EpaperLHR_20-10-21

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020 I 3 Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 112 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

COAS OrderS inquiry intO ‘KArAChi inCident’ g

Pm summons sindh Governor over recent develoPments in aftermath of safdar’s arrest

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI staff report

C

hief of army staff (coas) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on tuesday ordered immediate inquiry to determine the facts of the recent “karachi incident”, said inter-services Public relations (isPr) in a statement. according to the military’s media wing, the army chief directed karachi corps commander to immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible. the statement came moments after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari held a press conference at Bilawal house in karachi and asked General Bajwa to hold an inquiry into the recent “karachi incidents”. following the army chief’s directives, Bilawal expressed his appreciation for the prompt action. “the chairman PPP expressed his appreciation to the coas for taking prompt notice of the karachi incident and his assurance of conducting a trans-

PAKiStAn

CONFIRMED CASES:

324,077

LAST UPDATED AT 3:54 PM ON OCTOBER 20, 2020

14

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

618

DEATHS:

308,020 6,673 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

142,127

101,760

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

38,708

Bilawal wants to know who visited sindh iGP at 4 am Prior to Pml-n leader’s arrest

parent inquiry on the incident,” read a tweet posted from PPP’s official twitter handle. the tweet added that coas Bajwa had spoken to Bilawal over the phone regarding the incident, which has now led to demoralisation in the sindh Police. moreover, Prime minister imran khan also summoned sindh Governor imran ismail to islamabad over recent developments in the aftermath safdar’s arrest in karachi. earlier, during the presser, Bilawal said that he wanted to know the identities of those people who had surrounded sindh inspector General of Police (iGP) mushtaq mahar’s house at 4 am, shortly before the arrest of captain (r) safdar awan took place. “i demand of isi dG faiz hameed and chief of army staff General Bajwa to investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province,” the PPP leader said, adding that the way in which the arrest was carried out could have damaged the armed forces’ “institutional integrity”.

Bilawal added that he was ashamed of the incident. “i am ashamed [and] unable to show my face over what has taken

COrOnAviruS in

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place in my province,” he added. “harassing [maryam and safdar] early in the morning and arresting safdar is an insult to the people of sindh who had invited maryam sahiba and the n-league delegation to attend the Pdm jalsa,” the PPP leader said. he further asked why similar action was not taken when Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) workers acted similarly during Pm imran’s visit to the mausoleum.

Bilawal added that a number of top sindh police officials were resigning or leaving because of this incident. earlier in the day, iGP mahar had submitted a request for 60 days leave to deal with the “shock” of this “stressful situation”. other officers of the provincial police force also followed suit. however, later at night, the police chief deferred his leave and ordered his officers to set aside their own leave applications for 10 days "in the larger national interest". the Pakistan muslim league-nawaz (Pml-n) leader’s arrest took a turn when a journalist reported that the former sindh governor muhammad Zubair had alleged that the provincial iGP was kidnapped and forced to register the first information report (fir) against maryam nawaz, her husband and 200 others for violating the sanctity of Quaid-e-azam’s mazar. the journalist’s report was based on a voice message allegedly sent by Zubair. the voice message was shared on microblogging site twitter, wherein Zubair allegedly said that sindh chief minister murad ali shah confirmed to him that police was pressured into making the arrest. “when they (police) refused to do that, rangers kidnapped [the iGP],” Zubair said. meanwhile, Pml-n vice President maryam saluted the police force for stepping from their posts after the arrest incident. she also thanked Bilawal for his “support and clear stance”, saying that “Pakistan has changed”.

Sindh IGP defers his leave, tells officers to do the same KARACHI staff report

sindh inspector General of Police (iGP) mushtaq mahar, along with other police officials, had submitted a formal request for leave after the “stressful situation” of captain (r) safdar awan’s arrest a day earlier, but now the police chief has deferred his leave and has asked his officers to do the same. the police chief’s decision to defer his leave until the conclusion of the inquiry into safdar’s arrest was taken “in the larger national interest”, and he has asked his officers to follow suit and hold off on their leaves for another 10 days, pending the conclusion of the inquiry. earlier, the iGP, at least two additional inspectors general, seven deputy inspectors general and six senior superintendents of sindh police applied for leave in order to “come out of […] shock” caused by the “episode of registration of fir against capt (r) safdar”. “in such a stressful situation, it is quite difficult for me to discharge my duty in a professional manner,” the applications — all of which were identical — read. they said that the handling of the first information report (fir) had lead to the police force in sindh being “humiliated and manhandled”. furthermore, they mentioned that the ranks of the police force have been demoralised after this incident. in a series of tweets, the sindh Police said, “the unfortunate incident that occurred on the night of 18/19 october caused great heartache and resentment within all ranks of sindh Police.” “as a result, iG sindh decided to proceed on leave and subsequently all ranks decided that they would also apply for leave to protest the humiliation meted out to sindh police. this was a spontaneous and heartfelt reaction and made on an individual rather than

PM to engage federal, provincial authorities to reduce inflation ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

Prime minister imran khan on tuesday expressed frustration over the failure of federal and provincial authorities to bring down the prices of flour and sugar and said that he would be visiting provincial headquarters to direct authorities to put bringing down prices of essential goods as their top priority. sources told Pakistan today that during the meeting of the federal cabinet, a debate was carried out regarding the need to bring down the skyrocketing prices and inflation, especially the rising prices of flour and sugar. the premier expressed frustration over the failure to reduce prices of wheat, flour and sugar, and asked why the prices of sugar did not come down despite reports of abundant stocks. the prime minister also directed all government departments to give their input for the eradication of inflation and said that the ministers should make eradication of inflation their top priority. the federal cabinet agreed that the main challenge for the government is inflation, while the majority of the ministers ex-

pressed concerns over the expensive goods. the federal cabinet also discussed the opposition’s targeting of state institutions and apolitical individuals. it decided to hold power shows across the country under the public mobilisation plan of the Pakistan tehreek-einsaf (Pti) with the first such public meeting to be held in swat, khyber Pakhtunkhwa (kP). in this regard, the federal minister for Planning asad umar said that such public meetings must be held without compromising the standard operating procedures (soPs) of covid-19. he added that the coronavirus is spreading again and precautions should be observed.

Pm imran has decided to strictly deal with those who are an obstacle to the elimination of inflation. the premier will consult with federal departments and provincial governments in this regard. reportedly, strict measures will be taken in Punjab, kP and islamabad to reduce inflation. in addition, special measures will be taken in other provinces and regions.

Pm imran also convened a meeting in lahore to discuss the reduction in prices of essential commodities and measures, in-

cluding special economic packages, sasta Bazaars and the taking of strict actions against hoarders. during the meeting, the chief minister and chief secretary briefed the premier on important decisions taken to curb inflation. inspector-General of Police (iGP) Punjab inam Ghani would also be given an important task related to inflation and stockpiling. Pm imran will also visit kP and Balochistan and for similar consultation meetings. moreover, the federal cabinet was also informed about the rise in the number of new cases in the current month as compared to the figures of July and august. it was pointed out that the positivity rate has risen to 2 per cent, while the number of deaths has also gone up into the double digits. the cabinet said that the nation should adopt precautionary measures to avoid a second wave of the pandemic, including use of face mask and other safety soPs. the cabinet noted with satisfaction the government’s effective strategy to cope with the situation, which had gained worldwide acknowledgement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

a collective basis,” it said. “because every single member of the department felt an acute sense of disrespect. sindh police is immensely grateful to the army chief for realising the sense of hurt that prevailed within a uniformed force, and for promptly ordering an inquiry into the matter,” it added. “which he has also assured will be impartial in order to restore the prestige of sindh police. sindh Police is also grateful to the chairman of the PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the honourable cm sindh for coming to the iG house and showing solidarity with the police leadership,” it further said. Pakistan muslim league-nawaz (Pml-n) vice President maryam nawaz commended the move. “i salute the sindh Police!” she said in a tweet. she also said that it was “heartening to see civilians breaking shackles of fear, standing up for supremacy of constitution & reclaiming their long lost rights. the conspiracy & conspirators stand badly exposed”. the Pml-n vP also attached a quote of the Quaid to encourage them to not “fall victim to any pressure”. similarly, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto said during a presser that the police officers were going on leave because they were disrespected “not by the chief minister, but from somewhere else”, adding that the PPP stood with the police department. later, Prime minister imran khan and chief of army staff (coas) General Qamar Javed Bajwa took notice of the incident. while the premier summoned the sindh governor to islamabad, the army chief held talks with the PPP chief, and directed the karachi corps commander to hold an immediate inquiry to determine the facts of the incident. the aforementioned fir pertains to safdar’s arrest for violation of the sanctity of the Quaid-e-azam’s mazar.

more inside

6 injured in bus blast in Karachi STORY ON PAGE 03

President, Pm discuss afghan peace process with hekmatyar STORY ON PAGE 03

Pakistan reassures support to Azerbaijan amid NagornoKarabakh conflict STORY ON BACK PAGE

israel says uae visit 'making history' Palestinians call it 'shameful' STORY ON BACK PAGE

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wednesday, 21 October, 2020

news

ppp SAyS SAfdAr ArreSted ‘in ACCordAnCe with lAw’ kARACHI

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STAFF REPORT

DAy after Karachi police arrested opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Capt (r) Safdar Awan for slogan-mongering inside the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in Sindh on Tuesday said the arrest was made in “accordance with the law”, implying a clear albeit unaddressed rift between the two major opposition parties of the anti-government Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

The police arrested Awan from his hotel room early Monday morning for shouting political slogans inside the mausoleum a day earlier which is punishable by regulations governing the premises. The arrest was made after a First Information

Report (FIR) was registered against him Sunday for breaking the protocol and hurling murder threats at some individuals. The court granted him bail the same day.

Later in the day, Safdar’s wife and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz absolved the Sindh government of the “charge” of the arrest, saying she “never thought for a moment” that the provincial authorities were behind the move.

Meanwhile, Maryam and some of the PDM, the nine-party anti-government alliance, leaders had accused state agencies of “abducting” the provincial police chief to coerce the force into arresting Awan to “enforce cracks among the opposition”.

However, while addressing a press conference on the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Tuesday said the police, while conducting the raid, only “did their work”.

He announced the formation of a min-

isterial committee to investigate the arrest, adding that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in Sindh had “pressurised” the police into registering the complaint, which he claimed was based on a “lie”.

“Certain facts have emerged and those will be investigated […] what occurred from 4:30 pm on October 18 till the morning of October 19 will be probed,” he said, adding that he will also appear before the committee if required.

Murad clarified, however, that he was not trying to justify Safdar’s behaviour at Jinnah’s mausoleum and that the “inappropriate” incident that took place there merited action, which would have been taken according to the law.

But, he went on to add, the PTI lawmakers used the incident to file a case under Section 506-B (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which the police accepted.

“First, a PTI MPA files a request at the police station. Officials explained to him that you cannot do this and also explained the process to him. Then another MPA comes and files another request. He is again told the procedure,” he said.

“Then another person from the Quaide-Azam mausoleum’s board comes to the police station and files a request,” he added.

“He was told that yes it is a violation but a magistrate will take cognisance not the police,” the CM said. “They tried to pressurise the police but officials did not succumb to their pressure. The bigger the PDM rally got and the more their incompetence was revealed, they became more and more anxious and filed request upon request.”

“Scaring and threatening the police and pressurising the force is not the job of elected representatives,” Murad said, adding that the Sindh police would never do something illegal.

It was only in the morning that we got to know what had happened, Murad claimed, referring to Safdar’s arrest from the hotel.

“They [PTI lawmakers] wanted to do something illegal, their anxiety was obvious. So what they did is that they had a person file an FIR [and] I say this because PTI MPAs were present with the person at the police station,” he said.

Maryam, Safdar face charges of public disturbance LAHORe STAFF REPORT

The Lahore police on Tuesday booked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, her husband Captain (r) Safdar Awan and scores of party leaders and workers for purportedly engaging in damaging public order while en route to Gujranwala on October 16 for the first public gathering of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

The first information report (FIR), registered with the Shahdara police station, accuses the suspects of “causing trouble for citizens, blocking roads, unnecessarily using loudspeakers and microphones and violating coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs)”.

The complaint was registered under sections 269, 270, 290 and 291 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, and sections 6 and 16 of the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act, 2015.

It said that three policemen of the station — Mohammad Imran, Amir Ali and Sajjad Ahmed — were present at the Begum Kot Chowk when they were in-

formed that PML-N leaders had set up a stage on a trawler to welcome participants of the rally.

The report says three PML-N leaders, including Safdar, were present on that stage and they, along with workers ranging from 800 to 900, were chanting slogans against the government and its institutions.

The policemen said when they reached the site, a caravan of 80 to 90 cars, led by Saleem Butt and Ali Pervez Malik, the son of PML-N Lahore president Pervaiz Malik, had also arrived. Meanwhile, the main caravan also reached Shahdara Chowk via the Niazi Shaheed Chowk.

“There were two big cranes and a truck in front of the caravan, because of which, the traffic on Shahdara Chowk, coming from all directions, was disrupted and a painful situation was created for the public.

“The organisers of the caravan were asked to remove the cranes and truck but they refused to do so. Meanwhile, Capt Safdar, Riaz and other party leaders were illegally using loudspeakers and microphones to rouse party workers by raising incendiary slogans against the government and law enforcement agencies,” the FIR reads.

Court sends Shehbaz on judicial remand LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore on Tuesday handed National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif to police on judicial remand in connection with the money laundering and assets beyond means references. The court directed Kot Lakhpat prison authorities to produce the PML-N president at the next hearing on October 27. Sharif was arrested in September after the Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected his bail plea in the money laundering case which involves the members of his family. Last week, an accountability court had extended for another week his physical remand in the reference. Today, the National Accountability Bureau officials produced Sharif before the court on expiry of his remand, seeking another extension which the court rejected. During the proceedings, Sharif said he spent 85 days in the agency’s “internment centre.” He recalled the agency had previously investigated him as well and he provided all documents it sought. A NAB prosecutor informed the court Sharif was not cooperating with the bureau in its investigation against him. “The NAB’s duty is to complete investigation whether the accused cooperates or not,” the prosecutor said. INP

SAFDAR ANNOUNCES ANNUAL VISIT TO JINNAH'S MAUSOLEUM TO CHANT SLOGANS LAHORE: A day after his day-long detention and subsequent bail for “violating the sanctity” of the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (r) Safdar Awan on Tuesday announced to visit the building every year on October 18 to raise the slogan “long live the mother of the nation”. Karachi police arrested Safdar, also the husband of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, on Monday for chanting political slogans inside the mausoleum — something which is prohibited by regulations governing the building and is punishable by “imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or a fine, or both”. After a daylong episode, with several turns and twists, a court granted bail to him. Addressing a press conference in Lahore today, Safdar said he wanted to send a message to those that had called Fatima Jinnah a traitor by raising Madar-e-Millat (mother of the nation) slogans. “What was wrong with that,” he asked. Fatima Jinnah, who passed away in 1967, is buried beside her brother at his mausoleum. Safdar said his conduct at the mausoleum was “similar to that of a child seeking solace in the comfort provided by his parents”.

“When children are in pain, they go to their mother and father. When they are attacked in the streets, children go to their mother and tell her [about the incident].

I also went to the mother of the nation [and] said to her that the ones who stole your elections, the same people have stolen ours.”

It added that despite multiple threat advisories issued by security agencies to the PML-N leadership, party vice-president Maryam Nawaz came out of her car and

addressed workers.

“Maryam then ignored security SOPs and addressed the workers, exposing herself and putting her life in danger.

PDM’s Rawalpindi rally to be held of Nov 7 instead of 31st RAwALPINdI TLTP

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has changed the date for the upcoming rally of the opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), scheduled for October 31 in Rawalpindi.

The decision was taken in a party consultative session chaired by PML-N Senior Vice President Shahid Khaqan Abbasi here on Tuesday. The next rally of the opposition parties’ alliance will be

held on November 7 instead of October 31 in Rawalpindi. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired an emergency consultative session of the political party held at PML-N division office of Malik Abrar.

The PML-N leaders also mulled over the strategy for organising a sit-in in the federal capital. They also reviewed the situation after the recent PDM rallies in Gujranwala and Karachi, besides discussing the registration of cases against PML-N leaders. The session was attended by PML-N central leaders, provincial and national lawmakers

PM orders for fast work on RRUDP LAHORe STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the authorities to expedite work on Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project (RRUDP) and to keep him apprised of its regular progress.

The premier, while chairing a meeting on Tuesday, directed the manage-

ment to keenly observe day to day progress of the project. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar was also present on the occasion.

The PM noted the project is the best place to invest and reside especially for the Pakistanis living abroad. The project management represented by Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Anwar Ali Haider, briefed PM

and other high-level office-bearers. On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has scheduled a 14-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region from Wednesday. Bilawal is also likely to address the Quetta rally after getting go-ahead by the party’s central leadership. Sources added that the party leadership mulled over two options for Bilawal’s in the Quetta rally. The PPP chairman is expected to visit Quetta amid GB’s visit, otherwise, he will address the rally through video conferencing.

Imran on the projected timeline for project completion as well as on the growing interest of international investors. The RRUDP, the premier noted, will address the concerns of water shortage and increasing pollution in the region, and said that it will be a great opportunity for the Pakistanis interested in moving to Pakistan or in investing in their home country.

Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafiq Malik and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani also met the prime minister.

ASAd UmAr, miniSterS worried by riSing Covid poSitivity rAte Newsdesk Planning Minister Asad Umar and other members of parliament have shown concern over the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country, and have called for stricter implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Asad on Tuesday said via Twitter that people were “committing a collective blunder” by disregarding the SOPs and that this attitude has led to a marked increase in the transmission rate and mortality rate of Covid-19. In his tweet, Asad said, “Last week, daily Covid mortality [rate] was 12. This is a 140 per cent increase vs few weeks back”. Similarly, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mirza said that people were endangering both themselves and their loved ones by ignoring the SOPs. She stressed the importance of wearing face masks and called it “an act of extreme selfishness” not to wear one. “Sadly people have stopped wearing masks in all public places, especially markets, offices, restaurants etc,” she observed.

On Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the Clean Green Index Awards ceremony, said that he fears a second wave of Covid-19 in the winter months, as the weather is “stagnant” and makes people more suspectable to respiratory illnesses. He added that the high pollution level cities could be hit the worst by a second wave.

“The cases are rising gradually and we hope that they do not increase quickly; we are monitoring it,” he said. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the opposition parties are playing with the lives of people only for their personal gains through the planned public gatherings in their rallies. “Citizens should maintain social distancing to protect their lives,” he added.

Any attempt to destabilise country to be responded firmly: CoAS RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that Pakistan has paid a very heavy price to achieve peace and any attempt to destabilise the country will be responded with an iron hand. The army chief said this on Tuesday while chairing the 236th Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) here at General Headquarters (GHQ), said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to the ISPR, the commanders discussed the geo-strategic, regional and national security environment.

The forum undertook a comprehensive review of the recent surge in terrorist incidents in the country particularly in tribal districts and Balochistan. The corps commander conference while paying a glowing tribute to all civil and military martyrs for their ultimate sacrifice concluded that geographical and ideological frontiers of the country would be defended at all costs. “We have paid a very heavy price to achieve this peace and stability and any attempt to destabilise the country will be responded firmly,” said COAS Bajwa. It is pertinent to mention here that at least 14 security officials, including seven Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, were martyred in a terrorist attack in Balochistan’s Gwadar district on October 16. On the same day, six Pakistan Army personnel including Captain Umar Farooq embraced martyrdom in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in the Razmak subdivision of the North Waziristan district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. STAFF REPORT

wednesday, 21 October, 2020

news

03

preSident, pm diSCUSS AfghAn peACe proCeSS with heKmAtyAr IsLAMABAd

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STAFF REPORT

RESIDENT Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan met Afghanistan's Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who called on them separately during his threeday visit to Pakistan.

During the meeting, the president said that Pakistan would continue to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process for an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in the neighbouring country.

While welcoming the visiting dignitary,

the president said that Pakistan and Afghanistan shared a similar history, culture and religion, and the two brotherly countries must further strengthen bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples. He said that Pakistan would continue to stand by the Afghan nation in difficult times, and contribute to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.

President Alvi underscored the need for peace and stability in Afghanistan, which would benefit not only Afghanistan and Pakistan but the entire region as well. He expressed the hope that the peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban, and the Intra-Afghan Negotiations would

help bring stability in Afghanistan.

The president warned against the role of spoilers, who were bent upon derailing the peace process. The Afghan leadership must save the peace-process from being harmed and seize the historic opportunity to establish lasting peace in their country, he added.

He emphasised that Pakistan’s positive contribution in promoting peace in Afghanistan had been acknowledged by the international community.

Hekmatyar lauded Pakistan’s efforts for promotion of peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

During his meeting with the visiting Afghan leader, PM Imran reaffirmed Pak-

istan's full support for Afghanistan for reconstruction, economic development and dignified return of the Afghan refugees.

The premier underscored historic bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He also highlighted the importance Pakistan attaches to the fraternal Afghan people and reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to foster closer cooperation with Afghanistan.

PM Imran expressed best wishes for successful outcome of the Afghan peace process as Pakistan has the highest stake in peace and stability in the region. He reiterated Pakistan's long-standing position that there is no military solution to the conflict in

Hafeez Centre sealed for all business activities after horrific blaze LAHORe SHAHAB OMER

The Lahore police and district administration have sealed the Hafeez Centre Plaza, declaring it dangerous for business and other uses, Pakistan Today learnt on Tuesday. The plaza was sealed on the recommendations of a 14-member committee formed by the Punjab government to conduct a preliminary investigation into the horrific fire at the Hafeez Centre on Sunday.

Members of the Lahore police, district government officials and Rescue 1122 experts inspected the plaza and noticed small and large cracks in the multistorey building due to the severity of the fire. The recent developments in this regard have revealed that the Hafeez Centre Market Association had ignored warnings from Civil Defence Lahore (CDL) regarding inactivity of fire extinguishers.

According to a copy of the letter written by CDL, 9 basic flaws and violations were reported to the Plaza Associ-

ation on August 18.

In the letter to the president and general secretary of the Hafeez Centre Association, the CDL pointed out that the hydrant of the water tank at the top of the building was not working.

Officials also said in the letter that the automatic fire alarm, detection system, fire point and fire control room were not working properly.

The letter further pointed out that full face masks to avoid the effects of fire and smoke in an emergency were required to be present on every floor but these masks were not available and the fire extinguishers on various floors were not working properly.

In addition, a Civil Defence officer had given 15 days to the senior administration of the Plaza Association to identify the defects and rectify them.

Moreover, a few armed personnel of Lahore police have been deployed around the plaza to prevent shopkeepers and other passers-by from entering the plaza so that no further accidents occur.

Security forces kill two terrorists in north waziristan ISLAMABAD: Two terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation by security forces in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district on Tuesday. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), these terrorists belonged to Aleem Khan Khushhali Group and they were involved in killing Malik Raees, resident of Mir Ali on last Sunday. They were also involved in many other terrorist activities and were wanted by the police. STAFF REPORT

lhws end protest after govt agrees to meet demands ISLAMABAD: After the government formed a committee to look into their demands of increment in salaries and improved service structure, the lady health care workers (LHWs) called off their protest outside the Parliament House on the seventh day.

Hundreds of women had been camped on the main thoroughfare in the federal capital since October 24.

Their demands included uniform pay packages for lady health care workers, promotion, and gratuity for employees and security during the anti-poliovirus campaign. Lady healthcare workers, who number over 100,000 across Pakistan, are tasked to run doorto-door vaccination campaigns, and were also recently mobilised to fight Covid-19. In the last week, negotiations with the government had repeatedly failed, until Monday night when Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan visited the protesters again and promised to have their concerns resolved. Soon after a notification was issued by the ministry of parliamentary affairs. The notification dated October 19 stated that the government has agreed to forward the demand of identical salaries to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to deliberate on. A committee was also constituted in Punjab to examine the issue of pension and gratuity for the healthcare workers, stated the notification. As far as the service structure is concerned, the notification added that the Punjab government will make all possible efforts to the needful in three months, and the secretary of health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will also meet the lady health care workers. Meanwhile, the government “shall write a letter to the inspector general police of all provinces to provide adequate security to the employees during their campaign,” read the notification. TLTP

Reportedly, police officials met with representatives of the Hafeez Centre Union and took them into confidence over the decision to seal the plaza. Lahore police persuaded them not to resume business until they received clearance from the district administration.

Meanwhile, the traffic police in Lahore blocked all the roads leading to Hafeez Centre and diverted the traffic to alternative routes, causing difficulties to the people, especially in Gulberg Main Boulevard. Police and traffic officials also conducted joint patrols.

An official of Rescue 1122, who was inspecting the plaza, revealed that the damage could be greater than estimated on the day of the incident.

He added that on the floors where the fire could not reach, the water spray damaged the electronics. Mobile phones and other equipment were particularly damaged by water accumulating in the basement. The official further informed that most of the fire-related incidents during the year were due to gross viola-

tion of building rules and the Hafeez Centre similarly lacked firefighting equipment and facilities.

Lahore Commissioner Zulfiqar Ghuman also presented the preliminary factfinding report of the 14-member committee on the Hafeez Centre fire incident to the chief minister of Punjab and the CM will decide on the compensation.

According to initial reports, the fire was caused by a short circuit and out of 904 shops on the sixth floor of the plaza, 20 shops were affected badly and 687 were declared safe.

The report states that out of 134 shops on the fourth floor, 73 were affected while 61 were declared safe. Similarly, 73 out of 143 shops on the third floor were burnt down and 70 remained safe. Out of 126 shops on the second floor, 57 were affected and 69 were safe and 4 out of 100 first floor shops were affected and 96 were declared safe.

The report further added that 186 shops on the ground floor and 215 shops in the basement remained safe.

PM tasks ‘tigers’ to start anti-hoarding drive from capital IsLAMABAd TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan has given the first task to the Tiger Force volunteers for discouraging hoarding while chairing a highlevel session regarding the ongoing efforts for price controlling.

The participants of the session decided to launch a pilot project for controlling inflation from the federal capital Islamabad. During its first phase, 9,000 shops in Islamabad will be monitored, while Tiger Force volunteers, Islamabad commissioner and deputy commissioner will jointly spot the markets and shops involved in hoarding.

In phase-wise progress, the local authorities will start monitoring of rate lists and overcharging at

all shops of the city while volunteers will spot hoarders and stocks of essential commodities more than its requirements in different markets.

After getting complaints from the volunteers, district administration will take immediate action against the responsible persons involved in overcharging and hoarding. The joint actions will be listed down in a report which will be presented directly to the prime minister. It has been decided that heavy fines will be imposed for overcharging and failure to put up rate lists. The premier said that the major reason for inflation is hoarding. He ordered the administration to take strict action against the elements involved in hoarding.

Earlier on Monday, PM Imran stressed on taking all administra-

tive measures to ensure availability of daily commodities and controlling their prices. The premier said this while chairing a meeting here to review availability and prices of daily commodities, especially wheat and sugar.

He directed to ensure sufficient supply of wheat and sugar at utility stores across the country. He also directed provincial administrations to ensure legal action against real owners of mills and warehouses who indulge in hoarding.

The meeting was apprised that the Punjab government has increased the release of wheat from 16,000 tons to 20,000 tons on a daily basis, which would be further increased to 25,000 tons in a couple of days. It was further informed that the Sindh government would start formal release of wheat soon.

The meeting was also apprised that a full-scale crackdown against hoarders is continuing under the prime minister’s direction and it would be further accelerated.

Afghanistan and that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is the only way forward.

The premier noted that Intra-Afghan negotiations have provided a historic opportunity for the Afghan leadership to establish lasting peace.

Underlining the positive contribution made by Pakistan in facilitating the Afghan peace process, he hoped that the Afghan parties would work to secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.

The prime minister also warned against the damaging role of spoilers, within and outside Afghanistan.

6 injUred in bUS blASt in KArAChi kARACHI TLTP

At least six persons sustained injuries after an explosion occurred inside a passenger bus near Shireen Jinnah Colony in Karachi on Tuesday.

Local residents managed to shift wounded persons in the incident to the nearby hospital using rickshaws as no rescue workers rushed to the scene immediately. South Zone police officials confirmed that the explosion occurred due to ‘explosive material’ as no piece of the gas cylinder was recovered from the affected site.

Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials were summoned at the crime scene to ascertain the genre of the blast. According to police investigators, the explosive material was likely to be planted at the bus terminal and passing by passenger bus came into its range. One among injured persons was in critical condition due to serious injuries, they added. Earlier in August, at least five persons had been left wounded in a grenade blast carried out by unidentified assailants in the Gulshan-eHadeed area of Karachi.

indian troops martyr two more people in ioK sRINAGAR INP

In Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), Indian troops have martyred two more Kashmiri youngsters in the Shopian district. According to Kashmir Media Service, the youth were killed by Indian troops during an overnight cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Melhora area of the district. The operation is going on, according to the recent most reports. Furthermore, two Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured in an attack on Srinagar-Shopian road in Pulwama, police officials told the media. Despite Covid-19, Indian troops continued violent CASOs in different towns and areas of Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipore, Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Islamabad, Shopian, Kulgam, Ramban, Udhampuure, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Kathua districts. The locals talking to the media said that these operations by Indian forces, coupled with the effects of Covid-19, had spoiled their daily activities and economy.

SC forms body to oversee disbursement, utilisation of developer's funds IsLAMABAd STAFF REPORT

To implement Bahria Town’s Rs460 billion offer for the formal acquisition of thousands of acres of land in Malir, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday formed a high-powered commission to oversee the disbursement and utilisation of funds deposited by the real estate giant.

The apex court had in March last year accepted the developer’s offer for the lands it occupies in the Malir district of Karachi and restrained the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from filing references against it. The bench issued the order while approving a request by the federal government for the formation of the commission to ensure transparency in the process. The court in July had reserved its verdict on the government’s suggestion, while deciding to conduct a fresh survey to determine the actual occupation of lands in possession of

the developer in Karachi.

So far, Bahria Town has deposited Rs57.4 billion with the court.

While the federal government, through an application, had sought to transfer the funds being deposited in the apex court by Bahria Town to its ‘Public Account’, the Sindh government had asked for utilising the funds for development projects it had initiated. In its application, the federal government had said the funds being deposited

by Bahria Town primarily belonged to the people of Sindh and it would be most appropriate that the amount being deposited and to be deposited by the property developer be spent exclusively for the benefit and welfare of the people of the province.

In the written order issued today, the apex court stated that the commission would be headed by a chairman and would have five voting members who permanently reside in Sindh and have no political affiliations as well as six non-voting members.

The chairman will be nominated by the chief justice of Pakistan, the order said. “All decisions of the commission relating to the selection of projects, the cost of such projects and all financial matters […] shall be subject to the approval of the implementation bench of this court,” the order read. One person each will be nominated as a member of the commission by the Sindh governor and chief minister.

The attorney general for Pakistan and the attorney general for Sindh will also be included in the body.

Meanwhile, non-voting members will include the Sindh chief secretary, finance secretary and a senior member of the provincial Board of Revenue (BoR).

Senior officers assigned to Sindh in the office of the Auditor General of Pakistan and the Accountant General of Pakistan and an officer nominated by the SBP governor will also be a part of the body’s nonvoting members.

“All decisions and actions of the commission must have the concurrence of the chairman. In case of any difference or dispute, the matter shall be resolved by the implementation bench.” The court directed the provincial government to make their nominations for the body’s voting members before December 1, adding that the commission should have its first meeting before January 25, 2021. “The commission shall propose and suggest projects for public utility, including but not limited to health, education, infrastructure, etc, for the people of Sindh.” The implementation bench will then consider and approve the projects as well as allocate funds for this purpose, the court said. “All projects undertaken, and being undertaken by the commission shall be subject to a regular audit in terms of standard operating procedures to be established by the commission.

All audit reports shall be placed before the implementation bench.”

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

04

NEWS PakIstaN rEPorts INtENsIFICatIoN oF INdIa’s rEPrIsals aGaINst kashMIrI hUMaN rIGhts dEFENdErs UNITED NATIONS

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STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN has called on the United Nations (UN) to closely monitor the situation in the restive Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) where reprisals and attacks against human rights defenders were growing amid a harsh security clampdown.

“Acts of intimidation and reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN system undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the UN as a whole, including its human rights machinery,” Pakistani delegate Qasim Aziz Butt said during an Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders,

Mary Lawlor.

The dialogue took place in the General Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with social, cultural and humanitarian issues.

Butt, a second secretary in the Pakistan Mission to the UN, said the gravity and frequency of the reprisals had intensified.

Thousands of Kashmiri youth, human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and put into incommunicado detention, he added.

Civil society organisations and international media had been denied access, as the 14-month digital and physical lockdown put the occupied territory into a communication and information blackout.

The Pakistani delegate referred to last month’s “cold-blooded murder” of lawyer

Babar Qadri, a renowned Kashmiri Human Rights Defender, by unidentified men, saying he joined the long list of critical voices who have been systematically eliminated through extra-judicial killings in occupied Kashmir.

“Similarly,” he added, “activists like Khurram Pervez have been subjected to arbitrary travel bans and indefinite detention in relation to their cooperation with the United Nations.”

Major human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have continued to express concerns about these systematic reprisals against human rights defenders in India and occupied Kashmir, the committee was told.

“Instead of responding to these con-

cerns,”, he said, “the Indian government has embarked upon a witch hunt against those who dare to report these crimes.”

Only last month Amnesty International ceased work in India citing constant harassment at the hands of the government authorities. In the words of the Executive Director of Amnesty International India, the government’s goal is to “stoke a climate of fear”, it was pointed out.

“Needless to say, such sweeping restrictions and ongoing curtailment of rights in IOK, including the right to free speech and expression and the right to peaceful assembly and association have a direct bearing on the safety of human rights defenders, and their ability to carry out their work effectively,” Qasim added.

UNICEF representative speaks high of Pakistan's anti-Covid steps, Clean & Green Index ISLAMABAD: Country Representative for UNICEF Aida Girma on Tuesday spoke high of Pakistan's initiatives to effectively mitigate social economic impacts of Covid-19 pandemic and tackle climate changes with formal launch of Clean and Green Index. Talking to APP, Aida Girma said that it was imperative to protect and ensure healthy environment in order to groom and nurture a healthy and robust society. Replying to a question about Clean Green Index initiative, she said that it was definitely a motivating step towards raising standards of cleanliness and ensuring green environment. This project will have a vital role in ensuring healthy environment and ought to be implemented across the country, she remarked. She said that the UNICEF will continue to work with the Pakistan Government to carry forward the Clean and Green initiative to promote healthy atmosphere, besides facilitating the institutions in improving water, sanitation and hygiene services. STAFF REPORT

PM’s aide says efforts underway to make cities clean and green

LAHORE: A view of drying River Ravi as traffic passes on an overhead bridge. ZUBAIR MEHFOOZ

‘Massive resistance in Kashmir to India’s denial of right of Kashmiris’ to self-determination’ UNITED NATIONS STAFF REPORT

Pakistan has rejected India’s “false narrative” to equate the Kashmiris’ struggle for the right of self-determination with terrorism, saying the indigenous resistance in occupied Kashmir stemmed from the denial of that “inalienable right” to the oppressed people.

“Since the Indian colonisation of Jammu & Kashmir in 1947, New Delhi has tried different tactics to sustain its illegal occupation,” Pakistani delegate Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary told the General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee.

He was reacting to a statement by an Indian representative who claimed that

Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and that the principle of self-determination was no justification for undermining a member state’s territorial integrity.

Exercising his right of reply, Chaudhary, a counsellor at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, pointed out that there was “massive resistance” to India’s rule in the Indian occupied Kashmir.

The Kashmiri people remained resolute in their claim for the UN-pledged right of self-determination, despite being subjected to massacre, rape, torture, mass blinding and forced disappearances, the Pakistani delegate said.

Referring to India’s attempt to alter the demographics in the colonized territory, he said that India now aims to snatch the cul-

tural identity and land of the indigenous people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“But”, the Pakistani delegate said, “India needs to understand that such deceptions are destined to fail. If at all, they will intensify the yearnings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the right to selfdetermination.”

“Fearful of strong local reaction, India continues to impose inhumane military and digital siege, shutting out Kashmir from rest of the world,” he added.

Nevertheless, he said, Pakistan will keep exposing Indian brutality and inform international community of Kashmiris’ plight.

The Pakistani delegate said that India must release all political prisoners in occupied Jammu & Kashmir; end human and

communication blockade; rescind domicile law that allows non-Kashmiris to settle in disputed territory; stop human rights abuses; and end terrorism in Pakistan.

Jammu & Kashmir was not part of India; it never was, he added.

The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples gives all peoples the right to selfdetermination and that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation was contrary to the UN Charter, Chaudhary said.

Against this backdrop, he said the continued suppression of the Kashmiri people of Jammu and Kashmir was most relevant to discussions in the Committee. The UN’s decolonisation agenda will remain incomplete without the just resolution of the Kashmir dispute, he added.

International Chefs’ Day 2020 concludes with emphasis on eating healthy LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI

Chefs’ Association of Pakistan Secretary-General Ahmad Shafiq addressed the International Chefs’ Day 2020 and placed an emphasis on the need for Pakistanis to develop healthy eating habits.

Shafiq, an internationally recognised hospitality educator, delivered the welcome address and lauded the valuable contributions of the chefs to the hospitality industry locally and internationally.

The event was celebrated in Lahore on Tuesday by the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) in collaboration with Chefs’ Association of

Pakistan (CAP) and World Chefs’ Paris at Garden Town.

Shafiq said that showcasing Pakistani cuisine at the international arena is our top priority.

“We need to pledge today that we would work together to make Pakistan’s cuisine famous internationally that would also portray Pakistan’s good and healthy image internationally,” he said.

“We have more than 60 per cent youth in Pakistan, which we are focused at turning into human capital by imparting employable skills and enabling them to meet the industry needs globally,” he added.

Agreeing with him, Senior Vice President Waqar Ilyas Khan said that global competitiveness is at stake after Covid-19 we have to prepare ourselves for that.

Khan added that they were proud of Pakistani chefs who were putting in the best of their efforts to serve the hospitality industry.

“Pakistan is blessed with enormous talent in the shape of the youth but we need to nurture and showcase it in front of the world,” he said.

The event was organised to express universal brotherhood with the community of chefs serving the hospitality industry internationally.

The three-course meal competition was organised for upcoming chefs, in which 30 young chefs participated in the form of teams of three members each.

Executive Chef Tipu Imran told Profit that these

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam on Tuesday said all-out efforts are being taken under the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision for clean green Pakistan to overcome growing challenges of environmental degradation, particularly pollution, and unmanaged solid waste littering in cities and towns of the country. Talking to media, he highlighted that the incumbent government was focusing on transforming overall outlook of the cities, which would play key economic roles in the coming days. “Marked by reckless discarding of solid waste for want of proper waste dispose-off facilities, our cities have become are hugely polluted and fast becoming unlivable,” Amin remarked.

However, the prime minister launched an ambitious Clean Green Pakistan Index (CGPI) last year in November for tackling these very urban environmental challenges, so as to provide the people with healthy livable condition, he said.

CGPI encourages competition among cities on various indicators, including public access to drinking water, safe sanitation, effective solid waste management and tree plantation. The initiative primarily weighs up clean and green characters of the cities on 35 indicators under these five pillars. This index will be used as a benchmark for making annual budgetary allocations to the provinces from the national exchequer. Amin told the media that in the initial phase of the CGPI, 20 cities of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Attock, Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara and Bahawalpur, were selected to compete on certain issues of public interest. The selected cities are being judged on addressing issues such as safe drinking water, solid waste management, liquid waste management, city beautification, cleanliness of streets, the usability of parks, tree plantation, total sanitation/hygiene and community participation, he added. He also said that while initially the performance of the 20 cities from the two provinces competing has been now measured on the CGPI, most of them have performed well on all 35 indicators of CGPI under the six different themes. Giving break-up of the performance score achieved by the cities, he told media that as per data collected in the Climate Change Ministry regarding performance of the cities on CGPI, Attock attained the highest score of 76.53 points among all 13 cities of Punjab province followed by Bahawalpur (74.80), Lahore (74.30). STAFF REPORT Gujrat (70.46),

young chefs were tasked to prepare a three-course meal comprising of appetizers, a salad and a healthy main course.

Imran added that these young chefs are not only preparing healthy food but they are also telling the judges and participants about the nutritional values of each of the items they have prepared.

Talking to Profit, a team of young chefs comprising Chefs Masood Abdali, Sami Rehman and Tabish Kareem shared that in appetizers they prepared deviled eggs with Avocado Cream, in salads they made cucumber ring salad with lemon vinaigrette dressing and in main course they cooked crispy peanuts fish with sweet and chilli sauce.

These dishes have nutritional values of 410, 171 and 228 calories respectively. Their dishes were liked by the participants because of the presentation.

The event was attended by senior and junior chefs from across the country, hotel and restaurant consultants, hotel and restaurant owners, catering companies, new members of culinary arts and people from different walks of life.

New members were also selected for inclusion in the National Culinary Team of Pakistan.

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

CCoE MAY APPRovE FuRNACE oIl IMPoRt to MEEt ENERgY NEEds thIs wINtER ISLAMABAD

t

AHMAD AHMADANI

HE Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), in its upcoming meeting, may approve the import of furnace oil to meet the country's energy needs in the ongoing winter season.

According to sources, the Power Division has requested the CCoE to direct the Petroleum Division make necessary arrangements for the import of 736,078MT of high sulfer furnace oil (HSFO) and 362,080MT of low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO), which would be required for Oct 2020-Jan 2021 to maintain adequate supply and strategic reserves.

Similarly, the committee was requested to direct the Finance Division to release 50pc of Tariff Differential Subsidy, budgeted for 2020-21, to the Power Division so as to enable the Central

Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) make payments for FO requirements.

"Import of HSFO and LSFO for power plants will cause a hike in electricity price and put an additional burden on power consumers, besides increasing the circular debt of the power sector," an insider said. "The next meeting of CCoE will take an important decision whether to allow the import of furnace oil and release a subsidy or not."

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Division directorate general, in an office memorandum dated 8th October, advocated against excess import of LSFO as it may hamper refinery operations, resulting in reduced gas availability from northern fields. "As Pakistan State Oil (PSO) requires at least 45 to 60 days for procurement, the imports during October and November 2020 will not be possible."

However, it stated, local supplies are adequate to meet the demand for these two months. The Petro Division pleaded

that 4x65,000MT of HSFO and 2x60,000MT of LSFO may be arranged through PSO during December 2020 while blanket approval of the required quantity may be sought from the CCoE. Later, the power and petroleum secretaries may review the stock position of HSFO/LSFO at GENCOs/IPPs and refineries so as to take decisions regarding further HSFO/LSFO import requirements during January 2021 and onwards.

The Petroleum Division also requested that the Power Division may ensure that all volumes shall be utilized by GENCOs/IPPs to avoid glut of the product which may negatively impact the supply chain of petroleum products in the country.

"PSO has informed that around Rs197 billion are already outstanding from the power sector among the total outstanding receivables of Rs313 billion.

Therefore, a substantial amount is required to arrange imported supplies," the

division maintained.

On 25 Sept, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Energy Minister Omer Ayub Khan to review energy supply and demand in the national grid system. National Power Control Center (NPCC) had apprised the meeting that owing to low stock of LSFO and RFO, many power generation companies (GENCOs) and independent power producers (IPPs) have low fuel inventory while gas and RLNG supply might also be downgraded in view of increasing demand of gas in coming months.

The Petroleum Division indicated that during the winter season, excess RLNG would be diverted to the domestic gas sector and there would be an expected cut on RLNG and natural gas supply to the power sector. Additional fuel supply chain would be required to maintain power in the grid through the HSFO and LSFO fired power plants.

PM to engage federal, provincial Cabinet body seeks Law Division's opinion on illegal hiring issue authorities to reduce inflation coNtINuED oN pAgE 01 On behalf of the office-holders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haq presented a donation cheque worth Rs1,033,933 to the prime minister for his coronavirus relief fund. On wheat situation, the cabinet expressed commitment to ensure the availability of ample wheat across the country as well as controlling its prices.

The cabinet was briefed over the import of wheat reserves in the country and the commodity procured by the public sector. It was informed that the Punjab government was releasing 17,000 to 20,000 tonnes of wheat per day, to be increased to 25,000 tonnes. The Sindh government is releasing 85,000 tonnes of wheat from October 21 to 31.

The meeting was apprised that the Punjab government had assured availability of wheat at utility stores. Simi-

larly, the Sindh government has assured supply to flour mills as per their demand.

The prime minister directed detailed report on wheat and sugar in the next cabinet meeting which should mention the prices and requirements of commodities.

The meeting was briefed over the reserves, import and prices of sugar and informed that the process of physical verification had been started in line with the Wajid Zia report. The cabinet was told that an average of 0.2 to 0.25 million tonnes of sugar was recorded and a decision was taken for import to meet requirements. In the next few days, 0.2 million tonne sugar will reach the country.

The crushing season will start in the next 20 days, and a fine of Rs0.5 million will be levied in case of delay in crushing process. The Punjab government, in this regard, has already made an amendment in the law. The cabinet gave the approval to set up an ad-hoc management committee of Gun and Country Club.

Sindh Medical & Dental Council draft bill prepared KARACHI: The government of Sindh on Tuesday decided to establish the Sindh Medical & Dental Council (SMDC). A draft of the proposed law to constitute the Sindh Medical & Dental Council has been hammered out and the government will seek opinions from the provincial law department over the piece of the legislation, sources said. The government will get the legislation approved from the assembly within three months, sources said. Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho has confirmed the government’s move for the constitution of SMDC. The minister said that Sindh had expressed serious reservations over the constitution of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). “Other provinces have also reservations over the PMC,” she added. The parliament in September passed legislation to replace Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) with the PMC as the regulatory body for the medical sector. President Dr Arif Alvi later signed the Pakistan Medical Commission Bill, 2020, into a law. TLTP

ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

The Cabinet Committee on Institutional Reforms has directed the Establishment Division to seek legal opinions from the Law and Justice Division for ex-post facto approvals to 799 irregular appointments.

The Establishment Division secretary, during a recent meeting, informed the forum that in the light of the apex court’s judgment, a committee was formed to identify irregular appointments in the government.

After scrutiny of the available records, 799 irregular appointments were identified, he added.

"As many as 500 cases were related to the appointments in Airport Security Forces (ASF)–Aviation Division, whereas 299 cases were related to other divisions/departments."

The Establishment Division explained that the 500 cases of ASF (ex-

cept for positions of DG, ASF) were regarding appointments made in BS17, 18, 19 etc. Under the ASF ACT 1975, appointments of BS-17 and above are to be made with the government’s approval.

"The Aviation Division should get the ASF Act 1975 amended so as to unburden the federal cabinet from making regular appointments in BS-17 and above. However, the position of DG ASF may be kept within the purview of the federal cabinet," it recommended.

"Each division should scrutinize individual cases and move a summary for ex-post facto approval of cases based on the following that the divisions must ensure that there are no procedural lapses and malafide involved in the said appointments."

If any such issue is present, the division suggested, the concerned division should inquire into the matter and take action as per the law.

NEWS

05

Recoveries of distribution companies drop 1.48pc YoY in FY20: NEPRA report ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has revealed that overall recoveries of the power distributing companies (DISCOs) during the fiscal year 2019-20 dropped by 1.48pc when comparison with the recoveries of FY2018-19. NEPRA, in its State of Industry Report 2020, disclosed that the unprecedented crisis emanating from the Covid-19 had pushed the government into a perplexing situation to strike a balance between social and economic compulsions. Also, the decision to give relief to consumers for bill payments in installments, though justified to mitigate the masses’ woes, reflected badly on the recovery position of DISCOs. The overall recovery of DISCOs during FY20 remained at 88.77pc of the billed amount whereas it was at 90.25pc of the billed amount during the FY19. “Given the cyclic nature of payments, the low recovery of DISCOs hampered the ability to make payments to generation and transmission companies through CPPA. As on 30th June, 2020, an amount of Rs1,042,075 million was payable by Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) to power producers and NTDC,” the report stated. As per NEPRA report, after facing a long period of electric power generation capacity shortages, Pakistan reached a position where the installed power generation capacity was more than sufficient to meet the total demand in the country in FY20. From 2016 till June 2020, a total of 13,298MW electric power generation capacity was added to the power system of Pakistan. The total installed power generation capacity of Pakistan, excluding the K-Electric (KE) System, as on 30th June 2020 was 35,735MW. The total installed power generation capacity of KE’s own power plants is 2,294MW.

People have written Imran’s resignation: Marriyum NEWS DESK Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that by coming out in massive numbers in Gujranwala and Karachi for Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rallies, the people of Pakistan have written Prime Minister Imran Khan's resignation. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Marriyum said that PM Imran had started writing his response speech after watching the Karachi rally. She taunted that there is more to come still, adding that the premier has now seen a real public leader. She added that PDM will worry about the people, and the PM can worry about Nawaz, adding that the “premier can start crying in his last days in office”. She further said that the solution to inflation and unemployment is holding free and fair elections in the country.

'First and foremost, we are Pakistanis' Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Mother of Democracy

By BAShIr rIAz

THE WRITER IS THE FORMER PRESS SECRETARY OF SHAHEED BENAZIR BHUTTO AND ADVISOR TO BILAWAL BHUTTO, CHAIRMAN PPPP Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Mother of Democracy, gave this powerful message to the Martial Law Administrator General Zia ul Haq, “Our heads might roll but they will never bow down. We will fight for the rights of our people, generation after generation.”

These words were welcomed by the people of Pakistan who felt trapped by the continuous oppression of a dictator. The space to breathe was becoming constricted as years of undemocratic rule stretched on but Nusrat Bhutto en-

CMYK

sured that she reminded people they can create their own space of freedom by protesting and she will stand by them. Having Nusrat Bhutto leading from the front, party workers fought with great courage and despite harsh measures such as flogging, hanging or exile, they were not deterred in their mission to strive for democracy and restoring the will of the people. Their mission united them.

In the struggle for Pakistan, they were only Pakistanis and not Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis or Balochis.

After judicial murder of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Begum Nusrat Bhutto redoubled her resolve to continue the political struggle for democracy. On September 16, 1979, General Zia ul Haq postponed the general elections. Pakistan People Party’s voice, Masawat newspaper was shut down and strict censorship was imposed on all modes of communication. A lot of party workers suffered during this time.

Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto were arrested and thrown in jail. These tactics failed to stifle the voice of the people as the streets of Pakistan continued to echo with slogans of “Long Live Bhutto!” The courage of the party leaders inspired courage in the workers and they refused to give up. There were always more people willing to stand up for democracy than the people whose voices were snatched from them in the jails.

In the heartrending and iconic

image from Gaddafi Stadium, the world witnessed the barbarity of the martial law where Begum Nusrat Bhutto was captured with blood-covered face and police holding batons in the background.

When dictators are afraid of ideas and freedom of choice, they revert to inhumane tactics and violence. Begum Bhutto was well aware of the risks and threats to her well-being however, she chose to side with the struggle for a democratic Pakistan. Her strong will troubled the autocratic rulers.

On November 22, 1982 Begum Nusrat Bhutto reached Munich, Germany to seek medical care for her illness. Her sister Behjat Hariri accompanied her on this journey. Begum Bhutto was physically weakened but her will was unbreakable. Despite her ill health, she addressed the party workers in Europe. She reminded them of their role as responsible Pakistanis and the difference they could make for their home-country by protesting against dictatorship and working for democracy and rule of law. She reminded them that the seemingly strong pillars of dictatorship were hollow from within and together, with the help of Pakistanis from around the globe, the pillar of oppression could be demolished sooner.

After Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto passed away, Begum Bhutto played an integral role in keeping the people united and in high-spirits—focused on the mis-

sion of fighting dictatorship. Born on March 23, 1928, our courageous Mother of Democracy passed away on October 23, 2011. She was awarded the title of Mother of Democracy posthumously and the most prestigious award, Nishan e Pakistan.

Her generosity of spirit is evident by her love for Pakistan and Pakistanis. She dedicated her own life as well as the lives of her children and grand-children for the sake of democracy in Pakistan. In an interview with me, she emphasized that the new generation must not forget that “first and foremost, we are Pakistanis. The divisive politics based on being Muhajirs, SIndhis or Balochis is wrong. Our primary affiliation should be with our country. If anyone asks from within or outside country that where are you are from? You must always say I am a Pakistani.”

In 1975, Begum Bhutto represented Pakistan as the First Lady at the International Women’s Conference. In that conference, she was selected as the Vice-President, which was a great honour for Pakistan. Her work, nationally and internationally, will always be remembered as valuable contribution for the people of Pakistan. As we commemorate her death anniversary, we must remember the lessons of unity, equality and democratic values left behind by her as the legacy of the Bhuttos and guiding light for a prosperous Pakistan.

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

06 COMMENT

What does the acquittal reflect?

Imran Khan’s multifarious woes Need to bring down political confrontation

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RIME MINISTER Imran Khan needs to satisfy the IMF by presenting a realistic plan for how his government would raise more revenues, cut spending, raise recoveries in the power sector, increase fuel prices to reflect global market realities and control inflation. Whatever plan is made, it would pinch the common man.

Mr Khan has also to take measures to ameliorate the plight of the people by bringing down the prices of essential commodities. Sh Rashid has announced that Mr Khan would put the genie of inflation back into the bottle.

This is an uphill task, as not only the prices of sugar and wheat flour have gone beyond the purchasing capacity of the common man, but so have those of the entire range of kitchen commodities. Prices of medicines have also been revised upwards twice this month.

While warning of a spike in coronavirus cases Mr Khan continues to address large gatherings out of political needs.

In the latest Corona Relief Tiger Force gathering, hundreds of youth sat cheek by jowl in Islamabad’s overcrowded Convention Centre with most of the attendees wearing no mask. This is also true about the opposition which is holding large gatherings despite the threat posed by the pandemic as the opposition too has political compulsions.

While improving the economy requires an understanding with the opposition, the PM continues to intensify the fight against the PDM. Beside the sedition case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, fresh corruption references have been filed against PPP leadership, including former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the former president Asif Zardari. Imran Khan has vowed bring back Mr Sharif from london, put opposition leaders in jail and deny production orders to imprisoned opposition legislators. Fresh cases have been registered against Captain (rtd) Safdar in Karachi for ‘violating the sanctity’ of the Quaid’s mausoleum and PMl(N)’s Gujranwala leaders for organising the PDM rally. Govt functionaries have threatened to ban the PMl(N )and stop the PDM public meetings.

The PM needs to realize that improvement in economy and a control over the pandemic require government’s undisturbed concentration which is not possible without a modicum of understanding with the opposition.

Amjed jAAved

A

ll the 32 accused, including lK Advani, in the Babri Masjid demolition case were acquitted by the special CBI court in lucknow in September in the judgment delivered 28 years after the Mughal-era mosque was razed to the ground on 6 December 1992. This judgment shows how Indian courts are no longer immune to Hindutva frenzy.

Instead of staying aloof from extremism, now even the courts have become Hindu courts. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was inducted as a member of the rajya sabha as a quid pro quo for his `services’ to the Modi government. Earlier the court delivered several judgments, including one on triple divorce, which lie outside its secular domain. Expect the Hindutva judiciary to enforce a uniform religious code for all religious communities as per the BJP agenda.

The main point of the acquittal is that the `demolition incident was not pre-planned’. When the mosque was demolished through a well-planned procession, 16 Muslims were killed. If all the 32 accused were innocent then who were the culprits?

How could a court determine the birth of Ram millennia ago? There is no evidence about Babur constructing a mosque in Ayodhya after demolishing a temple there. All sources are mute, be it Babur’s memoir Baburnama, the Humayunnama by Babur’s daughter Gulbadan Begum, Abul Fazal’s Ain-i-Akbari or the Tuzk-e-Jahangiri. The first reference to Babri appears in a travel account by a Jesuit priest, Joseph Tiefenthaler, in 1768. The inscriptions, inside the mosque, often quoted in books on Ayodhya or Babur, were fake. The inscriptions show that the mosque was built in 1528–29 CE (935 AH) by Mir Baqi, on orders of the Mughal emperor Babur (after whom it is named).

But these inscriptions were fixed in the mosque 280 years after its supposed construction in 1528.

Babur did visit Gwalior temples. But, neither he, nor his commander Mir Baqi (distinct from Baqi on masjid inscriptions), ever visited Ayodhya. Mir Baqi of the Baburnama was never governor of Ayodhya.

BJP President lK Advani admitted on September 30, 1990: ‘No one can prove that it was the birthplace of Shri Rama.’ It was a matter of belief. Can this belief receive judicial sanction to the point where it can

NAB’s role A bull in a china shop

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VER the past two and a half years there has been an aggressive and consistent deterioration in the reputation and running of the country’s premier accountability watchdog, NAB. Established by former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf in 1999, the foundation of the institution from the outset was problematic, for it was set up solely to silence his political opponents who were unwilling to bend over backwards to accommodate his ‘vision for the country’. Subsequent civilian governments of the PPP and the PMl(N) did not attempt to right that wrong and instead used NAB against each other as well, making full use of its unbridled powers to punish opposition politicians while in government. Since becoming Prime Minister, Imran Khan has accelerated this practice under the assumption that it is exactly what his base voted him in power for: to put the likes of Nawaz Sharif and Zardari behind bars until they cough up all of that ‘looted wealth’ allegedly ‘stashed abroad’. His voters quickly realized however that ‘going after the corrupt’ does not in fact put food on their table, rather stable jobs and a better economy do. As far as repatriation of wealth is concerned, not a dime has been credited to state coffers so far. NAB meanwhile has gone off the rails, making arrests willy-nilly without the necessary evidence to effectively prosecute and get convictions and as a result, politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and media owners have been put behind bars for months on end only to be released after cases against them lead to no meaningful conclusion meriting sentencing. leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif is back in jail for a second time and on Tuesday was sent on judicial remand after NAB’s request for extending his physical remand was denied by an accountability court. Usually, going by timelines of recent cases, the next step will be granting of bail, until a new case will be formulated or an older one revived and the cycle will repeat itself. Observations by the Supreme Court over the unchecked powers of arresting an individual, calling it a violation of basic human rights, have fallen on deaf ears as the government continues to up the ante. Until the NAB Ordinance 1999 is amended, there will be no letup in the misuse of this draconian law. However, for that, the government, opposition and the powers that be must meet somewhere in the middle. As things stand, reaching such a consensus is currently impossible.

Justice seeks Mercy….

Even the PM is helpless

AkhtAr Aly kureshy

W

E have long been constantly weeping for justice, justice and justice, but no government or leader paid any heed towards justice or the reform and improvement of the judicial system which silently extends the guarantee of the prosperity and wellbeing of this poor nation. The address of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the PTI Tigers Force in the Convention Centre Islamabad, in which he conceded his helplessness by requesting the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chairman NAB to extend and provide every logistic support for speedy justice to punish the plunderers. For the first time all saw the PM crying for help and justice. Earlier, he faced injustice and brutality but nobody seemed to care, but now the case is different when it is the PM appealing for justice.

Some may be surprised by this situation, as it is the government which is to introduce law reforms for instant and inexpensive justice, but there is no such programme. The PM is interested in only plunderers’ cases, especially in the Sharif and Zardari families, because of Nawaz Sharif’s online speech in Gujranwala from london. Similarly, the PM announced that no production order for opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif would

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on the pattern of Ram Janmabhoomi”.

Masjid Shahid Ganj versus Babri Masjid: The cases of the two mosques bear a marked contrast. Sikhs and override the moral and legal rights of others?

Muslims acrimoniously contested the Shaheed Ganj In a letter to Prof. Hiren Mukerji on 5 June 1989, case (lahore). The Muslims’ claim was rejected for BJP PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee admitted: “It is not pos- laches (time bar). The Gurudwara Shahidganj stands sible to pinpoint the exact spot where Ram was born”. with aplomb in lahore as it did before 15 August 1947.

RSS supremo MD Deoras said: “This is not a case in Hardly any Sikh visits it now. Yet no Pakistani Muslim which the judiciary can pass a judgment. What type ever tried ever to desecrate or demolish it. But the Babri of evidence are the Hindus expected to produce? That Masjid became a heap of rubble even before India’s Ram was born and that his Supreme Court declared it to birthplace is Ayodhya?” That be a temple. is why the BJP in its PalamThe arguments in the pur resolution declared: “littwo cases concerning propThose still enamoured of igation certainly is no erty and longevity of possesanswer” (11 June 1989). sion were similar, less the secular India’s democracy Even the excavations done myth of birthplace of Indian should wake up. The claim by the Archaeological Surgod Ram. vey of India, under orders of Those still enamoured of that god (Ram) was born the Allahabad High Court in secular India’s democracy 2003, failed to support the should wake up. The claim there is fictitious. No claim claims by the Hindu extremthat god (Ram) was born

by Hindus during Mughal or there is fictitious. No claim ists about remains of a temple under the Babri Mosque.

by Hindus during Mughal or British Raj was made.

Determination of title to British Raj was made.

Shankaracharya’s Nyas ownership based on excavaShankaracharya’s Nyas origtion has opened up the Paninally owned only one acre of originally owned only one dora’s Box of further land, the rest of the land (adexcavations on flimsy ditional 42 acres of so-called acre of land, the rest of the grounds. Anyone may any undisputed land) was given to land (additional 42 acres of time complain to a court it on lease by the goverment about a temple having been of Kalyan Singh (an acquitted so-called undisputed land) converted into a Masjid hunaccused) in 1992 to develop was given to it on lease by dreds of years ago. a Ram Katha.

The acquittals have When Jinnah left India the goverment of Kalyan opened up the Pandora’s for Pakistan on 7 August Box of demolishing all 1947, Congress leader ValSingh (an acquitted mosques through `unlabhai Patel said, ‘The poison accused) in 1992 to develop had been removed from body planned’ attacks by mobs.

Anyone may any time comof India.’ He added, ‘As for a Ram Katha plain to a court about a temthe Muslims they have the ple having been converted roots, their sacred places and into a mosque hundreds of their centres here. I do not years ago. BJP’s legislators know what they can possibly have already demanded excavation of 3000 to 5000 do in Pakistan. It will not be long before they return to mosques, including Delhi’s Jamia Masjid. MP Sakshi us’ The Babri case should make one thank ‘poisonous’ Maharaj even offered to be hanged if idols were not Jinnah for his vision and legacy, Pakistan. found underneath the staircase of the Jamia Masjid.

At a press conference in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Amjed Jaaved is a freelance journalist, has BJP’s president Vinay Katiyar said, “The court has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and shown the way. Why should we confine (ourselves) holds degrees in economics, business administration, to Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura? Why not talk of and law.

He can be reached at 5,000? All sites should be dug up to verify the claims amjedjaaved@gmail.com.

Indian courts are handmaidens of Hindu fanatics

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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be issued, and they all would be treated like common prisoners. This may be a spoon feeding and a political bias to expedite political cases only, and maybe another mistake of handling a war strategy behind the scenes.

The law raises important and complex issues concerning equality, fairness and justice. There is an old saying that all are equal before law. The belief in equality before the law is called legal egalitarianism.

The law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread, and remains blind to social inequality, the same law applied to all may have disproportionately harmful effects on the least powerful. Once Martin luther King, Jr. said that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

No doubt the nightmare of injustice has to be crushed one day in our beloved Pakistan, and perhaps that beautiful day is rising for which we have been waiting since the inception of Pakistan, to be redesignated a civilized society full of rights and duties which are fulfilled scrupulously with courtesy and a sense of responsibility.

Justice has always evoked ideas of equality, of proportion, of compensation. Equality signifies equality. Rules and regulations, rights and righteousness are concerned with equality in value. If all men are equal, then all men are of the same essence, and the common essence entitles them to the same fundamental rights and equal liberty. In short, justice is another name for liberty, equality and fraternity.

The concept of justice in the State of Madina is altogether different from our present judicial system, which is an abuse of law which nobody has bothered to look into. Although previously we seen two Chief Justices who frequently took suo motu notice so as to provide instant justice for goodness, but overlooked reforming the judicial system. We always appreciate the saying “The system of Disbelievers may last, but not of injustice.” We wonder about the concept of other judicial systems of different societies, but never tried to learn the real system of justice enshrined in the Holy Quran where every secret of prosperity and peace of mind for a common man is written clearly, with a simple way of following if we have a mind to do so.

As our judicial system was fully ignored by all the regimes, so it has been corrupted and has become useless, and is rather a fatigue and an abuse of law. There is an alarming need to rebuild or redesign our judicial system on revolutionary basis by keeping in mind our aptitude, culture and our religion, Islam, to ensure the fastest delivery of justice to an aggrieved person.

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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The government has to increase the ratio of financial budget to the judiciary, to enhance the capacity building of judicial system like construction of stateof-the-art court rooms, enhance the strength of judges at all levels, both of the subordinate judiciary and in the High Courts, cut down the tiers of the justice system, which actually create problems as one Court decides the case and there are a number of other options to avail the right of appeal up to the Supreme Court.

As a result, a case decided but pending in an appellant forum like our superior courts, should not block the way of justice by repeating the same cause, which is a big hurdle in the way of getting justice.

Similarly there is no time frame to decide a case, so lawyers and judges take maximum time to facilitate themselves by killing the hope of justice and a simple matter of few weeks or months takes many years, and makes a mockery of the justice system.

Earlier the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr Justice Gulzar Ahmad, ordered the establishment of 120 NAB Courts, as presently only 24 NAB Courts in whole of Pakistan are working which is apparently a joke with the system, and the Supreme Court very rightly ordered to increase the NAB Courts to reasonably 120 to meet the end of justice.

Of course this would be a revolutionary step to eliminate corruption from our society through NAB, which is meant for a corruption-free Pakistan, the only way forward to reach our real destiny.

Seeking help from the Supreme Court and NAB by the PM, although showing his bleak position, not to make legislation for law reforms but may be a blessing in disguise to break the ice and also the red-tape hindrances to justice, as the secret of elimination of corrupt is hidden in the capacity building of our Courts coupled with the order of the Supreme Court to complete the challan and trials of NAB cases in the time specified.

Once cases are speedily decided by NAB Courts and they punish the accused who looted the exchequer or national wealth and committed abuse of power, this will create another milestone to curtail corruption.

All the critics, stakeholders and the public at large should come forward to support the PM on this particular cause of seeking help of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chairman NAB to rescue our judicial system from corruption and nepotism. Delivery of justice will make us a more civilized society and only NAB will promote our society to move forward speedily to prosper and attain advancement of innovation to enter the Group of Twenty advanced and rich economies of the World (G-20).

Akhtar Aly Kureshy is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Law Professor, member International Bar Association and former Assistant Attorney General for Pakistan.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 21 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

Women’s transport THERE is no denying the fact that transport plays an astonishing role for the comfort of every individual throughout the world. But unfortunately, in Pakistan, women are totally overlooked in every aspect of their lives, and transport problems are a threatening menace for women in Pakistan.

Multiple women are facing several obstacles such as a lack of transport and other fundamental requirements. However, due to not having transport , many women have been the victim of abuse, kidnapping, rape and many more violent crimes. It is also mostly in public transport, where men and women are crammed together, that women are mostly abused. This is the weakness of Pakistan, which is a Muslim country, and women are the victim of different crimes like domestic violence.

MaryaM aSSa awaran

Private schools

Significance of retaining uNhrc membership A tribute to Pakistan’s diplomacy

mAlik muhAmmAd AshrAf

P

AKISTAN has been re-elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council by the UN General Assembly for a second term. Pakistan had already served a three-year term which began in 2018. Winning the election to this prestigious body of the UN for a second consecutive term represents a great diplomatic achievement by the managers of Pakistan’s foreign policy, whose lobbying won Pakistan the highest number of votes, reflecting the acknowledgement of, and confidence of the international community in, its contribution to the national and global human rights agenda and iys strong credentials as a consensus builder in HRC. From amongst five countries from the Asia-Pacific region vying for election to the four seats, Pakistan secured 169 votes in the 193 member General Assembly followed by 164 for Uzbekistan, 150 for Nepal, 139 for China and 90 for Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has been elected to the premier human rights body of the UN for the fifth time.

The resolution establishing the UNHRC states “when electing members of the Council, Member States shall take into account the contribution of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights and their voluntary pledges and commitments made thereto and that members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.” In the light of the foregoing, the election to the Council implies endorsement of the fact that the state elected as member of the Council has not only respected human rights within her own boundaries but has also made a discernible contribution to the protection of those rights at the global level. It is perhaps pertinent to mention that UN General Assembly can suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member that it decides has persistently committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during its term of membership. The suspension process requires a two-thirds majority vote by the General Assembly.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has rightly lauded the role of the Foreign Office and Pakistani missions abroad for orchestrating this diplomatic triumph which, as he put it, enhances Pakistan’s profile and recognition on the international stage.

He also reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue Indian action followed the publication of two efforts towards consensus building and ensuring highly critical reports about human rights record that the HRC’s work was guided by principles of of the Indian government. The organization in a universality, impartiality, dialogue and cooperation statement said, “The move was the culmination of adding that Pakistan would continue to expose a two year campaign of harassment by home afhuman rights violations committed with impunity fairs ministry and more broadly part of an incesby the Indian occupation forces in the Indian-Oc- sant witch-hunt of human rights group by the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister cupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The UNHRC, with its headquarters in Narendra Modi.” The banning of Amnesty InterGeneva, is charged with the responsibility to national corroborates the fact that under the BJP promote and protect human rights around the government the space for dissent has been shrinkworld. It has 47 members elected for staggered ing in India, where the critics of the government three-year terms on a regional group basis. The face investigation and detention under draconian UNHRC replaced UN Commission on Human terrorism laws. It also coincides with human rights Rights in March 2006. It investigates allegations violations against 200 million Muslims of India.

Since 5 August 2019, Indian security forces of breaches of human rights in United Nations member states, and addresses important the- are reported to have killed more than 200 Kashmatic human rights issues such as freedom of as- miris in extra-judicial killings during cordon and search operations, as sociation and assembly, well as those protesting freedom of expression, against the Indian opfreedom of belief and pression. A recent rereligion, women’s The diplomatic offensive port in The New York rights, lGBT rights, Times dwelled on the and the rights of racial launched by the PTI state of affairs in the and ethnic minorities.

Valley since 5 August It has been a promigovernment under 2019 in these words: nent forum for disstewardship of Prime “Kashmir was cast into cussing the gross and chaos in August when systematic human rights Minister Imran Khan has also the Indian governabuses being perpetrated ment revoked the rein Indian-Occupied made it difficult for India to gion’s partial Jammu and Kashmir. conceal the realities in autonomy. Since then, The human rights violatensions have been high tions committed with Indian-Occupied Jammu and in Kashmir Valley, impunity by the Indian where many businesses occupation forces in InKashmir. Pakistan’s rewere shuttered, streets dian-Occupied Jammu election to the UNHRC, emptied and, doctors and Kashmir have been said, residents’ hopeextensively documented therefore, augurs well in lessness morphed into in the various reports of a severe psychological the UN High Commisregards to sustaining and crisis. But despite the sioner for Human Rights and the independent reinforcing efforts to unmask lockdown, firefights and skirmishes in Special Procedure ManIndian atrocities and human Kashmir have not date Holders. Presence stopped.” Earlier a simin the Council affords an rights abuses in the state ilar report in the same excellent opportunity to newspaper had the Pakistan to sensitize the under illegal Indian siege headline ‘Kashmir world body and the inunder Siege and lockternational community down Faces a Mental about the gross violation Health Crisis’. The sitof human rights in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and revealing uation has been extremely precarious for the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir India’s true face to the world.

India, which is being ruled by the followers during the coronavirus pandemic.

It is really encouraging to note that internaof the RSS ideology of Hindutva, has not only committed brazen violations of human rights tional media, human rights organizations, and within India by pursuing communal policies tar- the UN human Rights body through its two regeting Muslim community and other minorities ports on human rights abuses by India, have but is also guilty of unleashing a reign of terror thwarted Indian attempts to hoodwink the world. in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir The diplomatic offensive launched by the PTI through continued extra-judicial killings and government under stewardship of Prime Miniskeeping the entire population under siege since ter Imran Khan has also made it difficult for 5 August 2019. International media and interna- India to conceal the realities in Indian-Occupied tional human rights bodies such as Amnesty In- Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s re-election to ternational have been reporting and the UNHRC, therefore, augurs well in regards documenting the human rights violation in In- to sustaining and reinforcing efforts to unmask dian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to expose Indian atrocities and human rights abuses in the state under illegal Indian siege.

India before the global fraternity.

As a consequence, the Indian government has Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. forced Amnesty International to shut down operations in India and frozen its bank accounts. The He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com

IT is a well known fact that all the private and government schools were closed for six months because of Covid-19 and students were out of schools. Undoubtedly, when the schools were reopened, they directed the parents to submit the fees of their children without noticing how their economic condition is. There are many parents who earn a little sum of money. How is it possible for them to pay the fees of RS 25000 collectively for the enrolled children. I request the government to ensure funds for them so that they have their children educated.

SaghEEr gul MuhaMMad Kalahoo

underage driving UNDERAGE driving has become one of the causes of road accidents in Pakistan. I recently saw a 10 year old boy who was riding a motorcycle at a speed of almost 80 Kph on the main road of Turbat city, without even wearing a helmet. In fact, this is the responsibility of both parents and traffic police. Parents must be more responsible than traffic police. Actually, it is the responsibility of parents not to give motorcycles or cars to the underage drivers, otherwise they will lose their precious lives in road accidents.

IMran Sattar turbat

Polio-free Pakistan TODAY only two countries in the world have never stopped transmission of polio including Pakistan. However, as long as children remain infected by poliovirus, it is a problem and certainly children in Pakistan are at great risk of contracting the disease. Polio is still immortal in our country . Pakistan is initially struggling to make Pakistan polio-free but it is not gonna be eradicated very soon . I see conditions that children are being vaccinated in South Asian countries like Pakistan which is most common in reporting fresh polio cases. Even in these times Pakistan is facing the biggest challenge one way to curb the virus and one way to completely vanish poliovirus. barKatullah turbat

homelessness HOMElESSNESS is becoming the biggest problem of Pakistan. In Pakistan, there are such poor people who have no roofs over their heads.

Because of homelessness, poor people are facing a lot of problems.

According to an estimate, in Pakistan, 20 million homeless people are present who have no place for living. Pakistani poor people are very miserable and they are so poor that they can't do anything for themselves.They are passing a tough life. Day by day the problems are increasing instead of decreasing. Reasons for living without walls include poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable materials and many more.

Often poor's have no meals. However, the PM has announced a package to help poors to be sheltered. Now we hope it must not be an unfulfilled promise like many other promises.

MAHGANJ HAMEEd TurBAT

reconciliation PROFESSOR Albert Einstein profoundly desired for permanent peace in the world. He struggled hard to achieve his mission of world peace and wrote to the world intellectuals asking them to make a strenuous effort to avoid war. Unfortunately, his efforts went into the vein and WWII ended in a dreadful event leading to the loss of hundreds to thousands of precious lives. I have lived through these times and wish and plead to politicians of Pakistan to learn a lesson from history. Our leaders have been fighting and mudslinging on each other for seventy-three years with the aim to grab power under the slogan of strengthening democracy, which never existed.

The ruling party and their opponents need to realize that one can wish what he wishes but will not wish the consequences of this wish. The solution to each issue lies in reconciliation and consensus, not in confrontation. raja Shafaatullah ISlaMabad

Justice for protestors IN Pakistan, it is the season of protest for many issues. Many of them protest the 18 Oct 2007 attack , many of them protest for missing people, many of them protest for food prices. Some get success in this regard and some do not. Nowadays the biggest issue is rape where many people protest for that, but when we protest, so we should take care of the SOPs and follow them. Protests are being done all over the world, but none of them has been successful. It is a humble request to the government of Pakistan to give them justice and their protests should not be wasted.

Shayzanth juMMah lahorE

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

McMaster says truMp’s taliban deal is Munich-like appeaseMent GABRIEL SCHEINMANN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALEXANDER HAMILTON SOCIETY, ASKED MCMASTER: “IS THIS OUR MUNICH AGREEMENT? ARE WE PURSUING A POLICY OF APPEASEMENT WITH TALIBAN?" “YES, YES, WE ARE,” MCMASTER REPLIED

WaSHingTon PoST

p

Josh rogin

RESIDENT Trump’s Afghanistan policy is confusing and unclear, even for his own officials. His top general and his national security adviser are publicly battling over U.S. troop withdrawals in the country. And now H.R. McMaster, a retired Army lieutenant general and former national security adviser, has publicly said that Trump’s Afghanistan policy is a “travesty,” and that his deal with the Taliban constitutes appeasement similar to Europe’s accommodation with Adolf Hitler in the Munich agreement of 1938.

McMaster, doing a publicity tour for his new book, sounded off about the Trump administration’s recent approach to Afghanistan during an online event hosted Thursday by the Alexander Hamilton Soci-

ety, a nonprofit foreign policy network that operates on college campuses across the country. McMaster told the audience that, during his term as national security adviser, the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan had been on track to be sustainable and effective.

But in making a deal with the Taliban, he said, Trump has now betrayed the mission and undermined U.S. security.

McMaster said that Trump repeated and then exceeded all of the flaws of the Obama administration’s approach to Afghanistan by seeking to bring the Taliban into the Afghan government and pressuring the Afghan government to go along. Trump, he said, apparently forgot that the Taliban are the enemy, and that they are intertwined with terrorist groups.

“War is a contest of wills. And we have to have the will ourselves to prevail,” McMaster said. “These are some of the most horrible people on earth. These are the enemies of all civilized people.”

Gabriel Scheinmann, executive director of the Alexander Hamilton Society, asked McMaster: “Is this our Munich agreement? Are we pursuing a policy of appeasement with Taliban?" “Yes, yes, we are,” McMaster replied.

McMaster said that by pushing for an

Afghan power-sharing agreement with the Taliban, the Trump administration was not only undermining its Afghan government partners but also undermining the moral and legal underpinning for U.S. intervention there. Trump’s strategy “renders the war unjust, because we no longer have defined a just end,” he said. “It’s just a travesty,” said McMaster, predicting failure. “We will pay the price, and we’ll be back. We’ll have to go back, and at a much higher cost.”

McMaster’s comments came as the internal Trump administration battle over Afghanistan troop withdrawals spilled into public view last week. National security adviser Robert C. O’Brien and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley are sniping at each other in public, each claiming to understand the president’s policy better than the other.

It started Oct. 7, when O’Brien told a crowd at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, that the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan would go down from about 5,000 to 2,500 by early next year. Referring to the Trump administration’s push for the Afghan government and the Taliban to strike a deal, O’Brien said: “Ultimately, the Afghans themselves are going to have to

work out an accord, a peace agreement."

Just hours later, Trump tweeted that all U.S. troops “should” be out of Afghanistan

by Christmas, a typically vague tweet that could be interpreted either as an opinion or an order by the commander in chief. Asked about the troop withdrawal issue by NPR on Oct. 11, Milley took a direct swipe at O’Brien.

“I think that Robert O’Brien or anyone else can speculate as they see fit,” Milley said. "I’m not going to engage in speculation. I’m going to engage in the rigorous analysis of the situation based on the conditions and the plans that I am aware of and my conversations with the president.”

O’Brien hit back at Milley during an online event Friday hosted by the Aspen Strategy Group, repeating that Trump intends to draw down to 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan soon. “It has been suggested by some that that’s speculation. I can guarantee you, that’s the plan of the president the United States,” O’Brien said, pushing back on Milley’s claim that O’Brien didn’t speak for Trump. O’Brien also said that Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and the Defense Department are “fully on board” with implementing the withdrawal plan.

Elect Joe Biden. Reject Donald Trump USa Today Editorial Board

Four years ago, the Editorial Board — an ideologically and demographically diverse group of journalists that is separate from the news staff and operates by consensus — broke with tradition and took sides in the presidential race for the first time since USA TODAY was founded in 1982. We urged readers not to vote for Donald Trump, calling the Republican nominee unfit for office because he lacked the “temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents.” We stopped short, however, of an outright endorsement of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. This year, the Editorial Board unanimously supports the election of Joe Biden, who offers a shaken nation a harbor of calm and competence.

Recent polls show that more than 90% of voters have decided between Biden and Trump, and nothing at this point will change their minds. This editorial is for those of you who are still uncertain about which candidate to vote for, or whether to vote at all. It’s also for those who settled on Trump but might be having last-minute doubts.

Maybe you backed Trump the last time around because you hoped he’d shake things up in Washington or bring back blue-collar jobs. Maybe you liked his populist, anti-elitist message. Maybe you couldn’t stomach the idea of supporting a Democrat as polarizing as Clinton. Maybe you cast a ballot for a minor party candidate, or just stayed home. Now, two weeks until Election Day, we suggest you consider a variation of the question Republican Ronald Reagan asked voters when he ran for president in 1980: Is America better off now than it was four years ago?

Beset by disease, economic suffering, a racial reckoning and natural disasters fueled by a changing climate, the nation is dangerously off course.

We spoke to dozens of people in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, battleground states that helped propel Trump into the White House in 2016. Many declined to comment, citing a general disgust with the election or fear of speaking out publicly. While some said they were personally better off, most of those willing to talk on camera expressed anguish and dismay about the nation's direction.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT: When Trump was elected as the nation’s first president without previous experience in government or the military, we hoped that he would become, as he promised during the 2016 campaign, “more disciplined” and “so presidential that you people will be so bored.”

After all, when you are a passenger on an airplane, you root for the pilot, even one who has never been in a cockpit before.

Whether you are a pilot or the president, the most important part of your job is crisis management. But when confronted with an emergency — COVID-19, the biggest public health threat in more than a century — Trump didn’t land the plane safely on the Hudson River. His shambolic response to the coronavirus pandemic has inflated a national death toll that is equivalent to the crashes of more than 1,000 Boeing-737 jetliners.

The United States, with 4% of the world’s population, has 20% of its reported coronavirus

deaths. If America is at war against COVID-19 and "I’m a wartime president," as Trump declared in March, the invisible enemy is winning and now has even penetrated the White House grounds.

There is little doubt that Biden would have handled the crisis more capably. He surely would not have become a superspreader of coronavirus misinformation. Back in January, in a column for USA TODAY, the former vice president warned that the novel virus emerging in China “will get worse before it gets better,” and that Trump is “the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health challenge.” During the campaign, Biden has modeled mask wearing and other public health recommendations that Trump has flouted while downplaying the threat. A Biden administration would follow the science and build trust in emerging vaccines.

It's no secret that the Editorial Board disagrees with Trump not just on his approach to the coronavirus but also on fundamental issues, from health care and climate change to immigration and trade.

Policy differences, however, are not the reason behind our first-ever presidential endorsement. Diverse views, even ones we think are wrongheaded, are a staple of American politics and something to celebrate. If this were a choice between two capable major party nominees who happened to have opposing ideas, we wouldn’t choose sides. Different voters have different concerns. But this is not a normal election, and these are not normal times.

This year, character, competence and credibility are on the ballot. Given Trump’s refusal to guarantee a peaceful transfer of power if he loses, so, too, is the future of America's democracy.

For nearly four decades, the Editorial Board has stood for certain core values: truth, accountability, civility in public discourse, opposition to racism, common-ground solutions to the nation’s problems, and steadfast support for First Amendment rights. These aren’t partisan issues, or at least they shouldn’t be.

Donald Trump has trampled each of these principles, making more than 20,000 false or misleading statements, ducking responsibility for his actions, spewing streams of invective at his critics, trafficking in racial fearmongering, governing more as the leader of the red states than of the United States, and relentlessly attacking the free press.

Everything about Biden’s nearly half-century political career suggests he would do a far better job of respecting these values. “We need to revive the spirit of bipartisanship in this country, the spirit of being able to work with one another,” the Dem-

ocratic nominee said in a recent speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Biden is a worthy antidote to Trump’s unbounded narcissism and chronic chaos. Having surmounted heartbreaking personal loss — his first wife and year-old daughter died in a car crash, and his son Beau died of brain cancer — Biden exudes decency and empathy. Ask yourself: Can you imagine Joe Biden denigrating servicemembers as losers? Cozying up to autocrats abroad? Shaking down a foreign leader for dirt on a political opponent?

All politicians, of course, have flaws, and Biden is no exception. He turns 78 next month and, like the November foliage in New England, is somewhat past peak.

For someone billed as a foreign policy expert, he managed to be wrong about both the Persian Gulf War (he opposed the 1991 effort to expel Saddam Hussein’s forces from Kuwait) and the Iraq War (he supported the 2003 U.S. invasion, which turned into a debacle). His handling of Anita Hill’s sexual harassment claim against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas in 1991, when Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has not aged well. He is capable of cringeworthy gaffes, and his sentences can wander off into uncharted territory.

Nevertheless, Biden is an experienced hand with working-class roots who understands the American dream. He knows the levers of power and how to wield them. He has a history of working across the aisle on such issues as health care, racial justice and the environment.

He has the knowledge and the personality to begin repairing America’s tattered reputation around the world.

AN EXTRAORDINARY MOMENT: Maybe you’ve heard Republican operatives and commentators trying to paint Biden as a puppet of far-left radicals. But if he was able to resist such unaffordable progressive ideas as "Medicare for All" and the "Green New Deal" during the heat of the Democratic primaries, it is hard to envision him embracing them once he is in the White House.

Biden is well positioned to repair the wreckage Trump has made of the federal government, from the foreign service to the science agencies Trump has tried to politicize. As vice president in the Obama administration, Biden played a central role in the last economic recovery and is equipped to handle another one.

Even before the pandemic struck, Trump did no better than the Obama-Biden administration on job creation, the stock market and economic growth. (Remember his promise to pay off the national debt in eight years? It's now $27 trillion, up more than $7 trillion from four years ago.)

Biden knows that the recovery process will require, first and foremost, a comprehensive national response to the COVID-19 crisis that has upended Americans’ lives and left large sectors of the economy reeling.

This extraordinary moment in the history of our nation requires an extraordinary response.

With his plans, his personnel picks, his experience and his humanity, Joe Biden can help lead the United States out of this morass and into the future. Your vote can help make that happen.

Officials tell me that O’Brien is definitely closer than Milley to being able to speak to the president’s intentions. Trump has been angry at Milley since the general publicly apologized for his role in the clearing of Lafayette Square with chemical agents so that Trump could hold a Bible photo op there in June.

Esper, who has also been on thin ice with Trump since that incident, has been keeping a low profile, traveling overseas and avoiding the U.S. media.

McMaster is surely voicing the concerns of many of the senior military brass who have spent years fighting in Afghanistan and worry that Trump is squandering those gains. He has spoken out against his former boss very selectively. At the Hamilton Society event, he implicitly criticized his successor, John Bolton, by saying that the national security adviser shouldn’t publicly reveal dirt about the president, especially while that president is still in office.

“You’re in a position of trust,” he said.

“And to violate that trust and confidence during that administration is a travesty, because how are future presidents going to trust their national security advisers?”

McMaster is criticizing Bolton for talking out of school, but at the same time criticizing the president’s policies himself while trying to sell his book. Meanwhile, the U.S. troops in Afghanistan are still fighting the war, while U.S. leaders in Washington fight among themselves.

Josh Rogin is a columnist for the Global Opinions section of The Washington Post.

Anti-money laundering laws must cover lawyers and accountants Sydney Morning Herald Editorial

Westpac Banking Corporation and Crown Resorts’ failures to prevent money laundering have caused both companies huge reputational and financial damage.

Yet the Herald’s reporting this week on global tax evasion schemes suggests these two examples are the tip of the iceberg. While national regulators, such as the Australian Tax Office and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), appear to be tackling the problems, the federal government needs to do more to regulate the lawyers, accountants and other professional enablers who lawfully facilitate the global flow of black cash.

The Herald revealed relations between Euro Pacific, a bank in the tax haven of Puerto Rico, and about 400 Australians including Simon Anquetil, the Australian businessman jailed for engineering Plutus Payroll, the country’s biggest tax scam, and financial institutions such as the Perth Mint. About 100 of these clients are considered to be dubious.

The bank is the target of Operation Atlantis, a sweeping international tax probe by the “J5”, a task force made up of the tax chiefs of Australia, the US, Britain, the Netherlands and Canada that was set up after the leak of legal documents known as the Panama Papers.

The ATO is to be commended on taking this tough approach. Going after the money is the only way to stop tax evasion, organised crime (such as drug dealing) and political corruption.

Unfortunately, those involved in setting up and managing the international cash transfers can operate with relative impunity because of gaping holes in Australian law.

The federal government has dragged its feet in complying with global best-practice standards which are now in force in Britain and New Zealand. The rules say that lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, precious stones dealers and trust and company service providers should have an obligation to take steps to “know their customers” and report suspicious transactions to authorities.

AUSTRALIA’S FAILURE TO COMPLY IS A SOURCE OF GLOBAL SHAME The anti-money laundering rules were developed over a decade ago by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an anti-money laundering agency under the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Australian lawyers, accountants and real estate agents have, however, fought the rules tooth and nail arguing that, even though the City of London can do it, here in Australia they cannot afford the burden of complying with anti-money laundering red tape.

Australian banks and casinos are at least required to monitor and report suspicious transactions, even if in the case of Westpac and Crown they have failed.

But the federal government has ignored requests from the FATF in 2015 and a statutory review by the Attorney-General’s department in 2016 to impose the same obligations on the other professional groups.

The Herald reported this week on lawyers in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, whose stock-in-trade is setting up accounts in jurisdictions such as Puerto Rico, which do not automatically have to share information with outside law enforcement.

One of the lawyers who deals with Euro Pacific bank was caught on tape explaining how to reduce the risk of criminal charges using these offshore shell companies.

Australia’s failure to comply is a source of global shame and it could soon become a problem for its nomination of Senator Mathias Cormann as secretary general of the OECD. The OECD is about to start another round of assessments to identify countries which have failed to comply with the rules. If he gets the job, Senator Cormann will have to ask why the government in which he served has failed to do what it has promised for more than a decade.

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

BUSINESS 09

SenATe BOdy SeekS deTAiLed BrieFinG On PiA’S SUSTAinABiLiTy PLAn

corporate corner

ISLAMABAD

LAHORE: Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme, has been providing assistance to deserving students through need and merit-based scholarships/financial support across Pakistan. The company has now affirmed to sponsor Muhammad Daud Sultan, student of Agriculture University of Faisalabad, to pursue his studies to become Doctor of Veterinary medicin. Press releAse

KARACHI: BankIslami, one of the most technologically advanced Islamic bank with 340+ branches in more than 116 cities, wins Pakistan IP Excellence Award 2020 in the category of “Best IP Management” and “Most Innovative Banking Solutions.” Press releAse

T

sTAFF rePOrT

HE Senate Standing Committee on Aviation on Tuesday sought a detailed briefing from the Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL) Board of Directors on the airline's financial sustainability plan and future course of action to transform the national flag carrier into a profit-making entity.

The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Mushahidullah Khan, was briefed by PIACL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal Arshad Malik on reports about closure of the airliner's Roosevelt Hotel in New York, besides financial constraints and capacity issues being faced by the airline.

He clarified that the PIA was not going to sell the hotel, "but it will be

APP

TPL Life, Mobilink Microfinance Bank partner to provide protection against Covid-19 KARACHI: TPL Life, a leading insurtech in Pakistan, has partnered with Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd (MMBL), Pakistan’s largest digital bank, to launch “Corona Tahaffuz,” an insurance product designed for MMBL’s customers and will be available through the banks’ branches across Pakistan. Following the collaboration, MMBL customers will have access to comprehensive insurance coverage for themselves and their family, a cash benefit of Rs7,500, as well as Rs1,500 per day quarantine benefit in-case of a Covid-19 diagnosis. Corona Tahaffuz will also provide customers financial assistance throughout the period of diagnosis and, at the unfortunate event of fatality due to the virus; a cash benefit of Rs. 50,000 will be provided to the policy holder and/or family members. Press releAse

BASF, GO Pakistan sign MoU for research on automotive industry KARACHI: BASF has entered a partnership with Gas and Oil (GO) Pakistan to help vehicles improve fuel efficiency and reduce their environmental impact. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Faisal Akhtar, Managing Director, BASF Pakistan, and Zeeshan Tayyeb, Chief Operating Officer, GO Pakistan.

Under the MoU, GO will use BASF’s wide range of additives for conventional fuel to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In addition, both parties will exchange knowledge to serve local customers in Pakistan better.

“Air pollution is a pressing issue in Pakistan. With GO’s expertise in the downstream petroleum business and our world-class components and formulations, we aim to bring chemistry-driven innovations to the automotive industry in the country,” said Faisal Akhtar. Press releAse

He said the property had more than 1,000 rooms, having an area of 43,313 square feet, adding that it was run by the world’s premier hotel management company, Interstate Hotel and Resorts USA. "The current market value of the hotel, as assessed by M/s Deloitte, is $662 million based on the highest and best use."

The PIA CEO said the financial position of the hotel had been in the 'red' for quite some time, mainly due to debt servicing, unionization, and dilapidated condition of building, rooms and public area, which needed immediate upgrade and major repairs.

He said the declining business of the hotel further aggravated due to the coronavirus pandemic, which could increase the loss to $6 million per year.

Meanwhile, the committee also took up a harassment case of PIA and

listened to both the parties.

Senator Sherry Rehman was of the view that the accused of harassment, who was posted as HR manager in PIA, should be repatriated to his parent department with a recommendation to hold a fresh inquiry against the officer.

“It is a classic textbook case of harassment and the officer needs to be removed from his post and sent back to its original organization,” she observed.

Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak suggested to further look into the case by arranging a special sitting of the committee members, besides giving another hearing to the complainant and accused.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Senators Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah, Shaheen Khalid Butt and Sajjad Hussain Turi, senior officials of the Aviation Division and PIACL.

Cement export rises 8.27pc YoY in Q1FY21 ISLAMABAD

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar presents a souvenir to Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi at the Governor Hous. Press releAse

closed down from December 31 for renovation purposes".

"The Privatization Commission had been approached to hire a financial consultant through an international tender so that a future course of action, considering all the available options, could be devised," The PIA CEO stated. "The decision to determine whether necessary renovation or repair work will be carried out or the existing building will have to be demolished for reconstruction will be taken later."

Arshad Malik informed that Roosevelt Hotel, a 19-storey building located at a prime location, was acquired

by PIA (through a partnership) in 1978 from its profits and as part of the airline's diversification strategy.

In 1999, he said, the airline acquired 100pc shareholding at $36.5 million from its resources and without any aid from the government.

The export of cement from the country witnessed an increase of 8.27 per cent during the first quarter (Q1) of the financial year (FY202021) as compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

The country exported cement worth $72.296 million during JulySeptember FY21 against the exports of $66.773 million during July-September FY20, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

In terms of quantity, cement

exports increased 30.09pc, from 2,196,835 metric tonnes to 1,688,687 metric tonnes.

Meanwhile, on a year-on-year basis, cement exports grew 23.9pc in September 2020 as compared to the same month of last year. The export of cement in September 2020 was recorded at $27.788 million against the export of $24.623 million in September 2019.

Likewise, on a month-onmonth basis, cement exports rose 28.75pc in Sept 2020 as compared to the exports of $21.583 million in August 2020. It is pertinent to mention that the overall merchan-

dize trade deficit increased by 2.02pc during the first quarter of FY21 as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The deficit during July-September FY21 was recorded at $5.804 billion as compared to the deficit of $5.689 billion last year.

During the period under review, the country’s exports registered a fall of 0.94pc, from $5.510 billion last year to $5.458 billion during the current year.

On the other hand, the imports decreased by 0.56pc, from $11.199 billion last year to $11.262 billion during the current year.

MARKET DAILY

Stocks accumulate 616 points on positive sentiments KARACHI sTAFF rePOrT

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its rally on Tuesday, underpinned by investors’ optimism amid ongoing earnings season.

Global equity markets, on the other hand, displayed a mixed performance, whereas crude oil prices moved uphill from the previous close; WTI crude price appreciating 0.41pc to $41.22 while Brent crude price rising 0.19pc to $42.70.

"As concerns over political uncertainty withered away, investors fixed their gaze on the upcoming FATF plenary session and quarterly results. Positive expectations on both counts helped the index accumulate over 700 points intraday," said a report issued by AHL Ltd. "Oil & gas marketing and exploration & pro-

duction scrips contributed the most to the index, followed by cement, power and banking scrips."

The benchmark KSE-100 remained in the green throughout the day, recording its intraday high at 41,056.95 after gaining 716.78 points. It closed higher by 616. points at 40,956.58.

Among other indices, the KMI30 Index accumulated 1,412.69 points to end at 65,727.69, while the KSE All Share Index gathered 362.21 points, settling at 28,930.00.

The overall market volumes inflated from 319.53 million shares in the previous session to 492.67 million shares (+54pc). Average traded value also surged by 106pc, from $49 million to $101.7 million.

Unity Foods Ltd (UNTIY +3.95pc), Hascol Petroleum Ltd (HASCOL +6.00pc) and Fauji

Foods Ltd (FFL -1.04pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 77.97 million, 50.61 million and 35.12 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that drove the index north included cement (+110.56 points), power generation & distribution (+107.02 points) and banking (+90.80 points). Among the companies, Hub Power Company Ltd (HUBC +84.15 points), Lucky Cement Ltd (LUCK +48.06 points) and Meezan Bank Ltd (MEBL +41.64 points) remained the top contributors.

Adding 8.53pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the refinery sector turned out to be the session’s top performer, with Byco Petroleum Pakistan Ltd (BYCO +10.91pc), Attock Refinery Ltd (ATRL 7.50pc), Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL +7.44pc) and National Refinery Ltd (NRL +7.42pc) posting significant gains.

Provinces agree to accelerate wheat release from official stocks ISLAMABAD: Provincial governments on Tuesday expressed firm commitment to accelerate the release of wheat from their official stocks in order to maintain smooth supply of the commodity and to counter the trend of rising inflation in the country. The consensus to this effect was developed in a consultative meeting, which was chaired by National Food Security & Research Minister Syed Fakhar Imam. The meeting was attended by chief secretaries of all provinces, who briefed the minister on the efforts being made to curb food shortage/inflation in their respective provinces. The meeting was informed that Punjab had started releasing wheat from July 7, and that the quantity was increased from 16,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes per day. It was further informed that these releases would be increased to 25,000 tonnes per day, which would significantly bring down the prices of flour and wheat in local markets.

The Punjab chief secretary apprised the meeting that 196 Sahulat Bazaars have so far been set up across the province to ensure the supply of flour to the people at affordable rates. Meanwhile, the Sindh chief secretary said that the process of regular release of wheat by the provincial government would start in the next couple of days. The KP chief secretary informed that wheat release in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had started from of August 7, and that administrative measures were being taken to keep the prices in check.

He said that sasta bazaars were also being established across the province, adding that the official release of wheat by the KP government would be increased from 3,000 tonnes per day to 4,000 tonnes per day. APP

Miniso acquires Cheezmall subsidiary ToSharing SINGAPORE BABAr KHAN JAVeD

In a bid to launch its eCommerce operations in Pakistan, Miniso has acquired the Pakistan operations of ToSharing for a valuation between $5 million and $7 million from Cheezmall, Profit has learned.

The acquisition, which was finalized in September, comes nearly a year after Cheezmall raised CN¥100 million ($14.97 million) in Series A from Innoangel Fund and three other investors, according to Crunchbase.

Cheezmall is the brainchild of Pakistaniborn Chinese national Aurangzeb Khan. The Series A was reportedly raised at a $300 million valuation.

The business is primarily based in China with the ToSharing subsidiary operating out of Pakistan. While Miniso products are listed

on multiple third-party marketplaces in Pakistan, the business has considered ToSharing to be its channel partner in Pakistan, with direct online sales redirecting to the site.

As a result, the two businesses have enjoyed a healthy relationship and tracking of sales & customer success. The acquisition captures the eCommerce infrastructure of ToSharing, its talent, the data pertaining to customers, and will allow the ToSharing business to continue operating independently, without Miniso products listed.

Sources told Profit that the first phase of the investment from Miniso pertains to acquiring ToSharing for between $5 million and $7 million while the second phase will see the Chinese low-cost retailer and variety store chain invest an additional $8 million to $10 million for building eCommerce fulfillment centers and the entire infrastructure for

a successful eCommerce operation in major cities of Pakistan. Representatives from Miniso and Cheezmall declined to comment on the exact nature of the valuation, including the earnings multiple applied.

According to the acquisition rationale shared by representatives of Miniso, the decision is primarily an acqui-hiring by the Chinese low-cost retailer and variety store chain. As of 21st October 2020, cross-functional teams of ToSharing across marketing, supply chain, customer care, security, and risk will have been moved to Miniso.pk the upcoming eCommerce store. The site will be ready to process product orders by the 31st of October 2020.

“This is one of the greatest strategic collaboration in eCommerce of Pakistan which has been made with Miniso and ToSharing,” said Khan, CEO of Cheezmall, in a statement to Profit. “We aim to further strengthen the

CMYK

Pakistan-China relationship and cross border eCommerce trade in Pakistan. We are eager to launch and introduce new concepts of eCommerce and technology in Pakistan that what we call in China as eCommerce 3.0.”

As part of the deal, all third party marketplaces in Pakistan have been informed that they will no longer be able to source and sell Miniso products on their respective platforms, with the remaining inventory allowed for sale and no fixed window on how much time they have to sell the existing stock.

Sources told Profit that the decision to cut off third-party marketplaces, which are a consistent source of revenue, has to do with inconsistent customer experiences – the backlash of which falls squarely on the Miniso brand.

In order to provide a consistent product experience, the business has decided to be the exclusive online destination for purchas-

ing Miniso products in Pakistan.

“We have an aggressive upcoming strategy for Pakistan’s eCommerce and we will be bringing an omnichannel eCommerce model to better serve the customers and increase the accessibility of Miniso products throughout the country,” said a representative of Miniso Pakistan.

Just last week, Miniso made an IPO listing on the New York Stock Exchange at a $20 billion valuation. Sources told Profit that the acquisition of ToSharing is one part of a larger global business expansion plan, with a digital direct to consumer strategy playing its part with capturing first-party data, delivering consistent customer experiences, and achieving vertical integration. Sources told Profit that Miniso may in fact look to acquire Cheezmall as a whole, which was valued at $300 million at its Series A round in 2019.

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

How Trump plowed THrougH $1 billion, losing casH advanTage WASHINGTON

u

AGENCIES

S President Donald Trump’s sprawling political operation has raised well over $1 billion since he took the White House in 2017 — and set a lot of it on fire.

Trump bought a $10 million Super Bowl ad when he didn’t yet have a challenger. He tapped his political organization to cover exorbitant legal fees related to his impeachment. Aides made flashy displays of their newfound wealth — including a fleet of luxury vehicles purchased by Brad Parscale, his former campaign manager.

Meanwhile, a web of limited liability companies hid more than $310 million in spending from disclosure, records show.

Now, just two weeks out from the election, some campaign aides privately acknowledge they are facing difficult spending decisions at a time when Democratic nominee Joe Biden has flooded the airwaves with advertising. That has put Trump in the position of needing to do more of his signature rallies as a substitute during the coronavirus pandemic while relying on an unproven theory that he can turn out supporters who are infrequent voters at historic levels.

“They spent their money on unnecessary

overhead, lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous activity by the campaign staff and vanity ads way too early,” said Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican consultant who advised John McCain and Jeb Bush and is an outspoken Trump critic. “You could literally have 10 monkeys with flamethrowers go after the money, and they wouldn’t have burned through it as stupidly.”

For Trump, it’s a familiar, if not welcome, position. In 2016, he was vastly outraised by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton but still pulled off a come-from-behind win. This time around, though, he was betting on a massive cash advantage to negatively define Biden and to defend his own record.

Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien insisted money was no issue. “We have more than sufficient air cover, almost three times as much as 2016,” he told reporters Monday.

Biden, Stepien added, was “putting it all on TV,” as he eschewed most door-knocking because of the pandemic, while Trump has roughly 2,000 field staffers across the country knocking on doors and making calls for his campaign. “Where we have states that are sort of tipping, could go either way,” Trump told campaign staffers Monday, “I have an ability to go to those states and rally. Biden has no ability. I go to a rally, we have 25,000 people. He goes to a rally, and he has four people.”

The campaign and the Republican National Committee will offer a glimpse of their financial situation Tuesday when they file mandatory monthly campaign finance reports.

Advertising spending figures, however, offer a bleak picture.

While a half-dozen pro-Trump outside groups are coming to the president’s aid, Biden and his Democratic allies are on pace to dump $142 million into ads in the closing days of the campaign, outspending Republicans by more than 2-to-1, according to data from the ad tracking firm CMAG/Kantar.

On Monday, the firm Medium Buying reported Trump was canceling ad buys in Wisconsin; Minnesota, which Trump had hoped to flip; and Ohio, which went for Trump in 2016 but now appears to be a tight contest.

It’s a reversal from May, when Biden’s campaign was strapped for cash and Parscale ominously compared the Trump campaign to a “Death Star” that was about to “start pressing FIRE for the first time.” The ad campaign they unrolled over the next three months cost over $176 million but did little to dent Biden’s lead in public opinion polling.

Trump is now in a position that’s virtually unthinkable for an incumbent president, said Travis Ridout, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks advertising spending.

“Advertising obviously isn’t everything.

But we do think ads matter for a couple of percentage points in a presidential race. And it’s just not a good sign for the Trump campaign,” Ridout said.

A review of expenditures by Trump’s campaign, as well as the Republican National Committee, lays bare some of the profligate spendings.

Since 2017, more than $39 million has been paid to firms controlled by Parscale, who was ousted as campaign manager over the summer. An additional $273.2 million was paid to American Made Media Consultants, a Delaware limited liability company, whose owners are not publicly disclosed.

Campaigns typically reveal in mandatory disclosures who their primary vendors are. But by routing money to Parscale’s firms, as well as American Made Media Consultants, Trump satisfied the basic disclosure requirements without detailing the ultimate recipients.

Other questionable expenditures by Trump and the RNC that are included in campaign finance disclosures: — Nearly $100,000 spent on copies of Donald Trump Jr.’s book “Triggered,” which helped propel it to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list.

— Over $7.4 million spent at Trumpbranded properties since 2017.

— At least $35.2 million spent on Trump merchandise.

— $38.7 million in legal and “compliance” fees. In addition to tapping the RNC and his campaign to pay legal costs during his impeachment proceedings, Trump has also relied on his political operation to cover legal costs for some aides.

— At least $14.1 million spent on the Republican National Convention. The event was supposed to have been held in Charlotte, North Carolina, but Trump relocated it to Jacksonville, Florida, after a dispute with North Carolina’s Democratic governor over coronavirus safety measures. The Florida event was ultimately cancelled, as well, with a mostly online convention taking its place.

— $912,000 spent on ads that ran on the personal Facebook pages of Parscale and Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson.

— A $250,000 ad run during Game 7 of the 2019 World Series, which came after Trump was booed by spectators when he attended Game 5. — At least $218,000 for Trump surrogates to travel aboard private jets provided by campaign donors.

— $1.6 million on TV ads in the Washington, DC, media market, an overwhelmingly Democratic area where Trump has little chance of winning but where he is a regular TV watcher.

As clock ticks, EU and UK tell each other to budge on Brexit LONDON/BRUSSELS AGENCIES

A frustrated European Union and piqued Britain both exhorted the other on Tuesday to compromise to avoid a fast-approaching disruptive finale to the five-year Brexit drama that would add to economic pain from the coronavirus crisis.

Failure to clinch a trade deal when Britain leaves a standstill transition period on Dec. 31 would sow chaos through supply chains and undermine Europe’s economy as it already sees jobs and businesses pulverised by the Covid-19 disease.

After an EU demand for concessions, Prime Minister Boris Johnson broke off talks and said it was time to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

The EU has since offered to intensify talks and open discussions on legal texts of a draft deal, but Britain maintains there is no basis to resume discussions without a fundamental change in approach.

“My message: we should be making the most out of the little time left,” Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said after a telephone call with British counterpart David Frost.

“Our door remains open.”

The European Commission said it was ready to negotiate though both sides would have to compromise. Johnson’s spokesman said the EU had to show it was taking a fundamentally different approach.

EU diplomats cast Britain’s moves as bluster and a frantic bid to secure concessions before a last-minute deal, though an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said chances of a deal were narrowing.

“At the moment, I see the chances worse than 50-50,” Detlef Seif, Brexit rapporteur for Merkel’s conservatives in the lower house of parliament, told Reuters. “The ball is still in Britain’s court at the moment.”

‘POSTURING’: There is concern in some European capitals that Johnson may judge that the domestic political benefits and potentially

the long-term economic freedom of a noisy no-deal exit outweigh the benefits of a shallow trade deal. “If they want to get back to the negotiating table, they can,” said one EU diplomat. “If they want to jump – we won’t be able to stop them.”

“All this posturing is only aimed at strengthening Johnson’s hand. If they don’t want to talk, that’s their choice. There is no point at this stage to give them anything more,” said another EU diplomat.

Britain formally left the EU at the end of January, but the two sides have been haggling over a deal that would govern $900 billion in trade from car parts to medicines.

Johnson and his Brexit supremo Michael Gove will tell businesses on a video call on Tuesday to step up preparations for the end of the transition period.

Failure to strike a deal with the EU would be “extremely damaging” and cut profits by up to a quarter at carmaker Bentley, its boss told Reuters, as the government urges firms to plan for potential disruption.

US says Google breakup may be needed to end violations of antitrust law WASHINGTON AGENCIES

The U.S. Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Alphabet Inc’s Google on Tuesday, claiming the $1 trillion company uses its market power to fend off rivals and said nothing was off the table, including a breakup of the internet search and advertising company.

The lawsuit, which was joined by 11 states, marks the biggest antitrust case in a generation, comparable to the lawsuit against Microsoft Corp filed in 1998 and the 1974 case against AT&T which led to the breakup of the Bell System.

The lawsuit claims that Google acted unlawfully to maintain its position in search and search advertising on the internet. It states that “absent a court order, Google will continue executing its anticompetitive strategy, crippling the competitive process, reducing consumer choice, and stifling innovation.

The complaint says that Google has nearly 90% of all general search engine queries in the United States and almost 95% of searches on mobile.

“Google is now the unchallenged gateway to the internet for billions of users worldwide ... For the sake of American consumers, advertisers, and all companies now reliant on the internet economy, the time has come to stop Google’s anticompetitive conduct and restore competition.”

“Ultimately it is consumers and advertisers that suffer from less choice, less innova-

tion and less competitive advertising prices,” the lawsuit states. “So we are asking the court to break Google’s grip on search distribution so the competition and innovation can take hold.”

When asked on a conference call what specific action should be taken, a Justice Department official said, “Nothing is off the table but a question of remedies is best addressed by the court after it’s had a chance to hear all the evidence.”

Google, whose search engine is so ubiquitous that its name has become a verb, called the lawsuit “deeply flawed,” adding that people “use Google because they choose to - not because they’re forced to or because they can’t find alternatives. We will have a full statement this morning.”

Republican Senator Josh Hawley, a vociferous Google critic, accused the company of keeping power through “illegal means” and called the lawsuit “the most important antitrust case in a generation.”

The Microsoft lawsuit was credited with clearing the way for the explosive growth of the internet since the antitrust scrutiny prevented the company from attempting to thwart competitors.

Tuesday’s federal lawsuit

marks a rare moment of agreement between the Trump administration and progressive Democrats. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted on Sept. 10, using the hash tag #BreakUpBigTech, that she wanted “swift, aggressive action.”

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

SPORTS 11

ZIMbAbwE CRICKEt tEAM ARRIvES In PAKIStAn ISLAMABAD

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three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches.

The ICC has introduced the Super League to provide context to ODI cricket and will serve as a qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with the hosts and other top seven sides automatically booking their spots for the India event.

Featuring 13 teams, the 12 Test-playing countries and the Netherlands, the Super League will see each side play four home and four away three-match series.

The three ODIs were originally scheduled for Multan, but have been moved to Rawalpindi due to logistical and operational challenges.

The change in the ODI venue also changed the venue for the three Twenty20 Internationals as initially these were planned to take place in Rawalpindi.

Zimbabwe last toured Pakistan in 2015 for three ODIs and two T20Is. However,

AGENCIES

32-member Zimbabwe cricket squad arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday to play two limitedovers series against Pakistan.

Zimbabwe players will undergo a seven-day isolation period, starting from Wednesday before they commence training at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 28.

They will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Pakistan. The ODI series is scheduled for October 30, November 1 and 3. Then the two teams will travel to Lahore for the T20 series – set for November 7, 8 and 10.

The series is crucial for Pakistan as it will be launching its bid to qualify directly for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 by taking on Zimbabwe in the

Du Plessis, Russell join Colombo Kings in Lanka Premier League COLOMBO: Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell have been selected as the Colombo Kings’ overseas marquee players for next month’s inaugural Lanka Premier League. Led

by Australian Dav Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, Colombo also picked up former Lanka captain Angelo Mathews in an online draft late on Monday.

The five-team Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka was scheduled to be held in AugustSeptmeber but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now take place from Nov. 21-Dec. 13 in Kandy and Hambantota. West Indies players Chris Gayle (Kandy Tuskers) and Carlos Brathwaite (Dambulla Hawks), South African David Miller (Dambulla) and Pakistanis Shahid Afridi (Galle Gladiators) and Shoaib Malik (Jaffna Stallions) are among the other top foreign players who have signed up for the tournament. AGENCIES

SERIES SCHEDULE 21-27 Oct – Isolation period & practice 28-29 Oct – Practice at Pindi Cricket Stadium 30 Oct – 1st ODI, Pindi Cricket Stadium 1 Nov – 2nd ODI, Pindi Cricket Stadium 3 Nov – 3rd ODI Pindi Cricket Stadium 4 Nov – Travel to Lahore 5-6 Nov – Practice at Gaddafi Stadium 7 Nov – 1st T20I Gaddafi Stadium 8 Nov – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium 10 Nov – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium 12 Nov – Zimbabwe departure for Harare they now return after international cricket has resumed in Pakistan with full force following the successful tours of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in the 2019-20 season.

In addition to this, HBL Pakistan Super

League, for the first time in its young history, was staged in Pakistan until the last four matches were postponed on 17 March due to

Zimbabwe coach Rajput skips Pakistan tour after Indian Embassy in Harare seeks ‘exemption’

Players may withdraw from tours due to bubble burnout: Morgan

AGENCIES

LONDON: England’s players can withdraw from tours if they feel playing in bio-secure bubbles during the Covid-19 pandemic will take a toll on their mental health, limited overs captain Eoin Morgan has said. England hosted West Indies, Pakistan and Australia after cricket’s restart in July, with the teams restricted to playing in Manchester and Southampton where the ECB had set up bubbles. The Indian Premier League has set up a bubble for players in the United Arab Emirates and similar curbs on movement will be in place with England expected to tour South Africa next month. “We’ve spoken about this as a team and we’ve accepted that guys will come in and out of the bubble as they feel it is affecting their mental health,” Morgan said during an online charity event. AENCIES

Zimbabwe cricket coach Lalchand Rajput has not travelled with the team for a tour of Pakistan after the Indian embassy in Harare requested his exemption from the limited-overs series.

A statement from Zimbabwe Cricket said that Rajput won’t be a part of the tour following the request from the Indian embassy. In Rajput’s absence, bowling coach Douglas Hondo would take charge of the team during the tour. “@Lalchandrajput7 will miss the @TheRealPCB tour after the Embassy of India in Harare wrote to @ZimCricketv asking that he be exempted from visiting Pakistan. The Embassy of Pakistan in Harare had issued a visa to Ra-

LAHORE

jput,” the ZC tweeted.

“With @Lalchandrajput7 unavailable, @ZimCricketv has appointed bowling coach Douglas Hondo to take charge of the team for the three ODIs and as many T20Is games against @TheRealPCB.” The Zimbabwean team is scheduled to play three ODIs against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, starting October 30, before moving to Lahore for three T20Is. The visiting team arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday.

ESPNCricinfo reported that the exemption for Rajput was sought citing “travel guidelines of the (Indian) government for its citizens”. A PCB spokesperson called it an internal matter of Zimbabwe Cricket.

“The Zimbabwe Cricket officials had got a visa for Mr Lal Chand Rajput from the Pakistan High Commission in

Harare and if he has not come this is an internal matter between ZC and Mr Rajput,” he said. However, a top source in the PCB said that the directives of the Indian government to not allow Rajput to visit Pakistan had caused some concerns in the Board. India and Pakistan have had no bilateral cricketing ties due to tense diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“The concerns are genuine because the PCB is waiting for confirmation from the ICC and BCCI by JanuaryFebruary that the national team would be issued visas by the Indian government for next year’s World T20 in India,” the source said.

“Makes no sense to stop him from travelling to Pakistan when he has been issued a visa. The PCB is bound to provide the best security and hospitality to the visiting contingent as per regulations,” he added.

The PCB has also invited South Africa and England to send teams to Pakistan in January-February. A delegation of Cricket South Africa is due in Lahore next month during the Pakistan Super League matches to inspect the security arrangements for their team.

The 58-year-old Rajput was appointed as Zimbabwe’s full-time coach in August 2018, after the team’s failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. He played two Tests and four ODIs for India between 1985 and 1987. The Zimbabwe players were required to undergo two Covid-19 tests — one in Harare prior to their departure on Monday, and another on Tuesday.

This will be Zimbabwe’s first tour of Pakistan since 2015.

PCB sets January deadline for ICC to resolve its India visa issue with BCCI LAHORE AGENCIES

The Pakistan Cricket Board wants the ICC to assure visas for its players and officials when India hosts the T20 World Cup in October next year, by January 2021, CEO Wasim Khan has said.

The PCB CEO also confirmed that there is “no chance” of an Indo-Pak bilateral series in “foreseeable future” and neither will it be a part of the Fresh the Futures Tours Programme (FTP) that starts in 2023. India would be hosting the global T20 event in October and given the tense diplomatic ties between the two neighbours, the PCB has sought assurances that the visa process of their players and support staff would be dealt with by the ICC. “This is an ICC matter. We have discussed our concerns. There is a ‘Host Agreement’ that states very clearly that host nation (India in this case) will have to provide visas and accommodation for teams that are due to participate in the T20 World Cup and Pakistan is one of them,” Khan told PTI in an exclusive interaction.

“We have sought assurances from the ICC that our players will receive visas and ICC is now taking this up with the BCCI because that directive and confirmation will clearly need to come from their government,” Khan said. He then clarified that it’s only fair that there is a time-frame for such a deadline. “We have asked for a deadline till December-January, which we believe is the right thing. We expect a response from the ICC on whether our players and officials will receive visas to participate in the tournament.

“If it (visas) isn’t (there), then like any nation would expect, we would also expect ICC to take that up directly with India and the Indian government through the BCCI to resolve this matter.”

Pakistan athletes’ participation in global events held in India has always been a contentious subject. Last year, Pakistani shooters could not get visas for a World Cup in Delhi, which kicked up quite a storm. Unlike his predecessors in the Pakistan Cricket Board, Khan seemed practical when he clearly said that India and Pakistan aren’t going to play any bilateral

series in near future in the current climate.

“I think we have to be realistic about the India and Pakistan bilateral series...

BCCI needs to get permission before they can play Pakistan in any bilateral series, home, away or even on neutral venues,” he said. “I think on both sides, there is plenty of cricket to be played against other countries, but sadly for fans and players in both countries, it does not look like that India and Pakistan will be playing bilateral series in the foreseeable future.

“So, there is no current planning that we can factor into the next FTP (2023-31) unless circumstances and viewpoint changes of the Indian government,” the PCB CEO added. Khan didn’t wish to comment on the impasse surrounding the ICC chairmanship but made it clear that contrary to popular notion, there is no animosity between BCCI and PCB at the global forum.

It was widely speculated that the PCB was opposed to any candidate backed by the BCCI. “I am not aware that there is any dispute around voting with regards to the BCCI and PCB.

CMYK

It’s the domain of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and PCB chairman Ehsan Mani. I have no knowledge or information on that,” said the former Derbyshire and Warwickshire batsman. “We obviously communicate at ICC meetings and on various platforms and forums as we need to.

But there has been very little dialogue between both the countries (boards).

“I know in the past there has been a cordial relationship between the BCCI and the PCB. Certainly, there is no visible animosity from both sides when we are on ICC platforms as we have discussions,” Khan added.

The PCB CEO confirmed that they have sent a formal invitation to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for a short Pakistan tour in January but are yet to hear from them.

“There are a lot of factors that ECB needs to look at considering their FTP, rescheduling of series that are postponed.

They will, in due course, respond with their thoughts but as of yet there is no confirmation at all that ECB will be touring in January,” he said.

the Covid-19 pandemic. These matches of the fifth edition will be staged in Lahore on 14, 15 and 17 November.

Liverpool must stay in trophy hunt for injured Dijk, says Henderson LIVERPOOL: Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson says the loss of Virgil van Dijk is a “big blow” but he wants the Premier League champions to use his absence as an added incentive to stay in the trophy hunt. Defensive talisman Van Dijk requires surgery after suffering knee ligament damage during Saturday’s Merseyside derby with Everton.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is reluctant to put a timescale on the Dutchman’s return but admits he faces a lengthy absence after being clattered

by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 22 draw. Henderson is confident Liverpool can cope in Van Dijk’s absence, even though he has been a pivotal player since he joined the club in 2018. “It’s a tough one. It’s a big blow for us,” Henderson told the club website. “For him personally, obviously. But for us as a team, a massive blow. “I’m just gutted for him. It’s a difficult moment, but that’s when you need to be there for each other.” The skipper said it was up to the team to “win as many games as we can for him”. “That’s down to us as players to make sure that when he is back and he is fit that we’re still fighting to be successful and fighting for trophies,” said Henderson. “You’ve got to use times like this to be stronger and to be even more together than we already are. And use it as a positive in some way.” Liverpool face their first challenge without Van Dijk in Wednesday’s Champions League group match away at Dutch side Ajax. AGENCIES

Amid pending plans, Australia still negotiating India’s arrival for test series CANBERRA: Only a few weeks before the players are due to start arriving, Cricket Australia are still negotiating with Queensland health officials over the quarantining of the India team ahead of their test series. The India squad is scheduled to quarantine in Brisbane and play six short-form internationals in Queensland in late November and early December before moving on to Adelaide for the first of four tests. The Indian and many of the Australian players will be coming from the United Arab Emirates, where the Indian Premier League (IPL) concludes on Nov. 10, but CA have not yet had their plans agreed by Queensland’s health department. CA said they held a “productive” meeting with Queensland Health on Monday and were confident of hosting “a full schedule of matches” against India. “This is an extremely detailed and complex plan that places the health and safety of the community, players and staff as paramount and there is clarification required in order to finalise arrangements,” CA said.

“We would like to thank our friends at the BCCI for their patience and understanding as we work towards a swift and successful outcome.” Queensland was the most successful of the populous eastern Australian states at containing the new coronavirus and closed its borders to the rest of the country in early August. Health security has become an issue in campaigning for state elections to be held on Oct. 31 and a rugby league team from Canberra was last week denied permission to arrive in the state a few hours early before a major match in Brisbane. If CA cannot reach agreement with Queensland Health, they might soon have to start looking at other options to ensure the lucrative series goes ahead. AGENCIES

Wednesday, 21 October, 2020

PRAyER TImINGS

NEWS

IsrAEl sAys UAE vIsIt ‘mAKINg hIstory’ - PAlEstINIANs CAll It ‘shAmEfUl’

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AGENCIES

group of United Arab Emirates officials became the first Gulf Arab delegation ever to visit in Israel on Tuesday, cementing a normalisation deal in an occasion that Israel and U.S. officials described as historic but the Palestinians called “shameful”.

The UAE and Gulf neighbour Bahrain became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to establish formal ties with Israel despite ongoing differences over the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. The deals, forged largely over shared fears of Iran, were brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of next month’s U.S. presidential election.

“We are making history in a way that

will stand for generations,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in welcoming Emirati Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq al-Mari and Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid al-Tayer.

They were accompanied by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other American officials on the flight from Abu Dhabi to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

The visiting party was restricted to the airport because of concerns over Covid-19.

“I think that the visit of such a high-level delegation from the UAE... will show our peoples, the region and the entire world the benefit of having friendly, peaceful and normal exchanges,” Netanyahu said.

Four agreements were signed - on the promotion and protection of investments, co-

operation in science and innovation, civil aviation and visa exemptions.

Tayer said the deals offered “great opportunities” to “achieve prosperity for both our economies, and our people”. Citing discussions on taxation and financial relations, he said there had already been significant progress and added: “We look forward to welcoming you to the UAE in the near future.”

PALESTINIAN ANGER: Washington and its allies have said the deals would foster regional peace and stability. But they have prompted anger from the Palestinians.

Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization said Tuesday’s UAE visit came amid Israeli settlement expansion and was “shameful”.

“The bilateral agreements that were announced today and the delegations that come and go, all of that offers the occupation strength to escalate its aggression and its crimes against the Palestinian people and increases its intransigence and arrogance,” he said in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Gaza, Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for Hamas, said: “Such a visit will only encourage the occupation to pursue the gradual annexation of West Bank lands.”

Mnuchin, the most senior U.S. official to attend, called it an “historic occasion,” adding: “With greater economic prosperity comes stronger security.”

Reflecting a realignment of regional powers concerned about Iran, he added that Israel, the UAE and USA “share a similar outlook

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regarding threats and opportunities in the region.” Another U.S. official in attendance, International Development Finance Corporation head Adam Boehler, said the three countries would set up a fund, initially projected to raise $3 billion, to encourage private-sector investment and regional cooperation.

He said he envisaged funding to enable the modernisation of Israeli-operated checkpoints for Palestinians. Israel says the checkpoints are vital for its security, while Palestinians complain that they hamper their ability to live and work.

The U.S. officials had on Sunday joined an Israeli delegation to Bahrain for a signing ceremony to formalise ties. The agreements signed on Tuesday followed several commercial deals signed by Israel and the UAE since mid-August. “These agreements are of strategic and regional importance, will increase investment, trade and strengthen economic ties between the countries,” said Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the Emirati delegation had submitted a request to open an embassy in Tel Aviv and said it expected Israel to open an embassy in Abu Dhabi soon.

Pakistan reassures support to Azerbaijan amid Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Skardu: A majestic view of Deosai National Park in Gilgit-Baltistan. INP

YEREVAN/BAKU AGENCIES

Armenia and Azerbaijan said on Tuesday their foreign ministers would meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on Friday in efforts to end the heaviest fighting in NagornoKarabakh since the 1990s.

The State Department did not immediately comment. But the planned meetings suggest that, just before the U.S. presidential election, Washington is stepping up involvement in moves to calm a conflict that has killed hundreds of people since Sept. 27.

Russia has until now driven mediation efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway enclave within Azerbaijan that is controlled by ethnic Armenians, but two ceasefires brokered by Moscow this month have not stopped the fighting.

The two ex-Soviet republics said there was intense fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday, with the enclave reporting 43 more of its defence personnel had been killed.

The violence has raised fears that regional powers Turkey and Russia could be sucked into a wider conflict, and concern about the security of pipelines in Azerbaijan that carry natural gas and oil

Washington to host talks on Nagorno-Karabakh, warring sides say to world markets. It was not immediately clear whether the warring sides’ foreign ministers would meet Pompeo separately or at the same time.

Azerbaijan said its foreign minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, would also meet envoys of the OSCE security and rights watchdog’s so-called Minsk Group, whose co-chairs Russia, France and the United States have for years led mediation in the conflict. Armenia released few details about Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan’s plans in Washington.

Turkey is also part of the Minsk Group but has not been involved in mediation, and its relations with its NATO allies have been further strained by the fighting. Ankara has denied accusations that it sent mercenaries from the conflicts in Syria and Libya to fight in Nagorno-

Karabakh. It has stepped up arms sales to Azerbaijan this year but denies any direct involvement in the fighting.

MORE FIGHTING, ANGRY RHETORIC: In an interview, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian accused Turkey of destabilising the South Caucasus with its strong backing for Azerbaijan. But he told France-24 television that he did not advocate military intervention by Russia, which has a defence pact with Armenia, or other countries that could lead to “another Syria.” In comments to Azerbaijan’s parliament, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop portrayed Armenia as the aggressor and criticised mediation by Paris, Moscow and Washington.

“If they are sincere on their path to peace, those who have held Armenia’s leash and supported it for years need to end

this dangerous game now and stop supporting Armenia. Azerbaijan does not have another 30 years to wait,” Sentop said. The Minsk Group, he said, “is brain dead”.

Turkey and Azerbaijan want an end to what they call Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, and Azerbaijan wants Turkey involved in peacemaking.

Armenia rules this out and accuses Azerbaijan of making a land grab.

In a speech to the nation, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said Baku was willing to end fighting as soon as possible to complete the restoration of what it sees as its territorial integrity. Officials in Nagorno-Karabakh reported new artillery battles on Tuesday and said fighting was intense in southern areas of the conflict zone. Azerbaijan’s defence ministry also reported fighting in several areas, including disputed territory close to the line of contact dividing the sides.

It said Armenian forces were shelling the Azeri regions of Terter and Aghdam.

Nagorno-Karabakh says 772 of its military and 37 civilians have been killed in the fighting since Sept. 27.

Azerbaijan says 61 Azeri civilians have been killed and 291 wounded, but has not disclosed its military casualties in the worst bloodshed since a 1991-94 war that killed about 30,000.

India to receive next batch of Rafale jets next month PARIS AGENCIES

India is set to receive a new batch of Rafale fighter jets next month amid ongoing border tensions with China.

According to reports, three to four Rafale jets will land at the Ambala base in the state of Haryana by the first week of November. The report quoted a gov-

ernment official as saying: “The second batch of 3-4 Rafale fighter jets would be arriving in India by the first week of November from France and preparations are on for their arrival in the country.

“With the induction of these aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) would have eight-nine fighter aircraft, which will be operationalised within a few days in view of the ongoing situation.” The first batch

of five jets arrived in India in July and was formally inducted into the IAF last month. Following the induction, the five aircraft became part of the ‘Golden Arrows’ 17 Squadron. India has also deployed this multi-role aircraft in the ongoing military standoff with China.

Notably, India signed deals to procure 36 Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation. One Rafale combat aircraft squadron will be

based in Ambala in Haryana and the other will be in Hasimara, West Bengal, to support India’s western and eastern fronts.

Currently, a team led by Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari is in France to review the procurement. Indian pilots are also being trained in France to operate these Rafale fighter jets, a programme expected to continue until March next year.

ISLAMABAD: A day after Armenia and Azerbaijan once again accused each other of launching fresh attacks in the conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Islamabad on Tuesday assured Baku of its support in restoring the status quo ante. In a telephonic conversation with his Azerbaijan counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan believes in restoring Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the disputed region. According to a Foreign Office (FO) statement, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh, mainly inhabited by ethnic Armenians and backed by Yerevan, has been the scene of deadly clashes since September 27. The latest clash comes hours after a three-week halt to fighting was supposed to have come into force at midnight Sunday. It was the second attempt at a truce after an earlier deal brokered by Moscow fell apart last week. But Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said Armenian forces had shelled its Goranboy, Terter, Aghjabedi and Aghdam districts overnight. “The foreign minister expressed deep concern on the deteriorating security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed full solidarity with the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and its people at this difficult time,” the FO statement said. Qureshi also expressed concern over the “reprehensible targeting and killing of civilians by Armenian forces and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions”. He also recognised Azerbaijan’s valuable support to Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute at various international forums, including the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. He briefed his counterpart on the grave human rights violations and other repressive actions being perpetrated by Indian occupation forces in the occupied region, the statement said. Meanwhile, Bayramov appreciated Pakistan’s support to Azerbaijan and briefed Qureshi on the latest situation. During the phone call, the two ministers expressed satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and economic, cultural and educational fields. Qureshi also reiterated his invitation to Bayramov to visit Pakistan, the FO statement said. STAFF REPORT

End of Iran arms embargo should be implemented: China TEHRAN: Referring to Washington’s obstruction of arms deals with Iran, the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna said that the end of Iran arms embargo should be faithfully implemented. In a tweet on Tuesday, the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna wrote, “According to #UNSCR2231, on Oct.18, arms transfer restrictions & travel bans on Iran expires, marking the completion of the 1st phase of implementation of UNSCR 2231. This arrangement, clearly stipulated in the UNSC resolution, should be faithfully implemented.” “China remains committed to the #JCPOA, and will work w/ all parties to continue maintaining the steady follow-up implementation of the JCPOA & UNSCR 2231, in a joint endeavor to push forward the political & diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue,” it added. Since Sunday, as the UN arms embargo against Iran expired, the US officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have begun threatening other countries over any arms deals with Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Sunday that the United States will slap sanctions on any individual or entity that assists Iran’s weapons program. AGENCIES

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