PM PLEDGES RESOURCE, SUPPORT FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS ‘LIKE NEVER BEFORE’ In partnership with
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Thursday, 6 June, 2024 I |28 Zil-Qadah, 1445
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 337 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
EXTOLLS CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO BRINGING PEACE TO g VOWS HEIGHTENED SECURITY FOR CHINESE CITIZENS WORKING WORLD, AS A FRIEND, AND CLOSE PARTNER OF PAKISTAN IN PAKISTAN, PROMISING TO PRIORITIZE THEIR SAFETY
– invites Huawei to invest in Pakistan’s safe city, taxation, e-governance sectors
KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif assuring resource availability pledged to provide steadfast support to foreign investors like never before for mutual benefit. “The Shenzhen speed is remarkable achievement. Going back to Pakistan, it’s enough for us to learn from”, Premier Shehbaz Sharif stated while speaking at the Pakistan China Business Forum in Shenzhen on Wednesday. The prime minister lauded China’s developmental achievements as exemplary during his visit to the brotherly country. Speaking at the forum, PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of bolstering the relationship between the two nations and fostering increased investment. PM Shehbaz declared that Shenzhen’s modernization offered Pakistan lessons to replicate and emulate. “A few decades ago, Shenzhen was a small fishing village, but today, with a population of 17 million people, it has created a GDP of around USD 500 billion”, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said at the Pakistan China Business Conference held today in Shenzhen, according to a report carried by China Economic Net (CEN) on Wednesday. Going through the history of China, he attributed China’s dynamic economic advancement to the “solidarity” of Chinese people, their “untiring efforts” and “forward-
SHENZHEN
STAFF REPORT
going visions” of the leadership. He also highlighted China’s achievements in erasing corruption, poverty alleviation, and youth empowerment. Referring to the ensuing B2B session of the conference, which provides opportunities “of unprecedented scale” for bilateral companies in ICT, EV, solar, textile, steel, agriculture, etc. to explore chances of cooperation, he urged Pakistani companies to sit down with Chinese counterparts and find out how to attract China’s industries to Pakistan. “Pakistan’s mining sector is worth USD 10 trillion, but for now only USD 30 million is availed. Today is the moment for you to capture”, he said, adding that support will be provided like never before for mutual benefit.
Replying to FIA notice, Omar Ayub seeks Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Umar Ayub replied to the FIA notice issued following the ‘controversial’ video uploading case on founder PTI Imran Khan’s X account, asking the agency for a copy of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report. Omar Ayub also announced challenging the issue of the FIA notice in Parliament, which has already been challenged in the Islamabd High Court. In his reply, Omar Ayub submitted that the ‘defamatory notice’ was ‘vague, dubious and illegal questions.’ “The notice is related to the collapse of Dhaka on which the government had constituted a commission. The government never rejected the commission report nor denied its contents. Hamood-Ur-Rehman Commission is available in Cabinet Division.” FIA’s sole objective is to target PTI leadership for revenge. “A copy of the Hamud-ur-Rehman Commission report should be given to prepare the answer,” Umar Ayub. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued summons to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top brass on Imran Khan’s controversial X ( formerly Twitter) post over the 1971 debacle. Notices have been dispatched to Umar Ayub, Barrister Gohar Khan, and Raoof Hassan, calling them for questioning on Tuesday at 11am. The inquiry, spearheaded by the FIA’s Cyber Wing, focuses on the illegal use of PTI founder Imran Khan’s social media account to disseminate a provocative video. The video, uploaded on May 26, allegedly incited public unrest by addressing the findings of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report, with a contentious remark: “Every Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
He also extolled China’s commitment to bringing peace to the world. Hailing China’s role as a friend, neighbor, and close partner of Pakistan through thick and thin, he pledged to spare no effort in protecting the lives of Chinese brothers and sisters in Pakistan. He mentioned the establishment of a business council to facilitate investments in Pakistan and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing necessary facilities to foreign investors and businessmen. Highlighting Pakistan’s abundant resources, the PM underscored the potential for economic growth. Regarding security concerns, Sharif expressed condolences over the tragic incident where five Chinese citizens lost their lives to
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday visited the Huawei headquarters here and invited the company to invest in Pakistan’s taxation and e-governance sectors besides enhancing its presence in the country’s Safe City projects. On his arrival at the headquarters, Huawei Chairman Liang Hua welcomed him which followed the playing of national anthems and his visit of the Exhibition Centre. The chairman briefed the prime minister about Huawei operations worldwide, particularly in Pakistan and expressed keen interest in investing in the country’s different sectors. He was also briefed about different sectors including e-governance, digital banking, telecommunication and artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Shehbaz, who is on a
terrorism in Besham. He affirmed China’s status as a steadfast friend and partner to Pakistan, offering sup-
No ban on ‘responsible’ court reporting, IHC assures journalists ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday assured journalists that there was no ban on court reporting but “irresponsible” court reporting. The court’s remarks came during the hearing of petitions challenging Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) restrictions on airing of court proceedings on news channels. During the hearing of pleas filed by Press Association and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said: “There is no ban on court reporting. The media can report the court proceedings.”
The chief justice, however, maintained that the ban is, in fact, on “irresponsible reporting”. “The problem is only with running sensational tickers,” said Justice Farooq. During the hearing of the petition, Pemra filed its reply in the court. Meanwhile, the additional attorney general was asked by the court if the federal government was involved in this matter. “This is Pemra’s matter, not the federal government’s,” he responded. One of the petitioner’s lawyer, Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, said that the law used by Pemra does not prohibit reporting of pending cases. The court called for final arguments at the next hearing, adjourning it until June 11.
The IHC had, on May 24, issued notices to Pemra and secretary information after hearing petitions challenging its notifications prohibiting television channels from airing news of court proceedings and directing them to only report on written orders. The notices come after the electronic media watchdog issued two notifications ordering TV channels to not run reporting of court proceedings and for reporters to only report courts’ written orders’ on May 21. Following Pemra’s directives, PFUJ had moved the IHC against the watchdog’s decision, requesting IHC to annul the media watchdog’s notification banning reporting of judicial proceedings.
would face a complete failure. Commenting on dialogue offers, the ex-president said that his party is ready to hold talks with “stakeholders but not with the nonstakeholders”. He asked the stakeholders to let go of hatred and practice compassion. He also said that the stakeholders should not be afraid of any kind of risks after the PTI founder’s release. Alvi demanded releasing the former prime minister, the supremacy of law in the country and returning the party’s mandate. Alvi further said that his party
could not hold the incumbent rulers who were as much “powerless” as they came into power via “Form 47” and didn’t have “authority” to make decisions. Yesterday, he said that his party would hold dialogue with the one who has real power to make decisions. He remarked this while responding to a question about the impression that the incarcerated ousted PM, who was removed from power via a parliamentary vote in April 2022, was not in favour of holding dialogue with his political opponents to bring stability to the country.
Imran rejected deal offer, not to leave country at any cost: Dr Alvi FAISALABAD
STAFF REPORT
Former president and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday claimed that the incarcerated party founder Imran Khan is being told to “strike a deal and leave the country”. Alvi, while talking to journalists in Faisalabad on Wednesday, said that Khan rejected the offer and decided not to leave the country “at any cost”. The former president predicted that those who were colluding to sentence the former premier
five-day visit to China, appreciated the innovative operations of Huawei and urged the company to increase its investment in Pakistan. The prime minister, who later held a bilateral meeting with Chairman Liang Hua along with his delegation, appreciated the Safe City projects executed by Huawei in Pakistan and invited the company to invest in the projects, particularly in the cities where the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects were being executed.
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port in times of need, be it during conflicts, natural disasters, or on global platforms.
Supreme Court summons 34 TV channels for airing Vawda, Kamal’s anti judiciary speeches
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ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued contempt notices to 34 TV channels for airing ‘anti-judiciary press conferences’ by Senator Faisal Vawda and MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal. A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the contempt case against Kamal and Vawda on Wednesday. In May, both politicians held press conferences criticizing the judiciary. Vawda emphasized the need for evidence before making allegations, while Kamal called for ethical standards for judges. The court issued show-cause notices to both leaders and directed Pemra to submit video recordings and transcripts of their press conferences. During the hearing, Barrister Farogh Naseem, representing Kamal, requested acceptance of his client’s unconditional apology, explaining that Kamal referred to pending usury cases. CJP Isa inquired if those cases were before the Federal Shariat Court and expressed dismay at the abusive language used. CJP Isa clarified that the notice was about criticism against the judiciary, not personal criticism. Justice Saadat noted Vawda’s explicit targeting of specific judges. CJP Isa criticized media channels for broadcasting obscene language and questioned Pemra’s ban on reporting court proceedings. The court issued notices to 34 TV channels and instructed them to respond within two weeks, also requesting Pemra’s response on the reporting ban. The SC rejected Kamal’s apology and urged his counsel to hold a press conference expressing remorse. The bench accepted Vawda’s counsel’s request to reconsider his reply, adjourning the case until June 28. Vawda requested the court withdraw the contempt notice, noting other politicians had made similar remarks without facing consequences. He emphasized his respect for the judiciary and pleaded for the withdrawal of the show-cause notice.
PM Modi set to take oath for 3rd time on June 8 as allies pledge support ISLAMABAD
MARIAM ZERMINA
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be sworn-in for a record-equalling third term on June 8, after key allies pledged their continued support a day after a humbling election verdict that saw his party lose its majority in parliament. Modi, a populist who has dominated Indian politics since coming to power in 2014, will for the first time need the support of regional allies whose loyalties have wavered over the years, which could complicate the government’s reform agenda. On Wednesday, Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) agreed with coalition allies to form a government. “We all unanimously choose respected National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader Narendra Modi as our leader,” the BJP-issued alliance statement read. “The NDA government under the lead-
ership of Modi is committed to serving the poor, women, youth, farmers and exploited, deprived and oppressed citizens of India.” Earlier in the day, two allies in his NDA coalition, the Telugu Desam Party, a key regional player in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, and the Janata Dal (United) which rules the northern state of Bihar, had pledged their support. “We are with the NDA, I will be attending the meeting in Delhi today,” Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the TDP, told reporters, referring to a meeting of the BJP-led alliance scheduled to take place later in the day. The federal cabinet met on Wednesday morning and recommended the dissolution of parliament, a constitutional formality before Modi can form a new government. Modi and his new cabinet were scheduled to be swornin on Saturday, local media reported. The NDA won 293 seats in the 543member lower house of parliament, more than the 272 needed to form a government. Modi’s BJP won 240 seats on its own, a
weakened verdict which could slow India’s fiscal tightening, ratings agency Moody’s said. The TDP won 16 seats and other allies won the rest of the NDA total. The opposition INDIA alliance led by
Rahul Gandhi’s centrist Congress party won 230 seats, more than forecast. Congress alone won 99, almost double the 52 it won in 2019 — a surprise jump that is expected to boost Gandhi’s standing. The weakened majority for Modi’s alliance could pose challenges for the more ambitious elements of the government’s reform agenda, ratings agency Fitch said. However, it added: “Despite the slimmer majority, we do expect broad policy continuity to persist, with the government retaining its focus on its capex push, ease of doing business measures, and gradual fiscal consolidation.” The election outcome unnerved investors, with stocks falling steeply on Tuesday, since Modi would have to depend on disparate regional parties whose political loyalties have wavered over the years. Rural setbacks With the party losing most ground in rural areas, investors say land and labour reforms, that had been expected to unlock value and
growth, will probably fall by the wayside. Newspapers said Modi’s halo had dimmed, with the Indian Express’s banner headline reading “India gives NDA a third term, Modi a message”. Modi’s own victory in his seat of Varanasi, considered one of the holiest cities for Hindus, was subdued, with his margin of victory down from nearly 500,000 votes at the last general election in 2019 to a little over 150,000. But this reduced victory may not necessarily mean reform paralysis, the chairman of a government finance panel, Arvind Panagariya, said in an editorial in the Economic Times newspaper. “Despite the reduced majority in parliament, the necessary reforms are entirely feasible. Delivering sustained growth at [an] accelerated pace can only strengthen the government’s hand in the coming years,” he said. The INDIA alliance was also expected to meet on Wednesday in New Delhi, and discuss a future course of action.