Issuu

Monday, 20 June, 2022 I 20 Dhul-Qadah, 1443 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XII No 351 I 48 Pages I Lahore Edition

President Alvi returns elections [Amendment] bill 2002 to PArliAment AgAin

islamabad

staff report

ReSIdeNT dr Arif Alvi has returned the elections (Amendment) eVM/OP bill 2022 unsigned after citing certain reasons and recording his observations. The president said that he had been pursuing the issue of electronic Voting Machines (eVM) and Overseas Pakistanis Voting (OP) with all the governments, in the parliament, as well as at the Supreme Court of Pakistan since more than a decade. The president observed that he had not signed the bill despite the

fact, that the constitution that he upheld, would make it into law, a press release of President Secretariat Press Wing on Sunday said. In this regard, he referred to Article 75 (2) of Constitution of Pakistan which said “When the President has returned a Bill to the Majlis-e Shoora (Parliament), it shall be reconsidered by the Majlis-eShoora (Parliament) in joint sitting and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment, by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), by the votes of the majority of the members of both Houses present and voting, it shall be deemed for the purposes of the Constitution to have been passed by both Houses and shall be presented to the President, and the

President shall give his assent within ten days, failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given.” He further noted that it has been very painful to him as ‘President of Pakistan’ to not sign a bill passed by the Majlis-e-Shoora. Therefore, he must record his reasons for posterity. While enlisting the reasons, the president said that besides, the proposed laws’ regressive nature that he pointed out in detail when he referred the bill back to Parliament, he strongly believed that today’s technology especially with eVMs when used judiciously contained many solutions that reduced the impact of confusion, discord and accusations in the ‘ever-marred’ and challenged election processes. Technology could also improve transparency, make elections inclusive with the vote of the overseas Pakistanis, build confidence and reduce polarization to finally achieve the elusive dream of free and fair elections, he added. More than that, President Alvi said, he wanted Pakistan to leapfrog into the world of tomorrow, not to solve today’s problems only through the lens and experiences of yesterday but through newer and better scientific approaches that were available, or even ‘birthing’ today,. He did understand that this could not happen without confidence building measures across the aisles, and broad stakeholder involvement, he said, posing a question why was this not done and why the obvious was not visible to the opinion and decision makers would remain an enigma to him. He observed that the present and future governments and parliaments would be facing two choices, whether to allow the past to drag Pakistan down or allow the lessons from the past and technologies of today to boost them into the bright progressive and dynamic future of Pakistan that had been their dream. He further observed that such decisions would continue to challenge them, and history showed that those who made the right decisions ‘rise’, and those who didn’t, squandered opportunities that obstructed their path to glory.

Recognising Imran’s hypocritical face, masses have rejected protest call: Marriyum Aurangzeb islamabad staff report

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday that that the people of Pakistan have rejected the negative politics of Imran Khan and his call for agitation would prove a miserable flop. In a tweet in response to former prime minister Imran Khan’s call of protest on Sunday night, she said that the people of Pakistan have recognised his fake and hypocritical face. Taking a jibe on Imran, she said that those who ran away on the night of May 25 now wanted to spread chaos and anarchy in the country over inflation caused by their own inefficient regime as the PTI’s narrative of “foreign conspiracy” had been buried. Why should the people take to streets for those who sold national interest for a few diamonds, she asked. She said why should the people come to protest on the call of a hypocrite who plundered national wealth when in power. Why should the people come out for a person who deprived the working class of employment and their livelihood, she said, adding, why should the people respond to the call of

Six BLF terrorists killed in gun battle with security forces in Balochistan: ISPR islamabad

more inside

FIA arrested two human traffickers STORY ON PAGE 02

‘TTP’s most-wanted terrorist’ arrested in Karachi: CTd

staff report

Security forces on Sunday killed six terrorists belonging to Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) during a search operation in Paroom area in district Panjgur of Balochistan, the military’s public affairs wing said in a statement. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the forces conducted an operation on a tip-off regarding the presence of terrorists in Central Zamran Mountain Range near Paroom. “Once the troops started a clearance operation in the area, terrorists tried to escape from their hideout and opened fire on security forces,” the statement said. The BLF terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire, it added. The ISPR said the slain terrorists were involved in attacks on check-posts of security forces as well as improvised explosives device attacks on security convoys in Paroom and surrounding areas of Panjgur. The forces also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition which, according to the ISPR, were to be used by terrorists for disrupting peace in the area. “Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotag-

those who were responsible for inflation, economic catastrophe and unemployment in the country. She said that the people would not respond to the call of those who created the “storm of inflation” and signed agreements with the IMF on weak grounds. Why should the people come out on the call of those who increased flour price from Rs 35 per kg to Rs 90, and sugar price from Rs 52 to Rs 120. The minister maintained that the people would not pay any heed to the protest call of those who had launched a “bloody march” last month and shot dead policemen performing their duty. “Why should the people go out to protest for those who wanted the country divided into three parts and who sold national interest in exchange of diamond rings for four years. The people would not take part in protest demonstrations for those who borrowed record money during their four-year tenure and sold Kashmir and created division in the country. The minister said that the government was correcting the economic direction of the country and at this critical juncture, no violent protests would be allowed.

STORY ON PAGE 03

FM welcomes FATF’s unanimous acknowledgment STORY ON BACK PAGE in today’s issue

ing peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan,” the military statement said. On June 7, security forces had killed four terrorists during operations in North Waziristan tribal district and Balochistan’s Noshki district.

Two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire with the security forces in the Hassankhel area of Mirali tehsil in North Waziristan, while the other two were gunned down during an operation in the Parodh area of Noshki.

attention Some readers have complained that they are not getting the magazine with their newspaper copy. Please call or WhatsApp us at the following number to register a complaint. Contact: 0307-7338168 irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk

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Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

BIDS To SMuggle wheAT, FlouR FoIleD, 17,328 BAgS CoNFISCATeD

News Desk

HE Food Department Rawalpindi and district police while conducting raids in different areas foiled bids to smuggle wheat and flour besides seizing 17,328 wheat and flour bags and 26 tons fine wheat flour (maida) during last 10 days. According to a district administration spokesman, the authorities of the food department along with Rawalpindi district and motorway police conducted raids and managed to foil many wheat smuggling bids. 33 truckloads of wheat, flour and fine wheat flour (maida) were confiscated while the drivers namely Afaq, Usman, Sajid, Shah

Zaib, Zaheer, Imran, Abbas, Zakir, Fareed, Burhan Uddin, Sajjad, Mukhtar, Rehmat, Ismail, Khawar, Ghulam Abbas, Malak, Amir, Akhtar, Janullah, Abdul Majeed and others were also sent behind the bars. The authorities concerned had been directed to strictly monitor district exit points to control wheat smuggling, he said adding, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi Tahir Farooq had instructed the authorities to strictly monitor the movement of wheat and take strict action in accordance with the law against the rules violators. The spokesman said that all the exit points of Rawalpindi division were being monitored round the clock to control wheat smuggling as the administration had set up

14 check posts at exit points of the four districts of the division to check wheat smuggling. The administration in collaboration with police and special branch, was carrying out operations and a special monitoring system had also been developed particularly for exit points of Rawalpindi division to check wheat smuggling. A comprehensive plan had been formulated to curb the smuggling of wheat, he added. The check posts were set up at exit points of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts, he said and informed, the district administration in collaboration with the motorway police

and the food department was making efforts to control wheat smuggling. Rawalpindi district police and the food department on the special directives of Punjab government had also set up five special pickets at exit points of

PM’s Initiative of National CPR training to kick start soon: Sufi

FIA arrested two human traffickers News Desk The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday claimed to have arrested two accused involved in human trafficking during operation carried out at Chowk Yadgar Peshawar. The FIA spokesman said that arrested people were involved in cheating and depriving people of money on pretext of sending them abroad for jobs. He said that human traffickers kept youth under detention near Iranian border and subject them to torture and demand money from their families by sending videos. A case has been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway.

IsLAMABAD Staff rePort

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed for the launch of a national initiative of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training throughout the country. In this connection, the prime minister has issued directives to PM’s Strategic Reforms to immediately launch the initiative, head of PM’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi said in a press statement on Sunday. He further informed that a comprehensive strategy would be announced next week. He said that CPR had saved countless lives around the world at places where immediate medical assistance was limited. The CPR is a lifesaving technique helpful in different emergencies, such as in case of a heart attack or near drowning, leading to chocking of someone’s breathing or heartbeat, he added. Sufi said that the CPR training to save lives would be made a part of the educational curriculum, whereas, each citizen would be imparted training under the drive. The Prime Minister had ensured meritocracy in the health sector, provision of quality education of international standards and construction of health facilities in Punjab province, he added. After assuming the office of prime minister, Sufi said, Shehbaz Sharif was launching health reforms programme at the national level and the CPR training campaign to save lives was the first phase of this reforms agenda.

Khurram Dastgir arrives in Tehran to discuss electricity import News Desk Minister for Power Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan on Sunday reached Tehran (Iran) on a four-day to discuss the import of electricity from Iran. The minister was received by Iranian Deputy Minister of Energy for International Affairs Muhammad Ali Farahnakian at the Airport, said a statement issue here.

Rawalpindi district to control wheat smuggling. According to a police spokesman, special pickets were established in Naseerabad area, Hakla Interchange, Gangu Bahadur, HMC Road and Brahama Interchange.

LAHORE: Dying Art: An artisan busy repairing copper pots at a workshop near Ring Road. Photo by zubair Mehfooz

Illegal commercial activities in residential areas of Pindi creating nuisance for residents News Desk The illegal commercial activities are rampant in several residential areas of Cantonment Board and city areas thereby creating a lot of nuisance for the residents. The residents of several Cantt areas have been left to suffer due to illegal commercial activities in residential areas and it looks that the authorities concerned are least interested to take action in accordance with the law against the rules violators. The questions are also being raised as to why a number of roads were declared commercial by ignoring the parking arrangements and trafficrelated issues. The illegal commercial activities in several residential areas of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) including Gawalmandi, Chor, Tench Bhatta, Chungi No 22 and several other areas irk the residents as the encroachers have occupied streets and roads, creating problems for the motorists as well as pedestrians particularly for women and children. According to the residents, most of the streets of Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Dhoke Syedan, Bakra Mandi, Chungi No 22, Chor, Gawalmandi and other

areas have been converted into commercial centers as the traders have changed houses into workshops, godowns and offices. The residents also complained that influential persons with the connivance of the authorities concerned are constructing illegal buildings and shops in such localities further deteriorating the agonizing situation. The residents, Mushtaq, Dilawar and Fawad while talking to APP informed that encroachments in several residential areas particularly Tench Bhatta, Chungi No 22, Chor and Gawalmandi were on the rise as the authorities were unable to remove encroachment that were getting out of control. By violating the building bylaws, a number of commercial stores, restaurants and other units have been opened in residential area of Gawalmandi. A resident said, “The roads were declared commercial by ignoring the safety of the residents and traffic-related issues.” Due to apathy and negligence of the authorities concerned, the residents are suffering and no action is taken on complaints against violations. Encroachments have become a major problem not

only for motorists, but also for the area residents, while the concerned are taking no action. Sajid, a resident of Tench Bhatta said that one could witness the traffic mess in Tench Bhatta road as the shopkeepers had occupied both sides of the road and left no space for movement of pedestrians besides causing the worst traffic jams. “Due to rising commercial activities at the areas, we are forced to suffer. The visitors to unauthorized commercial units park vehicles outside houses. The department concerned has created a big mess in various residential areas by ignoring such violations,” he added. Sameer, a resident of Gawalmandi informed that the vehicles are parked in front of the workshops along with the road further narrowing the passage and the repair work of faulty vehicles is carried out on the road. He said that the residents are facing difficulties due to encroachments in various streets of the area. Most of such unauthorized commercial units, factories and godowns in residential areas lack parking arrangements. Thus, vehicles are generally parked on the roads causing traffic snarls. Moreover, the majority of such units lack fire safety arrangements, posing threat to the residents. Also, there is no check on noise pollution being created by the industrial units. Meanwhile, the RCB spokesman said, “We are not allowing any new commercial construction in residential areas. We are taking action in accordance with the law against the rules violators. Special operations are launched and heavy fines are imposed on the violators.”

Over 46 million mobile phones assembled in 11 months: EBD Chief News Desk Chairman, Engineering Development Board (EBD) Almas Hyder Sunday disclosed that a record number of 46 million smart and feature mobile phones were assembled in Pakistan in 11 month of current fiscal year. He said during the period under review, 20 millions smart mobile phones were assembled of which 99 percent so far sold in markets while 26 million feature mobile phones were pieced together of which 97 percent were purchased, said a press release. He said mobile phone parts valued $1.9b were imported to Pakistan by the assemblers. He said a total of 31 local and foreign mobile phone companies were awarded licences of which 21 are operational while

remaining are in process of setting up plants for production including Nokia. Almas said only one foreign company imported 3.8 million feature phones during this period which is also now going to establish plant in Pakistan. Almas Hyder said the best quality locally assembled smart and feature mobile phones equipped with ultra moder technology has restored the confidence of buyers in Pakistan which he added is much cheaper and most economical than foreign assembled mobiles. He said the moments mobile phones are assembled and immediately absorbed in the market which speaks of good governance and transparent policy being pursued by the EDB for luring local and foreign investment in Pakistan. He said Pakistan engineering industry has a large potential to grow and

contribute a significant role towards national development for robust economic activities. He said he is fully committed to strengthen engineering base by attracting foreign direct investment in this sector. He said we have one of the best liberal investment regime in the region coupled with plenty of natural resources and manpower. The EDB is endeavoring to harmonize and align all standards to have a better and favorable business environment for all businesses in Pakistan especially foreign investors. The EDB is also making all out efforts to facilitate investors to materialise their commitments into reality with a focus to simplify the procedural hassle to maximum extent through various initiatives, he concluded.

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Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

MARyAM NAwAz To ADDReSS ByeleCTIoN RAlly IN MulTAN oN July 8

News Desk

AKISTAN Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz is set to address a public meeting in Multan on July 8 next in connection with by-election in provincial constituency PP-217. Maryam Nawaz will hold a public meeting at the farmhouse of former minister Chaudhry Abdul Waheed Arain, and she will also campaign in the constituency for PML-N candidate Salman Naeem. The local leadership of the PML-N in Multan has started preparations for the public meeting and the visit of Maryam Nawaz to the city. Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb responded to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s call for protest. “Imran Sahib! the people recognise your false and hypocritical face. The fugitive of May 25 now wants to spread chaos over his given inflation after the burial of his foreign

conspiracy narrative,” she said. “Why should the people take to the streets on the call of the one who sold the national interest for a few diamonds? Why should the people come out of their houses on the call of a hypocrite and thief?” she flayed. “Why should the people come out

on the call of the one who denied wage to the labourer and bread to the public. Why should the people respond to the call of those responsible for inflation, economic catastrophe and unemployment?” she added. “Why should the people respond to the call of those who created the

storm of inflation for the last four years? Why should the people come out on the call of those who made weak agreements with the IMF while in power?” she castigated. “Why should the people come out on the call of those who increased flour price from Rs35 to Rs90? Why should the people come out on the call of those who increased sugar price from Rs52 to Rs120?” she despised. “Why should the people go out with those calling for a bloody march? Why should the people go out with those who fired shots at police? Why should the people go out with those who want to divide the country into three parts?” she loathed. “Why should the people go out with those who left the country under historic high debts? Why do the people go out with the sellers of Kashmir? Why should the people go out with those who divided the country?” she abhorred. “The government is correcting the economic direction of the country. No bloody and riotous protests will be allowed,” she declared.

Met Oﬃce forecasts countrywide torrential rains from Monday IsLAMABAD Staff rePort

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted countrywide torrential rains from Monday due to a strong weather system entering the upper and central parts of the country. According to PMD, the weather system will persist till Wednesday night. The National Disaster Management Authority also issued a similar alert, saying it had directed authorities to adopt rain-emergency measures to prevent any untoward situations during the rains. Under the influence of the system, widespread thundershower with isolated hailstorms are expected in Islamabad; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan. The advisory said that Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura,Okara, Kasur, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Multan would also receive heavy rainfall from Monday night to Wednesday. Similarly, widespread rainwindstorm with isolated hailstorm are

NEWS

world Father’s Day goes top trend on Twitter IsLAMABAD Staff rePort

The social networking website –Twitter on Sunday embraced swathes of posts shared by its users to commemorate the World Father’s Day from across the globe while sharing their unmatched and priceless memories of their father. The Father’s Day was trending among top trends on twitter where the people from all over the globe were showing their affection, love and respect for their fathers. The Day celebrates and honours those men who sacrifice and provide their best commitments to raise their children as the social and moral responsibility of their fatherhood. On this special day people from all walks of the life adopted different way to share their love and memories for fathers on Twitter. “I am who I am today because of my father. He sacrificed his dreams to make our dreams come true. May Allah give you health and happiness. App ke baghair hum kuch nhi (we are nothing without you –father)”, Pakistani cricketer Shadab Khan twitted, whereas, women cricketer Bismah Maroof said on twitter that fathers were truly a wonderful blessing. An old man from America posted a five decades old photo with his father and narrated his heartfelt note for his late father saying, “I met thousands of people in my life and no one was like you. You were the best dad and man I ever met. I missed you in every second of my life.” “I can sacrifice every drop of my blood for my father”, a nine years old girl form Islamabad passionately said in a video clip while sitting in the lap of her father. Another Twitter user from Bangladesh shared an emotional animation video of a man who was doing mason work to earn bread for his children with a caption that behind every child’s strength there was one man and he was his or her father. The various Twitter posts garnered much acclaim and retweets from its users to cherish the unconditional love of their fathers and revitalize their love for family and parents.

PTI Sindh MPA arrested for alleged sexual harassment: police kARAcHI Staff rePort

expected in Kashmir including Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Hattian, Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley; Gilgit Baltistan including Astore, Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamir, Hunza and Skardu and northeast Balochistan including Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Kohlu, Barkhan during the period. Downpours are also expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu,

Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Karachi, Dera Bugti, Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Lasbela and Khuzdar from Tuesday evening till Wednesday. The Met Office warned that heavy falls might trigger landsliding in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Heavy falls may generate flash flooding in local nullahs or rivers of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Northeast Balochistan, the Met Office advisory said. “Travelers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the forecast period and avoid unnecessary journeys.” The Met Office said all the authorities concerned had been advised to remain alert and take precautionary measures during the forecast period.

PTI member of the Sindh Assembly, Shabbir Qureshi, was arrested for alleged harassment, Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Javed Alam Odho said Sunday. The matter of Qureshi’s arrest was initially brought to light by PTI Sindh’s spokesperson Haleem Adil Sheikh, who said the MPA was detained when he left his house for Fajr prayer, “after which he was shifted to an unidentified place.” However, AIG Odho said that Qureshi has been arrested over a woman’s complaint against alleged sexual harassment. “A woman had complained to SITE police station at 3am on Sunday morning, alleging that Qureshi sexually assaulted her,” Odho said. He said that the woman alleged that the PTI MPA lured her with a job offer. Odho further stated that a case has been registered against Qureshi on behalf of the complainant under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Investigations against Qureshi have been launched, he added. Khurram Sherzaman condemnS QureShi’S arreSt: Meanwhile, PTI leader Khurram Sherzaman condemned Qureshi’s arrest, claiming that police vehicles were parked outside the detained PTI leader’s house all night. “Sindh government’s jiyala force has kept PTI [in the crosshairs] as every kind of false allegation is being imposed on PTI leaders,” Sherzaman said, adding that Qureshi’s arrest is concerning. He demanded the immediate release of Qureshi, saying that “the tactics the fearful Sindh government are hiding behind are pitiable”.

Pakistan faces inflows of asylum seekers from Afghanistan ANADoLu AgeNcy Pakistan is facing new inflows of asylum seekers from neighboring Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, according to the UN refugee agency. Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the eve of the World Refugees Day, observed June 20 every year, Qaiser Khan Afridi, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Pakistan, said more than 250,000 Afghans seeking asylum have trickled into Pakistan since January 2021. “UNHCR is aware that over 250,000 Afghans seeking asylum are reported to have arrived in Pakistan since January 2021, however, the overall number of Afghans with international protection needs is likely to be higher,” said Afridi. “We are currently discussing with the government of Pakistan the way forward on registration and documentation of asylumseekers, predominantly from Afghanistan,” he said.

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans fled to Pakistan and Iran since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban last August. Many, who worked or associated with the previous regime, left the country, even before the capture of Kabul fearing a backlash from the hard line group, with others finding it an opportunity to emigrate to the US or Europe. The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported earlier this week that many top officials in the US-backed previous Afghan government had started purchasing expensive properties in the US and other countries in the final years of the war, which ended in an unexpected surrender of the Afghan National Army. Last week, the federal cabinet approved a policy under which, transit visas will be issued to the Afghan asylum seekers to enter the country legally to complete paperwork for further international travel. Much expectedly, there has been no increase in the number of Afghan refugees returning to their homeland after the

Taliban’s takeover, said the UNHCR. Afridi said only 850 refugees (185 families) have returned to the war-torn country since the beginning of 2022 under the commission’s voluntary repatriation program. The figure, he added, is slightly higher compared to repatriation during the same period last year. “Upon return, repatriated families receive a grant to support them as they rebuild their lives and communities. The UNHCR provides financial support of $250 each to the repatriating families,” he added. Pakistan is currently hosting 1.3 million documented and almost as many undocumented Afghan refugees. Of them, a majority are residing in KhyberPakhtunkhwa province, which serves as a gateway to Afghanistan. Balochistan and Karachi, also host a large number of refugees. “UNHCR advocates that returns need to be voluntary and take place in conditions of safety, dignity and security,” said Afridi.

Saleem Khan, the chief commissioner for Afghan refugees, said the repatriation process remained sluggish because of coronavirus-related restrictions in the past two years, aside from economic and political developments in Afghanistan. “The process has seen a kind of resumption over the past one week but it’s premature to predict the future trend. It will take another couple of months to determine that,” he told Anadolu Agency. Hunched on plastic chairs outside a cafe and enjoying green tea at a refugee camp in the southern port city of Karachi, a group of Afghan youths had no plans to return to their homeland. Located on the northern outskirts of Pakistan’s most populous city, the run-down locality with limited access to health care and basic sanitation is home to nearly 250,000 refugees who were forced to flee due to a lingering conflict. Karachi is home to more than 300,000 Afghan refugees, most of whom work as laborers or own small shops in Pashtun-

dominated areas. Maulana Rahimullah, who migrated to Pakistan and made Karachi his new home in 1980 following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, cites the economy and unwillingness of young refugees as reasons behind a snail-paced repatriation despite “much better” law and order in the warhacked country. “Although our major concerns, which were about law and order, and a possible civil war after the Taliban takeover, have been addressed, still a brute majority of refugees have no plans to return, at least in the near future,” Rahimullah, who hails from Afghanistan’s northeastern Takhar province, told Anadolu Agency. “Here we often get work to make a living. But that’s still not the case in Afghanistan,” he said. The father of six, Rahimullah said the younger generations born and raised in Pakistan have little interest to go back to their homeland. “Even if I want to go back, my children won’t let me go. For them, this (Pakistan) is their country,” he said.

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Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

04 NEWS

Plan afooT To ImPlemenT mezzanIne InITIaTIve In housIng PRojeCT LAHORE

News Desk

PONSORED by the Pakistan Japan Intellect Forum executive member, the first-ever echo-conservancy mezzanine structure plan, is set to be implemented soon as a model house in Wapda Town Sheikhupura, said Dr Khalida M Khan, the first female geo-morphologist of Pakistan. Talking with the media persons here on

Sunday, the former chair of UNESCO and UN-KAKHTAH-DRR at the University of Punjab, said that an agreement had already been reached with the housing project under the South Asian Hydro-de-tox initiative, delineated and defined by the SAIRI report on subsoil hydro-toxicity. An investigative report was released by SAIR (Saarc-Asean Interdisciplinary Research Initiative) last month which highlighted that hydro-toxicity, the slow and gradual toxification of underground

Islamabad imposes section 144 to shut markets by 9pm ISLAMABAD: The capital city administration has imposed section 144 in Islamabad to close the markets by 9:00pm as part of energy conservation plan of the government. “All markets, shops, warehouses and shopping malls in the capital will be closed at 9pm in the night,” said a notification issued here on Sunday. “Marriage halls, wedding ceremonies and lights will be off by 10pm,” the administration notified. “All commercial, industrial centres, restaurants, clubs, parks, cinemas, theatres will be closed by 11:30 in night”. “Bus terminals, bread-makers, milk shops and vegetable market will be exempted from the early closure,” according to the notification. “Section 144 in Islamabad will remain in force in Islamabad for two months,” deputy commissioner of the capital city Irfan Nawaz announced. Punjab government has also notified to implement an energy-saving plan with markets close by 9:00pm. The government has announced shutdown of shopping malls, markets and shops by 9:00 in the night. Punjab government and traders had agreed to enforce an energy-saving plan from June 20. The decision was taken after a meeting of traders with Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore. According to sources, markets in Punjab will open at 8:00 in the morning and close by 9:00pm. It is to be mentioned here that the Sindh government on Friday announced the closure of all markets including shopping malls by 9:00 pm across the province to conserve electricity amid a crippling power crisis faced by the country. staff RepoRt

water reservoirs, is the main culprit behind outbreak of epidemics in various parts of Pakistan. Dr Khalida Khan, preceding holder and the proprietor of the echo-conservancy model in the country, said that the echo-conservancy plan was being supported and financed by Homayoun Akhtar Choudhry, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Yuasa Private (Ltd) Japan, a transnational automobile corporation, and an executive member of Pakistan Japan Intellect Forum (PJIF).

SAIRI’s P.I. Prof AZ Hafi, that: “an unfair and disproportionate toxic burden was being imposed by the sewage outlets of the urban areas where mostly the poor populations were residing. As a result, the soil and subsoil water reservoirs become unable to shield against the burdens of both the inorganic and organic waste toxicities”. Dr Khalida views the Sheikhupura model structure plan, named after Master Hroon Okawa by the Pakistan Japan Intellectual Forum executive member, as the practical step towards implementation of the Hydro-de-tox initiative. Dr Khalida Khan said that Homayoun Akhtar Choudhry was strongly committed to enhancing the preventive measures against the lethal phenomenon of subsoil hydro toxicity in urban centres of Pakistan. He wanted to expand the SAIRI’s Hydrode-tox initiative in all major urban centres of the country.

Sacrificial animals start arriving in Rawalpindi RAWALPINDI staff RepoRt

Sacrificial animals have started arriving in Rawalpindi division from far-flung areas of the country for sale ahead of Eidul Azha. These animals can be seen in Raja Bazaar, Bara Market, Fawara Chowk, Dengi Khoi, Waris Khan, Naz Cinema, College Road, Benazir Bhutto road, Bakra Mandi, Lal Kurti, Dheri Hassanabad and Saddr Bazaar. A visit to different sale points revealed that the animal prices are quite high and beyond the reach of the common man.

Majority of sellers of sacrificial animals are demanding very high rates as there is no price regulatory mechanism introduced by the city government. Price of a normal size goat/sheep/lamb ranges from Rs60,000 to Rs80,000 whereas a cow/calf from Rs120,000 to Rs3,00,000. On the other hand, sellers of sacrificial animals say that main reason behind high prices of animals are increased transportation costs as well as increase in prices of animal fodder. Raja Atif, a calf seller from DG Khan, said that rise in transportation charges, cost of animal breeding led to the increase in the animal prices.

KP Governor inks budget of 22 universities for 2022-23

Two killed, 5 injured over land dispute SWAT: Two persons were killed and five others sustained gunshot wounds in an exchange of fire between two groups over a land dispute in Lelonai village of Shangla district here on Sunday. According to DSP Alpurai Circle Amjad Ali, the incident took place in Leloni village where two groups indulged in crossfire. Resultantly, Mufti Shafiq was killed on the spot, while three others including: Noorullah, Ata Muhammad and Omar Bacha sustained gunshot wounds from one. Similarly, Aleemullah of another group was killed and his brother Shehryar got injured in the exchange of fire. The DSP informed there was a land dispute between the parties. “The bodies and injured were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Alpoori and two critically injured have been referred to Saidu Sharif Hospital as their condition is critical.” DSP Amjad confirmed. DSP Amjad said that the police reached the spot and made arrests from both sides and heavy weapons were also recovered from their possession. syeD shahabuDDiN

Being a firm and unswerving advocate of echo-conservancy sewerage-drainage system, Dr. Khalida Khan was declared the Strategic Researcher of the Year 2018-2019 at the National Postdoctoral Association (US) by the conjoint Inter-regional Directors’ Board of the Asia-Oceania Postdoctoral Academia and Saarc-Asean Postdoc Academia in 2018. In capacity of postdoc research moderator SAIRI Postdoctoral Multiversity for the United Nations MDGs Studies, Dr. Khalida was responsible for initiating the first UN Partnership for Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), Japan at CIMR under the umbrella of the Punjab University in 2012. She is also credited for establishing the first UNKAKHTAH Digital Repository at the Punjab University. Shedding light on the issue, Dr Khan reendorsed the thematic baseline note of

PESHAWAR staff RepoRt

The budget of 22 universities out of the total of 32 public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been approved for the fiscal year 2022-23 while the budget of the remaining 10 universities would also be approved by the end of June. The budget has been approved in the meeting held in the Governor House, chaired by acting Governor Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and Provincial Minister for

Higher Education Kamran Bangash. Due to various reasons, the budget of most public sector universities could not be approved before the beginning of next fiscal year due to which the universities had to face severe financial crisis and financial disorder. In this regard, former Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman, on the advice of his team, for the first time in June 2021 approved the budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 for all public sector universities to end this false tradition and eliminate financial disorder. Following the same procedure this year, acting Governor Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, issued special instructions to all public sector universities to prepare budgets and present in their respective Senate which would be implemented. Like last year, this year too, all the universities are being given the best guidance and instructions regarding the budget, due to which the financial discipline of the universities has improved considerably, as evidenced by the fact that most of the universities are approving the budget surplus till now. In light of the guidelines issued this year, most of the universities have also set up various funds to avoid financial deficit and unfavorable conditions which have proved to be useful for financially stabilizing the universities.

“I can’t sell my animals on loss,” he said, adding that he was thinking of going back home as customer’s response was not very good at the moment. The high prices of sacrificial animals will affect the salaried and low income groups of the society the most, a resident of Gawalmandi said, adding that his family would probably not be able to perform this religious ritual due to high prices of the sacrificial animals this year. On the other hand, City District Government Rawalpindi, and Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC) are preparing plans to make city clean on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Azha.

CTD, Rangers capture ‘most-wanted TTP operative’ in Karachi KARACHI News Desk

The Sindh Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Sunday claimed to have arrested a “most wanted” terrorist of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Karachi. According to the department, following a tip-off, the CTD and Rangers conducted a joint operation near Naurus Chowrangi in the SITE area. During the raid, the CTD arrested a man identified as Muhammad Ilyas along with illegal weapons and ammunition. In a statement, the CTD informed that the arrested accused was the most wanted terrorist of the banned outfit who had been hiding in Saudi Arabia. During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to investigators that he, along with his accomplices, had killed Sher Ahmed Khan in SITE area in 2013. The news release added that Ilyas had joined the TTP in 2012 and he is being interrogated in other cases as well. Last month, Pakistan Army killed two “important and most wanted” terrorists in North Waziristan district’s Boya area. In a statement, the military’s media affairs wing had said that the militants had been actively involved in terrorist activities in the area.Meanwhile, on May 31, the government of Pakistan and TTP agreed on an indefinite ceasefire to find an end to the nearly two decades of militancy in the tribal border region.

Kumrat Valley – Exploring bounties of nature KUMRAT ageNcies

Bewitching natural beauty, cultural richness and unparalleled hospitality of the diverse tourist destinations in Pakistan have always contributed to captivate the attention of local and exotic nature as well as generate handsome revenues. Bestowed with uncountable benediction, Pakistan’s plains and hilly areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Northern areas present ample opportunities of amusement to hundreds of thousands tourist thronging these places every year. Kumrat Valley, situated in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is also one of the beautiful discoveries of the social media with all its attractions of green pastures, snow clad mountains, the river Panjkora, foggy mounds and imperturbable beauty of the forest. “The year 2016 proved as a turning point for the hidden beauty of Kumrat Valley to be revealed through social media and soon it became one of the famous tourist’s destinations for the visitors”, Assistant Commissioner, Sheringal, Muhammad Yar Khan said. “Before 2016, there was not even a single hotel in the valley for the tourists to stay but later on small hotels were constructed in

the forests by the local people to facilitate visitors,” he added. The place is so beautiful that despite a 48 kilometer dilapidated track from Sheringal, Union Council in Upper Dir, tourist embark on this journey to visit the heavenly place. Although, this track was repaired sometimes back but damaged again due to frequent snowfall. “Despite the poor road conditions, around 6,000 visitors entered Kumrat Valley on the first day of Eid-ul Fitr, 8,000 on the second and 10,000 plus on the third day of Eid,” Muhammad Yar Khan said. He said for facilitation of the visitors the administration maintains strict law and order. “Not even a single crime was reported during last one year of my posting therefore visitors can freely roam around the valley without any threat.” Muhammad Yar however mentioned to dearth of good doctors, educationists and other professionals in the area as most of the people after getting good education move to cities or abroad for job purposes. Former Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visited the place during his tenure and wanted to give it the status of a National Park. But, local people resisted this proposal fearing that their land and forests would be confiscated by the government. Pakistan People’s Party government es-

tablished Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University in Sheringal in 2016 and the PTI government in KPK also focused on forest conservation and promotion of tourism in the areas. Meanwhile, an official of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Zaman Khan said that Deputy Inspector General of Police has issued strict instruction to maintain law and order in the area. “We follow instructions and try to keep the area crime free,” he said but mentioned to language barriers and overcharging by hotels when asked about complaints registered by the visitors. “Most of the visitors complain of language barriers, extra charging by shops and car parking as well as dilapidated roads,” he added. Around one million tourists visit the valley during the peak four months of summer season with most of them coming from Punjab and Sindh. This rising number of visitors has risen the number of locally constructed two star hotels to 45 in addition to small huts. The hotels capacity sometimes fall short to accommodate the visitors that make local people to fleece the tourists charging them Rs 8,000 to Rs 15000 per night. “This is irritating. We go there for leisure time but the local fully benefit from our presence over there by charging much more than the actual price,” said a visitor Adnan

Chaudhry, hailing from Faisalabad. “If the nature has bestowed them with its bounties, they should care for the fellow visitors. Procinvial authorities should devise a pricing mechanism for the tourists visiting this area,” he said. He said, “we can understand that they have only seasonal income as there are lesser opportunities of earning during harsh winter. But, the rates should be convenient to both sides.” More than 70 percent area of the valley comprises forest while 30 percent of barren land. The people in the valley lack proper source of income and most of them migrate to other cities for job purposes. Major agricultural crops of this area are potatoes and apple gourd (Tinda). However, the weather is also favorable for growing

winter crops in summer season which are supplied to main cities. The trees falling in the forest due to heavy rains or fast winds is another source of income for them as selling these trees in the market brings 60 percent share to local people and 40% to the government treasury. Since, this is very low literacy rate area, the Assistant Commissioner informed that his office has written to the provincial authorities for construction of high schools for boys and girls. Population in this area comprises 70 percent Kohistani and 30 percent Gujjars and language usually spoken is Kohistani as this area links to Indus Kohistan starting from silk route down to Kohistan, Palas, Shangla and Kalam.

Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS

KP SME’s apprised about benefits of EU GSP+ status granted by EU Speakers at a seminar have apprised the small scalemanufacturers and traders about Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status granted by European Union that were allowed a duty-free access to Pakistan’s products to EU market and asked them to take full benefits from this special EU scheme and to enhance country’s export and stabilize economy. The seminar titled: EU and Pakistan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – Engine of Development and Partners held under auspices of EU-Pakistan Business Forum 2022 in Peshawar, after organizing other cities of the country, according to a statement issued here on Sunday. Thomas Seiler, Charge d’Affaires A.I. of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan was chief guest on the occasion. Imran Khan Mohmand, Senior Vice President, the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) presented the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa business community at the forum. Besides, stakeholders hailing from tourism, officials of various relevant departments, exporters attached with precious and semi-precious stone sector, small scalemanufacturers, traders, SMEs and others were in attendance in a large number. Imran Khan Mohmand while speaking on the occasion hailed the hosting of EU-Pakistan Business Forum 2022 in Peshawar. He said the vast opportunities were available to boost up bilateral trade and exports with EU countries. The SCCI senior office bearer noted the Pakistani products export to EU market has enhanced after the granting of GSP+ status by EU, in which mostly share of textile and fabric. However, he stressed the need of reaping full benefits of GSP + status granted by EU to Pakistan, allowing dutyfree access to Pakistan’s manufacturing products to the EU Market that would not only enhance Pakistan’s export but could also strengthen bilateral trade and help to stabilize the local economy. Organisers on the occasion highlighted the role and efforts of EU-Pakistan Forum towards enhancing exports and bilateral trade between Pakistan and EU, especially benefits of the GSP+ status granted by EU to Pakistan. Thomas Seiler, Charge d’Affaires A.I. of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan also spoke on the occasion and asked the small traders and manufacturers to take full benefit from the EU scheme. Imran Mohmand stressed that Pakistan should enhance export to the EU market under the scheme by other important sectors along with textile and fabric that would also help to stabilize the local economy as well. news desk

Rainfall subsides soaring pollution, turns Capital’s air quality healthy The recent spell of pre-monsoon rainfalls lashing various parts of the country have helped plummet scorching heatwave in the federal capital and subsided the soaring pollution turning the Capital’s air quality healthy. The air quality of the federal capital on Sunday was reported healthy as suspended particles were recorded below permissible limits in the atmosphere along with the pollutants’ ratio due to consistent rainy weather and reduced vehicular traffic on roads. The air quality data has been collected by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) that monitors air pollutants ratio for 24 hours based on three intervals of eight hours data collection from different locations. The Pak-EPA data revealed that the air quality throughout the three intervals of data monitoring remained high as the pollutants were beyond the permissible limits of national environmental quality standards (NEQS). The hazardous air pollutant particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which was a lethal atmospheric contaminant, remained 16.33 micro grammes per cubic meter on average which is higher than the NEQS of 35 mic-programmes per cubic meter and denotes the air quality unhealthy. The PM2.5 is generated through combustion of an engine, industrial emissions, burning garbage or inflammable material and dust blown up by fast moving cars plying on non-cemented patches of the roads. Moreover, the frequent forest fires in the federal capital also created high suspended particles, dust and particulate matter in the atmosphere. However, a spike was witnessed during the peak hours that was mainly due to congestion of automobiles plying on the roads after schools vans, office buses and public cars caused congestion on the main thoroughfares, an official of EPA told APP. news desk

Govt tAKinG StEPS foR iMPRovinG qUAlity of EdUCAtion: RAnA tAnviR

EDERAL Minister for Education and Professional Development, Rana Tanvir Hussain has said that the present government was taking various steps for bringing improvement in the education sector. He expressed these views while addressing to the ground-breaking ceremony of Regional Campus of the Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) in Sheikhupura further said the Govt will train the teachers in the first phase. He said that AIOU offers various programs of teacher training, universities should take steps by introducing a special training program for teacher training to secure the future of children. He further added that Allama Iqbal Open University could play an important role in popularizing education, training teachers and improvement of quality education in the country. Unless the direction is right, we cannot make progress. We should pay special attention to merit, transparency, and quality of education. He further said that after Covid 19, the distance education system and online education have become very popular all over the world. The education minister said that Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum is one of the most active Vice-Chancellors and he can bring further improvement to this education system. He said that Saudi Arabia has made

an excellent setup of an e-learning and communication system education system consisting of 20 TV channels. The Government of Pakistan is sending Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum to Saudi Arabia in the first week of July to review Saudi Arabia’s communication education system to further improve Pakistan’s distance education. Rana Tanveer Hussain further said that he gets peace of mind for contributing to the betterment of the region or the country. The Federal Minister for Education said that Open University is the second-largest university in South Asia. The establishment of a campus in Sheikhupura will also provide free education to the needy children of the area

which will increase the number of 1.2 million students at the university over many times. Speaking on the occasion, ViceChancellor, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum said that the Deputy Commissioner, Rana Shakeel Aslam, and the Ministry of Education were assisting in the acquisition of land for the Sheikhupura Campus. Laying the foundation stone of the Federal Minister of Education in his hometown with his own hands is a sign of positive attitude towards education. The Vice-Chancellor said that the Open University is on a mission to expand its educational network and build campus buildings, laying the foundation of a regional campus in Gwadar soon,

Capital’s polluted natural drains await STPs to protect ecology nEws dEsk Once known for its scenic beauty, habitat and natural streams, the federal capital has been fast losing its elegance due to unruly population and housing societies growth threatening its ecosystem and serenity. Its natural streams flowing out of perennial and seasonal springs of the Margalla Hills have turned into filthy and stinky drains as city manager had failed to put in place proper waste disposal mechanism. Rapid growth in population and massive construction in catchment areas continued to pollute streams emanating unpleasant odor throughout the city, besides turning brooks into breeding habitats of mosquitoes. The Captial homes about 26 small and large streams, passing through the hill torrents embracing rainwater and tossing over different residential sectors finally converging into two main streams outside Islamabad. “Due to discharge of domestic waste and leakage of municipal sewers, these streams are highly polluted and spew foul odour and breed mosquitoes,” says an official of Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA). “This is a continuous threat to capital’s environment, habitat and human health. Therefore, there is dire need to focus this dilemma,” the official said. In the initial master plan of Islamabad, the natural streams were left open with large spaces on both sides to make them flow smoothly along their natural courses. Later on, the encroachments were built by narrowing them to create space for residential and commercial plots. Overflowing choked sewerage lines and plastic waste dumping into nullahs besides poor waste management as the citizens, Capital Development Authority and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation had seemingly failed to fulfill their responsibilities. “It was our collective responsibility. But, on one side citizens showed negligence in keeping these tributaries clean and one the other side the city managers

failed to put in place proper waste disposal system,” said a CDA official. “If you observe the tributaries of these various drains they show pure and crystal clear water, but they become dirty and smelly while passing through the human settlements,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “At some spots, sewage water flows directly into natural streams thanks to broken lines. It becomes worse at night,” he added. The information with CDA also reveals that initially rainwater and sewage drains were laid separately. But, later on completion certificates were issued to house least caring for this principle. “Such actions encouraged people and they stopped laying separate lines for sewage and rainwater to save meager cost of pipelines and started discharging sewage into rain drains,” the official informed. Just to talk of sewage treatment plants, there is one sewage treatment plant (STP) functional in sector I-9 treating up to six million gallons sewage per day (mgd) against its total capacity of 14 mgd due to broken network of sewage supply lines in various sectors. If running on full capacity, this plant can provide ample amount of water for horticulture in capital. Deputy Director General Water CDA Sardar Khan Zimri has said funds were allocated for improving the network of trunk lines for the smooth flow of sewage to the STP.“Once the broken lines are repaired, we will receive almost 10-12mgd of sewage for treatment.” There are also reports that in absence of STPs, untreated water from localities in the catchment areas was mixing with water coming to Rawal Dam, exposing residents of twin cities to serious health hazards. The Supreme Court sometimes back, in a suo motu notice on water contamination, had directed installation of STPs. Although, the civic agency in light of this order tried to establish STPs in catchment areas like Shahdara, Bari Imam and near Banigala, but this approximately Rs3.9 billion project could not take off .

going to Attock, Sargodha, and inner Sindh as well. The Vice-Chancellor further said that the Open University is also bringing out-of-school children into the educational net in collaboration with various institutions. “Identify out-ofschool children and we will include them in the education network without any charges,” he said. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum said that the Open University is providing free education to eunuchs and prisoners to make them useful citizens and integrate them into the national mainstream. He further said, that after digitalization, it has become necessary to have a TV channel. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the TV channel of the university will be launched soon. Credit for providing higher education opportunities to the Sheikhupura campus and its residents goes to Federal Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain. Director-General Regional Services, Dr. Malik Tauqeer Ahmad Khan, and Regional Director Sheikhupura, Nasreen Akhtar Mirza also addressed the function. He said that with the construction of the campus, every effort would be made to bring the rate of education in Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib to 100% and would fulfill the dream of the Minister of Education for quality education. app

18 provided govt jobs on orders of Punjab ombudsman under Rule 17-A LAHORE staff report

On the orders of Punjab Ombudsman retired. Major Azam Suleman Khan, 18 complainants from across the province have been provided regular government jobs in public sector departments including agriculture, education, health, finance, district accounts office, highways, cooperative societies and deputy commissioner’s office. This legal relief has been provided under Rule 17-A of the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment and Terms of Employment) Rules, 1974. A spokesman of the office of the ombudsman disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday that Moin Hamza of Sahiwal, Muhammad Awais Sanwal of Vehari, Muzammil Batool of Khushab, Faraz Latif of Narowal, Muhammad Farooq of Bhakar, Zargam Farooq of Dera Ghazi Khan and Qais Amir of Nankana Sahib were among those recruited as junior clerks in provincial government departments in BS-11. The spokesman added that some other plaintiffs including Yasir Mahmood of Narowal, Muhammad Asif Shah of Multan, Tahir Ahmad Manzoor Butt of Sialkot, Muhammad Shahzad of Nankana Sahib and Muhammad Mubashir Siddiq of Vehari have been recruited as naib-qasid after the involvement of provincial ombudsman office. Meanwhile, the order suspending the recruitment of one Syed Fida Ali Zaidi from Faisalabad as naib-qasid under Rule 17-A (category b medical retirement) has been withdrawn. The applicant has been reinstated after the involvement of the ombudsman’s office and he has been allowed to continue official duty as an order suspending his recruitment has been withdrawn, the spokesman said. Similarly, Muhammad Khan of Bhakar was hired as a driver. Munira Bibi of Narowal and Nauman Haider of Toba Tek Singh were provided jobs as chowkidar and Mali respectively.

Moringa – a super food for mitigating malnutrition Right from the ancient times down to modern era, human beings passed through a series of research and experiments to fully utilize the natural potential of agricultural sector especially in terms of food items. Living close to nature in thinly populated areas four to five centuries back, the mankind usually banked upon fresh meat, fruits and vegetables and water flowing through rivers, brooks and streams. But time changed and in recent cen-

turies, the earth not only witnessed mounting population load but also rising need of edibles. This made the researchers and scientists to opt for research for enhancing agricultural produce through hybrid seeds and use of fertilizers and pesticides. Multiple corporate giants emerged on the world map and introduced packaging for conservation of food with the use of supplements to meet local needs and export to other countries. This voyage went on for decades when the

experts felt that use of additives was resulting in multiple health hazards and researchers once again felt to promote organic food. Many new ordinary and medicinal plants came under focus and scientists and health experts believe use of these ordinary plants are sometimes far beneficial for human health than the medicines. Moringa is one of the series with its nutrition rich composition as it contains multiple variants and even in this modern age experts

recommend it to overcome malnutrition. “Moringa can help overcome malnutrition as its leaves and fruits were very rich in calcium, vitamins, potassium and protein,” informed Dr Zahid Rasheed, a fruit scientist at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad. “It has miraculous properties that’s why is called ‘Super Food’ and science has proved Moringa as one of the best nutritious and medicinal plants having powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and

tissue-protective properties,” he said. Dr Zahid regretted that most often our people depend on allopathic medicines although we have vast potential for Moringa cultivation in terms of land richness and climate. “We can easily cultivate it in areas of Sindh and Punjab. But, unfortunately this plants as well as plants like Neem, Amaltas, Ajwain, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Aloevera and Stevia were badly ignored in our country,” he remarked. news desk

06-07 Comments - 20th June 2022_Layout 1 6/20/2022 12:46 AM Page 1

Monday, 20 June, 2022

06 COMMENT

Global economic challenges

President’s sending back election laws bill

The recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic is incomplete

PTI makes President a partisan tool

RESIDENT Arif Alvi has returned to the PM two bills for reconsideration the two bills it had passed for change back the election laws, and to amend the NAB law. The bills will now be reconsidered, and if passed again, will become law whether or not the President accords assent. The election laws bill is not just a reversal of the PTI’s legislation, and the NAB law amendment based on the PTI government’s tigersih pursuit of opposition leaders, but also represents the sum total of the coalition government’s legislative programme, which it hope to achieve before going for fresh elections. However, that is not really the reason for the President to give assent. That is so because it is below the dignity of the office for it to be used for partisan purposes. President Alvi has raised a number of specific arguments to both bills. He has had to raise them because his party, the PTI, has hastily resigned from the National Assembly, and has no other forum to make those points. It might have been satisfying to ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan and his acolytes to protest the fall of his government, even though that resulted from the passage of a constitutionally sanctioned vote of no-confidence, but one result has been that the PTI has lost the ability to oppose the government within the House. That job, so essential in a democratic dispensation, has been left to the President. It should not be forgotten that a president in a parliamentary system of government is supposed to play a restraining role, but is supposed to be neutral, this so that no party identifies him with its interests to the detriment of other parties. President Alvi runs the risk of over-using the right to ask for reconsideration, and of being seen as a partisan plater rather than the neutral umpire the Constitution contemplates. Some, indeed many, would say that he has already crossed that point. If so, he is in serious danger of having compromised the office he holds, which is too high a price to pay for a transient popularity in the ranks of the party faithful. The PTI has an increasingly diminishing opportunity to take back its resignations from the National Assembly. It should do so, and thus relieve the President of the need to play the opposition as well. That is inherently a false position, for the President, after all, is head of the executive and the present government is his government.

Dr Omer JaveD ‘“It’s like wildfires in all directions,” said Jayati Ghosh, an economist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “This is much bigger than after the global financial crisis. Everything is stacked against the low- and middle-income countries.”’ – Renowned economist, Jayati Ghosh, quoted in a May 2022, New York Times (NYT) published article ‘Poor countries face a mounting catastrophe fueled by inflation and debt’

N the wake of the pandemic, developed countries injected more than $13 trillion as stimulus, which while it helped in quick recovery of economy and in significantly safeguarding people against acute vulnerability– although the focus of stimulus spending and neoliberal policies overall meant that inequality has increased dramatically globally, not decreased, in both developed and developing countrie – this amount appears to have gone overboard in terms of extent, and apparently has contributed to demand-pull inflation. In addition, global supply shock, both as a result of pandemic-causing-recession, and excess profiteering due to lack of regulation as a consequence of years of neoliberalism, fed in significantly strong imported/supply-drive/cost-push inflation, mainly at the back of energy and food-related costs. As a result, therefore, overall inflation has been growing at high levels in developed countries– in the USA inflation has increased to a four-decade high at 8.6 percent in May, in the Eurozone it has increased to 8.1 percent for May, and in UK the rate has increased to 9 percent for May, which like the US, is the highest rate in four decades. While the inflation rate is at high levels, it needs to be remembered that although demand-pull inflation is likely to be the source of inflation, the imported/cost-push inflation channel is also significant. Therefore, on one hand tight monetary policy need not go overboard, both in terms of extent of increase in policy, and also rate hikes should be softlylanded, on the other hand there is need for supply-sided, governance related interventions as well, so that the squeeze is not so hard as to set in recessionary and stagflationary consequences. In this regard, Economics Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz highlighted in a recent interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2022 meeting in Davos, pointing out ‘Raising interest rates is not going to solve the problem of inflation. It’s not going to create more food. It’s going to make it more difficult, because you aren’t going to be able to make

Covid comeback challenge for government Procrastination is not an option

T seems that the covid-19 challenge is not as done and dusted as we had been led to believe. There has been an increase in the positivity rat in Islamabad, over the past couple of days, where it reached four percent, while it reached 1.3 percent nationwide. These are not frightening figures, but they are worrying, as they indicate that the dread disease might once again be making the sort of comeback that will make it a menace for the public at large. The resurgence is coming soon after the dissolution of the NCOC had marked the decline of the disease from a national health emergency to just another potentially fatal disease. While the nation sighed with relief at the removal of the sometimes irksome public-health restrictions that had, at the height of the pandemic, virtually paralyzed all life, the probability is arising that those restrictions, such as social distancing, sneezing/coughing precautions, and the use of hand sanitizers, may once again have to be enforced. It is noteworthy that the country came through the pandemic not unscathed, but not as badly hit as it might have been. That goes to the credit of the PTI government. The coalition government now has to handle this crisis. The head of the government, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while Chief Minister Punjab, had to tackle another viral disease epidemic, dengue fever. That experience, while not entirely transferable, will be better than if the situation was an entirely new challenge. However, the Health Minister, Mr Abdul Qadir Mandokhel, while probably a savvy political operator, is no public-health expert, His predecessor, Dr Faisal Sultan, had been the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital chief before becoming SAPM, but his expertise as a public-health expert may be invited to make up for Mr Mandokhel’s rough-diamond qualities. Any procrastination in the implementation of an already demonstrably effective action plan would be most unfortunate and cost lives.

Violations of the refugees rights Today is World Refugees Day

SYeD FaWaD aLI SHaH

GOs from around the world come together to celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20. These NGOs celebrate it by issuing media statements or by tweeting. Countries that signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention also claim resettlement of refugees, but practically nothing happens. For the past five years, only voices have been raised in favour of the refugees but nothing concrete has been done. The situation on the ground is that no country is ready to resettle refugees or work for their welfare. At present, NGOs around the world and the countries that have signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention prefer only Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, whose resettlement in other countries is in full swing. It seems that there are only Ukrainian and Afghan refugees in this world who are stuck in a quagmire of problems. Japan, along with the USA, Canada, Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, is also re-

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the investment. What you do is you have supply-side interventions… so at least try to do everything we can globally to increase the supply… ’ Moreover, for developing countries, a rather quick policy rate increase has apparently already led to somewhat fast capital flight, in addition to adding to an already difficult debt burden situation of developing countries, where for instance Sri Lanka has already defaulted, and a number of other developing countries like Pakistan are already facing seriously difficult balance of payments (BoP), and debt sustainability issues. With regard to capital flight from developing countries, a recent article ‘Emerging markets hit by worst selloff in decades’ published by The Economist pointed out ‘Emerging market bonds are suffering their worst losses in almost three decades, hit by rising global interest rates, slowing growth and the war in Ukraine. … Nearly $36bn has flowed out of emerging market mutual and exchange traded bond funds since the start of the year, according to data from EPFR…’ Having said that, the US Federal Reserve apparently responded in terms of monetary tightening in a rather delayed manner, leaving in turn little space for soft-landing of policy rate hikes, resulting in turn in sharp and not much staggered increases, where the last one-time increase was quite large at 75 basis points in one go. With regard to recessionary consequences in the USA, in a recent article ‘A recession in America by 2024 looks likely’ published by The Economist, it was pointed out ‘There is no escaping the squeeze ahead for America’s economy. Surging food and petrol prices are eating into people’s spending. In April consumer prices were 8.3% higher than a year earlier. Even excluding food and energy prices, annual inflation is 6.2%. Supply-chain problems could flare up for as long as war rages in Ukraine and China sticks to its zero-covid policy. … The Fed is promising to pour water on the fire. Investors expect it to have raised interest rates by more than 2.5 percentage points by the end of 2022. The central bank is crossing its fingers, saying that it can hit its 2% inflation target without causing a downturn. …In fact, although a recession is likely, it should be a relatively shallow one.’ Developing countries could provide little stimulus in the wake of the pandemic, given lack of fiscal space, and also lack of debt moratorium/relief, little SDR allocation, and a lot less-than-pledged amounts provided on account of climate finance by rich, advanced countries, in addition to traditionally having inflation as at least equally a fiscal phenomenon, developing countries have overall seen proportionately lesser demand-pull inflation than developed countries. Although, in the case of Pakistan, economic growth has seen over 5.6 percentage increase in FY 2020-21, it is expected to grow close to 6 percent this fiscal year, as per March 2022 numbers available with government, but much lower stimulus provided than needed, lack of inclusivity, and overall poor growth numbers over the last many years in general, not to mention traditionally less financial depth, have all meant that demand-pull inflation channels have resulted in much lesser role of demand-pull inflation than

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settling migrants from these two countries. However, the resettlement rate of Rohingya, Iraqi, Chinese Uyghurs, Palestinians, Syrians and Pakistanis in other countries is just 4 percent. Now the practice of resettling refugees from Muslim countries like Uyghurs, Rohingya, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria and Palestine, among others, is declining and soon it will be almost over. All the signatories to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention are non-Muslims and have so far resettled millions of Muslim refugees. But now these non-Muslim countries have apologized for giving importance to Muslim refugees for resettlement. The files of Muslim refugee resettlement cases, which have been under process in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS and USRAP for decades have become infested with termites. People who receive refugee status die within the status of a refugee. On social media, the question is often raised by citizens of non-Muslim countries that if non-Muslim countries, which signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, could shelter and resettle the Muslim refugees, then Muslim countries should also deal with this issue. In most Muslim countries, Muslim refugees are held in prisons or immigration detention centres. Can’t the rich Arab countries, Turkey, Brunei and Malaysia help the Muslim refugees? Is this the responsibility of non-Muslim countries only? These are questions about which no Muslim country has so far been able to answer or express its shame or regret. If non-Muslim countries that signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention are resettling Muslim refugees then the Almighty will have special mercy on such countries. These countries seem to be more developed than Muslim countries around the world because of their social and humanitarian service. I am not against anyone’s religion or caste or country. I just want to say that if Muslim countries take care of the refugees, then the problem is 50 percent solved. In the course of time, humanity has disappeared from the world. The wars in Ukraine and Afghanistan have made much noise in the international media,

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in developed countries. While growth based on March numbers was indicated to be close to 6 percent, a recently released World Bank’s twice-yearly published report ‘Global Economic Prospects’ expected growth to be much lower at 4.3 percent for FY 2021-22, which is likely to be because of tight monetary policy stance since September, and political instability. Having said that, at the back of strong supplyside/imported/cost-push inflation channel, overall inflation has increased a lot, mainly due to high oil, energy, food, and fertilizer prices, and in May stood at 13.8 percent, although it may be higher as pointed out by a Bloomberg published article ‘Pakistan inflation rate hits 13.8% in May on costlier food, fuel’ as follows: ‘Consumer prices rose 13.8% this month from a year earlier, according to data released by the government Wednesday. That’s slower than the median estimate for a 14.4% gain in a Bloomberg survey of economists and compares with a 13.4% acceleration in April.’ However, sharp increase in petroleum products prices during the last three weeks, would significantly add to overall inflation rate. Given that the policy rate is already at a high level of 13.75 percent, there is a strong case that it should be brought down to wellbelow double digits; since September it has increased by 675 basis points, while inflation has also increased by 9 percent to 13.8 percent in May. This is important for avoiding stagflationary consequences, and also for creating much-needed fiscal space, for instance, for providing much-needed, appropriate level of subsidy on petroleum products. With Covid-related lockdowns in China, and the USA heading towards a likely recession, not to mention that central banks are adopting a significant monetary tightening in a number of countries, including for instance, in the UK, and the Eurozone, there has been downward revision in global growth outlook. The GEP report pointed out with regard to global growth outlook as ‘Our forecasts reflect a sizable downgrade to the outlook: global growth is expected to slow sharply from 5.7 percent in 2021 to 2.9 percent this year. This also reflects a nearly one-third cut to our January 2022 forecast for this year of 4.1 percent.’ Moreover, GEP forecast China’s growth for 2022 at 4.3 percent, which shows a marked difference from growth in 2021, when it was 8.1 percent. Also, a recent article ‘OECD calls for burden-sharing to counter gloomy economic outlook’ published by The Financial Times pointed out ‘The OECD lowered its global growth forecast for 2022 to 3 per cent, from 4.5 per cent in December. That put it below the IMF’s 3.6 per cent estimate made in April and suggests the global economic pain as a result of the war is still increasing.’ It is, therefore, important that while on one hand macroeconomic policy instruments are used based on well-founded ground realities, and on the other developing countries overall are properly supported by both rich, advanced countries, and multilateral institutions like IMF, among others, in their need for receiving meaningful debt moratorium/relief, relocation of SDRs, and appropriate level of climate finance, in addition to their overall need for adopting counter-cyclical policies. NGOs and the west. If they had made as much noise about the atrocities against the Rohingya, or in Iraq, Palestine, Syria,, or against theUyghurs, the citizens of these countries would not be refugees today. The countries responsible for increasing the refugee population around the world are the ones that forgot the refugees after signing the 1951 Refugee Convention. Canada’s Group Five programme for refugees is also riddled with errors because no one today takes responsibility for their own sons, so how can five Canadians take responsibility for an unknown refugee? Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and rulers of European countries and the UK keep releasing statistics on how many Ukrainians and how many Afghans have resettled in their countries. If you look at these statements, you will feel as if only Ukrainian and Afghan refugees are oppressed in the world while the atrocities against the refugees from other countries are not visible to them. Countries signing the 1951 Refugee Convention have not promised to resettle refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan and they have not fulfilled their human rights obligations, but they are acting like “a dove, if he closes his eyes, he thinks the cat isn’t watching him, but the cat swallows him”. The Arab and Asian countries also spared no effort in treating the refugees harshly. If China wants to become a superpower in the world, it must adopt a human rights policy in the country. Give political asylum to refugees who are victims of atrocities. The USA has value more than China because it has a good record of human rights in comparative terms. Everyone in the world is willing to be a spy for the USA because they know that if their lives are in danger, the USA will give them nationality, money and asylum, but no one is willing to work for Chinese intelligence agencies. If China adopts a policy like the US, it too can stand in the ranks of champions of human rights. And if China adopts a human rights policy and signs the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, it could become a superpower instead of the USA. The writer is a senior Journalist He can be reached at pmpk55@hotmail.com Mobile No, +60109301521 Twitter ID: @SyedfawadAli303

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Monday, 20 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

The importance of content THE recent release in Pakistan of Hollywood film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has sparked outrage among celebrities, netizens and Pakistani audiences over the issue of international releases coinciding with local ones. Can local films shine with Doctor Strange attracting larger crowds? I believe there is a straightforward explanation to this. The local cinema has long been producing films centred around the rom-com genre with prosaic stories riddled with clichés. It would not be wrong to say that they at best try to do nothing but entertain the audience. On the other hand, Hollywood films are eclectic and meaningful. The filmmakers can easily make a film about Alzheimer’s disease, like, say, Still Alice (2014), and it would still up earning $45 million at the box office. As an avid Hollywood film-watcher, I believe, nearly all the movies I have watched have taught me something, be it family values, loyalty, friendship, etc. Pakistani cinema has a great potential. The filmmakers need to think differently, diversify and explore in various genres, such as Indie, neo-noir and period films. They should stop underestimating the level of intelligence and taste of the local viewers. Throw away the typical romantic plot in the films, and the audience will surely pay attention. Simply put, content is the king, so pay attention to it. AAMNA SHAHID SIAL LAHORE

World Sauntering Day

Spitting on the King’s face Kings must watch out for themselves

a Letter from Prometheus agHa Iqrar HarOOn

N our junior school, we had a classfellow who was in the habit of spitting on the faces of others and then running away. Despite complaints, no action ever took place against him for his indecent and obnoxious behavior because his mother was a senior teacher and an influential woman. Responding to the complaints, she always had some justifications for her son’s acts. One day, he spat on the face of the son of a provincial secretary. Enough was enough —there were serious consequences and 15-day-long scenes. He was rusticated from school but he got readmitted within 15 days and we were told that the matter had been amicably resolved between the two families. He came back into the class with new ambitions of spitting on everybody he wished. He was now more confident than ever knowing that nobody could dare to question his conduct and he was somehow or other justified in this new confidence. I left this school in the 1980s and moved to another so I did not have much information about him and his rising princely habits. Life went on. In the 1990s when I was a crime reporter in an English daily, an old schoolfriend contacted me and informed me that our influential lady teacher was ruthlessly beaten up by her son and she was hospitalized. He asked for my help in this case and told me that the prince had almost killed her. The first sentence that came out of my mouth was, “ Good grief, at last the prince got hold of the Queen. “ You can find several princes and many queens around you and also some princes and kings too. They are in every society and they have similar personality traits but with different fates. When a prince does something to someone, the king smiles and enjoys the power conferred on his son to behave with others in whatever manner his son wishes to. Alas, sometimes such manners end up in the prince’s hands reaching to the king’s beard. Grooming and educating princes is a very tiresome job, if kings really wish their princes to learn the skill of governing their states in a manner that can bring them fame instead of infamy. The prince is more dangerous if he is adopted and raised with the motive of replacing

the bonafide heirs. One such example is Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus, popularly known as Nero, of Rome. He was the fifth Roman emperor and his obnoxious conduct and arrogant style of ruling resulted in the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He ruled from AD 54 until his death in AD 68. He was adopted by the Roman emperor Claudius at the age of 13 and succeeded him on the throne to the exclusion of Claudius’s real son, Britannicus. Nero was Claudius’’s stepson, being the son by a previous marriage of Claudis’ wife (and Britannicus’s stepmother) Agrippina.. He got the throne with the support of the Praetorian Guard and the Senate. Historians indicate that Nero was advised and guided by his mother Agrippina, his tutor Seneca (famous dramaturge, writer, and minister of Nero), and his praetorian prefect Sextus Afranius Burrus, but he soon sought to rule independently and to rid himself of restraining influences. It may be remembered that the Praetorian Prefect was a high office in the Roman Empire, originating as the commander of the Praetorian Guard (which made him the chief of the special guard force). However, he did not listen to anybody and his power struggle with his mother was eventually resolved only when he murdered her. The information came to us through historians, poets, and dramaturges who portrayed him as tyrannical, selfindulgent, debauched and eventually declared a public enemy by the Roman Senate. Nero was also known as a disobedient adopted son who spat on the face of his father several times but his father did not take any action and considered his act as an act of an arrogant child. We know powers always love and encourage arrogance so the father of Nero loved Nero’s acts. The historian Tacitus claims Nero was neurotic and morally corrupt while the historian Gaius Suetonius accused him of the Great Fire of Rome for clearing land for his planned “Golden House” and then he held Christians responsible for the fire and had them burned alive. The relationship between the adopted heir

and mentor usually becomes imbalanced when the adopted heir wants to grab absolute power and wants to command everybody around him. This quest for “absolute power” entangles their relations and ends only when one of them is eliminated physically, morally, or politically. The desire to subjugate everybody always produces enemies and disputes. It is always worth reading Homer’s Iliad when I wish to find philosophical and historical perspectives of social or political dynamics. Homer says that when a dispute arises for absolute power, usually disput5ng parties never listen. He cites in Iliad that Agamemnon who was the king of Mycenae had a dispute with Achilles, and Nestor, who was the king of Pylos, asked both (Agamemnon and Achilles) to back down. However, fueled by his intense pride, the angry Agamemnon ignored Nestor’s plea, accusing Achilles of wanting to rule and lord it over everyone. Here Homer writes this as: True, old man – all you say is fit and proper – but this soldier wants to tower over the armies, he wants to rule over all, to lord it over all, give out orders to every man in sight. Well, there’s one, I trust, who will never yield to him! Homer says that there is always the one who never yields to anybody—- He is the real King. The time has changed and princely states are mere memories of bygone days in the Subcontinent. Today, “political power” is the state where princes rule. We can find a number of political heirs in Pakistani politics who were allegedly raised to the level of a prince and then their hands reached to the beards of the kings and the majority of them ended up intimidating the state and then were consequently removed from their thrones. We have also observed that adopted princes always spit on the faces of those who produced them. Do we learn from history?

The time has changed and princely states are mere memories of bygone days in the Subcontinent. Today, “political power” is the state where princes rule. We can find a number of political heirs in Pakistani politics who were allegedly raised to the level of a prince and then their hands reached to the beards of the kings and the majority of them ended up intimidating the state and then were consequently removed from their thrones. We have also observed that adopted princes always spit on the faces of those who produced them. Do we learn from history?

The writer is an international award winning journalist who has been in the field since 1988 and appears in national and international media as analyst and political scientist.

IN Pakistan, religious days are observed regularly along with different inter-national, national and regional days. However, before coming to Australia for studies, I never noticed anyone even talking about one particular event, the World Sauntering Day, which is celebrated on June 19 every year. Though every day is a new day, Sauntering Day is not a new day or a new invention, innovation or a recent addition to the calendar of international celebra-tions, as its history goes way back to the 1970s. Linguists like Adam Wordsmith can explain the etymology of sauntering in detail, but, briefly and simply, sauntering means walking without any hurry or worry. This day was suggested, started and promoted by publicist W.T. Rabe. It is said that Rabe’s mission was to initiate the idea of slowing down, instead of living in the fast lane, and looking at the world around us instead of ignoring its natural beauties. It seems the government is serious about promoting ‘sauntering’ which would explain the recent hikes in the prices of petroleum products. It wants the people to saunter rather than drive, but, if that is the case, it is missing the ‘hurry-and-worry’ difference between walking and sauntering. Pakistanis would in any case stand to benefit by observing this day, and then to continue doing it whenever they can. Walking has its joy and benefits. Coincidentally, this year the Father’s Day, celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year, is also falling on June 19 along with the Sauntering Day. It would be great fun if fathers should take a long and lovely walk with their children, who, in turn, should make fathers happy by sauntering with them this Sunday. Happy walking! ALI ZAIN SHAH MELBOURNE

Sindh needs water SINDH is facing a water crisis. Experts have warned that it may run out of water completely if not taken into action immediately. Due to severe fervour, rain is also least expected in the province. As a major part of Sindh’s economy depends on agriculture, and because of water shortage, farmers are dealing with many obstacles. This issue not only challenges farmers economically but also causes them mental trauma and agony. Farmers are hopeless and completely vulnerable at this particular point. According to Pakistan Water Apportionment Accord for Resolving Inter-Provincial Water Conflicts, Policies, and Options 1991, water shall be distributed into all provinces equally. Yet, Punjab by violating this accord, ceases Sindh’s water illegal and maliciously. If Sindh is not provided with water promptly, it may go through an extreme economic crisis in many sectors, especially in agriculture. It is reasonable that responsible authorities must deal with this issue for solving out water crisis in Sindh for the sake of not only this particular province’s prosperity but also for the whole of Pakistan. ANEES SOOMRO KARACHI

Real-life marketing ONE DAY, when we were having a class of marketing, our teacher asked, “what is marketing?” Everybody tried to give an answer in their own way, but among us, one girl gave a very good answer. She said, “Sir marketing is to hit the insecurities of people and tell them that your insecurities can vanish with our products.” At that time, I realized that really! that’s very true, we use products to remove our insecurities. Sometimes insecurity of being dark-skinned, sometimes insecurity of having curly hair, insecurity of being chubby, insecurity of being short heightened, insecurity of being skinny and so on. We are always told to live with our insecurities but are we let to live life peacefully with our insecurities? We are always hit hard. we are always taunted, we are always told, we are always criticized for having any flaws, for having any imperfection. Though everyone knows that nobody is perfect, despite that we are deliberately told that you have this blemish. We feel so embarrassed that we lose our hard-earned confidence. but at the very same moment, I wondered why we should not give those people a shut-up call. Let’s bring positivity to society, let’s bring the joy of being imperfect, and let’s bring the lost smiles on the faces that we have hit and have brought worries. Let’s make this world worth living with these small positive steps and let’s make everybody make a bit happier. TASAWUR FATIMA SINDH

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Monday, 20 June, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

ArE YouTubErs now As imporTAnT As TV journAlisTs in shAping indiAn poliTics? INDIA HAS SEEN A SPATE OF ARRESTS OF YOUTUBERS AND EVEN HARSH NEW LAWS TO CONTROL CONTENT

scroll UmanG Poddar

N the morning of March 25, 2020, hours after a national lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19 was abruptly announced, television journalist Ajit Anjum went to a highway close to his home in Ghaziabad to try to understand the unfolding crisis among migrant workers. Suddenly left without an income (and hence no food and money for rent), many had desperately decided to walk back to their home states. “I saw lots of them walking,” he said. “I started making videos and putting them on Twitter. I used to spend the whole day there.” Anjum kept this up for five days and saw that his videos, showing the reality of the sudden lockdown, were being well received. “This inspired me,” he said. “I saw that most television channels were just showing the government propaganda – how big a ‘masterstroke’ the lockdown was.” Five days later Anjum started his own YouTube channel, where he publishes ground reports as well as analyses current affairs. his YouTube channel now has 26 lakh subscribers, while his Facebook page has 15 lakh followers. “I had never expected such growth, viewership or impact,” he said, explaining that he had thought about starting a YouTube channel since he felt independent news spaces were shrinking, especially in television journalism, where he had worked for more than 25 years. “In one instance, even the prime minister referred to my video in a speech he gave.” Anjum is not alone. Low barriers to entry, a large user base and the comparative lack of regulatory oversight have encouraged many people to start covering Indian news and politics on YouTube. As a result, current affairs content has exploded on the video sharing platform. This growing popularity, however, has unnerved governments across India. As a result, they are now moving to increase their scrutiny over the medium. The Central government, through amendments to the law regulating digital spaces, wants to have more control over what can be posted on the internet. Apart from that, many state governments also resort to filing police complaints against dissident YouTubers. THE RISE OF POLITICAL YOUTUBE: According to the website Statista, there are about 46 crore YouTube users in India. This puts YouTube among the top social media websites used in India, along with Facebook

and WhatsApp. Currently, India has the highest number of users for many social media platforms, including YouTube, largely a result of the “Jio effect”: in 2016, industrialist Mukesh Ambani launched Reliance Jio, a cellular service provider offering inexpensive data plans that gave crores of Indians access to the internet for the first time. As a result, the percentage of Indian population using the internet exploded from 15% in 2015 to 43% in 2020. Indian Youtube users, meanwhile, increased by nearly four times from around 12 crores in 2017 to around 46 crores in 2021. This explosion in the YouTube base in India has also meant a rise in news and politics content, one of the top five mostwatched genres on the platform, reports show. More recently, the advent of the pandemic also meant that people, stuck at home, ended up consuming more online video content. Akash Banerjee, who runs the popular political satire website The Deshkbhakt, explains the reason for this rise. “On one side you have many anchors and reporters, such as Ajit Anjum, Punya Prasun Bajpai, Abhisar Sharma, shift onto some sort of a system on YouTube,” he said, explaining that many such journalists moved online because they wanted to have an independent voice. “On the other hand, you have 20-24 year olds trying to distill what is happening in the news,” he said. One of India’s most popular YouTubers, Dhruv Rathee, started making political explainer videos in 2014, in his 20s. Rathee’s channel was one of the first political commentary channels on YouTube India. This trend is not just limited to individuals. “even news channels have discovered that the real battle is not on television ratings but on YouTube views,” Banerjee said. Now, news channels also compete with each other for YouTube views. “earlier when I went to cover elections, not a lot of YouTubers were there,” Anjum said. “But recently, in the Uttar Pradesh elections and the farmers’ agitation, there were a lot of YouTubers.” YouTube, as well as other online media, does away with the need for government licences and approvals required for the traditional television and print media. “You cannot stop people from coming in,” Banerjee said. “All you need is a mobile phone and a unique selling point to start a channel.” An example of the comparative autonomy on the internet is MediaOne, the Malayalam news channel. When the news channel’s licence was not renewed in January by the Central government, it continued broadcasting online, through its social media channels.

DEEPENING ROOTS IN STATES: The surge in users has meant that people of different ages, speaking various languages have joined the platform. YouTube channels are also becoming more focused on catering to an assortment of audiences reflecting the diversity of India. “Now, more and more people are servicing different genres,” Banerjee said. “There are now channels specifically catering to audiences, such as in southern and northeastern India.” Some of them have met with success as well. For instance, YouTuber Madan Gowri, who makes “infotainment” videos on a host of topics in Tamil, has a thriving community with 62 lakh followers. even though the breakout successes of these national channels might not have been replicated among many regional channels till now, regional YouTubers believe that they are laying the groundwork to expand YouTube’s base even further in India. One of them, Noopur Patel, a YouTuber from Gujarat, started out doing explanatory and news videos in hindi in 2018. “My first video was about the amendments [that] were brought to the FCRA [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act] in 2018 without any discussion,” Patel said. These amendments, she said, allowed for corruption and undisclosed political funding to political parties. “People did not know about this since it was too complex to be discussed,” she added. She set out to simplify this, with humour. The first video was well-received, she said. Later, however, she started making videos in Gujarati as well for greater impact. “I realised in 2020, during the first lockdown, that there is so much mis- and dis-information in our family WhatsApp group in Gujarati,” she said. “Because political parties have huge networks on WhatsApp and they propagate information they want to in regional languages.” Patel said that there were no Gujarati YouTubers who were putting out fact-based information in easy-to-understand formats. “Then I realised I also needed to do this [my videos] in Gujarati.” This is how she could put her journalism and public policy training to best use, Patel said. This switch to Gujarati allows her to tackle many issues specific to the state of Gujarat, such as prohibition and the socalled love jihad laws, which curtails interreligious marriages, she says. however, the reach of state languages is still limited on YouTube compared to hindi. “There has been a bit of a challenge when it comes to numbers in the Gujarati space,” she said, “but the hindi space has been very well received.” She is hopeful about the future as she is currently among the few Gujarati content creators.

GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHING CONTROL: The mass reach of these videos also comes with its own set of challenges. The first are threats and intimidation from some viewers. “In 2018, I went to a photocopy shop with my mother and the shopkeeper asked me in a very conniving way if I was the one who made YouTube videos,” said Patel. This scared her mother: “My mother told me to not leave the house for the next 10 days.” Patel also regularly receives rape and death threats and intimidating messages. “People have also come to my society and asked me to come down,” she added. Apart from this, there is also the threat of penal action, including arrests. “There is a trend of FIRs [first information reports] based on content on social media, including YouTube,” Prateek Waghre, policy director at digital rights organisation Internet Freedom Foundation, said. “Whichever party is in power tends to file FIRs against its critics. The degree may vary, but this tendency is across party lines. That is a concern.” As the internet grows in India, the past few years have seen an increasing trend of state governments prosecuting YouTubers critical of the ruling party. On June 8, the West Bengal Police arrested YouTuber Roddur Roy from Goa for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Roy’s arrest sparked outrage online. he was booked under 12 sections of the Indian Penal Code. A number of similar instances have occurred before in Tamil Nadu as well. On May 30, the state police arrested right-wing YouTuber Karthik Gopinath, a critic of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, for allegedly misappropriating money for renovating temple statues. After the arrest, the Bharatiya Janata Party state president K Annamalai came out in support of Gopinath, alleging that the state government was intimidating people. Another popular Tamil right-wing YouTuber Maridhas has had a constant tussle with the Tamil Nadu government. he was arrested at least thrice: for tweets against the state government, for allegedly faking an email address, and for making false claims about Muslims spreading Covid-19. his arrests have been criticised by BJP supporters. Another YouTuber Duraimurugan was arrested in October for remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Arrests have been made for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP as well. In August, Chennai-based YouTuber Manmohan Mishra was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly making remarks

Economies and war GUNS AND BUTTER MEANT EITHER MASSIVE BORROWING, OR MASSIVE LOOSENING BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE

Geopolitical Futures GeorGe Friedman

he American economy, the largest and most dynamic in the world, is a geopolitical issue. And right now, it is in a predictable period of dysfunction. It’s been compared – rightly, in my opinion – to the tumult of the 1970s. Unemployment reached 8.2 percent in 1975, inflation rates hit 14.4 percent in 1980 and interest rates were 11.2 percent in 1979. I bought my first house in 1978 at 19 percent interest. It was a hard time, and it was intimately linked to the Vietnam War. Lyndon B. Johnson inherited that war and intensified it. The U.S. was facing an election in 1964 and another in 1968. By then, things in Vietnam were not going well. Arguably more important to Johnson was what he called the Great Society, a massive and very expensive attempt to wage war on poverty. he was faced with a choice between “guns and butter.” A massive social program and

a full-scale war were incompatible, but Johnson was ideologically committed to the social program and couldn’t abandon the war. he decided to do both. It was at that point that the economic crisis that would erupt in the 1970s began. Guns and butter meant either massive borrowing, or massive loosening by the Federal Reserve. everyone wanted to join Johnson in having his cake and eating it too. The result was both money printing and borrowing, creating massive inflation and weakening of the dollar. Richard Nixon was elected later, inheriting not only the Vietnam War but also an economy that seemed to be out of control. In August 1970, he did two things nearly simultaneously: he imposed a freeze on prices and wages for 90 days, and he abandoned the gold standard, which had been established by the Bretton Woods Agreement. That agreement obligated Washington to convert dollars to gold at $35 an ounce. The sudden freeze on prices immobilized the economy, and abandoning the gold standard made the dollar more volatile. Broadly speaking, it decreased in value and led to inflation. The unemployment rate rose because laying people off was the only way to manage expenses. Interest rates and inflation rose. It appeared that everything was out of control, but the real blow was yet to come. In October 1973, with Nixon wallowing in the Watergate scandal,

egypt and Syria caught Israel by surprise in a stunning and unexpected attack. The U.S. held back from supporting Israel, but as Israel started to run out of artillery shells and other necessities, the U.S. began to airlift supplies in. Arab oil producers responded by placing an oil embargo on the United States and Israel’s other supporters, particularly in europe. It was a stunning blow to the U.S. economy, where oil prices not only rose but oil became unavailable. Gas stations that had fuel had lines of cars a half mile lined up. Oil was an essential commodity, and it was unavailable. Inflation surged. Unemployment soared as businesses closed. Interest rates rose as banks protected reserves. The oil embargo continued for months among some producers. It’s not excessive to say that the American and other economies were heading toward meltdown. The political maneuvers that had impacted the U.S. economy over previous years now seemed modest. What began with the Vietnam War accelerated with the Arab-Israeli War. The real pain did not come until the early 1980s, when a new political paradigm confronted the idea that inflation and high interest rates not only affected private life but drastically constrained investment and in turn opened the door to Japanese exports. A shift in the tax code that increased investment and decreased consumption solved the problems created first by war and then by politics. Ronald Reagan happened to be

against the prime minister. In April, eight people, including two YouTubers, were stripped and beaten up inside a police station in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly making objectionable comments against BJP member of legislative assembly Kedarnath Shukla and his son. In 2019, Madhya Pradesh-based YouTuber Abhishek Mishra, who leans towards the Congress, was arrested by the Delhi Police for allegedly putting up content that hurt religious sentiments. This led to a federal tussle between the Congress-led state government and the BJP-led central government, pointing to just how important YouTube now was in Indian politics. The state government granted Mishra police protection after he got bail. Abhishek Mishra had been arrested in 2016 as well for criticising demonetisation, the shock banning of high denomination notes by the Modi government. BRINGING OUT THE LAW BOOKS: Apart from arrests, the government is also moving new laws to strengthen its control over digital media. While the Central government always had the power to order platforms such as YouTube to take down content, in February 2021, it notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The new rules have strict deadlines for content takedown and prescribe standards for what digital publishers can post on the internet. Certain provisions of the new rules have been stayed by the Bombay and Madras high Courts, which have said that the provisions prima facie infringe on the freedom of speech and expression. Presently, the Supreme Court is hearing petitions on the constitutionality of these rules. If upheld, these rules would put a similar set of restrictions on YouTube news channels that currently apply to television content. Under Rule 16 of the 2021 rules, the Central government has an “emergency” provision to immediately block access to any content without giving any hearing. Since December, at least 94 YouTube channels have been blocked under the 2021 rules for allegedly running fake news and anti-India content. The government has also collected account details from YouTube news publishers. “These developments tell you that the government is paying attention to YouTube,” Prateek Waghre said. On June 6, the Central government proposed another set of changes to the 2021 rules, that shorten timelines to deal with user grievances and give the government more control over what platforms such as YouTube can publish. These rules are currently open for public consultation. While compliances and paperwork have increased, according to Akash Banerjee, the increased government scrutiny is “a compliment as well. Today, YouTube is as important as print and television.”

president and carried out policies that he had no choice but to carry out. What started with guns and butter ended in the capital that drove the technology boom. It is easy to blame Johnson and Nixon, but they executed policies demanded by the public. The public wanted the problems solved at no cost to them. Since that was impossible, the political system generated the illusion of a solution. That illusion satisfied short-term public demands, the demands that frequently end in greater pain than they imagined. In other words, war begat an unintended consequence. Another war imposed an extraordinary hardship but led to an upheaval in the political system. As I have written elsewhere, this is how our culture works. In our era, the end of the cycle began with COVID-19, which had the same disruptive effect as a war and created the same raging anger. This has been followed by another war, Ukraine, which is having a massive effect on the global economic system. Inflation is surging and interest rates rising. If my model follows course, the political system will not be able to solve the problems before the end of the decade. We will of course blame the politicians for what happens, as that is an American tradition. The irresistible process creates the pain, and the miracles demanded by the public will make things worse. The politicians will be blamed. But it clears out the system and readies us for the future. Dr. Friedman is also a New York Times bestselling author. His most recent book is THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM: America’s Discord, the Coming Crisis of the 2020s. Dr. Friedman has briefed numerous military and government organizations in the United States and overseas and appears regularly as an expert on international affairs, foreign policy and intelligence in major media.

Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

NEWS corporate corner iTp to suspend driving licenses of habitual violators of traffic rules

NAB ASkS houSiNg Scheme’S AFFecTeeS To File compeNSATioN clAimS By July 20 ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has decided to suspend the driving licenses of habitual violators of traffic rules with an aim to ensure traffic discipline and safe road environment in the city. Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Syed Mustafa Tanveer said that ITP has introduced a system for accountability of those involved in violation of traffic rules. He said that digital challan record would be reviewed on continuous basis and license of those would be cancelled involved in repeated violation of traffic laws. He has also directed the Zonal DSPs to ensure traffic discipline in the city and take strict action against violators. In its first move, ITP scrutinized the digital challan record and listed 17 persons under sections 15 & 16 of Motor Vehicle Ordinance who were found involved in repeated violations. Out of these 17 violators, six were directed to attend traffic rules and road safety classes for five days while process has been initiated to cancel driving licenses of 11 other persons. SSP (Traffic) Syed Mustafa Tanveer said that no laxity would be tolerated in maintaining traffic discipline and safe road environment to be ensured at every cost. He also directed education wing to provide awareness to the road users about traffic rules He said that offenders violating traffic rules will face strict action and accountability process of road users have been stated to secure the lives of other people. He said that offenders would be monitored on a regular basis and no tolerance would be accepted on violation of traffic rules. The SSP (Traffic) Syed Mustafa Tanveer uged the people to follow traffic laws otherwise driving license would be canceled for those who frequently violated the rules. He said the decision has been made to implement traffic laws in real sense across the city so that lives of people would be more saved. pr

A large of dignitaries including: Ch Ashiq Ali, Ch Mushtaq, Malik Imtiaz, Rana Yameen, Sajjad Azeem, Prof Jamil Ahmed, Sultan Tanoli, Malik Ilyas and others, taking part in collective prayers for former Hawkers' Union Lahore president Ch Nazir Ahmad on his second death anniversary. pr

News Desk

HE National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has asked the people cheated by illegal housing scheme’s management, companies, individuals to submit their complaints/compensation claims by July 20 for getting back their looted money. According to an announcement of NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the bureau was conducting investigations against Messers Qartaba Model Town, Peshawar on the allegations of receiving money from the people by fraudulent means by promising them plots in aforementioned housing scheme. The applications of complaints and compensation claims should be submitted to Deputy Director (Coordination), Investigation Wing-II, NAB,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Phase-V Hayatabad, Peshawar. Meanwhile, the NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sought compensation claims from the people cheated by dif-

ferent housing schemes, including management of Al Haram Society, Kohat, Pakistan Railways Employees Housing Society, Nowshera, and individuals including Faheemur Rehman, Waseem ur

MPCL Ambassadorship Ceremony for Inclusive Education

Rehman sons of Abdul Aziz, Shahzada son of Abdul Wadood, Akhtar Nawaz Khan son of Umer Daraz Khan, Adil Khan, son of Abdullah Khan, Shahada Yar Khan, son of Mehboob Khan, Peshawar, Hakeemullah, son of Naseebullah, Tehsil Bat Khela, District Malakand and others to submit their compensation claims to Deputy Director (Cooperation), Investigation WingIII,NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Phase-V, Hayatabad, Peshawar by July 7, during office hours. The applications along with supporting documents including a copy of Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), authentic copies of original documents, payment receipts of the looted money, affidavit should be submitted to Deputy Director (Cooperation), Investigation WingIII,NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Phase-V, Hayatabad, Peshawar within the stipulated time.

Alleged rapist makes Tiktok video in lockup MULTAN News Desk

Mari Petroleum Company Ltd organized an event to designate an Ambassador for its CSR project of Inclusive Education – “Noor E Sehar School” established and run by MPCL through “Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)” in Tehsil Daharki, District Ghotki, Sindh. The event was held on 17 June 2022 at MPCL’s Head Office, in Islamabad. The event was attended by MPCL Leadership and senior management. The event was attended by many officials from British Council, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, AAR Japan, Planning Commission, National Training Centre for Special Persons (NTCSP), Christan Blindon Mission (CBM), media personnel‫۔‬ The event started with the tribute given by MPCL management to Lieutenant General Ishfaq Nadeem (Late), the man

behind the idea of establishing a school for children suffering from multiple disabilities. MPCL CSR Team Lead Ms. Huma Zafar shared MPCL’s concept of sustainability and its values which emphasize on running core business while taking care of all stakeholders’ expectations to achieve sustainable development, inclusivity and environmental sustainability. It was highlighted that: • MPCL has aligned all social investments and interventions with UN SDGs 2030 and will establish partnerships with social enterprises sharing the common values. • In line with Paris Agreement for climate change, MPCL shall endeavor to make green investments in the areas of its working interests, and • MPCL is the only oil and gas company which has made

significant investment in the field of inclusive education for disabled children by establishing “Noor E Sehar”, a state of the art school for children with disabilities. Afterwards, MPCL’s Director CSR Brigadier Asad Raza (Retired) comprehensively briefed the audience about company’s CSR commitments, investments and social impact it is creating on the society. He highlighted the fact that in line with its goal of community development, MPCL has contributed more than PKR 8.5 billion towards its CSR program. He shed light on various high impact CSR initiatives the company has undertaken and MPCL’s commitment to continue to do so in all of its areas of operation. Mr. Atif Sheikh, STEP’s Executive Director shared his life experiences and challenges as a person with disability. He expressed his gratitude to MPCL’s leadership in supporting STEP for establishing “NOOR E SEHAR”, a school for children with disability at Daharki. The event continued with the signing certificate of collaboration between STEP and MPCL by MD MPCL and Executive Director STEP, to designate Miss Abia Akram as MPCL’s first CSR Ambassador for Inclusive Education. pr

A social media video (TikTok) of an alleged outlaw, arrested in a rape case, went viral and local citizen expressed concerns over the compromised security of the outlaw in lockup. According to police and local people, an alleged outlaw namely Muhammad Kamran, son of Allah Dittah, a resident of Patni in limits of Khangarh Police had raped a girl few days ago. The alleged outlaw is rickshaw driver and he drove rickshaw to a deserted place where he raped a passenger girl. Police had arrested him. The alleged outlaw got bail. He uploaded his videos, taken in lockup at social media. Civil Society Forum led by Rana Amjid expressed concerns on poor performance of the police.

Five die as flood sweeps away pick-up van in Sibi QUTTA News Desk

Five persons including women and children died when flashflood triggered by heavy rains swept away a pick-up van in Sibi area of Balochistan on Sunday. According to officials, three inured including the driver identified as Farooq were rescued. The authorities feared the death toll might rise as there were many passengers in the vehicle, which was swept away by rising water in Katmandahi Beiji stream. According to a private news channel, only one of the victims was identified so far as Ghulam Bakhsh Marri.

Pak-Kyrgyzstan PTA to act as catalyst for regional economic integration: Envoy ISLAMABAD app

Ambassador of Republic of Kyrgyzstan in Pakistan Ulanbek Totuiaev on Sunday said that the bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would not only increase trade volume between the two countries but also act as a catalyst for regional economic integration. Talking to APP, Ulanbek Totuiaev said the implementation of the PTA would serve as a prolific accelerator for enhancement of trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. “In this regard, I consider it meaningful for both our governments and, especially, concerned authorities to point out specific areas of interest, in which bilateral trade can be the most efficient and mutually profitable.” The ambassador said by completing this process, both sides will have all necessary information for designing, successful implementation, and further effective usage of the PTA. Replying to a question, he said that since Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan had have highly developed agricultural sectors, there was a great potential for the development of cooperation in this sphere. “In particular, Kyrgyzstani agricultural companies can export dairy products, meat, dry fruits, honey, raw

leather, and some cultivated crops such as beans to Pakistan,” he added. Ulanbek Totuiaev said that businessmen from the Pakistani side can more actively cooperate with Kyrgyz companies in terms of exporting wheat, flour, citrus fruits, and sugar with further re-exporting it to the countries of Eurasian Economic Union. He said the same operations could be done in spheres of industrial manufacturing, textile, construction materials and others. Ambassador Totuiaev said that in particular, there were great opportunities with regard to exporting of pharmaceutical products from Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan. “The effective trade between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan is possible in various spheres. However, in order to effectively use the existing potential, businessmen and companies should pay more attention to the trade opportunities and more actively interact with partners from each side.” Responding to another question, he said the bilateral trade between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan had a huge potential, which was, however, not fully explored and utilized. “I call upon both sides to actively cooperate in order to overcome the problems which are influencing this issue,” he added. The ambassador said that first of all,

there was a lack of mutual awareness and as the representatives of business-circles of both side were not completely aware of the tradeeconomic and investment opportunities. In order to deal with this issue, the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Islamabad, together with Pakistani partners is actively working on the organization of mutual business visits, various seminars and conferences, as well as on the permanent basis informing the businessmen from both sides on the existing great trade-economic and investment opportunities, he said. Ambassador Totuiaev said that another key issue was the difficulties of logistic roots between both countries, especially taking into consideration the peculiarities with transiting good via the territories of Afghanistan, and China, and the absence of convenient road and railway connection. He said, “In this context, I consider it important for governments of both countries to intensify interaction in terms of dealing with these issues.” He further said that it was crucial to stress the importance of signing the transit trade agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, which would open excellent opportunities for the efficient transit of goods. He said that during the last year, the fig-

ures of Kyrgyz-Pakistani trade-economic interaction were not so high. “However, I, with great optimism, foresee the future rapid development of trade interaction between our states, especially taking into consideration the focus of the governments of both sides, directed on enhancement of cooperation between the countries of the region.” The Ambassador said that Kyrgyzstan could play an important role by creating a trade link between South Asia and CIS coun-

tries together with countries of the European Union. At the same time, Pakistan could also serve as the gateway for Central Asian States to external markets, especially via its seaports, located in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, he added. “I truly believe that these peculiarities will serve as a key point for future influence of the trade relations between our countries on regional connectivity” the Kyrgyz ambassador said.

Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

10 FOREIGN NEWS

INDIaN coUrtS SUccUMB to HINDUtva INflUeNce By PaSSINg aNtI-MUSlIM verDIctS

HE Indian judiciary, with its anti-Muslims verdicts, has become an instrument in the hands of the Narendra Modi government that continues to oppress minorities and deny them justice.The time-to-time verdicts of Indian courts on religious matters have proved that the institution is openly siding with Hindutva and has failed the Muslim community. This June, the Indian Supreme Court appeared as the “biggest tormentor of the minorities” after it refused to stop the government from razing houses of the Muslims. The top court said, “We cannot stop demolitions,” in response to a petition by a Muslim group in Uttar Pradesh who said that state government had been punishing members of India’s 200-million-strong Islamic minority for participating in protests. Muslims in India are not facing such a situation for the first time as the history is replete with such incidents of state-sponsored persecution of Muslims particularly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Delhi and Gujarat. In another recent judgment to appease Hindutva, the Supreme Court of India held that “a mosque was not essential to Muslim mode of worship”. According to experts, the Indian courts are now “just another extension

of Hindutva” and the ruling on mosques gives credence to demolishing all mosques and mausoleums, particularly about 5,000 mosques built by the Muslim conquerors. In a case of barring the Muslim girl students to wear hijab, the high court in India’s Karnataka this March stated that the head scarf was “not essential” to Islam.In its oppressive decision, the three-judge bench held that allowing Muslim women to wear the hijab in classrooms would hinder their emancipation and go against the constitutional spirit of “positive secularism”. In 2018, an Indian court overturned the conviction of senior Bharatia Janta Party (BJP) member Maya Kodnani who was sentenced to 28 years in jail for her part in the murder of 97 people in 2002 in the state of Gujarat. Her co-accused Bau Bajrangi also got relief in his sentence.In Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid Blast case, a special court in 2018 acquitted all accused Including Swami Aseemanand In Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid Blast case of 2007, that had resulted in killing of nine people and left 58 injured. All the accused belonged to organisations practising Hindutva ideology.In Samjhauta Express case, a special court in 2019 acquitted all four men involved in bombing the train

‘I am good’: Biden falls from bike but is unhurt Rehoboth Beach, United States: US President Joe Biden took a tumble as he was riding his bicycle near his beach home in the state of Delaware Saturday morning, but was unhurt. A video from a White House pool report showed the 79-year-old president immediately getting up after his fall. He then says: “I’m good.” He was biking with First Lady Jill Biden in a state park near their beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and had stopped to talk to onlookers when he fell. The president told a small crowd of well-wishers and reporters that he had lost his balance as he tried to pull a foot out of a bike clip. The result: “a mad scramble of Secret Service and press,” a White House pool report said, adding there were no visible scrapes or bruises from the fall. “No medical attention is needed,” a White House official said. “The President looks forward to spending the rest of the day with his family.” Videos posted to social media later in the afternoon showed the president seeking to prove his agility. Reporters and onlookers called out as Biden left a church service, asking if had suffered any injuries from his spill. Biden didn’t answer but took three quick hops and raised his fists in a demonstration of strength. As the oldest US president, Biden’s health is the subject of constant attention, particularly as speculation rises on whether he will seek a second term in 2024. In November 2020, shortly after his election but before taking office, Biden broke a foot while playing with his pet German shepherds. But a year later, in November 2021, his doctor gave Biden a clean bill of health, describing him as “healthy” and “vigorous.” Taking a few questions from reporters on Saturday, Biden said he was “in the process of making up my mind” about easing some Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods in order to soften inflationary pressures. He said he would be speaking to Chinese President Xi Jinping soon. And asked if he was satisfied with progress on gun legislation — after mass shootings in Texas and New York brought new demands for action — Biden said only that he was happy with action by his home state of Delaware, which passed a ban on assaultstyle weapons. AFP

linking India and Pakistan. At least 64 people onboard Samjhauta Express were killed after a Hindu right-wing organisation had carried out an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in 2007.For the notorious Hashimpura massacre of 42 Muslims by the Uttar Pradesh police itself, it took over 31 years for the guilty policemen to be convicted by the Delhi high court in 2018. The culprits of the massacre of 72 Muslims in Maliyana are yet to be punished 34 years later also — the case has been adjourned 900 times. In almost every communal riot of this country, whether it was Delhi (1984) or Delhi (2020), police have been found to let the minorities ‘suffer’ at the hands of the majority, or ‘punish’ them by implicating them in false cases.Muslims in India still feel the pain of illegal demolition of Babari Masjid in 1992, where the Indian Supreme Court after 28 years of the incident in 2019, held that the site belonged to the birthplace of Lord Ram and awarded the land to a trust for construction of a temple in his name. The ‘Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee Report, 2005’ also reveals the face of India “so-called secularism” saying that Muslims are seen as “anti-nationals” and every bearded

man is seen as an ISI agent. Also, it said that fake encounter killings take place and minorities particularly Muslims are subjected to ghettoisation and collectively alienated. Wherein India continues with its policy of persecution through its State institutions, Pakistan on the other hand, is taking steps for the emancipation of religious minorities. In an incident where a mob in Pakistan’s Karak town destroyed a Hindu temple, the Supreme Court in 2021 in its landmark decision ordered rebuilding of the religious site. The top court ordered that Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj Samadhi temple be rebuilt by the government and that expenses be charged to a local Muslim leader who was allegedly responsible for the mob violence that led to the damage. In another act of vandalizing of a Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan this year, an anti-terrorism court in South Punjab sentenced 22 people to five years in jail. Even at the head of State level, President Dr. Arif Alvi last year had taken serious notice of the harassment of a Hindu boy in Tharparkar, Sindh.On the president’s direction, the Sindh police had arrested Abdul Salam Abu Daud, a Muslim, who had forced the boy to chant ‘ the slogans of Allah-o-Akbar’. APP

Macron faces tough battle for control of parliament as France votes PARIS Agencies

France is voting today (Sunday) in a high-stakes parliamentary election that could deprive centrist President Emmanuel Macron of the absolute majority he needs to govern with a free hand. Voting started at 8am (0600 GMT), with initial projections expected at 8 pm (1800 GMT) in an election that could change the face of French politics. Pollsters predict Macron’s camp will end up with the biggest number of seats, but say it is in no way guaranteed to reach the 289 threshold for an absolute majority. Opinion polls also see the far right likely to score its biggest parliamentary success in decades, while a broad left-green alliance could become the largest opposition group and the conservatives find themselves as kingmakers. If Macron’s camp does fall short of an outright majority, that would open a period of uncertainty that could be solved by a degree of power-sharing among parties unheard of in France over the past decades – or result in protracted paralysis and repeat parliamentary elections down the line. Macron, who wants to push up the retirement age, pursue his pro-business agenda and further European Union integration, won a second term in April. After electing a president, French voters have traditionally used legislative polls that follow a few weeks later to hand him a comfortable parliamentary majority — with Francois Mitterand in 1988 a rare exception. Macron and his allies could still achieve that. But the rejuvenated left is putting up a tough challenge, as rampant inflation that drives up the cost of living sends shockwaves through the French political landscape. If Macron and his allies miss an absolute

majority by just a few seats, they may be tempted to poach MPs from the centre-right or conservatives, officials in those parties said. If they miss it by a wider margin, they could either seek an alliance with the conservatives or run a minority government that will have to negotiate laws on a case-by-case basis with other parties. Even if Macron’s camp does win the 289 seats or more it needs to avoid sharing power, it is likely to be thanks to his former prime minister Edouard Philippe, who will be demanding more of a say on what the government does. So after five years of undisputed control, Macron, known for his top-down approach to power, is looking at a new mandate where he will need to strike more compromises. No poll has shown the leftwing Nupes led by hard left Jean-Luc Melenchon winning a ruling majority – a scenario that could plunge the euro zone’s second-largest economy into an unstable period of cohabitation between a president and prime minister from different political groups.

Delhi blocks UN listing of Indian national responsible for terrorist attacks against Pakistan: Sources UNITED NATIONS Agencies

In a blatant misuse of Its UN Security Council’s membership, India has blocked a proposal to proscribe an Indian national, Gobinda Patnaik Duggivalasa, by a 15member body’s panel, known as the 1267 Sanctions Committee, according to the informed sources. The Committee procedures require consent of all Council members to accept a listing request. The proposal for listing of Gobinda Patnaik Duggivalasa was tabled in the Committee because of his role in financing and supporting terrorist attacks against Pakistan, including the 13 July 2018 suicide bomb attack in Mastung, Balochistan, that he planned, coordinated and executed. Over 160 individuals lost their lives and more than 200 were injured in that attack. Duggivalasa was also involved in suicide attack on a bus carrying Chinese nationals in Dalbandin, Balochistan, on 11 August 2018, the sources said. This individual is part of India’s state-sponsored terrorist network responsible for unifying various Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions in the past in Afghanistan, they said. Recent reports of the UN Monitoring Team focusing on the global threat posed by Al-Qaeda, Daesh and related groups have highlighted increasing cross-border terrorist threat posed by proscribed TTP to Pakistan from the Afghan soil as result of the re-unification of the group in Afghanistan. Pakistan, according to the sources, has shared concrete evidence on the involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in sponsoring UN-listed terrorist organizations such as TTP and Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA) in cross-border terrorist attacks against Pakistani military and civilian targets. India’s blocking of the listing proposal, including by asserting political pressure on other members of the Committee, shows India’s “farcical” stance on terrorism as well as its misuse of the U.N.’s counter-terrorism mechanisms, the sources. Facing growing criticism in the international media about its atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as well as mainstreaming of Islamophobia in its political discourse, Indian diplomats have been making the UN a venue for peddling New Delhi’s disinformation campaign against Pakistan to divert attention from its domestic situation.

UN peacekeeper killed in Mali mine blast: UN A UN peacekeeper was killed by a mine Sunday in restive northern Mali as he was participating in a patrol, the head of the UN’s MINUSMA Mali force El Ghassim Wane tweeted. The peacekeeper was part of the Guinean contingent in MINUSMA, a MINUSMA official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “He was first wounded and died of his injuries at our hospital in Kidal,” he added. The latest death comes amid tense negotiations on the renewal of MINUSMA’s mandate. A total of 175 of its peacekeepers have died in hostile acts. “Terrible news that adds to the long list of our colleagues who lost their lives during their service in Mali,” Wane wrote on Twitter. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are one of the jihadists’ weapons of choice against MINUSMA as well as Malian forces. They also regularly kill civilians. Mali, a poor and landlocked country in the heart of the Sahel, underwent military coups in August 2020 and May 2021. The political crisis has gone hand in hand with a serious security crisis since 2012 and the outbreak of separatist and jihadist insurgencies in the north. The country is now ruled by a junta that has turned away from France and its partners, and turned to Russia to try to stem the jihadist threat that has spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The violence has left thousands of civilians and soldiers dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. Agencies

Ukraine war could last ‘years’, NATO chief warns NATO’s chief warned that the war in Ukraine could last “for years” as President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed Sunday that his forces would not give up the south of the country to Russia after his first visit to the frontline there. Ukraine said it had also repulsed fresh attacks by Russian forces on the eastern front, where there have been weeks of fierce battles as Moscow tries to seize the industrial Donbas region. While Ukraine remained defiant, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Western countries must be ready to offer longterm support to Kyiv during a grinding war. “We must be prepared for this to last for years,” Stoltenberg told German daily newspaper Bild.

“We must not weaken in our support of Ukraine, even if the costs are high — not only in terms of military support but also because of rising energy and food prices.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a similar warning, urging sustained support for Kyiv or risk “the greatest victory for aggression” since World War II. “Time is now the vital factor,” Johnson wrote in an article for the Sunday Times after making his second visit to Kyiv, calling for the West to ensure Ukraine has the “strategic endurance to survive and eventually prevail”. Russian forces have directed their firepower at the east and south of Ukraine in recent weeks since failing in their bid to take the capital Kyiv after the lightning February 24 invasion.

Zelensky made a rare trip outside Kyiv Saturday to the hold-out Black Sea city of Mykolaiv, and visited troops nearby and in the neighbouring Odessa region for the first time since the Russian invasion. “We will not give away the south to anyone, we will return everything that’s ours and the sea will be Ukrainian and safe,” he said in a video posted on Telegram as he made his way back to Kyiv. He said he talked with troops and police during his visit. “Their mood is confident, and looking into their eyes it is obvious that they all do not doubt our victory,” he said. But Zelensky admitted that losses were “significant”, adding: “Many houses were destroyed, civilian logistics were disrupted,

there are many social issues.” Mykolaiv is a key target for Russia as it lies on the way to the strategic Black Sea port of Odessa. Blockaded by Russia, Odessa residents have turned their attention to rallying the home front effort. “Every day, including the weekend, I come to make camouflage netting for the army,” said Natalia Pinchenkova, 49, behind a large Union flag, a show of thanks to Britain for its support for Ukraine since the conflict erupted. Soldiers in Mykolaiv meanwhile were trying to keep their pre-war routines alive, with one saying he would not give up his vegan diet on the frontlines. Oleksandr Zhuhan said he had received

a package from a network of volunteers to keep up his plant-based diet. “There was pate and vegan sausages, hummus, soya milk… and all this for free,” the 37-year-old drama teacher said happily. Back in Kyiv, with shockwaves from the war continuing to reverberate around the world, thousands gathered to pay tribute to one young man — Roman Ratushny, a leading figure in Ukraine’s pro-European Maidan movement, who was killed fighting Russians in the country’s east earlier this month aged just 24. In front of the coffin draped in a yellow and blue Ukrainian flag at the foot of a monument that overlooks the sprawling Independence Square in the capital, people of all ages saluted his memory.

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Monday, 20 June, 2022 | LAHORE

SPORTS 11

ProtEst AgAinst sElECtion of CriCkEtErs for grAdE 2 lEvEl sWAT

syeD shAhAbuDDin

OUNG cricketers along with coaches rejected the selection of players for Grade 2 level by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and blamed the selection team of ignoring merit. They alleged the players selection was based on favoritism and nepotism, which is unfair. To give vent to their anger

against the alleged nepotism on the part of the PCB coaches, a large number of senior cricketers and dozens of local coaches flanked by young players staged a protest in front of Swat Press Club here on Sunday. The protesting players were carrying banners inscribed with the slogans against the selection and also chanted slogans against the three coaches who conducted the trials. Rahmat Ali, a seniour cricketer from Mingora, said that for trials of

Grade 2 level of domestic cricket, the PCB sent two coaches from Peshawar and one coach from Swat, adding that these coaches, however, selected “incompetent” players and ignored highly talented youngsters despite being eligible, adding that the selection team violated all the PCB rules and regulations. He said that one of the players even did not appear in the trials and two others did not play in the City Cricket Association (CCA) tournament, which were sheer violations of

the PCB rules for selection. The young players said on the occasion that the coaches did injustice to them. Hamza Khan, an under 19 player, said that he has shown good performance in the CCA tournament and he had also played in the Pakistan Under 19 team but the selection committee selected incompetent players and ignored him. They demanded the PCB to carry out an inquiry into the injustice and ensure merit to give the deserving players their rights and produce

talented players for the country. It is important to mention here that the PCB conducts trials at dif-

ferent times for the selection of talented young players for domestic cricket.

Fraser-Pryce storms to 100m win PARis Web Desk

Pakistan’s noor Zaman bags ‘Asian Junior individual squash Championship’ title neWs DesK A magnificent display by Pakistan’s Noor Zaman saw him outclass Malaysia’s Joachim Chuah in the final and secure the 29th Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship 2022 title at Pattaya, Thailand on Sunday. According to information received here, the 18-year-old Noor controlled the tempo of the highly competitive first game, taking it 11-9. However, his opponent made a comeback to sneak the second game 12-10. But Noor switched his plan, unleashing attacks to take the next two games 11-5 and 11-9 and seal the title for Pakistan after four years. After the win, Noor took to his Twitter handle and thanked Allah Almighty for his success. Pakistan also fielded 12 other players – seven boys and five girls in various categories of the event but they could not make it to the final stages.

next part of Amazon’s the test to feature Australia’s tour of Pakistan

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce hammered home her status as world championship favourite on Saturday by equalling her world best time this year to win the 100m at the Paris Diamond League meeting. The veteran Jamaican sprinter triumphed in 10.67sec, shrugging off the crushing 30-degree heat at the city’s Charlety stadium. A two-time Olympic champion over 100m, the 35year-old Fraser-Pryce equalled the 2022 best time she set in Nairobi in May. The nine-time world champion’s win illustrated her threat to reigning Olympic champion Elaine ThompsonHerah at next month’s world championships in Eugene, Oregon. Both will meet next week at the Jamaican trials. “I feel very good, technically it was very good. The goal is always to be on top technically, then the lap times follow,” said Fraser-Pryce. “Physically I was good too. Running 10.6, only a few sprinters can achieve that,” she added. Britain’s Daryll Neita was second Saturday in 10.99sec with Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast third in 11.01sec. Fraser-Pryce has already qualified for the 100m in Eugene as she is the defending champion. However, she said she has “not decided yet” on whether she will attempt the sprint double in Oregon. “We’ll see if I’m ready to do it physically and mentally,” she had said on Friday. After racing to 10.05 seconds over the 100m in Oslo

She tried and failed three times at 2.05m, a centimetre above her career best. Mahuchikh topped an all-Ukraine podium in the event ahead of Iryna Gerashchenko (1.98m) and Yuliya Levchenko (1.95m). There was also a season best in the 3,000m steeplechase for Bahrain’s Winfred Mutile Yavi. The 22-year-old won in a time of 8min 56.55sec, making her the fourth best performer in the history of the discipline. Behind her, Ethiopia’s Sembo Alemayehu, only 17 years old, ran in 9min 09.19sec.

Learning lesson from past year’s defeat, Harbajhan not to make prediction in future

neWs DesK The new edition of Cricket Australia’s Amazon documentary will feature their historic tour of Pakistan, Sydney Morning Herald reported. The first season of the documentary, titled ‘The Test’ was released in 2020 which covered the happenings of the infamous ball-tampering scandal on the 2018 tour of Australia, India and Sri Lankan tours DownUnder, the 2019 World Cup and the Ashes triumph in England. This time around, The main focus of the documentary is the team’s historic tour of Pakistan as they registered a 1-0 Test series win in their first tour of Pakistan since 1998. The project’s key cinematographer, Andre Mauger, was present in the team camp last summer, then on the tour of Pakistan following the resignation of Justin Langer as head coach in early February. He returns to the road for the Test series in Sri Lanka. At the same time, Cricket Australia and Amazon remain in talks about where exactly to take the series and how it might be distributed – including the possibility of releasing episodes in more than one instalment this time around. The Pakistan tour segment of the documentary, meanwhile, is expected to look closely at the fortunes of Usman Khawaja, who won a recall to the Test team late in the Ashes and then carried all before him in winning the player of a series Australia won 1-0 in the land of his birth. Equally, the emergence of Pat Cummins as Test captain after the dramatic resignation of Tim Paine will also be featured in some detail, after Mauger was embedded with the team during the Gold Coast camp at which the captaincy changeover took place. Whatever the timeline, Langer will not be the central focus of the documentary, in a project that is geared much more at telling the stories of the players in a team that is far more cohesive than the one first captured in June 2018 by the first series.

on Thursday, Andre De Grasse returned to his favoured 200m in the French capital. But the Canadian Olympic gold medallist was only fourth on Saturday in a race won by Luxolo Adams of South Africa in 19.82sec. Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, silver medallist at the 2019 world championships and bronze medal winner at the 2020 Olympics, won the high jump with a season-best 2.01m. Mahuchikh won on her second attempt, improving on her previous season-leading 2.0m at the Eugene Diamond League meet.

Agencies Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has opted not to make any prediction before the high-intense match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. The arch-rivals will meet on October 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) one year after the Men in Green outclassed their neighbours by ten wickets at

Dubai International Stadium. The 41-year-old, before the game in Dubai, had asked the Pakistan cricket team to give a walkover to India as they had never managed to beat them in the World Cup (50 and 20-overs both). “I told Shoaib Akhtar that there’s no sense in Pakistan participating; you should give us a walkover. You’ll play, you’ll lose again, and you’ll be upset.” On Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh had remarked, “Our squad is extremely solid, very powerful, and they will easily beat you guys.” After the match, the former off-spinner was trolled badly by the Pakistani fans, including cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Amir. Won’t give any statement this year: Harbhajan Singh The fear of losing to Pakistan has made Harbhajan into thinking as he has decided to refrain from making any remarks before the match and said: “We have another T20 World Cup and this year, I won’t be giving any statement and won’t talk over who will win [between Pakistan and India],” he told to Shoaib Akhtar in a conversation on an Indian sports website. “Mauka Mauka or whatever, we will see what is going to happen as last time around things went bad due to this,” Shoaib advised Harbhajan not to make any prediction on which the latter agreed.

Azhar Ali to make comeback in English Cricket after three years Agencies Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has agreed to play for the Worcestershire Rapids in this summer’s One-Day Cup. The Pakistan batter joined to play in this season’s County Championship, but will also feature in the 50-over cup. “Azhar has now agreed to also be part of their squad for the 50-over competition throughout August in a huge boost to the Rapids’ hopes of glory,” Worcestershire said in a statement. “I love List A cricket and am delighted to be able to play the entire Royal London Cup campaign,” said Azhar Ali. “The Rapids had some good victories in last year’s competition, including a magnificent performance to win at Essex.” “I hope I can play my part in helping them to do even better and qualify for the knockout stages, and then, who knows what can happen? “There are some fine players in our squad, and we have the capabilities to do well,” he said. He has scored 6,278 runs in List A matches at an average of 47.20, with 17 hundreds and 36 halfcenturies. Remember, Azhar played for Somerset three years back and led them to title victory in 50over competition. He has represented Pakistan in 53 ODIs, piling up 1845 runs at an average of 36.2. He retired from ODIs in 2018.

Sialkot made footballs to be used in FIFA World Cup 2022 siALKOT APP

Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) Senior Vice President Sheikh Zohaib Rafique Sethi said on Sunday that Sialkot made football “Al Rihla” would be used in the FIFA World Cup 2022 to be played in Qatar. Talking to APP, the SCCI SVP said that a Sialkot-based leading exports firm “Forward Sports” had produced “Al Rihla” football for Adidas

which would be played officially in FIFA football World Cup-2022 as it was a great honour and pride for Sialkot and even for Pakistan. He said it was third time that the brand of ‘Forward Sports’ would be used in the FIFA World Cup. He said the design

of football would be as per the culture of Qatar. Zohaib said the world was currently moving towards sustainability and the material used in its manufacturing was a bio-based recycling material. No solvent chemicals were used in football making but water-based chemicals

were used which do not pollute the environment, he said. He said the ball consists of 20 panels was declared one of the best football in the world. Traditionally, footballs for the World Cup were hand-stitched, until “thermos bonding,” a new technology was first introduced in the 2014 World Cup, he added. The SCCI SVP said that Sialkot industry would continue to play its full role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy.

Monday, 20 June, 2022

prayer tiMings

NEWS

FM wElCoMEs FATF’s uNANIMous ACkNowlEdgMENT ISLAMABAD

staff report

OREIGN Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday welcomed the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) unanimous acknowledgment of completion of action plans. “Pakistan is committed to continue this positive trajectory of reforming the financial sector as part of its larger strategic objective of strengthening the economy.” In statement issued by the Foreign Office

ECP orders fair probe into PP-167 violence The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday took notice of firing and violence in PP-167 Lahore following a clash between PML-N and PTI. The election commission directed the CCPO Lahore to conduct a fair inquiry into the matter and take strict action against all those responsible for the violence in the incident. “A report on violence and firing should be prepared on an immediate basis,” the district monitoring officer said and those found guilty would be punished as per law. The ECP official directed the police to take action without keeping in view the political affiliations of those involved. Moreover, the provincial election commissioner has also directed the police to implement the election’s code of conduct and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found violating the conduct. It is pertinent to mention here that son of a PTI candidate in PP-167 Khalid Gujjar was among the multiple injured after PML-N candidate Nazir Chohan attacked a PTI office in Lahore as the two parties have launched campaigns in the constituency for the scheduled by-election in July. The police confirmed the incident and said that the clash occurred between the PML-N and PTI candidates. PTI candidate Khalid Gujjar claimed that their office in PP167 was attacked by Nazir Chohan who tore apart their banners as his guards opened fire. “My son got injured after being hit by a vehicle and is currently being treated at Jinnah Hospital,” he said and added that they have submitted a formal request for registration of an FIR against the suspects. news desk

spokesperson, Bilawal said that FATF plenary’s announcement regarding an on-site visit to Pakistan was a welcome development. It also reflected the remarkable progress made by Pakistan to enhance the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime, he added. “I am certain that this good news from FATF will restore world’s confidence in Pakistan’s economy and act as a catalyst for sustained growth and development”, the FM pointed out, reiterating that the Government of Pakistan’s high level commitment to continue aligning

its AML/CFT regime with global standards. He said that they looked forward to the on-site visit and a successful and early culmination of the process leading to Pakistan’s exit from the grey list. Foreign Minister Bilawal also commended the hard work and dedicated efforts of Pakistan’s FATF team that led to the successful completion of all technical requirements of both FATF Action Plans of 2018 and 2021. This was the result of concerted national efforts and complete harmony of interests by all stakeholders, he observed.

Parallel PA session: Speaker says Punjab Govt violated law LAHORE staff report

Speaker Punjab Assembly Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday said that the Punjab government has committed an illegal act after summoning a parallel session during the ongoing session of the assembly. During his meeting with former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Elahi said that only the speaker has the authority to prorogue a session, which was summoned by him. “No

one has the authority to prorogue the session summoned by the speaker,” he said. He lamented that those who raised slogans of ‘vote ko izzat do’ have hurt the supremacy of the Punjab Assembly as they tried to make it subservient to the orders of the governor Punjab. “There is no legal and constitutional standing for summoning the Punjab Assembly at any other place and forcing the secretariat staff to attend it,” Pervaiz Elahi said.

He added that deputy speaker has no right to summon the session of the Punjab Assembly and secretary has the authority under rules to release orders regarding calling and proroguing the house. Speaking on the matter, the former governor said that the assembly has also nullified the orders from the governor to restrict powers of the speaker. “The assembly has passed a resolution to nullify the ordinance,” Omar Sarfraz Cheema said.

US regime change conspiracy being ‘operationalised fast’: Shireen Mazari ISLAMABAD staff report

Reacting to PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla’s latest statement on potential ties with Israel, PTI leader Shireen Mazari on Sunday said that the US regime change conspiracy is being “operationalised fast”. A day earlier, Saleem Mandviwalla, while commenting on the potential of Pakistan having diplomatic ties with Israel, had said that Islamabad should do what is in its own best interest. Sharing Mandviwalla’s statement published in a daily newspaper on her Twitter handle, Shireen Mazari said that now another PPP leader wants Pakistan to recognise Israel. Lashing out at the coalition government, the PTI leader said that “imported” Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wanted Pakistan to open trade with India when fascist Narendra Modi-led government has unleashed state terrorism in occupied Kashmir and against Muslims in India. Criticising the ruling parties, she further said that PML-N is ruining the economy and PPP is aligning

the country’s foreign policy with US demands. On June 16, former prime minister Imran Khan rebutted the statement of the military’s spokesperson, Babar Iftikhar, over the ‘letter gate’ conspiracy in which he had denied any involvement of foreign conspiracy behind Imran Khan’s ouster. Despite repeated denial by the army spokesperson, the former PM is hell-bent on his stance over the involvement of a foreign conspiracy behind the notrust vote against him. On Tuesday, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar once again said that the military leadership was present at the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting and the participants were briefed. “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. [The] participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR. During a session on social media, ex-prime minister Imran Khan responded to the DG ISPR’s statement and asked if he would decide whether the conspiracy was hatched or not?

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Balochistan govt presents budget for FY 2022-23 today The Balochistan government would unveil its balanced, relief-oriented and pro-people budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a total outlay of more than Rs 620 billion. The Balochistan government, led by Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), will present its budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 in the Provincial Assembly on June 20. Provincial Finance Minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran would present the budget for the year 2022-23 in the Balochistan Assembly. The government is expected to announce over Rs 250 billion development budget under Public Sector Development Programme and the outlay of nondevelopmental funds for the next fiscal year 2022-23 is likely to more than Rs 350 billion. According to finance department sources, more than 5,000 new posts would be created in the new budget. A major chunk of budget would allocated for health, education, agriculture, food, rural development, communication, law and order, irrigation and drinking water and other sectors which will change the destiny of the people of Balochistan. More money would be allocated for clean water schemes. Education, health, law and order are among the priorities of the government. news desk

Never supported recognition of Israel: Mandviwala ISLAMABAD news desk

PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwala on Sunday backpedaled on his statement with respect to ties with Israel, saying his “words were distorted and taken out of context.” “I never supported the recognition of, or trade with, the Jewish state.” The PPP senator’s statement came a day after he talked about the potential of Pakistan having diplomatic ties with Israel, saying the country should do what is in its own best interest. In an exclusive interview to a private TV channel, Mandviwala had said: “We should not stop dialogue and trade with any country. People criticise Israel but we have to look after our own interests.” Pakistan does not recognise Israel and, therefore, doesn’t have diplomatic relations with it. The country has been a staunch supporter of a Palestinian state. After the Abraham accords — a deal brokered by the US in 2020 which saw normalisation of relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain — Pakistan had made clear that it cannot recognise Israel until a “just settlement of the Palestinian issue” is found. Referring to the Middle East nations, Mandviwala said they were negotiating with and trading with Israel, adding that Pakistan must also do what suits its own interest. However on Sunday, in a conversation with Dawn.com, Mandviwala said his words regarding Israel were being distorted. “I never wanted Pakistan to further ties with Israel or indulge in trade with it.” He insisted that recognising Israel was not in Pakistan’s interests. The senator emphasised that his views on Israel were quite clear that Pakistan should not recognise it, saying: “I have made a similar statement in the parliament also.” He said Israel’s atrocities against unarmed Palestinians were known to the world.

Imran warns of further chaos, inflation if transparent polls not held forthwith ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday warned against further inflation and chaos if early and transparent elections are not held forthwith. Imran Khan expressed these views while addressing the party protesters who staged demonstrations in various cities of the country against rising inflation. Imran addressed the protesters via video link at 10pm and the PTI has also installed screens at major protest venues across the country to show his address, in which he is expected to make major announcements regarding the party’s future course of action against the government. The PTI has also installed screens at major protest venues across the country to show his address, in which he is expected to make major announcements regarding the party’s future course of action against the incumbent government. PTI Chairman Imran Khan also urged the people earlier this week to take to the streets on Sunday (today) to stage a “peaceful demonstration” against rising inflation, particularly the massive increase in the prices of petroleum products. “I told you to come out today for your betterment. Because I fear that the petrol prices

that have risen today will not stop here,” the former prime minister told his supporters. The PTI chairman said that he expects to see inflation to rise further, warning that the people who will be affected by it will be the lower class, salaried class and especially the farmers. “Today every Pakistani wants to ask what has happened in the country after noconfidence motion,” said Imran Khan. He added that the coalition government claims that he had left behind “landmines”. The former prime minister said that the incumbent government says that as the PTI had made agreements with IMF they had no option but to raise prices. He reminded the people that during the PTI’s tenure the ruling parties had launched marches when they had increased prices by Rs12. “Since they have come they have increased petrol prices by Rs84 and diesel by Rs110. And diesel prices will affect farmers most and our food security in return. This will impact every class and there will be more,” said Imran Khan. He added that people will know about the “inflationary bomb” when they see June’s electricity bills. “They are in IMF Programme since two months and we were in it since 2.5 months. Did we not have pressure to raise prices? Did we not negotiate with IMF constantly?”

asked the PTI chairman. The PTI chairman said that when the IMF asked his government to raise prices they decreased it as they knew the impact it would have on the people. “We did it by taking money from here and there. We were in IMF programmes as well but cared about our people,” said Imran. The PTI chairman said that the coalition government claims that they got a bad Pakistan but in reality it was not true. Instead, he claimed, that it was the PML-N government from 2013-2018 that left a “real landmine” in the form of a ballooning current account deficit. The protests were held at Islamabad’s F9 Park, Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Qauideen, Lahore’s Liberty chowk, Faisalabad’s Ghanta Ghar chowk, Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market, Multan’s Sahah Abdullah chowk and Peshawar’s Hasht Nagari Gate. The demonstrations were also held in other cities of the country. Imran was ousted from power in April through a vote of no-confidence and since then he has been going places, building pressure on the coalition government to announce a date for the next elections as he called the current set-up “imposed from outside”. Imran also accused the current government of being “incapable of handling the economy” and warned that prices would soar

even higher in the days to come if the nation “kept sitting idly”. After ending his much-hyped long march abruptly last month, Imran has been asking his supporters to prepare for the next long march towards Islamabad saying he will come with better planning this time around. PTI workers held protest demos against rising inflation in different cities across the country on the call of their party chairman. PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed the

crowds in the different cities via video link at 10pm and announce his party’s future course of action. The protests were held at Islamabad’s F9 Park, Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Qauideen, Lahore’s Liberty chowk, Faisalabad’s Ghanta Ghar chowk, Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market, Multan’s Sahah Abdullah chowk and Peshawar’s Hasht Nagari Gate. The demonstrations are also being held in other cities of the country.

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