Sunday, 24 July, 2022 I 24 Zil hajj, 1443 I rs 15.00 I Vol XII no 383 I 12 Pages I Islamabad edition
sc retains Hamza as ‘trustee’ Punjab cm until Hearing on monday
LAHORE
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staff report
HE Supreme Court on Saturday allowed Hamza Shehbaz to stay “trustee” Punjab chief minister until the hearing resumes on Monday, as it adjourned proceedings in a plea filed by PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi challenging Punjab Assembly (PA) Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari’s calling the chief minister’s re-election in Hamza’s favour a day earlier. The decision was taken as a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice
Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhter, took up the petition filed earlier in the day. In its verbal order, the apex court said that it didn’t want a vacuum to be created in such a large province. It also clarified that Hamza would work in accordance with the law and the Constitution until then, adding that Hamza was not allowed to use his power as chief minister in any way that would benefit him personally. Irfan Qadir, Mazari’s lawyer, asked the court for more time and said he wanted to submit a written response. The court granted him time till Monday. Parvez Elahi’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, requested the court to at least prevent Hamza from
forming cabinet, on which the court said he could form one but it should be as small as possible. The PML-Q lawyer requested the court to hear the matter tomorrow as well but the court said if the arguments were not completed, the matter would go to Monday anyway so the hearing will be in Islamabad on Monday. Outside the court, PTI leader Farrukh Habib told reporters that the government’s side had no responses or credible arguments to present in the portion of the hearing he attended. He said the case had become very “simple and clear” after today’s hearing and Elahi would be the “legal and constitutional” chief minister once the court verdict came. Habib said Hamza was restored only as a “trustee” chief minister so the province’s governance was not impacted and his oath today was withheld. PTI workers in large numbers had gathered outside the court. Earlier, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari failed to appear before the Supreme Court (SC). Instead, Mazari’s lawyer Irfan Qadir attended the hearing, which is being held at the SC’s Lahore registry. The proceedings, being held in courtroom 1, were momentarily paused due to the presence of a large number of people in the courtroom. A glass of a door was damaged as people attempted to enter the room. Before the hearing resumed, arrangements were made in courtroom 3 for other lawyers and people to watch the proceedings on a screen to reduce the rush. A number of PTI leaders were present at the court, including Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Sibtain Khan, Usman Buzdar and Zain Qureshi.
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PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan trade barbs in Twitter spat ISLAMABAD MiaN abrar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday got engaged in a fiery debate on social media blogging site, Twitter, hours after the federal cabinet approved an ordinance to bypass all the procedures and abolished regulatory checks for selling state assets to foreign countries. Sharing the news story published in a media outlet, Khan questioned how an “imported government” be trusted with the sale of national assets. “How can imported government brought to power through US conspiracy, led by crime minister, who’s family along with [PPP CoChairman Asif Ali] Zardari have volumes written on their corruption, be trusted with the sale of national as-
sets [and] that too [through] bypassing all procedural [and] legal checks,” argued the PTI Chief. Khan further accused the two ruling families for “plundering Pakistan for the last 30 years” and for the “present economic meltdown”. “These thieves should never be allowed to sell our national assets in the devious manner they are attempting. The nation will never trust them with our national assets,” he wrote. Khan SuFFerS FroM MeMorY loSS: SharIF reSPondS: Replying to the PTI chairman’s tweets, PM Shehbaz said that Khan “suffers from a memory loss and needs a few reminders”. “One, as per Transparency International report, corruption increased during his rule. Even transfers/postings were on sale in addition to big scams. Two, the
people are paying the price of how he mismanaged the economy,” he added. Highlighting the third point, Sharif accused Khan of “deeply hurting” the global prestige and standing of the country and its re-
lations with friendly countries. “Four, he has lost a sense of balance in his lust for power, which is evidenced by his habitual recourse to lies, propaganda [and] blatant twisting of facts,” concluded the prime minister.
Financing needs for FY22-23 fully met: SBP chief ISLAMABAD News Desk
Acting Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr Murtaza Syed on Saturday said Pakistan’s $33.5 billion external financing needs were fully met for financial year 2022/23. “All unwarranted market concerns about the SBP’s financial position will dissipate in weeks. Our external financing needs over the next 12 months are fully met, underpinned by our ongoing IMF programme,” Dr Murtaza Syed told Reuters in an emailed reply to questions. Fears have risen about Pakistan’s stuttering economy as the rupee fell nearly eight per cent against the US dollar in the last trading week, while forex reserves stand below $10 billion with inflation at the highest in more than a decade. Pakistan last week reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for the disbursement of $1.17bn in critical funding under resumed payments of a bailout package. “The recently secured staff-level agreement on the next IMF review is a very important anchor that clearly separates Pakistan from vulnerable countries, most of whom do not have any IMF backing,” he said. However, the lender’s board needs to approve the agreement before the disbursement, which is expected in August, before which there remain prior policy actions to be fulfilled, according to sources familiar with the matter. But some question Pakistan’s ability to meet external financing needs, including debt obligations, despite IMF funding. Syed played down those concerns, saying that Pakistan’s public debt profile, one of the “main flashpoints” for markets these days, is much better than in vulnerable countries with high public debt. The country’s public debt-to-GDP ratio is 71pc. “Pakistan’s external debt is low, of relatively long maturity, and on easier terms since it is heavily skewed toward concessional multilateral and official bilateral financing rather than expensive commercial borrowing,” he said. In a recent presentation to international investors reviewed by Reuters, Syed said $33.5bn in gross external financing needs would be met “comfortably” with $35.9bn in available financing. Most of the financing was shown from multilaterals, oil payment facilities, and rollovers of bilateral financing, and the heaviest financing needs were in Q2 of FY2022-23. The presentation also compared the situation in Pakistan to Sri Lanka, which recently defaulted, and said: “Pakistan tightened monetary policy and allowed the exchange rate to depreciate as soon as external pressures began.”
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Maryam says ‘unilateral decisions’ by judiciary won’t be accepted LAHORE staff report
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that her party should not be expected to bow down to “unilateral decisions”. The PML-N leader was referring to apex court’s short order issued earlier in the day, wherein the top court suspended the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling and restrained Hamza Shehbaz to exercise absolute powers and serve only as a “trustee” chief minister until the hearing resumed in Islamabad on Monday. The ruling came a day after PML-N won a dramatic victory against the PTI that only a few had predicted in the
Punjab chief minister’s election, retaining the throne of Punjab after surviving its closest brush with loss in the country’s political heartland. Warmed in the nick of time by a letter from PML-Q head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain — instructing his MPAs to vote for PML-N’s candidate — Hamza Shehbaz was declared a victor after Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari ruled that PML-Q members’ votes were not counted in light of party head’s letter. According to Mazari, Hamza received 179 votes whereas Elahi garnered 176 votes, but only after 10 votes of Elahi’s own party were not counted, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour. “If the house of justice also comes
under the pressure of bullying, threats and insults, repeatedly makes specific decisions through the same bench and negates its own decisions then we should not be expected to bow our heads in front of such decisions. Enough is enough,” Maryam wrote on her official Twitter handle on Saturday. The PML-N leader said that the current political chaos and instability began with a court verdict, through which an arbitrary interpretation of the Constitution was issued to not count the votes of those who voted voluntarily. “Today, it is being reinterpreted so that the same ladla (favourite) can benefit from it again like he had benefitted in the past,” she said, referring to former prime minister Imran Khan.
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HaMza SwORN iN aS PuNjab CHief MiNiSteR LAHORE
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Staff rePort
uNJAB Governor Baligh urRehman on Saturday administered the oath of office to Hamza Shehbaz who was re-elected as chief minister of the province in a dubious election. The oath was administered at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House at The Mall in Lahore. Lawmakers from his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as well as allied parties, and representatives of the armed forces, attended the event. Prior to the oath-taking, Kamran Ali Afzal, the chief secretary, read the order of the appointment. In the television footage of the
ceremony, slogans of “Aik Zardari Sab Pe Bhaari” (one Zardari trumps all) were heard immediately after Shehbaz took the oath. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was sidelined in the vote Friday night, despite winning the make-or-break by-election on July 17. Party chair Imran Khan slammed the development and called on his supporters to rally across Pakistan. The vote was held to determine whether the sitting chief minister enjoyed the backing of the majority of lawmakers in the House. In Friday’s vote, Khan’s candidate for chief minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, initially won 186 votes but the deputy speaker, Dost Mohammad Mazari, invalidated 10 of those votes over purported violations of voting regulations. In a statement broadcast on national
television, Mazari announced that 10 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), headed by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, had violated regulations by voting contrary to demands from their leader, Hussain, who had allegedly asked they abstain from voting. under the law, votes are disqualified if lawmakers vote contrary to their party’s instructions. In the end, Hamza Shahbaz won 179 votes Friday, retaining his post. Khan claimed his opponents had resorted to political machinations in Punjab and called on the nation to rally against Mazari’s ruling. By Friday night, protesters had started taking to the streets in major cities across Pakistan but the rallies remained peaceful.
Pakistan likely to receive more rains, thundershower today ISLAMABAD Staff rePort
PML-N cases should be heard by SC’S full bench: Sanaullah ISLAMABAD Staff rePort
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has demanded that all cases pertaining to Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) should be heard by full benches of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Talking to media representatives outside the Supreme Court (SC) Rana said that there are judges in the bench that convicted their party leader Nawaz Sharif, all PML-N cases should be heard by larger benches of the SC. He added that Friday’s CM election in the Punjab Assembly proved that there was no horse-trading involved, not a single MPA was bought or sold. Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf’s (PTI) claims about Rs400-500 million being offered for MPA proved to be hokum, he added. The Interior Minister added that PTI supporters trespassed the Supreme Court registry last night and caused mayhem. Rather than taking any action against the PTI goons, the registry accepted their application, Rana added. Rana Sanaullah demanded the ECP announce the PTI foreign funding case’s verdict as soon as possible. It has been proven that PTI was involved in foreign funding, why is its verdict not being announced? he questioned. The parameters for justice should be the same for everyone, SC’s full bench should hear PML-Nrelated cases, the PML-N leader demanded.
LAHORE: A huge sinkhole caused by rains in front of Pakistan Television and Radio Stations on Abbot Road exposes dereliction of the departments concerned. Photo by zubair Mehfooz
Hamza Shehbaz’s victory in line with law, Constitution: Tarar LAHORE Staff rePort
Punjab Home Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday claimed the success of PML-N in election for the Punjab chief minister slot is in accordance with the law and Constitution. Addressing a press conference at Model Town here on Saturday, he said that justice should not have double standards. He said that 25 Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) members of the provincial assembly were de-seated on the basis of a reference, sent by the party head against them. “Where did it prove that these 25 members were directed to vote for Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi,” asked the minister. He said that if a direction was given to these deseated members, then what about those who boycotted the election of the chief minister Punjab last time. He said that the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) members had been directed to cast their votes in favour of Ch Pervaiz Elahi during the last election for CM Punjab slot. Did they not violate those directions by abstaining from the CM election, he raised another question. He said that yesterday (on Friday), the deputy speaker read out the votes tally cast during the previous election for the chief minister’s office. He read out from the Assembly record that Ch Pervaiz Elahi got zero votes, and at that time neither the PML-Q nor the PTI disputed that statement, as they had boycotted the elections. He said that these were some important questions and their replies should come. He said that it was a constitutional matter and its
interpretation was necessary. He said that the judges, who already heard the matter, had a particular opinion in this regard. So it was necessary that either a larger or full bench should hear it, he added. He said that he wanted to ask a question from these political parties which had been creating a constitutional crisis in the province for the last four months: ‘why did they go to the court today?’ He said that in Mian Nawaz Sharif’s case, it was clarified that a party head had unlimited powers. He said that such past cases and present matters of deseating of 25 members, required that a full bench should hear the matter. He said that Yousuf Raza Gillani contested the election for chairman Senate post, but the presiding officer rejected seven votes after giving a ruling and he had lost the election with a thin margin. Whether that case would also be heard, he asked, adding that, that matter was still pending. He questioned whether there was a direction of the PML-Q parliamentary party in the CM Punjab election matter or not, adding that no press release or video was shared with the media. He said that it was a controversial matter, as a letter dated July 21, 2022 was shared on the next day (July 22). He said that a discussion should be initiated in this regard. He said that the party leader had the powers to make all decisions, but if four members of any party decide not to follow the directions of the party head, then what was the standing of old cases wherein it was declared that the party leader had unlimited powers. He said that now it was a responsibility of the PTI and the PML-Q to clarify and prove when the party directions were given.
The Met Office has forecast more rain with wind and thundershower in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. Scattered heavy falls are likely in south Punjab, lower Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and eastern Balochistan. Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning: Islamabad twenty-six degree centigrade, Murree sixteen, Lahore twenty-seven, Karachi twenty-nine, Peshawar and Gilgit twenty-eight, while Quetta and Muzaffarabad twenty-five degree centigrade. According to Met Office forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy weather with chances of rain, wind and thundershower expected in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramulla. Temperature recorded this morning: Srinagar twenty-one degree centigrade, Jammu twenty-six, Leh fourteen, Pulwama eighteen, Anantnag seventeen, while Shopian and Baramulla sixteen degree centigrade.
Law and Order: 4,000 Rangers deployed in Lahore, Rawalpindi LAHORE Staff rePort
The federal government on Saturday deployed paramilitary Rangers in two districts of Punjab on the request of the provincial government Saturday. The Ministry of Interior ordered the deployment of 4,000 personnel of Punjab Rangers in Lahore and Rawalpindi districts. The provincial government had in its request to the federal government called for the deployment of Rangers apprehending worsening of law and order in the province following the election of the chief minister. The summary was forwarded to the Federal Cabinet for approval. The decision came after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz was re-elected as the chief minister of Punjab as Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari rejected the PMLQ’s votes in light of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s letter. Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari – who chaired the session – ruled that the votes of PML-Q lawmakers will not be counted in the election of Punjab chief minister in the light of party head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s letter. Pervaiz Elahi – joint candidate of PTI and PML-Q – received 186 votes, while Hamza Shehbaz got 179 votes. However 10 votes of PML-Q were cancelled by the deputy speaker, hence bringing down the figure to 176.
PTI moves SHC against ECP decision to postpone Sindh LG polls KARACHI Staff rePort
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition before the Sindh High Court (SHC) against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision to postpone the second phase of local government (LG) elections in the Sindh province. The petition filed by PTI Sindh executive committee member Ashraf Qureshi stated that the ECP has previously informed the court that it
could not delay the LG elections owing to massive expenditure already being incurred on arrangements. “The ECP told that ballot papers have been printed and billions spent on arrangements,” he said. He asked the court to immediately suspend the apex court’s order and hold the polls in a week. “They have already made changes to electoral rolls and the delay was made to avert the defeat of the PPP in the elections that is now written on the wall,” the PTI leader said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rescheduled the second phase of the Sindh local government (LG) elections citing “possible rains and bad weather” in the province. According to a statement issued by the electoral watchdog, the second phase of the LG elections in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad will now take place on August 28. A meeting chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) reviewed the different applications
they had received for the postponement of the second phase of the local body elections and NA-245 by-polls. The applications had requested that the polls be held after Muharram. The meeting had also reviewed the reports submitted by the Met Office, Sindh’s chief secretary and provincial election commissioner. The second phase of the local body elections was originally going to be held on July 24 in 16 districts of Karachi and Hyderabad division.
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wHy iMRaN iS abOve Law deSPite diSReSPeCtiNg CONStitutiONS, aSkS aHSaN LAHORE
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Staff rePort
EDERAL Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has asked why Imran Niazi is considered above the law despite disrespecting the Constitution and committing contempt of the court. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said Imran Khan used abusive language against institutions and courts; he was involved in foreign funding scam, he said the country could become Sri Lanka, he claimed division in the forces and attempted to involve courts in political cases by pressuring them through the social media, but no legal action was taken against him despite all these things. He said that it was Imran whose government signed an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which brought stress on the country’s economy. “It is you who is responsible for destruction of Pakistan’s economy,” he told Imran Khan. He said the coalition government was trying to restore credibility of the country by honouring the the IMF agreement, signed by the previous government. Ahsan said that Imran had gathered all thieves and dacoits in his cabinet when he was in power, but called his opponents thieves and dacoits. He alleged that Niazi manipulated the National Accountability Bureau actions against his political rivals. He challenged Imran Khan to show a single
project, from Karachi to Peshawar, which he completed during his tenure as the premier. He asked where Niazi spent development funds during his tenure, what happened to his promises of one crore houses and five lakh jobs, adding that now he would not be allowed to mislead the youth by selling new narrative of slavery. “We will not allow you to hide your ineligibility under the cover of your so-called narrative,” he said. The minister said that demand of the coalition government about constitution of full bench to hear the
Punjab chief minister election case should be taken seriously, as it was important to avoid any dispute. He said the coalition parties wanted to protect the sanctity of the courts at any cost. The minister said that Qasim Suri remained an MNA and the deputy speaker of the National Assembly on a stay order for around two-and-a-half years and committed contempt of the court as well. He violated the Constitution, but no action was taken against him. He said that the Punjab deputy speaker should also be respected like the speaker of any other assembly. He alleged that Imran Niazi was working to create anarchy and instability in the country. He said that Imran used the same method in Pakistan to hijack the electoral process by using foreign funding, which was employed in the united States by Donald Trump. He said that Imran employed 1,400 social activists in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for Rs 25,000 monthly salary each and they had been pursuing a campaign against the national institutions. He said that the PML-N and its coalition parties played a responsible role to save the country under the current situation. When he was asked that there were some efforts under way to bring all political parties on the table to sort out a political solution to the current crisis, Ahsan Iqbal said that if Imran Niazi was looking for an NRO in his foreign funding case on the pretext of reconciliation, the coalition government would not accept it.
CDA to acquire 20 additional blue and green line buses ISLAMABAD Staff rePort
The Capital Development Authority has decided to acquire 20 additional blue and green line buses in one week to facilitate residents of Bharaku and koral area. As per the information, Chairman Capital Development Authority Amer Ali Ahmed visited various routes and bus stops of Islamabad bus services. The chairman and officers of CDA boarded the
orange bus from N5 station to G-13 station. During the visit the chairman appreciated the work of the horticulture department. At the occasion, special directions were issued to the concerned formations to ensure facilitation of specially-abled passengers at bus stops. Moreover He also inspected the blue and green line PIMS station. It was informed that Currently 8 each blue as well as green line buses with 5800 passengers and 6000 passengers are providing services on
Pakistan reports 693 Covid cases in 24 hours: NIH ISLAMABAD Staff rePort
Pakistan has reported as many as two Covid-related deaths while 693 fresh cases of the pandemic have been reported in the country during the last 24 hours, the data shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH) said Saturday. According to the NIH report, 23,423 Covid tests were conducted across the country in the past 24 hours, out of which 693 turned out to be positive. The nationwide Covid-19 test positivity ratio remained at
2.96 per cent. “As many as 180 patients are stated to be in critical condition,” it said. It is pertinent to mention here that World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was worried that coronavirus case numbers were shooting up, putting more strain on health systems and workers. The number of Covid cases reported to the WHO increased 30 percent in the past two weeks, driven by sub-variants of the Omicron strain and the lifting of control measures.
PTI chief ‘threatening’ institutions to get decisions of choice: Talal LAHORE Staff rePort
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Talal Chaudhry on Saturday said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan had been uttering derogatory remarks against the national institutions and threatening them to get “decisions of his choice.” “The PML-N had always showed constraint in respect of institutions in the larger national interest. The PML-N believed in the supremacy of law and the constitution and always respected the court verdicts, however, it wanted across the board decisions and equal standards of justice.” Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Talal Ch said that across the board accountability should be ensured as nobody was above the law. He said the Parliament was supreme institution as it had the mandate to make or amend the laws and if there was any need to make amendments in any law, the parliament should only take up the matter. He said that PTI chief Imran Khan had been established to be dishonest from the uS court to his Banigala residence case, but no action was taken against him. Meanwhile, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified in Panama case for not taking salary from his son.
The PML-N leader said that foreign funding and Peshawar BRT cases had been pending since years despite a plenty of evidences had been emerged in these cases. He demanded that verdict in the cases should soon be announced. Talal Ch maintained that the PMLN had been subjected to worst victimization during the PTI-led government as the entire leadership was put behind the bars in fake cases and nothing was proved against anyone. He, however, said that the party would not sit silent and would give befitting response to any campaign by the PTI. To a question, he said that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain being Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s President had written a letter to direct his MPAs regarding their vote in CM’s election same like 25 MPAs of the PTI were disqualified on the direction of party chief Imran Khan. He mentioned that the PMLQ MPAs contested election after being nominated by the same party president. Talal Chaudhry said the PML-N paid the price many times for serving the people of the country and for its loyalty. He said the coalition government led by PML-N again opted to take tough decisions for saving the country from default rather going to the general elections by leaving the country at its fate.
Government will import 0.3 mn tonne wheat to manage strategic reserves ISLAMABAD Staff rePort
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet allowed the state-owned Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to import 0.3 million tons of wheat to
manage strategic reserves, the Ministry of Finance said. The decision was made at an ECC meeting attended by ministers and representatives from all relevant ministries, the finance ministry said in a statement. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research
at the meeting presented a summary of urgent advice relating to the awarding of the third international wheat tender in 2022, the statement said. The ministry of food security sought the lowest bid for the import of wheat, said the statement. The ECC, following evaluation of the proposal, sanctioned the lowest bid offered by an international firm at 404.86 u.S. dollars per ton for 120,000 tons, it added.
Bharaku and koral area respectively. Due to high passenger load on green and blue lines, He issued the instructions to acquire 20 additional buses within one week on a government to government basis. This will create convenience for the public and facilitate residents of Bharaku and koral areas. The chairman instructed the metro team that this is a public service for residents of the city and must be attended to as a calling and with dedication and lapse will be allowed in this regard.
two fall off waterfall to death taking selfies SWAT Syed Shahabuddin
Two friends fell to death from the top of hundreds of feet high Ali Dad waterfall while taking selfies here in Swat on Saturday. The bodies were recovered and shifted to Civil Hospital Barikot. According to Barikot Ghaligay Police SHO Habib Said Khan, three friends went to Ali Dad Waterfall in Barikot Tehsil for a picnic. There one of the friends 27-year-old Sanaullah, a resident of Faizabad Saidu Sharif, while taking selfies at the upper end of the waterfall, slipped off and fell. In the meanwhile, his friend 33-year-old Adnan Bacha, a resident of Faizabad Saidu Sharif, rushed to save his friend, but both fell into the pond from a height of three to four hundreds feet and died on the spot. The police officer informed that the third companion, 18-year-old umar son of Ayaz, a resident of Faizabad Saidu Sharif, survived the incident. On information, locals rushed to the site and took out the dead bodies from the pond. Later, Rescue 1122 personnel reached the spot and shifted the bodies to Civil Hospital Barikot for legal proceedings.
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Sunday, 24 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
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MAgistrAte Allows sinDh PoliCe to Move DuA ZehrA to KArAChi LAHORE
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Staff RepoRt
JuDICIAL magistrate of Lahore on Saturday allowed Sindh Police to move Dua Zehra, the teenager who married on her free will, to Karachi in order to produce her in the city’s trial court. “Police Inspector Muhammad Ali along-with Aziza Sultana LHC are allowed to take the custody of Dua Zehra from shelter home, Lahore to produce her before learned trial court for direction to be passed for her lodgment in shelter home, Karachi or any appropriate order as the case may be,” read the order released by Magistrate Rizwan Ahmad of Lahore’s district court. The court noted that the Karachi inspector had earlier submitted an application to give him the girl’s custody in pursuance of the direction passed by judicial magistrate, Karachi East in this regard.
It also noted that the divisional bench of Sindh High Court had earlier passed a verdict about the teenager’s shifting from Darul Aman, Lahore to Darul Aman, Karachi.
The judicial magistrate maintained that the officers were responsible for the safe custody of the teenager and to take all relevant precautionary measures. The court also barred any meetings with Dua from either side until she was produced before the Karachi magistrate. The Karachi police team on Saturday had arrived Lahore to take custody of teenage married girl Dua Zehra but the court reserved its judgement regarding her handing over to the Sindh authorities. On the other hand, Dua’s lawyer who filed a petition against the shifting of the Karachi teenage girl in the Judicial Magistrate District Court of Judge Rizwan Ahmad argued before the court today that the girl did not want to go back to Karachi as she feared for her life over there. He said he wanted to record her statement under 164 in the Lahore District Court. He alleged that Dua’s father Mehdi Kazmi was exploiting his daughter for his financial benefit.
Ali Hassan Jafri advocate said that he met with Dua who made some other revelations. He said that Dua’s original date of birth was April 27, 2006. He told the court that his clients wanted Dua’s ossification test and Dua’s father was made party to the case but he didn’t turn up. However, Mehdi Kazmi’s lawyer contended that the Judicial Magistrate Court did not have the jurisdiction to pass an order for the ossification test. He said that the case was sub-judice in Karachi trial court and to hear another petition or take notice on it was tantamount to interfering in the jurisdiction of Sindh High Court. The police team told the court that they reached Lahore to take Dua’s custody as the girl would be presented before the Sindh High Court on July 25. After hearing arguments from both the lawyers, the court reserved its judgement whether police would be allowed to take the girl back to Karachi or she would stay in Lahore’s shelter home.
Pakistan’s exports to China up nearly 10.97pct year-on-year in 2022 BEIJING NewS DeSk
Pakistan’s export to China crossed $1.918 billion in the first half (H1) of this year, up 10.97 percent from $1.728 billion in the same period of the previous year, which continue to increase on yearly basis, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Saturday quoting official data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). According to sources, despite the epidemic of COVID-19, bilateral trade has increased significantly. In the first half of this year, the total volume of trade between China and Pakistan increased nearly 15 percent amounting to $ 14.39 billion as
compared with the same period in 2021 which was $12.55 billion due to COVID-19. Compared with data of the first half of 2021, this year Pakistan’s exports to China in January increased by 17.80% amounting to $382.22 million; in February it was up by nearly 30% crossing $287.65 million; in March it increased 7.23% amounting to $367.71 million; COVID-19 impacted Pakistan’s exports in April causing a decrease of 21.15% standing at $283.53 million; in May it increased nearly 3% reaching $280.97 million while in June it increased by nearly 54% crossing $316.36 million. Shan Saeed, Chief Economist at Juwai IQI told China Economic Net that the increasing ex-
ports from Pakistan to China is a good sign for both countries. It clearly signifies the deeprooted trade and commerce momentum has been generated through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “China has really opened up the market for Pakistani goods. Both countries can benefit from long-term relationships. Pakistan can export further as China is the second largest economy in the world. Pakistan’s geography is very germane for China and the global macro-economic landscape,” Shan added. He further said that Pakistan can become a food basket for China because the Chinese market is huge and has good buying power, therefore Pakistan should take advantage of its good rela-
Aamir Liaquat’s first wife approaches FIA against Dania Shah KARACHI NewS DeSk
First wife of late popular host Aamir Liaquat, Syeda Bushra Iqbal on Friday announced that she is going to filing a case with FIA cybercrime wing against Dania Shah, the third wife of Aamir Liaquat. Taking to her Twitter handle, Bushra announced that she will be filing a case against Dania and her mother. “Today we are going to file an application with FIA Cyber Crime against Dania Shah and her mother. She went on to request prayers as well.” Earlier on Tuesday, the Sindh High Court (SHC) approved the request of Dania Shah to be made a party in the case regarding his autopsy and ordered the relevant parties to prepare for it. Shah, who filed for divorce shortly before Aamir Liaquat’s death, requested the high court to conduct his post-mortem in front of the SHC bench comprising Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Kausar Sultana Hus-
sain. During the hearing, Dania Shah’s mother came to the rostrum and said that Aamir Liaquat’s wife had the right to know the cause of death. “My daughter was Aamir Liaquat’s wife. Aamir Liaquat Hussain was such a great personality, the cause of death should be known,” she stated before the court. Last month, Hussain was found dead in his house in Karachi. Hussain – who was also a PTI MNA from a Karachi constituency – was found unconscious at his house situated in Khudadad Colony of the metropolis, according to his servant Javaid. The 50-year-old was rushed to a hospital where he could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead. According to sources, the anchor had the door of his room locked from inside. The servant knocked on it several times in the morning but to no avail. He revealed that Hussain had complained of chest pain the night before.
Sindh CM reviews cleanliness, repair to nullahs during visit to parts of Karachi KARACHI app
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday visited different storm water drains of the city at Chokora Nala at Gulistan-i-Jauhar here. He was accompanied by Minister Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister Local Government Nasir Shah and Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab. Talking to media persons, he said that the PPP President Asif Ali Zardari was a leading politician of the country who has pursued the politics of reconciliation just to strengthen democracy and bring stability the country. To a question, Mr Shah said that the unfortunate incident at under construction Shadman Nullah in which a family met with a tragic incident had hurt him. “You know we were faced with natural calamity and in such a situation, people
should avoid going out,” he said and added he was not defending the incident, but it was the time to protect the children and other family members by preferring to stay home. “We, being the heads of our families must protect our families in natural calamities like situation,” he said and expressed sympathy with the aggrieved families. The chief minister, keeping in view the forecast of heavy downpour, visited different areas of the city, particularly the on-going cleanliness and repair work of storm water drains. He visited KPT Nullah, Machhar Colony Nulla, a nulla located near city station, Mahmoodabad Nullan, Picher Nulla, two different nuyllas at Lyari, a nullah passing through urdu Bazzar, Burns Road, Sindh Secretariat and other low lying areas and various others and gave necessary instructions to the local bodies officials deputed there.
tionship and China can help relocate its industries & technologies to Pakistan to increase its exports to China and around the globe. It is to be noted that Pakistan is expected to achieve a figure of $32 billion in bilateral trade within the next two-three years and is likely to achieve a figure of $50 billion before 2030. In the first six months of this year, among the growth of trade in major products between the two countries, rice, cotton yarn, refined copper products, sesame seeds, pine nuts, textiles, seafood, and other agricultural products have increased year on year, and this has encouraged Pakistan’s economic recovery and increased its exports to China.
CDA to acquire 20 additional blue and green line buses ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
The Capital Development Authority has decided to acquire 20 additional blue and green line buses in one week to facilitate residents of Bharaku and koral area. As per the information, Chairman Capital Development Authority Amer Ali Ahmed visited various routes and bus stops of Islamabad bus services. The chairman and officers of CDA boarded the orange bus from N5 station to G-13 station. During the visit the chairman appreciated the work of the horticulture department. At the occasion, special directions were issued to the concerned formations to ensure facilitation of specially-abled passengers at bus stops. Moreover He also inspected the blue and green line PIMS station. It was informed that Currently 8 each blue as well as green line buses with 5800 passengers and 6000 passengers are providing services on Bharaku and koral area respectively.
Sunday, 24 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
SC retains Hamza as ‘trustee’ Punjab CM until hearing on Monday continued from page 01 The court had summoned Mazari at 2:30pm after taking up the petition earlier today. The court had also asked him to specify the paragraph in its opinion on Article 63-A on which he had based his ruling in the CM election. The bench had also issued notices to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf, Advocate General of Punjab Shahzad Shaukat and the Punjab chief secretary. The bench issued the directives while hearing Elahi’s petition, which was filed late last night, after a contentious ruling by the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker led to his defeat — despite having a majority — and Hamza Shehbaz’s re-election as the province’s chief executive. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court summoned Dost Mohammad Mazari, deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly, at 2:00 pm as it took up a petition moved by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the speaker, to challenge a ruling his deputy gave during the re-election to the office of Punjab chief minister. Elahi — who heads the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and was fielded jointly by his party and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the post — was sidelined in the vote Friday night on dubious grounds. Elahi initially won 186 votes but the deputy speaker invalidated 10 of those votes over purported violations of voting regulations. In a statement broadcast on national television, Mazari announced that 10 lawmakers from the PML-Q had violated regulations by voting contrary to demands from their leader, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who had allegedly asked they abstain from voting. Under the law, votes are disqualified if lawmakers vote contrary to their party’s instructions. Angered by the ruling, the two parties appealed to the Supreme Court to interfere. Responding to the petition, the court opened its doors at midnight to accept the applications requesting it to hold the ruling as “bogus” and “false”. On Saturday morning, a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justices Ijaz ul-Ahsan and Munib Akhtar, directed Mazari to submit the complete record of the re-election to the court. The bench also summoned Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf and Punjab Advocate General Shahzad Shaukat. The hearing is being conducted at the Lahore Registry of the court. ‘ILLEGAL’ RULING: Commenting on Mazari’s judgement, legal eagles were unanimous in their view that under Article 63-A of the Constitution, the parliamentary party, and not the party head, reserved the right to support any candidate for the election of Leader of the House. Speaking on the matter, seasoned jurist Aitzaz Ahsan said that either candidate only needed to secure a simple majority in the election and hence Elahi clearly won the vote. Hussain’s decision to prevent Q League lawmakers from voting in favour of Elahi was non-binding if they were not communicated in advance about the parliamentary party’s decision. Ahsan said the parliamentary party has the right to decide the matter. “The party head only has the move to prosecute any lawmaker(s), if the parliamentary party’s instructions have been violated,” he added. However, he said if the party head feels that the MP needs to be given the benefit of the doubt, he can drop his right to prosecute those who violated the parliamentary party’s directions. Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, a leader of the PTI, also termed the ruling as “unconstitutional”, adding the apex court will “soon issue a verdict” on the matter. He said when it came to casting a vote of no-confidence, the party head had no role to play, adding the parliamentary party is the first one to decide who to vote for. Zafar said that at the time of the no-confidence motion, PTI chair Imran Khan had written a letter to the National Assembly speaker, while notices to the defecting MPs were issued by the general secretary of the party.
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PML-N LeFt witH No oPtioN to Save PuNjaB govt: HaBiB LaHore
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StAff report
AKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Farrukh Habib on Saturday said that the PML-N had lost political battle and was left with no option to save its Punjab government led by Hamza Shehbaz. “Nobody is ready to defend the illegal and unconstitutional ruling of the deputy speaker,” he said while talking to the media outside the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry on Saturday. Farrukh Habib was referring to apex court short order issued earlier in the day, wherein the top court suspended the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling and retained Hamza to exercise as a “trustee” chief minister until the hearing resumed in Islamabad on Monday.
The ruling came a day after PMLN won a dramatic victory against the PTI that few had predicted in the Punjab chief minister’s election, retaining the Punjab chief minister’s slot. Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari ruled that PML-Q members’ votes were not counted in light of PML-Q head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain — instructing his MPAs to vote for PML-N’s candidate — Hamza Shehbaz and subsequently declared Hamza Sharif as winner in the CM’s election. According to Mazari, Hamza received 179 votes whereas Elahi garnered 176 votes, but only after 10 votes of Elahi’s own party were not counted, which turned the tables in Hamza’s favour. Farrukh Habib said the deputy speaker’s ruling was not in line with the Supreme Court verdict on Article 63-A related to the defection
clause and added that only parliamentary head of the party had the right to issue directions to the lawmakers. The former state minister said the apex court with an “open heart” allowed CM Hamza to serve as the ‘trustee’ chief executive of the province otherwise in reality “he is the fake chief minister”. “All eyes are on the Supreme Court. We are hopeful that Pervez Elahi will be the chief minister of Punjab,” he added. He also took a jibe at the former president Asif Ali Zardari, who played a key role in winning Chaudhry Shujaat’s support for PML-N, saying he is only “bhaari (heavy) on thieves and robbers, not on people”. ‘Fawad blames establishment for political turmoil’ Former information minister and senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the country had been reeling under political crisis due to “unnecessary ad-
Court confirms interim bail of Moonis Elahi in money laundering case LaHore
venture of the establishment”. Speaking to the media in Lahore, Fawad asked the powerful quarters not to “play” with Pakistan as the country was suffering due to political and economic instability. “How did Chaudhary Shujaat’s letter land in deputy speaker’s pocket,” Fawad wondered, adding that the Mazari should be summoned in court for contempt. ‘Chaudhry Shujaat under pressure’ Meanwhile, PML-Q leader Monis Elahi said in a statement that PML-Q head Chaudhry Shujaat had directed the party members via letter not to vote for either candidate. Moonis said he discussed the matter of letter with his uncle Shujaat and the PML-Q chief also confirmed that he had written the letter. After meeting with Shujaat, Moonis said it appeared that his uncle was under “a lot of pressure”.
Financing needs for FY22-23 fully met: SBP chief continued from page 01
StAff report
A special court on Saturday confirmed pre-arrest interim bail of of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader and former federal minister Moonis Elahi in a case registered by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on charges of money laundering in a sugar scam. Special Court (Offence in banks) Judge Aslam Gondal conducted the proceedings on the bail application of the former minister who also appeared in the court and got his attendance marked. The court confirmed the prearrest interim bail of Moonis Elahi, after hearing detailed arguments of the prosecution and defence. The FIA had registered a
It added that Sri Lanka’s fiscal position had been much worse than Pakistan’s, with primary deficits three to four times larger since the pandemic. Syed said Pakistan was being unfairly grouped with more vulnerable countries amid panic in global markets due to a commodity supercycle, tightening by the US Federal Reserve and geopolitical tensions. “Markets are responding to these shocks in an unfairly broad-brush way, without paying enough attention to Pakistan’s relative strengths,” he said. “We expect this reality to dawn in the coming weeks and the unwarranted fears around Pakistan to dissipate.” case against Moonis Elahi, Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, Muhammad Nawaz Bhatti, Muhammad Ali, Mazhar Abbas, Makhdoom Omar Shehryar, Tarik Jawaid and Wajid Khan Bhatti under Sec-
tions 109, 420, 468, 471, 34 of PPC read with 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 and 3/4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010 in connection with the affairs of the RYK/Alliance Sugar Mills Group.
Mufti Taqi Usmani urges banks to withdraw appeals against Riba verdict KARACHI: Retired Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani, Chairman of Al Meezan Group and Vice President of Darul Uloom Karachi, has urged all banks to take back their appeals against the Federal Shariat Court’s recent verdict on Riba (interest) filed at the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan. In a tweet, Usmani said, “Today the finance minister invited the heads of all the banks in Karachi to present their problems and in response, I repeated the same speech and said that the appeals should be withdrawn and the few ambiguities should be referred to the Federal Sharia Court itself.
No one objected to be remedied” He added, “In these circumstances, it can be hoped that the appeals will be withdrawn and a task force will be formed with sincere intentions to eliminate interest (usury).” Earlier, a video by journalist Ansar Abbasi claimed that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said that he had instructed the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to withdraw its appeal. Following the announcement of the Shariah Court decision, Ismail tweeted, “We welcome the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) decision in the Riba case. StAff report
Kaira backs ruling in Punjab CM election ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira on Saturday endorsed the ruling of deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mohammad Mazari in the election of chief minister Punjab. “What Mazari has done, it was as per law and the constitution,” he said while addressing a press conference here. Kaira said the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker had rejected the vote of Pakistan Muslim League Q party members in light of the apex court decisions. The members of the political parties were bound to follow the decision of the party leadership and it was the prerogative of the party head to take decisions in the favor of its voters, he clarified. Mentioning the protest call of PTI chief Imran khan, he said Imran Khan was trying to influence the courts by provoking its voters to get decisions in his favor as he only accepted the decisions of his own choice. Keeping in view the current political scenario, Kaira said the apex court should allow a full bench and give a comprehensive decision to avert other political crises. StAff report
KP CM seeks strategy to outsource state guest houses at tourist destinations peSHaWar Aziz Buneri
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed directed the tourism department to workout a strategy within a week for outsourcing the feasible rest houses and other assets already handed over to tourism department. The Chief Minister directed that revenue generation plan for such assets to be outsourced. He was chairing a review meeting regarding development projects in tourism sector of the province on Saturday. He also ordered immediate ban on construction activities in tourist destination of the province until master planning is finalised to stop haphazard constructions. Principal Secretary to chief minister Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Tourism Muhammad Tahir Orakzai, Secretary Communications and Works Ejaz Ansari and other relevant authorities attended the meeting.The Chief Minister ordered to finalise
the master plan for tourists sites in minimum possible time and fully functional the development authorities already set up for tourist areas. Khan urged the need for short term, mid term and long term plans to start practical work on mega schemes of tourism sector and complete the ongoing ones within the stipulated time. Briefing the meeting about progress on projects of road infrastructure in tourist areas, it was informed that tenders of 22-km Mankiyal to Baddha Serai Road and 24-km Thandiani Roads have been issued and practical work would start soon. Both the projects would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs7.8 billion. The meeting was informed that the KP Integrated Tourism Development Projects had been launched with an estimated cost of Rs17 billion to develop new tourist spots, construct access roads to tourist destinations, rehabilitate the existing tourism infrastructures and enhance the capacity of tourism departments for sustainable development of
tourism sector in the province. The CM was told that concept papers and master planning of Integrated Tourism Zones had been cleared by the competent forum which would soon be handed over to Culture and Tourism Authority for further progress. Similarly, Destinations Investment Management Plan have also been cleared and the same will be handed over to the special purpose development authorities by the end of this month. The meeting was further informed that so far an amount of Rs1.6 billion has been released to various special purpose development authorities to boost tourism activities. The Chief Minister directed for joint meeting of all the stakeholders including tourism department, Communications and Works Departments, Irrigation Department, Forest Department, divisional and district administration and local development authorities to resolve inter department issues so that tourism development initiatives could be completed in an efficient manner within stipulated time.
06-07 Comments 24th July 2022_Layout 1 7/24/2022 12:14 AM Page 1
Sunday, 24 July, 2022
06 COMMENT Some accountability
Sikh caste hierarchy stopped the farmers' protest turning into an oppressed people’s movement
The politicians need to close ranks
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S political instability increases, for once, a consensus of sorts is emerging that perhaps it is not the political class that is to be blamed. the current episode in the country’s heady political journey was set in motion by a controversial decision by the court. And it was that decision that, in turn, had caused another crisis, the verdict on which the court is to give on Monday. the Honorable lordships are in a bit of a bit of a fix. they have to contort themselves into some rather uncomfortable shapes as a result of their earlier judgments. Perhaps the biggest hit in the drama that played out the other day at the Punjab Assembly wasn’t the one that the Pti took but the judiciary, the loopholes in whose decisions are now being discussed rather spiritedly. there is talk of “moderate intervention” as well. By quarters specifically whose intervention is the reason why we find ourselves in this mess in the first place. if one were to compare the three i.e. the military, the judiciary and the political class, it is the beleaguered third that has a constituency to answer to. in addition, of course, to the other two themselves. the judiciary and the establishment face no such concerns. their performance or lack thereof is never quite evaluated. Nothing to answer for. it is not enough to say that the two institutions also face flak on social media. there should be consequences for the decisions of these non-representative state institutions who forget their place in the scheme of things. One is a pillar of state that treads on the turf of the legislature and at times, even the executive. Whereas the other is just a department within the executive. there needs to be a reckoning. And the sooner the political class, across the aisles, realise this, the better for the polity.
The farmers’ movement went the way of he Khalistan Movement
Amjed jAAved
T
He farmer’s protest in india began initially with the sole aim of getting the new farm laws repealed. the disputed laws were the Farmers’ Produce trade and commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers empowerment and Protection Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the essential commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. the farmers perceived these laws as a surreptitious and predatory attempt by ‘crony capitalism’ to take away their lands, their single source of livelihood. But the government, infatuated by the hubris of its parliamentary majority, shrugged off the farmers’ demand. it thought that the farmers lacked the capacity to mobilize their minuscule protest into a mass movement. Surprisingly, the farmers across several states, irrespective of their religious beliefs, joined the protest, braving police baton charges and water torrents on elderly farmers, besides inclement weather, sometimes becoming freezing. Farmers’ local and deiaspora sympathizers flooded them with food, fruit and even quintals of American almonds (from US-based toot brethren). the government is trying tooth and nail to sow seeds of discord among the Kisan unions. Formidable Jat Kisan leader, rakesh tikait, now on hunger strike, declared to continue the strike until his death. to express solidarity with the farmers, 18 opposition parties decided to boycott the indian president’s address (29 January 2021) to a joint sitting of the parliament at the start of the budget session. they criti-
JCSC meeting Stakeholders must be brought on board in any talks with the TTP
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He Joint chiefs of Staff committee met on Friday with all three service chiefs attending, with chairman JcSc Gen Nadeem raza presiding. the meeting took stock of developments on the Western border especially, where it estimated there was a rapidly changing situation. in reviewing the Western border, the taliban naturally came under discussion. this means that the talks with the tehrik-i-taliban Pakistan would also have come under review. it can be assumed the JcSc was presumably better off than Parliament, which has not yet had the opportunity of discussing the talks. the total secrecy in which these talks have been surrounded, and the care that has been taken to exclude civilians, including parliamentary oversight, illustrates the military mindset, which assumes that such matters are to be handled by the military alone, to the exclusion of any other stakeholders. the ttP alone have as stakeholders the families of their victims, including the many military families impacted by the APS Peshawar massacre of 2014. Parliament not only has a representative character, but would provide a good sense of what is acceptable and what is not. Another aspect is that of the Baloch separatists, whose recent activity against the chinese has not only reached Karachi, but has encompassed the first female suicide bomber, which indicates that Baloch nationalists have found a new source of suicide bombers. While the military talks to the ttP through the Afghan taliban, there is no such intermediary which would allow it to talk to the Baloch. Baloch nationalists might also find themselves goaded into more extreme acts to force talks such as those the ttP has obtained. Any exclusion of the civilian decision-making institutions from talks will only be counter-productive. Deciding what is and isn’t in the nation’s security interests is not the job of security institutions, but of the nation’s representatives assembled in Parliament. Any failure to observe this principle, any attempt to see national interests as the preserve of the military will lead to those interests being harmed.
Baladesh’s problems and solutions seem Pakistans in the face of the global oil price hike SAminA Akhter
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lectricity allows us to live in great comfort, but we also need to be conscious of the fact that it is a finite resource. Additionally, the global energy crisis has practically become a worry for all of us, and it is expected of each of us to use energy wisely every day. it's not all that difficult. you may easily conserve energy by exercising a little caution. even your electricity expense can be lowered by utilizing energy intelligently. the efficient use of energy and the efficient conservation of energy are two important worldwide challenges. Bangladesh truly needs our help (everyone's help) with "energy conservation." the administration has implemented a number of austerity measures in response to the sky-high gasoline costs on the global market, including a 20 percent reduction in fuel imports and the imposition of areabased rotating load shedding. Since the country's foreign exchange reserves are being depleted by the high global oil price, which has driven up the cost of importing all other necessities, the government appears to have no choice but to enact austerity measures. to reduce the amount of fuel required for energy production, the government has implemented areabased load shedding for a set period of time. to conserve fuel starting on tuesday, it has temporarily restricted the amount of electricity produced each day. Power is scarce in many nations all around the world. Diesel, fuel oil, and lNG costs have all significantly increased. Due to the abnormal price increases, the government will no longer purchase gas on the foreign market. to lessen the power problem, the administration has implemented a number of measures, such as load shedding by region and shutting down diesel-powered power facilities. We should all uphold utilizing restraint electricity. Additionally, filling stations will be closed nationwide one day per week. in order to save electricity,
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi
Umar Aziz
Joint Editor
Joint Editor
Executive Editor
Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965
The writer is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com
Austerity measures to reduce the sufferings of the global energy crisis
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
cized the government for obduracy when 155 farmers, braving water cannons, tear gas and lathi charges, had already lost their lives. the government-sponsored media published stories that the movement was being backed up by Khalistani and Pakistani elements. Pakistani drones allegedly dropped hand-grenades in east Punjab which eerily never exploded nor were displayed to the media. the government even stooped to filing an affidavit in the Supreme court to affirm its allegation of foreign aid to the peace movement. the protest went on showing singular interfaith harmony where the non-Muslim human shields protected ed the Muslims offering prayers. to `strongman’ Modi’s chagrin, the protest assumed an all-indian dimension as Bhim Army chief chandra Shekhar Azad, founder of Azad Samaj party (open-society party) joined the protesters with the declaration `ek juth ho kar larna hai’ we have to fight united). Soon Azad’s harangues became viral on social media. He taunted the government that it prevented the peaceful farmers from reaching Delhi, but it could not stop the chinese from building 110 houses in the indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. the media blacked out pictures of farmers’ martyrs including the Sikh sants (saints) who committed suicides to express solidarity with the protesters. it was a nightmare for Narendra Modi to observe people from all walks of life joining the movement. the 41.73 percent “oppressed-people” wave appeared to have turned against him (Muslim 14.23 percent, christians 2.3 percent, the Scheduled castes 16.6 percent, and Scheduled tribes 8.6 percent).Modi’s fears were unfounded. Despite rhetoric, the protesters could not turn their movement into a future-electoral alliance. the caste factor militated against tHe unity of lower castes with the upper castes. even Sikhs have an iron-clad caste structure. Besides the caste hierarchy, religions, languages and cultures put people poles apart. india’s 1.3 billion populations (2014) includes Hindus (80 percent, including those who eat beef), Muslims 11 percent, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, christians, Parsis and Jews seven per cent (combined). Hindi language is not used in Dravidian South india and though it dominates in indo-european North india, besides 780 minor languages and dialects. Most of the protesting farmers hailed from the indian state of the Punjab or adjoin states. the Sikhs are believed to be the most liberal community in india. yet, even they, like Muslims are not immune from caste influence (Muslims divide themselves into arzal, ashraf ajlaf, and so on).
Brahmins (priests) are regarded as custodians of religious Hindu traditions in the whole of india. But, this is not the case in Punjab. they are pejoratively called mang khani jaat (a community or caste living simply on alms). But degradation of the traditional Brahmans does not signify the elimination of the Sikh caste hierarchy. caste-based discrimination in the Punjab has a different complexion. the Sikh community replaced Brahmins with affluent Jat Sikhs with material strength possessing agricultural land as and enjoying hegemony over gurdwaras and other panths (Sikh holy organizations and institutions). Dalits who convert to Sikhism are disappointed. they are excluded from the management of committees and gurdwaras. the landowning Sikhs dominate landless dalits (untouchables). Besides, under the local customary scheme of patron-client relationship popularly known as razat nama, they are even denied ownership rights to the plots of land on which they had built houses in segregated colonies in vicinity of the mainstream villages. Dalits are the second largest community in the Punjab state. Numerically, they are almost equal to the strength of the Jat Sikhs. yet, their share in the landholdings is just 4.82 percent. And they occupy only 2.34 per cent of the total area under cultivation. Being landless, dalits are denied their due share in management committees of sikh gurdwaras (shrines). the frustrated Punjabi dalits tried to seek upward social mobility through religious conversion to a different sikh dharma, ravidassia Dharma. this dharma was formally announced by Babu Mangu ram Mugowalia in a declaration made by the Sants of Dera Sachkhand Balan on 30January 2010. the pre-partition Ad Dharam movement has its roots in this dharma. this movement is the only movement of its kind in the Northwestern region of india that aimed at securing a dignified place for dalits through religious reformation, cultural transformation and political clout rather than seeking emancipation through conversion and sanskritization. Dalits regard Guru ravidas as their saviour. His teachings exhort dalits to stand up for themselves. the exclusion of dalits in the Sikh caste system obstructed amalgamation of Sikhs with dalits and other minorities to shape an oppressed people’s joint movement in indian Punjab. it also halted the conversion of he farmer’s movement.
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the government is also preparing to cut back on weekly working hours and implement virtual offices for its employees and officials. this battle has once again thrown the globe into a serious crisis as we were all getting over the effects of the coronavirus. the majority of wealthy nations, including the USA, the UK, and Australia, are also experiencing severe power shortages, primarily as a result of the exorbitant fuel prices on the global market. this dilemma affects many established and wealthy nations in addition to developing ones like Bangladesh. Our neighbours, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri lanka have also the same crisis. Some individuals are attempting to turn this situation into a political issue by disseminating untruths about the government in an effort to destabilize the nation. However, they should keep in mind that, in the past, the nation previously had power outages of 8 to 10 hours. We must all recognize that we are all at risk as a result of the current global catastrophe. People should continue to use electricity sparingly since doing so will help them deal with future crises of any kind. the government might save a significant amount of gasoline if diesel-run power plants were kept closed. Only about 10 percent of diesel is used in the electricity sector, and the rest is used in transportation. the government has been forced to implement load shedding and restrict electricity generation in light of the global fuel crisis brought on by the effects of the russia-Ukraine war and the covid-19 outbreak. the recent russia-Ukraine war and the long-lasting effects of the cOViD-19 outbreak have made the fuel market very unstable worldwide.
Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
On the economic dashboard, there are currently a few red lights blinking, including those for the current account deficit, decreasing foreign currency reserves, volatile exchange rates, soaring inflation, etc. Bangladesh has been forced into this precarious scenario, along with the rest of the globe, as a result of russia's conflict in Ukraine. in light of this, load shedding has reappeared despite the government's impressive progress in terms of power producing capacity. the move to replace sporadic power outages with systematic areabased fixed hours of outages, is praiseworthy. individuals should be informed about the specific hours of power outages in their respective areas, as many still remain unaware of the designated load-shedding hours in their communities. However, in rural regions, people are complaining about load shedding for longer than ten hours a day, which is simply too much for them to bear. We believe that daily power outages shouldn't last longer than two to three hours. the energy austerity measures are reasonable and doable, but they must be carried out without impeding industrial and agricultural productivity. After eight o'clock, the government has already requested that malls and roadside shops close, with the exception of pharmacies. But most stores stay open until midnight, and this measure must be severely enforced. Additionally, unnecessary lightning is sometimes seen, which needs to be controlled. in this period of national crisis, it is the responsibility of the people to practice austerity in their use of gas and electricity, and people must play their role.
Worse still, there is no sign of a resolution to the five-month conflict, and mounting concerns about a wider conflict between Russia and the West have placed the world on a razor's edge
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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk
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The writer is a freelance columnis
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06-07 Comments 24th July 2022_Layout 1 7/24/2022 12:14 AM Page 2
Sunday, 24 July, 2022
COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan today exclusively
Significance of skill development
Wither Ballot; enter cash bags Horse-trading seems an acceptable way of politicking in Pakistan nAqi AkbAr
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S the Punjab assembly is done with the election of the leader of the House, after much front and behindthe-scenes politicking in the provincial capital lahore; the harsh reality of the political arena in Pakistan strongly suggests the increasing futility of success on the ballot for any individual, a movement, or a political party. the events in the run up to the astounding success of the Pti in by elections held on July 17 and the commencing of the “special operations” by the PDM to frustrate the Pti bid for the control of Punjab point towards undesirable trends in society and polity. With the memories of 25 defections from the ruling coalition in the National Assembly during the much-trumpeted vote of no-confidence still fresh in memory, the recent stories of newly elected Punjab provincial assembly members, being sent to foreign destinations by the incumbent coalition can be termed as the reckless practice of horse-trading. Floor crossing and horse-trading have long been considered undesirable political influences the world over. However, it has been accepted as a way of life in Pakistan. the situation can be gauged from the fact that the media, social media and the word of mouth do not hide the fact that the incumbent coalition is using all the armament in its stock to neutralize the upset accrued in the July 17 by-elections in Punjab. As per the information filtering out, one newly elected MPA is reportedly in turkey and another in the United Arab emirates on “financers’ expense”, probably supposed to turn up on voting day. the events in April, the developments both in the incumbent camp as well as in the opposition camp manned by the ousted dispensation made one thing clear in the eyes of the common man that his vote still mattered. they had the belief that what they voted in the ballot had the power to seat or unseat Mr A, B or c. the cash bag intervention has in fact put a grim dampener on the empowerment of the ballot in Pakistan. though by virtue of the numbers game, the Pti was all set to re-enter the Punjab Assembly in the capacity of the leader of the House; but it is stalked by the fear that cash inflows frustrated what it felt to be its well-deserved trophy. that it lost because of old-fashioned politics was perhaps no consolation. As things stand, the reaction of the Pti in lahore at the start of the week does register a strong protest against reported bids of horsetrading in the Punjab Assembly. However, it is an ominous development and can severely dent the faith of the electorate in the system itself. it may be pointed out that Pakistan’s experience with the hybrid system, which has been unannounced and in force since the demise of General Zia ul Haq in 1988; has been instrumental in eroding much of the trust of the electorate in the system itself. the external stakeholders have made it a point to meet the PM of the country and the cOAS separately to emphasize the point, as to where the power lies. likewise the domains of federation, foreign policy and defence have been totally out of bounds for the sitting prime ministers and have already created a much fractured be-
lief in the system and civilian setup. For a common person; any relative picked up by the elite intelligence agency means that a civilian setup will not be able to help him out. that setup has not been built up in a few months; rather through the decades.the recent infusion of black money into the domination of that set up has taken away whatever semblance of restraint there was on the part of the bewildered Pakistani public. elaborating it further, the low-key hybrid arrangements put in place by the then President Ghulam ishaq Khan in 1988 remained in force until 1999, when the powers behind came out in full force. that earlier hybrid experiment was characterized by similar episodes as we observe today. Benazir Bhutto in the centre during her tenure between December 1988 to August 1990 had a hard time and was constantly put under pressure through the Nawaz Sharif-led PMl/iJi. When the PMl fell out with ishaq, then it was PPP in April 1993 which lent its support to the caretaker setup and was again available for support when the Kakar formula was implemented 29 years ago in July 1993. Predictably in October 1996, the PMl(N) stood by the then President Farooq leghari when the PPP government was sent home for the second time during the 1988 to 1999 “democratic hybrid interlude”. During all these presidential interventions; the president acted less as a symbol of federation and acted more in line with what the established order asked him to do. Fast track to 2007, when the Musharraf setup was showing signs of cracks, the foreign powers were interested in getting Pakistan on board for its global designs by employing civilians instead of military. the imminent return of Benazir Bhutto to power in 2008 was unceremoniously cut short by mysterious assassination in December 2007. the Kerry lugar Bill of 200910 was the first expression of that shift in the Pentagon too; working with the civilians while keeping a parallel line with the established order. that cat and mouse game was evident throughout the PPP tenure during 2008-2013, when the established order criticized the Kerrylugar Bill, tried to shrug off its complicity in Osama bin laden’s killing in Abbottabad in May 2011 and the pressure through the judiciary on the incumbent prime minister. the then PM yousaf reza Gillani was the first political casualty of the new hybrid social contract; which took a complete shape in the 2018 established order/Pti working coalition. the same feat was repeated again during the
PMl(N) tenure between 2013 and 2018 when the Godsent Panama papers allowed the system to create an air of accusation; potent enough to disqualify the then incumbent PM Nawaz Sharif. in both cases; for PPP raja Ashraf and for the pml(n) Shahid Khaqan aqBASi played the rest of the inning for their respective parties. the experiment with tHe Pti was also thought to follow the previous patterns; the reason the forces behind the thrones allowed the customary five-year tenures to both the parties, allowing Pakistanis to falsely bask in the feeling that Pakistan is a vibrant democracy. However, the experiment went berserk; the rest is a developing story. the infusion of the cash inflows during the vote of no-confidence was itself an experience, which was faced with opposition from the common person throughout the country. it was no coincidence that the Pti was booted out of power not through the vote of the party dissidents offered cash bags; but by the parties in the coalition. the established order and the judiciary felt the rage of people and that was the reason, no one condoned the stances taken by the dissident MNAs. the recent infusion and its publicity as a “special task “by the media; news of people sent outside the country and lodged in the hotels is a dampener for a decent voter; who feels cheated. cheated on the count that his ballot can be neutralized, done away with and put in trash, just because the law of the land cannot stop cash infusion for the elite. Here it is ironic to note that while the country, its government, the central bank, the system as whole especially the military are publicly committed to their faith on FAtF, the cash bags to the purchase worthy members of assemblies do not fall under the AMl/money laundering classification, nor are classified as suspicious cash transactions. that only strengthens the belief that there are two Pakistans. this is the very reason that people during the last three months have rallied around the ousted Pti. the condoning of yet another round of horse trading, wheeling and dealing by the established order and its civilian beneficiaries is pushing the common Pakistani towards a hard conclusion. An antibiotic from within the system will not cure the ills. the country might need a proverbial “khamini” (as pronounced on the street) to correct it. incidentally similar sentiments are also expressed by those close to Khan. it is the time to organize a Magna carta for all concerned, failing which; it is public choice; colombo 2022/tehran 1979/ Paris 1783.
The condoning of yet another round of horse trading, wheeling and dealing by the established order and its civilian beneficiaries is pushing the common Pakistani towards a hard conclusion. An antibiotic from within the system will not cure the ills. The country might need a proverbial “khamini” (as pronounced on the street) to correct it
The writer is a freelance columnist
tHree factors are globally responsible for human resource development: education, health and a decent standard of living. With time, environmental sustainability is also being considered an essential aspect of human resource development. Most developed countries have attained long-term economic sustainability by ensuring these parameters. Japan, for example, rose from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki owing to its resilient and efficient human resource. Similar is the case with other developed countries. the United States, which once was highly dependent on Middle eastern countries for energy resources, is now self-sufficient due to its shale revolution. likewise, the impressive economies of certain countries, such as South Korea, taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, offer ample evidence of strong correlation between skilled human resource and economic growth. these countries invest heavily in their respective human resources. their literacy rates stand above 90 per cent, their healthcare systems are exceptionable, and they enjoy a decent standard of living, for they face no energy, water and food crises. Along with these blessings, gender inequality, unemployment, brain drain, high inflation, etc., which have engulfed the underdeveloped countries, are considered issues of the past in such developed economies. On the other hand, Pakistan, which is blessed with tremendous natural resources, is lacking in achieving its desired economic growth and sustainability owing to its underdeveloped human resource. Although almost 64pc of the population is below the age of 30 years, lack of quality education, substandard healthcare facilities, and paucity of employment opportunities have made them useless in terms of contribution to the national economy. the ousted government tried to bring education reforms through the single national curriculum (SNc). However, without mainstreaming the out-of-school children, regulating the ‘ghost schools’, maintaining the infrastructure and ending the education apartheid in letter and in spirit, these ‘reforms’ alone have no potential to cure the ills of the country’s education system. Similarly, the healthcare system is also in a shambles as public-sector expenditure on health was estimated at 1.2pc of GDP in 2019-20, according to the economic Survey of Pakistan 2020-21, which is meagre compared to the global average expenditure on this sector. therefore, only 1,282 hospitals, 5,472 basic health units (BHUs), 670 rural health centres (rHcs), 5,743 dispensaries, 752 maternity and child health centres, and 412 tuberculosis (tB) treatment centres are present for 220 million people. A decent standard of living is severely compromised due to extreme poverty. Although on paper, almost 29pc of the populace is below the poverty line, in reality the number is much larger. Such people are deprived of even basic facilities, like clean water for drinking, fuel for cooking, food for eating, and electricity for running their electrical appliances. in Kohistan and many other areas across the length and breadth of the country, women walk several miles every day to collect water as Pakistan is a water-deficit country. We can save water for only 30 days owing to our inefficiency despite having rich water resources. Similarly, a healthy basket of food is available to a limited number of people, therefore, malnutrition and child stunting are common. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, 37pc children are food-insecure, 45pc are stunted and 20pc undernourished in Pakistan. Other than food shortages, long hours of electricity loadshedding has made the life of the common man miserable. this sorry state of affairs throws light on the current status of Pakistan’s human resource underdevelopment. consequently, economic growth, stability and sustainability remain a pipe dream. All horrible economic indicators are in front of us. circular debt, hyperinflation and external debt are rising, while fiscal and trade deficits are widening. in order to tackle the situation, the government, along with all the relevant stakeholders, should invest in skill development programmes, quality education, and healthcare facilities, instead of putting its energies in free cash transfer schemes. the nation needs long-term committed programmes; not charity or charitable schemes. Pakistan’s economy needs growth followed by sustainability. in this regard, human resource development and management will be helpful as among all the natural resources, this particular resource has no alternative. SHADAB KHAN ISLAMABAD
Sindh Public Service Commission SiNDH Public Service commission (SPSc) — responsible for recruiting civil servants and bureaucrats — remains deactivated. Shutting down this principal recruitment agency has been disastrous for all the aspirants preparing for the combined competitive examinations (cce) last conducted by the commission in 2020. For two years now, the candidates are still awaiting results because the SPSc is no longer functional. Similarly, the commission has yet to announce the results for the lectureship exams conducted about one-and-a-half years ago in various college education and literacy Department categories. the aspirants who were looking forward to careers in various public departments continue to wait in agony. the provincial government should immediately act to save the candidates’ efforts from getting wasted. AHMED KHAN DADu
Problems of Teachers tHe non-regularisation of the services of Secondary School educators (SSes) and Assistant education Officers (AeOs) of the School education Department in Punjab is a matter of grave concern. the candidates were recruited through proper channel, involving scrutiny by the National testing Service (NtS) followed by departmental interviews. Nine years have passed, but the services of educators of different cadres in Punjab are yet to be regularised. Most of them have gotten over-age for any other job now, but the government is not interested in regularising their services. All the previous educators recruited through the same enrolment policy were regularised well ahead of time. No hurdles were seen in this regard in the past. recently, the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has regularised the services of over 63,000 employees of different departments. Why is the Punjab government reluctant to do the same? the non-serious attitude towards the educators is creating unrest among them. the relevant authorities in Punjab should look into the matter and address the issue at the earliest so that educational activities may continue unaffected. TAuqEEr ABBAS JAND
08 WORLD VIEW 24th July 24_Layout 1 7/23/2022 11:44 PM Page 1
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08 WORLD VIEW
NoN doLLAr trAde threAteNs AmericAN domiNANce THE US IS FACING A CHANGING WORLD IN WHICH FINANCIAL INNOVATION, SHIFTS IN GLOBAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, AND NEW GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES ARE REDEFINING HOW ECONOMIC POWER CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT NATIONAL SECURITY OBJECTIVES tiPPinSigHtS editoriAl BoArd
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HeN President Putin met with the leaders of Iran and turkey last week in tehran, the corporate media was fixated on a storyline triggered by the White House: Russia was rapidly depleting its weapons inventory and was seeking hundreds of surveillance drones from Iran, including those capable of firing missiles. trilateral talks are rarely about one issue and what the media failed to cover adequately was how the three countries advanced cooperation to bypass the U.s. dollar in mutual transactions. the trade volume between turkey and Russia reached $26 billion in 2019, most of it in Russian energy imports. Under the current system, at least until before Western sanctions crippled Russian banks, nearly all
of this commerce would be dollarized through the use of correspondent banks. A correspondent bank - such as Citibank or Deutsche Bank - is a safe third-party financial institution that acts as a go-between between buyer and seller to conduct cross-border payments and work primarily through sWIFt messaging. All the correspondent banks have accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank. this is how it would work. A Russian buyer of turkish carpets instructs his local bank to search the sWIFt system to find a correspondent bank that works with the turkish seller's bank. Rubles are converted to dollars, and the dollars are reconverted to Lira with the entire transaction recorded at the Fed. Nearly 90% of all such cross-border commerce, even when a United states entity is not involved, is still routed through the
Fed. this fact gives the treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) enormous power to block fund transfers to countries, groups, or individuals subject to American sanctions. In a 2021 paper, the treasury reported that an incredible 9,421 sanctions designations were active, a 933% increase since 9/11 as American administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have used sanctions as a primary diplomatic weapon. each country that America considers unworthy of membership in the global family of nations until they change their behavior Venezuela, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Iraq, syria - is a target of American sanctions. even countries crucial to American longterm geopolitical interests - India, Brazil, south Africa, and China - invite America's ire if these nations deal with sanctioned countries.
How the law is being misused to stop Indians from criticising politicians ARRESTS ARE COMMON AND BAIL DIFFICULT. THIS HAS A CHILLING EFFECT ON INNOCUOUS SPEECH ABOUT POLITICIANS
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ctor KetAKi chitale was arrested for posting a poem about politician Sharad Pawar while filmmaker Avinash das was arrested for sharing photograph of Home Minister Amit Shah with a suspended bureaucrat. on Wednesday, filmmaker Avinash das was arrested for posting a photo of Union minister Amit Shah with suspended indian Administrative Service officer Pooja Singhal, who has been arrested on charges of money laundering. das has been charged under sections dealing with forgery for the purpose of harming someone’s reputation and transmitting obscene material. the first information report against das states that he lied about when Shah’s picture with the iAS officer had been taken. Police claim that das habitually posts fake news on social media. He has also been booked for insulting the national flag for sharing a photo of a woman wearing the indian tricolour. das’s arrest was part of a trend that appears to have become more pronounced recently: people being arrested for criticising politicians. Few of these cases actually result in convictions, lawyers say. But they have a chilling effect on free speech, as the long-drawn legal process of arrests and bail becomes the punishment. AcroSS PArtY lineS: Arrests for mocking or criticising politicians cut across party lines. in May, Marathi actor Ketaki chitale was arrested in Maharashtra for a social media post about nationalist congress Party chief Sharad Pawar. She had shared a poem that said that “hell is waiting” for Pawar
and made comments about his appearance and illness. twenty-two Firs have been registered against chitale for her post. in June, Youtuber roddur roy was arrested for abusing West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a Facebook live session. in March, the Azamgarh Police arrested a man who was allegedly abusing Prime Minister narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief Minister Adityanath in a video. He was charged with intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and transmitting obscene material, among other charges. in several other cases, social media users have been booked for “objectionable posts” about Adityanath on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. even legislators have been arrested. in April, gujarat Member of legislative Assembly Jignesh Mevani was arrested for tweeting that Modi was a worshipper of nathuram godse, Mahatama gandhi’s assassin. in these cases, laws related to social harmony and curbing hate speech are used, lawyers say. Some commonly used sections in these cases are: 153A of the indian Penal code, which punishes anyone who promotes enmity between different groups, and 504 of the iPc, which prohibits intentional insults for breaching peace. the national crime records Bureau data shows that there has been a five-fold increase in Section 153A cases from 2014 to 2020. “Sometimes, the police may charge a person under sections that have absolutely no bearing on the case,” advocate and author chitranshul Sinha said. these cases have continued even though one of the laws that was commonly used by politicians against critics was struck down by the courts. in 2015, the Supreme court struck down Section 66A of the information technology Act, which criminalised “sending offensive messages” online and was routinely used by political parties against their critics. this law. But now, Section 67 of the it Act, which prohibits publishing any obscene material online, is widely used. “Most of these cases result in acquittal,” Sinha said. According to reports, Section 153A cases have the lowest conviction rates – only one in five – among all crimes.
“But the point is to have a chilling effect, which happens by keeping people in jail and making them run for bail,” Sinha said. regiStering FirS eASY: it is not that there is ambiguity in the laws used for these arrests. “there are enough judgments defining what is obscene speech, what promotes enmity etc.,” delhi-based criminal lawyer Sowjhanya Shankaran said. “However, there is not a very high threshold for registering an Fir.” the registration of an Fir is mandatory if a cognisable offense is made out. if the police think that a cognisable offence has not been made out, they can also conduct a preliminary inquiry. cognisable offences are those for which the police can make arrests without a warrant. Some of the offences mentioned above, such as Section 153A, are cognisable. “on the ground, getting an Fir registered also depends on who is registering it and against whom it is being registered,” said advocate on record talha Abdul rahman. “if it is a case involving politicians, the police will be cautious to comply.” even when an Fir is registered, “whether an arrest needs to be made is the question in these cases”, Shankaran said. the Supreme court has laid down conditions for arrests in offences that carry a sentence of less than seven years’ imprisonment, she said. But these are rarely followed. once arrested, bail becomes extremely difficult. “in most states, lower courts are very reluctant to give bail,” rahman said. “Someone can easily accuse them of corruption, bribery etc., and ask for an inquiry.” As a result, magistrates act as rubber stamps while giving the police custody of the people accused. Sinha said that it is often the sessions and High courts that grant bail in these cases. However, this takes time. “At every step, the process becomes the punishment,” rahman said. in some instances, even higher courts may not offer relief. on July 15, the Allahabad High court refused to quash a first information report against a person who allegedly called the prime minister and home minister “dog”. Free speech under the constitution does not extend to abusing citizens, the court said, “much less the prime minister or other ministers”.
As the American sanctions regime grows more extensive and unwieldy, target nations have begun to retaliate by devising ways to bypass sanctions altogether. While digital currencies, alternative payment platforms to sWIFt, and new ways of hiding cross-border transactions all matter, establishing barter-like national currency systems is the most powerful threat yet to American hegemony. In 2019, Russia and turkey inked a deal in which all trade between the two countries would be directly in Lira or Ruble, bypassing the dollar entirely. In March, Russia offered India an agreement wherein it could buy Russian oil and weapons in Rupees, even as the U.s. sanctions regime was tightening. In June, an Indian cement maker bought Russian coal in Chinese yuan, settling the trade through a shanghai correspondent bank. Monthly yuan-ruble volumes rose 1,067% to just under $4 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, Bloomberg said in May. If this pace keeps up, yuan-ruble trades could reach 25% of commerce between the two countries, up from 7% in 2013 and 18% in 2017, according to the Wall street Journal.
the trend is worrisome. Beijing is most likely paying close attention to the flailing sanctions attack on Russia. these lessons could come in handy, if and when China finally decides to act on taiwan. Iran's regime has developed immunity to sanctions. Iran has figured out how to avoid them and survive. tehran is also spreading its tactics to countries such as Venezuela and other rogue regimes. Last week, Iran launched the Iranian rial-Russian ruble trading platform in its foreign exchange market after the two countries agreed on a $40 billion deal to step up oil and gas exploration, the entire arrangement to be consummated in rial or ruble. even the treasury admits that such approaches could undermine the effectiveness of U.s. sanctions. "the United states faces a changing world where financial innovation, shifts in global economic activity, and new geopolitical challenges are redefining how economic power can be used to support national security objectives. to effectively confront these changes, treasury must modernize and adapt its sanctions policy and operational framework." While America has imposed the harshest sanctions on Russia in history - isolating Russian banks, groups, and individuals, freezing Russian foreign exchange reserves, and even engineering Russia's default - the intended outcome has fallen far short of expectations. Russia has continued to finance its war through energy trades with non-Western countries. the ruble is 33% stronger than at the beginning of the war, even as the euro, Pound, and yen have fallen to historic lows against the dollar.
The important counter narrative on Biden’s Middle East trip SYMBOLISM MATTERS, BUT PROGRESS MATTERS MORE — AND THERE WAS PROGRESS
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Al-Monitor
et’s start here: Joe Biden’s recent trip to the Middle east was among the most consequential Us presidential visits to the region in years. All presidential trips are designed to deliver both tangible and intangible gains, often on complex or sensitive issues that require the ultimate decisionmaker to weigh in. But they seldom resolve issues like the Yemen civil war or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as desirable as that might be. Instead, there’s invariably a focus on the symbolic — a meeting between adversaries or, as in Biden’s trip, a fist bump with a former “pariah.” But there should also be an appreciation of the progress on issues of consequence, including and especially on Iran and global energy and food security. Only with Biden’s trip to saudi Arabia last week could those issues so quickly be elevated to the six heads of the Gulf Cooperation Council, egypt, Iraq and Jordan, not to mention the first stops for meetings with leaders in Israel and the West Bank. Much critical commentary has been focused, wrongly, on Biden returning "empty-handed" from his trip to saudi Arabia. Worse, he was criticized for appearing to backtrack from his previous comment that saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin salman was a "pariah" because of Us intelligence's assessment of his role in the death of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018. the Biden trip to saudi Arabia was both necessary and impactful, furthering Us diplomacy and deterrence in the region, for at least seven reasons, probably more. the saudi reset. Although the administration stumbled from the outset on whether Biden would meet with MBs, and then probably botched the choreography by agreeing to the fist bump, it was the sit-down with the crown prince that gave the Biden visit its urgency and relevance. "Deliverables" on energy, Iran, Yemen, food security, and more could only be set right once Biden and MBs cleared the air. With the meeting, Us-saudi relations have moved into the post-Khashoggi phase, which was inevitable. Biden’s exchange with MBs was distinctly American, and distinctly Biden. the differences were stated bluntly and directly, and the conversation and agenda moved on to other affairs of state. this was not to forgive and forget over the Khashoggi murder. It was "let’s get it out in the open, because we have work to do." that work, outlined in the Jeddah Communique, is long and loaded with shared priorities. Deterring Iran. this column has argued that nuclear diplomacy with Iran requires a robust Us-led regional deterrent posture — whether there is a deal or not. Building on increasingly expansive if quiet talks involving Israel and some Gulf states, and by flying from tel Aviv to Riyadh, Biden sent a clear message to both Us partners and tehran about the Us security commitment. He also restated his preference for diplomacy with Iran and not, as Ben Caspit reported, fixing a timeline for the talks to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as Israeli leaders wanted him to do. Note that Iran’s commentary on the trip has been restrained; Iran’s foreign minister said this week that Iran will keep negotiating until sanctions are lifted.
Yemen’s ceasefire. the fragile four-month ceasefire needs to be renewed Aug. 2. the Us-saudi partnership on Yemen has been a good news story for the Biden administration. Biden appointed tim Lenderking as envoy to Yemen, and he has been working closely with the kingdom, the UN, and other partners to end what was once described as the world’s greatest humanitarian tragedy. A lot depends on Iran and the Houthis, of course. But the progress to date would be nowhere without the revived Us-saudi partnership over the past year. Food security. David Beasley, the head of the World Food Program, said this week that the global food crisis resulting from the Ukraine war is going to be "beyond anything we’ve seen in our lifetime." there are already riots around the world because of price hikes and shortages. the risks are especially high in egypt, Jordan, tunisia and Lebanon. this is a crisis which is expected to get a lot worse. It deserves summit-level attention. the Us, GCC+3 joint statement included announcements of $11 billion for food security assistance. Don’t rule out OPeC+ yet. While Biden did not get a commitment for an expansion of saudi oil production, there is still some potential give when the current OPeC+ agreement expires in late August. And that potential give would have been a non-starter without the meetings in saudi Arabia. While saudi officials have said the decision will be based on the market and in consultation with the other members of OPeC+, including Russia, the hedge here is that the Us-saudi partnership will be part of the calculation as well in Riyadh. Martin Indyk told Al-Monitor last week that an understanding on some expanded production is likely a done deal. Karen elliott House wrote this week that while MBs won’t shut down his relationship with Russia in OPeC+, she too expects OPeC+ to boost production in september. Rebuilding Palestinian-Gulf ties. While expectations were low for progress on Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy, especially with an interim Israeli government in place, there appears to have been some work done to rebuild Palestinian-Gulf ties. Relations between the Palestinians and especially the UAe and saudi Arabia have been bad, but the Biden visit spurred some baby steps toward reconciliation, securing $100 million in aid from the GCC for the east Jerusalem Hospital Network, which provides healthcare to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem. It’s a start. Biden also told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he had succeeded in stalling some Israeli settlement expansion, as Daoud Kuttab reports. Iraqi energy security. Biden welcomed Iraqi agreements with saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan to diversify Baghdad’s energy resources and lessen dependence on Iran. Iraq’s participation in the summit was noteworthy and consequential. the agreement to link the Iraq and GCC electricity grids is a boost for Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who has recast Iraq’s role in regional affairs, expanding ties with the GCC and the Levant, while balancing ties with Iran. In a separate meeting, Biden and Kadhimi reaffirmed the Us-Iraq strategic Framework Agreement. the summit meetings and energy cooperation agreements were timely. Iraq has been unable to form a government since elections in October 2021, and this week accused turkey of an attack in Iraqi Kurdistan which killed nine civilians, as Amberin Zaman reports.
Sunday, 24 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
NEWS
corporate corner Bank Alfalah, ACE Money Transfer give away KIA Sportage to six lucky remittance senders KArAchI: Bank Alfalah, in partnership with ACE Money Transfer, is rewarding six lucky overseas Pakistanis for using legal remittance channels with a Kia Sportage Alpha SUVs each in a ceremony being held today. A promotional campaign in this regard was launched for customers sending remittances via ACE Money Transfer between April 1 and June 30, 2022 from the UK, European Union, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia to any of Bank Alfalah account or for cash pickup at any of its over 790 branches in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saad Ur Rahman Khan, Group Head Bank Alfalah Corporate, Investment Banking & International Business, said “A successful marketing campaign has come to a conclusion today as we show appreciation to our valuable customers for choosing Bank Alfalah to send their remittance. We hope to continue to be the choice for innovative and convenient solutions for our overseas Pakistanis and encourage them to remit money through legal channels”. Mr. Rashid Ashraf, CEO of ACE Money Transfer, has reiterated his support of the campaign by saying, “ACE Money Transfer remains committed to facilitating overseas Pakistanis with fast, secure and convenient remittance options. We are excited to continue our partnership with Bank Alfalah in promoting legal channels of remittances to Pakistan”. Staff RepoRt
Subsidized items sugar, ghee and flour available in abundance at all utility stores across country: USC
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FErTIlIzErS ProdUCTIon wITnESSEd 2.7PC GrowTh In 11 MonThS oF FY22 ISLAMABAD
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HE fertilizers output including potassium and nitrogen in the country during 11 months of fiscal year 2021-22 witnessed about 2.7 percent growth as compared to the manufacturing of corresponding period of last year. During the period from July-May, 2021-22, about 739,217 metric tons of potassium fertilizer was manufactured as compared to the manufacturing of 679,798 metric tons of same period last year (2020-21), according to the provisional quantum indices of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, the local output of potassium fertilizer grew by 8.7 percent and on month on month basis it increased by 3.63 percent in May, 2022 as against the same month of last year, it added. Meanwhile, domestic production
of nitrogen fertilizers witnessed about 1.97 percent increase as about 3.112 million tons of the commodity produced in order to meet local requirements of farming communities during current sowing season. The output of nitrogen fertilizers was recorded at 3.052 million tons in
11 months of fiscal year 2020, showing an increase of 1.97 percent during the period under review. The overall output of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) during 11 months of fiscal year 2021-22 witnessed about 7.1 percent growth as compared to the production of the cor-
responding period last year. The LSMI output increased by 9.9 percent during the month of May, 2022 as compared to the same month of last year, meanwhile, it grew by 0.04 percent as compared with April 2022, according to the the provisional quantum indices of LSMI released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The data was compiled for May 2022 with base year 2005-06, on the basis of latest figures supplied by the source agencies, it added. It is worth mentioning here that government is also intended to import about 200,000 tons of Urea fertilizer in order to ensure provision of the commodity on affordable rates for farmers during current season as well as for coming season. Besides, it was also taking special measures to stop its smuggling and hoarding for ensuring smooth supply throughout the season on sustainable prices across the country to save the farmers from any exploitation.
Minister in India’s West Bengal arrested in education scam probe KOLKATA agencieS
India’s financial-crime investigation agency arrested a West Bengal government minister on Saturday for allegedly making money off recruitment for state-run schools, officials said. Partha Chatterjee, who was education minister in the eastern state for more than five years, was accused of appointing hundreds of teachers
ISLAMABAD: Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has said that the Federal government is providing special subsidy on basic food items at utility stores for the facilitation of the poor segments of the society Special subsidy is being provided on sugar, ghee and flour. Sugar is being provided at 70 rupees per kg, ghee at 300 rupees per kg and a 10 kg bag of flour at 400 rupees. While a discount is being given on rice and pulses as well. Ample supply of subsidized items has been ensured at all stores across the country. There is no shortage of anything. For the convenience of the people, the supply of these items has been increased at the stores. To avoid rush, the number of counters at big stores has been increased. The management of Utility Stores Corporation is always striving to provide the best services to the public. Staff RepoRt
and non-teaching staff for money and other forms of bribes, putting them in positions they were not qualified for or had they paid acquire, said an official of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Chatterjee, who holds three ministerial posts, was arrested at his home in the state capital, Kolkata, ED said. “The minister has been charged under the provisions of the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act,” an ED official said. Chatterjee’s lawyer and family could not immediately be reached for comment. The directorate said in a statement it had seized about 200 million rupees ($2.5 million) in cash from the house of an actor and model, a close associate of Chatterjee, finding incriminating documents, details of dubious companies, electronic devices, foreign currency and gold from the premises of other government officials linked to the alleged scam. The arrest is a blow to West Bengal’s ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) party. Its leader and other members are among the most vocal critics of Narendra Modi’s federal government. “The party is in no way connected to the unaccounted money recovered by the agency,” said AITC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. The probe was ordered after some teachers reported alleged recruitment anomalies to the high court of the state, home to some of India’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions. ($1 = 79.8300 Indian rupees)
Safe City Islamabad re-organized, says IGP ISLAMABAD: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan has issued standing orders about re-organizing of Safe city, Islamabad, a police public relations officer said. He said that the step was taken to put the vision of Prime Minister Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mian Shehbaz Sharif into practice and on the special directions of Federal Interior Minister Rana Sana Ullah Khan adding that all the Information Technology based systems are being shifted to Safe city. He further said that 1500 cameras are being added in Safe City with the coordination of Capital Development Authority (CDA) in phase-I adding that the capacity of the safe city will be enhanced. Nomenclature of DG Safe City is changed into DIG Safe City while Director Operations Safe City into SSP Safe City, he maintained. He further said that all the systems of Islamabad Capital Police will be centralized at Safe City adding that police reporting, response of Eagle squad, Electronic media and other systems will be monitored here. Eagle squad will not be allowed to erect any picket anywhere himself. He further stated that, to ensure the privacy and protection of official data, all the technical support to the Investigation Wing will be provided from Safe City adding that Electronic and Social media monitoring has already been shifted there. IGP Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan in his statement said that by centralizing all the systems of Islamabad Capital Police, the monitoring and response time will be better and it will also help to provide immediate facilities to the public.
Daily gas flow from Russia to Europe at lowest in last four years ANKARA agencieS
Natural gas flow from Moscow to Europe has decreased to the lowest levels in the past four years, below 100 million cubic meters since the beginning of July from quantities ranging from 400 to 500 million cubic meters per day. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Ukraine transmission system operator, Europe imported 155 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia, corresponding to about 40% of the continent’s natural gas consumption last year. Russia, which sends natural gas to Europe via Ukraine, also transmits natural gas to Europe and Türkiye using the TurkStream, Nord Stream 1, Yamal and Blue Stream natural gas pipelines. However, since the start of the war with Ukraine, its exports to Europe have dropped significantly from the highs seen in October 2019 of over 500 million cubic meters, IEA data confirms. From Feb. 24 this year, with the start of Russian attacks in Ukraine, reduced flow transiting via Ukraine and a halt in transmission
from the Nord Stream-2 natural gas pipeline, the decline accelerated and fell to 200 million cubic meters as of the end of May. This flow further dropped to 100 million cubic meters at the beginning of July, marking an 80% plummet relative to the record highs of 500 million cubic meters. The decrease in the capacity of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was decisive in the decline in gas flow. Russia’s Gazprom had warned on June 15 of reduced shipments through the pipeline, citing the non-return of technical equipment necessary for maintenance from Germany’s Siemens company. The pipeline, which can transmit 160 million cubic meters of gas per day, is only transmitting 65 million cubic meters of natural gas per day from July 21. EuropE contInuES ItS pLAn to wEAn off ruSSIAn gAS SuppLIES: Since Europe is highly dependent on Russian energy, the EU has accelerated efforts to diversify supplies and has sought alternatives by buying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and filling natural gas storage tanks where possible from the current 64% occupancy rate. To this end, a memorandum of under-
standing was signed between the EU and Baku for more gas purchases from Azerbaijan to alleviate shortages over the winter season. However, despite the nine LNG import terminals in Europe, the UK and Türkiye, Germany, one of the largest Russian gas importers, is unable to avail of these facilities because it only imports gas via pipeline. The highest LNG import capacity in Spain of around 70 billion cubic meters has a limited gas transmission link to other European countries, notably France, which has no connection preventing transmission to other neighboring countries. Although Germany has access to LNG terminals in the Netherlands, it is insufficient for the country’s demand. During former US President Donald Trump’s term, the construction of an LNG import terminal came to the fore from US pressure on Germany, but the process was suspended due to financial reasons. After the war between Moscow and Kyiv, the issue resurfaced and Germany ultimately agreed to build LNG terminals. To alleviate shortages, the EU demanded that all member countries reduce their gas consumption by 15% within the scope of the
emergency plan it prepared against the possibility of interruption of natural gas flow from Russia on July 20. However, Spain was the first to respond to this with a statement from the Spanish En-
vironment Minister Teresa Ribera who said that, “no matter what happens, the gas and electricity of Spanish families will not be cut off. Whatever happens, Spain will defend the position of Spanish industry.”
Sunday, 24 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
10 FOREIGN NEWS
‘RepReHensible’ Russian stRikes On Odessa pORt cast dOubt OveR gRain deal ODESSA
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Agencies
USSIAN missiles hit Ukraine’s port of Odessa Saturday, in what Kyiv called a “spit in the face” of a day-old deal between the warring sides to resume cereal exports blocked by the conflict. The Ukrainian military said its air defences had shot down two cruise missiles but two more hit the port, threatening the landmark agreement hammered out over months of negotiations aimed at relieving a global food crisis. The Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said the strike was “a spit in the face” by Russian leader Vladimir Putin against the deal brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres. Guterres — who presided over the signing ceremony on Friday — “unequivocally” condemned the reported attack on Odessa, his deputy spokesman said, and urged all sides stick to the deal to allow grain exports. “These products are desperately needed to address the global food crisis and ease the suffering of millions of people in need around the globe,”
he said. The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell directly blamed Russia for the strikes. “Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of (the) Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible and again demonstrates Russia’s total disregard for international law and commitments,” he said. There was no immediate reaction from Moscow after the attack. Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Rus-
Monkeypox outbreak constitutes global health emergency: WHO The rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak represents a global health emergency, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) highest level of alert, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Saturday. The WHO label — a “public health emergency of international concern” — is designed to sound an alarm that a coordinated international response is needed and could unlock funding and global efforts to collaborate on sharing vaccines and treatments. Members of an expert committee that met on Thursday to discuss the potential recommendation were split on the decision, two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Reuters earlier, but the final decision falls to the UN agency’s director-general. Announcing his decision to declare the health emergency during a media briefing in Geneva, Tedros confirmed that the committee had failed to reach a consensus, with nine members against and six in favour of the declaration. Previously, Tedros has typically endorsed expert committee recommendations, but the sources said he had likely decided to back the highest alert level due to concerns about escalating case rates and a short supply of vaccines and treatments, despite the lack of a majority opinion. Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown Law in Washington, DC, who follows the WHO, said he applauded the political bravery of the agency. “It does nothing but burnish the stature of WHO. The right result is clear — not declaring an emergency at this point would be a historic missed opportunity.” So far this year, there have been more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox in more than 75 countries and five deaths in Africa. The viral disease — which spreads via close contact and tends to cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions — has been spreading chiefly in men who have sex with men in the recent outbreak, outside Africa where it is endemic. Agencies
sia would bear “full responsibility for deepening the global food crisis” if the assault jeopardised the agreement. The first major accord between the countries since the February invasion of Ukraine aims to ease the “acute hunger” that the United Nations says faces an additional 47 million people because of the war. Hostility between Moscow and Kyiv had spilled over into Friday’s signing ceremony in Istanbul — delayed briefly by disputes about the display of flags around the table and
Ukraine’s refusal to put its name on the same document as the Russians. Ukraine had entered the ceremony by bluntly warning that it would conduct “an immediate military response” should Russia violate the agreement and attack its ships or stage an incursion around its ports. The two sides eventually inked separate but identical agreements in the presence Guterres and Erdogan at Istanbul’s lavish Dolmabahce Palace. Guterres, moments before the signing, hailed the agreement as “a beacon of hope”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said the responsibility for enforcing the deal would fall to the United Nations, which along with Turkey is a co-guarantor of the agreement. The agreement includes points on running Ukrainian grain ships along safe corridors that avoid known mines in the Black Sea. Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced from their homes since Russia invaded its proWestern neighbour on February 24. Huge quantities of wheat and other grain have also been blocked in Ukrainian ports by Russian warships and landmines Kyiv has laid to avert a feared amphibious assault.
Iran floods claim 22 lives: state media
TEHRAN Agencies
Flooding in southern Iran has killed at least 22 people and left one person missing following heavy rainfall in the largely arid country, a local official said Saturday. Iran has endured repeated droughts over the past decade, but also regular floods, a phenomenon made worse when torrential rain falls on sun-baked earth. Videos posted on local and social media showed vehicles being carried away by the rising waters of the Roodball river in the southern province of Fars. One video showed adults pulling a child from a car as it began to shift downstream. “The number of people killed has risen to 22 after another body was found,” due to floods that affected several towns in and around Estahban county, Javad Moradian, who heads a local rescue unit, told Mehr news agency.
A Red Crescent official earlier put the death toll at 21, with two people missing. The governor of Estahban, Yousef Kargar, said “around 5:00 pm yesterday, heavy rains… in the central parts of Estahban County led to flooding”, according to state news agency IRNA. The incident happened 174 kilometres (108 miles) east of the provincial capital Shiraz on a summer weekend, when families tend to head to cooler areas such as rivers, lakes and valleys. “A number of local people and sightseers (from other areas) who had gone to the riverside and were present in the river bed were caught in the flood due to the rise in the water level,” Kargar added. Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber called on the governor of Fars province to open an investigation into the incident and “to compensate the families of the victims,” according to IRNA.
Photos released by Iran’s Red Crescent Society showed rescue workers walking on cracked dry soil while others searched among reeds. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi toured the region to monitor rescue efforts, IRNA said. The state news agency also reported that a weather report put out by meteorologists in Fars warned there could be further strong rainfall ahead. In 2019, heavy rains in the country’s south left at least 76 people dead and caused damage estimated at more than $2 billion. In January, two people were initially reported killed in flash flooding in Fars when heavy rains hit the area, but the toll rose to at least eight there and elsewhere in Iran’s south. Like other regional countries, Iran has suffered chronic dry spells and heat waves for years, and these are expected to worsen. Scientists say climate change amplifies extreme weather, including droughts as well as the potential for the increased intensity of rain storms. In the last few months, Iran has seen demonstrations against the drying up of rivers, particularly in central and southwestern areas. Last November, tens of thousands of people gathered in the parched riverbed of the country’s Zayandeh Rood river, which runs through the central city of Isfahan, to complain about drought and condemn officials for diverting water.
Macron embarks on first africa trip of new term PARIS AFP
President Emmanuel Macron on Monday begins a threenation tour of western African states in the first trip to Africa of his new term as he seeks to reboot France’s postcolonial relationship with the continent. Macron will begin his July 25-28 tour, also the first venture outside Europe of his new mandate, with a visit to Cameroon, before moving on to Benin and then finishing the trip in Guinea-Bissau. Top of the agenda in the talks will be food supply issues, with African nations fearing shortages especially of grain due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But security will also loom large as France prepares to complete its pullout from Mali this year, with all countries in the region seeking to head off fears of Islamist insurgencies. The trip to three countries which rarely feature on the itinerary of global leaders comes with Macron, who won a new term in April, pledging to keep up his bid for a new relationship between France and Africa. France has also followed with concern the emergence of other powers seeking a foothold in an area Paris still considers parts of its sphere of influence, notably Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but also increasingly China and Russia. ‘Political Priority’ The tour “will show the commitment of the president in the process of renewing the relationship with the African continent”, said a French presidential official, who asked not to be named. It will signal that the African continent is a “political priority” of his presidency. In Cameroon, which has been riven by ethnic violence and an insurgency by anglophone separatists, Macron will meet President Paul Biya, 89, who has ruled the country for almost 40 years and is the longest-serving non-royal leader in the world. Biya has run the country with an iron fist, refusing demands for federalism and cracking down on the rebellion by separatists. Macron will move on Wednesday to Benin, a neighbour of Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria. The north of the country has faced more deadly attacks, with the jihadist threat now spreading from the Sahel to Gulf of Guinea nations. He is likely to be lauded for championing the return in November of 26 historic treasures which were stolen in 1892 by French colonial forces from Abomey, capital of the former Dahomey kingdom located in the south of modernday Benin. Benin was long praised for its thriving multi-party democracy. But critics say its democracy has steadily eroded under President Patrice Talon over the last half-decade. Opposition leader Reckya Madougou was sentenced in 2021 to 20 years in prison on terrorism charges. On Thursday, Macron will finish his tour in Guinea-Bissau, which has been riven by a political crisis at a time when its President Umaro Sissoco Embalo is preparing to take the helm of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). rethink strategy With all the countries criticised by activists over their rights records, the Elysee has insisted that governance and rights issues will be raised, albeit “without media noise but in the form of direct exchanges between the heads of states”. Macron’s first term was marked by visits to nonfrancophone African countries including regional powerhouses Nigeria and South Africa as he sought to engage with the entire continent and not just former French possessions. Benin is a former French colony, but GuineaBissau was once a Portuguese colony while Cameroon’s colonial heritage is a mixture of British and German as well as French.
China Space Station: Final rehearsal completed for launch of Wentian lab module BEIJING Agencies
The final rehearsal for the launch of the Wentian lab module of the China Space Station was completed on Friday, with each system ready for the launch. The rehearsal was mainly aimed at inspecting the various tasks for the launch mission. The lab module, weighing about 20 tonnes, is currently packed inside a Long March-5B heavy-lift rocket and sitting on a launchpad at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern province of Hainan. The first rehearsal was held after the Wentian lab module, and the Long March5B Y3 carrier rocket were transported to the launchpad on Monday, to test the changes in the airfields and cumulonimbus clouds dur-
ing the typhoon season. According to the testing results, the recent meteorological conditions meet the basic environmental requirements for the launch. The rocket has completed various functional inspections as well as pre-launch preparations. There are two launchpads now at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, both used to build the China Space Station, which is planned to be completed by the end of this year. One pad is for the Long-March 7 carrier rockets that sends Tianzhou cargo ships into low earth orbit, bringing supplies to the Chinese astronauts or taikonauts in space. On its top, there is a fantastic view of the beach in the near distance and not far away is its twin launch pad. The other is used for heavy-lift carrier
rockets like the Long-March 5B which launch big components of the space station like the Tianhe core module. The space lab modules Wentian and Mengtian will also be launched from this launch pad in July and October, respectively. “Our launchpad mainly protects our carrier rockets and spacecraft against wind and rain. It provides a platform to examine, test and refuel,” said Guo Bang, a system engineer from the Technical Department at the launch site. “It can also provide suitable temperature and humidity for them in the launch area,” he said. The two launchpads now supplement each other and play a major role in sending the many components of China’s space station into orbit and meet the taikonauts.
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Sunday, 24 July, 2022 | ISLAMABAD
SPORTS 11
GEN BAjWA WiTNESSES FiNAl MATCh oF 1ST CoAS NATioNAl iNTEr CluB hoCkEy ChAMPioNShiP LAHORe
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StAFF RePoRt
ENERAL Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff on Saturday visited Lahore and witnessed final match of 1st COAS National Inter Club Hockey Championship 2022. Various Hockey legends, Olympians witnessed the match to support the revival of the national game and appreciated the joint initiative of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Hockey Federation as talent hunt for sportsman around Pakistan. The final match was played between Lahore and Malir Hockey Clubs. Rana Zaheer hockey club Lahore beat Youth Hockey Club Malir Karachi after a thrilling contest. Chief Guest General Qamar Javed Bajwa (COAS) awarded Champions Trophy to the teams along with medals. Individual prizes to the
best player of the winning team, best goalkeeper, most goal scoring player, defender and best forward player were also awarded. COAS also met representatives of the clubs from the remote areas of Pakistan and players to encourage for sports revival and talent hunt across Pakistan. The championship started with 718 clubs from 72 districts and 28 divisions participating from all over the country contesting at four stages including district, divisional, provincial and finally concluded at National level. Pakistani delegation to ParticiPate in 22nd commonwealth games: Pakistan sports contingent will participate in the upcoming 22nd Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held from 28th July to 8th August 2022 in Birmingham, UK in which athletes from the 72 countries will compete. The opening cere-
Pak Army dominates in National Sr Taekwondo C’ship isLAMABAD StAFF RePoRt
Pakistan Army dominated in the khyrougi events of the 15th Korean Ambassador National Senior Taekwondo Championship at the Shehbaz Sharif Sports Complex, Rawalpindi on Saturday. Pakistan Army won 23 gold, 3 silver with 735 points, whereas Wapda stood second with 1 gold, 16 silver and 6 bronze with 417 points. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stands at third position by winning 1 gold, 2 silver and 12 bronze medals with 165 points. The event was being sponsored by Combaxx Sports and Korean Embassy. Teams from Provinces, Departments, Services, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK and Islamabad were participating in the extravaganza to run till July 25. In Senior (Khyrogi Category), Under 87 Kg (Middle Weight), Idrees Khan (PAF) secured first position while Faizan Junaid (Army), Muhammad Saeed (Wapda) and Muhammad Yasir (KP) bagged second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 80 Kg (Welter Weight), Mazhar Abbas (Army) took first position while Muhammad (Wapda), Syed Farman (PAF) and Syed Dawoood Shah (KP) grabbed second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 73 Kg (Middle Weight), Rahma (Army) achieved first position while Mubashira (PAF), Syeda Nida (HEC) and Ghulam Fatima (Wapda) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 67 Kg (Welter Weight), Maleeha Ali (HEC) got first position while Sara Rehman (Army), Sara Rehman (Wapda) and Iqra Javed (KP) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Over 73 Kg, Nusrat Bibi (Army) secured first position while Tayyeba (Wapda), Hira Khan (PAF) and Amana (AJK) bagged second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 46 Kg (Fin Weight), Noor Rehman (Army) secured first position while Alma (HEC), Areeba Javed (KP) and Farseen (Wapda) bagged second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Senior (Poomsae Category), Under 20 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae, Ahmed Shahzad (Army) gained first position while Arshad Usman (Islamabad), Ghulam Hussain (PAF) and Harris (Gilgit Baltistan) grabbed second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 20 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae, Zeena Sheraz (Army) took first position while Sher Zaman (HEC), Omama (KP) and Unshira Ghori (Sindh) got second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae, Waseem Javed (Army) grabbed first position while Ali Fahad (PAF), Naseer (Gilgit Baltistan) and Rajab Ayub (Wapda) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae, Flower Zaheer (Wapda) grabbed first position while Naqash Hamdani (Army), Shafaq (KP) and Maria (PAF) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Male Creative Poomsae, Ahsan Ashraf (Army) grabbed first position while Nabeel Qayyum (Wapda), Muhammad Ismail (Punjab) and Abdul Qayyum Malik (HEC) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 30 Individual Female Creative Poomsae, Naila (Army) grabbed first position while Flower Zaheer (Wapda), Omama (KP) and Zara (Sindh) took second, third and fourth positions, respectively. In Under 40 Individual Female Recognized Poomsae, Meh urn NIsa (Army) grabbed first position while Sumeria (Wapda) and Shahzia Shirazi (PAF) took second and third positions, respectively. In Under 50 Individual Male Recognized Poomsae, Irshad Ali (Army) got first position while Muhammad Khan (Wapda) and Saad Kashif (PAF) bagged second and third positions, respectively.
mony will be held on July 28, 2022 and the Closing Ceremony is due to take place on 8th August 2022. The players will participate in 12 disciplines including Aquatics (swimming) Athletics, Para-Athletics, Boxing, Badminton, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Squash, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination, Ehsan-Ur-Rehman Mazari will also be part of the contingent to represent the country in the Commonwealth Inter Ministerial meeting. Vice-President, POA Syed Muhammad Abid Qadri Gillani will serve as Chef-de-Mission while Director General Col. (Retd.) Muhammad Asif Zaman will function as Deputy Chef-deMission. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) will back only those athletes who have bright chances to win medals to bring laurels for the country. Moreover, PSB throughout the year estab-
lished training camps for effective participation in the mega international events. The
‘Lunatic’ politicians can’t stop cricket-mad Sri Lanka grandfather cOLOMBO AFP
Cricket-obsessed Percy Abeysekera has been a constant presence at Sri Lanka matches since their first Test against England in 1982 — and even the country’s worst economic crisis cannot keep him away. 40 years ago, the man now fondly known as “Uncle Percy” escorted England batsman Chris Tavare on the pitch at the P. Sara Oval in the capital Colombo while holding a Sri Lankan flag. Now 85, he has been a regular feature since, allowed on to the field by Sri Lanka’s cricket authorities to accompany the team off after every game, win or lose, still carrying his flag. And while an avid supporter of his national side, he is known for the respect with which he treats the opposition — a far cry from the sledging employed by the fans of some teams, and even their players. Naturally, he was at Galle earlier this month when hundreds of protesters climbed the walls of the ancient fort overlooking the ground during the second Test against Australia to demand the removal of pres-
ident Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The host country is suffering its worst economic crisis since independence, without the foreign exchange to pay for essentials including fuel and medicines, and leading to widespread shortages. Hours later, a furious crowd in Colombo forced the president to flee his home, and days after that he flew abroad before submitting his resignation. “Our team’s performance is better than the performance of the politicians in Sri Lanka,” said Abeysekera. “Not a single politician can match up to these cricketers,” he told AFP. “They are not politicians, they are lunatics.” “I hate politics,” he added. Abeysekera has twice been invited to join the Sri Lankan cricket board but declined the position. “There are three things I don’t like in the whole world, one is politics, the other one is cricket administration, and the third one is birth control,” he said. His grandsons are named Garfield after the West Indies’ Sobers, the first batsman to hit six sixes in a first-class over, and Sachinka for Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar.
Neymar wants to stay at PSG Agencies Saitama, Japan:Neymar said Saturday that he wants to stay with Paris Saint-Germain and does not “need to prove” himself to anyone after five years with the French club. The 30-year-old Brazilian said no one from PSG had spoken to him regarding his future but he wants to continue playing in the French capital alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. “I still want to stay here with the club,” Neymar said after PSG’s 3-0 win over J-League side Urawa Reds on the club’s tour of Japan. “So far the club hasn’t said anything to me so I don’t know what their plans are for me. “I don’t need to prove myself to anyone — I just need to play my football and I have to be happy playing football,” he added. Neymar said he was feeling “fit” after coming on as a substitute with Messi to play the last 30 minutes of Saturday’s game. He said it was “too early to speak about” his impression of new coach Christophe Galtier, who arrived at PSG from Nice at the end of last season. Galtier said Neymar “has been working well” in pre-season and “seems happy and very fit”. “What will happen in the near future when the
transfer window closes, I don’t know,” said Galtier. “We announce he’s leaving, we announce he’s staying — I haven’t spoken to Ney about this. But he doesn’t seem to be bothered about what is said about him and his situation at the club.” Mbappe scored as PSG made it two wins out of two on their Japanese tour against Urawa in front of a crowd of 61,000 in Saitama. Mbappe was the only PSG player retained in the starting line-up after Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale and he fired home a well-taken goal from a tight angle in the 35th minute. “Kylian Mbappe seems very happy to me, very fulfilled,” said Galtier. “He is very dynamic in his training sessions.” Pablo Sarabia and Arnaud Kalimuendo got the other two goals for PSG, who play Gamba Osaka on Monday in Osaka in the final game of their tour. Galtier handed a start to Warren Zaire-Emery — just 16 years and four months old — alongside Marco Verratti in midfield. “We had trouble getting into the game because the opposition was pressing us,” said Galtier. “As soon as we got into the game we saw some interesting things, even if we still have a lot to improve when it comes to conceding chances.”
National Women cricket team will also participate in these games.
Former England player appointed as Afghanistan’s head coach Agencies Former England middle-order batter Jonathan Trott has been appointed as Afghanistan men’s team’s head coach. Trott will take over as Afghanistan’s head coach for the tour of Ireland in August. Trott, who played over 200 international matches for England, worked as a batting coach for the senior England men’s team on their tour of India in 2021. He was also a mentor and batting coach for the under-19 team. “I’m honoured and excited to have the opportunity to take one of international cricket’s most exciting teams through what is a huge year for their development as a team,” Trott said. “I can’t wait to get to work with a group of players who are clearly capable of generating results in a style that will make the people of Afghanistan proud.” Afghanistan are set to tour Ireland for five T20Is in the second week of August.
Wrestling promoter Vince McMahon retires as WWE chairman WAsHingTOn AFP
Vince McMahon, the promoter who built a pro wrestling show into a global entertainment empire, Friday announced he was retiring as head of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) — under a cloud of serious sexual misconduct allegations. McMahon, whose friends include former US president Donald Trump, became a character in his own wrestling promotions at one stage and even launched a rival to the NFL — his over-the-top XFL. “As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as chairman and CEO of WWE,” McMahon said in a statement. “Throughout the years, it has been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you.” McMahon stepped down from his roles with WWE last month pending the results of an internal investigation after allegations he had an affair with an employee and paid her $3 million to keep the matter secret. His daughter Stephanie was named interim CEO and chairman while the ongoing misconduct investigation continues. The Wall Street Journal reported two weeks ago that McMahon has paid more than $12 million to four women formerly associated with WWE over the past 16 years to keep quiet about affairs and alleged misconduct, including a former female wrestler who claims he coerced her into oral sex.
Berrettini crushes Thiem to meet top seed Ruud in Gstaad final Agencies Gstaad, Switzerland: Matteo Berrettini put the brakes on Dominic Thiem’s impressive return to the courts on Saturday crushing him 6-1, 6-4 to set up a clash with top seed Casper Ruud in the final of the Gstaad ATP tournament. The Italian world number 15, playing his first event since having to withdraw from Wimbledon with Covid, made short work of the 2020 US Open champion, putting him away in just 77 minutes. Defending champion Ruud also looked impressive as he swept past fourth-seeded Spaniard Albert Ramos 6-2, 6-0 in just over an hour to set up a clash of the top two seeds on Sunday. “I’m really happy with my performance,” said Berrettini, the 2018 champion in Gstaad. “I don’t think I gave him the time to play his game and that was the key today.”
It has still been a good week for the Austrian who has slipped to 274 in the ATP rankings after a year of setbacks, including a wrist injury, depression and Covid. This was his first semi-final in 14 months. Berrettini goes forward to his eleventh career final
and is bidding for a third straight title after wins on grass at Queen’s and in Stuttgart. In a battle of the past two champions at the claycourt event in Switzerland, Ruud was dominant throughout as the French Open finalist reached his fifth final of the year. The Norwegian broke Ramos’ serve five times and did not face a single break point, as he also targets a second Gstaad title and third this year. Both finalists are unbeaten in the Swiss mountains, with Berrettini winning of his debut in 2018 and Ruud lifting the trophy on his first appearance a year ago. “It’s going to be tough,” said Berrettini. “The four (semi-finalists) all won here, so we definitely like to play (in Gstaad). We like the altitude. I won 2018, Albert in 2019, and Casper in 2021, so I guess we like it here.” Berrettini and Ruud are tied 22 in their head-to-head record, with the Italian winning their most recent clash in the Madrid semi-finals last year.
Sunday, 24 July, 2022
prayer timiNgs
NEWS
Imran can’t alter law, constItutIon thru bullyIng tactIcs: marrIyum ISLAMABAD
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staff report
ederal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum aurangzeb on Saturday said that the opposition has been paid in the same coin because PMl-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain has relayed the same instructions to his party members as had been conveyed by PTI Chief Imran Khan to his members during the time of previous Punjab chief minis-
by hurling threats and abuses,” she asserted, adding that if the ruling had been in favour of Imran then it would have been acceptable and if it had been in favour of Hamza Shehbaz, then it would have been wrong. Ms aurangzeb was of the view that Pakistan suffered irreparable loss due to lies and hypocrisy of Imran. The country could not make progress and has reached to the verge of bankruptcy during the previous regime, she lamented adding that the Bushra-Gogi mafia had been rul-
ter election. In her rejoinder to PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s criticism of the Punjab assembly deputy speaker’s ruling, Information Minister Marriyum aurangzeb said on Saturday that the PMl-Q president instructed his party members not to vote for Ch Pervaiz elahi. She contended that these were the same instructions as conveyed by PTI Chief Imran Khan during previous Punjab CM election. “Imran cannot alter the law and constitution through his bullying tactics and
ing the roost for the last four years. She said that Hamza was re-elected in line with the direction of Supreme Court. She held that the apex court had assigned the right to decide about party vote only to party’s president. She maintained that the Pa deputy speaker rejected the PMl-Q members votes polled in favour of Ch Pervaiz elahi on the instruction of Q league head. The minister said that the parliament has been formed through the constitution and it works according to the constitution.
Attempt to avert default: Cabinet thumbs up for Ord to sell state assets ISLAMABAD staff report
how can I support someone who criticises institutions: ch shujaat ISLAMABAD News Desk
Pakistan Muslim league-Quaid (PMl-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain broke his silence late midnight, hours after Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PMl-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz was re-elected as the chief minister of Punjab, calling on political stakeholders to proceed with consultations. The PMl-Q chief said that elahi was his candidate. “elahi is my candidate today, and he will remain my candidate tomorrow.” He added elahi cannot be the candidate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He also said that there has been an association with institutions for 30 years. “How can I support those who criticise institutions?” he added. He further said that if there are institutions, there is stability in Pakistan. Shujaat said that all leaders should keep their personal interests and personal thinking above the threshold so that the country does not suffer from more crises. “do not try to misinterpret political opposition by making it personal opposition,” he said. “Forget everything and give up confrontational politics keeping national security in mind.” The PMl-Q chief said that whoever gets a chance to come to power should go to political opponents. “For the better interest of the country, let us sit together and proceed with consultation,” he added. Soon the Punjab assembly proceeding, Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz elahi approached the Supreme Court against the deployment of the inspector general of police (IGP) in the house during the CM elections today. The PMl-Q leader, who is also the chief ministerial candidate, moved the court against the deputy speaker’s letter to the IGP and chief secretary regarding the deployment of security forces within the house as well as within precincts of the assembly. In his petition, elahi claimed that deputy Speaker dost Muhammad Mazari intends to interfere in the election process and that his letter to deploy security in the Punjab assembly shows ill intentions. He maintained that the IG Punjab should be stopped from entering the provincial assembly.
What is being described as desperate attempt to save the country from default through emergency sale of state’s assets to foreign countries, the federal cabinet approved an ordinance to bypass all the procedures for the process and also abolished regulatory checks including the applicability of six relevant laws. Through the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Ordinance 2022, the Centre has also empowered itself to issue binding instructions to the provincial governments for land acquisition, according to the ordinance. President arif alvi has not signed the ordinance yet. The government has also barred the courts of the country not to entertain any petition against the sale of assets and shares of the government companies to foreign countries, as per the ordinance. The federal cabinet had approved the ordinance on Thursday to sell stakes of oil and gas companies and government-owned power plants to the Uae to raise $2 billion to $2.5 billion to avoid the looming default. The Uae had in May refused to give cash deposits due to Islamabad’s inability to return previous loans and instead asked to open its companies for investment. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail had said this week that it usually took 471 days to complete one privatisation transaction. He had added that the government had to conclude deals with foreign countries in days to urgently raise funds. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has placed a condition that Pakistan’s case could not be taken to the board until it arranged $4 billion from friendly countries to bridge the financing gap. The federal law minister had not provided the reason for the purpose of this article. Pakistan’s rupee shed 8.3% of its value this week — the steepest since November 1998, indicating the gravity of the challenges that the government is facing.
However, the ordinance has raised many transparency concerns, including the determination of the prices of the shares of the Mari Gas Company, Oil Gas development Company limited and Pakistan Petroleum limited amid their low market price compared with their book values. The ordinance will provide for a mechanism to carry out a commercial transaction under an inter-governmental framework agreement to promote, attract and encourage foreign states to have economic and business relations with Pakistan, according to the documents. The Cabinet Committee on the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions will be formed that will have sweeping powers, including those overriding six acts of parliament. The ordinance makes the federal cabinet so powerful that it can even issue binding instructions to provinces to hand over any piece of land and enter into a transaction with a foreign state. The cabinet committee’s decisions can neither be challenged in the courts nor any investigation agencies open those deals, according to the ordinance. The “Inter-governmental framework agreement” or “G2G agreement” means an agreement or memorandum of understanding entered between the federal government and the government(s) of foreign state(s). The scope of the ordinance will be expanded to all “commercial transactions” including sale, purchase, investment, divestment, procurement, licensing, lease, joint ventures, assignments, concessions, services contracts, management contracts or other deals arising out of a G2G or commercial agreement, according to the documents. The commercial pact under the G2G agreement shall be negotiated and executed between the nominated entities of the federal government and government of the foreign state. The Cabinet Committee on the InterGovernmental Commercial Transactions will authorise negotiations for a G2G agreement between the federal government and government of a foreign state.
‘High-profile’ terrorist commander held, three killed in North Waziristan RAWALPINDI staff report
The security forces apprehended a “high-profile” terrorist commander and killed three others in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in different areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa’s North Waziristan district, the military said on Saturday. The Inter-Services Public relations (ISPr) said in the first operation, a “high-value” terrorist commander was apprehended in injured condition along with three other terrorists. In the second operation, the se-
curity forces killed three terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (Ieds) from their possession. “all the terrorists (killed and apprehended) were affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group,” said the military’s media wing. The militants remained actively involved in terrorist activities including attacks on security forces, extortion for ransom and killing of innocent citizens, it added. last week, the security forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan’s datta Khel area,
the military said in a statement. The ISPr had said the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists. “Troops executed a successful operation and killed six terrorists. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists,” it added. It had said the killed terrorists remained actively involved in terror activities against security forces. However, during an intense exchange of fire, lance Naik Islamud din – the 34-year-old resident of Khyber district – embraced martyrdom after fighting gallantly with the terrorists.
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IsPr refutes report about ‘soft intervention’ by establishment amid political turmoil ISLAMABAD: director-General of the ISPr MajGeneral Babar Iftikhar has refuted a media report that suggested that the establishment is considering a “soft intervention” under which it may mediate between PTI Chairman Imran Khan and the coalition parties — comprising PMl-N, PPP, JUI-F, and others as political and economic crises grip Pakistan. The report by a publication said that there are chances of a “grand dialogue” between the Opposition and the government with the intervention of the establishment. The report comes as the Pakistani rupee continues its downward trend against the US dollar and the Pakistan Stock exchange (PSX) also witnessing constant plunges in recent sessions — both markets recording historic lows. Not only this, but there has also been persistent political instability since Khan’s ouster from power as political parties keep approaching courts over political problems and the Punjab government has also remained a matter of contention — given that Hamza took oath twice as chief minister in nearly four months. Hamza Shahbaz took oath twice as chief minister in this period but with his appointment challenged time and again in the courts, the matter has now gone to him being appointed a trustee chief minister until Monday. The situation has given way to the likelihood for the next general elections to take place soon, with the sources putting the time frame at October. ‘Khan ready for negotiations’ Senior journalist Suhail Warraich told Geo News that he met the ousted prime minister and that “Khan is ready for negotiations” with the coalition government on three issues: elections and election reforms, the economic agenda and the appointment of the army chief. The journalist said that there are chances that Khan will write a letter to President arif alvi and he might help in holding negotiations between the PTI and the government. “everyone believes that the political parties should resolve their issues amicably,” the journalist said. alvi urges state institutions, media to play role to bring people’s govt Soon afterwards, President dr alvi emphasised that state institutions and the media should help create an environment to set up a government that truly represents the people of Pakistan. Speaking during the fifth Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) Business excellence awards Ceremony, the president elaborated: “Such a government will reflect people’s aspirations and hopes to ensure political and economic stability needed for promoting business, trade, and investment in the country.” News Desk
Pm felicitates President erdogan over ukraine grain deal ISLAMABAD staff report
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday congratulated President of Turkiye recep Tayyip erdogan after russia and Ukraine signed a landmark deal with the United Nations and Turkiye on resuming grain supply to avert a global food crisis, affecting millions across the globe. The prime minister on his Twitter handle, said that Ukraine grain deal inked in Istanbul was a historic victory of diplomacy, signifying that all crises could be averted through meaningful engagement. “Ukraine grain deal inked in Istanbul is a historic victory of diplomacy signifying that all crises can be averted through meaningful engagement. On this remarkable achievement, I congratulate my brother rT erdogan & thank Turkiye for its key role in preventing global food crisis,” the prime minister posted a tweet. Yesterday, russian defence minister and Ukrainian infrastructure minister signed agreements separately with the UN and Turkish officials on reopening of Black Sea routes. expressing his pleasure over the successful signing of agreement, the Turkish president in a tweet posted, “With the agreement reached today, we have contributed to averting the hunger that awaits billions of people, from africa to the Middle east, from america to asia. May this initiative, which is essential for solving the food crisis, be auspicious for our countries and humanity.”
Govt seems divided over raising petroleum levy on LPG ISLAMABAD shahzaD paracha
The federal government seems to have been divided over raising the rate of petroleum levy on liquefied petroleum gas (lPG) as economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet deferred a summary on the subject sent by petroleum division in its last meeting. according to sources, the Planning di-
vision has suggested to continue with the current rate of Pl to avoid inflation whereas the Finance and law division have sought increase in the rate of Pl from existing rs4.669/MT to rs 10,111/MT, considering total estimated local production of lPG as 791.205 MT during 2022-23. OGra, however, was of the view that Pl and other taxes should be equal on both the local and imported lPG.
The sources said that the annual budget statement 2022-23 shows that the Finance division has proposed collection rs8 billion revenue on account of Petroleum levy on lPG for the year 2022-23. It may be noted that the Petroleum division while submitting the budget proposal for FY 2022-23 suggested continuing with the existing Pl rate of rs4.669/MT with revenue target of rs3.694 billion. However, the Finance divi-
sion revised the target to rs8 billion in the head of Petroleum levy on lPG without mentioning Pl rate. To achieve the revenue target of rs8 billion, Pl rate is calculated as rs10,111/MT considering total estimated local production of lPG as 791.205 MT during 2022-23. It may be noted that under sub-section I of Section 3 of Petroleum Products (Petroleum levy) Ordinance, 1961 & Petroleum
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Products (Petroleum levy) rules, 1967, provides that companies/ refineries/ licensees shall pay Petroleum levy at rate notified by the federal government. In view of the above position, the petroleum division has asked to approve Pl rate as rs10,111/ MT on sale of lPG produced in the country for collection of estimated revenue target of rs8 billion during 2022-23.