EpaperLHR_20-12-26

Saturday, 26 December, 2020 I 10 Jumada Al-Awwal, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 177 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

NatioN celebrates Quaid’s 145th birth aNNiversary with fervour g

President, PM, COAs PAy tribute tO the FAther OF the nAtiOn, reiterAte resOlve tO live by his ideAls

Lahore: Christmas lights shine brightly in St Anthony's Church at the end of a difficult year. zubair mehfooz

Pakistan’s top leadership promotes message of equality on Christmas islamabad staff report

islamabad

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staff report

he people are celebrating the birth anniversary of the Father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with zeal and fervour, and many of the country’s top leaders have shared messages to pay homage to Jinnah. in their separate messages paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the president and the prime minister have urged the nation to follow the footsteps of great Quaid in all walks of life and make Pakistan a strong and prosperous country.

“As we celebrate the 144th birth anniversary of Father of the

nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, we pay him a rich tribute for his role in the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent,” dr Arif Alvi said on his official twitter handle. “today, we reaffirm our commitment to building a state that respects the diversity of its people and provides equal opportunities to its citizens irrespective of their religion, caste, creed or colour,” he added. in his message, Prime Minister imran Khan paid tribute to Jinnah, saying: “in the modern history of mankind, there are a few people who garnered such a wide popularity as our Quaid did. his determination to carve a nation out of chaos and re-

coroNavirus iN

PakistaN

CONFIRMED CASES:

467,222

LAST UPDATED AT 7:46 AM ON DECEMBER 25, 2020

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

85

RECOVERED:

NEW CASES:

2,152 DEATHS:

418,958 9,753 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

208,514

134,345

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

56,544 AJK/GB:

18,028

ISLAMABAD:

8,103/4,844 36,844

lentless deprivation was miraculous and insuperable against all odds and challenges.” “let us live the Quaid’s ideals of unity, Faith and discipline with a renewed national spirit so that we make this country rise above all seen and unseen challenges,” he added.

Meanwhile, inter-services Public relations (isPr) director general also shared a message of Chief of Army staff (COAs) General Qamar Javed bajwa, who shared a quote of the Quaid on the occasion.

“Faith, unity and discipline shall always remain guiding principles of our great nation,” the inter-services Public relations (isPr) quoted him as saying.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

the Christian community in Pakistan is celebrating, and Prime Minister imran Khan took the opportunity to wish the citizens a “happy Christmas” on twitter but reminded them to observe the Covid19 guidelines. imran, in his message said that the government is dedicated to preserving the sanctity of existence and equality of opportunities enjoyed by all Pakistanis including minorities. he said that minorities are actively contributing to the development and prosperity of the country without any hindrance. in his message on the occasion of Christmas, President dr Arif Alvi, while felicitating the Christian community, said that as a Messenger of Allah, Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) is venerable not only to Christians but also to Muslims. he said that all citizens of the country enjoy the freedom of religion and worship under the constitution.

Foreign Minister shah Mahmood Qureshi said that all the minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan and the constitution of Pakistan is pro-

PDM has undemocratic agenda to destabilise govt: Faraz islamabad staff report

Federal Minister for information and broadcasting, senator shibli Faraz has said that Pakistan democratic Movement (PdM) is utilising an undemocratic agenda in the hopes of destabilising the incumbent government and has called the alliance chief, Maulana Fazlur rehman a “fascist”. the above was said while addressing a press conference along with Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-baltistan (Gb) Ali Amin Gandapur in islamabad on Friday.

Faraz said that the Opposition alliance could not produce “any evidence that they have in relation to the alleged rigging in the 2018 elections”, and yet the Pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (Pti) was able to prove rigging in four constituencies during the 2013 elections.

“Pti exposed the opposition’s performance […] and due to their poor performance, people did not vote for them,” he said.

Furthermore, Faraz said that the PdM came into existence when the ruling party refused to give any nrO to the Opposition

tector of their rights. in his message on the occasion of Christmas, he said that in the neighboring country india, which claims to be secular and a champion of human rights, the minorities are being treated with discriminatory behaviour. he also said that promoting interfaith harmony is need of the hour to cope with the challenges of terrorism and extremism. he added that islam is the religion of peace that preaches us to treat minorities with love and respect.

Minister for information and broadcasting senator shibli Faraz said the government is taking steps to promote interfaith harmony in the country. in his message with regard to Christmas, he said that the Christian community played a vital role in the development and prosperity of the country. he added that all the minorities have equal rights in Pakistan. the day started with special prayers at Churches. Colonies were decorated with Christmas trees, lights and different ornaments. special ceremonies were held in Churches across the country in which prayers were held for the solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan.

more inside

Pakistan issues notices to Google, Wikipedia for spreading 'sacrilegious content' STORY ON PAGE 03

new coronavirus strain not detected in Pakistan yet: health Ministry STORY ON BACK PAGE

and that it was now “falling apart”. he said that the leader of the alliance was a “fascist”, and added that a campaign has been started against Fazl.

“Maulana Fazlur rehman has immersed himself in worldly things,” Faraz said, adding that attempts his party members led to their expulsion, referring to hafiz hussain Ahmed and Maulana sherani. speaking on the occasion, Ali Amin Gandapur said that the Jui-F chief has started using threatening language against the institutions when asked to

give an answer of his properties. he said that Fazl will have to answer for his assets.

“Maulana sherani has also asked questions, he needs an answer,” Gandapur said, adding that the Jui-F leader had termed Fazl “selected”. “i will provide more proof of Maulana Fazlur rehman’s property that is worth billions of rupees,” he said, adding that the government would not spare him.

“PdM is a dacoit movement […] so from now on, it should be termed a dacoit movement,” he added.

US 'deeply concerned' over release of men charged in Daniel Pearl's murder case

by SHC STORY ON PAGE 02

Jui-F removes four leaders over controversial statements STORY ON PAGE 02

02

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

NEWS

JUI-F reMoveS FoUr leAderS over conTroverSIAl STATeMenTS

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NEWS DESK

AMIAT Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) has sacked four party leaders, including senior leader Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, for ‘deviating’ from party policy and calling JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman “selected”, it emerged on Friday.

The other party leaders removed from the party were Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Gul Naseeb and Maulana

Shujaul Mulk. According to a party’s spokesperson, the four leaders were expelled from the party over violating party discipline and he added that a notification in this regard would soon be issued by the head of the disciplinary committee, Abdul Qayyum.

Sherani had said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which is headed by Fazl, was an unnatural alliance and would soon break apart as it had no ideology to begin with.

‘Attitude of PTI members was inappropriate’ regarding Sindh IGP, says Murtaza Wahab Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said that the first information report (FIR) filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Raja Azhar against Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leader Captian (r) Safdar Awan was inappropriate. Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Friday, Wahab said that PTI leaders “used the incident for politicking.” Stating that the country had clearly defined laws regarding the sanctity of Quaid-eAzam’s mausoleum, Wahab pointed out that the police had raised a legal point wherein the application should have been filed with the magistrate and not the police.

The PTI had attempted to submit a second application, but it had been rejected as well. The spokesperson added that the report of the Karachi incident was submitted to the provincial cabinet within 30 days but it was only approved yesterday. “They [the PTI] agreed with the police report that the FIR was false, so the court dismissed it,” he said, citing the report. The spokesperson said that the police had been placed under pressure to register the FIR, and in this regard, the Sindh government would write a letter to the Centre to highlight that PTI leaders had interfered with police work. Meanwhile, speaking about the census, he claimed that he could prove that the province’s population was inaccurately counted and that Sindh would write a letter to the federal government in this regard. “The federal cabinet makes unconstitutional decisions during Imran Khan’s rule,” he said. NEWS DESK

Four terror suspects arrested in Bajaur BAJAUR: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has foiled a major terror bid in tribal district Bajaur by arresting four suspects and seizing a huge quantity of explosive material and two vehicles. Police told the media on Friday that a major terrorist bid was foiled by the timely action of security officials by arresting suspects and seizing explosive material from their possession. Earlier on Wednesday, CTD of the Punjab Police had claimed to apprehend a terrorist belonging to an outlawed organisation during a raid in Bahawalpur. The CTD had said that acting on a tipoff, the law enforcement authority carried out a raid in Bahawalpur to arrest an alleged terrorist, who was planning to target sensitive installations. TLTP

Furthermore, Sherani had said that as Fazl was also “selected” himself, he has no right to criticise Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“I had predicted it a long time ago that Imran Khan’s government will complete its five-year term,” Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani had said. “He will stay in power for the next five years too.”

We are against the turning of the party into a hereditary party. That has always been opposed in the party institutions and

ex-PM Abbasi gets one-time permission to travel abroad

now it is being opposed openly,” he had said on December 22.

Reportedly, the committee has the power to decide on a future course of action should any of the party leaders apologise. However, it should be noted that Sherani asserted the JUI is not anyone’s “hereditary party or personal property”.

“I will set up JUI’s offices across Balochistan in consultation with my colleagues,” he added.

Ismail backs MQM-P stance on census; PPP advises to quit govt KARACHI TLTP

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Friday backed the stance of Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on census 2017 and said the objections raised by the party are genuine and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would address them.

Talking to a private television channel, Imran Ismail said the MQM-P is an important ally of the ruling PTI and added that “there’s an excellent understanding” between the two coalition partners.

“The concerns expressed by the MQM-P are genuine and were raised by some PTI members as well,” he said.

“Other parties have also objected to it.”

It may be noted here that both MQM-P and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had expressed reservations over the census results and its approval.

He stressed the ruling coalition will remain intact and the government will address the issue. He explained that the federal cabinet had approved census keeping in view

the upcoming local bodies polls.

“There is no time left to conduct another census,” he said. “So, the government will repeat the exercise in 2022 before the next general elections and remove all discrepancies in the method to ensure transparency. ” Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesperson, Murtaza Wahab, said on Friday that the MQM-P, instead of coming out on the streets, should leave the federal government.

Speaking about the census, he claimed that he could prove that the province’s population was inaccurately counted and that Sindh would write a letter to the federal government in this regard.

“The federal cabinet is making unconstitutional decisions during Imran Khan’s rule,” he said.

His comments came after MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui threatened the government to take to the streets if their demand to reject the 2017 census was not met. Siddiqui had cited inaccuracies in the census result, saying that the population of Sindh’s urban centres were shown to be 25 per cent less than their actual count.

ISLAMABAD TLTP

The federal government on Friday gave one-time permission to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to travel abroad for 15 days. The permission from the federal government is given on a humanitarian basis after it emerged that Abbasi’s sister and her husband are critically-ill after suffering from Covid19. According to the notification, the former prime minister was given one-time permission to travel abroad after a summary moved in the federal cabinet allowed removing his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). It is pertinent to mention here Abbasi’s name was included in the no-fly list on the recommendation of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). In a similar order in November last year, in pursuance of the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Nov 16 verdict on ex-premier Nawaz Sharif’s travel abroad, the Ministry of Interior issued a memorandum giving him one-time permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. “In continuation of the Ministry’s memorandum of even number dated 13.11.2019. It has been decided by way of an interim arrangement to allow One Time Permission to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif s/o Mian Muhammad Sharif…..to travel abroad for his medical treatment for a period of 04 (four) weeks during his bail period,” read the memo. However, since then the former premier has not returned back from London and has been declared an absconder by the Islamabad court.

US 'deeply concerned' over release of men charged in Daniel Pearl's murder case by SHC NEWS DESK A day after the Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the immediate release of the four accused – British-born al-Qaeda leader Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and his three aides – in the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl’s case, the United States has expressed concerns over the decision.

The US State Department said in a tweet that it was “deeply concerned by the reports of the December 24 ruling of Sindh High Court to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl.”

“We have been assured that the accused have not been released at this time,” the statement added, referring to Omar and the three associates, Fahad

Naseem, Salman Saqib and Sheikh Adil. The SHC bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha, declared the detention “illegal” and directed security agencies not to keep Sheikh and other accused under “any sort of detention”. The court further ordered that their names be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). “We understand that this case is ongoing and will be following closely. We continue to stand with the Pearl family through this extremely difficult process,” the State Department had said. It also said that it stands with the journalist’s family “through this extremely difficult process”.

The statement came a day after the SHC struck down a preventive detention order issued by the Sindh government to keep four men behind bars after their

convictions by a trial court were set aside around eight months ago in the abduction and murder case of US journalist Daniel Pearl.

Earlier in the day, the parents of the victim, Ruth and Judea Pearl, expressed confidence in the Supreme Court of Pakistan to provide swift justice for their son and reinforce the freedom of the press.

In a statement, the parents said, “We refuse to believe that the Pakistani government and the Pakistani people will let such a travesty of justice tarnish the image and legacy of Pakistan.”

Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan working on an investigative story in 2002.

Ministry recommends legislation to impose health tax on tobacco, drinks ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has urged the Ministry of Finance to lay Federal Health Levy Bill in the Parliament to impose a health tax on tobacco and sugary drinks to increase the revenue and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, in a letter to the Ministry of Finance & Revenue, has urged it to lay the Federal Health Levy Bill before the parliament at the earliest possible date. He also emphasized upon the need to charge Rs10/pack of 20 cigarettes health tax on tobacco and Rs1/250ml on carbonated drinks as approved by

the federal cabinet on June 18, 2019.

Dr Faisal Sultan said the NCDs, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease were collectively responsible for almost 68 per cent of all deaths in Pakistan. He said NCDs were causing 51 per cent of the total burden of diseases, predominantly in the young age group.

Pakistan is obligated to reduce one-third premature mortality from these diseases mainly caused by the tobacco by 2030 as part of its targets set in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said.

He said the government could achieve the goal by decreasing the tobacco consumption among the youth through the imposition of the health tax.

The imposition of health tax on tobacco and sugary drinks as per the decision of the federal cabinet will prove as a catalyst to reduce the non-

communicable diseases in the country, he said in the letter, adding that this would also help boost the tobacco revenues. A recent study of the Tobacconomics, a collaboration of leading researchers who have been studying the economics of tobacco control policy for nearly 30 years, has revealed that Pakistan scored 0.88 points out of 5 on cigarette tax scorecard of 170 countries. This score is the lowest in the region. In Pakistan, tobacco use is a cause of death of around 160,100 persons every year while almost 23.9 million adults currently use tobacco in any form in the country, according to the Tobacco Control Cell of the Ministry of National Health Services. The health ministry said that the revenue generated through the health tax on tobacco and sugary drinks would be earmarked for the health sector’s development over and above its routine budgetary allocation.

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

QUAID DAY 03

PAkISTAn ISSUeS noTIceS To GooGle, WIkIPedIA For SPreAdInG 'SAcrIleGIoUS conTenT'

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NEWS DESK

AKISTAN Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued notices to tech giant Google and online encyclopedia Wikipedia for disseminating “sacrilegious content” through the two platforms, it emerged on Friday.

In a press release, PTA said that it was acting against Google after receiving “complaints regarding misleading search results associated with ‘Present Khalifa of Islam’ and unauthentic version of Holy

Qadri claims Sharif was ‘very passionate’ to develop ties with Israel

Quran uploaded on Google Play Store”.

Being a matter of a “very serious nature”, the PTA said that it has approached Google with the directives “to immediately remove the unlawful content”.

“The platform has been issued the notice under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguard) Rules 2020 to remove sacrilegious content to avoid any legal action by the regulator.”

Complaints were also received by the authority against Wikipedia for “hosting of [blasphemous]

caricatures of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and dissemination of misleading, wrong, deceptive and deceitful information through articles portraying Mirza Masroor Ahmad as a Muslim”.

“After extensive communication on the matter, Wikipedia has been finally served with the notice to remove the sacrilegious content to avoid any legal action,” the statement read “In case the platforms remain non-compliant, PTA shall be constrained to initiate further action under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) and Rules 2020,” said the regulator.

Pakistan bought costliest LNG in February 2018: Nadeem ISLAMABAD TLTP

ISLAMABAD TLTP

Former Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Ajmal Qadri has claimed that ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif had sent him to Israel to hold talks with Tel Aviv officials. “It was a kind of study tour,” Qadri confirmed a local television channel. He said he had met senior officials of the Israeli foreign ministry and cabinet members during his visit. However, he didn’t specify the year he visited Israel.

Commenting on the purpose of the tour, he said that officials in Pakistan wanted to know whether any such relationship with Israel would be in Pakistan’s favour or not. “The people of the foreign ministry wanted to know whether Pakistan could develop relations with Israel or not,” he added. Furthermore, he said the trade affairs mostly related to Pakistani textiles came under discussion during the meeting. The cleric said that he had told the Israeli officials that Pakistan can’t have any relationship with Israel until Tel Aviv gives Islamabad “assurances” about the fate of Palestine. The former JUI-F leader said that after concluding the visit, he met then-premier Nawaz Sharif twice. “I told the prime minister twice that Pakistan’s parliament should be consulted or a national dialogue be held to take a decision in this regard.” According to Qadri, “I found him [Nawaz] very passionate to develop a relationship with the Jewish state. But the political situation made the affairs go to the background.” Earlier in an interview, researcher Noor Dahri had claimed that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during his tenure, had sent two delegations to Israel in a bid to normalise relations with the country. “Looking at history, Nawaz Sharif sent two delegations to Israel to normalise relations,” said Dahri, adding that Benazir Bhutto had sent a delegation to Israel as well she was Pakistan’s chief executive.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Petroleum Nadeem Baber has said that Pakistan had purchased the costliest liquefied natural gas (LNG) in February 2018 at $10.25 per MMBtu (million British thermal units) with a 71-day gap between tender opening and delivery of the gas. In a series of video tweets on Friday, the SAPM explained the purchase and sale mechanism of LNG, rejecting negative reports appearing in sections of the media for the last one-and-a-half months. He said the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had introduced the LNG in Pakistan’s market without constructing any storage facility and declaring it as petrol, which cost almost double than the locally produced gas.

In the given scenario, the SAPM said every LNG shipment had to be consumed within four to five days, in the absence of storage facilities, for berthing of another cargo ship. Declaring the LNG as a petroleum product by the PML-N regime, meant that every consumer using the LNG had to pay the full price of the commodity, he explained. He said a question was being asked repeatedly as to why the LNG had not been procured in summer when its price was down, which also showed poor information of the elements spreading speculative news in the media.

The SAPM said that it is on record that the government had provided the LNG to each and every consumer whosoever demanded it in all months of the summer season. He said another allegation is being levelled against the government that in summer, the fuel

DETAILS PURCHASE & SALE MECHANISM TO REJECT NEGATIVE MEDIA REPORTS oil was used in power generation that was why the sufficient LNG had not been procured. “It is also totally wrong and based on speculations and misinformation.”

Babar said the previous government in its last summer season had produced 28 per cent of the total electricity through the fuel oil, while the present government in the summer-2019 produced just 5 per cent and 3.6 per cent of the total electricity in eleven months of the current year. He said all the data in that regard is available on the website of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

He said there was another misconception that early buying could help lower the cost of LNG, and the government should have procured the commodity for December-January in August instead of October.

Elaborating this point, he said Pakistan had purchased the costliest LNG in February 2018, the last year of the PML-N in government, at $10.25 per MMBTU with a 71day gap between tender opening and delivery of the gas.

In August 2018, the PTI government procured the cheapest cargo in the last five-year trade of LNG, with a gap of just 39 days between the tender opening and delivery. “So it is a totally wrong perception that more days between tender and delivery means less price,” he added.

PDM will not give an NRO to this ‘fake govt’, says PML-N VP NEWS DESK Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has said that there is no reason for any sort of dialogue with the government as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an 11-party alliance of the Opposition, will not offer any sort of NRO to the

incumbent government.

“We will not give an NRO to this fake and puppet government, this is the nation’s decision,” Maryam said on Twitter on Friday. The PML-N VP maintained that the PDM was on the same page and that there was no need for talks as “mini or grand dialogues hold no importance”.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Maryam Nawaz will address

cabinet likely to approve appointment of HdIP dG, Fc's deployment in GB ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

The federal cabinet on Tuesday is likely to choose a new director-general for Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) from the proposed panel and Dr Muhammad Saeed Khan Jadoon’s name is at top of the list. As per section 8 (1) of the HDIP Act, 2006, DG shall be a highly qualified scientist with experience in the related fields and shall be appointed to work on a full-time basis by the federal government. The advertisement for the position of HDIP DG was published in the press on March 22, 2020. In response, 14 candidates applied for the position. A shortlisting and selection committee was constituted by petroleum division for the purpose of shortlisting applicants as well as the selection of the most suitable candidate, respectively. The shortlisting committee recommended nine candidates on the basis of experience in the oil and gas sector and relevant qualifications. The selection committee interviewed nine candidates and recommended four candidates to fill the top slot of HDIP. The committee in its recommendation placed the name of Dr Muhammad Saeed Khan Jadoon at the top of the list while Professor Dr Sajjad Ahmed was the secondary candidate, Muhammad Ilyas Ahmad as the third candidate, and Abrar Ahmad as the fourth candidate.

The HDIP was established for the purpose of promoting and guiding scientific and technological research and development in the field of hydrocarbons. The institute is functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) and is headed by a DG in management grade-1 (M-1). Meanwhile, the next federal cabinet is also expected to take up a summary of the Interior Division seeking permanent deployment of Frontier Constabulary (FC) for three years at the disposal of forests, wildlife and environment departments of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

According to the Home & Prison Department, the GB government has stated that it has recently promulgated Forest Act, 2019 for protection, management and conservation of forest resources, national parks, and wildlife in a sustainable manner. The Ministry of Interior requested a permanent deployment of four platoons of Frontier Constabulary with effect from 0201-2021 to 31-12-2023, under Article 17 of the constitution, 1973 in aid of Civil Power (Forest, park & Wildlife Department, GB) in order to ensure the protection of national parks, conservation of wildlife and containment of activities of timber mafia from illegal cutting/smuggling in GB.

a workers’ convention in Sukkur, where she is set to meet her party workers and provincial leadership.

In this regard, PML-N Sindh President Shah Mohammad Shah said that the party would give Maryam a warm welcome at Sukkur Interchange.

Maryam will hold meetings with party leaders in the city and will begin her address at 6 pm.

Later, on December 27, she is scheduled to visit Larkana on the invitation of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardarito to attend a ceremony being held to observe Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary.

Debunked Covid-19 myths survive online, despite facts AGENCIES From speculation that the coronavirus was created in a lab to hoax cures, an overwhelming amount of false information clung to Covid-19 as it circled the globe in 2020.

Public health officials, fact-checkers and doctors tried to quash hundreds of rumors in myriad ways. But misinformation around the pandemic has endured as vexingly as the virus itself. And with the US, UK and Canada rolling out vaccinations this month, many falsehoods are seeing a resurgence online.

A look at five stubborn myths around Covid-19 that were shared this year and continue to travel: MASKS DON’T OFFER PROTECTION FROM THE VIRUS: In fact, they do.

However, mixed messaging early on caused some confusion. US officials initially told Americans they did not need to wear or buy masks, at a time when there was a shortage of N95 masks for health workers. They later reversed course, urging the public to wear cloth masks and face coverings outside.

The early messaging gave people “a little more room to take up these narratives” against wearing masks, explained Stephanie Edgerly, a communications professor at Northwestern University.

Some social media users, for example,

are still circulating a video from March of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s top infectious disease expert, saying people “should not be walking around with masks,” although he has since urged people to cover their faces in public. Versions of that clip have been watched millions of times on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Online claims that masks are not an effective form of protection spiked again in October after US President Donald Trump and two US senators contracted Covid-19 during a Rose Garden ceremony, according to media intelligence firm Zignal Labs.

Social media users claimed that the coverings must not be effective because the senators wore masks at some points during the event.

But masks do prevent virus particles from spreading. Last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which continues to advise Americans to wear masks, cited research that suggested masks can protect the wearer as well as other people.

THE VIRUS WAS MAN-MADE: It was not.

Social media users and fringe websites weaved together a conspiracy theory that the virus was leaked — either accidentally or intentionally — from a lab in Wuhan, China, before the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic in

March. The falsehood was espoused by elected officials, including Trump.

The origins of the virus are far less scandalous: It likely originated in nature.

Bats are thought to be the original or intermediary hosts for several viruses that have triggered recent epidemics, including Covid-19. US intelligence agencies also concluded the virus is not man-made.

Yet the conspiracy theory continues to travel online and made a resurgence in September when a Chinese virologist repeated the claim on Fox News.

COVID-19 IS SIMILAR TO THE FLU: In fact, Covid-19 has proved to be far deadlier.

Early similarities between the symptoms of Covid-19 and influenza led many to speculate that there was not much difference between the two illnesses. Social media posts and videos viewed thousands of times online also claim that Covid-19 is no deadlier than the flu. Trump tweeted a faulty comparison between the flu and Covid-19 in March and October, as states implemented stay-at-home orders.

Covid-19 has been blamed for more than 300,000 American deaths this year and has killed roughly 1.5 million worldwide. By comparison, the CDC estimates there are 12,000 to 61,000 flu-related deaths annually.

Covid-19 symptoms can be far more serious and persist for months. Health

experts have also uncovered a range of bizarre coronavirus symptoms, from brain fog to swollen toes.

OFFICIALS ARE EXAGGERATING COVID-19 TOLL: They are not.

Social media users began photographing empty hospital waiting rooms earlier this year, claiming few people were sick with Covid-19. The photos and videos gained traction with the #FilmYourHospital hashtag, part of a right-wing conspiracy theory that public health officials and politicians were exaggerating Covid-19’s deadly toll. But fewer people are in waiting areas because hospitals started taking appointments virtually, canceling elective procedures and prohibiting visitors during the pandemic.

This month, a Nevada doctor’s selfie at an empty makeshift care site set up to handle additional coronavirus patients was shared online as evidence that hospitals are not full.

However, the photo was taken on Nov. 12, before the site opened. It has since served at least 200 patients.

THE VIRUS IS A PLOY TO FORCE GLOBAL VACCINATIONS: That’s not true.

Anti-vaccine supporters have been pushing this conspiracy theory since January, when some falsely claimed online that the virus had been patented by

pharmaceutical companies as a scheme to cash in on the illness. Some targeted billionaire and vaccine advocate Bill Gates, claiming he was part of a global plan around Covid-19 to microchip billions of people through mass vaccinations. Gates has not threatened to microchip anyone. Instead, he suggested creating a database of people who have been inoculated against the virus.

Skepticism also has grown around the speed of vaccine development. A video viewed nearly 100,000 times on social media, for example, falsely claimed pharmaceutical companies skipped animal trials for the vaccines. In fact, the vaccines were tested on mice and macaques.

The UK, Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration have authorised Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. The FDA will review Moderna’s shot Thursday.

Still, only about half of Americans say they are willing to get the vaccine, according to a survey this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Ongoing misinformation around the vaccine might drive some of that hesitancy.

“I don’t think it was one myth that caused the problem,” said Nancy Kass, deputy director for public health at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. “It’s the fact that there were many, many, many myths.”

04 news

three injured due to blast in Karachi KARACHI: As many as three people got injured due to a blast in a factory here on Friday. According to the police officials, the blast occurred in the furnace of the factorylocated in Liaquatabad. They injured were in a stable condition. earlier, a water tank exploded inside a bank in Paposh Nagar area. The officials of police and other security forces arrived at the site after the blast and cordoned off the area. The bomb Disposal Squad (bDS) also reached the scene to assess the nature of the explosion. Initial investigations revealed that a water tank was exploded inside the bank due to a malfunction. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Murtaza Tabassum said: “The blast exploded inside the bank.The bank's doors and three vehicles were damaged due to the blast's intensity."There was no staff in the bank except a security guard due to national holiday. STAFF REPORT

govt taking steps to run country as per vision of Quaid-e-azam: faisal Javed RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal JavedKhanon Friday said that the government is working under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan for running the country according to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Addressing the inauguration of the sculpture of Quaid-e-Azam, made by renowned sculptor Aftab Ahmed Changezi, and cake-cutting ceremony to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of the country, Faisal said:“In the past, the rulers only built their properties and they did not care about the people. Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan would be formed only by eliminating corruption from the country.Quaid-eAzam was blessed to make impossible to possible. I would request the prime minister to order for the issuance of health cards to all the artists.” Peace and CultureChairperson Mushaal hussein Mullick said: “Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of Pakistan. The true meaning of liberation is known to the people of Indian-held Kashmir (IhK). Pakistan can be made a developed country by following the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.” APP

saturday, 26 December, 2020

KP CM orders to identify sites for building Modern hosPitals PESHAWAR

K

APP

hyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the concerned authorities to identify suitable lands for the establishment of state-of-the-art hospitals in Malakand, hazara and South regions.

“The sites of these hospitals should be easily accessible to all the districts of the regions,” he said while presiding over a meeting regarding the developmental and other issues of Malakand region.

The KP Cabinet and Provincial Assembly members from Malakand region and senior officials of concerned provincial departments and federal entities were present in the meeting.

In the meeting, the progress of the ongoing development schemes in the region was reviewed and the issues of the people of the respective constituencies

were pointed out by the elected representatives.

The chief minister directed the health department and Peshawar electric Supply Company (PeSCO) to take necessary steps on priority basis in order to provide power express lines to the remaining District headquarters hospitals of the province so that uninterrupted supply of power to these hospitals is ensured for round-the-clock health services to the patients.

The CM also directed to take necessary measures for the up-gradation of hospitals in the region besides provision of required equipment to the hospitals.

The elected representatives pointed out different issues relating to health, education, clean drinking water, irrigation, electricity and road infrastructure in the meeting.

The representatives highlighted the deficiencies of engineers and other technical staff of works departments in their constituencies. They also raised the issue

of non-availability of clean drinking water and proper road infrastructure in some of the areas of their constituencies.

The CM directed the concerned authorities to resolve the issues pointed by the elected representatives on priority basis. he ordered to schedule a special meeting with the senior officials of all the departments, including works, revenue and Public Service Commission (PSC), in order to take proactive steps for the hiring of necessary technical staff.

The chair also ordered the concerned departments to carry out feasibility studies for water supply schemes and evaluate ongoing projects of roads and bridges in those areas. The planning department was also tasked to give priority to the completion of ongoing schemes in the release of funds.

The CM termed the timely completion of the ongoing development schemes as the top priority of his government. “The provincial government is

working on various projects for revamping and strengthening of all the basic health units and rural health centres. A scheme is also being executed to provide all the required medical equipment to Tehsil and District headquarter hospitals of the province. With the completion of these schemes, healthcare facilities in the province would be strengthened to the desired level and people will notice a visible change in this regard,” the CM said. earlier, the members were briefed about the developmental portfolio of various districts of the region. It was informed that 28 different schemes with a total cost of rs4 billion for Malakand, 46 schemes worth rs8 billion for buner, 28 schemes worth rs3 billion for Shangla, 35 schemes worth rs6 billion for Chitral, 46 schemes worth rs11.5 billion for Lower Dir and 40 schemes worth rs12 billion for Upper Dir are reflected in the Annual Development Programme.

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Colonies and Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and some others cut a cake to celebrate Christmas.

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi chairs a high level meeting on ‘Economic Diplomacy Initiative’. PPI

Empowering youth to make country economically strong: Firdous RAWALPINDI TLTP

Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister on Information and Culture Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team mem-

bers are committed to make Pakistan a stable country as per the vision of Quaide-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Talking to the media here on Friday, Firdous said that it is not possible to make the country economically strong without empowering the youth of the

country,which is 65 percent of the total population. Firdous further said that Punjab Chief Minister Usman buzdar is taking concrete steps to empower the youth as per the manifesto of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI).

She urged the media industry to play

a positive role in highlighting the steps taken by the government to ensure good governance and provision of basic facilities to the masses. She also reiterated the government's commitment to ensure equalrights for all minority communities, including Christians.

Only 11 per cent of women have access to overall financial services ISLAmAbAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

Around only 11 per cent of women have access to overall financial services in Pakistan. A World bank report states that women make up the majority of this unbanked population, where only 11 per cent of women have access to overall financial services, as compared to 21 per cent of men. Around 100 million Pakistani adults do not have access to formal financial services, hinting at their use of conventional means for their financial management.

The report raises concerns on the matter since women are traditionally responsible for domestic affairs in Pakistani households and their economic empowerment is central to an empowered family.

In addition, as more and more women are entering the workforce and taking up important positions in the professional field, their financial management needs

have increased manifold.

An overview of popular financial services in the country shows that the majority of these services are designed according to male usability, focusing on their specific needs, while females largely remain an excluded segment Tapping on this issue, hysab Kytab, a leading personal financial management application, conducted a digital experiment with the support of the Karandaaz Pakistan to promote the uptake of digital financial services among women and highlight the gaps left by financial service providers in targeting the female segment.

Karandaaz Pakistan promotes access to finance for micro, small and mediumsized businesses through a commercially directed investment platform, and financial inclusion for individuals by employing technology-enabled solutions.

After carrying out extensive secondary researches and elaborate analy-

sis of the needs of female users, hysab Kytab experimented with its own UI by modifying the interface content, illustrations, and overall feel of the application, that also catered to female users' needs along with its male users, and traced the impact of these modifications on service uptake by female users.

The results reflected stark differences in the before and after phase, with a rise in conversion rate by 10 per cent and a drop in user acquisition cost by 40 per cent. With such simple changes in the interface, the application was able to garner more female users.

It was also noted that these modifications did not affect the rate of male users since the changes were basically gender-neutral and inclusive, responding to the needs and preferences of both genders. Thus, it was found out that by taking the needs and preferences of female users into account and integrating them into their

course of action, service providers can accelerate the uptake by female users remarkably and contribute in including the largely-excluded segment.

Where this inclusion is beneficial for social prosperity, it is also highly important for the greater economic welfare, where businesses can extend their services to the other 50 per cent and generate increased revenues from them. by entering the untapped and underserved market through the introduction of specific products and services that relate to the specific needs of this segment, financial technology companies have an opportunity to increase their business exponentially. Therefore, providing services to female customers ultimately achieves the complementary goal of helping providers by expanding their customer base, and helping consumers by enabling them to use financial services to improve their lives and invest in the community.

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

NEWS K-Electric re-opens its Customer Care Centre in Gadap; PMT energized in Jamali Goth KARACHI

CLiMATE CHANGE: 2020 CLOSES HOTTEST dECAdE ON RECORd: UN wEATHER AGENCy unItED nAtIOnS

PRESS RELEASE

AGENCIES

K-Electric (KE) has re-opened its Customer Care Center at Hadiabad, Gadap, following renovation utilizing energy efficient processes, with six facilitation desks added. Separate counters have also been established for senior citizens. The power utility has also successfully energized Jamali Goth. A thickly populated and under-developed pocket of Gadap, KE installed over two hundred low-cost meters, a PMT and over forty-five new electricity poles in the vicinity. To achieve this, KE engaged the local community to convert the area into Aerial Bundled Cabling (ABC). ABC increases resistance to power theft. After educating community residents about the burden power theft can place on entire communities and the power utilities, installation of the infrastructure was completed, and low-cost meter applications were processed on a fast-track basis. A spokesperson representing the power utility said; “KE believes in working with its community partners to counter power theft. Garnering the support of the residents in areas such as Jamali Goth is vital due to a natural resistance that occurs from time to time in such locations. Our teams face hurdles in their attempts to remove illegal connections but due to the support of the community, we are successful in our objectives.” Under its Project Sarbulandi initiative, KE is conducting anti-power theft drives and upgradation of power infrastructure through the installation of insulated and theft-resistant ABC. Over 9,000 PMTs have been converted to ABC since the initiative started.

As 2020 draws to a close, it leaves in its wake the warmest decade on record and one of the three hottest years ever measured, according to the UN weather agency.

Despite a cooling La Nina event, 2020 has been a year of exceptional heat that is now mature and impacting weather patterns in many parts of the

National History Museum remembers and celebrates Quaid-e-Azam on his 144th birth anniversary LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

The National History Museum Lahore and Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) hosted daylong celebrations in the remembrance of the founder of this nation, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on his 144th birth anniversary. The event took place under strict COVID-19 SOPS. Staying true to its core objective of setting itself as a place where our national heroes are remembered, commemorated, and celebrated, National History Museum organized a series of interactive and fun-filled activities, particularly for the younger generation, to introduce them to the greatest leader in the history of this nation.

The day long list of activities included Painting Competition, Quiz Competition, Interactive Playsheets, Letters to Jinnah, Storytelling Session, Puppet Show and Musical Choir. The event was also graced by the attendance of Mr. Jawad Ahmad Qureshi (Director General of Parks and Horticulture Authority Lahore) and Mr. Awais Ahmed Malik (Senior Manager of National History Museum Lahore) On the occasion, Awais Ahmed Malik, Senior Museum Manager, National History Museum Lahore said “We are very excited for this event. At the National History Museum Lahore, we remember and commemorate our shared history, struggle for independence, and national heroes. It is for this reason that we are celebrating Quaid Day at the museum and I think it is extremely important for the younger generation to come and learn about the man who was Muhammad Ali Jinnah and take lessons from his wisdom, perseverance, and statesmanship” Children from all sections of the society were invited to become a part of these celebrations and winners from the Painting and Quiz Competition were also awarded prizes at the end of the day. “‘If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants - Sir Isaac Newto’ History teaches us to look further and construct a prosperous future. We as a nation have been privileged to have a founder whose leadership qualities teach us that with faith, discipline, unity and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that one cannot achieve. Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a man of great integrity has taught us to be loyal to our country.

We must learn from his devotion and struggles for the country and work hard with honesty and dedication to build a flourishing future for our generations to come. We must make our founder, our Quaid proud” said Amean J. President Citizens Archive of Pakistan. Going forward, NHM will continue to organize regular programming to promote National History Museum as a vibrant learning place, educating Pakistanis on the important subjects of partition, national history, and cultural heritage.

05

world, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Friday.

And according to most models, La Nina is expected to peak in intensity either this month or in January and continue through the early part of next year.

“Record warm years have usually coincided with a strong El Niño event, as was the case in 2016”, WMO chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

Tuvalu, an archipelago of nine atolls

in the South Pacific Ocean, where the average height of the islands is less than 2 metres above sea level, is highly susceptible to the effects of global warming.

However, he noted, “we are now experiencing a La Nina, which has a cooling effect on global temperatures, but has not been sufficient to put a brake on this year’s heat”. “Despite the current La Nina conditions, this year has already shown near record heat comparable to the previ-

Nation celebrates Quaid’s 145th birth anniversary with fervour

1,600 students graduate from the PepsiCo-Amal youth programme LAHORE

COntInuED fROm pAgE 01 Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also shared a quote: “My message to you all is of hope, courage and confidence.”

While Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari also paid tribute to the Quaid, he also took this opportunity to take jabs at the ruling party. “instead of making the country an experiment and training factory for the selected and puppets”, the county must follow the ideals laid out by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Bilawal said.

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, in a tweet, said that remembering the Quaid’s struggle was easy, “but the challenge is to follow & fulfil his vision for Pakistan — the vision he stated so clearly on every aspect of national life”.

“Unity, faith, organization.

These are the guiding principles that the founder of Pakistan explained to the people of this country. Today, on the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam, we promise that by following these principles, we will make Pakistan a welfare and democratic state where the constitution will prevail and the people will have the right to rule,

ous record of 2016”, said the top WMO official. WMO has also documented the last six years as being the warmest.

In January, the UN agency will issue consolidated temperature figures for 2020, based on five global temperature datasets. This will be incorporated into a final report on the State of the Climate in 2020, which will be issued in March and will include information on selected climate impacts.

PRESS RELEASE

God willing,” Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz shared on Twitter.

However, she also shared a photograph of a massive cake made for her father and party supreme leader, Nawaz Sharif, who was also born on December 25.

Jinnah was born in Karachi on December 25, 1876. The birthday is a public holiday, and the national flag is hoisted on principal government buildings throughout the country.

This year, the day dawned with special prayers for the security, progress, and prosperity of the country.

Special events had been arranged on the day to highlight and promote ideas and views of the Quaid-e-Azam.

A change of guards ceremony also took place at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the Quaid’s mausoleum where they offered Fateha and laid floral wreaths together.

Earlier in the morning, many people from different walks of life visited the tomb to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation for the services he rendered for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.

Another coronavirus variant ‘seems to have emerged’ in Nigeria

On Wednesday, PepsiCo Pakistan hosted a virtual graduation ceremony for 1,600 fellows of the PepsiCoAmal youth program. The graduating cohort has a 40 percent female participation and has representation from 135 towns and villages across Pakistan. The speakers at the ceremony were Mr. Furqan Ahmed Syed CEO PepsiCo Pakistan and Afghanistan, Benje Williams Co-Founder Amal Academy, Ali Siddiq the CEO of Amal Academy and Mr. Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister of Science and Technology. Jaqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

University graduates in Pakistan have immense potential however their transition from students to working professionals is often challenged by their lack of skill sets critical to acquiring meaningful jobs. Additionally, students are not always familiar with the career opportunities that are available to them. As a result, they often struggle to transition from their academic life to a working career.

PepsiCo has partnered with Amal Academy – an education start-up to fill this gap by providing professional skills to university graduates so they can realize their potential and launch into meaningful careers. The program focuses on a wide variety of skills. These include self-confidence, communications, stress tolerance, adaptability, team work to name a few. All of these have been identified as crucial skills to have by prospective employers. The PepsiCo Amal Youth program was launched in 2018 as a pilot to train 1,000 students. In 2020, the program was expanded into Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 3,000 students have graduated from the program. The initiative has partnered with 16 universities and with the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC). This year, over 96% of job seeking graduates received either an offer of employment or ventured into entrepreneurship within three months of completing the program.

CSR projects of CocaCola Pakistan under Karachi is love campaign KARACHI PRESS RELEASE

Karachi has a special and unique significance for Coca-Cola. It was in Karachi that Coca-Cola commenced its business operations in Pakistan more than 67 years ago, when its first bottling plant in the country began production in Karachi in 1953. The community engagement segment of our campaign will: a. Establish a total number of 17 water projects, of which 10 projects will be in partnership with the Clifton Cantonment Board, 5 projects in partnership with Rotary International in high-risk polio areas like Machar Colony and others, and 1 project each with Karwan- eHayat and Iqra City Residents Welfare Association. b. Benefit a population of approx. 383,000 people. c. c. Involve an allocation of funds by Coca-Cola of PKR. 26,784,000.00

ADDIS ABABA AGENCIES

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that a new strain of the coronavirus appears to have emerged in Nigeria, but further investigation is needed.

“It’s a separate lineage from the UK and the South African lineages,” John Nkengasong, director of the CDC, told reporters from Addis Ababa. “The one we are seeing in Nigeria, and this is based on very limited data yet, has the 501 mutation,” he said, referring to the variant termed 501.V2 and announced

by South African health officials on December 18.

Britain had earlier reported a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that appears to be more contagious, and the news prompted countries to close their borders with the UK and suspend flights.

Nkengasong explained that Nigeria’s principal Covid-19 investigator had just released the genomic sequences of the new strain. More samples will be

studied, Nkengasong said. “Give us some time… it’s still very early.”

The most populous country in Africa, with more than 200 million people, Nigeria has reported relatively few coronavirus cases – over 80,000. However, daily recorded cases exceeded 1,000 for the first time this month, and in the past week, Nigeria recorded a 52-percent increase in cases, Nkengasong said. There was also a 40-percent increase in South Africa.

The Nigeria CDC director general, Chikwe Ihekweazu, also tweeted on Thursday that in recent weeks, there has been a huge increase in the number of samples sent to the Nigerian CDC’s reference lab.

The African continent now has more than 2.5 million confirmed cases, or 3.3 percent of global cases. Confirmed infections in South Africa approach 1 million, and the new strain is now the predominant one there, Nkengasong said; adding, however, that this mutation is unlikely to have an effect on the deployment of vaccines. TLTP

CMYK

Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd (GO) Unveils its newest retail outlet near UET Lahore LAHORE PRESS RELEASE

Pakistan’s fastest growing oil marketing company, GO Pakistan continues to increase its footprint and is proud to announce the inauguration of its latest retail outlet near University of Engineering and Technology (UET), G.T. Road, Lahore. The retail outlet was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Syed Mansoor Sarwar ViceChancellor, UET. Present at the event were also, Prof.

Shaker and Mr. M. Atif - Registrar,UET, Mr. Shaukat Mahmood Ghumman, General Manager- Corporate Coordination GO, Mr. Zeeshan Tayyeb- Chief Operating Officer GO & Mr. Ammar Ali Tallat-Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer GO.

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

06 COMMENT

Basics of India -China divergence of approach on border

What a fall!

From Jinnah’s Pakistan to Naya Pakistan

T

heRe is a need today to reiterate the five basic tenets of the state that Quaid-e-Azam Muammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal wanted to carve out of British India. Federalism ensuring autonomy to all provinces was on the top of the widely-known 14 points that the Quaid-e-Azam presented in 1929. Later the Lahore Resolution (1940) visualized maximum autonomy for the provinces, requiring federating units to be “autonomous and sovereign.” The Objectives Resolution (1949) which later became the justiciable preamble of the Constitution, maintained that “Pakistan shall be a federation and its constituent units will be autonomous.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan is unhappy with the 18th amendment and has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the federal structure complaining that it leaves little powers in his hands.

The second feature is civilian supremacy that the Quaid stressed while addressing army officers at Staff College Quetta in 1948. “Do not forget that the armed forces are the servants of the people. You do not make national policy; it is we, the civilians, who decide these issues and it is your duty to carry out these tasks with which you are entrusted.” Four military rulers directly administering and several years of background directions indicate how the Quaid’s direction was violated.

The third component is treating minorities as equal citizens. Does anyone in the PTI leadership remember that the Lahore Resolution stipulates that “adequate, effective and mandatory safeguards shall be specifically provided in the constitution for minorities in the units and in the regions for the protection of their religious, cultural, economic, political, administrative and other rights”?

Do those flaunting religiosity with abandon remember the Quaid’s address to Constituent Assembly on 11 August 1947? “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.” The Quaid wanted Pakistan to be a pluralist and inclusive state.

Responding to Iqbal’s concerns about poverty, the Quaid opted for a welfare state where big landlords or capitalists were not to be allowed to flourish at the expense of the masses, the economic system was to be based on the Islamic concept of equality and social justice and the public sector played a major role in the fair distribution of resources between the haves and have-nots. This is altogether opposed to the PTI government’s policy of letting wealth be created for a few who would then throw crumbs to the poor.

Dr rajkumar Singh

T

he border dispute between India and China persisted due to divergence of approach on the issue. They are the only known neighbours not separated even by a mutually defined line of control leaving their entire 4,057-kilometer frontier in question. While China appears to fit well with the status quo as it keeps India under strategic pressure, Indian diplomacy is neither guided by the past nor by the cardinal principles of reciprocity, leverage and pragmatism. After the debacle of 1962 it resumed border talks in 1981 but the Line of Actual Control is yet to be demarcated. The first requisite to good– neighbourly relations is a defined front line as the famous proverb goes, ’good fences make good neighbours.’

The entire India–China border can be divided into three; the border to the east of Bhutan, the central or middle border across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and himachal Pradesh and the border separating Jammu and Kashmir from the Chinese territories of Xinjiang and Tibet. The boundary of Kashmir with Xiniang and Tibet is about 1100 miles, of which the frontier of Ladakh forms nearly two–thirds. Traditionally, at least from the 10th century, important points on the present alignment were recognised as the limits of Ladakh and Tibet. This whole area of the Aksai Chin plateau and the Lingsi Tang plains was administered by the Government of Ladakh and Kashmir and utilized for grazing by the people of Ladakh. A regular sequence of official records, stretching over many years, provides testimony on such matters as revenue assessment, police jurisdiction, public works’ projects, census returns, control of trade routes and survey and mapping operations. The boundary of te middle sector lies along the major watersheds; and its delimitation secured confirmation in the treaty of 1954 between India and the People’s Republic of China. The eastern sector has the trijunction of India, Burma and China and it also follows the major watersheds.

Before conclusion of the agreement and demarcation of McMahon line in 1890, British rulers of India made a treaty with China that delineated the Indo-Tibetan border. The treaty was rejected by Tibetan rulers and Russia’s interference appeared imminent in that country’s affairs. In order to check Russian influence Lord Curzon, the then Governor– General, sent British Indian troops in 1904 under the command of Younghusband that resulted in a 1906

Moves for dialogue Too late to do any good?

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ML(F) Secretary General Muhammad Ali Durrani has met National Assembly Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif in jail with a message asking him to play a due role in arranging a national dialogue, which indicates that the establishment is now pulling out all the stops to prevent resignations from the Assemblies. Mr Durrani’s party is part of the GDA, which is a government ally, but his own links to the establishment go back to the time he worked with the Zia regime on the Afghan jihad of the 1980s. It appears the offer he brought included that of release of PML(N) and PPP leaders. Mr Sharif pointed out an obvious reason why the government’s policy of ruthless suppression will not work: imprisoned, he can only persuade visitors not to resign.

It would seem the government and its backers are doing their best to create divisions within parties, after having failed to create divisions in the PDM parties.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman has already faced turbulence in his party, created by the Balochistan party, with stalwarts like Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani and hafiz hussain Ahmad. Mian Shehbaz is accounted as being more peaceable and subservient than his elder brother, and perhaps more important than his niece Maryam Nawaz, who is pinpointed as responsible for the aggressive, no-holds-barred policy of her father, Mian Nawaz Sharif, who is unwilling to compromise with the establishment. The attempts to split the PPP have been more half-hearted, and have centered on fanning differences between former President Asif Ali Zardari and his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The latest approach has brought a certain clarity to the situation. It is clear that the establishment fears the prospect of resignations on the scale the PDM contemplates. At the same time, the offer seems to have come too late, at a time when the PDM is not willing to negotiate. The PDM is likely to be ready to negotiate only when the present government has resigned, or has given some indication that it is negotiable. Attempts to create divisions within parties seem likely to meet the same fate as the attempts to create divisions between parties: it comes too late.

Why is it not just a matter of recognition?

Pakistan cannot afford to recognize Israel Wazir zafar haSSan

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he posture of Arab states towards Israel is becoming soft. They want to establish relations with Israel. After a move by the UAe to recognize Israel, a debate in the South Asian nations about establishing ties with the Jewish state, Israel, has once again started.

Furthermore, it’s being debated who is next in the queue? Is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia going to recognize Israel and paving the way for its allies to recognize it as well? Or other Arab states? Does Islamabad intend to recognize Tel Aviv after the Arab states? What will happen if Pakistan recognizes Israel? Why are the Gulf countries coming closer to Israel? Many other burning questions are being debated.

Many Pakistani journalists think Pakistan needs to reconsider its policy to Israel to remain in step with the shifting geopolitics in the Middle east and it is time to recognize Israel as a separate country since the UAe recognized Israel as a sovereign country while Turkey, egypt and Jordan have already recognized Israel, as have Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

These handfuls of TV anchors, journalists and other supporters of Israel do not represent the feelings of more than 200 million people of the country.

In International Relations, a famous saying of Lord Palmerston is often quoted, “nations have no permanent enemies, only permanent interests”. The decision to recognize Israel may be in the interests of Pakistan in many aspects like technology and weapons sharing. Also, Israel is one of the most technologically advanced and influential countries in the world. The decision may also deepen the ties of Pakistan with the USA. It may represent Pakistan as a friendly and moderate Islamic country to the world.

By building trade relations with Israel, Pakistan can boost its economy as Israel offers a huge market. And

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and China.

From 1914 till independence India’s policy towards Tibet and Xinjiang was conducted by the treaty with China acceptng Chinese suzerainty over British. The Chinese, however, refused to ratify the Tibet. It also provided that a British Agent would be agreement, and the then Government of India also posted in Lhasa and India would construct a postal failed to take it seriously. Because China was torn by system there. India also acquired the right to maintain civil wars, , it was considered an opportunity for India troops in Tibet for the protection of trade routes. to dominate. Several British officers, including Olaf Anglo-Russian differences over Tibet were sorted out Caroe, one of the Deputy Secretaries, realised that the by an entente signed in 1907 whereby both accepted north-east frontier might one day become as live as Chinese suzerainty there. They also agreed to deal the north-west, and pressed for the extension of the with Tibet only through China. This privileged posi- rudiments of administration, civil and military, into tion of China in Tibet was challenged after the Chi- the areas abutting the McMahon line. Relations with nese revolution of 1911, when Tibet forced the Tibet were conducted through a Political Officer in Chinese troops to leave the plateau. even subsequent Sikkim, also in charge of relations with Bhutan. Sir attempts by China failed to Charles Bell, a close friend re-establish its authority and of the Dalai Lama, remained the situation warranted a there for years and so long as meeting at Simla in 1914. he was incharge, it was unThe discrepancy policy was, necessary to keep any troops Thus the international alignment in this area, along on the north-east frontier. ultimately aimed to prevent the highest watershed On the pattern of Tibet, any other strong power ranges, was formalised at Philip Macartney, who went the initiation of the then to Kashgar, the remotest post approaching India.

Chinese regime. The Simla of the Indian empire, was negotiations of 1913-14, Throughout the 19th century, made permanent officer to and the McMahon Line deafter the affairs of XinBritish foreign policy in Asia look lineating the border of North jiang. Policy in Sinkiang was eastern Frontier Agency seemingly inconsistent with was dominated by the that emerged from it, had that towards Tibet. In Tibet ‘Russian bogey’. been a British response to the government did all it China’s attempt to assert could to repudiate Chinese control in Tibet. The confersovereignty; in Xinjiang, they ence was held to sort out did all they could to affirm it. border differences between The reason was to prevent Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Tibet, though it was rep- Sinkiang from falling prey to what then seemed a resented by British India, Tibet and China. Arthur greater menace, Russia. When in the middle of the henry McMahon, the then Secretary of State for 1930 Chinese control over Sinkiang weakened and the India, participated as a representative of British India. Tungans had risen in revolt against the provincial GovIn the meeting an agreement was concluded which ernment, first, the Government of Sinkiang appealed confirmed the Chinese suzerainty, but divided Tibet to the Chinese and having failed, turned to Russia for into two parts, Outer Tibet and Inner Tibet. The au- support. Russia was happy to intervene and Sinkiang tonomy of Outer Tibet was accepted and China passed into Russian hegemony. From there onwards agreed not to interfere in its internal affairs, nor give the Indian Government began to support Chinese sovit representation in Chinese Parliament, nor station ereignty in Sinkiang. The discrepancy policy was, ulits troops, nor appoint its civil servants, nor to turn it timately aimed to prevent any other strong power into a Chinese colony . At the same time another approaching India. Throughout the 19th century, British boundary between outer Tibet and India was demar- foreign policy in Asia was dominated by the ‘Russian cated at the high mountain which divided the two bogey’. In other words, India’s relations with Sinkiang countries at the watershed. Since the line dividing and Tibet in British days were based on a mistrust of India and Tibet was drawn on the suggestion of her neighbours, China and Russia.

McMahon, who himself drew a line with a red pen on the map, it came to be known as the McMahon The writer is head of the political science Line. This demarcation passes through Tibet plateau department of the B.N.Mandal University, in the north and Indian hills in the South. The map Madhepura, Bihar, India and can be reached at was signed by representatives of British India, Tibet rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

The boundary was art of the great game

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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the feeling that the India-Israel connections is working against Pakistan, may be lowered.

But the decision may have several harmful implications as well and we cannot neglect that. It could prove a death sentence to the political party implementing the decision. In Pakistan, religious parties have a lot of power. Many recent incidents and the history of Pakistan prove this. The very next moment after the recognition of Israel, in Pakistan mass protests may erupt all over the country led by the clergy and religious parties. A chaotic situation may arise which will prove a serious blow to the Pakistani economy.

The second most considerable problem that Pakistan may face after recognition of Israel is that there will be no moral grounds left for Pakistan to quarrel with India for Kashmir. The recognition could tear Pakistan’s posture in favour of the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people. Pakistan will have no ethical domain to raise voice for Kashmir andmany other victims of barbarity becausei it will be accepting the aggressor over its victims. Where do the Islamic or humanistic moral principles lie as Pakistanis feels proud in saying the name of their country is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?

Thirdly, this action may anger a Pakistani neighbour, Iran. Relations between Iran and Pakistan have remained positive although many ups and downs have happened. Iran has always supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Changing the relationship may change Iran’s stance on Kashmir. Iran has an aggressive foreign policy towards Israel. The Gulf countries and Israel can never tolerate the rising influence of Iran in the politics of the Middle east. They see cooperation among them as a form of opposition to Iran’s growing regional power and influence. Many Arab states feel that Iran and Turkey are a bigger threat to the region than Israel. Also, the converging interests of Iran, Turkey and China have exacerbated fears across the Middle east. That’s why Arab countries and Israel are coming close together for a com-

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mon interest to counter Iran and Turkey. The US also backed Arab countries for the same reason.

The decision may also anger the closest ally of Pakistan of the present time, Turkey. Turkey intends to lead the Muslim world so it will be trying to gain the sympathy of the Muslim world.

This is not just about recognition of a country for Pakistan, but about accepting the bellicosity of the aggressor. It’s about more than 750,000 Palestinians who were displaced and became refugees as a result of 1948 the war which results in the formation of Israel. It’s about thousands of Palestinians killed by the Israeli military. It’s about thousands of towns destroyed and much more.

Pakistan’s policy towards the recognition of Israel has been quite clear from the very beginning. In 1947, Israel’s founder David Ben Burion’s telegram to Mohammad Ali Jinnah was ignored and remained unanswered. It was an attempt to establish diplomatic relations with Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan recently said that Pakistan will never accept the state of Israel until the people of Palestine get their rights and an independent state. he added if we recognize Israel and ignore the tyranny faced by Palestinians, we will have to give up Kashmir as well, and this we cannot do. The present time is quite a turbulent time for Pakistan, and it cannot withstand additional riots in the country because of such a decision.

After considering the whole scenario, there should be no recognition to Israel for now unless the Palestinians are given a just settlement, or there will be a two-state solution. This is not because of Muslim versus Jews, but is based on a human level because the decision of recognition cannot make Israel the superpower of the world.

The world must work for the peaceful solution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The world must think and work for the two-state solution of the conflict. If a peaceful solution comes about in the future, there will be no dispute over recognizing Israel as a sovereign and legitimate state.

The writer is a student of BS International Relations at the University of Sargodha

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Saturday, 26 December, 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

Remembering the Quaid 25Th December is the day of Quaid-e-Azam whose struggle is present in front of us in the shape of Pakistan on the world’s map. Quaid-i-Azum Muhammad Ali jinnah was born on the 25th of December 1876 in Karachi who was a hard working guy in the history of Pakistan and known the founder of Pakistan. he works dawn to dusk for the Muslims who were under bad circumstances and whose rights were totally ignored. We are really thankful to our best leader for his efforts and struggles which he did for us to make us free from cruelty. he is alive in every Pakistani heart and we should celebrate his day and pray for his departed soul.

ImtIaz alI turbat

Time to perform

The Quaid-i-Azam as a parliamentarian for Lalji but also asked Rahimtoola to intimate all Ismaili families to vote for the Quaid.

League won 100% seats in the Central Asspect for parliamentary traditions and believed sembly and about 70 to 90% in the Provincial that the speaker of an Assembly should be like an Assemblies. This had strengthened the Quaid-iumpire, impartial and fair.

Azam’s hands and paved the way for Pakistan.

The Quaid as Governor General was the head After _Partition, the Assembly was both Conof the executive and his presidentship of the Con- stituent Assembly and National Assembly. The stituent Assembly would have taken the traditions Quaid was elected its President besides being to the pre-1919 days. As such the Quaid had Governor General. It was in this Assembly that the presided over its meetings when it met as a con- Quaid in his address on 11 August 1947 laid down stitution making body, but Maulvi Tamizuddin the guidelines for the future, indicating that he Khan presided when it met as a Legislature. wanted to see honesty, liberalism, clean life and a It was the Assembly which on 12 August noble society in Pakistan. It is sad and dangerous 1947 had formally conferred on him the title of that we have forgotten the direction he prescribed. the Quaid-i-Azam.

The Quaid always kept his audience in mind, Mr. Jinnah used his membership for the ben- which enabled him to assess their mental calibre. efit of people in general and Muslims in partic- When he appeared as a lawyer he knew the judges ular. Whenever necessary he also criticised the were usually men of experience and knowledge. government but never used unparliamentary lan- he could therefore narrate the complex nuances guage and fully maintained the decorum of Par- and fine points of law. In Parliament too most liament, a lesson that parliamentarians even now members were aware of the problems of sociowould do well to learn and follow sincerely. political life. But in a public meeting, varied inRapid political changes had taken place after tellects and knowledge sat before him. So he the failure of the Round Table Conference in Lon- spoke on things that were easily understood. don in 1930, and the Quaid was disappointed with In all fairness, he did not claim to be a saint Congress’s tactics. he was so disappointed he de- or divine preaching to ordinary mortals, nor did cided to settle in england and stay away completely he foist his own views on his followers with from politics. But then came the 1935 Government dogmatic authority and while speaking in Parof India Act. Politicians, including Allama Iqbal and liament with sophisticated audience he was Liaquat Ali Khan, requite different and quested him to come from parliamentary back to India because in speaker he rose to the a constitutional struggle heights of oratory. he alone was suited to The Quaids voice, His parliamentary speeches lead the Indian Muslims. though lacking in volshow masterly grasp of the Since it was a constituume, was rich in timbre tional struggle, the fate of and characterized by subject under discussion and the Mussalmans as such deep musical resocould be safely entrusted incisive reasoning. In the nance. The audience to him. he came back, listened to him with legislature, he had shone as took up the leadership of bated breath; a mothe Muslim League and tion of a finger, a little the epitome of the turned into a mass organwaving of the head, or Parliamentary decorum, the isation. It was no more a a slight turning of his body of a few elites, figure engrand manner, the elegant style impressive which met annually, thralled his audience. passed a few resolutions The incisive reasoning, and dispersed. The Musthe close analysis, the lim masses had now careful marshalling of joined the organisation. They had conferred the title facts and arguments, the laying of emphasis of of Quaid-i-Azam (Great Leader) on Mr Jinnah, who points of vantage ,all characteristic qualities of fully deserved it. a lawyer , also marked the Quaid’s speaking both elections were fought under the 1935 Act. on public platforms and in Parliament. he did The Quaid fully devoted his time to organising not try to hoodwink the audience and kept away and strengthening the League. Parliamentary from verbal jugglery and mental acrobatics. Durpolitics was a part of main politics and assem- ing the first decade of the Legislative Assembly, blies had become important. The Quaid was a established under the 1919 Act, he had crossed member of the Central Assembly, and guiding swords with many powerful debaters and invarithe League parties in the Provincial assemblies. ably came out with flying colours. his parliaIn the Centre the Quaid was party leader and his mentary speeches show masterly grasp of the right hand man was Liaquat Ali Khan. subject under discussion and incisive reasoning.

In 1945, crucial elections were held, in which In the legislature, he had shone as the epitome the youth led by the All India Muslim Students of the Parliamentary decorum, the grand manner, Federation played a key role. The Quaid was as the elegant style. usual chosen to represent the Bombay (Urban) The Quaid-i-Azam was a distinguished perconstituency. At the time of his election he was sonality, very neat and clean and head and shoultouring the distant NWFP. Raja Amir Ahmad ders above the common run of men. In the home, Khan of Mahmudabad, as AIMSF President was Parliament and on public platforms he used to supervising the elections. The Quaid was op- wear three–piece suits, and black or white sherposed by an Ismaili, hussain Bhai Lalji, backed wanis. even in old age, his behaviour and deby Congress. The Congress in a false statement portment distinguished him. These were great had said that the Aga Khan had asked his com- qualities in Parliament. munity to vote for Lalji. But another prominent Ismaili leader, Ibrahim Rahimtoola, was very The writer is Lahore-based Freelance close to the Quaid. he immediately phoned the Journalist, Columnist and retired Deputy Aga Khan, then in New Delhi. he not only de- Controller (News) Radio Pakistan Islamabad nied having ever instructed the Ismailis to vote and can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail.com;

Today’s parliamentarians could learn a thing or two muhammaD zahiD rifaT

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AID-I-AZAM Muhammad Ali Jinnah had many qualities as a lawyer, a parliamentarian and as a public leader. As a public leader, despite the odds against him, he had performed the political miracle of the 20th century by founding an independent country, Pakistan, out of nowhere. In all these top qualities, his mental powers, oratory, determination, honesty and straight forwardness helped him greatly. here, his achievements mainly as a parliamentarian are being discussed hoping this may help the modern parliamentarians to do some soul searching which is the need of the hour.

The Quaid was attracted to politics when still in London studying law and attended the British Parliament regularly. The ways, manners, gestures and even the dress of prominent members formed a lasting impression on his mind. his reader’s tickets to the British Museum are still preserved. he read all the significant speeches of important parliamentarians there and this had formed the background of his parliamentary career. The Quaid himself had leanings towards liberalism. he was not a narrow-minded sectarian and intolerant politician, and throughout his parliamentary career he always stood for liberal policies.

Mr. Jinnah started his parliamentary career with election to the Imperial Legislative Council in 1909. he remained its member till March 28, 1919. he resigned in protest against the Rowlatt Act. Mr. Jinnah, speaking on the Bill, vehemently opposed it as a “new shackle on the freedom of the people.” But despite his protest, the Rowlatt Bill was passed because of the government majority.

When the Central Legislative Assembly came into being, he was again elected from a Bombay Urban constituency on 14 November 1923. In October 1934 he was re-elected. When Pakistan came into being he was elected Chairman of the National Assembly– a post he had held till his death on 11 September 1948. he always chose his words carefully and never retracted any, once uttered. his critics, whether Judges, Viceroys or Pundits, usually received humiliating tongue lashings for any barb. he was not known to sit silent at the slightest reprimand.

In 1926, when elected to the Indian Legislative Council, he joined the “independent” group and became its leader. At that time the British Parliament had sent Sir John Simon to find out the public opinion in India. Jinnah and other Indian leaders boycotted the Commission ,which did not consist even a single Indian member,with the slogan “Go back Simon”. Jinnah was never prepared to tolerate even parliamentary action which he thought was unwarranted and wrong.

Several qualities of the Quaid-i-Azam as a parliamentarian are often enumerated as his strategy, keen insight, able advocacy, clear representation, reasoning power, balanced judgement and undaunted criticism. The Quaid was very often witty and sarcastic which distinguished him as a parliamentarian. The Quaid is generally described as a born parliamentarian and his self-confidence, sincerity, honesty, outspokenness and frankness coupled with his ability and acumen made him an ideal parliamentarian. The Quaid had a great re-

The respected Prime Minister Imran Khan asked the federal ministers to get read and deliver their best to face the challenges of our harsh conditions. however, the Agreements of Ministers of 2020-21 was signed and asked the cabinet ministers to focus on works during these five years of mine prime minister. And he further even warned the people who become responsible for beneficial projects of the country. The ministers also signed these important things in the country. PM counted power generations, subsidies, inflation, exports, food security, pension system and agriculture to meet the required challenges very directly. And he also declared the power sector the most important one and termed his “complex challenge”. And he as well discussed the wealth creation in the country and debt. In my opinion these were the most necessary issues of country if PM would take them seriously. I hope our prime minister would be a great leader of our time. barkatullah turbat

Looking beyond the deserts The inflow of remittances, backbone of the economy of Pakistan, is under threat after unexpected and sudden visa-ban from UAe. This is consequential for the already dwindling economy of Pakistan which heavily relies on foreign remittances in order to bridge Current Account Deficit (CAD) and which doesn’t have capacity to adjust the workers coming back from the Gulf countries. Given the bleak future of oil-based economies due to rapidly changing global energy landscape and changing geopolitical dynamics of the region, Pakistan needs to rethink its policy of labor migration to make flow of remittances more sustainable in nearfuture. While equipping labour with modern skills, we can explore new markets in the world where skilled labour is highly required, for instance Japan where a big chunk of the population is aging and requires skillful labour to its economy. Therefore, the relevant authorities should work in exploring new markets and making visa-regime of those countries more accessible for the migrant. Time has come to look beyond the deserts.

FaIsal hayat Okara

Use of surgical mask in COVID-19 NOWADAYS everyone is using masks to prevent themselves and the possibility of not to infect others from coronavirus. There are different types of masks people are using: Surgical mask, N95 Respirator mask. But somehow surgical mask is dangerous for people in this pandemic.

Surgical mask can protect a person from infectious agents transmitted from droplets but a surgical mask does not protect against “airborne” infectious agents so it will not prevent the wearer from being potentially contaminated by a virus such as Coronavirus. But if one is using this mask it should be used only for 3 to 8 hours. People are using one surgical mask for 3 to 4 days which is very dangerous because if we use surgical mask for a long time it will catch dust, smoke, mist and if one is not suffering from coronavirus, he/she can get other dangerous diseases.

On the other side respiratory mask has filters in it that prevents wearer from inhaling dust, smoke, airborne infectious agents contaminated by virus. It can also be reuse and it is possible to replace filter when it is full.

FaIqa MehBooB Islamabad

We must change IT is important to know our weaknesses and shortcomings to fix them. We as a nation tend to be devious and not follow the rules. Before the partition, during WWII, the British came up with a comprehensive plan to avoid causalities during an air attack. They created an “air raid protection department” and divided Rawalpindi city into different wards and appointed head wardens who would ensure that people follow the suggested safety instruction. Individuals were trained to manage and provide first aid in case of people getting injured. I was appointed as head warden at ‘Kachehry chowk’ Rawalpindi. As soon as the air raid alarm went out from headquarter the wardens whistled to stop the running traffic.

I remember that when I whistled, the few englishmen working at the Attock oil company promptly halted their vehicles. however, locals ridings tongas, bicycles, or cars refused to stop and started arguments resorting to indecent language. I was shocked at this unruly behavior of my fellow countrymen and wondered how we will manage the state affairs after freedom if this is how we behave. Seventy-three years have gone by and it seems nothing has changed. Our leaders did not change their pugnacious attitude of exchanging accusations and naked abuses among themselves. They have not rid themselves of egotism and selfrighteousness. Let us make a new pledge on the eve of the birthday of the founding father that we will do our part by following the law and act like civilized people. Our leaders must forgive and forget their excesses and embark on a new beginning for a better and strong Pakistan. Otherwise, not only will our leader suffer in the words of Sufi Tabassam “ Larte larte hogaye gum. eik ki chonch aur eik ki dum”, but also our country will be at the risk of degradation and God forbid extinction. May Allah show us all the right path, Amin. raja shaFaatullah Islamabad

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

WorLds ApArT: EdWArd sAId ANd AMos oz oN pALEsTINE WHILE OZ BECAME AN INCREASINGLY LONELY VOICE IN ISRAEL CALLING FOR A TWO-STATE SOLUTION, SAID WAS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAUSE OF PALESTINIAN LIBERATION

middlE EAsT EyE

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GAbriel Polley

hIS month marks the second anniversary of the death of Amos Oz, perhaps Israel’s most internationally recognised cultural figure. On the surface, Oz occupied a position somewhat parallel to that of the late edward Said (who died in 2003) in Palestinian society. Both were respected literary figures, regarded as spokespeople for their respective political causes: in Oz’s case liberal Zionism, and in Said’s the struggle for Palestinian liberation.

Both criticised their respective national leaderships, with Oz called a traitor by the Israeli right and Said’s books getting banned by the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s. Both also had reputations - deserved or undeserved - as voicing humanistic positions, able to see the shared humanity of “the other”.

Said and Oz were both born in western

neighbourhoods of Jerusalem in the twilight years of the British Mandate - Said in 1935, Oz in 1939. While British colonialism and mass Jewish immigration provoked a Palestinian uprising from 1936 to 1939, the Jerusalem of Said’s and Oz’s childhoods was still one of coexistence. As Said notes in his memoir Out of Place, he was delivered by a Jewish midwife.

The young Said and Oz might have unknowingly passed each other on King George V Street, the thoroughfare connecting the neighbourhoods of Talbiya, with its elegant Palestinian villas like Said’s family’s, and Kerem Avraham, where Oz grew up among Russian Jewish immigrants.

Yet, any shared experience of childhood was torn apart by the Nakba, the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Close to 800,000 Palestinians fled their homes, including in what became Israeli-controlled West Jerusalem, to overcrowded and impoverished refugee camps.

Oz noted in his semi-autobiographical A Tale of Love and Darkness that Palestinian homes in West Jerusalem would “fall empty, intact, into the hands of the Jews and that new people would come and live in those vaulted houses of pink stone and those villas with their many corniches and arches”.

Yet, Oz chose to dwell upon the “dancing, revelling, drinking, and weeping for joy” in Jerusalem’s Jewish neighbourhoods, rather than on Palestinians’ dispossession and he continued to defend the events of

1948 throughout his life.

LOSSES IN THE NAKBA: In contrast, Said wrote of the pain he felt “that the very quarters of the city in which I was born, lived and felt at home were taken over by Polish, German, and American immigrants who conquered the city and have made it the unique symbol of their sovereignty, with no place for Palestinian life”. Said did not return until 1992 through the privilege granted to him by an American passport.

Oz lived in Israel his whole life, citizen of a country that systematically denied the right of return to the Palestinian refugees of 1948 and their descendants.

Given Said’s losses in the Nakba, his ability to empathise with Jewish people who “regard Zionism and Israel as urgently important facts for Jewish life” was remarkable. Yet the paradox, as Said noted in his essay “Zionism from the standpoint of its victims”, was that the goals of “saving the Jews as a people from homelessness and anti-Semitism and restoring them to nationhood” necessitated the dispossession of indigenous Palestinians.

Initially supportive of a two-state solution and a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in later years Said turned to a one-state solution to reconcile Palestinian and Israeli claims, recognising that “so tiny is the land area of historical Palestine, so closely intertwined are Israelis and Palestinians, despite their inequality and antipathy, that clean separation simply won’t, can’t re-

ally, occur or work”.

'WE WILL HAVE TO SIT AS OCCUPIERS': On the other hand, Oz, hailed as a “dove” of the mainstream Israeli left, resolutely advocated a two-state solution. Yet this position came with caveats.

“For a month, for a year, or for a whole generation we will have to sit as occupiers,” Oz wrote in an Israeli newspaper, shortly after the 1967 Six-Day War that began Israel’s 53-year and counting occupation of Palestinian and Arab territory. “We have conquered them and we are going to rule over them only until our peace is secured.”

Regardless of his antipathy towards Israeli settlers on occupied Palestinian land, Oz maintained that the occupation was necessary for Israeli safety, ignoring both the right of Palestinian self-determination and the fact that the injustice of occupation constitutes a primary Palestinian grievance leading to resistance.

When he opposed the policies of successive Israeli governments, Oz’s concern was never for their Palestinian and Arab victims, but what he saw as those policies’ impacts on “the soul” of Israel, which he feared would be “torn in two”.

Unable to understand Israel’s rightward drift as a product of Zionism’s colonising mission, Oz lamented the loss of a supposedly egalitarian, secular Israel - which had only ever existed for the european Jewish elite, not for the impoverished underclass of

Academic freedom is under attack in Modi’s India THE ONGOING UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT OF PROFESSOR ANANDTELTUMBDE AND NUMEROUS OTHER DISSIDENT SCHOLARS IS A CLEAR REFLECTION OF THE BLEAK STATE OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN INDIA

Al JAzEErA

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AmAn Abhishek

AST year I had the opportunity to listen to the prominent Indian intellectual and author, AnandTeltumbde, speak at an academic conference in Delhi. At one point in his speech, he got teary-eyed and told the audience that he has lost all hope because India’s transformation into a “hindu nation” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears complete. having followed his profound anti-caste scholarship and civil rights activism closely over the years, I was heartbroken to witness his despair. I wanted to walk up to him and tell him that things will eventually get better. But since I did not know him personally, I chose not to.

I thought of him and his sorrow about the state of India often in the following months. I was miles away in the United States studying towards a PhD, but I was aware of the increasing repression of dissident academics and student activists in my home country. So when I read about Professor Teltumbde’s arrest in April this year, it felt personal. he was accused of having links with Maoist rebels and conspiring against the government, including “plotting the assassination” of Modi. Countless legal experts agree that the charges are fabricated and politically motivated, but he remains behind bars to this day.

Sadly, Teltumbde is not the only scholar to have fallen victim to the ongoing witch hunt against government critics in Indian academia – many public intellectuals have been accused of endangering “national security” and imprisoned for challenging Modi’s authoritarianism in recent years.

Just last month, a report published by the international NGO Scholars at Risk exposed the steady curtailment of academic freedoms in India under the Modi government. While the findings of the report were undoubtedly disturbing, they did not come

as a surprise to anyone who has been following the news from India closely.

Since assuming power in 2014, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been systematically destroying the secular, democratic foundations of India and transforming the country into a strictly hindu nation. BJP’s hindu supremacist ideology portrays Muslims as the nefarious “other”. Moreover, hindu supremacy is about the hegemony of upper-caste hindus.

Lower castes, which constitute the majority of the Indian population, are on one hand told to be proud hindus, and on the other hand, oppressed violently because the caste system deems them inferior. It is in this context that anti-caste, Dalit (formerly “untouchable”) scholars such as Teltumbde, as well as Muslim and other dissident academics, are accused of being “anti-national” and prosecuted with fabricated charges.

Last August, India revoked the special status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region over which both India and Pakistan claim jurisdiction. Following this move, the world’s so-called “largest democracy” imposed a communication lockdown in the region, closed all educational institutions and erected police barracks in university campuses.

Without access to the internet and university campuses, scholars and students from the region were left struggling to study, teach and communicate with each other and the outside world. To make matters worse, hindu nationalist groups supporting the government started attacking Kashmiri students in other parts of India for merely “looking Kashmiri”. Scholars working on subjects related to Kashmir, meanwhile, have been summoned by state authorities to explain why they are doing “anti-national” research. Attempts by the Indian government and its supporters to silence dissenting voices in academia have not been contained within the country’s borders, either. Letters accusing Kashmiri scholars based in the US of “supporting terrorism” have been sent to the universities they are associated with, and events they participate in have been disturbed by

Modi’s supporters.

Just a few months after the revocation of Indian Occupied Kashmir’s special status, Modi’s BJP rammed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which offers an accelerated path to citizenship to migrants who are not Muslim, through India’s parliament.

On university campuses across India, students held unprecedented, peaceful protests against this blatantly discriminatory law. These protests were met with brutal state repression. Police and paramilitary forces entered university campuses and fired tear gas and rubber bullets and beat up students. In some cases, officers stood by and watched as hindu nationalist groups stormed the same campuses, vandalised property and attacked anti-CAA student protesters.

Indian scholars and students studying abroad, such as myself, watched these events in horror. Many of us published open letters against the CAA and in support of the protesters. Despite a large number of signatories including many prominent scholars, these letters made little difference to the Modi government – it continued its repression of peaceful protesters, which eventually resulted in an anti-Muslim pogrom in Delhi that claimed 53 lives.

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic provided another opportunity for the government to clamp down on any criticism of its policies and actions. As protests became difficult and at times “unlawful gatherings” amid the pandemic restrictions, the Modi government decided to utilise its powers to further silence dissenting voices. It started wielding the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – which gives the state the power to designate an individual as a terrorist before being proven guilty by trial – against dissident scholars and students participating in anti-CAA protests and anti-caste activism.

In July, at the height of the coronavirus crisis, the BJP government also approved the National education Policy 2020 (NeP) outlining its vision for India’s education system. Not only does NeP pave the way for further privatisation of education and

the erosion of the federal character of the educational structure, BJP’s rhetoric around NeP reveals how hindu supremacy is shaping education in India.

BJP officials’ discussion of NeP has been replete with proclamations that education needs to be grounded in “culture” and “traditions” and that India was a “knowledge superpower” in the ancient past, before Muslim invasions and British colonialism.

According to education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, the NeP is based on the dictum that “nation [comes] first, character [is a] must”. Under this ideological design, questioning caste oppression, Islamophobia, patriarchy and crony capitalism is “anti-national” and scholars who dare to do so lack “character”.

The NeP prioritises the development of “practical skills” over critical thinking abilities. I, myself, have seen what this means during my undergraduate studies in one of the country’s premier engineering and science institutes, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). It means keeping the curriculum and the university atmosphere strictly apolitical, which ensures graduates obtain remarkable technical skills but remain unable to think critically and question oppressive structures.

With Indian engineers and technical professionals working across the world, this issue has global ramifications. After watching my college peers bash affirmative action for Dalit students for years, I was not surprised to find that there is rampant caste discrimination among Indian-origin engineers in Silicon Valley. having experienced the meritocratic, technocratic environment of the IIT, I was not surprised that Google CeO SundarPichai, who is an IIT alumnus, chose to work with the Chinese government to create a censored, trackable search engine rather than question how doing so will endanger human rights in China.

The ongoing unlawful imprisonment of Professor Teltumbde and numerous other scholars is a clear reflection of the bleak state of academic freedom in India. It will take years, if not decades, to undo the damage that Modi and his hindu nationalist supporters have inflicted on Indian education. It will require university leaders, lawmakers, civil society, and crucially, the international community, urging the state to end repression of ideas and safeguard academic freedoms.

The author is a PhD student in media studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.

Middle eastern Jews, nor for the country’s Palestinian minority, who lived under military rule until 1966.

THE LEGACY OF SAID: Oz never tried to understand Palestinian aspirations, arrogantly describing Palestinians as “a defeated and conquered enemy” and claiming - despite the myriad parallels between the Palestinian, African American and South African struggles - that “it is both false and foolish to represent the Israeli-Palestinian tragedy as a civil rights campaign”.

Said wrote trenchantly of Oz and others “whose views are routinely aired in the western media as representative of the peace camp, and do a brilliant job of concealing their real views of Palestinians (not so different from Likud’s) beneath a carpet of conscience-rending, anguished prose”.

Yet, despite Oz’s views actually not diverging significantly from those of the ruling Israeli right, it was telling that he ultimately became an anachronism in his own lifetime: an increasingly lonely voice in Israel calling for a two-state solution, though with so many qualifications that such a state would be meaningless.

By contrast, with many young Palestinians (and some Israelis and international observers) now turning towards a one-state solution, drawing inspiration from civil rights struggles and the legacy of Said himself, 17 years after his passing, Said’s time may now be arriving.

Gabriel Polley is a doctoral researcher at the European Centre for Palestine Studies, University of Exeter. He lived and worked in Palestine and his interests focus on British involvement in late Ottoman Palestine.

No cause for panic over new virus strain Economic TimEs

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he World health Organisation has held out the assurance that the new mutant strain of the coronavirus causing Covid is not a new plague and that identification of its evolution and spread in the UK offers proof of the additional capacity healthcare systems have gained in tracking and tracing the disease.

Stock markets have, for the most part, rallied around the world, and even in the case of indices that have dropped, their future markets are gaining. The government has done right to assuage fears over the new strain of the coronavirus.

Viruses mutate.

That is why it has been so hard to develop a vaccine for hIV that causes AIDS. however, there should be no cause for alarm unless the vaccine fails to produce immunity against this new variant. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, authorised by the USFDA, create immunity to the coronavirus by equipping the immune system to make antibodies to the spike protein that rests on the virus.

Research is now underway to analyse the changes to the structure of the spike protein to figure out if the new variant will be able to skirt the vaccine. Given that information on the severity of the variant is limited, it makes sense to wait for evidence-based research outcomes and more data to become available.

People must get tested, isolated and their contacts traced to stop any possible spread of the new variant.

Rightly, the european Centre for Disease Prevention and Control advocates public health authorities and laboratories to analyse and sequence virus isolates in a timely way to identify new cases, followup on suspected cases of Covid-19, monitor vaccinated individuals to identify any failure or break through infections, and ensure strict adherence to safety norms. There is no need to panic.

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

buSineSS 09 CCoP approves transaction structure for PSM KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) has approved the transaction structure for Pakistan Steel Mills.

The federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, chaired the meeting of the CCoP on Thursday. The Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, Minister for Privatization Mohammad Mian Soomro, Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub, SAPM on Power Tabish Gauhar and other senior officials of the Ministries of Finance, Industries & Production and Privatization Commission participated in the meeting. CCoP approved the transaction structure for Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation on the recommendation of the Committee chaired by the Minister for Privatization.

The approved structure for Pakistan Steel Mills will allow for, “Transfer of identified core operating assets into wholly owned subsidiaries of PSMC through Scheme of Arrangement (as provided in the Companies Act 2017) followed by the sale of majority shares of the newly formed subsidiary, without transferring full ownership to strategic private sector partners”.

Govt to cancel allotments of land without industrial units in industrial estates

ReConStituted CPeC BuSineSS CounCil PRoPoSeS new PRojeCtS, SeCtoRS in CPeC ISLAMABAD

t

GHULAM ABBAS

HE recently re-constituted China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Business Council has proposed including more sectors and projects under the umbrella of CPEC. During the first meeting of the council, which is aimed at creating an interface between the government and business community and to further the industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China to a new height for mutual benefit, it was proposed inclusion of new sectors and projects in CPEC. It was proposed that petrochemical and its domestic production at competitive prices require establishment of a petrochemical cracker and it is a best possible option to include this project into CPEC. According to officials, during the meeting held here on Thursday, it was highlighted that the tourism sector could be promoted by offering incentives and financial support. It was further suggested that one window facilitation for economic zones be made in place under one authority represented by all the concerned ministries to make the country as an investment friendly destination.

Private sector representatives further recommended that RMB transactions should be facilitated for bilateral trade and investment with China. In ad-

dition to business visas, facilitation in getting work visas for foreign experts be enhanced.

Furthermore, it was recommended that infrastructure development such as manufacturing of hardware in the IT sector would help to grow, expand, and boost the economy. Pakistani institutes may take advantage of Chinese advancement in the IT sector by ensuring transfer of technology.

Besides, it was highlighted that Thar, being a place of cheap and sustainable energy resources, could be an obvious choice for big industries such as petrochemical and naphtha crackers.

Industrial Cooperation is a vital part of CPEC, and the government should facilitate the expedite development of infrastructure in SEZs. More joint ventures should be established in SEZs to look for import substitutions and equal benefits offered to international players be extended to domestic investors. Financing for second phase of CPEC be provided by Pakistan side too in the shape of incentives.

The meeting, chaired by Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment, was attended by Minister of State/Chairman, Board of Investment Atif R. Bokhari, Chairman CPEC Authority Asim Saleem Bajwa, Secretary BOI Fareena Mazhar, members of the council and BOI’s officials.

Abdul Razak Dawood said that CPEC is moving to a new direction of industrial and agriculture devel-

opment which needs a bigger role in the private sector combined with technology companies.

Government would facilitate at the maximum level to ensure establishment of large-scale manufacturing units and information technology zones under CPEC, he said.

He further highlighted Pakistan’s potential in petrochemical, steel manufacturing and IT sectors, appreciating the recommendations provided by the members for development of projects in these sectors with the help of Chinese and other potential investors.

Chairman BOI, Aatif R. Bokhari said that the Government is fully committed to ensure a businessfriendly environment by providing competitive incentives to the industry. He informed that efforts are being made to achieve the efficiency in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) by placing one window operation matching with the global practices.

“Rashakai would be a model zone to be established, followed by Dhabeji which is uniquely placed and open for local and foreign investors equally” he added.

He further informed that efforts were made to develop SEZs in service sectors and approval was accorded to IT Zones to facilitate information technology and software development. Electronic vehicle and mobile phones manufacturing policies have been introduced and the same could be adopted for hardware manufacturing with support of the private sector, he stated.

LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

The Punjab government has decided to cancel the plots of those who have not installed industrial units by allotting plots in industrial estates since 1992. Provincial Minister for Industry and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal visited the Small Industrial Estate in Gujranwala here on Thursday, accompanied

by Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Omar Ashraf Mughal and members of the business community. The provincial minister visited all the four small industrial estates in Gujranwala and reviewed the progress on development works. On this occasion, the provincial minister announced that those who have been occupying plots in industrial estates since 1992 should immediately set up industrial units here or else their plots will be canceled. Sources in the industries department informed this scribe that different people had allotted lands in different industrial estates of Gujranwala for a long time but no industrial unit of any kind had been set up on them and no construction work had been started. Sources believed that at the time when people had allotted lands here, land rates were very low and people had invested in properties here, not to build industrial units.

According to sources, various investors thought that when the land became more expensive, the infrastructure improved and the place became more attractive to investors, they would sell it at a better price, but the government has now made a policy that anyone who buys land in an industrial estate will, in any case, have to set up an industrial unit there and if he needs to sell the land, he will not only sell the land but will have to sell the entire unit. Now that people have land but industrial zones are not being settled, the minister was given a detailed briefing and it was decided that those who do not set up industrial units for a certain period of time will have their allotment cancelled.

A briefing was also given to the provincial minister by the management of Small Industrial Estate in which it was informed that Small Industrial Estate Four is being constructed on an area of 150 acres and industrial plots ranging from 5 marlas to 44 acres are available and construction is in the final stages of completion. The minister also directed to speed up the development work in the industrial estates “Full settlement of industrial estates is the policy of the government. Completion of the project will boost local industry and the establishment of industrial units in all the four small industrial estates will boost trade and economic activities in the area and create new employment opportunities for the people. No NOC has been issued for setting up a new cement plant in the province since 2010. The present government has limited the issuance process of NOCs to 90 days and so far 10 NOCs have been issued.

With the establishment of new cement plants in the province, billions of rupees are going to be invested here. The government attaches great importance to Gujranwala industry.

Sialkot Motorway Gujranwala Link Road will also be constructed,” Iqbal said.

Staff members work at the construction site of the Qingyang Railway Station along the Yinchuan-Xi'an high-speed railway in Qingyang City, northwest China's Gansu Province.

Freelancer training centres to be set up in KP PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB), Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and five universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have signed multiple agreements for the establishment of National Freelance Training Program (NFTP) centers and the expansion of National Incubation Centers (NICs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a press release, the NFTP centers will be established in University of Malakand, Institute of

Management Sciences Peshawar and Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan while NICs will be established in Kohat University of Science and Technology and University of Swat.

The MoU signing ceremony was held in Islamabad. Advisor to Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Science and Information Technology Ziaullah Bangash was the chief guest of the ceremony. Special Assistant to CM KP on Information and PRs and Higher Education Kamran Bangash, Member Provincial Assembly Fasial Amin Gandapur, Federal Secretary on MoITT Shoaib Ahmad Saddiqui, Man-

aging Director KPITB Dr. Sahibzada Ali Mahmud, Director KPITB Asim Jamsheed, Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor & Vice Chancellors from the aforementioned universities also attended the ceremony. KPITB, PITB and the partner universities signed the MoUs. While addressing the event, Bangash stated that youth are the agents of change and transformation of any nation. He added that investing in the nation’s youth will open new avenues of economic stability through digital transformation. He added that this partnership will prove to be a stepping

stone towards the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan – a digitally resilient Pakistan.

PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor said that the National Freelance Training Program aims to reduce unemployment by providing hands on freelance training to 22,800 individuals through 20 centers across Pakistan. Out of these, three centers in KP will train 1,350 individuals annually to monetize their skills through internet-based freelancing. He stated that National Expansion of NICs will strive towards establishing an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.

DALFA demands milk price to be fixed on basis of fat LAHORE HASSAN NAQVI

Harris Ali Mithani, head of the Dairy, Agriculture and Livestock Farmers Association (DALFA), said on Thursday that despite being the world’s fourth-largest milk producer, the growing problem of malnutrition among young children in Pakistan is a national tragedy. Due to rising inflation in Pakistan and the rapidly declining purchasing power of the people, it is becoming more and more difficult for the poor and low-income class to get a blessing like milk.

Unfortunately, despite being self-sufficient in milk production, the rate of stunting due to malnutrition in children under five years of age in Pakistan is 38pc while in Sindh it is 50pc in 4 out of 10 children are malnourished in Pakistan.

MITHANI SAYS CONSUMERS TO GET PURE, QUALITY MILK AT RS100 TO RS120 PER LITRE BY FIXING MILK PRICES ON 'RATE AS PER FAT' FORMULA According to Mithani, the Dairy, Agriculture and Livestock Farmers’ Association is a representative innovative organization representing farmers in Pakistan’s agriculture, livestock and dairy sector. DALFA seeks to alleviate the problems faced by farmers in Pakistan’s agriculture, livestock and dairy sectors, as well as to alleviate the plight of the inflation-stricken people.

Dairy, Agriculture and Livestock Farmers Association have decided to introduce a system of the wholesale and retail price of milk in proportion to the fat content of milk,

offering a lasting solution to this long-standing problem of the people and farmers.

In the outdated system of milk prices, the price of standard and substandard milk is fixed at the same price, which on the one hand leads to losses for hard-working farmers who produce high-quality milk by investing a lot of efforts and money, on the other hand, substandard milk selling at a fixed price exploits the public.

Mithani said to provide a solid solution to this problem, the farmers have agreed on the proposal to sell milk in terms of fat ratio.

CMYK

Comprehensive recommendations for the implementation of this proposal will be submitted to the Sindh Government and the city administration soon so that the aggrieved farmers can get relief due to the people who are suffering from inflation and are not getting a fair price in terms of cost and labour.

The easy solution is to sell milk at an unofficial price, but the people have to bear the brunt of this in the form of inflation.

Mithani suggested to the city administration that in terms of the current cost, 5pc fat milk can be sold at Rs 3840 per maund, out of which 3.150 kg cream can be obtained, 5.5pc fat milk can be sold at Rs4224 per maund out of which 3.465 kg of cream will be obtained. Similarly, milk with 6pc fat can be sold at Rs4608 per maund out of which 3.780kg cream can be extracted. Milk with 6.5pc fat can be sold at Rs4992 per maund

from which 4.095 kg cream can be extracted.

He maintained that dairy farmers have agreed to sell buffalo milk at 5pc fat and cow’s milk at 3.5pc fat as per Sindh Food Authority standards and provincial laws so that farmers can offset their rising cost from rising commodity prices.

He said by fixing the price of milk as per fat ratio the consumers can get fresh and healthy milk at the price of Rs100 to Rs120 per litre. If the suggested formula of “rate as per fat” is implemented there will be no need for “continuous increase in the price of milk.” he added.

Fat based mechanism of price determination will be a win-win situation for all stakeholders including farmers, fat brokers, shopkeepers and consumers. It will set the “quality” only criteria of selling fresh milk in the market, Mithani concluded.

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS At least 15 dead in delays at South Africa-Zimbabwe border: report JOHANNESBURG AGENCIES

At least 15 people have died in recent weeks on the South African side of the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe in lengthy queues that have been slowed by coronavirus screening, television news channel eNCA said on Friday.

The health ministry, Department of Home Affairs and South African police Local did not respond immediately to the agency’s requests on Friday for confirmation of fatalities that local media outlets attributed to exhaustion and ill health owing to a lack of facilities while waiting to cross the border, sometimes for days. Images and videos on local news channels and circulated on social media showed lines of stationary cars, mainly trucks, stretching for kilometres on the narrow road leading to the inland Beitbridge port that serves as the main crossing point between the countries, and is more busy than usual at this time of year because of a seasonal return of migrants to Zimbabwe. South Africa, which the United Nations says is host to an estimated 1.5 million Zimbabwean migrants, is suffering a second wave of Covid-19 infections. Authorities suspect the surge in cases has been triggered by a genetic mutation of the disease. Total positive cases are now near the 1 million mark, by far the most on the continent. Asked about the border delays in an interview on news channel eNCA, the director-general of South Africa’s Health Department, Sandile Buthelezi, said that coronavirus screening for outgoing traffic had now been suspended but proof of a negative Covid-19 test performed within 30 days would be required upon re-entry. “The main backlog was outgoing trucks. We do not require a test when you are going out of the country,” Buthelezi said.

Ethiopia sets national election for mid-2021 ADDIS ABABA AGENCIES

Ethiopia will hold a parliamentary election on June 5, 2021, the National Electoral Board said on Friday, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to quell outbreaks of deadly political and ethnic violence in several regions. Abiy’s Prosperity Party, a pan-Ethiopian movement he founded a year ago, faces challenges from increasingly strident ethnically-based parties seeking more power for their regions. Africa’s second most populous nation has a federal system and 10 regional governments, many of whom have border disputes or face low-level unrest. In the northern Tigray region, thousands of people are believed to have died and 950,000 have fled their homes since fighting between regional forces and the federal government erupted on November 4. Tigray held its own elections in September in defiance of the federal government, which declared the polls illegal. The election board said its calendar for next year’s polls does not include an election in Tigray. It said it would announce a date for elections there once the interim government established during the conflict is able to support the opening of election offices there. For nearly three decades until Abiy’s appointment, Ethiopia was ruled by a coalition of four ethnically-based movements dominated by the party from Tigray. That administration ruled in an increasingly autocratic fashion until Abiy took power in 2018 following years of bloody anti-government street protests. The initial months after Abiy’s appointment saw a rush of political and economic reforms, including the release of tens of thousands of political prisoners. Last year Abiy merged three of the old parties to form the Prosperity Party only the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) refused to join. Voter registration will take place from March 1 to 30, the election board said. Abiy’s peace deal with Ethiopia’s archenemy Eritrea helped earn him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.

But loosening the government’s iron grip was also followed by outbreaks of violence as regional powerbrokers jostled for resources and power. On Thursday, Abiy said he was sending forces to the western Benishangul-Gumuz region, which borders Sudan, the day after unidentified attackers torched homes and killed more than 100 people in a village there.

There is also a long-running insurgency in Oromiya region, Ethiopia’s most populous region. The Oromo Liberation Front, an opposition party from the Oromiya region which was once declared a terrorist movement before it was unbanned by Abiy, said on December 12 that the government was using the prospect of an election to divert attention away from the myriad security problems. “Even though the ruling party wants to conceal the existing problems and divert attention towards the national election, it is obvious that the country has descended into complex security crises and political catastrophes,” it said

IN CHrIStMAS MESSAgE CurbEd by CovId-19, PoPE CAllS oN NAtIoNS to SHArE vACCINES VATICAN CITY AGENCIES

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OPE Francis in his Christmas message on Friday said political and business leaders must not allow market forces and patent laws to take priority over making Covid-19 vaccines available to all, condemning nationalism and “the virus of radical individualism”.

In a sign of the times, Francis delivered his message virtually from a lectern inside the Vatican instead of from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica before tens of thousands.

The pandemic and its social and economic effects dominated the message, in which Francis called for global unity and help for nations suffering from conflicts and humanitarian crises.

“At this moment in history, marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances only worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one

another as brothers and sisters,” he said.

Stressing that health is an international issue, he appeared to criticise so-called ‘vaccine nationalism’, which UN officials fear will worsen the pandemic if poor nations receive the vaccine last.

“I beg everyone, heads of state, companies and international organisations to promote cooperation and not competition, to find a solution for everyone - vaccines for all - especially for the most vulnerable and needy in all areas of the planet,” he said.

“The most vulnerable and needy must be first,” he said, in the Vatican’s Hall of the Benedictions, with only about 50 Vatican staff wearing masks sitting along the long walls.

“We cannot put ourselves before others, putting market forces and patent laws before the laws of love and the health of humanity,” he said. “We cannot let closed nationalisms block us from living like the true human family that we are.”

Francis also appeared to criticise people who have refused to wear masks because it violates their

freedom, an attitude that has become widespread in nations such as the United States.

“And neither can we allow the virus of radical individualism to triumph over us and make us indifferent to the suffering of other brothers and sisters,” he said.

Italians are under a nationwide lockdown for much of the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

The restrictions mean people are not able to go to St. Peter’s Square or the basilica for papal events, all of which have been moved indoors.

Christmas is above all a time to help others, Francis said on Thursday night at his Christmas Eve Mass, which started two hours early so the few participants could get home in time before a 10 p.m. curfew.

He then called for peace and reconciliation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Sudan, Nigeria and Cameroon and Iraq, which he is due to visit in early March.

He also asked to comfort those suffering from humanitarian crises or natural disasters in Burkina Fasso, Mali, Niger, the Philippines and Vietnam.

India's Modi calls farmer protests over contested laws politically motivated Hundreds protest against Nepali PM's sudden dissolution of parliament KATHMANDU AGENCIES

MUMBAI AGENCIES

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that protests by farmers against three laws brought by his government were politically motivated, as he touted the success of an agricultural scheme launched last year.

Thousands of farmers from several Indian states have been camped on the outskirts of New Delhi for over a month, blocking highways to demand that Modi’s government repeal the farm laws passed in September that they say threaten their livelihoods.

But Modi’s virtual public address on Friday was not focused on the laws under contention.

Instead, he spoke via video

conferencing to seven farmers from different states, asking them how they had benefited from ‘PM Kisan’ - a cash transfer scheme his government launched in February, 2019, under which farmers get minimum income support.

The farmers Modi spoke with on Friday praised his scheme - but none were among the thousands who have been protesting.

Modi repeatedly said “some people” were spreading lies and rumours about farmers’ troubles, and dismissed the protests as motivated by political opponents.

“All these people who are protesting in support of farmers, what they did when they were in power?” he said, referring to opposition politicians. “Those with political motives...are firing the

gun from the farmers’ shoulders.”

Modi also said he was open to discussions with farmers. “I ask even those opposing me, that my government is ready to talk to them on farmer issues...I urge our farmers to not be misled by anyone.”

At least six rounds of talks between Modi’s government and farmer leaders on the new laws have failed.

Modi used his address to also to take a dig at his political rivals, chiefly the fiery leader of the eastern state of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, ahead of legislative assembly elections in the state in 2021. Modi alleged that Banerjee’s government was not allowing the farmers in its state to benefit from Modi’s federal scheme.

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli faced a fresh political challenge on Friday as hundreds of opponents protested against his sudden move to dissolve parliament and call elections more than a year ahead of the schedule. Three former prime ministers joined hundreds of activists who sat on a road near Oli’s office demanding he reverse the decisions announced on Sunday, which have triggered deep political unrest in the Himalayan nation just as it grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic. The ex-premiers said Oli had no power to dissolve parliament and that he had violated the constitution. “We will organise stronger protests against this dissolution by an unrestrained prime minister,” said Prachanda, one former prime minister. Oli has rejected their demands and vowed to press ahead with parliamentary elections next year, on April 30 and May 10. It is not uncommon for Nepali polls to take place over two days.

The prime minister has lost support within his ruling party this year, with some senior members accusing him of sidelining them in making decision and key appointments, and calling for him to step down. Oli says internal squabbling and a lack of cooperation from his party has paralysed decision-making, forcing him to seek a fresh popular mandate. The Supreme Court is hearing more than a dozen petitions challenging Oli’s dissolution of parliament and calling of early elections. It has given the government until January 3 to provide reasons for the dissolution, said court Bhadrakali Pokharel.

Erdogan says Turkey would like better ties with Israel, Palestinian policy still ‘red line’ ANKARA AGENCIES

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey would like to have better ties with Israel, but criticised Israeli policy toward Palestinians as “unacceptable” and a “red line” for Ankara, adding that intelligence talks resumed between the two sides.

The two countries have had a bitter falling out in recent years, despite strong commercial ties, expelling ambassadors in 2018. Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel’s occupation

in the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians. Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul, Erdogan said Turkey had issues with “people at the top level” in Israel and that ties could have been “very different” if it were not for those issues.

“The Palestine policy is our red line. It is impossible for us to accept Israel’s Palestine policies. Their merciless acts there are unacceptable,” Erdogan said.

“If there were no issues at the top level, our ties could have been very different,” he added. “We would like to bring our ties to a

better point.” Turkey and Israel, former allies, expelled each other’s top diplomats in 2018 over clashes when dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on the Gaza border. Ankara and Tel Aviv continue to trade with one another.

In August, Israel accused Turkey of giving passports to a dozen Hamas members in Istanbul, describing the move as “a very unfriendly step”, which his government would raise with Turkish officials.

Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in

2007, and the group has fought three wars with Israel since then. Turkey says Hamas is a legitimate political movement that was elected democratically.

Israel, which has formalised ties with four Muslim countries this year, said on Wednesday it was working towards normalising ties with a fifth Muslim nation, possibly in Asia. Tunisia said on Tuesday it did not intend to normalise ties.

Ankara has slammed the US-brokered rapprochements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and

Morocco, with Erdogan previously threatening to suspend diplomatic ties with the UAE and withdraw its envoy. It also slammed Bahrain’s decision to formalise ties as a blow to efforts to defend the Palestinian cause.

Palestinians have censured the US-brokered deals, seeing a betrayal of a long-standing demand that Israel first meet their statehood demand. Egypt and Israel established full relations in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Israel will hold a snap election in March after parliament failed on Tuesday to meet a deadline to pass a budget.

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

SPORTS 11

CoaCh BoUChER ConFidEnt SoUth aFRiCa Can BEat SRi Lanka in tESt SERiES CAPE TOWN

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AGENCIES

OUTH AFRICAN coach Mark Boucher believes his team is capable of defeating Sri Lanka in the two-Test series, which starts in Centurion on Saturday (today).

“We are in a rebuilding phase and we have got some youngsters around but we are playing in conditions that suit us better than the opposition,” said Boucher on Friday. “If we hit our straps and execute the plans we’ve put in place I think we will give ourselves a very good chance to win against them.”

Sri Lanka have won their most recent four Tests against South Africa, including a shock 2-0 series win on their tour two seasons ago. “I did not watch a lot of it,” Boucher said of the 2018-19 series, “but it is something we can channel to our advantage. We cannot just coast into this as a team.”

South Africa have a strong record at Centurion, which includes wins in all four previous Tests against Sri

Fanless games resemble training sessions, says Manchester United's Matic BELGRADE: Premier League matches without fans in attendance look like blueprint copies of each other and resemble training sessions, Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic told Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti on Friday.

No supporters were allowed to watch games when the league resumed in June following the shutdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Up to 2,000 fans were permitted to attend matches this month in some areas of the country, but a resurgence in Covid-19 cases means Liverpool and Everton are the only Premier League clubs who will be allowed to welcome fans from Saturday (today). “It is come down to having games which all look like carbon copies of each other resembling training sessions with no fans in the stadiums,” Matic said. “The coronavirus pandemic has made the circumstances much different and I am sure that Liverpool would never have lost to Aston Villa 7-2 if fans had been present. “Football has survived, the league is in motion but I sorely miss the noise and the reaction from the terraces.” Serbian Matic said winning the league title with United would be a dream come true after lifting the trophy twice with Chelsea in 2015 and 2017. “It would certainly amount to making another dream a reality after winning two titles at Chelsea,” he said. “If we enjoyed a slice of good fortune and clinched the Premier League title, it would be on par with what I accomplished at Chelsea. I am in good shape and hope to carry on playing at the top level for another four or five years.” AGENCIES

Lanka at the venue. Boucher said there were “a couple of niggles” involving fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Glenton Stuurman that would delay the final selection of a playing eleven.

Both came through intensive training on Thursday without any apparent problems but Boucher said they would need to be assessed after a night’s rest. Sri Lanka also have an injury concern, with Suranga Lakmal nursing a hamstring strain. Lakmal was described by coach Mickey Arthur earlier in the week as “the leader of our attack”.

Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne told journalists on Thursday that he believed his team could match South Africa in the quality of their pace bowling.

“If you look at pace, we are about equal,” he said. “I think the batsmen will be the difference. Whoever has the better batting side has a good chance of winning the series.” Both teams are staying at a country club near Pretoria within easy driving distance of the Test venues in Centurion and Johannesburg. With a surge in Covid19 infections in South Africa, both Tests will be played without spectators.

India's Rahane determined to be his own man after Virat Kohli exit MELBOURNE AGENCIES

Ajinkya Rahane has soaked up regular skipper Virat Kohli’s parting words but is determined to be his own man as he takes charge for India’s last three matches against Australia, the 32-yearold said on Friday.

Kohli returned home to attend the birth of his first child after the tourists were thrashed inside three days in the day-night series opener in Adelaide.

Rahane’s composure is in stark contrast to Kohli’s animated presence but the middle-order batsman drew inspiration from his experience of leading India to a Test victory against Australia

LONDON: Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker have tested positive for Covid-19, the Premier League club said on Friday. Two other City staff members have also tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and all four are self-isolating.

"Everyone at the club wishes our colleagues a speedy recovery over the Christmas period ahead of their return to work, training and competition," City said in a statement here.

City, eighth in the league table, host Newcastle United on Saturday (today) before visiting Everton on Monday. AGENCIES

“Personally, I stay calm and cool but my batting is generally aggressive.

I back my instinct, it is all about playing as a team from tomorrow [Saturday].”

Asked if Kohli had any parting message for the team, Rahane said, “We had a team dinner in Adelaide, and he spoke to all of us - about being positive, just playing to our strengths and playing as a unit.” Compared to Kohli’s hands-on captaincy, Rahane’s leadership is more democratic and the Mumbai player confirmed he would not station himself at mid-off and spoon-feed his bowlers. “I generally stand a gully, even as a captain, so you will see me standing at gully tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

A month after quarantine, Afghan’s Zahir to play first match SYDNEY AGENCIES

Man City's Jesus and Walker test positive for Covid-19

in a 2017 Test. “Backing your instincts as a captain, remaining calm under pressure, backing your own strength, your own methods...I really learnt a lot during that Test match,” Rahane said on the eve of the Boxing Day match from Saturday (today).

“Obviously it is a great opportunity, responsibility as well. I do not want to put myself under pressure.” In Kohli’s absence, Rahane faces an unenviable task against a buoyant Australia side seeking to avenge their first ever Test series loss to India two years ago.

Rahane, who also led India to victory in Afghanistan’s debut Test in 2018, said his composure should not be mistaken for lack of aggression.

After nearly a month-long quarantine, Melbourne Stars and Afghanistan import Zahir Khan will see his first action of the Big Bash Twenty20 league on Saturday (today).

The 22-year-old left-arm leg-spinner will play for the Stars against the Sydney Sixers in a grand final rematch, which Sydney won last season by 19 runs. The coronavirus pandemic hit at a bad time for Afghanistan cricket and the team has not played a match in any format since March. In that time, one-off Tests against Ireland and Australia were called off, with the Australia match now scheduled for the start of next summer Down Under. “Everyone in Afghanistan is very excited about that Test,” Zahir

told Australian Associated Press. “It is hard because every player needs to play a high standard of games against big teams. Our team does not have that much experience in Test cricket, so we need more games in Tests.”

Zahir says Afghanistan will also play Tests in 2021 against Zimbabwe and Ireland. Afghanistan’s team, includes regular BBL names Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Zahir.

They have one-day international series against Ireland next month, meaning Zahir’s time in Australia could be curtailed, if selected for the Ireland series. He also could have started playing earlier, if not for having to restart his quarantine after Mujeeb tested positive to the virus after three days in quarantine. “It felt like a long time in there,”

Zahir said. “When (Mujeeb’s) test came back positive, someone called me from health and said you have to do three more days because you met with Mujeeb. So I said: “OK, no problems. It is very hard but the rule is the rule.”

“I just enjoyed the time with the home gym. Otherwise I was just sitting there waiting to finish.” Zahir believes he learned a lot from bowling on Australian wickets last season, taking eight wickets and going at just 6.58 runs per over for the Brisbane Heat. He became a key signing for coach David Hussey’s Stars after a strong Caribbean Premier League performance. “We signed him as one of the world’s best leg-spinners,” Hussey said. “He bowls a lot of googlies and most importantly tries to take wickets all the time . . . he plays to take wickets and celebrate in style.”

Lampard seeks improvement at Chelsea to make them title contenders LONDON AGENCIES

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said he is pleased with the progress made by his team in the Premier League so far this season, but has called for further improvement in their quest to become genuine title contenders.

The London side are fifth in the table with 25 points from 14 games, two points behind second-placed Leicester City

ahead of Saturday’s (today) trip to local rivals Arsenal who have slipped to 15th after a poor start.

“I am happy but we always want more as managers,” Lampard told Sky Sports on Thursday.

“The reality is at the start of the season, we had some new players while others were missing, and we lacked a pre-season.

Looking at our early results, we saw some good and some not-so-good performances.

“We then went on a good run which

saw a lot of improvement, so I am pretty happy but we want more. We want to be challenging for titles, but we have to accept that it is step by step. We have made some steps, but we have the potential to make a lot more.”

Chelsea have lost their previous two away games - at Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers - and are hoping to avoid a third straight league defeat on the road for the first time since February last year.

“This season has shown most teams

CMYK

have had difficult moments and a large part of that comes down to preparation. Preparation for the season is something we did not have. We must not get too far ahead of ourselves or too far down the line,” Lampard said.

“We have to think of the short-term and the games in front of us and not be reactionary after defeats last week or even wins and our unbeaten run. It is about making continual improvement and that is important for focus.”

Former England batsman Edrich dies aged 83 LONDON: Former England batsman John Edrich, who made more than 100 first-class centuries, has died at the age of 83, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. Edrich scored more than 5,000 runs for England during a 77-match Test career, including 12 centuries. The former Surrey captain notched 103 hundreds and more than 39,000 runs in first-class cricket. “With John’s passing, we have lost a prolific and fearless batsman – one of the select few who have scored more than 5,000 runs for England,” ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said in a statement.

“His duels with some of the world’s best fast bowlers were legendary, and it is a testament to his ability that his 310 not out against New Zealand in 1965 remains the fifth highest Test score by an English batsman.

“He will be sadly missed, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.” Edrich made his Test debut against West Indies in 1963, ending his career at the highest level against the same opposition in 1976. Former England all-rounder Ian Botham led the tributes. “Very sad news today [Friday] to wake up on Christmas Day and to be told that John Edrich has passed away,” Botham said on Twitter. “A wonderful man who I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with... RIP.” Former England and Surrey batsman Mark Butcher said: “A Test triple-centurion and Surrey Cricket legend.

RIP.” Edrich played in the first-ever one-day international, against Australia at Melbourne in 1971, hitting the first boundary, making the first half-century and being named manof-the-match. AGENCIES

Russia's Shirokov sentenced to community service after assault on referee MOSCOW: A Moscow court on Friday sentenced Roman Shirokov, the former captain of the Russian men’s national soccer team, to 100 hours of community service over an assault on a referee, the Interfax news agency reported. The 39year-old, who was taking part in an amateur tournament in August, was angry when referee Nikita Danchenko refused to award him a penalty after he was challenged in the area, footage from the incident showed.

Danchenko sent Shirokov off, prompting the midfielder to punch and kick the official. Shirokov, who played most of his career at Zenit St Petersburg and earned 57 caps for the national team, apologised to Danchenko after the incident. “I am well aware that not being assigned a penalty kick and then being shown a red card cannot be a reason to raise my fists,” Shirokov, who retired in 2016, wrote on Instagram.

Shirokov is not the only Russian professional soccer player to have had runins with the law in recent years. AGENCIES

Saturday, 26 December, 2020

PrAyEr TImINGS

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New coroNAvirus strAiN Not DetecteD iN PAkistAN yet: HeAltH MiNistry ISLAMABAD

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HE Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Friday emphasised that the new strain of coronavirus, identified in Britain, has not made it to Pakistan yet.

In a statement issued on Twitter, the ministry said the situation in Pakistan is being closely monitored and all the passengers arriving from the United Kingdom are being evaluated. “As of today, no such variant of the SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in Pakistan,” it said. “The National Institute of Health is sensitive and on alert regarding this new strain for timely detection and address.”

On December 21, Pakistan banned the entry of passengers from the UK into Pakistan over fears concerning the highly infectious new coronavirus strain. A slew of countries closed their borders to Britain, suspending travel for Britons after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that a mutated

variant of the virus had been identified in the country. The decision to ban travel from the UK was taken by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on a day when the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled all flights to and from Saudi Arabia. “Temporary restriction is being put in place on inbound travellers from the UK (whether direct or indirect) into Pakistan to be effective from midnight Dec 22 until Dec 29,” the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in its notification.

Meanwhile, at least two people who recently travelled to Pakistan from the UK have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) while reports of 25 others are awaited.

KP Health Secretary Imtiaz Hussain Shah said that a total of 149 passengers recently arrived in the province from the UK – 44 out of whom have been traced along with 32 of their contacts. Another 54 passengers have been identified across seven districts including Peshawar, Swabi and Nowshera, and the district administration

has been directed to trace them.

The government has been unable to trace 46 people because they provided incorrect residential addresses. Shah said four people tested negative in the first round of testing.

The two Covid-19 patients were identified in Peshawar and Abbottabad and are currently under quarantine. Shah said further tests will be conducted at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad which will determine the nature of the strain.

After the British government officially announced the detection of the mutation, many countries, including Pakistan, have imposed travel bans on the UK. Meanwhile, coronavirus has infected 2,152 people and claimed 85 more lives, taking the death toll to 9,753, during the past 24 hours, said NCOC on Friday.

Senior Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan (MQM-P) leader Amir Khan is among the 2,152 people infected during the last 24 hours. After being diagnosed with the Covid-19, Amir Khan has quarantined himself at his residence and has appealed

to masses and the party workers to pray for his recovery. The second wave of the Covid19 has claimed several lives of people belonging to various walks of life including, journalists, politicians, and judges, and others. On November 30, MQM-P leader and former provincial minister Sindh Muhammad Adil Siddiqui died due to complications caused by the novel coronavirus.

According to the NCOC, with fresh inclusion of 2,152 infections in the country, the national tally of cases now currently stands at 467,222. A total of 1,824 patients have recovered from the virus during the last 24 hours and 2,382 patients are in critical condition. The total count of active cases currently stands at 38,511.

A total of 39,435 tests were conducted across the country during the last 24 hours while 6,482,889 samples have been tested thus far. Overall 418,958 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far.

Meanwhile, Punjab health authorities recorded 471 new coronavirus cases, taking the provincial tally to 134,345. At least 48

‘Potency miscalculation’: AstraZeneca, Oxford claim their vaccine is 90pc effective. Internal documents suggest otherwise AGENCIES On June 5, researchers at the University of Oxford quietly made a change to a late-stage clinical trial of their Covid-19 vaccine.

In an amendment noted in a document marked “confidential”, they said they were adding a new group of participants. The adjustment might seem minor in a large-scale study. But it masked a mistake that would have potentially far-reaching consequences: Many of the United Kingdom trial subjects had inadvertently been given only about a half dose of the vaccine.

The new volunteers would now receive the correct dose. The trial continued. Much was riding on the Oxford vaccine, a British-led endeavour also involving UK drugs firm AstraZeneca. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government was desperate for a success story after its early mishandling of the pandemic contributed to one of the world’s highest death tolls from Covid-19

— around 65,000 by mid-December. The government has secured 100 million doses.

On Nov 23, Oxford and AstraZeneca delivered positive news. They announced that the regimen of a half dose followed by a full dose booster appeared to be 90 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19.

Two full doses scored 62pc. Oxford researchers have said they aren’t certain why the half-dose regimen was much more effective. Johnson called the vaccine team and tweeted his thanks “for their brilliant work”. He went on, “These results are incredibly encouraging and a major step forward in our fight against Covid-19.”

Oxford and AstraZeneca are now hoping for quick authorisation by Britain’s regulator. But questions about the trial and the results won’t go away.

Some experts say the dosing discrepancy raises doubts about the robustness of the study’s findings. And they worry about another acknowledged peculiarity of the study: The half-dose regimen wasn’t tested on any-

one over 55 — the group considered at high risk from Covid-19. In contrast, a vaccine produced by Pfizer/BioNTech was tested on thousands of people over 65, with the efficacy of 94 per cent.

John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, said there needed to be a better understanding of how the Oxford trial unfolded. “When you get corporate and academic scientists saying different things, it doesn’t give you the impression of confidence in what they’re doing,” he told Reuters. “Was the dosing thing a mistake or not?” Now a Reuters review of hundreds of pages of clinical trial records, as well as interviews with scientists and industry figures, provides the most detailed account to date of what went wrong with the dosing in the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine study. The review found that Oxford researchers were responsible for what their own clinical trial documents called “a potency miscalculation”.

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people succumbed to the virus. The death toll stands at 3,831.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, two more patients succumbed to Covid-19 during the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 101. According to health officials, five more people contracted the disease as the tally reached 4,843.

They further said that 22 more patients recovered from the disease, taking the total to 4,671 In Sindh, at least 915 new coronavirus cases emerged at 7.8 per cent positivity rate during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 209,429. According to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, 22 more people succumbed to the deadly virus as the death toll reached 3,462. As many as 705 more patients recovered, taking the total to 186,353.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan has said that the government will prefer to import Covid-19 vaccine based on transparent scientific research data.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that six major international pharmaceutical companies are at the forefront of developing the coronavirus vaccine, but the company that will present scientific research data in a transparent manner will be contacted in this regard.

The special assistant on health said that providing low cost and quality vaccines to the people is a target, however, it is important to be completely safe instead of low cost. Dr Faisal made it clear that there will be no compromise on the quality of the vaccine.

Pakistan needs $6bn for water supply, sanitation: ADB ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs around $6 billion annual investment for water supply and sanitation in the country, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reported. According to the projected annual investment needs for water supply and sanitation, the projected investment would account for around 2.3 per cent to the country’s GDP. The report titled Asian Water Development Outlook 2020, advancing water security across Asia and Pacific, maintained that the total annual estimated investment required over 2015-2030 to achieve universal access to safely managed water supply and sanitation services in Asia and the Pacific amounts to $198bn per year.

This estimate, which includes capital, maintenance, and operation costs, is based on the World Bank figures derived from the gap in access to services as of 2015 and the cost of connecting those without access, as well as improving the level of service for those with access to reach Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2. The report added that China ($60bn per year) and India ($22bn per year) have the highest annual investment needs for water supply and sanitation. It also illustrates that, except for a few notable outliers (Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan), most ADB members have to allocate 1-2pc of GDP to invest in water supply and sanitation infrastructure during 20152030, based on growth forecasts. The report further argues that improving water security in Asia and the Pacific requires huge investments for 2021 to 2030.

Funding these investments is an issue rising on the political agenda. Besides social and environmental reasons to improve water security, there is also a compelling economic case for water investments.

Water risks must be assessed and controlled to lessen economic impacts. AGENCIES

Artists seek to save abandoned houses and buildings from Gaza’s history GAZA: The grand, 500-year-old brick walls of the alKamalaia School slowly emerged from years of accumulated garbage as grassroots preservers began the long process of restoring it to its former glory.

Located in the heart of the old quarter of Gaza City, the Mamluk-era building is one of an ever-dwindling number of historic structures at risk of demolition. “It was in a very difficult, pitiful state. It was a dump,” said Abdullah al-Ruzzi, an artist and leading volunteer.

Al-Ruzzi and other artists launched the Mobaderoon, or Initiators, programme, seeking to save abandoned houses and buildings from two periods of Gaza’s history: the Mamluk Sultanate and the subsequent Ottoman Empire. In the old section of the Palestinian enclave, fewer than 200 houses from these eras are partially or entirely standing, according to tourist officials. They are threatened by neglect, decay or even demolition by new urban development. “Lack of public awareness and the economic considerations by owners are the greatest threats to these buildings,” said Ahmed al-Astal, director of Iwan, the history and heritage institute of Gaza’s Islamic University. “These houses are our identity, but ignorance leads to their destruction.” Because the Gaza Strip is small, with 2 million people living in just 300 square kilometres, the experts and volunteers fear that structures of past centuries will disappear, like those from far more ancient civilisations. 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