In partnership with
Profit
PM EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER INFLATION RATE DROP; ECONOMIC STABILITY Monday, 2 September, 2024 I | 27 Safar, 1446
P g
SAYS 'CONSUMER PRICE INDEX' FELL TO RECORD LOW IN JULY 2024
g
ISLAMABAD
REITERATES GOVT'S RESOLVE TO PURSUE POLICY OF ECONOMIC REFORMS
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed his satisfaction over the nosediving of inflation rate in the country and the indicators of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, showing a decline in the inflation rate. The prime minister said that ‘Consumer Price Index’ fell to record low in July 2024, bringing inflation to 11 percent and welcomed the economists; forecast of further decline in inflation in the current month of September. “After Fitch, the global rating agency, Moody’s recently upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating, which is an acknowledgement of country’s positive economic indicators by the international financial institutions,” PM Office Media
Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister as saying.
Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 57 I 40 Pages I Karachi Edition
The prime minister further said that the government was pursuing a policy of
economic reforms and the implementation work was rapidly in progress over the right-sizing policy of the government which he himself was monitoring. He expressed the confidence that its positive impact on the economy would be visible soon. The prime minister also acknowledged that the federal and Punjab governments had provided a big relief to the electricity consumers in respect of monthly bills, adding the prices of petroleum products were further reduced from today. The prime minister said that the government believed in passing on all the benefits of such policies to the common man. The economy was moving towards stability owing to the hard work of the government’s economic and financial team, he added. He said the government was cognizant of the issues of the people and was striving day and night to resolve them.
Imran Khan’s Oxford chancellor bid labeled ‘affront to women’ in letter to the Guardian ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has faced significant backlash over his nomination for the position of Oxford University Chancellor. In a letter published in the Observer section of The Guardian, critics have described Khan as a supporter of the Taliban and labeled his candidacy as an insult to women. The letter argues that Khan’s nomination contradicts the values and traditions of Oxford University, questioning whether some-
one who has supported the Taliban, endorsed restrictions on women’s education, and referred to Osama bin Laden as a martyr should be considered for such a prestigious role. It also highlights Khan’s past controversial remarks about women’s attire, suggesting that his candidacy disrespects both current and former female graduates of the university. Further, the letter contends that Khan’s nomination would likely be favored by the Taliban and their sympathizers, making it particularly troubling. Instead, the letter endorses Lady Elish Angiolini as a more suitable candidate for the position. Angiolini, praised for her non-po-
litical stance and commitment to making the university more accessible to underprivileged students, is presented as a respected and preferable choice for Oxford’s Chancellor. The author of the letter draws a comparison between Khan and Andrew Tate, a social media influencer known for his problematic views on women, and questions Khan’s availability for the role given his current 14-year prison sentence. The letter also criticizes Khan’s past praise of China amidst allegations of human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims and challenges his stance on freedom of expression, suggesting it contradicts the values upheld by the university.
Pakistan trashes India’s stance on Kashmir, terming it ‘dangerously delusional’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Sunday reiterated that the Kashmir dispute is internationally-recognised issue and it must be resolved according to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The statement came in an apparent response to recent comments by India’s Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar, on Jammu and Kashmir. “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is an internationally recognised dispute that must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Res-
olution of this unresolved conflict is pivotal to peace and stability in South Asia,” Baloch said on Sunday. Jaishankar, speaking on Friday, had stated, “I think the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences, and insofar as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I think Article 370 is done.” He further added, “The issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan. What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or negative direction, either way, we will react.” In her response, Baloch firmly rejected any notion that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been or could be settled unilaterally. “Such claims are not only misleading but
dangerously delusional, as they blatantly disregard the on-ground realities. India’s unilateral actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) cannot and will not change this reality,” she said. Baloch emphasised that while Pakistan remains committed to diplomacy and dialogue, it will respond with resolve to any hostile actions. “True peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through a settlement in accordance with UNSC resolutions and the inalienable rights of the Kashmiri people,” she stated. Pakistan called on India to abandon its “provocative rhetoric and baseless assertions” about IIOJK and engage in meaningful dialogue for a just and lasting resolution of the Kashmir dispute to ensure durable peace in the region.
lighting that he wasn’t part of the team assigned to talk to the PkMAP chairman, said that he was not in favour of any such dialogue with the former ruling party. Elaborating on his meeting with the NA speaker, Barrister Gohar clarified that there was no discussion on dialogue. “No PTI member parliament is in contact with the PML-N leader-
ship over talks […] neither the PTI’s parliamentary leadership hasn’t held any negotiations with the PML-N and nor do [we] have such wish,” the PTI chairman said. Separately however, the publication has reported the PTI chief saying: “We have not been told by anyone but the formation of a government committee for negotiations is a good thing.”
ISLAMABAD
decision, we will support him on national issues,” Gillani stated. He underscored the importance of unity among political parties to address national security concerns, stressing that positions and offices come and go, but the nation must remain strong and united. Gillani also addressed the youth, advising them not to be misguided and reminding them that their honour is tied to Pakistan’s existence. He further noted that Pakistan’s status as a nuclear power is secure, with its constitution, courts, and institutions firmly in place.
PTI chief rebukes talks offer, says no dialogue with PML-N ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Rebuking reports suggesting an indirect dialogue with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that his party hasn’t offered any talks to the incumbent ruling party. “The PTI neither offered to engage in talks [with the ruling party] nor sought any favours [from them],” Barrister Gohar said while speaking to Geo News on Sunday. The PTI chairman added that only matters pertaining to the National Assembly were discussed during their meeting with NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The PTI chief’s remarks come in the wake of reports backing the prospects of dialogue between the Imran Khan-founded party and its archrival the PML-N. A day earlier, two senior PMLN leaders — Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif — expressed their opposition to the prospects of talks with the PTI wherein the former conditioned it with the issuance of an apology by Khan’s party for allegedly staging last year’s May 9 violent protests. Meanwhile, Asif, while high-
Gilani urges political dialogue with PTI STAFF REPORT
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani on Sunday called for dialogue among all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emphasising the need for national unity during challenging times. Speaking to the media, the former prime minister highlighted the critical role of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to lead the talks and make decisive moves. “Shehbaz Sharif is the captain of the team and must take the necessary decisions. If he makes any
IN TODAY’S ISSUE
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
Govt summons owners of six IPPs for questioning over alleged undue profits irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The government has called around six owners of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to Islamabad on Monday, September 2, for questioning and to provide evidence regarding alleged undue profits. BR reported, citing sources, that the investigation into Independent Power Producers (IPPs) reaches its final stages and the Shehbaz-led coalition government is also using similar tactics employed by the previous administration in 2021 to apply pressure on IPPs. Initially, teams gathered records from various plants, followed by questioning senior IPP executives in different cities. Now, the owners are being summoned to Islamabad for further discussions. Sources indicate that this exercise aims to persuade IPP owners to support the country by agreeing to revised contract terms, given the current high electricity prices, which are proving unsustainable for industry and consumers alike. In the first phase, IPPs established under the 1994, 2002, and 2006 policies have been presented with discrepancies in their documentation and the significant profits they have earned, which has reportedly unsettled many owners. Despite assurances from Energy Minister Leghari that the government will not unilaterally alter IPP contracts, concerns remain about the use of pressure tactics to compel IPP owners to accept the terms proposed by negotiators. Energy sector investors are concerned that the government’s approach may negatively impact investment.