Tuesday, 20 July, 2021 I 9 Zil-Hajj, 1442 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 21 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Probe into abduction of afghan envoy’s daughter will be transParent: fM g
Yusuf says Pakistan being targeted through hybrid war fare
NewS DeSk
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OREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has assured the government of Afghanistan that the probe into the Afghan ambassador’s daughter’s incident will be transparent and nothing will be concealed. His comments come after the Afghan Taliban have stressed upon Pakistan the need to “arrest and punish the perpetrators” involved in the reported abduction so that “spoilers don’t have ground to misuse” the incident. Suhail Shaheen, the official political office spokesman for international media, also condemned the incident in a tweet, it emerged earlier. He added that Islamabad needs to “step up efforts” to arrest and punish those responsible so that such acts do not “give rise to hate between the two nations”. Speaking during a press conference on Monday in Islamabad while accompanied by National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, FM Qureshi said that he spoke to his Afghan counterpart this morning and discussed the steps that the Government of Pakistan has so far taken to investigate the matter. “We have assured the Afghan government that Prime Minister Imran Khan is personally overseeing the probe into the
alleged abduction of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter,” he said. Speaking at the same presser, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf said that Pakistan was currently a target of “hybrid warfare” and an entire network of information warfare was being used against the country. Yusuf recalled that the EU-based DisinfoLab had exposed an India-based network of fake websites and media outlets doing propaganda against Pakistan. He said fake accounts and bots were being used to create a “narrative” against Pakistan, including regarding the incident involving the Afghan envoy’s daughter. Sharing slides on data gathered by the government, Yusuf said hashtags were being trended on a daily basis to create false impressions including that Pakistan “is doing something [wrong] in Afghanistan” and that the security situation in Pakistan was poor. “This is part of an orchestrated campaign of which various fronts have been opened against Pakistan,” he said, adding that the same accounts that did “fake propaganda” regarding Balochistan or Kashmir were also doing propaganda ever since the alleged abduction incident took place. According to Yusuf, some of these accounts were operated from inside Pakistan, while the rest were controlled from Afghanistan, India and the West.
coronavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
991,727
LAST UPDATED AT 7:59 AM ON JULY 19, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
21
2,607
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
920,066 22,811 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
356,929
350,618
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
140,818 AJK/GB: 22,116 / 7,414
29,110 ISLAMABAD:
84,722
As an example, the NSA showed a tweet by a verified Indian Twitter account that contained a false picture of the Afghan envoy’s daughter showing her in an injured state. He said the “spoilers” were trying to create rifts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that this narrative reflected that Pakistan was being made a “scapegoat” in Afghanistan. “Blaming us for the failures of someone else in Afghanistan will not be acceptable to us,” he stressed. He said the government monitored the coordinated activity being carried out through bots and reported the same, but new accounts kept emerging. Senior police officials were also part of the press briefing and said that they have found no evidence that the daughter of Afghanistan’s ambassador was kidnapped from the capital city. Inspector-General of Police Qazi Jameelur Rehman said this while addressing a press conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf on Monday. The IGP said that the authorities have formed five teams to probe the matter. “We used all our resources for the investigation… and supported all law enforcement agencies,” said the IGP. He said the purported abduction of the Afghan envoy’s daughter is a complete “blind case” and as per police investigation, her abduction has not been proven yet. Providing details of the ongoing probe, the IGP said that more than 700 hours of video surveyed by 300 cameras were reviewed by the investigation teams, while more than 220 people were interrogated. “We traced the entire route on which the daughter of the Afghan ambassador travelled and also traced both the taxi drivers who drove her,” he said. “Before going to the city’s F-9 Park, the ambassador’s daughter first went to the F-6 area.” He said that the driver has confirmed he drove the ambassador’s daughter from Khadda Market to Rawalpindi Saddar. CCTV camera footage shows that she hired another taxi from Saddar to go to Daman-e-Koh.
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Pakistan considers approaching FATF after India says it influenced agency ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
A day after New Delhi “confessed” it lobbied to ensure that Islamabad remained on the socalled grey list of the Financial Action Task Force, Pakistan on Monday said it was considering approaching the money laundering watchdog for an “appropriate action”. In its latest meeting in June, the Paris-based agency that operates with a formal legal authority had retained Pakistan on the list despite significant progress and addressing 26 out of 27 items on the original action plan handed over to Islamabad in June 2018. At the time, FATF president Marcus Pleyer acknowledged “substantial progress” made by Pakistan except the last item concerning the investigation and prosecution of senior leaders and commanders of groups designated by the UN as militant organisations. Although Pleyer did not mention any names, he was referring to Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed — leaders of the proscribed Jaish-eMohammed and Jamaatud Dawah groups, respectively — who are accused, and wanted, by New Delhi on charges of terrorism. The demand is also backed by Wash-
Imran’s number among those targeted by Israeli spyware: report ReuteRS
An Israeli company’s spyware was used in attempted and successful hacks of 37 smartphones belonging to journalists, government officials and human rights activists around the world, according to an investigation by 17 media organisations published on Sunday, wherein it was revealed that at least one of the tracked numbers on the list belonged to Prime Minister Imran Khan. Reacting to the revelations, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said he was “extremely concerned” by the reports. “Unethical policies of Modi government have dangerously polarised India and the region,” he tweeted. Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari also addressed the development and said: “part two” of the report on how the Indian government had spied on its own ministers was expected today. The extent of the spyware – Pegasus – use was reported by The Washington Post, the Guardian, Le Monde and other news outlets who collaborated on an investigation into a data
ington, London and Paris, although they like New Delhi do not provide any credible evidence. On Sunday, Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar, while addressing a virtual training programme on foreign policy for Bhartiya Janata Party leaders, said it was due to Indian efforts that Pakistan was “under the lens” of the watchdog and it was “kept in the grey list”. “We have been successful in pressurising Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan’s behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures,” he added. Responding to Jaishankar’s remarks, the Foreign Office observed “India’s credentials for assessing Pakistan in FATF as co-chair” of the body or “for that matter, any other country[‘s] are subject to questions, which we urge FATF to look into.” “Pakistan has always been highlighting to the international community the politicisation of FATF and undermining of its processes by India. The recent Indian statement is just further corroboration of its continued efforts to use an important technical forum for its narrow political designs against Pakistan,” it said in a statement.
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MORE INSIDE
DG Khan bus crash kills 34, injures 36 STORY ON PAGE 02
leak. According to The Post, more than 1,000 phone numbers in India appeared on the surveillance list while hundreds were from Pakistan, including the one PM Imran once used. However, The Post did not specify whether the surveillance attempt on PM Imran’s number was successful. Indian investigative news website The Wire reported that 300 mobile phone numbers used in India — including those of government ministers, opposition politicians, journalists, scientists and rights activists — were on the list. The numbers included those of more than 40 Indian journalists from major publica-
tions such as the Hindustan Times, The Hindu and the Indian Express, as well as two founding editors of The Wire, it said. Reacting to the revelations, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said he was “extremely concerned” by the reports. “Unethical policies of Modi government have dangerously polarised India and the region,” he tweeted. Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari also addressed the development and said “part two” of the report on how the Indian government had spied on its own ministers was expected today.
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Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked people not to visit areas affected by plague, says Saudi Imam STORY ON BACK PAGE
PML-N warns of sit-in if AJK polls rigged STORY ON PAGE 03
Pakistan, US stress need for political settlement between Afghan govt, Taliban STORY ON BACK PAGE
02
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
ISLAMABAD
NEWS
DG KhaN bus Crash Kills 34, iNjures 36 DERA GHAZI KHAN
T
tLtp
hIrTy four people were killed and 36 others got injured when an overspeeding bus rammed into a truck near Taunsa Bypass on Monday. The bus was on its way from Sialkot to rajanpur. The injured and the dead were shifted to DhQ hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Dr Irshad Ahmed said that rescue officials reached the site soon after the accident. According to the hospital management, four of the injured were in a critical condition. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad hussain urged people to act responsibly and follow traffic rules to avoid road accidents and save people’s lives. referring to the tragic traffic accident
of Dera Ghazi Khan, the minister, said in a tweet that violation of traffic rules is fatal and public transport drivers should take extra care while driving to protect people’s lives. Interior Minister Sheikh rasheed expressed his sorrow over the deaths in the accident. he said the incident was nothing less than a “calamity” for people going back home for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays. “May God raise the dead to a higher level in Paradise [and] give the family the courage to bear the trauma,” he tweeted. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. he said in a message on Twitter that the injured were being provided the best medical treatment and strict action would be taken against persons due to whose negligence the
accident had taken place. Special Assistant to Punjab Chief
Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the incident was very sad and tragic. “The heart
is aggrieved at the loss of precious lives in the accident. The Punjab government shares in the grief and pain of the victims’ families in this hour of grief,” she tweeted. She said that an emergency had been imposed in the hospitals and the injured were being provided with the “best medical treatment facilities”, with Punjab CM himself supervising all matters. “report of the incident has been sought. The perpetrators of negligence in the accident will be brought to justice,” she added. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Deeply pained & heartbroken at the tragic loss of precious lives in a road accident in DG Khan. Can’t imagine the anguish the affected families should be going through. May Allah give them Sabr! They are in our thoughts & prayers. Inna Lillah e Wainna Elahi rajioon!”
Imran orders action against culprits in rape of disabled girl ISLAMABAD app
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday ordered the immediate arrest of culprits involved in raping a differently-abled girl in Okara. The premier issued the directives after the girl’s mother had registered a complaint on the Pakistan Citizen Portal, run under the Prime Minister’s
Coronavirus kills 30, infects 2,452 in a day: NCOC ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
Pakistan confirmed 2,452 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Centre said on Monday. The NCOC, department leading campaign against the pandemic, said that the number of total cases rose to 991,727 amidst the fear of a fourth wave. According to a statement by the NCOC, Sindh has been the worst hit, with a total of 356,929 cases, followed by Punjab where the disease was detected in 350,618 people. A total of 22,811 people died of the disease, including 30 patients who died over the last 24 hours, the NCOC said, adding that 2,532 are in critical condition. The country currently has 48,850 active cases while 920,066 others have recovered from the disease.
Delivery Unit (PMDU). The mother, in her complaint, had said that her daughter was assaulted in Okara, while the investigation officer of the incident had demanded a bribe from her to launch a probe into the incident. The prime minister ordered immediate legal action against the culprits and stressed a transparent investigation into the matter with a
direction to keep the Prime Minister’s Office informed about the investigation. Following reports of the investigating officer demanding a bribe from the mother, the PMDU, on the direction of the prime minister, had asked the District Police Officer (DPO) Okara to take immediate action. The DPO, after getting orders from the PMDU, suspended the investigating officer.
Tareen group holds meeting to decide LG election strategy ISLAMABAD Mian abRaR
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and head of the like-minded group Jahangir Khan Tareen has convened an important consultative meeting for the future strategy of the group at the tourist spot Nathia Gali. According to sources in the PTI, the meeting will continue for three days to carve out a strategy for the upcoming elections. The source said that the group intends to contest the upcoming local government elections under one symbol. The source added that the meeting will also consider a possible alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-
Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and Pakistan People’s Party. reportedly, Jahangir Tareen has invited around 40 members of his group to the National and provincial assemblies on August 2 in Nathia Gali, Murree. The meeting would continue till 4th August and would decide a detailed course of action and all expenses of boarding and lodging would be borne by Tareen. Moreover, Tareen has consulted close senior comrades that if there is no complete reconciliation with Imran Khan permanently, then what should be the course of action. “We understand that the Prime Minister and the government had to give temporary relief to Tareen group
under the compulsion of budget approval while the real situation is different. There is a possibility that we will not get a ticket in the next election. Given the situation, we need to sit and discuss a future strategy,” the source said. The source added that Jahangir Tareen has asked all the members of the assembly to come up with their suggestions and recommendations in this regard and also prepare a report of their respective constituencies on how many votes the PTI has there and how many other parties there are. Moreover, the meeting would also discuss a future alliance with likeminded parties. It has been told to Pakistan Today
that the lawmakers of the Tareen group are mentally ready for any situation. “Tareen group has to decide where will they find refuge in future politics and whose allies will they be in the next elections. They need to hold a consultation on these issues,” the source said. The source said that besides the possible political strategy of Jahangir Tareen and his group, they also would discuss the relationship between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his close associate Jahangir Tareen. The sources said that the Tareen group is fully alive and considering its future political agenda. “Our vote in favour of Punjab CM Bazdar in the budget did not end our separate status. We believe that Imran Khan may not forgive us for forming a group within the PTI in the future and such a situation may arise. Imran Khan may not give PTI tickets to our group in the next election. hence we need to take our decisions independently,” the source concluded.
Political parties field fewer women in Kashmir election MUZAFFARABAD anadoLu agency
As the campaign picks up in Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the assembly polls, scheduled on Sunday (July 25), there are fewer women in the fray. Although the region boasts comparatively a healthy sex ratio, out of a total of 700 candidates, just 20 women are contesting the polls. Out of a total 4.04 million population, the region houses 2.06 million female and 1.98 million male population, as per figures available with the Planning and Development Department. Three candidates have been fielded by the newly-formed Jammu Kashmir Democratic Party, two each by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and one by Azad Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference of former AJK prime minister Sardar Atiq Ahmad Khan. As many as 12 independent women candidates are also testing their lot. Interestingly, the Pakistan Peoples Party, whose slain leader Benazir Bhutto served twice as prime minister, has not fielded even a single woman candidate inviting criticism from the political circles. Over 3.2 million eligible voters will cast their votes to elect 45 members for a fiveyear term in a 53-member assembly. There are eight seats reserved for women, religious
scholars, technocrats, and overseas Kashmiris. Out of 45 general seats, 12 are reserved for the Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan. In 2016 polls, out of 423 candidates, only eight were women who contested elections on the general seats. Of them, only one woman managed to win. Noreen Arif, a PML-N candidate from Muzaffarabad, is the only woman politician who has been elected to the state assembly twice through direct elections in 2011 and 2016. “I can’t defend my party’s decision to completely ignore its women workers,” Farzana yaqoob, a former MP, and the PPP leader said while speaking to Anadolu Agency. “It’s the party that gave the first woman prime minister to the Muslim world. It should have nominated at least a few women candidates on merit to contest the elections,” she said referring to Benazir Bhutto, who became the first woman prime minister of any Islamic country in 1988. WOMEN EQUALLY COMPETENT: yaqoob said women politicians are equally “competent” and capable of winning the polls if the political parties fully back them. Echoing her views, Nabila Irshad, who heads the JKDP, observed that all the major political parties in AJK, “practically discourage” women’s inclusion in the
electoral process. “We are not demanding any favor. Our only demand is merit. If women are on merit then they should be encouraged to contest elections,” said Irshad whose JKDP has fielded the highest number of women candidates. She is contesting from Sadhnoti district. Defending the party’s decision, Imtiaz Zafar, a senior PPP leader, said that contesting elections is already a tough job, and for a woman candidate it turns out to be even “tougher” keeping in view the peculiar mountainous nature of Kashmir. “Apart from that, every party wants to clinch as many seats as possible. And for
that, they have to choose potential, resourceful, and winning candidates. They do not award tickets to a weak candidate just to maintain the gender balance,” he said. rejecting Zafar’s contention, Nabila Irshad described it as a lame excuse. “It’s just that the so-called big political parties do not have democracy within themselves. They do not hold intra-party elections. That’s why they do not want the genuine middle-class political leadership, especially women to come forward,” she said. “Even on reserved seats [for women], the party leaders nominate their relatives,” said Irshad. yaqoob, who won from Poonch district
in 2011 but lost in 2016, said although contesting polls is tough and timeconsuming, especially for women, it is not impossible if families remain supportive. MONEY, POWER MAKE PARTICIPATION DIFFICULT: Tariq Naqash, a Muzaffarabad-based political analyst, said besides the strenuous electoral process, the involvement of money makes the participation of women difficult. “Traditionally, women, especially from middle-class have had a lesser role in active politics in Azad Kashmir. however, the [Kashmiri] society as a whole does not discourage women’s participation in politics,” he said. yaqoob, the PPP leader, however, said it will take some time for the region to accept women in the leadership role while referring to centuries-old conservative society, where women have a lesser role in political decision-making. Taqdees Gilani, the president of the PTI’s women wing in AJK, claimed that women’s participation in politics has improved. “Situation is much better as far as political awareness [among women] is concerned. They are all set to play their role in the upcoming elections,” said Gilani, who teaches English in a local college. She expected more women candidates in the next elections, keeping in view the increasing awareness in the region.
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
ISLAMABAD
NEWS
03
PML-N wArNs oF sIt-IN IF AJK PoLLs rIggEd
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News DesK
AKISTAN Muslim LeagueNawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz said on Monday that the PML-N would call for a sit-in at Constitution Avenue in Islamabad if there was any rigging during the July 25 Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. “We will not accept the results if elections are rigged,” she said while addressing a rally ahead of the polls in AJK’s Haveli, reported Geo. “For how much did Sardar Tanvir Ilyas buy you [Imran Khan] and for how much did you try to buy the vote of Kashmiris through your new ATM?” she asked. Maryam alleged that PM Imran Khan had “smuggled his new ATM” Ilyas to AJK from Islamabad. “Ilyas had bribed a government official by giving him Rs1 billion, think what he must’ve given to
Imran Khan.” The PML-N vice-president said “despite using government funds” for small rallies, the premier’s party was unable to attract people, and following their “public humiliation”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidates are asking PM Imran Khan to not come back into their constituencies. “His candidates are saying don’t come back or we might not even get four votes,” she said. Speaking about the Afghan ambassador’s daughter’s alleged abduction, Maryam said it was the PTI-led government’s “failure.” Separately, Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Monday said that candidates of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would win Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections with majority votes. The PTI would form government in AJK after defeating the Pakistan Muslim League-
Imran felicitates Nepal counterpart on winning confidence vote IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
JUI-F leader gets bail in NAB case PesHAwAR Staff RepoRt
A division bench of Peshawar High Court on Monday accepted the bail request of Musa Khan Baloch, a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl and a close aide of its chief Fazlur Rehman, after an accountability court could not succeed in completing the trial within the prescribed limitation period. During the proceedings, the high court gave a dressing down to the National Accountability Bureau court for being unable to complete the trial. In her response, the junior court tendered an apology. Baloch, a former divisional forest officer, was arrested by NAB in September last year on the charges of possessing illegal assets. In January this year, the dirty money watchdog filed a reference against him, accusing him of accumulating illegal assets, embezzling official funds and making illegal appointments. Besides Baloch, the NAB also charged three others, including an associate of his, Mohammad Arsalan Aziz; and two foresters of the Dera Ismail Khan forest division, including Mohammad Farooq and Qaiser Abbas Baloch. The agency claimed that the amount of money involved in the case totalled Rs56.03 million, which was about the assets of Baloch, his bank transactions and embezzlement of official funds.
Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday congratulated his Nepal counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba after he won a vote of confidence in parliament on Sunday, days after Supreme Court reinstated the legislature that was dissolved in May. In a tweet, the prime minister, while congratulating Deuba, said Pakistan looked forward to further strengthening its relationship with the mountainous country and will continue to work closely with it on matters of mutual interest. Deuba, 75, who has held the office four times before, won 165 votes — exceeding the 136 required — with 83 votes against him, parliament speaker Agni Sapkota said. He faces the immediate task of procuring vaccines and controlling
N and other political party candidates, he said while talking to a private television channel. The PML-N leaders did not have a vote bank in AJK, he stated. Maryam Nawaz and her party candidates would face defeat in the upcoming election of AJK, he added. Voicing serious concerns over the negative agenda of PML-N observed during the election campaign of AJK, he said it is unfortunate that Maryam was following the narrative of Modi’s government. Commenting on Afghan Ambassador’s daughter issue, he said all the details have been collected from the drivers of the cab used by Afghan Ambassador’s daughter. Replying to a question about the Dasu incident, he said anti-Pakistan forces are trying to create trouble. He said that work on the Dasu project has been started. with additional input from APP
Moonis Elahi takes oath as federal minister News DesK
the spread of Covid-19, which the government says has infected 667,109 people and killed 9,550. Public health experts say an under-reporting of cases in the country means the figures could be higher.
Fewer than 4 percent of Nepal’s 30 million people have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. More than 1.3 million people, who have had a first dose of a vaccine, are awaiting a second as the government scrambles to procure shots.
Chaudhry Moonis Elahi took oath as a federal minister on Monday wherein President Arif Alvi administered the oath to Elahi at the President House in Islamabad, reported Geo News. Elahi, according to sources, had been named as the next minister for water resources. Sources had told Geo News the decision was made in the backdrop of a promise by the PTI-led government to their allies, which include the PML-Q, that they will be given charge of a federal ministry. Talks to give MQM and GDA a federal ministry each, as promised, are also underway, the sources added. Moonis Elahi was elected an MNA from the NA-69 Gujrat-II constituency. He is the son of Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi. The portfolio for the Ministry of Water Resources was earlier held by PTI minister Faisal Vawda. He resigned from the National Assembly in March to cast his vote in the Senate elections.
Turkey expresses grief over loss of lives in Dasu explosion ANKARA Staff RepoRt
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday extended condolences to Pakistan over the loss of lives in a recent militant attack. 13 people, including nine Chinese workers, were killed last week when a blast on a bus sent it careening down a ravine in Kohistan district of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. The bus was carrying Chinese engineers, surveyors and mechanical staff to the Dasu dam construction site. “Learned with deep sorrow that many Pakistani brothers and sisters passed away in a bus accident in Punjab,” Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter. “I wish Allah’s mercy to those who lost their lives, a speedy recovery to the injured and condolences to the brotherly people of Pakistan,” he said.
Rainwater leaks through Islamabad airport’s ceilings, causes collapse News DesK The false ceiling of the Islamabad International Airport partially collapsed after the recent most round of downpours in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday caused rainwater to enter the airport structure. The rainwater poured down from the ceilings above several counters, including immigration, and caused computers and other equipment to malfunction, reported Dawn. Civil Aviation Authority staff stood by helplessly as parts of the ceiling came crashing down due to the weight of water. However, officials said that airport operations were not suspended and work continued as usual. They added that repair work was underway and would be completed soon This is not the first time that the gleaming Islamabad airport has been damaged by rain. The boundary wall being used for blocking access of animals to the runway of New Islamabad International Airport collapsed after the heavy rainfall in September 2020. The 45 feet long wall collapsed near the airport’s runway which also caused damages
to the watchtower. According to the airport manager, the administration will start repair work of the collapsed wall on an emergency basis. On the day of the incident, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that more rainfall is expected in the next two days in the upper parts of the country as per the prediction of the Met Office. He said that there is no forecast of further rain in Karachi. Ghulam Sarwar Khan also expressed sympathy with the affectees of the recent rainfall across the country. The airport, which was built at a cost of Rs105 billion, became operational in May 2018. It has two runways — each 12,000 feet long and 150 feet wide, taxiways and aprons for wide-body aircraft. The construction work on the airport started in April 2007. It is the largest airport in the country and is designed to facilitate 15 million passengers annually in its first phase. Hardly seven months into its completion, a number of incidents such as the collapse of the false ceiling, choking of sewerage lines and presence of stinking water in offices occurred since the airport became functional. Authorities had decided to shift all staff and workers to an alternative place when the
customs cargo (airfreight unit) building started caving in — just six months after its opening in 2018. Meanwhile, the Met Office has forecast that on Monday, a rain-thundershower associated with gusty winds is expected in Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Heavy/torrential rain is also expected at scattered places in upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir during the period. Rain-thundershower associated with gusty winds is expected in Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Heavy/torrential rain is also expected at scattered places in upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir during the period. During the last 24 hours, a rain wind/thundershower occurred in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Karachi. Rainfall in millimetres was as follows: Punjab: Islamabad (Airport 71, Saidpur 41, Golra 40, Zero Point 30, Bokra 27), Sialkot (City 52, Airport 32), Rawalpindi (Shamsabad 34, Chaklala 20), Mandi Bahauddin 31, Murree 26, Attock 25, Lahore
(Airport 22), Mangla 17, Chakwal 05, Jhelum 04, Kashmir: Kotli 27, Garhi Dupatta 17, Muzaffarabad 14, Rawalakot 04, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Kakul 13, Saidu Sharif 06, Balakot 03, Cherat, Takht Bai 02, Lower Dir, Kalam 01, Balochistan: Zhob 14,
Kalat 06, Dalbandin, Kharan 02, GilgitBaltistan: Astor 05, Bagrote 02, Bunji 01 and Sindh: Karachi (Saadi Town) 01 Yesterday’s Highest Maximum Temperatures (°C): Chillas 46, Bhakkar, Okara, Nokkundi, Sibbi 45 and Jacobabad 44.
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
04 NEWS
ISLAMABAD
SIndH HEaLTH mInISTry rECommEndS LoCKdown In KaraCHI
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LAHORE inP
KARACHI STaff RePORT
HILE the intermediate examinations in Karachi will start from July 26, the Sindh Ministry of Health has recommended a 10-day lockdown in Karachi to control the rising number of coronavirus cases. All preparations for the exams have been completed, Board Intermediate Education Karachi Chairman Dr Saeeduddin said on Monday. However, it bears mentioning that Karachi reported 1,236 new cases in the last 24 hours and its positivity rate has reached 23 percent. As of the timing of filing, no lockdown has been imposed and the decision will be taken by the coronavirus task force of the Sindh government. More than 155,000 students will appear in the intermediate exams for which 210 examination centres have been established, he said. Dr Saeeduddin said that necessary steps have been taken to ensure transparency and curb cheating during the exams. “Special arrangements have been made to stop illegal practices in the exams.” The BIEK chief said that 66 centres have been declared sensitive, adding that they have written a letter to the DG Rangers Sindh for security.
LHC gives time to Punjab to restore LG institutions
INTER EXAMS TO START FROM JULY 26
The Cybercrime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency has also been approached after getting complaints about the use of WhatsApp for cheating. “If a student is found using a mobile phone during the paper, their paper will be cancelled.”
Meanwhile, Authorities have advised people to wear masks in public places. The Sindh Government decided to close schools and ban indoor dining from July 16. Schools for classes one to eight have been closed, while students of class nine
and above will only sit for their exams. Access to picnic points such as Seaview, Hawkesbay, and the Keenjhar Lake has been disallowed. Indoor sports activities and recreational facilities such as cinemas and amusement parks are closed too.
The Lahore High Court on Monday allowed time to the Punjab government to implement a Supreme Court judgement on the restoration of local government institutions in the province. The top court had in March ordered the restoration of local governance in the province after declaring their dissolution as unconstitutional. Justice Ayesha A. Malik adjourned the hearing of the petition moved by former Lahore mayor retired Col. Mubashir Javed and others until July 28. A counsel for the Punjab government informed the court the province was setting up district committees to look after local affairs, seeking time to ensure implementation of the verdict. The petitioners maintained that the provincial government was reluctant in restoring the LG institutions despite clear directives. They said the government failed to implement the decision which they insisted merited a contempt of court proceedings.
Three Iranian fishermen released from Karachi prison KARACHI TlTP
Three Iranian fishermen, who were detained by the security forces on charges of entering into the country’s waters illegally, were released from prison and returned to their homeland. The group of Iranian fishermen was released following the diplomatic efforts of Iranian mission in Karachi. They left for Tehran from Karachi airport on Sunday. Iranian Consul General in Karachi Hassan Nourian in a tweet said: “With continuous and worthy efforts of the Consulate General Iran in Karachi, in order to protect the rights of Iranians abroad, three Iranian fishermen were released from prison in Karachi, Pakistan, and returned to our beloved country by Iran Air.” The released fishermen were detained by Pakistan Coast Guards on charges of entering into Pakistani waters illegally. It is pertinent to mention that over 60 Iranian nationals detained in Sindh prisons were released and returned to their homeland last year.
Emirates extends flight ban till Sunday NEWS DESK The Emirates airline has extended the suspension of flight operation to Pakistan until Sunday. The airline in a statement posted at its website said the UAE has extended a flight ban on passengers from four major south Asian nations including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Restrictions on travellers from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were extended from July 21 to July 25 because of the Covid19 situation. "In line with UAE government directives, Emirates will be suspending the carriage of passengers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Dubai until 25 July 2021," the airline said. "Furthermore, passengers who have connected through India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE." Emiratis, holders of UAE golden visas and members of diplomatic missions may be accepted for travel, it added. People in this category must quarantine for 10 days on arrival, officials said previously. Restrictions were first imposed on India flights in late April and on flights from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal on May 12, as what is now known as the Delta variant spread. There was no immediate update about the flight situation from Nepal.
ISLAMABAD: Security personnel stand alert in front of Afghanistan embassy in the federal capital. Online
K-Electric seeks increase in power tariff NEWS DESK The K-Electric, Karachi’s sole power distributor, has filed petitions in the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) seeking a Rs6.52 per unit hike in power tariff for its consumers. The power company has sought the tariff hike on account of monthly fuel charge adjustments for the period from January 2021 to June 2021 and quarterly adjustment from Jan 2021 to March 2021. The power regulator will hear and decide the petitions on July 28. The K-Electric sought a Rs1.97 hike in per unit price of electricity on account of fuel adjustment cost for the month of January, Rs2.49 for February, Rs1.49 for March, Rs0.86 for April, Rs0.64 for May, and Rs0.211 for June. In addition, it called for a Rs0.36 per unit hike in electricity tariff on account of quarterly adjustment for the period from Jan-March 2021. Residents of the port city will have to bear an additional burden of Rs6.52 per unit if the power company’s
pleas for the hike are granted. According to a notification, NEPRA has scheduled a public hearing for KE’s request of monthly fuel cost adjustments for the months January 2021 to June 2021 and quarterly tariff variation for March 2021. It read, “These requests are in line with the mechanism given in KE’s Multi-Year Tariff whereby changes in fuel prices, generation and power purchase mix are passed through along with certain annual adjustments.” The major impact in monthly fuel cost adjustment is due to fuel price increase as furnace oil prices went up and the average impact of these 6 months will be PKR 0.49/KWH. “FCA will be charged to consumers based on their consumption during respective months. These requests will be determined by the NEPRA and will be charged based on NEPRA’s decision.” It added, “The quarterly tariff variations include requests for March 2021 PKR 0.366 / KWH, with GoP’s policy of uniform consumer tariff across the country, these variations are not likely to impact consumers.”
CMYK
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
ISLAMABAD imran’s number among those targeted by israeli spyware: report CoNtINuED froM pAGE 01 The Indian government denied in 2019 that it had used the malware to spy on its citizens after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit in the United States against NSO, the Israeli company producing the spyware, accusing it of using the messaging platform to conduct cyber espionage. Israel’s NSO Group and its Pegasus malware have been in the headlines since at least 2016, when researchers accused it of helping spy on a dissident in the United Arab emirates Sunday’s revelations raise privacy and rights concerns, and reveal the far-reaching extent to which the private Israeli company’s software may be being misused by its clients internationally. The leak was of a list of more than 50,000 smartphone numbers believed to have been identified as people of interest by clients of NSO since 2016, the media outlets said. One of the organisations, The Washington Post, said the Pegasus spyware licensed by the NSO Group was also used to target phones belonging to two women close to Jamal Khashoggi, a Post columnist murdered at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018, before and after his death. The Post said the list was shared with the news organisations by Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based journalism nonprofit, and Amnesty International. The newspaper said the total number of phones on the list that were actually targeted or surveilled was unknown. The Post said 15,000 of the numbers on the list were in Mexico and included those of politicians, union representatives, journalists and government critics. The list reportedly included the number of a Mexican freelance journalist who was murdered at a carwash. His phone was never found, and it was not clear if it had been hacked. The Guardian, another of the media outlets, said the investigation suggested “widespread and continuing abuse” of NSO’s hacking software, described as malware that infects smartphones to enable the extraction of messages, photos and emails; record calls; and secretly activates microphones. Among the numbers on the list are those of journalists for Agence France-Presse, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, France 24, Radio Free europe, Mediapart, el Pais, the Associated Press (AP), Le Monde, Bloomberg, The economist, Reuters and Voice of America, the Guardian said. “We are deeply troubled to learn that two AP journalists, along with journalists from many news organisations, are among those who may have been targeted by Pegasus spyware,” said Director of AP Media Relations Lauren easton. “We have taken steps to ensure the security of our journalists’ devices and are investigating,” she added. Reuters’ spokesman Dave Moran said, “Journalists must be allowed to report the news in the public interest without fear of harassment or harm, wherever they are. We are aware of the report and are looking into the matter.” Meanwhile, Amnesty International decried what it termed “the wholesale lack of regulation” of surveillance software. “Until this company (NSO) and the industry as a whole can show it is capable of respecting human rights, there must be an immediate moratorium on the export, sale, transfer and use of surveillance technology,” the rights group said in a statement. The use of the Pegasus software to hack the phones of Al Jazeera reporters and a Moroccan journalist has been reported previously by Citizen Lab, a research centre at the University of Toronto, and Amnesty International. Pocket sPy: The Post said the numbers on the list were unattributed, but the media outlets participating in the project were able to identify more than 1,000 people in more than 50 countries. They included several members of Arab royal families, at least 65 business executives, 85 human rights activists, 189 journalists and more than 600 politicians and government officials including heads of state, prime ministers and cabinet ministers. The reports said many numbers on the list were clustered in 10 countries: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab emirates. Moroccan security services used the spyware to target around 30 French journalists and media executives, according to the investigation. Pegasus is reportedly a highly invasive tool that can switch on a target’s phone camera and microphone, as well as access data on the device, effectively turning a phone into a pocket spy. In some cases, it can be installed without the need to trick a user into initiating a download. NSO issued a denial on Sunday that focused on the report by Forbidden Stories, calling it “full of wrong assumptions and uncorroborated theories”, and threatened a defamation lawsuit. “We firmly deny the false allegations made in their report,” NSO said. “As NSO has previously stated, our technology was not associated in any way with the heinous murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” the company said. “We would like to emphasise that NSO sells its technologies solely to law enforcement and intelligence agencies of vetted governments for the sole purpose of saving lives through preventing crime and terror acts,” it said. Citizen Lab reported in December that about three dozen journalists at Qatar’s Al Jazeera network had their mobile devices targeted by Pegasus malware. Amnesty International reported in June 2020 that Moroccan authorities used NSO’s Pegasus software to insert spyware onto the cellphone of Omar Radi, a journalist convicted over a social media post. At the time, NSO told AFP that it was “deeply troubled by the allegations” and was reviewing the information. Founded in 2010 by Israelis Shalev Hulio and Omri Lavie, NSO Group is based in the Israeli hi-tech hub of Herzliya, near Tel Aviv. It says it employs hundreds of people in Israel and around the world.
NEWS
05
President Alvi stresses need for trAde, defence ties with irAq ISLAMABAD
P
TLTP
ReSIDeNT Dr Arif Alvi has stressed the need for promoting trade, economic, cultural and people-topeople contacts with brotherly country Iraq. The president expressed these views while talking to Pakistan's
Ambassador-designate to Iraq Ahmad Amjad Ali who called on him on Monday. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to the mutually beneficial relations with Iraq and wants to further strengthen bilateral relations in the areas of trade, economy and defence. The president asked the ambassador-designate to play its role in promoting trade be-
tween the two countries and facilitating Pakistani community in Iraq including pilgrims. He said that air and sea links need to be enhanced, besides strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries. President Alvi said the ambassador-designate should work for the promotion of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Iraq.
Murad reiterates commitment to provide Rs6bn for KCR NEWS DESK Urging the railway authorities to get the PC-I of the Karachi Circular Railway approved by the federal government, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the provincial government is committed to providing Rs6 billion to make KCR fully operational. The chief minister said this while presiding over a meeting on the KCR at the CM House on Monday. Sindh Transport Minister Awais Qadir Shah, Minister for Local Government Nasir Shah, Advisor Law Murtaza Wahab and others were among the attendees. The chief minister vowed to fulfil his commitment of Rs6 billion regard-
ing the project. He urged the Pakistan Railways authorities to carry out fencing work on the KRC route. Shah said that he would be supporting the existing KCR but would also be working to realise the dream of the people of Karachi to have a modernised KCR. He assured the railway authorities that his government would be supporting them in improving the operation of the existing KCR. The meeting was told that the rehabilitation of a 14-km track from the City Station to Orangi Station has been completed with two trains operating per day from February 10, 2021. It is pertinent to mention that the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has to start the construction of three structures on the KCR route and an el-
evated 6.4-kilometres structure at a cost of Rs11.508 billion against which the provincial government has to pay Rs6 billion as its share. The Supreme Court on June 18 had directed the Sindh government to complete the process for approval of PC-I, signing of the contract, and issuance of work order of the revised design of the KCR tracks within a maximum period of one month. Issuing orders on the Sindh government’s report over the KCR’s revised plan, the SC’s three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, had directed the Sindh government to ensure that all requisite financial resources are made available, so that the project could be completed as expeditiously as possible.
At least 28 dead, dozens injured as blast rips through Iraq's market BAGHDAD REUTERS
An explosion killed at least 28 people and wounded dozens in a crowded market in the Sadr City neighbourhood of Baghdad on Monday, police and hospital sources said. The state news agency said an explosive device had been detonated. Women and children were among the dead and some shops had burnt down, a police source said. More than 50 people were wounded. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Hospital sources told Reuters the
death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in critical condition. Iraq's Security Media Cell said an investigation had been launched. It was the third time an explosion has hit Sadr in recent months, with the last one in June wounding 11 people. A suicide attack claimed by Daesh killed at least 32 people in a Baghdad market in January. Large bomb attacks, once an almost daily occurrence in the Iraqi capital, have halted in recent years since Daesh fighters were defeated in 2017, part of an overall improvement in security that has brought normal life back to Baghdad.
Pakistan considers approaching fAtf after india says it influenced agency CoNtINuED froM pAGE 01 “While Pakistan has been sincerely and constructively engaged with FATF during the implementation of the Action Plan, India has left no stone unturned in casting doubts on Pakistan’s progress through disgraceful means. “Pakistan has been exposing India’s duplicitous role to the international community in the past and it will also bring this recent confession by India to the notice of FATF and broader international community.” The statement observed Islamabad’s “immense progress in AML/CTF [antimoney laundering/counter terror financing] domain demonstrated through concrete, tangible and verifiable actions has been openly acknowledged by FATF”. It said Pakistan had resolved to sustain the momentum and trajectory with the support and cooperation of its international partners. “India’s delusions of putting pressure on Pakistan have always remained unfulfilled and would never see the light of day,” it said. The statement also reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to bring its counter-terror regimes to international standards only for its own good and also to fulfil the country’s international obligations and commitments. It said it will do so “despite distractions including the politicisation of FATF processes by certain jurisdictions”.
Probe into abduction of Afghan envoy’s daughter will be transparent: FM CoNtINuED froM pAGE 01 “We have traced the taxi driver as well as the owner of the taxi and they have confirmed that they dropped her off at Daman-e-Koh. From there, she went to the F-9 Park,” the IGP said. A day earlier, the Afghan Government on Sunday recalled the Afghan Ambassador and other staff of the Afghan mission back to Kabul after the abduction of the envoy’s daughter. According to unconfirmed reports, Pakistani envoy to Kabul Mansoor Ali Khan also arrived in the Pakistani capital the same day – hinting at another diplomatic stalemate as the Afghan regime fights for its survival as media reports say Afghan Taliban who already controls over 85 percent of Afghan territory are making their final push to take over Kabul. Silsila Alikhil, 26, was going home in a rented vehicle in Islamabad on Friday when she was briefly kidnapped by unidentified assailants who released her hours later with injuries and rope marks, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry claimed on Saturday. Investigators, however, have found ‘holes’ in the story of the victim girl, saying that the girl had visited several places in twin cities and footage of her visits had been retrieved and was being looked into.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to utilise all resources to apprehend the culprits. “(Afghanistan) President Ghani has recalled the Afghan envoy and other diplomats from Islamabad, saying the kidnappers of the ambassador’s daughter must be brought to justice and the safety of Afghan diplomats in Pakistan be secured,” said Tolo News quoting Waheed Omar, an adviser to Afghan President. Pakistan immediately responded to the Afghan President’s move, terming it ‘unfortunate and regrettable’. “The decision by the Government of Afghanistan to recall its ambassador and senior diplomats from Pakistan is unfortunate and regrettable. The reported abduction and assault of the ambassador’s daughter in Islamabad is being investigated and followed up at the highest level on the instructions of the Prime Minister. The security of the Ambassador, his family and personnel of the embassy and Consulates of Afghanistan in Pakistan has been further beefed up,” said an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Foreign Secretary met the Ambassador of Afghanistan today,
highlighted all the steps taken by the Government in this context, and re-assured him of full cooperation. We hope that the Government of Afghanistan would reconsider its decision,” the statement added. The move looks a part of an apparent bid to build pressure over Pakistan despite the fact that Pakistan had taken immediate and swift actions to apprehend the culprits involved in harassment to the daughter of the Afghan envoy. Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday told a media briefing that the abduction case of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter would be solved within 72 hours. He said the interviews of the trio of taxi drivers whose cars the ambassador’s daughter had ridden have been recorded. He said the first driver had driven the envoy’s daughter to Khadda Market in sector G-7/1, while a second driver had then driven her to Rawalpindi. He added that a third had driven her from Daman-e-Koh, Islamabad. The interior minister said that footage of her trip from Rawalpindi to Daman-e-Koh was missing and the matter was under investigation. He said the “riddle” would be solved by the evening and all aspects of the case would be unearthed, reflecting some ‘holes’ in the statement of the victim. A medical ex-
amination report, shared on social media and later confirmed by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences where Alikhil was treated, said she was admitted with swelling and rope marks on the wrists and ankles. The report said that she was held for more than five hours and also noted she had some swelling in the brain’s rear occipital region. There were three drivers under investigation, wherein the first had taken the victim to Khadda Market, a second had then driven her to Rawalpindi, and a third had driven her from Daman-e-Koh. However, the statement of the girl did not mention her visit to Khadda Market, Rawalpindi and Daman-e-Koh. Rather, the victim in her statement. Social media activists took to the social media site, Twitter, to register their protest over the Afghan government’s decision to recall its diplomatic staff from Islamabad. “Why should not #Afghan embassy be handed over 2 Taliban who controls 80 percent of Afghanistan. Kabul regime has no longer functional internal sovereignty. Send Afghan Ambassador back. Recognise de-facto Taliban govt as dejure Afghan govt,” tweeted Jan Achakzai, a noted columnist and political commentator.
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
BUSINESS 09
ISLAMABAD
Govt to coMPLete SPectRUM AUctIon PRoceSS By MId-SePteMBeR ISLAMABAD
HBL Islamic Banking becomes first to introduce Islamic merchant acquiring in Pakistan KARACHI PRESS RELEASE
HBL’s Islamic Banking and Edenrobe signed a Merchant Establishment Agreement on 7 July 2021, at Lucky One Mall in Karachi. The agreement was signed by Shahzad Babar, Head Governance, Planning & Initiatives – HBL Islamic Banking and Junaid Dandia, Chief Executive Officer, Edenrobe, a venture of Eden Apparels Pvt Ltd., one of Pakistan’s premier fashion retail brands offering quality clothing and fragrances. Through this agreement HBL’s Islamic Banking has achieved a first mover advantage by launching Islamic Merchant Acquiring for the first time in Pakistan. This means that customers can now make transactions using POS Machines through Visa, Master, Union Pay and Pay Pak at the terminals of Islamic Merchants, who will maintain Islamic Banking Accounts with HBL Islamic Banking. Commenting on this occasion, Muhammad Afaq Khan, Head - Islamic Banking, HBL stated, “HBL Islamic Banking always strives to provide seamless and innovative solutions to its customers for their convenience. By being the first Bank to introduce Islamic Merchant Acquiring in Pakistan, HBL has once again shown that it is a pioneer and market leader in the banking industry.”
Pakistan to ink transit trade deal with Afghanistan to access Uzbek market MONITORING REPORT Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood Monday said that Pakistan will be inking a transit trade agreement with Afghanistan to access markets of Uzbekistan and beyond. “Uzbekistan is important with respect to trade and will be a big economy to deal with,” the adviser said while visiting the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and briefing them on the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan and its economic benefits. Accordingto a local media report, the goods will reach Uzbekistan from Karachi in five days. Furthermore, Dawood said and added that measures are being taken to improve trade ties between the two countries as they have signed 71 trade agreements during the recent visit. He said that efforts were also underway to begin special flights between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The adviser further shared that they are giving exemptions on the import of raw materials for industrial purposes in order to promote industrialization and local production. “We are further reviewing the controversial section 203 of the FBR,” he said.
Brent oil may fall towards $70.98 SINGAPORE AGENCIES
Brent oil may break a support at $72.33 per barrel and fall towards $70.98, as suggested by its wave pattern and a projection analysis. The correction from the July 6 high of $77.84 is riding on a wave IV, which looks sideways. It has three component waves. The third wave labelled c has resumed, after a pause around a support at $72.33. This wave c is unfolding towards $70.98. Resistance is at $73.17, a break above could lead to a gain into $73.85-$74.52 range. On the daily chart, oil has broken a support at $73.5. The break opened the way towards $70.75, which is near $70.98 (hourly chart). A rising channel suggests a lower target of $68.43, which will be available when oil breaks $70.75. Each reader should consult his or her own professional or other advisers for business, financial or legal advice regarding the products mentioned in the analyses.
t
SHAHZAD PARACHA
HE federal government is likely to complete the spectrum auction process by mid-September this year. Sources said that the federal cabinet in the last week of this month would give approval to the policy directive for the auction of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum in Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) after which the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will issue directions for auctioning within six weeks. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Cabinet on Friday gave the approval to the policy directive for the auction of NGMS Spectrum in Pakistan and AJK and GB. Sources said that the government is optimistic to collect around $1 billion through auctioning of spectrum however if it auctions the 6.6 temporary spectrum in 1800 bands which is held by the Zong then the government can collect $200million more revenue. Reportedly, the finance minister led committee had approved the policy draft
in the last meeting and according to that PTA would auction 12.8 MHz paired spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band and 15 MHz paired spectrum in the 2,100 MHz. The base price for 1MHz spectrum in 1,800 MHz is $31 million while the base price for 1MHz spectrum in 2,100 MHz is $29m. Sources said that Dr Ishrat Hussain led committee in its recommendations
with regard to payment terms for spectrum price/license fee in Pakistan on the “Issues of Cellular Mobile Industry for Digital Enablement” stated that Payment is allowed just in Pakistani currency however we may also allow both options for payment in instalments in US dollar at markup rate of LIBOR+ 3% per year as well as in Pak Rupees. Markup rate of one year may be
US dollar crosses Rs161 after nearly six months
Economic recovery encouraging but structural issues remain: SBP NEWS DESK The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday noted that the economy made an “encouraging recovery” during the outgoing fiscal year (FY) 21 but warned that “certain structural vulnerabilities” continue to require the government’s attention. The central bank issued the warning in its “Third Quarterly Report on The State of Pakistan’s Economy” for the fiscal year 2020-21 which was issued today. “While the economy made an encouraging recovery during FY21, certain structural vulnerabilities continue to merit attention,” said the SBP. To put fix those vulnerabilities the SBP pointed out that four areas required attention. “First, in the agriculture sector, the secular decline in cotton production needs to be addressed,” said the SBP. It added that to fix this there was a need for the “timely availability of pest-resistant seed varieties”. It also said that further support from agriculture extension departments was required in particular to “promote the adoption of cli-
fixed at KIBOR+7 per cent in case of payments in instalments in Pakistani rupee whereas, for transactions related to licensing renewal fee, the licensee should choose payment currency at License signing stage as it would set the basis for markup calculations. Once decided, the payment currency would lock for the full payment tenor. The payments in domestic currency also conform to international best practices, he also stated in his recommendations. It is pertinent to note that the Federal Cabinet constituted an Advisory Committee on the release of NGMS spectrum in Pakistan for improvement of mobile broadband services amid Covid19. Later, the composition and TORs of the same committee were revised and the regions of AJK and GB were included. The committee was tasked to examine and evaluate the market assessment report and recommendations of PTA for the release of maximum NGMS Spectrum in Pakistan. In addition, it was also asked to examine and finalise policy directives. Besides, the mandate of the committee was to oversee the release process conducted by PTA.
MONITORING REPORT
mate-smart farming practices that could enable better outcomes”. “Second, in the external sector, the widening of the merchandize deficit needs to be contained to a sustainable level. Greater self-sufficiency in agriculture, through adoption of better farming and crop management practices, and maintenance of adequate stocks can reduce the need to import commodities (such as wheat, sugarcane and cotton) to bridge domestic shortfalls or counter temporary price pressures,” said the SBP. The central bank said to resolve this there was a need to discourage the “import of luxury consumer items” and “greater diversification of exports, in terms of value-added items and destinations” needs to be promoted. “Third, efforts are required to mitigate food inflation, triggered largely by supply-side issues in the management of agriculture commodities,” said the SBP. It added that this can be achieved if there is “better coordination among federal and provincial food departments, provision of reliable data, vigilant monitoring of stocks and food prices, and timely import of commodities”.
The United States (US) dollar crossed the Rs161 mark in the interbank currency market on the first day of week’s trading on Monday, hitting its highest since January 26. The greenback appreciated Rs1.31 against the Pakistani rupee on account of high demand and closed at Rs161.48 on first business day of the week compared to previous closing of Rs159.94. Since start of July, dollar has risen by Rs3.61. However, the greenback has lost 6.95 rupees or 4.21 percent of its value from its peak of 168.43 in August 2020. It may be recalled that the Pakistani rupee had touched an all-time low of 168.43 against the greenback last year in August before recouping some losses to hit a 22-month high of Rs152.95 in April, 2021.
BIS, IMF call for global coordination LONDON AGENCIES
The Bank for International Settlements, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank made a joint call on Friday for global cooperation on central bank digital currencies. Around 90% of the world’s central banks are currently looking at creating digital versions of their currencies, raising questions about how they will work and operate with each other. “CBDCs (central bank digital currencies) offer the opportunity to start with a ‘clean slate’. It is crucially important that central banks take the cross-border dimension into account,” Jon Cunliffe, Chair of the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and Deputy Governor for Financial Stability of the Bank of England, said in a report prepared for the G20 meeting in Italy.
Gold prices at near 1-week low as dollar retains upper hand SINGAPORE AGENCIES
Gold prices fell on Monday to their lowest in nearly one week, with investors opting for the US dollar as a preferred refuge amid concerns the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant could dampen global economic recovery. Spot gold was down 0.4% at $1,804.60 per ounce, as of 0716 GMT, after falling to its lowest since July 13 at $1,801.46. US gold futures slipped 0.6% to $1,804.10. “The dollar strength is limiting gold’s upside and sort of remains one of the key headwind,” said Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus. “There are emerging concerns about the Delta variant and its impact on global economic growth. So, primary safehaven flows are also going into the dollar and bonds.”
The dollar strengthened 0.2% to a more than three-month high against its rivals, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies. Sentiment in wider financial markets remained weak as investor risk appetite
was soured by growing inflationary pressures and a relentless surge in coronavirus cases. Many countries, particularly in Asia, are struggling to curb the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus and have been forced
into taking lockdown measures. “The loss of upside momentum shifted the risks for gold to the downside,” said Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst at OANDA. “For now, though, and despite the noisy price action, gold remains hemmed in by its 100- and 200-day moving averages at $1,792 and $1,826 an ounce, respectively.” Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.6% to 1,028.55 tonnes on Friday, the lowest since May 14. Spot gold may break a support at $1,813 per ounce and fall towards $1,789, following its failure to break a resistance at $1,833, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. Elsewhere, silver fell 1.1% to $25.37 per ounce, palladium rose 0.3% to $2,638.44, and platinum dropped 0.8% to $1,093.40.
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
10 FOREIGN NEWS
ISLAMABAD
ForeIgn mIssIons In AFghAnIstAn cAll For tAlIbAn ceAseFIre KABUL
F
REUTERS
IFTeeN diplomatic missions and the NATO representative in Kabul joined hands on Monday to urge the Taliban to halt military offensives across Afghanistan, just hours after a peace meeting in Doha failed to agree on a ceasefire. A senior delegation of Afghan leaders met the Taliban's political leadership in the Qatari capital over the last two days, but a Taliban statement issued late on Sunday made no mention of a halt to Afghanistan's rising violence. "This eid al-Adha, the Taliban should lay down their weapons for good and show the world their commitment to the peace process," the 15 missions and the NATO representative said, referring to Tuesday's Muslim holiday in Afghanistan. The joint statement was supported by
Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the european Union delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the United States and NATO's senior civilian representative. Over the last few eid holidays, the Taliban have called temporary ceasefires, saying they wanted to let Afghans spend them in peace. This time there has been no such announcement, as the Taliban make swift territorial gains in near-unprecedented levels of fighting nationwide. The insurgents have been emboldened as foreign forces near a complete withdrawal after 20 years of fighting. Monday's statement also condemned rights violations, such as efforts to shut schools and media outfits reported by media in areas recently captured by the Taliban, which has previously denied such assertions.
Iraqis protest to ‘end impunity’ as killings of activists go unpunished
Heavy rains cripple Indian cities; at least 35 killed
BAGHDAD AFP
Hundreds of Iraqis protested on Sunday in central Baghdad to demand that authorities hold accountable the killers of dozens of activists associated with a long-running protest movement. Assassinations, attempted murders and abductions have targeted more than 70 activists since a prodemocracy protest movement erupted against government corruption and incompetence in 2019. “We’re here to say that we want to end impunity in Iraq,” Hussein Al-Faili, an 18-year old student, told AFP from Firdous Square, a key protest site. “We want freedom! This revolution started because of this and we won’t stop until we win.” Dozens also turned out in Nasiriyah, a rebellious Shi’a city in southern Iraq where tensions have been running high following a hospital fire that killed at least 60 people on Monday. Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhemi on Friday announced the arrest of four suspects in the point-blank shooting of prominent academic and government adviser Hisham alHashemi a year ago. Iraqi state television broadcast brief clips late Friday of the alleged confession of Ahmed al-Kenani, a 36-year-old police lieutenant, who said he had used a pistol to murder Hashemi.
MUMBAI REUTERS
India's capital New Delhi and the main financial centre of Mumbai were drenched with heavy rain on Monday,
a day after at least 35 people were killed across the country in landslides and house collapses triggered by downpours. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in north India, includ-
ing New Delhi, over the next two days. In Mumbai, the IMD has issued a heavy rain and thunderstorm alert for the city and surrounding districts. At least 30 people were killed on Sunday in three Mumbai suburbs when
several houses collapsed in landslides after rain. At least three people were also killed when a house collapsed in the northern state of Uttarakhand after a downpour, Reuters partner agency ANI reported. In a separate incident on Sunday evening, a three-storey building collapsed in the city of Gurugram, bordering Delhi. Two people were killed and rescue operations were still underway. Several low-lying areas of Delhi and Mumbai were flooded and Twitter was filled with images of submerged vehicles and people wading through waist-deep water. Mumbai's water treatment plant in the suburbs was flooded on Sunday forcing the municipal council to impose water cuts in some parts of the city. India is in the midst of its annual rainy season but the downpours over the past few days have been particularly heavy. extreme weather has hit several parts of the world in recent weeks with flooding in europe, dam collapses in China and heatwaves in North America adding to worries about climate change.
England lifts Covid curbs as scientists warn of surge in cases LONDON AFP
The British government on Monday lifted pandemic restrictions on daily life in england, scrapping all social distancing in a step slammed by scientists and opposition parties as a dangerous leap into the unknown. From midnight (2300 GMT Sunday), nightclubs were able to reopen and other indoor venues allowed to run at full capacity, while legal mandates covering the wearing of masks and working from home were scrapped. Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who is self-isolating after his health minister was infected -- urged the public to remain prudent and for any laggards to join the two-thirds of UK adults who are now fully vaccinated. He defended the reopening -- dubbed "freedom day" by some media -- despite scientists' grave misgivings after daily infection rates in Britain topped 50,000, behind only Indonesia and Brazil. "If we don't do it now, then we'll be opening up in the autumn, the winter months, when the virus has the advantage of the cold weather," the prime minister said in a video message. This week's start of summer school holidays offered a "precious firebreak", he said. "If we don't do it now, we've got to ask ourselves, when will we ever do it? So this is the right moment, but we've got to do it cautiously."
Jonathan Ashworth, the opposition Labour party's health spokesman, said the government was being "reckless", echoing experts who say the reopening endangers global health. "We are against opening up without any precautions in place," Ashworth told BBC television, attacking in particular the government's plan on masks. After the success of the vaccination programme -- which has now offered at least one dose to every adult in Britain -- the government says any risks to hospital care are manageable. But professor Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London warned that
Britain was on course for 100,000 cases a day, as the Delta variant of Covid runs out of control. "The real question is, do we get to double that or even higher? And that's where the crystal ball starts to fail," he told BBC television. "We could get to 2,000 hospitalisations a day, 200,000 cases a day, but it's much less certain," he said. even if Britain is suffering far fewer deaths than in previous waves, such a caseload would still put severe pressure on the National Health Service (NHS) and risks seeding new variants, medics warned. Senior Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt, a
former health secretary, said the government should learn from Israel and the Netherlands, which have been forced to reverse recent relaxations. "The warning light on the NHS dashboard is not flashing amber, it is flashing red," he told BBC radio. Scotland and Wales, whose devolved governments set their own health policy, said they would maintain the mandate on face coverings among other restrictions. But in england, all restrictions on social mixing were lifted. Sports stadia, cinemas and theatres can now return to full houses. Fully vaccinated residents returning
from "amber list" destinations in europe no longer have to quarantine -- although in a last-minute policy shift, the government has kept the requirement in place for France. Also staying in place are requirements to self-isolate after a close contact, which have forced millions off work or school in recent weeks, leading to industry warnings of severe economic disruption. After their contact with Health Secretary SajidJavid, Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak initially tried to use an official testing pilot scheme that enables participants to escape full self-isolation. But after a public and political outcry, Downing Street staged a hurried U-turn. Johnson, who nearly died of Covid last year, will remain at the prime minister's country retreat at Chequers northwest of London until July 26. "We did look briefly at the idea of us taking part in the pilot scheme which allows people to test daily," he said. "But I think it's far more important that everybody sticks to the same rule." Others urged the government to stick to the cautious global consensus on tackling the pandemic, rather than acceding to the libertarian instincts of Johnson and other Conservatives. The government's stated approach of lifting controls now before any winter surge of respiratory disease is marked by "moral emptiness and epidemiological stupidity", said University of Bristol public health expert Gabriel Scally.
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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Tokyo sPeCTaTor ban leaves olymPiC aTHleTes PerPlexed
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Pakistan’s Haniya wins tennis tournament in Tajikistan NEWS DESK Pakistan tennis player Haniya Minhas has brought another victory home by winning two gold medals and becoming the first Pakistani girl to win the Asian Tennis Federation 14&U Championship. Haniya won the Under-14 Sobir Cup in Dushanbe, Tajikistan after defeating second seed Sumaya Tukhtaeva of Tajikistan by 6-1, 6-0 in the final. Haniya became the youngest ever in the history of Asian Tennis Federation tournaments to win a title at the age of 10. She climbed to 32nd position in Asian ranking after the victory. She displayed great dedication and determination throughout the tournament and managed to win all her matches. She showed great commitment towards her goal of becoming the top Pakistani tennis player to participate in top WTA as well as Grand Slam events. BARD Foundation Board Member Faisal Dawood expressed his joy on Haniya’s victory and said, “Haniya has once again made us all proud by her exceptional efforts. Her victories have paved the way for other girls to pursue sports and become prodigies in their fields. BARD Foundation is immensely proud of her.” Haniya expressed her gratitude to both the BARD foundation and DECON for their undying support and promised to work with great zeal.
HETHER it is sumo, or domestic basketball or baseball matches, Japanese fans have been filling the arenas in recent days leaving Olympic athletes wondering why they will be competing in front of empty stands at the Tokyo Games. Japanese organisers have decided to ban spectators from venues of the Olympics, which start this week, in a bid to stem an increase of Covid-19 infections, with the capital in a state of emergency until August 22. Foreign visitors were banned earlier from attending the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games. “A state of emergency has been declared for Tokyo and on July 9 we saw the decision was to ban spectators,” Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi told an online media roundtable on Monday. “Obviously, it is a decision that we respect.” “There was however one sentence which was pleasing that should the situation change the situation could be reviewed,” Dubi said, referring to the organisers’ statement on the decision. “That other sporting events now have fans is a decision that belongs to local authorities. We must respect that,” Dubi said. On Friday, Central League’s 5-4 win over the Pacific League in Game 1 of Japan’s All-Star baseball series was played in front of 8,992 masked fans at MetLife Dome outside Tokyo while. At the same time, the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament was staged with crowds in the stands of the Dolphin’s Arena. The International Olympic Committee has had to slash the number of officials attending the opening ceremony on Friday to comply with health safety rules.
Some athletes, among them Japan’s football team men’s captain, Maya Yoshida, question the decision to bar spectators. “A lot of people’s tax money is going to hold these Olympics,” Yoshida recently. “Despite that, people can’t go and watch. So you wonder about who the Olympics is for, and what it is for.” Dubi said such questions should be put to the organisers and local authorities.
“We have received questions from a number of athletes who are observing the same. As far as the IOC is concerned we respect this decision and abide by this rule but you could address this question to the organising committee or the local authorities,” he said when asked by Reuters. Dubi said there was still the possibility that should the number of coronavirus cases drop then organisers could review the ban.
Hamilton racially abused on social media after controversial British GP win LONDON AFP
Lewis Hamilton was the victim of “multiple instances of racist abuse on social media” during and after his controversial win in the British Grand Prix, according to a joint statement by Formula One, the FIA and his Mercedes team. The seven-time world champion was involved early on in an incident that saw championship leader Max Verstappen plough his Red Bull into a wall and out of the race. Hamilton was hit by a 10 second penalty but went on to win the race and close the gap in the title race to just eight points. “During, and after, yesterday’s British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was subjected to multiple instances of racist
abuse on social media following an inrace collision,” they said in a joint statement condemning the behaviour “in the strongest possible terms”. “These people have no place in our sport and we urge that those responsible should be held accountable for their actions. “Formula 1, the FIA, the drivers
and the teams are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport, and such unacceptable instances of online abuse must be highlighted and eliminated.” Verstappen, who was taken to hospital for checks after the race, later accused Hamilton of “disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour”. A public supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, Hamilton gave his support a week ago to the England footballers Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho who were also abused after they missed penalties in the Euro 2020 final. “I hope this opens a conversation around acceptance,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “We must work towards a society that doesn’t require Black players to prove their value or place in society only through victory.”
First Palestinian weightlifter at Olympics braced to make history GAZA REUTERS
Gaza weightlifter Mohammad Hamada says he is aiming to rank among the top ten when he makes history as the first Palestinian to compete in the sport at the Olympics that kicks off in Tokyo later this month. The 19-year-old left Gaza several weeks ago to ensure he faces no issues travelling to the Games in which he secured his place after having participated in six international qualifying contests since 2019. “When I get to Tokyo, I will do the impossible, and I will exert every effort to be distinctive,” Hamada told Reuters in Doha, in Qatar, where he trains five hours a day. “I can’t describe my feeling to have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.” Last May, he placed seventh in the Asia championship and eighth at the world championship in Uzbekistan for athletes under 20, where he performed a 141 kg snatch and 171 kg clean and jerk – for a total weight of 312 kg in the two lifts. “I hope to achieve a new personal record … and come in the first top 10 places,” said Hamada, who heads to Japan on July 20, three days before the Games are scheduled to start. Entry to and exit from Gaza is controlled by Israel and Egypt, and restrictions have increased since a group, Hamas, seized control of the coastal strip since 2007. Hamada and his brother, Hussam, who is also the Palestinian national weightlifting team coach, did not want to take any risk and headed to Doha. “This is the first Palestinian participation in history in weightlifting,” said Hussam. “Training is a complicated process, and the athlete being my brother made it easier for me.” He said Palestinian athletes suffered from a lack of well-equipped clubs, proper training tools and more inter-
national participation in contests outside their territories. Palestine has been participating in the Olympic Games since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1996, following the first peace accords with Israel. Asad Al-Majdalawi, deputy chairman of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, said Hamada’s participation was an achievement regardless of whether he won a medal. “It is a legendary event to have Mohammad Hamada, a young, ambitious champion from Palestine, from Gaza, that witnessed wars and blockades, in Tokyo waving the Palestinian flag and competing against world champions,” he said.
Majdalawi said four other Palestinian athletes from Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem would compete in the Games. “We are looking forward to writing a Palestinian record in the Olympic contests, regardless of what that record would be,” he told Reuters. At Hamada’s home in Gaza City, his parents proudly displayed several gold, silver and bronze medals. “Mohammad achieved our dream, a dream we had waited for long,” said his father, Khamees. “I am relieved… I am proud of Mohammad and Hussam. We made it to Tokyo.”
Coco Gauff tests positive for Covid-19 WASHINGTON REUTERS
American Coco Gauff will not compete in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for Covid19, the 17-year-old said on Sunday. Gauff was set to become the youngest Olympic tennis player since 2000 but instead joins a number of the world's top players who have already pulled out of the Tokyo Games. "I'm disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for Covid and won't be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo," World No. 25 Gauff, who was going to compete in both the singles and doubles competitions, said on Twitter. "It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future." The Tokyo Games, pushed back by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, are scheduled to begin on Friday. The announcement by Gauff, who last competed at Wimbledon where she lost in the last 16, comes two days after Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur tested positive for Covid-19 prior to his departure for the Tokyo Olympics. Some of the sport's biggest names, including Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios have already announced their decision to skip the Games. However, world number one Novak Djokovic had confirmed that he will compete at the Tokyo Olympics as the Serb remains on course to achieve the Golden Slam in tennis. Djokovic had completed the third leg towards achieving the Golden Slam when he had added the Wimbledon title to his Australian Open and Roland Garros triumphs in 2021. No man has ever won the four slams and an Olympic gold in the same year, with Germany’s Steffi Graf the only player to accomplish the feat in 1988. “I am very proud to pack for Tokyo and join our national team in the fight for the brightest medals on the Olympic arenas,” Djokovic, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, had tweeted. “For me, the game for Serbia has always been a special joy and motivation and I will do my best to make us all happy! Let’s go.”
Tuesday, 20 July, 2021
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NEWS HAjj Sermon
Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked people not to visit areas affected by plague, says Saudi Imam ARAFAT
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HEIKH Bandar Bin Abdulaziz Balila in the Hajj sermon urged people to follow Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings regarding pandemics, saying that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had asked people to not go to an area where there’s a plague. “The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that people should not go out of the area where the plague has spread and people from other areas should not go there,” said Sheikh Bandar as the pilgrims performed Hajj under coronavirus restrictions. In the sermon, Sheikh Bandar urged Muslims to establish equality, eliminate enmity and hatred amongst each other. He also asked everyone to forgive one another for the sake of Allah. The imam of the Grand Mosque said that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and urged those who can take the holy sojourn to complete it. Thousands of face-masked pilgrims performing Islam’s annual hajj pilgrim-
age gathered on Mount Arafat on Monday to atone for their sins, expressing hopes for peace and an end to the Covid19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites in Makkah and Madina, has barred worshippers from abroad for a second year running and has restricted entry from within the kingdom under special
conditions to guard against the coronavirus and its new variants. Only 60,000 Saudi citizens and residents, aged 18 to 65, who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from the virus and do not suffer from chronic diseases, were selected for the rite, a once-in-alifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
Pakistan, US stress need for political settlement between Afghan govt, Taliban IsLAMABAD Mian abRaR
Pakistan and the United States of America Tuesday emphasised the urgency of a comprehensive political settlement between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban. The statement came following a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. Khalilzad also held a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar
Javed Bajwa. The exchange of views covered the prevailing situation in Afghanistan and the need for expediting the Afghan peace process. Khalilzad arrived on a one-day visit to the region. Piror to visiting Pakistan, Khalilzad also attended a round of talks between the Afghan government and Taliban delegations in Doha, Qatar. TALKS ENDED WITHOUT A BREAKTHROUGH: Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted Pakistan’s constructive efforts for facilitating peace efforts for achieving an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political
settlement to end over four decades-long conflicts in Afghanistan. He said that the escalation of conflict and instability in Afghanistan was not in Pakistan’s interest as it would lead to serious challenges for Pakistan in areas of security and influx of refugees adding that durable peace in Afghanistan would open avenues for regional economic connectivity. The PM recalled that he has consistently emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. He added that the imposition of a government by force will not lead to the resolution of the conflict and that only a negotiated set-
“It is an indescribable feeling that I got selected among millions of people to attend the hajj. I pray for God to put an end to these hard times the whole world has gone through under the coronavirus,” said Um Ahmed, a Palestinian pilgrim who lives in the Saudi capital Riyadh and who said she lost four family members to the virus. In previous years, more than two million pilgrims used to cover Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat, sitting close to each other in the scorching heat of the desert city of Makkah, carrying umbrellas and fans to keep cool as temperatures rose towards 40 degrees Celsius. This year pilgrims, dressed in white robes signifying a state of purity, had to observe social distancing and wear face masks on Mount Arafat. Mount Arafat is also where Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave his last sermon. “The first prayer is to ask God to lift this pandemic, this curse and this grief for all humanity and for Muslims, so in the next years they are able to attend hajj and for millions to refill these holy sites,” said Maher Baroody, a Syrian pilgrim.
tlement will bring lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan. Reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent support to a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan, the Prime Minister underlined that a secure and safe Western border was in Pakistan’s own best interest and Pakistan would like to remain closely engaged with the US and other relevant countries for peace efforts. He emphasized the need for all Afghan sides to show flexibility and engage meaningfully with each other. Prime Minister Imran Khan added that as suggested by him at the recent Central Asia and South Asia Connectivity Conference in Tashkent, it was important for Afghanistan’s neighbours and regional countries to constructively work together for a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan.
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COAS, Chinese ambassador stress need to ‘thwart designs’ of forces challenging Pak-China resolve News Desk Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa met at the General Headquarters on Monday and stressed the need to “thwart designs of all inimical forces challenging the resolve of Pakistan and China, particularly strategic cooperation between the two sides.” The above was said in reference to the recent bus tragedy in Kohistan, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The meeting was held in the backdrop of the July 14 incident in which at least nine Chinese nationals and four locals were killed and 28 others sustained injuries when a coach carrying them to an under-construction tunnel site of the 4,300megawatt Dasu hydropower project fell into a ravine in the Upper Kohistan area after an explosion. The army chief extended heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the government of China and its people on the incident, underlining that “Pakistan Army greatly values its brotherly relations” with its timetested friend. Gen Bajwa also assured full cooperation and security of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan. The ISPR said both sides agreed on the need for continuous engagement and coordination for peace and stability in the region. Following the incident on July 14, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had issued a statement, saying “China is shocked & saddened at reports of casualties in the incident in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. We mourn for those who lost their lives & express sympathy to their families & the injured.” It had also advised the Chinese living in Pakistan to “stay on alert, pay close attention to the local security situation, strengthen security protection, take strict precautions, and stop going out unless necessary”. Later, a team comprising at least 15 Chinese investigators had also arrived in Pakistan and joined the officials probing the incident. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid had on July 17 said the investigation was in the final stages and the highest institutions of Pakistan were probing it. He had confirmed that 15 individuals from China were included [in the investigation] as well. “We completely reassure the Chinese government that these culprits, hidden hands and enemies of CPEC and China-Pakistan friendship will never be forgiven at any cost,” the minister had said.
Government temporarily recalls ambassador to Afghanistan IsLAMABAD Staff RepoRt
The government has recalled its ambassador from Kabul to hold “consultations” on the purported abduction and release of the Afghanistan ambassador’s daughter in Islamabad last week, the Foreign Office confirmed Monday. Mansoor Ahmad Khan arrived in Islamabad on Sunday evening, hours after Afghanistan withdrew its ambassador and diplomats “until the complete elimination of the security threats”. Khan is scheduled to meet Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood at the Foreign Office to discuss the matter. Discussions will also be held on the progress of the now-postponed Afghan Peace Conference, the Foreign Office said in a statement. Silsila Alikhil, the daughter of ambassador Najibullah Alikhil, 26, was going home in a rented vehicle in Islamabad on Friday when she was briefly kidnapped by unidentified assailants who released her hours later with injuries and rope marks, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry claimed on Saturday. Investigators, however, found gaps in her story, observing she had visited several places in twin cities — Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The footage of her visits had been retrieved and was being looked into, they said. Following the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to utilise all resources to apprehend the culprits. Subsequently, Afghanistan has withdrawn its ambassador and diplomats. “The Afghan government recalled the ambassador and senior diplomats to Kabul until the complete elimination of the security threats, including the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators,” its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Foreign Office in a statement called the decision “regrettable” and said it hoped Kabul would reconsider. “The Foreign Secretary met the Ambassador of Afghanistan today, highlighted all the steps taken by the Government in this context, and re-assured him of full cooperation,” it said. Pakistan is a key player in the peace process in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have taken over territory in the weeks since President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of American troops by September 11. Pakistan has been acknowledged for helping bring the Taliban to the negotiating table for peace talks that began in Qatar last year, but negotiations have failed to make substantive progress and the Taliban has ramped up offensives. Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk