Issuu

Friday, 22 april, 2022 I 20 Ramzan, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII no 294 I 12 Pages I Karachi edition

Nawaz Sharif accuSeS imraN KhaN for PaKiStaN’S ecoNomic meSS

LONDON

Staff RepoRt

ML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif berated ex-prime minister Imran Khan for backtracking on every promise and said the PTI chairman broke the back of Pakistan’s economy, so there was no reason for a foreign conspiracy against him. “Were you involved in holding an atomic blast? Why will there be a foreign conspiracy against you?” Nawaz asked ousted premier Khan as he addressed a press conference alongside PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in London. Nawaz — who was removed by the Supreme Court from the prime minister’s office in 2017 — said during the PML-N’s government, the country’s economy was moving in the right direction. “But now we will have to repair the damage done to the economy,” Nawaz said as he stressed that ousting Khan from power was crucial for the country’s development.

He also claimed that there has never been such a hostile political environment in Pakistan as there was during PTI’s tenure. “Khan promoted the culture of hooliganism and immorality.” Noting that there was an enormous challenge facing the new government, he called for joint efforts from all the parties to resolve Pakistan’s issues. “We need to work together as Pakistan saw the worst of times during the four years that Imran Khan was in power […] he took U-turns on everything and always did the opposite of what he vowed to,” Nawaz said. Taking a jibe at the PTI chairman, Nawaz said that Khan had claimed that he would take his own life before approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial support. “But we did not see him take his own life till now,” he said. Concluding his bit, Nawaz thanked Bilawal for visiting him at the office and also informed journalists that they would hold another meeting tomorrow — but provided no de-

tails about it. ‘ConSPIRaCy HatCHeD at tHe BIlawal HoUSe’: Speaking to journalists in London, Bilawal said the coalition government would try to once again work towards the restoration of democracy in the country. “There was no foreign conspiracy against Imran Khan, it was a democratic conspiracy […] It was not White House, but a conspiracy hatched at the Bilawal House,” he said. He claimed that Nawaz’s sacrifices for democracy were evident before everyone and noted that he came to meet the PML-N supremo today as once everyone is on the same page, only then can they resolve Pakistan’s issues. “PML-N and PPP will solve Pakistan’s issues once they are on the same page,” he said, asking all the institutions to remain within their constitutional parameters. Bilawal called the removal of Imran Khan as the prime minister a “historical” incident, adding that his party and PML-N have made history together in the past. Talking about the efforts of both the parties in overthrowing the former prime minister’s government, Bilawal said that it took three to four years for the joint Opposition to end the rule of the erstwhile “selected government” in a constitutional way through a no-confidence motion. “We did not involve judiciary or any other institution to remove Imran Khan from power,” said the PPP chairman. “We took a democratic step against the PM who was sitting in the prime minister’s chair undemocratically.” He went on to say that the PPP and PML-N’s support is as important as it was during the time of the Charter of Democracy (COD).

Rectify your mistake by holding immediate elections: Imran Khan LAHORE Mian abRaR

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Thursday called for immediate fresh elections, failing which he would lead a march on Islamabad against ‘imported government’. “Whosoever has made a mistake must now correct it with forcing early elections,” said Khan Addressing a charged mammoth public gatehring at Minar-e-Pakistan ground. Khan announced to launch a movement for true freedom of Pakistan. He called upon all the people of Pakistan including the workers of the opposition parties to mobilise people to launch a march on Islamabad. “I don’t want any confrontation with anyone. Unlike others, I live and die in my country. Pakistan army and police are our own institutions. Pakistan is strong and intact due to our armed forces who have sacrificed and foiled all conspiracies of the enemy. We don’t want confrontation with anyone but we would not accept this imported government,” warned Imran Khan. Khan blamed a foreign conspiracy to oust him from power was due to his warming up with China and Russia which he pursued

Govt alleges Imran Khan spent Rs980m on air travel from PM House to Bani Gala ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed on Thursday that former prime minister Imran Khan incurred expenses of Rs980 million by travelling back and forth from the Prime Minister House to his private residence in Bani Gala via helicopter. The newly appointed minister made the claim while addressing a press conference in Islamabad where she lambasted the PTI chairman for paying a fraction of the actual price to retain gifts from the Toshakhana. Shortly after the presser, the minister released an official breakdown of the helicopter expenses allegedly incurred by Imran. According to the detailed breakdown of expenses, the total expenditure from June 2018 to March 2022 was Rs984m — Rs512m for maintenance and Rs472m for “expenditure during flight”. The helicopter was used for a total of 2,723 flying hours from August 2018 to March 2022 with an average cost of Rs275,000 per hour. During her press conference, the information minister called on Khan to provide the money trail for the gifts retained from the Toshakhana and accused him of retaining a watch, a pair of cufflinks and a ring at an even lower price than what was being

claimed. “Where is the money trail for the gifts you (Imran) retained? Give the money trail for the Rs30 million you paid in one installment to retain these three things,” she said. Aurangzeb said Imran’s income records with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) did not reflect that he was in possession of the money he paid to retain the gifts. Reiterating her demand for a money trail, she said that it was no longer a matter of Imran’s “personal choice”. “For 40 years, you asked for others to provide records and receipts

of dead parents and deceased [relatives]. Now, Imran Khan sahab you will have to give receipts.” Established in 1974, Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states and foreign dignitaries as a goodwill gesture. It has valuables ranging from bulletproof cars, gold-plated souvenirs, expensive paintings to watches, ornaments, rugs and swords. Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had [accused][1] Imran of sell-

ing expensive gifts received from foreign states, including a wristwatch by Saudi Arabia, in Dubai. PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry had downplayed the matter, saying that “selling one’s own assets (after purchasing them from Toshakhana) is not a crime”. Imran had also addressed the topic in an [interaction with journalists][2] on Monday, saying that he had bought a gift from a foreign president at 50 per cent of its price. The information minister pushed back against the claim in her press conference today, saying that a watch, a pair of cufflinks and a ring were retained at 20pc of their original price instead of 50pc. “What Imran Khan is saying at this time is again a lie. Tell the people that you retained [the watch] at 20pc [of its value] and sold it for Rs180m.” The information minister said that while the Toshakhana items were gifts given to the prime minister and could be retained, they could not have been sold at “four times their price”. Aurangzeb alleged that Imran had made the prime minister’s seat “a seat for business.” She said Khan’s total income and assets were Rs141m while the income from retaining Toshakhana gifts during his stint as prime minister was Rs142m.

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in the interest of the people of Pakistan. Imran Khan said that he went to Russia just to watch the interest of people of Pakistan because Russia offered Pakistan petroleum products and wheat on 30 percent discounted prices. Khan also said that while India despite being a strategic ally of the US had refused to US diktat and was getting oil from Russia on cheaper rates, Pakistan would also not remain subservient to the western pressure. Not only the Minar-e-Pakistan was pack to capacity, drone footage showed people had packed roads and nearby overhead bridge. Traffic had chocked major roads leading to the Minar-e-Pakistan while PTI also leveled allegations that roads had been blocked on purpose leading to the Minar-e-Pakistan. He said that the country’s GDP was growing at 5.6 percent while the revenue and exports had also hit record highs. He said the country’s foreign remittances also were unprecedented high and the country was progressing despite Covid-19 Pandemic. He said that his government had taken drastic steps to help the farming community which resulted into bumper crops of wheat, rice, cotton, potatoes and maize.

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more inside

Response to Dadu fire was ‘very slow’, admits Sindh CM STORY ON PAGE 02

JIT visits Mehar village to inquire into deadly blaze STORY ON PAGE 03

Miftah departs for US to meet IMF officials for revival of loan facility STORY ON BACK PAGE

PM withdraws foreign affairs portfolio from Tariq Fatemi STORY ON BACK PAGE

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

ReSPoNSe To DADu FIRe wAS ‘veRy SLow’, ADMITS SINDh CM

NewS DeSk

INDH Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday admitted that the response to the village fire in Dadu district on April 18 was “very slow” and said that a committee has been formed to investigate the tragic incident. Nine children were burnt to death and more than 20 other men and women suffered severe burns when a fire raged through Faiz Mohammad Daryani Chandio village and reduced all 50 houses and everything

present inside to ashes. Around 150 buffaloes, cows, goats and other animals also perished in the fire. Talking to journalists in Islamabad, the CM said that the fire brigade of the municipality closest to the village was damaged because of which fire tenders had to be mobilised from other areas. “I admit that the response was very slow and whoever is responsible [will be punished]. Our job is to provide immediate relief to people.” He said that the Sindh government would construct houses for the victim families and a survey would be

conducted in this regard. Earlier, the chief minister appeared before an accountability court (AC) in Nooriabad Power Project case. The court postponed the indictment of the CM till May 30. Talking about the case outside the court, Shah said it is a baseless and fabricated reference against him, adding that the power plant is generating electricity at cheaper rates and supplying to K-Electric. To a question, he said Imran Khan was ousted from the office because he had lost majority in the Parliament.

NAB recovered Rs584 billion during past four years ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday refuted reports of zero recovery by the accountability watchdog during last four years and said that it has recovered Rs584 billion during the period. In a statement issued today, the NAB said that it has directly recovered an amount of Rs460 billion from major housing societies while recovery of 140 million

Four TTP terrorists gunned down in Bannu crossfire

Police recover another girl from Sanghar in raid for Dua Zehra’s recovery

PeSHAwAR

kARACHI

INp

Staff RepoRt

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Police on Thursday said that they have gunned down four terrorists in a crossfire in Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The security personnel recovered arms and ammunition from their procession. According to a spokesperson of the CTD, the terrorists were killed during an operation in Bannu. The CTD spokesperson said that they were involved in terrorist activities, target killings, explosions and attacks on security forces. The dead terrorists include Noor Muhammad a wanted terrorist with Rs1.5m bounty on his head. The bodies were shifted to the district hospital in Bannu. Earlier, the CTD Sunday said it had killed at least five terrorists during an encounter in the Bannu.

Police on Thursday carried out a raid in Sanghar for the recovery of 14-year-old Dua Zehra who went missing outside her home in Karachi, only to find another girl who was forcefully kept there. The police while detailing the raid said that another minor girl was found during the raid and they are now gathering details regarding her identity and the city she belonged to. “The raid was carried out on secret information regarding presence of Dua Zehra,” they said and added that the authorities will record statement from the girl found during Sanghar raid. The father of a 14-year-old girl Dua Zehra Kazmi who has been allegedly abducted from Alfalah area of Karachi’s Shah Faisal Colony yesterday revealed that he has received ransom calls. “I do not have enmity with anyone,” the father said while revealing that he had received two calls for ransom. “One of the call was made from a telephone number while another one was made from WhatsApp,” he said. The father further said that he has provided police with details of the numbers. “I do not have enmity with anyone and even my daughter was not going to school for the last one and a half year,” he said. Meanwhile, a team of anti-violent crime cell (AVCC)

PTI claims MPA Asia was ‘tortured’ by PML-N lawmakers during PA chaos NewS DeSk The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that their MPA Asia Amjad, who went into coma on Wednesday, was “tortured” by the police and PML-N “goons” during the chaos that took place at the Punjab Assembly (PA) on April 16, when election for the chief minister was held. Amjad was rushed to a private hospital in Lahore earlier this week after her health deteriorated and was later moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In a tweet on Wednesday, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri blamed the PML-N and Punjab police for Amjad’s condition. “Member PA Asia Amjad was tortured by goons of the ‘bhikari’ league and police in the Punjab Assembly.” “She is in coma on ventilator since the last 30 hours … Doctors say there’s a blood clot in her brain. Special prayers are requested from all of you for her recovery,” Suri tweeted. Former Punjab government spokesperson Hassan Khawar also tweeted that Amjad was in hospital because of “police violence called by the PA deputy speaker during the assembly session”. “It is hoped that the esteemed judiciary and institutions will take notice of this incident and bring justice to Asia Amjad and her family,” he added. According to media reports, Amjad had been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure conditions for a long period and was moved to the hospital after her blood and sugar levels shot up, creating a clot in her brain.

Pounds from London were also made owing to accountability watchdog’s efforts. “An audit of all recoveries and expenses have already been carried out by Auditor General of Pakistan,” it said and added, “The NAB has also presented the record before the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.” The watchdog further said that cases against top suspects are already being proceeded in trial or appellate courts while 1405 suspects have been

convicted after successful trial so far. “Legal action will be taken against those spreading baseless reports.” On April 14, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have no affiliation with anyone except with Pakistan, Chairman NAB Javed Iqbal said. In a media talk after attending the Public Accounts Committee session, NAB chief said the anti-graft watchdog has nothing to do with the political engineering. Commenting on any amendment in the NAB law, he urged for amendment in the national interest and not in the personal interest of someone. “He is a former prime minister and respectable for me,” Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said on a question about Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The NAB chief avoided to comment over a query when he was asked about his likely resignation from the office after fall of Imran Khan’s government.

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

also met with the father of Dua Zehra. AVCC SSP Zubair Nazir Shaikh said that they have formed three teams working on obtaining CCTVs to trace the suspects. “We are taking all measures for the recovery of the girl and are in touch with the family to gather all information surrounding her abduction,” he said and added, “A case has already been registered at Alfalah police station.” It is pertinent to mention here that a 14year-old girl went missing in Karachi’s Alfalah Town, police said on Tuesday. They said the girl has been missing for the last three days. There has been no clue to her whereabouts since she stepped out of her house to dispose of garbage, they added.

SC dismisses customs appeal against Czech model in drug case ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

A Supreme Court bench on Wednesday dismissed the Customs appeal in drug smuggling case against Czech model Tereza Hluskova after summary hearing. “Did the customs had sent the samples of heroin recovered from the accused to lab according to the law,” Justice Ijazul Ahsan questioned while hearing the case. “The trial court had declared dispatch of the samples lawful,” Customs lawyer replied. “The accused destined to fly out to Czech Republic on April 23,” the lawyer further said. “The name of the accused can be added to the ‘stop list’ if the case have substantial grounds,” Justice Ahsan remarked. The apex court bench upheld the high court’s acquittal decision of Czech model Tereza Hluskova. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had yesterday stopped Hluskova from travelling abroad in drug smuggling case. The Czech national was sentenced to eight years and eight months in jail by a sessions court in April 2019. She was arrested at Lahore airport for attempting to smuggle heroin from Pakistan to Abu Dhabi on January 10, 2018. The high court acquitted her last year in November and was released from prison the same month. Customs counsel yesterday stated before the court that Tereza Hluskova was sentenced to eight years in prison by the trial court for smuggling drugs and was later on released by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The counsel pleaded the court to stop Hluskova from going abroad as she had booked her flight for April 23. A two-judge bench of the high court, headed by

Saudi Arabia sends 100 ton dates to Pakistan as ‘Ramadan Gift’

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, had allowed Hluskova’s appeal against the trial court’s verdict, acquitting her in the case. Earlier, the Czech woman had told investigators that she had come to Pakistan to work as a model but someone slid narcotics into her luggage. According to a case registered against her, 8.5 kilogramme of heroin was seized from her possession.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sent 100 tons of dates to Pakistan as ‘Ramadan Gift’ in continuation of its annual tradition. “The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is pleased to provide a quantity of 100 ton dates to its brothers in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the recommendation of the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” says a statement issued here by the Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The dates were handed over to the government of Pakistan here at a ceremony held in Royal embassy of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf Bin Said AlMaliki and Director King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre (Ksrelief) Dr. Khalid M. Al-Othmani.

‘Missing’ ex-army officer reaches London ‘safely’ NewS DeSk Major (r) Adil Raja, who had reportedly gone missing from Islamabad, has “safely” reached his family in the United Kingdom. In a tweet on Thursday, he sad: “There is a lot to say, but everything will be spoken about in time. After this, if my mother and loved ones are hurt even slightly, I won’t hold back.” He also shared a copy of his complaint registered with the Punjab Police stating he was given “life threats”. According to the copy, the complaint was registered on April 19. The news about the alleged disappearance of Raja, who is the former spokesman of the Pakistan Ex-Serviceman Society (PESS), first surfaced on Twitter on Wednesday when a woman, Sabine Kayani, who said she was his wife, tweeted she was unable to establish contact with him and sought people’s help to trace his whereabouts. Social media has been abuzz over the “disappearance” of the former army man since then. In one of her tweets yesterday, Kayani said some men claiming to be from the FIA raided the house of her mother-in-law while Raja was not there. “Her house is hardly 100 metres away from the Army house. Shortly after this we lost contact with my husband,” she had said. Her tweet also included a video that showed armed men standing on a staircase, purportedly outside an apartment. On Thursday afternoon, Kayani confirmed she had established contact with her husband, saying he is “fine and free”. She also thanked people for their support.

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

JIT vISITS MehAR vILLAGe To INquIRe INTo DeADLy BLAze DADU

Staff RepoRt

Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by Sindh Chief Minster visited Faiz Chandio village of Mehar taluka to inquire into the fire incident that claimed at least ten lives on Thursday. The team of officials, headed by Sindh’s

Home Secretary Saeed Ahmed Mangario inspected the village that suffered a shock of at least eight deaths in the fire incident, which could have been prevented in case of prompt action from the emergency agencies and local authorities. Another investigation team constituted by the DIG Police Hyderabad also inspected the location. The team recording statements of the affected families and local

administration officials in presence of the deputy commissioner Dadu district. Deadly fire incident has exposed the incompetence of the Sindh administration with regard to response to an emergency situation. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah today said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced financial compensation of Rs10 million to the families of Mehar fire victims.

Speaking on the tragedy, CM Murad Ali Shah admitted that the Sindh government’s response to the Mehar tragedy was slow. He also admitted that the fire tender deployed near Mehar village was out of function which caused loss of life and property. He said the Sindh government had formed the JIT to investigate the Mehar fire incident which claimed the lives of nine children and one woman.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Shah accompanied by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah on Wednesday visited the site of incident and announced relief package and investigation. As per reports, no ambulances from district headquarter Dadu, Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah reached to shift the injured and the dead. They were shifted to a local hospital in police mobiles.

UN Chinese Language Day marked in Pakistan ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

In connection with commemoration of The UN Chinese Language Day observed on 20th April annually, celebrations are solemnized with zeal and zest in Pakistan. On the occasion, Chinese Acting Consul General in Lahore Peng Zhengwu said that The UN Chinese Language Day is to pay tribute to Cangjie, who is believed to be the inventor of the Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago. “Characters and languages are the symbols of civilization. With the growing

demands of communication between peoples, Chinese language has been spread to a world-wide range,” he added. In Pakistan, he said, there are several Confucius Institutes in local universities offering Chinese language teaching and certification. “Moreover, lots of local schools, such as Aitchison College, Grammar School and Lahore American School have Chinese language courses. There are more and more people in Pakistan taking Chinese language as the key to the life and work of the coming era. With the peaceful and dynamic development of China, they believe, those who can master Chinese

ATC grants bail to Lyari gang war accused in five cases kARACHI

well will share the benefits of a stronger China and become the leaders of future generation,” he explained. He further mentioned that some Pakistani people are famous for their fluent Chinese and good way of teaching. “There are numerous Chinese courses taught in Urdu on line as well. Institute of International and Chinese universities offer hundreds of scholarships to Pakistan students every year, which facilitate them to learn Chinese language in local society”. Chinese companies prefer to recruit Chinese-speaking employees too, he said. Naveed Elahi, teaching Chinese

Federal minister ‘violates rules’, sets new trend by chairing PAC ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

NewS DeSk

An anti-terrorism court on Thursday heard five cases against Lyari gang war kingpin Uzair Baloch and co-accused Shahid MCB. The ATC approved bail of Shahid MCB in five cases and ordered him to submit surety bonds of Rs. 50,000 for bail in each case. According to the police, the accused have been charged of keeping explosives and illegal arms in possession. The cases were registered against the accused at Lyari’s Chakiwara, Kalri and Kalakot police stations. “The accused were booked in four cases in year 2012 and one case in 2021,” according to the police. Earlier, Uzair Baloch was acquitted by an ATC in kidnapping and murder case of a trader. The court acquitted Uzair Baloch and his brother Zubair Baloch in another case after the prosecution failed to present evidence against their involvement in the crime. It is pertinent to mention here that Uzair Baloch has been acquitted by courts in 18 cases against him.

Newly appointed federal minister Rana Tanveer, who is also the Public Accounts Committee chairman, set a new precedent by chairing the PAC. According to a media report, this ignited a debate as Rana Tanveer technically committed a violation of Rules and Procedure of and Conduct of the Business of National Assembly 2007, as a minister is not authorised to chair the PAC. It has been clearly stated under rule 216 of the Rules and Procedure of the Business of the National Assembly, 2007, that no federal minister can be elected as the chairman of any Standing Committee or chair any committee. Rana Tanveer had recently announced that he would continue as the chairman of the PAC till the new Public Accounts Committee is composed. However, no one from the opposition members in the PAC has raised an objection to the issue. The situation converges with the fact that there is no opposition leader in the National Assembly following the resignations of the members of the PTI, as the matter of acceptance of their resignations still hangs in the

Trade with Kyrgyzstan to help tap eurasian market: RCCI TLTP Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has called for promoting trade relations with Kyrgyzstan, saying that Kyrgyzstan is the shortest entry point of Pakistani products to the Eurasian economic market. RCCI President Nadeem Rauf said this while addressing the Kyrgyz-Pakistan Trade & Investment Forum at a local hotel in the federal capital. Rauf said that the Eurasian economic market of 182 million people comprises Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia. No doubt, there is a huge potential for bilateral trade between them in various fields, including agriculture, textile and pharmaceutical industry, he added. He said that the bilateral trade amounted to $5.9 million in 2021 with Pakistan’s exports amounting to $5.3 million and imports $600,000. There is a need to increase bilateral trade links and networking at the chamber of commerce level and suggest bilateral sector specific exhibitions on reciprocal basis. He demanded that direct flights should be launched between the two countries. The forum was organised by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the USAID Regional Office for Economic Integration, the government of Pakistan, and the chambers of commerce and industry of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The purpose of the forum was to establish and develop contacts between the business circles of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

language in Lahore said “CPEC has definitely increased the avenues of cooperation. In the 1990s, very few people in Pakistan were interested in learning Mandarin. Maybe few schools colleges were offering courses in the public and private sector. After CPEC’s commencement, there was an uptick in the number of people signing up for such courses.” He said that a large number of Chinese companies are coming to invest in Pakistan now. This will open up, he said, job opportunities in the local market. And they will definitely need young professionals who are wellversed in Mandarin.

balance despite the speaker de-sealing their resignations. When contacted, former Secretary of Public Accounts Committee Tahir Hanfi came to the rescue of Rana Tanveer, saying that there is no Leader of the Opposition as yet and that is why Rana Tanveer presided over the meeting. “In the interim, he has temporarily presided,” he said. However, he cannot examine the audit paras related to the ministry headed by him. But ideally, he should have resigned from the PAC and informed the speaker about it, the former PAC official said.

Imran Khan’s Twitter Spaces session smashes global records MANAL JAffeRy PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday evening broke all world records for addressing the largest Twitter Space Live, ahead of his PTI rally, scheduled to be held today in Lahore. Khan via Spaces, an audio live feature on Twitter, interacted with approximately 165K people from around the world who were in attendance at the Twitter live event. The address was also live-streamed on other platforms with thousands watching such as Facebook and Instagram. It was reported that approximately half a million users interacted with Imran Khan with an average of 165,000 users listening at a given time. The record was previously held by K-POP Lyrical Space with over 44,000 listeners. PTI is well known as the first mainstream political party to utilise social media effectively by formulating innovative campaigns. The party’s focus on robust social media strategies has successfully allowed it to garner support globally. Since the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly, his party has popularised the hashtag “Imported Hakumat Na-Manzoor”, the largest trend in Pakistan’s social media history as it has been tweeted over 7 million times. PTI’s official account congratulated Pakistan, as the ex-PM’s session broke the record. According to the details, it took only a couple of minutes for the former PM to make a global record on Twitter. As per the Twitter Space history of live events, former PM Imran Khan bagged the position of being the first person around the world having more than 165K listeners during a live event. Earlier, K-POP Lyrical

Space held this record by having over 44K listeners. Following his ouster as the prime minister, Imran Khan makes a strong comeback in politics as he holds public rallies across the country. His rallies in Peshawar, and later in Karachi, faced huge success as thousands came out to support him. However, as per sources, the former PM faces severe life threats as the district administration of Lahore on Wednesday wrote a letter to PTI leaders recommending that former prime minister Imran Khan should address the party’s rally virtually in light of “severe threat alerts”. In the letter, Lahore Additional Deputy Commissioner Atiyab Sultan wrote: “In light of severe threat alerts received from security agencies and as per latest intelligence assessment made at the district and provincial levels, it is recommended that ex-prime minister Imran Khan should address the public gathering virtually by video conference and LED display instead of making a physical appearance at Greater Iqbal Park, Lahore on 21-04-2022.” In light of threats, mostly listeners were concerned about his well-being and were worried about his safety and security. To which Khan replied that he would show up at Minar-i-Pakistan, no matter what. “Minar-i-Pakistan is a special place because the Pakistan resolution was presented there. Indian Muslims decided that they wanted [a] separate [home]land. We will also launch our freedom movement there. I believe a record number of people will come,” he said. The PTI leader said that he did not expect such huge crowds would come out in his support after his government was ousted earlier this month. “I had expected just five per cent of what actually came out.

1470 complaints of overseas Pakistanis resolved in last 10 weeks: Khadim Abbas LAHORe Staff RepoRt

Commissioner Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab, Syed Khadim Abbas has said that 1470 complaints of Overseas Pakistanis have been resolved during the last ten weeks. He said that Overseas Pakistanis are the national asset of our country and solution of their problems is our top priority. These views were expressed by him while presiding over a weekly performance meeting held here at OPC Punjab on Thursday. Earlier, all the dealing officers presented their weekly performance report in the meeting. The meeting was informed that a total of 1470 complaints of overseas Pakistanis have been resolved during the last ten weeks while the target of 2000 resolved complaints was set by for the three months till May 1. Most of complaints were related to the Revenue, Police, Prosecution departments and Qabza Mafia. Khadim Abbas also reviewed the resolved complaints with their ID numbers and appreciated the performance of the dealing officers. On this occasion, he said that OPC Punjab is known all over the world for providing services to overseas Pakistanis under one roof. The Commissioner clarified that Overseas Pakistanis are undoubtedly the best ambassadors of the country and OPC Punjab is their own state institution which is rendering services day and night for the expats. He said that any Overseas Pakistani can easily avail the services of OPC Punjab without any discrimination. The meeting was attended by Director General OPC Ishratullah Khan Niazi, Director Admin OPC Tanveer Majid, Director Legal OPC Raja Zubair, Director Police Matters OPC Imtiaz Ahmed, Director Revenue and PC Aslam Rame, Deputy Director Zawar and other dealing officers.

Meme fest over Ali Tareen’s presence in Imran Khan’s Twitter Spaces session ISLAMABAD MoNItoRINg RepoRt

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday night spoke at his first-ever Twitter Space session with nearly 165K people listening at one point. With rumours of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz attending the Twitter space, one of the 165K listeners was actually Ali Khan Tareen, son of PTI’s disgruntled faction’s leader Jahangir Khan Tareen. Ali’s presence did not go unnoticed as the listeners immediately spotted him in the Space and took screengrabs. Meanwhile, Pakistani memers jumped at the opportunity and produced hilarious content about Ali’s presence. However, it got more interesting when Ali himself enjoyed the meme game.

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

AJK PM sAys Modi’s iioJK visit equivAlent to rubbing sAlt on KAshMiris’ wounds MIRpUR

Staff RepoRt

EWLY-ELECTED Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan said on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was tantamount to rubbing salt on the wounds of Kashmiris. Reacting to Modi’s impending visit to occupied Srinagar, the AJK PM said that Kashmiris would mark it as a black day. Referring to the continued violence in

sharjeel Memon inducted into sindh cabinet

the restive region, the PM said that it was incumbent upon the United Nations to play its much-needed role to stop systematic genocide of Kashmiris. India, he added, had crossed all the limits of brutality and barbarism in Kashmir. Referring to enforced disappearances, killing of youth in fake encounters, the PM said that the fact that thousands of Kashmiris had been buried in mass graves stretched all across the territory speaks volumes about Indian repression and brutalities against Kashmiris. At a time when Indian occupation forces were engaged in the genocide of Kashmiris,

Staff RepoRt

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday inducted PPP leader Sharjeel Inam Memon into his cabinet. According to a notification, the Sindh government made Memon part of the provincial cabinet. However, his portfolio is yet to be announced. Reports said that Memon would be given the portfolio of information minister and he will take the oath of his ministry on Friday. “The governor Sindh has been pleased to appoint the following member [Sharjeel Inam Memon] of the provincial assembly, Sindh as provincial minister on the advice of the chief minister with immediate effect,” read the notification. Currently, Saeed Ghani has the portfolios of information minister and labour minister. Meanwhile, the Sindh chief minister de-notified Awais Qadir Shah as transport minister.

The second meeting of Pakistan-China Joint Working Group (JWG) on Science and Technology under Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was held via video link to discuss cooperation in science and technology. The meeting was co-chaired by Humaira Ahmed, Federal Secretary for Ministry of Science and Technology and Dai Gang, Director-General of Department of International Cooperation of Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The JWG meeting expressed that

China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners, and that China and Pakistan will work together to deepen cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), and provide sci-tech support for the development of CPEC. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of STI cooperation as a central pillar for the social and economic development of both countries. Executive Director of CPEC Authority appreciated the progress of CEPC and expressed hope that the deliberations of the meeting will result in initiation of some projects in the area of Science and Technology. The JWG acknowledged achievements made by Chinese Academy of Sciences and Higher Education Com-

mission (HEC) in jointly building China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. Furthermore, it commended outcomes achieved by China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) through cooperation in STEM education, China-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in science and technology. It also appreciated Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and Chinese Association of Science and technology (CAST) on the progress on Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for mutual recognition of engineers.

ISLaMaBaD

ISLaMaBaD Staff RepoRt

Mufti taqi usmani urges Afghanistan govt to reopen girls’ schools NewS DeSk Religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani has urged the Taliban government in Afghanistan to allow girls’ schools to reopen. In a letter addressed to Taliban chief Haibatullah Akhundzada, Mufti Usmani emphasised the need for educating women and for the reopening of girls’ schools in the neighbouring country. He said: “Girls’ education is currently an important issue which the enemy of the Islamic Emirate has used as a propaganda tool. We value the wise and wholehearted measures which the Islamic Emirate has taken so far. But we are of the view that it is necessary to make appropriate arrangements for girls’ education in accordance with Sharia.” Because educated women are essential for dealing with women’s issues, including medical treatment, education and welfare activities, [education is necessary] so that women and men do not mix in society, he said. “Second, there is a need to dispel the impression that Islam or the Islamic Emirate are against women. However, it is necessary to make segregated arrangements for girls’ education – separate from those for boys.” Mufti Usmani went on to say that he had heard that space was not available for setting up separate educational institutions for boys and girls.

Ahsan iqbal unhappy at ‘sluggish progress’ on CPeC projects Staff RepoRt

ehsan Mazari’s portfolio for human rights ministry withdrawn Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday has withdrawn the portfolio of Federal Minister for Human Rights Ehsaan-ur-Rehman Mazari. According to a notification issued in this regard, Mazari has now been appointed as the federal minister for inter-provincial coordination. It is worth mentioning that 33 ministers took oath on Tuesday, however, the portfolios of six MNAs are yet to be finalised. Mazari is a senior leader of the PPP and won the 2018 general elections from NA-197 Kashmore. Here’s a list of all the federal ministers, and state ministers to PM who have been assigned their portfolios.

Imran Khan He thanked the PTI chief for nominating him and expressing confidence in him, adding that he would advance the agenda of serving the people of Kashmir in the light of Imran’s vision. He also expressed commitment to the implementation of a comprehensive plan for the development of the people of Kashmir, with special focus on the promotion of tourism and investment. He said that his government would take the reform process forward in the light of the PTI chairman’s instructions. Imran expressed his best wishes for the newly-elected premier of AJK.

China, Pakistan joint working group discusses cooperation in Science and Technology ISLaMaBaD

NewS DeSk

Modi’s visit to the IIOJK would be tantamount to rubbing salt on the wounds of Kashmiris. The visit, he added, was part of the BJP government’s ploy to hoodwink the international community thereby creating a false impression that “all is well in Kashmir”. The AJK premier said that a black day would be observed on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) during the Indian premier’s visit to the valley. He said that Kashmiris would continue their struggle until they achieve their cherished goal of freedom from Indian occupation. Separately, the AJK PM called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman

LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique chairs a high level meeting at Railways Headquarters.

Asad urges govt to immediately call elections NewS DeSk PTI General Secretary Asad Umar on Thursday urged the government to immediately call elections as it is the best way to save the country’s “rapidly deteriorating” economy. “This is not just what Imran Khan wants but it’s also the mandate of the entire population of Pakistan,” he told journalists. “I’m telling you … If the government wants to take a smart and politically sound decision, it has to call elections. “Because the way the economy is weakening, there’s a ‘do more’ pressure on them,” Umar said, lamenting that by taking any other decision in these “critical circumstances”, the government would head towards its doom. The former minister also said that the “imported government” seemed to be unhappy with the pace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“During the PTI government, more than 1,000 megawatt warehouses were built. We brought information technology, science, industrial zones, and roads to CPEC.” Umar was referring to Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal’s statement in which he criticised the PTI for what he said was its sluggish pace on CPEC-related projects. “How pathetic the delay on CPEC projects which is the potential game changer for the regions,” Iqbal had said. Responding to Iqbal, Umar said, “Go back in history. CPEC saw the most extensive development when we [PTI] were in power.” “But I want to ask them a question,” he continued. “You tell me. How will CPEC or the economy work under this uncertainty. I know for sure that this government won’t be able to stay longer than few months.

Hamza Shahbaz admits fresh polls only solution to moving forward Staff RepoRt Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz said Wednesday that the only solution to taking the country forward is fresh polls, but before that, election reforms are necessary. Speaking during a TV talk show, Hamza said: “If we want to take this country forward, then the free and fair election is the only solution.” “…but there are elections reforms and the Election Commission is also asking time for preparations,” he maintained. The chief minister also criticised ex-prime minister Imran Khan for his

revenge politics and “violation of the Constitution”. “Imran Khan has subverted the Constitution and trampled it under his feet. [But] now it is enough. Imran Khan will have to face the court of law as well as the court of the public,” said Hamza, adding that, “you will have to be accountable in the Toshakhana and foreign funding cases as now, it’s your turn.” Talking about corruption cases against the Sharif Family and the PMLN leadership, Hamza said: “We have faced the worst form of vengeful politics”. He added that the former special assistant to the prime minister on ac-

countability Shahzad Akbar, who accused the Sharif family of corruption, has himself fled the country. He further stated that the PTI-led government failed to prove the corruption cases against them. Reacting to PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s statement in which he blamed the establishment for the ouster of Imran Khan’s government, Hamza went on to say that during his tenure, Imran Khan used to appreciate the establishment too much, but now he is blaming the same establishment for his removal from power. He also criticised Imran Khan’s meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar who is on a visit to Pakistan. “If the US had hatched a plot against Imran Khan’s government then why are they meeting with American officials,” asked Hamza Shahbaz.

Iqbal chaired a high-level making meeting after taking the charge of his ministry. The meeting was attended by top official of the planning division, according to a press release by the Press Information Department. The minister was briefed about the progress on various projects under the CPEC. “How pathetic the delay on CPEC projects which is the potential game changer for the regions,” said Iqbal while directing the officials to hold regular meeting to review the progress. He expressed displeasure on the lack of progress on industrial zones of Port Qasim, Islamabad and Mirpur. The minister noted that further delay in projects will not be acceptable while directed the officials to ensure the expedite the work. Iqbal directed all Joint Working Groups to pursue their sector-specific projects and initiate work on them immediately. The SEZs were to be ready by 2020 but unfortunately, in last four years, there has been zero progress on SEZs, said the minister. He has directed the officials to work on removing the bottlenecks that are hampering the pace of work on these projects, especially the infrastructure and energy projects.

Pti lahore rally: Punjab govt suspends orange line, Metro bus services LaHoRe Staff RepoRt

The Government of Punjab took serious steps to prevent any mishaps over the security concerns after Pakistan Tehreek-eInaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan scheduled his power show in Lahore on Thursday. According to details, the Government has decided to temporarily suspend the Metro bus service and Orange Line train service before the PTI power show. The metro and orange line services will be completely closed at 4 o’clock today and the mass transit will start their working from tomorrow as per normal schedule.

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS

rectify your mistake by holding immediate elections: Imran Khan continued from page 01 Responding to the opposition’s allegations about gifts taken from Toshakhana, Imran Khan said that he had raised the price of gifts taken from Toshakhana from 15 percent to 50 percent. He said that he used gifts to develop Banigala road. Criticising the role of judiciary, Khan said that the concept of trichotomy of powers had been trampled by the judiciary’s decisions. Her urged judiciary to play its role to protect those officers who had investigated into corruption of the top leaders of PML-N, PPP and other opposition parties. Criticising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan said that a person who had bee on bail had been imposed on Pakistan as Prime Minister. “These proven dacoits are now ruling the country which is disrespect to my country. I would never surrender my fight against these crooks till my last breathe,” he added. “I Could have easily built these roads and upkeep my house if I had declared my houses as PM’s Camp Offices. But I refused to use taxpayers’ money for my personal use. I am on record that I used minimum money for my personal expenses,” he said. He said that foreign policy revolves around state interest and not for personal interest. He said that he refused to push the country into a war for any other country’s interest. “This led to my ouster as the US was in habit of dealing with stooges who always put US interest ahead of Pakistan,” he said and added that this is why Shehbaz Sharif had said that beggars are not choosers. “Three stooges are slaves of the foreign powers and they would always be subservient of the US,” he argued. He urged the people not to ever vote for turncoat politicians and make them an example. “Whosoever would vote for turncoats would be tantamount to treason to Pakistan,” he said. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) grand power show was held at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore against the newly-formed coalition government led by the PML-N. PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan is present at the venue and will address the mammoth crowd shortly. Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has warned that the civil war in the country will break out if anything happened to Imran Khan amid “security threats”. “I will remain to stand by Imran Khan till the last drop of my blood,” said Rashid while addressing the charged crowd. He also accused PPP stalwart Asif Ali Zardari of involvement in the murder of her wife and former premier Benzair Bhutto. Lahore deputy commissioner had advised Imran to address the public gathering via video link instead of physically participating in the rally citing security threats. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier today also ordered foolproof security for former premier Imran, after the latter received security threats prior to his rally in Lahore. The premier ordered Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to take immediate and effective measures regarding the security threats and directed him to personally monitor and ensure the implementation of his orders. A huge stage has been prepared in front of Minar-e-Pakistan with huge containers. PTI leadership said that it will be the biggest ever and the most important public gathering in political history of Pakistan as it will decide the future course of this country. Punjab PTI President Shafqat Mahmood, on Wednesday, presided over a meeting of the organising committee Minar-ePakistan public gathering. The meeting reviewed all arrangements and highlighted route plan has been finalised. List of participants sitting on the stage along with senior PTI leadership has been decided. The party had directed all leaders available in the provincial capital to reach Minar-e-Pakistan after Iftar along with rallies.

ILHan Omar assUres tO BrIef Us COngress On sItUatIOn In IOK muZaffaraBad

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NITeD States (US) Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Thursday said she would brief the US Congress and administration about he human rights violations being committed by the Narendra Modi-led government in the IndianOccupied Kashmir (IOK). The issue of human rights abuses

in Kashmir was less talked about in the US and she would try to take up the issue with both the US Congress and the Biden administration, she said in a brief chat with the media after meeting Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mehmood. Ilhan Omar said: “We are engaged through a Foreign Office Committee about the question of Kashmir and this question is not as much talked as it should be.” She said she is visiting the AJK to

collect the facts and the tour is benefiting her to understand the issue. She would obviously inform her party, the Congress and the Biden administration, besides raising the issue on other forums, she added. She said she is optimistic that more conversation would be held in the Congress on the question of Kashmir and anti-Muslim acts of the Indian government on her return (to the US) and she would be able to get issued condemnations by the US administra-

PTI pulls up surprise crowd at Minar-e-Pakistan LaHore shahab omer

After power shows in Peshawar and Karachi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Thursday pulled up a huge show in historical Minar-e-Pakistan ground. By the afternoon, the ground had been packed while people were complaining against authorities for blocking entry into the ground. The crowd had people from all ages and all backgrounds. Women, children, you and old were carrying PTI flags while some had used the flags like ribbons and scarf. Speaking to Pakistan Today, Muhammad Ishtiaq of Tehreek-e-Insaf Lahore said that a stage 120 feet long and 40 feet high was constructed in the auditorium and fifty thousand seats were provided for the participants in the venue. A total of fifteen big screens have been set up to show Imran Khan’s speech in the meeting and fifty loudspeakers and nine hundred light towers have also been installed. DJ Walee Sons performed the duties of DJ in the meeting while for the meeting DJ Walee Sons also released the song of imported government disapproval. TRAffIc ARRAngEMEnTS: The flow of traffic around the venue [Minar Pakistan] has been severely affected since Thursday evening as a large number of PTI workers and people started heading towards the Jalsa Gah just before 3 pm. However, when the traffic police officials were contacted in this regard, Chief Traffic Officer Montazer Mehdi informed that SP Traffic Asif Siddique was supervising the traffic arrangements while 11 DSPs, 51 inspectors and a total of 11 More than 660 personnel will be on duty. According to the CTO, arrangements were made for the car parking of the participants at the parking lot of Greater Iqbal Park, Mochi Gate and backside of Lahore Fort. However, vehicles were also parked in single lane on both the sides of Ring Road while heavy diversion for heavy and slow moving vehicles was done from Shahdara Chowk, Saggian Chowk, Begum Kot Chowk and Kachehri Chowk.

According to traffic officials, citizens were asked to use the eastern Bypass, Babu Sabu and Thokar Niaz Beg routes to get in and out of Lahore. SEcuRITy ARRAngEMEnTS: Due to security concerns, the Punjab government closed Metro Bus Service and Orange Train service. On the other hand, the health department had issued orders to all government hospitals in the city to remain on high alert. The Department of Specialized Healthcare Punjab has directed the staff of hospitals, dispensaries and Rescue 1122 to be ready for any emergency situation. Sources in Police department informed that t due to security concerns, the dice of former Prime Minister Imran Khan was also bullet proof and a bullet proof shield was placed around the dice. Lahore police had tightened security at the entrance gates of the venue and people were allowed to enter the venue only after searching their clothes. Meanwhile, the gate number 5 of greater Iqbal Park used for media entry was closed for some time by the police. However, according to police sources, the gate was closed when a large number of workers went out to fast whereas PTI workers also protested when the gate was closed. On the other hand, in view of the fear of internet being affected in the jalsa, three internet boosters were installed in the venue so that the proceedings of the meeting could be shown on social media even in case of weak signal. RAIn AffEcTIng MEETIng ScHEDuLE: It had rained before Imran Khan’s speech at the PTI meeting. However, despite the rain, the enthusiasm of the captain’s players did not end. During the rain, the former prime minister began his speech and asked the people to sit down to stop the stampede. Speaking to Pakistan Today, an official of the Special Branch informed that according to his report, more than 60,000 people were present in the venue. The official further said that there were less than 50,000 seats while most of the people listened to the meeting while standing.

Govt alleges Imran Khan spent Rs980m on air travel from PM House to Bani Gala continued from page 01 Meanwhile, Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday said that the journey of national development has started from where the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) left it in 2018.In a statement, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting said the first ten days of Shehbaz Sharif as the Prime Minister (PM) reflect that the country is moving towards progress and prosperity. She said for the first time in the history of the country, cabinet members from different parties are committed to work together for the development of the country. Referring to the greetings received by Shehbaz Sharif from different countries on becoming Prime Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb said these are indicative of the fact that the country’s foreign policy is once again on the right track after four years. She said the present government enjoys the confidence of not only the people but also of the friendly countries.

PM lauds sacrifices of tribal people, vows ensuring economic development of areas miranSHaH staff report

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciating the sacrifices rendered by the people of the tribal districts in war against terrorism has vowed to ensure the economic development of the tribal areas. The prime minister visited North Waziristan on Thursday. He met the tribal elders and spent time with them. Tribal elders welcomed the prime minister and thanked him for his first visit to the area which spoke of his focus and concern for tribal districts. Premier Shehbaz Sharif thanked tribal elders for their committed efforts

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and support in war against terrorism for a peaceful and stable Pakistan. He assured the tribal elders that his government will do all to bring comfort in local populace and ensure socio-economic development as dividends of the fight against terrorism. PM Shehbaz said, “The people of tribal districts have rendered great sacrifices and we owe them a lot. We will not let their sacrifices go wasted. Our priority will be to ensure civic facilities for local community at par with rest of Pakistan.” Tribal elders assured the prime minister of their complete support for peace, stability and prosperity of Pakistan.

tion and raising the issue with India. earlier, Mehmood briefed the Congresswoman about the human rights abuses being committed by the Indian government in the IOJK and expressed the optimism that the Biden administration would take a cognizance of the post August 5, 2019 acts. She also visited refugee camps in the AJK’s capital to assess the situation in IOJK as these camps house the people displaced from the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir due to Indian atrocities.

Hina Khar, UK HC discuss issues of bilateral interest ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Dr. Christian Turner on Thursday called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar here and felicitated her on assuming the office and hoped that both sides will work together to further deepen the Pakistan-UK relations. Minister of State Khar thanked the British High Commissioner for the congratulations and stated that Pakistan highly values its relations with the UK, based on mutual respect and shared perceptions on broad range of regional and international issues. Minister of State also appreciated the role undertaken by the British government in promoting health, education, governance and human development in Pakistan. Both sides also agreed to celebrate 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in a befitting manner. Besides bilateral relations, discussions on evolving geopolitical situation and regional matters including Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Afghanistan also took place. Hina Rabbani noted with concern the economic impact of the continuity of the Ukraine crisis and expressed the need for early resolution of the matter through diplomacy and peaceful means. The British High Commissioner thanked Minister of State and conveyed his good wishes and keen interest in promoting bilateral relations. staff report

LHC disposes of plea against acceptance of Buzdar’s resignation LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday disposed of a petition, filed against the acceptance of resignation of former Punjab chief minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, after being withdrawn. LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti heard the petition filed by Tanveer Sarwar. During the proceedings, the chief justice expressed his annoyance and observed that the petitioner is not an aggrieved party. staff report

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Friday, 22 April, 2022

06 COMMENT

A house divided?

Talks with IMF Looking for a ‘Soft landing’

ti Chief imran Khan’s tone is becoming increasingly belligerent. his principal target is what he calls an “imported government” of “corrupt leaders” who are unable to manage the country. While the new cabinet has just been sworn in, former Planning Minister Asad Umar has held the new government responsible for the rapidly deteriorating economy, thus justifying his party’s call for immediate elections. highly jubilant over breaking the world record for holding the largest virtual power show at twitter Space, imran Khan is likely to heighten the offensive in days to come. Any expression of public unrest would strengthen the tendency in the Pti chief to resort to brinkmanship. the situation is already rife with negative speculations about the outcome of the forthcoming talks with the iMF. the Fund has put forth five major conditions including reversal of fuel subsidies, withdrawal of tax amnesty scheme, increase in the electricity prices, imposition of more taxes and enhancement of fiscal savings. Before leaving for Washington to meet iMF top officials, newly appointed Finance Minister Miftah ismail outlined his plan. the new government is likely to do away with the tax amnesty for industries while seeking a delay for increasing the power tariff. it will also try to put on the backburner the issue of the reversal of fuel subsidies as this would immediately hit the common man besides turning into a fiscal hole. Despite assurances by Miftah that no burden would be passed on to the people as a result of negotiations with the iMF, the common man will have to suffer on account of the rise in the international prices of basic food items and fuel along with iMF’s stringent policies. there is a need under the circumstances to increase the number of utility stores. Equally important is to ensure that they are well-stocked. there is a need also to ponder over major decisions like a total ban on import of cars, luxury goods, and costly food items to reduce the rising imports. What is required to allay popular resentment is adoption of austerity by the elite. Let ministers, government officials, both civil and military and party leaders set an example by traveling in Suzuki cars. this will show that every section of society is making sacrifices to cope with the situation.

The establishment now faces parties racing to get on the same page At Penpoint M A NIAZI

hE narrative that Pti chief imran Khan is selling with success, that his ouster as PM was because of a conspiracy by the USA, is doubly dangerous for the establishment because it challenges its role as the knight in shining armor, which has allowed to portray itself, indeed think of itself, as the country’s defence against not just external enemies, like india, but internal, like politicians, who are by definition dirty and corrupt. imran is the third political leader to have achieved power, but to have been removed from office. the first was Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. his arrival was messy, as Pakistan was riven in two, and his departure was messy, in the 1977 coup. he had been cultivated by Ayub Khan whose Foreign Minister he became. Nawaz Sharif was cultivated by Zia ul haq, in whose lifetime he served as Punjab Finance Minister and Chief Minister. he later became Prime Minister, but ended up sacked by the President Ghulam ishaq Khan, an establishment figure if there ever was one. the myth is that the military is involved in politics. Most people are not. however, there are three intrusions. the first is the fact that everyone has civilian family members (though military families have developed, which have intermarried, and where only the wives are civilians). then senior officers interact with civilian officials. Finally, the COAS is held responsible by the Army to play a political role. Most of his advisers are fellow officers, and they keep themselves up to date. Most crucially, some officers, at various ranks, and belonging to all three services, go into the iSi, and find themselves having to play a political role. imran has got to explain to himself what went wrong, Mian Shehbaz Sharif has got to address the problems of the country, and the military has got to find an explanation for why those it chooses turn against it. there is the PPP narrative, the PML(N) narrative, and now the Pti narrative, all of which postulate that the establishment (the military and the judiciary) is under the thumb of the USA, and change regimes to suit US interests. Anyone defying them is destroyed; Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and imran Khan being

The Punjab deadlock PTI’s obduracy will do more harm than good

The international Criminal Court’s origins go back to WWII ChANgeZI SANdhu

ith birth of the modern state system in the 17th century in Europe, sovereignty-centred international law was established. the principle of “non-interference” was the basis of international law. traditional immunities were granted to certain classes such as heads of state, diplomats, and top public officials under the principle of “noninterference”. States were all in all to take measures to maintain law and order and counter political misadventures. State had the right and responsibilities to deal with its citizens without any fear of accountability at international level that is why gross violation of human rights could be seen especially in developing countries. top influential officials use their institutional powers to legitimize the rule of any undesired person against public will. Even, departmental rules and regulations are violated for personal, institutional and political interests. So, the voice of the public is stifled by using government machinery. Law and enforcement agencies are used to kidnap, threat, harass, kill and torture activists and opponents. Police and armed forces are used to counter mass demonstrations. Money is invested to build propaganda to change public opinion, get legal remedy malafidely, and occupy public office against public will through horse-trading. top heads of the most influential institutions use constitutional and legal gaps and exceptions collaboratively to legitimize rule of each other through extension, and usage of non-traditional constitutional provisions for mutual benefits. the most surprising thing is that all the dramas are performed in the theatre of democracy under the slogan of its protection. Democratic principles such as public welfare, electoral process, maintaining rule of law and protecting national integrity and sovereignty are misused badly in this theatre. in the past, no one was there to probe violations of human rights and misuse of the system as traditional immunities shielded certain classes from being held accountable internationally. Egregious actions of persecution and breaches of human rights of heads

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

The writer is a member of staff

How WWII developed the International Criminal Justice system

t one level, the situation in Punjab is comical. the nearest thing there is to a government is a chief minister continuing to hold office after resignation. it is not as if there is no substitute awaiting oath; only the Governor is refusing to take oath from him because he has not accepted the certification of the Deputy Speaker that hamza Shehbaz was duly elected. the Chief Secretary has written to the Governor that he cannot refuse to administer the oath. the Governor himself only replaced his predecessor very recently and holds office himself because President Arif Alvi has not accepted the advice of his dismissal given by the Prime Minister. One result has been a near-paralysis of the provincial government. No one knows how certain his present posting is. the Chief Secretary and iGP are ignorant of their fate, and thus none of their subordinates, which means everybody, is. Of all the objections that could be thought of, the Governor has plumped upon the validity of Sardar Usman Buzdar’s resignation, as it was not addressed to the Governor, but the Prime Minister. Governor Sarfraz Cheema might remember that resignation was accepted by his predecessor, and thus constitutes a closed and past transaction. however, it might provide a kind of schoolboy satisfaction to Pti leaders and supporters to delay the inevitable. it is almost as if Pti strategists come up with ideas late. the time to raise an objection to the no-confidence motion against the PM was when it was being admitted, not when it was coming up for voting. Similarly, objecting to a resignation was at the time of its being considered, not after it had been accepted. Reinstating Mr Buzdar will merely bring him up against the no-trust motion he resigned to avoid. the Pti should realize that taking the matter to the courts will not help, except cause the sort of delays that might give some pointless satisfaction, but will do nothing. the whole episode will merely show that Pti will only follow the Constitution when it suits it. Such scorched-earth tactics do not serve the country, and presumably thus the party.

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

the prime examples. Nawaz Sharif, who actually exploded the nuclear weapon, has to be included. the problem for the military leadership is that this narrative seems to have made its way into the military. Some of the pro-imran posts have tended to mutiny. the clash between a serving officer and a PML (N) MPA’s staff has brought in the COAS. Earlier, the formation commanders conference had to be held to condemn the attempts to divide the military. though it was an institutional decision that had the military turn neutral, the habit of supporting the Pti could not be reversed, and the sentiment that the Pti should be supported (‘have its nappies changed’, in Ch Pervez Elahi’s pungent phrase) remained. there is an ethos among armed forces around the world that politicians are scoundrels. however, most armed forces do not take over, even if they can. they go on obeying the orders passed down by those scoundrels, provided that they have been duly elected, and are passing legal orders. however, the Pakistan Army has learnt that something can be done about the scoundrels. in the last decade or so, and culminating in the 2018 election, military men learned that imran was not a scoundrel. that has led to the present situation, where senior retired officers whose purported messages of condemnation of the military leadership have gone viral, have had to scramble to deny they had said anything of the sort. One of the great boons of a constitution, any constitution, is that it provides for the peaceful transfer of power. if that breaks down, then the constitution loses its utility. the question of conspiracy by a foreign power comes afterwards. the conspiracy, if carried out by constitutional means, reflects the constitution’s lack of robustness. One is reminded of Spanish conquistadores capturing the Aztec Empire of Mexico, and the inca Empire of South America because they captured the respective monarchs, Montezuma and Atualpa. it should be noted that the establishment seems to be sitting pretty. One set of same-pagers has been replaced by another set. it should be clear that the new government consists of parties which want to be on the same page. that government should be a hopeful sign for imran, a sign that it is possible to get back on the same page after once having fallen off it. however, this is something of an embarrassment of riches for the establishment. it is not going to be

easy to keep all elements happy, and it seems the establishment has a harder task than Shehbaz Sharif, who has got a coalition to manage, which does not consist of one large party and a number of allies, but two large parties and the allies. that these parties will oppose each other in the general election adds to the complexity of his task. that task includes doing what imran could not do: repairing the economy while protecting certain budgets. the establishment is now in a win-win situation, for it was assumed that the establishment was facing the heat for the Pti’s mismanagement of the economy. if the economy improves, which is a long shot, the establishment will make sure it gets the credit, but if it doesn’t, the establishment will blame it. One of the more closely watched aspects of the foreign conspiracy theory is that of benefit. Apart from the absence of any motive apart from the visit to Ukraine, the Shehbaz government has given the USA no benefit, such as the bases imran prides himself on refusing. On the other hand, while China has not benefited yet, Shehbaz has made a very public commitment to the CPEC projects, which indicates that the Khan government had been at fault. if anything, this commitment to CPEC is probably more anti-US than going to Moscow on the day it invaded Ukraine. Pakistan is trying to avoid plumping for either side in the developing Sino-US confrontation, especially since india is so clearly on the US side. Another query that has been raised is of the possibility that US authorities might demand imran’s extradition in connection with the case of Arif Naqvi, the head of the former Abraaj Group, extradited from the UK in connection with the financial crimes he is accused of. An extradition request will not come as a shock to Pti supporters, but merely as further proof that the USA conspired against their hero. the first casualty of war, it has been famously said, is the truth. By that standard, Pakistan is at war within itself. One result of imran’s ouster has been that the country has been divided, perhaps even more than his rule divided them. this has extended to people tigerishly defending egregious and even unconstitutional behaviour. the new government will worsen that divide if it tries to hold its predecessor accountable, but also if it doesn’t. imran shows no sign of dialing back the rhetoric in the interest of the country.

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

of state were not treated as individuals’ actions, but of states. however, the atrocities of Axis powers in the 2nd World War motivated the victorious Allied powers to address the unaddressed question: how should the Axis leaders be held accountable for genocide, rapes, and torture of human beings? the major challenge for the Allied leaders was to establish a precedent to influence the international justice system to prevent such atrocities in future. So, the Nazi and Japanese officials were put on trial, presided over by international Military tribunals. international Military tribunals at Nuremberg and tokyo trialled individual officials despite dealing the war crimes as state responsibilities for violation of international law. So, breaking traditional immunities and state officials as individuals shook the tectonic plates of the international criminal justice system. these trials also paved the way for exponential developments regarding new crimes in international law, especially the “crimes against humanity”. the new developments pierced the principle of “noninterference” or “nonintervention” by accountability of individuals because of inhuman acts of persecution, and state-sponsored rapes within territories of their countries. Surprisingly, the precedent or legal proceedings of these trials also challenged those domestic laws which had exceptional space for such egregious acts. No doubt, four major developments were noticed at the end of the war that proved significant for the international Criminal Justice System. Firstly, two ad hoc tribunals were authorized by the UN Security Council for the prosecution of international crimes,

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

committed during civil wars especially crimes in Yugoslavia and the Rwandan genocide. Secondly, consensus was developed for the establishment of hybrid Courts which would comprise a mixed panel of national and international judges. initially, the courts were planned to be set up in Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and East timor. thirdly, many states especially in Europe allowed Universal Jurisdiction laws by empowering magistrates to conduct investigation and prosecute international crimes against humanity. Last but not the least, the first permanent international Criminal Court of the world was set up which became operational on 1st July 2002. international Criminal Justice has become the most significant feature of international law. Especially, the culture of political violence and international responses to abridge fundamental rights have made the subject interdisciplinary. Philosophy, ethics, political science, international relations, sociology, criminology, and law play pivotal roles in the international criminal justice system by making it an interdisciplinary field of scholarship. With the growing sense of responsibility to voice up against violation of human rights irrespective of national, ethnic, religious or political identity, the culture of impunity is expected to disappear in which political leaders, state heads and rebel leaders believe that they would not be held accountable for waging political violence, committing crimes against humanity and systemizing crimes against opponents, minorities or other nations.

the culture of impunity is expected to disappear in which political leaders, state heads and rebel leaders believe that they would not be held accountable for waging political violence, committing crimes against humanity and systemizing crimes against opponents, minorities or other nations

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

The writer is a practising lawyer and working on the criminal justice system, and a member of the American Bar Association, He can be reached at ch.changezi.sandhu111@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

06-07 Comments - 22nd April 2022_Layout 1 4/21/2022 11:32 PM Page 2

Friday, 22 April, 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

Does marriage guarantees happiness? iN Pakistan, marriages are considered compulsory for one’s happiness. But can it really make a person happy if it is done without one’s consent? According to UK’s forced marriage unit, Pakistan ranked highest among the top four focus countries in 2018. According to human rights activists, 250 overseas Pakistani girls were forced into marriages with Pakistani relatives in 2002 alone. Young girls are forced into marriages in the name of honour, money and even to settle the issues between families. the same girls have to face domestic violence after marriages. they suffer physically, emotionally, socially and sexually due to torture and trauma. if a girl wants to be free, her parents don’t accept her deeming it a disrespect to their family. Overseas and minorities girls are forced into marriages. Apart from ensuring strict enforcement to curb forced marriages, the government should also enforce laws against domestic violence to uproot this issue. HIRA SARDAR HASILPUR

Pathetic education system

Hinduism in ancient and modern Afghanistan An aspect of the Afghan imbroglio too often ignored

dr rAjkuMAr SINgh

ESPitE the thin number of hindus in Afghanistan, their history in the country dates back 34,000 years or roughly during the Bronze Age and indus Valley Civilization when Gandhara was a Mahajanapada, and it further expanded in the era of Aryan expansion into Mesopotamia and the Medean rule from 1500551 BCE. this apart, in many kingdoms and empires of the time, the cult of hinduism and Buddhism flourished. Meanwhile, a dynasty named hindu Shahi had been in powehe r which represented thindu culture of the time. From the description of different scholars and analysts it is clear that before the arrival in Afghanistan of islamic forces, and their conquest of it, the people of the country remained multi-religious and people hardly heard about religious persecution, discrimination and forced conversion of one religion by another. the scene however, changed with the advent of islam (the turk Shahis) who defeated Jayapala and annexed the land under the Rashidun Caliphate. the new invader proved costly for both hinduism as well as Buddhism in the whole region and lost prestige/glory returned after the battle of Nowshera and annexation of the region under the Sikh empire with its unique religious tenets.Once again, the position of hindus and hinduism improved significantly after the establishment of modern Afghanistan by the hotak dynasty when most of the hindus were in the upper status in society engaged in business. Ethnically they were Punjabis andSindhis who are believed to have come with Sikhs as merchants in the 19th century. however, as a result of the deteriorating situation of Afghanistan due to continued violence and inter-group struggle ongoing for decades, the population of hindus, including Sikhs and Sindhis, drastically declined and many of them have left their homes in search of better opportunity of livelihood, peace and safety. the sec-

ond victory of the taliban by force in August 2021 has made the condition worse. Before the modern form of hinduism came into existence we also found a form of the religion that often Afghans used to follow which worshipped Surya and Paganism that was influenced by hinduism and whose followers include the farmers and animal herders. traditionally, there were many regimes that promoted hinduism in the region as most historians of the time believed that indus Valley civilization, indo-Aryan migration, Gandhara Empire and Maurya Empire were the main pillars of hinduism in Afghanistan and its surroundings. At the time of the indus Valley civilization, hindu religion flourished among the people mainly living in the hindu Kush, Afghania, in modern Afghanistan, which remained in regular touch during the period (5500-200 BCE), and it was culturally connected with the indus Valley civilization. in addition, the city of Balkh was founded which also promoted hinduism up to the Middle East in the form of small colonies. the second factor that contributed in the development of hinduism was the indo-Aryan migration between the 2000-1200 BCE when an indo-European tribe known as Aryans began arriving in the Afghan region. historically they were considered a Rigvedic tribe, following the Rigvedic religion. there is also a confusion about the Pashtuns and while some consider them as having Vedic ancestors, the Pakthas, others claim them to be the descendants of the 10 lost tribes of israel. the Gandhara Empire, which flourished in the region, is a vital source of information about the existence of hinduism in the area. At the time along with hinduism also developed Buddhism and many followers of Lord Buddha converted to hinduism. in the context we found several evidences in characters of Mahabharata and both Shakuni,and Gandhari both belong to Gandhara Empire, whose inhabitants were called Gandharvas, and considered to be well versed in music and art, established a deep cultural connection with indus Valley civilization, then prevailing in Northern india. in the development of art and culture, the contribution of the Maurya Empire was next to none but by the time the culture and religion of the time had diversified because of numerous foreign invasions which brought their own culture and religious themes with them. hinduism in Afghanistan witnessed a number of changes along wih the change of regimes and their policies towards it from the ancient to mediaeval and modern. in the classical period of history when several regimes or kingdoms ruled the country from 250 BCE-565 CE both hinduism and Buddhism developed equally as they both had common rootz and they were rivals in the same religious tradition and as result, a large number of hindu temples were erected for the worship of the people as several inscriptions, art and heritage have been found particularly in the

region of Gandhara and Ghazni. in coming decades and centuries especially after the end of the ancient phase and start of the middle when Afghan was part of iran., while the rule of islam, direct or indirect, imposed illegal taxes and punishments on hindu and Buddhists, the non-Muslim regimes like, the Kabul Shahi, Ghaznavids and hindu Shahi, paid them proper attention and behaved with them equally. the Kabul Shahi dynasty ruled Kabul Valley and Gandhara from the decline of the Kushan dynasty in the third century to the ninth century AD. the Kabul Shahi dynasty were the Muslims, turkic migrants to Afghanistan, and were succeeded by hindu Shahi, who were hindus. the hindu Shahi is known to be the last hindu king of Afghanistan and was famous for their war against the Ghaznavids in which they found support of Rajputs and Punjabi hindus, but were finally defeated. the defeat of the hindu Shahi in the war followed a minority phase for hindu and Buddhist rule in Afghanistan. in the coming days, when Kabul was captured by Mughals, the hindu population of Afghanistan remained on steep decline, although many of them found a place under the Mughals who declared Afghanistan the “hindustan Bazar’. in the modern era, the hindu population of Afghanistan comprised of Punjabis and Sindhis who are believed to have come with Sikh merchants in the 19th century, and although they, initially were in good numbers, over the years due to superpower rivalry and national instability, most of them left the country as in today’s Afghanistan, their number is only 1000. Especially after the Russia intervention in the country in December 1979, and the USA extending support to the Mujahideen with arms and other equipment, made the general societal atmosphere of Afghanistan tense and it climaxed in the installation of the first talibani rule in the country in 1996. the taliban, after coming to power began torturing hindu community, which became victims of religious persecution and discrimination. it paved the way for islamisation and taliban insurgency which compelled the hindu population of the country to move elsewhere and they either went back to india, or settled in Germany, France, the USA, Australia, Belgium, or the Netherlands. According to an estimate about 99 percent of the hindu population had left the country in the last five decades. While in the 1970s their number was estimated at around 80,000 , it dropped in 2009 to 3000, in the 2020 to only 50. After the fall of Kabul second time in the hands of the taliban in August 2021, the Government of india evacuated many Sikhs and hindus out of the country due to the taliban’s forming the government for ruling Afghanistan in coming days and years. The writer is presently Professor and Head, Department of Political Science and Dean of Social Sciences at B.N. Mandal University, Madhepura (Bihar), India. His 19 books published in addition to 900 articles in national and international journals and daily newspapers from 25 foreign countries.

ONE of the reasons for Pakistan’s poor literacy rate is the absence of educational reforms and the lack of decorum in institutes. Cheating, deception, fraud are commonplace in most examination boards of the country — especially amongst the high schoolers during board examinations. Even university students are promoted based on forged results. Although rote learning, memorising and cheating allow students to progress from one academic level to another, they cannot achieve much in life without any real knowledge or skills. Often students cheat or rotelearn because of lackadaisical teaching. teachers either simply read the content of the textbooks or assign tasks to students without any proper instructions. Resultantly, students’ grasp of concepts is weak and quells their creativity and curiosity. Poor teaching outcomes often compel students to opt out of education and start working to support their families. however, they usually end up in low-skilled jobs and cannot move up the social ladder later. Our weak education system is the chief reason behind Pakistan lagging in overall societal and economic development. there are fewer individuals that are equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute back to the economy, which will continue shrinking if the education system is not reformed. the government must overhaul the entire system from primary schooling up to the university level. Strict measures should be enforced to alleviate cheating and bribes in institutes. there should be regulatory checks on administration and teaching faculty to ensure that they are fulfilling their duties. ZAKIR ULLAH MARDAN

Servants of the nation DURiNG my service as an upper-division clerk in the commissioner office of Rawalpindi, i saw that an honest and hardworking officer who cares for people would always focus on discharging his/her duties at the best rather than appeasing higher-ups. One such officer that i had the honour to work with was Mr Wajihuddin who was appointed commissioner Rawalpindi at a time when the movement against the martial law of General Ayub Khan was at its peak. the public was protesting, taking out rallies, and staging sit-ins in Rawalpindi and other parts of the country on a daily basis. the commissioner was appointed after two of his predecessors failed to control mobs and reinstate law and order. When he took charge, i was working in the control room responsible for collecting the information from various sources and presenting it to the commissioner. he changed the process and kept close contact with the DiG and deputy commissioners asking for daily progress. he frequently went on visits to various parts of the city to make sure everything was under control. he did not let the police use a heavyhanded approach and advised the administration to refrain from violating the rights of people and would only allow the use of force if the red line was being crossed. the commissioner discharged his duties with full honesty and served the public in a true sense unlike the civil servants of today who are more interested in keeping the higher-ups and politicians happy instead of performing their job. My purpose in recalling his service is meant to inspire today’s civil servants to adopt a similar demeanour and be honest and upright in their service. RAJA SHAFAATULLAH ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s loans investigation thE honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr imran Khan during his live question/answer session dated 23rd January 2022 with the public on national television mentioned and complained that half of the tax revenue collected by his government has to be spent on interest and repayments of loans taken by the last two governments Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) (years 2013 to 2018) and Pakistan Peoples Party (years 2008 to 2013). that is why, he explained, not much money is left with the government to spend on education, health etc. this reminded me of Prime Minister’s address to the nation dated 12th June 2019 when he vowed to nab the “thieves who plunged the country in debt badly.” he further said: “i am constituting a high-powered enquiry commission with a one-point agenda: how they accumulated so much debt in 10 years”. the enquiry commission, the Prime Minister said will have representatives from the investigation Bureau, Federal investigation Agency, Federal Board of Revenue, Security and Exchange Commission and inter-Services Agency. i would like to request the Prime Minister to share with the nation the findings of the above mentioned high-level commission and actions taken in this matter so far. EJAZ AHMAD MAGOON LONDON

08 WORLD VIEW 22nd April 22_Layout 1 4/21/2022 8:36 PM Page 1

Friday, 22 April, 2022

08 WORLD VIEW

AMArTyA Sen on idenTiTy, decoloniSATion And how To chAnge The world I THINK NARENDRA MODI’S RECORD AS A POLITICAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE LEADER OF INDIA HAS BEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. THE REASONS FOR HIS FAILURE ARE NOT HARD TO SEE

new statesman GAvIN JACobsoN

hE history of economics owes many of its greatest contributions to the philosophers. like Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx and Friedrich von hayek, Amartya Sen, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1998, has a formidable reputation both as a world authority on development, welfare and famine, and as a distinguished theorist and moral philosopher. Born in Bengal in 1933, Sen’s life has been one of border-crossings – geographic and intellectual – as well as the rejection of narrow identities. he is, as he once put it: “An Asian, an Indian citizen, a Bengali with Bangladeshi ancestry, an American or great Britain resident, an economist, a dabbler in philosophy, an author, a Sanskritist, a strong believer in secularism and democracy, a man, a feminist, a heterosexual, a defender of gay and lesbian rights, with a non-religious lifestyle, from a hindu background, a nonBrahmin, a non-believer in an afterlife, and also, if the question is asked, a non-believer in before-life. this is just a small sample of diverse categories. there are a number of other categories which can inform and engage me.” home in the World (2021) is a memoir of an intellectual life, one that trades inner revelation for sharp scholarly observation and social insight. humbly recounting his upbringing and then his career as a young academic, the book charts Sen’s peregrinations through the key imperial quarters – India, Burma, Cambridge – as well as offering elegant disquisitions on those thinkers who helped shape his own work and world-view. gavin Jacobson: one of the most enjoyable parts of your memoir home in the World is the way in which your intellectual life has been about breaking down the divisions between academic disciplines. Why do you think that is so important and do you think that your early background in the sciences helped prepare you for working on philosophical problems? Amartya Sen: I think you are right in thinking that my early involvement in the sciences has been helpful for my interest in

earn an income (which they very often lacked). they could not also travel back to their original home location when they were far away from there as migrant labour. You are absolutely right that this is very far removed from the idea of inclusiveness and unity championed by thinkers like tagore and also, in these respects, other leaders like Mahatma gandhi.

philosophical issues, particularly in epistemology. In an odd way, the sciences also helped me to think a bit more about ethics. It has been important to be able to question the false distinctions that are often made, generating unnecessary hostilities. It is hard to decide what has been helpful, since one’s earlier knowledge, to the extent one can be sure of it, tends to be so merged together with one’s contemporary understanding. GJ: Another key feature that seems to define your life is the breaking down of the division between thinking and acting, between ideas and praxis. This seems to hark back to earlier conceptions of philosophy, embodied by Rabindranath Tagore but most famously associated with Marx’s adage that the point “isn’t to interpret the world, but to change it”. Do you think intellectuals and philosophers today have forgotten the art of converting theory into practice? And if so, do you think that retreat into pure contemplation has helped enable the various political and social crises we’re now facing? AS: We do live in a world that values actions as well as contemplation. And that combination is certainly important as you are rightly pointing out. Karl Marx was indeed emphatic on the need to combine the two. But it is important to recognise how much of a theorist Marx remained even when he was involved with assessing the types of action we needed. For example, in the “Critique of the gotha Programme” (1891), in which he is very critical of the german Workers’ Party (SDAP), Marx detects in the writings of the SDAP a confusion between payment according to work and that according to need. he also emphasises the importance of “nature” in production (not just labour and capital), and particularly on the need to see distinctly each of the different identities any person contingently has. I do agree with you on the need to have clarity in linking together ideas and praxis, but one of the things that I find quite striking in the works of Marx, but also of tagore, is the extent to which the clarity of ideas is powerfully used to illuminate the type of practical actions that are needed. GJ: Tagore looms large in the memoir, and although he is one of the most important thinkers in the history of philosophy he is perhaps not as well known in the West as he should be. Do you think the way we teach the history of philosophy has obscured thinkers from the non-

Western world? If so, do you think university curriculums need “decolonising”? AS: the need for “decolonising” is certainly important in our general understanding of the world, and also (as you say) in university curriculums, but this has to be a two-way relationship. I am not sure I have done it very well in my own work, but it is a concern that has been present in my mind. GJ: I want to turn now briefly to the situation in India. What is your view of the Modi administration, especially its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic? Do you believe that the idea of inclusiveness and unity championed by Tagore can withstand the current ascendency of Hindu nationalism? AS: I am afraid I think Narendra Modi’s record as a political or administrative leader of India has been a big disappointment. the reasons for his failure are not hard to see. First of all, his mode of thinking is strictly sectarian, focusing on a very narrow version of hinduism, and no less importantly entertaining a deep-rooted hostility against Muslims. It is hard to think that in a country where hindus and Muslims have lived very well together over hundreds of years and who have both welcomed and cheered India’s secular constitution, Modi can, at will, bestow certain privileges (including in matters of citizenship) to the hindus, and arbitrarily deny them to Muslims. But on top of that, Modi’s inclination to help the rich and not feel particularly sympathetic to the very poor is also a huge handicap. When, in four hours’ notice, Modi produced his version of a “lock-up” in response to the spread of Covid, he apologised to people with nice homes, saying that he was sad to curtail their freedom of movement, but he overlooked the severe handicap of people without a decent home to live in or work from. the poor working people very often lacked even a tiny shelter to work from, or to do a job from to

GJ: Given the political direction India has taken in the last few years, does that make you think differently about the country’s founding and the nature of its constitution? AS: this is a very interesting question, and we have to think about the history of India and, as you say, the nature of its constitution. India has of course been a country with divisions between different castes, and of course between the rich and the poor. the constitution, led by Dr BR Ambedkar [who headed the committee drafting the constitution after Indian independence in 1947], did pay special attention to inequality and made attempts to introduce various provisions of affirmative actions. But the connection between economic inequality and social divisions did not get the kind of attention it could have. this would not have mattered so much had Indian history not been as fragmented and divisive for centuries, but while the constitution was basically fine on its own, it did not go far enough with remedial arrangements (also, despite the historical presence in India of thoughts directed towards the removal of inequality, the politics of hindu revival has tended to take the shape of positively and supportively focusing on divisions of caste, privilege and religion). tagore did his best to focus on equity and the spirit of solidarity in Indian historical thinking, but that was not enough to subdue the ancestry of inequality and its revival in hindu politics in the shape that modern India acquired over time. GJ: In the memoir you write about your time in Burma. What’s your view on what happened to Aung Suu Kyi’s leadership? Is she a cautionary tale about the fragility of liberal ideals against the cold realism of politics? And what are your thoughts on the coup d’état that took place there in February 2021? AS: Suu Kyi, whom I knew first in Delhi and then in oxford, is a disappointment to me since she seemed like such a fearless leader of all Burmese people, using her privileged ancestry to try to build an independent and

free collective of people. I don’t think her downfall reflects “the fragility of liberal ideals against the cold realism of politics”. At least I don’t believe so. the success of a political leader facing a ruthless enemy depends both on courage and self-sacrifice, but also on the ability to undertake far-reaching political analysis. It is not surprising that like many people in Burma, Suu Kyi did not fully grasp how integrated the Rohingya community was in Burma and she tolerated – and supported – big inequalities. the military was in effect smarter than she was and decided to surround Burmese thinking with a strong cultivation of racist history. they were able to produce a nasty but very powerful racist mentality across the country aimed against the Muslim Rohingyas. By the time Suu Kyi would have considered encountering it, it was just too late, with a propaganda-driven population lacking in sympathy for the minority group of Rohingyas. once the propaganda had taken effect, Suu Kyi could not support Rohingyas without losing her standing among others in Burma, and without having weakened the sense of national solidarity, after her neglect not only of Rohingyas but also of other tribal groups. It is not so much the fragility of liberal ideals but the weakness of a divided population that made it very hard for Suu Kyi to stand against the military, and when she was displaced recently she did not have the strength that could have helped her to take on the military. GJ: Who are the living writers and thinkers that you read to make sense of the world? AS: there are a great many people whose writings illuminate and inspire me. they vary from literary writers like the South African writer Nadine gordimer to political thinkers of various persuasions. I wish I could find one great writer who could guide my thinking comprehensively, but unfortunately for me the wisdom that I need has to come from different sources, and sometimes different countries. I also have a strong need for thought experiments. For example, I would like to understand how Nelson Mandela would have approached divisions within Europe or between communities in America. It is useful for me to think about actual leaders in circumstances they did not in fact face. I don’t know whether I make a mistake in going into such thought experiments, but learning for me is always closely related to imagining.

Military and economic power once again fail to produce happiness ULTIMATELY, A HIGH LEVEL OF HAPPINESS REQUIRES SOCIAL SOLIDARITY

Common Dreams LAWRENCE WITTNER

lthough the rulers of the world’s major military and economic powers have repeatedly claimed that they are making their nations great again, their policies have not resulted in widespread happiness among their citizens. that conclusion emerges from the recent World happiness Report-2022, published by the uN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Based on gallup World Polls conducted from 2019 through 2021, this extensive study provides a revealing look at how roughly 150,000 respondents in 146 countries rated their own happiness. the study’s findings underscore the limited levels of happiness in the world’s major military-economic powers. there is little doubt about which nations belong in

this category. In 2020 (the latest year for which accurate figures are available), the world’s biggest military spenders were the united States (#1), China (#2), India (#3), and Russia (#4). Collectively, they accounted for nearly 59 percent of the world’s military spending and the vast majority of the world’s nuclear weapons. When nations are ranked by total wealth, a similar pattern appears: united States (#1), China (#2), India (#7), Russia (#13). Despite their ostensibly different economic models, they all boast a hefty share of the world’s billionaires, and once again their ranking is rather similar: united States (#1), China (#2), India (#3), and Russia (#5). And what has this enormous array of military and economic power produced for their citizens? Well, as it turns out, not a great deal of happiness. the most positive thing that can be said for it is that the united States currently ranks a rather dispiriting 16th on this score. China ranks 72nd. Russia ranks 80th. And India is 136th. Furthermore, over the decade since the annual world happiness surveys began, in 2012, none of these major powers has ever appeared among the ten happiest nations. In 2022, the ten happiest countries were: Finland (#1), Denmark (#2), Iceland (#3), Switzerland (#4), Netherlands (#5), luxembourg (#6), Sweden (#7), Norway (#8), Israel (#9), and New Zealand (#10). It is deceptively easy to conclude that the explana-

tion for this high level of happiness lies in the fact that these ten are all fairly comfortable, economically advanced nations. Even so, there is no significant correlation between a nation’s rank in happiness and its per capita income. Indeed, seven of the nations (Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Sweden, Israel, and New Zealand) did not place at all among the top twelve nations in per capita income during 2021. Finland, ranking #1 for happiness for the fifth year in a row, ranked #25 in per capita income. New Zealand, ranking #10 for happiness, ranked #31 for per capita income. Conversely, Singapore, which ranked #3 in per capita income, ranked #27 for happiness, while united Arab Emirates, which ranked #6 in per capita income, ranked #24 for happiness. Factors other than top incomes were clearly at work in producing the happiest nations. one such factor appears to be the provision of substantial public services. A striking feature of the world’s nations is that all five Nordic countries rank among the ten happiest. What these five countries have in common are social democratic policies that counteract income inequality and dramatically reduce poverty by providing free or low-cost healthcare, dental care, housing, education, and childcare, as well as ample pensions and a range of other “welfare state” benefits. Moreover, the other five happiest countries also maintain significant social welfare systems. the happiest nations also stand out for their relatively egalitarian distribution of wealth. Each of the ten happiest nations, except Israel, has greater equality of wealth than do the four major military-economic powers. And even that nation’s wealth distribution is considerably more equal than that of the united States and only slightly more unequal than China’s.

Yet another contrast appears when it comes to military spending. given the enormous gross Domestic Product (gDP) of the four biggest military-economic powers, an adequate “defense” of their nations should be less of an economic burden on them than it would be on the economies of these ten much smaller, less wealthy nations. But, in fact, the reverse is true in eight of the happiest nations, which devoted a smaller percentage of their gDP to military spending in 2020 (the latest year for which accurate figures are available) than did all but one of the four major military-economic powers. Sweden, for example, spent only 1.22 percent, Denmark 1.44 percent, and Finland 1.53 percent of their small gDPs on their armed forces, while India spent 2.88 percent, the united States 3.74 percent, and Russia 4.26 percent of their much larger gDPs to fund their military might. Admittedly, poverty and national insecurity do appear to play important roles in reducing human happiness. the lowest ranking nations in World happiness Report-2022 are very poor nations, or nations plagued by violence, or both, such as the Palestinian territories (#122), Myanmar (#126), Yemen (#132), and Afghanistan (#146). Even so, as the global happiness studies indicate, great military and economic power bring nations only so far. ultimately, a high level of happiness requires social solidarity. Dr. Lawrence S. Wittner is Professor of History Emeritus at SUNY/Albany who has written extensively on peace movements, foreign policy, and economic inequality. He is the author of “Confronting the Bomb: A Short History of the World Nuclear Disarmament Movement” (2009).

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

NEWS corporate corner housing Minister visits office of Federal government Employees housing Authority

ChinA, PAkiSTAn joinT woRking gRouP DiSCuSSES CooPERATion in SCiEnCE AnD TEChnology ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Maulana Abdul Wassay, along with Federal Secretary for Housing and Works, Dr. Imran Zaib, visited the office of Federal Government Employees Housing Authority, Islamabad. On arrival at FGEHA office they were warmly welcomed by Mr. Tariq Rashid, Director General and senior officers of the FGEHA. The Honorable Minister visited sections of the FGEHA and was introduced to the staff. This was followed by a detailed briefing on the present and future housing projects of the FGEHA by the Director General, FGEHA. In the briefing session beside the achievements, issues and challenges being faced by the FGEHA were also highlighted i.e hampering the timely completion of housing projects. Further The Director General, suggested suitable solutions for resolving these issues. The Minister for Housing and Works assured his support for resolving these issues and also issued orders in this regard. The Minister showed his great satisfaction over the performance of FGEHA and appreciated the achievements in the field of Housing. He reflected that FGEHA is very much determined in providing housing facilities to the government employees’ projects being implemented by the FGEHA. Finally, the Minister for Housing and Works thanked the Director General and senior officers of FGEHA and advised to improve the work speed in any project. pr

staff report

HE second meeting of Pakistan-China Joint Working Group (JWG) on Science and Technology under Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was held via video link to discuss cooperation in science and technology. The meeting was co-chaired by Humaira Ahmed, Federal Secretary for

Ministry of Science and Technology and Dai Gang, Director-General of Department of International Cooperation of Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The JWG meeting expressed that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners, and that China and Pakistan will work together to deepen cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), and provide sci-tech support for the development of CPEC.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of STI cooperation as a central pillar for the social and economic development of both countries. Executive Director of CPEC Authority appreciated the progress of CEPC and expressed hope that the deliberations of the meeting will result in initiation of some projects in the area of Science and Technology. The JWG acknowledged achievements made by Chinese Academy of Sciences and Higher Education Commission (HEC) in jointly building

Askari Bank signs agreement with Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance

China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. Furthermore, it commended outcomes achieved by China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) through cooperation in STEM education, China-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in science and technology. It also appreciated Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and Chinese Association of Science and technology (CAST) on the progress on Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for mutual recognition of engineers. The JWG decided to support Special Technology Zone Authority (STZA) in the development of Special Technology Zones across Pakistan and also support other programs related to development of knowledge ecosystem, such as training and capacity building of policy-makers on STI, incubation programs and knowledge exchange events.

Reconfiguration Activity on Submarine Cable Completed ISLAMABAD pr

The power reconfiguration activity on a section of international submarine cable, SMW4, has been completed at around 03:00 AM, today (21 April 2022) as per schedule. This was a routine scheduled maintenance activity. All internet services are normal throughout the country.

Power suspension schedule for today Askari Bank has signed an agreement with Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance to provide low cost housing finance, subsidized karobar & agriculture financing to eligible customers.

The Agreement was signed by Mr. Atif R. Bokhari, President & CEO, Askari Bank and Dr. Kamran Shams, CEO, Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance. Dr. Amjad Saqib, Chairman - Akhuwat Foun-

dation participated through video link, Mr. Khurshid Zafar, Chief Operating Officer, Askari Bank and other senior executives from both organizations were present at the occasion. pr

Ambassador of Japan calls on Air Chief According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance/Development Work is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule: On 22nd April, 2022 from 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM, PAF Kallar Kaar, Miani, Manara, Iqbal Town, Sangohi, Nathwala, Safdar Shaheed, Mashine Mohallah, Langar pur and Surroundings will remain off. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time. pr

Thal Express from Rawalpindi to Multan inaugurated RAWALPINDI pr

Passenger Train Thal Express from Rawalpindi to Multan has been inaugurated in collaboration with Pakistan Railways and Private Sector. Before Divisional Superintendent Inamullah Eid-ul-Fitr, it will be a great gift of Pakistan Railways for the people of Seraiki Belt. Inamullah Thal Express Golra Taxila Hassan Abdal Attock Economy and AC coaches are also included in the express. It will reach Multan in 15 hours. Imran Enterprise.

PMC will conduct Centralized Computer-based MDCAT test on national level ISLAMABAD pr

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi exchanging views with H.E Mr Tarek Mohamed Dahroug Ambassador of Arab Republic of Egypt to Pakistan at Naval Headquarters Islamabad. pr

Ambassador of Japan H. E. Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today. The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of PAF personnel and the exceptional progress made by PAF over the years, especially through indigeniza-

tion. The Air Chief highlighted that both countries enjoy cordial relations and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral cooperation between the air forces of the two countries. Various matters of mutual interest and professional cooperation also came under discussion during the meeting. pr

Pakistan Medical Commission will conduct centralised computer based MDCAT test on a national level. In addition to this PMC would also like to refute all and any fake/unauthentic news circulating misguiding students/public regarding the cancellation of the computerized MDCAT test and conducting MDCAT on a provincial level. The date of the MDCAT test will be announced publicly.

Kashmiris to observe shutdown on Modi’s visit to mark ‘black day’: Mushaal ISLAMABAD staff report

Mushaal Hussein Mullick, wife of illegally detained Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Yasin Malik, said that people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) would observe complete shutdown to mark ‘black day’ on the visit of Indian fascist Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the valley on April 24. Mushaal, who is also Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization, said in a strong-worded statement on Thursday that

Kashmiri people would observer shutdown in the territory to give clear message notorious Indian authorities that Kashmiris rejected the Indian illegal occupation of their homeland. The Hurriyat leader stated that Modi’s visit to the scenic valley was nothing but a cruel joke with the Kashmiri people to rub salt on their wounds. She said that the notorious Indian Premier wanted to visit the valley to mislead the world pertaining to the real ground situation in IIOJK. However, Mushaal vowed that such tac-

tics would not work rather it would further expose his brutal face before the world. The chairperson lamented that RSSbacked BJP regime has broken all the previous records of brutality in Kashmir, as the valley has been virtually turned into a killing field. She noted that Kashmiris are victims of fake encounters, disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture and humiliation by Indian troops with complete impunity as they enjoyed complete legal cover to commit any war crime in the valley. Moreover, Mushaal said that fascist Modi regime’s inhuman policies were not

limited now only to killing and torturing Kashmiri people to silence the strong dissenting voices. However, the Hurriyat leader added that the blood-thirsty Indian government was hellbent to change the demography of the land of martyrs by bringing Hindu settlers there. The chairperson made it clear that the Indian government’s all such tactics was countered by the brave Kashmiris and would not let them succeed in the future at any cost. Mushaal vowed that the struggle for the right to self-determination would be continued till the last Kashmiri alive and they

would resist the Indian subjugation till last drop of their blood. She expressed optimism that Kashmiris are destined to succeed and India’s defeat is writing on the wall. She urged that the world powers, international community and human rights organizations should take notice of the unabated bloodbath of Kashmiris and should press the Indian government to ensure peaceful and just settlement of Kashmir dispute. Mushaal warned that the unresolved Kashmir dispute posed a grave threat to peace and stability in South Asia and the world.

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS ‘JF-17 to address security requirements of Nigeria’ AgENciEs While expressing complete satisfaction on the performance of the JF-17 fighter aircraft, Nigerian military leadership on Thursday said that the aircraft, with its unique fighting capabilities, would prove to be a potent platform in addressing the security requirements of Nigeria, the military said in a statement. This was stated by Chief of Defence Staff Nigerian Armed Forces General Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea Leo Irabor during a meeting with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza in Rawalpindi. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of bilateral defence cooperation including security, military exchanges, training and the prevailing regional environment were discussed during the meeting. Chief of Defence Staff Nigeria said that these mutually beneficial interactions have deepened the bilateral defence relationship, strengthened the cooperation and enhanced mutual understanding between the two armies. The chairman JCSC reaffirmed the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan. The visiting dignitary expressed his complete satisfaction on the performance of JF-17 fighter aircraft, inducted from Pakistan. He also said that the JF-17 aircraft, with its unique fighting capabilities, would prove to be a potent platform in addressing the security requirements of Nigeria, the statement added. Earlier upon arrival at Joint Staff Headquarters, General Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea Leo Irabor was presented guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan armed forces.

PUtIN says No Need to stoRM MaRIUPol steel PlaNt wheRe UKRaINIaNs holed UP kYiV

Agencies

RESIDENT Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered the Russian military to cancel plans to storm the Azovstal steel plant inside the port city of Mariupol, where thousands of Ukrainian defenders and civilians are holed up. Effectively declaring victory in the city after nearly two months of siege, Putin said there was no point in trying to root out the defenders barricaded inside the sprawling factory. “I consider the proposed storming of the industrial zone unnecessary,” he told his Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in a televised meeting at the Kremlin. “I order you to cancel it.” “There’s no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities,” he said. “Block off this industrial area so

that not even a fly can get through.” Shoigu estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters remained inside the plant. Putin called on them to surrender, saying Russia would treat them with respect. Overnight, Mikhailo Podolyak, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, proposed that talks be held inside Mariupol itself on the fate of its last defenders. “Without any conditions. We’re ready to hold a ‘special round of negotiations’ right in Mariupol,” he tweeted late on Wednesday. “One on one. Two on two. To save our guys, Azov (battalion), military, civilians, children, the living & the wounded. Everyone. Because they are ours. Because they are in my heart. Forever.” No surreNder: The city of formerly 400,000 people on the Sea of Azov, under bombardment and siege since the war’s earliest days, has been the scene of the heaviest fighting and worst humanitarian

catastrophe of the conflict. Ukraine says tens of thousands of civilians have died there. But Russia now says that, apart from the huge steel plant, the city is effectively under its control. A commander of the Azov regiment rejected Russia’s demands that defenders surrender. In a video appeal, Svyatoslav Palamar called for “third parties” to guarantee the safety of hundreds of civilians sheltering in the factory’s bunkers. “Let me say that we do not accept the conditions set down by the Russian Federation on giving up our weapons and our defenders giving themselves up as prisoners,” Palamar said. Russia has blocked all efforts by Ukraine to send aid to Mariupol or buses to evacuate civilians to Ukrainian-controlled territory, and Kyiv accuses it of forcibly deporting tens of thousands of residents to Russia. Moscow says Russia has taken in 140,000 civilians in humani-

tarian evacuations. On Wednesday, Russian-backed forces organised a small convoy of buses to let some residents leave an area they control for Zaporizhzhia, in Ukrainian government-controlled territory. doNBas push: Mariupol is the link that Moscow needs to provide a secure connection between territory held by the separatists it backs in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region and Crimea, the peninsula it seized in 2014. It is also the main port of the Donbas, two provinces that Moscow demands Ukraine fully cede to the separatists in what the Kremlin now describes as the war’s main objective. After failing to capture Kyiv last month and being forced to withdraw from northern Ukraine, Russia regrouped to launched a major new offensive this week in the Donbas, pushing from several directions to encircle Ukrainian troops.

China stresses Asia’s role in promoting global peace, growth and cooperation NEws DEsk With the three critical questions atop the agenda, this year’s Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference held in the town of Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, has drawn worldwide attention. The Global Security Initiative to promote security for all in the world proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the forum on Thursday has given an Asian perspective on addressing the challenges of the times. ‘sophisticated, iNtegrated apparatus’: Security is a precondition for development, and humanity is living in an “indivisible security community,” Xi said in a video speech. “In this day and age, the international community has evolved so much that it has become a sophisticated and integrated apparatus,” he said, adding that acts to remove any single part will cause serious problems to its operation. Calling on all countries to join hands, he further

highlighted the need for cooperation in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting economic recovery, maintaining world peace and addressing global governance challenges. “It is particularly important for major countries to lead by example in honoring equality, cooperation, good faith and the rule of law, and act in a way befitting their status,” he said. This is Xi’s sixth time delivering a keynote speech at the forum, and cooperation and peace are frequently among the key pillars he mentions when expounding on China’s propositions to the world. ‘Make asia aN aNchor’: Measured by purchasing power parity, Asia’s share in the world economy in 2021 rose by 0.2 percentage points from 2020 to 47.4 percent, according to the Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2022. The report also noted that a number of factors are essential for assessing the economic performance in 2022, including the development of COVID-19,

geopolitical tensions after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, monetary policy adjustment in the U.S. and Europe, debt problems in some economies, global supply and political regime changes in some Asian countries. Against such a background, Xi’s proposition at the forum makes more sense — making Asia an anchor for world peace, a powerhouse for global growth and a new pacesetter for international cooperation. “When Asia fares well, the whole world benefits,” he said. Calling for efforts to foster a more open Asiawide market, he stressed seizing opportunities, such as the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the opening to traffic of the China-Laos railway. The president also highlighted China’s role during the process, saying that the fundamentals of the Chinese economy – its strong resilience, enormous potential, vast room for maneuver and long-term sustainability – remain unchanged.

UK’s PM Boris Johnson arrives in India for hard sell on anti-Russia action AHMEDABAD Agencies

PID (I) 7432/21

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in India Thursday touting job-creating investment but facing long odds to get his reluctant counterpart Narendra Modi to back Western action against Russia. Johnson arrived in Gujarat — Modi’s home state and the ancestral home to half of the United Kingdom’s British Indians — where he is meeting business leaders and taking a cultural tour of the historic Ahmedabad city. He will leave for New Delhi to meet his Indian counterpart on Friday, providing Johnson some respite from the “partygate” controversy over his criminal violation of pandemic lockdown rules. Johnson will miss a parliamentary vote on Thursday into whether he deliberately misled the House of Commons in previously denying any Downing Street rule-breaking — normally a resigning matter. The India trip has been twice postponed because of COVID flareups in each country and was briefly in doubt again this week when the vote was announced, with Opposition leaders insisting Johnson stand down. But UK sources said it was seen as too important to put off again. Downing Street said it would seal two-way investment deals worth more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion), creating almost 11,000 jobs in Britain. The visit will “deepen the strategic trade, defence and people-to-people ties between our two countries”, Johnson told parliament before flying out of London. Johnson’s visit began with a trip to Sabarmati ashram, once the home of independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, where he was invited to sit crosslegged and work a wooden spinning wheel. The tool was once vital to the local textile industry and championed by Gandhi as a symbol of resistance to Britain’s colonial rule of India. No lectures: Downing Street said the visit would yield new partnerships on defence, artificial intelligence and green energy, along with investment deals in areas including robotics, electric vehicles and satellite launches. “Our powerhouse partnership is delivering jobs, growth and opportunities for our people, and it will only go from strength to strength in the coming years,” Johnson added in a statement. However, London acknowledges that it is some way off clinching a post-Brexit trade deal with Modi’s government, which wants more visas for Indians to work or study in the UK. India meanwhile has refused openly to condemn the Kremlin for its invasion of Ukraine, reliant as it is on Russian imports of energy, agricultural goods and military hardware.

Friday, 22 April, 2022 | KARACHI

MoHAMMAd RizwAn nAMed wisden’s leAding T20 cRickeTeR in THe woRld foR 2021

staff RepoRt

AKISTAN’S wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been named the Leading T20 Cricketer in the World in the 2022 edition of the Wisden Almanack. The 29-year-old had a prolific run in 2021, becoming the first-ever cricketer in the history of T20 cricket to amass over 2,000 runs in a calendar year. In 45 innings, he amassed 2,036 runs at an average of 56.55. Rizwan also became the first-ever player to score 1,000 T20 international runs in a calendar year. At an av-

erage of 73.66 in international cricket, he made 1,326 runs. “Twenty20 batting is supposed to be a volatile, highvariance occupation: boom-boom or bust. Occasionally, a player produces a purple patch to rise above the hurlyburly. But no one has had a year of such sustained runscoring as Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan,” Alen Gardner wrote while profiling Rizwan. “Never mind seeing it well: he was batting as if blessed with foresight. And in a sense he was. After starring in Pakistan’s ten-wicket demolition of India at the T20 World Cup, his clarity of purpose was summed up by a viral video from the ICC that spliced his pre-game

SPORTS 11

routine of visualization alongside the boundaries he struck during his 55-ball 79,” he added. Gardner also emphasised how brilliant Rizwan’s numbers were and how he left behind the greats of T20 cricket. “The bare numbers had a formidable heft. Rizwan peeled off 1,326 T20I runs at 73 – breaking the calendar record, set by Ireland’s Paul Stirling in 2019, by almost 600. In all T20 cricket, he made 2,036 at 56. No one – not Chris Gayle, not Virat Kohli, not Rizwan’s opening partner, Babar Azam, who last year scored 1,779 himself – had ever got near 2,000.”

England’s Root named Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world staff RepoRt

Abid Ali scores fifty on his return to competitive cricket after four months

Joe Root has been named as Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world, just a week after he stepped down as England’s Test captain. Root quit last week after five years as England skipper following a dismal run of one win in 17 games. But his impeccable form with the bat in 2021, when he scored 1,708 runs at an average of 61, helped him earn the global award. Root succeeds his own potential successor with the national side, Ben Stokes, who took the honour in 2019 and 2020.

Third Englishman: Root is the third Englishman to receive the accolade since it was launched in 2003, with Andrew Flintoff the first in 2005. Meanwhile, Root’s England teammate Ollie Robinson was named as one of the almanack’s five cricketers of the year. Robinson joined Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Devon Conway and Dane van Niekerk in earning the prestigious award, which dates back to 1889 and predominantly recognises performances from the previous English summer. Lizelle Lee is the new Wisden leading women’s cricketer in the world, the first South African to hold the title.

News Desk Pakistan Test opener Abid Ali returned to competitive cricket after four months and scored fifty. The 34-year-old Abid played his first match in the ongoing SPL at Faisalabad. The right-handed batter made 32-ball 56 runs with the help of a six and seven fours. Remember, he suffered pain in his chest during a match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in December 2021. He was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and a stent was placed in Abid’s blocked coronary artery in an angioplasty surgery. Speaking to this correspondent after the match, Abid Ali said that he did not feel any discomfort while batting. “I was a bit nervous over playing my first match after heart surgery but thanks to Almighty Allah, the time on the field went well.” “This knock has boosted my confidence and I will strive for my form and fitness by participating in more matches. My target is to represent Pakistan once again,” he added. “I am grateful to my family and fans for their courage and support during difficult times,” he concluded.

Modification of Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling action completed staff RepoRt Young Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain has modified his bowling action and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will soon contact International Cricket Council (ICC) for reassessment. The 22-year-old’s bowling action was found illegal on February 4 after umpires in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) reported. He underwent a test at the ICC’s accredited testing centre in Lahore on January 21. The report stated that his elbow extension for his good length delivery, full-length delivery, slow bouncer and bouncer exceeded the 15-degree limits. According to sources, the modification of Hasnain’s bowling action has been completed under the supervision of Umar Rasheed at the National High Performance Center (NHPC). Tests at a local laboratory also found that the elbow of his arm was within the legal range of 15-degree limits. After complete satisfaction, the PCB will now formally request a review from the ICC. The world’s governing body will send Hasnain to a recognized laboratory for a test. He will be allowed to play international cricket if clearance is obtained.

Benzema misses two penalties in Real Madrid win MaDRID Agencies

Karim Benzema missed two penalties in seven minutes on Wednesday but Real Madrid still had enough to defeat Osasuna 3-1 as they continued their march towards the La Liga title. Benzema was looking for his 45th goal of the season but was twice denied by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, who both times dived to his right and both times made the save with Madrid leading 2-1 at El Sadar. But Osasuna were unable to find an equaliser in the second half and Madrid added a third in injury-time, Vinicius Junior teeing up Lucas Vazquez for an easy finish. David Alaba’s opener had earlier been cancelled out by Osasuna’s Ante Budimir, before Marco Asensio restored Madrid’s advantage on the stroke of half-time. Carlo Ancelotti was unconcerned by Benzema’s misses from the spot. “If there was another penalty, he would have taken it and the next one he will take as well,” Ancelotti said. Madrid move 17 points clear at the top of La Liga, ahead of Atletico Madrid, who missed the chance to pull away in the race for the top four after being held to a goalless draw by Granada. The stalemate means Atletico move up to second in the table but could be overtaken by both Barcelona and Sevilla on Thursday. Barca play at Real Sociedad after Sevilla travel to Levante.

Real Betis, who were beaten by Elche on Tuesday, are four points behind Atletico in fifth. Ancelotti started Toni Kroos and Vinicius on the bench while Luka Modric was left out of the squad completely, with the first leg of Madrid’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City less than a week away. Alaba went off in the second half but Ancelotti said the problem does not seem serious. “We’re optimistic,” he said. “It doesn’t seem serious. His groin was bothering him so we decided to take him off.” Alaba put Real Madrid in front in the 13th minute, bundling in the rebound after Benzema had tapped the ball across, but the advantage was brief as Budimir knocked in Chimy Avila’s pass to the back post a minute later. Madrid restored their lead at the end of the half as Asensio played inside from the right wing and continued his run into the penalty box. Eduardo Camavinga chipped to the left side of the box and while Dani Ceballos’ effort was saved, Asensio’s run was rewarded with a simple finish. Benzema’s pair of penalties came in the 52nd and 59th minutes, both won by Rodrygo, whose sharp turn tempted Avila into a handball on the ground before Nacho Vidal stumbled into the back of the Brazilian. At the first attempt, Benzema struck left but Herrera dived to make the save. The second time, Herrera pointed to Benzema’s right but Benzema opted for the same side, Herrera guessing correctly again to palm away to safety.

Juve set up cup final with inter tURIN Agencies

Holders Juventus booked their spot in next month’s Italian Cup final against Inter Milan with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina in their semifinal, the second leg in Turin on Wednesday to advance 3-0 on aggregate. Juventus lost their Serie A crown last season to Inter Milan and also fell to an Italian Super Cup defeat by their northern rivals in January. Sitting fourth in Serie A, Juventus’s hopes of avoiding a season without a trophy for the first time since 2011 will likely be played out at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on May 11. “I could not ask for more from these lads, as for the last four months it’s been practically the same players all the time,” Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri told Mediaset. “They’re throwing their hearts out there. We did well defensively this evening, which had gone awry lately.” Juve took control of the semi-final against their Tuscany rivals after Lorenzo Venuti’s late own goal in the first leg in Florence. On Wednesday, former Fiorentina winger Federico Bernardeschi fired the hosts ahead after half an hour, with Danilo adding a second just before the final whistle. Fiorentina could thank goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski for denying ex-Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic twice in the first half-hour, but Bernardeschi volleyed home the opening goal. Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin saved headers from Arthur Cabral and Lucas Martinez Quarta either side of the break. Denis Zakaria missed the chance to double Juve’s lead on the night, hitting the woodwork after the interval. An Adrien Rabiot goal was then ruled offside before Juan Cuadrado set up Danilo to score late on as Juve maintained their bid for a record-extending 15th Italian Cup. On Tuesday, Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Inter Milan beat city rivals AC Milan 3-0, after a goalless first leg, as the seven-time winners look to reclaim a trophy they last won in 2011.

Friday, 22 April, 2022

Prayer Timings

NEWS

MiftaH dePaRtS foR US to Meet iMf offiCialS foR Revival of loan faCility

INANCE Minister Miftah Ismail on Thursday left for United States to meet with International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials for the revival of a loan facility that was stalled following the ouster of Imran Khan government earlier this month. Earlier, the minister tweeted that the purpose of the visit is to “put back on track our IMF program

Supreme Court not to be influenced by criticism: CJP

that PTI and IK (Imran Khan) derailed, thus endangering our economy”. He added that he would travel to London on the way, where he would meet PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif. Within the new coalition government, Miftah earlier expressed his resolve to get the programme back on track to revive the “ruined economy”. The minister said that government would do

whatever is necessary to restore the programme. He said the government can reduce public sector development spending with other necessary budgetary discipline arrangements. “We will restore the programme. If the government has to tighten its belt, it will do so,” he said adding that no extra burden would be put on the people. sTaff rePorT

PM withdraws foreign aﬀairs portfolio from Tariq Fatemi

ISLAMABAD agencies

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday remarked that the Supreme Court (SC) will not be influenced by criticism as long as there are people who abide by the Constitution. The CJP’s remarks came during the hearing of the presidential reference seeking the interpretation of Article 63(A). He added that the SC stands for the supremacy of the Constitution. “The courts are open for critics as the court’s job is to do justice with everyone,” Justice Bandial said, adding that the court will continue to serve its purpose despite the criticism it is subjected to. Presenting arguments in the court during the hearing, Senator Raza Rabbani said the constitutional office holders attacked and ran campaigns against institutions that stood for the Constitution. He further said that malicious criticism of democratic institutions leads the country towards fascism. Courts work for 24 hours, Justice Bandial had said on Monday in response to former prime minister Imran Khan’s question on why the courts had to open at midnight on April 9 — the night he was ousted as the prime minister. During the hearing of the presidential reference, CJP Bandial said: “No one needs to point a finger at the courts.” The top judge said: “We don’t care about what is being said on social media; [we] are the protector of the Constitution”. CJP Bandial said that the SC expects political leaders to defend judicial orders in public. The remark came in response to former prime minister Imran Khan’s recent criticism of the courts.

Center to support Sindh on KCR, Hyderabad-Sukkur motorway projects The center assured the Sindh government on Thursday that the coalition federal government would extend maximum support for completion of major development projects in Sindh. The assurance came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and Sindh Chief Murad Ali Shah. During the meeting, development projects in Sindh under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) including Greater Karachi Water Supply Project (K-4), Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway were discussed in detail, a statement said. CM Murad Ali Shah told the federal minister that “there was no progress on KCR as the previous government did not pay heed to the important project”. The previous government deliberately ignored the development plans of Sindh due to political reasons. He hoped the new coalition government at the center had an experienced team which will deliver results and come up to the expectations of the people. ghulam abbas

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday withdrew the portfolio of foreign affairs from Tariq Fatemi, a day after appointing him as his special assistant on foreign affairs. According to a federal government’s notification, Tariq Fatemi will continue to serve as special assistant to the prime minister (SAPM) without a portfolio and has been granted the additional status of a state minister. “In partial modification of this

Division’s earlier notification of even number dated April 20, 2022, the prime minister, in terms of rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973, read with serial number 1A of Schedule V-A of the said Rules, has been please to appoint Syed Tariq Fatemi as ‘Special Assistant to the Prime Minister’ and grant him the status of minister of state,” the notification read. Moreover, the federal government also issued a notification for change in the portfolio of Federal

Minister Ehsan Mazari from human rights to inter-provincial coordination. Fatemi had served as the SAPM on foreign affairs during the previous PML-N government under Nawaz but was removed in 2017 for his alleged role in ‘Dawn leaks’ — a story published in Dawn that reported the details of a high-level civil-military meeting discussing the issue of banned outfits operating in Pakistan. sTaff rePorT

PM orders ‘foolproof security’ for Imran ahead of Lahore rally Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered foolproof security for former prime minister Imran Khan after the latter received security threats prior to his rally in Lahore. The PM directed the interior ministry to take immediate steps over reports of security threat to the PTI chairman and asked Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to personally monitor the arrangements. On the directive of the prime minister, the ministry issued an emergency letter to the home secretaries of the four provinces as well as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, ordering strict security measures for Imran.

The interior ministry also issued instructions to the inspector general of police and chief commissioner of Islamabad. An urgent notice from the ministry stated that strict security should be ensured for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief wherever he goes across the country and that the security officials should ensure necessary measures, including bomb disposal at his Bani Gala residence. It further claimed that negligence regarding security during Imran Khan’s rallies, processions and public activities would not be tolerated.

A day earlier, Lahore Additional Deputy Commissioner Atiyab Sultan in a letter to PTI leadership had stated that Imran should address the rally – scheduled to be at Minar-e-Pakistan on Thursday evening – virtually due to “severe threat alerts”. Earlier this month, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry had claimed that security agencies had warned the relevant authorities of a plot to assassinate Imran Khan. “After the reports, the [former] prime minister’s security has been beefed up as per the government’s decision,” he had said. sTaff rePorT

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

4:47

12:32

4:01

6:06

6:56

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fiqah-e-hanfia lahore sehr: 4:01 am iftar: 6:36 Pm

islamabad sehr: 4:00 am iftar: 6:44 Pm

karachi sehr: 4:44 am iftar: 6:58 Pm

fiqah-e-jafaria lahore sehr: 3:11 am iftar: 6:46 Pm

islamabad sehr: 4:10 am iftar: 6:54 Pm

karachi sehr: 4:54 am iftar: 7:08 Pm

Banks’ deposits rise 2.9pc MoM to Rs20.5tr in March The total deposits held by banks have shown a growth of 2.9 percent on a month-on-month (MoM) basis to reach Rs20.47 trillion in March against Rs19.9 trillion in February on account of strong overseas inflows. According to data issued by the State Bank showed on Wednesday, the local banks’ deposits jumped by 14 percent on a year-on-year basis in March 2022 against Rs17.9 trillion recorded in the same month of the last fiscal year. According to the SBP data, investments jumped to Rs15tr in March 2022, showing a growth of 20 percent on a yearly basis. The higher growth in investments can be attributed to higher borrowings by the sector. On a sequential basis, the total investments by commercial banks increased marginally by 3% from Rs14.54tr in the previous month. Consequently, banks’ investment to deposit ratio (IDR) on a monthly basis remained stable at 73% by end of March’22, whereas on a yearly basis, it increased from 70%. Similarly, demand for advances posted positive growth of 20% YoY during the month under review to Rs10.32tr. On a monthly basis, it inched up by 4% MoM. The advances to deposits ratio (ADR) remained static at 50% in March’22 compared to the previous month. While on a sequential basis, ADR increased by 2ppts from its previous month’s level of 48%. Meanwhile, the banking sector spread for the month of March 2022 increased by 9 basis points (bps) over the month which brings its latest value to 4.67% as compared to the prior month’s spread of 4.58 percent. Similarly, compared to the same month last year, the spread has increased by 36bps as it stood at 4.31% in March 2021. As per data, the lending rate for all banks jumped by 3bps MoM and 177bps YoY to stand at 9.61%. Meanwhile, the deposit rate clocked in at 4.94%, declining by 6bps over the month while improving by 141bps over the year in March 2022. In addition, fresh lending rates stood at 10.59% during the month under review, up by 25bps MoM, while on yearly basis, it rose by 289bps. Fresh deposit rates increased by 1bps MoM and 187bps YoY to 5.1%. Thus, fresh banking spread during February 2022 stood at 5.49%, depicting a growth of 24bps MoM and 102bps YoY. TlTP

Economic terrorists will not be allowed to flee the country: Rana Sanaullah ISLAMABAD agencies

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday said that those who have committed “economic terrorism” will not be allowed to flee the country, adding that the Exit Control List (ECL) is being recompiled. In a statement issued by the interior minister, he said that “economic terrorists” are national criminals and they will not be permitted to leave the country. Sanaullah said that Imran Khan and his party should collectively apologise to the nation for his “incompetency and for looting the national wealth.”

He also said: “Imran Khan was ousted through the no-confidence motion and now he has fled from the political field.” One day prior, the interior minister had taken a swipe at the former prime minister and had questioned his meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Abdullah Omar. The Congresswoman, who is on a four-day visit to Pakistan — April 20-24 — had meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Arif Alvi, as well as Imran Khan. “Was the meeting with the American Congresswoman part of a conspiracy or was it interference?” the minister asked Imran Khan in a statement. “Which US conspiracy

did you discuss with Ilhan Omar”? He went on to say why Imran Khan, who was accusing the former Opposition of hatching a conspiracy along with the United Stated against his government, was meeting Americans. The interior minister had said that if Imran Khan does not come clean before the nation regarding his meeting with the Congresswoman, the government will initiate a probe into it. “The nation deserves to know the truth. Otherwise, Imran Niazi, following his tradition, might bring forth another letter in a few days.” Further criticising the former prime

minister, Sanaullah said that the man who used to incite the nation against the United States was now “laughing and talking to the Americans”. Why did the person who provoked the nation with the slogans of “absolutely not” say “absolutely yes” to the meeting with the Congresswoman, Sanaullah questioned.

FDI slips 2pc to $1.285bn in 9 months Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) dropped by 2 per cent in the first nine months (JulyMarch) of the current fiscal year 2021-22 as multinational companies and foreign investors of various sectors have been cautious in investing in Pakistan because of the uncertainties posed by the global situation. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country attracted FDI of $1.285 billion between July 2021 and March 2022 as compared to $1.31 billion in the same period last year. However, the FDI had a net

outflow of $30.4 million in March 2022 against an inflow of $173.4 million in March 2021, and analysts noted that Pakistan had the net outflow after November 2020. The SBP explained the reason for the decreased FDI in the power sector in the first quarterly report for FY2022, stating that “most of the investments into the country’s power sector had been arriving under the first phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)”. As the majority of these projects are complete and operational, fresh investments

from China in the sector have correspondingly diminished. Another possible factor could be the active global policy focus on reducing the usage of coal (including in power generation) over environmental sustainability concerns, the report said. “This has discouraged investments into coal-fired power projects globally, including possibly in Pakistan as well,” the SBP stated. It also observed that in contrast to the power sector, FDIs in the information communications technology (ICT) sector gained

momentum. Pakistan’s digital services firms and tech entrepreneurs are consistently increasing their exports and are now benefiting from the sharp increase in global investments flowing into tech startups. According to the first quarterly report, foreign investors have been keen to invest in Pakistan’s communications sector since the outbreak of Covid-19 largely because of consistently rising telecom connectivity besides increased demand for digital services amidst the pandemic.

Cumulatively, in the first nine months of FY22, China remained the single largest investor with a net inflow of $333.5 million, followed by the USA which invested a net $183.1 million. Hong Kong also invested a net $133 million in this period. Furthermore, the power sector attracted a single albeit largest investment of $489.1 million in these nine months. The financial sector received $322.8 million on the net while oil and gas exploration firms received a net $179.7 million in the same span. TlTP

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk