Issuu

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021 I 21 Safar, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 90 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition

Govt, opposition started talks on evMs: Fawad

inister for information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that negotiations have begun between the government and opposition on the issue of electronic voting machines (eVMs), which is a welcoming sign. the minister said this while briefing the media persons about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet, which met with Prime Minister imran Khan in the chair on tuesday. He said the federal cabinet was briefed about eVMs and the consultation process with parliamentary parties. He said the prime minister directed to take the opposition benches on board on the issue of eVMs. He said the government also intends to convene the joint sitting of the parliament for broader consultations over the issue of eVMs. the information minister said that granting voting rights to the overseas Pakistanis will be a key point of electoral reforms as they are playing a vital role in the economic development of the country. He said that electoral reforms are imperative for transparent

elections and the ruling party members including Babar Awan, Ali Muhammad Khan and others have been directed to discuss the matter of eVMs and overseas Pakistanis’ voting rights with the opposition. “We welcome the negotiations with the opposition parties in parliament but the negotiations should not be aimed at wasting time and delaying tactics,” he added. Fawad said the cabinet has approved that only the Central ruet-e-Hilal Committee is entitled to announce the advent of ramadan, eid, or other islamic calendar days as the entire private moon sighting committees are prohibited under the Constitution. He said this decision has been taken on the recommendations of the Ministry of religious Affairs and interfaith Harmony. the minister said the meeting also approved the constitution of a cabinet committee to review the obstacles in the way of constructing high-rise buildings in cities. He said the committee will report to the cabinet within two weeks. Fawad said the cabinet also approved

Coronavirus in

pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,241,825

LAST UPDATED AT 10:17 AM ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

1,400

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

1,164,219 27,638 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

456,343

429,655

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

173,353 AJK/GB: 34,074/10,308

32,875 ISLAMABAD:

105,217

the national action plan regarding human rights and business. the federal cabinet has expanded the Pakistan Online Visa system (POVs), through which the country issues evisas, Chaudhry said, pointing out that from 50, it is now available to 191 countries. “the aim behind this is to promote tourism and business — and through this, nationals from 191 countries will be able to get Pakistan’s visas, while at home,” the information minister said. He said the economic indicators presented before the cabinet showed that foreign remittances have gone up by $5.4 billion, revenue collection during the first two months of the fiscal year has increased by rs858 billion, agriculture, manufacturing, and the services sector have also witnessed an upward trend, and foreign exchange reserves are at a record level, $27.2 billion, while exports went up by $4.6 billion, Chaudhry said. He noted that inflation has increased, but that agricultural income has also gone up alongside. Chaudhry said the federal cabinet, as a goodwill gesture, has approved humanitarian aid for indonesia — a country that he said has stood firmly by Pakistan. “this is a gesture of goodwill as they battle coronavirus.” He said the cabinet approved sending a medical team to indonesia to help curb coronavirus. Fawad said that Pakistan Muslim League (PML-n) President shehbaz sharif would be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison “if hearing of his corruption case is conducted on merit”. “We hope that a hearing on his [shehbaz] case would be held on a daily basis… the people of Pakistan want to recover looted wealth from the sharif family,” he added. Fawad, while responding to a question regarding reports that shehbaz and his son suleman were acquitted by the UK court, termed the reports incorrect. He also referred to the presser of the PM’s aide on accountability shehzad Akbar, who said earlier in the day that there was no money laundering case registered against the PML-n president in the United Kingdom. News Desk

10 terrorists killed in South Waziristan IBO: ISPR security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (iBO) in south Waziristan District on a reported of presence of terrorists in a hideout, which resulted in the death of 10 terrorists, the inter-services Public relations (isPr) said on tuesday. According to isPr, security forces cordoned the hideout and during intense exchange of fire, 10 terrorists, including four commanders, were killed. Weapons and a large quantity of ammunition was also recovered from the hideout. “All the killed terrorists remained actively involved in planting ieDs, conducting fire raids and target killing of innocent civilians,” the statement read. “these terrorists were planning to conduct more acts of

NCOC decides to start vaccinating children aged 12 and above: Asad the national Command and Operation Centre on tuesday decided to start Covid-19 vaccination of children aged 12 years and above, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and special initiatives Asad Umar announced. Asad Umar, who heads the nCOC, on his official twitter account said:”in today’s nCOC meeting decided to start vaccination of all 12 years and older. special drive will be run for vaccination at schools to make it easier for children to be vaccinated”. nCOC will launch a special drive for vaccination at schools. in order to make it easier for students to get vaccinated against the viral disease, he added. On sept 11, the government lowered Covid vaccination age to 15 years in the country. subsequently, the vaccination drive for children between 15 to 18 years began from september 13. the administration also decided to inoculate them with the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. the federal government had earlier disclosed its plan to begin COViD vaccination for people aged below 18 in the country.

terrorism inside the south Waziristan district. Pakistan Army is determined to root out the menace of terrorism from the country at all costs,” it added. earlier in the day, President Dr Arif Alvi telephonically contacted the families of soldiers martyred in the terrorist attack in south Waziristan on the 15th of this month. He telephoned the families of security personnel Muhammad intezar, salman, sajid Hussain, Muhammad sheraz, isthiaq Hussain, Amir shakil and Khurram shahzad. the president paid tribute to the martyrs for their services and bravery. He prayed for the highest ranks in Jannah for the martyrs and patience for the bereaved families. News Desk

more inside

Qureshi again urges world to engage with ‘new reality’ in Afghanistan STORY ON PAGE 02

“in the first phase, vaccination is available for people in the age bracket of 15 and 18. While in the second phase, people aged between 12 and 15 will be inoculated,” sources said. Adding that we have also consulted nADrA on how the process could be facilitated. the national tally of total active Covid-19 cases recorded 49, 968 with 1,400 more people tested positive for the deadly virus during the last 24 hours. According to the latest update issued by the national Command and Operation Centre on tuesday, 41 patients died during the past 24 hours,

38 of whom were under treatment in hospital and three out of the hospital in their respective quarantines or homes. During the last 24 hours, most of the deaths had occurred in sindh followed by Punjab. Out of the total 41 deaths that occurred during the last 24 hours,15 of the deceased had died on ventilators during their treatment. the maximum ventilators were occupied in four major areas including Multan 86 percent, sargodha 48 percent, Bahawalpur 40 percent and Lahore 48 percent. News Desk

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

PM decides to take lawmakers into confidence on electoral reforms STORY ON PAGE 03

Govt shared fabricated evidence against Shehbaz with NCA: Abbasi STORY ON PAGE 02

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

ISLAMABAD

NEWS

Qureshi agaiN urges world to eNgage with ‘New reality’ iN afghaNistaN

APP

OREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has once again urged the international community to engage with the “new reality” in Afghanistan and unfreeze the country’s assets so that things do not fall apart. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Qureshi said Pakistan has been urging the international community to engage with the new reality in Afghanistan so that things do not fall apart and a semblance of order is established. Expressing his views regarding the freezing of about $10 billion in Afghan assets, he pointed out that Afghanistan needs an economic injection and that money could come in handy if it was available. “Unfreeze it and make it available for the Afghan people. There is a humanitarian crisis in the making and use that money to address the crisis,” he added. He suggested that there could be ways and means to ensure that the money reached the needy and was not misused, adding that the United Nations could play a role in this regard. In response to a question, Qureshi said it “certainly concerned” Pakistan if there was a total economic collapse in Afghanistan. “The collapse could lead to an exodus, a huge influx of refugees moving in different directions towards Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan. It could destabilise the entire region. And we are very concerned about

that,” he elaborated. He further said that an economic collapse could give space to terrorists. “It would have serious consequences not only for Pakistan but for the entire region. The consequences could roll out of the region,” he cautioned. To another question, Qureshi replied that there was uncertainty when the Taliban took control of the country on Aug 15, but the anxiety had gone down because “there has been no bloodshed after the takeover and chances of a major civil war have been averted.” Moreover, there was an announcement of general amnesty and commitment by the Taliban that there would be no revenge. There was more calmness, he added. “So I don’t think people are restless at the moment, but yes, things remain uncertain and if some challenges are not addressed [and dealt with] rigidly, they can take a different turn,” the foreign minister said. The foreign minister said Pakistan was watching and observing as things unfolded and would take a decision on whether to recognise the Taliban government or not at an appropriate time. ‘US SHOULD HAVE FOCUSED ON RECONCILIATION’: About the United States’ invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11, the foreign minister observed that perhaps, they had no choice as there was compulsion due to public opinion. He said the US should have focused on what they had gone in for after disseminating

5 killed, 15 injured as van falls into drain in Nagar

the Al Qaeda network. They should have worked towards reconciliation, peace and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. “The country could have gone to normal. The bulk of the money had been spent on security and less on development. The government of Ashraf Ghani lost credibility because the Afghan people felt that life under them was not improved and not secured. There was squabbling and infighting and they were not certain about their future,” he added. Responding to another question related to allegations by former vice president of Afghanistan, Amrullah Saleh, Qureshi said, “He (Saleh) used to speak someone else’s language. He was briefed by India and was on their payroll.” INCLUSIVE GOVT: About an inclusive government in Afghanistan, the foreign minister said that gradually, it appeared the Taliban had accepted the idea of inclusion of multiple ethnicities. Pakistan has been advocating for a more inclusive approach, he said, adding that “in politics, you have to make compromises and make moves to accommodate all points of view from both sides.” The foreign minister, in response to a question, said that Afghans were very independent-minded people who took their own decisions. “We, as a policy, decided not to interfere in their internal matters. We will help when asked to help,” he said, reiterating the desire to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He asserted that Pakistan would do whatever it could to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan. “We have no business in interfering with their internal matters,” he maintained. Qureshi said it concerned Pakistan if elements of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had been set free from jails in Afghanistan. In response to a question regarding female education in Afghanistan, he said that according to his information, girls were going to schools and colleges and were not being restricted. Women could also be accommodated in the cabinet, he added. Qureshi said the Taliban had urged the people who were in the government service to come back and resume work. “It takes time to bridge the trust deficit,” he noted. PAK-AFGHAN BORDER CROSSINGS: The foreign minister said Pak-Afghan borders were kept open. “The question is — would you allow people into your country without documentation, visa or passports? You don’t. There are certain norms you have to follow,” he contended. Qureshi said in the past, the borders were porous and Pakistan paid the price. It was also accused of cross-border movements, but eventually, Pakistan fenced the border for better management and regulations. Responding to a question, he said the Taliban had made a clear commitment that Afghan soil would not be used against any

country including Pakistan. “I hope they will live up to that promise,” he added. The foreign minister said India should stop its spoilers’ role in the region. “In Afghanistan, its role was not helpful in the peace process, as a matter of fact, they were obstructionist in the peace process and colluded with Ghani’s government by blocking the negotiation process.” Regarding holding elections in Afghanistan, he said: “Let things settle down and let things calm down. Let the people feel secure. Then we (the international community) can talk about representation.” About sophisticated weaponry left behind by US forces, the foreign minister said if it went in the wrong hands, it obviously concerned Pakistan. ‘TRIBAL AREAS SUCCESSFULLY RID OF TERRORISTS’: The foreign minister said Pakistan had undertaken a number of operations to clean up its tribal areas of terrorists and did it successfully at the cost of huge losses. The safe havens and fighters were operating across the border and were inside Afghanistan, he said, adding Pakistan had identified those safe havens which were used against it. There was surveillance and monitoring on its part, he said, adding whenever Pakistan was accused of having safe havens for terrorists, the blaming quarters were invited to come to these areas and see the situation themselves. Regarding the recent tour cancellations by New Zealand and England cricket teams, Qureshi said that he wished the players had Vigo W ahead with the tours. He said Pakistan had assured the teams of security and protection. To reduce their anxiety and make them feel more protected, they had suggested that stadiums would be kept empty. But the game should go on. They pulled back, which was disappointing, he added.

Former Pakistan envoy to UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan passes away

News Desk

A van carrying mourners to a Chehlum procession fell into a drain in Nagar district of Gilgit-Baltistan, resulting in the deaths of five people while another 15 had been injured, rescue officials said. According to Rescue 1122 Gilgit spokesperson Tariq Aziz, the van met the tragic accident when it was negotiating a narrow curve near Danyore bridge at Karakoram Highway and resultantly plunged into a drain, causing the death of five people and injuring over a dozen. The bodies and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital, according to a report by Dawn. Rescue officials said three of the injured persons were in critical condition and they were undergoing treatment at the hospital. Meanwhile, in another incident, at least 20 mourners were injured when a landslide hit their vehicle in Nagar district. They were moved to District Headquarters Hospital, Gilgit. The injured persons were aged between 14 and 20. Fatal road accidents are common in the country, especially in rural areas where conditions of roads are decrepit. In May this year, at least five people were killed when a car they were traveling in plunged into a deep ravine in the Diamer district. The police had said the incident occurred due to speeding in the hilly area.

Pakistan’s former high commissioner to the United Kingdom and Pakistan People’s Party stalwart Wajid Shamsul Hasan passed away in London on Tuesday, party leaders said. State-run APP news agency reported that Hasan passed away in London after a prolonged illness. Hasan had stepped down as Pakistan’s high commissioner to the UK in April 2014 after serving in the office for six years. He was at the time the longestserving Pakistani envoy to the UK. This was his second stint there, having worked as the high commissioner from 1994 to 1996. Hasan was the author of ‘Bhutto Khandaan Meri Yaadon Mein: Wajid Shamsul Hasan Ki Nisf Sadi Par Muheet Yaadein’ (‘The Bhutto Family in My Memories: Wajid Shamsul Hasan’s Memoirs of Half a Century).

The book is an insider account of events centred on the Bhutto family, as narrated by someone who spent a lifetime associated with them. Additionally, the former diplomat in his book recounts memories of his own life and career trajectory, from starting out as a junior journalist to his appointment as the chairman of the National Press Trust. Former President of Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of renowned journalist and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan. Paying homage to Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan, he said on Tuesday that Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan’s father Syed Shamsul Hassan remained a companion of Quaid-e-Azam for 40 years while Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan also remained loyal and steadfast brother of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto throughout his life.

Zardari said that Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan has rendered unparalleled services to the country, party leadership and democracy. The party leadership and workers are mourning the death of this great friend of the Bhutto family. Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan highlighted the Kashmir cause as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and persuaded the parliamentarians, journalists and intellectuals there to pave the way for the oppressed of occupied Kashmir. Expressing condolences to the family of the late Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan, the former president said that he was also saddened by his death. He prayed that may Allah Almighty grant the late Syed Wajid Shamsul Hassan high ranks in Paradise and courage to his family to bear this great loss with fortitude. Similarly, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condoled Hasan’s

demise, saying an “immense source of strength and guidance for me left us today”. “Journalist, diplomat, democrat, family friend, good bye uncle Wajid,” Bilawal wrote. “Nothing will be the same without you.” Bilawal also shared his text conversation with Hasan last year, in which the former diplomat had reported being unwell. Moreover, PPP senior leader and Senator Sherry Rehman said she was “shocked, saddened” to hear of Hasan’s passing. “He spent a lifetime of devotion to democracy, human rights, free press and the PPP. What a loss!” she tweeted, extending condolences to his family and the broader civil society community that she said he had been deeply involved with. PPP Central Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marri also expressed grief and sorrow over Hassan’s death, saying his journalistic, diplomatic and national services would always be remembered.

Govt shared fabricated evidence against Shehbaz with NCA: Abbasi News Desk Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said that the ruling government had shared “fabricated” evidence against Shehbaz with the NCA and brought shame to Pakistan. Talking to media persons in the federal capital while flanked by Rana Sanaullah and Ahsan Iqbal, Abbassi asserted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had embarrassed itself in front of the world with the British National Crime Agency’s probe against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. He said that the PTI government’s claims that it was not involved or pursuing money laundering cases against Shahbaz had been exposed. He said that the Assets Recovery Unit and, as per the PML-N’s sources, even Federal Investigation Agency officials, used to go to London to meet NCA officials. “The standard set by this government, when it comes to lying, is totally unique,” he said. “The prime minister of this country, in his own office, creates an Asset Recovery Unit that has no legal basis. And what has that ARU done?” he questioned. He referred to the papers in his hand,

saying that they were official documents submitted by the NCA at the UK court. Referring to the NCA probe against the PML-N president and his son Suleman, Abbasi said that normally in money laundering cases, financial transactions only six years back were traced. Holding up a document, Abbasi said it was the written copy of the consent given by Shehbaz to the NCA, adding that no obstacles were placed in the course of the investigation by the Sharifs. “In this case, however, the probe stretched to cover financial transactions covering a period of over 20 years,” he noted. “This inquiry was also not limited to just one country; it took place in Pakistan, the UK and the UAE.” The former prime minister said that money sent by Shahbaz from Pakistan to his UK bank account was legal money. He said Shahbaz and Suleman had both given their consent to the NCA to probe their accounts. “Time and again, the NCA told the court that it has the complete support and cooperation of the Pakistani government and its agencies,” he said. Abbasi alleged that Lahore NAB directer general, the ARU, FIA, and other

agencies were involved in framing allegations against the PML-N president. “And now, the prime minister of this country says his government had nothing to do with the probe,” he said. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also pointed out that the NAB NAB is appointed through consultations between government and opposition but the government is trying to change the law to skip the consultations. The PML-N leader further said that the Chairman of the anti-graft watchdog will retire in 10 days but the consultations have not started yet. PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said that the government could not, till this day, find evidence of former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s involvement in corruption. “Each case has slammed shut on their faces,” he said, referring to the government. “You could not even prove corruption worth Rs32 in a Rs3,200bn project,” he added. Iqbal said that the government is failing the masses as it is busy registering fake cases against the Opposition. “However, your failure is becoming a matter of life and death for the public,” he said. Iqbal said the government itself was

inviting trouble from the Financial Action Task Force as the prime minister was repeatedly saying at international forums that political leaders in the country are involved in money laundering. “This he does only to promote his politics of hatred and revenge,” he said. Earlier in the day, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar on Tuesday said that a recent order by a court in the United Kingdom did not mention PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, adding that he had not been acquitted of money laundering charges, reported Dawn. A day earlier, it was reported that a UK court had ordered to unfreeze the bank accounts of Shehbaz and his son Suleman after the country’s National Crime Agency did not find evidence regarding “suspicious bank transactions” against them. The PML-N had hailed the decision, calling it an embarrassment for Prime Minister Imran Khan who peddled the corruption and money laundering allegations against the Sharif family. However, in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza

Shahzad Akbar pointed out that there was no asset freezing order against Shehbaz in the UK. He said that the PML-N president was not mentioned in the UK court’s order nor had he been acquitted of any charges. “Shehbaz was not facing money laundering charges in London but despite this, the lifting of an AFO was presented [by the PML-N] as if he was acquitted in a money laundering case.” Akbar called upon the journalist community to peruse the order and see whether Shehbaz’s name had been mentioned. He also shared the document on Twitter and said: “Cheap tricks won’t work. Shehbaz still need[s] to answer in courts in Pakistan.” After 21 months of investigation and review of 20 years of financial affairs, a British court has ordered the unfreezing of the Opposition leader’s bank accounts and those belonging to his son, Suleman Sharif. The decision was taken by the court after UK’s top anti-corruption body NCA concluded there was no evidence of money laundering, fraud and criminal conduct against the two, according to evidence seen by The News exclusively.

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

ISLAMABAD

PM DeciDeS tO take laWMakerS intO cOnfiDence On electOral refOrMS IsLAMABAD

MiAn AbrAr

RIME Minister Imran Khan has finally decided to take the ruling coalition into confidence over the government-proposed electoral reforms and employing the Electronic Voting Machine for the upcoming elections. In this regard, an exclusive meeting of the parliamentary party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies has been convened. According to an informed source, the prime minister took the decision during the federal cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. According to the source, the parliamentary party and its allies’ meeting will be briefed on the

amendments to the Electoral Reforms Bill. The meeting will also discuss employing the EVMs, i-voting, and

electoral reforms. According to the source, the opposition parties will also be

consulted following the parliamentary party meeting gives its nod to the decision. When asked to comment, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that the cabinet was briefed on EVM and i-voting. He said that the prime minister had gave directions to Dr Babar Awan and his deputy, Ali Muhammad Khan, to brief the MPs over the electoral reforms bill. Fawad Chaudhry said that a debate in the parliament between the opposition and the treasury benches would be welcomed. “We welcome the discussion on electoral reforms. We are ready for talks with the opposition. Giving the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis is another good norm in the electoral reforms bill,” he concluded.

Pakistan flag returned from space journey handed over to Pakistan embassy in Beijing APP

reports of Shehbaz’s acquittal in money laundering case ‘wrong’: Shahzad IsLAMABAD APP

Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Tuesday refuted reports of ‘acquittal’ of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Suleman Shehbaz in a money laundering case from a London court. Addressing a press conference here, he said the impression of Shehbaz Sharif and his son Suleman’s acquittal from the UK court in money laundering case was ‘wrong’, adding that order released by the UK court does not mention the acquittal. Shahzad Akbar said the reports about the ‘acquittal’ of Shehbaz Sharif or his son Suleman Shehbaz are incorrect and misreporting. The advisor said the investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) against Suleman Shehbaz and some of his family members was not initiated at the request of Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) or NAB, but Pakistan was contacted over the two suspicious transactions by the NCA. NCA shared few names with Pakistan in this context. He said Pakistan responded to the NCA questions in this regard, but the case was not filed by Pakistan, he maintained. The advisor said the two-page verdict of British court was issued on September 10 and Shehbaz Sharif’s name was not even mentioned once in the whole order. Shahzad Akbar further explained that no case was filed against Shehbaz Sharif outside the country so the impression of PML-N to project this theory was absolutely wrong. However, there are still two money laundering cases against the PML-N president in Pakistan, he added. The advisor said that recently the NCA decided to stop investigating these funds and therefore agreed to release these funds through court. Shahzad Akbar further clarified that such a release order was not an acknowledgment that funds are from a legitimate source. He said that Proceed of Crime Act, 2004 elaborates about the freezing of accounts. He said that the opposition leader was facing money laundering charges in Pakistani courts and the statements of the witnesses are being recorded. The judgment will come from Pakistani courts in this regard, he maintained. He said the National Accountability Bureau is inquiring money laundering of seven billion rupees of Shehbaz Sharif while the Federal Investigation Agency is also investigating a fake transaction of twenty five billion rupees.

Pakistan’s national flag, which was carried to China’s space station onboard the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft, was handed over to the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing at a ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology. The national flags of Pakistan and China were sent by China Manned Space Agency to outer space to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The flags were sent aboard the Long March-2F carrier rocket on June 17, 2021 and returned via Shenzhou-12, China’s manned spacecraft after staying in space for three months. The Shnezhou-12 space mission carried three Chinese astronauts to space for building Tiangong, a Chinese space station which is expected to be completed next year. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Moin ul Haque congratulated CMSA, CAST and other Chinese research institutions for the successful manned space mission. He said the space journey of national flags of the two countries was a special demonstration of a unique friendship between Pakistan and China and a befitting way to

celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Recalling the “excellent” bilateral cooperation between the two countries in outer space ventures, Moin said the two sides were engaged in regular technology transfer and exchange of experts and delegations for deepening their cooperation in the field of space exploration and discovery. He expressed confidence that

China and Pakistan would further build on their cooperation in space exploration in the future for joint benefit and experience sharing. The event was also attended by Zhao Xiaojin, Secretary of the China Academy of Space Technology, Hao Chun, Director General of China Manned Space Agency, Yang Liwei, Deputy Chief Designer of China Manned Space Programme and leading scientists and experts.

NEWS

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to visit Pakistan on Oct 7-8 APP The United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is scheduled to visit Pakistan next month from October 7-8, as per a report. Before she arrives in Pakistan to hold meetings with the top Pakistani leadership, Sherman will travel to India on October 6-7. This will be one of the first high-level officials under President Joe Biden to visit Pakistan, after CIA Director Will Burns. In India, Burns will address the US-India Business council’’s annual “ideas summit,” the State Department had said. Biden, who like his predecessors has called for strong relations with India, has yet to speak to Khan, although Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of UN meetings last week and thanked Islamabad for help in evacuating Americans from Afghanistan. A day earlier, PM Imran Khan had penned an opinion piece for The Washington Post in which he had criticised the former Afghan government and Western states for blaming Pakistan for the consequences of the “unwinnable” Afghan war. “Let me put it plainly. Since 2001, I have repeatedly warned that the Afghan war was unwinnable. Given their history, Afghans would never accept a protracted foreign military presence, and no outsider, including Pakistan, could change this reality,” he wrote. PM Imran Khan lashed out at successive Pakistani governments, saying that they had sought to please the US instead of pointing out the flaws of a militarydriven approach in Afghanistan. “Pakistan’s military dictator Pervez Musharraf agreed to every American demand for military support after 9/11. This cost Pakistan, and the United States, dearly,” he had stressed. He cited the US support for the Afghan Taliban back in the ’80s, noting how then-president Ronald Reagan entertained them at the White House during the days when the CIA and the ISI trained them to fight against the Soviets. “Once the Soviets were defeated, the United States abandoned Afghanistan and sanctioned my country, leaving behind over 4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and a bloody civil war in Afghanistan. From this security vacuum emerged the Taliban, many born and educated in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan,” he wrote. “Fast forward to 9/11, when the United States needed us again — but this time against the very actors we had jointly supported to fight foreign occupation,” said PM Imran Khan. PM Imran Khan lamented how General (retd) Musharraf, who was then ruling over Pakistan, had turned a blind eye to US drone attacks and had given the CIA a footprint in Pakistan.

Heavy rainfall expected in Karachi, parts of Sindh News Desk The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain and thunderstorm in Karachi and other areas of Sindh under a low-pressure system from cyclone “Gulab” that is expected to regain intensity in the Northeast Arabian Sea from Wednesday. According to a statement issued by the Met department, widespread thunderstorms along with scattered heavy rainfall is expected in different parts of Sindh, including Karachi, from Tuesday till Oct 2 before the system gains further intensity. The new weather system is currently lying over central India and is likely to track in the northwest direction (towards Indian Gujarat area) and expected to reemerge over the Northeast Arabian Sea with regained intensity due to favourable environmental conditions, according to the Met office. Other cities that are likely to be impacted by the lowpressure system include Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Tharparker, Umerkot, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushero Feroze, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Ghotki. The advisory said torrential rains could generate urban flooding in Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Hyderabad, Dadu, Lasbela. Sonmiani, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Turbut and Jiwani, while windstorms may cause damage to

vulnerable structures. Last week, heavy rain lashed parts of Karachi, leaving roads flooded, cars submerged and commuters struggling to reach their destinations. Videos and pictures shared on social media showed numerous areas, especially in the city’s Central district, inundated with rainwater and vehicles submerged up to their wheels. A large truck could be seen lying on its side

near Nagan Chowrangi as residents waded through the water with their motorcycles and cars. The Met office also warned that sea conditions would remain “very rough” with occasional high surges and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from Sep 30 (Thursday) till Oct 3 (Saturday). Gulab is the third cyclone of 2021 after Tauktae and Yaas and its name was proposed by Pakistan.

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

04 NEWS

ISLAMABAD

Punjab aPProves rs10.209bn for nine road ProjecTs LahOrE

TLTP

HE Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) of Punjab has approved nine road development schemes with an estimated cost of Rs10.209.064 billion. The PDWP meeting for the fiscal year 2021-22 was presided over by Chairman Planning & Development Board Abdullah Khan Sumbal. The approved schemes included: rehabilitation of dualised road from Sargodha to Makhdoom Interchange (M2) (length 42-km) (right carriage way) in district Sargodha at the cost of Rs2,064.506 million; widening/ rehabilitation/ improvement of a road from Sargodha-Faisalabad Bypass to Jhal Chakian via Lahore Road Bypass (length 22-km), district Sargodha, at the cost of Rs700 million; rehabilitation/ improvement of Lala Musa-Dinga Road (length 22.35-km), tehsil Kharian, district Gujrat at the cost of Rs559.956 million; and reconstruction/ rehabilitation of road from Kutiya Farm to Rerka Baqir Chowk via Nawan Lok, Chalto and Jajja Oor I/c Links Bhoa Hassan, Dhunni Khurd, Kuttia farm to Phalia Bherowal Road via Burj Bakhat, Musa Kalan to Waryaam Kadhar Road, Kot Pindi Wala to Jand Busal, Dera Shanawar Sultan Kot Pindi Wala and Sadiqabad to Khanewal via Mailo Kohna and Matto Sharif (length 45.65-km), Phalia, Mandi Bahauddin at the cost of Rs689 million. The other projects included: widening/ rehabilitation/ improvement of Shahkot Jaranwala Road (length 13.40-km) in district Nankana Sahib at the cost of Rs700 million; widening and improvement of a road from GT Road to Pandori Pull via Adhian including link road Chak Bhully to Ranger Headquarters, Kot Bahawal, Kot Dost Muhammad via Bangla Adhian

Govt likely to increase petroleum levy to boost revenue NEWS DESK

Road and link Sehoi to Sole via Kotli Sehol, tehsil Murdike, district Sheikhupura, at the cost of Rs1,050 million; rehabilitation/ improvement of road from Farooq Abad to Khanqah Dogran, district Sheikhupura (length 28-km) at the cost

of Rs880 million; construction of Ring Road City Sheikhupura from Sharaqpur Road to Hiran Minar Interchange M-2 via Old Jandiala Road to Ghazi Minara Sheikhupura-Sarghodha Road (tehsil Sheikhupura) (length 12.5-km) at the cost

of Rs500 million; and rehabilitation of Khrian-Dinga-Mandi Bahauddin Road dual carriageway up to Amra Kalan district boundary Gujrat (length 29-km), tehsil Kharian, district Gujrat at the cost of Rs3,065.602 million.

Account bodies report urges for tax incentives to enable positive global outcomes Karachi PR

A survey of 8,000 people across the G20 countries and New Zealand concluded that two-thirds (66%) were strongly in favour of using the tax systems to help individuals and small businesses to recover following the effects of Covid-19. They were also very much in favour of similar tax breaks to support efforts to tackle ‘global megatrends’, such as the fight against climate crisis and efforts to support retirement savings, with 66% believing these would be appropriate incentives. Perhaps surprisingly, the survey, from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) discovered that support had

fallen in 15 of the 20 countries for international collaboration on tax. This is despite the fact that 2021 has seen historic advances in international tax cooperation, including agreement by G7 countries to enforce a minimum rate of 15% corporation tax. The Public Trust in Tax study, which was carried out in the first quarter of 2021, follows two previous reports on the subject in 2017 and 2019. Other key findings included insight on whether taxpayers in different countries felt they were paying a ‘reasonable amount of tax’. Overall, most respondents were likely to agree that their tax rates were reasonable across all pay grades. However, fewer than one in four respondents across the G20 countries stated that high income individuals paid a reasonable amount of tax in their country. And while 33% believed that local

companies were likely to be paying a reasonable amount of tax, in seven countries multinational corporations were thought to be paying too little tax. Despite this suspicion, 49% of people overall were in favour of using tax incentives to attract multinational business. There was also a fall from 44% to 39% in the number supporting requirements to make multinational companies publish detailed tax information, although the vast majority still support MNCs sharing all their information with local tax authorities. The survey also uncovered varying levels of trust in global tax authorities and the players in the tax system. Trust in government tax authorities is polarised, with 43% saying they have trust or a high level of trust in the tax authorities, but 22% saying they distrust them. Overall, trust in government tax bodies has

slightly increased. Professional tax accountants (55%) have the highest level of trust, followed by professional tax lawyers (50%). Despite a small increase in the level of trust this time, politicians remain the least trusted group, at just 22% net distrust. The survey also asked questions about the trust people in various countries placed in their media and social media on the issue of tax. Social media was the least trusted source, distrusted by more than 40% and traditional media fared little better, scoring over 30% for distrust. Total trust in social media was highest in India and China, but lowest in New Zealand and France. These results were mirrored for traditional media, with India and China placing the most faith in their tax coverage and France registering the most distrust. Russian media was also distrusted by 54%.

Pink Ribbon set to augment breast cancer awareness in October NEWS DESK Pakistan has the highest number of breast cancer cases among all Asian countries and as per the statistics one in every nine women in the country is at risk of developing breast cancer. Around 83,000 cases of breast cancer were reported annually in Pakistan and nearly 40,000 women lost their lives to the disease every year in the country. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in the country.

Pink Ribbon – the only organization committed to raising awareness about breast cancer across Pakistan since 2004 and working solely for the cause – actively carries out awareness campaigns in October. To observe the 17th anniversary of PINKtober, Pink Ribbon plans to augment awareness about breast cancer across Pakistan. Pink Ribbon named October, a global breast cancer awareness month, as PINKtober and celebrating it since 2004 to raise

awareness about this deadly disease. The organization intends to conduct a host of activities in the entire month and devise programs for every week of October. Omer Aftab, Chief Executive Officer Pink Ribbon Pakistan, said, “In first week of October, Pink Ribbon will raise awareness on conducting the mammogram test for early detection of breast cancer. It will be stressed that women of age bracket 40 and above should go for mammogram at least once in two years. Due to Pink Ribbon’s efforts,

there has been a 400 percent increase in mammogram in Pakistan helping women survive breast cancer.” He added that on October 8, important government buildings, monuments and schools will be illuminated pink to limit the taboo associated with this disease. In third week of October, Pink Ribbon will focus on creating awareness on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle as 40 percent of the disease can be prevented by simply following a healthy and balanced

The government is expected to gradually increase petroleum levy on petrol and other petroleum products to improve revenue collection as targeted under the 2021-22 (FY22) federal budget and IMF programme. According to a report by Dawn, the move would help widen a gap between compressed natural gas (CNG) and petrol prices and may contain import bill. The report added that the government had set a Rs610bn target of petroleum levy during the current fiscal year but could actually collect no more than Rs25bn in first two and half months of the first quarter. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin constituted a committee comprising chairmen FBR and OGRA, representatives of Petroleum Division and All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday to workout options and furnish recommendations regarding reduction in taxes and improving the gas supply. According to details, a delegation of All Pakistan CNG Association had a meeting with Tarin to explain the challenges being faced by the CNG sector, at present, due to massive fluctuations in the international prices of LNG along with rupee depreciation. “The surging prices of CNG have undermined its attraction as a fuel of choice for the local consumers,” APCNGA Chairman Khalid Latif said while presenting a comparative analysis between retail prices of CNG and petrol. The finance minister said that the government is trying to reform and liberalise the gas sector so that it can develop rapidly. Following the meeting, APCNGA leader Ghiyas Paracha said increased import of gas will help the government save $350 to $700 million in two years. He said that he had briefed the finance minister about the problems and suggested long-term and short-term solutions including freezing prices of RLNG for the CNG stations on the level of August-March and a 12 per cent increase in sales tax should be reversed. “We have also demanded abolishing customs duty on gas imports, he said, adding that gas consumption shows that imports will have to be doubled from 100 Million Cubic Feet per Day (MMCFD) to 200 MMCFD. The delegation also demanded reduction in sales tax and customs duties on import of LNG by the CNG sector because it was the only sector that was paying the full import price along with taxes while all other sectors were paying subsidized gas and LNG rates.

lifestyle. In the fourth week, the organization will share stories of young patients about how they defeated breast cancer as there is an unusual trend seen in Pakistan where prevalence of breast cancer is increasing in young girls. In the fifth week of October, Pink Ribbon will launch a Breast Cancer Survivors Group, a Pink Ribbon Q/A Book and pay tribute to the fight and struggle of those women who successfully defeated this fatal disease and now living a healthy life. Besides all these activities in October, Pink Ribbon also plans to partially open Pakistan’s first dedicated hospital for the treatment of breast cancer in Lahore. In order to complete the construction process and spread awareness about the disease, Pink Ribbon is urging philanthropists and citizens to donate generously for the cause.

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

ISLAMABAD

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HE maximum Oxygen beds was also occupied in four major areas of Sargodha 48 percent, Faisalabad 46 percent, Swabi 52 percent and Peshawar 44 percent. Around 469 ventilators were occupied elsewhere in the country while no COVID affected person was on a ventilator in Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan and AJK. Some 44,116 tests were conducted across the country on Monday, including 13,625 in Sindh, 14,244 in Punjab, 9,645 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 3,929 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 1,307 in Balochistan,

450 in GB, and 916 in AJK. Around 1,164,219 people have recovered from the disease so far across Pakistan making it a significant count. Since the pandemic outbreak, a total of 1,241,825 cases were detected that also included the perished, recovered and under treatment COVID-19 patients so far, including AJK 34,074 Balochistan 32,875, GB 10,308, ICT 10,5217, KP 173, 353, Punjab 429,655 and Sindh 456,343. About 27,638 deaths were recorded in the country since the eruption of the contagion. Around 7,361 have perished in Sindh, out of which 11 died in hospital on Monday.

12,575 in Punjab out of which 13 deaths occurred in hospital while 03 died out of hospital during past 24 hours. 5,514 in KP where 07 of them died in hospital on Monday, 919 in ICT among three deaths in hospital during past 24 hours, 348 in Balochistan out of which 02 died in hospital on Monday, 184 in GB and 737 in AJK out of 02 succumbed to the deadly virus in hospital on Monday. A total of 19,284,635 corona tests have been conducted so far, while 640 hospitals are equipped with Covid facilities. Some 4,219 corona patients were admitted in hospitals across the country.

Afghan army collapse 'took us all by surprise': US defence secretary Graduate unemployment rate stands at 14.9pc, clarifies PIDE ISLAMABAD TLTP

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Tuesday clarified that the total graduate unemployment rate was estimated at 14.9 percent across the country according to Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2017-18. A statement issued by PIDE said that the institute was in process of estimating unemployment, including graduate unemployment, using the recently released Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2017-18, and the figures quoted to the Senate Standing Committee were the same as presented at the Planning Commission last year. "The total graduate unemployment rate was estimated at 14.9 percent but mistakenly it was mentioned 24 percent, with the rates for graduate females at a high 40 percent," the statement added. While, rural-urban disaggregation shows graduate females with the unemployment rate over 47 percent, it added. According to the statement, it was important to understand that these figures did not reflect the performance of the current government in any case as they came from a survey done in 2017-18. The statement said that improvements were needed to be made in the educational system and labour market to absorb all the new entrants, both educated and uneducated. Likewise, the measure of unemployment also needed refinement, which is currently being done by PIDE. Earlier, it was reported that 24 percent of graduates are jobless. The development came during a Senate committee's meeting held under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, where a comprehensive briefing by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on their roles, functions, and performance was given.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress on Tuesday that the Afghan army's sudden collapse caught the Pentagon off-guard as he acknowledged miscalculations in America's longest war including corruption and damaged morale in Afghan ranks. “The fact that the Afghan army simply melted away in many cases without firing a shot took us all by surprise,” Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “It would be dishonest to claim otherwise.” Austin was speaking at the start of two days of what is expected to be some of the most contentious hearings in memory over the chaotic end to the war in Afghanistan, which cost the lives of US troops and civilians and left the Taliban back in power. The Senate and House committees overseeing the US military are

holding hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, where Republicans are hoping to zero in on what they see as mistakes that President Joe Biden's administration made towards the end of the twodecade-old war. Read more: Biden faces mounting blame for Afghan debacle It follows similar questioning two weeks ago that saw US Secretary of State Antony Blinken staunchly defending the administration, even as he faced calls for his resignation. Austin praised American personnel who helped airlift 124,000 Afghans out of the country, an operation that also cost the lives of 13 US troops and scores of Afghans in a suicide bombing outside the Kabul airport. “Was it perfect? Of course not,” Austin said, noting the desperate

Afghans who were killed trying to climb the side of a US military aircraft or the civilians killed in the last US drone strike of the war. Senator James Inhofe, the Senate Armed Services Committee's top Republican, squarely blamed the Biden administration for what critics say was a shameful end to a 20-year endeavour. Inhofe said Biden ignored the recommendations of his military leaders and left many Americans behind after the US withdrawal. “We all witnessed the horror of the president's own making,” Inhofe said of Afghanistan. Many of the hardest questions may fall to the two senior US military commanders testifying: Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Marine General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command. afP

NEWS

China energy crunch triggers alarm, pleas for more coal SHANGHAI aGENCIES

As a severe power crunch roils China's northeastern industrial heartland, senior officials face mounting pressure from alarmed citizens to ramp up coal imports thick and fast in order to keep lights on, factories open and even water supplies flowing. With electricity shortages sparked by scant coal supply crippling large sections of industry, the governor of Jilin province, one of the hardest hit in the world's no.2 economy, called for a surge in coal imports, while a power company association said supply was being expanded "at any cost". News organisations and social media carried reports and posts saying the lack of power in the northeast had shut down traffic lights, residential elevators and 3G mobile phone coverage as well as triggering factory shutdowns. A utility in Jilin even warned power shortages could disrupt water supplies at any time, before apologising for causing alarm. Cities such as Shenyang and Dalian - home to more than 13 million people - have been affected, with disruption at factories owned by suppliers to global companies like Apple and Tesla. Jilin is one of more than 10 provinces that have been forced to ration power as generators feel the heat of soaring coal prices that they can't pass on to consumers. Speaking to local power firms on Monday, Han Jun, the governor of Jilin province, with a population of close to 25 million people, said "multiple channels" needed to be set up to guarantee coal supplies, and China should source more from Russia, Mongolia and Indonesia. He said the province would also urgently dispatch special teams to secure supply contracts in the neighbouring region of Inner Mongolia, according to the province's official WeChat social media account. Goldman Sachs estimated that as much as 44% of China's industrial activity has been affected by power shortages, potentially causing a 1-percentage point decline in annualised GDP growth in the third quarter, and a 2-percentage point drop from October to December. It said in a note published on Tuesday that it was cutting its 2021 GDP growth forecast for China to 7.8%, from the previous 8.2%. 'At any cost' The power crunch has taken hold as a shortage of coal supplies, toughening greenhouse has emissions standards and strong demand from manufacturers and industry have pushed coal prices to record highs and triggered widespread curbs on usage. Rationing has been implemented during peak hours in many parts of northeastern China since last week, triggering state media reports of power supply disruptions in many cities and stoking concern among the country's avid social media users. As some shops in the northeast operated by candlelight and malls shut early, posts on China's Twitter-like Weibo service expressed concern about water after a public utility in Jilin warned users that power shortages could hit supplies at any time. Jilin governor Han urged companies to fulfil their "social responsibilities" and "overcome the difficulties" caused by coal price rises. The China Electricity Council, which represents the country's power suppliers, said in a note on Monday that coalfired power companies were now "expanding their procurement channels at any cost" in order to guarantee winter heat and electricity supplies. It said China needed to increase the production and supply of coal while guaranteeing safety and environmental protection. More medium- and long-term contracts needed to be signed to raise power plant inventories ahead of winter. But David Fishman, China energy policy researcher and manager at the Lantau Group, an economic consultancy, said flaws in China's pricing system were ultimately to blame for the current round of shortages. "This is about coal generators unable to operate their plants profitably, in most cases," he said. Though policymakers had previously warned that China needed to build more coal-fired power plants in order to offset potential power shortages over the 2021-2025 period, utilisation rates at existing plants remain low suggesting they lack economic incentives to maximise output. "In the short term, the only relief policies that make sense are digging more coal out of the ground, which is bound to be an unpopular idea, or make end-users pay more for their power," Fishman added.

Taliban to 'temporarily' adopt monarchy constitution, with caveats The Taliban said on Tuesday they will temporarily adopt a 1964 constitution that granted women the right to vote but eliminate any elements they disagree with. The Taliban's acting justice minister issued a statement saying the interim government planned to introduce a constitution used during Afghanistan's short-lived golden age of democracy, but only briefly and with amendments. “The Islamic Emirate will adopt the constitution of the former king Mohammad Zahir Shah's time for a temporary period,” Maulvi Abdul Hakim Sharaee said. But anything in the text found to conflict with Sharia (Islamic law) and the principles of the Islamic Emirate would be discarded,

he added. Nearly six decades ago, before the world's superpowers intervened in the country, Afghanistan enjoyed a brief period of constitutional monarchy during the reign of king Mohammad Zahir Shah. The king ratified the constitution a year after coming to power in 1963, ushering in nearly a decade of parliamentary democracy before he was overthrown in 1973. The 1964 constitution, which gave women the right to vote for the first time and opened the doors for their increased participation in politics, would appear an awkward fit with the Taliban's views. But the group, which swept to power in mid-August, has vowed a softer and more in-

clusive approach than during their brutal 1996 to 2001 rule, when women were largely excluded from public life, including work and education. Despite the promises, when they presented their caretaker government earlier this month, all the top positions went to hardliners and no women were included. After suffering through the Soviet occupation in the 1980s, followed by civil war and then harsh Taliban rule, Afghanistan once again adopted a constitution in the aftermath of the US-led 2001 invasion. But it opted not to restore the old monarchy, approving instead a fresh text in 2004 that envisaged a presidency and enshrined equal rights for women. afP

cMYK

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

06 COMMENT

Academic University Rankings: Myths and Reality

No use papering over cracks PML(N) continues to be divided

He division within the PML(N) between those supporting confrontation and the ones advocating conciliation would harm the party’s electoral prospects if not resolved urgently. Last year saw the stunning rise of the PDM with the PML(N)’s confrontationist lobby vowing to overthrow the PTI government and force the establishment to put an end to its interference in politics. after whipping up a political storm midway into Mr Imran Khan’s tenure, the PDM ran aground in the beginning of 2021. Meanwhile the tussle between the contradictory lines continued within the party. The action against PML(N) MNa Javed Latif saved the party unity for a while but it did not put an end to the strife. The two sides continue to interpret developments in totally different ways. Party President Shahbaz Sharif praised the establishment for being neutral during the Cantonment elections which he said led to the PML(N)’s victory in Punjab. vice-President Maryam Nawaz on the other hand congratulated the party for its success despite a hostile establishment. Maryam dissociated herself, and by implication her father, from the “sin” of voting for the COaS’s extension last year. She was promptly contradicted by Punjab Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz who justified the decision in the larger national interest, claiming that it had the support of the party’s top leadership The division has gone on too long. Initially denying it, everyone in the PML(N) now concedes that there are strong differences within the party. all currently agree on Nawaz Sharif as the court of final appeal. But as both sides continue to move in opposite directions, a time could come when things start falling apart with even Mr Sharif being unable to keep them together. Mr Sharif seems to have finally agreed to retreat. Our only demand, he says, was implementation of the Constitution and rule of law in true spirit. If this is done through reconciliation, we have no problem. But as one goes through the fine print, one finds conditions like no army intervention in polls, no pre-election manipulations, no removal of elected governments and no role for the army other than the one prescribed in the Constitution. The PML(N) faces a dilemma. While Mr Sharif alone can draw PML(N) voters, his confrontationist line could scare away many electables.

We should not ignore these rankings mubashir husain rehmani

ave you ever thought why Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge are the top ranked universities? It is even more surprising to see that MIT, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford are proudly announcing themselves as top ranked universities of the world. The question is why these universities are worried about their international ranking and reputation? Ignorance is the curse; if we try to answer the aforementioned question, we may plan better for our future as a nation and easily distinguish between myths and realities about university rankings. The myth is that the university rankings are redundant, bogus, and fraudulent but the reality is opposite and crystal clear. Let’s look at this from a layman’s perspective. The dream of a farmer comes true when her daughter gets admission in Harvard Medical School. It is like the day of eid when a son of a poor villager tells his parents that he has got admission in the Law College at the University of Oxford. It comes to the media limelight when a blacksmith's daughter receives a scholarship at the London School of economics and Political Sciences. Whether it’s a farmer, well established businessman, landlord, or political figure, when it comes to the bright future of their children, each of them try to send the children to world top ranked universities. This doesn't end here; then the alumni of these top ranked universities does not stop sharing on every occasion that they graduated from these universities. Policymakers, politicians, technocrats, judiciary, bureaucrats, generals: the majority are trained in these universities and countries run by the education and training provided by these top ranked universities. Whether you accept it or not, university ranking is playing its role and everyone is evidently relying implicitly on it when making a decision for the future education of their children. In fact, it is the university rankings that help to classify these universities in a scientific manner. It is imperative for the success of a nation that the young generation should make their mind scientifically developed. They should harness scientific reasoning and inculcate and nurture critical thinking in every field of life. The same principle applies here. Instead of simply denying, we should think critically

Sending out the wrong message

Too much support for the Taliban regime can backfire

N his address to the United Nations General assembly (UNGa) last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan called upon the world to support the new Taliban government in afghanistan. There is no denying the fact that stability in afghanistan is essential to maintain peace in the country and the region as well. Pakistan has already suffered some of the worst consequences of a neighbouring country being in an active state of war, that too for over 20 years. However, there are some prerequisites for the kind of international community support that must be met by the Taliban. There was a hope and an impression that a reformed afghan Taliban had come to power after the fall of Kabul; however, events since prove otherwise. Just a few days following a statement from Taliban leader Mullah Nooruddin Turabi stating unequivocally that the group would carry out executions and amputations as before, the bodies of four alleged kidnappers who were killed in a shootout were hung on cranes and displayed in Herat’s city square. Moreover, secondary education for girls has been banned, a worrying echo of the 1990s when women’s freedom of movement and access to schools were restricted. In Helmand, barbers have been ordered not to trim or shave men’s beards, another common practice from the old Taliban style of rule. The Taliban are clearly reverting back to a system of governing that is violent, oppressive and has no place in the modern world. With an economy in tatters and on the brink of bankruptcy, the Taliban continuing the way they are, will not get the necessary global recognition, resources or support they require to rebuild the country and move towards a normal, peaceful and prosperous afghanistan. While Pakistan has engaged the Taliban government with regards to security and economic development, having held various meetings, it has refrained from condemning the human rights violations that have occurred so far. There is talk of expanding CPeC into afghanistan and Pakistan has allowed the Taliban to operate flights on the IslamabadKabul route. There seems to be an unnecessary eagerness to please the Taliban on our part, which might irk countries that have outrightly condemned their actions and have made any potential recognition of the new afghan regime conditional upon a noticeable effort to ensure human rights are not violated. The PTI government’s silence in this matter and unbridled advocacy of the Taliban sends out all the wrong messages to the world at large, something it ill-affords when it is trying to promote a ‘soft image’ of Pakistan.

Respecting Arab American Rights

Washington Watch

N late august, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett returned home after meetings with US President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State anthony Blinken saying his "arms were full"— his upbeat way of describing the "goodies" he received from his american hosts. One of these "gifts" was mentioned by the State Department's spokesperson who noted that Blinken and Bennett "agreed on the importance of working toward Israel's inclusion in the visa Waiver Program (vWP) in order to benefit both US citizens and Israeli citizens." Biden's statement, following the White House meeting, also mentioned this issue using language that was more qualified: "We're also going to direct our teams to work toward Israel fulfilling the requirements of the visa Waiver Program and get that done."

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contrast, the situation is devastating in Pakistan in terms of Nobel laureates. Consider the Shanghai Ranking, 20 percent weightage is given if staff of an institution wins a Nobel Prize. So if a university does not have any Nobel Prize winner in its faculty, that university will get zero marks in this metric. Similarly, if an alumnus of a university wins a Nobel Prize, they give 10 percent weightage, otherwise, zero marks will be assigned. Now if we just consider the case of any Pakistani university, we can easily estimate the situation of Nobel Prize winners and Pakistan will get zero marks in this category. Simply speaking, Pakistani universities lose 30 percent marks as there is not a single Nobel laureate associated with any Pakistani university. Then how we can expect Pakistani universities can make their position in the world’s top 100 ranked universities without having a single Nobel laureate? Looking at the top ranked universities in each country and the number of Nobel laureates, we can deduce that the number of top ranked universities in a country is correlated with the number of Nobel laureates in that country. Progress in nations can be quantified on the scale of the quality of teaching provided in their universities, the strength of their intellectuals, regional growth, the impact of research on the regional economy, and the quality of research being conducted. To measure our progress, we have to adopt those same metrics which are internationally recognized, and acceptable. Thus, scientific thinking should prevail, and we should follow the world academic university rankings which quantify these metrics in a scientific manner. Thus due importance should be given to international ranking bodies, as the whole world follows these ranking bodies for their policy and decision making in the higher education sector.

Progress in nations can be quantified on the scale of the quality of teaching provided in their universities, the strength of their intellectuals, regional growth, the impact of research on the regional economy, and the quality of research being conducted. To measure our progress, we have to adopt those same metrics which are internationally recognized, and acceptable

Israel's Problem with US Visa Waiver Programme

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and try to question in a scientific manner why the whole world, and in particular, developed countries, follow the university ranking systems and consider it important in their policy making. The purpose of higher education is to make a better society, generate knowledge,and conduct stateof-the-art scientific research; and all these goals are achieved through universities. In simple words, a university may claim that it is providing quality education and producing students who are capable of playing their part in society; that its faculty is conducting top-notch research which has an impact on society, and that it transfers knowledge to industry. But this claim can be counterfeit and the challenge is how uo validate such claims. International ranking of universities carried by ranking bodies, such as The Times Higher education World University Rankings, QS World University Ranking, Shanghai Ranking, U-Multirank, and Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), helps us to quantify these factors in a scientific manner and judge these claims. These ranking bodies consider different metrics and then issue the global ranking list. The universities will then sort, according to their performance in these metrics. Some of these metrics are, but are not limited to, teacher-student ratio, quality of teaching, quality of faculty, research output and its impact on the society, income generated by the university, proportion of international students and international staff, and international collaboration. among many factors, the most important one is the number of Nobel laureates associated with any university. Now looking at Pakistan, did any university in Pakistan, after Independence, produce any scientist, who received a Nobel Prize by conducting research indigenously in Pakistan? If we look at the Nobel laureates, from 1901 to 2020, 603 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to 962 personalities– 114 to Physics, 112 to Chemistry, and 111 to Medicine. The USa, UK, Germany, and France are the countries which have the highest number of Nobel Prize winners. In

I had been fully prepared for Bennett to secure new US commitments regarding aid and Iran, and US silence on settlements and Palestinian human rights, but was troubled by the mention of the vWP. I had hoped that we had succeeded in putting that matter to rest in 2014 when the State Department made it clear that Israel could not qualify for the programme because of its treatment of arab americans, especially, but not exclusively, those of Palestinian descent seeking entry into the country. One of the provisions of the vWP is that each admitted country demonstrate commitment to reciprocity— which for Israel means guaranteeing that all american citizens are treated equally at entry, just as the USa would be committed to treat all Israeli citizens. Back in 2014, in explaining its reasons for denying Israel entry into the vWP, the State Department spokesperson noted that "the Department of Homeland Security and State remain concerned with the unequal treatment Palestinian americans and other americans of Middle eastern origin experience at Israel's border and checkpoints, and reciprocity is the most basic condition of the vWP.” Israel's discriminatory treatment of US citizens of arab descent has been a consuming passion of mine for more than four decades. While running the Palestine Human Rights Campaign in the 1970s, I handled dozens of cases of Palestinian americans who were unable to visit their families because they were denied entry at Israel's borders. The treatment they received was abusive and often humiliating and degrading. Sometimes they were detained for long periods. The problem continued into the following decades, with a new twist after the signing of the Oslo agreement and the creation of the Palestinian authority. Harassment and abuse of arab americans continued at Ben Gurion airport, but Palestinian americans, even those born in the USa, were now confronted by a new obstacle to entry. They were told that Israel didn't recognize their US passport or citizenship. In Israel's view they

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The writer teaches Computer Science at Munster Technological University (MTU), Ireland, and tweets @MRehmani

were Palestinians and therefore were required to secure a Palestinian ID and could only enter using the allenby Bridge from Jordan. During all these years, we protested to the State Department, noting that Israel's systematic discrimination against US citizens of arab descent was in clear violation of the 1951 US-Israel treaty in which Israel commits to permit US citizens the right to "travel freely, to reside at places of their choice, to enjoy liberty of conscience" and to guarantee them "the most constant protection and security." Several administrations have been responsive to our concerns. President Bill Clinton provided me with the opportunity to directly challenge Israeli PM ehud Barak on this issue. Secretary Madeleine albright raised it with her Israeli counterpart, and upon receiving our reports of Israel's discriminatory behavior toward and denigration of the US citizenship of Palestinian americans, Secretary Condoleezza Rice issued a strong statement insisting that "an american citizen is an american citizen," demanding that all of us be treated equally. But other than words of condemnation and a State Department "travel advisory" that warns that "US citizens whom Israeli authorities suspect of being of arab, Middle eastern, of Muslim origin...may face additional, often time-consuming, and probing questioning by immigration and border authorities, and may be denied entry"— nothing had been done to correct this flagrantly discriminatory treatment. Nothing, that is, until 2014, when the State Department based its denial of Israel's request to enter the vWP on their "unequal treatment" of american citizens of arab descent. Given this background, I was stunned to hear that Israel, without any changes in their policies, is still trying to get into the programme. I was somewhat hopeful with President Biden saying that the USa will be working "toward Israel fulfilling the requirements of the vWP"— hoping, that is, that he was referring to the need for reciprocity. Nevertheless, whatever the President meant, we will continue to demand that as US citizens we have the right to equal protection under the law— at home and abroad. If Israel won't respect our rights, as americans, then our own government must. This journey is not over. The writer is President of the Arab American Institute

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Wednesday, 29 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

Leftistan or rightistan?

Discourse of a statesman the aftermath of 9/11, creating social upheavals in the relevant countries, but is also casting its evil shadow on vitally needed inter-faith hargovernment. mony at the global level. Dilating on how the One can hardly contest his assessment of the issue became of international concern, he said, likely humanitarian crisis in afghanistan, the ur- “In the aftermath of 9/11 terrorist attacks, terrorgency of helping the afghan people and the con- ism has been associated with Islam by some sequences of leaving them alone. He rightly said quarters. This has increased the tendency of “If we neglect afghanistan right now, according right-wing, xenophobic and violent nationalists, to the UN half the people of afghanistan are al- extremists and terrorist groups to target Musready vulnerable, and by next year almost 90 lims.” The world has seen some ugly manifestapercent of the people in afghanistan will go tions of this phenomenon including the attack on below the poverty line. There is a huge human- mosques in New Zealand in which nearly 150 itarian crisis looming ahead. and this will have Muslims were massacred and the very recent atserious repercussions not just for the neighbours tacks on Muslim families in Canada. The world of afghanistan but everywhere. a destabilized, urgently needs to pay attention to this developchaotic afghanistan will again become a safe ment. haven for international terrorists - the reason \No person with a conscience and believing why the US came to afghanistan in the first in humanitarian norms can contest his claim place. There is only one way to go. We must about India being the major offender in regards strengthen and stabilize the current government to Islamophobia practised as a state policy. He for the sake of people of afghanistan” was right to say “The hate-filled ‘Hindutva’ ideIn regards to the situation in Indian-Held ology, propagated by the fascist RSS-BJP Kashmir in the aftermath of the scrapping of the regime, has unleashed a reign of fear and viospecial status of the state including attempts to lence against India’s 200 million strong Muslim change its democommunity. Mob lynchgraphic realities ing by cow vigilantes; through promulgation frequent pogroms, such of a new domicile law, as the one in New Delhi blatant violation of last year; discriminatory Honestly speaking, the Prime human rights and concitizenship laws to tinuation of the killing purge India of Muslims; Minister’s discourse indeed spree by the Indian seand a campaign to decurity forces, he was stroy mosques across reflected his farsightedness right on the money to India and obliterate its and stature as a global say that all those acMuslim heritage and tions by the Modi are all part of statesman rather than a leader history, regime constituted a this criminal enterbreach of UN resoluof the Third World country, who prise.” tions, international law, No wonder then minced no words about the humanitarian laws and that a former Indian the fourth Geneva Prime Minister in an arglobal realities and those Convention while the ticle published in The world looked the other Hindu of 6 March 2020 responsible for it way. Pakistan has ishad held the Modi govsued two dossiers to ernment responsible for the international comkilling of 50 Muslims in munity in regards to Delhi when they were human rights violation by Indian security forces, protesting against the Citizenship amendment detailing Indian atrocities in Indian-Held Kash- Bill and also accused it of turning India into a mir and its acts of state terrorism against Pak- majoritarian state. istan. The triple challenges facing humanity menImran Khan courageously castigated the tioned by the Prime Minister in his address are double standards of the world community in re- of colossal magnitude beyond the prowess of gards to human rights in these words: “It is un- any single nation to overcome and do need a fortunate, very unfortunate, that the world’s collective action to ward off their cataclysmic approach to violations of human rights lacks impact. They need complete solidarity among even-handedness, and even is selective. Geopo- all the nations but as we have seen in the case litical considerations, or corporate interests, of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the world commercial interests often compel major pow- failed to show solidarity and some countries ers to overlook the transgressions of their affil- even tried to extract political mileage from it. iated’ countries”. He reiterated that Pakistan In the backdrop of this reality the Prime Minisdesired peace with India which, however, was ter was not off the mark when he said, “The contingent upon implementation of the UNSC common threats faced by us today not only exresolutions on Kashmir and the creation of a pose the fragility of the international system, conducive atmosphere by India for a meaning- they also underscore the oneness of humanity. ful and result-oriented engagement with Pak- To address the triple crisis of Covid pandemic, istan for which it would have to rescind its economic downturn, and climate emergency, we unilateral and illegal measures taken since 5 need a comprehensive strategy.” august 2019. Rising Islamophobia was also the focus of Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic. his attention, which has raised its ugly head in He can be contacted at: ashpak10@gmail.com.

The PM identified the triple threat faced by the world

malik muhammaD ashraf

He virtual address to the UN General assembly by Prime Minister Imran Khan undeniably was a conscience-rattling discourse wherein he, besides pleading for collective action to face the triple challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the accompanying economic melt-down and climate change, also took a swipe at the double standards on human rights shown by the big powers, particularly at Indian atrocities in Indian-Held Kashmir, expressed concern over the rising phenomenon of Islamophobia and urged the world to extend all possible support to the Taliban regime in afghanistan to forestall the looming humanitarian crisis there, warning that abandoning the afghan people could have disastrous consequences. In regards to the conflict in afghanistan over four decades, he rightly lamented the fact that in spite of Pakistan’s having been an ally against the Soviet Blitzkreig in afghanistan, the USa pulled out after the war, leaving Pakistan to face the consequences. Then again in the War on Terror, despite sacrificing the lives of 80,000 Pakistanis, suffering a loss of $150 billion to its economy for being an ally of the USa, the presence of 3 million afghan refugees and 3.5 million internally displaced persons with all the accompanying debilitating consequences, Pakistan is being blamed for the turn of events in afghanistan by the USa. The reality is that the accusations levelled against Pakistan are a deliberate attempt by the USa to portray it as a fall-guy to sweep under the carpet its own follies and failures in afghanistan, the biggest being to foist a military solution and trying to set in motion a process of cultural change in a tribal society without understanding its dynamics and ground realities. In fact, the USa in a big way is responsible for the post-Soviet withdrawal events that saw the rise of terrorism and the use of afghan territory by different terrorist entities, besides factional fighting between the Taliban and the Northern alliance. The developing situation in afghanistan is also a consequence of the wrong decision of the USa to pull out before a political settlement was reached between the Taliban and the afghan

PaKISTaN as a nation has always been confused about its identity , whether we are a Islamic state representing a true colour of Islam or whether we are a modern secular progressive state. every leader since inception of Pakistan faced the difficulty of aligning to a side that was representing the true identity of a state. It was confusing whether Jinnah wanted to see Pakistan as a islamic state or a secular, in-fact probably even he was confused about that as he was asked on one occasion and his reply was ‘we will see when we get there’. However identity has been used and switched time to time for the gains and requirements of time. Pakistan has witnessed a secular leftist era of ayub then switching to socialist Bhutto and later extreme right during Zia era. and the vicious cycle keeps on repeating and we as a society remain confused about our national identity. Recently a new debate regarding construction of a mandaar in Islamabad has refreshed decades old confusion of our society, which is, what is our national identity? People are seen aligning in favour of or against construction of the mandaar, representing secular Pakistan for everyone on one hand and an Islamic Pakistan for Muslims on the other hand. However the question is not which side to align , the question is what are we as a state , what is our national identity? In order to develop a common national identity, it needs to be a progressive process , which needs to be incorporated in our educational curriculum and we as a society needs to be groomed. In a nut shell, Pakistan as a society wants to modernise and enjoy the outcomes of new technologies and modernity and the same time wants to hold back to its culture and values. We are not a progressive society rather regressive society , which is that we are not open to change and new ideas and this is reflected in our decisions and mindset as a society. To conclude, Pakistan as a society is to remain confused whether to align to leftistan or rightistan. Rohail BaSEER PEShawaR

Witch doctors and crooks YeSTeRDaY, my friend told me a strange incident . He told me that his mother went to a lady for black magic removal. The friend further tell me that his mother went to that lady and ask lady to remove black magic on her . The lady firstly asked information about my friend’s mother and then tell a little common things about her . after this The lady demanded 5k for the removal of magic and also gave a list of grocery and also told her that he further take 30k for this process. The lady used the name of our beloved Imam Hussain . The lady gave a list of grocery which includes fruits , meat , chicken, wheat , rice , biscuits etc which are not essential for the removal of magic. That lady was a fraud . and think it was totally wrong. Through this letter I want to draw the attention of our society to beware of this and please don’t waste your money in frauds like this . haRum KaRachi

Tech troubles TODaY’S world is jamed with technology .The main inventions which are playing an important role to destroy our health’s such as computers, mobiles and social media etc. Which almost every family owns. Originally it was created to make our lives more easier then before but later on researches were carried on and it came up that our physical and mental health suffers because of immoderate usage of technology. Technology appears to create global network bringing people together but infact this technology ends up the importance of real life communication the enjoyment of life even because of this we forget to give time to our relatives,families and friends. In today’s world it’s a habit of almost every people to live in their own world stuking at the device screen even when surrounded with the kith and kins. This technology have ruined the peace of people specially, the most inferior impact of technology is that it reduced the quantity and quality of sleep and today’s generation have become habitual of technology. So we should not fail to think of that this technology have harmful effects too for our health so we should not accustomed to technology. We should take care of our health also. uRooj NadEEm hydERaBad

Benefits of yoga YOGa is a very safe, easy and healthy way to get fit your whole life without any problems. It just needs regular practice in the right way of body movements and breathing. It regularizes the connection between three components of our body such as body, mind and soul. It regularizes the functioning of the all body organs and prevents the body and mind to get disturbed because of some bad situations and unhealthy lifestyle. It helps in maintaining the health, knowledge and inner peace. By providing a good health it fulfills our physical needs, through knowledge it fulfills our psychological needs and through inner peace is fulfills the spiritual need thus it helps in maintaining the harmony among all. Regular practice of the yoga in the morning provides outer and inner relief by keeping away from the countless ailments at the physical and mental level. Practicing postures or asanas strengthens the body and mind as well as creates the feeling of well being. It sharpens the human mind, improves intelligence and help in high level of concentration by steadying the emotions and feelings. The feeling of well being creates helping nature within us and thus enhances the social well being. Improved concentration level helps in meditating and provides calming effect and inner peace to the mind. Yoga is like a practical philosophy which develops self-discipline and self awareness within us through regular practice. Yoga can be practiced by anyone as it is irrespective of age, religion, or health circumstances. It improves the discipline and sense of power as well as provides a chance to life healthy life without physical and mental problems. To enhance its awareness about all benefits all over the world, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has suggested to the United Nations General assembly to declare the 21st of June as an International Day of Yoga so that each and every may know about yoga and can been benefited. m iRfaN huB

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

MusliM stereotyping in Hindi filMs THE REPRESENTATION OF MUSLIMS IN CINEMA IS COMPLEX: IT INVOLVES BOTH SURRENDER AND PUSHBACK, SAYS RENOWNED FILM SCHOLAR IRA BHASKAR

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NaNdiNi RamNath

he crisis around Muslim identity in India that is being fuelled by hindutva supporters has also engulfed hindi cinema. Where once films showed Muslims as rulers, poets and aesthetes, they are now often portrayed as terrorists, gangsters and despots. To that list has been added the Muslim quisling – the kohl-eyed, generously bearded betrayer who aids the efforts of the Pakistani security establishment to attack India. Islamophobia has undoubtedly infected films. This is especially evident in productions about terrorism, espionage and wars. The recently released Bhuj: The Pride of India includes rants about Mughal “outsiders” and a line that “spies don’t use attar”. This dog whistle was in the same register as the recent statements of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath that before he came to power, food rations were being given only to people who said “Abba jaan” – a term of endearment for “father” used by Muslims. Bhuj came out a few weeks after Toofan, about a Muslim boxer who battles poor sporting form as well as religious bigotry. The web series Chhatrasal portrays the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb as a bug-eyed villain, while The empire deals a fair hand to the similarly vilified founder of the Mughal dynasty, Babur. The cinematic representation of Muslims is the subject of Islamicate Cultures of Bombay Cinema (Tulika Books, 2009). Written by Ira Bhaskar and Richard Allen, the book defines “Islamicate cinema” as the “imagined history, social life and expressive idioms that are derived from and associated with Islamic culture and history”. Bhaskar and Allen examine the Muslim historical (the examples include humayun from 1945 and Mughal-e-Azam from 1960) and the Muslim courtesan film (such as Pakeezah from 1972 and the two versions of Umrao Jaan from 1981 and 2006). The authors look at the classic Muslim social – a hindi film industry term for movies about the Muslim aristocracy, such as Mere Mehboob, 1963, and Chaudhvin Ka Chand, 1960, – and the New Wave Muslim Social, which represents movies by directors working outside the conventions of the hindi film industry, such as Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, 1989 and Mammo 1994. More than a decade after their first book, Bhaskar and Allen have edited a second book on the subject. Bombay Cinema’s Islamicate histories (Intellect Press, UK/Orient Blackswan, India) will be published in 2022. It will contain essays on a range of themes, including Urdu poetry, the qawaali, the ghazal, the kathak dance form, the persona of Salman Khan and the terrorism drama. Ira Bhaskar is a professor of Cinema Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. In an interview with Scroll.in, the renowned film scholar revisited some of the genres mentioned in Islamicate Cinema and analysed the ways in which filmmakers pander to as well as resist stereotyping. What are the broad changes you see in the representation of Muslims in hindi films since the publication of ‘Islamicate Cultures of Bombay Cinema’ in 2009? have there been shifts in the Muslim his-

torical and the Muslim social? When we were writing the book in 2007 and 2008, we didn’t imagine that India would change so fundamentally. Of course, we were in the post-Babri Masjid demolition world, hindutva politics were on the ascent. But we couldn’t have imagined that the position of Muslims in India would change so fundamentally. Paradoxically, there is a greater representation of the Muslim on the screen, even as there are attempts to transform the historical. In our book, we talked about the Delhi Sultanate period and the Mughal period and the great Mughals and what they represented for India in the anti-colonial movement as well as in the Nehruvian period. In the historicals that have been made since 2017, Muslims have been demonised, hindu and Rajput kings glorified and the hindu majoritarian ideological discourse of these films seem to subvert the founding ideals of the nation in the service of the communalised political discourse of the contemporary. The historical is not a realist genre, it’s an allegorical genre. In our earlier book, we were talking about the allegorical significance of historical figures. The earlier historical was imbued with a nationalist vision and an attempt to portray a strong, united nation in which people from different groups and religious identities lived together and fought for the idea of India Of course, there were fissures earlier too. Whatever tensions there might have been, the commitment to the idea of India as secular and plural was very strong. The public discourse was about India as a multi-cultural nation, where religious identities did not define one as an individual. That idea itself is changing. It’s not just about hindus and Muslims but other religions too. All these identities were not in such a crisis as they are now. Several recent films focus on Muslim characters as being out of place within Indian society. There is a whole discourse about the Muslim Other and the Muslim as not belonging to India. The discourse by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and hindu Mahasabha starting from the 1920s has been mobilised by the RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party once again today. Two things happened in the early 1990s. [Film scholar] Ravi Vasudevan has spoken of “secular discretion” of the Bombay film industry, which is that they didn’t show hindu-Muslim conflicts, and the Muslim was always a good Muslim. That started to break in the late 1980s. The ban on depicting hindu-Muslim relations lifted, with increasing representations of Muslims as criminals, gangsters and later as terrorists. It was as if the lid had blown off a simmering cauldron.

For instance, Sarfarosh names Pakistan as the enemy. In Mahesh Bhatt’s Zakhm, the resolution is very secular but the film actually dramatises the anger, animosity and hostility that middle-class Indians feel against Muslims. The relationship of the characters played by Nagarjuna and Pooja Bhatt cannot be legitimised because Nagarjuna’s mother cannot accept that her daughter-in-law will be a Muslim. I found it difficult to stomach this hysteria in my first viewing of Zakhm. When I watched it again, I looked at the public discourse and realised that the hysteria was coming from our social spaces and our public polity. It is, in a way, a throwback to Partition, which had previously been a silent discourse and then surfaced as a metaphor for communalism after 1984. That hysteria of an antiMuslim sentiment is at a peak today, and fuels the representation of Muslims as outsiders in the films that have been made in the last few years. The historical is being revised to present Muslim rulers as outsiders and invaders. Are the genre elements, such as the costumes and architecture, poetry and music, the culture of refinement and the Urdu and hindustani languages, being colourised too and rendered foreign and therefore undesirable? They are being colourised, but it is also a very difficult thing to do. You can make representations of figures as criminals and terrorists and barbarians and marauders – we see that in Padmaavat for instance. But in the speech of North India, it’s difficult to disentangle the words that are socalled derived from Islamic societies from Sanskritised hindi. Our everyday language is hindustani. I still think it is going to be very difficult for people to cleanse the language. And how are you going to get people to stop wearing salwar and churidarkameezes or jewellery that is Islamicate? how are you going to stop people from singing ghazals and qawaalis? That said, the discourse about Muslims as barbarians and invaders is very, very strong. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has adopted the Muslim historical and given it his own spin. What do you make of his films ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat’? The first 15-20 minutes of Bajirao Mastani worried me, but then Mastani enters and the whole thing changes. You have this beautiful love story. It’s not pure history, of course. It’s a bit like Jodhaa Akbar, in which Amitabh Bachchan’s voiceover in the ends says that Jodhaa and Akbar represent what India is. Bajirao puts up a huge fight against his family for Mastani. The intensity, the melodramatic and almost epic amplification of the love story and the destruction of these two people give one a sense of what is hap-

pening to the soul of India. Bajirao Mastani gives us a sense of the battles that have to be fought to preserve something that’s not new, it’s the idea with which India was born. And then we had Padmaavat. It is a mystery as to how Bhansali could make Bajirao Mastani and then make Padmaavat? Ranveer Singh played Alauddin Khilji in ‘Padmaavat’ and the rapper Murad in Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Gully Boy’. Do films made since the 2000s such as ‘Gully Boy’, ‘Shahid’, ‘Secret Superstar’, ‘Mulk’ and ‘Nakkash’ represent new iterations of the Muslim social? The newer Muslim social films come from different tides and impulses, but they are all speaking to the present. There are also differences. Films like Gully Boy and Secret Superstar are about success stories. There are also films like Dharm, which is an attempt to grasp the idea of India in which the Muslim is an integral part of India. even films from the 1990s, like Fiza, Bombay and hey Ram fought deeply for the soul of India. Mulk puts up a fight, a little bit like Dharm, to make a legal and constitutional case for the Muslim. It is much more idealistic and romantic – if we struggle, we will fight and we will win. Then, there are the dark, dystopian films like Shahid and Nakkash that represent the reality that surrounds us, the unrelenting violence directed at a Muslim for just being a Muslim. Fiza shows us that there is no exit for the Muslim from their identity and from the violent consequences of being who they are in a hindu majoritarian world. Unlike the classic Muslim social, like Mere Mehboob and Chaudhvin Ka Chand, the New Wave Muslim social films explored middle-class and working-class lives [rather than the landed aristocracy]. The location shifted from Lucknow and Delhi, especially Lucknow, which was the symbolic centre of Muslim culture. The Indian New Wave realistically depicted the struggles and prejudices faced by ordinary Muslims. Saeed Mirza’s Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro is really about the kind of violence that a Muslim has to face on an everyday basis. Last year, I made my class watch Gully Boy and Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro. The line “Apna Time Aayega” is there in Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro as “Apna bhi time aayenga re.” But bechare ka woh time nahi aaya [the poor guy didn’t get his big break]. everybody in my class liked Gully Boy, I liked it too. But my students also said that Salim Langde was a realistic film. Murad is one Muslim who has success, whereas Salim is everybody else. Is the Muslim gangster, in a perverse way, also a kind of success story? I haven’t worked on the gangster genre very deeply. But in terms of the dramatisation of power, the gangster finds a space in a system where he has no space – a sense of power and identity, a world in which he is respected, in a perverse kind of way. Of course, there are so many films in which the gangster isn’t Muslim. This is also happening in recent web series, in which there is a very dystopic vision of India today. Web series likes Sacred Games, Tandav and Pataal Lok are much more driven about the state of India, in which crime and violence are pervasive. Tandav is our attempt at doing house of Cards. There is a great concern about the political corruption and the complete lack of moral or ethical values in public life, where human lives don’t matter. Muslims also feature prominently in nation-in-peril films, either as terrorists, quislings, or forceful patriots. how did this kind of film become so pervasive? The nation-in-peril film is a post-1990 phenomenon because of Indian Occupied Kashmir and the expulsion of Kashmiri Pandits. Indian Occupied Kashmir is perceived today paradoxically as a paradise that is under tremendous threat, is wounded and bleeding. The people who are destroying it are depicted as cross-border terrorists. Mani Ratnam’s Roja is the beginning of that kind of film. The expulsion of Kashmiri Pandits from Indian Occupied Kashmir created an avalanche of fear and anxiety about the Muslim. Cross-border terrorism was also a huge concern in public discourse, and has been since the 1990s. Films about cross-border terrorism are different from the ones that talk about the communalisation of hindi-Muslim relations. Scholars have made the argument that the terrorist in Roja, for example, stands in for the ordinary Muslim. Indian Occupied Kashmir is seen as a place that is taken over, in the imagination, by Pakistan. Then there are also war films and espionage thrillers. Films like New York, Kurbaan and My Name is Khan are reacting to

the September 11, 2001, attacks and the subsequent Islamophobia. Some of these films are anti-Pakistan or are part of a larger global response to Islamic terrorism. We often have Muslim characters being made to apologise for themselves, like in ‘War’. Or, as is the case in ‘Romeo Akbar Walter’ and ‘Raazi’, Muslims sacrifice themselves for the country. Not only do they have to apologise, but they have to give up their lives to prove their allegiance. It has rendered the place of the Muslim askew. A Muslim character cannot take things for granted like a hindu protagonist can. Interestingly, in films that have stars like hrithik Roshan or Aamir Khan, playing the terrorists, the characters have to be reclaimed. In Mission Kashmir, hrithik Roshan’s character comes back into the family fold in the end. In a typically melodramatic development, the values are pro-life, in a sense. In Fanaa, Aamir Khan’s character has to be sacrificed. his death is seen as redemptive for the values of the nation. There is a complex logic at work: we can’t allow our boys to be misled by the Pakistanis. Films like Romeo Akbar Walter, Naam Shabana and Raazi are about the “good Muslim” who is committed to the nation but is misunderstood and finally redeemed. even in Raazi, the only way the Kashmiri Muslim woman can be rehabilitated is when she shows that she is committed to the nation above everything else, including her husband. The inter-faith relationship has now been criminalised in BJP-ruled states. You have the inter-faith romance in Kedarnath, but the Muslim porter dies in the end. We can imagine this romance, but it won’t ever be fulfilled. earlier we had Bombay, where the hindu Muslim romance was integral to the idea of India as secular and plural. The Bombay riots of 1992-1993 demonstrated how this idea of the nation was in peril and the film attempted to recover that idea as a lived reality. This has been difficult more recently. Mulk is an exception in which Taapsee’s character is a hindu married into a Muslim family. The fact of the marriage is accepted quite casually and she is considered an integral part of the Muslim household even though there is trouble in her marriage. Mulk is also invested in a project of reclaiming the idea of India as plural, difficult and violent as that may be. What challenges do filmmakers face, given the current milieu? Allegories are easier, in a way. In times of crisis, cinema, like other art forms, has taken recourse to allegorical forms. But the most difficult, and the one that is prone to the most censorship, whether political or institutional, is the contemporary social film, in which you have to face the vicious, vitriolic rhetoric. One has to try to find ways. I loved Nitin Kakkar’s Filmistaan, a lovely film that in its comic way says a lot about India and Pakistan and their shared cultures and struggles. Are people going to continue to write and make such films because of the kind of censorship there is and the hysteria around hindi-Muslim relationships? We all, in our own ways, are fighting and struggling. It is easy to say, of course, but filmmakers have to go by their convictions. Sometimes, compromises have to be made. Bombay was criticised a lot. I remember various interviews in which Mani Ratnam said he had to cut out certain things. But for me, that compromise was worth the larger picture. For Mani Ratnam, the larger vision was the possibility of a hindu man marrying a Muslim woman and having a family. Films have a life after their release, they will be a part of the discourse 20 or 30 years later. So we have to fight for that moment and go beyond the contemporary, even though it is very tough. We cannot allow ourselves to forget what constitutes us. There are dominant ideologies that are forcing homogeneity, but the struggle is to actually push back and claim the plurality that constitutes our identities.

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

BUSINESS 09

ISLAMABAD corporate corner

Pak-ChINa exPeRTS TO BuILD BeTTeR DIGITaL PayMeNT SySTeM BEiJiNG

Martin Dow Conducts Week-long Training Program at JPMC to Facilitate Doctors in Medical Research. Photograph taken at this occasion shows Dr. Nabeel Baig, briefing the participant about the importance & benefits of latest medical research. PR

L’Oréal Pakistan announces partnership with Retalio

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AKISTAN government is focusing on the development of e-commerce. China is leading the world in the field of e-commerce. Last year, its e-commerce transaction was $2 trillion, which is more than the added-up figure of e-commerce trades done in the US and Europe,” said Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque. “We would like to promote our e-commerce infrastructure to benefit from this huge market, and to upgrade our telecommunication sector and modernize the e-payment system,” he said during a dialogue themed by Digital Belt and Road on the 4th Belt and Road Service Trade Cooperation Forum

held in Beijing. “As a payment infrastructure builder, our payment services coverall Belt and Road countries with 50 supported currencies. As Pakistan’s e-commerce is developing fast, many of our customers, especially e-commerce customers, have frequent economic exchanges with Pakistan,” said Wu Kai, Airwallex Greater China CEO, who also joined the dialogue and discussed digital payment development with Moinul Haque. “We can make payment more efficiently with lower cost, and we can help customers control their financial risks.” The COVID-19 is accelerating the digital economy development of Belt and Road countries and there are more and more international trades, which provide a big demand for digital payment services, China Economic Net reported.

Shahid Salim resigns as MD OGDCL iSLaMaBaD aHMaD aHMaDaNI

Karachi: L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty brand, announces its partnership with Retailo, the fastest growing B2B startup in the MENAP region, in Pakistan. With this partnership, L’Oréal Paris brands and products will be easily available to a wider range of audience via Retalio and its network, solving various supply chain challenges being faced by businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. With this collaboration, local retailers across the country will now have access to a greater variety of personal care and cosmetic products by L’Oréal to order through the digital app of Retailo. Retailo is a B2B startup simplifying retail for SME store owners in the MENAP region through technology. Retailo currently has over 40,000+ retailers onboard involved in ordering shop inventory from their high-powered app. It is well on its way to empowering 10 million SMEs and help SMEs grow their businesses. Retailo has over 400+ brands on app, with L’Oréal joining the list in light of the recent partnership between the two companies. The partnership between L’Oréal and Retailo is now underway and will consolidate L’Oréal’s position as the leading beauty brand in MENAP and beyond, while strengthening Retailo’s position as the app of choice among local SMEs and retailers. PRess Release

JazzCash rolls out an all new and improved mobile app Karachi: JazzCash, Pakistan’s leading fintech with over 13.1 million monthly active users, has released a new, revamped version of its consumer app. The all new JazzCash app not only comes with a completely redesigned user centric interface but also adds exciting new features to make the experience better than ever before for the JazzCash family. The design team at JazzCash conducted an in-depth study with users from diverse educational and socio-economic backgrounds, resulting in a user-centric mobile experience designed by millions of Pakistanis and delivered by JazzCash. This new design allows app users greater flexibility and the ability to do more with fewer action steps. As a platform promoting the digital payments ecosystem, we decided to invest in a scalable, future proof platform that can give us the agility and capacity to support our rapidly growing business. We did not just revamp the user experience on the front end but also conducted end to end modernisation of the entire JazzCash technology stack,” said Murtaza Ali, acting CEO, JazzCash. PRess Release

Dubai Islamic Bank joins hands with Befiler to promote Digital Tax Filing Karachi: Dubai Islamic Bank signs MoU with Befiler – A Digital Tax Filing platform to facilitate its customers in Tax filing at a discounted price. With an ambition to promote Tax filing culture among the banking customers, the Bank will act as a facilitator for its customer to avail benefits of being a Tax filer and become part of Active Tax Payer List (ATL) through Befiler App and web portal. Dubai Islamic Bank customers will also get guidance & support from Befiler consultants through an effective engagement throughout the tax filing process. On the occasion of signing ceremony Junaid Ahmed, CEO Dubai Islamic Bank said “This initiative highlights our commitment to facilitate Dubai Islamic Bank customers in understanding the importance of Tax filing and to equip them with necessary ease in understanding the filing process. We [Dubai Islamic Bank & Befiler] are working to contribute towards a more inclusive tax filing culture in Pakistan by using technology in reaching out to a greater number of citizens to receive incomparable service at a discounted price”. PRess Release

Shahid Salim has resigned from the post of managing director of the state-owned Exploration and Production (E&P) company Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) prior to expiry of job tenure. According to sources, Shahid Salim has tendered resignation before the expiry of three year’s job tenure and upcoming meeting of the OGDCL board is likely to accept his resignation and take important decisions. Sources said that the federal

government and the OGDCL board was not happy with the performance of Shahid Salim as MD therefore instead of facing a possible removal, he himself tendered a resignation prior to expiry of three years job contract period. Earlier, the OGDCL BoD in its meeting held on January 21, 2020, had approved the appointment of Shahid Salim Khan as managing director in place of Dr Naseem Ahmad. The sources also said that performance of the OGDCL had been affected badly during Salim’s tenure because of his poor performance and he was

facing serious pressure ostensibly as the BoD had started examining his performance approximately one and half months ago. The next meeting of the board is likely to be held on October 1 wherein the final decision regarding the future top man of the OGDCL will be taken. When contacted, a spokesman of OGDCL said, “The MD has communicated his intention to resign due to health reasons. There is, however, no decision on this subject at this stage. Official position will be shared once considered and concluded by the board.”

Regional exports increase 34.8pc in 2MFY22 iSLaMaBaD aPP

Pakistan’s exports to the seven regional countries witnessed an increase of 34.75 per cent in first two months of current financial year (2MFY22) as compared to the corresponding period of last year, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on Tuesday. As per details, the country’s exports to the regional countries including Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and the Maldives account for a small amount of $593.972 million, which is 12.90 per cent of Pakistan’s overall exports of $4601.041 million during July-August. China tops the list of countries in terms of Pakistan’s exports to its neighbouring, leaving behind other countries such Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Pakistan carried out its border trade with the farther neighbour Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Maldives. Pakistan’s exports to China posted growth of 63.37 per cent to $337.525 million in two months of this year from $200.458 million during last year While exports to Bangladesh also increased by 23.92 per cent to $106.415 million from $85.869 million. The country’s exports to Afghanistan, however, dropped by 22.71 percent to $95.672 million this year from $123.785 million whereas exports to India plunged by a whopping 88.86 per cent to $0.057 million from $0.512 as the government has suspended trade relations with India. Similarly, exports to Sri Lanka rose by 83.40 per cent to $52.769 million from $28.772 million in FY21. Exports to Nepal declined

by 3.07 per cent to $0.694 million from 0.716 million while to Maldives increased by 28.83 per cent to $0.840 million from 0.652 million. On the other hand, imports from seven regional countries were recorded at $2776.315 million during 2MFY22 as compared to $1961.659 million during 2MFY21, showing increase of 41.52 per cent. The imports from China during the period under review were recorded at $2704.399 million against the $1899.025 million during July-August FY21, showing an increase of 42.41 per cent. Among other countries, imports from India were recorded at $28.867 million against the imports of $31.437 million, a decrease of 8.17 per cent, while imports from Afghanistan increased by 99.28 per cent from $9.514 million to $18.960 million.

Wu Kai also stressed the importance of banking system during the development of digital economy. Currently, some Belt and Road countries don’t have adequate financial infrastructures. The premise of our service is that payers and receivers both have bank accounts. “What we can do is to build a solid foundation based on which other participants can develop their own payment applications or software,” Wu Kai said, adding that the company is looking forward to cooperating with Pakistan and more Belt and Road countries, making full use of each other’s complementary resources and advantages. “We can also share our experience to help other participants to take less detour. We hope to work with all Belt and Road countries to make our entire payment system more efficient,” he added.

Standard Chartered Pakistan selects RiskNucleus® Governance, Risk & Compliance solution Karachi PR

Aimed at digitizing the compliance-risk management processes, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited (“SCBPL”) has selected the RiskNucleus® Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) solution, which is created and backed by the expertise of BenchMatrix. Deployment of this fully configurable and integrated, web-based application reflects the technological-innovation and process-advancement at Standard Chartered, with an aim to further strengthen controls culture through automation for identification, assessment and management of compliance risk. The implementation of this digitized solution will ensure compliance with SBP’s requirements to capture compliance risk at business, function, and entity-level. Through advanced reporting and analytics, the bank will be able to provide actionable, real-time risk and compliance intelligence and data across the institution, which will further strengthen business performance, based on the risk-awareness and integrity.

PM to launch uplift work of 80km Jhaljao-Bela Road on Wednesday ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch the rehabilitation and upgradation of JhaljaoBela Road Wednesday to provide connectivity between Awaran and Bela areas of Balochistan. The project is under administrative control of Balochistan Government and the National Highway Authority would execute it. According to the project brief, the rehabilitation and upgradation of 80-kilometer road would cost around Rs9.56 billion which would take another three years to complete. The road would have two lanes including 182 culverts which would cater to around 2,645 vehicles per day. The project would create more than 2, 756 direct and indirect jobs and ensure uninterrupted traffic flow resulting in reduction in vehicle operating cost. It would also help boost economic activities and overall uplift of adjoining areas besides ensuring better farm to market access. aPP

Oil climbs a sixth day on supply concerns, Brent rises over $80 TOKYO aGeNCIes

Oil markets climbed for a sixth day on Tuesday, reversing earlier losses, on fears over tight supply while surging prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal also lent support. Brent crude futures gained 55 cents, or 0.7%, to $80.08 a barrel at 0510 GMT, after reaching its highest since October 2018 at $80.35 earlier in the session. It surged 1.8% on Monday. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 57 cents, or 0.8%, to $76.02 a barrel, hitting its highest since July 6. It jumped 2% the previous day. “Investors remained bullish as supply disruptions in the United States from hurricanes are continuing for

longer than expected at a time when demand is picking up due to easing lockdown measures and the wider rollouts of COVID-19 vaccination,” said Chiyoki Chen, chief analyst at Sunward Trading. Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas, which swept through the US Gulf of Mexico in August and September, damaged platforms, pipelines and processing hubs, shutting most offshore production for weeks. Also weighing on supply, top African oil exporters Nigeria and Angola will struggle to boost output to their quotas set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) until at least next year as underinvestment and nagging maintenance problems continue to hobble

output, sources at their respective oil firms warn. Their battle mirrors that of several other members of the OPEC+ group who curbed production in the past year to support prices when COVID-19 hit demand, but are now failing to ramp up output to meet soaring global fuel needs as economies recover. The supply issues are occurring as countries ease their COVID-19 movement restrictions, potentially boosting demand. Japan, the world’s fifth-biggest oil user, plans to lift a coronavirus state of emergency in all regions on Thursday as the number of new cases falls and the strain on the medical system eases, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said.

Analysts also say rising prices of spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal may support higher oil prices. “Oil demand could pick up by an additional 0.5 million barrels per day, or 0.5% of global oil supply, as high gas prices force a switch from gas to oil consumption,” Commonwealth Bank commodities analyst Vivek Dhar said in a note. He added that energy prices could rally from here if the Northern Hemisphere winter proved colder than expected. China is in the grip of a power crunch as a shortage of coal supplies, tougher emissions standards and strong demand from manufacturers and industry have pushed coal prices to record highs and triggered widespread curbs on usage.

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ISLAMABAD

Dubai Expo to wElcomE millions in biggEst EvEnt sincE panDEmic Dubai

AFP

illions of people will begin converging on Dubai this week as the Covid-delayed Expo 2020, the world's biggest event since the pandemic, finally unveils its gleaming pavilions in the desert. The Expo site in the dusty Dubai suburbs has remained strictly off-limits during its year-long postponement but the wraps will come off on Thursday at an opening ceremony attended by Emirati royalty. Architectural marvels and a long list of technological innovations will feature among the exhibits, or pavilions, showcasing the ingenuity of more than 190 countries. The first world fair was held in london in 1851, when it was housed in the purpose built Crystal Palace, and it featured the Eiffel Tower — intended as a temporary attraction — in Paris in 1889. Dubai's edition, the first in the Middle East, is expected to be the biggest event ever held in the region with estimates of 25 million visitors over its six-month lifespan. The next biggest event held in the world during the pandemic was the Tokyo olympics, where strict virus rules saw spectators banned from nearly all venues. Expo 2020 will be indelibly tinged by the pandemic, however, with masks and social distancing mandatory on site. Visitors will need to be vaccinated or have a negative PCR test to enter. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), population 10 million, has reported rapidly dwindling coronavirus

cases in recent weeks, dropping below 300 on sunday — less than half the figure a fortnight earlier. Dubai's ruler sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid AlMaktoum is typically bullish about the fair, promising “the most exceptional Expo in the history of the event”. “our nation's talented citizens were able to convert this vision into a comprehensive plan for success, con-

veying a message to the world that our commitment to excellence makes us an important contributor to shaping the globe's future,” he said, according to official media. Robot panda: The fair is another feather in the cap for Dubai, which has long strived for recognition with achievements such as the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at a towering 828 metres.

UAE media highlighted a travel company report which named the building as the world's most searched landmark, with The national wondering: “Has Expo 2020 made Burj Khalifa the new Eiffel Tower?” “The core of World Expo has always been a sense of global spectacle, and the UAE's built environment is well placed to give it just that,” said an opinion piece in the newspaper. The postponement has worked out well in one respect for the UAE, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding on December 2. Workers were putting the final touches on infrastructure and facilities at the site this week as the clock ticked down to the delayed launch. A succession of politicians, business leaders, celebrities and sports people are expected at Expo, whose diverse attractions include the Harlem Globetrotters and a Chinese robot panda. A full-scale hyperloop cabin, touted as the future of long-distance travel and transport, is among the exhibits, while Egypt has imported an ancient coffin from pharaonic days. China has one of the largest pavilions — a lED-lit, lamp-shaped creation — while Morocco's is made from traditional mud-building methods. The Dutch have a pyramid covered with edible plants and irrigated by solar-generated rainwater. Expo's major themes are opportunity, mobility and sustainability, and the site centres on the imposing Al Wasl (“Connection“) Plaza, which will be lit by 360 degree projections on its giant dome. The fair grounds will be opened to the public on Friday.

North Korea fires missile, accuses US of 'double standards' SEOuL ReuteRs

north Korea fired a missile towards the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, south Korea's military said, as Pyongyang called on the United states and south Korea to scrap their "double standards" on weapons programmes to restart talks. The missile was launched from the central north province of Jagang at around 6:40 a.m. (2140 GMT), the south's Joint Chiefs of staff said. Japan's defence ministry said it appeared to be a ballistic missile, without elaborating. The latest test underscored the steady development of north Korea's weapons systems, raising the stakes for stalled talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear and ballistic missile arsenals in return for Us sanctions relief. The launch came just before north Korea's ambassador to the United nations urged the United states to give up its hostile policy towards Pyongyang and said no one could deny his country's right to self defence and to test weapons. south Korea's President Moon Jae-in ordered aides to conduct a detailed analysis of the north's recent moves. "We regret that the missile was fired at a time when it was very important to stabilise the situation

of the Korean peninsula," defence ministry spokesman Boo seung-chan told a briefing. The Us indo-Pacific Command said the launch highlighted "the destabilising impact" of the north's illicit weapons programmes, while the Us state Department also condemned the test. 'doUbLE StandaRdS': At the Un General Assembly, north Korea's Un envoy, Kim song, said the country was shoring up its self-defence and if the United states dropped its hostile policy and "double standards," it would respond "willingly at any time" to offers to talks. "But it is our judgment that there is no prospect at the present stage for the Us to really withdraw its hostile policy," Kim said. Referring to a call by Moon last week for a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War, Kim said Washington needed to permanently stop joint military exercises with south Korea and remove "all kinds of strategic weapons" on and around the peninsula. The United states stations various cutting edge military assets including nuclear bombers and fighter jets in south Korea, Guam and Japan as part of efforts to keep not only north Korea but also an increasingly assertive China in check. Kim's speech was in line with Pyongyang's recent criticism that seoul and Washington denounce its weapons development while continuing their own

military activities. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of north Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has said the north is willing to improve inter-Korean ties and consider another summit if seoul abandons its double standards and hostile policy toward Pyongyang. "The conditions she suggested were essentially to demand that the north be accepted as a nuclear weapons state," said shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Korea Research institute for national strategy in seoul. "Their goal is to achieve that prestige and drive a wedge between seoul and Washington, taking advantage of Moon's craving for diplomatic legacy as his term is running out." Moon, a liberal who has prioritised inter-Korean ties, sees declaring an end to the Korean War, even without a peace treaty to replace an armistice, as a way to revive denuclearisation negotiations between the north and the United states. However, Moon, who has been in office for a single term, faces sagging popularity ahead of a presidential election in March. Hopes for ending the war were raised after a historic summit between Kim Jong Un and then Us President Donald Trump in singapore in 2018. But that possibility, and the momentum for talks came to nothing, with talks stalled since 2019.

taliban issue no-shave order to barbers in afghanistan's Helmand province KabuL AP

The Taliban have banned barbershops in a southern Afghanistan province from shaving or trimming beards, claiming their edict is in line with islamic law. The order in Helmand province was issued on Monday by the provincial Taliban government's vice and virtue department to barbers in lashkar Gah, the provincial capital. "since i have heard (about the ban on trimming beards) i am heartbroken,” said Bilal Ahmad, a lashkar Gah resident. “This is the city and everyone follows a way of living, so they have to be left alone to do whatever they want." During their previous rule of Afghanistan, the Taliban adhered to a harsh interpretation of islam. since overrunning Kabul on Aug 15 and again taking control of the country, the world has been watching to see whether they will re-create their strict governance of the late 1990s. some indication came on saturday when Taliban fighters killed four alleged kidnappers and later hung their bodies in the public squares of the western city of Herat. “if anyone violates the rule (they) will be punished and no one has a right to complain," said the order issued to the barbers. it wasn't immediately clear what penalties the barbers could face if they don't adhere to the no shaving or trimming rule. During the Taliban's previous rule, the conservative group demanded that men grow beards. since being ousted from power following the Usled invasion in 2001, many men have opted for no or cleanly trimmed beards. Barbershop owner Jalaluddin, who like many Afghans goes by only one name, said he hoped the Taliban would reconsider their demands. "i request our Taliban brothers to give freedom to people to live the way they want if they wish to trim their beard or hair,” he said. “now we have few clients coming to us, they are scared, they don't want to trim their hair or beards, so i request them to let people free, so we have our business and people can freely come to us." Another barbershop owner, sher Afzal, also said the decree hurts the bottom line. "if someone comes for a haircut, they will come back to us after 40 to 45 days, so it is affecting our business like any other business," he said.

Wednesday, 29 september, 2021

sPorTs 11

islamabad

UEFA nUllIFy pRocEEdIngs AgAInst sUpER lEAgUE REbEls MANCHesTeR

12 clubs who signed up to the Super League in April not to have distanced themselves from the breakaway project which unravelled when all six English clubs plus Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid withdrew. Proceedings have continued in a Madrid court to stop UEFA from punishing the clubs who tried to break away from the established European football structures, including UEFA's Champions League. In July, the 17th Mercantile Court of Madrid ordered that all financial and sporting penalties against the founding members of the Super League should be dropped, including monies due to be paid to UEFA by the nine other clubs, which include six Premier League teams, who had initially been part of the project. UEFA said that it "remains confident in and will continue to defend its position in all the relevant jurisdictions". "UEFA notes that the declaration made by the UEFA Appeals Body follows the formal notification made to UEFA of a court order granting UEFA a few days to clarify its compliance with decisions of the Madrid Commercial Court No. 17," the organisation said in a statement.

REUTERS

EFA have nullified disciplinary action against breakaway Super League clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus after a Madrid court ruled that European football's governing body should not sanction the rebel clubs. UEFA had opened a probe against the three clubs but in June it suspended proceedings after being notified by Swiss authorities of a court order from the commercial court in Madrid obtained by the legal entity European Super League Company SL. The latest step from UEFA was to declare that the proceedings were nullified. "Following the stay of proceedings against FC Barcelona, Juventus FC and Real Madrid CF, in the matter related to a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework in connection with the so called ‘Super League’, the UEFA Appeals Body has declared today the proceedings null and void, as if the proceedings had never been opened," UEFA's appeals body said in a statement. Juve, Barca and Real are the last of the

Raducanu handed Indian Wells wildcard entry

In May, the nine rebel clubs who had pulled out of the breakaway, including Manchester United and Liverpool, agreed to pay a combined 22 million pounds ($30.09 million) to UEFA as a "gesture of goodwill". However on Monday, UEFA said that "in view of the pending Court proceedings in Madrid, and to avoid any unnecessary complication... UEFA will not request payment of any of the amounts offered". The plans, announced in April, for the 12 clubs to create a European Super League collapsed after just two days as eight of the 12 founding members from England, Italy and Spain abandoned the breakaway project under huge pressure from fans, politicians and soccer officials. The Super League argued it would increase revenue for the top soccer clubs in Europe and allow them to distribute more money to the rest of the game. However, the sport's governing bodies, other teams and fan organisations said the league would only boost the power and wealth of elite clubs, and that the partially closed structure went against European football's long-standing model. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has continued to say the plan remains a vi-

US Open champion Emma Raducanu will play in her first tournament since stunning the tennis world at Flushing Meadows after being handed a wildcard for next month's WTA 1000 tournament at Indian Wells, organisers said on Tuesday. The 18-year-old Briton became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam earlier this month when she beat fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez of Canada in straight sets. "2021 US Open Champion and rising WTA Tour star Emma Raducanu has been awarded a wildcard into the BNP Paribas Open, a combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event to be held October 4–17, 2021 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden," organisers said in a statement. Her entry into the Indian Wells tournament, often called the "fifth major", will allow her to compete for the 1,000 ranking points up for grabs and possibly give her an outside shot at qualifying for the season-ending WTA Finals in Guadalajara. Raducanu enters the Indian Wells draw a day after world number one Ash Barty withdrew from the tournament while former champions Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams are also sitting out. Raducanu won the US Open without dropping a set, climbing more than 100 places to 22nd in the world rankings since her maiden Grand Slam victory. She is now the British number one. Her victorious campaign also prompted the Tennis Hall of Fame to add her outfit from her impressive run to their collection. The teenager said last week she was seeking a new coach after announcing she would no longer be working with former Davis Cup player Andrew Richardson as she targets more success on the WTA Tour.

News Desk Inzamamul Haq, the former Pakistan captain and one of all-time batting greats, has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a heart attack in Lahore, according to a report by cricinfo. Inzamam underwent a successful angioplasty on Monday evening. Inzamam, who shot to global prominence during Pakistan’s World Cup winning 1992 campaign, had been complaining about chest pain over the last three days. Initial testing cleared him but tests on Monday revealed he had suffered a heart attack and had to be rushed for surgery. According to his agent, Inzamam was stable but under observation. Inzamam, 51, is Pakistan’s highest run-getter in ODIs with 11701 runs in 375 matches, and their third-highest in Tests with 8829 runs in 119 matches. He was also among the country’s most successful captains. He retired from the international game in 2007 and has since held several positions in Pakistan, as a batting consultant and then the chief selector from 2016 to 2019. He has also worked as head coach of Afghanistan. Many athletes, public figures and netizens were quick to take to social media to wish the cricketer a speedy recovery. Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wished Haq complete recovery and long life. “Wishing Inzamam ul Haq all the very best, that he recovers completely and re-

mains part of our game for many many years,” he tweeted. Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram posted a heartfelt message for Haq. “Dear Inzi, you have a beautiful heart. Seems like it’s caught the evil eye. I was worried that someone with such a big heart was in such pain. Praying that you get better quickly so that your sweet heart can make everyone happy. My dearest friend, take good care,” Akram wrote on Twitter. Pakistani cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed sent heartfelt prayers for his ex-captain on Twitter. “Prayers for Inzamam bhai for

PCb appoints Tania mallick as Head of Women’s Cricket The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former national badminton champion Tania Mallick as Head of Women’s Cricket and she will assume the position from October 1, according to a press release. Mallick has replaced Urooj Mumtaz, who had given up her additional responsibilities earlier in May to focus exclusively on selection matters. Mallick has a master’s degree from the Lahore University of Management Sciences. She represented Pakistan in the Seoul Asian Games in 1986 and was the national champion in 1987-88. “She is the vice-president of the Punjab Olympic Association since 2010, vice-president of the Punjab Squash Association and is currently serving

control and transparency," Agnelli wrote in the letter. "It is a new paradigm which football can no longer afford to overlook, and on whose basis political dialogue must resume," he added.

Former Pakistan captain inzamamul Haq suﬀers heart attack

ReUTeRs

News Desk

able way forward for Europe's top clubs and on Monday Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli wrote to the club's shareholders and explained his club's backing for the plans. "This is a new meritocratic paradigm and a return to the fundamentals of cost

as a member of Pakistan Olympic Association’s Education and Women’s Commissions,” the press release reads. Apart from her sports-related endeavours, she has also worked in the World Bank’s women development projects as well as many multinational organisations. Her appointment came two weeks after former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja became the new PCB chairman after being elected “unanimously and unopposed” on September 13. “I am thankful to all of you for electing me as the PCB chairman and look forward to working with you to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off the field,” Raja was quoted as telling the other board members in a PCB press release.

[his] speedy recovery. In shaa Allah he will be fine,” he wrote. Senator Faisal Javed Khan prayed for the cricketer’s health and recovery as well. “Lots of prayers for Inzamam Bhai! May Allah give him quick recovery. Get well soon!” he tweeted. Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar prayed for Haq to “come out stronger” from the ordeal. Wishing you a speedy recovery,” he tweeted. “You’ve always been calm yet competitive, and a fighter on the field. I hope and pray that you’ll come out stronger from this situation as well. Get

well soon.” Singer Farhan Saeed wished him well. Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Rizwan sent prayers for “our legend and pride of Pakistan”. “Prayers for the quick recovery of our legend and pride of Pakistan Syed Inzamam ul Haq. May Allah give you complete shifa (health),” he tweeted. Cricketer Nida Dar called Haq a legend and prayed for his speedy recovery. Fellow cricketer Rohail Nazir sent a “bundle of prayers and good wishes [to the] living legend”.

Perth Ashes Test in doubt due to Covid-19 curbs: minister MeLBOURNe REUTERS

Perth may not be able to hold an Ashes test over Australia's home summer due to Covid19 restrictions, sports minister Richard Colbeck said on Tuesday. Perth is scheduled to host the fifth and final test from Jan. 14 but Colbeck said the Western Australia (WA) capital might have to miss out because of the state's quarantine requirements. Colbeck told Perth radio station 6PR players would not want to quarantine for 14 days in Western Australia as would be required if they played the preceding fourth test as scheduled in Sydney. "We've had to do a lot of work to organise quarantine arrangements for cricketers coming into Australia,” Colbeck said. "There's serious questions about whether there'll be a test match in Perth this summer. "If there's no chance of coming here without prolonged quarantine, it just won’t occur." The Ashes starts in Brisbane on Dec. 8,

followed by tests in Adelaide (Dec. 16), Melbourne (Dec. 26) and Sydney (Jan. 5). Cricket Australia (CA) said it was planning for all tests as scheduled. England players have threatened to pull out of the series if forced to adhere to Australia's strict quarantine regime and have sought assurances that their families will be able to travel to Australia and tour with them. Australia's COVID-19 situation has thrown the schedule into doubt, with COVID-free Western Australia loath to open its borders while other states battle outbreaks. Australia's federal government released a vague plan in July to start easing quarantine restrictions and inter-state travel curbs once 70% of adults are vaccinated, likely by the end of October according to official projections. But WA and Queensland, of which Brisbane is the capital, have said they may keep borders shut for longer to avoid the risk of their health systems being overwhelmed by COVID outbreaks.

Wednesday, 29 September, 2021

With a healthy heart, the beat goes on a healthy heart is the main source of your strength, which is why paying attention to your lifestyle is vital. Most people think healthy living involves tedious rituals. Which means, you might need to give up your favorite foods, or even start a tough regimen in controlling your cholesterol levels and weight. But some of the best things you can do for your heart is not to involve deprivation or medication! It just involves a simple and easy change in your life style. But what is good for your heart? It’s simple , regular exercise , no tobacco and healthy diet with proper choice in terms of using the core ingredients in cooking your food ; the right cooking oil! In recent years, there have been many common misconceptions in terms of choosing the right cooking oil. Namely, Canola Oil has faced various rumors regarding its association with rapeseeds. To clear all uncertainty, Canola Oil is made from rapeseed, but the variety of rapeseed used to produce the oil is not identical to the common rapeseed plant. Canola has the lowest saturated fat content, high in cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fats and the best source of omega-3 fats of all oils. Research shows that in the early 1970’s, Canola was developed using traditional plant

Habib Oil Mills won big at the 15th Consumer Choice Awards 2021. The accolades were presented by Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar (Governor Punjab) to Moidul Hassan (CEO- HOM) for "CEO of the Year" and Mr Sarwar Nasrullah (Director Sales & Marketing) for "Best Cooking Oil".

breeding techniques (crossbreeding), to reduce the unwanted levels of erucic acid and glycosylates that were found in the parent rapeseed plant. Canola is completely healthy and safe, according to FSANZ (Food safety, Australia and New Zealand) the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration), Health Canada, the OECD (The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and EFSA (European Food Safety

Authority). Super Habib Canola Oil is known for being the best cooking oils available in Pakistan. It contains the highest amount of Omega 3 Fatty Acids which is one of the essential Fatty acid that are not synthesized in the human body. It is the principle element that contains moderate GLA (Omega 6) Fatty Acids to give the best benefits in combination of Omega 3 for your heart. It is very low in Saturated

Fatty Acids (6%) as compared to Palm Oil (50%), Soybean Oil (15%) and Sunflower/Corn Oil (13%). Canola oil lowers total cholesterol and LDL levels. It improves lipid profile and lowers the risk of predicted cardiovascular diseases. Not only this, but canola oil lowers the percentage of cancer cell growth as well. It also increases insulin sensitivity and entails glucose tolerance. Canola Oil prevents coagulation, lipid pro oxidation and LDL ox-

idation. Other benefits also include the control on inflammation and Energy Metabolism, and it provides good source of Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E). It is additionally fortified with Vitamin E @ 60 IU per Kg. along with Vitamin A &D 3700 IU & 300 IU per Kg respectively. For patients with heart conditions, Habib cooking oil caters to the features that can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and regulate blood

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pressure. It helps in easing inflammatory responses that are one of the leading causes of Cardio-vascular diseases. Also if you are a Banaspati lover, Habib Oil(HOM) follows VTF technology for Banaspati production in which the percentage of trans fat is <1% compared to 13% minimum in case of hydrogenated Banaspati. Habib oil (HOM) cares for your heart health that’s why they are here to help you make the right healthy choices in what you eat all the time. So, if you are trying to improve, health experts recommend you try and monitor how much you eat each day with the right choice of cooking oil, by eating a wide variety of foods, base your diet on cereals and whole grains, and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Also, drink plenty of water and reduce consumption of fat, salt and sugar. Thus, choosing the right oil for your heart is the first step to living healthy. Your concern for the good health of yourself and your family make a big difference, so try to maintain a mindset that inspires healthier eating. Remember, that change doesn’t happen overnight. The most important thing is to keep going in the right direction. So if today is the day that you are taking those first steps toward better heart health, we are here to cheer you on!