Friday, 26 November, 2021 I 20 Rabi-us-Sani, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 148 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
Petrol dealers call off strike as govt gives in to their demands g
Long queues seen across country as PetroL retaiLers went on strike to Protest shrinking Profit margins
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI ahMad ahMadani & shahab OMer
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he all Pakistan Petrol Pumps Dealers association late thursday called off its nationwide strike following reaching a deal with the government’s team for increase in the dealers’ profit margin. Per media reports, the officials of the ministry of energy and the association’s chairman, abdul sami khan, reached an agreement after holding day-long negotiations. adviser to the Prime minister on finance shaukat tarin, energy minister hammad azhar and Petroleum secretary Dr arshad mahmood were part of the government team. association spokesperson Jahanzaib malik confirmed about calling-off the strike after the agreement. he said that they had initially demanded a six per cent increase in their profit margin, but the government had agreed to a 4.4pc raise. he said that petrol dealers were charging rs3.91 per litre and would now charge rs4.90. he said that the price of petrol would be increased after the government announced the rates for next month.
malik said that agreement would be implemented from next month, adding that the government had vowed to review the profit margin after three months. SUCCESSFUL STRIkE: the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers association’s (PPDa) went on a nationwide strike thursday lamenting low-profit margins, exacerbated by the government’s move to raise taxes and boost revenue under its agreements with the international monetary fund (imf). according to PPDa, the government has so far not made any contact with the association for negotiations. speaking with Profit, PPDa information secretary noman ali Jutt said that the association has vowed to keep petrol pumps closed till their demand of an 6 per cent in profit margin was met, adding that the PPDa will not trust verbal assurances by the government. “the government promised to send a summary to the federal cabinet’s economic coordination committee (ecc) on november 3 while the association had earlier made it clear to that demands must be met by november 17,” Jutt said. he expressed satisfaction at the majority of petrol pumps observing a complete
coronavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,283,223
LAST UPDATED AT 10:47 AM ON NOVEMBER 25, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
13
363
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
1,240,995 28,690 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
474,772
442,714
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
179,774
33,458
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
34,540/10,411
107,554
strike and closing oil supply for consumers across the country. it is pertinent to mention here that large crowds of drivers, with their cars and motorbikes, gathered at petrol stations in main cities, including Lahore and karachi overnight, ahead of the strike which began at 6:00 am on thursday. in Punjab’s provincial capital, petrol pumps remained closed at various places as citizens faced difficulties whereas the district administration claimed that fuel was available at 62 stations in the city. mohammad haseeb, who had come to fill up his car at a Pso petrol pump near cavalry ground, said that there was uncertainty everywhere. “the government is increasing the price of petrol while sellers are insisting on increasing their profits. the common man will be the only one to suffer this loss in the end,” he lamented. Due to the closure of popular petrol pumps Lahore, the business of shops selling petrol illegally flourished and in some areas including nishat colony, nishtar colony, ghaziabad main Bazaar, Bhatta chowk, where petrol was being sold at rs200 to rs250 per liter. “Because i could not get petrol for my motorbike at night due to heavy rush, i was forced to buy a liter of fuel from a shop in the market for rs215 in the morning; the was asking for rs300 and i had to haggle,” ali Butt, a resident of nishat colony, informed. similar scenes were witnessed in Peshawar, quetta, azad kashmir and other cities where most pumps were found closed and the few that remained open witnessed long queues of the vehicles, traffic jams, brawls, and panic buying. on the other hand, energy minister hammad azhar said that the government was open to entertaining legitimate demands but warned that those seeking a nine rupee raise will be disappointed. “such a high raise cannot be granted just to benefit a few companies,” he added.
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PM for VIP treatment to expats keeping Pak economy afloat g
Launches sohni Dharti remittance Programme ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Prime minister imran khan has emphasised on incentivising overseas Pakistanis and providing them ViP treatment for their remittances. the prime minister said this while addressing the launching ceremony of sohni Dharti remittance Programme for overseas Pakistanis on thursday to reward overseas Pakistanis points against the remittances they send through the legal channels. khan said nine million overseas Pakistanis are immensely contributing to the country’s economy. he said the government appreciates their role in bridging the gap between exports and imports of the country. he thanked the overseas Pakistanis for posing confidence in the bright future of their homeland by sending record high remittances of over $29 billion during the last fiscal year of fy21 and continuing the trend in fy22. he said, “we are determined to extend all possible facilitation to overseas Pakistan to encourage them to send their money through
Tarin to launch Pakistan’s first third party clearing service provider for PSX ISLAMABAD GhulaM abbas
finance minister shaukat tarin will soon officially launch Pakistan’s first Professional clearing member (Pcm) e-clear services, an entity set up by the central Depository company (cDc) under the securities & exchange commission of Pakistan’s (secP) new broker regime. globally called the general clearing member (gcm), Pcm is an international practice of third party clearing service providers for clearing of principal transactions and client transactions on behalf of its clients. the procedure entails that clearing and custodial services are provided to trading members of the exchange by an entity that is normally not a trading member of the exchange itself. according to officials privy to the matter, the launch is a major milestone in the country’s stock market that will result in leveling the playing field, promote transparent corporate structures, enhance confidence of investors, and ensure organised development of the market. it may be mentioned here that secP introduced the new
broker regime under the securities Brokers (Licensing & operations) regulations in 2020, categorising securities brokers into three categories namely trading and clearing, trading and self clearing, and trading only. one of the major requirements for the implementation of the new broker regime was the introduction of an independent third party custodial, clearing and settlement service provider for the clearing and settlement of trades executed by trading only brokers. the effort is towards bringing Pakistan’s capital markets at par with international standards and addressing the chronic issue of misappropriation of customer assets. as per details, around 25 trading only brokers have signed up for the services of the new Pcm whereas by December, the secP’s new brokers regime will be completely implemented and all trading only brokers will start using the services of Pcm by shifting their clearing, settlement and custody functions to Pcm. Prior to the implementation of this regime in Pakistan, all brokerage houses retained custody of investor assets and were subject to the same compli-
ance requirements regardless of their size or capacity. this made it difficult for many small brokers to fully comply with the law and ensure adequate investor protection. under the new regime, brokers who are unable to meet financial reporting requirements, and fail to develop a sound compliance system to meet amL/cft guidelines will not be allowed to have custody of investors’ assets. industry experts said that this introduction of a stringent but advanced regulatory framework for brokerage houses is not only an essential step towards bringing Pakistan’s capital markets at par with the international platforms, but that it is equally relevant to ensure maximum compliance with the amL/cft requirements. they labelled secP’s efforts on this new regulatory framework as a timely step in the right direction. Pcm will aid in enhancing the country’s compliance with the fatf regime and also facilitate investor protection, capital market outreach and strengthening of the brokerage industry through enhanced financial viability of brokerage houses.
banking channels.” he said that overseas Pakistanis can now buy houses and invest in real estate through the roshan Digital initiative. the prime minister said the government is working on a plan to give overseas Pakistanis concessions in taxes as well. the prime minister congratulated the state Bank of Pakistan (sBP), ministry of finance, financial institutions, participating public sector entities (Pses) and all other stakeholders and said without their efforts the launch of this remittance incentive programme would not have been possible. he termed the launch of sDrP as a tribute to the Pakistani workers abroad who have been contributing in the development of the country through sending their hard-earned money back home. he also appreciated the concept of giving incentives through a digital application for sending remittances via official channels. speaking on the occasion, adviser to the Prime minister on finance and revenue shaukat tarin said this programme is a thanksgiving to overseas Pakistanis.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 02
more inside
Nadra’s data has been compromised, reveals FIA official STORY ON BACK PAGE
imran offers foreign tech corps to establish ventures in Pakistan STORY ON PAGE 02
Govt to ban CBU vehicles’ import as current account deficit surges to $1.6 billion a month, says Tarin STORY ON BACK PAGE
sBP’s foreign exchange reserves drop to lowest since June 2021 STORY ON PAGE 03
02
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
NEWS
ImrAn offerS foreIgn Tech corPS To eSTAblISh venTureS In PAkISTAn ISLAMABAD
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sTaff RePoRT
ERMING the talent of youth “unparalleled”, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said international companies were welcome to establish their ventures in Pakistan. He expressed these views in a meeting with Veon Ltd. chief executive officer (CEO) Kaan Terzioğlu, a
Apex committee takes notice of trade disruption at Torkham border ISLAMABAD
handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. Headquartered in the Netherlands capital of Amsterdam, the telecommunication services company is the 13th largest mobile network operator in the world by the number of subscribers. During the meeting, Khan said the youth of Pakistan could greatly benefit from leading international information technology and telecom companies. He also emphasised technology transfer and the
Azeem Bajwa, and Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim also attended the meeting.
Saudi Arabia allows direct entry of Pakistani travellers from December 1
Ghulam abbas
An apex committee meeting of the Afghanistan InterMinisterial Coordination Cell (AICC) has taken notice of disruption of trade via Torkham border due to a dispute over the cost of fumigation. As per details, the Ministry of Food Security and Research (MoF&SR) has allegedly been aiding monopoly of a particular blueeyed company by awarding it the contract for importing methyl bromide, which is used for fumigation, in violation of rules while others are discouraged to participate in the business. The issue was raised during a meeting of the AICC, which was reportedly chaired by National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin, along with other senior civil and military officers also attended the meeting. Sources said that importers denied paying higher fees being charged by the private fumigating company as importers complained that it had been given free hand to charge whatever rate it wanted for fumigating a container. Sources said that the fumigation company, Adeel Pesticides, was charging over Rs45,000 per container for fumigation whereas the cost should be between Rs5,000 to Rs10,000. “Importers denied paying the huge amount for fumigation before entering Pakistan, resulting in a halt of imports from Afghanistan which included goods such as cotton from Central Asian countries. As per documents available with this scribe, while taking serious notice of the situation at the Afghan border, the AICC has asked MoFS&R to take action against the monopoly of the said company. The ministry has also been asked to brief the apex committee about allocation of import rights of methyl bromide on Friday along with a brief on the grant of contracts awarded to companies for fumigation and the procedure of fixing rates for the process. Earlier in September, Ahmad and Kamran Traders (Pvt.) had written a letter alleging large scale corruption in the country’s agricultural sector with the connivance of officials in the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and MoFS&R to the Prime Minister office, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), FIA and other ministries concerned. “There is only one company, National Chemicals, importing methyl bromide from the USA.
training of youth. Whereas, Terzioğlu expressed interest in providing big data solutions. He apprised Khan about the investment of Jazz, a Veon subsidiary, in Pakistan and how it has crossed the $10 billion milestone, including $560 million in the last two years alone, on 4G network expansion. Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chief Amir
ISLAMABAD News Desk
Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced that it will allow Pakistani travellers to directly enter the kingdom starting December 1, 2021. According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, aside from Pakistan, the new directives will also be applicable to citizens of several other countries, including Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, and India starting from next Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Per the report, all travellers coming from the
aforementioned countries will have to undergo a fiveday mandatory quarantine regardless of their immunisation status outside the Kingdom. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi also confirmed the news and thanked the Saudi Ministry of Interior as well as the Saudi leadership for taking such a step. He said that once the decision comes into effect, thousands of Pakistanis, who have been waiting to travel back to Saudi Arabia, will now be able to depart from the country.
Pakistan-India World Cup fixture most viewed in T20I history: ICC AgenCIeS The India-Pakistan encounter at this year’s T20 Men’s World Cup garnered a record television reach of 167 million to become the most viewed international match of the format, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement on Thursday. The highly-anticipated match had seen Pakistan writing history, beating India for the first time in a world cup fixture. In the thrilling contest, the Green Shirts had inflicted a chastening 10-wicket defeat on their arch-rivals. Prior to this fixture, the India-West Indies semifinal match from the 2016 edition of the T20 Men’s World Cup held in India was the most viewed contest of the format. According to the ICC, the Pakistan-India match consumed for a record 15.9 billion minutes on the Star India Network by viewers in India, and the viewership for the match grew by 60 per cent on the United Kingdom’s (UK) Sky UK. The overall viewership for the market went up by seven per cent in the UK, it added. Tournament viewership more than ever before Nearly 10,000 hours of live coverage of the entire T20 World Cup tournament — more than ever before — was offered across television and digital platforms in 200 countries “at the back of increased viewership and consumption in India, Pakistan, the UK, Australia and
the strategic market of the USA”, the ICC shared in its statement. “Cricket and sports fans across the world enjoyed unparalleled coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, when the tournament returned after five years,” it said, adding that the event was the biggest ever cricket tournament to be staged in the United Arab Emirates and Oman that “broke viewership records in several regions,” the ICC said. In Pakistan, the cricket governing body said, the tournament was broadcast by three players for the first time, namely Pakistan Television Network, ARY and Ten Sports, which led to further growth in viewership by 7.3 per cent compared to the 2016 edition of the event. “The overall TV consumption for the full tournament in India was recorded at 112bn minutes and the viewership share amidst younger audiences (children below the age of 15) in the country was at a healthy 18.5pc at the back of a highly successful marketing campaign ‘Live the Game’ targeting a younger demographic,” it added. In Australia, the viewership increased by 175pc on the Fox Network and in the USA, which the ICC recently named as one of the focus markets for the sport, the tournament was the most viewed cricket tournament ever on ESPN+. Digital consumption: According to the ICC, digital consumption for the tournament saw an
PM for VIP treatment to expats keeping Pak economy afloat ContInueD fRoM pAge 01 He said earlier banks were rewarded for bringing remittances to the country but for the first time overseas Pakistanis will get benefit by scoring points in the app. In his address of welcome, SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir expressed heartfelt gratitude to the prime minister for his continuous interest and guidance in developing ways to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis and workers abroad. Dr Baqir elaborated that the Sohni Dharti remittance programme is another outcome of the PM’s vision. Referring to earlier initiatives, he said, Roshan Digital Account and the Naya Pakistan Certificates have been huge successes and the PM’s support has played an instrumental role in it. Other initiatives like the Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar Scheme, providing low-cost housing finance for the first time to home owners is another example where the PM’s vision and support has led to a significant takeoff of housing finance in the country, which had otherwise been negligible. Dr Baqir said that he was delighted and privileged to announce the launch of SDRP, which is an excellent combined effort of the government of Pakistan, central bank, financial institutions and other organisations. He said all home remittances sent from anywhere in the world through legal channels are
eligible for inclusion in the SDRP. Besides, the funds received in the Roshan Digital Accounts, which are consumed locally through conversion, and; thus, become non-repatriable, also qualify for the inclusion in the programme. The SBP governor termed the launch of SDRP another step towards digitalisation and financial inclusion that would play a significant role in the digital onboarding of the overseas Pakistanis and their beneficiaries in Pakistan. The mobile application of SDRP is available at both Google Android and Apple IOS platforms. He also appreciated the participating banks, PSEs and other stakeholders, in this regard, as it was due to their hard work that this initiative finally saw the light of the day. The present government has always encouraged and appreciated the efforts of the overseas Pakistanis through various initiatives and programmes, such as making remittances transfer free-of-charge, providing free airtime for remittances received through mobile wallets and covering marketing cost of remittance service providers. This is an innovative programme designed to incentivise the overseas workers abroad to send remittances to Pakistan through banks and exchange companies and earn reward points. These reward points could then be used to avail different benefits offered by the partner organisations. SDRP can be accessed conveniently from anywhere in the world through a mobile application.
“explosive growth” on Disney+ Hotstar in India, adding significantly to the overall television viewership in the market. “ICC’s partnership with Facebook was a driver for the significant increase in video views, with a total of 4.3bn views across all channels for the tournament, compared to 3.6bn views that were garnered for the 2019 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup,” the cricket governing body said. It added that the consumption of the tournament across the ICC’s digital assets also grew, recording a total of 2.55bn minutes. “[The] ICC’s social media channels also saw a significant growth in engagement at 618m across those platforms, which is a 28pc jump since the 2019 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.” Commenting on the matter, ICC Chief Executive Officer Geoff Allardice said that the “outstanding global viewership” showed “the power of T20I cricket to attract a huge audience across the globe on linear and digital platforms”. The ICC’s statement quoted him as saying that the governing body was pleased with the significant increase in the viewership, and “it reinforces our belief that there is a significant opportunity and appetite to grow the game in our strategic growth markets including the USA, so more fans can enjoy it, more kids are inspired by it and sponsors and broadcasters want
PSX continues extending losses, falls below 44,000 points level KARACHI TlTP
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged for the fourth day in a row on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding another 427.95 points (-0.96 percent) to close at 43,935.75 points. Overall, the market shed 2,553.66 points during the last four sessions, mainly due to lack of triggers, rollover week, concerns over continuous foreign selling amid Pakistan’s reclassification from MSCI emerging markets to frontier markets index due next week, and upcoming minibudget. The market opened on a positive note but soon turned towards south and remained negative for the whole session. The KSE-100 Index moved in a range of 781.2 points, showing an intraday high of 44,516.8 points and a low of 43,735.6 points. Among other indices, the KSE All Share Index shed 213.48 points (-0.7 percent) to close at 30,249.34 points, while All Share Islamic Index shed 176.22 points (-0.81 percent) to close at 21,474.05 points. A total of 341 companies traded shares in the stock exchange, out of them shares of 129 closed up, shares of 190 closed down while shares of 22 companies remained unchanged. Out of 92 traded companies in the KSE-100 Index, 28 closed up, 62 closed down and two remained unchanged. The overall market volumes decreased by 115.21 million to 195.17 million shares. Total volumes traded for the KSE-100 Index decreased by 42.79 million shares to 97.34 million shares. The number of total trades decreased by 43,991 to 90,253, while the value traded decreased by Rs4.55 billion to Rs8.39 billion. Overall market capitalisation decreased by Rs53.45 billion. The sectors taking the index towards south were commercial banks with 139 points, power generation & distribution with 59 points, fertilizer with 50 points, cement with 48 points and pharmaceuticals with 43 points.
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
SbP’S foreIgn eXchAnge reServeS droP To loweST SInce June 2021 KARACHI
f
News Desk
OREIGN exchange reserves of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have fallen to 4.1% – the lowest since June 25, 2021. The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank fell 4.07% on a weekly basis, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday. However, the net reserves held by
Petrol dealers call off strike as govt gives in to their demands
banks amounted to $6,519.7 million. The reserves were recorded at $16,254.1 million on November 19, down $691 million compared with $16,945.4 million on November 12 due to “external debt repayments.” The overall reserves, including reserves held by banks other than the SBP, dropped to its seven-month low. Total reserves stood at $22,773.8 million, recording a decline of $777 million — lowest since April 30, 2021.
Shehbaz blames PM Imran for gas crisis, inflation newS DeSK
ContInueD fRoM pAge 01 “We are aware of the difficulties faced by petrol pump owners; however, they should reconsider their decision in light of the plight of the people,” Hammad said. He said that a summary for an increase in profit margins was already sent to the federal cabinet’s ECC whereas the matter was likely to be resolved in the next meeting. Officials of the Petroleum Division on condition of anonymity said that they are in touch with the dealers’ association and negations are underway secretly. “Hopefully, the association will call off the strike call as the government has been assuring its willingness to increase their margin.” According to the Petroleum Division, petrol stations owned by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) including Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Shell Pakistan, Total and Hascol will remain open. Meanwhile, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi said that the authority is in touch with all companies to ensure the uninterrupted supply of petrol. “OGRA teams are in touch with stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted supply petroleum products,” he concluded.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has said that ration cards, queues, inflation, and lies are the identity symbols of Naya Pakistan. Shehbaz, in his statement, said that the gas crisis in the country is due to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s mismanagement and corruption. He said that the people standing in queues at petrol pumps are remembering old Pakistan today, adding that the insensitivity of tyrannical rulers is salt on the wounds of the poor and the entire country has been engulfed by the smog of inefficiency. He further said that inefficiency, corruption and inflation engulfed the country in last three years and his heart cries as he sees the nation in long queues for petrol, flour, sugar and essential commodities. Shehbaz said that a new bomb of 400 percent increase in the price of gas is going to fall on the nation from January 1. Domestic and commercial consumers will get gas by paying an additional Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,700
ISLAMABAD Pakistan on Thursday conducted a successful training launch of surface-to-surface nuclear-capable ballistic missile Shaheen-1A, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The test flight was aimed at re-validating certain design and technical parameters of the weapon system. Flight test was witnessed by Lieutenant General Nadeem Zaki Manj, Director General Strategic Plans Division, Dr Raza Samar, Chairman NESCOM,
per MMBTU from next month. Sugar crisis after gas is also bothering the nation. Sugar prices have gone up to 150. On the other hand, PML-N spokesperson Mariam Aurangzeb tweeted on the social networking website that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif ended load shedding, whereas, Imran Khan put the nation back in queues by giving false hopes.
Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command and the scientists and engineers of strategic organizations. Director General Strategic Plans Division congratulated scientists and engineers on successful conduct of flight test. He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists and engineers for their excellent contribution. President, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on this achievement.
PTV withdraws compensation claim against Shoaib Akhtar newS DeSK PTV has withdrawn its recovery claim from the civil court of Lahore registered against former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. As per the details, Akhtar had a heated argument with PTV Sports anchor Dr Nauman Niaz during live transmission amidst the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup series, where the latter had misbehaved with the Rawalpindi express. Soon after the incident, Akhtar resigned from the channel during the live show. While the public supported the national star, PTV had sent him a compensation notice asking him to pay Rs100 million in damages and reimburse three months’ salary worth Rs3,333,000 for violating clauses of their contract. However, a recent development in the case suggests that after meeting at the residence of Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, the matter had come to a resolution between both Akhtar and Niaz, The lawyers of PTV have confirmed that reconciliation has been reached with Akhtar. Delving into the details of the incident, it should be recalled that in October, Akhtar and Niaz were embroiled in a spat during the PTV Sports show, where the two were
discussing Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand when tensions between Niaz, the host of the show, and Shoaib Akhtar, one of the many decorated panellists on the show, escalated. Shoaib Akhtar credited the Pakistan Super League’s Lahore Qalandars team for discovering Shaheen Shah Afridi and
03
People suffering due to inexperienced PTI government: Ahsan newS DeSK Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said that the people are suffering due to the inexperienced government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). He said that the PTI-led government’s policies have turned the country into heavily indebted nation, claiming that the government’s days are numbered. “If Imran Khan has the courage to face reality, he should quit. This game is not meant for him. A leader who is continuously dividing the country, he is no less than any other external enemy,” Ahsan alleged. He also criticised the government for planning to give autonomy to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) under the deal with International Monetary Fund (IMF). Ahsan said that after such a move, the SBP governor will not be answerable to any Pakistani institution but will be answerable to the IMF. He said that government is giving away the country to anyone for a few pennies, as they did in the case of IMF. He said that taxes worth more than Rs400 billion would be imposed on the masses under an upcoming mini-budget, adding that the development budget would also see a cut of Rs200bn, thus hurting economic growth and other ongoing projects.
Ipsos survey suggests that majority of Pakistanis agree that Pakistan is not proceeding in right direction newS DeSK
Pakistan successfully test-fires Shaheen-1A ballistic missile sTaff RePoRT
NEWS
Haris Rauf, Niaz seemed to take offence and snapped back at Shoaib. “You’re being a little rude and I don’t want to say this: but if you’re being over smart, you can go. I am saying this on-air,” Niaz told a dumbstruck Shoaib, cutting him short and moving to the next guest for their
comment. It wasn’t clear what rubbed Niaz the wrong way, and it seemed Shoaib himself was caught off guard. As tensions rose, the show went offair for a commercial break. After it resumed, the discussion revolved around cricket once again but Shoaib Akhtar was visibly disturbed. A few moments later, he unclipped his mic and walked off the show, announcing his resignation during the live transmission. “A lot of apologies guys, a lot of apologies. I am resigning from PTV. The way I have been treated on national TV, I don’t think I should be sitting here right now. So, I am resigning. Thank you very much,” he said and left. It is pertinent to note that earlier this month, a meeting was arranged between Akhtar and Dr Niaz at the residence of Fawad Chaudhry during which differences between the two sides were settled. Apologising to Akhtar, Dr Niaz had admitted that what had transpired on the live show should not have occurred. He had said that their 30-year-old friendship should not end. As per the sources, anchor and political analyst Saleem Safi had taken Akhtar to Chaudhry’s home, whereas Dr Niaz had been called over to the residence by the information minister himself.
According to a consumer confidence survey conducted in November by Ipsos which is a Paris-based market research and consulting firm, majority of Pakistanis believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction. It is pertinent to note that the survey included the participation of 1,110 male and female respondents above the age of 18 from across the country, concluded that 87 per cent of them were of the opinion that Pakistan was moving in the wrong direction, a sharp increase from 66pc participants who believed so in the September 2021 survey and the highest ever since August 2019. The survey report, based on the results stated that “the public sentiment about [the] overall direction of the country has hit its lowest ever.” According to the results, when the participants were asked about the state of economy, only five per cent of the respondents deemed it to be “strong”. More than 40pc termed it “weak” and over 50pc were of the view that it was “neither strong nor weak”. An “acute majority” of the participants, 64pc of them, expected the economy to remain weak in the next six months and just 12pc were hopeful about the economy getting stronger. Meanwhile, 24pc of the participants said the economy would neither weaken or strengthen in the coming few months. The survey report, hence, concluded: “After seeing an all-time high in September 2021, the current economic situation perception has hit rock bottom.” In September’s survey, around 20pc of the participants had termed the then economic situation “strong”. Moreover, a mere five per cent of the participants in this month’s survey rated their current financial situation as “strong”.
04 NEWS 26th November 2021_Layout 1 11/26/2021 12:34 AM Page 1
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
04 NEWS
NAB’s slothful performANce iN pursuiNg cAses irks supreme court IsLAMABAD
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HE Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Thursday raised questions over the performance of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and took the anti-graft body to task for pending hundreds of cases for a decade. A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmad and comprising of Justice
Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmad, heard a case relating to illegal occupation of the public welfare plots of Al Habib Cooperative Housing Society at Karachi Registry on Thursday. CJP Gulzar Ahmad took exception to the performance of the anti-corruption watchdog, lamenting it is not making any progress in pursuing cases, some of which had been pending for even 10 years. “It seems that the NAB is conniving with the accused,” the CJP added.
pakistani envoy advocates need to jointly combating corruption, helping recovery of stolen wealth ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Ambassador to Italy Jauhar Saleem, in his capacity as the President of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Thursday advocated the need to enhance work in the field of combating corruption and helping countries put in place systems and mechanisms to fight embezzlement of public fund, curb illegal flows and recover stolen wealth from developing countries. As per the details, the ambassador chaired the Annual Meeting of the Assembly of Parties, which is the highest decision-making forum of the Organization. Consisting of 38 Member Parties, IDLO is an International intergovernmental Organization devoted to the promoting rule of law to further the global goals of peace and sustainable development and is striving for making justice systems more effective and responsive to people’s needs and respectful of their human rights. It is pertinent to note that Pakistan was elected the President of the Organization last year for a three-year term from 2021 to 2023. Pakistan’s Presidency of the Organization came at a critical juncture, as the Organization is in the process of diversifying and enhancing its scope of work to include thematic areas of economic development, climate justice, food security and well-being-for-all in its domain of work. staff RepoRt
The court asked the bureau chief to submit a report in this regard. It also ordered him to launch an inquiry against investigation officer Ausaf. Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that the NAB and Federal Investigation Agency are two important pillars of the state. He remarked that it is a total collapse. He lamented that the IO neither has any knowledge nor does he have any interest. Justice Amin remarked that the IO is totally ignorant about who got the bail.
The registrar of the housing society told the court that cancellation of plots does not come under his domain. On this, Justice Gulzar inquired then who would do this. He said he wants to know how the society allotted 32 plots by shelving a park. The NAB prosecutor replied that the SBCA is authorized to cancel the plots. The court directed the authorities to take action against the accused. It also issued showcause notices to the accused. The hearing of the case was adjourned till Friday.
The CJP admonished the registrar of the society. He asked him why he didn’t cancel the allotment of plots reserved for parks and mosques. Justice Ahsan lamented that plots of mosques and schools have been sold out. The chief justice asked the NAB why it is not arresting the culprits. The NAB prosecutor replied that four people have got interim bails. The CJP remarked that the matter of 32 plots has been lingering for a decade but the government does not care.
China to help Pakistan, BRI nations in industrial manpower development IsLAMABAD staff RepoRt
China has expressed its desire to continue to assist Pakistan and other Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) nations in human resource development and industrial growth as key elements of overall economic progress. This was stated by Chen Mingming, a former Chinese diplomat, during his inaugural lecture at the first session of a 14day-long seminar on ‘Construction and Operation of Industrial Parks under the Bridge and Road Initiative (BRI)’. The seminar was organised by the Academy for Int’l Business Officials (AIBO) of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Government officials from the BRI nations including Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Ethiopia and Nigeria are par-
ticipating in the extensive online training sessions. As per the schedule, prominent Chinese experts will speak on the topics including industrial growth and human resource development as well as operational management of industrial parks for optimum growth. “Unfortunately, young people in developing countries, including Pakistan, have not been fully empowered through skill and knowledge,” Chen said, adding that youth in these countries have not been trained in modern technologies and have less access to skill development resources. Chen said that China was ready to help the BRI nations to bridge this gap by establishing vocational training institutes to enhance access to technical education for youth.
“Capacity building is key to industrial and overall economic growth, which is the most important area of cooperation between the development partners,” he said. He further said that China is a reliable development partner. He advised the participants to focus on production of environmentally friendly energy in their countries for sustainable growth. He pledged that China will support every effort in this regard. “China will always be with you in building and operating industrial parks. Together we may achieve more for our nations,” Chen assured the participants. He said that Chinese companies in various partner countries were training local youth by employing them in industrial parks. Zhou Mi, researcher at the Chinese
SC challenges PHC’s decision regarding local body elections in K-P, issues notice News Desk The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday in a case pertaining to the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) decision regarding local body elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Justice Umar Ata Bandial while presiding a two-member bench heard the case and gave directive to the advocate general of KP and other parties to provide judicial assistance. Justice Bandial questioned why local body elections cannot be held on a party basis in the province, to which Advocate General K-P Shamail Butt said the PHC did not disclose its reasons in the decision. “The PHC has ordered local body elections on December 19,” Advocate General K-P Shamail Butt said. “Let’s wait for the reasons in the detailed decision of the PHC,” Justice Bandial urged. Justice Bandial went on to state that the parties involved belong to political parties and Khushdal Khan is a member of the provincial assembly, while Kamran Murtaza is a senator. “All parties should remain neutral while supporting the court, and should aim for fair and transparent elections,” he said. Lawyer Kamran Murtaza maintained that there no mechanisms could be formed erected for a party-based election in such a short period of time. He added that the ECP had resolved this matter and had begun issuing ballot papers. To this, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah questioned what solution the ECP had devised to issue ballot papers.
Justice Bandial recommended adding pictures of the candidates to the ballot papers. “Whatever the solution is, the ECP cannot do anything until the provincial government amends its rules,” Advocate Shamail maintained. Justice Bandial then gave a week to all candidates to aid the court with their suggestions. “Clear and transparent elections are the responsibility of the ECP,” Justice Sajjad said. The two-member bench also suggested that the case should be taken up before a threemember bench. As per the advocate general, there is no legal mechanism for holding elections on a party basis, and if the government does agree to hold local body elections on a party basis, there is no scope for it within the law. As a response, Justice Bandial asked the advocate to bring forth the ordinance, emphasising that the other three provinces hold local body elections on party basis. He also questioned what was wrong in adopting the mechanism of the other provinces. “The high court should have given time for the elections, instead of providing a schedule,” Shamail stated, adding that this will be the first election of its kind to have three candidates from the same party with election symbols on the same ballot paper. Advocate General Shamail further questioned how illiterate voters will distinguish between the symbols and decide who they should vote for. To this, Justice Bandial asked what amendment could be made to the law which would make village council elections party-based. It is pertinent to note that the case has been adjourned till November 30.
MoIB sets up committee to investigate Maryam’s media cell admission News Desk The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has set up a committee on Thursday to investigate Maryam Nawaz’s admission that a viral audio clip in which she can be heard giving instructions to someone to stop ads to certain TV channels was authentic. It is pertinent to note that a day earlier, Maryam had admitted in a presser that the audio related to stopping the advertisements for certain channels was her’s. Her
admission has garnered strong reactions. It the audio that went viral on social media, Maryam can be heard instructing someone that no advertisement will go to certain channels that she named. Hours after PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz confirmed the authenticity of the audio clip, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) came out to vehemently condemn what it described as the act akin to “stifling the media and financial exploitation of journalists”.
Academy of Int’l Trade and Economic Cooperation, in his lecture shed light on new trends in international economic cooperation in the post-Covid19 era. He mentioned the steps taken by the Chinese government to curb the spread of Corona virus both at home and globally, including provision of Covid-19 vaccines to numerous countries in the world. He also exposed the baseless propaganda carried out by western media against China in this regard. He highlighted US interference in internal affairs of Cuba and other nations, and also pointed out the rifts and conflicts created by the country’s politicians in US society. He said that out of the four regions, the Global Peace Index 2021 indicated the US as the most deteriorated region on its Peace index.
us puts china firms, helping pakistan nuclear programme, on trade blacklist WASHINGTON: The US government put a dozen Chinese companies on its trade blacklist late Wednesday for national security and foreign policy concerns, citing in some cases their help developing the quantum computing efforts of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The department also said several entities and individuals from Pakistan and China were added to the Commerce Department’s Entity List for contributing to Islamabad’s nuclear activities or ballistic missile program. The latest US action on Chinese companies comes amid growing tensions between Beijing and Washington over the status of Taiwan and trade issues. In total, 27 new entities were added to the list from Pakistan, China, Japan and Singapore. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement that the new listings will help prevent US technology from supporting the development of Chinese and Russian “military advancement and activities of non-proliferation concern like Pakistan’s unsafeguarded nuclear activities or ballistic missile program.” China’s embassy in Washington charged the United States “uses the catch-all concept of national security and abuses state power to suppress and restrict Chinese enterprises in all possible means. “China is firmly opposed to that,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. He said the United States should “follow the spirit” of a virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last week and “meet China halfway instead of going further down the wrong path.” ReuteRs
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
NEWS corporate corner PAf Announces appointment of Director General Public Relations (Air force)
SANJRANI tuRNS DOwN INDIA SPEAKER’S INvItAtION tO AttEND PARLIAMENtARy fuNCtION ISLAMABAD
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staff report
enate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani turned down the invitation of Om Birla — the speaker of the Lower House of Indian parliament, or Lok Sabha — who had invited him to attend a function to mark the centennial of House’s Public accounts Committee (PaC). PaC — the oldest parliamentary committee in India, and in Pak-
Air Vice Marshal Tariq Zia has been appointed as Director General Public Relations (Air Force). The appointment has been announced in the backdrop of recent re-organization of Pakistan Air Force in view of evolving geo-strategic environment, and dictates of contemporary warfare. Air Vice Marshal Tariq Zia was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in June, 1990. During his career, he has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Flying Wing, Air Power Center of Excellence (ACE), and an Operational Air Base. He has also served as Air Officer Commanding, Central Air Command. AVM Tariq has also served as Commander Air Force Strategic Command. Presently, he is holding the appointment of Director General Warfare & Strategy at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. He is a graduate of PAF Air War College, Faisal and Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), UK. In recognition of his meritorious services and meticulous professionalism, he has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military). pr
Islamabad police making concerted efforts to curb drug-peddling activities
istan — is responsible for ensuring executive accountability. Birla had invited Sanjrani through a letter dated 24 august, the Print reported. Citing an official, it reported that invites have gone out to all Commonwealth nations, including Pakistan. Per the reports, Sanjrani refused to attend any India-hosted event until the withdrawal of the 2019 revocation of the semi-autonomous status of occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan and India have not had diplomatic ties since august 2019, when Islamabad downgraded diplomatic ties with new Delhi following the scrapping of article 370 that gave special status to the disputed mountainous region. there has been a slight thaw in ties since earlier this year when the countries decided to honour the 2003 ceasefire along their tense border. However, the latest reports from the border suggest fresh attempts to push terrorists into India.
Givaudan appoints Barentz as exclusive flavor distribution partner for Pakistan KARACHI: Givaudan, the global leader in the creation of flavors and fragrances, recently appointed Barentz Pakistan Pvt Limited, as its sole distributor for flavors in the food and pharma landscape in the country. The contract was signed between Mr. Samer Samaha, Commercial Director Middle East & Maghreb - Givaudan, and Mr. Faizan Ghori, CEO Barentz Pakistan at a ceremony held in Karachi on 25th November 2021. Also present at the ceremony were Mr. Sohail Rana, Country Manager Givaudan and Mr. Safwan Ghori, Director Barentz Pakistan. This agreement marks Givaudan’s commitment and efforts to broaden its footprint in the growing food and pharma sector of Pakistan that has seen tremendous growth in the past couple of years, despite global economic slowdown due to the pandemic. Barentz Pakistan Pvt Limited is part of Barentz International, a leading global life science ingredients distributor, and has been operational since June 2019 as the preferred distributor for many local and international principals that manufacture food additives and ingredients. With a client base of over 250 companies nationally, Barentz Pakistan has been offering products of the highest quality and value to the local market through sourcing from around the world and its partner companies. Through a well-established national infrastructure and an experienced team to actively cater to all manufacturing hubs of Pakistan, Barentz has been able to acquire business through superior product quality and exceptional service levels. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Faizan Ghori, CEO Barentz Pakistan, highlighted the further need to promote quality and value-added products for the local food and pharma industry to develop as per the standards of the international market. “Barentz Pakistan has always been at the forefront of introducing new concepts in ingredients that target quality, value and nutritional benefits for the end consumers. pr
MD SNGPL visits Bahawalpur Regional Office
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police is making concerted efforts to curb drug-pushing activities and ensure arrest of those involved in such ugly acts. It was stated by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Qazi Jamil ur Rehman while addressing the students of Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST). The IGP said that use of drug leads towards destruction and collective efforts are needed to make society free from this menace. The ceremony was attended by SSP Umar Khan, ASP Ayesha Gull, among others by Vice Chancellor CUST University Mian Mansoor Ahmed, Police officials, senior faculty members and a large number of students. The IGP said that narcotics was a threat to the society and use of drug by students or young people destroys their lives and keeps them away from their destination of bright future. Qazi Jamil ur Rehman urged the students to focus on their studies, keep vigilant eye on their surroundings and inform police in case of observing any suspicious activity. pr
Managing Director SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani accompanied by Senior Management visited Bahawalpur Regional Office. Managing Director was briefed regarding winter load management, operational activities, Complaint centers and UFG control activities. Regional Manager briefed Managing Director and senior management about achievements of the region, which included significant reduction in UFG losses. The Managing Director urged the officers / staff to ensure the best customer service for the customers, also issued instructions to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas to the domestic customers in winter and to improve the system. MD alongwith senior management also visited different sections of the Regional office and interacted with the officers and staff members. pr
Prime Minister Imran Khan awards Bank of Punjab as Number One Bank Award for Kamyab Jawan Program The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has been given Top Bank Award under Kamyab Jawan Program by the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan at the “Kamyab Jawan Convention 2021” held at Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad on 24 November 2021. Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (KJ YES) is a flagship program of the Government of Pakistan. Currently 21 banks are the Executing Agencies for this Program and BOP has maintained its pole position under KJ YES for two consecutive years. The top performing bank in 2020 followed by the Top bank Award in 2021. As on 31 October 2021, BOP has disbursed Rs 6 billion under this scheme involving more than 5,000 households resulting in creation of more than 15,000 job opportunities through focus on diversity and market penetration. Under this Program, BOP has ensured transparency and meritocracy by processing all applications through a scorecard based Digitalized processing system. Loans have been disbursed to Youth from all walks of life including farmers, Urban Communities and Special Segments i.e., Females, Transgender and Differently Abled People. It is pertinent to mention here that BOP is also the leading bank in the industry which has disbursed over Rs 2.7 billion under Tier 1 of the scheme where loans up to Rs 1 million are disbursed against Personal Guarantee of the borrower, playing its integral role in Financial Inclusion of the unbanked / underbanked. Focusing on the Agri Sector, bank has disbursed Rs.661 million for financing of over 600 tractors, Rs. 1.3 billion to 1,300 individuals for Dairy Farming. Working towards women empowerment, Rs. 630 million have been disbursed to over 700 females under this scheme. Bank considers that there is a significant potential in KJ YES and have entered into Alliances with a number of corporate entities as well as multilaterals including trade bodies, chambers and Govt. Entities for financing under the scheme. BOP’s recognition as Top bank bears testimony towards the bank’s seriousness towards this important objective of the Government and State Bank of Pakistan. pr
Dawlance feels proud that its Parent Company Arcelik receives Terra Carta seal. pr
CMYK
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PM Imran Khan and Daraz Group CEO meet to discuss how eCommerce can help grow Pakistan's economy
ISLAMABAD: Daraz Group’s CEO, Bjarke Mikkelsen called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss the vital role e-commerce can play to increase employment and accelerate economic growth for the country. Minister of Finance, Shaukat Tarin and Daraz Pakistan Managing Director, Ehsan Saya, were also present. pr
BoP awards to foodpanda Homechef under Kamyab Jawan Programme KARACHI: Foodpanda, the leading e-commerce platform of the country, signed an agreement with Bank of Punjab to provide financing to registered foodpanda Homechefs under Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. Furthering this objective, the first loan of Rs one million was disbursed to Mr. Khalid Javed Akhtar from Sahiwal, who is a certified chef from COTHM and is running his home based food business under the name of The Abaan’s Kitchen and has been a foodpanda home chef since 2020. Under this partnership, loans up to Rs. 25 million are to be given to enterprising homechefs who are desirous of commencing or expanding their homebased food business, but need financial support. pr
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Friday, 26 November, 2021
06 COMMENT
Mission creep and reinforcing failure
Institutional pressure and judiciary Amidst increasing calls for enquiry
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he affidavit submitted by former Chief Judge Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim and the audio clip ascribed to former Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar indicate two things: the punishment administered to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz was under instructions; and that those who issued instructions wanted to bring Imran Khan to power through all means, fair or foul. The treatment meted out to former Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who made similar remarks while addressing a bar association, had also raised concerns that remain unaddressed. his appeal against the Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) opinion and the 11 October 2018 notification under which he was removed, is still pending before the Supreme Court. There are reports of more incriminating audios or videos to be appearing soon. In case the custodians of the system continue to take no notice, this would do irreparable damage to their public standing. As observed by IhC Chief Justice Athar Minallah at the Asma Jehangir Conference, “The judicial organ cannot afford to bury its head in the sand and ignore its mistakes.” Two ways to sort out the matter have so far been suggested. The Pakistan Bar Council has asked for the formation of an independent inquiry commission to look into the leaked clip. The PBC wants a three-member Commission comprising a retired Chief Justice, a senior lawyer of great repute and a senior parliamentarian of impeccable character to inquire into recent allegations pertaining to audio and video recordings. Taking a cue from CJP Gulzar Ahmad’s address at the aforementioned Conference, former Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has suggested another way out. he calls the CJP’s remarks that “other factors won’t be relevant any more in the instant matter (appeal against his sacking), which is pending since Oct 2018” a ray of hope and a way out for judiciary to restore its image. In his application to the Supreme Court the former judge said his appeal against dismissal had now turned into a “test case to gauge the judiciary’s independence”. After allegations from within, the superior judiciary is expected to move urgently and transparently to uncover the facts followed by necessary action.
Two of the greatest military sins at Penpoint
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he passage of 72 bills during the recent joint session of Parliament did not so much mean a triumph for the government as an example of the triumph of management. But perhaps the nuts and bolts of the mechanism are becoming too obvious, as the speakers at the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore targeted not just the government, but also the military for the situation. It would be instructive at this point to examine the concept of reinforcing failure. It is both one of the great taboos within the military, and yet one of the commonest of mistakes. One reason why it occurs, and another great mistake too often made by military mind is ‘mission creep’, when a mission (for a number of reasons) has to be redefined in a way that expands its original scope. One of the reasons is failure to achieve the original mission. The solution is to redefine the mission to match available resources. It must be borne in mind that the military mind does not brook failure. Failure could mean the destruction of one’s country. Worse, it could mean the end of one’s career. Success would mean victory, perhaps one’s country achieving an aim that seemed impossible to achieve at the beginning of the campaign, promotion, honours and all the good things in life showering down on one. Therefore, if a mission leads to failure, the solution is to demand more resources, and if necessary go after underlying causes. A commander is tasked with stopping an enemy infantry advance. The only route is across a bridge. The commander may call in an airstrike. After a bombing run, the bridge is damaged but still usable. The commander trying to cross calls up anti-aircraft fire. The one trying to stop him calls in a bigger strike, and uses his artillery on the antiaircraft guns of the enemy. Note that the bridge still stands, and what was originally an infantry battle has grown, involving air, air defence and artillery elements. Wait for one side to bring in tanks. The US Army would perhaps be calling for a Navy Seal demolition team. One air strike has ballooned into other resources. Though there is no mission creep, one can see the reinforcement of failure. There is a good reason for reinforcing failure. The failed option has been chosen because it was the best possible option available, in the opinion of the commander. his accepting it is because it is approved,
Petrol pump strike Inflation does not mean pay rises if you are not powerful
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he coinciding of the end of the strike by petrol pump owners coincided with Punjab MPAs deciding that they wanted a pay raise, and the resultant moving of the necessary summary. Both petrol pump owners and MPAs pleaded the effects of inflation were hitting them hard. That does reflect that inflation is having a great effect on everyone, but it also shows that relief might already be available to groups that are already wellheeled. The average petrol pump owner does not face a choice between eating or not, nor is the average MPA deciding against medical treatment because it is unaffordable. Also, both groups are privileged. The government does not want another petrol crisis, with long lines of vehicles forming, and pumps imposing their own rationing. Similarly, the government does not want the MPAs to get so riled that they vote it out: it goes without saying that the PTI’s MPAs are as anxious as their colleagues to get their pays raised. One sign of desperation has been the perception that there has been a rise in crimes, especially those against property. This is particularly lethal, because apart from all the heads of families turning to crime because they are desperate to feed their families, young people who cannot find a job are also joining the criminal class. These are the people that are getting the message from the government that suffering because of inflation will only be redressed if one belongs to a powerful group. This is where the people might be driven towards revolt, because they have nothing to lose. People do have the option of ousting the government, if they so wish, at the next election. however, if they lose hope in this mechanism, they will have no way of dealing with misgovernance but to sweep away the entire system. Such anarchy is anathema, and that is why the Constitution provides such an elaborate power transfer mechanism. That is why tampering with that mechanism for partisan ends is such a bad idea. The consequences of people losing confidence in the electoral mechanism are horrendous, especially at this time of high inflation.
The two need each other too much for confrontation to get out of hand Nazim UddiN
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he recent plenary meeting of the Chinese Communist Party ended with the much-anticipated talk between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden. While both leaders welcomed the online summit, nothing conclusive came as a result because there was no joint statement, be it on climate change, cyberspace, or nuclear issues. This has been the first time in 10 months that both leaders engaged in direct talks since Mr. Biden came to power. Of course, Trumpian rhetoric didn’t prevail, yet beneath the façade of diplomatic gestures, the US-China relation might not see the light at the end of the tunnel. While China faces a huge number of challenges. such as the global image problem, economic crunch, demographic issues, and internal disputes, the USA doesn’t seem invincible either in the backdrop of woke-ism, the Critical Race Theory, and, yes, economic doldrums. however, what has made the two archrivals talk to each other was interdependence on critical areas. Climate change stands out among all the bilateral issues they almost agreed on —only to the level that it is an existential crisis. No sooner did the conversation on it begin, than China came up with its being a developing country and snubbed the zero-emission pledge. On his part, Joe Biden tried his best to make this issue a path to cooperation. Furthermore, the USA didn’t change its long-held policy on Taiwan, which the USA doesn’t believe to be an independent territory, at least on paper. In spite of a three-hour talk, there was nothing conclusive, to put it bluntly. Biden highlighted the human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet, and hong
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After all, when a provincial irrigation department engineer sees the callous ignorance of his political masters, he does not do anything except mutter a curse and go on working for the same salary. His example can be followed with profit
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Xi-Biden Talk Means Nothing Substantive
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openly or implicitly or explicitly, by higher command. When our hypothetical defending commander called in an air strike, it implied that his seniors agreed, or else the senior would have ordered a demolition team in, or told the commander to use available troops to carry out the demolition. Mission creep seems to have started with the military decision to ensure that defence policy was conducted properly. That implied making sure that politicians took the ‘right’ decisions. That meant that the power of taking over had to be maintained. even the existence of the Constitution did not stop takeovers. Zia and Musharraf are proof of that. however, unlike Ayub and Yahya, neither Zia nor Musharraf abrogated the Constitution. The idea seems to be to avoid falling under the mischief of Article 6. The method of Article 58 (2b) was tried, under the 8th Amendment, and then under the 17th, but after its abolition under the 18th, a hybrid system had to be tried. That in turn lets to the need for certain judicial decisions. Then there arose the need for favourable press coverage. The means of arranging them would mean more resources were needed. The ascription of the eVMs to the need of certain quarters to obtain positive results is a symbol of the cost. It not only cost the legislation, and how it was more or less forced through, but the exchequer will bear the costs of the new system, an entirely avoidable cost for a poor country. At the same time, they would illustrate how mission creep had occurred. They would also provide a textbook case of reinforcing failure. The whole exercise was supposed to remain unobtrusive. At the same time, details of interference began being made public. It has not helped that some of the attacks, especially on the press, were made arrogantly, without any real effort to hide the originator. The problem that now faces the decision makers is that their moves are no longer as secret as before. Lawyers and the press are obliged to speak out, not from any high-minded pursuit of the truth, but because of competition for the media, and the nature of
the cases that lawyers have to plead. The latest example of media competition was a report in a newspaper (not Pakistan Today) which had not carried the report about the audio-recording of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Saqib Nisar, which was a report detailing its efforts to obtain the version of the company which had verified the recording. Mr Justice Nisar has been named in two disclosures as having interfered with the judicial process, apparently treating high court judges as subordinates rather than brother judges. The media has not found it possible to sit on these reports, though it tends to be more respectful of the judiciary than any other institution, because of its power of imprisoning alleged contemnors. however, while his audios seem to be driving the situation, there are other awkward questions cropping up, because it seems that the judiciary is only serving as an accomplice, while the main instigation comes from another quarter. Questions are being asked about the role of an institution which has been used to operate without any comment being made about its operations. The problem is that it was considered responsible for national security, and thus was allowed much latitude by people. however, national security is no longer sufficient justification for a people who do not feel threatened. The perception has been created that national security is merely an excuse, which is dangerous, because it leads too many to ignore that Pakistan is a new state in a dangerous neighbourhood. The problem demands a military solution. There comes a point where the mission must be abandoned, because there is no point in reinforcing failure. The problem is that there is a military ethos which sees this as defeat. The military ethos is supposed to prefer death to defeat, but history is replete with examples of surrenders, which imply defeat. A wise commander might prefer to surrender, because history is also replat with defeated forces which lived on to fight again. The best course open is for someone to realize that the game is up, that the time to maintain secrecy is over. The temptation will be to continue without secrecy, but that is like carrying out a ground attack without local air superiority. It will be best to give up the project of keeping the option of a takeover open, and leave the people of Pakistan to decide their own fate. After all, when a provincial irrigation department engineer sees the callous ignorance of his political masters, he does not do anything except mutter a curse and go on working for the same salary. his example can be followed with profit.
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Kong, while Xi compared US support of Taiwan with “playing with fire”. The USA doesn’t have any coherent policy on China except unnecessary babbles on Taiwan and Xinjiang. After the talk ended, Biden called Taiwan “independent.” In a sense, the USA seems to shift the rhetoric based on its need. Trade, which has been the bone of contention between them, came in discussion only occasionally — far from agreeing on anything. The Chinese term the recent inflation in the US a consequence of the USChina trade war, but the trade war had started three years ago. even though there is some truth to that argument, the USA is in no mood to give any relaxation, which the Chinese regime desperately needs. The tone of the meeting depicts the inevitability of confrontation between the two powers on many fronts. Although they outright rejected any comparison to the Cold War for the complexity of the technological world, the writing on the wall tells another story. There is no doubt the USA and China are deeply immersed, not to mention the globalized structure of today’s world. The real issue is that such a world seems more prone to conflict than the previous one. For almost two years Xi hasn’t left China. This decision came as a result of covid-19 and lately the restructuring of the Chinese economy focusing on domestic stability. Despite being the highest contributor to climate change, Xi skipped the COP26 meeting at Glasgow the previous month, which ended in nothing conclusive. much like the meeting between the two leaders. Given that the Beijing Olympics 2022 is around the corner, it seems Mr. Xi will not leave the country for a couple of months. To give the talk a good cover, both leaders sugarcoated their words and promised to continue their work without resorting to mutual harm. On the one hand, Biden stressed peaceful competition; on the other, Xi highlighted the win-win mantra. however,
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neither of them seems probable in view of the US arms supply to Taiwan this week. Both the USA and China need to understand that it takes less time to go from heated arguments to an all-out war when there is no goodwill. Against the backdrop of existential threats, it will be a pure disaster for the world to engage in any form of confrontation. historian Yuval Noah harari terms climate change, nuclear and artificial intelligence to be enough to obliterate the very existence of human beings. Put to it the breathtaking inequality prevailing across the globe. Against an ocean of people, there are a few billionaires who possess much of the wealth. elon Musk, for example, owns more wealth than Pakistan’s entire GDP. The recent talk between the world’s leaders has to be the beginning of an era for much-needed problems at hand. Both leaders should meet in person after they sort out their differences. The US must fathom that neither China is the USSR nor can today’s complex world be compared with the Cold War era. For a number of global challenges, the US needs China on its side, otherwise, all the solutions will be written on water. In the meanwhile, China should also realize that it owes a lot of its progress to the US-based global order. China had been consistently propped up by the USA since it liberalized its economy in 1978 under Deng. China has to be open about its unfair trade deals, human rights violations, and allegedly intellectual property theft. Pakistan is an all-weather friend of China and must not forget that the USA still rules the roost. Getting the ire of the latter may not serve the national interest of Pakistan. Unfortunately, since the Biden Administration assumed office, Pakistan has been snubbed. Jumping on the rhetoric of strategic depth and overly supporting the Taliban invasion, the current hybrid regime lost its entire links with the USA. The writer is a freelance columnist
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06-07 Comments - 26th November 2021_Layout 1 11/25/2021 11:02 PM Page 2
Friday, 26 November, 2021
COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively
Wake up, Media!
Plutocratic democracy grows into a kleptocratic hydra Whither Pakistan?
askari raza malik
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YOUNG officer had once asked the horsekeeper as to how he could handle each and every horse with the same ease. The old man answered, “Sir, Saice ilm darya ae”, (The subject of horse keeping is as vast as a river). The old man had conveyed the message. Respect the expertise or face the buck. All media gurus recognize the truth. For perception building they heavily lean on the professionals. The Peshawar Army Public School tragedy of 2014 hit the nation like a bolt from the blue. The nation mourned. Pakistanis all over the world were in deep shock, an unrelenting grief. Like many military families the grandsons of a very dear friend were also among the victims, a shaheed and the other seriously wounded. The army acted promptly, not only in meeting the crisis as within minutes was the brigade commander himself the first senior officer to enter the school while the attack was on its frantic peak. The unit commander responsible for the security, a lieutenant colonel and others held directly responsible were immediately sacked and dismissed from service, a harsh punishment accompanied with forfeiture of all the benefits earned. The matter did not end there. A newspaper on 11 November 2020 in its ‘top story’ said, “The Judicial Commission, established by then Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar in October 2018, which concluded its findings on 30 June 2020, lauded Pakistan Army both for uprooting terrorism from the country post-APS tragedy and unflinching support to the families. The report further added that all the perpetrators of the attack including the masterminds were killed and six sentenced to death by the military courts; five executed while the sixth had filed a petition with the Supreme Court,” (that still hangs fire). The families of the shuhada and wounded students were given Rs 1207.3 and Rs 337.3 million respectively. The bulk, over Rs 700 million, came from the Pakistan Army. The Federal, KP,
Punjab governments and Peshawar Corps headquarters also made worthwhile contributions. The Supreme Court then wrapped up the APS case in January 2019. And then suddenly on 20 October 2021, the Supreme Court of Pakistan hit the headlines again for taking a suo moto notice of the Peshawar School tragedy, reopening the halfhealed wounds. The opening remarks of the honorable court blasted the intelligence agencies, ridiculed the punishment awarded to only a few lowly placed innocents and reminded the military of the natural repercussions of the anti-terrorists’ operations. The court also immediately summoned the PM to establish its supreme writ. The PM promptly obliged. Our top intelligence agency, by comparison poor in resources, is considered one of the best in the world. Our military has distinguished itself in its remarkable successes against the terrorists. It is also ranked among the best in the world. The honourable court’s sweeping remarks about these old and established institutions would at best amuse a professional as my verdict on Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s case would evoke laughter in legal circles. This piece was prompted by the sad reaction of a father of a shaheed of Army Public School. his second son had narrowly escaped the carnage. his video, gone viral on social media, was full of pathos, heart-rending and pitiful. An impression that a tragedy of such heinous proportions was being used as an instrument of political score-settling was even more distressing. The motives for the second suo motu notice of the apex court in a mere two years’ time were otherwise unfathomable. he was exuberant in the praise of the military. Its entire hierarchy, including the then COAS, Gen Raheel Sharif, had earnestly joined the families in mourning. he pleaded with the honorable court to leave out the victims of this grave national tragedy from interinstitutional prejudices. The judicial outburst, whatever the motive, was unwarranted. It has caused large-scale resentment among the parents of the APS children, the retired and serving military personnel. The serving suffered quietly; the retirees were provoked beyond limits. Over 10,000 casualties suffered, thousands lamed and incapacitated,
coffins reaching far flung areas of Pakistan, the pride of the parents of the young blooming sons sacrificed for the country, all sent down the drain by one casual outpouring of the honorable court. The court apparently gained nothing, not even momentary applause for its impulsive populism. It, however, must have pleased tremendously the hardcore enemies of Pakistan and their slaves among us. In the ongoing hybrid warfare, the honorable court, the most prestigious institution in the country seemed to be unwittingly supporting the enemies’ vicious narrative to create a gulf between the people of Pakistan and their beloved military. Pakistan appears to be a rudderless ship. every institution is on its own, individual trumpeters blaring without a symphony. Anyone can cross the limits and get away with it. The criminals rule the roost. Corruption rages everywhere. The military and the judiciary are no exceptions. The civil administration and the police take the cake. The unscrupulous and squabbling politicians are engrossed in selfaggrandizement. The slavish sycophants shamelessly defend their mafia chiefs. Politics has become the most profitable profession. Dynasties have emerged and are proclaimed remorselessly in a supposedly democratic dispensation. Plutocratic democracy has grown into a kleptocratic hydra. Arrogance precludes introspection and self-correction. Overinflated ego reigns supreme. The institutions behave holy and infallible. The story of the politicians is too familiar to need recapitulation. The military’s record is not uncheckered. The judiciary also has nothing to write home about. From Chief Justice Munir, the first unethical ruler worshipper, to Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, the politicianjustice, the judiciary has done little to be proud of in supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan with no intent ever of reforming a system of justice that has been an abject failure. hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens are running from pillar to post in search of justice that remains illusionary. One is at a complete loss, whither Pakistan?
The story of the politicians is too familiar to need recapitulation. The military’s record is not uncheckered. The judiciary also has nothing to write home about. From Chief Justice Munir, the first unethical ruler worshipper, to Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, the politician-justice, the judiciary has done little to be proud of in supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan with no intent ever of reforming a system of justice that has been an abject failure. Hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens are running from pillar to post in search of justice that remains illusionary
The writer retired from the Pakistan Army as a Major General
WhAT sort of content is on air these days? Does broadcast media really illustrate our Pakistani culture? What can be the future of such generation which get grow to catch a glimpse of such programs on television which unearth the tale of hate, love affairs and all about indecency in the shape of films, dramas and shows? Who can deny the enduring vulgarity through programs and shows on television and social media let it be a religious, political, social or economic talk? Indeed, these all things portray the impression and existing crises of a country. Is love an existing matter of our nation? What can be expected from such a mentality? At least, this is outrageous to predict that it will transform the destiny of the nation. Noam Chomsky, a renowned American linguist, says “he who controls the media, controls the minds of the public.” Obviously, media has direct influence over human behaviour and recreations. Moreover, the scenario of today is entirely changed from yesterday. Today, the writers and drama producers are cementing altogether juvenile concepts of love in young minds. hence, such generation can’t conduct better practically because they too get prey to what they have inspected throughout on media. Who can neglect the Western and Netflix series expressing the portray of history, advanced business, scientific development, future of the world, culture and above all, novel technologies? The difference is cleared through glancing at their and our overall scientific, educational, technological, and economic development. Indeed, we are far behind. The Pakistani drama industry used to be one of the best in the nineties. No doubt, the writers and producers have yet tremendous excellence, but the chosen subjects are not the favorite. Obviously, there is the greatest controversy of subjects or motives between Western and our serials. At times like these, when people are touring to space and planning for migration to Mars, on one hand, Pakistani media is yet educating through drama serials about love affairs on another hand. Notice the difference. The media is overall about to expose the current issues and developments, let it be social, regional, international, educational, economic, religious, political, cultural, scientific or technological. The media is an inspirational door to make the psyche better. The media industry creates a tremendous consequence on the young generation. however, young offspring is the backbone of a country. Accordingly, when young Pakistani age falls in devilish standards, so what fate of nation should be imagined. It is high time to recognize the purpose and responsible function of a media and act accordingly. It all relies upon the variety of subject produced by it. Pakistan is encountering plenty of challenges and they need to be picturized to boost awareness among the masses. In the current information age, television plays a meaningful part. Indeed, it is alas to proclaim that Pakistani serials are far behind as Pakistan is a so-called banana republic. Albeit, it can be aimed that the novel transformation into our serials and shows can influence a heap into the society to bring a modification and prosperity once again. As it has encouraged evolution in the west. The entertainment industry needs to produce serials or films on modern and ethical motives. It is high time that writers, characters and directors must perform their skills and excellency in a reasonable way. The government must take action against the concerned authorities which produce immoral and disgusting presentations on outrageous and nasty content. ABDUL QADIR MORIO, LARkAnA
Neglected potential of minerals I am writing this letter to point out that like tourism, the minerals sector is another potential area that has not been explored so far in the country. Mineral resources of a country, if properly utilized and put to productive use, can play a vital role to stimulate economic growth. The US Mineral and Mining industry supports more than a million jobs. Pakistan, too, has vast mineral resources and if properly explored and exploited can have a very positive contribution to the national economy. Large deposits of Iron ore occur in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KPK. Based on these deposits mini steel mills can be set up in all provinces. high-quality magnesite used for making special refractories is available at KPK and Balochistan. Quality bricks both magnesite and chrome magnesite which is very costly and presently imported can be produced within the country. Pakistan has very large deposits of coals at Thar and sonda in Sindh, or range and degari in Balochistan. Coal apart from power generation can be used for coal gasification. Coal gas can replace to some extent natural gas and can also be utilized for domestic and industrial/ commercial use. We have large deposits of high-quality barite in Balochistan, which can be used for the production of barium sulphate, barium carbonate and barium sulphide. Similarly, limestone and clays are also abundantly available in Pakistan, which can help set up cement factories from Karachi to Peshawar anywhere in Pakistan. Silica sand and quartz are available in Mianwali and Gigot, which are the basic raw materials for the production of solar cells and chips. Gypsum is available in large quantities at Daira Ghazi Khan and Adour Khail. Therefore, Gypsum plaster, Gypsum board, Gypsum blocks and Gypsum fertilizers can be produced locally. everybody knows that deposits of copper and gold are located in Reko Diq Balochistan. Tons of copper and gold can be produced annually if properly developed. All that we need is a strong will, hard work and proper planning. Mr Asad Umer and PM Imran Khan should take note of the mineral sources to get these utilized in the industrial development of the country. For this purpose, they should revive the mineral development organizations like GSP, PCSIR and PMDC by allocating adequate amounts of funds to accelerate the development of industrial minerals. QAZI ABDUL WAHEED, kARAcHI
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08 WORLD VIEW
IRan and The US: a new deal? THE IDEA THAT AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS MADE CLEAR ITS DESIRE TO LEAVE MIDDLE EASTERN CONFLICTS BEHIND WILL SEEK TO PUT IRAN BACK IN ITS BOX IS FANTASY
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Sir JoHN JENKiNS
N europe and the US, there used to be a tradition of pragmatic and often harshly realist statecraft. It went back at least as far as the 5th century B.C. Greek historian Thucydides, whose influential history of the war between Athens and Sparta was essentially an account of the coercive exercise of hard power: The strong do what they want and the weak suffer what they must. his purpose was to dispel any illusion that the world is a benign place. In late 15th and early 16th-century Florence, Niccolo Machiavelli, schooled in the murderous politics of the Italian city-states, wrote what would become the manual for all who wanted to prosper, succeed or simply stay alive in an age of mutual suspicion and endemic violence — “Il Principe” (The Prince). A century-and-a-half later, the englishman Thomas hobbes described in his masterpiece, “Leviathan,” the ways in which only a powerful central political authority can underpin the legal order that in turn guarantees the security necessary for any successful society or community of nations. All these writers were moralists. But none of them harbored any illusions about human nature or the exercise of power. They had lived through too many civil wars and savage international conflicts. They individually valued peace, harmony and brotherly love. But they knew from hard experience that neither hope nor wishful thinking were enough. In different ways, their disciples included Oliver Cromwell, Frederick the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Lord Palmerston, Otto von Bismarck, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. eisenhower and Winston Churchill. A few days ago, at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Robert Malley, the US special envoy for Iran who is leading the Biden administration’s efforts to renegotiate a successor to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018, reportedly remarked that many of the dysfunctions of the region were down to Iran’s exclusion from regional security and political structures. This echoes remarks made by officials of the Obama administration, in which Malley also served, about the need to accommodate Iran, to persuade Saudi Arabia to “learn to share the region” with Tehran and come to some sort of agreement over Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. When coercive power had a legitimate role, the Obama administration refused to use it — most notoriously over Syria in 2014. And the position that Malley and others from the Barack Obama years (many of whom are also back in senior policy positions) have described is reflected back to them by some significant figures in the wider policy community. Just read the many reports on Iran issued by, for example, the International Crisis Group, which Malley ran before rejoining government, or the european Council on Foreign Relations, which never misses an opportunity to suggest that being nicer to everyone — how-
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he proposed legislation to ban private cryptocurrencies in the country, as expected, has led to panic selling by individual holders, but the draft Bill needs to be welcomed, with the hope that it delivers on the promise of ensuring strict regulation and bringing clarity to the investors. More so in the light of the craze and frenzy, especially among young Indians, to not miss out on what is being portrayed as an opportunity to make money overnight on digital invest-
ever beastly they might be to you — is a workable policy. You see this too in the talking points regularly trotted out by the Iran lobby in Washington. This all illustrates one of the central mysteries of the contemporary world: how the US and its allies, who constructed a highly successful global order after 1945 based on the judicious but determined use of hard power against their enemies and incentives for their friends, turned into a collective pussycat sometime around 2004. I say 2004, but you could see hints of what was to come in the 1990s, with the ultimate failure of the Oslo process, the debacle in Somalia and the initial reluctance of the US — and complete inability of the eU — to apply compulsion to warring communities in the Balkans. China, of course, is the biggest single challenge now facing not just the West but anyone who has benefited from the long postwar Pax Americana. But Iran has, in many ways, been the canary in the coal mine, the test case, the laboratory in which the gold of policy realism has been transmuted into the base metal of accommodationism. The JCPOA was a highly imperfect agreement. It essentially bought time — about 15 years in total, though with different timelines for different elements — for us to see whether Iran would change its mind about the value of nuclear weapons development (and whatever Tehran and its apologists might say, this was undoubtedly its goal). But time is a currency Iran loves to spend. It has unlimited supplies of it. We do not. And yet there was little thought given to what we would collectively do if Iran tried to use time to its advantage. And there was no way for us to judge whether Iran, which had been consistent about its ambitions for decades, would suddenly or even gradually experience its own conversion to the benefits of accommodation. everything told us this was wishful thinking. Once the JCPOA was signed, Iran simply doubled down on its support for the houthis in Yemen, hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, and the Iran-aligned Al-hashd Al-Sha’abi militias in Iraq. It continued to work on improved guidance systems for its ballistic missiles and exported them to Iraq and Lebanon. It further developed its already sophisticated cyber and drone capabilities. It has attacked vessels in international waters. And the regime continues to repress its own people when they dare to show signs of wanting a different future to the one the supreme leader has decided is their lot. The only thing that changed when Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA was that Iran resumed (and boasted about) some of the nuclear program activities it was doubtless anyway saving up for a later date: Renewed enrichment of uranium well beyond the JCPOA limits, development of parts for advanced centrifuges, and possibly new plant construction. It also hampered any IAeA inspections by disabling cameras and denying legitimate access requests. This was at least partly designed to crank up the pressure on the incoming Biden administration. And it seems to have worked. Despite continued Iranian obstructionism at the six rounds of talks so far in Vienna — with a seventh due to start on Nov. 29 — a new hard-line negotiating team and outlandish conditions (including the immediate unfreezing of assets, upfront sanctions relief and an undeliverable commitment to bind future US administrations), the US still seems disinclined to play hardball. It is true that American officials — including Malley — say there is a Plan B. And Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his audience in Manama that the US remained strongly committed to the region. But what does this actually mean? The issue is not troop numbers. It is political will. And there is no sign that this exists, except in some realm of theory. The idea that an administration that has made clear its desire to leave Middle eastern conflicts behind will seek to put Iran back in its box is fantasy. And Tehran knows this.
That is why, despite the economic catastrophes that Tehran’s mismanagement and ideological idiocy have caused — with mass emigration, real incomes in Iran down by about 30 percent and increasing numbers of previously prosperous people across the Iranian sphere of influence living on less than $10 a day — it will not back down. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his praetorian allies in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps value hard power. They extend and wield this power through the spider’s web of militias, loyalists, crony businesses and ideologically fueled social institutions across the region, from Sanaa to Sidon and Baghdad to Beirut. They loot, smuggle and corrupt, as they always have. Despite numerous ceasefire offers, protracted UN mediation, international conferences, peace overtures and massive troop losses, the houthis show no signs of slackening in their assault on Marib. And they continue to launch missiles at sites within Saudi Arabia. The worst hashd militias in Iraq, which lost stunningly in the most recent elections, have contested the results on completely spurious grounds, issuing bloodcurdling threats of what will happen if they are ignored. And they have just illustrated their intent by trying to assassinate the current prime minister — escaping scot-free, yet again. Others have attacked US positions inside Iraq and Syria with impunity. The universe tends toward entropy. So does the world. After 1945, the maintainer of order was the US. Apparently no longer. The eU postures but cannot control its own borders. A new age of disorder is upon us. So it is hardly any wonder if some of the states of the Middle east and North Africa have decided to take steps to protect themselves. Saudi Arabia and the UAe have also sought to test Iranian willingness to compromise. That is sensible. But Iran shows little sign of seriousness. So it would be wise for anyone who feels threatened by Iran (a long list) to continue to strengthen their own societal stability, security capability, external posture and support networks. It is only strength that matters in this game. The wild card in all this, of course, is Israel. While Biden administration officials may say they are prepared to get tough with Tehran, it is probably only Israel that actually means it. Tel Aviv has, for the last decade, sought to keep Iran at bay through attritional strikes on Iranian assets inside Syria and Lebanon, and intelligence-led operations inside Iran itself. That has helped — as the Israelis themselves put it — “mow the grass.” But the grass keeps growing, even when you mow it. The recent demonstrations against the regime in Isfahan show once again that a majority of Iranians probably want their country to take a different direction. But the regime’s response again shows that it will not tolerate a threat to the privileged position of the revolutionary elite. The Vienna negotiations are, in all honesty, evidence not of international resolve but of the lack of a serious policy designed to address the reality of Iran as a serial destabilizer of others and a state whose idea of regional balance is hegemony. I don’t believe that the US (or the eU) has a Plan B. I believe Israel has one: But I don’t think it is the answer. hard and sustained containment and deterrence has always been the only way forward. Washington would be much better off seeking to construct a regional system on this basis, rather than waiting for Khamenei to weaken. Is the Biden administration up to it? We are about to find out. Sir John Jenkins is a senior fellow at Policy Exchange. Until December 2017, he was corresponding director (Middle East) at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, based in Manama, Bahrain, and was a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. He was the British ambassador to Saudi Arabia until January 2015.
Religious freedom bill is the latest front in the culture wars “THE PROTECTION OF WHAT WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN A FREE SOCIETY IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR FREEDOM. IN A LIBERAL DEMOCRACY, IT IS LIKE OXYGEN” Sydney Morning Herald
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he practical effect of the religious freedom bill which Prime Minister Scott Morrison presented to Parliament on Thursday remains unclear but its symbolic power in Australia’s culture wars is undeniable. For religious conservatives who have lost a number of historic recent battles against progressives on social policy, it promises to turn the tide that has been flowing against them recently. After it was overwhelmingly supported in a popular vote, the Federal Parliament passed same-sex marriage in 2017. After lagging other states, NSW legalised abortion last year and the Parliament is now debating a bill on assisted dying. In this climate religious groups feel their views are being ignored. Presenting the bill, Mr Morrison three times referred to “cancel culture” which he says is driving people of faith from the public sphere. “Many people from various religious traditions are concerned about the lack of religious protection against the prevalence of cancel culture in Australian life.” The herald agrees with Mr Morrison that it is important to engage in civil debate and that discrimination on religious grounds is abhorrent. People of faith deserve the same respect as the 30 per cent of Australians with no religious beliefs. As Mr Morrison said, “The protection of what we choose to believe in a free society is essential to our freedom. In a liberal democracy, it is like oxygen.” Yet, Mr Morrison fails to establish that religious discrimination is a significant problem here in Australia. By and large Australia already does guarantee freedom of religion. The constitution specifically bans imposing a state religion. Just ask any of the refugees from countries where real religious bigotry is rife if Australia is a free country. The bill is largely a solution looking for a problem. Where it will make some difference is in cases where religious groups want more rights to breach anti-discrimination laws, especially in relation to LGBTQI people. This is a difficult issue because the idea of giving a green light to discrimination justified on religious grounds terrifies LGBTQI people who remember that until only a few decades ago their very existence was illegal. The draft bill Mr Morrison presented tries to please both sides but will likely end up pleasing neither. For example, while the bill offers some protection against discrimination for making genuine statements of religious belief, employers have convinced the government to exempt cases involving workplace policies, including social media policies. They argued that if employees were free to make inflammatory statements based on religion it could damage their public image and cause discord in the workplace. In other words, the draft bill would probably not stop Rugby Australia from sacking a player who wanted to repeat Israel Folau’s homophobic tweets, even though allowing Folau to speak his mind was the cause celebre that launched the religious freedom movement. The bill also fails to bring any clarity to the question of when or if religious schools can discriminate against LGBTQI teachers and students. It is inconceivable that discrimination on the basis of sexuality could be permitted under Australian law today. A group of at least seven Coalition MPs, including the member for Wentworth Dave Sharma, wants the legislation amended to protect LGBTQI students who are pressured or even expelled from religious schools. The one certainty is that if the bill passes it will result in a lot of litigation by religious groups, LGBTQI groups and perhaps even atheists to test the limits. The herald is sceptical that it will be an improvement from the current situation. Moreover, conservatives will be disappointed if they think this can turn the tide in the culture wars. They will still have to compete on equal terms in the battle of ideas which they seem to have been losing in recent years.
Cryptocurrency law STRICT REGULATION, INVESTMENT CLARITY NEED OF THE HOUR ments. There has been criticism over the delayed government response to come up with a regulatory framework, but the Centre’s strategy to not rush in and instead factor in the views of a broad spectrum of domain experts could well be the right strategy, considering how the issue at hand has spooked
governments the world over. The coming days could see animated debates and discussions on the definition of ‘private cryptocurrencies’, what will not be allowed, the exceptions, the technological loopholes in the new regulations. At the core of the entire exercise would be the serious
Editorial
concerns that cryptocurrencies pose. Not only to macroeconomic and financial stability, as the RBI Governor has been stressing, or becoming conduits for illegal activity, but also the pitfalls of being lured into an investment trap that has few or no openings. A gamble, in other words, that can go horribly
wrong, with no recourse. A complete ban looks unlikely considering the impracticality. An e-activity that has huge global appeal needs better handling than outright rejection, which will only encourage clandestine indulgence. As the framework for creation of a central bank digital currency takes shape, there is a clamour for recognising cryptos as an asset class with tight regulation. Where the capital gains of investors are taxed, there is a code of conduct, transparency and misleading advertising has no place. It is still uncharted territory, but marks a decisive step forward by the government.
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
NEWS
corporate corner Engro Foundation partners with Ministry of Climate, WWF to implement forest restoration, carbon offset programme kARAcHI: Engro Foundation, the social investment arm of Engro Corporation, has signed a Letter of Understanding with the Ministry of Climate Change and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to develop a forest restoration and carbon offset program, in line with the Group’s sustainability agenda. The partners will work alongside government stakeholders and respective provincial forest departments to offset a portion of Engro’s greenhouse gas emissions. The forest restoration and carbon offset program will be implemented over a 10-year period with an estimated cost of approximately PKR 600 million, with the goal of planting and protecting 50,000 acres of forest area across Pakistan. As global partners, WWF will provide technical expertise for implementation of the program. Speaking on the occasion, Ghias Khan – President & CEO of Engro Corporation and Trustee of Engro Foundation, said that, “Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change and we must take immediate actions to address the adverse effects of global warming. The Government’s initiatives to prioritize the sustainability agenda are commendable and Engro stands committed to play its part to reduce greenhouse emissions and protect forest area. As we manage the transition to sustainability at Engro, we are working aggressively towards developing our net zero ambitions and promoting renewable energy across all business verticals.” Pr
Shield Corporation Ltd. signs MOU with UNAP kARAcHI: Shield Corporation Limited, a leading player in baby care, oral care and diapers, signed an MoU with United Nations Association of Pakistan on World Children’s Day to collaborate for an event that will inculcate creativity in children through an art competition where children can let their imagination create a lasting impact. Shield is the proud sponsor of this event whereas UNAP will be implementing and executing the programme online. World Children Day Art Competition, an initiative by UNAP has been designed to develop creative and critical thinking abilities in children of Pakistan. This competition will open up to children of age 06 to 16 years, across Pakistan and will be conducted virtually. Participants will register themselves on www.una.org.pk/ShieldAajSchoolKalDunya by December 31. This year’s theme will be ‘Aaj School Kal Dunya’ around which the participants will be making their artworks and sharing them. Top participants work will be featured on Shield and UNAP’s social media accounts whereas, all applicants will be receiving an e-certificate of participation. Pr
Monitoring plays an important role in preventing accidents, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan IESCO chief ISLAMABAD: The use of state-of-the-art technology, quality training and courses in the power distribution company is an important need of the 21 st Century, which benefits not only the employees working in the companies but also the consumers directly. These views were expressed by Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan while distributing certificates to drivers, LS, linemen and assistant linemen who completed bucket training at IESCO Regional Training Center Islamabad. The IESCO chief said that as head of IESCO his priority is to protect IESCO staff from accidents while working on line and for this purpose for the first time in IESCO history more than 60 state-of-the-art bucket cranes were procured and handed over to field offices. The chief said that if the employee of the company is happy then he will provide better services to the customers and if the customer is satisfied with the performance of the company then it is a certificate of success of the company. The IESCO Chief said that his mission is to make IESCO a truly customer friendly and accident free company. Chief Engineer Mian Dilawar Shah and Sardar Liaqat President IESCO Engineering Association also addressed the function. At the end of the ceremony, certificates were issued to the employees who achieved prominent positions during the training. Pr
Group CEO VEON Visits PTA ISLAMABAD: The Group CEO VEON, Mr. Kaan Terzioğlu visited Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters in Islamabad today. He met with Chairman PTA, Maj General Amir Azeem Bajwa (R). Member Finance, Mr. Muhammad Naveed; Member Compliance & Enforcement, Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar and CEO Jazz, Mr. Aamir Ibrahim were also present in the meeting. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the future plans of Jazz for enhancing connectivity & bridging the digital gender divide and improving digital infrastructure. There was an agreement on mutual collaboration for furthering the Digital Pakistan vision and for advancements in telecommunications for the socio-economic benefit of Pakistan. Pr
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DUbAI’S TOP REALTORS SET TO ENTER PAKISTANI MARKET ISLAMABAD
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multi-billion rupees investment agreement has been signed for Pakistan’s real estate sector as Dubai-based Samana Developers, one of the top 20 real estate developers in the UAE and a subsidiary of diversified Samana Group, has signed a key partnership with H&S Real Estate, a Dubai-based top performing real estate brokerage agency. This decision was announced by senior officials of both the business giants at a joint press conference held in Dubai on Thursday. The partnership has launched Emirates Developers, a new real estate development company incorporated in Pakistan. Emirates Developers will build mixed-used resort-themed communities in the tourist hotspots of Pakistan. The agreement signing ceremony was witnessed by His Excellency Hassan Afzal Khan, Consul-General of Pakistan to Dubai, along with officials of the Consulate General of Pakistan, Samana Developers and H&S Real Estate. His Excellency Hassan Afzal Khan, Pakistan Consul-General to Dubai, while appreciating the strategic partnership, said: “It is a proud moment for all of us and for the Pakistani community in Dubai that we are witnessing a double success story of Samana Developers and H&S Real Estate going to be replicated in Pakistan. I believe that the two well reputed real estate companies with their vision are going to create a new milestone in the real estate sector of Pakistan and attract much-needed investment to our home-
land. I, on behalf of my colleagues in Pakistan mission in the UAE, share our best wishes to the success of Samana Developers, H&S Real Estate and the new venture Emirates Developers.” Multi-award-winning and ranked amongst Top 50 Real Estate Companies in the Middle East, Samana Developers, is among top 20 real estate developers in the UAE. Throughout 2021 it was ranked number 16th in terms of the number of units sold out in a set timeframe. The ranking reflects the success of Samana Developers and its CEO Imran Farooq’s business strategy which focuses the end-user. For 2022, Samana Developers is looking at increased market share and expecting 35% more sales revenue projection in the UAE. Mr. Imran Farooq, CEO of Samana Developers, said: “We are coming to Pakistan with high ambitions and bullish mindset. Despite the drop in currency, Pakistan’s real estate market is quite attractive with year-on-year growth projection as we see Pakistan’s
population, which needs housing, continues to grow. “We are not only developing another brick-and-mortar project but a lifestyle development with state-ofthe-art amenities at par with the international standards, which we have achieved in Dubai. I believe today’s developers need to think outside the box to fill the gap between innovation, lifestyle and construction. That’s what we practiced in Dubai with Samana Developers. It gives a solid reason to buyers and end-users to invest in our projects. Our end-user business model has helped to be resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, we kept on building, and did not stop which continued the workflow, hence, cash flow from buyers to vendors.” He added: “We had a choice of choosing a plot for single building but that would not be a lifestyle. That is the reason we picked up a cluster of large plots to create a community with facil-
PC Board discusses HEC, PRCL and GoP Properties Federal Minister for Privatisation Mohammedmian Soomro chaired Privatisation Commission Board meeting today in Islamabad. Federal Secretary Privatisation, Board members and senior officials of the Ministry attended the meeting. In the meeting, matters related to the sale of remaining Federal government properties, reference price approval of Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC), other transactions including SME Bank, divestment of GoP shares in Pak Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL) were discussed. The recommendations of the privatisation board were also solicited for recommending a reference price for Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC). Representative from the Ministry of Industries and financial advisors were also present. The board considered reserve price computation under discounted cash flow (DCF), Market Multiple and Adjusted Net Asset Book Value (NAV) modes, allowed under Privatisation Commission (Valuation of Property) Rules 2007. Board recom-
mended the Discounted Cash Flow method and the same would be sent to CCoP for decision(s). The Privatisation Board was briefed about the hiring of Financial Advisors (FAC) for the sale of remaining 17 properties owned by the Federal Government. The board unanimously approved the hiring of FAC. Regarding the divestment of 20% shares of Pak Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL) the Board was apprised that papers of Offer for Sale Document (OFSD)are being obtained from the management of PRCL to approach SECP for seeking permission. Once these actions are completed the opinion of CCoP will be solicited for the determination of share price to proceed for divestment. Federal Minister, Mohammedmian Soomro stressed that the timeline for the ongoing transactions shall be strictly followed and issues emanating during the process shall be taken up with relevant Ministries/Divisions on priority basis. news desk
Chairman STZA calls on KP chief minister PESHAWAR: The Chief Minister of KPK province, Mr. Mahmood Khan, was called on by Mr. Amer Hashmi, the Chairman of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in Peshawar. During the meeting, the Minister for S&T, IT, and Food, Mr. Atif Khan was also present. The meeting took place as a follow-up to the Digital Youth Summit which was recently held in Peshawar. A comprehensive strategy for the development of four Special Technology Zones (STZs) in KPK province was discussed, namely in Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, and Haripur. These STZs are envisioned to create opportunities for the technology industry, to create jobs for the youth, human capital development, and to create and support the technology and knowledge ecosystems in the province. To implement this strategic plan, the Government of KPK will form a Joint Working Group (JWG) with the Special Technology Zones Authority - STZA. Under the JWG, regular meetings will be conducted, for ongoing cooperation on the development of the STZs in KPK and to explore other areas of cooperation. The Chief Minister of KPK greatly appreciated this initiative and pledged his government’s resolute support for the development of the technology industry in the province through the STZs. Chairman Amer Hashmi also appreciated the Government of KPK for their visionary approach towards the establishment of technology clusters and STZs in the province, which he believes will boost socio-economic development in the KPK province. Pr
ities and amenities required for a good lifestyle. Anything one needs in a fivestar hotel, will be available in the premium Emirates Developers projects at prime locations in Pakistan.” Mr. Emad Haq, Vice-Chairman, and H&S Real Estate, said: “We believe it is a perfect synergy of two property experts with international experience – Emirates Developers and H&S Real Estate – who will present a living experience in Pakistan which will be unmatched. With group’s 50 plus years of combined experience in residential and commercial luxury real estate development, Emirates Resort project will be a jewel in the heart of beautifully landscaped Islamabad in close proximity to Murree, the lush green resort town in Pakistan.” Emirates Developers will build a series of projects in Pakistan. Projects will develop a lifestyle with high-end luxury resort-themed apartments and fully-serviced. Residential projects will include one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, penthouses and suites of different size. Amenities will include round-the-clock concierge service, ambulance service, limo, chef-on-demand, nanny-on-demand, driver-on-demand, fine-dining, rooftop restaurants, basketball, volleyball, squash courts, gyms, jogging tracks, skate park, yoga studios, swimming pools, parks, rock climbing, kids play areas, access control system and roundthe-clock security. Emirates Developers will launch first mega project at a tourist hotspot of Pakistan in January 2022. Details of the projects will be revealed at a press conference to be held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
Ehsaas Rashan 30 City Tour: Sania creates awareness on Ehsaas Rashan Riayat Registration LAHORE: Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM visited Lahore today to create awareness on Ehsaas Rashan Riayat registration. The visit was part of Ehsaas Rashan 30 City Tour. 25 cities have been covered, so far. Making an appeal to enroll more and more deserving families and Kiryana shopkeepers for Ehsaas Rashan, Dr. Sania sat with local media and Parliamentarians of Punjab in Lahore. She was also joined by Arif Usmani, President, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari, Minister for Social Welfare and Bait ul Maal Punjab, senior officials of NBP and Ehsaas. While in Lahore, Dr. Sania also called on Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar. The meeting discussed federal-provincial collaborations under Ehsaas Rashan Riayat. Government of Punjab is fully participating in the Ehsaas Rashan Riayat programme. Governments of KP, GB and AJK are also participating. Under the federalprovincial cost sharing arrangement, the budget of the Rashan programme for the next six months is Rs. 120 billion in this fiscal year. The federal government and all participating federating units are contributing financial resources in the ratio of 35/65. Dr. Sania convened a press conference on Ehsaas Rashan Riayat in Lahore at 90, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Special Initiatives, Hasaan Khawar; Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ulMaal Punjab, Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari; and President NBP, Arif Usmani were also present. Speaking to media in the press conference, “Dr. Sania explained that families with monthly income less than Rs. 50,000 can register through 8171 service. Only one member from each family whose cell phone SIM is issued on his own CNIC can register his/her family by sending CNIC number to 8171. However, Kiryana shopkeepers can merely register through the web-portal: https://ehsaasrashan.pass.gov.pk/.” Followed by the press conference, Dr. Sania held a briefing with the Provincial Ministers and Parliamentarians of Punjab. Interacting with Parliamentarians, she highlighted that it is mandatory for both families and Kiryana shopkeepers to have mobile SIMs issued on their own CNICs to register for the programme. Kiryana shopkeepers also need to have their bank accounts with NBP. Guiding media and Provincial Parliamentarians, Dr. Sania also showed an instructional video on the Ehsaas Rashan featuring details of the programme registration and execution. A subsidy of Rs. 1,000 per month will be given on flour, ghee/cooking oil and pulses to each of the eligible 20 million families. The government will also provide subsidy amount and a 5-8% commission to Kiryana shopkeepers directly in the bank accounts. Pr
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
10 FOREIGN NEWS Australia introduces contentious religious anti-discrimination legislation sYdNeY ReuteRs
AfGhAN hAzArA eLders pLedGe sUpport for tALIbAN rULers
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to the war, ended corruption and increased security, Mahdawi said. He, however, called for a more inclusive government from the Taliban and urged the new rulers to reopen schools for girls. “In the coming weeks or months we hope to witness an inclusive government that has representatives of all people,” Mahdawi said. The current government, which the Taliban says is interim, is made up almost entirely of the group’s Pashtun stalwarts and does not include any women. Taliban leader and spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the gathering that rebuilding the country was a priority. “Our jihad against the foreign invaders has ended and now we will start jihad for building the country,” he said. The Hazaras, who make up roughly 10 to 20 per cent of Afghanistan’s around 38 million population, have been persecuted for centuries in the Sunni majority country. In the last two decades they have been targeted in particular by the Taliban and Da’ish militants, who consider them
Australia on Thursday introduced contentious religious anti-discrimination legislation to parliament that if approved would allow faith-based organisations to prioritise the hiring and enrolment of people from their faith. Religious freedom has been in the spotlight in Australia since same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017. In a move seen as targeting religious voters with an election just months away, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the legislation would protect people who express their religious faith outside of the workplace as long as it did not cause financial damage to their employer. “People should not be cancelled or persecuted or vilified because their beliefs are different from someone else’s,” said Morrison, a devout Pentecostal Christian, while introducing the bill in the parliament’s lower house. Morrison said the legislation would also protect Australians who make “statements of belief” from discrimination laws, but only if those statements do not “threaten, intimidate, harass or vilify a person or group”. Australia’s existing Sex Discrimination Act allows schools to expel students or sack teachers for being gay. Morrison pledged in 2018 to reform the legislation. LGBT groups support reforming the Act but have criticised the new bill saying it would enable discrimination against gay students and teachers as it permits prioritising the hiring and enrolment of people based on faith. “It will wind back hard-fought protections for women, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ people, and even people of faith,” said Anna Brown, Chief Executive of the representative body, Equality Australia. The bill has also divided the parliament, with some conservative government lawmakers threatening to vote against the legislation until Morrison moves to abolish state mandates requiring Covid-19 vaccines.
ORE than 1,000 Afghan Shia Hazaras pledged their support on Thursday to the country’s new Taliban rulers, insisting that the “dark period” of previous Westernbacked governments had ended with the return of the militants. Afghanistan’s Hazaras have been persecuted by militants for centuries, but on Thursday community elders gathered in Kabul alongside Taliban leaders in a show of support. Senior Hazara leader and former lawmaker Jafar Mahdawi, who organised the gathering, said the previous government of president Ashraf Ghani was the “darkest point” in the history of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan had no independence and (foreign) embassies ruled every aspect of the government,” he said. “Thank God, we have now passed this dark period.” Since the Taliban seized power in August, the new rulers have put an end
Gaddafi’s son disqualified as presidential candidate by Libya election commission
At least 35 people have been killed in days of fighting between herders in Sudan’s western Darfur region with more than a thousand homes set on fire, officials said Thursday. The violence broke out on November 17 between armed Arab herders in the rugged Jebel Moon mountains close to the border with Chad, said Omar Abdelkarim, Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commissioner in West Darfur state. “The clashes left more than 35 people dead on both sides,” he told AFP. “Around 16 villages have been completely burned down”. West Darfur governor Khamis Abdallah said the violence was sparked by “a
The AssociATed Press Libya’s top electoral body said on Wednesday that the son and one-time heir apparent of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is disqualified from running in presidential elections that are supposed to take place next month. According to a list of barred candidates issued by the country’s High National Elections Committee, Seif alIslam Gaddafi is ineligible because of previous convictions against him. He can appeal the committee’s decision in court within the coming days. Seif al-Islam was sentenced to death by a Tripoli court in 2015 for use of violence against protesters who were calling for his father to step down, but that ruling has since been called into question by Libya’s rival authorities. He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2011 uprising against his father. Libya is set to hold the first round of its presidential elections on Dec 24, after years of United Nations-led attempts to usher in a more democratic future and bring the country’s war to an end. Adding to the complexity and concerns surrounding the election, the UN’s top envoy for Libya recently decided to quit, though he said on Wednesday that he’s prepared to stay on if needed through the vote. Following the overthrow and killing of Gaddafi, oilrich Libya spent most of the last decade split between rival governments — one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other in the eastern part of the country. Each side in the civil war has also had the support of mercenaries and foreign forces from Turkey, Russia and Syria and other regional powers.
Just days after the Taliban seized power in August, a statue of a prominent Hazara political leader was decapitated in Bamiyan, a city inhabited mostly by the Shia community. Nobody claimed responsibility for the act, but the Taliban earned notoriety in 2001 for destroying two giant Buddha statues in Bamiyan after deeming them un-Islamic.
35 killed in clashes in Sudan’s restive Darfur: officials KhArToUM AFP
dispute over camel looting”, and that “military reinforcements have been sent to the area and the situation has stabilised.” Some people have fled west seeking safety across the border to Chad, he added. Darfur was ravaged by a civil war which erupted in 2003, that pitted ethnic minority rebels complaining of discrimination against the Arab-dominated government of Omar al-Bashir. More than 300,000 people died and 2.5 million were displaced, according to the United Nations. Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court to face charges of genocide in Darfur, was ousted and jailed in April 2019 following mass protests against his three-decade rule. While the main conflict in Darfur has subsided, with a peace deal struck with key rebel groups last year,
the arid region has remained awash with weapons and violence often erupts over land, access to agriculture or water. A UN peacekeeping mission wound up in the Darfur last year. The latest clashes come against a backdrop of political turbulence, as Sudan reels from the aftermath of a military coup last month that drew wide international condemnation and sparked mass protests. On October 25, top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan overthrew the country’s post-Bashir transitional government and detained the civilian leadership. On Sunday, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was freed from effective house arrest and reinstated, after signing a deal with Burhan that was viewed by critics as “whitewashing” the coup.
UAE general, accused of torture, elected as Interpol president AFP An Emirati general accused of torture was elected president of Interpol on Thursday, despite the concerns of human rights organisations who fear the agency will be at risk of exploitation by repressive regimes. The decision follows generous funding by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Lyon, Francebased body and accusations that Abu Dhabi has abused Interpol’s system of so-called “red notices” for wanted suspects to persecute political dissidents. Emirati General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi was elected following three rounds of voting during which he received 68.9 per cent of votes cast by member countries, Interpol said in a statement. Raisi, head of the UAE’s security forces, will take on a largely ceremonial and voluntary role for a fouryear term. It is Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock
‘No progress’ ahead of Iran nuclear talks: UN agency NeW YorK AFP
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heretics. The militants have carried out several mass killings of Hazaras, including in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998, where Human Rights Watch says at least 2,000 mainly Hazara civilians were executed. Several bomb attacks in recent years have also killed and wounded scores of Hazaras in Kabul and other cities.
The UN nuclear watchdog said there had been “no progress” in talks with Tehran on disputes over the monitoring of Iran’s atomic programme, just days before talks restart on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a quarterly meeting of the agency’s board that talks he held in Tehran on Tuesday were “inconclusive” despite being “constructive”. Grossi had sought to tackle constraints put on IAEA inspections earlier this year, outstanding questions over the presence of undeclared nuclear material at sites in Iran, and the treatment of IAEA staff in the country. “In terms of the substance […] we were not able to make progress,” Grossi told reporters, saying that the lack of agreement had come “in spite of my best efforts”. Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, told local television his team “tried until the last moment” but there is still work to be done. Among other officials in Tehran, Grossi met Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
who handles day-to-day management of the organisation. Stock was given a second five-year term in 2019. South Korean Kim Jong-yang was president since the 2018 arrest of his predecessor Meng Hongwei in China, where he had served as a vice minister of public security. Complaints of “torture” were filed against the Emirati general in recent months in France and Turkey, which is hosting Interpol’s general assembly in Istanbul this week. Only the Czech Republic’s Sarka Havrankova, a veteran officer overseeing the country’s international cooperation in police matters, stood against the general for the post. ‘Undermine interpol’: Raisi joined the Emirati police force in 1980 and worked there for several decades. Three European Parliament members wrote a letter dated November 11 to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to warn of the impact the general’s appointment would have on Interpol. “The
election of General Al Raisi would undermine the mission and reputation of Interpol and severely affect the ability of the organisation to carry out its mission effectively,” they wrote. And in October 2020, 19 NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, expressed concern about the possible choice of Raisi, whom they described as being “part of a security apparatus that continues to systematically target peaceful critics”. One of the complainants against Raisi, British national Matthew Hedges, said he was detained and tortured between May and November 2018 in the United Arab Emirates after he was arrested on false charges of espionage during a study trip. In another complaint, lawyers for the Gulf Centre for Human Rights accuse the general of “acts of torture and barbarism” committed against government critic Ahmed Mansoor.
Friday, 26 November, 2021 | LAHORE
Absence of batting coach worries Babar Azam ahead of Bangladesh Test News Desk Captain Babar Azam expressed his concern of unavailability of a batting coach with the side by stating that the Men in Green should have had one but the decision to appoint a batting coach rests with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The skipper, in a virtual presser from Chittagong described that the pitches in Bangladesh are slow. The captain spoke about the team’s performance by stating that he expects them to perform well in the series. “The batting line-up includes senior players who play spinners well. The players joining the Test squad were playing domestic cricket and we will benefit from this,” he stated. Azam went on to praise the Test team, saying that he was confident they will perform well in the Test Championship as “there are more matches at home grounds”. He further added that this Test series is also important for Pakistan, adding that the team will try to keep up the winning momentum [from the T20 series]. Babar Azam further stated that the team got less time to prepare for Test cricket after the T20 World Cup. However, he said the cricketers are professionals and will have to adjust to Test cricket soon. “We have been playing white-ball cricket for many months now we have to adapt to red-ball cricket as soon as possible, we have top spinners in the team,” he said. He stated that the Bangladesh team is a dangerous side even in the absence of senior players. Azam said they cannot be taken lightly as conditions are difficult in Bangladesh. “It is not easy to play here. We have to focus and play with patience, we will also try to stay on the wicket.” When asked about his below-par performance during the recently concluded T20 series against Tigers, Babar Azam said it is not necessary for him to perform well in every series. Other team members will also have to step up, he added.
Pak vs Ban: Tigers told to ‘close ears’ for big Test against Babar Azam and Co AFP Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque urged his teammates to ignore criticism and concentrate on the job at hand ahead of the Test series at home against Pakistan beginning on Friday. The hosts kick off the new Test Championship cycle with the two-match series against Pakistan starting in Chittagong, having never beaten the visitors either at home or away. The series follows a dismal run in Twenty20 internationals, with Bangladesh losing eight consecutive matches. Five losses at the World Cup were followed by a three-nil whitewash at home by semi-finalists Pakistan. “This is not the first time Bangladesh have gone through such a phase. We have overcome such times before too,” said Test captain Mominul, who was not part of the Twenty20 side. “People got mentally weak […] because they pay attention to what is being said. My job is to bring back focus. You cannot stop anyone from talking. So it’s better to keep your ears closed,” he said on Thursday. Adding to their woes, star player Shakib Al Hasan, batsman Tamim Iqbal and an in-form allrounder Taskin Ahmed, will all miss the first Test due to injury. Mominul said it would be a “challenge” to lead a young Bangladesh side against a strong Pakistan team. “We have always required senior players in the Test side,” he said. “But it is a continuous process. We have to move on. We cannot be disappointed all the time. I firmly believe it is a huge opportunity for the younger players,” he said. Pakistan captain Babar Azam insisted his team will not take the hosts lightly in their home conditions. “This looks like a typical Bangladeshi pitch that will help spinners. So, we are aware of the conditions,” he said. Pakistan announced their 12-man squad for the opening Test, which included uncapped batsman Abdullah Shafique. Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam and Imamul Haq also made the 12-man squad. “I cannot score runs all the time, so other batsmen will have to take responsibility. This is an important WTC Tests, so we need to be at our best,” Babar said. Pakistan have played 10 Tests against Bangladesh, winning nine. The only draw came in 2015 when Tamim scored a maiden Test double hundred in a record 312-run opening stand with Imrul Kayes in the second innings in Bangladesh’s southern city of Khulna.
SPORTS 11
RussiA sAys iT oPPoses PoliTiCizing Beijing WinTeR olymPiCs MOsCOw XiNhua
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USSIA opposes the politicization of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday. “We believe that sports should remain separate from politics. We have no doubt that China will be able to host the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the highest level in the
context of existing anti-epidemic restrictions,” Zakharova said during her weekly briefing. She noted that the United States has “on a regular basis, under far-fetched pretexts” organized disinformation and political campaigns to disrupt the holding of the Olympic Games in countries that do not obey Washington’s commands. She recalled how Russia also faced a disinformation campaign from the United States when it hosted the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, including threats of a
boycott, but the sporting event proved to be a significant one in the history of the Olympics. “We wish China the same success, not to succumb to provocative statements, but to organize everything in the name of sports and peace, on behalf of athletes and sports fans,” Zakharova said.
Baloch Club Quetta, Muslim Club Chaman register emphatic wins to make it to final of Ufone 4G Football Cup QUeTTA News Desk
Balochistan Club Quetta defeated DFA Zhob while Muslim Club Chaman overpowered Quetta Zorawar to book respective spots in the sensational semifinal matches played at Ayub Stadium Quetta. The Final will be played today, Thursday, November 25th November at 5PM at Ayub Stadium Quetta. The match will be live telecasted from PTV Sports. Quetta’s iconic Ayub Stadium was showered in Ufone 4G’s thematic orange colour where Baloch Club Quetta took on DFA Zhob while Muslim Club Chaman faced Quetta Zorawar in the Semi Finals of the Ufone 4G Balochistan Cup Football 2021. In the first semifinal match, a determined and in form Baloch Club Quetta downed DFA Zhob by 3-1 to make it through to the Final. Baloch Club Quetta and DFA Zhob started out with an equal hold on the ball and both seemed determined to surpass each other. In the 25th minute of the match, Kabir Ali of Baloch Club Quetta sent the ball blazing through DFA Zhob’s goalpost, putting his team in a firm lead. DFA Zhob’s Luqman
scored an equalizer in the 57th minute to bring his team back in the game, however Baloch Club Quetta’s Ameer Jan scored another goal for his team in the 79th minute. DFA Zhob shifted gears to score another equalizer but Baloch Club player Abdul Jabbar scored a decisive 3rd goal in the 87th minute to put his team through to the finals. The second semifinal of the tournament was played between Quetta Zorawar and Muslim Club Chaman under flood-
lights. Despite back-to-back fierce attacks on both sides, the strong defenses of the teams prevailed and no goal could be scored in the first half. Quetta Zorawar’s player Haider scored a sensational goal in the 60th minute of the match. Muslim Club Chaman orchestrated a strong comeback in the game by scoring an equalizer in the 77th minute when Jameel Khan masterfully put the ball through opposition defenses. The team
Pakistan announces squad for first Test against Bangladesh LAHORe News Desk
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced its 12-man squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. Pakistan’s clash with Bangladesh will start in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium from Friday. The second Test will be played at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka from December 4. Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, in a virtual presser from Chittagong, said that the pitches in Bangladesh are slow.
He spoke about his side’s performance and said that he expects his team will perform well in the series. “The batting line-up includes senior players, who play spinners well. The players joining the Test squad were playing domestic cricket and we will benefit from this,” he stated. “We have been playing white-ball cricket for many months now we have to adapt to red-ball cricket as soon as possible, we have top spinners in the team,” he said. Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
then solidified its grip on the match further when Raheemullah scored the 2nd goal for his team in the 85th minute. Quetta Zorawar although had early success but couldn’t cope with the pressure mounted by Muslim Club Chaman towards the end and conceded the match 1-2 to give Muslim Club Chaman a well-deserved passage to the final event. Both semifinal matches were live broadcasted by PTV Sports and social media channels of Ufone 4G to help millions of people across the country catch the sensational action live. The final match of the Ufone 4G Cup Football 2021 will be played on Thursday night at Ayub Stadium under floodlights. The match is open for the public free of cost and will be preceded by musical performances and followed by colorful fireworks to celebrate the successful conclusion of the 4th Edition of the tournament. Ufone 4G Football Cup exemplifies Ufone’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment through sports. The event will not only help the youth of the region pursue personal and professional growth but go on to create long-term socio-economic gains for the society.
spinners put sri lanka close to victory against Wi GALLe ageNcies
Sri Lanka need just four wickets to win the first Test against West Indies in Galle after setting the all-but-impossible target of 348 on Wednesday’s penultimate day of play. West Indies had made just 52 before bad light forced an early end after the hosts’ spin trio made quick work of the top order. The sensational collapse saw the tourists lose four wickets in 15 balls for just four runs. Ramesh Mendis was the pick of the bowlers finishing with four for 17. The off-spinner had the makings of a hat-trick as he trapped Kyle Mayers leg before. Jason Holder was expecting the ball to turn into him on the next delivery but a straight path smashed his off-stump. Joshua da Silva walked in to face the hat-trick ball but it was wayward from Mendis, who bowled down the leg-side. Lasith Embuldeniya accounted for Jermaine Blackwood and Roston Chase. There was little hope for West Indies at 18 for six and all signs were that the game was going to end on the fourth day. Then Nkrumah Bonner (18) and da Silva (15) batted for just over 45 minutes to hang in before the umpires called bad light. West Indies’ collapse began when Mendis trapped West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite lbw without scoring in the fourth over. Angelo Mathews took a brilliant catch diving forward at mid-on to dismiss Blackwood (9) off left-arm spinner Embuldeniya. “Everyone is disappointed in the dressing room,” Bonner told reporters. “But then, it’s up to me and Josh to get the job done. We have about 640 balls to bat. We want to play each ball on merit and respect the bowlers… It’s a simple plan: bat as much as possible tomorrow.” West Indies’ lowest total against Sri Lanka is 93 all out in Barbados in 2018. Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 191 for four after a 123-run stand by Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne in just 150 deliveries. Skipper Karunaratne, who had posted 147 in the first innings, narrowly missed twin centuries with 83, including nine fours. He finally stumbled after attempting to cut Rahkeem Cornwall, a top edge knocking the ball off the wicketkeeper’s gloves and into the hands of first slip. Karunaratne has been prolific this year with over 850 runs now at an average of 77. He is the world’s thirdhighest run getter in Test cricket for 2021, behind England’s Joe Root and India’s Rohit Sharma.
Friday, 26 November, 2021
Prayer timiNgs
NEWS NAdrA’s dAtA hAs BeeN COmPrOmised, reveAls FiA OFFiCiAl ISLAMABAD
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staff rePort
N a startling revelation, an official of the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) revealed on Thursday that the National Database and Registration Authority’s (Nadra) biometric data had been hacked while fake SIMs were also being exported. During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication, FIA Cybercrime Wing Additional Director Tariq Pervez said, “Nadra’s data has been compromised, it has been hacked”. Later, Pervez clarified his remarks,
saying that all of Nadra’s data had not been hacked. “During the SIM verification process involving biometric data, it was revealed that Nadra’s biometric system was compromised,” he said, without providing further explanation. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the committee that the authority has blocked 86,000 mobile devices that were found involved in fraudulent activities. The committee meeting was chaired by Ali Khan Jadoon, MNA. PTA Chairman Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa informed the committee: “Blocking of SIMs involved in frauds is a less plenty to the elements
Probe committee holds lower Customs staff responsible for valuation fraud ISLAMABAD shahzaD Paracha
A fact finding committee probing the valuation fraud at Quetta Customs Collectorate has reportedly held lower staff members responsible for the corruption that caused a revenue loss of billions during 2015 to 2021. According to sources, a four-member probe committee constituted under the supervision of DG Post Clearance Audit Seema Raza Bukhari submitted it’s inquiry report to the FBR chairman in this regard on Thursday. “The committee members’ complete silence over their ongoing investigation points towards a serious attempt to make the probe committee engineer its inquiry report in a way that gives a clean chit to the involved collectors,” sources claimed. They claimed that the fact finding committee members’ report has surprised many in the tax department as it has thrown the whole responsibility for such a massive revenue loss on appraisers and other staff members who have no role in the decision making which would lead to such a scam. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation, in its report submitted to the chairman FBR, had unearthed this massive valuation scam in Quetta customs. It is pertinent to mention here that collectors of Quetta Customs had reportedly fixed very low and nominal advance assessable values of certain imported goods, including dry fruits and tiles during the last five to six years whereas the Directorate of Customs Valuation had already determined higher values of the goods. The probe committee had directed all the collectors who had remained posted in the Quetta Collectorate to furnish their replies against the allegations against them.
looting the peoples. In order to cause them a financial damage, the authority has blocked about 86,000 mobile devices during last one year.” From November 2020 to November 2021, the chairman said about 600 percent decrease has been witnessed in the sale of fake, illegal SIMs across the country. He further said the PTA, during the last three years, also blocked about 526,082 fake SIMs and 360,569 Computerized National Identify Cards used for getting illegal SIMs. He said Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) have been directed to install Live Finger Detective (LED) devices for issuance of SIMs.
He said to discourage the business of fake SIMs, directions have been passed to NADRA to do verification based on index fingers instead of thumb impression. The chairman said that as per law, no Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) were authorised to sell SIMs door-to-door. Federal Investigation Agency’s additional secretary informed the committee that 89,000 cybercrime complaints were received by the agency. He said that FIA has recently recovered 13,000 fake SIMs in Faisalabad. The committee also sought a comprehensive briefing on social media rules. The chairman said that feedback from the parliamentarians should also be included.
Govt to ban CBU vehicles’ import as current account deficit surges to $1.6 billion a month, says Tarin Minister of Finance Shaukat Tarin has announced on Thursday that the government has decided to stop the import of CBU (Completely Built Units) vehicles, in addition to other ‘frivolous’ imports as the current account deficit reaches an alarming $1.6 billion a month. The minister further stated that the government may consider imposing higher duties on vehicles with bigger displacement engines. It is pertinent to note that Pakistan has already witnessed record foreign exchange spending on highest-ever arrival of new automobiles in 2020-21 with 10,513 units of new passenger cars, 4×4, vans, pickups, 2-wheelers and buses in FY21 compared to 1,680 units in FY20, 3,716 units in FY19 and 7,424 units in FY18. In overall automobile imports of around $2 billion, the import bill of completely (CKD) and semi-
knocked down (SKD) kits for cars, bikes and heavy vehicles stood at record $1.6bn in FY21 as compared to $727m in FY20. In the first two months of the current financial year (2M-FY22) alone, the import of CKD/SKD kits for local assembly of all vehicles swelled by 214% to $369m from $117m in the same period last fiscal year, while import of CBU vehicles posted a growth of 118% to $103m from $47m in 2MFY22. This is because most newcomers despite their assembly plants in the country (which are yet to become in operational state), are heavily relying on imports of CBUs thus burdening the economy. Furthermore the increase in import of CKD/SKD is due to the arrival of new players in the market, however this is something that has to be seriously checked if on one hand we are working towards bringing in new
players but with low localization and higher dependency on imports, we will continue to deepen our problems in shape of trade deficits, foreign exchange outflow, higher spendings & zero vehicle or parts exports. Earlier, the government, under Auto Policy 2016-21 had allowed assemblers to import 100 units per variant to test the market. But the massive import bill suggests that commercial imports by some specific models have enjoyed an edge. For example, 7,000 units of the MG HS have been delivered to the buyers since November 2020 till date while around 1,000 units are still parked at the port. Additionally the recent imported batch of Haval H6 & Jolion as well as Proton X70 also exceeds well above 100 units as stipulated in the policy, with local production (assembling) still not in sight. News Desk
Journalist Ahmad Noorani’s wife attacked in Lahore An unknown man attacked journalist Ahmad Noorani’s wife Ambreen Fatima in Lahore on Wednesday, according to police. The police registered a case at the Ghaziabad police station on Thursday. In the FIR, Ambreen said that she and her children had left their house at 8pm on Wednesday and when they reached an adjoining street, an unidentified person raced towards the car and struck the vehicle’s windscreen three to four times with an iron object with the intention to cause her harm. She said that she does not have enmity with anyone, and urged the police to take action and provide her with protection. According to the police, an unknown man broke the windscreen of Ambreen Fatima’s car with an iron object and threatened her before fleeing the site. “An investigation was initiated when the lady in question came to the station with the car,” the police said, adding that a case has been registered against an unidentified person and teams led by the concerned SP are working on arresting and identifying the accused with the help of CCTV cameras. The police, however, said that they did not receive information of the incident on the 15 helpline. Meanwhile, PML-N leaders condemned the incident. PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said that the incident should be investigated at the highest level and the perpetrators should be punished in accordance with the law. In a twitter post, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said: “Fascist regime is at it again as they have a go at an unarmed, helpless woman, targeting her vulnerability just because she’s related to someone who is exposing them to the core. I am appalled to say the least but not at all surprised. God be with you Ambreen.” News Desk
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NAB chief defends watchdog’s conduct after questions about bureau’s financial recoveries arise National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Javed Iqbal has defended the watchdog’s conduct on Thursday, after questions were raised on the transparency of the monetary recoveries worth hundreds of billions of rupees made by NAB. While addressing a ceremony in Lahore, he stated that a bulk of the recoveries made by NAB were not in the form of currency bills but in physical assets such as property, land and wheat. It is pertinent to note that on November 3, in a parliamentary testimony, the Ministry of Finance had expressed complete ignorance about the whereabouts of over Rs821 billion, except Rs6.458bn, that the NAB claimed to have recovered since its inception some 16 years ago. Subsequently, the PPP had demanded a probe on the matter, while the NAB had issued a report detailing the recoveries it made since its inception in 1999. The NAB chairman said in the four years under him the accountability watchdog registered 1,270 references involving a sum of Rs1,386 billion. He added that none of the references were “made up in the air”, adding that the bureau would still be reviewing all the 1,270 references. “Where NAB feels some that some references are very weak or very old and sometimes convictions don’t happen because there are technical reasons […] we are reviewing them again and if it is felt [that references are weak then we will close them].”News Desk
Opposition lambastes government over petrol crisis The Opposition on Thursday slammed the government over the ongoing petrol crisis after the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) started a country-wide strike and thousands of people lined up outside petrol pumps to get their tanks filled. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that despite all the chaos, the government has been “inconsiderate” towards the masses, adding the she has never witnessed Prime Minister Imran Khan “being worried over a common man’s problems.” The PML-N leader shared a video on her Twitter handle, in which a man can be seen criticising the government for petrol crisis, and images of long queues outside petrol pumps. She said: “This is the humiliation that Imran Khan has earned for a few days in power.” “These are not just long queues, [these images depict] people’s misery, pain, and helplessness.” On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari critiised the government over its dealing with petroleum dealers. “Most of the petrol pumps are closed in the country, while several long queues can be seen […] businesses affairs are affected, which is the government’s failure,” he said. “The PTI-led government turns solvable issues into crisis through its incompetence. News Desk
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