EpaperLHR_21-05-17

Monday, 17 May, 2021 I 5 Shawwal, 1442 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XI No 316 I 48 Pages I Lahore Edition

MusliM states slaM israel — and each other’s ties to it

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He Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday demanded that Israel halt attacks killing Palestinian civilians amid heavy fighting between it and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, even as fissures between countries over their recognition of Israel emerged.

A statement by the 57-nation league of Muslim nations hewed closely to previous ones issued by the Saudi-based group, including backing the decades-old call for Palestinians to have their own nation with east Jerusalem as its capital.

It called for an immediate halt to what it described as Israel’s barbaric attacks on Gaza and blamed “systematic crimes” against the Palestinians for hostilities now in their seventh day. The OIC statement came after a virtual meeting in which Saudi Arabia condemned the violation of the sanctity of Muslim holy sites and evictions of Palestinians from their homes in east Jerusalem.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud opened the OIC meeting by urging the global community to end the escalation in violence and revive peace negotiations based on a two-state solution.

The 57-member body accused the United Nations Security Council of inertia.

Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei issued a separate statement on Sunday, tweeted by Malaysia’s premier, calling for an emergency UN General Assembly meeting.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab emirates called for a ceasefire. “De-escalation and the highest degree of restraint are important to avoid dragging the region to new levels of instability,” said UAe Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimy.

However, recent normalisation deals between Israel and some nations in the group — as well as their own concerns about Hamas — saw diplomats at points instead criticise each other.

“The massacre of Palestinian children

CONFIRMED CASES:

877,130

LAST UPDATED AT 10:01 AM ON MAY 16, 2021

76

2,379

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

788,768 19,543 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

298,078

325,662

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

126,787 AJK/GB: 18,231/5,418

23,831 ISLAMABAD:

79,123

Pakistan condemns Israel’s brutal use of force against Palestinians STORY ON BACK PAGE

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City flattened three buildings and killed at least 42 people on Sunday, medics said, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled the attacks by Israel on Palestinians in Gaza would continue despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire. In a televised address, Netanyahu said on Sunday evening that the attacks were continuing at “full-force” and will “take time“. Israel “wants to levy a heavy price” from Gaza’s Hamas rulers, he said. The violence marked the worst fighting since the devastating 2014 war in Gaza. The airstrikes on Sunday hit a busy downtown street of residential buildings and storefronts over the course of five minutes just after midnight, destroying two adjacent buildings and one about 50 metres down the road. agencies

Pakistan

NEW CASES:

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Israeli strikes kill 42 more Palestinians, raising death toll to 188

coronavirus in

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

today follows the purported normalisation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said. “This criminal and genocidal regime has once again proven that friendly gestures only aggravate its atrocities.”

The past week has seen some of the worst violence across Israel and the Palestinian territory since the 2014 war in Gaza, with Hamas launching missiles and Israel pounding the blockaded coastal strip home to two million people with heavy fire. At least 188 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza with 1,230 people wounded. eight people in Israel have been killed. The OIC statement called on Israel to respect Muslims’ access to Al Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, as well as stop settlers from forcibly evicting Palestinian families from their homes.

“The plight of the Palestinian people is the bleeding wound of the Islamic world today,” Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar said.

But the video conference meeting saw some delegates instead turn their fire toward countries like Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and the United Arab emirates, Muslim nations which reached normalisation deals last year to recognise Israel.

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NCOC urges people aged 30 and above to get vaccinated iSLaMaBaD staff report

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has asked all those people who are above 30 years of age to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to prevent Covid-19 infections.

In a message on Sunday, NCOC asked the above 30 people to get register by sending the CNIC number to 1166 prior to visit the vaccination centres.

“Walk-in facility for above 40 years also needs prior registration ” NCOC added in its public awareness message.

In its social media campaign, NCOC said that vaccines protect individuals and communities. “Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects those who cannot be vaccinated,” it mentioned.

Meanwhile, Pakistan received another batch of Covid vaccine from China on Sunday comprising 1.2 million doses.

According to sources privy to details regarding vaccine arrival, 1.2 million

Cyclone Tauktae won’t hit Pakistan’s coastal belt: PMD karachi staff report

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has confirmed that cyclone Tauktae will not make landfall on the coastal belt of the country.

According to the Met Office Spokesperson Sardar Sarfraz, the cyclone will pass by without touching the coastal belt of the country. He, however, said that the cyclone will have an impact in the form of rains with strong winds in the districts of Thatta, Tharparkar, Badin, Mirpur Khas and Umer Kot. He said that the rains will be of moderate level.

Sarfraz said that dusty winds are currently blowing in Karachi and the temperature of the city is also likely to go up due to the cyclonic activity in the Arabian Sea. The authority said in its advisory, “Severe Cyclonic Storm Tauktae intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS), [and] moved further north-westward at a speed of 15 kilometres during the last 12 hours.”

The PMD said that the cyclone is currently at a distance of about 1,210 km south-south-

doses of the Chinese vaccine will reach Islamabad on May 16. “The doses included a million jabs of China’s Sinovac vaccine and 200,000 vaccines of single-dose CanSino,” they said.

The sources further shared that another batch of two million Covid vaccine Sinovac will reach Islamabad on May 21.

Pakistan is already vaccinating its population over 40year old, besides the NCOC on Wednesday allowing citizens aged 30 and above to sign up for Covid-19 vaccination from Sunday.

Taking to Twitter, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, who heads the NCOC, had said on Saturday, “As vaccine supply continues to improve and vaccination capacity gets enhanced in all federating units, we continue to expand the categories of those who are eligible to get vaccinated.”

“Starting Sunday the 16th of May, registration will be open to all 30 years and older citizens.”

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more inside

Veteran politician Begum Naseem passes away STORY ON PAGE 02

Maryam claims PTI marks people as ‘traitor’ when they are ‘afraid of someone’

STORY ON PAGE 02

east of Karachi. “[In view of the] prevailing environmental and meteorological conditions, dust/thunderstorm-rain with few moderate to heavy falls with gusty winds of 60-80 Kmph are likely to occur in Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot & Sanghar districts during 17- 19 May 2021.”

“The system is likely to move further north-westward and reach Indian Gujarat by 18th May morning,'” it said in an advisory.

According to the authority,

Karachi, Hyderabad and Nawabshah districts [are] likely to experience hot to very hot weather with gusty winds, blowing dust during the next two days.

“Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough and fishermen are advised not to venture in the sea till 19 May 2021,” it maintained.

The cyclone’s name ‘Tauktae’ pronounced as TauTe, given by Myanmar. It is a Burmese language word and it means a lizard.

Lockdown extended until May 30, notifies Punjab health department STORY ON PAGE 03 in today’s issue

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Monday, 17 May, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

VeterAn PoliticiAn BeGum nAseem PAsses AwAy

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StAff RepORt

ENIOR leader of Awami National Party (ANP), Begum Naseem Wali Khan, passed away on Sunday and was laid to rest in Charsadda. Begum Naseem had been a cardiac and diabetes patient since long. She was daughter-in-law of ANP founder Bacha Khan, wife of Khan Abdul Wali Khan and mother of ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan.

The senior leader remained a member of the National Assembly. She also remained a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assembly three times. Her funeral

solace to the bereaved family.

KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan also expressed sorrow over the death of the late ANP leader. The CM further extended his condolences and sympathy to the family.

“May Allah forgive her and give the bereaved the strength to bear this trauma,” the provincial chief minister said.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Shehbaz Sharif also posted his condolences on his official Twitter handle.

“Saddened by the news of Begum Nasim Wali Khan’s death,” stated the leader of the opposition. “Her services for empowerment of women will be remembered for a long time,” he added.

Furthermore, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also expressed grief over Begum Naseem’s death and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.

Qaiser prayed for Begum Naseem’s soul to attain a high rank in paradise and patience for her family. Adding to the list, former president Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his sorrow over the tragic loss. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson remembered Begum Naseem as a brave politician and lauded her role in the 1983 Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or the MRD Movement. Zardari further extended his condolences to the family and prayed for the departed soul.

Maryam claims PTI marks people as ‘traitor’ when they are ‘afraid of someone’

and constitution is, who believes in it and who the real traitors are.” She said that the real traitor is the one who while in the US sold off Kashmir, and left it in India’s lap.

She said that the times were changing and they had stopped being afraid. Maryam said: “Those they branded as traitors after such efforts were instead adopted as heroes by Pakistan’s 220 million population.”

She said that those who have “opened factories to issue fatwas (decrees) of someone being a traitor”, should start gathering. “When you are afraid, and have lost, and cannot bear to listen to talk of the supremacy of the Constitution, you issue certificates of treachery.”

“Today like Javed Latif when you know you will speak the truth and be arrested and still stick to your guns, there is no greater service to the nation than this,” Maryam said.

The PML-N vice president also talked about the Daska by-election and said that people act upon the slogan “respect the vote”, protected their vote, and took it back when it was “stolen” from them.

prayer was offered at 06:00 pm in the evening at Wali Bagh.

Following her demise, the ANP announced three days of mourning in the province. “The party’s political activities across the province will be suspended and the party’s flag will be flown at half mast,” said the incumbent ANP provincial president, Aimal Wali Khan.

“Begum Naseem Wali Khan was another name for the politics of resistance,” he maintained. The ANP president added that Begum Naseem’s role in women’s participation in politics is a shining chapter in history.

“The difficult circumstances in which she ran the party are unprecedented,” he

said, adding that, “The void created by her death in the country’s politics will hardly be filled.” Condolences started to pour in following the death of the party stalwart.

President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of the ANP leader.

In his condolence message, he said that Begum Naseem’s services in the political arena will be remembered. Commiserating with the bereaved family, he prayed for the departed soul.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed condolences over the sad demise of Begum Naseem. In a tweet, he prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul in eternal peace and give

9 killed, 5 injured in shootout in sindh ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

At least nine people were killed and five others seriously injured in a shootout between two rival groups late Saturday night in Sindh, media reported.

According to the reports, the exchange of intensive firing took place between the Jagirani tribe and Chachar tribe over an old enmity in the Kandhkot area of Sindh for hours. Police personnel told media that armed men of both sides were firing at each other while hiding in bunkers when security personnel reached the site. Police and rescue teams have shifted the bodies and the injured to a hospital and filed two separate cases against each of the armed groups.

Police have started operations and raids to arrest the culprits and confiscate weapons from them. Automatic guns, hand grenades, and rockets were used in the clash, reports said. A heavy contingent of police has been deployed in the area to defuse the tension after intensive firing for hours spread panic among locals.

us role in Afghanistan minor, ball in Pakistan’s court now, Ghani says kABUL/ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

As the United States has started formally withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, beginning the end of what President Joe Biden called “the forever war”, President Ashraf Ghani emphasised the “need” for a decision on peace by the regional players and Europe to “get Pakistan on board” on the talks with the Taliban. “Peace will primarily be decided upon regionally, and I believe we are at a crucial moment of rethinking. It is first and foremost a matter of getting Pakistan on board,” Ghani told Der Spiegel, an online German news portal, in an interview on Friday. “The US now plays only a minor role. The question of peace or hostility is now in Pakistani hands.” With Washington scheduled to pull out from the war-torn country by September 11, the Taliban are poised to return to power on the battlefield or through peace talks where they hold most of the cards. Pakistan helped bring the Taliban to the table, ultimately resulting in a deal.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also present at the peace deal signing in Doha in February last year, warmly congratulating both sides. But in Kabul, concerns are mounting among the incumbent administration because the complete withdrawal of foreign troops could leave the country vulnerable to a Taliban takeover two decades years after it was ousted in a US-led invasion but they still control wide areas.

“Pakistan operates an organised system of support. The Taliban receive logistics there, their finances are there and recruitment is there,” he claimed even as Afghanistan remains breeding ground for terrorist networks, including proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the socalled Islamic State (IS), responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. “The names of the various decision-making bodies of the Taliban are Quetta Shura, Miramshah Shura, and Peshawar Shura — named after the Pakistani cities where they are located. There is a deep relationship with the state,” he claimed. Earlier this week, after a meeting with Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in Kabul, Ghani had said Pakistan was not in favour of the Taliban returning to power in his country. “President Ashraf Ghani attached great importance to the role of the regional countries particularly Pakistan in establishing peace in Afghanistan and the country’s influence on the Taliban,” the Afghan Presidential Palace said in a statement issued at the time. In response to a question, Ghani reiterated that Gen Bajwa “clearly assured me that the restoration of the Emirate or dictatorship by the Taliban is not in anybody’s interest in the region, especially Pakistan”.

Ghani further said that there is no military solution for the ongoing war in Afghanistan and that the Taliban’s insistence to stick to a military solution is unacceptable for the people of Afghanistan. Pakistan, too, has time and again urged the Taliban to remain engaged in the Afghan peace process and said so again last month after the group said it would now shun summits about Afghanistan until all foreign forces leave.

LAHORE: An aerial view of the provincial capital. ZUBaIR MeHfooZ

NewS DeSk Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Sunday said that the opposition has been hearing the word traitor for a long time, alleging that the ruling party only uses this term when “they are afraid of someone”.

“When they are afraid of the truth, of talk of the law and Constitution, of bravery, the bag opens and out come labels such as traitor […] or thief,” Maryam Nawaz said after a visit to Javed Latif’s family in Sheikhupura while standing outside his house.

She told a gathering of party leaders, workers and supporters that if speaking of the truth, of the supremacy of the constitution, law and institutions is traitorous, then “we will do this kind of

‘treachery’ again and again”.

PML-N VP said that Latif, with his “unwavering stance on what is right and true”, had “paid his dues being a son of the soil of Pakistan”.

Maryam Nawaz said if being declared a traitor is a crime then Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah would have been the first person to be declared one.

She went on to say that her father, Nawaz Sharif was labeled as a traitor even she herself had been called one.

“If calling what is right, ‘right’, what is true, ‘true’, if speaking of the supremacy of the Constitution and institutions, and of standing by the law, is traitorous, then we will do this treachery again and again,” Maryam said. Latif has been arrested for issuing what were termed as “anti-state” remarks. His request for pre-arrest bail

was denied by the court.

Maryam said that if being declared a traitor is a crime, then the first person to have been declared one was Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.

She followed by saying even her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was declared a traitor and so had she herself been labelled one.

“Although Nawaz Sharif is in London, from all corners of the country, decisions and victories in his favour are being witnessed,” she said. About the Daska by-poll, she said the people took the ‘respect the vote’ slogan to heart, guarded their vote, and then took it back when it was ‘stolen from them.

Maryam said that Nawaz made huge sacrifices and the people have now awakened to the truth, “know what their rights are, what the supremacy of the law

Sirajul Haq announces demonstration against Israel on May 21 LAHORe INp

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Sunday announced to stage a protest demonstration across the country on May 21 against Israeli aggression against innocent Palestinians.

The JI chief appealed to the nation to join the protests for the rights of Palestinians and said that human tragedy is arising on daily basis in Palestine, adding that the United Nations and American and European human rights advocates have become deaf and dumb.

Sirajul Haq said that the Muslim Ummah should stand with the oppressed

Palestinians and the rulers of the Muslim world have to go beyond statements and tweets. He went on to say that the Muslim countries should formulate a plan of action to protect the lives, property and honour of the citizens of Gaza.

Sirajul Haq will lead a major protest in Islamabad on May 21.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday had said that the whole nation, including all the political parties of Pakistan, are united when it comes to the issues of Kashmir and Palestine. In a telephonic conversation with JI chief Sirajul Haq, who had phoned him, the foreign minister had said that the whole Muslim

Ummah is concerned over the aggression against the Palestinian worshipping Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

Both the leaders had discussed the Palestinian situation and Muslim unity besides condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

The foreign minister had said that AlAqsa Mosque is one of the holiest sites for Muslims as well as the first Qibla for them, so its protection is part of their faith. Qureshi had apprised the JI chief of the prime minister’s ongoing contacts with the international community to seek an end to ongoing aggression against Palestinians and seek peaceful resolution

of the dispute.

The foreign minister had said that the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had convened the foreign ministerial level emergency meeting to devise a joint strategy on the Palestinian situation.

Qureshi had said that he would also address the session via video link and apprise the participants of the concern and perturbation found among the Pakistan nation. He had also apprised Siraj of the diplomatic efforts made by Pakistan so far on the Palestine issue. The JI chief had assured the foreign minister of his party’s all-out cooperation on the Palestinian cause.

Monday, 17 May, 2021

LAHORE

lockdown extended until mAy 30, notifies PunjAB heAlth dePArtment

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NewS DeSk

HE lockdown in the Punjab province has been extended to May 30, a notification released by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) of the provincial government stated.

As per the notification, certain services have been exempt from these restrictions such as medical services, pharmacies, courier and postal services, utility offices including electricity, gas, internet and cellular companies, petrol pumps, shops of essential goods and the food delivery service.

All public gatherings and social events will remain banned in districts

where the coronavirus positivity ratio remains above 8 per cent, as per the notification.

The bans on indoor and outdoor dining in restaurants will have also been extended. However, takeaways and delivery services for restaurants have been allowed by the government.

Offices will be allowed to reopen with a strict 50 per cent work from home policy in place. Cinema halls will remain closed, and a complete ban will be imposed on all public gatherings, sports, and cultural events.

Transport services will be allowed to run with 50 per cent capacity.

As many as 1,073 new coronavirus cases were reported in Punjab on Sunday while the pandemic claimed 45

more lives in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 9,367 in the province.

According to the data, shared by a spokesperson for the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, the number of coronavirus cases in the province has reached 325,662 so far.

The P&SHD confirmed that 670 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Lahore, one in Kasur, 34 in Sheikhupura, 10 in Nankana Sahib, 19 in Rawalpindi, six in Jhelum, one in Chakwal, 12 in Gujranwala, five in Hafizabad, 11 in Mandi Bahauddin, and 12 in Sialkot.

Moreover, there were five new cases in Narowal, 15 in Gujrat, 42 in Faisalabad, five in Toba Tek Singh, two in Chiniot, 12 in Jhang, nine in

Pakistan receives 1.2m Covid jabs from China, medical equipment from Bahrain ISLAMABAD tLtp

Pakistan on Sunday received another consignment of Covid-19 vaccine from China comprising 1.2 million doses, while a naval ship carrying critical healthcare equipment and medical supplies reached from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

According to details, a plane carrying the vaccine doses which have been purchased by Pakistan from China landed at Islamabad International Airport on Sunday evening.

The Ministry of Health received a

batch of 1,000,000 doses of the SinoVac vaccine and 200,000 doses of the CanSino vaccine procured from China.

Another batch of two million Covid-19 vaccine SinoVac is likely to reach Islamabad on May 21.

Meanwhile, a special Pakistan Navy Ship NASR, carrying critical healthcare equipment and medical supplies, reached Karachi from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

According to a spokesperson of Pakistan Navy, these supplies will facilitate in improving medical infrastructure and response towards Covid-19 emergencies. He said that

Pakistan opens diplomatic channels to help resolve situation in Palestine ISLAMABAD MIaN aBRaR

Pakistan on Sunday opened up its diplomatic channels to contact world leaders in a bid to build diplomatic pressure over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately halt brutal attacks on the Palestinian people.

In this regard, Prime Minister Imran Khan received a phone call from former Malaysian premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad while Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi addressed a virtual session of the top leadership of the Organisation of the Islamic Countries (OIC). PM Imran and Dr Mahathir condemned Israeli aggression and expressed solidarity with the innocent, defenceless Palestinians. The premier strongly condemned the attacks on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque and airstrikes on Gaza. The two leaders underscored the need for the international community to take urgent steps to halt the ongoing attacks, protect the civilians, and facilitate a just and lasting solution based on UN resolutions and two-state vision. Later, the foreign minister also spoke on phone with US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and urged the Biden Administration to use its influence and ensure necessary steps to help address the dire situation, restore peace, and facilitate a just solution. Foreign Minister Qureshi and Secretary Blinken agreed to stay in touch and work together on advancing the two countries’ shared bilateral and regional interests.

medical supplies assistance has been gifted to Pakistan by the Kingdom of Bahrain. This act of generosity by people of Bahrain in these testing times will always be remembered and will further strengthen brotherly relations between the two Muslim countries.

Kingdom of Bahrain Consul General Yaser Isa Ajlan Isa Al Heddi, Karachi Logistic Area Commander Major General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and senior army and naval officers were present to receive the shipment.

The federal government has

Sargodha, 13 in Khushab, 23 in Bhakkar, 86 in Multan, two in Vehari, 10 in Khanewal, and one in Muzaffargarh.

Along with the above, there were seven cases reported in Dera Ghazi Khan, one in Layyah, one in Rajanpur, 13 in Rahimyar Khan, 27 in Bahawalpur, one in Bahawalnagar, two in Okara, seven in Pakpattan and eight new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Sahiwal district during the last 24 hours.

The Punjab Health Department has conducted 4,826,802 tests for Covid-19 so far, while 285,368 confirmed cases were found all together in the province.

The department advised people to contact 1033 immediately on the appearance of symptoms of coronavirus.

expedited the imports of Covid-19 vaccines after the virus spread intensifies in the country. In a bid to expedite the vaccination process in the country, Pakistan has signed contracts for the purchase of the Covid-19 vaccine with several companies including Chinese firms. Pakistan is already vaccinating its population over 30-years and older citizens. Earlier on May 9, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had announced that Pakistan received nearly 12 million doses of corona vaccine so far. The country has received overall 11.9 mln doses of China’s Sinopharm, Sinovac and CanSino Covid-19 vaccines and AstraZeneca from the COVAX, the NCOC said in its statement. COVAX had provided 1.23 mln vaccine doses of Oxford University’s AstraZeneca, the NCOC further said.

Israeli strikes kill 42 more Palestinians, raising death toll to 188 CONtINUeD fROM pAge 01 At one point, a rescuer shouted, “Can you hear me?” into a hole in the rubble. “Are you okay?”.

Minutes later, first responders pulled a survivor out and carried him off on an orange stretcher. The Gaza Health Ministry said 16 women and 10 children were among those killed, with more than 50 people wounded, and rescue efforts were still underway.

Earlier, the Israeli military said it had destroyed the home of Gaza’s top Hamas leader, Yahiyeh Sinwar, in a separate strike in the southern town of Khan Younis. It was the third such attack in the last two days on the homes of senior Hamas leaders, who have gone underground.

Israel appears to have stepped up strikes in recent days to inflict as much damage as possible on Hamas as international mediators work to end the fighting. But targeting the group’s leaders could hinder those efforts. A US diplomat is in the region to try to de-escalate tensions, and the UN Security Council was set to meet on Sunday.

In its airstrikes, Israel has levelled a number of Gaza City’s tallest office and residential buildings, alleging they contain Hamas military infrastructure. Among them was the building housing The Associated Press office and those of other media outlets.

The latest outbreak of violence began in East Jerusalem last month, when Palestinian protests against police broke out in response to Israeli police tactics during the holy month of Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers. A focal point of clashes was the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a frequent flashpoint that is located on a hilltop compound that is revered by both Muslims and Jews.

Hamas fired rockets toward Jerusalem late on Monday, triggering the Israeli assault on impoverished Gaza, which is home to more than two million Palestinians and has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.

The turmoil has also spilled over elsewhere, fuelling protests in the occupied West Bank and stoking violence within Israel between its Jewish and Arab citizens, with clashes and vigilante attacks on people and property. The

violence also sparked pro-Palestinian protests in cities across Europe and the United States, with French police firing tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators in Paris.

At least 188 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 55 children and 33 women, with 1,230 people wounded. Eight people in Israel have been killed, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier.

The military said on Sunday it had struck Sinwar’s home and that of his brother Muhammad, another senior Hamas member. On Saturday, it had destroyed the home of Khalil al-Hayeh, a senior figure in Hamas’ political branch. Hamas’ upper echelon has gone into hiding in Gaza, and it is unlikely any were at home at the time of the strikes. Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, divides his time between Turkey and Qatar, both of which provide political support to the group. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have acknowledged 20 fighters killed since the fighting broke out Monday. Israel says the real number is far higher and has released the names and photos of two dozen alleged operatives it says were “eliminated”.

An Egyptian diplomat said Israel’s targeting of Hamas political leaders would complicate ceasefire efforts. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations, said Cairo is working to broker an end to the fighting, as are other international actors. The Egyptian diplomat said the destruction of Hamas’ rocket capabilities would require a ground invasion that would “inflame the whole region”. Egypt, which made peace with Israel decades ago, has threatened to “suspend” cooperation in various fields, the official said, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has affirmed its support for Israel while working to de-escalate the crisis.

American diplomat Hady Amr met with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who thanked the US for its support.

Gantz said Israel “takes every precaution to strike at military targets only and avoid harming civilians, while its civilians are the targets of indiscriminate attack”.

Hamas and other armed groups have fired some 2,900 rockets into Israel. The military said 450 of the rockets had fallen short or misfired, while Israeli air defences intercepted 1,150.

NEWS

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coVid-19 kills 76, infects 2,379: ncoc ISLAMABAD: The total caseload of active Covid-19 cases reached 68,819 on Sunday after registering 2,379 new infections the previous day. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) update, 5,288 patients recovered and 76 died. Of the dead, 67 were under treatment in hospitals with 29 of them on ventilators and nine in their respective quarantines or homes. Most of the deaths occurred in Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There were 4,376 infected patients under treatment in critical care units (CCU) in various dedicated healthcare facilities.

The national positivity ratio during past 24 hours was recorded at 7.82 per cent. The maximum ventilators were used in four cities: Lahore 56 per cent, Multan 73 per cent, Bahawalpur 46 per cent and Peshawar 39 per cent. While the maximum Oxygen beds (alternate oxygen providing facility other than ventilator administered as per the medical requirement of the patient) were also occupied in four cities: Gujranwala 62 per cent, Peshawar 45 per cent, Swabi 45 per cent and Multan 59 per cent. Around 576 ventilators were occupied elsewhere in the country while no Covidpositive person was on a ventilator in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan. Some 30,402 tests were conducted across the country: 11,743 in Sindh, 12,862 in Punjab, 3,446 in KP, 1,190 in Islamabad, 500 in Balochistan, 283 in GB, and 378 in AJK. Around 788,768 people were recovered from the disease so far nationwide making it a significant count with over 90 per cent recovery ratio of the affected patients. Since the pandemic outbreak, a total of 877,130 cases were detected that also included the perished, recovered and under-treatment patients: AJK 18,231, Balochistan 23,831, GB 5,418, Islamabad 79,123, KP 126,787, Punjab 325,662 and Sindh 298,078. About 19,543 deaths were recorded in the country. 4,794 died in Sindh, 9,367 in Punjab, 3,766 in KP, 731 in Islamabad, 264 in Balochistan, 107 in GB and 514 in AJK. A total of 12,444,042 samples have been tested so far, while 639 hospitals were equipped with Covid-19 facilities. Some 4,803 patients were admitted in hospitals across the country. app

muslim states slam israel — and each other’s ties to it CONtINUeD fROM pAge 01 While Egypt and Jordan earlier reached peace deals, supporters of the Palestinians criticised the new countries for recognising Israel before the formation of an independent Palestinian state. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu joined Zarif in criticising the normalisation, though Israel maintains diplomatic ties with Ankara. “There are a few who have lost their moral compass and voiced support for Israel,” he said.

“If there are half-hearted statements within our own family, how could we criticise others? Who will take our words seriously?” FM Cavusoglu also called for an international protection mechanism for Palestinian civilians and told the OIC that Israel should be held accountable for war crimes and that the International Criminal Court could play a role. Zarif accused Israel of “genocide and crimes against humanity”. “Make no mistake: Israel only understand the language of resistance and the people of Palestine are fully entitled to their right to defend themselves,” Zarif said. Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007, didn’t take part in the meeting, which came before consultations at the United Nations over the crisis. Across the Arabian Peninsula, reactions to the fighting similarly have been mixed. In Qatar, home to the Al Jazeera satellite network, hundreds turned out late on Saturday night to listen to a speech by Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh. Kuwait’s parliament speaker reportedly spoke with Haniyeh on Saturday, as did Qatar’s foreign minister. Meanwhile, in Bahrain and the UAE, government-linked media hasn’t been covering the current flare-up of violence nonstop like other networks in the region. There are murmurs of dissent though. In Bahrain, civil society groups signed a letter urging the kingdom to expel the Israeli ambassador. In the UAE, where political parties and protests are illegal, Palestinians have expressed their anger quietly, worried about losing their residency permit. Some Emiratis have also expressed concerns. “The region’s only democracy,” tweeted the Emirati writer and political analyst Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi in writing about Israel’s strike on a Gaza building that housed the offices of The Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Hussein Ibish, a senior scholar at the Washington-based Arab Gulf States Institute, said most Gulf Arab leaders fear Hamas’ rocket fire as “cynical, dangerous, unnecessarily provocative and endangering Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza alike”. That takes the pressure off those Gulf leaders to respond, unlike in other confrontations involving the Al Aqsa Mosque or when Israeli settlers force Arab families out of their homes, he said.

Imran lauds aide after Ehsaas makes it to WB list of top welfare initiatives ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday congratulated Dr Sania Nishtar, his adviser on poverty alleviation and social safety, after the World Bank ranked the Ehsaas financial assistance programme among the top four global social protection initiatives, based on

the percentage of population covered.

“Congratulations to Sania and the Ehsaas team for achieving this milestone and well-deserved int[ernational] recognition,” the prime minister said in a tweet.

In a report released Saturday, the World Bank commended the government’s initiative to provide a one-time cash grant of Rs12,000 to nearly 100 million low-income

households to avert an economic catastrophe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In Pakistan, where social insurance coverage is very low, the filters included having a public sector worker in the household, vehicle and property ownership and the amount spent on telephone bills,” the report said.

“This approach was most useful when

the social registry covered a large part of the population and the information on households was up to date,” it added.

Launched in July, the scheme is distinct from the Ehsaas cash programme already in operation under which Rs144 billion was allocated for 12 million families.

Pakistan ranked fourth globally in terms of the number of people covered and third

globally in terms of the percentage of population covered.

The report further said only “select countries have attained impressive six-digit levels” in this regard. The Ehsaas programme is one of them. The measure also ranked high amongst the programmes that did well in terms of “planned versus actual coverage” rates.

04

Monday, 17 May, 2021

NEWS

mAn trying to enter islAmABAd AirPort with Pistol Arrested NEWS DESK The Airport Security Force (ASF) on Sunday intercepted a man allegedly trying to enter the premises of Islamabad International Airport along with a pistol and ammunition. According to the ASF spokesperson, the security personnel at the airport thoroughly checked a vehicle trying to enter the premises and found a pistol and ammunition from it. “A 30-bore pistol, magazine, and 21 bullets were recovered from his possession,” he said adding that the weapon was seized and the suspect was handed over to the ASF initially for investigation and was later shifted to the airport police station for further legal formalities and probe into the matter. The spokesman said that the visitor was asked to submit a license of the weapon. However, he was unable to do so.

fawad determined to bring reforms in state-owned media outlets NEWS DESK Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has said reforms will be introduced in the state-owned media outlets in order to turn them into effective voice of the state. In an interview with daily Dawn, he said that Radio Pakistan and PTV are being revamped and people would see changes in the next few months. He said that the PTV will begin digital transmission next month. Fawad said that Radio Pakistan will soon be connected to YouTube and other internet platforms. The information minister said that the film industry will also be revived and a policy is being introduced to encourage people to establish cinema houses which would be almost tax-free.

crypto crash continues amid growing uncertainty, volatility ISLAMABAD TLTP

A crypto crash continues for the fourth straight day on Sunday with several of the most popular cryptocurrencies taking a beating amid growing uncertainty and volatility. As of 1325 hours GMT, bitcoin, the world's biggest cryptocurrency, shed 1.02 per cent to reach $48,613. With this decrease in price, the market capitalisation of the BTC has reached $909 billion. Likewise, ethereum (ETH) shed 5.29 per cent to reach $3,707. With this decrease in price, the market capitalisation of ETH has fallen to $430 billion. On the other hand, Binance Coin (BNB) gained 0.51 per cent to reach $591. The market capitalisation of BNB stands at $90.9 billion after this increase. However, dogecoin (Doge) shed 2.44 per cent to reach $0.5161.

With this decrease in price, the market capitalisation of Doge reached $61 billion. Similarly, Tether (uSDT) reached $0.9999 with 0.02 per cent decrease in its price. Its market capitalisation has reached $57 billion with this decrease. However, analysts are still optimistic that this crash will prove to be short-lived.

Lyn Alden, the founder of Lyn Alden Investment Strategy, said that bitcoin has the potential to reach $100,000 in the current bull cycle despite the growing uncertainty and volatility. “We are seeing a lot of froth throughout the industry,” the analyst told Cointelegraph, referring to the latest rally of several meme coins such as Dogecoin. “Those are kind of warning signs for the cycle,” Alden added. With the bull run slowing down and the growing risks of a correction, it makes sense for some investors to take some money off the table and put it into some other assets, Alden explained. “For people who would have trouble with drawdowns or periods of volatility, it can make sense to rebalance.” Alden said she remains bullish on the strong fundamentals of the bitcoin network: “I have a pretty high conviction on it. And so, I'm fine with maintaining a pretty large position.” Despite a number of altcoins outperforming bitcoin this year, it is nowhere near losing its leading position in the crypto market. Most altcoins didn’t manage to sustain the same degree of growth throughout multiple business cycles, Alden added. Bitcoin sank to a two-month low on Thursday, following Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s tweets saying the company would scale back its plans on accepting the digital currency. Reports that Binance, one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, faces a uS probe over illegal trades, have also added to the sell-off.

LAHORE

BuzdAr for timely comPletion of uPlift schemes with trAnsPArency LAHORE

P

STAFF REPORT

uNJAB Chief Minister Sardar usman Buzdar has stressed on timely completion of development and welfare schemes launched under the Annual Development Programme with utmost transparency.

In a statement on Sunday, the chief minister said that development projects have been launched for the welfare and betterment of the masses, therefore, transparency and timely completion of these projects is utmost important. The government is the custodian of peoples’ hard-earned money, therefore, embezzlement and irregularities in these projects will not be tolerated, he warned.

The government will encourage those government personnel who will deliver and those who failed to perform their official duties will be chided, he warned. Buzdar further said that he will not tolerate corruption, laxity and negligence and the government’s policy of zero tolerance against corruption will continue.

Buzdar directed to ensure timely utilisation of funds released for development projects and said that those departments will be questioned which fail

in timely utilisation of development funds. He stressed the need for an effective monitoring system for the timely utilisation of development funds. He directed the officers to go out in fields and personally monitor the progress of development schemes. He asked them to focus on the standard and quality of these development schemes.

The chief minister, while instructing to speed up the work on development projects, said that the time of lip service has passed. He said that the in-

cumbent government, during his two and a half years tenure, has rectified the mistakes of previous governments. The rulers of previous regimes utilised the funds of Southern Punjab for the development and progress of other areas, he added. The PTI government has launched real development projects instead of pomp and show and starting projects of self-projection, he further said.

Buzdar said that former rulers intentionally kept the people of Southern

Bilawal gives PM Imran fact-check on Ehsaas Program history NEWS DESK Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari gave a fact-check to Prime Minister Imran Khan about Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme’s history after the premier shared World Bank latest report that acknowledged the programme’s efforts.

On Sunday, Bilawal Bhutto retweeted the prime minister’s tweet and wrote, “Benazir Income Support Program, BISP.” In the past, PPP often criticised the incumbent government for rebranding BISP into the Ehsaas Programme, which has now become one of the flagship projects of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Sania Nishtar and the Ehsaas team for achieving the milestone and well-deserved international recognition. World Bank listed Ehsaas Emergency Cash among top four social protection

interventions globally in terms of number of people covered. WB released a report ‘living paper’ on global social protection responses to Covid-19 on Saturday.

The report is partnership effort involving 18 co-authors and a large number of contributors; the paper presents a 650-page volume. Pakistan ranks fourth globally in terms

of the number of people covered and 3rd globally in terms of percentage of population covered amongst those that covered over 100 million people; the World Bank has stated that only “select countries have attained impressive six-digit levels” in this regard.

Pakistan’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash is one of them.

Punjab backward and below the poverty line. They befooled and hoodwinked the people of Southern Punjab in the name of development, he said.

The PTI government has returned the right of development and progress to the people of Southern Punjab and setting up of Southern Punjab Secretariat is an open proof of this fact, he added.

The chief minister said that from now onwards, the annual development programme of Southern Punjab will be prepared separately.

He said that the budget of Southern Punjab will be ring- fenced. The funds released for Southern Punjab will be utilised only for the development and prosperity of people of the area, he also said. These projects will provide relief to the people of the province and accelerate the process of economic development, he added.

Separately, Chief Minister Buzdar expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the sad demise of Begum Naseem Wali Khan.

In his condolence message, the chief minister extended heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the members of bereaved family.

Punjab meets 96pc of wheat procurement target so far: Aleem LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that more than 96 per cent of wheat procurement target has been achieved so far and the target to procure 3.5 million metric tons of the commodity will be easily met. In a statement on Sunday, the Punjab senior minister said that the purchase of wheat would be further accelerated when the banks reopen on Monday (today). He also said that due to personal interest of Prime Minister Imran Khan, farmers have got the record price of wheat at Rs1,800 per 40 kg and they have been fully compensated for their hard work. Aleem said that the Food Department and the district administration continued to procure wheat even during the holidays due to which the Punjab government will soon complete the 100 per cent target.

Similarly, instructions have been issued to the Food Department for proper storage of wheat so that the standard flour of this wheat can reach the masses, he added. He also said that the Punjab government will ensure supply of this wheat to flour mills at low rates so that people can buy flour at minimum possible price. He further said that recent changes in the weather could affect the harvested wheat crop but overall there is bumper crop in Punjab this year due to which there will be no shortage of the commodity in the province. The senior minister said that he has sought data of procurement of wheat at government level across Punjab. According to the details, the process of purchase of wheat has been started at specified centres in the province after Eid holidays.

Economy to grow at much higher rate in five years: experts ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistan economy is on solid growth path and has potential to grow at much higher rate in next five years despite a challenging environment across the globe, according to experts.

Top government officials, analysts and corporate leaders repose trust in the growing economy and said higher GDP growth in 5-6 per cent per annum is going to be a ‘new normal’ in next five years amid considering strong economic indicators of the country.

“Yes, we have a potential to grow at a much higher rate in the coming years. The State Bank of Pakistan projects three per cent GDP growth in the financial year 2020-21 and four per cent in 2021-22,” Dr Reza Baqir, the governor of State Bank of Pakistan, told Khaleej Times during an event in Dubai last week.

Newly-appointed Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said that Pakistan will go for an ambitious six per cent economic growth target in the next two years as the International Monetary Fund shows its willingness to

renegotiate tough conditions for a $6 billion loan in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases.

“The federal government will earmark as much as Rs900 billion ($6 billion) for development expenditure in the year beginning July. That’s the bare minimum we need for a country this size,” Tarin said.

“We have strong economic indicators this year despite the Covid-19 pandemic challenges and this is a good omen for the economy.

The government ensures more than Rs2 trillion stimulus to steer the economy out of Covid crisis by supporting the businesses through much-needed liquidity and funds distribution at grass root level,” Dr Baqir said.

The governor said the market-based exchange rate system determines the rupee-dollar parity which stands at around Rs153 today after hitting an all-time high of 168 last year.

“And close to $16 billion foreign exchange reserves raised through an improving current account, initiatives such as the Pakistan Remittance Initiative and Roshan Digital Account that is actually providing

a solid base for a ‘sustainable economic turnaround’ of the country,” he said.

About the challenges ahead, Dr Baqir said that it is key to address poverty alleviation and high food inflation to bring real change in the economy. “The government accords top priority to address these serious challenges through administrative measures to improve the goods supply chain system,” he said.

Samiullah Tariq, the head of research at Pakistan Kuwait Investment, said that Pakistan economy should grow at much higher rates to realise the true economic potential of the country.

“Pakistan is a nation of 220 million plus people and every year new earners are now coming into the mainstream. Renewable energy is providing everyone with sustainable and cheap energy making lives easier and production cheaper,” Tariq told Khaleej Times.

“IT, e-commerce, internet and cellular sectors have huge potential to drive the economy into the fast lane and achieve much higher GDP growth in next five years. High single-digit growth is going to be a new normal in years to come,” he said.

Monday, 17 May, 2021

LAHORE

TRadERs dEmaNd wiThdRawaL Of ExTENdEd REsTRiCTiONs ISLAMABAD

O

GHULAM ABBAS

PPOSING the Covid-19 related restrictions that have been extended to May 23, the business community on Sunday called upon the government to withdraw them immediately to save the businesses from further losses.

During a meeting held here by the members of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), traders said lockdown has badly damaged business activities across the country and demanded ease in restrictions on business timings.

Talking to media after the meeting All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) President Ajmal Baloch and Traders Action Committee Islamabad (TACI) secretary

Local JV consortium submits proposal for developing Rekodiq ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Balochistan Mineral Exploration Company (BMEC) – a joint venture of the government of Balochistan and government of Pakistan and the concession holder of EL199 consisting of Rekodiq and Tanjeel reserves – has received a proposal from the National Resources Private Limited (NRL) on unsolicited basis to develop and implement the Tanjeel reserves as a starter project, followed by development of the vast Rekodiq area reserves. NRL is a domestic joint venture company of Arif Habib Equity Pvt. Ltd., Mari Petroleum Company Ltd., Liberty Mills Ltd., Reliance Commodities Pvt. Ltd. (Fatima group), Y.B. Pakistan Ltd. (Lucky Group) and South Western Mining Pvt. Ltd. According to a statement issued by BMEC on Sunday, the development would initiate a new era for the progress of the province. In an introductory presentation to the BMEC Board, NRL summarily highlighted the salient features of the submitted proposal. NRL Chief Executive Officer Shamsuddin A. Shaikh commented, “The province of Balochistan has a significant role to play in the development of Pakistan and its economy. Through development of Tanjeel and Rekodiq under Public Private Partnership, NRL is hopeful that it can usher in a new era for the progress of this region through this initiative.” He further stated that “the project will have a complete social uplift package associated with it for the entire area, in addition to the development of the mineral cadaster to aid the development of the mining sector.” He also requested the BMEC Board to permit NRL to carry out further investigations of the mineral resources and the energy and water resources, which would be required for the expeditious development of the proposed project. BMEC Board Chairman and Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Development, Hafiz Abdul Basit, appreciated the initiative and assured representatives of NRL that the matter will be reviewed by the transaction advisor and dealt with in accordance with the laws, in the best interest of the province and the country.

general said that the government should compensate the business community for the loss caused by the lockdown before Eid by announcing a reduction in shop rent, income tax exemption and revocation of trade licenses.

Baloch added that the ICT administration had announced that coronavirus infection cases were at their peak at the start of month, due to which the business activities were not allowed. "But the rate of infection in the twin cities was less than 5 per cent," he said, adding that it was because traders had complied with SOPs. He announced that the business community will continue to abide by the SOPs but the authorities needed to show a flexible attitude as well. ICCI former senior vice president, Khalid Chaudhry, said that it was unfortunate that stakeholders were being ignored.

He demanded that restaurants and wedding halls,

hotels, motels, public parks, gyms and clubs be opened and traders be spared from abuse and humiliation. “We should not be forced to protest,” he added.

It may be recalled here that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday has decided that market activities would resume with effect from May 17; however, all markets and shops will close by 8pm while indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants would remain closed.

Similarly, public transport services will be reopened with 50pc passengers while educational institutions across the country closed till May 23.

The NCOC will meet again to overlook the virus situation on May 19.

Meanwhile, Asad Umar has urged people to keep wearing masks and strictly follow precautionary measures.

Exports to China increase 31pc to $1.95bn in 10 months: Dawood ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistan has recorded 31 percent increase in exports to China during the first ten months (July-April) of the current fiscal year 2020-21.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood announced this on Sunday in a series of tweets.

The advisor said that the Ministry of Commerce is glad to share that during July-April 2021, Pakistan’s exports to China increased by 31 percent to US $1.951 billion from US $1.491 billion in the corresponding period of the last financial year.

“The exports increased by US $459

million during this period,” he added.

Abdul Razak Dawood said that the second phase of the PakistanChina Free Trade agreement (FTAII) became operational on 1st January 2020. “This shows that our FTA-II is working for which the credit goes to our exporters. I encourage the exporters to aggressively utilise the tariff preferences in FTA-II,” he tweeted.

He appreciated the efforts made by the Ministry of Commerce’s trade and investment officers and urged them to provide maximum facilitation to Pakistani exporters and investors.

Earlier on Wednesday last, Dawood said that Pakistan exports to European Union (EU) countries in-

creased by $ 1.1 billion during the last 10 months of the current fiscal year 2020-21. The increase remained 17.4 percent to $ 7.474 billion as compared to $6.367 billion in July to April 2020, the adviser said.

The adviser said that some of the major markets showing this increase are Poland 23 percent, Sweden 21 percent, Netherlands 21 percent, Germany 19 percent, France 14 percent, Belgium 12. percent, Italy 4 percent and Spain 2 percent.

Likewise on Tuesday last, Dawood said that Pakistan’s exports to the US during July-April 2021 have increased by 29 percent to US $4,092 million as compared to US $3,173 million in July-April 2020.

Govt urged to act against transporters violating SOPs The government has been urged to act against transporters violating the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“Illegal operation is continuing despite the ban imposed by the government, on one hand, transporters are restrained to operate and abide the SOPs and few unscrupulous elements particularly van operators are allowed to carry passengers on hefty fares,” said Haji Afzal Ahmed Shaikh, the vice chairman of Sindh Bus Owners Society/Association.

The government should either allow transport subject to adherence of SOPs or else implement stay home approach to prevent spread of pandemic, he added.

In his press release, he further said that On May 5, 2021, the secretary DRTA Khairpur Zameer Ahmed Brohi become the recent victim of scandalous people/black sheep among transporters while he was conducting routine checking to check implementation of Covid-19 SOPs and directions of Sindh government announced vide letter dated. 7th May 2021. Few ill fame persons comprising i.e. Saddam Kubbar (owners of Al Murtaza Van Service) along with his associates assaulted the officer, deterring him from discharging his duties, he added.

The press release stated that the secretary Transport &

Mass Transit Department has expressed extreme displeasure and has taken serious view of this misadventure and taken up the matter with the high ups of police authorities. Accordingly, FIR under section 353_506/2_337 Fi-34 PPC has been lodged against the criminals, only one criminal namely: NEWS DESK

School of Strategic Studies CEO, Ali Sajjad, visited Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) where Chairperson Sarah Ahmad briefed him, received a donation and presented a shield to Ali Sajjad.

NEWS

05

NCOC urges people aged 30 and above to get vaccinated contInueD froM pAge 01 An official of the Ministry of National Health Services, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, had said that 22 million people fell in the age bracket of 30 to 40 years. “The number of people over 50 years is 27m and around 12m are in the age bracket of 40 to 50 years. Overall 61m people have been allowed to get themselves registered for vaccination. As many as 39m people can avail the walk-in facility at the centre of their choice,” he had said. The official had said that registration of over 30-year age group would start from May 16 and as soon as a considerable number of people got listed, the vaccination process would start. “There are around 40m people in the age bracket of 18 to 30 and the NCOC is trying to allow their registration at the earliest,” he had said. Replying to a question, the official had said that Pakistan was making arrangements to procure more vaccines from China and the Accountant General of Pakistan had released $6m for 1m more doses of Sinovac vaccine.

“By the end of the current month, production of the vaccine will also start at the National Institute of Health. Moreover, we will get millions of doses under Covax in the coming months,” he had added.

CPEC to gain momentum in days ahead ISLAMABAD APP

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is gaining momentum with every passing day of PakChina relationship, because of which the project would continue with more strength in days ahead.

With the smooth sailing of CPEC project, Pakistan is foreseeing massive economic activity during days ahead. An appreciable outcome of a novel Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of the Chinese government, Pakistan becomes the key player in the regional economic activity. Commenting on the 70th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, a CPEC Authority official told APP that one key outcome of the CPEC is the construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under construction across the country through the joint venture. Keeping in view the importance of the project, number of other countries had also been showing interest off and on, to invest in the project. The economic activity in the country is gaining momentum after the commencement of second phase of CPEC that largely consists of industrial cooperation. Although the SEZs planned under the umbrella of CPEC are basically meant to relocate Chinese industry and investment but both the countries have already offered third party participation in the mega project. He said in the next phase, four important sectors, including industry, agriculture, socio-economic development and Gwadar New City would progress at fast pace. The official said nine out of 22 energy projects had been completed, while five mega electricity projects in Thar, Kohala, Azad Pattan and others were in the pipeline. After completion of all the projects, Pakistan would not only become self-sufficient in the energy with the addition of 17,000 MW electricity to the national grid, but also be able to export it. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, in a recent statement, had also expressed satisfaction over the progress of CPEC projects, the official said. He said at present, work on four SEZs was underway. Some 2,000 local and foreign investors had expressed intent to invest in the Rashakai SEZ. The Rashakai Zone, the official said, would spread over 1,000 acres of land. The Federal Government had decided to develop it into three phases.

ThE NEw kid ON ThE bLOCk CiTy NOTES M A NiAzi

T

HE new chairman of the Ruet-eHilal Committee, Maulana Abdu Khabeer Azad, could not really have had a more inauspicious start to his tenure, with a late-night announcement of Eidul Fitr, on the basis of sightings intimations received late. Instead of being grateful that he had saved us from fasting on the Eid, there were a lot of worries that he had made us miss Eid when we should have been fasting.

The committee had been set up to avoid just such a situation. My father told me of the day when he had eaten sehri, and while going to college, he heard the local khateeb announce that he had heard of a moonsighting, and was breaking his fast, and it was Eid, and Eid prayers would be held in a

short while.

All those who got up for sehri found out, but a lot of sleepyheads only found out on Thursday morning that it was Eid, not another day of sneaky eating. I think it has to do with the shambolic nature of the regime.

You’ve got the distinguished religious scholar Mufti Fawad Chaudhry angered that his app was not being used, even though he knew the Eid moon couldn’t be seen.

One view was that the government wanted to avoid Eid falling on a Friday, hence the late-night announcement. I don’t really think so, for that myth gained currency from the fact that rulers once personally preached sermons,so preaching two would be a hassle. But Imran would not have preached a single one.

Another belief is that Imran wanted to please Saudi Arabia by syncing Eid with it. I’m not sure that’s the best way to get into Saudi good books these days. I personally think Imran’s wife was fasting.

I’ve noticed that under some rulers, you never go beyond 29 fasts, while with others, you can go to 30, no problem. That means that some rulers probably fasted, some didn’t. Rulers who fasted could bow to the divine decree themselves, and do 30, but if their wives fasted, they would make pretty sure that the Ruet chairman knew of their preference for 29.

One way out would be to go by the sighting of any Muslim anywhere. The problem means that you have to rule out a place. Which means that it you want to rule out San Francisco, you’ll have to wait until they’re past sunset. That would mean waiting until around 9 am in Jakarta in summers to be sure. The khateebs of Jakarta would probably not just have to break the fast, but announce that they would be having Eid prayer a little late, but in a hurry.

But it was Maulana Azad’s bad luck that the Eid was not just sadder because of

cMYK

the pandemic, but also because of Palestine.

It’s not that Gaza has not been under attack before, but this time it’s because the cause was a raid on Al-Aqsa by the Israeli police.

And here we have Punjab Higher Education Minister Murad Raas wondering what the Palestinians were still fighting with stones, and had not got weapons. What had they done with all of that aid money, he asked righteously.

Frankly, I’m a little confused. Does he mean that NAB should go in after the Palestinians? It’s really simple. It’s mostly Nawaz Sharf’s fault for embezzling that money. The rest is Asif Ali Zardari’s fault.

And second, why was Murad left to deliver the message, and why was Faisal Vawda overlooked. He would probably favour kicking the Palestinian leaders until they coughed up weapons. And Imran demonstrated his commmiitment to the Palestinian cause by talking to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, even though he might

be a corrupt element; while not ready to talk to corruppt fellow ctizens.

I’ve noticed how PTI stalwarts are pushing the line on social media that Palestinan rockets are excellent. I wonder why this need is being felt to claim that Palestinians are well-armed. Is it a desire to say that there’s no need to send them any reinforcements. There’ve been some calls for Pakistani forces to go there. Totally unjustified, of course.

Palestine has been reduced from a Muslim problem, to an Arab one, and now just a Palestinian one.

Footnote to the notes: I see that transport has been re-opened, probably in the forlorn hope that government offices will reopen on Tuesday. Fat chance. People have already taken a casual leave for Monday, and will miss Tuesday because they’ll leave The Village at the last possible moment on the morning, reaching Lahore to late for office or school.

Monday, 17 May, 2021

06 COMMENT

India’s National Policy and Relations with Neighbours

Falling remittances

The problems of the real economy

t

hE many difficulties faced by the Pakistani economy have been papered over by the PtI government in various ways, one of which is to claim that better days are round the corner, and that crucial figures are looking up. one of the figures touted by the government has been the remittances figure, which has been increasing month-on-month, and which was being mentioned as improving the current account. however, the State Bank of Pakistan is expected to report next week that remittances have been less in April than in March. In the banking sector, based on anecdotal evidence so far, it is expected that the figure for May will be worse.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the growth figure for the current fiscal, will be closer to 2 percent rather than the 3 percent the State Bank had originally projected. to add further perspective, Finance Minister Shaukat tarin’s 7 percent figure must be kept in mind.

Even the remittances figure, though positive, was no turnaround. observers were awaiting its collapse with trepidation. though the upsurge was good for the current account deficit, a permanent change in Pakistan’s current account will only come with a reversal of Pakistan’s trade deficit into a surplus. that has long been an intractable problem, and merely suppressing imports will not work, because fuel, food and medicines, are imported, and are almost rigidly inelastic. the present government has not shown sufficient signs of an ability to tackle inflation, especially of food items, which indicates that its present policy of pretending that people’s knowledge that they are facing a squeeze is an opposition ramp worsened by media hype. the government should not be as breezily complacent about its performances. For example, foreign debt has not only increased to record levels, but the rate of increase is also a record. this reflects lack of competence rather than anything else.

While in opposition, the PtI wanted to know where the foreign debt had gone, and why it could not be seen in concrete terms in better lives. In the same way, it would find that it could not answer where the new debt had gone. there are still more than two years left in the PtI’s tenure, and if it can do anything about the economy, such as resolving the circular debt issue, or improving the taxto-gDP ratio, it should do it now.

Dr rajkumar Singh

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lthough national or domestic policy and foreign policy of a state are two different things having separate jurisdictions with a clear-cut demarcation between the two, they, however, impact each other in a big way. Domestic policy are administrative decisions that are directly related to all issues and activities within a state’s border and covers a wide range of areas, including business, education, energy, healthcare, law enforcement, money, taxes, natural resources, social welfare, and personal rights and freedoms, while a state’s foreign policy or external policy is its objectives and activities in relation to its interaction with other countries, whether bilaterally or through multilateral platforms.

But any major event of one field definitely affects the perception and working of the other and in case of a clash between the two, the democratic government of any country, normally, prefers to side with the domestic mood and popularity because it is bound to face a election in a very definite period in which the decision of the public becomes final. thus, foreign policy is not immune from the impact of values, ideas, initiatives and upheavals. history has proven that the external ambitions of the state are far from homogenous, but the realm of the foreign policy is an ideological concept, a product of international dynamics and domestic attributes and hence, generated from within.

Lucky escape Why is the government falling over itself to reopen?

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attiya munawer

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NtI-ISlAMIC forces have always been engaged in their nefarious activities against the religion of Islam. For this purpose, sometimes Muslims are declared terrorists, sometimes Rohingya, sometimes Kashmiri, and sometimes oppressed Muslims of Palestine, but all are subjected to oppression and barbarism. the way the Palestinian people have been going through Israeli atrocities for decades, the world has not been able to find a solution, nor has it been able to curb Israeli barbarism. Millions of Palestinians have been martyred in barbaric Zionist attacks because of this unresolved issue. Israel has forced millions of Palestinians to become homeless by setting up ghettos in the Palestinian territories. Every year in the gaza Strip, especially during the month of Ramadan, the Israeli army

Arif Nizami Editor Joint Editor

Umar Aziz Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer is head of the political science department and dean of the Social Sciences faculty of the B.N.Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar, India.

He can be reached at rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

The Muslim countries’ leaders need to realise what is happening

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Managing Editor

Pathankot in January 2016, retaliatory surgical strike by India in September 2016, Pakistan’ Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 which took costly life of 40 CRPF personnel, India’s airstrikes at terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan, provided an environment not conducive for bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

In fact, relations with all the three countriesAfghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan reflected a negative trend and perception due to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the dismemberment of Jammu and Kashmir, the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the threat to implement a nation-wide National Register of Citizens (NRC).

In particular, relations with Pakistan remained the most hit and with two others partially affected. Although, the eruption of the covid-19 pandemic provided, once again, a chance to all countries of the region to come together and help each other in controlling and eliminating this life-threatening disease. the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A directly affected India- Pakistan relations for a longer time to come, but the passing of disputed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in December 2019, jeopardised India’s relations with three of its neighbours, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, while a large number of people inside the country also started protesting the Act. It was because of one of the provisions of the CAA that gives citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims such as hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan, who entered India on or before 31 December 2014.

In particular, this religious categorization for obtaining citizenship was opposed because it was against the secular character of the Constitution of India. In addition, this CAA was attached with a National Register of Citizens (NRC) which will be carried out in all India. As the constitutions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh provide for a specific state religion, the said Act extends protection to such people facing religious persecution in these countries. In contemporary history there are several examples of forced conversion, torture, extortion, and exploitation of minorities. Anyhow, this Act is bound to affect India’s relations with these countries, heavily with Pakistan and Bangladesh and to some extent with Afghanistan.

The helplessness of the Muslim world over Zionist atrocities

t is perhaps too early to predict that Eidul Fitr was handled successfully from the point of view of the spread of Covid-19. It will not be until two weeks or so that the infections transmitted during the Eid festivities, will manifest themselves in the shape of new infections and it will be still longer before people start dying. that is the pattern that was observed last year. however, a superficial glance at the Eid festivities would show that people were able to show enough responsibility to avoid the more egregious displays of affection that were previously known to be part and parcel of the festivities.

In fact, the extended holidays given by the government, combined by the late Eid announcement by the Ruet-e-hilal Committee, preventing the usual unruly behaviour associated with Chand Raat, seem already to have had an effect, with only 1531 cases reported on Saturday, the first time since March 9 that there had been less than 2000 cases reported. there were 83 deaths, which was also below what had seemed to be the routine of more than 100 deaths a day. however, instead of reinforcing success, the National Command and operations Centre has allowed the relaxing of the protocols which had been put in place, and allowed inter-city transport, as well as letting shops open until 8 pm. that may be too late for the sort of impulse buying characteristic of Chaand Raat shopping, and for which retailers apparently prepare the entire year, but which they missed this year, but it gives an idea of why the NCoC is not apparently careless about maintaining the restrictions: the economy. the government should decide whether its priority is to keep people alive, or businesses going. It should not forget that if business owners are not alive, then businesses cannot continue. It should also remember that reopening too soon means the next attack of the coronavirus will be even more vicious than if there hadn’t been a lockdown. this time the Eid holidays offered a chance. the next Eid holidays are more than two months away. Such reopenings do not let vaccinations take effect. there should be more concern shown about people’s lives

Yousaf Nizami Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

the influence of the domestic forms the basis of foreign strategy and correlation between both policy areas is one of great strength. In the context successful politicians mobilise and retain public support as a means of maintaining public office. As democracy encourages choice, the political parties focus on policy areas which reflect the opinions and values of the majority of the electorate. In case of the Indian government, its two decisions taken in August 2019, the abolition of Articles 370 and 35A and passing of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act in December 2019, have cast a dark shadow on its relations with neighbours, especially Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

With Afghanistan, except during the brief regime of the Pakistan-supported taliban, relations remained co-operative, based on mutual understanding. In the context needless to add here that both Pakistan and Bangladesh were parts of united India before 15 August 1947. In the division Pakistan comprised two wings, East Pakistan and West Pakistan, with a territorial distance of 1800 km. As a result of the general elections held in 1970, which were followed by a civil war there and ultimately dividing the nation in December 1971 which gave birth to a new nation called Bangladesh. In the whole process India played an active role and relations between the two started on a positive note. Relations with Pakistan almost all the time remained suspended due to negative developments and actions from both sides. In Afghanistan Ashraf ghani became President in September 2014 and came to India in April 2015. Return visits were also paid by the Indian Prime Minister in December 2015 and June 2016 Kabul enjoyed the fruits of good relationship with India because Afghanistan, during his regime, wanted to reduce the country’s dependence on Pakistan, it moved seriously towards New Delhi. But later India was sidelined in the peace process held between Afghan government and the taliban, brokered by Pakistan.

After becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh in June 2015 and concluded a border agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart, and in return Sheikh hasina paid an official visit to New Delhi in April 2017 and registered several developments on matters of trade and security, but many other issues, including the migration of Bangladeshi and Rohingya refugees and effective tools to combat terrorism, remained unresolved. In relation to Pakistan despite Mian Nawaz Sharif’s attending the swearing-n ceremony of Narendra Modi in May 2014 and the sudden visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Islamabad in the last week of December 2015, the terror attack by Pakistan on

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Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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shells the Palestinian people and makes their lives miserable. this time, the Israeli soldiers have bathed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the blood of the oppressed Palestinians. If the Muslim world continues to ignore the Israeli atrocities against humanity in the same way, then if the first qibla is not safe from Zionist atrocities today, and our other holy places will not be safe tomorrow.

It is a fact that former uS President Donald trump during his tenure has been encouraging Israeli occupation of the First Qibla, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, by establishing the uS embassy in Jerusalem and declaring it the capital of Israel. he played a key role in consolidating Israeli illegitimacy over the Palestinian territories, his intentions against the Muslim world were not hidden from anyone, but Muslim leaders pursued a policy of expanding ties with the trump Administration based on their own interests, trump was even invited to a meeting of Muslim NAto countries in Riyadh to send a message of goodwill. trump called Iran a terrorist country at the same meeting, while Israel’s back was patted for continuing the atrocities against the Palestinians and it is still being supported today.

It is the result of the incompetence and inaction of the Muslim leadership that today the Israeli forces are breaking into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and bcommitting atrocities on the worshipper, and now the people of gaza are being brutally martyred by air and ground attacks while fasting. More than 200 innocent Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured in the attacks so far. the whole world is suffering as a result of these atrocities, but the Muslim leadership is still in a trance. Violence against humanity is being verbally condemned by many Muslim countries, but what can be expected from the non-Muslim world if the strength and solidarity needed to overcome Israeli tyranny are not visible in the Muslim world? the Muslim countries have formed the organisation of Islamic Cooperation, but no common voice has ever been able to influence the world through this platform. the organisation of Islamic Cooperation has also convened a meeting on the situation in Jerusalem, in which Muslim countries have issued a

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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joint statement of condemnation and called on the international community to take action to protect the Palestinian people. It is the largest organization in the Islamic world representing 57 Muslim countries, with permanent delegates to the united Nations and the European union, but due to the internal situation of the Muslim world, distances and grievances, the common voice of the Muslim world does not seem to carry any weight, which should be achieved in principle by the Muslim world with a population of 1.8 billion, because the Muslim ummah is scattered from within, even when sitting together on the platform of the organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

As long as the Muslim ummah remains divided, it will be beaten and its problems will not be solved.

Among the fundamental regional issues of the Islamic world, the issue of Palestine and the issue of Kashmir are at the forefront. there is a similarity between the two. Solutions have been sought for more than seven decades, but so far no progress has been made in declaring these regional, human and political rights issues, decisively protesting and condemning Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinians.

Statements are not the solution to the problems, the Muslim ummah itself is responsible for not hearing the Muslim world with a gDP of $27,000 billion. the sub-problems and conflicts of the Muslim countries have divided them and reduced their total power. therefore, whether it is Zionists in the land of Palestine or Indians in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the cheapening of Muslim blood continues and the Islamic world has no choice but to protest and condemn this naked aggression. the helplessness of Muslim countries over Zionist atrocities around the world is a source of shame, the recent incidents of desecration of Jerusalem by Zionist forces and the violence against Muslim worshipers and Israeli airstrikes on the homes of oppressed and besieged Muslims in gaza are once again highlighting the need for unity in the Muslim world.

The writer tweets @AttiyaMunawer

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Monday, 17 May, 2021

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

Upcoming budget thE government is expected to announce its annual budget, estimated expenditure, and revenue collection for the fiscal year 2021-22 in the second week of June. the government’s prime focus will likely be, and should be, on providing relief for people and businesses alike, rather than increasing taxes, until the virus is contained and we may move back towards normality. thus, it shall most probably reflect an effort to counter the negative impact of the coronavirus on our economy. the government may increase debt to provide relief for people and businesses. Businesses are continuously accruing great losses as revenue from the airline industry, public transport, hospitality, leisure, and tourism fall next to nil. Restaurants have reopened, but with the limited function of takeaways only. As many sectors remained closed and may not be reopened over the next three- or four-month period, further taxes will only threaten the livelihood of individuals. the government should thus be mindful and take precautions to avoid furthering the economic catastrophe which looms over us.

SAQIB ISHAQ CHAKOTHI AJK

Water pollution

Kashmir issue is screeching for the global media campaign Pakistan should watch out for Indian duplicity

Dr imtiaz khan

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uRRENtly there is much talk about backdoor negotiations between India and Pakistan apparently facilitated by the uAE. there is more than meets the eye, as a miniscule nation like the uAE has limited clout over two nuclear powers.

Most likely some backdoor manoeuvrings by a superpower broke the ice between these nations and they were coaxed to at least interact. under normal circumstances as a resident of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) who has seen protracted suffering by the population there, I should relish the thaw between the two countries and the chance of the parleys helping establish the groundwork needed to resolve the tangled IoK problem. like the majority of the Kashmiri diaspora, I am deeply anguished by this news and information that several meetings have already taken place in Dubai, london and Bangkok. though the authenticity of the news is not indisputable, if true, Pakistan once again is being taken for a ride.

Although, there is very little information about the talks agenda, they are doomed even before they have begun which will be calamitous for the Kashmir cause. this interaction will be nothing but an unmitigated disaster unless initial spadework is performed.

Very simplistically, one fails to understand what is so unique about these negotiations. Similar bilateral summits, with failed outcomes, have been held previously and the current one apparently is not a departure. the primary reason for these unabated failures is lack of sincerity on the Indian side. All along, as regards to Kashmir, India has been disingenuous and its attitude has not undergone any radical change. Any individual thinking otherwise is living in an illusionary world.

A keen observation of Indo-Pak talks in the past decade, shows a pattern. the talks are initiated at the level of mid-officials with the promise of upgradation in the near future. this is followed by bomb blasts or so-called terrorist attacks on Indian soil (Mumbai, Pathankot, Pulwama). highly efficient Indian agencies who are unable to prevent these attacks lose no time in blaming Pakistan or ISIS, claiming incontrovertible evidence of their involvement.

Pakistan is put on the defensive and repeated pleas for access to the evidence collected by India is denied. Instead India has the chutzpah to dictate to Pakistan and clamour that the so-called

“suspects” be handed over. As expected, Pakistan refuses to do so and there is cessation of parleys for a long time. there is no reason to believe that India will not continue to pursue this strategy of one step forward and two steps backward.

It does not take an in-depth analysis to reach the conclusion that this dilly-dallying is part of India’s game plan. It is aggressively strengthening its grip on IoK. this involves introducing fresh draconian laws daily to further subjugate the people of IoK, bringng in hindu officials from India who will cooperate in executing their designs and ensuring that demographic changes are accomplished so that the Muslim majority in IoK is transformed into a minority.

Indo-Pak mistrust is so deep bilateralism will never work. It has failed to yield tangible results before and it is puerile to think that the future will be any different. let us refer to the most important bilateral agreement, the Simla Accord, which was signed in 1972 after the Bangladesh war.

Very often when it comes to the Kashmir issue, India emphatically states that the talks need to be held under its purview. yet the accord never took off the ground. let us name any one or two clauses in the agreement which were fulfilled. the accord should be subjected to the dustheap of history. Moreover, the accord was signed between victor (India) and vanquished (Pakistan). the Prime Minister of Pakistan was under duress to get back 90,000 PoWS and lost territory from India. Whether he had the mandate to bargain on the Kashmir issue is questionable. the promise for the right of self-determination was given to the people of IoK by the uN. Neither India nor Pakistan have jurisdiction or locus standi to compromise on this issue, and any agreement made without the participation of the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people should be held null and void. In short the Kashmir issue cannot be used as a bargaining chip for other unresolved matters. having stated some of the points which outline the futility of current Indo-Pak negotiations let us get into recent faux pas by Pakistan which has harmed the Kashmir cause and calls for damage control.

It is very disappointing that in response to the changed scenario after 5 August 2019, its Foreign Ministry has not re-evaluated its Kashmir strategy. one would expect the Foreign Minister to plead the case of Kashmiris at important world capitals rather than in gatherings held in Multan or other cities of Pakistan. one fails to understand if there is some strategy vis-à-vis current developments in IoK. Experts on this topic including diplomats, politicians and journalists in tune with the problem must be approached and both long-term and short-term strateges are developed. obviously the blueprint (if there was one) of the past has failed and novel and innovative ideas need to be entertained. overall, a new course of action needs to be adopted.

Pakistan Army has all along been highly supportive and a source of inspiration for the freedom struggle. let it be reminded people of IoK look upon Pakistani people in general and the Army in particular as their ultimate saviours. the sensibilities of Kashmir should receive top priority before making these statements or participating in any activity. the recent hoopla about Indian PM Narendra Modi’s letter to Pakistani PM Imran Khan on Pak-

istan’s Republic Day was upsetting. this is playing to the Indian agenda. to construe this very minor step as a “new beginning” is juvenile.this gesture is a part of Indian machinations to divert world attention from the Kashmir issue and the atrocities they are inflicting on the population. the picture India wants to portray to the international community is that the impasse has been broken, channels of communication with Pakistan have been opened and in future things will be hunky-dory. Pakistan must never get swayed with the optics of the relationship with India.A wellknown Pakistan politician of Pakistan callled Modi’s letter a “ window of opportunity.” As a Kashmiri I see no window but an opaque wall which needs to be dismantled so that the Kashmiri people can see the sunlight and breathe fresh air.

Such gestures can be construed as traps laid by India and Pakistan should not take the bait.

Pakistan needs to get over the 1971 War. though it was highly unfortunate for the Muslims of the Subcontinent, the current situation is different. By indulging in unabated jingoism and sabre rattling India is testing Pakistan’s nerve.

Pakistan needs to shed its obsequiousness towards India and stop being defensive. Although India tries to act as a superpower, it seems a pipedream. It is laughable to compare India with China which has emerged as an economic giant posing an existential threat for the uSA. the Indian economy is in total disarray and with China breathing down its neck it is highly unlikely to indulge in any military adventurism. Pakistan needs to be unwavering in its stand on Kashmir and unequivocally refuse to yield to any pressure.

Indian machinery is well geared up and to a large extent they have successfully distorted the image of Pakistan. India recruited several agencies in Europe and America and presented the Kashmir issue as the outcome of terrorist activities perpetrated at the behest of Pakistan. Kashmir issue is screaming and screeching for the media campaign that needs to be launched to spread the voice of innocent Kashmiris who are being subjected to kind of atrocities never witnessed before. one doesn’t glimpse the suffering or the struggle of Kashmiri people on the streets of Pakistan. there are no billboards or giant posters depicting the Indian monstrosity and subjugation of Kashmir. Such structures should be installed just outside the major airports so that as soon as a tourist arrives it should gain his or her attention and the person should develop a curiosity about the issue. the billboards and posters should be present in front of major landmark buildings and tourist spots.

Indian film industry has produced at least five or six feature films on the Kashmir issue, presenting it as a consequence of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist activities. the movies were lacklustre and portrayals of buffoonery rather than historical facts. the Information Ministry under Foreign Ministry guidance should seriously consider producing a feature film on real life incidents of Indian atrocities in IoK. Mass rapes in the village of Kunan-Pushpora could be an excellent topic. A versatile director like Shoaib Mansoor could be an excellent choice. If handled deftly the movie may find space in International film festivals and the Kashmir cause could get world attention like never before. the Information Ministry and Kashmir committee should hold a yearly painting and news exhibition which depict the sufferings, miseries and enslavement of the IoK population. the event should be highly publicized and serious efforts made to ensure the presence of foreign diplomats and international press. the event should be judged and prizes awarded.

Dr. Imtiaz Khan is from Indian Occupied Kashmir. He is Professor at George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

AS reported by uNICEF and Meta-Meta, waterborne diseases have been the cause of a mortality rate as high as 128/1,000 per year and about 230,000 infants (below the age of 5 years) in Pakistan expire annually due to waterborne diseases. this specifies that water pollution is one of the major threats to public health in Pakistan. Drinking water sources contaminated with toxic metals, pesticides and coliforms throughout the country as the range of drinking water quality restrictions set by the World health organization (Who) are frequently violated.

Improper disposal of municipal and industrial wastes, poor drinking water supply systems, poor sanitary, disinfection practices and lack of water filtration are the major causes of microbial and other hazardous contamination of drinking water in the country. In addition, a lack of public awareness and feeble implementation of environmental laws further aggravate the problem. to stop further deterioration of water quality, improvement of existing quality and to protect the public from widespread waterborne diseases; there is an urgent need for implementation of preventive measures e.g. proper sewage treatment and management, avoid direct dumping into the water system, proper deposition of trash, insist on using environmentally safe products, practice tree planting, practice organic farming, etc TAQdEES ZAfAr ISlAmABAd

Herd immunity thE government lifted the lockdown on May 8, about two weeks before Eidul Fitr. transport and most businesses have re-opened but cinemas, theatres and schools remain closed. there has been growing debate among experts globally on whether populous developing nations can afford comprehensive social distancing measures to contain the coronavirus while avoiding economic ruin. Some officials have suggested “herd immunity” could contain the virus, a situation where enough people in a population have developed immunity to an infection to be able to effectively stop that disease from spreading. however, the World health organisation (Who) has warned countries that have “lax measures” in place against counting on herd immunity to halt the spread of Covid-19. yet even those advocating rolling back strict lockdowns in developing nations are alarmed at the teeming crowds in Pakistan’s streets, shopping malls and mosques, the ramping up of domestic flights, and the movement of millions of people for the Eid holiday. In my opinion, smarter strategy would be to allow people out for core economic and public health activities, rather than a total relaxation of rules. “there should still be complete bans on religious gatherings and social gatherings those are things for which we need to see much better.

ZIll-E-HumA rAwAlpIndI

Open libraries with SOPs All public libraries of Pakistan were forced to close to slow down the pandemic in March this year. Slowly and gradually government lifts lockdown restriction many sectors across the country except public libraries. Many aspirants, researchers and students are facing unprecedented challenges due to closure of libraries. Some aspirants have competitive examination in this year and they have already lost enough time for study owing to closure of public libraries.

In corona virus, knowledge plays vital role in making vaccines and solving social issues. Researchers always depend on libraries for reliable source of knowledge. they collect reliable information from libraries and compile their research. As libraries have been closed, researchers face serious threat in Pakistan due to inaccessibility of authentic information.

As we face economic turmoil and devastation, public libraries can play key role to recovery of the country. It is a place of knowledge and wisdom where knowledge is transferred to masses. It is a place there all competitive and knowledge seekers persons come to seek knowledge. they all are well aware how to deal with pandemic and strictly followed SoPs. It is great lost of society whenever public libraries are closed. government has opened all shopping malls, restaurants and markets for five days in a week and it has made agreement with business men that they would strictly follow SoPs. But in consequences they have failed to enforce SoPs. the large number of people comes in markets and most of them do not wear masks. on the other hand, if government makes some agreement with liberians and it opens libraries, it will be quite different because those who join the libraries are well educated men they will be stick to guidelines of government. government must invest in economy of the minds rather than growth of economy by opening shopping malls and markets. that nation will survive who invest in the mind. therefore government must open public libraries through SoPs and it must not allow children and old men to library because they are vulnerable to pandemic. Corona virus has no time frame how long it remains in public but country cannot afford to close long enough libraries.

If it is closed long enough it will be huge lost of the future generation. rASHEEd mAngrIO HydErABAd

Monday, 17 May, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

How AmericA becAme tHe money lAundering cApitAl of tHe world

New Republic

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Peter Stone

n March, federal agents raided the Beverly Hills premises of a company called U.S. Private Vaults. According to a subsequent grand jury indictment, U.S. Private Vaults was a money laundering operation where drug dealers and others could anonymously stash fentanyl, guns, and “huge stacks of $100 bills” in safe deposit boxes. U.S. Private Vaults didn’t really bother to hide its business, boasting in ads, “We don’t even want to know your name.” It also shared its strip mall storefront with Gold Business, which allegedly specialized in laundering drug money via purchases of gold.

The case of U.S. Private Vaults is just one of the many money laundering schemes uncovered by federal investigators in the United States every year. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the story is how blatantly old school it all seems: the gold for cash, the drugs stuffed in safe deposit boxes. In our current golden age of money laundering, the schemes are usually much harder to suss out, the players are far more sophisticated, and the amount of money laundered in the U.S. yearly is nearly unfathomable: Experts say the figure runs into the hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

America’s money laundering problem became much clearer last fall, when BuzzFeed and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a blockbuster exposé revealing that, from 1999 to 2017, banks filed reports detailing $2 trillion worth of suspicious activity to a tiny 300person Treasury Department unit called the Financial Crimes Enforcement network, or FinCEn. Known as the FinCEn files, the trove of leaked documents shone new light on how the U.S became a magnet for money launderers from around the world, from drug cartels and human traffickers to Russian oligarchs and African kleptocrats, due in good measure to systemic regulatory problems.

All too often they found safe havens for their illicit gains in U.S banks, as well as real estate, Bitcoin, art, and other investment niches.

“The U.S. is still the venue of choice for money launderers, cartels, and corrupt politicians the world over,” Ross Delston, an independent American attorney and anti–money laundering expert, told me. “Our anti–money laundering framework is filled not with cracks or crevices but rather is replete with open doors, windows, and arms.”

Exacerbating the problem is the inability of the U.S. government to effectively punish the money launderers’ enablers. Finance behemoths like Deutsche Bank, HSBC, and others have collectively paid billions of dollars in the last two decades to settle state and federal charges that they failed to thwart laundering scams that were carried out through channels they had provided.

Deutsche Bank is one of several global finance giants that seem to have grown accustomed to paying hefty fines. Last summer, it ponied up $150 million to new York regulators related to its business ties to two banks involved in giant money laundering operations, as well as its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious sex trafficker.

And those fines were dwarfed by a $425 million penalty Deutsche Bank paid in 2017 to the same regulators for the role that its branches in new York, London, and Moscow allegedly played in a $10 billion laundering operation originating in Russia.

Experts and former prosecutors say that such fines have essentially become the cost of doing business, and that America’s entire approach to money laundering needs radical rethinking.

“The threat of a prison sentence is much more persuasive than the threat of a large money penalty,” Jim Richards, a former anti–money laundering director at Wells Fargo and other big banks who now runs Regtech Consulting, told me. “It’s pretty simple: Anything that can be fixed with money isn’t a problem to a large bank, it’s simply an expense.”

The pressure is on regulators and Congress to close loopholes that have allowed hundreds of billions of dollars yearly in dirty money to be laundered. In January, Congress overrode a veto by President Trump of a massive defense bill that contained the Anti–

BUZZFEED AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS PUBLISHED A BLOCKBUSTER EXPOSÉ REVEALING THAT, FROM 1999 TO 2017, BANKS FILED REPORTS DETAILING $2 TRILLION WORTH OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY Money Laundering Act of 2020, the first major update to bolster laundering controls in 20 years. It provides new technology and funding resources to the historically strapped FinCEn, the chief regulatory body that tracks suspicious financial transactions, while providing new incentives to whistleblowers and strengthening coordination among federal agencies.

A central component of the Anti– Money Laundering Act is the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires that corporations and LLCs disclose to a new FinCEn registry their real “beneficial owners”; law enforcement and some financial institutions will have access to the registry. The CTA’s goal is to curb financial scams by shell companies that have been able to launder money by hiding their owners’ true identities. But is it enough?

The economic cost of money laundering operations is staggering. A United nations agency in 2020 pegged the annual amount of money laundered worldwide at $800 billion, or between 2 and 5 percent of global gross domestic product.

But money laundering is not merely an economic crime. A snapshot of the painful human costs was on display this March at congressional hearings. Legal and criminal experts told a House panel that human trafficking, a growing scourge in the U.S. and overseas, has been fueled by criminals who launder their illegal proceeds via multiple business routes.

“As online human trafficking and child exploitation grows through internet activity, there is an ever-greater need to launder large amounts of money,” Louise Shelley, a professor at George Mason University who testified at the hearing and has authored books on corruption and money laundering, told me. “Human traffickers use all known forms of money laundering to hide their proceeds,” including trade, real estate, and most recently cryptocurrencies.

The U.S. has earned the unenviable distinction of being the nation of choice for money laundering needs, as many other countries have moved more aggressively to crack down on financial corruption by tightening rules on corporate secrecy and implementing other curbs.

“The more the rest of the world clamps down on corporate secrecy, the more criminals, corrupt officials, and other wrongdoers will turn to the United States to form corporations with concealed owners,” Elise Bean, a former top investigator for ex-Senator Carl Levin and the author of a book on money laundering, told me. “When it comes to corporate ownership transparency, the United States is lagging behind its peers, and the whole world knows it.”

Bean stressed that the new Corporate Transparency Act is a positive step forward.

“The new law gives the United States a chance to catch up, and the Treasury has recently picked up the ball to run with it,” Bean said.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, one of the key champions of the new law, sees it as a good first step in a broader battle against money laundering. “I think the bill we got on beneficial ownership is a beachhead into trying to reclaim this corrupt dark money economy,” Whitehouse told me. “Money laundering through shell corporations has been shown to facilitate everything from Iranian government officials to international child trafficking groups. Whether you’re an international criminal or whether you’re a kleptocrat, the money you make from your illicit activities is vulnerable, unless you can squirrel it away someplace secure.”

Whitehouse also believes money laundering is a foreign policy issue, saying it is a “clash of civilizations between rule-of-law

NINETY-NINE PERCENT OF THE DIRTY MONEY MOVED FREELY WITHOUT DETECTION INTO REPUTABLE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS HSBC, DEUTSCHE BANK, BARCLAYS, STANDARD CHARTERED, CITIBANK, BANK OF AMERICA, JP MORGAN CHASE, AND WELLS FARGO. SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY AND TERRIBLY WRONG”

countries and kleptocratic, autocratic, and criminal-run countries.” Still, Whitehouse acknowledged that the Corporate Transparency Act had gaps, including barring most state officials and the public from access to beneficial ownership information about shell corporations. “We lost those battles,” he said.

To some anti–money laundering experts, however, the gaps in the law look more serious. “The CTA provides a virtual GPS for launderers to legally avoid its reach,” lawyer Ross Delston told me. “no registration with the database is required for companies that have more than 20 full-time employees, more than $5 million in gross receipts or sales, and operate at a physical U.S. location.”

Delston stressed that “unlike the U.K., EU, and India, all of which have online systems open to anyone,” the new CTA database won’t be public, and will limit access to “law enforcement along with a select group of financial institutions,” such as mutual funds and banks, but not insurance companies or hedge funds.

Besides these gaps in the CTA, other, older money laundering loopholes that need closing under existing law are on the radar of some in Congress. Representative Tom Malinowski, a key sponsor of the recent legislation in the House, told me that regulations need to be expanded to curb money laundering risks by real estate advisers, hedge funds, law firms, art dealers, and others. “I expect there will be formal requests for the administration to do this,” Malinowksi told me. On May 3, Malinowski and Whitehouse wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging that anti–money laundering requirements be added for hedge fund advisers and private equity firms, as well as other measures to combat foreign kleptocrats moving dirty money through the U.S. and international financial systems.

“I’d like the administration to assign a higher priority to dirty money,” Malinowski explained. In a tip of the hat to the FinCEn files, Malinowski added, “We have groups of investigative journalists arguably doing more cutting-edge work on this than U.S. intelligence agencies with their enormous budgets.”

A growing challenge for regulators is that money launderers have only grown more sophisticated in their techniques. “The problem posed by kleptocrats and other corrupt politicians using the worldwide financial system to launder trillions in stolen loot is multifaceted and not easily soluble,” Paul Pelletier, a former acting chief of the fraud section at the Justice Department, told me.

Russian oligarchs, for example, have been known to use more highbrow, esoteric avenues to launder their dirty money, according to congressional probes and the FinCEn files. A case in point: Two powerful brothers with close ties to Vladimir Putin have allegedly used the art market to launder reportedly millions of dollars. “Art has long been a good way to launder money because of the lack of transparency in the art trade and the secretiveness of many buyers and sellers,” Louise Shelley, the George Mason professor, told me. “Two Russian oligarchs, the brothers Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, close to Putin and presently under sanctions, have been investigated by the U.S. Senate for laundering over $18 million through American art markets.”

Anders Aslund, a Russia and Ukraine expert at the Atlantic Council, noted that the FinCEn files showed that, although the U.S. had sanctioned the two brothers in March 2014, they “continued to maintain bank accounts for their companies and move millions of dollars through Barclays in the U.S. and U.K. until 2017.” He added, “The U.S. Treasury labeled the Rotenbergs ‘members of the Russian leadership’s inner circle,’ but they could continue to move millions of dol-

lars in the U.S. and probably still do so.”

The Rotenbergs have big competitors in the Russian money laundering game. “The ‘Russian Laundromat’ case, where more than $20 billion was laundered by kleptocrats out of Russian banks to Western banks, is a good example of the depth of the enforcement problem,” Pelletier told me. “The elaborate scheme, initiated by Vladimir Putin’s cousin, relied on shell companies to launder the corrupt funds into European banks utilizing corrupt Moldovan judges. ninety-nine percent of the dirty money moved freely without detection into reputable international financial institutions, such as HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Standard Chartered, CitiBank, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. Something is obviously and terribly wrong.”

Other money laundering scams using Bitcoin have accelerated too, keeping prosecutors busy. This January, Bulgarian national Rossen Iossifov, who owned cryptocurrency firm RG Coins in Sofia, received a 121month jail sentence after a federal grand jury convicted him in an international laundering conspiracy that defrauded at least 900 Americans of some $5 million.

Major covert movement of illicit proceeds by criminals has also exploded in recent years via trade, according to experts. A Government Accountability Office study in late 2019 pointed out that criminal and terrorist networks have used various trade scams, including false labeling of services and goods, to move their dark money without detection

by U.S. regulators and customs officers.

“Trade-based money laundering is the largest major money laundering methodology in the United States and around the world,” John Cassara, a former Treasury special agent and the author of Money Laundering and Illicit Financial Flows, told me. “It is also the least known, understood, investigated, and enforced.”

Money launderers are also adept at taking advantage of myriad loopholes. Real estate has long offered a gaping hole that Pelletier said “you can drive a truck through.”

“Those professionals essential to real estate acquisition, lawyers and closing agents, are not required to file SARs,” Pelletier told me, referring to the suspicious activity reports that FinCEn requires from banks. “Because U.S. real estate is the playground of oligarchs and kleptocrats, until that loophole is closed, law enforcers and regulators must continue to give way to superwealthy criminals.”

Oligarchs seem to have made a sport of buying up U.S. real estate at suspicious prices in recent years. “It is no secret that corrupt foreign officials have an affinity for wildly expensive U.S. real estate, particularly in South Florida,” Pelletier said. “For example, sanctioned Russian ‘Fertilizer King’ Dmitry Rybolovlev purchased a home in West Palm Beach from Donald Trump at the height of the great financial crises for $95 million, at the time the most expensive purchase in the U.S., and more than twice what Trump paid for it only a few years earlier.”

(Indeed, Trump Tower in new York City is also considered a veritable money laundering operation for wealthy Russians, just one of many possible reasons the former president may have been deferential to Russian interests during his time in office.)

However, regulatory efforts to clamp down on lawyers who have facilitated some dirty money real estate transactions may be tough to pull off given the recent positions of the American Bar Association, which lobbied against early versions of the new law.

“The ABA will never allow its members to be required to have AML [anti–money laundering] programs, or be required to file suspicious activity reports,” Jim Richards,

the former Wells Fargo official, told me. Further, the “ABA’s position is a major reason the U.S remains noncompliant” with anti– money laundering positions promulgated by the top global standard-setting body known as the Financial Action Task Force, “hurting efforts to attack money laundering worldwide,” Richards added.

Highlighting another weakness in curbing bank money laundering, Richards told me that if regulators can’t go after powerful bank officials, they will have a hard time deterring banks that can afford to bleed money.

Richards said that recent history has shown that fines have had, at best, limited success.

“The same group of large financial institutions have been paying hundred-milliondollar-plus fines for 15 to 20 years, with no end in sight.”

He added, “Let’s try something different: Instead of having bank shareholders pay fines for the misdeeds of bankers, hold bank directors and CEOs personally responsible for the misdeeds of their bankers. The threat of a prison sentence is much more persuasive than the threat of a large money penalty. You start throwing bank directors and CEOs in jail, and all of a sudden bank directors and CEOs see that they have a real problem that can’t be fixed with shareholders’ money.

Then you’ll start to see reform.”

“The only way that this will change is for regulators and prosecutors to charge the individuals running the banks, or seek sanctions that will effectively stop the companies from doing business for a lengthy period,” Phil Halpern, a recently retired California prosecutor who spent 36 years focused on corruption and fraud cases, told me.

In the short run, anti-corruption advocates stress that regulators should move quickly to implement the new beneficial ownership law. Gary Kalman, the U.S. director of Transparency International and a veteran reform advocate, told me that the passage of the Corporate Transparency Act was “a great step and brings us closer to Europe and other allies in combating corruption. Corrupt officials and criminal networks are far more financially sophisticated than in the past. Gone are the days when drug cartels buried cash in the fields.”

But Kalman stressed that the Treasury needs “to implement the new anti–money laundering law and finish rules to bring some transparency and accountability to the private investment and real estate markets.” Likewise, George Mason’s Louise Shelley told me that fast action to “implement transparent registries will make it harder for (human) traffickers to hide and move their money.”

Time is of the essence. “The longer the United States takes to get its new beneficial ownership registry up and running, the more wrongdoers will congregate here to misuse U.S. companies,” Elise Bean told me.

From a broader regulatory standpoint, Cardamone of Global Financial Integrity told me that money laundering has to be treated more as a national security risk, as key agencies, including the State Department and the FBI, have publicly stated. “Hundreds of billions are laundered in the U.S. every year,” he said, “and you have a situation where the red flags are waving. Given FinCEn’s unique position at the nexus of global finance, law enforcement, and national security, it is imperative that the agency gets a strategic reimagining to address the threats of the next decade and beyond.”

Peter Stone is a Washington-based investigative journalist who has covered a wide array of lobbying, legal, and campaign finance issues, working for National Journal, McClatchy newspapers, and Legal Times, among other publications.

Monday, 17 May, 2021

BUSINESS 09

LAHORE Govt to sign new power purchase agreement with K-Electric Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar on Sunday announced that the federal government and K-Electric are moving towards signing a new power purchase agreement (PPA). Taking to Twitter, Hammad Azhar said that the federal government and KE have agreed upon principles to resolve most of their long-standing disputes regarding additional supply, payment procedures and subsidy disbursements. “We will be swiftly moving towards signing a new PPA InshAllah,” he said as other IPPs nationwide have signed such agreements previously.

Earlier on May 5, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) gave the approval to pay the first installment of Rs89 billion to 35 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) out of a total of 47. The ECC, which met in Islamabad with Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin in the chair, approved Rs89 billion for 35 IPPs, whereas payment to the remaining 12 IPPs may be withheld owing to NAB investigations. NEWS DESK

Govt budgetary borrowing falls by 42pc in 10MFY21 The government’s borrowing for budgetary support sharply declined by 42 per cent in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, indicating a trend that may result in lower fiscal deficit for the year. The State Bank’s latest data shows the government borrowed Rs676 billion during July-April period of 2020-21 compared to Rs1,171bn in the same period last year — a decline of Rs495bn, or 42pc. In the wake of no funding from the central bank for the last two years, low borrowing for budgetary support indicates an improved performance on fiscal side. On May 7, the Ministry of Finance reported that fiscal deficit as percentage of GDP stood at 3.6pc in nine months (July-March) of FY21 against 3.8pc in the same period of FY20. The deficit was 8.1 per cent in FY20 compared to 9.1pc in FY19. The government has set 7pc fiscal deficit for FY21. MONITORING REPORT

OGRA postpones modifying prices of petroleum products The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has postponed the announcement of new prices of petroleum products. Local media reports state that the announcement regarding new prices of petroleum products could be made on May 16 as OGRA did not prepare the summary following Eidul Fitr holidays. The regulatory authority is expected to announce the new prices today after sending a summary to the Petroleum Division for approval whereas the modified prices are likely to be implemented from tomorrow, May 18. Earlier on April 30, Prime Minister Imran Khan had rejected the summary sent by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for hiking the petroleum products prices. MONITORING REPORT

FBR’s ARM cOnFiRMs lAnd As BEnAMi in cAsE AGAinst BilliOnAiRE BEnAMi cOMpAnY ISLAMABAD

t

SHAHZAD PARACHA

HE Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s AntiBenami Islamabad office has confirmed that 50,000 kanals of land is benami in a case against S.A.S Pvt. Ltd, a benami cooperate company which owned billions of benami assets in different cities of Pakistan.

Sources said that the FBR’s arm filed a reference in the Benami Adjudicating Authority against the company in May last year, for having more than 50,000 kanals benami land in Attock, Mianwali, Jehlum, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Muzaffargarh, Sialkot, Khushab, and Layyah worth of Rs1.9 billion.

According to details, the Inquiry Committee probing the Rawalpindi Ring Road scam directed the FBR to initiate investigations against the billionare benami company and Capital Smart City besides ten other housing societies.

Sources said that the Anti-Benami Islamabad office has claimed that Techno Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. holds benami properties in the name of S.A.S Pvt. Ltd. whereas it the inquiry report revealed that shareholders of Techno Engineering, Majid Ali and Arslan Ali, had purchased over 800 Kanal in Tehsil Fateh Jung.

In addition, the design, changed from a clover leaf to a pied piper, is to allegedly benefit land holdings of Capital Smart City and S. A. S. in addition to the holdings of Maj General (r) Saleem and his family.

The FBR’s arm revealed that S.A.S Pvt. Ltd. is a paper company with no employees or independent business premises of its own. Techno Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., the beneficial owner, uses it as a

back door laundry to wash its dirty money minted through corrupt practices and tax evasions.

“The beneficial owner hoodwinked tax authorities during tax recovery from its accounts by using benami accounts of the benamidar, in connivance and abetment with the bank manager of UBL, Blue Area Branch. This incident is important in establishing the criminals of both companies i.e. their directors and the company secretary, as well as the bank manager for entering into benami transactions during the period of June-July 2017”, it stated.

It may be mentioned here that the Supreme Court

of Pakistan (SCP) through its judgment March 30, 2012, held in the Rental Power Plants (RPPs) corruption and fraud cases, also stated that the beneficial owner through subsidiaries, Techno-E Power and Techno Energy, had derived financial benefits through corruption and corrupt practices from RPPs contracts.

They were liable to civil and criminal actions and the court had ordered them to return the amounts of Rs781 million and Rs300 million in the case of Techno E. Power, failing which a case would be registered against them with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Pakistan's remittances rose by 17pc last year: World Bank Remittance flow into Pakistan increased by about 17 per cent in 2020, defying the gloomy projections and in spite of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The growth in the home remittances from Pakistanis working abroad last year was much faster than 5.2pc increase in flows to the South Asian countries, according to the latest Migration and Development Brief published by the World Bank.

Previously, the bank had forecast significant decline in remittances to Pakistan and the rest of the countries in the region because of the coronavirus pandemic that forced nations across the world to lock down their economies

and send migrant workers back home to their countries of origin.

The biggest growth in remittances flow into Pakistan came primarily from Saudi Arabia followed by the European Union (EU) countries and the United Arab Emirates.

The decline in recorded global remittance flows last year was smaller than the one - 4.8pc - during the 2009 global financial crisis. It was also far lower than the fall in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to low- and middle-income countries, which, excluding flow to China fell by over 30pc in 2020.

As a result, remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries surpassed FDI

of $25bn and overseas development as-

sistance of $179bn. MONITORING REPORT

Flared natural gas latest prize in bitcoin miners' energy quest NEW YORK AGENCIES

As the value of bitcoin soars and concerns rise about the energy-intensive process needed to obtain it, cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in the United States believe they have found a solution in flared natural gas.

Profitably creating, or mining, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies requires masses of computers dedicated to solving deliber-

ately complicated equations -- an endeavor that globally consumes more electricity than entire nations, but for which these start-ups say the jets of flaming gas placed next to oil wells are perfect power sources.

"I think the market is enormous," said Sergii Gerasymovych, CEO of EZ Blockchain, which has six different data centers powered off natural gas in the US states of Utah and New Mexico, as well as in Canada.

Across the country, companies like EZ

Blockchain are setting up shipping containers where racks containing hundreds of computers mine cryptocurrency, fueled by natural gas from oil wells that otherwise would be burned in the open.

Interest in their work has grown over the past year. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies like ethereum and dogecoin have seen meteoric price spikes since the Covid-19 pandemic turned the global economy on its head and mainstream companies began to embrace the technology.

But a backlash has formed against the digital assets' energy usage, fueled by concerns it relies on carbon-emitting power sources that contribute to climate change.

This week, Tesla boss Elon Musk criticized bitcoin's power consumption, particularly of energy produced from coal, and said he would no longer accept the cryptocurrency as payment for his electric cars.

While entrepreneurs in the fledgling industry say using natural gas that is otherwise wasted represents a solution to these concerns, its ability to actually cut emissions remains to be seen, said Tony Scott, managing director of analysis at oil and gas research firm BTU Analytics.

"In the grand scheme of things and relative to other load, yes, it's small," Scott said.

"They are creating economic value (but) they're not necessarily significantly changing the emissions profiles."

BuRNiNg ENERgY aWaY: Huge numbers of processors worldwide are dedicated to the task of mining bitcoin. The activity uses 149.6 terawatt-hours per year, according to the Cambridge Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index (CBECI). That is slightly less than

CMYK

all the electricity consumed by Egypt.

As the most popular cryptocurrency, bitcoin is undoubtedly valuable, trading at around $50,000 in mid-May from less than $10,000 a year ago, giving miners incentive to find the cheapest source of power to increase their margins.

ENtER flaREd NatuRal gas: Oil producers flare natural gas if they can't find a way to process it, which, with prices low and pipelines complicated to build, can be the case worldwide.

"Miners tend to be based around areas where there tends to be surplus power. What is new... is this whole concept of taking gas flaring," said Jason Deane, bitcoin analyst at Quantum Economics.

Using flared gas to power the application-specific integrated circuits that mine bitcoin does not end emissions entirely, but is more efficient than flaring it and puts energy that is otherwise wasted to use.

"We come in, they're making zero for their gas, we say, hey, we'll come in (and) take the gas off your hands, give you a little something," said Matt Lohstroh, co-founder of Giga Energy Solutions.

"We'll be able to reduce your emissions

you're putting out, combust it, create economic value on our end."

ChEapER pOWER: Natural gas's edge is in the cost of power. CBECI estimates the average global power cost for bitcoin mining is about $0.05 per kilowatt hour. Lohstroh said natural gas power can bring the kilowatt hour cost to below $0.018.

Interest has grown in diverting flared gas to cryptocurrency mining, and not just because the digital assets are growing in value.

"There's more scrutiny on issuing new flare permits and I think these producers are realizing that," said Britt Swann, who is leading holding company Ecoark's expansion into cryptocurrency mining.

"They are willing to play ball and figure out a way to use that gas without necessarily wanting any value for it."

Where companies differ is over what to do with bitcoin and other digital assets once they get it.

Ecoark intends to convert it into dollars, but Lohstroh plans to hold the bitcoin he mines, which he believes will one day underpin a new global financial system.

"No need to sell the most valuable asset in the world that's underpriced," he said.

Bitcoin rises 5.6pc to $49,337.72 NEW YORK: Bitcoin rose 5.63 % to $49,337.72 by 0800 GMT on Sunday, adding $2,628.83 to its previous close. Bitcoin, the world's biggest and best-known cryptocurrency is up 77.9% from the year's low of $27,734 on Jan. 4, and down 24% from the year's high of $64,895.22 hit on April 14. Ether, the coin linked to the ethereum blockchain network, rose 6.1 % to $3,868.42 by 0800 GMT on Sunday, adding $222.41 to its previous close. AGENCIES

Monday, 17 May, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

LAHORE

IndIa promIses more vaccInes as daIly covId-19 deaths stay above 4,000

s

AGENCIES

OME Indian states said on Sunday they would extend Covid-19 lockdowns to help contain the pandemic, which has killed more than 270,000 people in the country, as the federal government pledged to bolster vaccine supplies.

The number of deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours in India has risen more than 4,000 for the fourth time in a week, with Sunday's 311,170 new infections representing the lowest single-day rise in more than three weeks. Federal health officials warned against any complacency over a "plateauing" in the rise of infections, however, and urged states to add intensive care units and strengthen their medical workforces.

The northern states of Delhi and Haryana extended lockdowns, slated to end on Monday, by a week.

Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the rate of positive cases compared with overall tests carried out had come down to

10% from as high as 30% earlier this month.

"The gains we have made over the past week, we don't want to lose them. So we are going to extend the lockdown for another week," Kejriwal told reporters.

The southern state of Kerala, which has previously announced a lockdown extension, also introduced stricter restrictions in some districts on Saturday. It warned that people not wearing masks where required or violating quarantine protocols faced being arrested, with drones used to help identify violators.

The government said it would send an additional 5.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to states over the next three days. Even though India is the world's largest vaccineproducing nation, only 141.6 million people have received at least one vaccine dose, or roughly 10% of its population of 1.35 billion, according to health ministry data. The country has fully vaccinated just over 40.4 million people, or 2.9% of its population.

CRITICISM OVER VACCINE EXPORTS: India's supply of vaccine doses should rise to 516 million by July, and more

AnAlysis

India’s once-in-a-century budget runs into trouble as virus strikes back

than 2 billion between August to December, boosted by domestic production and imports, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said. The country received 60,000 more doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia on Sunday.

The country's average vaccination rate over seven days fell to 1.7 million on Sunday, from 1.8 million a week ago, after Maharashtra, the richest state, and Karnataka in the south put the rollout of shots on hold for adults younger than 45.

Main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted a poster questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to exporting and donating vaccines abroad earlier this year instead of meeting the country's requirements.

This was in response to media reports that police in the capital New Delhi had arrested dozens of individuals for putting up similar posters in parts of Delhi.

Gandhi tweeted the poster with the caption "Arrest Me Too", which became one of the top trending items on Twitter across the country on Sunday following an outcry about the arrests.

Modi opened up vaccinations for all adults from May 1, doubling the number of those eligible to an estimated 800 million, though domestic production will stay largely flat until July, at about 80 million doses a month. Authorities in Modi’s western home state of Gujarat said they would halt vaccinations on Monday and Tuesday to take protective measures against a cyclone expected to hit next week.

In the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, the government has moved Covid-19 patients at makeshift medical centres in Mumbai, on the western coast, to other hospitals as the cyclone advances towards Gujarat, the chief minister's office said. read more Vaccinations were also likely to remain suspended in India's financial hub Mumbai on Monday, Reuters partner ANI reported, citing the city's mayor.

SPREAD IN RURAL AREAS: While lockdowns have helped limit cases in parts of the country that had been hit by an initial surge of infections in February and April, such as Maharashtra and Delhi, rural areas

and some states are dealing with fresh surges.

The government issued detailed guidelines on Sunday for monitoring Covid-19 cases that were spreading in India's vast countryside.

The health ministry asked villages to look out for cases of flu-like illness and get such patients tested for Covid-19.

India's total infections have risen by more than 2 million this week, and deaths by nearly 28,000. Deaths rose by 4,077 on Sunday. Bodies of Covid-19 victims were found to have been dumped in some rivers, the government of the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh said in a letter seen by Reuters, in the first official acknowledgement of the alarming practice.

Myanmar anti-coup fighters retreat from town as Us makes appeal YANGON

AGENCIES

AGENCIES

India’s annual budget in February was lauded by many and raised hopes it would drive a sharp economic revival, but there are now fears that its promise may fall flat as it did not account for a crippling second wave of Covid-19 infections.

The budget aimed to revive Asia’s third-largest economy via investing in infrastructure and health care, while relying on an aggressive privatisation strategy and robust tax collections - on the back of projected growth of 10.5% - to fund its spending in the fiscal year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India would not see such a budget in "100 years". At the time, a massive Covid-19 vaccination drive and a rebound in consumer demand and investments had put the economy on track to recover from its deepest recorded slump. The South Asian country is battling the world’s second highest coronavirus caseload after the United States, recording some 300,000 cases and about 4,000 deaths a day.

With many parts of the country under varying degrees of lockdown, most of the growth projections that the budget was built around are now mired in uncertainty. The extent of the crisis is even making investors question whether after years of debt accumulation, India once expected to become an economic superpower, still deserves to cling on to its ‘investment grade’ status. Earlier this week, Moody’s said India’s severe second wave will slow the near-term economic recovery and it could weigh on longer-term growth dynamics. It cut its GDP forecast to 9.3% from 13.7%.

While the government maintains it is too early to revise its own numbers, officials privately concede growth will be much more muted that previously anticipated if social distancing measures continue. Besides providing 350 billion rupees ($4.78 billion) in the budget for vaccination costs, the government did not specifically dedicate any funds toward contingencies arising from a second wave and now may have to cut back on some expenses, officials said. India's finance ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

DELAYS IN PRIVATISATION: The health crisis has also hit the Indian bureaucracy badly with many key officials infected by the coronavirus, slowing decisions on privatisations, among other proposed reforms. Two senior officials said the privatisation of assets such as oil refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp and national carrier Air India, where processes are well advanced, may now be pushed into early 2022 - some three months later than previously planned.

"The virtual data room for BPCL has been opened for initial bidders but given the lockdown, physical verification of assets is unlikely right now," one of the officials said. The delays will affect a series of other privatisation plans including two banks, insurance and energy companies, that are at the centre of reforms proposed by the budget and that are key to achieving the roughly $24 billion target from privatisations and asset sales, the officials said. The crisis is also likely to delay the listing of India's largest insurer Life Insurance Corp, which was expected to raise $8-$10 billion, they said.

Another official said the lockdowns will start affecting tax collections by June, potentially lowering revenues 15%-20% from what was estimated for the quarter. With the projected fiscal deficit target pegged at 6.8% of gross domestic product and a soaring borrowing programme, delays in the privatisation plan and the anticipated shortfalls in tax revenues are already prompting cuts to some of the government's previously earmarked expenses, two officials said. "We are looking to press a pause button on some of our non-priority spending," one of the officials said. The government is renewing its focus on relief measures and higher spending toward immediate health care needs like oxygen plants, and temporary Covid-19 centres, one of the officials said, adding that the government's plans to provide relief on fuel prices by cutting some taxes have also been deferred.

Fighters of a local militia opposed to Myanmar’s junta have pulled back from the northwestern town of Mindat after days of assault by combat troops backed by artillery, a member of the group said on Sunday. The United States and Britain called on the army to avoid civilian casualties and a shadow National Unity Government formed by loyalists of Myanmar’s detained elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, appealed for international help.

A spokesman for the junta did not answer calls for comment.

The fighting in the hill town of Mindat, about 100 km (60 miles) from the Indian border in Chin state, is some of the heaviest since the coup plunged Myanmar into chaos with daily protests, strikes and the emergence of new local militias.

“To avoid confrontation, we retreated out of concern over damage to the town,” said one fighter, adding that only women and children remained in the town of more than 40,000 that was now largely oc-

cupied by the army.

“Since all the boys and men are involved in this fight, all of them are on the run.”

The U.S.-funded RFA website quoted a member of the group as saying five of its fighters were killed, but it believed it had inflicted losses several times that many on the army, widely known as the Tatmadaw.

Army-controlled Myawaddy television said on Saturday that some security forces were killed and others missing after attacks by “unscrupulous people”. Security forces would work day and night to bring order, it added.

NEW FORCE: The fighting marks the emergence of the Chinland Defence Force, one of several new groups to spring up in opposition to the junta in a country which already had about two dozen ethnic armed groups. The fighters also say they are part of the People’s Defence Forces of the shadow government.

“We would like to urge the international community to take immediate actions to end all violence of the Tatmadaw and protect the defenceless people of Mindat,” the National Unity Government said in a statement. The U.S. and British embassies in Myan-

mar voiced concern for civilians in Mindat.

“The military’s use of weapons of war against civilians, including this week in Mindat, is a further demonstration of the depths the regime will sink to to hold onto power,” the U.S. embassy said in a statement. “We call on the military to cease violence against civilians.”

Britain’s mission said evidence of atrocities should be sent to UN investigators “so perpetrators can be held to account”.

Western nations have led condemnation of the junta and applied limited sanctions since it took power alleging fraud in an election won by Suu Kyi’s party in November. Its claims of irregularities were rejected by the electoral commission.

At least 790 people have been killed by the junta’s security forces in crackdowns on protests against its rule, says activist group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The military, which disputes that number, imposes tight restrictions on media, information and the Internet. Reuters cannot independently verify arrests and casualty numbers.

Job fears, price spikes mean heartburn for Biden White House as economy revs up AGENCIES High unemployment. Rising prices. Gas lines.

They're a bad memory for Americans old enough to remember the 1970s - but they're also likely causing a few sleepless nights in the White House, as the United States' economic recovery from the unprecedented coronavirus recession hits some bumps.

The jolts are dampening consumer confidence, ramping up inflation fears, and helping Republicans build their case against President Joe Biden and his ambitious plans to revamp the U.S. economy with trillions in new spending. As the 1970s show, high joblessness and rising prices the United States saw in April can be a potent political force. Republicans crafted a "misery index" out of the two factors to attack then-president Jimmy Carter. After hitting 75% approval ratings early in his presidency, the Democrat was trounced in a 1980 landslide. Support for Biden remains strong and U.S. equity markets remain near record highs. The White House says there's bound to be surprises as the United States emerges from an unprecedented pandemic.

"We must keep in mind that an economy will not heal instantaneously," Cecilia Rouse, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers told reporters Friday. "It takes several weeks for people to get full immunity from vaccinations, and even more time for those left jobless from the pandemic to find and start a suitable job." Rouse, speaking to reporters at the White House, said a mismatch between supply and demand due to the pandemic and the economic snapback had pushed inflation higher but that the mismatch should prove temporary. "I fully expect that will work itself out in the coming months," she said. The Federal Reserve also is betting heavily inflation will cool on its own, even as hiring picks up steam over the summer, Americans start to travel again, and the Fed keeps its massive crisis levels of support intact.

The White House wouldn’t offer a timeline for when the economy will smooth out. But it doesn't ex-

pect a repeat of April's weak jobs report, and recent data show applicants for unemployment benefits fell to a 14-month low. "The trend lines continue to be positive," a senior White House official told Reuters on Wednesday. The White House also believes the Fed can handle what comes up, he said.

"We haven't seen anything that is suggested that the Fed doesn't have an ample toolkit to manage any of the risks that might present themselves."

ROUGH WATERS AHEAD: Still, there's more turmoil in months to come.

Republicans, divided by former President Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him, have seized the moment to knock the foundation of Biden's economic plans - raising taxes on the wealthy and companies.

"You won't find any Republicans who are gonna go raise taxes. I think that's the worst thing you can do in this economy," House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters outside the White House, citing inflation fears and gas prices. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the powerful corporate lobby group, is pushing for repeal of special unemployment payments that were a cornerstone of Biden's campaign, and over a dozen state governors have decided to roll them back early. With 7.5 million more people either unemployed or out of the job market altogether compared to before the pandemic, even a month or two more of weaker-thanexpected job growth and rising prices would up the pressure on Biden and the Fed. "If we get one more April that is concerning," said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics. Some early data suggest that May’s jobs report could be weak as well. If workers don't take jobs for whatever reason - continued fear of disease, lack of childcare, and higher-than-usual unemployment benefits have been cited - it would indicate "a significant supply constraint," Daco said. Then, he said, "the question is how do you get people back? And that is a different question than

pumping stimulus into the economy." The Biden administration, workers, labor advocates and some economists have argued firms should raise wages if they're having trouble hiring, and some, including McDonald's Corp have followed suit.

Federal Reserve officials concede things could be tricky. "The question of how to unclog the labor market is going to be a critical one," and could limit overall economic growth this year if it takes too long, said Richmond Federal Reserve president Thomas Barkin.

UNEXPECTED BOTTLENECKS: While "unsticking" the labor market is one challenge, stamping out price flare-ups as Americans return to schools and offices and go on vacation once again is another.

Consumer sentiment in early May tumbled as people worried about rising prices. Inflation expectations for the year ahead and over the next five years rose to their highest in more than a decade.

"You have a logistical challenge of shutting down an economy and bringing it back up and we are not built for that," Barkin said.

The Colonial Pipeline shutdown that led to gas lines in some southern states had nothing to do with the pandemic, and was lifted Wednesday. But it could take "some time" before it returns to normal, Biden said Thursday. A semiconductor shortage that started before Biden took office continues to drive up car prices, as pandemic-shy Americans look for alternatives to public transportation. Home builders point to surging lumber prices they say threaten the critical housing market and the broader economy. Prices for materials used in construction jumped 19.7% from April 2020 to last month, the largest increase in the 35year history of the series, according to Ken Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America.

The White House declined to elaborate on specific remedies it might pursue to help the supply side of the economy, but pointed to steps to bring fuel to market after the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.

Monday, 17 May, 2021

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DjoKoviC, NaDaL Set uP 57th Career CLaSh at itaLiaN oPeN ROME

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World number one bAttles pAst soneGo 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in semi-FinAls; spAniArd beAts opelkA 6-4, 6-4

AGENCIES

ORLD number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday battled past Italian Lorenzo Sonego to set up a clash with nine-time winner Rafael Nadal for the sixth time in the Italian Open final.

Defending champion Djokovic won 63, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in two hours and 44 minutes against the 33rd-ranked Italian after second seed Nadal earlier swept past American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic had earlier survived a threeset battle with Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in their rain-delayed quarter-final.

The five-time Rome champion had been trailing 6-4, 2-1 when the tie was halted overnight. But the 33-year-old came back to win 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 after more than three-and-a-quarter hours.

Djokovic and Nadal, who will be facing each other for the 57th time, last played in the 2020 French Open final which the Spaniard won in straight sets.

The pair have won 14 of the last 16 Rome titles between them, while Nadal leads their head-to-head in finals in the Italian capital 3-2. “Rafa and I had a little laugh today in the locker room after I won against Tsitsipas,” Djokovic revealed.

“We kind of joked around about that the ‘Old guys are still not giving up’. I’m really glad we’ve shown we’re not backing off from the Next Gen attacks.”

Nadal saved two match points to de-

feat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the third round, and then ousted Madrid Open slayer Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals. “I saw he said a few days ago that Roger (Federer), him and I are old, but I disagree, I think we’re showing some different fresh energy,” said the Serbian.

“It’s great to play him again in the final. “He’s the guy that I have encountered the most in my career, definitely my biggest rival of all time.”

On Saturday, Djokovic let two match points slip in the second set of his semifinal. He then saved three break points in the first game of the third set, before pow-

ering towards his 11th Rome final.

“I’ve only myself to blame for not closing the match in the second set, I could have and should have,” said Djokovic.

Nadal staved off break points in the fourth game against Opelka and did not look back. “Another chance to play on a big stage, in a big final,” said Nadal. “It’s important for my confidence to be back in a final.” Nadal is looking to equal Djokovic’s record of 36 Masters 1000 titles in his 12th Rome final, while his opponent would pull two clear with a win.

Two weeks before Roland Garros, the 34-year-old was rarely troubled by the

towering American playing his first Masters semi-final.

Nadal blasted down 11 aces and did not drop serve against the 47th-ranked player who had not been broken all week.

A break in either set was enough to see Nadal through in his final warm-up tournament before Roland Garros, having exited early in Monte Carlo and Madrid.

“You want to win, not because in two weeks you’re going to have an important event,” said the 13-time French Open champion. “In terms of preparation for Roland Garros, I consider the job done because I have been through a positive process during the last month.

“This is about Rome, one of the most important events in the history of my career.” In the women’s final, French Open champion Iga Swiatek takes on former Rome winner Karolina Pliskova.

Ex-world number one Pliskova saw off Croatia’s Petra Martic 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to return to the final of a tournament she won in 2019 and finished runner-up at last year.

Swiatek, 19, claimed back-to-back wins on the day. She first ousted fifth seed Elina Svitolina, a two-time Rome winner, 6-2, 7-5 in their quarter-final which had been pushed back from Friday because of rain. She then saw off 17-year-old American Coco Gauff 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in the semis.

“Beating Elina shows that my game is here, I’m ready for anyone,” said the Polish 15th seed. Swiatek is looking for just her third WTA title having followed her Roland Garros success with a win in Adelaide in January.

North Korea pull out of World Cup qualifiers SEOUL AGENCIES

North Korea have pulled out of next month’s qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Asian Football Confederation said Sunday. “The Asian Football Confederation has today confirmed the withdrawal of the DPR Korea Football Association from the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the AFC said in a statement. No reasons were given for the withdrawal but South Korean media reported earlier this month that Pyongyang had said it would skip the qualifiers over coronavirus fears. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced most of the second round of Asia’s preliminary tournament for the Qatar World Cup to be postponed until June. The AFC said last month it would change the format of the tournaments so that each group of five nations would play in one host country. South Korea was selected as the centralised venue host for Group H, which is led by Turkmenistan and also included the two Koreas, Lebanon and Sri Lanka. North Korea were fourth in Asian qualifying Group H, but only a point behind Group H leaders Turkmenistan with three games still to be played before their withdrawal. The AFC said a decision would be made later on the standings in Group H after referring the matter to FIFA’s organising committee for competitions.

Leicester players show support for Palestinians LONDON AGENCIES

Schmeichel hails Leicester history makers Goalkeeper praises teammates after 1-0 win over Chelsea in FA Cup final LONDON AGENCIES

Kasper Schmeichel described leading Leicester to the club’s first ever FA Cup as a dream come true after he played a huge role in beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday.

Youri Tielemans’s stunning strike just after the hour mark separated the sides in front of the largest sports attendance in England since the coronavirus pandemic hit, with 22,000 fans at Wembley. But Schmeichel had to rescue his side late on with brilliant saves from Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount. “I’ve dreamt about this since I was child,” said Schmeichel, whose father Peter Schmeichel won three FA Cups with Manchester United. “We have talked about wanting to win trophies. The performance today, the grit and determination, I’m so proud of everybody, everybody contributed to get to the final. Everyone has played and been sensational.” Even when Schmeichel was eventually beaten, Chilwell’s late equaliser against his former club was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

“Thank you VAR! What an amazing technology,” said Tielemans. “What a moment, I’m really happy. I can’t think of a better goal than this. I’ve scored a few but it was a really nice goal to score in the final of the FA Cup.” Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers dedicated the victory to the club’s chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha.

“It is an amazing feeling. I was not aware before I came into Leicester that they had never won the FA Cup, they had lost in four finals previously,” Rodgers said. “To be able to give that to the supporters, to Top and his family, it is such a special occasion. “It was a monumental performance, and what a day for everyone involved with Leicester.”

Celebrating his first major trophy in England football after his successful spell at Celtic, Rodgers added: “It’s the FA Cup so it’s truly special. It means so much to us, so proud, but happier for everyone else. “The success of this team and club is getting to positions like this and competing, the so-called bigger clubs are expected to win. “But our success is competing and, if we can perform like today, we can go and win.”

Michael Hussey, and rest of Australia contingent in Maldives, set to fly home AGENCIES Michael Hussey will be home from India on Monday, about the same time as the 38 Australian players, coaches and media land on their return from the Maldives.

Following a series of Covid-19 positive tests, Hussey was unable to join the Maldives group after the postponement of the IPL but returned a negative test on Thursday night India time. He has now been cleared to return to Australian soil on a commercial flight via Doha.

The larger Maldives contingent, including the likes of Pat Cummins, David Warner, Steven Smith and Michael Slater, will travel home to hotel quarantine in Sydney, on a BCCI charter flight that will also stopover in Perth once it reaches Australian airspace.

The return of the cricketers, coaches and media have been secured over the

incoming arrival caps put in place for overseas travellers to Australia, following negotiations between Cricket Australia, the Australian Cricketers Association, and state and federal governments. “The public will see our best Australian cricketers as almost superheroes. They’re brilliant athletes, great cricketers but they’re human beings [too],” Todd Greenberg, the ACA chief executive had said on May 5. “Some of them are fathers and husbands, and they’re under enormous amounts of stress. Some deal with it differently. This will probably be an experience they will never forget. We will help them when they come home. Some will cope with it really well, others will need support and counselling and that’s what we’ll do.

“The last 12 months around the globe, we’ve seen all professional athletes travel differently and charter flights maybe two years ago would

have seen a different type of commentary than what we would see today. The reality is we’re going to try to keep them as safe as possible and if that’s available, I don’t think we should shy away from that. “I’m not sure it will create reticence but it will ensure players do their due diligence before they sign [future] agreements,” he added, with the ACA having already advised its players to complete due diligence before signing up for T20 leagues during the pandemic.

“The world is literally changing before our eyes, particularly with Covid and on that side of the world, obviously those cases are going up exponentially.

We’re enjoying our freedoms here in Australia. It is a very different place over there. If anything it sends a message to players about making sure you do your homework before making any decisions.”

Leicester players Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana showed support for the Palestinians after winning the FA Cup final on Saturday. English midfielder Choudhury and French defender Fofana were seen holding a Palestinian flag.

Choudhury had the flag draped over his shoulders as he collected his winner’s medal after beating Chelsea 1-0. Tens of thousands of protesters marched in support of Palestinians on Saturday in major European cities including London, Berlin, Madrid and Paris, as the worst violence in years raged between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. A social media post from Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny also showing his support for the Palestinian people has been hit by a backlash from Jewish fans. The Egyptian posted on his Twitter account: “My heart and my soul and my support for you Palestine.” Arsenal confirmed to Sky Sports that they have spoken with Elneny after concerns about the post were raised from one of the club’s sponsors, coffee maker Lavazza. “As with any employees of Arsenal, our players are entitled to express their views on their own platforms,” the club told Sky Sports News. “That said we have spoken to Mo about this so he understands the wider implications of his post. “As a club we are committed to confronting and eliminating all forms of discrimination and continue to champion the need for equality and diversity across all areas of life.”

Spieth chases career Grand Slam at PGA Championship CALIFORNIA AGENCIES

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, who snapped a four-year US PGA Tour win drought in April, tries to complete a career Grand Slam by winning next week’s PGA Championship.

The 27-year-old American makes his fifth attempt to win each of golf’s four major crowns at least once after capturing the 2015 Masters and US Open and the 2017 British Open. It was only a few weeks after his triumph at England’s Royal Birkdale when he first faced the tension of going for the career Slam.

“I think 2017, the first time, was really the only time where it may have weighed on me, only given it was coming right off of a major win,” Spieth said of career Slam pressure. “I felt like a favourite going in and it was the last major. And then the years after, I just didn’t really feel in great form in PGAs. It’s going to pick you apart if you’re not driving the ball straight and far.”

Spieth struggled with form for years before making a breakthrough by winning last month’s Texas Open and sharing third

at the Masters, raising his idea of what thrills future events like the PGA could hold. “I’ve made a lot of good progress, but I feel like that road ahead is still significant for me,” Spieth said.

“I’ll have a good stretch coming up here in May and June, and I’m excited for what’s to come.” Only five golfers have completed the career Grand Slam, but a victory by Spieth at Kiawah Island on May 20-23 would see him join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen. “Every year I go into that tournament it’s like it’s the one that if I could pick one more to win I would pick that one,” Spieth said. “It just kind of excites me a little bit more going into it.”

Spieth had not won since taking his third major title in 2017 until the Dallas product won in his home state. In his attempts to complete the Slam, Spieth has shared 28th at the 2017 PGA, 12th in 2018, third in 2019 and 71st last year.

Spieth has regained his touch this year, serving notice with a fourth-place finish at Phoenix — highlighted by a third-round 61 — and a third-place effort at Pebble Beach in February and a fourth at Bay Hill in

CMYK

March. “It was getting to where it could just kind of start to click and really feel that momentum, and that will get me want to go out and nail it in as much as possible,” Spieth said after last month’s Masters.

“So I’m hoping I can continue to move that forward.” A week after winning in Texas, Spieth shared third at the Masters, showing more signs of progress with his

best major showing since sharing his third at the 2019 PGA. “I hit some good putts, burned a lot of lips, certainly struck the ball well enough to win and they just didn’t go in,” Spieth said at Augusta. “I wish I had the control of my swing that I think is coming soon because it would have made things a little easier and I did strike the ball really well. I hit a lot of fairways.”

Monday, 17 May, 2021

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PakIstan Condemns Israel’s brutal use of forCe agaInst PalestInIans India’s Covid crisis pushes up the cost of living — and dying NEW DELHI agencies

Ashok Khondare, a 39-year-old vegetable seller in the western Indian city of Pune, had already borrowed money to pay for his sister’s treatment when she died in a private hospital two weeks after contacting Covid-19. While trying to overcome the tragedy, he also had to deal with money problems that increased with his sister’s death. The only available hearse driver charged Rs5,000 ($68) for a 6-km (four-mile) journey to the nearest crematorium — five times the going rate. When Khondare reached there, there was a long queue of dead bodies and waits of more than a day. He agreed to pay another Rs7,000 to jump the queue. “I had been experiencing a terrible situation for a fortnight,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep or eat properly. I wanted to end this as early as possible and didn’t mind paying an irrational amount.” India’s second wave of coronavirus has not only created shortages of oxygen, medicines and hospital beds, but also of wood for funeral pyres, hearses, and crematorium slots, forcing people like Khondare to pay exorbitant amounts to perform the last rites of loved ones.

India is reporting by far the highest number of new daily cases globally, and over 4,000 deaths per day — figures that are almost certainly under-reported, according to experts.

India’s Hindu majority cremates its dead, and the huge numbers of deaths are creating backlogs at cremation grounds and shortages of manpower and raw materials.

“There is a huge demand for firewood used for funeral pyres at crematoria, but supplies are not sufficient,” said Rohit Pardeshi, a firewood merchant in Satara, a city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Due to a local lockdown designed to curb the pandemic, there is a shortage of people to cut trees and those workers who are available are asking for higher wages. “This has created a shortage of firewood and lifted prices,” Pardeshi said. Retail prices for firewood are up by at least 30 percent, and have more than doubled in some areas, said a second firewood seller in the same city. In the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 24year-old Mukul Chaudhary faced similar problems after his mother died in the state capital Lucknow. The ambulance driver who dropped his mother off at the hospital for Rs5,000 charged even more to take her body to the crematorium. “We had to beg him not to overcharge us further,” Chaudhary said. Firewood for the cremation cost double the normal rate, while the priest who performed the last rites charged the family Rs5,000 — two to five times the usual amount. Rohit Jangam, a Hindu priest in Satara, said many priests there were refusing to enter crematoriums out of fear, and those who were willing were charging higher prices. “It is too risky to perform the last rites of those died because of coronavirus,” he said. “If someone asks, I do, but I charge more since I am taking the risk.” He declined to disclose how much more he was charging.

OXYGEN RACKET: For Covid-19 patients who manage to survive, black marketing of medical supplies is rampant, with desperate relatives paying huge sums in what is still a low-income country. In the capital New Delhi, oxygen cylinders have changed hands for as much as Rs70,000, according to interviews with relatives – twenty times the usual price and many times the monthly salary of the average Indian. Police there have made more than 100 arrests in cases connected with overcharging, including for drugs, ambulance services and hospital beds. Arveena Sharma, a 28-year-old lawyer from Noida, a satellite city of New Delhi, has helped more than a dozen Covid-19 patients who are friends and relatives get oxygen and medical supplies in the last month. Almost all of them have overpaid significantly. “They’re like vultures,” she said of those selling black market drugs. “You are standing in front of me with something which might save me and you’re looking at my pocket.”

ISLAMABAD

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OREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called the brutal use of force by Israel against Palestinians flagrant violation of international law. Addressing the virtual emergency meeting of the Organisation of

Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Qureshi urged the international community to protect Palestinians against blatant use of force and flagrant violations of human rights by Israel.

He urged the world community to urgently intervene to stop Israeli atrocities against the civilian population in Gaza adding that the bombardment in Gaza must be stopped forthwith.

Qureshi said that the prime minister has discussed the matter with King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas over the situation.

While expressing solidarity with the Palestinians, he said that they are valiantly fighting for their legitimate rights.

The minister said that Israel’s crimes against humanity should not escape accountability and there should be no impunity for Israel’s violation of international law and the various human rights treaties.

Qureshi said that the Muslim countries must exhibit strong solidarity and support for their Palestinian brothers and sisters.

He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to remain ready to join hands with other OIC countries in any move to stop the ongoing bloodshed, and restore human dignity and human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.

He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle to secure legitimate rights, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination.

The foreign minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution with the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Shareef as the capital of an independent state of Palestine.

UN chief calls for end to IsraelPalestinians fighting as UNSC meets UNITED NATIONS agencies

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday made a passionate appeal for an immediate end to the escalating clashes between Israeli troops and the Palestinians fighters, warning a UN Security Council meeting that the fighting could plunge the region into an “uncontainable” crisis.

“It (the crisis) has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, but in the region as a whole, potentially creating a new locus of dangerous instability,” Guterres said, as he opened a virtual meeting of the 15-member Council to address the hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.

“Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately,” Guterres said. More that 125 Palestinians have been killed by the relentless Israeli artillery and airstrikes, while Israel says 7 of its citizens lost lives, Guterres said.

The UN chief called the killings “utterly appalling.”

Guterres condemned the fresh violence on Sunday which killed 40 Palestinians, the worst death toll since the unrest broke out.

“This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately,” Guterres said.

He also reiterated criticism of an Israeli strike on Saturday that destroyed the Gaza offices of two major news outlets, Al-Jazeera and the Associated Press.

“Journalists must be allowed to work free of fear and harassment. The destruction of media offices in Gaza is extremely concerning,” he said.

“Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop. I appeal to all

parties to heed this call,” Guterres said.

He also voiced alarm at the rise of extremist Jewish movements whose push to expel Palestinians out of Jerusalem triggered the crisis.

“In Israel, violence by vigilantestyle groups and mobs has added a further horrendous dimension to an already deteriorating crisis,” Guterres said.

“Leaders on all sides have a responsibility to curb inflammatory rhetoric and calm the rising tensions.”

Guterres reiterated that the United Nations remains deeply committed to working with Israelis and Palestinians and with its international and regional partners, including the Middle East Quartet, to realize a lasting and just peace.

“We are in contact with many relevant interlocuters and I again call on the parties to allow mediation efforts to intensify and succeed,” he said.

“The only way forward is to return to negotiations with the goal of a twoStates solution, with two States living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem as the

capital of both states, based on relevant UN resolutions, international law and prior agreements.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Sunday accused Israel of “war crimes” in its nearly week-long offensive as called for international pressure to end the Israeli aggression.

“Some may not want to use these words — war crimes and crimes against humanity — but they know they are true,” Maliki told the virtual session on the crisis.

‘CHILDREN BEARING BRUNT THIS ESCALATION’: More than 40 children have been killed in the current crisis in the Middle East, a senior official with the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said.

The latest deaths occurred overnight when eight Palestinian children were reported killed north of Gaza, according to a statement by Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

International media reported that the children were among 10 members of a Palestinian family who died in an

UN agencies face funding shortfall ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt

The Pakistan chapter of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is in need of $55.73 million to support its operations.

During the current fiscal year, it received only $14.08 million, 17 per cent of the required money, to extend humanitarian support, documents suggest.

Some additional funds have been received from Japan to provide health services but a gap of $46.34 million still persists hurt-

ing the timely provision of critical emergency services, says the document.

“UNICEF expresses its sincere gratitude to Japan, Austrian Committee for UNICEF, Asian Development Bank, CERF Secretariat, CDC, World Bank, ECHO, Global Partnership for Education, Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, Solidarity Fund, Standard Chartered, United Kingdom, the United States along with all its public and private donors for their contributions,” the document says.

UNHCR FACES FUNDING GAPS: Meanwhile, United Nations High Commis-

sioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking $924 million for the response to Covid-19 especially in developing countries hosting forcibly displaced persons.

A document released by the agency said: “$455 million is sought through the Covid19 Supplementary Appeal, for activities in 2021 related to the exceptional socio-economic and protection impacts of Covid-19.”

Of $924 million, $469 million have been mainstreamed into the 2021 Global Appeal while the remaining amount is required for supplementary needs included in this appeal.

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

Israeli airstrike on their home in the AlShati refugee camp.

“The scale of violence is massive.

Children are bearing the brunt of this escalation,” Chaiban said. “All sides need to step back and end the violence.

All sides have an obligation to protect civilians – especially children – and facilitate humanitarian access. The underlying triggers for this violence will not be resolved through further violence.”

Chaiban reported that since 10 May, at least 40 children in Gaza have been killed, ranging in age from six months to 17 years, with over half younger than 10. Two children in Israel, including a six-year-old, have been killed since the escalation began.

He added that more than 1,000 people in Gaza were reported injured, some severely, including “a high number” of children.

“In the past week, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, one 16-year-old child was killed and at least 54 Palestinian children were reported injured, another 26 children have been arrested. Most have since been released,” he said.

Meanwhile, 35 schools in Gaza have been damaged and at least 29 schools are serving as temporary shelters for families who have fled their home due to heavy violence.

UNICEF said as many as 10,000 people are displaced, most of them children. Three schools in Israel have been damaged, according to reports received by the UN agency.

In a post on Twitter on Saturday, Wennesland said that he was appalled by “the horrific incident” in Al-Shati camp, and mourned all the young lives lost so far in the violence. He called for an end to the hostilities, saying “children must not be the target of violence or put in harm’s way.”