EpaperKHI_21-12-13

Monday, 13 December, 2021 I 8 Jamadi-al-Awwal, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII No 165 I 48 Pages I Karachi Edition

PM Khan ProMises ‘strong action’ against illegal fishing in gwadar waters g

PM takes note of continued Public Protests in Gwadar city

ISLAMABAD Staff report

t

akinG note of continued protests in Gwadar city of balochistan, Prime Minister imran khan sunday ordered ‘strong steps’ against illegal fishing off the coast of Gwadar.

Gwadar Port is linchpin of a key route of the multibillion-dollar china-Pakistan economic corridor (cPec) tens of thousands of fishermen and locals have been on the streets demanding a ban on illegal fishing, removal of security checkpoints from within the port city, and action against drug smuggling and wine shops. “i have taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. [i] will be taking strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers and will also speak to cM [chief Minister]

balochistan,” imran khan said in an announcement on twitter. the fishermen accuse chinese fishing companies of being involved in illegal fishing, which they say has deprived them of their only source of income.

Protesters closed the highways connecting Gwadar to karachi, forcing the government to deploy 5,500 additional riot police in Gwadar, where security personnel have been a common sight ever since the announcement of cPec in 2015. earlier, thousands of women gathered in the coastal town for the biggest rally yet in a week-long series of demonstrations demanding basic civic facilities.

Protesters said that at the launch of the cPec, both Pakistan and china governments, had promised them that Gwadar — then a small city centred around the strategically located fishing port — would soon be transformed into

coronavirus in

PaKistan

a glittering modern metropolis, similar to dubai or shenzhen. but despite the passage of six years, the reality is very different. about 100,000 people do not have access to clean drinking water in Gwadar port town, let alone in other parts of the district. with its 600-kilometre (373-mile) coastline, Gwadar is a key deep seaport currently operated by china, which seeks to gain direct access to the indian ocean via Gwadar in line with its $64 billion cPec. the economic corridor is hoped to provide china cheaper access to africa and the Middle east and also earn Pakistan billions of dollars to provide transit facilities to the world’s second-largest economy.

Many, nonetheless, complain that locals have benefited little from the project. the government of balochistan, of which Gwadar is a district, says the protesters’ four major demands, including the closure of wine shops and removal of the “additional” security checkpoints, have been met. islamabad, for its part, has recently announced several solar power and potable water projects for Gwadar, an otherwise less-developed district that borders neighbouring afghanistan and iran.

FISHERMAN LEADS PROTESTS: Maulana Hidaytullah baloch, a leader of the Jamati-islami (Ji) party, has been leading the mammoth protests for the last 28 days. the son of a fisherman hit the limelight a few months ago when his message on social media platforms “i’m coming this evening. are you too?” went viral, prompting thousands of locals to take part in a protest rally, which is viewed as the starting point of the ongoing movement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

NA session for mini budget rescheduled for Dec 22 ISLAMABAD Staff CorreSpondent

the government has postponed the national assembly session, which was scheduled to meet on Monday (today) for the mini-budget presentation, due to a meeting of the foreign ministers of the organisation of islamic cooperation (oic). the government was all set to present its mini-budget, involving fiscal adjustments and expenditure cuts worth about rs600 billion as part of an understanding with the iMf, in the lower house of parliament on Monday. However, the session was postponed due to the oic meeting.

President dr arif alvi President on sunday rescheduled the na session and convened the national assembly to meet again on wednesday, december 22 at 4 p.m instead of december 13. according to a press release issued by President House on sunday, the session was called under article 54(1) of the constitution. according to an official, the president postponed the na session due to oic foreign Ministers’ meeting being held at the Parliament House on december 18 and 19.

Meanwhile, Parliament House is being renovated for hosting the oic fM’s meeting and the Parliament

Punjab govt makes EVMs mandatory for upcoming local govt elections

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,289,049

House will remain closed from december 13 to december 20 for normal activities due to the oic meeting. the meeting of foreign ministers from the oic is being held in Pakistan after the lapse of 41 years. in this regard, all activities at the Parliament House have been suspended. the session of parliament that was supposed to take up the mini-budget has been postponed as well. in addition, the employees of the national assembly secretariat have been sent on leave for an entire week except for the ones who have been assigned duties for the session. this remaining staff can be called to the office on an hour’s notice and are therefore required to respond to phone calls and not leave the station without prior permission, the notification added. the purpose of the oic meeting has been set as finding a solution to afghanistan’s problems, and to provide relief during the war-torn country’s current economic crisis. all islamic countries have been invited to attend the extraordinary session. Permanent members of the security council, european union, united nations and its aid agencies have also been invited to attend the oic foreign ministers’ meeting.

more inside

Fawad urges ECP to make public foreign sources of funding of all political parties STORY ON BACK PAGE

LAST UPDATED AT 7:30 AM ON DECEMBER 12, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

7

288

RECOVERED:

Quetta police fail to recover missing girls in obscene video scandal

DEATHS:

1,251,101 28,830 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

477,869

443,839

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

180,661

33,531

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

34,606/10,426

108,117

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

STORY ON BACK PAGE the government of Pakistan has decided to make electronic voting machines (eVMs) compulsory for the upcoming local government polls, across the province. cM usman buzdar has given approval to make amendments to the local bodies act so that eVMs can be made compulsory for voting in the local bodies elections. cM buzdar stated that the parliament had passed a law regarding the eVMs and now the Punjab government will en-

sure voting through the machines as well. according to the new ordinance, the election commission of Pakistan (ecP) is bound to include eVMs in the elections. as per sources, after amendments by the Punjab government, there could be a delay in the local government elections as it wouldn’t be possible for the ecP to conduct elections in March next year. earlier, on saturday, Punjab Governor chaudhry sarwar

paved the way for local government elections on a party basis by approving the Punjab local Government act 2021. the sc had declared section 3 of the local Government act unconstitutional and annulled the Punjab government move to dissolve the local bodies prematurely. the local bodies were restored by the Punjab government on the orders of the supreme court after a 25-month long suspension. newS deSk

in today’s issue

attention Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy. Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint.

Contact: 0307-7338168 irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk

02

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

UnRegISTeRed vehICleS QUeUed AfTeR MAndAToRy IMPoSITIon of MoToRwAy TAg LAHORE

A

inP

FTER the mandatory registration of M-tag for vehicles on the motorway, queues of unregistered vehicles which do not possess the same started forming as traffic police did not let the cars through.

People are facing severe difficulties to get M-tag. National Highways and Motorway Police launched a crackdown on vehicles traveling without M-tags preventing them from entering the motorway.

Queues have formed at the M-tag booths making it a hassle for those wanting to arrive at their destinations on time.

While talking to the media, people said there are long queues wherever they go, all

Customs Intelligence recovers smuggled clothes worth Rs20m

the booths of the Lahore-Islamabad (M-2) motorway are busy and it takes 2 to 3 hours

to apply for an M-tag.

“Many people are in a state of emergency but are not allowed to travel without M-tag.”

However, the authorities said the main purpose of the change is to reduce the time wasted in several kilometre long queues at the toll plazas. It will also help digitise the whole process and make it a lot smoother.

The police have made M-tags mandatory at toll plazas to reduce congestion. The status of the car sticker can also be checked.

A tag can be obtained from the booth at any toll plaza on the motorway. In order to get M-tag, a national identity card, driving license and vehicle registration must be shown at the toll plaza.

Crude oil snaps four-week losing streak with up to 8pc gain SINGAPORE aGencies

ISLAMABAD sTaff RePoRT

The intelligence team of Karachi Customs Enforcement has recovered smuggled clothes worth Rs20 million. In this regard, a handout issued by FBR states warehouses located at Lucknow Aram Bagh market and Karachi Al-Jadeed Market Saddar had been under surveillance by the Customs Intelligence unit after which it was discovered that a huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled clothes worth Rs20 million was dumped in the markets.

The team, constituted under the supervision of Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Collectorate of Customs Enforcement deputy collector, carried out a joint operation at the identified places along with the Sindh Police and Rangers late Saturday night. As soon as the raiding team reached the target location, a violent mob of more than a hundred people attacked the raiding party and official vehicles with sticks and stones, causing damage to the government vehicles. A few gun shots were also fired by the miscreants. However, the crowd was dispersed after the police resorted to aerial firing. No one was injured during the operation except two Customs sepoys who sustained minor injuries due to being hit with stones and sticks. The ASO team succeeded in recovering a sizable quantity of smuggled cloth worth more than Rs20 million from the said warehouses and shift it to the ASO headquarters for detailed examination. An FIR has been registered against the miscreants in the Aram Bagh police station as well as in the Customs Court. The FBR said that the culprits will be arrested and more information about the smuggled goods will be collected from the accused during investigations.

Meanwhile, Adviser to PM on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin commended the raiding party for the successful operation against smugglers and appreciated FBR in its drive against tax evasion. Likewise, FBR Chairman Dr Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed while lauding the raiding team, announced cash awards and recognition certificates for them. He reaffirmed that FBR was following a zero tolerance policy against smuggling and these operations will continue across the country.

Crude oil prices for two major benchmarks surged up to over 8 per cent after going down for four consecutive weeks.

According to details, Brent, the international benchmark for two-thirds of the world’s oil, gained 7.54 percent during the week to reach $75.15 from $69.88 a barrel. Similarly, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reached $71.67 from $66.26, up by 8.16 percent during the week.

During the week, price for OPEC Basket increased 7.23 percent to $75.09 from $70.03, Arab Light price increased 5.04 percent to $75.21 from $71.60, while the price of Russian Sokol went up 5 percent to $75.71 from $72.10 a barrel. Oil prices have eroded between 50-60 percent of their post-Omicron emergence decline. This recovery has been aided by growing confidence in the notion that the new Omicron variant is set to be far milder than past variants like delta.

Global crude oil started the last week on a positive note

and recouped some of previous week’s losses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by surging over 10 percent.

However, crude prices fell over 3 percent on Thursday amid concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant and its impact on oil demand as well as nuclear talks with Iran.

Friday remained a positive session and prices surged around one percent, as a not as bad as feared US inflation report for November spurred some risk-on sentiment across markets which had clearly been positioning for an upside surprise on expectations. This favoured crude oil prices at the time. It seems the oil market has rightly priced out the worst-case scenario, the potential economically harmful reaction to Omicron that some governments might already have taken. Travel restrictions and work-from-home directives are a direct threat to fuel demand and one that markets aren’t taking lightly after the UK upped its Covid19 curbs by implementing “Covid-19 Plan B” earlier in the week. This seems to be what is preventing oil from emulating the US stock market and recovering back to its pre-Omicron levels.

Expected interest rate hike, mini-budget haunt PSX KARACHI TLTP

After closing the last week on a positive note, expected raise in interest rate and the proposed mini-budget may haunt the Pakistan Stock Exchange in the new week.

Other negative factors for the market remain rising current account deficit, increasing core inflation and depreciating exchange rate, which may keep the investors at bay; however, the market may give any surprise in case of less-than expected increase in policy rate (150bps).

The State Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet on Tuesday to discuss and announce a possible revision in the policy rate. Yields on three-month treasury bills (T-Bills) in an auction held on December 1 had jumped by 228 basis points as the government only accepted bids worth Rs504.3 billion in all three tenors against a target of Rs750 billion.

Reportedly, the government has finalised a minibudget involving fiscal adjustments and expenditure cuts worth about Rs600 billion as part of an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A draft of Tax Laws (Fourth) Amendment Bill 2021 for abolishing almost around 100 tax exemptions as a standard rate of 17 percent General Sales Tax (GST) would become applicable with approval of the

parliament. The KSE-100 Index gained 163 points (+0.38 percent) to close at 43,232.83 points on a weekon-week (WoW) basis. Sector-wise, positive contributions came from oil and gas exploration (320 points), technology and communication (257 points), food and personal care (32 points), chemical (29 points) and insurance (10 points). Sectors that contributed negatively to the benchmark index were commercial banking (187 points) and cement (112 points).

FBR likely to shower tax benefits on SPVs ISLAMABAD shahzad PaRacha

Contrary to the disseminated perception of withdrawing Rs348 billion tax exemptions, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is likely to extend income tax exemptions to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) created by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) under REIT Regulations, 2015, in the upcoming mini-budget.

Sources said that FBR had proposed to do so in the Finance Supplementary Bill 2021, tabled in the National Assembly (NA) after approval of the federal cabinet on Monday.

In this regard, seven REITs management companies on July 14 had written a letter to FBR, requesting it to address dividend and capital gains tax issues of SPVs created by REITs. The REIT industry has proposed to

exempt income tax on dividends paid by SPVs to their REITs by introducing an amendment in the First Schedule part-III Clause 99 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. “Provided that nothing in this section shall be applicable on dividends received by a REIT scheme from an SPV structured under REIT Regulations, 2015, the industry has requested the tax watchdog to revise the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, by exempting dividends paid by an SPV from the levy of income tax,” sources said.

It is to be noted that as a global norm, a REIT’s corporate income is exempt from income tax subject to the condition that it distributes 99 per cent of its income as dividend among its shareholders each year.

However, the dividends paid by a REIT are taxable at the level of the recipients of those dividends.

“Contrary to this norm in the global REIT industry, the seven REITs in Pakistan have proposed an exemption of income tax even on dividends paid by an SPV to a REIT,” sources disclosed.

Currently, the income tax ordinance exempts the sellers of real estate from any REIT from the levy of capital gains tax. In their letter to FBR, the REIT industry has argued that since an SPV is an integral part of a REIT as per REIT regulations, similar tax benefits may be extended also to the SPVs. “Keeping in view the economic and social importance of the subject and the priority given to this subject by the government, a beneficial circular identifying the status of SPV in a REIT scheme be issued as soon as possible”, the REIT industry has stated in their letter to urge upon the Chairman FBR for early conferment of

tax advantages on their SPVs. It is pertinent to mention that SECP had earlier revised the REIT regulation, 2015 allowing the REITs to form SPVs, a form of business entity used in the past by the corporate sector in America to commit massive accounting frauds which cost the parent companies which had created those SPVs historical and devastating bankruptcies.

It is pertinent to know that the concept of the Real Estate Investment Trusts(REITs) was introduced in the corporate sector in America in 1960 to enable small investors from the public at large to buy shares in and benefit from the incomes of real estate portfolios held by REITs which were otherwise beyond their meagre funds.

Sources said that the tax benefits already extended to REITs in Pakistan become questionable for those not listed on the stock exchange and therefore, not open to the public at large for investment because such REITs believe the logic behind the original

MoST initiates departmental inquiry against secretary PSQCA ISLAMABAD GhuLam abbas

While various inquiries against officials of Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) remain pending at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has initiated a departmental inquiry against secretary PSQCA, who has been sitting at the post for over a decade now. As per documents available with Profit, the ministry had issued a charge sheet against PSQCA Secretary Ghulam Umar Kazi (BS-19) on November 16, while constituting a three-member inquiry committee to probe allegations against him.

Kazi, who is considered the most influential official at PSQCA, successfully retained during the governments of PPP and PML-N despite various inquiries regarding corruption, irregularities at NAB and FIA. He managed to hold the key post in the authority despite repeated directions by parliamentary committees to suspend officials of PSQCA facing inquiries. Insiders pricy to the development say that Federal Minister of Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz and secretary MoST, while taking notice of the corruption and irregularities at PSQCA, have finally decided to act against the official. The charge sheet issued by MoST Federal Secretary Dr Akhtar Nazi states that while posted as secretary, Kazi failed to supervise the recruitment processes in the authority.

“PSQCA management working under your administrative control hesitated to provide relevant records to the fact finding inquiry committee. You have been found responsible for mismanagement with regard to deficient advertisement, processing deficient working papers, non-preparation of TORs for the testing agency, maintenance of regional quota roaster, not shortlisting candidates on the basis of advertised criteria,” the charge sheet states. If found guilty, disciplinary action against Kazi may be dismissed from service.

The secretary PSQCA has been asked to submit written defence to the charges within 14 days, explaining why disciplinary proceedings should not be taken against him. Meanwhile, the ministry has constituted a three-member inquiry committee which includes Joint Technological Adviser (Convener) Ashfaq Ahmad Memos, MoST Deputy Secretary Syed Abdul Manan and Section Officer Ashar Mehmood. However, despite showing reservation regarding provision of documents of PSQCA employees under the secretary, the ministry has not suspended the said official to avail the requisite evidence for the inquiry committee. Earlier, during a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Science and Technology it was disclosed that dozens of inquiries had been pending against the ministry’s officials at FIA and NAB for years. Subsequently, the committee had asked former secretary MoST to examine the cases and suspend corrupt officials at its attached department, PSQCA, till the conclusion of all inquiries. As per documents. these cases are related to corruption, malpractice, misuse of authority, illegal appointments, illegal promotions, violations of rules, violation of recruitment processes, and irregularities in daily workings, employees holding posts without DPC in BPS-19, manipulating records, irrelevant ‘trainings’ in foreign countries, and assets beyond known source of income.

concept of REITs and are therefore, already enjoying tax advantages in the country not logically admissible to them.

In their letter to FBR, the industry has now asked FBR to extend questionable tax advantages already being enjoyed by them and the SPVs created by them.

Surprisingly, SECP had originally allowed the creation of SPVs whereas the FBR has now proposed to extend the beneficial tax treatment to them, despite their notorious reputation for causing massive corporate scandals and bankruptcies in America 2001-02.

Importantly, the tax department had increased up to 700pc valuation rates for taxation which were later on suspended until January 16 next year after receiving complaints from the real estate industry but it is asking to extend more tax benefits to powerful lobbies.

This scribe approached FBR chairman for comments but no reply was received till the filing of the story.

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | KARACHI

3.8 magnitude eartHquaKe Hits parts of country kARACHI

e

inP

ARTHqUAKE tremors were felt in different parts of the country in the wee hours of Sunday. The epicentre of the earthquake was the Hindukush mountainous region in Afghanistan. The intensity of the tremors was recorded at 3.8 magnitudes at a depth of 120 km.

Due to the earthquake, the citizens came out of their houses. No casualties were reported due to the earthquake.

Meanwhile, the tremors were also felt in Hyderabad and surrounding areas, causing panic among the citizens.

The epicentre was reported at 70 km west of Hyderabad with a depth of 30

Karachi climate march rally stopped from advancing towards Bilawal House NewS DeSk Activists belonging to around 10 political parties and civil society organisations took out a rally, ‘People’s Climate March’ on Sunday evening to highlight the adverse impact of climate change, especially the environmental disaster unfolding in Malir and adjoining areas, because of agricultural lands being destroyed for the development of mega housing projects. The rally was stopped by the police when it tried to march towards Bilawal House, according to statements given by the organisers and witnesses. The marchers including men, women and children chanted slogans against Bahria Town Karachi, DHA Karachi, the occupation of locals’ lands, construction of the Malir Expressway, destruction of agricultural land in Malir and Gadap, demolition of homes located on Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, and other issues.

The move by the police led the march participants, who were affiliated with the Awami Workers Party, Indigenous Rights Movement, Karachi Bachao Tehreek, Malir Expressway Action Committee, Mazdoor Kisan Party and others, to stage a sit-in on the service road at some distance from the Bilawal House. Hafeez Baloch, an activist affiliated with the Indigenous Rights Movement, said the environment and green belts in Malir and Gadap were being destroyed because trees were being cut in large numbers, hills were being grounded and the area’s gravel and sand were being excavated for housing projects. Khurram Nayyar, an activist with the AWP, stated that police had blocked the protesters’ way with around 10 vehicles. When some participants managed to breach the barricade, police officials again stopped them by placing another vehicle. He warned that these activities would likely cause an ecological disaster in the surrounding areas of Karachi.

He said the participants had wanted to draw the attention of the PPP leadership towards the issue but the police did not allow them to move further, prompting them to stage a sit-in on the service road near Bilawal House. It is pertinent to note that earlier this week, at a presser, the organisers and allies of the People’s Climate March had stated that the purpose of their event was to organise a people-led response to the environmental crisis with victims of climate injustice at the forefront. On the occasion, they had also shared a set of demands including an end to the demolition of working-class homes and villages and the right to shelter of the displaced. They also demanded a transparent compensation process, and resolution of issues of identity cards, besides the constitution of a rehabilitation committee.

Another demand was for a bill to be passed in reference to the affectees of the Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs, the Karachi Circular Railway and Haji Lemo Goth with the same urgency as was being displayed to “protect buildings”. It was also demanded that the affectees be given alternative housing of 120 square yards in their districts.

km. The intensity of the tremors were recorded at 3.3.

Earlier this month, earthquake tremors were felt in Karachi.

The tremors were felt in the city’s areas including, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Hadid, II Chandragar Road, Malir, Scheme 33, Saddar, Gulzar-e-Hajri, Port qasim, quaidabad, Khokhrapar, Malir, Lyari, Sher Shah, Kharadar, Kemari and adjoining areas.

The Richter scale recorded the earthquake at 4.1 with an epicentre near Defence Housing Authority (DHA) phase 9 and a depth of 15 Kilometers, the PMD had confirmed and added that the time of the tremors was recorded at 10:16 pm.

‘NAB under Javed Iqbal recovered Rs. 539 billion from corrupt elements’ ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (Retd) Justice Javed Iqbal Sunday said that during his tenure, the anti-corruption watchdog had recovered Rs. 539 billion from corrupt elements directly and indirectly from Oct 2017 to Nov 2021.

Per a statement, NAB chief said that no previous chairman NAB since 1999 had brought the big fish to book.

“Besides overall recovery of Rs. 821 billion, NAB has filed 1,278 corruption references in various learned Accountability Courts which are under adjudication and their approximate worth is 1,335 billion,” said Javed Iqbal.

He said that he gave top priority to mega corruption white collar crime cases and those who had devoured billions of rupees of national exchequer were held accountable.

“NAB has no affiliation with any individual, party or organization but NAB is loyal to the country and is performing its duties,” he said and added that eradication of corruption has become the voice of the whole nation as it not only halted the progress of the country but also usurped the rights of the deserving people.

“Pakistan is facing the challenge of corruption which is the root cause of all problems being endured by the country. NAB has chalked out a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy comprising awareness, prevention and enforcement under ‘Accountability for All’ policy,” he added.

He said that he had worked to overhaul and improve procedures in

NEWS

03

Lahore is world’s most polluted city – again LAHORe Staff rePort

Air pollution in Lahore and surrounding towns reached the worst levels so far this year on Sunday, with the Punjab capital being declared the world’s most polluted city after its Air quality Index (AqI) shot past 360. The AqI data was released on Sunday and put Lahore atop the list of the most polluted cities in the world while Karachi came in seventh. Anything above 400 on the AqI poses a risk for people with respiratory illness and can also affect even those with healthy lungs. On the other hand, the PM2.5 concentration in Lahore is currently 62.9 times above the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual air quality guideline value. Residents choking in acrid smog pleaded with officials to take action. Air pollution has worsened in Pakistan in recent years, as a mixture of lowgrade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal crop burn off, and colder winter temperatures coalesce into stagnant clouds of smog. Lahore, a bustling megacity of more than 11 million people near the border with India, consistently ranks among the worst cities in the world for air pollution. In recent years residents have built their own air purifiers and taken out lawsuits against government officials in desperate bids to clean the air — but authorities have been slow to act.

What causes air pollution in lahore?

Air pollution in Lahore is caused by a combination of vehicle and industrial emissions, smoke from brick kilns, the burning of crop residue and general waste, and dust from construction sites. Other factors of air pollution include large scale losses of trees to build new roads and buildings. Winter air pollution is worse due to temperature inversion, which results in a layer of warm air that is prevented from rising trapping air pollutants.

Lahore witnesses appointment of 4th dig operations in five months NewS DeSk order to make NAB a more credible and reputed organization. The Chairman said that NAB has rejuvenated by implementing its Accountability for All Policy across the board under the slogan of ‘NAB’s Faith-Corruption free Pakistan’.

“The results of hard work have yielded excellent dividends. Well reputed national and international Organisations like Transparency International Pakistan, World Economic Forum, PILDAT and Mishal Pakistan have lauded NAB’s efforts for eradication of corruption,” he added. According to Gillani and Gallup Survey about 59 percent people have shown their confidence in NAB, the statement adedd.

Javed Iqbal said said that not just in Pakistan alone, NAB has now emerged as a role model for countries under South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which includes India, Sri Lanka,

Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

NAB heads the SAARC anticorruption forum, he added.

“It is a focal organization for Pakistan under the United Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). NAB has also signed a unique Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China to extend cooperation in tackling corruption and to oversee CEPC projects being under process in Pakistan,” he asserted.

He said that NAB strongly believes in self accountability besides accountability of others. He said that NAB is committed to the logical conclusion of mega corruption cases of corruption and corrupt practices.

He said that during the present management of NAB, cases of Income Tax, Sales Tax and Under Invoicing were referred to FBR as per law. He said the NAB is a people friendly organization which strongly believes in self respect of people visiting there.

Lahore witnessed appointment of 4th DIG Operations in five months, when Punjab police force announced a reshuffle in its top hierarchy on Sunday, December 12. As per the notification issued by provincial authorities, Dr Muhammad Abid Khan has been appointed the new DIG Operations Lahore by replacing Ahsan Younis.

According the the reshuffle, Zulfiqar Hameed has been appointed as Additional DIG Training, Ghulam Mubashar Mekan as CPO Faisalabad, and SSP Muhammad Ashfaq Alam has been promoted to the rank of DIG Internal Accountability. Earlier on November 5, 30 officers were transferred by the Punjab government after violent protests by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). After the martyrdom of three policemen and injuries to at least 70 other during the TLP long march, senior officers of the Lahore, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura police faced criticism. As per sources, CM Punjab Usman Buzdar interviewed three officers for the slot of Capital City Police Officer after rumours of a major reshuffle in the Punjab police because of poor handling of the TLP protesters.

Another cop martyred guarding anti-polio vaccinators NewS DeSk A police official was martyred in an armed attack on the polio vaccination team in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s district Tank on Sunday. The news was confirmed by Tank Deputy Commissioner Kabir Khan Afridi who stated that some armed men opened fire at a police constable deputed for providing security to the polio vaccination team in Tank’s Shada village.

Afridi stated that the constable died on the spot while the assailants managed to escape.

It is pertinent to note that the proscribed Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed that its fighters attacked the polio team in Tank. Earlier on Saturday, gunmen ambushed personnel guarding anti-polio vaccinators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing one policeman and injuring another, police and health officials said.

The incident — the latest in a series of similar attacks in recent years — occurred in the remote Taank district.

Armed assailants riding two to three motorbikes opened

fire on the security personnel guarding an immunisation team on the outskirts of Taank, the police said. Dr. Ihsanullah, head of Civil Hospital in Taank, told reporters that one policeman was dead on arrival to the hospital, while another is being treated for bullet injuries.

The attack comes amid renewed anti-polio vaccination efforts across the country to consolidate the government’s significant successes in rooting out the crippling disease.

The country has not reported even a single polio case this year. The latest attack came a day after the Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP), an Afghanistan-based conglomerate of several militant groups, announced it was ending a month-long ceasefire with the government, although no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The TTP and its affiliates have been involved in attacks on antipolio vaccinators across the country.

Pakistan is among three countries in the world, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, where poliovirus still exists, and the country remains under a polio-linked travel restriction imposed by the World Health Organisation

(WHO). In 2014, the WHO made it mandatory for all people travelling from Pakistan to carry a polio vaccination certificate, although the ban is not being strictly followed.

Armed assailants targeting vaccinators see the anti-polio campaigns are part of an elaborate anti-Muslim and Western conspiracy, and often issue death threats to vaccinators, many of them women, for administrating the vital jobs to children. According to officials, around 100 people associated with the drive have been killed across Pakistan since 2012.

Extremist groups often target polio teams and security assigned to protect them, claiming the vaccination campaigns are a “conspiracy to sterilise children.” In August, constable Dilawar Khan was on his way to polio duty in Dera Ismail Khan when unidentified assailants opened fire on him near the Atal Sharif area of Kalachi Tehsil, killing him on the spot while the accused fled, police had reported.

In a second attack in the month of August, a Frontier Reserve Police officer was shot dead by unidentified persons in Peshawar within the limits of the Daudzai police station.

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | kArAChi

04

nEwS

China LaudS PaKiSTan FoR oPPoSinG PoLiTiCiSaTion oF SPoRTS ISLAMABAD

C

According to Xinhua News Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, while addressing a weekly media briefing, had expressed Pakistan’s confidence in the neighbouring country’s plan to host the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Per the report, Ahmad had said that the event would offer “a spectacular and colourful gala to sports enthusiasts around the world, including in Pakistan,” despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19.

“The Olympic games symbolise sportsmanship, team spirit, unity, effort, struggle, and maintaining grace in competition whatever the results are,” the spokesperson had said.

He went on to say that the Olympic spirit espouses fair participation in the events, and like in all previous Olympic events, Pakistan would like to see the Olympic spirit upheld in true sporting fashion.

“Pakistan hopes that all nations will come together in Beijing and afford their athletes an opportunity against the best and showcase their skills,” he had said.

Mian aBrar

HINA’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong on Sunday said that his country appreciates Pakistan for being against the politicisation of sports. Taking to Twitter, the envoy wrote: “Pakistan’s position to oppose any form of politicization of sports is highly appreciated. The Beijing Winter Olympic Games is not a stage for the posturing and grandstanding of politicians,” he wrote.

The ambassador also said that China is ready to deliver a streamlined, safe, and splendid Olympics to the world.

Nong Rong’s comment came in response to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, in which Pakistan had said that it stands against the politicisation of sports in all its forms.

FBR seizes smuggle goods worth Rs. 10 million at Torkham border ISLAMABAD

SBP to launch Easy Mobile Account facility in Peshawar today

app

The Pakistan Customs, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Sunday seized the smuggled goods worth Rs.10 million at Torkham border.

Following a policy of zero tolerance against smuggling, Pakistan Customs (FBR) has seized smuggled goods worth more than Rs 10 million at Torkhan morder, said a press release issued

by FBR here.

As per details received, a vehicle bearing registration No KAB 465 entered Pakistan through Customs Station at Torkham Border, apparently loaded with yam.

It was subjected to scanner and subsequent inspection.

Upon detailed physical examination of the said vehicle, it was found out that it carried miscellaneous goods including suiting cloth, Indian origin hookah/ chewing tobacco, rat poison, fire crackers and medicine etc, valuing Rs 10.50 million, involving duty/taxes worth Rs 7.9 million.

Total untaxed goods along with the vehicle have been seized by Pakistan Customs and FIR has been lodged against the arrested person.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin has commended FBR for its ongoing crack down against smugglers and appreciated its continued drive against tax evasion.

Similarly, Chairman FBR/Secretary Revenue Division, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed has lauded the unfaltering determination of Member Customs (Operations), Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, who has led his team by example.

He also appreciated the Customs staff on duty at Torkham and announced cash awards and recognition certificates for the team.

He reiterated his unflinching resolve against smuggling and reaffirmed that team FBR will continue to fight this menace in its all forms and manifestations.

Role of clergy postSialkot killing of Lankan man lauded ISLAMABAD app

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the apex religious body of Islamic theologians of Sri Lanka, lauded the Pakistani clergy for condemning the Sialkot killing of a Sri Lanka national and expressing solidarity with the islanders. In an appreciation letter addressed to Special Representative to the Prime Minister for Interfaith Harmony and Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, ACJU said: “Your good self, the ulema and all religious leaders of Pakistan condemned the inhuman murder of our fellow Sri Lankan manager Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot and came forward to establish peace and justice.” “We learnt about the joint meeting of the leaders of all religions and religious schools of thought under your leadership to term the incident as barbaric, fatal and brutal,” it added. They expressed hope the government will set an example of Islamic teachings by promoting peace, empathy, humanity and justice under the guidance of religious leaders.

Qaiser gets notice for flouting election code ahead of KP LG polls ISLAMABAD staff report

PESHAWAR aziz Buneri

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will launch a new “Easy Mobile Account” facility today on Monday, December 13, to promote ‘branchless’ Banking in the country.

The SBP said that project has been developed under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy to enable customers to open and operate their accounts without visiting bank branches.

It will be a joint venture of the

SBP, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), 13 branchless banking providers, cellular phone operatorsand virtual remittance gateways.

The SBP said in a statement that branchless banking providers and cellular phone operators are working together to provide an interactive platform for easy mobile accounts so that anyone can open a Pakistani bank account. “Easy mobile accounts will play a key role in reaching low-income groups who do not

have access to the Internet,” said that statement, adding that a simple mobile account will also facilitate female in opening easy accounts.

Apart from the traditional banking system in Pakistan, four telecom companies in Pakistan are already offering mobile banking, known as ‘branchless’ banking. The SBP has recently said that branchless bank accounts have exceeded 50 million in the country. Branchless banking provides easy money transfer and other online shopping facility in remote areas of the country.

A provincial official of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) served a notice on National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser for violating the code of conduct ahead of the local government (LG) elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and directed him to appear on Monday to explain his position. In case of noncompliance with the directives, the matter will be referred to the commission “for the initiation of necessary proceedings against you (Qaiser)” under the Election Act, 2017, the notice, issued December 10, said. The notice alluded to an audio clip of the speaker wherein he is appealing to voters for their support and promising funding to ruling candidates. Qaiser is heard “saying that project tenders are in process and soon these tenders will be notified”, it observed. Separately, the Swabi district monitoring officer (DMO) sent the clip and a letter to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairperson, requesting him to perform a forensic analysis of the clip to ascertain its authenticity and track its origin. He further requested the official to provide the required information by December 15. The elections in 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including capital Peshawar, are scheduled to take place on December 19 and the commission has released its schedule. After the first round of the polls, elections in 18 additional districts will be held on January 16. A total of 19,282 candidates are contesting for the seats of general councillors on 2,359 village council and neighbourhood council levels, while the number of female candidates is 3,905. The districts which will go to the polls include Buner, Bajaur, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Tank, Haripur, Khyber, Mohmand, Charsadda, Mardan, Hangu and Lakki Marwat.

Officials say governance experience of CPC inspirational ISLAMABAD staff report

Senior officials said the landmark resolution adopted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) is critical for China, and Pakistan can learn from the party’s governance experience.

They made the remarks at a webinar organised by think-tank Pakistan-China Institute, discussing the resolution of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and its implications for China and the world.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam stressed the importance of the historic resolution, saying that “this critical juncture will propel China to

CMYK

achieve new heights and help it in creating a community with a shared future for mankind.”

“The CPC, since its founding, has launched movements against corruption, waste, bribery, tax evasion,” he noted, adding these are “something the developing world, especially Pakistan can learn from.”

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has successfully completed its first phase and promoted the deep-rooted bilateral partnership in the fields of economy, society, culture, ecology and governance.

He called on the political parties to deepen communication with

China to learn from the governance experience of the CPC. Sherry Rehman, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Senate, congratulated the CPC on passing the historic resolution which reaffirms the commitment of party leadership to achieve the outlined goals.

“Friendship with China unites Pakistani political parties, especially ties with the CPC,” she said.

Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman of Senate’s Defense Committee, said the results would be far-reaching in terms of policy continuity and stability.

In today’s era of globalisation, challenges like Covid-19 and climate change require collective efforts through wider cooperation, he added.

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | KARACHI

FurNITure exPorTs rIse over 202Pc To $2.78M IN 4 MoNTHs: sAys PFc ISLAmABAD

P

Staff report

AKISTAN Furniture Council (PFC) has said that furniture exports registered a 202.49 percent increase during the first four months of the current fiscal year 2021-22 as compared to corresponding period of last financial year.

PFC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mian Kashif Ashfaq said this on Sunday during a meeting with a delegation of SMEs experts which, led by Chen one Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Nasir Hussain, called on him, according to a press statement.

Kashif said that during the period under review, furniture worth $2.78 million was exported. He said the furniture industry has a big potential to dominate global markets with innovative designs and can significantly contribute to exports; however, it direly needs a package of incentives and facilitation for further boosting exports.

He hoped that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the furniture sector would grow and flourish in the days to come. He said that the business community had pinned high hopes on the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf-led government, adding that Imran Khan’s government was committed to

providing all facilities to businessmen to enhance the volume of exports.

Kashif said unfortunately, in the past the furniture sector remained badly neglected and it needs special attention of the Federal and provincial governments for the training of woodworkers on modern lines to meet international standards.

He stressed the urgent need to explore the international market for boosting our exports as there is a lot of potential in Pakistani products, adding he said the value of furniture export was very nominal but the beginning had been made, and with aggressive marketing strategy the value of exports could be doubled in a short span.

He said if the government extends its support to furniture companies, the volume of export could touch the figure of $ 5 billion for the next five years. He urged the businessmen to work extensively to promote local industry in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is blessed with abundant resources and our people are equipped with the best of inherited skills that can help develop the country at par with developed countries ,” he added.

He said the PFC was committed to supporting Pakistan’s young entrepreneurs associated with the furniture and interior designing sector whose innovative thinking had the potential to unlock great economic prosperity.

From plane hijacking to Mumbai, Pulwama attacks: Falsehood remains India’s statecraft Tax collection surges 40pc so far in 202122: Farrukh Habib FAISALABAD Staff CorreSpondent

Tax revenue has increased by 40 percent during the current financial year 2021-22 as compared to the last financial year, while income tax collection has also increased.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said this while talking to the media persons on Sunday.

He said the government is going to introduce reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), as the government wants to make the revenue collection body a business friendly organisation.

He asserted that in the past, refunds used to be stopped and shown as the tax collection. The FBR released Rs250 billion refunds the following year, he added.

The state minister said Pakistan’s exports are growing rapidly. “The textile sector did not disappoint us,” he said. Farrukh said that no attention was paid to the agriculture sector in the past.

Sugar mills were established in the fields where cotton was sowed, he maintained. During the current year, wheat, rice and sugarcane crops witnessed record growth, he said.

Talking about the government’s performance during the coronavirus situation, the minister said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) provided facilities to customers during Coronavirus.

He said the federal government did not shut down industries during the epidemic, whereas industrialists were arrested in Karachi for running their businesses. He said the whole world praised the federal government’s policy.

Be it an incident of plane hijacking, attacks on the Indian parliament, Mumbai or Pulwama or Uri, India always used falsehood as statecraft to malign Pakistan, make political gains and above all divert focus from economic meltdown, insurgencies and religious bigotry at home.

The Indian establishment articulately constructs and cultivates anti-Pakistan narrative to distract the attention of international and local media from serious domestic challenges, including widespread demonstrations and tensions between ethnic groups.

From the alleged disintegration of Pakistan to its enlisting on the FATF grey list, the Indian political and intelligence leadership has always claimed to have played their role, which was based on fake propaganda and disinformation campaigns.

The drama of the Indian Parliament attack in 2001 was not the first time New Delhi had used a false flag operation to execute its hidden agenda against Pakistan.

The Indian blatant propaganda was badly exposed when The Wire news agency disclosed WhatsApp chats between Indian anchorperson Arnab Goswami, and former CEO of the rating agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) Partho Dasgupta.

The chats exposed the sinister designs hatched by Modi’s government to blame Pakistan for the false Pulwama attack, followed by a botched air strike on Balakot in February 2019.

India always tried to bluff the international stakeholders and community to project Pakistan as a state that sponsored terrorism.

Exposing the nexus between the ruling BJP and extremist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ex-Indian home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde revealed in 2013 that they were behind the Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Malegaon blasts.

The boat drama orchestrated by the Indian intelligence agencies prior to then US president Barack Obama’s second visit to India was also proven to be false when their own top officials admitted that there was no such boat that came from Pakistan.

India uses false flag operations to generate a negative perception to initiate international actions against Pakistan as well as a tool of coercion, which is often utilised to provoke or justify a war against adversaries.

In an interview, Major General (retd) Z A Khan, former director, DGFI (Bangladeshi Intelligence) said “There is no doubt that RAW played a vital role during our liberation war, but their motive was to divide Pak-

istan at any cost to weaken their archrival.”

Former Indian premier Indira Gandhi had also revealed after the fall of Dhaka that “we [India] have taken the revenge of a thousand years.”

Incumbent Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech, during his visit to Bangladesh to receive the War of Liberation Award on behalf of the former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on 7th June 2015, said that “we fought for Bangladesh’s ‘swabhimaan’ (honour) alongside Mukti Jodhas (Mukti Bahini) for Bangladesh.

Indians were fighting side-by-side with them and in a way helped realise the dream of Bangladesh.”

Moreover, India’s spy agency plotted a false flag operation on 30th January 1971 when an Indian airplane was hijacked and flown to Lahore airport, and Pakistan was immediately blamed and was prohibited to use Indian airspace to the then East Pakistan.

Later, it was revealed that the plane was already out of service but was made operational only a day before the incident of hijacking was staged.

In 1999, an Indian airlines airbus flying from Kathmandu to New Delhi was also hijacked just before the planned visit of then US president Bill Clinton to Pakistan and India.

After the refusal to land in Dubai, Amritsar, and Lahore, the plane landed at Kandahar Airport, which was under the command of the Taliban. It was reported that the hijackers demanded to release captive militants, which were Pakistani nationals, but Indian government had failed to furnish any evidence of Pakistan’s involvement.

The Indian propaganda of blaming Pakistan after the mass killing of 35 Sikhs in the Chittisinghpura Massacre in 2000, the Indian Parliament Attack in 2001, car bombing at the occupied Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly in 2001, and the Malegaon Mosque Blast in 2006 were also found to be false by India’s own officials.

Similarly, an RSS militant Kamal Chauhan was arrested for carrying out the Samjhauta Express attack in 2007 who had instead blamed the Muslim groups.

Chauhan and other activists were also found to be involved in the Ajmer Dargah blast, Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid, as well as the Malegaon Mosque Blast.

Several political commentators had also called it “Hindutva Terror” or the “Saffron Terror”.

The chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad Hemant Karkare, who was probing the attack and had exposed the RSS involvement, was later targeted and killed during the Mumbai 2008 operation. ap

NEWS

05

PM Imran to arrive Lahore today on a daylong visit ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will arrive Lahore on a day-long visit today (Monday) to hold key meetings in the provincial capital. The premier will hold separate meetings with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. CM Usman Buzdar will brief PM Khan on the administrative affairs of the province. The premier will also address the health card ceremony in Lahore and will meet provincial ministers too. Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar is also expected to brief the premier regarding his Britain’s visit. As per schedule, all the meetings and engagements of PM Khan will be held at the Governor’s House. Staff report

PM Khan promises ‘strong action’ against illegal fishing in Gwadar waters contInueD From pAge 01 His party has never been politically influential in Gwadar, but his popular stand has put him at the centre of the region’s politics. In an interview with Gwadar Pro last week, Baloch termed China a friend of Gwadar, asserting the protesters were “not at all against China, the development work or CPEC”. “Rather it aims to seek rights to live a life that every Pakistani deserves,” he added. Contrary to centuries of local traditions, thousands of women attended a rally to support Baloch in Gwadar last week. The large province, which is also considered to cover parts of neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan, is strategically important due to its rich copper, zinc, and natural gas reserves. The province has long witnessed a low-intensity militancy waged by India-funded terror groups.

NA session for mini budget rescheduled for Dec 22 contInueD From pAge 01 Besides, the OIC foreign ministers, some important countries, especially Germany, Japan, Canada and Australia, as well as the World Bank and other international financial institutions are also invited, according to some media reports. A high-level delegation from Afghanistan will also visit Pakistan to attend the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting. Earlier on Saturday, President Dr Arif Alvi summoned the session of the National Assembly on Monday (today) at 4:00pm. The session was called under article 54(1) of the constitution. The government has finalised a minibudget involving fiscal adjustments and expenditure cuts worth about Rs600 billion as part of an understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The steps will serve to reverse the effects of the federal government’s ‘pro-growth budget’ for Fiscal Year 2022 adopted only five months ago, according to some analysts. The steps are being described as the “prior actions” that will pave the way for submission of Pakistan’s request to the IMF board for approval in the middle of January. The board’s approval will ensure the release of $1bn for the country. As part of the adjustments finalised, the government has decided to reduce spending under the Public Sector Development Programme by Rs200 billion, with Rs50 billion coming from decrease in general government expenditure. On the other hand, the withdrawal of tax exemptions will earn around Rs350bn for the government.

Experts urge Pakistan to help Afghanistan in its institution-building process ISLAmABAD Staff report

Experts advised federal government on Sunday to adopt a functional strategy to help Afghanistan in its institutional building, despite providing food assistance, as there is a governance collapse since the takeover of Kabul by Taliban.

Pakistan must act within next three months and engage the Taliban to convince them to form an “inclusive and true representative government” in Afghanistan, otherwise there is likelihood of beginning of another civil war there from April next year, the experts added. These views were expressed by speakers at a consultation on “Afghan peace and reconciliation: Pakistan’s interests and policy options” organized by Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) here at a local hotel. The lawmakers, academics, journalists, former diplomats, religious scholars and members of different religious-political participated in the event.

Pakistan’s former National Security Advisor Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua was of the view that Pakistan was facing a dilemma due to Afghan situation as “the world gets antagonized whenever Pakistan extends help to the neighbouring country.”

He urged the need that regional initiative is important to bring stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. “There is a solution within the region and Pakistan should play its role in coordination with other regional countries to help Afghanistan besides sending food assistance to it.”

Dr Huma Baqai, an associate professor of social sciences at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi, said that Pakistan should help Afghanistan in developing its institutions rather than giving it food assistance.

“The issue of recognition and legitimacy of Taliban government is more important than providing it food assistance,” she said. She said that Pakistan should have a functional strategy for Afghanistan to deal with this issue.

Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Qibla Ayaz stressed that Pakistan should engage the Taliban through those local religious scholars and ulema who have great influence over them to convince them that the world wanted “inclusive and true representative government” in Afghanistan.

He suggested said that Taliban should address issue of giving women their rights to education and employment. He also said that Afghan cell in Foreign Office should be expanded and more experts on Afghanistan should be involved.

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Professor of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-iAzam University in Islamabad, was not very much optimistic about any positive outcome of meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers scheduled to be held in Islamabad upcoming week to discuss the Afghanistan issue.

He said that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries would give assistance to the war-torn

cmYK

country on their own terms and conditions.

“Alarming factor is that the assistance (of Gulf countries) would increase sectarianism in Afghanistan.” He also said that Pakistan’s policy of appeasement towards warring groups would not be successful and its on-going talks with the banned Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) could result in reinforcing other militant groups.

Maulana Yousaf Shah, president Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, talking about government’s on-going talks with the TTP hoped that there would be positive results of these negotiations as “some powerful players are involved in the process.”

Former Senator Afrasiab Khattak viewed that Pakistan needed to change it strategy towards Kabul and form a new Afghan policy on bilateral basis. He said that next three months were very important for Afghanistan to handle the situation, otherwise there is likelihood of beginning of a civil war there

in April next year. “This war would have the potential to convert into a proxy war.”

During these three months, Pakistan should play its role to make political changes in Afghanistan, he said adding that all groups in Afghanistan could be brought on the table to make an “inclusive and representative government” in Kabul.

Pakistan’s former ambassador to Iran Asif Ali Khan Durrani said that the country has got an opportunity for the first time to form a strong regional policy to deal with Afghanistan situation. He also emphasized that Taliban would have to give women their rights to education and employment.

Director PIPS Muhammad Amir Rana in his welcome remarks provided the rationale and objective behind conducting such consultations and underlined the need to discuss how current regime in Kabul would function, how to deal with evolving humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and what can be the response of Pakistan and how can it contribute.

06-07 Comments - 13th December 2021_Layout 1 12/13/2021 12:35 AM Page 1

Monday, 13 December, 2021

06 COMMENT

Why does Iran look east?

Pandemonium in Sindh Assembly Soberness must be shown by top leadership

The SCO opens new vistas

T

hOUGh the Sindh Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto of the Local Government Amendment Bill on Saturday, it only did so amid a house having dissolved in chaos. The opposition wanted to discuss the bill, which the Treasury did not countenance. Thus did the Sindh PTI, which forms the leading part of the opposition, find itself paying for the sins of the central PTI, which is the ruling party in Islamabad, There, the PTI rammed through the Bill mandating electronic Voting Machines (eVMs) without debate, first through the National Assembly and then the joint session of Parliament, without debate. Ironically, the Sindh Governor, a PTI appointee, had vetoed a bill amending the local government election law on the ground that it was ‘undemocratic’.

It is no consolation that the Sindh Assembly rumpus broke no records, set no precedents, but it does show that there is a need for leaders to calm things down. however, Imran Khan saying the same day, while addressing a gathering in Mianwali, that he was willing to talk with anyone ‘except looters’, did not help matters, especially in view of his track record, where he has refused to speak to PML(N) leaders even though there has been no finding of corruption by any court. That ‘conviction through accusation’ has survived the experience of government, and Mr Khan has shown that he has no intention of abandoning a theme which got him elected in 2018. This is a risky strategy, for there has been nothing to justify his campaign narrative that corruption at the top was preventing prosperity. With precious little to show so far in his tenure, he is reverting to old tropes which lock parliamentarians on both sides in the sort of unrelenting enmity and violence that prevents them from cooperating.

The government and opposition have to learn to agree to disagree. Pakistan is a parliamentary democracy, which means that all have a right to speak. The PTI has that right in the Sindh Assembly, the PPP in the National Assembly.

It is up to the PTI to ensure that there is a modicum of good behaviour, so that the opposition, no matter its party, can speak its mind freely. Parliamentary democracy means getting along with everyone, irrespective of one’s private opinion, so as to conduct the public’s business expeditiously.

Dr MuhaMMaD akraM Zaheer

T

he president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ibrahim Raeesi preferred east instead of West to make his first foreign visit. he participated in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), also known as the eurasian political, economic and security alliance and skipped the United Nations meeting. The visit also was substantive for Iran because it was to be a permanent member of the SCO. Tehran believes that Asian powers are rising and they may disservice to the US influence in the region and maybe on the globe.

China and Russia have no common interests with the USA to control Iran and to suppress its economy.

On the contrary, they may be willing to accept Iran in order to develop their interests in the Middle east and in the Persian Gulf.

President Raeesi’s visit to Tajikistan to participate in the SCO summit was not symbolic but it was very substantive. he expressed his future aim in the conference to expand political, economic and cultural ties with countries across the region to protect Iran from unilateral punishments from the West. his speech predominantly emphasized his main stated foreign policy goal. he stated, “The world has entered in a new era, hegemony and unilateralism is failing. The international balance is moving toward multilateralism and redistribution of power to the benefit of independent countries.” he talked, “Sanctions or economic terror-

West Indies on tour A chance to show the country’s safety

It will help journalists do their jobs

MuhaMMaD ZahiD rifat

W

heN both houses of Parliament, National Assembly and the Senate, pass a bill one after the other, it is sent to the President for his assent after which it becomes law of the land.

“Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill 2021” was something very special as it intended to promote, protect and effectively ensure the independence, impartiality, safety and freedom of expression of journalists and media professionals.

The bill was passed unanimously by both houses of the Parliament in November 2021 and it was to be given assent by President Dr Arif Alvi on December 1. In view of its importance, as stated above, the President was joined by Federal Ministers Dr Shireen M.Mazari, Ch Fawwad hussain, Minister of State Farrukh habib and SAPM Dr Shehbaz Gill besides number of journalists and media professionals at the signing ceremony, fully indicating the importance of the bill being given assent to by the President.

Quite obviously, they all were gathered at the Presidency for the important occasion as the bill emphatically focused on protecting lives of the journalists, hailing from fourth pillar of the State, Press, saving them from harassment, torture and ensuring their welfare by giving them facilities of life and health insurance.

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

Iran has expressed its desire to join CPEC, a mega-project of China and Pakistan for regional connectivity.

The writer has a doctorate in political science and can be reached at akramzaheer86@yahoo.com

A milestone legislation for journalists

T

he West Indies is to start with a five-match T20I today, to be followed by an ODI series. It is perhaps a sign of the times that there are to be no Tests, not even the new two-Test series forced on the world by the World Test Championship. Only the T20 series is being played for itself, the three ODIs being part of the qualification process for the next World Cup. Though the West Indies team is hardly a world-beater any more, the standard of cricket, particularly in the T20Is, should be good, for both teams have done well in this form of the game. The West Indies did not advance beyond the group stage at the last T20 World Cup, while Pakistan lost in the semis. Both have won both forms of the World Cup, though the West Indies last won in the ODI format in 1979 (of which the most competitive match was the Pakistan-West Indies semifinal) and Pakistan in 1992. however, whatever the quality of the cricket, the West Indies team coming is a sign that Pakistan is considered safe for touring teams. Pakistan has had the albatross of the 2009 Sri Lankan attack to deal with, which not only obliged it to use Dubai and Sharjah as its home grounds, but shift the initial editions of its T20 championship, the PSL, there. International cricket only made a comeback, with Sri Lanka touring, in 2019, but the terrorist threat reared its head again last season, when New Zealand and england cancelled their tours because of a perceived threat. That threat eased fears that more cancellations might follow, but the example of the West Indies is praiseworthy, especially since they had a non-terrorism excuse after three of their players were diagnosed with covid-19. hopefully, this will encourage Australia to fulfill its commitment to tour in March.

Not only has the security situation improved, but so has the team. The induction of a new PCB Chairman before the T20 World Cup seems to have worked wonders, with a cohesive unit now taking the field, playing their best game and eschewing the politicking and backstabbing of the past.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

ism as major hurdles for regional progress,” and called on the SCO member states to develop structures and mechanisms to fight against the sanctions as a group.

Mr. Raeesi viewed diplomacy as the only tool to secure national interest and this will be effective when all the major powers abide by it. “Unilateral sanctions are not against only one country but it has become evident in recent years, sanctions have targeted more independent countries, especially members of the organisation”. he further said, “Iran’s geopolitical position, population, energy supplies, transport potential, workforce and culture can provide “meaningful momentum” to major regional master plans, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative and eurasian economic Union”.

President Raeesi is trying to recover all the strips of the JCPOA deal and nuclear programme broken by President Donald Trump. At the time, when indications of negotiation are growing from both sides, China may play an important role in facilitating and supporting negotiation between Tehran and Washington. China has several options, like diplomatic engagement, BRI and foreign direct investment in Iran, to bring Iran on the table for negotiation with the USA. China already has the experience to engage Iran for the nuclear deal. Iran’s acceptance as a SCO permanent member is a great achievement and China has supported Iran in this regard.

The entry of Iran in the SCO may enhance its cooperative relationship with member states China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. This move can neutralize Western countries to isolate Iran and also can strengthen Iran’s position in West Asia.

Iran thinks that JCPOA was not about Iranian nuclear program’s legitimacy; it was only for the containment of Iran and also was a try to limit Iran’s power and influence in the Middle east, particularly in the Persian Gulf. Once former president hassan Ruhani said, “The West never helped Iran, it will hit Iran whenever it can.” Therefore, they have to learn that the West can never be trusted. even that, Ruhani’s effort to revive the JCPOA, was a kind of look-West approach which has died.

President Raeesi also has criticized the policy of Ruhani who depended on the West to save Iran from sanctions. Iranians think sanctions are Washington’s

tool to thwart their nuclear and missile programmes and their growing influence in the Middle east.

Therefore, they believe that the only way for Iran is to find new strategic and powerful partners like China and Russia. Iran optimises that China and Russia might support it during the nuclear talks. The membership of SCO follows the way to the east.

On the other hand, China-Iran also has signed a 25-year agreement of $400 billion investment, including security ties. Iran would like to join the Belt and Road Initiative and wants to attract Chinese investment in other mega projects. Tehran believes that Chinese investment may turn Iran’s geopolitical potential into reality. The geography of Iran makes it a bridge between Asia and europe. The joining with the world’s largest regional organization can protect Iran from isolation and US sanctions. Then Iran may be able to play a significant role in the economic activities and security of the region and beyond the region. The withdrawal of the USA from Afghanistan also has enlarged its role in the peace and stability of Afghanistan. As well as it may promote its trade and defence cooperation with all SCO member states.

Russia also has agreed to expand its bilateral cooperation with Iran. Russia can sell more sophisticated arms to Iran. As a member of the SCO, Iran may extend its defensive perimeters, military manoeuvres and security cooperation with Russia.

Iran and Pakistan have not had ideal relations since the Islamic revolution in 1979. Both the countries have complaints about uncertainty and instability in border areas. Recently Iran follows the assumption about Pakistan’s backing of the Taliban in squashing the northern alliance’s resistance in Panjshir region of Afghanistan. Although both countries have complaints for each other, there is a great potential for bilateral cooperation.

Iran has expressed its desire to join CPeC, a mega-project of China and Pakistan for regional connectivity. To be a permanent member of SCO Iran has a large potential to become a beneficiary of the CPeC. however Iran may avail opportunities to generate more leverage for the SCO member states and greater reliance on the east. But if Tehran thinks that only by becoming the part of different regional organizations in neighbouring regions, including eurasia, could spontaneously break the wall of sanctions and lead it to diversify fruitful foreign relations, it would not be bad but illusory.

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

After assenting to the bill, President Dr Arif Alvi availing the opportunity said that he was indeed very happy to sign the historic bill, for the past about 70 years or so the journalists had been raising issues, mafias of all kinds had resorting to killing, harassing and torturing them on the flimsiest personal accounts as they did not want their wrongdoings and mistakes exposed. The President emphasized the dire need for a culture of tolerance for the journalists, while the new important law ensures protection of life to the journalists who by and large worked in hazardous conditions ensuring neutrality and faced threats to their lives every and then.

The President maintained that following the act coming into force at force, the government as well as the media houses owners had greater responsibility for protecting the life of the journalists who now also enjoy the right not to disclose their source of information which was important for maintaining and ensuring freedom of expression- the media personnel have the responsibility to counter fake news, when there were fewer media organizations in the past everyone trusted all the news so being presented would be true but now in the age of social media it is painful to state that as much as 60 to 70 percent of the news was fake.

Federal Information Minister Ch Fawad hussain said that for the first time the working journalists in the country have been given the rights which are being enjoyed by the journalists in the advanced democracies around the world, freedoms so far were reserved only for the media tycoons and the working journalists were not getting the rights which they should be enjoying, the new law also provided much needed protection to the working journalists from the employers as well as the government officials and fully appreciated human Rights Minister Dr Shireen M. Mazari for making tireless efforts for finalization and enactment of the new act.

In the statement of Objects and Reasons, Dr Mazari, who had piloted the historical legislation said, “The Committee for the Protection of Journalists estimates that between 1992 and 2019, at least 61 journalists were killed in Pakistan. In addition to acts of violence that result in the loss of lives of journalists and media professionals, there are equally serious concerns pertaining to acts of intimidation, harassment and coercion of journalists not just in Pakistan but around the globe.

“In accordance with Pakistan’s Constitution as well as its international legal commitments, the State of Pakistan has a responsibility to secure the right to

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

freedom of expression within its territory. The protection and promotion of the right to freedom of expression. In fact, the International Federation of Journalists has emphasized “the work of a free, independent and impartial press constitutes one of the basic foundations of a democratic society”.

“There is, therefore, an urgent need to ensure accountability for all forms of threats, coercion and violence against journalists and media professionals. ensuring accountability in this regard has the additional objective of deterring/preventing future threats and/or attacks against journalists and media professionals, by actively investigating, prosecuting and punishing such acts that affect all media professionals and the right of all persons to enjoy the right to freedom of opinion and expression” Needless to mention here that it is the responsibility of the State to safeguard the right to freedom of expression, as contained in Article 19 of the Constitution as well as in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media. Quite obviously, it is the requirement of any democratic society like Pakistan to instill a strong culture of society and independence of journalists, duly taking into consideration attacks on journalists and media professionals.

The new legislation provides for the rights of journalists and professionals, training and insurance, investigation, establishment of an independent commission for the protection of journalists and media professionals and Journalists Welfare Scheme.

As a matter of fact, there is always room for improvement, betterment, addition and correction in any legislation when it is implemented after being assented to by the President. Both the federal government and the journalists organizations should remain in constant contact with each other as the new legislation is implemented. Irrespective of all the good intentions and sincerity of purpose behind this legislation, shortcomings and deficiencies which may have remained somehow in the act only surface when legislation like this is implemented, and these should be removed as and when noticed by any party through timely amendment of Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021, ensuring positive objectives and good intentions are not eroded in any manner.

The writer can zahidriffat@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

be

reached

at

06-07 Comments - 13th December 2021_Layout 1 12/13/2021 12:35 AM Page 2

Monday, 13 December, 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

Local bodies for solving problems

Any solution to the grievances of Balochistan?

Gwadar has come into play

ali Jan MaqsooD

F

OR last couple of weeks, scores of people including males, females and children have paraded on the roads of Gwadar, the hub city of the China Pakistan economic Corridor, chanting slogans of rights under the aegis of the Gwadar ko haq do (Give Rights to Gwadar)” movement, led by the provincial General Secretary of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Maulana hidayat Ur Rehman. Securing the confidence of the people of Gwadar, Maulana has aimed to expend the established movement provincially. however, the long-running endeavor of Maulana was a bull’s eye of severe denunciation by local and exiled Baloch activists upon the visit of the Central ameer of Jamaat-i-Islami, Siraj ul haq, who termed India “the biggest enemy” of Pakistan and cause of growing unrest in the region. The Maulana, on the other hand, vows to be more “the voice” of Baloch and residents of Gwadar in the movement, saying to cease supporting protesting sit-ins if they found him engaged in “party promotion”.

There are several reasons most Baloch have no good opinions of the Jamaat-i-Islam. One, the student wing of the party frequently has conflicts with Baloch students in various universities of Punjab; two, Baloch are a secular nation from ancient times and they believe more in individual and social freedom other than religious bonding; three, the Jamaat has always opposed Baloch nationalism; and the list goes on.

While the ongoing protest in the CPeC city could reach to no conclusion for now, the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of China, Zhao Lijian said in his statement 6f November 30 that he did not find the protest in Gwadar “against China” and briefed there were “no Chinese trawlers” in the sea around Gwadar.

Maulana hidayat Ur Rehman supported Zhao Lijian and called it an “unsuccessful attempt” of west portraying to the world their peaceful protest for the provision of fundamental rights as an anti-CPeC protest. he says in his defence that the China Overseas Port holding Company (COPhC) Pakistan, which deals with the Gwadar port, was also found in stating that Maulana had cleared from the beginning of the movement in Gwadar that

they were not “against the CPeC” or China. In fact, the protestors did not block eastbay expressway, the road being constructed by Gwadar Port Authority underCPeC. Nonetheless, the recently emerged movement, which is a ray of hope for many in Balochistan, is also a distress signal of the inner anger of the natives at deprivations of their due rights for years. Maulana, who is a leader of the true path for some, is deemed a political agent by others. But, all he is doing now is in favour of the local residents.

Protestors of Gwadar had in their list 13 demands which increased to 19 with the intensity of the sit-in. They have two leading demands; one, to halt the trawler mafia from coming within the legal boundary of the sea making it difficult for the local fishermen to carry on with their living, and two, to refurbish the trade 6n the Pakistan-Iran border which has been the source of income for several families of the district. The other demands include free movement of fishermen in the sea, removal of unnecessary checkposts in Gwadar, Makran Coastal highway and other routes, bar on wine stores of Gwadar, establishment of a university in Gwadar, recruitment on vacant posts of non-teaching staff of education sector, check and balance on counterfeit medications, of arrears on utility bills, a special subsidy should be given by declaring Gwadar city a natural disaster area, recovery of cars and boats seized by the Coast Guard, provision of clean drinking water for all the citizens of Gwadar, prioritizing the residents of Gwadar for posts under Gwadar port and CPeC, district administration to act accordingly with victims of Tarbela dam, removal of charges against the leader of “Give Rights to Gwadar” movement, Maulana hidayat Ur Rehman and removing of his name from the ATA Fourth Schedule list, ratification of damage to victims of hurricane and fishermen’s nets etcetera by trawlers, immediate transfer of DG GDA, Deputy Commissioner Gwadar and Assistant Commissioner Gwadar, quotas for persons with disabilities should be implemented in federal and provincial departments, and so on.

In a short span of time, the Maulana’s “Give Rights to Gwadar” movement has gained a wide audience all across the country. Residents of Makran– from various towns and villages– have joined the protest to show solidarity with the inhabitants of Gwadar, and above all, to illustrate to the authorities concern it is not merely Gwadar going through the mentioned problems, but all the region, nevertheless, the province is affected with such anguishes. Feeling the need of the people, Maulana announced to expend the movement to overall province so as to reclaim the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

Besides this, numerous rallies have taken place in the other parts of Balochistan and the other provinces showing solidarity with Gwadar’s movement for basic amenities. Social media sites are rendering support for Gwadar and its people.

Rallies of women and children in Gwadar enhanced the worth of the movement and put forward a clear indication that the movement was supported by people of all walks of life. Local actors have been participating in and staging plays at night to portray the scenario of the city and ask the higher authorities for attention.

In other words, the movement has become

more a public movement. From local to exiled Baloch and the other provinces of the country, everyone shows moral and individual back-up and deem Maulana’s demands wholly legal and of utmost importance. Becoming the hub city of CPeC, the movement has attained more sympathy for the locals countrywide which has increased the mounting pressures on the newly established government of Mir Quddos Bezinjo.

The provincial government of Balochistan has had negotiations with Maulana hidayat Ur Rehman to end the protest and 0eet his demands, but that could not satisfy the protesters. Led by Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, the provincial minister for planning and development, the government team asked for time for meeting some ends met, howbeit, they ensured of accomplishment of some demands. Senator Kahuda Babar Baloch claimed in a tweet that measures are taken for the complication of ends of the protest and all the “demands are almost met”. he further requested Maulana to finish the protest.

Zahoor Buledi also said in his statement that they have had “meaningful negotiations” with Maulana and his team and would bring about “positive implementation” to the soonest.

In a meeting, Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Abdul Quddos Bizenjo said that doors were always open for protestors for solution of the problems.

On one hand, where the Maulana has vowed to stay on the roads unless their demands are officially met in practical terms, on the other hand, the government seems to be following the protest to lead it to a conclusion in either way.

The government claims the procedures have begun to accomplish the needs, but protestors complain of witnessing trawlers– one of their leading demands– yet in the sea in the Jiwani tehsil of Gwadar. It has led to distrust of the protestors in the words of the government.

Various local administrative orders have been issued on some of the demands like bar on wine stores, checking and balance on medical stores and trawlers, opening of border, removal of unnecessary checkposts and so forth. however, these could not affect the movement. But all these delude when the protestors look at a large number of military deployed to Gwadar who are threatening the protestors to end their protests, and warning them of serious consequences otherwise.

Although Balochistan is the richest-in-resources province of Pakistan, it still lacks ‘deserved’ developments. Such movements can prove beneficial to ensure Balochistan prospers, but here one wonders if staging such a demonstration would bring fruitful reforms in the fate of the most agonised province of Balochistan, why could not it bring it previously? Because we have seen such protests and demonstrations back in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, but they merely worsened the circumstances of the province. It is yet to be seen if the ongoing “Give rights to Gwadar” movement will have a different outcome. The people of Balochistan have always looked for a way to draw their grievances to the state, and such a long-held sit-in helps them gain state attention towards the people. The coming few days can be decisive for the fate of Gwadar and Balochistan.

The writer is a freelance columnist

The local body system was in place and working before independence.

Unfortunately, after independence, it lost its value and form. The leadership of our political parties portray 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 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. We have also seen dictators championing democratic norms and introducing local body systems. Unfortunately, every time it turned out to be an attempt to further their personal grip on power and lengthen their tenure.

Still, whenever the local bodies system could run for whatever motives, it delivered to some extent. Be it the municipal elections during the Zia era or, successive government, or the Nazim system by Musharraf, a local body system being closer to problems of common person delivered.

Unfortunately, since democracy took over in 2009, the grassroots democratic system has been bypassed by the provincial governments creating a devoid between the government and people. Funds go wasted and are more susceptible to corruption.

Money gets 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 elects under instructions of the apex courts. even then they would make the local bodies toothless. It is about time that our political parties realize that problems of people are best solved by devolving power to grassroots and they must empower people through a strong and powerful local bodies system.

RAJA SHAFAATULLAH ISLAmAbAd

Protecting criminals TheRe is a perception based on ground realities that in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the state is often seen protecting those criminals who are influential and wealthy, irrespective of the gruesome charges they face or the gravity of crimes committed by them.

In Georgia USA, while there is a trial in progress by a jury of three white men for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old unarmed Black man, who was suspected by them for a series of break-ins in their neighbourhood.

The video showing the gruesome slaying of Mr Arbery was captured on a CCTV videotape and was widely telecast by all TV channels and viewed by the public. Neither the State Prosecutor nor the regulators have objected, nor have there been any complaints by the defendant’s lawyers entertained to stop the media from showing it.

In Pakistan, PeMRA has prohibited on 14 November TV channels from airing the CCTV video of Noor Muqaddam murder accused Zahir Jaffer. The CCTV footage reveals the ordeal suffered by Noor hours before her brutal murder. Why should PeMRA be seen protecting this criminal. It is an unfortunate reality that influential and rich criminals involved in gruesome deeds have often got away because of friendly prosecution. It was public outcry and resentment that enabled the murderer and rapist of Zainab to get punished. Thereafter numerous other paedophiles who have murdered innocent victims in their teens have got away with lighter sentences.

Crime has flourished and increased in Pakistan because laws are selectively applied and the State is often seen not performing its constitutional role in protecting the lives and property of citizens. mALIK TARIQ ALI LAHoRE

Effects of Afghan refugees I would like to start with the fact that when migrants move from one country to another, they create a lot of problems for the local people and that is exactly what happened with Pakistan. I will not focus too much on the history of the arrival of Afghan refugees here because almost all know that when the USSR invaded Afghanistan, Afghans would start coming here to Pakistan and then when the United States invaded Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks. Again, many Afghans turned to Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.

And when refugees go to a country, it is the responsibility of the country to register them, then it is sad to say that our country did not do that and many Afghan refugees entered Pakistan without registration. It was a great injustice to our local people. Now the most important thing that will be done here is that since Balochistan was getting very close, people started setting up their camp here.

A large number of Afghan refugees belong to the Pashtun Nation, so they chose to stay in the Pashtun belt. On the one hand, the refugees were not registered and on the other hand, our NADRA started making ID cards for the unsuspecting refugees and the local committee started making them local. Now don’t ask why NADRA and the local committee did this because only they can give the answer.

There are many issues, such as social, security, religious, but the two most important are political and education. When it comes to politics, Afghan migrants now have ID cards and are able to legally participate in any political process. So it is no longer a secret that Afghan refugees in the Pashtun belt, who have now made ID cards, play an important part in the election. That is a turning point in a candidate’s winning and losing. And the important thing is that the number of Afghan refugees is slowly increasing and the day is not far when Afghan refugees will be in our assemblies and will govern the local people. In fact, it is nothing short of heartbreaking. The second thing is education.

The higher authorities are requested to either register all Afghans or at least allocate a quota system for Afghan refugees so that the local people get their due.

HUNZLA KAKAR ZHob

08 WORLD VIEW 13th December 21_Layout 1 12/12/2021 7:31 PM Page 1

Monday, 13 December, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

BRitisH uNiveRsities slaMMed FoR takiNg £90M FRoM oil coMpaNies iN FouR yeaRs

open deMocracy JEnna COrdErOy

B

RiTiSh universities have accepted almost £90m in funding from major oil companies since 2017, openDemocracy can reveal. oxford, Cambridge and imperial College london have been criticised for taking the most, with one MP branding the relationship between oil giants and universities “scandalous”. imperial College london has accepted more than £54m, including £39m from Shell – with which it boasts of having a “long-standing and fruitful partnership”.

The college has refused to explain exactly what the money was used for, simply saying that it funded research into “energy transition, lowering carbon emissions in extraction and in carbon mitigation measures”.

Cambridge University also received more than £14m from oil giants, while oxford University got almost £8m. These include large donations to oxford’s Said Business School Centre for Corporate Reputation. in total, 36 universities said they have received funding from eight oil giants, with others refusing to disclose whether they had received similar funding.

The findings come as universities face growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions

CAMPAIGNERS CONDEMN ‘SCANDALOUS’ FUNDING, SAYING IT IS ‘A BLEMISH ON THE REPUTATIONS OF THE UK’S LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS’ and break ties with fossil fuel corporations. last month, more than 40 senior academics and scientists signed an open letter pledging not to work with the Science Museum because of its sponsorship deals with oil companies. “it is scandalous that British universities are so out of step with both public opinion and the climate science in continuing to be on the payroll of the fossil fuel giants,” green MP Caroline lucas told openDemocracy. “There is no justification for taking money from oil and gas firms and no justification for being complicit in the greenwashing of these big corporations.” lucas added: “it’s high time universities ended their cosy relationship with polluters. if they don’t, i am sure students will increasingly vote with their feet and avoid those institutions that are jeopardising their very futures.” last month, openDemocracy revealed how Warwick University collaborated with oil firm BP to snoop on a student climate campaigner. Connor Woodman, who was researching BP’s archive, which is housed on Warwick’s campus, was targeted with “very discreet security” in 2015 after he requested access to his records. it has now emerged that the university has received at

least £100,000 of research funding from BP since 2017.

Friends of the Earth today condemned the funding, saying it “tarnishes the reputations of the UK’s leading academic institutions”. a spokesperson for the group said: “By accepting millions of pounds in grants and sponsorship from the fossil fuel industry, UK universities are complicit in propping up and legitimising the existence and operations of some of the most harmful companies on the planet.”

Under the Freedom of information act, the institutions were asked to reveal details of any funding they had accepted since 2017 from eight of the biggest oil firms: BP, Shell, Total, Equinor, Eni, Chevron, Exxon or ConocoPhillips. The figures include donations, gifts, grants and research funding. of those that provided details, imperial College london, oxford and Cambridge universities had received by far the most.

Southampton, aberdeen, Edinburgh and Bath universities also took more than a million pounds each from the oil firms. in total, universities said they had received £89.7 – but the true figure could be far higher because many institutions failed to provide details.

Boris Johnson’s departure is only a matter of time THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER MAY HANG ON FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS, A FEW WEEKS, OR EVEN A FEW DAYS, BUT HIS DEPARTURE IS A MATTER OF WHEN, NOT IF

Middle east eye PEtEr ObOrnE

N

EvillE Chamberlain and World War Two. anthony Eden and the Suez crisis in 1956. Margaret Thatcher and the poll tax miscalculation. only three times in the past century has a sitting British prime minister been forced out of office. now, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who won a seemingly impregnable majority of 80 seats over Jeremy Corbyn’s labour party in the general election in December 2019, is fighting to save his political career. a fight he is losing.

For the past week, Johnson’s Downing Street - and many of his cabinet ministers have repeatedly insisted that no party took place in Downing Street last December in breach of Covid-19 rules. on Tuesday evening, these protestations were exposed when an explosive video emerged of the prime minister’s then personal spokesperson, allegra Stratton, laughing and joking when questioned about the event at a mock press conference. The video was filmed on 22 December, just four days after the alleged party took place.

This deadly footage seems to prove that Johnson, and his government, repeatedly uttered falsehoods about an event that took place while Britain was in Covid lockdown when many families were even banned from visiting their loved ones dying in hospital. of course, Johnson and his cabinet ministers have not told the truth countless times, both inside and outside parliament, on many issues, including Covid-19. These falsehoods have been well documented.

But they have been ignored by the mainstream media, meaning they have failed to resonate powerfully with the general public. This time it’s different.

The majority of the British people have agonising memories of the personal - and sometimes tragic - sacrifices they made last Christmas to observe the national lockdown

rules demanded by the Johnson government.

They will have seen this obscene Downing Street video, which appears to prove that the Johnson government itself ignored these rules and - most repugnant of all - privately laughed and joked about them. This changes the national debate and means trouble for Boris Johnson. i am reminded of the terrible “Milly Dowler moment” 10 years ago. For several years, it was impossible to get the British public interested in criminal phone hacking practised by journalists, much of it inside the Murdoch newspaper empire but also elsewhere. From the start, it was widely known within the newspaper industry itself that journalists had been breaking the law on an industrial scale. But silence prevailed. Even the BBC was reticent. it was only when the horrific details emerged of how news of the World reporters illegally hacked into the phone of the murdered, missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler, giving her anxious parents the impression that she could still be alive, did the phonehacking story go viral. a development that forced the closure of the news of the World. history is repeating itself with Johnson, himself a former journalist. With one or two exceptions, the British media has so far turned a blind eye to Johnson’s falsehoods and hypocrisy. Some papers are still doing so, but it’s getting harder. it should be said that several factors work in the prime minister’s favour. no one has claimed that he personally attended the notorious Downing Street party. That meant he was able at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday to express his shock at what happened, order an investigation and state that those responsible will be punished.

This strategy might work, but there is dangerous talk of other Downing Street parties. Fresh information can and probably will emerge. The situation is outside Johnson’s control. also, it is extremely hard to force out an incumbent prime minister when she or he is determined to stay.

Chamberlain (Britain’s prime minister 1937-1940) faced a Tory party revolt at a moment of national emergency following the fall of norway in May 1940. The backbencher leo amery said to him, when he channelled oliver Cromwell’s dismissal of the long Par-

liament shortly after the English civil war: “you have sat here too long for any good you are doing. Depart, i say, and let us have done with you. in the name of god, go!”

But the rules are cumbrous when it comes to forcing out a Tory prime minister who is determined to hang onto power. Signatures must be assembled to mount a leadership challenge. This gives time for an embattled prime minister to rally his or her forces.

But consider this. Boris Johnson has few real friends in politics. he recently fell out with his chief whip Mark Spencer when he tried to change Commons rules on standards in a failed bid to protect his ally owen Paterson MP. There will be a by-election next week in Paterson’s north Shropshire constituency now that the former cabinet minister has quit parliament. The Conservatives have a solid majority, but there is a growing expectation among liberal Democrats that they could take the seat. That would be a seismic result and a calamity for Johnson.

The sharks would circle.

Watch the national polls. The prime minister has already lost his comfortable lead over labour’s Keir Starmer. if he falls badly behind the labour leader, Johnson won’t last.

That’s because the Tory party, unlike labour, is notoriously ruthless with failing leaders.

Tory MPs never liked Johnson. They only backed him because he was an election winner. if they decide he’s a liability, they will destroy him without a moment’s thought. To adapt a famous quote from Johnson’s political hero, Winston Churchill, this is not ‘the end of the beginning’ for Boris Johnson’s premiership. it is the beginning of the end. When power and authority start to slip away, it can vanish in the blink of an eye. The prime minister may hang on for a few more months. it may take a few weeks, or even a few days. it’s only possible to be certain of one thing: Boris Johnson has, in political terms, joined the living dead. he’s become a posthumous prime minister. it’s become a matter of time; when, not if. his departure will be pregnant with meaning and consequence for Britain.

Peter Oborne won best commentary/blogging in 2017 and was named freelancer of the year in 2016 at the Online Media Awards for articles he wrote for Middle East Eye.

‘COMMERCIAL INTERESTS’: Transparency campaigners have also criticised several universities for failing to provide details about fossil fuel funding.

The london School of Economics (lSE) said it couldn’t reveal any information because it would “prejudice the commercial interests of the school, by making it more difficult to raise funds from private donors in the future”.

The University of Surrey also refused to disclose details of its research funding from BP, on the advice of BP itself. “after contacting BP, they confirmed that they consider the specific amount of the funding as being commercially sensitive,” the university said.

Katherine gundersen, deputy director of the Campaign for Freedom of information, said that universities should “publicly justify” their funding “so an informed debate can be had”.

‘GREENWASHING’ ALLEGATIONS: With pressure mounting on universities, some argue that oil funding has allowed academics to conduct important research into climate change and renewables. But critics say this has simply helped the companies with “greenwashing”.

Cambridge University said that, since october 2020, it has accepted funding from

oil companies only if it was sure that the collaboration would help the UK “transition to decarbonised energy”.

The move followed reports in 2019 that it had accepted £6m from Shell to fund research into oil extraction technology. BP and Shell have also given hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of gifts to Cambridge, such as student prizes and student support. a spokesperson for the university said that donors do not direct the research they fund, adding: “over the past five years funding from traditional energy sector partnerships represented around 0.5 per cent of the University of Cambridge’s combined annual research and philanthropic income.”

Meanwhile, oxford University told openDemocracy it was unable to provide figures for all of its oil money “because of the need to consult the relevant funders”.

The university said it would not disclose the information until it had received “confirmation” from the oil companies. a spokesperson said that oxford “safeguards the independence” of its work, with funding “often going directly into research into climate-related issues and renewables”. an imperial College london spokesperson also defended its funding, saying it helped to “develop meaningful solutions to climate change”. “We are using our influence and expertise to accelerate this transition, and we actively engage with energy companies to push them towards the Paris agreement targets,” the spokesperson said.

How Facebook failed to protect Rohingya Muslims FACEBOOK IS NOT JUST A PLATFORM FOR SHARING KNOWLEDGE OR SOCIAL NETWORKING, IT IS ALSO A SPACE FOR MANIPULATION, TARGETING AND INCITEMENT

Middle east Monitor Elif SElin Calik

R

ohingya refugees and victims are suing Facebook for $150 billion. They allege that Facebook played a key role in the brutal crackdown against Muslims in Myanmar by promoting anti-Rohingya posts. This online hate turned into realworld violence, according to the lawsuit. as stated by noam Chomsky, author of Manufacturing Consent, in this new digital era, Facebook is not just a platform for sharing knowledge or social networking, it is also a space for manipulation, targeting, and incitement. The Rohingya case and lawsuit, to a large extent, confirms Chomsky’s view.

Meanwhile, this week a letter submitted by lawyers to Facebook’s UK office shows the reality of this case. it says their clients and family members have been subjected to acts of “serious violence, murder and/or other grave human rights abuses” as part of a campaign of genocide conducted by the ruling regime and civilian extremists in Myanmar. in 2019, i met with Dr Maung Zarni to discuss his book, Essays on Myanmar’s genocide of Rohingyas (2012-2018). Zarni told me that he had been following and documenting the stories of the Rohingya genocide as a Burmese exiled human rights activist. i opened the discussion about Facebook’s Rohingya case and asked him: “Does Facebook really support genocide in Rohingya?” “Facebook acts against its

promise. it has become a means for those seeking to spread hate and cause harm, and posts have been linked to offline violence,” he responded candidly. in 2018, Facebook confessed that it had not done enough to prevent the incitement of violence and hate speech against the Rohingya, the Muslim minority in Myanmar. Zarni explained: “We understand that the Facebook posts were not from everyday internet users. instead, they were from Myanmar military personnel who turned the social network into a tool for ethnic cleansing, according to former military officials, researchers, and civilian officials in the country.”

Seemingly, the campaign in Myanmar looked similar to Russia’s online influence and disinformation campaigns prior to the 2016 US presidential election. according to the book, hybrid War: attack on the West, human rights groups focused on the Facebook group, “opposite Eyes”, which shared Myanmar’s military propaganda pictures.

Facebook is failing to aid an important international effort to establish accountability. This creates global concerns, especially regarding the brainwashing of youth in Myanmar. as observed by the United nations independent international FactFinding Mission on Myanmar (iiFFMM) in its September 2018 report: “For most users age between 16-35 [in Myanmar], Facebook is the internet.” The report also states that “Facebook has been used to spread hate” in the country and regretted that the company was unable to provide country-specific information about hate speech on its platform.

Facebook’s manipulation of consent on Myanmar’s genocide policy against Rohingya Muslims is neither new nor shocking. The Un refugee agency even inappropriately collected and shared personal information on Rohingya refugees with Bangladesh, which was then shared with Myanmar to verify people for possible repatriation. Filtering laws on social media must be applied strictly by governments for the protection of its users.

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

corporate corner Pakistan Learning Festival for Children & Teachers at Karachi Arts Council KARACHI: The Children's Literature Festival (CLF), now rebranded as the Pakistan Learning Festival (PLF) due to an overwhelming nationwide response from all age groups and in preparation for the 100 years celebration of Pakistan, comes to Karachi from 14-16 December 2021.

The first two days of PLF will be dedicated to the inclusive equalizing Children's Learning Festival (CLF) on 14-15 December and one day to the Teachers' Learning Festival (TLF) on 16 December. All school systems are welcome, including institutions of children with disabilities. The venue is the coveted Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi where the extraordinary trio, viz. the President of the Arts Council Ahmed Shah, Secretary School Education and Literacy Department (SELD), Govt. of Sindh Ghulam Akbar Laghari and Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon will co-host alongside Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA). Sindh Minister for Culture and Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah will grace the event as chief guest along with Provincial Minister for Information and Labour Saeed Ghani and Member Provincial Assembly Tanzeela Qambrani. The PLF is a true partnership of the Government, Civil Society Organization, Industry and Development Partner sponsors, including the Bank of Punjab (BoP), Habib Metropolitan Bank, Oxford University Press (OUP), Room to Read (RtR), British Council Pakistan, National Foods, Sindh Education Foundation (SEF), EdLab Pakistan, Learning Pitch, CandyLand, Essa Laboratories, Lightstone Publishers, Sightsavers Pakistan, SOC Films, Telenor, Oxfam in Pakistan, UNESCO, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Museum and K-Electric. The famous choir of heritage school St. Joseph's Convent (SJC), where millions of girls/women students have graduated since 1860 making it famous for its empowered gendered footprint, will be rendering the PLF /CLF anthem ‘Humain Kitab Chahiye’ written for the CLF by Zehra Nigah and composed by Rakae Jamil, both will be there too. There will be a special Concert by SJC choir on 14 December from 1:00-2:00pm at the Open Air Theatre, Arts Council. At least 33 books will be launched, including 28 adapted books from RtR in Sindhi by ITA and SELD, the Hamara Adabi Jashan written and illustrated by Maria Riaz, Aik Sabaq Seekha by child author Aminah Alavi, Zebra's Striped by Zoya Khan (written when she was just 15years old), Kaun Badshah Banna Chahta Hai by RtR and translated in Braille by SightSavers, A Special Garden written by Dr. Ambreen Ahmed and illustrated by Maria Riaz, and Amai and Shabnam by Fauzia Minallah. These are all PLF's publications and are available for the public.

Meanwhile, BoP CEO and President Zafar Masud will announce the Young Author Awards 2021-2022. CLF Ambassadors and renowned actors Ahsan Khan and Adeel Hashmi will thrill the audience, promoting learning, protection and how to make Faiz Ahmed Faiz popular in schools and classes on the two days of CLF which is something not to be missed. The program is available online on CLF’s website. There are over 70 sessions and 150 resource persons and institutions participating in the mega event. Active plenaries and pitches will take place by industry, education and climate change giants on Ed Tech, Incredible Libraries, Education Reforms and Climate Change with many eminent speakers including Zehra Nigah, Dr. Arfa Syeda Zehra, Zubeida Mustafa, Dr. Fouzia Khan, Ahmed Shah, Rumana Husain, Afia Salam, CEO Katalyst Labs Jehan Ara and resource persons from Dot and Line, AzCorp, ITA, EdLabs, Learning Pitch, Deaf Reach Wonder Tree, OUP and more. Sessions on theatre, music, performing arts, puppets and cinema will have Ali Hamza, Rakae Jamil, Nazia Zuberi Hassan, Sheema Kermani, Samar Minallah, Nigar Nazar, Atif Badar, Shayma Saiyid and Junaid Zuberi. Sohail Rana songs revival continues at PLF this time too with a session Dak Baboo Dak Baboo led

by Nazia Zuberi in schools supported by ITA teams.

Sessions on creative writing and art of book making will be led by Mohsin Tejani of the School of Writing and Batool Nasir of OUP and on Dastani Goi Bait Bazi by Badar and Syed Nusrat Ali. Kitab Gari – a CLF/Library/School on wheels – also being called ‘Jadoo Gari’ will also be launched at the PLF and will engage the children, teachers and families through interactive activities throughout the event. Moreover, there will be STEAM activities by Science Fuse, Digital Story Writing by AKUIED, numeracy –heritage

by SBP Museum, tiny tales and arts & crafts by British Council Library, Environment and Climate Change Corner by the Grand Maali of Pakistan Tofiq Pasha Mooraj, interactive activities by SEF and Naunehal Magazine and much more. The PLF/CLF/TLF are ITA's flagship nationwide programs, promoting learning and above all social emotional learning especially at the time of COVID-19.

They have a nationwide footprint, having completed 74 CLFs in all provincial capitals, Islamabad and over 25 districts of the country, digital CLFs and PLFs, collectively reaching over 1.6 million children and teachers since its inception in November, 2011. Pr

Anti Narcotics Force Balochistan recovers total of 845 kg drugs worth 9,28,20,000 US dollars from Pishin PISHIN: In an Intelligence based operation, Anti Narcotics Force recovered 340kg of Heroin and 505kg Morphine from a cave in Pishin district's area called Kali Boti. The stored drugs were destined to be smuggled abroad through Gwadar. Further investigation in this regard is underway. Pr

09

LUMS COMMEMOrATES iTS 35-YEAr ASSOCiATiON wiTh iNDUSTrY PArTNErS LAHORE Pr

O

N the occasion of LUMS celebrating its 35th anniversary, the University acknowledged the leadership of its founding members as well as its visionary partnership with the industry through a special commemorative ceremony hosted at the campus on December 11, 2021. The University’s senior leadership including Founding Pro Chancellor, Syed Babar Ali; Pro Chancellor, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood; Rector, Mr. Shahid Hussain; Member Board of Trustees, Dr. Parvez Hassan and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad were present at the occasion.

The evening was a special tribute to all the donors who played a pivotal role in the successful journey of LUMS and its transformational endeavours through their generous contributions in the last 35 years. The attendees included notable donors from philanthropists, alumni, corporate representatives, Government bodies, and bilateral agencies who had contributed significantly towards LUMS success since its inception.

Welcoming the guests at the event, Ms. Nuzhat Kamran, Director of Advancement and an alumna of the University, spoke of the transformational experience of being a LUMS student and how the over 15,500 alumni are making the university proud across the globe. She highlighted the University’s effort to be accessible to talent across the country. An inspirational video story of a female National Outreach Programme scholarship beneficiary of LUMS who started her journey with humble beginnings and went on to assume a leadership role in the UK, was also

shared with audience. The LUMS National Outreach Programme recently received the CASE Platinum Award for the ‘Best Practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ category, and is a highly prestigious scholarship, providing full tuition waivers and additional support for meritorious scholars to facilitate their education at LUMS. The highlight of the event included recognition of the industry-academia partnership that has acted as a key enabler for LUMS to promote country-wide access to high quality education in Pakistan. The ceremony included a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Arshad Ahmad, LUMS Vice Chancellor, with the University’s founding members about the inception and journey of LUMS and how they envision its future evolution.

Syed Babar Ali emphasised on the importance of steadfastness and persistence that led to the inception of LUMS from a vision to a reality. Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood spoke about the strong values of tolerance, discussion, merit, and hard work that has been em-

Mountain Festival Concludes with Youth Engagement at Eco-Hike on Trail 5 Margalla Hills Islamabad ISLAMABAD Pr

To celebrate International Mountain Day 2021, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan and other partner organizations organized a 3-day program to raise awareness about the importance of mountains in human existence and to highlight the potential and restrictions in mountain development.

The inaugural event of the International Mountain Day was held on 10th December 2021 in the President House followed by the Conference on “SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN TOURISM” based on the theme of International Mountain Day 2021 on 11th December 2021 at Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi and a field event “Eco-Hike on

Trail 5 Margalla Hills Islamabad on 12th December 2021.

On 12th December 2021, a day-long event was held at Margalla Hills National Park Trail 5 to create awareness about mountain tourism among young children and students of various institutes 120 students from Dar-e-Arqam school participated in Nature study camp and Eco-hike to study about the forestry and ecology of Margalla Hills. Students from Riphah University

participated in cleanup drive on trail 5 to create awareness about the responsible and sustainable tourism among the masses.

3-day celebrations of International Mountain Day were concluded with a closing ceremony at information center of Trail-5 Margalla Hills Islamabad in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board on 12th December 2021.

IGP Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younas directs Police to clear all dues of families of martyred cops ISLAMABAD Pr

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Ahsan Younas has directed AIG Establishment and SSP Logistic to clear all the dues of families of cops who had died in

the line of duty.

He also ordered recruitment of siblings of the deceased cops purely on merit.

IG Muhammad Ahsan Younas issued these directions after meeting with families of the deceased cops in Police Line HQ here on Sat-

urday. He asked the subordinates the expense for education and accommodation of siblings of the deceased cops should also be paid as per law and on merit.

“We should focus on schooling of siblings of the cops who died during service,” he said. He urged the families of the deceased cops to get their siblings recruited as naib qasids in police department as per orders of court as we have the quota for these jobs. “All the Naib Qasids will be promoted to next rank after two years so there is no need worry to get this job,” he said.

bedded in the academic culture of LUMS and has successfully steered it towards success over the last three decades. Dr. Parvez Hassan recalled the achievements of LUMS, particularly in the field of law, and how it is helping Pakistan’s judiciary in its capacity building efforts. Mr. Shahid Hussain outlined the current and future roadmap of LUMS and how it aims to grow its impact by further strengthening its alliance with the industry to play an even stronger role towards transforming society through education.

While addressing the audience, Dr. Arshad Ahmad spoke about the University’s learning without borders philosophy, cross disciplinary research on challenges related to managing water informatics and formulating strategic recommendations on electric vehicles policy - projects that are making an impact by defining strategic guidelines on how to tackle issues of national importance through effective solutions. The event culminated with the presentation of shields to the distinguished donors.

Over 15000 candidates appear in KU Entry Test for academic session 2022 KARACHI: As many as 15, 100 candidates appeared in the University of Karachi entry test for the admissions in the academic session 2022 on Sunday. The University of Karachi conducted the entry test for Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, BE, BS, and BEd (H) programs. The University of Karachi had received 16, 000 online admission forms of which 15, 100 candidates appeared in 35 examination centers. The entry test was conducted for 23 departments and 100 minutes long paper was started at 11am. The KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, Registrar Professor Dr Abdul Waheed, Dean Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Nusrat Idress, Professor Dr Anila Amber Malik, in-charge Directorate of Admissions Dr Saima Akhtar, Campus Security Advisor Dr Moiz Khan, Dr Mustafa Hyder, Senior Medical Officer Dr Syed Abid Hasan, Dr Akmal Waheed, Controller of Examination Dr Syed Zafar Hussain and others monitored the admission test proceedings. Meanwhile, the staff of the KU Clinic along with an ambulance were also present during the test proceeding. The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi expressed satisfaction over the proper implementation of the Covid19 standard operating procedures set by the federal and provincial governments. The University of Karachi provided facemasks, hand sanitizers, and thermal guns at all examination centers while terminal buses provided pick and drop service from all entrances of the campus. These terminal buses were used for the transportation of candidates and their parents and guardians from the gates to their examination centers and then back to the gates. The Watch and Ward and Directorate of Admissions staff were also present for the guidance of students and separate waiting areas nearby all examination centers were established for the parents and guardians of the candidates. Pr

Power Suspension Schedules for today 13th December 2021 According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 13th December, From 08:00 AM to 5:00 pm Bahatar Feeder, From 09:00 am to 2:00 pm, Dhok Awan, Zaraj Housing Scheme, New Rawat, I-11/3, Nogzi, G-8/2, Lehtar Road, Athal, F- 7/1, Zia Masjid, China Friendship, Filtration Plant, E-8 Navy, G-9/4, New PTN, Capital Steel, Old United, G-13/3, F-11/4, Shahpur, Pindi Point, Gharial, TDCP, Shahdara, Dhok Hakmadad, Arya Mohalla, Bani, Jamia Masjid, Gawalmandi, Westridge, Dhok Najo, E Block, Faizabad, Khanna-II, Azizabad, Misryal Road, Amir Hamza Colony, Nest Road, Lakho Road, Mohanpura, Bank Road-1, Tipu Road, Rehmatabad-II, River Garden, Model Town, Jhanda, Askari-14, Adiala, Ranial, UC Lakhan, Chowki No. 22, New Rawat, Nara, Klar. City, Fazal Ahmad Shaheed, New Chawah, Nara Motor, Hamid Jhangi, Industrial, Sukho, Nishan Haider, CB Khan-2, Ghauri, Haro, Shahia, Rashid Minhas, AWC Housing, Munirabad, Burhan. Pr

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | KARACHI

10 foREIgn nEws BEIJING

o

XinhuA

VEr the past 20 years since its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), China has embarked on an odyssey to embrace globalization by constantly deepening its integration into the global economy.

Along the way, China has not only honored its WTO commitments, but also played a major role in stimulating growth and electrifying development around the world.

The biggest challenge facing economic globalization today is whether it can reward everyone participating in this unstoppable trend so as to ensure a balance between economic efficiency and social justice.

In fact, China, as the world’s second largest economy, now stands as a great growth globalizer that is well positioned to further boost economic globalization and common prosperity worldwide at the same time, a new form of globalization described by many as “growbalization.”

Why cAn chInA BEcOME A GrEAT GrOWTh GLOBALIzEr? The first reason is that China, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, has achieved the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. Over the last two decades, China’s economic size has grown from the sixth to the second largest in the world, and its outbound direct investment has risen from the 26th place to the first. It has been the largest contributor to global growth for 15 years running, and the

Night of devastating tornadoes likely kills more than 100 in Kentucky MAYFIELD ReuteRs

ChiNa – a great growth globalizer world’s second largest importer for 11 consecutive years.

Think about it: It would be very unlikely for China to make substantial contributions to the rest of the world if it failed to develop itself and maintain stability within its own borders in the past two decades.

The other reason is China’s rock-solid commitment to openness as well as its sustained readiness to share development opportunities.

Over the years, Beijing has taken a host of concrete steps to improve its business environment and level the playing field for domestic and foreign firms, like rolling out the Foreign Investment Law and gradually shortening the foreign investment negative list.

China fully understands that its progress is very much linked to a robust global development. That is why it has proposed the Belt and road Initiative (BrI) in a bid to help kickstart economic growth in the developing world, and set up platforms like the China International Import Expo (CIIE) so that the bounty of the Chinese market can be better shared with the wider world.

More importantly, China has also been a strong supporter for global free trade and investment by upholding the multilateral trading regime with the WTO at its core, practicing true multilateralism, and supporting the inclu-

domestic market as the mainstay.

With the proposal of a Global Development Initiative, China has also vowed to make global development more equitable, effective and inclusive, so that no country will be left behind. The initiative can be interpreted as a message of long-term development opportunities from China.

Executives from Honeywell, McDonald’s, Boeing and a number of other U.S. companies recently have all underscored the importance of the Chinese market and its growth opportunities. Foreign investors were also found to have purchased Chinese government bonds as a global reserve asset through most of the year 2021.

“We will not change our resolve to open wider at a high standard; we will not change our determination to share development opportunities with the rest of the world,” Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed when addressing the opening ceremony of the fourth CIIE last month. Over the last 20 years, China has made extra efforts to honor the WTO spirit through its energetic and persistent “growbalization” drive. Marching forward, the great “growth globalizer” will continue to keep faith with its commitment to the global community by making this world a better place not only through rallying words, but also real actions.

Israel PM Bennett makes first UAE visit since formalising ties TEL AVIV ReuteRs

At least 100 people were feared dead in Kentucky after a swarm of tornadoes tore a 200-mile path through the US Midwest and South, demolishing homes, levelling businesses and setting off a scramble to find survivors beneath the rubble, officials said Saturday. The powerful twisters, which weather forecasters say are unusual in cooler months, destroyed a candle factory and the fire and police stations in a small town in Kentucky, ripped through a nursing home in neighbouring Missouri, and killed at least six workers at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the collection of tornadoes was the most destructive in the state’s history. He said about 40 workers had been rescued at the candle factory in the city of Mayfield, which had about 110 people inside when it was reduced to a pile of rubble. It would be a “miracle” to find anyone else alive under the debris, Beshear said. “The devastation is unlike anything I have seen in my life and I have trouble putting it into words,” Beshear said at a press conference. “It’s very likely going to be over 100 people lost here in Kentucky.” Beshear said 189 National Guard personnel have been deployed to assist with the recovery. The rescue efforts will focus in large part on Mayfield, home to some 10,000 people in the southwestern corner of the state where it converges with Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. Video and photos posted on social media showed brick buildings in downtown Mayfield flattened, with parked cars nearly buried under debris.

The steeple on the historic Graves County courthouse was toppled and the nearby First United Methodist Church partially collapsed. Mayfield Fire Chief Jeremy Creason, whose own station was destroyed, said the candle factory was diminished to a “pile of bent metal and steel and machinery” and that responders had to at times “crawl over casualties to get to live victims.”

Paige Tingle said she drove four hours to the site in the hope of finding her 52-year-old mother, Jill Monroe, who was working at the factory and was last heard from at 9:30 p.m. “We don’t know how to feel, we are just trying to find her,” she said. “It’s a disaster here.”

The genesis of the tornado outbreak was a series of overnight thunderstorms, including a super cell storm that formed in northeast Arkansas. That storm moved from Arkansas and Missouri and into Tennessee and Kentucky. Unusually high temperatures and humidity created the environment for such an extreme weather event at this time of year, said Victor Gensini, a professor in geographic and atmospheric sciences at Northern Illinois University. “This is an historic, if not generational event,” Gensini said. Saying the disaster was likely one of the largest tornado outbreaks in US history, President Joe Biden on Saturday approved an emergency declaration for Kentucky. He told reporters he would be asking the Environmental Protection Agency to examine what role climate change may have played in fuelling the storms, and he raised questions about the tornado warning systems.

“What warning was there? And was it strong enough and was it heeded?” Biden said.

‘LIKE A BIG BOMB’: About 130 miles east of Mayfield in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Justin Shepherd said his coffee shop was spared the worst of the storm, which struck other businesses hard on the busy commercial strip just off the bypass to US Highway 31 West. “We’ve got some siding and roof damage here, but just across the road there’s a brewery that half of it is gone. It’s just totally gone, like a big bomb exploded or something.” One person was killed and five seriously injured when a tornado tore through a nursing home with 90 beds in Monette, Arkansas, a small community near the border with Missouri, according to Craighead County Judge Marvin Day.

sive development of the multilateral trading regime.

For example: Thanks to years of relentless collective efforts from China and other participating countries, the regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, now the world’s largest free trade agreement, will enter into force next month. Considering rising trade protectionism worldwide, such a victory for multilateralism is hard won.

Looking ahead, China will continue to play the role as a great growth globalizer and stay true to its promise of promoting an economic globalization that it is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all.

On the one hand, the Chinese economy is still capable of maintaining its growth momentum and long-term resilience against headwinds and uncertainties. It has a consumer market of unparalleled size and growth potential, a complete industrial system as well as prudent, pragmatic and flexible economic policy-making.

On the other, by sticking to the goal of joining the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for mankind, China will continue to carry forward with high-quality opening-up and strengthen cooperation of mutual benefits.

To that end, China has been fostering a new development paradigm of “dual circulation” featuring domestic and overseas markets reinforcing each other with the

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later today and meet the Gulf state’s de facto ruler in the highest-level visit since the countries formalised relations last year.

The trip comes amid heightened regional tension as world powers’ try to renew a nuclear deal with Iran. Israel and some Gulf Arabs share concerns over Iranian activities in the region.

“I will be going out today to the United Arab Emirates, in the first visit ever by an Israeli prime minister,” Bennett told a meeting of his cabinet on Sunday.

There was no immediate confirmation from Abu Dhabi.

The UAE along with Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco moved toward normal ties

with Israel under a U.S.-sponsored initiative dubbed the “Abraham Accords” in reference to the biblical patriarch revered

by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Bennett’s trip on Sunday would be the first by an Israeli premier to any of those four countries. Trips planned by his predecessor and Abraham Accords signatory Benjamin Netanyahu were cancelled, with Israel citing COVID-19 travel curbs and difficulties in arranging a flight over Jordanian territory.

Bennett will meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed alNahyan on Monday, the Israeli prime minister’s office said.

The two leaders will discuss deepening ties, with an emphasis on economic issues that will contribute to prosperity, welfare and strengthening stability between the countries, the Israeli statement added.

China to promote true democratic spirit in global affairs, says Wang Yi

BEIJING Agencies

China will unswervingly defend the principle of democracy in international relations and advocate “true democratic spirit,” said Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister.

In an article published in the state media People’s Daily on Sunday, the senior Chinese diplomat reiterated that democracy is not “mass-produced” with the uniform model.

“There are different approaches and attitudes toward this question. Some regard Western democracy as the only correct answer. Therefore, they seek to forcibly transplant and impose it onto the whole world.

Some attempt to take one country’s model as the criterion, provoking tension between different political systems and ideologies and creating division and confrontation in the world,” Wang said. “Undoubtedly, none of these is true democracy, but fake democracy using the concept as a cover.”

Wang said the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in finding a new form of democracy that suits their national conditions – the wholeprocess people’s democracy.

China has confidence in its own democracy, but it

also respects the democracy of other countries and will not export it to other nations, he said.

“We are willing to communicate on an equal footing, exchange and learn from each other, not only to learn the positive results of the development of human civilization but also to provide a useful reference for other countries,” he said. Deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) leave the Great Hall of the People after the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, March 11, 2021.

ThE WEsT’s ‘ArrOGAncE’ And ‘prEjudIcE’: The United States and some Western countries tend to label China and some other developing countries as “undemocratic,” Wang said. It’s a result of the West’s “arrogance” and “prejudice” against other civilizations, he added.

A deep cause to the chaotic situations and various problems in today’s world is that the principle of democracy in international relations has not been jointly upheld and adhered to, he said, calling for efforts to promote the spirit of democracy in relations between countries.

The Chinese diplomat also called for respecting a country’s sovereignty and safeguarding the fundamental principles in international relations.

“The result of advocating human rights over sovereignty and imposing democratic transformation on others has brought not stability and prosperity, but devastation, displacing citizens and creating refugee crises,” Wang said.

“We should draw the lesson and firmly uphold the pillar role of the United Nations and the UN Charter, and oppose any attempt to undermine a country’s sovereignty and interfere in its internal affairs under the disguise of democracy and human rights,” he added.

Wang underscored the importance of solidarity and cooperation in addressing global challenges such as COVID-19, extreme weather, terrorism, soaring inflation and the supply chain crisis and slammed certain countries’ attempts to form “small circles” in the name of democracy. “Such behaviors are an assault on the true spirit of democracy and goes against the trend of the times,” concluded Mr Wang Yi.

indian PM’s twitter hacked again by crypto scammers NEW DELHI AFP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Twitter account was hacked Sunday with a message declaring his country had adopted bitcoin as legal tender and was distributing the cryptocurrency to citizens. Modi is a prolific tweeter and is the world’s most popular incumbent politician on the platform, with more than 73 million followers on his main account. A swiftly deleted tweet from his main @narendramodi handle said the Indian government had officially bought 500 bitcoin and was “and distributing them to all residents of the country”, along with a scam link. His office tweeted that the account was “very briefly compromised” and that Twitter had since restored control. It was the second time one of Modi’s Twitter accounts was hacked, after another was taken over last year to send out a tweet urging the public to donate to a fake coronavirus relief fund. Sunday’s hack ironically comes as India prepares to clamp down on a flourishing cryptocurrency trade with a new law likely to be introduced in parliament this month.

Details of the legislation remain unclear but the government has flagged a broad ban on private digital currencies. The local crypto market has boomed since the Indian Supreme Court overturned a previous ban last year, with Bollywood actors and cricket stars fronting ad campaigns for local exchanges. Modi himself said last month that cryptocurrencies could “spoil our youth” and the central bank has repeatedly warned they could pose “serious concerns on macroeconomic and financial stability”.

Monday, 13 December, 2021 | KARACHI

Babar hopes to carry momentum against virus-hit West Indies kARACHI The AssociATed Press

Captain Babar Azam hopes to keep Pakistan’s winning momentum going against a virus-hit West Indies in the limited-overs series, starting Monday (tomorrow). Three West Indies players — left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell, allrounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers — have tested positive for coronavirus in Karachi and were ruled out of the T20 series. They will be in isolation for 10 days in Karachi and will be monitored by the team physician until they return negative tests. West Indies T20 squad already miss several top performers for the three-match T20 series which will be followed by three ODIs — also at Karachi. The notable absentees include white-ball skipper Kieron Pollard, who will miss out due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup, while Andre Russell is playing in the Big Bash League in Australia. “We will try to carry the momentum which started in the (T20) World Cup,” Babar told reporters during a video conference on Sunday. “We are not going to take them (West Indies) easy because they didn’t bring their best players. They have played in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and international games, so you have to give your 100 per cent to beat them.” Babar led from the front with loads of runs in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as Pakistan went onto win its five group games before being beaten by eventual champion Australia in the semifinals. Pakistan followed its brilliant run by whitewashing Bangladesh in the T20 series 3-0 in Bangladesh before winning the two-match Test series 2-0. Defending champion West Indies, on the other hand, floundered in the UAE as it failed to qualify for the semifinals. Nicholas Pooran replaced the injured Pollard for the T20 series while Shai Hope will lead the side in the ODIs. Babar sympathised with West Indies for losing three players due to coronavirus and believed it’s tough for cricketers to spend time in isolation. “It’s difficult time for a team when your player tests positive,” he said.

“It’s difficult to live in isolation, our team has gone through this. Lots of negative things do come in your mind when you are alone in the room and the team combination also gets affected.”

SPORTS 11

BaBar all In prIases for coach saqlaIn

p

stAff CoRResPoNDeNt

AKISTAN captain Babar Azam is all in praises for the interim head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, who he says has been very helpful to the side during his short stint.

Saqlain was given the charge on an interim basis after Misbahul Haq resigned from the position before the postponed New Zealand series.

The 27-year-old revealed that Saqlain has been very supportive and backs every individual in the team.

“Saqlain Mushtaq always backs us. He sits with us and discusses plans which one is best for the team. Saqlain Mushtaq suggests to players that Pakistan should be at first priority because we play for a nation of twenty-two crore and we owe to give them happiness,” Babar said in a pre-series virtual presser.

Meanwhile, Babar welcomed the West

Indies side in Pakistan and is determined to play their best cricket in the series despite there being lesser big names in the visiting squad.

“We give a warm welcome to WestIndies in Pakistan. After cancellation of the New Zealand and England tour we were unclear whether other teams will come to Pakistan or not but they always supported us,” he added.

“We will try to maintain our performance [the team is] continuing to show since the T20 World Cup 2021. Always there is a debate that big names are not part of the squad but we can’t take them lightly,” he maintained. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan, in a statement, said, that players are ready to lay down their lives for Babar. The No.1 ranked T20I batter opined that a positive environment is necessary in the dressing room and he tries to support every player.

“As captain, you’ve to build a supportive environment for your teammates as

players demand encouragement when they’re down in performance. My players listen and take responsibility. We only have performance and hard work in our hands and that’s what we believe in,” he added.

It must be noted that the Men in Green will lock horns with the Caribbean side in the three-match T20I series and as many ODIs from tomorrow at the National Stadium in Karachi.

DFA Chitral bags Ufone 4G Football Cup KP in sensational fixture PesHAwAR News desk

DFA Chitral has clinched the title of Ufone 4G Football Cup Khyber Pakhtunkwa by downing DFA Mardan in the Final match at a packed Tehmas Khan Stadium, Peshawar.

Over 71 teams participated in the tournament from across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. A formidable footballing machine, Chitral was already tipped as the favorites for its cumulative experience at national and international levels, besides its history as the runner-up from the 1st edition of Ufone 4G Football Cup Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The relatively younger Mardan side was, however, believed to have the footballing prowess to turn the tables on opponents.

The Tehmas Khan Football Stadium dazzled under the floodlights on the chilly Saturday evening where the two teams clashed for glory. Experience prevailed as DFA Chitral caught Mardan off-guard in the very beginning of the contest.

Just 3 minutes into the match, Khaleequz Zaman capitalized on a beautiful assist from Muhammad Rasul to send the ball wheezing past the goalkeeper through a welltimed header. In the 40th minute Chitral’s Muhammad Rasul had the ball meet the net but it was flagged an ‘offside’. The second half featured continuous attacks on both sides but no more goals could be scored and Chitral won the match 1-0 to lift the trophy.

Both the winner and runner up teams received medal and cash prizes from the guest of honor, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, PTCL & Ufone, Syed Mazhar Hussain. Supporters of Chitral went into a frenzy when the team captain Muhammad Rasul lifted the gleaming trophy in the air. Apart from the sensational performances on the field; the final match also included musical performances and fireworks to entertain the crowd.

DFA Chitral will face Muslim Club Chaman, the winner of Ufone Football Cup Balochistan at Tehmas Khan Football Stadium Peshawar to decide the ultimate champion of Ufone 4G Football Cup 2021.

PSL Draft 2022: Franchises pick players for seventh edition of PSL News Desk Franchises for PSL 7 are making their picks to make the best possible combinations for the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during the player draft held at the National HighPerformance Centre.

The action began around 4pm and is expected to continue for the better part of the evening.

Platinum category: The first pick of the day, in the Platinum Category, was Fakhar Zaman, who has been chosen once more by Lahore Qalandars for its squad this year.

Other players chosen by franchises thus far include Tim David by Multan Sultans, Chris Jordan by Karachi Kings, Colin Munro by Islamabad United, Hazaratullah Zazai by Peshawar Zalmi and Jason Roy by Quetta Gladiators.

DiamonD category: The Diamond category round saw Islamabad United pick Marchant De Lange, Multan Sultans pick Odean Smith, Karachi Kings pick Lewis Gregory, and Quetta Gladiators bag James Faulkner. golD category: In the Gold category, Lahore Qalandars chose Abdullah Shafique, Phil Salt and Harry Brook, while Peshawar Zalmi picked Usman Qadir.

Silver category rounD 1: In round one of the Silver category, Peshawar Zalmi picked Salman Arshad, Multan Sultans picked Rumman Raees and Asif Afridi, Karachi Kings picked Umaid Asif, Lahore Qalandars chose Kamran Ghulam and Islamabad United chose M Akhlaq.

Silver category rounD 2: Round two for the Silver category saw Multan Sultans pick Anwar Ali, Islamabad United pick Reece Topley and Danish Aziz, Karachi Kings pick Tom Abell, Lahore Qalandars pick Dean Foxcroft, and Quetta Gladiators pick Umar Akmal.

Silver category rounD 3: In round three for the Silver category, Quetta Gladiators picked Sohail Tanvir, Karachi Kings picked Rohail Nazir and M Imran Jr, Islamabad United picked Zafar Gohar, Peshawar Zalmi picked Arshad Iqbal, and Multan Sultans picked Rovman Powell.

Silver category rounD 4: The Silver category picks concluded in the fourth round, with Peshawar Zalmi choosing Sameen Gul and Kamran Akmal as their final picks, Quetta Glad-

iators choosing Ben Duckett, Khurram Shehzad and Naveen ul Haq, and Multan Sultans choosing Imran Khan Sr. emerging category rounD 1: In the first round of the Emerging category that features the country’s budding cricketers, Lahore Qalandars picked Zaman Khan, Multan Sultans picked Abbas Afridi, Karachi Kings picked Faisal Akram and utilising its Right to Match Card also picked Qasim Akram, Peshawar Zalmi picked Sirajuddin, Islamabad United picked Mubasir Khan and Quetta Gladiators picked Abdul Qahid Bangalzai. emerging category rounD 2: In round two for the Emerging category, Multan Sultans picked Aamer Azmat, Islamabad United picked Zeeshan Zameer using their Right to Match Card, Peshawar Zalmi picked M Amir Khan, Quetta Gladiators picked Ashar Qureshi and Lahore Qalandars picked Maaz Khan.

SuPPlementary category rounD 1: In the first round of the Supplementary category, Quetta Gladiators picked Noor Ahmad, Karachi Kings picked Talha Ahsan, Multan Sultans picked Blessing Muzarabani, Peshawar Zalmi picked Ben Cutting, Islamabad United picked Rahmanulah Gurbaz and Lahore Qalandars picked Samit Patel.

Draft ruleS: More than 425 players from 32 countries have registered themselves for the draft.

Draft rules were shared earlier today by PSL on Twitter. Under the rules, teams are allowed to retain up to eight players (more on that below).

In the Platinum category, a minimum of one foreign and one local player must be ensured and the same applies to the Diamond category.

In addition, teams must pick three foreign players in the first nine picks. Each team will be given a Wild Card and a Right to Match Card.

The Right to Match Card, a feature introduced this year, means each side will have one card that they can utilise during the draft to pick a player originally released from their roster.

Pick orDer: The updated pick order, in line with trades and retentions, was also shared a day earlier.

In the Platinum Category, Lahore Qalandars will have the first pick, followed by Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi, and Quetta Gladiators.

Each franchise can comprise up to 18 players, including three each in the Platinum, Diamond, and Gold categories, five in the Silver, two Emerging and up to two in the Supplementary categories. The retention, trade, and release window of the PSL 2022 closed on Friday afternoon with Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, and Peshawar Zalmi consuming their full allocation of eight retentions, while Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators retaining seven players each. The tournament will start on January 27, with 34 matches scheduled to be played in Karachi and Lahore. The first match will be staged under the lights of the National Stadium, where Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans will go head-to-head.

confident pakistan face covid-hit West Indies in T20s kARACHI AFP

High-flying Pakistan start as favourites against a Covid-hit West Indies team in the first of three T20 internationals in Karachi on Monday. Already missing a number of top players including skipper Kieron Pollard, the West Indies were dealt an additional blow when left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. The tourists will now have to pick replacements from their large touring squad against an in-form Pakistan playing in familiar conditions. Babar Azam’s team followed their semi-final showing at the T20 World Cup with a 3-0 rout of Bangladesh in an away series last month. “We want to carry the momentum and the confidence that we have gained during the World Cup and the tour of Bangladesh,” Babar said. “There has always been talk that they are missing some key players but all those who are here are of international standard so we will not take them easy.” Pakistan have beaten the West Indies in 12 of their 18 T20 clashes, suffering three losses and as many no results. Babar has formed an unbreakable opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan and a solid batting line-up alongside a bowling attack led by the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi has seen the team win eight of their last nine T20s. Rizwan is the first batsmen ever to score 1,000 T20 runs in a calendar year, amassing 1,123 in 26 matches, while Babar has scored 853 in the same number of games.

The West Indies have had contrasting fortunes, failing to qualify for the World Cup semi-final after winning the competition in 2012 and 2016.

“We know what happened in the World Cup and we’re not going to go back there,” head coach Phil Simmons said. “We are looking to move forward and we now want to move forward.” ‘aPPreciate the WeSt inDieS’: Pakistan hope the series will help them convince other teams to visit after New Zealand abandoned a tour due to a security alert in September. The cancellation was followed by England withdrawing their men’s and women’s teams from a series scheduled for October. “It was important to have this series and we must appreciate the West Indies team for coming here because there were fears about whether teams will come or not,” said Babar. “I am sure with 100 percent crowds allowed we will have entertaining cricket.” Monday’s game will be followed

by T20s on Tuesday and Thursday and by three one-day internationals on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday — all in Karachi.

Monday, 13 December, 2021

prayer timiNgs

NEWS

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:45

12:25

3:24

7:05

5:44

7:05

FAwAD urgeS eCP To mAke PuBliC Foreign SourCeS oF FunDing oF All PoliTiCAl PArTieS LAHORE

F

staff CorrespoNDeNt

EDERAL Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Sunday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to make foreign sources of funding of all political parties public.

He said this while addressing a press conference in Islamabad flanked by State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib.

There is no record of donations of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said the minister, adding that no audit report of the party’s Punjab and K-P chapter has been provided either. “[Former prime minister] Nawaz Sharif donated Rs100 million to PML-N and then PML-N returned Rs45 million back to him … they basically wanted to turn their black money white,” he added.

The information minister said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) spent Rs232 million during the 2018 general elections but it did not provide sources of such a

Assange suffered ‘mini-stroke’ in prison: Fiancée

huge amount.

“During PPP’s tenure, Husain Haqqani, who was Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, used to collect funds for PPP from overseas Pakistanis.”

Fawad urged the ECP to start the scrutiny process from PML-N and PPP but should also include other parties including the JUI-F and TLP. Ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was the only party that had provided complete sourcing of its funding to the ECP, he claimed.

Talking about the upcoming local government elections in Punjab, Fawad said for the first time in the history of Pakistan, mayors would be directly elected in every district of the province. “They will be chief ministers in their respective districts,” he remarked.

He said despite differences within the party, Prime Minister Imran Khan fulfilled his promise of providing people with a robust local bodies system, adding that a schedule for the elections would soon be released.

He rejected ECP’s position that electronic voting machines (EVMs) cannot be used during the local elections, saying that there will be no problem in conducting

them via EVMs at provincial level.

“ECP should take this (EVM) matter seriously now… if it is willing to work for it then the machines can be arranged within two months,” he said.

He said that the local government system of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa give the maximum powers to the local tier of the government.

Responding to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s statements in the Sindh Assembly, Fawad said that it was not appropriate for someone of his stature to give such statements. “He (Murad Ali Shah) often gives such statements which do not suit a chief minister of a province.”

TTP Talks: Talking about talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Fawad said that the state was willing to move forward with those who agree to abide by the Constitution but for those, he added, who are not willing to comply, “we have fought them in the past and can do the same in future too”.

He said that the state has no confusion with regards to TLP and all similar outfits as well.

The minister said that for the first time since 1964, Karachi was doing federal politics instead of regional.

Quetta police fail to recover missing girls in obscene video scandal

WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange had a mini-stroke during his battle to avoid extradition from Britain to the United States, his fiancee Stella Moris said. Moris, the mother of Assange’s two young children, said it happened in late October on the first day of a US government appeal against a ruling blocking his removal. “He needs to be freed. Now,” she tweeted late on Saturday.

The Mail on Sunday newspaper said it was a transient ischaemic attack, in which the blood supply to part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. It left Assange, 50, with a drooping right eyelid, memory loss and signs of neurological damage, and he was now taking medication, the weekly said.

Moris was quoted as saying she was concerned it could lead to a more major stroke and raised fears about his ability to withstand the extradition process. “I believe this constant chess game, battle after battle, the extreme stress, is what caused Julian’s stroke on October 27,” she added. he United States wants to put Assange on trial for WikiLeaks’ 2010 publication of thousands of top-secret military documents about the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. His supporters’ hopes were raised in January after a district judge in London blocked the extradition on the grounds that he was a suicide risk if transferred to US custody. But they were dashed on Friday when two appeal judges overturned the decision after accepting US government assurances he would receive appropriate treatment and not be held in punishing isolation in custody. Assange’s lawyers say they will take the case to the Supreme Court. His lawyers have previously raised concerns about the effects of his lengthy incarceration on his physical and mental health in a bid to halt the extradition.

Assange spent seven years in Ecuador’s London embassy until 2019 after jumping bail in connection with sexual assault allegations in Sweden. He was then jailed for 50 weeks for breaching bail in that case, which was later dropped, but detained ever since on the grounds he was a flight risk. afp

QUETTA staff report

The police failed in recovering the two missing girls in a case related to the filming, raping and blackmailing of young girls in Quetta.

Obscene videos and pictures of two teenage sisters making rounds on social media whipped up a storm on the internet last week, forcing police to arrest prime suspect Hadayat Khilji and launch a manhunt for his brother Khalil Khilji.

It also began an investigation into their heinous crimes against the two sisters, who the police believe have been abducted, and some 200 other women.

Quaidabad police registered a first information report (FIR) against the two brothers under Sections 34 (common intention), 354-A (strip-

ping woman of her clothes), 365-B (seducing or forcing of adults into illicit intercourse), 376 (punishment for rape), 376-A (disclosure of the identity of the victim of rape, etc), 496-A (enticing or taking away a woman), 503 (criminal intimidation), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (violating modesty or causing sexual harassment) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Hadayat was arrested on December 2 and many inappropriate videos of girls were found from his possession, and his laptop, various mobiles and other devices were seized, Quaidabad Station House Officer (SHO) Ijaz Ahmad said.

The police have expedited efforts to recover the missing girls following the orders of Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo.

A report citing the provincial

home minister said the police were also contacting their counterparts in neighbouring Afghanistan for their recovery. Police claimed the mother of the victims has also vanished from the scene. To review the progress on the investigation into the obscene videos scandal, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Ziaullah Lagau chaired a highlevel meeting Sunday.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Bizenjo ordered the authorities to recover the girls at the earliest and arrest the culprits.

He had said people involved in disrespecting and victimising the women don’t deserve any pardon. He also assured the victims’ families of full support from the government.

A manhunt had been launched to arrest a third suspect after the registration of a new complaint by another woman.

Trial in killing of Lankan man to be conducted on daily basis LAHORE News Desk

The government of Punjab has decided to conduct the trial pertaining to the mob killing of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot, on a daily basis, Gulf News reported.

In a meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order, Law Minister Basharat Raja, who was presided over the sitting, directed the investigators to file the case challan in court within 14 days.

The prosecution was also di-

rected to set up a special cell to monitor the case trial. The meeting was attended by all the regional police officers (RPOs) and commissioners of the province via video link.

The Gujranwala RPO gave a detailed briefing on progress regarding the arrest of those still at large and assured the remaining accused would also be apprehended shortly.

The committee also considered holding the trial of the suspects inside the prison.

A delegation of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) a day earlier visited the Sri

Lankan High Commissioner Mohan Wijewickrama to pay condolences.

The delegation was led by Senator Syed Ali Zafar.

Zafar said the nation as well as the entire legal fraternity are deeply saddened and horrified and expressed solidarity with the Sri Lankan people and the family of the deceased and strongly condemned the killing of Priyantha at the hands of the mob.

He also reiterated the unequivocal message of Prime Minister Imran Khan that there would be a zero-tolerance policy for such incidents in Pakistan.

Sindh Bar Council secretary killing: CTD suspect wife’s involvement in murder As per the initial investigation by the CounterTerrorism Department (CTD) Karachi, it has been revealed that the police suspects Sindh Bar Council (SBC) secretary Irfan Mahar’s wife’s involvement in his murder.

Irfan Mahar was shot dead by armed pillion riders as he was returning home after dropping his child to school in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar on December 2.

A day after the killing, lawyers held a demonstration at a section of the National Highway and raised slogans, calling for the killers’ arrest.

According to the report, Mahar’s brother-in-law is the prime suspect in the murder while the wife, Sahibzadi also played a major role in assisting the murder.

However, she is still at large.

As per the initial investigation, the wife, Sahibzadi wanted to take control of Mahar’s properties.

However, when the victim gave some of them to his brothers, Sahibzadi plotted his murder with her brother, Akbar Mahar.

In the latest development, the CTD said one of the two suspects is the brother of the late Mahar’s wife, who had confessed during interrogation that he had received the directions and money to kill him from both his sisters.

According to the suspect, Mahar would behave harshly with his wife and she was annoyed with his behaviour. He told police that his sister gave him Rs220,000 for executing the job that helped him arrange a bike and a pistol.

He claimed that the husband of her younger sister had arranged another man, who was paid Rs40,000.

The police stated that Akbar Mahar murdered his brother-in-law Irfan Mahar with the help of his relative, Rahim Bux Mahar and other associates, Wajid Jakhro and others.

As per the sources, the police have also detained an official of the Sindh Bar Council, Additional Secretary Parvez Memon, in connection with the same case.

The police further revealed that they have recovered the murder weapon, a 30-bore pistol, the motorbike used to assassinate Mahar, helmets worn by the suspects and the records of Akbar Mahar and his aides staying in a Karachi hotel, while the Call Data Record (CDR) of the suspects have also been received.

As per CTD statement, “on the day of the incident, the victim’s wife informed her brother after Mahar left home to drop off their child at school. Subsequently, Mahar was targeted by his wife’s brother and his accomplice who was riding the bike” As per the details of the murder, on December 2nd, SBC secretary Irfan Ali Mahar was killed in a gun attack near his house in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area.

The incident took place in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 13. Mahar was being shifted to the hospital when he died on the way.

According to the police, the accused had fired several shots in a row at Mahar and escaped.

Lawyer Naeem Qureshi had said Mahr, 45, returned to Block 13 in his car where the two suspects on a motorcycle fired shots at him while he was sitting in his car.

Police had received closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage of the shooting of the lawyer in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. In the video, the accused can be seen wearing helmets. One of them can be seen firing at a car. News Desk

Asad Umar says Karachi will not beg for its rights from CM Sindh Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative Asad Umar, while addressing a hard-hitting “All Stakeholders” presser on Sunday stated that Karachi is not begging for its rights from the chief minister of Sindh. Umar went on to speak out against the new Sindh local government law passed by the provincial assembly.

“We will come up with a strategy soon,” said Umar. “This problem does not concern a political party. It concerns a system wherein politicians come to power and become richer [at the expense of the taxpayer],” he added.

Umar stated that “we will continue to raise our voices in Sindh Assembly, despite their [PPP] telling us that we are in the minority,” adding that the Sindh Local Government Act 2013 needed to be amended as its provisions were in contravention to the Constitution.

The minister said that it was necessary to “change the system rather than faces”, adding that a new system should be brought in place, one where an elected official is forced to work for the welfare of the masses.

“Politics has been taken over by a few families; they want to stay rich and maintain their sway [over everything],” he said.

“Our basic problems will not be solved till the masse are not empowered,” noted Umar, adding that it was important for local governments to be strengthened.

The minister cited the example of the local government system in Islamabad, saying that the mayor had powers to take decisions for the welfare of the city.

“Work is being carried out in Islamabad according to a master plan,” he added.

Umar lashed out at the chief minister, saying that he had not fulfilled his promise of devolving powers at the lower level.

“Time has come for Sindh to take impor-

tant decisions,” he said.

The minister on the other hand stated that the PTI was ready to talk to the Sindh chief minister to solve people’s problems.

He said the federal government had held talks with the provincial government for its Karachi Transformation Plan.

On the other hand, former Karachi mayor and MQM-P leader Waseem Akhtar also lashed out at CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah, during the presser.

The former Karachi mayor lamented that the city paid over Rs309bn in taxes to Sindh, adding that despite that it has always

been ignored.

Akhtar said that in countries around the world, mayors have all the rights and authorities to carry out development work in cities.

Akhtar further said that the PPP government receives Rs1,200bn per annum to develop the province. “Will anyone ask them where these Rs1,200bn have been spent?” he asked.

“The chief minister used to give me a lollipop every time I asked to meet him,” he alleged. “He did not let me develop Nehr-eKhayyam. If he wanted to do anything good, he would have already done that Larkana or Nawabshah,” he added.

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