Epaper – September 26 KHI 2021 by Pakistan Today

CMYK

26 September, 2021 I 18 Safar, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 87 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

Pakistan rejects indian claims at UnGa, says kashmir not ‘internal matter’ Qureshi meets UN chief, calls for ‘urgent action’ on humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

AKING issue with New Delhi’s contention that Indian-occupied Kashmir is an internal issue, Pakistan reminded its archrival the Himalayan territory was an internationally recognised region. “Jammu and Kashmir neither is a socalled integral part of India nor is it India’s internal matter,” Saima Saleem, a counsellor at Pakistan’s mission to the world body, said in response to Sneha Dubey, a first secretary at India’s UN mission. “India remains in occupation of an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final disposition needs to be decided in accordance with the democratic principle of a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices, as provided for under numerous resolutions of the Security Council.” Dubey, while exercising her right of reply to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement, also made sweeping allegations about Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism, claiming Islamabad has adopted a “policy of harbouring, aiding and ac-

tively supporting terrorists”. But Saleem observed India’s use of the “canard of terrorism, regurgitating stale arguments are typical of all occupiers”. “Let me emphasise that India itself is the principal perpetrator, sponsor, financier and abettor of terrorism in the region,” she said, adding New Delhi was involved in at least four different types of terrorism. “Resorting to “state terrorism” to suppress the people of Kashmir; funding and supporting terrorist organisations like the TTP which conducts numerous crossborder terrorist attacks against Pakistan; financing and organizing mercenary terrorist organisations against Pakistan to impede economic growth and prosperity of the region, and it’s supremacist ideology has mainstreamed Islamophobia and bigotry against minorities, particularly Muslims.” India’s violations of human rights in occupied Kashmir, Saleem said, were well documented in the two reports of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, as

coronavirUs in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,236,888

LAST UPDATED AT 8:40 AM ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

2,060

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

SINDH:

PUNJAB:

1,157,322 27,524

454,510 427,583 KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

172,766

32,837

33,990/10,289 104,913

also by major human rights organisations, but New Delhi has failed to respond to their findings. Pakistan has recently released a comprehensive and well-researched dossier containing the entire range of gross, systematic and widespread violations of rights being perpetrated by Indian security forces in the occupied region, she said. “We call upon the international community to take cognizance of the compelling evidence and hold India accountable for the heinous crimes. “If India has nothing to hide, it must accept a UN Commission of Inquiry and agree to implement the Security Council resolutions stipulating a plebiscite to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination,” the diplomat added. “The Indian delegation would do well to reflect on the deeply troubling trajectory their state is embarked upon, rather than indulging in patent falsehoods about Pakistan,” she said. news Desk

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday, urged for an “urgent action” to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, “Qureshi underscored the need for urgent action to address the prevailing dire humanitarian situation in [the] country, calling for the continued political and economic engagement of the international community to end [the] decades-long conflict.” Qureshi mentioned Pakistan’s role in addressing the situation. The foreign minister also commented on the Kashmir issue and hoped that the UN would address the situation in Kashmir. Furthermore, Qureshi also demanded to make the UN Security Council (UNSC) more representative, democratic, transparent, effective and accountable to address the multiple challenges. Qureshi summarised his meeting in a tweet and said, “Great to meet Antonio Guterres at UNGA and share Pakistan’s key priorities: equitable socio-economic development, stabil-

Shehbaz urges govt not to increase gas prices ISLAMABAD Mian abrar

The opposition has outrightly trashed the government’s plan to hike gas tariff by up to 35 per cent for domestic consumers for the upcoming winter season as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the reports of 35 per cent increase in gas prices and demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision. It should be noted that the Petroleum Division has prepared a summary of the increase in tariffs for gas consumers. Reportedly, the government’s proposed inverse gas tariff plan seeks to massively increase prices for 43pc of sale volumes to partially finance the cost of gas supplies to “protected” lower-end consumers. This is part of the fresh crosssubsidy mechanism for gas prices under consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) to force shifting of space and water heating to electricity instead of natural gas in four peak winter months (NovemberFebruary). It is yet to be seen, however, if enough electricity ef-

isation of Afghanistan and just resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. We look to the UN to play a central role in addressing and overcoming these challenges.” According to the FO, the foreign minister also met the president of the 76th session of the general assembly, Abdulla Shahid, on the day and congratulated him on his election to the position. Qureshi expressed the hope that Shahid’s presence in this important office would help with making progress on important issues on the UN agenda. PM’S UNGA ADDRESS: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan sought to cast Pakistan as the victim of American ungratefulness and an international double standard in his address to the UNGA. In his speech, the prime minister touched on a range of topics that included climate change, global Islamophobia and “the plunder of the developing world by their corrupt elites” — the latter of which he likened to what the East India Company did to India. news Desk

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

more inside

India hunts for fault as Pakistan urges world to work with Taliban STORY ON BACK PAGE

JCSC chief for enhanced defence cooperation with Russia, China STORY ON BACK PAGE ficient space and water heating appliances are available in the market to facilitate this transition at a cost affordable and acceptable to consumers. The petroleum division has reported that about 47pc (over 5.3224 million) gas consumers in the first slab consumed about 32pc of gas volumes. They are charged at the rate of Rs121 per Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) and their monthly bill works out at Rs308. Another 30pc of 3.424 million consumers in the second slab (up to 100 cubic metres) burn about 25pc of gas sales. They are charged at Rs300 per MMBTU and their monthly bill cur-

rently stands at Rs957. This means that 57pc gas is consumed by 77pc (or 8.7464m) consumers that the petroleum ministry seeks to protect with no price change. The third slab (200 cubic metres per month) pertains to almost two million consumers with 18pc of gas consumption. They are currently charged at Rs553 per unit and their monthly bill works out at Rs3,733. The petroleum division has sought their rate to go up by about 24pc to Rs683 per unit, showing an increase in the monthly bill to Rs4,300.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Govt won’t consult Shehbaz on NAB chief appointment: Fawad STORY ON PAGE 02

Unvaccinated citizens may face restrictions after 30th, warns Rasheed STORY ON PAGE 03

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

Govt won’t conSult Shehbaz on nab chIef appoIntment: fawad JHELUM

aPP

EDERAL Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Saturday said the government would not consult Shehbaz Sharif regarding the appointment of new National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman. Talking to media, Fawad ruled out any consultation with Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif on the issue as he is an accused of NAB. Fawad said consultation with Shehbaz Sharif regarding the appointment of NAB chairman would be tantamount to asking a thief who should be his interrogator. He said it was decided that the government will not consult Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of new NAB chairman. He also added that Nawaz Sharif and Ashraf Ghani were living the life of absconders, one in Dubai and the other in London. The minister said all those political leaders who were not connected to their people and soil, were destined to live such a life. “Both Nawaz Sharif and Ashraf Ghani have fled abroad with bags of US dollars”, Fawad said.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan always represented the sentiments of the people of Pakistan on issues such as Afghanistan and Kashmir, the transfer of wealth looted from poor countries to rich countries and the environment. Imran Khan, he said, has represented the sentiments of every individual of Pakistan at every level. He said, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Imran Khan challenged Narendra Modi on the issue of Kashmir before the UN, which has never happened before in Pakistan. He recalled that when the Mumbai incidents took place in 2008, the Indian alleged that a Pakistani took part in the Mumbai attacks. That person had no connection with any security agency or Pakistan army but a global propaganda campaign was launched against Pakistan. He said when Kalbhushan Yadav, a serving Indian military officer, was arrested in Balochistan, Nawaz Sharif refused to comment on it. Fawad said that Nawaz Sharif never did any constructive work except looting national wealth and inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to weddings. PTI was the only political party representing the federation across the country and Imran Khan’s vote bank was

Interim bails of Shehbaz, son in money laundering case extended LAHORE INP

A banking court in Lahore Saturday extended the interim bails of PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz until October 9 in the money laundering case. During the hearing, Federal Investigation Agency presented five boxes of evidence against the suspects. When the court asked FIA how much more time it needed to complete the investigation. the agency accused the father, son duo of not cooperating in the probe and said they pleaded ignorance when asked of the vast sums transferred to their personal accounts. The director further informed the court that several bank accounts were opened on names of lower staff of Ramzan Sugar Mills. Responding to accusations of the agency, Sharif said he was hurt by the statement of the FIA officer as his lawyers responded to all questions of the investigation agency. The PML-N leader went on to say that when he was the chief minister of Punjab, he took steps that did not benefit sugar mills, and in doing so, caused financial losses to his family. “I caused losses of billions [of rupees] to my family. I did not violate the law and Constitution,” he maintained. Shehbaz further claimed that he was yelled at when he visited the FIA office. The court directed Shehbaz and Hamza to cooperate with the FIA in the inquiry and adjourned the hearing after extending their bails.

found everywhere, he said. He remarked that it was the good fortune of the nation that it had a leader of Imran’s stature to unite the federation. The minister stated that the PTI would form a government with a two-thirds majority in the next elections as PML-N and PPP were divided and no one was interested to get the PML-N and PPP tickets in the next general elections. Bilawal Bhutto, he said, during his recent visit to South Punjab offered Rs 50

million to the people to contest elections on the PPP ticket. He said that PML-N has Shahbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz who have a toss every week to decide who will be its leader this week and who will lead the PML-N next week. The minister predicted that the next election will be the last election of PPP and PML-N, after this, they will not be in a position to contest elections. He said global leadership was looking

towards Imran Khan and Pakistan for regional affairs, which was a matter of pride for the nation. Those who are jealous that all the institutions and government of Pakistan were united, will face frustration for the next five years in the same manner. To a question, he said issues with the Election Commission were on the path of resolution. He said that PTI had no personal problem with the Chief Election Commissioner or its members. He said in the past, the governments formed their relations only with leaders, whereas Imran Khan speaks to the people at the international level. “When we brought out the facts regarding the cancellation of New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan, the English cricket team and the English Cricket Board came under pressure.” He said that the ECB, England players started giving clarifications and the women’s team was criticizing the cancellation of the Pakistan tour. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has also expressed his displeasure at the cancellation of the tour which was a success of Pakistan’s public diplomacy.” We have put everything in front of the people,” Chaudhry Fawad said. He said that the groundbreaking of the Kharian- Rawalpindi Motorway section would likely be done in November. He said that this Motorway would reduce travel time between Rawalpindi and Lahore by one hour. He said that millions of people living in Sohawa, Chakwal, Dina, Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Lala Musa, Wazirabad and adjacent areas would be its beneficiary.

FM desires enhanced trade, political ties with Belgium nEW YORK TLTP

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan values Belgium as an important partner and stressed the need for further enhancing the investment, trade and political relations between the two countries. The foreign minister said this during a meeting with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes on the sidelines of the 76th UN General Assembly session in New York. The foreign minister noted that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is of crucial importance for Pakistan and the region. He underscored that the international community must engage with positive messaging and constructive steps to avert the humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan. The Belgian deputy prime minister appreciated Pakistan's support in the evacuation of the Belgian nationals from Afghanistan. She reiterated her invitation to Qureshi to visit Belgium.

Both the countries agreed to remain engaged on the situation in Afghanistan and to work together for promoting bilateral relations.

Earlier this week, the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) said that Belgian exports to Pakistan have increased by 49 percent on a year-

on-year (YoY) basis during the first half of the current year. AWEX, which deals with the exports of Wallonia region of southern Belgium, said that Belgian exports witnessed growth in the Pakistani market during the first half of the current year and witnessed 10 percent growth. However, AWEX did not issue data in monetary terms and just apprised of the increase in percentage terms. The imports of Pakistan during August 2021 increased by 18.26 percent to $6,593 million on a month-on-month basis as compared to exports worth $5,575 million in July 2021. According to the provisional figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the imports on a year-on-year basis increased by 98.82 percent in August 2021 as exports in August 2020 remained $3,316 million. According to the PBS data, imports during July–August 2021 totalled $12,168 million (provisional) as against $ 6,990 million during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 74.08 percent.

Police arrest 3 armed persons after mob attacks Malir SP oﬃce MOnitORing REpORt 50 people stormed the office of the Malir superintendent of police (SP) on Friday where three armed individuals were arrested by Karachi police According to a statement issued by Malir Senior

Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Bahadur, some people were detained by the police after being involved in aerial firing during a wedding in Quaidabad’s Pakistan Housing Society. In retaliation, around 50 to 60 people attacked the Malir SP office to get the detained people released.

Constable Ahsan Ali was also injured during the mob attack while the mob resorted to aerial firing. Police spokesperson Shazia Jahan commented, “A case has been registered and further action is continuing.” She also added that the police are trying to identify the attackers through CCTV footage.

CTD arrests three facilitators of Gwadar suicide attack iSLAMABAD MIaN abrar

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan province has announced to have arrested three facilitators of the suicide attack on the Chinese engineers’ convoy last month, revealing that the mastermind of the attack is still hiding in Chahbahar city of Iran. A proscribed terrorist outfit, Balochistan Liberation Army, had issued a statement last month, in which it had claimed responsibility for the Gwadar suicide bombing, which had killed four local children and injured a Chinese national. Interior Minister Sheikh

Rasheed Ahmed had told media that the attack in Gwadar was carried out by a young suicide bomber. The CTD officials told Pakistan Today that initial investigation has revealed that the suicide bomber who targeted the Chinese nationals in Gwadar had come from Iran. The CTD said, “An arrested terrorists disclosed that Rasool Bux, a resident of Sheeran Chahbahar area of Iran, is the mastermind of the attack.” “The arrested terrorist, Arif son of Dur Muhammad alias Durra, disclosed that his brother Ahmed had transported the suicide bomber from Ramin area of Iran.

He [Arif] had received the suicide bomber on his arrival on August 11 and provided a place for him to stay near [the] Customs Warehouse in Gwadar,” the CTD added. Meanwhile, according to a news outlet, the Punjab CounterTerrorism Department announced the arrest of eight individuals suspected of involvement in terror activities from different cities of Punjab, including Lahore. The suspects were arrested by the counter-terrorism force during operations across the province, a spokesperson for the CTD said. He added that in addition to weapons, the CTD also recovered bombmaking equipment and explosives.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

UNvaCCiNated CitizeNs may faCe restriCtiONs after 30th, warNs rasheed ISLAMABAD

TLTP

NTERIOR Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has warned the unvaccinated citizens that their failure to receive the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by September 30 will bring several restrictions for them. In a statement issued on Saturday, the interior minister appealed to the people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and the country from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the interior minister did not specify the restrictions planned for such individuals. The minister lauded the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for its efforts to combat coronavirus, saying the high-level forum was appreciated across the world.

The minister also appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He said the prime minister

showed a “mirror to the world community with courage and reason” and the premier presented the Afghan issue in the right context before the

NCOC daily update: 2,060 new cases, 42 deaths from Covid-19

global community. Rashid said the prime minister’s appeal to not abandon Afghanistan reflected “his humane aspect”. He added that Imran also exposed the “fascist face of Modi’s India” again. The interior minister hoped the world community will “frame policies while taking guidance” from Prime Minister Imran’s address to the UN General Assembly. In August, NCOC head and Planning Minister Asad Umar had announced that Pakistan Railways would only allow vaccinated individuals to travel by train from October 1. Furthermore, all local and international air travellers will be required to be fully vaccinated by the end of September or they will not be allowed to travel. The shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and wedding venues will only be accessible to fully vaccinated people from September 30.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported 2,060 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Centre said on Saturday. The overall tally of the infected people climbed to 1,236,888 across the country, the department leading campaign against the pandemic said. Sindh province has been the worst hit, with a total of 454,510 cases, followed by Punjab where the virus was detected in 427,583 people. A total of 27,524 people died of Covid-19, including 42 patients who lost their lives to the pandemic over the last 24 hours, the NCOC said. The country currently has 52,042 active cases, while 1,157,322 others have recovered. STaff RePORT

5,400 bottles of liquor seized near Ormara GWADAR: Pakistan Navy, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate of Gwadar on Saturday seized 5,400 bottles of liquor in the open sea near Ormara during an intelligence-based operation. The confiscated liquor is valued around Rs70.5 million, said a Pakistan Navy media release on Saturday. “The successful execution of joint anti-narcotics operation is a demonstration of Pakistan Navy’s resolve to deter, dissuade and disrupt all illegal activities in the maritime zones of Pakistan. Pakistan Navy remains fully vigilant to thwart any unlawful act along our coastline and sea, contributing effectively to ensure maritime security in the region,” it added. TLTP

Gold price increases to Rs95,100 per 10gm ISLAMABAD TLTP

ISLAMABAD: Members of Friends of Kashmir International hold protest against Indian actions in IOK. OnLine

FPCCI urges NAB to facilitate business community NEWS DESK The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to facilitate the business, industry and trade community, and play its due role to create a conducive environment for economic growth in the country. FPCCI President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo said that DG NAB should take notice of undue cases of any businessman by any official and unfair notices should be withdrawn. He was speaking to a large gathering of prominent business personalities from across Pakistan on the occasion of DG NAB Sindh Dr Najaf Quli Mirza’s visit to FPCCI headquarters in Karachi. The FPCCI chief recommended that the liaison committee under deputy chairman NAB should not be constituted by names and should be constituted by virtue of post; and, for that matter, any FPCCI president should be made part of it by virtue of post during their tenure. He added that FPCCI and NAB should work together and help resolve the cases of the business community. The DG NAB said that no business entity, whose hands are clean, should be terrorized or withhold their investments and expansion plans for that matter; and, NAB does not divulge into any business’s matters unnecessarily and 90 percent of the cases pertaining to businesses are being dealt by other investigative agencies. He also listened to the individual concerns and welcomed the aggrieved parties to visit his office for detailed discussions on the matters pending. The DG NAB Sindh apprised the audiences of the remarkable performance of NAB in the past 3 years that has resulted in recovery of approximately 450 billion rupees and that shows that NAB is performing better than other investigative agencies. FPCCI VP Nasir Khan mentioned the issues being faced by the business community pertaining to

unavailability and speculative profiteering in industrial plots with the help of authorities and that should be looked into to alleviate the concerns of the business community. FPCCI VP Adeel Siddiqui pointed out that there are already too many watchdogs for white-collar crimes like FIA, FBR and SECP; and, these agencies should continue to handle the cases of the business community. He also mentioned that, due to the fear of NAB’s prosecution, ease of doing business atmosphere is being seriously disadvantaged in the country as compared to the region and no bureaucrat is ready to take any decisions to avoid any future inquiries. He added that a strong, efficient and transparent land conversion system is required in the province of Sindh. He maintained that the business community is ready to face any inquiries based on merit; but, the hearings must be swift and businessmen should not suffer at the hands of lapses and delays at the end of investigative agencies. He also expressed his shock over cancellation of lease licenses in Sindh and demands of bribes to restore them by some corrupt elements in various departments.

Gold prices edged up on the last trading session of the week after dipping to the lowest level since August 11. Gold in the international market closed the week at $1,751.20 per ounce after gaining $7.40. Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of yellow metal in Pakistan increased to Rs91,100 after gaining Rs200. The closing prices of the yellow metal in the country remained Rs94,900 on Friday last. The increase in local gold prices was also due to overnight change in gold price when the local market was closed. According to experts, gold prices have been trading in a broader range of $1,750 and $1,830 since late June. Gold touched the low of $1,687.78 on August 9 after breaking the range shortly. The price trades below the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at

1.801.35, which is confirming the downside pressure on the gold. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) holds below the midline with a bearish crossover. Any downtick in the MACD indicator would amplify the selling pressure and the prices would approach the low made on August 11 at $1,724.18. A daily close below the $1,720 horizontal

support level would entice bears to retest the levels last seen in April. Gold bears could meet the April 1 low at $1,705.84, the experts warned. On a flip side, if price sustains above intraday high, it could retrace back to the $1,770 horizontal resistance level followed by the high made on September 22 at $1,787.35.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

04 NEWS

KARACHI

SquabblES among ProvincES continuE ovEr Sharing rivEr watEr kARACHI

AnAdOlu AgEncy

EsPiTE Pakistan boasting one of the largest irrigation systems in the world, river water disputes with india and then between the provinces have given headaches to successive governments over the past 70 years. speaking to Anadolu Agency on the eve of World Rivers Day, which is being observed on sunday, Feisal naqvi, a Lahorebased water expert, said sindh and Punjab have been squabbling over water distribution even before the independence and partition of the indian subcontinent in 1947. “This is not a new issue. it was inherited by Pakistan at the time of independence [in 1947],” said naqvi, who has also represented Pakistan as an attorney in its legal battle on water dispute with india. The thrust of the dispute is over the distribution of water from the mighty indus River, which together with other western rivers — Jhelum and Chenab — go to Pakistan in line with a 1960 water-sharing agreement between india and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank. The waters of the eastern rivers — the sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — have been allocated to india under the said agreement. These rivers irrigate around 18 million hectares of arable land. Punjab and sindh have been at loggerheads over the distribution of water from the indus River for decades. Balochistan also accuses sindh of stealing its water. in 1991, an accord was arrived at to settle the decades-long controversy. But according to naqvi, the different interpretations by the provinces fizzled the spirit of the agreement. Punjab and sindh get 55m and 48m acres feet water (MAF) annually out of a total of 142 MAF under the 1991 water accord. Water accord fails to end discord: “According to Punjab, the 1991 water accord upholds the historic share of each province, whereas the new distribution percentage depends only on the extra water. However, sindh interprets otherwise, insisting that the new percentage is based on the entire quan-

tity of water,” he said. idris Rajput, a karachi-based water expert, said sindh’s objections are “valid”. He said the construction of two major canals to divert the water from the indus River by Punjab is one of the major reasons for the curtailment of sindh’s share. “Punjab contends that it has the right to distribute water within the province through canals, which is the wrong interpretation of the water-sharing agreement. it cannot construct canals to divert the water from River indus, which is [the] share of sindh,” Rajput, who also served as secretary in the irrigation Department of sindh, told Anadolu Agency. According to official figures, around 27 per cent of Pakistan’s 796,096 square kilometre land area is cultivated. Punjab, Pakistan’s breadbasket, shares 63pc of the total cultivable land followed by sindh, which owns 18pc of the arable land. The latest showdown over water distribution took place in May when the sindh

government accused the federal government of diverting water supplies to Punjab and providing 37pc less water to sindh than its due share from the indus River for the current season, wreaking havoc on the agricultural lands, particularly at the tail ends. Punjab rejected the allegation, saying the additional flows were diverted to sindh at the time of crops sowing. “This technical issue has unfortunately been heavily politicised,” said naqvi contending that the 1991 accord is not a “perfect” way to resolve the water sharing disputes. “it needs to be revisited. Otherwise, the simmering argument will further deepen in years to come,” he added, claiming that the makers of the 1991 accord were not water experts but engineers. But Rajput described the 1991 accord fair enough to address the inter-provincial water disputes. “if this accord is implemented in its letter and spirit, the long-running disputes can be settled to a large extent,” he said.

Guaranteed amount for depositors revised to Rs0.5m News Desk The state Bank of Pakistan (sBP) announced on Friday that the Deposit Protection Corporation (DPC) has revised its guaranteed amount for all eligible depositors of banks up to Rs500,000. According to sBP, “This enhanced guarantee amount now provides full protection up to 95pc of the eligible deposi-

tors. The main objective of the deposit protection scheme is to safeguard depositors’ interest and further enhance their trust banking sector.” Under sub-section (2) of section 37 of the state Bank of Pakistan Act 1956, the membership of the Deposit Protection Corporation is compulsory for all banks scheduled. The statement issued by sBP high-

lighted, “Deposit protection facility applies to all the eligible depositors and does not require any further subscription or registration of depositors.” it further added, “The guarantee amount or protected deposit becomes payable to eligible depo¬-sitors only if state Bank declares a bank as a failed bank and is not payable under any other circumstances:

Experts blame river authority: He said the indus River system Authority — a government body that oversees the water distribution among provinces — was responsible for the dispute, as it had failed to implement the water accord. khalid Rana, director of operations for irsa, however, rejected the charge. “irsa having representation from all the federating units decides the regulation and accordingly issues regulation directives to Wapda (Water and Power Development Authority) for making such releases as per Water Accord 1991. smaller provinces i.e., kP (khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Balochistan, as they can’t utilise their full allocated share due to lack of infrastructure, are exempted from sharing of water shortages, ” he said in a written reply to Anadolu Agency. He said irsa releases full water share to Balochistan including conveyance losses. “However due to some operational constraints of sindh, as Balochistan gets its

share from sindh barrages, they cannot divert full share to Balochistan province, so Balochistan always faces a shortfall of water in its canals,” said Rana. naqvi said that although Pakistan is on the brink of water shortages, it still has enough water to cultivate its lands. The major problem, according to him, is poor water management and storage. “Changing weather patterns are going to cause major water shortages in Pakistan if we continue to go ahead with existing management and storage systems,” he said, insisting that the construction of new dams is essential for water storage, especially floodwaters. Echoing naqvi’s views, Rana said the country’s storage capacity is decreasing, which has also affected the water amount being used by provinces in their canals. Punjab and the three smaller provinces have long been locked in a controversy over the construction of the kalabagh dam, a proposed hydroelectric project on the indus River at kalabagh in Mianwali. The proposed reservoir is aimed at storing huge amounts of water and to produce 3,600-megawatt electricity. Construction of dams: However, some experts oppose the construction of the kalabagh dam, saying that it will further decrease waters for smaller provinces, mainly sindh, where large-scale protests have been held against the project in the recent past. kP claims its two major cities will be submerged if the kalabagh dam is constructed. The state assemblies of sindh, Balochistan and kP have already passed resolutions against the proposed dam. According to the 1991 accord, five MAF of water is required to fall into the Arabian sea through downstream kotri annually. “There is no need to waste time on this dead issue anymore. instead, the government should pay attention to the construction of small dams to store water as the indus River has already silted 40pc,” Rajput said. The government has already initiated the construction of several dams across the country, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam to cope with the growing needs of water and energy in the country.

Edible oil import bill likely to witness 30pc increase News Desk The country’s edible oil import bill is likely to witness a massive increase of 30 per cent in the financial year 2021-22. An edible oil businessman, Arif Qasim, commented, “The edible oil import bill is set to go up by 30 per cent in the ongoing financial year due to rising prices in the global markets and opening of Afghan trade.” The stats shared by Qasim showed that the total local consumption of edible oil and ghee was 4.5MT and it is forecasted to increase by 0.5MT due to the opening of the Afghan trade. According to the prediction of market analysts, edible oil imports are likely to reach 3.7 million tonnes.Pakistan Edible Oil Refiners Associa¬tion chairman Rasheed Jan Muhammad believes that the import of oilseed will grow by 20pc this year, as the oilseed import is likely to set a record of 3.5MT.

Pakistan becomes exporter of 4G smartphones: Dawood IsLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

AkisTAn has become a 4G smartphone exporter as Airlink Communication has exported the first badge of 1500 locally manufactured smartphones to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On saturday, this announcement was made, in a tweet, by Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Razak Dawood. He said that it is heartening to see that within a short period of time, Pakistan has become a 4G smartphone exporter. “i would like to congratulate Airlink Communications in playing an integral role in this process and exporting their first batch of 1500 locally manufactured smartphones to UAE, '' Dawood said. He further said that it is a small

beginning for the company but a significant milestone for Pakistan’s mobile phone industry. it is pertinent to mention that incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf (PTi) had approved the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy around one year ago mainly to ensure localization and indigenization of the parts of the mobile phones and also to attract investment in the manufacturing of mobile devices in Pakistan. similarly, the government had offered several tax incentives in the policy for the mobile devices manufactured to lure them to set up their plants in Pakistan. And, this policy has now started yielding results. Following the introduction of the new Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy by the present government, many mobile manufacturers have approached the government

and expressed willingness for setting up their plants in Pakistan. For example, samsung is one of these manufacturers that has partnered with Lucky Cement Limited to set up an assembly plant in the country for locally manufacturing the smart mobile phones. The annual Pakistan handset market size is around 45 million units with around 32 million units imports. The country produces 13 million units locally. There have been 28 million mobile sets imports in Pakistan during 2019. Out of it, there were around 1.54 million units of samsung that accounted for 5.5% of the units and 15-20% in terms of the value of imports. in terms of value, the market size of mobile sets in Pakistan is around Us$2.5 billion, based on import data by the Pakistan Bureau of statistics (PBs).

CMYK

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

KARACHI

NEWS

QurEshi mEEts uN chiEf, calls for ‘urgENt actioN’ oN humaNitariaN crisis iN afghaNistaN

cONTINuEd fROm pAGE 01

T was for India’s government that Khan reserved his harshest words, once again labelling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government “fascist.” But the cricketer turned posh international celebrity turned politician was, in turn, indignant and plaintive as he painted the United States as an abandoner of both Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan. “For the current situation in Afghanistan, for some reason, Pakistan has been blamed for the turn of events, by politicians in the United States and some politicians in Europe,” Khan said. “From this platform, I want them all to know, the country that suffered the most, apart from Afghanistan, was Pakistan when we joined the US war on terror after 9/11.” He launched into a narrative that began with the United States and Pakistan training mujahedeen — regarded as heroes by the likes of then-President Ronald Reagan, he recalled — during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. But Pakistan was left to pick up the pieces — millions of refugees and new sectarian militant groups — when the Soviets and the Americans left in 1989. Khan said the US sanctioned its former partner a year later, but then came calling again after the 9/11 attacks. Khan said Pakistan’s aid to the US cost 80,000 Pakistan lives and caused internal strife and dissent directed at the

state, all while the US conducted drone attacks. “So, when we hear this at the end. There is a lot of worry in the US about taking care of the interpreters and everyone who helped the US,” he said, referring to Afghanistan. “What about us?” Instead of a mere “word of appreciation,” Pakistan has received the blame, Khan said. In his speech, Khan echoed what Shah Mehmood Qureshi told The Associated Press earlier this week on the sidelines at the UN: the international community should not isolate the Taliban, but instead strengthen the current Afghan government for the sake of the people. He struck an optimistic tone about Taliban rule, saying their leaders had committed to human rights, an inclusive government and not allowing terrorists on Afghan soil. But messages from the Taliban have so far been mixed. A Taliban founder told the AP earlier this week that the hard-liners would once again carry out executions and amputated hands — though this time after adjudication by judges, including women, and potentially not in public. “If the world community incentivises them, and encourages them to walk this talk, it will be a win-win situation for everyone,” he said. Khan also turned his ire on that same community for what he perceives as a free pass given to India. “It is unfortunate, very unfortunate, that the world’s

approach to violations of human rights lacks even-handedness, and even is selective. Geopolitical considerations, or corporate interests, commercial interests often compel major powers to overlook the transgressions of their affiliated countries,” Khan said. He went through a litany of actions that have “unleashed a reign of fear and violence against India’s 200 million-strong Muslim community,” he said, including lynchings, pogroms and discriminatory citizenship laws. As in years past, Khan — who favours delivering his speeches in his British-inflected English, in contrast to Modi’s Hindi addresses — devoted substantial time to Kashmir. “New Delhi has also embarked on what it ominously calls the ‘final solution’ for the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Khan said, rattling off a list of what he termed “gross and systematic violations of human rights” committed by Indian forces. He specifically decried the “forcible snatching of the mortal remains of the great Kashmiri leader, ” Syed Ali Geelani, who died earlier this month at 91. Geelani’s family has said authorities took his body and buried him discreetly and without their consent, denying the separatist leader revered in Kashmir a proper Islamic burial. Khan called upon the General Assembly to demand Geelani’s proper burial and rites. He said Pakistan desires peace, but it is India’s responsibility to meaningfully engage.

Shehbaz urges govt not to increase gas prices cONTINuEd fROm pAGE 01 Also, just 3.3pc (or 371,000) consumers fall in the fourth slab with monthly consumption of 300 cubic metres and are currently charged at Rs738 per unit, translating into the monthly bill at Rs8,016. The petroleum division has suggested the price for this category to increase by 35pc to Rs1,000 per unit that would increase its monthly bill by Rs2,260 to Rs10,272. For the fifth slab of up to 400-cubicmetre consumption, about 93,000 consumers (0.8pc of total) are currently charged at Rs1,107 per unit, taking their bill to Rs14,400 per month. The petroleum division has proposed a 36pc higher rate of Rs1,500 per unit for consumers in this category, increasing their monthly gas bill by Rs5,100 to Rs19,500. There are about 49,400 (or 0.4pc) consumers in the sixth and last slab of over 400-cubic-metre monthly consumption who utilise about 3pc gas sales. They are currently charged at Rs1,460 per unit that the petroleum division has suggested going up by 37pc to Rs2,000 per unit. The monthly bill in this category at Rs25,500 would jump by Rs9,130 a month to reach Rs34,625. The petroleum division has reported that two public sector gas utility companies – Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) – were facing challenges as their indigenous gas supply sources have depleted and no net increase or addition has been witnessed. The import of RLNG to make up for the

supply gap had a substantial impact on their full cost recoveries due to drastic differences in the tariff for indigenous gas and imported RLNG. Against the total availability of gas in Pakistan, the residential sector has emerged as the second-biggest gas consumer after power and fertiliser. The primary use of gas for residential consumers is cooking in summers and additional usage for water heating and space heating in winters, resulting in a steep increase in demand and consumption of gas – about 50pc increase for SSGCL and more than 100pc for SNGPL. The substantial difference in the tariff of indigenous gas and RLNG has increased the un-recovered tariff differential to Rs104bn for SNGPL alone. Historically, the indigenous gas tariff structure for residential consumers has remained cross-subsidized and the differential to the actual cost of supply was charged to other consumers i.e. commercial, industrial, power and CNG. This structure of lower tariff for residential consumers has resulted in the accumulation of tariff differential on the balance sheets of SSGCL and SNGPL who are unable to pay the cost of gas purchases from public sector gas producers. The present gas tariff structure for residential consumers was approved in July 2019 and is still in place. The current tariff for domestic consumers results in an average sale price of Rs400 per MMBTU of gas for SSGCL and Rs350 per MMBTU of gas for SNGPL, respectively, while the average cost of supply for both the companies is Rs683 per MMBTU.

The petroleum division has argued that natural gas was a scarce resource and its efficient utilisation for the growth of the economy was unavoidable. Therefore, residential consumers using gas for space and water heating should switch to electricity to reduce capacity payments against installed power generation capacity as well as minimising the burden on the gas supply chain. Impact on consumers: According to the data, there will be an additional bill of Rs. 562 for use of gas up to 200 cubic meters, Rs. 2,256,000 for 300 cubic meters and Rs. 5,095 for use of 400 cubic meters and Rs. However, it would not apply to domestic consumers using gas up to 100 cubic meters. According to the document, the monthly bill of Rs 8,000 will reach Rs 10,272, the monthly bill of Rs 14,400 will reach Rs 19,000 and the monthly bill of Rs 25,495 will reach Rs 34,622. In case of an increase in tariff, the monthly bill of Rs. 3,733 will reach Rs. 4,295. In addition, 78% of consumers who use 57% gas will avoid the additional burden. Sui Southern and Sui Northern Gas companies are facing a reduction in gas reserves. The average cost of gas for both companies is Rs. 683 per MMBTU. The average sale price of Sui Southern is 400 MMBTU while the selling price of Sui Northern is Rs. 350 per MMBTU. Receiving Rs 104 less than RLNG, gas consumption in Sui Southern Region increases from 400 to 600 mmcfd in winter. Shehbaz wants immediate withdrawal of proposal: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz

(PML-N) President and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the reports of an increase in gas tariff, saying that the government is fulfilling the conditions which were imposed on the people by the IMF in the name of budget. “The government lied to the nation about the tax-free budget, while what we said is becoming true today,” he added. “We had said that after the budget there would be a new flood of inflation and taxes, the government proved our point, the increase in gas prices was unjustified and another serious folly of the government,” the PML-N president said. The opposition leader further maintained that the people won’t be able to bear more burden of inflation, adding that oppression should be stopped. “Imran Niazi is trying to wage a civil war in the country with his successive follies.” Shehbaz Sharif said that there has already been a historic increase in gas and electricity prices, further hiking in prices will not solve the problem but the problem is incompetence and corruption of the rulers. The former Punjab chief minister mentioned that if the increase in gas and electricity prices had solved the problem, the revolving debt of gas would not have been borne by the nation after the increase in electricity. “Rising prices will push up the price of bread and increase people’s bills,” he added. “I had earlier pronounced that the government had done 9/11 of the country’s economy, now it is making the nation’s balance sheet with inflation.”

Dollar climbs as Evergrande uncertainty swirls NEW YORK REUTERS

The dollar was on track for its biggest daily percentage gain against a basket of major currencies in a week on Friday, as uncertainty over beleaguered Chinese property developer Evergrande helped the greenback bounce back from a sharp decline in the prior session. China Evergrande Group owes $305 billion and has run short on cash, missing a Thursday deadline for paying $83.5 million and leaving investors questioning whether it will make the payment before a 30-day grace period expires. A collapse of the company could create systemic risks to China’s financial system. The safe-haven dollar had its biggest one-day percentage drop in about a month on Thursday after Beijing injected new cash into the financial system and Evergrande announced it would make interest payments on an onshore bond. The decline came a day after the greenback was lifted by Wednesday’s announcement from the US Federal Reserve that it will likely begin to trim its monthly bond purchases as soon as November and flagged interest rate increases may follow suit sooner than expected as the central bank moves away from its pandemic crisis policies. “We are in one of the situations, and this doesn’t always happen, where the dollar is the beneficiary of multiple ideas,” said Joseph Trevisani, senior analyst at FXStreet.com. “The US economy does look better than most of it competitors, there is lingering fear out there over Evergrande and what else is out there in the rather untransparent Chinese economy and political system, plus the Fed appears finally ready.” The dollar index rose 0.291%, with the euro down 0.25% to $1.1707. Kansas City Fed President Esther George said the US labor market has already met the central bank’s test to pare its monthly bond purchases, and the discussion should now turn to how its massive bondholding could complicate the decision on when to hike rates. In prepared remarks in a listening session with a wide swath of economic players, Fed Chair Jerome Powell did not elaborate on his own economic or monetary policy outlook, which he had outlined at the close of the two-day Fed meeting on Wednesday. Sterling weakened a day after hawkish comments from the Bank of England on Thursday pushed the pound to its biggest one-day percentage gain since August 23. Cryptocurrencies slumped after China’s most powerful regulators increased the country’s crackdown on the digital assets, with a blanket ban on all crypto transactions and crypto mining. Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, last fell 6.12% to $42,154.72. Smaller coins, which generally move in tandem with bitcoin, also dropped. Ether last fell 8.43% to $2,888.00 while XRP last fell 7.2639757% to $0.93.

Under US sanctions, Iran and Venezuela strike oil export deal WASHINGTON REUTERS

Venezuela has agreed to a key contract to swap its heavy oil for Iranian condensate that it can use to improve the quality of its tarlike crude, with the first cargoes due this week, five people close to the deal said. As the South American country seeks to boost its flagging oil exports in the face of US sanctions, according to the sources, the deal between state-run firms Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) deepens the cooperation between two of Washington’s foes. One of the people said the swap agreement is planned to last for six months in its first phase, but could be extended. Reuters could not immediately determine other details of the mwpact.

The oil ministries of Venezuela and Iran, and state-run PDVSA and NIOC did not reply to requests for comment. The deal could be a breach of US sanctions on both nations, according to a Treasury Department email to Reuters which cited US government orders that establish the punitive measures. US sanctions programs not only forbid Americans from doing business with the oil sectors of Iran and Venezuela, but also threaten to impose “secondary sanctions” against any non-US person or entity that carries out transactions with either countries’ oil companies. Secondary sanctions can carry a range of penalties against those targeted, including cutting off access to the US financial system, fines or the freezing of US assets. Any “transactions with NIOC by nonUS persons are generally subject to sec-

ondary sanctions,” the Treasury Department said in response to a question about the deal. It also said it “retains authority to impose sanctions on any person that is determined to operate in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy,” but did not specifically address whether the current deal is a sanctions breach. US sanctions are often applied at the discretion of the administration in power. Former US President Donald Trump’s government seized Iranian fuel cargoes https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-irancargo-idUSKCN25A2AH at sea bound for Venezuela for alleged sanction busting last year, but his successor Joe Biden has made no similar moves. In Washington, a source familiar with the matter said the swap arrangement between Venezuela and Iran has been on the radar screens of US government officials as

cmYK

a likely sanctions violation in recent months and they want to see how far it will go in practical terms. US officials are concerned, the source said, that Iranian diluent shipments could help provide President Nicolas Maduro with more of a financial lifeline as he negotiates with the Venezuelan opposition towards elections. Sanctions on both nations have crimped their oil sales in recent years, spurring NIOC to support Venezuela – including through shipping services and fuel swaps – in allocating exports to Asia. In a meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Venezuela and Iran publicly stated their commitment to stronger bilateral trade, despite US attempts to block it. Trump’s tightening of sanctions contributed last year to a 38% fall in

Venezuela’s oil exports – the backbone of its economy – to their lowest level in 77 years and curtailed sources of fuel imports, worsening gasoline shortages in the nation of some 30 million people. A US Treasury spokesperson said the department was “concerned” about reports of oil deals between Venezuela and Iran, but had not verified details. The swap contract would provide PDVSA with a steady supply of condensate, which it needs to dilute output of extra heavy oil from the Orinoco Belt, its largest producing region, the people said. The bituminous crude requires mixing before it can be transported and exported. In return, Iran will receive shipments of Venezuelan heavy oil that it can market in Asia, said the people, who declined to be identified as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

06 COMMENT

Why Bangladesh should Use Gwadar Port

Imran Khan’s address at UNGA

CPEC can be used by other countries

Measures that Pakistan needs to undertake

PAthik hAssAn

RIMe Minister Imran Khan’s virtual address to the United nations General Assembly mentioned some of Pakistan’s perennial issues as well as matters that are currently relevant for Pakistan. he mentioned Indian atrocities in Kashmir, the increasing incidents of lynching of innocent Muslims by hindu religious fanatics all over India as well as the promotion of Islamophobia by the ruling BJP government. he underlined the need on the part of the international community to help resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute to prevent conflict between India and Pakistan. Mr Khan however missed mentioning Palestine, which found place in his predecessors’ addresses. The Prime Minister also drew the world’s attention to the challenge posed by Covid-19 and the need on the part of the international community to ensure vaccine equity and provide adequate financing to developing countries. The main burden of the PM’s address was to solicit world support for the Taliban. he underlined the urgency to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The PM argued that the Taliban had already promised respect for human rights, an inclusive government and denial of their soil for use by terrorists. The Taliban had even given amnesty to those working in the past for the USA and its allies. Ironically the same day the Taliban nominated a new prisons chief who announced that executions and amputations awarded for certain crimes under Mullah Umar, will be resumed soon, thus weakening Pakistan’s position. Recounting sacrifices in the war against terror is a worn-out narrative. Both Ziaul haq and Pervez Musharraf agreed to become Washington’s partners in wars partly in return for the international recognition denied to them after they overthrew elected govts and partly for billions of dollars in aid that they spent at their discretion without the oversight of a nAB. While both treated their own people as gun fodder, the West thought the country had been overcompensated. earlier Mr Khan demanded that the USA treat Pakistan as is it does India. now Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi seeks strategic relations with the USA. This must come to an end. India fits well in the US strategy to create an anti-China lobby. While desisting from unnecessarily instigating the USA, Pakistan has to further strengthen its partnership with China. To start with, Mr Khan needs to remove hurdles in the way of the implementation of the CPeC.

AKISTAn’S Gwadar port has brought a new dream for the region. This port is not only for Pakistan but also all regional states. Chinese Investment has accelerated the pace of aspirations in this regard. China’s multibillion-dollar project CPeC is linked with Gwadar port. This port creates some sort of possibilities and potentials for the whole of South Asia, South east Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, eurasia, east Asia and the Middle east. Bangladesh is a rising South Asian economic miracle and star. The country under the leadership of its PM, Sheikh hasina Wajed, is moving forward. There are many industries and companies in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a major exporter of readymade garments. Its apparel industry is booming. So, it needs cotton. But the production of cotton in Bangladesh is very low. Therefore, it used to import cotton from western China, Central Asia and Pakistan also. But Bangladesh has no direct connectivity or shipping lines with these states. Bangladesh is using the Malacca Straits now for import and export from China. It has been using Singapore port. So, cotton imports from Western China are expensive for Bangladesh. On the other hand, Bangladesh exports medicines, apparels, frozen foods, halal foods and potatoes to different countries. Bangladesh exports large amounts of apparel, potatoes and mangoes to Russia and the Central Asian states. On the other hand, It imports cotton and wheat from Russia and the Central Asian states. Recently Bangladesh and Russia have agreed to boost business ties. Bangladesh wants to export mangoes to Russia and import fertilizer from Russia. But the transportation cost by air amongst these states is very high. Bangladesh can utilize the facilities of Gwadar port to boost its trade with Central Asia, Western China and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Gwadar port is going to be a regional trade hub in the region. Bangladesh can reach in Western China, Central Asia, and Pakistan easily. Pakistan has some regional connectivity with the Central Asian states through Afghanistan. Afghanistan is now viable and politically stable. The Taliban have formed a government. Regional states including China, Russia are interested to invest in the development of infrastructure and connectivity of Afghanistan. Bangladesh can also play a role in

Vaccination scams If scams are not handled, Pakistan may suffer

heRe is increasing evidence that loopholes in the government’s vaccination management system’s is being exploited by unscrupulous elements to udermine it. As the system is computerised, it means that the complicity of fewer officials is needed, and because it is new, it is impossible to blame on previous governments, though that means that it is possible to eradicate it, before it takes root and becomes part of ‘the way things are done.’ Perhaps the most egregious case is that of ex-PM nawaz Sharif, who is on the national Immunization Management System, and who it shows was vaccinated in a Lahore hospital on Wednesday. The detection of a gang by the Punjab government shows that malpractices have crept in, whereby fake vaccination certificates are issued. This was proved to Asad Umar, the minister who chairs the national Operation Command Centre Committee, by a journalist who showed him a vaccination certificate obtained without having been vaccinated. The covid-19 pandemic has brought the problem of a demand for vaccination certificates. These certificates are now needed for a wide range of activities, and clearly there are those who exploit the system illegally. One problem is that the certificates could end up valueless, having lost all credibility. The recent reversal of the ‘red’ status of travellers to and from the UK was because of a trust in Pakistani certificates. If that trust is no longer there, then the ban can be slapped on travellers once again, Worse, it might well mean that unvaccinated people can go about their business, yet spreading the infection. It also means that the disabilities which the government is inflicting on the unvaccinated will become meaningless. The government must ensure that vaccination scams are stopped before the tipping point is reached, where it becomes more convenient (though more expensive) to get a fake certificate rather than a genuine one. That can only be done by punishing the ones tha crop up. So far, only the doctors involved in the nawaz case have been suspended, while Asad Umar has threatened the reporter with action for doing something illegal, rather than taking action against the officials esponsible. This method of corrurption must be stopped before it is too late.

The government’s PMDA is not meant to combat fake news

AttiyA MunAwer

he media is an important pillar in a democratic and progressive society. however, the media in Pakistan despite its being a democratic country, has faced unnecessary pressure under every government. The present government is posing unwarranted pressure on the electronic and print media by a tool called the Pakistan Media Development Authority that has become a government priority, to authorize the government to set up a regulatory authority to control the media. The powers vested in the regulatory authority under the proposed law are unjust. Media outlets are not above law and regulation, but it is not acceptable to control the media under the umbrella of a single regulatory authority by neutralizing existing laws and institutions. There is no doubt that every government along with the opposition has been trying to control the national media. The current government also wants to introduce a bill in the name of a Pakistan Media Development Authority with the intention of cracking down on freedom of press under the guise of controlling false news.

Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor

Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi

Umar Aziz

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

So, Bangladesh should use Pakistan’s Gwadar port. There is no alternative for each and every state in the world without being connected with others. There is huge potential for Bangladesh in this regard. Now is the time for Bangladesh to utilize this

The writer can be pathikhasan1141@gmail.com

reached

Tactics to control media

Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami

Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

taking part in the development process in Afghanistan. Therefore, Bangladesh should use Gwadar port to reach in these countries for ensuring its own business interest. There might have been some problems between Bangladesh and Pakistan. But both governments of these two states should solve then for their own mutual interest. Pakistan should play an important role in this regard. It has some responsibilities to Bangladesh. It has to be understood and realized. But these problems must be solved diplomatically with bilateral efforts. Pakistan’s Gwadar port has very strategic significance. China and Pakistan are working together to establish Gwadar port as a regional hub. Using Gwadar port, Bangladesh can easily access the markets of Central Asian states, the western part of China, Pakistan, even Afghanistan and Western Asian states. Bangladesh products can be exported from those regions easily. The raw materials for apparel sector (cotton) can be imported easily from Pakistan and the Central Asian states. In such a way, the business relations amongst Bangladesh and other Muslim countries will be strengthened. Bangladesh-Pakistan economic ties will be further bolstered. There is no shipping line connection between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Bangladesh imports raw materials and products from western China and Central Asian Countries through either Singapore via the Malacca Strait or by air. So, the cost of transportation and wastage of time is huge for Bangladesh. Bangladesh can easily overcome this by utilizing Pakistan's Gwadar port. Bangladesh had already joined the China-run BRI project in 2017. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka all are the members of the Chinese BRI project. If Bangladesh’s ports, such as Chittagong (Chattogram), Payra, and Mangla, can be connected with Pakistan’s Gwadar port, Karachi port or Port Qasim via Sri Lanka’s Colombo or hamban-

tota ports, both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would benefit. Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states would also benefit. The whole of South-east Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia would benefit. ASeAn and SAARC free trade zones could be created. Bangladesh could benefit ultimately. The dependence of Bangladesh on India will be decreased. A greater regional interest could be confirmed. Why Bangladesh should utilize Pakistan’s Gwadar port? 1. For ensuring its own business interest. 2. To strengthen the economic and trade ties with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asian States, West Asian countries and even Russia and China. 3. To decrease its huge dependence on India, 4. For creating the ASeAn and SAARC free-trade zones. 5. This connectivity could unite the ASeAn and SAARC free trade zones. 6. All states in those regions would benefit mutually in the sector of trade, counter-terrorism approaches through multilateral ties. 7. enhancing bilateral relations could contribute to the growth of trade and investment relations with ASeAn and BIMSTeC countries. This will create an opportunity to serve greater regional interest. 8. Re-establishing the himalayan-South Asian connectivity can occur if political and diplomatic solutions of Bangladesh-Pakistan strained ties can be found. 9. Use of Gwadar port by Bangladesh would ensure the maximum benefit of the people. So, Bangladesh should use Pakistan’s Gwadar port. There is no alternative for each and every state in the world without being connected with others. There is huge potential for Bangladesh in this regard. now is the time for Bangladesh to utilize this.

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

As far as the veracity of the news is concerned, no news organization wants to be involved in the process of spreading lies, yet there is a legal mechanism for any shortcomings or complaints and it is a common practice all over the world that a journalist who fails to defend his information has to accept responsibility. If a body under the government is given full authority, the demands of justice will not be met, because such institutions will be forced to accept the truth of the present government in any news. Media is the eye and voice of the society, but if the government tries to bring in some regulation to control it, the media will only be able to see what the government wants to show. Instead of listening to the voice of the people, it will only be able to listen to the government instructions and only be able to speak the official language. Can such a decrepit media do any useful service for the country and the nation? The media acts as a safety valve for the expression of social sentiments and the government gets acquainted with the public sentiments and feelings through these means. If the media is forced to follow the government's lead, then the duty of expressing public feelings and sentiments remains unfulfilled. This government is not a bargaining chip for the time being. history is replete with the consequences of the strangulation of the media in this country. Learning from this, the government should realize the need and importance of media. Instead of controlling the media, the government should look at the challenges it faces. In the face of previous governments’ desire

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

to control the media, the current government must realize that without a strong and independent media, it will never be able to fight its case internally and externally. Through the government’s proposed law and the regulatory authority, the problems of the people may not be freely expressed, but instead of reducing the problems, they will increase them. The media acts as a shield against baseless information in the society, but if it attempts tgis, will be made to destroy existence, then society will be helpless in the face of a storm of rumours. It is gratifying that the country’s political parties, journalists and human rights organizations are jointly condemning the black law, journalists are protesting inside and outside Parliament house, and opposition leaders are also expressing solidarity with journalists. Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maulana Fazalur Rehman have been assuring that the PMDA law will not be passed, but it is the opposition leaders who are at the forefront of restricting freedom of the press when they come to power. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad hussain’s role is not hidden from anyone. he was a champion of freedom of expression in his opposition era. The government's high-handed tactics of banning the media have failed in the past and will not succeed in the future, so the government should refrain from being part of cruel measures that threaten freedom of expression. Keep in mind that the idea of banning pen and voice has never proved to be better for the country and the nation in its own right.

The government's highhanded tactics of banning the media have failed in the past and will not succeed in the future, so the government should refrain from being part of cruel measures that threaten freedom of expression. Keep in mind that the idea of banning pen and voice has never proved to be better for the country and the nation in its own right

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

The writer tweets @AttiyaMunawer

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Sunday, 26 September, 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

Lessons from 2020

Time to leave the past behind An ill-conceived effort to change Afghanistan where others had failed before

Candid Corner

rAoof hAsAn

e knew it. We talked about it. We debated it in all its multiple facets. We were aware that we would not be able to escape the consequences of our daring because those vested with power have neither the capacity to understand nor the grace to brook opposition to their dominant authority. They don’t want to be challenged because they construe it as weakness in their arsenal. Reprisals were bound to come: scapegoat Pakistan, cricket, FATF, IMF, et al. But continuation of conflict in the neighbourhood had yielded a harrowing impact which had to be addressed. We did not want to forever roast in the cauldron of war and fratricide. We did not want to be burnt in the avalanche of hate. We did not want to be washed away in the ferocity of raging currents. We could not resign our fate to the vile machinations of others for whom peace was not a preferred option because they are located far away from the theatre of a war which had dragged on for over 40 years, carving indelible marks on the battleground generations. They longed for peace in their midst and around them so that they and their future generations could look forward to growing up in an environment which was not afflicted by death and destruction. Someone had to gather the courage. Someone had to take up the challenge. Someone had to raise a voice because war was impacting the regional countries without respite. Through 40 years of unending conflict, only the perpetrators had changed. The poor people had continued to suffer its ravages and pain. They had been denuded of their hope. They were deprived of their basic needs. They had no schools to send their children to. They had no health facilities to tend their sick and enfeebled. They did not have any opportunities to improve the condition of their lives. For them, life was reduced to an unending struggle to survive among the ruins of a war that seemed like going on to eternity. There was no future. There was only today which had to be endured with all its pain and suffering. Life with its calamitous manifestations was upon them with a lingering fear that it could be blown away in the raging madness of someone with a suicide jacket strapped around his waist. That is not all. For 20 long years, the Afghans suffered the ‘democracy’ experiment which inducted vagrants like Karzai and Ghani to the coveted Kabul throne where they guilefully indulged in improving their personal lots. In the process, they endangered the basic survival of the impoverished millions of their people. They raised an army of over 300,000

soldiers, trained them in the techniques of modern warfare and equipped them with the latest sophisticated weaponry. But when the onslaught came, they virtually melted away into the dark for the Taliban to walk through to Kabul without firing a bullet. While Afghanistan was actually coming apart, a false perception of things being fine was elaborately perpetuated. It is all there in the Afghanistan Papers titled “At War With The Truth”, a 2,000-page compilation that was published by the Washington Post after a three-year legal battle with the authorities. Those who were interviewed alleged that the “war fighting strategies were fatally flawed and that Washington wasted enormous amounts of money trying to remake Afghanistan into a modern nation”. Some others described explicit efforts by the United States government to “deliberately mislead the public”. They went on to allege that “it was common at military headquarters in Kabul, and at the White house, to distort statistics to make it appear the US was winning the war when that was not the case”. There was rampant confusion about the objectives of the war inside the Pentagon, the White house and the State Department: “Some US officials wanted to use the war to turn Afghanistan into a democracy. Others wanted to transform Afghan culture and elevate women’s rights. Still others wanted to reshape the regional balance of power among Pakistan, India, Iran and Russia”. It appeared that they wanted to create a brand new country from the ruins of the one that existed – and all this against the tribal, cultural and social traditions of a people which were deeply ingrained in their psyche. It is estimated that 90vpercen of what the US spent in Afghanistan was overkill: “We lost objectivity. We were given money, told to spend it and we did, without reason”. This bred corruption which “self-organised into a kleptocracy”, but the US officials failed to recognise the lethal threat it posed to their strategy– if they had one at all! Ryan Crocker, who was the US ambassador in Kabul in 2002 and again from 2011 to 2012, stated it candidly: “The biggest single project, sadly and inadvertently, may have been the development of corruption. Once it gets to the level I saw, when I was out there, it is somewhere between unbelievably hard and outright impossible to fix”. And who benefitted from this? They were among the very leadership that the USA manoeuvred to be ‘elected’ through a fraudulent process which, actually, became a butt of caustic sarcasm. And then the USA decided to leave. It signed a deal with the Taliban (whom they refuse to recognise now!) that, in exchange for their commitment not to allow the Afghan soil to be used for any terrorist activity, it would withdraw its troops from the country. It even gave a timeline for this. Originally, it was May 31 which was later extended to August 31 by the

Biden Administration. They did so because they were convinced that they had created a formidable Afghan force that would not allow the Taliban to take over. terf Like all their other projections in Afghanistan, this, too, proved to be a gross fallacy. When the time came, the Afghan forces were nowhere to be found. It was a walkover for the Taliban and, within days, they were knocking at the gates of Kabul. That led to incomparable chaotic scenes at the airport where the whole city surged in a bid to find a seat on their way out of the country. When the last plane flew out of Kabul airport, there were still thousands who remained stranded. Among others, Pakistan was at the forefront of helping out in the evacuation efforts. It received widespread praise for its leadership role in extending support to all those countries and organisations which had people left behind. Then the Taliban walked in and took over the last unconquered post – Kabul. They were again the masters of the fate of Afghanistan like they were back in 2001 when the USA launched the assault after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. What remains to be seen is how differently the Taliban govern this time as compared to when they were last in power. In the meanwhile, Pakistan gets the flack for telling the world early on that war will not deliver a solution to the Afghan crisis. Only a dialogue will, which is exactly the way it happened in the end. But the US and some other countries of the world, unwilling to acknowledge their retreat, are looking for a scapegoat. So, Pakistan continues to bear the brunt of the pain of unfulfilled ambitions and the embarrassment of failure of those who wanted to change Afghanistan, but could not. Imran Khan was the sole voice of reason 15 years ago when he advocated dialogue with the Taliban. As Prime Minister of Pakistan, he remains committed to the very same interactive process to address the outstanding issues of human rights and inclusivity of the new Afghan government. War was not an option then. War is not an option now. Redemption will come by forging a partnership rooted in the inevitability of peace. In his groundbreaking address to the United nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Khan called upon the world community not to let Afghanistan lapse into a humanitarian crisis which is looming. It needs international support. Instead of persisting as adversaries in conflict, it is time to become partners in peace. It is also time to leave the past behind!

In his groundbreaking address to the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Khan called upon the world community not to let Afghanistan lapse into a humanitarian crisis which is looming. It needs international support. Instead of persisting as adversaries in conflict, it is time to become partners in peace. It is also time to leave the past behind!

The writer is a political and security strategist, and heads the Regional Peace Institute – an Islamabad-based think tank. Email: raoofhasan@hotmail.com. Twitter: @RaoofHasan

2020 was the worst year which we all experienced. It was tough and full of uncertainties. We lost many living legends, faced many troubles and difficulties. everyone says goodbye to the departed year with many good and bad memories and welcomes new year with many many hopes and expectations. however, this is not an event to celebrate and party but to learn something from it. Amidst last year many of us lost their loved ones, relatives and friends. But look we are alive even after sustaining many losses and deprivations. It is proof that time and life stops for nothing. neither time breaked for anyone nor life paused for someone. Last year, everyone committed many sins and mistakes willingly or unwillingly. But we can’t undo them. One mistake once done can’t be reversed but wisdom is to learn from that and strive not to make that mistake again. Doing a mistake is not a big mistake but not learning any lesson from it, is the biggest mistake. So, promise yourself to be something better than your old version. Try to make your 2021 better than 2020. Don’t waste even a single moment of the new year. Utilize your time for achieving your goals and targets. At the commencement of every new year, we set news plans and goals. We hope that the new year will bring many improvements in us. But an alteration in the calendar can’t change your life unless you yourself want to change yourself. Change doesn’t come from only gossiping about it but you have to work for it. I wish this year brings prosperity and happiness to every individual who is seeking it. May this year pass quietly and peacefully! Muzaffar Khoso suKKur

Vandalising sacred places ACCORDInG to the constitution of Pakistan, every individual has equal rights to live one’s own life in accordance with the law of the state whether one is a muslim or a non-muslim. Similarly, minorities, being citizens of Pakistan, have the same rights as others have. But it is sad to state that condition is conversely adverse in the land of pure; where they people are treated as second class citizens; where minorities have been become soft targets either in the form of forced conversions or vandalizing their sacred places whether in the name of religion or personal enmity by extremist minded people. Though, demolishing holy places of other religions also lie in the ambit of blasphemous law. The recent incident of setting fire to a shrine (demolished in 1997 too by another mob) of a hindu saint by mobs in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is also an intolerable and condemnable act. however, no law has been passed to fight this peril out-and-out from our society. no serious action is taken against those ill-minded people who are involved in these ill-planned acts. hence, it’s a dire need of hour for the ruling government as well as concerned authorities of the state to take pragmatic measures for overcoming this cruelty, and look into this matter for the protection of the vulnerable as well as marginalized sections of the society and its sacred places. KaMlesh Bansari. sujawal

Making the most of 2021 InITIALLy, I had thought it to be just another new year. But my mindset had started changing for better perspectives immediately after watching some new year eve programmes live on Cnn. And a lot of laugh, plenty of wishes and a plethora of love had then been exchanged between the Cnn anchormen and a few other people including certain new yorkers during that beautiful TV programme on the Times Square ball drop. On the whole, it seemed like they were all laughing away that bloody pandemic. What a good start to 2021 just born! This could be a positive call to everyone out there. On the other hand, the universe has been facing a lot of business and trade challenges straight from time immemorial. Additionally, the current COVID-19 crisis has just added to the trade issues across the globe. however, continents like Asia, America and europe have started taking steps to reconcile the current fiasco. More to the point, the intercontinental business/trade activities are the need of the hour in the current context. economically speaking, the current business statements from the Asian region have been pretty encouraging. Furthermore, sincere efforts and mutual business cooperation are badly needed to expand the potential trade platforms like APeC-Asia Pacific economic Cooperation, RCeP-Regional Comprehensive economic Partnership all aimed at encouraging regional business activities through free trade. Free trade has been deemed to be the best way out of economic slump in contrast to the trade war intended to harm other countries. My first-ever job was in fact into export and import activities through the Tuticorin Port in Tamil nadu. Any attempt to place an embargo on trade activities will only entail a strong backlash. My native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli have been thriving on easy and free trade, selling the locally procured farm produce like paddy, bananas, betels within the region and to outside areas too. Plus, the idea of protectionism will never go down well with the people and countries. Getting down to free trade is the way forward and well ahead. Countries from the east and the West should come forward to strengthen the global economic status through bold business steps like multilateral negotiations and transboundary free trade. P senthil saravana Durai MuMBai

Unpaid teachers The schools in the Sindh have been closed since after the first case reported in the country of coronavirus. But there are many teachers like me who are working in private schools, and are still waiting for their salaries. The school’s management has declined to pay the salaries for the month of March and giving the excuses like- the students didn’t pay them the fees of the month of March and will release the salaries the moment they think they are in a position to do so. Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I want the education department authorities to look into the issue and all the private schools teachers should be paid on time. raBia Khan Karachi

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

america’s generals are cowards. Fire Them all THE KABUL BOMBING REVEALS A CADRE OF GENERALS WHO LACK THE COURAGE TO ADMIT THE DISHONOUR OF KILLING CIVILIANS

Intercept

Peter MaaSS

F you are waiting for an American general to resign or be fired over the drone strike that killed seven children and three men in Kabul last month, you will likely experience the meaning of infinity. You might think that the Pentagon would be scrambling to find a general to take the fall for what can no longer be denied: that the U.S. military killed 10 Afghans on August 29, called it a “righteous strike” against terrorists, and then had to admit the truth after journalists found out what happened. But don’t bet your bitcoin on it. The military is already saying that standard targeting protocols were followed for the Kabul attack; the problem was a faulty assumption or two, we meant well, next time we’ll do better. The generals are in a corner. If they admit that the Kabul massacre is resignation-worthy

— and in a healthy society, a massacre would be — they would have to admit that resignations should have occurred after the multitude of U.S. bombings and attacks in the past 20 years that killed large numbers of civilians doing nothing more sinister than attending a wedding party, seeking care at a hospital, or picking pine nuts. The Kabul bombing was an outlier only in the amount of attention it received; the killing of civilians has proven to be a feature rather than a bug of the 9/11 wars. The generals who have overseen two decades of carnage in Afghanistan and Iraq are inept at winning wars, but they possess one skill in abundance: a knack for avoiding career consequences for their too-many-tocount errors. The generals, as well as the politicians who approve ever-rising military budgets, have managed to lull the country to sleep with a euphemistic lullaby about what they want us to limply understand as an infrequent phenomenon of “collateral damage.” The lack of resignations, whether forced or voluntary, attests to a character trait that is not traditionally attached to U.S. generals but should be: cowardice. MORAL COWARDICE: Let’s focus on moral cowardice. Since 2001, not a single general has had the courage to say, “enough, I will not be part of this killing and deception

hindu naTionalisTs Turn Their sighTs on india’s corporaTe TiTans ACCUSATIONS THAT COMPANIES ARE UNDERMINING THE STATE ARE UNLIKELY TO HELP ATTRACT MUCH-NEEDED INVESTMENT FInancIal tImeS

aMY KaZMin

NFOSYS, the IT services company, has long been venerated as a symbol of a rising India.The pioneering tech outsourcer was the first Indian company to list on the Nasdaq and became emblematic of the entrepreneurial energies and tech prowess of an aspirational nation seeking global recognition. The original founders, now billionaires, are investing in India’s next generation of dynamic tech companies and mentoring young entrepreneurs aiming to follow their trailblazing path. Given the company’s stature, many took note this month when it was accused of being “antinational” and deliberately undermining India by Panchajanya, the hindi-language magazine of the RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh, the parent organisation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party. The four-page tirade was ostensibly triggered by Infosys’ upgrade of India’s income tax portal, a $573m overhaul that was supposed to make it easier for Indians to file their income tax returns. Instead it has been riddled with glitches, which Infosys has struggled to fix since its June launch. Taxpayers, and the government, are rightly frustrated. Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister, has twice summoned Infosys chief executive Salil Parekh to urge a rapid remediation. The tax department has had to extend this year’s deadline for filing tax returns from the usual July 31 to December 31. But Panchajanya did not merely attack Infosys for doing a shoddy job. Instead, the magazine — seen as a mouthpiece for the hindu nationalist movement — accused the tech firm of deliberate conspiracy to undermine the Modi government, and India itself. “There are allegations that the Infosys management is trying to deliberately trying to destabilise the economy. Could it be that anti-India forces are trying to harm India’s economic interests through Infosys,” the article posited.

“Given the history and circumstances of the company, there seems to be an element of truth in the allegations.” As evidence of the company’s supposedly shady conduct, the magazine then made a not so oblique reference to several independent news and fact checking websites funded by the Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation, a Bangalore-based philanthropic fund set up in 2015 to support public interest journalism. Among donors are several prominent tech titans, including the family of Infosys founder NandanNilekani. “Infosys has been accused of aiding Naxalites, leftists and the ‘tukdetukde’ gang, (that wants to divide the country)” the magazine said, echoing the insults hurled by the BJP’s most combative politicians against government critics.“Should a company of such dubious character be allowed to participate in a government tendering process?” it asked. The RSS subsequently distanced itself from the piece, with a spokesman calling it merely the opinion of the individual author. however, Panchajanya’s editor stood by the allegations and invited Infosys to refute them. The company and its founders have so far maintained a stoic silence.Infosys is not the only Indian bluechip feeling the heat from the notoriously prickly government. The normally staid annual conference of the Confederation of Indian Industry was jolted last month when commerce minister PiyushGoyal launched a tirade against corporate India, repeatedly singling out the 153year-old Tata Group.Though the video was briefly available on the CII’s YouTube channel, it was later taken down under instructions from the government. Tata has made no public comments on the episode. Over the past decade private investment in India has been muted, say economists, and the economy was slowing down sharply even before Covid-19 hit. New Delhi is now eager to accelerate growth and is trying hard to portray itself as an attractive place to do business. Overt bullying and hurling insults of treachery has in recent years enabled the BJP to intimidate its opponents, stifle criticism and mute policy debate. But such tactics may not encourage industries to open their wallets and invest.

any longer, it is wrong and harmful to all, here are my stars.” Again and again, the generals have tolerated, excused, and lied about the slaughter of civilians in the 9/11 wars — at least several hundred thousand noncombatants have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the number is probably far higher. What happened in Kabul last month is a case study of all those pathologies of denial poured into one tragedy. Courage is required to admit that you were dead wrong, to take an unpopular stand against your brethren, to cast shame on them, to bring on their disapproval. Courage is also necessary to sustain an objector in the aftermath of breaking away. Though a dissenting general would retire with a generous pension, he could forget about landing the lucrative corporate gigs, usually with military contractors, that shower millions of dollars on former commanders who lend their prestige to forever warfare.In other words, it doesn’t require a ridiculous amount of courage for a general to do the right thing. We have to look elsewhere, far below the military’s upper echelons, to find the courage that ending 20 years of unlawful warfare requires. Look, for example, to Daniel hale, who worked on the intelligence side of drone warfare for the Air Force and

came to be repulsed by it. In 2015, hale leaked classified military documents that revealed the underside of the U.S. drone program and in particular the weaknesses of its targeting protocols and its tendency to kill people who were not the intended targets. The Intercept published classified documents about problems in the U.S. drone program in an eight-part series in late 2015. “With drone warfare, sometimes nine out of 10 people killed are innocent,” hale has explained. “You have to kill part of your conscience to do your job. … I stole something that was never mine to take — precious human life. I couldn’t keep living in a world in which people pretend that things weren’t happening that were.” Today, hale is not pulling down six figures a year as a board member of Raytheon Technologies or Lockheed Martin. he is serving a 45-month prison sentence for violating the espionage Act. FIRE THE GENERALS: Of course, getting rid of the senior leadership of the armed forces would be an incredibly radical move, but Andrew Bacevich has put forward a plan to do just that. Bacevich is a retired Army colonel who in recent decades emerged as one of the most prominent intellectual critics of American

foreign and military policy. On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, he published a lightly noticed article proposing a wholesale clearance of the nation’s military leadership due to their losing streak. Its winking title was “A Modest Proposal: Fire All of the Post 9/11 Generals” — but Bacevich stressed that his piece was not a Swiftian satire. “Allow me to suggest … a purge,” he wrote. “Oblige all active duty three- and four-star generals (and admirals) to retire forthwith. Rebuild the ranks of the senior officer corps with members of a younger generation willing and able to acknowledge the shortcomings of recent American military leadership at the top.” To find the replacements, Bacevich suggested that the secretary of defense — though not the current one, Lloyd Austin, who was a four-star general until recently — personally interview one- and two-star generals who show promise and ask this one question: “On a scale of one-to-ten, where one is lousy, ten excellent, and five mediocre, how would you rate U.S. military performance over the past 20 years?” Generals who give a rating of five or below would proceed to the next round, consisting of writing an essay in two hours that answers the question, “What is the problem and how do we fix it?”Bacevich concluded, “Those essays should provide the basis for selecting and assigning the next generation of senior leaders.”There’s no need to wonder whether the next generation would be better than the present one, because Bacevich’s plan is not going to be adopted; the generals don’t want it, and the politicians don’t want it. We’re stuck with a cadre of military leaders who lack the courage to admit the dishonour of killing civilians.

This ambiTious parTiTion Trilogy begins wiTh negoTiaTions and a love sTory Scroll

“T

ManreetSodhiSoMeShwar

he resignation of the Tiwana government has set light to the tinderbox that is Panjab.” Vallabh gazed at the reports on his desk. “The Muslim League’s agitations have paid off, but at what cost? Governor Jenkins was unwise to ask the Khan of Mamdot to form a government. A clear signal to the hindus and Sikhs that the days of coalition are over...” “Master Tara Singh sees it as the return of Muslim tyranny,” Vidya Shankar added. “As you see, Sardar, he’s called for the formation of AkaliFauj– ” Vallabh raised his furrowed brow to gaze at his personal secretary. “The private armies already exist – Muslims, Sikhs, hindus, all have been raising them for a while now. But the Master brandishing his kirpan on the steps of the Panjab Legislative Assembly is like waving a red flag before an enraged bull ...’ he read aloud from one of the papers on his desk. ‘“Kat kedengeapnijaan, magarnadenge Pakistan.” Do or die. It’s an ultimatum. Which the Muslim extremists will answer.’ “Sardar, now that Governor Jenkins has assumed direct charge, perhaps things will calm down?” “One can hope, Shankar, but Panjab’s unity is dead.” Vallabh squared his jaw. “Get me VP Menon.” “The Raj’s reforms commissioner?’” Vallabh nodded. “Tell him, it’s urgent.” Vidya Shankar appeared to hesitate. “Sardar, may I speak freely?” At the home minister’s nod, he continued. “Mr Menon has the Viceroy’s ear. And Lord Wavell’s sympathies, as we know, lie with the Muslim League.” Vallabh did not speak. Upon appointment as the home minister in the interim government, he had realised the need for a private secretary. Morarji Desai had suggested the name of Vidya Shankar. Vallabh had grilled the young Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer for an hour and a half, assisted by Manibehn. Shankar was efficient, organised, quick on the uptake and, as Vallabh was learning, loyal. “Aurangzeb or Clive?” Vallabh asked. Vidya Shankar started.“That was the choice I was given when I took office as the home minister in the new twelve-member Constituent Assembly. Whether to live on Aurangzeb Road or Clive Road? Between the two conquerors, do I choose the old Mughal or the new english?” Vallabh snorted.“In the end, it was the house itself that settled the question. Manibehn figured the rooms – entrance foyer, bed, living, this office – would serve well. The government provides a gardener, a couple of servants to help Mani run the house, and a guard, yes, in civilian clothes to man the gate. See him there?” he pointed to the window which overlooked the garden and the gate beyond. “It provides employment for one man – though I doubt the household or I need protection. It is India that has to be secured.” Vallabh looked intently at Vidya Shankar. “My new role has brought me new associates, Shankar, both english and Indian – many of whom were responsible for sending us Congressmen to jail. Now, those men are my subordinates. They have to work for me and I have to make them follow my orders. I cannot let our past history or rancour come in the way.

There is only one goal; that of building a free India.” Vallabh paused, a faint twinkle in his eye. he then nodded towards Vidya Shankar. “To address your specific concern. It is precisely because Menon has access to the Viceroy that he has a superior understanding of the Raj’s intentions. As for his sympathies... Well, they match yours.” As she served him a simple lunch of dal, vegetables, and rice, Manibehn updated her father. “You have an appointment with VP Menon for 2.30 pm. Perhaps a nap after lunch to – ” “Panjab is in flames, Mani. Reports, phone calls, telegrams are coming in by the hour as the situation deteriorates. See for yourself.” With his left hand, he pushed a sheaf of papers for her to read. Manibehn glanced at the top sheet. “Lahore silk market set ablaze”. Then sifted through a few more. “Amritsar becomes an inferno”. “Gangs roaming streets with knives, lances and lathis in their hands”. She looked away. Refilling her father’s glass of water, she sat down. Vallabh pushed his plate away, right hand atop. he had eaten less than half his usual lunch. “Not just Lahore and Amritsar, the madness has spread to all major cities of Panjab. Rawalpindi, Jullunder, Sialkot, Multan...The League has been spoiling for war for too long. They refused to accept Jawaharlal as the Cabinet leader in the interim government, openly proclaiming they were in only to get a foothold to fight for their cherished goal of Pakistan. They agitated against Tiwana’s government because they do not believe in coalition building and now...” Vallabh swallowed hard, “now we have civil war on our hands!” Manibehn sat back in her chair. her years of sitting in on her father’s political meetings, taking notes, getting acquainted with Congressmen, had given her an unparalleled political education. As she smoothed the cover of the dining table with one hand, she said, “Attlee’s statement of 20 February has meant one thing only to the League: partition. even Bapu said that the wording was ambiguous enough that it could lead to the demand for Pakistan from those provinces that wanted it.” Outside the room, the usual bustle of the home minister’s home office was amplified by the telephone ringing non-stop. To avoid adding to the din, Manibehn had instructed the cook not to use the pressure cooker in the kitchen. however, it seemed as though the birds too had followed her instruction. Birdsong, that usually floated from the open windows through the day, was missing. As if the mynahs and sparrows too were stunned by the gathering storm.She cleared her throat. “So, are we looking at a divided India?” Pushing his chair back, Vallabh arose. his face did not give anything away, but there was a stillness in her father’s piercing eyes that Manibehn had seen before. She was just four years old when Mother had passed away, and she had heard of that incident when Father got the news as he was cross-examining a witness in a courtroom in Anand. Apparently, he read the telegram that was handed to him, put it in his pocket, and continued. In the end, the witness broke down. Only later did Father inform others of the contents of the telegram: the announcement of his wife’s death. Manibehn imagined that when he read the telegram, her father’s eyes had that same peculiar stillness she had just witnessed.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

BUSINeSS 09

KARACHI corporate corner Atif Aslam Embraces “Ajnabi” on Snack Video

GoVt yEt to iSSuE ordEr for trAdE with AfGhAniStAn in ruPEES PESHAWAR

KARACHI: Superstar and global music icon Atif Aslam is now on Pakistan’s fastest growing short video platform. Earlier this week, Atif shared a couple of promo videos on SnackVideo to announce his upcoming song “Ajnabi” set to release on September 25th. Atif Aslam’s posts have been trending on SnackVideo as his fans and Snackers are excited to welcome their favourite music star on board and desperately waiting for the release. The sneak peeks also revealed Pakistan’s sweetheart Mahira Khan collaborating with Atif in the music video of “Ajnabi”. In fact, these promo videos on SnackVideo have gotten immense attention and Atif Aslam’s account attracted 30K followers on the platform in just a day, while the first video exceeded 500K views and is growing. Atif’s new song is an exciting opportunity for music lovers and talented video creators to join the world of SnackVideo, to sing out loud, show some dance moves and groove on “Ajnabi”. To find out who the “Ajnabi” is, stay tuned on Snack Video. PrESS rElEASE

K-Electric team apprehends theft of electricity wires KARACHI: K-Electric's field teams on Saturday caught two thieves red-handed in their attempt to steal conductor copper wires from the utility’s infrastructure in DHA Phase VII. The incident occurred on Saturday early morning when K-Electric’s team received complaints about interruption in power supply from the area's residents. Teams were immediately dispatched to the location where 2 unidentified individuals were attempting to steal copper wires from the Pole Mounted Transfomer installed in Khayaban-e-Sadi. Around 160 KG of 120mm PVC Copper leads were also recovered from the individuals. They have been apprehended and handed to the police custody for formal action. Commenting on the incident, Amer Zia, Chief Distribution Officer, KElectric said, “We are grateful to our consumers in the vicinity who raised their complaints in a timely manner because of which we were able to mobilize our team and apprehend the culprits. Unfortunately, such incidents occur across Karachi and compromise our infrastructure, impairing our ability to provide Karachi with uninterrupted power. These attempts at stealing live wires also reflect complete disregard for personal safety.” KE has also established Speakup, a platform where theft can be reported by means of phone, and email with the assurance of anonymity. Consumers can call at 118, or email at speakup@ke.com.pk. PrESS rElEASE

Paris Club extends Pakistan’s debt payment deadline PARIS: The Paris Club of creditor countries said on Friday it was giving Pakistan another extension to service its debt so that it can dedicate its resources to combating the Covid19 pandemic. The country has until December to make the payment, the club said in a statement, without releasing a figure. Islamabad “is committed to devote the resources freed by this initiative to increase spending in order to mitigate the health, economic and social impact of the Covid-19 crisis,” the statement said. The country’s debt amounts to some 90 per cent of its gross domestic product, according to the International Monetary Fund. Its debt service for the 2021-2022 fiscal year totals $56.9 billion, the IMF says. Pakistan owes $11.5bn to the Paris Club, according to the IMF. AGENCIES

AZIZ BUNErI

ESPITE the announcement by the Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has yet to issue a notification over doing trade with Afghanistan in Pakistani rupees. In this regard, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, newly elected vice-president of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) on Saturday said business communities on both sides of the border are suffering since due to the government's failure to implement its announcements regarding Pak-Afghan trade, stressing that effective measures must be taken to boost trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs). PAJCCI Chairman Zubair Motiwala, said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has already dropped by 50 per cent as trade in Afghan currency is impossible at the moment because of the neighbouring country's current security and financial condition while trade in US dollar in not suitable for traders due to the current economic situation of Pakistan. There are countless opportunities for Pakistani businessmen in rebuilding the war-riddled Afghanistan. The traders believe that by allowing bilateral trade in Pakistani rupees, the country would be in a position to overcome the current trade deficit. Sarhadi informed that exports volume to Afghanistan and Central Asia was harmed after the federal government and the State Bank of Pakistan cut off exports to these countries in Pakistani rupees. He said that Afghanistan has been a war-torn

country for many years and now its banking system is non-functional which has badly affected the export of cement, steel, edible oil, rice, medicines and foodstuffs from Pakistan to Afghanistan has reduced. The banking system in Afghanistan was weak, the law and order situation was deteriorated, so it was the only country from which certified payments and receipts through banking channels were not necessary for trade, but now this facility has been withdrawn, which has hampered trade with Afghanistan. He said that the volume of bilateral trade between

Pakistan and Afghanistan which was $2.5 billion five years ago is now less than $600 million and as a result of current policies and measures, bilateral trade and transit trade is now reduced to zero. Sarhadi demanded that Prime Minister Imran Khan, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Trade Adviser Abdul Razzak Dawood, SBP governor, federal secretary Commerce, and director Exchange Policy to take notice of the situation, urging them to immediately issue a notification for trade with Afghanistan in Pakistani rupees ton revive bilateral trade.

No US dollar flight from Pakistan to Afghanistan: FBR The Federal board of Revenue (FBR) on Saturday rebutted the propaganda being advanced by some irresponsible elements that there is huge flight of the US dollars from Pakistan. In a statement, the FBR clarified that previously the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was carried out in US dollars but now the same is being conducted in Pak rupees. Furthermore, FBR said it has taken stringent enforcement measures at the airports to eliminate the possibility of any such unethical practice. Pakistan Customs has made it mandatory for all passengers flying out of the country to undergo a thorough personal scrutiny and 100 per cent declaration of Currency through an automated process in order to ward off this nefarious illegal activity. This leaves little possibility of the subject undesirable practice, said the FBR. It is most likely that FBR chairman and member (customs operations) will visit the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to oversee the functioning of the above mechanism on the ground. It is further reiterated that this transparent and efficient mechanism being adopted at all the airports across Pakistan is facilitating the smooth and easy movement of outbound passengers, thus significantly reducing their time and cost, the statement said. NEwS dESk

KCCDZ to be a game changer for Pakistan: Ali Haider Zaidi KARACHI APP

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi on Saturday said Pakistan and China had agreed to include Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone (KCCDZ) in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hoping that it would prove to be a game-changer for Pakistan. He said KCCDZ was an initiative of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs focused on providing Karachi with an ultra-modern urban infrastructure zone, which would place the city among the top port cities of the world, said a press release here on Saturday. Ali Zaidi said the historic decision

had been made during the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on CPEC held at Islamabad and Beijing. He said the two countries agreed to include the KCCDZ under the CPEC framework. He said the planned multi-billion dollars mega KCCDZ project would be built with direct Chinese investment in partnership

with

Karachi Port Trust (KPT). The quantum of expected investment was approximately US $ 3.5 billion. KCCDZ would be a flagship project for not only Pakistan but also the entire region. He said KCCDZ would also provide residential resettlement to more than 20,000 families living in the surrounding slums.

The environment-friendly mega KCCDZ envisaged four new berths for KPT. It would also house a state-ofthe-art fishing port with a world-class fisheries export processing zone to boost Pakistan’s trade potential. It would also improve the marine ecosystem and reduce pollution. KCCDZ would connect the rest of Karachi through a majestic harbour bridge rising from behind Pakistan’s Deepwater Port with exit ramps for Manora Island and Sandspit Beach. KCCDZ also had enormous potential for global investors. It would unlock Pakistan’s unexplored Blue Economy and significantly enhance development and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan to enhance bartering trade with China BEIJING APP

In a milestone move to boost barter trade with more countries, Pakistani enterprises joined the Cross-border Barter Trade Alliance at the Inaugural Ceremony of Cross-border Barter Trade Alliance (CBTA) and the Cross-border Barter Trade Platform held at China’s coastal city of Qingdao on Saturday. Barter is typically known as trading one good or service by one party in return for another good or service from another party without the use of money. The General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China estimates that the total volume of bartering transactions surpassed $130 billion in 2020. According to the International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA), a global organisation for barter trade, an estimated 65 per cent to 80pc of Fortune 500 enterprises have been reported to engage in some

form of bartering, and 65pc of corporations listed on the NYSE are involved in bartering. In a similar vein, barter trade also plays a role in Pakistan. According to media reports, Pakistan has exported the surplus wheat and rice to Iran in exchange for sought-after fertiliser and iron ore. Barter trade between Pakistan and China also holds great promises. “Pakistan is rich in natural resources such as minerals. The country can trade marbles for other goods with China,” said Shao Liying, who conducted business operations in Pakistan for four years before setting up an O2O barter platform in China, in an exclusive interview with China Economic Net (CEN). Wang Hui, Secretary-General of CBTA, says that the CBTA will tackle the ingrained problems of mismatched information, inadequate laws and regulations, and unregulated evaluation of goods and services and

further grow barter trade among its current 92 member enterprises from 11 countries and regions including China, Pakistan, Germany, India and Nigeria. “The platform will provide a full range of services including information sharing, business matching, legal consultation, quality control management, goods and service evaluation, supply chain services,” said Wang, adding that “this platform will be a global cross-border barter ecosystem, integrating the trade chain, the value chain and the supply chain.” The platform is also set to explore and promote new patterns of barter trade with new technologies. Wang Duo, President of CBTA, noted that digital technology will facilitate barter trade among enterprises in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). “We have set up a business group for about 200 enterprises on WeChat. They are interested in bartering trade with Pakistan and possible cooperation plans will be made after the pandemic,” Shao added.

Bitcoin rises to $42,577 as cryptos stabilise after pullback ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

The cryptocurrency market turned around on Saturday, a day after China’s central bank’s crackdown on illegal financial activities from overseas cryptocurrency exchanges, with market cap gains 3.3 percent to reach $1.99 trillion as of 1345 hours GMT. The price of bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency, gained 1.75 percent to reach $42,577. With this increase in price, the mar-

ket capitalisation of the biggest cryptocurrency has reached $801.7 billion. Likewise, ether (ETH) price went up by 1.91 percent to reach $2,911. With this increase in price, the market capitalisation of ETH has reached $341.5 billion. Similarly, XRP price gained 2.39 percent to reach $0.941. The market capitalisation of XRP stands at $94 billion after this increase. Following suit, cardano (ADA) price gained 7.56 percent to reach $2.38. Its mar-

ket capitalisation has reached $77 billion after this increase. In the same way dogecoin (Doge) price gained 1.31 percent to reach $0.208. With this increase in price, the market capitalisation of doge has improved to $27.3 billion. The announcement by People’s Bank of China (PBoC) of crackdown on illegal financial activities from overseas cryptocurrency exchanges marks its strongest move against cryptocurrency mining and trading to date. The PBoC has announced a complete ban on

cryptocurrency trading. PBoC has banned overseas exchanges from catering to Mainland China residents online. Financial institutions, payment firms and related companies are barred from facilitating online crypto trading. The PBoC considers all cryptocurrencyrelated transactions illegal based on information on their website. The bank has cited concerns around the disruption in economic and financial order, criminal activities like gambling, illegal fund-raising, money laun-

dering and pyramid schemes as the primary cause for the crypto trading ban. The central bank's concern is that cryptocurrency-related activities endanger national security and social stability. The PBoC’s plan of action includes collaborating with several government-run agencies to issue, supervise and guide a unified deployment of the crypto ban. The central bank has identified local financial authorities as the lead in implementing the ban in their provinces.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

KARACHI

US iSSUeS SAnctionS exemPtionS to ALLow AfghAniStAn Aid WASHINGTON

AFP

HE United States on Friday announced two exemptions to its sanctions imposed on Afghanistan in a bid to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the conflict-wracked, Taliban-controlled country. The provisions allow the US government, aid groups and international organisations "to engage in the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan or other activities that support basic human needs" there, the US Treasury said in a statement. They also allow "certain transactions related to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices," the statement said. "Treasury will continue to work with financial institutions, international organisations and the nongovernmental organisation community to ease the flow of critical resources, like agricultural goods, medicine, and other essential supplies, to people in need," said Andrea Gacki, director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. However, Washington will continue "upholding and enforcing our sanctions against the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and other sanctioned entities." Faced with sanctions and a cutoff in foreign aid following the Taliban's takeover of the country last month, Afghanistan is facing a mounting economic crisis as fuel and food prices rise and cash runs short. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank suspended activities in the country following the Taliban takeover, which meant withholding aid as well as $340 million in new reserves issued by the IMF last month. Washington is also blocking access to much of the $9 billion in Afghan reserves held overseas, fuelling the cash crunch that the ousted government's central bank chief warns could create an economic crisis.

Airport closed as La Palma volcano eruption intensifies LA PALMA ReuteRs

Volcanic explosions spewed red hot lava high into the air on La Palma on Saturday as a new emission vent opened, forcing the small Spanish island to close its airport and preventing some people leaving. The CumbreVieja volcano, which began erupting last Sunday, is entering a new explosive phase. The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute, Involcan, said the new emission vent that had opened was to the west of the principle vent. Spanish airport operator Aena (AENA.MC) said the island's airport had been closed because of the volcano, which has spewed out thousands of tons of lava, destroyed hundreds of houses and forced the evacuation of nearly 6,000 people. "La Palma airport is inoperative due to ash accumulation. Cleaning tasks have started, but the situation may change at any time," it tweeted. Workers swept volcanic ash off the runway, electronic boards showed cancelled flights and the departures hall was quiet as some people arriving at the airport discovered they would not be able to leave the island in the Atlantic. "We were due to leave today but the flight has been cancelled. There are no flights to Tenerife tomorrow, the next one is on Monday so we have to stay two more nights," said Laura, 46, from Madrid. She had been due to fly back to the Spanish capital via Tenerife for work. People evacuated from three more towns on Friday will not be able to return to their homes to retrieve their belongings because of the "evolution of the volcanic emergency," local authorities said. "Volcanic surveillance measurements carried out since the beginning of the eruption recorded the highest-energy activity so far during Friday afternoon," emergency services said. La Palma, with a population of over 83,000, is one of an archipelago making up the Canary Islands. At the quiet port of Tazacorte, fishermen described the devastating effect the eruption has had on their livelihoods. "We haven't been out fishing in a week, the area is closed," said Jose Nicolas San Luis Perez, 49, who has lost his house in the eruption. "About half the people I know have lost their homes," he told Reuters. "I run into friends on the street and we start crying." On Friday, authorities evacuated the towns of Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and the part of Tacande de Arriba that had not already been evacuated after a new vent opened up in the flank of the volcano. Videos shared on social media showed a big shockwave emanating from the eruption site on Friday. No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported in the volcano's eruption, but about 15 percent of the island's economically crucial banana crop could be at risk, jeopardising thousands of jobs.

Huawei CFO leaves Canada after US deal on fraud charges BEIJING ReuteRs

Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou flew home to China on Friday after reaching an agreement with US prosecutors to end the bank fraud case against her, relieving a point of tension between China and the United States. Within hours of the news of the deal, two Canadians who were arrested shortly after Meng was taken into custody in December 2018 were released from Chinese jails and were on their way back to Canada. Beijing had denied that their arrests were linked. The years-long extradition drama has been a central source of discord in increasingly rocky ties between Beijing and Washington, with Chinese officials signaling that the case needed to be dropped to help end a diplomatic stalemate. The deal also opens US President Joe Biden to criticism from China hawks in Washington who argue his administration is capitulating to China and one of its top companies at the center of a global technology rivalry between the two countries. Meng was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on a US warrant, and indicted on bank and wire fraud charges for allegedly misleading HSBC in 2013 about the telecommunications equipment giant’s business dealings in Iran. In an exclusive on Friday, Reuters reported that the United States had reached a deferred prosecution agreement with Meng. Nicole Boeckmann, the acting US attorney in Brooklyn, said that in entering into the agreement, “Meng has taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution.” The agreement pertains only to Meng, and the US Justice Department said it is preparing for trial against Huawei and looks forward to proving its case in court. China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the release of Meng or the Canadians. A spokeswoman for Huawei declined to comment. A person familiar with the matter said Meng — the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei — had left Canada on a flight to Shenzhen. The two Canadians, businessman Michael Spavor and former

diplomat Michael Kovrig, had been held in China for more than 1,000 days. In August, a Chinese court sentenced Spavor to 11 years in prison for espionage. The International Crisis Group, where Kovrig works, said it was “overjoyed” at the “most just decision” to release him, thanking Canada and the United States for their roles. “The day we have been waiting for 1,020 days has finally arrived,” the advocacy group said in a statement. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in brief remarks late on Friday the two men had left Chinese airspace just minutes before. He was not asked whether the two countries had struck a bilateral deal. “I want to thank our allies and partners around the world in the international community who have stood steadfast in solidarity with Canada and with these two Canadians,” he said. At a hearing in Brooklyn federal court on Friday, which Meng attended virtually from Canada, Assistant US Attorney David Kessler said the government would move to dismiss the charges against her if she complies with all of her obligations under the agreement, which ends in December 2022. He added that Meng will be released on a personal recognizance bond, and that the United States plans to withdraw its request to Canada for her extradition. Meng pleaded not guilty to the charges in the hearing. When US District Court Judge Ann Donnelly later accepted

the deferred prosecution agreement, Meng sighed audibly. A Canadian judge later signed Meng’s order of discharge, vacating her bail conditions and allowing her to go free after nearly three years of house arrest. She was emotional after the judge’s order, hugging and thanking her lawyers. Speaking to supporters and reporters on the steps of the court afterwards, Meng thanked the judge for her “fairness” and talked of how the case had turned her life “upside-down”. Meng was confined to her expensive Vancouver home at night and monitored 24/7 by private security that she paid for as part of her bail agreement. Referred to by Chinese state media as the “Princess of Huawei,” she was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor her movements, which became fodder for the tabloids when it hung above her designer shoes. ‘HUAWEI CONFIDENTIAL’: Articles published by Reuters in 2012 and 2013 about Huawei, Hong Kong-registered company Skycom and Meng figured prominently in the US criminal case against her. Reuters reported that Skycom had offered to sell at least 1.3 million euros worth of embargoed Hewlett-Packard computer equipment to Iran’s largest mobile-phone operator in 2010. Reuters also reported numerous financial and personnel links between Huawei and Skycom, including that Meng had served on Skycom’s board of directors between February 2008 and

April 2009. The stories prompted HSBC to question Meng about Reuters findings. Huawei was placed on a US trade blacklist in 2019 that restricts sales to the company for activities contrary to US national security and foreign policy interests. The restrictions have hobbled the company, which suffered its biggest revenue drop in the first half of 2021, after the US supply restrictions drove it to sell a chunk of its once-dominant handset business before new growth areas have matured. The criminal case against Meng and Huawei is cited in the blacklisting. Huawei is charged with operating as a criminal enterprise, stealing trade secrets and defrauding financial institutions. It has pleaded not guilty. A Canadian government official said Ottawa would not comment until the US court proceedings were over. CHINA VS USA: Huawei has become a dirty word in Washington, with China hawks in Congress quick to react to any news that could be construed as the United States being soft, despite Huawei’s struggles under the trade restrictions. Then-President Donald Trump politicized the case when he told Reuters soon after Meng’s arrest that he would intervene if it would serve national security or help secure a trade deal. Meng’s lawyers have said she was a pawn in the political battle between the two superpowers. Republican China hardliners in Congress called Friday’s deal a “capitulation.” “Instead of standing firm against China’s hostage-taking and blackmail, President Biden folded,” Republican Senator Tom Cotton said in a statement. Senior US officials have said that Meng’s case was being handled solely by the Justice Department and the case had no bearing on the US approach to strained ties with China. During US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s July trip to China, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng insisted that the United States drop its extradition case against Meng. US officials have acknowledged that Beijing had linked Meng’s case to the case of the two detained Canadians, but insisted that Washington would not be drawn into viewing them as bargaining chips.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

SPORTS 11

KARACHI

England playErs had no rolE In pakIsTan pullouT dEcIsIon, says playErs’ unIon LONDON

REUTERS

NGLAND cricketers had no role in the team’s decision to abandon their tour of Pakistan next month, the players’ union has said. New Zealand returned home from Pakistan after abruptly abandoning their tour minutes before the opening fixture in Rawalpindi, citing an undisclosed security alert from their government. England followed suit this week, calling off their men’s and women’s teams tour of Pakistan, citing players’ “mental and physical well-being”. Team England Player Partnership, which represents England’s international players, said the cricketers were not asked for input. “At no stage did TEPP inform the ECB that the players would not be touring,” TEPP chair Richard Bevan told website ESPNcricinfo in an article published on Friday. “At no stage has the ECB ever asked TEPP or the teams, men and women, whether the tour should go ahead or whether

players were prepared to tour Pakistan. “It is 100% incorrect to suggest TEPP intervened to say the players would not tour.” Pakistan was shunned by other cricketing nations for almost a decade after the deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore but has recently been wooing back top international sides. The England teams were each scheduled to play two T20 international matches on October 13 and 14 in Rawalpindi, with the women’s side due to stay on for a threematch one-day international series from October 17-21. Former players have criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision. “English cricket, the governing body and players, had a chance to do the right thing this week,” former England captain Michael Atherton wrote in The Times. “They had a chance to repay a debt, uphold their honour and side with a cricketing nation that has undergone the kind of challenges others cannot even begin to contemplate. “Instead, citing a mealy-mouthed statement, they did the wrong thing.”

United States overwhelm Europe to grab control of Ryder Cup WASHINGTON REUTERS

A red wave washed over the Ryder Cup on Friday as the United States dominated both foursome and fourball sessions to grab a commanding 6-2 lead over holders Europe for their largest opening-day advantage in the biennial event in a nearly halfcentury. With US results highlighted in red and Europe in blue on the Whistling Straits's scoreboards, chants of "USA, USA" rang out across the striking links-style layout from dawn to dusk as 40,000 mostly American fans basked in a dominating performance by the United States not seen since 1975. By winning both sessions 3-1, US captain Steve Stricker's men are nearly halfway to the 14-1/2 points needed to reclaim the small gold cup that will be hoisted by the winners on Sunday. History is surely on the Americans' side as they have never lost a Ryder Cup at home when winning the first session 3-1 or better. In fact, they are 11-0 under that scenario, but

European captain Padraig Harrington remained defiant. Play resumes on Saturday at 7:05 a.m. CT (1205 GMT) with foursomes again followed by after-

India to play one Test in England in 2022 NEWS DESK England and India have confirmed plans to play a Test in England, in the summer of 2022, ESPNcricinfo reported. The match replaces the fifth Test at Old Trafford which was abandoned earlier this month. It has not been confirmed at this stage whether the match will be a standalone game or complete the series started in August, but it will avert the majority of financial losses incurred by the ECB due to the abandonment in Manchester. It may also avert any further disagreements between the ECB and the BCCI about the reasons for the abandonment and who should take responsibility for it. Earlier discussions had included a possibility the Test would be replaced by two T20Is. With India already in the UK as part of a limited-overs tour, that may have been more convenient for the visitors. But it is understood a space in the schedule has been agreed for the Test and it is thought likely it will complete the series which India currently lead 2-1. The ECB has also now received a proposal from Cricket Australia (CA) detailing their plans for England during the Ashes. While the details at this stage are unclear, it is understood the plans - which include details of quarantine arrangements and the requirements for bubbles throughout the tour - are better than had been feared. As a result, it is probable there will be fewer withdrawals from the England squad than had been feared. Originally published on ESPNcricinfo

noon fourballs. "No doubt it was a tough day," said Harrington. "There's obviously still 20 points to play for. "You can't just turn around and

try to eat into a lead straightaway in one session. "It would be lovely if it happened, but you can't think like that. You've got to do it slowly, one step

at a time." The Americans, who boast an average world ranking of nine compared to 30 for Europe, were the heavy favourites, but few expected the largely inexperienced side to deliver such a poised performance. Olympic champion XanderSchauffele produced another gold medal-worthy effort in his Ryder Cup debut, winning both his matches. For the morning foursomes, Schauffele teamed up with Patrick Cantlay for a 5&3 win over Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, then in the afternoon was matched up with Dustin Johnson for a 2&1 win over Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger. Sergio Garcia, who went out in the day's first group with fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm, equalled Nick Faldo's record for Ryder Cup match wins with 23, but that was the only highlight on what proved to be a rough day for the European side. Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton birdied their final hole to halve their fourball match with Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler, another of six rookies on the 12-man US squad.

Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland held on to tie Justin Thomas and Cantlay to earn Europe's only other half-point. Ryder Cup rookie Harris English and Tony Finau beat McIlroy and Shane Lowry 4&3 to give the United States their other full point in fourball. "We can come back from 6-2," said McIlroy, who lost two matches in a single day for the first time in six Ryder Cups. Harrington sent his big guns of Rahm and Garcia out first in the morning foursome, hoping they would set the pace. The two Spaniards did their part could not inspire those following. In the second match, Johnson and British Open champion Collin Morikawa beat Casey and Hovland with a birdie at the par-five 16th for a 3&2 victory. Brooks Koepka and American debutant Daniel Berger, in the penultimate match of the morning session, proved too solid for Europe's Ryder Cup stalwart Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, claiming a 2&1 win.

Lewandowski falls short of matching Mueller’s record as Bayern march on with win FURTH AFP

Bayern Munich opened a three-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Friday with a 3-1 win at bottom side GreutherFuerth despite being a man down for most of the second-half after Benjamin Pavard was sent off. First-half goals by Thomas Mueller and Joshua Kimmich put Bayern 2-0 up before Pavard was shown a straight red card just three minutes into the second-half. Fuerth midfielder Sebastian Griesbeck scored an own goal when he got his boot to the ball just ahead of Robert Lewandowski, who fell one match short of equalling Gerd Mueller’s record of scoring in 16 consecutive league games from 1969-’70. The loudest cheer of the night came when the hosts grabbed a late consolation goal as replacement striker Cedric Itten scored to delight the sell-out 11,730-strong home crowd. “It was not a brilliant performance, but we had the game under control even when we were a man down,” Bayern

goal-scorer Kimmich told DAZN. The result leaves Bayern clear in the table but closest rivals Wolfsburg can close the gap with a win at Hoffenheim on Saturday. Fuerth count former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger as one of their most famous fans and head coach Stefan Leitl had called for “courage” against Bayern, who thrashed strugglers Bochum 7-0 last weekend. The home defence was breached after just ten minutes at Fuerth’sSportparkRonhof when Bayern counter-attacked at speed down the left flank. Alphonso Davies, who started on the left wing while Kingsley Coman recovers form heart surgery, whipped in a cross and Mueller hit the back of the net when his shot went in off the post from the edge of the area. Kimmich netted the second goal with half an hour played when the central midfielder was allowed plenty of time to curl his shot inside the post and just around the outstretched arm of Fuerth goalkeeper SaschaBurchert. Bayern spent most of the opening period camped in the Fuerth half as Leon

Goretzka, DayotUpamecano and Lewandowski, who clipped the crossbar, all went close. The hosts rallied and Fuerth came within a whisker of pulling a goal back just before the break when midfielder Paul Seguin was agonisingly short of beating Manuel Neuer. Pavard was sent off after he scythed down Fuerth’s US midfielder Julian Green, a former Bayern player. Griesbeck’s own goal midway through the second half sealed Bayern’s

away win when he lunged in to stop Lewandowski getting to the ball, but only succeeded in poking the ball over his own goal-line. Fuerth’s consolation goal came when Itten headed in a cross three minutes from the final whistle. Lewandowski just missed out on equalling another Gerd Mueller record having broken the Bayern legend’s milestone of 40 goals in a single season when the Poland striker finished with one more in 2020/21.

Sunday, 26 September, 2021

PrAyer Timings

NEWS

FAJR SUNRISE

ZUHR

ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:04

12:26

3:52

6:19

6:31

7:47

InDIA hunts for fAult As PAkIstAn urGes worlD to work wIth tAlIBAn

NEW YORK AfP

EEPING its tradition, India upbraided Pakistan both in Washington and at the United Nations as Prime Minister Imran Khan appealed to the world to work with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about Pakistan during talks with US President Joe Biden Friday (Saturday morning in Pakistan) as well as a

broader four-way summit with the leaders of Australia and Japan, according to Indian officials. “There was a clear sense that a more careful look and a more careful examination and monitoring of Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan — Pakistan’s role on the issue of terrorism — had to be kept,” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told reporters after the White House talks. Khan, addressing the UN General Assembly, said that the Taliban have promised to respect rights and build an inclusive government since taking over

last month, despite global disappointment in a caretaker cabinet. “If the world community incentivises them, and encourages them to walk this talk, it will be a win-win situation for everyone,” Khan said. “We must strengthen and stabilise the current government, for the sake of the people of Afghanistan.” The Quad will keep track of the “important point which sometimes gets overlooked when you see Pakistan projecting itself as a facilitator whereas it has really been in many senses an instigator of some of the problems in our neighbourhood and beyond,” he said. India was one of the most enthusiastic backers of the pro-Western government in Afghanistan that collapsed last month as Biden withdrew US troops deployed for 20 years. Pakistan was the top backer of the 1996-2001 Taliban regime that imposed an ultra-austere interpretation of Islam and welcomed Al-Qaeda, triggering the US invasion after the September 11 attacks. Pakistan quickly backed the United States, its Cold War ally, in the war but US officials have long accused Islamabad’s intelligence services of maintaining support for the Taliban — in part due to Pakistan’s concerns over Indian influence in Afghanistan. The United States, however, has publicly welcomed Pakistan’s efforts including its help bringing the Taliban into ultimately unsuccessful talks with the fallen Afghan government. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Pakistan for helping US citizens leave Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi promised to work to “achieve our common objective.” Modi’s Hindu nationalist government has had tense relations with Pakistan.

JCSC chief for enhanced defence cooperation with Russia, China RAWALPINDI

Young Pakistani climber scales world’s 8th tallest mountain ISLAMABAD AnAdoLu Agency

Nation’s youngest mountain climber on Saturday added another feather to his cap, summiting the 8,163meter (26,78 feet) Manaslu peak in Nepal. “This morning, Shehroze Kashif summited Manaslu, 8163m above sea level, in Nepal at 5:40 a.m. Pakistan time (0040GMT),” the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Pakistan’s official mountaineering organisation, said in a statement. Kashif, who has already scaled the world’s two tallest mountains, has now become the youngest Pakistan man to scale four peaks higher than 8,000 meters after climbing Manaslu — the eighth tallest mountain peak in the world. This May, Kashif scaled Mount Everest, making him the youngest climber to summit the top of the world. Two months later in July, he scaled K2, again making him the youngest-ever Pakistani to climb the world’s second-tallest peak. ‘BROAD BOY’ Hailing from Lahore, Kashif is only the sixth Pakistan man to scale Mount Everest. Among them, Samina Baig is the only woman climber to achieve the feat in 2013. The son of a local businessman, Kashif started climbing at age of 11, gradually scaling peaks ranging from 3,000 meters to 8,000 meters before ascending Mount Everest and K2. In 2013, he scaled the 3,885-meter (12,746-foot) Makra Peak, situated in Mansehra district, while just 11 years old. His 2019 expedition to the 8,047-meter (26,401-foot) Broad Peak, located in Gilgit-Baltistan, earned him the title “The Broad Boy.”

Govt policies can help as Covid-19 boosting inequality: ADB

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Pakistan attaches great importance to furthering bilateral defence cooperation with Russia and China and believes that these countries will develop meaningful and longterm strategic relationships through enhanced cooperation. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) General Nadeem Raza said this during his meetings with Russian Federation Chief of General Staff General Valery V Gerasimov and People’s Liberation Army Chief of Joint Staff General Li Zuocheng during his visit to Russia to witness the Exercise Peace Mission 2021 in the ambit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday. Gen Nadeem also attended a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of the armed forces of SCO member states, where the forum discussed the international and regional geopolitical environment with an emphasis on the situation in Afghanistan. The activities of transnational terrorist organisations in various regions of the world were also discussed, according to the ISPR. While addressing the forum, the JCSC chairman stated that Pakistan will continue to work with the SCO to advance the shared objectives of peace, progress and stability in the region, and beyond, the ISPR statement quoted him as saying. General Raza also highlighted the “unparalleled con-

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tributions” of the Pakistan armed forces towards global peace and sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “Peace in Afghanistan is a collective responsibility and [the] complete region will be its biggest beneficiary,” General Raza was quoted as saying in the ISPR statement. The closing ceremony of the Exercise Peace Mis-

sion 2021 was held at the Donguz training area in Orenburg Region, Russia. Colonel General Alexander Lapin, Commander of Central Military district Russia, was the chief guest on this occasion. Troops from all SCO member states participated in the exercises and shared each other’s experiences.

The coronavirus pandemic has worsened inequality on many fronts and there is a need of pro-active macroeconomic policy combined with labour retraining programmes and increased social protection. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), developing Asia continues to display varying degrees of economic robustness to the Covid-19 shock, giving rise to an uneven recovery across economies. These divergences in growth paths are reflected in where GDP levels will be in 2022. In the region as a whole, GDP next year is expected to be 2.5 percent below the pre-pandemic trend. But the gap varies substantially across subregions. Uneven recovery patterns leading to worsening inequality have also become visible within economies. For instance, there is growing evidence that micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in the region are bearing the brunt of the crisis through liquidity shortages and supply-chain disruptions. In the labour market, the crisis is having more adverse effects on workers penalized by lower employment protections—in particular, those who are younger, less educated, or both. Furthermore, job and income losses due to the pandemic have affected women more severely, undoing decades of progress on gender equality.

Imran’s UN speech instilled ‘hope and strength’ in Kashmir freedom struggle: Fai NEW YORK APP

A leader of a pro-freedom movement expressed “heartfelt thanks” to Prime Minister Imran Khan for reaffirming Pakistan’s support to the Kashmir cause, saying his words at the UN General Assembly had given “hope and strength” to millions of the people. Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, the secretarygeneral of World Kashmir Awareness Forum, a Washington-based advocacy group, said, “His [Imran’s] speech at the

United Nations was the true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.” “[…] Prime Minister of Pakistan rightfully informed the world body that ‘sustainable peace in South Asia is contingent upon resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.” He said Khan’s stand was also consistent with the statement of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the dispute should be

resolved in accordance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions. In this regard, he called on the world body to play an active mediatory role in bringing the stakeholders to the negotiating table to settle the conflict once and for all. “Lastly, Khan’s appeal to the United Nations that Syed Ali Geelani’s mortal remains be allowed to be buried in the cemetery of martyrs with the appropriate Islamic rites is the right step towards healing the pain not only of the family but also the people of Kashmir,” Fai added.

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