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INVESTMENT IN YOUTH, SMES CRUCIAL FOR PAKISTAN’S SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRESS: PM
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Friday, 20 December, 2024 I 17 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446
PM SHEHBAZ EMPHASIZES INVESTING IN g UNDERSCORES ENHANCED TRANSPORT YOUTH ‘SERVED AS A BLUEPRINT’ FOR CONNECTIVITY AMONG D-8 MEMBER STATES FOR COLLECTIVE PROSPERITY IN 21ST CENTURY BUILDING EFFICIENT INTRA-TRADE CORRIDORS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 164 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
can build inclusive and robust economies that are ready for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.” During his address, the premier highlighted that the government PM’s Youth
Programme had distributed “over 600,000 laptops to high achievers”. Referring to the PM’s Youth Business and Agricultural Loan Scheme, PM Shehbaz said the government had disbursed
“billions in loans enabling young Pakistanis to start and scale their own businesses”. “Today’s summit offers the D-8 countries a valuable opportunity to share best practices, pool resources and create programmes that support youth and small [and] medium enterprises across borders,” he said. The prime minister also mentioned the government’s efforts to empower the IT sector, noting that Pakistan was home to “one of the largest freelance communities in the world”. “We are focusing on IT trainings at a mass scale to equip our youth with the necessary tools to connect with the digital world and capitalise on the opportunities, with the aim to enable job-seekers to become job-creators,” he said. “Connectivity is a force multiplier and is rightly hailed as a vehicle for peace and prosperity as emphasised in the Dhaka declaration earlier in 2021,” the premier highlighted.
ISLAMABAD
nal ties in all areas of mutual interest, particularly trade and economy, energy, security and regional connectivity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized on utilizing the vast scope in bilateral trade and economic cooperation by identifying new sectors through various existing institutional mechanisms. In order to develop and improve livelihood of border regions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed on the importance to operationalize border markets, which have already been inaugurated and work on the inauguration of
remaining markets. The two leaders also highlighted the mutual support extended by the two countries on each other’s core issues and reaffirmed commitment to remain closely engaged on all matters of regional and global significance. Both leaders showed grave concern at the genocide of innocent Palestinians by Israel and agreed to continue raising voice for the oppressed Palestinians. The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with their brothers and sisters from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
ISLAMABAD/CAIRO STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, while speaking at the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries in Cairo, emphasized that investing in youth was “crucial” for Pakistan’s socioeconomic development and progress. The year’s summit, being held from December 18 to 19, is themed as “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy”. Addressing the summit, PM Shehbaz said: “For Pakistan, investing in youth and supporting SMEs (small and medium enterprises) is crucial for our socioeconomic development and progress. “With over 60 percent of our population under the age of 30, we possess a fountain of potential for innovation and growth,” he added. However, the premier noted, “unlocking this potential requires providing the right skills, opportunities, and financial resources”. Founded in 1997 in Istanbul, the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, also known as Developing-8, is an organisation for development cooperation among Egypt, Nigeria, Turkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iran, and Malaysia. Noting that the theme of today’s summit pertained to investing in youth, PM Shehbaz emphasised it “served as a blueprint for collective prosperity in the 21st century”. He termed the youth and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the “key drivers of economic development in any society”. “Youth brings energy, fresh ideas, and creativity, whereas SMEs create jobs, foster innovation, and promote entrepreneurship. By investing in both, we
PM, Iranian President reaffirm resolve to enhance ties in diverse fields STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 11th D-8 Summit here on Thursday. Both leaders hoped that the decisions taken at the D-8 Summit would pave the way for enhanced cooperation among D-8 member states in mutually beneficial areas. Both leaders expressed resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran frater-
KP CM convenes apex committee to address Kurram unrest, supply shortages PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has called a session of the provincial apex committee for Friday to review the law-and-order situation in Kurram district and the measures taken by the provincial government in response to the unrest. The session will focus on assessing the current lawand-order conditions in Kurram and will discuss the availability of essential commodities and basic necessities in the region, which has been severely affected by recent conflicts. A line of action will be decided in consultation with concerned stakeholders to bring lasting peace to the region. The Grand Jirga will provide a briefing to the session on the progress made regarding the maintenance of peace and law and order in the district. The meeting will be attended by civil and military leadership, provincial cabinet members, district administration, and other relevant officials. In recent weeks, Kurram has witnessed significant violence, with at least 130 deaths and 186 injuries due to skirmishes and firing incidents. Residents have reported severe shortages of vital supplies, including oil, food, and medicines, due to the prolonged closure of roads and main highways. According to police reports, clashes took place in several villages, including Kalu Kunj, Badshah Kot, and Bagan Bazar in Lower Kurram. Armed individuals attacked vehicles traveling in and out of the region, leading to the deaths of 38 people and leaving several others in critical condition.
Civil disobedience movement to begin Sunday if ‘legitimate demands’ not met: Imran ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan on Thursday warned that the first phase of the party’s civil disobedience movement — boycotting remittances — would be set in motion from December 22 if his “legitimate demands” were not met by the government. A statement issued on the incarcerated ex-premier’s X account on Thursday shared the “important message” from Imran. Reiterating the demands, the statement said the first phase comprising boycotting remittances would begin from Sunday if Imran’s demands were not met. “We will appeal to Pakistanis living abroad that the situation in Pakistan is evident to you; democracy, the judiciary, and the media have been stifled, and a period of oppression and fascism is ongoing. Therefore, we urge you to start the boycott of remittances.” Earlier this month, the former prime minister had warned of a civil disobedience movement from Dec 14 if his demands about the release of political prisoners facing trial and the formation of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023, and November 26
were unmet. His sister Aleema Khanum had said on Tuesday that Imran had warned that he would ask overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances if the government failed to meet his demands. A day ago, PTI lawyer Chaudhry Faisal Hussain said that Imran had asked the party leadership to wait till Sunday before going ahead with the campaign. The PTI founder’s purported statement said that the party’s offer for negotiations was ridiculed and it was framed as if the PTI had surrendered. It added that the offer for talks and delaying the civil disobedience movement was made in the “broader national interest”. “If the government shows no interest, we will not force negotiations upon them. Our offer should never be seen as a sign of our weakness. If the government still wants to prevent the civil disobedience movement, they must contact us regarding our two demands or convince us that these demands are unconstitutional and cannot be addressed. “I have invited a negotiation team for a meeting in jail and provided their names. Now, we will see whether the government allows them to meet with me or not,” the statement said.
Imran calls PTI’s negotiation team to Adiala Jail Earlier, the incarcerated PTI founder on Thursday summoned all seven members of a committee he set up for negotiation with government to meet him at Adiala Jail. The committee includes key figures such as Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, KhyberPakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Hamid Khan, Advocate Salman Akram Raja, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, and Hamid Raza Khan. PTI’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, submitted a formal request to Adiala Jail authorities for the meeting. The move comes amid increasing political tensions in Pakistan, with Imran Khan issuing an ultimatum to the government, demanding the fulfilment of his two major demands by Sunday. Failing this, Imran Khan has threatened to initiate a civil disobedience movement. PTI talks dependent on Nawaz Sharif’s approval: Rana Sanaullah Rana Sanaullah, Prime Minister’s adviser and senior PML-N leader, announced that any negotiations with PTI will depend on Nawaz Sharif’s approval, with the establishment also being consulted.
Kh Asif concedes corruption devouring Pakistan, calls it major obstacle to progress SIALKOT
STAFF REPORT
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a frank admission on Thursday, acknowledged the severe and growing problem of corruption in Pakistan, describing it as a destructive force that is stalling the country’s development. In an address to industrialists at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Asif stated that corruption has become deeply embedded within Pakistan’s institutions, undermining any efforts to push the country forward. He further added that even a modest reduction of 50% in corruption could eliminate the need for Pakistan to rely on International Monetary Fund (IMF) support. “As things stand, Pakistan is suffering from a disease of corruption, a problem that has become one of the greatest barriers to our economic and social progress,” the Defence Minister said. “If we manage to curb corruption even by half, we wouldn’t need to approach institutions like the IMF for assistance.” Asif’s speech highlighted the deep-rooted nature of corruption within Pakistan’s governance structures. He raised concerns over the alarming scale of bribes within key institutions, pointing to customs officials who were allegedly accepting bribes worth Rs 400 to 500 million. Asif emphasized that such systemic corruption was not limited to the public sector, warning that Pakistan’s moral fabric is being eroded due to the lack of distinction between right and wrong. Quoting former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, Asif highlighted a shocking incident where a bureaucrat reportedly amassed Rs 4 billion from wedding “salami,” a practice where a payment is made as a form of customary gift during weddings. “Corruption has penetrated every level of society and is eating away our country like termites,” Asif remarked, calling on all sectors of society to unite against this systemic issue. The Defence Minister also touched upon recent economic measures, noting that Pakistan’s central bank had reduced the policy rate by 9% in just a few months.
IHC suspends Pemra’s ISPR approval rule for defence analysts on TV ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) notification on defence analysts to obtain approval from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) prior to appearing on TV channels. The court heard the case regarding the PEMRA notification, which stipulated that only retired officers of the armed forces could participate in TV programs, provided they received prior permission from ISPR. The notification, issued in 2019, had drawn criticism for placing restrictions on retired defence personnel’s media participation. During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Babar Sattar issued a written order against the notification, noting that PEMRA’s legal counsel did not appear in court. An associate lawyer, citing the illness of a senior counsel, requested a postponement. Based on the arguments presented during the hearing, the court decided to suspend the PEMRA notification. The IHC further stated that the suspension of the notification would remain in place until the final decision in the case. Following the hearing, the court adjourned the case until February 11. Earlier in September, the IHC had sought clarification on why the military’s media wing, the ISPR, had considered it a special privilege to determine defence analysts presenting the viewpoints on TV channels. Justice Babar Sattar had issued a written order regarding the hearing of a case, challenging a Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) notification that restricted defence analysis on TV channels to only retired military officers. The court had also sought the original records and inquired about the basis of Pemra’s notification. It had also asked the defence ministry to clarify the legal standing of the ISPR and why the ISPR deemed the designation of defence analysts as its exclusive authority.
US accuses Pakistan of developing missiles that eventually could hit US WASHINGTON
STAFF REPORT
A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets outside of South Asia, including the United States. Deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Islamabad’s conduct raised “real questions” about its intentions. “Candidly, it’s hard for us to see Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States,” Finer said in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The latest statement comes only a day after the US State Department said it was imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, targeting four entities that it said were contributing to the proliferation or delivery of such weapons. The statement, issued on the State Department’s website, said that the decision was taken “in light of the continuing prolif-
eration threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development”. It added that the four entities were being designated for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targeted proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. “Pakistan’s National Development Complex – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and has worked to acquire items to advance Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise – which have worked to supply equipment and missile‐applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long range missile program – are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 Section 1(a)(ii) for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering
such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan,” read the statement. However, Islamabad reacted strongly to the development, terming the the decision as “biased” and stressing that the step from the US has “dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond”. “Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement. The Foreign Office stressed that the county’s strategic programme is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership, adding that the sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised. In September this year, Washington tar-
geted five entities and one individual with sanctions, which were involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and controlling missile equipment and technology to Pakistan. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller alleged that the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had worked with Pakistan to pro-
cure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems and potentially for larger systems. However, Pakistan categorically dismissed “unilateral” US sanctions on technology companies allegedly linked to the country’s ballistic missile programme, calling them “unfair, unfounded, and uncalled-for”.