Sunday, 16 January, 2022 I 12 Jamadi-al-Sani, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 199 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
SBP declineS govt’S direction to oPen AfghAniStAn relief fund
ISLAMABAD news desk
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he State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has refused to open the Afghanistan Relief Fund and requested the federal government to review its decision, expressing the fear that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) might impose sanctions against Islamabad. The central bank has returned the government’s request to open the relief fund with the advice that the decision might be reviewed in light of Pakistan’s commitments under international covenants and the FATF action plan, highly-placed government sources told express Tribune. The federal government had decided to open the bank account to receive cash donations from Pakistan and abroad to help Afghan people meet their immediate humanitarian needs. Subsequently, on December 8, the Finance Ministry issued instructions to the SBP to “open with immediate effect” the Afghanistan Relief Fund to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The federal government had requested
the SBP governor that he should issue necessary instructions to the scheduled banks to open the account. But so far, the account remains non-operational. At the request of the SBP, the issue of opening the Afghanistan Relief Fund is being examined to ensure that Pakistan fully complied with its international commitments, Finance Secretary hamid Yaqoob Sheikh the told The express Tribune. The Finance Ministry has referred the SBP’s observations to the economic Affairs Ministry, the Law Ministry and the Foreign Office with direction to review the matter and place it before the federal cabinet. The ministry had also held a meeting this week all stakeholders, including the SBP to find a way out. The SBP chief spokesperson’s response was awaited till the filing of the story. The central bank’s observations have raised questions over the authority of the federal government. It may also throw a challenge to the Foreign Office that is trying to secure commitments from the international community to avoid catastrophe in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s banking system remains crippled after the takeover of Kabul by the
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Taliban in August last year, creating serious issues for the common men and the Taliban government. “Unless action is taken immediately, Afghanistan is heading for chaos,” Prime Minister Imran Khan had said last month, while addressing the meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The prime minister had also told the OIC gathering that “any government when it cannot pay its salaries for its public servants, hospitals, doctors, nurses, any government is going to collapse but chaos suits no one, it certainly does not suit the United States.” The central bank’s reluctance to open the bank account may also raise questions over the federal government and the SBP relations, particularly after the passage of SBP Amendment Bill 2021 by the National Assembly on Thursday night. Section 46-B (4) of the approved SBP bills says, “The Bank, the members of its decisionmaking bodies and its staff shall neither request, nor take any instructions from any other person or entity, including Government or quasi-government entities”. “The autonomy of the Bank shall be respected at all times and no person or entity shall seek to influence the members of the Board, executive Committee, Monetary Policy Committee, or the staff of the Bank in the performance of their functions”. Before approval of the bill, the Prime Minister’s Office had raised objections over this section but these were ignored. The Finance Ministry had directed that all proceeds on account of relief activities and payment into the fund will be received at all branches of the SBP, all treasuries and branches of National Bank of Pakistan and all other scheduled banks. But the account still remains inactive. A Finance Ministry official said that the government might review its decision to open the account after the OIC also pledged to set up a humanitarian trust fund for Afghanistan. The OIC resolution released after the meeting stated the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) would lead the effort to free up assistance by the first quarter of 2022.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Joint opposition to march from Karachi to Ghotki against controversial Sindh LG law KARACHI staff RepoRt
Three opposition entities in Sindh – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – on Saturday jointly staged a protest against controversial Sindh local government law at Karachi’s Fawara Chowk. The leaders of Sindh opposition parties including MQM, PTI and GDA attended the protest demonstration against the recently enacted local government law.
Fazl says one person’s opinion on more inside National Security is not enough Couple found hanging to death from a tree in Tharparkar
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,320,120
LAST UPDATED AT 8:31 AM ON JANUARY 15, 2022
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
4
4,286
RECOVERED:
STORY ON PAGE 02
DEATHS:
1,263,005 29,003 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
497,153
451,408
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
182,100
33,684
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
34,739/10,439
110,597
MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, federal minister Ali Zaidi, Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly haleem Adil Sheikh, Sardar Abdul Rahim and other leaders of opposition parties addressed the rally. Addressing the rally, PTI Sindh Chapter president Ali Zaidi strongly criticised Sindh govt’s local government law and called for its immediate repeal. Ali Zaidi announced that PTI along with other opposition parties will hold a march from Karachi to Ghotki against the Local Government Law.
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said that one person’s opinion on national matters is not enough, according to Geo News. While addressing an event, Fazl, who is also the chief of JUI-F, said that “the National Security Policy is being formulated but the parliament is unaware about it”. he criticised the government for green-lighting the security policy “without any consultations” and said his party has a massive following. “Politics is the only path to power….The ulema have to unite for the benefit of the people,” he said. A day earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had
launched the public version of Pakistan’s first-ever citizen-centric National Security Policy, saying that an inclusive development is inevitable for national security. The policy was approved by the federal cabinet on December 28 after getting nod of the National Security Committee. Addressing the launching ceremony of the public version of the otherwise secret document, the prime minister had said: “Inclusive growth means not only to uplift the poor people but also the neglected areas… (In such case) every common man becomes a stakeholder to protect the state… The biggest security is when people stand behind state for its protection.” news desk
Tourists allowed conditional entry to Murree a week after blizzard tragedy STORY ON PAGE 03
IHC summons Rana Shamim for indictment on Jan 20 STORY ON BACK PAGE
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Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | LAHORE
NEWS
Five years on, restoration oF Wazir Khan Mosque reMains a distant dreaM LAHORe
omicron fears compel PCaa to ban in-flight meals IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) banned from January 17 (Monday) on-board meal services in domestic flights to stem the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The directive is in line with the recommendations of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). “Amid rising Omicron cases across the country, the NCOC bans serving meals/snacks onboard domestic flights and public transport effective from January 17,” the authority said on Twitter. As mounting numbers of cases are detected and evidence suggests the Omicron variant transmits faster than Delta, over three dozen nations have imposed travel restrictions.
sindh to keep schools open despite omicron surge
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HE restoration work of the 17th century historical monument Wazir Khan Mosque could not be completed by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) while discrepancies in funds for the restoration of the mosque have also been revealed, Pakistan Today has learnt. According to the details, despite the passage of five years, the dangerous crack in the facade of the mosque could not be repaired and procurement of various items could not be done. According to further details, the responsibility of restoration work of Wazir Khan Mosque was given to WCLA five years ago so that this historical monument can be made useful for future generations. However, in this regard, the project ‘Preservation and Restoration of Wazir Khan Mosque Lahore’ was approved by the Local Government & Community Development Department, Punjab at on April 2017 and the PC-I cost of the project was RS 550 million whereas the completion period of the project was five years [April 2022]. A sub-agency of the Punjab Planning and Development Board made severe observations on the project and the agency revealed in its report that despite the passage of five years, only 30 percent of the physical work on the project has been completed. According to the documents, the rehabilitation of surrounding historic houses of Mosque was also to be done and
completed within amount of RS 68.37 million, while conservation of monument [Wazir Khan Mosque], conservation of internal Hujras in Mosque, conservation & restoration of Façades of Mosque and Restoration of Calligrapher`s Bazaar was to be completed in RS 183.37 million but WCLA could spent only RS 70.03. Similarly, acquisition of properties encroaching on the monument or into public space of Chowk Wazir Khan was done in RS 16.66 by utilizing only 6.5 percent of the given amount whereas the cost of RS 3.75 million was spent on the consultancy for infrastructure. Moreover, there was no work carried out in terms of procurement, publication and capacity building showing 0 percent progress, the documents explained. The documents also mentioned that
total project cost was RS 555 million while the actual expenditure was RS 159.000 million and the financial progress was 28.7 percent and overall Physical Progress was 30 percent. The documents stated, “The project was approved for PCI amount of RS 555 million on 24-04-2017 with planned gestation period of 5 years ending on 23-04-2022. However, the work progress was slow at the project site and can lead to delay in project completion”. The document stated the scheme was behind the schedule. During Fiscal year 2018-19, RS 29.310 million was released against allocated amount of RS 20 million, which is a discrepancy. “The rehabilitation works of prayer chamber were remaining and executing agency reported that the work was pending because of seepage issues from
China-Pakistan strategic partnership ensures regional, global development: President Alvi IsLAMABAD app
kARACHI Staff RepoRt
A meeting of the task force on coronavirus Saturday decided to keep schools across Sindh open despite a surge of new cases driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant. The meeting of the body, held under the chair of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, also decided to conduct a survey in the hospitals — both government and private — to gauge their capacity of handling the growing number of new infections and what else these facilities needed to keep doing so. The body declared wearing of facemasks in public places mandatory, adding it was also binding on wedding halls attendants, markets goers and those operating in public places. It was also directed that the guests at wedding halls should be served food in boxes. Only vaccinated people will be allowed to enter the markets. The district administrations ensure to check the vaccination cards of the visitors, the body added. Chief Minister Shah warned that civil servants who did not cover their faces would be penalised. It was proposed the fine could be equal to the violator’s one day’s salary. The government also decided to accelerate the vaccination campaign through the province since the surge in new cases, as the chief minister said, was due to ignoring the standard operating procedures (SoPs). Shah expressed the hope the government would also overcome this wave if the public extended its support and cooperation. The meeting participants also decided that restaurants will be monitored and action be taken against those that did not comply with health guidelines. Another session of the task force will be held after a few days, with the chief minister adding that further decisions will be taken on a review of the situation then. The megacity of Karachi was experiencing an explosion of infections driven by the Omicron variant as within days the positivity ratio has crossed 35 percent. Only in 24 hours, there was an increase of 6.5 percent in positivity rate. Confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Sindh have climbed to 497,153. It reported 3,089 new infections on Saturday after conducting 15,719 tests, receiving a positivity ratio of 19.6 percent. The province reported no deaths and 2,339 recoveries, leaving 7,693 deaths and 471,845 recovered. Sindh now has 17,615 active cases of the coronavirus.
President Dr Arif Alvi Saturday said that all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China envisioned a prosperous region with the establishment of economic and trade linkages through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of Chinese One Belt, One Road initiative. During an interaction with the Chinese media, the president said Pakistan and China enjoyed excellent relations which were based upon allweather strategic cooperative partnership. Dilating upon the long history of ties between the Iron Brothers, the president said both the countries had been cooperating in diverse fields through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The leadership of the both countries had been consistently improving upon the historic relationship, he said, adding the ties were based upon people-topeople linkages. President Alvi said both countries had faced testing times. The world is in the flux, facing different challenges and issues like illegal occupation of Kashmir (IIOJK) by India. He said Pakistan and China have been continuously talking about peace in the world and pushing for a durable peace across the world. The president cited both countries’ efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan and China had a long history of friendship and they were continuously improving upon these ties which had started during 50s and tremendously grew up during 60s, he added. China’s link with the world was established through Pakistan, he said. To a question, the president said that the new global order was emerging. On different issues, Pakistan and China think alike. In the face of these changes, the president stressed that any global changes should be based upon principles rather than hegemony. The president further stressed that these changes should not be of any kind of interference in each other’s affairs. The last seventy years ties between Pakistan and China had been a good example for the world to show how countries could be friendly and forged relations based upon principles and mutual understanding, he added. About the CPEC, the president said it is unique form of cooperation. CPEC completed projects stood around worth $28 billion whereas another $24 billion projects were under the completion. The president said the entire portfolio of CPEC projects was over $62 in the short term. “I think the CPEC has a tremendous impact upon the economy of Pakistan,” he opined. Rejecting certain propaganda launched against CEPC, he said huge cooperation was going on between China and Pakistan. He said the a very low mark-up over this investment reflected the mutual cooperation rather
than exploitation as projected by those opposing the project. The president further said that under CPEC, the initial projects were energy-based as Pakistan had been facing serious shortage of energy, subsequently, in the second phase, there were huge areas of cooperation in food, health agriculture and poverty alleviation. The president reiterated that through these multidimensional projects, people in Pakistan would find more job opportunities and would come out of poverty. He observed that poverty could be alleviated through the strengthening of health and education infrastructure over which Pakistan was fully focusing with different initiatives like Ehsaas programme. To another query, he replied that China had adopted a zero-Covid policy but Pakistan handled it in a very different manner. The government in Pakistan opted for partial lockdown as its economy could not sustain complete lockdown. There were maximum 6,800 covid cases in Pakistan during the months of June and July, he added. Highlighting the importance of Gwadar port, the president said fast progress was being achieved. It was one of the largest ports in the region close to the Gulf and would serve as a major deep-sea port. The president shared that it would link western areas of China proving as a big advantage for it. He said Gwadar port was also strategically very important from other aspects as well including fishery. The president urged the governments of the both countries to make further efforts for ensuring movement of goods from China to Gwadar and from Gwadar to China. Gwadar would be the shortest trade route for Afghanistan and to the Central Asian Republics (CARs), he said, adding the more linkages were established, the more progress and development would take place in the region and beyond. Gwadar port would ensure peace and development for the whole region, he expressed the confidence. About the cooperation in IT sector, the president underlined that cyber security and the human resources were needed to be developed. He maintained that tomorrow’s world would not be based upon brick and mortar. China and Pakistan required to be firewalled against hacking, the ability of the non-state actors to launch cyberattacks; for example, to affect their banking and financial institutions and utilities as everything was available on internet, the president added. The president said that they would be looking forward for the Chinese cooperation in developing the chips and cited development of JF17 Thunder, a good example of cooperation between the two countries. The president said the IT sector across the globe was witnessing an exponential growth for which the world needs trained manpower and stressed that both countries could bring their people into this sector for the economic prosperity.
the adjacent houses. A crack was observed in the façade of the mosque, which needs to be properly investigated whether it is not expanding with time,” it said. “The component of acquisition of land needs special attention as this activity is much behind the planned schedule. Encroachments are depicted. The procurement process including furniture, vehicle and equipment purchase was not started yet by the client department till the time of project site visit. An amount of 15.000 million was allocated for survey of the monuments; however, no survey was conducted there”. When contacted, Director Conservation and Planning of Walled City of Lahore Authority Najam Us Saqib, said that it will take another three years to complete the project. “Basework of the frescos and other elements has been completed and now implementation will pick up speed. This is the main hard task and we have completed it, now the speed will be picked up,” he said. “When we have requirements we shift funds from one project to another through proper channels by a summary through the Local Government Department and that is within the law. For procurement there were some approvals from the austerity committee and very soon we will complete this. Hujras were handed over to WCLA a week ago and now we will move on to purchase the furniture and fixture,” he added. About the crack in the main façade of the Mosque, Najam said that it will be filled during the conservation work.
Punjab govt forms medical board to examine Nawaz’s medical reports News Desk The Punjab government on Friday formed a special medical board to examine the medical reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had travelled to London in 2019 for medical treatment. Taking to Twitter, Punjab government spokesperson Hasaan Khawar said: “The Punjab government has constituted a nine-member special medical board, comprising senior professors, to examine the medical reports of Nawaz Sharif and give its opinion regarding his fitness for travel back to the country.” “The board will submit its report within five days,” he said, sharing a notification in this regard. Earlier, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan had written a letter to the provincial government, asking it to form a medical board to examine the former premier’s medical reports. The federal cabinet had instructed the AGP to initiate proceedings for “apparent violation of the undertakings” given before the Lahore High Court (LHC) to enable the PML-N supremo to travel abroad. “In pursuance of the decision of the federal cabinet, taken in its meeting held on January 11, 2022, as communicated by the office of the Attorney General of Pakistan and conveyed vide Home Department’s letter dated January 12, 2022, the competent authority is pleased to constitute a Special Medical Board (SMB) comprising the following ‘to examine the documents submitted as medical reports’ and render ‘expert medical opinion regarding the physical condition of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and his ability to travel back to Pakistan’,” the notification read. Dr Muhammad Arif Nadeem has been appointed as the convener of the board that comprises of Professor Ghias un Nabi Tayyab, Professor Dr Saqib Saeed, Professor Shahid Hameed, Professor Bilal.S. Mohydin, Professor Ambareen Hamid, Professor Shafiq ur Rehman, Professor Moona Aziz, and Professor Khadija Irfan Khawaja.
Bilawal briefed on political situation of Gilgit-Baltistan IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired a meeting of Gilgit-Baltistan executives held here on Saturday during which he was briefed by PPP officials of Gilgit-Baltistan on the political situation in the region. A meeting of Gilgit-Baltistan executives chaired by Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was held at Zardari House Islamabad on Saturday. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was briefed by PPP officials of Gilgit-Baltistan on the political situation in the region. The meeting ratified the decisions of the Central Executive Committee and Federal Council of the PPP. Chairman PPP was briefed by PPP Gilgit-Baltistan officials on preparations for the long march. Speaking on the occasion, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that this long march is the voice of the common man of the country.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | LAHORE
NEWS
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tourists alloWed Conditional entry to Murree a WeeK aFter Blizzard tragedy RAwALPINDI
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week after the Murree blizzard tragedy that claimed 23 lives, the district administration on Saturday lifted a ban on tourists’ entry into the hill station. According to a notification issued by the District Disaster Management Authority, up to 8,000 vehicles will be allowed to enter into the Murree from all entry points for a limited time and under normal weather conditions. It said no entry will be allowed between 5pm and 5am except for emergency services
and vehicles carrying food items and fuel. However, the restrictions will not be applicable to the residents of Murree, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and officials including Pakistan Army vehicles. The chief traffic police officer of Rawalpindi will also devise a system to ensure that the traffic does not exceed the prescribed limit and provide timely information about the number of vehicles to the authorities concerned. “XEN Mechanical Machinery and Chief Traffic Police Office shall have effective coordination with Pakistan Meteorological Department to set up, maintain, review and upgrade mechanism for early warning to
regulate traffic,” read the communiqué. It further said that the police personnel will be deployed for accurate count of incoming/outgoing vehicles and maintain a database of the net traffic count. Last week, the nation was left stunned when the news of 23 deaths owing to a deadly blizzard in Murree hit the mainstream and social media. The deaths of the tourists, including women and children who had flocked to the scenic spot to witness the snowfall, were nothing short of the tragedy. The visitors ‘froze to death’ in their vehicles, amidst tonnes of snow in the surroundings as a snowstorm gripped the valley.
Free kidney, liver transplant on the cards for K-P patients PesHAwAR NewS DeSk
Patients from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are set to receive free-of-cost liver and kidney transplantion services after a memorandum of understanding was signed between the provincial government, State Life Insurance and Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI&RC) on Saturday. According to the official statement, the service will be available under the provincial government’s Sehat Insaf Card scheme. It said the provincial government would bear the expense of Rs5 million for liver transplant and Rs1.4 million for
new coronavirus cases top 4,000 per day for first time since august
kidney transplant per patient. Chief Minister Mahmood Khan termed the move a “gift for the people of the province”, adding that treatment of cancer would also be covered under the health card scheme soon. He further said that OPD services would also be provided to the people under the banner of the health card scheme soon. The ‘Sehat Sahulat Programme’ is the flagship project of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, launched on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The programme envisaged support to the people in case of catastrophic healthcare expenditure.
Rs50bn business loans for youth under KJP: Dar IsLAMABAD app
IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Pakistan registered more than 4,000 new confirmed coronavirus infections on Wednesday for the first time since August 25 as the fifth wave of the pandemic picked up speed. According to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the nation added 4,286 new cases over the past 24 hours, compared to 3,567 it registered Thursday. Meanwhile, the contagion rate also surged to 8.16 percent, the highest since August 11, when 52,522 tests were conducted. The total caseload of the infected climbed to 1.32 million across the country, said the NCOC, the department leading the campaign against the pandemic. Sindh has been the worst hit, with a total of 497,153 cases, followed by Punjab where the virus was detected in 451,408 people. The positivity rate in Karachi reached 35.3 percent, prompting Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to convene a meeting of the provincial task force. Sharing a report on the Covid-19 situation in the province, Shah Friday said 23 of 24 samples tested in Karachi for the Omicron variant were infected by the latest mutant. The samples were analysed through Next Genome Sequencing and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Shah said that so far, 430 infections of the latest coronavirus variant have been detected in Karachi. Citing officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, Geo News reported the contagion rate in the port city might hit 50 percent, further burdening the fragile provincial healthcare apparatus. Meanwhile, a total of 29,003 people died of Covid-19, including four who lost their lives to the virus over the last 24 hours, the NCOC said. Over the last 24 hours, 2,598 patients have recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1.26 million, said the NCOC. BAN ON INFLIGHT MEALS AND SNACKS: Meanwhile, the NCOC imposed a complete ban on serving snacks and meals in flights from January 17, directing the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure wearing of masks during flights and implement Covid-19 standard operating procedures at all airports. The ban on snacks and meals will also apply on public transport from Monday. UNIVERSAL VACCINE DISTRIBUTION ONLY WAY TO END COVID: The production and universal distribution of vaccines are the only response to the mutating coronavirus amid the health crisis, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday. Pakistan assumed chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, a coalition of more than 130 developing nations, for the year 2022 on Friday.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar on Saturday said 2022 would be celebrated as a year dedicated to youth in which Kamyab Jawan Programme (KJP) targets would be achieved to make them self-reliant. He said steps were being taken to support youth in becoming financially sound as well as to help stand them on their own two feet. He lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan for initiating Kamyab Jawan Programme as it would bring prosperity to the country. He said Rs50 billion would be disbursed under various business loans schemes this year. Addressing a press conference, he said that in 2021, Rs30 billion was disbursed among 22,000 people across the country. He said KJP was providing equal opportunities to the youth for empowerment and running different projects including employment, education and engagement. Commenting on the achievements of the KP, Dar said over 50,000 direct and hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs were created in 2021 in a massive boost to the economy. Through this programme, the government increased the number of technology-based courses which he declared were introduced for the first time in the history of the country. He said the government was taking more steps to provide technical education and training to the
unemployed youth and create employment opportunities for them. Dar said that FIFA-certified international football coaches will arrive on January 17 to assist KJP in the football talent hunt drive. He said projects worth Rs4 billion for youth have been kicked off in collaboration with Higher Education Commission. The government was planning to launch a talent hunt programme in various sectors including sports, green youth movement, innovation league and establishment of KJP point in all public universities, he said. The official underlined that 100,000 skillbased scholarships worth Rs3.5 billion have been awarded in phases 1 and 2 and some Rs10 billion for skilled for all projects under KJP. In the next phase, over 60,000 scholarships are being introduced on January 16 having a worth of Rs2 billion, he said. Dar said that around Rs5 billion have been given in Sindh among 3,000 youth.
President approves mini-budget IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday granted approval to the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2022, under Article 75 of the Constitution. The so-called mini-budget that will end exemptions on sales tax as part of fiscal tightening and a law to grant the central bank greater autonomy to win funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was adopted by the National Assembly on January 13. The IMF approval is crucial for the country struggling with external and current account deficits, a depreciating currency, struggling foreign reserves and rising inflation. Ending the tax exemptions would raise Rs343
billion ($1.93 billion), Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said in proceedings of the House after parliamentarians from the ruling party and his allies voted in favour of the finance bill.
Punjab govt has made record increase in health budget: Buzdar LAHORe app
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday said the provincial government has made a record increase in health budget. In a statement, the CM said the health budget in 2013-18 was only Rs169 billion while the incumbent government has increased it from Rs369 billion to Rs399 billion in the current financial year. He said work is underway on health projects worth Rs36.65 billion in the Lahore division, adding that the state-of-the-art mother and child block is being constructed at Ganga Ram Hospital for Rs7 billion. A 1,000-bed hospital will be constructed on Ferozepur Road at a total cost of Rs8 billion, he said, adding that in the first phase, a 100-bed hospital will be made functional. He said the emergency and trauma centres will be built at Jinnah Hospital and Services Hospital while Child Health Sciences University will be constructed for Rs4 billion. Alongside, the up-gradation of various wards of Lady Willington Hospital will cost Rs35.5 billion, he noted. He said the hospital management information system is being brought in collaboration with Punjab Information Technology Board to bring government hospitals in a paperless era. The reforms would ensure the best health facilities for the citizens, he added. The CM said that dental colleges are also being set up in Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur, adding that a total of 8 mother and child hospitals are under construction in Punjab. In three years, the government has set up 78 new health facilities and 91 new health projects have also been included in the district development package, he said, adding that a total of Rs37.25 billion has been allocated for free medicines at hospitals across the province.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | LAHORE
04 NEWS Child raPe viCtim’S Single teStimony SuffiCient to uPhold ConviCtion: lhC LAHORE
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HE Lahore High Court has ruled that single testimony of child rape victims, in instances where DNA or medical reports aren’t available, is sufficient to record a conviction. The remarks were passed by Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq at a hearing on Saturday. “A rape victim stands on a higher pedestal than an injured witness, because an injured witness gets the injury of the physical form while the rape victim suffers
psychologically and emotionally and a single testimony is sufficient to uphold the conviction.” The court was hearing an appeal by Kamran, 33, accused of raping a six-year-old student at a Gujranwala school in 2017. According to the police, Kamran was employed as the security guard at the child’s school. On May 12, 2017, when she was on her way to the washroom, the suspect and his accomplice Barkat Ali cornered the student. Kamran raped her, while Barkat waited outside, keeping guard. Back at home, she narrated the entire ordeal to her mother, who, then took her to the CMH Hospital with a
lady constable Humaira Bashir. The child’s medical examination corroborated the rape. An FIR was registered three days after the crime and the police arrested Kamran within a week. After investigation, the accused was taken to the judicial magistrate of Gujranwala where he was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000 compensation was imposed on him. In 2019, Kamran filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court seeking an annulment of his sentence. He claimed that he was falsely booked in the case to save the real culprits. “No one saw the occurrence, no test identification parade was held, there was inordinate delay in reporting the matter to the police, the testimony of witnesses is inconsistent and contradicted each other and medical evidence negates the rape,” the convict added. In his 15-page verdict, Justice Rafiq, highlighted the following points. Children who are victims of sex of-
fenses should be allowed the “tender years” exception, where they are provided flexibility in the interpretation of the hearsay rule to permit the admission in evidence of statement to others about sexual abuse. The judge was referring to the admission of the victim’s mother as a witness in the case. The court remarked that what a patient says about her state of health to a doctor is admissible and vice versa. Justice Rafiq observed that the defence, in its appeal, had questioned: 1. Whether after three days of examination, injury to hymen could be regarded as fresh? 2. To what extent the penal insertion attracts the requirement of penetration? The verdict, citing examples of international publications, ruled: “Soon after the act, the torn margins are sharp and red, and bleed on touch. Even when examined after 3 to 4 days of offence, the edges of the laceration are congested and swollen.
Anomalies emerge in Karachi’s delimitation KARACHI INp
Anomalies have emerged in the gazette of delimitations issued by the provincial authorities in Karachi, creating confusion over the number of towns the city would be divided into. According to the gazette, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will comprise of 26 towns, however, it only carried the names of 25 towns. Not only that errors were found in the number of towns, the union councils were also added to other towns. One of the union councils in Saddar will be added to Lyari or Aram Bagh area. A new gazette is likely to be released by the provincial authorities in order to bring more clarity on the delimitation of the city, which has already drawn criticism from mainstream opposition parties.
The provincial local government department notified that Sindh capital Karachi will have 26 towns, 233 union committees including 37 UCs and 5 towns in Korangi District, 26 UCs and 2 towns in South District, 26 UCs and 3 town councils in West District, 30 UCs in Malir District while Gadap, Ibrahim Haideri and Malir came under the category of towns. In Central District, there will be 45 UCs and 5 towns, 26 UCs and 3 towns in Keamari District, whereas, the constituency of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Saeed Ghani was declared Chanesar Town in East District. In East District, there will be 43 UCs and 5 fives. 10 town committees in Shaheed Benazirabad, 17 in Sanghar, 12 in Nowshero Feroze, 10 in Hyderabad, 9 in Jamshoro, 8 in Matiari, 9 in Dadu, 7 in Tando Muhammad Khan and 4 in Tando Allahyar.
Airlines rearrange flight schedules to avoid foggy conditions at Lahore Airport LAHORE Staff RepoRt
International airlines have rearranged their flights’ schedules to skip the foggy conditions at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. Lahore Airport was functional for flights landing and take-off with fog blanketing the runway reducing the visibility to 800 metres. According to sources, international airlines have now rescheduled their night flights to the daytime.
Qatar Airways flight QR-620 from Doha which was originally scheduled to touch down at 1:00 am at Lahore Airport will now arrive at 11:00 am. Flight J-9501 coming from Kuwait was due to land at 5:00 am but now it will touch down at 11:30 am, flight TK-714 coming from Istanbul will now land at 1:00 pm and British Airways flight BA-259 coming from London will land at 11:00 am after delayed for four hours. The schedule of the flights leaving Lahore for Jeddah, Kuwait, Doha, Istanbul, London and Karachi was also altered.
Sindh writes letter to energy minister, demands gas share KARACHI Staff RepoRt
The Sindh government on Saturday wrote a letter to Energy Minister Hammad Azhar expressing its anger over what it called the ‘injustice’ in the matter of supplying gas to the province reminding him that the constitution provides the first right to the province which is producing the very resource. In its letter, the Sindh government lodged a strong protest with the federal government saying that injustice was meted out to the province in the supply of gas. It said that if the Centre did not have the ability to effectively run the Sui Southern Gas Company then it could hand over the same to the Sindh govt. The provincial government would show the energy minister how to produce gas and distribute it correctly. The epistle says that despite the fact that Sindh produces gas but it is deprived of it. Article 158-2 III grants the first right of use of the resource to the producing province. For the last three years, the federal government has been looting Sindh’s gas share. The letter further says that the Karachiites have been facing difficulties due to gas closure and its low pressure since No-
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Pending cases at Supreme Court witness conisderable decline ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
vember last. Office people and school children have to leave their houses without food. Many citizens are forced to burn wood, coal and cylinders to cook food which is causing them health problems. For the last two months, the CNG sector in the province has been shut which is rendering thousands of daily wagers jobless. The CNG closure has put a stop to the rickshaw, taxi and public transport business. The industrial wheel has also been obstructed and thousands of labourers have been laid off. Moreover, factories are unable to fulfill their orders and country is losing foreign exchange. The letter reminds the energy minister that since the Constitution of Pakistan gives preferential right to the resource producing province that’s why Sindh demands its rightful share of gas.
The number of pending cases in the Supreme Court of Pakistan has witnessed a considerable decline after they dropped to 51,766 in December 2021. The statistics were shared by the apex court, showing that the number of pending cases witnessed a drop from 54,000 in November 2021 to 51,766 in December 2021. It shared that 1116 cases were decided from 16 to 31 December 2021 as compared to 835 new cases during the same period. It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken measures needed for addressing the issue of pending cases and in July last year, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed ordered the formation of 120 new accountability courts for early decisions on pending accountability cases. Justice Gulzar Ahmed while hearing a case directed the Law Secretary to constitute 120 new accountability courts with the appointment of judges taking directives from the competent authorities. The top judge also directed for a decision on all pending references of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) within three months.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | lAhoRe
CouRt gRAntS BAil to ZARdARi in new YoRk PRoPeRtY CASe
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N accountability court in Islamabad on Saturday granted bail to former president Asif Ali Zardari on medical grounds in the New York apartment case. Judge Mohammad Bashir heard the case and issued a detailed verdict. “Asif Ali Zardari is being
granted permanent bail due to his health problems,” the court said in its decision. “The New York property case against Asif Ali Zardari is in the inquiry phase. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has yet to collect evidence against him in the case,” the court observed.
Colourless skies as Basant ban continues
“The NAB could submit petition in the court with regard to cancellation of his bail on the basis of substantial evidence,” the court said. The NAB had served Asif Ali Zardari a notice along with a questionnaire to provide information about his property in New York, United States. He had subsequently obtained pre-
Flour prices rise in KP following ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat PESHAWAR
LAHoRE
Aziz BuNeri
ANADolu AgeNcy
The price of wheat flour soured in across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) up to Rs300 in the market following ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat. Provincial chairman of Pakistan Flour Mills Association, Naeem Butt, said that Punjab government has not yet issued any official notification of suspending wheat and flour supply to KP. However, he said, the local administration in Punjab has stopped supply vehicles at various places for the past one week due to which the prices has increased. Butt informed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa needs 12,000 tons of wheat daily, of which 7,000 tons is being provided by the provincial government while 4,000 tons of flour and wheat are supplied from Punjab Province. Thus, he said, there is several thousands of tons of wheat and flour shortage in KP because of lack supply from Punjab. Naeem Butt furthered that the KP government has been informed to raise the issue with the Punjab and federal government otherwise; the prices will increase in coming days. He informed that the price of 80 kg sack has gone up by Rs350 while 20kg bag increased from Rs1350 to Rs1550 in Peshawar and other districts. The price of 20kg bag of superfine flour has increased from
Traders in Lahore have urged authorities to revive Basant, the annual kite-flying festival celebrated with the advent of spring. Before the 2007 ban on kite-flying in Punjab, the walled city of Lahore was known for the festival, due in early February. People from all walks of life made special arrangements on rooftops and donned yellow — the ultimate symbol of spring. The celebrations included kites flying from dawn to dusk while enjoying loud music and food. The festival gained more traction over the years, attracting people from all over the world. But in the pursuit of victory, some kite flyers started using powdered glass or metal on their kite strings, giving themselves a competitive edge. Once cut, these strings would fall on motorcyclists, residents, or others in the vicinity, slashing their throats. The deaths caused hue and cry, and the administration banned kite flying altogether. Vendors were also prohibited from selling and manufacturing kites and related paraphernalia. However, sources say, the ban is strictly implemented in Lahore only. Traders have urged the government to abolish the ban and penalise those who use and manufacture the lethal string. “We earned a considerable amount of money during a boom in this industry until 2005,” said Muhammad Afzal, a second-generation kite maker who now sells party decorations. “After the ban, we had to look for alternative means of income,” he told Anadolu Agency. Traders’ representative Agha Abbas Kazmi said that while he has sympathy for the victims, banning the festival entirely, which also contributed to the tourism economy, was not the right decision. “We are ready to strict action and punishment if someone violates the rules,” Kazmi said, urging for fresh plans to regularise the business and revive the festival.
arrest bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to avoid his arrest by the NAB. Asif Ali Zardari had denied owning the expensive apartment in New York. “I had sold out the apartment the same year I purchased it,” a report quoted him as saying in the reply he filed through his lawyers. News Desk
Rs1, 400 to Rs1, 600. According to Naeem Butt besides other issues, the prices have increased because due to restrictions imposed by Punjab authorities on wheat and flour supply to KP. The price-hike of basic commodities, including flour, has further increased the worries of common men. They accused the KP government of failure to control inflation. On 11 January, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed the deputy commissioners to keep check on the markets to stop the artificial shortage of essential commodities. Chairing a meeting regarding the food prices in the province, the chief minister were informed that there sufficient wheat stock available in the province. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Flour Mills Association chairman Sabir Bangash along with other officials, told a press conference that the January 18 strike had been postponed on government assurances till 30 January. Bangash said that the government has sought to resolving the issues of flour mills in the province. Bangash said that the government had been asked to increase the wheat quota to flour mills according to the population. He added that the government has also been asked to resolve the issue of fuel price adjustment in electricity bills but the government has so far provide only assurance.
NAB Balochistan files 20 references, recovers Rs6bn in 2021 The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Balochistan office filed 20 references in the accountability courts, arrested eight accused and directly and indirectly recovered around Rs6
billion from corrupt individuals in 2021, according to a news outlet. According to the NAB Balochistan’s performance report for the year 2021, the bureau ini-
Pakistan’s first ever national security policy ready to read iSLAmABAd stAff correspoNDeNt
National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf on Saturday shared the link of the website from where the firstever National Security Policy launched by Prime
Minister Imran Khan yesterday could be accessed. Taking to Twitter, Moeed Yusuf said that the policy has been launched at the website and the people could read its content. “The public version of the National Security Policy and its summary can be found at http://nsd.gov.pk,” he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday launched the public version of the first-ever National Security Policy of Pakistan, emphasizing the need on improving the economy of the country so that they do not need to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF), whose conditions may affect national security. Addressing the launching ceremony, the prime minister lauded the national security division and said that the policy has brought clarity over national security challenges faced by the country. He lauded the security forces for defending the homeland and said that they had rendered many sacrifices in the war against terror. “There are examples of multiple Muslim countries who remained unable to defend their territories,” he said. The prime minister said that the security policy will pave the direction for the nation, bringing the state and public on the same path. He lamented that previously no efforts were made to bring economic stability to the country leading the successive governments to reach out to the IMF. “IMF grants loans to the countries after they accept their conditions which somehow compromise their national security,” he said.
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tiated investigations against several former and present members of the Parliament, and senior government officials, following their alleged involvement in more than 150 corruption cases. News Desk
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SBP declines govt’s direction to open Afghanistan Relief Fund continuEd fRom PAgE 01 Pakistan remains on the FATF grey list since June 2018 and at its last October plenary meeting, the global body had unanimously decided to keep Islamabad on its grey list. The FATF had said that Islamabad still did not meet the “strategically important” condition about nominating entities and individuals, who should be put on the UN list of terror outfits and persons. Of the 27 action points agreed under the June 2018 action plan, 26 had been implemented but the remaining condition of the June 2018 plan is the most crucial one, which was also the reason to keep the country on the FATF watch list. In response to additional deficiencies later identified in Pakistan’s 2019 APG Mutual Evaluation Report (MER), in June 2021, Pakistan provided further high-level commitment to address these strategic deficiencies pursuant to a new action plan that primarily focuses on combating money laundering, it added. The FATF plenary is again going to review the country’s case next month.
Administrative secretary to be held accountable for delay in development: CS LAHoRE stAff report
Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal has said that delay in development projects will not be tolerated and in case of a delay, the administrative secretary of the department concerned would be held accountable. Presiding over a meeting to review the mid-year progress of the annual development program (ADP) at the Planning and Development Department here on Saturday, the Chief Secretary said that there should be no lapse of the funds allocated for the uplift schemes. He said that all departments should work hard to ensure timely and transparent utilization of funds. Kamran Afzal directed that a mechanism be devised to further facilitate the process of release of funds and the higher authorities be informed immediately in case of any hindrance in development projects. He said that only public interest should be taken into consideration while preparing uplift schemes, adding that the departments should cooperate for the acquisition of government land for schools, hospitals, and other welfare schemes. The Chief Secretary also issued instructions to the departments for immediate issuance of pending work orders. He said that all the administrative secretaries should regularly review the development schemes of their respective departments. Chairman P&D Abdullah Khan Sumbal briefed the meeting about the allocations, releases, and utilization of funds. The administrative secretaries of all the departments attended the meeting while the Additional Chief Secretary and secretaries of south Punjab participated through video link. Meanwhile, Kamran Afzal presided over another video-link meeting of all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners at the Civil Secretariat to review prices of essential commodities including flour, sugar, availability of fertilizers, and measures against smuggling. He directed the officers to continue monitoring fertilizers supply and stocks through the online portal. He mentioned that the divisional commissioners can shift fertilizers to districts in their turf as and when required.
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Sunday, 16 January, 2022
06 COMMENT
Safeguarding Maritime Interests
National Security Policy 2022-2026 The Army marches on its stomach
How the sailing club helped
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heRe can be no two opinions about a sound economy being a prerequisite for national security. Unless the wheels of industry are running at full speed, the agricultural sector is realizing its full potential and businesses are flourishing, the country will find it hard to maintain and equip a modern military capable of defending the borders. No state can be self-reliant in the production of military equipment unless it is industrially advanced. The advancement of technology has introduced new areas of combat like electronic and cyber warfare. To be able to cope with threats of the sort, sufficient funds have to be diverted to research. This said, there is a whole gamut of other issues which need to be addressed if a country is to adequately secure itself from external aggression and internal threats. A security policy must not ignore the human factor. It is strange that issues like poverty, human rights and democracy have not been taken into consideration in the National Security Policy. No country can adequately defend itself without the enthusiastic support of its citizens. A dissatisfied populace provides a breeding ground for security challenges. The millions pushed below the poverty line have little enthusiasm left in them. Democracy plays a vital role in a country’s security. In democracies politicians do not jump the gun. They try instead to resolve differences with other countries through diplomatic means which reduces the chances of war. Democracies win most of their wars because they prudently choose to fight wars that they can win, and because they can marshal more resources, make better decisions, and muster public support for their military campaigns. This explains why war is too important to be left to the generals. While the NSP places the economy front and centre, the present government has little capacity to turn the economy round. The PTI leadership started with childish proposals like distributing poultry and cows to provide millions of jobs. Its initial attitude towards seeking IMF support was characterised by conceited disdain. This led to harmful delays in seeking the programme. Its present attitude is that of abject surrender to the IMF. As things stand the country remains vulnerable.
MuhaMMad Sohail ahMad
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he key person to safeguard the matters related to a Nation's maritime interests is the Chief of the Naval Staff as per the constitution of Pakistan. Maritime means everything related to the sea. The meanings include "bordering on or living or characteristic of those near the sea''; "a maritime province"; "maritime farmers"; "maritime cultures". The largest province of Pakistan is its exclusive economic Zone containing rich resources. But what is relevant to us is that all the human resources come from the people living ashore or connected to countries with the sea. hence the seafarers, the fishermen and navigators at sea. The divers, the submariners, the guardians of the coast and search and rescue experts at sea are trained and manage the maritime requirement. Likewise, water sports such as sailing, rowing, canoeing, water skiing and diving are maritime activities that produce experts, semi-trained personnel and workers to earn bread and butter. As stated in Surat Jasia, "Allah subjugated the sea for you to ply ships at sea with the permission of Allah and so that you can find the bounties and so that you may be thank full to Allah.” hazrat Usman Bin Affan (R.A) was the initiator of the Muslim Navy to explore the marine resources for the Muslim Ummah. Since then, Muslim countries' navies have remained the torchbearers for exploring the sea-based bounties worldwide. Similarly the Pakistan Navy continues to play its role in the maritime policies of the country. One such initiative that was taken way back some 30 years ago was to establish a facility to develop water sports for the promotion of sailing, canoeing, rowing and diving. The facility was also required to provide in-date divers to search and rescue the flood victims in nearby areas. To promote interest in sports, it was proposed to establish an infrastructure such as a club to enable a good environment. Water sports are expensive. Only
Cracks appearing PTI ministers start speaking up
The BRI has made all the difference Pathik haSSan
I
T is true that South Asia needs China in its development process because ‘China’ is synonymous with the term “Development”. China’s ambitious project the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ provides benefits for almost all South Asian Countries. Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are benefitting from the project directly. China also helps most of the South Asian States through its covid-19 Vaccine Diplomacy. South Asian countries always gain support from China in their crisis moments. The Vaccine Diplomacy of China is just an example to understand this reality. China helped Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, in South Asia providing the covid-19 vaccine and medical equipment. China has proved already that it is a well-wisher and friend of South Asia. In the case of China’s connectivity project, Afghanistan is on the way to this journey. If everything is okay in Afghanistan, then a number of Chinese Investments would bring prosperity to Afghanistan. If Afghanistan connects itself with the China-Pakistan economic Corridor, it would benefit directly from the Chinese project. An article published in the Pakistani press on September 15 shows that Afghanistan should and must move with China to ensure its maximum business interest. It is China that can contribute to the sector of socio-economicinfrastructural development in war-ravaged Afghanistan. China Jiangxi Copper said in mid-September that the company and the Metallurgical Corp of China (MCC)will develop Mes Aynak mine when the situation allows. Pakistan itself is a major beneficiary from the Chinese multi-billion project ‘CPeC’. China is building a port at Gwadar that is going to be a regional trade hub within South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle east. Pakistan and China prove that they are really ‘All-Weather Friends’. In the case of Sri Lanka, we hear the notorious term ‘Chinese Debt Trap’. Basically, it is a loaded term. Sri Lanka is also a beneficiary of Chinese projects. Many talk only about the Chinese debt trap in this regard but no one mentions the Chinese developmental activities in Sri Lanka. China has already invested tens of billions of dollars in Sri Lanka. They have invested heavily in seaports, airports, port cities, national highways, and power distribution centres. One question is whether either Sri Lanka would benefit from the Chinese investment or not. Of
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ernment department propagates national maritime interests as chartered in the constitution of Pakistan, and that too from its resources, can be a matter of criminal offence? It is only a matter of ignorance, communication gap, or so-called conspiracy against the pillar of a state by another state organization. The most exciting thing in this puzzle is that all involved are state functionaries stating or claiming to be working in the state's best interest. The essential requirement is to work in unison to achieve the ultimate objective and align as a unified entity. Sometimes it happens that the same thing is seen with a different perspective despite meeting the requirements of the differing parties. A case in point is the Margalla golf club, which is construed as a threat to Margalla National Park. The question is whether the golf club reorganized the park in an organized natural habitat that retains its originality and provides health and leisure facilities to the citizens. In the case of Islamabad, where most foreign visitors and diplomats reside, it includes value addition to our country. No public funds were used to convert these green pastures from herbs and bushes to nicely cut greens and organized trees. The Karachi golf club is called the lung of Karachi as it provides fresh air to the residents of the city free of cost. Bureaucratic matters can never be solved in the courts; they can only be ironed out through dialogue and reinforcements. This is the real lesson for our government departments, functionaries, and other pillars of the state.
Bureaucratic matters can never be solved in the courts; they can only be ironed out through dialogue and reinforcements. This is the real lesson for our government departments, functionaries, and other pillars of the state
South Asia Needs China
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OLLOWING a largely unexpected defeat in the KP local bodies elections last month, the PTI leadership has started receiving a barrage of complaints and criticism from its ministers in the province. During a recently held high-level party huddle, Federal Minister for Defence Pervaiz Khattak reportedly expressed his anger over the government’s gas policy in KP where distribution has been curtailed, resulting in a harsh exchange of words between h and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Although Khattak has denied that any such incident took place, that multiple news outlets reported varying versions of the same argument means something out of the ordinary did take place during the meeting. On Friday, another KP PTI MNA, the relatively more outspoken Noor Alam Khan, while speaking in the National Assembly highlighted similar energy-related problems he is facing in his constituency of Peshawar, going on to say that those sitting in the first three rows of the house should be placed on the eCL. It is important to note here that both Pervaiz Khattak and Noor Alam Khan are seasoned politicians for whom any major leadership role in the country is secondary to ensuring they are the number one contender in their constituency in any electoral contest. Apart from experience, something that there is no shortage of between the two of them, remaining popular and electable also requires a fairly stable on-ground situation, one where constituents aren’t up in arms over their inability to afford basic necessities due to high inflation. Additionally, the absence of development projects due to lack of funds makes it all the more difficult to pacify them. The PTI has been in power in KP for nine years and is the only party to be elected for two consecutive terms in the history of the province. For its veteran member parliamentarians to start crying foul over the state of their constituencies with close to two years still to go indicates that the PTI party ticket has lost its value considerably. There are likely to be more disgruntled politicians from KP who speak up in the coming days. This does not seem like a temporary storm that the PTI just has to weather; the party leadership has to address and control this situation immediately before it completely spirals out of control and it faces a much tougher election season than it already does.
Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
the wealthy elite can afford to spend money to purchase yachts, boats and so on. The first Asian Gold Medallist in sailing was Mr Bahram D Avari, the owner of the Avari hotels. Later on, the navy officers Munir Sadiq and Mamoon Sadiq represented Pakistan in Olympics. With this background and with limited resources, Pakistan Navy continues to provide water sports facilities in Karachi and now in Islamabad. In neighbouring India, Bhopal and hyderabad are located inland, but their sailing clubs are run and managed by their Navy. A broad-based intake for athletes can only bring laurels for Pakistan. Lack of maritime knowledge and awareness about the true potential of a nation is inhibiting progress and taking us back to old times, though not the stone ages as threatened by an American official at the time of the invasion of Afghanistan. Pollution control is where the Navy built a dirty water treatment plant known as Reed Bed Facility. These are small tanks and stones assembled to allow passage of washing water and convert it to pure, clean water through plants and rocks. Any facility with this plant does not pollute water, such as dam waters. The government authorities and civilian organizations can benefit from this expertise to avoid pollution of sweet and sour waters alike. All the government bureaucratic departments can facilitate each other from such expertise and knowledge. Ignorance is also called a blessing because hazrat Ali (R.A) said that if you don't know about a sure thing, don't pass a ruling on it, instead acknowledge your ignorance and learn it. A common-sense question is how a sailing club constructed on government land by a gov-
course, Sri Lanka can benefit from these Chinese investments. Sri Lanka would also benefit from the Chinese BRI project if its hambantota port can be used properly. Basically, Sri Lanka can also be a maritime trade hub when Sri Lanka starts using the CPeC fully. hambantota port and Gwadar port will enhance and ensure connectivity amongst the Middle east, Western Asia, eurasia, South Asia, South east Asia, and east Asia. Sri Lanka will be used as a ‘maritime hub’ when many countries use its port. employment of the people of Sri Lanka would be ensured. Discrimination regarding internal development amongst the regions will decrease. Prior to that, Chinese projects were mainly confined to southern Sri Lanka. The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government has now approved a number of Chinese initiatives in northern Sri Lanka as well. In February this year (2021), Sri Lanka approved China's hybrid wind and solar power projects on three islands in Jaffna. There might have been some problems with implementing these projects. however, China focuses on the socioeconomic development of Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has been gaining from China. Bangladesh is one of the major trade partners of China in South Asia. Some of Bangladesh’s very important mega-projects, such as the Padma Bridge, the Payra Power Plant, the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River, among others, are being implemented by Chinese investment. It is true that China is now considered a strategic partner in Bangladesh. Bangladesh joined the ‘BRI’ in 2017. The two countries have continued to work together on Belt and Road cooperation. As many as 97 percent of Bangladeshi products now enjoy duty-free access to China China is moving forward in taking its great plan and initiative to develop the socio-economic condition in South Asia. China has chosen Nepal and Pakistan as its gateways to South Asia, Central Asia, and
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The author retired as a Commodore from the Pakistan Navy. He can be reached at msohailyz@gmail.com.
Western Asia to some extent the Middle east. So, China is moving forward with various plans to keep Nepal in its hands. Following this, China has invested billions of dollars in Nepal in 2017. China will invest another $10 billion in Nepal's infrastructure, including road, rail, and fibre cable connections. President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Nepal in October 2019 and the Presidents of the two countries announced the elevation of ChinaNepal relations to a "Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity". Chinese cooperation in building infrastructure, industries, highways, hospitals, schools, sports, and communication facilities has been very useful and highly appreciated by the government and people of Nepal. In the near future, the completion of the railway from Lhasa-Shigatse to Kerung is going to have a far-reaching impact on Nepal’s trade, tourism, and people-to-people relations with China. Diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan are very old, dating back to the 1950s. Pakistan's recent strained relations with the USA seem to have revived the old relationship. The China-Pakistan economic Corridor, also known as CPeC, is being created. China has declared to invest worth $46 billion in Pakistan for implementing CPeC To ensure that, the CPeC agreement was signed during Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan in April 2015. CPeC is part of China's One Belt, One Road or One Region, One Way project. In line with the above discussion, we can easily draw the conclusion that South Asia needs China as a developmental partner. All South Asian countries including even India and Bhutan could benefit from the Chinese initiatives if Sino-Indian strained ties could be solved diplomatically. China is not only for China; China is for the world including South Asia.
South Asia needs China as a developmental partner. All South Asian countries including even India and Bhutan could benefit from the Chinese initiatives if Sino-Indian strained ties could be solved diplomatically. China is not only for China; China is for the world including South Asia
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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
An extradition decision
The slant and then the fall
she has been threatening to make public from time to time. The same journalists who take to hollering unsubstantiated and fabricated news into gossip mills, churning out lacklustre and lu- about the current government remained totally dicrous projections with painful monotony? mum on even being called horrible names. This The media seems to be consumed with a is what happens when you sell your souls and state of mind which is not healthy or profes- get paid for every written and spoken word as sional. It is incessantly blaring with falsehoods per instructions received. You no longer remain and fabrications. It is no longer the media that it a credible journalist. You become a commodity should have been. It is something else. It has vir- up for grabs by the highest bidder. Is this what tually turned into a political party which is op- journalists have been reduced to? Is it that, by erating behind the facade of its profession. This spreading false rumours to destabilise the govdrama has gone on for much too long. It is time ernment, they would want Pakistan to go back for the charade to be brought to an end. But who to the criminal days of the Sharif and will do so, and how? Bhutto/Zardari dynasties? Is this the status they The parliamentary party meeting is not the are comfortable with, or are there some still left first time this has happened. It has been occurring who would take to remedying this? every time the government undertakes the process It hurts me to find the media in this state. of incorporating fundamental reform to regulate Writings are the pride of the writers which caninstitutions in the country and hold everyone ac- not be compromised for any profit. I can’t uncountable before law. One understood that this derstand how some would be anathema to people could put their the political parties profession up for sale whose leaders have infor their pound of flesh, dulged in remorseless no matter how substancorruption during their tive, knowing full well Much has gone wrong in the stints in power, and who that, in the process, this country. What is important is to would would do everything not cause incalculato let a transparent sysble damage to the state arrest the decline and help it tem be introduced to and its institutions. Inhold them answerable move forward to salvation. Any stead of opposing it, the before law. But, in acmedia should have befurther delay can cause tual effect, it is the come an active partner media that is feeling irremediable damage. Of the in implementing the enthreatened with the visaged change for a many institutions which can onset of accountable more accountable and governance and is going play a defining role in this effort, transparent Pakistan beoverboard in its attempts cause that is the only media is an important one. It is way to sabotage the effort. to lay the foundaThis country has tion of a system that time for its stalwarts to do an been ravaged brutally works by merit to bring appraisal of how it has by crooked conglomerrelief to people who ates. It has tottered to a suffered incessantly at conducted itself and the point where it can no the hands of the wicked consequences it has had. They mafias longer survive carrying which had the the ailments inflicted levers of power within should also look at how this upon it through numertheir control and a sysous decades of loot and approach could change so that tem which had been plunder. It has to be adto respond the claimant of being the fourth corrupted ministered the medicine only to the din of coins. which it desperately pillar of the state can actually Much has gone needs– the medicine of wrong in the country. begin playing a role comprehensive reform What is important is to to make the system commensurate with that stature. arrest the decline and align with the needs of help it move forward to a just, transparent and salvation. Any further accountable state. It can delay can cause irremeno longer remain subdiable damage. Of the servient to the fiefdoms of pelf erected atop the many institutions which can play a defining role skeleton of the state and the corpses of the poor in this effort, media is an important one. It is and the marginalised communities. This will time for its stalwarts to do an appraisal of how come about only through introducing a just and it has conducted itself and the consequences it equitable dispensation operating transparently has had. They should also look at how this apthrough the government of the time. proach could change so that the claimant of Instead of lending support to this effort, the being the fourth pillar of the state can actually media has taken to opposing it with unmitigated begin playing a role commensurate with that ferocity. It is as if the reform, if successfully im- stature. Nothing less will do at this critical juncplemented, will sound the death knell for the ture when the state is transiting to becoming a profession. This could be because, in previous more viable and transparent entity to start its times, the media and its functionaries have been journey upward. here is a challenge which has used to benefitting liberally from the state to be met with the combined support and might largesse, distributed heartlessly by the leaders of the state and its institutions, with media being who lived by exploiting it to their benefit. one of them. It is time that this noble profession This was easy money coming their way, at- is extricated from the pit of regression to play tractively packaged in ‘tokris’ (baskets) as de- the role that is professionally incumbent upon it. scribed in that demeaning conversation between This caustic slant should be arrested before the Maryam Safdar and Parvez Rashid that went fall becomes inevitable. viral a few days ago. Instead of apologising for referring to some journalists as ‘dogs’, the heirThe writer is a political and security strateapparent demanded that apology should be ten- gist, and heads the Regional Peace Institute – dered to her for recording the audio an Islamabad-based think tank. Email: conversation. In the process, she forgets her own raoofhasan@hotmail.com. Twitter: jubilant claims of being in possession of count- @RaoofHasan less similar audio and video recordings which
Media should always be media, not a political party
Candid Corner
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Raoof haSan
he Parliamentary Party meeting of the PTI provided a glaring opportunity regarding how the media functions in the country and how far removed it is increasingly becoming from the world of logic, facts and reality. It is downright unfortunate as it not only reflects the institutional decline which has occurred over time, it also casts a shadow on the sinister minds of those who operate behind the scenes to manipulate things. During the course of the meeting, television screens were all over with ‘breaking news’ flashes, backed by blaring voices, regarding some acrimonious discussion which had taken place. It was also insinuated that there was a verbal clash between a senior member of the party, who is also a sitting federal minister, and the Prime Minister. In spite of the fact that the minister these words were attributed to, personally spoke on camera and repudiated the circulating rumours, the channels remained adamant and kept broadcasting news of the alleged altercation. It did not stop there. It was taken much further. It was likened to the beginning of the end of the days of the PTI government. I personally heard a bunch of so-called anchors/analysts, all delving deep into the conspiracy syndrome, and making projections about how damning the crisis actually was and how badly this would impact the party. It was a narrative replete with dream-cometrue projections as if seeing the back of the PTI government was the most desirable objective of the media and its operators. It is seldom that one would hear people talking with so much rancour oozing out of every word spoken and every gesture made. Wide smiles emblazoned their faces and their body language brimmed with energy while projecting the demise of the PTI government. Those who may not be familiar with this pattern of reporting may actually have believed that the government was just about to fall. What is happening? Why is the media wearing the unmistakable apparel of partisanship? Why is it burning in the billowing fire of hatred and animus? Why has it lost its objectivity and fairness? Why is it immersed in the caustic juices of self-immolation? Why has it drifted so far away from its professional duties and taken on the job of casting aspersions on people and their thoughts without any substantiating evidence? It appears it has lost its way and is meandering in its own wonderland, desperately trying to find a foothold, but without success. What was the need, if any at all, for doing this? Why has the media turned its profession into becoming a belligerent battle zone to oust the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan? Why have the channels and the newspapers turned
MR Julian Assange is an Australian activist, an editor and the founder of Wikileaks. he was arrested due to the publishing of some secrets of many countries on 11 April 2019. Now the question arises that what are these secrets Wikileaks published. In July 2010, Wikileaks released more than 19,00 documents. These documents are secrets of US military reports about the war in Afghanistan. In October of the same year, it also released another 14,000 classified military files report of war in Iraq from 2004 to 2009. Now Assage is in UK prison, but a US Court is appealing to the UK that he should be extradited to the US. The US wants to punish him and forbid him that he should not publish any other secrets of the US. Furthermore, the US also wants to take revenge against him for the thousands of publications of US military reports which he released in 2010 and 2011. Last week of this month UK Court accepts the US appeal but UK Court said that Mr Asaage is facing health problems. So, an earlier request was rejected due to the risk of suicide. It is very heartbreaking news for Asaage’s family and friends. One of his family members says that in UK prison he is safe and alive but in the US, safety is impossible. It is not only a big challenge for the Wikileaks founder, it is a very big loss for all media networks. Moreover, the case is pending yet. On the 13th of December 2021, UK Judge holroyde ordered that case should be sent back to Westminster Magistrates Priti Patel to make the final decision on whether to extradite him or not. Thus, if something goes wrong with his case, he could be sent back to the US. NAJMA M.RAMZAN DELTA
Beach tourism DeSPITe having a gigantic coastline spread over 1,046 kilometres, Pakistan is seldom discussed for its beaches or beach tourism. One of the reasons for this is that the successive governments and the private sector have made no efforts to cash in on the vast coastline by enhancing its charm. The beaches in Karachi — barring a few — are strewn with litter. Although the Balochistan coast is known for its cleanliness, we overlook the fact that just a body of water along a sandy coast will not catch the eye of many. In other tourist destinations, beaches offer a range of amenities and activities that attract people to them. Although several beaches in Karachi and Balochistan have huts, there are no restaurants or cafes to cater to the visitors. Also, typical island activities like cruising and scuba diving are rare and there are usually no proper services for these activities. Other services such as bathing and changing rooms are not available either. There is no sight of upscale beach resorts and theme parks that can rival those in other countries. There is also a need to ease restrictions on tourists and be more accepting. Whilst we should uphold our cultural values and norms, we must offer some freedom to foreign tourists so that they do not feel pressured or regressed. Otherwise, they will most likely have a negative impression of Pakistan and not want to visit again. The government should consider revamping our beaches and extending the tourism budget to the coastline. This will bring considerable benefits for the local areas as well as the country at large. AShRAf AhMED hyDERAbAD
Delay in issuance of laptop ON the 30th of August 2021, the former finance minister of Balochistan announced that college students in the province would be provided laptops by the provincial government. however, it has been nearly five months since then and the students have not received any laptops. Given the poor quality of educational services in the province and the absence of libraries and other resources, the students were banking their hopes on the government’s promise. Throughout the pandemic, education has been either entirely virtual or hybrid; therefore, access to laptops and broadband services has become a necessity. however, most students cannot afford them because of which they are missing out on a significant proportion of their studies. Also, laptops are important for other academic coursework, research projects and exam preparation. It has become extremely difficult for students to keep pace with their studies without proper resources. Internet cafes are rare and the ones that do exist do not offer adequate services. Consequently, the announcement of the provision of laptops came as a relief for students. We students humbly request the Chief Minister and other relevant authorities to consider the educational needs of students of Balochistan and work on improving their prospects. IRfAN hAbIb TuRbAT
Overseas Pakistanis and devaluation STATe Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Governor Reza Baqir said on 21st October 2021 that the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar had benefitted overseas Pakistanis sending remittances to the country. Although after devaluation the overseas Pakistani sending home remittances get higher amounts Pak Rupees for each foreign exchange unit remitted to Pakistan for their loved ones but the rising food, electricity, petrol and other essential items prices of daily use more than offset the gain on exchange rates. On the other hand, the overseas Pakistanis who have invested in the stock and real estate market, the depreciation of the Pak Rupee adversely affected the real value of such investments. For example, all those overseas Pakistanis have lost value of their stock market and real estate investments if they invested during the last three years because our currency has been devalued by almost 50% during this period but there have not been 50% increases in stock and real estate markets. So if an overseas Pakistani invested an amount equivalent to US$ 10,000 in real estate and the stock market in Pakistan during the last three years, the value of his/her Pak Rupees investments in stock and real estate are now much less than US $ 10,000 due Pak Rupee devaluation. In view of the foregoing, I am struggling to understand how devaluing benefits overseas Pakistanis. Perhaps the honourable governor of the State Bank of Pakistan can explain this in detail. EJAZ AhMAD MAGOON, LONDON
08 WORLD VIEW 16th January 22_Layout 1 1/15/2022 10:34 PM Page 1
Sunday, 16 Janauary, 2022
08 WORLD VIEW
MajoriTarian violence is slowly Tearing india aparT UNDER BJP’S LEADERSHIP, INDIA BECAME ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES FOR MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE BEING PERSECUTED PHYSICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY Al JAzeerA
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ApOORVANAND
N India, the new year started with a perverse attack on the country’s Muslims. On January 1, photographs of more than 100 Muslim women appeared on an app called Bulli Bai, with the claim that they were “for sale as maids”. Prominent journalists, actresses and activists were among those who were targeted. The apparent attempt to sexualise, humiliate and force into silence politically active and socially prominent Muslim women understandably enraged India’s 200-million-strong Muslim community. After significant backlash, the app was taken down, and several arrests were made in relation to the incident. But this was only the latest in a string of Islamophobic incidents in India. On the last day of 2021, for example, a leading national daily ran an overtly Islamophobic ad which was funded by the government of Uttar Pradesh – India’s most populous state. Just a few weeks earlier, several farright hindu leaders openly called for genocide against Muslims at a three-day religious summit held in northern India’s haridwar city. Also in December, India’s far-right Prime Minister Narendra Modi made connections between Muslim figures from India’s distant history and current-day “terrorism and religious extremism” in two of his public speeches, implying that India’s Muslims should be held responsible and punished for the alleged crimes committed by their “ancestors”. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who belongs to the governing hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), declared that the state’s upcoming assembly election can be described as “80 versus 20 percent”, not so subtly hinting that he perceives the state elections as a battle between the hindus, who make up 80 percent of the state’s population, and the 20 percent Muslim minority. The anti-Muslim propaganda perpetrated by India’s elected and unelected leaders in 2021 has also been supported by the country’s brazenly Islamophobic media, as well as anti-Muslim laws and policies passed or proposed in many states. Muslims in India have been feeling under threat since the hindu nationalist BJP came to
power in 2014. But in the past year, hostility towards this community became even more overt. Today, far-right hindu nationalists, with the support and at times encouragement of the government and local authorities, are making it clear to Muslims that they are no longer seen as equal citizens in their own country. Their dietary habits and religious rituals are being attacked and even criminalised. Muslim women are being humiliated and harassed just because they are Muslim. Muslim livelihoods are under threat. Calls are being made for genocide of Muslims. It is no longer safe to be Muslim in BJP’s India. CHRISTIANS ALSO FACING INCREASING ATTACKS: Muslims, however, are not the only religious minority being targeted by the increasingly emboldened far right in the country. Christians across India are also facing similar hate and violence. Laws banning conversion are being enacted in state after state, and Christians are being blamed for forcibly converting poor hindus and tribals. This is turning public opinion against Christian communities. Christian Sunday prayers are being disrupted repeatedly, churches are being attacked, priests are being beaten up. As veteran journalist John Dayal recently reported, last month “violent hindu mobs attacked churches, Christian congregations in prayer and groups celebrating Christmas in at least 16 cities and towns”. Such incidents were seen in states all across the country, from haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in the north. To Karnataka in the South. According to United Christian Forum, at least 460 attacks against Christians have been recorded in the past year in India. Under BJP’s leadership, India became one of the most dangerous countries for Muslims and Christians in the world. They are being persecuted physically, psychologically and economically. Laws are being passed to criminalise their religious practices, food habits and even businesses. On top of discriminatory laws, they are also routinely being threatened with and subjected to physical violence. The media, as well as the TV and film industries are prejudiced against them. Perhaps most importantly, the elected rulers of the country are constantly dehumanising and even demonising them to further their own political agenda. 2021 was a year of fear, violence and harassment for Muslims and Christians of India. And as the Bulli Bai
incident demonstrated, the hindu far right’s attacks on religious minorities will likely continue with force in the new year. But the fight for India’s identity and soul is not yet over. A resistance against violent majoritarian politics is slowly growing in the country, and many who believe in democracy and human rights are fighting tirelessly to save India’s national unity and secular identity. THE WAY FORWARD: India’s Muslims are no longer taking the attacks against them laying down. When they discovered that they have been “put on sale” on a socalled ‘’auction app”, for example, Muslim women refused to be intimidated and filed a series of First Information Reports (FIR) to pressure the authorities to find and punish those responsible. When it became clear that Muslims will not let the issue go, security forces – who had all but ignored similar anti-Muslim crimes in the past – took swift action, and arrested four people believed to be behind the app. Meanwhile, a new crop of Muslim journalists and activists are tirelessly recording and documenting Islamophobic incidents and attacks across the country, and demanding accountability from state institutions. Due to their efforts, state authorities are increasingly struggling to ignore or downplay the abuse faced by Muslims. These journalists and activists, with the support of the wider Muslim community and many other democratic minded Indians, are working to ensure that the genocidal calls recently made against Muslims in haridwar do not remain unpunished. Thanks to increasing public pressure, police already announced an investigation into the incident. Some of India’s leading institutions, who are still upholding the country’s secular constitution, are also helping minorities resist the tide of majoritarian oppression and violence. The Supreme Court, for example, on Monday announced that it would urgently hear a petition seeking the arrest and prosecution of people who engaged in hate speech and incited violence against Muslims in haridwar. The Court also recently ordered the Tripura police to refrain from taking any penal action against Muslims who speak or write about the episode of anti-Muslim violence experienced in the state in October-November 2021. The resistance against majoritarian violence in India is growing, because it has to. The BJP will remain in
UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur elections are sliding into an entertainment sport WHERE ARE THE CHALLENGERS OR ISSUES LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT, COVID? STATE POLLS SHOW AMNESIA, BUT WE MUST ASK BIGGER QUESTIONS THAT GO BEYOND FORECASTING RESULTS Print
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YOGENDRA YADAV
he coming round of state elections is a good mirror of the tragedy of democratic politics in our times. The stakes are very high; the game is anything but high. The country faces critical issues; none of these seems to matter in making critical political choices. A turn that could affect the fate of our republic is mired in quotidian moves of petty politicking. even if the consequences are positive, the underlying causes are not. If you wish to empty democratic politics of its substance, there is no need to call off elections. The best recipe to kill a democracy is to reduce elections to an entertainment sport, public debates to shouting matches and politics to banality. This is what we are sliding into. SEMI-FINAL? Let’s be clear about the significance of this round. The media falls back on a cliché of “semi-final” to understand the link between this round of assembly elections and the big battle in 2024. If we must understand elections as sports, it is better to compare the coming round with the Candidate’s Tournament they have in chess, meant to select the player who would take on the reigning champion. At the national level, the real contest is about who emerges as the principal challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024. If we must bill it as semi-final, it is best to compare it to the new semi-final format adopted by the Indian Premier League (IPL), with a ‘playoff’ before an ‘eliminator’. This round in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Goa is more of a playoff that would rank the challengers and set the format of challenge, before things settle down in the next one year.
NATIONAL ISSUES? That is why we must ask bigger questions that go beyond forecasting the results. Can we expect to have an alternative to the hegemony of the BJP? Or a serious challenger? Or a clear challenge? What issues would the potential challenger bring to the battleground? Will this round give an indication of the national mood? This would be the first major round of assembly polls after the full unfolding of the two waves of Covid that cost anywhere between 3 to 5 million lives in the country. Uttar Pradesh was among its epicentres. In any democracy, you should expect this issue to dominate elections. Not in UP, at least not on the surface so far. The country has gone through its worst economic meltdown, accentuated by the pandemic lockdowns. Unemployment is hovering around the highest levels ever recorded. Inflation has raised its head after a long time. All these directly affect the states going to polls. All these would surely be talked about in election rallies and may be remembered if the BJP fares badly. But you would be naïve to think that these would be decisive electoral issues this time. We are passing through one of the most communally charged periods of our national history, with constitutional functionaries stoking hatred and patronising violence. If past record is anything to go by, we should expect the BJP to turn on the flame further over the next few weeks. It is likely to be selective, focussed more on UP and Uttarakhand, and not the other three states with large presence of religious minorities. But can we expect a serious counter-narrative from the opposition? Would they even have the guts, the tact and the language to raise this all-important issue during the elections? This would be the first big election after the historic victory of the farmers’ movement. Yet it would be quite a task to convert the farmers’ newly acquired clout into
an electoral impact. In some states, the impact may be negligible. In Punjab, it may be neutralised because the impact is so overwhelming and therefore spread across the political divide. Would the plight of the farmers take centre stage in politics? Or would it be another round of political trivia? ANTI-INCUMBENCY? If not national issues, should we expect state-level issues of governance to determine the outcome? The one thing that unites all these five states brought together by the accident of electoral calendar is uniformly indifferent quality of governance delivered by the incumbent. even Congressmen agreed that Amarinder Singh’s second government was an unmitigated disaster for Punjab: corruption, fiscal imprudence, low on performance and high on arrogance. The same is true of Yogi Adityanath’s government, among the worst even by UP standards: if the floating corpses in the Ganga showcased the sorry state of public health and governance, hathras and Unnao told the tale of law and order. If the BJP could not find a replacement for Manohar Parrikar to govern Goa, its plight was worse in Uttarakhand. The BJP government’s record in Manipur is not much to write home about. The incumbents deserve to be kicked out in all five states. That looks unlikely. Some of the incumbent may well be kicked out. Anti-incumbency can turn out to be a stronger factor than the media is willing to admit. Yet in each of these states, some intervening factors have muddled the incumbent’s examination. In Punjab, Amarinder’s departure and the arrival of the first Dalit CM of the state has given the Congress another chance that it did not deserve. The main challenger, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has done little in the last five years to inspire any confidence. The same can be said about the Congress in Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand, where
power until at least 2024 and its leaders are not likely to abandon their anti-Muslim and anti-Christian rhetoric anytime soon. Religious minorities are speaking up, because for them remaining silent is no longer an option. They are fighting for their rightful place in their homeland – they are fighting for their survival. The efforts of India’s religious minorities and their allies to document and bring attention to anti-Muslim and anti-Christian attacks and threats, as well as actions by the Supreme Court, will undoubtedly help slow the tide of majoritarian violence in the country. But India cannot heal and once again become a country where different religious communities live together in harmony on its own. The international community also needs to acknowledge and take a stance against routine harassment of and genocidal threats against Muslims and Christians in the country. If we look at past atrocities, we can clearly see how the international community’s silence against growing hate and violence against persecuted communities paved the way for genocides. Today, many powerful and “democratic” nations, who present themselves as protectors of human rights around the world, are refraining from condemning crimes against religious minorities in India because they see India as an important strategic ally against China or a major trade market that they rather not anger. But if the democratic nations of the world remain silent and allow India continue on this path, the country can soon descend into civil war. And an India at war with itself can neither buy other nations’ products nor help them contain China’s influence. All countries in the region and beyond would suffer if inter-communal violence tears apart the world’s largest democracy. But this grim scenario is not inevitable. Different religious communities peacefully co-existed in India for long periods in the past, and they can do so again. Muslims and Christians are resisting the majoritarian violence, which is supported by India’s government, and with the help of those around the world who want India to remain a secular democracy where all its citizens feel safe, they can still win this battle for the soul of their country. Apoorvanand teaches Hindi at the University of Delhi. He writes literary and cultural criticism.
it is the principal challenger. The larger organisational disarray of the Congress has played out in these four state. except Uttarakhand, the Congress is in no position to benefit from anti-incumbency. As for Uttar Pradesh, Yogi government’s record should indicate an electoral wipeout, yet the BJP is still in the game, seeking to blunt the edge of anti-incumbency with the help of caste equation and brazen communal divide, while benefiting from the erosion of the Bahujan Samaj Party’s support. This is how everyday politics can fragment and derail big issues of politics. THE CHALLENGER? If the BJP loses UP, then no other state verdict would matter. That may not be the beginning of the end of the Narendra Modi government, but it would definitely embolden all the challengers. The Samajwadi Party (SP) could emerge as one of the key challengers and hopefully a balancing force in the internal battle of the opposition. If BJP retains UP, then its dominance would get reinforced and the battle of 2024 that much more difficult for the opposition. Congress would need to retain Punjab and score one more win, perhaps Uttarakhand, to maintain its position as the principal challenger. A defeat in Punjab would bring the Congress stock down and intensify the contest for the principal challenger. Yet, as the largest opposition party, the Congress gets into the playoff without the fear of instant elimination. Other semi-finalists like TMC, AAP and SP don’t enjoy this advantage. If the SP fails, it has no other state to go to. If the AAP wins Punjab and overtakes Congress in Goa or Uttarakhand, then it can have a dramatic rise on the national stage. But if it fails to make good this second chance in Punjab, its national ambitions stand extinguished. If the TMC finishes runner up in Goa, its newly created units in other states can grow roots. If its experiment in Goa fails, its plans to step outside West Bengal may be stymied. All this speculation would keep stakeholders busy and the public entertained till 10 March. Closer to elections, all of us would turn vicarious players and amateur psephologists. Would that leave us with a clear political force that could effectively challenge the BJP in 2024? Would we know the terms of the challenge? An amnesia on these issues could be the real tragedy of banality of democratic politics. Yogendra Yadav is among the founder of Jai Kisan Andolan and Swaraj India.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | lAhoRe
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corporate corner ITP issues 50,931 fine tickets over major violations during last one month ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issued 50,931 fine tickets to road users over four major violations during the last one month , a police spokesman said. He said that ITP has launched ‘Special Campaign’ last month in order to ensure safe road environment and traffic discipline in the city. The campaign has been formally launched following directions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younis. He said that action was taken against 9927 road users over lane violation, 6369 motorists for not fastening seat belt during drive, 2749 motorists for using mobile during drive, 28,386 motorcyclists for not using helmets. He said that special campaign is underway to check violations while various teams headed by Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Mazhar Iqbal are performing duties at main roads of the city and taking action against the violators. SSP Traffic Muhammad Mazhar Iqbal has said that strict action would be taken during campaign against those involved in lane violation, not fastening seat belt, using mobile phone during driving and not wearing helmets during bike ride. He said that the purpose of this campaign is to ensure better traffic discipline through cooperation of citizens and create traffic sense among them. ITP is striving hard for safety of its citizens and to overcome the traffic accidents by ensuring safe road environment in the city, he added Mr. Mazhar Iqbal said that ITP personnel have been directed to ensure implementation on traffic rules and regulation irrespective of status and rank and demonstrate patience and politeness while issuing traffic violation tickets to the road users. He said that ITP is utilizing all available resources to facilitate the general public. The force issues traffic violation tickets not as a punitive measure but the purpose is to ensure safe road environment in the Capital and secure the lives of the people, the SSP (Traffic) added. pr
PAKISTAN NAVY CONDUCTS DARING NIGHT DIVING RESCUE OPS AT RAWAL LAKE ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Diver Abdul Rehman LCD(T) in a daring night diving search and rescue operation recovered the dead body of a lady drowned at Rawal Lake. The Search operation, in the ice cold waters of Lake was conducted immediately on receiving call for assistance from Islamabad police and CDA. Later, the dead body of the lady was handed over to the family. Pakistan Navy diver's prompt and quick response is a manifestation of organizational professionalism and dedication. Earlier also PN Diving teams stationed at Sailing club locality have performed various successful Search and Rescue operations in Northern areas and at Mangla Dam. The basic aim of deputing Pakistan Navy diving team at Rawal Lake near the sailing club is to provide assistance to civil authorities and counter any emergency situations. pr
NEPRA holds awareness webinar on “Working at Height” for Power Sector
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BASIC REfORmS IN VARIOUS SECTORS INTRODUCED IN PTI GOVT’S THREE YEARS RULE: HAmmAD ISLAMABAD
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eDeRAl Minister for energy Hammad Azhar has said that during last three years rule of the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) government, basic reforms aimed at ensuring sustainable development have been introduced in various sectors including energy. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he said that the government will continue these reforms during years to come. Hammad Azhar was of the view that our economy was paralyzed after 1960 and gross domestic product (GDP) also could not grow like the other countries. Sometime, our GDP witnessed sudden increase and in next increase faced recession, he added. earlier, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fixed the market exchange rate on the direction of Finance Minister resulting increase in debts and pressure on foreign currency reserves, he said. The federal minister said now rates were fixed as per market based exchange. The custom policy was also separated from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Tax, he added. Now, the commerce ministry fixed it which also help improvement in raw materials, he said adding it would also help promote industries in the country. Hammad said that the country’s exports would be brought at $ 30 billion this year while Rs 6000 billion tax collection would be collected during the said period which would be a record. He said the entire world has praised Pakistan for compliance of 26 points out of 27 given by Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The minister said new power plants were set up in past without assessing the old power plants established by Independent Power
NO HEATED EXCHANGE WITH KHATTAK: HAMMAD
Producers (IPPs). The government renegotiated with IPPs which would bring improvement in the power sector, he added. He said the government for the first time approved Indicative Generation Capacity expansion Plan (IGCeP) model in the country under which in future power projects would be set up purely in opening competitive bidding as per the requirement. Hammad said in past, focus was given only to generation of electricity while no attention was paid to power distribution in the country. In past, our system could not transmit around 20,000 MW while 24,700 MW electricity was transmitted during the last year, he said. He said system could easily transmit 30,000 MW by 2023. The government has completed 4000 MW HVDC transmission line project which was only present in the papers, he added. He said said 2nd phase of Neelum Jhelum transmission line project has also been completed yesterday which would supply electricity from Neelum Jhelum and Karot Hydrpower Projects to Sialkot and Gujrnawala districts. The minister said yesterday, the National Assembly passed a legislation
POWER SHUTDOWN NOTICE 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 16th January, 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM, RA Bazar, AWT, Mall Road, AFIC, Tench Bhatta, MH3, Qasim Market, CMH2, Sprint Plaza Feeders, From 09:00 AM to 02:00PM, Park View, Pindi Board, Jail Park-1, Car Chowk, X-Lair Colony, AOWHS, Fuji Foundation Hospital, Mor-
regarding SBP autonomy which was highly politicized by the opposition. In all developed countries, their State Banks were independent, he added. Hammad said the federal government would own the entire assets of SBP while the appointment and removal of SBP governor, deputy governor and board of directors was also under the domain of the Central government. The legislation would free the SBP from politicized decisions, he added. He said the government successfully dismantled cartelization in agriculture and enhance wheat support price to facilitate the farmers. The farmers were getting rates of Rs 250-300 per maund for their sugar cane, he added. Regarding fuel cost adjustment, the minister said the past government installed power projects based on imported fuel including lNG and Coal which resulted in variation of fuel cost prices. “Had the past government gives priority to build dams today we have not suffer,” he said. Hammad said that the incumbent government has declared this decade as “decades of dams” and 10 mega dams were being set up in the country. Under, the plan, 70-80 per cent
gah, Mehboob Shaheed feeders From 10:am to 02:00pm, 132KV Foji Cement Grid Station, Lalazar, POF (E), Khanabad, AWC Housing, Pathargarh, HECO, Khanpur, Shahia, Col. Sher Khan, KSB, Islampura, Gadwal-1 & 2, Hussainabad, Lala Rukh, Fazal Rahbar & Steel Casting , Purmiana, Hassan Abdal, Burhan, Rashid Minhas, Industrial Estate, Munirabad, Garhi Afghana, Taxila, Hero, Hero-1, Ghauri, Nisar Shaheed, SS Suri, Margalla, Nawaz Shaheed, Museum, HMC 3, Engineering University, HFF1,2,3,4 & 5, HMC-1 & 2, HRF-1 & 2, Royal Polynesia, BOC, Military Cement Wah, FFC, State Bank, Humayun Road, Jhanda, Rawalpindi Three, CNC , VIP, Methyal Feeders and 132KV
electricity would be generated through local resources including hydel, coal, and Renewable by 2030, he added. He said 5 GDP growth would be achieved this year while the foreign remittances would be around $ 30 billion which would be a record. No heated exchaNge with KhattaK: hammad Replying to a question, Hammad Azhar said Pervaiz Khattak has raised the issue before the Prime Minister that there was ban in new gas connection in his constituency. He said PTI was a democratic party and every member has right to speak in the party’s meeting. Rejecting media reports of a heated exchange between him and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak over gas shortage during Thursday’s meeting of the PTI parliamentary party. The minister said the defence minister talked about new gas connections in his constituency and was satisfied when he briefed him on the issue. “Pervez Khattak is our elder brother and has right to say anything. The PTI is a democratic party where everyone can talk openly. This is not a party where seniors hush up if a child walks in on them,” he said. Hammad said our gas reserves are depleting, stressing the need for looking for various options to meet the domestic energy requirements. He said the incumbent government has introduced historic reforms in various sectors, including energy, to take the country forward. The process of reforms will continue in months and years to come to ensure sustainable development, he said. He pointed out that the government is focusing on improving the power transmission system. 70 to 80 per cent electricity will be produced using indigenous resources by 2030 as construction work on ten dams has started, he added.
New Wah-5 & 6 Grid Station, From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. GHQ, Kayani Road, Army Flat, MH One, MH2, CMH One, Zeeshan Colony , Haider Road feeders From 14:00 hrs 17:00 hrs 132 KV Foji Cement Grid Station, From 08:00 am to 04:00 pm Brut Gala, Darbar Mai Toti, Khoi Rata City, Dana Bhal, Charohi Dongi, Siri, City, Kariala , Jandrut Dabsi, Dutto, Mojan, Nomanpura Feeders, from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM. Charohi, Better Feeders 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
PARC working for maintaining self- sufficiency in food production; Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali ISLAMABAD pr
National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) organized a webinar on “Working at Height” in collaboration with “Safe T Consult” on Friday, January 14, 2022. The webinar was attended by a large number of power sector professionals, field staff and contractors from Generation, Transmission and Distribution companies including NEPRA Authority, and Professionals. The main objective of the webinar was to understand the requirements of NEPRA Power Safety Code related to “Working at Height”. Working at height remains one of the leading causes of fatalities and major injuries in Power Sector. The most common causes are falls from structures, ladders, and poles. In this webinar, attendees learnt how to take simple, practical measures to reduce the risk of falling while working at height. The webinar aimed to create awareness in the power sector of Pakistan and to protect workers’ lives to achieve a zero incident goal. Chairman NEPRA, Mr. Tauseef H. Farooqi in his keynote address told the participants that the Authority is actively pursuing NEPRA vision of “Power with Safety” that whoever report to duty deserves to go back to their families safe and healthy. pr
Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali on Saturday said that the Council was making coordinated efforts at national and provincial levels, besides strengthening its linkages with international development partners and development agencies for bring local agriculture sector at par with international standards to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and economic development of the country. He said that research based solutions, technological advancement were inevitable to overcome the challenges confronted by national agriculture sector for maintaining food safety and security, besides achieving sustainable long-term economic growth and social prosperity in the country. Briefing the media persons at National Agriculture Research Center, he said that climate change was the big challenge for agriculture and livestock
sectors in the country, adding that unsustainable use of natural resources, high cost of inputs, rapid urbanization and high growth in population were among the other looming issues. He said that to overcome all these issues and challenges, a national agriculture research system was developed to provide research based solutions to farming communities as according to their ecological requirements, adding that areas were also identified for the production of high value crops and maximization of farm income. Under this system, he said that vast
areas identified in four provinces including northern areas and Azad Kashmir for production of high-value crops including oil seeds, citrus and nuts, adding that the implementation of the initiative would help to promote high value crop production as against the production of conventional crops. Dr Ali told that PARC has also started work on new technologies for developing new varieties of high-yielding seeds of major and minor crop in order to enhance per-acre crop out to tackle with the growing demand of food as well as for exporting to de-
velop the economy on sound basis. So far, the PARC had developed over 65 varieties of different major and minor crops including the development of 08 hybrids of different crops and disseminated among the growers, he said adding that due to these efforts Pakistan was now producing surplus output in major crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane and maize. The PARC is also introducing four new seed varieties of long and extra long grain rice to enhance per-acre crop output and farm income, particularly the income of medium and small farmers, he said adding that development of new verities would help in yielding about 80120 mounds of rice per-acre as against the conventional verities, which was providing 40 to 50 mounds per-acre. These high-yielding seed varieties were cultivated over three different location on test and trail basis and initial results of uniform yield trails were showing encouraging trends while in some locations the output crossed 105 mounds per-acre, he added.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | LAHORE
10 FOREIGN NEWS
ChIna slams Us sanCtIons on Iran as CooperatIon agreement laUnChed
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HINA reaffirmed its opposition to unilateral sanctions by the United States against Iran as the Chinese and Iranian foreign ministers announced the launch of a 25-year cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening economic and political ties. In a meeting on Friday in the city of Wuxi, in Jiangsu province, Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi also backed efforts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal between major powers and Iran. A summary of the meeting between Wang and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was posted on China’s foreign ministry website on Saturday. Wang, who is also State Councillor, said the US bore primary responsibility for the ongoing difficulties with Iran, having unilaterally withdrawn from a 2015 nuclear deal
between the major powers and Iran. Under the terms of that deal, in return for the lifting of international sanctions, Iran would limit uranium enrichment activity, making it harder to develop nuclear arms — although Tehran denies having plans for nuclear weapons. Wang said China would firmly support a resumption on negotiations on a nuclear pact. But he said China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions against Iran, political manipulation through topics including human rights, and interference in the internal affairs of Iran and other regional countries. The United States reimposed sanctions that badly damaged Iran’s economy after withdrawing from the nuclear pact in 2018,
saying the terms did not do enough to curb Iran’s nuclear activities, ballistic missile programme and regional influence. A year later, Iran began to gradually breach the accord, rebuilding stockpiles of enriched uranium, refining it to higher fissile purity and installing advanced centrifuges to speed up output. China and Iran, both subject to US sanctions, signed the 25-year cooperation agreement last March, bringing Iran into China’ Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure scheme intended to stretch from East Asia to Europe. The project aims to significantly expand China’s economic and political influence, and has raised concerns in the United States
and elsewhere. The foreign ministry summary said the agreement would deepen SinoIranian cooperation in areas including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health care and culture, as well as cyber security and cooperation with other countries. Iran and the US remain locked in talks over whether a compromise can be found to renew the deal and dispel fears of a wider Middle East War. A source close to negotiations said on Friday that many issues remain unresolved. Wang, who earlier in the week met with several counterparts from Gulf Arab countries concerned about the potential threat from Iran, also said China hopes to set up a dialogue mechanism with Gulf countries to discuss regional security issues.
Joe Biden supporters ‘apoplectic’ one year into his presidency the aSSociateD PReSS Just over a year ago, millions of energised young people, women, voters of colour and independents joined forces to send Joe Biden to the White House. But 12 months into his presidency, many describe a coalition in crisis. Leading voices across Biden’s diverse political base openly decry the slow pace of progress on key campaign promises. The frustration was especially pronounced this past week after Biden’s push for voting rights legislation effectively stalled, intensifying concerns in his party that fundamental democratic principles are at risk and reinforcing a broader sense that the president is faltering at a moment of historic consequence. “People are feeling like they’re getting less than they bargained for when they put Biden in office. There’s a lot of emotions, and none of them are good,” said Quentin Wathum-Ocama, president of the Young Democrats of America. “I don’t know if the right word is ‘apoplectic’ or ‘demoralised.’ We’re down. We’re not seeing the results.” The strength of Biden’s support will determine whether Democrats maintain threadbare majorities in
Congress beyond this year or whether they will cede lawmaking authority to a Republican Party largely controlled by former President Donald Trump. Already, Republicans in several state legislatures have taken advantage of Democratic divisions in Washington to enact far-reaching changes to state election laws, abortion rights and public health measures in line with Trump’s wishes. If Biden cannot unify his party and reinvigorate his political coalition, the GOP at the state and federal levels will almost certainly grow more emboldened, and the red wave that shaped a handful of state elections last year could fundamentally shift the balance of power across America in November’s midterm elections. For now, virtually none of the groups that fuelled Biden’s 2020 victory are happy. Young people are frustrated that he hasn’t followed through on vows to combat climate change and student debt. Women are worried that his plans to expand family leave, child care and universal pre-K (preschool for all) are stalled as abortion rights erode and schools struggle to stay open. Moderates in both parties who once cheered Biden’s centrist approach worry that he’s moved too far
left. And voters of colour, like those across Biden’s political base, are furious that he hasn’t done more to protect their voting rights. “We mobilised to elect President Biden because he made promises to us,” Rep Cori Bush, D-Mo, told The Associated Press, citing Biden’s pledge to address police violence, student loan debt, climate change and voter suppression, among other issues. “We need transformative change — our very lives depend on it,” Bush said. “And because we haven’t seen those results yet, we’re frustrated — frustrated that despite everything we did to deliver a Democratic White House, Senate and House of Representatives, our needs and our lives are still not being treated as a top priority. That needs to change.”Facing widespread frustration, the White House insists Biden is making significant progress, especially given the circumstances when he took office. “President Biden entered office with enormous challenges — a once-in-a-generation pandemic, economic crisis and a hollowed-out federal government. In the first year alone, he has delivered progress on his promises,” said Cedric Richmond, a senior adviser to the president. He pointed to more than six million new jobs, 200m vac-
cinated Americans, the most diverse Cabinet in US history and the most federal judges confirmed in a president’s first year since Richard Nixon. Richmond also highlighted historic legislative accomplishments Biden signed into law — specifically, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill that sent $1,400 checks to most Americans and a subsequent $1tr infrastructure package that will fund public works projects across every state in the nation for several years. In an interview, Vermont Sen Bernie Sanders, a leading voice in the Democratic Party’s left wing, described Biden’s pandemic relief package as among the most significant pieces of legislation ever enacted to help working people. “But a lot more work needs to be done,” he said. Like other Biden allies, Sanders directed blame for the president’s woes at two Senate Democrats: Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. They are blocking the president’s plan to protect voting rights by refusing to bypass the filibuster, having already derailed Biden’s “Build Back Better” package, which calls for investments exceeding $2tr for child care, paid family leave, education and climate change, among other progressive priorities.
Ahsan Untoo’s arrest sparks massive anger, outrage among Kashmiris iSLaMaBaD INP
Indian army is world’s most brutal force: report iSLaMaBaD INP
Indian army is the most brutal force of the world as its troops are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). A report released by the Kashmir Media Service, today, said that when India is celebrating its 74th Army Day, its troops continue to perpetrate grave human rights violations in the occupied territory. It said Indian army is trained in committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. “Indian army has no justification to celebrate Army Day as its soldiers are involved in heinous crimes. What to speak of Kashmir, Indian army is shooting dead innocent civilians even in Indian states. Indian army is notorious for conducting operations against civilians in India and in IIOJK,” the report said. It pointed out that recent killing of 14 innocent civilians in Nagaland state is yet another proof of Indian army’s savagery. It noted that in the past 2 decades, Indian army has killed 4,265 civilians in India’s northeastern region. The report said that killing people in staged encounters has become a regular feature of Indian army. Killing fields of IIOJK have exposed the real face of Indian army, which is involved in fake encounters and extrajudicial killings in the occupied territory, it added. The report maintained that the Indian army has so far killed 14 Kashmiris extra-judicially in the ongoing month of January while 95,948 Kashmiris have fallen to Indian army’s bullets in last 3 decades. The report said that the Indian army soldiers must be held accountable for their heinous acts of brutalities.
The arrest of Chairman of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights JK (IFJHRJK), Muhammad Ahsan Untoo has sparked outrage and anger among Kashmiris triggering demonstrations and condemnations from rights activists. A protest demonstration was held in Muzaffarabad on Saturday against the arrest of noted human rights activist and Chairman of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights JK (IFJHRJK), Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, and other citizens by the Indian authorities in IIOJK. The protest demonstration was organized by IFJHRJK at Burhan Wani Chowk in Muzaffarabad. The demonstrators, holding banners in their hands marched to the Aiwane-Adl on the main highway and prayed for the martyrs of Kashmir. IFJHRJK Vice Chairman, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Chairman of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, Shamshir Khan Advocate, Mehtab Mir Advocate, Usman Ali Hashim, Irshad Ahmed Khan, Mubashir Wani, Ajmal Mughal, Mumtaz Mughal and others participated and addressed the demonstration. Addressing the protest demonstration, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Uzair Ghazali, Shamshir Khan, Usman Ali Hashim and Irshad Ahmad Khan said Muhammad Ahsan Untoo is a great leader, who has strongly opposed human rights violations by Indian troops in IIOJK. The international human rights organizations must take notice of his illegal arrest, they added. They said that even before his arrest, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo had been lodged in different jails of India, but he was released when no crime was proved against him. They said India wants to cover up its war crimes in IIOJK by arresting human rights activists, Khurram Parvez, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo and journalist Sajjad Gul. The Indian government is suppressing every voice for freedom, right to self-determination, justice and human rights, they deplored. Chairman of Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Altaf Hussain Wani, has condemned in strong terms, the arrest of noted human rights activist and Chairman of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights JK,
Muhammad Ahasan Untoo, by the Indian authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The KIIR chief in a statement issued in Islamabad, today, said that Ahsan Untoo’s detention was part of Modi-led apartheid regime’s policy aimed at silencing rights defenders who have time and again played vital role in raising alarm over the rights situation in IIOJK and criticized the fascist regime’s brutal policies towards Kashmir. Altaf Wani said Ahsan Untoo is one of the bold and brave voices of IIOJK who was being victimized just for standing up for the rights of common Kashmiris. Referring to India’s brutal policies, he said, the BJP government was hell bent on choking every dissenting voice in Kashmir. “Untoo has since long been on the hit list of Indian secret agencies. Earlier, he received death threats from unknown and unidentified numbers, especially after attending an online webinar organized as a sideline event of 48th Session of UN Human Rights Council”. “He was ruthlessly thrashed and beaten to pulp by the CRPF and police personnel on 19 October 2021 while he was on a private visit to Watergam village of Rafiabad area of Baramulla district,” he said. Terming Ahsan Untoo’s arrest as a flagrant violation of the basic human rights, Altaf Wani urged the world human rights organization to take effective notice of the matter and play their due role in release of all human rights activists who have been arrested in fake and fabricated cases in IIOJK.
Xinjiang issues development plan for women, children Xinhua Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has issued two plans to promote the high-quality development of women and children through 180 welfare measures spanning 15 fields, local authorities said on Friday. The plans aim to promote the coordinated development of women and children from urban and rural regions and different areas and groups. They further aim to protect the rights and interests of women and children with special difficulties, said Wang Lixia, deputy director of the regional working committee on children and women. Besides, these plans will integrate the goals and objectives involving the development of women and children with the overall economic and social planning of the region, Wang added. In recent years, the rights of women and children in Xinjiang have been further protected, and their health conditions have continued to improve. “Historic achievements have been made in the development of women and children in Xinjiang,” said Wang. The maternal mortality rate in the region had dropped from 39.45 per 100,000 in 2011 to 7.89 per 100,000 in 2020. By 2020, the number of newly employed women in the region’s urban areas had accounted for 45.11 percent of the total. Gender discrimination in the workplace has been largely eliminated in the region, with employment channels for women further expanded and equal pay for men and women fully implemented.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022 | LAHorE
VirAT Kohli shocKs cricKET world by sTEpping down As indiA’s TEsT cApTAin
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news Desk
NDIA’S Virat Kohli has stepped down as captain of the Test side following their 2-1 series defeat by South Africa, the player said in a statement on Saturday. “It’s been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I’ve done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there,” Kohli wrote on Twitter. “Everything has come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test captain of India, it’s now. There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey, but never has there been a lack of effort or lack of belief.” Kohli, 33, gave up the Twenty20 captaincy in September and he was replaced as One-Day International skipper in December, with opener Rohit Sharma taking over in both formats. Kohli, who took over the reins in 2014, led India in 68 tests, winning 40 matches and losing 17.
Karatsev beats Murray in Sydney final sYDneY News Desk
World number 20 Aslan Karatsev produced a masterclass Saturday to power past Andy Murray in the Sydney Classic final, signalling his intent of making another deep run at the Australian Open. The No.1 seed won 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 31 minutes, hitting 29 winners in a near-flawless performance that left the three-time Grand Slam champion out of answers. “Thanks to my team we are doing an amazing job,” Karatsev said during the awards presentation. Karatsev created history at last year’s Australian Open after becoming the first Grand Slam debutant to reach a semi-final since the Open era began in 1968. After his emphatic victory, the 28year-old will be confident entering Melbourne Park having stymied Murray’s bid to win a title for the first time since 2019. “First time back in a final for three years, it’s been a long road,” an emo-
tional Murray said at the presentation. Murray, who has been given a wildcard into next week’s Australian Open, had been encouraged by his play heading into a Grand Slam where he has finished as runner-up five times. But Murray, who had undergone career-saving hip surgery, was blown off the court by the red-hot Russian. His serve was under immediate pressure as Karatsev muscled him around the court to gain the break in the opening game. Karatsev continued to stand and deliver, piercing the lines to run Murray ragged. A double fault from the Scot handed Karatsev the first set and the Russian then stormed to a 3-0 lead. Murray showed trademark fight and had opportunities to break in an epic fifth game but Karatsev held on and then motored to victory. Karatsev, who had knocked out Murray’s British compatriot Dan Evans in a three-set semi-final thriller on Friday, plays world number 72 Jaume
The Ashes: England puts up little fight in final Test Agencies England fought back to take three Australian wickets in the final session but still trail by 152 runs at the end of day two of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Hobart on Saturday. After conceding a lead of 115 runs when bowled out for 188 in their first innings, the visitors bounced back in the last hour of the night session of the day-night Test. With an hour to bat before stumps, Australia lost David Warner for his second duck of the match, caught brilliantly by Ollie Pope in the gully off the bowling of Stuart Broad. Marnus Labuschagne fell for five, caught by wicketkeeper Sam Billings off Chris Woakes, while Mark Wood had Usman Khawaja gloving a short ball to Billings for 11. At stumps, Australia were 37-3 with Steve Smith on 17 and nightwatchman Scott Boland on three. Australian captain Pat Cummins said his side had done well not to have lost more wickets. “They’re the kind of night sessions you’ve got to be careful of in day-night cricket if you get caught out with the new ball,” Cummins said. “It was warm and humid tonight and the ball seemed to do a little bit more. “I think it’s a pretty good effort only to be three down in really tough conditions.” Billings, making his Test debut, was optimistic about getting a result. “We bowled really nicely tonight, we created some opportunities, created a lot of intensity,” he said. “They’re in front in the game, but we have a chance to really make a statement and make some inroads in the morning.” England earlier bowled Australia out for 303 on a day when 17 wickets fell for 287 runs. Australia are still in a commanding position and look likely to win this Test and claim a 4-0 win in the series. Any hopes England had of salvaging anything from the Ashes realistically ended when their batting collapsed once again in the face of Australia’s relentless pace attack. England lost four key wickets in the middle twilight session, including a horror stretch when Dawid Malan (25), Joe Root (34) and Ben Stokes (4) fell for the addition of just seven runs. When the final session began, England again lost wickets at regular intervals and only reached 188 thanks to some late hitting from bowlers Chris Woakes (36) and Mark Wood (16).
Munar of Spain in the first round of the Australian Open. Murray has an intriguing opener
against 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili who he beat in three sets in the round of 16 in Sydney.
Djokovic faces return to detention as Australia cancels visa MeLBOURne AFP
Novak Djokovic was expected to be detained in Australia again Saturday, after authorities ripped up his visa for a second time and declared the unvaccinated tennis superstar a threat to the public. Just two days before the Australian Open begins, the world number one is again fighting detention and deportation — the latest twist in a high-profile row over his Covid-19 vaccine status. Djokovic was summoned to appear before immigration officials in Melbourne ahead of emergency court hearings on Saturday and Sunday. He was expected to be detained, but will be allowed to follow court proceedings from his lawyers’ offices under the guard of two Australian Border Force officers. This is the second attempt by Australia’s conservative government to deport Djokovic, one of the world’s most high-profile Covid-19 vaccine sceptics. The 34-year-old Serbian used a medical exemption to enter Australia earlier this month, hoping to challenge for a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Open. Amid public outcry, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government revoked Djokovic’s visa on arrival. Many Australians — who have suffered prolonged lockdowns and border restrictions — believe Djokovic gamed the system to dodge vaccine entry requirements. But the government was humiliated when a judge reinstated Djokovic’s visa and allowed him to remain in the country. This time, the government has invoked exceptional — and difficult to challenge — executive powers to declare him a threat to public health and safety. Factfile looking at how different Australian institutions have dealt with Novak Djokovic’s visa woes.
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Government lawyers are expected to argue that Djokovic’s presence stirs anti-vaccine sentiment in Australia amid a tidal wave of Omicron infections. They are also expected to say Djokovic would not comply with Covid-19 regulations, posing a risk to public health. ‘HealtH and good order’: The tennis ace contracted Covid-19 in mid-December and, according to his own account, failed to isolate despite knowing he was positive. Public records show he attended a stamp unveiling, youth tennis event and was granted a media interview around the time he got tested and his infection was confirmed. In a statement, immigration minister Alex Hawke said the government was “firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic”, citing “health and good order grounds” for the decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa once again. Hawke said “it was in the public interest to do so”. The government has agreed not to deport Djokovic until the hearing is over, barrister Stephen Lloyd told an emergency late-night federal court session Friday. Djokovic is the Australian Open’s top seed and a ninetime winner of the tournament. He had been practising just hours before Hawke’s decision was announced. It is unclear if Djokovic will choose to stay and fight the case if he believes he is unable to compete in the Australian Open. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday accused Australia of “mistreating” the country’s biggest star, and a national hero. “If you wanted to ban Novak Djokovic from winning the 10th trophy in Melbourne why didn’t you return him immediately, why didn’t you tell him ‘it is impossible to obtain a visa’?” Vucic said on Instagram. “Novak, we stand by you!” ‘In tHe publIc Interest’: Prime Minister Morrison backed the decision, saying: “Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.” The visa cancellation effectively means Djokovic would be barred from obtaining a new Australian visa for three years, except under exceptional circumstances, ruling him out of one of the four Grand Slam tournaments during that time.
Ailaaj joins Islamabad United to boost awareness on healthy sports, health-tech platform isLAMABAD Pr
Ailaajhas joined hands with Pakistan Super League’s top performing team, Islamabad United, to encourage sports and spread awareness of their health-tech platform for the wellbeing of our nation. Ailaaj, Pakistan’s first fully integrated digital healthcare platform and Telemedicine Company, has signed on as the official health-tech partner of Islamabad United, one of Pakistan Super Leagues top performing teams and 2 time Champions. With this partnership, they aim to promote and educate the general public about the importance of healthcare and fitness. They also want to reach a wider audience and communicate the convenience of getting healthcare services at home. Ailaaj was inclined towards partnering with Islamabad United due to their shared values of excellence in performance and fitness. The Co-founder of Ailaaj, Bilal Mumtaz has also been involved in developing the ecosystem of Football for the youth of Chitral since 2011, by facilitating tournaments and football camps to nurture talent in the region. Ailaaj aims to continue its focus on supporting sports in Pakistan to promote healthy, active lifestyles among the youth. To mark this occasion, the signing ceremony was held at PCB Lahore on the 6th of January, 2022, between Hyder Mumtaz, CEO of Ailaaj, and top rated bowlers of Islamabad United, Faheem Ashraf and ZafarGauhar. “Digital Healthcare has been instrumental in providing everyday Pakistanis easier access to primary care services; a vital need that was even more apparent over the last two years. The platform of PSL’s most successful franchise allows us to reach an even larger audience and provide them with the services that are necessary to deal with today’s world. In Islamabad United we also have a brand that prides itself on excellence and professionalism, and these are values that we share. Thus, we are glad that we have this partnership with Islamabad United.” Hyder Mumtaz: During this conference Faheem Ashraf also expressed how excited he is about the PSL tournament being held in Pakistan this year. “Our motivation is on another level when we’re playing on the field of our home country because the support we get here is much more than what we get when we play in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi etc. It encourages our players to perform even better and leads to more success and becomes a greater fulfillment for us.” Faheem ashraf: Ailaaj is an end to end healthcare solution that enables virtual care for all your medical needs on a singular platform. Ailaaj’s offerings include telehealth consultations, lab testing, epharmacy, & corporate health and wellness. Belonging to Fazal Din Group, a pioneer in advancing Pakistan’s healthcare services for the past 70 years, Ailaaj aims to revolutionize how people interact with healthcare specialists to receive consultations and order medicine. Islamabad United is the most successful franchise in HBL PSL history and the winner of the first and third editions of the tournament, as well as the owner of the highest win percentage in league history.
WAHEED BALOCH HOLDS LEAD ON THIRD DAY OF 11TH RASHID D HABIB GOLF 2022 kARAcHi Pr
The third round of Bank Al Habib’s 11th Rashid D Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2022 was played today at Karachi golf club. After Friday’s cut, 54 professionals participated in round 3 of Saturday. WaheedBaloch of KGC increased his lead on third day’s leaderboard and carded 203-13 under par. Defending champion Muhammad Shabbir succeeded to second place while sharing 208-8 under par along with Hamza Amin. AnsarMehmood is at 4th position with 210-6 under par. Out of 27 golfers in Senior Professionals category, Muhammad Akram of Gymkhana club leads on first day with 69-3 under par. He is followed by Asghar Ali of Gymkhana with 71-1 under par. After R1, 17 golfers have qualified in this category to play in R2 on Sunday. Muhammad Saqib of Lahore Garrison Gymkhana with 8 over par is leading 23 golfers who participated in Junior Professionals category today. Jawad Ahmed from Peshawar is following him with 9 over par. Ten golfers qualified for final round. Final round of the tournament will be played on Sunday to decide the winner of the tournament.
Sunday, 16 January, 2022
prAyer timings
NEWS
IHC summons Rana sHamIm FoR IndICtment on Jan 20 ISLAMABAD
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HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday summoned former Gilgit-Baltistan top judge Rana Shamim, editor-inchief of a national daily Amir Ghauri and investigative reporter Ansar Abbasi on January 20 for indictment in the contempt of court case. The high court had initiated proceedings against Shamim and others after an affidavit was published in the newspaper that accused former chief justice Saqib Nisar of influencing the case against ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and
his daughter Maryam Nawaz. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued written order of hearing of the case which took place on January 7. The written order stated that the opinion of the reporter, editor and chief editor is important as they say that they have done nothing wrong but it appears that they are unaware of the rules of pending cases. IHC CJ Athar Minallah said that the alleged contempt of court accused have been given sufficient time but it seems that they are unaware of their responsibilities about cases that are under trial. The order stated that opinions of organisations are being published about a
Govt decides to allow permanent residency scheme for foreigners: Fawad
subjudice contempt of court case. The top judge, in the written order, further stated that it appeared that no legal opinion was obtained regarding the status of Rana Shamim’s document. Since the affidavit surfaced in one of Pakistan’s leading newspapers on November 15, its authenticity has been in question. The journalist that published this investigative report has been called in for contempt of court. An earlier hearing presided by Justice Minallah noted that Rana Shamim, by making the stated allegations, had “cast doubt on all judges at IHC”. The court also noted: “The silence of Rana Mohammad Shamim for more
than three years, despite holding the highest judicial office of GilgitBaltistan territory raises serious questions regarding his credibility. The timing of publication of the news report is crucial because it related to appeals which were fixed for hearing, observed the chief justice. (Crl. Org. No.309/2021)” On the orders of the court, the original affidavit was submitted a whole month after it was allegedly created. According to Rana Shamim’s statement before the IHC, he did not provide the copy or affidavit to the journalist who published the story and his affidavit was in a safe in London.
Father demands death penalty for suspect in Noor murder ISLAMABAD stAff report
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Friday said that in line with the National Security Policy, the government has decided to allow permanent residency scheme for foreign nationals and linked it with their investment in the real estate sector. In a tweet, he said that the new policy allows foreigners to get permanent resident status in lieu of investment in Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan had unveiled a public version of the National Security Policy, saying that an inclusive development is inevitable for national security. The policy was approved by the federal cabinet on December 28 after getting nod of the National Security Committee. Addressing the launching ceremony of the public version of the otherwise secret document, the prime minister had said: “Inclusive growth means not only to uplift the poor people but also the neglected areas… (In such case) every common man becomes a stakeholder to protect the state… The biggest security is when people stand behind state for its protection.” National Assembly speaker, federal ministers, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, all services chiefs, diplomats, and senior civil and military officers had attended the launching ceremony. news Desk
The father of Noor Mukadam Saturday demanded capital punishment for Zahir Zakir Jaffer, the prime suspect in the high-profile murder of the Islamabad-based young woman, as he recorded his statement in a district and sessions court in Islamabad. Noor, 27, was found murdered at the residence of Jaffer in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad in July. Zakir, widely believed to be the killer, was arrested the same day for his purported involvement in the gruesome incident. A first information report registered on the complaint of Shaukat Ali Mukadam, the victim’s father, nominated Jaffer under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Jaffer’s parents — Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee — three domestic staff and six workers of Therapy Works — an Islamabadbased organisation providing mental health services that employed Jaffer and Adamjee — were arrested days later on charges of abetting the murder. Months later, in October, the
sessions court indicted Jaffer along with 11 other suspects — his parents, the household staff, Therapy Works boss Tahir Zahoor and his staff — in the case. The trial formally commenced on October 20. In his statement recorded before Additional District and Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani, Mukadam, a former ambassador, said he did not have a “personal enmity” with anyone. But since “my daughter was unjustly killed”, her killer “Zahir Jaffer should be handed a death sentence,” he demanded. Recounting the events on July 19, the day his daughter was murdered, Mukadam said he and his wife had left for some chores and when he returned to his house, Noor was not there. Noor had still not returned when her mother came back which worried the two and prompted them to call their daughter but her mobile was switched off. It was at this point, Shaukat said he started searching for her and when Noor finally picked up her phone, she told him she was going to Lahore with her friends for a few days and asked him to not worry.
In the afternoon on July 20, Jaffer called Mukadam on two numbers and told him Noor was not with him. But later in the day, at 10:00 pm, he received a call from Kohsar police station, informing him that his daughter had been killed and asking him to visit the police station. Mukadam said on reaching the police station, he was taken to a house that belonged to the suspect’s family. When Mukadam went inside, he saw that Noor “was brutally murdered and decapitated”. The retired diplomat then recalled that on July 23, he was called for an investigation and recovery of Noor’s mobile and added that when he visited the police station the following day during Jaffer’s interrogation, the accused revealed he had called Noor over on July 18 and confiscated her mobile prior to killing her. Upon visiting Zahir’s residence, the phone was found in a closet, Shaukat said. Meanwhile, the court was informed that Jaffer’s lawyer had contracted Covid-19. At this, the court adjourned the hearing until January 17.
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Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja wrote to Prime Minister Imran Khan on the issue of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and I-voting in the 2023 general elections. In his letter, the official said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was taking measures to use technology in the voting process. The CEC while seeking building for the project management
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Prices of petroleum products are likely to witness upto Rs6 per litre hike during the next fortnight of ongoing January 2022 and petroleum division has received the working/suggestions of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) in this regard. Sources in the petroleum division informed that the division has received the working of OGRA regarding oil prices for the remaining fifteen days of the ongoing month of January 2022. And, the finance division in consultation with Prime Minister Imran Khan will announce final prices of petroleum products. Sources said that the OGRA has suggested to increase the petrol price by Rs 5.50/litre, high speed diesel (HSD) Rs 5/litre, Light Diesel Oil (LDO) Rs 4/litre and Kerosene oil by Rs 6/litre for the remaining fifteen days of January 2022. After getting the premier’s nod on future oil prices, the Finance Division will announce new oil prices on Saturday (15th January, 2022), said sources They added that raise in the per litre prices of petroleum products will cause additional burden on the consumers as petrol is used in transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, two-wheelers and generators etc while HSD is used in heavy transport vehicles, trains and agricultural engines like trucks, buses, tractors, agri tubewells etc. LDO is consumed by flour mills and a couple of power plants while kerosene is mostly used for lighting, cooking purposes in remote areas of the country. Under the new mechanism, the government sets the oil prices every fortnight to pass on the impact of international prices to the consumers. The government had earlier increased the price of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4 per litre for the first 15 days of January 2022 and after the increase, the price of petrol increased from the previous Rs140.82 per litre to Rs144.82 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel jumped to Rs141.62 per litre from the previous Rs137.62 per litre.
Foreign remittances hit historic high in half year KARACHI news Desk
Workers’ remittances grew by 11.3 per cent to $15.8 billion during the first half of the ongoing fiscal year compared to last year’s same period, data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said. The central bank said inflows clocked in at $2.5 billion in December 2021, continuing “their strong impetus of remaining above $2 billion since June 2020?. Workers’ remittances increased by 2.5 per cent in December on month-on-month basis and 3.4pc on year-on-year basis. The data showed the inflows from Saudi Arabia clocked in at $626.6 million, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) $453.2 million, the United Kingdom (UK) $340.8 million and the United States (US) $248.5 million. “Proactive policy measures by the Government and SBP to incentivize the use of formal channels and altruistic transfers to Pakistan amid the pandemic have positively contributed towards the sustained inflows of remittances since last year,” the central bank said in a statement. The Jul-Nov FY22 data of workers’ remittances has been revised upward to reflect Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA) inflows that are related to payment of utility bills, transfer to local PKR account, etc.
unit, also suggested proposals for four different buildings. The commissioner said that the guest room of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, guest house of ECSI, the vacant floor of the Ministry of Science and Technology or one of the Sir Syed Memorial Society buildings could be provided to the commission for this purpose. The letter further said that the recruitment of information technology professionals, who will work for the use of technologies in EVMs, I-voting and election process, is in the final stages.
Expert who predicted Rwandan genocide warns same could happen in India against Muslims The founder of Genocide Watch, Dr Gregory Stanton, who had predicted a genocide in Rwanda years before it took place in 1994 has warned of an impending genocide of Muslims in India, comparing the situation of the country under the Narendra Modi government to events in Myanmar and Rwanda. Formed in 1999, Genocide Watch is a global organisation dedicated to the prevention of genocide. Dr Stanton is a former research professor in genocide studies and prevention at the George Mason University in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Dr Stanton made these remarks during a congressional briefing titled ‘Call For Genocide of Indian Muslims’, organised by the Indian American Muslim Council. He was part of a five-member panel invited to
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Recruitment of tech experts to operate EVMs in final stages, PM told ISLAMABAD
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speak at the session. In his video address, Dr Stanton began with highlighting that Genocide Watch had been warning of a genocide in India since 2002, “when riots and massacres in Gujarat occurred that killed over a thousand Muslims”. “At that time, the chief minister of Gujarat was Narendra Modi, and he did nothing. In fact, there is a lot of evidence that he actually encouraged those massacres,” he said, adding that Modi, now the prime minister of India, had used “anti-Muslim, Islamophobic rhetoric” to build his political base. Dr Stanton said the two ways Modi went about this was by revoking the special autonomous status of Indian- occupied Kashmir in 2019 and passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act the same year. Agencies
Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk