EpaperLHR_2020-09-4

Friday, 4 September, 2020 I 15 Muharram, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 65 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

asim Bajwa reButs ‘faLse aLLegations’, resigns as saPm on information g

Lt Gen (r) Bajwa says accusations were aimed at tarnishinG his imaGe

ISLAMABAD

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Mian abrar

ieutenant General (r) asim saleem Bajwa on thursday categorically refuted all corruption allegations levelled against him and resigned from the post of special assistant to prime minister on information and broadcasting, however, he will continue to remain the chairman of china-Pakistan economic corridor (cPec) authority. defending the businesses and enterprises owned by his brothers in countries abroad, he said that shameless allegations were levelled against him to tarnish his image.

Lt Gen Bajwa, in rejoinder to a story published on an “unknown website”, lamented that the allegations were “false and incorrect”. he insisted that on the date of filing

of his declaration, i.e. june 22, 2020, his spouse was no longer an investor or shareholder in any business of his brothers. “my wife had disinvested all her interests as at 01.06.2020 in any entity abroad and such fact has been duly documented in the official records in the usa. it may be pointed out that the company registered in the secP [securities and exchange commission of Pakistan] in Pakistan was Liaison office of the companies in the usa,” he maintained. about the investments abroad, Lt Gen Bajwa said that since 2002 till june 1, 2020 his wife had only invested $19,492 in his brothers’ companies. he said that all investments came from his savings over the last 18 years, and no regulations of the state Bank of Pakistan (sBP) have been broken. concerning the alleged investment of businesses in the pizza chain Papa john’s in

Defence

Day 2020

the us and dQ, uae, Lt Gen Bajwa said that facts and figures were fully documented. he insisted that Bajco Global management, LLc did not have any ownership interest in any Papa john’s in the usa, dQ, uae or any real estate. “the author further makes a false claim that Bajco owns 99 companies. the author has listed many companies multiple times on his list. there is a total of 27 active companies in the us and two in the uae,” he said.

“For eighteen years, the actual out of pocket cash investment into the said businesses by my brothers and wife has been about us$73,950/-. it is further pointed out that out of us $73,950/-, my wife’s contribution, as stated aforesaid, is us$19,492/. thus, the total out of pocket cash contribution of my five brothers, for eighteen years, has been us$54,458/-,” Lt Gen Bajwa added. he added that the cash contributions of $54,458 by his five brothers were fully accounted for and traceable to their sources. he further said that apart from his five brothers and his wife, the businesses have at least 50 other investors. he maintained that any further investments were a result of profits generated from the business, while also mentioning the various qualifications of his five brothers as a source of income. “one question that may be underscored is whether three persons who have worked in the usa up to the positions of a Vice President in a us Bank, a controller in a restaurant operating company, and as an operating partner of a restaurant; and two persons having worked as doctors, would not be able to save us$54,458/-,” argued Lt Gen Bajwa. responding to the allegations made about businesses of his children, he said that the company scion Builders and estates (Pvt.) Ltd owned by his sons and registered in the secP had never done any business and same is dormant since inception. he said the same about other businesses owned by his sons, namely advance marketing (Pvt.) Ltd, scion natura LLc, and mochi cordwainers.

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imran says saudi arabia will always be Pakistan’s friend ISLAMABAD staff report

Prime minister imran on wednesday said said that saudi arabia will always remain a friend of Pakistan, however, Pakistan wants the organisation of islamic cooperation (oic) to play a bigger role in the Kashmir dispute. in an exclusive interview with aljazeera, the prime minister said that Pakistan has raised the lingering dispute at all the forums and it will continue doing so. he said that the world is not responding to the issue as unfortunately they are willing to ignore the huge travesty of justice for their commercial interests with india. “it does not mean we sit down quietly and accept the injustice,” he added. he expressed the strong commitment to continue to draw the world’s attention towards the dispute. Pm imran said that eight million people in indian occupied Kashmir (ioK) are in an open prison and eight hundred thousand troops are oppressing them. responding to a question, the prime minister said saudi arabia will always remain a friend of Pakistan, however, Pakistan wants the oic to play a bigger role in the Kashmir dispute. the premier said that he does not believe in any military solutions. he said that this is the reason he extended a hand of

Fire at Karachi oil terminal leaves two dead, interrupts petroleum supply across Pakistan

REMEMBERING WAR HEROES

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

more inside

29 killed in recent floods, heavy downpours in KP STORY ON PAGE 03

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efence Day is celebrated as a national day to commemorate the memory of Pakistan’s successful defence against India that marked the ceasefire in the 1965 war on September 6.

CeCil ChauDhry Group captain cecil chaudhry was an academic, human rights activist, and veteran fighter pilot. As a flight lieutenant, he fought in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and later, as a squadron leader, in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

During the 1965 war, chaudhry and three other pilots, under the leadership of Wing commander Anwar Shamim, attacked the Amritsar Radar Station in a difficult operation. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of courage) for his actions during that mission.

Major-General iftikhar janjua Ahmadi faith, earned the title of ‘Hero of Rann Kutch’ after he captured the Indian part of Rann of Kutch as a Brigade commander in April 1965, prior to the war.

friendship to india after assuming the power. he added that the tragedy of india is that it is being ruled by an extremist government inspired by the ideology of nazis. when asked about the afghan peace process, Pm imran warned against the spoilers. he said that there is one country india which does not want to see peace in afghanistan. he said that Pakistan has tried its best to get the taliban and the afghan government on the table of negotiations. “we have reached close to peace and political reconciliation. this is a miracle that this is happening in afghanistan and we pray this happens,” he added. he further said that Pakistan has a stake in a peaceful afghanistan, and whatever the afghans think good for them is good for Pakistanis. when asked about the multibillion dollar china-Pakistan economic corridor (cPec) project, Pm imran said, “we have excellent relations with china. our economic future is linked with china.” he said that Pakistan can really benefit from the way china has lifted people out of poverty. he also said that Pakistan also has a very good relationship with the united states as both the countries are partners in the afghan peace process.

3 soldiers martyred, 4 injured in north waziristan ied attack STORY ON PAGE 02 newS DeSk a massive fire erupted at an oil terminal at Karachi’s Keamari locality on thursday, leaving at least two people dead and interrupting petroleum supply across Pakistan. according to media reports, bodies of two people who were working at the Keamari oil terminal at the time of the blaze have been recovered and identified by the police. Both individuals were residents of the Kutchi Para neighbourhood. rescue officials said at least four others were injured as well. the blaze was stopped from

spreading further after nine fire brigade vehicles participated in the extinguishing process. rangers and Pakistan navy personnel also joined the rescue efforts. Following the incident, the all Pakistan oil tankers owners association (aPotoa) suspended the petroleum supply until the situation improved. “we have suffered a lot from the fire,” aPotoa Vice chairperson shams shahwani said, adding that the next course of action would be decided after the fire was fully controlled. meanwhile, Karachi Port trust (KPt) chairperson rear admiral jamil akhtar, who himself was

wounded while onsite to monitor efforts to douse the fire, said there were large oil reserves some 500 yards away. speaking exclusively to private media, akhtar explained that “had there not been an immediate notice [of the blaze], a huge fire could have erupted”. “the fire affected my hair and face,” he said. according to rangers officials, water board hydrants and additional fire brigade vehicles had been called to assist in dousing the flames. the road leading to Keamari were closed for traffic and vehicles diverted from the ici Bridge to an alternative route.

Opp’s APC to take place at Zardari House on Sept 20 STORY ON PAGE 02

india given another chance to appoint counsel for jadhav STORY ON PAGE 02

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Fٖ riday, 4 September, 2020

NEWS

INdIA gIveN ANOTHer CHANCe TO APPOINT defeNCe COuNSel fOr JAdHAv ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday gave another chance to India to appoint defence counsel for its convicted spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. A larger bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Amir Farooq, and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case.

“The government of Pakistan shall once again convey the orders passed in this petition to the government of India to enable the latter to consider taking appropriate measures in order to ensure compliance with the judgement of the International Court,” the bench said in its verdict issued after the hearing.

Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan stated before the court that the government of Pakistan offered Delhi third consular access to the RAW agent to ensure

implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement in letter and spirit but received no response. India still has the option to accept or reject the offer, he added.

He submitted that the federal government wants Indian High Commission in Islamabad to appoint a legal representative for Jadhav but Delhi does not want to benefit from legal assistance extended to the spy. He informed that Jadhav has also not

changed his decision of not engaging any defence counsel.

Later, the hearing was adjourned until October 6.

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.

Gas infrastructure remains underdeveloped as Rs818bn GIDC awaits intended use ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

During the last nine years, the federal government has collected Rs818 billion as Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC), however, it has failed to invest the collected amount towards improving and building the country’s gas infrastructure.

According to well-placed sources, the volume of collectable GIDC from various sectors was increased to Rs517 billion on March 31, 2020. However, till now none of the GIDC reserves have been utilised for the purpose they were collected for. According to documents, the previous government collected Rs295 billion as GIDC and employed it

PM directs ministry to expedite tabling the anti-torture bill in NA ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the Ministry of Interior to expedite tabling an anti-torture bill in the National Assembly (NA). "Torture is unacceptable in a civilised democratic society & goes against the spirit of Islam, our constitution & our international legal commitments,” he tweeted.

Earlier, the premier directed the relevant authorities to make arrangements for the early release of female prisoners both under-trial and convicted in light of the Supreme Court's orders. He also tweeted the decision to implement the Supreme Court's order taken after consultation with Attorney General (AG) Khalid Javed Khan and eminent lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar.

for budgetary purposes other than building gas infrastructure due to which the current government now has to raise another Rs295 billion from its future tax collections. Out of the Rs517 billion collectable GIDC, the fertiliser sector will pay Rs195 billion, the power sector will pay Rs76 billion, and the captive power and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry will pay Rs 246 billion.

According to sources, following a decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on GIDC, the Petroleum Division will have to spend a substantial part of the already collected GIDC on gas infrastructure projects to justify its collection. The SC in its decision had given a timeframe of six months to the government to initiate gas infrastructure development projects by utilising the amount col-

lected under the GIDC Act. Sources said that in case the government fails to start the North South Gas Pipeline (NSGP) project within the deadline, the GIDC Act would be considered invalid forever. Sources further said that the Petroleum Division has sought answers from the Law Division on some important questions related to GIDC, which include questions related to failing to start work on the NSGP project within six months and its effect on the collection of the remaining 18 GIDC installments. Moreover, the Petroleum Division has also asked the Law Division if it would have to issue a refund to the consumers if it fails to spend the collected GIDC amount in the next few years and whether it can include additional gas infrastructure projects.

Govt to get FATF-related bills passed at all costs: PM ISLAMABAD TLTP

Terming Financial Action Task Force (FAFT)-related bills ‘matter of national interest’, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that they will get the bills passed through the Senate at all costs.

The premier said that the opposition parties unite only to conceal their corruption while talking to a delegation of senators belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allied parties.

He maintained that they will expose those elements who were opposing the bills on national security before the masses. The prime minister said that they will not bow down to blackmailing and reiterated that no corrupt leader will get NRO. A day earlier, PM Imran held a meeting with senior leaders of PTI to discuss political matters and legislation on the FATF. National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaisar and Adviser to PM on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan briefed the meeting about legislation and parliamentary affairs.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Law Minister Farogh Naseem and Advisor on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar were present in the meeting.

It is pertinent to mention here that the opposition parties in the Senate foiled a bid from the government to pass a bill relating to FATF, anti-money laundering (second amendment) bill 2020, from the Senate.

In response to this, PM Imran had said that opposition parties were “blackmailing” his government over FATF bills despite being aware of the importance and repeated his resolve not to give the opposition leaders any sort of “relief” in corruption cases.

The PM had said that his government had inherited the FATF grey-list status and was trying hard to comply with the international body’s guidelines to bring Pakistan out of the list but “self-serving” opposition party leaders are trying to blackmail his government against supporting the bills “just to save their ill-gotten wealth”.

Imran says Saudi Arabia will always be Pakistan’s friend CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01 When asked about the Afghan peace process, PM Imran warned against the spoilers. He said that there is one country India which does not want to see peace in Afghanistan.

He said that Pakistan has tried its best to get the Taliban and the Afghan government on the table of negotiations. “We have reached close to peace and political reconciliation. This is a miracle that this is happening in Afghanistan and we pray this happens,” he added. He further said that Pakistan has a stake in a peaceful Afghanistan, and whatever the Afghans think good for them is good for Pakistanis.

When asked about the multi-billion dollar ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, PM Imran said, “We have excellent relations with China. Our economic future is linked with China.” He said that Pakistan can really benefit from the way China has lifted people out of poverty.

He also said that Pakistan also has a very good rela-

tionship with the United States as both the countries are partners in the Afghan peace process.

When asked about normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel, the premier said that if Palestinians are not allowed to have a just and viable state, the issue will not die down even if some countries recognise Israel.

He added that the issue will keep festering.

Turning to the domestic situation, the prime minister said that Pakistan has been put in the right direction over the last two years. “We have introduced economic reforms and facilitated the businesses,” he said. PM Imran said that Pakistan is a country with tremendous potential. He said that new changes are taking place in Pakistan. “Our whole policies are aimed at lifting the people out of poverty,” he added.

Regarding the Covid-19 situation, the prime minister said that Pakistan made probably the best but difficult decision of not imposing the complete lockdown. “We went for a smart lockdown to control the pandemic and protect the vulnerable segments of the society from its impacts,” he added.

Reaffirming the government’s stance against corruption, PM Imran said that this is the first time that the powerful are being held accountable.

He said that both the civilian government and the military have the most harmonious relationship. “We are working in complete coordination and cooperation,” he said, adding that the military is standing together with the government’s policies related to India or Afghanistan.

Responding to a question regarding crackdown on media freedom and the intimidation of journalists, the premier said that no other government had been subjected to such “blatant propaganda”. He added that it was the government and ministers that were unprotected and not the media.

“What do they call intimidation? If a person publishes fake news about a prime minister and the prime minister takes him to court, is that intimidation?” he asked. PM Imran further said that in countries like England, this media treatment would result in libel cases and he would have been awarded a few million pounds.

fM Qureshi strongly condemns blasphemous caricatures by french magazine ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has strongly condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by French Magazine Charlie Hebdo, saying that freedom of expression does not give licence to anybody to hurt the sentiments of others. In a statement on Thursday, the foreign minister said that these caricatures have hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims across the world. He said that Pakistan has conveyed its concerns to the French government on the despicable act. “I strongly condemn the French magazine Charlie Hebdo on my own behalf and on behalf of the government of Pakistan. The blasphemous sketches have hurt the feelings of millions of Muslims,” he said. He said that such profane acts should not be repeated rather those behind it must be taken to task.

Qureshi said that Pakistan is a democratic country and believes in freedom of expression but this freedom does not give licence to anybody to hurt others’ sentiments. The foreign minister noted there has been an increase in Islamophobia and Xenophobia across the world. He mentioned that Pakistan raised the issue of Islamophobia at every international forum and recalled Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last year where he urged upon the world to address this problem.

Three soldiers martyred, four injured in North Waziristan Ied attack: ISPr RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Three soldiers were martyred and four injured after a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) planted by terrorists in North Waziristan's Ghariom sector went off, the military’s media wing said Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the soldiers were providing protection to construction teams working in the area. The martyred soldiers were identified as follows: - Lt Nasir Hussain Khalid, age 23 years and resident of Muzaffarabad.

- Naik Muhammad Imran, age 33 years, and resident of Faisalabad.

- Sepoy Usman Akhtar, age 30 years resident of Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, security forces cordoned off the area and started a search operation, ISPR said.

Opp’s APC to take place at Zardari House on Sept 20 ISLAMABAD: Opposition leaders announced on Thursday that All-Parties Conference (APC) has been set for September 20 at Zardari House in Islamabad. The announcement was made following the Rehbar Committee meeting, and opposition leaders, including the former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Akram Khan Durrani, and former interior minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal, slammed the incumbent government for “destroying” Pakistan in the last two years while addressing a press conference. During the announcement, JUI-F leader Durrani said, “The situation in the country has reached a stage where we cannot afford even a moment's delay.” STAFF REPORT

Non-bailable arrest warrant against Nawaz Sharif issued in plot allotment case LAHORE INP

An accountability court on Thursday has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a reference pertaining to a 34-year-old land allotment case.

During the hearing, Judge Asad Ali has directed foreign ministry to contact Pakistan High Commission in London for implemen-

tation on the warrant.

Meanwhile, Inspector Bashir Ahmed submitted a report in the court, stating that Nawaz was not present at his Model Town and Raiwind residences and that PML-N Deputy Secretary Atta Ullah Tarar has confirmed that the former PM was in London for medical treatment.

Subsequently, the court, while extending judicial remand of veteran journalist Mir Shakeelur Rehman, adjourned the hearing.

In March, the anti-corruption agency had

arrested Mir Shakilur Rehman.

NAB Spokesperson Nawazish Ali said that media tycoon's arrest had been in a case pertaining to the clandestine allotment of a 54-kanal piece of land in 1986 - from the then government of CM Nawaz.

NAB had been conducting an inquiry against him in the fraudulent activity. His arrest came after he failed to submit a satisfactory reply to the bureau's questions, said NAB. He was accused of acquiring exemption

ٖFriday, 4 September, 2020

NEWS

29 KIlled IN reCeNT flOOdS, HeAvy dOWNPOurS IN KP PESHAWAR

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STAFF REPORT

T least 29 people were killed while dozens were injured during the recent flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), leaving houses damaged and roads inundated with stormwater, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Thursday.

According to the authority, 110 houses have been partially damaged while heavy downpours destroyed 13 houses completely.

Seven people were killed when a landslide hit a house in Torgarh district.

The fast flow of water in Malakand Division has posed serious dangers for residents of the area.

Moreover, five people were swept away in a flash flood in KP, while 18 people included two children were killed in a landslide. The bridge connecting Peshawar and Charsadda was also closed, cutting off the link between the two cities.

The rains affected northern areas as well, with at least 10 killed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and one person crushed to death during a landslide

All possible steps should be taken for completion of KCr project: Asad ISLAMABAD INP

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has asked the authorities concerned for taking all possible measures and inclusion of private sector for completion of third phase of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project at earliest. The minister issued the directives while chairing a progress review meeting of the KCR project on Thursday. Asad directed Pakistan Railways to formulate a system of public-private partnership for the third phase of KCR project. During meeting, it was decided that the process would be completed within the current financial year and work on the third phase would be ensured. Further, the Public-Private Partnership Authority will provide necessary full cooperation and assistance to the Ministry of Railways in this regard. It was also informed in the meeting that construction of Karachi Circular Railway would now be completed in three years by mid2023. The meeting was also informed that work had started on various phases of KCR project and timely completion of each phase would be ensured.

in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

FIVE OF A FAMILY KILLED: At least five people, including three children, were killed and two others injured when the roof of a house in Swabi collapsed due to rains on Wednesday night; the roof of a dilapidated house collapsed in Musa Banda, burying seven people under the debris. Rescue teams retrieved five dead bodies from the rubble and pulled out two injured people, according to sources. Rescue teams shifted the dead and injured to Bacha Khan Medical Complex. According to PDMA, the emergency op-

eration centre is active and relief operations are underway. The PDMA further said that steps are also being taken to restored blocked roads to their original condition. Yesterday, the authority alerted provincial authorities take required measures as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecast heavy rains in various cities across the province.

RELIEF, RESCUE ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Local Government and Information Kamran Bangash said that flood relief and rescue activities were being carried efficiently in rain and flood hit areas across the province.

Talking to a private news channel, Bangash said that efforts are being made to minimise losses and all concerned departments with their coordinated efforts are directed to expedite relief operations at flood affected areas.

PM Imran orders speedy revision of big cities' master plans ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to expedite work on revising master plans of big cities and submit progress reports on a regular basis. Chairing a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Housing, Construction and Development, the PM said the government was committed to promoting the construction sector as it was vital for economic stability.

He directed the chief secretaries and heads of development authorities to upload information of approved residential projects at their websites and ensure the same was updated on a daily basis.

The step would not only keep posted overseas Pakistanis interested in the residential projects but would also end fraud in the name of such schemes, he added.

Imran Khan further asked the chief secretaries to finalise the completion of a digital portal for the construction sector by mid of the ongoing month.

The meeting was attended by Information Minister Shibli Faraz, special assistants Malik Amin Aslam, Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari and Dr Shehbaz Gul, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Anwar Ali Haider, State Bank Governor Dr Reza Baqir and the Federal Board of Revenue chairman.

On Sindh projects, the meeting was informed that 19 development projects were given approval for construction at an area of 3.8 million square feet, which would cost Rs13.8 billion and generate economic activity worth Rs30 billion. Arif Habib, Aqeel Karim Dhedhi and other representatives of ABAD apprised the prime minister about var-

PM IMrAN WIll NOW vISIT KArACHI ON SATurdAy NEWS DESK Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was scheduled to visit rain-hit Karachi, will now visit the port city on Saturday. The decision regarding the change of prime minister’s scheduled visit to Karachi has been taken during a meeting presided over by Imran Khan on Karachi’s transformation plan. Reportedly, the premier was briefed in detail about the plan during the meeting. The meeting also apprised PM Imran regarding consultation with all stakeholders and future strategy on Karachi transformation plan. The meeting decided that the premier will now visit Karachi on Saturday where will preside over an important meeting. ious projects, including low-cost housing schemes by the private construction companies.

They lauded PM Imran and the measures taken by his government, saying the establishment of a high-level committee and weekly review meetings were a positive development.

The prime minister was also given a briefing on CADASTRE (comprehensive land recording of real estate) in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, along with other measures, including developing state land on modern lines and project of digitalisation.

Najam Sethi appoints ex-PSl marketing head as Mitchell’s new CeO NEWS DESK Mitchell’s Fruit Farms Limited (MFFL), in a notification issued to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), has announced the appointment of Naila Bhatti as its chief executive officer (CEO) with effect from September 1, 2020. MFFL’s former CEO Mujeeb Rashid had resigned from his position in July and left the company on August 31.

The newly appointed CEO, Naila Bhatti is an experienced media and marketing professional and has worked in various capacities including chief operating officer for Wikkid Plus, general manager media at Wateen Telecom, and director sales and marketing at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). During her time at PCB, she worked closely with Najam Sethi, the former PCB chairman and current MFFL Chairman. Mitchell’s financial performance in recent years has been dismal which saw the company’s share price dropping 15.69 per cent over the past year and losses of about Rs415.62 million in the past four years ending December 2019. However, during 2019 MFFL’s loss decreased to Rs80.1 million from Rs292.62 million in 2018. The sustained losses have meant that the company has had to raise tremendous amounts of debt to keep itself afloat, which has seen a consistent decline to dangerously low levels in the company’s percentage of equity in comparison to debt. As of December 2019, the company’s equity stood at just 9.41 per cent of its total equity and liabilities. The incoming CEO’s first assignment is expected to be focused on addressing the financial woes of the company. However, critics of Bhatti’s appointment point out that she lacks prior experience in managing and turning around struggling Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies.

Earlier on July 9, MFFL had informed the PSX and its shareholders that negotiations with the prefered bidder Bioexyte Foods Limited for the acquisition of 30 per cent shares of the company had remained unsuccessful.

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IOSA team due on Saturday for safety audit of PIA KARACHI TLTP

An IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) team will be arriving in Pakistan on September 5 (Saturday) to conduct a safety audit of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The team will assess the operational management and control systems of the national flag carrier during its stay in the country from September 7 to 12 and will also visit Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan and Islamabad airports for the purpose. The audit is aimed at assessing the airline’s aircraft and safety standards. It is noteworthy that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had in June suspended the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) flight operations to and from Europe over safety concerns. On September 1, a PIA spokesperson said that the national flag carrier has prepared its appeal against the decision in light of the EASA Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) programme and will file at an appropriate time. Following the closure of PIA’s flights to Europe, the PIA administration also decided to call back its employees deputed in Europe.

Punjab governor, CM discuss provincial issues, situation after rain LAHORE INP

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office on Thursday and discussed matters of mutual interest. Sarwar congratulated the chief minister for completion of two years of the Punjab government and appreciated the provincial government's performance.

He paid tribute to Buzdar for moving forward development projects despite financial difficulties. The CM praised the efforts of governor for expressing solidarity with the citizens by visiting Karachi. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is standing with the citizens of Karachi in this hour of trial, he added. He also said that the Punjab government has taken solid steps to fulfil the promises made with the people and taxes have been abolished or their ratio has been decreased keeping in view the difficulties of the citizens.

Buzdar said that local government funds have been restored and financial transparency and merit in administrative matters is the agenda of the government.

Honesty, transparency, merit and truthfulness are the hallmarks of the Punjab government, he added. The era of political jugglery is over and the government takes practical steps for public service, he further said.

The CM regretted that opposition made a futile attempt of political point-scoring on Karachi issue and asserted that Prime Minister Imran Khan is fully committed to resolving the problems of Karachi. Speaking on occasion, the governor said that he visited Karachi to express solidarity with the rain-affected people adding that all our sympathies are with the affectees.

Opposition only did lip-service on the issue of rains in Karachi and, instead of engaging in negative politics, it should have come forward to help the affectees of Karachi, he said.

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Friday, 4 September, 2020

NEWS

saba, Bilal get bail in music video shooting case LAHORE TLTP

A local court on Thursday approved interim bail before arrest for actress Saba Qamar and singer Bilal Saeed in a case related to the shooting of a music video in historic Wazir Khan Mosque. Additional Sessions Judge Chaudhry Qasim Ali confirmed the interim bail of both the accused. Both Qamar and Saeed were present on the occasion. Last month, Qamar and Saeed were among a group of people who were booked in a case for violating the sanctity of Wazir Khan Mosque by shooting a music video inside it. The proceedings were initiated against them after a sessions court ordered a local station house officer (SHO) to take action under the law. The first information report (FIR) of the incident, registered at the Akbari Gate police station, is based on Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertains to "offences relating to religion", "injuring or defiling a place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class", and "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs".

naB aRRests tepa Chief engineeR foR piling up assets LAHORE

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SHAHAB OMER

HE National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has arrested a Grade-19 officer working as chief engineer in Engineering & Transport Planning Agency (TEPA), Mazhar Hussain Asif, along with co-accused Anjum Zeeshan in a case of allegedly piling up assets beyond known sources of income.

Mazhar has been involved in the offence of corruption while being public office holder in TEPA & Lahore Development Authority (LDA). The accused allegedly amassed assets worth Rs700 Million (approximately) which have been found disproportionate to his known sources of income.

During the inquiry, it was revealed that the accused held several lucrative properties, bank accounts in his

own and family members’ names, which were later sold by the accused.

Mazhar purchased 16 kanal and 11 marla land in Moza Ameerpura, Lahore in the name of co-accused Zeeshan, whose account was also used to hide ill-gotten money.

Zeeshan had been employed with a salary of Rs20,000 per month in TEPA while amounts of Rs200 million were deposited into his bank account by the chief accused Hussain.

The analysis of the bank account of Mazhar and his other family members also revealed that an amount of Rs200 million was transferred into their accounts of which no just sources are presented. He also could not validate the bank transactions worth Rs80 million into his own account.

After collecting evidence, the NAB team has arrested them and they will be presented before accountability court in Lahore on Friday.

Two new dengue cases reported in Punjab, toll reaches 49 LAHORE INP

Teo new cases of dengue fever were reported on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 49 in the province.

According to the spokesperson of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Punjab, the patients are under treatment. The spokesperson said no deaths due to dengue virus have been reported in the ongoing year.

Last week, as many as 533 suspected patients of dengue fever were reported in Punjab in a single day.

The patients were declared fit after being tested and were allowed to return to

their homes. Punjab Health Minister (PHM) Dr Yasmin Rashid had said that emergency measures were being taken by the provisional government against a dengue outbreak.

She had said that all tehsil municipal administrations, development authorities and water and sanitation companies have been advised that stagnant water ponds be immediately filled with soil and anti-dengue sprays should be carried out on such places.

The minister had said that dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults and in case of dengue-like symptoms, the person should immediately consult a medical practitioner.

PARC moving towards improved nutrition SDGs: minister ISLAMABAD PRESS RELEASE

PARC has established Technologies Display Centre PATCO here at PARC headquarters aiming at giving public access to the edible commodities produced by agriculture scientists. Inauguration plate and ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by Minister MNFSR, Fakhar Imam in the presence of Chairman PARC, and other high officials at PARC headquarters on August 03.2020.

While appreciating the role of PARC innovations and research in promoting agri-business, Syed Fakhar Imam stated that in the future four lac tons certified seed of wheat crop will be provided to the farmers.

This will bring up to 5-10% increase in our wheat production and help in meeting the targets of country’s wheat demand, which has faced 2 million tones of production shortage. He also highlighted the efforts of PARC scientists in production enhancement of pulses, rice, sugarcane and edible oils and told to the media persons that PARC is moving a step forward to improved nutrition sustainable development goals.

Value added productions can be the best source of income and oil seed

crops needs to be promoted. Initiatives under Prime Minister Agriculture Emergency, Rice, Sugarcane, Wheat and Pulses will also lead to agriculture sustainability in Pakistan.

Mr. Omar Hamid, Federal Secretary MNFSR, while emphasizing upon the public private collaboration in agriculture suggested strengthening the Public Private Partnership Mode to revolutionize the agriculture of Pakistan.

Chairman PARC, Dr. Azeem Khan informed about a number of PARC products that are now available for sale to general public. These products included honey, beverages, poultry/dairy products, fresh veggies, cereals, fertilizers, seeds of approved verities, herbal products, bakery/frozen products etc.

He further said that unsafe food practices containing harmful chemical substances is the major cause of malnutrition and poor health of people. In this respect, PATCO shop is equipping with hygienically processed and organic food items with the help of agriexperts, food scientists and farmers.

He also stated that there was a dire need of applied leadership in quality assurance and innovations of scientists which otherwise remains in laboratories. Agreement is also in progress for the establishment of “PARC-PATCO Shops Franchise” all over the country with SMASS (PVT.) LTD.

K-Electric writes to Sindh chief secretary for recovery of Rs30bn KWSB dues KARACHI PRESS RELEASE

K-Electric on Wednesday wrote a letter to Sindh chief secretary for recovery of Rs30 billion in impending dues from Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB).

According to the K-Electric spokesperson, following the directives of the Sindh High Court dated May 18, 2016, KWSB is bound to pay its monthly dues within 30 days. How-

ever, no payment against consumption has been made to the power utility since February 2020 on top of the older outstanding dues of Rs27 billion. The KE spokesperson also clarified that this is a matter of public interest, and in case of a failure of settling the dues immediately, the power utility reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings against the KWSB. In addition to that, KE also reserves the right to disconnect the power supply to all installations of the KWSB with immediate effect.

Rains expeCteD in DiffeRent paRts of the CountRy KARACHI: Met office has forecast that on Thursday more rain-thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, Upper/Central Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), GilgitBaltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while hot and dry weather is expected in Sindh and Balochistan. On Friday, more rain-thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, upper KP, GB and AJK. While isolated rain-thunderstorm is expected in southern Punjab. Hot and dry weather is expected in Sindh and Balochistan.

PAST 24-HOUR WEATHER: Widespread rain-thundershowers occurred in upper KP, upper/central Punjab, GB and AJK. The weather remained dry elsewhere in the country. Rainfall(mm): KP: Kalam 39, Malam Jabba 24, Patan 21, Saidu Sharif 19, Chitral 16, Kakul 04, Balakot 03, Dir (lower 02, upper 01), Punjab: Jhang 32, Joharabad 15, Hafizabad 12, Toba Tek Singh 10, Bahawalnagar 09, Attock 08, Sargodha 07, Faisalabad 06, Noorpur Thal 05, Khanewal 02, Islamabad (Golra, Airport 01), GB: Gupis 07, Hunza, Bagrote 04, Gilgit 01, AJK: Muzaffarabad 05. Yesterday’s Highest Maximum Temperatures (°C): Turbat 43°C, Sibbi and Dalbandin 37°C. PPI

Rainwater still rules Defence and Clifton KARACHI: The rainwater still can't be drained out from upscale areas of Karachi, Defence Housing Authority (DHA) while Karachi Port Trust (KPT) underpass in Clifton has been closed temporarily. The people of Defence are miserable the accumulated water could not be drained out in many areas of DHA and Clifton, and power outages have also made their lives more difficult. The decision for the closure of KPT underpass was taken after a message regarding its dilapidated state went viral on social media. INP

Friday, 4 September, 2020

NEWS

05

GOvt COMMItteD tO PrODuCING CHeAP POwer tO Meet GrOwING NeeDS: MINISter LAHoRe

e

TLTP

NERGy Minister Omar Ayub Khan has said that the government is focusing on alternate resources to produce cheaper power so as to meet the growing needs of the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of Letter of Support for 100-megawatt solar

power project on Thursday, he said lowcost power projects will help provide much-needed relief to the people.

The minister said one more power project under public-private partnership will be established in Layyah, adding that the past governments relied on expensive fuel-based power generation which resulted in an increase in power price in the country.

Khan stated that the solar project agreement has been signed with a mini-

IBA: No attendance exemptions if Covid positive KARACHI STAFF REPORT

In a recently announced set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi has informed its students that they will not be provided with any leeway in attendance if they contract the coronavirus. The university is to reopen on September 15 for its students. It outlined the need for masks and social distancing. The notification explained the various rules IBA has implemented to control the spread of the virus. However, it stated, "Please note, if a student contracts Covid19, he/she will not be given any leeway in attendance. Absences allowed for a course as per policy will remain in force and no exception on medical grounds will be given. Use your absences wisely, be cautious in late comings and in skipping classes." Despite providing no concessions in attendance for students that contract the virus, the same notification calls for students to observe quarantine at home if they exhibit symptoms. “The attendance policy clearly addresses the fact that absences should only be used for emergencies which include medical emergencies,” comments Haris Tohid Siddiqui, Senior Manager, Corporate Relations & Communications at IBA while speaking exclusively to Profit. He adds, “These unprecedented times require extreme caution from students in their demeanour. Skipping classes and late comings, due to carelessness and tardiness, is highly discouraged. Through this policy, we want to give a message to the students that they must take caution in their demeanour.” “Lastly, there have been cases in the past where exception on medical grounds has been given in the past on a case to case basis. Exceptions cannot be the rule.

The university may review certain cases keeping in mind medical proof and their previous record,” notes Siddiqui. As per the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, “these decisions are to be taken by each university in light of their own circumstances. HED Regulates the quality of education and research. It does not get into internal matters of the university.” IBA has been known in the past for its strict attendance policy that stands despite strikes and citywide lockdowns. The university allows 5 absences per course in a semester. Previously this stood at 7 absences a semester. Previously the university has been allegedly seen faking following SOPs as picked up in the tweet below. Students have expressed great concern over the Covid-19 policy.

mum tariff, for which Punjab CM Usman Buzdar and his team deserve accolades.

Net metering will be brought to singlephase as transmission lines have been improved which have the capability to supply 24000-megawatt electricity, he said.

A separate tariff for WASA is also being reviewed, he stated.

He said that the sole electricity provider in Karachi, K-Electric (KE), has not fulfilled its promised investment;

however, the power system will be improved from next year. He expressed hope that KE will establish its own 500 KV grid by 2021 that will improve electricity system in Karachi.

“We have talked with the management of 10 universities and they have agreed to acquire the solar-powered system. The rates of solar energy were Rs2 to Rs3 per unit two to three years ago, whereas the current price per unit is Rs6.”

Asim Bajwa rebuts ‘false allegations’, resigns as SAPM on information ContInued on pAge 01 Regarding an allegation about a house owned by his son’s Scion Management Group LLC, he asserted that the house was only 31,000 and had been bought by his sons through their independent resources in “cheap foreclosure proceedings”.

“Baseless allegations have been levelled that a business entity of my two brothers by the name of Silkline Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd has been formed to acquire CPEC contracts. It may be stated that this company has never acquired any CPEC contract. This company is in Rahim Yar Khan and has only provided labour/human resources to industries in Rahim Yar Khan region,” he added.

He said that one of his sons owns a house in the USA but it has been acquired through a mortgage in the manner that 80 per cent of loan/mortgage remains unpaid.

“This again is a small timehouse. All my sons are above 18 years and none are my dependents. Masha’Allah their ages are 33, 32 and 27 years respectively. It shall be noted that my sons completed their business degrees from reputable universities in the United

SBP reserves up $71.9m to 12.7bn The central bank’s foreign exchange reserves increased 0.6pc on a weekly basis, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday. On August 28, the SBP-held foreign currency reserves were recorded at $12,712.7 million, up $71.9 million compared with $12,640.8 million in the previous week. The central bank cited no reason for the rise in reserves. Overall, liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $19,842.8 million. Net reserves held by banks amounted to $7,130.1 million. NEWS DESK

States and have had well-paying jobs,” concluded the retired general.

On August 27, a website known as Fact Focus published a story, claiming that Lt Gen Bajwa’s family had set up 99 companies in four countries, including a pizza franchise with 133 restaurants.

The website further claimed that Lt Gen (r) Bajwa’s wife was a “shareholder” in at least 86 companies. Of them, 71 were set up in the US, seven in the UAE and four in Canada.

Lt Gen (r) had already responded to the story on August 27. He had termed the story

“malicious propaganda”.

“A malicious propaganda story published on an unknown site, against me and my family, (just uploaded on social media) is strongly rebutted,” he had said in a tweet.

Later, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz also took to Twitter to inform his followers that the former military official would issue a clarification over the news story about his assets.

“I just talked to Asim Bajwa sahab,” Faraz had tweeted.

“He will clarify the news stories about his assets in detail in a few days.”

KCCI rejects hike in power tariff, demands immediate withdrawal KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) President Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan has said that the announcement of up to Rs2.80 per unit increase in electricity tariff has come as a shock to the industries based in the port city. "This is yet another blow to the industry which is already suffering from losses incurred first during Covid-19 lockdowns and again due to devastating rains in the city," the KCCI president in a statement issued on Thursday. He rejected the Economic Coordination Committee's decision to increase the rates of electricity for consumers of Karachi and urged Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to immediately withdraw this "unjust and ill-timed hike". He opined that the country's higher authorities had shown utter disregard to the miseries and losses suffered by people of Karachi by approving yet another electricity tariff hike. "In July, the ECC had imposed a tariff increase of Rs2.89 per with immediate effect. Before the industrial, commercial and residential consumers could absorb the tariff hike, yet another increase was approved to further squeeze the consumers in a calamity-hit city." He hoped that keeping in view all the abovementioned facts, the PM's finance adviser would review the committee's decision and immediately announce a withdrawal of tariff hike. T LT P

July 2020: US, UK and UAE remain top export destinations for Pakistan ISLAMABAD: The United States remained the top export destination for Pakistani products during the first month (July) of the current financial year (2020-21), according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The country's total exports to the US during the period under review were recorded at $336.640 million, as against the exports of $373.548 million in July 2019, showing a fall of 9.88pc. The United Kingdom stood in the second place, as Pakistan exported goods worth $145.374 million to the country, as against the exports of $147.334 million last year, depicting a nominal decrease of 1.33pc.

The third place was taken by the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan exported products worth $118.088 million during the month under review against the exports of $172.859 million last year (-31.68pc). Among other coun-

CMYK

tries, Pakistan's exports to Germany dropped 0.84pc to $115.078 million ($116.081 million in July last year), while exports to China fell from $167.087 million in July 2019 to $105.830 million.

Similarly, exports to Afghanistan stood at $61.255 million ($108.642 million last year), the Netherlands $77.269 million ($85.398 million last year, Spain $48.352 million ($81.489 million last year) and Italy $54.824 million ($70.195 million last year). Also, Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh during the period under review were recorded at $48.309 million ($66.957 million last year), France $30.022 million ($40.700 million last July), Singapore $14.285 million ($27.155 million last year), Canada $24.177 million ($23.975 million last July), Saudi Arabia $45.207 million ($30.168 million in July 2019) and India $0.443 million ($5.564 last year). APP

SHC extends Abbasi's bail in PSO MD appointment case KARACHI INP

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday extended bail of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a case regarding appointment of Managing Director (MD) of Pakistan State Oil (PSO). Abbasi appeared before the court during the hearing. The court expressed anger at National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and remarked that the bureau did not send any notice to the former prime minister nor conducted any investigation than how reference was filed. Earlier, in last hearing, the court also expressed anger over absence of NAB officials and lawyer and said that the former premier arrived from Islamabad for the hearing but anti-graft watchdog's officials did not come. It is pertinent to mention here that Abbasi has been accused of hiring people illegally while he was serving as the petroleum minister during PML-N's tenure. NAB claimed that he illegally appointed PSO’s managing director and deputy managing director.

Friday, 4 September, 2020

06 COMMENT

Flogging a dead horse

PTI government and polio A story of failure

t

He PtI had come to power without any preparation for the arduous job of running a country with a population of over 213 million and scores of serious problems. It was claimed that once an honest Prime Minister was holding the levers of power, every serious problem would soon get resolved. Within two years the self-serving claim has turned out to be false in several spheres, including polio eradication. WPV cases that were gradually going down from 54 in 2015 to 20 in 2016, 8 in 2017 and 12 in 2018, sharply rose under PtI rule to 147 in 2019. During the last few months the number has already reached 67. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries in the world reporting polio cases and being considered a potential source of dissemination of the virus to other countries. the two years of the PtI rule are marked by an upsurge in polio cases. there are two major reasons behind the phenomenon. first, appointment of incompetent focal persons handpicked by the PM, like Mr Babar bin Ata and Dr Zafar Mirza. In both cases the government discovered, though much after the harm had been done, that the choice was inappropriate. the second reason was the sheer political opportunism which stood in the way of enforcing the writ of the state. the PtI government was simply reluctant to alienate the clerics, especially in KP, who opposed vaccination. the PtI feared that if the religious leaders turned hostile, this could result in loss of votes. the task of controlling polio has now been handed over to the newly appointed Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) on health Dr faisal Sultan. On Wednesday Dr Sultan paid his first visit to the National emergency Operation Centre (NeOC) where he expressed the government’s determination to eradicate the virus. the task ahead will test the new focal person’s competence.

But as long as political exigencies are allowed to stand in the way of the enforcement of the state’s writ, polio cannot be eradicated. two years after paying monthly salaries to prayer leaders, who deliver friday sermons in KP, and allocating millions of rupees to seminaries, the time has come when he who pays the piper must call the tune.

Does anyone have a problem with the parliamentary system?

At Penpoint m A niAzi

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y arguing that the 1962 Constitution enabled the selection of the best talent, Prime Minister Imran Khan merely reinforced the impression that he opposed the parliamentary form of government. His pronouncement during a recent interview could hardly be seen as an announcement by implication of an intention to legislate, for what to speak of a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament needed for any constitutional amendment, he does not even have a simple majority in the Senate which would let him pass legislation. the distaste for the parliamentary form of government is nothing new, and has been shared by previous Prime Ministers, and not just in Pakistan. the British had found a solution in the ‘rotten boroughs’ of old and the newer (about two centuries old) safe seats, whereby a seat was found in the Lower House for ‘men of business’, and the House of Lords, to which the government simply nominates. In Pakistan, finding safe seats does not happen, except where one had to be found for Shaukat Aziz in 2004, so that he could become Prime Minister. India does not have that restriction, which allowed Manmohan Singh to retain his seat in the rajya Sabha when he became PM of India in 2004. In Pakistan, finding Senate seats for ‘men of business’ had become routine, but it only worked if the party in office could elect Senators. that meant having a majority in a provincial assembly. the PtI cannot elect anyone to the Senate in two provinces except at general elections, when proportional representation through the single transferable vote allows even minority parties to elect senators. It appears that KP Senators, though elected on the PtI ticket, and though the party has a majority there, are reluctant to vacate their seats. this might not be the case. Imran Khan has found a means of getting ‘men of business’ into his Cabinet without finding them a seat in Parliament. that is by making them Advisers or Special Assistants. the Constitution itself provides for five Advisers and three Special Assistants to have seats in Parliament like ministers. this is another departure from Westminster that Pakistan has made: ministers have seats in both Houses, as well as the right to speak, though they can only vote

Moving on human rights Rule of law is a pre-requisite

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China’s comeback from tariff slaps AimAn nAwAz

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fter the collapse of theUSSr in the early 1990s, world politics reached a point of mono-polarity, which served its purpose quite well. the emergence of China, as a potential economic superpower, shackled the prestige of the USA in such a well-executed way that the USA foresaw a compulsion for cooperation. that cooperation, more commonly known as the ‘phase one’ trade deal, which was meant to cut the US trade deficit, turned out to be a disaster for the trump Administration. Preceding this trade deal, started an era of ‘New Cold War’, and this inception of massive economic opposition is quite alarming for the 21st century.

Scholars worldwide are struggling to keep up with Sino-US relations. there so many schools of thought, trying to explain the shift in trade policies of both countries. However, the Deterrence theory, in the economic sense, fits the flaws of perception and provides an outlined explanation for the behaviour of states.

Before unveiling the point of contention, the transitional history of world’s focus deserves to be paid attention to. ever since the demise of the USSr, the world has entered and accepted the new ‘capitalist’ world order. Capitalism, single-handedly, raised the significance of national policies in the economic sense. At that time, the world focused on conventional military strength to attain and influence maximum power. While power, still being the centre of focus in the world politics, the transitional leap was over the means of power maximization, that wiped out russia’s fair share in the power politics and let a country like Japan, with no nuclear weapons of its own, enjoy a tropical view next to hegemon itself.

In a mere span of 20 years, China rose to the status of a superpower, which implies that the world has now entered multipolarity. the inclusion of China in the WtO in 2001, was a huge mistake on the part of the USA, but little did the world superpower know, that is when economic growth for China boosted rapidly. then-presidential-candidate trump, in 2016, addressed the counter measures for China’s unfair trading practices, at a rally in Pennsylvania. After getting charge of the Oval Office in 2017, the trump Administration immediately laid down tighter tariffs on Chinese goods, under sections 201 and 301 of the 1974 trade Act. In 2018, and a series of tit-for-tat retaliatory tariffs were imposed by the two countries on one an-

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The writer is a member of staff.

US-China trade war

He decision to release all women prisoners from jail sentenced to less than three years, or under trial for such an offence, and who remain in prison because they cannot pay a fine, may be in obedience to a Supreme Court decision, but Prime Minister Imran Khan’s telling the Interior Ministry to expedite the presentation of an anti-torture bill does not. the two decisions, which came on Wednesday, indicate that the Prime Minister is once again putting an emphasis on human rights. However, the Prime Minister may also need to be reminded that human rights can only be defended if there is rule of law. for example, there will be little point in a law against torture if an official can flout it, secure in the knowledge that he can use torture on the government’s political opponents.

All departments must be brought within the ambit of the law: for example, if forced disappearances are allowed to one set of officials, the others will also begin to indulge themselves. Now that Mr Khan has taken cognizance of the problems of torture and woman prisoners, it would be only right if he moved on and attempted to solve the question of disappeared persons. It is not enough to have them stop. It is necessary that their families are given closure on this, if it is not possible to release them.

Mr Khan must take particular care with the antitorture law. After all, it aims to take away from the police what it considers an investigative tool, and does not see as a violation of, as Mr Khan put it, the spirit of Islam, the Constitution and the country’s international commitments.

It is not just foot-dragging that Mr Khan must watch out for; the law’s dilution is also going to be tried and that too by the very Interior Ministry, where policemen believing in vigorous investigation of suspects still exercise much influence. there is also the issue of which agency will watch over offences. the police itself? there is nothing it would like better. then it can make the law as toothless as any other attempt to interfere is what is seen by too many as good police work.

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

there if also a member. this has been used by finance Ministers, if they are ‘men of business’ with seats in the Senate, to present the Budget to the National Assembly. this means that the government is not obliged, as the British government is, to find spokesmen in the Upper House. the British government, mostly initial Labour governments, has had to elevate party hacks to the Lords so as to have representatives there who would speak on behalf of various ministries.

Actually, the concept of having ministers taken from among the members of Parliament, owes itself to a concept very dear to Imran’s heart, that of accountability. Also, it relies on the concept of a Cabinet minister as the head of a department, with freedom of action, not subordinate to the prime minister. It conceives of a prime minister as the chairman of a committee rather than as a chief executive. One of the concepts underpinning Cabinet government is that of collective Cabinet responsibility, of the minister being responsible for the actions of each in his department. this also enhances accountability, for it precludes the expression of votes of confidence in individual ministers. It also means that a statement of policy by one binds all. that means that foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s statement about policy towards Saudi Arabia was thus binding on the entire Cabinet, including the PM. Khan should not think that that statement can be wished away simply by the COAS going to Saudi Arabia. If he and the rest of the Cabinet do not agree with how Qureshi is handling the foreign Office, he must make Mr Qureshi leave the Cabinet. Of course, in a presidential system, there is no Cabinet responsibility as such, and the only reason why anyone holds his job, is because the head of the Cabinet wants them. the will-o’-the-wisp of a ‘Cabinet of all the talents’ is why there continues to be talk of a presidential system. the dream of selecting ministers who are experts in their fields is based on the premise that experts are needed to supervise a department. experience shows that what is needed is a politician, one who understands what the public (or rather head of government) wants, and make the ministry give it to them. the minister does not have to be an expert; the secretary must. However, while the bureaucratic heads of ministries continue to be generalists who have picked up expertise on the job, even as there is a demand for experts to be ministers. the parliamentary form of government was

fought for by the politicians before 1958, and was enshrined in the 1956 Constitution. that Constitution was in turn based on the provisions of the 1935 Government of India Act, which had provided responsible parliamentary government to the provinces, and contained provisions for a central parliament, though they were never operationalized. the 1962 Constitution preserved the east-West parity of the 1956 Constitution, but it made the form of government presidential, with Assembly members having to give up membership if they accepted ministerial office. the president could be impeached, but only by a vote of three-fourths of the National Assembly, with members voting in favour of a failed motion being deseated. Needless to say, such a motion was never moved.

It seems that the powers that be are not entirely happy with the parliamentary system. It means that its head is the President, who reigns but does not rule, but it obeys the orders of the Prime Minister, who is restricted in his choice of ministers. there is no question, in a parliamentary system, of the Ayub-era constitutional provision that a three-star officer be included in the Cabinet. even now, the only three-star officer in Imran’s team, a SAPM, is retired.

However, the 1973 Constitution, while parliamentary, has found favour with the establishment. Ayub’s 1962 Constitution was abrogated as heartlessly as he himself had abrogated the 1956 Constitution. However, the 1973 Constitution has not been abrogated even though two Martial Laws have been imposed.

Imran’s statement makes it seem there is still a debate, even though there is none. the presidential system seems to have two great advantages: freedom of choice in picking ministers, and freedom from accountability.

However, freedom of choice does not lead to picking the best man, but the closest favourite. the progression at the Health Ministry from Amir Kiani (an elected MNA) to Dr Zafar Mirza (an ex-WHO official) to Dr faisal Sultan (CeO of Shaukat Khanum) is instructive. the freedom from accountability is also an illusion. As in the USA, it just leads to the strengthening of the committees of the two Houses. the US requirement for Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is another check on freedom of choice, which appears to be why Imran harks back to an abrogated constitution which provided a figleaf to someone who, whatever his contributions, was after all the country’s first military dictator.

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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China had a rapid and firm recovery from the pandemic.

More than 90 percent of US companies and 50 percent of european showed willingness to shift suppliers outside China, found during various surveys by procurement firms.

US companies tend to shift suppliers from China other. the USA first imposed a 25 percent tariff on all steel imports and 10 percent on aluminium imports, to to Vietnam, as Vietnam also showed a strong recovwhich China responded with 25 percent tariffs on 128 ery. However, due to roadblocks and no supply US products. the USA again imposed 25 percent tar- chains, finding another source can be a horrific nightiffs but this time on $50 billion of Chinese imports and mare for the USA. the new security law passed by China threatens China again responded with a tariff slap. the fiscal year of 2018 went down with massive tariff exchanges. to cease the Hong Kong’s autonomy in order to seIn 2019, negotiations were held between Washington cure medical supplies and develop a vaccine to proand Beijing regarding the imposition of new tariffs. vide in-time supply chains. Also, the recent Huawei However, later in May 2019, the USA banned the Chi- ban by UK and China defying US by signing a $400 nese tech firm Huawei from buying technologies from billion economic deal with Iran has pressed many the USA. Later on, in June 2019, the two counterparts buttons so that predictions are extremely vague.

Lastly, the USA has held negotiations and the imposed tariffs on China trump Administration worth over $300 billion. agreed on ‘no new tariffs’ China enjoyed a reasonand to ease restrictions on Huawei, but after just two China has increased its deterrence able surplus from its trade growth, leaving the days of negotiation, US by friendly cooperation, a tit-for-tat USA with the highest animposed 10 percent tariffs nual decline in its deficit on $300 billion of Chinese tariff policy and a massive with one trading partner, goods. In response to that, China seized imports of economic survival even after being since 2009 (year of financial crisis). agricultural goods from sanctioned with $300-plus billion the reason why the USA and imposed retoday’s power politics are taliatory tariffs on $75 bilworth of tariffs. Therefore, China, so complicated is belion of US goods. cause the post-Cold War In January 2020, both in this regard, has maintained era has been one of great superpowers signed a credible deterrence against the economic diversification ‘phase one’ deal that for the first time nonaimed to lift planned and USA and trade war is drawing the and traditional security issues some of the existing tarwere given much atteniffs, and made China world into a Cold War tion,. As the economy bepledge to buy more US came how a state was goods. China later on judged, rather than the pledged to buy $200 bilsize of its conventional lion worth of US goods; $78 billion in additional manufactured goods, $54 bil- military, the hunger game began.

Deterrence theory has not yet quite explained lion in additional energy purchases, $32 billion in additional farm purchases and $38 billion worth of ‘economic Deterrence’. However the recent chain of services. However, the recent ban on Huawei and re- events, starting from early 2017, indicate that the curmoval of its 5G kit, this tuesday, by the UK under the rent hegemon considers the economic rise of China as pressure of the trump Administration, made an enjoy- an immediate and major threat to its prestige, soverable headline for the Oval Office. this being done, eignty and national interests. this being said, the USA China responded by providing an economic lifeline to is trying to sabotage China’s economic growth so that the credibility of its deterrence stands strong. However, Iran, which is directly against US national interests. the tariff slaps have bottled up the options for China has increased its deterrence by friendly coopertrade in the business sector and with a huge ongoing ation, a tit-for-tat tariff policy and a massive economic pandemic, there have been major shifts in trends. the survival even after being sanctioned with $300-plus billion worth of tariffs. therefore, China, in this regard, visible implications are: With death tolls reaching millions, the coron- has maintained credible deterrence against the USA avirus pandemic has shut down businesses for quite and trade war is drawing the world into a Cold War. a while now.

Aiman Nawaz is a freelance columnist Supply chains are distorted all over the globe, but

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Friday, 4 September, 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

Domestic violence A survey carried out by the thomson reuters foundation ranked Pakistan as the third most dangerous country in the world for women due to the consistent domestic violence. According to a study carried out in 2009 by Human rights Watch, it is estimated that between 60 and 70 percent of women in Pakistan have suffered some form of abuse. An estimated 50000 women are killed per year from domestic violence, with thousands of others maimed or disabled. this immoral act and violation toward women needs to highlighted. the authorities needs to take action regarding it. Pakistan needs to be more active in this regard as decreasing women’s empowerment in the country can never let it be a developed country.

Afroz MJ TurbAT

Smoking kills

Cavalcade of fakery If water and milk are adulterated, will governments be different?

Similarly fake currency notes, fake dollars, hood shown by caring for each other.

Unfortunately, the whole society is lacking fake passports, fake visas, fake credit card/AtM cards, fake bank statements and fake identity purity and sincerity. Government departments cards are too common in our society and nothing have shown their inability to handle the emergOMe attractive pictures of former is left behind to make more fake items. even we ing situation in the Karachi rain disaster and as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were have the honour of tolerating the fake leadership we have already seen the financial scam of Steel viral on social media and news chan- who just grasp the top slot of the parties after Mills, PIA’s financial position, the railways’ nels while enjoying coffee and walk- some incident or influence of their black money. handicap, WAPDA’s woes, NHA sleeping, the downfall of the earlier, we toling with his son in the lovely weather cricket, hockey, and of London, and are under hot discussion by erated the fake squash teams, the fake everyone that he is enjoying a healthy life there, democracy, corruption of the poand is not a sick person. the government, in- prime minister and There should not be any hesitation lice, the poor condicluding the PM, commented on it that medical fake prosperity of reports of Nawaz Sharif were forged, although Gen (retd) Pervez to follow the great Quaid-e-Azam: tion of hospitals and delayed, rather no, the Islamabad High Court has taken serious no- Musharraf who es“I do not believe in taking the right justice are the main tice of his health, its reports and disappearance. caped from the pillars on which the the Court further ordered him to surrender be- country to save himdecision, I take a decision and society should stand fore the Court on September 10th so that his ap- self from prosecubut are now badly peal proceeding may be taken up or else it would tion. In his regime, make it right, think a hundred shaken. It is highly declare him an absconder. the government al- he made his best eftimes before you take a decision regrettable for ready moved in. the case has entered in an in- forts to make a fake everybody that we teresting phase as his party leaders have taken judiciary; earlier he but once that decision is taken, are living in a sociwas successful in and shown different positions. ety where nothing is Are we heading towards the real prosperity, 1999 and subsestand by it as one man. There are true or genuine or in development or destiny what was dreamed of by quently this issue two power in the World, one is order to serve the Mufakar-i-Pakistan Allama Iqbal and vision de- become the source poor nation. signed by the great Quaid-i-Azam or have we of his decline. In his sword and the other is the pen” these problems have fallen in a huge deep ditch of fake-ism and tenure we abunwill create further are we moving faster towards complete disaster? dantly found many problems for all unObviously, it is clear to easily understand even more things to show less the Prime Minby an insane person that we hardly survive as our off as fake, in other words we may say that he was totally a fake per- ister was to take stern measures to eliminate leadership has nothing left to fight these evils.

We are living in a fake society where noth- son, and was followed by the PPP and the corruption, introduce and act on a merit-based ing is pure, and even the greatest blessing of the PML(N) as nothing good happened after his policy, provide instant and inexpensive justice, Almighty, drinking water, is fully contaminated regime, and the nation is still suffering miseries, have a performance-oriented system, ensure checks and balance, and have austerity, disciand nobody is there to control corruption of poverty, lawlessness and nightmare.

How can we overlook the gravity of fake po- pline and honesty. Actually Pakistan needs an these business organizations. the water case was pending in the Lahore High Court, where it was lice encounters, fake transactions, fake doctors,. ambitious PM who has vision and passion to transpired that the majority of mineral water fake lawyers, fake journalist, fake teachers, fake develop the country on revolutionary basis.

Pakistan needs bullet trains, Metros for companies are not registered and have no license universities, fake bidding, fake post mortems from Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Au- and forensic reports, fake vouchers, fake reg- all big cities, deregulation and privatization of white elephant organizations, real improvethority (PSQCA) and mocking at the perform- istries and fake records, and so on and so forth.

We are sorry to realize that everything in our ment in education and healthcare after inance of government departments and good society is found to creasing their annual budget from two percent governance. be fake. Bad gover- to six percent of GDP as it was promised by Similarly, the nance and corrup- the PM before coming into the power. He milk case is also tion at its peak and should also initiate a national campaign same position where nobody is there to against corruption, bad governance and fakeit came to the fore Surprisingly a number of other realize the coming ism without any flexibility with heavy dose of that the adulteration items of daily necessity, like tea, disaster. If a student fine and punishments. and use of substanthank God…. still we have pure and true rises in the class dard material in the chillies, rice, sugar, salt, oil, ghee, room and asks if dreams, passions, goals, aims, ambitions, hopes, milk is common, there is anything objectives, aspirations, crazes, obsessions, loywhich is injurious to butter, meat, drinks, medicines, pure, true and gen- alty and sincerity as there is absolutely no inhealth.

Business uine in our society, volvement of government and its departments books, gold and paints are very companies are busy the whole country in them, otherwise the result may have been difin minting money commonly adulterated. However, has no answer be- ferent. the people of Pakistan have the potential and nobody is there cause we lost our to deserve better life and facilities which are to take action there is no case pending in the credibility and in- available in the world and nobody has right to against them and save the public’s LHC in this regard and similarly no tegrity, and compro- push them behind the darkness. this fake epoch mised with social will soon be end as fake has no position in the health, particularly body is there to check the evils which pene- world as truth always prevails to serve the huthe lives of children, trated in our blood manity. there should not be any hesitation to who are the future standard, purity and best use of as you see nobody is follow the great Quaid-e-Azam: “I do not beof Pakistan. there to take care of lieve in taking the right decision, I take a deciSurprisingly a these essential items. these principles, ex- sion and make it right, think a hundred times number of other cept the Chief Jus- before you take a decision but once that deciitems of daily necestice of Pakistan who sion is taken, stand by it as one man. there are sity, like tea, chillcan take suo motu two power in the World, one is sword and the ies, rice, sugar, salt, oil, ghee, butter, meat, drinks, medicines, books, actions and sometime whose orders have also other is the pen”. gold and paints are very commonly adulterated. not been complied with as far as the Karachi Akhtar Aly Kureshy is an Advocate of the However, there is no case pending in the LHC issue is concerned. One way our economy is colin this regard and similarly no body is there to lapsing is because bad governance and corrup- Supreme Court of Pakistan, Law Professor, check the standard, purity and best use of these tion has paralyzed our system after killing the member of International Bar Association, Lonmorality, good values and traditional brother- don and former Attorney General for Pakistan. essential items.

AkhtAr Aly kureshy

S

It is a well known fact that, smoking is injurious to a good health.

Mostly smoking can be the cause of death. Sadly, our youth is highly indulged in smoking. they don’t realize that this act can generate the cancer cells in human body resulting death. every youngster above 15 or often less than 15 are smoking as they find at as a part of fashion. the main reason that such young children finds the way towards such action is the lack of parents attention. therefore, I humbly request the parents to see their child what they are doing and make sure that they away from such deadly habits.

MArYAM SAJJAD TurbAT

NAB amendment IN fury environment, at last Chairman NAB has submitted replies of queries which were asked by the apex court in suo moto case regarding performance of his under controlled anti graft watchdog and high profile appointments in this autonomous body. It’s too late , but thankfully, Chairman NAB has found the flaws in watchdog’s performance . In a reply submitted by Chairman NAB to apex court highlights the two major and the most vital factors on which the entire watchdog’s performance depends first Investigation and second Prosecution. According to submitted reply the chairman NAB vowed to hire expert and experienced lawyers for smooth and efficient prosecutions against accused in courts . Good , it’s too late but comes true, but main factor which relates to wholesome performance has been ignored by Chairman that’s Investigation. NAB Chairman expressed his intention to take the services of expert investigators on deputation from various investigation agencies who possess the sufficient knowledge to probe white collar crimes.

Why Chairman NAB is not willing to recruite such experts directly under section 28 which empowers him to appoint employees of NAB? In several references filed by NAB Investigation officers find flaws when Convicted moves to higher courts.the major reason is lacking of sufficient knowledge to probe the case. In the beginning of this year , NAB advertised through fPSC to recruit Assistant Directors for Investigation and non professional degree holders are allowed such as engineering, economics, Defence Strategies against these high profile posts. Can Chairman NAB glorify the performance of his under controlled anti graft watchdog by appointing engineers, economists and Defence experts to probe white collar crimes?

Some days ago, Justice Qazi esa faez showed serious concerns when a NAB officer who was an engineer appeared before the Honourable judge in a separate case . After debate the worthy Justice of SC was astonished and asked how an engineer is performing his duty to probe corrupt practices in this institution. this question is related to the wholesome performance of NAB , I am not finalising it by admitting that there are other numerous reforms which have to do for making this institution non politicised. Detention of accused for 90 days, arresting of accused without warrant, appointment of NAB Chairman by president with consultation of PM and Opposition leader, Bargaining and much more to be addressed but the foremost and primary responsibility lies on the recruitment of professionals in country largest anti graft watchdog.

In this regard Chairman NAB must appoint experts who possess depth in knowledge of white collar crimes rather than such non professionals to make the efficiency of his institution better than past ever.

MAhTAb Ali KhAn bAhAwAlnAgAr

Karachi dilemma KArACHI lacks in the singularity of an administration, what we see Karachi in such a hard survival is only due to fragmentation and unplanned growth. Bad governance has been the bone of contention in Pakistan’s history, it’s been 73 years yet we hardly find any positive sign of fair governance in our country just because we don’t have credibility in institution building, we don’t believe that Police and other institutions should be maverick. However, Sindh has been divided into urban and rural perspectives. the widening gap is so large that it can’t be minimized easily from any government; the power sharing conflict has also impacted local bodies and the masses.

Sindh province has been under the rule of Pakistan People Party if Bhutto established party would have displayed a dedication to Karachi and its citizens that it has often shown to big bosses and various projects such as Bahria town the metropolis would take a giant step towards having its status as the ‘city of lights’ restored. Karachi’s people are fed up of political mush ups since it is not addressing their grievances and rights rather these suffered people should be accumulated based on their problems. eventually there is absolutely a solution to this mess if decisionmakers are not motivated by outright greed, narrow, parochial agendas or petty politics. We have an expertise available with us in Karachi and let them develop a policy aimed at delivering their interests.

ShAfi AhMED KhowAJA JATi SuJAwAl

Friday, 4 September, 2020

08 WORLD VIEW

How tHe IndIan state persecutes dIssent I DOCUMENTED AND WROTE ABOUT THE DELHI COMMUNAL RIOTS. NOW I AM BEING PORTRAYED AS CONSPIRING TO INCITE VIOLENCE

al Jazeera

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ApoorvAnAnd

vEr the past few months, i have increasingly felt as if i am becoming a character in a Kafkaesque drama. it all started in late april when a civil rights activist called me regarding some information appearing in the press that the police is investigating a "professor" for his role in plotting the communal violence that shook delhi in late February. She thought that person could be me.

She was working on the Bhima Koregaon case, in which five intellectuals and activists were arrested following clashes between right-wing Hindu groups and dalits, prompted by the desecration of a dalit shrine in the state of Maharashtra.

She felt that the actions of the authorities after the delhi violence might be following a similar pattern - throwing false accusations of conspiracy at public figures. i did not think much of what she said until May 22, when in the middle of the night, i was awakened by a friend frantically calling me. She had just heard about a report aired by news channel The Times now that evening, which had claimed that a certain delhi University professor, part of a "leftist, islamist, radical coterie", had plotted to incite violence during the visit of US President donald Trump to india to portray the government as intolerant to minorities.

These allegations were aired on primetime Tv and were watched by hundreds of thousands of viewers. My friend, too, was sure that the unnamed professor was none other than me and wanted to warn me.

Me, a professor of Hindi and a writer, planning violence? i did write a number of articles about the delhi violence, which may have upset certain quarters, but i never imagined that they would go as far as concocting such a fantastic allegation and drag me into the ongoing "conspiracy" investigation by the police.

So i tried to dispel my friend's fear and said she was reading too much into what was simply the flight of imagination of a section of the media, which had to keep whetting the appetite of its audience.

The matter, however, turned out to be serious. Shortly after, another report appeared on a YouTube channel called Capital Tv, which repeated the same allegations. More friends started calling and saying i should not take it lightly and that i was indeed being targeted in these reports. My family too became worried. My wife, who had just lost her father, cut short a stay with her family in

Patna to be with me.

Two months later, on July 30, a notice came to me from the special cell of delhi police that is probing this so-called "conspiracy angle" of the investigation into the delhi communal violence.

To help the reader understand why such an angle was introduced in the first place and why i, along with many others, have become a convenient scapegoat, i must provide some background.

The riots in February came as a shock, but we, observers and critics of the politics of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its pronounced majoritarianism, had apprehensions even earlier that such violence might be unleashed any day on Muslims.

What was the basis of our fear? in december 2019, the BJP, using its majority in parliament, had secured approval for the Citizenship amendment act (Caa), which created a pathway for Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Jain and Buddhist refugees from afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan to attain indian citizenship on grounds of religious persecution. Muslims were excluded.

This move was preceded by a long ideological campaign by the leaders of the ruling party who kept threatening to throw out "Bangladeshis" who had allegedly entered the country illegally. it was not difficult for anyone to understand that the term "Bangladeshi" was a code word for Muslims in general.

The passage of the new law introduced an element of religion in defining citizenship. it went against the secular principles of the indian constitution. it was designed to insult Muslims.

The Muslim community felt hurt and humiliated and started protesting against this discriminatory law. demonstrations were held in various places and by different communities, including in universities such as Jamia Millia islamia, which was raided by police on december 15.

Meanwhile, a unique protest started taking shape in a dense, predominantly Muslim area, known as Shaheen Bagh, in southern delhi. Women of the neighbourhood came out and started occupying a section of the road close to them. The protest soon spread to other parts of delhi and was joined by many Muslims and some non-Muslims alike, especially students and the youth. People like me who have been long critical of the sectarian turn of the ruling establishment in india felt enthused about these protests.

We felt that they might give strength to the opposition and help it find its voice and secular resolve. not only was there no response from the government, but also BJP functionaries started actively inciting anti-Muslim sentiments ahead of the local elections in delhi in February. They gave a communal twist to

a protest that sought to restore the secular principle of equal citizenship. The air was thick with wild theories. a whisper campaign to tarnish the secular image of the protests succeeded in turning a normal Hindu mind against the protesters. despite this hate campaign, the BJP lost the assembly election. its frustration grew and it continued with its vilification campaign.

Eventually, on February 22, some female protesters started coming out on the main roads and blocking traffic - a tactic many citizens' acts of civil disobedience had used before. The difference was that the government did not treat these protesters as citizens of india. its leaders portrayed them as "enemies". Shortly after, BJP leaders announced they would take law into their own hands if the demonstrations did not disperse.

On February 24, as Trump started his official visit to india, violence broke out but the police did little to stop it. in the following days, the High Court asked the police about its reluctance to act against BJP functionaries inciting violence and directed it to facilitate the safe passage of ambulances carrying injured people and ensure the protection of victims.

The violence left 53 dead, hundreds injured, hundreds of houses and businesses damaged or destroyed. Three-quarters of those killed were Muslims, the rest were Hindus. i, along with members of civil society, went to the areas where violence had taken place, observed it first-hand, and talked to Hindus and Muslims. My understanding was that it was preplanned violence. i talked to members of the security forces and could see a distinct hostility among them regarding Muslims. i saw the apathy of the delhi government in arranging relief for the victims, again mostly Muslims. it took a lot of noise from civil society to move the state government to set up a relief camp for displaced victims.

Then the onset of the COvid-19 pandemic in March made any kind of movement impossible. relief and rehabilitation efforts took a hit. Many of us who supported the anti-Caa protests tried to help the victims by organising the distribution of food, clothes, medicines, etc and helping the injured in getting medical aid. We somehow managed to keep the relief operation going. it was in the midst of all this that i learned that the investigative agencies had started to weave a narrative of a "conspiracy" aimed at defaming and embarrassing the government when Trump was in town. it is worthwhile to note that this so-called 'conspiracy' is not even an offence in itself - it is not a crime to organise and peacefully protest even if it embarrasses the government. nevertheless, the police, while framing

charge sheets, wrote about a drawn-out conspiracy going back to the Jamia protests. it even tried to implicate a known peace activist like Harsh Mander - who had petitioned the Supreme Court to look into the BJP's hate speech - in inciting street violence. it claimed that those protesting against the citizenship law and their supporters had a nefarious anti-government agenda and the February violence was part of it. The political narrative and now the legal case seem to assume that the fact of the street protest was apriori reason for retaliatory violence.

Young Muslim women and men who were involved in the protests were getting arrested even before the February violence.

Two young non-Muslim female activists supporting the protests were also detained. notices from police started reaching the homes of students who had to move to their hometowns due to the pandemic.

The investigation is trying desperately to find evidence of a crime that never happened: the claim that gullible Muslims were misled about the new law, provoked to protest and brought to the roads, which in turn provoked the Hindus to become violent.

Targeting of writers and intellectuals, who were active in these protests, is a clear design of this government to set an example and give a warning that the act of dissent would be treated as a crime and that nonMuslims should not dare to come out in the support of Muslims. On august 3, i headed to the special cell of the delhi police to follow up on the notice i received. after being interrogated for five hours, i decided to issue a statement, in which i wrote: "While cooperating and respecting the right of police authorities to conduct a full, fair and thorough investigation, one can only hope that the probe would focus on the real instigators and perpetrators of the violence against a peaceful citizens' protest and the people of northeast delhi. it should not lead to further harassment and victimisation of the protesters and their supporters, who asserted their democratic rights through constitutional means."

The statement was widely covered by the media. The Times of india, a leading mainstream daily, wrote an editorial criticising the line of investigation. it wrote: "delhi University professor apoorvanand's interrogation, purportedly over support for the antinrC-Caa protests that long preceded the riots, spins a deceptive narrative. if a false equivalence is sought to be drawn between dissent and rioting, nothing could be more absurd and self-defeating. dissent makes democracy meaningful and representative."

The police reacted to this editorial by issuing a statement, saying: "criminal jurisprudence treats the act of conspiring to commit a crime as "a distinct evil" from the crime itself."

This rebuttal was rapidly followed by a

Indian liberals are neither Indian nor liberal PUBLISHING HOUSE BLOOMSBURY INDIA WITHDREW ITS BOOK DELHI RIOTS 2020: THE UNTOLD STORY APPARENTLY UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE 'LEFT LIBERALS' INTELLIGENTSIA

OutlOOk, IndIa

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AnAnd neelAkAntAn

ndian liberals have the habit of shooting themselves in the foot and occasionally their head, like the recent Bloomsbury blooper showed. The reason is easy to fathom. indian liberals are neither indian nor liberal. The self-proclaimed indian liberals often pour scorn and abuse on anything that appears popular, be it religion, sports, tradition, literature, films, or myths. a desperation to be noticed is evident in most of their bizarre acts.

Unlike the west, the growth of liberal intelligentsia in india is linked to Marxism, which has evolved to become another religion which is closer to abrahamic creeds in its world view. Like its cousins, it also sees the world in duality, as an un-

ending conflict between two opposing forces. it is eager to paint everything good or evil with hardly any space for any shades in between. it is a childishly simplistic view of the good triumphing over evil, with goodness being ascribed to oneself and the evil being anyone having somewhat different world view. it has its own holy cows, prophets, and preachers, who keep their flocks together by painting everyone else as monsters. They have appointed themselves as the protectors of minorities, forgetting the fact that india always had place for minorities of all hues, sexual, religious, or linguistic from time immemorial. no one has done more harm to minorities of india than these ‘liberals.’ The rise of militant Hindutva owes a lot to the ‘indian liberals’ selective outrages and perpetual mockery of innocuous indian beliefs.

Being liberal is the patience to hear conflicting views, however despicable it might be to one’s ears. attack the pet issues of liberals and see them react in a way that would awe any religious fanatic. When i tweeted about the Bloomsbury ridiculous ‘riding on the moral high horse of responsibility’ circus, i got tweets from infuriated guys asking

series of "exposes" by a section of the media known to be closely aligned to the ruling establishment. On august 10, Zee news claimed in a news report that Gulfisha Fatima, a young activist involved in the antiCaa protests who, like many other young protesters, is in jail on charges of inciting, planning and participating in the violence, had confessed to the delhi Police that i held many secret meetings with her, along with other activists, to instigate and plan the riots.

Similar reports were carried by other media outlets, like aaj Tak, dna, Tv9, Opindia and others.

These exposes have been followed by more alleged "disclosures" made by people who are in jail for a very long time. They claim to expose other aspects of the "conspiracy" the investigative agency has been talking about. it needs to be noted that the law specifically says that custodial confessions cannot be treated as evidence. also, the High Court of delhi in a ruling restrained the police from sharing any information regarding a person who is in jail while being investigated for the February violence, lest it becomes a media trial against the person.

Since my interrogation, i have not heard back from the police after august 3. But i am only one of the characters in this Orwellian script. The police is busy collecting testimonies and evidence against people it seeks to paint as conspirators behind the violence. and they are, in the eyes of the investigative agencies, obviously those who had supported and participated in the antiCaa protests. it is clear now that the establishment is using state agencies and a pliable media to spread hate against minorities, especially Muslims and liberal intellectuals, writers, academics who have been speaking up for the rights of minorities.

One feels sorry that the energy, talent and the expertise of the people involved in these investigations are being used to forge something so surreal. They are being made to work against the very people they are meant to serve. i do feel dismayed.

So where to from here? i abhor the idea of young Muslim activists left alone to suffer the state oppression for having dared to protest and therefore, i would happily own the protests. So, my fate should not be different from what they are going to face. if we are to become one people, can our fates be different?

People like me can only wait and hope for the constitutional conscience of the organs of the state to stir, civic morality in all sections of the society to awaken. i can go on doing my duty of writing and speaking, of alerting my people that they were making a Faustian pact and would be left soulless, that we cannot live as indians with our heads held high if minorities are reduced to the level of second-class citizens.

Apoorvanand teaches Hindi at the University of Delhi. He writes literary and cultural criticism. whether i would support Hitler blaming Jews for Holocaust. i would never support Hitler or anybody who imitates Hitler by whipping up communal tension against another, but i would endorse Hitler’s right to say what he wants. Supporting Hitler’s right to speak is not the same as supporting Hitler, a point often missed by most.

The answer to such blatant propaganda is not suppressing it, but making our voice against it heard clear and loud.

Else, what is the difference between the so-called ‘liberals’ and those who burn cities, offended by Facebook posts posted by some maniac? Everyone, even the vilest criminal waiting to be hanged, has the right to be heard. if a group of authors pressurize the publishing house to withdraw the book of another author, what does it say about them? Such strong-arm tactics are sure to backfire as the controversy will only help to popularize a book that might have otherwise gone unnoticed in the deluge of new books. Gone are the days when a few residing in the ivory towers of publishing dictated what should we read, who should get the awards and who should be called a writer. Many are questioning the nepotism in Bollywood now. in Publishing, such a fortress of pseudointellectuals has been breached a decade back. There is no dearth of publishers, and the self-publishing route has made book publishing democratic. in the future, when historians write about the sunset years of indian secularism and india’s descent to the dark ages of Europe, such idiocy of quasi-liberal caucus would be a footnote in the grim tale.

Thursday, 3 September, 2020

BUSINESS 09

corporate corner Facebook launches new product in Pakistan to limit spread of misinformation ISLAMABAD: Facebook has launched a new product in Pakistan to help limit the spread of misinformation and to provide people using the platform with additional context before they share images that are more than a year old and that could be potentially harmful or misleading.

"We're empowering people to detect misleading content by giving them more context so that they can decide for themselves whether to share the images or not," said a Facebook company spokesperson. PRESS RELEASE

ISLAMABAD: The National Highway & Motorway Police (NHMP) organised a webinar titled ‘Digitalizing Pakistan’s Motorways’, featuring Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim, to highlight how digital solutions can help tackle daily challenges including traffic congestion, road safety, longer commuting and concerns about the environment. PRESS RELEASE

PC aPPROvES TRaNSaCTiON STRuCTuRE FOR PakiSTaN STEEL MiLLS ISLAMABAD

T

STAFF REPORT

HE Privatisation Commission Board on Thursday approved the transaction structure for Pakistan Steel Mills. The meeting of the PC Board was held in Islamabad with Privatisation Minister Mohammedmian Soomro in the chair.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to Pakistan Steel Mills, Guddu Power Plant, Sindh Engineering Limited, hiring of Financial Advisory Consortium (FAC) for Roosevelt Hotel, offloading of Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) shares were dis-

LAHORE

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan poses for group photo with GIGA Group President Haji Amin Pardesi, Vice Chairman Najeeb Amin Pardesi and Saylani Welfare Trust Int’l Founder Molana M Bashir Farooqi. PRESS RELEASE

JS Bank posts Rs1.47bn profit before tax for 1H2020 BUSINESS DESK: JS Bank has reported a turnaround in its profitability by posting profit before tax of Rs1,472 million for the half-year ended June 30, 2020, as compared to a loss before tax of Rs597 million over the corresponding period last year.

The increase in profit is mainly due to a remarkable growth in the bank’s deposits, which crossed Rs400 billion resulting in improvement in net interest income and an upswing in feebased income. The break-up value per share of the bank as of June 30, 2020 was Rs15.6 with an earnings per share of Rs0.66 for the half-year ended June 30. “We have witnessed a significant increase in the half-yearly profits due to a dedicated focus on business growth and associated income which reflects the trust of our customers and the dedication of our teams.” said JS Bank Chief Financial Officer Hasan Shahid.

vestment of up to 10pc of shares in PPL and up to 7pc shares in OGDCL. After extensive discussion on transaction fundamentals, market conditions and pros and cons of various options, the board decided to go ahead with the hiring of a FAC for divestment of 10pc shares in PPL. The same process for OGDCL would commence once the hiring for PPL is completed.

Moreover, the PC board decided to re-invite the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to hire financial advisers for the privatisation of Guddu Power Plant due to an exorbitant financial bid submitted by the top rank consortium earlier.

It also decided to re-invite the EOIs for the appointment of FAC for the privatisation of Sindh Engineering Lim-

Pakistan’s GrocerApp secures $1m in seed funding; former Amazon executive joins board TAIMOOR HASSAN

LAHORE: Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Pakistan, is introducing Click and Collect, a new service that will give online shoppers added flexibility and convenience with their order. PRESS RELEASE

cussed in detail, according to handout issued by the Privatisation Commission.

The PC Board approved the transaction structure for the revival of PSM Corporation, which has not been operational since June 2015.

"The transaction structure approval was agreed to in-principal and the concerned financial adviser was asked to expedite the procedural follow-up processes," the statement read. "The transaction structure will now be presented before the Cabinet Committee of Privatization (CCOP) for approval."

Meanwhile, the terms of reference (TORs) for the hiring of financial advisers for PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel were also deliberated upon by the board members.

The board further discussed the di-

Popular online grocery delivery startup GrocerApp has raised $1 million in seed funding from investors that include former Amazon executives and entrepreneurs with a history of high-profile exits in the Middle East, the company has announced in a statement on Thursday.

The round was led by Dubaibased Jabbar Internet Group (www.jabbar.com), the venture capital firm led by founders of one of the Middle East’s largest e-commerce platform Souq.com that was acquired by Amazon in one of the largest transactions in the region in 2017. The GrocerApp investment is the first that Jabbar Internet has made in Pakistan.

Other investors in the round include Asif Keshodia, former Amazon executive for MENA region who has now joined GrocerApp as a board member, Middle East’s Nama Ventures, Nader Group, Karavan Ventures and 7Vals, along with participation from existing

shareholders that include Pakistanbased Walled City Co, LeanBricks and Shehryar Ali of Treet Pakistan.

Jabbar founders Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury had cofounded the aforementioned Souq.com, and had exited from another famous online portal Maktoob, a webmail service with Arabic support for emails, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2009. The latest in this series of high-profile exits is Jabbar Internet’s InstaShop, an online grocery delivery service in the UAE that was acquired by DeliveryHero in a $360 million deal only a few days ago.

Speaking about the recent round, GrocerApp CEO Ahmed Saeed said, ”GrocerApp is equipped with sophisticated technology, smart fulfilment centers and efficient logistics network that makes it the leading e-grocer in Pakistan. With our recent funding injection, we are going to invest more to make our supply chain more efficient, and expand into other cities.”

“Our success in this round is twofold. Asif, Hussam and Samih

have shown confidence in GrocerApp and decided to back us, which reinforces our position as a promising e-commerce leader. Secondly, the tons of experience these investors bring will usher in a new era of growth for GrocerApp,” Ahmed said.

“We see great potential in Pakistan for technology businesses. To seize the opportunity, we have made our first investment in Pakistan in GrocerApp because of our confidence in the business and resilience of the cofounders. We are determined to see GrocerApp grow even further, now that the Pakistani market is ripe for a digital revolution,” said Samih Toukan of Jabbar Internet Group.

Commenting on the investment, Asif Keshodia, who also oversaw Souq’s acquisition by Amazon, said: “The size of grocery e-commerce in Pakistan is around $48 billion. It is a huge market with great potential for ecommerce companies to grow.

GrocerApp has shown that promise and I am thrilled to become a part of an amazing team that is leading this company.

Citibank’s CEO Pakistan Nadeem Lodhi resigns KARACHI: Nadeem Lodhi, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Citibank Pakistan, has handed in his resignation to Citibank and will officially retire on October 31st. The announcement was made on Wednesday in an internal email sent to all employees in Pakistan by Atiq Rehman, the regional head for Citibank EMEA Emerging Markets. “Please join me in thanking Nadeem for his contributions and wishing him the very best in his future endeavors,” Rehman said. Lodhi first joined Citibank in Karachi in 1994. He spent 12 years in several assignments across Pakistan, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. In 2006, he left Citi to pursue other opportunities, working for some time as the Sub Sahara head for Abraaj Capital. He rejoined Citi Pakistan as the CEO in 2012, a role he had held since then. According to Adeel Shahid, spokesperson for Citibank Pakistan, Lodhi is reaching Citi Pakistan retirement age, which is 58 years. Lodhi was on leave previously, but is back in the office until October 31. Lodhi’s replacement has not been announced. However, Moiz Hussain Ali, the Markets and Securities Services Head for Citi Pakistan will be officiating as the acting Chief Executive Officer after Lodhi retires. MEIRYUM ALI

ited (SEL).

The previous shortlisted top-ranked consortium was insisting on changes to the agreed Financial Services Agreement, including changing the transaction scope and payment terms, which could not be accepted by privatisation commission.

Speaking on the occasion, the privatisation minister said that the commission is fully geared up to achieving the objectives of expediting the privatization of state-owned enterprises.

"This is the seventh transaction approved since the start of the privatization plans in October 2018," he stated. "The Privatization Commission will be focusing on completing these transactions successfully along with other transactions, which are currently in progress."

Telenor Pakistan CEO shares expansion plans with PM’s aide ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Telenor Pakistan CEO Irfan Wahab Khan on Thursday met Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to brief him on the services offered by the company and its expansion plans in the country. The CEO conveyed his company's intention to increase its investment volume in Pakistan with help and assistance from the government, according to a press statement issued by the Finance Division. Khan informed that the company had early this week received an additional capital of Rs7.4 billion ($45 million) into Telenor Microfinance Bank from Ant Financial and Telenor. This brings the total foreign direct investment (FDI) to $185 million in the last two years. "Equity injection into Telenor Bank/Easypaisa will help grow Pakistan’s digital payment ecosystem," he maintained.

The CEO opined that the telecom sector has an investment potential of about $1 billion which can be tapped. He also briefed the PM's aide on the company’s plans to improve and provide latest telecommunication services in AJK and GB. "In view of the ongoing economic situation of businesses, FBR may be asked to rationalize the withholding tax/GST on telecommunication services," the CEO requested. He also urged the finance adviser to settle the issue of SIM Issuance Tax out of court so as to bring an amicable end to this matter. Other issues regarding the renewal of licenses were also discussed on the occasion. The adviser appreciated the contribution of the telecom sector in the development of the country, saying that the sector is helping the people in many ways; from job creation to communication and providing digital access to financial services.

He assured the CEO of all possible help and support for the growth of the telecom sector.

Stocks storm past 42,000-level as volume hits decade high KARACHI ARIBA SHAHID

Investors of the Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed another exciting session on Thursday, as the benchmark index continued to accumulate gains while volumes jumped to the highest level seen in a decade.

Global equity markets also saw a positive trend, whereas crude oil prices slipped lower from the previous close; WTI crude price falling 1.76pc to $40.79 and Brent crude price dropping 1.67pc to $43.68.

"Investor sentiment at PSX has been sky high in recent times, especially on the announcement by the prime minister regarding his visit to Karachi tomorrow,” said a report issued by AHL Ltd. “Infrastructure development is expected to positively impact construction sector scrips, which prompted investors to take interest in cement and steel sectors.”

MARKET SUMMARY: The benchmark KSE-100 Index remained in the green zone throughout the day, registering its intraday high at 42,212.93 after gaining 377 points. It

settled higher by 353.26 points at 42,188.11.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index gathered 701.95 points to end at 67,533.60, while the KSE All Share Index added 303.31 points, closing at 29,780.50.

The overall market volumes jumped from 837.02 million shares in the previous session to 919.45 million shares (+10pc).

Average traded value also inched up by 1pc, from $157.6 million to $159.9 million. Unity Foods Limited (UNITY +4.59pc), The Bank of Punjab (BOP +4.02pc) and K-Electric Limited (KEL +0.70pc) led the volume chart, exchanging 51.41 million, 49.76 million and 41.81 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that drove the benchmark index north included cement (83.52 points), banking (49.21 points) and oil & gas marketing (41.77 points). Among the companies, Maple Leaf Cement Factory Ltd (MLCF 29.00 points), Systems Limited (SYS 26.80 points) and MCB Bank Ltd (MCB 24.33 points) remained the top contributors.

Adding 3.60pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the refinery sector emerged as the session's top gainer, with Byco Petro-

leum Ltd (BYCO 5.60pc), Attock Refinery Ltd (ATRL 2.79pc) and National Refinery Ltd (NRL 2.22pc) posting decent gains.

Meanwhile, according to a notification sent to the exchange, Maple Leaf Cement Factory Ltd (MLCF +7.50pc) announced that the company's CEO has acquired 24,761,001 voting shares of Pioneer Cement Ltd (PIOC +7.54pc). The acquirers now hold 10.9pc aggregate shareholding in the target company.

WHY IS THE PSX ATTRACTING VOLUMES?: Abdul Azeem, Research Director from Spectrum Securities, explained that punters, retailers and short term investors are more active therefore traded volume is high, while Syed Noman Ahmed, Deputy Head of Research at Insight Securities opined that the reason behind a surge in volumes is the “strong interest in penny stocks”.

Sateesh Ballani, Director of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities, added to this argument by stating, "This type of surge in volumes is mostly driven by retail investors that usually invest in shares that are below Rs20.

Even if you analyse, the highest share price in today's top five volume leaders was Rs40

CMYK

(Maple Leaf Cement Factory)."

While these explanations make sense, Tahir Abbas, Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited, was of the view that the lowering of interest rates has flushed the market with liquidity. He added that the quick economic recovery Pakistan is depicting following Covid-19 is playing a role.

“Quick economic recovery post-Covid19, as compared to slower economic revival previously expected, is leading towards buoyant interest in our market,” he said.

“You cannot forget that the market is also trading at an attractive valuation as compared to regional markets too.”

Analysts believe that the price earning ratio is going back to the long term mean and expect it to go higher. As Pakistan’s risk rating has reduced, evident by the Eurobond yield going down, the stock market is reaping its benefits.

Naushad Chamdia, CEO of Standard Capital, stated that high net worth individuals and the general public are re-entering the Pakistani market due to a rebound in indicators, adding that SBP lowering policy rates will result in

“beefed up profits of companies.”

Chamdia said, “The outlook of companies listed at PSX in construction-related and auto allied sectors are poised to show phenomenal growth in FY21.”

In addition, he feels that the announcement of projects by the government will help improve the fundamentals of listed companies.

Hamza Kamal, Equity Analyst at AKD Securities, said that investors have divested from other asset classes considering their nonlucrative returns, in particular bonds. This is a major reason behind the interest in equities.

He added, “Compared to real estate returns, equities offer avenues for small scale investors. In the case of the latter, it has been individuals that have been driving the market lately (CYTD net inflow from individuals stands at $152.5 million, highest relative to other local groups of investors).”

Samiullah Tariq, Head of Research at Pak Kuwait Investment Company, said that real estate does not seem as lucrative as of late, considering the problems associated with it. For instance, the issues that emerged during the recent spells of rain.

Friday, 4 September, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS Facebook bans politician from BJP for hate speech NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Facebook has banned a member of India's governing Hindu nationalist party for violating its policies covering violence and hate speech, after the social media giant was accused of political bias.

The company said on Thursday it had banned politician Raja Singh from Facebook and Instagram under its "dangerous individuals and organizations" policy. Raja Singh banned from Facebook and Instagram for anti-Muslim posts, after the social media giant accused of bias. The world's largest social media company is under fire after The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that its India policy chief Ankhi Das refused to apply the company's hate speech policies to politicians from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other "Hindu nationalist individuals and groups". Facebook ignored its hate speech policy and allowed anti-Muslim posts on its platform to avoid ruining the company's relationship with India's governing party, said the report by The Wall Street Journal. Singh, the BJP's only legislator in the southern state of Telangana, is known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric.

US CDCP tells states to prepare for November vaccine roll-out ATLANTA AGENCIES

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) has asked states to prepare for Covid-19 vaccine distribution as soon as late October.

Documents published by the CDC on Wednesday show that vaccines would be made available first, free of cost, to high-risk groups – including healthcare workers, national security personnel and nursing home residents and staff. The timing could not be more important politically, as an October arrival of the vaccine would come right before US President Donald Trump seeks re-election in November. Covid19 has killed more than 190,000 Americans and counting – and the Trump administration has poured billions of federal dollars into developing a vaccine.

"For the purpose of initial planning, CDC provided states with certain planning assumptions as they work on state-specific plans for vaccine distribution, including possibly having limited quantities of vaccines in October and November," a CDC spokesperson said.

RUSSia ReJeCtS NavalNy PoiSoNiNg aCCUSatioNS aFteR geRmaN FiNDiNg MOSCOW

R

nerve agent in an attempt to murder him.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow rejected any suggestion that Russia was responsible and warned other countries against jumping to hasty conclusions.

He said there was no reason to discuss measures against Moscow after Merkel said Germany would consult its NATO allies about how to respond to the poisoning. The Charite hospital in Berlin, where Navalny is being treated, has reported "some improvement" in his condition, but he remains in a medically

AGENCIES

USSIA has rejected accusations that Moscow was to blame for the poisoning of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, saying it saw no grounds for sanctions to be imposed against it over the case.

The Kremlin denial came on Thursday, a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Navalny had been poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok

induced coma and on a ventilator.

Earlier, in a statement, Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said testing by a special German military laboratory had shown "proof without doubt of a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group". "It is a dismaying event that Alexey Navalny was the victim of an attack with a chemical nerve agent in Russia," Seibert said.

Merkel later told a news conference: "This is disturbing information about the attempted murder through poisoning against a leading Russian opposition fig-

US blacklists ICC prosecutor over Afghanistan war crimes probe WASHINGTON AGENCIES

The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, over her investigation into whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

Pompeo also said Phakiso Mochochoko, the head of the ICC’s Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division, had also been blacklisted under sanctions authorized by President Donald Trump in June that allow for asset freezes and travel bans.

“Today we take the next step, because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly,” Pompeo told reporters.

Pompeo also said that individuals and entities that continue to materially support Bensouda and Mochochoko would risk exposure to sanctions as well. The ICC dismissed the measures as “another attempt to interfere with the court’s judicial and prosecutorial independence” and said in a statement that it

stood by the work of its staff.

“These coercive acts, directed at an international judicial institution and its civil servants, are unprecedented and constitute serious attacks against the court, the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice, and the rule of law more generally,” it said in a rare joint statement on behalf of the entire ICC. The State Department also restricted the issuance of visas for individuals Pompeo said were involved in the court’s efforts to investigate U.S. personnel, though he did not name those affected.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was concerned by Pompeo’s announcement, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

Dujarric said that “we trust that any restriction taken against individuals will be implemented consistently” with a decades-old U.S. deal with the United Nations to host the world body’s headquarters in New York.

Bensouda was given the goahead by the court in March to investigate whether war crimes were committed in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and U.S. forces.

ICC condemns sanctions against prosecutor The HAGUE: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned the economic sanctions imposed by the US on the Court’s prosecutor on Thursday. The new measures, announced pursuant to the US Executive Order 13928 dated 11 June 2020, are another attempt to interfere with the Court’s judicial and prosecutorial independence and crucial work to address grave crimes of concern to the international community as mandated under the ICC Rome Statute, said the ICC in a press statement. "These coercive acts, directed at an international judicial institution and its civil servants, are unprecedented and constitute serious attacks against the Court, the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice, and the rule of law more generally," said the statement. AGEN C IE S

Backroom deals, oldschool politics help rise of Japan's likely new premier TOKYO AGENCIES

Japan’s ruling party has yet to vote on a successor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe but his loyal lieutenant looks set to win the post, the result of backroom maneuvering and bargaining that began months before Abe said he’d quit over ill health.

Yoshihide Suga, Abe’s chief cabinet secretary, emerged this week as the frontrunner in the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Sept. 14 leadership race when five of the party’s seven factions backed him, before he even announced his candidacy on Wednesday. The new LDP leader is almost guaranteed to become prime minister because of the party’s majority in parliament’s lower house.

The choice of Suga highlights the lingering influence of factions and oldschool, personal politics and his alliance with the LDP’s chief manager of party funds, rather than policy debates, party insiders say.

However, the image of backroom dealing – muted during Abe’s nearly eight years in office – could dent Suga’s credibility with voters in a general election that

must be held by late 2021.

“There’s no way that the leader gets elected as a result of a debate over policy, it’s impossible,” said Shizuka Kamei, 83, a former LDP heavyweight who spent 38 years in parliament and was one of five party barons who met secretly to pick a successor to then-premier Keizo Obuchi after he suffered a stroke in April 2000.

For decades, the conservative LDP was dominated by factions whose bosses backed rival candidates in multi-member constituencies, collected and handed out campaign funds, and used their clout to launch runs at the premiership.

That influence was weakened by reforms in the 1990s, but faction bosses still play big roles in the allocation of party and cabinet posts and in determining who wins leadership races.

THREE DINNERS: Unusually, Suga himself is not a member of any faction, making his rise all the more notable. However, party insiders say his path to frontrunner was aided by his alliance with party heavyweight Toshihiro Nikai, the LDP’s secretary general, cemented at three highly publicized dinners since June.

ure." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged Moscow to investigate the poisoning, and said the Russian ambassador had been summoned to explain the evidence.

"This makes it all the more urgent that those responsible in Russia be identified and held accountable," Maas told reporters. "We condemn this attack in the strongest terms."

Novichok - a military-grade nerve agent - was used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom.

China commemorates 75th anniversary of end of Pacific War BEIJING: China on Thursday commemorated the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, during which it endured a brutal invasion and occupation of much of its territory by Japan. Communist Party leader and head of state Xi Jinping led government officials in a minute of silence and presentation of floral wreaths at a memorial hall dedicated to soldiers and civilians who participated in the struggle. Japan launched a full-on invasion of China in 1937, marked by urban warfare and atrocities such as the notorious Rape of Nanking.

While armies under Nationalist Party leader Chiang Kai-shek fought most of the major battles, Communist Party guerrillas under Mao Zedong forced Japan to divert soldiers and resources from battlefields elsewhere with low-level engagements. Although Japan formally surrendered aboard the USS Missouri on Sept.2, 1945, China marked the end of the war on Sept. 3 when it first held nationwide celebrations. The Communists swept to power in 1949 following renewed civil war against the Nationalists and continued to uphold the struggle against Japan as a source of their legitimacy to rule. Chiang relocated his Republic of China government to Taiwan, where it continues to enjoy strong though unofficial US support after making a transition to full democracy more than two decades again. AGENCIES

Friday, 4 September, 2020

SPORTS 11

ENGlaNd rENEw auStralia rivalry iN Covid-hit SEaSoN FiNalE LONDON

o

AGENCIES

NE of England's most extraordinary seasons will end with them facing arch-rivals Australia as both sides try to strike a balance between playing their strongest limited-overs teams and keeping an eye on the future.

The coronavirus pandemic threatened to wipe out England's entire home season yet they are now set to complete all 18 scheduled men's internationals, albeit the fixtures have been played behind closed doors. They face Australia in three Twenty20s in Southampton starting on Friday before taking on their oldest foes in a further three one-day internationals in Manchester later this month.

The Twenty20s should have served as preparation for October's T20 World Cup

in Australia but the Covid-19 outbreak means the next edition of the global showpiece will take place in India in 2021.

That does give both teams time to finetune their line-ups but equally they may want to give their strongest XIs as much as time as they can in their middle.

Australia are currently the world's topranked T20 side, with much of thir success built on a top order featuring captain Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith.

So even though the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Marnus Labuschagne have been in the runs during Australia's warmup matches in England, they are unlikely to displace the three premier batsmen.

"We've had a pretty settled T20 side over the last 12 months or so and all we can ask for is that guys bang so hard they are putting pressure on the guys in there," said Australia coach Justin Langer, who can also call upon Glenn Maxwell in the

Foden says Guardiola's faith is 'massive' factor as he eyes England debut LONDON: Phil Foden says Pep Guardiola's faith in his ability has been a "massive" factor in his development after the 20-year-old Manchester City playmaker was called up to the England squad for the first time. City boss Guardiola has regularly lavished praise upon Foden, saying he would not sell the young star even for 500 million euros ($590 million). Foden has picked up two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and three League Cup medals since starring in England's Under-17 World Cup triumph in 2017. Last season he played 38 games for City, including starting the Champions League last-16 second-leg win against Real Madrid. His extended run in the side has led to a first callup to Gareth Southgate's senior England squad, who are preparing for Nations League away games against Iceland and Denmark.

Asked what kind of impact playing in big matches and Guardiola's faith have on his belief levels, Foden said: "Massive. I played in some massive games this year, like cup finals and big Champions League games, and they're the games that everyone wants to play in. "Sometimes it is difficult for a young player to play in those games but I think he has been patient with me and played me at the right times. Now I'm learning a lot and I feel ready to go." Foden said he was living the dream of "every kid" ahead of the match against Iceland on Saturday. "When I was young, every kid on the estate used to dream of playing for England and pretended they were (England) players," he said. "That's something I used to do and now I'm in the senior team it seems crazy and it's still not really sunk in. I'm just hoping that I can make my debut. It will be a big moment for the family." Foden said he was aware that many people had been pushing for his inclusion in the England set-up at an earlier stage, but added that he had not played a lot of games for City in total. "Recently I've been playing a lot more and doing well, so I've had to work hard for the opportunity," he said. AGENCIES

middle-order after he took a break to deal with mental health issues.

England beat Australia in the semi-finals on the way to winning last year's 50over World Cup and white-ball captain Eoin Morgan believes consistency of selection is important if they are to replicate that triumph in the T20 equivalent. "I don't think we can have a scenario where we can play the majority of our games with a halfstrength team and then expect to go into a World Cup as contenders when guys don't know their roles or haven't been familiarised with them," he said.

'DANGerOUS': England were without several multi-format players during their recent T20 series with Pakistan that ended in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

The likes of 21-year-old opener Tom Banton starred against Pakistan but Jos Buttler could now regain his place at the top of the order. World Cup-winning fast

Mets great Seaver dies at 75

bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will provide extra firepower to an attack still without star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who remains on compassionate leave while he spends time with his ill father.

"Dangerous... that's what I made of England," said Langer.

"I've watched the way Eoin Morgan plays, it's exciting to watch, he just comes out and smacks it from ball one."

"They've been the best one-day team in the world for a few years now. "They are a very good cricket team, well led. We know what to expect and we'll be ready."

Meanwhile Wood hopes he can get inside the head of a few batsmen ahead of the 2021/22 Ashes in Australia. "There's an extra incentive when you play Australia, your biggest rivals," said Wood.

"They are desperate to beat you, you are desperate to beat them. It doesn't matter if it's the Ashes, white ball, T20."

Djokovic through as Pliskova crashes out of US Open NEW YORK AGENCIES

Novak Djokovic overcame an early scare to move into the third round of the US Open Wednesday but top women's seed Karolina Pliskova crashed out in the tournament's first shock.

Djokovic extended an undefeated run in 2020 to 25 matches as Pliskova was stunned in straight sets by France's Caroline Garcia, the world number 50.

World number one Djokovic dropped the first against Britain's Kyle Edmund but rallied to progress 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 inside a subdued, spectator-free Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows.

"I'm really glad having an early kind of tough match because it kind of serves me better I think for the rest of the tournament," said Djokovic.

The Serbian superstar is looking to

close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent from Flushing Meadows, in the race for the alltime men's Slam singles title record.

The 33-year-old -- who won an eighth Australian Open title in February -- is on 17, with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.

Pliskova -- the 28-year-old world number three from the Czech Republic -- suffered a miserable 1-6, 6-7 exit to a confident Garcia who rushed to a 5-0 lead in the first set.

Pliskova said her defeat was nothing to do with being elevated to the top of the draw after a host of high-ranking withdrawals over coronavirus fears.

"No, zero pressure from this for me.

This is nothing to do with my loss today," she sniffed.

Elsewhere in the men's draw Wednesday, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece defeated American

Maxime Cressy 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4 in his first runout on the famous Ashe court. "It would have been even better with fans but getting a first taste of what it is was great for me," he said.

Earlier fifth seed Alexander Zverev defeated American wildcard Brandon Nakashima in a far from smooth 7-5, 67 (8/10), 6-3, 6-1 win.

The world number seven traded 24 aces with 10 double faults against a player ranked 223 inside an empty but and humid Louis Armstrong Stadium to move into round three.

"I was sweating through my shoes, which is unusual," said Zverev, explaining a footwear change during the match. "I needed to go from the dry tires to the wet tires a little bit."

Belgian seventh seed David Goffin also progressed as the top seeds continue to dominate at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

French coach Mombaerts leaves Melbourne City despite record season MELBOURNE AGENCIES

Melbourne City released French coach Erick Mombaerts for family reasons Thursday after their most successful ALeague season, with club stalwart Patrick Kisnorbo appointed in his place.

The 65-year-old Mombaerts, who began his coaching career with Paris Saint-Germain, revolutionised the side after taking over 14 months ago, encouraging free-flowing football and high-intensity attacking. It helped them achieve second on the competition ladder this season behind Sydney FC, with their biggest points tally. He also steered them to their first Grand Final, where they lost 1-0 to Sydney on Sunday.

But Mombaerts has been separated from his family during the coronavirus pandemic and the club agreed to release him just one year into a three-year contract.

"We have reached some incredible milestones, we have

implemented an exciting way to play, and we have become a true family, playing together every week for our fans, and I have no doubt that Patrick will continue this work," Mombaerts said.

"I have had a fantastic experience in Melbourne and I will always remember my time here with much fondness, but I have been away from my family for a long time and now I must return to care for them in France."

Mombaerts arrived in Melbourne after a three-year stint with Japan's Yokohama Marinos. He has also coached extensively in France, including their national U-21 and U-18 teams.

City's new coach Kisnorbo, 39, is a former Melbourne captain who spent eight years in England with Leicester City and Leeds United.

"Erick has taught me so much and I am extremely grateful for the way he has helped both myself and the club to develop over the last 14 months," he said.

New YOrk: Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, who led the New York Mets to an unlikely World Series title in 1969, has died at the age of 75, the Baseball Hall of Fame said Wednesday. The Hall of Fame said in a statement that Seaver died on Monday of complications of Lewy body dementia and Covid-19. Seaver had retired from public life in March of 2019. "We are heartbroken to share that our beloved husband and father has passed away," his wife, Nancy, and daughters Sarah and Anne told the Hall of Fame. "We send our love out to his fans, as we mourn his loss with you." Seaver, a hard-throwing righthander known as "Tom Terrific" won a Major League Baseball-leading 25 games in 1969, earning the first of his three Cy Young Awards. Home run hero Hank Aaron called Seaver "the toughest pitcher I ever had to face.

George Thomas Seaver was born November 17, 1944 in Fresno, California and played 20 seasons in the major leagues, the first 11 with the Mets. Seaver won 311 games, had a 2.86 earned-run average and struck out 3,640 batters in a major league career that lasted from 19671986. He earned 12 All-Star selections and led the National League in wins three times.

Seaver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he was named on 98.8 percent of ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, the highest voting percentage ever received at the time. AGENCIES

NEyMar oNE oF thrEE PSG StarS to tESt PoSitivE For Covid-19 PArIS: Neymar was one of three Paris SaintGermain stars to have contracted the coronavirus, a well-placed source told AFP on Wednesday, after the Champions League runners-up announced several positive tests.

"Three Paris Saint-Germain players have confirmed positive Sars CoV2 tests and are subject to the appropriate health protocol," PSG said in a statement. "All of the players and coaching staff will continue to undergo tests in the coming days." When contacted by AFP, the club declined to confirm the identity of the players in question. But the source replied "Yes" when asked if Neymar was one of those to test positive, along with teammates Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes, as had earlier been reported by French sports daily L'Equipe. The cases would appear to be linked to a holiday trip to the Spanish Mediterranean island of Ibiza that several PSG players took following the Champions League final defeat by Bayern Munich. The news is a setback to the French champions' preparations for the scheduled start of their Ligue 1 campaign next week, with a game away at Lens set for September 10 but possibly now at risk of being postponed. PSG had already said on Monday that two unnamed players had reported back with coronavirus symptoms following a holiday. L'Equipe reported the players in question at the time were Argentinian duo Di Maria and Paredes. Those two, and Neymar, were among several players who travelled to Ibiza following the Champions League final, mixing with friends and family after spending the previous weeks isolated in a secure sanitary "bubble" with teammates in Portugal. Neymar later posted a picture on Instagram showing him and his son grinning, with the caption: "Thank you for your messages.

We're all fine!" Brazilian media reports said the striker's nine-year-old son and 55-year-old father, who were along for the trip to Ibiza, had also tested positive for the virus. AGENCIES

Messi leaving would be a huge blow to La Liga's prestige: Modric MADRID AGENCIES

Luka Modric blows out his cheeks. "It would be a huge loss," he says. "Like when Cristiano left. But you can't think about the past. It's football and that's it."

Modric has faced Lionel Messi 21 times and is the only player since 2008 other than Cristiano Ronaldo to beat him to the Ballon d'Or. He knows what it would mean if he leaves. "If it happens it will be a huge loss for the prestige of the league," he tells AFP. "But we need to go forward. Other players will become stars.

"When Ronaldo left, the same thing happened, the life of Real Madrid went on without him and it will be the same for Barcelona and La Liga without Messi."

After Ronaldo, Real Madrid needed two sacked coaches and the return of the old one to get back on their feet, a recovery still not complete as shown by a second consecutive exit in the Champions League last 16.

Messi's departure, even his unhappiness, would give Madrid an opening, not only to win La Liga again but to establish their own period of supremacy in Spain.

The first step is defending the title they won in July.

"We don't have a young team but we have an experienced team," says Modric. "We have young players, who will get better. I don't know if we will buy players but even if it stays like this, we have enough quality.

"We showed it in La Liga and we know we can do it again. After the suspension, we came back so motivated.

We missed football, we missed winning games.

"We had worked so hard, I think physically we were the best team in the league and that's why we won it. It was my second La Liga title and I want to win more."

DreSSING rOOM LeADer: Modric was arguably Real Madrid's best player during the 11-game run-in, perhaps benefitting more than anyone from the threemonth pause, after a period when he found himself rotated. "I had two injuries that set me back and then other players took their opportunity," Modric says. "It wasn't easy for me, but maybe now Zizou sees it differently because I never gave up and in the end I was playing again.

I feel well now, I feel fit, I feel motivated."

He turns 35 next week but Modric still feels instrumental to this Real Madrid, his calm masking an innersteel that is well-suited to Zidane and perhaps symbolic of the team as a whole.

CMYK

In his autobiography, 'My Game', released last month, Modric said Zidane urged him to be more of a leader and he has been supporting Eden Hazard during the Belgian's injury-ravaged opening year. "Eden is a great guy and a special player," says Modric. "But he was playing with pain and when you're on the pitch, people always expect the best. They don't care if you have little problems. "I spoke to him and said, 'Eden maybe you need not to play now and recover because next season we need you at your best. This is a season where you're getting to know everything but next season you need to be 100 per cent because if not, it's going to be difficult'.

"Hopefully he comes back without any problems and then I'm sure he'll show his potential and why the club bought him because we will need him a lot."

ZIDANe 'ONe OF THe BeST': Hazard retains the confidence of Zidane but the same cannot be said for Gareth Bale, whose prospects look bleaker than ever if he stays. Modric has spent 12 years playing with Bale, four at Tottenham and eight with Madrid, and he is one of those closest to the Welshman in the dressing room.

"Gareth is a great, great player," Modric says. "But his situation is not easy. He always has my support but

he needs to decide what is best for him and what he wants to do now with his career.

"It was not an easy season for him but it is what it is.

Maybe now he needs to get back to his best. Maybe to fight or... We'll see what happens with him." Unlike Bale, Modric trusts Zidane absolutely, dismissing those who claim he is a motivator graced with good luck.

"He just perfectly understands players," Modric says.

"He is one of the best coaches, definitely.

"What we have achieved is unimaginable and still people say it's because of luck or this or that, and they don't give him the recognition he deserves -- but he doesn't need it. His results speak for themselves."

Recalls one of his first meetings with Zidane in 2016, which he cites as a turning point in his career. "I remember it word for word," says Modric. "He said, 'I see you as a player who can one day win the Ballon d'Or'. I'd never even thought about the Ballon d'Or before but when someone like Zizou tells you that, you feel so much confidence. "It's why we've always had such a great relationship and I hope he stays at Madrid for a long, long time." Luka Modric's autobiography, 'My Game', was released on August 20 in the UK, France and Spain.

Friday, 4 September, 2020

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PAkIsTAn regreTs unsC CoMMITTee’s desIgnATIon bloCkIng of IndIAn ‘wAnTed CrIMInAls’ ISLAMABAD

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in many high-profile terrorist attacks and are currently residing in India under state protection,” Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said.

The FO spokesperson said that Pakistan had provided sufficient evidence to the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee, including information about financial support, travel record and training camps established by this Indian terrorism syndicate to foment terrorism and instability in Pakistan.

He said that Pakistan believed that it had provided all necessary information as required under the listing criteria, adding that it always stressed the need for de-politicisation and transparency in the UN sanctions regime for its effectiveness and credibility.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan would continue to expose Indian sponsorship of terrorist entities like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamat ul Ahraar (JUA) and others. On recent skirmishes at ChinaIndia border, he said that Pakistan had been repeatedly emphasising that India’s expan-

APP

AKISTAN on Thursday, regretting the decision by United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) Sanctions Committee to block the designation of two Indian nationals as terrorists despite sufficient evidence, said that it would continue to expose Indiansponsored terrorism.

“We regret the decision by some members of the UNSC Sanctions Committee to block the designation of two Indian nationals, Gobinda Patnaik and Angara Appaji, to the sanctions list on September 2, 2020,” the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said at a weekly press briefing.

Pakistan had proposed designation of Indian nationals under the UNSC’s ISIL and Al-Qaeda Sanctions list in 2019.

“These Indian nationals are wanted criminals in Pakistan for their involvement

Intra-Afghan talks critical move to peace, stability in Afghanistan: China ISLAMABAD: China on Thursday said that the forthcoming intra-Afghan talks was a critical move to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan and vowed it would be watching the development in this regard as neighbor and friend of the country. "IntraAfghan talks is a critical move to peace and stability in Afghanistan. As the largest neighbour and sincere friend of the country, we will be watching this development closely," Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during her regular briefing while commenting on intraAfghan dialogue likely to be held in Doha, Qatar. "We support Afghan-led and Afghanowned talks and hope that all parties will put country and people first and work towards same goal and through dialogue and consolations find a solution for lasting peace and stability," she added. APP

Indian PM Modi's Twitter account hacked NEW DELHI: The Twitter account of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been hacked, the social media giant confirmed Thursday. Tweets were sent from the prime minister's feed asking for charitable donations using a cryptocurrency, but have since been taken down. "We're aware of this activity and have taken steps to secure the compromised account. We are actively investigating the situation," a spokesman for Twitter said. The tech firm said it was not aware of any additional accounts being impacted. In July former US president Barack Obama and tech bosses Bill Gates and Elon Musk were among dozens of high-profile figures to have their Twitter accounts breached in a massive hack by scammers trying to dupe people into sending bitcoin. Faked tweets were sent from 45 accounts and the hackers accessed private messages in 36 and downloaded Twitter data from seven, the company said. The hackers gained access to the system by tricking a handful of employees into giving up their credentials, according to Twitter. APP

sionist and unilateral actions, particularly since August 5, 2019, were imperiling regional peace and security.

“The latest incidents in the China-India border areas validate Pakistan’s concerns and demonstrate that India’s belligerence remains a major impediment in resolving the issues at its borders,” he added.

He further said, “It is imperative that China-India border issues are resolved in line with agreed understandings and bilateral agreements through established mechanisms, peace and tranquility should be maintained in the region.” The FO spokesperson, terming Pakistan and China as “all-weather strategic cooperative partners”, said that both remained committed to promote peace, stability, and development in the region.

On 11 members of a Pakistani Hindu family found dead in suspicious conditions in Indian Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district on August 9, he said the incident demanded thorough investigation by India.

“Since those who died were Pakistani nationals, it is incumbent upon us to ensure the incident is properly investigated and the findings of the investigation are shared with us,” he added, urging the government of India to provide the information requested

by Pakistan’s mission in New Delhi without further delay. He recalled that Pakistan’s High Commission in Delhi had immediately contacted the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, asking them to share details including circumstances of death, copy of the First Information Report (FIR).

Also, the demand was made for provision of immediate consular access to the family and the physical presence of Mission’s doctor and staff member during postmortem. On Pakistan’s third offer to India for consular access to its spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Spokesperson said India had so far been evasive and been looking for a pretext to somehow frustrate Pakistan’s efforts to implement the International Court of Jus-

Afghan officials primed for talks with taliban after deal on prisoners KABUL AGENCIES

Afghan negotiators and senior officials will fly to Doha for peace talks with the Taliban after the two sides reached a compromise over the release of prisoners, diplomatic and government sources said.

All but seven of the 5,000 prisoners whose release the Taliban had demanded as a precondition for negotiations have been freed, four government and diplomatic sources told Reuters. National security advisor spokesman Javid Faisal confirmed that all but “a small number” of the remaining Taliban prisoners had been released, in return for the insurgent group freeing security force members in line with the govern-

ment’s demands.

“Diplomatic efforts are ongoing,” he said in a tweet, referring to the final few prisoners who international partners objected to releasing. “We expect direct talks to start promptly.”

The Taliban did not respond to a request for comment.

It was not immediately clear when the talks would start. A government source said they could begin as soon as Saturday, but a second source subsequently said that initial plans for the government delegation to fly to Doha on Thursday had been postponed.

Deadlock over the Taliban prisoners had stalled the United States-brokered negotiations for months.

The release of the final batch of 400, who the government blamed for some of the worst violence commit-

ted in the country, has been debated for weeks.

They included the small number whose release was objected to by Western powers due to their involvement in attacks on foreign forces.

Five sources told Reuters the plan was for seven remaining prisoners to be transferred to Doha, where they would be kept under supervision.

The seven were members of the Afghan National Security Forces arrested on charges of attacking troops they were stationed with, an Afghan official said, marking them as sympathisers with or covert members of the Taliban.

Washington has been trying to broker peace talks to end 19 years of war since signing a troop withdrawal deal with the Taliban in February.

Over Rs538bn added to circular debt in FY20, Senate body told ISLAMABAD APP

The Senate's Standing Committee on Power was informed on Thursday that with an addition of over Rs538 billion during the last fiscal year (FY20), Pakistan's total circular debt now stands at Rs2,150 billion.

The committee meeting, which was held with Fida Muhammad in the chair, discussed the exact figures of circular debt, transparency in the recruitment process of meter readers and linemen in PESCO, and alleged removal of domestic meters of small farmers by GEPCO and others.

It was disclosed in the meeting

that less recovery was made in FY20 due to change in consumer mix, instalment facility to the domestic consumers, and Covid-19 outbreak.

The impact of Covid-19 on circular debt was recorded at Rs104 billion. The Power Division's additional secretary informed there was a uniform national tariff policy for all country except K-Electric, adding that some 121 billion units were generated during the last fiscal year.

The PESCO chief told the meeting that there was an acute shortage of staff in the company ant that 14,000 employees were currently working against the sanctioned strength of 27,000. "The government

Pakistan keen for Afghan peace due to its high stakes in regional stability: Qureshi ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said that peace in Afghanistan was Pakistan's top priority due to its high stakes in return of stability to Afghanistan and the region. The foreign minister expressed these views in a telephonic conversation with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Haneef Atmar. Qureshi said that it was important that the Afghan leaders seized the historic opportunity and achieved an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan. He welcomed the recent developments on the release of prisoners and urged all the parties to take requisite steps for the commencement of intraAfghan negotiations at the earliest. FM Qureshi also expressed satisfaction at the successful holding of the second review meeting of Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) in Kabul recently. He stressed that the positive momentum after the APAPPS should be followed up by implementing all its decisions. Both sides agreed that the APAPPS provided a comprehensive and pertinent forum to address all issues on key tracks of bilateral relations. Highlighting Pakistan’s contribution towards economic development in Afghanistan, FM Qureshi expressed the hope that necessary steps would be taken to operationalise Ghulam Khan border terminal for Afghan transit trade, which would further facilitate Afghanistan’s trade with the rest of the world. APP

had granted permission to recruit 3,000 employees in November 2018, but the process of recruitment could not be completed so far," he stated.

"Efforts are being made to complete the recruitment process for assistant linemen and others at the earliest."

The committee was informed that the result was not withheld by the testing agency but the process took time due to around 280,000 candidates and many candidates filled wrong roll numbers which were not machine readable and caused manual checking and sorting of the papers.

All results were uploaded on the testing agency website and subsequently on PESCO website.

Pakistan’s exports plunge 19.5pc in August ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

Pakistan's exports during the month of August recorded a downfall of 19.5pc in dollar terms, as compared to the same period last year.

Interestingly, the dip in Aug export figures comes after a surge in exports during July 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions were more stringently in place.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood attributed the significant decline in Aug exports to unprecedented monsoon rains, which caused disruption in the supply chain.

"The record-shattering monsoon rains took a toll on Pakistan’s exports

PM'S COMMERCE ADVISER ATTRIBUTES THE FALL TO 'UNPRECEDENTED MONSOON RAINS', WHICH DISRUPTED THE SUPPLY CHAIN after the country’s exports for the month of August dropped by 19.5pc as compared to August 2019," the PM's aide said in a series of tweets. "However, the positive sign is that regardless of this temporary decline, our trade balance continues to improve.

Exporters are encouraged that despite the calamity of rain and flooding, we must pursue Make in Pakistan policy and export-led growth."

He also expressed confidence that the

country's exporters would make up for the losses incurred during August 2020.

Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce had discussed issues related to fall in exports during an internal review meeting chaired by Razak Dawood.

It was revealed that during the month under review, the imports also dropped by 20pc, as compared to August 2019.

Similarly, the overall trade balance improved by 20.6pc in August 2020, as compared to the same month last year.

tice’s (ICJ) judgment.

On the other hand, he said, Pakistan remained fully committed to the implementation of judgment of ICJ. “Our position is consistent that the Indian government should come forward and cooperate with the courts in Pakistan so that full effect could be given to the ICJ judgment,” he said.

The spokesperson said that as for legal representation of Jadhav “India should still come forward and arrange legal representative for effective review and reconsideration”, adding that Islamabad High Court (IHC) had again provided India another opportunity.

“The very purpose of the Government of Pakistan’s going to Islamabad High Court was to ensure implementation of the ICJ judgment,” he added.

On Afghanistan, the FO spokesperson said that Pakistan had consistently maintained that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict.

Despite the decline in exports, some products like tractors, iron & steel, chemicals and cement posted a positive growth of 186pc, 100pc, 90pc and 30pc, respectively, as compared to August 2019.

During the meeting, it was informed that due to heavy rains in the country, there were some delays in obtaining and analysing the data. Dawood was told that rains and consequential urban flooding, particularly in Karachi, caused significant problems in the existing infrastructure, disrupting the supply chains and affecting the exports for the month of August.

Power outages, an overall slowdown in business activities, delays in transportation and hampering of port operations were also among the reasons highlighted by the officials.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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