ISLAMABAD- E paper – March 12, 2020

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Thursday, 12 March, 2020 I 17 Rajab, 1441 I Rs 20.00 I Vol X No 253 I 16 Pages I Islamabad Edition

Coronavirus outbreak offiCially a pandemiC now g

WhO DG SAyS ‘We exPeCT TO See NuMbeR OF CASeS, NuMbeR OF DeAThS, AND NuMbeR OF AFFeCTeD COuNTRIeS ClIMb eVeN hIGheR’

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ITAly’S DeATh TOll ReACheS 827, IRAN’S TAlly hITS 354 AS INDIA SuSPeNDS VISAS TO NATIONAlS OF FRANCe, SPAIN AND GeRMANy

Govt to move South Punjab province bill in NA g

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A sanitary worker disinfects a street in Italy’s Padova.

sTaFF RePORT

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QuReShI SAyS PM IMRAN hAS DeCIDeD TO MOVe FORWARD WITh PROCeSS OF CReATION OF NeW PROVINCe

agencies

he World health Organisation (WhO) on Wednesday declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, acknowledging that the virus will likely spread to all countries on the globe as countries across South Asia reported a rise in cases a few hours before the notification.

WhO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the situation will worsen. “We expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher,” said Tedros.

As of Wednesday, 114 countries have reported that 118,000 have contracted Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, known as SARS-CoV2 India closed down its border with neighbouring Myanmar to counter the coronavirus outbreak in addition to the suspension of visas to citizens of France, Spain and Germany till further notice.

Such restrictions are already in place for citizens of China, Italy, Iran, Japan and South Korea – the five countries worst hit by the outbreak of the virus.

Italy, on the other hand, braced for second day of national lockdown Wednesday after a sharp spike in coronavirus-related death– risen Tuesday by a third to 827.

In an unprecedented move, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has told the 60 million residents of his country they should travel only for the most urgent work or health reasons. And while squares in Milan and Rome were emptied of their usual bustle and traffic, some residents appeared uncertain if they could leave their homes for everyday tasks like shopping.

“I don’t know if we can actually get out of Milan.

Nobody really seems to know what’s going on,” said Texan Nick Manage, looking lost as he wandered around the northern city’s central train station.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

COVID-19 kills Pakistani man in Italy STORY ON BACK PAGE

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said that a bill will be tabled in the National Assembly for the creation of the south Punjab province.

Addressing the media after a high-level meeting, Qureshi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken the decision to move forward with the process of creation of south Punjab. “This [proposal] is in line with PTI’s manifesto,” Qureshi added.

“It has been decided that a bill will be presented in the National Assembly in order to turn the south Punjab region into a province. Input and consensus will be sought from other parties on the matter,” Qureshi said, adding that other parties have been apprising the government of their interest in the creation of the province.

Pilot martyred as F-16 crashes in Islamabad ISLAMABAD sTaFF RePORT

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot was martyred early Wednesday morning when an F-16 fighter jet crashed near Shakarparian in Islamabad during the Pakistan Day rehearsals.

According to the PAF officials, Wing Commander Nauman Akram was martyred in the crash. Rescue teams rushed to the site of the crash while a board of inquiry has been ordered by the Air headquarters to determine the cause of the accident, the statement added.

Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz said officials from the Pakistan Army and PAF cordoned off the area and conducted further rescue operations.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed bajwa paid glowing tribute to Akram. he said, ”laying one’s life is the ultimate sacrifice one can make for defence of the motherland. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts and sincere prayers for the bereaved family,” the Inter-Services Public Relations said quoting the army chief. his funeral prayer was attended by the army chief, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Naval Chief Admiral zafar Mah-

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PuNJAb CM buzDAR SAyS GOVT TO AllOCATe 35 PeR CeNT ReSOuRCeS TO SOuTh PuNJAb

“They also understand that the region has been deprived [of its fair share of resources],” Qureshi said while adding that the prime minister has called a parliamentary meeting on Thursday to apprise all members of the parliament about the decision to table the bill.

Answering a question regarding why the province was never created in the past 13 years, Qureshi said: “The hindrance that all parties, including PTI, have had lies in the fact that none of us have had a clear [two-third] majority in the parliament. Only PMl-N have had it at one point — but they didn’t.”

“Today we also do not have a clear majority in the parliament, but the PPP has repeatedly said that they want to turn the south Punjab province a reality. Former prime minister benazir bhutto had a clear stance on the matter and bilawal has also spoken in favour of creating

the province. Thus I expect that when PTI moves this bill, PPP — keeping their past [stance] in view — will endorse it.

“Similarly, Shehbaz Sharif has said in the past that south Punjab should be given its rights and I hope that PMl-N members in the parliament and the province will try and get party leadership to endorse the legislation.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

Govt to facilitate construction sector for affordable housing: PM STORY ON PAGE 03

more inside

Coronavirus tally at 20 after Skardu reports another case STORY ON BACK 02

National Assembly passes zainab Alert bill STORY ON BACK 02

After backlash, govt seeks tech giants’ help to ‘reform’ social media STORY ON BACK PAGE

mood Abbasi and other high officials of the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

In 2020 alone, three incidents of aircraft crash have been reported. In January, a PAF FT-7 aircraft had crashed while on a training mission near Mianwali. both pilots – Squadron leader haris bin Khalid and Flying Officer Ibaadur Rehman – aboard the aircraft had lost their lives in the crash.

On Feb 7, a PAF Mirage aircraft,

which was also on a routine operational training mission, had crashed near the lahore-Multan Motorway. Pilots in both cases had ejected safely. later in February, a PAF trainer aircraft crashed on Feb 12 during a routine training mission near Takht bhai in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district. It was the third PAF training aircraft to have crashed while on a routine training mission in less than two months.

CMYK

uS defence secretary postpones Pakistan trip STORY ON BACK PAGE

Taliban reject Afghan president’s conditional prisoner release plan STORY ON BACK PAGE

02

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

News

CoronAvirUs tAlly At 20 After skArdU reports Another CAse ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

HE total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan touched 20 on Wednesday after Gilgit-Baltistan reported another case of the deadly virus. According to reports, 14year-old boy, a resident of Skardu, was held at an isolation centre where he was tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier in the day, a three-member team of the National Institute of Health (NIH) reached Skardu, where they met the GilgitBaltistan secretary to discuss preventive measures to combat the coronavirus. The GB spokesman said that the NIH experts will train local health officials.

It may be noted that this was the second case reported in the region. The first con-

‘Centre not coordinating with provinces on coronavirus’ KARACHI: Sindh government’s spokesperson Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday said the coordination that should have existed between the federal and the provincial governments with regards to coronavirus, was lacking. So far 20 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Pakistan — 15 of which have emerged in Sindh. One of the patients has recovered. Addressing a press conference here, Wahab said the federal government needed to improve its virus monitoring system at airports, adding that the provincial government lacked jurisdiction to take measures at ports. He said the approximately 2,300 people who had entered the province were contacted and wherever required, were tested by the Sindh government. “Those who tested positive were immediately shifted to isolation wards and their contacts were quarantined and even today we are monitoring this,” the Sindh government’s spokesperson said. “But, unfortunately, there is a bit of a shortcoming in the federal government’s responsibility in this regard,” he said, adding: “Once again, I would like to appeal to the federal government, to further improve this system and make it effective.” Wahab offered the provincial government’s complete cooperation in this regard. “I believe that all these patients entered through Karachi airport which is why we need to improve the surveillance at airports.” He said the Sindh government and the chief minister had been “on ground” since the first case was detected and was vigilant, as opposed to other provinces’ authorities. He told reporters that the Sindh chief minister chaired a meeting of the coronavirus task force — which includes members of airport authorities as well as officials of the Federal Investigation Agency — every evening. “Unfortunately, that response has not been seen from the federal government,” Wahab added. He said that monitoring surveillance on airports is outside the jurisdiction of the provincial government and urged the federal authorities to step up.

Pointing to the federal government’s lukewarm response in light of the crisis, Wahab said CM Shah had to “contact the prime minister’s special assistant to engage with all the provinces via a conference call”. “On the Sindh chief minister’s request a meeting was held,” he said, adding that no other provincial chief executive attended the meeting. Wahab also raised questions over steps taken by other provinces’ governments, saying that the coronavirus case which was detected in Quetta yesterday was under quarantine and was transferred to the city in order to be tested. Staff RepoRt

firmed case in GB was of a 45-year-old woman, who had arrived from Iran a few days to Gilgit before she was diagnosed.

Moreover, the GB government spokesman said that the government has set up 130-bed isolation wards in the wake of the second case. Firaq said seven rooms have also been reserved to treat coronavirus patients at the Skardu Hospital. He added that samples have been taken from eight suspected patients and sent to Islamabad for confirmation.

Meanwhile, at least 4,000 people are being quarantined at the Taftan border. The pilgrims, returning from Iran, are being housed in the premises of Pakistan House.

According to Taftan border administration officials, 184 Pakistani pilgrims, including women and children reached Pakistan House from Iran on Wednesday.

OGDCL officials violate PPRA laws to accommodate blue-eyed people ISLAMABAD SHaHZaD paRaCHa

Some officials of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) are awarding labour contracts of millions of rupees to their blue-eyed people by violating the rules of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

Sources told this scribe that OGDCL seismic-5 survey party is conducting a survey in Burewala, Punjab, under the supervision of Shaukat Ali. However, the survey party is allegedly involved in corruption as it added a huge amount of money in crop damage bills during the seismic operation and added fake attendance in labour charges.

Sources added that as per law, the seismic survey parties are bound to hire local labour for work but in this case, they not only hired labour from other cities but also gave the labour contract to Shah Deen, a contractor

from Balochistan.

In addition to this, sources alleged, Ali kept hired the services of Talat Abbas and Shah Deen for running the day to day affairs. In one case, they said, one local approached Ali for a contract, but he refused to meet him because his frontman was handling the process of awarding contracts.

Sources also said that one official of the survey party also highlighted irregularities on the survey party chief’s behest and registered a complaint against him and others with the highups of OGDCL. The complainant, Adnan, alleged that the survey party chief hired labour from Sindh and are minting millions through bogus attendance, they added.

They also said that Ali and others also stole a luxury vehicle (CG-447) and no one currently knows about the vehicle. Moreover, the complainant stated that the survey party chief had abducted him for filing a complaint on

the issue, they added.

Sources said that the survey party chief and others were asked to abstain from corruption but instead of reforming their ways they threatened to terminate the official. Sources added that the complainant has requested OGDCL MD to form a committee on the matter and in this regard, he would provide evidence of the said officials’ corruption.

When contacted, Ali told Pakistan Today that Adnan is himself accused of theft and has previously shared the company’s confidential information with outsiders. When asked about awarding contract to outsiders, he said that they awarded contract to one person who belongs to Chichawatni.

OGDCL AGM Abid Taufeel was also contacted for a comment considering that he looks after the affairs of seismic survey companies, but the official said that an inquiry is currently underway and he could not comment on the matter.

Shehbaz can stay in London as long as he wants, says Ahsan Iqbal LAHORE Staff RepoRt

A day after the reports of a rift in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) due to the extended stay of party president Shehbaz Sharif in London, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said the party leadership stands behind Shehbaz and has no problem with the latter’s stay in London.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Iqbal said: “Shehbaz Sharif should return when he is satisfied with the treatment of Nawaz Sharif, we are not demanding

anything.” Saying that there is no pressure over Shehbaz return from the party leaders, the PMLN senior leader said that the party is currently focused on Nawaz’s complete recovery. Iqbal said that in the absence of Shehbaz Sharif, the party leaders are carrying out political activities.

On Monday and Tuesday, at least 12 cases of the virus were reported in Sindh and Balochistan. In Balochistan’s maiden case, the virus was found in an eight-year-old child, whose parents had returned from Iran via Taftan, said the head of the Fatima Jinnah Hospital in Quetta on Tuesday.

One of the coronavirus patients has already been discharged after a full recovery, whereas another patient is also on the way to recovery, as per the reports.

As cases continue to spike, PM’s aide on health Dr Zafar Mirza said the federal government was looking closely at the changing situation and new cases are being provided with the best medical care.

“No need to worry… the situation is completely under control. The federal and provincial governments are jointly making all-out efforts to protect the masses from coronavirus on war footing,” he tweeted late Tuesday night.

Dr Mirza admitted that the coronavirus cases in Pakistan had doubled in the last 24 hours. “This is not surprising. Disease has spread in 106 countries. All 19 cases have brought this from abroad. All are stable. There is no evidence of local spread as yet. If we act responsibly we can avoid spread,” he wrote.

Uniform curriculum from grade 1-6 from April 2021: minister ISLAMABAD: Minister for Education, Professional Training and National Heritage Shafqat Mahmood on Wednesday said that a new uniform national curriculum from grade 1 to 6 would be implemented by April 2021 with the efforts of all domestic stakeholders.

He stated this while addressing a one day conference on “Yaksan Qoumi Nisab aur Hamara Nizam-e-Taleem” (Uniform National Curriculum and Our Educational System). IIUI President Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, Rector Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, senior faculty members and a large number of students were also present on the occasion. The minister said that thanked IIUI, IIRD for organizing a special conference on uniform national curriculum to create awareness about the efforts being underway. He said that it was our responsibility to create awareness about the uniform National curriculum. Mahmood said that it was also part of the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Manifesto to introduce a uniform curriculum for all the students, adding that PTI believes that every child has equal rights and they must have the opportunities to grow in life. app

Communication vital to strengthen ties with Pakistan, says Wells Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells said on Wednesday that communication was vital to strengthen the United States relationship with the Pakistani people.

The US diplomat passed the remarks in a tweet shared on her behalf by the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. The US diplomat was welcoming the ‘excellent news’ of the US Consulate in Karachi’s relaunch of their new website in Sindhi.

“Communication is vital to strengthening our relationship with the people of Pakistan and this effort will bring us closer together,” the US diplomat had said.

The US Consulate took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that it has relaunched its website in Sindhi. “Relaunching our Sindhi website is another way in which we are honouring the rich culture and traditions of Pakistan and Sindh,” said the US Public Affairs Officer Jason Green in a video message attached to the tweet. NewS DeSk

National Assembly passes Zainab Alert Bill POLICE TO ENSURE COMPLETION OF ALL CASES INVOLVING KIDNAPPING, RAPE AND MURDER OF CHILDREN WITHIN THREE MONTHS ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Zainab Alert, Recovery and Response Bill, 2020, aimed at raising an alert, response and recovery of missing and abducted children.

Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari moved a motion for consideration of the bill as passed by the Senate with amendments. The bill will become an “Act of Parliament” after President Arif Alvi signs the bill.

The Lower House passed the motion and considered the bill as reported by the Senate.

All cases involving the kidnapping, rape and murder of minor children will be required to complete investigations within three months.

CMYK

The bill will raise the required alerts and initiate the responses required for recovery of missing, abducted, abused or kidnapped children in the entire country. It will help to provide a speedy system for alerts, responses, recoveries, investigations, trails and rehabilitation to prevent and curb criminal activities against the children.

The bill will also ensure harmonization and cohesion in the workings of the new agencies and institutions established for the protection of children and already exacting mechanisms within this field.

According to the bill, the maximum sentence handed down to perpetrators of child sexual abuse will be life imprisonment with a fine of Rs1 million while the minimum sentence

will be 10 years.

It also suggested that Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency (ZARRA) will be established headed by a regular Director General to be appointed by the Prime Minister in such manner and in such terms and conditions as may be prescribed the rules. It demanded that the management staff of ZARRA should be suitably equipped with skills of managing databases, conducting planning and monitoring of programs, analyzing data, preparing reports and coordinating with all other officers.

It suggested that ZARRA shall work closely with the helpline 1099 or such other helpline operating under the mandate of the Division concerned. In this regard, the helpline shall forward complaints relevant to the mandate of ZARRA, which shall be acted upon in partnership between ZARAA and the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) established under the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

Govt to fAcilitAte coNStructioN Sector for AffordAble houSiNG, SAyS PM iSLAmABAd

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Staff repOrt

RIME Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday inaugurated the construction of 20,000 housing units in seven projects in Islamabad and said that the government will facilitate the construction sector to help provide housing to the people. Addressing a ceremony in the federal capital, he said that the construction of houses will be undertaken by private sector and the government will provide it full facilitation in this task.

Appreciating the decision of Lahore High Court (LHC) on foreclosure laws, he said that this step will revolutionise the housing sector in the country.

He said that in Pakistan, the housing financing is 0.2 per cent, which is very low compared to many regional and international countries.

He also said that he realises that the interest rate is quite high but it was necessary to contain inflation and deficits.

“However, the financial situation has im-

Imran Inaugurates ConstruCtIon of 20,000 housIng unIts In federal CapItal proved in recent months and it will now be easier for people to construct homes after taking loans from banks,” he said.

The premier said that the government is taking steps to facilitate the construction sector by removing bottlenecks and impediments in their way. “The Naya Pakistan Housing Authority will not only provide housing to federal government employees, but will also give strength to forty industries allied with the construction sector, and will create employment opportunities for the youth,” he added.

He also criticised the horizontal development of cities, saying that there needs to be a new master plan for the country’s cities. “Cities, even villages,

Tauqir Shah removed as health secretary after Dr Qadri's protest

are expanding horizontally. This is having an impact on pollution levels and is also affecting food security. The new master plans of the cities will cater to the availability of green areas and land for farming and other activities,” he said.

“There needs to be vertical expansion of our cities. The government has made this process easier by removing certain restrictions in place,” he added.

The prime minister said that the proceeds obtained from launching of Blue Area in Islamabad and two other commercial projects in other cities will be

KP’s development projects in limbo due to shortage of funds PESHAWAR aziz buneri

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday transferred Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, a grade-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, to the Establishment Division with immediate effect, a week after he was posted as Additional Secretary (Incharge), National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division. The NIH, headed by Dr Zafar Mirza, is responsible for national public health.

Shah has also served as the country’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

His appointment had caused controversy due to his alleged involvement in the Model Town killings case, however, the government claimed he was selected after due process, as his name was sent to the prime minister by the Special Selection Board. Shah was the principal secretary to the chief minister of Punjab at the time of the Model Town incident.

Dr Tauqir Shah is said to be one of the main accused in the Model Town massacre. Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri had shown his displeasure over Shah’s appointment and demanded his removal. Staff repOrt

ATC rejects bail plea of prime accused in judge video scandal ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Mian Tariq, prime accused in the judge video scandal case. The verdict was pronounced by ATC Judge Rana Javad Abbas. Verdict in the plea, seeking bail on the medical grounds was reserved on Tuesday. In the last hearing of the plea, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had opposed the provision of bail to the suspect. Tariq is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail. Staff repOrt

used to accommodate people of slums and shanty areas, so that they get a decent living in vertical housing units.

Speaking about the education sector, PM Imran said that the real challenge, however, was the country’s schooling system. “The government’s schooling system is a challenge because it has been neglected for the past 70 years; we have made a three-tiered system. We have to make one core system. Our federal education ministry is working on introducing one core syllabus by next year,” he added.

He stated that this was needed in order to eliminate the different “cultures” that were being developed in the country.

Referencing Aurat March held on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, he said, “You could see the different cultures within the country. This stems from our schooling system. We teach one culture in one school which does not have any relation to other schooling systems.”

“This is not how a nation is made,” he concluded.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Home Affairs Department could not initiate work on some of the key projects of its annual development programme due to the unavailability of funds that were supposed to be provided by international agencies.

According to documents of KP Finance Department, the department did not release even a single rupee from the Rs1.414 billion allocated for the four projects of the Home Affairs Department. The provincial government had allocated Rs82 billion from foreign assistance and loans for development programmes in the budget of financial year 201920. For the KP Home Department, Rs1.563 billion were allocated for 13 projects in the annual development programme, in which Rs 1.414 billion were supposed to be provided by international agencies through aid and loans

AAWAZ – Voice and Accountability Program-II, a DFID-assisted project, failed to materialise because the department could not release Rs700 million for it.

The Finance Department did not release funds for “Strengthening Rule of Law Project” for which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was supposed to provide Rs258 million but the amount was not released given to the KP government.

Another project, Pakistan’s Action to Counter Terrorism (PACT), which was also supported by the UNDP and for which it had pledged Rs456.448 million, did not materialise because no funds were released. The UNDP was expected to support and provide Rs456.448 million to “Pakistan Action Counter Terrorism with Special Reference to KP” but the project could not be started as the UNDP did not provide the required funds.

Sources told this scribe that the provincial government was facing

major project delays due to financial difficulties and the failure of the international agencies to provide the promised funds. According to KP Finance Department’s documents, out the Rs1.563 billion annual development budget of the KP Interior Department, it was provided just Rs105.875 million from which it spent only Rs14.169 million.

The documents also revealed that the provincial government spent Rs14.194 million out of Rs56.775 million allocated for the annual deradicalisation emancipation programme in Swat.

On the other hand, the three projects — reformation & skills development facilities for probationers, computerisation of arms licenses, cases management in the directorate of prosecution and its district offices — for which Rs30 million were allocated and were also released by the Finance Department, could not be materialised by the Home Department.

Coronavirus outbreak officially a pandemic now continued From Page 01 Separately, Iran’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak reached 354, a rise of 63 in the past 24 hours.

Around 9,000 people were infected, Kianush Jahanpur told Iranian state TV, calling on people to avoid unnecessary trips and stay at home.

Jamaica’s ministry of health and wellness confirmed on Tuesday the island nation’s first imported case of the coronavirus, in its capital city of Kingston. The infected individual is a Jamaican female who had “travelled from the United Kingdom”, the ministry said in a statement.

Turkey confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Wednesday, becoming the last major economy to report an outbreak after taking what the World Health Organization (WHO) described as “vigilant, cautious” measures to delay the disease.

Turkey’s tourism sector, which accounts for about 13% of its economy, stepped up calls on the government for financial help to deal with the expected negative impact of the outbreak. A 53-year-old British woman hospitalized on the resort island of Bali died from the coronavirus, Indonesia’s first recorded death from the disease, officials said on Wednesday.

The British woman had arrived on the island on Feb. 29 and reported herself to medical authorities three days later after coming down with a fever, Dewa Made Indra, head of Bali’s COVID-19 task force, told Metro TV. Indonesian health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said she had been suffering from four other preexisting conditions including diabetes and hypertension.

“We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Indonesia and are in contact with local authorities,” said John Nickell, a British embassy spokesman in Jakarta. The British woman had been cremated at the family’s request, said Indra.

Bali, a popular destination for Chinese and other foreign tourists, previously had not reported any confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Indra said that 21 people who had contact with the woman had been tested.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation, confirmed its first cases of the virus only last week, amid concern among some medical professionals of a lack of vigilance and a risk of undetected cases.

The health ministry has tested around 800 people for coronavirus, according to data on its web site. Indonesia on Wednesday confirmed seven new cases, bringing the total to 34.

NEWS

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Experts call for check on banks after court allows auction powers LAHORE Shahab Omer

Legal experts have welcomed the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) ruling allowing banks to sell mortgaged property in case of default, but have warned against the abuse of power by the financial institutions. On Tuesday, the court had ruled that the banks could auction mortgaged property without obtaining the court decree. However, the bench noted that it was mandatory that more than one bidder should participate in such an auction. Speaking to Pakistan Today, legal expert Hamid Khan said that the banks can sell mortgaged property without the involvement of courts in the matter as there is a provision for this in the law. He said that while some people had challenged the provision on the basis of it being allegedly unconstitutional, the judgement indeed strengthens the rule of law. He also said that it is important to empower banks for recovery of loaned sum and the high court’s judgement grants them that sense of empowerment. “Some people take loans from banks and think they can somehow avoid paying it back to the bank. This decision would inform the people that whatever they do they have to return the loaned sum,” he added. While he defended the judgement, he said that there is another issue with the banks that needs the attention of the authorities concerned. He said that sometimes the statements prepared by the banks are exaggerated, which further burdens the borrower. Khalid Ranjha, another legal expert, offered a different opinion. He said that it was common practice for the courts to be involved in the mortgaging of properties but now efforts are being made to empower banks in the same and this would definitely lead to abuse of power. “When giving out loans, banks often make you sign on dotted lines without making you read the terms and conditions. Moreover, the borrower never has any access to the bank’s records. This makes the borrower helpless,” he said. “This is similar to the concept of a man owing land without formal documents in his possession,” he added. On Tuesday, a five-member bench headed by LHC Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh announced the verdict which had been reserved after hearing the arguments of all the parties on November 8, 2019.

Govt to move South Punjab province bill in NA COntinuEd FROm PAgE 01 During the press conference, Qureshi said that some steps are being taken to create ease in the lives of the people of south Punjab. “Keeping in view the concept of devolution of power — and for the ease of people from the province — the decision to create a secretariat in the region has been taken,” Qureshi said. He said that Rs3.5 billion will be required to create the secretariat and 1,350 people will need to be appointed to fill the new positions created there. He added that as the creation of the infrastructure for a proper secretariat will also take some time, an additional chief secretary and additional inspector general of police will be appointed for south Punjab. “Out of the two, one will station himself in Bahawalpur, while the other will establish their headquarters in Multan,” he said. “The Punjab chief minister said in the meeting that in the upcoming budget — keeping the ratio of provincial population in mind — 35 per cent of resources will be allocated to south Punjab,” Qureshi said while further adding that this share will then not be re-appropriated or channelled to other areas. “This has been happening in every previous year, funds are allocated for south Punjab and then channelled to other areas as the year progressed — we have decided to not do that this year,” the minister said. Answering a question about the facilities the province will be given once created, Qureshi said: “The new province will enjoy all the powers and benefits that other provinces have. This includes their share in the NFC award as well as representation in the senate and in the federal government.” Qureshi then went on to congratulate PTI ministers and “people who had joined the party solely for the creation of south Punjab province” over the development.

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KP CM announCeS neW roadS In S WazIrIStan PESHAWAR APP

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HYBER Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan Wednesday announced approval of 100 kilometers roads in Mehsud belt of South Wazirstan and directed communication and works department to prepare a PC-1 of the project for formal approval of the competent forum.

He made this announcement while presiding over a high-level progress review meeting on the implementation of various developmental and social sector service delivery schemes launched in DI Khan division here. Besides, Advisor to Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir, MNA Yaqoob Khan, MPAs Faisal Amin, Ikramullah Gandapur, Naseer ullah and Aneeta Mahmood, Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Principal Secretary to CM Shahab Ali Shah, administrative secretaries of relevant departments, commissioner D.I.Khan, DIG, D.I.Khan, concerned Deputy Commissioners and other high ups attended the meeting.

The meeting was given a threadbare account of

Citizens call for deploying additional staff at PIMS cardiac centre

the ongoing developmental schemes and proposed schemes to be included in the Annual Development Program of the next financial year. These projects include clean drinking water supply schemes, health and education sector service delivery improvement schemes, construction and improvement of road infrastructure and various other schemes in agriculture, irrigation, sports and tourism sectors.

The Chief Minister said that another 100 kilometers roads announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan for South Wazirstan District would be only for Wazir belt. The Chief Minister also approved all the developmental schemes of Mehsud area which could not yet be executed for the last eight years due to law & order situation in the area.

The Chief Minister said that his government was working for the development of South Waziristan on priority basis with a special focus on the backward Mehsud belt adding that some other mega developmental projects will also be planned for the Mehsud area in the coming days.

Mahmood Khan expressed the resolve that work on the Peshawar- D.I.Khan Motorway and Chashma Right Bank Canal projects would be started in the

tenure of the incumbent government. Regarding the long standing issue of clean drinking water in District Tank, he directed the Public Health Engineering department to come up with a workable solution to address the issue once for all.

The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction on the poor service delivery of Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) of D.I.Khan directed to convene a special meeting of health department next week in order to resolve the management and service delivery issues of the MTI and other health service delivery outlets of the division.

Similarly, the Chief Minister also directed to hold a meeting of education department to resolve the issues related to missing facilities in public sector schools of D.I.Khan division. He directed the concerned high ups to give timelines to all the line departments for the completion of all ongoing developmental schemes and launching of the new schemes.

The Chief Minister also directed all the authorities to show tangible results regarding the implementation of public welfare initiatives within the given timelines.

Air quality unhealthy as vehicular emissions, irresponsible construction go unchecked

ISLAMABAD APP

Citizens on Wednesday complained that many serious patients at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences' (PIMS) cardiac centre have to wait for hours in long queues due to limited staff at its registration counter. According to them, this single counter managed to register both male and female patients for hospital's cardiac center where limited hospital staff has been deputed to handle all incoming patients to issue slips and registration. They demanded of the quarters concerned to increase the number of registration counters and staff to facilitate the incoming patients. The hospital management should immediately replace this pathetic and outdated registration system for entry and issuance of checkup slips, Ameen Yousaf, an attendant said.

A patient, Anjum Kamal said PIMS was a major hospital of the capital, but it had been facing severe shortage of staff at its cardiac centre registration desk. He added that getting a checkup slip had become a difficult task for patients here. He complained that mostly trainee doctors had been assigned duties at the centre, who lack experience. Inam Khan, a patient said, “I had to wait for hours and after several requests, cardiac centre staff issued a checkup slip for medical consultancy." When contacted PIMS spokesman Dr Wasim Khawaja said the hospital management had introduced a computerized ticketing system at cardiac centre registration counter for incoming patients. He said trained medical practitioners had been deployed at cardiac centre to serve the patients while sufficient staff had been deployed at cardiac centre registration desk as well. He said around 5,200 angiographies were done in one year at the PIMS cardiac centre while a total of 1,600 stents were passed.

ISLAMABAD APP

The federal capital’s air quality on Wednesday was recorded unhealthy due to increased vehicular emissions and irresponsible construction going on the Faisal Avenue.

The residents were advised to wear pollution masks to avoid harmful impact of air pollution as air quality was unhealthy due to gusty and rainy weather with rising vehicular emissions.

According to Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) daily air quality report, the hazardous pollutant ratio of particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) was

recorded beyond safer limits. The pollution level comprising particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) was above the permissible ratio of 35 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/mł) and was recorded 53.46 mg/mł, higher in the federal capital.

World Health Organization (WHO) in it's reports of 2015 claimed air pollution to cause huge number of premature deaths. PM 2.5 had been found hazardous pollutant which could penetrate into human blood through lungs cells.

The report mentioned that the 24 hours average concentrations of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2) were noticed below the permissible limits of National Envi-

ronmental Quality Standards (NEQS) whereas concentration of PM2.5 was within safe limit of NEQS. The daily ambient air quality report of the federal capital by Pakistan-EPA, the 24 hours average ratio of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2) were 25.08 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/ mł) and 27.15 mg/mł respectively against the respective National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 80 mg/mł and 120mg/mł.

The data was recorded by calibrated air quality monitors fixed at particular positions with proper readings.

However, concentrations of PM2.5 during the day and evening times were recorded slightly high, whereas the overall ambient air quality of the federal capital was not healthier today.

Any other data from any source presenting ambient air quality of Islamabad was neither verified nor approved by the PAK-EPA, the report said.

Earlier, an EPA official told APP that dust count was higher due to construction at the Faisal Avenue which was monitored through its online air quality system.

She went on to mention that the EPA team had also visited the site where the contractor was found violating the pledges he made under the EIA submitted to the Agency.

"The contractor is bound to take measures to control dust during construction at the site. EPA has also issued warning to the contractor in this regard," she added.

BISE Pindi may compensate students for SSC Maths' flawed paper

ISLAMABAD APP

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Rawalpindi Wednesday hinted to give compensatory marks to those 10th grade students who have attempted the erroneous questions given in the science group Maths papers.

The Mathematics paper, conducted by the RBISE on March 2 in morning and evening sessions, contained some mis-

takes which have been verified by the relevant department, said Controller of Examination Malik Mohsin.

Talking to APP, he said the issue was taken up by the department concerned after some section of media pointed out mistakes in the board’s Mathematics question papers.

He said the department had decided to form an inquiry committee which would comprise of the subject specialists. The final decision regarding com-

pensatory marks would be taken by the committee after evaluating the mistakes in papers. The Controller exam also pledged to take action against those responsible for this lapse to avoid embarrassment in the future.

According to the rules, compensatory marks could only be granted to those students who have attempted the faulty questions, he said while responding to a query.

Parents, however, rejecting his stance said considering only those for additional marks who had attempted the question was irrational as it may benefit incompetents, who could not understand a big mistake and still chosen it. "Every appearing student who attempted paper must be accommodated" parents unanimously stressed.

“The board must accommodate those students who did not choose the fallacious questions due to carelessness of the officials concerned,” said Zobia Pervaiz, mother of a student who could not take up an unattemptable question.

She said it could cost students a place in college as every single mark was counted in the merit list at quality institutions for higher classes' admission".

Zobia Pervaiz urged to facilitate each and every student of science group as it was not their mistake. "I am astonished how a question paper can carry such big mistakes when it gets through many expert hands, involved in the entire process of its preparation."

Shazia Arshad, mother of another student, also shared her concerns and said normally students were given choice to attempt any three questions out of five in subjective part of the Mathematics' paper but one fallacious question minimized their choice costing students to lose eight marks in the paper.

"The limited choice in papers left students confused and affected their overall attempt against which compensatory marks should be given to them," demanded another mother, Saba Hameed.

She said: "her son is very sensitive and fights for every single mark but BISER' s this blunder has badly affected his preparation for remaining papers".

It may be mentioned here that questions in both the sessions carried technical mistakes as an equation in morning session Question-7 Part 'A' mentioned B compliment that should have been only B.

Gun & Country Club case: SC rejects govt's proposed committee ISLAMABAD APP

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday rejected the government's proposed committee and summoned the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) secretary in 'Gun & Country Club' case. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprised, Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed heard the case.

During the course of proceedings, the government counsel submitted the names of committee members for the administration of the club. Justice Umar Ata Bandial rejected the government's proposed committee and said the club had raised Rs280 million. He said the court would not allow further destruction of the club. He asked whether the committee comprised government officials. The attorney general responded that the government committee comprised both government and private individuals. Justice Umar Ata Bandial said the government had not made any plan for the club. He said the government should take the matter seriously and suggest names of good repute officials. Advocate Naeem Bukhari also appeared before the court and proposed a committee consisting government officials who were members of the club.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial said apparently the names suggested by Naeem Bukhari were appropriate. The court allowed the current committee to run affairs of the club for a month. Justice Bandial said the chairperson of the committee would be the acting chairman of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

PakWheels to organise car mela ISLAMABAD Press releAse

After conducting a successful PakWheels.com Sunday Car Bazar in Lahore, we are now coming to the Nation’s capital, Islamabad, to organize a grand car mela – a transactional event where buyer and seller can come and sell/buy the vehicle. This is one of its kind events in Pakistan and surely a great sigh of relief for the people as well. Mark your calendar for March 15th, 2020, for PakWheels Car Mela Islamabad to be held at 2F2F, Lake View Park, from 09 am to 6 pm. This will be the third episode of the event in Islamabad. There is a huge used car market in the country, but many still find it hard to buy and sell a genuine used car.

Appreciating this, PakWheels.com brings the seller and the buyer under one roof for an exceptional buying and selling experience. PakWheels Car Mela is one such platform. Buyers will have hundreds of cars to choose from. Sellers will have a hassle-free experience in finding the right buyer for their car. Just a reminder, PakWheels Car Melas are held in various cities, where hundreds of cars including SUVs, Sedans, Hatchbacks, and Kei Cars are parked for buying and selling purposes.

In addition, the biggest attraction of these melas is the presence of a large number of Managed by PakWheels cars – good-conditioned cars with inspection report attached.

Benefits of PakWheels Car Mela: Hundreds of Cars for Sale Great opportunity to sell your car Presence of thousands of Genuine Buyers PakWheels team can verify the auction sheet of cars, PakWheels team can inspect the cars at the venue Get ready and be at the event on March 15th, 2020, at 2F2F, Lake View Park, from 09 am to 6 pm for a once in a lifetime experience.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

NEWS

New strategy afoot to trace symPtom-free coroNavirus PatieNts

05

PUNJAB MINISTER DIRECTS INTENSIVE SCREENING OF TRAVELLERS AT AIRPORTS LaHOrE

t

Staff RepoRt

HE federal government has adopted a new strategy to trace all asymptomatic passengers with COVID-19, the mysterious viral pneumonia-like disease caused by the novel coronavirus, arriving from overseas. Scientists have confirmed that patients start to show symptoms of coronavirus after five days of contracting the virus on average. Anyone who is symptom-free by day 12 is unlikely to get symptoms, but they may still be infectious carriers, according to the latest research.

The researchers advise suspected patients to self-isolate for 14 days to avoid spreading it to others.

Under the new plan, health forms received from travelers at the airports would be handed over to the departments of health and surveillance.

The concerned department would then be able to contact the returning travelers in their respective cities and conduct the “follow-up medical examination”.

This would enable the authorities to identify the coronavirus patients, who appeared healthy at the time

Pakistani family in Hong Kong gives away face masks, gloves to fight coronavirus

of medical examination at airports.

The government has recently accepted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s proposal of making it mandatory for all international passengers to declare their travel history of the last 14 days, in order to maintain their record for necessary screening at airports.

The new strategy has been implemented by the Central Health Establishment (CHE) on the directives of Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza. Confirming the development to The Express Tribune, CHE Director Dr Irfan Tahir on Tuesday said the strategy has been adopted as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The travel data of inbound passengers includes addresses and telephone numbers. On complaints of flu and fever, passenger and their friends and family members and those who came in close contact with the passenger will also be examined.

‘NO POSITIVE CASE IN PUNJAB SO FAR’: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Wednesday directed intensive screening of travellers at airports to combat the Coronavirus threat in Punjab.

She was chairing the Cabinet Committee meeting at

the Chief Minister Secretariat on Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar’s directives here on Wednesday.

Energy Minister Muhammad Akhtar Malik, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Momin Agha, Lahore Commissioner Saif Anjum, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Suhail Sukhera, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Capt (r) Usman Younis, Information Secretary Raja Jehangir, Finance Special Secretary Tauseef, Local Government Secretary Col (r) Special Secretary Wajahat Hamdani, Chinese Security additional secretary, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) senior joint director, School Education secretary and other officials attended the meeting.

Momin Agha, Captain (r) Usman Younis and Raja Jehangir Anwar gave the health minister detailed briefings on the number of initiatives and a complete roundup of actions and preparedness measures at different facilities in the province.

Dr Yasmin expressed her satisfaction by acknowledging that all-out measures were being taken for the safety of people from the virus.

“So far, lab tests of all suspected cases have come

Financially independent women to transform society: Alvi

HONG KONG Staff RepoRt

As global coronavirus cases continue to rise, one Pakistani family living in Hong Kong has opted to help the local community by giving away thousands of face masks, gloves and other sanitary products, Al-Jazeera reported.

According to the report, Lala Al-Sheikh had established his business in Hong Kong several years ago, selling ornaments from Nepal, Pakistan, India, and China. “My father-in-law is the one who started this business,” said Amna Nadeem, Al Sheikh’s daughter-in-law. It had started out small but now it’s gotten to a point where we are able to provide free masks and water for everyone in the community, she said.

Every week, Al-Sheikh buys face masks and other supplies from different medical stores around the community in bulk in order to distribute them to those in need. According to him, he does this purely for his own happiness and satisfaction. “When a man dies, it is only his good deeds that are left behind,” he says.

Al-Sheikh uses the money left behind after subtracting his expenses to buy the products.

“I have no other financial help, it’s just me and my family. We package and distribute the products as a family,” he says. However, dwindling supplies have thrown a spanner in Al Sheikh’s plans, as items such as hand sanitisers and face masks fly off the shelves due to panic buying over the coronavirus. “I have [distributed items] between six to seven times.

The first five times I handed out anti-bacterial soap. But, when there was a shortage of soap — they come from Indonesia — I had to stop,” he says.

ISLaMaBaD app

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday stressed the need for economic empowerment of women and said that educated, healthy and financially independent women would transform society. The women in society are confronted with a host of problems including poverty, inequality that leads to negative consequences on their health, schooling, job prospects, the president said while speaking at a ceremony of International Women Day, organized by Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in collaboration with

the United Nations Women Pakistan.

The president said no society could make progress until women disparity was not removed and they were not given equal opportunities in all fields. But added that for this the frame of mind in society would have to be changed to get the women’s rights.

Dilating upon education issue of girls, the president said it was a matter of great concern that dropout rate of girls in schools and colleges, particularly at university level was high than the boys. He said progress of women in society without education was very difficult because if a

mother was educated she could upbring her children in a batter way.

The president said malnutrition and stunting were other big issues while frequent pregnancies also affect the women’s health, adding breast feeding was a must to avoid frequent pregnancies. He said 40 percent of children were suffering from stunting in Pakistan. “Our religion Islam has given inheritance rights to women 1400 year ago but unfortunately we are violating it, adding awareness in society about this issue will have to be created,” the president said.

There are multi-factorial issues including harassment and violence, the women are facing in society and for it the system will have to be changed, the president said and added that in this regard more responsibility lies on the society and women parliamentarian to expedite legislation in that regard.

The president said he was looking for such a Pakistan where a woman could go outside in the dark of night without any fear.

Secretary Women Parliamentary Caucus Munaza Hassan in welcome address said on this day, women raise their voice against gender discrimination and the day reminded the women to commit to renew and review our pledge to work for the rights of women. She said it was unfortunate that still major obstacles were being faced by the women at various fronts and fields.

Pakistan students keen on raising awareness of global issues NEWS DESK A majority of the Pakistani students, aged 13 to 19, in a Cambridge International’s survey think that climate change is the number one issue of concern followed by poverty and economic inequality and the lack of basic education.

Over 11,000 students globally, aged 13 to 19, took part in Cambridge International’s first ever Global Perspectives Survey and shared their views on global issues. Out of these 11,000 students, around 3,300 were from Pakistan.

Across the globe, 26% of the participants singled out climate change as the biggest issue facing the world today. In Pakistan, 19% of students also agreed that climate change was the number one issue of concern, closely followed by poverty and economic in-

equality, and lack of basic education – 16% of students voted for each of these issues. Moreover, poverty and economic inequality, and lack of basic education were ranked higher by Pakistani students than the global average of 14% and 10%.

The findings show that 77% of students in Pakistan would consider an employer’s attitude towards global issues they feel strongly about before applying for a job and over half (52%) would like to pursue a career where they can make a difference for the better, which in turn is more than the global average of 47%. Additionally, 70% students agree that if their chosen global issue is not solved, it will directly affect their working lives and future.

The poll reveals there is a clear desire from students to learn about

global issues in school, with 92% of Pakistani students agreeing that it is important to do so. Up to 32% students agree that they discuss global issues at school, however, it is lower than the global average of 39%. Also, 31% of Pakistani students say they don’t learn about global issues in school, despite wanting to.

Up to 91% of Pakistani students said they take some form of action to raise awareness of global issues. In particular, the methods vary depending on the age group of the students for example older students (17-19) are more likely to encourage people and themselves to make lifestyle changes, join clubs or raise awareness on social media than the younger group (13-16).

Female students are more likely to buy products to raise funds, sign peti-

tions and make lifestyle changes than male students.

The survey results reflect the popularity and interest that Pakistani students have in learning about global issues.

Cambridge Global Perspectives gives students the opportunity, at every stage of school education, to learn about global issues and find possible solutions to addressing them, whilst also helping them to develop outstanding transferable skills, including critical thinking, research, collaboration and evaluation.

This year, over 1,400 students from 60 schools across Pakistan have studied Cambridge Global Perspectives and the exam entry numbers continue to increase every year.

The survey was conducted leading up to Cambridge Global Perspectives Week 2020.

out negative and we have not received any positive results in Punjab. However, we are completely alert and have made all the necessary preparations,” she said while adding that awareness messages have been displayed at key sites, training for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in the province are being conducted and a 24-hour Coronavirus Monitoring Cell (CMC) which is continuously monitoring the situation in the country and in the region has also been set up in the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.

Dr Yasmin concluded the meeting directing for review meetings to be held on a daily basis.

Legal properties not to be touched during encroachment drive, assures rasheed ISLaMaBaD Staff RepoRt

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Wednesday told the National Assembly that the government will not demolish any legal property in Karachi in the name of the anti-encroachment drive. Responding to a question, the minister said that 42 kilometers of land owned by Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) was illegally occupied and difficult to vacate as the people had built their house on the land are were not willing to relocate. However, both the Centre and Sindh government in compliance with the Supreme Court’s direction took measures to start KCR, said the minister. He said apart from KCR, another entity Karachi Urban Transport Company (KUTC) also exists with the 60 percent shares of the federal government and 40 percent shares of the Sindh government. He said the federal government willing to give its 60 percent share to the Sindh Government to run the project on a priority basis but the Supreme Court refused the proposal of the federal government with directions to functional KCR. He said the Supreme Court has given 6-month time to the Sindh Government to construct underpasses on 24 roads crossing on the route of KCR.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

06 WORLD VIEW

The global eConomiC impaCTs of CoViD-19 THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION WARNS THAT COVID-19 COULD COST GLOBAL AIR CARRIERS BETWEEN $63 BILLION AND $113 BILLION IN REVENUE IN 2020, AND THE INTERNATIONAL FILM MARKET COULD LOSE OVER $5 BILLION IN LOWER BOX OFFICE SALES

Centre for StrategiC and international StudieS Stephanie Segal and dylan gerStel

C

onfirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (CoVid-19), which first appeared in China at the end of last year, now exceed 115,000 as of march 10 and are likely to climb significantly higher. While over twothirds of the total confirmed cases are in mainland China, the vast majority of new cases reported since february 25 have occurred outside the country. What was initially seen as a largely China-centric shock is now understood to be a global crisis. The virus’s spread has regrettably borne out analysts’ downside scenarios, with investors digesting the implications of disrupted supply chains, official containment measures, and spillovers from the real economy to financial markets. A decision by two of the world’s largest energy producers to maintain current levels of production, despite falling energy prices, has further unnerved investors while questions about governments’ abilities to mount an effective and coordinated response linger. The increased uncertainty has led to financial market volatility last seen during the global financial crisis.

Q1: What will be the impact of COVID19 on the economy?

A1: The extent of the damage will depend on how quickly the virus is contained, the steps authorities take to contain it, and how much economic support governments are willing to deploy during the epidemic’s immediate impact and aftermath. early indications of CoVid-19’s impact on the Chinese economy are worse than initially forecast. Surveys of China’s manufacturing and services sector plunged to record lows in february, automobile sales sank a record 80 percent, and China’s exports fell 17.2 percent in January and february. The official data confirmed a widespread slowdown in economic activity foreshadowed in low pollution levels and depressed shipping traffic, among other informal barometers.

Analysts have sharply revised down estimates of Chinese growth, with many now predicting a drop in first quarter GdP, the first contraction since China began reporting

quarterly data in 1992. As CoVid-19 spreads, China’s economic recovery will be challenged as demand from other countries drops as they cope with the virus.

Although the outbreak appears to have slowed in China, CoVid-19 and its impacts have gone global. infections are mounting in europe, South Korea, iran, the United States, and elsewhere, with authorities implementing increasingly restrictive measures to contain the virus. europe and Japan are likely already in recession territory given their weak fourth quarter performance and high reliance on trade. While the United States entered the crisis with a tailwind, some analysts are forecasting a contraction in U.S. GdP in the second quarter. estimates of the global impact vary: early last week, the organisation for economic Co-operation and development (oeCd) predicted that CoVid-19 will lower global GdP growth by one-half a percentage point for 2020 (from 2.9 to 2.4 percent); Bloomberg economics warns that full-year GdP growth could fall to zero in a worst-case pandemic scenario.

Q2: What sectors and economies are most vulnerable?

A2: The CoVid-19 outbreak has generated both demand and supply shocks reverberating across the global economy. Among major economies outside of China, the oeCd forecasts the largest downward growth revisions in countries deeply interconnected to China, especially South Korea, Australia, and Japan. major european economies will experience dislocations as the virus spreads and countries adopt restrictive responses that curb manufacturing activity at regional hubs, including in northern italy. As a result of depressed activity, the United nations projects that foreign direct investment flows could fall between 5 and 15 percent to their lowest levels since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

At the sectoral level, tourism and travelrelated industries will be among the hardest hit as authorities encourage “social distancing” and consumers stay indoors. The international Air Transport Association warns that CoVid-19 could cost global air carriers between $63 billion and $113 billion in revenue in 2020, and the international film market could lose over $5 billion in lower box office sales. Similarly, shares of major hotel companies have plummeted in the last few weeks, and entertainment giants like disney expect a significant blow to revenues. restaurants, sporting events, and other serv-

ices will also face significant disruption. industries less reliant on high social interaction, such as agriculture, will be comparatively less vulnerable but will still face challenges as demand wavers.

Q3: What’s the relationship between the economy and the energy sector?

A3: economic slowdowns generally lead to lower energy demand, and the fallout from CoVid-19 has proved no different. often, producers respond to demand slumps by cutting supply to buoy prices. Last week, members of the organization of the Petroleum exporting Countries (oPeC) and a few other major oil producers met to discuss an additional cut of 1.5 million barrels per day through the end of June in response to the outbreak. When the agreement collapsed, Saudi Arabia cut prices and lifted output, ostensibly to harm russia for refusing to agree to production cuts. following the Saudi decision, Brent Crude fell more than 20 percent, the sharpest one-day drop since 1991, with analysts predicting further declines ahead.

The damage from the Saudi-russian price war sends an unsettling signal to markets hungry for a coordinated policy response to the epidemic, especially considering Saudi Arabia’s current role as G20 president. in response to the price shock, large oil producers, including U.S. firms, could pare back investment and production, with heavily indebted firms in particular at risk of layoffs, consolidations, and even bankruptcy. investors are well aware that energy companies account for more than 11 percent of the U.S. high yield (below investment grade) market, with rollovers nearly impossible

under current market conditions. in theory, lower oil prices should help oil-importing countries, but depressed activity due to CoVid-19 could limit that benefit. in addition, the boom in domestic U.S. energy production in recent years means the United States is exposed to price declines in a way not seen in previous economic downturns.

Q4: How does the economic slowdown impact financial markets?

A4: fears of a broader outbreak and its economic impact spread to financial markets last month, and most international indices are nearing bear market territory (declining at least 20 percent from the 52-week high) as investors process the lower corporate earnings that will result from the virus. The S&P 500 fell 7 percent to open the march 9 session, triggering a “circuit breaker” that briefly suspended trading for the first time since 1997. overall, the index is down about 17 percent from its record high on february 19. Amid the equity rout, investors have fled to safe haven assets such as U.S. Treasury bonds, leading to record low yields. Low yields translate into low borrowing costs for the U.S. government, but low interest rates may not benefit private companies or individuals (or even all sovereigns) who may find financial markets too risk adverse to extend credit in light of such uncertainty. The longer the virus spreads, the more economic and company performance will be impacted, raising concerns about debt sustainability, especially for highly indebted countries and companies, absent official support.

Q5: How have governments responded to cushion the economic fallout from the

epidemic?

A5: Thus far, national governments have announced largely uncoordinated, countryspecific responses to the virus. in China, the epicenter of the outbreak, officials announced billions in special-purpose loans to companies facing liquidity constraints as well as financial support to specific sectors such as aviation. in the United States, the federal reserve cut the policy rate in an emergency action on march 3, and on march 9, in coordination with other U.S. bank regulators, it encouraged financial institutions to “meet the financial needs of customers and members affected by the coronavirus,” a move aimed at supporting financial conditions to prevent the growth shock from turning into a broader financial crisis. on march 9, the federal reserve Bank of new York also announced expanded overnight repurchase operations by $50 billion to avoid a deeper credit crunch.

The european Central Bank and Bank of england are expected to take action when their monetary policy committees meet later this month. on the fiscal front, President Trump previewed his administration’s plans to seek a payroll tax cut and assistance for impacted hourly workers and industries. Countries announcing fiscal measures just this month include Japan ($9.6 billion, or 0.19 percent of GdP), South Korea ($9.2 billion, 0.56 percent of GdP), and italy ($4.1 billion, 0.20 percent of GdP). The adequacy of such spending will depend on the virus’s path as well as the effectiveness of other measures to contain negative spillovers from the growth shock. in terms of coordinated action, on march 6, the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors pledged to take “appropriate” fiscal and monetary measures but made no specific commitments. on a march 3 phone call, G7 finance ministers reaffirmed their “commitment to use all policy tools” but did not outline specific steps. for their part, the international monetary fund and World Bank last week announced the availability of $50 billion and $12 billion in financing, respectively, to support low income and emerging market economies’ responses to the virus.

Scientists do not yet have a clear understanding of the virus’s behavior, transmission rate, and the full extent of contagion; uncertainty will be part of the backdrop for the foreseeable future. Coherent, coordinated, and credible policy responses provide the best chance at limiting the economic fallout from what is already and sadly a human tragedy.

Stephanie Segal is a senior fellow with the Simon Chair in Political Economy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Dylan Gerstel is a research assistant with the CSIS Simon Chair in Political Economy.

The BJP has incited hatred it can no longer stop IN A BID TO REDUCE MUSLIMS TO SECOND CLASS CITIZENS IN THE COUNTRY, THE PARTY IS HOLLOWING OUT INDIA’S DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES BY CO-OPTING INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE JUDICIARY ELECTION COMMISSION INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES AND THE POLICE FORCE

al Jazeera pragya tiwari

n late february, india’s capital city experienced inter-communal riots the likes of which it had not seen since the 1980s. mobs descended on poor mixed neighbourhoods, attacking muslims and ransacking their houses and businesses. over 50 people died as a result of the violence that ensued.

The violence came as thousands of people - muslims and non-muslims - had been protesting for weeks against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which, along with a nationwide national Population register is being seen as a move to disenfranchise millions of muslims and, in the process, make life difficult for all of the country’s poor.

The protests have been met with severe opposition by the BJP. Barely a month before the violence broke out, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ran a deeply polarising campaign in the local delhi elections, supplemented by even more radical anti-muslim propaganda on pro-government television channels and social media.

The BJP’s loss to a local party compelled some commentators to declare that it would have no choice but to tone down its use of communal rhetoric and focus on policy issues. However, the delhi riots demonstrate that the party is far from abandoning the politics of hate

I

and, in fact, may escalate further. inter-communal incitement has reached such proportions in india under the BJP that it is no longer possible to dial back. Communal fault lines have existed in the subcontinent for ages, deepened irrevocably by the bloody partition of india in 1947. The BJP’s propaganda exploits these fault lines to turn india’s unemployed and undereducated youth into its foot soldiers and the country’s middle-class into armchair supporters of its politics of hatred. frankenstein, once created, takes on a life of its own and is impossible to tame. even if the strategy does not always win elections in some localities, moving away from it would only mean losing an electorate which has already been electrified by anti-muslim messaging. furthermore, the BJP’s anti-muslim rhetoric is not merely opportunistic. it is more than a mere tactic to polarise voters and distract from an underperforming economy and goes to the very core of its raison d’etre. The party’s roots go back to a socio-cultural movement that advocates that india should be a Hindu country and rejects its inherently secular constitution.

The party was founded to further the agenda of transforming india into a Hindu majoritarian country and has come into power with that mandate. This is reflected not merely in its rhetoric but also its concrete policy decisions - from revoking Kashmir’s special status, imposing restrictions on its population and leadership, to criminalising triple talaq among muslims and, most recently, passing the CAA. in a bid to reduce muslims to second class citizens in the country, the party is hollowing out india’s democracy and constitutional principles by co-opting institu-

tions such as the judiciary election commission investigative agencies and the police force. it reached for archaic anti-free speech laws to crack down widely on dissidents, critics, journalists, political opponents and even peaceful protesters holding candle-lit vigils. india is set to be the world’s youngest country, with almost 44 percent of its population under the age of 25.

A large number of these young people are unemployed or underemployed, with the government failing to create the number of jobs needed to keep pace with those entering the workforce.

This makes a large population of young people particularly, though not exclusively, susceptible to the monster of communal polarisation unleashed by the ruling party and its expansive propaganda machinery.

This precarious scenario is worsened by the deliberate decimation of the very institutions that are meant to safeguard against the breakdown of law and order. The violence in delhi is an urgent reminder that india is on the edge. if, in the capital city, citizens can be displaced, hurt, and killed with impunity, it is horrifying to imagine what is to come in the remote parts of the country.

At the same time, there has been no serious reaction from the international community to the BJP’s increasingly divisive politics. The day violence broke out in delhi, US President donald Trump was visiting india. it takes a special kind of callousness to praise Pm narendra modi for maintaining religious freedom in india while parts of delhi are on fire.

The world, which should hold india to high standards of democracy and civil liberties, does not seem to have taken proportionate cognisance of the country’s sharp turn towards a dangerous precipice. This, despite

the fact that the sheer size of the country’s population will magnify the consequences of widespread unrest and the repercussions will be felt beyond the region. in his 1933 essay, The Changing Age, indian nobel literature laureate rabindranath Tagore wrote of the nazi takeover of Germany: “Germany, in which the light of europe’s Culture was at its brightest, has torn up all civilized values - with what ease has an unspeakable devilry overtaken the entire country.”

Today, almost 90 years later, india’s civilised constitutional values are also being torn up in front of our eyes and, to paraphrase india’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal nehru, as the world sleeps india must awake to the challenges before it.

While there has been a fair amount of resistance to the rise of growing intolerance in india, the carnage in delhi has upped the ante. There is an urgent need to think beyond candle-lit marches and social media outrage. We as a nation need to organise better, coordinate better and come up with concerted efforts, including grassroots activism, judicial activism, political oppositional unity, and fighting misinformation on social media in order to arrest the country’s slide into imminent authoritarianism.

Bearing in mind lessons learned from regional tensions left to simmer through history, the indian people must forge new paths for the struggle for india’s secular and democratic character, because in the end, our fate is in our own hands, as it should be.

We cannot let an unspeakable evil overtake our country.

Pragya Tiwari is an editor and journalist based out of New Delhi.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

BidEn SayS fighTing for US 'SoUl' afTEr Big PriMary winS WASHINGTON D.C.

J

AGENCIES

OE Biden seized control of the Democratic nomination race Tuesday with big primary wins in Michigan and other states pointing to a crushing advantage over leftist Bernie Sanders in the contest to battle President Donald Trump.

Addressing supporters in Philadelphia as his victory took shape, Biden declared on national television that he would lead “a comeback for the soul of this nation.”

And he reached out to supporters of his sometimes bitter rival Sanders, telling them “we share a common goal. Together we’ll defeat Donald Trump.”

Hours earlier, US networks projected a huge victory in Mississippi for Biden, reflecting his popularity among strategically vital African American voters. Then came Missouri. Then, biggest of all, Michigan — one of the industrial Midwestern giants due to be a key battleground in the general election. Three more states were counting votes Washington, Idaho and North Dakota but the triumph of former president Barack Obama’s vice president was secure.

Barring major surprises, Biden now eyes a clear path to becoming the Democrats’ candidate in the bruising and deeply divisive November polls. The main question hangs over Sanders, a self-declared

democratic socialist.

Will he fight on to the bitter end, as he did four years ago against the eventual nominee Hillary Clinton? Or is he set to bow out early?

US media reports said Sanders will not speak about the results on Tuesday.

But his national press secretary indicated he had no intention of pulling out, touting the candidates’ next debate on Sunday as the chance for America to “see Biden defend his ideas or lack thereof.”

Many Democrats blame the firebrand orator and would-be revolutionary for damaging Clinton just as she was strug-

gling — ultimately unsuccessfully — against the Trump insurgency. Adding to nerves in a country on edge after three tumultuous years under Trump, fears of the coronavirus epidemic prompted both campaigns to cancel election-night rallies.

Organizers of the upcoming television debate between Sanders and Biden likewise said they would take the extraordinary step of not allowing the usual live audience. Trump’s campaign manager dismissed Tuesday’s voting, saying “it has never mattered who the Democratic nominee turns out to be.”

Both are “running on a big govern-

FOREIGN NEWS 07

ment socialist agenda” and Trump “is on an unstoppable drive toward re-election,” campaign manager Brad Parscale said.

‘POWERFUL’ COALITION: For Biden, Tuesday’s six-state contest, coming a week after his surprise comeback in voting on Super Tuesday, demonstrated that his once shambolic campaign is in rude health and now ready to face Trump. Michigan in particular a key battlefield that Trump won in an upset in 2016 — was targeted by Biden as a place to put down a marker ahead of the November election. Sanders had accused Biden of selling out to corporate interests and ignoring a passionate leftist base. But the former vice president has insisted on steering a centrist line that he says can bring the divided country back together and it appears to have paid off.

Banking on his credibility as Obama’s vice president, he has managed to get out an enthusiastic black vote.

But with stories of a hard-knock childhood in Pennsylvania and Delaware frequently featuring in his speeches, Biden also wants to recapture the blue-collar white voters that Trump successfully poached from the Democrats in 2016.

“Biden is putting together the traditional Democratic coalition, and that’s still a very powerful one,” said Julian Zelizer, a professor of political history at Princeton University and media pundit.

Myanmar's parliament blocks bid by Suu Kyi party to reduce army power

BangladESh SlUM firE lEavES Many PEoPlE hoMElESS DHAKA AGENCIES

A massive fire ripped through a slum on Wednesday in Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka, leaving thousands of people homeless. Hundreds of shanties were destroyed in the Rupnagar slum in the city’s Mirpur area, witnesses said. As many as 150 firefighters scrambled to get access to enough water and battled for three hours to bring the flames under control, said fire service official Zillur Rahman. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Video footage showed heavy plumes of smoke billowing all around the congested slum area. Lax regulations and poor enforcement have often been blamed for large fires in the South Asian nation that have killed hundreds of people in recent years. At least 25 people were killed in March last year when fire broke out in a 22-storey commercial building in Dhaka’s upscale area of Banani. In February last year, an inferno in a centuries-old neighborhood of Dhaka killed 71 people and injured dozens.

Malaysian PM calls on Mahathir to endorse new government KUALA LUMPUR AGENCIES

Turkey's Erdogan threatens retaliation if Syria truce is broken ANKARA AGENCIES

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday his country will not shy away from even stronger military action in northwest Syria’s Idlib region if last week’s truce is broken. Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Syria’s war, agreed on a ceasefire to stop escalating clashes in Idlib that brought the two countries close to direct confrontation and displaced almost a million people. In a speech to lawmakers from his AK Party in parliament, Erdogan said there had been small violations of the ceasefire and that Turkey’s priority was the safety of the 12 observation posts which it has established in the region. “We will not just retaliate (against) even the smallest attack here (in Idlib), we will give a much harsher response,” he said. “Turkish soldiers, the sons of this nation, are never in need of the cruel Assad’s protection, so let that be known,” he added, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted separately as saying that talks between Turkish and Russian officials on implementing the ceasefire have so far been “positive and constructive”. In recent weeks, Russia-backed Syrian government forces intensified their campaign to retake Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in the country.

That prompted Turkey, which backs some rebels looking to oust Assad, to mount a counter-offensive to repel their advances.

BANGKOK AGENCIES

Myanmar’s parliament blocked a bid by the party of leader Aung San Suu Kyi to reduce the role of the military in politics on Tuesday, almost a decade into a troubled democratic transition.

In the first day of voting on a series of proposed constitutional amendments, lawmakers vetoed changes backed by the ruling party that would have altered the 2008 charter drafted by the former ruling military junta.

The rejected amendments would have gradually reduced the number of military MPs, over a period of 15 years, and abolished a section that names the commanderin-chief of the defense services as the “supreme commander of all armed forces”.

The constitution guarantees military members of parliament a quarter of the seats in the legislature. Any changes to the charter require the approval of more than three quarters of lawmakers, giving the army an effective veto.

A spokesman for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) did not answer telephone calls seeking comment. A government spokesman declined to answer questions. Lawmakers also rejected removing the word “disciplined” from the definition of the country’s political system as a “genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system”.

But they approved an amendment that would allow civil servants to belong to political parties.

Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has been under pressure to show progress on constitutional reform – seen as a

major stumbling block to democratic hopes – ahead of a general election expected later this year.

She took power in 2016 after a landslide election win, vowing to continue democratic reforms that began in 2011 and end the country’s long-running civil wars.

Since then, the administration has come under foreign pressure over a 2017 military crackdown against the Rohingya minority, as well as escalating ethnic conflict.

Myanmar has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice in the Hague but denies the charges, saying it was carrying out a legitimate campaign against Rohingya militants who attacked police posts. Voting on other proposed amendments will continue until March 20, although analysts say the military veto means they are unlikely to pass.

Unrepentant rapist Weinstein to sentenced to 23 years in prison NEW YORK AGENCIES

Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday following his sexual assault and rape conviction last month in a case hailed as a victory for the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct. The sentence was handed down in a Manhattan criminal court by Justice James Burke, who presided over Weinstein’s trial.

A jury on Feb 24 found Weinstein, 67, guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant, Mimi

Haleyi, and raping former aspiring actress, Jessica Mann.

Once one of Hollywood’s most influential producers, Weinstein had faced the possibility of a maximum sentence of 29 years in prison.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Joan Illuzzi asked Burke to impose 25 years or “near” 25 years in prison for his conviction on a charge of criminal sexual act in the first degree involving Haleyi and to impose a consecutive sentence for the third-degree rape conviction involving Mann. That charge called for up to four years in prison, but the prose-

cution made no specific request.

Weinstein, wearing a suit, and the six women who testified against Weinstein were in court for the proceedings. In an emotional statement in court, Haleyi spoke of the trauma she had endured since the attack, saying, “It scarred me deeply, mentally and emotionally, perhaps irreparably, perhaps forever.” Prosecutors in court filings last week said the sentence should reflect not only the crimes of which he was convicted, but a “lifetime of abuse towards others.”

More than 100 women, including famous actresses, have accused We-

instein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades, fueling the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment. Weinstein has denied the allegations and said that any sex was consensual.

The jury of seven men and five women acquitted Weinstein on the most serious charges, a single count of first-degree rape as well as two counts of predatory sexual assault, which carried a potential life sentence. Those charges relied on testimony by actress Annabella Sciorra, who said Weinstein raped her in the early 1990s.

Malaysia’s new prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, extended an olive branch on Wednesday to the leader he recently replaced, veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad, calling on him to endorse the new government after weeks of political tension. Mahathir, 94, sparked turmoil with his surprise resignation last month, shortly after his coalition partners were seen in talks with his opponents. Muhyiddin, a former minister in Mahathir’s cabinet, was later sworn in as prime minister on March 1, joining hands with the old ruling UMNO party — which lost a general election for the first time ever in 2018 — and the Islamist party PAS to form a new coalition. In an interview published on Wednesday, Mahathir conceded that he no longer commanded a majority in parliament and would not win a vote of no confidence against the new prime minister, after some supporters abandoned him to join the new premier’s camp. In response, Muhyiddin said he had written to Mahathir to request a meeting and apologise to Malaysia’s most prominent political figure, who ruled for 22 years between 1981 and 2003, before coming out of retirement to contest and win the 2018 election. “We have formed this government and I want Tun to endorse this government, that it is a government for the people,” Muhyiddin, referring to Mahathir by his title, told a news conference. Mahathir was not immediately available for comment. Muhyiddin also dismissed speculation about an early general election. “I don’t want that,” he said. “People will not only curse, but they will also say this is not the right time. We are here to serve.”

Muhyiddin’s appointment comes as Malaysia deals with a downward-spiraling economy, as well as the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on trade and a crash in global oil prices.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

08 COMMENT

A stepchild in Pakistan

Shahbaz Sharif’s dilemma To return, or not to return

W

The position of education

ITH the Sharif brothers in London and Maryam Nawaz hibernating in Lahore, there is none to provide leadership to the PML-N or raise its sagging morale. As happens in every dynasty-led party, the PML-N is left with no undisputed figure to command or guide its parliamentary representatives and sympathisers. There are personality clashes among the party’s parliamentary leaders that have to be kept under control. There are different perspectives about what the party needs to do at this juncture, with some advocating that unless the party takes to streets, it would lose popularity, while others insisting on keeping the struggle against the government confined to the four walls of Parliament. At a time when the going gets tough, demoralistation can creep into the party ranks if the leadership is seen to be cooling its heels in London while the party’s second-tier leadership undergoes hardships. On Tuesday demands were made in the party’s parliamentary committee for PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif to return to the country.

Six PML-N MPAs, mostly from South Punjab, called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar the same day, allegedly expressing confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan and Mr Buzdar. They maintained that they made the visit to seek development funds for their constituencies as promised to the PTI’s Seraiki MPs. This perturbed PMLN legislators with Mr Hamza Sharif promising to discuss the issue in the party meeting to decide about an appropriate action against the lawmakers.

Altaf Hussain could run the MQM through remote control from London for he possessed a formidable terrorist network to enforce strict discipline, silence critics inside the party and eliminate dissidents. No democratic party however can be managed through remote control.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif is not only the President of his party but also the Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly. Opposition parties too have been demanding his return. It is not an easy decision to make for Mr Shahbaz Sharif, who has undergone arrest, prolonged questioning by NAB and incarceration. The accountability body has prepared fresh cases against him and is likely to arrest him on his return. But can he ignore the voices being raised in his party and by the rest of the opposition?

Tahir KhaN

E

DUCATION is the backbone of any nation, for, if you want to destroy any nation, destroy its education system. It is education that bifurcates between right and wrong and between a human and beast. It is the mantle that leads one to conquer the forces of darkness. But in Pakistan, it is treated as a stepchild. Pakistan, even in 21st century, has not been able to achieve its set educational goals. It faces problems ranging from poor budget allocation to the large number of out-ofschool children. No any effort has been taken to bring these children back to school. Education continues to suffer and the country’s literacy rate has remained below 60 percent.

According to a recent report published by UNICEF, Pakistan has the second highest number of out-of-school children in the world, and is only behind Nigeria. The estimated number of out-of-school children in Pakistan, according to the same report, is 22.8 million, aged between 5 to 16 years. However, Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan binds the state to provide basic education free of cost to children aged between five and 16. This state of affairs keeps on worsening when one follows an upward trajectory.

There are many factors behind the deteriorating conditions of education. The most harmful is the low budget allocated. Less than two percent of the GDP is spent on education. Due to this low budget, students are neither provided uniforms, nor do they receive books or stationery. The situation in many rural schools of the country is pathetic. The schools in those areas lack basic facilities of clean drinking water, toilets and boundary walls, while furniture and buildings are not under discussion. Some schools even does not have roofs and children study in open sky, under a tree.

Moreover, there are thousands of ghost schools in every province of Pakistan. These schools cause a severe burden on the already strained education budget. A handsome amount from that budget is wasted in paying salaries to ghost teachers. Additionally, there are many colleges in Pakistan which become functional only during exams and many

Coronavirus handling

RSS Ideology

Only better handling will stop the spread

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The region cannot have peace so long as India follows the RSS ideology

OW that 20 patients have been reported as suffering from the coronavirus, it cannot be said that Pakistan will, as was being propagated, stay above the fray. Luckily, there have been no deaths so far, but it would be counterintuitive to expect that there will be none. At the same time, the latest cases in Karachi, which seems to have been brought in by air from Iran, shows that the officious screening at airports is ineffective.

This can be because of a number of reasons. The first is that persons infected with the coronavirus may show none of the symptoms, which means that the screening for symptoms will not work. This is to assume, as may not be the case, that the screening tools work. The only really effective procedure is to quarantine all arrivals, releasing them only if they show no symptoms after the end of the incubation period, or if they test negative in a screening test. At the moment, travellers returning from abroad are not tested, it being pleaded that this is too expensive and there are not enough testing kits. That seems a pretty casual attitude towards people coming from places where the disease has penetrated the general population, like Iran or Italy. It is the federal government’s responsibility to arrange for the quarantine, and attempts to pass responsibility on to the provincial government are unseemly at this critical juncture.

Karachi seems to be developing as a centre within the country, and thus the holding of PSL matches there, where large numbers of people congregate and can be infected by a carrier, seems unwise, to say the least. True, the need to show that Pakistan is safe from terrorism may exist, but there is also a very strong need to show that Pakistan takes the coronavirus seriously. Also, with cases in GilgitBaltistan and Balochistan, it seems only a matter of time before Punjab, which is not just populous but also crowded, starts showing some victims. It is to be hoped that there has been any concealment out of a misguided desire to please anyone, because the reality of the epidemic has taken hold, and one of the tools of beating the coronavirus is proper reporting, not of what is convenient, but of what is true.

Naeem KaNdwal

A

defense pact was signed by US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, during the former’s visit to India. Under the $3 billion defense plan, the USA will provide Apache gunship helicopters and other defense equipment to India. It is strange that one of India’s priorities has been war. The proof of this is the growing defense budget of India. India’s current defense budget is $65 billion. With such a large defense budget, poverty and unemployment in India are increasing day by day.

Why do extremists like Modi not understand that no one wins in war? War is only another name for disaster. History is full of the consequences of war, the study of which makes one’s hair stand up on end.

The greatest example of this is the First World War, which was fought initially between France, the UK and Russia on one hand and Germany, Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire on the other. The war started in Europe but it spread all over the world. The allies of France and Germany were also involved in the war. The war was fought from 1914 to 1918. The war culminated in devastating catastrophe in which 40 million people were killed and wounded. It also includes 10 million soldiers.

Then in 1939, World WarII began. This war continued until 1945. This war is the most devastating war in history. This war was fought between the USA. Russia, the UK, France and China on the one hand, along with their allies, and Germany, Italy, Japan and their allies on the other. An estimated 75 million people were killed in the war. Millions of people were injured in addition.

Due to the extremist thinking of the Indians, war has taken place between Pakistan and India. In 1965, India attacked Pakistan in the dark of night. India was defeated as a result of the Pakistan Army’s surprise response. The Indian dream of occupying Pakistan could not be fulfilled and India suffered a humiliating defeat. The se cession of East Pakistan in 1971 and the Kargil conflict of 1999 are reflective of India’s extremist thinking. There is a specific extremist ideology of the RSS in India. RSS ideology is the cause of India’s growing war obsession.

What is the RSS? The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the name of an extremist Hindu organization, founded in 1925. This organization wants to impose its views on the world. The idea of this organization is that India is only for Hindus. Followers of all other religions should not be allowed to live in India. The organization has its own training centres where its workers are trained in extremism. World organizations have declared it a terrorist organization a terrorist.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

vocational institutes exist in official papers only. To to make them standardized; so that every student may make this situation worse, the local fuedals occupy avail an equal opportunity and may compete equally. school buildings forcibly and convert them into sta- Examinations should be conducted at the same time, bles, storehouses or into meeting venues. They pro- and admissions should be announced at the same time throughout the country. This would create uniformity hibit children from getting an education.

Another cause of the deteriorating standard of ed- throughout the country.

Another solution to this imbroglio is to allocate ucation is the high fee in most of the institutions of Pakistan. Private institutions that impart a certain quality required funds to education ministries, departments of education, charge an amount which is unaffordable and HEC; keep a check over it as to how and where for the majority of students. Meanwhile, government that budget is being utilized; to find out ghost schools, institutions do not lag behind and charge in lakhs, if not and teachers, and bring them to justice. Subject specialists should be inin millions. For instance, ducted into institutions, the Quaid-e-Azam Univerand as they have comsity, Islamabad, charges mand over their subjects more than Rs 60.000 at a Finally, a mechanism should be and teach their students in time of admission, plus an an innovative way; hence, extra amount of Rs 30,000 devised to provide platform to they will produce good to Rs 35,000 for hostel accommodation, for one sestudents to present their issues and results.

Besides, people are in mester only. Mess and laundry charges are taken discuss future prospects. In this way, great need of awareness regarding the miracles of separately. Hence, in Pakistan where the majority of institutions would be streamlined and education. Therefore, edpeople live from hand to would create a youth that would meet ucation awareness campaigns should be mouth, education has become a dream for their economic and market expectations of launched in every nook and corner of the country children.

Actually, the govern- the world and create a good place for with especial attention to education, as ‘fement of Pakistan is directly Pakistan in the comity of nations. female male covers half the sky’. responsible for that state of affairs. It neither allocates Because, “Education is the passport NGOs working on education mission should be the required amount of to future, for tomorrow belongs to regulated, their policies money needed by Educabe checked and they be tion Ministries, the Higher those who prepare for it today” asked to contribute in Education Commission awareness campaigns. and related institutions to Finally, a mechanism run their affairs smoothly, should be devised to pronor does it keep a proper check on education policy formulation and its imple- vide platform to students to present their issues and dismentation. The government even does not spend the cuss future prospects. In this way, institutions would be money given to it by donor countries for the promotion streamlined and would create a youth that would meet of education. A glaring example of such negligence was economic and market expectations of the world and seen in the previous year when the Sindh government- create a good place for Pakistan in the comity of nacould not spend the amount given to it by a Canadian tions. Because, “Education is the passport to future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. organization to improve education in the rural areas.

However, still there is time to direct the ship of Tahir Khan can be contacted at education in the right direction. The best way is to revive and update syllabi throughout the country and tahirkhan@ir.qau.edu.pk

I

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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This organization has the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a member of the RSS. Last month, the US President visited India and at the same time, the oppression of Muslims started, with a riot in New Delhi. This was a reflection of India’s cruel attitude. Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif condemned the bloodshed in Delhi. Muslims were massacred in New Delhi and their homes were burned. Muslims women were humiliated.

The atrocities committed in Gujarat, focused at Modi’s former capital of Ahmadabad, in the past are a reflection of the same extremist thinking where Muslims were brutally massacred. The houses of Muslims were burned and women were disgraced.

Where a story of cruelty was committed, even people left their homes and emigrated.

The atrocities in Kashmir are a reflection of the same extremist thinking, where the people have been locked up in their homes since August 5 last year. A long story of cruelty has been reported in Kashmir.

Thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been martyred. Thousands of innocent children have been orphaned. Human rights flags have been scattered in Kashmir. As the ruler of the so called democratic state, Modi has a duty to stop the atrocities against Muslims in Kashmir and Delhi. The Indian people and ruler should now get rid of the RSS ideology which has led to many wars between the two countries.

The US Taliban peace treaty is proof that no one wins in war.

Modi must understand this.

The atrocities in Kashmir are a reflection of the same extremist thinking, where the people have been locked up in their homes since August 5 last year. A long story of cruelty has been reported in Kashmir. Thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been martyred. Thousands of innocent children have been orphaned.

Human rights flags have been scattered in Kashmir. As the ruler of the so called democratic state, Modi has a duty to stop the atrocities against Muslims in Kashmir and Delhi. The Indian people and ruler should now get rid of the RSS ideology which has led to many wars between the two countries.

Naeem Kandwal is a freelance columnist

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

I

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

COMMENT 09 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Pakistan and 5th Generation War OUr Country today has evolved a lot. We have become a part of a society that is isolated and living in their own dream worlds also known as fantasy world. Today we can be driven to a war without any reason. a war that is also known today as 5th generation war. a war that doesn’t depend upon how much weapons we have and how much soldiers we have. This war is less feet on the ground. This war as described by David axe who first used the word in Wired Magazine said “a free-for-all of surprise destruction motivated more by frustration than by any coherent plans for the future.” Our country has become a target to this war and are getting affected by it. The frustration among people is increasing and it is causing them to take actions without thinking about consequences of their actions.

The only way to stop this war is to raise awareness about it. economic development should be taken under serious consideration. Humanitarian assistance and human connections play essential roles in this war. If we don’t take these things into consideration now our economy can be affected badly and with the increasing frustration among people it can lead towards consequences that wouldn’t be great for our country’s development.

IqrA FAISAL Lahore

Addictive games

Netanyahu wins, Justice loses By pandering to the Israeli right, the USA has caused the ‘peace camp’ to wither

Washington Watch Dr James J Zogby

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srael just completed its third national election in less than a year. The first two votes in april and september 2019 ended in an impasse with no party able to form a governing coalition of 61 Knesset Members (a majority of the 120-member body).

While the result of this third round appears to be as muddled as first two, it also consolidated several profoundly disturbing trends that are shaping Israeli politics.

It’s not as if nothing happened in the intervening months since Israelis first went to the polls in april. In fact, there were a number of dramatic developments.

In the first place, Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the likud Party and current Prime Minister, was formally indicted on charges of political and financial corruption. His trial may begin in just a few weeks. His attempt to secure immunity from prosecution failed. Now Netanyahu’s opponents are attempting to pass legislation that would bar a Knesset Member under indictment (meaning, of course, Netanyahu) from serving as Prime Minister.

The past few months also saw the release of the Trump administration’s “Deal of the Century.” since it gave Netanyahu everything he could have hoped for, the “Deal” might be better called “Trump’s Gift of the Century.” In remarks delivered in Jerusalem just a week before the election, Netanyahu described the benefits of the “Deal” in this way: “For the last three years I’ve worked very closely with a good friend of mine, President Trump...to fashion a different plan for peace in the Middle east… “a few weeks ago I stood as an Israeli prime minister in Washington next to the president of the United states, who said that the United states will recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead sea and all the… Jewish communities large and small, in Judea and samaria. This is a breakthrough…” another factor that impacted this round was the extent to which Netanyahu’s opponents surrendered in the face his continued racist incitement against Israel’s Palestinian arab citizens.

Netanyahu continued to insist that should Benny

Gantz, the leader of the Blue-White Party, be vic- spite having three serious indictments hanging torious, he would “partner with terror supporters” over his head, Israelis voted for him because they (which is the way Netanyahu describes arabs) to support his polices, his racism, and his rejection form a new government. Not only did Gantz go of Palestinian rights. Not unlike the way Us reoverboard in asserting that he would not “part- publicans have turned their backs on decency and ner” with the arab Knesset Members, he also the rule of law in their embrace of Donald Trump, embraced many of Netanyahu’s policies– accept- Israelis have embraced Netanyahu, whom they ance of the Trump “Deal” and the promise to now call “King Bibi.” even those who deplore annex large portions of the occupied West Bank. him personally and reject the divisions he has exFinally, there was the total collapse of what ploited within Israeli Jewish society nevertheless had at one point been a limited, but still numer- support the policies he has advanced. along with this, it is important to acknowlically strong, liberal current in Israeli politics. edge the end of the The labour Party, myth of the “Israeli which in 1992 held 44 peace camp.” While Knesset seats, was there are still couraonly able to elect With agreement on so many of geous Israelis who conthree Knesset Members as part of the palNetanyahu’s policies vis-à-vis the tinue to fight against the occupation and for try seven-member Palestinians and the occupation, Palestinian human bloc they were forced rights, they are not an to form with two other the major issues now dividing electoral force and failing parties. have no power to imWhen the votes Israel’s two major political pact Israeli policy. Newere counted, Netanyahu has succeeded tanyahu’s likud won camps– both on the right – are in intimidating politi36 seats in the new Netanyahu, himself, and the role cians who might have Knesset, while played a role in the Gantz’s Blue-White of religion in governance and Knesset in opposition won 33. With his partners, far-right and personal affairs. As a result,the to his policies. He and his colleagues also ultra-religious parties, Arab-led Joint List, now the third used their power to Netanyahu can tally laws that penalup only 58 seats – not largest political party, is the only pass ized and weakened enough to govern.

Gantz, on the other real Israeli peace camp. And as peace groups. another major hand, can claim only the Israeli government moves to contributing factor to 40 seats. death of the “peace There are two parannex key areas of the West Bank the camp” has been the ties that remain outof past Us side of these and expand Jewish settlements in acowardice dministrations, calculations. The arab parties, who coalesced the occupied lands, it is paving whose acquiescence to Israeli policy, even as the Joint list and the way for a one-state apartheid when mildly criticizing won 15 seats, have served to feed and been rejected as potenreality in which the Joint List will it, empower the Israeli tial partners by Gantz right, while starving and, more importantly, become the major fighter for and weakening the Ishave made it clear that democracy, equal rights, and raeli left. they could not support With agreement on him after he endorsed justice for the entire Israeli and so many of Nepolicies they find abtanyahu’s policies vishorrent. Then there are Palestinian populations à-vis the Palestinians the seven seats held by and the occupation, the avigdor lieberman’s major issues now difar-right, secular, and viding Israel’s two anti-arab Yisrael Beitenu Party. lieberman’s party could give Ne- major political camps– both on the right – are tanyahu the majority he needs to form a Netanyahu, himself, and the role of religion in government– but it is a fervent opponent of the governance and personal affairs. as a result, the arab-led Joint list, now the religious parties and lieberman insists Yisrael third largest political party, is the only real Israeli Beitenu will not sit in a government with them. so, Israel remains at an impasse. even with peace camp. and as the Israeli government moves the uncertainty that follows this third round, there to annex key areas of the West Bank and expand are a few observations that can be made based on Jewish settlements in the occupied lands, it is paving the way for a one-state apartheid reality in what has happened during the past year. even though he appears unable to form a which the Joint list will become the major fighter government and may yet end up convicted of the for democracy, equal rights, and justice for the encharges against him– Netanyahu has won. His tire Israeli and Palestinian populations. poisonous anti-arab rhetoric, his demagoguery, Dr James J Zogby is President, Arab and his insistence on denying any arab rights in the occupied lands now define Israeli politics. De- American Institute.

PUBG or Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds is a highly rated video game which is popular with those under and over the age of 18. Before this there was Pokemon Go, Candy Crush, ludo star Fortnite , Counter strike and many others. It shocks me to see how this video game craze has taken over our youth. I fear that it must be harmful as it is addictive.

The World Health Organization in 2018 declared gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. addiction to video games increases depression and anxiety levels. Violent games like PUBG can trigger aggressive thought, emotions and behavior affecting the mental well being of the player.

Prolonged exposure of the game can make children always think about war situations and battle. It can also lead to develop aggressive behavior and action including murder also. Furthermore, people who played PUBG game also suffered from such problems as strain on the eyes, migraine, obesity, poor sleep, bad academic score, failing social life and much more. Despite this, youngsters and adults spend a lot of time playing PUBG. This is not healthy and I hope parents will make a conscious decision to ensure that their children spend less time online. There have been several complaints about such games. PUBG is being banned in India, Nepal, Iraq while China has already banned it. Why are we waiting for a loss?

SyEDA AnoShA GILAnI Karachi

Plastic pollution WOrlD’s population is growing rapidly, so does the amount of garbage that people produce. Today’s lifestyles require easy disposable products, such as plastic bags, plastic bottles of water, but the overuse of these products has led us to the increasing amount of plastic pollution around the world. Plastic is an incredibly used material, but it is non-biodegradable and composed of major toxic pollutants, it has the potential to cause significant damage to the environment in the form of air, water, and land pollution.

Overuse of plastic has started to impact the natural ecosystem negatively while creating problems for wildlife, marine life and human life. each year more and more plastic bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips, ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. and, if they are burned, they fill the air with toxic fumes. When you go shopping, carry a paper bag, cloth bag or reusable bags. also, try to avoid bringing more than one plastic bag at home and purchasing items with too much packaging. This way you can help in contributing towards the environment in the form of reducing plastic pollution whose ill effects are irreversible.

ShAFAq AhmED Islamabad

Coronavirus update FIrsT case of coronavirus (COVID-19) has emerged in the Balochistan capital on Tuesday, pushing the countrywide tally to 19. so far 19 Pakistanis have been tested positive for COVID-19 with 15 of them belonging to sindh, three to Gilgit-Baltistan and one to Balochistan. according to a report the 12-year-old patient had arrived in Quetta along with his parents from Iran via Taftan border.

One thing is very much common in all these 19 cases that every victim travelled to Pakistan from other countries means till the traveling agencies, transports, markets and huge gatherings like Pakistan super league matches are opened so there is a great chance of the virus to spread in entire country. The governments of sindh and Balochistan wisely have decided to close the educational institutions will be wise step to stop the virus from spreading but unfortunately it is not the wise decision rather a huge lose in the filed of education. I request the concerned authorities to take same serious steps to control the virus from spreading rather than closing educational institutions only. muhAmmAD BAKhtIyAr Kech turbat

Formula for educating the Nation sIr, I am writing to you to express my deep concerns on this very ignored issue. Most of the times certain core social issues, such as the need for the education of women, are ignored. Problem begins from the point that most among us don’t even know what education actually means and the reasons for its importance. education means the development and growth of one’s own self. It is a very vital tool that is used in the contemporary world to succeed. It is important because it helps us tackle challenges which daily confront us. We are actually okay with education in general, but when it comes to women’s education, we have a different attitude towards the same thing. society has a large population of women and we cannot have such a large population illiterate. It will be our huge loss. all girls and women whether they are rich, poor, young, old, married, unmarried, widow or belong to any other social status possess the basic right of education. education is not a privilege but a fundamental right.

SyED BASIt rAZA Karachi

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

10 FOREIGN NEWS

SAudI AnnounceS plAn to booSt oIl productIon cApAcIty for fIrSt tIMe In yeArS RIYYADH

S

AGENCIES

AUDI Arabia said on Wednesday it plans to boost oil production capacity for the first time in more than a decade, a day after it announced a record hike in crude supply in a battle for market share that has hammered global prices this week.

Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry has directed oil producer Saudi Aramco to raise its output capacity to 13 million from 12 million barrels per day (bpd), CEO Amin Nasser said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The company is exerting its maximum efforts to implement this directive as soon as possible,” Nasser added.

No time frame was given for the plans, which would entail investing billions of dollars to increase the ability to pump more oil.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it would boost its oil supplies to a record high in April, raising the stakes in a standoff with Russia, with Riyadh effectively rebuffing

Moscow’s suggestion for new talks to limit output and boost prices.

Brent crude was trading at $36.77 per barrel, down 1.2 per cent, on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s announcement could be seen as another step in an escalating price war with Moscow after the collapse of an oil supply cut pact between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Russia last week.

Much of Saudi Arabia’s international influence has derived from a role often described as the oil equivalent of a major central bank. It holds nearly all of the world’s spare capacity — an emergency reserve that allows the kingdom to step up output to cover shortfalls in other countries.

State-backed Saudi Aramco said it would increase crude oil supply in April to 12.3 million bpd, or 300,000 bpd above its maximum production capacity.

A clash of oil titans Saudi Arabia and Russia sparked a 25pc slump in crude prices on Monday, triggering panic selling on Wall Street and other stock markets already badly hit

by the coronavirus outbreak.

Saudi Arabia has been pumping around 9.7 million bpd in the past few months, but has extra production capacity it can turn on. It also has hundreds of millions of barrels in store.

Moscow said Russian oil companies might boost output by up to 300,000 bpd and could increase it by as much as 500,000 bpd, sending the Russian rouble and stocks plunging.

Talks collapsed last week between members of the Opec+ alliance of Opec states, Russia and other producers, which has propped up prices since 2016. Russia rejected Opec’s call to deepen supply cuts, prompting Opec to scrap all production limits and Russia to say it would also boost output.

Shares in Aramco rebounded on Tuesday after they fell by as much as 10pc on Monday, dropping below their price in December, when the world’s biggest oil company was first listed on the Riyadh stock exchange.

On Wednesday they were trading at nearly 31 riyals per share, still below the IPO price of 32 riyals.

Britain's post-Brexit budget to combat virus fallout LONDON AGENCIES

Britain unveils its first post-Brexit budget on Wednesday, with all eyes on emergency government measures to ease the economic pain from the coronavirus outbreak.

It comes the day after a minister in the health department, Nadine Dorries, tested positive for COVID-19, raising concern about whether she has spread the infection.

Finance minister Rishi Sunak will present the budget in parliament around 1230 GMT, after his predecessor Sajid Javid resigned unexpectedly last month.

The new chancellor of the exchequer’s annual tax and spend plans — the first since Britain departed the European Union on January 31 — are set to be affected by rushed-through announcements regarding the new coronavirus.

“We’re looking at what the impact (of the virus) might be, whether it’s on businesses… on our public services, and in all cases, on Wednesday, you will hear from me the various options and policies that we can put in place to provide that vital support,” Sunak said on the eve of the budget.

Sunak, 39, said he was ready to give

the state-run National Health Service whatever it needed to help combat the outbreak, while precise measures were expected to be detailed in the budget.

He also promised temporary support for businesses hit by cash flow issues.

Dorries, a Conservative MP, confirmed she had the disease and said she was “selfisolating at home” in a statement on Tuesday. Health officials are now trying to trace where she contracted COVID-19 and who she has been in contact with, she added. The Times reported that she had been in touch with hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Dorries, who helped craft the legislation to fight the outbreak, is the first British politician to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Six people have died in Britain from the virus, with more than 370 confirmed cases.

INFRASTRUCTURE: The Bank of England’s incoming chief Andrew Bailey last week said UK-based companies would need help in the face of disruptions to supplies caused by the virus.

Bailey, who takes over from governor Mark Carney on March 16, singled out small and medium-sized firms for such

aid, likely under a joint effort with the government and British retail banks.

“It’s now likely (Sunak’s) spending plans will need to be reined in, with more money put aside to tackle a widespread outbreak of COVID-19,” said Jake Trask, a research director at trading group OFX. “We can expect this budget to be more about bolstering the UK economy in the face of this potential national health emergency instead of the announcement of widespread infrastructure projects to boost economic growth that many were hoping for,” Trask added.

Sunak has however said the budget would also deliver on the promises made

by Johnson in the run-up to the December general election.

Johnson’s Conservatives vowed to boost productivity in areas outside London through investment in public services, broadband and transport projects such as the new high-speed railway HS2.

Sunak’s budget will also confirm government plans to double funding for flood defences, to £5.2 billion ($6.8 billion, 5.9 billion euros), after recent major storms that destroyed homes and businesses, particularly in northern England and Wales.

Sunak, who had been Javid’s deputy, was promoted when his boss quit rather than accept Johnson’s demand to sack all his political advisers.

The prime minister wants greater say over Treasury policy following his election victory that ended more than three years of political wrangling over Brexit and allowed Britain to finally quit the EU less than six weeks ago. The coronavirus outbreak has meanwhile clouded the outlook for the British economy, which is already facing uncertainty because of Brexit — a divorce that has resulted in more than £4 billion in extra government costs.

Britain and the EU have begun negotiations on a new trade deal, but only have until December 31, when a post-Brexit transition period ends. Sunak on Sunday ruled out extending this period because of the coronavirus disruption, insisting that further delays were unhelpful.

On the eve of Brexit, the Bank of England cut its British growth forecasts for this year and next.

Recent official data showed that UK growth slowed to zero in the final quarter of last year as manufacturing shrank.

Coachella postponed until October over coronavirus fears INDIO AGENCIES

Organisers on Tuesday rescheduled the Coachella music festival for October over coronavirus concerns, following a directive from local health authorities.

“While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff and community very seriously,” Goldenvoice, the company that puts on the massive event in the California desert, said in a statement.

The two-weekend festival set for April will now take place over the weekends starting Friday October 9 and 16.

“This decision was not taken lightly or without consideration of many factors,” Riverside County’s public health officer, Cameron Kaiser, said in a statement.

“No doubt it will impact many people, but my top priority is to protect the health of the entire community.”

Goldenvoice also postponed the Stagecoach country music festival until October 23-25. It is normally held in April on the same grounds as Coachella in Indio, California. Tickets bought for the April dates will be valid in October, and those unable to attend will be able to obtain a refund, organizers said.

The announcement comes on the heels of Miami’s decision to cancel the Ultra electronic dance music festival and

Saudi Aramco slammed over migrant worker dressed as sanitiser RIYADH AGENCIES

Oil giant Saudi Aramco has come under fire after photos showing one of its migrant workers wearing a surgical mask and a large hand-sanitiser dispenser went viral on social media. Twitter users described the images posted on Tuesday as “racist” and “classist” as the worker appeared to be walking around distributing sanitiser to staff members inside and outside one of its buildings.

One Twitter user, commenting on the images, said: “Gulf classism. A gift from Aramco”.

Translation: “Don’t apologise to us, apologise to the person himself, honor him and post a picture of it … The one behind the idea, who did not fear God or respect the worker, make him wear the dispenser and walk around the company for an entire day.” Saudi Arabia has been slammed for its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers. They make up a large chunk of the workforce across the region, which includes the Gulf Cooperation Council bloc of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

Malaysia aims to resolve palm oil spat with India within month's time KUALA LUMPUR AGENCIES

Austin’s move to scrap the 10-day South

by Southwest tech and culture gathering.

There are now six reported cases of coronavirus in Riverside County — the municipal authority that governs the Coachella Valley — likely due to local ex-

posure and not overseas travel, Kaiser said.

The number of US cases of the novel coronavirus surged to more than 900 on Tuesday, according to an AFP tally, after public health experts criticized authorities for downplaying the epidemic and lagging

behind in testing efforts.

At least 28 people have died and some 960 people have been infected, according to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus tracker, a jump of several hundred cases since the previous day.

Malaysia has set itself a target of a month within which to resolve its trade dispute with India over palm oil, the nation’s new commodities minister said on Wednesday. The deadline follows this week’s swearing-in of a new Malaysian cabinet after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin took office last month. “One of the first moves for the new government is to rebuild the relationship with India, especially for the palm oil issue,” Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali told reporters after the first meeting of the new cabinet. India, the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil for five years, put curbs in January on purchases, in retaliation for then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of its policy on occupied Kashmir and a new citizenship law. Mohd Khairuddin said he wanted to send a delegation to India as soon as possible in the effort to improve ties. “We will put this on the ministry’s first agenda,” he told reporters. “I set a time frame of a month.” Malaysia, the second biggest producer of crude palm oil after Indonesia, will look to expand its exports to new markets, such as Russia and the Middle East, he added.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

BUSINESS 11

CORPORATE CORNER OMD wins Adweek’s ‘Global Media Agency’ award ISLAMABAD: For the second consecutive year, OMD D has been named the Global Media Agency of the Year by Adweek, a leading advertising industry publication. The accolade marks the sixth time since 2010 that OMD D has been named Global Media Agency. Adweek credits OMD D for making a stunning 2018 comeback and maintaining that momentum to make a winning repetition in 2019. An effort that translated to more than $2 billion in net new business, while propelling OMD D to the top of every 2019 performance ranking. Florian Adamski, CEO of OMD D Worldwide, said “The only thing harder than a comeback is sustaining it. Relentless focus on talent, technology and process took us from being an agency that can win to an agency that knows how to win.” PRESS RElEASE

KARACHI: HabibMetro Bank celebrated Women’s Day D 2020 by giving sewing machines to 100 underprivileged women from Korangi and Orangi areas. Sindh Governor Imran Islamil was the chief guest on the occasion. PRESS RElEASE

ISLAMABAD: Huawei partners with Jazz to train individuals on digital technology. Under the agreement, 200 trainees will be globally certified in the areas of Big Data, D Cloud Computing, and Artificial intelligence. PRESS RElEASE

Saudi to boost oil output capacity by 1m barrels per day: Aramco RIYADH AGENCIES

Energy giant Saudi Aramco said Wednesday it plans to raise its crude production capacity by one million barrels per day to 13 million bpd as a price war with Russia intensifies. The decision came a day after Saudi Arabia, the world's top exporter, decided to hike production by at least 2.5 million bpd to a record 12.3 million from April, and prompted sharp new falls in world prices. "Saudi Aramco announces that it received a directive from the ministry of energy to increase its maximum sustainable capacity from 12 million bpd to 13 million bpd," the company said in a statement to the Saudi Stock Exchange. CEO Amin al-Naser said Aramco would dedicate all of its resources to achieving the increased capacity quickly. Boosting production capacity normally takes a long time and requires billions of dollars of investment. Several years ago, the kingdom shelved plans to boost its crude production capacity beyond 12 million bpd after demand for OPEC oil declined in the face of stiff competition from North American shale oil and other sources. The Saudi moves come after the collapse of an oil production reduction agreement between OPEC and nonOPEC producers, including Russia.

FBR ASkeD tO ADDReSS ‘unDue DelAyS’ in SAleS tAx ReFunDS LAHORE

A

HASSAN NAQVI

MID serious cash flows issues being faced by the textile sector on account of delays in sales tax refunds from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) since July 2019, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) on Wednesday wrote a letter to acting FBR Chairman Nausheen Javaid Amjad, complaining about "undue delays" in the release of refunds.

"As informed earlier, FBR's digital refund system – 'Faster' (Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund), is not working for the past few days due to a series of snags and inherent problems, including non-provision of section 8B of the Sales Tax, Act 1990 in Annexure H (a summary of stock i.e. details of opening, closing stock, stock sold or consumed etc. which is mandatory for refund claimants)," APTMA Executive Director Raza Baqar wrote in the letter.

He said the grievances of registered persons regarding section 8B had already been raised on several occasions and that the board, acknowledging the

EXPORTERS DEMAND RESTORATION OF ZERO-RATED REGIME, AS ‘TEXTILE SECTOR IS FACING SERIOUS CASH FLOW ISSUES’ error in the software, has repeatedly been committing to reform the software to provide for the missing links, including provisions relating to section 8B. "It is regretted that despite repeated reminders and oral assurances by the board, the needful has not yet been done and the very important aspects, especially regarding the section 8B, have not yet been incorporated in the system," the letter read.

Baqir mentioned that the above inaction on part of the concerned officials was playing havoc with the system, making it impossible for the exporters to file the requisite Annexure H and claim the admissible amount of sales tax refund.

"It has placed the export-oriented sector at a financial standstill, resulting in blockage of billions of rupees and causing a grave financial injury to the genuine exporters, especially the mem-

bers of APTMA." The APTMA executive director requested FBR chief to look into the matter personally and make the requisite corrections regarding Annexure H at the earliest to ensure speedy processing of refund claims, which were pending for several months.

RESTORATION OF ZERORATED REGIME: Adding to what Baqir stated, APTMA Punjab ViceChairman Aamir Sheikh said that the government would not be able to achieve its export-led growth targets unless it restores the zero-rated regime for five export sectors.

"When sales tax was imposed on the export sectors, all ministers and advisers had promised the industry that zero-rated will be restored if the government remains unable to release refunds within 72 hours," Sheikh recalled. "However, nine months have

passed now and there has been no positive development in this regard...the zero-rated regime must be restored in the next budget."

Meanwhile, talking to this scribe, a senior official of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) pointed out that Pakistan was missing out on huge export opportunities due to the serious cash flow issues faced by the textile sector.

He informed that the processing of sales tax refund claims under the 'Faster' system has remained halted for the last 22 days.

"More than 50pc of sales tax refunds from July 2019 onwards are still stuck in the refund system...a major amount of refund claims is showing as 'deferred or missing'," the PTEA official added.

He maintained that FBR's e-refund system had failed miserably to timely process sales tax refund claims in the absence of separate end-to-end domain for refunds.

"To ease the financial stress on the textile sector, a 'No Tax - No Refund' policy is the only solution," he suggested.

IT ministry only utilised 52pc of its annual budget, Senate body told PTCL PENSIONERS’ NONPAYMENT CASE REMAINS UNRESOLVED 11 MINISTRIES STILL AT LEVEL-0 OF E-OFFICE PROJECT, FACE HIGH RISK OF CYBER ATTACKS ISLAMABAD SYEDA MASOOMA

The Senate's Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications on Wednesday lamented the "lack of budgetary spending" by the IT ministry.

Committee chairperson Rubina Khalid expressed anger over the fact that the funds released to the IT ministry were not spent as per initial plans. She pointed out, "At times, a budget is approved without proper planning on the pretext that it would be spent on achieving the ministry's goals. Owing to such exorbitant budgetary demands, other ministries' budget is cut down to provide funds for certain IT projects, but the spending still remains incomplete."

Senator Kulsoom Parveen concurred and said that inquiry should be conducted against officials responsible for the lack of budgetary spendings.

The committee chairperson also inquired as to why the ministry was issuing tenders when the fiscal year was coming towards an end.

In response to this, the ministry officials said that the IT ministry had shifted to a new building and therefore estimations were being calculated for the cost being incurred.

The officials also informed that 52pc of the ministry's budget has been spent.

"What were you doing for the past eight months then?" asked Rubina Khalid, addressing the ministry's officials. "Your behavior is despairing, it makes my blood boil."

Senator Rehman Malik opined that IT projects have a direct impact on the

country's GDP. He said that additional funds should be allocated to provide latest technological capabilities to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and that FIA should work in cooperation with the ministry.

The committee members also discussed the pending issues regarding the non-payment of pensions of retired employees of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

Senator Rukhsana said that the PTCL was filing court cases from the trust's money, while there was still no implementation of the committee's suggestions on the issue.

The ministry officials responded that they were given two months' time on January 21st, but there was still some work left to be done. On this, the chairperson remarked that if the same response was given by the officials at

the end of the allotted two months, then the committee would take strict action.

The committee also inquired about the legal expenses incurred so far on the non-payment of pensions case. The chairperson said that the defence expenses paid by the pensioners regarding these cases should also be refunded back to them. "These [pensioners] are elderly people and they are being demeaned and humiliated for asking for their right," she said.

During the meeting, the National Information Technology Board (NITB) officials informed of the federal government's decision to establish a job portal. They informed that the portal would have job listings related to federal and provincial positions.

The portal would be completed by the end of June 2020, as per the prime minister's directives.

The NITB officials also informed the committee on the progress of e-Offices Project and said that so far Rs400 million has been spent on the project, from the total of Rs440 million. "Eleven ministries are still at level-0 of the project; 17 ministries have started using NITB's template, while certain important ministries are still operating on unsecured websites and they are an easy target for hackers," an official said.

He said that secure email IDs of more than 4,000 government officials have already been made.

OICCI assures PM of bringing more investment to Pakistan ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday held an interactive session with the members of the managing committee of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) to share his views over the current economic situation of the country.

OICCI President Shazad Dada informed the premier that based on economic contribution, OICCI is the largest chamber of commerce in Pakistan, which had always been in the forefront as an FDI ambassador of Pakistan.

The member companies account for third of the tax revenue, provide employment to over a million people and are important contributors to the exports revenue, the premier was further informed.

OICCI also promotes the positive aspects of the country and the number of

business opportunities it offers to potential foreign investors and trade missions and diplomats.

“OICCI members have been significant investors as a group and in 2018 alone have made capital investment of over $2.7 billion, and $13 billion in the past 7 years.”

The OICCI team shared key findings of the recently released 2019 OICCI ‘Perception and Investment survey’, which indicated that an overwhelming 75pc of the respondents would recommend new FDI to their parent companies, which is a very positive sign for the economic outlook of the country.

The findings also show that foreign investors’ view of the GOP is better than what it was in the 2017 survey, with the government now more engaged with stakeholders over policy issues, the government functionaries have better understanding and are more committed and capable to resolve investors’ issues.

However only 10pc of the investors are fully satisfied with government’s policies and 6pc are fully satisfied with policy implementation.

The survey also reveals that the governments of Punjab and Sindh are perceived as less investor friendly than the case at the time of the last survey in 2017.

The PM was also apprised of the fact that contract enforcement is a serious issue with 68pc respondents saying that as per their experience it sometimes takes over 5 years’ for resolution of commercial disputes.

The OICCI members also presented to the PM the key challenges in attracting sizeable FDI in the country and also offered recommendations towards creating a conducive and enabling environment to increase for the FDI. Shazad Dada emphasised on the need for “focused international projection to dilute negative perception of the country, as well

as predictability, transparency and consistency of policy and its implementation as key factors for successes.

He requested the premier to direct the relevant authorities to immediately address major issues of tax refunds and circular debt, actively and productively engage with key stakeholders like OICCI, ensure seamless coordination between federal and provincial legislations, and make ease-of-doing-business (EODB) visible and accepted by business.

The OICCI’s president also called for simplification of the tax regime and provision of funds for Digital Pakistan Programme for accelerated outcomes.

Other important matters such as high number of regulators and regulations, reduced number of regulators and regulations needed for and capacity building, and accountability and delivering on promises, such as protection of IPR, functional SEZs and settlement of pharma pricing issues also

came into discussion.

Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated the contribution of OICCI members to the country’s economy and termed them as ambassadors of Pakistan who spoke up about the positive aspects of the country and the opportunities in Pakistan at all international forums.

The premier promised full support to foreign investors in addressing their issues and also shared salient points of the government’s economic recovery strategy, which he said would ensure sustainable economic growth in the medium term and set the country on a clear path for recovery.

The results of economic strategy would be visible during the next six to nine months, the PM told the delegation.

He also appreciated the OICCI for sharing the recommendations for addressing the investors’ concerns and assured that the government would act upon the recommendations.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

12 BUSINESS SECP advises companies to avoid gatherings in wake of corona threat ISLAMABAD APP

In light of the threat posed by the evolving Covid-19 (coronavirus) and to protect the wellbeing of shareholders, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has advised all the companies to modify their usual planning for annual general meetings. Meeting of the board of director may also be held through tele/video conferencing, said a press release issued on Wednesday. SECP has recommended all companies to consider and evaluate the risks in the present situation. Every company is required to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) within sixteen months from the date of its incorporation and thereafter once in every calendar year within a period of 120 days following the close of its financial year. As AGM season for December end companies is approaching, the directors and secretaries should modify their usual planning for their company's AGM in light the threat posed by the evolving COVID-19 situation. Directors should consider if members can consolidate their attendance and voting at AGMs with as few people as possible through proxies, while honoring quorum provisions. In order to avoid large gathering at one place, the companies may consider provision of video link facilities at different locations considering the geographical dispersal of its members. The companies shall consider basic protective measures during the meeting including facility of cleaning hand with sanitizers or soap and water. Moreover, for safety of members seating arrangement shall be made at appropriate distance. Furthermore, voting through postal ballot may be considered by the chairman of the meeting or by the members present in person or through video-link or by proxy having not less than one-tenth of the total voting power by demanding poll for resolutions.

Dollar continues to rise, reaches Rs158.4 in interbank market KARACHI: The rupee witnessed its third successive day of decline on Wednesday, as it settled at Rs158.42 per dollar after the greenback gained 98 paisas in interbank market. Over the span of the last three days, the value of rupees in terms of dollars has gone down by 2.6pc owing to a Rs4.05 rise in the price of the dollar. This decline in the value of the rupee whereby the dollar crossed the Rs158 barrier in the interbank comes after approximately six months of laying range-bound below. The decline could be attributed to the outflows in treasury bills. As previously reported, the first three days of March alone witnessed a whopping outflow of $174 million worth of T-bills.

Analysts believe that foreign investors withdrew in an attempt to adjust their portfolios in the wake of global economic conditions and an expected rate cut. ARIBA SHAHID

SBP raises Rs323.4bn from T-bill auction KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reported that the government raised Rs323.4 billion through T-bills, against the auction target of Rs350 billion. The SBP conducted the auction for the sale of 3-month, 6-month and 12-month Government of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills (MTBs) and received bids amounting to over Rs1,632 billion. Bids worth Rs456.7 billion were received for 3-month T-bills, Rs355.7 billion for 6-month T-bills while 12-month government papers fetched bids amounting to Rs820.3 billion. Out of the received bids, the federal government raised Rs128.6 billion from 3month bids, Rs102.3 billion from 6-month T-bills and Rs92.5 billion from 12-month T-bills. The total acceptance in the auction, including non-competitive bids, was Rs376.8 billion.

The cut off yields for all bids decreased, with the cut-off yield for 3-month bids at 12.73pc down from 13.39pc. The yield for 6-month bids was at 12.51pc, down from 13.34pc, and 12pc for 12-month bids, down from 13.33pc. Just like previous auctions of MTBs, most of the bidding was concentrated in the short term 3-month T-bills. Previously, this bidding pattern had indicated possible anticipation of a policy rate cut. Though the current interest rate has remained stubbornly at 13.25pc since July 16, 2019, there is a strong possibility that a rate cut may happen in the upcoming monetary policy announcement on March 17, based on global policy rate cuts. The next auction date for T-bills is set for March 25, with a target amount of Rs450 billion. MEIRYUM ALI

ECC RaiSES whEaT SuPPoRT PRiCE To RS1,400 ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

T

HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday enhanced the wheat support price to Rs1,400 per 40 kilogrammes. The ECC, which met under the chairmanship of Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Hafeez Shaikh, also decided to convene a special session tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon to discuss a detailed plan to keep the flour prices at the lowest possible level throughout the year.

Earlier on Monday, the wheat review committee had recommended the ECC to set the minimum support price of wheat at Rs1,400 per 40 kilogrammes for the crop year 2019-20.

The committee had also recommended provincial governments to ban the supply of wheat to the

COMMITTEE APPROVES RS20BN RELIEF PACKAGE TO FURTHER THE PROVISION OF SUBSIDIZED ELECTRICITY TO FIVE EXPORTORIENTED SECTORS poultry sector for consumption as animal feed.

The ECC took this decision keeping in view of any increase in support price and incidental charges for supply of Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) procured wheat to provinces and allied issues related to procurement of wheat by provinces and the private sector.

Meanwhile, the committee approved a proposal

Govt formulating three-year growth strategy to uplift economy: minister ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar said on Wednesday that the government was formulating a three-year growth strategy, wherein the country’s economy would be uplifted through institutional and structural reforms.

The minister was addressing a round-table discussion on “The role of Planning and Development in Pakistan’s Economy” at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Umar said despite structural changes in Pakistan’s economy, the role of the government in general and planning ministry in

particular remained relevant.

Highlighting the importance of a planned economy, he said during the 1960s, the gulf countries were wallowing in poverty despite having immense oil resources, and it was only after the leading role played by the Gulf regimes that their economic situation improved.

China’s growth and economic success is another case in point for the planned economy, the minister said.

During the decade of 1950s and 1960s, Pakistan’s economy was developing due to its planned nature, he said, adding although much had changed since then, the need for a planned economy with due input from the private sector stayed primate.

Umar remarked that Prime Minister Imran Khan had chaired several meetings to bring down the prices of gas and electricity, while in future the prices were likely to further go down. “This would help reduce the input cost for our industries,” he added.

To a question about the effect of the 18th Constitutional Amendment on Pakistan’s economy, Umar said the 18th amendment was absolutely essential for a polity like Pakistan, and does not have any negative impacts on the country’s economy. The government is working on making Council of Common Interests (CCI)’s Secretariat effective and operational to smoothly resolve differences, the minister told the gathering.

SMEDA misses Feb deadline to activate fruit dehydration unit in Swat LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has remained unsuccessful to inaugurate in time the fruit dehydration facility for processing fruits and vegetables in Swat.

Pakistan Today has learnt that the project was planned to be operational in February 2020. However, an official claimed that the project is all set to be operational and will be inaugurated by the federal secretary or the SMEDA’s Chief Executive Officer soon. According to details, the fruit dehydration facility for processing (washing, slicing, packing, and storing) fruits and vegetables is a common facility center as well as demonstration unit for local growers, processors and exporters to provide dehydrated fruit, supported by packaging as per international standards.

The project aims to replace existing hazardous and obsolete sun drying methods with the modern machinery and minimize post-harvest losses, which are estimated 35pc in fresh fruits.

Similarly, it also aims to increase the livelihood and employment generation of local communities

and will generate 15 direct and 1,000 indirect job opportunities.

According to official details, almost 90 per cent of building and civil works have been completed and the machinery has also been procured that will be installed after clearing the processing hall. The hall, under the project, was also supposed to be operational in February 2020.

SMEDA’s Manager Policy and Planning Muhammad Raza informed this scribe that the project had completed in time. “The unit will be operational in April this year and will facilitate the stakeholders concerned.

by the Power Division for a special relief package of Rs20 billion to further continue the provision of subsidized electricity until June 2020 to five exportoriented sectors. The ECC also approved a proposal by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) related to two amendments aimed at providing ease of doing business to upstream the petroleum sector.

The amendments are related to the extension of exploration licences beyond two years by ECC rather than the Minister in Charge of Petroleum Division, and creation of a new Zone-1 (F) for the onshore licencing regime and consequent revision in the Zonal Map. The ECC also okayed National Telecommunication Corporation’s revised budget estimates for 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Moreover, the committee gave in-principal approval to a proposal for SAR 22.5 million equity investment abroad by Eastern Products Pvt (Ltd) Pakistan.

Philip Morris posts Rs2.4bn operating loss for 2019 ISLAMABAD SYEDA MASOOMA

Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (PMPKL) has announced an operating loss before tax of Rs2,444 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The loss was mainly due to the management's decision to reorganize its operational footprint by closing its factory in Kotri, which was essential to ensure long term sustainability of the business in Pakistan, considering the unpredictable fiscal environment. Excluding the one-off impairment and employee separation costs, which was the result of the closure of the Kotri factory and GLT Voluntary Separation Scheme, the company would have recorded an operating profit before tax of Rs357 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, instead of operating loss before tax as mentioned above. During the year, the compliant [taxpaying] tobacco industry faced challenges from the non-paid illicit sector as the government continued to impose heavy excise increases with limited enforcement. The government announced an increase in FED in value tier of 46pc in Sept 2018 followed by another increase of 32pc in June 2019 which resulted in the increase of price differential between compliant taxpaying industry brands and non-tax paid brands selling below minimum legal price (current illicit incidence is 34.7pc of the total tobacco market). These excessive excise tax increases pose serious threats to the sustainability of the taxing industry volume base and are detrimental for the government revenues in the long run.

Therefore, an equitable tax structure with strict implementation of enforcement measures is necessary to restrict illicit sector while ensuring the sustainability of the compliant tobacco industry. Commenting on the announcement, PMPKL Managing Director Roman Yazbeck said, "The management team is committed to improving the overall performance of the company. There are many strategic initiatives under discussion which we believe will have a positive impact on the bottom line. We would like to appreciate the recent enforcement by the government to curb non-tax paid illicit trade and request for a continued enforcement action to create a level playing field for the legitimate and taxpaying manufacturers."

MARKET DAILY

KSE-100 fails to sustain gains, closes in red KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Investors of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a volatile session on Wednesday, as the indices failed to sustain gains accumulated in early hours and closed in the red.

Foreign investors continued to offload equities on Tuesday, registering a net outflow of $5.08 million.

On the economic front, overseas Pakista-

nis remitted $1,842 million in February 2020 as compared to $1,582 million in February 2019 despite a slowdown in the global economy as well as the ongoing situation due to coronavirus. However, on a month-on-month basis, remittances declined by 4.35pc in February 2020. Highest amount was remitted from Saudi Arabia ($422 millon), followed by UAE ($387 million), USA ($333 million), UK ($254 million) and Malaysia ($119 million).

The benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 637.34 points to record its intraday high at

38,333.09. Failing to maintain its upward momentum post midday, the index then fell to its intraday low at 37,523.19 after losing 172.56 points. It finally closed lower by 22.50 points at 37,673.25.

Among other indices, the KMI-30 Index dropped 302.95 points to end at 58,438.50, while the KSE All Share Index lost 56.46 points, settling at 26,127.67. Out of the total traded shares, 95 advanced and 204 declined.

The overall market volumes shrank further from 274.48 million shares in the last

session to 217.63 million. Cement giants Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (MLCF -4.39pc) and Fauji Cement Company Limited (FCCL -0.43pc) topped the volume chart, followed by Hascol Petroleum Limited (HASCOL -0.98pc). The scrips had exchanged 17.64 million, 15.98 million and 13.43 million shares, respectively.

Sectors that contributed positively to the index included banking (+139.93 points), pharmaceutical (+31.64 points) and investment banking (+16.68 points). On the other

hand, fertiliser (-41.28 points), oil & gas marketing (-29.35 points) and oil & gas exploration (-26.99 points) sectors dragged the index in the red.

The refinery sector turned out as the biggest loser of day (-3.95pc drop in market capitalization), with Byco Petroleum Pakistan Limited (BYCO -5.47pc), Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL -4.19pc), Attock Refinery Limited (ATRL -1.54pc) and National Refinery Limited (NRL -1.14pc) closing in the negative zone.

Garnier Skin Takes the Biggest Micellar Water Challenge

LAhoRe PoLo CLub hoStS ZAmeen nAtionAL oPen 2020 PoLo ChAmPionShiP FinAL The final match of Zameen National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2020 was held at the prestigious Lahore Polo Club. The pack-to-capacity crowd experienced a range of stellar activities including the Hog Bikers Parade, Tent Pegging and an exciting finale of Pakistan’s premiere Polo tournament! Event PR was managed

by Centaur One. Jahangir Khan Tareen graced the final as chief guest, who along with Zameen.com CEOs Imran Ali Khan and Zeeshan Ali Khan, distributed prizes and shields among the winners and top performers.

Anum Ahmed

CEO Zameen.com Imran Ali Khan, Shandana Khan

Afifa Hussain, Sana Ashraf, Amna Zeeshan Khan, Laraib Zahra

Aymen Hikmat, Areesha Chaudhry, Saira Rizwan, Mahwish Haider

Karachi: This Women’s day, Garnier Skin Active and Hania Aamir brought you the biggest Micellar Challenge in Karachi, at Dolmen Mall Clifton. Hundreds of women, took part in the challenge removing their makeup along with Hania Aamir, and then received free giveaways courtesy Garnier Skin Active and Maybelline. The crowds of women gathered in the main atrium, following Hania’s instructions on how to use the product, making it a large scale activity.

There were also specific challenges comparing Micellar Water to Soap, where Micellar water was found to be much more effective at removing makeup and dirt, than regular soap.

The new Micellar Water by Garnier Skin Active is an all one cleanser which removes makeup, cleanses and soothes all in one swipe; as you don’t need to rinse your face or use any water to cleanse skin with it.

Date: 8th March 2020 – Sunday Time: 7:30pm Sharp.

Location: Dolmen Mall Clifton Main Atrium Brand: Micellar Water by Garnier

Zameen National Open 2020 Polo Championship Final at Lahore Polo Club

Sara Ali, Mehek Usman, Aqsa, Sara Sarfraz, Hafsa, Maya Tariq Atta

HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

CEO's Zameen.com - Zeeshan Ali Khan & Imran Ali Khan with Chief Guest Jahangir Khan Tareen

Zeeshan Ali Khan and Imran Ali Khan

On average, people in India spend 10 hours and 42 minutes a week reading, the most time of any country on Earth.

Shirley Temple reportedly didn't love her famous curls; she preferred the cropped hairstyle of her hero Amelia Earhart.

If your dog's feet smell like corn chips, you're not alone. The term "Frito Feet" was coined to describe the scent.

Does Daniel Radcliffe have coronavirus? Angrezi Medium box office prediction: Irrfan Rohit Shetty says people praise Jason Actor’s rep clarifies after fake tweet Khan to come back with a bang, film may open Statham and Vin Diesel from Fast & Furious shared online around Rs 4 crore films but question his action scenes Following a minor online uproar, it has been confirmed that actor Daniel Radcliffe hasn’t been infected by the coronavirus. The speculation began after a fake tweet claiming that the Harry Potter star had become the first high-profile victim of the virus began doing the rounds online. “Not true,” the actor’s publicist told BuzzFeed News.

“BREAKING: Daniel Radcliffe tests positive for coronavirus,” the false Tweet said. “The actor is said to be the first famous person to be publicly confirmed.”

The tweet fooled thousands of Twitter users, including a couple of prominent journalists. The fake account was registered under the username @BBCNewsTonight, and used the BBC’s logo. It has since been suspended.

BuzzFeed contacted some of the people involved in the hoax, who revealed that the tweet had made over 300000 impressions. Asked why they pulled the stunt, one member of the group behind the account said that it was done in jest, because the internet was lowering society’s IQ.

Homi Adajania’s Angrezi Medium, a standalone sequel to 2017’s sleeper hit Hindi Medium, will open in theatres this Friday (March 13). The film marks the return of Irrfan Khan, who has been undergoing treatment for neuroendocrine tumour, on the big screen after nearly two years.

Trade analyst Girish Johar tells Hindustan Times that Angrezi Medium is expected to get a good opening. “Irrfan is coming back after a long time and he has a very good fan following. It’s the second outing after the successful Hindi Medium so I am really expecting it to have a good start at the box office. I peg Angrezi Medium to open around Rs 3.5-4.5 crore and depending on word of mouth, it can grow,” he says, adding that Kareena Kapoor Khan’s small but pivotal role will also draw the audience to the theatres.

According to trade sources, Angrezi Medium will release in more than 1500 screens across the country. Last week’s release Baaghi 3, starring Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor, is witnessing a great run at the box office and will continue to dominate screens this week as well.

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty is synonymous with grand action sequences, which often have fancy cars flying in the air. He responded to the memes and jokes about him rewriting the laws of physics, as well as critics questioning the same, in an interview with Film Companion.

“Where action is concerned, everybody goes over-the-top,” Rohit said, adding that Hollywood films are lauded for the same unbelievable action scenes. “In Fast & Furious, Jason Statham literally pushes a missile. Everyone praised it. In Fast & Furious 8, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson lightly brushes a missile aside,” he said.

Rohit went on to say that if he attempted to do the same thing, critics would pounce on him. “Have you watched the promo of Fast & Furious 9? Vin Diesel’s car swung from one cliff to another with the support of just one cable),” he said.

Currently, Rohit is gearing up for the release of his next, Sooryavanshi, featuring Akshay Kumar in the titular role. Akshay, who will be seen as the chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, will join forces.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

14 SPORTS

Premier League suffers first PostPonement as arsenaL PLayers quarantined LOndOn

a

Agencies

RSENAl'S game at Manchester City on Wednesday was postponed after players from the london club were put into quarantine, making it the first Premier league football fixture to be called off because of coronavirus. Arsenal said players and four staff had been isolated at their homes after coming into contact with the owner of Greek club Olympiakos, Vangelis Marinakis, who has since tested positive for COVID-19.

"We are strictly following the government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact," an Arsenal statement said.

"As a result, the players are unavailable for tonight's (Wednesday's) match against Manchester City and the Premier league has decided the game should be postponed."

The first postponement in the Premier league, which has a huge worldwide fol-

lowing, follows widespread disruption to football and other sports across the globe.

Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa league by Olympiakos on February 27. Marinakis, owner of the Greek club and English side Nottingham Forest, announced on Tuesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

But Arsenal said the players and staff, who met Marinakis after the game at the Emirates Stadium, will return to work on Friday ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton.

"The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing COVID19 at extremely low," it added.

Olympiakos players, backroom staff and board members have all tested negative, the club said on Wednesday.

The Premier league called the move a "precautionary measure" and said there were no plans to postpone any other games.

Arsenal's opponents on Saturday, relegation-threatened Brighton, tweeted that their game was still on.

"Albion's match against Arsenal this Saturday remains scheduled to go ahead as planned, in line with government advice,

and following consultation with the Premier league and medical advisors. #BHAFC," they tweeted.

The postponement means liverpool's hopes of winning their first title since 1990 without kicking a ball have been dashed.

However, should City lose to Burnley on Saturday Jurgen Klopp's side can seal their first Premier league title on Monday with the added spice of doing so by beating city rivals Everton.

WE'RE NOT HAPPY TO GO: The Football Association, though, could take a financial hit, according to the Daily Mail.

The FA have no insurance covering public health epidemics or what are deemed "acts of God". So if they are forced to cancel matches -- which seems the likely scenario for the high-profile friendly with Italy on March 27 -- or play them behind closed doors, it will cost them an estimated £3 million ($3.9 million) a game. The semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 are scheduled to be played at Wembley in July but the FA would not be liable were they cancelled as that would fall under UEFA's remit. The spread of

coronavirus has already had a dramatic impact on sport elsewhere in Europe.

Serie A football and all other sports have been put on hold in Italy, while the top two divisions in Spain and France will be played in empty stadiums for at least the next two weeks.

UEFA's Champions league and Europa league have also been both forced to arrange matches behind closed doors as the epidemic spreads. However, liverpool's last 16 second leg match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday will be played with a crowd. But when Olympiakos host Wolves in Athens this week in the Europa league, it will take place in an empty stadium in common with many other last-16 games in that competition. Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has joined a number of managers in voicing disquiet at being asked to play without fans. "If we have to go we will. But we don't agree -- we're not happy to go," he told Sky Sports.

"Behind closed doors doesn't make sense," he added. "We're pretending to live a normal life when things aren't normal."

getafe refuse to traveL to itaLy for inter miLan euroPa League cLash ROme Agencies

Getafe president Angel Torres said Tuesday the Spanish team will not travel to Italy for their Europa league game against Inter Milan this week as the coronavirus crisis escalates. All sports in Italy have been suspended until April 3, including Serie A football, but Champions league and Europa league matches are under the jurisdiction of UEFA. Inter Milan are due to host Getafe in the Europa league last 16, first leg in the San Siro on Thursday while Roma welcome Sevilla a week later. "If we have to lose the tie, we will lose it," Torres told Onda Cero radio. "We have asked UEFA to look for an alternative to play in Milan. We don't want to go into the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. "Under no circumstances are we going to put our health at risk. Unless things change tomorrow, Getafe will not travel to Italy."

Olympics delay 'feasible' suggestion dismissed as 'outrageous' TOKYO Agencies

A delay of one or two years would be the “most feasible” option if the Tokyo Olympics cannot be held this summer due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus, a member of the organizing committee’s executive board told Reuters.

But the head of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee quickly dismissed any suggestion of a delay, saying his team was not considering any change in plan and Haruyuki Takahashi, the official who raised the possibility of a postponement, had apologized for the “outrageous” suggestion. Takahashi, one of more than two dozen members of the Tokyo 2020 executive board, said earlier the board had just started looking at scenarios for how the virus could affect the Games, and a delay was one possibility.

Organizers have been pushing a consistent message that the Games would not be canceled or postponed but sponsors who have pumped in billions of dollars have grown increasingly nervous about how the coronavirus outbreak will impact the event.

Takahashi told Reuters that the financial damage from cancelling the Games or holding them without spectators would be too great, while a delay of less than a year would clash with other major professional sports schedules.

“We need to start preparing for any possibility. If the Games can’t be held in the summer, a delay of one or two

years would be most feasible,” Takahashi said.

But organizing committee head Yoshiro Mori later said there was no thought of changing the plan for the Games and that they would open as scheduled on July 24.

“It is our basic stance that we press ahead with preparation for a safe and secure Olympics,” Mori told reporters at a hastily arranged evening briefing.

“Therefore we are not at all thinking about changing courses or plans.”

Japan has had nearly 1,300 cases of the coronavirus, including about 700 from a cruise ship that was quarantined near Tokyo last month.

On Tuesday, it saw the biggest number of infections in a single day, of 59 cases, according to public broadcaster NHK. VERY SORRY: Mori, asked what made him confident that the Games would not be affected by the coronavirus outbreak, said he thought an impact was unavoidable but he did not give details.

“Specialists in each field are looking into what to do,” he said. “I believe the WHO (World Health Organization) will soon announce its basic stance.” He said he had been surprised by Takahashi’s comments, which he termed “outrageous”.

“He said he was very sorry, that it was a slip of the tongue, and that he wanted to apologize for causing trouble.”

Experts say a one-year postponement, to the same time next year, would pose major logistical problems but was doable for broadcasters because it fit into their

hamilton chases schumacher as virus overshadows f1 season start meLbOuRne Agencies

generally open summer schedule.

With every new spike in coronavirus cases, speculation swirls that the Games could be canceled, delayed, or held without spectators, like many pre-Olympic qualifiers and other sports events.

The topic was a top trending topic on Japanese Twitter on Wednesday with many commentators saying a postpone-

ment was likely inevitable given the spread of the coronavirus.

Some people felt sorry for the athletes.

“Doesn’t anybody understand the conditions and thinking of top athletes who have been training to be at their best this summer? And you say ‘delay by one or two years’?” wrote one user called “Ksktsupoine1.”

lewis Hamilton believes his all-conquering Mercedes is even better than last year as he begins his bid to equal Michael Schumacher's record seven world titles at an Australian Grand Prix given the green light despite rising coronavirus fears. The British driver has been the dominant force in recent times, winning five of the last six drivers' championships, including in 2019 when he passed legendary five-time Argentine champion Juan Manuel Fangio on the all-time list. "It's been intense, with a huge amount of work from everybody at the track and back home at the factories," the 35-year-old said of preparations overshadowed by concerns about the virus and its impact on the sport. "The car's feeling like a step forward from last year," Hamilton added after pre-season testing. "But it's clear we've still got a few issues we need to iron out," said the driver who won 11 of last season's 21 grands prix. There were fears the Melbourne race may be ditched due to travel restrictions affecting team personnel, particularly from Italy-based Ferrari.On Wednesday, two Haas team staff and one from Mclaren were isolated while tests are conducted to see if they have coronavirus after they showed symptoms at the track.

Alli blames mental weakness for Tottenham collapse LOndOn Agencies

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli questioned the mentality of his side after crumbling to a 3-0 Champions league last 16, second leg defeat to leipzig on Tuesday to bow out of the competition 4-0 on aggregate.

Marcel Sabitzer profited from two errors by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo lloris in the first 21 minutes to give leipzig a commanding lead before substitute Emil Forsberg added the third late on.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho was repeatedly used the absence of key injured players such as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min for a run of six games without a win in all competitions.

But Alli insisted that is not a good enough excuse for the manner in which last season's Champions league finalists exited the competition with a whimper.

"We were missing some good

players, but that's football, that happens. This is Tottenham, the players that come in have to step up and we haven't done that today," Alli told BT Sport.

"I think we have to apologise to the fans. They travelled all this way and to go out and lose like that, they deserve better."

Alli refused to point the finger at lloris, but claimed Spurs were not mentally strong enough to produce the same sort of fightback as they did from 3-0 down on aggregate against Ajax in last season's semi-finals.

"We were second to a lot of balls, to concede them goals shows our mentality wasn't strong enough," added Alli.

"We have to stay together and not talk about anyone in particular.

"It's not down to one player to score goals, to stop goals, the whole team performance and the mentality wasn't strong enough."

Tottenham now have just nine games left this season in the Premier

league to try and avoid missing out on the Champions league for the first time in five seasons.

Mourinho's men lie eighth in the table, seven points off the top four, and badly need to end their barren run at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

"I think probably it is (a) good (thing)," said Mourinho of his side's exit from Europe. "Sometimes difficult moments are moments that can prepare the future in a better way."

On top of losing Kane and Son, Mourinho pointed to the absence of Steven Bergwijn, Moussa Sissoko and Davinson Sanchez for his side's capitulation in Germany.

"People can say excuses but I'm pretty sure it is bad for anyone.

"I don't think anyone would resist to such a situation. In this moment we have matches to play in the Premier league with these players, there are not others, and we go until our limits. let's see how we end the season."

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

SPORTS 15

Karachi ready for crucial hBl PSl 2020 fixtureS lahore APP

Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars will face-off in the 26th fixture of the HBL Pakistan Super League under National Stadium floodlights tomorrow Thursday with both the sides aiming to strengthen their chances of qualifying for next week’s playoffs.

The match is further spiced up following last week’s thriller at the jampacked Gaddafi Stadium in which Lahore Qalandars chased down out a 188-run target for the loss of two wickets to leave Karachi Kings shellshocked, said the information made available here on Wednesday by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

On the points table, Qalandars, thanks to their three consecutive victories, are occupying third place on eight points from as many matches, while Kings are sitting fifth on seven points. However, Kings have played one less match with all their last three league fixtures scheduled in front of their home fans.

While this will be Qalandars’ first match at the National Stadium, Kings will be appearing in their third match at the venue. Kings had made an impressive start when they scored 201 for four, event’s second-highest team score to date, and then restricted Peshawar Zalmi to 191 for seven. But they were at the wrong end of the stick against Quetta Gladiators when they lost by five wickets despite restricting the reigning champions to 55 for three after they had been set a 157-run target.

Qalandars’ remarkable comeback has been driven by their Australian overseas player Ben Dunk.

The 33-year-old Queenslander has scored 257 runs, including a punishing 93 against Gladiators and a ruthless 99 not out against Kings. Dunk is now just nine runs behind the tournament’s leading run-getter Islamabad United’s Luke Ronchi (266 runs in eight matches).

The other positive news for Qalandars has been the return to form of Fakhar Zaman and Chris Lynn, who stroked half-centuries against Peshawar

hBl PSl: rain cancels Gladiators-Sultans match

Zalmi on Tuesday while adding 116 runs for the second wicket. Fakhar now has 172 runs, while Lynn is six runs behind on 166.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been Qalandars’ leading wickettaker with 11 wickets, but the real contributor has been Samit Patel. The 35-year-old has taken nine wickets and scored 132 runs.

Karachi Kings have relied heavily on Alex Hales and Babar Azam, and the stats confirm this fact as the two are sitting in the 200-run group. Hales has 239 runs and is sixth on the list of leading run-getters, while Babar has scored 225 and is ninth.

However, Kings have been provided the real impetus in the middle of the innings by Chadwick Walton who has scored his 115 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 162.

With Kings preparing to launch for the crucial matches, they will be hoping Imad Wasim and Sharjeel Khan return to form. The two have scored 95 and 88 runs, respectively.

World XI v Asia XI matches postponed amid coronavirus fears Dhaka

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 match between Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans has been called off due to rain. The match was scheduled to start at 7pm and toss to take place at 6:30pm but due to heavy downpour, the plan was abandoned. There were large puddles of water in the outfield, which did not even allow a shortened match.

australia to tour Bangladesh for two tests starting June 11 Melbourne Agencies

The BCB has announced the dates for Australia's tour of Bangladesh in June. The visitors will play the first Test from June 11 in Chattogram, while the second Test is from June 19 in Dhaka. The board, however, did not mention the exact arrival dates for Australia, or the four-day practice match but with Bangladesh only departing the UK - after their T20Is against Ireland - on May 30, it must be between June 1 and 8. June is one of the wettest months in Bangladesh, with the BCB having hosted one Test in 2015, a rainy draw against India in Fatullah. Considering the 120 points at stake - at 60 points for a win per Test match - the wet conditions put Bangladesh and Australia's ability to earn maximum points at risk. This will be Australia's third Test tour of Bangladesh, having played Tests here in 2006 and 2017. Bangladesh, however, have not played Test in Australia since 2003.

HBL PSL TODAY’S MATCH VS 7:00 PM lahore QalandarS

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Karachi KinGS

hBl PSl 2020: Qalandars’ dilbar hussain fined for code of conduct breach karachi

Agencies

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Mohammad Amir is Kings’ leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets, followed

by Chris Jordon (seven) and Imad Wasim and Umer Khan (four apiece).

Apart from the Karachi Kings-Lahore Qalandars high-profile fixture, the other mouth-watering match is expected to be between Karachi Kings and Islamabad United on 14 March.

Irrespective of how Thursday’s match pans out, Saturday’s match may potentially end United’s journey if they end up on the losing side. United, the two-time winners, have seven points and their fixture against Kings will be their last league match.

With Multan Sultans already assured of a place in the play-offs, Peshawar Zalmi will be eying for a place in the last four when they will lock horns with Sultans on Friday. The match will start at 8pm.

Friday’s match will be Zalmi’s last league match. They are presently sitting second on the points table and have nine points with four wins. A win against Sultans will guarantee them a place in the last-four.

Karachi will also be the venue of the Qualifier, when the top-two sides will feature on Tuesday, 17 March.

The winner of this match will qualify for the 22 March final, while the losing side will have another opportunity to qualify for the final when they will take on the winner of 18 March fixture on 20 March.

The global spread of the coronavirus has claimed another international sporting fixture with the Bangladesh Cricket Board postponing the World XI v Asia XI matches that would have marked the birthday celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, referred to as father of the nation.

These matches were scheduled to take place on March 21 and 22 in Dhaka and were set to include a variety of superstars including Virat Kohli, Lasith Malinga and Chris Gayle, but the BCB presi-

dent Nazmul Hasan announced on Wednesday that they have been "deferred" until further notice.

The board has also postponed the AR Rahman concert at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which was also set to be a part of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary celebrations.

"We could have held the concert in a small scale but decided against it," Hassan said. "It will not take place on March 18, and the March 21 and 22 matches are also causing concern. There's no guarantee that those who are supposed to play will be able to arrive, or can leave after the matches. There are a lot of re-

strictions, so we have deferred both programmes. We will organise after a month taking stock of the situation. It is postponed for the time being." Hassan, however, said that the Dhaka Premier League, the country's premier 50-over tournament, will take place as scheduled since it does not attract big crowds.

Even so, the matches have reportedly been shifted to BKSP from Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

The ongoing Bangladesh-Zimbabwe T20I series is taking place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium amidst ticket restrictions due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

PPi

Lahore Qalandars’ Dilbar Hussain has been fined for breaching the PCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during his side’s thrilling HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 fixture against Peshawar Zalmi at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Dilbar was fined five per cent for his applicable match fee for violating Article 2.5, which reads as: “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” The incident happened in the 18th over of Peshawar Zalmi’s innings when Dilbar Hussain, after dismissing Haider Ali, reacted in a manner that could have provoked a reaction from the departing batsman. Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate. As this was their first offence, all 11 playing members have been fined 10 per cent each of their match fees as per Article 2.22 of the PCB Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate offences. If Zalmi are found guilty of another slow over-rate during the tournament, then it will be deemed as their second offence and each member of their playing squad will be fined 20 per cent each of their match fees.

Australia cricket star Beth Mooney signs up for Hundred perth Agencies

Beth Mooney, the player of the tournament at the Women's T20 World Cup, will link up with captain Meg Lanning at Welsh Fire for the inaugural edition of The Hundred. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Mooney, plus fellow Australians Ashleigh Gardner and Nicola Carey and South Africa all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon, as the latest internationals to sign up for the event.

Mooney was a pivotal figure in Australia's charge to a fifth T20 crown, scoring an unbeaten 78 in Sunday's final against India in Melbourne.

"I'm really excited to take part in the first season of The Hundred," said Mooney, who is top of the women's T20 international batting rankings. "It looks likes it is developing into a high-quality, world-class competition."

Gardner has become Birmingham Phoenix's second overseas signing, joining New Zealand's Sophie Devine.

Seam bowler Carey, another member of the triumphant Australia squad, will unite with compatriot Alyssa Healy at Northern Superchargers.

Kapp will join wife and Proteas captain Dane van Niekerk at Oval Invincibles while Tryon, another of the South Africa squad that reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals, is set for a stint at London Spirit.

Beth Barrett-Wild, the head of the Hundred women's competition, said: "It's fantastic to see five more international stars signing up to play in The Hundred this

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summer. "We've now confirmed the names of 18 overseas players who will compete in the women's competition." The Hundred is a new tournament consisting of eight city-based franchise sides, breaking away from England's traditional county system.

Teams will bat for 100 balls each, with overs lasting for 10 balls and bowlers either bowling five or 10 balls consecutively. All eight franchises will feature both men's and women's teams, with the two competitions running side by side.

Thursday, 12 March, 2020

NEWS

TAlIBAN rejeCT AfgHAN PreSIdeNT'S CoNdITIoNAl PrISoNer releASe PlAN GHANI HAS ORDERED RELEASE OF AN INITIAL 1,500 PRISONERS WITH THE OTHER 3,500 TO BE SET FREE IN PARALLEL WITH PROGRESS IN PEACE TALKS kABUL/PesHAwAR

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Agencies

HE Taliban said on Wednesday a plan from the Afghan president to stagger the release of Taliban prisoners violated an accord they struck with the United States and they would not talk with the Afghan government until all 5,000 prisoners were freed.

A Feb. 29 pact between the Taliban and the United States has cleared with way for the withdrawal of US-led international forces after more than 18 years of war, but peace has to be negotiated between the militants and the US-backed government.

The Taliban have promised to open talks

with the government as part of the accord but say the release of their 5,000 comrades held by the government was also part of the deal, and they won’t talk until all are freed.

President Ashraf Ghani has declined to release all 5,000 in one go. Instead, he has ordered the release of an initial 1,500, with the other 3,500 to be set free in parallel with progress in the peace talks.

“We never agreed to any conditional release of prisoners,” Suhail Shaheen, spokesman for the Taliban based in Doha, told Reuters by phone. “If someone claims this, it will be against the peace accord that we signed on February 29.” The main element of the US withdrawal agreement is a Taliban promise that they will not let

Pakistani man dies of coronavirus in Italy News Desk

Afghanistan be used by terrorists to attack the United States and its allies. The pact will let US President Donald Trump fulfill his promise to end the war and bring all of the troops home within 14 months.

The release of the prisoners – including some 1,000 government troops held by the militants – is meant to be a confidence-building measure to pave the way for the so-called intra-Afghan talks.

The conflicting positions on the issue between the Taliban and Ghani’s government appears to stem from different wording in documents exchanged between the United States and the Taliban on the one hand, and the United States and government on the other. “It is properly explained in the peace accord that first 5,000 prisoners would be freed and then the Afghan dialogue would be initiated,” Shaheen said.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy who was the key negotiator in talks with the Taliban, has urged both sides to sit down for talks on the problem.

Despite the accord between the United

wAsHINGTON Agencies

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper is postponing his upcoming trip to Pakistan, India and Uzbekistan in order to help manage the Department of Defence’s coronavirus response, a department spokesperson said on Tuesday. “Out of an abundance of caution, the secretary of defence has decided to postpone his travel,” Department of Defense spokesperson Alyssa Farah said in a statement, adding that the trip would occur at “a later date”. He was expected to visit Pakistan later this month, as relations between Islamabad and Washington have seen significant improvement after former played a significant role in brokering the landmark US-Taliban deal last month. The deal has envisaged a host of measures — including release of thousands of prisoners by both sides of the conflict, intra-Afghan dialogue and firm guarantees by the Taliban not to allow the Afghan soil to be used by terrorist groups. Sources familiar with the development said that Afghanistan would have certainly dominated the discussions as the process entered a crucial phase following the signing of the deal. Earlier, there was no official confirmation either from Pakistan or the US of the visit, the sources, however, confirmed that the secretary’s visit was planned in the third week of March. On Tuesday, two more cases of novel coronavirus emerged from Sindh, pushing the tally to 15 in the province and 18 in Pakistan, the Sindh Health Department said.

government position as set out by Ghani would not change.

“It is not practical for us to release all 5,000 at once without a Taliban commitment for direct negotiations and a significant reduction in violence,” said the official, who declined to be identified.

After backlash, govt seeks tech giants' help to 'reform' social media

A Pakistani man who had been living in Italy for the past several years has died after testing positive for the coronavirus, the Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday. The 65-year-old died in the city of Brescia, some 100km from Milan, where the deceased used to live. FO spokesperson Ayesha Farooqi said Pakistani and Italian authorities are in touch regarding repatriating the body to Pakistan.

Italy has the most confirmed cases and deaths outside of China, where the virus is believed to have originated. Italy has now reported more than 10,000 total coronavirus cases in the country, where deaths from the virus have surpassed 600. The death toll in Italy from the virus climbed to 631 people Tuesday from 463 the day before, the Italian Civil Protection authorities reported, the AP noted.

US defence secretary postpones Pakistan trip

States and the Taliban, fighting has continued in various parts of the country. Taliban leaders have told Reuters that their leadership council has rejected an Afghan government demand that they issue written guarantees to stop fighting. A senior Afghan government official told Reuters that the

News Desk After backlash by social media giants who had threatened to shut down services in Pakistan over the new social media rules, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has offered an olive branch to Google, Facebook and Twitter to reach a middle ground over regulatory measures.

According to reports, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chief Amir Azeem Bajwa wrote a letter to the managing director of the

Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) and invited it to take part in the process concerning the formation of new social media rules.

Pakistani officials have requested AIC and its members to communicate with the advisory committee and voice their concerns and apprehensions on the proposed regulatory measures.

The PTI government had approved new rules for social media aimed at censoring free speech. According to the newly-approved rules

that aim at regulating cyberspace, social media companies will be obliged to help law enforcement agencies access data and to remove online content deemed unlawful. Companies that do not comply with the rules risk being blocked online.

The approval of the new rules followed accusations by opposition parties that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has sought to intimidate and silence its opponents and allegations of media censorship.

The new rules on social media were described by the authors as intended to prevent live streaming of online content relating to “terrorism, extremism, hate speech, defamation, fake news, incitement to violence and national security.”

This prompted a response from the online giants, who had written a letter to the PTI government, urging it to reconsider the decision.

Through a group called the AIC, they wrote a scathing letter to Imran Khan. In it, the companies warned that “the rules as currently written would make it extremely difficult for AIC Members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses.”

Senate body to decide Zindagi Tamasha’s fate after private screening IsLAMABAD stAff RepoRt

The Senate Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday directed the Central Board of Film Censors to provide the panel a copy of the film, Zindagi Tamasha, for private screening, after which the members will decide whether it needs to be sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for approval.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the committee, in which Danyal Gilani, chairman of the central censorship board, appeared before the panel.

Speaking to reporters, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, who is the chairman of the human rights committee, said that if the panel does not find anything objectionable in the film, they would issue orders for its release immediately. “However, if we find something objectionable in the film, we will forward it to the CII,” he said, adding that so far reports have suggested that there is nothing objectionable in the film.

NAB to move SC against IHC ruling on powers IsLAMABAD stAff RepoRt

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to challenge the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict declaring that the antigraft watchdog’s powers were against basic human rights. According to the NAB spokesperson, the anti-graft agency has decided to approach the Supreme Court against IHC’s verdict. Earlier, a single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah had termed “absolute” powers of the NAB chairman to issue arrest warrants contrary to the fundamental human rights. The judgement stated that, “Mere allegations of misuse of authority would not justify depriving an accused of liberty because an irregularity or wrong decision sans criminal intent, mens rea and illegal gain or benefit does not attract the offences. The power of arrest under the Ordinance of 1999 cannot be exercised in an indiscriminate, reckless or wanton manner, because there are conflicting fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution which cannot be ignored.”

Balochistan, KP report two more polio cases IsLAMABAD stAff RepoRt

The senator said that the panel would not come under anyone’s pressure and the parliament will exercise its authority. “We should not come under pressure of those parties who held Islamabad hostage twice,” he said while referring to the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who had raised objections over the movie.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, the senator said that the committee was sur-

prised to find out that although the film was cleared twice, it was still banned.

The controversy around the film started when its trailer was released.

The government had to block its release after TLP objected to its portrayal of a struggling cleric. It was supposed to hit the cinema screens on January 24.

The TLP had started an online campaign, demanding to ban the ‘ob-

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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At least two polio cases were reported in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, taking the total number of such cases across the country to 36. According to the National Institute of Health website, 27 cases are wild poliovirus cases whereas nine cases are vaccine-derived poliovirus. Balochistan’s health department confirmed that a two-year-old had been diagnosed with the poliovirus. The emergence of the case has taken the provincial toll of cases to five. According to the health officials, the child was diagnosed with the virus after the parents refused to administer the anti-polio drops during one of the campaigns held across the country. On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s health department reported that a girl was diagnosed with the poliovirus in the province’s Tank district. The emergence of the new case takes the total tally of polio cases in the province to 13. The case was reported as the province has been carrying out a five-day polio drive in the province. The health department is hoping to vaccinate 3.4 million children in the ongoing drive.