EpaperKHI_21-11-13

Saturday, 13 November, 2021 I 7 Rabi-us-Sani, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 135 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

AfghAn request for trAnsport of IndIAn wheAt vIA pAkIstAn would be consIdered fAvourAbly: pM

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RIME Minister Imran Khan on Friday stated that for humanitarian purposes, Pakistan would “favourably” consider the request by the Taliban government in Afghanistan for transporting wheat offered by India through the country on an “exceptional basis” PM Imran expressed his views while speaking to a delegation led by Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to a handout issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) The interim FM of Afghanistan, Muttaqi who is currently visiting Pakistan on a three-day visit was accompanied by the acting ministers of finance, industry and commerce as well as other senior members of the Afghan delegation.

The PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to Afghanistan in overcoming the challenges being faced by the Afghan people, while stressing upon the significance of a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan for Pakistan and the wider region.

The PM said that Pakistan would provide essential food items including wheat and rice, emergency medical supplies

and shelter items for Afghanistan, in addition to the assistance already extended.

As per the PMO statement, the PM further stressed that “continued security and resolute counter-terrorism actions, respect for rights of all Afghans, and inclusivity in governance and politics would further contribute to Afghanistan’s stability” The prime minister also emphasised the importance for the two countries to work together to facilitate the movement of people, trade, transit and regional connectivity in an effort to promote progress and prosperity in the region.

Commenting on Pak-Afghan relations, PM Imran reiterated Islamabad’s resolve to stand by the Afghan people by extending all possible support, including humanitarian assistance in-kind, to withstand the coming winter season.

He also expressed the hope that the interim Afghan government would continue to “constructively engage” the international community and would keep on taking positive measures to address prevailing challenges, the statement added.

“Pakistan has been consistently calling for provision of immediate humanitarian relief for Afghanistan,” the statement

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quoted the premier as saying.

He also underscored the urgent need to release Afghanistan’s frozen assets and facilitate banking transactions to prevent an economic meltdown.

Earlier in the day, the PM acknowledged the “crucial role” of Troika Plus in resolving Afghan issues.

It is to note that Troika Plus is a group of Pakistan, China, and the United States on Afghanistan. The PM’s remarks came amid a meeting with the special envoys of the Troika Plus who called on him a day after their meeting in Islamabad on the Afghan issue.

The PM, during the meeting lauded the special envoys for a “successful” moot in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The prime minister said he had consistently stressed that there was no military solution in Afghanistan. As such, Pakistan had all along supported an inclusive political settlement.”

As per the statement, the PM underlined the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for the security and prosperity of the entire region.

The statement further revealed that the importance of inclusivity, human rights and counter-terrorism operations in the wake of Kabul’s takeover by the Taliban was also underscored by the premier.

As per the statement, the premier laid a strong emphasis on the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance as well as economic support to Afghanistan to avert the twin challenges of humanitarian crisis and economic collapse.

The PM further hoped that the international community would recognise the gravity of the situation and take urgent measures, including the release of frozen assets to help alleviate the sufferings of the Afghan people.

The PM went on to urge the international community to have a “pragmatic approach” for “constructive engagement” with Taliban-led Afghanistan. News Desk

Bilawal meets Fazl, hopes for joint opposition strategy on EVMs, accountability laws PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during the first meeting with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman since the PPP quit the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) stated that joint parliamentary action on accountability laws and electronic voting machines (EVMs) could result in opposition’s successes in future It is to note that earlier in April, the PPP had left the PDM in the wake of a show-cause notice being issued to it for nominating PPP leader Yousuf Raza Gilani as the opposition leader in the Senate “in violation of the unanimous decision” of the alliance, which led to a divide in the opposition with both camps flinging criticism at each other. The JUI-F chief had accused the PPP of trying to “stab the opposition movement in its back” in August, while the latter had called on Rehman in September to refrain from “further dividing” the opposition.

However, earlier today, the Bilawal visited Rehman’s residence in Islamabad today along with Gilani and senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira.

US special envoy for Afghanistan calls on COAS

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According to PPP, Bilawal inquired about the JUI-F chief’s health and discussed the country’s political situation with him.

“Joint action in parliament on EVM and accountability laws can lead to more successes. The government’s policies can only be foiled through the parliament,” Bilawal was quoted as saying during the meeting.

The two leaders also discussed and expressed concern over rising inflation in the country.

Bilawal while talking to reporters after the meeting, stated that it was another success for the joint opposition that the government had to cancel the joint session of parliament summoned for Thursday and that “the PM was forced to run away because all political parties in parliament were united and present.”

He went on to add that “We have failed schemes of the NAB (National Accountability Bureau) ordinance, EVMs and undermining the Election Commission of Pakistan till now and the hope is that we will fail every scheme of theirs (government) in the future as well.” News Desk

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

Muttaqi denies presence of antiPakistan elements in Afghanistan STORY ON BACK PAGE

Fawad urges int’l community to help Afghan people

LAST UPDATED AT 10:15 AM ON NOVEMBER 12, 2021

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1,227,228 28,584 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

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KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

178,926 AJK/GB:

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33,383 ISLAMABAD:

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United States Special Representative on Afghanistan Thomas West met Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

According a statement issued by the ISPR, matters of mutual interest, the current security situation in Afghanistan, and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed in the meeting.

The COAS stated that Pakistan desired to maintain the tradition of bilateral engagement and wished for a long-term and multi-domain enduring relation-

ship with the United States., while reiterating the need for global convergence on the Afghan issue to avoid a looming humanitarian crisis.

As per the army chief, coordinated efforts for the economic uplift of the Afghan people.

It is pertinent to note that West has appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, special efforts for border management, role in regional stability and pledged to play his part for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

West arrived in Pakistan earlier

this week to participate in a moot on Afghanistan attended by special envoys of China and Russia.

The COAS also met with Russian envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, current security situation in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed.

“Pakistan desires to maintain the tradition of bilateral engagement with all the regional players and wish for long term and enduring multi-domain relationship with Russia,” the ISPR quoted Gen Qamar as saying. News Desk

At least three killed in Afghan mosque blast STORY ON BACK PAGE

Vawda's plea to stop ECP disqualification case against him rejected by IHC STORY ON PAGE 02

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Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

FAwAd urGES int’L Community to hELp AFGhAn pEopLE

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News Desk

INISTER for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary on Friday, urged the international community to come forward and help the Afghan people.

The minister, while talking to press attaches of foreign embassies in Islamabad stated that the effect of the situation in Afghanistan is somehow directly proportional to Pakistan.

Fawad said that “We want an inclusive

Govt decides to place names of Shehbaz and Qaim Ali Shah on ECL News Desk The federal government has decided to again place name of PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on the Exit Control List (ECL). According to a report, the government also made the decision to place name of former Sindh chief minister and veteran PPP leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah on the ECL. The federal cabinet approved the summary through circulation in this regard, the report further said.

The summary was forwarded by the Interior Ministry on the recommendation of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). According to the report, Shehbaz Sharif’s name was already on the ECL but still the government has given approval to again place his name on the ECL. Through a separate summary, the government also decided to list the name of former principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad on the ECL.

government in Afghanistan but at the same time, we are also concerned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis there” The minister went on to claim that in case of any further deterioration of the situation in the war-ravaged country, global terrorist organisations would be the only ones benefitting from it, while adding that “stability in Afghanistan is imperative to deny space to terrorist outfits.”

As per the minister, India has remained involved in the “fake propaganda campaign” against Pakistan.

Last month, the Chaudry claimed that a

European TV channel had exposed fake news by Indian media regarding the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launching an offensive in Panjshir, Afghanistan, while emphasizing the need for international efforts to combat the problem of fake news.

Chaudhry went on to state that there should be a code of conduct for media at the international level to stop fabricated news from spreading on social media against any country.

It is pertinent to note that earlier on Thursday, FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that it was crucial for the international

community to ‘avoid mistakes’ of the past and pursue positive engagement with the Taliban regime to avert economic collapse and civil war in the country.

“Everyone wants terrorist elements operating inside Afghanistan to be tackled effectively and we all want to prevent a new refugee crisis,” he said while addressing the opening session of the 9th meeting of Troika Plus held in Islamabad.

The foreign minister added that engagement with Afghanistan was important as nobody wished to see civil war and an economic collapse in Kabul.

Income of certain segments of society has increased: minister News Desk Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has stated on Friday that the income of certain segments of society has witnessed increment, despite country’s surging inflation rate.

The minister, while speaking to the media in Islamabad after a meeting of the PTI’s core committee stated that the “there are many segments of society where [people’s] income has seen a considerable increase.” Most it is the salaried class in cities across the country that got affected by the economic squeeze.

The minister went on to state that the government had invested in the agriculture sector and the construction industry, because of which the income of those associated with the sectors has witnessed increment.

In October, the finance ministry had warned of higher inflation, stating that the exchange rate, commodity supplies and seasonality could intensify the

magnitude of prices and transportation costs in the country.

As per the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), an increase of 0.67 per cent for the week ending on November 4 had been noticed, which is the fifth consecutive week that had witnessed an is increment.

It is to note that in October, the highest jump of 1.29pc in weekly inflation was recorded.

The soaring inflation has also been criticized by the opposition who carried out a series of protests and marches.

Fawad Chaudhry stated that the government’s focus is now on providing relief to the sectors which had been severely impacted by inflation. However, he stated that we must note that not only Pakistan, but the whole world is suffering from an increase in prices due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“However, Pakistan is one of the few economies that have successfully dealt with the pandemic,” he stated.

“If you look at our villages [and] if you look at figures in the newspapers, then you will see how car sales have increased while motorcycle and tractor sales have doubled,” he said, adding that the consumption of fertiliser, petrol and electricity had also increased.

The minister went on to state that recovering from the economic fallout would be a time taking process, not only for Pakistan but for the entire world.

The minister also questioned how other economies were posting positive economic growth, claiming that economic growth across the world is “negative” and has only increased in Pakistan.

About the meeting between PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman earlier today, the minister stated that the opposition “has no leader”.

“Bilawal […] does not even know about the streets of Larkana’s [so] what does he know of Pakistan’s politics. Fazlur Rehman came with a crowd to Islamabad in the first year [of our government].

Islamabad police take action against 32 people booked for journalists' harassment News Desk The Islamabad inspector-general of police submitted a report submitted with the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday to maintain that action had been taken against 32 people involved in the harassment of 32 people.

During the hearing of the SC’s suo motu case concerning harassment of journalists, the submitted report stated that about 16 cases were registered with different police stations of Islamabad during the last one year.

“The person who attacked journalist Asad Ali Toor could not be identified by NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority).

According to NADRA, the faces of those who attacked Absar Alam and Asad Ali Toor were not clear,” the report stated.

Investigative reports of 12 cases of the 16 cases had been submitted to the trial courts, the report further stated. The person who attacked journalist Absar Alam had not been identified yet, the report added.

It further added that the accused who harassed journalist Meher Bukhari was under investigation.

“At present, total four cases are under investigation and strenuous efforts are being made to trace out culprits Involved in the cases within shortest possible time and investigation will be concluded fairly, impartially and purely on merit,” it added.

It is pertinent to note that earlier in August, the SC had summoned the heads of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Islamabad police and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in a case

pertaining to the harassment of journalists.

A three-member bench of the top court, led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, took up the suo motu case. The bench also summoned the attorney general and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) advocate general at the next hearing.

As per the details, the bench on August 20, directly entertained the Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS) application against harassment of media persons. The division bench had also summoned several government functionaries on August 26 before it.

The bench also sought a report from the IHC registrar regarding the status of pending cases of media persons. After issuing these directives, the top court adjourned the hearing of the case for two weeks.

Vawda's plea to stop ECP disqualification case against him rejected by IHC News Desk PTI Senator Faisal Vawda’s appeal to stay proceedings of the disqualification case against him in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) got dismissed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday.

It is to note that Vawda had filed the petition on Thursday against the decision of the ECP dated October 12. He had adopted the stance that the case against him in the ECP had become invalid as the body could not make a decision within the prescribed time limit.

Through his application, he pleaded the court to stop the proceedings regarding his disqualification case, which was dismissed by the court.

Vawda’s counsel during today’s hearing argued that the ECP had to decide the application against the senator within 60 days of him being elected and thus the petition against Vawda was overdue and should be declared invalid.

As a response, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, who was presiding over the hearing asked the counsel that “according to which law are you saying this?” The counsel stated that the ECP was bound to make a decision within 60 days according to the Elections Act, 2017.

The judge noted that the court would let the ECP take action in accordance with the law if he was in the clear, while adding that an application had been filed against Vawda within 60 days and called upon the senator to prove his innocence.

Justice Minallah went on to ask, “What are you afraid of? Let the Election Commission hear the case. Do you want the court to decide the [original] petition?”

“Did you submit a response in the ECP?” the judge asked Vawda’s counsel while inquiring about whether the issue was not challenged in 60 days and how many times the ECP was requested to adjourn the hearing.

Justice Minallah declared the Vawda’s plea inadmissible and rejected it.

A written order issued by the court stated that the argument advanced by Vawda’s counsel that the ECP was bereft of jurisdiction under the Elections Act, 2017, was “misconceived”.

“It can neither be avoided nor delayed by the petitioner or the commission. The commission is, therefore, directed to complete the probe expeditiously and with due diligence, preferably within sixty days from the date of receiving a certified copy of this order.” the court order stated.

“Likewise, the petitioner is expected to establish his bonafides by participating in the proceedings regarding the probe relating to the affidavit, failing which it would amount to an attempt to frustrate the implementation of the unambiguous direction of the august Supreme Court,” the court order added.

It is pertinent to note that a citizen, Dost Ali, had filed an application in 2020, in the ECP against Vawda, seeking his disqualification over hiding information pertaining to his dual nationality.

The petition stated that since Vawda had furnished an affidavit to the ECP to the effect that he was not a national of any other country at the time of contesting the elections, he had made a false statement on oath, hence he was disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution.

Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

LG PoLLS: ECP forMS 64 APPELLAtE tribunALS in 18 KP diStriCtS ISLAMABAD

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HE Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday constituted as many as 64 appellate tribunals in 18 districts ahead of the first phase of local government (LG) polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

Polling in the first phase of KP’s LG polls is scheduled for December

19. Earlier, on November 04, the ECP on Thursday announced that local government elections in the Khyber Pakthunkhwa will be held as per schedule.

Director Provincial Election Commission Khushhal Zada, while commenting on the court’s decision to hold party-based elections, had said that the provincial election commissioner has no intention to challenge the Peshawar High Court (PHC)

order.

According to a schedule, local governments’ polls in Khyber Pakthunkhwa would be conducted in two phases across the province.

The first phase elections would be held in 17 districts on Dec 19, 2021, while in the second phase, polls would be conducted in 18 districts on January 16, 2022.

In another development earlier in the month, the commission had asked the political parties to issue

election tickets to the candidates for the seats on all categories ahead of KP LG polls. The commission had said that the candidates could submit their election tickets issued by the political parties before the allotment of the election symbols.

The nomination papers could be submitted with the election body between 4-8 November, according to a schedule. The initial list of the candidates will be

issued on November 9 and scrutiny of the nomination papers will continue until November 12.

The candidates could file an appeal against the scrutiny process

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conducted by the Returning Officer by November 16. Earlier, the KP cabinet had approved Local Councils Conduct of Election Rules 2020.

BHC grants protective bail to MNA Jam Abdul Karim in Nazim Jokhio murder case NEwS DESk

PM assures PSMA of free sugar economy LAHORE aPP

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Chairman Zaka Ashraf on Friday said that he held meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan who assured him that the government would promote free economy of the sugar business in Pakistan. The PSMA chairman said that if this industry lacks proper functioning then it compels the government to import sugar after spending huge sum of money which the country cannot bear. For this purpose, the premier has made a high-level committee under the chair of Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin. The committee includes three federal ministers, federal secretaries, and provincial chief secretaries. Zaka Ashraf said the finance advisor has also assured that the prices fixed by the governments of Punjab and Sindh shall also remain as national prices.

“The government itself will not indulge in setting the prices of sugarcane and sugar. It will leave the pricing to decide on market mechanism but the government shall maintain strategic reserve stocks and intervene market at appropriate time to supplement the market and to keep the prices at a reasonable level,” he said. If surplus sugar is produced then government will purchase that sugar and later also allow the sugar mills to export that surplus sugar. Further, Tarin has also assured us that he will persuade banks for arranging the working capital for the sugar mills so that the mills can timely pay to the farmers. He also stressed us to pay the farmers within 15 to 20 days of the start of crushing season. Ashraf said the finance advisor also assured us that the sugar industry’s problems related Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and FBR will be resolved on priority basis.

Moreover, Tarin has also asked federal and provincial secretaries to resolve the issues of sugar industry especially matters related to arrests, registering of FIRs and conducting raids on the sugar mills. The PSMA chairman said that Tarin has also assured us that he will regularly conduct meetings with the sugar industry officials and will also make efforts to resolve their problems.

The Balochistan High Court granted protective bail to MNA Jam Abdul Karim in a petition filed on his behalf by Advocate Sajid Tareen, pertaining to the Nazim Jokhio murder case.

It is to note that MNA Jam Abdul Karim is the elder brother of the prime suspect PPP MPA Jam Owais.

BHC after granting protective bail to Jam Abdul Karim ordered him to to appear before the relevant court within 15 days.

Earlier, Jam Abdul Karim’s younger brother, MPA Jam Owais and six others were arrested in the Nazim Jokhio murder case.

Jokhio purportedly filmed the PPP lawmaker’s guests hunting houbara bustards in Thatta.

As per the details, video footage from the time of Nazim’s murder, which went missing from the Jam House, had earlier been recovered, said police.

In this regard, the police stated that the suspects initially removed the footage of murder from the site, which was later traced by the police after the suspects arrested in the case were

questioned.

The police went on to reveal that the footage has been sent for a forensic examination of its contents. It will help ascertain which individuals were directly involved in the crime.

It is pertinent to note that Section 365 of kidnapping in the case and MNA Jam Abdul Karim has also been included in the list of suspects.

Weekly inflation: 30 essential food items record major increase in prices

ISLAMABAD Ghulam abbas

The weekly inflation has noted 1.81 per cent increase across the country with 30 essential food items recording an increase to a point that just a kilogram of tomatoes was made Rs23 pricier, showed data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

The PBS report noted a record 17.37 pc yearly inflation in the country based on data it collected from 50 markets across 17 Pakistan cities.

The Sensitive Price Index (SPI), a weekly inflationary indicator that measures the change in the cost of a fixed basket of goods– for the current week ended on 11th November recorded an increase of 1.81 pc. According to PBS weekly report the year-on-year inflation was recorded up to Nov 11, to 17.37 pc.

The 2.5-kilogram vegetable oil (ghee) carton conceded Rs31 increase in the

same period reaching to as high as Rs940. Even the egg prices have also seen a surge. A dozen of eggs are now available at Rs182.64.

In the review of 51 items, prices of six items decreased while prices of 15 items stabilized and 30 items became more expensive this week. The data shows that prices of tomatoes rose by 18.70 per cent, diesel by 6.04pc, petrol by 5.78pc, edible oil by 4.27pc, ghee by 3.28pc and bananas by 15pc, eggs 1.82pc, bread 2.84pc, potatoes 1.77pc, electricity 2.74pc, onion 1.51pc and mustard oil prices rose 1.21pc. However, sugar prices fell 9.35pc, flour prices fell 0.26pc and prices of dal mash, dal chana, dal moong and garlic also declined. Chilli prices rose by 33.43pc, electricity by 75.32pc, LPG by 74.82pc, petrol by 41.94pc and high speed diesel by 37.78pc while onion prices fell by 40.4pc, pulses by 30.5pc, potatoes by 19.64pc, sugar 2.22pc and dal mash 1.50pc.

The investigating officer revealed that 16 more persons, including Jam Abdul Karim have been named in the incident, out of which five suspects have not been identified.

As per the investigating report, many suspects arrested in the Nazim Jokhio murder case confessed to throwing the victim’s mobile phone inside a well.

According to details, two suspects confessed to throwing the mobile phone away into a 50-60 feet deep well in Memon Goth, which has been dry for many years.

The police has stopped them from dumping trash into the well and burning it, as of now, in order to search for the mobile phone.

The murder incident took place last week, where Nazim Jhokio had stopped a car near his village in Thatta that bore a foreign number plate and asked the people sitting inside the vehicle why they blocked the road and what they were doing there. A verbal brawl ensued. Nazim was given death threats and they tried to snatch his mobile. He somehow managed to escape from the scene at the time.

As per a statement given by his brother, Afzal, Nazim had broadcast a live stream on social media of a hunting expedition involving foreign guests of PPP MPA Jam Owais. Later, the PPP MPA called him to his house, where he was brutally tortured, Nazim’s family state.

On November 3, the police recovered Nazim’s dead body from Memon Goth in Malir.

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Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

04 NEWS

DIabeteS caSeS IncreaSe In PakIStan: IDF KarachI

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PRess Release

HEAD of World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has released new figures showing that the prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan has increased significantly as 33 million adults in Pakistan are now living with diabetes – a 70% increase since 2019.

According to IDF, in 2021, diabetes will be responsible for 400,000 deaths in the country– the highest number in the MiddleEast and North Africa Region. These findings from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, which will be published on December 6th, report that one in four adults (26.7%) in Pakistan are living with diabetes – the highest national prevalence in the world. Pakistan now has the third highest number of people living with diabetes in the world, after China (141 million) and India (74 million). An additional 11 million adults in Pakistan have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), which places them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

More than a quarter (26.9%) of adults living with diabetes in Pakistan are undiagnosed. When diabetes is undetected or inadequately treated, people with diabetes are at risk of serious and life-threatening complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and lower-limb amputation. These result in reduced quality of life and higher healthcare costs.

IDF says that 537 million adults are now living with diabetes worldwide — a rise of 16% (74 million) since the previous IDF estimates in 2019. “The rapidly rising level of diabetes in Pakistan presents a significant challenge to the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in the country,” says Professor Abdul Basit, Director, Baqai Insti-

tute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University.

This year marks 100 years since the discovery of insulin. This milestone presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the impact of diabetes and highlights the urgent need to improve access to care for the millions affected. An estimated 1 in 2 people with diabetes across the world who need insulin cannot access or afford it.

“We must do more to provide affordable and uninterrupted access to diabetes care for

all in Pakistan, and around the world. Policy makers and health decision-makers must turn words into action to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at high risk of developing it,” concludes Basit.

Globally, 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The rise in the number of people with type 2 is driven by a complex interplay of socio-economic, demographic, environmental and genetic factors. Key contributors include urbanisation, an ageing

population, decreasing levels of physical activity and increasing levels of overweight and obesity.

Much can be done to reduce the impact of diabetes. Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented, while early diagnosis and access to appropriate care for all types of diabetes can avoid or delay complications in people living with the condition.

In Pakistan, the Diabetic Association of Pakistan has initiated the Diabetes Registry of Pakistan (DROP) and signed MOUs with

Bahria University organises international conference on Allama Iqbal Press release

Foundation University Islamabad holds annual day function Islamabad PR

Foundation University Islamabad Campus Annual Day 2021 was organized on November 12, 2021 at FUIC auditorium. Honorable Rector FUI, Maj Gen Nasir Dilawar Shah, HI (M) (Retd) was the Chief Guest of the ceremony. Director FUIC, Maj Gen Prof Dr Jawad Khaliq Ansari (HI) (M) (Retd), Dean FUCD, faculty, distinguished guests, parents/guardians and the award winner students attended the function. The ceremony began with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Quran followed by a welcome address by the Director FUIC. He appreciated the students and urged them to stay sincere to their profession and to Pakistan. Sixty- eight students of MBBS and 21 students of BDS were awarded gold & silver medals, and merit & distinction certificates. This was followed by a speech by the Rector in which he appreciated the students for their credible performance and congratulated them and their parents on this achievement.

Bahria University organized the 2nd International Conference on Iqbal 2021 on 9, 10 and 11 November 2021. The theme of the conference was “Iqbal’s Multi-Dimensional Wisdom: his Vision for the Social, Scientific and Technological Revival of the Ummah”. The Chief Guest in the Inaugural Session was the President Dr. Arif Alvi. The dignitaries as well as key note speakers included Senator Walid Iqbal, Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad, Ambassadors H.E. Mr. Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul (Turkey), H.E Mr Oybek Arif Usmanov (Uzbekistan), H.E. Mr. Khazar Farhadov (Azerbaijan), and H. E. Mr. Adam Mulawarman Tugio (Indonesia).

Main objective of the conference was to actively explore different aspects of Iqbal’s multidimensional philosophy for practical incorporation of its recommendations in the development of social and technological educational curricula.

During the inaugural address, the Chief Guest President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized that the success of the Islamic world and particularly Pakistan lies in decoding the message of Allamah Muhammad Iqbal in its true spirit. The President added that the Pakistani nation presently has no other option but to focus on scientific knowledge to make its mark in the rapidly changing world.

He further added that Iqbal’s vision of justice and morality needed to prevail in the world, where India’s acts of atrocities were being ignored in view of economic gains. During the conference, various national and international speakers and various dignitaries spoke on the occasion.

In the welcome address, the Rector Bahria University elaborated that Bahria is committed to spread Iqbal’s message both within the university as well as to the masses and this yearly conference is one such initiative. He emphasized that Allamah Muhammad Iqbal not only focused on the spiritual development but also urged Ummah for scientific and technological development.

Dr. Anis Ahmed, in his Key note speech, stressed that Iqbal based the concept of Ummah on Kalima Tayyaba

and not on the basis of language or land. Senator Waleed Iqbal, grandson of Allamah Muhammad Iqbal spoke on the importance that Iqbal gave to science and technology for a strong Muslim Ummah.

Successful staging of seminars on five tracks of the conference at the three campuses were widely attended by Iqbal Scholars and intelligentsia.

During the concluding session, the speakers included Pro Rector (Research, Innovation & Commercialization) Rear Admiral (R) Nasir Mehmood HI (M) and Mr. Abid Iqbal Khari, a young Iqbal Scholar. The speakers highlighted Iqbal’s inspiration for research, innovation and creativity. The vote of thanks was delivered by the Conference Chair Rear Admiral (R) Najmus Saqib Khan.

Tarin launches initiative to simplify tax laws Press release In a watershed development and to press his vision into practice, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, Advisor to PM on Finance & Revenue has launched the formulation of Inland Revenue Code in a bid to harmonize all inland taxation laws and maximize facilitation of taxpayers. It promises to ensure ease of doing business by removing multiplicity of taxing statutes and a plethora of rules & regulations devised to operationalize them. It is pertinent to mention that FBR, on domestic side, implements and enforces four major tax

laws i.e. the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Sales Tax Act, 1990, the Federal Excise, 2005, & the Islamabad Capital Territory (Sales Tax on Services) Ordinance, 2001. These four tax statutes are then supported by equal number of rules compiled in voluminous books comprising the Income Tax Rules, 2002, the Sales Tax Rules, 2006, the Federal Excise Rules, 2005 and the Islamabad Capital Territory (Sales Tax on Services) Rules, 2001. Resultantly, a taxpayer has to consult practically eight law books in order to engage with the tax system and pay off his/her tax liability.

It goes beyond saying that the tax laws needed harmonization and simplification.

This has long been demanded by World Bank, IMF, ADB and other bilateral and multilateral donors. Similarly, there have been pressing demands by the civil society, lawyers’ community and also superior courts who have found the above laws to be very complexed and even un-implementable. However, previous governments have not been brave enough to embrace this challenge. Keeping this in view, the PTI government has decided to harmonize all these four tax laws by merging them into one law book supple-

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mented by single rules book. It is in this context that in collaboration with ADB, a high level committee has been constituted

by FBR consisting of eminent tax professionals from public sector and legal experts from ICAP to continuously oversee and review the draft legislation to ensure quality and correctness. The said committee would monitor the drafting of harmonized Inland Revenue Code, covering all tax laws by the end of March, 2022. After consultation with all key stakeholders including chambers of commerce, trade bodies, tax practitioners and field formations over April & May, 2022, it will be

a selection of provincial ministries and private organisations to ensure the accessibility, affordability and standardisation of diabetes care in the country.

Key global and regional findings from the IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th Edition include: One in ten (10.5%) adults around the world are currently living with diabetes. The total number is predicted to rise to 643 million (11.3%) by 2030 and to 783 million (12.2%) by 2045.

1 in 6 adults (73 million) are living with diabetes in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

An estimated 240 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes worldwide – 27 million in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

Diabetes was responsible for an estimated USD 966 billion in global health expenditure in 2021. This represents a 316% increase over 15 years. The Middle-East and North Africa Region accounts for 3% (33 billion USD) of the global expenditure.

Excluding the mortality risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 6.7 million adults are estimated to have died as a result of diabetes, or its complications, in 2021. That’s more than one in ten (12.2%) of global deaths from all causes. The Middle-East and North Africa Region accounts for 12% (796,000) of total diabetes-related deaths.

41 million adults, or 10.6% of adults worldwide, have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), placing them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Almost one in nine (48 million) people affected by IGT live in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

More information and supporting data about the national, regional and global prevalence of diabetes from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas can be found at www.diabetesatlas.org.

Sania forms committee to combat cybercrime Islamabad PR

Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, SAPM convened a meeting on cyber security and measures to combat fraud and disinformation through cell phone SMS’, websites and apps. The meeting brought together senior officials and representatives from Law Division, security agencies, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and cellular mobile operators on the table. Chairman PTA, Maj Gen (Rtd) Amir Azeem Bajwa along with senior officials of Ehsaas including Secretary Ismat Tahira and DG Technology Mir Anwar were also present in the meeting. Bringing rich perspectives to the table, participants discussed the issues of fake websites, fake SMS, fake Whatsapp messages, fake apps, collecting information and defrauding innocent people using the name of Ehsaas. “To ensure zero tolerance towards digital and cyber frauds, Ehsaas will work together with all stakeholders”, vowed Dr. Sania. She constituted a joint working group with senior officials and representatives from Ehsaas Technology team, PTA and Security Agencies. “The working group will meet on the weekly cadence to map the snags in the technological ecosystem and will devise an oversight mechanism and legal amendments in the existing laws with zero tolerance for any fraudulent activity through fake SMS, Whatsapp messages, fake apps and websites”, said Dr. Sania. “I will attend weekly meetings personally”, she added.

available for presentation before the Parliament in the Budget Session, 2022 for promulgation. It is positively hoped that the new Inland Revenue Code will be enforced with effect from July 1, 2022.

This high value policy intervention is organically embedded in the larger vision of FBR to promote a culture of automation and digitization in order to ensure taxpayers’ facilitation.

In order to ensure that the Inland Revenue Code is thoroughly discussed with all major stakeholders and finally developed within the given timelines, Advisor on Finance & Revenue has directed Chairman FBR to personally review the progress of this immensely important draft law and update him on regular basis

Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

Oil falls On hiGheR DOllaR in vOlaTile week mELBOuRNE

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Agencies

Il prices drifted lower on Friday, wiping out gains from the previous session, as the dollar continued to rise on bets the US central bank will bring forward plans to raise rates to tame inflation.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $81.33 a barrel at 0128 GMT, reversing Thursday’s 25 cent gain.

Brent crude futures fell 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.62 a barrel, erasing Thursday’s gain.

Both contracts were poised to end the week roughly unchanged after sharp moves up and down, driven by a soaring dollar and speculation on whether the Biden administration might release oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to cool prices.

“The market is in a finely balanced

situation,” said Westpac senior economist Justin Smirk.

While the market is tightly supplied, he said the bigger issue is the change in the demand dynamic, as the market

moves away from a strong recovery driven by a revival in demand for goods – which has stoked energy demand – toward a recovery in demand for services.

There are positive signs on the de-

mand side, with air travel rapidly picking up, but tighter monetary and fiscal policy and the oncoming northern hemisphere winter will act as a dampener.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday cut its world oil demand forecast for the fourth quarter by 330,000 barrels per day from last month’s forecast, as high energy prices curb the recovery from COVID-19. National Australia Bank commodities analyst Baden Moore said he expects the oil market to remain tight into the third quarter of 2022 as demand continues to recover.

“OPEC+ has been very canny in its management of global supply as demand recovers from the pandemic, and the group remains well positoined from this perspective,” Moore said.

OPEC, Russia and allies, together called OPEC+, agreed last week to stick to plans to add 400,000 barrels per day to the market each month.

Bilawal meets Fazl, hopes for joint opposition strategy on EVMs, accountability laws CONTINuEd fROm pAgE 01

Gold prices witness respite of Rs450 per tola In line with the global market, domestic gold prices fell

by Rs450 per tola and Rs385 per 10 grams on Friday.

Domestic gold prices settled at Rs128,650 per tola and Rs110,297 per 10 grams owing to a declining trend in global rates. Earlier in the day, international price for the yellow metal dropped by $14 per ounce to $1,849. On Thursday, gold prices in the local bullion market soared

by Rs3,300 per tola and Rs2,829 per 10 grams to reach Rs129,100 per tola and Rs110,682 per 10 grams.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained unchanged at Rs1,480 per tola and Rs1,268.86 per 10 grams today. Monitoring report

Toyota says it will start making up for lost production in December TOKYO Agencies

Toyota Motor Corp, the world’s top-selling automaker, said on Friday it would begin making up for production lost from supply shortages in December, with factories at home in Japan returning to normal for the first time in seven months.

Toyota said it plans to produce about 800,000 vehicles globally in December, up from about 760,000 a year earlier, and keep its plan of producing 9 million vehicles worldwide during the financial year ending on March 31. Reuters first reported the plan last month.

The PPP chairman further said that he was “very happy” that he could talk with Rehman and discuss various issues with him.

During the meeting, Rehman stated that the opposition was playing a united role in the parliament in light of the difficulties being faced by the nation. He said the government had no right to

carry out electoral reforms.

“Whatever their suggestions are, we are not ready to accept them at any cost. If it (government) carries out legislation through a false majority then we will liken it to a dictatorial action — this is not the way of the parliament,” Rehman stated.

Bilawal went on to add that “We all should welcome that the parliament has won. The united

opposition has dealt a loss to the government in parliament through democratic means and this has always been our stance that work is done and successes achieved in a democratic manner.”

When questioned on the PPP potentially returning to the PDM or supporting a no-confidence motion against the government, both Bilawal and Fazl said those issues had not been discussed in the meeting.

SC releases written verdict in Tejori Heights demolition case KARACHI tLtp

The Supreme Court (SC) Karachi Registry on Friday issued written order in a case relating to the demolition of the illegal Tejori Heights built on the railways land.

On October 29, the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued directives for demolition of the illegal Tejori Heights through a short order.

The SC in its written order has said that the process of demolition of Tejori Heights and rubble removal should be completed within four months. The administration of Tejori Heights has been directed to remove files and equipment from the building in the presence of commissioner Karachi.

The commissioner should record the complete inventories of the files along with the names and complete addresses of the people, the SC written

order read.

The complete record of the inventories should be submitted to the court and the people who booked their flats in the Tejori Heights should be compensated within three months.

SC has asked the administration of Tejori Heights to comply with the court orders in letter and spirit, else action will be initiated against them.

It is notable that the legal counsel for the Tejori Heights, built near Hasan Square, 13-D on the encroached lands of Pakistan Railways, Mian Raza Rabbani, had yielded to court’s decision and has asked for some time before the reimbursement to the allottees can be done.

Rabbani has submitted before the top court that his client has agreed to give up the land of Tejori Heights, however, at the same time he sought more time in order to completely recompense the people who bought properties in the project and to raze it to the ground.

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corporate corner 500 Global representatives meet sTZa chairman

ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from global venture capital firm, 500 Global, visited the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in Islamabad to meet with Chairman STZA Mr. Amer Hashmi and his team. The delegation from 500 Global included Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner Courtney Powell, Board Member Max SchederBieschin, and Alysia Lopez, Executive Assistant to 500 Global’s CEO Christine Tsai and Ms. Powell.

Ms. Powell had previously met with the STZA delegation, led by Chairman Hashmi, last month in Dubai, to discuss investment opportunities and the burgeoning tech startup ecosystem in Pakistan.

Chairman STZA invited Ms. Powell for a visit to Pakistan to meet startups, incubators, local venture capitalists, and other stakeholders in the public and private sector that are working towards technology-driven growth in the country. In the meeting held at STZA’s Office, Chairman STZA and Ms. Powell discussed her experience visiting the tech startup community in the country, the support and mentorship that 500 Global can provide to startup founders to scale their ventures, and the firm’s plans to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. Both parties agreed to work together to identify and explore mutual areas of interest to foster innovation and promote a technology-driven knowledge ecosystem. The STZA team briefed 500 Global about the Special Technology Zones (STZs) created by the Government of Pakistan to attract foreign direct investment, allow technology transfer, boost technology exports, prioritize research & development, and foster job creation for Pakistani youth. The STZA aims to build knowledge ecosystems that will harness Pakistan’s technology potential and set the country on the trajectory of an entrepreneurial, innovative, and tech-driven future for shared prosperity and inclusive growth. “We welcome 500 Global to Pakistan and look forward to working closely with them to support the startup and technology sector in Pakistan,” said Chairman STZA, who also reinforced the government’s commitment to facilitating global venture investment in the STZs. Ms. Powell noting the government's commitment to facilitate the growth of the country's highpotential technology sector, said "We met fantastic founders in Pakistan during our visit and truly appreciate the incentives that the government has offered in its Special Technology Zones. The visit has also helped us understand how we can equip founders to establish themselves on a global level.”

500 Global is a venture capital firm that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. We work closely with key stakeholders and advise governments and corporations on how best to support entrepreneurial ecosystems so startups can thrive. 500 Global has backed over 6,000 founders representing more than 2,500 companies operating in 77 countries. Our portfolio includes 33 companies valued at more than $1 billion and 120 companies valued at over $100 million. Our team members are located in more than 15 countries and bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies. pr

Johnson & Johnson to split into two companies NEW YORK Agencies

Johnson & Johnson said on Friday it is planning to break up into two companies, splitting off its consumer health division that sells Band-Aids and Baby Powder from its large pharmaceuticals unit.

The healthcare conglomerate will separate its consumer health business into a new publicly traded company. Rival Pfizer had in 2019 combined its consumer health unit with GlaxoSmithKline in a

joint venture.

Johnson & Johnson said it is aiming to complete the planned separation in 18 to 24 months, sending its shares up 5% before the bell.

The company will retain its pharmaceuticals and medical device units, which sells drugs such as cancer treatment Darzalex.

The units are expected to generate revenue of roughly $77 billion in 2021.

“The new Johnson & Johnson and the New Consumer Health Company would each be able to more effectively allocate

resources to deliver for patients and consumers, drive growth and unlock significant value,” said Joaquin Duato, who is expected to become J&J’s chief executive officer in January.

The planned split comes days after U.S. industrial conglomerate General Electric Co (GE.N) said it would separate into three public companies to simplify its business and pare down debt. read more On Friday, Japan’s Toshiba outlined plans on Friday to split into three independent companies

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06 COMMENT

The unattainable beauty standards in the age of social media

A gallant effort Positive takeaways from World Cup Campaign

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AKISTAn may have succumbed to the immense pressure that comes with aT20 World Cup (WC)semifinal, but the manner in which it got there is nothing short of brilliant. On the day, Australia turned out to be the better team, capitalizing on opportunities provided

by Pakistan to advance to the final. That is not to say that it was a one-sided contest, as both teams dominated different stages of the match but in the end Pakistan came up short; perhaps a few more runs on the board or less expensive overs by Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi could have changed the result. nevertheless, this is not a typical Pakistan team getting knocked out of a tournament as it won all five of its Super-12 matches in spectacular fashion, the only team to have done so in the tournament. Beating India by 10-wickets in the opening match, in the presence of a pessimistic outlook about the team selection, new coaches and a new management at the PCB, was unprecedented. not only did it break the 20-year old curse of losing against India in World Cup matches, it set the foundation for performances that were to come, and the men in green surely did not disappoint, comprehensively defeating a tough new Zealand side and an unpredictable Afghanistan squad. This WC allowed Asif Ali to silence his critics by putting on display top-shelf power hitting at crucial points in key games, solidifying his spot in the batting side as a dependable finisher. Muhammad Rizwan has proven his chops as a classy batsman who not only lends crucial support to Babar Azam as an opener, but also builds an innings by playing intelligently.

However, there are two key takeaways from this campaign that are encouraging for fans who want to see Pakistan win more matches and for a struggling cricket board that has been unable to produce a stable cricketing unit for many years. One, the revelation that is Babar Azam; not as a batsman for he had already proven himself as one of the best batsmen in the world currently, but as a captain who has led his side with confidence and composure, ticking all the boxes for what makes a good skipper. And second that this is a team which played as a cohesive unit with a team spirit not witnessed in the recent past. Mistakes have been made on the field that must be learned from and fixed, but for a change, one can confidently say that Pakistan possesses one of the top cricket teams in the world that can beat anyone.

Social Media promotes body-shaming Farzana Jehan

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ny person having a physique would probably have been the subject of displeasing societal prejudices at some point in her life.

This unspecific judgment doesn't excuse a person of any age, size, shape, color, height, gender, or race. you have a body and people will tell you 100 things on how it's not fitting. From the amount of fat on our bodies to its color, there are numerous instances where an impolite person would make an impolite remark thinking it's quite polite.

Some of the most casual comments that people make regarding a person’s physique include; you look fat, you look thin, why are you so pale, so dark, so tall so short and so on. Sadly, nothing seems to fulfill the unattainable standards of body and beauty that could qualify for the society that we live in.

Ironically, our obsession with beauty standards has been existing since the start of time. From ancient times to the medieval ages to the modern era, societies created different ideals of a perfect body and a beautiful woman that fluctuated throughout history.

The intricacies in the pursuit of ideal figure include; the ancient Rome celebrating being slim, high round, narrow shoulders, small waist, wide hips and thighs, long hairless legs and rosy lips and cheeks, the industrialized period celebrated women having a small waist, rounded shoulders, high breasts and oddly small hands and feet. In addition, the slender supermodel look of the 1990s idealized women with long slender legs, angular bones and defined jaws.

Currently, there is a long list of beauty standards, with various differences existing between societies.

Clearly, no one was born with a fascination with different beauty standards, many parameters have encouraged it. The role of media, including both print and digital, has been phenomenal in this regard. Recently, social media has been extremely influential in creating and promoting a false image of the body.

Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites are full of subtle surrealist kinds of images that are almost universally appreciated. Other standards that are flaunted by individuals like having the perfect

Opposition reconciliation

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FTeR more than six months of breaking away from the grand opposition alliance dubbed the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is seemingly again warming up to the idea of a collective and concerted effort among all major parties against the PTI government under the PDM banner. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s meeting with JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a thaw in relations between the two major opposition parties, a development that surely has the blessing of the PML(n)’s leadership and which will be welcomed as a meaningful step towards putting pressure on the PTI government both in and outside of Parliament.

A lot has changed since April when the PDM broke up; the PTI evidently does not enjoy the same level of support from the establishment as it did back then owing to a not so subtle confrontation over the issue of the new DG ISI’s appointment. The economy has tanked further with inflation and rupee depreciation hitting record levels, which has naturally translated into widespread unaffordability of basic food items and utilities accompanied with joblessness. An atmosphere of political uncertainty persists with new unverifiable rumours being heard on the grapevine each day, presumably based more on historical events rather than actual credible information, signaling that the PTI government may not complete its term and an in-House change or a reelection may be on the cards.

It therefore makes perfect sense for the PPP to bury the hatchet and take advantage of a situation where the ruling party is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The recent defeats the PTI faced in Parliament where the opposition successfully passed two of its bills, forcing the former to postpone a joint session of Parliament, is a very clear indication that it can no longer be sure of its numbers in either of the Houses. The PDM is planning street protests and challenging the government in Parliament, battling against its plans to introduce electronic Voting Machines (eVMs)and changing accountability laws. It is well within its rights to pursue these goals but it is imperative that protests are peaceful and its political and legislative activities are within the confines of the Constitution.

Its formation will lead to the formation of opposing blocs Kawsar Uddin MahMUd

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He most prominent constructivist, Alexander Wendt, argued, "500 British nuclear weapons are less threatening to the United States than the five north Korean nuclear weapons" (1995). The assertion upholds the power of relationship and its competency between and among the states based on norms, beliefs and culture, though they geographically remain in a remote place. Despite 1071.7 miles distance between new york and england, their culture, norms and accord of attaining the same goal kept them allies for years.

Besides, Australia has also been reckoned a perpetual ally of the UK and the USA since it got independence from the British empire. The remote country is still under the rule of the British Monarchy, although the British Queen elizabeth II does not participate in all administrative activities of Australia. The British Queen plays ceremonial and focal symbolic roles. Constituting the aspects made Australia an eternal ally of the United Kingdom ,and intimate and anchored to the extant superpower, the USA. However, the three countries entered a remarkable trilateral security alliance, called 'AUKUS' on 15 September 2021. The initiative has been upheld and endorsed by the USA, UK and Australia, through a video conference, for enabling Australia obtain nuclear-powered submarines coming out from the generation of diesel-powered submarines. This initiative also comprises the alignment of the greater integration of military purposes, regional policies and actions, cyber-warfare and the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

As this initiative elicits, the security and military assistance to Australia from the USA and UK will ensue in the South China Sea, and the naval Group of France is conceivably going to miss out on a $90 bllion contract with Australia signed in 2016. Marking a setback for Frrrench President emmanuel Macron and his government, this initiative takes him aback.

Talking about the alliance, the security buildup facilitation to Australia is one side of the coin but the other side focuses on the root goal of the initiative that aims at confronting China in the South China

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer is freelance columnist

AUKUS- Are We Entering A New Cold War?

More trouble for PTI government?

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

skin, skin tone, hair, height and other physical features are equally celebrated by netizens around the world.

One would argue that telling the truth about someone’s appearance and flaunting one’s most desired features on the Internet is completely innocent and fine. However, it clearly is not. Seeing perfectly toned images on social media, it is difficult to not judge our image against the images shown. When half of the world goes mad over a few socially flaunted body standards, a sense of inadequacy arises amongst those who lack one or two of the features. At length, there are many physical, emotional and psychological effects that this sense of inadequacy brings for individuals whose appeal to achieve the most appropriate body standard proves insufficient and unpleasing.

Firstly, for teenage boys and girls, or anyone who seeks the most looked-for identity as something skinny, perfectly toned and slender, the goal is to be as tiny as possible. At times, such individuals might go for seriously destructive health practices, including starvation, painful physical exercises or body conditioning workouts and taking medications.

With the possible accessibility of the media to all corners of the world, it has now become possible for Social Media activists, in the form of nutritionists and health practitioners, update their feeds with interesting diet plans that promise weight loss within a week.

When followed blindly without any medical consultation, such blunt recommendations could bring disastrous health concerns. Likewise, for someone who idealizes a muscular and strong body, the struggle includes obsessive dieting, bodybuilding exercise and weightlifting. At length, some take steroids and nutritional supplements to fulfill their sense of inadequacy and to gain that model-like look. The costs of starving or overfeeding oneself, weight shedding pills, or medical treatments are agonizing for the well-being of a person.

For others whose fascination is to be fair, tanned, have the perfect locks or a super-perfect length of hair, or six feet something inches of height, the rituals are equally traumatizing and may involve the fervent application of cosmetics, home-based remedies and plastic surgery fixes to achieve that Kardashian Look.

With the advertisement of these triggering and most

desired bodily features being shared heavily each day, it is no surprise that youngsters are, consciously or subconsciously, being conditioned into believing the beauty fallacies that are shown to them and are risking their health to fulfill their inadequacies. Where the physical threats of these highly sought body images are disheartening, the psychological harm that this sense of not fitting in is even more upsetting.

In a society that places so much worth on physical appearance, and is eccentrically judgmental, it is very easy to point at a person’s weakness, disguising it as a moral responsibility. The amount of pain caused to the individual in the target is unimaginable. Done out of complete ignorance, the body-shaming remarks that are used so commonly, have an enormous effect on a person’s mental health. Concerning mental health, body shaming explodes several emotions, like embarrassment, fear, jealousy, low self-esteem, anxiety and anger. With social media, body shaming has now become even easier. It has now made it possible to target anyone that we could never have seen in life.

Body shaming can affect a person’s social and professional life. Socially, a person who thinks of herself as inadequate and imperfect, finds it hard to fit into her social circle. This sense of insecurity, in the longer run, would make the person skip social gatherings and choose isolation. Self-esteem and self-confidence are threatened which may affect a person’s performance and her entire attitude at the workplace.

The psychological, emotional, social and psychological harm that body shaming causes are reasons enough to not target any person’s physical appearance. It’s completely alright if anyone doesn’t employ the distinguishing features you DO. It is ok if the person is fat, thin, short, tall, tan, fair, has long hair, short hair or no hair at all. We all need to be acceptInG towards every other person that we are sharing the world with, without being unnecessarily judgmental.

We are all aware that everyone is born different.

It would be a lot easier and better if we start understanding THIS in terms of bodily appearance and start treating people the way they are, not the way we want them to be. In short, there is no perfect figure, the only perfection is the way the person is. We all need to be kind enough to accept it.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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Sea, the heart of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. In this initiative. none of the three leaders, Joe Biden, Boris Johnson or Scott Morrison, hinted the China concern, but it knows no bounds and AUKUS has been set up as a powerful security alliance against China's expansionist drive in the South China Sea. Johnson referred to this initiative as a 'natural alliance'. He said, "We may be separated geographically" but we are "natural allies". Morrison, however, insisted that Australia has no concealed intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. Australia will always be there to abide by the rules and regulations of the nonProliferation Treaty (nPT) which was ratified by it in 1973. Moreover, Australia joined in the Comprehensive nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1998 that also insisted on Australia's eschewing pursuing nuclear weapons. notwithstanding this, critics assert this initiative would indirectly spur the nuclear proliferation of Australia. The alliance is creating a loophole in the nPT and perhaps, making the ways facile for Australia coming to be another nuclear-weapon-powered country. Australia is evolving as the first country to make use of the loophole that will bring about questions on the legitimacy of the nPT and other international institutions by exploiting the loophole in the nPT, critics argue. no misgiving that the alliance will intensify suspicion and give rise to security dilemmaa among the nPT members and other countries surrounding the aim against China's expansionist drive.

Focusing on another spectrum, the UK has been working on the concept of 'Global Britain' for a long time. It yearns to engage with the Indo-Pacific strategy, augmenting military power and intending for a global gain with the USA Inducting the UK. The initiative would mould the shape of the neo-cold war in the region. Despite the UK's dependency on the USA, from the military perspective, the onetime world hegemonic power is newly thinking about amplifying sea power. Johnson, however, felt the significance of this trio-- the UK, US and Australia-- in the Indo-Pacific region which didn't let him think out of the box.

However, China is a rising power and the most peer competitor to the USA. A rising power never lets a superpower stay at peace. After 2000, China's emergence in world politics was like a tiger that had been asleep for a long time but by strengthening military

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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power it is becoming, with time, another lion in world politics. The USA, the most powerful lion of world politics, will never bear with such a rising of an eastern lion as its bravado and hegemony is in great danger. China's military uprising in the South China Sea etches another Thucydides' Trap in the region.

Thucydides, the writer of the History of the Peloponnesian War and predecessor of classical realism, argued 'when a rising power challenges the dominance of an established power then war is inevitable between them.' For instance, before WWI, Germany was the nearest peer competitor to Great Britain, second in military, economic and naval power, which irritated the demons of Great Britain and led it to commence WWI. Through the Thucydides' Trap, we can effortlessly discern that AUKUS is taking us into another Cold War. In 2016, the Trump administration was in the leading role of beginning the economic cold war, in the name of a 'trade war', between the USA and China imposing sanctions on hundreds of Chinese products. As a consequence, China also imposed sanctions on US products and raw materials. Scholars deemed the Democrats would bring a halt to this war but the Biden Administration incited the war with greater interest.

However, Thucydides' Trap in the South China Sea issue is very apparent. China reproached the QUAD (The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue among the USA, Japan, India and Australia) initiative since it began. Moreover, AUKUS, undoubtedly, would raise anxiety and tension in China,and in the South China Sea, strategically and militarily. China, the eastern lion, will respond necessarily as its reign is being stymied by the Western lion, the USA. AUKUS, it seems, is going to materialise another cold war. The eastern bloc and Western bloc concepts will newly arise surrounding this issue. In the meantime, Bangladesh must be astute, as it fosters relations with not only the China bloc but also the US bloc, following further military and security policies. Bangladesh's peace must not be obstructed in this ordeal maintaining friendly relations with the USA, China, India and all. As a nAM country, Bangladesh should uphold its core foreign policy 'friendship to all, malice towards none,' thus it can be competent to ensure security, economic and military peace and purposes.

The writer can Kawsarduir@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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Saturday, 13 November, 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

AJK elections and occupied Kashmir WHILe Pakistan is in deep crisis – from Corona to inflation and economic depression, crisis after crisis is crippling the life of the public – our leaders are busy playing the old game of blame and counter blame in AJK elections.

Though the circumstances demanded that either the elections be deferred, or the activities be subdued, all parties seem hell-bent on risking the lives of people for their hands on power in AJK. The stalwarts of all main parties are holding rallies and public meetings with no regard to safety or caution, especially when the Delta variant of the COVID is getting out of control. They accuse each other of selling Kashmir or not being strong on the issue. In fact, none of the parties has ever done anything worthwhile to pursue the cause of Kashmir. except for some display for public consumption and lip service, no party has ever taken a clear and strong stance on the issue. our worthy politicians are busy holding public meetings and seeking votes to form their governments and destroy the existing ones. The Indian government literally annexed the occupied Kashmir abrogating its special status and we could do nothing. except for the symbolic observance of silence and a few fiery songs, we failed to muster any support at the international level to back India off from canceling the special status of the occupied Kashmir. Unless we stand united and take a strong stance on Kashmir, nothing will change.

Raja Shafaatullah Slamabad

Global Context of Indian Reservation System The caste system is balanced by affirmative action

dr raJKUMar singh

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SySTeM of reservation or affirmative action is not uncommon to the world community and found in one way or the other in most of the countries of the globe, as the United nations Convention on the elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, held in 1969, maintains that the principles of equality sometimes requires states to take affirmative action in order to diminish or eliminate conditions which cause or help to perpetuate discrimination in society and as such prevalent in the USA, the UK, China, Canada, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Japan, Israel, Malaysia, norway, Romania, new Zealand, South Korea, South Africa, Sweden, Sri Lanka and a host of others, however, what is unique is its basis-caste, although in general, affirmative action refers to a set of policies and practices within a government or organisation seeking to include particular groups based on their gender, race, sexuality, creed or nationality in areas in which they are unrepresented or underrepresented, especially in education and employment.

The nature and extent of reservation also varies from region to region and country to country, ranging from a hard quota to merely targeting encouragement for increased participation. While under a quota system a certain percentage of government jobs, political positions, and school vacancies must be reserved for members of a certain group, in others the political system of the time boosts, and motivates the unprivileged to compete with the other on merit and status, a concept accepted historically and globally to achieve goals such as bridging inequalities in employment and pay, increasing access to education and redressing apparent past wrongs, harms, or hindrances.

In independent India, caste has been made the single basis of reservation because historically the people were known as rigid social groups characterised by hereditary transmission of life style, occupation and social status. Although it has its origin in ancient India, it continued in a transformed form in medieval, Mughal and British periods.

The oldest concept of Varna, which literally means type, order or class, was largely a framework, first used in Vedic Indian society. It divided the whole society in four different parts on

the basis of works done by them. traditionally as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.

At that time the word ‘Jati’, meaning ‘birth’ was least heard despite the existence of thousands of jatis and wwa not applied universally due to caste being more flexible and diverse than we often assume. Over centuries, caste became popular and was decided based on religion; ritual ranking existed within the jatis, however, an important role was also played by economics, politics, and geography, thus ultimately making it a loosely knitted framework.

In the later developments after the collapse of the Mughals and the rise of the British colonial government, the term caste was popularised as the British began to give several concessions on caste-based rules. earlier, the downfall of the Mughal period witnessed the rise of many powerful men who associated themselves with kings, priests and ascetics affirming the regal and martial form of the caste ideal and it also reshaped many apparently casteless social groups into differentiated caste communities. In the British Raj too, the process of reshaping the caste continued further making the caste system more rigid in an organizational form and a central mechanism of administration.

It flourished specially between 1860 and 1920, when the British formulated the caste system into the system of governance by giving mostly administrative jobs and senior appointments to Christians and selected castes. When after the 1920s social unrest increased in proportion they initiated the policy of positive discrimination by reserving certain percentage of government jobs for the lower castes and after independence of the country the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, was incorporated in the constitution of the country by making first amendment in the year 1951.

Thus, throughout the period Jatis have existed in India among Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and tribal people with no clear linear order among them. Presently, there are four types of reservations prevalent in India of which three are caste-based and the last one is on the basis of economic backwardness, for the economically Weaker Section (eWS) having 10 percent reservation by

passing the 103rd Amendment Reservation, implemented in 2019.

On attainment of Independence the first instruction regarding reservation was issued on 21 September 1947 which provided for 12.5 percent vacancies to be reserved for Scheduled Castes in open competition and in others it was 16,2,3 percent while in another resolution dated 13 September 1950, five percent reservation was provided for Scheduled Tribes. Again, it was revised in the light of the census report which registered their population at 14.64 percent and 6.80 percent respectively, the percentage of their reservation increased from 12.5.and 5 percent to 15 and 7.5 percent according to a notification issued on 25 March 1970.

On the other hand, the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are described in the Constitution of India (Article 340) as socially and educationally backward classes which comprised roughly 52 percent of the total population as mentioned in the Mandal Commission report of 1980 and are entitled to get 27 percent reservations in public sector employment and higher education as per a decision of the Supreme Court of India delivered in 1992.

The list of OBCs is maintained by the Indian Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment but their number still remain fluctuating because of inclusion and removal of certain castes and communities from time to time, it however, is effective like the reservation of SCs/STs, in all recruitment to public sector undertakings, both under the central and state governments along with nationalised banks.

In another significant development, the Constitutional Amendment Act passed in 2019, by amending Article 15 and 16 of the Indian constitution and with reference to Article 143, provide for a 10 percent reservation in education and government jobs in India for economically Weaker Sections (eWS). Thus, of the total government jobs under central and state governments 59.50 percent have been reserved, with a caste basis for 49.50 percent while 10 percent for eWS, leaving only 40.50 percent of seats to be allocated on open merit

The Constitutional Amendment Act passed in 2019, by amending Article 15 and 16 of the Indian constitution and with reference to Article 143, provide for a 10 percent reservation in education and government jobs in India for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Thus, of the total government jobs under central and state governments 59.50 percent have been reserved, with a caste basis for 49.50 percent while 10 percent for EWS, leaving only 40.50 percent of seats to be allocated on open merit

The writer is head of the political science department and dean of the Social Sciences faculty of the B.N.Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar, India. He can be reached at rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

Ulema on Domestic Violence

SIR, I fail to understand the opposition by our Ulema to domestic violence, which is a crime. Their argument is as ludicrous as the decision given by CCI in May 2013, that DnA cannot be accepted as primary evidence against a rapist. Male chauvinism has no place in the religion of Islam, nor is there a single incidence during the life of Holy Prophet PBUH where violence against any women, including a wife has been condoned. Islam emphasizes on the acquisition of knowledge in science, medicine, technology, economics etc. so that it be used for the welfare of human beings.

DnA is not a creation of scientists, but a discovery of what existed in nature for billions of years. Islam means submission to Almighty Allah SWT and therefore it is binding upon Muslims that dignity of human beings be respected and all must be equal before law. The welfare Islamic state must exist and precede the imposition of Sharia penalties for any violations and excesses. Why is it that our Ulema chose to remain silent when citizens in a Muslim majority state are denied basic human rights and organized criminals openly and forcibly occupies state and private land and women denied inheritance in accordance to Holy Quran, or punishing criminals involved in pedophilia within few seminaries and other abuses of power by powerful individuals or groups. All human beings enjoy equal rights in Islam and there is no discrimination. If a man has irreconcilable differences with his wife he has the option to seek divorce in accordance with Sharia Laws instead of beating her to death, or inflicting injuries to her? Islam gives women the right to choose their life partner in marriage, yet we witness this basic right being denied on one pretext or another. malik tariq ali lahore

Local bodies system

THe local body system was in place and working before the independence. Unfortunately, post-independence, it lost all value and form. The leadership of our political parties portrays themselves as champions of democracy, but all parties have failed to follow the democratic norms.

We have wasted 74 years in search of a workable system that ensures power to the people — a system that would ensure freedom of expression, value for diversity, equity, and above all respect for human dignity. Our country has seen champions of the cause of democracy fighting to the death to resist the transfer of power to people through the local bodies system. even during martial law, we witnessed democratic norms and local body systems, which delivered to some extent. Be it the municipal elections during the Zia era or successive governments, or the nazim system by Musharraf, a local body system being closer to problems of the common person delivered.

Unfortunately, since democracy took over in 2009, the grassroots democratic system has been bypassed by the provincial governments creating a divide between the government and the people. Funds have been wasted and the bodies are more susceptible to corruption. Money is spent on the whims of provincial governments who are more focused on their popularity and grip on power than the problems of people.

The provinces resisted devolution of power to lower levels and would only hold local body elections under instructions of the apex courts. even then they would make the local bodies toothless. It is about time for our political parties to realise that problems of people are best solved by devolving power to the grassroots and people must be empowered through a strong and powerful local bodies system.

Raja Shafaatullah ISlamabad

Dangerous highway

DeSPITe being the largest province of Pakistan, Balochistan is also the most neglected. The residents of Balochistan face innumerable problems on a daily basis and their cry for help often falls on deaf ears. At present, the most pressing concern is the “dangerous” highway that connects Quetta to Karachi. The highway has become a hotspot for fatal accidents with at least one accident being reported every day.

The main reason for this is the narrow path and an absence of a median strip to separate the opposing lanes of the road. Most often drivers are unable of deciphering whether it is a double road or a single road.

The road itself is in a poor condition with potholes and speed bumps along the way. The absence of the motorway police further causes disorderliness.

In recent years, many deadly accidents have taken place, yet the authorities have remained unalarmed by the dangers of the highway. I request both the federal and the provincial government to look into the matter at their earliest. They must close the highway immediately and restructure it to ensure the safety of all the drivers and passengers. muhammad Zarif balochistan

Saturday, 13 November, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

there’s An $80 billion hole in indiA’s climAte Pledge A BIG BOTTLENECK TO CUTTING EMISSIONS IS THE FAILURE TO DEPOLITICIZE THE NATION’S POWER INDUSTRY

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ANDY MUKHERJEE

Hen it comes to saving the planet, the ambition of india’s reach is praiseworthy. the challenge lies in the weakness of its grasp. after emphasizing for years that a pathway to going green was more important than a deadline, india surprised delegates at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow by announcing a net zero goal for emissions by 2070. More onerous than that longer-term commitment is the intention to use nonfossil-fuel sources for half of its energy needs by 2030. it’s a daunting target. the share of renewables in the country’s current energy mix

is only 12%. Besides, the third-largest emitter would guzzle 2.5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030, almost double what it required at the start of the decade. still, the world’s lowest-cost solar and second-lowest-cost wind producer can deliver on its pledge, provided a 6 trillion indian rupee ($80 billion) hole in the heart of the country’s power system can be filled. that’s the quantum of accumulated financial liabilities at india’s electricity distribution companies, or discoms. this large overhang crimps their ability to pay on time, forcing them to run up operational debt to electricity suppliers and transmission firms. according to the most recent government data, discoms’ payment arrears are now nearly $14 billion, almost a fifth of which are claims of renewable power producers. in most of india’s 28 states, these utilities are controlled by local governments. a 22.3% “technical and commercial loss” — euphemism for free electricity to farmers and power theft — means that the distribution firms never quite manage to find their footing, despite several restructuring attempts.

their shaky financial position hurts generators, including clean-energy firms. Many discoms now have outstanding dues of between six and 12 times their monthly bills.

Without reforming this bankrupt industry, india will struggle to meet its bold target of raising nonfossil-fuel generation capacity — including hydroelectric and nuclear power — to 500 gigawatts by 2030, up from roughly 150 gigawatts now.

But that’s easier said than done. During last year’s COViD-19 lockdown, the government of Prime Minister narendra Modi provided $17 billion in emergency liquidity support to discoms to prevent them from defaulting. since new Delhi was loathe to ratchet up public debt, it relied on a couple of public-sector financiers to do the job. they borrowed and funneled the money to the utilities to pay suppliers — including the state-owned ntPC ltd., the country’s no. 1 power producer.

However, the catch was that state governments had to guarantee the concessional loans taken by their discoms. according to iCRa ltd., the indian affiliate of Moody’s

investors service, seven states extended almost $14 billion in such guarantees. technically, these are contingent liabilities, though in practice they’re proving to be very real.

Recently, when power distributors in three states couldn’t pay their arrears to ntPC, the Reserve Bank of india intervened and deducted money from their governments’ accounts at the RBi. this is a pass-the-parcel game, where a higher branch of the government lends to entities controlled by a lower branch, and then gets bills of its own producer paid. Privatesector investors, who must do the heavy lifting for india to hit its clean-energy goals, won’t be getting these favors: they will have to run around to get paid even as state politicians threaten to renegotiate long-term power purchase agreements.

How then to reform discoms? Better software and demand-management systems may boost their ability to absorb renewables, as sumant sinha, chairman of Renew energy Global PlC, one of india’s biggest producers of clean electricity, told Bloomberg news last month. However, efficiency gains alone won’t address the problem of being stuck with older vintages of more expensive power purchase deals.

“Utilities which enjoy superior contracts will have cheaper power — it has less to do with management skills,” says energy ana-

lyst Rahul tongia at the new Delhi-based Center for social and economic Progress. an overdue change may be to move wholesale demand away from long-term agreements to spot power exchanges, which today handle only about 5% of electricity consumed in india.

Giving retail consumers more choice by allowing multiple distribution companies to share the wires and poles appears attractive in theory, though as a government think tank noted recently, it’s not necessary that an open market will be more competitive. even in Mumbai, which has a long tradition of private power supply, consumers who want to switch suppliers face heavy regulatory charges, making migration unviable. the biggest bottleneck is perverse incentives. as long as free electricity for pumping groundwater remains a popular ploy to garner farmers’ votes, politicians won’t want to lose control of discoms, not when they know that a federal government bailout will inevitably arrive every few years. But without a modicum of political will to depoliticize power, the promise of india’s renewables industry may disappear in the country’s $80 billion distribution ditch.

Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services.

Why bolsonAro's dAys mAy be numbered A PAlestiniAn ultimAtum Aimed BUSINESS SECTORS FEAR THE NOW LESS POPULAR PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO'S BID TO RETAIN POWER WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR ANOTHER ‘RED’ GOVERNMENT UNDER LULA DA SILVA cLarin/WorLd crunch

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AliDAD VAssigH

Razil is presently like a candle burning at both ends. the populist government of President Jair Bolsonaro is increasingly rejected by poorer voters and the middle class amid an economic crisis. this is hurting his popularity rates and thus, reelection chances ahead of next year's race. Markets are also signaling that they have lost some of their confidence in a supposedly business-friendly government.

Most recently, they reacted badly to a decision by Bolsonaro and his economy minister, Paulo Guedes, to discard limits on public spending and boost social allocations to restore the president's battered electoral profile. the final headache, for now, is the Brazilian senate's harsh report on Bolsonaro's handling of a pandemic that has killed 600,000 Brazilians. its inquiry was the work of a multiparty commission led by the conservative senator Renan Calheiros of the Brazilian Democratic Movement. this is an old and powerful party once allied with the Workers' Party (Pt) before crucially voting in 2016 to impeach the socialist President Dilma Rousseff, paving the way for Bolsonaro's presidency. the most grievous part of the 1,200-page report is what may be termed the most convincing arguments made yet for impeaching Bolsonaro, over and above dozens of previous motions tabled in parliament. the commission has in this instance accused the president of crimes against humanity, incitement to crime, perversion of justice, misuse of public money and deceit among a total of nine offenses. it also calls for 77 others to be charged including the president's three sons, a senator, a member of the lower legislature and a municipal councilor. its conclusions were damning to former and current public health officials.

LULA FREE TO RUN: the report is political, and thus is not a court order. But it will circulate throughout the judicial apparatus, including in the supreme Court, which in March reversed the corruption conviction of former President luis inacio lula da silva. lula left jail and is now free to run again for the presidency in 2022. these amount to an onslaught that Bolsonaro has sought to dismiss with smiles, jokes and disdain. He termed the senate report a "comedy." the past has in fact caught up with him in two ways.

During the peak of the pandemic in 2020, the president had already floated the idea of state aid for Brazilians worst hit by the subsequent economic crisis, especially in northeastern Brazil. some 60 million Brazilians came to receive aid, paid promptly every month, which made up for jobs lost and businesses closed in the pandemic. But the government ordered those payments halted in January 2021. throughout 2020, Bolsonaro managed to garner support levels exceeding 40%, though these have fallen to 30% today, with a 65% rejection rate. the senate's report will likely make that worse, though this does mean automatic gains for lula. the reasons for Bolsonaro's troubles are entirely real. annual inflation is well above 10%, while 14% of the workforce is now jobless. in addition, the country's biggest private bank, Banco itaú, expects a recession for 2022, with the economy shrinking by 0.5%. the worst part is it all confounds the government's cheery promises of 2.5% growth for

that period — precisely in the run-up to the elections set for October 2022. the government's turnabouts are unnerving the country's top tier of political power. Until recently, markets considered Guedes an impeccably orthodox economist, yet he is the one who decided to ditch the constitutional cap on public spending and finance a social program costing an extra five billion dollars. He wasn't deceiving anyone. He said that in an electoral year "obviously everyone wants to spend," adding that this was intended to help Bolsonaro keep the presidency. in his plan, politics trumps balancing the books.

But that immediately raised the dollar price in Brazil, with the sao Paulo securities index falling over 7% in a week.

Four senior economy ministry officials resigned in protest.

Disruptions in business and finance will have repercussions in politics. important economic players are worried that Bolsonaro's antics with the pandemic and a whiplash spending policy will pave the way for lula's return. they do not like his erratic positions, which they feel have wasted the golden opportunity of lula's jail time and absence of a substitute. this business sector fears in lula, perhaps exaggeratedly, the return of the interventionist and spendthrift left. stock markets indices fell and the dollar rose when he was freed from jail and when certain polls suggest his support is growing.

Observers are wondering: is this sector in parliament and corporations working to overthrow Bolsonaro to block lula's return? it's not a simple maneuver, as there's no parliamentary majority for it, but reveals the doubts at the apex of the Brazilian power structure on whether or not Bolsonaro'sreelection makes sense. a conservative movement rejecting both lula and Bolsonaro may have fizzled out, allowing the president to base a strategy on the absence of alternatives. the only possible contender — the former justice minister and anti-corruption judge sergio Moro — is far behind the two main candidates as of now.

Bolsonaro has another chance too, in that lula lacks the overwhelming support he enjoyed a decade back. He is also unable to shake off the burden of corruption that sank his party under his successor, Dilma Rousseff. this might explain why polls have shown lula's shrinking lead in recent months, though he still precedes Bolsonaro in voting intentions.

CARDOSO'S BLESSING: a factor being overlooked is that lula has some support in the business sectors now turning on Bolsonaro. the Banco itaú gave lula its backing ahead of his first victory in 2002. and it wasn't a foolish move, as the first lula government surprised all: sundry with its careful economics, this period ensured record profits for the private banking sector. that presidency was also able to manage debts inherited from the preceding, center-right government led by Henrique Cardoso. But those were booming years for commodities and the Chinese market boosted Brazil's economy. today, lula would have to be far more creative amid diminished revenues and volatile prospects for the world economy. it may precisely be faith in his creativity and sensible pragmatism that recently led the veteran Cardoso to give his blessing to lula's presidential run. that may give lula crucial support from the political center, and might even help him form a competent government.

At shAking the stAtus quo

Project Syndicate

P

DAOUD KUTTAB

alestinian President Mahmoud abbas was only ten years old when the United nations was established. in september, he addressed its 76th General assembly and issued a bold ultimatum: israel has one year to withdraw from the Palestinian territory it occupied in 1967, including east Jerusalem, or the Palestinians would no longer recognize israel based on the 1967 borders and they would take the occupation before the international Court of Justice. abbas, like more than half of Palestinians, is a refugee. He still possesses his family’s land deed from what is now the israeli city of safed — a deed that, he pointed out, is registered as part of the U.n.’s records. this state of affairs is not, he made clear, the Palestinians’ fault: “to those who claim there is no Palestinian partner for peace and that we do not ‘miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity,’ i challenge them to demonstrate that we have rejected even once a genuine and serious initiative to achieve peace.” to be sure, in september 1967, in the wake of the June war, arab leaders committed to the socalled three nos: “no peace with israel, no recognition of israel, no negotiations with it.” But the opposite is true today. as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad shtayyeh recently noted, it is now israel that refuses to talk with abbas, engage in any good-faith negotiations, or recognize the state of Palestine. By contrast, abbas affirms that the Palestinians are “ready to work throughout this year on the delineation of borders and solving all final-status issues under the auspices of the international Quartet” (the U.n., the United states, the european Union and Russia), and in accordance with U.n. resolutions. But, when a year is up, israel must end its occupation.

Of course, israel’s leaders do not intend to do any such thing, and it seems unlikely that their american partners will put much pressure on them.

Yes, when israeli Prime Minister naftali Bennett visited the White House last month, U.s. President Joe Biden predictably affirmed his administration’s opposition to israeli settlement-building and paid lip service to the two-state solution.

But there is no reason to believe that Biden plans to push israel on either of these issues, not least to avoid rupturing the country’s fragile governing coalition. in fact, Bennett and Biden reportedly agreed that the time is not ripe for direct Palestinian-israeli negotiations. apparently, they want to address the “quality-of-life” issues facing the 5 million Palestinians under military occupation, without working to remove the cause of those issues.

Palestinians have reached a breaking point, and this is partly abbas’s own fault. last april, he again postponed legislative elections — supposedly over a dispute about voting in east Jerusalem, but actually to avoid a loss for his Fatah party — and used force against protesters. When people have been living under occupation for so long, and their political process is effectively shut down, their mood will inevitably turn grim. already, violence has been replacing diplomacy as the primary means of engagement between israelis and Palestinians. last May, Hamas fired rockets from Gaza toward israeli population centers. the summer was marked by near-daily Molotov-cocktail attacks and armed resistance to israeli forces. While israel responded with brutal efficiency, Hamas showed that it was prepared to fight. in response to the violence, israel imposed new economic restrictions on the Gaza strip. it then declared that the reconstruction process in Gaza, beginning with the lifting of the illegal blockade, would be conditioned upon a prisoner exchange. and yet, israel’s refusal to offer concessions made agreement on an exchange impossible. tensions continued to rise. it was against this background that six Palestinian prisoners escaped in early september from Gilboa Prison, one of israel’s most secure facilities. as the men were hunted and captured, rocket fire was exchanged between israel and Gaza. Hamas — which holds two israeli soldiers in custody and the bodies of two other israeli military personnel who were involved in the 2014 attack on Gaza — has now pledged to demand the release of the onetime escapees.

While all of this has unfolded, the U.s. has taken little action. the Biden administration has failed to produce any political framework for ending the israeli-Palestinian conflict; it has not even endorsed a “roadmap” to a solution. Whereas previous U.s. presidents appointed an israel-Palestinian peace envoy, the only american official tasked with following up on the conflict today is a deputy assistant secretary of state. like previous U.s. administrations, however, the Biden administration has continued to shower the israelis with money. it is now an accomplice in the denial of the Palestinian people’s right to selfdetermination. and it is at least partly to blame for whatever violence transpires. as abbas put it in his U.n. speech, “Our patience and the patience of our people have limits.”

For decades, israelis have essentially gotten a pass from the world to occupy Palestinian lands, because of the horrific crimes against Jews during World War ii. But this can no longer be an excuse to subjugate the Palestinians. the time has come to end the israeli blockade of Gaza, enact a genuine settlement freeze as demanded by U.n. security Council Resolution 2334 and engage in genuine negotiations aimed at ending the occupation. abbas wants to see progress toward peace before he departs the political scene. With his U.n. ultimatum, he hoped to shake the U.s. from its complacency and force israel to engage in real negotiations to end the occupation. Palestinians will not accept anything less.

DaoudKuttab, a former journalism professor at Princeton University, is the founder and former director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al-Quds University in Ramallah.

Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

corporate corner Gas utilities sign MoU to carry out due diligence of Gas Meter Manufacturing Plant to enter joint venture

KARACHI: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between SSGC and SNGPL for jointly exploring opportunities for improving business sustainability, efficiency and productivity of Meter Manufacturing Plant (MMP) located in SSGC, Karachi. Ali J. Hamdani, MD, SNGPL and Imran Maniar, MD, SSGC inked the MoU at a simple ceremony held at the SSGC’s Head Office on Friday. The MoU pledges for initiation of a detailed technical, financial, commercial, legal and regulatory due diligence of MMP owned by SSGC with the objective to take decision for the parties to enter into joint venture arrangement. Senior officials from both the companies were also present at the meeting. pr

TEVTA goes digital, launches new website

RUPEE ToUChEs hisToRiC low oF 176 in inTERbAnk MARkET T HE Pakistani rupee on Friday reached an all-time low against the US dollar, slumping to to Rs176 in the interbank market in intraday trading. In the open market, meanwhile, the dollar rose by Rs1.70 and was being traded at Rs178.

On Thursday, the PKR had dropped to 174.19 against the USD. Earlier on October 27, the dollar had crossed the Rs175 mark to set a new record.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the PKR closed at 175.73 against the USD after a day-on-day depreciation of Rs1.54 or 0.88 per cent.

A report by Dawn while quoting Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) Chairman Zafar Paracha states that although the dollar had depreciated to Rs169.50 after Saudi Arabia revived financial support and oil supplies to Pakistan, “the statement from PM’s Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tarin predicting a further rise in the dollar’s value provided space to speculators and they manipulated the market.

He said only an intervention from the central bank could contain the skyrocketing value of the greenback and demanded action against banks allegedly involved in the dollar speculation.

RUPEE HAS LOST ALMOST 14PC SINCE HIGH ACHIEVED ON MAY 7

The rupee has lost nearly 10pc of its value against the US dollar from the beginning of the calendar year

MSCI adds three Pakistani securities to Frontier Markets Index HABIB BANK, LUCKY CEMENT AND MCB BANK WILL BE ADDED TO THE FRONTIER MARKETS INDEX AT AN AGGREGATE WEIGHT OF 1.25PC

KARACHI: Chairperson Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Ali Salman Siddique launches new website which is its first ever interactive website under Digital transformation of Punjab. While speaking on occasion, Ali Salman Sididque explained the features of new website and said that the newly launched website would be one of the largest designed website in Punjab as well as most Hi-Tech in Government Sector as the new website has changed communication from the focus on management previously to a student under the new communication policy by Chairperson. He went on to say that the website demonstrates TEVTA’S long transformation from a Conventional skill provider to one based on a Hi-tech modern Ecosystem. The website entails key details of the rich history of TEVTA as the institute has and the diverse technologies offered for its students with a new graphical interface explaining all courses details, providing career guidance through Career Pathways, inclusive of local, international of entrepreneurial, he said. The Chairperson TEVTA added, "Moreover for the first time TEVTA has highlighted its Faculty Potential boasting of 21 Ph.D and 200+ Mphils. The Website further have research publications of the faculty and TEVTA’s specialized institutes under service centers." pr

09

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Inc. has transferred three Pakistani stocks to its MSCI Frontier Markets Index (FMI), with the change set to take place on November 30.

“As previously announced, the MSCI Pakistan Indexes will be reclassified from Emerging Markets to Frontier Markets in one step coinciding with this Index Review. Three Pakistani securities will be added to the MSCI Frontier Markets Index at an aggregate weight of 1.25 per

cent,” read a statement, released late on Thursday.

According to the details, three Pakistani stocks, including Habib Bank, Lucky Cement and MCB Bank, have been added to the MSCI Frontier Markets Indexes List following their removal from MSCI Global Standard Indexes.

Furthermore, a report by Business Recorder said that 14 Pakistani companies have been added to MSCI Pakistan Index Frontier Markets small-cap indexes.

They are Bank Alfalah, Engro Corporation, Engro Fertilizers, Fauji Fertilizer Co, Hub-Power Co, Mari Petroleum, Millat Tractors, Pakistan Oilfields, Pakistan Petroleum, Pakistan State Oil Co, Searle Pakistan, Systems, TRG Pakistan and United Bank.

Earlier, in September, Pakistan was downgraded from its status as an emerging market, a little over four years after it was reclassified from the Frontier Markets (FM) Index by MSCI. Monitoring report

to date, but almost 14pc since its recent high achieved on May 7. Monitoring report

Cars’ sale surges 38pc in 4MFY22 ISLAMABAD app

Car sales during the first four months of current fiscal year 2021-22 (4MFY22) has surged by 38 per cent as compared to the same period of last year, data released by Pakistan Automobile Manufacturing Association (PAMA) said on Friday.

According to the data, as many as 31,934 cars were sold during the period under review as compared to 23,146 units in same period of last year.

On yearly basis, sales increased by 34.46 per cent in October as compared to same month of the preceding year. The sale of cars rose to 8,619 units in October as compared to 6,410 units during same period of previous year.

The breakup figures showed that 10,444 units of Honda Civic and City were sold during 4MFY22 as compared to the sale of 8,344 units last year, thus showing a jump of 25.16 per cent.

Toyota Corolla sales also rose by 101 per cent, surging to 9,937 units compared to 4,928 units in same period of previous year.

Suzuki Swift sales, however, went down by 39.62 per cent as its sale declined to 489 units from 810 units during 4MFY21.

Further, sales of Cultus increased to 11,454 units in the corresponding period whereas during same period last year, the sale was recorded at 4,079 units.

Meanwhile, the sale of motorbikes increase by 0.55 per cent as it rose to 628,242 units in the period under review as compared to the sale of 624,818 units in the corresponding period of last year.

Domestic sector to get gas thrice a day for essential needs only LAHORE news desk

The government is going to provide gas to the residential sector only three times a day with the ‘bare minimum supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG)’ during December through March to minimise gas shortages in the country, Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar on informed the Senate on Friday.

The minister said that gas domestic reserves were fast depleting and the gas prices had not been increased since 2019.

A report by a local media outlet claims that this is part of the Gas Load Management Plan for winter 2021-22 presented to the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) at a meeting presided over by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar.

“Gas to residential sector shall be provided three times a day for cooking only,” the meeting was informed by the Petroleum Division, adding that “RLNG diversion [to domestic consumers] to be made bare mini-

mum keeping in view the operational stability of the system”.

The meeting was informed that gas supply to dedicated consumers — power and fertiliser sectors — on independent system outside the national pipeline network was expected to remain stable without any unforeseen eventuality.

Moreover, extensive media campaigns would be run by the gas companies and the government for conservation of gas and promotion of cheaper incentivised electricity for water and space heating.

While responding to a calling attention notice raised by Senators Sherry Rehman and Saleem Mandviwalla about ongoing crisis in the gas supply to consumers, Azhar said that around 70 per cent gas demand was being met through domestic reserves while remaining 30 per cent was fulfilled through import. “Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) was very expansive as compared to the local gas,” he added.

Speaking in the House, Sherry Rehman

said that Sindh was producing 70 per cent gas but the facility was not provided to the people of the province.

The minister answered that Sindh’s share in total gas production was 38 per cent, while Balochistan’s share stood at 40 per cent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) contributed 12 per cent and Punjab 8 to 9 per cent.

He categorically refuted the news item that gas would be available for only three days in a week. Regarding the Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project, he informed that the project was delayed due to international sanctions on Iran. “Negotiation with Russia over the North-South Pipeline Project; however, is underway,” he added.

The minister said two more LNG terminals were being set up but they were purely based on business to business model and the government would not pay its rent.

“One terminal was being set up of Japanese company Mitsubishi and other was a local consortium with the assistance of Qatar,” he said.

Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Qatar to act as Us diplomatic representative in afghanistan: Blinken WaShinGTOn

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Agencies

HE United States on Friday agreed to set up an interests section in Afghanistan under Qatar, assisting US citizens following the shuttering of the embassy during the Taliban takeover.

Welcoming his Qatari counterpart to Washington, US State Secretary Antony Blinken signed an agreement that established Qatar as the United States’ “protecting power in Afghanistan” with the Gulf ally to establish a US interests section at its Kabul embassy.

Qatar will establish a US interests section within its own embassy in Kabul to pro-

vide consular and other services to American citizens in Afghanistan, Blinken said.

Qatar will also assume responsibility for the security and protection of now-vacant US diplomatic facilities in the Afghan capital.

The US has numerous protecting power agreements in countries where it does not have diplomatic representation. Those notably include Switzerland in Iran, Sweden in North Korea and the Czech Republic in Syria.

“Let me again say how grateful we are for your leadership, your support on Afghanistan, but also to note that our partnership is much broader than that,” Blinken told Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

Qatar, home to a major US military base, has played a major role both in the diplomacy and the evacuations as the US ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan.

Around half of the 124,000 Westerners and Western-allied Afghans flown out in the waning days of the US military involvement transited through Qatar.

The Qataris earlier played host to negotiations between the US and Taliban that led to the February 2020 agreement for the US to withdraw troops.

Since the Taliban takeover, US embassy operations in Kabul have been relocated to Qatar.

The US closed down its embassy in Kabul, which was one of its largest in the world, in August as it became clear that the

Western-backed government was falling, with diplomats destroying sensitive materials and taking down the flag.

Despite the Taliban’s draconian 19962001 regime and years of war with the US, American officials have been cautiously optimistic on dealing with the Taliban, saying that the group is largely carrying out prom-

ises to let people leave the country.

But the US has ruled out any immediate recognition or reopening of its embassy in Kabul, saying it is waiting to see that the Taliban make good on other concerns including on the treatment of women and prohibiting Al Qaeda from basing operations in Afghanistan.

A million Afghan children at risk of dying amid acute malnutrition: WHO GEnEVa ReuteRs

northeastern chinese port city battles growing covid-19 cluster BEiJinG ReuteRs

A growing Covid-19 cluster in China’s Dalian has spurred the northeastern port city to limit outbound travel, cut offline school classes and close a few cultural venues after being told by national authorities to contain the outbreak more quickly. Dalian reported 52 locally transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms on Thursday, a daily count higher than any other Chinese city affected in an ongoing nationwide outbreak since mid-October, and more than doubling from 21 cases a day earlier, official data showed on Friday. A total of 1,149 local cases were found in China between Oct. 17 and Nov 11. While the number is tiny compared with many outbreaks outside the country, local authorities have exerted resources to put out the flare-up with Beijing not expected to change its zero-tolerance policy any time soon. “Various measures should be quickened and their quality should be improved, in order to get the outbreak under control in a shorter amount of time and to minimise the outbreak’s impact on manufacturing and life of the general public,” the National Health Commission said on Thursday, citing a meeting chaired by the commission’s director in Dalian. The number of people travelling out of Dalian has dropped by 96.5% to 918 per day on average, a local transportation official said late on Thursday, after the city of 7.5 million people imposed curbs on public transport and warned residents against leaving Dalian for unnecessary reasons. The city has demanded kindergartens and primary and high schools halt offline lessons, closed a number of libraries and museums, and started a second round of city-wide mass testing campaign. On Friday, Dalian called on its residents not to leave their home unless it is necessary. Dalian, a leading port for seafood shipments as well as fruit and some meats, has also ordered all businesses handling imported chilled and frozen foods to suspend operations, according to the state-backed newspaper Global Times. As of Nov. 11, mainland China had reported 98,099 confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 patients, including both local cases and those arriving from abroad. The total death number remained at 4,636.

Around 3.2 million Afghan children are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of this year, with 1mn of them at risk of dying, a World Health Organisation spokesperson said Friday.

“It’s an uphill battle as starvation grips the country,” Margaret Harris told Geneva-based journalists by telephone from the capital Kabul. “The world must not and cannot afford to turn its back on Afghanistan.”

Earlier, a senior United Nations official warned that millions of Afghans, including children, could die of starvation unless urgent action is taken to pull Afghanistan back from the brink of collapse, as he called for frozen funds to be freed for humanitarian efforts.

World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley told Reuters that 22.8 million people — more than half of Afghanistan’s 39 million population — were facing acute food insecurity and “marching to starvation”

compared to 14 million just two months ago.

“Children are going to die. People are going to starve. Things are going to get a lot worse,” he said in Dubai.

Afghanistan was plunged into crisis in August after Taliban fighters drove out a Western-backed government, prompting donors to hold back billions of dollars in assistance for the aid-de-

pendent economy.

The food crisis, exacerbated by climate change, was dire in Afghanistan even before the takeover by the Taliban, whose new administration has been blocked from accessing assets held overseas as nations grapple with how to deal with the hardline Islamists.

“What we are predicting is coming true much faster than we anticipated.

Kabul fell faster than anybody anticipated and the economy is falling faster than that,” Beasley said.

He said dollars earmarked for development assistance should be repurposed for humanitarian aid, which some nations have already done, or frozen funds be channelled through the agency.

“You’ve got to unfreeze these funds so people can survive.”

The UN food agency needs up to $220 million a month to partially feed the nearly 23 million vulnerable people as winter nears.

Many Afghans are selling possessions to buy food with the Taliban unable to pay wages to civil servants, and urban communities are facing food insecurity on levels similar to rural areas for the first time.

WFP tapped its own resources to help cover food aid through to December after some donors failed to meet pledges, Beasley said, adding that with government appropriations already out, funds may have to be redirected from aid efforts in other countries.

CPC plenum passes landmark resolution 'to sum up achievements, experiences; guide future journey' Xinhua A high-profile meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has adopted a landmark resolution on the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC's 100 years of endeavors, according to a communiqué released on Thursday, with senior Chinese political experts saying the plenum has reaffirmed and strengthened that "the Party's leadership with a strong core" is the key to answering the questions: "Why were we successful in the past? How can we continue to succeed in the future?" and it's also unshakable for China to face future challenges and realize its national rejuvenation.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the resolution was reviewed and adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, held in Beijing from November 8 to 11, said the communiqué of the plenum.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made an important speech at the session.

The plenum is "a milestone meeting not only for the history of the CPC and the People's Republic of China, it also officially unveiled a new historical journey in the country's great rejuvenation," Zhang Shuhua, director of the institute of political sciences of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Yang Xuedong, a professor of political science at Tsinghua University, pointed out that the most prominent feature of this communiqué is the summary of the main tasks in the four historical periods and the important experiences in ten aspects accumulated over the past 100 years.

Compared to the previous six plenary sessions, the meeting this week summarized experiences on why we succeeded, boosting confidence, and those experiences will also be very meaningful to the world, Zhang said, noting that "Given the complex situation globally, those ex-

periences are highly valuable, underscoring China's power, theory, consistency, and spirit, as the CPC is also the world's largest political party and the most powerful political force."

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee presides over the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in Beijing, capital of China. Photo: Xinhua The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee presides over the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee in Beijing, capital of China. Photo: Xinhua Achievements And experiences: According to the released communiqué, while summarizing the key achievements in the 100-year history of the Party, the session has divided history into four different periods in which Chinese communists, with Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping as chief representatives, achieved a series of historic achievements - the period of the new-democratic revolution (Mao); the period of socialist revolution and construction (Mao); the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization (Deng, Jiang and Hu); and the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics (Xi).

Analysts said the plenum's summary of this history is like making the 100-year journey a "relay race", as different generations of Chinese communists have all accomplished their missions and overcome challenges in their own periods, and laid the foundations and created conditions for the next generation to achieve new goals, while their final destination is always the same, just as the communiqué said: "Seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation its mission; staying committed to communist ideals and socialist convictions."

In the first one - the period of the new-democratic rev-

olution, the major tasks of the Party "were to oppose imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat-capitalism, seek national independence and the people's liberation, and create the fundamental social conditions for realizing national rejuvenation," according the communiqué.

"Chinese communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative…put an end to China's history as a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society, to the rule of a handful of exploiters over the working people, to the state of total disunity that existed in the old China, and to all the unequal treaties imposed on our country by foreign powers and all the privileges that imperialist powers enjoyed on our land." In the second one - the period of socialist revolution and construction, the major tasks of the Party "were to realize the transformation from new democracy to socialism, carry out socialist revolution, promote socialist construction, and lay down the fundamental political conditions and the institutional foundations necessary for national rejuvenation." Chinese communists, with Mao as their chief representative, and the Chinese people showed the world that "the Chinese people were not only capable of dismantling the old world, but also of building a new one, that only socialism could save China, and that only socialism could develop China." The Chinese communists with Deng, who was also the chief designer of China's reform and opening-up, as their chief representative have started the third period - the new period of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. In this period, the major tasks "were to continue exploring the right path for building socialism in China, unleash and develop the productive forces, lift the people out of poverty and help them become prosperous in the shortest time possible, and fuel the push toward national rejuvenation by providing new, dynamic institutional guarantees as well as the material conditions for rapid development."

Saturday, 13 November, 2021 | KARACHI

SPORTS 11

BaBar Backs Hasan after costly Blunder in australia semi-final duBaI

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AKISTAN captain Babar Azam offered consolation to teammate Hasan Ali whose costly mistake in the field allowed Matthew Wade to secure Australia’s thrilling victory in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Having conceded 44 runs in four wicketless overs, Hasan had more disappointment to face in the dramatic closing stages of the see-saw match at the Dubai International Stadium.

With Australia needing 22 runs off the last two overs, Wade took a wild swing at Shaheen Shah Afridi’s third ball and sent a skier towards Hasan who spilled the catch on the leg-side.

WTA Finals: Badosa stuns Sabalenka, Sakkari downs Swiatek in group stage Guadalajara AFP

Spain’s Paula Badosa roared past Belarus’s topseeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-0 on Thursday in round-robin action at the season-ending WTA Finals. Badosa, who has climbed into the top 10 after starting the season ranked 70th in the world, looked every inch the player who lifted the trophy at Indian Wells last month – when world number two Sabalenka was sidelined with Covid19. Although she had played only two matches since the US Open, Sabalenka grabbed an early 4-2 lead. But she couldn’t maintain the momentum in the challenging high-altitude conditions, and Badosa won 10 games in a row to claim the upset. “I think I played pretty good,” Badosa said.

“The conditions are tough here to play, but I think I played an amazing match. She’s an amazing player. I knew I had to play like this. I’m really happy with my match.” The Spaniard next faces Greece’s Maria Sakkari, who beat former French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4, while Sabalenka will face Swiatek as round-robin play continues. The eight singles players in the elite season-ending event are split into two groups of four for round-robin play, with the top two finishers in each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The tournament was moved to Guadalajara from its usual home in Shenzhen, China, due to the coronavirus pandemic. World number one Ashleigh Barty of Australia is not defending her title because of continuing pandemic travel restrictions. Sakkari, the first Greek to qualify for the WTA Finals in either singles or doubles, needed just 85 minutes to subdue Swiatek.

Syed Manzoor Hussain Invitational Memorial Golf Tournament concluded

Wade responded by hitting three sixes in a row to complete an excellent chase against the tournament’s form side.

“If the catch was taken then the scenario would have been different but it is part of the game,” Babar told reporters. “He is one of my main bowlers and he has won many matches for Pakistan. Players drop catches but he is a fighter and I will back him.

“Everybody doesn’t perform every day. There is a day when one performs. It was just not his day. He is down and we will lift his mood.”

Babar felt 176-4 after being put into bat was a decent score by the 2009 champions.

“We started off well with a good total but unfortunately the finish wasn’t good,” Babar said.

“The way we played the tournament and boys

duBaI Agencies

Cricket figures and fans have hailed wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan as a “warrior” after officials revealed he was in hospital with a severe chest infection before taking the field to score a brave halfcentury in defeat to Australia at the T20 World Cup. Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 67 from 52 balls in Thursday’s semi-final in Dubai to help the Green Shirts post 176, but Australia reeled in the runs to reach Sunday’s final against New Zealand.

The team doctor said Rizwan was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and spent two nights in intensive care.

“He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match,” doctor Najeebullah Soomro said.

“We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today.”

Opener Rizwan showed no sign of illness, clubbing four sixes and three fours before falling to paceman Mitchell Starc.

Captain Babar Azam, who opened the batting with Rizwan, said the 29-year-old was a “little bit down” before the match.

“But when I asked him about his health he said, ‘no, I will play,’” said Babar.

During his innings, Rizwan became the first player to score 1,000 runs in T20 internationals in a calendar year.

Scoring 281 for the tournament at an average of 70.25, Rizwan is second only to Babar (303) on the World Cup runs list.

After the match, Rizwan tweeted,

“Diya jalaye rakhna hai (have to keep the lamp burning).”

“This is a warrior,” said Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden, the former Australia Test opener.

“He has been brilliant through [the tournament] and he’s got great courage, as has Babar. Fantastic tonight from him.”

‘Massive respect’: Prior to the match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had not shared the full extent of Rizwan’s illness and said only that the wicketkeeperbatsman and his teammate Shoaib Malik

had displayed symptoms of cold and had fever but were declared fit after feeling better.

When the details were shared, sportspersons and fans alike took to Twitter to express their admiration and respect for Rizwan — whose name was among the top 10 trends on the social media site.

“This is unreal. No wonder Matthew Hayden called him a warrior. Huge respect for Mohammad Rizwan who spent two nights before the #T20WorldCup

semi-final in ICU – then top-scored with 67!” tweeted Cricket Australia.

Former star bowler Shoaib Akhtar also shared a picture of Rizwan during his hospital stay, calling him a hero and expressing “massive respect”.

“Can you imagine this guy played for his country today & gave his best?” he asked. Sharing a video of the team doctor talking about Rizwan’s illness, the Punjab chief minister’s focal person for digital media, Azhar Mashwani, simply wrote: “Love you.”

Warner’s six on double-bounce ball ‘unbelievable’, says Langer AFP

The 12th Syed Manzoor Hussain Invitational Memorial Golf Tournament for senior golf professionals was held on Tuesday at the golf course of Lahore Gymkhana & Country Golf Club. This tournament is organised each year by Syed Shaghil Husain, a resident of Chicago, in memory of his late father, Syed Manzoor Hussain, who was an avid golfer and a superb overall sportsman. The main purpose of the tournament is to help the senior Pakistani golfers, who have given a lifetime in promoting the game of golf around Pakistan. This event entailed 18-holes of competitive golf, cash prizes for professionals, and luncheon. This year, nearly fifty veterans and senior professionals, and both men and women amateurs participated in the tournament. In the senior professional category, the winner was Manzoor Ahmed with a score of 72. He received a cash prize of Rs 60,000. Asghar Ali took the second position with a score of 74. In the veteran category, Akbar Ali got the first position with a score of 37. In the men’s amateur category, Mohsin Zafar won the first gross prize with a score of 74, while Ahmed Zafar was runner up with a score of 76. Tariq Abbas Qureshi won the first net prize with a score of 66, and Tariq Mahmoud won second net prize with a score of 75.

While talking to his teammates after the match, Babar said that everybody is sad and feeling the pain, but they will learn from this defeat.

“No one should point a finger at anyone. No one should blame others for whatever they did. All of us know where we went wrong. We don’t need outsiders to tell us this. We didn’t play well today as a team, but as a captain, I back everyone.”

Pakistan ‘warrior’ Rizwan went from hospital to half-century

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fought, I keep the belief that we will continue with this.”

A team doctor revealed opening batter Mohammad Rizwan, who top-scored for Pakistan with 67, had spent two days in hospital following a chest infection before being declared fit for the semi-final.

“The way he (Rizwan) played today he showed that he’s a team man,” Babar said. “I am very confident about his attitude and his performance.”

Vice-captain Shadab Khan also voiced support for Hasan, calling him a champion and urging fans not to resort to “personal attacks” against him in an Instagram post hashtagged #WeStandWithHasanAli. “To all the fans, everyone goes through tough times, we are all human beings capable of errors. Remember the joy Hasan has given you, don’t do personal attacks please. He is Pakistan’s match-winner,” Khan wrote.

David Warner’s six on a delivery that bounced twice in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final has been termed unsportsmanlike, but Australia coach Justin Langer on Friday called the shot “unbelievable”.

Warner hit 49 to set up Australia’s fivewicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai on

Thursday to book a title clash with New Zealand.

But his 30-ball knock had two interesting moments including when he jumped out of his crease sideways to smash Mohammad Hafeez for a six over deep midwicket after the ball had slipped from the bowlers hand and connected with the bat on a double bounce.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir

said, “What an absolutely pathetic display of spirit of the game by Warner! #Shameful”. But Langer said he was impressed by Warner’s instinct to make a shot out of the ball that would have surprised any batsman. “Oh my gosh! It’s one of the best things I have ever seen in the game of cricket. I don’t think anyone would have the instincts to do that,” Langer told reporters.

“Most people would not have been sure what to do. It’s a no ball and then to have the talent and ability to hit it for six, unbelievable.

“And then he walked of course when he nicked it, so anyone thinks it to be unsportsmanlike, probably evens it up a bit.”

The second key moment came when Warner fell to spinner Shadab Khan, caught behind and walked back only for replays to suggest the left-hand opener did not edge the ball.

Glenn Maxwell at the other end also could not assist his partner in taking a review — two left in the Australia innings at that point. Langer said the team would work on taking the referrals.

“So much noise out there last night, honestly it was like a rock concert,” Langer said on the nearly packed Dubai stadium with Pakistan supporters.

“I think we have all talked about it. He was surprised. Maxi was surprised, he was his partner when [we] saw it on the replays later on in the innings. We will work through that.”

Warner hit three fours and three sixes to give the team a flying start before Shadab Khan pulled it back with his four wickets.

Australia fell to 96-5 after Maxwell’s wicket before Marcus Stoinis (40) and Matthew Wade (41) pulled off the team’s chase of 177 with one over to spare.

Both Australia and New Zealand are eyeing their maiden T20 World Cup crown on Sunday in Dubai.

Saturday, 13 November, 2021

PrAyer TimiNgs

NEWS

Muttaqi denies presence of antipakistan eleMents in afghanistan

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FGHANISTAN’s interim FM Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday denied the presence of anti-Pakistan elements Afghanistan, assuring that the Taliban-led government was making all-out efforts to ensure that Afghan soil was not used against any country.

Muttaqi, while leading a 20-member delegation is on a three-day visit to Pakistan and expressed his views while addressing a seminar at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.

The Afghan FM also confirmed that the acting government had facilitated talks between the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistan government.

The minister, however refrained from elaborating on the role of Afghanistan’s acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who used to head the Haqqani network which is the most violent faction of the Taliban.

While addressing the seminar on Sunday, Muttaqi expressed the hope that talks between the two sides would be extended and welcomed the ceasefire reached between the Pakistan government and TTP. “We hope that the temporary ceasefire agreed between the Pakistan government and TTP will lead to permanent peace,” he added.

It is pertinent to note that earlier this week, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had announced that a complete ceasefire had been reached between the government and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while adding that the interim Afghan

government had facilitated the negotiations, a claim reiterated by the TTP itself.

To a question about the rest of the world recognising the Taliban government and allowing women to work — one of the conditions that the international community has been pressing for recognising the Taliban government — Muttaqi acknowledged that initially, the Taliban government had announced conditions for women to be able to work.

“However, those were the initial days

and we have progressed,” he said, claiming that all female employees in the health sector had returned to work in Afghanistan and around 75 per cent were back to work in the education sector.

As for international recognition, he said: “What we are experiencing is that we are being treated as the official government [… ] and we are being basically being recognised as the de-facto Afghan government.”

“A formal announcement [of the Taliban

government’s recognition] may come at a later stage,” he added. The foreign minister maintained that the Taliban-led government met the international standards for a government to be recognised.

“Can anyone say that we have not fulfilled these requisites?” he asked rhetorically.

He remarked that there were different forms of government in different countries, and “we do not know which form to adopt for being recognised.”

To another question, he maintained that the present Taliban setup was inclusive and consisted of members from multiple ethnicities.

Earlier in the day, the interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed that he was hopeful about talks between Pakistan and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and he is sure that the talks will bear positive results.

“There have been some positive improvements and we are hopeful for a positive outcome of the talks,” the interim Afghan FM stated while adding that people shouldn’t expect the dialogue to take place over a few days as these things take time.

As reports had been surfacing that a ceasefire has been signed between the TTP and the Pakistan government to put an end to militancy in the region, the talks are reportedly being brokered by the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

FM Muttaqi further said that the Afghan delegation and the Pakistani authorities talked about transit trade, refugee and visa issues

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among other things, while adding that there would be “good news” for Pak-Afghan ties.

As per Muttaqi, the Taliban regime demanded trade access to the Wagah border, Karachi and Gwadar ports to boost the trade.

While commenting on global recognition of the Taliban regime, he stated that ‘recognition’ meant ‘cooperation’ then the Taliban delegations were travelling around the world, meeting envoys and discussing issues pertaining to Afghanistan. “This means we have been recognised as the sole representatives of Afghanistan” FM Muttaqi while alluding to global demands of an inclusive government and fundamental rights in Afghanistan, stated that the Taliban will fulfil demands that are beneficial to the Afghan people. “But this does not mean that the Taliban are not open to talks on contentious issues,” Muttaqi on Women rights in Afghanistan stated that 100 per cent of Afghan women were working in the health sector, whereas in the education sector, the number was around 75 per cent. As for the education of girls, he said the education for girls will start soon across Afghanistan.

Muttaqi went on to reveal that primary schools were open in all parts of Afghanistan and secondary schools have resumed classes in a few provinces, while adding that there were 200,000 teachers in Afghanistan and the world should help the Taliban government in payment of their salaries.

The FM further stated that the exAfghan National Army personnel will not be integrated as the Taliban-led Afghanistan won’t have the need for such a large force.

“We will have our own force soon” The envoy concluded by stating that the Taliban founder, Mullah Omar, had directed the Taliban to use the constitution of King Zahir Shah, but the Taliban will strike down clauses that are against Islamic principles. “I am making it clear that Afghanistan is not a lawless country,” he concluded. News Desk

Govt to convene joint session of parliament on Nov 16

ISLAMABAD TLTP

The federal government has decided to convene a joint session of the Parliament on November 16.

The government took the decision after getting assurances from the allied parties that they would extend support to the government in the joint session. According to sources, allies will back the government during the join session.

On Wednesday last, the PTI-led government had postponed the joint session of the parliament after not getting the support of its allies for the passage of the

proposed bills. The allied parties of the government especially the PML-Q and the MQM-P declined to extend their support in the joint session.

It is pertinent to mention here that the government was going to introduce and pass some election reforms relating to the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) but the opposition opposed the move and some of the government’s allied parties were also not fully satisfied on the issue.

The sources said government coalition parties including PML-Q, MQM-P, and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) had reservations on electoral reforms and EVMs bills.

Chinese envoy lauds Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace process Chinese envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi on Friday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of mutual interest, re-

gional security, including Afghanistan situation, and measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

The COAS reiterated the need for convergence of efforts towards a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan in pursuit of regional stability.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace process, special efforts for border management and role in regional stability, and pledged to play his part for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels. News Desk

At least three killed in Afghan mosque blast At least three people were killed and 15 wounded on Friday by a blast at a mosque in Afghanistan’s restive Nangarhar province, a hotbed of activity for the Islamic State (IS) group, officials said.

The blast — for which no group has yet claimed responsibility — underscores one of the many challenges facing the new Taliban regime in Afghanistan, with the United Nations warning the country is also on the brink of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

It happened during Friday prayers in Spin Ghar district of the eastern province, near the border with Pakistan.

“I can confirm a blast during Friday prayers inside a mosque in Spin Ghar district. There are casualties and fatalities,” a Taliban official told AFP. Walli Mohammed, a local elder and activist, told AFP a bomb appeared to have been hidden in a loudspeaker near the imam’s rostrum.

When the speaker was switched on to sound the Azaan, the device detonated, he said.

“So far three killed, 15 wounded,” a doctor at the local hospital told AFP. IS-Khorasan, the local branch of the militant group, first emerged in Nangarhar and was formally recognised by the group’s central leadership in 2015.

The group had a relatively small but potent presence in Afghanistan, and was responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in the country of recent years, massacring civilians at mosques, shrines, public squares and even hospitals.

But it failed to hold any territory in the region, suffering huge losses because of Taliban and US-led military operations.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August, IS has claimed responsibility for a series of bloody attacks, including one at Kabul airport

as the US and other countries rushed to evacuate their citizens and Afghan allies from the country.

Among the scores killed were 13 US soldiers, the worst single-day loss for the Pentagon in Afghanistan since 2011.

In one of the most recent attacks, IS fighters raided the Kabul National Military Hospital in early November, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 50.

The Taliban face IS-K with very little outside assistance and none of the sophisticated intelligence gathering and surveillance deployed by foreign militaries.

But experts say they know their enemy and the terrain and can draw on groups such as Al Qaeda and the feared Haqqani network to challenge the group.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid recently dismissed them as “not a great threat”.

The security challenge comes as

the United Nations has repeatedly warned that Afghanistan is on the brink of the world’s worst humani-

tarian crisis.

More than half the country faces “acute” food shortages, with the im-

pending winter forcing millions to choose between migration and starvation. AFP

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