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Friday, 17 June, 2022 I 17 dhul-Qadah, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII no 348 I 12 Pages I Karachi edition

MQM-P retains na-240 seat after violence Marred by-Polls g

One killed, dOzen injured in viOlence and gunfight amOng pOlitical wOrkers

KARACHI

staff report

Qm-p candidate abu Bakr won the by-election to na240 by obtaining 10,683 votes against his rival tlp’s shahzada shahbaz who got 10,618 votes in by-election that was marred by violence and gunfight, which left one person dead and over a dozen others injured. the armed clashes took place among the political workers of rival parties including pak sarzameen party, mQm-p and tehreek-e-labbaik pakistan (tlp) during polling for by-election in karachi’s na240 constituency on thursday. according to unofficial results reported by geo news, results of the total 309 polling stations showed that mQmp’s abu Bakr won the seat with 10, 683 votes while tlp candidate shahzada shahbaz remained runner-up, bagging 10,618 votes. the results of polling station 51 have been withheld due to violence in the area. according to sindh election commission, turnout remained 8.32 percent in the by-election.

VIOLenCe MARRed POLLInG: One person was killed and over a dozen injured in armed clashes between political workers of rival parties including pak sarzameen party, mQm-p and tehreeke-labbaik pakistan (tlp) during polling for by-election in karachi’s na-240 constituency on thursday. all these political parties accused each other’s workers of causing the violence. jpmc head dr shahid rasul confirmed to the media that the hospital received three injured and one body. mQm-p leader and federal minister aminul haq said at least 10 workers of his party sustained injuries during the clash. similarly, the tlp said that workers of a political party opened fire on the car of its chief saad hussain rizvi. the armed activists also demolished the election camps of their rival parties and exchange of fire between them caused a stampede in the area. tensions flared in the area after the incident with a contingent of police and rangers reached the spot to bring the situation under control. sp landhi said that efforts were being made to control the commotion and some persons were detained on the spot.

meanwhile, sindh chief minister murad ali shah, taking notice of the firing incident in na-240, said that nobody would be allowed to take the law in his hands. he directed ig police ghulam nabi memon and the karachi police chief to take strict action against the persons involved in firing incidents and skirmishes. the chief minister also urged political parties participating in the byeelection to demonstrate responsible attitude. “we are political people and should not allow violence.” POLLInG PROCeSS: polling for by-poll to the national assembly constituency na240 started at 8am and continued till 5pm without any interruption. the contestants include mQm-p’s muhammad abu Bakar, tehreek labbaik pakistan candidate shahzada shahbaz, shabir ahmed Qaim khani of psp, syed rafiuddin of mohajir Qaumi movement, nasir rahim of ppp, syed faizan anis of pml-n, and tanveer ahmed of grand democratic alliance (gda). the pti has boycotted the election while jamaat-e-islami is also not participating in the election. the total number of registered voters in this constituency of the national assembly is 529,855, of which 235,470 are female. police surgeon dr summaiya syed confirmed that the casualties were brought to jinnah postgraduate medical centre from the landhi area. she said saifuddin kaleem was brought dead to jpmc and had suffered bullet injuries in the head. some of the injured were identified as 18-year-old waleed Qudrutullah, mohammed idrees, 30, khalid chohan, 42, salman aslam, 35, zeeshan waris, 34, aslam ali, 35 and nabeel habib, 38.

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PM Shehbaz to share details on PTI govt’s deal with IMF soon ISLAMABAD staff report

prime minister shehbaz sharif on thursday promised the nation that his government would release details regarding the previous pti regime’s deal with the international monetary fund (imf) soon. his message on twitter comes a day after the government raised fuel prices by as much as nearly rs60, with petrol reaching rs233.89 — unprecedented in the country’s history. “acutely aware of the impact that a fuel price hike causes. govt is left with no choice but to raise the prices due to imf deal that pti govt signed. will take the nation into confidence on the specifics of the imf-pti deal soon,” wrote the prime minister. “we will get out of these economic difficulties, inshaallah,” he added. pm shehbaz followed by criticising the past government’s handling of negotiations with the global lender, saying: “i wonder whether those who struck the worst ever deal with imf and took patently bad economic decisions have the conscience to face the truth. how can they pretend to be innocent when what the nation is going through is clearly their doing?”

Imran calls for fresh round of protests on Sunday against petrol price hike ISLAMABAD staff report

pti chairman imran khan thursday called on the masses to hold demonstrations across the country against the massive increase in the petroleum prices by the “imported government” this sunday, as he hopes to launch a fresh round of protests after halting them last month. the pti chairman on may 26 called off the long march in islamabad fearing “bloodshed” as, during the events leading up to the protest at d-chowk, three people had been killed — a police constable and two pti workers. the pti chairman’s criticism comes as the government hiked the price of petroleum products yet again a day earlier, taking the per litre rate of petrol to a record high of rs233.89. in less than a month, the government has increased the price by around rs84. But officials have stressed that there was no other way as the subsidy was unaffordable and the international monetary fund (imf) had also demanded abolishing the subsidies. khan, who was ousted from

power in april, has not accepted the government and has repeatedly said that he will march once again to islamabad despite cutting short his long march. “this sunday, all of you have to protest at 9pm and i will address all of you via video link at 10pm,” the

pti chief told his supporters and common people in a video message, asking them to hold “peaceful” demonstrations. khan invited political parties and women to join the pti’s protest against rising inflation. “it is our democratic and constitutional right to

protest; we have always held peaceful protests.” in a scathing attack on the government, khan said: “i want to give a message to these people: if you could not handle the affairs of the country, then why did you conspire?” the pti chairman has claimed that the united states backed the then-Opposition’s no-confidence motion against him and also issued a “letter” threatening pakistan’s sovereignty. khan said the government is claiming that his party installed “landmines” for the incoming set-up as it was unable to manage affairs. “why did you derail a country that was moving in the right direction. [You] did it just to save your corruption,” the pti chairman lashed out at the coalition government. khan said the government, giving reasons for the rising inflation is stating that there is an international crisis, therefore, it has impacted pakistan as well. “You have understood this now? we were facing these issues as well. i repeatedly stated that we were saving our people from inflation despite a global increase in prices,” khan said.

“details soon,” he reiterated. the surge in prices, although a highly unpopular move that has the nation fuming, had been a key demand of the imf for a long time. finance minister miftah ismail on monday said that if the government does not abolish the subsidies on petroleum products by july (in effect raising the prices), then the country will default. speaking in geo news programme “capital talk”, the finance minister said the imf has “insisted” on abolishing the subsidies on petroleum products. in a bid to bring economic stability and revive the stalled multi-billion-dollar imf programme, the government had increased the price of petrol by a whopping rs60 per litre last month. AddITIOnAL MeASUReS needed, SAyS IMF: pakistan had signed a 39-month, $6 billion extended fund facility with the imf in july 2019. it received disbursements of about $3bn but further tranches were stopped when an agreement could not be reached with the previous government. the lender had expressed concerns over the status of some of its objectives, including fiscal consolidation.

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more inside

Usual suspects: Sharif shifts blame for historic POL prices hike onto Imran STORY ON PAGE 02

pti leadership defaming institutions for personal gains: hamza STORY ON PAGE 03

Imran: If India can import discounted Russian oil, why can’t Pakistan? STORY ON BACK PAGE

shehbaz administration taking measures to improve economy: maryam STORY ON BACK PAGE

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Friday, 17 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

USUAL SUSPECTS: ShAriF ShiFTS bLAME For hiSToriC PoL PriCES hikE oNTo iMrAN iSLAMABAD

Staff rePort

HE prime minister on Thursday lambasted his predecessor, Imran Khan, for record-high prices for road fuels as he defended his beleaguered government in the face of severe public backlash following a third cut in fuel subsidies since May 26. Developing nations are suffering the biggest hit from this year’s oil shock. Many, like Pakistan, are dependent on imported

fuel and are being crushed by a combination of high international prices, weak currencies and competition from rich nations whose economies are rebounding from the coronavirus pandemic. Khan was ousted in April after reducing fuel prices and then freezing them for four months, costing the government $600 million a month in subsidies, according to a Bloomberg estimate. Today, after removing the subsidies, the prices of fuel at forecourts have hit record highs, as the cost of living crisis intensifies.

PM wishes to further strengthen ties with UAE: Marriyum tells diplomat iSLAMABAD Staff rePort

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Thursday Pakistan, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, wanted to further strengthen relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in all fields, including trade and business. During a meeting with the Emirati ambassador, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, who called on her at her office, the two discussed issues of mutual interest and the development of bilateral relations between their two nations. Aurangzeb expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of Pakistan on the demise of former Emirati president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Paying tributes to the deceased UAE leader, she said Al Nahyan was a friend of Pakistan, and his death was a great loss for both the countries. The minister said Al Nahyan’s successor, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a visionary and progressive leader and Sharif and him have a “revolutionary vision” for the development and prosperity of future generations. The two also sought to promote strong ties between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest, including economy, trade and social sector, she remarked. “Our government has started implementing a new film and culture policy,” Aurangzeb said, and invited UAE filmmakers and investors for joint ventures and investments in film and drama.

Shaukat Tarin says govt wants to drown middle class iNP

Former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has said that the person who said that he would sell his clothes to feed the people has undressed the public now. According to details, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader responded to the fuel hike and said that the government announced in the Senate to not increase the prices any further but they made the hike. Their only agenda is to find out how to kill the poor man, he added. Tarin said that we have been advising them to go to Russia and buy cheap oil, but they are too afraid of America. Two months have passed but they still have not provided the targeted subsidy for the poor, he added. He added that the government crashed the poor and now it is after the middle-class people. The PTI leader said that they left with the petrol price of Rs149 they have increased Rs84 in just 20 days.

The average pump price for petrol reached Rs233.89 a litre, surpassing the previous record of Rs209.86 set on June 2. Seeking to deflect the blame on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government was “left with no choice” because of “those who struck the worst ever deal” with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I wonder whether those who struck the worst ever deal with IMF & took patently bad economic decisions have the conscience to face the truth. How can they pretend to be

innocent when what the nation is going through is clearly their doing? Details soon https://t.co/6Cjeimgfd1 — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 16, 2022 “I wonder whether those who struck the worst ever deal with IMF [and] took patently bad economic decisions have the conscience to face the truth,” said Sharif in a series of early morning tweets. “How can they pretend to be innocent when what the nation is going through is clearly their doing?” The prime minister further expressed the

resolve that Pakistan would soon get out of “economic difficulties”. In the wake of rising petroleum product prices in the international market and exchange rate variation, maintaining the fuel prices at a subsidised rate is increasing the fiscal deficit and current account gap, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. In addition, subsidies are putting pressure on the foreign exchange reserves, it added. The IMF wants the nation to take strict measures to control its fiscal deficit in the face of a balance of payment crisis.

Commission set up to probe Mazari’s arrest iSLAMABAD Staff rePort

The government on Thursday notified a commission to probe the arrest of former rights minister and Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) MP Shireen Mazari. Mazari was arrested on May 21 in Islamabad over a decades-old land grabbing allegation, her daughter said. She was detained by police near her Islamabad home, daughter Imaan MazariHazir said in a tweet. Hours after the arrest, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz ordered her

release. Mazari has been critical of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government in tweets since the government of former prime minister Imran Khan was toppled in a noconfidence vote in National Assembly in April. The notification of the threemember inquiry committee, issued by the Cabinet Division, was also presented before Islamabad High Court (IHC). According to the notification, retired Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha will head the commission which comprised former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief

Muhammad Naeem Khan and retired civil servant Saif Ullah Chattha. The commission would inquire into the abuse of powers by government officials leading to deprivation of the right to liberty, ascertain the reason for failure to effectively investigate and hold perpetrators of the crime accountable, conduct an impartial and fair probe into Mazari’s arrest, and make recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future. The commission would submit its report to the federal government within 30 days, the notification read. NA SECY TO SUBMIT REPORT:

Meanwhile, the court also directed the National Assembly secretary to submit a report on the incident, which Chief Justice Athar Minallah said was “not according to the legal process”. The IHC was hearing a petition filed by Mazari-Hazir. During the proceedings, Justice Minallah termed Mazari’s arrest as unlawful. It had also ordered a judicial inquiry into her arrest and asked the federal government to frame its terms of reference (ToRs). Subsequently, the court directed the secretary to submit the report and adjourned the hearing till July 7.

PML-N shouldn’t have taken govt if treasury was empty: Fawad Chaudhry newS DeSk

LAHORE: Sikh Yatrees perform religious rituals to mark martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of Sikh Religion. Photo by zubair Mehfooz

KP govt to borrow Rs50b from local banks Aziz Buneri The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government decided to borrow Rs50 billion from local banks for its finance and administrative affairs as the political tension between the federal government and the province intensifies. There has been no improvement in relations of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government in the province with the federal coalition government since the success of no-confidence motion against the former prime minister Imran Khan. The province has accused Islamabad of stopping its funds in terms of net hydel profit, gas royalty and even the allocation

for the recently merged tribal districts of the province. Provincial Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said that the provincial government will seek approval from the KP assembly to borrow up to Rs50 billion from local commercial banks for the smooth running of financial and administrative affairs as the province cannot remain dependent on the federal government. Jhagra said that the federal government will not be allowed to usurp Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rights but in order to protect itself from any emergency situation, it was decided to borrow Rs50bn from local banks.

Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf leader Fawad Chaudhry responded to a statement by Maryam Nawaz saying that they should not have overtaken the shop if it was empty. The former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry responded to Maryam Nawaz’s statement about the national treasury being emptied by PTI, saying they should not have overtaken the shop if it was empty. The PTI leader added that the incumbent government is a bouquet of incompetent people. Maryam Nawaz herself admits that they do not have anything for the people of Pakistan, he added. The former minister claimed that the PTI would come into power once again and decrease the fuel prices. The industrial sector is crashing, jobs are eradicating due to the hike in fuel prices, he added. He added that the incumbent government sabotaged the process to buy cheap oil from Russia, they do not have the guts to stand against the USA. These people are working as American agents with no intent to provide any relief to the people of Pakistan, he added. Fawad added that running a private business and running the country are two different things. Industries would collapse if fuel prices are not reduced. We had planned to purchase oil from Russia until June, he added.

Money laundering case a gambit to divert attention from Punjab budget: Moonis LAHOre SaleeM JadooN

PML-Q leader and former federal minister Moonis Elahi on Thursday claimed that the PML-N government engineered the money laundering case against him through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) merely to divert attention from the Punjab budget for 2022-23. Talking to the media after his appearance in FIA office here, Moonis Elahi said the PML-N government did all this so attention could be diverted from the budget in the Punjab Assembly. “If I tell the PML-N today that we will support you, all cases will be closed,” the PML-Q leader claimed. He pointed out that the FIA has given him a questionnaire. “However, the FIA’s purpose is not to conduct an investigation but to arrest me,” he declared, adding the FIA had not issued him any notice till date and that he told the agency he would appear again if summoned. Elahi added that all information regarding his finances was available in his tax returns. Earlier, he remained with FIA investigators and answered their questions for four long hours.

On Tuesday, the agency’s corporate crime circle booked Moonis, Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and six others on charges of money laundering in an alleged sugar scam. The state has been named as the complainant in the first information report (FIR). Subsequently, the PML-Q leader reached the FIA office on Lahore’s Temple Road on Wednesday evening to join the investigation. He was, however, sent back.

On Thursday at around 8:30am, Moonis arrived at the agency’s office again. He was accompanied by lawyer Amir Saeed Rawn who said that the PML-Q leader will not apply for pre-arrest bail in this case. He informed the FIA didn’t serve them any notice before registration of the case, adding that his client had completed legal consultations over the matter and would soon approach courts. BHATTI GRANTED INTERIM PRE-ARREST BAIL: A special court on Thursday granted interim pre-arrest bail to a co-accused Wajid Khan Bhatti till June 22 in a case registered by the FIA against PMLQ leader Moonis Elahi and others on the charges of money laundering. The court ordered the co-accused for furnishing surety bonds worth Rs500,000 for availing the relief. The court also sought a report from the FIA on the next date of hearing. Special Court (offence in banks) Judge Muhammad Aslam Gondal heard the bail application of the co-accused. Separately, a sessions court in Lahore approved the four-day physical remand of Nawaz Bhatti and Mazhar Abbas — also named in the case — at the request of FIA prosecutor Munim Bashir Chaudhry.

THE CASE: The FIA has registered the case against Moonis Elahi, PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, Muhammad Nawaz Bhatti, Muhammad Ali, Mazhar Abbas, Makhdoom Omar Shehryar, Tarik Jawaid and Wajid Khan Bhatti under Section 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 read with sections 34, 109, 420, 468, 471 of the PPC and 3/4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010 in connection with the affairs of the RYK/Alliance Sugar Mills Group. The FIR says the no-objection certificate for setting up the mills was issued in June 2007 when Pervaiz Elahi was the chief minister of Punjab, thus his “culpability will be determined during investigation”. The government has also left room in the complaint to lay hands on PA speaker Pervaiz Elahi later. However, sources in the PML-N claimed that the decision to register the FIR against the scion of the Chaudhrys was taken after consultation among the Sharifs. “The consent of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif was also sought from London,” he said, adding the Sharif family was of the view that since Elahi was creating a lot of trouble for the Hamza-led government in Punjab, it was time to fix him and his family members.

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PTi LEAdErShiP dEFAMiNg iNSTiTUTioNS For PErSoNAL gAiNS: hAMzA

newS DeSk

UNJAB Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz said on Thursday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership was hatching conspiracies against national institutions and defaming them for personal gains, as they were least concerned about people’s problems. He said that the opposition parties were even violating the law and the constitution just to create hurdles in the smooth functioning of the present government. Addressing a press conference here, the chief minister said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had also been criticising the armed forces which were rendering matchless sacrifices for defending the homeland.

He said that during almost four years of the PTI government, not a single promise made with the people was fulfilled by Imran Khan. Promise of 10 million jobs and 5 million housing units were made, but nothing was done practically, he added. Hamza Shehbaz said that the country could not be run through hollow slogans, but practical steps and by following the principles of Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He recalled that the previous PML-N government left the country’s growth rate at 5.8 per cent in 2018, but the PTI government brought it to negative due to its poor policies and bad governance. During the PTI tenure, people of the country were forced to stand in queues for purchasing sugar and flour, he added. Hamza Shehbaz said the opposition

tried to create chaotic situation in the country in the name of long march in recent past as they attacked the capital city Islamabad and put the green-belts on fire. The chief minister said he had been facing cases and also was kept in jail for 22 months in the name of accountability, but not a single penny corruption was proved against him. The Punjab province had been passing through uncertain circumstances, created by the opposition parties as these parties did not want the elected government to work for welfare of masses, he added. A constitutional crisis was created by the opposition during the election of chief minister after they lost majority in the house, the chief minister said adding that he managed the Punjab government without any cabinet for many weeks due to non-democratic

behaviour of the opposition including the Punjab Assembly speaker. He said that the members of the assembly kept waiting for two consecutive days for the budget session in the provincial assembly but the opposition parties including the PA speaker did not allow the house proceeding for the budget presentation. During the chief minister election, members of the Punjab Assembly and its deputy speaker were attacked by uniformed guards of Pervaiz Elahi, he said. The chief minister said that soon after assuming the charge, he took steps to provide immediate relief to the inflation-hit people of the province and announced various measures in this regard. He said that a Rs 200 billion relief was given on flour to provide Rs 160 discount on 10-kg flour bag.

ihC sets aside earlier orders to ECP on prohibited funding case ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday turned down Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s directions to conclude Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s foreign funding case within one month. A twojudge bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Baber Sattar announced the judgment on the petition moved by PTI challenging the decision of single-member bench of ECP. The court accepted the petition partially. However, the petitioner’s request to conduct scrutiny of all political parties together was disposed of. The decision said that it was expected that the ECP would also conclude the scrutiny of other political parties as soon as possible and process would be accomplished in a transparent manners. The court said that the ECP had not so far passed any order and the institution had assured the bench to complete the scrutiny work regarding the political parties without any discrimination. It is important to mention here that the IHC division bench had reserved its judgment two days ago on the appeal of PTI after listening arguments from all respondents. Staff rePort

rupee sheds rs1.22 against dollar Exchange rate of Pak Rupee weakened by Rs1.22 against the US Dollar in the interbank trading on Thursday and closed at Rs207.67 against the previous day’s closing of Rs206.45. According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of dollar in the open market were recorded at Rs206.5 and Rs208.5 respectively. The price of Euro was depreciated by 51 paisas and closed at Rs215.98 against the previous day’s closing of Rs216.49. Meanwhile, Japanese Yen gained two paisas to close at Rs1.55, whereas an increase of Rs2.11 was witnessed in the exchange rate of British Pound, which was traded at Rs251.52 as compared to its last closing of Rs249.41. The exchange rates of Emirates Dirham and Saudi Riyal increased by 33 paisas to close at Rs56.53 and Rs55.34 respectively. aPP

PM orders to expedite work on Sukkur-hyderabad motorway project newS DeSk Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed authorities concerned to immediately start construction work on Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway project. The premier issued directives while chairing a review meeting on the progress of ongoing construction projects of National Highway Authority (NHA). The prime minister also directed to start work on Karakoram Highway’s Thaha Kot-Rai Kot Section, Babusar Tunnel and Khuzdar Kuchlak Road at the earliest. He also ordered authorities to make sure merit during procedure for awarding contracts for projects. He said: “Development journey in the last four years was halted due to criminal negligence of previous PTI government. He also asked the concerned quarters to get assistance from Pakistani embassies for verification of international companies. The premier approved the formation of a committee to improve the procurement process. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Maulana Asad Mehmood, Advisor to the Prime Minister Uhad Cheema, Chairman NHA and concerned senior officials. Earlier, the Sindh High Court, Sukkur bench, reprimanded National Highway Authority (NHA) officials over delays in the construction of the SukkurHyderabad motorway. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Amjad Ali Sahito and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, was hearing the plea over frequent delays in the construction of SukkurHyderabad motorway and routine accidents on Jamshoro-Sehwan road. Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway Executive Committee of the National Economic Council recently approved the construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway on a Built Operate Transfer basis at a cost of Rs191 billion. The Council granted the approval at a meeting held in Islamabad with then Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin in the chair.

Sindh election commissioner takes notice of scuffle in NA-240 LAHORE: PTI MPAs stage a protest against increase in prices of petroleum products outside Punjab Assembly on Thursday. Staff Photo

Pakistan needs to capitalize on geographical importance: Bilawal newS DeSk Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan will have to utilize its geographical importance. Addressing a ceremony in the capital territory the PPP chief said that changes in the international political scenario have an impact on the local affairs. Pakistan has a very important geographical advantage, we should capitalize on it and find better opportunities for ourselves, he added. The FM added that we need to have better relationships with all our neighbours including Iran, Afghanistan and India. Pakistan has great economic and diplomatic potential, he added.

Talking about the China-USA issues, the Foreign Minister said that Pakistan has always played a bridging role between the two countries, and would continue to do so in the coming time as well. Bilawal Bhutto said that Pakistan is going through a very critical phase right now, we are facing grave issues in the shape of climate change, and supply chain management issues due to Covid-19. The PPP chief added that the government is trying to engage our youth in productive activities. We will have to provide opportunities for them to grow, our young people are capable of working anywhere in the world, he added.

newS DeSk Sindh election commissioner on Thursday took notice of the worsening law and order during the NA-240 bypoll in Landhi, Karachi. Sindh Election Commissioner, Aijaz Chohan has directed the police and the local administration to take strong legal action against the people involved in sabotaging the polling process. In his telephonic conversation with the Sindh chief secretary and IGP, Chohan was directed to take immediate steps for controlling law and order in Landhi and ensure the immediate arrest of people involved in the disturbing election process. A person was killed after he was shot during the by-election in Karachi’s NA-240 constituency, while several others sustained wounds as violence marred the by-election. The incident took place as political activities heightened in the constituency – which covers areas in Korangi and Landhi – with political parties eyeing to win the NA seat. Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and Pak Sar Zameen Party have accused each other of injuring party workers during the by-polling in the area.

Govt at odds with fertilizer industry ABDuLLAH niAzi The government of Pakistan has once again found itself at odds with the fertilizer industry over a lack of measures taken by them in the federal budget to settle payments for outstanding subsidies and fixing the

sales tax imbalance issue. A meeting between senior fertilizer executives and finance minister Miftah Ismail failed to reach any clear way forward on settling the longstanding issue of the outstanding subsidy and sales tax. The key issues discussed in the meeting were the difference between

For first time, Swat hosts flowers exhibition SwAT Syed ShahabuddiN

An exhibition of flowers was held under the auspices of Pakistan Blooms, for the first time in Swat District here. A beautiful combination of flowers and leaves created by women artists, the artwork displayed at the exhibition enchanted the audiences. Flowers that bloom in gardens and parks during spring are everyone’s favorite. But when these flowers and leaves are arranged in a strange but exquisite style, they become a masterpiece of charm. Former Chief Justice of Pakistan and former caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk inaugurated the flower exhibition at Saidu Sharif, the capital of Swat District. Participants took keen interest in the variety of colorful birds, bouquets and many other attractive artwork masterpieces put on

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display in the exhibition. The women artists made the flowers, leaves and twigs of the plants look more beautiful than ever before. On the occasion, President Pakistan Blooms Farah Azam said, “we want people to come forward and take interest in

flowers”. “We had organized such exhibitions in major cities of Pakistan and now for the first time, such an exhibition has been organized in Swat.” She informed that they want Pakistan to be green and at the same time a soft image of Swat should be shown to the world. “Because Swat has seen so much suffering and thankfully it is now a history of the past”, she declared. “Swat is a beautiful valley and we want to promote its soft image,” said Samina, a female artist. She added that Swat is a beautiful place and there should be beautiful flowers in this beautiful place. We started it and we succeeded in our mission. Participants of the Exhibition said that flowers bring new colors to life. If these flowers are made a part of the arts then it can be lost and the cultural heritage can be sustained.

the input and output sales tax, the price of feed gas, and the smuggling of urea which has kept prices stagnant. The government currently owes the industry nearly Rs 80 billion in paybacks, with subsidy receivables for 2016-18 amounting to Rs 19.2 billion yet to be paid, while sales tax worth Rs

60 billion also remains unpaid and is mounting – according to sources high up in the fertilizer industry. It is an amount they have been trying to recover for a couple of years now, and the Fertilizer Manufacturers of Pakistan Advisory Council MPAC) had protested last year as well, saying the stuck tax refunds had caused cash flow challenges for the manufacturers.

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PAKISTAN’S INTerfAITH POlICy vS INdIA’S PerSeCuTION TACTICS: A STArK CONTrAST Of MINOrITIeS’ STATuS IN PAKISTAN, INdIA

AgeNcies

HE status of minorities in India – the ‘so-called secular’ country, is a dark chapter written with the tales of persecution, bigotry, and violence that demands serious attention from the global champions of human rights. Pakistan on the other hand, in clear contrast to India’s maltreatment of minorities, has always kept itself persistent with the policy of promoting interfaith harmony and religious tolerance. The Constitution of Pakistan, in Article 25 (1), guarantees that “all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.” Also, Article 5 provides that “adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures”. The right granted by the State of Pakistan to minorities to freely practice their religious faith is a shining example of implementing the basic essence of human rights. The recent issuance of 163 visas by the government of Pakistan to the Sikh pilgrims from India on the eve of the martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji has once again established the fact that Pakistan is committed to ensuring religious freedom. The Sikh pilgrims from India, during their stay in Pakistan until June 17, have been scheduled to visit several Gurdwaras including Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and

Kartarpur Sahib. Manmeet Kaur, a Pakistani Sikh journalist and also a member of the Evacuee Trust Board (ETB), told APP on Thursday that the gesture shown by Pakistan in terms of facilitating the Sikhs to attend their religious ceremonies was a “great initiative”. Kaur said the ETB and other Pakistani officials always provided facilities to the Sikh pilgrims to freely perform their rituals at Gurdwaras across the country. Another 20-member Sikh delegation from the United Kingdom, she said, would also join the events marking the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji in line with Pakistan’s policy of accommodating minorities. “Pakistan is a revered land for Sikhs for being the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism,” Kaur said. “As a member of a minority community, I feel myself a free citizen in Pakistan.” Hardiyal Singh, a Sikh community member in Peshawar told this scribe that Pakistan never imposed restrictions on the Sikh community to mark events as per their religious practices. He said the provincial government had also allocated an annual development fund for minorities to help them arrange their religious occasions. Pakistan, from time to time, has expressed serious concerns about the alarming rise in communal violence and hatred directed against Muslims and other minorities in India. According to the Foreign Office, the mi-

Mehmood Ahmad Saghar elected as new APHC AJK convener News Desk Mahmood Ahmed Saghar has been elected as convener of APHC-AJK chapter, Sheikh Abdul Mateen as its General Secretary and Imtiaz Wani as Information Secretary. According to Kashmir media service, election for new officer-bearers was held at APHC-AJK office in Islamabad, Thursday, which was attended by all Hurriyat units. A statement issued after the election held on June 15, 2022, said, “This was the first election since the unification of all Hurriyat groups.” After the foundation of All Parties Hurriyat Conference in 1993, the statement added, the forum unfortunately split into two groups in 2005. However, both the groups remained engaged in the struggle for freedom. In the meantime, leadership from both factions kept trying to bring them close. As a result, they decided to cooperate under the leadership of the iconic Kashmiri leader, Syed Ali Gilani. The statement said that the Hurriyat is custodian of the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, and newlyelected APHC-AJK team pledges to work diligently to keep the candle of freedom burning so that Kashmiris can gain freedom from Indian occupation.

It’s terrorism on education to ban trust schools in IIOJK: Hurriyat leaders News Desk Hurriyat leaders and organizations have strongly condemned the imposition of ban by Hindutva government led by Narendra Modi on schools run by the Falah-eAam Trust (FAT) in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to Kashmir media service, Hurriyat leader, Jameel Ahmad, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League and APHC AJK leader Altaf Ahmad Butt in their statements, termed the ban as terrorism unleashed by the Modi regime on education in IIOJK. They said such discriminatory action of the Indian government is a selective crackdown on IIOJK institutions. This crackdown on educational institutions is grossly unfair, unjust, antiKashmir and anti-Muslim policy of the BJP government. They urged the UN and other global organizations working for education all over the world to intervene and put pressure on India to take back its decision.

norities in India are being “systematically stigmatized, marginalized and subjected to a well-orchestrated onslaught from radical Hindu mobs with full connivance and support of the security apparatus across various states in India”. Pakistan has taken several steps to uplift minorities. The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy place of Baba Guru Nanak has been welcomed by the community world over. The government of Pakistan has reserved five percent job quota for minorities in government services and also provides them reserved seats in the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies so that they are able to convey their standpoint to the national audience. Contrary to the interfaith approach of Pakistan, India on the other hand is stuck with its reprehensible campaign of ‘saf-

fronization’, which has resulted in the victimization of minorities. A recent incident, where a renowned Sikh singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead in India, is a bitter reality that haunts the image of the so-called secular state. India’s National Crime Records Bureau reported about 41 percent increase in communal violence since 2014. As per its report, 336 cases of violence involving enmity between groups, races, and religions were reported in 2014 whereas, 2016 recorded 475 cases. The violence has intensified in recent years. In 2017 alone, 111 people in India were murdered whereas some 2,384 people were injured in 822 communal clashes in comparison in 2016, 86 people lost their lives and around 2,321 were injured in 703 incidents. As per a report by Open Doors, the incidents targeting Christians increased more than four times from 2014 to 2017. In 2014, there were 147 reported incidents of violence against Christians whereas the first three months of 2018 saw 216 reported incidents. In 2018 alone, at least 13 people lost lives and 57 people got injured in 31 incidents at the hands of cow vigilante mobs. India’s Citizenship Amendment Bill passed by its parliament is an ‘antiMuslim’ law that offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries. Similarly, Sikhs in India have grown up hearing stories of their ancestors, who suf-

fered immense torture and persecution. This June, Sikhs are also marking the 38th anniversary of the Golden Temple massacre by India, which has once again refreshed their pain. The Indian military’s action launched on June 2, 1984, at the holiest shrine of Sikhs in Amritsar left a lasting impact on their many generations. The most reliable estimates of the total number of deaths during the Golden Temple massacre range from 5,000 to 7,000 and are remembered by Sikhs as the “darkest time of their history”. In their quest to rewrite history, Hindu fundamentalists in present-day India are still stoking the fires of communal enmity. Communal peace in India is on the brink of disaster where the attempts to mix history, religion, and politics is creating an incendiary situation with far-reaching consequences. The incidents of ‘cow vigilantism’ against Muslims and attacks on mosques in India take place frequently under the supervision of the State. Also, the Muslims in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to face religious hatred as the Valley has been put under siege for decades. Other incidents include discriminatory legislation against Sikh farmers in 2019, the killing of Sikh farmers by a BJP minister without any remorse, opposition of the BJP government to the Kartarpur Corridor, and the attempts to sabotage the project by leveling fake allegations against Pakistan.

NA acknowledges Pakistan Sweet Homes’ services in making orphans useful citizens News Desk The National Assembly on Thursday appreciated the services, being rendered by the Pakistan Sweet Homes, in accommodating, serving and making orphaned children useful citizens of society. “The process of establishing the Sweet Homes was started during the tenure of Pakistan Peoples Party in 2019 with the adoption of one child and now thousands of boys and girls are studying at dozens of such facilities across the country,” Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said. The Speaker made this observation while announcing the presence of students of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed

Cadet College Larkana of Pakistan Sweet Homes in the visitors’ gallery. The House welcomed the visiting students by thumping desks. The students witnessed the House proceedings for quite some time. He said the founder of Pakistan Sweet Homes Zamurad Khan’s had the vision to set up such cadet colleges in every district of the country. “We appreciated the services of Zamurad Khan and assured our full support to him in advancing the welfare work.” The Speaker said Zamurad Khan had dedicated his entire life to this cause and today these children were studying in the best universities and colleges in the country. “It is a matter of pride for us that dozens of girls

CM Murad, Saad Rafique discuss progress on KCR project News Desk Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday met with Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique in Islamabad to discuss progress on ongoing KCR project, said Murtaza Wahab. Taking to Twitter, Karachi administrator Wahab, who also holds a portfolio of Sindh govt spokesperson, said that CM Murad had a very productive discussion with Federal Minister for Railways & Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique regarding the development of Karachi Circular Railway under the CPEC mode. “Both the leaders emphasised the importance of KCR for addressing the transportation needs of Karachi,” he added. Provincial minister local govt minister Syed

Nasir Ali Shah was also present in the meeting. The meeting comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently formally requested the Chinese government to include Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. PM Shehbaz Sharif made these remarks while addressing Islamabad metro bus service inauguration ceremony which was attended by Charge d’ Affaires of People’s Republic of China Pang Chunxue. “I request the Chinese government to reconsider Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project and support the Government of Pakistan in the construction of the project for the benefit of people of the port city,” said PM while talking to the Chinese ambassador.

of the nation have been selected and studied at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Cadet College, Larkana and these girls are here today who belong to all four provinces, GilgitBaltistan and Azad Kashmir.”

Two new polio cases reported in North Waziristan News Desk Two new poliovirus cases surfaced in North Waziristan on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in Pakistan to 10 this year. According to Health Department, one case was reported from Dosali area and the other from Mir Ali. A 12month-old boy in Dosali and 11-month-old boy in Mir Ali were found positive for the disease. According to a preliminary report, both cases showed that the children had never received vaccination during the routine immunization drives for the polio virus after their family turned away vaccinators. It is pertinent to mention here that all the 10 children confirmed with polio virus as of June this year belong to North Waziristan.

Sheikh Rashid bashes govt over fuel hike News Desk Awami Muslim League Pakistan (AMLP) leader Sheikh Rashid on Thursday bashed the Shehbaz Sharif-led government over the fuel hike for the third time in last 20 days. Former Interior Minister termed this hike in fuel prices as an “injection to the people”. He said that this government of looters have increased petrol price by Rs 24 and diesel by Rs 60. Rashid said that the government is trying to eliminate cases on them and making false cases of terrorism on opponents. He added that people are eye-

ing the Supreme Court while he said that if the decision is to be made on roads, then anything can happen in next 45 days. He further said that to bring Sheen instead of Noon was the real master plan. “PML-N is just for TV shows,” he added. Sheikh Rashid said that he can go to Supreme Court in current circumstances. He added that Asif Zardari is working on foreign agenda and controlling National Assembly with the “incapable government”. He said that Punjab Assembly budget has been passed by the help of defected MPAs. He said that the country is expecting a big decision on this damage of the economy.

Friday, 17 June, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

PM Shehbaz to share details on PTI govt’s deal with IMF soon continued from page 01 IMF’s resident representative on Monday said that additional measures will be needed to bring Pakistan’s budget for FY2022-23 in line with the key objectives of its IMF programme. The next tranche that Pakistan is to receive upon a successful review is $900 million, and a green light from the IMF would also open up other global funding avenues. Pakistan urgently needs funds in the face of dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which have reached $9.2 billion — enough for less than 45 days of imports.

Registration of Social Media Company

BARRISTeR SulTAn BRIeFS BRITISh MPS on lATeST SITuATIon In IIoJK

news desk

RESIDENT Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood while highlighting the fast deteriorating political and human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir said that it was high time that the British parliament should play its due role in the resolution of Kashmir dispute. Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry said this while briefing the British Members of Parliament in the House of Commons London on Thursday, said a media release here. The briefing was attended and addressed by a large number of British MPs including Catherine West the shadow Foreign Minister, former Labor Party leader and MP Jeremy Corbyn, Andrew Gywnne, Rachel Hopkins, Kate Hollern, Lord Qurban, Naz Shah, Jack Brereton, Khalid Mahmood, Imran Hussain, Mohammad Yasin, Rehman Chishti, Tahir Ali, Paul Bristow , Liam Byrne, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Zara Sultana, Spellet Robbie

Moore, Jonath Giles, Steve Baker, Jim Shannon, James Daly, Richard Bergeron and others. Speaking on the occasion, the president said, “India has been committing atrocities in Occupied Kashmir since 1947, but situation in the restive region has deteriorated to alarming levels since the Modi government stripped the region of its special status in 2019”. The Indian racist regime, he said, was hell bent on usurping the rights of the people, taking hold of the territory to grab it completely. The president said that the main purpose of his visit to Europe and the United Kingdom was to apprise the world about the dangerous situation Kashmiris in the Indian occupied territory have been stuck in for the past several decades. He said that the time has come that the British MPs should play their part in stopping the ongoing Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and for the release of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik and other Kashmiri prisoners. He said that it was unfortunate that the Indian court had convicted Malik in a fake and politically motivated case. On this occasion, the Defense Committee formed

for the release of Yasin Malik briefed the British Parliamentarians about the unjust sentencing of Yasin Malik by an Indian court. Copies of the sentence were also distributed amongst the participants of the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the British Parliamentarians condemned the ongoing atrocities and barbarism in Occupied Kashmir and declared their support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self determination. The parliamentarians assured the AJK president that they would raise the issue in the British parliament and other important forums. They said that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will also be asked to play his role regarding the release of Yassin Malik. They said that Trade talks between India and the UK would be made conditional on cessation of human rights abuses in the Indian-occupied Kashmir. Similarly, they said that the British Prime Minister and the British Foreign Secretary would be asked to play their role in resolving the Kashmir issue that happens to be the main cause and consequence of rights violation in the region.

Pakistan invites Turkey to invest in CPEC SEZs news desk

Islamabad: MICO World Limited, a social media company, registered itself with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) under the “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021”. MICO World Limited, a Hong Kong based company, has been registered by PTA as a Significant Social Media Company (SSMC) under Rule 7 (6) of Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021. The SSMC submitted application under the Rules for registration of two apps i.e. MICO and YoHo which was approved by the Authority. Representatives of the tech company attended the event held today at PTA headquarters and completed the registration process. Further to registration of two platforms i.e Joyo Technology Pakistan Pvt Ltd (Snack Video) and BIGO Service Pakistan Pvt Ltd (BIGO Live, Likee), today’s event regarding registration of third company is another testimony of PTA’s commitment to pursue the government’s vision of digital Pakistan in order to help grow digital economy of the country. pr

Pakistan on invited Turkey to invest in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being built under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to Gwadar Pro. Chaudhary Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) and Special Initiatives, and Secretary BOI Fareena Mazhar met with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey in Istanbul, the Pakistani government announced.

President of the Turkish Board Cengiz Ozdemir and representatives of various Turkish business groups received the Minister and Secretary BOI. The Minister interacted with the Turkish business groups and appreciated their keen interest and recommendations and proposals to deepen trade and economic linkages between the two brotherly countries. The meeting also discussed ways and means to achieve the target set by both countries to take bilateral trade to USD 5 billion in the next three

years. Secretary BOI invited the businessmen to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan in multiple sectors and apprised them regarding Pakistan’s latest business reforms initiatives to improve the ease of doing business in Pakistan and accentuated that owing to Pakistan’s strategic location, the country provides access to three continents and 68 countries as it was being connected to the broader plan of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through CPEC.

MQM-P retains NA-240 seat after violence marred by-polls continued from page 01 A spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation informed that one of the injured identified as former MPA and a central PSP leader Iftikhar Alam was shifted to Liaquat National Hospital. The PSP alleged that its senior leaders and election office were attacked during polls. In a series of tweets, the PSP accused TLP workers of firing at its party chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal during a media talk. It added the party’s central leaders were also injured. In another tweet, the PSP said its central election office was attacked while Kamal and party president Anis Kaimkhani were present in the office. The party also accused the MQMP of staging a “deadly attack” on Kamal in Landhi-6. The PSP released a statement from its spokesperson that accused the MQM-P, election officials and presiding officer of colluding to rig the byelection. “The MQM will no longer be allowed to win by stamping and rigging,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, MQM-P MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan claimed that over 10 incidents of violence against his party’s workers took place during the by-election. He alleged that at least eight MQM-P workers were “brutally tortured” by PSP members in the presence of the police and Rangers. He alleged that “PSP terrorists” barged into polling stations and beat up polling staff. “They did this in the last hour of the polling,” Hassan added. The MPA claimed that violence initially erupted between TLP activists and the PSP, however, both parties then targeted MQM-P workers and tortured them. EdHI ambUlaNCE NOT sPaREd: The Edhi Foundation reported that during violence and firing in Landhi-6, an ambulance of the foundation, was fired upon but all staff survived the attack and continued their activities. RaNGERs aRREsT TWO TlP WORKERs: Taking swift action following directives from the ECP, Pak-

istan Rangers Sindh arrested two persons on charges of disturbing law and order during NA-240 Karachi by-polls. Sources informed that the Rangers arrested the two persons associated with TLP from Landhi, adding that weapons have also been recovered from their custody. Further investigation into the matter was underway. bY-POll sECURITY: According to Karachi Police chief, more than 1,500 police officers and personnel were deployed for security during polling for by-polls. The police also formed special contingents to deal with any emergency, especially at the polling stations declared sensitive and highly sensitive. Karachi Police spokesperson informed that there are 529,855 registered voters in this constituency, adding that 309 polling stations have been set up in 133 buildings for the byelection. According to the spokesperson, Sindh Rangers officers and men also performed security duties for the byelections.

Rickshaw driver assaults married woman Rickshaw driver subjected married woman to physical assault which came out the fourth consecutive incidents related to sexual offence in the district with offenders were still at large, police said Thursday. Police said, victim named Bashiran Bibi, r/o Ihsan Pur had left for Daera Din Panah to collect stipend for her children from easypaisa mobile shop by rickshaw owned by Muhammad Zafar, son of Elahi Bukhsh. According to the lady, the rickshaw’s owner took her in his own home rather to desired destination, where he subjected her to rape, while an accomplice of him remained as guard outside home to protect the accused. Police Daera Din Panah registered case against the accused after taking out victim’s medical to prove the offence. news desk

KP Food Safety Authority seizes over 4000 kgs of spurious gurr The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KP FS&HFA) confiscated over 4000 kilograms of substandard jaggery (Gurr) from a local factory during a raid in District Mardan near Muhib Road on Thursday . The action was taken on the directive of Secretary Food Department, Capt. Retd. Mushtaq Ahmad. According to KP FS&HFA, the Food Safety team caught the factory workers red-handed while producing fake jaggery. The food handlers were mixing substandard Gurr, Sugar, chemicals, and non-food grade colors in the production of the jaggery. The Food Safety team confiscated over 2000 substandard jaggery, over 1000 kilograms of sugar along with chemicals and non-food grade colors from the unit. news desk

Sikh yatrees attend ‘Akhand Bhog Sahib’ to mark martyrdom of Guru Arjun news desk Thousands of Sikh yatrees from across the world attended ‘Akhand Bhog Sahib’ rites to mark martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev G at Gurdwara Shri Dera sahib here on Thursday. 144 Sikh yatrees, including Sikhs from Canada, United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) had travelled from India to attend Jorr Mela. A 16-member Raagi group led by Sardar Sukhwinder Singh, 144 Indian Sikh yatrees and a large number of pilgrims from Pakistan attended the ceremony. Chairman Roet e Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad and Chair-

man Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Habib-ur-Rehman Gillani attended the ceremony held under the auspices of the ETPB. Bhog of Akhad Path was offered on this occasion after recitation from the Gurur Grantham Sahib to mark death anniversary of the fifth master Guru Arjun Dev. Hymns were also sung by the Raagi Group. Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Syed Abdul Khabeer Azad said Islam puts special emphasis on the rights of minorities, adding that: “All minorities enjoy complete religious freedom and opportunities to self-aggrendizement in Pakistan”. He said his father started the mission of promoting inter-faith harmony from

the platform of the Badshahi Mosque. He said: “It is our collective responsibility to promote inter-faith harmony and human dignity in the face of various challenges faced by the world”. Maulana Syed Abdul Khabeere said Pakistan is a bouquet made up of different flowers, adding that the white coloUr in the Pakistan flag represents minorities. The ETPB Chairman Habib ur Rehman Gillani said Pakistani minorities enjoyed all rights in the light of the constitution of Pakistan. He welcomed the followers of Sikh and Hindu religions across the world to Pakistan, adding that:” Our doors are always open for the pilgrims”.

The chairman ETPB wished that more and more Sikh yatrees arrive from the neighbouring India and perform their religious rites at the shrines and gurdwaras. Sardar Sukhwindar Singh said:” Pakistan is our second home and love and affection, we have been accorded, cannot be expressed in words”. He said, no doubt, the religious sites of Sikh religions were very well looked after in Pakistan and the Sikh nation across the globe was obliged to Pakistan for the favours. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee and ETPB officials presented rose garlands and gifts to the visiting Sikh yatrees.

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Friday, 17 June, 2022

06 COMMENT

Blasphemy across the border

Parliament after seven decades Dream of parliamentary sovereignty

The hidden agenda shows through

N the occasion of the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11 August 1947 the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah referred to Parliament as “the sovereign legislative body of the country” which had got all the powers. Within a few years after his death the Constituent Assembly was sent packing home by Governor General Ghulam Mohammad who represented bureaucracy that had taken over power and was to be replaced within years by military rule under Gen Ayub Khan. Military rulers set up nurseries to train loyalists, providing them funds and state patronage to establish roots. The parliaments run by dictators’ loyalists remained toothless. Politicians who opposed dictators demanded loyalty to themselves and promoted dynastic politics. The party chiefs who became PMs concentrated all powers in their hands, and displayed little inclination to empower local bodies or strengthen Parliament. What happened in the National Assembly on Wednesday was not something new. This is what one has seen happening under three governments since 2008, with rows occupied normally by ministers frequently empty, and numerous MNAs absent leading to the proceedings of the House being called off due to lack of quorum. What distinguished the Assembly session this time however was that a nine party alliance was ruling the country. What is more, with the PTI trying hard to prove that its opponents lacked unity and were going to fail, it was all the more necessary for the ruling alliance to prove that they could run the assembly successfully despite the resignations of the PTI MNAs. In Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly the PM was absent along with almost the entire cabinet. In fact for the past two days, the speaker had been running the House without quorum. A day earlier a PTI dissident MNA protested over the absence of the ministers from the House during the crucial debate on the budget but said he would not point out quorum. The PPP’s Khursheed shah, who had brought the situation to the notice of the speaker, pointed out that Governments could not be run without giving respect to Parliament. He lamented that Parliament had become a joke. Unless the Parliament improved its working and was seen to be committed to its mission, it could not demand respect while the slogan of the supremacy or sovereignty of Parliament would sound hollow.

At Penpoint M A NIAZI

He blasphemy uttered by BJP spokesperson Nupur sharma during a TV debate illustrates many things, which almost drown out the reality of a blasphemy being uttered against the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The first thing to be noticed is the context: the attack was made during a debate over the Banaras mosque where Hindus have claimed the presence of a shivlingam in the place meant for ablutions, but which Muslims claim was merely a fountain. Be that as it may, it was on such thin evidence that the Babri Mosque was first demolished, and on which the supreme Court of India finally allowed the construction of a mandir. The BJP evidently hopes for the Benares mosque controversy to follow a similar trajectory. However, the BJP has used the controversy to get in a few quick blows of its own. First, it has found a replacement for the Babri Mosque issue. second, it has gone exercised the right of free speech, which is the most common plea for blasphemy. It has shown Muslims as intolerant, and there is an element of revenge for the lack of reverence shown by Muslims towards Ram, who until recently was at the centre of debate because of the Babri Mosque issue. There has been official protest by a number of Muslim countries, which has got the Indian government worried. The Gulf governments have reacted because the popular reaction has been so strong. One of the subjects has been a boycott of Indian manufactures. so far there have been no exhibitions of unrest against the Indian expatriates in the Gulf, but it is not beyond reason to see Pakistanis take along national issues into a communal clash. It is also possible to see the BJP carry over into present old pre-Partition disputes. It has replicated the shudhi and sangathan movements of the 1930s by the GharWapsi movement, of which a potent symbol came in December 2021, when Waseem Rizvi converted to Hinduism, taking the name Jitendra Tyagi. In the same way, the blasphemy by Mahashe Rajpal, who published an anonymous pamphlet, RangilaRasul, in 1923, caused the sort of protests that are presently going on. It is worth noting that RangilaRasul contained the same allegations as Ms sharma made on TV, about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) marry-

Another kidnapping A disturbing pattern emerges

The colonial hangover persists

TAIMoor HAssAN

s a state our response to public protests continues to be informed by the colonial hangover. In the garb of regulation, we have criminalized public protests. Pursuant to the Police Act, 1861, and the Police Order, 2002, District Administration has abundant powers to regulate “conduct, route and time” of processions or assemblies. It is also entrusted to grant written permissions specifying conditions for such processions or assemblies to maintain public order. In addition, section 144 CrPC gives power to the District Magistrate, in case of Islamabad, to create an offence: it is extended in the capital from time to time and is often employed to impose a blanket ban on public gatherings. It is not because the Constitution sanctions it but because of the training of our bureaucracy and police that dissent is always sacrificed at the altar of public order. The broad discretion our executive enjoys to regulate public protests, even to the extent of criminalizing them, comes from the fact that our Constitution does not have a specific provision for protests. Protest as a protected value in our democracy, flows from Article 15; freedom of movement, Article 16; freedom of assembly, Article 17; freedom of association and Article 19; freedom of speech. All these articles are qualified rights and are subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law. Just what is reasonable and

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not murdered for blaspheming, but questioning the blasphemy laws. His murder proved that the laws did not really work. The law had two purposes. First, to stop blasphemy occurring. second, to prevent private vengeance by providing state punishment. The blasphemy law should have meant there would be no more Ghazi Ilam Din shaheeds. Instead of the aggrieved persons lodging a complaint against the Governor, knowing that it would be investigated, and if the accused was found guilty, were punished. India is now facing what the UK did during the Satanic Verses unrest. If there is blasphemy against the Prophet (PBUH), how is a majority nonMuslim state supposed to react to the unrest amongst its Muslim minority. The UK’s view was perhaps clarified by Ayatollah Khomeini’s death sentence. It put salman Rushdie under guard. It remains to be seen how the Indian government deals with Ms sharma. she has claimed she has received death threats, and threats of criminal assault. While criminal assault as a means of punishment seems to be a recent Indian development (then Indian cricket skipper Vira tKohli’s infant daughter was threatened with criminal assault because he had defended Muslim players against charges of throwing the game Pakistan won), there is a clear theological opinion, indeed the dominant one, that blasphemy entails capital punishment. If the Rajpal case is anything to go by, the blasphemer has no way out. What may not be fully understood by Muslims is that this is part of a move to uproot Islam from the Arab world. During the coverage of Wassem Naqvi/JitenderTyagi’s conversion, the Hindu priest making the conversion said that this was merely the first step to claiming for Hinduism the Kaaba, which he said was originally a Hindu temple, and restoring the idols destroyed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) at the time of the Conquest of Makkah. Pakistan seems to be treading carefully. It has joined the general condemnation, but has not led it. The Tehrik Labbaik Pakistan, which was so active over France’s role in committing blasphemy, seems to be quiet now. There have been no demands, for example, that the Indian High Commission be expelled. It almost seems that Muslims are being challenged, over the issue of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The RangilaRasool issue is nearly a century old, the Satanic Verses issue less than half a century old. The Nupur sharma remarks thus seem likely to be the blasphemy cause célèbre for the first half of this century. The writer is a member of staff

Decriminalize public protests

He kidnapping of four workers, two miners and two engineers, on Tuesday at Hanna Urak, Balochistan on Tuesday while they were returning from work, throws into relief some of the problems that afflict the province. Responsibility has not been claimed, which means that Baloch separatists and sectarian militants must be considered possibilities. While it is perhaps lucky that no immediate headaches for the government have been created for the government, as no foreigners are involved, there have been enough Chinese victims and targets in the past that it is a certainty that this incident will be monitored abroad by all those with the remotest interest in investing in Balochistan. The failure to provide security actually reflects a double failure. It is primarily a failure of the security establishment, which has a lead role in this. However, if it is distracted by other things, such as playing politics or providing cover to the many forced disappearances plaguing the province, it will not be able to play its primary role, of preventing such incidents and ensuring that the province enjoys the sort of security that will allow it to become the sort of investment hub that has been promised. The second failure is by the national political parties. It became clear during the last no-confidence motion that both sides merely regard Balochistan’s MNAs as lobby fodder. Neither side has thus brought about the sort of changes in the province that would put paid to both separatism and religious extremism. Balochistan may be the country’s least populous province, but is its largest, and has the largest section of its coastline. In providing access to the rest of Asia, it may be crucial, especially with Gwadar being developed as one end of the China-Pakistan economic Corridor. However, while all this potential exists, it must not be exploited to the exclusion of the Baloch. It is not healthy, for example, that those kidnapped belong to an industry, where the bulk of miners are brought in from other provinces. The present incident should not be seen merely as a crime to be solved, but as an urgent demand for a major reset in attitudes.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

ing Ummul Momineen Aisha bint Abi Bakr (RA). It is interesting that the blasphemy committed by salman Rushdie in The Satanic Verses is also related to Hazrat Aisha (RA). Rushdie is still alive, even though the late Ayatollah Khomeini called for his killing, as well as that of all those involved in the publication. As it is, the only person killed was Hitoshi Igarishi, the Japanese translator, in 1991. Though the fatwa of death by Ayatollah Khomeini came 1989, within months after the 1988 publication, Rushdie is still around, and will mark his 75th birthday on sunday. As the Rajpal example showed, there could be a time lag, and there is no guarantee that the passage of time will help matters die down/ Rajpal was assassinated by Ghazi Ilam Din shaheed in 1929. Ilm Din was duly tried and hanged the same year and the Quaid-e-Azam’s pleas that he was only 21, made to the Lahore High Court, were turned down, and he was executed. The Rajpal case had led to the introduction of section 295A into the Indian Penal Code, which prescribed punishment for hurting the religious sentiments of others. That is the law under which it is being demanded that action be taken against Ms sharma, but none is being taken. The failure of the authorities to act shows that the Quaid-e-Azam and the All-India Muslim League were right to demand a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent. The demand showed that even such a law as section 295A was ultimately dependent, like any law, on the government for its implementation. However, Pakistan’s own experience with blasphemy laws has not been as happy as the country’s founding fathers might have wished. section 295C deals specifically with blasphemy against the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Along with section 295B, defiling the Holy Quran, it comprises the Blasphemy laws, which makes liberals so wroth, and which rightists defend so tigerishly. That the blasphemy laws have been misused, because the accusers wish to pursue some other dispute cannot be gainsaid. Indeed, that is part of the nature of enmity that the PPC merely becomes a means to pursuing it, and any charge may be made. Murder? Robbery? Blasphemy? All are fair game. One of the problems with blasphemy cases is that they lead to an assumption of guilt, which has thrown acquittals under suspicion, and apart from the accused, judges and lawyers have been murdered. The blasphemy laws are themselves subject to defence, which has precluded any discussion even on their wording. Punjab Governor salman Taseer was

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

what isn’t is determined by the judiciary, which is both influenced by the climate of the times and precedent, and in a post-colonial country development of law on free speech and public processions has remained sluggish and inconsistent. The recent opinion rendered by the supreme Court in CP 19/22 is indicative of the guarded mindset against public protests. In the dissent, one honourable justice penned that there are sufficient grounds to impose contempt on the leadership of the PTI. To even write this, on a political question, when one party is only seeking reelection, is regretful. The law of contempt, another criminal instrument, was not designed to stifle free speech or the right to protest. The majority opinion underscores that a protest is staged at a designated place. It notes: “In view of [ ] commitments, the Court by its aforesaid order passed on 25.05.2022 directed the Chief Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory … to provide the ground located in the area between sectors H-9/G-9 of Islamabad for the political rally”. Once the commitment was rendered by PTI; what caused it to renege on it remains unclear. In the past, In sMC 7/2017 [Faizabad Dharna Case], the Court had emphasized: “The right of assembly, the freedom of association and the freedom of speech cannot be exercised by infringing the fundamental rights of others. Without obtaining permission, public meetings cannot be held on roads. Nor can a road be used as a camping ground or to assemble on it indefinitely.” A requirement of a designated place and a prior permission for public protests seems to be borrowed from the criminal law into our constitutional jurisprudence. There is no specific legislation here that aims to regulate the conduct of both the government and public protesters alike. In the UK, the Public Order Act, 1986 was introduced to control “riot”, “affray” and “violent disorder”. It envisages advance notice of public processions, imposition of certain conditions on public processions and assemblies “to prevent dis-

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order, damage or disruption”. The conditions include directions prescribing the “route or prohibiting the procession from entering a specified place”, “maximum duration of public assembly” or “maximum number of people who may constitute it”. In the UK, there is a right to peaceful assembly on a public highway “provided it is reasonable, nonobstructive and does not amount to unreasonably impeding the primary right of general public to pass and repass”. There is also a corresponding obligation on the state, as developed in the common law, not to use excessive or disproportional force or act without any rational basis against a peaceful assembly. Till such time as we have such a legislation here that defines the legitimate contours of reasonable conduct of state functionaries (such as banning use of tear gas and road blockades, or spelling out circumstances for requisitioning armed forces in aid of civil power to quell peaceful assembly); making public protests here contingent upon prior permission and restricted to a designated place, is both onerous and unreasonable, as it takes away all initiative from those protesting. Under our regime, every protest is illegitimate if permission is withheld or if it breaches section 144 CrPC. What law is reasonable, as a qualification on public protests apart from its constitutionality, must also be assessed in terms of the actual socio-political interactions and behaviour of human agents that emerges as a consequence of such laws. At present, our statutory laws and judicial rulings criminalize public protests and give a wide discretionary latitude to the government to control them without any sense of balance for citizens’ constitutional liberties. That the government, any government, would use such discretion in a reasonable manner is naïve to expect. About time, we decriminalized the right to protest in Pakistan.

At present, our statutory laws and judicial rulings criminalize public protests and give a wide discretionary latitude to the government to control them without any sense of balance for citizens’ constitutional liberties.

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

The writer attended Berkeley and is a Barrister of Lincoln’s Inn

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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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

Ultimate prosperity

Climate Change and its impacts in Pakistan The future is in danger AqsA AHsAN

LIMATe change is the most important issue of our age; we are the first to see its early warning signals and the last to have a chance to prevent it from occurring. Living in a bubble of ignorance can only get us so far; our globe is indeed a scene of melting glaciers, rising floods, animal extinctions, extreme weather events and the list continues. spreading climate change awareness using every way possible, including seemingly insignificant forms such as writing school essays, cannot be overstated. Climate change has put a lot of countries at hazard, and the risk is significantly larger for developing countries. Because of this serious problem, which is having a severe impact on the area, south Asia has grown more disaster-prone. In general, climate change is accelerating and having severe consequences for Pakistan. Pakistan is geologically located in a region where the effects of climate change are being felt fairly strongly. This climate disaster has had enormous economic, social, and environmental consequences. statistics from the 2010 floods demonstrate the devastating effects on the 20 million individuals who lost their homes, were injured, or went missing. similarly, another flood in Pakistan in 2012 wreaked havoc. Climate change puts Pakistan’s income, housing, food, and security at danger. Considering the tough facts, the Pakistani government must take urgent measures to combat the detrimental effects of climate change. Without a doubt, the authorities are paying close attention to this problem, which they see as sensitive and serious. Pakistan faces “significantly higher average temperatures than the global average, with a potential rise of 1.3°C-4.9°C by the 2090s over the 1986-2005 baseline,” according to a study, which also noted that Pakistan had “some of the highest disaster risk levels in the world, ranked 18 out of 191 countries by the 2020 Inform Risk Index.” Under the most optimistic emission scenarios, the global average temperature rise by 208099 will be around 3.7°C. Furthermore, changes in Pakistan’s hydrologic regimens, and hence its water supplies, are largely unknown, although dry situations are projected to become more common. extreme climatic events are expected to become more common and intense, increasing catastrophe risk, particularly for the poor and minority populations. Including an average monthly maximum of roughly 27°C and an average June maximum of 36°C, Pakistan often witnessed some of the world’s greatest maximum temperatures. In Pakistan, the current median yearly likelihood of a heat wave happening in any specific region is roughly 3 percent. As seen by estimates that over 65,000 individuals were hospitalized with heatstroke during Pakistan’s 2015 heatwave, a huge section of the population is at danger. Many parts of Pakistan endure yearly temperatures of 38°C or more, and when weather patterns combine to produce protracted periods of heatwave, major human health consequences

can occur. Between 1997 and 2015, Pakistan witnessed 126 heatwaves, an average of seven each year, with an upward trend. Pakistan is a low-middle-income country with a primarily agrarian economy; however, it is gradually industrializing and more than a third of the population currently lives in cities. For food and nutrition security, the country significantly relies on its climate-sensitive land, wa ter, and forest resources. Agriculture continues to be a significant occupation for 42 percent of the population. Irrigation from the glacier-fed River Indus and its tributaries supports about 90 percent of farmland. Glacier melt has accelerated due to climate change, increasing the likelihood of glacier lake outpouring floods (GLOF) and mudslides downstream. Faster glacier melt, rising temperatures, shifting seasons, and irregular rainfall patterns are all affecting the flow of the River Indus, which will have a growing impact on agriculture, food production, and lives. Already, 39 percent of the population lives in poverty, and the loss of livelihoods indicated in this research will have a significant impact on people’s health and capacity to access healthcare. Heat fatigue, starvation, the introduction of vector-borne diseases like dengue fever, and an increase in the burden of aquatic infections will all have an impact on people’s capacity to work and make a living. Migrants, internally displaced individuals, and religious and ethnic minorities will be particularly susceptible, since they are frequently confined to hazard-prone land and face challenges to treatment, including financial constraints resulting from informal work. Child marriages, early births, and domestic violence may become more common as a result of climate change. Due to decreasing food production, women and children will be more prone to malnourishment and malnutrition. smog is another major issue in Pakistan’s industrialized eastern Punjab region, where the provincial capital, Lahore, is clogged with smoke throughout the winter months. Authorities said they are working to solve the problem, which involves thousands of brick kilns. Millions of impoverished people will confront significant problems as the climate changes, including severe events, health consequences, social protection, economic stability, mobility, water security, cultural heritage, and other dangers. Climate change is inextricably linked to global inequality patterns. Climate change harms the most vulnerable individuals the most, although they contribute the least to the catastrophe. Millions of vulnerable people are facing disproportionate problems as the effects of climate change worsen in terms of severe events, health effects, food security, economic assurance, water security, and cultural identity. Femaleheaded families, children, persons with disabili-

ties, Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities, landless tenants, migrant workers, displaced persons, sexual and gender minorities, older people, and other socially excluded groups are all highly prone to disasters. Their vulnerability stems from a variety of factors, including their geographic location, financial, socioeconomic, cultural, and gender status, as well as their access to medical care, decision-making, and justice. Poor and oppressed people are demanding for more aggressive climate action. Climate change is more than an environmental disaster; it is also a social crisis that requires us to confront issues of inequality on many levels: between rich and poor nations; between men and women; and between generations. For more effective development outcomes, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has underlined the need for climate solutions that adhere to climate justice principles (i.e., recognition, procedural, and distributive justice). Climate change mitigation initiatives frequently disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged. Climate change adaptation measures can impose a greater financial burden on poor households in the absence of well-designed and supportive policies; for example, policies to expand public transportation or carbon pricing may result in higher public transportation fares, which will disproportionately affect poorer households. similarly, restricting forestry activities to particular periods of the year might have an impact on indigenous populations that rely on woods for their livelihoods all year. In addition to addressing the distributional effects of decarbonizing economies, there is a need to understand and address social inclusion, cultural, and political economy issues, such as deciding on the types of transitions required (economic, social, etc.) and identifying opportunities to address social inequality during these processes. Furthermore, communities offer to the problem of improving resilience and tackling climate change unique views, skills, and a wealth of information. Rather than being seen as recipients, they should be treated as participants in developing resilience. Community leaders may define goals, influence ownership, and create and administer investment programmes that are responsive to their community’s needs, according to research and experience. In creating climate resilience, the IPCC’s newest report highlights the relevance of many types of knowledge such as scientific, Indigenous, and local knowledge. Communities and marginalized people may be connected to higher-level policy, technical, and financial support for locally relevant and successful development outcomes through innovations in climate finance architecture.

Communities offer to the problem of improving resilience and tackling climate change unique views, skills, and a wealth of information.

The writer is a freelance columnist

TRANsPORT, trade and industry play a vital role in the uplifting of a country. Throughout the history of mankind, these factors have been crucial for the development of societies. Transportation and road linkages improve mobility, community health, fuel efficiency, and commuters’ productivity. Trade, on the other hand, provides opportunities to native people by improving productivity and accelerating growth rate and innovation. It also serves lower-income households well by offering services and products at a reasonable rate to them. similarly, industry results in higher income for the local populace as it reduces cost of production and creates prospects of innovation. Thus, all these three factors are fundamental to the economy of particularly developing states like Pakistan. China-Pakistan economic Corridor (CPeC) is one such mega project which can change the destiny of Pakistan. As the biggest development plan of the region, it offers immense avenues of growth in socioeconomic sectors by enhancing international trade, building efficient transport systems and promoting industrialization. These benefits are not only limited to China and Pakistan but also extend to neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asian states, etc. thereby, increasing regional connectivity. CPeC has the potential to boost socio-economic development greatly by emphasizing on poverty alleviation, education, medical treatment, water supply, vocational training. The framework of industrial cooperation, financial cooperation and agricultural cooperation incorporates the expansion of transport infrastructure, energy hub/flows, logistic hub/flows, trade and commerce within Pakistan. Moreover, tourism specifically coastal tourism and people-to-people contact would give rise to peace, harmonization and integration of civilizations. Diverse investment opportunities for overseas Pakistanis, multinational corporations and international stakeholders make China-Pakistan economic Corridor a unique venture of sustainable development. However, since its inception, CPeC faces malicious campaigns and propaganda. It has been regarded as a scheme to counter American influence in the region. The speculations that China has hidden malevolent intentions of dominance in designing and implementing the CPeC framework gave rise to doubts in the hearts of the Pakistani people. Most of these propagandas originate from our neighbouring state, India, who views progress and prosperity of Pakistan as threat to its sovereignty. Nevertheless, Foreign Office of Pakistan has vehemently and categorically denied these claims as baseless. India often makes such statements to equate projects and activities of CPeC with those of its illegal occupation, expansion, and human rights abuse in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. These statements are then repeated continually in television shows and spread virally on social media via thousands of fake accounts. The result is the persistent propaganda containing false and misleading assertions leading to unrest in the areas where the work of CPeC is in progress. Apart from Indian propaganda, the Western world is also apprehensive of this corridor. It is viewed as an alternative to the Us alliance with Pakistan. The fact that CPeC is not an aid and assistance program wipes out the assumptions of replacing any alliance or partnership. It is a program of equal partnership focusing on the promotion of bilateral ties between the partnering countries. In addition to this, a sovereign state is free to build international relations with any country as per the Treaty of Westphalia. Therefore, the recent reports about IMF asking for the review of CPeC projects is an external interference in the matters of Pakistan and such leverages should not be provided to any international organization at any cost. CPeC, if concluded successfully, is one of the major ways for Pakistan to get out of IMF debt and start a journey of prosperity and sustainability, which requires smooth and unhindered execution of all development plans. To achieve this target, a strong and transparent mechanism should be assembled to report on the progress of existing projects and the planning of new ones. This mechanism should also integrate strategies and tactics to counter propaganda and malicious campaigns against CPeC. Both of these steps will build the trust in the Pakistani nation in CPeC developments and remove apprehensions of local and international stakeholders about the corridor. UMER INAM LAHORE

Significance of service roads I want to draw the attention of Chairman CDA to carve out an additional service road alongside the srinagar Highway to connect the H-13 area, especially Paris Colony with International Islamic University either on the backside of the H-12 sector or from the front side for the smooth use by the students /residents and the commuters of this area. The students, especially those who are living in the H-13 sector, have to face great difficulty while approaching IIU on a daily basis because of the non-availability of proper service roads. There is at least a need to construct a flyover at the Police Lines crossroad. U-turns are only temporary solutions. It must be linked up with the service road with the H12 and H-13 sectors so that students and residents of these areas may use the service road peacefully instead of using the srinagar Highway. In this way, time and fuel wastage may be controlled. SHAGUFTA ANSARI ISLAMABAD

Incarceration POLITICAL philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s famed words, “man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains”, manifest the current condition of human beings at least in Pakistan. There is no denying that people are no longer confined to prisons as they used to be in ancient times. They have freedom from physical servitude, but have plunged into mental enslavement. Factors, such as poverty, lack of resources, unequal opportunities for youth, and constant deprivation of basic necessities, have added fuel to the fire, and are the symptoms of our serfdom. People having such complexes and anxiety commit crimes and violate laws. A combined and concerted effort is the only way to break the chains of slavery. The federal government along with all the provincial governments should work collaboratively and ensure the provision of basic necessities so that the common man may stay away from all this mess. FAIZAN RAZA LARKANA

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08 WORLD VIEW

Heaven on eartH: to stop climate cHange, revere nature IF RELIGION IS ESSENTIALLY AN ART FORM, THEN IN OUR MORE SECULAR WORLD SOME MIGHT FIND THAT POETRY, MUSIC OR PAINTING WILL ENABLE US, LIKE WORDSWORTH, TO SEE INTO THE LIFE OF WHAT THE CHINESE CALLED THE WANWU: THE SACRED “THINGS” OF NATURE

ProsPect Magazine Karen armstrong

ver many years, we have become increasingly aware of the damage we are inflicting on the natural environment—and the potentially drastic impact on human life. The earth’s climate has continually altered over the millennia; but this has always been a slow process and we are now seeing rapid changes. Global temperatures and sea levels are rising at an alarming rate, entirely due to human activity. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere, where it is trapped and causes the earth’s temperature to rise. Unless this is checked, human life will be imperilled. Water shortages will make it increasingly hard to produce food. Some regions will become dangerously hot, while rising sea levels will make others uninhabitable. Already, polar ice and glaciers are melting fast. Scientists have set a temperature increase of 1.5°C as the “safe” limit for global warming. If the temperature goes any higher, human life as we know it will be impossible. Climate change is no longer an alarming possibility; it has become a fearful reality, as soaring temperatures in India and flooding in the US last summer attest. Disaster can be averted only if we change the way we live. This crisis has been caused by our modern way of life, which, despite its considerable achievements, is fatally flawed. We are beginning to realise that the way we live now, for all its benefits, not only inhibits human flourishing but threatens the survival of our species. We must change not only our lifestyle but our belief system. We have ransacked nature, treating it as a mere resource, because over the last 500 years we have cultivated a worldview that is very different from that of our forebears. When the 12th-century Crusaders and pilgrims finally arrived in what they called the “holy land,” they fell on their knees, weeping aloud and kissing the ground. Local Christians were astonished: “What are they doing?” they asked. “Don’t these foreigners understand that all land is holy!” The Confucian literati were equally baffled in the 17th century when the Jesuits brought european science to China. They were fascinated by the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo, but could not accept the strange western idea of a god boxed into a remote heaven on the outskirts of the cosmos that he had supposedly created. The west, they concluded, was proficient in “material investigation” but did not understand what the Chinese called qi. Qi is not a god; it is neither spiritual nor physical. Instead, qi is a vital force that pervades and vivifies the world, linking plants, animals and humans in a sacred whole that enables them to fulfil their potential. For the Chinese there was no creator as such, and no gulf between the human and divine or heaven and earth: rather, heaven, earth and humanity formed a sacred triad that was organic, holistic and dynamic. This was not dissimilar to the Dao or “way” venerated by Chinese Daoists, a sacred force that unobtrusively makes everything what it is and what it ought to be. Indefinable, all-powerful,

lying beyond the reach of the senses, it is constantly at work in the natural world. Dao and qi are therefore very different from Yahweh, the personified god of the Hebrew Bible, who creates the world by issuing a series of commands. But they closely resemble the ancient Indian concept of rta: a sacred, impersonal, animating force. Like qi, rta flows ceaselessly and expansively into the natural world, bringing into being the tripartite universe consisting of earth, sky and heaven. The fact that for centuries people in different parts of the world developed such a remarkably similar conception of the ultimate reality suggests that it is perhaps an archetypal notion embedded in the human psyche. Similar images have appeared in other religious traditions. In Jewish mysticism, for example, the Kabbalah depicts the natural world emanating stage by stage “out of God”: God is said to have created everything “out of nothing,” but this was not a blank emptiness because God was being itself; it was “nothing” only in human terms, because the innermost core of divinity remains forever unknowable, bearing no relation to anything in our human experience. Similarly, the 6th-century Greek theologian who called himself Denys the Areopagite (after St Paul’s first Athenian convert) depicted the creation as orgasmic, bursting from God like a volcanic eruption. But while lava hardens and cools the further it flows, each being remains in close contact with the divine. Significantly, none of these notions were developed scientifically but were expressed in poetry, visionary experience and song. religion is essentially an art form. rta, the Indic root of the english “harmony” and “art,” can be translated as the “artfulness” of all being. rta also brought forth the gods—the devas—who, as products of rta, were artists who imagined the world into being, translating their ideas into physical clouds, grass, mountains and trees. But after ordering the world, the devas did not retire to heaven. Instead, they took up residence in the natural phenomena they had created and dwelt permanently within them. So every bird, animal or flower embodied a divinity; everything in our world had a sacred core. Later, the Aryans developed the poetic ideas of the rishis more philosophically, and renamed rta as the Brahman, the “foundation” of reality. The Brahman was the Atman, the “Self,” of every thing and every person. This ultimate reality was also the sacred core of our own selves. Hence in India, people still greet each other by joining their hands and bowing to acknowledge this divine presence—the sacred “Self” that they share with nature. This concept seems so deeply embedded in us that even a religion such as Buddhism—which had originally focused on enabling humans to liberate themselves from the inherent sorrow of life—eventually developed its own vision of sacred nature in China and Japan. Here the Buddhata or “Buddha-Nature”—the potential to achieve enlightenment—is the essence of the entire cosmos. It is a force that unites all beings—plants, animals, trees, mountains and humans. every single being has the same sacred potential. each in its own distinctive way is not only striving for enlightenment, but achieving it. In the modern west, however, we have developed an analytical worldview, which separates the material from

the psychological and spiritual—and this has enabled us to achieve great things technologically. We do not, however, consider the natural world as sacred. Instead, we have used it primarily as a resource and we are beginning to count the cost. If we want to save the planet, we must learn to revere it rather than treating it as a commodity. This western attitude is partly due to monotheism, the belief that a single god—rather than a sacred force like qi— is the ultimate reality. Instead of regarding the sacred as a ubiquitous potency, Jews and Christians experienced the divine in specific historical events, such as the exodus from egypt or the life of Christ. And at the very beginning of the Hebrew Bible, God gives the first humans dominion over our surroundings: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on earth” (Genesis 1:28). But not all monotheists have lorded it over the natural world. The sanctity of nature was deeply embedded in the Greek mind. Artemis, the goddess of the wilderness and wild animals, was worshipped throughout Greece and her temple in ephesus was one of the wonders of the ancient world. even after converting to Christianity, Greeks continued to sacralise nature. Socrates’ last words to his friends, before he drank the hemlock, was a paean in praise of the natural world. In Islam, too, the natural world is a source of revelation that is equal to the Quran, which insists that nature is God’s prime miracle. Muslims are ordered to meditate on the “signs” (ayat) in the world of God’s concern for humankind that are evident every single day: Let man consider the food he eats. We pour down abundant water and cause the soil to split open. We make grain grow, and vines, fresh vegetation, olive trees, date palms, luscious gardens, fruits and fodder—all for you and your livestock to enjoy (Quran, 80:24-32) Muslims should revere the natural world: “It is God who splits the grain and the date-stone, brings forth the living. That then is God” (6:95). Muslims are far more impressed by the divinity inherent in the regular rhythms of nature than in the miracles that subvert the natural order in the Jewish and Christian traditions. But the sense of nature’s inherent sacrality never took strong root in the west—Francis of Assisi being the great exception—and this indifference became acute in the early modern period. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) argued that if human beings could discover the laws that governed nature, they would be able to exploit the natural world for their own benefit. They could then control and subdue the earth as God had commanded. rené Descartes (1596-1650) believed that because the material universe was lifeless, godless and inert, nature could tell us nothing about the divine. There was no awe in his philosophy; indeed, he believed that the role of science was to dispel wonder. In the future, he wrote, people would look at the clouds “in such a way that we will no longer have any occasion to wonder at anything.” The phenomena of nature simply resembled the new machines that were appearing in europe—clocks, mills and fountains. William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was deeply concerned about our increasing estrangement from our surroundings. In his poem “Tintern Abbey,” he tells us that he

had “learned” or taught himself to look at the natural world differently. Like a prophet or seer, Wordsworth had come to experience a “presence,” which he would not call “God” because the west had too limited an understanding of the divine. Instead, he uses the word “something,” pointing to a reality that he will not, indeed cannot, define. And I have felt A presence that disturbs me with the joy Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime Of something far more deeply interfused, Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns And the round ocean and the living air And the blue sky, and in the mind of man: A motion and a spirit, that impels All thinking things, all objects of all thought And rolls through all things. Nature has become a distant reality to many of us. Today we walk in a place of extreme beauty talking on our mobiles or scrolling through social media. Instead of sitting contemplatively beside a river or gazing in awe at a mountain range, we obsessively take one photograph of the view after another. rather than allowing the landscape to find an intimate place in our minds and hearts, we are reducing our world to a simulated reality or a commodity that we can exploit. But all is not lost because, despite our careless and destructive behaviour, we have not entirely lost our love of being outside. People flock to the sea on holiday and walk in the woods or in parks during the weekends—a return to the land that we find restorative. even in our large, polluted cities, people cherish their garden, a little oasis of nature in the urban desert. Like Wordsworth, we must learn deliberately “to see into the life of things” with a heart that “watches and receives.” If we want to save the world, recycling is not enough. We need to change the way we think, and we can learn much from the way people cultivated their love of the natural world in the past. The Chinese did this in a practice they called “quiet sitting” (jing zuo) in which you sit comfortably and open your mind and heart to the sights and sounds around you, developing a sense of compassion— of “feeling with” them. Perhaps we could sit in a garden or park for 10 minutes a day, turning our phones off, looking at the birds, flowers, clouds and trees and allowing them to impress themselves on our minds. We can—to an extent—emulate the Jains who carefully avoid inflicting an injury on any creature, however seemingly insignificant, walking cautiously lest they squash an insect. This would mean extending the Golden rule to include species other than our own and becoming sensitive to the life forces that surround us. In the past, religions helped people to marvel at the intricate rhythms of nature. If religion is essentially an art form, then in our more secular world some might find that poetry, music or painting will enable us, like Wordsworth, to see into the life of what the Chinese called the wanwu: the sacred “things” of nature. Karen Armstrong’s “Sacred Nature: How We Can Recover Our Bond with the Natural World” is published by Bodley Head.

the West must prevent sri lanka from becoming south asia’s lebanon newsweek matt goDWIn

KY-rOCKeTING food and fuel prices in Sri Lanka have precipitated the worst political unrest in the South Asian country in years, as tens of thousands of demonstrators march for change on empty stomachs. With the government teetering alongside its economy, the international community must take urgent action to help stabilize Sri Lanka, where domestic challenges have a history of going global quickly. Sri Lanka is on the brink. Last month, the country became the first in South Asia to default on its debt repayments for two decades. With an estimated foreign debt of more than $50 billion, the government has admitted it is now hard to scrounge even $1 million in foreign reserve currency with reserves having fallen to their lowest ever levels. Inflation skyrocketed to 30 percent in April, the highest in Asia—sending prices soaring on rapidly diminishing supplies of basics such as food, fuel and cooking stoves. An economic crisis is now a public health calamity. Dwindling medical supplies are forcing physicians to make heartwrenching choices as many families struggle to pay the rapidly escalating cost of scarce prescription drugs. A country that aspired to be the

WHAT SRI LANKA NEEDS IS RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT AND SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT WHAT SRI LANKA NEEDS IS RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT AND SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT next Singapore is now looking at a Lebanonstyle collapse, with the Sri Lankan rupee the worst performing currency in the world. Like many countries, Sri Lanka is still suffering shocks from the COvID-19 pandemic, particularly to its historically vibrant tourism sector, as well as inflation brought on by russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Sri Lanka’s economic vulnerability to these events is also the consequence of years of wrong-headed economic policy, disastrous agricultural decision-making and an over-reliance on Chinese infrastructure spending. Having cut taxes unsustainably for years, Sri Lanka’s government is starved for revenue and its rating was consequently downgraded, cutting the country off from international debt markets. Sri Lanka’s gross debt rose from 91 percent of annual output in 2018 to 119 percent in 2019, according to the IMF. Making matters worse, Sri Lanka was facing a self-inflicted food supply crisis long before the russian invasion, with the

government having unilaterally cut Sri Lanka off from basic fertilizer imports to save money, instead resulting in reduced crop yields. As crop yields have fallen, rice imports to Sri Lanka have surged 368 percent, according to the UNDP. Finally, lucrative Chinese loans instilled a culture of corruption in the government. And now, the chicken is coming home to roost for Sri Lanka’s extensive ties with China, as Belt and road Initiative (BrI) infrastructure loans totaling as much as $3.5 billion at high interest rates fail to deliver returns. Not unlike recent demonstrations in the Middle east against corruption and economic mismanagement, multinational demonstrations in Sri Lanka in response to this perfect storm appear to represent a wide cross-section of what has historically been a sharply divided society. Political independents, students and liberally-minded youth are leading the call for change in Sri Lanka. Organizing popup universities and community food hubs,

there is room for optimism where a population historically divided along ethnic and religious lines is uniting for a better future. In Lebanon’s recent elections, independents were some of those returned to parliament. In like manner, Sri Lanka’s popular movements should channel energy into conventional politics with a view to increasing representation for pragmatic progressives. Unrest could be an opportunity for Sri Lanka to reset and secure its future for the next 50 years. However, the grievances now driving these popular movements are as much a possible threat as an opportunity. In a country where Islamist extremism has already killed hundreds and where historic Tamil grievances remain largely unaddressed, economic and political instability will offer an enticing seedbed for destructive ideologies and influences. During Sri Lanka’s civil war, the Tamil Tigers were one of the most internationally ubiquitous terrorist groups. Pioneering modern suicide bombing, political extremism in Sri Lanka has often

found its way to foreign shores. The international community needs to pay attention to the crisis in Sri Lanka, and the potential for renewed terrorism is not the only reason. As in other countries, Sri Lanka’s reliance on investment from China has left it vulnerable, as the country goes cap in hand to the IMF. Sri Lanka is far from the only emerging country over which China is exercising strategic financial leverage. Private bondholders and China have gone from holding 5 percent of debt among poorer states in 2006 to 29 percent. rather than turning its back on countries burned by Chinese debttrap diplomacy, the West should use growing skepticism about China’s role in emerging countries as a window of opportunity to reinvest in countries such as Sri Lanka. What Sri Lanka needs is responsible government and sustainable international investment. The U.K., once Sri Lanka’s most important bilateral partner, should join with the U.S., India and other “quad countries” to provide urgent bridge funding to stabilize the country and offer a coherent competitive alternative to investment dependency on China. Matt Godwin is a program lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He has published on the internationalization of Sri Lankan politics, including in an upcoming book.

Friday, 17 June, 2022 | kARAchI

newS corporate corner

MCB STReNGTheNS ISlAMIC BANkING FOOTPRINT wITh CAPITAl INjeCTION OF RS4B LAhore

UBL recently held Pakistan’s first-ever Datathon Awards event at Habib University campus in Karachi. Shown in the picture are: Mr. Shazad G Dada, President & CEO UBL (center), Mr. Sohail Javaad, Executive Director Digital Financial Services Group, State Bank of Pakistan (2nd left), Mr. Wasif A. Rizvi, President, Habib University (extreme right), Mr. Sharjeel Shahid, Group Executive Digital Banking UBL (2nd right) and Mr. Faisal Anwar, CIO UBL (extreme left). pr

Go deploys fire tender at Mahmoodkot terminal

iSLaMaBaD: Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd. (GO), Pakistan’s fastest growing Oil Marketing Company (OMC) in the private sector, has recently announced its deployment of a Fire Tender at its Mahmoodkot Terminal. This new Fire Tender by GO will not only enhance the firefighting capabilities at the Mahmoodkot Terminal but it will also be available 24/7 for the surrounding areas and other neighboring oil installations in case of an emergency. Under the initiative, a new Truck was purchased and fabricated into a Fire Tender with 4,000 litres water and 500 litres foam capacity. The Fire Tender has been deployed at Mahmoodkot Terminal managed by the GO Operations Team. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Khalid Riaz, CEO GO said, “GO was built on the solid foundations of the vision to become not only a customer centric oil marketing company, but also deliver world class petroleum products and services. We pride ourselves in inculcating international standard Health & Safety Standards that ensure the health and well-being of our employees nationwide.” GO is one of the leading OMCs to incorporate state-of-the-art tools and high-tech resources; making full use of technology to hone their supply chain management and HSE functions. pr

CB Bank Ltd (MCB), one of Pakistan’s leading Banks, has made a capital injection of PKR 4 billion into its wholly owned subsidiary, MCB Islamic Bank Limited (MCB Islamic). The investment will help MCB Islamic meet regulatory capital requirements and support its aggressive expansion plans that encompass branch expansion, increase in lending capacity and development of innovative financial services and digi-

tal banking solutions. Speaking about the investment, Mr. Shoaib Mumtaz, President & CEO MCB Bank said “This injection of capital is testament to MCB Bank’s long term commitment to Islamic Banking and confidence in MCB Islamic Bank’s potential for future market leadership. With a historic brand legacy and dynamic new management, MCB Islamic Bank is well primed to address the challenges of the modern financial landscape while providing customers with quality and affordable Islamic financing services that reliably meet their every need.”

Speaking about the capital injection, Mr. Muhammad Afaq Khan, President & CEO MCB Islamic Bank said, “The injection of capital in MCB Islamic is a sign of trust in the growth of the bank and the MCB Islamic brand by MCB Bank and its Board. With this inflow of capital, MCB Islamic will be better positioned to meet market demands and enhance our ability to provide innovative Islamic Banking solutions to our customers.” MCB Islamic Bank Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of MCB Bank Limited and commenced its operations in 2015 with the aim of

Telenor Pakistan helps businesses scale new heights

Companies worldwide are adapting to a rapidly evolving reality of work that employs technological products and services for an everimproving customer experience. To stay ahead of the curve and meet the changing needs of businesses around the country, Telenor Pakistan launched Telenor Business Solutions last year. Designed with the ambition to strengthen the business performance and capability of organisations in every sector, Telenor Business Solutions equips partners with the tools

necessary to step into the future with complete peace of mind. Recently, Telenor Pakistan partnered with Daewoo Adda, Pakistan's fastest growing trucking platform and a Daewoo Group's affiliated company - to provide them with a tailor-made enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to manage and automate a wide range of business processes. With successful operations throughout the country, Daewoo Adda facilitates companies and transporters of all sizes to address

critical challenges via their advanced tech platform and cuttingedge IoT solutions. Telenor's multi-platform application provides seamless load-matching, freight booking, dispatching, and delivery services to an otherwise fragmented USD$34 billion market. Telenor Business has been an integral part of the network's corporate clientele. Its sophisticated suite of products and services gives businesses the tools to function efficiently and dynamically for years. Telenor Business's stateof-the-art ERP solution for Daewoo Adda is a system of integrated and centralised applications that help manage and automate CRM, Sales & Invoicing, Accounting & Finance, human resources, and various business operations—enabling them to become cost-efficient and productive. "An important consideration for businesses that aim to be future-ready is whether or not their customers are getting the maximum value they deserve," said Omer Bin Tariq, Chief Business Officer, Telenor Pakistan. pr

OICCI organizes Industry Dialogue on Climate Actions needed for Pakistan to achieve NDCs

Maritime trade to be given due attention: Admiral (R) Asif Sandila

Karachi: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) organized the first of a series of Industry Dialogs to debate the various climate actions needed for Pakistan to achieve the Nationally Determined Commitments made at COP26. The Industry Dialog builds on the effort started by the OICCI earlier this year through the Pakistan Climate Conference, which built on learnings from COP 26 to identify and implement efforts needed to promote positive climate actions and reduce climate change impact in Pakistan. The Industry Dialog brought together local climate experts, policy makers and corporate decision-makers to share learnings and best practices to help Pakistan reduce climate impact. The main speakers at the event include Waqar Hussain Phulpoto, Focal Person, Department of Climate Change, Government of Sindh as well Ahmad Rafay Alam, prominent Environment Lawyer. Since the beginning of 2022, the OICCI has taken a leading role to organize a national discourse on several critical areas to support Pakistan’s efforts for the commitments made at COP26. pr

Meeting of 4th Advisory Board of National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) was held at Islamabad. Admiral (R) Asif Sandila, former Chief of Naval Staff, Chairman BoA, chaired the meeting. Members and special invitees / maritime experts attended the meeting. V/Adm (R) Abdul Aleem, DG NIMA, welcomed the participants and emphasized on creating synergy amongst all maritime stakeholders for furtherance of maritime sector. He emphasized that Pakistan should endeavour to achieve the goals set by UN under

Rector COMSATS University calls on Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Tabbasum Afzal, Rector COMSATS University called on Federal University Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch in his office today in the Ministry of Science and Technology. Federal Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Memon was also present in the meeting. Federal Minister for Science and Technology said the Focus of the University should be on research activities and establishing linkage and collaboration with international universities of promising repute. The minister stressed the need for more campuses in all the provinces of Pakistan to establish a federal footprint in the education landscape of all the provinces. This will help in providing equal learning opportunities to all segments of society and help the students in case of interprovincial mobility, he added. pr

ISLAMABAD pr

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Ocean Decade 2020-30. Else, the price of degradation of ocean health will be borne by our future generations. Cdre (R) Bilal Abdul Nasir Director NIMA, briefed the house about various activities and future

undertakings of the Institute in the domain of maritime affairs. Board members and participants gave pertinent input on the various agenda items and future targets of the institute. Detailed discussions on fishing sector of Pakistan.

being the first choice Shari’ah compliant financial services provider of Islamic banking customers. On a consolidated basis, MCB Islamic currently operates a diverse network of over 180 Islamic Banking branches and ATMs. Mr. Muhammad Afaq Khan was recently appointed as the new President by its Board of Directors. Mr. Afaq Khan brings with him over thirty years of experience as a successful Islamic Banking professional. He has advised multiple successful ventures in Islamic banking and has also won several Islamic Banking Awards.

Fauji Cement substantially reduces emissions of CO2 ISLAMABAD pr

As cement production is a significant source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions the control over the carbon emissions has been an issue for the construction industry. In Pakistan the cement companies are also trying to control the emission. While taking the lead role Fauji Cement Company, has taken a number of steps to control the emission while managing its impacts on health, safety & environment of the country. As per official sources, the FCCL remains committed to contribute to the global cause of Environment sustainability by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gasses (CO2) during its operations, improving its renewable energy portfolio and massive tree plantation campaigns. For reducing the CO2 emissions, the FCCL has made investment on renewable energy (Solar Power Plants). The Company is the pioneer of renewable energy in the Cement sector of Pakistan and has installed the first biggest Captive Solar Power Plant in 2019. Furthermore, Fauji Cement also plans to install solar power plants at Wah and Nizampur plants which would increase its capacity to 40.1 MW and generate 60,180 MWH/year.

Iranian envoy calls on Communication Minister Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications and postal services Mr. Asad Mahmood has said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy multidimensional relations. Pakistan highly values its friendly and brotherly relationship with neighboring country Iran which are time tested. We have complete trust, mutual understanding and convergence of views on all bilateral, regional and international issues. He expressed these views while meeting with Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Seyed Muhammad Ali Hosseini in Ministry of Communications here today. Secretary Communications/Chairman National Highway Authority Capt ️ ® Muhammad Khuram Agha and other senior officers of Ministry of Communications & National Highway Authority were also present. Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Mr. Asad Mahmood said, although current trade volume between the two countries is low to the tune of approx 1 million US$. However, Pakistan is committed to take all possible measures to increase the bilateral trade volume to the level of US $ 5 billion. pr

Ufone 4G introduces Industry’s ‘Sab Se Bari Oﬀer’ ISLAMABAD pr

Pakistan’s No.1 Voice and Data Network, Ufone 4G has introduced the industry’s biggest and most affordable hybrid bundle, ‘Sab Se Bari Offer’ to provide its customers with the best user experience possible. Ufone 4G’s hybrid bundle offers greater usability, control, and enablement to its users so that they stay connected for longer through the company’s superior voice and data while they engage in activities related to work, education, or leisure. Ufone 4G's latest offering, ‘Sab Se Bari Offer’ is yet another effort to deliver ease, convenience, and an unparalleled telecom experience to the customers. The bundle offers the most MBs for the lowest charges in the industry in order to help bring quality voice and data services within the reach of every customer. Ufone 4G’s ‘Sab Se Bari Offer’ offers free calls

to Ufone and PTCL numbers and 40 GB data for a week on only Rs.299 load. The huge data bulk will improve the customers’ experience on social media, entertainment, gaming, education, work, and other uses, while voice calls can really go on forever. Ufone 4G has continuously improved and modernized its network and services to cater to the evolving voice and data requirements of its customers. Following the acquisition of 4G spectrum, the company made aggressive advances on the data front while ensuring the highest quality of service delivery. Its renewed focus on quality and innovative services eventually translated into enhanced customer loyalty and expansion of the company’s subscriber base. The latest PTA indicators show that the company has acquired significant data subscribers making it the leader in new customer acquisitions. Similarly, Ufone 4G was recently declared the best voice and data service provider by Pakistan

Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in its ‘Mobile Networks Benchmark Report for 2022. PTA had conducted systemic tests and trials of all telecom operators across all federal and provincial capitals including major motorways & highways to ascertain the quality of service, which affirmed Ufone 4G’s continued focus and commitment to delivering the highest quality connectivity to its customers. This is also due to Ufone’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in the country by bringing more and more unserved and underserved segments of the population into the fold of digital inclusion. The company is particularly focusing on increasing its women user base so that society can collectively harness the fruits of high-speed internet. Ufone 4G’s recent efforts are testaments that its customers continue to comfortably lounge at the heart of Ufone 4G’s business philosophy as is evident from its long-cherished corporate slogan: ‘Tum Hi Tou Ho! (It’s all about U!).

Friday, 17 June, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ChINA CoNfIrMS prESENCE of WATEr oN MooN T

HE indications that rocks gathered by Chang’e 5 lander on the moon have water in them have been confirmed following their testing on earth, Chinese scientists have found. The scientists shared their discovery in a piece published in the Nature Communications this week, RT reported. The lunar lander had made its landing on the moon in December 2020 when it gathered about 1.7 kilogrammes of regolith, a mixture of rocks and lunar soil. In measuring the chemical composition of the material found, the craft used its on-board tools to draw a conclusion. The data enabled the researchers to determine that water molecules may exist in some 120 parts per million on some of the rocks and at 180 parts per

million in others. In the fresh development, a team

representing the Chinese Academy of Sciences confirmed existence of water

in the samples while studying the samples brought back to earth. Interestingly, the sample of soil studied by the experts turned out to be comparatively dry, to analyse it even by the lunar standards, as it showed 28.5 parts per million water levels. They also found that mineral apatite, which was also among the samples, boasted a water content of 179ppm, a finding consistent with earlier predictions. It is pertinent to mention that observations made from the telescope and satellites led experts in the past to suspect the presence of water in the moon rocks in the form of hydroxyl or H20. It is hoped that experts such as astronauts and cosmonauts will be able to derive molecular oxygen and hydrogen from the environment so as to produce water and oxygen for their use. agencies

US airborne raid captures top IS operative in Syria NeWS deSk US coalition forces said they captured a senior Islamic State group bomb maker in a pre-dawn raid Thursday that, witnesses stated, saw troops in helicopters swoop down on an isolated house in rebelheld northwestern Syria. A war monitor and AFP correspondents said two military helicopters touched down for only a few minutes, and several shots were fired, in a village in an area controlled by Turkish-backed rebel groups. “The captured individual is an experienced bomb maker and operational facilitator who became one of the top leaders of Daesh’s Syrian branch,” said the US-led coalition battling the militant group in Syria and Iraq, using another name for IS. The coalition did not name the target in the statement, but a coalition official told AFP the man captured was Hani Ahmed Al-Kurdi, who was the IS leader of Raqa when it was the de facto capital of IS in Syria. Such operations by US forces are rare in parts of northwestern Syria that are under the control of Turk-

ish-backed rebels and non-IS militant groups. A previous special forces raid in early February led to the death of the group’s leader Abu Ibrahim alQurashi, who detonated a bomb vest to avoid capture. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group with a vast network of sources on the ground, could not confirm the identity of the IS operative captured on Thursday. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP that two military helicopters landed in Al-Humayrah and took off seven minutes later, adding that only a few shots were fired. “The US operation was quick and smooth,” he said, adding it took place in the village of Al-Humayrah, northeast of Aleppo and four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the Turkish border. The coalition said that “the mission was meticulously planned to minimise the risk of collateral damage, particularly any potential harm to civilians. “There were no civilians harmed during the operation nor any damage to coalition aircraft or assets.” Mohamed Youssef, a local witness to the raid, said it targeted a house on the outskirts of the village

where displaced people from the Syrian city of Aleppo were living. He reported busy activity in the skies during he nighttime operation. “About eight aircraft flew for more than an hour and a half,” he said. “When they left, we headed to the house and found the women tied up and the children in a nearby field.” He said the women told them that coalition forces had arrested “a man named Fawaz”. Other residents told AFP that about four men and six women had lived in the house, but that they did not know whether they were a family, and that they did not mix with the rest of the village. Other eyewitnesses told AFP that a pro-Turkish Syrian group arrested the two other men after the operation. After IS lost its last territory following a military onslaught backed by the US-led coalition in March 2019, its remnants in Syria mostly retreated into desert hideouts. IS cells have since ambushed Kurdish-led forces and Syrian government or allied forces, also carrying out similar attacks in Iraq. The group’s top leaders however often take cover in areas controlled by other forces. Qurashi’s notorious predecessor, Abu Bakr alBaghdadi, was killed in a US special forces raid in northwestern Syria, far from IS’s area of operations. Little is known about new leader Abu Hasan alHashemi al-Qurashi, the jihadist group’s third chief since its inception. Media reports that he was captured in Istanbul last month were never confirmed, with a Turkish official only telling AFP that a senior but unidentified IS member had been detained. Observers have long feared a resurgence of IS in the badlands that straddle the Iraqi-Syrian border and formed the heart of the group’s once sprawling proto-state. Yet with constant coalition pressure on its leadership and its sources of financing, the jihadist group still has no fixed positions in either country and the intensity of its attacks has remained largely unchanged since 2019.

Tamil Nadu: Muslims demand anti-Islamophobia Act, arrest of Nupur Sharma CHENNAI: Maltreated and abused by the rise of virulent Hindu Nationalism, around 1500 protesters gathered in the small town of Nagore in Tamil Nadu demanding the arrest of Nupur Sharma, and enforcement of an ‘Anti– Islamophobia Act’. “Your Bulldozers cannot shatter our Iman,” all the 1,500 voices echoed as the demonstration began. Muslim men and women had gathered near the Nagore bus stand in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu to protest against Nupur Sharma, who passed derogatory remarks against the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Times Now, an Indian national television channel and stirred an anti-Muslim tension in the country. A public demonstration was organized earlier in the evening as well by Nagore Anaithu Jamaath Kootamaippul – Nagore Jamaath Federation, near the town’s bus stand. The controversy gained the attention of global Islamic nations and to avoid international strife, India’s ruling party as an eyewash had merely suspended the BJP functionary. Condemning the wilful remarks of Nupur Sharma, protesters emerged across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra demanding the arrest of Nupur Sharma. Following suit, in Tamil Nadu, a peaceful demonstration was organized where the crowd condemned the police killings in Jharkhand and the punitive treatment of Yogi Adityanath’s government in the illegal demolition of Afreen Fatima’s house. Afreen is a prominent Muslim student activist and the National Secretary of the Fraternity Movement. The demonstrators also condemned the police assault on Aysha Renna, the student activist, and one of the faces of the anti-CAA movement in the Malappuram district of Kerala two days ago. Apart from demanding the arrest of Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, the gathering demanded government compensation for victims. “We demand the government to take actions against Times Now for endorsing hate speech. The families of martyred children in Jharkhand must be provided with an ex-gratia of Rs2.5 million each and compassionate government jobs should be provided to one of the family members,” read their press release. agencies

Kremlin says Western arms ‘useless’ as Europe leaders visit Kyiv The Kremlin on Thursday warned against new Western weapons supplies to Ukraine as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in Kyiv. “I would like to hope that the leaders of these three states and the President of Romania will not only focus on supporting Ukraine by further pumping Ukraine with weapons,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He added that it would be “absolutely useless and will cause further damage to the country”. The leaders of the European Union’s biggest economies are making their first trip to Ukraine since Russia sent troops to Ukraine on February 24. They are expected to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Let’s hope they will encourage President Zelensky to really look at the state of affairs,” Peskov said. Also on Thursday, former Russian president and deputy head of the country’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said the visit of the European leaders will be of no use. “European fans of frogs, liverwurst and spaghetti love visiting Kyiv. With zero use,” Medvedev said on Twitter in English. “Promised EU membership and old howitzers to Ukraine, lushed up on gorilka and went home by train,” he said, referring to Ukraine’s vodka. “It won’t bring Ukraine closer to peace.” Ukraine has recently received French-made selfpropelled Caesar howitzers. The trio of European leaders arrived in Ukraine by train earlier on Thursday. Romanian leader Klaus Iohannis joined them in the battle-scarred Kyiv suburb of Irpin. The visit comes as Ukraine is pushing to be given official candidate status to join the EU. agencies

Saudi embassy in Washington now on ‘Jamal Khashoggi Way’ WASHINGTON afp

The street in front of Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Washington was renamed Wednesday for Jamal Khashoggi as activists vowed never to forget the slain journalist despite President Joe Biden’s planned visit to the kingdom. The capital’s local government changed signs on one block in front of the imposing embassy to read “Jamal Khashoggi Way” in honour of the Saudi dissident who was strangled to death and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The street will serve as “a constant reminder, a memorial to Jamal Khashoggi’s memory that cannot be covered up,” said Phil Mendelson, president of the District of Columbia Council that voted unanimously to rename the stretch of New Hampshire Avenue which also lies along the storied Watergate building. The previously scheduled dedication came one day after the White House an-

nounced that Biden will travel next month to Saudi Arabia and meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who according to US intelligence authorized the killing. Biden had previously pledged to give “pariah” status to Saudi Arabia over rights concerns including the murder of Khashoggi, who had written critically about the powerful prince in The Washington Post. Tawakkol Karman, a Yemeni activist and writer who won the Nobel Peace Prize, said at the ceremony that the upcoming visit “means that Biden has abandoned his commitment to support human rights around the world.” Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now, a rights group founded by Khashoggi, denounced Biden’s “shameless capitulation.” Standing in front of the embassy, she said, “We intend to remind the people who are hiding behind those doors, we intend to remind them every day, every hour, every minute, that this is Jamal Khashoggi Way.”

“We will hold them accountable for the murder of our friend, of a brave Saudi man, Jamal Khashoggi, who dared to challenge the tyranny of Mohammed bin Salman.” The Biden administration says it is taking a tougher approach than former president Donald Trump, who was chummy with the crown prince, but still sees vital interests with the Saudis — a major oil producer at a time of soaring energy prices. Jamal Khashoggi Way is the latest street renamed in Washington as a signal. Russia’s embassy lies on Boris Nemtsov Plaza, named for the reformist politician killed near the Kremlin in 2015. An effort to name the plaza outside of China’s embassy for Liu Xiaobo, the Nobel Prize-winning writer and democracy activist who died in prison, floundered after intense opposition from Beijing. Other governments have sometimes acted similarly with the United States, whose consulate in Kolkata is on a street named for Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Minh.

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Friday, 17 June, 2022 | KArACHI

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BishoP foresees BABAr To Be greATesT whiTe-BAll BATTer of All TiMes isLAMABAD News Desk

EST Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Ian Bishop, believes that Pakistani Skipper Babar Azam would be the greatest whiteball cricketer of all time, particularly in the 50-overs format. “Babar Azam is on the road to

greatness. And I want to be clear when I say on the road to it in whiteball cricket at least and certainly 50overs cricket,” Bishop said while talking to Cricwick as quoted by propakistani.pk. Since dethroning Virat Kohli, Babar has been the number one batter in ODI cricket, and he is also the only player in the top four across all formats. The former pacer went on to

houghton misses out on england squad for women’s euro LOnDOn AhmAD sAAD

Former captain Steph Houghton missed out on England’s squad for Euro 2022 as coach Sarina Wiegman selected her 23 players for the tournament on home soil on Wednesday. Houghton had Achilles surgery in February which forced her to miss the second half of the club season with Manchester City. The 34-year-old has made 121 appearances for England, featuring at five major tournaments. “It was a hard decision. She’s just not ready to compete. It was just a matter of time and we don’t have that time,” said Wiegman. “She is such a big player and has had such an impact on the English game. Of course, she was really, really disappointed.” Arsenal’s Leah Williamson has taken over the captaincy from Houghton and leads a squad with a mixture of youth and experience from the side that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup three years ago. Nine of the squad will be involved in a major tournament for the first time. “We all know this is a huge opportunity and it is one we have to grab with both hands,” said Wiegman, who has experience of winning the Euro with the home advantage after leading her native Netherlands to the title five years ago. “The chance to represent the nation on such a big stage on home soil is one to relish. This group so far has proven they are prepared to give it all they have in every training session, in every meeting and in every game.” Sandy MacIver, Niamh Charles, Lucy Staniforth and Katie Zelem were also cut from the provisional squad of 28 but changes can be made until June 26 in case of injuries. Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby is included despite not playing since February due to a fatigue issue, while Jill Scott has been called up for her 10th major tournament even though she has also had fitness problems in the past few months. England kick off the tournament at Old Trafford against Austria on July 6 before facing Norway and Northern Ireland in Group A. “Of course, we hope to avoid any setbacks before we start against Austria but we know where we can turn in case we need a replacement,” added Wiegman. “Togetherness is a big part of what we are all about and from every player in the squad to my superb support team, and with the strong backing of everyone at The FA and our fans, we are committed to make it a summer to remember.” The Lionesses begin their tournament preparations against Belgium on Thursday, with further friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland to come later this month.

say that he sees Babar as one of the greatest cricketers of the future and hopes that he would improve his red-ball skills because he is technically and temperamentally a superb player. “So in future, I am hoping that in Test cricket he will be mentioned in the same breath as the top 3 or 4 guys but as a white-ball player and particularly in ODIs, technically, temperamentally superb and aes-

thetically the most pleasing batsman in the world today.” Babar hasn’t been particularly impressive in Tests, but it’s clear that he’s been honing his skills in the longer format, as one of his innings was named the best batting performance in the ICC World Bishop also appreciated his cover and straight drives, saying he always notices how fellow commentators take to social media to

lavish praise on Babar every time he plays. “Whenever he comes out to bat I have a few commentator colleagues and I just look for their

tweets on social media whenever he plays a cover drive or a straight drive. That tells you a lot when people who have played the game turn up to watch you bat,” he said.

Team Karachi clinches Sindh region wrestling contest HYDeRABAD stAFF RePoRt

The Team Karachi on Thursday clinched the Sindh region wrestling competition organized by the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The competition was organized as part of the Talent Hunt Youth Sports League of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). According to the university spokesman, Team Karachi has secured hundred points with four gold and four silver medals in different categories while Team Hyderabad stood second by clinching 77 points with three gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Wrestlers from Team Karachi Ziaullah, Hamzo Khan, Muhammad Farooq and Sujawal Khan bagged gold

medals by defeating their opponents in 61 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 86 kg categories

of the competition respectively while the wrestlers from Team Hyderabad includ-

Moeen Ali eying for a comeback in Test series against Pakistan

Mickelson set for late tee-oﬀ as US Open gets underway BROOKLine ReuteRs

Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy parred his opening hole as the US Open began on Thursday under sunny skies at The Country Club where birthday boy Phil Mickelson will make his first start since his debut on the LIV Golf Invitational Series. McIlroy, who arrived at the year’s third major fresh from successfully defending his title in Canada, went off in the sixth group from the par-four 10th hole with former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele. Defending champion and world number two Jon Rahm went out in the fourth group from the first tee and made par at the opening two holes on the demanding layout that features tight fairways, lush rough and small greens. Six-time major champion Mickelson, playing on his 52nd birthday, was scheduled to tee off at 1:47 pm ET alongside former British Open winners Louis Oosthuizen and Shane Lowry. Mickelson arrived at the US Open this week facing an onslaught of questions regarding his involvement with the lucrative Saudi-backed LIV series, which reportedly paid him $200 million to join. The long-time fan favourite, who has finished runnerup at the US Open a record six times, needs a win this week to complete the career Grand Slam of golf’s four major titles.

ing Shoaib Leghari, Muhammad Samih and Muhiur Rehman clinched gold medals by defeating their opponents in 65 kg, 74 kg and 92 kg categories of the competition respectively. Besides, Team Sukkur bagged third position in the competition with one gold, two silver and five bronze medals. Muhammad Moosa from Team Larkana secured gold medal in open weight category. According to organizers, the winner and runners up of all categories of the competition will be selected for the Sindh Wrestling Team for participation in the national level wrestling competitions. Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Dr. Fateh Marri awarded the gold, silver and bronze medals to the successful wrestlers.

Among those in the 156-player field at Brookline are 13 golfers who played in the LIV event last week and another two — Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed — who will make their debut on the breakaway circuit in two weeks. Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, and PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas were among the late starters. Three-time champion Tiger Woods, who returned to competition this year from his February 2021 car crash and played the year’s first two majors, is absent this week in a bid to rest his body ahead of the July 14-17 British Open.

Agencies England all-rounder Moeen Ali was eying for a comeback in the Test series against Pakistan. He officially announced on Twitter that he has ended his retirement from Test cricket and plans to play a series against Pakistan. The English cricketer had ended his 64-cap Test career last September after admitting he found it hard to stay motivated for the five-day form of the sport. “I am withdrawing my retirement from Test cricket, and I will play a series against Pakistan,” taking to Twitter, Ali said as quoted by a private news channel. The allrounder added that “Pakistan is my second home, so I made this decision. Always Love Pakistan.” Last week, Ali had revealed that he would love to be part of England’s tour to Pakistan which was scheduled to take place later this year. “When, or if, (England head coach) Baz McCullum wants me, I’ll definitely play in Pakistan,” he had said. “I have played Pakistan Super League out there a few years ago but it’s not the same, to travel with an England side there having family background from that part of the world will be amazing,” he said.

Old and new as men in orange face England onslaught LOnDOn AFP

It will be a mix of both youth and experience as England and the Netherlands face off in a historic first of three Dutch-based one-day internationals under sunny skies predicted on Friday. Newly-minted England white-ball coach Matthew Mott has two uncapped players in David Payne and Luke Wood as well as Brydon Carse, Philip Salt and Liam Livingstone(three ODIs each) in his squad, with all expected to be keen to impress the selectors ahead of India’s tour next month. The Dutch too are set to field a team of relative rookies, propped up by experienced players like skipper Pieter Seelaar, who was part of the team that beat England in a historic T20 opening match win in 2009. All eyes however will be on young rising stars such as Vikram Singh, who stacked an average of 49 runs in the recent three-day ODI series against the West Indies, quick-hitter Bas de Leede and high-economy wickettaker Aryan Dutt. Veteran Dutch-Australian batter Tom Cooper is back

to play his first ODI in nine years, as well as the hard-hitting Max O’Dowd and county-contracted bowlers Shane Snater and Fred Klaasen expecting to steer the ship. There is also plenty of experience under England oneday skipper Eoin Morgan, set to lead the charge at the scenic VRA cricket grounds at Amstelveen just outside Amsterdam. Morgan will be backed by veterans Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and hard-hitters Jos Buttler and Jason Roy.

‘Fantastic opportunity’: “My expectations are that we keep learning and bringing our A game,” Dutch head coach Ryan Cambell told AFP ahead of the series. “For our youngsters to play these guys (England) in front of a big crowd will be a fantastic opportunity for all of them,” said Campbell, who is recovering from a life-threatening cardiac arrest in April. “But as a coach, I want to see this team winning big matches, not just competing,” said Campbell, who has handed the reigns for the series to caretaker coach Ryan Cook. The matches are taking place between the second and third Tests of England’s home series against New Zealand, meaning new Test skipper Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are all unavailable. Several England bowlers are currently also injured, including World Cup winners Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, but Sam Curran is fit again following a stress fracture of the back. With Lancashire’s Wood called up for the first time and Payne bidding for a debut having been in previous squads, there are five left-arm seamers in the squad (Curran, David Willey and Reece Topley are the

others). But there was no place for wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings, with Salt set to take Bairstow’s place at the top of the order alongside Roy and Buttler. “I’m very excited to be coaching a strong squad for my first series in charge,” said Mott, previously in charge of Australia’s all-conquering women’s team. “We have tremendous depth with a blend of youth and experience. We want to continue to play in an expressive style and let our players showcase their skills and firepower.” netherlands odi squad Pieter Seelaar (capt), Scott Edwards (wkt), Musa Ahmad, Shariz Ahmad, Logan van Beek, Philippe Boissevain, Tom Cooper; Aryan Dutt; Clayton Floyd; Viv Kingma; Fred Klaassen; Ryan Klein; Bas de Leede; Teja Nidamanuru; Max O’Dowd; Tim Pringle; Vikramjit Singh; Shane Snater

england odi squad Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (wkt), Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, David Payne, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, David Willey, Luke Wood

Friday, 17 June, 2022

prayer timings

NEws

IMrAN: IF INdIA cAN IMporT dIScouNTed ruSSIAN oIl, wHy cAN’T pAkISTAN? ISLAMABAD

staff report

AKISTAN Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan asked on Thursday if India was importing discounted crude oil from Russia to offer the same to its people for 40 percent less, why Pakistan couldn’t follow suit instead of increasing the fuel prices by Rs84 in less than three weeks. India is the world’s third-largest consumer of oil and over 80 percent of it is imported. Russia rose to become its second-biggest supplier of oil in May, pushing Saudi Arabia into third place but still behind Iraq which remains No. 1, tanker tracking data showed. In May, Indian refiners received about 819,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil, the highest thus far in any month, compared to about 277,00 in April, the data showed. Western sanctions against Russia for its attacks in Ukraine prompted many oil importers to shun trade with Moscow, pushing spot prices for Russian crude to record discounts against other grades. That provided Indian refiners, which rarely used to buy Russian oil due to high freight costs, an opportunity to snap

up low-priced crude. Addressing lawyers at a ceremony organised by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), Khan said if New Delhi could procure discounted oil from Moscow, why we couldn’t do the same? “Lawyers played a crucial role in the independence of Pakistan, in fact, the founding father of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a barrister,” he recalled. The former prime minister said that just before his ouster, his government was planning to import cheaper oil and wheat from Russia but they were sent

Nation, traders’ community should adopt austerity as a cultural norm: Asif Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday said the nation, especially the traders’ community, should adopt austerity measures as a cultural norm to reduce wastage of fuel and electricity amid soaring economic challenges. The Defence Minister in a joint press conference flanked by Minister of State for Petroleum Division Senator Musadik Masood Malik, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, and Minister for Communications and Postal Services Maulana Asad Mehmood urged the nation to support the government for achieving normalcy through hard economic decisions. Asif said the traders must accept the new timings of closure decided by the federal cabinet to reduce electricity consumption and fuel usage which would benefit the common masses. “We can control the price hike through internal measures, such as austerity. However, at the national level neither the previous governments nor the societal factions adopted austerity to control unnecessary expenses”, he added. The Minister while commenting on general behavior towards commodity usage said the public style of oil, water, gas and other consumptions fall under wastage. “We need a collective response and approach to address the prevailing economic issues. Rest assured that the government will play it’s role in protecting the masses and will take every possible step to ensure relief,” he underlined. The Minister beseeched the masses to adopt austerity as it was the only solution at the moment amid limited available resources. The families and individuals after decline in income adopt austerity and it should become part of our culture, the minister said, adding, “The least earning families are bearing the burden of economic crunch. It may not be felt in capital but is more conspicuous deep inside the country”. He assured the media that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the coalition government was taking the responsibility to reduce inflation and impacts of the economic issues. app

packing through an American conspiracy. “It would have been easier for me not to visit Russia, but I went there in the best interest of my people,” he added. Khan pointed out that this is not the first time the United States has successfully performed a regime change operation. In fact, in 1953, Washington toppled the government of then-prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in Iran. He added that American diplomats called on disgruntled MPs of his party just after the submission of the no-confidence motion against him. Lawmakers sold their

conscience for Rs200 million each in Sindh House of Islamabad, he alleged. He predicted the inflation rate would cross 30 percent, bringing tremendous pressure on the salaried and middle-class segments of the society. The government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is focused on ending the cases against its leaders rather than providing relief to the public, he added. The PTI chair added he had warned the “neutrals” that his ouster would cause direct impacts on the economy. He said he had asked finance minister Shaukat Tarin to brief the op military brass about the financial situation to convince them to prevent the conspiracy from succeeding, he added. He added they were told that Shehbaz Sharif reached the office at 7:00 am, but it turned out all his efforts were for advertisements. Khan said that the only solution to the crisis is fair and free elections. He said he was going to perform a “big show” this time, therefore, it was his appeal to the people to become part of it. Khan, however, said he would not disclose details of what he meant by a big show. He further said that bowing down to Washington’s pressure meant bracing oneself for the “do more” mantra from the superpower.

Shehbaz administration taking measures to improve economy: Maryam ISLAMABAD staff report

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said the government of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was taking important decisions to stabilise the economy and implement agreements signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government. The government was bound to implement these agreements otherwise there was a risk of the country’s default, she said while talking to reporters outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). She alleged former prime minister Imran Khan had been playing

with the country’s economy during his four-year tenure. He signed an agreement with the IMF to increase the prices of petroleum products and impose levy taxes. She said the PTI government did not increase the prices of petroleum products deliberately, before leaving the power. Talking about the recent statement of the ISPR director-general, she said the statement was based on facts as he was the representative of security agencies and institutions that were aware of everything. A lie couldn’t be presented as truth, she added. Nawaz said Khan had been established as a liar as the National Security Committee (NSC) had

admitted that no foreign conspiracy was found against his regime. Khan had put the state institutions and the country’s security at stake with his false allegations, she said, adding that instead, the former government should have told the public about its performance for four years. Khan had mortgaged the country to IMF for the sake of loans and the current government was bound to implement his agreements, she added. Talking about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement about ex-president Pervez Musharraf, she said that the statement was based on humanitarian grounds as her father didn’t believe in revenge.

Pakistan, Turkey discuss ways to achieve $5b trade target ISLAMABAD staff report

A visiting minister held discussions with Turkish officials on ways to boost bilateral trade. Chaudhry Salik Hussain, minister for Board of Investment (BOI) and special initiatives, met with officials of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) in Istanbul. Cengiz Ozdemir, president of the Turkey-Pakistan Business Council of DEIK, and representatives of various Turkish business groups were part of the meeting. Hussain “appreciated their keen interest and recommendations and proposals to deepen trade and eco-

nomic linkages between two brotherly countries,” according to a Pakistan Embassy statement. “The meeting also discussed ways and means to achieve the target set by the both countries to take bilateral trade to $5 billion in next three years,” read the statement. Bilateral trade between the two countries crossed $1 billion in the last fiscal year, the first time it breached the mark since 2011. During his trip to Ankara this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the trade with Turkey “insufficient,” while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the two sides have set a target of $5 billion.

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Govt to increase power tariff by 80pc, claims Hammad Azhar Former Energy Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azahar has warned that the ‘imported’ government was planning to increase electricity tariff by 80 percent. Taking to Twitter, the former energy minister pointed out that the coalition government was planning to increase the electricity tariff by 80 percent in three months. “From this month, the imported government has abolished the Rs5 per unit subsidy given by the PTIled federal government,” he claimed, adding that the government has announced to increase the electricity tariff by Rs7.91 per unit in next three months. In another tweet, Hammad Azhar wrote: “[Finance Minister] Miftah Ismail had promised to decrease the electricity tariff to Rs12 per unit, now they are planning to increase the basic electricity tariff from Rs13 per unit. The PTI leader noted that the increase in electricity prices are due to the expensive power plants with imported fuels and payments of capacity. inp

Ayaz suggests NA intervention in Thal farmers’ loan-default issue Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday suggested a parliamentary intervention to examine the issue of agricultural loans’ defaulters, especially from the farming community of three Thal Tehsils of Punjab province and find an amicable solution to the issue. The minister floated the idea after the PTI MNA Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla raised the issue during his budget speech in the National Assembly. Drawing the attention of the house towards the matter, the MNA said the Thal farmers produced only one gram crop in a year, and unfortunately they yielded nothing for the last 6-7 years due to consistent dry weather conditions. “It (situation) has not only made them unable to pay their agricultural loans but also increased its size manifold due to interest-over-interest.” He said a farmer, who had got a Rs 50,000 agri-loan, was now liable to pay around Rs.500,000-600,000 because of his default and increasing interest. app

Finance committee endorses disabling SIMs to enforce filing of returns Senate standing committee on Finance Revenue and Economic Affairs has endorsed the proposal of disabling mobile phone sims to enforce the filing of returns. The meeting of the Senate standing committee on Finance Revenue and Economic affairs was held under the chair of Senator Saleem Mandviwala. The FBR authorities informed the committee that it has proposed to disable mobile phone sims to enforce the filing of Income tax returns. The tax department places a penalty of 0.1 percent for each day after the due date for the filing of tax, he added. In addition Chairperson National Tariff Commission briefed the committee that changes have been made in the Finance Bill regarding the rationalization of tariffs for the packaging and dyes industry. Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that the export of raw materials should be discouraged so that the supply of raw materials within the country could be increased to promote industrialization. FBR officials briefed the committee on tax exemptions on the import of bulletproof buses and special vehicles for the security of foreigners working on CPEC and major power projects. They said that such special vehicles could be imported only after the NOC of the Interior Ministry and only federal, provincial governments would be authorized to import such vehicles. FBR officials told the committee that now payments of over one million could only be made through digital means, the purpose of which is to record financial transactions. Leader of the Opposition Shahzad Waseem, quoting FATA / PATA, questioned that despite tax exemptions being given in these areas till 2023, notices are being sent to the people. staff report

NEPRA approves power tariﬀ hike by Rs1.55 per unit ISLAMABAD ahmad ahmadani

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has approved Rs1.55 per unit increase in the electricity tariff on account of periodic adjustment in tariff for the 2nd quarter of financial year 2021-22. As per details, the allowed quarterly adjustment has an impact of around Rs.1.5547 per kilowatt hour (kWh) on a uniform basis on all consumers except for lifeline & increment industrial sales eligible for Industrial Support Package. Similarly, the Authority (NEPRA) has decided to apply the same

with effect from July 1, 2022, to be recovered within three (03) months period from the date of notification. However, this increase in the electricity tariff will not be applicable to lifeline consumers and the consumers of K-Electric. Furthermore, NEPRA has also sent its decision to the federal government, prior to its notification in the official gazette as per Section 31(7) of the NEPRA. According to a brief on NEPRA decision in the matter of request filed by power distribution companies (DISCOs) for periodic adjustment in tariff on account of variation in capacity charges, variables Operation and

Maintenance (O&M), use of system charges, market operator fee and Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) impact of Transmission and Despatch (T & D) losses etc for the 2nd quarter of FY 2021-22, the Authority (NEPRA) has approved positive amount of Rs39 billion on account of Quarterly Adjustment pertaining to 2nd Quarter of FY 202122 for DICSOs. Based on the adjustment mechanism, as prescribed in the notified tariff, NEPRA has already determined quarterly adjustments of XWDISCOs till June 2021.And, DISCOs, now in line with the prescribed quarterly adjustment mechanism, filed their adjustment

requests for the 2nd quarter of the FY 202 122 i.e. from October to December 2021. NEPRA’s hearing in the matter was held on April 28, 2022. Since the adjustment is being made in the already notified Uniform tariff, therefore, the Authority has determined the impact of 2nd quarterly adjustment on uniform basis along-with DISCO wise rate, which shall be reflected in the monthly bills of consumers of all DISCOs, and any excess /less adjustment would be settled between DISCOs at CPPA-G level. The Authority has determined a positive uniform rate of Rs.1.5547/kWh, as men-

tioned hereunder for the allowed positive amount of quarterly adjustments of Rs.39,001 million pertaining to the 2nd quarter of the FY 2021-22, across each category of consumers of DISCOs (except lifeline consumers), based on notified projected sales, after excluding there from the sales to life line consumers, to be recovered in three (03) months period, w.e.f. 01.07.2022. It is pertinent to mention that no quarterly adjustments would be passed on to B1, B2, B3 and B4 industrial consumers to the extent of incremental sales till continuation of the instant package, in line with the Authority’s decision dated 01.12.2020.

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