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Thursday, 24 February, 2022 I 22 Rajab, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 237 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

PPP, PML-Q vow to MAke future decisions together LAHORE

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Staff CorreSpondent

s Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in Moscow to help expand energy cooperation between Russia and Pakistan, the leaders of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) decided to move along and take joint decisions.

The development comes after Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi visited Bilawal House here and held final round with PPP chief Asif Zardari.

Per sources, the PPP and PML-Q have decided to evolve joint strategy for the future and both the parties decided to go along together in future.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief

Maulana Fazlur Rehman visited the residence of crucial government ally PML-Q and tried to remove their reservations about sharif brothers and the Zardaris.

PDM chief Maulana Fazl and Asif Zardari also visited the residence of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly shehbaz sharif who hosted a lunch at his residence for the two.

At the feast, the trio discussed the current political situation and the noconfidence motion against the incumbent PTI government. sources privy to the matter said PML-N leaders Khawaja saad Rafiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Marrium Aurangzeb and Rana sanaullah were also present at the lunch.

Tabling a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and

holding talks with the PTI-led government’s allies were discussed in the Opposition’s latest meeting.

The development came during a meeting of three big Opposition parties — PPP, PML-N, and JUI-F — at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President shahbaz sharif.

Another matter that came under discussion was the anti-government long march, sources told the media outlet, as the Opposition considers options of ousting the incumbent regime.

Following the luncheon at shahbaz’s residence, PDM and JUI-F chief Fazl visited the house of crucial government allies in Punjab and the Centre: the Chaudhry brothers.

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Prayers pour in as Senator Rehman Malik passes away ISLAMABAD Staff report

Former interior minister and longtime Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Rehman Malik passed away on Wednesday after contracting Covid-19. He was 70.

Malik, who was suffering from coronavirus-related complications for over a month now, was hospitalised in Islamabad in late January and put on a ventilator on February 1, his spokesperson Riaz Ahmad Turi had said at the time.

“Deeply devastated to say that former interior minister [and] PPP senior leader Abdul Rehman Malik passed away,” Turi tweeted. “sorrow, pain and grief are indescribable. All are requested to pray for his soul.”

Confirming the news of his death, PPP senator sehar Kamran tweeted: “Dr Rehman Malik left us today.”

He is survived by his widow, saeeda Malik, and two sons, Ali and Omar Malik.

Malik remained the minister for interior from 2008 to 2013 during the PPP government. A confidant and security chief of slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto, he played a key role in the investigation into her assassination.

But his role as Bhutto’s security chief at the time of her assassination in 2007 also came under question and he was criticised for not staying back on the site following the blast to ensure her safety.

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Thursday, 24 February, 2022 | KARACHI

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PM APPRoveS RefoRMS foR fReelANce, IT SecToR

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AhtASAM AhMAD

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, approved multiple reforms to facilitate the IT, freelancer and startup sector. Included in the reforms were tax benefits as well as other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

The approval was made in a meeting chaired by the prime minister where officials of the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue, Special Technology Zone Authority and Ignite National Technology Fund were also present in the meeting.

“Long outstanding issue of IT companies regarding easy inflow/outflow of Foreign Currency, has also been addressed as Specialized Foreign Currency (FCY) accounts for IT/ITES Companies and Freelancers will be introduced to meet their operational needs. PM has directed to allow IT/ITES Companies and Freelancers to retain 100% of remittances received through proper banking channels, in FCY Accounts without any compulsion to convert them into PKR.”, The official press releases stated.

Security forces kill two terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan ISLAMABAD Staff report

Security Forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation on reported presence of terrorists in Tehsil Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan.

During intense exchange of fire, two terrorists got killed, who have been identified as Fazal Rehman alias Khairy, resident of village Luni and Mehran, resident of village Rori.

Weapons and ammunition was also recovered which include sub machine guns, hand grenades and large quantity of multiple calibre rounds, said a statement issued by the ISPR. The killed terrorists were involved in terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom. Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the area.

Tarin directs provinces to ensure stable price for wheat flour ISLAMABAD Shahzad paracha

Adviser to the Prime Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, presiding over the meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) to review the price trend of essential commodities - 24 November, 2021.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin has directed the provincial authorities to bring stability in the prices of wheat flour by increasing daily release of wheat to the flour mills. The Finance minister on Wednesday chaired the meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), held at the Finance Division. Finance Division Economic Adviser briefed the NPMC about weekly SPI which witnessed an increase of 0.22 per cent as compared to decline in previous week by 0.08 per cent. 33 food items contributed an increase in the SPI by 0.31 per cent, whereas 18 nonfood items contributed a decrease of 0.09 per cent to the SPI. NPMC was informed that prices of 12 items remained stable in the last week. The prices of 11 items decreased, contributing to a 1.08 per cent decline in SPI by 1.08 per cent. The items which contributed to the decline included electricity by 0.91 per cent, eggs by 0.08 per cent, red chillies by 0.03 per cent and others by 0.06 per cent. While prices of 28 items slightly increased, that led to an increase in SPI by 1.3 per cent which included petrol by 0.65 per cent, chicken by 0.19 per cent, long cloth by 0.18 per cent and others by 0.28 per cent. NPMC was informed that chillies powder, eggs, electricity charges, onions, potatoes, gur, sugar, wheat flour, LPG cylinder, pulse moog, pulse mash have shown decline in the prices during the last week. It was informed that prices of onion are lowest as compared to its price three years earlier. The NPMC was updated on the wheat flour prices in the country. The Secretary Ministry of NFS&R informed on the stock position of wheat and further apprised on the future requirements and the strategy for sustainable availability of wheat in the country.

REVISED TAX REGIMES AND NEW STZS PROPOSED TO ATTRACT INVESTOR AND VC INTEREST Additionally, outward remittances from FCY account for PSEB registered IT Companies and Freelancers will be facilitated through lifting of restrictions. The Prime Minister also directed SBP to introduce Financing streams for the IT/ITES sector and Freelancers keeping in view operational architecture and industry needs for these sectors. While the proposed reforms also suggested the use of registered Firms/Professional’s USD balance as collateral for financing.

Recommendations of Pakistan Technology Startup Fund was also approved by the Prime Minister for the creation of a public private partnership venture capital fund. As per the official statement,“ Ignite National Technology Fund will create this Fund through Public private partnership.”

The objectives and structure of the fund will include; (1) Providing seed funding to 30-50 startups annually, (2) Rs. 500 Million to 1 Billion to be invested each year by IGNITE – matched by private investor(s) (3) Operations to be managed by a VC from pri-

vate sector (4) Overseas Pakistanis to be invited to participate in the fund.

The proposed reforms also included suggestions on amending the tax regime for the IT and ITES Firms and Professionals. As per

the document released, “Tax exemption for IT/ITES Firms and Freelancers for 5 years to be implemented through amending the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 by April, 2022.”

The sector suffered from double taxation as its services were charged taxes at a busi-

ness level as well as at an individual level when the profits were distributed to shareholders. The proposed reforms also aim to resolve this issue by onboarding all stakeholders.

Furthermore, certain sectors of Islamabad are proposed to be declared as special technology zones after which a similar concept is to be replicated in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

The reforms are an attempt by the government to encourage the IT and ITES sector to bring in their foreign remittances to Pakistan (currently, parked in offshore accounts). While also encouraging foreign businesses and Vc firms to invest in Pakistan and Pakistani startups that will help create jobs for the skilled youth bulge of the country.

The IT and ITeS sector has been labeled as the backbone of Pakistan’s future growth. The industry brought in more than $2 Billion of revenues in the last fiscal years. While as per MoiTT, Pakistani freelancers alone generated $216.788 million by exporting their services in the first half of fiscal year 2021-22 from July to December 2021, an increase of 16.74 percent from the same period last year.

KSE 100 recovers with tea maker buy-back, UBL financials SAAD tAnvIr & ArIBA ShAhID On February 23, the three indices used to reflect the Pakistani stock market and its performance, exhibited sharp decline for the first half of the day.

The indices made a rebound following a notification on the PSX’s announcement page titled, “Financial Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 – United Bank Limited”. The news was posted at 13:50 PKT and can be seen to change the market’s trajectory.

The market started with the KSE100 standing 45,012.18 points and then declining by 220.15 points (0.49 per cent) in a span of 5 hours.

“The market remained under pressure throughout the day given the geopolitics and domestic politics situation.

However UBL surprised with a bumper payout of 6rs which led the heavyweight bank to rise 3 per cent, pushing the index into green,” says Adnan Sheikh, Analyst at Pak Kuwait Investment Company.

Why was there a bloodbath?

As per sources the reason for the sharp slump in the index is due to Tapal shifting from the public fund of their asset management company to a separately managed account/ privately managed account.

A massive sell off was witnessed on Tuesday as Tapal redeemed their fund and into a separately managed account.

According to sources, Rs1.2 billion was moved from Tapal Tea to Tapal holdings.

Profit has reached out to Aftab Tapal for a comment but did not get a response until the filing of the story.

Sources claim the fund used were NAFA for conventional and Meezan for Islamic. NAFA took positions in banks while Meezan took positions in cement.

However, when such massive selling occurs in a market, the market makes an uptick on the news of a buyback as investors rush to buy before the fund.

What were the financials?

In the notice, UBL revealed its financial results for the fiscal year 2021 and declared a final cash dividend for its

TAPAL REDEMPTION OF FUND INTO A SEPARATELY MANAGED ACCOUNT AND UBL FINANCIAL RESULTS CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE MARKET

shareholders amounting to Rs.6 per share in addition to an interim dividend of Rs.12 per share. This takes the total dividend per share of UBL to Rs.18 per share forming 180 per cent of the face value of its share (Rs.10).

The total Profit After Tax (PAT) clocked in at ~Rs.30.62 billion from ~Rs.20.79 billion last year. The Earnings Per Share (EPS) posted an increase of a massive 45% from 2020 – clocking in at Rs.24.84.

One important thing to notice here is that UBL maintained a dividend pay-out of ~72.5 per cent which made a significant impact on the demand for UBL’s shares.

After the announcement, the market saw a major uptick

FIA digs deeper into Baig’s past record ISLAMABAD Naveed Miraj

Following arresting senior Journalist Mohsin Baig last week over making derogatory remarks against Minister for Communications Murad Saeed in a television show, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is holding further investigations into the past record of the journalist.

FIA’s sources told that it has now emerged that Mohsin Baig remained a proclaimed offender and prime accused in FIR No 76/1987 registered under several sections of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) in police station Aabpara, Islamabad. The sources said that the case was of straight firing in GPO Islamabad and a fraud/forgery of Defense Saving Certificates. The case was registered on the application of the Assistant Superintendent of Post Office.

The sources said that Mohsin Baig remained proclaimed offender for 33 years and his name was recommended for delegation in January 2020 on

the pretext that he is no more traceable.

It merits mentioning here that the FIA Karachi registered another case against Mohsin Baig after a couple of days of his arrest on the allegations of interference in a case of FIA, inducing and bribing FIA officials, money laundering and others.

Hearing a case relating to a raid on Mohsin Baig’s residence, Islamabad High Court (IHC) the other day also issued a show-cause notice to an officer of the FIA for “exceeding authority”.

Journalist Baig who is used to appear in TV talk shows as an analyst is critical of the government’s policies. He was a part of a TV panel last week in which the anchor and the guest had questioned the prime minister’s decision to award Murad Saeed the top prize in a ceremony celebrating the top 10 best performing federal ministries.

Murad Saeed subsequently registered an FIR against Baig with the Cybercrime Wing of the FIA which then raided the residence and arrested Mohsin Baig.End

CMYK

with the KSE100 index closing at 45,132.92 points (+0.27 per cent), the KSE30 at 17,584.11 points (+0.41 per cent), and the KMI30 at 72,968.62 points (+0.33 per cent).

From the minute the news unfolded to the closing time, the KSE100 posted 0.76 per cent returns, the KMI30 posted a 0.81 per cent return, and the KSE30 posted a 1.03 per cent return.

UBL’s share also went through a similar path with its open price dropping from Rs.144.99 to 144.25 by 13:51 today. After the announcement, share price skyrocketed to Rs.148 in just 8 minutes. The bank currently stands at Rs.149.81 with a Rs.4.87 (+3.36) change in its share price.

NAB prepares to sell Ishaq Dar’s Gulberg bungalow for Rs250mn ShAhAB OMer The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore announced on Wednesday that it has made all preparations to sell former minister of finance Ishaq Dar’s bungalow located in Gulberg. The officials of NAB Lahore informed that the bungalow was stretched over four kanals of land having a market value of Rs250 million. In addition they said that NAB Lahore also issued a letter to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore for immediate sale of the luxury bungalow. However, sources in NAB informed that when Dar’s property was confiscated, his wife claimed that the bungalow was given to her as a wedding gift. A writ petition was filed by Dar’s wife against the sale of the said bungalow in the Islamabad High Court in 2020 but the said writ No. 236/2020 was quashed by the Hon’ble court last month. On the other hand, the NAB officials informed that this would be the second major recovery of NAB from Dar in the case of assets in excess of income. “Earlier, NAB Lahore had recovered Rs500 million from Dar’s account and deposited it in the national treasury,” they said. It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore accountability court had declared former minister Ishaq Dar as absconder in December 2017 for non-compliance in the corruption reference and the court had also issued orders to confiscate all the properties of the accused mentioned in the NAB reference.

Thursday, 24 February, 2022 | KARACHI

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WoRK oN SeveN SMAll IRRIGATIoN DAMS WoRTh RS9BN INITIATeD IN KP

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AzIz BunerI

HYBER Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has initiated construction work on seven small irrigation dams and water reservoirs, which would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs9 billion that would irrigate 14,135 acres of barren land in the newly merged districts (NMDs).

Briefing the media regarding performance of provincial irrigation department in Newly Merged Districts (NMDs), the KP Minister for Irrigation, Arshad Ayub Khan on Wednesday informed that a total of 24 irrigation schemes have been launched worth Rs35 billion in newly merged districts under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), which would be completed with provincial funds.

Around 20,000 kanal land will be irrigated after completion of 200 small irrigation dams in merged districts, he added.

The Minister said Bara dam would irrigate 85,000 acre while Jabba dam would irrigate 37,000 agricultural lands. He noted that 33 per cent of water was wasted owing to the lack of required number of water channels in the province.

According to the Minister, as many as 420 irrigation channels have been initiated to irrigate around 25,000 acres of land in newly merged tribal districts of KP..

Similarly, the minister informed that around 475 tube-wells have been converted into a solar system in the Fata region.

Arshad Ayub said that the provincial government had made a demand of Rs119 billion for supplying water to Punjab from 1992 to 2013.

However, he said there was no provision in law to get royalty on water. The federal government had approved the Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal (CRBC) project, which is a vital importance for ensuring food security of the province, in which 65 per cent share belongs to the centre and remaining is of KP. Barrister Saif Ali said that development of merged districts is one of the government’s topmost priority.

Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan a holistic framework has been adopted for bringing the merged districts at par to settled areas of the province, he added.

In addition he assured the provincial government will ensure availability of all required funds and resources for the newly merged districts (NMDs) to bring it at par with the settled districts of the province.

Book on history of performing arts published newS DeSk Shazia Anwer Cheema’s book titled “An Introduction to European Theater – History of Performing Arts from Greek Period to 20th Century” has been published.

Shazia is a Prague-based columnist, writer, and foreign affairs expert, who writes for national and international media. She did her MPhil in Cognitive Semiotics from Aarhus University in Denmark and is currently registered as a PhD scholar of Semiotics and Philosophy of Communication at Charles University in Prague.

The book is written on the history of European theatre from the Greek period to the 20th century. It covers the journey of visual and performing arts as well as philosophical movements spreading over 2500 years.

According to the author, art is always a mirror of the time giving the absolute justification for the idea that any art form cannot be understood in a vacuum. Artistic work is an organic process that comes into existence with the help of certain binary forces such as poli-

Ncoc lifts PcR requirement for vaccinated travelers ISLAMABAD Staff report

The authorities will no longer require vaccinated individuals arriving in Pakistan to take a PCR test for Covid-19, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said on Wednesday, as it made inoculation compulsory for international travelers. Under the revised policy for inbound passengers that will come into force Wednesday midnight, eligible international passengers will not be required to undergo preflight PCR tests. However, non-vaccinated individuals aged 12 and above will still have to provide a negative PCR taken no longer than 72 hours before departure. The NCOC made vaccination mandatory for all inbound passengers with an exemption for individuals under 12.

Those between 12-18 years of age are permitted to travel without vaccination until March 31, it said. The platform said deportees and non-vaccinated pedestrians at border terminals will have to undergo a rapid antigen test (RAT) and those found positive will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 10 days.

tics, economics, and social fabrics of that time. First in the shape of an idea then it transforms into philosophy and later it gets executed into artistic forms.

She said sometimes a philosophy provides nurturing ground for artistic genres and other times artistic experimentation creates a philosophical sphere, adding that in both ways, history, politics, and sociology cannot be filtered out from art.

To understand, visual, performing, and literary art, the reader’s trajectory must be social, and political history of art and artist, she said, adding that any book that is written on visual art, performing art, and literary art is equally a book on history, philosophy and politics and it is useful for historians, philosophy students, and students of politics.

When asked why did she decide to write this book, the author said that while doing her PhD in Semiotics and Philosophy of Communication and researching about theatre as an art form, especially European theatre, she came across an overwhelming number of books on almost all aspects of European the-

atre, which were written by experts for the experts, adding that a regular reader or student can hardly get any substantiative information from these books.

She said books spanning from Greek theatre to contemporary theatre are neither written in proper chronological order nor provide any direct link from point A to B. “I decided to enter the labyrinth of fragmented history confused with politics, overlapping with socioeconomics, claustrophobic by the amount of provided information. I figured out one simple rule to find my way out, clutching history, politics, and philosophy in one hand and thread of chronology in another hand. I moved from one point to the next as a historian and tried to link performing art with its time. The organic process of evolution was a key factor throughout my journey. That’s why this book is not just about theatre history or theatre production,” she added.

She said that everyday readers would not find the book laborious, adding that students and researchers would also find it useful for clarity of form and content.

Govt approves 15pc allowance to BPS 1-19 employees BASIt MunAwAr The federal government on Wednesday approved a 15 per cent disparity reduction allowance to civil employees in BPS 1-19 of the federal government.

This allowance shall be admissible to civil employees in BPS 1-19 of the federal government (including employees of the federal secretariat, attached departments and subordinate offices) who have never been allowed additional allowance equal to or more than 100 per cent of the basic pay (whether frozen or not).

As per the details, this allowance will not be admissible to the employees of the organization who are drawing additional allowances equal to or more than 100 per cent of the basic pay.

Similarly, this allowance will be frozen at the level drawn on March 1, 2022 while the income tax conditions will also be applied.

Moreover, this allowance will be admissible during leave and the entire period of LPR except during extra ordinary leave.

Document states that the government has declared that this allowance will not be treated as part of emoluments for the purpose of calculation of pension or gratuity and recovery of house rent.

In addition, the allowance will not be admissible to the employees during the tenure of their posting abroad whereas this allowance will be admissible to the employees on their repatriation from posting abroad at the rate and amount which would have been admissible to them, had they not been posted abroad.

Documents also state that this allowance will be admissible during the period of suspension and the term “basic pay” will also include the amount of personal pay granted on account of annual increment (s) beyond the maximum of the existing pay scales.

Marriyum Aurangzeb states ‘timing of no-trust move to be decided after consensus’ newS DeSk PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday stressed that the timing of the no-confidence motion against the government would be jointly decided by the opposition and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

The remarks from the PML-N came hours after by Information Minister Fawad

Chaudhry dismissed the opposition’s attempts at moving a no-trust motion as insignificant and ruled out its chances of success.

“I dare the opposition to table a no-confidence motion within 24 hours,” the minister said at a presser earlier in the day.

Aurangzeb, during the press talk also said that the PML-N had decided to challenge the recently promulgated Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act Ordinance 2022.

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Terming the ordinance a “draconian black law”, Aurangzeb said the law should first be applied to Prime Minister Imran Khan for his “false statements accusing opposition leaders of corruption”. She claimed that through the ordinance, the premier was attempting to “silence” the government’s critics. She added that the prime minister should also be asked about the abuses he hurled at his political rivals in some of his recent speeches.

Seafood exports increase by 5.08pc in seven months

APP The exports of fish and fish preparations increased by 5.08 per cent during the first seven months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The seafood exports during JulyJanuary (2021-22) were recorded at $231.584 million against the exports of $220.396 million in July-January (202021), showing growth of around 5.08 per cent, according to Pakistan Bureau of statistics (PBS). On a year-on-year basis, the fish exports increased by 24.28 per cent by going up from $25.032 million

during January 2021 to $31.111 million in January 2022.

On a month-on-month basis, the seafood exports however decreased by 37.74 per cent in January 2021 when compared to the exports of $49.971 million in December 2020, the PBS data revealed. The overall food group exports from the country during the first seven months of the current fiscal year increased by 20.87 percent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of last year. During this period, food commodities worth $2.952 billion were exported as against the exports of $2.444 billion during last year.

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Sindh deploys police commandos on Karachi roads KARACHI sTAff rePorT

Sindh government has decided to deploy police commandos from Special Security Unit (SSU) on roads in Karachi to deal with rising street crimes in the metropolitan city. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in view of the prevailing law and order situation. As per the decision, the commandos will be deployed at major spots in Karachi from Thursday. They will be responsible for snap-checking, while Madadgar 15 personnel will be deployed at major thoroughfares across the city. A complete failure of law enforcers to counter an alarming rise in street crimes in Karachi has been witnessed as 13 citizens were killed so far during 11,000 reported incidents in 2022 alone.

Collected records of street crime incidents in Karachi since the beginning of 2022 revealed the shocking rise in lawlessness due to the failure of Karachi police. 13 citizens including police officials and a journalist have lost their lives so far for resisting robberies, whereas, the reported dacoities during the past 1.5 months were 11,000. More than 80 persons got injured for resisting robberies in the port city.

According to the latest statistics, 3,845 mobile phones were snatched in Karachi from January 1 to February 17, 672 motorcycles and 20 cars. The number of vehicles snatched by street criminals was other than the stolen cars and motorcycles. The police department confirmed that 6,087 motorcycles and 296 cars were stolen during the said period.

Government FoCuSed on InduStrIalISatIon to Create joBS, enHanCe exportS: pm ISLAMABAD

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APP

RIME Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said the government was giving special attention to promoting industrialisation for creating employment as well as enhancing exports.

The prime minister, chairing a meeting to discuss the planning framework for national development and systemic reformation, said that for the first time, a serving government was introducing export-oriented planning.

He lamented that the past governments compromised on national interests.

He said the skilled youth and manpower, tourism and overseas Pakistani investors were key to economic development. The government is also activating Pakistan’s missions abroad to play their due role in enhancing the exports, he added.

The participants of the meeting were briefed on the government’s five-year development planning framework and reforms.

It was told that the reformative strategy had been formulated keeping in view the modern-day requirements that were neglected by the previous governments.

Following the reforms, special attention would be given to the development of industrial and exports sectors, employment opportunities and increasing the per capita income.

It was told that while introducing the

reforms, Pakistan would not only consider the viewpoint of the international experts but also the changing scenario of the international market.

The reformation process would be focused on turning direction from import-oriented development to export-oriented growth.

The meeting was told that development planning would also feature the

Sindh SEZ to offer 200,000 employment opportunities: Murad

IHC bins petitions seeking disqualification of Zardari, Fawad

short and long-term targets which would also be reviewed in the future considering the global and local conditions.

It was also told that as part of the planning process, all of the ministries would ensure their mutual collaboration to define the country’s course of comprehensive development.

The process also included the incentives and facilitation for the best performing production units to further build their capacity. Moreover, the investors would also be encouraged to establish new industries in the information technology, automobile, and tourism sectors.

The participants were also apprised of the shortcomings of the existing planning framework and the impediments caused by neglecting modern-day needs.

The prime minister directed for early completion and execution of the planning framework.

Ministers Shaukat Tarin, Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar, Khusro Bakhtiar, Fakhar Imam, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razak Dawood, adviser to the prime minister on CPEC Khalid Mansoor and other senior officers attended the meeting.

Killers of Karachi journalist arrested from Balochistan KARACHI sTAff rePorT

ISLAMABAD inP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected petitions seeking disqualification of former president Asif Ali Zardari and Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry. Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petitions. The judge said both the cases were related to the elected representatives.

They have been elected by people […] why should the court interfere in their affairs, he asked. The chief justice remarked that every political party had made its own social media trolling team. When a court gives an unfavourable decision against some party, they start trolling it, he added. Justice Minallah said that according to your estimates, Pakistan’s courts ranking comes at no. 139. But this ranking does not apply to courts only, it’s a ranking of our complete governance system. Then the court distributed a copy of courts’ rating among the lawyers. Justice Minallah asked them to read the factors of this rating. He said he did not say that courts were very good but asked the lawyers to have a look at the entire system.

ISLAMABAD sTAff rePorT

The Dhabeji special economic zone (SEZ) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Sindh will offer over 200,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said. The SEZ is being developed through a private partner at a cost of Rs18 billion to provide “plug and play” facilities to the investors within the next five years, the chief minister said on Tuesday, while speaking at the

signing ceremony of a concession agreement for the SEZ development.

He said that the CPEC has achieved significant milestones through joint efforts of the governments, enterprises, and people of both countries, according to a statement by the chief minister’s office.

“The first phase of the CPEC, which focused on energy and infrastructure projects, met its successful completion and now the second phase is set to boost Pak-China cooperation in agriculture and initiate an era of indus-

trialisation through the establishment of Special Economic Zones,” he said.

He added the SEZ is one of the priority projects of the CPEC for the provincial government because it will strengthen industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China besides enhancing trade with Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The project will facilitate potential investors of China and other countries to establish new enterprises or transfer their facilities to the special economic zone, he added.

Sindh police, in collaboration with Balochistan police, arrested the suspected murderers of a Karachi-based journalist from Khuzdar, it said on Wednesday.

Thieves on a motorcycle shot and killed Athar Mateen, a TV producer who worked for the SAMAA news channel, when he tried to ram them with his car to prevent a street robbery over the weekend. Giving details, police said one Abid Ali was taken into custody in the Civil Colony neighbourhood while he was escaping disguised as a woman in a burka. Police also carried out raids in other parts of the city. In a separate raid in the Khund Road neighbourhood, Ashraf Ali, a second suspect, managed to escape after seeing police. Police also arrested three other suspects in connection with the murder. The arrests come a day after Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the police had traced the whereabouts of the killers. Talking to the media after returning from Mateen’s residence in Karachi where he had gone to offer his condolences, he said his murderers would not go unpunished. He informed the provincial government was planning to enact laws in order to make it difficult for street criminals to get bail from the courts.

Pakistan allows first shipment of Indian wheat to Afghanistan ISLAMABAD The AssociATed Press

Indian authorities have sent tons of wheat to Afghanistan to help relieve desperate food shortages after they struck a deal with Pakistan to allow the shipments across the shared border.

Some 41 trucks, which entered Pakistan from Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing, stacked to the brim with around 2,500 tons of wheat donated by India, began crossing back into Lahore through the Wagah border late Tuesday, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

A Ministry of Commerce official confirmed the development to Al Jazeera, with a World Food Programme (WFP) representative saying the food aid would be distributed by the United Nations agency.

“I thank the Indian government for the generosity displayed at a time when more

than 20 million Afghans are facing a crisis or the worse levels of food insecurity in more than 3 decades,” tweeted Farid Mamundzay, Afghanistan’s ambassador to India.

Last week, Islamabad said it would allow India — with which Pakistan shares a heavily militarised border — to deliver wheat to Afghanistan, where millions are facing dangerous food shortages.

Under a deal with New Delhi, Pakistan allowed trucks from Afghanistan to collect wheat from India by way of the frontier crossing at Attari-Wagah. The trucks will then head for Afghanistan’s city of Jalalabad via the Torkham border, foreign ministry officials there said last week.

The decision from Pakistan came more than three months after India said it would deliver 50,000 metric tons of wheat and lifesaving medicine to Afghanistan, whose economy is teetering on the brink of collapse in the wake of the Taliban takeover in August.

Pakistan in recent months has also sent food and medicine to Afghanistan.

Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations driven by their dispute over the province of occupied Kashmir, which is divided between the two countries but claimed by both in its entirety.

Pakistan suspended trade with India in 2019 after New Delhi stripped the Indian-occupied section of Kashmir of its statehood and special constitutional status. Since then, normal diplomatic and trade ties between them have not resumed. Like the rest of the world, Pakistan and India have so far not recognized the Taliban government.

New Delhi has no diplomatic presence in Kabul after evacuating its staff ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August. It did, however, meet with a Taliban representative in Qatar on August 31.

Before the Taliban took Kabul, India provided Afghan security forces with opera-

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tional training and military equipment, even though it had no troops on the ground.

The UN has warned that millions are

on the brink of starvation in Afghanistan, with over half the population staring at extreme hunger.

Thursday, 24 February, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

IGP hears public and policemen's complaints during Khuli Kacheri ISLAMABAD pr

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younas has directed all police officials to resolve the public complaints on priority. During an `Open Court’ especially held on Wednesday with the purpose to listen issues of policemen and citizens, the IGP directed relevant police officials to resolve their issues and gave them timeframe for the purpose. The IGP while listening public complaints strictly directed all concerned officers to take immediate and strict action against land grabbers. “No one would be allowed to grab property of any citizen” he added.

Islamabad police chief said that it is our prime responsibility to provide protection to the lives and property of the citizens and resolve their problems on priority. He said that citizens at `Open Court’ should be behaved in a respectful manner and their trust on police department to be won through resolving their issues.

He said that interaction with people also ensures accountability of the policemen and they should address public complaints on merit by considering them their own issues. The IGP emphasized that positive image of policemen should be ensured before them through unbiased approach towards anyone. Police chief hoped that interaction during `open kutcheries’ would help to promote friendly policing. Such interaction with citizens are aimed to promote community policing, resolve the issues of people at their door steps through merit and curb activities of anti-social elements, he added.

18th International biennial conference of SOGP to commence tomorrow KARACHI news desk

The largest International Conference of Gynaecologist in Pakistan (SOGP) would commence here on Friday.

Eminent delegates and Speakers from all over Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia, USA, UK, South Africa, UAE and Saudi Arabia will be attending in person or virtually as it is a Hybrid mega event. The Conference will be inaugurated by Health & Population Minister Sindh, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

Many eminent Government officials Dr Faisal Sultan, Dr Sabina Durrani, Dr Talib Lashari, Ms Shehnaz Wazir Ali amongst others are Delegates and Speakers.

The organizers are Prof Razia Korejo (President SOGP), Prof Haleema Yasmin (Secretart general SOGP), Prof Sadiah Ahsan Pal (Chair Scientific committee) and their team. SOGP is the largest Professional organization of Gynaecologists in Pakistan with over 4500 members.

The Continuing Challenge of Covid-19 on women’s health is the theme of the Conference. Key National & International Opinion leaders will deliver lectures, workshops and panel discussions with latest research and evidence based practices.

More than 90 Preconference workshops have been held all over Pakistan so far and 5 more will be conducted during the conference in Karachi.

Leading Issues facing Pakistan are Covid-19 Pandemic, high maternal and perinatal mortality, and uncontrolled Population explosion, Violence against women and children are being highlighted by eminent national and international speakers.

Speakers include key world opinion leaders including Prof Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran (Ex President FIGO, RCOG, UK), Prof Eddward Morris (UK), Prof Michael Robson (UK), Prof H Rohanna (Sri Lanka), Prof Kazunori Ochiai, Prof Pisake Lumbiganon, Dr Jaideep Malhotra (India), Prof Ferdousi Begum (Bangladesh) Prof. Phurb Dorji (Bhutan), Dr M Meena Thapa (Nepal), Emeritus Prof Zulfiquar Bhutta, Emerita Prof Sadiqua Jafarey, Prof. Rashid Latif Khan,Prof Aftab Munir, Prof Farrukh Zaman, Dr Shahida Zaidi, Emerita Prof Tasnim Ahsan, Prof Ali Madeeh Hashmi, Prof Unaiza Niaz, Dr Seemin Jamli, Ms Nighat Hoda, Dr. Shershah Syed, Prof. Lubna Hassan, amongst a galaxy of eminent Speakers. In addition there are sessions with international scientific organizations: WHO, FIGO (International Federation of Obstetricians & Gynecologists), AOFOG (Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetricians & Gynecologists), SAFOG (South Asian Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), Ipas, SAFOMS, White Ribbon Alliance, Greenstar GSM, PIMA, UNFPA, PUGA. Separate Hall sessions are being held for Midwives In addition to the rich Scientific Program, there was a cultural program, celebrating Karachi’s diversity with ethnic music.

05

NAB PrePAreS tO Sell DAr’S GulBerG BuNGAlOw fOr further recOvery Of rS 250 mIllION LAHoRe

m

shahab omer

AKING great strides in the case of assets beyond income, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has made all preparations to sell former minister of finance Ishaq Dar’s luxurious bungalow which was located in Gulberg, Profit learnt here on Wednesday.

The credible officials of NAB La-

hore informed this scribe that the bungalow was stretched over four kanals of land having a market value of RS 250 million. They added that the NAB Lahore also issued a letter to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore for immediate sale of a luxury bungalow.

However, well maintained sources in NAB informed that when Dar’s property was confiscated, his wife claimed that the bungalow was given to her by Dar as a wedding gift.

Sources added that in fact all the

papers of the bungalow were in Dar’s name and his wife could not produce any proof or paper to prove that the said Bangla Dar had gifted to her.

Later, a writ petition was filed by Dar’s wife against the sale of the said Bungalow to the Islamabad High Court in 2020 but the said writ No. 236/2020 was quashed by the Hon’ble Court last month.

On the other hand, the NAB officials informed that this would be the second major recovery of NAB from Dar

in the case of assets in excess of income.

“Earlier, NAB Lahore had recovered RS 500 million from Dar’s account and deposited it in the national treasury,” they said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore Accountability Court had declared former minister Ishaq Dar an absconder in December 2017 for noncompliance in the corruption reference and the court had also issued orders to confiscate all the properties of the accused mentioned in the NAB reference.

PPP, PML-Q vow to make future decisions together ContInueD fRoM pAge 01 Sources stated that the country’s current political situation came under discussion during the moot — which was Fazl’s second meeting with the PML-Q’s Chaudhry brothers in a few days.

Prior to the trilateral meeting, Maulana Fazl took Shehbaz Sharif into confidence over his recent discussion with Zardari on the long march.

Sources further stated that the Opposition parties’ coalition favours immediate elections but the ruling PTI’s allies are not in favour of immediate elections.

However, the sources said, since the coalition seeks support of government’s allies for bringing a no-trust motion against the government, Zardari tried to persuade the Opposition parties’ leaders to show flexibility on the matter of delayed elections.

The sources say that the PDM decided to join hands with the PPP to support it’s long march towards Islamabad against the PTI-led government.

PDM — the alliance of eight opposition parties — of which PML-N and JUI-F are the major component, have decided to welcome the long march of the PPP. PML-N will welcome the convoys in Punjab while the JUI-F will do so in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the sources added.

The development comes a day after a meeting

took place between Fazl and PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari. During the meeting, different options were discussed for the success of the notrust move against the prime minister, while the two leaders had also agreed to take estranged PTI leaders into confidence, sources had said.

It has been decided that the activists of component parties of the PDM will welcome the participants of the long march in each city across the country. The opposition leaders will deliver their speeches while standing on top of containers, sources said, adding that no stage will be set up in any city during the march.

Upon arrival in Islamabad, there will be a mass public meeting during which the date for the no-trust motion is likely to be announced.

Neither the long march will enter the Red Zone nor the PPP will stage a sit-in in Islamabad, the sources said.

Sources said that Fazl and PML-Q’s senior leadership had agreed to meet during a telephonic conversation a few days ago.

The PDM chief, who is also the president of JUI-F, has met PTI ally, PML-Q, in Lahore once before.

Sources said that Fazl, during the meeting with the Chaudhry brothers, asked them to support the Opposition in its no-confidence motion against the government.

Opposition vying for power and not for people: CM Buzdar

Judicial complex to open gates in May: CDA

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar has said that the opposition is yearning for power, not for the people. He asserted that the opposition has failed on all fronts. In a statement issued on Wednesday, he said that during the last three and a half years, the opposition has constantly pursued a policy of anarchy and does not want the country to move forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he regretted. Usman Buzdar said that the opposition, earlier, chanted slogans of now or never and tendering resignations and, now, it is asserting the no-trust move. The goal of no-confidence would remain a distant dream as their number game is insufficient. Meanwhile, the journey of development would continue under the leadership of PM Imran Khan, he concluded. Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the claimers of no-confidence motion even don’t trust each other, then how can they succeed in their plans. staff report

ISLAMABAD: The district judicial complex, which will house 93 district courts, will open in May as Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has completed around 30 percent of its construction. The complex was being constructed at sector G-11 by Capital Development Authority (CDA) and FWO over land measuring 195,000 square feet to facilitate all relevant stakeholders, including the bench, bar and the petitioners, said a CDA spokesperson. Currently, he said the courts were functioning within a rented market at sector F-8 that provides no reasonable facilities for judges, lawyers and litigants. He noted the multi-story complex would comprise four blocks of courts, an administrative block, a lockup, a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) verification room, and separate waiting areas for lawyers, petitioners and reporters. app

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s daughter claims people trying to occupy hospital trust Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s daughter, Dr Dina Khan, on Wednesday claimed that certain people were trying to occupy the Dr AQ Khan Hospital Trust. However, she stated that she would not let them succeed. Dr Dina’s comments came while she was addressing the legal fraternity at condolence organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) for the late pioneer of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. She further that her father had a great love for Pakistan despite all the hardships, maintaining that they still faced a lot of problems to this day. She asked the legal fraternity for their help, reiterating that collectively they could foil the efforts of those who wanted to occupy the trust. Dr Dina further said that she believed collective efforts would pave the way to accomplish the dream of her father.

She lamented that “it is regrettable that after the death of my father, some people are trying to influence and occupy the Dr AQ Khan Hospital Trust” Members of the judiciary present expressed sorrow on not being able to give respect to Dr AQ Khan during his lifetime, adding that perhaps they were unable to “understand” him. Before the gathering, they obtained sufficient votes on a proposal to name a lawyer’s hall after the late doctor, which Dr Dina inaugurated.

LHCBA President Maqsood Buttar stated that Kiani Hall, where the gathering occurred, had two portraits, one of Quaid-e-Azam and the second of Allam Iqbal, however, now a third of Dr AQ Khan was also displayed in the halls. Dr AQ Khan was the name of hope and innovation, and he was the one who helped us become an atomic power. news desk

Prayers pour in as Senator Rehman Malik passes away ContInueD fRoM pAge 01 Before turning to politics, Malik had pursued a successful career in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as a special agent, eventually becoming the Additional Director General of the agency in 1993.

During his stint as director, he coordinated successful counter-terrorism operations at home and abroad, including the arrest and extradition to the United States in 1995 of Ramzi Yousef, one of the main perpetrators of the 1993 World Trade Center bombings and the bombing of Philippine Airlines Flight 434 in 1994.

After being removed from the position in 1997 by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif,

Malik moved to the United Kingdom where he set up his own private security firm and obtained British nationality. He returned to Pakistan in 2007 alongside Bhutto. Top leadership and opposition MPs took to Twitter to express their condolences on Malik’s death.

“May Allah give enough strength to the bereaved family” to bear the loss, tweeted the office of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

President Dr Arif Alvi expressed “deep sorrow” and sympathies for the Malik family.

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed expressed “sorrow and grief”.

Zia ud-Din Yousafzai, the father of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, also mourned the death of the PPP veteran.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad

Chaudhry lauded Malik’s role in the Hudaibiya Paper Mill case investigation, saying that while justice was still awaited, the probe had shown such modern ways of investigating corruption that people were left “astounded”.

The PPP stalwart was paid glowing tributes by his own party’s leaders and members.

“Rehman Malik always practised politics of honesty and principles. When terrorism was on the rise in the country, it was Rehman Malik who played a pivotal role in eradicating terrorism,” said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

He added that Malik had always performed his responsibilities in the “best possible way”. Bilawal also pointed out that the deceased’s writing showed his understanding

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of the region’s situation was “extraordinary”.

PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari too praised Malik, saying he was a “hardworking and capable interior minister”.

He added that Malik’s services to the country were unforgettable and the PPP leadership and workers shared his family’s grief.

PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said he was “deeply saddened” on hearing the news and praised his former peer as a “good man and amazing politician”.

“Rehman Malik’s death is a great loss for the country’s politics. The vacuum created by Rehman Malik’s demise can never be filled,” he said, adding that his services for the PPP will always be remembered.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman prayed for

the deceased and his family as well.

Other PPP figures such as Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Local Bodies Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah also praised the former senator and prayed for him.

PML-N figures also paid tribute to the former interior minister, with party president Shehbaz Sharif extending his condolences to Malik’s family and the PPP leadership.

He said Malik’s services for the nation and democracy would always be remembered.

“I am deeply saddened by the demise of former interior minister Rehman Malik.

May God forgive him and grant patience to his family,” senior PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal tweeted.

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Thursday, 24 February, 2022

06 COMMENT

Makhdooms do not resign

Future of no-confidence move No smooth sailing for the government

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hILe the opposition’s threat of a noconfidence move might have given sleepless nights to the government leaders, the opposition’s efforts in that direction spread over a month have so far met with little success. The opposition leaders have held talks with government allies to convince them that supporting the move was the best way to save the country and salvage their own reputation. The suggestion was not altogether rejected by the PML(Q) or the MQM who conceded that it was becoming increasingly difficult to defend the government over the unprecedented and unending rise in prices. Both however told the opposition to wait and let them consult their parties. The opposition has simultaneously approached the PTI dissidents.

Despite claims that over two score PTI MNAs were waiting to jump the ship, when push came to shove none seemed to be willing to support the no-confidence move.

As predicted earlier by a PML(N) leader, a vote of noconfidence could not succeed in a hybrid democracy.

This must not lead the government to feel elated as the remaining part of PTI’s tenure is going to be full of potentially destabilizing challenges. The government is already facing the repercussions of its unfortunate decision to further strengthen the notorious Prevention of electronic Crimes Act (Peca). As a result, it has invited the fury of the legal community, working journalists, media owners and civil society organizations. even the Attorney General has called the Peca Ordinance a draconian measure in its present form. Any government move to step back on the Ordinance would be considered a sign of its weakness, further encouraging its opponents to mount fresh attacks.

The international crisis caused by the Russian action on Ukraine is bound to affect countries like Pakistan already battered by the pandemic, supply chain chokeholds and leaps in prices. Pakistan depends on the supply of wheat from Ukraine and Russia. With an expected drop of up to 15 percent in the domestic wheat yield due to shrinking acreage, poor application of fertilizer, water scarcity, limited certified seeds, and so on, Pakistan will have to import costlier wheat from these countries while they are embroiled in war. As a result of the crisis, petrol prices too are bound to rise further with an attendant hike in prices of commodities of daily use, adding to the challenges faced by the government.

How the PTI was taken over, as the PPP had been before it

Dr FariD a Malik

F

OReIGN Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi is dissatisfied with the performance evaluation of his ministry. he has formally lodged a protest with Shehzad Arbab the Advisor to the Prime Minister who was assigned the task of developing the scoring methodology. The Foreign Office (FO) is considered to be one of the most important ministries of any government. Coming at 11th position is indeed embarrassing for the Minister who claims to be the second most important person in the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI). If he claims being treated unfairly, he should step down. his performance should be revaluated through an independent performance audit. everyone, including a Makhdoom deserves a second chance as no manmade system is perfect.

By definition, Makhdoom is a holy man who has to be served, a saintly person or a Pir. Serving others is not required of them as they are at a higher level of existence. Their followers’ line up to heap bounties on them, which they collect and take home. The PTI remained ‘Makhdoom-less’ till the mammoth jalsa at Lahore in October 2011. By the time the Caravan of Change moved to Karachi in December there were two of them on the stage. Makhdoom Javed hashmi was greeted with chants of “Baghi” while Makhdoom Shah Mahmood proudly placed himself next to the

Attacks on security personnel Rising terrorism a threat to long-term peace

Israel’s presence did not mean any change in Pakistan’s foreign policy DaMiya Saghir

T

he interconnectedness of nations has globalized maritime affairs, increasing their significance more than ever. The increasing activities conducted via sea routes have their pros as well as cons when it comes to geostrategic significance and security in terms of national and international waters.

One of such efforts was the IMX 22, a multinational maritime exercise under the U.S Naval Force Central Command (NAVCeNT) determined to provide tools for promoting regional and global peace and security. The aim of IMX 22 was to maintain freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce throughout the region’s diverse maritime environment.

IMX 22 provided a noteworthy opportunity for the Pakistan Navy to contribute towards maritime security and to enhance interoperability with regional navies while mitigating non-traditional threats prevalent in the maritime environment. In addition to providing naval assets, the Pakistan Navy also assumed duties of Deputy Commander for the exercise. however, the US invitation to Israel for joining the exercise got many to speculate about the unnecessary prospects of Pakistan and Israel’s collaboration.

Pakistan is a zealous contributor to maritime security. It has not just participated in international exercises such as CTF but also has hosted an exercise AMAN in order to counter the growing maritime threats all the while being applauded to bring nations together. IMX 22 was also initiated to deter the illicit activities in the region.

IMX 2022 was an 18-day biyearly naval training event led by US Naval Forces Central Command. It was combined with exercise Cutlass express (Ce) led by US Naval Forces europe-Africa in east African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean.

The exercise was a combination of the combined training of 9,000 personnel and up to 50 ships from more than 60 partner nations and international organizations. IMX 2022 was not only the largest multinational naval exercise in the Middle east but also the largest unmanned maritime exercise in the world with

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

Pakistan Navy the International Maritime Exercise 2022

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OAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was right to point out that the gains made over five years of Operation Radd-ul-Fassad would not have been possible without the ‘blood of martyrs and the resilience of people’, but with terrorism rearing its ugly head yet again, there is a risk that all the lives lost and blood spilt may be in vain. Security personnel are facing an increasingly difficulty environment to dispense their duties as terrorist outfits such as the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan have singled them out as targets with the latest attack claiming the lives of at least four policemen in Peshawar on Monday. Two weeks back, five Pakistani soldiers were killed inBajaur district due to cross-border fire, most likely by the TTP. Last month 10 soldiers lost their lives in a terrorist attack on a checkpost in Balochistan’s Kech district.

The frequency of such attacks is consistently increasing, which is worryingly indicating towards a possible reversion to a state where terrorism had almost become a part of daily life. There had been the expectation that the Taliban takeover in Kabul would lead to a cessation of terrorist attacks at the hands of terrorist groups such as the TTP with the Afghan Taliban reining in their Pakistani wannabes. Clearly that has not happened and it seems unlikelier by the day that any such relief is coming.

A new dimension to this rising terrorism is the upsurge in attacks by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) that is reportedly working as an ally of the TTP. If the two organizations are cooperating and coordinating their attack across the country, that would extend their range to virtually every city in the country, and they could inflict horrible casualties. It is therefore imperative that intelligence agencies focus both attention and resources on gathering the kind of intelligence needed to stop such attacks. Pakistan’s new security policy has been linked to economic prosperity but it must be remembered that the country still faces pressures from the FATF that is likely to review progress made on its final conditions in June. It will become difficult to satisfy the FATF to keep us out of the blacklist if the country continues slipping into a fresh wave of terrorism, leading to very serious additional economic damage.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Chairman on the main stage, while the old guard was relegated to the lower level.

After the massive public gathering at Mazar-eQuaid on December 25, 2011, a dinner had been arranged by the late Comrade Ahsan Rashid (Late) for the old and new guard to break bread. It proved to be the proverbial ‘Last Supper’. The ‘Makhdoomization’ of the PTI took place. While one managed to become the Vice Chairman, the other became the President. Under the Kaptaan the party was divided between the two Makhdooms of Multan.

Comrade Ahsan Rashid, despite his standing in the party, was sidelined mainly because of poor health.

While Makhdoom Shah Mahmood has income from the shrine, Makhdoom Javed hashmi was accused of selling party tickets in Multan in the 2013 elections.

During the heat of the Dharna in 2014, hashmi Sahib parted ways with the party which ended his political career. his old party, the PML(N), did not take him back. Shah Sahib has been around all major parties, perhaps the only opening left for him is to struggle for the creation of a new South Punjab province and then become its Chief Minister. I am sure the PTI will be better off without the Makhdoom’s. earlier Comrade Taj Muhammad Langah had dedicated his life for a similar cause. Shah Sahib can pick up the thread from there and build on it.

During Benazir’s second term in office, a massive bureaucratic reshuffle was planned. Two powerful and notorious bureaucrats who had influence over the PM were being considered for important and lucrative slots. One of them was going to the United Nations as the permanent representative while the other was coming to Lahore as Chief Secretary.

I wrote an article ‘Another aimless bureaucratic reshuffle’.. The newspaper forwarded a well written, laser printed letter from one of them accusing me of being unfair. he highlighted his performance in bringing the IPPs (Independent Power Producers) and building road infrastructure in the country. I suggested a ‘Performance Audit’ to establish his claims, to which he readily agreed but insisted on tasking the government auditors’ for the job while I insisted on independent auditors, to which he was adverse.

Perhaps in his entire career he had moved up the ranks without a real performance evaluation The Audit System is the land of the pure is seriously

flawed, it needs a major revamp. having personally gone through the ‘Lead Auditor’ course followed by an exam, I knew the limitations of our flawed and seriously compromised evaluation criteria that is not able to contain mediocrity.

I don’t think any Makhdoom has ever faced a real performance audit in the land of the mortals as their credentials are superior and spiritual beyond the scope of humans. Due to lack of experience and exposure to a systems performance audit’, the Makhdoom does deserve one more final chance to establish his worldly credentials or gracefully return to his inherited shrine in Multan, the land of the Sufis.

Lately there has been a debate about operating within institutional boundaries. While the judiciary and armed forces are being urged to operate in their own domains, I seriously think the same principle should apply to their holinesses as well. In the world of spirituality, it is widely believed that ‘No Faqir has ever given up Faqiri for Royalty but several Royals have become Faqirs’. Faqiri and Royality cannot coexist, there has to be a reality check to break the shackles of the past and move forward.

After his great election victory in the 1970 electoral contest, Bhutto proudly exclaimed that the politics of ‘ Mirs and Pirs ‘ was over. In his original team were real comrades like Dr Mubashir hasan, Sheikh Rashid (Sr), hanif Ramay, Mairaj Khalid, Khurshid hasan Mir, Mairaj Muhammad Khan, and Dr Ghulam hussain, to name a few. By the next election in 1977 they were all back with a bang on the bandwagon of change.

When the crunch time came the Quaid-e-Awam was left alone to struggle for his life. The only support came from his own family members. holiness prevailed over the himalayas and they did not cry, even the waters of Indus did not turn red when the most popular leader of his times was hanged in Rawalpindi and then quickly buried in his home village near Larkana.

There are lessons to be learnt. Like cricket, team selection does matter in politics. Yes, over the years PTI has battle-hardened comrades as claimed by the PM, but they are not in the arena. I am sure they are not standing behind the Makhdooms of Multan. For a progressive party of change in the real world, ‘ Makhdoomization ‘ is not the way forward.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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more than 80 unmanned systems from 10 nations participating. Task Force X was dedicated towards the unmanned Task Force which led to the unmanned systems and works across the other task force commanders through a series of 14 plans serial, also known as training scenarios.

Pakistan was esteemed to be a part of IMX 22 as the deputy commander. Such opportunities do not come time and again for Pakistan to develop its global image. Since Pakistan has been untiringly dedicated to maritime security, the participation in the exercise has only helped portray a better facet of its image and stress its historical contributions of spreading peace. Its participation has raised many questions of its collaboration with Israel.

International organizations work towards the collective good and therefore neither state has any plans for further collaboration. The participation in IMX 22 will not bring forward any collaboration between the two countries. Participating in international coalitions has never been a platform to bring countries together unwillingly. One such example is the United Nations. The United Nations has so many member states including Israel and the country’s other nemesis which has not affected any of Pakistan’s involvement whatsoever. Such international coalitions aim for countries to co-exist and fight commonly faced illicit activities. Such was the purpose of the IMX 22.

In the course of a conversation with a naval expert, he stated, “We cannot put ourselves into isolation”. IMX 22 was solely dedicated to securing the region from the non-traditional threats present in the regional waters. In order to stop illicit activities such as piracy, smuggling arms and ammunitions, drugs, and human trafficking and to secure the energy lines, every country in the region is assigned the role of a policeman by the USA. The Naval experts also highlighted that the type of participation Israel and its activity area was restricted to the Red Sea whereas in the exercise Pakistan’s area of concern was centered on the Arabian Sea. Both countries were present in the exercise but had participated in different groups based on their own area of concern. Also, it was not just Pakistan, but many Muslim countries were also a part of the exercise such as Bahrain where the headquarters of

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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the exercise is based, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman, Sudan, Jordan, egypt, Bangladesh, and many other countries falling in the region. All these countries share a similar interest of protecting and securing the maritime environment close to their region from non-traditional threats.

Questions also have surfaced that whether or not Pakistan should have been a part of the exercise. The US 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The region comprises 20 countries and includes three critical chokepoints at the Strait of hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab-al-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

Pakistan is a vertical state with its feet in the Arabian Sea. The geostrategic significance of the country is such that with Gwadar and Gomera, all the important energy and oil transport takes place through the Arabian Sea. Not only is the country politically consequential but its sea routes are equally crucial and need to be secured. With such exceptional positioning, Pakistan was also in a respected position as the deputy commandant of the U.S IMX 22 which gave more reason for its participation. If the participation was given up, the position of deputy commandant may have fallen upon any of Pakistan’s nemeses which may have created further tensions for the country’s very own maritime security.

In conversation with the naval expert on the matter of Pakistan and Israel mingling in the exercise, he stated, “Participation of Pakistan Navy has no regional or religious connotations, nor does it hold any influence in changing the foreign policy of the country by participating in IMX 22. Pakistan Navy will continue to maintain its historical role as provider of maritime security and torchbearer of peace in the region.”

Policies are not decided by Navies, they are brought into legislation by the government. Navies are responsible for maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment. As being a part of IMX 22, we wish that Pakistan’s outstanding contribution in the exercise brings more praise for the country for raising flags of peace and maritime security in the region.

Damiya Saghir is a Political Science graduate from Kinnaird College for Women Lahore. She can be contacted at damiya.saghir.ds@gmail.com

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06-07 Comments - 24th February 2022_Layout 1 2/24/2022 12:14 AM Page 2

Thursday, 24 February, 2022

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Upholding Principles of Justice and Fairness

War can take an unpredictable path An analysis of the Russia-Ukraine crisis

MuhaMMaD uMar

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he Ukrainian move to join NATO provoked Russia to start thinking about its rule over Ukraine in the past. The USA also played a role by backing Ukraine and that is the central point which ignited the tensions as illustrated by many analysts. The tensions between one of the world’s largest militaries and Ukraine is escalating day by day. Russia has already deployed over 100,000 troops along with some of the sophisticated military build-ups which includes tanks, air defense systems, infantry fighting vehicles, and naval vessels. here arise some questions. Why did the escalation happen? Is NATO in position to help Ukraine in this crisis situation? What is the purpose of Russia’s drills near the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv? Is Russia moving towards expansionism once again?

Ukraine is considered to be in the sphere of influence of Russia and therefore, Russia will not accept the USA’s interference in this region.

Moreover, Ukraine is also playing the role of an evil party between NATO on one side and Russia on the other.

If any miscalculation happens, it can lead to “An unpredictable path,” to quote UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, from where there is no way back and that is war. In such a situation there is no win-win situation for anyone but a loss for all. Now to contain the situation, the statement given by Biden not to send troops to Ukraine is the best possible way to avoid such a big curse. This move is very calculated and can save the world from any nuclear war, because Russia as well as NATO possess nuclear weapons.

Russia has more influence in Ukraine than the USA. Similarly, the Biden Administration has been less assertive than previous governments in competing with Russia, due to which they have been less successful geopolitically in eastern europe. Consequently, the role of NATO is also getting reduced. The major upheaval in NATO members is that there is abruptly changed behaviour among the members itself and it can be seen in between France and the USA. According to some of the media reports Russia has already deployed over 100,000 troops on the borders of Ukraine, and is increasing the number to 130,000, out of which the

30,000 have been busy in military drills 5n Belarus with its army. Russia is deploying state-ofthe-art military machinery near the border of Ukraine in Belarus. In these military drills Russia has positioned S-400 missile defence systems, fighter jets and highly equipped helicopters. Russia is also building up its armed forces in Crimea and along the north of Ukraine.

The standoff between the Kremlin and Kyiv puts a question on the sovereignty of Ukraine and it also poses a threat posture to the soil of the european countries. It is the most important viewpoint which is also supported and stated by most of the analysts. The USA is also not indulging itself in this crisis because of the involvement of Russia and due to their rivalry in the international sphere. The upcoming visit of Germany’s Chancellor would also be ended with no solution and no hope for the protection of the Ukrainian government and its soil.

Furthermore, Russian President V3ad505r Putin is planning for the reunion of all the states of the former USSR, and they are quite successful in moving towards this aim. The USA has supported some of the organizations in the Ukraine against Russia but they have not been successful.

Instead, Russia has again supported pro-Russian groups in the east of Ukraine and is moving forward with the same momentum.

Ukraine is constantly calling its eastern partners for support in financial as well as military 0atters, but they are only practising diplomacy and only giving joint statements. They are engaging in facesaving in terms of giving warnings as a third party to the Russian government. But on the other hand, Russia is getting increasingly strong support from the pro-Russian activists inside Ukraine.

The statement of the USA ‘not to send troops to Ukraine’ is a clear sign of Ukraine’s annexation by the Russian government. The Biden Administration has understood that things are out of its hands now, and that also makes everything easy for the Kremlin to annex Ukraine. And that is not a big deal for Putin, he knows how to invade Ukraine because he has the experience of the Crimean annexation. By taking over the Crimean Peninsula, Moscow has already aligned and positioned itself for the annexation of Ukraine. If one looks at the location of Ukraine, it is surrounded by Russian territory already, and now surrounded by the military machinery too.

The denial of invasion by the Russian Pres-

ident is baseless because what is the purpose of such acts and to whom they are showing their military strength? Putin is using blunt and aggressive movements against Ukraine and is supporting his stance that Ukraine was part of the former USSR. The main reason why Russia wants to annex Ukraine (like it did Crimea in 2014) is that it considers Ukraine its own territory. Another reason why Russia wants to annex Ukraine is because of it being supported by the european countries towards democracy. Russia’s hostility and aggression is against the alliance of Ukraine with NATO members as well as with eU members.

NATO has deployed its troops in the eastern european countries by saying that it will defend the territories of its members, but it seems that NATO is trying to defend Ukraine against Russia’s threat. however, NATO is not in position to defend Ukraine except for shuttle diplomacy.

And the most important setback was given to NATO and Ukraine by US President Joe Biden in an interview to NBC by saying that, “American citizens should leave now”. Further he warned American citizens that the USA will not send its troops to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine. We could conclude from this that the USA is not able to wage war against Russia.

In a nutshell, Russia is most probably going to annex, or one can say invade, Ukrainian territory as it is already made obvious by the statement of the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. It is a clear sign for all those countries that got independence after the fall of the USSR. Russia is going to challenge all such territories that were the part of the former USSR. There is a serious threat not only to such territories but to the position of NATO and especially the USA in the current geopolitical and international order.

One possible solution for such aggressions of Russia towards its former states could be “Power Maximization ‘’ and to abide by international law. Who will protect the states’ sovereignty against major powers or superpower?

Peacekeeping organizations like the UN also have failed in curtail states from breaching sovereignty and violating human rights.

The question also arises about the role of the superpower, major powers and peacekeeping organizations, why sovereign states are so vulnerable? It can be concluded that the annexation of Ukraine is going to happen any day and at any time. Certainly, there will be resistance from among the masses, but Russia is aware of it, and is looking at a carefully calculated calculus.

The question also arises about the role of the superpower, major powers and peacekeeping organizations, why sovereign states are so vulnerable? It can be concluded that the annexation of Ukraine is going to happen any day and at any time. Certainly, there will be resistance from among the masses, but Russia is aware of it, and is looking at a carefully calculated calculus.

The writer is a freelance columnist

The theory of retributive justice is one of the core philosophies of law which dictates that whenever anyone breaks the law, they should suffer in return. Only then, justice can prevail. however, the suffering of the criminal should be proportionate to the severity of the crime. The person who breaks the law should neither receive a slap on the wrist for a great crime, nor should they be imprisoned indefinitely for a minor offence.

The theory itself is based on the divine decree – “an eye for an eye”. In short, punishment should always fit the crime. But in reality, this theory isn’t always applied in letter and spirit.

In some instances, the scope of the punishment, instead of getting limited to the criminal, extends to innocent third-parties or even the victims. When this happens, the punishment becomes an affront to justice. The recent case of an alleged fraud committed by a few senior executives of an oil marketing company (OMC) is one such instance. In this case, the entire petroleum industry and the hundreds of thousands of people associated with it are facing the consequences of the crime committed by a handful of people.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), a few executives of an OMC, a state run bank, and other commercial banks were involved in the “country’s biggest” Rs54 billion financial fraud. The FIA claims that some of the oil company’s senior managers misused the Letter of Credit facility granted by banks between 2015 and 2020 and the banks, including the state-run bank, lent billions of rupees to the company. The federal agency has identified more than two dozen suspects that it believes were involved in this financial scandal. In an ideal world, every single person that was involved in this financial scandal would have faced the full force of the law and their punishment would be in accordance with their crime. But in reality, the numerous people serving in the OMC and other petroleum companies, who had nothing to do with the financial fraud, are being made to pay.

In the aftermath of the scandal, the reasonable course of action for the banks would be to get back to their basics and prudently exercise banking laws and practices before extending loans to OMCs. But instead of doing this, the banks, particularly the state run bank, have altogether nearly stopped extending credit to petroleum companies. The representative bodies have approached the State Bank to resolve this issue, but so far, no meaningful progress has been made.

It has become nearly impossible for OMCs and even the oil refiners to avail Letter of Credit facilities, which is hampering their ability to purchase crude oil and refined products in a timely manner. The business model of most petroleum companies is one that entails low-margins but has high volumes. In order to run their business efficiently, the oil companies rely on financing facilities extended by banks. But with the financial sector that is reluctant to lend any support, the OMCs and refineries will likely face a challenging situation and might not continue operating smoothly.

It is important to remember that petroleum companies are a critical part of Pakistan’s economy. They not only make substantial contributions to the national exchequer in the form of duties, levies, and taxes but also provide fuels like petrol and diesel on which virtually all other industries depend. If the petroleum industry faces a cash crisis and comes to a standstill, the national economy will suffer. This nightmare scenario can be avoided if the principles of law are upheld. For justice to be served fairly, it is important to distinguish the culprits - the individuals - from the company. The company, in this case, is the entire oil industry.

Khizar hayat Karachi

Tackling deforestation The rapid deforestation and subsequent reduction of timberland is a major cause for concern because it will severely impact the environment and climate of Pakistan. The forest cover in the country has declined to less than 4% in recent years and will entirely disappear in the next few years if people continue cutting down trees for fuelwood and other purposes.

The loss of forest cover increases the likelihood of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. Forests absorb carbon dioxide, which deforested areas cannot do. This will result in increased air pollution and environmental degradation. Trees also help regulate the water cycle by controlling the level of water and helping the land retain water and topsoil.

Resultantly, drought, floods and soil erosion will become common occurrences in the near future. People living near forests will lose their homelands as the deforested land will be more vulnerable and can wither away and die quickly. Other living species besides humans will also lose their habitats. In many parts of Pakistan, the consequences of deforestation are already becoming apparent through long periods of drought and soil erosion. Both federal and provincial governments must work collaboratively on strategies to tackle deforestation and offer alternative means for fuelwood. People should also be more responsible towards the environment and engage in government-led plantation drives.

USama mUghal KandhKot

Mental malaise IN Pakistan, mental illnesses and mental health are some of the most neglected subjects. There is no widespread discourse about it because of the stigma and stereotypes attached to mental illnesses, which has had serious repercussions. This is evident in the ever-increasing number of mental illnesses and an alarming spike in suicides. People across the country are faced with a myriad of mental health issues owing to the immense burden of social, psychological and financial problems. hyperinflation, rising unemployment have affected many adversely. Besides that, other prevalent illnesses such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are regularly dismissed and labelled erratic behaviour. however, these are different mental conditions that can be treated through different means.

Lack of awareness of mental health and the absence of adequate support is making things worse. Most people avoid talking about their mental health and do not seek professional support because of shame and instead suffer in silence. There is a need to root out this stigma through government-initiated awareness campaigns and inform people about different mental conditions.

The government should also introduce a free mental health helpline that can connect people with professionals. This will improve help-seeking behaviour without the fear of being judged or mocked. inSaf ali Bangwar KandhKot

08 WORLD VIEW 24th February 22_Layout 1 2/23/2022 10:37 PM Page 1

Thursday, 24 February, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

hijab debaTe is a preTexT for insTiTUTionalising sTaTe crUelTy

Kisan drones hold promise For now, only rich farmers likely to afford them Tribune, india

progressives in india have Fallen inTo The Trap oF being seen To oppose or deFend The hijab, Where The TruTh is ThaT iT is presumpTuous To do eiTher

indian express PRATAP BHANu MEHTA

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UCh has been written on the hijab controversy and its ideological and political meanings. Some plain truths ought to be evident to anyone with an iota of decency. The spectacle of humiliating students and teachers by asking them to remove the hijab is a new level of public moral cretinism. If that spectacle did not shock you, then you are unlikely to be moved by any moral consideration.

It is also evident that the motivating principle behind the call to remove the hijab is not progressive equal rights for all. It had four functions: An instrument by which to browbeat minorities and erase Muslim cultural presence in the public sphere; to continue and create a sense of dread and fear; to trap self-described progressives into a politics of “ifs and buts”; and to foment more violence.

All four things have come to pass.

What the meaning of hijab is to people who wear it is none of my business; it is not for me to judge. Like many symbols, it can signify anything from dignified faith, self-assertion and empowerment, to oppression.

But the important thing from a public point of view is that it does not, on its own, interfere with any project of civic empowerment: It does not interfere with education, holding a job, voting, participating in public life, or achieving anything in life. To, therefore, use it as a pretext for disqualifying someone from teaching or going to college is a travesty.

Nor is the argument from a narrowly construed formalism about uniforms and dress codes persuasive. After all, any decent society makes lots of small accommodations and should do, for a janeu, a tilak, a choti, and turban or, in public spaces, even scant attire of sadhus, that might otherwise outrage modesty.

These small accommodations also gave Indian society a texture and depth, a lived diversity. The only guiding criteria is whether the particular practice in question impedes any civic purpose or substantial interest of the person who

wears it. from a public point of view, the only question is whether there is any form of civic equality that the hijab, to repeat, on its own, impedes. The answer is: None.

So progressives fell into a trap by getting into the meaning of hijab. It does not matter what the meaning is. It could well signify patriarchy or anything else; that is a debate to be carried out in the realm of culture, not enforced by administrative law. It is one thing to worry about a culture that might not send girls to school or marry them early, or prevents them from working, or creates a wall of silence around violence against them. But it is absurd to make the argument that someone can uniquely determine the meaning of a choice of clothing and put the entire weight of sociological emancipation on that. If someone wears only saris, what does that signify: Aesthetic preference, sartorial conservatism, patriarchy, national loyalty or what? So this whole question of meaning is a bit beside the point.

In India’s particular context, the progressives fell into the trap of being seen to oppose or defend the hijab, where the truth is that it is presumptuous to do either. Neither is necessary. They also fell into the trap of another equivocation. The hijab is not a moment where liberty or equality are being tested. It is coming when there is an attempt to visibly erase Muslims from India’s public culture. It is also to give progressives that last bit of pretext to be comfortable with the BJP, as if the BJP was carrying out the completion of a liberal project that the Congress had no courage of conviction to pursue. That equivocation, “I am not anti-Muslim, but I am against the hijab,” is in this context

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simply a pretext to be comfortable with state-sponsored cruelty. It is the code for saying, “They (the minorities) are reactionary.” All communities have all kinds of internal fault lines, but right now the hijab functions to create the stereotype of Muslims that both the BJP and so-called progressives share. The liberal Muslims, justifiably feeling that this should not turn into a Shah Bano moment, are also drawn into the debate over the hijab. That is a cultural debate that might be worth having. But it is irrelevant to what schools are doing to students and teachers.

The mistake in this position is to construct the meaning of the hijab without reference at all to the subjectivity of those who wear it. The court will make the same mistake when it adjudicates the matter under the essential practices test that most of us have been saying is an insidious piece of judicial chicanery. This is religion by fiat, not by the freely defined subjectivity of its adherents. The court can decide what compelling state interest might be under Article 14 or 21. But it should leave the interpretation of religion alone. There is no “objective” determination of the matter, as the court in its hermeneutical foolishness has always tried to maintain. A secular court has to define a secular purpose in terms of the core article of the Constitution and leave it at that. Whether Islam or hinduism is compatible with that is not its problem. It is not clear that the hijab in school or an odd religious symbol worn by students violates the core interests of the state in liberty and equality.

But the worst part is that these arguments are beside the point. The moral gravity of the moment is that we pretend as if the usual conventions of a healthy democracy are working: That people are making moral arguments in good faith, that disagreements can be negotiated, that the ruling dispensation has no investment in violence and that the courts are here to do constitutional justice. The BJP has succeeded in its aims of constructing the Muslim as a figure of threat. It has also succeeded in fomenting violence and will now play the “hindus are victim” card. We feel so tainted that even the pretence of making fine distinctions seems only to reinforce this strategy, not combat it. This debate is not about competing visions of secularism. It is about finding every pretext to institutionalise state sponsored cruelty. It will twist even the most liberal ideas or finegrained distinctions in that direction.

he launch of kisan drones in the country holds the exciting promise of catapulting agriculture mechanisation to the next level as the government eases the norms for their production and use. This is one of the first offshoots of the impetus given by the Budget-202223 to the tech and innovation sectors. encouraging indigenous drone-making startups to improvise the machines so as to meet the farmers’ requirements and making the new-age vehicles more affordable for them is a desirable goal.

The present ones — majorly from China — are prohibitively expensive for mass consumption. The unmanned aerial vehicles have been known for their utility in the defence sector. They are also convenient vehicles for ferrying medicines and vaccines to difficult or disaster-hit terrain.

With a pretty simple technology propelling the drones, they hold immense possibilities for better tackling of the ills plaguing the agriculture sector by expediting the much-needed reforms.

Most state governments have been laggards in digitising land records, thus rendering land owners at the mercy of corrupt revenue department officials. employing drones to carry out land surveys will speed up the digitisation process. Crop and soil surveillance through drones is another crucial activity that could help the authorities concerned in the optimum management of crops and in taking timely decisions.

The peasants stand to gain in many ways. Spraying pesticides from above by the flying machines helps save time in this hazardous job and, equally importantly, keeps them at a safe, healthy distance from toxic chemicals. high-capacity drones can be designed as vehicles to quickly transport farm produce to the markets or godowns. however, these modern machines are likely to be out of most cultivators’ reach for now because of cost constraints. The pricey drones as well as their high rents make them feasible for use in big landholdings only. While neighbouring small farmers could collaborate to offset the cost and the government could offer some financial scheme, the transition period is likely to throw up hurdles on the ground. The prospect of kisan drones dotting the rural skyline anytime soon is rife with unseen challenges.

Why putin sees Ukraine as an existential threat The WesTern allies have promised ThaT sancTions Will raTcheT up commensuraTe WiTh puTin’s nexT moves againsT ukraine L a Times KATHRYN STONER

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fTer months of buildup, russian tanks crossed the border this week to invade Ukraine. Without any foreseeable diplomatic path to a peaceful resolution, the West must find ways to deter further aggression by russia. President Biden has opted for economic sanctions.

But will that be enough?

The White house announced on Tuesday that the U.S. and its allies will impose sanctions against Moscow.

Biden threatened more sanctions if russia advances with the invasion. The sanctions target large russian financial institutions to cut off Western financing to the russian government. The move comes after france, Britain, Germany and the U.S. all made offers to negotiate with russian President Vladimir Putin in recent months.

Putin has described his troops in the separatist areas, known as Donbas, as “peacekeepers,” and continues to make ridiculous demands for potential talks. In an address this week, he insisted that Ukraine recognize russian sovereignty over Crimea, which russia annexed in 2014. Biden promised that the latest sanctions would go

“far beyond” what the U.S. and its partners imposed during the Crimea crisis. The administration also said it’s ready to take actions against russia’s largest banks.

Sanctions, however, are an imprecise tool in international politics and they can take a long time to do damage to the targeted country. The U.S. and european sanctions since 2014 have inflicted only moderate pain on the russian economy as a whole. russia managed to find new markets and investment in China and the Middle east to replace what it lost under U.S. and european sanctions. In 2021, the russian economy grew at a reported 4.3%. In addition, thanks to import substitution, russian agriculture has enjoyed a renaissance over the last decade. The prices of oil and natural gas, which make up close to 40% of russian export revenue, are soaring on global markets.

Still, in the face of russian hostility, the U.S. cannot directly intervene militarily without risk of a broader conflict with a modernized, reformed and nuclear-capable russian military. That leaves sanctions as the main instrument at hand. But if these measures did not work well before, will they be effective this time around?

Part of the answer depends on what we expect sanctions to accomplish. We don’t know how far beyond Crimea and the Donbas region Putin’s troops might have pushed in 2014 had sanctions not been employed. Did they prevent him from going further into Ukraine? It’s entirely possible they did deter Putin from seizing even more territory. Of course, those sanctions have not prevented the current incursion eight years later.

But the sanctions unveiled Tuesday are stronger, and

potentially more damaging over time, with more to come. The european Union kicked things off by sanctioning the 381 (out of 450) members of russia’s State Duma, who endorsed Putin’s recognition of the Luhansk and Donetsk separatist regions as independent. This means that Duma members cannot travel to europe, nor can their wives or children; nor can they access any assets that they may have in european banks — and some of them have a lot to lose. for others though, this will be little more than an inconvenience.

In addition, the German government stopped the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which was expected to come online in the next year or so to transport billions of cubic meters of russian natural gas into Germany. (Yet if the russian military ends up seizing all of Ukraine, or the central part at least, then russia would gain ownership and control over the network of existing pipelines that run from russia through Ukraine to europe that Nord Stream 2 was supposed to render obsolete.) Though the Nord Stream 2 project is incomplete, Germany’s decision is an important signal to Putin that the West is united and resolute in opposing him.

Over time, Biden’s new tranche of sanctions should do real damage to the russian economy. These include fullblocking sanctions on VeB, the russian foreign trade bank, and the government bank that funds russia’s military. The banks will be prevented from doing business with American or european banks. even more effective potentially are the comprehensive sanctions on russian sovereign debt that will essentially prohibit the russian government from bor-

rowing from the West and prevent it from trading in Western debt markets too. In the days ahead, Biden has promised further sanctions on other wealthy russian elites and their businesses presumably to get those around Putin to persuade him to withdraw russian forces from Ukraine — or at least to not go any further.

The Western allies have promised that sanctions will ratchet up commensurate with Putin’s next moves against Ukraine. This pressure might influence what happens next, especially if it begins to cause real economic pain to more russian elites. And if average russians get hit and begin to doubt the wisdom of their president, they could spill out onto the streets with the sort of mass demonstrations that Putin detests. (russians have shown that they’re capable of significant opposition and protest when pushed, as witnessed most recently when opposition leader Alexei Navalny was detained and imprisoned.)

What Putin fears in Ukraine is not NATO expansion on russian borders. The last states on russia’s border to join NATO were the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and estonia in 2004. There is no security threat to russia from Ukraine.

But there is in Ukraine an existential threat to Putin’s personal and autocratic regime: the example of a resilient, robust, pluralistic democracy next door in a country whose history is intertwined with russia’s own.

Ukrainians have continued to cling to their imperfect but open political system with checks on the executive by an independent legislature and judiciary, vibrant civil society and free press. This system — not NATO — is the real threat to the aging autocrat, and it will take maximum pressure from the West and by russians themselves to persuade him to back down.

Kathryn Stoner is a political science professor at Stanford University and Mosbacher Director of the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law. Her most recent book is “Russia Resurrected: Its Power and Purpose in a New Global Order.”

Thursday, 24 February, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

corporate corner oGdCL unveils financial results for half year ended december 31, 2021 ISLAMABAD: The Board of Directors of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in its meeting held on 23rd February, 2022 at OGDCL Head Office, Islamabad announced the financial results for the half quarter ended 31st December, 2021 of fiscal year 202223. Net sales revenue clocked at Rs.151.163 billion translating to Profit after tax of Rs. 68.882 billion and earnings per share of Rs. 16.02. The Board of Directors announced an interim cash dividend for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 @ Rs. 2.00 per share i.e. 20 percent.

This is in addition to interim dividend already paid @ Rs.1.75 per share i.e. 17.50 percent to its shareholders.

The dividend will be paid to the shareholders whose names will appear in the Register of Members on March 08, 2022. During the period under review, the Company paid Rs. 36.288 billion on account of Taxation. On the exploration and development side company recorded significant enhancement in seismic efforts and drilling activities. The Board of Directors appreciated the efforts of the management for taking effective steps for the implementation of company’s aggressive exploration program. pr

NuSt job fair connects graduating batches with prospective employers

ISLAMABAD: With a view to providing a rendezvous point for final-year students to present themselves to their prospective employers and enabling the latter to address their human resources needs, NUST Placement Office kicked off a two-day event – NUST Career Connect at the university’s Islamabad campus on Wednesday. Mr Hassan Farid, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pak Steel Re-rolling Mills, was the chief guest who, accompanied by Pro-Rector (RIC-NUST) Dr Rizwan Riaz, inaugurated Day One of the Job Fair. Over 90 firms from Defence, Manufacturing, IT, FMCG, and others, held interviews to recruit students from the disciplines of Engineering, IT, Biosciences, and Architecture. Some of the top organisations represented at the fair included Pak steel Re-Rolling Mills, Mughal steel, Atlas Honda, Careem, Dawlance, Defence housing authority, FF steel, HBL, L’Oreal, National Logistics Cell and Packages group to name a few. Mr Farid extolled NUST for presenting its dynamic student pool to the job market and appreciated the industry for turning out in an overwhelming number to hire students from the country's premier Engineering & Technology University. Around 1,900 students from NUST constituent Schools and Colleges located in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Risalpur availed the opportunity. On Day Two of the job fair, over 80 industries from an array of fields would conduct student interviews from the disciplines of Business, Accounting & Finance, Social Sciences, Management Sciences and Humanities. Notable industries that are likely to be represented include Airlift Technologies, Army Welfare Trust, Canteen Stores Department (CSD), Bank Al Habib, Graana.com, HBL, Hashi Group of Companies, Imarat Group, and PTCL to name a few. pr

Power suspension schedules for today 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 24th February, 09:00 AM to 02:00 PM, Trait, Gulshanabad, Major Masood Kayani, BB Shaheed, Rata, Race Course, Mangtal, Railway Colony, Bank Road-II, City Center, AFIC, CGH, Kashmir Road, Main Bazaar, Dhadial Express, Latifal, Dhadial City, Dhadial Rural Feeders, From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, NCI (Toba), Lilla Town, Ahmedabad, Safdar Shaheed, Sanghui, Nathwala Feeders, 132 KV Destro Grid Station, From 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM, Ahmadal, Dharnal, Khor, Mahfooz Shaheed, Kamrial, Galyal, Gharibwal, Pindi Gheep, Nika Kalan, New City, Kharpa, Toot Oil Field, Malwali, Soni, Lehtar Road, ISI, Tramri, Taxila, Hussainabad, Ahmednagar, Burhan, Khanabad, Munirabad, Lala Rukh, Shadi Khan, Mansar, Dina. 3 Rohtas Feeders , From 09:00 am to 05:00 pm, Dheerkot, Rangla, Chamankot, Minhasa Sohawa, Nimbal, Dana Express, Beirut Feeders and surroundings will remain off. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time. pr

09

Shafqat INauGuRateS SChooL meaL PRoGRamme IN ISLamabad SChooLS

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INISTER for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Wednesday inaugurated “School Meal Programme” to provide free lunch meals to students of government educational institutions in Islamabad.

Under the initiative, the government has started providing free lunch meals to 25,000 students of 100 schools on daily basis.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Quaid-e-Azam University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, IBCC Secretary Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah and Federal Directorate of Education DG Dr Ikram Ali Malik.

Speaking on the occasion, Shafqat

said that the free meals for students will be provided by the Allahwala Trust and thanked the private trust for helping the government in this regard.

“Such institutions are a beacon for us. We will take this programme forward at the government level as well,” he said.

“I had a meeting with the director of UNICEF and looked forward to launching the model across the country but faced budget restraints,” he added.

He said that poverty is among several other reasons due to which many children do not go to school.

“This is the first step wherein food will be provided to primary school children, and soon it will be introduced in all primary schools across Islamabad”, he maintained. news desk

The Bank of Punjab to invest PKR 2 billion in TPL REIT Fund

A signing ceremony was held at BOP’s Karachi office to announce BOP’s investment commitment in TPL REIT Fund. Present on the occasion were Mr. Zafar Masud (President & CEO, BOP), Mr. Farid Ahmed Khan (Group Chief – Corporate & Investment Banking, BOP), Mr. Ali Jameel (Director, TPL REIT Management Company Ltd.) and Mr. Ali Asgher (CEO, TPL REIT Management Company Ltd.) along with

other senior representatives of both organizations.

With a commitment of PKR 2bn, BOP will be one of the largest local investors in the initial REIT fund size of PKR 18.75 billion. TPL REIT is the first and largest shariah compliant Development Impact REIT Fund in Pakistan and its eventual size is envisaged at US$500mn. BOP has actively worked with TPL group on several real estate trans-

actions which have culminated into this REIT structure.

BOP has been a prominent player in the real estate sector of the country over the past year and has played an active role in all facets of this segment like low cost housing, developer finance as well as housing finance under Kamyab Pakistan. This investment opportunity represents an attractive proposition to diversify bank’s real estate portfolio and is a testament to BOP’s continuing efforts towards promoting new eras of real estate development in the country. TPL REIT Management Company is a 100% owned subsidiary of TPL Properties and was incorporated to undertake REIT management services. The Company is capitalizing on the real estate development and management expertise of its parent company, TPL Properties Limited and tapping into the gap in Pakistan’s real estate market by launching the first development impact REIT Fund. pr

Mr. Shazad G. Dada, President & CEO UBL (seated, 2nd right) and Mr. Muhammad Raza Fecto, CEO FECTO-BELARUS (seated, 2nd left) along with senior executives of both organizations at an MoU Signing Ceremony to promote farm mechanization. pr

LNG Industry Rebounds in 2021 amid Supply Constraints and Volatile Prices KARACHI: The global trade in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) increased 6% to 380 million tonnes during 2021 as many countries rebounded from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Shell’s latest annual LNG Outlook published today. Rising LNG demand, combined with supply constraints, caused gas and LNG prices to remain volatile throughout the year. Prices reached record levels in October 2021 as Europe, with historically low storage levels, struggled to secure LNG cargoes to meet expected winter gas demand. “Last year showed just how crucial gas and LNG are in providing communities around the world with energy they need as they strived to get back on track following the difficulties caused by the COVID19 pandemic.” said Wael Sawan, Integrated Gas, Renewables and Energy Solutions Director at Shell. “As countries develop lower-carbon energy systems and pursue net-zero emissions goals, focusing on cleaner forms of gas and decarburization measures will help LNG to remain a reliable and flexible energy source for decades to come.” LNG exports grew in 2021 despite a number of unexpected outages that dented LNG available for delivery. The USA led export growth with a year-on-year increase of 24 million tons and is expected to become the world’s largest LNG exporter in 2022. China and South Korea led the growth in LNG demand in 2021. China increased its LNG imports by 12 million tons to 79 million tons, surpassing Japan to become the world’s largest LNG importer.

Overall, global LNG demand is expected to cross 700 million tons a year by 2040, a 90% increase on 2021 demand. Asia is expected to consume the majority of this growth as domestic gas production declines, regional economies grow and LNG replaces higher-emissions energy sources, helping to tackle concerns over air quality and to help progress towards carbon emissions targets. LNG has a key role to play to further the use of renewable energy and as a backup in the event of intermittent supply.

Brazil, for example, tripled imports of LNG during 2021 – to over 7 million tons – as persistent dry weather led to weaker hydropower generation. pr

IBA Karachi organizes Career Fair 2022 KARACHI pr

After a wait of two years owing to the pandemic, the IBA Career Fair 2022 was brought back on campus physically in all its splendor and glory by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi at the Main Campus for its students to explore the job market.

The Career Fair is held each year by the efforts of the IBA Alumni and Placement Society with the help of the management at the IBA Karachi, to help provide both corporate companies as well as emerging ventures with the chance to engage with the diverse community of the Institute.

The organizers were able to revive

it with exponential zeal by bringing onboard 120+ companies and 50 career counselors. The companies that were in attendance this year were from a variety of industries including consumer goods, banking, e-commerce, software development, textile, food, and many more.

At the inauguration of the Career Fair, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi stated, “Today we have witnessed the largest number of companies and students we have ever had which is empirical evidence of the quality of education offered at the IBA Karachi.”

Additional Commissioner Karachi and IBA Alumnus, Syed Jawad Muzaffar, was also invited to speak on the scope of CSS in the opening ceremony

of the event. He proudly mentioned that Civil Services had nine successful

students from IBA this year belonging to different departments.

Thursday, 24 February, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FORIGEN NEWS

2020 Delhi riots, 1991 mass rapes of Kashmiri women a scar on worlD’s conscience: fo ISLAMAbAD

p

APP

AKISTAN on Wednesday said that the reprehensible incidents of Delhi Riots Pogrom of 2020 and mass rapes of Kashmiri women in Kunan and Poshpura villages of IIOJK in 1991 continued to be a scar on the collective conscience of the international community.

“Today, we somberly observe the second anniversary of the horrific Delhi Riots Pogrom of 2020 and the 31st anniversary of the despicable mass rapes of Kashmiri women in Kunan and Poshpura villages of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 1991.

These reprehensible incidents continue to be a scar on the collective conscience of the international community,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a statement.

He said the Delhi pogrom of February 2020 was one of the most harrowing manifestations of India’s systematic campaign to

discriminate against, dispossess and dehumanize the Muslim community.

He said the repugnant calls of ‘shoot the traitors’ by senior BJP leaders during the protests against the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) only revealed the depth of the state-sanctioned hysteria and hatred prevailing in India against the Muslims.

The spokesperson said in the aftermath of these calls, targeted campaigns against Muslims aimed at discrediting their legitimate right to protest were launched, which resulted in the mass killings of Muslims and vandalization of their properties, businesses and heritage sites and sacrilege of their religious places.

“Equally frightful is the grim memory of 23/24th February 1991, when Indian soldiers mercilessly raped more than 40 Kashmiri women in Kunan and Poshpura villages of the IIOJK. Ever since, the victims of Kunan-Poshpura mass rape are awaiting justice against Colonel K.S. Dalal, the main perpetrator, and his 125

associates of 4 Rajputana Rifles,” he remarked.

He said for 31 years, the lack of account-

ability for the heinous act was a frightening example of the brazen impunity which defines India’s gruesome human rights viola-

China accuses US of ‘raising tensions and creating panic’ over Ukraine crisis MIAN AbrAr China on Wednesday accused the United States of ‘raising tensions and creating panic’ over the Ukraine crisis, shortly after Washington announced sanctions against Moscow and said it would continue to supply weapons to Ukraine against a Russian invasion.

Beijing has trod a cautious line on Ukraine as Moscow has massed thousands of troops on the borders, and criticised the West for new sanctions after Russia ordered troops into two breakaway Ukrainian regions it now recognises as independent.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying rejected imposing unilateral sanctions on Russia and reiterated resolving the tensions with Ukraine

through dialogue and consultation.

“Sanctions have never been an effective way to solve problems, and China has

always opposed unilateral sanctions,” Hua told a daily press conference when asked if China would join Western coun-

tries in sanctioning Russia over Ukraine.

“As the culprit behind the escalated tension between Ukraine and Russia, what role does the U.S. play? What have they done? It is irresponsible and unethical to accuse others of ineffective firefighting while adding fuel to fire,” she argued.

When talking about China’s role in the Ukraine-Russian crisis, Hua said Beijing has been calling for dialogue and negotiations.

The U.S. has spread fear by consistently sending weapons to Ukraine, she said, contrasting with China’s call on countries and relevant parties to respect and pay attention to each other’s legitimate concerns, to solve the problem through negotiations, and to uphold regional peace and stability jointly.

Biden announces ‘first’ sanctions on Russia over Ukraine WASHINGTON AFP

US President Joe Biden late Tuesday announced sanctions against Russian banks and the country’s wealthy elite after what he said was Moscow’s launching of an invasion against Ukraine.

“This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Biden said in a televised speech at the White House. Biden stressed that the measures were only a “first tranche” in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin “carving out a big chunk of Ukraine.”

Biden said that more sanctions will follow if Putin extends Russia’s military grip beyond two small territories in the eastern Donbas region that are already under

the control of Russian-backed separatists.

Putin announced Monday that he has recognized the independence of both areas and said the Russian military would mount a so-called “peacekeeping” mission in the territories. “He’s setting up a rationale to go much further,” Biden said.

The first round of sanctions targeted Russia’s sovereign debt, cutting “off Russia’s government from Western financing,” Biden said. Also targeted are two banks and specific members of the Russian “elites,” he added.

Biden said the United States will continue to send “defensive” weapons to Ukraine’s military but underscored there was “still time” for diplomacy and “to avert the worst-case scenario.”

Biden’s tough approach followed an initially more

hesitant US response to Putin’s recognition of the two rebel-held enclaves in Ukraine on Monday.

For weeks, the United States and its allies have said that a full invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces massing on its ex-Soviet neighbour’s borders would trigger devastating economic sanctions.

But with doubts continuing over Putin’s ultimate intentions after a speech he delivered Monday, it took hours for the Biden administration to shift to a harsher tone.

Biden announced limited sanctions against the two separatist enclaves, which already have next to no dealings with the United States. And in the first public comments from the administration after Putin’s geopolitical bombshell, a US official said merely that “we are going to assess what Russia’s done.”

tions in the IIOJK. “The people of IIOJK would never forget this brutality by the Indian Occupation forces, the scars and trauma of which cannot be healed until the perpetrators are punished for their heinous crimes,” the spokesperson remarked.

He called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations and relevant international human rights and humanitarian organizations to hold India accountable for its gross and systematic human rights violations against minorities, especially Muslims, and take immediate measures against the worrying trajectory of Islamophobia which can regress into a genocide anytime.

“India must also be compelled to halt its state-sponsored terrorism in the IIOJK, immediately cease human rights violations, lift the inhuman military siege, and let the people of IIOJK exercise their right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” he added.

taiwan condemns russia over Ukraine TAIPEI AFP

Taiwan’s president on Wednesday condemned Russia for ordering troops into rebel-held regions in Ukraine, and claimed the crisis was being used to hurt morale on the island, which has long been claimed by China. Self-ruled democratic Taiwan has watched the Ukraine situation closely, as China asserts sovereignty over the island and has vowed to seize it one day — by force if necessary. Beijing has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016, as she rejects the stance that the island is Chinese territory. “Our government condemns Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty […] and urges all parties to continue to resolve the disputes through peaceful and rational means,” Tsai said. She described Taiwan and Ukraine as “fundamentally different in terms of geostrategy, geographical environment, and the importance of international supply chains,” referring to the island’s status as a major plank in the global economy, especially semiconductors. “However, in the face of external forces attempting to manipulate the situation in Ukraine and affect the morale in Taiwan’s society, all government units must be more vigilant against cognitive warfare.” Taiwan’s defence ministry said last year that China has launched a disinformation campaign aimed at seizing the island “without a fight”. Tsai on Wednesday also told national security and military units to remain vigilant and step up surveillance of military activities around Taiwan. The final quarter of 2021 saw a massive spike in incursions by Chinese warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. Last year, Taiwan recorded 969 such incursions, according to a database compiled by AFP — more than double the roughly 380 in 2020. Beijing has trod a cautious line on Ukraine but also offered growing support to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two powers signed a joint statement this month, agreeing on multiple foreign policy goals including no further expansion of NATO and that Taiwan is an “inalienable part of China”.

The Inspirations of Beijing Winter Olympics for Inter-state Relations NEWS DESk Yi Xin

Among all foreign dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games,Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan stands out for being a sportsman himself before entering politics. But his high expectation for the Beijing Games not only comes from his passion for sports but also grows out of the ironclad bond between Pakistan and China. His visit to China shows his love and passion for sports as well as solidarity between the two countries.

In Pakistan, people’s passion has been ignited by the Winter Games. The country has high mountains with great skiing slopes.

The China-assisted Karakoram Highway links northern Pakistan to other parts of the country, making it convenient for people to explore winter sports in the north. Team Pakistan has also competed in the Beijing Winter Games,with athlete Muhammad Karim participating in the slalom event.

The Olympic Games have the power of

bringing people together. As the curtain falls for Beijing 2022, people begin to relish the many moments that capture the essence of the Games. In many ways, what happened at the Winter Games may well serve as a microcosm for inter-state relations. Our world would certainly be a better place if countries could learn a thing or two from their athletes.

Lifting all together rather than a zerosum game We are inspired by the sportsmanship frequently on display during the games – pure joy and elation for other competitors’ excellent performance. These moments go beyond the competition and exhibit what the Olympics truly is: not a zero-sum game to take other athletes down but really to become one’s better self.

This holds some truth for state-to-state relations. Keeping others from catching up economically, militarily, technologically is not as good as bettering oneself to stay ahead of the curve. In this age of globalization, countries’ interests are intertwined, and small steps forward in one part of the world

may bring a big step forward for all humanity. China and Pakistan set good examples in this regard. Despite the vast differences in history, culture and national circumstances, our two countries have stood with each other not only in times of peace and prosperity but also in the face of rising challenges. It is a relationship characterized by unwavering mutual support, mutual trust and mutual respect, come rain or shine.

The gathering of athletes from throughout the world provides an opportunity for understanding, respect and friendship without concern for national, cultural or racial differences. When the Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time Olympic champion, failed to land the impossibly difficult quadruple axel, or “4A” during his performance, he earned applause from the spectators both on the venue and across the world.

Such open-mindedness and respect is more needed at a time when information cocoons are making people increasingly parochial. To be known, to be heard, to be

seen as equal and worthy – these are shared desires even in international politics. World affairs should be discussed and decided by countries working together. This is the basic tenet of multilateralism.

Despite the raging pandemic, the Beijing Winter Games has been hosted as scheduled, which in itself is a remarkable demonstration of global togetherness, as suggested by the Olympic motto. The Organizing Committee could not have put together such successful Games without the strong support of all participating teams, the IOC, the World Health Organization and many other international organizations.

Such cooperation in itself is a boost to multilateral diplomacy. Its positive spillovers will go a long way in enhancing global solidarity as humanity battles a myriad of challenges, from the coronavirus to climate change and to terrorism.

In many ways, the global village we live in is not unlike the Olympic Village for athletes. As IOC President Thomas Bach said at the opening ceremony, “it is possible to be

fierce rivals, while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together.” This message should not be lost on politicians and decision-makers anywhere in the world.

As the Beijing Winter Games draw to an end,the enduring value of the Olympic Games cannot be measured in gold, silver or bronze. Rather, they are found in the brotherhood of athletes,who gathered in Beijing from the ends of the Earth in pursuit of excellence. We should not let the heartwarming moments pass,but instead embrace the power of sport to connect us all.

Prior to the opening of the Beijing Games, some Pakistani teenage students created short videos to wish the success of Beijing 2022. This is just one small example of this Winter Olympic acting as a unifying force between countries. In a fractured world, we need more spirit of solidarity, just like that between China and Pakistan, to pursue a shared, better future of mankind.

The author is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs.

thursday, 24 February, 2022 | KARACHI

AustrAliA’s interim coAch sAys ‘Aussies wAtching Psl mAtches to understAnd PAkistAn’s gAme’

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News Desk

strategy, keeping Pakistan’s training pitches and grass pitches in mind,” he said.

Shedding light on the performance of the players, he told the media that bowling pressure on all-rounder +Cameron Green would increase in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, batters Usman Khawaja and David Warner will be among the toporder during the series.

Replying to questions regarding Pakistan team, the interim coach said one cannot predict about Pakistan team.

“It is difficult to say whether Pakistan’s team playing on the home ground is different or the team playing in the UAE,” he said.

McDonalds was of the view that Pakistan has some very good fast bowlers and especially mentioned Shaheen Shah Afridi, stating that his performance is constantly improving.

HE Australian cricket team is watching matches of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ahead of their tour to Pakistan next month in order to understand the game of the Men in Green, Aussies interim coach Andrew McDonald revealed Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, McDonald said that the Aussies have completed all their preparations before leaving for Pakistan.

“Our squad is balanced,” he said, adding that keeping in view the conditions of the pitches we have options.

The interim coach reiterated that it is a well-known fact the Australian team faces difficulties while playing in the sub-continent. “We have worked on foundational

HBL PSL 7: Will Shadab Khan return to field for United vs Zalmi match tomorrow?

News Desk Islamabad United’s skipper Shadab Khan has recovered from his groin injury and is likely to play the playoff match of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition tomorrow (Thursday).

No official announcement, however, over his participation has been made yet.

The all-rounder stayed outside the field during the last two matches against Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans — and the team lost both matches.

The 23-year-old had picked up a groin injury in the game against Karachi Kings on February 14.

During his absence, agressive batter Asif Ali led the team. Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, who finished at the third and fourth spot on the points table, respectively, will be up against each other in eliminator 1 at the Gaddafi Stadium on February 24.

The franchise welcomed the skipper and said that Shadab is feeling better and has returned to training. “Extensive work has been going on behind the scenes on his rehab,” the franchise wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, it is also worth mentioning that Zeehan Zameer will remain unavailable in tomorrow’s “do-or-die” clash due to his side injury.

Meanwhile, Colin Munro’s status is unknown as the international player is still facing fitness issues.

Fahim Ashraf and Hasan Ali are still recovering. However, their availability for tomorrow’s match is also unknown.

If Islamabad loses the match against Zalmi tomorrow they will be out of the tournament; however, if they defeat Yellow Storm they will then take on the losing side from the Qualifier — Multan Sultans or Lahore Qalandars.

New captain Rohit happy to groom India’s future leaders New DeLHI AFP

Rohit Sharma said Wednesday he was happy to help train possible successors following his recent appointment as India’s cricket captain across all formats in place of Virat

Kohli. The star batsman was named Test captain on Saturday — he was already white-ball skipper — but since he will turn 35 in April, pundits do not expect his tenure to be a long one.

India’s cricket board has identified three possible candidates all in their 20s to follow him eventually — Jasprit

CMYK

Bumrah, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

“I won’t have that much of a role of telling them each and everything, obviously they are all mature cricketers but someone needs to be around them to help and guide them in difficult situations and (I am) more than happy to do that,” Rohit told his first press conference after taking over the Test job.

“We were groomed by someone else, so it’s a natural process. If you talk of Bumrah, KL, Pant, they have a big role to play in India’s success at the same time they are looked upon as leaders as well.”

India’s pace spearhead Bumrah, 28, has been appointed vice-captain in the upcoming series of three T20s and two Tests at home to Sri Lanka beginning Thursday.

KL Rahul, 29, who captained the ODI team in South Africa in January, remained unavailable due to injury.

The 24-year-old Pant, a wicketkeeper-batsman who leads Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals, has also been earmarked as a future captain by pundits including batting great Sunil Gavaskar.

“Again we don’t want to put pressure on these guys,” Rohit said. “They are very critical to us and at the moment we just want them to enjoy their game, come out freely and execute (their) skills.”

On Bumrah’s elevation to the deputy’s job in T20 and Tests, Rohit said the role would only add to his promise as a lethal fast bowler — with 113 Test wickets since his 2018 debut. “It doesn’t really matter too much if it’s a batter or bowler as the vice-captain, it’s the mind that matters of that individual. And I think Jasprit Bumrah has a great mind of the game,” Rohit said.

“It’s a good way to step into the leadership role now.

Obviously, he has taken his game to the next level and I am sure he will continue to do that even further. But this is only going to add and get him more confident in whatever he wants to do on the field.”

Bumrah was named vice-captain for the first time in the ODI series in South Africa earlier this year.

SPoRtS 11

Alex hales returns to hBl Psl after withdrawal News Desk

Islamabad United’s opening batter Alex Hales on Wednesday made a surprise return to the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) to help his side progress to the final of the tournament. According to reports, Hales will be available for selection for Thursday’s eliminator match against Peshawar Zalmi. He had left the event just over a week ago, citing bubble fatigue as the main reason for his withdrawal. The availability of Hales will give a major boost to Islamabad United as the team has been facing fitness issues. Hales had played seven games for Islamabad United this season and scored 255 runs at an average of 42.50, smashing two halfcenturies.

multan sultans’ tim david tests positive for covid-19: report News Desk Multan Sultans all-rounder Tim David has tested positive for Covid-19, Geo News reported on Wednesday. According to the report, David’s test returned positive during a routine PCR testing. However, the team management has neither confirmed nor denied the news.

David has been one of Multan Sultans top-performing players throughout the seventh edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). Earlier on Tuesday, Peshawar Zalmi players Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, and Sohail Khan had tested positive for Covid-19. Other than the three players, support staff member and former cricketer Hashim Amla was also tested positive for Covid-19.

nadal wins Acapulco opener in first match since slam title New YORk AFP

Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return to the ATP Tour on Tuesday, winning his first tournament match since capturing the Australian Open title to reach the second round of the Mexican Open. The 35-year-old Spanish left-hander defeated US lucky loser Dennis Kudla 6-3, 6-2 to book a date with another American who advanced in a similar fashion, Nadal practice partner Stefan Kozlov, in the last 16. Nadal won his men’s record 21st Grand Slam title at last month’s Australian Open, breaking the career mark he had shared with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. World number five Nadal broke 100th-ranked Kudla in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead and held from there to claim the first set of their first career meeting. When Kudla sent a forehand long to surrender the first break of the second set, Nadal seized a 2-1 lead and held at love to 3-1. Nadal broke again for a 4-1 edge and held twice more, claiming the victory on a forehand winner after one hour and 16 minutes. Nadal fired eight aces and won 36 of 40 points on his serve in the dominating outing. The Spaniard seeks his 91st career ATP title and third of the year, having also won a Slam tuneup tournament at Melbourne. Russian top seed Daniil Medvedev, the reigning US Open champion whom Nadal rallied to beat in five sets in the Australian Open final, began his Acapulco run with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Frenchman Benoit Paire.

Thursday, 24 February, 2022

prayer timings

NEWS

PAkISTAN vALueS ITS reLATIoNS wITH eu CouNTrIeS: CoAS GeNerAL BAjwA ISLAMABAD

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staff report

HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday said that Pakistan values its relations with EU countries and we earnestly look forward to enhance mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interest.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Mr Eamon Gilmore, European Union (EU) Special Representative

for Human Rights who called on the COAS here at the GHQ. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, overall regional security situation including Afghanistan humanitarian situation and bilateral diplomatic relations with EU were discussed.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region and pledged to play his role for further improvements in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

Three PTI MPs offered bribe to support no-trust vote: Fawad

Security forces kill ten ‘externally sponsored terrorists’ during an IBO in Hoshab, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

staff report

staff report

At least three legislators of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were offered cash in return for their support to the crucial confidence motion proposed against the prime minister by the opposition alliance, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry claimed. But Chaudhry neither disclosed their identities nor revealed who made the offer to the MPs who included a minority parliamentarian and a female legislator. Earlier this month, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced the alliance of major opposition parties had decided to move a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan and would contact the government’s allies in the Centre for this purpose. “All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” he had told the media. Last Thursday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz said the motion is “a risk worth taking” since the prime minister was “on his last legs”. She was responding to a question if PMLN president Shehbaz Sharif would resign from his position if the “no-confidence gamble” failed. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairmen Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had also met Sharif and Nawaz earlier this month in Lahore and agreed to leave their differences behind for the “common cause” of sending Khan home. Chaudhry, who was talking to media in Islamabad, said the trio of MPs was offered money to favour the vote in what he termed as “a shameful instance.”

He dared the opposition to table the no-trust motion within 24 hours as he dubbed Zardari and Sharif the “two big traders”, accusing them of meeting to discuss the “contributions they would make for horse-trading”.

He further said a meeting of the ruling party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) in Islamabad expressed complete confidence in the leadership of Khan.

The meeting was called by the prime minister to take the parliamentary party into confidence about his Russia visit.

The meeting appreciated the independent foreign policy being pursued by the government.

Chaudhry said Khan, in an interview with Russian state-owned RT television, made it clear that Pakistan will not become part of any political bloc.

Security forces Wednesday killed ten ‘externally sponsored’ terrorists during an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) launched in Hoshab, Balochistan.

“On 23 February 2022, based on information of presence of Terrorists’ Camp and Hideout in general area Hoshab, Balochistan, Security Forces conducted an operation to apprehend

externally sponsored enemies of peace in Balochistan,” said a statement issued by the ISPR. “Once the troops started cordoning the area, Terrorists tried to flee their hideout and opened indiscriminate fire whereby, a heavy exchange of fire ensued. Resultantly, 10 Terrorists including terrorist Comd Master Asif alias Mukesh, killed in exchange of fire,” says the handout.

“These Terrorists were involved

in recent firing and attack on security forces incidents in Turbat and Pasni areas.

In addition, a huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered which was planned for use against security forces,” the statement said.

“Operations to eliminate perpetrators of terrorist acts will continue and they will not be allowed to sabotage peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the statement concluded.

OGRA chairman hints at another price hike in petroleum products Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman on Wednesday signalled another hike in the prices of petroleum products from March 1, 2022 owing to unprecedented increase in oil prices in the global oil market and value depreciation of rupee against the dollar.

OGRA chairman Masroor Khan while speaking in a meeting of the National Assembly (NA) standing committee on petroleum hinted at another oil price hike from March 1, 2022. He said that the price of oil has increased unprecedentedly in the last twelve weeks. He said the value of the rupee has been decreasing against the US dollar. The masses will bear the additional burden of rise in oil prices, said OGRA chairman.

Responding to a question of MNA Khurram Dastgir, chairman OGRA said that there was no change in the oil price formula while Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has expressed fear regarding hike in the price of diesel.

Present on the occasion, secretary petroleum Ali Raza Bhutta informed the NA standing committee that import of two LNG cargoes for the month of March 2022 have been cancelled while only one LNG cargo for

the March has so far been arranged at high price. “One LNG cargo is arranged while the second cargo could not be arranged so far,” said secretary petroleum.

The petroleum secretary also informed that construction of a gas pipeline will start soon as dialogue with Russia has been completed in this regard. He also said that two new companies are going to install LNG terminals and these two companies have been allotted land on the port for installation of the LNG terminals.

Both companies have fulfilled licence conditions, said secretary petroleum. Officials of the petroleum division while briefing the NA stand-

ing committee informed that one LNG cargo has been arranged at $25 rate through spot purchase.

Barjees Tahir, MNA, said that they were participating in the committee meeting for the last three years but so far no action was reported regarding gas schemes. He said that a project started some three years ago was still pending.

Officials of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) said that the government has imposed a ban on old and new gas schemes.

Secretary petroleum informed the NA standing committee that the government has been mulling to lift the ban on gas schemes. ahmad ahmadani

FAJR SUNRISE

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IHC orders FIA not to make arrests under Section 20 of Peca ordinance The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) not to make arrests under Section 20 of the recently promulgated Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act Ordinance 2022. The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah ordered while hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against the ordinance on Tuesday. It is pertinent to note that President Dr Arif Alvi had promulgated the ordinance on Sunday to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca). Under the ordinance, online defamation was made a non-bailable, cognisable offence and the jail term for defamation was increased from three years to five years. The ambit of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was also broadened. The word “natural” was omitted from Section 20 of the ordinance, which was previously titled “offences against the dignity of natural person”. After the amendment, the definition of a “person” was expanded to include any company, association or body of persons whether incorporated or not, institution, organisation, authority or any other body established by the government under any law or otherwise. During the hearing today, the IHC chief justice remarked that the FIA had already submitted a document of its standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the court, stipulating that no arrests will be made under section 20 of the ordinance. “In case of violation of the SOPs, director general FIA and home secretary will be responsible,” the court observed. The FIA had submitted its SOPs to the court in July last year after the IHC had sought a report from the agency to stop misuse of the cybercrimes law. Justice Minallah remarked that even countries such as Zimbabwe and Uganda were also removing defamation from their criminal law. Earlier, PFUJ’s counsel Adil Aziz Qazi informed the court that the Senate session was adjourned on Feb 17 while the National Assembly session was scheduled a day after it.

“However, the session of the lower house of the parliament was called off abruptly to pave the way for the promulgation of the Peca ordinance.” The chief justice inquired about the sections of the Act that had been amended. The PFUJ counsel replied that the scope of section 20 had been broadened, increasing the jail term for defaming any person or institution from three years to five years. After hearing the arguments, the court issued a notice to the attorney general, seeking a response from him on Thursday. The PFUJ had challenged the ordinance on Tuesday in which the president and the federation of Pakistan through the secretaries of the law and information ministries were made respondents. The petition stated that the respondents tried to “sneak amendments to existing laws at the eleventh hour” despite the fact that the upper house of Parliament was in session a day before the ordinance was promulgated. “It appears that the respondents had already prepared the draft of the ordinance and were waiting for the ongoing session to expire in order to avoid the due process of legislation,” the petition reads. The PFUJ said that the ordinance was promulgated without passing the “necessary tests imposed under the Constitution of Pakistan for legislation through the mode and manner of ordinances”, adding that the promulgation was based on “malice”. news desk

PML-N to move court against Peca ordinance LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to challenge the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022, in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The party has prepared the petition seeking withdrawal of the laws which it insists are targeting the press and freedom of expression. It states the ordinance is a violation of fundamental human rights and the party rejects the recent amendments in the laws it introduced in 2016. Earlier, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) challenged the act in the high court and said the Constitution allowed everyone to exercise the right to freedom of expression. staff report

PM Imran lands in Moscow on historic two-day visit Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday evening arrived in Russian Capital Moscow to on a two-day official visit to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billiondollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies, an official said.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Mr. Igor Morgulov greeted the Prime Minister and the Pakistani delegation at the airport.

The prime minister would meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss issues including economic cooperation comes hours after a number of Western nations hit Russia with new sanctions for its military deployment into parts of eastern Ukraine.

“Both countries are eager to launch the project at the earliest,” Pakistan’s energy ministry spokesman told Reuters about the

Pakistan Stream gas pipeline. He confirmed that Energy Minister Hammad Azhar is accompanying the PM on the visit.

The Prime Minister’s Office also confirmed that Azhar was accompanying the premier alongside Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf and MNA Amir Mahmood Kiani.

In an interview ahead of his trip, PM Imran had expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine and the possibility of new sanctions and their effect on Islamabad’s budding cooperation with Moscow.

It is unclear how the latest sanctions will

affect the project, which would deliver imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Karachi to power plants in Punjab.

The project is important for Pakistan — particularly the power sector — as the country’s dependence on imported LNG grows in the face of dwindling indigenous gas supplies.

The pipeline project has already suffered delays because of earlier sanctions.

“This North-South pipeline suffered, one of the reasons … was the companies we were negotiating with, turned out that US had applied sanctions on them,” PM Imran told Russia Today on Tuesday.

“So, the problem was to get a company that wasn’t sanctioned,” he said of the project.

PAkistAn-RussiA cOLLAbORAtiOn On PiPELinE PROjEct: In

2015, Russia and Pakistan agreed in principle to build a 1,100 km-long pipeline to deliver imported LNG from Karachi to power plants in Punjab.

The pipeline’s designed annual capacity stands at 12.4 billion cubic metres (bcm), with the possibility to be increased to 16bcm.

The cost will require investments of between $1.5bn, according to Russia, to as much as $3.5bn, estimated by Pakistan, with 26 per cent of it to be financed by Moscow and the remaining 74pc by Islamabad.

The project was to be launched in 2020, but Russia had to replace the initial participant after the company was hit by western sanctions not related to the Pakistan Stream project.

Currently the pipeline, a rare example of

Russian participation without state gas company Gazprom, involves the Eurasian Pipeline Consortium, steel pipe maker TMK, which produces steel pipelines for the energy sector, and Operational Services Centre run by the Russian Energy Ministry.

Russian shareholders expect to return their investments from gas shipping fees.

Currently, feasibility studies are taking place on the project but there is no firm date set for the launch. According to Russian media reports, shareholder agreement for the Pakistan Stream should be signed this month.

On May 28, 2021, Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov and Pakistan’s ambassador in Moscow Shafqat Ali Khan signed an agreement on behalf of their countries to build the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline. staff report

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