc against the period in FY20.

The highest surge has been witnessed in the automobile sector with 88.91pc growth in June 2021 compared to June 2020, while textile sector posted growth of 11.82pc, coke & petroleum products 38.93pc, iron & steel products 32.93pc, non-metallic mineral products 32.60pc, chemicals 24.53pc, leather products 24.35pc, pharmaceuticals 10.82pc, electronics 10.58pc and fertilisers sector posted a growth of 9.95pc.

Two sectors — rubber products and wood products — witnessed a decline in production by 25.39pc and 53.73pc, respectively, in June 2021 against the same month in FY20.

Faysal Islami pays tribute to Sajid Ali Sadpara

Karachi

Karachi

PR

PR

Engro has renovated the iconic PIDC Bridge in Karachi which serves as an important connection to the M.T. Khan Road. The bridge has been refurbished in collaboration with the Government of Sindh and was inaugurated by Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui – the Advisor to Chief Minister of Sindh and the newly instated Administrator for Karachi – in presence of Ghias Khan, President Engro Corporation; Ahsan Zafar Syed, CEO Engro Energy Limited and other members of the Engro leadership team on the eve of country’s 74th Independence Day. The current renovation was designed and executed in collaboration with the Government of Sindh and CGD Consulting who also happened to have designed and launched the renovated Jahangir Park. The designers referred to historical data and pictures to restore some old features of the bridge to give it a retro feel and look. The newly refurbished PIDC Bridge now boasts of balustrades, beautiful protective parapets, and Victorian era inspired lamp posts as their marked architectural feature.

Faysal Islami celebrated Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day with great enthusiasm, in remembrance of the late legendary mountain climber and the national hero of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Sadpara, during the flag hoisting ceremony held at Faysal House. Yousaf Hussain, Faysal Bank President & CEO Yousaf Hussain and the senior management team were present at the ceremony who revered the contributions of the iconic mountaineer who lost his life, earlier this year during the K2 expedition. In recognition of his meritorious contribution to his field, the high-altitude mountaineer has also been conferred with the Presidential Pride of Performance. Sajid Ali Sadpara, son of Ali Sadpara and the second youngest K2 summiteer, was present at the event as a special guest who took part in the felicitations and also appreciated Faysal Bank’s extra ordinary efforts towards its historic transformation journey into an Islamic Bank.

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Jazz has become the first mobile operator to complete the vaccination of all its eligible employees ensuring the safety and well-being of its workforce. This comprises the company's staff, who have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. At the Independence Day celebrations hosted at the Jazz DHQ, CEO Aamir Ibrahim congratulated the employees on achieving a 100 percent vaccination status, adding, “Jazz remains fully committed to the safety of its people. Our internal vaccination campaign aimed to safeguard the health of not only our employees but those around them as well. This achievement is another contribution to our #JazzCares initiative and this Independence Day, there can be no greater service to the nation than to keep us and others safe through the pandemic.”

KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan President & CEO Arif Usmani hoists the flag of Pakistan on Independence Day at NBP head office. PR

Cheetay introduces ‘taste of Pakistan’ category Lahore PR

Pakistan’s on-demand delivery app, Cheetay, gives local businesses a digital platform to sell their products. The new category launched by Cheetay Grocery, ‘taste of Pakistan’, makes it easy to order iconic products from all over the country. Top selling items on the Cheetay app are Pehlwan Rewari from Chakwal, Lahore’s famous Khalifa Khatai, Multani Sohan Halwa and Sharakpuri Gulab Jamun. “Taste of Pakistan takes you on a trip down the memory lane. These are products I have enjoyed having as a child. It’s great to have a platform that can deliver signature products to our customers in 30 minutes all over Lahore,” said Tariq Qureshi, Chief Commercial Officer, Cheetay. “We have developed an ecosystem of excellence and convenience for our customers and partners. Our best-in-class technology and analytics ensure the highest standards in quality, efficiency, and hygiene in our dark stores,” said Cheetay CEO Majid Khan. “We will soon be taking Cheetay Grocery nationwide. Our talented team is working around the clock to fulfil the ever-changing needs of our customers,” Majid added.

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

WHO urges glObAl suPPOrt fOr NeW COvID-19 OrIgINs stuDIes NeW YOrK

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HE World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged all countries “to put differences aside” in order to speed up efforts to understand where and how the Covid-19 virus started – including the unproven suggestion that it was manufactured in a laboratory.

The move comes after a joint report was issued in March by WHO and China into the origins of the coronavirus. Noting that a review of that report had determined that there was “insufficient scientific evidence to rule any of the hypotheses out” about the origins of the new coronavirus, the UN agency insisted that to address the ‘lab hypothesis’, it needed access “to all data” in order to prevent global health threats in future.

“The WHO calls for all governments to depoliticise the situation and cooperate to accelerate the origins studies, and importantly to work together to develop a common framework for fu-

ture emerging pathogens of pandemic potential,” it said.

“We call on all governments to put differences aside and work together to provide all data and access required so that the next series of studies can be commenced as soon as possible.”

In a detailed statement, WHO ex-

plained that it had decided on a new series of scientific studies “that need to be undertaken” into “all hypotheses” about how the previously unknown pathogen crossed from animals to humans.

A new independent advisory group of experts called the International Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of

Novel Pathogens (SAGO) will support the sensitive project by coordinating the studies recommended in the March report, it said. In the interests of transparency, WHO said that it welcomed nominations for the panel from all countries, adding that the experts’ work would resemble previous Covid-19 missions to China and those launched to hunt for the origins of avian influenza, Lassa virus and Ebola virus.

“This open call aims to ensure that a broad range of scientific skills and expertise are identified to advise WHO on the studies needed to identify the origins of any future emerging or reemerging pathogen of pandemic potential,” the UN agency said.

After highlighting how difficult it is for scientists to find the origins of any novel pathogen, the agency insisted that the mission “is not and should not be an exercise in attributing blame, fingerpointing or political point-scoring. It is vitally important to know how the Covid-19 pandemic began, to set an example for establishing the origins of all future animal-human spill-over events.”

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LAHORE: Tree plantation campaign is being started at Avicenna Medical College.

Pakistan celebrates 75th Independence Day with traditional zeal cONtiNueD frOm page 01 Imran said Pakistan consistently stressed there was no military solution to the conflict and reaffirmed it will continue lending support to a negotiated political settlement for lasting peace and stability in its war-torn neighbour. “We want peace within and peace without, to pursue our socioeconomic agenda. The Naya Pakistan has shifted its focus from geo-politics to geo-economics, with the well-being and welfare of our people as the topmost priority,” he said.

SAUDI SENDS GREETINGS: King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia sent felicitation messages to Alvi on the eve of independence day. According to the kingdom’s official news agency, SPA, the royals wished the president good health and happiness while hoping for steady progress and prosperity for the people of Pakistan. The two countries have always cherished close diplomatic relations and are collaborating with each other in a number of areas.

NHA striving for ecofriendly road network in country: Agha raWaLpiNDi TLTP

LAHORE: A little boy waves the national flag as the nation celebrates Independence Day.

FBR extends dates for payment, return filing ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the last date for payment and filing return for the month of July 2021. According to a circular, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 74 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Section 43 of the Federal Excise Act 2005, the Federal Board of Revenue has extended the date of payment and submission of sales tax & federal excise return for the tax period of July 2121. The FBR said the date of payment of sales tax and federal excise return, which is due on August 15, 2021 has been extended up to August 23, 2021. Furthermore, the date of submission of sales tax and federal excise return, which is due on August 18, 2021 has been extended up to August 24, 2021, added the FBR. TLTP

National Highway Authority Chairman Capt (retd) Muhammad Khurram Agha has said that NHA is striving for construction of eco-friendly road network in the country for providing pleasant atmosphere to the travellers.

In a statement on Saturday, Agha called for advancing afforestation campaign across the country to achieve the noble cause of ‘Clean and Green Pakistan.’ He was talking on the occasion of planting saplings along N-5, near NHA’s maintenance unit Rawalpindi.

Agha said that as per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and on direction of Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed, the National Highway Authority has chalked out a comprehensive plan for planting saplings along national highways and motorways network in the country. He said that NHA is also obtaining cooperation from the civil society to this effect. This noble activity will prepare the ground to save the country from damaging effects of changing climates, he added.

Station Commander Rawalpindi, Brig Ijaz Qamar Kiyani and Commissioner Rawalpindi Gulzar Hussain Shah also planted the sapling on this occasion at N-5 and furthered the campaign for saving the future of coming generations, said the statement.

Analysis: Taliban gains give investors cause for concern beyond Afghanistan LONDON ReuTeRs

The Taliban's rapid advance towards Kabul is not only causing concern about Afghanistan's future but also about the impact on other countries in the region and their economies.

Iran and then Iraq lie to the west of Afghanistan. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are to the north. But the immediate focus for financial markets and investors is Pakistan to the east.

Pakistan has a large public debt, a sizeable equity market (.KSE) and is dependent on a $6-billion IMF programme. The prospect of years of violence and waves of refugees will add pressure to its fiscal repair plans.

"It is a very troubling situation and unfortunately has set the region back many years," said Shamaila Khan, head of emerg-

ing market debt at AllianceBernstein. "I think the neighbouring countries will have to deal with an influx of refugees in the coming months/years".

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR estimates 400,000 Afghans have fled their homes this year. Only a few hundred of these displaced persons are known to have fled Afghanistan but the UNHCR estimates there are 2.6 million Afghan refugees worldwide.

Pakistan's bond prices have already fallen nearly 8 percent this year, though many financial analysts think this has probably had more to do with delays in it obtaining its latest tranche of IMF money than with the security situation.

Nearly 10,000 Pakistani civilians were killed in attacks between 2010 and 2015 South Asia Terrorism Portal figures show.

Those numbers have fallen since then but there are concerns they will now rise again.

"Another influx of refugees and the spillover of violent groups motivated to destabilise urban areas and infrastructure, particularly, on the western side of Pakistan... could set Pakistan's recovery and reform story back," said Hasnain Malik, an analyst at research firm Tellimer.

He suggested risk might be reduced if the Taliban were included in the Afghan government.

STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT: Pakistan's IMF programme is its thirteenth in 30 years and is needed to help the government tackle a public debt of about 90 percent of GDP. Any Taliban attacks inside Pakistan could raise security concerns and make it harder for Islamabad to meet targets set by the IMF. At the same time, some investors say, they could increase Pakistan's strategic important for the West.

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"The IMF is carefully watching the fastmoving situation on the ground in Afghanistan," a Fund spokesperson said on Friday, adding that it was premature to speculate about what impact the security situation could have on Pakistan.

"If the Taliban takes control (of Afghanistan), Pakistan becomes even more strategically important to the US," said Kevin Daly, a portfolio manager at ABRDN. This, he said, could help keep IMF money flowing.

Kay Van-Petersen, a global macro strategist at Saxo Capital Markets in Singapore, said the impact of the crisis in Afghanistan could ultimately spread far wider.

Many Afghan refugees could seek refuge in Europe, he said, following an earlier influx of migrants, mostly fleeing war or persecution in Syria, other Middle Eastern countries and Afghanistan.

If the refugees travel via Turkey, he said, they could help Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan make political or financial demands of the European Union.

"Basically it's a lever for Erdogan to pull with the European Union ...'Pay us to take care of these refugees, or we are just going to let them through'," he said.

This could weigh on the euro and lift Turkey's lira, he said. Emerging market watcher Tim Ash at BlueBay Asset Management said that the Taliban's advances as NATO troops withdrew had damaged U.S. credibility and fed into the growing rivalry between Washington and China.

"Comparisons with Vietnam abound," Ash said, recalling the evacuation of the last Americans and many South Vietnamese via from the roof of the US embassy as Saigon fell in 1975. "With that feeling of a Saigon moment and the last US helicopter out."

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

06 COMMENT

The cult culture

Pak-US relations Handle with care

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UrING the last two decades successive US administrations have been trying to use India to balance China in Asia. This has led the USA and India to develop strategic relations. Despite differences among the two over certain policies they continue to hold meetings of two plus two, conduct joint naval exercises and make use of the Quad to isolate China in Indo-Pacific region.

Pakistan and China have maintained time-tested friendly relations despite the two practicing different political and economic systems. It is in Pakistan’s national interest to further strengthen relations with China which has proved to be an all-weather friend. Over the years Pakistan and China have also developed strategic relations.

But this doesn’t mean that Pakistan should unnecessarily annoy the USA. Both the countries practice democracy and have mutually beneficial trade relations, while despite sharp differences leading sometime to sanctions, the two countries have worked together for more than 70 years on important issues including energy, economic growth, education, and health. USAID is partnering with the Government of Pakistan to expand the writ of government along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. Pakistan’s establishment under Zia helped the US defeat the Soviet troops in Afghanistan but Washington suddenly left the region, leaving Pakistan to deal with the terrorists.

After 9/11, Musharraf again helped the USA by allowing it to set up military bases in Pakistan which was against the country’s interest.

Failing to realise that the Trump Administration had only transactional relations with Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan developed the unrealistic expectation that President Trump would help resolve the Kashmir issue, which he didn’t.

While turning political differences into personal enmity characterizes Pakistan’s political culture, the tendency has to be reined in while conducting foreign relations. Mr Khan has been naming and shaming the USA for the last three months which is both unnecessary and harmful. It was impolitic and reflective of the PTI’s juvenile culture for National Security Adviser Moeed yusuf to observe that Pakistan has other options if US President Joe Biden continues to ignore the country’s leadership. Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar ‘warned’ the USA against scapegoating Pakistan for Afghan failure. Islamabad needs to be reminded that it needs the US help not only in dealing with the IMF and FATF, but also with terrorist groups like he TTP, Al-Qaeda and IS.

Will the Taliban cult gain recruits here?

Rabia ahmed

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CULT is a group whose members share one or several ideas, ideas which may be based on a certain interpretation of religion, spiritualism or philosophy, or a belief in a particular goal or personality. A study of specific cults or the phenomenon in general is interesting, and has been of great interest to sociologists.

The word ‘cult’ reminds one straight away of the Manson Family, or the rajneesh Movement, but these are just some of the better-known cults, whose members included some people who were in the public eye, for example Bernard Levin, Parveen Babi, Mahesh Bhatt, Terence Stamp, Arianna Huffington, vinod Khanna, Prince Welf ernest of Hanover… associated with the rajneesh cult; and Sharon Tate, Phil Kaufman, Deanna Martin (daughter of Dean Martin), and Squeaky Fromme (who attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford), associated with the Manson Family.

There are both religious and secular cults out there, and even anti-cult cults, destructive cults, political cults, doomsday cults, polygamist, racist, and terrorist cults– and others, all over the world. Why do they occur? Why, in some cases, do they attract so many followers? And what can be done to prevent people from joining the harmful ones among them?

Cults are attractive because they present an illusion of peace and comfort (which are often overlapping states) by promising things that are rarely attainable by the means suggested by the cult. For example, you have to work for peace. you cannot attain it, inner or outer, by means of violence, or meditation.

As for comfort, people who have the means, those

Passing the buck President POA’s resignation will not solve our sports problem

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HAT the federal government felt it was necessary to publicly demand the resignation of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan is either a result of its frustration over how badly the country did at the games over the last few weeks or it has a plan to revive and reform the structure of player development. Because the matter could have been dealt with much more delicately and privately, the latter seems more unlikely.

To begin with, the POA is not responsible for player development; rather its mission is to protect and promote the Olympic charter, run anti-doping campaigns and coordinate with the International Olympic Committee. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) is in fact the primary body whose function is to prepare and develop athletes in terms of fitness and competitive readiness according to international standards. It is therefore quite rich that Dr Fehmida Mirza, president of the PSB, is blaming General Arif for ‘all that is wrong with sports in the country’ and criticizing him for being at the post for 17 years, getting reelected multiple times, when in fact the POA presidency is an honorary position and is commonly a lifetime appointment; the last president, Syed Wajid Ali, having served for 26 years.

Although the subject of sports was devolved to provinces under the 18th Amendment, there is no national sports policy.

There also seems to be no coordination between the center and provinces either on this matter, despite the PTI having governments in Punjab, KP, Balochistan and most recently GB and AJK. This also happens to be Dr Mirza’s domain, who apart from heading the PSB is also the federal minister for inter-provincial coordination. What is more, the PSB this year surrendered an unutilized amount of rs 440 million to the Finance Division prior to the budget, money that would have been given as grants to sporting federations.

If the PTI’s best strategy to improve the standard of sports in the country is to publicly humiliate a person, who is for the most part blameless for the embarrassment faced at the Olympics, into resigning, there is little hope for any medals at international games for Pakistan. No amount of buck passing will help resolve the systemic issues that exist within the national sporting system. A comprehensive and sufficiently funded national sports uplift programme run by competent professionals is a good starting point to eventually start churning out competitive, talented and motivated athletes.

Indian Independence Day marked as Black Day Sajjad Shaukat

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very year, when India celebrates Independence Day on August 15, Kashmiris, living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistanis, including those of rest of the world observe it as the Black Day to convey the message to the international community that New Delhi continues to usurp their inalienable right of self-determination.

On this very day in 1947, the historical resolution was adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Abi Guzar, Srinagar, with 59 prominent leaders in attendance. The resolution was unanimously adopted, indicating that existing religious, geographical, cultural, economic ties and the aspirations of millions of Kashmiri Muslims warrant accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with Pakistan.

During the partition of the Sub-continent, the people of J&K which comprised a Muslim majority decided to join Pakistan according to the British formula. But the Dogra Maharaja, Sir Hari Singh, a Hindu who was ruling over J&K, in connivance with the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Governor General Lord Mountbatten, joined India.

The design to forcibly wrest Kashmir began to unfold on 16 August 1947, with the announcement of the radcliffe Boundary Award. It gave the Gurdaspur District— a majority Muslim area— to India to provide a land route to the Indian armed forces to move into Kashmir. There was a rebellion in the state forces against the Maharaja and they were joined by Pathan tribesmen. Lord Mountbatten ordered armed forces to land in Srinagar. However, Indian forces invaded Srinagar on 27 October 1947 and forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir in utter violation of the partition plan and against the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

When Pakistan responded militarily against the Indian aggression, on December 31, 1947, India made an appeal to the UN Security Council to intervene and a ceasefire ultimately came into effect on January 01, 1949, following UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite in Kashmir. The Security Council adopted resolution 47 (1948) of 21 April 1948 which promised a plebiscite under UN auspices to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine whether they wished to join Pakistan or India. On 5 February 1964, India backed out of its promise of holding plebiscite.

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Rabia Ahmed is a freelance columnist. Read more by her at http://rabia-ahmed.blogspot.com

Black Day shows Kashmiris want freedom

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

who are relatively well off, they do not lack comfort in their lives. That means that it is predominantly those who yearn for it because they do not have it who are most attracted to cults which offer some version of comfort that could be attained by means such as violence, sex, drugs... Some cults also create the illusion that comfort is possible regardless of one’s finances– which it can be to an extent but not to the extent that it is promised.

Cults satisfy the human desire for definite answers, by compartmentalizing things, events and people as ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ rather like Snowball’s summary of the difference between animals and humans, in Animal Farm: ‘Four legs good, two legs bad.’ Simple. The problem is that life is not as black as white, and answers to problems can only be attained by means of reasoning, and a certain amount of education. So, once again, it is the uneducated who are more drawn to such conclusions.

Cults are even more attractive to people with low self-esteem, who may yearn to belong to a group, have friends, be accepted, or be involved in something ‘big’. A result-oriented educational system that does not cater to the individual is likely to give rise to many adults with low self-esteem.

Cults are made particularly attractive for potential or new recruits, who are surrounded by a very deliberate and flattering response to their presence, in an attempt to lure them in, regardless of academic performance, financial status or appearance. How many organisations in any society can boast such a thing?

Members generally do not realise that this friendly, exciting thing that they signed up for, this group that holds out so many promises and has suddenly provided them with a feeling of belonging and many friends and colleagues, is actually a cult.

Cults promote an ‘us versus them’ mentality, which is already a major factor in societies like ours where the huge gulf between the haves and have-nots promotes this attitude. They’d have no problem at all gaining recruits here.

It is easier to join a cult than to leave it. Penalties for trying to leave one can include death for the person and his family. This grim fact can help the organisation achieve a frightening sort of power that is attractive to some people.

Many cults are able to provide the excitement that is so craved by young people, not very different to what must have been experienced by the band of Scarlet Pimpernel followers.

Cult leaders are good at mind control, and possess the ability to get people to do exactly what they want. They are masters at enticement, promising what

might be completely unrealistic, making it appear within easy reach. They are also good at self-projection, often projecting an image that is powerful, and quite unlike reality. One of Manson’s followers for example said later on that Manson never had to say that he was Jesus. It was just ‘obvious’ that he was the closest to Jesus that this follower would ever witness on earth.

So, here’s a profile of those who are likely to be attracted to cults. It may be something of a generalization but it’s likely to be not too far from the truth.

Most people who are attracted to a quick, often militant, extremist solution to the ills of the world and for their own problems are likely to be those who are not given to rational introspection, who perhaps have little time for it, and although there are many exceptions, who are less educated. These would be people who have learnt the hard way that striving and hardwork does not pay.

They are willing to give up their comfort zone, perhaps because there ain’t much of it anyway, and because they find that it gives them a sense of purpose to take up arms for a given cause. The sense of belonging and adventure that goes with the undertaking proposed by the militant extremist group might also make life worth living for them. They are willing to take by any means what they consider to be rightfully theirs. And because cult leaders excel at holding out elaborate promises, we have the promise of paradise and all its lures, reachable by some extreme short-cuts. It sure beats a life-time of being on one’s best behaviour. It may seem as though we in Pakistan are relatively free from cult culture, but that is not true. With the militant extremists gaining power in Afghanistan as rapidly as they have done, we would do well to worry. very much.

It is unrealistic to ascribe the ascent to power by the extremists in Afghanistan to violent means alone.

There is after all the question of where the manpower to wield those arms comes from. And now that they are close to gaining Kabul, we in Pakistan must realise who our real adversaries are, and they are yet another powerful cult, and ours is a culture very much attracted to power and cults.

There is a large segment of society attracted to militant extremism in Pakistan. It is important to pay attention to why that is so. And to the solutions, which have little to do with armed intervention.

Some suggested solutions would be a more widespread and better education, and more facilities for the young where they can participate in activities and expend their energy, both mental and physical.

A big aspect is to provide them with a better, more rational approach to religion. And a society in which hard work pays off, even in the absence of ‘contacts’ in important places. A society in which there is no compulsion to bribe, extort, and fight for what is rightfully yours.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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Instead, in March 1965, the Indian Parliament declared Kashmir-an integral part of the Indian Union.

In fact, the very tragedy of Kashmiris had started after 1947 when they were denied their genuine right of self-determination. They organised themselves against the injustices of India and launched a war of liberation. Indian brutal actions against the Muslim Kashmiris reached a peak on 5 August 2019 when the Indian government led by the fanatic Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the extremist party BJP, revoked articles 35A and 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave a special status to the disputed territory of Indian-Occupied Kashmir. The Indian government bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, to be ruled by the federal government. Indian rulers have also issued over 1.8 million domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris to change the ethno-demographic structure of Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

While, since 1989, Kashmiris have already been enduring various forms of state terrorism such as tortures, kidnappings, rapes and massacre, no Indian soldier has ever been taken to task for his heinous crimes. Hence, the Indian forces have intensified the employment of these brutal tactics.

Now, more than two years have passed and the military clampdown continues, while Indian military and paramilitary troopers have martyred tens of thousands of the Kashmiris, including women and children, through ruthless tactics, firing of pellets and extrajudicial killings. In order to conceal India’s state terrorism, Kashmir has been cut off from rest of the world.

Notably, Indian forces have been also availing various draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Public Safety Act (PSA) an d others in killing the Kashmiri people, and for arbitrary arrest of any individual for an indefinite period.

But, despite the deployment of more than 900,000 military troops in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, India has failed to suppress the Kashmiris’ prolonged war of liberation. It is mentionable that various world leaders, particularly those of the Western countries, their lawmakers, media and human rights groups such as Human rights Watch, Amnesty International etc. and UNO have repeatedly condemned Indian illegal measures and human rights violations in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. In this respect, UN human rights experts on 4 August 2020 called on India and the international community to take urgent action to address the “alarm-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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ing” human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir— to investigate all cases of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and arbitrary detentions.” Amnesty International said last year that it is “stopping its work in India because the government has frozen its bank accounts for highlighting rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir…the government had sought to punish it for that”.

Amnesty International has also stated that it is “deeply concerned about the disregard for the lives of people in Jammu and Kashmir…The right to life is laid down in major international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights which India has ratified…the language publicly used by state officials in Jammu and Kashmir betrays and strengthens disregard for the most fundamental of all rights”.

In the recent past, the UN Security Council in its meeting has reiterated for the fourth time that the Kashmir dispute requires to be settled according to the related Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quereshi have repeatedly stated that inaction by the international community, especially West’s major powers against New Delhi, who have financial interests in India, could lead to conventional war which could be culminate in nuclear war between the two countries. Moreover, Indian forces had also accelerated shelling inside Pakistani side of Kashmir by violating the ceasefire agreement across the LoC and compelled Pakistan Army to give a matching reply. In the recent past, the Directors General of Military Operations of Pakistan and India had agreed to strictly observe the 2003 ceasefire agreement at the LoC. But, unless resolved, Kashmir will remain a nuclear flashpoint between the two countries. regrettably, the Modi regime’s extremist moves have completely ended any sort of dialogue with Islamabad to settle the Kashmir issue.

Meanwhile, August 5 was the second anniversary of India’s revocation of the special status of IndianOccupied Kashmir. Kashmiris living on both sides of the LoC and their brethren in Pakistan, including their sympathisers, living in rest of the world, commemorated this day as a Black Day for several days.

Nonetheless, like the past years, Indian Independence Day will be observed as the Black Day by the Kashmiris, Pakistanis and in rest of the world.

The writer` can be reached at: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Sunday, 15 August, 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

Technological development is essential

Dismantling of a contraption With Afghanistan surrendering into the lap of the Taliban, dialogue remains a moot point

Candid Corner Raoof haSan “In the first place, you cannot see anything from a car. You have to get out of the goddamned contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the thorn bush and cactus. When traces of blood begin to mark your trail, you’ll begin to see something, may be.”

–Edward Abbey

T

He unfurling story of Afghanistan is absolutely mind-boggling in a number of ways. It is also an ardent reminder of the reality that states, when motheaten from inside, cannot be rescued by external powers no matter how mighty they may be. Furthermore, those who call upon them for help are belittling the rationale for the state to survive as an entity.

The story of President Ghani and, before that, President Karzai and their retinue of associates, is a living testament of the veracity of this observation. Strength emanates from within the body politic of a state and is reflected in the work that any government would do for the alleviation of its people from the tentacles of deprivation, poverty and regression. It cannot be jettisoned from the barrel of a gun because that would bring destruction to all, irrespective of their state or status. The shells thus fired are not loaded with any healing potion. They bring mayhem in their trail as Afghanistan and its people have been unremittingly subjected to for a good four decades of their existence. But, are we any nearer to sorting out the mess which has plagued the life of every Afghan one way or the other?

In the answer of this question may be hidden the future of a whole nation.

The crumbling of the incumbent administration in Kabul is no fictional assumption any longer. The so-called mighty edifice, which had survived through the influx of aid and abetment of a foreign conglomerate, is coming down like the proverbial house of cards. Instead of calling it quits and allowing people more sensitive and deserving to work out an understanding to build the nation anew, the self-driven ruling elite is eager to contrive ever more rickety ways and means for their continued survival at the helm of affairs.

This is being done when their nemesis, the Taliban, having overrun over 20 districts and occupied their capitals, is virtually knocking at the

gates of Kabul. This is plain, downright delusional. But one sees the ruling elite refusing to let reason dictate the formulation of a strategy for the survival of the state and ensuring that the people who have been forced to leave their homes in the wake of war in their midst are provided shelter and food for survival. They groan in utter anguish and suffering, heaping curses on the heartlessness of the rulers who remain engrossed in piecing together their wicked mechanisms to launder their billions and take the next flight out. This is far worse than the betrayal of a state and a nation.

The voices of sanity, the voices of condemnation of this self-consuming attitude are emanating from inside the Afghan society. One has heard many men and women, who have managed to escape the theatre of war, heaping curses upon their leadership for having brought them to this pass. What are the options that we have at this stage when events unravel at an electrifying pace around us?

The continuation of the incumbent corrupt and inept administration does not appear to be a possibility any longer. For all the years that they have held the reins of power in Kabul, they indulged in siphoning off funds into their personal accounts, leaving the state rudderless and deprived of its resources. A son of the soil and a dear friend, Dr Omar Zakhilwal, who served as Afghanistan’s ambassador in Pakistan, in a chain of tweets, has defined the genesis of the crisis rather bluntly: “Afghanistan is at crossroads again of a struggle of state survival and a deeper crisis. Over the past seven years, Dr Ghani ran the Afghan state like a private fiefdom. He spent enormous government resources, both through mainstream and social media, to elevate his image to be the ‘greatest leader’ Afghanistan ever had in addition to being ‘the second most intelligent person of the world’. He tried to project his face into that of the state and the republic”.

This is followed by a damning indictment served on the incumbent president: “With untrue and exaggerated narratives, gross mismanagement, misuse of power, excessive and repeated violations of the constitution, excessive nepotism, instilling political and national divisiveness, deliberate politicisation and demoralisation of the state institutions, weaving conspiracies, sabotaging of successive opportunities for peace and extension of his rule by fraudulent means, he has reduced the state and the republic to his face. As a result, the Afghan National Security Forces are faced with the confusion whether they are fighting for the survival of the state or the continuation in power of Dr. Ghani. The latter they don’t find worth fighting for”.

Dr Zakhilwal then goes on to prescribe the remedy: “The status quo, with no change in the management of the situation, points in one direction alone: continued killings and destruction and a certain collapse of the entire state – the consequences of which for the Afghans are well known, but for the regional, neighbouring countries and the rest of the world will also be monumental. The current circumstances – stalled peace talks and rapid melting down of the state - require simultaneous two-pronged strategy:

safeguarding the state from a collapse and an enhanced and authoritative management of the peace talks to lead to a definitive settlement.

Neither is possible under Ashraf Ghani because, one, he has been the main cause of wasting the opportunities for peace and the rapid decline of the state in terms of gravitas, authority and geographical control and, two, he has exhausted his entire credibility. He has to go and spare what is left of the Afghan state due to the ills of his management”. He then calls upon the rest of the political leadership to “come out of paralysis, acknowledge the severity of the situation and become part of a broader political management of the crisis”. Nothing could be more lethal and more relevant leading up to the existing situation in Afghanistan.

Dr Zakhilwal has outlined the malaise that the Afghan state is afflicted with at this juncture.

It is also true that immediate measures need to be taken to cure the governance malady. With the electrifying advance of the Taliban, now ascendant over more than half of Afghanistan, the chances of a negotiated settlement seem difficult. The Taliban would be a much more difficult proposition now as compared to some time in the past when they would have compromised more readily. But the key to a solution has to begin with giving the state priority over all selfdriven interests and agendas. Whether that can be achieved through what Dr Zakhilwal refers to as the “broader Afghan leadership” remains a matter of contention.

Dr Zakhilwal’s prognosis, though candid, has come a wee bit late. He refers to it as the exit of Ashraf Ghani. But that is not the whole problem. The tragedy that stalks Afghanistan today is rooted in the psyche to always point accusing fingers in the direction of Pakistan.

In reality, the government in Kabul was only a contraption put together by the USA to serve its interests in the region, peace in Afghanistan not being one of them. The rapid advance of the Taliban signifies the dismantling of that contraption. Owing to the grievances of the people inflicted upon them by the corrupt ruling elite, the Taliban don’t have to fight to ‘conquer’ the state any longer. It is virtually surrendering into their lap. In such a situation, the motivation for a dialogue, at best, remains a moot point.

Tailpiece: The landing of the US and UK troops in large numbers in Kabul, ostensibly for the purpose of evacuating their personnel from Afghanistan, has raised a few eyebrows. When one puts this together with the rumours of a breakthrough achieved at Doha in terms of facilitating the Taliban entry into Kabul without a fight to become part of a transitional government, it makes one think. Faced with an obvious doom, could this be real, or does this remain part of the often-orchestrated and misleading game plan only to camouflage the real intent? Nothing is beyond reckoning. But something has already happened: Ashraf Ghani is rendered irrelevant.

The writer is a political and security strategist, and heads the Regional Peace Institute – an Islamabad-based think tank. Email: raoofhasan@hotmail.com.

Twitter: @RaoofHasan

INDeeD, technology has paved the way for the advancements in all spheres of life. From, doing business to the household it has made everything easy to do. Nowadays, it has become very important part of our lives. everyone enjoys its benefits in respect of their use.

For instance, students use it as tool of collecting data, attending online lectures, learn through various online portals and prepare for various recruitment tests. Teachers utilize it for preparing lectures, conducting research, making notes for students and above all the educational institutes are arranging online classes in case if on-campus classes are suspended due to any mishap. Such as, at present for avoiding large gatherings to hinder the spread of the lethal pandemic i.e. Covid-19 the governments are adopting online system to arrange online classes throughout the world.

Beside this technological advancements have made the world a global village where every person can easily connect with anyone in the world without the hindrance of distance. video calls, messaging and social websites are the sources which enable the users to communicate and contact with their peers and beloved ones whenever they want. WhatsApp, Facebook messenger, Orkut, Instagram and Twitter are main sources of communication where the users remain updated and connected with each other. Now a person does not need to travel from USA to China only to see his relatives as he is connected with them through these sources of communication.

It further facilitates the business activities around the world. For example, few decades ago the trade between countries was of much hectic.

The business persons had to travel from one corner of the world to the other in search of markets for supply. But today the world is different. The technological developments have facilitated the business activities. Now, the companies can sale their products in any place of the world without the fatigue of traveling. Further, the business transactions are also easily done through the online facility of banks and financial institutes. even, now the companies are shifting towards the virtual presence of their shops on online websites and provide all information about their commodity to its consumers and attract their interests through online adverts.

This revolution has also enabled the small entrepreneurs to establish their own startups in a nominal investment. For instance a house wife is now on a single step away from starting her own business i.e. online selling of day to day products including clothes, toys, and other male female products in their own social circle through their social website accounts. In addition to this, the traditional business of selling and purchasing of huge tangible products such as cars, houses, furniture, machines, devices and many more can easily be sold through the online websites. Ali baba express and Daraz are the cases in point. you or your family can now shop directly from Daraz whatever they want just in few clicks.

JAhAngir irshAd islAmAbAd

Recognise the environment THIS has reference to the World environment Conference being hosted

by Pakistan on June 5, 2021. Harnessing the unique opportunity, Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to ask global leadership to take concrete steps for the promotion of the environment to protect the future generation. In this regard, it is urged by the Prime Minister to announce the policies pertaining to the protection of children and the future generation from the environmental disasters which are anticipated to affect the lives of future generations. environmental damage is a pressing human rights challenge, which has an impact on children’s lives today and in the future. violations of their rights resulting from environmental harm can have irreversible, lifelong and even transgenerational consequences. Children everywhere suffer violations of their rights to life, development, health, food, water, education, culture, play and other rights because governments fail to protect the natural environment. The impact of pollution in one place can be felt by children living far away and climate change is unquestionably a global problem. While environmental harm affects people at any age, children are particularly vulnerable, due to their evolving physical and mental development and status within society. Certain groups of children, including children from indigenous, low-income or other marginalized communities are often at a higher risk, which raises the question of environmental injustice. According to the WHO estimates ‘Of the 5.9 million deaths of children under five each year, 26% are attributable to the environment’. Air pollution alone kills 570,000 children under five every year. But these numbers are only the ‘tip of the iceberg.’ as UN Special rapporteur Baskut Tuncak. ‘There is a ‘silent pandemic’ of disabilities associated with exposure to toxics and pollution during childhood, many of which will not manifest themselves for years or decades’. This assault on children’s rights remains largely invisible while decision-makers are not held to account.

In this regard, the Prime Minister should announce in his speech that Pakistan will formulate the future policies related to urban development and rural economy in which environmental challenges and climate change impacts will not hamper the lives of children. In doing so, the prime minister should announce inclusion of environmental rights of children in the national curriculum and introduce national policy on the environment in which children should have equal representation. Because it is time for the action and children of the country to live in an environment that needs more parks, safe water, improved health and protection from the disasters which caused displacement and migration. nAJAm un nisA bAloch KArAchi

The façade of morals TOLerANCe is an integral quality that people of different groups should own, respecting and understanding one another. As much of an essential constituent it is for a united and prosperous Pakistani people are too busy with the pretext of acting morality greater from another, giving birth to intolerance. We intend not to accept the practices or behavior of people of different regions, cast or culture other than our own. It separates us, acts as a divider, creates disrespect, enmity and war.

FoziA A. ghAFoor JusAK

Sunday, 15 Augsut, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

The US defeaT In afghanISTan IS worSe Than The SovIeT faIlUre...how haS ThIS happened?

JOHN SOPKO, THE US OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR AUDITING AMERICAN EXPENDITURES IN AFGHANISTAN, PUT IT, “THE END OF THE US SUPPLY CHAIN IN AFGHANISTAN IS THE TALIBAN.” IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO ARMED AND PAID FOR THE TALIBAN, THE ANSWER IS THAT AMERICA DID

INformatIoN ClearINg House

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Paul roBinson

S the last men of the dwindling American garrison in Afghanistan pack their bags, there is an echo of the Soviet Union's own withdrawal from the country, more than 30 years ago. But, in truth, Washington's defeat is far greater.

In December 1979, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan to support the unpopular government of the ruling People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA). they soon found themselves bogged down in a bloody war against the mujahideen guerillas.

Nine years later, the Soviets decided that there had been enough bloodshed and, in May 1988, they began their exit. the final contingent of Soviet troops drove back across the bridge to the USSR in February the following year. twelve years later, US troops arrived to fight the taliban. Soldiers of other NAtO states then followed. together, they stayed even longer than the Soviets, but are now on

the way out. US President Joe Biden has promised that American soldiers will leave Afghanistan by the end of August.

As the US completes its retreat from its longest war, its enemy is on the march. In the past week, the taliban have captured 12 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals, including the second and third largest cities in the country, Kandahar and Herat, both of which fell on thursday. the pace of the taliban advance has been remarkable. In some places, government forces simply ran away without a fight. the governor of Ghazni province was said to have surrendered his city in exchange for free passage out of the area. US-trained government troops have fled or deserted en masse and, in some cases, gone over to the taliban. It’s fair to say that it’s been a rout, and the Americans haven’t even fully left yet. the government may be able to hold onto the country’s capital Kabul, but even that is no longer certain.

In short, the 20 years of America’s and NAtO’s war in Afghanistan has ended in ignominious failure – total and absolute. So, of course, did the Soviets’ war, but not quite so abruptly.

After the last Soviet troops crossed over the Friendship Bridge linking Afghanistan

and Soviet Uzbekistan, the mujahideen launched a major offensive, confident that they would be able to defeat the government forces in short order. their offensive collapsed completely. the Afghan army stood its ground and not a single major population center fell into the hands of their opponents.

It was not until two years later, when the post-Soviet Russian government of Boris Yeltsin cut off funding to the Afghans that the PDPA regime finally fell. the contrast with what has happened this past week could not be clearer. Even after the Soviets had left, the troops they had trained and equipped fought hard and successfully. today, the troops that America and its allies trained and equipped at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars have scattered to the four winds with only the slightest effort at resistance.

But, to be fair, the problem lies not in army exercises or crates of machine guns. the current batch of Afghans have had plenty of both. they outnumber the taliban and are better supplied. the problem is one of morale: simply put, not many of them are willing to die for their government. the PDPA had a well-deserved reputation for corruption, incompetence, factional in-fighting, and dogmatic, counterproductive

policies that alienated the Afghan people, such as its Marxist assaults on religion and private enterprise. Meanwhile, the PDPA’s opponents, the mujahideen, the taliban’s precursor, enjoyed substantial support from the United States, including signing for the delivery of sophisticated Stinger missiles. the fact that the Soviet-backed government put up a better fight than its contemporary counterpart can, therefore, only have one explanation: Afghans respect their current rulers even less than they respected the socialist PDPA. And that is really saying something. All of which begs the questions of why America and NAtO spent so long supporting the regime in Kabul, and why the latter got to be so disliked. the answer to the first question is largely one of prestige. Having installed the current government, Western states felt that their reputation was tied to its survival and thus refused to abandon it even when it became clear that it wasn’t worth supporting. the answer to the second question is that the awfulness of the current government owes a lot to the policies pursued by Western states.

After Najibullah was overthrown in 1992, Afghanistan suffered a vicious civil war in which drug-running warlords com-

The Afghanistan blame game has begun UNNECESSARY POLITICKING OVER THE NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL IS A DANGEROUS GAME

l a tImes

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raJan MEnon

S the taliban captures one provincial capital after another in Afghanistan (18 in all so far), the wearisome but familiar Beltway parlor game of who “lost” the country — as if it were ever an American possession to begin with — has started. President Biden is most likely to be saddled with the blame for ordering a “precipitous” exit. Even former President trump, who set the stage for a full exit and vowed to end the forever wars, now says that “it should have been done much better.”

Precipitous? Is this really an accurate characterization of a military campaign that has lasted close to 20 years and that cost close to $90 billion just to train the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces — and almost $2.3 trillion if all other costs are added in, including $815.7 billion in war-related and reconstruction expenses? the Afghan army outnumbers the taliban by at least 4 to 1. It has more firepower on the ground and, despite its limitations, an air force, where the taliban has none. Nor has the taliban benefited from the training and funding of any country with resources comparable to those of the United States. While in some ultimately captured places such as Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, Afghan forces have fought back bravely under excellent leadership, elsewhere the army, police and local administrators have either fled or surrendered without a fight. the likelihood of the government retaking lost territory is therefore small at best. the rapidity with which the taliban captured places that have traditionally been the most hostile to them — such as Herat and

THE AMERICAN WAR IN AFGHANISTAN IS ABOUT TO END. BUT THE WAR OF WORDS OVER “WHO LOST AFGHANISTAN” HAS BARELY BEGUN Kunduz, because of their substantial nonPashtun populations — has been particularly surprising. What remains to be seen is how quickly the north’s main city, Mazar-i-Sharif, will be overrun. So the game seems to be up in Afghanistan. With the taliban’s capture of Ghazni, about 90 miles from Kabul, the U.S.backed Kabul Afghan government has been cut off from the south. And now that Aybak, capital of Samangan province, has also fallen, the connection between northern Afghanistan and the capital has also been severed. We don’t know what the battle for Kabul will look like, whether the government’s defense of the city will be strong enough to prevent, or substantially delay, a complete triumph by the taliban, which might open a path toward a political agreement. As things stand, the odds of the taliban settling for anything less than full victory are slim. though some observers did say it was unavoidable, no one wanted the outcome we are now witnessing — on this the most ardent advocates of pressing on and the most fervent foes of persisting can agree.

But if an army that the United States has trained for so long and at such colossal expense collapses so quickly, critics of withdrawal are obliged to answer two questions that they habitually avoid or finesse with bromides: At what point would you be prepared to declare that the U.S. could withdraw without the risk of all of the dire consequences you are now watching unfold? Short of again significantly ramping up the number of U.S. troops, what do you propose to do in, say, the next five years that has not been accomplished despite two decades of effort?

No civilian expert (even some very smart ones) or the ex-general who has decried

Biden’s decision to end the American war in Afghanistan has a convincing answer to either question. they pivot hastily to canned formulations about the importance of “staying the course,” preserving American “credibility” and so on. In short, their counsel amounts to this: We must keep doing what we’ve been doing, no matter that it hasn’t worked. It will work out eventually. this has been their refrain for years.

Advocates of withdrawal, for their part, need to be realistic and honest. A great deal of fighting and dying lies ahead in Afghanistan, and innocent people will suffer immensely. the taliban’s rule will be cruel — it hasn’t reformed, its spin about protecting human rights notwithstanding. Many freedoms now enjoyed

by Afghans, particularly well-educated urban professionals and above all the women among them, will be lost. Ethnic and religious minorities, notably the Hazaras of central Afghanistan, who are mainly Shiite Muslims, will be persecuted. the taliban’s reign will be brutish and nasty, but not necessarily short.

No one who has followed the taliban denies that its rule will be draconian, pitiless and intolerant. those opposed to the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw are right to lament the future that awaits millions of Afghans, but they must also explain how long the United States would have needed to remain in Afghanistan to ensure a different, much better life for the country. the American war in Afghanistan is about to end. But the war of words over “who lost Afghanistan” has barely begun.

Rajan Menon is a professor of international relations at the Powell School, City College of New York and a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute.

peted for power and inflicted all sorts of atrocities on the Afghan people. When the taliban came along offering fierce but incorruptible justice, many Afghans breathed a sigh of relief and gave them their support.

Canadian general Rick Hiller famously said that the taliban were “detestable murderers and scumbags.” What he failed to note was that the taliban’s enemies were, on occasion, even worse. When America and its allies moved into Afghanistan, these enemies returned to their homes, this time with the backing of Western powers, and resumed their criminal ways. Unsurprisingly, the locals weren’t too impressed.

Beyond that, Western powers flooded the country with money. Pour cash into an impoverished country without adequate controls, and the consequence will be mass corruption. So it was in Afghanistan.

Not only did this delegitimize the government, but much of the aid flowed down into the hands of the taliban. As John Sopko, the US official responsible for auditing American expenditures in Afghanistan, put it, “the end of the US supply chain in Afghanistan is the taliban.” If you want to know who armed and paid for the taliban, the answer is that America did. the Soviets believed ideology and manpower would turn the tide of the war. the West imagined that it could win in Afghanistan by pouring in money and resources. But, as Napoleon noted, “the moral is to the physical as three to one.” Events this week in Afghanistan prove the point.

Paul Robinson is a professor at the University of Ottawa. He writes about Russian and Soviet history, military history and military ethics, and is author of the Irrussianality blog.

This Afghan rout is entirely on Joe Biden NOW IT’S A RACE TO KABUL, WHERE UNCLE SAM IS DESPERATELY RUSHING TO AIRLIFT OUT ALL AMERICANS IN A REPLAY OF THE 1975 FALL OF SAIGON New York Post

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Editorial Board

t doesn’t get more idiotic: “the taliban also has to make an assessment about what they want their role to be in the international community,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said with a straight face Wednesday. Oh, and the State Department has sent diplomats to “press the taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement, which is the only path to stability and development in Afghanistan.” they’re also begging to have the US Embassy in Kabul left alone, warning that future US aid is at risk — and so effectively promising that we’ll actually subsidize these barbarians.

Hello? the taliban have never given a damn about world opinion or “stability and development.” they were a global pariah when they ruled Afghanistan in the ’90s, ignoring the handwringing as they crushed the country’s women, destroyed those 1,500-year-old Buddha statues and hosted the al Qaeda plotters of 9/11.

And they haven’t changed a whit since, blowing off all diplomatic efforts these last 20 years to get them to abandon their drive to reconquer the country. these are fanatics out of the 10th century. the Afghan army, meanwhile, is showing all the fortitude of the Iraqi forces who melted before ISIS in 2014: Provincial capitals (plural) are falling every day, with Nos. 10 (Herat) and 11 (Ghazni) gone thursday. (to be fair, Afghan morale surely fell through the floor when Americans started literally abandoning bases in the middle of the night.)

Now it’s a race to Kabul, where Uncle Sam is desperately rushing to airlift out all Americans in a replay of the 1975 fall of Saigon. the White House can pretend that diplomacy might somehow save the Afghan government, but its real sentiments rest in President Biden’s words while campaigning last year, when he said he’d have “zero responsibility” for what happened after he pulled US troops out.

We didn’t disagree with Biden’s move to remove the last US ground forces, just as Donald trump promised as well when he was in office. that’s plainly what most Americans wanted, too. Afghanistan had become an endless war. But any pullout had to have a plan. Not an utterly disastrous cut-and-run, with virtually no provision for the Afghans who worked with us all these years. the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam fought off an invasion in 1972 — with the help of massive US air power; 1975 was a disaster because anti-war liberals in Congress prevented more airstrikes. the same thing is happening now in Afghanistan. Adela Raz, the Afghan ambassador to the United States, is perfectly right to complain that current US air support is “extremely limited.” Nothing forced Biden to go soft there.

But the president said tuesday he does “not regret” his decisions. US presidents have been making mistakes on Afghanistan for two decades. But this rout is all on Biden.

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

BUSINESS 09

KARACHI

IMF tO tRAnsFeR $2.8Bn tO PAkIstAn On 23Rd: tARIn OGRA proposes hike in petrol price The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has prepared a summary, seeking an increase in petrol prices from August 16. According to sources privy to the decision, the regulator has recommended an increase in petrol price by 50 paisas per litre. The authority has suggested an increase of Rs2.50 per litre in the price of high-speed diesel, Rs1 in the price of kerosene oil and Rs1 in light diesel. Any final decision in the hike in petrol prices would be made by the finance ministry after approval from Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to a local media outlet, the summary has been prepared by keeping the current petroleum levy in view. Earlier on July 30, the government had raised the price of petrol by Rs1.71 per litre. MONITORING REPORT

Chaman border reopens The Chaman border connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan that had been shut by the Taliban last week was reopened on Friday after successful negotiations between both the sides. According to local media reports, fruitful talks resulted in the opening of the border and the resumption of Afghan transit trade which had remained suspended for more than a week, causing heavy financial loss to the business community of both sides involved in import and export of goods. “After negotiations with Taliban officials, the border has been reopened,” a senior official of the Chaman administration said, adding that not only Afghan transfer trade goods trucks and other vehicles were allowed to cross into Wesh and Chaman but also large number of Afghan nationals including women, children and patients who were waiting at the border since over a week crossed into Afghanistan successfully. MONITORING REPORT

Bitcoin rises 7.07pc to $47,587 NEW YORK: Bitcoin surged 7.07% to $47,587.38 at 2200 GMT on Saturday, adding $3,142.93 to its previous close. Bitcoin, the world’s biggest and best-known cryptocurrency, is up 71.6% from the year’s low of $27,734 on Jan. 4. Ether, the coin linked to the ethereum blockchain network, rose 7.86% to $3,284.18 on Friday, adding $243.55 to its previous close. AGENCIES

ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN will receive $2.77 billion ‘unconditional’ funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Aug 23, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Thursday announced.

Speaking at a press conference along with the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance and Revenue, Waqar Masood, the finance minister said that the government would address the global lender’s concerns over its proposed Rs1.6 trillion worth of Kamyab Pakistan Programme (KPP) and take forward the $6bn Extended Fund Facility currently “in recess”. He said Pakistan will receive the on account of the general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) which the lending board approved to solve liquidity issues amid the coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

The minister said the IMF would transfer $2.77bn of the country’s share to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) account on Aug 23 out of $650bn general allocation the Washington-based lending agency made to all its members to boost international liquidity challenged by the global health pandemic.

“Pakistan’s share in the general allocation is 0.43 per cent and $2.77bn would be transferred to our ac-

FINANCE MINISTER SAYS WILL SHARE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SAUDI OIL FACILITY SOON count,” he said. “This support is unconditional, has no cost, will increase our reserves and will have salutary effect on Pakistani rupee.”

He said that Pakistan had been already working on a reform programme to bring stability and sustainability under the IMF programme, adding that measures taken by the government had been bearing fruits as shown by the growth in revenue collection, which he said was indicative of economic growth.

The minister thanked the IMF for promoting global liquidity, particularly in countries which have been facing challenges amid the pandemic.

While replying to the question pertaining to the $1.2bn IMF corona support fund, Tarin said he would not comment on the earlier emergency support as the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) had written 34,000 audit paras and a lot of people would be writing replies as departments will have to answer; however, the money will be used a transparent way.

“What I can assure is that these additional funds would be utilised with proper consultation to avoid any

MG vows to fulfill commitments amid semiconductor shortage LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The supply chain crunch has gripped the automotive industry globally causing car manufacturers to halt production multiple times this year resulting in customers getting delayed deliveries.

The shortage of essential semiconductor chips, which is now affecting not just automobiles but also consumer tech, has been no different in Pakistan.

The shortage of the semiconductor chips has meant that nearly all car manufacturers have had to halt production of some of their vehicles resulting in customers experiencing delays in vehicles they had booked earlier. The shortage is not good for anyone, and has been estimated to cost automakers internationally $110 billion in lost revenues this year.

For Pakistan, things are even worse because of the precarious position of the country’s automobile industry in recent times. The 2019 financial crisis saw car prices skyrocketing, and the pandemic in 2020 saw Honda, Toyota, and Suzuki all halting production because of low demand. Despite this, new entrants like KIA and Hyundai entered Pakistan and brought diversity to a car market that has largely been restricted to just three manufacturers for decades. The latest new entrant MG has been received enthusiastically by consumers.

However, ever since the chip shortage issue, MG has been the target of criticism on social media and other places which states that

the reason of delays is overbooking of cars, a lack of dealership network and unavailability of car parts.

Refuting these claims, MG has explained time and again that delays are happening because of the global semiconductor shortage.

The company has also indicated that it feels the negative news being spread about them is the result of a targeted activity to drive customers away from the company.

“We assure that we are in Pakistan and we will not deviate from our goal to increase consumer value in the automotive industry. No power on earth can crush MG resolve for a better Pakistan,” they said in a recent statement.

Company sources informed Profit that MG has no good reason for late deliveries to their customers, and that there really is a global semiconductor shortage that is causing delays not just for MG and other car manufacturers in Pakistan, but all over the world.

It may be noted here that MG

is one of the new entrants which is in the midst of revolutionising the automotive landscape of Pakistan by introducing the MG ZS EV – the first EV in its segment.

With the introduction of MG and other players, new cars are coming in the market with advanced technology and the best in class safety features that have been missing from Pakistan’s car market up until now.

Moreover, company sources informed that despite campaigns accusing it of fraudulent activity, MG is actually growing quite rapidly in terms of vehicles delivered and dealership network and that they have also recently successfully defended all allegations of under invoicing with the support of Chinese Customs.

“While there have been delays because of the supply chain block caused by the pandemic, MG has time and again reassured its customers that it will honor all of its commitments,” sources concluded.

distortion in the economy. Nobody will be allowed to go shopping in malls while I am around,” he said.

On another question, Tarin replied that the IMF wanted to increase the electricity tariff which would surely make the lower class of society suffer.

On the Kamyab Pakistan Programme, he said that negotiations are also underway with the IMF. “The IMF has sent some questions regarding the program, whether the people who will be given the money are qualified”.

The finance minister said that the programme is for the poor on which hundreds of hours were spent.

He also said that we will be in a good position to negotiate with the IMF in September as we have the data for June, July and August.

Responding to a question, he said he would soon share good news about Saudi oil facility. He also affirmed that inflation remained a challenge mainly because of higher food prices, role of middlemen and imported inflation. He said administrative actions to contain prices of sugar, wheat flour, ghee, etc., had been hampered by stay orders and the government was not creating strategic reserves through imports to flood the market.

On inflation, he said that the government has suspended three to four ACs who failed to get prices checked and vowed to control inflation by taking administrative measures.

CCP imposes Rs44bn penalty on 55 sugar mills The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Friday imposed the highest-ever penalty of Rs44 billion on the sugar industry for cartelisation, price fixing and market manipulation, and ordered them to stop the violations besides deposit the penalty within 60 days. In a media briefing on Friday, CCP chairman informed of passing an order against Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and 81 member mills on the calculation of turnover for the financial year 2019, with a maximum penalty of Rs300 million having been imposed on the PSMA. A penalty of Rs75m was imposed for each of four violations committed by the association, summing up to Rs300m. The CCP order states that the sugar mills were found to be collectively deciding the quantum of exports, eventually controlling the domestic supply of sugar in the relevant market during the period 2012 to 2020. The commission initiated an inquiry in order to analyse possible anticompetitive activities in the sugar industry. To gather evidence, search and inspections were carried out under Section 34 of the Act at two premises of PSMA and of one of the sugar mills.

Documents stated that a full four Member Bench of the Commission was constituted in the instant matter, consisting chairperson Rahat Kaunain Hassan and three members including Shaista Bano, Bushra Naz Malik and Mujtaba Ahmad Lodhi. All four members of the commission are unanimous in their view and have arrived at an unqualified consensus on background facts, formulation of issues, determination of preliminary and technical objections, the determination of the relevant market, and the spillover effect. However, two members, Shaista Bano and Bushra Naz Malik have recorded a different opinion dated August 12, 2021 on other issues, thus, the commission was faced with a deadlock situation. This is also the first time the commission has passed a split decision. Earlier, the CCP had approved a provisional order against the sugar sector in 2010, but the proceedings were stopped as the matter was still lying in the Sindh High Court (SHC). NEWS DESK

Adidas ends Reebok era with $2.5bn sale to Authentic Brands BERLIN AGENCIES

Adidas is selling Reebok to Authentic Brands Group(ABG) for up to 2.1 billion euros ($2.5 billion) as the German sporting goods company concentrates on its core brand after a deal that did not deliver.

Adidas bought Reebok for $3.8 billion in 2006 to help compete with arch-rival Nike, but its sluggish performance prompted repeated calls from investors to sell the U.S. and Canada focused brand.

In the meantime, Adidas managed to eat

into Nike’s dominance in the United States with its own brand, helped by partnership with celebrities like Kanye West, Beyonce and Pharrell Williams.

Reebok will keep its headquarters in Boston and continue operations in North and Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Russia, the U.S. brand management firm said in a statement, adding it will work closely with Adidas during the transition.

Over 11 years, ABG has amassed more than 30 labels sold in some 6,000 stores. Its brands include apparel chains Aéropostale and Forever21, as well as and Sports Illus-

trated magazine.

“We’ve had our sights set on Reebok for many years, and we’re excited to finally bring this iconic brand into the fold,” Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of ABG, said.

“We are committed to preserving Reebok’s integrity, innovation, and values – including its presence in bricks and mortar,” he added. Last month, ABG also filed for a U.S. initial public offering after a year of strong earnings growth.

After Kasper Rorsted took over as Adidas CEO in 2016, he launched a turnaround plan which helped Reebok return to prof-

itability, but its performance continued to lag that of the core Adidas brand and it was then hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adidas reported last week that Reebok’s first-half sales jumped to 823 million euros from 600 million a year ago, and the brand made a net gain of 68 million euros compared to a net loss of 69 million in the first half of 2020.

Reebok’s recent collaborations with celebrities like Cardi B and a renewed focus on women’s apparel have put it in a better place, analysts say.

Adidas has already sold the Rockport,

CCM Hockey and Greg Norman brands for 400 million euros, which were part of the original Reebok purchase. The German company said in a statement that the sale had no impact on its financial outlook for the current year or for its targets set out in the fiveyear strategy it announced in March.

Adidas said the majority of the 2.1 billion euros would be paid in cash at the closing of the transaction, expected in the first quarter of 2022, with the remained comprised of a deferred and contingent consideration. It said it would share the majority of the cash proceeds with its shareholders.

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

KARACHI

At leAst 40 killed in turkey flood As seArch for missing continues ANKARA

f

REUTERS

AMILIES of those missing after Turkey's worst floods in years anxiously watched rescue teams search buildings on Saturday, fearing the death toll from the raging torrents could rise further.

At least 40 people have died from the floods in the northern Black Sea region, the second natural disaster to strike the country this month.

Drone footage by Reuters showed massive damage in the flood-hit Black Sea town of Bozkurt, where emergency workers were searching demolished buildings.

Thirty-four people died as a result of floods in the Kastamonu district which includes Bozkurt, and another six people died in Sinop, the Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said.

Major earthquake in Haiti felt across Caribbean, sparks tsunami warning PORT-AU-PRINCE: A major earthquake struck western Haiti on Saturday, sending shock waves across the Caribbean, where people fled their homes for fear that buildings might collapse, and sparking a regional tsunami warning. The magnitude 7.2 earthquake quake struck 8 km (5 miles) from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes, about 150 km west of the capital Port-auPrince, at a depth of 10 km, the US Geological Survey said.

That made the earthquake bigger and shallower than the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Haiti 11 years ago, killing tens if not hundreds of thousands of people, flattening buildings and leaving many homeless. While there were no official reports yet in Haiti of injuries or deaths, images posted on social media which Reuters was not immediately able to verify - showed homes and part of a church in the nearby town of Jeremie reduced to rubble. "Everyone is really afraid. It's been years since such a big earthquake," said Daniel Ross, a resident in the eastern Cuban city of Guantanamo, adding that his home stood firm but the furniture shook. Cuban authorities said there were no reports yet of material damage, deaths or injuries. In Jamaica, residents also felt the quake. "I feel it, man. It wake me up. My roof kind of make some noise," said Danny Bailey, 49, in Kingston. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also reported a quake in the region, saying it was magnitude 7.6, while Cuba's seismological centre said it registered a magnitude of 7.4. REUTERS

Iran orders travel ban and shutdown amid Covid surge DUBAI: Iran is to impose a one-week lockdown and a ban on road travel amid a fifth Covid-19 surge in the worst-hit country in the Middle East, state television reported on Saturday. All non-essential businesses and offices will have to close under the nationwide lockdown from Monday to Aug. 21, in an effort to curb the highly contagious Delta variant. Authorities are also imposing a driving ban from Sunday until Aug. 27, except for essential vehicles. "All roads will be closed except for trucks carrying food and essential goods and ambulances. This traffic ban will be very strictly imposed," AlirezaRaisi, spokesman for the national coronavirus task force, told the television. Authorities will only allow open-air gatherings for ongoing Shi'ite Muslim mourning ceremonies, Raisi said. The Health Ministry reported 29,700 new cases on Saturday, and 466 daily deaths, down from a record daily toll of 588 fatalities on Monday. Total deaths have reached 97,208, according to official figures. Social media users have accused the government of mismanagement over slow vaccinations with only 3.8 million people fully inoculated in a population of 83 million. Officials have blamed US sanctions for hampering efforts to buy foreign vaccines and for delays in deliveries. REUTERS

In one collapsed building along the banks of the swollen river, 10 people were still believed buried. The rapid floodwaters appeared to have swept away the foundations of several other apartment blocks.

Relatives of the missing, desperate for news, were nearby.

"This is unprecedented. There is no power. The mobile phones were dead.

There was no reception. You couldn't receive news from anyone," said IlyasKalabalik, a 42-year-old resident.

"We had no idea whether the water was rising or not, whether it flooded the building or not. We were just waiting, like this.

Our wives and children were panicked.

Once sun came up in the morning, we saw police officers.

They took us from the building and hurled us into a gas station."

Kalabalik was surrounded by residents who were asking each other whether anyone

One dead, two missing as torrential rains slam Japan TOKYO REUTERS

One woman was dead and two people were missing on Saturday after torrential rains touched off a landslide and engulfed at least two houses in western Japan, with rivers overflowing their banks as the rain continued to pound the area.

A wide swath of western Japan, particularly the

southernmost main island of Kyushu, saw record levels of rainfall, with as much as 956 millimetres (37.6 inches) falling in one area in the three days to noon on Saturday.

Japan broadened its highest level 5 risk alerts to cover more than 1.5 million people, NHK public broadcaster said, while the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of more rain to come over the next few days.

“People must take steps to secure their safety,” a JMA official told a news conference.

had any news about missing people.

"My aunt's children are there. My aunt is missing. Her husband is missing. Her twin grandchildren are missing. The wife of our building manager is missing along with their two children," Kalabalik told Reuters.

The floods brought chaos to northern provinces just as authorities were declaring wildfires that raged through southern coastal regions for two weeks had been brought under control.

About 45 cm (18 inches) of rain fell in less than three days in one village near Bozkurt.

Torrents of water tossed dozens of cars and heaps of debris along streets, destroyed bridges, closed roads and cut off electricity to hundreds of villages.

The small town of Bozkurt lies in a valley along the banks of the Ezineriver in Kastamonu province, 2.5 km (1.6 miles) from the Black Sea.

“There has been almost no movement of the rain front over Japan, and it’s being fed by warm, humid air, which is making it more active.”

Rivers broke their banks in several cities, including Kurume in Fukuoka, and were dangerously close to the tops in others. The Kamo River running through the ancient capital of Kyoto was high but not flooded as of noon Saturday.

Landslides hit several parts of Nagasaki prefecture, with one sweeping away at least two houses and killing Fumiyo Mori, 59. Her husband and daughter were missing, and military personnel joined rescuers looking for them, NHK said.

Shinkansen bullet train service was halted along much of the line running from Tokyo to Kyushu.

Heavy rains have moved into the central part of the largest main island of Honshu. The JMA has warned that the front is likely to remain over the nation for about a week.

US issues new terrorism threat warning ahead of 9/11 anniversary WASHINGTON AFP

The US Department of Homeland Security has issued a new terrorism threat advisory ahead of the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks and amid a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin said on Friday that the United States faces a "heightened threat environment" from both domestic terrorists "and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences".

It cited increased use of "online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity".

The new advisory updated a January alert following the attack on the US Congress by supporters of then-president Donald Trump, when DHS said the country faced "increasingly complex and volatile" threats from anti-government and racially motivated extremists, often stirred up by online influence from abroad.

The bulletin had already been amended in May, with DHS warning violent extremists could exploit the easing of Covid-19 restrictions to conduct attacks.

"Extremists may seek to exploit the emergence of Covid-19 variants by viewing the potential re-establishment of public health restrictions across the United States as a rationale to conduct attacks," the DHS advisory said, adding that "pandemic-related stressors... may contribute to more violence this year."

Despite a rapid vaccination programme, coronavirus case numbers have increased sharply in recent months in the United States due to the spread of the

Delta variant, prompting new health measures.

The advisory, which expires on November 11, also noted that in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Yemeni branch of al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), had put out an English-language version of its propaganda "Inspire" magazine for the first time in over four years.

This "demonstrates that foreign terrorist organ-

isations continue efforts to inspire US-based individuals susceptible to violent extremist influences," DHS said.

The United States, which considers AQAP the terror group's most dangerous branch, has carried out a campaign of drone strikes against its fighters in Yemen since soon after the 9/11 attacks.

DHS was established after 9/11 and regularly issues terrorism threat advisories.

US imposes sanctions on Cuban officials, military unit over violence WASHINGTON REUTERS

The US Treasury Department said on Friday it was imposing sanctions on two Cuban Ministry of Interior officials and a military unit over the government's crackdown on protesters last month.

The department said it was sanctioning Romarico Vidal Sotomayor Garcia and Pedro Orlando Martinez Fernandez and the Tropas de Prevencion (TDP) of the Cuban Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces.

"Today’s action shines a spotlight on additional perpetrators responsible for suppressing the Cuban

people’s calls for freedom and respect for human rights," said Andrea Gacki, director of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said TDP soldiers had been deployed "and have reportedly attacked and beaten protesters, while making violent arrests."

"The United States supports the people of Cuba in their brave call for freedom as we identify those who oppress them and attempt to maintain a repressive system," he said in a statement. "We will continue to take actions to promote accountability for the Cuban government’s human rights abuses."

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Twitter rejected the sanctions, calling them "US opportunistic measures against Cuba's Ministry of Interior officers and Armed Forces Prevention Troops.

Such measures reflect double standards of a government used to manipulation and lies to maintain the blockade against #Cuba."

In July, the United States put sanctions on the Cuban police force and two of its leaders.

The protests erupted amid Communist-ruled Cuba's worst economic crisis since the fall of its old ally, the Soviet Union, and a record surge in coronavirus infections. Thousands took to the streets, angry

over shortages of basic goods, curbs on civil liberties, and the authorities' handling of the pandemic.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has blamed the unrest on the United States, which in recent years has tightened its decades-old trade embargo on the island. He has said many protesters were sincere but manipulated by US-orchestrated social media campaigns.

The US Treasury earlier announced sanctions on Cuba's defence minister and an interior ministry special forces unit over allegations of human rights abuses in the crackdown that followed the protests, in which hundreds of activists were detained.

Sunday, 15 August, 2021

SPORTS 11

KARACHI

RooT And BAiRsTow RePel indiA in second TesT LONDON

e

AFP

NGLAND captain Joe Root hit his third successive fifty of the series as India were denied a wicket on the third morning of the second Test at Lord's on Saturday.

England were 216-3 at lunch in reply to India's first innings 364, still 148 runs behind. Root, was 88 not out and Jonny Bairstow 51 not out, with the Yorkshire duo sharing an unbroken partnership of 108 for the fourth wicket.

England resumed on 119-3, a deficit of 245 runs, after opener Rory Burns had fallen for a well-made 49 late on Friday.

They were once again left relying on Root, 48 not out overnight.

Not for the first time, the England skipper had come in to bat with his side in trouble, reduced to 23-2 when India paceman Mohammed Siraj removed Dom Sibley and the recalled Haseeb Hameed, out for a first-ball nought, with successive deliveries.

Root, the only England batsman to pass fifty in last week's rain-marred drawn first Test at Trent Bridge, with scores of 64 and

109, went to another half-century with a stylish square-driven four off Siraj. It was his seventh boundary in 82 balls faced.

Bairstow, who started the day on six not out, found his touch with commanding straight-driven fours off Mohammed Shami and Siraj.

With little movement in the air or off a placid pitch, India captain ViratKohli brought left-arm spinner RavindraJadeja into the attack for Saturday's tenth over.

But nor was there much in the way of turn, with Bairstow sweeping Jadeja for four.

Conditions were more in favour of the batsmen than on the first two days but England, even though they had Mooen Ali and Jos Buttler to come, still had work to do to get back on level terms.

A legside clip single off Ishant Sharma saw Bairstow to a 90-ball fifty including six fours. India's total was built on impressive innings by their openers, with KL Rahul making a well-judged 129 and Rohit Sharma 83.

James Anderson, already third in the alltime list of leading Test wicket-takers, led England's attack with 5-62.

It was the 39-year-old swing bowler's 31st five-wicket haul in 164 matches at this

West Indies lead Pakistan by 34 runs KINGSTON AP

West Indian captain Kraigg Brathwaite was run out for 97 after a 96-run partnership with former skipper Jason Holder which helped guide the team to a first-innings lead over Pakistan on the second day of the first Test.

Brathwaite turned a ball to fine leg and was attempting a second run when he was beaten by Hasan Ali’s direct hit at the keeper’s end, falling just short of a 10th Test century. The West Indies were 221-7 when his wicket fell Friday, already ahead of Pakistan’s first innings of 217.

Holder was out earlier for 58. The West Indies began the day at 2-2 and were 251-8, a lead of 34, when stumps were drawn early due to bad light.

Joshua da Silva was playing at 20.

The West Indies had been in trouble when they lost Kieran Powell and

Nkrumah Bonner to consecutive deliveries from Mohammad Abbas near stumps on day one.

Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood steadied the innings at the start of the second day, putting on 49 for the third wicket before Chase, on 21, was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan from the bowling of Hasan Ali. Blackwood carried on, making 22 and helping the West Indies to 100 before he was caught by Abbas at mid-on from the bowling of ShahidAfridi.

Kyle Mayers fell next ball to Afridi, leaving the West Indies 100-5 and putting pressure on Brathwaite and Holder to rebuild the innings in the face of accurate bowling from Pakistan.

“The key was to be tight,” Brathwaite said. “They were really testing our patience and while we committed to putting away the bad balls, it was about letting them come to us.

“We stayed in that bubble for long periods and it helped us. I’ve played a lot of cricket with Jason. We just kept encouraging ourselves and we just stuck at it because we knew they were bowling well and we just buckled down and put away the bad balls when they came.”

Holder reached his half century from 95 balls with nine fours and was looking solid when he reached forward to a full ball from Faheem Ashraf which nipped away late, took a faint edge and carried to Rizwan.

The umpires kept Holder at the crease while they established it was not a no-ball and Holder left with the West Indies at 196-6.

Brathwaite defied the Pakistan bowlers for just over six hours before he misjudged the chance of a second run. He said he was committed early to go for two and realized he’d made an error when he turned and saw the ball

in the fielder’s hand.

“Obviously I’m not feeling too good,” Brathwaite said. “From a team point of view I wanted to be there at (stumps) but obviously it was a misjudgment from me.”

Brathwaite’s innings still marked an important return to form. While he made 126 and 85 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in March, he managed only 28 runs in four innings in two subsequent Tests against South Africa.

He said he’d worked hard on his game since, concentrating on his balance which allowed him to defend better and to play with more authority through the off-side.

After Brathwaite’s dismissal, Da Silva stuck around until stumps were drawn to give the West Indies hope of an enlarged lead in conditions which are favoring fast bowlers.

Abbas had 3-42 at stumps and Afridi’s figures were 2-59.

Brentford beat Arsenal 2-0 for dream start to Premier League life LONDON AFP

Brentford made a blistering start to their first English top-flight season for 74 years as goals from SergiCanos and Christian Norgaard earned a 2-0 win over Arsenal in front of a first-ever full house at the Brentford Community Stadium on Friday.

The Bees spent the first season at their new home playing behind closed doors, but rose to the occasion as they were roared on by 17,000 fans in the first Premier League match at full capacity since March 2020.

“What an atmosphere,” said Brentford manager Thomas Frank. “The first time in the top-flight, we are opening the Premier League season and for our own fans, they can dream. We are top of the league.

“We are going to celebrate every win, but we want more.”

By contrast, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is already under pressure.

The Gunners have finished eighth in each of his first two seasons in charge and the Spaniard has a daunting task to turn things around before the September international break with title favourites Chelsea and Manchester City to come in Arsenal’s next two games.

“I don’t think we deserved anything different,” said Arteta in a damming indictment of his side.

Frank whipped up the crowd into a frenzy before kick-off and Arsenal were soon suffering under the relentless

pressing his side became famous for in the Championship.

Bryan Mbuemo drilled a shot off the outside of the post in the first warning shot from the home side before they took the lead on 22 minutes.

Ethan Pinnock fed Canos on the Brentford left and he cut inside to unleash a powerful shot that beat Bernd Leno at his near post.

Mbuemo then dragged another huge

chance wide after turning Arsenal’s new £50 million signing Ben White with ease.

The Gunners were without both Pierre-EmerickAubameyang and Alexandra Lacazette due to illness, handing Folarin Balogun his Premier League debut.

Balogun made little impact, but was also unfortunate not to win a penalty as he was caught on the follow through

after slicing wide just before half-time.

“A lot of young boys were doing everything they can. For some of them it was the first experience in the league – that says a lot,” added Arteta, as he appeared to make a plea for more funds before the end of the transfer window.

“What I can control and help, I’ll put all my enthusiasm and work into that.”

Arsenal started the second-half with far more purpose as Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith-Rowe finally forced David Raya into action.

Bukayo Saka was then given a standing ovation by both sets of fans when he was introduced on the hour mark after the racial abuse he suffered in the aftermath of missing the decisive penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

But Brentford’s players were in no mood to show any mercy and substitute Norgaard made sure of a famous night 17 minutes from time.

Arsenal somehow let a long throw bounce inside their six-yard box and the Danish international gratefully headed into an unguarded net to double Brentford’s advantage.

Smith-Rowe and Tierney were the only sources of comfort for Arsenal as they combined to set up Nicolas Pepe, who was denied by a stunning save by Raya five minutes from time.

But a clean sheet rounded off a famous win for Brentford as they ended their first night in the Premier League on top of the table.

Medvedev outlasts Hurkacz to reach ATP Toronto semi-finals TORONTO AFP

Daniil Medvedev had to work his way through a pair of tiebreakers to ensure a 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) victory over Hubert Hurkacz and into the semi-finals of the ATP Toronto Masters on Friday. The Russian world number two was caught on the back foot in the opening set, which he lost to his Polish opponent after committing nearly half of his 40 unforced errors on the night. But the top seed gathered his resources to stage a fightback in two and a quarter hours on the way to revenge for a five-set loss he took at Wimbledon against the number 13. Medvedev ended the evening with his 22nd ace on match point. "It was a super-tough match, he was on top of me for many moments," the winner said. "He was playing amazing and I'm happy to get through." The 2019 finalist here said he picked up his game in the deciding set. "I started playing a little bit better and tried to keep the pressure on him - he was certainly keeping it on me." StefanosTsitsipas ended the 13-match win streak of Casper Ruud with a clinical 6-1, 6-4 win. A day after turning 23, the Greek world number three celebrated the birthday of his mother Julia, using the big day as inspiration on court. "I'm proud of myself," the 2018 Canada finalist said. "I had it in my mind to try and make her proud today." Tsitsipas will play on Saturday against Reilly Opelka, who sent down 18 aces in a 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) defeat of Spanish 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut. "It means a lot to get another semi (after Rome last May)," number 32 Opelka said. "I had a slow start to the year, and being seeded at the slams is a big priority of mine. "I've had four big wins back to back, all against tough guys. I think I'm playing at a high level right now. "Stefanos is a great player, the match will be a good test against one of the best in the world. If you're playing Stefanos, it means you're having a good week."

Norway's 12th-ranked Ruud has been on fire the past month, winning three European clay titles last month after going out in the Wimbledon first round six weeks ago. Ruud, son of former ATP pro Christian Ruud, had defeated Tsitsipas on Madrid clay in May. But the Greek seed had all the answers in Toronto as he denied Ruud a 100th career match win. "My intentions were clear from the beginning," the winner said.

"My instinct was to stick to the baseline. "I'm super happy to be standing where I am right now. Sometimes I surprise myself with how well I can play."

Tsitsipas finished with 20 winners and 11 unforced errors in his 74-minute victory. Ruud missed on an overhead at 4-all in the second set, giving Tsitsipas two break chances. The third seed converted on the second and served out victory moments later, increasing his wins this season to a tour-leading 45. Gael Monfils lived up to his showman's reputation in a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 loss to John Isner as the pair met for a 13th time. The Frenchman seeded 11th went through some turbulence in the second set when he was advised by chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani to stop "dancing" around while awaiting his opponent's huge serve.

That set Monfils off, with the 34-year-old calling for the tournament supervisor and engaging in a lively debate on the non-issue while getting his right ankle taped after what he said was a "bad step." The storm quickly blew over as Isner laid down a 13th ace for a match point, which he converted for victory. "We bring out the good in each other's games," Isner said.

"He's a great rival - not in a nasty way - and we are very good friends." The American posted his ninth consecutive win this season after claiming the Atlanta title last month, He lost to semi-final opponent Medvedev in the ATP Cup last year in Australia.

sunday, 15 August, 2021

pRayeR timings

news

PakIstan rejects IndIan denIal of Involvement In dasu attack

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ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

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Pakistan eases travel restrictions for India

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staff RepoRt

AKISTAN has rejected as “absurd remarks” Indian denial of support to a deadly bus bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed 13 people killed including nine Chinese workers.

A further 28 Chinese nationals were also injured in the attack in July on a bus carrying Chinese engineers, surveyors and mechanical staff to the Dasu dam construction site in Upper Kohistan district.

Following a comprehensive probe, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced earlier this week the attack was the one carried out by a branch of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan backed by the intelligence agencies of India and Afghanistan.

Responding to Qureshi, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, termed the assertion as “yet another attempt by Pakistan to malign India” something he declared was done “in a bid to deflect international attention”, NDTV reported.

However, the Foreign Office observed New Delhi stood “fully exposed”.

“India typically resorts to sophistry, obfuscation and re-fabrication. Bland denials and regurgitation of a false narrative, however, will not change facts,” its spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, said in a press statement.

Islamabad, he said, had repeatedly presented irrefutable evidence of New Delhi’s “active planning, promoting, aiding, abetting, financing and execution” of militancy inside Pakistan.

Last year, Pakistan had presented a dossier detailing Indian sponsorship of terrorism and militant groups inside Pakistan, he recalled, observing Islamabad also presented evidence on Indian involvement in the attack in a Lahore neighbourhood.

At least three people were killed and 21 injured after a bomb blast near a residential neighbourhood of Johar Town in June.

“The most familiar and undeniable face of India’s state-sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan was commander Kulbhushan Jadhav — caught red-handed in March 2016.

We reiterate our call on India to abjure the use of state-terrorism as an instrument of policy. Pakistan will continue to resolutely oppose Indian machinations imperilling regional peace and security,” Chaudhri said.

Later in the day, the Foreign Office also rejected the “irresponsible” and “misleading” statement by Indian officials regarding an ‘encounter’ in Kulgam area of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

A day ago, an Indian police official in IOK claimed to have “confirmed Pakistan’s involvement” in an attack on an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) convoy.

According to NDTV, the official said that

“a Pakistani terrorist” was neutralised during the ‘encounter’ in Kulgam.

However, the FO spokesperson rejected the allegation and said: “It is ironic that without any corroboration, the Indian government has once again resorted to leveling serious allegations against Pakistan.”

“This is yet another manifestation of the baseless propaganda and smear campaign against Pakistan that is characteristic of the Indian government and an amenable Indian media.” “This is typical Indian strategy to shift blames, employ unfounded assertions against Pakistan as a smokescreen, and [that seeks] to undermine the indigenous struggle for self-determination of the people of IOK,” the statement added.

“Pakistan calls upon India to refrain from its reprehensible propaganda campaign as no number of Indian falsehoods can succeed in diverting attention from India’s serious crimes in IOK,” the statement concluded.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has removed India from the list of Category-C countries, after a significant decline in the number of coronavirus cases in the neighbouring country. A devastating rise in infections in April and May, driven largely by the more infectious and dangerous Delta variant, overwhelmed the healthcare system in India and killed at least 170,000 people in May alone. The situation prompted many countries including Pakistan to impose travel restrictions on the second-most Covid-19 affected country across the globe. However, the situation has considerably improved over the past couple of months. According to official data, only 38,667 new coronavirus infections were reported across India in the last 24 hours. Daily deaths owing to the pandemic on the other hand rose by 478, its health ministry said in a statement. Total cases rose to 32.12 million. The NCOC reviewed the Covid-19 situation around the world during a meeting on Saturday. The forum decided to keep Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia in the list of Category-C countries but decided to remove India from it. The NCOC said that passengers arriving from countries of any category would have to follow the testing protocols set by the Pakistani authorities. It said that Pakistanis travelling to Category-C countries for a short period can return to the country without any hindrance. “All countries, except the countries in Category-C, have been placed in Category-B,” it added. The NCOC further said that the new policy will be implemented with immediate effect and it will be reviewed on September 15. On the other hand, Pakistan reported 4,786 new cases of coronavirus during the last twenty-four hours, taking the tally for confirmed cases to 1,094,699, said the NCOC on Saturday. According to the NCOC data, at least 73 fatalities were also reported during the said period. A total of 24,339 patients have succumbed to the virus in the country so far.

Moreover, 4,343 recoveries were also reported in a day, taking the total recoveries to 983,754. A day earlier, owing to difficulties being faced by UAE-bound passengers, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that the counters for conducting rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Covid-19 have become functional at all international airports of the country.

A spokesman for the authority said that the services of UAE-accredited Pakistani labs have been made available at the airports. The spokesperson said that the counters have started taking rapid PCR tests for the passengers departing from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar and Faisalabad airports. “Airport managers have been instructed by the CAA to provide all facilities and assistance to the passengers,” he further said.

Taliban now 50km away from Kabul as US ramps up Afghan evacuations KABUL afp

The Afghan Taliban tightened their territorial stranglehold around Kabul on Saturday, as refugees from the insurgents’ relentless offensive flooded the capital and US Marines returned to oversee emergency evacuations from Afghanistan.

With the country’s second- and thirdlargest cities having fallen into Taliban hands, Kabul has effectively become the besieged, last stand for government forces who have offered little or no resistance elsewhere.

Insurgent fighters are now camped just 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, leaving the United States and other countries scrambling to airlift their nationals out of Kabul ahead of a feared all-out assault.

Heavy fighting was also reported around Mazar-i-Sharif, an isolated holdout in the north where warlord and former vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum had gathered his virulently anti-Taliban militia.

The only other cities of any significance not to be taken yet were Jalalabad, Gardez and Khost — Pashtun-dominated and un-

likely to offer much resistance now.

In Kabul, US embassy staff were ordered to begin shredding and burning sensitive material, as the first American troops from a planned 3,000-strong re-deployment started arriving to secure the airport and oversee evacuations.

A host of European countries — includ-

Ghani says ‘remobilisation of armed forces top priority’ KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Saturday the remobilisation of the country’s armed forces was a “top priority”, as Taliban fighters inched closer to the capital after routing the country’s defences over the past week. The Taliban pushed closer to Kabul, capturing a key city near Afghanistan’s capital as American troops flew in to help evacuate embassy personnel and other civilians. “In the current situation, the remobilisation of our security and defence forces is our top priority, and serious steps are being taken in this regard,” he said in a televised speech. He gave no hint he would resign or take responsibility for the current situation, but said “consultations” were taking place to try and end the war. “As a historic mission, I will not let the imposed war on people cause more deaths,” he said, appearing sombre and sitting before an Afghan flag. With the country’s second and third-largest cities having fallen into Taliban hands, Kabul has effectively become a besieged last stand for government forces who have offered little or no resistance elsewhere. But Ghani praised the forces “that have defended the nation courageously and showed strong determination”. afp

ing Britain, Germany, Denmark and Spain — all announced the withdrawal of personnel from their respective embassies on Friday.

For Kabul residents and the tens of thousands who have sought refuge there in recent weeks, the overwhelming mood was one of confusion and fear.

Muzhda, 35, a single woman who arrived in the capital with her two sisters after fleeing nearby Parwan, said she was terrified for the future.

“I am crying day and night,” she told AFP. “I have turned down marriage proposals in the past… If the Taliban come and force me to marry, I will commit suicide.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply disturbed” by accounts of poor treatment of women in areas seized by the Taliban.

“It is particularly horrifying and heartbreaking to see reports of the hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away,” Guterres said.

The scale and speed of the Taliban advance have shocked Afghans and the US-led alliance that poured billions into the country after toppling the Taliban in the wake of the September 11 attacks nearly 20 years ago.

Days before a final US withdrawal ordered by President Joe Biden, individual

Afghan soldiers, units and even whole divisions have surrendered — handing the insurgents even more vehicles and military hardware to fuel their lightning advance.

‘No ImmINeNt threAt’: Despite the frantic evacuation efforts, the Biden administration continues to insist that a complete Taliban takeover is not inevitable.

“Kabul is not right now in an imminent threat environment,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Friday, while acknowledging that Taliban fighters were “trying to isolate” the city. The Taliban offensive has accelerated in recent days, with the capture of Herat in the north and, just hours later, the seizure of Kandahar — the group’s spiritual heartland in the south.

Kandahar resident Abdul Nafi told AFP the city was calm after government forces abandoned it for the sanctuary of military facilities outside, where they were negotiating terms of surrender.

“I came out this morning, I saw Taliban white flags in most squares of the city,” he said.

Pro-Taliban social media accounts have boasted of the vast spoils of war captured by the insurgents — posting photos of armoured

vehicles, heavy weapons, and even a drone seized from abandoned military bases.

In Herat, the Taliban captured long-time strongman Ismail Khan, who helped lead the defence of the provincial capital along with his militia fighters.

Pul-e-Alam, capital of Logar province, was the latest city to fall on Friday, putting the Taliban within striking distance of Kabul.

Helicopters flitted back and forth between Kabul’s airport and the sprawling US diplomatic compound in the heavily fortified Green Zone — 46 years after choppers evacuated Americans from Saigon, signalling the end of the Vietnam War. The US-led evacuation is focused on thousands of people, including embassy employees, and Afghans and their families who fear retribution for working as interpreters or in other support roles for the United States.

Pentagon spokesman Kirby said that most of the troops shepherding the evacuation would be in place by Sunday and “will be able to move thousands per day” out of Afghanistan.

“Capacity is not going to be a problem,” he said.

Qatar urges Taliban to ceasefire at meeting in Doha DUBAI: Qatar said it had urged the Taliban to cease fire and pull back their offensive in Afghanistan during a meeting between the Qatari foreign minister and a top representative of the Afghan insurgents in Doha on Saturday. Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met the head of the Taliban’s political bureau, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, to follow up on peace talks hosted by the Gulf country, the Qatari foreign ministry said in a statement on its website. “The foreign minister urged the Taliban at the meeting to let up the escalation and to cease fire,” it said. Envoys from the United States, China, Pakistan, the United Nations, the European Union and others met Taliban representatives and Afghan government officials on Thursday in Doha. The statement issued following that meeting reaffirmed that foreign capitals would not recognise any government in Afghanistan “imposed through the use of military force”. ReuteRs

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