EpaperKHI_22-3-5

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 I 1 Shaʽban, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 246 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

At leAst 56 MArtyred, 194 injured in PeshAwAr suicide blAst

islamabad Aziz Buneri

A

T least 56 killed and 194 others sustained injuries in a suicide blast inside a mosque in Peshawar’s Kocha Risaldar area on Friday. The police officials said that the explosion occurred when worshippers were gathered in the mosque for Friday prayers.

Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) spokesperson Muhammad Asim confirmed the death toll, adding that most of the injured suffered injuries in upper parts of their bodies.

He said that additional medical personnel have been called and a red alert has been declared at the hospital.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Talking to media, Senior Superintendent of Police Haroon Rashid said that it was apparently a suicide attack in which two policemen, deployed at the gate of the mosque, were also martyred.

He said there were two attackers but only one of them was a suicide bomber.

He said it is premature to say anything about the explosives used in the attack. “Initial investigations are underway and we can share more information later,” he said.

He added that no threat alert was earlier

received about the attack.

Sharing the horrific details of the attack, an eyewitness, Shayan Haider, told that he was preparing to enter the mosque when a powerful explosion threw him to the street.

“I opened my eyes and there was dust and bodies everywhere,” he said.

Another eyewitness said that a person dressed in black clothes entered the mosque and exploded himself after killing the security guard.

“After that, he quickly entered the [mosque’s] main hall and blew himself up.

ISLAMABAD: Reacting to the terrorist attack in a Peshawar mosque, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the government has “all the information regarding the origins” of the terrorists involved in the blast and assured the nation that the state is “going after” the culprits with “full force”. “Have personally been monitoring operations and coordinating with CTD and agencies in the wake of the cowardly terrorist attack on Peshawar Imambargah,” tweeted PM Imran Khan. “My deepest condolences go to the victims’ families and prayers for the recovery of the injured. I have asked CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to personally visit the families and look after their needs,” said PM Imran.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, and other political leaders condemned the blast. Police and security teams have cordoned off the area and started to collect evidence. news desk

PAkistAn

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,512,707

LAST UPDATED AT 7:28 AM ON MARCH 4, 2022

NEW CASES:

11

953

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

1,451,665 30,248 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

569,338

502,264

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

216,614

35,361

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

43,068/11,543

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Govt to go after terrorists behind Peshawar attack with ‘full force’: PM Imran Khan

coronAvirus in

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

Following this, there were bodies and injured people lying everywhere,” he said.

“The hall was filled with people, who were on the bottom and top floors. The incident took place at 12:55pm. The people took the injured worshipers to the hospital via motorcycles as rescue workers faced hindrances while arriving at the site due to congested alleys.”

Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif informed that the terrorists first tried to enter the mosque and opened fire on the police officials. He informed that during the fire, a terrorist entered the mosque and exploded himself.

He said that the security forces have cordoned off the area and started further investigation.

“Those martyred and injured in the attack would be given monetary assistance under the government’s special package,” he added.

CONDEMNATIONS: Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly condemned the blast and directed for immediate medical aid to the injured and demanded a report on the incident.

President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the incident in a statement and expressed grief over the precious lives lost. He expressed sympathy with the families of the departed and also prayed for the recovery of the injured.

134,519

Securing support of PML-Q, PM Khan to visit MQM’s Karachi headquarter islamabad stAff report

After wooing the support of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Prime Minister Imran Khan is all set to visit the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Bahadurabad office during his upcoming visit to Karachi.

The premier Friday met Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and discussed the government’s relationship with its allies.

According to sources, the prime minister is expected to visit the port city on March 9 and will also pay a visit to MQM-P’s Bahardurabad office.

Last month, PM Imran met MQM-P ministers and directed them to beef up the pace of various ongoing development

‘Coward’ PM won’t be able to frighten us with PECA, NAB: Bilawal KHaNEWal news desk

Calling Prime Minister Imran Khan a “coward”, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the “puppet” premier thinks that he will be able to frighten the people of Pakistan through NAB and PECA ordinance but he is wrong as jiyalas (PPP workers) and the brave people of Pakistan will not be frightened.

“Rather, this puppet is a coward who is terrified and his legs are trembling,” Bilawal said while addressing a charged crowd in Khanewal as his party’s Awami March reached the Punjab town on Friday.

He said that the march had started on February 27 and the numbers of participants are increasing exponentially because we are struggling for the rights of the poor people of Pakistan.

“He (Imran Khan) used to say that he cannot give relief to the people because inflation is a global phenomenon but under the pressure of this march he had to reduce the price of petrol and electricity,” he reiterated.

Bilawal said that PM Imran used to call everyone a thief

schemes in Karachi to ensure the provision of better services to people.

Syed Aminul Haq, who is the Minister for Information Technology, was accompanied by Minister for Law Dr Farogh Naseem as well as PTI Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on the occasion.

He also directed to take all possible measures for creating job opportunities for the techsavvy youth and promoting information technology in the country.

The participants discussed matters pertaining to various development schemes in Karachi and the prime minister was briefed about the performance of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

more inside

Pakistan assails India for detaining senior Hurriyat leader in IIOJK STORY ON PAGE 02

President Alvi appears before Islamabad ATC in PTV attack case but he himself proved to be the “biggest thief of sugar, flour, gas, petrol, water, fertiliser and other commodities”, adding that Imran Khan was “murdering” the poor grower of this country.

He said that when PPP cochairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari took charge in 2008, Pakistan was importing wheat, rice and sugar but the PPP government helped the farmers and within one year the country became exporter of sugar, rice and wheat.

“Selected Imran economically murdered the farmers and we are going to Islamabad to hold him responsible of his crime.”

About the unfortunate inci-

dent in which a drone camera of a media outlet struck Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, The PPP chief said that his sister is a brave daughter of a brave mother.

“The ambulance staff said that stitches are required but she said that a bandage would be enough. She will continue to participate in the long march,” he clarified.

Bilawal said that the puppet Imran Khan is a “coward who will flee to London” but we have to live among the people. He asked the people to support and participate in the long march so that the PPP can change the fate of the country and end this “destruction” caused by Imran Khan.

STORY ON PAGE 03

Tareen to fly back to Pakistan in couple of days STORY ON BACK PAGE

Rain-wind thunderstorm expected in upper parts of country next week STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

Pakistan assails india for detaining senior Hurriyat leader in iioJk IsLAMABAD

P

staff RepoRt

AKISTAN on Friday strongly condemned the “cowardly” arrest of Hurriyat Conference Vice Chairman Ghulam Ahmad Dar by occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) under the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA), the foreign office said in a statement.

Arbitrary arrests of Hurriyat leaders, political activists, human rights defenders, and civil society members on orchestrated charges manifestly reflect India’s frustration at the freedom struggle by the Kashmiri people that continues unfazed despite increasing intimidation, harassment and reprisal attacks by the occupation forces, it said.

Almost the entire Kashmiri leadership including Asiya Andrabi, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Yasin Malik, and Masarat Alam Bhat is either detained in crowded jails in India or under house arrest on made-up charges.

The relentless witch-hunt of Hurriyat leaders and political activists by the Hindutva driven RSS-BJP dispensation on motivated allegations and their persecution on fictitious charges under draconian laws is in clear violation of the UN Charter, UN Security Council and UN General Assembly resolutions, and international human rights and humanitarian law, the FO said.

Regrettably, it added, that the Indian occupation forces are yet to account for the death of senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir Chairman Ashraf

taliban spokesperson condemns Peshawar mosque attack

Sehrai who was arrested last year on trumped up charges under the oppressive PSA in IIOJK and remained under illegal Indian custody till the time of his death despite his worsening health condition.

“India must remember that no amount of systematic brutality, unbridled use of force and atrocious clamp-downs against Kashmiri leadership will suppress the Kashmir freedom movement nor would it delude the world into accepting India’s false claims of ‘normalcy’ in the IIOJK and portraying itself as a victim of terrorism,” read the communiqué.

Pakistan called upon the international community to compel India to abjure its policy of state-terrorism in IIOJK and immediately release all arbitrarily arrested Kashmiri political leaders and activists including Ghulam Ahmad Dar.

Church leaders shocked, grieved

by Peshawar mosque attack LAHORe

stAff RepORt

News Desk

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Friday condemned the attack on a mosque in Peshawar and said that there is “no justification” for attacking people in places of worship. Taking to Twitter, Mujahid said the Taliban government in Afghanistan strongly condemned the reported suicide bombing that took place at a mosque in Peshawar that killed more than 50 people and injured scores of others.

“There is no justification for the attack on citizens and worshippers,” said Mujahid, who is also the acting deputy culture and information minister of Afghanistan. Mujahid expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Earlier today, a suicide bomber killed 57 people and injured close to 200 people during Friday prayers in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar.

The leaderships of the Church of Pakistan and the global Anglican Communion have condemned the suicide attack in Peshawar, terming it yet another attempt to sow discord in Pakistani society and disrupt interfaith harmony in the country.

In a statement, Church of Pakistan Moderator Bishop Dr Azad Marshall lamented the loss of lives in the terrorist attack on an Imambargah during Friday prayers.

He said the attack had shocked and grieved the entire nation.

The attack on the Shia Muslim community and the recent killing of our church leader in Peshawar appears to be a part of a conspiracy to push Pakistan again into the abyss of religious terrorism.

“In the face of this brutality, the human family, all people of faith and of good will, must stand together to recommit to respecting and caring for one another, to protecting one another, and to preventing such violence,” he said.

Bishop Marshall encouraged prayer for and solidarity with the victims and those close to them. He acknowledged the role of the security forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism, but urged the government to “do more to protect all people in Pak-

istan, whether Christians, Muslims, or of any other religion or belief, from the violence perpetrated by such extremist sectarian criminals”.

“The principle of freedom of religion and belief for all people must be affirmed and protected in Pakistan as a fundamental ethical and legal responsibility of the government,” he said. Bishop Marshall said that the news of the attack in Peshawar had also shocked the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who visited the city on Sunday, Feb 27, to condole with the family of the slain church leader William Siraj and offer support to the families affected in the All Saints Church suicide bombings in 2013.

“The archbishop has offered his condolences and sympathy to the families of the people who lost their lives in today’s terrorist attack on the

Kucha Risaldar Imambargah. In a letter, the archbishop has said that all attacks perpetrated against the innocent are anathema to our understanding of the Grace and love of our God,” he said.

Quoting the archbishop’s letter, Bishop Marshall said: “During my visit to Pakistan, I was reminded time and again that the health of a nation is based upon the tolerance of the many towards the few, and that only when all our honoured and recognised for their individual humanity and the contribution that they bring to society, does a nation truly progress”.

He said this latest attack against worshippers from a minority Islamic tradition, and the attacks against the Christian community, represent utterly wicked attempts to destroy this dream.

“And these attacks will continue to fail to break the resolve of those who boldly profess their faith. We all stand in solidarity with you and our Muslim brothers and sisters in condemnation of this and other criminal acts of senseless violence and murder.”

Bishop Marshall said that in his letter, Archbishop Welby prayed that “the spirit of reconciliation will grow powerfully amongst the faithful of Pakistan, that bridges can be built, and new destinies forged in religious tolerance, peace and harmony”.

australian body lauds PM’s interest-free loans initiative IsLAMABAD staff RepoRt

Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) has lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan over his initiative of interest-free loans for the poor. In a statement shared on Twitter, President AFIC Dr Rateb Jneid said with the cost-of-living increasing post the pandemic, this is a great gift to give to families and businesses and it will help strengthen economies.

Rateb Jneid said over 4.5 million families would benefit from the initiative to help set up small businesses. He said the interest-free loans would also help the poor to acquire homes. “Looking out for the poor and helping the weak and most vulnerable pockets of society is the example set by our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and all Prophets that came before him (AS),” he said. At AFIC, he said, the promotion of interest-free loans was in line with the organisation’s core values. “We hope many other nations support this idea by making similar assistance available to their citizens,” he said.

IHC stops police from arresting Mazari, others over protest in Islamabad News Desk The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has observed that it is seditious to suppress voices of dissent or discourage raising grievances against the state, its institutions or the public functionaries, according to a news outlet.

In a written order released on Friday following the hearing of a petition filed by Iman Mazari against the case launched against her by Islamabad police for protesting outside the National Press Club with Baloch students, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah stated that “young citizens, particularly those belonging to the province of Balochistan ought to be encouraged by the state and public functionaries to express themselves and to create an enabling environment so that they may participate in political debates, uninhibited and without any fear”.

The court summoned the interior secretary, Islamabad chief

commissioner, Islamabad inspector general of police, and the human rights secretary to justify the excessive force used against Baloch students by the registration of a criminal case.

“They are expected to satisfy the court, having regard to the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. In case they fail to satisfy the Court, then they are expected to identify the officials responsible for violating the rights of members of a peaceful assembly and the mode for ensuring their accountability,” the order read.

The court forbade capital police from harassing any citizen or causing arrest pursuant to registration of the FIR, till March 7.

On March 1, students of the Quaid-e-Azam University, mostly belonging to the province of Balochistan, had arranged a peaceful meeting near the press club to raise their voice and protest the alleged enforced disappearance of one of the students, Hafeez Baloch.

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

President alvi aPPears before islaMabad atC in Ptv attaCk Case IsLAMABAD

P

staff RepoRt

RESIDENT Arif Alvi made his first appearance before an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Friday in the 2014 Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament House attack case.

Alvi, who is nominated in the case, arrived at the ATC along with his counsel Babar Awan and filed an application to decline availing presidential immunity that he enjoys under Article 248 of the Constitution.

The hearing was conducted

by ATC judge Muhammad Ali Warraich.

The president informed the court that he had the prerogative to avail immunity under the laws of Pakistan, “however, I choose to withdraw it as I believe there should no difference between

anyone.”

“When I learned that the court is about to pen its verdict in the case, I decided to appear so there should be no talk that I did not appear,” he told the judge.

The president said he tried to learn more about immunity through studying Islamic history, saying it helped him understand that there was no room for immunity at all.

“All the caliphs appeared in courts with great dignity,” he said. He appealed to the court to remove the backlog of cases and ensure quick dispensation of justice. “I also understand that there is a burden on the judiciary.”

He said his father had filed a case in 1977 which was still subjudice. The court had reserved the verdict in the case last month, which will be announced on March 9. Later, speaking to media outside the court, the president said he was bound to follow

Iran wants to recover tens of billions of dollars it is owed by India and other buyers of its oil in euros and is billing new crude sales in euros, too, looking to reduce its dependence on the U.S. dollar following last month’s sanctions relief.

A source at state-owned National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC) told Reuters that Iran will charge in euros for its recently signed oil contracts with firms including French oil and gas major Total, Spanish refiner Cepsa and Litasco, the trading arm of Russia’s Lukoil.

“In our invoices we mention a clause that buyers of our oil will have to pay in euros, considering the exchange rate versus the dollar around the time of delivery,” the NIOC source said.

Lukoil and Total declined to comment, while Cepsa did not respond to a request for comment.

Iran has also told its trading partners who owe it billions of dollars that it wants to be paid in euros rather than U.S. dollars, said the person, who has direct knowledge of the matter.

the country’s laws but insisted that he did not want to avail im-

munity in the case. “I appeared before the court today as a com-

Iran was allowed to recover some of the funds frozen under U.S.-led sanctions in currencies other than dollars, such as the Omani rial and UAE dhiram.

Switching oil sales to euros makes sense, as Europe is now one of Iran’s biggest trading partners.

“Many European companies are rushing to Iran for business opportunities, so it makes sense to have revenue in euros, “said Robin Mills, chief executive of Dubai-based Qamar Energy.

Iran has pushed for years to have the euro replace the dollar as the currency for international oil trade. In 2007, Tehran failed to persuade OPEC members to switch away from the dollar, which its then President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called a “worthless piece of paper”.

When Iran was under sanctions because of its disputed nuclear program, the country’s central bank made it a rule to do all of its foreign trade in euros, a source from the NIOC told us.

For political reasons, Iran shifted to the euro and cancelled trade in dollars, the source said.

BOOST FOR EURO TRADE Iran has

the world’s fourth-largest proved reserves of crude oil, and expects to quickly increase production, which could lead to tens of billions of euros’ worth of new oil trade.

Iran’s insistence on being paid in euros rather than dollars is also a sign of an uneasy truce between Tehran and Washington even after last month’s lifting of most sanctions.

U.S. officials estimate about $100 billion (69 billion pounds) of Iranian assets are frozen abroad, around half of which Tehran could access as a result of sanctions relief.

It is not clear how much of those funds are oil dues that Iran would want back in euros.

India owes Tehran about $6 billion for oil delivered during the sanctions years. Last month, NIOC’s director general for international affairs told Reuters that Iran “would prefer to receive (oil money owed) in some foreign currency, which for the time being is going to be the euro.”

Indian government sources confirmed that Iran is looking to be paid in

mon citizen and not as the president of Pakistan,” he said.

euros.

Indian and Iranian sources said Tehran has asked to be paid using the exchange rates at the time the oil was delivered, along with interest for those payment delays.

Indian officials are working on a mechanism that could involve local banks like United Commercial Bank (UCO) and IDBI Bank for handling payments to Iran, one Indian government source said.

UCO CEO R.K. Takkar said the bank is involved in payments to Iran, but did not say if there were any plans to change the payment mechanism. IDBI CEO Kishor Kharat could not be reached for comment.

India could also try to resume payments through Turkey’s Halkbank, a channel it stopped using in 2012, or by direct transfer to Iranian banks through the global SWIFT transaction network.

With Iran now again linked to international lenders through SWIFT, the NIOC source said it was easy for Tehran to be paid in any currency it wanted, adding: “And we want euros.”

Govt materialising dream of the poor to own house: PM CALLS FOR EARLY COMPLETION OF SINDH PROJECTS IsLAMABAD staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government is fulfilling the dream of the poor to have their own houses.

The prime minister said this on Friday while performing the balloting for the lowcost apartments in Farash Town area of the federal capital.

The prime minister directed to ensure transparency in allotment of houses. He emphasised on adopting the model of high-rise constructions to prevent unplanned spread of cities.

He said that private banks are providing easy loans to the people to buy these apartments and the monthly installment for these housing units will be around Rs13,000 due to the subsidy being provided by the government.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan said that Ravi Urban Development Authority and Central Business District Walton are landmark real estate projects to save the environment and ecology of Lahore. He said it is the first time in the country’s history that dead

03

PM imran khan briefed on Peshawar attack IsLAMABAD News Desk

Interior Minister Shaikh Rasheed on Friday briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan over the Peshawar blast and also talked about the security provided to the Australian cricket team touring Pakistan. A statement shared by the PM Office on Twitter said the interior minister and the PM reviewed the overall law and order and security situation of the country. Media sources said that the interior minister also briefed the premier on the suicide blast at a mosque in Peshawar that killed at least 57 worshipers and injured close to 200. The blast had taken place at a mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar in the Koocha Risaldar area of Peshawar. The sources also shared that the interior minister briefed PM Imran on the security provided to the visiting Australian team. Australia is in Pakistan for the first time in 24 years for a full tour, which could potentially lead to regular visits by top teams who have largely stayed away since a 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.

Iran wants euro payment for new and outstanding oil sales: report ReuteRs

NEWS

capital is being regenerated into valuable assets through these projects.

He said success of these projects would serve as a model for other cash strapped departments to replicate for generating financial resources.

The CEO of Ravi Urban Development Authority briefed the prime minister that development work on these innovative projects is in full swing.

The prime minister said all these projects are of supreme national interests. He directed the authorities concerned to adopt a proactive and innovative approach for their completion on a fast track basis.

Separately, Prime Minister Khan on Friday directed the authorities concerned to ensure implementation of the incentives and facilities announced by the government for freelancers and the IT industry within the stipulated time.

The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review the incentives being provided to the IT sector, said the government is extending maximum facilitation to the sectors with immense potential to support the national economy.

Mentioning the historic package announced by the government for promotion of the IT sector, he said the government has introduced massive reforms to facilitate the business sector.

He viewed that the facilitation of the skilled freelancers would lead to increasing the remittances as promotion of the IT exports is among the government’s priorities.

The participants of the meeting were apprised of the implementation status of the incentives for the startups, industrial sector and IT companies.

It was said the implementation of the government’s recently announced industries and IT package is going on at a fast pace and an increase in the number of freelancers has been witnessed consequent to the government’s measures.

The meeting was told that the one-step registration of freelancers through the portal of Pakistan Software Export Board has been ensured which would automatically register them with the Federal Board of Revenue.

Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan was also taking steps to ensure the transfer of freelancing funds from abroad through the banking channels. Besides, a mechanism to take benefit from the tax exemptions for the IT companies would also be in place very soon.

Cabinet Committee reviews Corona situation in Punjab, measures taken for its prevention LAHORe staff RepoRt

Cabinet Committee jointly chaired by Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal reviewed the Corona situation in the province and measures taken for its prevention.

The meeting was attended by IG Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Imran Sikandar Baloch, Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, Special Secretaries, Saleha Saeed and Dr. Asif Tufail and officials of other department. Dr. Yasmin Rashid appreciated Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department for achieving vaccination targets and Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department for treatment facilities for COVID-19 patients.

Health Secretaries Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi and Imran Sikandar Baloch briefed the Health Minister and Chief Secretary on the latest status of coronavirus.

The Health Minister said, “More than 71% population of Punjab has been fully vaccinated.

The Corona Pandemic situation in Punjab is under close monitoring. Over 90% of the population of Punjab received first dose of corona vaccine. We are trying their best to vaccinate as many people as possible against COVID-19″.

“I congratulate Secretary P&SH Department Imran Sikandar Baloch and his team for success of Reach Every Door Campaign.

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

04

NEWS

PakIstan, UzBekIstan agree to enhanCe sCIenCe, teCh tIes ISLAMABAD

P

sTaff rePorT

AKISTAN and Uzbekistan have agreed to promote science and technology linkages and enhance bilateral cooperation between the youth of both countries. The bilateral ties were discussed in a meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev wherein they exchanged views on a wide range of issues of bilateral interest and important regional and international matters.

President Alvi expressed satisfaction on the upward trajectory of bilateral ties and reiterated desire to promote multifaceted cooperation in all spheres including political, trade, economic, defence, security, connectivity, education and cultural exchanges.

He elaborated Pakistan’s efforts for enhanced engagement with Central Asia within the framework of the “Vision Central Asia” policy. President Alvi highlighted prospects of regional integration and connectivity to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries through Pakistan’s seaports.

He said Trans-Afghan Railway would be one such project to establish consolidated land connectivity. He also underscored the importance of air connectivity for boosting tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The president emphasised that peace and stability in Afghanistan is vital to reap dividends of land connectivity.

He said a peaceful Afghanistan would contribute to the economic progress and prosperity of the region and beyond.

President Alvi lauded the signing of the Joint Declaration on Next Steps in Strategic Partnership between Pak-

FC College holds 1st Forman International Conference on Business and Innovation

istan and Uzbekistan and MoUs and agreements in multiple areas. He said that the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) would open new avenues of enhancing bilateral trade.

The two presidents also discussed key regional and global issues of mutual interest. The two leaders noted progress on collaboration in education, culture, security and defence and reiterated commitment to continue pursuing common goals of economic development at all levels.

The Uzbek president was on his two-day first ever visit to Pakistan after assuming the office in 2016, along with a high-level ministerial and business delegation. Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy historic fraternal relations, marked by mutual respect and rooted in common culture and similar traditions.

IHC serves notice to AGP in PECA ordinance case ISLAMABAD sTaff rePorT

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday served a notice to Attorney-General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan on the petitions filed by journalist organisations against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition against the PECA (Amendment) Act ordinance 2022 during which the court issued the notice to the AGP on the request of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND).

The associations, in their petition, said the ordinance would become a hindrance for journalists to cover prominent public figures. “It should be repealed.”

The petition said that the president must have reasonable justification for the issuance of an ordinance as sections 2 and 3 of the Ordinance reduce the right to information and violate the fundamental rights provided by Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah inquired from the petitioners as to why they had not challenged Section 20 of the ordinance as other petitioners have even challenged the criminalisation of defamation.

In response, the peti-

tioner’s lawyer, Munir A Malik, said that they have challenged the entire Peca ordinance.

The court later directed the PBA’s application to be filed for hearing along with other petitioners.

The petitioners have maintained in the plea that Sections 2 and 3 of the presidential ordinance are contradictory to Articles 4, 9, 19, 19A and 89 of the Constitution of Pakistan which gives its citizens the right to know.

Govt ready to withdraw PECA ordinance: Fawad In a major development, Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that the PTI-led government is ready to withdraw the controversial ordinance.

Punjab ombudsman constitutes working group to control online child abuse The School of Management at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) organized its 1st Forman International Conference on Business and Innovation (FICBI 2022). The conference encouraged academicians, professionals, and researchers, with broad and diverse academic, professional, and research interests to share the latest trends, developments, ideas, and views in this forum. Following the theme of innovative businesses and economic prosperity, this conference provided a forum to individuals that facilitated communication and open discussion for the presentation of the results of their research activities. The auspicious event was graced by prominent personalities from the industry that included Ms. Sam Ali Dada, the President of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Mehar Kashif, the Managing Director of the Model Steel Group of Companies among others. The initiative received immense appreciation from the industry as well as the academic circles and after a successful event, the School of Management intends to launch a edition of this conference every year. Pr

lahore: Punjab Ombudsman retired Maj. Azam Suleman Khan has constituted an experts’ working group to raise public awareness against online child sex abuse in the province. Chief Provincial Commissioner for Children Tabana Sajjad Naseer would lead the 16-member working group with National Commission on Children (Wafaqi Mohtasib) Chairperson Shaheen Attiq-ur-Rehman, Grievance Commissioner for Children (Wafaqi Mohtasib) Advisor Syeda Viquar-un-Nisa Hashmi, MPAs Shamsa Ali and Zainab Lodhi, Pehchaan President Dr Naeem Zafar as its members. Similarly, special secretaries of home, school education and higher education departments, provincial secretary information and culture, DGs of Auqaf, social welfare and child protection & welfare bureau departments, head of HRCP, additional IG (Operations) Punjab and FIA’s director cybercrime Punjab would be the ex-officio members. This working group would act as a think tank, in collaboration with line departments, to protect children from cyber-harassment to develop Punjab as a child-friendly province. An important meeting of this working group would be held in the office of the Punjab ombudsman on March 10. sTaff rePorT

Ukraine mission says 98pc Pakistani students evacuated TERNOPIL news desk

The Embassy of Pakistan in Ukraine said Friday the evacuation of almost 98% of Pakistanis has been completed as the country faces off with Russia, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee to neighbouring states.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed on the need to set up humanitarian corridors and a possible ceasefire around them for fleeing civilians, both sides said after talks on Thursday, in their first sign of progress on any issue since the invasion.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its second week. The number of refugees who have fled Ukraine has risen to more than one million, the United Nations said. Hundreds of Russian soldiers and Ukrainian civilians have been killed. “The Embassy of Pakistan Ukraine has safely evacuated 98% of Pakistanis from Ukraine. Now only those few (around 30) Pakistanis are left in Ukraine who are stuck in areas of intense fight,” the mission said in an update on Twitter. The statement added that the embassy has approached both Ukraine and Russia for opening up a humanitarian corridor that will enable it to evacuate the remaining Pakistanis. Pakistan has shifted its operations from Kyiv after the Ukrainian capital came under heavy shelling and is providing all services from Ternopil. There were nearly 3,000 Pakistanis in Ukraine when the war broke out last month.

‘DistresseD inDian stuDents helpeD on humanitarian grounDs’: On Thursday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan helped “distressed” Indian students fleeing the Ukraine war on “humanitarian grounds”. FM Qureshi had said he has spoken with the foreign ministers of Romania, Hungary, and Poland regarding the safe exit of Pakistani students from the war zone and they have assured Pakistan of their support in this regard. “I talked with the Romanian foreign minister and sought an update from him on the latest situation of the conflict.

Romania has a long 400-mile border with Ukraine and my discussion was focused on the assistance of our students fleeing war.”

The foreign minister had said that most Pakistani students have left the country.

“We are working hard to ensure their safe return and our embassies are playing a key role. You must have seen videos of our embassy [in Lviv] helping Indian students fleeing Ukraine where they were provided food,” FM Qureshi had added.

“They are kids in distress due to war and we helped them whatever was possible on a humanitarian basis.”

Cement prices rise up to Rs15 a bag KARACHI TLTP

A day after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was told that contractors stopped working on all government-funded housing projects months ago because of cost overruns due to increase in cement and steel prices, the cement manufacturers in the north region have increased cement prices by Rs10-15 per bag.

The fresh increase in cement prices will be effective from Friday, according to a tweet from Topline Securities, a brokerage. It said, “The new price in the north region is in the range of Rs760-765/bag.”

The cement manufacturers are of the view that prices have been increased to absorb the impact of rupee depreciation and rise in international coal prices.

Contractors have halted work on government-funded housing projects for months because of cost overruns, despite claims that there were no “price increases”, the Public Accounts Committee was informed on Thursday.

Housing Secretary Dr Imran Zeb in-

CMYK

formed the committee that the development of the housing programs had been stopped due to an ‘unprecedented’ rise in cement and steel prices during August last year.

The comments were made during the review of the Housing and Works Ministry audit report by the Public Accounts Committee.

Zeb said the contractors wanted a cost reduction which the housing ministry rejected as the new prices exceeded the PAC and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority benchmarks and the rules that applied.

According to the laws, Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Muhammad Ajmal is required to pay the difference due to cost increase.

Ajmal said that further delays would increase the costs of the project even further.

The housing secretary said that contractors had pitched to pay the vendor directly for the materials. He added that the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority is currently working in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Last month, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the housing authority’s Kashmir Avenue Apartments project had not been fin-

ished. The PM had arrived without any announcement and found that there was no one at the construction avenue.

All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) said on Thursday that cement supply continued declining in February with a 4.75 percent decrease mainly due to increase in cost of production amid surging coal prices and shortage of containers for exports.

According to the data released by APCMA, total cement despatches during February 2022 were 4.36 million tonnes against 4.57 million tonnes dispatched during the same month of last fiscal year. The cement dispatches have been showing a declining trend for the past few months.

The local cement dispatched by the industry during the month of February 2022 were 3.95 million tonnes compared to 3.96 million tonnes in February 2021, showing a reduction of 0.17 percent. Exports dispatches suffered a massive decline of 34.18 percent as the volumes reduced from 616,030 tonnes in February 2021 to 405,489 tonnes in February 2022, said the APCMA.

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS At least 56 Martyred, 194 injured in Peshawar suicide blast continued from page 01 Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan also condemned the attack and said that it is alarming that a new wave of unrest has spread across the country. “The government has failed to protect the citizens. If steps are not taken, the situation will get worse,” he said in his statement.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the attack was a preplanned act to destabilise Pakistan. He said no security alert was issued about the attack. “External forces want to disturb peace in Pakistan,” he said, adding that he has sought a report from IGP and the KP chief secretary.

PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman also strongly condemned the incident.

German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck said he was heartbroken by the “act of horrific terror against worshippers in Peshawar”.

“My colleagues at the embassy and I stand in solidarity with the victims and their families in this difficult hour. Wishing quick recovery to the injured,” he said.

Services’ exports rise 19pc to $3.32bn in seven months iSLamaBad staff report

The exports of services from the country witnessed an increase of 18.82 percent during the first seven months of the current financial year (2021-22) as compared to the corresponding period of last year. According to the data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the exports of services during JulyJanuary (2021-22) were recorded at US $3,944.91 million against the exports of US $3,320.17 million during July-January (2020-21), showing growth of 18.82 percent. The services’ imports also rose by 39.49 percent by growing from US $ 4426.30 million last year to US $ 6174.42 million during the period under review. Based on the figures, the services trade deficit was recorded at US $ 2229.51 billion this year against the deficit of US $ 1106.13 billion last year, showing an increase of 101.56 percent. On a year-on-year basis, the services’ exports during the month of January 2022 grew by 8.56 percent to US $ 521.09 million against the exports of US $ 480.01 million during January 2021. The imports also grew by 44.40 percent from US $ 642.03 million in last January to US $ 927.06 million in January 2022, the data revealed.

On a month-on-month basis, the exports from the country declined by 23.70 percent as compared to the exports of US $ 682.91 million in December 2021. The imports also decreased by 8.30 percent as compared to the imports of US $ 1010.95 million in December 2021, the data revealed.

Meanwhile, the exports of cutlery from the country witnessed a decrease of 3.80 percent during the first seven months of financial year 2021-22 as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The country exported cutlery worth US $67.676 million during July-January (2021-22) against the exports of US $70.352 million during July-January (2020-21), showing decline of 3.80 percent, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Meanwhile, on a year-on-year basis, the cutlery exports also decreased by 20.69 percent during the month of January 2022 as compared to the same month of last year. The cutlery exports in January 2022 were recorded at $8.622 million against the exports of $10.871 million in January 2021, the PBS data revealed.

On a month-on-month basis the export of cutlery witnessed a decline of 14.20 percent in January 2022 as compared to the exports of $10.049 million in December 2021.

05

PAkIStAn urgeS reStrAInt, ‘AvoIdAnce of dISProPortIonAte ActIonS’ In ruSSIA-ukrAIne conflIct united nationS

P

app

AKISTAN has called for restraint and avoidance of disproportionate actions in the conflict stemming from Russia’s “special military operation” against Ukraine and expressed “deep concern” over the failure to resolve the week-long crisis through diplomatic means.

“We note with deep concern the failure of diplomacy and human rights and humanitarian implications arising from the conflict,” Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN office in Genera Ambassador Khalil Hashmi told the UN Human Rights Council,

which met in an urgent session on Thursday.

“We condole the loss of precious human lives, stand in solidarity with the affected families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he told the delegates.

“Pakistan is committed to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter: self-determination of peoples, non-use or threat of use of force, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and pacific settlement of disputes,” Ambassador Hashmi stated, adding that human rights and adherence to obligations under international humanitarian law remained imperative.

A diplomatic solution, he said, is indispensable to de-escalate the con-

flict, and mitigate further human suffering and displacement.

The Pakistani envoy welcomed the recent talks between the two sides and urged its continuation while emphasising that human rights and protection of those stranded in the conflict should also be part of this dialogue process.

“Humanitarian assistance must be extended to all affected without discrimination based on race, nationality, religion and ethnicity. We support stepping up humanitarian efforts and facilitating the safe evacuation of civilians,” Hashmi said.

He maintained that Pakistan is seriously concerned about the safety and welfare of all civilians, including Pakistani citizens and students in the con-

Xiaomi smartphone manufacturing facility inaugurated: Hammad

flict zone.

He stated that most of the Pakistani citizens have been evacuated and those remaining Are being facilitated.

“We thank the cooperation extended by Ukrainian authorities as well as other countries. We call on all parties to provide safe passage to stranded civilians,” the ambassador urged.

The diplomats said that the debate on the situation between Russia and Ukraine is expected to continue on Friday when the 47-member council will vote on a resolution, tabled by Ukraine.

The resolution seeks the establishment of a commission of inquiry to probe the alleged abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law during Russia’s offensive.

SPI Inflation decreases to 15.23pc on yearly basis

iSLamaBad

iSLamaBad

staff report

staff report

Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar has said that Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi Technology has inaugurated its manufacturing facility in Pakistan with Air Link Communication.

The energy minister in a tweet on Friday said that with a planned investment of $500 million, Xiaomi is entering a huge Pakistani market for mobile exports.

“Xiaomi Technology inaugurates it’s manufacturing facility in Pakistan with AirLink Communication with a plan of $500mn investment and Pakistan entering into the huge market for mobile exports,” the minister tweeted.

The development comes days after Air Link announced that its set to commence production of Xiaomi handsets in the country.

In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday last, Air Link informed that the inauguration ceremony of the mobile device manufacturing facility for the production of Xiaomi handsets in Pakistan is planned to be held on March 4, 2022 at Quaid-e-Azam In-

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based weekly inflation increased for the third straight week by 0.04 percent; however, it decreased 15.23 percent on a yearly basis.

According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday, on a year-on-year basis, inflation decreased to 15.23 percent from 15.90 percent recorded a week earlier. The SPI-based weekly inflation registered an increase for the week ended on March 3, 2022, the third week in a row, after registering an increase of 0.51 percent and 0.22 percent in the preceding weeks.

The weekly inflation for the lowest income group (Q1) witnessed an increase of 0.12 percent, while it went 11.86 percent up on a year-on-year (YoY) basis for the same group. Overall for the other four income groups, the weekly inflation surged from -0.03 percent (Q5) to 0.13 percent (Q3), while it went up from 12.87 percent (Q2) to 16.61 percent (Q5) on a year-on-year (YoY) basis.

According to the PBS, the combined index was at 170.53 on March 3, 2022 as compared to 170.47 on February 24, 2022 while the index was recorded at 147.99 a year ago on March 4, 2021.

The SPI is computed on a weekly basis to assess the price movements of essential commodities at a shorter interval of time so as to review the price situation in the country. The SPI with base 2015-16=100 comprises 51 essential items and the prices are being collected from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country for all expenditure groups/quintiles and combined.

During the week under review, out of 51 items, prices of 19 (37.25%) items increased, prices of 13 (25.50%) items decreased, and prices of 19 (37.25%) items remained stable.

dustrial Estate, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore.

Air Link said the initiative is expected to generate a sales volume of $550 million per year while creating thousands of jobs in Pakistan.

Xiaomi is a global technology giant with a current standing of 334 in the Fortune Global 500 companies, said Air Link.

“It became the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in Q2-2021, surpassing Apple at the time, and is currently number one in Europe and many other major markets including India. The Chinese smartphone manufac-

turer made a record 190.4 million smartphone shipments in 2021.

“This production facility is a step forward in the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of ‘Made in Pakistan’ and will have a huge impact on Pakistan’s economy resulting in the export of locally-produced Xiaomi mobile phones,” Air Link added.

Last year in April, Air Link started to manufacture mobile phones locally in Pakistan with a monthly capacity of 400,000 units per month, which is expected to reach up to 550,000 units per month by FY23.

Markhor population doubles in 3 decades in Pakistan LaHore anadolu agency

When the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified markhor, or wild goat, as an endangered species in Pakistan, the northwestern provincial administration worked hard to protect its population, which has more than doubled in the last three decades.

As the world celebrated World Wildlife Day on Thursday, the local community organised workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the importance of protecting markhor. They pledged to preserve the animal from illegal hunting and to work with the government to protect wildlife.

Pakistan is well-known for its markhor, which is distinguished by its nimble and sure-footed nature, as well as its long winter coat and massive spiral horns that can reach more than 1.5m (150 inches) in length on males.

They inhabit the highest mountains and can be found in the KhyberPakhtunkhwa province’s Chitral, Kohistan, and Kalam regions, as well as the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

cmYK

Markhor was listed as an endangered species by the IUCN in 1994 due to overhunting for meat and horns, and its population number was estimated to be less than 2,500 at the time. However, according to the most recent government data, there are between 5,000 and 6,000 wild goats. “We have created the best model of community conservators,” Muhammad Altaf Ali Shah, divisional forest officer in Wildlife Department’s Chitral office, told Anadolu Agency.

“The department issues licenses to hunt only older markhors. We do not allow the hunter to shoot females or newborns,” Shah said. Hunting female markhor or young babies is prohibited, he said, adding, “According to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Act 2015, any hunter who kills a female or a young markhor faces a six-year prison sentence or a fine of up to 150,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $850), or both.”

The government uses the license money, which is in US dollars, to support local communities by building schools, mosques, health centres, and even providing scholarships to local students, the official said.

06-07 Comments - 5th March 2022_Layout 1 3/4/2022 11:15 PM Page 1

Saturday, 5 March, 2022

06 COMMENT

Perils of alliance

Imran Khan’s new mission Mediating between USA and Afghan Taliban

U

ZBeK president shavkat Mirziyoyev spent two days in pakistan. While at a joint presser on thursday prime Minister imran Khan dilated on the need to fight islamophobia, promote pilgrimage tourism and cultural exchanges while the Uzbek president pointed out the huge opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment and science of technology. Both sides however agreed to enhance connectivity via Afghanistan.

Landlocked Central Asia has a population of about 72 million. A number of countries in the region are rich in oil and gas reserves, produce raw material or have extra supply of electricity that can be exported. south Asia on the other hand has a chronic shortage of energy needed by industry, the agricultural sector and expansion of urban centres. Central Asia is also a big market for machines and equipment, chemical products, food and metals. What the region needs is connectivity. pakistan can provide the region the nearest and cheapest sea ports. What stands in the way are unsettled conditions in Afghanistan. Despite pressures from all over the world to respect the rights of girls to seek higher education and of women freedom to do jobs the Afghan taliban are unwilling to do the needful. the UsA is being equally unjust by refusing to release Afghan government funds despite fast deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan.

Mr Khan has now pledged that pakistan and Uzbekistan would meet with the Afghans to see what “conditions” are required for recognition from the international community and what Afghanistan can do to gain international recognition. One wonders if the pM has enough time to do the job. Despite this one would wish him Godspeed. in case the mission fails pakistan and Central Asian states need to resort to an alternate arrangement already in place. the Quadrilateral traffic in transit Agreement (QttA) between China, pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan provides an alternative gateway to Central Asia by completely circumnavigating Afghanistan and linking Central Asia with the Karakorum Highway through China. Both Uzbekistan and tajikistan have since long been expressing seriousness to join the QttA to access pakistan’s ports. there is a need on the part of pakistan and Central Asian states to take recourse to QttA.

How India hopes to exploit the US-China rift against Pakistan dr shoaib baloch

D

espite its geo-economic shift, pakistan is at the epicentre of a regional geopolitical earthquake. the shifting sands of regional geopolitics push pakistan to the central stage of new regional reality; a new power arrangement in the region will create serious challenges for the country.

After dissociating itself from crisis-based relations with great powers and exploring the economic realm for engagement, pakistan has embraced a new doctrinal shift which gives commerce, trade and regional connectivity prime importance. But changing regional geopolitics creates a stumbling block for pakistan to realize its economic potential and keep distance from bloc politics as it has strategically bruised the country for years, inflicting political and economic shock. pakistan’s tortured relations with the UsA seem to have reached the cusp of disengagement. An eroding world order, emerging great-powers challenges, unfolding ecological disaster, and advancing technological development have drastically changed Us foreign policy priorities. Now pakistan is no longer a strategic partner of the UsA in the region to counter China, while india is cozying up with the UsA and collaborating in defence that enables New Dehli to modernize its military. Certainly, it increases pakistan’s defence burden, thereby risking the country’s geo-economic policy and making it a security state aiming to build an impregnable defence against the adversary.

Keeping in view india’s conventional superiority and its advancing arms development with the help of the UsA, pakistan again creeps in an arms race that will consume much of its energy, obstructing its socio-economic progress. What policy pakistan chalks out is influenced by regional geopolitical developments. india’s regional outreach compels pakistan to formulate counter-policy approaches in order to neutralize the enemy’s aggressive behaviour. Besides this, war crimes by indian troops in Kashmir is another complication that never allows pakistan to shift its focus on internal issues.

Given the indo-Us strategic partnership, pakistan falls short to ensure full spectrum deterrence. the Basic exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BeCA) between the UsA and india is a new bilateral defence agreement that allows india to get access to the UsA’s most sophisticated military weapons and provides the indian military with geospatial information, which is extremely accurate to launch missiles

Apology 15 years too late Siddiqui’s apology for 2007 massacre makes one wonder

Mustafa abdullah baloch

P

AKistAN is facing a challenging time with international and domestic conflicts.

Russia has locked its horns with the West and prime Minister imran Khan’s ill-timed visit to Moscow has put pakistan on the spot. While the entire West is putting its weight behind Ukraine during this war pakistan should have stayed neutral just like China. But with poor foreign policy since day one and getting no response from Washington, Khan took a frustrating step without realizing its repercussions. Amidst all this, the political temperature within pakistan is touching its threshold.

Constant meetings of opposition parties with each other and with Khan’s allies has worried the pM who used to say “ghabrana nahi hai” (don’t worry). ‘strike the iron when it’s hot.’ that’s what ppp Chairman Bilawal Bhutto did by kicking off a 10day-long march towards islamabad from Karachi. the timing of the march was perfect to mount public and political pressure on Khan. Already the opposition has decided to bring a no-confidence motion against the prime Minister and supposedly a forward bloc of the ruling party led by the pM’s ex friend is ready to vote against him. All this has cumulatively worked in favour of the opposition, specially for the

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

Of all security threats, IndoUS strategic bonhomie is the gravest security challenge for Pakistan. It threatens Pakistan’s territorial integrity and national cohesion. India will try to exploit all internal faultlines to demoralize the nation. Therefore, Pakistan needs to discuss its concerns with the USA through diplomatic channels.

Perhaps if Pakistan does not serve the US strategic interests against China, exploring other avenues for engagement will reduce the trust deficit between both countries

People’s March

M

QM (p) convener Khalid Maqbool siddiqui’s apology for the loss of 50 lives in the massacres of 12 May 2007 might have been taken with greater seriousness if it had not taken so long, or if it has not come at juncture when the MQM(p) had split. At the time of the massacre, the MQM was still united behind Altaf Hussain, even though at that point he had been in self-exile since 1992. true, Mr siddiqui himself and the leadership of the MQM(p) had been in senior leadership positions at the time of the massacres, but his apology, given almost as an aside while addressing the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, fell short of identifying those responsible for the attack.

Mr siddiqui should not forget that the massacres, mainly of ppp and ANp activists supporting Chief Justice iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, whose visit to Karachi provoked them, had the support of the law enforcement agencies, which stood by as the MQM rioted. the MQM was trying to support then president Gen pervez Musharraf for ethnic reasons, but even before, was enveloped by a miasma of violence that ensured that its support would be accompanied by a liberal use of strongarm tactics. the party only was brought to heel by the 2017 split within the party, and the induction of the Rangers for a clean-up operation. Responsibility for the massacres was not assigned, and thus the apology does not really do more than renew old wounds, who have not healed despite the passage of a decade and a half. it cannot escape notice that the matter was raised in a city which itself has suffered much violence, the latest example being a bomb blast only a couple of days before, and at a time when the MQM(p) is being wooed by both sides for support in the opposition’s no-trust move. there is still a need to investigate the case, if only to bring closure for the families of the victims.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

against the enemy country.

Despite knowing the potential danger of india’s military advancement, the UsA is disdainfully feeding the very source of instability in the region. the more the UsA arms india, the greater the instability that occurs in the region which endangers regional peace and stability. india’s military advancement is not only a threat for pakistan, but for the whole region. it is obvious that the UsA intends to build a potential strategic partner against China, but it also awfully shatters the regional balance of power and spursthe arms race. By aligning with the UsA, india strives to cash in on the opportunity to be the regional hegemon. it increases the risk of confrontation. perhaps, the UsA strategically encircles China through creating a ring of regional alliance, but arming aggressive countries like india with advanced military technology would be against the UsA’s own interest in the long run. Once india’s power grows to the level of a great power, it will become difficult for the UsA to tame it. And also, but for now, india is too big to be used by the UsA against China in the region. Just because india has territorial disputes or strategically is on a collision course with China does not mean it will fight the Us war in the region. But india tries to build its own military by exploiting the Us strategic needs of the time.

As india increases its military power, it becomes the sick man of Asia. it tries to have a finger in every strategic pie in the region. it is neither in the Us interest, nor is it in the interest of any other country to disrupt the strategic balance of the region. Almost all

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

countries in the region feel threatened by an emerging rogue regional master, which endeavours to establish its own regional order by lording over it. the fallout of Us partnership with india is visible. After estimating its place in Us strategic calculus, india has illegally occupied the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir by discarding its special status. Notwithstanding human rights is the central plank of Us foreign policy, india’s naked aggression in the Kashmir valley is shrugged off by the international community in general, and the UsA in particular. similarly, the pulwama/Balakot crisis is another illustration of how india is encouraged by Us partnership to use aggression.

With the view to bring pakistan to strategic terms in Kashmir, india will apply all possible tactics and seize every opportunity which emerges from shifting global power dynamics. india operates with impunity from global multilateral forums and powerful countries because the UsA needs india in this critical juncture to manage great powers, so it serves india’s strategic exigency to mount its aggression against pakistan and make its Kashmir occupation a fait accompli.

Of all security threats, indo-Us strategic bonhomie is the gravest security challenge for pakistan. it threatens pakistan’s territorial integrity and national cohesion. india will try to exploit all internal faultlines to demoralize the nation. therefore, pakistan needs to discuss its concerns with the UsA through diplomatic channels. perhaps if pakistan does not serve the Us strategic interests against China, exploring other avenues for engagement will reduce the trust deficit between both countries.

ppp which has taken an individual stand by marching against Khan.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has got overwhelming support from his home ground and is aiming for a huge crowd in the capital gathering from all over the country. Amidst this pressure the pM announced reduction in prices of petrol and diesel, and electricity just after the people’s March entered its second day. this was a sign of victory for Chairman ppp Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who had successfully gained the momentum from the start of the march. the optics of the people’s March are alarming for Kha,n who in his address to the nation sounded weak and defeated. With a short time and nothing much to offer, Khan has lost the battle already. Khan’s unpopular decisions, disconnect from masses and personal vendetta with opposition and his own party people has left him with no space to rescue his unpopular government. the damage is already done, his ego and arrogance has led him towards downhill. in politics it’s all about how one reacts to a particular situation, it’s a battle of nerves. Khan is calling the wrong shots under pressure. the pti tried to counter the people’s March in sindh just to create a conflict but ultimately faced miserable defeat. some federal ministers, including the Foreign Minister, made an awful attempt to agitate but couldn’t get any substantial response.

Now, all eyes are on Bilawal, who is young and energetic with a charismatic personality. He is a crowd puller; and has the same charm as his mother and grandfather possessed. this time he is accompanied by his younger sister Aseefa Bhutto Zardari who mirrors the image of pakistan’s former prime Minister shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto; this duo will

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

The writer is a strategic affairs and foreign policy analyst. He tweets at: @drsho_aib

surely gather a good crowd in punjab. if Khan stops the march from entering the capital then the situation can get ugly. the ppp, with a history of facing challenges under dictatorships, will not revert back if pushed away by a government which is already weak; rather the ppp will gain more political strength. if the no-confidence motion gets successfully passed in favour of the opposition while Chairman Bilawal enters islamabad, then a huge share of credit would be given to him. people who are already affected by inflation, instability and weak governance of Khan would cheer Bilawal for taking an initiative in getting rid of pti’s government. such movements always energize the workers of a party, and here the plus-point of ppp is a strong coordinated party structure and ample experience of struggle. While the pML(N) is a victim of its own internal crisis as to who will be the next in the driving seat. Mian Nawaz sharif being in London and the obvious cold war between uncle and niece has created much confusion within their party ranks.

However, collectively the opposition is on the same page to oust imran by hook or by crook. the match is headed towards its final over, Kaptaan is on a weak pitch, and a young dynamic batsman with blazing eyes, wearing a jersey with Bhutto written on it, is at the crease. the young Bhutto is charged, composed and in a good form, and knows when and where to hit the ball, while the aged bowler has lost the pace and morale. However, the people’s eleven looks strong and energized while the tabdeeli eleven is in an awful shape as its key players are not satisfied with the poor decisions made by the Kaptaan. the stadium is packed with a charged crowd chanting slogans in favour of the people’s batsman. the match has entered towards a nail-biting climax and the predictions suggest the people’s victory.

However, the People’s Eleven looks strong and energized while the Tabdeeli Eleven is in an awful shape as its key players are not satisfied with the poor decisions made by the Kaptaan. The stadium is packed with a charged crowd chanting slogans in favour of the People’s batsman.

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

The writer is a columnist and member PPP, and tweets at MustafaBaloch_

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 5th March 2022_Layout 1 3/4/2022 11:15 PM Page 2

Saturday, 5 March, 2022

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, pakistan today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to pakistan today exclusively

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

According to reports, citizens are facing severe difficulties getting Mtag. Motorway police launched a crackdown on vehicles without M-tags, preventing vehicles without M-tags from entering the motorway. Queues have formed at the M-tag booths making it a hassle for those wanting to arrive at their destinations on time. While talking to the media, passengers said that there are long queues wherever they go, all the booths of the Lahore-islamabad motorway are full of traffic and it takes 2 to 3 hours to apply for an M-tag. passengers said, “Many people are in an emergency but are not allowed to pass without M-tag.” However, motorway authorities said that the main purpose of the change is to reduce the time wasted in several kilometre long queues at the toll plazas. it will also help digitize the whole process and make it a lot smoother.

MUHAMMAD AHSAN KAMAL RAwALpiNDi

Stable currency and economic growth

The RSS’s re-imaging efforts amount to whitewashing gore The RSS is central to the Sangh Parivar, which includes the BJP

aMjed jaaved

T

He right-wing extremist Hindu organization Rashtriya swayamsevak sangh (national volunteer organization) will complete 100 years on 27 september 2025. the Rss has planned to extend its influence not only within india but also without. it has begun to hold discussions at its affiliated networks on a wide range of issues. the Rss plans to increase its 55,000 branches at the divisional level to 100,000 by 2025. the Rss was founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, at Nagpur on 27 september 1925. it is the progenitor of the umbrella group of organizations, the sangh parivar (sangh family), whose influence has percolated into all facets of indian society. the Rss has a network of charities and educational institutions to spread its controversial Hindutva ideology.

Hedgewar was inspired by the european right-wing groups during World War ii, such as the italian Fascist party. the Rss’s founder went to Calcutta to obtain military training from secret Bengali organizations then fighting for independence from the yoke of British rule. However, his critics point out that he was no freedom fighter.

He had submitted a bond to the British of unflinching support to get released from exile in Andaman and Nicobar island. the Rss’s membership runs into millions. it imparts paramilitary training to its Hindutva recruits of all ages. the Rss is trying tooth and nail to dispel the impression that it is a fascist organization. the present-day advocates (pracharaks) of the Rss portray the organization as “a pacifist body”.

While delivering a lecture ‘Hinduism and National Integration’ at the Rss’s headquarters at Nagpur, Rashtriya swayamsevak sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said that Hindutva is not an ‘ism’, the english translation of Hindutva is Hinduness. He added that the derogatory statements made at the functions of Dharma sansad (“religious parliament”, [Haridwar]) do not represent Hindu ideology. earlier, while speaking at a book launch event organised by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, the Muslim wing of the Rss, Bhagwat said the sangh has always believed that the DNA

of the people of india is the same and that both Hindus and Muslims are one entity. He further says that there would be no Hindutva without Muslims. His inference is that Muslims enjoy political equality in india despite the fact that their religion did not originate here.

Bhagwat envisages the Constitution as a tool to achieve a new national consensus, which could be modified, amended, and even revised from the Hindutva point of view through a legal process. Bhagwat’s queer logic is that the “Hindutva does not want a Hindu state; instead, it wants a constitutional state of Hindutva nation”.

Bhagwat and other Rss’s ideologues have been making pro-minority statements to placate minorities, particularly the Muslim. Bhagwat’s latest statement should be viewed in the backdrop of assembly elections in the indian state of Uttar pradesh (results due on March 10, 2022). the fact remains that C.p. Bhishikar’s biography of Hedgewar; Keshav Sanghnirmata tells how the Rss founder equated Muslims to “yavana” (foreigner/barbarian) hissing snakes. the Rss spurns indian Constitution and believes india is a place for the Hindu nation (rashtra) to live exclusively in. it is eerie to hear Bhagwat emphasises that the DNA of the Muslim and the Hindu is the same.

An ideologue, M.s.

Golwalkar, referred to Christians and Muslims as “internal threats” and foreign snakes (yavana snakes). He praised Nazi Germany as an example of “race pride” from which india could learn. satish Misra, a political analyst at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi says, [indian prime minister] “Modi is the most loved child of the Rss.” Neerja Chowdhury, a political commentator and columnist reported: ‘the party advocates that to be a true indian one has to be a Hindu. it describes other religious minorities, sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, as part of india, because their faiths originated there. they believe that even india’s Muslims are actually Hindu because their Hindu ancestors were forced to convert to islam’. the anti-conversion laws in states, ban on cow slaughter, annexation of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir state, and now the combined civil code on the anvil are the Rss’s demands. the Rss wants to convert non-Hindus to Hinduism under its ghar wapsi (homecoming) or reconversion policy. On the eve of the recent elections in Uttar pradesh, the BJp unveiled a manifesto enhancing punishment for interfaith marriages to the maximum. the Rss’s ideology, as expounded by its founders, is moored in fascism. By 2025, the or-

ganisation wants to spread its influence abroad. it is a paramilitary adjunct to the Bharatya Janata party. it is notorious for the role of its goons in beating and even killing protesters (controversial citizenship laws, Babri mosque demolition, etc).

However, it could not show its legerdemain in quelling the farmers’ ongoing protest because the farmers were by and large united. the Rss is fast influencing not only the Hindu but also the Muslim (Muslim munch). it showcases its Muslim members, Muslim munch or wing to prove that even minorities join it of their own free will. Felix paul (Yale University) contradicts the Rss’s claim. He has inferred that Muslim show-pieces join the Munch, inter alia, for fear of insecurity and abhorrence of their self-centred Muslim leaders, “anticipating material reward”. By providing empirical evidence, he challenged”the ideological claims of the Hindu right; that they are winning over indian Muslims”. He says, “the Rss’ proximity to the incumbent BJp government, and its expansive institutional penetration make it a prime candidate for incentivising Manch membership and support.” in the past, the Rss floated several fake minority outfits like the Rashtriya sikh sangat, the Rashtriya isai Mahasangh and the sarva panth samandar Manch. the only one active is the Rashtriya sikh sangat which operates a tiny clandestine network. the Rss’s genocidal role is a caricature of the indian constitution, visualizing a `sovereign socialist secular democratic republic’ and its article prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. the Hindu civil and military leadership is nostalgic about ancient india’s prosperity during the Maurya and the Gupta periods achieved through total-war tactics (Major General Rajendra Nath, Military Leadership in India: Vedic Period to Indo-Pak Wars). the Rss extols that period as idyllic. A keynote of Krishna’s strategy: `end justifies the means. the truth may often have to be sacrificed in pursuit of victory (karma parva)’.

Brihaspati and Kautilya (Arthashastra) stress koota yuddha (no-holds-barred war) or maya yuddha (war by deception) against the non-Hindu. the international authorities should outlaw the Rss and its offshoots for their militant role against minorities.

The RSS’s genocidal role is a caricature of the Indian constitution, visualizing a `sovereign socialist secular democratic republic’ and its article prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.

The writer is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com

A stable currency is very important to achieve real economic growth for any country in the world. it appears that our honourable prime Minister, Mr imran Khan does not understand this economic matter in the real sense because he is a cricketer turned politician. pakistan Rupee has depreciated about 45% during the last three and a half years since imran Khan came into power in the August of the year 2018. the exchange rate of pak Rupee was Rs 120 = 1 Us$ in August 2018 which is now Rs. 175= 1 Us$. Forty-five percent of the depreciation of its currency is an economic disaster for any country. When a currency is depreciating and has a weaker outlook, the investment stops coming from abroad. A country like ours can’t achieve real economic growth without foreign investment. secondly, a devaluation tends to cause inflation especially in our country which has huge imports of goods. since we have very sizeable imported contents in our consumption, the prices of goods and services increase immediately after devaluation making the life of a common man very difficult. theoretically, devaluation should result in an increased demand for exports because our exports become cheaper abroad for the foreign buyers but we don’t get any noticeable increase in our exports after devaluation because we don’t have any significant exportable surplus.

On the contrary, we make a loss in a real sense as our exporters are asked by the foreign buyers to reduce the prices of goods in Us $ because our exporters get more Rupees of their export proceeds of Us Dollars after devaluation. in view of the above, i suggest to the honourable prime Minister, Finance Minister and Governor of state Bank of pakistan to take necessary steps stabilise pak Rupee and stop it from further devaluation.

EJAZ AHMAD MAGOON LAHORE

Heart disease in Pakistan At present, approximately 2380 deaths worldwide are caused by heart attacks every year. in the coronary heart attack deaths, pakistan is ranked 18 out of 183 countries of the world according to global health rankings. in a conference, Dr Naeem Malik, chairman of the pakistan institute of Medical sciences, said that 47 people die of heart attack every hour in pakistan. According to cardiologists, the main cause of heart diseases is high blood pressure, smoking, and non-exercise. According to a global report, 17 million deaths occur every year in the world, and 19% of deaths in pakistan are due to heart attacks, which has reached 29%.

Medical experts should immediately investigate this as part of their research paper, that What are the causes of the spread of the disease, which has been increasing rapidly every year. in pakistan, the National institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NiCVD) has been gaining worldwide recognition for the establishment of satellite centres in every district of sindh with all free treatment of heart diseases. NiCVD is the first and largest flagship institute of heart diseases in Asia. the government of pakistan should expand free heart care services overall the country by establishing medical institutions same as NiCVD as well as providing information on prevention and treatment of this alarming disease through social awareness campaigns for healthy diet and lifestyle in the public. iMDAD JAMALi KARAcHi

Guns and butter ALL over the world, countries are spending an exorbitant amount of money on national security, while spending on human welfare is declining.

Millions of children are out of school in pakistan because our government does not spend as many resources on the education sector. the United states, whose GDp is very high, also ranks low in nonmilitary measures of human security indexes. Military-industrial complexes are lobbying congress to increase defence spending. One case in point is the difficulty that Joe Biden’s government faces in trying to get its “build back better bill” passed. Arms exports to countries with human rights problems e.g saudi Arabia, UAe is fueling more war and misery in Yemen, syria, etc. in Afghanistan, many people are facing food insecurity as the world spends hundreds of thousands of dollars per minute on military preparations. the number of people seeking refuge in developed countries has increased. Recently a stand-off between refugees and police at poland and Belarus border is a testimony to human suffering. in pakistan, poverty causes many people to join extremist outfits.

Youth bulge in pakistan may cause havoc if unemployment, inflation, poverty, etcetera is not controlled. every rupee spent on national security is a rupee not available for children education, human welfare, and other development projects. All over the world the frustration is rising. people want basic facilities and a high standard of living.

HALEEMA SADiA KALLAR SyEDAN

08 WORLD VIEW 5th March 22_Layout 1 3/4/2022 10:05 PM Page 1

Saturday, 5 March, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

MiDDle east eye Jonathan Cook

i

T is simply astonishing how many western journalists, including normally cautious BBC reporters, are shamelessly fawning over young women building Molotov cocktails on the streets of Ukrainian cities like Kyiv. It’s suddenly sexy to make improvised explosives – at least, if the media consider you white, European and “civilised”.

That might surprise other, more established resistance movements, especially in the Middle East. They have invariably found themselves tarred as terrorists for doing much the same. Western journalists’ difficulty containing their identification with, and support for, Ukraine’s civilian “resistance” must be maddening to Palestinians in tiny Gaza, for example, who have been locked into a metal cage by an Israeli military occupier for decades.

Palestinians in Gaza make their own Molotov cocktails. But because they can’t get close to the Israeli army, they have to pack them into balloons that drift over the steel barrier surrounding Gaza and into Israel, sometimes setting fire to fields. No one from the BBC has celebrated these “incendiary balloons” as a small act of resistance.

They are reflexively blamed on Gaza’s governing group Hamas, the political wing of which was recently designated a terror organisation by the British government.

DOUBLE STANDARDS: Palestinians in Gaza have also suffered a trade blockade by Israel for the past 15 years, one designed to put them on a “starvation diet”. Protesters, including women, children and people in wheelchairs, have regularly turned out to throw a stone in the direction of distant Israeli snipers, hidden behind fortifications, as a symbolic way to demand their freedom. These protesters have often been shot by the Israeli army in response.

The western media offer occasional anguish at the lives lost or the legs amputated of those targeted by the snipers. But none of them cheerlead this Palestinian “resistance” as they do the Ukrainian one. More usually, the protesters are treated as dupes or provocateurs of Hamas.

Gaza, unlike Ukraine, does not have an army, and its fighters, unlike Ukraine’s, are not being armed by the West.

The Guardian newspaper even censored its cartoonist Steve Bell when he sought to depict one of the victims of Israel’s snipers, a nurse, Razan al-Najjar, who had been trying to help the wounded. The paper implied that the cartoon – of Britain’s then prime minister, Theresa May, welcoming her Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, to London, with al-Najjar a sacrificial victim behind them in the fireplace – was antisemitic.

Assuming the media has in the past been reluctant to encourage ordinary people to confront well-armed soldiers – so as to avoid civilian casualties – then why has that policy suddenly been ditched in Ukraine?

The double standards are glaring and everywhere. It is impossible to claim that the journalists doing this are ignorant of reporting conventions elsewhere. They are mostly veterans of Middle East war zones, well used to covering Gaza, Baghdad, Nablus, Aleppo and Tripoli.

FUELLING THE FIRE: Britain and other European states have chosen to fuel the fires of resistance in Ukraine by sending it weapons that can only lead to greater loss of life, especially of civilians caught in the crossfire. One might have expected the British media to examine the ethical implications of such a policy, and the hypocrisy. But not a bit of it.

In fact, much of the media have not only been acting

The WesTern media have abandoned all reporTing norms in Ukraine CONDELEEZA RICE, AN ARCHITECT OF THE CRIMINAL INVASION OF IRAQ, HAS NOT BEEN CHALLENGED BY THE MEDIA OVER HER UTTER HYPOCRISY IN AGREEING THAT “WHEN YOU INVADE A SOVEREIGN NATION, THAT IS A WAR CRIME.” IF THAT IS THE CASE – AND INTERNATIONAL LAW SAYS IT IS – THEN RICE HERSELF SHOULD BE ON TRIAL AT THE HAGUE

as lobbyists for more weapons to be sent to the Ukrainian army, they have whipped up support for civilians in the UK to get more involved in the fighting.

That has been the case even after No 10 distanced itself from comments by Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, that Britons should be encouraged to volunteer for Ukraine’s so-called “international legions”, supposedly to defend Europe.

Her position was in conflict with usual government practice, which has treated those heading off to fight in war zones in the Middle East as terrorists. Shamima Begum, who went to Syria aged 15, has been stripped of her British citizenship and denied the right to return for doing what Truss has proposed in Ukraine.

Nonetheless, that did not dissuade the BBC from travelling to Essex to meet “Wozza”, a supplier of surplus British army kit he has been selling cheaply to Ukrainians in Britain so they can head off to the battlefront. Wozza was shown tearing off Union Jack insignia from uniforms so Ukrainian militiamen could use them.

Compare that with the treatment of an entirely peaceful form of resistance by westerners in solidarity with the Palestinians, the international Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) movement. It has been treated as barely better than terrorism, with bans on support for BDS across Europe and the US. COMPROMISED ‘IMPARTIALITY’: It is hard to remember in all the media agitation over Ukraine that this sympathetic coverage flies in the face of its reporting conventions. It is inconceivable, of course, that Britain would ever send arms to help, for example, Gaza liberate itself.

For that reason, the media will never have the opportunity to exercise their vocal chords in outrage at such a development. In fact, the western media more typically echo western government opposition to any support for Gaza, even construction materials like cement to rebuild the enclave after one of Israel’s intermittent wrecking sprees.

That is because reporters treat uncritically Israeli claims that humanitarian aid will be repurposed by Hamas and bolster “terrorism”. Back in 2010, for example, a BBC Panorama programme failed to mention that an Israeli naval attack on a humanitarian aid convoy to besieged Gaza was conducted illegally in international waters. Nine activists trying to deliver aid items like medicine to Gaza aboard the Mavi Marmara ship were killed by Israeli commandoes, but the interviews with these masked men were largely uncritical. There was very little sympathy from the BBC for that act of resistance against a brutal occupier.

A year earlier, the BBC broke with tradition and refused to broadcast a long-established aid appeal because on this occasion it was to provide food and shelter to Gaza, following an Israeli assault that destroyed swaths of the enclave. The BBC justified the decision on the grounds that it would compromise its “impartiality” – something it seems entirely unconcerned about in Ukraine. The BBC had not responded to questions about these inconsistencies by the time of publication.

FOG OF WAR: The battlefield is well known for becoming quickly enveloped in the fog of war. That is one reason why inexperienced journalists are cautioned by their editors to wait for evidence and to be alert to propaganda. In practice, however, one can assess where the media’s sympathies lie – concealed behind flimsy claims of objectivity – by noting when and for whose benefit these caution rules

are abandoned, and which side’s narratives are accepted quickly and uncritically. In the Middle East, it is clear that US, European and Israeli claims are all too readily amplified, even when their veracity is in doubt.

Such media-fuelled lies have been manifold. That Israel urged the Palestinians it expelled in 1948 to return home.

That Saddam Hussein’s troops ripped babies from incubators in Kuwait, and that the Iraqi leader colluded with his arch-enemy, al-Qaeda, in the 9/11 attacks. That Muammar Gadaffi’s soldiers in Libya took Viagra to rape civilians in Benghazi. That Russia paid bounties to the Taliban to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan. These deceptions and fabrications grabbed headlines when they were useful as propaganda, only to be quietly withdrawn much later on.

In the case of Ukraine, a similar pattern appears to be emerging. There were widespread, inciteful and entirely fictitious reports in the western media of Russian troops butchering a contingent of 13 Ukrainian soldiers on Snake Island, in the Black Sea. A fake audio tape was released of the Ukrainians supposedly cursing the Russian invaders. Ukraine’s government promised each of them a Hero of Ukraine award.

But in fact, it was Russian media reports that were true. There were 82 Ukrainian soldiers and they had surrendered. All were alive and well. In another example, a clip from a video game was widely promoted as a heroic lone Ukrainian fighter pilot – dubbed the Ghost of Kyiv – shooting down Russian planes and helicopters. Misinformation has been shared even more aggressively on western social media accounts, and most of it is designed to evoke sympathy for Ukraine and hostility to Russia.

SOFTENING-UP OPERATION: But what we are seeing is more than just an appetite in the media for evidencefree stories and falsehoods so long as they are directed against Russia. And it is about more than the media’s sympathy for Ukrainian “resistance” denied other groups battling their oppressors, when those oppressors are the West and its allies. The media is chock full of commentators far more rabidly tribal than even western governments and military generals. The media chorus for “more war” seems to be serving as an ideological softening-up operation, clearing the path for governments as they prepare for more extreme propaganda and undemocratic measures.

Along with many others, Mail on Sunday commentator Dan Hodges has been calling for a no-fly zone over Ukraine that even Boris Johnson has rejected for very obvious reasons. It would lead Europe into a direct confrontation with the Russian airforce and risk confrontation with a nuclear power.

Nonetheless, Hodges has described any rejection of this idea as “an act of appeasement no different to our appeasement of Hitler in 1938”. Russia’s invasion came after nearly a decade of goading by the US using Nato as cover to forge ever tighter military relations with its neighbour.

Rightly or wrongly, Moscow interpreted Nato’s behaviour as an aggressive move by the US and its allies into its “sphere of influence”. The idea that no concession could, and can, be made to Russia – that the only “moral choice”, as Hodges calls it, is risking a potential nuclear war – should be understood as the belligerent provocation it clearly is.

NBC News’ chief foreign correspondent, Richard Engel, tweeted out what he saw as a “risk calculation” and “moral dilemma”: should the West bomb a convoy

of Russian tanks on their way towards Kyiv? Apparently concerned by current inaction, he asked: “Does the West watch in silence as it rolls?”

UTTER HYPOCRISY: Condeleeza Rice, an architect of the criminal invasion of Iraq, has not been challenged by the media over her utter hypocrisy in agreeing that “When you invade a sovereign nation, that is a war crime.” If that is the case – and international law says it is – then Rice herself should be on trial at the Hague.

Or what about the media’s horror this week at the shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, where “dozens” were reported killed? Compare that to the media’s breathless excitement over the “Shock and Awe” bombing campaign that likely killed thousands in the opening hours of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

What about the media’s mostly complicit silence over many years of Saudi bombing – using British planes and bombs – of civilians in Yemen, leading to a barely imaginable humanitarian catastrophe there? Those in Yemen who resist the Saudis are not heroes to our media, they are simply dismissed as puppets of Iran?

Veteran BBC journalist Jeremy Vine, meanwhile, expressed the view that conscripted Russian soldiers “deserve to die” when they put on a Russian army uniform.

“That’s life,” he told a shocked caller to his show. Did Vine think British and US troops – professional soldiers, unlike Russia’s conscripts – also deserved to die when their armies illegally invaded Iraq? And if not, why not?

The racist undertones and overtones of much western coverage – with commentators and interviewees regularly stressing how Ukrainian refugees are “European”, “civilised”, “blond haired and blue eyed”– is hard to miss.

STATE PROPAGANDA: And in the midst of this rampant, often unhinged western war propaganda, much of its coming from the British state broadcaster, Europe has banned Russia’s state broadcaster RT from the airwaves, while Silicon Valley scrubs its presence from the internet. There is no doubt that RT generally promotes an editorial line largely sympathetic to Moscow’s foreign policy goals – just as the BBC can invariably be relied on to promote an editorial line largely sympathetic to Britain’s foreign policy goals. The problem for western audiences is not their exposure to Russian state propaganda. It is their constant exposure to relentless western state propaganda.

If we seek peace – and there are few indications of that at the moment – then we need the western media held to account for its mindless jingoism, its exaggerations, its credulity, its double standards, and its deceptions. But who is going to act as a watchdog on the supposed watchdog of the Fourth Estate?

Right now, we need voices from Russia to understand what Putin thinks and wants, not what the BBC’s “chief international correspondents” think he wants. We need information sources ready to quickly challenge both western and Russian “fake news”.

And most of all we need to stop with our racist view of the world, in which we are always the Good Guys and they are always the Bad Guys, and in which our suffering matters and the suffering of others doesn’t.

Jonathan Cook is the author of three books on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and a winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism.

plundering of afghan assets by americans is blatant theft PeoPle’s Daily online Chen Zi

U

S President Joe Biden recently signed an order to free up $7 billion in Afghan assets now frozen in the U.S., splitting the money between a fund for victims of the 9/11 attacks and a trust fund to help the people of Afghanistan.

The order, upon its adoption, brought about heated discussions in the international community, with the hashtag “The United States is stealing Afghanistan’s money” having become a heatedly debated issue on Twitter.

Ajmal Ahmady, former head of Afghanistan’s central bank, revealed on social media that Afghanistan has some $9 billion in foreign reserves and that the majority of that amount – some $7 billion – is being held in banks on U.S. soil.

Before the U.S. completely withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, the U.S. government announced plans to freeze the foreign reserves held by Afghanistan’s central bank. Among the frozen reserves, there are rescue funds Afghanistan had received from the international community as well as the savings of ordinary Afghan people.

The bank has claimed that the money belongs to the

THE BLOOD DEBT THE US OWES TO AFGHANISTAN IS TOO ENORMOUS TO COUNT Afghan people, not any government organizations, political parties or any other organizations.

The White House explained that families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks had filed lawsuits against the Taliban, which they held responsible for the death of their beloved ones, having also sought compensation from the assets of Afghanistan’s central bank in the U.S. The Biden administration has since indicated its support for such appeals.

However, what the White House said has not been consistent. According to a report by the New York Times, what makes the White House’s statement complicated and self-contradictory is that the U.S. has never recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government in Afghanistan, so if the frozen funds do not belong to the Taliban, how can they possibly be used as compensation for the victims of the 9/11 attacks?

In 2001, U.S.-led military forces invaded Afghanistan, having inflicted suffering on the Afghan

people. More than 30,000 innocent civilians were killed during the Afghanistan War and about 11 million people became refugees.

In 2021, the U.S. decided to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. The 20 years of war in Afghanistan destroyed the peaceful lives the Afghan people could have otherwise enjoyed, bringing devastation and desolation to the country. Statistics from the UN World Food Programme showed that 22.8 million Afghans now face lifethreatening food shortages, and about 3.2 million Afghan children under five years old suffer from malnutrition.

At this critical moment, the U.S. did not shoulder its due responsibility to help the Afghan people alleviate their humanitarian crisis. Instead, it openly plundered the country’s assets, while further aggravating the suffering of the Afghan people. What the U.S. has done, by arbitrarily freezing Afghan assets and even taking the assets as its own, is tantamount to stealing money from Afghanistan.

These assets are considered “life-saving” money for

the Afghan people, and yet they are now being used as nothing but a tool of the U.S. to create political benefits for its own country. According to the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a U.S. think tank, Biden’s decision to freeze and then redistribute Afghanistan’s reserves was a political move designed to show his Republican opponents how tough he can be on the Taliban.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted that the behavior of the U.S. has testified to the essence of the so-called rules-based international order as touted by the Americans. U.S. behavior has revealed just what order it actually is – an order of power politics devised for the purpose of maintaining U.S. hegemony.

As a matter of fact, not all the relatives of victims of the 9/11 attacks had sought compensation, with some of them having expressed the hope that the Biden administration could retract the relevant decisions it has since made.

“We can’t bring our loved ones back,” Barry Admunson, who lost his brother in the 9/11 attack, told the media. “But we can save the lives of people in Afghanistan by advocating that the Biden Administration release this money to its rightful owners: the Afghan people.” The blood debt the U.S. owes to Afghanistan is too enormous to count.

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS Power with Safety: KE Removes 2000 Hazardous Illegal Connections in Korangi Pursuant to provide safe and reliable power supply to its valuable customers, K-Electric continues its efforts against illegal encroachments and the kunda network across Karachi.

In this regard, KE teams successfully dismantled kundarelated encroachments in 13 different locations in Korangi.

Around 2000 illegal and unsafe connections from the KE network were being used to acquire electricity for both residential and commercial premises around PQR Commercial Area, Jumma Goth, Ilyas Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, Baloch Para, Labor Colony, Sector 48-F & 48-F/1, 51B, 51C, 32 A, Rashid Market, Rahimbad which were then removed. It noteworthy to mention that only 700 illegal and unsafe kudas were removed from the vicinities of Jumma Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, Baloch Para, 32 A area and Rashid Market areas. pr

Standard Chartered and British Asian Trust celebrate the impact of the Agripreneur project KARACHI: Standard Chartered and The British Asian Trust (BAT) orchestrated a grand ceremony to celebrate the success and impact of their collaborative “Agri-preneur Project”. This event was held at the British Deputy High Commission’s Runnymede Garden in Karachi, to celebrate the impact of this resourceful venture. The key stakeholders and distinguished guests expressed their delight on the successful execution of the Agri-preneur project. In eighteen months, this livelihood initiative directly supported 1000 young women and men, enabling them to nurture profitable and sustainable agricultural enterprises, in the rural and peri-urban regions of Sindh and Punjab. pr

09

HOnDA LAUnCHES THE ALL-nEw HOnDA CIvIC 2022, wITH ITS CLASSy, ExqUISITE LOOKS, BEST In CLASS FEATURES & HOnDA SEnSInG SUITE LAHORE

H

pr

ONDA Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL) has launched the All-new Honda Civic, the most exquisite car of 2022. The Allnew Honda Civic was launched at a spectacular event held at a Hotel in Lahore. The HACPL Management comprising Chairman; Mr. Aamir H. Shirazi, President & CEO; Mr. Hironobu Yoshimura & Senior Management of HACPL along with our Prestigious Media / Dealers & Corporates were a part of the launch event.

The All-new Honda Civic is flawlessly advanced and exhibits an opulent design that makes it one of the ultimate sedan in its class. For the first time in Pakistan HACPL has introduced Honda SENSING in The All-new Honda Civic 2022. Honda SENSING is an advanced and comprehensive suite of Safety and Driver-assistive technologies designed to assist and help protect drivers. The Allnew Honda Civic is a testament from the makers to fortify its position as the leading car manufacturer in the country.

Mr. Aamir H. Shirazi, Chairman Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan while addressing the audience, emphasized on 3 successful decades of excellence and

superiority of Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan (Limited), where Honda dominated the industry with its innovation and incomparable product and services.

Honda staying true to its core positioning of “Power of Dreams” have fulfilled the dreams of Pakistani customers.

“We hope you will relish the AllNew Honda Civic just as much as we enjoyed crafting it.”

Addressing the audience, Mr. Hironobu Yoshimura, President & CEO Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan introduced the most luxurious and advanced car of the year while also highlighting Honda’s decades-long legacy of innovation in the automobile industry. He added that the All-new Honda Civic is

the most advanced and spectacular sedan in its category and perfectly embodies luxury, looks, comfort and safety. The All-new Honda Civic features cutting-edge technology of Honda SENSING with features and performance that signifies innovation making it a timeless piece of art.

Mr. Amir Nazir, General Manager Sales & Marketing gave an overview of the car and highlighted the features of All-new Honda Civic. He also emphasized on how the new model is a class that shines through the rest in terms of design, performance, safety and features.

The All-new Honda Civic comes in three variants, RS CVT, Oriel CVT and Standard CVT. All variants carry-

ing exceptional features.

All variants have a premium and sporty exterior design with an aggressive front and clean side & rear profile.

For the first time roof laser brazing is introduced which makes it noiseless roof.

All variants ensure maximum safety & security by features like Driver & Passenger Airbags, ABS + EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hills Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Impact Mitigating Headrest, ACE Body Structure, Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Technology, ECU Immobilizer, Security Alarm, Walk Away Auto Locking, Auto Door Lock by Speed and many more. In Exterior, all variants carry Premium Daytime Running lights, attractive rear lights, Auto Retractable Mirrors, & high ground clearance. Interior color is Gray and Black, 7” TFT Meter, Driver Attention Monitor, Tilt & Telescopic steering with audio MID & Cruise Control switches, Self-opening trunk, & and unique Rear Seat Reminder feature. It is comfortably spacious cabin along with bigger trunk space.

The new All-new Honda Civic has classy aesthetics and is designed to deliver a comfortable yet luxurious driving experience. All-new Honda Civic RS incorporates some of the most advanced features like Card Key & Remote Engine Start.

Ehsaas Emergency Cash package of Rs. 20,000 each for returning IDPs in Tirah ISLAMABAD: Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM visited Tirah Valley in Khyber Tribal District today. She welcomed thousands of internally displaced families returning home after twelve long years. During the visit, she announced the federal government’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash package for 15,699 affected families, after the Prime Minister’s approval. Each family will get one off cash assistance of Rs. 20,000 as an immediate relief. In Tirah, Dr. Sania was joined by senior officials of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps KP. She also interacted with the men as well as women of affected families and assessed their need. “I salute the bravery and sacrifices of internally displaced families of Tirah who had to stay away from their homes for the last 12 years owing to militancy and following military operation. It is very heartening to see that life in Tirah Valley is now returning to normalcy. Federal government is committed to support all the affectees returning to different parts of Tirah. While in Tirah, Dr. Sania also reviewed arrangements being made to open Ehsaas Registration Desks. Ehsaas’ shock-responsive registry is being operationalized in the valley for self-registration of families in need of Ehsaas’ cash assistance. According to PM’s directives, one food truck of Ehsaas has also been mobilized in Tirah to deliver cooked meals to people. 15,699 families had to vacate the valley when militants occupied their area, situated near the Afghan border, and a military operation started against them.

Security forces have now cleared the region of militants that is why displaced families are now coming back to their homes.

Tirah valley is located around 90 km away to the southwest of Peshawar. The valley is home to six major Afridi tribes including Bar Qambar Khel, Qamar Khel, Kuki Khel, Malik Din Khel, Sipah, and Aka Khel. pr

SAP Pakistan, a subsidiary of the world’s leading digital solutions provider, SAP, has closed the previous year with great success and excellent performance. During the year 2021, SAP digitized numerous companies from textile, food, banking, power, cement and various other industries in both the public and private domain. pr

CEO PIA, Air Marshal Arshad Malik plants a sapling at the airline's Head Office as PIA in collaboration with NFEH launched their joint Tree Plantation Campaign on the arrival of Spring Season. pr

Chairman PTA Meets Director ITU (BDT), Chairman MCMC; Signs Agreement with A4AI ISLAMABAD pr

Chairman PTA, Maj. Gen. (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa held meetings with Director of ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) and Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona.

The Chairman also signed a cooperation agreement with Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), World Wide Web Foundation to address digital gender gap in Pakistan.

The Chairman briefed the ITU Director, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Chairman (MCMC) about PTA’s efforts on digital inclusion of women and girls in ICTs through series of agreements with national and international

stakeholders. During Chairman PTA’s discussion with Chairman (MCMC)

Dr. Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek; both sides discussed the challenges as-

sociated with regulation of the Overthe-top (OTT) platforms in their respective countries. Moreover, a cooperation agreement was signed by Chairman PTA and Executive Director, A4AI Ms. Sonia Jorge.

Under this collaboration, PTA will be working towards bridging the digital divide in Pakistan by making use of A4AI’s policy and regulatory good practices and resources. PTA and A4AI will conduct a series of gender-responsive workshops in Pakistan to promote awareness around gender mainstreaming in ICTs and enhance the understanding of key stakeholders to tackle the digital gender divide in Pakistan. This agreement will further strengthen PTA’s commitment to make women an integral part of the digital transformation process in Pakistan.

Unilever Pakistan and Circle Pakistan have partnered to set up a digital training program exclusively for deserving women in the city of Rahim Yar Khan. This program will train 50 women in 2022 and another 200 women by 2023. pr

OGDCL in collaboration with AlShifa Trust organizes free eye camps in all four provinces ISLAMABAD: In order to provide free eye treatment to underprivileged individuals, OGDCL in collaboration with AL-Shifa Trust organized “Free Eye Camps” in all four provinces of the country. In Sindh Province, 10 free camps were organized across 06 districts i.e. Sanghar, Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Jamshoro & Hyderabad. 02 more camps are scheduled from 9th to 17th March 2021. Total 22,880 patients have been treated in Sindh Province. pr

FUI teams participate in opening ceremony of Kamyab Jawan Sports Gala

FUI teams participated in the Opening Ceremony of Kamyab Jawan Sports Gala jointly organized by HEC and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) from (06-09) December 2021 at Sports Complex, Islamabad. The event was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 06th December 2021.

FUI took part in seven games including, athletics, football, squash, boxing, tennis, handball, and volleyball. pr

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FORIGEN NEWS

China’s top politiCal advisor Calls for enhanCing unity among all Chinese

C

MIAN ABRAR

HINA’S top political advisor Wang Yang called for efforts to strengthen unity among all Chinese on Friday, as the country’s top political advisory body started its annual session in Beijing.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC. “Strengthening the great unity among all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation is the historic responsibility of the CPPCC in the new era,” Wang said when delivering a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session.

“Unity is the root from which the CPPCC blossomed, and the source of energy that has allowed our organization to carry on and thrive,” he added.

The CPPCC should strive to “expand common ground and achieve the greatest possible convergence of interests, and promote harmony in relations between political parties, between ethnic groups, between religions, between social strata, and between our compatriots at home and

abroad,” he stressed.

To strengthen unity throughout the Chinese nation, the CPPCC needs to “be adept at using the methods of democracy, discussion, criticism and persuasion to properly handle problems among the people,” he said, highlighting the role of “honest consultations” in boosting social unity. He also called for upholding the leadership of the CPC and described the Party as the “center for the Chinese nation’s unity.”

Reviewing the work of the CPPCC National Committee and its standing committee during the past year, Wang said a top priority was to deliberate and offer suggestions on tasks outlined in

China’s development blueprint – the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

He noted that the top political advisory body conducted 25 consultation sessions, organized 82 inspections, surveys and research tours, filed 5,039 proposals, and collected and distributed 867 conference speeches during the past year.

Members of the CPPCC National Committee attend the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4, 2022. /Xinhua It carried out research and deliberation on various issues vital for advancing high-quality development, such as ex-

panding domestic demand, reinforcing China’s strategic science and technology capabilities, implementing the Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and systematically planning for new types of infrastructure, he said.

It will continue to promote high-quality development with high-quality recommendations in 2022, he said.

Wang underscored efforts made by the top political advisory body on affairs concerning Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan during the past year.

The CPPCC National Committee and its standing committee encouraged political advisors from Hong Kong “to voice their support for the National People’s Congress in improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, promoted the implementation of the principle that Hong Kong should be governed by patriots, and offered suggestions on responding to the [COVID-19] epidemic and fostering patriotism among young people in Hong Kong and Macao,” he said.

The top political advisory body also co-hosted the fourth Strait forum on community-level governance as part of the 13th Strait Forum, he added.

“These efforts helped strengthen unity and friendship with our compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas,” he said.

ISKP founding member surrenders to Taliban govt in Afghanistan PEsHAWAR agencies

One of the founding members of ISKP terrorist group, also known as the Islamic State in Khorasan province (ISKP or ISIS-K), has surrendered to Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

The development came during a meeting held in the country’s Nangarhar province on Friday that was attended by security officers and local Taliban author-

ities. The renowned ex-Taliban leader and ISKP regional chief Shaikh Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, surrendered to the Taliban authorities in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province. Last year, Dost parted ways with the ISKP and became a vocal critic of the terrorist group. He was also among the Taliban leaders who fought against Western forces in Afghanistan.

The ISKP, despite its small numbers, has proved lethal and took credit for several major terrorist attacks in Afghanistan

and Pakistan.

According to data collected by Islamabad Policy Research Institute – IPRI, 515 people were killed, while 893 were injured in eight attacks by the ISKP in Pakistan. In 22 attacks, the group carried out in Afghanistan, 912 people were killed and 1,597 injured from 2016 to 2021. US President Joe Biden had also warned the ISKP that it will have to “pay the ultimate price” after it claimed the responsibility of a horrific attack at Kabul

airport last year in August.

“To ISIS-K we are not done with you yet,” Biden said in his address to the Americans, a day after his country pulled out the last of its troops from the war-ravaged country, bringing to an end to its 20year long war. “To those who wish America harm, we will hunt you down and you will pay the ultimate price,” he said in a stern warning to the ISIS-K, which has emerged as a major threat to regional peace.

us senator lindsey graham calls for putin’s assassination AFP Senior US senator Lindsey Graham called for “somebody in Russia” to assassinate President Vladimir Putin after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in a televised interview on Thursday evening. “How does this end? Somebody in Russia has to step up to the plate… and take this guy out,” the senator told conservative Fox News TV host Sean Hannity. He repeated the call later in a series of tweets, saying “the only people who can fix this are the Russian people.” “Is there a Brutus in Russia?” asked the senator, referring to one of Roman ruler Julius Caesar’s assassins. The former presidential candidate also wondered if “a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg” existed in the Russian military, alluding to the German officer whose bomb failed to kill Adolf Hitler in 1944.

“You would be doing your country — and the world — a great service,” he added. The senator, who has served in Congress for over twenty years and has at times been a close ally to former president Donald Trump, had earlier in the day introduced a resolution condemning the Russian president and his military commanders for committing “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity”. Ukraine says at least 350 civilians have been killed since Putin launched the invasion last week, and over 1 million have fled the country. Moscow claims it does not target civilian areas, despite widespread evidence to the contrary.a

Russian forces seize Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine KYIV ReuteRs

Russian forces seized the largest nuclear power plant in Europe after a building at the complex was set ablaze during intense fighting with Ukrainian defenders, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday.

Fears of a potential nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia plant had spread alarm across world capitals before authorities said the fire in a building identified as a training centre, had been extinguished.

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said there was no indication of elevated radiation levels at the plant, which provides more than a fifth of the total electricity generated in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian regional authority confirmed in a

Facebook post that Russian forces had captured the plant and said personnel were monitoring the condition of power units to ensure they could operate safely.

Earlier, a video feed from the plant verified by Reuters showed shelling and smoke rising near a fivestorey building at the plant compound.

The footage shot at night showed one building aflame, and a volley of incoming shells exploding beside a car park and sending smoke billowing across the compound.

“Europeans, please wake up. Tell your politicians – Russian troops are shooting at a nuclear power plant in Ukraine,” Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address.

Zelenskiy claimed Russian tanks had shot at the nuclear reactor plants, though there was no evidence cited

that they had been hit.

The mayor of the nearby town of Energodar about 550 km southeast of Kyiv said fierce fighting and “continuous enemy shelling” had caused casualties in the area, without providing details.

Thousands of people are believed to have been killed or wounded and more than 1 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin last Thursday launched the attack.

Early reports of the incident at the power plant sent financial markets in Asia spiralling, with stocks tumbling and oil prices surging further.

“Markets are worried about nuclear fallout. The risk is that there is a miscalculation or over-reaction and the war prolongs,” said Vasu Menon, executive director of investment strategy at OCBC Bank.

Taking China as rival will only damage China-U.S. trust, cooperation: spokesperson BEIJING Xinhua

Taking China as a rival will only undermine the China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation, said a Chinese spokesperson Friday.

Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation should be the right approach for China and the United States to get along with each other in the new era, Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress,

said at a press conference.

The key to peaceful coexistence is mutual respect, he said, stressing that win-win cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also the shared aspiration of the international community.

To use China’s development as an excuse and take China as a strategic rival will only erode the mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, and will eventually hurt its own interests of the United States, the

spokesperson noted.

The practices of drawing lines based on ideology, forming exclusive circles and stoking confrontation between blocs all go against the trend of the times and will lead to nowhere, he said.

Stable ties between China and the United States are good for the development of both sides, and conducive to maintaining international peace and effectively responding to climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and other global challenges, Zhang said.

modi does not condemn ukraine invasion in Quad talks REutERs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday again stopped short of condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in talks with leaders of the United States, Australia and Japan, instead emphasising that the group should remain focused on regional issues. New Delhi has long walked a tightrope in its relations with the West and Moscow — which supplies most of India’s arms — and President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Russia’s eastern European neighbour has highlighted the difficulty of the balancing act. After Modi met with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, a joint statement was released, but his office issued a separate readout. Modi “underlined that the Quad must remain focused on its core objective of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” his office said. “Developments in Ukraine were discussed in the meeting, including its humanitarian implications. The prime minister emphasised the need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy.” India has repeatedly urged Russia and Ukraine to cease hostilities but has stopped short of condemning Moscow’s military assault.

Saturday, 5 March, 2022 | KARACHI

Ton-up Imam-ul-Haq punIsHes falTerIng ausTralIa In fIrsT TesT rawalPinDi

r

afp

ECALLED opener Imam-ul-Haq said his hundred against Australia was “special” as Pakistan finished the opening day of the first Test against Australia on a commanding 245-1 in Rawalpindi on Friday.

The 26-year-old left-hander marked the first Test by Australia in Pakistan for 24 years with 132 not out, leaving the tourists frustrated on a dry and flat Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch.

“A hundred against Australia is special and different from other teams,” said Haq, playing his first Test since December 2019.

“I was not getting chances in Tests, but I was following the process — and it’s nice to take challenges like this one, against a formidable attack of Australia.”

Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998 for security reasons, and on Friday, at least 56 people were killed and nearly 200 wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a Shiite mosque in Peshawar, about 190 kilometres (120 miles) west of Rawalpindi.

Australian interim head coach Andrew McDonald sent condolences from the team, adding: “We will be guided by our security team, but we’re in really, really good hands.”

At the close Friday, veteran batsman Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 64, having added 140 for the unbroken second wicket

after Pakistan won a crucial toss and opted to bat. shaping well: Haq put on a confident 105run stand for the opening wicket with Abdullah Shafique as Australia used eight bowlers, but only spinner Nathan Lyon (187) managed a scalp in 31 tireless overs.

Shafique miscued a lofted shot off Lyon in the penultimate over before lunch

for 44. He was shaping well after getting a life on 21 when Travis Head dropped a sharp chance at leg slip off Lyon, who extracted spin from the outset.

Shafique hit three boundaries and a six during his enterprising knock.

That brought Azhar to the crease, and the Pakistanis dominated the Australian attack — forcing skipper Pat Cummins to

use part-time spinners Head, Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, but to no effect.

Haq drove pacer Mitchell Starc to the cover boundary to complete his century in 277 minutes. He has batted for 379 minutes, hitting 15 boundaries and two sixes, also improving on his previous best of 76 made against the same opponents in Dubai in October 2018.

islaMaBaD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Officer Faisal Hasnain said on Friday that it was a historic moment as international cricket has revived in Pakistan which will send a powerful and positive message to the rest of the world. Pakistan is up against Australia on home ground today (Friday) after a 24-year hiatus.

Hasnain stated during a press conference today (Friday) that Pakistani cricket fans have waited 24 years for this moment and expressed gratitude to the Australian Cricket Team for their tour to Pakistan.

Nick Hockley, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Australia, thanked the PCB for the warm welcome and “best security” provided to their team.

Hockley stated that Australia’s confidence has strengthened after seeing cricket preparations and enthusiasm in Pakistan. Todd Greenberg, CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, commended the Pakistan and Australian cricket boards for their hard work.

The Rawalpindi Test marks a new beginning for the two teams’ cricket ties, Faisal Hasnain concluded.

Pakistan vs australia encounter in rawalPindi: Both teams are stacked with world-class players and proven Test performers who have made their

names across multiple formats around the world. For Pakistan, Babar Azam, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, and Mohammad Rizwan are going to shoulder batting responsibilities, while Australia possesses batters like Steve Smith, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne.

The two sides have kept a close eye on the Rawalpindi

pitch, which has a tradition of being a sporting one. The last Test played at the venue was Pakistan’s 95-run triumph against South Africa almost a year ago.

Since the return of Test cricket to Pakistan in December 2019, this will be the fourth Test at the venue. The 2020 Pakistan-Sri Lanka match ended in a draw.

Russia to appeal World Cup ban MOscOw The Russian football federation (RFU) said on Thursday that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

prize distribution ceremony of 20th saadia Khan ski Cup Press release

History made as international cricket revives in Pakistan

agencieS

SPORTS 11

against its expulsion from the 2022 World Cup and all international competitions.

Russia was due to face Poland on March 24 in a World Cup play-off. But on February 28, FIFA and UEFA banned the country from all competitions in response

to the invasion of Ukraine. In a statement in Russian, the RFU said it planned to launch a single lawsuit against the global and European governing bodies to “demand the restoration of all men’s and women’s national teams of Russia for all types of football.” It added that it planned to seek “compensation for damage.” On Monday, FIFA and UEFA announced the expulsion of Russia from all international football. “FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice,” read a joint statement. The RFU responded on Monday by denouncing the suspension as “discriminatory”.

The RFU statement complained that they had been unfairly treated, saying it believed “FIFA and UEFA did not have a legal basis when deciding on the suspension of Russian teams. It violated the fundamental rights of the RFU as a member of FIFA and UEFA, including the right to take part in competitions.”

“The Russian Football Union was also not granted the right to present its position,

CMYK

which violated the fundamental right to defence.” It said “FIFA and UEFA did not take into account other possible options”. The RFU said it “will insist on an accelerated procedure for considering the case.” Russia were scheduled to play Poland in a qualifying play-off semi-final on March 24, and might have faced Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 for a place in the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.

FIFA originally announced that Russian teams would be allowed to continue under the name of the Football Union of Russia, playing home games on neutral territory and behind closed doors, and with the Russian flag and anthem banned. Those measures were dismissed as “totally unacceptable” by Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza, who added that Poland would not play against Russia, “no matter what the name of the team is.” The Swedes and Czechs also said they would not face the Russian team. The RFU questioned their motives. “The decision to withdraw the national team from qualification for the 2022 World Cup was made under pressure from direct rivals in the play-offs, which violated the sporting principle and the rules of fair play.”

Prize distribution ceremony of 20th Saadia Khan Ski Cup and Children Ski Championship-2022 was held at PAF Ski Resort, Naltar on Friday. Begum Maliha Imran, wife of Director General Administration, Pakistan Air Force was the Chief Guest at the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of PAF and WSFP for the promotion of winter sports in Pakistan. She also congratulated all stakeholders for successfully holding the mega event. The Chief Guest also awarded medals amongst the winning players. Pakistan Air Force clinched the winner trophy of 20th Saadia Khan Ski Championship and Children Ski Championship2022. In Saadia Khan Giant Slalom category, Ms. Khusim Sahiba of PAF, Ms. Ifrah Wali of GBWSA and Ms. Fatima Ali of GB Scouts were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively. In Slalom category Fatima Ali of GB Scouts, Khusim Sahiba of PAF and Ifrah Wali of GBWSA bagged Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

australian cricket legend shane Warne dies of ‘suspected heart attack’ agencies Australia cricket legend Shane Warne has died of suspected cardiac arrest at the age of 52 years. Warne’s management had released a brief statement that he passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack. “Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement read. “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.” Affectionately known as ‘Warnie’ and adored by millions across the globe, Warne is considered by many as the greatest bowler to ever play the game.

His stellar international career spanned across 15 years and saw him take 708 Test wickets — the most ever for an Australian, and the second-most of all time behind only Muttiah Muralitharan. Having made his Test debut at the SCG in 1992, Warne rose to become a key figure across all formats in one of the greatest sustained periods of dominance by any team in world cricket. He was a member of Australia’s World Cup win in 1999, and five Ashes-winning sides between 1993 and 2003. He later played in the Indian Premier League and other Twenty20 competitions before retiring from all international cricket in 2013 but continued to be involved in the game as a broadcaster.

ramiz raja gives nod for Women’s psl from next year news Desk Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced to hold a PSL-style league next year for women cricketers, head of women’s wing Tania Malik announced on Wednesday.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja has also given the approval. The idea was to commence the league this year, but it was decided to stage from next year due to no space in the current window. During a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, Tania Malik also hailed the performances of the women’s team as they have won two warm-up games in the World Cup, beating New Zealand and Bangladesh. “Our team combination is good, and hopefully, the team can progress in the final four. Meanwhile, Tania praised Southern Punjab Cricket Association for taking the lead in promoting women’s cricket at the grass-root level. A T20 match will be played between Southern Punjab and Sindh on March 4. The match is taking place as part of the Women’s Day celebrations.

“Since taking office, women’s cricket has been facing difficulties. Efforts are being made to take steps for the promotion of women’s cricket and women to come forward in every field,” Tania added. It must be noted Chairman Ramiz Raja had hinted at launching women and U19 PSL in his first press conference as chairman.

Saturday, 5 March, 2022

pRayeR timings

NEWS Rain-wind thunderstorm expected in upper parts of country next week ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt

As per Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) fresh weather advisory on Friday warned that a westerly wave is likely to enter Western Parts of the country on Saturday (night) likely to persist in Upper parts of the country till Thursday, 10 March 2022.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm with light to moderate snow over hills and hailstorm in various parts of the country are expected during the said period.

On the basis of PMD weather forecast, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued instructions to respective Provincial and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) and other relevant departments to stay vigilant and promptly ensure precautionary measures to avoid any loss of life or property during the said period.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and DDMAs have been directed further to coordinate with concerned departments for restoration of roads in case of any blockage or obstruction, and to ensure tourists, visitors in at-risk in affected areas to be apprised and forewarned about weather forecast.

Iran nuclear deal ‘close’, European diplomats to consult with ministers A deal on reviving the 2015 accord between Tehran and world powers on Iran’s nuclear programme is “close”, Britain said on Friday, at a crunch point for negotiations in Vienna.

“We are close. E3 negotiators leaving Vienna briefly to update ministers on state of play,” British diplomat Stephanie Al-Qaq said on Twitter, referring to negotiators from Britain, France and Germany.

Along with counterparts from China, Iran and Russia they have been taking part in the latest round of talks in the Austrian capital since late November.

The US has been participating indirectly.

Also on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein AmirAbdollahian said he was prepared to travel to Vienna if a deal is reached to revive the accord.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer told reporters that “we have received very positive signals that (Russian) Foreign Minister (Sergei) Lavrov will take part” in an expected meeting of foreign ministers in the event of an agreement being reached.

The 2015 deal began unravelling when former US president Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, prompting Iran to start disregarding the limits on its nuclear activity laid down in the agreement. agencies

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:39

12:45

4:05

6:55

6:34

7:50

TAREEn To Fly bACk To PAkISTAn In CoUPlE oF dAyS ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt

J

AHANGIR Tareen, the estranged leader of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is all set to travel back to Pakistan on March 6. The announcement was made by Tareen’s close aide and PTI MPA Salman Naeem. Salman Naeem said that he had spoken to Tareen and inquired about his health, adding that his medical re-

ports are all clear.

It merits mention that Tareen is in London for his medical treatment for the past one week.

Salman further said that Tareen would reach Pakistan on March 6 from the United Kingdom, and will be present whenever the Opposition tables its no-confidence motion against the PTI-led government.

Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that PM Imran Khan had

Saudi Crown prince says Israel ‘potential ally’ RIyADh agencies

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Israel a “potential ally” and said in a wide-ranging interview published on Thursday that he wants to “work it out” with Iran.

Crown Prince also called the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi “a huge mistake” for which he was unfairly blamed, and revealed a penchant for hit TV series “Game of Thrones”.

“For us, we hope that the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians is solved,” the prince told The Atlantic, ac-

cording to a transcript issued by the official Saudi Press Agency.

“We don’t look at Israel as an enemy, we look to them as a potential ally, with many interests that we can pursue together.

But we have to solve some issues before we get to that.”

Saudi Arabia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, but in 2020 Gulf allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates normalised ties with the Jewish state.

The normalisation deals under the US-brokered Abraham Accords angered the Palestinians, who condemned them as a “stab in the back”.

Saudi relations with Israel’s

arch-foe Iran, blamed by Gulf states for creating chaos in the region, have at the same time showed signs of improvement with several rounds of talks hosted by Iraq.

“They are neighbours.

Neighbours forever. We cannot get rid of them, and they can’t get rid of us,” the prince said of Iran.

“So it’s better for both of us to work it out and to look for ways in which we can coexist,” the transcript said he told the US monthly publication.

“Hopefully, we can reach a position that’s good for both countries and is going to create a brighter future for this country and Iran,” he added.

AEMEND rejects ‘illegal, unconstitutional’ PECA ordinance The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), in its annual session, completely reject the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), declaring it to be against freedom of expression and basic human rights. According to a statement issued by the association, AEMEND considers that the purpose of this ordinance is to “curb the freedom of media and people in violation of the basic spirit of the Constitution of Pakistan”. The association demanded the government to immediately and unconditionally withdraw this “illegal, unconstitutional, undemocratic and anti-media” PECA Ordinance. news desk

called Tareen to inquire about his health himself.

“The prime minister was informed that Jahangir Tareen was unwell,” Qureshi had said.

Sources had informed Geo News said Tareen spent a week in a private hospital in Lahore for medical treatment, adding that the PTI leader would spend a week in London.

“I’m going for a medical checkup [but] we must stay united and in touch,” Tareen told lawmakers who have been sympathetic to him.

SC takes notice of Rs3.5tr tax revenue claims stuck in litigation The Supreme Court (SC) has taken notice of a media report, which had revealed that about Rs3.5 trillion of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) tax revenue claims are stuck in litigations, and directed the FBR to submit a report on the veracity of the information mentioned in the news report through the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) office within a week, Express Tribune reported on Friday. According to the media outlet, the news report had revealed the details of the pending litigation at different forums and the same data was shared in the meeting presided by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah on February 22. According to the details, around 80 percent of FBR’s tax revenue claims are pending at internal forums of the tax collection body, such as the collector commissioners and appellate tribunals.

Moreover, until January 25, a total of 90,426 tax cases were pending at different forums wherein Rs3,303,740 million revenue claims were involved. Of the Rs3.5 trillion, Rs2,556 billion tax claims were pending at appellate tribunals and collector commissioners. A total of 58,937 matters were pending in appellate tribunals wherein Rs950 billion tax revenue was involved; 19,523 cases were pending in collector commissioners in which Rs1,606 billion tax revenue was claimed by the FBR. “Around Rs410 billion of tax revenue claims are stuck in superior courts.” A total of 2,959 cases were pending in the Supreme Court wherein Rs72.208 billion tax revenue was involved. Up to 1,298 FBR cases were pending in the IHC in which Rs232.66 billion tax claims were involved. news desk

UAE poised for FATF’s ‘gray list’ over allegations of ‘dirty money’ The United Arab Emirates is set for inclusion on a global watchdog’s “gray list” after some of its members indicated that the Gulf nation hadn’t made enough progress in tackling illicit financial flows, according to people familiar with the matter, says a report published in Bloomberg. At least three members of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force have expressed the view that the UAE hasn’t done enough to exit the review process and therefore will likely get put on the group’s list of countries subject to more oversight, said the people, who requested anonymity as the matter is private. The organization is currently holding its plenary, where members are discussing the UAE government’s efforts to combat dirty money, and a decision is expected to be announced as early as Friday. To avoid the designation, a significant majority of the FATF’s 39 members must vote that a country has made sufficient progress since the evaluation period began. Just a few votes to the contrary can result in a jurisdiction getting added to the list of nations under increased monitoring, the people said. A gray-list classification isn’t as punitive as the group’s highest-risk “black list,” and it suggests that UAE officials are taking steps to address the country’s current deficiencies, the people said. Still, the decision is potentially the most significant step to be taken by the FATF in its three-decade history, given the UAE’s position as a regional financial center.

FATF, set up by the Group of Seven major economies, has some two dozen nations — including Turkey, Zimbabwe and Albania — on its gray list, with Iran and North Korea on the black list. The UAE government said it will release an official response once the decision is out. A spokesperson for FATF said its internal deliberations are confidential. For the UAE, being gray-listed would be a setback at a time when it faces greater competition from neighboring Saudi Arabia, which is growing its financial markets and taking steps to lure more investment. In practical terms, a gray-listing would force Wall Street banks, which use Dubai as their regional headquarters, to dedicate additional resources to compliance in order to avoid future penalties from international regulators.

The decision could also have an impact on Abu Dhabi, the nation’s capital and home to sovereign wealth funds with more than $1 trillion of assets. news desk Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk