EpaperLHR_20-10-15

Thursday, 15 October, 2020 I 26 Safar, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 106 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

Working toWards equality: imran pleased With unhrC re-eleCtion IsLAMABAd

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staff report

rime minister imran Khan expressed his pleasure at Pakistan being re-elected to the United nations human rights Council (UnhrC) and said that Pakistan would continue to combat bigotry while “guided by principles of universality, impartiality, dialogue and cooperation”. in a series of tweets, Pm imran on wednesday said that Pakistan was happy to be part of the UnhrC for the fifth time and that it would continue to strive for consensus building and to battle against intolerance. “we remain committed to upholding human rights for all, prioritizing advancement of tolerance & constructive engagement. we stand resolute against

islamophobia,” the premier said on twitter. he also commended the actions of the Foreign office in this “diplomatic achievement”.

Foreign minister shah mahmood Qureshi called Pakistan’s re-election to the UnhrC an “important diplomatic achievement”, radio Pakistan reported. the country was re-elected to the UnhrC a day earlier with an overwhelming majority, securing 169 votes in the 193-member Un General assembly (UnGa). among the five candidates from the asia-Pacific region vying for four seats, Pakistan secured the highest number of votes. in a statement, Qureshi said that Pakistan was supported by every region in its re-election while influential and important countries had also backed the country’s bid.

“i thank all the countries for their support,” Qureshi said. “this vote also highlights our three-year performance in the human rights Council. Pakistan’s role is valued by the world.”

Qureshi said human rights violations were increasing in occupied Kashmir and becoming a part of the Un body at this critical juncture was a big achievement. he said that Prime minister imran Khan wrote letters to heads of different countries to seek their support in these elections, whereas he [Qureshi], being the foreign minister, also contacted his counterparts of various countries.

Qureshi also congratulated the Un division and the Geneva team on Pakistan’s re-election. talking about human rights violations in indian occupied Kashmir (ioK), Qureshi stressed that they were on the

rise, and becoming a part of the council at a critical time such as this was a great achievement.

Pakistan has been serving on the hrC since January 2018. with tuesday’s re-election, Pakistan will continue as a member for another three-year term commencing on January 1, 2021. since the hrC’s establishment in 2006, this is the fifth time that Pakistan has been

elected to the Un’s premier body on human rights, a statement issued by the Foreign office (Fo) on october 13 said. the communique added that the international community had once again reposed confidence in Pakistan, recognising its contribution to the national and global human rights agenda and strong credentials as a consensus builder in the hrC.

LHC grills Punjab IGP over deteriorating law and order situation news desk the lahore high Court (lhC) on wednesday grilled Punjab inspector General of Police (iGP) inam Ghani over the deteriorating law and order in the province as well as the involvement of policemen in occupying citizen’s properties. lhC Chief Justice Qasim Khan was presiding over the hearing in a case against elite Police over the alleged occupation of abandoned evacuee trust Property Board (etPB) land. during the hearing, the judge also reprimanded iGP Ghani over announcing a prize money of rs5 million for the force for arresting abid malhi, the main accused in the motorway gang rape. “is it justified that prizes are being announced for cops over making arrests of culprits, where do you want to take the police department? it means the police will not make an arrest until

prizes are announced,” Justice Khan remarked. “whose duty was to arrest abid malhi, was it not part of your job,” the CJ questioned. “why has the police occupied the evacuee trust property?” the judge asked Ghani. “submit an affidavit before the court on your stance.” at this, he told the court that they had never occupied any land to date. to this, the petitioner’s counsel, asif imran awan, told the court that it was astonishing to see the police chief lie before the court. he implored that he had a complete record which was enough to establish that the petitioner had obtained the land from evacuee trust property on lease in 2011 and police occupied it in in 2020. the law officer implored the court that elite Force’s school had been constructed on land which they later came to know was an etPB property. “you mean you people were

unaware before construction and then came to know it was the land of evacuee trust property? the police’s action is tantamount to occupying the land,” the CJ remarked.

Counsel awan contended that elite Police had scattered land measuring 72-kanal 7 marlas. the then-diG elite Force wrote to the evacuee trust to replace its [trust’s] 72kanal 7 marla land with their scattered land. after that the petitioner obtained the scattered land on lease from the trust and the elite force occupied that land too. adjourning the hearing till november 3, Justice Qasim directed to club the case with with the case wherein the iGP’s appointment was challenged. the court also directed the petitioner to approach iGP Ghani for registering a first information report (Fir) against officials who are harassing and posing threats to him.

Sindh won’t hold talks with Centre on islands ordinance: Murad g

Governor says Centre will remove sindh’s ConCerns over islands JACOBABAd staff report

sindh Chief minister syed murad ali shah has said that the province has never issued noobjection certificate (noC) to the federal government over Bundal and Buddo islands ownership. talking to the media on wednesday, the Cm said that the federal government sought sindh’s permission for the development of the islands. sindh never issued noC into the matter, Cm murad said and added, “we asked the federal government what kind of development they want to carry out on the islands. we will never hold talks over the Pakistan islands development authority ordinance, 2020.” the sindh government is the custodian of the land of the people. replying to a query, he added that Police, rangers and Pakistan army wiped out terrorism from the country.

on opposition parties’ alliance, Cm murad said that all the parties are firmly united under the platform of the Pakistan democratic movement (Pdm). he added that a public gathering in Karachi on october 18, will pay homage to the martyrs of the Karsaz blast. on august 30, President arif

alvi had promulgated the ordinance for establishing the Pakistan islands development authority for the “development and management of islands in internal and territorial waters of Pakistan.”

‘CENTRE WILL REMOVE SINDH’S CONCERNS OVER ISLANDS’: meanwhile, sindh Governor imran ismail on wednesday said that the federal government will remove the sindh government’s concerns over the islands. talking to journalists, ismail said that the sindh government will be the ultimate beneficiary if the federal government builds new cities on the twin islands. revenue generated from the islands will be handed over to the provincial government, he added. “we will not take the islands to islamabad,” the governor added. imran ismail said that he will discuss the issue with the sindh chief minister.

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Thursday, 15 October, 2020

NEWS

covid-19 claims 14 more lives; 471 fresH cases rePorted ISLAMABAD

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TLTP

MORE people died of coronavirus-related complications in the country over the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 6,601, said the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday.

According to the NCOC, 471 fresh infections surfaced when 28,022 samples were tested during this period, lifting the national tally of cases to 320,463.

Around 305,080 people have recovered from the disease so far across Pakistan with addition of 471 recoveries recorded over the previous 24 hours. There are 8,782 active cases of Covid-19 in the country. Of the total patients under treatment, 518 are said to be in critical condition. 39,43,734 tests have been conducted so far.

So far, Sindh has reported 140,756 cases, Punjab 101,014, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 38,427, Balochistan 15,577, Islamabad 17,526, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 3,198, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has reported 3,965 cases.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday announced that as many as 241 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the

Punjab mulls stePs to avoid second covid-19 wave LAHORE A meeting of the sub-committee of the Punjab cabinet on tackling coronavirus was held on Wednesday where measures needed to avoid a second wave of Covid-19 were reviewed. The meeting mulled over the implementation of the Covid-19 SOPs in educational institutes and business centres.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, while expressing caution that public gatherings could become hotspots of Covid-19 during the meeting, said that safeguarding citizens’ lives and health was amongst their top priorities.

He urged upon the people to avoid visiting large gatherings to evade the second wave of Covid-19 in the country. “People should act responsibly and should not shun precautionary measures,” the law minister said adding that the government would strictly implement the SOPs. Basharat said that since the government

is responsible to tackle Covid-19 spread, they would take all needed measures in the interest of the province.

The secretary health also briefed the meeting on the current situation of Covid19 in the province and facilities available at the hospitals.

Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the Covid-19 patients are increasing with each passing day in the province while the number of patients being treated at the hospitals has also witnessed a surge.

“It is in the interest of the masses to implement upon the SOPs,” Dr Yasmin said.

Earlier, an advisory board on Wednesday cautioned the provincial government over resurgence of novel coronavirus cases in Punjab. According to sources, the board has informed the provincial government about disappointing results of random tests to detect Covid-19 cases in the province.

“The board has warned that the pandemic could spread rapidly in the province if the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

would not be enforced strictly,” sources said. The Punjab government mulling over ban on public gatherings in view of the situation.

‘PDM WON’T BE ALLOWED TO DAMAGE GOVT PROPERTIES’: Separately, the provincial law minister on Wednesday reiterated that no one would be allowed to damage government properties during the protest of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

This he said while chairing an emergency meeting to review the law and order of the province ahead of the oppositions’ protest. The government has no issue with the peaceful protest of the opposition, but no one would be allowed to create the law and order situation, Bashrat said.

The meeting decided in principle not to allow protesters to vandalize government properties. Sources added that a list of the active workers of the opposition parties’ workers was also presented in the meeting.

province during the past 24-hours.

Giving a routine daily update over the

virus tally in the province, the chief minister said that more than half of the Covid-19

cases in the province, that is 145 from total 241 new cases, were reported from Karachi

STAFF REPORT

two ajK ministers test positive for covid-19 MUZAFFARABAD TLTP

Two ministers of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have been reported Covid-19 positive with a spike in coronavirus cases in the region on Wednesday. A day earlier, Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal said that he has tested positive for coronavirus, as the country begins imposing lockdowns in Covid19 hotspots. According to details, AJK Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Farooq Ahmed Tahir and College Education Minister Waqar Ahmed Noor have been reported Covid-19 positive. Local administration has imposed smart lockdown at five places after resurgence of coronavirus cases. According to the government notification, smart lockdown has been clamped at Officers Colony Narol, Domel Taameer-eNau School street, Officers Colony Jalalabad, Rizwan School’s street and the street behind Saif Plaza.

Pakistan wins uK drill contest for third consecutive year RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Army has won an international military drill competition in the United Kingdom for a third consecutive year, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Wednesday. In a statement, chief military spokesperson Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said the army won the Pace Sticking Competition held at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in England.

“The Pakistan Military Academy represented Pakistan Army at the event,” the statement added. The Pakistan High Commission in London also congratulated the Army for winning the competition. “High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan felicitates the team, commends the highest standards of professionalism and excellence maintained by Pakistan armed forces,” it said. The Army had participated in the event for the first time in 2018.

Maulana Adil's killing: Religious parties announce strike on Friday NEWS DESK Religious parties had given the government an ultimatum to arrest the culprits in the Maulana Adil Khan assassination, and failure to do so will result in a country-wide strike, it emerged on Wednesday.

Last week, renowned religious scholar Maulana Adil Khan and his driver were killed Karachi’s Shah Faisal area while shopping for sweetmeats.

A press conference was held by religious scholars after a meeting took place between the leaders of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F),

Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Sami, Tanzeemul Ulema Karachi, Jamaat-iIshaat-e-Tauheed Wa Sunnah, and others today.

At the conference, it was announced that the religious parties are giving the government a 48-hour ultimatum, or there will be a strike across the country on Friday.

So far, the police have not been able to find any solid leads into the case.

According to the reports, the forensic search of the crime scene did not yield much information, as the 9mm pistol used during the attack was not tied into any previous cases.

However, the police had also collected CCTV footage and eyewitness reports from the area, and through this they learned that Maulana Adil had arrived at Darul Uloom before Maghrib prayers, and left shortly after 7 pm. He had also met Mufti Taqi Usmani during this time.

At the presser, the scholars had also lambasted the provincial government for withdrawing security protocol from those religious scholars that are facing threats.

Furthermore, they asked the people to help the strike by closing their businesses and keeping off the road that day.

PTI headhunting dissatisfied PML-N members NEWS DESK Federal Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak has that he has been approached by 15 MNAs who wish to “join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI] in near future.”

Khattak on Wednesday said that he was told by Prime Minister Imran Khan to contact those members of the

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who are tired of the party’s negative narrative.

The above was said at a at a party joining gathering, which was attended by MNA Imran Khattak, Candidate for PK-63 by-election Mian Umar Kakakhel and a large number of PTI workers and supporters.

If the minister’s claims are to be believed, then the impending implosion of the PML-N would split the party into three and subsequently affect their political agendas.

On the occasion, he also remarked that the country had been plundered by former president Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

Accountability process to continue, come what may: PM ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ruled out any chance of reconciliation with the opposition parties.

“No matter what opposition stages sit-ins or

protests, I will never give National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to anyone,” PM Imran said while talking to Senate Standing Committee on Information Chairman Senator Faisal Javed Khan and Senator Zeeshan Khanzada who called on him.

The meeting discussed the revival of the film and

during the duration. In the past 24 hours, four more patients of Covid-19 have died, increasing the death count in Sindh by the disease to 2,566, the chief minister said.

In the last 24 hours 177 more patients of the disease have recovered and the overall tally of recovered patients of coronavirus has reached 133,651, he said. Sindh has overall 4,780 active cases of coronavirus, while 188 patients have been in critical condition and 25 of them are on ventilators, he added.

Meanwhile, Punjab on Wednesday reported 122 new cases of novel coronavirus and six deaths by the disease during the last 24 hours.

A spokesperson of Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare department said that the total number of Covid-19 cases in the province has reached 101,014 with addition of 122 new cases in the last 24 hours. The death count by Covid-19 in Punjab has reached 2,270 as six more patients died of the disease in the last 24 hours, the spokesperson said.

The province has conducted 14,08,864 tests so far, health department spokesperson said. Overall, 96,972 patients of Covid-19 have recovered in Punjab. People should follow the protective measures to save them from the disease, Primary and Secondary Healthcare department spokesperson said.

lHc rejects Yda’s plea seeking ban on public gatherings LAHORE TLTP

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday rejected a writ petition seeking a ban on public gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. Justice Masood Abid Naqvi dismissed the petition filed by a member of the Young Doctors Association (YDA), Salman Kazmi, who cited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) as respondents. Over the course of the hearing, the court observed that it is up to the government to allow or ban public gatherings and implement SOPs. “How can this court meddle in policy matters?” the judge questioned. The court termed the plea non-maintainable and dismissed it. The petitioner stated that the country’s major political parties are going to hold rallies, which may lead to the spread of the highly contagious disease and demanded that a ban be imposed on holding public rallies until the virus is eliminated.

drama industry and the overall political situation of the country including oppositions’ protest also came under discussion. Hitting the opposition parties’ reunion, the Prime Minister said that he has been saying since the very first day that the opposition is united only to save their corruption.

On Friday, PM Imran had said that all the opposition leaders have gathered at one platform to save their corruption. Addressing the seminar of PTI Lawyers Forum in Islamabad, he had said that opposition parties have only one agenda to halt the process of accountability.

“They do not believe in the rule of law in the country,” he had added.

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

NEWS

troubles continue in Kasur as more raPe cases emerGe

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NEWS DESK

ASUR has come under the spotlight once more as seven cases of rape emerged in the last 48 hours, including four children. In one recent incident, seven men from Bheela village raped a woman at gunpoint. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the victim’s husband, who added that these men were trying to force their family out of the village and that this was the second time his wife has been sexually abused by the perpetrators.

The report has been filed at the Sheikhum police station, but the police do not have any suspects yet.

An FIR has also been registered in Sadar, wherein a man attempted to sexu-

ally assault his sister-in-law. The man fled when the woman called out for help.

Since then, the man has been arrested by the police.

Another case emerged wherein a woman from Gidhpur village was sexually abused by a man in her own home.

In this case, the man fled but was soon arrested by the Chunian police.

Another rape incident fell under the Chunian police station’s jurisdiction, and this time the victim was a 15-year-old girl of Noorpur Jattan village. Reportedly, the rapist was from the same village and has now been arrested.

According to reports from Hameed Town, a man had lured his 13-year-old neighbour into his home and subjected the boy to rape. The suspect has been arrested and the investigation is underway.

10 injured in Quetta explosion QUETTA STAFF REPORT

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said that the police are investigating the perpetrators behind the blast at Quetta’s Samungli Road today, which left 10 people injured. “The police and the district administration should bring those responsible for this cowardly attack under the law,” he said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal directed the police to submit a report as quickly as possible and added that those injured should be given medical treatment. According to police officials, a hand grenade had been thrown at labourers in the area, resulting in ten people suffering serious injuries, including two children. Police cordoned off the area after the incident occurred and shifted them to the hospital. “Seven of the injured are under treatment at Bolan Medical College while the remaining are being treated at Civil Hospital,” Shahwani said. A Civil Hospital spokesperson confirmed that seven injured citizens were brought to the facility.

shehbaz’s daughter declared proclaimed offender in money laundering case LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore on Wednesday declared the daughter of National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif proclaimed offender in a money laundering case. The reference, which was filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and includes members of the Sharif family, mainly accuses Shehbaz of being beneficiary of assets held in the name of his family members and benamidars who had no sources to acquire such assets. It says the suspects committed offences of corruption and corrupt practices as envisaged under the provisions of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, and money laundering as delineated in the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010. APP

fazl predicts govt will be out by year’s end NEWS DESK Leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman predicts the government will “not see December”. The statement was made just before the anti-government alliances’ first rally on Friday. “A sea of people will rise in Gujranwala on October 16,” said Fazl during a rally in Charsadda. “A sea of people will rise in Karachi on October 18. A sea of people will rise in Quetta on October 25 and on November 22, the largest gathering in the history of Pakistan will be seen in Peshawar,” he added.

His statements echo the sentiments of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who had said earlier this week that the incumbent government is on its way out, claiming that it will be removed before January through the efforts of the PDM. She had referred to Prime Minister Imran Khan as “handpicked” and called the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government unconstitutional.

A similar incident took place at an under-construction house in Bhasarpura, wherein a man brought a 7-year-old boy to the house and raped the child. The suspect is reportedly under arrest at the BDivision police station.

According to the Phoolnagar police station, an FIR has been registered against a man who lured and abused a 4-year-old boy in the fields in Bonga Balochan village. The criminal escaped at the time but has since then been arrested.

In Rati Pindi village, a 12-year-old boy took a 3-year-old to the roof of his house and committed sexual assault. He was spotted by some women in the village and the father of the victim registered the FIR. These are the latest in a series of rape

incidents that have been reported from Kasur. Most notably, there was the 2018 rape and murder of 8-year-old Zainab Amin in Kasur. Along with that, a child pornography ring was uncovered in Hussain Khanwala village in 2015.

In September last year, the city was shaken again when authorities recovered bodies of three minors from sand dunes near Chunian bypass.

In spite of preventative measures being taken, such as the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Bill, 2019, being passed by the national assembly, and the launch of a locally-developed mobile phone application called ‘Zainab Alert’

by Sindh police, the violence as continued. An estimated 8 children a day have been victims of sexual crimes in the first half of 2020.

KP govt withdraws cases against PTM leaders NEWS DESK The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Wednesday withdrew the Kharqamar case against the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), and MNAs Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir Khan have been acquitted of all charges.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against PTM workers at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Police Station, Bannu Range, for allegedly attacking a military checkpoint at Kharqamar in North Waziristan on May 26 last year. Thirteen people were killed and multiple were injured when the clash occurred.

Wazir and Dawar, among others, were on their way to a sit-in protest when they were stopped by security

forces at the Kharqamar checkpoint.

This subsequently led to the deadly clash. The KP government distributed compensation cheques to the families of the victims.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had stated that a group led by Dawar Wazir assaulted Kharqamar check post in Boyya, North Waziristan tribal district on May 26, adding that five soldiers had been injured in the clash.

According to the ISPR, three individuals who had attacked the check post lost their lives while the 10 injured were evacuated to the Army hospital for treatment.

The KP government filed a petition, requesting the court that it wanted to withdraw the case.

The case was first heard by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Bannu,

but was then transferred to an ATC in Abbottabad.

Dawar and Wazir, along with senior PTM members, nominated under different sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance and the Anti-Terrorism Act. Previously, the KP government on March 16 had filed an application in the Bannu anti-terrorism court saying that the government wished to withdraw the case. The application was filed on behalf of the State through Bannu district public prosecutor and ATC Bannu’s senior public prosecutor. “The state/government as per instructions of the provincial government […] with reference to the prevailing situation, we intend to withdraw prosecution of the subject case,” the application read.

Footages of Sharif’s meetings in London available, claims Awan ISLAMABAD TLTP

Adviser to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan on Wednesday claimed that they have complete details of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s meetings in London.

“We know whom he is visiting and holding meetings in London,” said Babar Awan while talking to a private television channel, as he claimed that they have details and footage of all such meetings.

He further said that new assets of the Sharif family have been unearthed

with one of the companies carrying assets worth up to Rs25 billion. “The details in this regard will further emerge in the next week or 10 days,” he said, adding that fresh revelations will be far greater than the previous ones.

Awan said that everybody knows that the PML-N leaders have looted the national wealth and their entire political activity is aimed at seeking a deal for Maryam Nawaz so that she could reunite with her father in London. He said that Nawaz is saying that his children would not go to Pakistan but asking others to hit the streets to safeguard his corrupt practices.

“When he is not coming to Pakistan,

how will he succeed in bringing people on the roads?” asked the adviser.

The parliamentary affairs adviser said that Pakistan has a strong system in place and the public gatherings announced by the opposition parties could not bring the system down.

“The incumbent government will complete its tenure,” he said, adding that they would allow the opposition to hold gatherings but any violent activity or speeches against state institutions will not be tolerated.

He further blamed Nawaz for having his hand in toppling three elected governments in the country in the past.

Avenfield protest planned on same day as PDM rally NEWS DESK Sahibzada Jahangir, close aide to Prime Minister Imran Khan and spokesperson on trade and investment in the UK, has planned a protest outside Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif’s Avenfield House on Friday, the same day as the first Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally.

Speaking to media persons, Jahangir clarified that his protest was not directed by any member of the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), as earlier there had been a rumour that PM Imran had ordered him to host the protest during the rally.

The rumour was sparked from a chain message in WhatsApp, which read, “PM has directed me to organise a demonstration outside Nawaz Sharif’s house in Lon-

don on Friday 16th Oct between 3 pm – 6 pm. This is the time NS will be addressing a Jalsa in Gujranwala. Our protest will be shown live in Pakistan on television. We will be standing in groups of 6 persons. Police have given us permission to stand at [a] distance in groups of 6.”

Jahangir explained that the message was incorrect in attributing the protest to the premier, but added that the other details regarding time of protest were correct.

His statements were corroborated by Information Secretary Taqveem Ahsan Siddiqi, who said that Jahangir must be “doing on his own”.

The UK PTI elected body has distanced itself from a protest being organised on Friday outside the Avenfield House.

A PML-N spokesperson said they would not hold any counterprotests.

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racket involved in raping minor boys, girls at gunpoint busted JHELUM: The police on Wednesday claimed to have rounded up a racket involved in raping underage boys and girls at gunpoint in Jhelum. According to the police, a three-member racket was involved in raping underage boys and girls at gunpoint and was blackmailing them after recording their videos. The arrests were made on the complaint of a rape-victim girl’s father. All three members of the racket are residents of Dewan Huzori, said the police. Further investigation into the matter was underway. Earlier on Tuesday last, a 5th grade girl was allegedly subjected to rape by her cousin at gunpoint in Mian Channu tehsil of district Khanewal. According to details, the girl’s cousin Usman entered her house when her parents were not at home and he lured the girl to a deserted house where he subjected her to sexual assault at gunpoint. Usman managed to escape from the scene leaving the girl in critical condition inside the house. On hearing her screaming, some passers-by reached there and shifted the girl to the hospital.

After being informed, police reached the scene and launched investigations into the incident. A police official said that a case has been registered in this regard and added that they were conducting raids to arrest the accused. TLTP

soldier martyred, another injured in afghan cross-border attack PESHAWAR: A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred and another was injured in an attack on a security check post near the Afghanistan border, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday. According to a statement, terrorists fired from across on the post along the border in Bajaur. “Resultantly, Havaldar Tanveer embraced shahadat [martyrdom] while one soldier got injured,” it further maintained. Though security has improved in the country’s remote areas bordering Afghanistan, militant attacks still occur.

Pakistan has blamed Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for attacks that have taken place in the region over the past two years, urging Kabul to eradicate “sanctuaries” for militants. STAFF REPORT

indian troops martyr two more youngsters in ioK ISLAMABAD: Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred two youngsters in Shopian district of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) on Wednesday. The youngsters were killed during a cordon and search operation in Chakura area of the district. Meanwhile, an elderly man was critically injured after he was deliberately hit by an Indian Army vehicle in Kangan area of Ganderbal district.

Earlier on Monday last, Indian troops martyred one Kashmiri youngsters in Srinagar. The youngster was killed by the troops during a cordon and search operation in the Rambagh area of the city. TLTP

Govt determined to develop tribal districts: imran ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the government is determined for uninterrupted development of merged tribal areas and all financial resources will be provided for the purpose. The prime minister said this while chairing a high-level meeting on the development needs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), especially the merged areas, and Punjab on Wednesday. He said that in the past, a large chunk of government resources had been reserved for few areas, while keeping political priorities in view, which adversely impacted the development process in backward areas. STAFF REPORT

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Thursday, 15 October, 2020

NEWS

CCoE to rEviEw NSGP’S imPlEmENtatioN StatuS ISLAMABAD

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AHMAD AHMADANI

he Cabinet Committee on energy (CCoe) will review the implementation status of 1100 kilometre North-South Gas Pipeline (NSGP) project in its meeting on Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled to to take up three summaries of Power and Petroleum Divisions — high Sulphur Furnace Oil (hSFO) and Low Sulphur Furnace Oil (LSFO) demand for power plants and release of subsidy; gas sector reforms; unbundling of gas utility companies and implementation status

Punjab to honour Covid-19 heroes

of the NSGP Project.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar will chair the meeting. It is relevant to note that the Supreme Court (SC), in its judgment dated August 13, 2020, on the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) had directed that the federal government should take all steps to commence work on the laying of the NSGP within six months.

Reportedly, the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) was signed with the Russian Federation in 2015 under build–own–operate–transfer (BOOT) arrangement.

Progress on the NSGP project remained

SC directs Sindh govt to cancel allotments of forest land ISLAMABAD

LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

APP

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Sindh government to cancel allotments of the forest land.

The court expressed resentment over cutting of trees while hearing a case regarding tree plantation on the banks of rivers and canals.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, in his remarks, said that no trees are seen on the banks of Indus River, adding that the govern-

The Punjab government on Wednesday decided to honour the coronavirus heroes with the prestigious Shaan-e-Pakistan Award. A ceremony will be held on October 27 during which the awards will be handed out. Responding to the development, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar said those who have served the public during the pandemic will always be remembered.

While the province has apparently been successful in curtailing an uncontrolled outbreak, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Tuesday emphasised the importance of risk mitigation in order to prevent a second wave in the country. During a meeting of National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), the minister had said that there was a need to ensure that standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government, including wearing face masks and other guidelines, are being followed.

debilitated as both sides could not agree on a sanction-free and commercially viable Russian project implementation agency. In view of the GIDC decision, the pipeline can be self-financed. however, consultations of the petroleum division with stakeholders unequivocally pointed out that this project (NSGP) is demonstrative of strategic engagement with the Russian Federation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far also reiterated the importance of the project and personal interest of Russian President Putin to initiate the project in the earliest timeframe.

On September 7, the Minister for energy

wrote to its Russian counterpart, informing them about the GIDC decision and that the IGA requires an amendment to reflect changes in the capital structure. The Russian side was also invited for talks to bring about the amendment to the IGA and agree on next steps including establishment of a RussiaPakistan Special Purpose Vehicle.

Similarly, a video conference was held with the new Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation to explain the changes needed in the capital structure. however, a formal response and nomination of a technical team

by Russian side are still pending.

Sources said that the Petroleum Division while keeping cognizance of the timelines involved, has been undertaking certain activities with respect to NSGP. They said that so far land acquisition for the NSGP route –850km from Nawabshah to Lahore – has begun.

Meanwhile, the process for obtaining land route clearance from the Ministry of Defence for the 230km corridor of NSGP from Nawabshah to Port Qasim has been initiated as this was not part of the original design.

ment of Sindh has allotted all land of katcha area to private persons for cultivation. “The state land of katcha area should be covered with forests,” CJP Gulzar remarked.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, said that the Sindh government has legislated that allotments of lands already granted would not be cancelled. Thus, the government is protecting illegal allotments.

The court directed the Sindh government to cancel allotments of the forest land. The bench called forest and

irrigation secretaries of the provinces in the next hearing of the case.

The court also summoned details of tree plantation on the banks of local drains from the Islamabad administration.

The apex court had directed the federal and provincial governments in an earlier hearing to secure at least six feet of land by planting trees along all the rivers and canals. The court had also directed the provinces to submit a progress report on the matter within a month.

CAA issues new travel advisory for passengers KARACHI STAFF REPORT

In a move to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday issued a new travel advisory for the passengers.

According to the travel advisory issued by the CAA authorities, the passengers reaching Pakistan from abroad have been divided into two categories. As many as 30 countries including, China, Japan,

New Zealand, Turkey, Saudi Arabia have been placed in ‘A’ category and passengers travelling from this category are not bound to go through PCR test for coronavirus while travelling to Pakistan. Meanwhile, the coronavirus test has been declared mandatory for the passengers travelling from the countries, who are placed in ‘B’ category by the CAA before 96 hours.

The passengers reaching Pakistan from abroad are bound to fill health declaration forms. According to the notification issued by the CAA director air transport, the new guidelines would be enforced from October 19 to December 31, 2020.

On the other hand, fourteen more people have died of coronavirus-related complications in the country over the past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 6,601.

Azerbaijan's envoy satisfied with high-level bilateral relations ISLAMABAD BILAL SABRI

Azarbaijan’s Ambassador Ali Alizada expressed his satisfaction with the high-level relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan at the embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Pakistan during an award ceremony for the winners of the art competition on “Azerbaijan-Pakistan friendship is eternal and invincible”. The contest was dedicated to the National Day of Azerbaijan, which was held in May-June of this year through the embassy’s social network profiles.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Ali Alizada shared his views on AzerbaijanPakistan friendship and stated that the purpose of the competition is to promote the affection, religious, cultural and heritage similarities of the two brotherly countries among Pakistani youth, and strengthen people to people contacts and cooperation.

Ambassador Alizada also said that Armenian aggression and provocations against Azerbaijan and its attacks on innocent people have always been condemned by the Pakistani

people and society. The ambassador stressed that Pakistan has always stood

by Azerbaijan in difficult times and thanked the government and people of Pak-

They said Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) have been engaged to assist in acquiring the right of way and land acquisition for the entire route of NSGP project.

Keeping the domestic and industrial requirement of the country in mind, as well as the need for two new terminals plus and expansion of the existing terminals, the designed transmission capacity of NSGP has been enhanced from 1.2 to 1.6 Billion Cubic Feet per Day (BCFD). A request has been made to the GIDC board for allocation of funds for the project, said the sources.

It is pertinent to mention here that a plan to construct NSGP was earlier presented in a meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of SNGPL on September 12, 2020, wherein the SNGPL had proposed to lay down a 1,100km gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore at a cost of $1 billion. Petroleum Additional Secretary Muhammad Ayub Chaudhry ratified this proposed plan to serve the larger national interest as well as to benefit the national exchequer.

Peshawar Brt service to resume from 25th PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services would be resumed from October 25 on the recommendation of the bus service company, said a spokesperson of the trans-Peshawar on Wednesday. The bus manufacturing company’s inspection team has submitted its report to the government on the recent fire incidents in Peshawar BRT project. According to the spokesperson of the Trans Peshawar, the service was suspended on the recommendation of the manufacturers to help them inspect all buses thoroughly to determine and fix the fault after fire incidents. he said that the investigation team had found that the motor capacitors/controllers in the buses were not working properly which are being replaced with new ones. The official said that the report found that the installed capacitor was passing more electricity than needed which had led to fire eruption incidents. he said that the parts of the buses are under warranty while the batteries and electric motors had 12 years or 1.2 million kilometres warranty. A team of 20 experts had reached from China to fix the issue of the BRT buses. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had suspended the BRT service to review the technical performance of all the buses after the fire incidents. Five buses have been hit by fire or ‘spark’ incidents so far. The company claims that only two buses had caught fire while the other three were just sparks.

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

news

ECC AppRovES RS4.98Bn foR ImplEmEnTATIon of InTEREST fREE loAn pRogRAmmE ISLAMABAD

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SHAHZAD PARACHA

HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs4.98 billion in favour of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) for the financial year 2020-21 (FY21).

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the meeting of the ECC at the Cabinet Division.

"The chair approved the allocation of funds for implementation of the Interest Free Loan (IFL) programme by PPAF. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) surrendered Rs4.98 billion in favour of PPAF for FY21, which shall be used for the purpose of the IFL programme," according to a statement issued by the Finance Division on Wednesday.

The ECC also allocated Rs10 billion from stimulus package for the payment of 1st installment of interest/profit (for

COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVES, IN-PRINCIPLE, A TECHNICAL SUPPLEMENTARY GRANT OF RS72.6BN TO POWER HOLDING LTD FOR ONWARD DISBURSEMENTS TO RESPECTIVE BANKS the period of 21st May till 20th Nov 2020) in respect of Pakistan Energy Sukuk-II (amounting Rs200 billion).

On a summary moved by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for allocation of additional funds for the payment of media campaigns launched on 5th August (Kashmir Siege Day), the ECC decided that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting may meet the immediate fund requirement through re-appropriation from its budget allocated for the FY21 and any shortfall due to re-appropriation of the funds would be met through technical supplementary grant towards the end of the current financial year.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy requested ECC to issue directions for the settlement of a loan of about Rs7.6 billion and its associated costs from National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in relation to advance payment for Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim (KARKEY).

The committee decided that the Finance Division should engage with the NBP for the settlement of the loan. It also called for a well-rounded proposal, with all stakeholders on board, be presented before the ECC for final approval.

Moreover, the committee approved in-principle a technical supplementary grant amounting to Rs72.635 billion to

Power Holding Limited (PHL) for onward disbursements to respective banks (or through financial instruments as and when due) during the current financial year. In an earlier decision, the ECC had decided to shift the power sector debt stock of Rs804 billion to public debt.

As per debt repayment schedule agreed between PHL and lending institutions, an amount of Rs72.635 billion was required to be paid partially during the FY20 and remaining is payable in FY21 as principal repayments to lenders. Furthermore, the loan amounting to Rs82 billion taken from OGDCL and included in the total of Rs804 billion is required to be considered separately through non-cash/cash settlements.

The ECC also formed a committee, to be headed by Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain, to prepare a proposal for the settlement of dues of power sector and other related issues in a holistic manner for onward submission to the committee.

05

Cabinet approves Rs48.9bn budget for CDA ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

The federal cabinet has approved a Rs48.9 billion budget for the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Sources said that the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday had presented a summary with regard to approval of CDA budget estimates 2020-21 and revised estimates for the financial year 2019-20. They said the CDA had proposed Rs48.9bn budget for 2020-21, including Rs8.4bn government grants and Rs5.8bn under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The civic agency had obtained Rs19.2bn government grants and receipts in FY2019-20. Overall, the CDA is will make a profit of over Rs7.3bn. A senior official told this scribe that the profit is likely to surge to Rs27 during the current fiscal year owing to auctions and better recoveries. The CDA had transferred Rs22bn in the last four years to Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad in loans for expenditures and received Rs5bn as revenue, he informed. Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the transfer of an outstanding amount of Rs561 million to CDA for FY20.

Agha Steel goes public KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Pakistan's first 'electric bike sharing service' launched in Islamabad ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Roamer Technologies, a NIC Islamabad startup, has launched “ezBike”, Pakistan’s first electric bike sharing service powered by Jazz sims for connectivity, to revolutionize transportation in urban areas.

The Islamabad-based startup announced the news at a launch event held at the National Incubation Center.

IT & Telecom Minister Syed AminuI Haque, along with other dignitaries, was also present on the occasion. ezBike is an app-based service which deploys electric bikes conveniently around the city and makes them available for use by the general public.

Users can locate and reserve an electric bike parked near them using the ezBike mobile app, ride it themselves to their destination and park it in a designated zone, after which it becomes available for the next user to ride.

The entire experience from registration to booking and payment is digital.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, ezBike users can pay Rs5 to unlock the bike and Rs5 per minute on their ride. Rides can also be paused so that users can stop and run errands while paying a reduced rate of Rs2 per minute. Ezbike has partnered with Jazz through Jazz xlr8 to provide connectivity through Jazz sims and promote ease of payments through JazzCash.

Addressing the launching ceremony, IT & Telecom Minister Syed Aminul Haque said, “It is a proud moment for Pakistan that innovative companies like ezBike are being launched in Pakistan. The future of Pakistan lies

in information technology and without tech innovation we cannot progress.

Electric vehicle technology is the biggest game changer for the mobility market and our government will support startups that want to leverage this technology.

"We would also like to acknowledge the role of Jazz in supporting the startup ecosystem through our national network of incubators. I would like to congratulate public private partners such as Ignite, Jazz xlr8 and Teamup that are proving to be an effective catalyst in scaling-up the startups."

He said the ezBike facility will prove to be very useful for masses, particularly women, adding that the Ministry of IT will continue supporting projects which will be useful and helpful for the public.

Earlier, Roamer Technologies CEO Mohammad Hadi stated, "Only 10pc of the Pakistani population owns a vehicle and mobility is still a largely unsolved problem. With ezBike we are providing access to shared vehicles to every individual in Pakistan. This is the next wave of disruption in mobility. It will be the most cost-effective, convenient, and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation in Pakistan. And in a Covid impacted world, self-drive provides a safe way for people to move around Islamabad while maintaining social distancing."

Bike sharing companies are revolutionizing urban transportation globally, with over 100,000 bikes deployed across 88 cities today.

Roamer Technologies plans to deploy over 2,000 electric bikes within the next year and bring millions of dollars of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Pakistan.

Agha Steel Industries’ general public subscription of 30 million shares (25 per cent of the total offered size) will begin on Wednesday and conclude on October 15 at the price of Rs32. The book-building phase of the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of the company which concluded last week was oversubscribed 1.63 times.

Institutional investors and high net worth individuals bought 90 million shares in the process. Agha Steel Industries’ IPO received an overwhelming response from institutional investors and high net worth individuals as the strike price clocked in at Rs32 per share, higher than the floor price of Rs30. The company raised Rs3.8 billion in total, making it the largest IPO in the steel sector and the second-largest IPO in the private sector. During a survey by Profit, 7 out of 10 brokerage terms issued calls to subscribe.

This resulted in investor demand amounting to Rs4.4 bn against the IPO’s book-building size of Rs2.7 bn.

The company will use IPO proceeds to finance the expansion of its re-rolling capacity from 250,000 metric tonnes to 650,000 MT. It will increase the reinforcing bar production capacity by 160pc.

ICCI seeks tax relaxations for small traders, shopkeepers ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to provide relief in taxes to small traders and shopkeepers in order to alleviate their difficulties. Addressing a delegation of Traders Welfare Association (Jinnah Super Market), led by its President Asad Aziz, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that the five months lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a great recession in business activities and has badly hit the small traders due to which they are facing multiple problems including payment of shops rents. "Therefore, it is the need of the hour that FBR provides relief in taxes to small shopkeepers in order to alleviate their difficulties." Khan noted that during the lockdown, the business community did not lay off its employees and continued to pay them out of their own pocket, which aggravated their problems. This situation demands the government to consider announcing more relief packages for the business community instead of creating problems for them, he added. The ICCI chief said that the business community is implementing SOPs issued by the district administration but the customers are not following them due to which the shopkeepers are facing closures.

Ban will be lifted if TikTok follows guidelines: minister ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Technology (IT) Minister Aminul Haque has said that the recently placed ban on TikTok will be lifted once the talks with app’s management are finalized.

Haque said this while talking to newsmen after attending a ceremony on Wednesday. He said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is in talks with the TikTok management to have morally compromised and anti-state content removed from the app for good. If these matters are taken care of, the app will be available again, he added. “We have given them some guidelines and are working on a mechanism on how to go ahead with the app in future,” Haque said, noting that once the matters are in final shape, the app will be given a green signal. TLTP

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Thursday, 15 October, 2020

06 COMMENT

Moving from regressive to progressive politics

Need to enforce party discipline

Getting the country back on even keel

Perception of factionalism

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esPITe reports appearing from time to time regarding Prime Minister Imran Khan’s determination to remove the dead wood from the cabinet, what one has seen happening, is no more than a reshuffling of ministries. The pursuit of faulty policies by certain ministers and saPMs has caused problems for the masses and brought down the ratings of the PTI government, as shown by recent opinion surveys. This has also led to dismay among PTI’s lawmakers and sympathisers. During a discussion in the cabinet on rising food prices on Tuesday, Federal communications Minister Murad saeed lashed out at an saPM and a Federal Minister for causing inflation and thus hardships for the people. similarly Federal Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda criticised another Federal Minister for his poor performance in handling the government’s narrative and wanted an overhaul of the Ministry.

This brings us to another issue. Federal Ministers and saPM are free to differ, even bitterly if they like, with one another on issues under discussion during the cabinet meetings. But the differences and stands taken by individual members are considered confidential. at the end of the meeting, the Information Minister releases to the media only the decisions taken by the cabinet.

However, what one has seen happening on several occasions is that details of differences between the participants are also leaked out to the media, as has been the case of the latest cabinet meeting. This creates a perception that some members of the cabinet want their views to be publicly recorded to claim later on that they were not part of certain policies being pursued by their government.

Political parties in Pakistan lack democratic culture.

Decisions are normally taken by the party head in a kitchen cabinet rather than in the bodies set up for the purpose, where members can freely express their opinions and record differences. Those differing with party decisions or policies are consequently left with no forum where they can voice their views. In case this continues for long, differences tend to turn into rebellious outbursts. PTI MNa Tahir sadiq’s remarks about PM Imran Khan’s team, comprising both elected and unelected, being thoroughly incompetent and there being unprecedented corruption at the lower level since 1947, is just one example of the sort.

Dr FariD a Malik

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ecause of regressive politics, the common good becomes uncommon. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has suffered because of this brand of political dispensation. There have been very limited periods of progressive politics in the land of the pure. The all-India Muslim League (aIML), the founding party of the country, was mainly a centrist party. The daily newspaper Dawn was considered a mouthpiece of the League. Led by honest and able political leaders, the League avoided regressive politics. Within the League there was a progressive group led by Mian Iftikharuddin of Baghbanpura Lahore. In early 1947 he founded a leftist newspaper by the name of The Pakistan Times whose editor was the legendary Faiz ahmed Faiz. It was named Progressive Papers Limited. There were four publications, The Pakistan Times, the urdu daily Imroze, weekly Lail o Nahar and a monthly Sports Times. after the Partition, Iftikharuddin was appointed President of the Punjab Muslim League and Minister of Rehabilitation. With his progressive outlook he proposed major land reforms which did not sit well with his colleagues, forcing him to leave the cabinet.

Progressive thinkers kept pushing the centrist leadership of the times. It is widely believed that, one of the major factors in ayub Khan’s martial law was the fear of a Leftist Government in the republic, had elections been held in 1958 under the 1956 constitution. In October 1958, Pakistan moved in the opposite direction. From able, honest, centrist politics, a repressive and regressive regime took control of the country. Progressives were hounded. The Progressive Papers Limited was taken over by force in april 1959. stalwarts were either arrested or sidelined. Iftikharuddin, the chairman, syed amir Hussain shah, the Managing Director, and Mazhar ali Khan, the editor, were stopped from working. The editorial after the take over was titled, ‘ The New Leaf’. It was indeed a new rotten leaf in which press freedom and indi-

Overture to India Keeping Kashmir foremost

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He interview that PM’s security special assistant Moeed Yusuf gave to an Indian news portal, The Wire, in a television interview with well-known Indian journalist Karan Thapar, had at least two remarkable things about it. First, that it took place at all, marking it the first appearance on an Indian channel of a Pakistani official, since India imposed a curfew on IndianOccupied Kashmir following its revocation of its special status by repealing article 370 of the Indian constitution.

It would need the concurrence, indeed instigation, of the foreign policy and security of both countries to make it possible. This impression was enhanced by the explosive nature of Dr Yusuf’s message: India had sent messages to Pakistan indicating a desire to engage in dialogue.

Indeed, D Yusuf used the interview to make public not just the Indian request but also the preconditions Pakistan was making for this dialogue to get started. It is also heartening to note that these preconditions are Kashmircentric. That would be appropriate for any dialogue between India and Pakistan, and it is positive that Pakistan has not fallen over itself in trying to get India to come to the dialogue table, but is laying down actions it wants taken before dialogue can take place. These include the reversal of the revocation of Kashmir’s special status, and of the ban on non-Kashmiris buying land there, and making Kashmiris part of the dialogue process.

That these preconditions will be met is likely to be over-optimism. However, that the process is starting is positive. apart from its traditional concern over the Kashmir freedom struggle, Pakistan has other reasons to want peace in the region. The success of china’s One Belt One Road initiative, of which the china-Pakistan economic corridor is a key component, depends on peace not just between Pakistan and India, but also an end to conflict in afghanistan. Pakistan is thus given additional reason to create an understanding with India, but this must be on the basis of an agreement between two equals, not the dictation of a superior to a subordinate, as India has tried to do in the past.

Kashmir quandary and Modi’s strident politics India’s actions are creating problems for itself Mishal Batool

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RIMe MINIsTeR Narendra Modi’s foreign policy establishment is keen for a new era of realism, which is to raise a greater realism to develop an effective grand strategy for a leading power. PM Modi launched his ’forward’ policy in august 2019, by revoking the nominal ‘autonomous status’ of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), in violation not only of the relevant uN security council resolutions and the simla agreement with Pakistan but also the 1993 and 2018 understandings with china. He also converted Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into separate union Territories and issued maps showing chinese aksai chin to be a part of Indian Ladakh and aJK and GB to be parts of India. These actions were severely condemned and rejected by both Pakistan and china. But India did not take them seriously at all.

Kashmir is a small territory but the fact that it is rich with lakes and meadows and beautiful mountains, makes it a valuable piece of land for both the sides fighting for it. The conflict was low-key till now, but there have always been ceasefire violations and border skirmishes from both sides claiming it as their possession. The uN even has stated as it could be the most militarized zone in the world. unfortunately, much more vigorous apprehensions have arisen as a result of the changed Kashmir status on the Indian side. Previously, according to the clause of article 370, it guaranteed the autonomy of the Kashmir state and also prevented citizens of any other state from buying property in Kashmir. But in the recent events when the Indian government revoked this article, all hell broke on Kashmiris. as India thrives with powerful economic conditions as well as in the military, it gives out the only arrogant intention as an explanation of this brutality that

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

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Executive Editor

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Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

vidual liberties were seriously curbed. Finally the the country back to the progressive politics of the ayub era of regressive politics came to an end in 1970s. In my analysis, the establishment of today March 1969, but the damage had been done. The also realizes its past mistakes in pursuing regressive eastern wing of the country was up in arms. Yahya politics through corrupt propped political leaderKhan, the second dictator, took control of the coun- ship. since July 1977, a lot of dirty water has passed try with a promise of free and fair elections on the under the bridge, weakening its foundations. Mafias basis of one man, one vote. He also abrogated the are well entrenched and control the relevant record and levers of power. The ‘sarkari Leagues’, starting 1962 imposed constitution. a hung parliament is the dream of every dicta- with the PML-convention and coming down to the tor but the results in the 1970 free and fair elections PML(N) and PML(Q) of our times, have further came as a big surprise for the establishment. The compounded the problem. efforts for common good Mujib-led awami League bagged 161 seats in the are nowhere to be seen. comrades like Mian iftikharuddin, Mairaj eastern wing while Muhammed Khan, Bhutto’s progressive Hamza alvi, sheikh People’s Party bagged Rashid sr., Dr Mubashir 81 seats in West PakConfrontation may not be the best Hasan have perished. istan. When transfer of Who will formulate the power was delayed, way forward. A negotiated progressive agenda to civil war broke out in settlement between the past but move the country foreast Pakistan, and the ward? In the first decade rest is history, as it is entrenched forces of darkness and of Pakistan the progressaid. Bhutto came into sives kept the centrists power in what remained the comrades of change may still into check. ayub Khan of Quaid’s Pakistan. kicked in the regressive The republic started to work. It is a complex, difficult era which was then move in the direction of situation but nations do emerge turned around by Bhutto progressive politics, in the 1970s. Zia sucending the regressive from adversities to change their ceeded in neutralizing era of the first two dicthe democratic gains by tators. In 1973 a unanicourse but regressive politics pushing the country back mous constitution was have to be reversed to move into the political dark also passed, and Pakages the 1973 constituistan re-emerged as a forward. Today the Islamic tion was de-shaped but it constitutional democsurvived.

Musharraf racy. Bhutto’s popularRepublic of Pakistan is at the only talked about moderity was on the rise. cross roads. Tough decisions have ation but could not deBeaming with confiliver much. Benazir was dence and hoping for an to be taken, it is a test of cornered while Nawaz absolute majority, he Zardari forged an dissolved the assemleadership and political sagacity of and evil alliance to gain from blies ahead of the completion of his term in the Kaptaan. Obsolete Technicians the prevalent regressive politics of the Zia era. early 1977. The trap had (Puranay Mistri) may not be able to confrontation may been laid for him. The not be the best way forvery next day an oppodeliver ‘Naya Pakistan ward. a negotiated setsition alliance of nine tlement between the past diverse political parties but entrenched forces of was announced under darkness and the comthe banner of Pakistan National alliance (PNa). It turned out to be a one- rades of change may still work. It is a complex, difon-one contest. The very first election under the ficult situation but nations do emerge from new constitution was disputed. street protests adversities to change their course but regressive polstarted all over the country. The PNa, in con- itics have to be reversed to move forward. Today the nivance with the establishment, pushed the country Islamic Republic of Pakistan is at the cross roads. back into regressive politics which has continued Tough decisions have to be taken, it is a test of leadunabated till today. air Marshal asghar Khan real- ership and political sagacity of the Kaptaan. Obslete ized too late that he had been used as a tool to curb Technicians (Puranay Mistri) may not be able to dethe march of democracy in the country. He never liver ‘Naya Pakistan’. recovered from this gross miscalculation and his Dr Farid A Malik is ex-Chairman, Pakistan political career suffered an irreparable loss.

The present government led by Imran Khan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: continues to struggle in reversing the rot by moving fmaliks@hotmail.com.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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Kashmir has been and always will be an integral part of India. The Indian officials go as far as giving out statements, which include the azad Kashmir area and aksai chin while taking about Kashmir. India’s ruling party, the BJP, had promised its supporters to revoke the article, assuring them that they will fetch Kashmir as an Indian territory, while campaigning for their elections earlier this year. The earlier episode of suicide bombing in Kashmir which was allegedly backed by an organization based in Pakistan had fueled things and the BJP highlighted this to show the need to revoke the special status of Kashmir and make it India’s part.

Because Kashmir has been in such disturbing crisis since the very beginning, there has been very little development in the dispute problem. This point also gives Indians another explanation, that because of article 370, the Indian administration could not have done anything for Kashmiris. But now with this clause revoked, it gives them an opportunity to commit to Jammu and Kashmir for providing opportunities for development in many fields. Indian authorities as well as the population celebrated this action taken by Indian government.

Whenever there is such a conflict, the coherence between military and political factions is very necessary. There is a lesson in this for the smaller neighbours that a lot of times, bear the aggression of India, such as Pakistan. The thing that needs to be understood is that India is not capable of bearing the consequences of rapid escalation in conflict. seeing the disconnection between India’s political rhetoric and its military potential, India can be disciplined in future as well have a hold put on its regional bullying.

It is well known that India and china are the two main actors of this region in terms of being intrusive.

The difference is that china does not need any external help or alliance to show its power but India always needs a strong state backing it whenever it needs to make a show of its power. Now that there is a conflict between the two of them, the smaller states have a chance of either align themselves with the stronger party, china, or

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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they can stay neutral. It is no secret that staying neutral will have them pushed towards India or they will have to face the regional bully all on their own. china has much more ability to impose a similar tit-for-tat strategy on India and can occupy much more of the disputed territory but they have far more respect for the efforts to keep the status quo unlike India. This smaller skirmish can escalate into another sino-Indian conflict by any miscalculation or mistake which will further put the regional tranquility in danger. analytically, the crisis can be used by India in a way to get close to the usa. This can be its chance to win us favour against china. Though already India has the access to us military hardware get enough support, now it is a case of India’s territorial integrity. They will use whatever they must, even if the cost would be another race for military alliance in the region. It appears that china will be leading, possibly making alliance with Pakistan. Then the situation of India containing china with the help of the usa would be reversed.

They can no longer contain china if there is a regional military alliance. India will find itself contained.

The larger question is whether India can restore its credibility or not? Its reputation was basically shredded when India was humiliated by two different nuclear powers within 188 months. The recent standoff has helped china establishing military prowess in the region. This standoff has also proved that china can put its political ties at stake to defend its legitimate interests without any support needed from the outside.

In a world where entire regions are connected and dependent on the political ties between the states, such a conflict is a direct threat to the regional peace. Despite the efforts to solve border issues, both states have failed to keep the status quo. It was constantly pushed and pulled by both governments through the continuous infrastructure developments on the borders. Though, it seems that India has been pushing the limits, by modernizing its forces as well. No states would allow such modernization on border of a disputed territory.

Mishal Batool is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

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

Seeking Imran Khan’s resignation THe citizens of Pakistan feel outrageous to keep an unable government in Pakistan where economic policies, other infrastructure in the country is considered to be mismanaged. However, the opposition has stepped for a protest in order to finish Khan’s government which has even deprived a common man from important things. Giving a formal shape to their alliance with the name of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and demanding resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the country’s major opposition parties announced launching of a three-phased anti-government movement under an action starting from next month with countrywide meetings. They have lastly narrated the failed policies of the government had ruined the country’s economy which had put the country’s defence, nuclear capability and sovereignty in danger and expressing concern over price hike, increase in terrorism accidence, and growing tension of the country. In my point of this view, the selected prime minister of Pakistan should be given some more chances inorder to improve every neglected sectors in the country.

Barkatullah turBat

Lack of hospital

Socio-political development of modern Pakistan Dr rajkuMar singh

I

N the pre-Independence period, the allIndia Muslim League leadership argued that the Indian Muslims were a ‘separate nation’ of 100 million people, divided from the Indian Hindus by culture, history and values. The delay in the development of a middle class in the Muslims and the unequal composition of its intelligentsia, particularly in comparison to Hindus, had totally changed the class character and nature of leadership in the community. The Muslim intelligentsia was composed of the landlords, whereas the Hindu intelligentsia was recruited from all sections of society. The Hindu intelligentsia was more dynamic and progressive, while Muslim intelligentsia remained conservative and feared that ideas of liberal democracy would undermine their leadership in Muslim society. The Muslim League which claimed leadership in the pre-Independence era proved unable of fulfilling its historic role of becoming the natural party of government. It was also a poor guardian of the democratic process and unable to prevent military interventions. after creation, Pakistan stood as a divided, incomplete and partial homeland for the Muslims.

It comprised two wings–east and West Pakistan. east Pakistan constituted about 55 percent of the population and had been part of Bengal. Before Pakistan’s creation it was the rural hinterland of calcutta’s mills and factories. culturally, east Bengal shares the pride of calcutta in the glorious Bengali prose and poetry. since the Muslims were a majority in the province, the issue of political representation gave them an opportunity to assert their power against the cultural and economic domination of the Hindu community. West Pakistan was made up of part of the province of Punjab, the North West Frontier Province, sindh, Baluchistan and ten small princely states. about 45 percent of the population lived in Western part of Punjab and it was almost entirely agricultural. social and political change came to the Muslims of the Indus valley somewhat slower than to their brethren in the Gangetic delta. But surprisingly the Muslim League leadership did not come from either Bengal or the Indus Valley; it was drawn heavily from Muslim-minority provinces in India─ Mohammad ali Jinnah from Bombay and Liaquat ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, from New Delhi.

From its birth Pakistan’s greatest social challenges had been how to create a sense of citizenry among communities that have not historically regarded each other as part of the same ‘people’, aside from most being adherents of the same major religion. consequently it has been pulled strongly by public sentiment and the views of political leaders towards greater conformity with Islamic principles and law. Muslims and Hindus, while uneven around the country, are deeply embedded in some areas.

Both states have found that such tensions are partly open to remedy through education, economic development, legal recourse and direct government action.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan began its

The constitution of 1973 proved to be the political life with what is formally described as federal parliamentary government. Mohammad most durable constitution. Though the country ali Jinnah, the chief architect of Pakistan, and again witnessed a military coup by Gen Ziaul other Western-oriented professionals, envisioned Haq in 1977, it was kept suspended. On 18 a multiethnic, pluralistic and indubitably demo- March 1985, President Zia promulgated the Recratic country. He reminded the constituent as- vival of the constitution Order 1985, that added sembly of Pakistan ‘if we want to make this great new amendments to the constitution of 1973. state of Pakistan happy and prosperous we With the new provisions Pakistan experimented should wholly and solely concentrate on the with a policy approach that promised Islamisawell-being of the people, and especially of the tion. His was a government dominated by the masses and the poor.’ However, it was too good military and run by civilian bureaucrats. The to last. The death of Jinnah within a year of the governance of Zia seemed at times to be two independence and the sudden demise of his true steps backward, one step forward. at the politisuccessor, Liaquat ali Khan, in 1951, had created cal level Zia’s supporters included fundamentala void in the field of leadership which could not ist and reactionary parties of Islamic attitude. a be filled until the first martial-law period in 1958. large section of people, especially in Punjab, felt There was a keen contest for political dominance more comfortable and preferred Zia’s Islamic status-quo orientabetween the fundation as opposed to mentalists with an Bhutto’s socialist arch-conservative rhetoric. His attempt orthodox outlook, Later on, the over-mixing of to Islamise and leand the secular, his rule for democratic enlightPakistani and Afghan societies at gitimize a new lease of life ened and liberal sechad further polarised tion of society with various levels led to the country’s social sega modernist view of formation of the Taliban, a home- ments. man and society.

Once again, the From the viewpoint grown Pak militia. The nexus social composition of a stable and efand power structure fective form of govformed in the period of Zia also in Pak society witernment, Pakistan is a state ‘still in the disturbed the democratic regimes nessed a sea change when at the close of making’. successive of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz 1979, the ussR inpromulgation and in abrogation of conSharif and ultimately opened the tervened afghanistan and institutions in Pakstalled a puppet govistan reached route for latter’s replacement ernment of its own. nowhere. with army chief General Pervez The incident had The assessment paved the way for of Pakistan’s politiMusharraf in October 1999 after the intermingling of cal development Pakistani and since 1947 paints the debacle of Kargil. afghan societies at both an uneasy and more levels than a troubled picture. one. It affected PakFrom the start in the istani society qualibackground of a weak social and political atmosphere, the nexus tatively and quantitatively because there was a between the bureaucrats and the army began to massive influx of arms, especially submachine take a definite shape. The first constitution guns and automatic rifles, as weapons meant for which was promulgated on 23 March 1956, was afghan guerillas proliferated on the illegal arms abrogated in October 1958 and during this short market. Linkages between Mujahideen groups period of time no elections took place. The sec- and rightwing, religious parties of Pakistan ond constitution was promulgated on 8 June began to spread Islamic urges and fervour. The 1962 and abrogated by General agha Mo- then ruler of Pakistan failed to estimate the farhammed Yahya on 29 March 1969. In this only reaching damaging consequences and allowed ‘Basic Democrats’ were given the franchise. an- to happen everything contrary to social progress other constitutional document, the Legal Frame- and harmony. Later on, the over-mixing of Pakwork Order of 1969, was issued by General istani and afghan societies at various levels led Mohammed Yahya Khan. It abolished the One- to the formation of the Taliban, a home-grown unit Plan and provided the framework for the Pak militia. The nexus formed in the period of development of a new constitution. The Legal Zia also disturbed the democratic regimes of BeFramework Order set the stage for the 1970 elec- nazir Bhutto and Nawaz sharif and ultimately tions, the first direct elections based on universal opened the route for latter’s replacement with suffrage in Pakistan’s history. It was a free elec- army chief General Pervez Musharraf in Octotion but the result─ an overwhelming victory in ber 1999 after the debacle of Kargil. the east for sheikh Mujibur Rahman─ resulted Dr Rajkumar Singh is head of the political in the imposition of martial law followed by the brutal military crackdown that culminated in the science department of the B.N.Mandal 1971 War with India and independence of University, Madhepura, Bihar, India and can be reached at rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com Bangladesh.

BaLOOR, which is a small hamlet of district Kech, is deprived from Hospital. This is a major problem for the people of Baloor. The people who are spending their life in this small hamlet are cut down from the rest of the world. There is no proper road to it so the cars take 6 to 7 hours to reach at the nearest city, Turbat. so the people are suffering a lot and losing their precious lives because of small diseases which can easily be cured. If someone is not fine they need to reach to Turbat city. Due to the rigid road and the long distance mostly people pass away before reaching to a safe distance. The population of this small hamlet is increasing and all the people cannot afford to leave their villages. It is their home and it will be their home. so the representatives of this area, especially Zahoor Buledai is requested to build a hospital for Balor so that the people can be saved.

Sattar Samad kolwah

Strict action needed TuRBaT which is known as the second largest city of balochistan whose educational institutions are the ones who are not following the sOPs of the pandemic. as schools were opened on 15 of september so from that day till today the institutions of Turbat are among those who are not obeying the rules and regulations of the educational ministry. The students are drinking water with the same glasses and two students are sitting on one desk as there is no social distancing between the students in the boundary of the schools. I simply mean that the educational authorities should be the one who should take care of the students in a responsible manner. But yet being a student of one of the school of Turbat I have never seen any member of educational authorities visiting my school or the other schools of the city. so at the last my suggestion it to the educational authorities is that they should visit the schools and colleges of the city and take strict actions against these schools as it belongs to the health of the child studying in these school. muzeer Salam hotthaBad

Heart disease THe heart is the main organ of the body that circulates the blood overall the body. The heart is being effected by some humans activities, they knowingly do the things. There are many factors which affect the heart like lack of regular exercise, using Tabaco, not eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and lack of walking these matter in life and cause heart disease or attack. all things are known to everyone but still they do their own by this most of Pakistani are losing their lives. In 1965 and 1973 they reported 0% and 3.7% heart attack in Pakistan urban areas and rural areas both 3 years old only 12 people dying from heart disease per hour this said by Khawar Kazmi the professor of NIcVD on saturday. In 2015 19 per cent died almost 250,000,46 people per hour. again it increase 29 per cent, 406,870 died per year in Pakistan daily 1,115 people lose their lives. Now 58 % death per year in Pakistan. The disease is spreading a lot in the country, some other factors like hypertension ,diabetes, obesity cholesterol generate cardiovascular. aBida diljan kech

Vaccine of Covid-19 in Pakistan INDIa announced a policy under which it will produce a vaccine for its one billion population before selling it to any other country.

The debate goes on that, at present, 15 vaccine were in phase globally, out of which 11 target the spike protein. even in Pakistan there was no vaccine for covid-19 to treat its patients so Now the Pakistan has to focus on producing vaccine for its own population because after acquiring a vaccine in the next six month, we will lose thousands of people in Pakistan as the percentage of positive covid-19 infection crossing all records now. mehr Baloch Sajidi awaran

Stressed youth THROuGH the esteemed column of your prestigious newspaper I would like to draw your kind attention towards increasing level of stress among youth. With the changing world we are dealing with a lot of things now a days. Main cause of stress is unemployment and peer pressure. With such a high population and increasing competition, it has become extremely difficult to get your dream job. school going students also see examination as a burden. Kindly acknowledge the matter to do the needful. Your support would be highly appreciated. maheen jamila karachi

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

DisTincTion beTween free speech, seDiTion is being losT sighT of by esTablishmenT IT IS TIME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT TO REALISE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY MEAN WELL, AND IN ANY DEMOCRACY, THERE ARE BOUND TO BE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW

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madan b lokur

gradual erosion of one of our most precious fundamental rights — the right to freedom of speech and expression — is adversely impacting the liberty of all those who dare to speak up. Our freedom of speech is being mauled, through twisting and turning the law if not abusing it altogether. In my opinion, one of the worst forms of curtailment of the freedom of speech is charging a person with sedition. In 1962, a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court … drew a correlation between sedition

and violence, sedition and inciting violence, and sedition and tendency to incite violence — not just simple violence but violence of such a degree as to bring it within the purview of public disorder. So, when you have rival gangs confronting each other and one of them shouts “maro”, a law-and-order situation of rioting and attempt to murder arises, not of sedition. however, depending on the occasion and context, when a speaker raises a slogan at a public gathering of supporters by shouting “goli maro”, a charge could possibly be laid of tending to incite violence or incitement to violence and raising a public order issue rather than a law-and-order issue. The distinction is quite clear.

When there is a call to protest for a cause without any incitement to violence, it would not be sedition under any circumstances. For example, when a call was made for large numbers to assemble on the lawns of India Gate to protest against the rape and murder of Nirbhaya, or when India Against Corruption peacefully protested on the Ram Lila grounds, the organisers could not be held liable for sedition. This is extremely important for distinguishing between free speech and sedition, but unfortunately the distinction is being lost sight of by the establishment.

In recent years, new methods of silencing speech have been introduced: Attribute something to a speaker that he or she never said. A doctor delivered an address to students of the Aligarh Muslim University sometime in December 2019 criticising the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. Over one month later, he was arrested for making a provocative speech.

About 10 days later, he was granted bail but was not released. Immediately thereafter, he was kept in preventive detention under the National Security Act. The doctor challenged his preventive detention in the Allahabad high Court and by a judgment and order passed on September 1, the preventive detention order was quashed. The hC concluded that the detenu was alleged to have said things which he did not. For example, while he spoke of national integrity, he was accused of promoting hatred; while he deprecated violence, he was accused of promoting violence. Another recent case on the same subject of attribution is that of a student activist, accused among things, of attempt to murder and making an inflammatory speech and inciting violence. The Delhi high Court granted her bail after three months and noted that the prosecution had “failed to produce any material that she in her speech instigated women of particular community.”

Air pollution in winter could exacerbate the severity and spread of coronavirus in South Asia Third Pole Soumya Sarkar, Zofeen ebrahim & rameSh bhuShal

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he dramatic drop in air pollution after large swathes of South Asia shut down in response to Covid-19 was short-lived. Newly clean skies in cities from Peshawar to Guwahati stirred hope that action on South Asia’s lethal air pollution was possible. But as lockdowns eased, pollution levels crept back up. Now experts warn that bad air could worsen the spread and severity of the coronavirus pandemic this winter as South Asia descends into its annual smog season. Pollution levels peak every autumn and winter, when agricultural waste burning, industry, vehicle fumes and brick kilns combine to create a toxic soup.

Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan have overtaken China and become home to the most polluted cities in the world. Millions of people die every year from breathing in poisonous air, with life expectancy cut by five years on average. This rises to more than eight years in the most polluted areas of northern India.

But governments have failed to act. In India, activists have rejected the government’s National Clean Air Programme as insufficient. While some real-time data is available in India, cities in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal still lack basic equipment for monitoring air pollution, let alone a robust strategy to address the sources.

POLLUTION AND COVID-19 LINK: emerging studies, currently undergoing peer review, suggest that long-term exposure to air pollution before the pandemic is associated with severe symptoms from Covid-19 and a greater risk of death. Academics at harvard University looked at fatalities from the virus and historic levels of dangerous particulate matter, known as PM2.5, across the United States. They found that high levels of particulate pollution in the years before the pandemic were associated with an 8% rise in Covid-19 death rates.

Another study in the Netherlands found that a small increase in exposure to pollution raised the death rate by up to 21%, though the World health Organization said the methodology used and the results would need to be evaluated and overall, more data is needed to understand the way air pollution can affect the development of the disease.

While the evidence from South Asia is still scarce, public health experts in India are echoing the warning given by the WhO and calling on the government to take immediate action. “Our worst fears are that as the winters arrive and air pollution rises this could compound the Covid-19 situation,” said TK Joshi, health expert at India’s Central Pollution Control Board and member of the prime minister’s Covid-19 task force. “Already our health infrastructure is under tremendous stress.”

Speaking about the connection between air pollution and the pandemic at a webinar organised by World Wide Fund India, Joshi said, “The quality of air has a bearing on a person’s immunity.” “Air pollution is definitely going to make the situation worse,” said Joshi.

India has been hit very hard by the pandemic, with the second-largest number of cases in the world after the US and its caseload rising by around 70,000 a day at the beginning of October. After malnutrition, the WhO has identified air pollution as the country’s most severe pub-

LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO POLLUTANTS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE SYMPTOMS FROM COVID-19 AND A GREATER RISK OF DEATH lic health risk. “The double whammy of poor air quality and exposure to the virus will certainly aggravate the existing public health crisis in India,” said Poornima Prabhakaran, an epidemiologist and deputy director of the Centre for environmental health, Public health Foundation of India.

“The health effects of poor air quality are wellknown and are significantly worse in vulnerable populations including extremes of age, pregnant women and those with pre-existing comorbidities,” she explained.

“Chronic exposure to deteriorating air quality every year results in compromised lung function in exposed populations. These individuals are therefore likely to be more vulnerable in a pandemic.”

Among the first patients hospitalised with Covid-19, pneumonia, sepsis, respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome were reported as the most frequent complications.

Other studies suggest high levels of particulate pollution in the air increases Covid-19 transmission. Arun Sharma, director of the University of Delhi’s College of Medical Sciences, said, “high concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 (particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres or less, or 10 micrometres or less) provides more particle surfaces for the virus to stick to and get transported over greater distances.” The virus can also potentially survive longer when attached to pollutants.

“It is clear that while authorities are battling the pandemic, they cannot push tackling the air pollution crisis to a later day,” Sharma said. “The two are intricately related and impact public health at large.”

WHAT ACTION? In early October, air quality in Delhi slipped to the “poor” category for the first time in three months. The government defines this as a level that “may cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure and discomfort to people with heart diseases with short exposure”. The deterioration was partially due to farmers upwind setting rice and wheat straw on fire to clear their fields for the winter crop. In an average year, during the two to three autumn weeks when stubble burning is at its peak, it accounts for around 20% of PM2.5 concentration in Delhi. It is a much-discussed problem. But in the absence of viable alternatives to get rid of the straw, farmers have little choice, as pointed out by Pallavi Pant, an air quality scientist at the US-based health effects Institute. Authorities responded by banning the use of diesel generators around India’s capital and using water cannons to tamp down dust.

Pollution was just as bad over much of the IndoGangetic plains. But in the absence of an effective air quality monitoring network, most people are unaware of the risks.

Tanushree Ganguly, air quality researcher at the Council on energy, environment and Water, outlined the

main steps authorities should take. These include developing inventories to identify pollution sources and design effective responses; expanding continuous air quality monitoring networks countrywide; encouraging public transport and adding teeth to the existing clean air plans for cities by setting legally mandated timelines and emission-reduction targets. CeeW also calls for old and inefficient coal-fired power plants to be decommissioned by 2024.

RURAL WOMEN MOST VULNERABLE As the pandemic spreads to rural areas, women may be particularly at risk. Studies have shown women in rural areas are vulnerable to air pollution because many still use biomass like fuelwood or animal dung for cooking. Recent research from the World Bank has found a positive link between Covid-19 fatality rates and exposure to household air pollution. “exposure to indoor air pollution disproportionately affects women and children, who are more likely to spend longer indoors in rural areas,” said Prabhakaran of Public health Foundation of India. “With the spread of the pandemic in rural tracts of the country, we could expect to see a rise in the incidence of acute respiratory illnesses with consequent increased burden on health systems. The impending winter can also aggravate the situation with vulnerable individuals presenting with greater frequency of respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms.” “health system preparedness is therefore key, along with sensitisation and awareness-building among communities on preventive strategies and access to appropriate healthcare,” said Prabhakaran.

Pant, of health effects Institute, similarly stressed the importance of mask-wearing and social distancing, adding that “It is harder to control pollution in one season [than Covid-19 transmission].”

PAKISTAN BRACeS FOR SeCOND WAVe Pakistan has not been hit as hard by Covid-19 as India so far, but health officials warn that it could soon experience a second wave. The reproduction rate of the virus (R value) is now over one in cities like Lahore and Faisalabad and a staggering four in Quetta. Most of Pakistan has the same air pollution problem as northern India, so runs the same risk.

Mohsen Gul, founder of Green Box, a youth-led think-tank researching a better response to Covid-19 and future pandemics, wants authorities to take immediate action. “The onset of winter leading to transboundary air pollution incidence in the region can have a domino effect on the vulnerability of already vulnerable population groups to a higher risk of Covid-19,” said Gul. “Although a World Bank study [looking at the links between air pollution and Covid-19 in South Asia] is at an initial stage, it implies that air pollution must be limited as much as possible to minimise the impact of a second or

These cases lead to a frightening inference that if a citizen says something that is not even distasteful, he or she can be arrested on the basis of a fairy tale. If that person does not say anything at all but is a thorn in the flesh of the establishment, she can still be arrested and detained on some trumped up charges.

If you are old enough, please compare it to the period between 1975 and 1977 when persons were jailed for allegedly threatening the internal security of the country, without any evidence in this regard. We are gradually witnessing a somewhat similar situation… the only difference being that during the emergency, the alleged threat was to our internal security and today the alleged threat is to the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) started keeping a record of sedition cases in 2014 and every year has seen a spike in sedition cases. Figures for 2019 recently released by the NCRB reveal a 30 per cent increase. Almost every state seems to have weaponised sedition as a means of silencing critics. In an absolutely peaceful atmosphere, a teenager in Bengaluru raised a particular slogan three times and this resulted in her arrest on charges of sedition. She spent four months in jail before she was granted bail. Again in Karnataka, as many as 85 schoolchildren were interrogated by the police concerning a play in which a child recites what the authorities found to be an objectionable dialogue. The mother of the child and the teacher who oversaw the play were charged with sedition and arrested.

While it is important for each of us to exercise our fundamental rights within reasonable limits laid down by law, there is a greater obligation on the establishment to ensure that the laws are not misused or abused in such a manner that citizens are deprived of fundamental rights that impact their liberty. It is time for the establishment to realise that the people of this country mean well, and in any democracy, there are bound to be different points of view. These must be respected — otherwise the fabric of our society might disintegrate, and fraternity, one of the key words in the preamble to our Constitution, might just become another dead idea

a third wave.” Air pollution is responsible for nearly 22% of premature deaths in the country and air pollution-related illness costs about 2.5% of GDP a year, he said.

Ahmad Rafay Alam, an environmental lawyer and activist, said, “The smog season will make Covid-19 symptoms and recovery much, much more severe.”

Many cities in Pakistan do not even collect or report air quality data. This is the first crucial step to tackling pollution. “[The government] should first make credible data available from all the provinces, major cities with source segregation,” said Aisha Khan, head of Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change in Pakistan. “This means operational and functional equipment to measure pollutants and technically qualified staff to take and analyse readings.”

Alam called on the government to shift from fossil fuel energy to renewables, crackdown on polluting industries such as cement and steel, improve fuel quality to minimum euro IV and upgrade old vehicles. “The best thing to do in the short term is to invest in masks and distribute them,” he said, while criticising the government’s response to the pandemic.

There is some hope in recent government pledges to seek a green recovery and stimulus programme postCovid-19. “Investing more in renewable energy, electric vehicles and low-carbon technologies will not only fight climate change, but also help prepare countries to deal with such epidemics and pandemics in the future,” said Gul of Green Box. NEPAL – NO RESEARCH, NO PLAN Nepal’s capital Kathmandu is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Winters are particularly bad, as the surrounding mountains trap pollutants in the bowlshaped Kathmandu valley.

The initial lockdown in Kathmandu helped to clean the city’s air. however, with the end of the monsoon, vehicles back on the roads and industries opening up, Kathmandu is a dust bowl again.

Air pollution experts worry the situation could become worse this winter. But indoor pollution is a big concern. “What we can say is that cities like Kathmandu are congested with low ventilation, polluting fuels used in kitchens and lack of proper heating systems, which would make the situation worse in this winter amidst the pandemic,” said Bhupesh Adhikary, senior air quality specialist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. he added that emissions from residences are the biggest source of pollution in the eight hindu Kush-himalayan countries. “We have to tackle emissions from the residential sector if we really want to improve air pollution and its exposure in our region,” he said.

The connection between air pollution and Covid-19 is not the radar of the Nepali authorities. “We have air pollution data, the ministry of health works on healthrelated data but there hasn’t been any discussion of joint research activities yet,” said Shanker Prasad Paudel, spokesperson at the Department of environment.

But experts say air pollution should be a priority. “Increasing air pollution in winter months and the ever-increasing cases of Covid-19 should be of bigger concern for Nepal,” said Maheswar Rupakheti, research group leader at the Institute of Advanced Sustainability Studies in Germany, who works on air pollution in Nepal.

LACK OF DATA RAISeS RISK Across South Asia, the number of tests being conducted for Covid-19 is grossly inadequate, especially outside big cities. This comes on top of an equally inadequate air quality monitoring network. This absence of data in two crucial spheres may raise the pandemic risk in the region manifold.

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

BUSINESS 09

corporate corner Lucky Cement awarded for Best Corporate Report KARACHI: Lucky Cement Ltd has won the ‘Best Corporate Report Award’ with the second position in the cement category at the much anticipated ‘Best Corporate & Sustainability Report Awards 2019’. The recognition was jointly announced by the Institute of Charted Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP). On winning the award, Syed Noman Hasan, Executive Director of Lucky Cement Ltd, said, “Over the past few years, Lucky Cement has won a number of prestigious awards and recognitions, achieving new milestones in the cement industry. The company's success reflects the collective effort and passion of the company’s employees. At Lucky Cement, governance, compliance, ethics, and transparency are the cornerstones of our business model.” PREss RElEAsE

Lifebuoy announced as official hygiene partner for Carfirst ISLAMABAD: CarFirst, Pakistan’s most trusted used car trading platform, has announced Lifebuoy, the world’s number one germ protection soap brand, as their official ‘Hygiene Partner’. Lifebuoy’s global and national dedication to hand hygiene reinforced CarFirst’s commitment to partner with the brand as their official hygiene partner. Commenting on this partnership, Anam Toseef, Head of Corporate Communications CarFirst, said, “The health and wellbeing of our employees, customers, and members of our community is our utmost priority, and this collaboration aims to provide our community access to reliable hand hygiene. During the ongoing Covid pandemic, we valued Lifebuoy’s public service messaging, where they encouraged and appealed to the Pakistani public to wash their hands with soap, regardless of the brand.” PREss RElEAsE

PPMA demands periodic review of drug prices based on CPI NEWS DESK: The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) held a press briefing to demand continuity of the system of linking medicine prices with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the bare minimum requirement for the drug industry for availability of quality medicines at the most affordable prices. PPMA Chairman of Tauqeerul Haq while speaking at a press briefing said that linkage of medicine prices with CPI under the new drug pricing regime should continue for uninterrupted production by Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. He said that medicine prices should be periodically reviewed in view of the inflation as up to 95pc raw material used in drug manufacturing was imported. He said that in the past, a number of essential drugs had vanished from the market as their production had become infeasible for the medicine industry in absence of the system of periodic review of the prices. The PPMA chairman said that patients were left with no option other than using smuggled medicines of questionable quality when the local industry were not able to produce essential drugs due to sheer economic reasons. He said the periodic review of the drug prices would ensure that drug industry would play a vital role in economic progress of the country by generating sizable employment opportunities for fresh university graduates and labourers alike.

Motorbike, three-wheeler sales jump 20pc in July-Sept quarter ISLAMABAD: The sale of motorbikes and three wheelers in the country witnessed an increase of 20.05pc in the first quarter (July-September) of the current financial year (2020-21) as compared to the corresponding period of last year. As many as 448,736 motorbikes and three wheelers were sold in July-Sept FY21 as against the sale of 367,656 units in July-Sept FY20, according to data released by the Pakistan Automobile Manufacturing Association (PAMA).

The sale of Honda motorcycles grew by 22.49pc year-onyear to 288,005 units during the period under review as against 235,116 units in the same months of last year. On the other hand, the sale of Suzuki motorcycles dipped by 8.66pc YoY to 4,583 units (5,018 units last year), while that of Yamaha motorbikes decreased by 25.25pc to 4,643 units (6,212 units last year). APP

TexTILe MILLeRS LAMenT SPIke In SePT PoweR BILLS LAHORE

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HAssAN NAQVI

HE All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has expressed concerns over the increase in power tariff from ₵7.5 per kWh to ₵9 in September bills, saying that this increase would play havoc with the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector in the textile value chain.

During a meeting held on Wednesday, APTMA members stated the inflated tariff of ₵9 per kWh shown in Sept bills is 20pc higher than the earlier month’s tariff of ₵7.5 per kWh. They said the year 2020 has already been a challenging one both for the government as well as the industry due to the global outbreak of Covid-19. In view

APTMA DEPLORES INFLATED TARIFF OF 9 PER KWH SHOWN IN SEPT BILLS, SEEKS IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL of the massive drop in export orders due to closure of markets, the industry was expecting continuity of ₵7.5 per kWh power tariff, they added.

The participants noted that the average regional power tariff is not more than ₵7 per kWh, adding that this new increase would make Pakistan’s textile value chain uncompetitive in the region.

It was informed that Pakistan’s cost of power production is 26pc higher for the industrial sector compared to other regional countries like Vietnam, Sri

PTCL posts Rs96bn revenue for nine months 2020 NEWS DESK Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the country’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, has announced its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, at its Board of Directors’ meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The company reported a revenue of Rs96 billion for the nine months ended September 2020; when normalized for the impact of Covid-19 and certain regulatory changes affecting Ufone, the group's revenue is 4.2pc higher than 2019 on a like-for-like basis.

UBank continued its growth momentum and has achieved a double-digit growth in its revenue over last year.

PTCL standalone revenue for the nine months period is 0.7pc

lower than last year; when normalized for the impact of Covid-19, the like-for-like revenue is 1.2pc higher than the same period of last year.

As the post-Covid situation got better and the markets opened up after the lockdowns, the PTCL Group's performance showed signs of improvement. The group’s 3Q2020 revenue is higher by 3.4pc over the same quarter of last year.

The topline growth coupled with cost control initiatives translated into 167pc and 356pc improvement in the group’s operating profit and net profit for the quarter, respectively.

During the 3rd quarter, PTCL wireline segment showed positive trends. It recorded the highest ever sale in broadband for any quarter since Q4 2014. Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) continues to grow with consistent growth in subscriber

base during the period with a promising outlook.

The positive momentum in wireless (CharJi) segment continued with subscriber base increasing by 21pc on YoY basis. Retail business recorded 6pc growth in revenue between Q3 2020 vs Q2 2020.

Corporate and wholesale businesses continued their growth momentum and have achieved a 6pc overall revenue growth YoY. Similarly, international revenue has also shown 6pc growth as compared to the same period last year.

PTCL, in collaboration with SCO, has successfully established strategic partnership to monetize CPEC cross border connectivity. The company has been successful to maintain its dominant position in the market with reference to IP bandwidth and managed capacity services.

SCCI invites Belgian investors to explore CPEC projects PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Sherbaz Bilour has invited Belgians investors to make investments in hydel power, oil & gas, mines & mineral, gemstones, tourism, agriculture and other sectors under the framework of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), emphasising that the province has huge potential available for foreign investors.

The SCCI chief said this during a meeting with Belgium Ambassador to Pakistan Philippe Bronchain at the chamber house on Wednesday. SCCI Senior Vice President Engineer Manzoor Elahi, SCCI Vice President Junaid Altaf, former FPCCI president Ghazanfar Bilour, former SCCI presidents, members of the chamber executive committee and Embassy of Belgium Trade Commissioner Abid Hussain were also present on the occasion.

The meeting discussed various prospects to enhance bilateral trade, investment and joint ventures between Belgium and Pakistan.

Trade Commissioner Abid Husain shed light on the

bilateral trade volume between the two countries and potential sectors where economic and trade relations could be enhanced.

Both sides agreed that the SCCI and Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) so as to enhance trade linkages between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Bronchain said that his country was interested in making investments in Pakistan, adding that he would play a constructive role in building a strong image of Pakistan in his country.

It may be noted that Belgium is an important country of Europe, with Brussels being the European Union's (EU) headquarter. Strengthening of trade ties with Belgium could also help Pakistan maintain and improve the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus status.

The SCCI president stressed the need to establish business-to-business contacts, hold joint trade exhibitions, exchange trade delegations and simplify the process of business and tourism visas.

Philippe Bronchain agreed with the recommendations and emphasised the need to further bolster mutual trade and economic ties between the two countries.

Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, South Korea, Thailand and India; whereas it is 28pc costlier for residential areas compared with regional countries.

It is worth noting that the majority of the SMEs in the textile value chain are without gas connections, which means they would have to face an alarming disparity against their regional competitors. The importance of a level-playing field can be estimated from the fact that 70-80 per cent employment is in the SME sector and its growth could address primary issues of the country.

The APTMA members appealed Prime Minister Imran Khan and Power Minister Omar Ayub to take stock of the situation and instruct DISCOs to withdraw electricity bills immediately in the larger interest of the country’s exports, employment and investment.

mArket dAily Stocks post modest gains in rangebound session KARACHI sTAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday managed to reverse the recent declining trend, with the indices ending in the green on late buying Global equity markets displayed mixed sentiments, whereas crude oil prices slipped lower from the previous close; WTI crude price declining 0.37pc to $40.05 while Brent crude price falling 0.26pc to $42.34. "The market opened on a positive note, but concerns over political and economic uncertainty caused investors to stay at bay rather than taking long positions," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. "The overall trading volumes remained thin for the most part until the closing hour. Oil & gas marketing companies, cement and steel stocks sustained selling pressure despite positive expectations on upcoming quarterly announcements." The benchmark KSE-100 Index moved in a narrow range on Monday, registering its intraday low at 39,845.77 (-160.91 points) and intraday high at 40,183.87 (+177.19 points). It ended higher by 137.61 points at 40,144.29. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index accumulated 153.48 points to close at 63,928.64, while the KSE All Share Index gathered 101.77 points, settling at 28,473.89. The overall market volumes contracted further from 290.07 million shares in the previous session to 232.79 million shares (-20pc). Average traded value also declined by 13pc, from $59.9 million to $52.3 million. Hascol Petroleum Ltd (HASCOL +1.87pc), Unity Foods Ltd (UNTIY +2.04pc) and TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +2.56pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 24.03 million, 21.50 million and 19.61 million shares, respectively. Sectors that kept benchmark index afloat included fertilizer (+20.70 points), textile composite (+18.92 points) and cement (+17.24 points).

Among the companies, Allied Bank Ltd (ABL +17.11 points), Hub Power Company Ltd (HUBC +13.88 points) and Pak Petroleum Ltd (PPL +13.27 points) remained the top contributors. Adding 1.13pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the oil & gas marketing sector ended as the session’s top performer, with Shell Pakistan Ltd (SHEL +7.50pc), Attock Petroleum Ltd (APL +2.26pc) and Hi-Tech Lubricants Ltd (HTL +1.59pc) posting decent gains.

Foundation Securities launches first Shariah-compliant trading platform in Asia Pacific KARACHI ARIBA sHAHID

The first Shariah-compliant trading platform in the Asia Pacific has been launched by Foundation Securities, one of the many subsidiaries of the Fauji Foundation Group.

Foundation Securities, which is also part of a local affiliate of Macquarie Capital, has launched the maiden Islamic trading platform in Pakistan to cater to an untapped market that was reluctant to participate in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) due to the non-availability of pure Shariah-compliant trading facilities. The guidelines being fol-

lowed have been communicated by the Meezan Shariah Board in this regard.

“Many investors don't invest in the market directly as they don't understand technical issues like T+2 trading and the difference between the ready market and future market.

They prefer Islamic funds like Al-Meezan investments and others”, notes Syed Ahmed Zaidi, CEO of Foundation Securities.

"Using this platform, Shariah conscious investors do not have to worry about holding on to cash during downturns in the market.

They can invest as per the Islamic rules while having the ability to withdraw at any time," he added.

It may be noted here that while similar applications and services are available in North America, they are not backed by a large financial institution; this is a unique edge that Foundation Securities has.

Zaidi further says that he is confident about the demand for the trading platform.

“Alhamdulillah, we are extremely excited at the launch of this unique trading platform that will gain massive popularity as many people avoid capital markets due to the nonavailability of shariah-compliant platforms.”

The new platform is independent of the existing platform and available to all classes of investors.

CMYK

DIFFERENT FROM CONVENTIONAL PLATFORMS: Features of the new Shariah-compliant trading platform include investment only in stocks in the KSE Meezan Index-All Share (KMI – All Share) index, 100 per cent cash basis (no leverage), only ready counter trade facility, no intra-day trading allowed, restriction on the sale of Letter of Rights, and investment in shariah-based Exchange Traded Fund Meezan Pakistan.

PSX-KMI All Share Index, developed by PSX and Meezan Bank, comprises of all shariah-compliant companies listed on the PSX Ltd. The index enlists 226 companies with 24 additions and 24 expulsions made in 2019.

No intraday trading means that investors can sell only after settlement in 2 days after the transaction, known at the PSX as t+2.

Foundation Securities (Pvt.) Limited is a full-service equities broking and investment banking firm with corporate membership of the PSX Ltd and the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange.

The firm marks the entry of Fauji Foundation in the financial services sector. It has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Macquarie Capital Securities Ltd, an affiliate of global financial institution Macquarie Group, covering investment banking and securities operations.

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Seeking to CloSe gAp, trUmp bASheS biden on frACking AS CAmpAign intenSifieS JOHNSTOWN

U

agencies

S President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden fanned out to critical battleground states on Tuesday as the presidential race entered a final, intense phase amid record numbers of early votes cast.

At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump blasted Biden on his environmental and energy policies as a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed him losing ground in the battleground state.

Biden stumped again in Florida, chasing the all-important senior vote as he faulted Trump for his handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Trump’s event in Johnstown was his second campaign event in two nights as he raced to make up the time he lost while recovering from the virus. He plans to hold rallies the rest of the week as he seeks to close what polls say is a significant gap with Biden nationwide but a tighter one in some battleground states.

Trump is battling the clock. Almost 12 million ballots have been cast so far, including more than 1.6 million in Florida, according to the US Elections Project at the University of Florida, shattering previous records.

The president accused Biden of wanting to ban fracking, the process of extracting gas through hydraulic fracturing, which he said

would damage the state’s economy.

“One of the most important issues for Pennsylvania is the survival of your fracking industry,” Trump told the crowd, some of whom sported red-and-blue MAGA masks.

“Joe Biden has repeatedly pledged to abolish fracking. He’s a liar.”

Biden has said that he wants to ban new oil and gas production on federal lands, but not ban fracking outright – although his statements on the issue have at times been confusing.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday showed Biden with a 7-point lead in Pennsylvania, up from 5 points a week earlier. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016.

Speaking to about 50 people at a community center in Broward County in South Florida, Biden said Trump had recklessly dismissed the threat that the coronavirus had posed to their at-risk population.

“To Donald Trump, you’re expendable.

You’re forgettable. You’re virtually nobody.

That’s how he sees seniors. That’s how he sees you,” Biden said.

At his Johnstown event, Trump pledged to protect seniors. Biden has said Trump wants to eliminate the payroll tax, which helps fund the Social Security benefit program for retirees.

“While I am president, no one will touch your Medicare or your Social Security,” Trump said.

A Biden win over Trump in Florida

would seriously jeopardize the president’s chances for re-election, and most recent opinion polls show the Democrat ahead with key demographic groups in the state, particularly seniors. Trump won Florida in 2016 by 1.2 percentage points.

After Tuesday, Trump plans rallies in Iowa, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida later this week as he barnstorms through crucial states just three weeks ahead of the November election.

The president’s schedule, however, sends him to areas friendly to him, suggesting that his campaign is concerned with mobilizing his conservative base rather than reaching out to undecided voters, many of who live in the nation’s suburbs.

FOCUS TURNS TO PANDEMIC: The president returned to the campaign trail on Monday night in Florida for the first time since disclosing he had the coronavirus.

The rally came hours after the White House said Trump had tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days and was not infectious to others.

They were the president’s first negative COVID-19 tests announced by the White House since Trump said on Oct 2 that he had contracted the virus. In a memo, White House physician Dr. Sean Conley did not say when the tests were conducted.

Biden has been critical of Trump’s management of the pandemic. Trump has worked

for months to shift public attention away from the coronavirus, which has infected more than 7.8 million people in the United States, killed more than 214,000 and put millions out of work.

But Trump’s illness has put the focus of the campaign’s closing stretch squarely on his response to the coronavirus.

INDIAN AMERICANS SOLIDLY BEHIND BIDEN IN US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, SURVEY SHOWS NEW DELHI: Nearly three-quarters of Indian Americans plan to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in the US election next month, believing the country is headed in the wrong direction under President Donald Trump, according to a survey on Wednesday. Indian Americans, the second-largest immigrant group in the United States, make up less than 1 percent of registered voters for the Nov 3 election. But both parties have reached out to the community in case they become important in the event of a close vote. The Indian community is also in the spotlight after Biden picked Senator Kamala Harris, the daughter of an Indian immigrant, as his running mate. Harris is the first Black woman and Asian American in history to make the presidential ticket for a major party. The survey found 72 percent of registered Indian American voters supported Biden for president compared to 22 percent for Trump. The rest either chose “others” or said they did not intend to vote. The survey, a collaboration between the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Johns Hopkins-SAIS, and the University of Pennsylvania, covered 936 Indian Americans. It was conducted between Sept. 1 and Sept. 20 in partnership with YouGov with an overall margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent.

The Indian community has traditionally supported the Democratic Party, but strong personal ties between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have raised expectations of a shift. agencies

Beijing slams Canada over Xinjiang & Hong Kong remarks BEIJING agencies

China has hit back at Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after he criticized Beijing’s human rights record, detention of Canadian citizens, and use of “coercive diplomacy.”

On Wednesday, the spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, Zhao Lijian, said the Canadian government had shown “hypocrisy” and “weakness,” as he responded to comments made

by Trudeau. Trudeau fired warning shots at Beijing on Tuesday as he marked the 50th anniversary of Canada’s diplomatic ties with China.

“We will remain absolutely committed to working with our allies to ensure that China’s approach of coercive diplomacy, and its arbitrary detention of two Canadian citizens, alongside citizens of other countries around the

world, is not viewed as a successful tactic by them,” the prime minister said.

Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have been detained in China since December 2018 on suspicion of espionage. Their arrests came just days after a Chinese citizen was arrested in Canada.

Trudeau was also critical of China’s human rights record, condemning Beijing’s treatment of the Uighur population of Xinjiang and sharing his concern for the people of Hong Kong.

In Tuesday’s state press conference, Lijian praised the progress achieved by China and Canada over the 50 years of diplomatic relations, but also pleaded with Ottawa to release a Chinese citizen who had been detained in Canada at the request of the US. Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of telecom giant Huawei, was detained in De-

In Florida, Biden said he was disappointed that Trump’s bout with the virus had not left him more chastened about his approach to the pandemic.

“The longer Donald Trump is president, the more reckless he seems to get,” Biden said. “Thank God we only have three weeks left to go.”

cember 2018 on re-entry to Canada. She was arrested on charges of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud in order to circumvent US sanctions against Iran. Lijian contended that Wanzhou’s unlawful detention was the root cause of the current deterioration in SinoCanadian relations. On Tuesday, Beijing called on Asian nations to unite against Washington’s “old-fashioned cold war mentality” in the latest war of words between Washington and Beijing. The two nations have introduced multiple reciprocal restrictions on each other’s diplomats.

Meanwhile, China’s spiraling diplomatic dispute with Canberra took a further turn on Monday, as China reportedly banned Australian coal imports. Beijing has previously accused Australia of mass espionage and the raiding of the homes of Chinese journalists.

China urges Asia to unite against US’ geopolitical ambitions BEIJING agencies

China’s top diplomat has urged neighbouring states to guard against Washington’s geopolitical ambitions in Asia and called for regional cooperation to thwart foreign provocations in the South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a joint news conference with his Malaysian counterpart that members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work together to ensure security in the region. The top diplomat argued that the “South China Sea should not be a ground for major power wrestling teeming with warships,” adding that “China and ASEAN have full capacity and wisdom, as well as responsibility, to maintain peace and tranquility.”

Earlier, Wang, who is visiting Malaysia as part of a tour of Southeast Asia, called for cooperation among ASEAN states to remove “external disruption” in the South China Sea. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have been rising for months, with US naval patrols through the South China Sea continuing to strain bilateral relations. Washington has frequently conducted so-called “freedom of navigation” missions – as well as aerial surveillance missions – in the region, claiming that such operations safeguard marine traffic there. Beijing has denounced the US military presence as a provocation that threatens its territorial sovereignty. China has accused Washington of “militarizing” the South China Sea, warning that the unwanted naval activity could lead to accidents. The US, meanwhile, has alleged that Beijing is aiming to create a “maritime empire” in the region

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

Misbah stePs dowN as PakistaN chief selector, to reMaiN head coach LAHORE

M

AGENCIES

ISBAHUL HAQ has decided to step down as chief selector to focus more on his head coach role with the national cricket team.

Misbah told a media briefing in Lahore on Wednesday that he has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he would be stepping down as chief selector on November 30. He had taken the dual role of chief selector and head coach in September last year.

“I will select the squad for the coming series against Zimbabwe but after that I just want to focus on my work as head coach,” he said. Misbah insisted that he had not quit as chief selector because of pressure from the board or any quarter.

“No, it is purely my own personal decision and I took it because I think it is not easy doing two high profile jobs at one time. I want to give my best as head coach of the national team.

“Whoever is appointed as chief selector, I will fully cooperate with him and work to take the Pakistan team into the top

three of every format,” Misbah said.

The former captain also made it clear that his was a purely cricket decision and had nothing to do with his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan last month when he and senior players, Azhar Ali and Muhammad Hafeez, raised the issue of departmental teams being closed down in domestic cricket.

The PCB made it clear it was not happy with Misbah and the two other

New ZealaNd cricket great JohN reid dies at 92 AUCKLAND: John Reid, the New Zealand cricket great who captained his country for its first three test victories and was one of the world’s best allrounders in the 1950s and 60s, has died. He was 92. Reid’s death was announced by New Zealand Cricket on Wednesday. The cause of death was not disclosed. A hard-hitting batsman and a pacey seam bowler, Reid played 58 tests for New Zealand — captain for 34 of them. He scored 3,428 runs, including six centuries, and took 85 wickets. With Reid at the helm, the Kiwis won a test match for the first time when they beat the West Indies in Auckland in 1956. Their second and third wins came against South Africa in a series in 1961-62.

Reid made his debut for New Zealand in 1949, at the age of 19, and is widely regarded to have carried the test team through its early years. “John R. Reid was New Zealand cricket’s Colin Meads,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said, referring to the country’s rugby great. “He was, and will remain, a household name in this country, having helped pave the way for everything that has come in his wake.” AGENCIES

arsenal ambition convinced thomas Partey to join club LONDON: New Arsenal signing Thomas Partey has revealed seeing the club hold on to captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved to him that they are serious about matching his ambitions.

Partey was a long-term target for Arsenal, who finally landed the Ghana international from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day as they paid his release clause, reported to be $58 million. Arsenal also added Brazil international Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea and signed defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille in the transfer window. But tying Aubameyang down to a new three-year deal was seen as the best piece of business by the club, especially given the lack of Champions League football since the 31-year-old arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2018. Aubameyang was linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs before agreeing to fresh terms as he aims to become a “legend” at Arsenal. Asked if convincing Aubameyang to stay proved to Partey the club’s ambition was similar to his own, he replied: “Yes, it helps me understand that the club wants to achieve greater things and for me, it is great to play alongside great players like him.” AGENCIES

players going directly to meet the PM to discuss what was a policy decision of the board.

“If that meeting was the reason for my stepping down as chief selector then I think I would have also lost my head coach position,” Misbah said.

Reportedly, PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani and CEO Wasim Khan recently met with Misbah and Azhar and gave them a dressing down and cautioned them not to

make the mistake of directly seeking meetings with the PM who is also the patron in chief of the board.

Misbah said with time one learns whether a decision is right or wrong.

“When I accepted both positions I thought I could manage it but with time I think it is better for me to focus on one job.” He also said that he was satisfied that in his one year the national team had shown some development and some good young players had come up.

“As head coach now my focus is that we as a team break into the top three of every format and obviously we also have the ICC World Cups coming up over the next three years so that is something we have to start preparing.” Misbah was appointed head coach and chief selector after the PCB released Mickey Arthur and his support staff following Pakistan’s failure to make the World Cup semi-finals.

Interestingly, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently told a YouTube channel that he was in discussions with the board for the chief selector’s position. But the board denied it had offered Shoaib any position and said they were not planning to replace Misbah as chief selector.

English Premier League clubs debate radical reform plan LONDON AGENCIES

Premier League clubs are holding a shareholders’ meeting on Wednesday after Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said a breakaway from the top flight was wielded “as a threat” during talks over radical proposals to restructure English football.

The “Project Big Picture” plan, backed by Liverpool and Manchester United, has been criticized by the government, the Premier League and fan groups. Proposals include cutting the number of Premier League teams from 20 to 18, scrapping the League Cup, controversial changes to voting rights and a financial settlement for the English Football League (EFL).

Representatives of the 20 Premier League clubs will have the chance to debate the issue in the open for the first time during a virtual get-together on Wednesday that comes after an eyecatching intervention from Clarke.

In a letter to the FA council, which convenes on Thursday, he said he had taken part in initial discussions before walking away when he felt the aim had become “the concentration of power

and wealth in the hands of a few clubs, with a breakaway league mooted as a threat.”

Clarke warned the FA could use its so-called “golden share” as a trump card if it felt the wider interests of the game were being compromised and suggested any breakaway competition would not receive the necessary sanctions from the governing body.

“We, the FA board and council, have to ensure that any changes would be to the long-term benefit of the whole of football and we have substantial controls to help ensure that the best interests of the game are served by any new proposals,” he said.

The plans have been championed

by EFL chairman Rick Parry, with teams in the Championship, League One and League Two in line to receive £250 million ($323 million) up front alongside a promise of a 25 percent share of future Premier League broadcast revenue.

Support among the 72 EFL clubs appeared to be soaring after separate divisional meetings led by Parry on Tuesday, although the plans have reportedly been less well received by most Premier League clubs outside the elite names.

Former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, representing Preston, said there were “no dissenting voices” in the Championship call, Burton Albion chief executive Jez Moxey described League One support as “unanimous” and Leyton Orient chairman Nigel Travis said excitement about the plans was “overwhelming.”

But Christian Purslow, chief executive of Premier League club Aston Villa, indicated his opposition to Project Big Picture before the shareholders’ meeting. “I don’t think we should give too much credence to this particular plan,” he told the BBC. “I think a much broader, long-term plan for football is what I would expect to come from the Premier League.”

The Football Supporters’ Association has described the proposals as a “sugar-coated cyanide pill offered up by billionaire owners who do not understand or care about our football culture.” A joint statement from supporters’ groups representing Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea followed, in which fans of the “Big Six” clubs made clear their opposition to the initiative in its current form.

SPORTS 11

‘Mockery of game’: dhoni slammed for ‘bullying’ umpire into changing mind

DUBAI: Cricket fans have slammed icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni for apparently bullying umpire Paul Reiffel into changing a wide call during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 game. The incident occurred Tuesday when Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings paceman Shardul Thakur bowled outside the off stump of Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Rashid Khan. Umpire Reiffel, who played 35 Tests for Australia before retiring, appeared to start the signal for a wide — both arms outstretched at shoulder height — when Dhoni began protesting.Reiffel then seemed to change his mind midway through the signal and the ball went down as legitimate in the crucial penultimate over of Hyderabad’s unsuccessful chase of 168.Commentator Ian Bishop, a former West Indian international, said on ESPNcricinfo that Reiffel had erred.

“He started calling it a wide, he looked up, saw Dhoni and he changed his mind,” Bishop said.“I am someone who is sympathetic to the umpires because it is a difficult job, but tonight I will say that Reiffel made a mistake.”

Hyderabad captain David Warner also seemed visibly unhappy from the dugout of the Dubai stadium in the United Arab Emirates. The match saw Chennai bounce back from two losses to win by 20 runs and draw level with Hyderabad on six points in the eight-team table. But Dhoni’s action did not go down well on social media. “Such a mockery of game, pathetic! Dhoni keeps bullying umpires and gets away with it. I have just lost count of it,” one cricket fan wrote on Twitter. Others criticised Reiffel for apparently succumbing to pressure from Dhoni. “Weak umpiring! Sad to see an Elite umpire bogging down by the stature of a cricketer,” said another Twitter user. Last year Dhoni was fined 50 percent of his match fee after he stormed onto the field during a tense IPL game to contest an umpiring call. The cricket laws state: “An umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly.” AGENCIES

south africa’s govt threat puts cricket tours in jeopardy CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s sports minister on Wednesday threatened to intervene directly in the affairs of Cricket South Africa, a move which could put future international tours in jeopardy. In a strongly-worded statement, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa set a deadline of October 27 for CSA to provide him in writing with reasons why he should not “exercise his right to intervene”. Mthethwa said he had informed the International Cricket Council of his intentions. The ICC does not permit government interference in member bodies. A planned one-day international tour by England in November and December now appears to be in doubt. Even if the ICC does not sanction CSA because of government interference, the Covid19 pandemic means that special permission from the government is needed for sports teams to travel from what are regarded as “high-risk” countries, which include Britain. Cricket South Africa officials had a meeting with Mthethwa on Monday and need his backing for the tour to go ahead. But Wednesday’s statement made it clear that Mthethwa sees “no value in further engagement” unless CSA can resolve its problems by October 27. Mthethwa’s move came after a meeting between CSA and the parliamentary sports portfolio committee on Tuesday which the minister said had yielded “negative outcomes”. AGENCIES

Covid restrictions may affect India-Australia schedule MUMBAI AGENCIES

Different quarantine rules in different states of Australia is what is taking a toll on the schedule for India’s tour Down Under, one that is tentatively expected to begin in the last week of November.

Starting today, it’s already less than a month left for the Indian team to fly if they must play the full series - three T20 Internationals, three one-day internationals and four Test matches - and there’s no word on the schedule yet. The BCCI is clearly beginning to worry now, considering the large-scale logistics at hand.

From booking two chartered flights to figuring out the accommodations, selecting teams, bringing the players and support staff together, holding workshops

with the Team India management on the dos & don’ts while in Australia, taking a call on whether they need to fly with a larger contingent than usually necessary and more – these are the talking points for the Indian cricket board, but nothing can be put in place until they hear from Cricket Australia first.

In Australia – Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria – considering Western Australia is shut for anyone travelling from outside the state – have different quarantine procedures. “For instance, if X is travelling from Sydney to Adelaide, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory. And then, when X travels back, a separate quarantine once again is mandatory.

Similar rules in place in Victoria and Queensland - although the quarantine window may wary.

CMYK

So, what to expect when teams travel?

Will they be asked to undergo a seven or 14-day quarantine between two Tests or when switching from white ball cricket to red? “These are questions to which answers are unclear yet,” say those tracking developments. In the ongoing Sheffield Shield in Australia, CA was left with no choice this week but to adjust a fixture for the Round Two clash between Victoria and New South Wales because of Covid-related restrictions and postpone it until after the Big Bash. In other matches, Victoria and Queensland have been given a ‘bye’, with CA opting for more “flexibility” and “security” based on consultations with biosecurity experts.

“The obvious bit is CA is struggling with its premier domestic tournament.

That’s because when it comes to the states,

their word is final on all matters of security and safety,” say those in the know. Under the circumstances, speculation is rife on one of the two possibilities: A) The series lets go of at least one format - either the T20Is or the ODIs - to save on time if quarantine restrictions cannot be eased; B) Play all matches at not more than two venues.

Cricket Australia cannot take a call on any of this until there’s a final word from the states. “The federal government in Australia will look at Cricket Australia as one of the 100 companies in the country looking for Covid-related solutions. It’s not like India where you say the word ‘cricket’ and things begin to work like Moses parting the sea,” say industry-trackers. The last and the more obvious possibility could be of all matches happening between a maximum of two venues.

Thursday, 15 October, 2020

PrAyEr TImINGS

NEWS

azerbaijan striKes inside armenia as KarabaKH figHting widens

a

AGENCIES

zERBAIJAN said on Wednesday it had destroyed missile launchers inside Armenia that were targetting its cities, as fierce fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh risked widening beyond the disputed region.

Hundreds have already lost their lives in two weeks of fighting, and continued clashes have rendered almost meaningless a humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow last week. Armenia confirmed that military positions inside the country had been hit but denied its forces had been firing into Azerbaijan. It warned that it too could start targeting military sites inside its adversary’s territory.

Clashes over Nagorno-Karabakh — where Armenia-backed separatist fighters are battling Azerbaijani forces — have been largely confined to areas in and around the region since a fresh outbreak of fighting started last month.

Direct confrontations between Armenia and Azerbaijan risk spiralling into an all-out, multi-front war with devastating consequences for both sides.

Moscow has so far refused to become drawn into the conflict — even though Armenia is part of a regional Russia-led security group — noting that the organisation’s treaty does not apply to Karabakh.

Overwhelmingly populated by Armenians, Nagorno-Karabakh has been controlled

by Armenians since a 1990s war that erupted as the Soviet Union fell. Azerbaijan has never hidden its desire to win back control and no state has recognised NagornoKarabakh’s declaration of independence.

The latest fighting, which erupted on September 27, has been the most intense since a 1994 ceasefire, claiming more than 600 lives, including more than 70 civilians, according to a tally based on partial tolls from both sides. Each side has accused the other of targeting civilian areas with shelling, missile and rocket attacks.

THUDS OF SHELLING: Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said in statements on Wednesday that it had destroyed ballistic missile launchers deployed in Armenia in two separate attacks overnight.

The OTR-21 Tochka mobile systems were in areas of Armenia bordering the Kalbajar district of Azerbaijan that is under separatist control, it said. Launchers at the first site were aiming at the Azerbaijani cities of Ganja, Mingachevir and other populated areas, it said. Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan confirmed that military positions in the area had been hit. But she denied that Armenian forces had ever fired “a single missile, shell or projectile” inside Azerbaijan.

Armenia’s military now “reserves the right to target any military installations and combat movements on the territory of Azerbaijan”, she said on Twitter. NagornoKarabakh’s regional capital Stepanakert was under heavy shelling and rocket fire for days before the ceasefire, forcing thousands to

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United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday encouraged Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel, in what would be a massive boost for the Jewish state amid normalisation by two other Gulf Arab kingdoms.

Bahrain, which tightly coordinates its foreign policy with Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates on September 15 signed the so-called Abraham Accords with Israel at the White House. Meeting Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Pompeo said the agreement “contributed greatly to our shared goals for regional peace and security”. “They reflect a changing dynamic in the region, one in which countries rightly recognise the need for regional cooperation to counter Iranian influence and generate prosperity,” Pompeo said.

NAQURA Lebanon and Israel, still technically at war, begin unprecedented talks sponsored by the UN and Washington on Wednesday to settle a maritime border dispute and clear the way for hydrocarbon exploration.

Following years of US shuttle diplomacy, Lebanon and Israel, this month said they had agreed to begin UNbrokered negotiations, in what Washington hailed a “historic” agreement. The talks, which will be held at the headquarters of UN peacekeeping force Unifil in the Lebanese border town of Naqura, come weeks after Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab nations to establish relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. This has prompted suspicions that the flurry of US-sponsored diplomacy relating to Israel is linked to President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.

The Naqura talks, which will focus exclusively on the disputed sea frontier, come at a sensitive time as Lebanon, battered by multiple crises, hopes to continue exploring for oil and gas in a part of the Mediterranean also claimed by Israel. US envoy David Schenker will facilitate the opening session along with US Ambassador to Algeria John Desrocher, who will mediate in the talks.

Israel has said that there will be “direct negotiations”, something Lebanese officials have denied. It is expected the two delegations will be sitting in the same hall. Talks are due to start in the morning, but no specific time has

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YEREVAN: Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Tuesday of violating a ceasefire agreed three days ago to quell fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, drawing warnings from international groups of a humanitarian crisis in the region. The Russiabrokered truce is buckling despite mounting calls from world powers to halt the fighting, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Minsk Group security watchdog among those urging greater commitment to the ceasefire terms. A cameraman witnessed shelling in the town of Martuni in Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountain enclave which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but governed and populated by ethnic Armenians. A television crew in Terter in Azerbaijan also said the city centre was being shelled earlier on Tuesday. Azerbaijan accused Armenian forces of “grossly violating the humanitarian truce”, which was agreed on Saturday to allow the sides to swap prisoners and bodies of those killed. Defence ministry spokesman Vagif Dargiahly said Armenia was shelling the Azeri territories of Goranboy and Aghdam, as well as Terter. Azeri forces were not violating the truce, he added. Armenian defence ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan denied the accusation. She said Azeri forces had resumed military operations after an overnight lull, “supported by active artillery fire in the southern, northern, northeastern and eastern directions”. The fighting which erupted on Sept 27, is the worst since a 1991-94 war over Nagorno-Karabakh that killed about 30,000. It is being closely watched abroad, not only due to its proximity to Azeri energy pipelines to Europe but also because of fears that Russia and Turkey could be drawn in. AGENCIES

flee their homes or seek shelter in basements. AFP journalists in the city said it was quiet on Wednesday, after several days of relative calm since the ceasefire deal took effect at noon on Saturday.

In the frontline settlement of Bakharly in Azerbaijan, the constant thuds of shelling could be heard in the background as villagers said they were under regular fire. Of the 800 families in the village, most of whom fled Karabakh in the 1990s, only about 100 men remained, hunkering down in the shelter. “By staying here, we feel that we are also fighting,” 66-year-old Sakhib Adket said, standing

next to a World War I-style trench in his garden. “I have watched our homeland for 30 years from afar. This is our moment now.”

FOUR WAY TALKS? The search for a long-term solution to the conflict, one of the most enduring problems left after the fall of the USSR, is in the hands of the Minsk Group of regional powers chaired by France, Russia and the United States.

The group has urged the two sides “to take immediate steps” to fully implement the Moscow truce agreement, which, as well as a ceasefire, calls for a return to long-stalled negotiations over Karabakh.

“We hope Saudi Arabia will consider normalising its relationships as well. We want to thank them for the assistance they’ve had in the success of the Abraham Accords so far.” US President Donald Trump has highlighted Arab normalisation with Israel as a major achievement as he seeks another term in November 3 elections, with his evangelical Christian base widely supportive of the Jewish state.

Trump said last month that he also expected Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel “at the right time”. Gulf Arab kingdoms have found common cause with Trump in his hawkish line against regional rival Iran. The administration, in turn, has been sparing in raising human rights concerns with the Arab allies, including over the killing two years ago of US-based writer Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Pompeo said the US “supports a robust programme of arms sales to Saudi Arabia”, saying the effort helps “protect its citizens and sustains American jobs”. In a controversial move that triggered an internal probe, Pompeo last year cited a crisis with Iran to bypass Congress to push ahead $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Lawmakers across party lines have been appalled by the heavy toll on civilians, including the destruction of schools and hospitals, in Saudi Arabia’s campaign against Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen.

Pompeo also announced that the US had acquired a 26acre site to build a new embassy in Riyadh.

Alongside work on US missions in Jeddah and Dhahran, the United States is spending more than $1bn on diplomatic construction in the kingdom, Pompeo said.

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been made public. Israel is sending a six-member team, including the director-general of its energy ministry, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser and the head of the army’s strategic division. Lebanon’s four-member delegation comprises two army officers, a Lebanese oil official and a maritime border law expert.

‘NO ILLUSIONS’: Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic relations and this week’s talks are a rare official interaction. Lebanon insists that negotiations are purely technical and don’t involve any soft political normalisation with Israel.

Lebanon, mired in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, is looking to settle the maritime border dispute so it can press its offshore quest for oil and gas. In February 2018, Lebanon signed its first contract for drilling in two blocks in the Mediterranean with a consortium comprising energy giants Total, ENI and Novatek. Exploration of one of the blocks is more controversial as part of it is located in an 860-square-kilometer area claimed by both Israel and Lebanon. A senior source at Israel’s energy ministry told AFP that the border dispute “can be concluded hopefully in a few months time”. “This is a limited effort to resolve a well-defined, limited problem,” he said. “We have no illusions. Our aim is not to create here some kind of normalisation or peace process.” Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut, said that an agreement between the two sides is the “best option for Lebanon so that it could start work in Block 9”.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk