Thursday, 3 December, 2020 I 16 Rabi al-Akhir, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 154 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
Imran announces unIversal health coverage for gB as PtI takes charge g
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pm promises sehat insaf card worth rs1m for medical treatment, construction of a hospital in skardu
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says govt in talks with foreign companies to unlock region’s great tourism potential
takes jibe at ‘stressed’ dar for ‘lying’ in bbc interview
GILGIT sTaff rePorT
P
rime minister imran khan on wednesday announced universal health coverage for the people of gilgit-baltistan as his pakistan tehreek-e-insaf (pti) assumed power in the region after registering a victory in the recent election. the announcement was made in a speech delivered after the premier's arrival in the region to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the 14-member cabinet. gb governor raja jalal hussain maqpoon administered the oath. addressing the ceremony, pm imran, while congratulating the new cabinet, expressed the hope that the new government would set a "new tradition" and give a governance system that "sets new standards".
he said that the pti's flagship healthcare scheme, sehat insaf card, would soon be launched in gb, offering rs1,000,000 in health insurance to every household. the amount will enable citizens to receive medical treatment at any hospital -- both public and private, he added. “i know your area. i know your problems,” the premier said. he also congratulated the cabinet and chief minister khalid khurshid on assuming a “difficult duty to serve the masses”. discussing the tourism potential of the region, imran said: "no prime minister in pakistan has seen this region the way i have," and asserted that he was acutely aware of the issues being faced by the people of gb. he said that as a regular visitor to the region prior to becoming prime minister, he was well aware of the "great tourism poten-
coronavIrus In
PakIstan
CONFIRMED CASES:
403,311
LAST UPDATED AT 7:35 AM ON DECEMBER 2, 2020
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
75
RECOVERED:
NEW CASES:
2,829 DEATHS:
345,365 8,166 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
175,642
120,356
KP:
BALOCHISTAN:
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
47,701
17,215
6,982/4,667 30,748
tial". “in the summers, you see a tsunami of tourists; hotels and rest houses fill up,” he said, noting that this had not thus far materialised during the harsh winter months. “last week, i met a major company from austria that specialises in skiing,” he said and recalled that switzerland’s tourism was primarily related to skiing. he said that the company had informed him that areas in gb witnessed 7-8 months of skiing weather. he disclosed that discussions were ongoing to bring this type of international tourist to the region during the winter months. “this will benefit pakistan through foreign exchange,” he added. the prime minister said that the government would provide loans on preferential terms to people wishing to adapt their homes to rest houses so they could profit off this tourism. pm imran said said that the government’s first step would be to commence work on providing the provisional provincial status he promised to the people of gb prior to the elections. “the people of this region should never feel they are not equal citizens of pakistan,” he further said and added the government would form committees that would be given timelines to implement the provisional provincial status. noting the people of gb knew best what kind of development was needed for their area, the premier said that this was part of the riyasat-e-medina, his model of the welfare state. “when we talk about riyasat-e-medina, the most important thing is prioritising the uplift of the underprivileged,” he said. referring to the ehsaas programme, he said that it was part of the government’s efforts to eradicate poverty, adding it would soon be launched in gb.
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Govt promises free vaccine as Covid-19 death toll surges g
75 die in 24 hours as 2,829 new cases surface ISLAMABAD TLTP
the parliamentary health secretary announced on wednesday that covid-19 vaccine will be provided to citizens free of cost, while the country witnessed the most singleday deaths due to covid-19 since july 9, as 75 people died in the last 24 hours, said the national command and operation centre (ncoc) on wednesday. the covid-19 vaccine, once procured, will be administered to citizens free of cost, parliamentary secretary for national health services regulations and coordination (nhsrc) dr nausheen hamid said. according to app, dr hamid, in an interview with a private news channel, said that a vaccine will be made available “once its efficacy is proved”. the coronavirus situation in the country is deteriorating with the fatality rate also increasing rapidly across pakistan. the country in the
Nawaz declared proclaimed offender in two corruption probes ISLAMABAD sTaff rePorT
the islamabad high court (ihc) on wednesday declared deposed prime minister and pakistan muslim league-nawaz (pml-n) supreme leader nawaz sharif proclaimed offender in al-azizia steel mills and avenfield house cases after he failed to show up despite repeated reminders. justice aamer farooq also announced to pass a short order regarding the proclamation of the convicted and in addition to issuing show-cause notices to his brother and pmln president shahbaz sharif who signed the surety deed, assuring his brother’s timely return. in july 2018, an accountability court handed sharif 10 years as jail time in the avenfield house case, related to the purchase of upscale apartments in london, and one year for not cooperating with the national accountability bureau (nab) during the probe. later in december, another accountability court handed him seven years and a $25 million penalty in the al-azizia steel mills reference wherein he was unable to prove the source of
income that had led to his ownership of a steel mill in saudi arabia. after spending a year in prison, sharif, 71, after securing a conditional bail in november 2019, travelled to london on the pretext of medical treatment and has since been residing there. his party insists that despite being summoned by the courts, who declared him a proclaimed offender earlier in separate corruption probes, the former premier will only return after the completion of his medical treatment.
during wednesday’s proceedings, the court recorded the statements of three witnesses and completed proceedings regarding the proclamation process. earlier in september, a high court bench issued his non-bailable arrest warrants after he failed to appear before the bench for hearing of his appeals against his conviction in al-azizia and avenfield cases. later, the bench started the process of declaring him an absconder and ordered authorities to publish the summons in british publications, summoning nawaz on november 24. the ihc at the time said if sharif did not appear in the court within 30 days after publication of the advertisement, he would be declared an absconder. it had also ordered the authorities concerned to paste the notice outside his london and lahore residences. nawaz, his daughter and pml-n vice president maryam nawaz and her husband captain (r) safdar awan were released from adiala jail on september 19, 2018, after an ihc judgement suspended their respective sentences in the avenfield reference.
last 24 hours reported at least 2,829 new covid-19 cases. according to the ncoc data, at least 35,197 people were tested, of whom 2,829 were diagnosed as positive for the coronavirus. the results take the country’s positivity rate to 8.04 per cent. so far, 8,166 people have succumbed to the virus in pakistan. meanwhile, 345,365 patients have recovered from the respiratory illness, of whom 2,079 have made a recovery in the last 24 hours. there are now 49,780 active cases in the country. the condition of 2,244 patients is reported critical in the country. according to the ncoc data, the number of coronavirus patients in sindh has reached 175,642, 120,356 in punjab, 47,701 in khyber pakhtunkhwa (kp), 30,748 in islamabad, 4,666 in gilgit-baltistan (gb) and 6,982 in azad jammu and kashmir (ajk).
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more inside
Former prime minister Zafarulllah Jamali passes away STORY ON PAGE 02
pm approves new civil servant rules to improve efficiency STORY ON PAGE 03
Lahore’s administration refuses permission for PDM rally STORY ON PAGE 03
afghan government, taliban announce breakthrough deal to pursue peace talks STORY ON BACK PAGE
02
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
NEWS
Former Prime minisTer ZaFaruLLLaH JamaLi Passes away
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NEWS DESK
Police, CTD arrest suspected militant from Charsadda CHARSADDA STAFF REPORT
ORMER prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who had been in critical condition and placed on a ventilator at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi, passed away at the age of 76. The news of his death was confirmed by his niece, Senator Sana Jamali. Multiple public servants, including Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen, Journalist Hamid Mir and others – took to Twitter to express their condolences to the family. For the last few days, he had been put on a ventilator in the Critical Care Unit of the hospital. Reportedly, the former prime minister will be laid to rest at his ancestral village, Rojhan Jamali. His body will be brought to his village via an aircraft. President Dr Arif Alvi had previously mistakenly tweeted that Jamali had passed away, and issued an apology for this on Twitter on Monday. Jamali had suffered a heart attack earlier and reportedly had been facing severe breathing issues. “I have deleted the tweet, based on wrong info with apologies to the family. Mir Zafarullah Jamali is on the ventilator. I talked to Omar Jamali who confirmed this. May Allah grant him immediate recovery.” Jamali, born on January 1, 1944, served as the premier from November 2002 until June 2004, and thrice served as chief minister of Balochistan.
The police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) during a joint operation on Wednesday arrested a suspected terrorist belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP). According to a superintendent of police (investigation), security forces not only arrested the suspect but also recovered two hand grenades and an AK-47 rifle from him. The official also said the accused has admitted to having taken part in multiple terrorist activities in the Mohmand and Charsadda districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “He confessed to martyring nine officers of the paramilitary forces (Khasadars) during different operations,” he said. “CTD Mardan has confirmed that more than seven cases have been registered against him in the past.” The SP added the terrorist had assisted suicide bombers in the Tangi Kachehri and Ghalani incidents, while he had also martyred a soldier of the Pakistan Army.
IHC extends time for India to appoint lawyer for captured spy NEWS DESK The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday has granted three more weeks for the Indian government to appoint counsel for the captured spy and agent of intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Kulbhushan Jadhav. Reportedly, this decision was taken at the request of the Indian High Commission and the new deadline for appointing the council is January 14, 2021. It is our responsibility to ensure a fair trial in the case, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said during the proceedings. According to the lawyer of the Indian High Commission, Barrister Shahnawaz, meetings are being held in New Delhi regarding the issue. The lawyer further said that the Indian government is concerned about the continued detention of Muhammad Ismail in spite of completing his sentence. Ismail should be freed if there is no bar, the IHC CJ responded. To this, the attorney-general had said the offence pertains to the Official Secrets Act. On October 6, the IHC had taken up an appeal related to the appointment of a state council for the Indian spy, but Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed had informed the court that the Indian reply had indicated that it was not serious about the implementation of International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s decision pertaining to its spy. Previously, Pakistan had invited India
to move a review and reconsideration petition before the IHC under “The International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance 2020” against Jadhav’s conviction. The invitation had bee extended to the Indian government after Jadhav twice declined to take advantage of the law, insisting that sympathetic consideration be given to his mercy petition pending with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Earlier on July 22, 2020, the government had moved the court stating that Jadhav, who was involved in several terrorist activities in Pakistan, had refused to file a plea against his sentence. The agent cannot appoint a lawyer in Pakistan without assistance from India, it had read. On July 2, Pakistan had decided to grant third consular access to Jadhav following his refusal to file a review petition against his sentence. On July 16, Indian charge d’affaires had reached the FO as New Delhi had accepted Pakistan’s offer to give second consular access to Jadhav. The place where the agent was kept had been declared as sub-jail. Aisha said that on September 2, 2019, Pakistan had provided the first consular access to Jadhav under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963. She said that the mother and wife of Commander Jadhav were also allowed to meet him on December 25, 2017. She also said that Pakistan provided
two consular officers of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad unimpeded and uninterrupted consular access to Indian Commander Jadhav. On July 17, 2019, ICJ had rejected remedies sought by India, including annulment of military court decision convicting Jadhav, his release and safe passage to India. The government had arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel in the province of Balochistan on charges of terrorism and spying for India’s RAW. The government had stated that he was a serving commander in the Indian Navy who was involved in subversive activities inside Pakistan and was arrested on March 3, 2016, during a counter-intelligence operation in Mashkel, Balochistan. The Indian government had recognised Jadhav as a former naval officer but denied any current links with him and maintained that he took premature retirement and was abducted from Iran. On March 25, 2016, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had released the confessional statement of Jadhav where he claimed to be a serving Indian Navy officer. “By 2002, I commenced intelligence operations. In 2003, I established a small business in Chabahar in Iran,” he had admitted. “As I was able to achieve undetected existence and visits to Karachi in 2003 and 2004. Having done some basic assignments within India for RAW, I was
picked up by RAW in 2013 end.” He had said that his purpose was to meet Baloch insurgents and carry out “activities with their collaboration.” On April 8, 2017, ISPR had lodged a first information report (FIR) against him whereas on April 11, 2017, COAS Bajwa had confirmed the death sentence of Jadhav who was tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act (PAA). He was tried under section 59 of the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952 and Section III of the official Secret Act of 1923. FGCM had found Jadhav guilty of all the charges. He had confessed before a magistrate and the court that he was tasked by RAW to plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities aiming to destabilise and wage war against Pakistan by impeding the efforts of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for restoring peace in Balochistan and Karachi. On May 8, 2017, India had approached the ICJ against Pakistan for denying consular access to Jadhav. On May 18, 2017, the ICJ had stayed the execution pending the final judgment on the case, and even on July 13, 2018, ICJ stayed Jadhav’s execution in Pakistan. On June 22, 2017, Jadhav gave a second confessional statement where he confessed to carrying out subversive activities in Balochistan. On Feb 22, 2019, ICJ had reserved its judgment in Jadhav case whereas they ruled the verdict on July 17, 2019.
Death sentence of 2003 Rimsha rape case convict upheld by SC NEWS DESK The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday denied the appeal of the accused in the 2003 case pertaining to the rape of a minor and upheld the death sentence which had previously been awarded to accused
Shabaan. Meanwhile, the sentence of the co-accused Qaiser had been commuted to life imprisonment. The decision came while the court was hearing an appeal for a case pertaining to the rape and murder of 3year-old Rimsha in Muridke in 2003. During the hearing, Justice Qazi Amin said the statements of the
criminals’ own witnesses also go against them. “Why would a person whose minor daughter is killed make a false accusation against someone?” Justice Amin asked. The top court judge added that regarding crimes as serious as this, one cannot be released over “technical” reasons.
Court adjourns hearing in assets case against Dar ISLAMABAD APP
An accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in a case against former finance minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader pertaining to accumulation of assets beyond his known sources of income after his counsel failed to appear citing a busy schedule. Accountability judge Muhammad Bashir heard the reference wherein co-accused Naeem Mehmood and Mansoor Raza appeared. The assistant counsel informed the court that defence counsel, Qazi Misbahul Hasan, could not appear in the hearing due to commitment at Lahore High Court (LHC). During the hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) informed the court that Dar’s records have been received from the LHC. Later, the accountability court adjourned the hearing till December 16. The reference against Dar was filed in September 2017. The following month, he flew to London to receive medical treatment and in December that year, the court declared him an absconder
LHC seeks report on wheat, sugar price hike LAHORE APP
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed the authorities to submit a detailed report on inflated prices of wheat and sugar. Justice Sajid Sethi heard a petition seeking directives for the provincial government to bring down the prices of two commodities. During the hearing, the court wondered why the prices of sugar and wheat surged and directed the food authorities to submit a detailed report detailing measures taken to arrest the prices. The hearing was subsequently adjourned till December 4. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country’s CPI inflation reduced to 8.3 per cent in November from 8.9 per cent in October due to a drop in the price of perishable products.
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
LaHore's aDminisTraTion reFuses Permission For PDm raLLy LAHORE
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STAFF REPORT
HE district administration of Lahore on Wednesday refused to give permission for the holding of a public meeting proposed by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) at Greater Iqbal Park on December 13. According to details, the multi-party anti-government alliance submitted an application seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the event. The organisers also sought strict security arrangements at the venue to avoid any unfortunate incident. However, the authorities rejected the request in the wake of the second
wave of the coronavirus pandemic across the country. The decision comes a day after Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz on Tuesday said that the government will not resist the meetings aimed at sending the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) packing. The government is not afraid of [PDM] rallies [it] only wants to curtail the spread of coronavirus, he said. Pakistan on Wednesday recorded 2,829 new infections of the novel coronavirus after conducting 35,197 tests — a positivity ratio of 8.04 per cent. Government data recorded 75 virusrelated deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest in over five months. After a peak of over 6,800 daily
infections in June, the number fell to a low of 213 in August and remained below 700 for most of the last three months. But infections have picked up steadily this past month and officials have said the second wave of the disease has arrived. PETITION SEEKS BAN ON RALLY: Meanwhile, a petition was submitted in the high court seeking a court order against the meeting. The petitioner, Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, nominated the federal government, National Command and Control Centre (NCOC), PDM, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as respondents. A health emergency has been
Sindh counsel presents arguments before SC in Daniel Pearl murder case ISLAMABAD TLTP
The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday heard the appeal of the Sindh government seeking suspension of the Sindh High Court (SHC) verdict of acquitting four convicts in the Daniel Pearl murder case. The provincial government’s counsel continued presenting his arguments. The Sindh government is seeking suspension of the high court’s verdict of acquitting four convicts in the American reporter’s murder case. A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Mushir Alam, is hearing appeals filed by the Sindh government and the parents of victim Daniel Pearl challenging the April 2 high court verdict that overturned the sentences of four convicts in the case. Farooq H Naik representing the Sindh government
Faraz for enhancing Pak-China cooperation in media, culture ISLAMABAD
said that a man met Pearl at a hotel in Rawalpindi. The man had booked the hotel room with the name of Muzaffar Farooqi but he met with Pearl introducing himself as Bashir, the counsel said. Another man, Arif, who is absconding, had led the US reporter for a meeting with Farooqi. Arif asked at the hotel reception for meeting with Farooqi, which proves that Arif knew that Shaikh was staying in the hotel with the name of Farooqi, the counsel argued. “Omer Shaikh’s hiding his identity is a proof of the conspiracy,” Naik said. “When was the identification parade held?” Justice Sardar Tariq Masood questioned. “The identification parade was held in the presence of a magistrate in the court,” the counsel replied. “Daniel Pearl’s murder was a part of the international terrorism and Omar Shaikh himself had stated that he will be handed over to the United
enforced in the country in the wake of coronavirus, the petition recalled. “However, the PDM was holding protests despite the government’s ban on large public gatherings, which were inflating the number of coronavirus cases.” “The PDM leadership is playing with the lives and health of the people,” the petition said. The petitioner observed that “the educational institutions have been closed and other gatherings have also been banned due to the second wave of Covid19 pandemic in the country.” He urged the court to restrain the PDM from holding the meeting and order legal action over violation of pandemic restrictions.
States,” the lawyer said. Earlier on Tuesday last, Naik said that four accused, including Sheikh, were arrested, while seven others were at large. The accused had hatched the kidnapping plot of Pearl, a US national reporting for The Wall Street Journal, in a Rawalpindi hotel, Naik said. “They sent an email to the victim’s wife after kidnapping and demanded ransom money,” the counsel further said. The accused brutally killed Pearl after their demand was not met, Sindh’s counsel said. They also released a video of the slaughter causing fear and harassment among the public. “I will produce details of the witness accounts in the next hearing,” the counsel told the bench. Four convicts in the murder case, British national Sheikh, co-accused Fahad Naseem, Salman Saqib and Sheikh Adil had moved the SHC in 2002 challenging their convictions handed down by the Hyderabad AntiTerrorism Court after finding them guilty of abducting and killing the American journalist. The 38-year-old South Asia bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal, Pearl, was researching a story on religious extremists, in January 2002 in Karachi when he was abducted and slain.
Farogh Naseem tests positive for coronavirus
STAFF REPORT
NEWS DESK
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Syed Shibli Faraz has emphasised on enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and China in the fields of media and culture. Talking to Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in the federal capital on Wednesday, the information minister called for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the field of film, which is one of the vital media to promote and project core values and cultural heritage of any society. The minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is keen to expedite China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. He also emphasised the need for highlighting the benefits of CPEC projects for the general public. He also proposed training of media personnel in light of modern media concepts. Rong said that China would extend all possible cooperation for enhancing media ties.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Wednesday. A spokesman for the Law Ministry confirmed the reports and said that Farogh Naseem has selfquarantined himself at his residence in Karachi. The federal law minister said that he will continue working from home. Meanwhile, National Institute of Health shared its exhaustive data on Wednesday recording all the frontline warriors in the pandemic outbreak who unfortunately contracted Covid-19 themselves while fighting it for the masses. Over 10,000 health workers have tested Covid positive in Pakistan since the global pandemic broke out in Pakistan, the report said, adding that 100 of them have died of the infection. The report said a total of 10,464 health workers have so far tested positive out of which 6,560 are
doctors. On the other hand, 1,249 nurses and a total of 2,655 of hospital staffers across Pakistan have been plagued with this virus so far according to NIH. The NIH report also recorded the data of complicated cases amongst the health workers citing 594 of the reported cases are still in isolation while 90 of them are receiving medical treatment at present. A total of 9,680 have recovered from the virus so far, the all-encompassing report asserted. The report underscored the fatalities due to Covid19 in each region as well noting 34 health workers in the Sindh province died due to novel coronavirus followed with 25 fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and 14 deaths in Punjab. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), six frontline warriors succumbed to Covid-19 and in Balochistan province the mortality number stood at eight, while Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) noted 10 health workers fall. Three health warriors in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region passed away because of Covid-19 as well.
NEWS
03
Pm approves new civil servant rules to improve efficiency NEWS DESK Prime Minister Imran Khan as approved the Civil Servants, (E&D) Rules, 2020, which are meant to help in increasing efficiency and discipline, and to ensure transparent and effective internal accountability. A new two-tier process has been introduced, comprising the authority and inquiry officer or committee, and is expected to speed up the process of tackling disciplinary issues by having the authorized officer handing out minor penalties. There will now be a time frame regarding the proceedings as well. A maximum of 14 days to submit a response to charges levelled has been introduced, and the time for completion of inquiry has been set at 60 days, with 30 days given to the ‘Authority’ to decide on the case. It is believed that the lack of timeline led to cases lingering and being dragged out. Furthermore, for the first time, an option for a plea bargain and voluntary return has been included in the definition of misconduct. The Establishment Division has now been authorised to issue subsidiary instructions or clarifications to avoid delays. Moreover, in case a PAS or a PSP officer is posted in a province, two months will be given to the provincial chief secretary for submitting a factfinding report, failing which the Establishment Division can proceed on its own.
Punjab bans indoor dining to curb coronavirus spread NEWS DESK Punjab’s Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department issued a notification on Wednesday which banned all indoor dining in restaurants, hotels, cafes, and other eateries to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The notification stated that people may only have meals in eateries with open, outdoor spaces. In this regard, the health department’s secretary, Captain (r) Muhammad Usman, said that arrangements for outdoor eating should be made while keeping the standard operating procedures and Covid guidelines in mind. “The coronavirus SOPs will have to be followed in the open as well,” Usman stressed, urging people not to go out of their homes unnecessarily and to use masks at all times.
Parole of shahbaz, Hamza extended for 24 hours LAHORE APP
The Punjab government on Wednesday extended for 24 hours the parole of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz. The five-day parole granted to attend the final rites of Begum Shamim Akhtar, the mother of Sharif and his brother deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif who passed away in London on November 22. pecial Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan tweeted the provincial government has approved the party’s application of extension in the parole.
Efforts afoot to reconcile Chaudhry Nisar with Nawaz, Shehbaz AYAZ SADIQ, RANA TANVIR, SAAD RAFIQUE ACTIVE FOR BREAKTHROUGH ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
It seems as if ice-melting has started between Sharif family and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, as common friends and senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have started efforts for a breakthrough meeting between former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the former interior minister. Sources in the PML-N confirmed that senior PML-N leaders Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chaudhry Tanvir Hussain and Khawaja Saad Rafique are making quiet efforts for this purpose.
A source in the PML-N told Pakistan Today that the trio had also played a key role in arranging a meeting between PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar and they are trying to convince the former interior minister to call Nawaz and offer condolences to PML-N leader on the death of his mother Begum Shamim Akhtar. According to the source, Shehbaz has also advised Chaudhry Nisar to express regret to Nawaz on telephone. The source said that after the meeting between Shehbaz and Nisar in Raiwind on Tuesday, mutual friends Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Tanveer and Saad Rafique are working for a big
MARYAM NAWAZ ‘UNHAPPY’ WITH IDEA OF BRINGING BACK NISAR
breakthrough. Contacts and efforts are ongoing on both sides, the source added. “Mutual friends believe that in the meeting with Chaudhry Nisar, Shehbaz Sharif had made it clear that the final decisions about party matters rest with Nawaz Sharif. Hence, some well-wishers are trying to arrange a phone call between Nawaz Sharif and Nisar,” the source said and added that once this telephonic conversation gets through, then the leaguers would try to make a major breakthrough. It merits mentioning that a few days back, the former interior minister had visited Raiwind palace and condoled with Shehbaz. Both held a one-on-one meeting.
MARYAM UNHAPPY WITH NISAR’S RETURN: Another source in the PML-N told Pakistan Today that the efforts to bring back Nisar to the party were reported to Maryam Nawaz, which may not augur well with her. “It seems that Nisar reached Raiwind Palace late on purpose so as he may not encounter Maryam Nawaz who had to leave for Multan rally the same day,” the source said and added that Nisar did not want to confront Maryam as both are poles apart on policy issues. The source said that another news which infuriated Maryam the meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and former Punjab
governor Mian Azhar who also came to offer condolences. “Maryam Nawaz was informed in Multan that both Nisar and Azhar had met with Shehbaz Sharif. Maryam phoned her father Nawaz Sharif in London and informed him of her concerns. She also said that both had arrived not to regret but to fool the Sharif family in their misery as they had contributed to the fall of Sharifs,” the source said. The source said that Maryam told Nawaz that Nisar did not condole the demise of her mother Kulsoom Nawaz. However, the source added, Nawaz instructed Maryam to remain silent for the time being.
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
04 NEWS
BuzdAR TAkES STock of oNgoINg uPlIfT SchEMES IN SouTh PuNjAB SAYS ‘BANDIT BRIGADE’ INDIFFERENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AMID PANDEMIC LAHORE
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STAFF REPORT
HIEF Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday directed that timely utilisation of funds be ensured for public welfare schemes as an inordinate delay is not acceptable. The chief minister chaired a marathon session of video link meeting at his office to take stock of ongoing development schemes, the DG Khan development package, and law and order in south Punjab. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that development process is going on speedily. The government has launched numerous public welfare projects worth billions of rupees and the third-party monitoring of every development scheme will be also held while making no compro-
mise on high quality, he added. The CM stated that inquiry will be held on public complaints to punish the responsible officers. The government is the custodian of national resources and those involved in any embezzlement will not be forgiven, he warned. He further directed the officers to go into the field to ensure transparency, saying the mantra of lip-service will not work as they will have to perform. The CM complaint cell will hold an inquiry against those involved in corruption in development projects, he said. The CM asked the officers to speed up the development work. The development projects should be completed in time by doing work in double shifts wherever needed, he said and warned that action will be initiated on complaints about the use of agriculture machinery. Prospect of a women
university in DG Khan should be reviewed and recommendations be forwarded, he maintained. Similarly, the sewerage system in major cities of south Punjab should be improved permanently, he added. The CM disclosed that more almonries will be established in south Punjab. He directed to complete the Koh-e-Suleman Development Authority board, adding that the authority should submit a comprehensive plan about the development of the area. South Punjab will be developed as a role model as a new era of development has started in the province, he emphasised. He asked the officers to work hard for the protection of life and property of the people adding that crackdown should be continued against gangs. Similarly, indiscriminate action be initiated against the criminals, he added. Separately, Buzdar said, “Pakistan
Democratic Movement (PDM) has no regard for human lives and this bandit brigade even tried to point-scoring on coronavirus.” He regretted the opposition is indifferent to public safety as coronavirus is still spreading. Those who have no regard for human lives cannot understand the public issues, he added and regretted that opposition always adopted an irrespective behaviour. The people of Multan have shown a mirror to the opposition, he said. The CM asserted that the PDM is a mixture of rejected elements having no agenda. The 11 opposition parties can never compete with an honest and trustworthy leader like Imran Khan, he stressed. He said that holding public meetings would be enmity with the people as the corona situation is becoming serious. The intransigence of the PDM has put the lives of the people at the stake because this bandit brigade has no pain for the masses, he remarked.
Sugar price slashed Rs20 per kg due to govt’s intervention: PM NEWS DESK Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the ex-mill price of sugar came down by Rs20 per kilogramme in 20 days due to the government’s effective intervention in the matter. “Distribution of imported sugar at control rates & timely start of crushing season also ensured. I have asked provinces to ensure fair & swift cane payments are made to farmers,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle. It may be noted that the sugar prices in the country have witnessed a decline in wholesale and retail markets. In early November, the federal government had said that it would reduce sugar prices by Rs15-Rs20. Addressing a press conference related to the announcement, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar had said that the government has procured over one hundred tonnes of imported sugar to meet the demand.
PIA offers 30pc discount on domestic fares NEWS DESK
India caught up in their own mess, says ex-ISI chief NEWS DESK The former chief of Inter-Services Intelligence, Lt Gen (r) Asad Durrani has said that India is no threat to Pakistan as it too preoccupied in a mess of its own making. Indians “are so caught up in their own mess that they have little time to care about Pakistan,” Durrani said during an interview with BBC Urdu on Wednesday. The “mess” he was referring to is India’s revocation of the special status Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “After what India did to Kashmir [IIOJK], there is no threat to us on the eastern border,” the former spy chief added. Durrani had previously come into the spotlight after the release of his first book, Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace, which had been co-authored
with Research and Analysis Wing’s (RAW) former chief AS Dulat. Durrani also acknowledged the military’s interference in the country’s political affairs and said that it was detrimental to Pakistan. During the same interview, Durrani highlighted what he believes are the biggest issues faced by the country: “economy, political instability, and social cohesion.” He added that, along with these internal matters, the external challenges are “Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey”. “There are some areas like Balochistan where there is unrest among people who feel politically alienated and deprived. The economy is in bad shape,” he said. “The government’s credibility is bad because people believe it has been brought into power by the military.” Durrani highlighted that the main problem faced by Imran Khan was that people did not believe he came
into power on his own, but that he came in “with a khaki burden”. “Some people don't learn from history because they say we will create our own history,” Durrani opined. The former top spy also said that granting provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) was a “blow” the Kashmir issue. “You may give more rights to GB if you want to, but it should not be forcibly made a province of Pakistan,” he said. He compared the matter to the Balochistan issue and pointed out that making a province did not fix any of the issues faced by the region. Durrani said he was also opposed to the merger of erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as the “500year-old system there is running better than ours in some respects".
China’s Ant considers Paytm stake sale amid tensions with India HONG KONG/NEW DELHI AGENCIES
Chinese fintech giant Ant Group is considering selling its 30pc stake in Indian digital payment processor Paytm amid tensions between the two Asian neighbours and a toughening competitive landscape, people with direct knowledge of the matter said. Financial details of the possible transaction have not been firmed up and Ant, the Alibaba-backed payments-to-consumer credit behemoth, has not launched a formal sale process yet, four people told Reuters. Paytm, which is also backed by SoftBank Group Corp among others, was valued at
about $16 billion during its latest private fundraising round a year ago. At that valuation, Ant’s stake in the Indian firm is worth about $4.8 billion. Both Ant and Paytm said that the information was incorrect. A Paytm spokesman said “there has been no discussion with any of our major shareholders ever, nor any plans, about selling their stake.” Ant’s possible exit from Paytm would mark another reversal for the Chinese company hot on the heels of the dramatic suspension of its $37 billion stock listing last month, which would have been the world’s largest. It also would be a step back from its ambitions of
becoming a global payments leader. Sources told Reuters in October that Ant was cutting its financial support to many of the overseas affiliated e-wallet firms. The main trigger for Ant to consider the divestment of its stake in Paytm is the worsening diplomatic relations between India and China in the past few months, said the people, who declined to be named as the deliberations are confidential. Relations between the countries are at a nadir, with troops locked in a border faceoff in the western Himalayas for months after a clash in June in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Since the clash India has tightened rules for investments from China and banned dozens of Chinese mobile apps, including from tech giants Tencent, Alibaba and ByteDance. It banned 43 more apps late last month. “There is a growing realisation within Ant management that it would not be able to raise its stake in the company,” one of the people with direct knowledge said, adding senior managers at Ant have discussed the idea recently. Even so, Ant was in the middle of an investment review and it could still decide to shelve a divestment if it failed to get the desired valuation, he said. Two other sources said that as a result of the review Ant could end up retaining a small stake in Paytm. COMPETITIVE INTENSITY: Indian start-ups are heavily funded by Chinese investors such as Alibaba and Tencent. Bankers have previously said they were looking to bolster their presence in the country with an aim to grow their revenue
outside China. Alibaba has invested over $4 billion in India so far and had plans to invest around $5 billion in 2021, which have now been put on hold, one of the sources said. Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment. Ant first invested in Paytm in 2015 and owns its 30pc stake in the firm via its parent company, One97 Communications, according to Ant’s initial public offering prospectus, which described the Indian firm as a major associate. In addition to the tighter investment rules for Chinese companies in India, tougher competition is likely another factor behind Ant’s calculations regarding Paytm, which is losing its dominance, two of the people said. Online transactions, lending and e-wallet services have been growing rapidly in India, led by a government push to make the country’s cash-loving merchants and consumers adopt digital payments.
In order to facilitate passengers during winter holidays and school vacations, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced special fares, offering up to 30pc discount on domestic flights operating between Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Peshawar from December 3 (Thursday) onwards. Passengers would now be able to travel between these cities on a one-way minimum fare of Rs8,500 and round trip minimum fare of Rs17,000, as against the previous charges of Rs12,275 and Rs24,600 for the same. PIA Spokesperson Abdullah Khan said that the purpose of discounted fares is to facilitate the people travelling to their homes during holidays. He said the inventory is available and people can benefit from these fares on first come first serve basis.
Punjab E&T dept collects Rs430m property tax till Nov MULTAN APP
The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department till November collected Rs430 million out of the Rs675 million property tax set target for FY21. In this regard, E&T Deputy Director Khalid Hussain Qasoori told the media here on Wednesday that the five per cent rebate offer has been ended and is now only available for payment of taxes through the epayment system. He informed that there were 155,000 property tax consumers across Multan district whereas 50pc of them had paid their taxes so far, adding that routine property tax collection is underway and no crackdown has been carried out so far as a step to facilitate the taxpayers due to coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
NEPRA APPRovES REduCTIoN IN INduSTRIAl TARIff iSLamaBad
I
AHMAD AHMADAni
N line with the prime minister's promise to the small & medium industries, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has decided to decrease industrial tariff by Rs4.96 per unit. According to NEPRA, the commer-
cial electricity price for small industries has been reduced from Rs12.96 to Rs8 per unit, effective from November 1, 2020. The new tariff, which is for entire country except Karachi, will be applicable for a period of eight months, till June 30, 2021. Sources in the power sector informed that NEPRA has forwarded its decision to federal government, after which a notification will be issued pursuant to Sec-
Govt promises free vaccine as Covid death toll surges
tion 31 (7) of the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997. "NEPRA has ratified the government's package for industrial consumers by deciding to decrease the electricity price for industries," an insider said. "The government will grant Rs14 billion worth subsidy against this facility." However, electricity tariff for big in-
Bakhtiar seeks Chinese cooperation in agriculture sector iSLamaBad
continued from page 01
STAFF REPORT
Meanwhile, Balochistan reported that it has recorded 28 new coronavirus infections and one death by the disease in the last 24 hours. According to a report released by the Balochistan Health Department, 28 more persons were tested positive for coronavirus in the province, bringing the total number of infected patients to 17,215. As many as 16,466 Covid-19 patients have so far recovered from the disease, while a total 169 deaths were recorded with one more death due to the deadly virus. “Two more persons detected coronavirus positive at educational institutions in 24 hours,” the health department stated. “Overall confirmed cases in Balochistan’s academic institutions have reached 1,026,” the health department said. The province has 95 per cent recovery rate of novel coronavirus patients, while four percent active cases, health department spokesperson had earlier stated. In GB, at least nine new Covid-19 cases were recorded during the past 24 hours, bringing the total numberto 4,667. With no fatalities, the region’s death toll stood at 97, the health department said in a statement. As many as 4,393 patients have recovered so far, it added. Meanwhile, Sindh Police on Wednesday said that 51 more policemen have been tested positive for coronavirus in three days, increasing the aggregate of infected officials in police to 3,703. In Sindh, 20 police officials have died of the coronavirus disease, the spokesperson stated. According to the spokesperson, “Presently, the tally of novel coronavirus active cases in the police department is 202.” In Bannu district of KP, additional director of Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital, Dr Muhammad Farooq died of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday. A statement issued by Provincial Doctors Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that Dr Farooq had been on a ventilator at a private hospital in Peshawar for the past few days. The doctors association added that so far 40 health workers and 25 doctors have died in the province from Covid-19; however, the government has not given a martyr’s package to any of the deceased medical practitioners in the province. Risk allowance for working during the pandemic has been given, it added. The KP has reported 331 new coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 47,701. Six more patients died from Covid-19 in the province with death toll rose to 1,375, the health department said in its daily report.
dustries will remain at Rs12.96 per unit. Fuel price adjustment will be applicable on the new tariff, whereas quarterly adjustment will not be applicable, sources said. It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier announced to give 50pc concession to small industries over usage of additional electricity from November 1, 2020.
Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar has said that Pakistan and China are strategic partners and their relations will be further strengthened in future through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Talking to newly appointed Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong on Wednesday, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar underlined that Pakistan and China have always supported each other on the issues of their core interest.He said that strategic partnership should set the basis for strong economic partnership, adding
the CPEC is a transformational initiative in this regard. The minister stated that agriculture is one of the key sectors for Pakistan's economy and emphasised that Pakistan and China should deepen and expand cooperation in the agriculture sector under the CPEC umbrella to enhance productivity and value addition. The minister hoped that the 10th JCC will be successful and that the implementation of important socioeconomic, energy, transport, infrastructure projects and special economic zone development will be expedited. He appreciated Chinese strategy in dealing with global pandemic ef-
fectively and lauded China's cooperation with Pakistan against Covid19. He also congratulated the ambassador on his appointment to Pakistan and hoped that Pakistan-China ties will further deepen and strengthen based on his experience and professionalism. Ambassador Nong appreciated the minister’s support and expressed that Pak–China relations would grow further under the leadership of the two countries. He conveyed the government of China’s full support to CPEC and resolved that Pakistan and China should further deepen cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral institutions.
CDWP approved four projects worth Rs16bn iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Wednesday approved four projects worth Rs16.02 billion and recommended one other worth Rs37.91 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration. In addition, the CDWP agreed on the 'Covid-19 Responsive and Other Natural Calamities Control Program' worth Rs70 billion. The CDWP meeting, chaired by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, discussed projects related to physical planning & housing, health, education and information technology sectors. A project related to physical planning & housing titled 'Construction of Islamabad High Court Building at Islamabad
(Revised)' worth Rs4.98 billion was approved in the meeting. The project aims to construct Islamabad High Court on an already acquired plot measuring 220,000 sq.ft. in Sector G-5. The scope of works includes construction of courts, auditorium, car parking, road/paths, plumbing works and woodworks etc. Meanwhile, two projects related to education sector, namely 'Support to Basic Education Development Project AJ&K' worth Rs5.97 billion and 'Basic Education for All Project AJ&K' worth Rs1.58 billion were approved by CDWP. In the IT sector, the CDWP referred to ECNEC a project titled 'Phase-II of Pak-China OFC for Establishment of Cross Border OFC Network (KhunjerabGwadar-Karachi) along CPEC Routes' worth Rs37.91 billion. However, the second IT project, 'Establishment of National Aerospace Science & Technol-
ogy Park' (Rs3.48 billion), was approved in the meeting. The CDWP also approved two position papers related to industries and commerce, titled 'Establishment of Hub Special Economic Zone' worth Rs2.287 billion and 'Remodeling and Expansion of Karachi Expo Center' worth Rs2.67 billion. Moreover, the CDWP agreed for the 'Covid-19 Responsive and Other Natural Calamities Control Program' worth Rs70 billion with proposed changes. The PC-1 of this project will facilitate the national program to improve facilities at 50:50 basis financial supports to all the provinces in district headquarters/tehsil headquarters level hospitals, public health surveillance separately for both human and animals, national program for water sanitation and hygiene and improvement in local infrastructure. AJK and GB will also be covered under the project financing.
NEWS
05
Imran announces universal health coverage for GB as PTI takes charge continued from page 01 “My vision is to uplift the impoverished by working on the principles of Riyasat-e-Medina,” he reiterated. PM Imran also maintained that a 250-bed hospital in Skardu would soon be completed and vowed that it would be upgraded per requirements. He said that the government had found that 300MW of power would be sufficient for all of GB, adding that construction was underway on two hydroelectric projects; two were in the pipeline, and two had been approved. “We are also considering micro-hydroelectric and solar projects to meet power needs,” he added. The prime minister said that a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would be established in the autonomous region to boost employment. In a message to the newly elected chief minister and cabinet, he said that they must remain sadiq and ameen. The premier also hit out at the opposition for holding public rallies despite the resurgence of the coronavirus in the country. Criticising the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), he said they were aiding in the spread of novel coronavirus. “They are only doing these to protect their thieving,” he said. He also referred to the BBC interview of former finance minister Ishaq Dar, saying “stress” was visible on his face throughout it. Meanwhile, PM Imran also inaugurated two highest national parks in Gilgit-Baltistan during his visit on Wednesday. The premier inaugurated Nanga Parbat and Himalaya national parks. The premier had earlier announced two new high-altitude national parks in GB, 'Himalaya National Park' and 'Nanga Parbat National Park' under the Prime Minister's Protected Areas Initiative. The newly notified 'Himalaya National Park' and 'Nanga Parbat National Park', span a huge area of 3600 sq. km which totals 5 per cent of GB's land area, and comprises unique ecological areas with very rich high-altitude biodiversity as well as precious flora and fauna which include snow leopards, Himalayan brown bear, Ladakh Urial, Ibex, Markhors & Blue Sheep.
SBP issues regulatory framework to facilitate B2C e-commerce exports The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday issued guidelines for e-commerce exporters with an aim to enhance the country's promote exports. The central bank said in order to promote business-toconsumer (B2C) e-commerce exports from Pakistan, it has reviewed some earlier instructions to align these with the changing business dynamics of ecommerce exports. For this purpose, a separate module to implement e-commerce exports has been developed in WeBOC in collaboration with Pakistan Customs and other relevant stakeholders. Accordingly, a revised regulatory framework has been developed keeping in view the current business needs of e-commerce exports, which would replace the existing Para 39 Chapter 12 of FE Manual. Under the new regulatory framework, the mandatory requirement of ‘Export’ (E) form has been done away with and an exporter can now export goods up to $5,000 per consignment without the requirement of an ‘E’ Form. This step will facilitate small entrepreneurs and exporters who typically export varied goods in small quantities directly to consumers and find it cumbersome to fulfil the detailed requirements of the E Form which is mainly designed for bulk exports. It would also pave the way for the big corporate brands, SMEs, and startups, to enter the global consumer markets and contribute to the exports earning of the country. Further, the new regulatory framework is expected to improve the country’s rating in the ease of doing business (EODB) index. nEWS DESK
China spacecraft lands on moon to bring rocks back to Earth BeiJing AgEnciES
A Chinese spacecraft sent to return lunar rocks to Earth collected its first samples Wednesday after landing on the moon, the government announced, adding to a string of successes for Beijing’s increasingly ambitious space program. The Chang’e 5 probe touched down shortly after 11:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Tuesday after descending from an orbiter, the China National Space Administration said. It released images of the barren scene at the landing site showing the lander’s shadow. “Chang’e has collected moon samples,” the agency said in a statement carried by the official Xinhua News Agency. It said the probe also had successfully unfolded solar
panels that will power it. The probe, launched November 24 from the tropical southern island of Hainan, is the latest venture by a Chinese space program that sent its first astronaut into orbit in 2003, has a spacecraft en route to Mars and aims eventually to land a human on the moon. Plans call for the lander to spend about two days drilling into the lunar surface and collecting 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of rocks and debris. The top stage of the probe will be launched back into lunar orbit to transfer the samples to a capsule for return to Earth, where it is to land in China’s northern grasslands in mid-December. If it succeeds, it will be the first time scientists have obtained fresh samples of lunar rocks since a Soviet probe in the 1970s.
Those samples are expected to be made available to scientists from other nations, although it’s unclear how much access NASA will have, given tight US government restrictions on space cooperation with China. From the rocks and debris, scientists hope to learn more about the moon, including its precise age, as well as increased knowledge about other bodies in our solar system. Collecting samples, including from asteroids, is an increasing focus of many space programs and China’s mastery of the technology once again places it among the leading nations operating in space. American and Russian space officials congratulated the Chinese program. “Congratulations to China on the successful landing of Chang’e 5. This is no easy task,” wrote NASA’s science mission chief,
CMYK
Thomas Zurbuchen, on Twitter. “When the samples collected on the Moon are returned to Earth, we hope everyone will benefit from being able to study this precious cargo that could advance the international science community.” The most recent return of lunar rocks to Earth was carried out in 1976 by Luna 24, a Soviet robot probe. US astronauts brought back 842 pounds (382 kilograms) of lunar samples from 1969 to 1972, some of which is still being analysed and experimented on. The Chang’e 5 flight is China’s third successful lunar landing. Its predecessor, Chang’e 4, was the first probe to land on the moon’s little-explored far side. Chinese space program officials have said they envision future crewed missions
along with robotic ones, including possibly a permanent research base. No timeline or other details have been announced. The latest flight includes collaboration with the European Space Agency, which is helping to monitor the mission. China’s space program has proceeded more cautiously than the US-Soviet space race of the 1960s, which was marked by fatalities and launch failures. In 2003, China became the third country to send an astronaut into orbit on its own after the Soviet Union and the United States. It also launched a crewed space station. China, along with neighbours Japan and India, also has joined the growing race to explore Mars. The Tianwen 1 probe launched in July is on its way to the red planet carrying a lander and a rover to search for water.
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
06 COMMENT
The Freemasons of Democracy
Bring down political temperature To discuss urgent issues
The lodge on Davis Road…
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RReSPeCTIVe of whatever their complexity, issues can only be resolved through talks between the protagonists. The ongoing confrontation in the country is the direct outcome of the Prime Minister’s consistent refusal to hold talks with the opposition. Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif, who has been a strong advocate of talks, had returned to Pakistan for the purpose, but was sent to NAB custody soon after. Reacting to his application for extension in parole to meet those coming to offer condolences on his mother’s death, a cynical Firdous Ashiq Awan quipped that “Shehbaz Sharif was released to attend his mother’s funeral but would not be allowed any extension for politics and for looking after his business affairs.” Instead of displaying flexibility after failure to stop the Multan rally through arrests and obstructions, the government is further resorting to provocations which are hardening the opposition’s stand. The decision to institute cases against organisers of the Peshawar rally has led ANP workers to take out another rally in protest while the party leadership has announced holding a big public meeting in the provincial capital next month as part of its centenary celebrations. The government-opposition confrontation is already having highly adverse consequences for national health. The number of covid-19 positive cases is steadily on the increase. According to the NCOC the total active covid19 cases in Pakistan on Tuesday were recorded at 49,105, as 2,458 more people tested positive during 24 hours. Sixty-seven patients, who were under treatment in hospital died on Monday. There is a need for somebody to tell the government to come off its high horse to offer talks to the opposition, instead of provocations and threats which have turned out to be counterproductive. . Time has come for another major issue also to be sorted out at the earliest. Over the last several decades the system has broken down again and again, having a negative impact on continuity that alone can ensure sustained economic and social progress. Distortions in power structure have caused perpetual instability in the country. This issue too needs to be taken up and resolved through a national consensus between different institutions.
Dr FariD a Malik
T
he Freemasons hall on 90 Shahrah-eQuaid-e-Azam stood on the main thoroughfare of Lahore as a symbol of secrecy and intrigue. No one knew what was discussed behind its closed doors and blackened windows. Growing up on the Mall we took it as a challenge to break this cordon. At best we got to peep in through some of the windows before we were chased out by the vigilant guards. As the movement against the first dictator was led by students, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) promised them to ban this Jewishsponsored movement if he came into power. After taking oath of office in December 1971, he took two major foreign policy decisions: Pakistan left the British Commonwealth and The Freemasons were banned. Their hall was taken over by the government, and is now a sub-office of the Chief Minister. Now that the slogan has been raised for the restoration of people’s power under the banner of: ‘Vote Ki Izzat’, I decided to highlight the role played by the ‘Freemasons of Democracy’ in derailing the democratic order. This evil lodge is located at 33 Davis Road right on the corner of Sunder Das Road. Ayub Khan named it Muslim League house form where he launched his political outfit called Pakistan
Who gets the vaccine?
Muslim League (Convention). After the first Martial Freemasons Movement’ in Pakistan and took over Law in October 1958, Mumtaz Daultana, who lived their lodge. Buildings built with evil designs have to be not too far on Durand Road, called a Council Meeting of the Muslim League. Those who responded to his brought down or taken over and put into useful use. call organized themselves as Pakistan Muslim League Like the ‘Freemasons Movement’ remained untouch(Council) while the others called a Convention of able and out of reach of the state till the 1970s before Leaguers who then organized themselves as Pakistan they were made to leave forever, the ‘ Freemasons of Muslim League (Convention). The Pakistan faction Democracy ‘ will continue to hijack people’s power till they are permanently disof the All-India Muslim armed and dislodged. The League (AIML) thus split negative propaganda against into two. PML (Convention) Madre Millat Fatima Jinnah then decided to have its own during the 1965 Presidential headquarters from where Today Pakistan faces an election was hatched here ‘establishment Politics’ institutional collapse which and so was the character ascould be launched. A 16 sassination campaign kanal bungalow was purchallenges its very survival. against Benazir and her chased on Davis Road for mother. this purpose not too far from Civilian institutions have to With the enactment of habibullah Road where be rebuilt all over again. Yes the 1973 constitution a tranMamdot Villa was. ever since the ‘ Freemathe Khakis have to return to sition to democracy was started. League house resons of Democracy ‘have opthe barracks but lock, stock mained deserted for a few erated from their lodge on 33 years. It was revived again Davis Road. The PML(N) opand barrel. ‘Freemasons of during the ‘Zia Dark Ages’ erated from there till another to incubate fresh King’s Parsplit took place and the Democracy ‘ will no longer like the PML(N) and PML(Q) was launched by be needed, let the ballot rule ties then PML(Q). Musharraf. Currently the Kaptaan has announced Chaudhrys of Gujrat control under the constitutional major electoral Reforms. this ‘Freemasons Lodge’. framework. Only genuine For respect of the ballot the While one King’s Party, the Freemasons have to be dealt PML(N) is out of favour, the political outfits like PPP and with. The Ayub-led Khaki other, the PML(Q) has skillinvasion has to be reversed fully managed to remain in. PTI should be allowed to but not through confrontaAs a Muslim League child I operate. ‘King’s Parties’ tion with state institutions. have seen this Political Drama Today Pakistan faces an inunfold so many times and had launched from the stitutional collapse which the chance of meeting most of ‘Freemasons’ Hall of challenges its very survival. these backstage players. I Civilian institutions have to consider it my national duty Democracy’ should be be rebuilt all over again. Yes to record the political inthe Khakis have to return to trigues hatched by the shown the door the barracks but lock, stock ‘Freemasons of Democracy’. and barrel. ‘Freemasons of Ghulam haider Wyne, Democracy ‘ will no longer an old League worker, used be needed, let the ballot rule to live here. he used to visit my father’s office regularly on his bicycle. When under the constitutional framework. Only genuine poNawaz Sharif was made PM, Wyne Sahib became litical outfits like PPP and PTI should be allowed to CM. So he drove straight from 33 Davis Road to 7 operate. ‘King’s Parties’ launched from the ‘FreemaClub Road, a crossing away. Then Chaudhry Pervaiz sons’ hall of Democracy’ should be shown the door. elahi as CM did not have to travel far, as Zahoor Dr Farid A Malik is ex-Chairman, Pakistan elahi Road is on the other side of the Canal. It is time to identify and then ban the ‘Freemasons of Democ- Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: racy’ as was done by ZAB when he shut down the ‘ fmaliks@hotmail.com.
Allocating money not going to be enough
T
Rejoining the Iran nuclear deal
he federal Cabinet has taken a valuable first step by allocating $150 million in the first quarter of next year for the acquisition of the coronavirus vaccine, and taken the further step of prioritising the vaccination of frontline health workers and those over the age of 65. The move is all the more laudable considering that there has been no decision as yet, which of the several vaccines about to be launched will be acquired. There are two American vaccines and one British which have been showing promising results, but there have also been Russian and Chinese vaccines also being reported as offering protection. A US vaccine may be unsuitable, as it has to be transported at very low temperatures, meaning that not only will it be very expensive, but also unsafe to transport. The government must be careful to make a sensible decision. After all, the decision will mean $150 million going to one company or the other. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan is supposed to oversee the process, but looking back at the recent drug prices controversy, it can be seen not to have the best of reputations for either honesty or competence. The government cannot simply assign it the task and then forget about it; but must make sure that there is no price gouging of the sort that occurred with covid-19 therapies and medicines rumored to have been useful. The Cabinet’s own cut in the price of injections of Remdesivir, a treatment for Cocid-19, shows this. The price of facemasks, which skyrocketed at the beginning of the pandemic, show that not only price gouging is possible, but unscrupulous elements are willing to practice scams of one kind or another. Another element that will come is that of propaganda against the vaccine. Vaccines are not seen by all as beneficial, and the country’s bitter experience with the polio virus has shown, anti-vaccine elements are willing to use religion against vaccinators. There is as yet no indication of any effort to counter the propaganda that is almost certain to rise up. That has to be an essential element of any vaccination strategy.
NaEEM kaNDWal
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S President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr has promised to move quickly to rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Iran also comes back into compliance. In July 2015, Iran and six countries reached a historic agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), popularly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The six major powers involved in these negotiations with Iran were known as the P5+1, which stands for the United Nations security council’s five permanent members (the US, France, the UK, China, and Russia) and Germany. The deal came together after two years of intense discussions and aimed to restrict Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Tehran. As part of the deal, Iran agreed to reduce its number of centrifuges— tube-shaped machines that help enrich uranium— by two-thirds. It also agreed to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98 percent and limit uranium enrichment to 3.67 percent. In other words, Tehran agreed to restrictions that would allow it to have enough enriched uranium to maintain the country’s energy needs, without having the ability to build a nuclear bomb. On top of this, Iran agreed to give access to inspectors from the International Atomic energy Agency (IAeA) to its nuclear facilities. The IAeA has repeatedly found Iran to be complying with the terms of the pact. In January 2016, when the IAeA declared Iran was living up to its end of the bargain, all nuclear-related international sanctions against Iran were lifted. Iran and the US have been enemies for decades. The two countries have an extremely complex history that involved a CIA-orchestrated coup in the 1950s, a pro-American puppet monarch who was overthrown in 1979 via the Islamic Revolution, and the infamous US embassy hostage crisis that followed the uprising. The constant threats from Iranian leaders against Israel, the USA’s top ally in the Middle east, and chants of “death to America” in Iranian streets have also not helped matters. There is a massive distrust for Iran in the USA (and vice versa), and Wash-
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The foreign ministers of France, Germany and the UK have met to discuss tactics to breathe new life into the Iran Nuclear Deal once Biden is in the White ington has long feared what might happen if the Iran- house. At talks in Berlin, the european politicians ian regime developed a nuclear weapon. Iran made outlined plans to secure an agreement from Tehran to great strides in this regard by the 2010s, hence the reduce Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile size to Obama Administration’s efforts to orchestrate the nu- below the limit allowed under the deal. In return, the clear deal. When the pact was finally settled in 2015, USA would lift sanctions that have disturbed its econit was widely celebrated as a major diplomatic omy. The nuclear deal has floundered since Trump achievement. But many (primarily conservative) withdrew the USA from it in 2018, but Biden is eager leaders in Washington still felt it didn’t go far enough to re-enter the accord, which was masterminded by to limit the country’s ability to develop nuclear his then-boss Barack Obama in 2015. As he prepares weapons. This is because the Iran deal contains sunset to enter the White house, Biden appears to be looking clauses, or parts of the agreement that will ultimately to rekindle old relationships with european allies and expire. Under the deal, the give new life to the Iran restrictions on Iran’s cendeal. he has already chosen trifuges go away after 10 Antony Blinken as his Secyears (in 2025) and the limiretary of State. Blinken preThis nuclear deal is essential viously served as deputy tations on uranium enrichment disappear five years secretary of state and deputy for peace in the Middle East. national after that (2030). hence, security advisor to there are fears that once Obama, and played a pivotal This region cannot afford these restrictions expire, Iran role in brokering the origianother war. This will prove a nal Iran deal. As Middle could rapidly develop a nuclear weapon. “It is clear to East Eye reports, Blinken positive step towards Peace “berated me that we cannot prevent the Trump adminan Iranian nuclear bomb istration for nixing the under the decaying and rotagreement” back in 2018, ten structure of the current warning that withdrawal agreement,” Trump said in May 2018. “The Iran deal from the pact put Washington on a “collision course” is defective at its core. If we do nothing we know ex- not only with Iran but also its own allies. actly what will happen.” More broadly, Trump, The termination of this agreement has hurt both among others, has argued the deal didn’t do enough Iran and the USA. Iran has suffered economically to address Iran’s regional behavior or its missile pro- while the USA has faced global isolation. The UN Segram. Accordingly, the president wants to negotiate curity Council, in August, resoundingly defeated a a new deal with Tehran. US resolution to indefinitely extend the UN arms emDuring the campaign, Biden called Trump’s de- bargo on Iran, with the Trump Administration geting cision to abandon the deal “reckless,” and said it support from only the Dominican Republic. The vote ended up isolating the USA, not Iran. “I will offer in the 15-member council was two in favor, two Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy,” Biden against and 11 abstentions, leaving it far short of the wrote in a September op-ed for CNN. “If Iran returns minimum nine yes votes required for adoption. Rusto strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United sia and China strongly opposed the resolution, but States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point didn’t need to use their vetoes. for follow-on negotiations.” A week ago, after Biden Wants to rejoin Iran Nuclear Deal. This nuBiden’s victory, Iranian President hassan Rouhani clear deal is essential for peace in the Middle east. welcomed the initiative, calling it “an opportunity” This region cannot afford another war. This will for the USA “to compensate for its previous mistakes prove a positive step towards Peace. and return to the path of adherence to international commitments.” The writer is a freelance columnist
The change in presidents means a change in policy
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Thursday, 3 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
Solidarity needed We are well aware that the second deadly wave of the virus has hit our country due to which the government has closed all educational institutions. But people are still not taking this virus seriously, but also the country’s famous and big political parties are ignoring the virus and holding rallies, which is a tragic thought. Crowds are making it easier for the virus to spread and become stronger. On the contrary, it is clear because the virus is gaining momentum in our country day by day and the number of patients and deaths is increasing day by day. If this virus continues to grow in this way, it will be a great loss to our country because our health system is already very weak. Of course, according to the world media, the medicine of the virus has been made, but our economic situation is so weak that we cannot pay for the medicine immediately. So we have only one way and that is to follow the SOPs which can help to reduce this virus. Rather, it is the responsibility of both the government and the opposition to ensure SOPs and show solidarity in this critical situation. Hunzla KaKar zHob
PDM and pandemic
Despair in Afghanistan How the War on Terror brought more war and terror to Afghanistan arWiN rahi
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he US invasion of Afghanistan is destined to go down in history as one of the former’s major failures. The failure will continue to be a topic for students of various disciplines for decades to come. The invasion has further complicated the equations of war and peace in Afghanistan. As an Afghan, who lived in Afghanistan for most of the US occupation and witnessed first-hand many of the events, I would like to share some of my humble observations. Today, it’s common knowledge that the socalled War on Terror (WoT) has brought Afghanistan (and the wider region) more war and more terror. On the eve of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan (according to the Taliban-US Deal, the Americans are scheduled to leave by June 2021) about 20 terror groups, including al-Qaeda, are still active in Afghanistan. So what was the point of occupying Afghanistan for 20 years, and spending a trillion dollars? Indeed, the WoT could have been avoided altogether, or brought to an early conclusion, had the USA understood history and followed logic. The Taliban in late 2001 and early 2002 wanted to lay down their weapons in exchange for assurance that they would not be persecuted. The USA turned down the Taliban proposal. Ironically for the USA, its WoT has ended up benefitting the Taliban, who have used the war to advance claims of legitimacy. In 2001, the Taliban were a pariah regime, recognized only by Pakistan. Today, however, the Taliban have a political office in Qatar, and maintain contact with all major powers. More importantly, the USA itself has signed a face-saving withdrawal agreement with them— following in the footsteps of Imperial Britain and Soviet Russia. Throughout the WoT, the USA and its allies have been time and again accused of committing war crimes (especially in rural areas, where there’s little media presence) against Afghans. There’s a reason why the USA doesn’t want the International Criminal Court to look into war crimes allegations by its troops. The Australians, British, and Germans haven’t fared better either. To avoid American casualties, the USA ‘Afghanized’ early on much of the violence by raising an ‘army’ and a ‘police force’ (the latter with Germany’s assistance). The Afghan forces’ annual budget is around $5 billion— a burden Afghanistan’s crippled economy cannot carry. Despite US cash dole outs and calls for reforms, Afghan forces are a breeding ground for corruption. Many unfortunate Afghans only join these forces out of desperation to feed their families. Another stain on the US reputation in Afghanistan is the setting up of several death squads such as the Khost Protection Force. These death squads consist of Afghans trained, paid, and controlled by the USA. The squads are only answerable to the CIA, which has very relaxed rules of engagement. These CIA men can murder, kidnap, and beat anyone. The Afghan government is as helpless and clueless about these death squads as the rest of the Afghans.
For the tiny amount of US assistance that did While the USA can spend $5 billion a year on Afghan forces, it has shown no interest in in- trickle down to ordinary Afghans, the USA has vesting in any major infrastructure project in done them no favour. In the 1980s, the USA put Afghanistan, neither through the Afghan govern- its gun over the Afghans’ shoulder to shoot at the ment, nor independently or through a third party. USSR. Books were snatched from Afghan The net result of this negligent approach is that, school children and guns were given to them to despite Afghanistan being an upstream country, fight the Soviets. When the USSR fled across the today no major Afghan city has access to elec- Amu Darya, the USA turned its back on the Afghans, abandoning in an unchivalrous manner tricity more than a few hours a day. Frankly, the entire US assistance program to the very people who had assisted it in bringing Afghanistan is corrupt. First, the US is interested down the common enemy. The argument that Afghan girls are back in in short-term projects, which can be delivered in a few weeks or months, such as overbuilding school due to the US invasion is hollow and misschools and clinics. Such projects make for ex- leading. Afghan girls had been going to school cellent photo ops and media headlines, but make for decades long before the USA embraced the little long-term difference. The quality of such policy of promoting religious extremism projects is low, and within a few months the amongst Afghans. The US policy to promote extremism actually led to newly-completed projAfghan girls’ being ects need renovation — banned from school by bringing new the very Afghan exopportunities for the tremists whom the USA aid mafia. The Afghan government is had empowered. Second, starting also responsible for the The Afghan govfrom the US Agency ernment is also responfor International Develfailures of the last 20 years. sible for the failures of opment (USAID) down the last 20 years. There to the actual There were two main were two main impedibuilder/implementer, impediments that doomed ments that doomed the projects are contracted Afghan government and subcontracted multhe Afghan government from from the outset. First, it tiple times, promoting the outset. First, it was (and was (and still is) under corruption and affectforeign occupation, ing the work’s quality still is) under foreign with meagre foreign asand quantity. For insistance being its sole stance, a project anoccupation, with meagre lifeline. Second, finannounced for $20 foreign assistance being its cial and moral corrupmillion by USAID tion permeates the could actually be delivsole lifeline. Second, Afghan government, ered for $1 million. The financial and moral including President remaining $19 million Ghani’s Office, which (nominally spent for corruption permeates the further limits its freeAfghans’ welfare) dom of action. would then go to the Afghan government, The recent Geneva middlemen’s pockets. including President Ghani’s Conference on A considerable porAfghanistan, where tion of the aid money Office, which further limits Afghans once again exthat the Afghans are its freedom of action tended their collective supposed to benefit begging bowl before the from is being funneled international commuback to the USA and nity, is yet another indiother donor countries cation that neither the through fat salaries (and corrupt practices mentioned above). At one USA, nor its hand-picked Afghan government, has point, around 2000 NGOs were busy employing done its homework. Like previous aid packages, foreign “experts.” These “experts,” who proba- there is no guarantee that the Geneva aid package bly would have had difficulty finding a cashier’s would make any difference in ordinary Afghans’ job at McDonald’s, were housed in over-fur- lives. According to the Afghan government, 90 nished offices, bagging salaries as high as percent of Afghans are still below the poverty line. Naturally Afghanistan is not a poor country. $50,000 monthly. The US military also jumped on the corrup- A partial aerial survey of the country has retion bandwagon in a bizarre fashion. As the war vealed minerals worth $3 trillion. Yet, due to spiraled out of its control, the US military be- lack of interest from “donors” and the Afghan came dependent on private security companies government, no tanible efforts have been underto escort its personnel, equipment, and supplies taken to bring these minerals out and make across Afghanistan. To avoid being attacked, pri- Afghanistan stand on its own feet. An Afghan vate security companies started paying the Tal- civil servant once rightly remarked, “We are iban. The US military was fully aware of this. In beggars sleeping on gold.” other words, the USA had come to fight the TalArwin Rahi is a former adviser to the iban, who got bribed by private security companies not to attack them while escorting US Parwan governor in Afghanistan, and can be reached at rahiarwin@gmail.com. military convoys.
OPPOSITION was supporting a complete lockdown in the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. But now they are themselves flouting Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) and precautionary measures. They are holding conventions even with refusal of administration. PDM jalsa was held in Peshawar on 22 November, after that day covid19 cases surged in Peshawar and it recorded the highest number of cases in a single day. If this conduct of PDM remains, Pakistan will emerge as one hotspot of the fatal disease in the world. The country is reporting about three thousand cases daily, circumstances are worsening day by day. Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is an alliance of eleven different opposition parties against the incumbent government. Pakistan people’s party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim league (PML-N) are it’s major and strong pillars. however, there is a great number of supporters of these 11 parties. Thousands of masses join the congregations of PDM— how can we expect an ocean full of peoples and all fit as a faddle? If PDM is claiming that all SOPs are being followed in their gatherings then how PPP’s chairperson Bilawal Bhutto fall a prey to the lethal epidemic. One rotten apple spoil the barrel, it is to say that if one victim is joining convention he will definitely infect at least 30 to 40 other persons because in gatherings, people touch one another whether intentionally or unintentionally. In these times every country’s government and opposition are united under single frame and combating against COVID-19. every country is doing it’s best to make it’s country COVID-free.But it is crestfallen that our opposition and government are fighting against each other. They are unaware of what is ongoing in the country—peoples are going through difficult times of their life due to the fatal epidemic disease.It hard time, we can’t wipe out this death-dealing disease without one other’s support. We all have to be united under a single platform and fight against this deadly epidemic first. Time is not far when Pakistan will be free of COVID-19 Virus. Muzafar KHoso suKKur
Flu vaccine The unavailability of flu vaccine in the market is another failure of the government machinery to ensure its timely presence for the vulnerable people , especially the aged population to safeguard against the infection in the winter months. Doctors advise to get a shot as early as October to be on the safer side . The month of December has set in and there are no signs of the vaccine availability in the pharmacies . One wonders if the concerned government officials and the regulatory authorities are working . I think not . had they been working and competent , the medicine prices would not have shot up many folds in the recent months . Rather they have gone a step further that certain important medicines , like flu vaccine , have disappeared altogether. What a performance and governance by the concerned authorities ! Engr riaz bHutta laHorE
Cutting through difficulties The issues like food crisis, unemployment have been greatly highlighted by the mainstream english television channels like BBC, CNN especially in the wake of the current COVID situation. The other day CNN had highlighted the issue of food insecurities in America caused by the current pandemic whereas BBC has been highlighting the larger unemployment crisis in european countries like the UK. As a matter of fact, countries from the West like the USA, UK should take these issues seriously and must tackle them all head-on given their characteristics, geological structure, socio-economic status. The recent farmer protests in India had caught the attention of everyone out there. Any crisis in the farming sector should not be allowed to escalate into a bigger issue. By the by, I have been able to see rigorous farming activities going on in my native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Marthandam, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu all thanks to the good and bountiful rainfall this ongoing monsoon. Such rigorous agro activities should be encouraged continuously and they must go on back to back with all backup options like water sources, land, finance in place. Most importantly, agricultural activities, food production and consequent trade activities should be accelerated and even strengthened simultaneously and non-stop. Besides this, the apparent port operations should be fully supported by the regime out there through proper ways like superb infrastructure, reliable tax/tariff system. Finally, all the countries worldwide should give first priority to the farming and food sectors through proper channels like water sources/financial background and strengthening/safeguarding the plantation areas across the globe. P sEntHil saravana Durai MuMbai
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
08 WORLD VIEW
AssAssinAtion won’t hAve impAct on irAn nucleAr progrAmme “THE IRANIANS MASTERED THAT TECHNOLOGY TWENTY YEARS AGO. THIS GUY WAS IMPORTANT, NO QUESTION, BUT HE WAS NOT CRUCIAL TO IT. NOBODY IS CRUCIAL TO IT ANYMORE. THAT’S WHY DESCRIBING THIS AS A DEVASTATING BLOW IS NONSENSE”
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he roadside assassination, last week, of the Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was an elaborate intelligence operation that played out like a blockbuster thriller, according to unusually candid accounts by the Iranian media. Fakhrizadeh, who was around sixty and had a graying beard, and also a bit of a paunch, has often been compared to J. robert Oppenheimer, the father of America’s atomic bomb, and A. Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan’s nuclear program. Fakhrizadeh had enough secrets in his head that he was followed around by a team of bodyguards; he also held the title of brigadier general. On Friday, the Muslim holy day, he was reportedly travelling with his wife, in a black Nissan sedan, from Tehran to visit his in-laws in Absard, a town famed for its apple and cherry orchards, about forty-five miles away. highways around the capital are notoriously clogged, but travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 crisis have meant far less traffic. As Fakhrizadeh’s car neared a roundabout, a blue pickup truck parked near an electricity transmitter opened fire on the car and then exploded, cutting off local power, including to a nearby clinic; roadside cameras were disabled. One account claimed that a dozen gunmen—one group jumped out of a parked S.U.V. and another arrived on motorcycles, while snipers were hidden nearby— opened fire. A separate account, by Fars, the nation’s semi-official news agency, reported that all the fire came from the pickup truck, which was remote-controlled. Fars claimed that there were no human assailants at the scene; the whole operation took three minutes, the agency said. Both accounts said that Fakhrizadeh, hit multiple times, fell out of his car and bled out on the ground. The Iranian media released photos of the bulletriddled car and the blood stream. By the time a rescue helicopter got Fakhrizadeh to Tehran, he was dead. The attack sparked fury in Iran, breathless headlines around the world, and a lot of speculation about retaliation, which could, in turn, spark a mini-war. No one claimed responsibility. But the hit, which required detailed intelligence about a secretive official’s weekend plans, his timing, and his route, mirrored four previous assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. Carried out between 2010 and 2012, the previous operations were widely associated with Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. “Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist
today,” the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, tweeted, on Friday. “This cowardice—with serious indications of Israeli role—shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators.” Iranian leaders vowed revenge. “Iran’s enemies should know that the people of Iran and officials are braver than to leave this criminal act unanswered,” President hassan rouhani said, in a nationally televised cabinet meeting. “In due time, they will answer for this crime.” rouhani added, though, that the government would not rush into a hasty decision. The glaring irony of the sensational operation is that it will probably have a negligible impact on Iran’s nuclear program. “No individual is crucial in a nuclear program like this anymore,” Bruce riedel, a former senior U.S. official who served in the National Security Council, the C.I.A., and the Pentagon, and who is now at the Brookings Institution, told me. “The Iranians mastered that technology twenty years ago. This guy was important, no question, but he was not crucial to it. Nobody is crucial to it anymore. That’s why describing this as a devastating blow is nonsense.” Fakhrizadeh was pivotal in developing the infrastructure for a weapons program and assembling the team to run it until 2003, Ariane Tabatabai, a fellow at the German Marshall Fund and the author of the new book “No Conquest, No Defeat: Iran’s National Security Strategy,” told me. But in 2003, in a deal struck with the three major european powers, Tehran agreed to suspend its program. By then, Iran had most of the know-how anyway. Tehran has since shifted its focus to enriching uranium, the fuel needed for both atomic weapons and peaceful nuclear-energy reactors. The C.I.A. has repeatedly concluded that Iran has not returned to weaponization. Fakhrizadeh later moved to the Defense Ministry’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and research. The crucial factor today is that Iran has the knowledge needed to fashion a nuclear device, but it lacks the material—highly enriched uranium or plutonium—necessary to build nuclear bombs, Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, in Washington, D.C., told me. “Whatever role Mr. Fakhrizadeh has played in the Iranian nuclear program, his assassination will not have material effect on Iran’s capability to amass more enriched uranium,” Kimball said. The enrichment program falls under the Atomic energy Organization of Iran, which is headed by Ali Akbar Salehi, an M.I.T. graduate. Salehi was a key player during the two years of intense international diplomacy that led to the Iran nuclear deal, in 2015. he and his organization were sanctioned by the Trump Administration, in January. “But since Iran now has the know-how, no single Iranian scientist is essential to assembling that technology into a bomb,” Tabatabai said. Instead, that decision would be political, and would be made by the Supreme National Security Council, then submitted to
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his final approval. This is the same decision-making process that was involved in agreeing to talks with the United States in 2013, and to the eventual nuclear deal. The domestic fallout from Fakhrizadeh’s assassination could be more impactful than the operation itself, partly because of the humiliation. The regime faces pressure to respond with bigger and bolder military action than it has in the past. “This is a truly serious blow to Iran, primarily in the eyes of the Iranian public,” a leader of a Middle eastern country, who asked not to be named, told me. “This has very profound implications to its internal dynamics. Therefore, they may choose to retaliate to overcome the sense of embarrassment and vulnerability.” Kayhan, a hard-line paper close to the Supreme Leader, urged the government to attack haifa, the Israeli port city, as a “deterrence, because the United States and the Israeli regime and its agents are by no means ready to take part in a war and a military confrontation.” The Fakhrizadeh assassination follows the U.S. drone strike that killed Major General Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the élite expeditionary wing of the revolutionary Guards, after he landed in Baghdad, in January. Tehran has long charged that Washington and Jerusalem are in cahoots on Iran strategy. The White house did not comment on Fakhrizadeh’s assassination, although President Trump retweeted a Times story about it and two tweets—in english and in hebrew—by an Israeli journalist who wrote that Fakhrizadeh’s death was “a major psychological and professional blow for Iran.” After the Suleimani assassination, Iran fired missiles at two Iraqi bases that also housed U.S. troops. No Americans were killed, but more than a hundred American personnel suffered various degrees of traumatic brain injury; more than seventy of the troops returned to duty within weeks. Since it abandoned the nuclear deal and resumed punitive economic sanctions against Iran, in 2018, the Trump Administration has orchestrated an escalating “maximum pressure” campaign to convince the Islamic republic to accept sweeping new provisions that cover its missile program, support for extremist movements, intervention in the Middle east, and human-rights abuses. The Administration has sanctioned dozens of Iranian institutions, banks, foundations, and government ministries and ministers, and has threatened to sanction nations and third-party companies that do business with Iran. So far, Trump’s strategy has failed. Iran has demanded assurances that sanctions will be lifted in any new diplomatic arrangement. Since the Fakhrizadeh assassination, the question increasingly being asked in Washington and in the fragile Middle east is about motive: Was the attack, now widely assumed to have been orchestrated by Israel, intended to kill one expert, or was it more broadly designed to un-
dermine an initiative by the incoming Biden Administration to reëngage diplomatically with Iran—or both? The President-elect has repeatedly said that he wants to return to the nuclear deal. “I think the three amigos— Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia—share an overwhelming determination to prevent Joe Biden from reviving U.S.Iran diplomacy and the nuclear deal,” riedel, the former U.S. official, said. earlier this month, Pompeo travelled to Israel and Saudi Arabia, and reportedly facilitated a meeting with Netanyahu and Bin Salman that many experts believe focussed more on joint efforts against Iran than on normalization of relations. reidel said that the Trump administration and Saudi officials are eager to thwart the type of diplomacy during the Obama years. “When you think back to 2016, when John Kerry called up his Iranian counterpart every week and spoke to him on the phone—it was extraordinary,” riedel said. “The Saudis and Israelis are desperate to prevent that from happening again. how do they set up a situation where Biden is boxed in and can’t do anything about it?” On November 12th, Trump asked Pentagon brass and cabinet officials, including Pompeo, about conducting a military strike on Iran’s nuclear program before he leaves office, on January 20th. In the end, the Times reported that Trump ceded to their concerns about the repercussions. riedel, like others, believes that Trump is still considering military options, including a strike on Iran’s main nuclear facility, in Natanz. Yet the assassination does not necessarily kill diplomacy, Wendy Sherman, the former chief U.S. negotiator on the Iran nuclear deal, told me. It “complicates diplomacy but does not foreclose it,” she said. Both countries face challenges, particularly Iran. “It has a Presidential election in June. Will this strengthen the revolutionary Guards and the hard-liners? Or are the revolutionary Guards and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security weakened, as they didn’t protect him?” Sherman said. “Who inside Iran does this help or hurt? And does it make it more difficult to come to the table? Iran still has a devastated economy and COVID-19. Will that be most important?” At Fakhrizadeh’s funeral service, on Monday, the Supreme Leader rejected negotiations with the United States. “Our enemies oppose the nature of the Islamic republic establishment,” he said, in a statement read on his behalf. “They will never put an end to their hostilities toward us.” Throughout his thirty-one-year reign, Khamenei has always said that the United States and its Western allies were not to be trusted. Yet he has repeatedly approved negotiations, even as he warned against them. With the ball now in Iran’s court on both military retaliation and diplomacy, the country is deeply divided into rival teams. hard-liners are pushing for tit-for-tat retaliation and rejection of new diplomacy with the Biden Administration, hadi Semati, a former political scientist at Tehran University, told me. “They say, ‘enough is enough.’ ” Some are talking about making the political decision to walk out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and manufacture an atomic bomb. Yet another faction in Iran advocates limited retaliation that does not trigger a wider conflict, and encourages engagement with Biden. “They don’t want to play into the hands of the hard-liners in the U.S. and Israel,” Semati said. “They understand that the game is bigger than one assassination.”
the secret behind success of india’s ruling party BJp MANY BJP, RSS AND VHP LEADERS I INTERVIEWED ADMIRED MR MODI’S FIDELITY TO IDEOLOGY AND KNACK FOR WINNING ELECTIONS. BUT MANY FOUND HIM RUTHLESS, SELF-AGGRANDISING AND SOLITARY,” SAYS PROF SITAPATI
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here is little doubt that the hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has ruled India uninterruptedly since 2014, has become the country’s dominant party. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing states, steadfastly expanded its pan-Indian footprint. The main opposition party, Congress, is adrift and enfeebled; the once-powerful regional parties appear to have exhausted much of their potential; and no credible challenger to Mr Modi is visible on the horizon. Political scientist Suhas Palshikar calls the BJP India’s “second dominant party system”, the first being former PM Indira Gandhi’s Congress which ruled the republic for more than half a century. The BJP is the only and first party to win clear majorities since rajiv Gandhi of Congress did so in 1984 elections. After Indira Gandhi, who was murdered in 1984, Mr Modi is the “only leader to truly claim mass appeal almost throughout the country”. The BJP’s electoral success is largely attributed to Mr Modi’s charisma and the politics of religious polarisation and strident nationalism. Its campaign is powered by an indefatigable network of workers, many of whom
are foot soldiers of its ideological fountainhead, rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (rSS), or Vishwa hindu Parishad (VhP), a group described by a political scientist as a “clamorous and militant sibling of the rSS”. In recent years, the BJP has also thrived on generous and “opaque funding”; and the unwavering support of a wide swathe of uncritical mainstream media. But step back a bit and the “secret sauce” of success of the BJP, as well as the rSS, may well be their “unbending focus on unity”, argues Vinay Sitapati, a political scientist, in his new book Jugalbandi: The BJP Before Modi. (The title loosely means a duet of two solo musicians in Indian classical music, and alludes to the partnership of two of BJP’s well-known founders, Atal Behari Vajpayee and LK Advani.) From a very early age, cadres belonging to the rSS, the 95-year-old bedrock of hindu nationalism, are taught a particular version of hindu history where “glorious hindus lose out because they stab each other in the back and they are not united”, says Prof Sitapati, who teaches political science and legal studies at Ashoka University. This is reinforced, among other things, through selective telling of history and the group’s fabled physical training exercises which are “not just exercise, but exercise done together”. Cadres are taught to march together, stand on top of each other in a pyramid, and play “games” that are more associated with team bonding exercises in private firms. “All this is to highlight the importance of unity. This unifying belief has become an organisational ethic. This is not like every cadre based party,” Prof Sitapati told me. The BJP aims at uniting hindus, who comprise more than 80% of Indians, and make them vote as one. That’s why it downplays caste - which has traditionally divided hindus and their political allegiances - “ups the volume on
Islamophobia”, and emphasises the importance of ancient hindu texts, according to Prof Sitapati. Like other parties, the BJP has suffered from its share of discord. It has been in power for barely 12 years of the four decade-long life in electoral politics. Being out of power meant there was no patronage to dole out to its workers for a long time. relations between the top leaders - Atal Behari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani - were often rocky. It is well documented, for example, how Vajpayee - now deceased - and a few members of his cabinet were unhappy with Mr Modi’s continuation as the chief minister of Gujarat after the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in the state under the latter’s watch. The riots began after 60 hindu pilgrims died when a train carrying them was set on fire. Still the party stuck together. “They have sometimes been like an unhappy family which stays together. Their obsession with unity is based on the deep understanding of the flaws of Indian society,” says Prof Sitapati. Political parties are coalitions of competing interests and factions usually held together by charismatic leaders, ideologies, organisational prowess and, in India’s case, caste. Dissent and intra-party conflict are common. India’s parties have been splintered by competing egos of leaders and factional feuds. Leaders have broken away from the Congress to form successful regional parties. Nothing of that sort has happened with the BJP - yet. Led first by Vajpayee and Mr Advani, and now by Mr Modi and home Minister Amit Shah, the party, with ample support from the rSS, has held together. “I am revealing no secrets when I say that many BJP leaders dislike Mr Modi. Many BJP, rSS and VhP leaders I interviewed admired Mr Modi’s fidelity to ideology and knack for winning elections. But many found him ruthless, self-aggrandising and solitary,” says Prof Sitapati. It helps
that the BJP, in the words of Milan Vaishnav, a political scientist, is an “unusual party”. “It is the political wing of a broader constellation of hindu nationalist organisations. It is very hard to separate the political entity from allied and nominally political entities associated with it. The networked model means that the BJP gains a lot of strength from its grassroots organisations and its dense networks help keep individuals inside the tent, so to speak,” Prof Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the Carnegie endowment for International Peace in Washington, told me. It is not that dissenters have not left the BJP. “The puzzle is that they don’t survive politically and return to the party. Perhaps the reason is BJP is a deeply ideological party and the ideological glue holds it together - and you will find this in the parties on the Left and right,” says rahul Verma, a political scientist and co-author of Ideology and Identity, a book which explores the role of ideology in Indian politics. Whether the BJP will stick together forever is impossible to predict. Its take-no-prisoners style of politics means they have thrown open their doors to defectors often tainted - from other parties. This can lead to inevitable contradictions over ideological ‘purity’. “how long you can manage the contradictions?” wonders Mr Verma. For as long as the party is winning, surely. That’s why elections are the cornerstone of BJP’s existence. Mr Verma says BJP’s social base is expanding but their leadership still remains predominantly upper caste. That’s another contradiction the party might have to grapple with in the future. Critics believe BJP’s unabashedly majoritarian politics is altering the “idea of India”, one which was more tolerant and informed by secular values. “Their idea of India won,” says Prof Sitapati, “because they worked as one.”
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
BUSINESS 09
ECC APPrOvES gAS SUPPLY TO PSM, EndS rEgULATOrY dUTY On COTTOn IMPOrT
corporate corner
LAHORE
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KARACHI: Easypaisa, Pakistan’s leading digital payments platform has yet again added another feather to its cap by winning the Emerging Payments Award 2020 for the ‘Best Financial Inclusion Payments Initiative’. The renowned mobile banking platform was one of the two winners, out of four contestants, to bag the awards. PRESS RElEASE
Jazz World becomes Pakistan’s largest local app with 7 million monthly users KARACHI: Jazz World, the self-care platform of Pakistan's number one 4G operator, has crossed seven million monthly active users. This milestone cements Jazz World as the largest local app in Pakistan. This is a translation of Jazz’s customer-centricity ambitions into a consistent, digital experience that allows subscribers timely and effective assistance with most of their account requirements. Jazz World’s popularity has played a critical role in maintaining the connection with, and confidence in, the Jazz brand, which today serves more than 64 million subscribers.“Jazz World is a testament to our commitment of developing best-in-class digital products to facilitate our customers. 7 million monthly active users is a big milestone and we would like to thank all our users for placing their trust in us. Jazz remains committed to providing best-in-class customer experience to our loyal users,” said Jazz Chief Digital & Strategy Officer Aamer Ejaz. PRESS RElEASE
STAFF REPORT
HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the release of Rs410-million grant to the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for supply of gas to the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). The decision was made during the ECC meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to discuss a 10-point agenda. Planning Minister Asad Umar, Industries & Production Minister Hammad Azhar, Privatisation Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Power & Petroleum Minister Omar Ayub Khan, Maritime Affairs Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, SAPM on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood and Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain were also present on the occasion. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Reza Baqir joined the meeting through a video link. Earlier in the meeting, the Ministry of Industries had suggested the ECC to defer the grant till the privatisation of PSM, and to release an overall grant of Rs984 million through technical supplementary grants (TSG). However, the ECC instructed the finance ministry to immediately release Rs410 million to clear SSGC's dues. It may be mentioned that the SSGC had warned PSM of disconnecting their gas connection if the com-
pany fails to pay outstanding gas bills. According to sources, a low flame gas supply of 2MMCFD is being supplied to PSM for primarily preserving coke oven batteries and refractory kilns at an average monthly bill of Rs82 million despite the fact that the production activity had been discontinued in 2015. The government had recently released Rs11bn for retired employees of PSM on court orders. Of the total, Rs3.85bn has been disbursed to employees. Meanwhile, the committee approved a commerce ministry proposal regarding the removal of 5pc regulatory duty on import of cotton yarn till June 30, 2021, to enhance value-added exports. Separately, the ministry submitted a summary seeking reconsideration of a decision regarding the procedure for registration under the concessionary regime of electricity, RLNG and gas in export-oriented sectors - erstwhile zero-rated sectors. After due deliberation, the finance advisor directed to maintain status quo on the condition that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) may register new manufacturers or exporters in five export-oriented sectors in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce till June next year. Moreover, the Communication Division requested the ECC for conversion of National Highways Authority (NHA) loans into a government grant or a complete waive-off for much-needed fiscal space. A detailed presentation was made before the forum to remodel NHA as a self-sustaining and performancebased organisation in this regard. The committee directed the ministry to constitute
a sub-committee under the chairmanship of Asad Umar to prepare within a month a proposal suggesting revenue generation roadmap for NHA. The NHA was also granted a one-month moratorium to work out details and present recommendations regarding its financial viability before the forum. Furthermore, the finance advisor approved the allocation of up to 9.5MMCFD gas from M/s Pakistan Petroleum Limited’s Benari X-I discovery to SSGC. Similarly, the allocation of 10MMCFD gas from PPL’s Hadaf X-I to SSGCL was also approved. The ECC also accorded approval for allocation of additional funds for maintenance of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) building and judges residences through TSG as requested by the Ministry of Housing and Works. Among other decisions, the committee directed the logistics committee to ensure berthing of wheat and sugar vessels on priority while making sure that other imports are not affected. However, due to shortage of time, the agenda item on Karachi Transformation Plan was deferred till the next meeting for a detailed discussion. Later in the day, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood in a statement on his official Twitter account said that the removal of regulatory tax from cotton yarn will facilitate exporters of the apparel sector. "This is in line with our policy of getting more value-added products. The ECC decision will now go to the cabinet for ratification, after which it will be notified," he added.
PIA signs cargo charter agreement with Oriental Sky Aviation ISLAMABAD
UBL declared ‘Bank of the Year 2020 – Pakistan’ by The Banker ISLAMABAD: UBL has been recognized as the “Bank of the Year 2020 - Pakistan” at the Banker Awards. The virtual awards ceremony was held on 2nd December 2020 in London. The Banker, an affiliate of the Financial Times UK, is the world’s leading financial publication for the last 94 years. Shazad G. Dada, President & CEO UBL, said on the occasion, “Being declared the ‘Bank of the Year’ by The Banker, the world’s leading financial publication, for the fourth time in a decade is indeed a great accomplishment. While the year has been tough and challenging given Covid-19, it has also given us ample opportunities to serve our customers more efficiently using our unparalleled digital solutions and geographical reach. I would like to thank all our stakeholders including State Bank and Government of Pakistan who have firmly supported us during these unprecedented times.” PRESS RElEASE
STAFF REPORT
LAHORE: A vendor arranges fruits to attract customers to his roadside setup near Bhobatian Chowk. ZUBAIR MEHFOOZ
MARKET DAILY
Bulls toss benchmark index above 42,000 level KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Stocks continued their winning streak for third day on Wednesday, with the benchmark index crossing the 42,000-mark supported by upbeat investor sentiment. Global equity markets also showed a positive trend, whereas crude oil prices dipped lower from the previous close; WTI crude price falling 0.22pc to $44.45 while Brent crude oil price declining 0.17pc to $47.34. "Pakistan Stock Exchange continued with this week's bullish momentum and finally crossed the 42,000 level on Wednesday. Cement sector led the index on the back of an increase in cement price in the northern region, which coincided with brisk buying activity in small and mid-caps
in autos, chemical, steel, refinery and miscellaneous sectors," a report issued by Arif Habib Ltd read. SUMMARY: The KSE-100 Index remained in the green throughout the session, registering its intraday high at 42,074.11 after gaining 408.84 points. It settled higher by 362.11 points at 42,027.38. Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index accumulated 702.09 points to end at 67,849.54, while the KSE All Share Index added 203.03 points, closing at 29,407.77. The overall market volumes fell from 489.12 million shares in the previous session to 476.68 million shares (3pc). Average traded value, however, increased by 5pc, from $121.4 million to $127.2 million. Unity Foods Ltd (UNITY -0.98pc), TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +5.71pc) and Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL +1.13pc) led the volume
chart, exchanging 39.73 million, 38.58 million and 34.57 million shares, respectively. Sectors that drove the benchmark index north included automobile assembling (+73.39 points), banking (+58.32 points) and technology & communication (+36.63 points). Among the companies, Bank AL Habib Ltd (BAHL +40.96 points), TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +39.68 points) and Millat Tractors Ltd (MTL +39.05 points) remained the top contributors to the index. Adding 4.81pc in its cumulative market capitalization, the automobile assembling sector ended as the session's top performer, with Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Ltd (HCAR +3.60pc), Indus Motor Company Ltd (INDU 6.48pc) and Pakistan Suzuki Motors Company Ltd (PSMC 1.96pc) posting decent gains.
Pakistan International Airlines and Oriental Sky Aviation Limited on Wednesday signed a landmark cargo charter agreement, paving way for direct and daily dedicated cargo flights between Pakistan and China. The instrument of agreement was signed between the PIA general manager (charters) and Oriental Sky Aviation MD Rush Wang at the PIA office. PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik and Chief Commercial Officer Ali Tahir Qasim were also present on the occasion. As per the agreement, PIA will operate seven weekly flights to Urumqi (China), with four flights a week from Islamabad and three flights from Lahore. It will be a one-of-itskind operation as PIA has never operated daily cargo flights on this sector. PIA will be using its Airbus A320s for the said operations. Upon contact, PIA Spokesperson Abdullah Khan said that during Covid-19, airlines across the globe have seen unprecedented surge in demand for air cargo with many converting their passenger planes to cargo freighters to take advantage of this situation. "PIA is also aggressively pursuing this path and we are evaluating and looking out for opportunities to operate dedicated cargo flights to a number of sectors, specifically on China and Central Asian routes. PIA is already operating passenger and cargo charters to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and Xi'an in China." Speaking on the small and modest ceremony, PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik appreciated his commercial team for taking initiatives to augment the existing revenue sources and thanked the Oriental Sky Aviation MD for his patronage of PIA. He said that with a daily connection, trade and commerce between the two countries in the post-Covid scenario will be greatly facilitated and will help in normalcy after perhaps the most devastating year for commercial aviation worldwide.
Pakistan seeks to earn $210m from kinnow export this season ISLAMABAD GHUlAM ABBAS
Expecting to export an additional 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of kinnow, exporters have set a target of exporting 350,000MT of the fruit this season as compared to the 300,000MT exported last year. According to documents available with this scribe, the All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA) had commenced the export of kinnow from Dec 1. The association expects to
fetch foreign exchange worth $210 million this season. It may be mentioned that Pakistan's total production of kinnow is estimated to be around 2,100,000 metric tonnes this year; however, the production of exportable quality kinnow is far less. Of the total produce, 75pc consists of B and C grade kinnow that are not up to exportable standards. This is because the orchards are 60 years old and susceptible to various diseases. In addition, Pakistani kinnow suffers from the common disease of blemish and
melanoses which badly affects its cosmetic look. Owing to this very reason, the PFVA, for the last several years, had imposed a 'self-ban' on exports to Europe to avoid a ban by the EU itself. Presently, as the demand for citrus fruits containing vitamin C was increasing in the international markets due to coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan remains unable to exploit this unique opportunity to its advantage despite being a prominent producer of citrus fruits. Talking to Profit, PFVA Chairman Wa-
CMYK
heed Ahmed said that the overall export of citrus fruits and value-added products can be enhanced to $1 billion in five years, but it is imperative to explore new varieties of disease-free citrus fruits and establish new orchards with a higher yield per acre through extensive research & development (R&D). "It is ironic that Punjab, a hub of kinnow production, could not draw the provincial government's attention [towards the problems], while the federal government also continues to ignore the longstanding
issues being faced by the kinnow industry," he stated, lamenting that the association has been continuously raising serious concerns over the dark clouds hovering above the kinnow industry to the federal as well provincial governments for the last decade. As per the documents, Pakistan's kinnow industry is worth around Rs125 billion; the entire economy of Bhalwal and Sargodha depends on this industry while about 250 processing factories of the citrus fruit located in Punjab are providing direct employment to 2.5 million people.
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
10 FOREIGN NEWS No evidence of fraud to change election outcome: US attorney general WASHINGTON AGENCIES
US Attorney General William Barr has said that the Justice Department has not found evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. His comments come despite President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that the election was stolen, and his refusal to concede his loss to president-elect Joe Biden. Barr, one of Trump's strongest allies, said lawyers and FBI agents had been following up specific complaints and information they had received, but found no evidence that would change the election result. Before the election, he repeatedly raised the notion that mail-in voter fraud could be especially vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic, as Americans feared going to polling centres. Last month, Mr Barr issued a directive to US lawyers across the country allowing them to pursue “substantial allegations” of any voting irregularities before the 2020 presidential election was certified, despite no evidence at that time of widespread fraud. That memorandum gave prosecutors the ability to go around long-standing Justice Department policy that normally prohibit such actions before the election was certified. Soon after it was issued, the department’s top elections crime official announced he would step down because of the directive.
ADB approves $100m grant for Afghanistan’s Covid-19 response MANILA AGENCIES
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Wednesday approved a $100 million grant to help the government of Afghanistan respond to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. "ADB reaffirms its full commitment to supporting Afghanistan in its fight against COVID-19 and reducing the adverse impact of the pandemic on the lives of Afghans and the economy,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa in a statement. He said that the assistance will help strengthen the health system, expand social protection for the poor and vulnerable population while ensuring gender mainstreaming, and support macroeconomic stabilization and job creation in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s economic outlook has deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic because of business lockdowns, a sharp drop in household incomes, and a downturn in regional trade and remittances. ADB forecasts Afghanistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) to contract by 5.0 percent this year.
BiDeN woN’t immeDiAtely eND phASe oNe ChiNA trADe DeAl: report NEW YORK
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AGENCIES
S President-elect Joe Biden says he will not immediately end the phase one trade agreement with China or roll back punitive tariffs on Chinese goods imposed by President Donald Trump, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. In an interview with a Times columnist, Biden said that the United States needed to regain leverage to use in negotiations with China. The US needs to develop a bipartisan
consensus and increase government-led investments in research and development, infrastructure and education to better compete with China, according to the president-elect. “I want to make sure we’re going to fight like hell by investing in America first,” Biden said. Under the phase one deal signed in January, China agreed to increase purchases of US products and services by at least $200bn over 2020 and 2021. The deal also leaves in place 25 percent tariffs on a $250bn array of Chinese industrial goods and components used by US manufacturers, and China’s retalia-
tory tariffs on more than $100bn in US goods. Biden’s team will pursue policies targeted at China’s “abusive practices,” including “stealing intellectual property, dumping products, illegal subsidies to corporations” and forcing “tech transfers” from US companies to their Chinese counterparts, according to the interview. The deal reached under Trump was seen as a significant breakthrough after a two-year-long trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies. It set ambitious targets for China to sharply boost purchases of US farm and manufactured goods. But ties
Israel's govt crumbles as Gantz says Netanyahu 'lied to all' TEL AVIV AGENCIES
Israel's precarious coalition government was a step closer to collapse on Wednesday with politicians expected to approve a preliminary measure to dissolve parliament, raising prospects of elections next year. In a prime-time televised address on Tuesday, Benny Gantz, the key coalition partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said his centrist Blue and White party would back a bill to dissolve the Knesset, Israel's parliament. But Wednesday's parliamentary vote on an opposition proposal is only a first step. A bill to dissolve the Knesset will require three additional successful readings before new elections must be called. Gantz's decision to side with the opposition, at least for now, highlights the widening cracks in Israel's centre-right coalition, imperilled from the start by mistrust, infighting and public recriminations.
"I had no illusions about Netanyahu," Gantz said in his Tuesday speech. He reminded Israelis that he battled the prime minister in three consecutive inconclusive elections that did not allow either leader to form a majority government. Gantz said he decided to agree on a unity government with Netanyahu, who he knew to be a "serial promise-breaker", because he wanted to spare Israelis "an ugly and costly" fourth election, especially because the coronavirus pandemic was accelerating. "Netanyahu didn't lie to me," Mr Gantz said. "He lied to all of you." The Netanyahu-Gantz coalition, established in April, included strict power-sharing arrangements. Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, was to serve as prime minister for the first half of the three-year arrangement. Gantz had been scheduled to take over as premier in November 2021
but Netanyahu's critics always insisted he would find a way to sink the coalition before vacating the prime minister's office for Gantz. The unity deal included several triggers that would automatically force new elections, including a failure to pass a budget. Gantz accused Netanyahu of consistently misleading the public over the budget issue to serve his own political ends. "Netanyahu committed to pass a budget in August, and naturally did not stand by his word. He promised that it would happen in December and is not following through. Does anyone believe him any more?" Gantz said. Gantz directly called on Netanyahu to "put a state budget forward", making clear that if he did so, new elections could be avoided. Netanyahu released a video shortly before Gantz spoke on Tuesday, urging him to keep the coalition together. "Now is not the time for elections," Netanyahu said. "Now is the time for unity."
China to overtake US as world's largest consumer market soon: NDRC BEIJING AGENCIES
China's consumer goods market is rapidly catching up with the US and is poised to become the world's largest in near future, according to a top Chinese economic planning agency official. "China's retail sales for the first time surpassed 40 trillion yuan in 2019, an increase of more than 42 percent from 2015. It will overtake the United States to become the top consumer goods market very soon," deputy chief of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Lian Weiliang, said at the China Reform Forum, as quoted by Chinese media. He added that the Chinese economy should take advantage of its "super-large market" to build a
"high-quality market system in five years." While the official did not offer any particular timeframe within which the two consumer markets would trade places, state-run Global Times newspaper noted in an article that it could happen this year. The pandemic has crippled retail sales around the globe in the past 12 months, with consumers remaining cautious about their spending amid a crisis that has left millions without jobs. In October, retail sales in both the US and China missed growth expectations, but the latter posted bigger gains. Retail sales grew 4.3 percent in China, while the US saw 0.3 percent growth. Retail sales were expected to pick up amid big holiday sales in November. This year's Black Friday has already set another record with
consumer spending reaching $9 billion. Meanwhile, Cyber Monday is poised to become the biggest online shopping day in US history, with anticipated sales of up to $12.7 billion. However, both events are far behind China's Single's Day, which generated $115 billion on two giant online platforms Alibaba and JD.com. China was just about $200 billion behind US consumer spending in 2019 before the coronavirus crisis hit, according to Wang Yiming, former deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council. He also noted that the predicted shift could occur as early as this year. Wang warned, however, that domestic consumption in China is still under pressure, while high household debt and a widening income gap could create additional challenges.
EU needs perpetual debt to survive: George Soros BRUSSELS AGENCIES
Objections by Poland and Hungary over a European Union (EU) plan to deal with the economic crisis has put the bloc in a “very difficult situation” and raises doubts over its future, according to billionaire investor George Soros. Soros had previously said the EU should issue “perpetual bonds,” which means the principal amount of the money borrowed would never be repaid, only the annual interest pay-
ments. It also assumes the EU would last forever and therefore keep paying the interest back to the lender. Perpetual bonds could allow the region to fund projects at very low costs. However, Soros has changed his mind, writing in an opinion article that “Right now, it would be impossible for the EU to issue perpetual bonds, because the member states are too divided.” He explained that “Investors will buy perpetual bonds only from an entity that they believe will continue to exist for the foreseeable future… Sadly, it is not
true of the EU today.” Last month, the Hungarian and Polish governments vetoed the EU's plan to link access to the union’s funding to the application by member states of rule of law, a check on whether countries are complying with European values. If accepted, the budget would allow Brussels to limit funding and sanction EU governments that did not abide by their own laws. The veto means that the contents of the next EU budget, which runs from 2021 to 2027, are in doubt.
quickly soured following the coronavirus pandemic and China’s imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong. Both sides traded threats and sanctions on individuals and businesses, such as Chinese video sharing platform TikTok. Official data also suggests China’s imports of US farm and manufactured goods, energy and services are far behind the pace needed to meet a first-year target increase of $77bn above 2017 purchases. China’s purchases have, however, increased in recent months as its economy recovers from this year’s coronavirus lockdown.
Salesforce agrees to buy Slack for $27.7bn SAN FRANCISCO: Salesforce.com agreed to buy Slack Technologies for $27.7 billion in cash and stock, giving the corporate software giant a popular workplacecommunications platform in one of the biggest technology deals of the year. The transaction, Salesforce’s largest-ever acquisition, is expected to close by the end of July, the San Francisco-based company said Tuesday in a statement. Slack investors will receive $26.78 for each company share as well as 0.0776 share of Salesforce -- representing a 55 per cent premium to Slack’s price on November 24, the day before reports about deal talks between the companies. Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff has orchestrated more than 60 acquisitions in 21 years, taking his company from dotcom era upstart to a titan of cloud computing. The Slack deal would give Salesforce, the leader in programmes for managing customer relationships, another angle of attack against Microsoft, which has itself become a major force in internet-based computing. Microsoft’s Teams product, which offers a workplace chatroom, automation tools and videoconference hosting, is a top rival to Slack. “Together, Salesforce and Slack will shape the future of enterprise software and transform the way everyone works in the all-digital, work-fromanywhere world,” Mr Benioff said in the statement. Stewart Butterfield, Slack’s co-founder and chief executive, will continue to run the business as a Salesforce unit when the deal is completed. He said he is excited to join the company that sparked the cloud revolution. “The opportunity we see together is massive,” Mr Butterfield said in the statement. “This is the most strategic combination in the history of software, and I can’t wait to get going.” Salesforce’s shares declined about 4 per cent in extended trading after closing at $241.35. The stock has jumped 48 per cent this year. Slack’s shares were little changed after closing at $43.84. The stock has almost doubled in 2020, with about half of that gain coming since the acquisition talks were reported. AGENCIES
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
KOhlI BeCOmes fAsTesT PlAyer TO sCOre 12,000 runs In ODIs, leAves BehInD TenDulKAr
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uSTRALIA fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took the key wicket of Virat Kohli for 63 not long after the India captain became the fastest player to score 12,000 runs in one-day internationals as the visitors scored 302-5 on Wednesday in the last of three ODI matches. Kohli became the fastest player to score the 12,000 ODI career runs when he tapped Abbott to mid-off and took a quick single. Kohli achieved the feat in his 242nd innings, 59 innings quicker than Sachin Tendulkar.
The now-retired Tendulkar has the highest number of ODI runs with 18,426. Kohli posted his 60th ODI half century before feathering a catch to Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey, a decision that went to the TV umpire after it was given not out on the field. India, which lost the first two matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground, won the toss and elected to bat at Manuka Oval and hoped for a change in momentum. The visitors made up for a slow start with an unbeaten 150run partnership between Hardik Pandya (92) and Ravindra Jadeja (66), a record for India for the sixth-wicket
Cricket West Indies officials happy with ‘concise and tight’ Covid-19 protocols in Bangladesh Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials, currently in Bangladesh to inspect the bio-security plans and health protocols in the country ahead of a proposed tour next month, are “very impressed” with the “concise and tight” arrangements. The three-format tour could yet be shortened, but question marks hanging over it might have been dispelled for the time being. Dr Akshai Mansingh, the CWI director, and security manager Paul Slowe arrived in Dhaka on November 28, and conducted a survey of facilities in Dhaka and Chattogram, including at airports, hotels, stadia, practice facilities and hospitals over the past few days. They will now report their observations to the CWI board of directors, who will then make a decision on the tour. “The protocols that were described to us by the BCB were very, very well thought out,” Mansingh said at a press interaction. “The fact that there has been three competitions prior to our coming and one [Bangabandhu T20 Cup] going on now obviously, they are well practiced [with bio-secure bubbles]. We are very happy with what we saw in Dhaka and Chattogram. The facilities are excellent. The Covid protocols are concise and tight. “The national approach, both in the hotels and hospitals that we visited, comply with all international standards recommended for Covid-19. From a medical point of view, we are very happy and we now have to present our findings to the board of directors of CWI. I am very confident what we saw is probably as good an arrangement as you can have anywhere in the world.” Mansingh said that the tour dates hadn’t yet been firmed up, mainly because of the quarantine protocols that the West Indies team would have to adhere to before and after arriving in Bangladesh. “According to Covid protocols, there will be at least seven days where we have to make sure we are not contaminating Bangladesh,” he said. “So we have to make sure we are in quarantine. It is not just days, but negative tests as well. There have to be at least one negative tests before coming and three negative tests while in Bangladesh. That period is usually seven days, and that’s why the exact dates have to be worked out now. “Certainly for the first three days, we suggest in-room quarantine. After the third day, we do a second test. After that is negative, we would like to do some practicing within our squad, but not exposing ourselves to anybody else until seven days are passed. We will have inter-squad practice and activities. After Day 7, the recommendation is that we should have net sessions with Bangladeshi players,” he said. The BCB hasn’t hosted any international cricket during the pandemic, with Australia and New Zealand having postponed their tours scheduled for June and August respectively. Bangladesh also haven’t toured any country, having come close to going to Sri Lanka before that tour was called off in September. AGENCIES
against Australia. The pair added 110 runs in the last 10 overs. India lost both openers in the first 16 overs. Shikar Dhawan played a loose shot off Sean Abbott to Ashton Agar in the covers for 16, and Shubman Gill was trapped lbw for 33 trying to sweep Agar. Pandya anchored the latter half of the innings, scoring 92 from 76 balls, while Jadeja’s 66 came from 50 balls and contained five boundaries and three sixes. Australia won the first ODI by 66 runs and the second by 51 to clinch the series. Australia batted first in both wins and teams batting first have won
the last seven games at Manuka Oval. Cameron Green made his ODI debut for Australia as a replacement for injured opener David Warner. The latter had sustained a groin strain while fielding in Sunday’s series-deciding ODI win at the SCG. After scores of 69 and 83 in the first two ODIs, Warner is hoping to recover in time for the test series, which starts Dec. 17 in Adelaide. Green conceded 27 runs from his first four overs in ODI cricket. Agar returned the best figures for Australia with 2-44 from 10 overs, avoiding the India’s run-scoring onslaught in the dying overs.
Marvellous Dawid Malan 99* steers England to record chase and 3-0 sweep AGENCIES
venue in the first match. England’s fielding was not at its best, and A world-record partnership between Dawid on the last ball of the innings Sam Curran Malan and Jos Buttler saw England overhaul caught van der Dussen on the boundary but an impressive South Africa total with ease and threw the ball in thinking - possibly mistakenly - that he was going to touch the rope, but sweep their T20I series 3-0 at Newlands. not hard enough for Archer to grab a An unbroken century stand berelay catch. It didn’t matter as by tween Rassie van der Dussen and then the damage was done - or Faf du Plessis threatened to salENGLAND 192 so it seemed. vage some South African THAT MAN MALAN pride. But England proved FOR 1 (MALAN 99*, (AND BUTTLER TOO): just too good again as Malan BUTTLER 67*) BEAT Malan, Player of the Match and Buttler brushed aside their efforts with an unSOUTH AFRICA 191 FOR 3 as England sealed an unassailable 2-0 series lead at beaten 167-run partnership (VAN DER DUSSEN 74*, DU Paarl on Sunday, bettered of their own, the highest secPLESSIS 52*) BY NINE himself and further stamped ond-wicket stand in T20Is. his authority as the world’s Player of the Match for the WICKETS leading batsman in this format. second time in a row, and Player He needed the help of DRS to of the Series, Malan was unbeaten overturn an lbw decision on 16 when on 99 from just 47 deliveries, while Buttler was not out with 67 off 46 to hand Eng- Lungi Ngidi’s delivery was found to have land a nine-wicket victory with 14 balls to pitched outside leg. Malan was the beneficiary spare and see their side pass Australia at the again when, returning for a second run, he found himself well short as Temba Bavuma top of the ICC rankings. Van der Dussen and du Plessis came to- fired the ball in brilliantly to Quinton de Kock, gether with their side stuttering on 64 for 3 but who broke the stumps with his gloves but the piled on 127 off 66 deliveries, including 84 ball lodged in his midriff. Around those moruns off the last five overs, to set England a ments, however, Malan was dominant, thrashtarget of 192 when no side had previously ing five sixes, including a monstrous 94-metre made 190 batting second at Newlands. Van effort down the ground off a Ngidi slower ball, der Dussen’s unbeaten on 74, off just 32 balls, and 11 fours. Buttler was also in fine form, striking five sixes. With five overs remaining - and was his highest score in T20Is. South Africa were without fast bowler nine wickets in hand - England needed just 27 Kagiso Rabada due to a groin strain and their runs and with both batsmen roaring they made bowlers lacked penetration as Malan and But- the task look simple. JORDAN ON THE TOP: Chris Jordan came tler dominated the attack. STELLAR UNION: South Africa looked in out on top once again in a battle with de Kock, danger of becoming bogged down in their in- whose brisk 17 off 12 deliveries could not nings, but Reeza Hendricks’ dismissal brought erase the sense that he is shouldering a heavy together du Plessis and van der Dussen and it burden as opener, captain and wicketkeeper. In doing so, Jordan took the outright lead didn’t take them too long to find their stride. Van der Dussen struck the first of his five as England’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is sixes, pulling Ben Stokes over deep square leg with 66, having drawn level with Stuart Broad to double his score to 12 but it was just the be- in the previous match. De Kock had scored 11 ginning. Tom Curran’s second over, the 16th of the 12 runs to come off Archer’s second of the innings, went for 16, book-ended by over, including a four followed immediately two giant sixes to du Plessis. Van der Dussen by a huge six that landed in the rubble of a then helped himself to 22 runs off Jofra Archer construction site beyond deep backward in the next over, bringing up his 50 off just 23 square. But when Jordan entered the attack in balls with South Africa looking far healthier the next over, he struck with his fourth ball as at 145 for 3. Du Plessis brought up his fifty de Kock miscued to mid-off and Tom Curran off 37 balls with four threaded off Sam Curran swallowed a straightforward catch. It was the wide of third man. It was his second half-cen- third time this series that Jordan had dismissed tury of the series following his 58 at the same de Kock.
SPORTS 11 Babar Azam retains second spot in T20I rankings Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam has retained the second spot in the new Twenty20 International (T20I) batting rankings published by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday. England’s Dawid Malan has attained the highest-ever rating points for batsmen in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings after a terrific run saw him top the series aggregate with 173 runs and help England blank South Africa 3-0. The left-hander’s player of the series performance helps England beat South Africa 3-0 to surpass Australia and take spot in the team rankings Rassie van der Dussen continues to rise to be in fifth place – up 17 places after the three-match series, despite South Africa’s defeat. The 33-year-old left-hander has reached 915 points, the first to cross the 900-point mark after Australian Aaron Finch’s 900-point achievement in July 2018. Malan now enjoys a 44point lead over Pakistan’s Babar Azam, whom he overtook to become number one in September this year. Malan’s player of the series performance included a match-winning 99 not out in the final match and helped England leapfrog Australia to take top position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. England, who had started the series at 271 points, are now level with Australia at 275 points but ahead on decimal points. South Africa and New Zealand retain their fifth and sixth positions while the West Indies have slipped behind Afghanistan to 10th place after losing 2-0 to New Zealand in another series, performances of which are also included in Wednesday’s rankings update. England’s Jos Buttler has gained seven spots to reach 21st position while South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen’s continued good form, which saw him score 136 runs in the series, has lifted him 17 places to a career-best fifth position. Faf du Plessis’s return to form, with an aggregate of 121 runs, has pushed him into the top 20. Among the bowlers, England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid is back to the 700-point mark, gaining three places to reach number 4. He is just one spot below his career-best third position achieved in November 2018. The top seven bowlers are all spinners, with Tabraiz Shamsi, South Africa’s top ranked bowler in 5th place. Chris Jordan, who became England’s leading T20I wicket-taker in the third match against South Africa with his 66th wicket, has gained one place to reach 12th rank. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi makes an entry into the top 50 bowlers for the first time after taking four wickets in the series. His previous best was 67th in September this year. The series in New Zealand saw the home side’s Lockie Ferguson leap 45 slots to 32nd position after finishing as the most successful bowler in the series with seven wickets, which included a player of the match effort of five for 21 in the first match. Glenn Phillips celebrated his recall to the New Zealand T20I side for the first time in two years by smashing a century in the second match and climbing into the top 100 batsmen for the first time – ending the series in 86th place. Kieron Pollard was the West Indian star of the series, scoring 103 runs at a strike rate of 198. That was good enough to take him up 18 places to the 57th rank with the bat and up to seventh place in the allrounders’ table. AGENCIES
One further Covid-19 positive in Pakistan touring squad One further positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed among the Pakistan touring squad in New Zealand bringing the total to eight. The latest case confirmed on Wednesday was one of three that were under investigation from Tuesday with the other two still to be determined. “This person is a member of the Pakistan cricket squad and was one of the three cases reported as under investigation yesterday,” a statement from the New Zealand Ministry of Health said. “They have now been confirmed to have an active Covid-19 infection. The two other cases remain under investigation. “The team is not allowed to train until the Canterbury DHB medical officer of health determines they are satisfied that any training activities are unlikely to transmit Covid-19.” Two of the eight positive tests have been deemed “historic” and not infectious with the PCB saying in a statement that those players are now isolating on the same floor as other members of the squad who have tested negative. The PCB added that following day nine tests on Thursday, those who continue to return negative test results are expected to be able to train for the rest of their time in managed isolation and after day 12 tests those who clear the 14-day health check will be able to leave managed isolation. “The PCB has been maintaining a close contact with the Pakistan team management in New Zealand and have kept them updated on the return to training process,” the statement said. “The management and the players are fully supportive of the process and keen to get back on to the field as soon as they are compliant with the New Zealand Government rules.” AGENCIES
Dawid Malan reaches 915 points, the highest ever for batsmen in T20I rankings AGENCIES Dawid Malan achieved the highest-ever points in the ICC T20I rankings for batsmen, getting to 915 at the end of the T20I series in South Africa. In the process, he also became the first batsman to cross the 900-point mark since Aaron Finch got there
in July 2018, his 173 runs at a strike rate of 161.68 helping England to a 3-0 series sweep in South Africa. Malan finished the series 44 points ahead of second-placed Babar Azam. Malan had scores of 19, 55 and 99* in the three-match series, which took England past Australia to the No. 1 position in
the T20I team rankings. India, Pakistan and South Africa make up the top five. New Zealand are in sixth place after their 2-0 win over West Indies, who have slipped to tenth. Among other players in action in South Africa, Buttler gained seven spots to get to No. 21 among batsmen, while Rassie van der
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Dussen’s 136 runs lifted him 17 places to No. 5, a career-best. Faf du Plessis’s 121 runs also helped him get into the top 20. Of the bowlers, Adil Rashid gained three spots to get to No. 4, while Chris Jordan gained one place to get to No. 12. Across in New Zealand, the home side won the first two games before the third was
washed out, and Lockie Ferguson, the best bowler across the two sides with seven wickets, including 5 for 21 in the first game, moved up 42 spots to the 32nd position. Glenn Phillips, who smashed the quickest T20I century by a New Zealander in the second fixture, got into the top 100 for the first time, moving to No. 86.
Thursday, 3 December, 2020
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FGHAN government and Taliban representatives said on Wednesday they had reached a preliminary deal to press on with peace talks, their first written agreement in 19 years of war welcomed by the United Nations and Washington. The agreement lays out the way forward for further discussion and is considered a breakthrough because it will allow negotiators to move on to more substantive issues, including talks on a ceasefire. “The procedure including its preamble of the negotiation has been finalised and from now on, the negotiation will begin on the agenda,” Nader Nadery, a member of the Afghan government’s negotiating team, told Reuters.
The Taliban spokesman confirmed the same on Twitter. The agreement comes after months of discussions in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in negotiations encouraged by the United States. In Afghanistan, the two sides are still at war, with Taliban attacks on government forces continuing unabated. US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said that the two sides had agreed on a “three-page agreement codifing rules and procedures for their negotiations on a political roadmap and a comprehensive ceasefire”. Taliban insurgents have refused to
Iran’s Guardian Council passes law on hardening nuclear stance, halting UN inspections Iran’s Guardian Council approved a law on Wednesday that obliges the government to halt UN inspections of its nuclear sites and step up uranium enrichment beyond the limit set under Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal if sanctions are not eased in two months. In retaliation for the killing last week of Iran’s top nuclear scientist, which Tehran has blamed on Israel, Iran’s hardline-dominated parliament on Tuesday approved the bill with a strong majority that will harden Iran’s nuclear stance. The Guardian Council is charged with ensuring draft laws do not contradict Shia Islamic laws or Iran’s constitution. However, the stance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on all matters of state, is not known. “Today in a letter, the parliament speaker officially asked the president to implement the new law,” Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported. Under the new law, Tehran would give two months to the deal’s European parties to ease sanctions on Iran’s oil and financial sectors, imposed after Washington quit the pact between Tehran and six powers in 2018. In reaction to United States President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance with the deal. The law pushed by hardline lawmakers would make it harder for US President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office on January 20, to rejoin the agreement. Biden has said he would return to the pact and would lift sanctions if Tehran returned to “strict compliance with the nuclear deal”. “There’s now more pressure on (President Hassan) Rouhani’s government to secure a U.S. return to the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) quickly,” tweeted Ariane Tabatabai, a Middle East researcher at the German Marshall Fund and Columbia University. Rouhani, the Iranian architect of the 2015 deal, criticised parliament’s move as “harmful to diplomatic efforts” aimed at easing US sanctions. Under the new law, the government should resume uranium enrichment to 20% and install advanced centrifuges at its Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities. The deal caps the fissile purity to which Iran can refine uranium at 3.67%, far below the 20% achieved before the deal and below the weapons-grade level of 90%. AGENCIES
agree to a ceasefire during the preliminary stages of talks, despite calls from Western capitals and global bodies, saying that that would be taken up only when the way forward for talks was agreed upon. UN envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons welcomed the “positive development” on Twitter, adding that “this breakthrough should be a springboard to reach the peace wanted by all Afghans”. Last month, an agreement reached between Taliban and government negotiators was held up at the last minute after the insurgents balked at the document’s preamble because it mentioned the Afghan
government by name. The Taliban refused to refer to the Afghan negotiating team as representatives of the Afghan government, as they contest the legitimacy of the administration led by President Ashraf Ghani, which they see as a puppet of the United States. The Taliban were ousted from power in 2001 by US-led forces for refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11 attacks on the United States. A US-backed government has held power in Afghanistan since then, although the Taliban have control over wide areas of the country. Under an Islamabad-brokered February deal, foreign forces are to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for counter-terrorism guarantees from the Taliban, including negotiating a permanent ceasefire and a power-sharing formula with the Afghan government.
UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use LONDON AGENCIES
The UK on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use and said that it will be rolled out from next week. “The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for use,” the government said in a statement. “The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week,” the statement said. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the development as “fantastic” news, adding: “It is the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again.” Care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable will be first in line to receive the vaccine. The UK is home to Europe’s deadliest outbreak of the virus, with more than 1.6 million cases of the novel coronavirus having been recorded since
the pandemic began in late 2019. More than 59,000 people have died with the virus, according to official figures. US-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, and US biotech firm Moderna, have reported preliminary findings of more than 90 percent effectiveness – an unexpectedly high rate – in trials of their vaccines, which are both based on new messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Pfizer said the UK’s emergency use authorisation marks an historic moment in the fight against Covid-19. “This authorisation is a goal we have been working toward since we first declared that science will win, and we applaud the MHRA for their ability to conduct a careful assessment and take timely action to help protect the people of the UK,” said CEO Albert Bourla. “As we anticipate further authorisations and approvals, we are focused on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world.” One concern is that Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94
degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world. Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says. Other countries are not far behind. The US and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with the vaccine by competitor Moderna. Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the UK – and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the US Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week. The UK will start vaccinating people early next week after it gets 800,000 doses from Pfizer’s manufacturing centre in Belgium. The speed of the rollout depends on how fast Pfizer can manufacture and deliver the vaccine, the UK said. But doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.
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UNsC UNlIkely to ACt oN IrANIAN sCIeNtIst’s kIllING, dIplomAts sAy NEW YORK AGENCIES
Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded. At a minimum, the 15-member body could discuss Friday’s killing of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh behind closed doors if a member requests such a meeting or it could agree on — by consensus — a statement on the issue. But South Africa’s UN ambassador, Jerry Matjila, council president for December, said on Tuesday that no member had so far requested to discuss the killing or Iran in general. Diplomats also said there had been no discussion of a statement. The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security and has the ability to authorise military action and impose sanctions. But such measures require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China. While no party has claimed responsibility for the killing of Fakhrizadeh — viewed by Western powers as the architect of Iran’s abandoned nuclear weapons program — Iran has accused Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has declined to comment. The United States traditionally shields Israel from any action at the Security Council. Washington has declined to comment on the assassination of the scientist. The UN investigator on extra-judicial executions, Agnes Callamard, said on Friday that many questions surrounded the killing of Fakhrizadeh, but noted the definition of an extraterritorial targeted killing outside of an armed conflict. Callamard posted on Twitter that such a killing was “a violation of international human rights law prohibiting the arbitrary deprivation of life and a violation of the UN Charter prohibiting the use of force extraterritorially in times of peace.” Iran also addressed its letter on Friday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response, Guterres urged restraint and condemned “any assassination or extrajudicial killing,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Saturday. The Security Council is due to meet on December 22 for its biannual meeting on compliance with a resolution that enshrines a 2015 nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, which US President Donald Trump’s administration quit in 2018. Any council member or Iran could choose to raise the killing of Fakhrizadeh during that meeting.
Trudeau’s remarks on farmers’ protest cause stir in New Delhi AGENCIES India has denounced Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “ill-informed” remarks regarding an ongoing farmers’ protest in India’s capital, BBC reported. Trudeau and Conservative opposition leader Erin O’Toole both made comments this week expressing concern over India’s response to the demonstrations. “Canada will always be there to defend the right of peaceful protest,” Trudeau said on Monday. Thousands of farmers have travelled to Delhi to protest agricultural reforms. They were met last week with barricades at Delhi’s border and clashes erupted between farmers and police. Photos and video of the encounters show scenes of authorities deploying tear gas and water cannons to stop the
farmers from entering the city. Farmers are now being escorted by police to a protest site where they are expected to continue demonstrating against the reforms, which will open the farming sector to private players. Two farmers associations have said they expect 50,000 farmers to reach the Delhi border from the neighbouring state of Haryana. Speaking on Monday to celebrate the birth of Baba Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, Trudeau mentioned the protests and called it a “concerning” situation. “We’re all very worried about family and friends,” he said during the virtual celebration. “We believe in the importance of dialogue and that’s why we’ve reached out through multiple means directly to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns.”
Trudeau’s remarks were echoed by Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole, who called the right to peacefully protest “fundamental” to democracy. On Tuesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson responded to the “ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders”. “Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country,” said Anurag Srivastava. “It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes.” Trudeau’s office declined a request for comment. Canada is home to a large Indian population. The 2016 census reported close to two million South Asian Canadians, with more than 1.3 million people declaring East Indian ancestry.
Facebook’s libra poses risks to financial stability, monetary sovereignty: Christine Lagarde BRUSSELS AGENCIES
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde downplays any risks bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could pose to financial stability and monetary sovereignty; however, in contrast, she sees stablecoins, such as Facebook-backed libra, as posing “serious risks.” The ECB president shared her view on the future of money in an article published in L’ena hors les murs magazine. She specifically discussed “bitcoin or other crypto-assets
that have been trying to gain a foothold in the digital payments space and to anchor trust in their technology.” Lagarde began by stating that innovations like blockchain technology “bring both new opportunities and new risks.” She noted that peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions have “no need for a trusted third-party intermediary,” asserting that the trust “is replaced by cryptographic proofs and the security and integrity of records is ensured by DLT, which avoids the ‘double-spending’ problem.” The ECB chief elaborated: “The main risk lies in relying purely on technology and the flawed concept of there being no identi-
fiable issuer or claim. This also means that users cannot rely on crypto-assets maintaining a stable value: they are highly volatile, illiquid and speculative, and so do not fulfil all the functions of money.” Lagarde proceeded to point out that unlike bitcoin, stablecoins “pose serious risks,” even though they “could drive additional innovation in payments and be well integrated into social media, trade and other platforms.” She explained that stablecoins “try to solve crypto-assets’ problem of a lack of stability and trust by pegging their assets to stable and trusted fiat money issued by States.”
In addition, the issuers of “global” stablecoins, “aim to introduce their own payment schemes and clearing and settlement arrangements.” Global stablecoins are stablecoins that are likely to achieve mass adoption from inception, such as Facebookbacked libra. The ECB chief warned if these global stablecoins are widely adopted, “they could threaten financial stability and monetary sovereignty.” For instance, she explained: “if the issuer cannot guarantee a fixed value or if they are perceived as being incapable of absorbing losses, a run could occur. Additionally, using stablecoins as a
store of value could trigger a large shift of bank deposits to stablecoins, which may have an impact on banks’ operations and the transmission of monetary policy.” Moreover, Lagarde believes that stablecoins backed by global tech firms “could also present risks to competitiveness and technological autonomy in Europe, as they would attempt to leverage their competitive advantage and control of large platforms,” adding: “Their dominant positions may harm competition and consumer choice, and raise concerns over data privacy and the misuse of personal information.”
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