In partnership with
disposes petition StuDEntS tRAPPED In BAttAgRAm CABLE-CAR LHC filed against ECP’s delimitation notification RESCuED AftER 14-HOuR OPERAtIOn
Profit
Wednesday, 23 August, 2023 I 5 Safar, 1445
g
ARMY AVIATION, SSG COMMANDOS, PAF HELICOPTERS, RESCUE 1122 CARRY OUT RESCUE OPERATION
A
g
ISLAMABAD/BATTAGRAM
PM, BUGTI LAUD TEAMWORK BY MILITARY, RESCUE DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT ADMIN AS WELL AS LOCALS
SALEEM JADOON
LL seven students and their teacher, trapped in a cable-car in Allai tehsil, Battagram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were rescued as a result of an operation spanned over 14 hours by Pakistan Army Aviation officers, Special Service Group (SSG) commandos, Rescue 1122 and locals. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that the rescue operation was completed and all the trap students had been rescued. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti wrote on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter): “thanked Almighty Allah for safe rescue and evacuation of seven schoolchildren and a teacher who were trapped in dangling cable-car in the hilly area of Battagram District. All appreciation for our valiant armed forces personnel for their selflessness and determination in carrying out this complex operation. He also shared the names of trapped individuals: Irfan son of Amraiz, Niaz Mohammad son of Umar Zaib, Rizwan son of Abdul Qayyum, Gulfraz son of Hakeem Dad, Sher Nawaz son of Shah Nazar, Ibrar son of Abdul Ghani, Attaullah son of Kifiatullah and Usama son of Muhammad Sharif. Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also confirmed the development on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Relieved to know that all the kids have been successfully and safely rescued. Great teamwork by the military,
rescue departments, district administration as well as the local people,” he said. The incident had occurred early in the morning — estimated between 7am and 8am — when six students and two locals were on the way to school. The successful completion of the operation was first confirmed in a statement issued by Rescue 1122 and later by the military’s media affairs wing. The footage showed the rescuer hanging from a helicopter pulling out one of the students trapped in the Battagram chairlift by using the harness. The student was safely shifted to the ground after hours-long rescue efforts. The schoolchildren got stuck when two wires of the cable-car snapped, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Jawad Hussain said, adding the cable-car was privately run by locals for transportation across rivers as there were no roads or bridges in the area.
Haris Rauf’s fifer helps Pakistan rout Afghanistan in first ODI
Fiery pacer Haris Rauf led a pace assault on Afghanistan with a career-best five-wicket haul to give Pakistan a thumping 142-run victory in the first one-day international in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota on Tuesday. Rauf’s shattering 5-18 in 6.2 overs forced Afghanistan to their second-lowest ODI totals of 59 in a staggering 19.2 overs after Pakistan were bowled out for 201 in 47.1 overs. The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series — the first bilateral between the two nations — with the remaining matches in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday. Rauf carried on the demolition act after fellow fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi had removed Ibrahim Zadran (nought) and Rahmat Shah (nought) off successive deliveries in the third over. It had become 3-4 when Naseem Shah dismissed Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, also without scoring, before passing the baton to Rauf to complete the rout. Rauf grabbed wickets of Ikram Alikhil (four), top scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18), Mohammad Nabi (seven), Rashid Khan (nought) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (four) to complete the rout. Rauf’s previous best of 4-65 was against England at Birmingham in 2021. Shaheen finished with 2-9. Afghanistan’s lowest in all ODIs is 58 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah in 2016. Earlier Rahman was Pakistan’s wrecker-in-chief. The 22-year-old dismissed world number one batter Babar Azam for a third-ball duck to finish with figures of 3-33, while Nabi took 2-34 and Rashid 2-42. Only opener Imam-ul-Haq with a 94-ball 61, Shadab Khan (39) and Iftikhar Ahmed (30) offered some resistance as Pakistan’s much-vaunted batting failed on a slow Hambantota stadium pitch. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman off the fourth ball of the match for two before Rahman dismissed Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (21) in his first spell. Haq steadied the innings with a fifth wicket stand of 50 with Ahmed and another 40 with Shadab before Nabi dismissed Haq and Ahmed in quick succession. Haq’s 17th half century had only two boundaries. Ace spinner Rashid chipped in with the wickets of Agha Salman (seven) and Shaheen Shah Afridi for two. Shadab, who hit three boundaries in his 50-ball knock, added an invaluable 35-run stand with Naseem (18 not out) for the ninth wicket before the latter was run out. AGENCIES
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 53 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
The cable-car remained dangling in the middle of a deep ravine surrounded by towering mountains and a rocky surface along with the Jhangri river for hours. Initially, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) estimated that the passengers were stuck at a height of 1,000-2,000ft. But after the rescue operation ended, the ISPR said they were stranded at a height of 600ft. HOURS-LONG RESCUE OPERATION: The rescue operation to retrieve the stuck passengers began in the morning, but the first two children could not be rescued before late in the evening. They were rescued by the armed forces amid rough weather and following multiple attempts shortly before sunset as part of an operation that saw the use of four helicopters. After rescuing two children, the air rescue operation was suspended due to windy weather and darkness. The chil-
dren were rescued after the fourth attempt to airlift them. The Pakistan Army Aviation and SSG teams also decided to continue the chairlift rescue operation from the ground. Once the darkness set in, state broadcaster PTV News reported that the aerial operation had been “called off” due to “night and weather conditions” but rescue efforts through “alternative means” were ongoing. GOC SSG led the rescue operation and a last attempt was made to pull out the trapped students and a teacher via helicopter. All arrangements have been made to continue the operation in the nighttime. Moreover, the SSG commandoes provided food and medicines to the people trapped in the chairlift. According to Radio Pakistan, the army took the assistance of local cable crossings experts for this operation. Later, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said three more children had been rescued. So far, five children had been rescued, the ISPR statement issued around 9:45pm — more than 12 hours after the rescue operation began — said. Separately, Deputy Commissioner Tanveerur Rehman told AFP that “zipline experts and other civil and military experts and local cable operators are on the spot and helping us in the rescue operation”. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan, meanwhile, reported that food and drinks were being supplied to the stranded people via a small chairlift dolly. After the operation concluded, an ISPR statement termed it “extremely complicated and difficult”.
Interim govt to ensure transparent, impartial elections: PM Kakar KARACHI/ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday reiterated that the interim government would ensure holding of the upcoming general elections in the most transparent and impartial manner, accepted to all. Talking to media after visiting Mazar-e-Quaid to pay tribute and offer Fateha, the prime minister said that the caretaker government would function in the limited timeframe only to ensure the election process. “We would play our part in this regard by holding transparent and impartial polls, so that Pakistan could move through its constitutional transitional period,” PM Kakar reaffirmed the resolve. On the occasion, the prime
minister was accompanied by Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tissori, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (r) Maqbool Baqir and the members of his cabinet. It was the maiden visit of the caretaker prime minister to Karachi after assuming his office. The prime minister said that he along with his few cabinet members came here to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and reaffirm to work for the progress and prosperity of the country by highlighting the social contract under which a separate state came into being. Referring to an address of the founder of the nation on August 11, 1947 before the Constituent Assembly, he said it focused on rights of the minorities and equality among individuals.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Prime Minister Kakar expressed the optimism that the people of the country would excel in different fields on the basis of their talents and it was the future of the country. Earlier, the prime minister laid a floral wreath at the grave of the founder of the nation and offered Fateha. He also penned down his expressions in the visitors’ book. EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT TO THOSE INVOLVED IN JARANWALA INCIDENT: Earlier, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad on Tuesday and directed the cabinet members to hold a national level Interfaith Harmony Conference next week.
Six soldiers martyred, 4 terrorists killed in South Waziristan RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Four terrorists were killed in exchange of fire between own troops and terrorists in Asman Manza area of South Waziristan. According to ISPR, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly four terrorists were sent to hell, while two terrorists were injured. However, during intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers
having fought gallantly embraced Shahadat. Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. The ISPR said that the Armed forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve. FUNERAL PRAYERS OF MARTYRS: Meanwhile, funeral prayers of shuhada who embraced shahadat while fighting valiantly against terrorists in general area
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Asman Manza, South Waziristan District were offered at Wana. Shuhada will be laid to rest with full military honours in their respective hometowns. Corps Commander Peshawar Lt-Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat and other senior serving officers attended the funeral prayers. The high command of Armed Forces of Pakistan stands resolute and committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the motherland at all costs.
Rupee dips to lowest ever against dollar
g
LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court (LHC) disposed of on Tuesday a petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) delimitation notification. The petitioner, Muhammad Muqsit Saleem, contended that the caretaker government setup was causing a delay in elections beyond the statutory period of 90 days. He requested the court to declare the ECP’s impugned notification, issued on August 17, as ultra vires of the Constitution of Pakistan. He further requested the court to demand concerned respondents to stop following “unconstitutional directions” and take legitimate steps to ensure the implementation of the Constitution, which guarantees elections in 90 days. Saleem had further asked the court to suspend the operation until the decision of this petition was announced. During today’s proceedings, Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh questioned the petitioner’s counsel about why the president failed to announce election dates. “The situation would have been different today had the president announced the election date,” he remarked. “Is there any law under which the ECP can announce the election date?” he further asked. The lawyer representing the ECP argued that the president can constitutionally not direct the ECP in this regard, but can announce an election date. However, Justice Sheikh stated that it is, in fact, the “constitutional obligation” of the president to give an election date. The judge told the petitioner that his first question should have been about the election date instead of worrying about its delay. The counsel responded that the ECP was rendering its role in accordance with the law, adding that the Constitution was “very clear” that elections will be conducted on the latest de-limitation record. The petitioner challenged the ECP’s delimitation notification on the grounds that the delimitation process would delay the elections beyond the statutory period of 90 days. The time period is stipulated in Article 224 of the Constitution and Section 17(2) of the Elections Act. He argued that the delimitation notification violates Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, since the limit of constituencies was already published by the commission on August 5, 2022. “A year has passed since then, the elected government’s tenure is over, and this caretaker setup is causing an illegal delay in the statutory period of elections,” he stated. He further remarked that he understands that a caretaker government is appointed to oversee the country’s administration in the run-up to general elections, with the mandate to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, as well as to maintain law and order during the electoral process. However, if elections are not held within the timeframe specified in the Constitution, the mandate of the caretaker government should typically end – but “it never is that simple in Pakistan, especially given the current political climate,” he had remarked. The Constitution specifies 90 days and 60 days election periods. According to Article 224(1), a general election to the National Assembly or a provincial assembly must be held within 60 days of the day after an assembly’s term is set to expire. According to Article 224(2), when the National Assembly or a provincial assembly is dissolved, general election must be held within 90 days of the dissolution and the result must be declared no later than 14 days after the polls close.
Indian Charge d’Affaires summoned to register protest over killing of a civilian at LOC ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the killing of a 60-yearold civilian, Mr Ghias, resident of Oli village of Kotli district, as a result of firing by the Indian forces. The incident took place in the Nikial Sector of the Line of Control (LoC) on 21 August 2023. Emphasizing the need for maintaining peace and tranquility at the LoC, it was underscored that such acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021. It was stressed that utmost caution should be exercised by the Indian forces as targeting innocent civilians is contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws. The Indian side was urged to investigate the incident and respect the Ceasefire Understanding.
RUPEE EXPECTED TO FALL TO FRESH LOWS AS IMPORTS RISE AND DIFFERENCE IN INTERBANK AND OPEN MARKETS NARROWS PROFIT
UROOJ IMRAN
The rupee continued its downward spiral on Tuesday, falling to a record low of Rs 299.01 per US dollar because of rising imports and an attempt to decrease the difference between rates in the interbank and open markets. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data showed the rupee lost Rs 1.88 or 0.63 percent against the dollar to fall to a fresh low. Previously, the rupee’s record low was Rs 298.93 which was reached on May 11 amid political and economic turmoil.
Meanwhile, the rupee was traded at Rs 306 in the open market, according to the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan. This equates to a difference of Rs 6.99 or 2.34 percent. This difference is one of the reasons the rupee’s value is declining as under the standby agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the premium between the interbank and open market cannot be more than 1.25 percent. Thus, the rupee is falling in the interbank market as the gap is narrowed, according to Sana Tawfik, a senior analyst at Arif Habib Limited.
Another important reason the rupee fell is that the government recently lifted import restrictions, which had been in place since last year as the country’s foreign exchange reserves depleted to a critical level. Tawfik pointed out that current account deficit figures released by the SBP last week showed a nearly 30 percent monthon-month rise in imports in July. The analyst said the rupee might be granted a breather once the inflows projected by the SBP materialised. Otherwise, it would remain range-bound and continue to be traded at the current level in the short term.