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Saturday, 18 June, 2022 I 18 Dhul-Qadah, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 349 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition

Pakistan on cusP of removal from fatf grey list g

Global body says Islamabad substantIally completed Its two actIon plans

ISLAMABAD

saleem Jadoon

He Financial action task Force (FatF) on Friday announced kick-starting a process to remove pakistan from the ‘grey list’ after four years of rigorous monitoring of its efforts to combat terror financing, in a decision that will end the threat of Islamabad being blacklisted. “at its June 2022 plenary, the FatF made the initial determination that pakistan has substantially completed its two action plans, covering 34 items,” according to a statement issued by the FatF on Friday. on-site inspection mission decision was taken by the global body during its June 14-17 plenary meeting held in berlin, Germany. It added the initial determination “warrants an on-site visit to verify that the implementation of pakistan’s aml/cFt reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation and improvement in the future”. the FatF will continue to monitor the covid-19 situation and conduct an onsite visit at the earliest possible date, it

added, without giving a date for the visit. the pakistani authorities said that the global body will next month send a mission to pakistan to determine the veracity of the government’s claim that it has fully implemented all the 34 conditions that the FatF had set in February 2018 and then in June 2021. pakistan had been asked to implement these conditions in 15 months but it took around four years due to complexity of these issues. the FatF’s decision will now require commitments from all the pakistani stakeholders to prove to the FatF’s upcoming mission that no serious deficiency remains in its anti-money laundering (aml) and combating terror Financing (cFt) regimes. the FatF handout also noted that since June 2018, when pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with the FatF and asia pacific Group to strengthen its aml/cFt regime and to address its strategic counter-terrorist financing-related deficiencies, Islamabad’s continued political commitment to combating both terrorist financing and money laundering has led to significant progress. In particular, pakistan demonstrated that terror financing investigations and

prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of un designated terrorist groups and that there is a positive upwards trend in the number of money laundering investigations and prosecutions being pursued in pakistan, in line with pakistan’s risk profile. In addition, pakistan also largely addressed its 2021 action plan ahead of the set times, according to the FatF. the pakistani authorities said that pakistan will submit its progress report in the first week of July to the FatF. the FatF team will then make on-site visits to pakistan in the last week of July and hold meetings with relevant government departments, according to pakistani officials. the on-site inspection team will submit its report to the FatF and on the basis of on-site team report, the FatF will announce the decision of keeping or removing pakistan from the grey list in the next plenary. In February 2018, the FatF had decided to place pakistan on the grey list with effect from June 2018 and handed it over a list of 27 conditions that it needed to implement to exit the grey list. In the last plenary meeting, the FatF also acknowledged the “significant progress” made by pakistan in completing the required action items. earlier, pakistan had completed 26 of the 27 action items in its 2018 action plan and one remaining point was about cFt related item by demonstrating that terror financing investigations and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of un designated terrorist groups. the remaining action item was the most significant among all in the view of the member countries including the us and India, which have circled pakistan through the FatF platform.

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Pakistan seeks US support for IMF programme revival ISLAMABAD agencies

pakistan has sought support from the united states for the revival of the International monetary Fund (ImF) programme as the global lender has not yet agreed to a staff-level pact despite the tough measures by the government. according to details, Finance minister miftah Ismail and minister of state for Finance ayesha pasha met with us ambassador donald blome and sought washington’s support for the revival of the ImF programme. blome was apprised that the government has proposed fiscal consolidation equal to 2.2 percent of Gross domestic product (Gdp) in difficult circumstances. the us ambassador was informed that despite three rounds of talks and several virtual contacts, the ImF did not even share the draft of the memorandum for economic and Financial policies (meFp) with pakistan. the us is the largest shareholder in the ImF and has in the past too played a role in helping Islamabad complete the fund’s programme reviews. the ministry of Finance did not officially comment on the article. officials have claimed that the

memorandum forms the basis of any staff-level agreement and without finalization of the meFp no formal stafflevel agreement can be signed. pakistani officials further said that after the increase in petroleum prices and electricity tariffs, it was hoped that the global lender would be ready for staff-level negotiations. “However, the ImF is now demanding to withdraw tax incentives and collection of Rs150 billion additional revenue from the salaried class,” the officials added. the government has already massively increased fuel prices and abolished all subsidies. pml-n-led coalition government on wednesday has jacked up petrol price by Rs24 per litre. the announcement was made by Finance minister miftah Ismail, citing government was not in a position to bear more subsidies anymore. last week, the ImF country head said that “an important principle underpinning these (power sector) reforms is that all stakeholders contribute in an equitable manner to reduce the circular debt, between the government, Ipps and consumers, while protecting the most vulnerable consumers”.

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02-03 NEWS 18 JUNE_Layout 1 6/18/2022 2:26 AM Page 1

Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

AbSEnCE of MiniStErS CAuSED uProAr in SEnAtE IsLaMaBaD

news Desk

BSENCE of ministers on Friday caused uproar in Senate and due to the reason, Senator Raza Rabbani of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) announced not to speak on the budget in protest. He, seconding the stance of Opposition Leader in the Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem on the absence of ministers, said he witnessed the same situation in the tenure of previous government but “two wrongs don’t make a right”.

Rabbani said that the Parliament had been made redundant since last three to four years and it was expected that the government of the day would bring significant changes in the prevailing circumstances and strengthen the national institutions besides parliament. He lamented that there was a huge cabinet but none of its member was available in the Upper House of the Parliament particularly, at the time when the budget was being discussed which had been presented in the crucial times and when Pakistan was standing at the crossroads.

CM KP approves austerity guidelines for govt officers

He said the Finance Minister or State Minister for Finance should have been available at least throughout the session in the House. He urged Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to take action as per rules of the House on the matter saying, “You are custodian of the House, you are the Chairman of Senate, you should ensure that ministers are present.” Rabbani said in his tenure as Senate Chairman, it was happened and he suspended the minister for 10 days. “Therefore, in order to restore the majesty of the Parliament, I would request you to exercise your influence over the government

and ask them to be present in the House,” he added. Earlier, Dr Shahzad Waseem brought the issue in the notice of the House and expressed his grave concerns. PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla informed the House that Finance Minister Dr Miftah Ismail was engaged with the International Monetary Fund through video link. As soon as, he got free, he would be available in the House, he added. PPP Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani said in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s government, Minister of State Ali Muhammad Khan was the only one who

used to reply the queries of the respected members pertaining to all the ministries throughout the session. He said that it would be wrong to say that nobody was noting the minutes adding the Finance Ministry’s officials sitting in the House were pen downing each and every one’s concerns and proposals. He said that it was not humanly possible to be present everywhere at the same time although they were performing multiple tasks these days. They would come in the House but they should not go unheard, he added.

Huge gap in electricity supply to KP, says Amir Muqam

Peshawar

Aziz Buneri

stAff rePorter

In view of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government initiative to reduce POL expenditures of officers by 35 per cent, the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has approved some additional guidelines for strict compliance in this regard at the government level. According to the guidelines issued for the Chief Secretary / Additional Chief Secretary P&D / SMBR / IG Police Offices, all types of meetings / review meetings in which field officers such as Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, RPOs and DPOs presence is required will be held through video link. However, officers posted in Peshawar have been exempted from this their presence in the field will be ensured to provide better services to the people. Similarly, all administrative secretaries are required to attend their meetings via video links where the participation of concerned district departments are required. Officers posted in Peshawar will be exempted from this decision and will participate in the meeting physically. According to the new guidelines issued by the KP Government, the attached formations / directorates / autonomous / semi-self authoritative institutions / development authorities will also ensure implementation of the aforementioned guidelines. Similarly, guidelines have also been issued for all Divisional Commissioners and RPOs, according to which DCs, DPOs, ACs and DCs. SPs (except Divisional Headquarters) will also attend the meetings via video link, but if the distance from the meeting place is more than 15 km, the condition of online participation will apply. All operational duties, ambulance services, field inspections are exempted from the guidelines. This decision will not apply to opening ceremonies, necessary matters and court hearings. Moreover, the officers working at remote stations and facing internet problem in their respective area can go to the nearest station / district where internet is available to attend the meeting through video link.

Advisor to Prime Minister on political and public affairs Amir Muqam while commenting on excessive electricity loadshedding said it is highly unfortunate that there is a huge difference between demand and supply. He expressed hope the electricity load-shedding would be reduced in July, next month. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is receiving 1700 megawatt against its total demand of 3300 megawatt, the PM aide informed while addressing a news conference here on Friday. “35 percent demand of electricity in KP has been increased as compared to previous year,” Hydel electricity was supplied 6000 MW in KP in previous year, which has

been reduced to 4000 MW, Amir Muqam elaborated. He added KP has generated 2000 MW less hydel power owing to lack of sufficient rains in the province. Flanked by former federal minister, Sardar Yousaf, MPA Ikhtiyar Wali Khan, Sobia Khan and others, the PM aide said the pace of glacier melting is very slow and has created water shortages. Number of power plants were out of order, we are making them functional, he added. He expressed hope the issue of electricity load-shedding will be resolved in July next month. Amir Muqam who is also Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) provincial president, asked the KP government how much electricity had been added to the national grid in the

past few years, we will never compromise on the rights of the KP province, he vowed. The PM aide said KP is receiving due share on the head of Net Hydel Profit (NHP) and we categorically reject any politics on this matter, he added. He said improvement has been seen in the power supply system over the past two days. Amir Muqam apologized to people for the fuel price hike, saying that it is all happening as a result of the agreements. He added that the agreement made with the IMF was a deal done by Pakistan. If the present government didn’t fulfill commitments that were made under agreements with the IMF, then the whole system of the country would be grounded, Amir Muqam warned.

KP debt liability remains Rs331b this year, says minister Peshawar APP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance Taimur Saleem Jhagra has said that the Opposition was giving exaggerated figures of KP debt and said that the disbursed loan liability of the province on the end of the current financial year is Rs331billion as reflected in the Debt Statistical Bulletin. In a statement issued here on Friday, he said that as these are foreign loans, hence they are converted at an exchange rate of PKR/USD of 175, which is communicated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs Islamabad. He further said that there was no domestic debt liability against the provincial government as of 1st July 2022. He added that foreign currency was used for the financing of specified developmental projects under an agreement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government. He said that the re-lending terms and conditions of the foreign loans to the provincial government were the same as those agreed upon by the federal government with foreign lenders. He reiterated that the loans borrowed are longterm concessional loans for which interest rates range from 0.75 to 2 percent for development projects and programs. “The tenures of these loans

are between 20 to 25 years with grace periods of 5 to 10 years. During the grace period, only interest is charged, whereas there are no principal repayments,” he explained. Referring to the return of loans, the provincial minister for finance told that during the current Financial Year 2021-22, the Government of KP had repaid Rs12.155 billion on account of principal repayments and paid interest of Rs2.5 billion. Most of these loans are taken for various sectors including transport, energy and power, urban and rural development, roads infrastructure, health, and education, he added and said the ratio of outstanding debt stock as a percentage of Total receipts is only 44 percent, whereas the ratio of debt servicing (repayment) to total receipts is only 2.01 percent reflected on page 93 of White Paper 2022-23. However, Jhagra elaborated that an amount of Rs556.666 billion had been shown as “undisbursed amount” in Debt Statistical Bulletin as of 31st December 2021, page 11. These are committed loan amounts on account of 23 active loans, meaning that the loan agreements for these projects are already signed, and the loan amount is expected to be received/disbursed in the next 5-7 years: hence the amount of Rs556.555 billion is not part of the outstanding debt liability of the province yet.

UNICEF representative presents credentials to Ministry of Foreign Aﬀairs IsLaMaBaD news Desk

Abdullah A. Fadil, the new Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Pakistan, presented his credentials to Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Additional Secretary (United Nations) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Friday. Mr. Fadil has recently arrived in the country, where he will be leading the new multi-sectoral UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation (20232027) in partnership with the Government, in support of the National Development Plan. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad appreciated UNICEF’s continued support for Pakistan’s national development priorities and its partnership with the Government in pursuance of UNICEF’s mandate for children. UNICEF works to help every girl and boy realize their right to health, including immunization; nutrition; education; child protection; water, sanitation and hygiene; and social protection – with a focus on children and adolescents living in the most deprived families and hardest-to-reach communities. Commending Pakistan’s efforts to improve indicators for children, Abdullah A. Fadil assured the Government of UNICEF’s commitment to continue supporting federal and provincial authorities in achieving the best results for every child.

Fadil brings with him over 25 years of experience in international development and humanitarian relief, strategic management, peacemaking and peace-building, public policy and administration and advocacy work in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Prior to this assignment, Fadil served as UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan from 2016 to 2021. He also served as the Director of the United Nations Humanitarian Monitoring Mechanism for Syria, where he worked on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Syrians from Jordan, Turkey and Iraq (2014-2016). And between 2013 to 2014, was the Deputy Head of Mission and Chief of Staff the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (POCW), as part of the UN joint mission in Syria on elimination of Syrian chemical weapons. Mr. Fadil also served with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East, the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York, the United Nations Interim Administration mission in Kosovo, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and McGill University in Canada.

He said whatever initiatives were made, all of them have become obligatory under the prevailing circumstances. Criticising the previous government, Amir Muqam said the incumbent coalition government is removing financial land mines that were laid by the former Imran Khan led government. He said that the coalition government had tried its best to provide possible relief to the people despite the financial difficulties created by the PTI. Muqam appreciated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had worked day and night in the first two month of the present coalition government. The recent visit of PM Shehbaz to Rashakai Special Economic Zone was a message to the People’s Republic of China that we stand with them, he said.

Pakistan invites D-8 countries to invest in SEZs INP Pakistan has invited the Developing-8 countries to explore the investment opportunities in the country’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The invitation was extended by Minister for Board of Investment and Special Initiative, Chaudhry Salik Hussain while interacting with the delegates from the D-8 countries, said a press release issued by BOI here. Minister Chaudhary Salik Hussain, and Secretary BOI, Fareena Mazhar are in Istanbul to participate in the D-8 Investment Conference on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the D-8 Organization. “I invite the D-8 Nations to join hands with Pakistan and work together to make the D-8 alliance food secure and an agriculturally surplus country,” he said. The minister said the government was working with a vision to transform Pakistan into a high-end commercial, technology and manufacturing hub. “I am happy to state that Pakistan’s agriculture sector, being the backbone of our economy, posted a growth of 4.4 percent in FY2022 owing to a 6.6 percent growth in crops and 3.3 percent increase in livestock production” he said. Minister BOI assured regarding the government’s resolve and commitment to facilitate businesses and investors in Pakistan.

Plastic bags a major cause of environmental pollution: Environmentalists News Desk Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Friday said that environmentalists agree that plastic bags are a major cause of environmental pollution. “Citizens should discourage the use of plastic bags. The ban on plastic bags has been in place since June 15. I would like to ask the citizens to support the law enforcement agencies and KMC in this regard,” the administrator said in a statement issued from his office. Barrister Murtaza Wahab asked the citizens, shopkeepers, traders and manufacturers to play their role in ensuring the ban and cooperate fully with all stakeholders, district administration, government agencies and KMC in this regard to get rid of plastic bags. He said that thousands of tons of plastic bags were being taken out during the cleaning of drains in Karachi and these bags were obstructing the drainage of rain water due to which water enters the houses and accumulates on the roads. “We must prove ourselves to be good citizens and make this initiative of the government a success,” he added. He said that despite the ban, if plastic bags were used, they would be seized and strict legal action would be taken against the vendors concerned. “All vendors are advised to refrain from using plastic bags immediately.” He said that the decision to ban plastic bags should have been taken earlier. He added that now the ban was being enforced with the cooperation of all local bodies, police and law enforcement departments.

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Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

CollECtivE EffortS MuSt to SAvE worlD froM Drought, EnSurE fooD SECurity: PrESiDEnt

Pakistan one of most attractive tourism destinations in world: Envoy IsLaMaBaD news Desk

News Desk

RESIDENT Dr Arif Alvi on Friday stressed the need for joining hands with regional countries and the world to save the globe from droughts and ensure food security. In his message on the International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the president mentioned that many countries around the world, including Pakistan, were experiencing periodic low and unpredictable rainfall. The president said climate change,

degradation of land, deforestation, and overexploitation of farmlands and grasslands were contributing factors to crop failure, water stress, land degradation and low growth performance. This year’s slogan ‘Rising up from drought together’, he said, will send a strong message to drought-prone countries to join hands and reiterate their commitment to encourage communities to act together to tackle the immediate impacts of drought and build long-term resilience. President Alvi said the drought

impact can be mitigated by developing water sources – such as micro dams, ponds, and wells, water rationing, restoring pastures, and recovering the water holding capacity of soils. He proposed that the solution lay in tree plantation, protecting riverbanks, shifting to drought-tolerant crops, and relocation of herds from vulnerable pastures. “We need to adopt cogent drought policies at the federal and provincial levels, launch a well-thought-out and coordinated drought action plan, implement comprehensive drought-

management strategies, improve water security through groundwater recharge, create more water reservoirs, ensure water availability, and enhance forest cover throughout the country,” he said. The president expressed satisfaction that Pakistan was working in many areas to mitigate the impact of drought which include the implementation of a national-level programme to plant 3.29 billion plants over an area of one million hectares in desertification and drought-prone areas.

AJK PM asks revenue authorities to simplify tax system News Desk

Sindh alters timings for closure of markets, hotels, marriage halls News Desk Sindh Home department has decided to impose specific restrictions on the timings of markets, hotels, restaurants and marriage halls with immediate effect to overcome the power outages across the province for a month. According to an order issued here on Friday, all the markets, bazars, shops and shopping malls, shall be closed by 9 pm except medical stores, pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, bakeries and milk shops. All the marriage halls, banquets and marriage functions shall be closed by 10:30pm. And, all the hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and cafes by 11pm. The order shall remain in force with immediate effect and until July 16, 2022. The decision has been taken in view of the Federal Cabinet’s decision on June 07 to take effective measures to reduce the load shedding of electricity hours through the conservation of the electricity and so on.

Aiou extends admissions’ date of MA/M.Sc programs till June 30 News Desk Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has extended the date of the admissions for MA/M.Sc programs offered in Semester Spring, 2022 till June 30. AIOU has offered the admissions of MA/M.Sc programs for the last time under the policy of Higher Education Commission. These programs will not be offered from next semester. According to Director Admissions, Syed Zia Ul Husnain Naqvi, approval for the extension has been given by VC, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum in accordance with the time frame given by HEC. Moreover, online workshops for BS, B.Ed and Associate Degree programs offered in the spring semester 2022 will begin from June 27. These workshops will be conducted online through the university’s Aaghi Learning Management System (LMS). Log in information (username & password) has been shared with the students and they are instructed to participate in these workshops through Aaghi portal. All those students who have not received their username and password are instructed to contact their nearest AIOU regional office.

Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has stressed the need for removing existing complexities in the region’s tax system to make it easier and business friendly. The AJK PM made these remarks while addressing a high-level meeting of the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) here on Friday. The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance and Inland Revenue Abdul Majeed Khan, Chairman Central Board of Revenue Faheem Ahmad Khan, Secretary Services and General Administration Raja Amjad Pervez Ali Khan, Principal Secretary Syed Shahid Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, CBR officials and others. Speaking on the occasion, PM said that restoring the Inland Revenue Department to its original condition was the government’s first priority. Referring to complexities in the region’s (AJK) tax system, he said that there was dire need to remove all the complexities and cumbersome procedures in the existing system so that businessmen and investors could have no problems. The PM stated that the CBR should encourage local industrialists, encourage taxpayers by making the tax collection system people friendly and transparent. “Make people realize that our state is all that matters the most. You may disagree with the government but when it comes to the state, we are one and every single

citizen of the state is bound to play a responsible role for its welfare”, the PM said. The Prime Minister directed the officials of the Inland Revenue Department to compile a list of the top 100 prominent tax payers of Azad Kashmir and to encourage them. “Hire a well reputable tax consultant to rectify the existing Revenue Act and make the existing Act valid and competent”, he said adding that all possible measures would be taken to make the CBR a better institution and whatever legal loopholes exist in the CBR Act would also be removed. The Prime Minister on the occasion lamented that the tourist sector was badly ignored during the past 75 years. “Tourist destinations of Azad Kashmir are in no way inferior to tourist destinations of the world but the problem is that during the past several decades no effort was made for the development of tourism”, he said adding that the PTI government would give tourism the status of an industry in order to boost local economy and generate more revenue for the state. He said that the funds would be allocated in the forthcoming budget for the promotion of local industry. He said that during the PTI rule in Pakistan, the then Prime Minister Imran Khan increased the tax net, which was also acknowledged by his opponents. “In AJK there is also an urgent need to increase the tax net”, he maintained.

Ahsan Iqbal directs to start int’l flights from Quetta airport by Aug 14 News Desk Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday directed to operationalise international flights from Quetta Airport by August 14 to facilitate overseas Pakistanis from Balochistan. It would particularly enhance the connectivity of the people of province with the Middle East, which hosted a large number of Pakistani diaspora working there, he said while chairing a meeting to finalise the pricing model of fares for airports in Balochistan for higher traffic volumes and enhanced airconnectivity of the provinces. Advisor Maritime Affairs Jawad Khokhar, Additional Secretary Planning Dawood Muhammad Bareach, secretary aviation, Balochistan chief secretary, Pakistan International Airlines chief executive officer and Civil Aviation Authority deputy director general attended the meeting. Ahsan Iqbal said direct Hajj flights from Quetta to Jeddah would also be started, which would facilitate the pilgrims hailing from the province, who currently used the indirect routes via

Karachi / Islamabad. The meeting was told that the PIA was operating 30 flights weekly to three cities of Balochistan. The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed to mainstream the flight operations for the people of Balochistan and to alleviate their sense of isolation. He observed that the dynamic pricing model being practiced currently, created hike in fare pricing which discouraged the people to opt for air travel. He directed to devise a fair price structure mechanism that “is static which does not lead to skyrocket the airfares. It is our utmost priority to address the low volume of domestic flights connecting the people of Baluchistan to other parts of the country.” Ahsan Iqbal stressed that all airlines like Serene, Air Sial and others should also operate on Balochistan routes for maximum facilitation of the people of province. He also directed to ensure inauguration and shifting of flight operations from old Gawadar Airport to New Gawadar Airport on March 23, 2023,. It would be a gift for the people of Balochistan on Pakistan Day, he added.

Afghan children with heart diseases arrive in Pakistan for treatment News Desk The first batch of Afghan children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) arrived on Friday at Torkham border from Kabul to receive medical treatment in Pakistan. The CHD-affected children arrived at the Torkham border along with their parents. The children and their families were received by Chairman Pak Afghan Cooperation Forum Habib Ullah Khan and

Chairman Alkhidmat Foundation Dr Hafeez ur Rehman and a team of doctors from the University of Lahore. Besides heads of PACF and Alkhidmat Foundation, Director PACF Waqar Maroof, cardiologist Dr Abdul Malik and Director AKF Sufyan Ahmed Khan were also present from Pakistan side. From Afghan side, Molvi Khalid and Hafeez ur Rehman of Afghan Red Crescent were present.

According to Afghan Red Crescent, around 6,000 Afghan children with CHD are waiting for the treatment. More than 1,000 have been registered since the beginning of 2021 and are waiting to be treated inside or outside the country. The congenital heart diseases are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. They can affect how blood flows through the heart and out to the rest of the body.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, Dr.Asad Majeed Khan on Friday said that Pakistan has the most beautiful and undiscovered touristic sites with huge untapped tourism potential. He was speaking at an event organized by the Embassy of Pakistan about Pakistan’s adventure tourism, to mark successful Belgian expeditions of K2, Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak at the chancery. The participants included renowned Belgian mountaineers,Stef Maginelle, Sofie Lenaerts, Niels Jespers, Luc Beirinckx and Wouter Noterman, who had recently climbed K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I & IIand Broad Peak, as well as a group of trekkers who will be undertaking trekking expedition in Pakistan next month. Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan in his remarks highlighted Pakistan’s potential as one of the most attractive tourism destination in the world. He explained that Pakistan’s tourism industry has significantly developed with improved touristic infrastructure and visitor facilities, a press release issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels said. Referring to the recently released report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) last month, Ambassador Khan highlighted that Pakistan has moved six points up in the International Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021. The index ranks the countries based on the set of factors and policies that help stable and sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry in each country, he added. He said that the expedition of Belgian climbers will be a source of inspiration to local and international travellers especially mountaineers, trekkers and adventure tourists. During the event, the climbers shared their personal mountaineering experiences at the K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I & II, Biafo Glacier and Snow lakes in Karakoram Mountains as well as their interaction with the hospitable local population from the area. They also shared video presentations of their mountaineering expeditions in Pakistan. While speaking on the occasion, Niels Jespers said that K2 is the most attractive Peak in the world and for him climbing K2 was a huge dream coming true with extreme pleasure and excitement. In her remarks, Ms.Sofie Lenaerts said that the biggest reward of their visit to Pakistan was the connection which they made with the most friendly and hospitable local people of Pakistan. Whereas Mr. Jens said that Pakistan is a hidden gem with amazing hospitality and mysterious attractions. The event was arranged as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan.

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Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

BaloChIStan Budget FY 2022-23 to Be PReSented on June 20

APP

ALOCHISTAN Minister for Finance, Communications and Works (C&W) Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran on Friday said that the Balochistan government will present a people-friendly budget for the financial year 2022-23 on June 20. Talking to APP, he said, in the budget, funds would be allocated to 65 constituencies of Balochistan Assembly on the basis of equality in order to ensure equal development in all the areas of the province. Abdul Rehman said that the present

provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, would present its first budget, and it had been trying hard to make it a peoplefriendly and balanced budget with the aim to provide maximum relief to the people of Balochistan. He said that due to limited resources of Balochistan, the budget for the next financial year might project a small deficit but after the Reko Dik agreement by the present government, it would be in a position to present a better budget in the coming years. During his tenure, the former chief minister did not allocate funds for many impor-

Metrological Center Quetta warns flood in northeast Balochistan News Desk The Metrological Center Quetta on Friday said that thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in the northeast Balochistan that may generate flood-like situations in its catchment areas. “Heavy downpour is expected in Sherani, Zhob, Musakhel, Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Duki, Barkhan, Kohlu, Bolan, and its surrounding areas during the evening,” said the MCQ referring to the weather forecast for next 24 hours. However, dusty/dust rising winds are also expected in central and southern parts of the province. Heavy falls may generate floods in the catchment areas of Northeast Balochistan. After the introduction of this system from June 17 to June 20, dusty winds have started blowing in Pak-Iran and Pak-Afghan border areas. An alert has been issued by the PDMA for the Deputy Commissioners of the districts under the expected system. The PDMA directed the Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts to keep the necessary staff ready during the rains. The PDMA has also issued flood warnings for Lower Balochistan along with Takhte-e-Salman and Harnai Range.

KP may impose salaries cut as federal govt reduced tribal districts funds AzIz BuNerI The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is considering various measures after the federal government reduced funds allocation for the tribal districts. According to sources in the finance department, if there was a shortage of funds, KP government may consider to impose cut on the salaries of the tribal district employees. The officials said Rs60 billion allocated by the federal government for tribal districts is insufficient to meet the ongoing expenditure this year. The province needs another Rs21 billion to meet the expenditures. The officials said that if more funds were not provided, then the provincial government will consider various options. According to sources, the first option is to cut the salaries of government employees. The government may also consider transferring Rs21 billion from the Tribal Development Fund for current expenditure. Sources said that the provincial government will take a formal decision in this regard in next few days by taking the elected representatives of tribal districts into confidence.

tant areas and neglected the opposition constituencies on purpose while allocating funds, he said, adding, but the present government would ensure the provision of funds to all constituencies on equal basis. He said, while responding to a question, that the present provincial government was trying to serve the people as much as possible and would not repeat the mistakes made by the previous governments. “We do not claim that we are going to end all the miseries of Balochistan in the upcoming budget, but our endeavor is to serve the people better than before,” he concluded.

Pakistan, Mexico hold bilateral political consultations to broaden ties further IsLAMABAD aPP

Pakistan on Friday expressed its commitment to further deepen and broaden its ties with Mexico, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. This commitment was underscored by Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Additional Secretary (Americas), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who led the Pakistan delegation during the 5th round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Mexico held in virtual mode. The Mexican delegation was headed by Ms. Amparo Anguiano, Director General for Africa, Central Asia and the Mid-

dle East at the Mexican Foreign Ministry. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Mexico also participated in the meeting. During the PBC, the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as regional and multilateral issues were discussed, a press release issued here by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Additional Secretary thanked the Mexican government for supporting Pakistan in obtaining the Observer Status in the Pacific Alliance and hoped for enhanced cooperation with Latin America through the Alliance. He highlighted that Pakistan was firmly focusing on imperatives of geoeconomics and pursuing policies which would promote peace, growth, devel-

opment, and regional connectivity. The Pakistan side also underscored the importance of deeper diplomatic engagement including through reopening of Mexico’s resident Mission in Islamabad. Views were exchanged on closer collaboration on consular matters. The both sides expressed satisfaction at the cooperation between the two countries at various international forums especially in the United Nations, and on the question of Security Council reforms. Pakistan and Mexico continue to support each other’s candidatures at the UN and other international bodies. The both sides committed for conclusion of a range of Memoranda of

Committee opposes advance tax on payment abroad through credit, debit cards IsLAMABAD Shahzad Paracha

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Friday opposed the new insertion of a section in the Bill to impose Withholding Tax on payment abroad through credit/debit or prepaid cards. Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Asim Ahmed informed the Committee that the Advance Tax was adjustable and it was aimed at encouraging consumers to file their tax returns. Chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwala, the meeting discussing the Ordinance clause by clause and approved several amendments, besides dissenting some the of amendments. Discussing on the amendments in penalties on failing to furnish returns of income, Senator Farooq H. Naik said that there should be some relaxation to those who could not file their returns due to genuine reasons. Chairman FBR informed the meeting that the government had added new sections in the Income Tax Ordinance to provide penalty for default of requirements of Points of Sale (POS) system installed by the FBR at the retailer shops. He said that the retailers who might corrupt or temper the system would be fined up to Rs3 million and if even after paying penalty, they continue their corrupt practices, they would be prosecuted and could be jailed or their business could be sealed. Senator Farooq Naik appreciated the governments’ move of penalties but he disagreed with the idea of prosecution, saying that shutting down of the business would be the most effective way of punishing them. Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar however said that tax evasion was a serious crime so, such evaders must be dealt with iron

hands. The meeting was informed that the major source of checking the retailers’ activities on POS was the consumers who report to the FBR in case of fake receipt through the prize scheme. The Committee also approved the proposal for collecting fix tax of Rs3000 to Rs10,000 through electricity bills from the small retailers. Discussing increase in period of holding immovable property to get exemption from the advance tax, Chairman FBR said this move would discourage dead investments in the country and the investors would be encouraged to invest in progressive businesses. Senator Talhah Mehmood appreciated this step saying that the government should also create business friendly environment. The Committee approved the amendment relating to tax on immovable property. It also approved the omission of the section abolishing collection of advance tax from the educational institutions. The meeting also approved the proposal of prize scheme to promote tax culture. Farooq Naik directed the FBR to further publicize this scheme so that maximum consumers could know about the scheme. The Committee also opposed increase in withholding tax on capital gains on disposal of securities and recommended to keep the old rate at 12.5 percent across the board. Minister of State for Finance, Ayesha Ghous Pasha on the occasion, assured the Committee that the government would consider all the recommendation made by the Committee. The Committee discussed on the addition of new sections with regards to penalties on retailers and approved the addition of sections

Understanding (MoUs) regarding enhanced cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, education, culture, and science and technology. Regional and international issues including Afghanistan, conflict in Ukraine, and the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were discussed during the political consultations. The both sides agreed to hold the next round of Bilateral Political Consultations in-person. Additional Secretary Tirmizi extended an invitation to his Mexican counterpart to lead the Mexican delegation to the 6th session of the Bilateral Political Consultations in Pakistan.

Southern Sindh in grip of famine: Ismail Rahoo News Desk In connection with International Day for Disaster Management and Famine, Sindh Environment Minister Ismail Rahoo said Friday that due to climate change and water scarcity, southern Sindh, including Badin, Thatta and Sujawal, is in the grip of famine. “Due to water scarcity, farmers in Sindh are forced to sell their agricultural lands to the builder mafia for pennies. Due to severe water shortage, rice growing season in Sindh is rapidly approaching to an end. This is why agricultural land is being converted into residential colonies in most parts of Sindh,” he said in a statement. The environment minister accused the former PTI government of committing a lot of injustice in water distribution with Sindh during Imran Khan’s tenure. Despite having water, Sindh was deprived of its water share. If Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif does not play his role in ensuring equitable distribution of water, Sindh will be engulfed in famine, he added. Rahoo said that the ground water level in Sindh is declining rapidly, which has also become quite bitter. The vast majority of Pakistan’s population is largely indifferent to the protection of the environment, which necessitates an awareness campaign at the government level. Moreover, mango, cotton, sugarcane and rice crops have been burnt due to lack of water in Sindh. Rahoo said that due to pollution, the earth’s environment is changing rapidly and water reserves are declining which is leading to drought. Rice cultivation season in Sindh is rapidly approaching to an end. Pakistan earns 2.5 billion dollars annually from rice exports, 80% of which comes from Sindh.

Kashmiris to continue peaceful freedom struggle till complete success: Mahmood Saghar MuzAffArABAD NewS deSk

The newly elected Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, has said that the Kashmiris will continue their peaceful struggle for securing their right to self-determination till it reached its logical conclusion. Mahmood Ahmed Saghar in an exclusive interview with the Kashmir Media Service said the Kashmiris have been rendering unprecedented sacrifices for their inalienable right to self-determination since 1947 and their freedom movement is one of the

longest running freedom movements in the world. He said that the only demand of the Kashmiris was to be given the right promised to them by the international community. Mahmood Ahmed Saghar said if the issues of East Timor and South Sudan could be resolved through referendum then why not Kashmir, therefore, the international community should give up its double standard and come forward to help the Kashmiris in securing their inalienable right. He said the Kashmiris are continuing their freedom movement with determination despite facing the worst Indian atrocities. The APHC-AJK Convener said that at present all the top Hurriyat leaders, including Masarrat

Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Yasin Malik and Aasiya Andrabi were lodged in jails while a large number of youth had also been sent behind the bars by the Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government. Replying to a question, he said that the APHC wanted that all the people living in Jammu and Kashmir, including Muslims as well as Pandits, Sikhs and Buddhists must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination. Mahmood Ahmed Saghar said that Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Hurriyat leadership should formulate a joint strategy to raise the Kashmir dispute more effectively at the international level. He said Azad Jammu and Kashmir has more respon-

sibility regarding the Kashmir dispute as it is the base camp of the freedom movement. He said, “We do not need any other roadmap for resolving the Kashmir dispute because the United Nations has already given a roadmap for it and we have to take it further.” To another question, the APHC-AJK Convener said that mere statements would not do anything but the United Nations would have to take practical steps to implement its resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. He added that all the five permanent members of the UN Security Council consider Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory and India cannot deny this fact until it resolves the Kashmir dispute.

Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

corporate corner fauji cement substantially reduces emissions of co2 ISLAMABAD: 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. pr

Dawlance completes its 10,000 treePlantation as a sustainability project KARACHI: Dawlance is the technology-leading enterprise in Pakistan’s homeappliances industry, which recently hosted a vibrant ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of its 10,000 Tree-Plantation projects. Dawlance has the vision to ensure the well-being of humanity and environmental sustainability, whereby the company has collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the University of Karachi (KU), for large-scale tree plantations in Pakistan, while also nurturing the vast mangrove forests along the coastal regions. pr

nestlé wins 1st Prize at global compact Best Practice Sustainability awards 2021 Nestlé Pakistan won the first prize at Living the Global Compact Best Practice Sustainability Awards 2021, for the sixth consecutive time, announced by local chapter of UN Global Compact Network, for its continuous commitment towards UN SDGs and the ten principles of the UNGC embedded in the way it conducts business. “This recognition signifies Nestlé Pakistan’s commitment and dedication to the UN SDGs. As a signatory to the UN Global Compact for Ethical Business, we are committed to the communities for mutual growth and sustainability,” said Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Nestlé Pakistan on the occasion. “Nestlé believes in the philosophy of creating shared value (CSV). Our purpose is to unlock the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come, and hence CSV is embedded in our business model across our value chain,” he added. Congratulating Nestlé Pakistan on winning the award, Fasihul Karim Siddiqi, Executive Director Global Compact Network Pakistan, said, “Nestlé’s commitment and efforts are completely aligned with UNGC principles of sustainable business practices in Pakistan. pr

PaKiStan on cuSP of rEmoval from fatf grEy liSt

continued from page 01

OUNTRIeS have long been demanding through the FATF forum that Pakistan should target eight groups – the Afghan Taliban, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Haqqani Network, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkare-Taiba (LeT), Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. In response to additional deficiencies later identified in Pakistan’s 2019 APG Mutual evaluation Report (MeR), in June 2021, Pakistan provided further high-level commitment to address these strategic deficiencies pursuant to a new action plan that primarily focused on combating money laundering. The FATF had given a new six-point action plan in June last year, keeping Islamabad exposed to global pressure tactics. In response to additional deficiencies later

identified in Pakistan’s 2019 APG Mutual evaluation Report (MeR), Pakistan has made progress to address a number of the recommended actions in the MeR and provided further high-level commitment in June 2021 to address these strategic deficiencies pursuant to a new action plan. Pakistan was asked to continue to work to address its strategically important AML/CFT deficiencies by enhancing international cooperation by amending the Mutual Legal Assistance law and that it was seeking assistance from foreign countries in implementing UNSCR 1373 designations; demonstrate that supervisors were conducting both on-site and off-site supervision commensurate with specific risks associated with designated non-financial businesses and persons (DNFBPs), including applying appropriate sanctions where necessary. HINA FELICITATES NATION: Minister of

State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who was leading the Pakistani delegation through the four-day plenary session that began on Tuesday in Berlin, congratulated the nation for successfully completing the FATF action plans. “As you know Pakistan is in Berlin for the FATF conference. FATF unanimously cleared Pakistan on many of their action plan checks. This is the start of the process of Pakistan being removed from the grey list,” she said in a video message shared on her Twitter handle. “A technical evaluation team will be sent to Pakistan. We will try to ensure that the technical evaluation team will finish their work before October 2022 preliminary cycle and that they will have the best possible comfort. I want to acknowledge dedication of all those who burned the midnight oil. My team in Berlin worked very hard and I’m pleased that this hard work is being noticed and appreciated. I want to congratulate the entire nation,” she said.

Redrawing electoral maps ploy to disempower Muslim majority in IIOJK: Speakers News Desk

Speakers at a webinar have said that the delimitation of assembly segments in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is aimed at disenfranchising and disempowering the Muslim majority population. The webinar, hosted by Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) in collaboration with World Muslim Conference titled “Delimitation of Assembly segments in IIOJK: another ploy to disempower Muslim majority” was attended and addressed by Dr Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad; Sheni Hamid, senior international political strategist; Naila Altaf Kiyani, Advocate Parvez Ahmed Shah, APHCAJK leader and others. The event was moderated by the KIIR Chairman Altaf Hussain Wani. In his initial remarks Altaf Hussain Wani said redrawing of electoral maps to reduce the political centrality of the Muslims in Jammu

and Kashmir’s politics has since long been a dream project of the far-right wing parties, including the BJP. Redrawing electoral maps, he said, is part of India’s systematic settler colonialism campaign to subjugate Muslim majority, minimize its role in decision-making process and provide political mileage to the BJP to enable it to form government in the region so that it could legalize and legitimize the 5th August 2019 controversial decision and the subse-

Pakistan seeks US support for IMF programme revival continued from page 01 She had also said that Pakistani authorities “should be cognizant of the limited fiscal space available to clear any outstanding arrears of the sector stakeholders, and thus there should be a trade-off between this and other government priorities, and the potential to unlock lower capacity payments for electricity as part of the aforementioned burden sharing across stakeholders”. Pakistan owes around Rs300 billion to the Chinese IPPs and the IMF was keeping track of every payment made to them. The government is making allout efforts to revive the programme and has taken many unpopular steps, but still remains short of the IMF’s expectations, said a senior Pakistani negotiator. The sources said that if no breakthrough is achieved in the next couple of days, the Secretary Finance and the Minister for Finance may dash to the United States to meet the top management of the IMF. The coalition government had hoped that after increasing the petroleum products prices and starting the process for approval of increase in electricity prices, the IMF may agree to reach a staff level agreement. However, the IMF also wants not only a reversal of cut in the income tax rates for the salaried class but is seeking to pass on an additional burden of Rs125 billion on the

salaried people. The government has now worked out a new proposal that entails reversing Rs47 billion tax relief and then passing on additional burden of Rs18 billion to the salaried class, the sources added. The previous government had committed to increase the taxes on the salaried class with effect from July and also agreed to share the draft of the personal income tax reforms with the IMF by end of February 2022. The PTI did not fulfill its commitments. The government has already massively increased the fuel prices and abolished all subsidies. But the IMF is now seeking reintroduction of the petroleum levy and sales tax over and above the existing prices, said the sources. While talking to the media after the Senate Standing Committee on Finance meeting, Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Pasha said that there was now more clarity to the IMF on the new budget, hoping to sign a deal very soon.

quent actions it had taken so far on Kashmir. Taking strong exception to Delimitation Commission’s biased approach, the speakers said the process of disempowering and marginalizing the Muslim majority that has begun soon after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A has now gained momentum in the region. They also drew attention to the ongoing Indian efforts to further marginalise, disempower and divide the beleaguered Kashmiri population. They said these actions are in violation of several human rights treaties of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibited any change in the demographics of occupied territories. The speakers urged India to refrain from bringing about any illegal demographic changes in IIOJK, stop forthwith its oppression in the territory, and let the Kashmiri people determine their own future through a free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices. They further highlighted India’s gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations in Kashmir.

KE kicks off driver against defaulters KARACHI: In its efforts to avoid wastage of electricity, KE has disconnected 30,000 connections in the last one week across Karachi due to non-payment of bills. According to KE's Spokesperson, "non-payment of bills contributes significantly to the losses in an area increase and creates hindrances for the consumers making regular payments. We humbly request our consumers to ensure timely payment of bills to ensure efficient power supply to the city." Speaking about the city's power supply situation, KE's spokesperson said that over the last 24 hours average supply to KE's service territory was 2,950 MW electricity which included 1050MW from the National Grid. pr

15th PrintPak Exhibition from Sept 3-5 KARACHI: The 15th edition of PrintPak, the printing, packaging, and graphic arts exhibition, is to be held at Karachi Expo Center from September 3-5. The soft launch of the exhibition was held at a local hotel here in which acting President of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Shabbir Hassan Mansha was the chief guest. The biggest print show will bring global players of the industry together and promote the soft image of Pakistan as local and foreign companies from around the world will take part in the exhibition and showcase their products and innovations in the field of printing and graphic arts while numerous seminars and workshops will also be held by top notch institutes during the exhibition. It is to be noted that currently the industry has an annual turnover of $7 billion, making it the second largest industry of the country that is providing employment to approximately over 2 million workers. Shabbir Hassan in his speech appreciated the efforts made by PAPGAI to promote the printing industry locally and internationally and said that FPCCI will support and highlight any issues related to the printing industry. Convener PrintPak Basit Zaidi in his welcome note said that "Pakistan has immense potential in the global market of printing, which is estimated at around $760 billion, while the share of Asia is burgeoning to 40% of the total." He requested the government to provide relaxation on taxation and duties as this in turn will enhance growth of the print industry in just a few years. "PrintPak is the evidence of teamwork and, therefore, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the exhibition council PAPGAI, exhibition committee members PAPGAI, and Badar Expo Solutions for their co-operation and hard work," said Basit. pr

06-07 Comments - 18th June 2022_Layout 1 6/18/2022 12:22 AM Page 1

Saturday, 18 June, 2022

06 COMMENT

Tayyaba Farooq’s story

Inheritance of disengagement

The case shows troubling vulnerabilities

The urgency of talks

ANy would agree with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that disengagement from India is not in our interest and that it is time for pivoting to economic diplomacy and focusing on engagement. However keeping in view China-India border tensions that have led to bloody clashes despite their trade growing to a record $125.66 billion in 2021, one may not be sure if Pakistan would have been in a better position to influence New Delhi’s policy through economic diplomacy alone There have been times in the past when there was a possibility of improvement of relations between the two countries when something happened on either side that suspended the peace process. One can only hope that some of those on either side responsible for stalling the peace process have learnt the right lesson. Kashmir remains the major issue between the two countries. The BJP has held Pakistan responsible for violence in Kashmir. Instead of recognizing the genuineness of the Kashmiri people’s struggle for selfdetermination, it has continued to commit atrocities which have been widely condemned in the world. The BJP’s policies have led to the questioning of its claim of being the biggest democracy in the world. India’s aspirations to become a regional superpower have led to a situation where it is required to divert huge economic resources to be able to fight on two fronts. The hostility between the two countries has benefited neither India nor Pakistan. It leads the two to spend huge amounts on the purchase of costly weapons systems instead of concentrating on poverty alleviation. Pakistan needs a peaceful neighbourhood to make economic progress. India believes Pakistan is behind militancy in Indian-Held Kashmir. Over the last many years it has supported terrorist groups in Pakistan which are now targeting CPeC projects. India’s patronage of these groups causes instability in Pakistan while it discourages foreign business groups from investing in the country. Hostility between the neighbouring countries forces them to import goods from far off countries at considerable shipping expense instead of ordering them from across the Wagah border. Resolution of mutual disputes through engagement would not only bring peace, strengthen internal security and make more funds available for poverty alleviation, but also revive the eightnation SAARC, which has become dysfunctional on account of the Pak-India rivalry.

DR QaisaR RashiD

HeN justice is denied and voice is suppressed, society must come into action. When a woman is sexually harassed and exploited to serve their purpose by people in power, heads

must roll. On 10 June 2022, in his vlog, journalist Saleem Safi garnered courage to conduct and run the interview of a lady Tayyaba Farooq who narrated the story of her victimhood. The offender was none other than former Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal– a revelation that made all viewers’ heads hang is shame. Mr Justice (retired) Iqbal was a retired judge of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan before he became the Chairman NAB. Can anyone believe that a person of such a position and calibre could stoop so low as to harass a complainant sexually? The added tragedy is that the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) meant for raising a voice for women are silent and inactive. These NGOs are numerous and claim funds to run public campaigns for the rights of women. However, these NGOs are criminally silent. The reason is simple: a person of high stature is involved in the crime against women. The victim holds all proof in the shape of a video recording. Credit must be given to the victim who recorded the agony she passed through. Mr Justice (retd) Iqbal had no right and power to transgress his limits. He committed a heinous crime of sexual harassment of

NAB and the general

ORMeR WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain’s woes at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) illustrate the problems that arise when a member of an institution priding itself on being rules-based, a military officer in short, goes into a civilian institution, particularly one with such a poor reputation for honesty as WAPDA. NAB is seized of a complaint about WAPDA’s Tarbela Hydropower ProjectIV, which involves $753 million. Naturally, the process of investigation involves the WAPDA Chairman of the time, who happens to be General Muzammil. However, when it summoned him on June 6, he filed a written reply through his lawyers. NAB still had some queries, and asked him to appear again on June 20. When accepting the WAPDA Chairmanship, General Muzammil should have known that there would be mud flung at him, and that some of it might stick. It would be impossible to ignore any complaint involving such a large sum, and the only way to counter the damage to his reputation would be to cooperate fully with the authorities, and not stand upon his dignity. It is that lack of cooperation that would raise doubts about his conduct. There may be good and valid reasons for General Muzammil not to appear, but this has led to the creation of an unfortunate image. This is perhaps unavoidable when an official of one institution moves to another, and tries to behave as if he still belongs to the first. All those moving from one organization to another should expect to be treated according to their second organization’s reputation, not that of their first. Further, it should be remembered that NAB is under a process of change, what with its governing law amended and its head about to be changed. Therefore, it is within the realm of possibility that it may be over-enthusiastic in the investigation of such a large case.

Rameez mahesaR

always pack the pocket of my mind with a bevy of frequently asked questions about education, health and so on. When I feel the pocket has overloaded, I take a stab at unloading its burden. To do it, I chance upon students and teachers to inquire about the state of their university in general. The first ever inquiry which I pursue is always about the opinions of people about their university, generally speaking. Let’s move to the inquiry that is boiled down to students only. It is: how do you feel being a student of your university? The rejoinder to this phenomenal query is dangerously shocking; however it is doubtlessly an attention-grabbing point to ponder. Almost all students come out dejected from academic and administrative parts of their university. Upon asking what they see inside these two parts, they come down like a ton of bricks upon their university, christening it a place of bureaucracy since the concept of bureaucracy is extremely practical over there. For long, bureaucracy has taken lots of forms. On the onset, it was a top-down mechanism, and the top of which was in the hands of administrators and policy makers who imposed their wills on those at the bottom (teachers, students, communities, and parents). This is what the bureaucracy is in actual manner. In the parenthesis, however, four players at the bottom of the bureaucratic system seem to have been brought in. From these four players, teachers have now escaped, in the context of universities, to join the top of bureaucratic structure. It is seriously sad to note here that the bureaucracy has shifted to the universities’ premises. For people, it offers a luxurious lifestyle through which the raspy attitude reflects the most. However,

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer can qaisarrashid@yahoo.com

reached

When teachers become bureaucrats

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

M. A. Niazi

Similarly, it is not known how many other NAB officers resort to similar malevolence while investigating matters related to women.

Bureaucracy in Universities

$753 million cannot be ignored

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

a woman in his office, as per the video clips provided and aired by the victim. The matter should also be a concern for the NAB, the reputation of which has been irrecoverably tarnished. Apparently, the era of the NAB is over: on the one hand the NAB was found detaining politicians to manoeuvre the national political scene, whereas on the other it was found exploiting and harassing women. The case of Tayyaba Farooq may be a tip of the iceberg. Instead of speaking up, most female victims tend to guard their silence. Nevertheless, she plucked up courage to take her story public with video substantiations. She deserves both appreciation and justice. There used to be a Supreme Court which was a flag carrier of doling out justice to the needy by taking cognizance through suo motu notices. Where is that SC and where is its instrument of dispensation? The SC is hushed up because a brother (until a few years ago) judge is found implicated in a crime against a woman. This is called esprit de corps which blinds brother judges. Driven by camaraderie, the judiciary has been denying justice to the victim. Attached to the matter is a story of a political party, the Pakistan Tehreke Insaf (PTI), which ascended the throne in 2018 somehow with the slogan of accountability. That is, the party was supposed to hold every offender accountable. Nevertheless, the interview of the victim revealed that matters were otherwise. The party ended up exploiting the situation to its benefit. To elaborate, the party used the video clips to blackmail Mr Justice (retd) Iqbal into dithering on illegal acts committed by elected legislators belonging to the party. PTI Chairman and then Prime Minister Imran Khan was in the know of the matter of sexual harassment. The PTI chairman was supported by a senior bureaucra,t Azam Khan, who happened to be Principal Secretary to the PM. Tayyaba Farooq’s story indicates that Azam Khan was the chief architect of the strategy of blackmailing Mr Justice (retd) Iqbal into inaction. Interestingly, he exploited his position to blackmail Tayyaba Farooq whereas Azam Khan exploited the whole situation to blackmail him into benefitting the PTI. Azam Khan

achieved the purpose whereas Tayyaba Farooq remained at a loss. Men on either side of the aisle exploited a woman to their benefit. The victim and her husband were kept as state guests to extract more proof against Mr Justice Retd) Iqbal. It is unbelievable that the state machinery resorted to dropping its moral standards. Further, the media was made silent and society’s women remained noiseless on the highhandedness. This is a crime of immense complexity and proportion, inviting attention of international women’s rights bodies. If memory serves, on 11 November 2007, The Times published a story narrating that, owing to their dissolute debauched deeds, some judges of Pakistan’s Supreme Court were prone to exploitation, which was attempted by an ace intelligence agency to get a decision in favour of ruling military dictator General Pervez Musharraf who wanted to switch his role to be the country’s president. The judges were being forced to issue a decision letting General Musharraf be eligible for running for the post of President, instead of waiting for the mandatory interlude of two years. It means that judges come with their weaknesses making them prone to exploitation. Judges fail to overcome debauchery inclinations which make them exploited. Consequently, decisions are fabricated as per the need of the exploiting agency. Through the video clips, Mr Justice (retd) Javed exposed his vulnerability. That is, he was open to exploitation. He respected the exploiting agency, which was the PTI government. His amenability to exploitation puts a question mark on the decisions he took as the NAB Chairman. It is not known how many times he acquiesced to pressure external to his conscience. It is also not known how many decisions he took by compromising the law. Similarly, it is not known how many other NAB officers resort to similar malevolence while investigating matters related to women. Apparently, the NAB seems to have been transformed into a hub of sexual harassment of women and exploitation of its officers. In short, Tayyaba Farooq narrates her story of sexual harassment that took place in the office of the Chairman NAB. The episode has embarrassed the whole society which claims to have inhabited the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The victim female deserves justice.

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

these two parts work like two arms of a man do. At this instant, teachers in universities have turned bureaucrats, students say. Amongst all, teachers of higher ranks mostly wrap themselves in the bureaucratic garb. However, bureaucracy prevails in postgraduate studies at full throttle. What exactly I am trying to say here is that the bureaucracy is not particularly laid on the beds of those at the lower ranks, it is placed under the pillow of those at the higher ranks! Whatsoever the bureaucrats in Pakistani society do, is now in the styles of teachers of the focused ranks. Like bureaucrats, teachers are not technically easy for students to meet and to hear their severe issues that they are perilously facing. Teachers fix notices on their office doors which state their consultancy time; is this not a bureaucratic style? I fail to understand this bureaucratic behavior technically as to what responsibility the teachers have to be available for hours at their office. Sometimes, it is not the teachers behaving like bureaucrats. It is the universities which are designed on the bureaucratic standard or mechanism where teachers are expected to behave like this in a necessary manner. Most of such universities are either running like private entities or they are owned privately. In such universities, teachers are bureaucrats and students are their products. But this ball also falls in public universities where rule-bound roles are performed. Now the present column is totally based on inquiry, let’s touch again the complaints which I receive from students in response to my FAQs. Upon asking why teachers behave like bureaucrats, most of the students zip their lips; some argue that the teachers are left bereft of community sense. Aligned with it, the sense of community among teachers can undoubtedly help. For long, teachers have fallen victim to this luxurious sickness which is killing them fast. However,

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

they should tackle the challenge to destroy this sick perception to change the course of education. They should announce the vacant rooms for students to learn without any interruption, since they are recruited to be available to serve their students. It has come to light that some teachers pressurize students to do their personal works ranging from teaching in their place, assessing the bulk of answer copies and assignments, crafting the question papers and so on (the string of such unjust things is extremely lengthy). If students refuse, they would indubitably be put in hell– their career would run into destruction; history is badly fraught with suicides and mental disorder-related cases. For suicides, cases mostly appear on the post-graduation level– PhD and MPhil. At any point, if a student happens to have done something wrong, he or she is frequently pushed back in a severe manner. Some teachers, students tell more frequently, even turn dangerously personal towards their students in most of the cases. Such cases bring in questioning in the class, not greeting, not submitting assignments timely but unwillingly, and sometimes teachers get extremely anguished towards students right after they receive from them any phone call or message. This all injects fear among students’ minds. People reading this are now giggling on, as I am portraying teachers more than they try to wrap themselves in the bureaucratic garb. Don’t you chortle? I think you are completely tired of chronic laughter which might have pushed your jaws to every nook and corner. Stop laughing now, since I have mocked people for the serious concern which you have gone through. Think about it.

Some teachers pressurize students to do their personal works ranging from teaching in their place, assessing the bulk of answer copies and assignments, crafting the question papers and so on (the string of such unjust things is extremely lengthy).

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

The writer can be rameezalimahesar@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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06-07 Comments - 18th June 2022_Layout 1 6/18/2022 12:22 AM Page 2

Saturday, 18 June, 2022

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Satisfying the masters

Bal and the Turkic World Iqbal was crucial in the close Pak-Turk ties DR DaRkhan kyDyRal

T is known that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the reformist movements had a significant impact on the spiritual and cultural development of the Muslim peoples of the east.In the Ottoman empire, the period of reforms began with Tanzimat. Among the Turkic peoples in the Russian empire, the process was called the “Jadid movement”. In Muslim countries such as egypt, Iran and India, it became a reform movement of “Tajdid and Islah”. In this context, the great thinker Muhammad Iqbal was the leader of the national awakening of Indian Muslims at that time. Although he was in India, Iqbal wrote about the unity and values of the Turkic-Muslim world through his poems. The poems of “Rumi of 20th century” on national liberation were in a similar spirit to the poems of Turkish poets such as Mehmet Akif ersoy and Ziya Gokalp. It should be noted that Iqbal’s poems in support of the Ottoman Turks became the backbone of his anti-colonial poetry. Therefore, during World War I and the Turkish national liberation struggle, Indian Muslims sent financial aid to Türkiye. In particular, his poem “Martyr of Tripoli” published in 1911, caused a great reaction in the Ottoman empire. At the beginning of the 20th century, as many Muslim countries became more concerned about security, Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, stressed the need to improve relations with Türkiye. Therefore, the Muslims of India intensified their support for the Republic of Türkiye. At the same time, the spiritual leader of India, Iqbal, also glorified the heroism of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in his poems. Following the example of Atatürk, Iqbal sought to give a new impetus to his nation. Along the way, he helped lay the foundations for a new state within the framework of democracy and social justice. Atatürk’s figure in Iqbal’s works was an example of the ideas of Indian Muslims. “Today, Türkiye is the only Muslim country that has woken up from a dogmatic slumber,” he said. “Among Muslim countries, only Türkiye sought the right to intellectual freedom. Only Türkiye has achieved the dreams.” Iqbal tried to present Atatürk’s reforms and heroism to Indian Muslimsagainst the British empire. In 1922, he wrote a poem “Dedication to Kemal Pasha”. Thus, Iqbal inspired his people with Atatürk’s victory in the struggle for national liberation in the struggle against British imperialism. Iqbal’s poems glorifying the victory of the Turks further strengthened the friendship between the people of Türkiye and Indian Muslims. And when the state of Pakistan was established in 1947, Türkiyewas one of the first countries to recognize and support it. The spiritual ties that began with Atatürk and Iqbal gave a new impetus to the Turkic world and strengthened the brotherhood with Pakistan. At the beginning of the last century, a number of leaders from Turkestan took refuge in Pakistan and formed associations that continued the ideals of liberation, and published various publications. examples include the Turkestan Association of Turkic Refugees and the bi-monthly “Tarjumane Afkar” magazine in Urdu and Turkish. On 22 October 1953, a meeting of the Turkistan Refugee Association was held in hono4r of Baimyrza Hayit at the Nigar Hotel in Karachi. Maulana Azam Hashmi, Secretary General of the

DURING the recently concluded platinum jubilee celebrations of Queen elizabeth’s reign in england, there was one aspect which was quite blatantly self-contradictory to the larger Indian narrative. The presence of a huge contingent of Indian artists in the processions, performing to express their pleasure and appreciation of the queen, negated the Hindutva nationalism the Indian government is propagating internally. Of course, the contingent was sent by the government itself to please the colonial masters, which is like taking a summersault because it simply ignored the British era of colonial rule over India. It ignored the huge sacrifices made by the Indians of the subcontinent during the great freedom struggle of 1857. The Indian government forgot the great 1941 famine of Bengal for which many vocal Indians have held Winston Churchill responsible. Shashi Tharoor in his book, Inglorious empire: What the British Did to India, has clearly held Churchill culpable, calling him the worst genocidal dictator of the 20th century. Another Indian journalist, Madhusree Mukerjee, in her book, Churchill’s Secret War: The British empire and the Ravaging of India during World War II, has talked about how Churchill would send food shipments to war-stricken Britain and other countries, denying access to Bengal. Actually Churchill was behind the deaths of more than three million people in Bengal, because as famine ravaged through the region, Churchill diverted food rations to Greece and other countries to feed allied soldiers. Then there was the notorious massacre at Jallianwala Bagh, on April 13, 1919, where British soldiers massacred hundreds of unarmed Indians. Now, if we compare British colonial rule with the Muslim rule of Mughals, one observes that during the Mughal rule, the subcontinent was among the richest places across the world, and that is why it was called the ‘jewel in the crown’. When the British came here, they started loot and plunder, and siphoned off every bit of wealth they could to their country of origin. That is the reason that when the British left India, the country was among the poorest of the poor countries of the world, where 33 per cent of the world’s poor were living in subhuman, filthy slums visible in and around New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, to mention but a few. The present ultra-right government in India has been trying unsuccessfully to befool the public at large across the region. By sending a large contingent to celebrate an event of British monarchy, the Indian government stands exposed in its efforts to please and appease the colonial masters. ABID MAHMUD ANSARI ISLAMABAD

Importance of Dams

Turkestan Refugee Association and editor of the Tarjuman-e Afkar magazine, who spoke at the meeting, said that since 1933, the Turkestan Press and Muhajir publishing houses, headquartered in Delhi, India, had been operating successfully and that there were about 2,500 Turkistan refugees in Pakistan.This was announced in the July 1952 issue of the German publication Milli Turkistan. Therefore, there is reason to believe that the friendly relations established by Iqbal contributed to the support of the liberation movement of Turkistani people in Pakistan, which continued in different countries after the fall of the Turkistan autonomy. It is also known that the Kazakhs, who fled to China under the Nationalist government in the 1930s and 1940s, crossed the Himalayas and reached via India to Türkiye. At that time, thousands of Kazakhs took refuge in Pakistan and survived. According to sources, the Kazakhs who came to Bhopal, India, called their camp “Kazakhabad”. Against this background, it is important to know Iqbal and his legacy as this leads to the discovery of Pakistan. Generally, Iqbal’s legacy has been translated into many european languages as well as eastern languages. In Pakistan, India, Great Britain, Canada and other countries, research institutions have been established to study his heritage. In Pakistan, Iqbal’s works, especially excerpts from his poetry, are included in school curricula. Academic dissertations have

been defended in a number of countries around the world. In Lahore there is the Iqbal Academy, which studies the legacy of the poet-thinker.During our visit to Pakistan in December 2019, we made a special visit to Lahore, visited the academy and paid homage to the eternal home of the great thinker. Today, special attention is paid to Iqbal’s works. Iqbal’s contribution to Islamic civilization, his poetry on freedom, his lyrical poetry, his views on the doctrine of the “perfect man” should be studied in comparison with Kazakh thinkers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In particular, we believe that Iqbal’s acceptance of yassavi’s Sufi teachings through Rumi, and his philosophical heritage, which began with Farabi, should be analyzed and widely studied. In 2020, the Turkic Academy together with the Standing Committee on Science and Technology of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTeCH) organized the Global Al-Farabi Forum in the country of Iqbal. And on 26-27 May 2022, for the first time in Kazakhstan, the Iqbal Forum was held to promote the legacy of great thinkers. Coinciding with the 145th anniversary of Muhammad Iqbal, the forum brought together well-known scholars from Pakistan and other parts of the world. This initiative can be considered as a new milestone in the study of Iqbal’s legacy in Kazakhstan.

Today, special attention is paid to Iqbal’s works. Iqbal’s contribution to Islamic civilization, his poetry on freedom, his lyrical poetry, his views on the doctrine of the “perfect man” should be studied in comparison with Kazakh thinkers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In particular, we believe that Iqbal’s acceptance of Yassavi’s Sufi teachings through Rumi, and his philosophical heritage, which began with Farabi, should be analyzed and widely studied

The writer is President of the International Turkic Academy

It is an established reality that Pakistan received interest-free loans due to this very treaty with which it built Tarbela and Mangla dams as a direct outcome of the treaty. The dams were completed in time and Pakistan surrendered dried up Beas and Sutlej as well as Ravi which is rapidly drying up. Under the treaty, huge and lengthy canals were built up with the help of international donors to divert water from Tarbela and Mangla in return for surrendering the three rivers. Pakistan has heaped huge benefits in terms of getting inexpensive hydro-electricity from Tarbela and Mangla in addition to water supplies to the arid western Punjab. TARIQ AZIZ ISLAMABAD

Importance of sex education THe call for capital punishment for rape in Pakistan is a knee jerk reaction. Public hangings might satisfy the anger but it doesn’t cure the culture of abuse and sexual violence, neither it can be an alternative to consent or sex education. Rape is so rampant and ignored from madrasahs to parking lots to homes from women to children to animals. A kitten raped repeatedly to death by teenagers is a clear depiction of the moral epidemic and humanity crises this nation is heading to. Society is in dire need of radical courageous sex and relationship education in the curriculum with parents taking responsibility for homeschooling. It is the most underreported crime and considered taboo- the only way forward is education, capacity building, awareness campaigns and encouraging minors to speak- we need to confront, voice and teach better. GUL E ZAHRA SIALKOT

Political interest BeING loyal to one’s department and obey one’s seniors can sometimes cost one’s life. This is what happened with Constable Kamal Ahmad who was part of a team of Punjab Police that raided a house before a long march that was called by the main opposition party recently. Whenever any sit-in or march is announced, law-enforcement agencies are used for political benefits and power show by the governments. Likewise, those in the opposition at any given point in time use all their resources to target the law-enforcement personnel even though they know fully well that the individuals are simply carrying out orders. In all this political game, the victims are policemen who bear all the losses. Last year, when supporters of a party were on the roads protesting and asking the government to expel the French ambassador, four policemen had been martyred and more than 250 were injured. Those responsible for the death of these policemen have never been held accountable. The fact is that nobody has even tried to hold them accountable. The same game was played before and during the recent long march by the opposition which also saw the death of a policeman who was performing his duty. Political exigencies will never allow anyone to dispense justice in such cases. At the end of the day, neither the government nor the ones who killed the constable care. He had two sons and three daughters, but nobody cares. The family had no other source of income, but nobody cares. They were living in a small rented house, but nobody cares. His children were waiting for their father to return home that night. He did return, but not alive. But, then again, nobody cares. FOZAN AKMAL FAISALABAD

08 WORLD VIEW 18th June 22_Layout 1 6/17/2022 10:48 PM Page 1

Saturday, 18 June, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

WHat do SaudIS WaNt froM BIdeN’S vISIt? WHAT A WELCOME EXAMPLE OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IT WOULD BE IF, WHILE IN SAUDI ARABIA, THE US PRESIDENT WERE TO VISIT ABHA AIRPORT OR THE ARAMCO OIL FACILITY IN JEDDAH — BOTH TARGETS OF ATTACKS BY THE IRAN-BACKED HOUTHI MILITIA IN YEMEN

arab newS fAISAL J ABBAS

o the wheels are finally in motion! After nearly a year and a half when the saudi-Us relationship reached what could be described as rock bottom, Joe Biden — who in the heat of his election campaign pledged to turn the Kingdom into a “pariah” — is making a state visit in response to an invitation from King salman. The Us president will also meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin salman and other high-profile officials during his twoday stay. World leaders talking, even if it is about their differences, is obviously better than not talking — particularly against a background of nearly 80 years of history and a multilayered and fruitful partnership, and with mutual regional goals to be achieved. In addition, just as triple GCC-Arab-Islamic summits were organized for the visit of his predecessor Donald Trump in 2017, Biden will

benefit from the fact that the Kingdom can — at the snap of a finger — call a summit of the GCC plus Iraq, Jordan and Egypt to coincide with his trip; just a sample of the trust and far-reaching influence that the Kingdom, at the beating heart of the Arab and Muslim worlds, enjoys among its neighbors. Talking could be benefitial for other shared interests: they could include consultations on achieving a fair and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and the whole region. If you don’t want to take my word for it, here is what Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation Esawi Frej told this newspaper only two weeks ago: “The saudi leadership would be central to any solution in the future, and King salman and the crown prince I believe will play a central role in any renewed peace process,” he told my colleague Katie Jensen on our weekly talk show, Frankly speaking. “We all need saudi Arabia,” he said. The White House may insist that the president’s visit goes beyond talking just about oil, and no doubt it will — but it remains perplexing that, at a time when energy prices are at an all-time high in the Us and beyond, it has taken this long for a Us president to visit an ally who happens to have the most influential say in global oil markets. Meanwhile the question on everyone’s mind is: “What do the saudis want from this visit?” Energy aside, we are told that other significant issues will be on the agenda. They range from future cooperation on regional stability, to global food security, to climate change, to mutual investment opportunities, and even space exploration. Government officials are better placed than I am to comment on the strategic interests and massive potential

of this relationship. However, I would like to speak for myself as an observer, and for the many other saudis who grew up believing in many American values but saw the Us abandon them in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan and most recently here in the Kingdom. one thing the Israelis do very well is allow actions to speak louder than words. Whenever a high-level delegation visits, they are taken to shelters in the south to see how civilians are affected by Hamas terrorist attacks. What a welcome example of public diplomacy it would be if, while in saudi Arabia, the Us president were to visit Abha airport or the Aramco oil facility in Jeddah — both targets of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. That would show the world that his administration condemns terrorism equally, no matter the race or religion of the victims, and that the saudi-Us relationship is, as the White House said last week, genuinely “multifaceted.” Three things, although obvious to some of us, are worth noting here. First, the Houthis’ official slogan is “Death to America,” and they have previously attacked both the Us Navy and the American embassy in Aden; second, they are backed by a regime in Iran that also supports Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Asaib Ahl AlHaq in Iraq, among other terrorist and destabilizing forces in the region; and finally, when these terrorists attack saudi oil facilities they eventually limit our ability to produce more oil — which means less supply and higher prices. A visit to those who have suffered from Houthi terror would definitely help to put things in perspective for

New assault on the freedom of the press and expression Daily Star

MAhfuZ ANAM

oW unfortunate. There is a new assault on the freedom of the press. This time, sadly, it comes from another section of the mass media itself – the television. It has been an age-old practice – almost like an article of faith – that the media stands together. Its organisations support each other against those who try to restrict, throttle, and ban independent journalism. We now see some television channel owners trying to debilitate another part of the media – the newspapers. The Association of Television Channel owners (ATCo) has appealed to the information ministry that the broadcasting of video programmes and multimedia content by newspapers be banned. What ATCo is demanding will greatly harm the newspaper industry and is likely to jeopardise the latter’s future, for there is no way newspapers can survive without their digital presence. The world has changed, and the media sphere much more so. Today, newspaper readers demand updated news the very instant that it happens. They want explainers, backgrounders and also on-the-spot coverage. They not only want to read their favourite reporters or columnists, they also want to listen to them, see them, and interact with them – which is only possible through the internet and in multimedia format. Every newspaper worth its name has 24/7 online and multimedia coverage of events. The New York Times offers special audio-visual coverage of the Ukraine war along with CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC and hundreds of other TV channels. American newspapers covered the Us’ recent shooting deaths in print and video formats, alongside TV channels. Take the recent fire at the container terminal in sitakunda upazila of Chattogram. We all covered it in multiple formats – the TV channels had their written reports uploaded online as we, the newspapers, provided both written and video coverage of the event. Nowhere in the world has any broadcaster complained about newspapers offering video coverage. Take any important newspaper in Europe, Japan, Asia or southeast Asia – the picture is the same. The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Telegraph of India, Dawn of Pakistan, The Bangkok Post of Thailand, The Jakarta Post of Indonesia, The star of Malaysia – and I can go on and on – each of these renowned newspapers has a highly efficient and vibrant audio-visual digital presence. so, why this demand by ATCo? Will it not force Bangladesh to fall behind the rest of Asia and the world in terms of print media? Is it ATCo’s view that they are losing viewership due to newspapers running videos? No. They are losing their viewers to Indian channels, especially the Bangla ones. our TV channels have known this for years and have done very little to fight the competition. When ATCo demanded “clean feed,” we supported their cause because it concerned their business and we realised that our TV channels needed to earn profit. But now they are striking against newspapers’ “contents” which makes it an issue of press freedom and freedom of expression. It hits out at the constitutional rights of the press and the people. ATCo says that newspaper videos are against the paper’s declaration – the initial permission to bring out a newspaper. These “declarations” pre-date the digital age and hence need to be changed to serve the future interest of Bangladesh – along with many other laws that were drafted ages ago. As a progressive country, we must change the laws to suit the digital era.

ATCo’s position on what is allowable under the online registration policy is based on a flawed interpretation. As we understand it, acquiring separate registration for online versions allows newspapers to have news and multimedia contents. A serious reading of the policy clearly shows that newspapers, with special registration for their online versions, are allowed to produce video content. There is also the urgent need for diversification. Every industry is diversifying and bringing out new products (for us, it is multimedia content) both to keep their present consumers (for us, readers) and to attract new ones. Even social sectors are diversifying. Much of today’s education is imparted through online classes and videos. Was this foreseen when we admitted our children to schools, colleges, universities, etc? As parents, did we know or agree to the fact that our children will be taking lessons virtually and not in a face-to-face classroom setting? We have all adapted to new methods and technologies due to changing times and made use of the opportunities that these are providing. Did our higher judiciary ever know that they would be holding virtual courts, or that doctors would be prescribing treatment and medicines without physically examining patients? Even our prime minister is carrying out the business of government through video conferencing. she is presiding over some of the most crucial decisions of the state virtually. This is what intelligent leadership and progressive societies do to keep abreast of change and innovation. ATCo’s position is totally contrary to this truth. Futurists predict that the technological changes – especially artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum physics, super-computers, space exploration, etc – will completely dwarf the innovations we have seen so far. We can’t even imagine what the future will be like. so, are we going to face the ever-evolving future world of incomprehensible changes, possibilities and opportunities with outdated mindsets and laws, and concepts and ideas that were conceived in a totally different era? The media’s operations and business models stand transformed by the digital revolutions witnessed so far. Future innovations will impact it even further. This is true for all media, especially for print. Print media has to innovate and find newer ways to serve its readers, whose taste, preferences, values, and patterns of time utilisation have dramatically changed. They want to read newer things, different things, and in multiple formats. Many people, instead of reading books, prefer to listen to them. This has led to audiobooks being recorded. Many of our readers prefer to listen to news instead of reading it. so, we have podcasts along with printed news. Newspapers of the future – some are already there – will have to become news platforms instead of just papers, and reach their readers in multiple ways – print, online, mobile phones, podcasts, and multimedia. This is the future which we must embrace if we are to survive. We appeal to our minister, Hasan Mahmud, that as the minister for the whole sector he should not be swayed by TV only. He must think of the interests of radio, online media and, of course, the print media, in formulating his polices. ATCo’s demand must be opposed because it is against Prime Minister sheikh Hasina’s aim of building a “Digital Bangladesh.” It must be opposed because it is anti-progress, anti-future, and against the interests of Bangladesh’s print media. Mahfuz Anam is the editor and publisher of The Daily Star.

Biden and his advisers, and be a stark reminder of who are the villains and who are the victims in this war. Washington might also think twice before recalling Patriot missile defense batteries from the Kingdom or removing the terrorist designation of a group that deliberately targets an ally’s civilian population. The other thing I hope the president has time to do is go out and see the fruits of the ambitious and courageous reforms that were ushered in with Vision 2030. I would love for him to visit a busy commercial district and see how, unlike the situation a few short years ago, women and men can freely mingle, enjoy a meal or watch some of the world’s best entertainment. I would love for him to meet young saudis such as Abdullah Al-Ghamdi and Dana Al-Aithan, just two of the saudi students who won awards last month at the Regeneron International science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Georgia — the largest event of its kind in the world, at which students from over 80 countries showcase innovation in scientific research. They are living proof of what our schools under reformed curriculums (and without the trauma of gun violence as is the case in the Us) can produce. There will be more to say on this topic in my next column. For now, I suppose the bottom line for me as a saudi is to see a Us administration that finally recognizes my country not as a massive petrol station, but as the historical, cultural, economically successful, young, vibrant and educated powerhouse that it is. Faisal J. Abbas is the editor in chief of Arab News.

Muslim comedians standing up against Islamophobia WHILE PROMINENT MUSLIM PERSONALITIES KEEP SILENT, THESE STAND-UP ARTISTS ARE PUNCHING THEMSELVES DOWN, METAPHORICALLY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO COUNTER PREJUDICE

ZAINAB SIKANDER

s speaking your mind really worth it in India? Think about it. How do you publicly put your opinion forward without having an FIR slapped against you, getting arrested or the authorities bulldosing your house? Muslim stand-up artistes have taken a completely different route to tackle this hurdle: self-deprecation. They are punching themselves down (metaphorically) in an attempt to address growing prejudice and break stereotypes. Their tragedy, narrated funnily in their own words, only makes the audience sympathise with them.

THE TEMPLATE: Munawar Faruqui is one of the best examples to take this point home. He was arrested in Indore for a joke he was yet to crack in his act. soon after, videos of his self-deprecating jokes, especially about his Muslim identity, became so popular that he ended up winning a reality show that was highly political in its concept. The show called Lock Upp pitched Left-wing contestants against Right-wing contestants trapped as prisoners in a jail whose jailer was the Right-wing ecosystem’s queen, Kangana Ranaut, herself. In fact, Ranaut was seen praising Munwar throughout the show for being authentic and competitive. The point is, Munawar managed to win the hearts of a huge section of the audience through self-deprecation, people he otherwise would have probably offended. Most Muslim comedians are using the same template: highlighting prejudices against their community through self-deprecation. Urooj Ashfaq, Rehman Khan, Mohammed Anas, Haseeb Khan, Abbas Momin, Mohammed Husain and many others like them are diving head first into the hate and lies, addressing the daily Islamophobia Muslims face. But they do it by making fun of themselves offering a slice of their life — anecdotal but extremely relatable situations of bigotry that they have faced.

No topic is off-limits. some of the stereotypes constructed through media propaganda that comedians are tackling include how youth from madrassas are joining terrorist organisations; Muslims being unhygienic; incestuous marriages with sisters; not being nationalistic or patriotic, Muslims being antivaxxers and so on and so forth . JOKES THAT LAND WELL: Rehman Khan’s one joke would probably be recognisable by every Indian, irrespective of their religion, as something they’ve seen or heard of in their own life. He jokes about watching an India-Pakistan match with a group of friends in a street-side shop, where every time Zaheer Khan or Yusuf Pathan bowled and the Pakistani cricketer scored a boundary, the owner of the shop shouted ‘kat***’, a slur used for Muslim men who are circumcised. Rehman spoke of how uncomfortable he felt. When he was prodded by another spectator about why he looked so uneasy, he introduced himself too as a ‘kat***’. Urooj Ashfaq recounted a similar experience while taking an Uber cab when she complained to the driver of how the last three drivers had cancelled the trip. To which the Uber driver who was taking her home replied that they must have all been Muslims because all Muslims are “chors” thieves. Mohammed Anas jokes of an incident where a friend asks him while the latter was preparing for IAs, would Anas be preparing for IsIs? At a time when outrage and anger are the dominant emotions, humour is welcome. Anshul saxena, a political observer with a huge following, pointed out in a recent thread how famous stand-up artiste Kunal Kamra has deleted many of his old tweets, which could be offensive to minorities, after Nupur sharma’s comments on the Prophet (PBUH) in a prime time debate. so, a telling trend is even beginning to creep into the stand-up artiste community. Joke with caution! With prominent Muslim personalities keeping silent, Muslim stand-up comedians can truly be called the unsung heroes of our times. Without offending anyone but themselves, they’re the only people today who stand in front of an audience as jesters, narrating their own misfortunes. Dangerously opinionated artistes who become fools to critique the system, that if criticised otherwise in today’s times can lead to unforeseen consequences. In that, they are much like the Fools from shakespeare’s plays, though humour is rarely an armour against retribution. “They’ll have me whipped for speaking true, thou’lt have me whipped for lying, and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace,” says the Fool protesting against the King in shakespeare’s King Lear. The author is a political observer who tweets @zainabsikander.

Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS corporate corner UK care about relationships with Pakistan: Turner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner along with Ms. Antonia Murray, Second Secretary Human Rights of British High Commission called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Riaz Hussain Pirzada here on Friday. Secretary Human Rights Mr. Afzal Latif and other senior officers of the ministry also participated in this meeting. Both sides discussed various subjects of mutual interest especially those pertinent to human rights. The minster welcomed the British High Commissioner and mentioned about strong long-standing people-to-people linkages grounded in historic connections between Pakistan and UK. He also expressed his deep desire to extend these bilateral relations in all spheres. While enumerating his priorities, the minister said that issues of Baluchistan would be his top priority where poor people are being exploited in the hands of hostile neighbor, India. He stressed that international community must counsel India on its aggression and severe human rights violation in Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). He further stated that the West and the US squeeze us on our internal issues but allegedly ignore human rights situation in IIOJK. The British HC responded that they care about the relationships with Pakistan and encourage their extension. He said that they are eager to work with Pakistan in the strengthening of system through bottom-up approach and particularly desire to bring about certain reforms in the subjects that lies under human rights such as freedom of media, freedom of faith and minority rights. He added that issues like forced conversions, child marriages, misuse of blasphemy laws, women education, domestic violence and gender based issues need more attention. PR

EnGRO CORPORATIOn bECOmES LEAD PARTnER OF ART-TECh ThEmED KARAChI bIEnnALE

ARACHI Biennale Trust (KBT) has announced Engro Corporation as the lead partner for the upcoming third Karachi Biennale (KB22) in October 2022. On the momentous occasion of 75th anniversary of Pakistan, Engro and Karachi Biennale will pool their resources, experience and network, to expand their audience reach, particularly amongst the youth that constitutes a large part of the population. As the lead partner, Engro is contributing Rs 75 million for Karachi Biennale 2022. Linking history with the future, the Karachi Biennale 2022 will take place from October this year at 8 venues in different parts of Karachi that are accessible to public audiences. The Biennale has invited local and international artists from 11 countries selected by the curator Faisal Anwar and his team. These artists will engage with heritage sites and explore the physical and cultural legacy of the city, with the latest and most innovative technology. Some of the venues are heritage sites that will open their doors for the first time. Entrance to Karachi Biennale is

free for the general public as the event looks forward to welcoming visitors for two weeks, packed with art exhibitions, performative works, guided tours, artist’s talks and workshops. With these immersive visual art experiences, the Biennale visitors will embark on a journey into tomorrow without losing sight of the past and present. Expressing her thoughts about the partnership at the signing ceremony, Umber T. Ansari – Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Engro

Corporation, said that, “The partnership between Engro and Karachi Biennale is based on a shared vision of creating unforgettable experiences for the citizens of Karachi. The Biennale exhibition is about connecting with public and heritage spaces, providing an impetus to arts and culture, and a creative exchange of ideas by some of the best local and global talent. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan, we truly hope that the world-class interplay of arts and technology at the Karachi

Biennale inspires positive energy and collective action from all citizens for a more prosperous Pakistan.” According to Niilofur Farrukh, the Managing Trustee of Karachi Biennale Trust, “We are delighted to have this partnership with Engro Corporation as we share a strong belief in creating cultural opportunities for people. Public exhibitions of the Karachi Biennale connect art, the city and its people and this edition, with its focus on the works of leading national and international artists working with art and technology, is designed to engage the audience with futuristic ideas and innovation to celebrate 75th anniversary of Pakistan. Engro Corporation joins us to present a spectacular Third Karachi Biennale in October/ November 2022.” As a purpose-driven organization committed to helping solve some of the most pressing issues of Pakistan, Engro Corporation recognizes the positive role of arts, culture and sports in shaping the society. For more than 50 years, the Group has been actively involved in community impact projects that promote youth development, excellence in sports, education and health. PRess Release

PAF capable enough to thwart enemy's designs: Air chief

OGDCL serving communities under CSR programme

LAHORE PR

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Friday said the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was a professional force having capacity to timely respond to any nefarious ISLAMABAD: OGDCL under its CSR programme is proactively playing its role in providing Good Health, Quality Education, Clean Water, Infrastructure, renewable energy, clean Environment and healthy sports activities to the communities residing around its operational areas so that they enjoy peace and prosperity. OGDCL Executive Director (Services), Mr. Zia Salahuddin, inaugurated the OGDCL block at Government Girls High School, Mulhal Mughlan Tehsil and District Chakwal. The Community, the School Staff, Children and the District Education officials were very appreciative of the role played by the OGDCL in uplifting this facility. Mr. Zia assured the stakeholders regarding OGDCL’s unwavering resolve for improving lives of the communities residing close to its operational areas. Speaking at the Ceremony, Mr. Zia Salahuddin, Executive Director (Services), OGDCL highly appreciated the school management, local government and expressed his pleasure upon completion of the project well in time. He also expressed his trust that with this construction along with the enthusiasm and devotion of teachers and the interest of competent authorities, the teaching and learning activities at this school will gain more proud achievements in the future. PR

design against the country. "Our armed forces remain poised to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation," he said while addressing the course members of 51st PN Staff Course at Pakistan Navy War College (PNWC), Lahore, according to a PAF news release.

Dilating on prevailing security challenges and technological advancements, the air chief said the pace of technological advancement in warfare mandated self-reliance in defence production. The air chief appreciated the Pakistan Navy’s valuable services in safeguarding the maritime frontiers of the country. He commended the PN War College for imparting professional staff and military training to the officers of Pakistan Navy, sister services and friendly countries. He appreciated the quality academic stimulus and level of training imparted at the college. Earlier on his arrival at the PNWC, the air chief was received by Commandant Pakistan Navy War College Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan.

UoW hosts seminar to mark Vesak Day Gandhara Chair at University of Wah (UoW) organized a seminar titled: “Gandhara Civilization: The Confluence of Cultures” to commemorate the Vesak Day and deliberate and discuss religious, cultural, archaeological, and architectural aspects of Gandhara Civilization. Vesak is the day of the full moon in the month of May, which has been declared by the UN as the most sacred day internationally to millions of Buddhists around the world as it marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away. The Seminar provided an opportunity to present

and project the Gandhara region as a popular attraction hub for the Buddhist religious tourism. Lt Gen Ali Amir Awan HI (M), Chairman, POFs was the Chief Guest of the event. In his address,

he emphasized the importance of reclaiming Gandhara civilization as part of Pakistan’s glorious national heritage and congratulated UW for arranging a Seminar on Vesak Day. PR

CASS holds seminar: Disruptive Technologies – Impact on Future Warfare Pakistan needs to harness emerging technologies to strengthen national security and national sovereignty. This was the key message of former senior military officers and eminent intellectuals at the seminar on ‘Disruptive Technologies – Impact on Future Warfare’ organised by the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) in Islamabad. Gen (r) Zubair Mehmood Hayat, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was the keynote speaker, while other eminent speakers included Dr. Rizwana Karim Abbasi, Associate Professor, National University of Modern Languages (NUML); Dr Adil Sultan, Acting Dean, Faculty of Aerospace and Strategic Studies (FASS), Air University; and Air Vice Marshal Faaiz Amir (Retd), Former Vice Chancellor, Air University. The seminar was chaired by President CASS Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (Retd), while Air Marshal M Ashfaque Arain (Retd), Advisor to Chief of the Air Staff on CASS Affairs moderated the proceedings. Air Marshal Ashfaque Arain (Retd), while delivering the Opening Remarks, highlighted that new technologies offered enormous opportunities for civilian as well as defence sectors, but also presented new vulnerabilities and security challenges. While analysing the role of state actors and non-state actors, he cautioned that the latter had greater prospects of exploiting many of the easily accessible technologies in inventive and disruptive ways. They also provided opportunities to smaller states to offset military asymmetry. PR

KCCI, CCP to work together against anti-competitive practices ISLAMABAD PR

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) held an advocacy session with the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) where the representatives of the chamber apprised the CCP of different competition issues and sought its help in creating a level playing field and removing entry barriers in the different sectors. From KCCI, the advocacy session was attended by President KCCI Muhammad Idrees, Vice President KCCI Qazi Zahid Hussain, KCCI Managing Committee Members, and from CCP by the Chairperson Ms. Rahat Kaunain Hassan, Member Mr. Mujtaba Ahmad Lodhi, and Director Generals

Mr. Noman Laiq and Asfandyar Khattak. While speaking on the occasion, Ms. Rahat Kaunain Hassan said that the CCP has imposed penalties of up to Rs70 billion for different violations of the Competition Act on various sectors. However, the recovery remains paltry due to the fact that most of

the undertakings have challenged the CCP’s orders in the higher courts where the due process of judicial review is underway. The real effectiveness of the CCP’s orders will be felt once the judicial review process is complete, particularly in the cartel cases, that call for prioritization for the harm it in-

curs to the economy, she added. The Chairperson further said that as an institution, the CCP is accountable for its mandate, but in the pending cases, the review process has to take its course. Ms. Rahat Kaunain Hassan said that as against the general impression, the CCP is not a price regulator, but it only intervenes where the prices of goods and services are affected by anti-competitive practices such as abuse of dominance and cartelization. The main job of the CCP is to make sure that markets are functioning in compliance with the competition rules and regulations. She further said that the CCP is not against businesses; rather the Competition Law is probusiness and pro-growth, however, without strict enforcement of the law, a competition

culture cannot prevail. She informed that as per OECD reports/estimates, prices can go down 25-30 percent if cartels are busted. During the session, members of KCCI brought several issues and competition-related matters to the CCP’s notice. The Chairperson offered that the CCP can change its regulations to exempt the Chambers of Commerce from charging of fee for filing formal complaints in endeavouring to address concern in resolving competition issues. She informed that the informant reward scheme and leniency provisions are available which the business community can benefit from and help the CCP in identifying the anti-competitive issues. She assured the CCP’s full support in resolving the competition issues and creating a level playing field.

Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

SInO-PAK All-weAtHer FrIenDSHIP rOcK SOlID, unSHAKeAble: wAng wenbIn BEIJING

agencies

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Friday said that Beijing was willing to work with Pakistan to advance traditional friendship, deepen all-round pragmatic cooperation and promote the construction of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in a smooth and high-quality manner. China is willing to work with Pakistan to continue the traditional friendship between the two countries, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate strategic mutual trust and deepen China-Pakistan all-round pragmatic cooperation, Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing. He said the both the countries would continue to promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in a safe, smooth and high-quality manner, and continue to release the corridor to promote growth and benefit. The spokesperson said that the

Chinese side highly appreciated Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif remarks on China-Pakistan relations and the CPEC framework. In a recent interview with the Chinese media, PM Shahbaz Sharif highly spoke of China-Pakistan relations and said that the CPEC was a manifestation of mutually beneficial and win-win co-

operation between the two countries. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said, “China and Pakistan are very good friends who have stood together through thick and thin for more than 70 years. No matter how the international situation changes, the ChinaPakistan all-weather strategic partnership has always been rock solid

and unshakable.” He remarked that over the years, China and Pakistan had adhered to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to promote the construction of the CPEC, continue to play the role of the corridor in promoting Pakistan’s economic development and improving people’s livelihood. The CPEC had also made important contributions to regional connectivity and economic integration, which had been widely praised by all walks of life, he added. Wang Wenbin said that the positive effect on people’s livelihood had made the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan turned into steel, the construction of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future had taken root. He said that China-Pakistan cooperation had provided more vigorous vitality for the development and revitalization of the two countries and even the region.

US condemns blasphemous remarks by BJP leaders WASHINGTON agencies

Heatwave grips France and Spain as temps set to rise PARIS agencies

A punishing heatwave broke a string of records in France and Britain on Friday as Spain battled to contain forest fires that forced hundreds from their homes. The hot weather is in line with warnings from scientists that heatwaves will be more intense and hit earlier than usual thanks to climate change. In Spain, forest fires burned up to 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land in the northwest Sierra de la Culebra region Friday, forcing some 200 people from their homes. Firefighters were battling fires in several other regions, including woodlands in Catalonia where weather conditions complicated the fight. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised firefighters “who risk their lives on the frontline of fires” on Friday, which is also World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. Temperatures were above 35C Friday in most parts of the country and will top 40C in some areas. – Hospitals full – In France, temperatures also climbed Friday with one third of French departments at the highest or secondhighest heat alert level. Much of the country’s southwest will see thermometers top 40C, prompting warnings for the vulnerable. “Hospitals are at capacity, but are keeping up with demand,” Health Minister Brigitte Bourguignon told reporters in Vienne, near Lyon in the southeast. Schoolchildren have been told to stay at home in the 12 departments at alert level “red” and the health ministry activated a special heatwave hotline. “This is the earliest heatwave ever recorded in France” since 1947, said Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at weather authority Meteo France.

The United States (US) has condemned the blasphemous remarks made by two senior officials of India’s ruling party BJP against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The derogatory remarks by the BJP members have sparked outrage not only in the South Asian nations but across the globe. During a press briefing on Thursday, the US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said: “We regularly engage with the Indian government at senior levels on human rights concerns including freedom of religion or belief. We encourage India to promote respect for human rights.” “This is something that we’ve condemned. We condemn the offensive comments made by

two BJP officials,” he added. Responding to a question, the spokesperson describing Pakistan as a partner said his country looks for ways to advance this partnership in a manner that serves mutual interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has faced a backlash from Muslims at home and abroad, including from a number of Gulf countries, after two officials from his BJP commented in late May and earlier this month. One of them, spokeswoman Nupur Sharma, has been suspended and the other official has been expelled by the party. That has not calmed anger in the latest instance of what some in the Muslim community see as increased pressure under the rule of the Hindu nationalist BJP on issues ranging from freedom of worship to the wearing of hijab head scarves.

Saudi Arabia welcomes Lebanon court verdict against Hariri killers RIYADH afp

Saudi Arabia welcomed the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s verdict to jail two Hezbollah members for life over the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Saudi Arabia urged the international community to “practice its responsibilities towards the Lebanese people who face the terrorist practices of the Iranian-backed militias,” a statement published by the foreign ministry said on Friday. The Kingdom also called for the implementation of international resolutions in Lebanon and the arrest of “murderers” who have been contributing to the loss of innocent lives and causing “unprecedented chaos” in Lebanon. “Such terrorist practices have been putting Lebanon and its people in crisis over the past decades,” the statement said. The 2005 bombing had killed 21 other peo-

ple and injured 226. The two men, Habib Merhi and Hussein Oneissi, were sentenced by the UN-backed court in absentia. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman held a meeting with Malaysia’s defense minister Hishammuddin bin Hussein, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The pair discussed enhancing bilateral relations in all fields, especially defense. Senior Saudi and Malaysian civil and military officials attended the meeting.

China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, launched in Shanghai BEIJING Xinhua

China on Friday launched its third aircraft carrier, which has been named the Fujian after the country’s southeastern coastal province. The new carrier was put into water at a launch ceremony that started at about 11 a.m at China Shipbuilding Industry Corpora-

tion’s Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, CGTN reported. Xu Qiliang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), presented a naming certificate to the navy unit receiving the carrier. Approved by the CMC, the Fujian was given the hull number 18.

The new ship, completely designed and built domestically, is the country’s first aircraft carrier featuring catapults. With a flat deck, it’s equipped with an electromagnetic catapult aircraft launch system and interception facilities. Its full load displacement is over 80,000 tonnes. The carrier will undergo mooring and sailing tests as planned.

One killed, several injured as protests against Indian Army’s new recruiting plan intensify NEW DELHI agencies

One person has died and dozens have sustained injuries violent protests against the new military recruitment policy, Agnipath, across India intensify. One person was killed and 15 were injured in Telangana’s Secunderabad during violent protests against the new recruitment policy of the Indian Army. The protests continued in Talangana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states on the third consecutive day, today. The protests have also been reported in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. Telangana police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the crowd at the Secunderabad railway station as protests escalated into large-scale violence and arson, Indian staterun news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. Speaking to media, Suman Kumar Sharma, an AC Power Car mechanic, narrated the horrifying scenes while the trains were being vandalised. He said that there were around 5,000 people at the station and around 40 of them entered the train he was in. East Coast Express, Rajkot Express, and Ajanta Express were set on fire by violent mobs. As many as 71 trains – 65 from Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System and six express – have been cancelled so far. In Bihar, where the protests entered the third day, the house of Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi was attacked as the new recruitment scheme has set off a firestorm. Two coaches of the Jammu Tawi Express train were set on fire in Bihar’s Samastipur district, officials said, adding no one was hurt in the incident. A BJP office was also attacked in the Lakhisarai district of Bihar state. The “Agnipath” or Path of Fire programme, which was unveiled on Tuesday, is aimed at applicants aged between 17.5 and 21. Successful candidates will join the armed services for four years, after which only 25 percent of them will be retained. Violent protests had erupted in different Indian states on Thursday against the new military recruitment scheme. The Police had to fire shots in the air to disperse the crowds.

Drone strike kills 4 PKK fighters in Iraqi Kurdistan: security SULAIMANIYAH, IRAQ agencies

Four fighters affiliated with Turkey’s banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) were killed Friday in a Turkish drone strike in Iraq’s autonomous northern region, Kurdish officials said. Turkish army drones targeted a “vehicle belonging to PKK fighters” in the city of Kalar, the antiterrorist squad in Iraqi Kurdistan said in a statement. It killed “four people and wounded a fifth person”. Earlier, medical and security officials said the unclaimed drone strike had killed three people, while a fourth had been seriously wounded. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the drone strike on Kalar. The attack comes two months after Turkey launched an air and ground offensive in northern Iraq targeting separatist PKK bases and training camps. Designated as a terrorist group by Ankara and its Western allies, the PKK has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Following the Kalar drone attack, Without explicitly denying the drone strikes, Turkey’s defence ministry said it had neutralised “six PKK terrorists” in the area of its military operation. Questioned by AFP, however, a ministry spokesman said “Kalar is much farther south” than that area.

11 Sports 18 JUNE_Layout 1 6/17/2022 11:54 PM Page 1

Saturday, 18 June, 2022 | LAHORE

SPORTS 11

EnglAnd scorEs world rEcord odI scorE of 498-4 AgAInst nEthErlAnds

AgENCIES

NGLAND hit a world record one-day international score of 498-4 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen on Friday, with three men scoring centuries in the run blitz. Eoin Morgan’s side beat their own mark of 481-6 set against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2018, in the first match of the three-game series. Jos Buttler, who finished on 162 not out, plundered his ton off just 47 balls — missing his own record for the fastest England century by just one ball — while Phil Salt and Dawid Malan also made three figures.

Liam Livingstone, batting at number six, made the fastest 50 in England’s ODI history off just 17 balls — the joint second-fastest of all-time. The men in blue made their intentions clear early in their innings when Salt smacked Dutch right-arm medium pacer Shane Snater for six — the first in slugfest of 25 sixes and 36 fours to follow — in nearperfect batting conditions. The Lancashire-based right-hander pulled a short ball over deepmidwicket, landing just over the ropes to the ongoing delight of cheering England fans, many of whom made the trip by car across

the Channel for the game. The England batters then scored freely with beautiful strokeplay and never looked troubled by the Dutch attack. Salt suffered an early scare though in his innings, when the Netherlands — who surprisingly opted to field after winning the toss — dropped him on 40 in deep cover off the bowling of Bas de Leede. England too suffered an early wicket hard-hitter Jason Roy insideedged a pitching delivery from Snater, and had to walk for a single. Together with a stylish Dawid Malan, Salt put on a partnership of 222 before being caught on 122,

slicing at slower short ball by Van Beek. Malan and Buttler then drove England with an even bigger partnership of 184 before Malan fell on 125 to a full delivery from Dutch skipper Pieter Seelaar, which Malan steered into the waiting hands of Bas de Leede at deep midwicket. Malan looked trapped LBW on 25 off the bowling of the Dutch skipper earlier in his innings, but he got a reprieve after an initial out decision was overturned by the Third Umpire. The Yorkshire left-hander smashed three sixes and nine fours, becoming only the third England

player after Jos Buttler and Heather Knight to score a ton in all three formats of the game. But in the end it was Buttler who gave the young players in the Dutch team a masterclass batting lesson, hitting seven sixes and 14 fours in a

magnificent innings on a day of records. The Dutch bowling line-up struggled on a battling-friendly pitch, most economical of the Dutch bowlers Logan van Beek, with an economy rate 8.2 runs an over for the single wicket of Salt.

Pakistani, Indian players may team-up in Afro-Asia Cup 2023: report KARACHI news Desk

traditional games kick off in district haripur PESHAWAR stAff RePoRt

Traditional Games under the aegis of Directorate General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa got under way in a colourful ceremony at District Haripur with more than 200 players. Deputy Director Sports Operations, Jamshed Baloch and RSO Abbottabad Ahmad Zaman graced the occasion as guests. They were accompanied by Chief Coach Shafqatullah, DSO Haripur Faisal Javed and a large number of dignitaries from the area. Horse Dance, Gatka, Stone Lifting, Bull Race, Dog Rabbit Race, traditional javelin throwing competitions were also part of the Traditional Games being played at Pania Ground. Arrangements have been made to hold a javelin race at the Jetty Ground. Cash prizes and trophies will be distributed among the winners. The purpose of the event is to make efforts to keep the traditional games alive throughout the province and it is hoped that such initiatives will further promote the traditional games in these areas.

Pakistani and Indian cricketers are set to feature in the same team as a part of the revival of the Afro-Asia Cup scheduled in mid-2023. The tournament will reportedly make its return next year in the twenty overs format and top players from both the teams are likely to play together, reported Forbes.com Nothing is confirmed about the tournament as of yet and the fans will have to wait for the official announcement by Asian Cricket Board (ACC) in this re-

gard, subject to the confirmation by the relevant boards and the International Cricket Council. “There is, of course, the possibility of the traditionally bickering boards not coming to the party but, right now, hopes are high. “We haven’t got confirmation from the boards yet,” claimed ACC head of commercial and events Prabhakaran Thanraj as reported by Forbes. In past, the Afro-Asia Cup had been played twice, in 2005 and 2007, and featured stars from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka for the Asia XI and South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe for the Africa XI.

Summer Junior Badminton Camp begins in Abbottabad

national taekwondo team set for challenges at Asian championship KARACHI news Desk

The Pakistan Taekwondo team is all set for the formidable challenges at the upcoming 7th Asian Poomsae, the 25th Asian Kyorugi, and the Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships 2022, events are scheduled to begin in South Korea on June 22nd to July 2nd. The team will depart for Korea on June 20th. The contingent comprises Raja Wasim Ahmed (President PTF) and Omar Saeed (CEO of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation), said a news release on Friday. The seven-member Kyorugi players are Mazhar Abbas, Hamzah Omar Saeed, Muhammad Iqbal, Haroon Khan and Shahzaib Khan. There are also two Kyorugi female fighters part of the contingent i.e. Fateemaah Tuz Zahraa Khawar and Zoya Sabir. The three-member Poomsae team consists of Muhammad Wasim Jawed, Shahzaib Ahmed, and Flower Zaheer. The strong Pakistan Taekwondo team will feature in different categories of the events mentioned above. The team officials will attend the ATU Council Meeting and the ATU General Assembly on June 22nd. The Asian Poomsae Event will begin at Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province on June 23rd while the 25th Asian Taekwondo Kyorugi Championship will be held from June 24th till 27th at Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province, Korea. Besides, the 2022 Chuncheon Korea Open International Taekwondo Championships will commence on June 29th and will continue till July 5th at the grand Hoban Gym. On the other hand, the Poomsae Kukkiwon Coach Master Seongoh Choi (Korea) and three other Poomsae players namely M Waseem Jawed, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Flower Zaheer will continue to attend the training camp in Korea for 15 days. They will be back home on July 17th. Syed Sadaqat Hussain is the team manager while Faisal Nadeem Butt is the trainer. Yousuf Karami of Iran is the Head Coach for Kyorugi Players. Meanwhile, the team Head and CEO Pakistan Taekwondo Federation Omar Saeed said the team is upbeat and wellprepared for the event and will fare well in these international-level events.

PESHAWAR APP

The Junior Summer Badminton Training and Coaching Camp, organised by Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, started at

Company Bagh Indoor Hall, Abbottabad on Friday. The coaching camp, aimed at training young athletes at the grassroots level by qualified coaches Muhammad Nadeem and Hayat Ullah, will continue till June 24.

International coach Hayat Ullah told the media that the camp for junior badminton enthusiasts was started at the directives of Director General Sports Khalid Khan. At present, the junior badmintonists were junior champions of Pakistan, he said, adding that the directorate intends to train and prepare these children for senior competitions by improving their physical fitness and skills not only for South Asian Games, but also for the Asian Games and Olympics. One day, these KP badminton players will be the cause of Pakistan’s pride in the world, he added. Pakistan U-13 champion Najam Al-Saqib, U-15 Fahad Ahmed, U-17 Zaid Mohammad and other wellknown players including Omar, Jahangir, Hasnain, Umar Farooq, are also being trained in the camp through modern approaches and strategies.

Portuguese star Vieira set for Arsenal move from Porto LISBON Agencies

Portuguese midfield star Fabio Vieira is to join Premier League side Arsenal from Porto for 35 million euros ($37 million) after both clubs had agreed a deal in principle, the selling side said on Friday. The 22-year-old, who was named player of last year’s Under-21 European Championships despite Portugal losing in the final to Germany, could cost the Gunners up to 40 million euros if he achieves certain targets. Porto’s statement to the stock market added that he will sign a five year contract with Arsenal. Vieira played a key role in Porto’s domestic double last season, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists. Should the deal be finalised he will become Arsenal’s third signing of the close season. Arsenal — who finished fifth in the title race last season — secured the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian forward Marquinhos from Sao Paulo on Monday. They also signed American goalkeeper Matt Turner. Mikel Arteta is looking to add creativity to his side after Arsenal narrowly missed out on a return to the Champions League last season.

Nadal says his ‘intention is to play at Wimbledon’ PALMA Agencies

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal said on Friday he intends to play at Wimbledon but his final decision rests on how his troublesome left foot feels after training in London next week. “My intention is to play at Wimbledon,” Nadal said at a press conference in Mallorca. “The treatment and the last week of training tells me there is a chance. I will travel to London on Monday, play an exhibition at Hurlingham and do a week of training to see if it’s possible.” Nadal said injections meant his left foot felt “asleep” during the French Open final on June 5

— he still beat Casper Ruud to claim a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title. Nadal traveled to Barcelona last week to begin “pulsed radiofrequency stimulation,” a treatment aimed at reducing nerve pain. Nadal’s spokesperson said the treatment would leave the nerves in his foot “temporarily numb.” The 36-year-old then had his first session on grass on Monday at the Mallorca Country Club in Santa Ponca and has steadily increased the intensity of his training this week. “I have noticed a difference, some slightly strange feelings to be honest,” said Nadal. “With the treatment in the nerves, things happen in your

foot, sometimes one part of the foot goes numb, sometimes another. “It’s normal apparently and after a few weeks the nerves reorganize themselves. “I’m happy. I’ve felt a bit of pain, but it’s different to what I had before, which for me is progress.” Nadal has won Wimbledon twice in his career, in 2008 and 2010. He missed last year’s tournament due to pain in the same left foot while the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the pandemic, meaning Nadal is hoping to make his first appearance at the All England Club in three years. “I will travel to London, play two matches there before the tournament and follow my

normal schedule to prepare for Wimbledon,” Nadal said. “Who knows what can happen in a couple of days — if the situation changes or something

more negative (happens), there will be a moment to explain. “But I am excited to travel to Wimbledon and to play for the first time in three years.”

Saturday, 18 June, 2022

prayer timings

NEWS

WOrld WIll NOW AccepT pAkIsTANI NOTArIzed dOcumeNTs: pm ISLAMABAD

SHEHBAZ FELICITATES NATION ON FATF ANNOUNCEMENT

staff report

AKISTANI notarized documents will now be accepted in over 100 countries after President Dr Arif Alvi approved the instrument of accession to the Apostille Convention to become its member. The development was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his official Twitter handle. “Pakistan’s accession to Apostille Convention will facilitate [and] ease a significant burden on Pakistanis traveling [and] living abroad. “Creating smooth processes for our citizens is a priority for us. Now Pakistani notarized documents will be accepted in 100+ countries,” the prime minister wrote. In another tweet, PM Shehbaz Sharif wrote: “Our citizens will be able to notarize their important legal documents such as marriage certificate, degrees and more via MOFA [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] designated officials in Pakistan.” According to the prime minister the notarized documents will be internationally accepted without the need for any further verification. Meanwhile, Head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi informed that the accession to Apostille Convention has been approved, terming it a big relief for overseas Pakistanis. “[Foreign Office] is working to implement [and] notify notaries across Pakistan to attest documents which will be accept-

able at all Hague convention signatory countries,” Salman Sufi wrote on Twitter. Once Pakistan formally becomes a member of the Apostille Convention, the documents attested in accordance with the treaty’s requirements will be accepted in the 122 countries that are a part of this Convention and vice versa. TIMELY IMPORT OF EDIBLE OIL AVERTED CRISIS: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said timely im-

port of edible oil from Indonesia has averted the impending oil crisis in the country. Talking to Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Murtaza Mahmood in Islamabad on Friday, the Prime Minister said the 2.5 million metric tons of edible oil being imported from Indonesia will reduce oil prices in the country. The edible oil will be transported to Pakistan with the help of 10 ships.

The Prime Minister appreciated the special efforts of Federal Minister for importing edible oil from Indonesia. PM FELICITATES NATION ON FATF ANNOUNCEMENT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday felicitated the nation and welcomed the announcement of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that Pakistan had met all its conditions for exclusion from the Grey List. In a statement, he said, “Praise be to Allah, return of Pakistan to the white list is a big success of Pakistan.” He congratulated the government institutions, personalities and relevant team and said their joint efforts brought fruit. He appreciated the performance of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and team of the Foreign Ministry. The PM said the efforts of the basic cell related to FATF and of military and civil leadership included in it, were praise worthy and credit went to them for their work in this national endeavor. “I pay tribute to the whole team working for the success of Pakistan,” he said adding the statement of FATF was recognition of the restoration of the international reputation of Pakistan. “More such good news will be destiny of Pakistan in future,” he said adding the return of Pakistan to the white list would help in improving the economic and financial situation of Pakistan. “We are working with the same determination for the economic revival of Pakistan,” he concluded.

FATF praised work, political will of PTI govt: Imran

ISLAMABAD staff report

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) repeatedly praised work and the political will demonstrated by the PTI government during its four-day Plenary Session held in Berlin. Imran Khan said that the PTI government had not only averted blacklisting but also completed 32 out of 34 action items. “We submitted compliance report on remaining two items in April based on which FATF now declared Pakistan’s action plan as completed.” Earlier in the day, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) acknowledged that Pakistan has “substantially completed its two action plans”, saying that the watchdog will now schedule an on-site visit to verify the implementation of the measures.

The former prime minister detailed: “I constituted a FATF Coordination Committee headed by key minister Hammad Azhar. The committee had representation from all government departments and security agencies relevant to our FATF action plan. The officers worked day and night in the first instance to avoid blacklisting.” “I am confident that prerequisite onsite visit of FATF team to confirm completed work on our action plan will pass successfully too,” said Khan. “Pakistan was nominated for greylisting by FATF in Feb 2018 and had to complete the most challenging action plan ever given to any jurisdiction. When my government took over, we faced the dire prospect of Blacklisting by that body. Our past compliance history with FATF was also not favourable.” He praised the special efforts of PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar, members of his FATF coordination committee and officers who worked

on the task performed exceptionally well. He added, “The whole country is proud of you.” It is important to mention here that Pakistan has not been formally removed from the FATF’s grey list. SUDDEN DEATHS OF WITNESSES, INVESTIGATORS: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday shared details of the sudden deaths of witnesses and investigators part of cases against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his family members. Taking to Twitter, the former prime minister shared names of the witnesses and investigators and the case they are part of against the Sharif family. He termed it an attempt by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his associates ‘brought in through US regime change conspiracy’ to use mafia tactics to save their corruption and money laundering. Imran Khan said that questions would arise over the sudden deaths of witnesses and investigators. Previously, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has said that the current rulers are playing political games just to get NRO-II. Imran Khan, while addressing PTI workers in Islamabad, urged that it is necessary to end the rulership of the thieves in the country at the earliest. He asked PTI workers to complete preparations before his next announcement against the incumbent government. Regarding the corruption cases against the current rulers, Imran Khan said that those who were investigating the cases against Shehbaz Sharif and his sons have died in mysterious circumstances. He said that the cases will be dissolved by ending the powers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). “I am telling you from the first day, the political game is being played for NRO-II.”

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KARACHI The Karachi police on Friday registered as many four cases against Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairman Mustafa Kamal and Tehreeke-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Saad Hussain Rizvi along with hundreds of their party activists under murder and terror charges. The police registered the cases for violent clashes between the workers of both the political parties during NA-240 by-elections. One person was killed and 10 others sustained injuries in the violence erupted during the NA-240 by-election. The PSP had accused TLP workers of

firing at its party chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal during a media talk, adding that the party’s central leaders were also injured. According to police, the party heads had been nominated in the FIRs for causing violence during the by-poll on Thursday. They said two of the cases were registered on complaints of presiding officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan while the remaining two were filed on behalf of the state at Landhi and Korangi police stations. “Police have detained 258 suspects including some security guards present during the violence,” a spokesperson of the Karachi police said. Landhi police have registered a case on terror charges against the PSP and

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No shift in policy on India, FO clarifies ISLAMABAD staff report

The Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) on Friday clarified that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy towards its Eastern neighbour and there is a “national consensus” on this issue. The Foreign Office clarification came a day after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s comments in which he had seemingly advocated reengagement with India. Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, a government-funded think tank, in his first major foreign policy speech since taking office, Bilawal had identified India and the United States as countries with which Pakistan’s relations were problematic. In its statement on Friday, the FO said these comments by the foreign minister were “being interpreted out of context and portrayed incorrectly”. “The foreign minister’s remarks are better understood in the overall context of his key message of conflict resolution that he emphasised in his address at the think tank event,” the FO added. It said Pakistan had “always desired” cooperative relations with all its neighbours, including India, and had “consistently advocated” constructive engagement and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute. “However, India’s unabated hostility and retrogressive steps have vitiated the environment and impeded the prospects of peace and cooperation. The onus, therefore, remains on India to take the necessary steps to create an enabling environment conducive for meaningful and result-oriented dialogue.” The FO statement said that Bilawal had “clearly articulated” the above perspective in his speech. FM Bilawal’s comments had attracted strong criticism from former FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi. “Giving statements on the need to build bonds with India, all while the fascist Indian state persecutes our brothers and sisters in [occupied] Kashmir is irresponsible. “I urge our imported FM to please stop treating the Foreign Office like his first professional internship,” Qureshi had lashed out. Former federal minister and PTI leader Shireen Mazari had also taken exception to FM Bilawal’s comments, saying that “it seemed the foreign minister is trying to get close to [Indian Prime Minister Narendra] Modi at a time when Muslims in India are being harassed and targeted and the occupying Indian forces are exceeding all limits of oppression and exploitation in IoK.”

Tarin lauds Hammad Azhar over expected removal from grey list ISLAMABAD staff report

The former Federal Finance minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf senator Shaukat Tarin on Friday gave credit to former Finance minister Hammad Azhar over Pakistan’s expected removal from Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Taking to Twitter, Shaukat Tarin said that the PTI government had set record economic growth in the last two years, and save the country from the adverse effects of pandemic and now Pakistan’s removal form FATF’s is another feather PTI’s leader Hammad Azhar cap’s. Rebuking the current government, he said that the incumbent government should not blame the PTI government for economic crises because economy was growing, exchange rate was strong, inflation was moderate and stock exchange was at 46000 points. Everything has gone South since PML-N lead government has come in, he added. “Instead of passing all the pain of international commodity price increase to the common man, ask your team to go to Russia, introduce targeted subsidies, cut nonessential expenses and increase FBR Revenues to provide relief. This is what we would have done,” Shaukat Tarin.

By-Poll violence: TLP chief, Kamal booked under terror charges news desk

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TLP chiefs and others over the killing of a 65-year-old man identified as Saifuddin. He said the firing triggered panic and chaos in the area. “In the meantime, the PSP workers led by Mustafa Kamal also resorted to firing, causing injuries to some persons standing nearby who were later shifted to different hospitals.” Landhi police also registered another FIR on the complaint of ECP’s presiding officer, Shahid Ali, against the PSP chief and over 50 people on terror and other charges. The FIR said around 50 to 60 workers led by Kamal arrived at the polling station in Landhi no. 6 and roughed up the election staff and subjected him to verbal abuse.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk