EpaperLHR_22-2-25

Friday, 25 February, 2022 I 23 Rajab, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 238 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

PM IMran regrets UkraInerUssIa tensIons, says conflIct not In anyone’s Interest MOSCOW

P

Mian abrar

Rime minister imran Khan Thursday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict.

During a Summit meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin in the Kremlin, the Prime minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict.

During a three-hour-long meeting held at Kremlin, the two leaders had wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. imran Khan underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Recalling the telephone conversations during the recent months between the two leaders, the Prime minister expressed confidence that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations will continue to move forward in the future.

He added that the trust and cordiality marking the relationship would

translate into further deepening and broadening of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

The Prime minister reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine STORY ON BACK PAGE

Zahir Jaffer gets death for grisly murder of Noor Mukadam ISLAMABAD Staff report

A district and sessions court in islamabad sentenced to death prime suspect Zahir Jaffer over his involvement in the highprofile murder of Noor mukadam, a capital-based young woman, but acquitted his parents, citing lack of evidence. mukadam, 27, was found beheaded at the residence of Jaffer, 30, in Sector F7/4 of islamabad in July. Police charged Jaffer, a dual Pakistan-US national and scion of a wealthy industrialist family, with murder after arresting him at the scene of the attack. investigators concluded Jaffer raped mukadam, daughter of a former ambassador to South Korea, before brutally murdering her, police said in reports submitted to the court during the trial. mukadam had gone to his house to say goodbye as she was planning to travel abroad.

A first information report registered on the complaint of Shaukat Ali mukadam,

the victim’s father, had nominated Jaffer under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Jaffer has also been ordered to pay Rs0.5 million to mukadam’s heirs. in case of non-payment, the amount would be realised as arrears of land revenue and in case of non-realisation, he would have to undergo six months of imprisonment.

Two domestic staff — gardener Jan muhammad and watchman iftikhar — were also sentenced to 10 years in prison each.

Jaffer’s parents — Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee — a third staff member and six employees of Therapy Works — an islamabad-based organisation providing mental health services that employed him and Adamjee — who were accused of abetting the murder, were, however, acquitted.

The sentences, however, will be subject to confirmation by the islamabad High Court (iHC).

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

02

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORe

news

Buzdar aPProves actIon agaInst accused for IMPLantIng exPIred stents LAhOrE

a

Staff RepoRt

N inquiry committee investigating the implantation of purportedly expired stents into heart patients at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) on Thursday held 21 doctors, 19 nurses and two pharmacists responsible for the scam. The issue came to light last year in a letter Dr Shoaib Aslam, deputy medical superintendent (stores) of the facility, wrote to the medical superintendent.

The committee recommended action against the responsible under Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA) Act. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has approved action against the sus-

sHc sends acting Ku vice chancellor packing KArAChi Staff RepoRt

Sindh High Court (SHC) removed acting University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi and ordered the institution to send to the chief minister’s office names of 10 seniormost professors for a permanent appointment.

During a hearing on a contempt petition over Iraqi’s non-removal moved by his KU colleague, Professor Ahmed Qadri, the court directed to remove Iraqi and warned of contempt proceedings if the decision was not implemented in a week.

The court further annulled all decisions taken by Iraqi since January 26. The petitioner, who filed the contempt plea, said that Iraqi despite clear court orders continued to use the office of the vice chancellor. The SHC directed the institution to send names of senior-most professors to the office of Murad Ali Shah who will then appoint one to the office. The court also directed to form a search committee for the appointment of the vice-chancellor.

pects in line with the recommendations of the inquiry report.

The committee will seek responses from the accused within 14 days and will take action under the law.

Earlier, a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) report revealed 38 patients had been inserted as many expired stents in 2021 alone.

The preliminary report of the agency on the use of expired stents stated that 500 stents were bought from a private company in 2019.

The stock was supposed to be utilised in 2020 but they were continued to be used even after 19 months of its expiry. The report revealed that despite the availability of stents, the PIC kept on demanding the same from other hospitals that show the element of malice in the case as evidence, the report read.

SHC orders to raze illegal construction in Azizabad KArAChi INp

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday ordered the immediate demolition of illegal portions in the Azizabad neighbourhood of Karachi.

Applicant, Taqdeer Ali moved the court against the construction of illegal portions in Block II of Azizabad.

Construction of portions at the plot of 120 yards is illegal and against the law, the plaintiff said, and added that despite numerous complaints to the

Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), no action has been taken.

The illegal construction of portions can result in any disaster that should be stopped by the authorities, Ali said.

The bench, after issuing notices to the SBCA director general and other officials, ordered to immediately take down illegal portions and submit a report.

It may be noted the construction of illegal portions is being reported in various parts of the metropolitan city.

Protesting fishermen end blockade of Karachi port KArAChii MoNItoRINg RepoRt

Fishermen protesting their lack of access to some waters ended a 34-hour-long blockade of Karachi port — Pakistan’s busiest — late Wednesday night after talks with the government, the prime minister’s advisor on maritime affairs told Reuters.

The fishermen had blockaded the port in Karachi on Tuesday, assembling trawlers across the main channel to halt shipping in and out.

Karachi handles much of the country’s trade in commodities and vehicles. The government had said earlier on Wednesday it was negotiating with the protesters.

“Talks between the Maritime Ministry and fishermen’s organisation have been successful, all their justified demands will be resolved,” said Mahmood

Maulvi, Khan’s adviser on Maritime Affairs, without giving any details.

He said the port’s channel had been reopened and normal sea traffic resumed.

The protesters are fishermen from Sindh who oppose restrictions on their entering the waters off the neighbouring province of Balochistan.

Port Qasim, which lies to the east of Karachi and handles most container traffic, had functioned as normal throughout the protest. But the business community was still worried about losses.

“If this continues, there are fears that some ships might return to the high seas,” Muhammad Idress, president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said in a statement earlier on Wednesday.

Fishermen led large protests in the Balochistan port city of Gwadar in December, to demand authorities take

action against trawling by Chinese fishing trawlers and vessels from Sindh.

They also protested a lack of power and water, restrictions on movement and limited sea access resulting from the high level of security for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that runs through the province. That protest lasted a month and ended when the provincial government agreed to most demands.

The fisheries department, coast guard and Maritime Security Agency are now carrying out patrols to stop trawlers from Sindh from entering Balochistan waters.

Authorities in Balochistan detained around half a dozen fishing trawlers from Sindh last week, Tariq-ur-Rehman, director general of Balochistan Fisheries Department, said. Chinese fishing vessels have also been banned from entering Balochistan’s waters, Rehman added.

Current account deficit hits $2.6bn AribA ShAhid Current Account Deficit (CAD) clocked in at $2,556 million for the month of Jan ’22 compared to deficit of $219 million during Jan’21 as per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan on Thursday.

During 7MFY22, the country’s deficit reached $11.6 billion compared with a surplus of $1,028 million during the same period last year.

A 45% increase in total imports to $7.3 billion and

a 5% decline in remittances over last year’s statistics are leading reasons for the large deficit.

“As expected, the SBP trade deficit is higher than PBS, reducing some ($500 million) of the huge gap created in the past two months (total $2.5 billion). The adjustment can continue in Feb as well,” says Fahad Rauf, Head of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities.

In a tweet, the SBP says, “The current account deficit rose to $2.6 billion in Jan22 from $1.9 billion in Dec21, largely due to imports in kind that are fully fi-

PML-Q, MQM-P to discuss no-trust motion against Imran LAhOrE Staff RepoRt

In a telephonic conversation on Thursday, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MP Syed Amin ul-Haque telephoned Pakistan Muslim League (PML) MP Moonis Elahi agreed to hold an in-person meeting soon. It merits mention here that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Fazl urRehman requested the Chaudhry brothers of QLeague, a member of the ruling coalition, to support the no-trust move proposed by the opposition against the prime minister. Rehman had called on former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Wednesday. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) president reached the residence of Hussain for the meeting — after holding consecutive meetings with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif — where Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi welcomed them. The meeting was attended by PML-Q MP and Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema and MP Asad Mahmood, son of Rehman, among others. Rehman inquired after Hussain’s health. The meeting also discussed the no-confidence motion. During the meeting, the Q-League leaders sought two days’ time to make a final decision and said that so far, it has taken into confidence 11 legislators.

CMYK

nanced. Excluding these, the deficit would have been around $1 billion lower in Jan22.” Previously, the SBP had used the statistic “ex-oil deficit” to make the magnitude of fuel more emphasized. Total exports also increased by 17% over last year, whereas imports increased by 55%. During Jan ’22, technology exports were up 14% YoY to $185 million. During 7MFY22, technology recorded exports worth $1.5 billion contributing 38% to the overall services’ export and marking a 33% YoY jump.

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORe

PaKIstan, russIa dIscuss econoMIc tIes, energy cooPeratIon MOSCOw

r

Staff RepoRt

USSIAN Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak along with his delegation met with Prime Minister Imran Khan here and discussed Pakistan-Russia economic relations, with a special focus on cooperation in the field of energy.

Highlighting the government’s reforms undertaken in different sectors with the aim of improving business environment, the

Prime Minister expressed confidence that Russian companies and businesses would benefit from Pakistan’s improved business environment and invest in different sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia. The two sides also discussed cooperation on prospective energy related projects.

Expressing satisfaction on current level of cooperation in the fields of energy,

trade, investment, railways etc., both sides agreed that Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) was the pivotal platform to further advance specific projects.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister had an interactive session with notable businessmen of Pakistan and Russia over the dinner. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan as a market of more than 220 million provides opportunity for trade and investment. The Prime Minister stated that forthcoming Investment Conference to be held in March in Pakistan would be an op-

portunity for metallurgical, energy, construction and oil & gas companies to explore the immense potential in Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Advisor on Commerce and Trade Abdul Razzak Dawood also addressed the gathering.

The Prime Minister along with a highlevel delegation is on a two-day visit to the Russian Federation from 23-24 February 2022. Earlier, the Prime Minister held summit meeting with President Putin in the Kremlin.

Factbox: Pakistan-Russia collaboration on gas pipeline project MOSCOw/iSLAMAbAd ReuteRS

Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin on issues including economic cooperation and a long-delayed gas pipeline vital to Pakistan’s economy.

The Pakistan Stream gas project, also known as the North-South gas pipeline, is to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

“Both countries are eager to launch the project at the earliest,” a Ministry of Energy spokesman told Reuters ahead of Khan’s two-day visit.

Below are the details of the project: In 2015, Russia and Pakistan agreed in principle to build a 1,100 km (683 mile)-long pipeline to deliver imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Karachi on the Arabian Sea coast to power plants in Punjab. The pipeline’s designed annual capacity stands at 12.4 billion cubic metres

(bcm), with the possibility to be increased to 16 bcm.

The cost will require investments of between $1.5 billion, according to Russia, to as much as $3.5 billion, estimated by

Pakistan, with 26 percent of it to be financed by Moscow and the remaining 74 percent by Islamabad.

The project was to be launched in 2020, but Russia had to replace the initial

No-trust move: Zardari tasked with gathering govt allies’ support PPP, JUI-F PROPOSE PERVAIZ ELAHI'S NAME TO PML-N FOR PUNJAB CM NEwS dESK The opposition parties remained unsuccessful in finalising its strategy for the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government in their Wednesday’s meeting, Geo News reported on Thursday.

According to the report, the meeting of opposition parties remained inconclusive as they could not decide against whom they would bring the no-confidence move first: the prime minister or Punjab CM. During the meeting, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, former president Asif Ali Zardari and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman held discussions to fine-tune the anti-PTI strategy.

Fazl expressed his dissatisfaction over the delay in the announcement of a no-confidence motion and asked both leaders to reach a final conclusion within the next two days.

As per the report, the PML-N wanted to bring the no-confidence motion directly against Prime Minister Imran Khan while the PPP wanted to bring the no-trust move against the National Assembly speaker and Punjab CM. The second difference in the united opposition was who would become the head of the government if the no-confidence movement remains successful. Zardari nominated Shehbaz as the prime minister while Shehbaz named PPP’s Khursheed Shah for the slot.

Moreover, the meeting gave the former president the power to settle matters with the ruling PTI’s allies.

Zardari also apprised the meeting about the positive contacts being made with the ruling coalition parties, the PML-Q and the Balochistan Awami Party. At this, the participants of the meeting expressed satisfaction over the numbers game.

On the other hand, the opposition parties also started signing the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan for which, the united opposition claimed to have the support of 24 members of the ruling party. The PML-N claimed to have the support of 16 government members, the PPP claimed to have the support of six government members and JUI-F said they have the support of two government members.

Pervaiz Elahi’s name for Punjab CM: According to another report, the opposition parties also discussed the name of PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi for Punjab CM. “JUI-F and PPP proposed the name of Pervaiz Elahi for Punjab chief minister to muster PML-Q support and the leadership of both parties persuaded PML-N on this matter,” the report said.

However, the PML-N did not agree on the name of Pervaiz Elahi for Punjab chief minister and decided to discuss it with party supremo Nawaz Sharif for a final decision. The proposal will be discussed with Nawaz Sharif, who will make final decision in this regard.

Arms, ammunition cache recovered in n waziristan rAwALPiNdi Staff RepoRt

A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Madi Khel town of North Waziristan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

The military’s media wing said security forces

conducted the operation on reports of the presence of weapons and ammunition cache in the area.

During the search operation, sub-machine guns, light machine guns, RPG-7s, hand grenades, RPG-7 rockets and hundreds of multiple calibre rounds were recovered. “Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the area,” the ISPR said.

participant after the company was hit by western sanctions not related to the Pakistan Stream project.

Currently, the pipeline, a rare example of Russian participation without state gas company Gazprom, involves the Eurasian Pipeline Consortium, steel pipe maker TMK, which produces steel pipelines for the energy sector, and Operational Services Centre run by the Russian Energy Ministry.

Russian shareholders expect to return their investments from gas shipping fees.

Currently, feasibility studies are taking place on the project but there is no firm date set for the launch. According to Russian media reports, the shareholder agreement for the Pakistan Stream should be signed this month.

On May 28, 2021, Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov and Pakistan’s ambassador in Moscow Shafqat Ali Khan signed an agreement on behalf of their countries to build the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline.

ccoP approves sale of government shares of Heavy electrical complex ShAhzAd PArAChA The Cabinet Committee on Privitisation (CCoP) on Thursday approved the sale of all government shares (96.6 per cent) of Heavy Electrical complex (HEC). Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin chaired the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP).

On a proposal by the Privitisation Commission for the sale of all government shares (96.6 per cent) of Heavy Electrical Complex to the successful bidder IMS Engineering Pvt. Ltd., against their highest bid of Rs99.999 per share the CCoP approved the proposal. Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammedmian Soomro, Privatization Commission Chairman Muhammad Saleem, Federal Secretaries and senior officials attended the meeting.

news

03

Imran’s russia tour: us says ‘communicated position’ on ukraine to Pakistan iSLAMAbAd/wAShiNGTON Staff RepoRt

The United States “communicated” to Islamabad its position on the military crisis unfolding in Ukraine before the prime minister departed on the historic tour to Russia, a State Department spokesperson said. Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Moscow early Thursday to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

Khan’s trip to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss issues including economic cooperation comes hours after a number of Western nations hit Russia with new sanctions for its military deployment into parts of eastern Ukraine. Western nations, led by the US, have been warning for weeks that Moscow may be preparing for a possible all-out mass invasion to conquer its neighbour. Russia denies this, and Putin’s moves so far have stopped well short of such a scenario. But a televised address by Putin on Monday night — in which he characterised the Ukrainian state and its leaders as illegitimate — added to fears that he may aim to subjugate Ukraine by force. “Well, we’re certainly aware of the trip […] we believe it’s the responsibility of every responsible country around the world to voice concern, to voice objection to what Putin appears to have in mind for Ukraine,” Ned Price said in his weekly press briefing on Wednesday (early Thursday in Pakistan). Price said Washington had “communicated to Pakistan our position regarding Russia’s further renewed invasion of Ukraine”, adding it also “briefed them on our efforts to pursue diplomacy over war” on Kyiv. “We have a longstanding partnership and cooperation with Pakistan. We view our partnership with a prosperous […] democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests.” Khan is visiting Russia on the Kremlin’s invitation, and Islamabad has said the visit was scheduled well ahead of current developments. In an interview with Russia’s state-owned RT channel on Tuesday, the prime minister said the visit would focus on Islamabad’s relations with Moscow. “This [Ukraine crisis] does not concern us. We have a bilateral relationship with Russia, and we really want to strengthen it,” he said, adding Pakistan wanted trade relations with “all countries”.

Later, a Foreign Office statement on the visit also made no mention of the crisis. But the prime minister has opposed any military intervention, believing all issues can be resolved through talks and negotiations. In his briefing, Price said when it came to “shared interests” with Pakistan, such as “aversion of a destabilising conflict”, Washinton hoped that “every country around the world would make that point clearly in unambiguous language in their engagements” with Moscow. Some foreign policy experts have questioned Khan’s visit to Russia, saying that Putin could use Khan’s presence to further his agenda on Ukraine. However, in an interview published Monday, Khan played down the timing of the visit, and any effect it would have on Pakistan’s historical relations with the West, including the US. “This visit was planned well before the emergence of the current phase of Ukrainian crisis […] I received the invitation from President Putin much earlier,” he told Newsweek Pakistan.

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

Traffic arrangemenTs for ausTralian crickeT Team’s visiT, PakisTan Day evenTs revieweD ISLaMaBaD

i

staff RepoRt

SlAMABAD Traffic Police (ITP) on Thursday reviewed traffic arrangements for upcoming visit of Australian cricket team and events on March 23 including Pakistan Day Parade.

The formal review was made in a meeting chaired by SSP (Traffic) Islamabad, Rai Mazhar Iqbal which was attended by SP (Traffic) and all zonal DSPs. The SSP (Traffic) directed for special measures to improve and maintain traffic flow and prevent accidents.

He also directed for strict action against heavy vehicles involved in lane violation, motorcyclists not using helmets, illegal parking outside major markets as well as shopping plazas. He asked to resolve

traffic-related problems and improve traffic flow system outside schools and colleges.

The SSP (Traffic) directed zonal DSPs to take legal action against the violators of other traffic laws and ensure legal action against rickshaws entering Islamabad illegally. law enforcement should be ensured, he said adding that zonal in-charge will be responsible for his beat and strict departmental action will be taken against those who are negligent in duty.

In order to keep Islamabad free from accidents and maintain road discipline, the SSP (Traffic) Rai Mazhar Iqbal directed to ensure observance of traffic rules. The meeting specifically targeted public transport and other heavy vehicles violating their scheduled route and time. He asked for deployment of additional traffic staff to solve

cm kP kicks off spring tree plantation drive peSHaWaR staff RepoRt

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan here on Thursday kicked off the spring tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling in the lawn of the Chief Minister’s House. Under the drive, 100 million trees would be planted across the province and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department has distributed the stated quantity free-of-cost. Speaking on this occasion, Mahmood Khan said that under the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project (10-BTTP) at the national level, additional one billion saplings were being planted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in which the relevant institutions.

He said increasing the forest covered area and protection of trees have been priority of the PTI government from very first day of its rule in province.

The chief minister said that the provincial government had achieved the target of one billion tree project in the last five years which was recognised at international level.

parking problems outside the city’s major markets, shopping plazas and schools, colleges and to improve traffic flow. Special instructions were issued to zonal DSPs for additional deployment.

On the occasion, SSP (Traffic) said that all possible steps should be taken to ensure enforcement of traffic rules and provide transport facilities to the citizens so as to improve the flow of traffic in the city and eliminate accidents. The every police officer will be responsible for its own beat, and strict disciplinary action to be taken against those who are negligent in their duties.

He said that the education wing will also provide information to the citizens on various highways regarding road safety and traffic rules, especially the use of helmets and avoid lane violation.

Security forces kill seven terrorists in two separate operations in KP, Balochistan Staff RepoRt The security forces conducted two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and killed at least seven terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday.

In Khyber Pakhtunkwa, security forces launched an operation in the Hamzoni general area of North Waziristan district after receiving reports of terrorists hiding therein.

The ISPR said that during the intense exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed. The terrorists have been identified as Muhammad Ali, Mateeullah, Muhammad Umar, Akhtar Hussain, Sher, and Waseem. The military’s media wing added that weapons, ammunition, and other equipment were also recovered from the hideout of the slain terrorists. Ammunition recovered included

submachine guns, hand grenades, mines, handcuffs, and a large number of multiple calibre rounds. “The killed terrorists were involved in terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom,” said the ISPR.

It added that residents of the area lauded the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate terrorism from the area.

Separately, the security forces launched an intelligence-based operation after receiving reports of the presence of a terrorist hideout in the general area of Sambaza, Balochistan.

“Security forces conducted an operation to apprehend TTP terrorists in Balochistan who were trying to infiltrate into adjacent tribal districts,” said the ISPR. The ISPR said that the terrorists had attacked the forces after the cave they were hiding in was surrounded.

“Resultantly, one terrorist was killed. In the process, a cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered that was planned to be used by terrorists against security forces,” said the ISPR. The military’s media wing vowed that operations to eliminate terrorists will continue, adding that the miscreants will not be allowed to sabotage the peace and stability of the country.

Bill Gates praises Pakistan’s innovative command centres for curbing COVID, polio NeWS DeSk Following his day-long visit to Pakistan last week, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates praised Pakistan’s innovative command centres, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), for fighting diseases.

In his blog, Gates wrote: “last week I also went to Pakistan, where I visited two of the country’s innovative command centres for fighting diseases, the NEOC for polio eradication and the NCOC for COVID.” “The NEOC uses state-of-the-art informational tools developed by Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to track polio so that no child is ever paralysed by it again,” he added.

Meanwhile, regarding NCOC, Gates said that the centre has applied resources and lessons learned from the polio programme — including data analysis, vaccine campaign planning, and community engagement— to coordinate Pakistan’s response to COVID. “Both centres blew me away,” the philanthropist wrote.

During his visit, Gates attended a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication, where he noted that despite COVID-19 restrictions, Pakistan has performed “amazingly” in eradicating polio.

During the NCOC session, Gates and his delegation were apprised about the NCOC’s role and methodology, its achievements since the start of the pandemic, the recent COVID-19 situation across Pakistan and various restrictions imposed by the forums to control disease spread and ensure public safety and well being.

Sharing his experience in his blog, he wrote: “At the NEOC, we pored over a wall of screens that displayed

First deaf-staffed food truck empowers hearing impaired ISLaMaBaD ReuteRs

The bright yellow truck with a logo of a pair of spectacles perched over a luxurious moustache looks like many other food trucks that attract hungry students at a college in Islamabad. But when giving their order, the students begin signalling with their hands, indicating this is not an ordinary food truck. The Abey Khao, which translates to “The Eat Guys”, food truck is Pakistan’s first mobile restaurant staffed entirely by deaf workers, providing an economic opportunity for them. The food truck is the brainchild of a hearing-impaired family, with both parents and their two sons who are either totally or partially deaf.

However, daughter Ayesha Raza can hear and she came up with the idea for Abey Khao to give opportunities for her brothers.

an up-to-the-minute summary of immunisation rates and areas where children have not been reached with the vaccine.”

“The health officials I talked to in Pakistan told me that the polio programme’s infrastructure was invaluable once COVID-hit.

“By setting its priorities based on the needs at the time, Pakistan was able to expand and redirect health infrastructure that had been supported by the global community — the national helpline call centre, communication systems, and networks of religious leaders and community influencers — to help protect people during the pandemic,” he concluded.

Considering this as a major achievement, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Faisal Sultan shared Pakistan’s bit from Gates blog on his Twitter handle, saying “high praise from a global leader in tech, innovation and philanthropy – Bill Gates.”

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS HBL posts record profit of Rs62bn for 2021 HBL today declared a record consolidated profit before tax of Rs62 billion for 2021, achieving a growth of 17 per cent over 2020. Profit after tax increased to Rs35.5 billion in 2021, also the highest ever, and earnings per share increased from Rs21.06 in 2020 to Rs23.88. The bank declared a final dividend of Rs2.25 per share (22.5 per cent). During the year, HBL became the first bank with a Rs4 trillion balance sheet, with year-end footings of Rs4.3 trillion, a 12 per cent growth over Dec’20. Domestic current deposits achieved the Rs1 trillion landmark, and total domestic deposits crossed the Rs3 trillion mark, improving market share to 14.14 per cent. With a turnaround in the international businesses, HBL’s total deposits increased by 19 per cent to Rs3.4 trillion. Advances continued their growth trajectory, rising by 23 per cent to reach Rs1.5 trillion with double digit growth across all lending units. HBL’s leading position in the consumer business was further reinforced as the portfolio crossed the landmark number of Rs100 billion. HBL’s focus on priority sectors led to agriculture lending reaching an all-time high of Rs40 billion. Despite the strong growth in advances, the bank’s Tier I and Total CAR remained well above regulatory requirements. HBL delivered a record revenue of Rs168 billion in 2021, on the back of a Rs450 billion expansion in the average balance sheet and an impressive growth in non-fund income. pr

IHC terms PECA law “draconian in nature”, calls it an attempt to muzzle anti-government voices The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday observed that the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Ordinance 2022 was “draconian”, calling it an attempt to muzzle anti-government voices. IHC CJ Athar Minallah said the PECA law was only used to target critics of the government, adding, “it is being said with regret that the proceedings [under PECA] were initiated against individuals who criticised the government.” He further added that “It does not look like this is happening in a democratic country.” The court also referred to a case against a neighbour of a PTI lawmaker over criticism. “The FIA harassed the said person,” the court said, calling it a “shocking case”. During a hearing of pleas against the new ordinance that makes defamation a non-bailable and a criminal offence, the IHC chief justice said it was concerning for the court how ordinances were promulgated to make the laws draconian. There are 14,000 complaints pending with the FIA but only the government’s rivals were being targeted, it added. “Why shouldn’t the court declare Section 20 of PECA null and void,” the IHC CJ said, adding that such decisions have been taken by courts across the globe. The chief justice said how can a party, PTI, that rose to fame due to the support it garnered on social media make such legislation. Furthermore, he blamed the political parties and workers for “whatever is happening on social media”. The judge said that the political parties, except the Jamaat-e-Islami, encourage their workers to troll and hurl accusations against opponents on social media “Why are political parties afraid of dissent when they themselves have established social media cells,” the court asked. The state institutions do not have fundamental rights how can they be included in the aggrieved parties, the court further said, adding that the public bodies shouldn’t be afraid of criticism. He said if the executive was so concerned about his repute then he should remove the “public office holders” from the law. The IHC CJ told the opposition parties to play their role against the PECA ordinance in parliament instead of making petitions in this court. news desk

RuSSIA doES noT nEEd BEIjIng’S SuPPoRT foR ACTIonS In ukRAInE, SAyS CHInA

A

S Russia launches an operation in Ukraine, prompting outrage and sanctions from the US and several other nations in the West, China has indicated that an “independent power” like Russia does not need Beijing’s backing for actions in Ukraine, clarifying that it was not supporting nor condemning Moscow for its actions.

“As for the US suggestion that Russia has China’s backing to act, I believe Russia will be very unhappy to hear such a statement,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media during a regular press briefing on Thursday, according to a report by RT. The state-run Russian broadcaster

quoted Chunying as saying that Russia was a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an independent power. Moscow’s actions, she added, were based on its own judgement and national interests.

Relations between China and Russia were based on non-alignment, nonconfrontation and non-targeting of third parties, she said, adding that “China is not interested in, and has no intention of following, the Cold War mentality of either friend or foe,” according to RT. Russian forces on Thursday fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine and landed troops on its coast, officials and media said, after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military oper-

Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Atta Rabbani, who presided over the proceedings, also directed to submit reference under Section 374 of the PPC immediately to the IHC for confirmation of the punishment.

Jaffer, his parents, and other nominees in the case were present in the courtroom when the verdict was being announced.

Judge Rabbani had reserved its decision on Tuesday after all the parties concluded their arguments.

The court indicted Jaffer along with 11 other suspects — his parents, the household staff, Therapy

ation in the east.

At the press briefing, Chunying refrained from calling the Russian actions an invasion, unlike the US. “This is perhaps a difference between China and you Westerners. We won’t go rushing to a conclusion,” she said, according to Reuters.

“Regarding the definition of an invasion, I think we should go back to how to view the current situation in Ukraine. The Ukrainian issue has other very complicated historical background that have continued to today. It may not be what everyone wants to see,” she added.

The spokesperson called for all sides to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from getting “out of control”.

PM Imran regrets Ukraine-Russia tensions, says conflict not in anyone’s interest continued from page 01 The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forge a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.

In the regional context, the Prime Minister underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful and connected Afghanistan.

In this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and underscored the imperative

of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.

Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence.

Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that inter-faith harmony and respect for all religions was imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.

The Prime Minister along with high-level delegation is on a two-day visit to the Russian Federation from 23-24 February 2022. The Prime Minister is accompanied by cabinet members and senior officials.

Pakistan-KSA joint exercise Al-SamsaamVIII-22 underway at Pabbi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-KSA Joint Exercise AL-SAMSAAM-VIII-22 is underway at National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), Pabbi. The two-week-long joint exercise is a series of ongoing bilateral military exercises between the Saudi Forces and Pakistan Army. The Joint Exercise will focus on counter-terrorism operations including cordon and search, combat patrols and dealing with IEDs. It provides participating troops an opportunity to benchmark their respective operational practices and procedures as well as learn from each other’s experiences. AL-SAMSAAM” exercises are being conducted on biennial basis since 2004. staff report

Zahir Jaffer gets death for grisly murder of Noor Mukadam

continued from page 01

05

Works boss Tahir Zahoor and his staff — in October.

The trial formally commenced on October 20.

Mukadam’s father welcomed the verdict.

“This case is for all the daughters of Pakistan,” he told reporters outside the court. “The society and media came to our side, the entire nation and the world were on our side.”

NATIONAL ATTENTION: Mukadam’s murder received national attention due to a growing, youth-driven women’s rights movement in the country where victims of violence are often discouraged from speaking out and blamed for

the abuse.

In the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the country ranks 153 out of 156 countries, and a recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report found that incidents of domestic violence increased by 200 percent in 2020, worsening after coronavirus lockdowns began.

But many cases of sexual harassment and gender-based violence go unreported. In 2018, the #MeToo movement catalysed some change in Pakistan, but defamation lawsuits against victims have stalled its progress.

Mukadam’s case galvanised a similar feminist movement, with a broader call for social justice.

Commenting on the judgement, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said the speedy dispensation of justice in the case was an example of what the nation of Pakistan expected from the institution of the judiciary.

Police and prosecution fulfilled their responsibility and the court handed down the verdict in four months, he tweeted, expressing hope that institutions associated with the administration of justice would live up to the expectations of people and ensure rule of law in letter and spirit.

cmYK

She also called on Europe to reflect on how it can better protect its peace.

“At the current stage, we should consider whether we’ve done enough in mediation,” Chunying said, referring to Europe. “Some countries have been following the US in fanning the flame,” Hua said, referring to sanctions on Russia. “We object any action that hypes up war.”

According to the RT report, Chunying stressed the need for strengthening strategic communication and coordination between Russia and China, adding that Moscow and Beijing should also firmly safeguard the system in which the UN played a core role for coordination in international affairs. staff report

Siraj, Zardari hold PTI govt responsible for all evils LAHORE: Emir Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Sirajul Haq and Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari have agreed that the masses are adversely affected and disturbed due to skyrocketing inflation and unemployment as the PTI government’s incompetence and ill-conceived policies pushed the country towards economic and constitutional crises. During a meeting held between them at Mansoorah on Thursday, they also agreed that the continuation of the government policies would bring further disaster to all the sectors. The former president visited the JI headquarters to discuss prevailing political situation with the Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq. Former prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf was the part of the PPP delegation. JI Deputy Chief Liaqat Baloch, Secretary General Ameerul Azim, Secretary Information Qaisar Sharif and others were also present on occasion. The JI chief welcomed the guests and agreed to continue contacts in future. Sirajul Haq said the PTI bypassed the parliament and introduced frequent presidential ordinances against the spirit of the constitution and democracy. The leaders of both parties said that the government instead of focusing on institution building and providing relief to the masses targeted the opposition parties. They believed the country could not move forward without the establishment of rule of law and strengthening democratic values. Liaqat Baloch and Raja Parvez briefed the media after the meeting and said the contacts among the political parties were welcoming sign. Baloch said the PPP had sought support of the JI for the major opposition parties proposed no-trust motion against the prime minister. He added the JI will discuss it in its Majlise Shura meeting scheduled to be start on Friday.

The JI, he said, will decide on the issue after consultation, adding bringing no-confidence was the constitutional right of the opposition parties. staff report

06-07 Comments - 25th February 2022_Layout 1 2/24/2022 11:44 PM Page 1

Friday, 25 February, 2022

06 COMMENT

The secession that failed

An ill-timed visit To be judged from results produced

R

USSIA-US tensions over Ukraine were already visible months before Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to visit Moscow. Russia was already feeling threatened by the extension of NATO to Its borders.

It had accused the USA and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demands to stop Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees. On December 3, The Washington Post published an intelligence report which warned that Russia was planning a massive military offensive against Ukraine involving 175,000 troops. Members of European Parliament had called for a united response and voiced support for Ukraine. A day before Mr Khan’s arrival in Moscow, British PM Boris Johnson had claimed that Russia had planned the biggest war in Europe since 1945.

Mr Khan could have waited till the looming crisis was over.

At a time when the world’s eyes are glued to events unfolding on the Russia-Ukraine border, and with the USled Western powers slamming the Kremlin, limelight has been taken away from Mr Khan’s ‘landmark’ visit.

The statements from the Pakistan side on the eve of the visit show these were made in haste. If Ukraine’s Deputy foreign Minister is to be believed Pakistan’s ambassador had expressed support for her country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. While traveling to Moscow, Mr Khan had asserted that he did not believe that military conflicts solved problems. This has led to a US State Department spokesman to hypocritically talk about aversion to a costly and destabilizing conflict and express hope that every country around the world would make that point clearly in unambiguous language in their engagements with the Russian federation. One hopes there would be no off-thecuff gaffes from the PM in Moscow Mr Khan’s visit would be judged by what it brings to Pakistan. This includes a meaningful and timetable-based advance on gas pipeline construction, an unlocking of Russian diplomatic support, including at the UN, and economic assistance in the coming months. Improving relations with Moscow is to be welcomed but it is also crucial that Islamabad maintains a balance in foreign ties so that it doesn’t end up favouring one side over the other.

Pakistan meanwhile needs to help its citizens stranded in Ukraine including some three thousand students, as estimated by BBC. There is already a rush on flights and tickets have become costly. Other countries have employed their airlines to bring back their citizens while Pakistan has yet to take the required action.

Even now, the story of Nigeria’s Biafra War remains relevant at Penpoint M a niaZi

I

f Pakistan is seen as the East of the Ummah, then Nigeria is the Western. Indeed, Nigeria is not just in Africa, but in its West. Some of the ways the British colonized and then ruled Nigeria seem to have been borrowed from the colonial experience in India, which was much older.

One of the most striking features that the colonialist seems to have imported from India is that of the native states (in India more politely called princely states). If in India there were princes, in Nigeria were chiefs. If wide swathes of India were ruled directly, Nigeria was mostly ruled indirectly through the native states. This was especially true of Northern Nigeria, where the population, and the Emirs, were mostly Hausa and fulani.

These Hausas and fulanis were generally Muslim, while the Ibo (in the East) and Yoruba (in the West) were Christian, having converted from animism. These are the main tribes, though there are about 300. The Nigerian polity is divided along tribal lines, which resemble not just the provincial divisions in Pakistan, but also the biradari divisions within the provinces.

One of the main factors in the politics of the country is the Army, which tends to be dominated by northerners. Nigeria has had eight military rulers, of whom five were from the North (though one was a Christian, from a small tribe).

Like Pakistan, Nigeria’s first PM was assassinated. However, Sir Abubakr Tafawa Bulewa was killed in the course of a coup, the first. Unlike Zulfikar Ali Bhuttto, who was duly hanged in a prison, whatever one might say about the sentence, Sir Abubakr was shot and his body abandoned in a ditch.

This was in 1966, and the military then ruled more or less continuously till 1999.

One striking similarity is that politicians’ corruption was used in the 1966 coup, just as in 1958 in Pakistan (and thereafter). However, military rulers in Nigeria have had as bad a record as any, and General Sani Abacha, in particular, was a kleptocrat who raked off billions of dollars from the country. The country being oil-rich, there was a lot of money to be had. As it is, military men in Pakistan have also had opportunities aplenty.

One difference between Nigeria and Pakistan is that there has never really been a coup upon a coup, unless one counts the 1969 takeover by Gen Yahya.

Nigeria witnessed a number of such coups. Another difference is that the Nigerian military very soon split off the post of Commander-in-Chief from the President’s, which Pakistani coup leaders avoided. Pak-

PECA woes The whole cybercrime law must be reviewed

T

HE government must be regretting the promulgation of the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) by which it enhanced its ability to take cognisance, enhanced the punishments and converted into non-bailable offences bailable. While the government knew that it was going to face criticism, it probably did not realize that it would face such broad-based opposition, which was also so strong. Bar associations and press bodies, including not just print but electronic body representatives, as well as bodies representing both owners and editors, as well as workers, were all up in arms against the ordinance, which all rightly saw as a violation of the freedom of press.

Perhaps worst for the government was how no ministry in the federal government was ready to accept responsibility, so bad was the law. The Interior Ministry, the Information Ministry and the Information Technology Ministry all denied responsibility for the promulgation, while the Attorney General also said it was a bad law.

Prime Minister Imran Khan might want to review how the members of his Cabinet performed in respect of Cabinet responsibility, but he might also want to rethink the wisdom of getting the IT Ministry, held by the MQM(P), a coalition partner the opposition is presently wooing the hardest, in a position where it has to express differences with the government, and that too so publicly. Another irritant within this law is that it was so transparently malicious, being directed so clearly not for the public good, but against the regime’s opponents. The idea of giving a tool to the government just for 120 days, in a periodic when it was facing the most serious challenge yet to its existence, was also not going to be a good one.

The government should realize that all is not lost, and this problem is easily solvable. PECA needs revision, because between the time it was passed and now, there has been a sea-change in the media landscape, mainly because of digitization. However, instead of a narrow law meant to ‘fix’ opponents, revision based on broad-based consultations, with all stakeholders,, is needed which would produce a law which would avoid being criticized so much, and avoid being struck down by the courts, as the Isalamabad High Court has been constrained to do for this law.

Has peace come to Afghanistan?

MuhaMMad ali MeMon

I

f the heart is not at peace, proclaiming the peace mantra won’t do any good, it will just be a buzz doomed to fade. for peace to prevail, it must reside in the heart. Iqbal envisaged the same by framing Afghanistan as “the heart of Asia.

Peace in Afghanistan is a prerequisite for the collective growth and prosperity of the Asian continent, while unrest in Afghanistan will cast a negative domino effect on the peace prospects of the region.

The geographical position of Afghanistan, along the crossroads of West Asia, Central Asian Republics, and South Asia, makes it a strategic pearl, but after the US withdrawal, it is in a social and economic peril.

It took four decades of war, and around 250,000 lives, to cool down the USA’s hubris. The urge to be a global policeman and coerce the western liberal democratic models has been a folly that the USA and the region have heavily paid for and continue to do so. Rationality prevailed, and the prospects of peace brightened when the US-led coalition decided to give up the military solution it could neither sustain nor tilt in its favour. The resulting and much-needed soft solution to the Afghan conundrum culminated in the Doha deal of february 2020 between the USA and

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

Whatever the common factor, these countries are deserving of study, especially in societies dealing with the military in politics. However, Nigeria may well be most fruitful to study, because it was the first. Pakistan history is most closely mirrored, for it too underwent a secession.

A Pearl in Peril

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

istani coup leaders seem to have been right, for the C-in-C replaced the President in several cases.

Another major difference is that the Pakistani electorate has never elected a former military dictator, but Nigeria has done so twice. The first time, in 1999, Gen Olesegun Obasanjo, the country was coming off military rule, and he may be regarded as a transitional figure. However, the election of Gen Muhammad Buhari in 2015 was a departure, for he was making a comeback after a long period out of office (he had previously ruled from 1983 to 1985). Gen Pervez Musharraf tried, but could not succeed. Imran Khan may well be a similar figure.

It is also worth noting that Gen Yakubu Gowon succeded where successive military governments did not in Pakistan: he divided the country into a multiplicity of states. However, this did not sdtop Nigeria from slipping into civil war, complete with the separation of part as Biafra. This took place in 1967, the same yar as Egypt received a humiliating defeat from Israel in the Six Day War. The Biafran Civil War ended in 1970, which was the same year as the East Pakistan crisis began to unfold.

One of the differences was that the Ibos in Nigeria never claimed to be in a majority, which the Bengalis were. It is also worth noting that the Biafran civil war and the 1971 War were both preceded by an extensive slaughter.

Ibos had gone to the North and setled there, manning the services and carrying out much business.

Those Ibo who were in the North or WEst were slaughtered. In a breakdown of discipline, Ibo soldiers, both officers and men, were also killed. This did not happen in East Pakistan, because there were not that many East Pakistanis in either the officer corps or serving in the ranks. However, the Army operation launched on 26 March 1971 is accused of having committed an extensive massacre of intellectuals and students.

A major difference is that there was no interfering neighbour in Nigeria’s case, and certainly no country bigger than it in Africa. India’s help to Bangladesh meant that the Mukti Bahini did not bear the berunt of the fighting, while Biafra had to raise and arm an Army. In neither war did the Seceders beat the Army

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

I

of the other side. However, in the cas of Banglaesh, ther was the Indian Army.

It is also interesting that in both conflicts, the attackers won. Ultimately, the Nigerian Army conquered Biafra, just as the Indian Army conquered East Pakistan.

It is worth noting that in the late 1980s, and early 1970s, the four major Muslim military powers were rendered ineffective. Nigeria had to handle the Biafran secession to handle, Pakistan the East Pakistani, Egypt had ben left licking its wounds from the Six Day War, while the Turkish armed forces had carried out a coup in 1971. In 1968, the army of Indonesia, the only other Muslim military power, was busy carrying out a coup, in which president Ahmed Soekarno was replaced by Maj Gen Soeharto.

Coincidence? Perhaps. However, this is the stuff of which conspiracy theories are constructed. To ascribe these preoccupations of the main Muslim armies (and the Nigerian Army was overwhelmingy Hausa and Muslin) to some sort of conspiraxcy to protect the Zionist entity may be to go out on a limb, but the alternative is to seek something about Muslims that inclines them to military rule.

There are two problems with that. first, of the four countries being considered, three have become democracies (though the military looms large in their politics).

Second, the militaries concerned are all of British origin (except Turkey, which was influenced by the UK, bt valso by Germany). The only commonality is that the CIA was active against the KGB at the height of thew Cold War, and the CIA is known to use military coups.

Oil was also involved in three countries. Nigerias’ oil region was mostly in Biafran hands, Indonesia is a major oil producer, and Egypt is placed strategically for Middle East oil. Turkey and Pakistan, though, are merely peripheral at best.

Whatever the common factor, these countries are deserving of study, especially in societies dealing with the military in politics. However, Nigeria may well be most fruitful to study, because it was the first. Pakistan’s history is most closely mirrored, for it too underwent a secession. However, unlike Nigeria, it could not quell it.There is no Biafra today, but there is Bangladesh.

the Taliban.The credit must go to Pakistan for playing the mediatory role in the peace talks.

Had the Ashraf Ghani Government adopted a more sensible approach, had it assiduously tried to reach a political settlement with the Taliban, had the USA agreed to the prior power share formulae, the situation could have been better. Afghanistan’s strikingly rough, attractive yet deceptive terrain lived up to its notorious expectation of being a “graveyard for empires.” In the words of Macedonian monarch Alexander the Great, Afghanistan is “easy to march into but difficult to march out of”. similar lines, Pakistan’s erstwhile spymaster Lt Gen Hameed Gul foresaw the western troops melting in the Afghan mountains. His prophecy came true when helicopters uplifted the melted American soldiers from the embassy roofs.

The Afghan National Army, alleged to be internally corrupt, was externally standing on the USA’s shoulders. As the time came for US troops to pack their bags, the Afghan Army was left helpless, and what followed was a Taliban blitzkrieg. And within 11 days, on 15 August, the so-called insurgent group took control of government offices.

President Ashraf Ghani fled to Uzbekistan, and international intelligence agencies were shocked at the speed at which the events unraveled. US President Joe Biden conceded on 16 August 2021 that “this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated.” Taliban’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, in his first official news conference in Kabul on 17 August, stated that the Taliban wished to “assure the international community, including the United States, that nobody will be harmed in Afghanistan.” Subsequently, on 21 August, the Taliban’s supreme leader Abdul Ghani Baradar arrived in Kabul for the first time in over a decade as the Taliban began internal negotiations on how to govern the country.

The unceremonious US withdrawal prompted comparisons with past events. In an article in The Conversation, William Maley compared the fall of Kabul to the 1956 Suez Crisis and its effects on the perception of the United Kingdom as a global hegemon. He commented that Biden had “failed the people of Afghanistan and tarnished US credibility around the world” remarking that the USA “increas-

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

I

The writer is a member of staff.

ingly appears a fading power internationally.” Erstwhile US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta compared the fall of Kabul to the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba in 1961, saying that “President Kennedy took responsibility for what took place. I strongly recommend to President Biden that he take responsibility ... admit the mistakes that were made”.

The most famous comparison was with the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in April 1975. in July 2021, American president Joe Biden had rejected the comparison, stating that “the Taliban is not the North Vietnamese Army... There will be no circumstance for you to see people being lifted off the roof of an embassy of the United States from Afghanistan. It is not at all comparable.”

The writing on the wall is crystal clear.

Afghanistan is going through the worst economic crisis, and a human catastrophe is in the making. Governance and politics, rights and justice, security tensions, Taliban recognition, and international engagement are the major dilemmas faced by the Taliban regime, owing to which the country is in a precarious situation.

The fear of a civil war adds to the region’s dismay as it will bear the brunt of refugee exodus, cross-border terrorism, gun culture, and narcotics proliferation.

Now, the onus is on the Afghan Taliban to discontinue the trend of follies and heed to the warnings echoing in the Afghan soil. An inclusive political setup of a multi-ethnic state with its religious fabric torn with a sectarian divide is a demand that cannot be bartered for at any cost.

Pakistan has been an integral part of all significant Afghan peace talks till date, whether it be the Moscow format, led by Russia aimed at “establishing peace and creating conditions for the process of national reconciliation in Afghanistan,” or hosting the Troika-plus meeting, or in this regard any other peace effort. The most recent development came from the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC Council of foreign Ministers on December 19 in Islamabad.

Pakistan has always espoused the peace process in Afghanistan for two principal reasons. firstly, the Afghan Taliban always had a soft corner for Pakistan, and Taliban accommodated in government would make Kabul pro-Pakistan contrary to Ashraf Ghani’s tilt to India; secondly,. In a quest to secure its western border and shift focus on a much more significant eastern threat, it was cogent for Pakistan to be at the forefront of soft diplomatic engagements.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 25th February 2022_Layout 1 2/24/2022 11:44 PM Page 2

Friday, 25 February, 2022

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

Fish farming

Implications of emerging world order The Russian invasion of Ukraine is only the beginning

abdul RahMan Malik

T

HE world is changing with the passage of time and this change has been so rapid and significant after the pandemic hit the global economy by dragging businesses worldwide to a halt.

As the vaccine shots are being administered around the world the covid-19 cases have started coming down. But still the various variants such as Delta and Omicron are ringing the alarm bells for the world. Health concerns are on the rise engulfing the entire world. The experts do predict that this pandemic may stay for a long time in this world and all nations must take preventive measures to tackle the possible infections.

In the meantime, the country from where Covid-19 sprung has been on a greater mission, followed by Russia. This is because of the failure of the US invasion of Afghanistan after the passage of two decades dand espite investing millions of dollarsin infrastructure and regime change tactics.

The superpower has started experiencing isolation in the world due to its autocratic offensives and egoism as harboured and shown by the Trump Administration.

The Trump Administration almost messed up the diplomatic affairs and completely polarized the political landscape, which had sparked the Capitol Hill Mayhem. The dirty game changed the attitude of Republican supporters from patience to violence. That was the reason people voted for Joe Biden to become their new president: to start mending the foreign policy blunders committed by the insensible media celeb-turned-politician Donald Trump.

Though President Joe Biden has shown restraint from further aggravating the situation due to the shameful withdrawal from Afghanistan as the Taliban took over Kabul without any resistance from Afghan or American forces and got full control there.

The hatred, anger and opposition generated by the devilish role of the USA in Afghanistan, its hybrid war with Iran and support of Israel against Palestinians have further added to the mess. Though Ukraine is a close ally of the USA, it has completely failed to build pressure over Russia for the possible conquering of Ukraine.

So far, the separatist movement in two parts of Ukraine have been recognized as Independent states and Russia sent its forces to make peace.

Russia shocked the USA and other NATO allies, and an emergency session of the UN has been

called to impose sanctions on Russia and the parts of Ukraine that Russia has recognized as independent states.

The world is becoming one based on shared goals, peace and equality without the comparison of wealth, economy, development or structure. The vacuum left by the USA has been filled

by China by helping the developing nations through the Belt and Road Initiative.

With the Taliban signing various agreements with China, it is evident that the mess left by the so-called superpower is being cleaned to reset the relations with global and regional powers.

Within the ever-changing world order, China has positioned itself tactfully leaving the USA stranded to the extent that a close ally as mentioned by the USA has turned his back and joined the party with Russia and China for a global reset of diplomatic relations.

It will be hard to digest that Pakistan has realigned its foreign policy towards regional power and has distanced itself from the USA, divorcing itself based on insincerity and double standards.

The USA is seen in political circles and the leadership as an opportunist. The experts and political pundits do contend that the USA always got something in return from Pakistan for Aid. Though Pakistan has always delivered and facilitated thev USA, it has paid a heavy price for this because Pakistan has sacrificed thousands of civilians and soldiers fighting for the cause against terrorism. When it comes time for payback in the same coin, the USA withdraws support on all the key matters, especially the Kashmir dispute, the fATf grey list and the IMf tough conditions for loaning.

Inflation is exploding and the prices of daily use items are skyrocketing with the levy of taxes and price hikes in petroleum prices. In such circumstances, US support on the above matters might have been vital to maintaining the ever depleting foreign exchange reserves.

Thanks to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China coming forward and offering help in the shape of fixed deposits, foreign exchange reserves have been protected, and may not drop further and the country’s trade may not be impacted.

Russia has been trying to regain its past glory, especially the position it had in the days of the USSR, since it has clear plans in place to regain and re-annexe Ukraine or the parts where separatist movements are in place. formerly, it was the part of the USSR, which also included all the independent central Asian states such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan,, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to resurrect the East bloc or even the USSR itself, taking the fullest advantage of an inactive USA due to a flawed, autocratic and Jewish-centric foreign policy that has impacted its global status and causing resistance to its anti-Muslim policies, especially towards Iran, Palestine and Afghanistan.

The tremors of change are echoing and the countries have started sorting ways to engage, align or realign their diplomatic policies given the circumstances of changing world order.

Security and foreign policy experts are of the view that ever-increasing interventions in the region in socio-economic projects by visionary Chinese President XI Jinping have made the USA have sleepless nights, followed by the Russian military manoeuvring and build-up

along the Ukraine border to take control of the close US ally, Ukraine, or at least its pro-Russian areas. This will have far repercussions that might create chances of a world war. Though the Russian move has sent a clear message to the USA and NATO to stay away from the issue, the USA is finding it very hard to swallow this bitter pill.

But peace lovers need to expect restraint from mighty Russia against any possible use of force to occupy Ukraine and annex it. Afghan soil was used to disintegrate the USSR and the same is being used against the USA due to the power game.

It is pivotal for the leadership of Muslim countries including Pakistan to watch out and realign sensibly as they may face some issues.

China enjoys great power and it has displayed it during skirmishes with Indian forces in Laddakh.

India has been a diehard ally of the USA, being grilled on all sides by global power parleys.

The recent statement from the Taliban foreign Minister heralds that the Kashmir dispute may be resolved very soon as fascism and radicalism rule the roost in Modi’s India making the lives of minorities, especially Muslims, miserable. The recent incident of the Muslim girl Muskan Khan’s hijab controversy has gone viral and the BJP came in for serious criticism across the world.

It is imperative for world powers to understand the dimensions and position themselves in the new world order, or as some call it, the China order, due to its giant economy keeping flourishing even in the pandemic situation.

Wars and battles bring miseries in the world, so it is imperative that instead of heading towards misery and destruction, the world must adhere to peace and make joint efforts to prevent wars to secure the world.

Moreover, as PM Khan and the members of the cabinet are visiting Russia on Invitation of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Pakistan should avoid becoming part of any bloc at the moment, given the complex and serious circumstances that may create problems if bigwigs like the USA, Russia and NATO forces started fightibg. It would be sensible to stay non-aligned with any bloc or group so that Pakistan may not pay the price as happened in Afghanistan.

New fronts do open for superpower as happened in the Cold War or during the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by both the USA and the then Soviet Union as both sustained heavy set back afterwards politically and Economically .

Though PM Imran Khan during his interview with the Russian Media have made it clear that Pakistan was not going to be part of any bloc given the myriad outlook of issues grilling various nations .

The increasing power of Eastern players, China and Russia, have created concerns for the West, especially the USA, to contain and curtail the powers of both Russia and China so that the former may not occupy Ukraine and the latter may not use force against Taiwan. The isolated USA under Joe Biden is trying hard to use all resources, allies and even NATO to put pressure on both to secure its relevance in the ever-changing world 0rder since the covid-19 pandemic took the world by storm, impacting the world’s biggest economies and imposing lockdowns .

The writer is a freelance columnist

ALMIGHTY Allah has blessed Pakistan with plenty of water resources in the form of marine, saline and freshwater reservoirs. A variety of aquatic flora and fauna is found in these reservoirs in million and trillion in number. Among all these varieties fish is considered most important due to its nutritional values and economic importance. In Pakistan mostly fish farms are located in Sindh, Punjab, and the coastal belt of Balochistan and to a small extent in KPK. Over several decades natural water bodies, dams, lakes, waterlogged areas, rivers, canals, barrages, reservoirs, and ponds are frequently used for fish farming. freshwater ponds cover a 60470ha area and natural warm water lacks covers the 110,000ha area in Pakistan. Pakistan has also been endowed with fish harbour and major fish harbours are sited in Karachi, Pasni, Korangi and Gwader. Along with this, other small scale fish harbours of Sindh and Balochistan are rich in fish farming resources and work as functional units for fish processing. In Punjab, most farms are located in district Attock, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura and Southern Punjab regions, which constitute nearly three-quarters of total fish farms in province Punjab. KPK covers mostly mountainous regions with cold climatic conditions, thus it has fewer farms that covered 30,000ha area as compared to a total covered area. Trout farming is practised in Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Malakand, fATA and some other areas. Along with trout, other commercially valuable sport fish such as snow trout and mahseer are being grown in cold water bodies. fish provides necessary nutrients for those whose diet is monotonous and missing in animal products. Although fish is a delicious and well-known dish but unfortunately in Pakistan per capita consumption of fish is only 2kg per year. That was the lowest as compared to the world average per capita consumption which is 17kg per year. Export is considered one of the major reasons for this low consumption in Pakistan. fish has been consumed as an important dietary source for many years due to its nutritional value and easily digestible protein concentration. fish is easily palatable and highly proteinous food so it is considered a preferable diet component. fish is considered part of a balanced diet because it contains proteins, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins (A, D and B), minerals like iron, sodium, phosphorus, iodine and calcium. fish contains usually low saturated fats and cholesterol as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). fish is also a big source of Lysine, Cysteine, Methionine and Tryptophan. These are necessary for our health. fish protein contains a balanced ratio of all the essential amino acids hence it is considered a complete protein diet.

Commercially, the important fish fauna of Pakistan consists of 250 demersal fish, 20 large, 15 medium, 50 small pelagic fish about 12 squid, cuttlefish, octopus and about 15 shrimp species and 5 species of lobsters.

Among these 35 shellfish and 20 finfish species are commercially more important. Major carps including Morakhi, Rohu, Thaila in Pakistan have a preferential culture due to high commercial value. Pakistan has a fish market for shrimps, fish and sea food at the national and international levels. A significant increase in total production rate was estimated during (fY 2016-17) 477,000 MT out of which 332,000MT was from marine resources while other was obtained through inland fishery resources while it was 8,430MT in 2010. Moreover, during fY 2017-18 total productions were reached approximately 482,000MT of which 338,000 MT was produced by marine reservoirs whereas remaining from inland reservoirs.

The production rate of fish in (fY 2019-20) was 701,726 MT, out of which 474,025MT came from the marine sector while the remaining came from the inland fishery sector. On the other side, the production rate decreased 1.5% during fY 2020-21. Decrease in productivity rate indicating reasons like overfishing with the use of banned nets and other shrinking sources. In Pasni Balochistan province Kalaki and Gallo fish has been entirely wiped out whereas, Palla in Sindh and Paplet, Kalgunandzardum, in some other areas of Balochistan province have been completely disappearing.

TASMIA SHABANA LAHORE

Generational Gaps YOU may have noticed that between you and your parents there seems to be quite a large ideological difference.

There are a number of factors that can be considered when distinguishing generations. Namely the most popular ideologies, clothing, music, taste, values etc.

With every new generation comes a new set of eyes and minds to perceive our world in a different way in order to bring about change. There is a noticeable difference between your parents and you because there HAS to be a difference between your parents and you. It’s for this reason that newer generations (namely millennials and generation z) prefer simpler more stylistic clothing, faster more rhythm based songs and are generally to the left politically, because their parents (generally) preferred the opposite of all these things.

Continuing along these lines is the issue of the internet. Outside of your computer science or IT professional you’d be hard pressed to find any person of a former generation capable of using the internet, or indeed technology as a whole, proficiently. Past generations end up stuck in their ways and it is the job of their children to carry forward ideas they were too stubborn to consider.

Of course, a generation gap does not simply affect ideology, but business in a major way too. The greatest adversary of an advertiser, I’d argue, is someone - or a group of people, whom he doesn’t understand. It’s from this dilemma that cringe worthy ads and advertising campaigns stem from, as they attempt to chase after concepts like memes and relatability in order to grow their brands. Everyone has at least seen one ad that attempts this and fails. Essentially, it becomes the job of an advertiser and marketer to find the best possible way to appeal to the younger generation - an often-difficult task when your target audience is much younger than you are in fact. A great example of this is the massive presence of online businesses, any retail or service industry that has failed to make the move has undoubtedly either lost out on profits or eventually sunk into bankruptcy (case in point: Blockbuster).

All in all, generation gaps play a very prevalent role in the structure and economy of a society, and will continue to be the driving factor behind changes in business strategies and social views world-wide.

MuHAMMAd HAAd LAHORE

08 WORLD VIEW 25th February 22_Layout 1 2/24/2022 10:17 PM Page 1

Friday, 25 February, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

PuTIn seTTles accounTs WITh The WesT

spiegel chriStina hebel

I

T’S 5:40 in the morning in Moscow when the Russian state broadcaster Russia-24 cuts to Vladimir Putin. He is sitting at his desk with two Russian flags behind him. “The situation demands that we act decisively and immediately,” the president intones. He announces the beginning of a “special operation in the Donbas” aimed first and foremost at defending the region’s population. The people of eastern Ukraine, who are “being abused and murdered by the Kyiv regime,” have to be protected, Putin claims, invoking the calls for help issued by the heads of the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk.

But as Putin continues speaking, it becomes clear that his focus goes far beyond eastern Ukraine – that he wants to settle accounts with the leadership of Ukraine. “We are aiming at the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” he announces.

The television appearance was Putin’s declaration of war against Ukraine, the fulfillment of that which so many people had not thought possible in recent weeks, even as Putin amassed more and more troops near his country’s western border with Ukraine, on the Crimean Peninsula to the south and in Belarus to the north.

Europe now finds itself facing the largest conflict since World War II, triggered by a man who has spent the last several months seeking to force through his interests at the barrel of a gun, not just in Ukraine but in all of Europe. On Thursday, he took the final step. He went to war.

The timing of the broadcast of his speech was chosen carefully, just as the United nations was holding an emergency meeting in new York to discuss the threat facing Ukraine. It would be hard for Putin to make clearer just how little respect he has for international organizations like the Un. Putin wants to show the world how powerless it is.

Only a few minutes after Putin’s televised address, it quickly became clear that the Russian president had ordered a comprehensive attack on his western neighbor, as initial reports of detonations in the capital Kyiv made the rounds. Russia has attacked military installations across the country, particularly air defense facilities, air force bases and control systems. Air strikes were also reported in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine.

The Russian air force has bombed airports in several Ukrainian cities, including that of the capital Kyiv. There are reports from Odessa and the coastline of the Sea of Azov in southern Ukraine that Russian forces have been landing from the sea. In the north, tanks have rolled across the border into Ukraine from Belarus – which makes it clear why Moscow and Minsk decided to delay their joint military maneuver by a week.

Is it time for a new rapprochement between China and the West?

Chatham house

Putin appears to have made his decision to go to war several days ago. There are indications that the speech broadcast on Thursday morning was actually recorded on Monday. That was the day that the Russian president officially recognized the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk, which have been under the control of pro-Russian separatists for several years. In both speeches, Putin is wearing the same suitcoat and the same tie. The Russian newspaper novaya Gazeta has reported that the metadata from Thursday’s video indicates that it was recorded on Monday.

For quite some time, many have been wondering what world Putin lives in. His declaration of war on Thursday was also a reckoning with the West, who he accused of having transgressed “red lines.”

In the speech, he lashed out against the “Western block,” including the U.S., nATO and others. Since the end of the Soviet Union, Russia has been systematically swindled, the Russian president said, speaking of an “empire of lies.” He made elaborate mention of Western military operations in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya and Syria – all of them, he insisted, represent violations of international law by the West, which has consistently overestimated its own abilities. The countries involved in those operations, Putin said, have either disintegrated or become the targets of terrorism.

By contrast, Putin characterized the war that he has now launched as self-defense, claiming that he saw no other alternative to protect Russia from those “who have taken Ukraine hostage.” Again, the Russian leader repeated his claims of “genocide” allegedly being perpetrated against Russians in eastern Ukraine, without providing a shred of evidence for the accusation. All of those who have committed crimes against Russian citizens, Putin said, will be held accountable. More than 800,000 people in the Donbas region of Ukraine possess a Russian passport.

Putin’s military operation will have extreme consequences for Russia. The country will be isolated internationally for the foreseeable future. Painful sanctions are inevitable, and the country’s economy will suffer. The value of the Russian currency, the ruble, plunged further on Thursday.

Putin demanded that the Ukrainian army immediately lay down its weapons. That, though, seems unlikely. Contrary to Putin’s professed beliefs, the military doesn’t view the democratically elected government in Kyiv as an enemy, but Putin himself.

Should Putin send large numbers of ground troops into Ukraine, a large number of casualties is likely. Resistance would likely be fierce.

Is he planning on bringing large parts of his neighboring country under Russian control? How far is he prepared to go? He already annexed Crimea in 2014 and has provided financial and military support to the pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas for years. More than 14,000 people have already died in the conflicts.

Putin said on Thursday that he doesn’t intend to occupy Ukraine. But what will happen if the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who Putin loathes, refuses to step down? How long does Putin intend to wage war? He says he blames the government in Kyiv for any loss of life. Ukraine, meanwhile, has already reported initial casualties, while Zelenskyy has declared martial law in the country and asked the world to come to Ukraine’s aid.

Putin has warned against providing assistance to his western neighbor. “To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside – if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history,” he said, with his threats clearly aimed at the U.S. and nATO. He hopes, Putin said after issuing his threat, that he has been heard.

Dr Patrick SchröDer

I

n times of rising geopolitical tension around the world, this year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing could have been seen as an opportunity to improve diplomatic dialogue and peopleto-people engagement between China and the West. Instead, deteriorating relations between both sides in recent months, have contributed to a widening ideological rift, while at the same time, consolidation of the China-Russia alliance.

Though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has maintained its position that the Olympics are not about politics, in the build-up to the tournament in China this year, national boycotts as a result of the country’s worsening human rights record in Xinjiang, began to increase in number.

The situation is reminiscent of 2008, when China last hosted the Olympics and, this year, the dynamics are similar although there are also some differences. Most important of these differences is, in 2008, China and the West were engaged in a process of coming closer together diplomatically, economically and socially, guided by China’s national policy of reform and the West’s expectations that China would continue to liberalize politically.

In comparison, today, both China and the West are in a period of intensifying strategic competition and a process of economic and technological decoupling, both areas which have become deeply intertwined over the last three decades.

Coincidentally, the Winter Olympics have taken place exactly during the 50th anniversary of former US president Richard nixon’s historic visit to China in February 1972 which brought Beijing out of international isolation and opened up relations between China and the rest of the world.

The Winter Olympics have been an occasion for the Chinese government to present itself as a great power domestically and abroad, not only as an economic success story, but also as an alternative political model that can redefine the rules of the international system.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, at the opening ceremony sought to display the strength of the Chinese-Russian partnership in a world, not only characterized by ideological contest, but also potential military conflict, as Russian forces at the time, began increasing their presence along the borders of Ukraine, while athletes from around the world assembled in Beijing.

But the Games have not only been politicized by the Chinese government but also by Western governments too. In December 2021, for example, the US announced its boycott of the tournament over concerns of human rights abuses both in Xinjiang and also in the democracy movement crackdown in Hong Kong. The US boycott was quickly followed by Australia, the UK and Canada – the first such boycott of an Olympic host country since the Cold War – the last taking place at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow and 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

While the IOC, as an international non-governmental organization, maintains its position that it is strictly politically neutral, the recent controversy surrounding China’s tennis player, Peng Shuai, shows how sports organizations are no longer able

to keep outside the political arena.

The organization of this year’s Winter Olympics as an invitation-only ‘bubble’ has contributed further to a disconnect between China and the world. Of course the ‘bubble’ is primarily a result of the Chinese government’s COVID-19 strategy due to several outbreaks across the country ahead of the tournament. But the unintended effects of this policy have been an increasing gap between the Chinese people with the rest of the world. Indeed, the bubble can be seen as an example of the shrinking space for civil society in China and these Games raise the question of how to constructively engage with China going forwards as a result.

In this, there are three elements to consider.

Firstly, the policies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have continued to dive deeper into its citizen’s everyday lives, partly driven by an increasing fear of foreign interference, not only politically, but also culturally. As a result, the Chinese government has reasserted its dominance in shaping the private lives of its citizens including new rules on after-school education and foreign entertainment and celebrity culture. Moreover, China’s immigration laws remain tight making it difficult for foreigners living in China to integrate into Chinese society as citizens.

Secondly, the increasingly restricted space for civil society in China has impacted foreign journalists, academics and non-governmental organizations working in the country. China’s Foreign nGO Law, for example, implemented in 2017, has severely limited what international nGOs can do in a wide range of areas from social reform to gender equality.

In fact, a number of international nGOs have pulled out of China since 2017, as a result of being affected by the international soft power ambitions of the Chinese party to redefine civil society participation on the international level. These restrictions on civic cooperation were reinforced by the SinoRussian declaration at the start of the Winter Olympics on countering the interference of external actors in the internal affairs of other countries.

Thirdly, polarization within Western countries about their relationship with China means counterproductive measures taken in some Western countries haven’t helped in fostering relations between both sides. This includes the Trump administration’s decision to cancel the China Fulbright programme in 2020 which enabled US-Chinese student exchange. Instead, many Chinese students at Western universities have faced growing antiAsian racism which has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is a risk in the international community of losing informed debate about China and the Chinese people that is needed, not only to create more peaceful societies, but also to make informed policy decisions to deal with the complexities of global crises.

The broader question of whether to boycott or engage with China reaches beyond the Winter Olympics. While some countries will likely continue their opposition to China, arguing for disengagement and decoupling, not only in relation to technological and economic cooperation, but also on civic, academic and scientific cooperation as well, this is arguably the simple option. Civic cooperation, wherever possible, will be crucial to keeping the doors open for diplomatic dialogue beyond the Winter Olympics in a post-pandemic world.

India should stand with the West against Russia INDIA CANNOT SIMPLY SEEK NEUTRALITY BETWEEN THE WEST AND TODAY’S RUSSIA, GIVEN THAT THE LATTER HAS A RECORD OF INTERPRETING NEUTRALITY IN THE FACE OF ESCALATION AS ACTIVE SUPPORT BloomBerg

T

Mihir SharMa

HIS was supposed to be the week that Europe celebrated its blossoming relationship with the countries of the Indo-Pacific. Dozens of representatives from those two regions have gathered in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron hoped they could talk security and development without having the United States or China looking over their shoulders.

Unfortunately, this week is all about Eurasia, not the Indo-Pacific. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ensured that countries such as India and France aren’t talking about future infrastructure partnerships or how to manage China. Instead, they’re confronting hard questions about what they can actually do or say, together or alone, to manage the challenge posed by a revanchist Russia. no attendee will be less pleased about this develop-

ment than India. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, asked specifically if India was expecting Europe to stand more firmly against an assertive China while his country maintained close ties to Russia, argued these were “distinct challenges.” He then seemed to imply that Europe had taken its time in formulating a strategy for the Indo-Pacific, so India could be equally dilatory in developing a response to developments in Europe.

As a defense of India’s traditional approach to foreign policy — i.e., doing as little as possible — Jaishankar’s response couldn’t have been bettered. Had he wanted to expand on it, he might have added that India does not believe Russia, with or without Putin, will accept being a long-term vassal of China’s. So, countries such as India need to keep a door open for when the inevitable Moscow-Beijing breakup happens.

But that doesn’t mean leaders in new Delhi can easily embrace a new non-alignment either. India cannot simply seek neutrality between the West and today’s Russia, given that the latter has a record of interpreting neutrality in the face of escalation as active support.

More importantly, there’s the simple matter of consistency. India’s foreign policy is defined around respecting sovereignty. Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister

has just declared that Ukraine does not even have a right to sovereignty because it does not “represent” all the territory it claims.

India can hardly subscribe to that principle unless it wants to surrender its claim to the parts of Kashmir currently controlled by Pakistan and China. Besides, if we want the European Union to support us against China on the basis of our “shared values,” we have to step up to defend those values — even if just verbally — at least occasionally.

India’s relationship with Russia runs deep. Russian weapons platforms meet the Indian military’s needs, of course. But plenty of people also remember that the Soviet Union backed India when it mattered, in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, while U.S. President Richard nixon and his national Security Adviser Henry Kissinger schemed against what the former called a “scavenging people” and the latter “b******s.” Fifty years of solidarity cannot be abandoned easily.

Yet it is Russia, not India that is abandoning the relationship. It’s clear that Putin fully intends to seek Chinese President Xi Jinping’s protection against the world’s anger, regardless of what friends of longer standing such as India might think. The Russian president has also chosen this moment for a path-breaking visit by Pakistani Prime Min-

ister Imran Khan to Moscow. Khan’s trip follows a series of successful joint exercises between the Pakistan and Russian militaries — something that would have been unthinkable in the glory days of Indo-Soviet brotherhood.

Welcoming Khan — who is traveling to Moscow after stopping paying his respects in Beijing — looks like Putin’s way of saying, “Any friend of Xi’s is a friend of mine.” At best, it just means that today’s Kremlin thinks its interests prosper best amid confusion and chaos.

If Putin wants to go back to the bipolar world of the 1970s, alienating former allies seems like an odd way to do it. not even he can imagine that memories of 1971 will outweigh an increasing closeness to China and Pakistan in Indian eyes.

The question is this: Are countries such as India going to make foreign policy decisions on the basis of the past or the future? A decade from now, will India benefit more from a coolly friendly but chaos-loving Russia with little to offer besides weapons, or a Europe that is throwing more money, energy and attention at security and development challenges in the Indo-Pacific?

That question has only one answer. Principles aside, cold pragmatism requires India to develop new friends, given how unreliable the old ones are proving.

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner Ministry of human rights signs letter of agreement with islamic relief Pakistan

Ministry of Human Rights signs a Letter of Agreement with Islamic Relief Pakistan to further the cooperation for child rights protection Ministry of Human Rights signed a Letter of Agreement with Islamic Relief Pakistan today at ministry’s Child Protection Institute at Hummak Town, Islamabad. This LoA has been signed to advance the partnership between two parties for protection of fundamental rights of children and women. Secretary Ministry of Human Rights and Country Director, Islamic Relief Pakistan both signed and exchanged the documents.

Islamic Relief Pakistan is carrying out interventions with the focus on children at high risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. The signing of LoA with Ministry of Human Rights will facilitate Child Protection Institute for completion of certification process and other promotional activities. Technical support will be provided by IRP to ministry for mapping of child care institutions and for further establishment of other resource centers. While addressing the audience, Federal Minister for Human Rights thanked the IRP for signing this agreement and lauded their efforts for social welfare. She said that ministry would carry on its cooperation with IRP and other such organizations that have credible commitments for the protection of rights of children, women and vulnerable segments of society. She added that ministry would establish many other such institutes in Islamabad on the model of CPI especially a center for female children will be made running till the end of this year. She further said that Police is handing over children to CPI that are recovered from all four provinces and other regions of country. The center is providing shelter as well as health, education, reunification, referral services and psychological treatment facilities to these children that are at greater risk of exploitation. Minster also inaugurated the playground of Child Protection Institute that is recently been renovated with the support of IRP under their project of Protection of Children at risk. pr

Chairman Nha holds eKacheri to redress public grievances ISLAMABAD: As per directive of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan on reaching out to the public through holding Khuli Kachehris by organizations under the Federal Government, Chairman National Highway Authority Capt (R) Muhammad Khurram Agha held EKachehri on Thursday at head-office of the Authority through NHA official Facebook Page and answered to the questions raised by the people all over the country and issued on spot directions to undertake steps for earlier solution of public complaints. In his opening remarks, Chairman National Highway Authority Capt (R) Muhammad Khurram Agha assured the people that NHA is working hard to complete the reconstruction and repair work of national highways and motorways across the country in a timely manner as per international standards.

Responding to questions from various callers from across the country during e-Kachehri, Chairman NHA said that timely repair of roads, bridges, flyovers and underpasses affected by rains, overloading and other factors is our first priority. Referring to the various roads being pointed out, he said that the construction and repair work of the highways which fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial government is the responsibility of the provincial governments; therefore their construction work is being done by the provincial governments. Highways and bridges that fall under the jurisdiction of the NHA, for which reconstruction has been approved, are under construction. However, talks are underway with the concerned authorities regarding projects that have not yet been approved. Callers asked various questions about the dualization of Balkasar-Mianwali-Muzaffargarh Road, Indus Highway, and regarding the installation of sign boards on various roads including Karakoram Highway, NaranBasima Road, Abbottabad City Road, Sultan Bahu Bridge, Garam Chashma Road, Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, which were not only satisfactorily answered but he also directed the concerned NHA officials to contact the complainants on the phone and resolve their grievances immediately. Chairman NHA also promised to have effective discussions with the Inspector General of Motorway Police regarding Axle-Load as soon as possible and also to listen to the FWO's orders regarding the issues related to Frontier Works Organization. He clarified with reference to the construction of the interchanges and pointed out that the interchanges are constructed as per the law and regulations; therefore, where necessary, interchanges will definitely be constructed for the convenience of the people. The Chairman, while addressing grievances related to Weigh Stations and others on the spot, instructed the concerned members and general managers to take effective measures to rectify the situation. pr

09

ECC aPProvES rEgulatioNS for BartEr tradE with afghaNiStaN, iraN

t

HE Federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Thursday approved amendments in Export Policy Order 2020 and Import Policy Order 2020 to provide regulatory cover to barter trade arrangements with Afghanistan & Iran.

According to sources, the ministry of commerce presented a summary for grant of regulatory support for establishing barter trade arrangements with Afghanistan and Iran. And, the ECC after discussion allowed regulatory cover to barter trade arrangements by amending relevant provisions of EPO 2020 and IPO 2020.

As per details, ministry of commerce has solicited ECC approval to amend EPO 2020 and IPO 2020 to cover the barter trade arrangements with Afghanistan and Iran as the federal board of revenue (FBR) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have so far supported this proposal while the Prime Minister, being Minister-inCharge of the commerce division, has authorized submission of a summary in

this regard to the ECC. According to sources of commerce ministry, though the ECC has granted its approval to formally start barter trade with Iran and Afghanistan, however, the modalities for operationalization of the barter trade arrangement(s) would be finalized and notified by ministry of commerce separately for each agreement in consultation with the stakeholders, said sources.

As per section 3(1) of the imports and exports (Control) Act, 1950, federal government is empowered to prohibit or restrict import into or export from Pakistan of any commodity, and /or (to) “regulate generally all practices (including trade practices) and procedure connected to the import or export of such good”.

Sources said that Commerce ministry has proposed that relevant provisions of EPO 2020 and IPO 2020 may be amended to provide regulatory cover to barter trade arrangements by adding following proviso/s thereto: “Provided that export and imports shall be allowed under barter trade arrangements as approved by the ministry of commerce”.

Afghanistan and Iran have been important trading partners of Pakistan since independence. Pakistan signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Iran in 2006. Pakistan’s export to Iran reached $399 million after operationalization of the PTA in 2008-09, but then declined gradually, due to imposition of regulatory duties and nontariff measures on Pakistani exports and then US sanctions on Iran. Similarly, Pakistan’s export to Afghanistan declined sharply due to the non-existence of the banking system and freezing of the assets belonging to the Central Bank of Afghanistan after political events of August 2021. To overcome stagnation in bilateral trade, barter trade arrangements have been proposed with Afghanistan and Iran.

The ministry of commerce arranged multiple meetings with stakeholders wherein it was decided that Quetta Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI) from Pakistan side and Zahidan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ZCCI) from Iran side would sign an MoU to establish barter trade

mechanism. The MoU was finalized in consultation with stakeholders including FBR, SBP, Pakistan’s Mission in Tehran, FPCCI and QCCI and finally the agreement on barter trade between QCCI, Pakistan and ZCCI, Iran was signed on the sidelines of 9th session of Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee at Tehran on 7th November 2021.

The sources said that with an aim to improve bilateral trade and transit, Pakistan and Afghan authorities among other things, have agreed to establish a barter trade mechanism.

They added that the proposed regulatory amendments will cater to barter trade arrangements both with Iran and Afghanistan. It is pertinent to mention that as such, existing provisions of EPO do not cater to barter trade arrangement. Hence, an amendment was needed to align EPO with the above referred barter trade agreement.

Similarly, under para-3 (1) of Import Policy Order (IPO), 2020, imports are allowed against all modes of payment subject to the procedure prescribed by SBP. AhmAd AhmAdAni

Sania opens Ehsaas Center in Jamrud, Panagah on Charsadda Road; Makes a surprise visit to Khyber district

PESHAWAR pr

Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM on Thursday inaugurated the Ehsaas Center in Jamrud Tehsil of

Khyber Tribal District where Ehsaas payments, Ehsaas survey registration and Ehsaas School Stipends’ enrollments are being delivered under one roof. Ehsaas Centers have also been opened in

Bara and Landi Kotal Tehsils of Khyber. At the center, Dr. Sania spoke to women, listened to their concerns, and assured them full cooperation. While in Khyber district, Dr. Sania also made a surprise visit to an orphanage, “Dar-ul-Ehsaas” and inspected the facility that houses one hundred deserving children.

Earlier, Dr. Sania Nishtar inaugurated the newly built model Panagah at Charsadda Road, Peshawar.

This new Panagah is the second in Peshawar and eighth in KP. In line with Prime Minister’s vision of developing Pakistan as a welfare state, the model facility will provide one star plus bed and breakfast facility with meals, essentials, hygiene, and security standards.

Chief of Naval Staff expresses satisfaction over efforts of Bahria University for quality education during BoG meeting ISLAMABAD pr

Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi NI (M) S.Bt, Chief of the Naval Staff in his capacity as ProChancellor/ Chairman BoG, chaired the 46th Board of Governors meeting of Bahria University.

The session commenced with a detailed briefing to the board on the progress of various ongoing projects. Special focus was given to the growth and diversification in academic disciplines, infrastructure, budget, and new initiatives in

academic and non-academic domains inclusive of the efforts

taken towards uplift of the blue economy of the country.

PBM launches ‘Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye’ programme in Mardan Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) extends “Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye” (EKBNS) programme in Mardan district of KPK province, for provision of two-time hygienic packed food (Lunch & Dinner) to needy individuals through Mobile Unit. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan and Managing Director PBM, Malik Zaheer Abbas inaugurated the Food Truck in a ceremony attended by the renowned socio-political figures of the area. Minister of State, Ali Muhammad Khan underlined the serious measures of present government to uplift the weak segments of the country. He also appreciated PBM’s chief for implementing the Ehsaas Progromme impressively. State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said the Prime Minister’s comprehensive Ehsaas Programme is recognized internationally as a key solution to address the poverty and its allied issues.

Managing Director PBM Malik Zaheer Abbas, in his address, articulated the significance of EKBNS telling that each mobile food truck is distributing lunch and dinner to around 1000 persons per day at different points. The Managing Director also acknowledged the donors including Saylani Welfare Trust becoming partner of PBM in the noble cause by providing meals. On the occasion, Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar expressed his passion for taking effective remedial measures in social protection field in order to execute the Prime Minister’s vision of making the country an Isalmic Welfare State. pr

Meeting on Disaster Management Organized by NDMA ISLAMABAD pr

To review the preparations for Disaster Management, NDMA organized a meeting chaired by Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz here at Islamabad. Besides NDMA officials, DGs of Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, GBDMA, SDMA, Pakistan Met Department, Rescue 1122, Chairman Federal Flood Commission, DC Islamabad and rep from MO Directorate participated in the

meeting.

DGs of respective disaster management authorities and heads of various departments updated the forum regarding plans, preparations and initiatives to deal with disasters.

Chairman NDMA while highlighting high risks and vulnerability of Pakistan to different kind of disasters emphasized regarding conduct of risk and vulnerability assessment, preparation and updation of provincial, district, sectoral and event specific contingency plans.

10

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

REAP SAyS AGRi tRAdE hAltEd duE to FumiGAtion ConStRAintS

R

GHuLAm ABBAs

ICE exporters are claiming that import and export of certain agriculture items have come to a complete stop at ports on Thursday due to stoppage of fumigation services by a company.

Port officials, however, are denying any such hold up and say shipping is moving normally. The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), however, claims that the agri-product consignments are being held up at the ports.

As the Ministry of Food Security and Research (MoFS&R) has not taken any action against one company’s monopoly in the fumigation process, the company suddenly stopped fumigation of consignments in protest against a departmental inquiry initiated against it for unlawful practices.

According to officials on the direction of the Prime Minister, the MoFS&R had initiated an inquiry against Adeel Pesticides, the single importer of methyl bromide which is also the sole distributor and fumigator.

Following the PM’s direction, the ministry has constituted a committee, which was mandated to inquire and give its recommendations on the controversy over import of methyl bromide and the monopoly that exists in this sphere for immediate redressal of the situation and follow up to fix responsibility for any wrongdoing that may have occurred in the past.

“When the committee, which already delayed its investigation, started investigation against Adeel Pesticides in Karachi, the company and its other cartels including Pest Management Services, Pak Pansy and Pentagon Fumigation Services suddenly stopped Fumigation late on Wednesday and as result of which exports and imports have practically stopped due to non-fumigation of consignments,” an official informed this scribe.

A member of the inquiry committee, when contacted, said that it would investigate the matter as per its mandate. “When a company is doing fumigation unlawfully even without the stock of chemical, how can it be allowed to keep doing illegal practices undermining the country’s import and exports,” he said adding that the

FF Steel new initiative grade-80 lauded by Governor Chaudhry Sarwar LAHORe

committee would submit its findings to the relevant authorities soon. Meanwhile, REAP has written a letter to MoFS&R for immediate intervention as their export consignments were stuck up at ports.

“We have been receiving complaints from members that their shipments are ready for export but due to non-issuance of phytosanitary certificate, all cargo is on hold. It has come to our knowledge that fumigation agents have stopped undertaking fumigation through Methyl Bromide.

Due to this reason, all export trade to sensitive countries is on halt which will create serious challenges to this second largest export trade of Pakistan,” the association said. It may be added here that the same company, Adeel Pesticides earlier on November 21, 2021 had stopped fumigations on Torkham border over protest of the importers of cotton for charging higher price of fumigation by the company.

Later the Afghan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC) had taken notice of disruption of imports at Torkham border for negligence of MoFS&R. The Prime Minister, after knowing the whole story of the company’s monopoly and its

impact on the export and import of the country, had directed authorities concerned to send the issue of malpractice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). However, later it was decided to first inquire the matter at ministry level.

According to sources National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf informed the Prime Minister that there was a monopoly of one company which deals in fumigation of all importing and exporting items in the country. The advisor had noticed the same when he tried to know reasons behind a halt in trade at the Afghan border.

The ministry had later constituted a committee to probe the matter. The committee included Additional Secretary Rashid Mahmood as Chairman, MoFS&R Dr Syed Waseem-ul-Hassan and Director (Technical) DPP Shahid Abdullah.

In order to keep one company with the support of DPP officials, other registered 50 companies of methyl bromide were also not allowed to import and participate in the fumigation process.

MoFS&R Secretary Tahir Khursheed, did not reply to queries shared with him till filing of this report.

SC rejects petition seeking reopening of Monal Restaurant News Desk

NewS DeSk

FF Steel’s latest initiative Grade 80 Steel bar for which first time in Pakistan Industry, Consultancy and Academia joined hands for a major industrial breakthrough by bringing revolutionary steel product – Grade 80 steel bar is appreciated and this will bring new revolution in the field. This was stated by Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar while speaking at launching ceremony at Lahore. The launching ceremony organized by FF Steel was also grace

by Muhammad Mohsin Khan Laghari, Punjab Provincial Minister for Irrigation. Mr. Peng Zhengwu Consul General of China in Punjab at Lahore, Mirza Asif Baig, Chief Executive NESPAK MDCG, Mr. Sohail Kibria Head Research & Development NESPAK a part from senior members of industry consultancies and academia. Mr. Nauman Wazir Khattak said that company has started manufacturing grade 80 steel and it is now commercially available for customers.

He said if conventional steel has been replaced by grade 80 steel then total savings will be around PKR 33 billion per annum. He further added that the company is planning for an IPO soon that will provide investment opportunities to the masses. Besides, FF Steel is also exporting steel to Afghanistan and stepped into the world of Copper business by receiving its first ever consignment of non-ferrous unit.

The production of non-ferrous units is a gateway to open up good-time trade investments for Pakistan. NUST and NESPAK collaborated in this joint venture with FF Steel to produce Grade-80 steel bars, ensuring economic feasibility and cost-effectiveness at the same time. It is going to give a whole new direction to the construction of high-rises and CPEC Projects.

The Supreme Court has rejected the petition, seeking reopening of Monal Restaurant, and decided that it will give a concrete order only after a detailed decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Express Tribune reported on Thursday.

The apex court, however, observed that an appropriate order will be issued if a detailed decision is not reached within two weeks.

During the hearing, the restaurant’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan stated that the IHC’s short order was also without a signature. He argued that an unsigned order was subject to change.

“The wildlife board was not a party to the case. How can it take possession without a written order being issued?”

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan accepted the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB)’s request to be a party to the case while stating that the Ministry of Defence’s request to become a party at present cannot be decided

upon. Additional Attorney General Qasim Wadud argued that the land Monal was operating upon belonged to the federal government, and it has been allotted to Veterinary Farms, that come under the jurisdiction of the General Headquarters (GHQ).

“The high court ruled that the

national park’s land cannot be given to veterinary farms,” Qasim Wadud said.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar stated that it would be appropriate for the Ministry of Defense to present a clear position through an intracourt appeal. The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

KP govt signs loan agreements worth over Rs500bn Aziz BuNeRi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has inked agreements for Rs619 billion loans for various development projects in the province which would be a huge burden on the provincial exchequer. The KP government signed agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank and other financial institutions for Rs500 billion for development projects. Thus, KP’s loan burden has reached Rs619 billion. On the other hand, the Awami National Party government had borrowed Rs21 billion during its five-year tenure as compared to the PTI. According to sources, the KP government has so far released more than 70 per cent of funds for projects after signing various agreements with international financial institutions. The repayment of loans for some of the projects will start from next year and would take 40 to 50 years. The government has also borrowed more than Rs50 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Swiss Agency for the BRT project. The government has signed agreements to borrow a maximum of Rs305 billion from ADB for 14 development projects. Agreements have also been reached with the World Bank and the International Development Association for loans of Rs254 billion for 11 projects. Similarly, Rs29.80 billion has been secured from Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) in terms of loans and grants for only two projects whereas Rs15.60 billion will be borrowed from International Fund for Agricultural Development. A loan of Rs53.32 billion has been obtained from ADB and Agence Française de Dévelopment (AFF) for Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project.

Besides, agreements have also been signed with ADB for Rs10.15 billion from ADB for Peshawar Canal Expansion Project, Rs6.7 billion for FATA Water Resources Development Project and Rs13.2 billion for Mardan-Swabi Highway. ADB will also provide Rs68.71 billion for Balakot Hydel Power project. Similarly, an agreement has been signed with the International Development Association (World Bank) for a loan of Rs18.29 billion for KP Revenue Mobilization and Resource Management project. Recently, an agreement has been signed with the ADB for the highest loan of Rs101 billion for urban development in six districts – Swat, Bannu, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Kohat and Mardan. A loan of Rs28 billion will be obtained from ADB for construction of rural highways in 26 districts of the province. The province will also obtain a loan of Rs18.91 billion from the International Development Association (World Bank) for education department in four districts of the province namely Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi and Haripur. Rs14 billion will be obtained from the World Bank for tourism projects in the province, Rs30.4 billion for agricultural development projects and Rs64 billion for projects in the health and education sector. The World Bank will also provide Rs46.80 billion for Rural Investment and Institutional Support Project and Rs42.78 billion for energy projects. The Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra has been approached several times to know about the government’s position on loans and its repayment, but he did not offer any response

Punjab govt took historic steps to address regional inequality: Hashim Jawan LAHORe Staff RepoRt

Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht has said that for the first time in the history of province, the provincial government took steps to address regional inequality. Resources have been directed to far flung regions of the province so they too are elevated to the status of developed parts of the Punjab.

He said this while addressing the 2nd Pre-Budget Consultative workshop organised by Finance Department with support of Sub National Governance Programme, a technical assistance programme to the Governments of Punjab and KhyberPakhtunkhwa for strengthened governance, improved provision of basic services, and a more evidence based process of decision-making.

Hashim Jawan Bakht further said that investment in the social sector has contributed to achievement of the sustainable

development goals. He reiterated his priorities for health, education and poverty alleviation in the upcoming budget.

The provincial minister said that Punjab represents 50% of the federation and he believed it was the responsibility of the Government of Punjab to lead by example in prudent fiscal management and a balanced planning approach.

He stated that the Government is working hard to ensure that 110 million people in Punjab have effective access to universal healthcare coverage.

Pre-budget consultative workshop brought together senior government officials, experts, civil society representatives, UN representatives and prominent academics to provide input in the upcoming Punjab provincial budget 2022-23.

The event was also attended by Minister for livestock and dairy development, Mr. Husnain Dreshak, Minister for Women Development, Ashifa Riaz Fatyana and Minister for Agriculture Pun-

jab Syed Hussain Jahania Gardezi.

This event was organized to make the budget-making process more open and participatory; to reduce the gap between the Government and citizens by identifying citizens’ needs and preferences for the upcoming budget; and to ensure effective participation of citizens in allocation of budgetary resources, especially with reference to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Chairman Planning and Development Board said, “We live in an age of co-production. We cannot wish away inclusion, transparency and accountability. Induced participation which is well calibrated helps the government overcome challenges through collective action.”

Civil society experts and academics participated in the workshop including Bela Raza Jamil, WWF Director Dr. Imran Khalid, Wilbroad Ngambi from UNCEF, Dr. Yasmeen Zaidi from

AAWAZ, Salman Abid and Ume Laila Azhar.

They provided proposals for key sectors of the government including Health, Education, Local government, Agriculture, Social Protection and Social Welfare, Environment and climate change, housing, urban development and public health and many other areas.

Sana Zia, FCDO representative said that FCDO congratulated Finance Department and Government of Punjab for holding the 2nd session. She further said that Institutionalising this process would make it a permanent feature of Punjab’s budget.

Usman Chaudhry, Team Lead SNG Punjab thanked the participants for their inputs and the finance department for their leadership on participatory budgeting.

The consultation aimed to ensure that the provincial budget 2022-23 is focused on improving the lives of Punjab’s citizens, especially marginalised groups.

Friday, 25 February, 2022 | LAHORE

SPORTS 11

Islamabad UnIted beats Peshawar ZalmI In Psl thrIller LaHORe

I

StAFF RePoRt

SLAMABAd United have defeated Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets in the eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) seventh edition to keep their hopes of reaching the finals alive.

The United will now clash with Lahore Qalandars in eliminator 2 tomorrow (Friday) — and the winner of the match will face Multan Sultans in the final.

In the last over, United required 10 runs, and Azam Khan got out on the first ball, after that, Liam dawson finished the thrilling clash with ease as he smacked a six and four on the next two balls.

The do-or-die match between the two teams was a see-saw battle with both teams unwilling to give up till the very end. The Zalmi bowlers were on target with their line, as they removed opener Will Jacks for 11 runs.

Alex Hales announced his return with a bang as he kept the run-chase intact and played according to the situation.

United was cruising at one stage with Hales looking well set, but it was Salman Irshad’s two wickets that brought Zalmi back

into the game. He removed Hales with a brilliant yorker and took the wicket of dangerous-looking Shadab Khan for 22 runs and Asif Ali, who was on seven.

Azam Khan who scored 28 runs with two sixes and Faheem Ashraf who notched 19 with two maximums brought United closer. But in the last over when 10 runs were required, Azam got out on the wrong time, but Liam dawson finished the game with hits. In terms of bowling, Wahab Riaz was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 52 runs in four overs, while Salman registered figures of 3-31. Earlier, after deciding to bat first, Peshawar Zalmi scored 169 runs for the loss of five wickets. The United bowlers kept things tight as Zalmi batters didn’t score runs quickly, as they lost in-form opener Mohammad Haris for 12 runs by Faheem Ashraf.

Opener Kamran Akmal continued to carve out runs, while Yasir Khan was also removed for eight runs. Karman got out for 58 runs by United skipper Shadab Khan with Zalmi’s score of 98 runs on the board.

Shoaib Malik and Hussain Talat forged a crucial 56 runs stand to take Zalmi to the 150 run mark. Hussain scored 28 runs, while Malik scored 55. For United, Hasan Ali took three wickets for 30 runs in four overs, while Shadab and Faheem picked one.

alex hales returns to hbl Psl after withdrawal News Desk Islamabad United’s opening batter Alex Hales on Wednesday made a surprise return to the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) to help his side progress to the final of the tournament.

According to reports, Hales will be available for selection for Thursday’s eliminator match against Peshawar Zalmi. He had left the event just over a week ago, citing bubble fatigue as the main reason for his withdrawal. The availability of Hales will give a major boost to Islamabad United as the team has been facing fitness issues. Hales had played seven games for Islamabad United this season and scored 255 runs at an average of 42.50, smashing two half-centuries.

Sports facilities bring color to special children’s lives kaRaCHI AnAdolu Agency

Using her feet, visually challenged Anita Sanam, a student of grade-11 at a school for children with special needs in Karachi, is seen kicking, dribbling, and manoeuvring the football like an ace player.

Although she wanted to become a professional footballer, there were no facilities available to pursue her dreams until a year ago, when Turkey’s state-run aid agency, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination

Agency (TIKA), set up two separate football and cricket grounds designed for disabled children at her school.

The cricket training pitches and a football stadium inaugurated by President Arif Alvi in October last year are designed for hearing and visually impaired children at Ida Rieu School for Blind and deaf in Karachi.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sanam said she plays football with her friends and hopes to represent the national team soon.

“Life was so boring before that, espe-

mohammad hafeez completes 200 wickets in t20s staff RepORt Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has completed 200 wickets in the T20 format as he dismissed Multan Sultans’ opener, Shan Masood, in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) qualifier on Wednesday.

Hafeez, who retired from international cricket after the T20 World Cup, reached the feat during the second over of the Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars match.

cially for students like me who live in the hostel. We had no recreational facility to pass our time before the establishment of the football ground,” she said. describing football as her longtime passion, she said that students used to play in the hostel corridors but it was not safe as she got injured a couple of times.

“Life has changed for us. We have too much fun nowadays as we have a proper facility to pursue our dreams,” she said with a grin on her face.

Sami Zain, another visually impaired student of grade-10, who is a big cricket fan, aims to join Pakistan’s blind cricket team. ” We didn’t have proper training facilities (here) before the establishment of the cricket ground,” said Zain, who, previously, together with his classmates would play cricket in the backyard of his school.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, he said the sports facilities have not only provided the hearing and visually impaired students proper training opportunities but also improved their mobility.

TIKA has also set up a music classroom and library at Kiran Foundation Government School 00 a regular educational institution, in Lyari town of Karachi.

Established in July 2020, the music and library facilities have brought a change in the school’s atmosphere, according to students and teachers.

Aisha Shakeel, a grade-9 student, said she knew nothing about music instruments before setting up the music classroom at her school.

“It (music) has brought colour to my life. It releases my stress and depression,

and makes me feel relaxed after a hectic day at school,” she told Anadolu Agency.

“Now, I have addicted to my music classes and the instruments.”

She added that the new library is “refreshing,” “clean” and “well-lit,” which has changed the otherwise “boring” library periods.

The old library, according to her, was not “well-equipped” in terms of books collection and sitting arrangements.

TIKA operations in Pakistan Ibrahim Katirci, TIKA’s Karachi coordinator, said that the Turkish agency has executed 31 relief projects relating to health, education, sports, etcetera over the past three years in the less-developed areas of southern Sindh and southwestern Balochistan provinces. “during this period, TİKA has touched the lives of more than 3.2 million people,” Katirci told Anadolu Agency.

The projects, he went on to say, have been executed in collaboration with “wellknown” governmental and non-governmental partners.

Talking about the area of interest, Katirci said that Ankara gives special importance to vocational and skill-based learning programs across Pakistan.

Citing the decades-long issue of water scarcity in Sindh, he said that with the establishment of 7 RO Water Filtration Plant, TİKA is providing clean drinking water to more than 2 million people a month in Karachi and Hyderabad. Established in 1992, the agency has been implementing humanitarian and development projects all over the world through its 62 program coordination offices.

England captain Root ‘grateful’ to survive Ashes cull LONDON AFP

England captain Joe Root said he was thankful to still hold his post after a crushing Ashes series loss as he insisted a revamped team could bounce back in the West Indies. A humiliating 4-0 reverse in Australia saw England director of cricket Ashley Giles, head coach Chris Silverwood and batting coach Graham Thorpe all sacked.

Root, however, was spared the fate of the three former England cricketers, and allowed to continue as captain, although many observers suggested that was due to a lack of alternatives if officials wanted to avoid burdening all-rounder Ben Stokes with the job.

The Yorkshire batsman was spared the axe by acting director of cricket Andrew Strauss, with Root well aware the decision could have gone the other way as he commiserated with the dismissed backroom staff.

“It’s never nice when you see people that you’ve worked closely with for a long period of time lose their jobs,” said Root ahead of a new-look squad’s departure for the Caribbean on Thursday.

“They’ve given a huge amount to English cricket. I

really hope they find something that fulfils them.

“Clearly it was a disappointing tour and we massively underperformed. Off the back of it we have to use this opportunity for a fresh start. I’m very grateful that I’ve got the opportunity to do that as captain.”

England, bidding to end a woeful run of just one win in 14 Tests, will travel to the West Indies without their two all-time leading bowlers in the format after the newball duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad were both controversially dropped.

Root’s men, who include the uncapped trio of pace bowlers Saqib Mahmood and Matt Fisher as well as legspinner Matt Parkinson, are bidding to become just the second England team since 1968 to win a Test series in the West Indies. ‘Bridge that gap’: England are currently bottom of the World Test Championship table but Root said their fortunes could change rapidly if they got off to a good start in a three-match series that begins in Antigua on March 8.

“Ultimately sometimes it doesn’t take a long time to change things,” said Root. “It can happen quite quickly and that’s what we’re looking for.

“We have to be honest about where we are, we’re not

CMYK

currently one of the best teams in the world but that can be our ambition and there’s definitely quick strides we can make in getting closer to that and bridge that gap.”

England did not once manage a total of 300 in the five-match Ashes series and their top-order problems have been the underlying cause of many a recent Test defeat at both home and abroad.

Rather than come in with England already two wickets down cheaply, Root has decided to move up a place in the batting order from number four to number three.

It has not previously been a happy berth for Root. In 30 Tests at first-wicket down he averages 38.66, compared to an excellent 51.27 in 62 matches at four.

The 31-year-old, however, has been emboldened by a 2021 tally of 1,708 Test runs — an England record return in a calendar year and the third most by anyone behind Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf and West Indies’ Viv Richards — to move back up the order.

“It’s the first time it’s sat comfortably with me,” said Root. “I am coming into it having had a really strong year with a lot more clarity about how I’m going to score my runs… I’m a lot more experienced. I feel it’s the right fit for this team.”

Friday, 25 February, 2022

pRAyeR timings

NEWS

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:22

12:17

3:26

6:44

5:50

7:12

Pakistan, Uzbekistan reiterated Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine desire to fUrther efforts for regional Peace, secUrity MOSCOW/KYIV Agencies

RAWALPINDI

P

stAff RepoRt

AKISTAN and Uzbekistan on Thursday reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations including efforts for peace and security in the region. Mr Aybek Arif Usmanov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) here at the GHQ. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and bilateral cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

COAS said that Pakistan values its relations with Uzbekistan particularly defence cooperation.

The visiting dignitary appreci-

ated Pakistan’s role in regional stability and pledged to keep working for better relations between two brotherly countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, unleashing air strikes and ordering ground troops across the border in fighting that Ukrainian authorities said left dozens of people dead.

The attack triggered Western warnings of unprecedented sanctions against Russia as NATO, EU and G7 leaders condemned the invasion and vowed to hold Moscow accountable.

Weeks of intense diplomacy failed to deter Putin, who massed over 150,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders in what the West said was the biggest military build-up in Europe since World War II. “I have decided to proceed with a special military operation,” Putin said in a televised address before dawn on Thursday.

Shortly afterwards, the first

bombardments were heard in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and several other cities, according to AFP correspondents.

Russian air strikes hit military installations across the country as ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, forcing many Ukrainians to flee their homes to the sounds of bombing. Olena Kurilo was among 20 wounded after a blast sent shards of glass from her windows into her face in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chuguiv.

“Never, under any conditions will I submit to Putin. It is better to die,” the 52-year-old teacher said, her face swathed in bandages.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was now a “new iron curtain” between Russia and the rest of the world, like in the Cold War. US President Joe Biden vowed to “hold Russia accountable” and G7 leaders said Putin was on the “wrong side of history” after a virtual summit.

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

“This crisis is a serious threat to the rules-based international order, with ramifications well beyond Europe,” the G7 leaders said in a statement.

Biden was expected to give a speech at 1730 GMT. AttAck on chernobyl: Across Ukraine, at least 68 people were killed, including both soldiers and civilians, according to an AFP tally from Ukrainian official sources.

Air raid sirens sounded over Kyiv at the break of dawn after the city’s main airport was hit in the first bombing of the city since World War II. The city declared an overnight curfew but said underground stations would remain open throughout the to serve as bomb shelters.

Ukraine said that Russian forces had managed to capture an airfield near Kyiv and fighting was also raging around Chernobyl in northern Ukraine — the site of a nuclear disaster.