Issuu

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 I 23 Shawwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 325 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

Govt vows not to allow PtI’s lonG march g

Section 144 impoSed in punjab, Sindh, Federal capital ISLAMABAD

staff report

he cabinet has decided to stop the pakistan tehreek-i-insaf (pti) from holding its long march on islamabad in order to “ensure the safety and security” of the people, a minister announced tuesday. last Saturday, former prime minister imran khan called on his supporters to gather in islamabad on Wednesday (tomorrow) for a demonstration that he said would continue until the “imported” government of the pakistan democratic movement (pdm) announced a date for snap elections. addressing a press conference following a meeting of the cabinet

Govt callS in pakiStan army to Secure red Zone

chaired by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, minister for interior rana Sanaullah khan said the decision was taken to “avoid the spread of fitna (mischief) and fasaad,” said the minister who was flanked by ministers Qamar Zaman kaira and maulana asad mehmood. condemning the protest, Sanaullah said the march was not “democratic” and, therefore, couldn’t be allowed to take place. “no one has authority to dictate [the government in] islamabad.” the pti declared theirs was going to be a bloody march but, i repeat, the government will not allow anyone to lay siege on the capital, he said. “they first raised the issue of a foreign conspiracy, then the assassination plot and now they are trying to spread anar-

chy in the garb of a march,” the minister claimed. “they said this march is going to be bloody. they had already raised civil disobedience slogans and attacked institutions. “they will be stopped as they wanted to attack the Federation from one province. all their ‘braves’ have now gathered in peshawar and i warn them to behave.” recalling the 2014 sit-in of the pti, Sanaullah said these people laid siege to the prime minister’s house, provoked people to ignite civil disobedience movement and hung dirty clothes on parliament house and the Supreme court buildings. he said the pti chairman was working on a strategy of divide-and-mislead but added the government will not allow

him to promote his destructive agenda. he said the entire leadership of the pti party was present in peshawar from where it was planning to invade the capital by utilising force and resources of khyber pakhtunkhwa.

he said violent gangs cannot be allowed to attack the state and warned the people, who have become hypnotised by khan’s politics of hatred and division, to come out of the illusion.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

02-03 NEWS 25 May 2022_Layout 1 5/25/2022 12:32 AM Page 1

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

Massive police crackdown, arrests rock lahore laHORE

shahab oMer

S the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ‘Azadi March’ looms, the Punjab Police launched a vigorous crackdown and made a series of arrests of key activists and leaders of the party. Apart from the crackdown, the police have blocked all entry and exit points of the provincial metropolis, leaving the city virtually cut off from rest of the country. On the other hand, a policeman was also shot dead during a raid yesternight. ARRESTS IN PUNJAB: Last night, Punjab police raided various places in Lahore to arrest PTI leaders and workers whereas former provincial law minister Raja Basharat said in his video statement against police raids that his house was raided at night and employees were harassed. Basharat said that raiding the house late in the night was “illegal and unethical” and these tactics could not affect zeal of the PTI leaders and workers for ‘real freedom march’. According to PTI sources, police also raided the house of PTI youth leader Hafiz Tanveer in Lahore. However, Hafiz was not present in the house at the time. Police also raided the house of former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed but he was not present. The police had left after a thorough search of the house. On the other hand, Rasheed while talking to media said that it was a final meeting at the house of Hammad Azhar for departure from Lahore with reference to ‘Azadi March’ and during the meeting, the someone shouted that the police had arrived, so he had to hide in the storeroom for half an hour. When police raided Hammad’s residence at that time other leaders including former health minister Yasmeen Rashid were also present in his house. Yasim Rashid protested on road along with party workers and staged a sit-in in the middle of the road. Rashid’s video of the protest went viral on social media and Twitteratis criticize the government for the victimisation of the opposition leaders. Meanwhile, Member Punjab Assembly Sadia Sohail said that 15 policemen raided her house and insulted women, adding that the police did not show any warrant. The police searched the house and, on their way they also took her official vehicle. The house of Tariq Mahmoodul Hassan, special assistant to the former prime minister and leader of PTI, was also raided but he was not present at the house. Police raided the house of PTI founder member Malik Ishtiaq in Lahore but failed to arrest him. PTI leader Musarat Jamshed Cheema condemned arrest of MPA Rashida Khanum and said that the police dragged Rashida Khanum into the car. According to Cheema, the police showed disrespect to the elderly woman. Moreover, police raided the house of PTI leader Yasir Gilani and his family alleged that the policemen tried to break maingate of the house and harassed the children and women in the house.

Trucks carrying containers placed at entry and exit points of City to block way for marchers towards Ravi Bridge at Batti Chowk in provincial metropolis. Photo by Zubair MehfooZ

The house of PTI leader Mehr Naeemullah Taj was also raided in Chungi Amar Sidhu. Later, Mr Taj alleged that the police had insulted the family members and beaten the employees. Police also reached the house of Farrukh Javed, former PTI information secretary, but Farrukh ran out of the house through back door. Former provincial minister Mian Aslam Iqbal’s house was raided by police and his brother Afzal Iqbal was taken into custody whereas Iqbal alleged that police also tortured his brother. The family of Malik Mohammad Zaheer, a local PTI leader, said that Zaheer was arrested during the raid. PTI activists inlcduing Matib and Khaliq were also arrested from Upper Mall, while police raided the house of MPA Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara. Well maintained sources in Punjab police informed this scribe that the targeted list of PTI workers including Lahore included 2,076 workers and a total of 1,260 PTI workers from across the province, including Lahore, were arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order [MPO] Section 16 and 61 workers and leaders were arrested within 16 hours from Lahore only. They also informed that 48 workers from Sheikhupura, 20 from Kasur, 20 from Nankana Sahib, 65 from Sahiwal, 12 from Okara, 16 from Pakpattan, 64 from Faisalabad, 31 from Jhang, 23 from Toba Tek Singh and 19 workers were arrested from Chiniot. Similarly, 18 workers from Gujranwala, 10 from Sialkot, 20 from Narowal, 8 from Gujarat, 31 from Mandi Bahauddin, 2 from Hafizabad, 66 from Rawalpindi division, 197 from Sargodha division, 32 from Bahawalpur division, 183 from DG Khan division and 314 workers from Multan division were arrested. Sources further revealed that anti-riot equipment has been distributed in 35 police

stations of Lahore and anti-riot force personnel have also been attached to the police stations. However, the force was dispatched with tear gas and anti-riot gear. Similarly, protective shields, helmets and sticks were also distributed to Lahore police personnel. They added that police officials were given strict instructions not to allow the protesters to come together anywhere in the city. Police have issued high alert in Lalak Jan Chowk, Liberty Chowk, Shahdara and other areas and police personnel in plainclothes have also been deployed on roads. Meanwhile, ten prisoners vehicles were also deployed on roads of the city. Moreover, the protesters would be shifted to jail immediately after the arrests and arrest warrants were issued for one month each whereas senior inspectors of Lahore police and capable SHOs have also been given the task of arresting main leadership of teh PTI. POLICE CONSTABLE SHOT DEAD: A man opened fire on policeman from the rooftop last night when police raided a house in Model Town to arrest PTI workers. However, the bullet struck Constable Kamal Ahmed in the chest and he died on the spot. DIG Lahore Police Chaudhry Sohail while talking to media said that during the police raid, the PTI workers violated the law and Constable Kamal was fired upon from the rooftop of a house. According to him, the police have arrested owner of the house and his son on the charge of firing and recovered weapon from them. The FIR lodged on the police complaint said that the police raided a house on the issue of Tenancy Act. During the operation, the accused named Sajid fired abullet from the rooftop of the house which hit the constable. Meanwhile, PML-Q leader and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on

Kh Asif apologises for raid at Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal’s house manal JaffERy Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday apologised for the raid at the residence of Justice (retired) Nasira Iqbal, noting that the government had nothing but respect for her. The Punjab Police late Monday night raided the houses of several PTI leaders and Senator Walid Iqbal — the son of the retired judge — was also among them. It was reported that during the raid the gate of the retired judge’s residence was broken. In a video statement released after the incident, Justice (retd) Iqbal said a team of eight police officers raided the residence at 2am and broke their entrance gate. “They just came to see whether Walid Iqbal was at home or not. Neither did they have a warrant, nor had [Walid] committed a crime. But despite this, they entered our house by force. This happens in a society where dacoits are in power,” the retired

judge, the daughter-in-law of the poet of the nation, Allama Iqbal, said. In his speech during the National Assembly session, the defence minister apologised for the excessive use of force during the raid at the retired judge’s residence. “But I want to say this with the utmost respect that condemnation should not be selective. It should be above party lines,” Asif said, noting that despite Justice (retd) Nasira’s son being a member of the PTI, he condemned the raid. The defence minister added that if a political worker repeats the same language as their leader, then they negate their political identity. “A political worker does not use words such as jalao gherao (vandalism).” The defence minister’s statement comes as the political tensions in the country heightened after the federal cabinet decided not to let PTI go ahead with its long march in order to avoid the spread of “fitna” and “fasad”.

the martyrdom of a Punjab police official said that he was a martyr of what? Did the police go to arrest the robber? Punjab Police reacted strongly to the statement of Elahi regarding the martyred constable and spokesperson of Punjab Police while posting a video clip of Elahi’s statement said that police personnel make sacrifices day and night in the performance of their duties. However, former prime minister Imran Khan, while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday, expressed regret over the death but termed it as a self-defense incident. “If someone’s house is forcibly raided at night, then there is a danger of such incidents occurring,” Khan said. POLICE PATROLLING AND CLOSUR OF ENTRANCE AND EXITS: In view of the long march of PTI, Punjab Police continued patrolling in different areas of the city, major highways, bazaars and streets. A large contingent of Lahore police was also deployed outside the Lahore Press Club where the PTI leadership was to hold a press conference. However, barricades were set up at various places along the Mall Road and vehicles were searched at many places. The government sealed off the city’s exit on the Ravi River bridge to block the Long March participants. The road to Ravi Bridge was closed with heavy containers while the old Ravi Bridge was already closed for heavy traffic. Similarly, Saggian Bridge was also closed with tractor trolleys while the road leading to the motorway from Babu Sabu Interchange was also closed whereas, the roads leading to the motorway from Ring Road were partially open. However, motorway sources informed that the M3 and M4 motorways in Faisalabad were closed while the traffic on the motorway from Lahore to Islamabad was also closed.

The sources further said that containers have been placed at all the interchanges of the motorway and police have been deployed. Jaranwala and Samundari Interchange on Motorway M3 have been closed while Aminpur, Sahiyanwala and Deputywala Interchange on Motorway M4 have also been closed. Similarly, M4 motorway from Multan to Lahore has been closed from Abdul Hakim Interchange and containers have been placed on Chenab river bridge in Gujarat. Containers have been set up at Sadhoki on GT Road in Gujranwala. In Sargodha, containers were set up at Salim Interchange to stop PTI workers, however, food trucks and citizens traveling from abroad were allowed to enter the motorway. However, Islamabad Kohat Road has been closed with containers at Khushal Garh and Mankor check post. Lahore to Islamabad public transport suspended On the other hand, public transport from Lahore to Islamabad was also partially closed due to the long march. According to a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, passenger buses and wagons were stopped at most bus stands in the provincial capital. Munir Mian, a transporter at Lahore’s General Bus Stand, informed that in fact many passenger buses were stopped in Tuesday morning by the Punjab Transport Department on suspicion of booking long march. Moreover, a large number of passengers were observed near Thokar Niaz Baig bus stand and Niazi bus stand due to transport blockade. SECTION 144 IMPOSED IN PUNJAB: Meanwhile, section 144 was also imposed by the Punjab government in the province to stop the long march. Addressing a press conference here in Lahore, PML-N leader Ata Tarar said that the Punjab government had decided to implement section 144 in consultation with the allies which would be implemented immediately. Tarar also criticized former Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying “He wants chaos in the country and wants to bring down the bodies. He is hiding in Peshawar. If he has the courage, come to Lahore and lead the march,” he said. EXAMS CANCELLED Meanwhile, the matriculation papers scheduled for tomorrow [Wednesday] in Lahore and Rawalpindi were canceled due to long march. According to the spokesperson of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BIES) Lahore, the exam of Pakistan studies matriculation has been canceled and the reissue date will be announced later whereas the Class IX examination is scheduled to start on May 26. On the other hand, the Pak-studies paper which was held in Rawalpindi yesterday [Wednesday] has also been canceled. According to Higher Education Punjab, the next date of canceled papers will be announced by the relevant board. The Punjab University Examinations Department has also postponed all the examinations scheduled for May 25. A spokesman for the Punjab University said that the new date for the May 25 exams would be announced later. CLOSURE OF CELLULAR PHONE SERVICE: Sources in the Punjab Home Department informed that mobile phone service will be shut down at 350 places in Punjab keeping in view the long march. However, in this regard, the Chief Minister Punjab has also approved the closure of mobile phone service in suggested points.

Pakistan secured $13.03bn foreign loans in 10 months: EAD islamabad News desk

Pakistan has incurred foreign loans of $13.03 billion during the first ten months (July-April) of the ongoing fiscal year 2021-22 from multiple financing sources against the annual budget estimates of $14.09 billion for the entire fiscal year. According to the latest monthly bulletin released by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) on Monday, the country got foreign assistance of $262.14 million from multiple financing sources during April 2022. Out of $13.03 billion, the government obtained $10.26 billion loan for nonproject aid that includes $9.02 billion in the form of programme/budgetary support assistance to restructure

Pakistan’s economy, $1.21 billion for short-term credit, and $31.41 million for TDPs while $1.82 billion were obtained for project aid financing and guaranteed loans of $832.53 million during JulyApril FY22. Going into details made available by EAD, the disbursement from bilateral and multilateral development partners maintained a strong trend as it totaled $4.54 billion of foreign economic assistance during July-April 2021-22. These healthy inflows also helped improve foreign exchange reserves. The Ministry of Economic Affairs noted the country relied on foreign commercial borrowing as it was recorded at $2.62 billion that included a $1.14 billion from Dubai Bank, $591.25 million loan from Emirates NBD, $61 million

from Ajman Bank, $487.26 million loan from Standard Chartered Bank London while Suisse AG, UBL & ABL provided $343.50 million during July-March 202122. Similarly, the country received $2.04 billion from bonds issuance and $3 billion time deposit from Saudi Arabia during the said period. During July-April 2021-22, the foreign assistance obtained by Pakistan through multilateral sources totaled $4.05 billion. Amongst the multilateral development partners, Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided $1.454 billion, followed by Islamic Development Bank (IDB) provided $1.21 billion as short-term finance and International Development Association-World Bank (IDA) with $976.93 million.

02-03 NEWS 25 May 2022_Layout 1 5/25/2022 12:32 AM Page 2

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAHORE

khar for global engageMent to achieve shared objective of stable afghanistan islamabad

staff rePort

INISTER of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Monday emphasised that persistent, patient, and prudent engagement of the international community would go a long way in achieving the shared objectives of a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. The minister expressed these views during an event — Afghanistan: the path forward — at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos. She highlighted that as an immediate neighbour, with a 2,600 kilometres border, Pakistan has to deal with Afghanistan with a broader lens that encompasses all dimensions — peace,

security, and socio-economic development, a press release issued by the Foreign Office said. The minister said as a country that has constitutional provisions for women to have an equal and effective role in all institutions and walks of life, Pakistan looks towards full respect for and enjoyment of fundamental rights of women and girls, especially the right to education. “Pakistan is equally concerned about the devastating effects of the serious humanitarian situation and economic implosion on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Afghans,” she added. Khar also underlined that both the international community and the interim Taliban government need to revisit their approaches by prioritizing the interests and aspirations of the ordinary people. This would be essential to avoid a

leas to ensure protection of islamabad’s residents: tarar agEnciEs Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has said the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) will ensure protection of the residents of Islamabad as per provisions of the law and fascist gangs will not be allowed to invade the federal capital. Responding to Leader of the Opposition Dr Shahzad Waseem’s objections during Session of Senate in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said that mature and democratic leadership of the entire Pakistan is now representing the Federal Government. He said these are the pro-democratic people and believe in upholding the law and the constitution. He said law and order will be ensured according to the rules and procedure and the Constitution. The Law Minister reminded the Opposition Leader in the Upper House of not issuing production orders of parliamentarians like Ali Wazir, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Rana Sanaullah and others when PTI was in power. Earlier speaking on a point of order, Opposition Leader in the Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem strongly protested police raids on the residences of PTI leaders and workers in Punjab and other parts of the country. He, however, assured the House that PTI’s long march will be peaceful and no hindrances should be created in the way of our protest. Later, the opposition staged a walk-out from the House. The House was informed on Tuesday that a toll-free Helpline 1099 has been established, which is providing free legal advice to the victims of human rights violations. Responding to a question during Question Hour, Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada said the government has taken measures, including enforcement of laws and establishment of various institutions.

NEWS

saudi arabia finalising extension of $3bn deposit to pakistan reuters

further exacerbation of the already dire economic situation, she maintained. Achim Steiner, UN Development Programme (UNDP) administrator, also delivered remarks at the event as

a panellist. The attendees included representatives from the business community, civil society organisations and international media.

Chinese investment played significant role in development: Baloch leader islamabad staff rePort

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri greeted the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong as Pakistan and China celebrate 71 years of friendly diplomatic ties. The Baloch leader congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, the governments and the people of both countries on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. In her congratulatory message, she said: “Pakistan is proud of its everlasting and strong friendship with China. The PakistanChina friendship is everlasting and unique and is getting stronger with time. The ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is a living example of our mutual commitment to a lasting relationship between the two brother countries.” She added: “The journey of PakistanChina friendship spans decades and its scope has extended to all walks of life saying that

China and Pakistan are two brothers. This is the happy day when the two countries sowed the seeds of friendship which has become a strong and fruitful tree in 71 years. Whether it is war or peace or any natural calamity, China has given full support to Pakistan in every difficult time and on important occasions.” Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri acknowledged that the Chinese investment in Pakistan had played a significant role in economic development. “Thanks to CPEC, billions of dollars are being invested in Pakistan and it is playing a key role in the development of Pakistan. At present thousands of Chinese are serving in Pakistan in various fields and are imparting knowledge to Pakistanis on administrative and technical skills,” she mentioned. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri emphasized that the protection of Chinese citizens in Pakistan “is our top priority and all resources are being utilised for this.” She foresaw that the Pakistan-China friendship would last till the end of time and it would get stronger with the passage of time.

travesty of justice can’t dent kashmiris resolve against occupation: bilawal islamabad staff rePort

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal BhuttoZardari on Tuesday strongly condemned the fallacious conviction of Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik by an Indian court on fabricated charges. In statement, Bilawal described Yasin Malik as the most prominent and respected voice among Hurriyat leaders in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying that travesties of justice cannot shake Yasin Malik’s firm resolve against decades of Indian oppression. Demanding acquittal of Yasin Malik, the Foreign Minister said fabricated charges against him must be dropped and he should be released forthwith and allowed to reunite with his family. He called upon the international community, the United Nations and the human rights organizations to exhort India to stop this grave injustice against Yasin Malik. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said India must also release all political prisoners and stop egregious human rights violations in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said India must know that it cannot forever prevent the Kashmiri people from exercising their right to selfdetermination, given to them by the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. The Foreign Minister said the international community must realize that there will be grave humanitarian consequences if India is allowed to continue violating international laws in the IIOJK, with impunity. MALIK’S CASE STIGMA ON INDIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM: Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Chairperson Peace and Culture Organization (PCO) on Tuesday invoked the attention of international community towards violation of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir and said that Yasin Malik’s case was one of the worst example of judicial victimisation. Addressing a joint press conference with MQM MNAs including Kishwar Zehra, Usama Qadir and Sabir Qaimkhani, wife of jailed Kashmiri Hurriyat Leader Yasin Malik said that India’s fascist regime was suppressing the innocent Kashmiris and their pro-freedom leaders over raising the voice for their right to self-determination. Modi’s regime, she said was committing worst atrocities against innocent Kashmiris.

Saudi Arabia is finalising the extension of the kingdom’s $3 billion deposit to Pakistan, Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan told Reuters. “We are currently finalising extending the $3 billion deposit to Pakistan,” he said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Last year, Saudi Arabia deposited $3 billion in Pakistan’s central bank to help support its foreign reserves. Jadaan did not offer further details, but on May 1 the two countries said in a joint statement that they would discuss the possibility of supporting the deposit by extending its term “or through other options.” Pakistan is in dire need of external finances, hurt by high inflation, reserves declining to as low as less than two months’ of imports, and a fastweakening currency. Jadaan said Pakistan was an important ally and the kingdom would stand behind the South Asian nation. Uncertainty over the revival of an International Monetary Fund programme has compounded volatility in the economy and markets amid a political crisis since a new government took over last month from ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan. The IMF is likely to conclude ongoing talks over a 7th review in Doha.

eight killed, 20 injured in punjab bus collision islamabad staff rePort

At least eight people were killed and 20 others injured after a collision between two buses in the hilltract region of Galyat in Punjab, media reported. According to the reports, the accident took place in the Khaira Gali area in which one of the buses fell into a deep gorge following the collision. Eyewitnesses told local media that reason for the collision was over-speeding as the buses were racing with each other. All the victims were shifted to a local hospital where an emergency situation has been declared, police said. Road accidents frequently happen in Pakistan, mainly due to poorly maintained vehicles, dilapidated roads as well as negligence of road safety measures.

summer vacations in sindh KaRacHi staff rePort

School Education & Literacy Department announced the summer vacations for all public and private institutions under its administrative control from June 1 to July 31. According to a notification issued on Tuesday, the decision was taken in a meeting of the Steering Committee on Education. “In pursuance of decisions taken in the steering committee meeting on education held on February 22, 2022, all public and private institutions under the administrative control of School Education and Literacy Department Government of Sindh shall remain closed from 01-06-2022 to 07-072022 as summer vacation,” the statement read.

new Us ambassador assumes charge islamabad staff rePort

Washington’s designated ambassador to Pakistan took control of the United States embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday. “Partnership with Pakistan is key to progress on regional security, trade and investment, the climate crisis, and human rights,” said the State Department following Donald Blome’s confirmation in March. Blome, who was previously the US ambassador in Tunisia, has served American diplomatic missions in Kabul, Jerusalem, Cairo, Baghdad and Kuwait. He is a career Foreign Service diplomat with long experience in the region who once worked in the Kabul embassy, shuttered last year during the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

04 NEWS 25 May 2022_Layout 1 5/25/2022 12:37 AM Page 1

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

No moNkeyPox cAse detected iN PAkistAN yet, NiH Refutes fAke NeWs

news Desk

HE National Institute of Health (NIH) on Tuesday said that no cases of monkeypox cases have yet been detected in Pakistan as it clarified that ‘news’ to the contrary circulating on social media was “incorrect”. The clarification from the institute comes a day after it issued an alert, calling upon national and provincial health authorities to remain on high alert for any suspected case of monkeypox. According to the NIH, no case of the virus has been reported in Pakistan so far and steps to pre-empt a potential outbreak in the country have already been taken, with arrangements made at all airports — includ-

ing medical screenings — in order to identify any infected passengers. “The NIH clarifies that no case of monkeypox has yet been diagnosed in Pakistan,” the institute stated in a statement issued today. “The situation is being closely monitored by the health authorities,” it added. As monkeypox spreads differently from Covid-19, the NIH has encouraged people to stay informed from reliable sources on the extent of the outbreak in their community (if any), its symptoms and prevention. The NIH alert from a day ago stated that monkeypox was a rare viral zoonotic disease that was caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Although the natural reservoir of monkeypox is unknown, African rodents and non-human primates like monkeys may

Leading London Agency Fine & Country list luxury Lahore development Press reLeAse In a first for Pakistan’s real estate market one of London’s leading luxury real estate agencies Fine & Country have listed apartments for sale at the super prime luxury development One Canal Road, Lahore. Head quartered on London’s Park Lane with over 300 locations worldwide Fine & Country are a market leader specialising in super prime properties across the world. One Canal Road by Diyar Homes is an Uber luxury development by Diyar Homes located in a super prime location on the main Canal Road, minutes away from M M Alam and the nightlife of Gulberg. The project is designed by Miami’s leading celebrity architect Kobi Karp who said that the One Canal project will be amongst the best not only in Pakistan but the world. Commenting on the appointment a representative of Diyar Homes said, “At Diyar Homes we create bespoke luxury developments tailor made for our discerning clientele. One Canal Road will be the pinnacle of luxury living in Lahore and we’re honoured to appoint Fine & Country as a sales partner”. One Canal Road boasts more than 35,000 square feet of residents amenities including a Hotel-Esque Residents Lobby, Residents Lounge, Private Theatre, State of the Art Fitness Centre, Spa, Kids Club, Lahore’s Highest Infinity Sky Pool & Lounge. The development has signed an exclusive deal with VERSACE ceramics for walls and floors finishing in the building and is set to create a new precedent in Pakistan’s luxury real estate sector.

IHC restrains police from arresting Sheikh Rasheed news Desk The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday stopped police and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from arresting Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rasheed. The IHC decision came after former interior minister filed the petition through his counsel against police crackdown and harassment of PTI leaders, activities ahead of the Islamabad long march.

The IHC ordered Sheikh Rasheed to appear before court tomorrow in person and stopped police, FIA from arresting former federal minister till May 25. Police in the wee hours of Tuesday raided former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed’s residence, Lal Haveli ahead of PTI’s Azadi March. As per sources, Police raided Lal Haveli to arrest Awami Muslim League chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.

harbour the virus and infect people. The alert said the disease could be transmitted through contact with infected animals, humans or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes like the eyes, nose or mouth. The patient develops a rash within one to three days after the appearance of fever, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. Other symptoms include headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and lymphadenopathy. The incubation period is usually seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days. The illness typically lasts for two to four weeks.

Parvaiz Elahi condemns ongoing crackdown in Punjab news Desk Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Choudhary Parvaiz Elahi held a press conference on the current happenings in Punjab. Last night, several Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf leaders and workers were arrested by the police. One of the constables lost his life during the raids. Parvaiz Elahi said,” Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Sana Ullah were convicted for the murders of the innocents in the Model Town incident.” Among the killed people in the Model Town incident, there was one woman who had a child on her belly and her daughter was standing by her side. The police did not even bother to leave her.” He added, “We passed legislation regarding the Khatm e Nabuwat in Punjab assembly, and in the same assembly, Muslim League-N and their supporters disrupted the law and order situation of the provincial assembly.

Rana Mashood was leading all the situation and that we all have seen.”

Senate blasts Yasin Malik’s persecution APP The Senate on Monday unanimously passed a resolution, expressing solidarity with the family of Hurriyat Leader Yasin Malik who is being persecuted in a dubious and motivated case against him by Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The resolution, presented by Senator Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the house condemns the abhorrent attempt of the Indian government to deprive the Kashmiri people of their true leadership which is a blatant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It said the struggle for the right to self-determination in Kashmir was indigenous and could not be dampened by the draconian strongarm tactics of the Indian government. Besides asking the government for

taking immediate steps on the matter, the Senate urged the international community to counsel India to drop all fabricated charges against all political leaders of the IIOJK including Yasin Malik and ensure their safety and well-being. It said the Indian government should arrange a meeting of Hurriyat Leader Yasin Malik with his spouse Mishal Malik along with his 10-yearold daughter. The Senate asked the Indian government to stop human rights violations in Kashmir, lift the brutal military siege, and let the Kashmiri people exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with their aspirations and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Meanwhile, the upper house of parliament passed four bills, including the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment), Bill 2022 and the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

He also indicated a journalist question that he is soon to call a session in the Punjab assembly before 30th May. Chaudhary Parvaiz Ilahi replied shockingly when a question came about what he thought about the last night’s incident. To this, he replied,” how on earth he was martyred? Did they go to raid thieves? There were mothers and sisters of the PTI leaders at home and police entered their homes illegally.” He further stated, “March was needed for the people of Pakistan for the clear reasons: the ongoing economic situation in the country, the foreign intervention (government is being dictated by them), and we demand free and fair elections as soon as possible.” Parvaiz Ilahi replied to a question that the task is given to the workers and every worker will be in Islamabad for the march. As far as the views of Imran Khan for the neutrals, he openly said that he supports his views for them.

RAW sets up special cell to exploit political situation in Pakistan isLAMABAD INP

Indian machinations against Pakistan are spearheaded by RAW Chief Samant Kumar Goel with strategic guidance of Ajit Doval and ideologically driven by the Nazi-inspired RSS whose political front, BJP, is in power since 2014. A special cell in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office has been established for exploiting political situation in Pakistan. RAW is working in all domains to carryout subversive, coercive and destabilising activities against Pakistan both inland and around the world. Sources privy to the development informed KMS that RAW had been running 87 terrorist camps in Afghanistan to sponsor terrorism in Pakistan. Ajit Doval has openly said that “We will fight Pakistan to the last Afghan”. RAW paid $560,000 to TTP, prior to US withdrawal from Afghanistan as UAE govt has money trails. India uses foreign territory to initiate terrorist activities in Pakistan, the sources said and added that Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi has been given additional responsibility of supplying arms and logistics to Baloch terror groups. Presently, he is General Officer-Commanding-inChief of Northern Command in India army.

Six Pakistani peacekeepers to be honored posthumously at UN ceremony on 26 May Agencies UN Headquarters will observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Thursday, May 26 May. Secretary-General António Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the nearly 4,200 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and will preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to 117 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their life

serving under the UN flag last year. Among the peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously are six from Pakistan: Police L/Cpl Tahir Ikram, Police L/Cpl Adil Jan, and SGT Muhammad Nil Naeem who all served with UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); NCE Tahir Mehmood deployed with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO); SGT Muhammad Shafeeq from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic

(MINUSCA); and Mr. Abrar Sayed who served in a civilian capacity with (MINURSO). Pakistan is the 5th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping. It currently deploys more than 4,100 military and police personnel to the UN operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali, South Sudan and Western Sahara During a special ceremony, the Secretary-General will award the “Captain

Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage” posthumously to Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar of Chad, who served with the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The medal is named for a Senegalese peacekeeper who was killed in Rwanda in 1994 after saving countless civilian lives. This is the second time the medal has been awarded since the inaugural medal was presented to Captain Diagne’s family in his honour in 2016. The Secretary-General will also award the ‘2021 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’ to Major Winnet Zharare, a Zimbabwean military observer, who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan.

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Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

Climate Change triggered reCent deadly heat in Pakistan, india: sCientists ISLAMABAd/NEW dELHI ReuteRS

South Asia’s deadly heatwave in March and April was made 30 times more likely because of climate change, scientists reported Monday. As April temperatures hit nearly 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Pakistan and northern India, at least 90 people died from heat-related causes, officials have said. The heatwave, which had delivered record temperatures in India in March, also badly damaged the country’s winter wheat crop. Without climate change, such heatwaves would be “extraordinarily rare,” according to scientists with World Weather Attribution, an international research collaboration that works to tease out how much climate change plays a role in specific weather events. Now, with the average temperature having warmed about 1.2 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average, such heatwaves in South Asia are 30 times more likely to occur. And that frequency is expected to increase as global tem-

5.3 magnitude tremor felt from kP to islamabad ISLAMABAD: A 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining towns of Balochistan on Tuesday. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed the tremors and noted they were felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Manshera, and Khuzdar. The epicentre of the earthquake was determined to be 170 kilometres deep with the centre in the Hindukush region. No casualties have been reported. Staff RepoRt

two soldiers martyred in n Waziristan attack ISLAMABAD: Two military personnel were martyred when militants targeted security forces in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a statement of the military said on Monday night. The terrorists carried out the raid on a military post in the Mir Ali town of the district, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. During an intense exchange of fire, two young soldiers lost their lives, the ISPR said. Clearance operation is being carried out to eliminate terrorists’ presence in the area, it added. MonitoRing RepoRt

agP seeks report on irregularities in ntdC The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has asked the Managing Director (MD) National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) to submit a fact finding report within seven days regarding the illegal appointments, unjustified payments, and issuing of bogus clearance certificates. As per details, AGP’s office of the Director General Audit (Power) in a letter to MD NTDC Lahore, has sought submission of the fact finding report in respect of various allegations against the former MD NTDC Manzoor Ahmad within seven days. And, also declared that the delay in supply of records will not be accepted and reported to the AGP while any delaying tactics will not be accepted from the quarter concerned. ahMad ahMadani

peratures continue to rise. For example, “in a 2C warmer world, what is a 1-in-100 year event now can be as frequent as a 1-in-5 year event,” said hydroclimatologist Arpita Mondal at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, in a news briefing. To conduct their analysis, the scientists compared temperature data readings for the months of March and April dating back several decades with what conditions might have been without climate change, based on computer simulations. “People in South Asia are used to some level of hot temperatures,” said Roop Singh, climate risk advisor at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. “But when it gets to 45C or over, it becomes really difficult to carry out regular activities.” Daily wage labourers, such as street vendors and construction workers, Singh said, are hard hit as they may not have a cool place to rest and recover. She said experts expect the heatwave’s death toll to rise as more data is reported to officials.

Pakistan Islamic banking assets to grow up 28pc in five years: Moody’s NEWS dESk Moody’s has said that it expects Pakistan’s Islamic banking assets to increase by 25 percent to 28 percent in the next five years. In a report released on Tuesday, Moody’s said that Pakistan’s Islamic banking industry is growing rapidly with a combination of a predominantly Muslim population, still modest financial inclusion, and the commitment of the government and regulators as the key driving force. “We expect growth in Islamic banking to continue to materially outpace conventional banking, reaching a market share of total assets and deposits of around 30% by end 2026, with net financing market share at around 33%. We estimate average growth over 2021-2026 to range between 25%-28% for total assets and deposits, and over 20% for net financings,” said Constantinos Krypreos, Moody’s Senior Vice President. The report said that Islamic banking assets in Pakistan have grown by an average of 24% per annum over the past decade to Rs5,577 billion ($31.2 billion), accounting for around 19% of total banking assets, up from 8% in 2011. “We expect annual growth of over 25% over the next five

years, pushing up the sector’s market share to around 30%,” it added. A large Muslim population and still modest financial inclusion are key growth drivers. The country’s large population of over 210 million people is predominantly Muslim. Moreover, financial inclusion in the country is still modest, despite recent progress; according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) approximately 62% of the country’s adult population have an account with a formal financial institution, against an average of 95% in high-income countries. The combination of these factors provides the bedrock for the industry’s development. Past studies have also identified an overwhelming demand for Islamic banking products, with religious considerations an integral part of the decision process. The government and central bank are taking active measures to support the industry’s growth. The SBP’s five-year Strategic Plan for the Islamic banking industry sets out targets and identifies six areas of focus that will enable the industry to achieve them. The regulator is also supporting the gradual adoption of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic

Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Shariah accounting standards, enhancing liquidity management tools, undertaking numerous awareness, and capacity building programs, and has issued instructions to improve Shariah non-compliance risk management, as per Moody’s report. The Islamic banking industry in Pakistan comprises 22 Islamic banking institutions, consisting of five fullyfledged Islamic banks and 17 conventional banks that have Islamic banking branches. A total of 3,956 branches were operational in December 2021 with 1,442 additional Islamic banking windows (dedicated counters at conventional branches). In 2021, 500 branches were added, and Moody’s expects a similar number of new branches to be added annually over the next five years. Increasing the use of digital and electronic channels will also support the industry’s growth. Given its growth potential and strong financial performance, Moody’s also foresees more banks applying for Islamic banking licenses and for conventional banks to convert to fully Islamic banks. Faysal Bank Limited, a mid-sized bank with a market share of around three percent is already in the process of converting from conventional banking to Islamic.

Govt vows not to allow PTI’s long march CoNtINuEd fRoM PAgE 01 The minister said maintaining law and order and ensuring security and protection of people’s lives, businesses, and properties is the top priority of the government and nobody or group will be allowed to harm them. He urged all the institutions, political parties and the media to play their role to prevent this attempt of creating disorder. Sanaullah said the government respected the right of expression and staging a peaceful democratic protest, but nobody can be allowed to stage a deadly demonstration. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for

Communication Mahmood the long march is aimed at ruining the country’s politics and the economy. He said a violent march will not be allowed in any case. Kaira said that the decision to not allow violent protest was a unanimous one. Section 144 imposed in Punjab, Islamabad Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed in Punjab and Islamabad ahead of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf’s (PTI) long march towards the federal capital. The development came after Sindh Government imposed section 144, disallowing political activity in across the province. According to a notification issued by

the Sindh home department, Section 144 will remain in force for 30 days. The law bans the assembly of more than five people in public places. All political and religious congregations were banned. According to a notification issued by the Interior Ministry, section 144 was imposed in Islamabad for a period of two months. Later in the day, PML-N Deputy Secretary-General Attaullah Tarar told a press conference that Section 144 was imposed in the province. “The govt took decision after consulting with its allies,” he told the media. The ban is enforced by the police who register cases under section 188 of the

Pakistan Penal Code for violations of the ban which carry a maximum penalty of six months in prison or fine or both. Govt calls in Pakistan Army Shortly after the government’s decision to stop PTI’s ‘Azadi March’, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah summoned the Pakistan Army for the security of the Red Zone in Islamabad media sources said. According to the sources, army personnel will be stationed at PM House and PM Office, the Supreme Court and other sensitive government buildings in the Red Zone area. All security arrangements will be handed over to the army, the sources said.

PTI condemns police crackdown on leadership PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inasaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday condemned the late-night harassment of party workers in Punjab and police raids on their houses ahead of the long march. Addressing a press conference along with party secretary general Asad Umar, he said there was no justification for police brutality and crackdown on peaceful workers of his party. He said the march would go ahead as planned and former prime minister Imran Khan would lead a rally from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad.

“Protest is our legal and constitutional right,” he said. He said PTI did not want any confrontation with law enforcement in Islamabad but rather would inform the government of legal, constitutional and democratic solutions which were to hold fresh and fair elections. Qureshi said a Supreme Court verdict ensuring the right to protect already exists and expressed hope that courts would provide justice to PTI. He also urged PTI leaders and supporters in Punjab to avoid arrests and “go underground” or move to the houses of their relatives if they had to. “Use public transport or any other means and reach Islamabad.

CMYk

“And if you find hindrances along the way, turn every road, every street and every corner into Srinagar Highway,” the former foreign minister said, promising that “whatever may come”, the programme for the march would stay the same. The march, he asserted, was not just restricted to the PTI anymore and had transformed into a national movement. Hence “Imran Khan will lead the rally from Peshawar tomorrow (May 25) and reach Islamabad,” he vowed. “Even if they put barriers, we will meander our way into the capital.” The former foreign minister said the PTI government in its 3.5 years of rule allowed rallies, long-march and sit-ins

in Islamabad without creating any hurdles, or restrictions in the way of opposition parties. Criticising the actions of the federal, Punjab and Sindh governments against PTI, he said that so-called champions of democracy and human rights now taking refuge by imposing sections 144 and 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Speaking on the occasion, Umar said that police illegal actions had further emboldened the courage and spirit of PTI workers. He said that through the use of force, the government could block the entire country and could not run the affairs of the country.

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Wednesday, 25 May, 2022

06 COMMENT

What appeals to the Youth in Pakistan?

Avoid a no-holds-barred confrontation Abide by Constitution

Some leaders seem to prefer living in a parallel universe

he PML(N)-led ruling alliance is within its rights not to concede PTI chief Imran Khan’s demands for the dismissal of the National Assembly and early elections, deciding instead to rule till the end of the National Assembly’s tenure. What worries one however is the govt’s decision to use the state’s coercive machinery to block the PTI’s self-styled Azadi March. The government has gone even a step further to invoke the colonial-era section 144 in Punjab and sindh to disallow public gatherings. It has also resorted to night raids to arrest PTI leaders and activists One did not expect the PML(N) and PPP, which have themselves suffered from oppressive measures of the sort, to employ them against the PTI The right to protest and participate in any political activity is a fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan. A government claiming to be a standard bearer of democracy is not expected to hinder the activities of any political party as long as these do not violate the law. The practice to block roads cannot be justified as it hinders freedom of movement and harms economic activity. There is a need on the PTI leadership’s part also to do some soul searching. PTI chairman Imran Khan claims his party has never broken the law. Weren’t the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and parliament attacked during the PTI’s 2014 march? Wasn’t ssP Islamabad Asmatullah Junejo severely beaten by a group of violent protesters on Constitution Avenue? While the PTI has not expressly called upon its workers to resort to violence it has worked hard to promote hatred among its workers against political opponents calling them thieves, dacoits and traitors. This can provoke PTI workers who have been told again and again that they are fighting a jihad, to undertake violent acts on a much larger scale than in 2014. Again the PTI leaders continue to threaten civil war if their demands are not accepted There is a need on the part of both the ruling alliance and the PTI to bring down rhetoric and promote a culture of tolerance. Independent media has undergone unprecedented pressure and harassment under the PTI rule. Despite this it continues to support every political party’s right to peaceful protest while vigilantly watching if the rules of the game are being followed.

naZimuDDin

hese days, different forms of authoritarianism have become a new normal across the globe owing to economic, social, cultural, and religious discontent. While in some cases, the troubling time for liberal democracy gives them a wake-up call, and in countries like France, political leaders try to address prevailing issues. For south Asian leaders, this opportunity seems to have been lost especially in India and, if we pay heed to social media in Pakistan, things seem not very different although it’s too early to say anything conclusively. To begin with, since the ouster of former PM Khan through a democratic process, there seems to emerge a parallel universe in Pakistan. In this universe, facts and logic are brushed aside by the leader who somehow, as his supporters perceive, has a monopoly on almost everything ranging from religion, history, and governance to valor and whatnot. While there is a complex web of reasons behind this state, a closer look at Mr. Khan’s politics depicts his juxtaposition of politics and religion in such a way that even an atheist would be drawn into his religious nationalism. On top of the list is the very brilliant technique of talking about Islam in a way that satiates everyone. On the one hand, Khan marries a Barelvi lady, goes to tombs, and carries string beads; on the other, he stands for the religious students who are in seminaries and are rooted in the Deoband school of thought. To further cement the nexus, he invites Moulana Tariq Jameel on significant days. Given that almost threequarters of Pakistan comprises these two schools of thought, Khan knows well that to win elections, he has to play on both sides of the pitch. his allegiance to the next-door neighbor, moreover, finds no boundary as he not only advocated their acceptance, he also considered that they had broken the “shackles of slavery.” Mr. Khan takes his knowledge from a number of sources. surprisingly, most of the time, his current understanding of something contradicts his past reading of the situation. Therefore, he has been called Uturn Khan. All in all, he takes some nuggets of information from the west, some from Islam, and the rest from China. Depending upon the audience and situation, he entertains people. For instance, when he was asked in one interview about the kind of Pakistan he wished to make. he named, unflinchingly, the state of Medina. his

Unequal Citizens No country for minorities

T’s a permanent underclass that is being developed. Pakistan’s religious minorities, already confronted by clear and present physical danger, also have to contend with bleak economic and social prospects. The employment prospects of Pakistan’s non-Muslims are bleak, as per a report compiled by the National Commission for human Rights (NChR) with support from the european Union (eU). The report is called ‘Unequal Citizens: ending systemic Discrimination against Minorities’. Nearly half of the posts reserved for religious minorities in government jobs remain vacant and even with the posts that are filled, 80 per cent of non-Muslims are employed to carry out jobs for which they are paid less. Pakistan’s sanitation workers are the unsung heroes that ensure that our cities run properly. Few realise how physically hazardous this task is. Insufficient safety equipment, hazardous work environment and very little compensation in case of accident or death. And the sheer social ostracisation and stigma associated with the work is what twists the knife further. since the private sector isn’t particularly welcome to minorities, many young men and women are almost nudged towards this line of work. speaking of the private sector: though the odds are always stacked against the working class employees (or, for that matter, even the middle class, the vulnerability of the minorities increases manifold because legal recourse to disputes about compensation places them at the mercy of a biased judicial system. Down south, in sindh, though the placement of the nation’s hindu minorities is higher (comparatively) on the socio-economic ladder, the problem of forced conversions has become even more rampant than it was. The marriageconversion of minors is something that will always find little defence but even that of adults is suspect. In more cases than not, we can see clear cut signs of conversions under duress. One telling comment that is more than apt to ascertain the conditions under which these conversions take place is that it is never hindu boys who convert to Islam so they can elope with Muslim girls. The imbalance of power is more than visible. Though an argument could be made that the appalling conditions of the minorities in the country adversely affects our international image, but that should not be our first concern. Our first concern, by a large distance, should be how this reflects to our own citizens. Whether this is the sort of society that we want to keep living in; one that keeps religious minorities down in nigh all ways possible?

Tapping into white, middle-class, middle-aged, Chrisian discontent

washington watch Dr James J Zogby

N addition to the predictable battles that normally occur between the Republican and Democratic parties, this year’s Us primary election contests are featuring significant struggles being waged within both parties. On the Republican side, the internal conflicts are not ideological. Instead, they’re personal— about Donald Trump, his legacy and leadership. With few exceptions, most Republicans are running on the same platform that brought Donald Trump to power in 2016. It’s an agenda focused on a range of “cultural” issues: fear of excessive immigration from non-european countries; restrictions on abortion; rejection of efforts to educate young people on matters of racial justice and gender equity; rejection of efforts to introduce reforms to police behaviour; and rejection of any gun control. These cultural issues have been framed by Republicans as matters of personal freedom or the protection of traditional values. As such, they have succeeded in tapping into the discontent and sense of loss experienced by a broad swath of middle-class, middle-aged, non-college educated, mainly white Christian voters who have deep insecurities brought on by dramatic transformations in the economy, culture, and demographics of the Us over the past half century. By embracing and racializing them, Republicans have refashioned themselves as the

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Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

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Joint Editor

Executive Editor

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The fact is that the future of Pakistan lies in its people. Any leader, even a leader with global prominence and profound wit, who comes to rule this country, will fail because the nation doesn’t consider rationality, work ethics, hard work, honesty, and truthfulness as a prerequisite for a viable society

The writer is a freelance columnist

Trump and Trumpism are on the GOP Ballot

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

praises of the Chinese system of governance where one autocrat rules the roost seem another end not only because the latter suppresses people including Uygur Muslims, but also the very fact that it is based on the denunciation of any established religion. If this cognitive dissonance is not enough, he calls himself a man more knowledgeable than, say, Noam Chomsky, on the western system. At times, he wishes to make Pakistan like the Nordic countries. In short, Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan is so amorphous that it can be anything and everything depending upon your own ideal of statehood. As a result, the youth in search of Messiah hedge their bets on the man that gives them nothing and everything. What is astonishing is the support base of Imran Khan which is coming from the middle class. here I mean those girls and boys who are liberal, educated, and modern. When Imran Khan calls for sit-ins, protests, social media campaigns, and other political activities, he doesn’t talk about the things which could alienate the youth although he disapproves of their ways of living. even if he addresses the local audience, he never talks about the uptick in rape cases due to women’s short clothing, for instance. he has never said anything like this in his speeches as well. In his interaction with western media outlets, he emphasizes the negative impacts of technologies like mobile phones on the youth and cases of rape cases. Another dose Mr Khan offers the youth is in the form of a personality cult. Taking the benefits of years of plunder in the country, Mr Khan has portrayed himself to be the only saviour left. his messianic personality coupled with enviable achievements attracts not just jobless youths; some of the celebrated actors seem to dance in the parallel universe Imran Khan has created too. Worse so, media personalities have divorced their data-savvy attitude for the idolatry of their leader. This shows that we, as a nation, have divorced rationality.

Despite all the manifest signs of political religion wrapped in jingoism on full display, even minorities have been taken away by the tsunami of compounding cultism. Talking to the youth who hail from minority groups gives a sense of loss because they support Mr Khan at the cost of their very existence in Pakistan, which is becoming increasingly intolerant of other narratives, let alone minority communities. Mr. Khan never talks about unity in diversity. his vague concept of many conflicting narratives doesn’t raise an eyebrow among the well-wishers of Pakistan. While this unnerving wave bodes well for the PTI in a short term, there seems a simmering cataclysm for the country in the offing. We’ve seen such moves in the past— back in the 1980s— when the country was taken to the Dark Ages and religion was weaponized against those who came in the way. Also, in our western neighborhood, religious groups have destroyed any semblance of peace and prosperity by denying women of their due freedom, education, and other basic rights. If Pakistan has to progress, we don’t need a man who confuses people with variegated ideas fixing the issue through catch-22. It is about time the youth followed rationality, evidence, and reality before putting their allegiance before a person who can manipulate them. The fact is that the future of Pakistan lies in its people. Any leader, even a leader with global prominence and profound wit, who comes to rule this country, will fail because the nation doesn’t consider rationality, work ethics, hard work, honesty, and truthfulness as a prerequisite for a viable society. Although our palaces of worship are flocked by people, the same people when they go out, break every possible law and do not abide by their civic responsibility. Upon inquiry, they say that the latter rules are man-made, and the former rules are divine. If our ethical standards do not go up, we will suffer on end no matter who comes into power.

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party of the forgotten white middle class promising in Trump’s words to “make America great again” — which his supporters have understood to mean taking the country back to an imagined past glory. While this approach has won the support of many in the struggling white middle class, the actual Republican agenda has been one that has given free rein to conservative economic policies that have lowered taxes on the wealthy, ended government regulations that protected health, safety, and environment, cut back on needed social services, and appointed ideological officials and judges that support these policies. Gone are the days of the moderate Republican. Former Presidents George h. W. Bush (1989-1993) and George W. Bush (20012009) both rejected Trump’s crass appeal. As did the 2008 GOP nominee, senator John McCain. even senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, no longer feels at home in the party he once led. With Trumpism defining today’s GOP, the only question that remains is whether the former president still leads the movement he helped to take to victory in 2016. There are pretenders to the throne, among them: Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence, his secretary of state Mike Pompeo, his UN Ambassador Nikki haley, and Florida Governor Ron Desantis. On most issues, all of them, except one, are playing to the Trump base. While Trump himself has continued to insist that he won the 2020 election only to have his victory stolen by Democrats and faithless Republicans, not all of his erstwhile competitors are as obsessed with this issue— especially Pence, who Trump and the Trump faithful still hold responsible for certifying the electors who gave the White house to Joseph Biden. so, Trump’s ideology is not being actively debated by this year’s Republican candidates for senate

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and Congress, but loyalty to Trump is. It has been fascinating to watch the hoops that Republican candidates in this year’s midterm elections have felt it necessary to jump through to secure Trump’s endorsement— the most important of which have been to demonstrate their agreement with him that his 2020 “victory” was stolen by Democrats and to refuse to acknowledge Joseph Biden as the legitimate President of the UsA. And so, the primaries to date have not been about differing policies, since they all largely agree. Rather it’s been about who can court Trump sufficiently enough to secure his endorsement and pledge to support the kind of electoral “reform” policies that will give Republican governors and legislatures the power to undo the voters’ will in future elections. To date, Trump-endorsed candidates have fared well. his chosen candidates have won important contests in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Most of those who won are 2020 “election deniers.” some are “White Christian Nationalists.” And a few are advocates of racialist “replacement” theory. They’ve averaged around a third of the vote in competitive multi-candidate races — demonstrating that Trump still has substantial political clout. All this has left more moderate, traditional Republicans in a quandary. some left the party in 2020. Others are struggling to find a new home. With the senate and house Republicans and most of this year’s nominees now in lock step behind Trumpism, what remains to be seen is whether Trumpism remains a winning formula for Republicans in November and whether the former president’s power at the polls can propel him to win the Republican nomination should he run again in 2024. To a great extent, the outcomes of the 2022 and 2024 elections will depend on how Democrats resolve their internal squabbles. And whether they continue to surrender white voters to Trump and company.

What remains to be seen is whether Trumpism remains a winning formula for Republicans in November and whether the former president’s power at the polls can propel him to win the Republican nomination should he run again in 2024.

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The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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Our ruling elite

How can the new PM overcome the Sri Lankan crisis He should follow Bangladesh’s ‘PM Sheikh Hasina Model’ John roZario

RI LANKAN Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the people of sri Lanka that he will fulfil the promises he had made to them when he assumed office last week after the fall of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government. In his first TV address after assuming office, Wickremesinghe listed the grave challenges ahead of him, but assured the people of his determination to meet them successfully. he also suggested the formation of a National Assembly comprising all parties, to arrive at solutions. There may be an example for him. he can overcome the crisis by following Bangladesh’s ‘PM sheikh hasina Model’ sri Lanka is currently going through an extreme economic crisis. Foreign exchange reserves have fallen so low that some school examinations have been postponed indefinitely due to a lack of imported paper. In addition to cooking gas, there has been a shortage of kerosene and petrol. The situation is so dire that due to inflation, high unemployment, and shortages of almost all necessities, many sri Lankans are fleeing their country in the hope of a better life abroad. Countless sri Lankans are now being forced to do something other than their main occupation as not everyone can afford to leave the country.The country has never been in such a bad situation since Independence in 1947. To cope with the situation, the sri Lankan Government has asked for a new loan of $1.5 billion from neighbouring India. When sri Lanka faced problems, Bangladesh provided $250 million for the first time. This was the first loan from Bangladesh for any country. sri Lanka again asked for a loan from Bangladesh. Besides, it has been repaying loans of different countries through the exchange of goods. sri Lanka had good human resources and was quite capable of internal prosperity. Then why this situation? sri Lanka has undertaken several mega projects in their country for more than a century. These include seaports, airports, roads, and other projects that are currently considered unnecessary and redundant. Different governments of sri Lanka have taken loans from different sources at home and abroad. As a result, their foreign exchange reserves gradually ran out. Instead of foreign investment, various governments have focused on borrowing. The country’s government has issued sovereign bonds since 2007 to raise money. This type of sovereign bond is sold when the expenditure is more than the income of a country. such bonds are sold in the international capital market to raise money. That is what sri Lanka has done. The once-self-sufficient country is also in dire straits due to tax cuts, reduced income from tourism remittances, and unplanned decisions in agriculture. Different countries have to learn from this situation. The world economic situation has begun to change rapidly since the Russia-Ukraine war, at which time any country could fall into a new crisis. hopefully, sri Lanka will soon be able to return to normalcy with the help of various countries and organizations around the world. On the other hand, Bangladesh is currently a wonder of development. It is hasina Wazed’s contribution that has made a least developed country such as Bangladesh a developing coun-

try now, going by economic indicators. sheikh hasina changed Bangladesh from a basket case to a middle-income country. strong leadership is one of the main reasons behind the ‘Bangladesh model. The implementation of big projects is now just a matter of time. City facilities have also been ensured in the villages. A Metrorail will be launched in a few days. The long Padma bridge is not a dream now, it is real. The implementation of such a project with the government’s own funding was at one time unimaginable. The country is moving forward with a sound plan. “On various indicators of human development, Bangladesh had shown significant improvement,” she has said, adding, “Life expectancy in 2019 was 72.6 years, a gain of over 7 years since 2000, years of schooling were up from 4.1 to 6.2, and the country’s human development index value climbed from 0.478 in 2000 to 0.632 in 2019. As a result, Bangladesh’s index ranking is now 133rd out of a total of 189 countries.” The high Commissioner pointed out that Bangladesh’s growth stems largely from its success as an exporter of readymade garments, which account for 83 percent of its total exports, and remittances from overseas, which amount to over seven percent of GDP. however, the principal driver of growth is investment, which have risen from 24 percent of GDP in 2000 to 32 percent in 2019. When asked about Bangladesh’s amazing rise and economic growth, she put it down to the “sheikh hasina factor”. The high Commissioner emphasised that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the government offered a two-percent incentives bonus for Bangladeshis sending remittances back to the country, creating $2 billion to keep the growth going. In addition, the Bangladesh Government under Prime Minister sheikh hasina provided an exponential stimulus to the economy to protect the marginal fringes of the workforce. she also highlighted that completion of the Padma Bridge will make a huge contribution to the economy. Nobody disputes the economic credentials of sheikh hasina’s government- the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is the latest member of a growing list of international institutions attesting to Bangladesh’s economic success. The ADB ranked Bangladesh as the fastest-growing economy in the Asia-Pacific region, eclipsing China, Vietnam and India. At the same time, our improvements in many socio-economic indicators are another object of envy to our neighbours. When she returned to power in 2009, sheikh hasina knew that the energy shortage first needed to be mitigated to a tolerable extent, before embarking on long-term plans. As a temporary measure, she decided to allow private companies to build small-range power plants, known as quick-rental power plants. The decision received a barrage of criticism from many quarters— from opposition parties and economists to the press and think tanks— intimidating many in the bureaucracy. But sheikh hasina refused to back down from what she thought was the right step forward. she defended her decision forcefully, making necessary amendments to clear any legal ambiguity, and focused on its implementation. Nearly 10 years on, no one doubts that the decision was instrumental in solving the persistent energy crisis. While in power, sheikh hasina has opened up many sectors traditionally reserved for the public sector to the private sector, including

health, banking, higher education, TV and even export processing and economic zones. At the same time, her government has substantially widened and expanded welfare programmes to lift the poorest and most neglected section of the population and increased subsidies for other crucial elements of the economy such as agriculture. her development philosophy is a blend of capitalistic and socialistic virtues. Propelled by a robust manufacturing sector and an enormous boom in infrastructure, Bangladesh has set a target of becoming a developed nation by 2041 to coincide with the platinum jubilee of its independence. Many commentators have called the goal ambitious, but even the government’s staunchest critics would think twice before questioning its plausibility. The present government in Bangladesh has shown great prudence and foresight in the progress of Bangladesh. The current Bangladesh regime has ensured political stability in the country, zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and illegal narcotics dealing, empowerment of women, liberalization of the economy, social welfare policy towards the people, capacity building through training, inclusive economic growth policy, timely bold decisions etc. For this reason, there is nothing to be afraid of seeing the situation of any country as a nightmare. Around 100 economic zones are being formed. Investment is coming from different countries. Foreign exchange reserves are adequate (Us$ 45 billion, January 2022), and remittances are satisfactory. It can be said that every economic foundation of Bangladesh is still in a strong position. The economy of Bangladesh was also active during COVID and emphasis has been laid on revenue collection and the agricultural sector of Bangladesh is very strong. Bangladesh is in a positive position in terms of foreign exchange reserves, remittances, and export earnings. Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves now stand at more than $45 billion, despite rising import costs, making it able to meet the import cost of six months. Bangladesh’s growth rate was way above Pakistan, even before the pandemic; in 2018-19 it was 7.8 percent compared to Pakistan’s 5.8 percent. Various international organisations, including the World Bank, the World economic Forum, and the economic Intelligence Unit, have identified Bangladesh’s economic development as a “wonderful puzzle”. While the current economy of Bangladesh is $410 billion, the size of Pakistan’s economy is about $260 billion. Bangladesh has improved its quality of life, economic strength, prosperity, education, and research in every field. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Bangladesh’s growth has slowed down. But where the growth of all the developed countries of the world was negative in these years, the achievement of Bangladesh was also noticeable. Premier sheikh hasina has achieved full potential to move from a least developed country to a developing country. It has been possible because of people’s hard-working, strong leadership. Political stability, the flow of FDI, empowerment of women, unique poverty alleviation model, inclusivity of economy, etc. That is the story of a south Asian country: ‘Bangladesh’ is a ‘miracle story’. The writer is based in Karnataka, India, and has completed a master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University in International Relations. He can be reached at johnrojariojnu@gmail.com.

IT is time that the paid and elected ruling elite of this country, who aspire to hold public office, must be seen to have all their stakes in this country, no conflicts of interest, and lead by example in their total commitment to Pakistan. This country was created by politicians with integrity and character, who were not smitten by greed for assets and real estate allotments. In 1930 Quaid left for London, where he served as a successful barrister, bought a house in hampstead and was well settled. however, when he was approached by Allama Iqbal and others to return to India, he sold that house and returned back to lead the All-India Muslim League, never to return back to england. In his 11th August, 1947 address to the First Constituent Assembly MAJ warned about the cancer of corruption, that years of colonial rule had nurtured to buy loyalties of natives, willing to betray their motherland and serve the British Raj. The British used land and titles to lure the paid servants of the state to serve them loyally. Unfortunately, since 1955, these remnants of the British Raj conspired to derail Jinnah’s vision of a modern democratic welfare state to be replaced by a security state, serving their former colonial masters. We may be amongst the few countries whose paid and elected elite are allowed to own vast assets abroad, settle their families there and yet be eligible to hold sensitive public offices in the civil and uniformed services. Our paid bureaucracy, both civil and uniformed, while in service have no restriction to buy properties abroad, facilitate their families from acquiring immigration and after retirement shift abroad, to live with there. Individuals holding important sensitive public offices are facilitated to sell their assets in Pakistan, including lands allotted to them, and transfer proceeds of such sales to their foreign bank accounts. This must stop immediately. MALIK TARIQ ALI LAHORE

Unbearable load-shedding PRIMe MINIsTeR shehbaz sharif had promised to end load shedding in the country by May 1. Unfortunately, citizens were given no respite even during the eid holidays as many areas suffered from 10 to 12 hours of load-shedding. Officials claim that the reason for the shortage of electricity has to do with the unavailability of required fuel for power generation and the non-maintenance of some power plants. But what are the true facts? During 2013 to 2018, without necessity, a large number of thermal power stations were built, taking the installed capacity to 35,735MW when the maximum demand was 23,000MW. This capacity could not be utilised because the needed transmission infrastructure was not built. What people don’t realise is that this is a very serious shortcoming that is constantly being undermined by the authorities. When we, WAPDA engineers, were building the country’s power system back in 1958, we built and completed the transmission lines and grid stations before commissioning the Warsak and Multan power stations. The same procedure was carried out for the Mangla and the Tarbela power stations. The other major problem in the power sector is circular debt. Approximately 17,276MW is being produced by independent power producers. They have to be paid the capacity charges even if their power is not utilised. Under the PPP government’s 1984 Power Policy, these independent producers have been given extraordinarily generous terms. Billions of rupees are constantly being lost because of this. The only solution to the load-shedding conundrum is to construct transmission infrastructure without further delay. This will also enable expanding the power sector to neglected and underdeveloped areas. IMTIAZ ALI QAZILBASH ISLAMABAD

How democracies die The book titled “how Democracies Die” has brought to light four indicators that lead to a law and order situation in a country where political leaders become authoritarian. The first is a fragile commitment to democratic rules. The second is a denial of the opposition’s legitimacy. The third factor is an encouragement of violence and lastly, a curtailing of liberties of opponents. This is what is happening in Pakistan after the success of the vote of no-confidence. As a popular leader loses his top slot, he begins to incite people against the opposition and teaches the masses that he has a magic wand that can alter their destiny. To deny the legitimacy of political regimes is a common phenomenon in Pakistan. Almost all general elections are alleged for foul play, rigging and openly it has been proclaimed that transparency in elections doesn’t exist at all. If political set-up was established under a transparent atmosphere, the chances of their early removal lessened to a great extent. however, this is still a far cry in Pakistan. These practices are the major hurdles to good governance in Pakistan. Good governance and designing policies are the first and foremost duties of any government for the welfare and well-being of its citizens and for the country in the form of long and short term plans. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, good governance has been a great challenge for the executive since its inception. even after the rehabilitation of democracy in Pakistan, the crisis of good governance still prevailed, with no clear ideas and way forward to rectify for future, social and human development of Pakistan. SYEDA HADIA BAKHTAWAR NANKANA SAHIB

Karachi deprived of water The residents of sector-8, North Karachi are not being supplied potable water and the situation has been a cause for much mental and physical distress. It is impossible to live without clean water during the scorching summers as heatwaves continue to affect the lives of citizens. It is intimated that the Khawaja Ajmair Nagri water pumping station supplies water to the residents of sector-8 typically after every 10 days. Water is supplied to the station continuously for 2 to 3 days a week, which is of no use as water reservoirs at the station are not big enough to hold all the water. As a result, there is an unequal distribution of water which finishes before the majority of resident receive it. Those who are well off are able to buy water from water tankers while those who cannot afford to buy water from the tanker mafia are compelled to ask their neighbours for water. The overall situation is horrendous as it has become difficult for residents to live in such dire circumstances. It is my humble request for the relevant authorities to ensure supply of potable water to the residents of sector-8 in a timely manner. FAISAL ANSAR KARACHI

08 WORLD VIEW 25th May 22_Layout 1 5/24/2022 9:22 PM Page 1

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

IT’s lONg pAsT TIme fOr CONgress TO breAk up The fbI Federalist JOE POPULARIS

HE Federal Bureau of Investigation’s long history of abusing its power is once again prominent amid the continued expose by special Counsel John Durham. His prosecution is demonstrating the FBI’s use of its power to deploy federal intelligence assets against political opponents of Democrats. The FBI routinely intervenes in politics, such as when the FBI assisted the Hillary Clinton campaign in painting former President Donald Trump as a Russian intelligence asset, as Durham’s investigation is emphasizing with more evidence. By getting a Foreign Intelligence surveillance Act warrant on Carter Page, the FBI also likely spied on Trump and his inner circle via something called the two-hop rule. stunningly, it appears the FBI’s animus for Trump was rooted in disagreements about the foreign policy that Trump campaigned on. spygate, however, is only a more recent manifestation of a long history of FBI abuses that Congress must rein in as soon as possible. A LONG HISTORY OF IMPROPRIETY: The FBI has a long history of impropriety. Ever since the War on Terror started, the FBI has targeted Muslim communities with informants, who receive $100,000 or more for their work and may be engaged in illegal activities that go unaddressed. Trevor Aaronson analyzed thousands of FBI cases and found that, “Of these defendants caught up in FBI terrorism sting operations, an FBI informant was the person who led one of every three terrorist plots, and the FBI also provided all of the necessary weapons, money, and transportation.” The most infamous example is when an FBI agent told a soon-to-be shooter to “Tear up Texas,” right before that person shot up a crowded hall. Even the san Bernadino shooter had contact with people “on the FBI’s radar.” More recently, there were alle-

THE D.C. BUREAUCRACY AND SPECIFICALLY THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES HAVE LONG BECOME POWERS UNTO THEMSELVES, AND A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY gations that Las Vegas shooter stephen Paddock’s girlfriend was an FBI informant. since Trump was elected, the FBI’s focus has shifted away from Islamic terror toward supposed far-right terror. Even sen. Ted Cruz called the January 6 attack “terrorism” (he later apologized for this terminology). Just like the FBI’s role in Muslim communities after 9/11, the plot involving Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, timed to take place heading into the 2020 election, involved mostly FBI informants and agents. Journalist Glenn Greenwald has asked similar questions about the FBI’s involvement in the January 6 U.s. Capitol riot, given the number of persons named in government court documents who are not being prosecuted. In a major abuse of power, the Biden administration mobilized FBI counterterrorism resources to investigate parents for expressing concerns at local school board meetings. Now, the FBI’s 2022 budget has the largest funding increase request under the category of combatting “domestic terrorism,” which includes the addition of many more agents and informants. To top all this off, the FBI has a reputation of protecting the powerful and trampling on justice. The latest example is the FBI protecting sex predator Larry Nassar because of his powerful position in the U.s. gymnastics program. And don’t forget the likely intelligence agency involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein affair, where Epstein’s predations were allowed because this allowed blackmail to increase the power of U.s. intelligence agencies, including the FBI. BREAK UP THE FBI: To preserve our democratic republic, the FBI needs serious reform. But serious reform ideas are lacking on the conservative right. Meanwhile, Democrats, who traditionally questioned intelligence agency power, are increasingly

aligned with these intelligence bureaucracies against their political enemies. While many right-wing politicians call for “investigation,” regular folks need to realize that these are useless fundraising ploys. History-minded traditionalists might believe that in a perfect world the FBI would be ended entirely, with its duties given back to state police forces, but try finding support even among Republican House and senate members for that idea. A radical, impactful, but also politically workable solution is to instead break up the FBI into many smaller components—at least one-dozen separate agencies. These smaller components would have less power and prestige, and allow Congress greater oversight over the specific results and actions at each newly independent organization. Further, Congress would have far greater ability to tweak funding for these separate smaller agencies based on results, and the priorities of the American people. Most important, splitting the FBI into smaller and more focused organizations would allow the White House—the presi-

dent, elected by the people—direct control over the goings-on of each individual agency. This is more desirable because politicians are answerable to the people, while the bureaucracy is not. The smaller agencies would also carry far less weight and prestige than the former behemoth that was the FBI, which limits their ability—even that of the standalone counterterror or counterintel agencies—to intervene in domestic politics. some will argue that breaking the FBI into smaller organizations just creates more problems. But this ignores the benefits of less complexity and the additional oversight and control granted to Congress and the executive, respectively. Others will argue that greater presidential control is dangerous. Yet this is already the status quo, but only if the president is a Democrat. And the whole problem with our intelligence bureaucracies today is that the bureaucracy is a government unto itself, unaccountable to elected officials. HERE’S THE ROADMAP: When breaking up the FBI, locate the headquarters of

A NATO for the 21st century BOLD MEASURES ARE NEEDED TO REVITALIZE THE ALLIANCE AND DETER PUTIN’S AGGRESSION

Politico BRUCE ACKERMAN

s Vladimir Putin made clear in his recent Victory Day speech, the war in Ukraine will grind on for years. Even if Russia ultimately retreats, this won’t lead to a lasting peace. During the Cold War, Western Europe could confidently rely on American military power to deter soviet aggression. This is no longer true. And Putin and his successors will continue to exploit this fact — unless and until NATO decisively reorganizes itself. The United states and Europe are understandably wary of engaging in direct conflict with Russia, but they can still do more than provide short-term assistance to Ukraine. Now is the time to start taking steps to establish NATO as a credible force for the defense of Western democracy in the 21st century. Bold measures are required, including dramatically revising the NATO treaty, raising an army in Europe and even expelling countries who have betrayed their democratic commitments. But it’s the best way to deter the Kremlin and ultimately avoid more brutal wars in the future. European democracies have resisted this path in the past, but the only realistic response to the attack on Ukraine is to construct their own powerful army as part of a reorganized NATO. The Ukraine tragedy has generated dramatic increases in European defense budgets, but this is only the first step toward building a large and permanent fighting force that could take the field against future Russian invasions of NATO members in the Baltic — or Finland or sweden once they join the alliance. While the Europeans can continue to rely on

American air and naval power, they themselves must be prepared to take the leading role in their own defense on the ground. This won’t happen unless Europeans rapidly commit themselves to a concrete action plan that requires each NATO member to fulfill strong and specific military obligations on an annual basis. No less important, governments must place their troops under the control of a unified command structure. If each country sends its fighters into the field under its own national commander, their separate forces would be overwhelmed by coordinated Russian assaults, especially in an era of lightning-fast weapons. This raises a very real institution-building challenge for the continent’s political leaders. Only the European Union is in a realistic position to organize a broad-based military effort. Its parliament is directly elected by the citizens of all the states in the Union. After each election, the majority of delegates choose an executive commission — currently led by Ursula von der Leyen — to make key policy decisions. This body has the precious democratic legitimacy required to embark on such an unprecedented military initiative. At present, however, the treaties defining the powers of the EU don’t grant the Union any war-making authority whatsoever. Before the commission can step into the breach, another key institution — the Council of Ministers — must propose revisions that empower the commission to move forward with its rigorous demands upon the member states. The council consists of the chief executives of each country. But fortunately, its current leader is Emmanuel Macron — who staked his presidential campaign against Marine Le Pen on an emphatically continental vision of France’s future. Many commentators have downplayed Macron’s achievement by emphasizing Le Pen’s success in generating popular support for her hard-right nationalist program. Yet the fact remains that Macron is

the first French president who has won a second term in office in the last 20 years — and he did so by a decisive 59-41 margin. The French president is the continental leader with the strongest democratic mandate to expand the EU treaties to authorize collaboration with NATO to confront the Russian military threat. Indeed, Macron has already stated that “[i]n the coming weeks, we need to bring to being a European proposal to forge a new security and stability order. We need to build it between Europeans, then share it with our allies in the NATO framework.” Here is where Joe Biden can play a crucial role. He should not only publicly encourage Macron and von der Leyen to begin the hard bargaining required to enact the dramatic revisions to EU law required before a European army can become a reality. since the reorganization of NATO also requires America’s consent to treaty revisions, Biden should immediately announce his strong support for the necessary changes. Normally, of course, it is virtually impossible to win the two-thirds senate majority needed for treaty revisions. The Ukraine bloodbath, however, has dramatically transformed the political situation. With Macron and von der Leyen embarking on their own intensive efforts to reconstruct NATO, Biden will be in a strong position to gain the bipartisan support of a supermajority — especially since the Europeans are now prepared, at long last, to pay their fair share of the overall defense effort. It will take a lot of hard work to develop a concrete action program for the new continental army and assure its effective implementation in each of the states of the European Union. If serious efforts to lay the legal foundations don’t start immediately, Europe won’t have a realistic chance of putting a fighting force on the ground by 2030. Even if Democrats lose control of the senate in 2022, this will be one of the rare issues where Capitol Hill will likely stand behind the

president. In the meantime, secretary of state Antony Blinken and his team can offer concrete help to Macron and von der Leyen in their ambitious campaign to gain broad-based political support for the reconstruction of NATO on their side of the Atlantic. Even with America’s help, their success is by no means assured. At best, it will take a year or two of wheeling-and-dealing before EU leaders can gain the legal authority to develop a concrete action program and assure its effective enforcement in each of the states of the European Union. Nevertheless, there will never be a better time to make this effort — and if it succeeds, Putin and his successors will confront a decisive deterrent. In giving their strong support to the European effort, however, Biden and the senate should also insist that the new NATO remain faithful to its founding principles. In particular, when the treaty was first signed in 1949, NATO members attached a fundamental condition to their pledge of mutual military assistance. They made it clear that they would come to a country’s defense only if its government was making a good-faith effort to “strengthen their free institutions.” Otherwise, it could not rely on its NATO allies to come to its defense against attack. seventy-five years later, it is painfully apparent that some NATO countries are working to destroy freedom rather than strengthen it. Turkey is the most obvious example. Over the past decade, it has been transformed into an authoritarian state by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Worse yet, Erdoğan sent his army to help syria’s despotic regime fight NATO’s troops — battling against the very alliance he and his predecessors had pledged to support. since Turkey is neither a reliable ally nor a defender of “free institutions,” Biden and the senate should refuse to sign a treaty that continues to recognize it as a NATO member. Hungary is a tougher case. Like Erdoğan, Viktor Orbán has used his time in office to

those agencies across America, especially in the Midwest, rustbelt, and southeastern United states. The organized crime agency can be placed in Indiana, the counterterrorism agency in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the anti-human trafficking agency in Kansas City. The heads of all these new, smaller, agencies will still be appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate. The upside is obvious. The FBI’s roughly $10 billion budget can be apportioned across these agencies, but the creation of separate agencies allows Congress much more control over funding. For example, relative to the problem, fighting human trafficking and child exploitation and abuse is completely under-resourced in the FBI. Yet the FBI’s politicization has it adding agents to go after political opponents, instead of adding more resources to protect children. specifically, create a separate anti-trafficking agency altogether, headquartered in the heartland. The FBI’s additional “domestic terrorism” agents should be removed and replaced with new roles in the anti-trafficking agency. In other words, this new framework would create more direct and less opaque accountability to Congress and the president. This then would allow the public—who are actually smarter than the politicians—to better hold the government accountable. The public would be stunned to know how little our federal government spends on measures to fight against trafficking and child exploitation. The public would also be stunned to know how much more we are spending on entrapping people in the name of fighting “domestic terrorism,” which the public would rightly judge far less a problem than the human trafficking problem. so let the sunlight in. Finally, if Republicans are dissatisfied with this plan, let them come up with something better. But too often our elected politicians hide behind rhetoric of outrage while failing to craft any real hard-nosed policy solutions to fix the thing they are supposedly outraged about. Now is the hour for action, and talk is incredibly cheap. The whole point of America’s founding documents is that too much power concentrated in too few hands is always corrupting, especially when this power is unaccountable to the people. The D.C. bureaucracy and specifically the intelligence agencies have long become powers unto themselves, and a threat to our democracy. The FBI is a poster child for this perversion of our system, and no political movement will save our democratic republic without reforming it.

create an “illiberal democracy,” which decisively undermines NATO’s founding commitment to freedom. Moreover, when he was running for reelection during the early days of the Ukraine war, he condemned Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “as an enemy of the Hungarian nation” and campaigned on a platform that opposed any EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion. He then used his control of the mass media to deny his opponents a fair opportunity to challenge his celebration of Putin’s aggression. As a consequence, Orbán’s “landslide” victory at the polls only dramatizes his success in entrenching his illiberal principles into the nation’s constitution. At the very least, Biden should insist that Hungary be suspended from NATO until it can credibly reestablish that it has dramatically changed course and is on the way to rebuilding its “free institutions.” There is every reason to believe that the leadership in Brussels and Paris would respond to this American initiative with enthusiasm. Indeed, von der Leyen is already leading the commission down a rarely invoked path that would strip Hungary of the billion-dollar EU subsidies its government receives — which Orbán now uses as a slush fund to sustain his dictatorial ambitions. The commission is also seriously considering similar steps against Poland in response to its continuing defiance of decisions by the European Court of Justice, which has declared that the current government is violating fundamental principles of constitutional democracy to which the European Union is committed. If von der Leyen gains the necessary support to suspend Poland’s voting privileges in parliament until it complies with the court’s demands, Biden should support its suspension from the Alliance as well. The challenges ahead are extraordinary. But the reconstruction of NATO not only represents the West’s best chance to prevent future Russian aggression. It also offers an opportunity for the United states and Europe to revitalize the great Enlightenment tradition of liberal democracy against the nationalist demagogues seeking to destroy it on both sides of the Atlantic. Bruce Ackerman is Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University.

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner IeSCO circles incharge to hold e-open court via facebook ISLAMABAD: Prompt and timely action for the rectification of customer’s complaint is the top priority of IESCO Management. By following same on the instruction of Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and Chief Executive Officer IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan all IESCO Operation Circles Incharge will listen to the complaints and suggestions of power consumers across the region through Facebook Live and telephone calls. According to details on Wednesday, May, 25th 2022 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm consumers of Islamabad, Rawalpindi City, Rawalpindi Cantt, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal Circles and surrounding area can participate in Facebook Live E-Katchery via facebook IDs of Islamabad Circle, SE IESCO Islamabad E-Kachery Phone No. 051-9260194, Rawalpindi City Circle, SE IESCO Rawalpindi-City E-Kachery Phone No. 051-9292675, Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, SE IESCO Rawalpindi-Cantt EKachery Phone No. 051-9293048, Attock Circle, SE IESCO Attock E-Kachery Phone No. 051-4950343, Chakwal Circle, SE IESCO Chakwal E-Kachery Phone No. 0543-668500, Jhelum Circle, SE IESCO Jhelum E-Kachery Phone No. 0544-9270377. Chief Executive IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan will also attend E-Kachery held at IESCO Operation Circle Islamabad office. pr

aIOU conducts first Board meeting for Iqbal Chair

ISLAMABAD: The first meeting of the board of management for Iqbal chair on Tasawwuf and Muslim Thoughts was held yesterday at main campus of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). This meeting was chaired by Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Head, Iqbal chair, whereas, senior advisor, project management unit, Mohammad Rafique Tahir, Head, chair for Seerat-un-Nabi, Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman, Director, Iqbal Academy, Lahore, Dr. Baseera Ambreen, Executive Director, Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue, IIUI, Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin, Prof. Dr. Moinuddin Aqeel from Karachi University, Gholam Ali Haddad Adel from Iran, Dean, Faculty of Languages and Literature, IIUI, Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif, Chairman, Department of Urdu, Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir , Director IET, Dr. Samina Awan and Dr. Safdar Rasheed participated in the meeting. Prof. Fateh said that the new generation is not familiar with Iqbal and his philosophy, this chair will work on the ideology of Iqbal and we will arrange seminars and conferences in regional offices of AIOU. He added that Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum is very generous and assured us that University will provide all the resources to organize conferences and seminars. pr

Pm reappoints Dr Saeed akhtar as PKlI chairman ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reappointed Dr Saeed Akhtar as Chairman of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) besides reviving the board. The prime minister took the decision in line of the meeting of the PKLI Board of Governors, which he had presided over the previous day. Dr Saeed Akhtar has been recalled from the USA and re-appointed as chairman PKLI, the PM Office said. Four years ago, Dr Saeed Akhtar proceeded back to the United States after court proceedings and other issues. Inspired by the vision of Shehbaz Sharif, Dr Saeed Akhtar had left behind everything in America and had come to Pakistan. The PM Office said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally played a role in bringing back Dr Saeed Akhtar. The PKLI is the first state-of-the-art and world-class institution of kidney and liver transplantation procedures. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the chief minister, had devised this plan to save liver and kidney patients from the high cost of treatment and travel difficulties abroad. The previous government subjected the project to political vendetta, the PM Office said. pr

IraNIaN aIrCrafT jOINS OPeraTION TO DOUSe fOreST fIre IN KOh-I-SUlemaN ISLAMABAD

N Iranian firefighting tanker aircraft arrived at PAF base, Nur Khan, and has started aiding in efforts to extinguish the forest fire in Koh-iSuleman range. The inclusion of Ilyushin-76 aircraft will prove significant in fire extinguishing operation in Sherani district of Balochistan, since it is one of the biggest firefighter aircraft in the world. The Iranian assistance will reinforce Pak, Iran friendly cooperation. Keeping the tradition of being the frontline responder to natural calamities, Pakistan Air force is providing all-out support to the Iranian firefighting tanker aircraft. Pakistan and Iran enjoy cordial relations and are always forthcoming to help out each other during the calamities. The fire in the Shirani forest started a week ago after the area was struck by lightning and has since engulfed hundreds of trees in mountain range, home to the world's largest pine nuts forest and connecting Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

House of Habib, IEP unveil Ali Suleman Habib excellence awards

The House of Habib and Institution of Engineers, Pakistan (IEP) proudly announce the Ali Suleman Habib Engineering Excellence Awards to recognize those that have excelled in the field of engineering and resultantly made outstanding contributions to society and the nation at large. The awards honor the memory of Mr. Ali Suleman Habib whose passion for engineering created avenues for national opportunity and growth in the field. His legacy inspires Pakistani Engineers to dedicate themselves to

NUST becomes first Pakistani university to join DCO ISLAMABAD: Continuing with its mission to enable digital prosperity for all, the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO),a global multilateral based in Saudi Arabia, has welcomed National University of Science & Technology (NUST) as an official observer into its organisation. The announcement builds on the inaugural visit of DCO’s Secretary General to Pakistan in November 2021, and will augur well for expanding the DCO’s capability to empower youth while contributing to the digital economy. The DCO, with its focus on digital economy. pr

work hard and excel in all areas of their lives for national prosperity This year, the very first Ali Suleman Habib Engineering Excellence Award recipient is Dr. Riaz Ahmad Mufti, whose dynamic body of work titled “Design and Development of Test Rigs and Inspection Machines for Automotive industry” secured him this place and a generous prize of PKR 1 million. Dr. Riaz Uddin for his project “NED Ventilator was awarded the runners up & a cash award of 500 thousand & Mr. Abdullah Ahmed’s project “Cricflex” earned him an honorable mention with a cash prize of PKR 500 thousand as well. Chairman House of Habib, Mr. Mohamedali R. Habib shared his views “The platform is the nation’s commitment to creating opportunities and sustained development of the engineering sector of Pakistan and its dedicated professionals for the prosperity of our nation”. Mr. Razzak Dawood, founder, and chairman BARD Foundation, graciously spoke at the event ceremony “The Ali Suleman Habib Engineering Excellence Awards aim to foster innovation and develop fruitful competition amongst Pakistani Engineers.” pr

USC facilitating customers Utility Stores Corporation in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan is taking measures to facilitate its customers to its fullest. In this pursuit, the management has upgraded their POS system nationwide which enables customers to enjoy amazing discounts without bringing along a copy of their National Identity Cards. This initiative will easy life of the customers and add convenience during their shopping at Utility Stores. All they need now is a valid National Identity Card and a mobile number which will be registered at the cash counters of the Utility Stores. pr

free heart Surgery begins at SICVD hYDeraBaD KARACHI: The Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) has achieved another milestone to start free of cost heart bypass surgeries at SICVD HYDERABAD on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, when cardiac surgeons Professor Dr. Rizwan Memon and Professor Fazl-e-Rabi along with anesthesiologist Professor Amin Khuwaja performed first open heart surgery. With the first successful heart bypass surgery at Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) Satellite Centre, Hyderabad became the 5th city to have such facility in Sindh province. On the occasion, the doctors termed availability of open heart surgery a good omen for residents of Hyderabad and adjoining areas. They said people of this area used to travel to Karachi or big cities for treatment of cardiac ailments but now they will be able to avail state of the art cardiac treatment closer to their abodes totally free of cost. The doctors said that the first open heart surgery at Hyderabad centre, has been performed on a female patient aged 18 years from Matiar district. The patient is stable and recovering, they said the patient when told that he would be operated upon near to his abode was overwhelmed with joy and added the people of Hyderabad and adjoining areas are jubilant over the successful bypass surgery in an area closeby. The surgeon maintained and added that this is a huge achievement of Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases to perform first open heart surgery at Hyderabad 100% free. With initiation of this cardiac surgery facilities, we will be able to provide comprehensive cardiology care to patients. SICVD aims at bridging the gap of heart healthcare across Sindh Province and ensuring that we provide specialized care at the doorstep of every needy patient. They further added that SICVD Hyderabad which is a 140-bed specialized facility, has treated around 3 lac patient free of cost since inception till date and performed over 6,378 primary angioplasties, except this paediatric services have also been started . pr

Acting SBP Governor inaugurates Meezan Roshan Digital Centre KARACHI pr

The Acting Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr. Murtaza Syed recently visited Meezan Bank’s Head Office in Karachi along with the Deputy Governor Ms. Sima Kamil and the Bank’s senior management. The Governor inaugurated the Digital Centre, built purposefully for catering the needs of Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA) customers. Chairman Meezan Bank's Board Mr. Riyadh S.A.A. Edrees, Meezan Bank's Founding President & CEO Mr. Irfan Siddiqui and the Bank’s senior officials were also present on this occasion. In his brief address, the Acting Governor congratulated the management and RDA team of the Bank to channel substantial volume of remittances and achieving remittances of $ 1 billion in RDA and added that

other banks should also focus their attention towards increasing remittances through RDA and come up with innovative means for achieving this milestone. He noted that overseas Pakistanis have always made Pakistan proud through their achievements and dedication to their motherland. He observed that the country needs more investment from abroad to fund the current account deficit and raise much needed foreign exchange reserves. He recalled while various other banks joined the RDA at a later stage, Meezan Bank was amongst the first eight banks that launched this service since its inception. Dr. Syed acknowledged the elements behind this success such as the Bank’s dedicated focus on the product, its joint initiatives with SBP to create awareness about RDA, Shariah-inclination of overseas Pakistanis and availability of all necessary support from

the regulators. Dr. Murtaza Syed was also accompanied by Managing Director, Deposit Protection Corporation, Syed Irfan Ali, Executive Director Mr. Saleemullah, Executive Director Mr. Sohail Javaad and the Chief Spokesperson SBP Mr. Abid Qamar. Mr. Irfan Siddiqui thanked the State Bank for their support in the RDA initiative and their patronage in inaugurating Meezan Roshan Digital Centre and said that Meezan Bank has always been fully committed to supporting this important initiative. Speaking on the occasion, Meezan Bank’s Chairman Mr. Riyadh S. A. A. Edrees expressed his gratitude to SBP for their untiring support and efforts in promoting Islamic banking in Pakistan. He assured SBP’s leadership that the Board of Meezan Bank is committed towards supporting SBP’s various initiatives including RDA, Low-Cost Housing and SME Financing.

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ChInA to boost tIes wIth soUth PACIfIC IslAnds BEIJING

Agencies

HINeSe State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is to start his trip to the South Pacific region and east Timor, with the first stop to the Solomon Islands, it was officially announced on Tuesday. China is expected to strengthen its cooperation in the fields of security and economy with relevant countries, analysts said. This move proves China’s peaceful and constructive presence in the region has been widely welcomed despite the containment campaign launched by the US and Australia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced on Tuesday that from May 26 to June 4, Wang will visit the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and east Timor, and will pay an “online visit” to Micronesia and meet leaders of the Cook Islands and Niue via video links. Wang will chair the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting while in Fiji. The relations between China and the South Pacific countries are based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and most importantly, China respects the sovereignty of the relevant countries and is able to help them improve their infrastructure and law-enforcement capabilities to

safeguard stability. In contrast, the US and Australia show no respect to these small island countries and only intend to use hard power to control them just like the colonialists, and this is the key reason why they are not popular among the South Pacific countries while China is being welcomed, experts said on Tuesday. Wang’s trip to the South Pacific region comes after a series of recent US diplomatic activities in Asia, including a special summit with ASeAN leaders and US president’s visits to South Korea and Japan, that intended to strengthen containment against China. Analysts said although China-South Pacific countries cooperation targets no third party, Wang’s visit will bring a strong and clear response to US’ containment strategy. The US is trying to contain China with its “Indo-Pacific Strategy,” but now China’s footprints are ubiquitous in the region outside the second island chain, and this proves the US’ containment strategy is not working. Washington and Canberra’s attempt to form a regional alliance to target China is doomed to fail, analysts noted. WeLcOMe chiNa: According to the statement on the official website of the Solomon Islands government, the government of the South Pacific country and the Chinese Ambassador to the country confirmed Wang’s visit on Monday, with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare describing Wang’s visit as a “milestone.” Wang and a delegation of 20 Chinese

UK MPs blast ‘systemic failures’ of Afghanistan withdrawal LONDON: The UK’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan last year showed “systemic failures of leadership, planning and preparation”, according to a scathing inquiry by MPs published on Tuesday. The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee probe revealed a “fundamental lack of planning, grip or leadership at a time of national emergency” before and during the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021. “The manner of our withdrawal from Afghanistan was a disaster and a betrayal of our allies that will damage the UK’s interests for years to come,” the report said. Already in August, the government faced a torrent of criticism over its hurried withdrawal following the decision of its ally the United States to end its 20-year presence. Hundreds of Afghans eligible for relocation were left behind, many with their lives potentially at risk after details of staff and job applicants were left at the abandoned British embassy compound in Kabul. At the time, Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed a mission “unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes” with the UK airlifting over 15,000 people in two weeks. The foreign secretary at the time, Dominic Raab, was heavily criticised for not immediately leaving a beach holiday when the Taliban took control. FOreigN OFFice ‘evasive’: Committee MPs spoke with UK officials as well as Afghans who were evacuated, and received evidence from a “wide range of stakeholders”. During the run-up to the Taliban takeover, the government and civil servants suffered from an “optimism bias” that the US would change its mind about withdrawing, despite it having been announced by president Donald Trump in February 2020, said the report. “The UK government failed adequately to shape or respond to Washington’s decision to withdraw, to predict the speed of the Taliban’s takeover, or to plan and prepare for the evacuation of our Afghan partners,” it added. “Most damning for the Foreign Office is the total absence of a plan for evacuating Afghans who supported the UK mission, without being directly employed by the UK government, despite knowing 18 months before the collapse of Afghanistan that an evacuation might be necessary.” In responding to questions from the Committee, which started work on the report in September, the Foreign Office “provided answers that were intentionally evasive and often deliberately misleading”. Instead, two whistleblowers provided crucial testimony to the committee. “Those who lead the Foreign Office should be ashamed that civil servants of great integrity felt compelled to risk their careers to bring the situation to light,” the report said. cats aND DOgs: The report highlighted the lack of a line of command within the government, and “untraceable and unaccountable political interventions”. Particularly controversial was the evacuation by a British ex-serviceman of around 150 dogs and cats from his Nowzad animal charity on a privately chartered plane, reportedly following Johnson’s intervention. AFP

officials are expected to arrive mid-week and spend a day in Honiara, the capital of the country, attending meetings and making a courtesy call on Sogavare. Wang will also hold a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, according to the statement. The highlight of Wang’s visit to the Solomon Islands is the signing of a number of key bilateral agreements with the country’s government, Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Li Ming was quoted as saying in the statement. Chen Hong, president of the Chinese Association of Australian Studies and director of the Australian Studies Center at east China Normal University, told the Global Times on Tuesday, “Wang’s visit is part of China’s initiative of economic and social cooperation with the Pacific island nations, with the aim to promote stability and prosperity in the region. The cornerstones to this cooperation are respect and trust. It has proved to be mutually beneficial, with no strings attached, targeting at no third party.” However, the US and Australia, as well as some Western media and think tanks, are trying to describe China’s win-win cooperation with the regional countries as a “risk” or even groundlessly accuse China of “militarizing” the South Pacific. The US tries to incorporate the South Pacific into its “Indo-Pacific Strategy” which aims to deter China’s development, Chen said. “Therefore China’s peaceful

and constructive efforts have been vilely attacked by the US and Australia. They have tried to contain and block China’s cooperation which has been warmly welcomed by the governments and peoples of the island nations.” Wang’s visit indicates clearly that China’s relations with the relevant countries are broad and open, with no intention to pull together small cliques for political games. The US and Australia’s attempts to ostracize China out of the region are bound to fail. WiN-WiN cOOPeratiON: When they hyped the same old “China threat theory,” the US and Australia found the South Pacific countries didn’t buy their rhetoric, and despite of Australia making a lot of inputs to these countries, it still can’t stop them from boosting their ties with China, analysts said. The key reason is that Washington and Canberra never respect these small island countries, especially vis-à-vis their sovereignty, and they have failed to provide what the local people actually need, the analysts said. “Respecting their sovereignty is the biggest driving force for the South Pacific countries – previously colonized by the West and having suffered great loss in both politics and economy – to get closer to, support and work with China. Only when both sides gain benefits could mutual cooperation last – that’s a theory that China always underscores in dealing with its ties with the South Pacific countries,” said Yu Lei, chief research fellow at the Research Center for Pacific Island Countries of Liaocheng University. Although Western countries, especially Australia, had made much bigger amount of investment than China did in the South Pacific countries, they are mainly focusing on plundering the resources and seeking control and supremacy over the regional countries, said Yu.

Upbeat Yasin Malik appears before TADA court NEwS dESk Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik lodged in Tihar Jail, Delhi, on Tuesday, attended the court of special judge designated under the draconian Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in Srinagar on virtual mode in the fake cases framed against him in 1987 and 1988. According to Kashmir Media Service, the charges were framed under the black law, TADA. Speaking to his defence counsels Mir Urfi, Bashir Sidique and Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, he expressed firmness on his decision in the proceedings before NIA court Delhi without any regrets. Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, the General Secretary of High Court

Bar Association of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, when offered legal assistance on behalf of the Bar Association in the controversial proceedings, Muhammad Yasin Malik politely refused as he is convinced that Indian judiciary is working hand in glove with its pattern Hindutva government led by Narendra Modi in India. However, thanked the High Court Bar Association for the offer. strike iN iiOJ&k Parts: Despite stern warning to traders, shopkeepers and transporters against closing their businesses by the Indian authorities, strike was observed in several areas of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the conviction of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik by an Indian kangaroo court

in a concocted case. According to Kashmir Media Service, JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik was convicted by an India’s notorious National Investigation Agency court on Thursday in a manifestly dubious and motivated case, filed against him in 2017. The police detained dozens of Hurriyat activists including a JKLF leader in Srinagar and other parts of the valley. Indian forces’ personnel made announcement through loudspeakers that those traders and transporters closing their businesses would face dire consequences. Indian troops and police personnel were patrolling in government vehicles in Residency Road, Regal Chowk, Ghantaghar, Maisuma and other parts Srinagar and adjoining areas to force traders and shopkeepers to open their business.

Argentine president pays ‘fine’ for birthday dinner during Covid lockdown BUENOS AIRES AFP

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez and the first lady on Monday paid a fine of three million pesos (about $24,000), in the form of a charitable donation, in return for legal proceedings against them being dropped over a birthday dinner during the pandemic lockdown that caused a scandal. A federal judge approved the president’s “eco-

nomic compensation” proposal, in which he will pay 1.6 million pesos to a prestigious vaccine research institute, the Malbran Institute. His partner, Fabiola Yanez, offered a donation of 1.4 million, which was also approved. Prosecutors opened an investigation last year over suspected breaches of health protocols by the centerleft leader, after leaked photos showed a birthday dinner for the first lady being hosted in July 2020 at the Quinta de Olivos, an official residence of the president.

Israel’s record on investigating journalists’ killings JerUsaLeM: Following the killing of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh during a raid in the occupied West Bank, AFP has looked at the Israeli army’s record of probing previous journalist deaths. The Qatar-based TV channel alleged that Palestinian-American Abu Akleh, 51, who was wearing a blue flak vest marked “Press”, was killed deliberately by an Israeli soldier on May 11. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said an initial investigation had not determined whether she was killed by stray Palestinian gunfire or an Israeli bullet aimed at a militant. But the army has said that if an Israeli soldier fired the deadly bullet, it did not appear that the soldier was guilty of criminal misconduct. Several human rights groups that are prominent critics of Israel told AFP that the IDF’s record of accountability in similar cases had been dismal. Roy Yellin of B’Tselem — the first Israeli group to publicly allege that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians amounts to “apartheid” — charged that investigations usually amount to “an organised cover-up” that aim “not to bring about truth and accountability but, on the contrary, to prevent them”. Israel’s military has described its internal justice processes as “robust”. What is the receNt histOry?: According to Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), at least 30 journalists, mostly Palestinians, have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and Gaza since 2000, mostly while reporting. The group recorded no such deaths inside Israel over the same period. All but four of the cases cited by RSF involved Palestinian journalists. The foreigners were a Briton, two Italians and a Turkish national. Asked to identify a case this century where a soldier faced charges following a journalist’s death, army spokespersons did not produce an example. AFP has shared RSF’s list with the military. A military spokeswoman told AFP that “in cases where a claim is made regarding the use of excessive force against any individual, and against journalists in particular,” the IDF launches an investigative procedure. In some cases, “those responsible are criminally tried or command steps are taken against them”, she said. hOW DO israeLi iNvestigatiONs WOrk?: Israel’s army said that it typically opens an initial probe in cases where it appears a civilian was killed by a soldier’s fire in the West Bank. Based on those findings, the Military Advocate determines whether an additional investigation is merited by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division. An army statement Monday citing Military Advocate Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi said: “Given that Ms Abu Akleh was killed in the midst of an active combat zone, there can be no immediate suspicion of criminal activity absent further evidence.” Tomer-Yerushalmi stressed that the army had made no decisions on whether a criminal probe will be required in this case. Shireen Khatib of the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedom told AFP that since 2000 no Israeli soldier had been held responsible for killing a journalist.

Biden to new Australia PM: you can ‘fall asleep’ now TOkYO AFP

Wishing a newly elected fellow world leader good luck is one thing, but US President Joe Biden also wants Australia’s Anthony Albanese to have a good night. Meeting Tuesday at the Quad summit in Tokyo — the loose grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the United States — Biden expressed admiration that Albanese made the long flight right after winning his election as prime minister. “I welcome you to your first Quad meeting,” said Biden, who had to make an even longer journey from Washington

for his first presidential Asia trip, starting in South Korea before hopping to Japan. “Like I said, you got on a plane — you were sworn in and got on a plane,” Biden said. So “if you fall asleep while you’re here, it’s OK, because I don’t know how you’re doing it. It’s really quite extraordinary — just getting off the campaign trail as well.” After the Quad summit, Biden and Albanese are due to hold separate bilateral talks. Biden will also meet separately with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Albanese is to hold talks with Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022 | LAhOre

spOrts 11

TubA mAkes hisTory oN T20 DebuT IsLAMABAd

P New Zealand’s Vettori named assistant Australia cricket coach sYdneY

StAFF RePoRt

AKISTAN women’s team has beaten Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series by 6 wickets with debutant Tuba Hassan standing out for delivering the best bowling figures on a debut. Chasing a target of 107 runs, Pakistan reached the low total in 18.2 overs as Nida Dar finished on 36* from 27 deliveries. Pakistan made the worst possible start as Gull Feroza was trapped LBW by Sugandika Kumari in the first over for nought. However, her opening partner Muneeba Ali (18), Iram Javed (18), and captain Bismah Maroof (28) stabilised the innings. Oshadi Ranasinghe took two quick wickets but ultimately there were

not enough runs on the board for Sri Lankan bowlers to defend.

Earlier, Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to 106/8. The visitors couldn’t take ad-

vantage after winning the toss and lost wickets at regular intervals. Nilakshi de Silva and Harshitha Madavi were standout batters with scores of 25 each. Leg-spinner Tuba Hassan, playing her first match, took three wickets for 8 runs – which is now a new record for best bowling figures on debut for Pakistan Women in T20I cricket. Anam Amin also took three wickets by giving away 21 runs, while Aiman Anwar took two wickets for 32 runs. It must be noted Sri Lanka are in Karachi for three T20Is and as many ODIs. The final two T20Is will be played on May 26 and 28, respectively. Three ODIs, part of the third edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket Championship, will be played on June 1, 3 and 5, respectively.

AFP

Daniel Vettori was Tuesday named as an assistant to Australian cricket coach Andrew McDonald, who said the former New Zealand captain’s knowledge and experience would be invaluable. All-rounder Vettori played 113 Tests and 295 one-day internationals for the Black Caps and worked alongside McDonald with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will continue as head coach of the Birmingham Phoenix in England’s The Hundred. “It’s a very strong and unified group which has the potential to have a very rewarding and hopefully successful period ahead,” Vettori said of the Australian squad. Andre Borovec of Victoria, who has worked with the squad on select tours for the past year, was also made an assistant and will coach Australia A in Sri Lanka next month prior to the national team’s two-Test series there. Their appointments follow the elevation of McDonald to head coach in April after Justin Langer quit, and the departure of Jeff Vaughan to coach Tasmania. “Andre has been fantastic for the group when he has been involved as an extremely skilled and experienced high-performance coach,” said McDonald. “He is a great fit culturally and brings the skills to complement our high-performance specialists. “I have worked with Daniel previously and could not speak more highly of his approach, work ethic and rapport he brings,” he added. “His experience and balanced style are well documented. He is a great fit and will bring an enormous amount of knowledge to the team.” McDonald’s team already boasts batting coach Michael Di Venuto, spin coach Sri Sriram and former Test seam bowler Clint McKay.

Djokovic says he ‘intends to go to Wimbledon’

Khalid Latif accepts role in spot-fixing; makes an apology IsLAMABAd StAFF RePoRt

Pakistan batter Khalid Latif has accepted his role in spot-fixing during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to a local news website, the 36-year-old has apologised to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in writing and also asked the board to start his rehabilitation as he has served his five-year ban imposed. Remember, Latif was banned in 2017 by the cricket board from all forms of cricket for five years while he was also fined PKR 1,000,000. PCB’s anti-corruption unit will supervise the rehab process, where Latif will give awareness to young players and do charity work. His return to competitive cricket will be possible only in October-November. Sharjeel Khan has already made a comeback to competitive cricket after serving his ban for spot-fixing and rehabilitation process.

Shan Masood named Derbyshire’s captain for T20 Blast news desk Pakistan opener Shan Masood, has been named Derbyshire Falcons captain ahead of the 2022 T20 Blast. Masood, who is the Multan Sultans’ all-time leading Pakistan Super League run-scorer, has experience of leading in T20 cricket in his home country and will now captain Derbyshire, as they aim for a successful first campaign under Mickey Arthur. His first season in English cricket has got off to a scintillating start, scoring 844 runs from nine County Championship innings, including three centuries, two of which passed 200. The Pakistan international will captain Derbyshire in today’s Second XI T20 fixture against Nottinghamshire at The Incora County Ground (2pm), before making his official bow on Friday against Birmingham Bears. “Shan has an aura about him, he has a stature and the players support him,” he said. “He comes in as captain and Leus du Plooy will be vice-captain, so there’s a leadership change there, and one that I’m excited to see go about their work in white ball cricket.”

PARIS: Novak Djokovic said Monday he “intends to go to Wimbledon” to defend his title despite the controversy over the tournament being stripped of ranking points. “Yes, I intend to go to Wimbledon,” said Djokovic after overcoming Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the French Open first round. However, he added that the initial decision of the tournament to ban Russian and Belarusian players following the invasion of Ukraine was a “mistake”. The 35-year-old Djokovic stands to lose 2,000 points due to the decision by the ATP and WTA tours to remove ranking points from Wimbledon in response to the player ban. “On a personal, individual level, I have been very negatively affected by that,” said Djokovic. He has already lost 2,000 points by not being able to defend his Australian Open title. “Collectively I’m glad that players got together with ATP and showed to the Grand Slam that when there is a mistake happening, and there was from the Wimbledon side, then we have to show that there is going to be some consequences.” Earlier Monday, former world number one Naomi Osaka said she is “leaning towards not playing” Wimbledon. AFP

Babar Azam upbeat to win ODI series against West Indies IsLAMABAd StAFF RePoRt

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has opened up ahead of the three-ODI matches home series against the West Indies and identified certain targets to achieve during the series. While speaking to the media at the National High Performance Center in Lahore, Azam highlighted the importance of putting up a strong display against the visiting team ahead of a long season. “We are confident about winning the series against West Indies. It is not easy to play

in high temperatures which is why players are putting in the hard yards in the ongoing conditioning camp,” said the Pakistan skipper. Babar Azam remarked that Pakistan has important series coming up and performing well will also help them prepare for the T20 World Cup later this year. “We have a fairly long cricket season. After West Indies, we have to go on an important tour of Sri Lanka. We have a series against England and more importantly the T20 World Cup as well,” Babar added. While talking about the series against West Indies, Babar said that he will continue to lead from the front to set an example for

the rest to follow. “I always try to perform in a manner which helps the team. Planning is important when playing in different conditions. I also try to remain calm when I enter the field,” he said. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also accepted New Zealand’s invitation to feature in a three-team tri-series that also includes Bangladesh before the T20 World Cup. Commenting on this, Babar said it will benefit the team immensely. “Playing in New Zealand will benefit us if it happens. Their conditions are similar to the venue of the World Cup, Australia, which will help us in the mega event,” he concluded.

Wednesday, 25 May, 2022

prayer timings

NEWS

ImrAn TEllS judICIAry, ‘nEuTrAlS’, IT IS your TrIAl PesHAwAR

staff report

TI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday denounced the police raids, arrests of PTI leaders and workers and said the fascist government is trying all tactics to stop the party’s long march to Islamabad, asking the country’s judiciary and ‘neutrals’ to “do the right thing”. Addressing a news conference in Peshawar on Tuesday, Imran declared that this was a “defining moment for the country” which would decide its fate. “There was no difference between the “fascist government” and the military dictators of the past as both used the same tactics.” The PTI chief pilloried the government and described its recent moves as “akin to what dictators do”. Imran lashed out at the government for conducting late-night raids in Lahore and for barging into the homes of innocent citizens. He questioned why the government was suddenly resorting to such tactics, calling on them to highlight any instance in the past where he had ever broken the law. “During the PTI government’s

tenure, the then opposition was allowed to stage protests and long marches several times”, he recalled and added that they (the then opposition) marched several times with the purpose of ousting the government but did his government resort to these methods? The PTI chairman said that the country is looking towards the judiciary, telling them that this is their “trial”. “The country is going to look at your decisions,” he said, asserting that the long march is a peaceful protest and the party’s democratic right.

The PTI chief addressed the press conference amid police crackdown on his party workers, in which a number of workers were allegedly arrested. A policeman was also martyred Tuesday night in an operation in Lahore. The government and the PTI blame each other for the killing. Imran Khan went on to say that the PTI had a right to stage a protest against the “imported conspiracy”. “Did we protest when Bilawal staged a long march? Did we arrest him? Fazlur Rehman also staged a march but

we said we would help them.” Addressing the judiciary, he asked whether it would allow such harassment and raids to take place. “If you allow this, then the credibility of the judiciary will cease to exist. It would mean that there is no democracy in Pakistan.” He then addressed the country’s bar associations, asking why they were not condemning the government’s actions. “I want to thank the lawyers of the country who are standing to protect the democracy of the country. But the bar associations that are not issuing condemnations, the nation is looking at you. Are you standing with [the government]?” He asserted that “staying neutral” was no longer an option. “You have to decide which side you are on. God has not given us permission to walk in the middle, that means that you are helping the criminals.” Addressing “those who call themselves neutral”, he said that they had taken an oath to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. “You need to understand that the public is looking at you, and you will also be judged. You will be equally responsible if the country goes towards destruction.”

PM presented detailed report about firefighting operation in Balochistan IsLAMABAd inp

Saudi Arabia finalising extension of $3bn deposit to Pakistan DEVOS: Saudi Arabia is finalising the extension of the kingdom’s $3 billion deposit to Pakistan, Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan told Reuters. “We are currently finalising extending the $3bn deposit to Pakistan,” he said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Last year, Saudi Arabia deposited $3bn in the State Bank of Pakistan to help support its foreign reserves. Jadaan did not offer further details, but on May 1 the two countries said in a joint statement that they would discuss the possibility of supporting the deposit by extending its term “or through other options”. Pakistan is in dire need of external finances, hurt by high inflation, reserves declining to as low as less than two months of imports and a fast-weakening currency. Jadaan said Pakistan was an important ally and the kingdom would stand behind the country. Uncertainty over the revival of an International Monetary Fund programme has compounded volatility in the economy and markets amid a political crisis since a new government took over last month from ousted prime minister Imran Khan. The IMF is likely to conclude ongoing talks over the seventh review in Doha. agencies

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was on Tuesday presented a detailed report about the ongoing firefighting operation to control the wildfire in Balochistan. According to the report presented by the provincial government, rescue measures to check the wildfire in Baluchistan’s Sherani and Musakhel districts have been beefed up on the direction of the prime minister. Special teams have been constituted by the provincial forest department and civil administration for rescue and relief operations, it said, adding, the staff of forest department has been directed to spend 75 per cent of their duty hours in the field. According to the report, a special task force has been notified for District Sherani, which is working round the clock. A camp office of Sec-

retary Forest Department has also been established in District Sherani to oversee the rescue operation. The equipment provided by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) including three ambulances, fire truck, van, satellite vehicle, fire balls and firefighting vehicles are taking part in the operation, it added. The federal government and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) are extending all out support to the provincial government, the report said. According to the report, Pakistan Army has also established a base camp in the affected area for relief operation. A firefighting aircraft, which took part in the operation in Balochistan, will also take part in the rescue and relief operation to check the forestfire in DI Khan, the report presented to the prime minister said.

Peaceful PTI protests never hurt anyone in 26 years: Imran PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday reaffirmed his resolve to lead the PTI ‘Azadi March’ to Islamabad from Peshawar , describing it as a test for police and other law enforcement agencies. Addressing the PTI’s Youth Wing convention in Peshawar, Imran Khan declared that all of their protest over the past 26 years have been peaceful and never hurt any civilian or a policeman. The former Premier claimed that all major parties including the PML-N, JUI-F and the PPP protested against his government at different times in their tenure but they never did anything to stop them. “But, this government is raiding PTI leaders’ homes and violating the law by arresting them without any warrants”, he regretted. Imran Khan described that this is a test for the police as well as other law enforcement agencies and they need to show if they stand with the corrupt leaders and touts of America or with independence of this country. The PTI chairman said that he would lead the PTI rally from Peshawar to Islamabad. staff report

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Crackdown intensifies ahead of PTI’s long march news desk In a bid to stop the long march of the ousted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), police launched a crackdown on the former ruling party and raided the houses of almost all party leaders forcing them to go into hiding. In raids conducted across Pakistan, especially Punjab, the police arrested at least 150 PTI members who will be sent to jail under MPO 16 to foil the much-hyped march announced by Imran Khan. As per sources, a list of 350 PTI supporters has been prepared. “This list has been forwarded to relevant police stations by the CCPO office and respective DSPs have been told to monitor the crackdown,” sources added. Police have raided the houses of PTI Punjab leaders Raja Basharat, Ijaz Khan Jazi, Wasiq Qayyum, Chaudhry Amjad, Chaudhry Adnan, and Rashid Hafiz. However, they were not able to arrest any of the leaders. The police officials also conducted raids on the residences of Babar Awan, Hammad Azhar, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Ali Naveed Bhatti, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Malik Nadeem Abbas, Yasir Gillani, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Saadia Sohail, Ijaz Chaudhry, Akram Usman, Aqil Siddiqui, Amir Riaz, Mohammad Haider. The house of a former advisor to Punjab governor Salman Shoaib was also raided. Shoaib, in a video message, said the police violated the sanctity of the household as he vowed to avenge the raid and threatened to “drag CM Hamza Shehbaz” in Lahore. Rawalpindi police also raided Lal Haveli, the residence of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid. Rashid and his nephew managed to evade the police, however. In Kasur, Rashid Tufail’s house was raided as well. However, he was not home. In Shera Kot, police raided the house of Saeed Ahmed Khan. Khan alleged that police scaled the walls of his house using ladders and disregarded the sanctity of the house.

Police action against PTI leaders draws condemnation LAHORE: Ahead of the start of the PTI’s ‘Azadi March’, the Punjab Police conducted overnight raids on the homes of several party leaders across the province, drawing condemnations from politicians, journalists and civil society. In videos being circulated on social media, police officers could be seen purportedly raiding the houses of Punjab-based PTI leaders including Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, Fayyazul Hasan Chohan, Malik Waqar Ahmed, Engineer Kashif Kharal, Mazhar Iqbal Gujjar and others. On twitter, PTI leader Hammad Azhar’s mother, former Punjab health minister Yasmin Rashid and Justice (r) Nasira Iqbal shared their accounts of the police raids. They also accused the police of misbehavior and manhandling of women. They regretted that the “imported government” is afraid of the people’s march to Islamabad, which will sweep them away and bring about real independence in the country. PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, in a tweet early Tuesday morning, called the “brutal” crackdown the “fascist nature of PML-N when in power”. Peaceful protest was the right of the citizens, he said, adding that the crackdown raised serious questions about the “handlers”. staff report

Cabinet okays Election Amend Bill 2022 ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet approved the Election Amendment Bill 2022 during a meeting held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair. A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, during the meeting, the cabinet also approved tbaling the bill in the National Assembly. It also approved the prime minister’s advice to President Arif Alvi to appoint the Punjab governor. “The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will launch a pilot project for the overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in byelections,” read the statement, adding that draft of the proposed project will be tabled in the Parliament. The project will be launched for electronic voting and biometric verification, while the report will decide whether or not the voting procedure is workable for overseas Pakistanis and the verification method is applicable. The results will then be presented in the Parliament. staff report

Imran’s long march is not against govt, but establishment: Maryam news desk PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s long march towards Islamabad is not against the government, “but the establishment”. In a press conference, she said: “When he [Imran] says that he has recognised the real faces of Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq, then do you think he is referring to Maryam Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif, or Shehbaz Sharif? Our faces are etched on his heart. He does not sleep because our faces keep [revolving in his mind]. The threat he is issuing is not to us, but the establishment.” Maryam’s press conference comes after the federal government decided to not let the PTI’s long march go ahead following latenight raids and arrests of the party’s leaders.

Continuing her tirade against Imran Khan, Maryam said the PTI chairman also launched “a malicious campaign targetting the judiciary, in which abusive words were used against the judges” as they issued a historic verdict of restoring the National Assembly — after President Arif Alvi had dissolved the lower house. “But when the Supreme Court took a suo motu notice against Shehbaz Sharif, then you started praising them. I want to request the courts to not lay the tradition of giving verdicts in favour of the person who abuses the courts,” she said. The PML-N vice president asked the courts to issue decisions in favour of the people and the nation and advised the judiciary to “refrain from monitoring social media and the traditional media as well”.

She said the government is worried about PTI’s “nefarious designs”, and it has intel about the party amassing weapons for use against law enforcement agencies (LEAs). “They have amassed weapons, shells of tear gas, and planned other things against the law enforcement agencies. The interior ministry has intel regarding this,” Maryam said. The PML-N vice president also asked the PTI chairman to call his children to Pakistan for leading the “Azadi March”, instead of instigating Pakistan’s youth to lay their lives for him. Maryam said revolution begins at home and asked Imran to tell his children to stand on the front line instead of directing his supporters to keep backing him and “suffer the beatings of the LEAs”.

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

Maryam Nawaz addressing a press conference along with Uzma Bokhari and Talal Ch. zubair mahfooz