Thursday, 2 September, 2021 I 24 Muharram, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 63 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition
Pakistan administered 1.5m doses of Covid vaCCines in a day: asad
ISLAMABAD
a
Staff RepoRt
record 1.5 million people in Pakistan received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said, as the Ministry of National Health Services scaled up its push to vaccinate 70 million people by the end of this year. In a series of tweets posted Wednesday, Umar, who also heads the National Command and Operation Center, said: “Yesterday, 1.59 million vaccinations were carried out.” “Both first dose and second dose vaccinations were highest ever with 1 million 71 thousand and 519 thousand respectively.” According to an ourworldindata.com tally, an online portal keeping track of vaccination campaigns worldwide, Pakistan, at its current pace, was behind only China, India, Brazil and Indonesia and well ahead of the United States, Russia and Japan. Starting in March, Pakistan hit the ambitious target of 1 million inoculations a day in August, relaxing the requirement of
holding a national identity card for vaccination and allowing people to get their jabs by showing any valid identity. The government has ramped up restrictions targeting unvaccinated individuals, with vaccination checks now required for entering shopping malls, for employees in both the private and public sector, and even for purchasing fuel in Punjab. In a similar manner, Sindh has blocked SIM cards of unvaccinated. Umar said the government had set a “minimum target” for 24 large cities to vaccinate 40 percent of their adult population by August-end. “Out of these, 20 [cities] met the target. Only cities to miss the target were Hyderabad, Mardan, Nowshera and Quetta.” 35 percent of the eligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, he noted. Umar further disclosed that 69 percent of Islamabad’s total population is vaccinated 51 percent in Kashmir39 percent in Gilgit-Baltistan, 37 percent in Punjab, 35 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 32 percent in Sindh and 12 percent in Balochistan. We had set “vaccination targets for 24
Coronavirus in
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
1,163,688
LAST UPDATED AT 5:47 PM ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
NEW CASES:
101
3,559
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
1,043,898 25,889 SINDH:
PUNJAB:
432,637
394,738
KPK:
BALOCHISTAN:
162,402 AJK/GB: 32,228/9,919
32,248 ISLAMABAD:
99,516
large cities [by the] end [of] September. Partial vaccination 60 [percent] and full vaccination 40 [percent] of eligible population [has been achieved]. “These are tough targets, especially for full vaccination but achievable with a focused effort and high-quality execution,” the minister resolved. NEW INFECTIONS: Meanwhile, Pakistan reported 3,559 new infections after testing 53,637 samples over the last 24 hours, the NCOC said. The NCOC, the department leading campaign against the pandemic, said that the number of overall confirmed cases has risen to 1,163,688, including 1,043,898 people who have recovered after treatment. The number of active cases inched down to 93,901, including 5,690 critical patients. According to the NCOC, the pandemic killed 101 people, increasing the overall death toll to 25,889. Sindh is the most affected province of the country in terms of the number of cases with 432,637 infections, followed by Punjab, which has reported 394,738 cases. SPUTNIK V DOSES ARRIVE: In a related development, the first consignment of one million jabs of Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine arrived, people in the National Institute of Health familiar with the development said. The shipment was brought on a flight of a foreign airline which landed at Islamabad International Airport early Wednesday. Pakistan had in June signed an agreement with Moscow for the doses. The consignment has subsequently been moved to the central warehouse of the federal Expanded Programme of Immunisation and will be distributed to the provinces and administrative units per their requirement after the finalisation of a distribution plan.
Getting back to normal EDITORIAL ON PAGE 06
PM launches Ehsaas Education Stipends programme ISLAMABAD: app
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the Ehsaas Education Stipends programme for deserving families and said his government was focused on providing quality education to children nationwide and giving incentives to prevent dropouts from educational institutions. Addressing the launch of the programme, the prime minister said as over 20 million children were out of school, efforts were underway to ensure their inclusion in the educational mainstream. The stipend programme was aimed at providing financial assistance to deserving households for the education up to higher secondary levels of their children. Rolled out nationwide in 160 districts, the programme had been structured to give an increased stipend to girls as compared to boys. Imran said ensuring education for all was a priority of the government, adding that stipends as incentives would be a step to encourage parents for sending their children, particularly girls, to schools. He said an educated woman could contribute more positively to-
Senate committee approves anti-rape bill for formation of special courts The approval of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trail) Bill, 2021 by the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice will allow for the formation of special courts to hear rape cases. The National Assembly had on June 10 passed the bill, which was later referred to the Senate for approval, that has now been granted on Wednesday, according to a report by Dawn. The Standing Committee’s chairperson, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, oversaw the approval of the bill, alongside its other members, including Azam Nazeer Tarar, Farooq Hamid Naek, Kamran Murtaza, Mian Raza Rabbani, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Muhammad Hamayun Mohmand, Musadik Masood Malik, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah, Syed Shibli Faraz and Walid Iqbal. The members of the opposition during the sub-committee meeting expressed reservation on a provision allowing the constitution of special courts, however, the proposal was rejected by a majority vote during the meeting. Speaking to Dawn, sub-committee member Mustafa Nawaz
wards society and lauded the policy of the programme to give a higher amount to the families of female students. Terming educated human resource a great asset of a nation, he said it was important to provide educational opportunities to both boys and girls. He dismissed the impression in the western world that the people of Pakistan did not want to educate their girls. He recalled that during his visits to different parts of the country, he found no such parents who denied the right to education to their daughters. However, he said, the factors including distant schools or unavailability of female teachers could be a reason. Imran said it was mainly the responsibility of the government to ensure the provision of quality education to all. He appreciated that by the use of information technology, the stipends would be disbursed transparently after proper checking of fake entries and ghost schools. The prime minister also announced a one-time Ehsaas graduation bonus of Rs3,000 to encourage girls to complete primary education.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
more inside
COAS lauds efforts of Pakistani athletes in Tokyo Olympics STORY ON BACK PAGE
Steps underway for development of Balochistan: PM STORY ON PAGE 02
Khokhar said prospective special courts were bound to decide a case within four months. “If a suspect approaches a high court, then it will have to decide the case in six months and in the meanwhile the suspect can’t be granted bail,” he said while talking about provisions in the law. The bill will now be tabled in the Senate for approval. Earlier, during the meeting, member National Assembly Malika Bukhari — who also attended the session — informed the panel about a proposal in the bill for the establishment of spe-
cial courts to hear rape cases. The panel was also informed that courts will have serving judges instead of retired judges. Opposing the suggestion, Raza Rabbani of the PPP said he didn’t believe that constitution of special courts was required for hearing rape cases. “We are not against the rules, but oppose the formation of special courts,” he said. Azam Nazeer Tarar of the PML-N said similar courts were also established in the past, but they didn’t serve any purpose. NewS DeSk
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Taliban say they have surrounded Afghan resistance fighters in Panjshir, call for peace STORY ON BACK PAGE
FBR will achieve annual tax collection target comfortably: PM STORY ON PAGE 03
02
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
KARACHI
NEWS
StepS uNderway for developMeNt of BalochiStaN: pM ISLAMABAD
p
TLTP
RIME Minister Imran Khan has directed for taking all the stakeholders into confidence to further improve law and order in Balochistan. The prime minister said this while talking to Governor Balochistan Syed Zahoor Agha who called on him on Wednesday. The prime minister said that the government is taking steps for the development of Balochistan. He said it is the first time that a mega development package
has been announced for the people of Balochistan. The prime minister said that the agricultural transformation plan will provide assistance to the Baloch farmers as well as ensure development of this sector in the province. Earlier last month, Prime Minister Khan said the government has taken numerous steps for the development of Balochistan as it is linked with the progress of Pakistan. Inaugurating tree-plantation at Sonmiani beach in Lasbela, he said around one trillion rupees have been allocated for the development of Balochistan, which is
unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. The prime minister said that the government is devising a plan to tap natural resources of the province that could be utilised for the prosperity of the local people. He said steps will be taken to promote tourism along the coastal line from Lesbaila to Gwadar. He urged the locals to overwhelmingly support the government's a forestation efforts and to protect the existing tree cover of the country so that adverse impacts of climate change can be averted. Meanwhile, in a tweet, Imran Khan congratulated Dr Amjad Saqib, founder of
Akhuwat Foundation and microfinance pioneer in Pakistan, for getting this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award, which is Asia’s highest honour. The prime minister said, “We are proud of Dr Amjad Saqib's achievement as we move forward in creating a welfare state based on Riyasat-eMadina Model.” Dr Amjad Saqib, who helped develop a cheap oral vaccine against cholera, and a Filipino fisherman, were among Tuesday's winners of Asia's equivalent to the Nobel Prize. Saqib, 64, was one of five recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Nawaz will return when it is ‘necessary’, says Maryam
Power breakdown hits several areas of Karachi NewS DeSk It emerged that on Wednesday that several parts of Karachi experienced a power outage, according to a report by the city’s power utility, K-Electric. According to Geo News, the areas to lose power include Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Federal B Area, Gulshan-eIqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Clifton and Defence. A quick telephonic survey among consumers conducted by Geo.tv revealed that Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 10, Gulistane-Jauhar Blocks 7 and 9, Government Teachers Society, Scheme 33, Gulzar-eHijri, and Clifton Block 7, all lost power at around the same time — between 4:10 and 4:20pm. KE, in response to reports from several Karachi areas, said on Twitter it is “actively monitoring the situation and will keep updating this space”. A consumer told Geo.tv that just before the outage, there was a
pronounced fluctuation in the power supply. A lot of the neighbourhoods where a power outage was reported were areas where drizzling was also reported. The Met department has forecast rainfall for Karachi till September 3. The city is expected to receive heavy rains, dust storms and thunderstorms on September 2 and 3, said Director Met Department Sardar Sarfaraz. Sarfaraz further stated that thunder cells over the city are likely to form on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier this morning, a power substation set up in the SITE industrial area was destroyed by an explosion. Sources within the police told Geo News a loud explosion took place near Valika Chowrangi at SITE this morning, the sound of which could be heard from afar. The blast caused the walls of the substation to collapse and set fire to the office adjacent to the substation, causing severe damage. Senior Superintendent of Police
(SSP) Kemari Fida Hussain Januri said it was not immediately clear whether the blast occurred inside the substation or the adjacent plot’s underground tank burst due to accumulation of gas. Januri said that the staff of the bomb disposal squad and K Electric would be able to report on the situation better after inspecting the site. Edhi Foundation staff rushed to the spot on receiving word of the blast but according to police, no casualties were reported. The fire brigade was also called but the fire was extinguished before they arrived. POWER RESTORED IN SOME AREAS: Later during the day, KE informed in an update that supply to all grids was normalised and restoration of feeder levels was underway. “Power supply to Karachi is continuing through nearly 1,107 feeders out of 1,900 with strategic locations including Dhabeji Water Pumping Station and Karachi Airport also powered
NewS DeSk up,” it said. KE said electricity supply was restored to parts of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Federal B Area and North Karachi, Surjani Town, Malir, Baldia Town, Liaquatabad, Korangi, North Nazimabad, Gizri and Defence Housing Authority, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Clifton and Shah Faisal Colony. A similar breakdown occurred in Karachi in May after a high-tension transmission line of 220 kV tripped, affecting the supply of electricity to the associated grids. A massive power breakdown took place at the start of the year, plunging the entire country into darkness. The blackout was reported a little before midnight of January 10 by citizens on social media from across the country, including major urban centres such as Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Multan, as well as smaller towns and cities. Power was restored to most parts of the country by the evening.
PTM in tatters as Dawar forms new political party ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
Pashtoon Tahaffuz Movement suffered a major shock on Wednesday as its vocal leader and Member of the National Assembly from North Waziristan Mohsin Dawar parted ways and announced to launch his new party, National Democratic Movement. Former Awami National Party senators Afrasiab Khattak, Bashara Gohar, Jamila Gilani, and Advocate Abdul Latif Afridi also announced they are joining the new political party. Flanked by senior political leaders, Mohsin Dawar announced the name, flag, and manifesto of his new political party in Peshawar, telling the media that the party’s central executive committee had appointed him as the chairman of the NDM. “For a democratic nationalist political party, our workers used to miss a political organization. The NDM will soon form provincial units. Then the party will be organized at the district level,” said a beaming Dawar. “Our political leaders will be a key part of our
movement. The youth have not been given real representation in politics and political parties. We will elect a council to determine future leadership,” he said. Distancing from the PTM, Mohsin Dawar said he was only a supporter of the PTM which is a nonpolitical organization. “So, we split up from PTM and formed our own party. I don’t think PTM will support our party,” he added. A source in the PTM told Pakistan Today that PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen would not be a part of the NDM and thus the PTM and the new political party have parted their ways for good. The source said during several meetings, the NDM leaders, including Mohsin Dawar, had tried to persuade Manzoor Pashteen to join the new political party, but he vehemently refused. The source said that Afrasiab Khattak, Bashra Gohar, and Jamila Gilani will be among the central leaders of the NDM while Mohsin Dawar will lead the party. According to the source, the PTM leader and National Assembly member Ali Wazir, who is currently in jail, will not be part of the NDM, but
other leaders including Sana Ijaz, Said Alam Mehsud have agreed to join the new party. Since the formation of the PTM, Dawar was in favor of forming a political party, but Ali Wazir and Manzoor Pashteen have opposed this idea, the source asserted. The source said that Mohsin Dawar is a prominent political operator who enjoys good relations with other parties and his political clout led to Manzoor Pashteen’s fears that he would hijack the PTM. Hence, the source said, Pashteen did not want to hand over the leadership of the PTM to anyone else. It merits mention that Manzoor Pashteen has said on various occasions that the PTM will remain a non-parliamentary movement and will not participate in politics. When Mohsin Dawar, Ali Wazir and Abdullah Nangyal decided to contest the 2018 general elections, Pashteen clearly stated that if any person belonging to PTM participated in the elections, it will be his personal decision and the PTM will neither support nor oppose the ones indulging in politics.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Wednesday asserted that the country would soon see “a lot of things change” and that “Nawaz Sharif will return to the country when it is necessary for him to do so”. The above was said while the PML-N VP was speaking to the media after appearing for a hearing of the Avenfield reference case. On the occasion, Maryam said that reconciliation was out of the question and lashed out at the incumbent government and described its past threeyear performance as “nothing short of “destruction”. “One should not even hold talks with these people [government],” she said, adding that except for the PTI, all political parties should unite and think about the welfare of Pakistan. She commented on the Media Regulatory Authority, saying that the government is creating hurdles for the media and Opposition, adding that the bill was a continuation of the incumbent government’s policies aimed at censoring the media. Maryam said Opposition parties should concentrate on how the government is employing efforts to rig the upcoming elections. She said the government was exacting political revenge in the name of accountability. Proceedings of the Avenfield Reference against the PML-N vice president and her husband, Captain (r) Safdar, have been postponed till September 8. On the other hand, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Wednesday said the entire nation wanted to see the ‘corrupt’ leadership of PML-N behind bars for looting national wealth ruthlessly. In a live telecast from Pakistan Television, the minister lashed out at the PML-N leadership for committing ‘systematic’ corruption during their previous tenures. The only way to eliminate corruption was the accountability process, launched by the present government in the country, he added. Farrukh criticized the PML-N for their outcry over the accountability, saying it was only aimed to make the entire process controversial. He asked Maryam Safadr to face accountability courageously instead of seeking adjournments from the court which was hearing her appeal against her conviction in the Avenfield apartment reference. The minister said so far the case was adjourned ten times, asking Maryam as to why she was reluctant to appear before the court on every hearing. He asserted that if Maryam assumed herself innocent and had evidence to prove her innocence then she should plead to the court for hearing her case on regular basis. Farrukh recalled Maryam’s past statement in which she said she did not own any property in Pakistan, as well as, in London. The nation knew that she was the same woman who ridiculed herself by producing a fake ‘Qatari’ letter in the court as evidence, he added.
Therapy Works CEO seeks registration of criminal case against Zahir NewS DeSk Therapy Works Chief Executive Officer Tahir Zahoor has submitted an application with a sessions court in the federal capital against the primary suspect in the Noor Mukadam case, Zahir Zakir Jaffer, for allegedly attacking and injuring a member of his team. The counselling and psychotherapy service came under public scrutiny as the murder investigation unfolded and it was revealed that the primary suspect, Jaffer, was associated with it. Whether he was authorised to work as a therapist by the service has yet to be ascertained by investigators, reported Dawn. The capital administration had also sealed the office of Therapy Works in Islamabad. In the latest development, the CEO of Therapy Works submitted an application through his lawyer, Shehzad
Qureshi, asking the court to order the registration of a criminal case against Jaffer. Zahoor explained in the petition that his medical team had visited Jaffer’s home on July 20, 2021, upon his father’s request who wanted his son to be admitted at the Therapy Works facility for rehabilitation. He continued that as the team entered Jaffer’s room through the back door after not being able to get in from the front, “he attacked a team member with a knife, but other medical team members apprehended him.” The petitioner said the medical team also spotted a young girl lying on the floor beheaded whom Jaffer had murdered. In the petition, Zahoor said Kohsar Police didn’t listen to their version since the day the incident unfolded. He recalled that Jaffer had stabbed one of the Therapy Works employees, adding that an application was
-- named after a Filipino president killed in a plane crash -- for his "first-of-its-kind" interest- and collateral-free microfinance programme that has helped millions of poor families. Nearly two decades after its launch, Akhuwat has grown into the nation's largest microfinance institution, distributing the equivalent of $900 million and boasting an almost 100 percent loan repayment rate, the award foundation said. Saqib, who uses places of worship to hand out money, was cited for "his inspiring belief that human goodness and solidarity will find ways to eradicate poverty."
also submitted with the Kohsar Police Station but no action was taken against Jaffer. On Wednesday, the sessions court sought a response from the police and adjourned the case hearing till Sep 7. On Aug 23, the sessions court had granted bail to six officials of Therapy Works, including its owner and chief executive officer, in connection with the case. Three days later, Noor Mukadam’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, had submitted a petition with the Islamabad High Court, challenging the grant of bail to six employees of Therapy Works, including its owner and chief executive officer Tahir Zahoor. It is pertinent to mention that last week, a petition had been moved to Islamabad High Court challenging the decision of lower court granting post-arrest bail to six employees of Therapy Works including its Chief Executive Officer Tahir
Zahoor in Noor Mukadam murder case. The petitioner Shaukat Mukadam had prayed before the court to set aside the decision of district court Islamabad regarding the bail of the accused. It was stated that the lower court had not completed the requirement of justice in its decision and ignored various legal points. The court also ignored the directives of the top court in such matter. It further said facts regarding the injury of accused Amjad Mehmood were hiding in hospital. The accused also hide facts regarding bails of accused Zakir Jaffar and Asmat Adam. The petitioner said the accused were also threatening family of the victim. It could cause an irreparable loss to the victim family if the accused bails were not cancelled, he said. He prayed before the court to turn down the decision of additional district and session
judge and cancel the bails of all six accused. Earlier last week, Therapry Works owner and Chief Executive Officer Tahir Zahoor, along with five employees, were granted bail by a sessions court on Monday in their connection to the Noor Mukadam murder case. The short order was announced by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Ata Rabbani who reserved the decision earlier that day. He directed all six officials — Zahoor, Amjad, Dilip Kumar, Abdul Haq, Wamiq and Samar Abbas — to submit bail bonds of Rs5 million each. During the hearing on the bail petitions today, Zahoor’s lawyer, Barrister Qasim Nawaz, argued that the Therapy Works owner was arrested despite his name not being mentioned in the first information report of the case, according to a report by Dawn. He said therapy-related work was his client’s profession and that he treated people. On the other hand, Shah Khawar, the counsel for Noor’s family, argued that Therapy Works employees had broken the doors to enter the house of the primary suspect Zahir. “Zahir Jaffer killed Noor and then informed his parents,” the counsel said. “They called the Therapy Works centre to go [to their home] and check on their son.”
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
KARACHI
NEWS
03
fBr will achieve aNNual tax collectioN target coMfortaBly: pM
p
NewS DeSk
RIME Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that he is optimistic that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will “comfortably achieve” the annual tax collection target of Rs5.82 trillion following the authority’s collection of Rs850 billion during the first two months of the current fiscal year (2MFY22). The FBR exceeded the assigned twomonth target of Rs690 billion by over 23 per cent. Taking to Twitter in this regard, the premier said this reflects the growth of 51pc
in revenue over the same period last year. “At the present rate, annual collection target of Rs5,829bn will be comfortably achieved InshaAllah,” said the prime minister. In a media briefing on Tuesday, FBR Chairman Dr Mohammad Ashfaq Ahmed had informed that FBR collected Rs434bn in August, which is Rs85bn more than the target of Rs349bn. He said that FBR released Rs364bn refunds besides getting Rs4,721bn revenue in FY21. “FBR has also created Rs2,600bn demands against the big business through audits,” Ashfaq added.
“Our and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) destination is the same. The IMF had instructed to impose new taxes and abolish exemptions whereas we have not imposed new taxes and will achieve the tax target to run the economy,” he said. He mentioned that they are in close coordination with the World Bank on the implementation of reforms. About reforms in FBR, he said that Pakistan has established 16 reform commissions; however, there is a dire need for restructuring instead of reforms. “We want to do better for the country and will improve the tax system”.
Qureshi warns int’l community against abandoning Afghanistan ISLAMABAD aPP
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday cautioned the West of serious consequences of abandoning Afghanistan, which could result in civil war and economic collapse. In an interview with Sky News, the foreign minister urged the international community to engage with Taliban as otherwise Afghanistan could descend into another chaos He said: “It will give space to the organisations we all dread; the international terrorist organisations that we do not want their footprint to grow in Afghanistan.” “That’s a dangerous option. That’s an option of abandonment of Afghan people,” he said, adding such mistake was committed during 90s. Qureshi urged the international community not to repeat the same mistake again. To a query regarding withdrawal of foreign forces, Qureshi said that there was a failure to listen to Pakistan’s concerns as the withdrawal process was not “responsible or orderly”. Pakistan was persistently emphasising that peace
and dialogue processes and withdrawal of foreign forces should be simultaneously carried out, he added. The foreign minister termed the initial statements from the Taliban leadership as positive and encouraging, adding the West should test them to make sure they were true to their word. He expressed the hope that Taliban would act responsibly. “They should have learned from their mistakes,” he said, adding “And I think the attitude and the approach they are taking, is reflective of a different approach.” “If they’re sensible, they should, in my view, respect international opinion and international norms,” he further added. The minister opined that Afghans would need humanitarian and financial assistance, otherwise, there would be an economic collapse. The foreign minister to a question maintained that baseless allegations had always been levelled against Pakistan regarding Taliban. Taliban were present in Afghanistan, they were leading Doha talks and had been in control of forty to forty-five per cent of Afghanistan prior to their takeover, he added. Qureshi said Pakistan had been hosting millions of Afghan refugees on its soil for the last four decades.
Govt committed to improve business environment: Alvi ISLAMABAD TLTP
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that steps are being taken to improve the business environment of the country by providing various incentives and facilities to the business community. The president expressed these views while talking to a delegation of the Haripur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), which led by its President Shahbaz Majeed Sheikh. President Alvi said that the economy of the country is heading in the right direction that reflects the confidence of the business community in the economic policies of the government. He said that the business
community is playing a significant role in the economic development of the country and a number of steps have been taken to facilitate them, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. He added that the government, despite tough financial constraints, had provided a financial stimulus package worth Rs1.2 trillion to protect the business community and underprivileged strata of society from the adverse impacts of the pandemic. The president highlighted that the country’s exports have also witnessed a significant surge which have reached $25.3 billion during the last fiscal year. He expressed satisfaction over the economic performance of the country, saying that the collection of Rs850 billion by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR),
exceeding the target by Rs160 billion, during the first two months of the current fiscal year is a testament that the economic health of the country is improving. He said that the government is focusing on creating an optimum business environment and due to its efforts, Pakistan’s rank in the Ease of Doing Business Index has improved from 136th to 108th position. The president also appreciated the role of HCCI and the business community in the national development and assured them of all possible support to help address their problems. Earlier, Shahbaz Majeed Sheikh apprised President Alvi of the role being played by the chamber in the economic development of the country. The delegation also briefed the president about certain problems being faced by HCCI.
Pakistan frets over security threats from Afghanistan ISLAMABAD reuTers
There is growing concern among officials in Pakistan about security in neighbouring Afghanistan, as the Taliban tries to form a government and stabilise the country following the departure of the US and other foreign forces. Islamabad is particularly worried about militant fighters from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, a separate, proscribed Afghanistan-based militant group, crossing from Afghanistan and launching lethal attacks on its territory. Thousands of people have been killed in Pakistan in militant violence in the last two decades. Underlining the security threat within Afghanistan, in the last few days, a suicide bombing claimed by an Afghan offshoot of Islamic State outside Kabul airport killed more than 100 people, including 13 US troops. A rocket attack on the airport followed, and on Sunday militant gunfire from across the border in Afghanistan killed two soldiers in Balochistan. “The next two to three months are critical,” a senior
Pakistan official said, adding that Islamabad feared a rise in militant attacks along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, as the Taliban tried to fill a vacuum left by the collapse of Afghan forces and the Western-backed administration. “We [the international community] have to assist the Taliban in reorganising their army in order for them to control their territory,” the source added, referring to the threat posed by resurgent rival militant groups, including Islamic State. US officials have long accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban which — after fighting the American proxy war against the Soviet Union — fought in a civil war in the mid-1990s before seizing power in 1996. Islamabad denies the charge. Pakistan has said that its influence over the movement has waned, particularly since the Taliban grew in confidence once Washington announced the date for the complete withdrawal of US and other foreign troops. The official, who has direct knowledge of the security decisions, said Pakistan planned to send security and intelligence officials, possibly even the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence, to Kabul to help
the Taliban reorganise their military. An Afghanistan Taliban spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reuters‘ requests for comment on security relations with Pakistan. PAKISTAN EXPECTS TALIBAN COOPERATION: Though recognition of a new Taliban government was not immediately on the table, the official said, the world should not abandon Afghanistan. “Whether we recognise the Taliban government or not, stability in Afghanistan is very important.” The official warned that Islamic State Khorasan (ISISK), a loosely affiliated offshoot of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, was actively looking to launch attacks and recruit new fighters. Left unhindered, it would almost certainly grow from relatively small numbers currently. The United States recently launched two drone strikes targeting ISIS-K militants, including one in Kabul and one near the eastern border with Pakistan. The strikes followed a pledge by President Joe Biden that the United States would hunt down the militants behind the recent suicide bombing.
Ncoc picks pfizer vaccine for under-18 youth ISLAMABAD inP
The National Command and Operation Centre on Wednesday issued new guidelines and chose the Pfizer vaccine for youth under 18. People with low immunity between the ages of 12 and 17 will receive the Pfizer vaccine, the NCOC clarified. The number of daily coronavirus infections and fatalities in Pakistan has been steady for some weeks hovering around 4,000 cases and 100 deaths with no signs of any let-up. NCOC head Asad Umar said that single-day vaccination crossed one and a half million for the first time. “Yesterday (Tuesday) 1.59 million vaccinations were carried out. Both first dose and second dose vaccinations yesterday were highest ever with 1 million 71 thousand and 519 thousand respectively,” he shared the news in a tweet.
ecp rejects pMl-N request to annul Sialkot by-election ISLAMABAD inP
A two-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan rejected the request of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz seeking to nullify the PP-38 by-election held in July. A neck and neck contest between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the PMLN on July 28 resulted in the win of the ruling candidate, Ahsan Saleem Baryar, who defeated the opposition candidate, Tariq Akhtar Subhani, by a margin of 7,000 votes. The seat had fallen vacant after the death of Subhani’s father, PML-N MPA Chaudhry Khush Akhtar Subhani. In a petition submitted to the body, Subhani sought a forensic audit of the ballot papers, counterfoils and biometrics used in the Sialkot constituency. He alleged there was a great difference in forms 45 and 46 and it showed rigging in the election. He said a thorough inspection of polling material was required and the thumb impressions on ballot papers and counterfoils were needed to be audited. Signatures of presiding and assistant presiding officers on forms 45 and 46 were also different casting doubts on the credibility of the polling, he claimed. Subhani said he had attached enough evidence in favour of his demand to open the record of ballot papers and counterfoils and it was his constitutional right to challenge the election within 60 days of the polling. He had urged the ECP to ensure justice and declare the election void.
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
04 NEWS
KARACHI
FaCtory owner arrested In ConneCtIon wIth raPe oF two gIrls In lahore
a
NewS DeSk
Lahore factory owner was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the gang rape of two girls in Lahore, police officials said, adding that the search for other suspects is still underway. Lahore Capital City Police Officer Ghulam Mehmood Dogar took notice of the incident which occurred in the limits of Gujjarpura police station, reported Dawn. “The other suspects involved in the incident will be arrested soon,” said the CCPO, adding that the girls will be provided protection. A first information report was registered by a woman, Afshan Bibi, on September 1 (today) under Sections 375-A (rape) and 337-J (causing hurt by means of poison) of the Pakistan Penal Code. According to the FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the woman said her daughter, Nisha, 18, had gone to pick up clothes with her cousin, Shazia, 16, from Fazal Park on August 31 but did not return. The FIR said she and other family members got worried and started searching for the two girls but they were not found. The FIR said her daughter had called a close family friend and informed that unidentified men had forcefully abducted her and her cousin at 8pm from Chowk Begum Kot and taken them to an unknown place at Karol Khatti where they drugged the two and raped them throughout the night. The woman went to Karol Khatti where she found the two girls at the gate of a factory, according to the FIR. It identified the factory owner, Nadeem, two individuals
both named Muhammad Irfan and four unknown individuals as suspects who had allegedly drugged and raped the girls. “A rape case should be registered against them and justice should be done with us after a medical analysis of my daughter and niece,” the woman said in the FIR. Meanwhile, Punjab Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Suhail Chaudhry too said the suspects were being traced and would be arrested soon. He said
CPI inflation remains in single digit
senior police officials were involved in the investigation and that a factory owner, Nadeem, had been arrested upon being identified by the girls who were in police custody. “Other aspects of the matter are being investigated with the help of CDR (call data record). Protection of women has been made a priority [and] we will ensure every possible measure,” he said. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar
also took notice of the incident and sought a report from the CCPO. He also ordered the immediate arrest of the suspects involved in the alleged incident. “Justice should be provided to the girls who were a target of injustice at any cost. It is the responsibility of the government to bring justice to the affected girls,” he said. CM Buzdar said suspects involved in such incidents did not “deserve” any concession.
Gold price jumps to Rs97,700 per 10gm ISLAMABAD TLTP
ISLAMABAD APP
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), based on monthly inflation remained in single digit, witnessing an increase of 8.4 per cent during the month of August as compared to the corresponding month of the last year, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported here on Wednesday. On month-on-month (MoM) basis, it increased by 0.6 per cent in August 2021 as compared to increase of 1.3pc in the previous month and an increase of 0.6pc in August 2020. According to PBS data, the urban CPI based inflation increased by 8.3pc on year-on-year (YoY) basis in August 2021 as compared to an increase of 8.7pc in the previous month and 7.1pc in August 2020. On MoM basis, it increased by 0.5pc in August 2021 as compared to increase of 1.29pc in the previous month and an increase of 0.8pc in August 2020. The rural CPI increased by 8.4pc on YoY basis in August 2021 as compared to an increase of 8pc in the previous month and 9.9pc in August 2020. On MoM basis, it increased by 0.7pc in August 2021 as compared to increase of 1.4pc in the previous month and an increase of 0.4pc in August 2020. The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on YoY increased by 15.9pc in August 2021 as compared to an increase of 16.2pc a month earlier and an increase of 11.7pc in August 2020. On MoM basis, it increased by 0.7pc in August 2021 as compared to increase of 1.8pc a month earlier and an increase of 0.9pc in August 2020. Likewise, Wholesale Price Index (WPI) on a YoY basis increased by 17.1pc in August 2021 as compared to an increase of 17.3pc a month earlier and an increase of 3.3pc in August 2020. WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 1.2pc in August 2021 as compared to an increase of 2.3pc a month earlier and an increase of 1.3pc in corresponding month i.e. August 2020.
Gold prices gained around 0.30 percent in the international market on Wednesday amid cautious trading. At 1250 hours GMT, gold in the international market was available at $1,820 per ounce after gaining $4.90. Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of yellow metal in Pakistan increased to Rs97,700 after gaining Rs600. Depreciation of rupee against the US dollar in another reason behind this increase. The closing prices of the yellow metal in the country remained Rs97,100 on Tuesday last. According to experts, gold price is being challenged by a bunch of healthy support and resistance levels, as gold failed to hold at higher levels. They said the previous week and day’s high at $1820 is the level to beat for gold bulls to make gains. On the flip side, the intersection of the Fibonacci 23.6% one-week and SMA200 one-day around $1810 offers strong support. Sellers will then aim for the cushion around $1805, where the SMA5 one-day, pivot point one-day S1 and Fibonacci 38.2% one-week coincide.
The last line of defense for gold buyers is the SMA10 one-day at $1798, they opined. They said that the market mood remains upbeat, as investors shrug off global growth worries amidst expectations of more stimulus from China. The US Treasury yields are holding onto the recent rebound, weighing negatively on gold price. However, the US dollar fades its recovery momentum ahead of the critical US jobs data, cushioning the downside in gold. The mixed catalysts are likely to keep gold price wavering in a familiar range above $1800, they opined.
Pakistani e-sports market gains momentum ISLAMABAD APP
Pakistan has gained promising momentum in e-sports as it enjoys a celebrated reign in online arenas with skill and sportsmen spirit. Recent trends that show Pakistani youth is increasingly attracted towards the e-sports industry, considered as a new kind of Hollywood due to the kind of sponsorship and organisations involved. The research journal focusing on market trends, Market Watch, narrates that following the footsteps of Europe and American markets, Pakistan's information technology (IT) sector is fast growing with a contribution of 1 per cent, about 3.5 million USD, to the country's GDP. "With the induction of the e-sports ecosystem, this net gross is expected to boost by a sizeable margin," it said. It may be recalled that Dew Gamers Arena 2020 offered a prize pool worth Rs3.2 million to participants, recently concluded PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) Pakistan region had a prize pool of $29,200, PUBG Mobile National Championship (PMNC) held earlier in August had a prize pool of $30,000, Free Fire Pro League Pakistan (FFPL) held in July had a huge prize pool of Rs10 million. E-sports sensations like Arslan Ash and Sumail Hassan are active Pakistani gamers pursuing their career in the online industry. The latter is currently ranked 10th in the the world by earnings with total earnings of over $3 million. As the current market improves, prize pools are much higher and acceptance for gaming grows day by day. However, ban culture in the country threatens to impact e-sports growth in Pakistan with the most recent ban on PUBG in July last year making investors and organisations wary of the business potential in this area.
Builders lament rising cement, steel prices NewS DeSk As the prices of cement and steel rise in Pakistan, the stakeholders of the construction sectors are getting worried. Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) Chairman Fayyaz Ilyas on Tuesday mentioned that in the past 10 months there has been an increase of Rs68,000 per tonne in cement prices. The price of steel in November was Rs110,000 per tonne while currently, it is Rs178,500 per tonne. On the other hand, the price of cement has moved up to Rs680 per 50kg bag. He believed that the rising prices would threaten the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme (NPHS) and said, “Sixty per cent of the total cost of a high-rise building consists of cement and steel while this ratio is 30pc to 40pc in a normal residential project. In this situation, the federal government will not be able to fulfil its promise of constructing five million low-cost houses” Ilyas has requested the government to look into the matter and take immediate action against it. He believes that this is a conspiracy against the government initiative of the housing plan. Analysts are of the view that the price hike is due to the rising price of scrap and coal internationally. Moreover, they believe that cement demand in the northern areas has to lead to an increase in prices. However, Cedar Capital analyst Waqas Mustafa mentioned that the price of steel increased in Pakistan when the price of scrap was declining internationally.
Gender protection unit receives 500 complaints ISLAMABAD INP
The gender protection unit of Islamabad police received more than 500 complaints since its inauguration in May, an official said, claiming that it took immediate action on most of them and provided justice to victims. Assistant Superintendent of Police Amna Baig, the official in charge of the agency, said the complaints were registered at its toll-free helpline 8090. A dedicated division of Islamabad police, the agency handles incidents related to gender violence, domestic and child abuse, and ha-
rassment. The unit and an associated helpline are managed by female police personnel to make it easier for women to lodge their complaints. Baig said a well-trained lady police officer is deployed at the front desk. The agency employs trained medical staff, including a psychiatrist, and legal aid groups to assist the vulnerable. According to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization, at least 9,401 cases of violence against women and 1,920 instances of child abuse were reported only in the second half of 2020.
CMYK
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
KARACHI
NEWS
PM launches ehsaas education stiPends PrograMMe ContInued fRom pAge 01
t
HIS award would be given to girl students from registered Ehsaas families completing grade 5. The bonus had been designed to encourage girls’ education until secondary level. Minister of State for Social Welfare Sania Nishtar said under the initiative, the boys enrolled in primary schools would get quarterly stipends of Rs1,500 and girls Rs2,000; secondary school boys Rs 2,500 and girls Rs3,000; and, at the higher secondary level, boys Rs 3,500 and girls Rs 4,000. She said the stipends would be paid biometrically to the mothers after the attainment of 70 percent attendance of their children. She said as part of a post-pandemic
Ehsaas strategy, the stipends would empower the deserving families to overcome financial barriers in accessing quality education. Poverty was one of the most persistent barriers to acquiring education. Nationwide, at present, there are 18.7 million children between the ages of 616 out of school and the fall out of the Covid-19 crisis has also accentuated it. The Conditional Cash Transfers were an important pillar of the Ehsaas programme and are included in the framework as policy no. 73: Education Conditional Cash Transfers. The ECCT served the dual purpose of socially assisting vulnerable households and at the same time reducing the number of out of school children. The government had been running an ECCT programme, Waseela-i-Taleem, for
primary school-going children since 2012 in selected districts. The programme encountered a number of challenges, including inflated administrative costs charged by non-government organisations were administering the initiative, errors and instances of fraud due to the programme not being digitised, weak compliance monitoring, limited human resources to enrol students and low stipend. Also, it was limited to grade 5 and did not include secondary education whereas the Education Stipends programme could be of high impact. Multiple studies revealed that school drop-out rates increased with age especially for girls in classes 5 to 8, mainly due to distance from the school and costs associated with it. The previous CCT programme was limited in geographic scope and lacked
appropriate federal-provincial partnerships. Also, payments to beneficiaries were being made through the Benazir Income Support Programme which was plagued by rampant corruption. In switching to the stipend programme, the operational cost has been reduced from 3 to 8 percent. The end-to-end digitisation of the process has eliminated the opportunities for misuse of authority. Compliance monitors have been hired and a project monitoring unit had been established to assist them. Also, through a memorandum of understanding with the National Commission on Human Development, additional 1,000-strong staff has been engaged to enroll students. The stipend has been doubled for children in primary classes and further increased for girls.
Senate committee approves anti-rape bill for formation of special courts ContInued fRom pAge 01 Voicing almost similar concerns, PPP’s Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the judicial system had “choked” and called for the enactment of special laws for children and women. He suggested the parliament must monitor the performance of special courts, adding the legislature could make changes to the law if issues continue to transpire. Law Minister Farogh Naseem said the law could be challenged if a provision for oversight powers for parliament was incorporated in it. He, however, added that the parliament was empow-
ered to take notice of any issue. The sub-committee chairman said the bill would cease to exist if the condition for the formation of special courts was omitted from it. Talking to the media after the meeting, Barrister Zafar said the sub-committee had approved the bill in which the condition of a virginity test had been abolished. He said a suspect, if proven guilty, could face the death sentence, life imprisonment or undergo chemical castration. The senator said investigation officials could
also face penalty if they were found negligent or tried to mislead case proceedings in any capacity. In December last year, President Dr Arif Alvi had approved the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020 to ensure speedy trial of rape cases with women and children as victims and to allow chemical castration of those convicted of such offences. A statement issued by the President House had said that under the ordinance, special courts would be established throughout the country for speedy trials of sexual assault suspects. The courts would have to wrap up the cases within four months.
Philip Morris, Kashf Foundation partner to promote women empowerment KARACHI PRESS RELEASE
Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (PMPKL) provided financial support to Kashf Foundation, a non-profit microfinance institution, in its project which aimed to empower women by providing them professional training in food catering (“Project”). Through this Project, women were taught how to prepare, package and market their own cooked food whilst maintaining standard hygiene practices. Four training centres were established in Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi/Islamabad to train 250 women. The distinguishing feature of this program was the inclusion of core skills training on how to run a successful business by addressing topics like client dealing, communication skills and techniques of business management and budgeting. Andleeb Uroos Ahmed, Head of
05
emirates appoints alhashmi as VP for Pakistan KARACHI PRESS RELEASE
Emirates has announced the appointment of Mohammed Alnahari Alhashmi as Vice President for Pakistan, effective 1st September. Alhashmi will be responsible for leading the airline’s operations and strengthening Emirates’ presence in the market. Mohammed Sarhan, who was previously Vice President of Emirates for Pakistan, will now take on a new role as Vice President of Emirates for India. Mohammed Alnahari Alhashmi, Emirates Vice President for Pakistan, said: “I’m very honoured and thrilled to be leading Emirates’ operations in Pakistan. I look forward to working closely with our talented local team and to continue driving the airline’s growth in the region.” Alhashmi will manage the airline’s commercial operations and strategic initiatives across the region. The new appointment comes as the airline announces several commercial leadership movements across West Asia, Africa, the GCC, and Central Asia. All of the movements include Emirati talent into key leadership positions, either being promoted from within the organisation or through portfolio rotations, underpinning the airline’s commitment to career development and progression of its UAE Nationals. Emirates has held strong ties with Pakistan since 1985 and the airline remains committed to its long-term commercial strategy in the country. Emirates currently operates passenger services to five cities in Pakistan including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, and Peshawar – connecting customers to more than 120 destinations via Dubai.
Bahrain removes Pakistan from red list
Communications, Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited said, “Supporting and enabling the community we live in is one of our core values. By providing financial support to Kashf, PMPKL aims to uplift the oft-overlooked half of our population, so that they can live as empowered and independent members of society – and I have been following their journeys throughout the project, and I am so proud to see how far they have come today.” This program also focused on assisting these women to develop market linkages and join digital platforms to sell their products so that they can create sustainable business ventures and also reach a larger market. A few select trainees were also awarded grants to put towards their business ventures. Some of them have already started running their businesses and earning from them which has provided these women with a means to support their families and become productive members of society.
ISLAmABAd TLTP
Pakistan has been removed from Bahrain’s travel red list, Bahrain’s media said on Wednesday, adding that ease in restrictions will be implemented from September 3. Along with Pakistan, Bahrain has also removed India, Panama, and the Dominican Republic from its travel red-list. Earlier in May, Bahrain had suspended entry of travellers from countries on its red list, which included Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The country also applied a precautionary 10-day quarantine to vaccinated and unvaccinated people from all other countries. Recently, the UK retained Pakistan on its red list for failing to meet the requirements on genomic surveillance capability, transmission risk, and variants of concern.
Edgy calm prevails in Afghanistan after US pullout KABuL AnAdoLu AgEncy
Two days after the last US soldier left Afghanistan after 20-years of military operations, an eerie calm has descended in the streets of Kabul. Many believe that double suicide bombing at the airport followed by US drone strikes against ISIS-K hideouts has shown that peace in the war-torn country may still be far away. While crisscrossing the 230 kilometres (142 miles) road from Torkham — a major border crossing with Pakistan — to Kabul, a tense atmosphere was palpable in small towns and villages. At the border crossing, just a few heavily armed Taliban guards were staffing the security checkpoint. Some of them looked like the US and Afghan army soldiers as they had donned battle dresses left behind by withdrawing forces but could not hide their identity as they were still sporting slippers in their shoes — a trademark of Taliban fighters, who hardly wear army tactical footwear. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, a crosssection of people said that so far Taliban
have not caused any problems for them. “If they are unable to solve problems in an orderly manner, at least they are not putting unnecessary hurdles,” said Samsur Rehman, who accused previous government officials covering the customs office of fleecing people, demanding bribes, and causing problems for goods trucks and ordinary Afghans. According to officials on the Pakistani side of the border, the volume of imports and exports has increased since the Taliban took control of the border. CORRUPTION ENDS, TRADE INCREASE: Jalal Shinwari, a transporter from Pakistan, alleged that the previous Afghan authorities used to take three to four times more money than the actual taxes as a bribe. Similarly, the customs office used to demand money for fruits and vegetables imported from Afghanistan. The cascading effect of the absence of bribes is that fruit prices have decreased in the nearby city of Peshawar, he claimed. The exports of fruits from Afghanistan to Pakistan may have increased over the past fortnight, but the India-bound trade has almost dried up.
A local Taliban security guard said they are stopping and checking antecedents of journalists for their safety. At the Pakistan side of the immigration counter, few European women journalists wearing baggy trousers, loose shirts, and supporting head-to-toe blue veil were also preparing to enter into Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. They were told that the Taliban do not check women supporting veil at the check posts. And it turned true that Taliban guards spared them while stopped and scrutinised documents of other journalists. “This security check is for their safety because ISIS-K is still present in Nangarhar province and can harm any foreigner to discredit the Taliban,” said Qari Izharullah, leader of Taliban security guards. During the process, they offered food to waiting journalists and asked Muslim journalists that they can take a break to offer afternoon prayers till their papers are ready. MIX OF HOSTILITY, INTERROGATION: After crossing this checkpoint, awaiting vehicle took all journalists to
CmYK
Jalalabad to meet the Taliban leader known as Doctor Bashir, who heads “Amniyat” or Security Department in the border city. On a cup of Afghani green tea, he again questioned and checked the credentials of journalists. The mix of hospitality and interrogation was confusing, as some of the journalists started murmuring that they have been held captive. But Taliban leaders used the same premise that ISIS-K has created a difficult situation and they cannot take any chance. “Daesh might cause problems for foreigners and kidnap them, which can bring the disrepute to the country,” he said. Before permitting the journalists to leave for Kabul, Commander Bashir instructed to approach the office of Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in the capital ahead of resuming their professional work of reporting. A few journalists were not allowed to leave the Jalalabad office, as Bashir said he was awaiting their clearance from Kabul. He said the new administration will now make it mandatory for all journalists visiting Afghanistan to take prior permis-
sion from the new administration so that the Taliban ensure their safety and security. WOMEN IMAGES INTACT IN AFGHANISTAN: While visiting different parts of Kabul, the reporter saw walls with women’s images have been sprayed with paints. Locals, however, said the Taliban have so far neither issued any instructions nor ordered them to hide these pictures. But in anticipation that new rulers may not like them, they covered these images exhibited in various businesses, roadside signboards, and on the walls. But in other parts of Kabul like upscale Wazir Akbar Khan and Shahre Nau neighbourhoods, as well as on the main route leading to the Hamid Karzai International Airport, the pictures depicting women were still hanging the walls and nobody has touched them. The life-size images of leaders of the previous Ashraf Ghani government are, however, seen torn at various places, implying that new rulers and system has taken over Afghanistan, which has been battling for peace for over the past 43-years since the Saur Revolution of 1978.
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
06 COMMENT
Is relief to public possible?
Terrorists targeting Chinese Need to bring perpetrators, planners and handlers to justice
It is, but not with these bureaucrats
t
HIS year saw an increase in terrorist attacks on the Chinese in Pakistan. In April, the ttP conducted a suicide attack on a Quetta hotel where the Chinese ambassador was staying. At least four persons were killed and scores injured. Fortunately the ambassador and other Chinese officials were out of the hotel at the time. None behind the attack could however be arrested. On 12 July a vehicle carrying two Chinese engineers was fired at by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle in Karachi. Again none of the terrorists could be identified. On 14 July a bus carrying Chinese to Dasu Hydel Project was targeted, killing 9 Chinese engineers. the government pointed a finger at the ttP, maintaining that the terrorist network enjoyed the backing of India’s RAW and Afghanistan’s NDS. None of the planners or the facilitators could be arrested and punished. On August 21, A Chinese national was injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up targeting a vehicle carrying the foreigner in Gwadar. Here again there was no clue about the planners or the handlers, with the government once again holding Indian RAW and Afghan NDS responsible. this has led even Chinese terrorism experts to call on Pakistan to gather further evidence that can answer more questions before a conclusion is made. they have expressed hopes that Pakistan will continue the investigation based on facts and evidence to find the truth of the attack and hold the criminals accountable. During a virtual meeting with NSA Moeed Yusuf, Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi hoped that Pakistan would continue the investigation based on facts and evidence to find the truth of the attack and take those responsible to task, Intelligence failures are costing Pakistan heavily. the work on Dasu dam, a key CPEC project, remains stopped for the last more than seven weeks despite meetings between the Wapda Chairman, Chinese ambassador and China’s Gezhouba Group. this is neither in the interest of Pakistan nor China. During his meeting with the Chinese ambassador, COAS Geb Qamar Javed Bajwa vowed to foil the sinister designs of elements trying to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). the best way is to find those who actually perpetrate or plan the crimes and bring them to law.
Dr FariD a Malik
T
HE Prime Minister has clearly indicated his desire to provide maximum relief to the public in the remaining two years of his tenure. With a non-performing and disinterested bureaucracy it is an uphill task. In the last 40 years most civilian institutions have been rendered non-functional. the chain of command no longer exists. Notices, directives, tasks carry no weight. Influential individuals in positions of authority are either clueless or reluctant to challenge the inertia that exists. Executive abuses go unpunished. Instead of punishing the corrupt, departments indulge in cover-up and defence of their unscrupulous peers. More than half of the civil litigation emanates from these acts of bureaucratic high-handedness. Due to lack of transparency and accountability, the public is made to suffer while the perpetrators of crime go scot free. In the 1972 Interim Constitution, under Article 216, Administrative Accountability Courts were to be established. In the 1973 permanent version, Article 216 was legislated with toned down jurisdiction. the bureaucracy in the land of the pure has always succeeded in dodging accountability. In 1979, the entire clause was removed, and instead the department of the Ombudsman was created which has met with limited success. then under the Right to Information Act, Information Commissions have been established both at the federal and provincial levels.
Getting back to normal Covid-19 is here to stay
t
HE world has been living with the Covid-19 pandemic for over 18 months now and countries are in various stages of responding to it. Some have opened up under strict rules such as mask wearing and complete vaccination requirements while some have gone back into lockdown due to an uptick in cases. Pakistan is a unique example of a country that imposed only one complete national lockdown during the first wave followed by several ‘smart lockdowns’ and has still fared reasonably well in terms of lives lost and number of positive cases compared to countries within the region and globally. Currently in its fourth wave that is dominated by the deadlier and stealthier delta variant, cases and deaths have begun to creep up. Daily deaths are between 90 to 100 while the positivity rate has been stubbornly hovering around 6.6 per cent for weeks. While the science behind why Pakistan has had a relatively less lethal experience during the pandemic is unclear, the reason for why the hospitalization rate during the current wave is low is quite apparent: the vaccine. Fortunately, after an abysmal start to the campaign, the vaccination drive has picked up, with the NCOC reporting a record-setting 1.5 million doses administered in a single day. that over 70 percent of these vaccinations were first doses indicates that the government’s recent announcement of punitive measures against unvaccinated people is working. those without even a single shot will soon be unable to board domestic flights, use public transport, get petrol in some cities nor use the motorway, whereas in Sindh, salaries of government employees are being withheld. It seems the government has realized that the only way to reach some semblance of normalcy where the economy can become fully functional and the population can feel safer as they get on with their lives, is to vaccinate enough people and reach that crucial herd immunity threshold of 70-80 percent. to get there, even sustaining 1.5 million doses is not enough; so far around 8 percent of the population is fully vaccinated with close to 20 percent having received the first dose. At this pace, it can take up to two years to achieve the necessary numbers. In addition to making certain privileges conditional upon receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, a massive outreach program must be undertaken to combat the plethora of misinformation about the vaccine out there. Covid-19 is here to stay and it is as much the responsibility of the government as is the citizenry to make sure each and every resident of the country gets the shot.
SariM FatiMi
I
t seems incumbent on most analysts in the USa to mention Pakistan, whenever asked about the source of the humiliation of the USA in Afghanistan. Some zealots amongst them have even instigated a demand to sanction Pakistan (a trend that did rounds on the internet as well; thanks to the (open-secretive) networks working tirelessly to malign the image of the country). Christine Fair is doubtlessly the flagbearer of a group of such zealots (that also include former US National Security Advisor John Bolton), and she unfortunately holds academic credentials owing to her extensive work on terrorism in Pakistan. I do not however free Pakistan of the charge of not constructing its own counter-narrative, other than of course documentaries and songs for domestic consumption, but we leave that for another day. Pakistan being censured by troll-farmers propagating #sanctionPakistan was still tolerable, since those behind such trends are solely hired to propagate falsehood, but former officials and academics echoing the same tone on different forums was not. But Fair, Bolton, and others in this league, the apparent wizards on Pakistan, are so focused on Pakistan that they do not even find a moment to look at one of its western neighbours, Iran. Years of sanctions have not yet been able to circumvent the resolve of its citizenry, rather the opposite, as the sanctions are utilized by the regime to rally support against a common enemy and put on sanctions the results of their own mismanagement too. Such analysts on Pakistan, blinded by bigotry, forget the acquisition of nuclear weapons by the country when promoting their illusionary sanctions against Pakistan. they are also not cognizant of the energy Pakistan burned into bringing USA’s archrival, on talking terms with it, and that too, on the request of the USA. Why did one of the most hawkish Presidents in the history of the USA greet Pakistan’s Prime Minister so warmly, if that were not the case? Without Pakistan, that face-saving for the USA in the garb of a peace deal was implausible. Still, rather than being appreciative of the role Pakistan played, the western fanatics are adamant Pakistan backed the taliban in its fight against the US forces and subsequently had tremendous leverage over them. the former foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabban,i in an interview with a journalist famed for his decisive onslaughts, Mehdi Hasan, calmly outsmarted him by correcting the term “backing tal-
Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
Yousaf Nizami M. A. Niazi
Umar Aziz
Joint Editor
Joint Editor
Executive Editor
Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965
unwilling to side with the public by challenging these entrenched evil doers. Punctuality and attendance is another big problem with the bureaucracy. Heads of Department have no idea about the work, performance or timings of their subordinate staff. the bureaucracy has decided to stand by the bureaucracy instead of providing relief to the public. Even public welfare legislation is resisted by the bureaucrats. About a year back a PtI delegation was invited by the Communist Party of China to visit their training institutes that play a key role in policy formulation and implementation. I am sure some useful observations must have been made but not implemented. In 1981, when Iran was consolidating its revolution, ‘Islamic Revolutionary Guards’ (Pasadaran-e-Inqilab) were sent all over the country to help the public. As petrol was being rationed due to the Iran-Iraq war, coupons were required to obtain it. While driving back to Pakistan we ran out of fuel so we decided to seek the help of the Guards. We were taken to the house of the Coupon Incharge, who issued them on the spot. While the Shah’s Bureaucracy sat in comfortable offices, the Guards were housed in tents outside, and were freely available for public relief. till today PML(N) workers excercise such influence in the bureaucracy by excerising mutual accommodation or ‘Muk Muka’ which is their speciality.. But to enforce merit through a bureaucratic setup that is itself not meritorious, is almost impossible. the highly infested bureaucracy needs a major clean-up. the ‘darllngs’ of the previous regimes who enjoyed out-of-turn promotions, perks and prestigious appointments have to be weeded out to bring normalcy and public responsiveness in the bureaucracy. the PtI can post its tiger Force in important departments to monitor their punctuality and their performance by preparing reports to be submitted to the PM and CM Secretariats. the time is limited, for unless major reforms are introduced in the next six months, bureaucracy will seriously impede the reelection chances of the party in power. the public must be provided relief, and those who come in the way must be dealt with the bat and yorked out of the pitch for the match to continue. The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.
Blame Pakistan for the defeat?
Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami
Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
the PM Portal is also available for online filing of complaints but in all cases the bureaucracy seems totally disinterested in providing relief. Information is held back, facts are distorted, deliberate delays are a norm. Opinions differ, as some believe it is by design while others maintain that there are serious capacity issues. Last year there were serious charges of corrupt practises against the Settlement and Rehabilitation Wing of the Board of Revenue (BOR). Finally the Chief Settlement Commissioner (CSC), the Secretary, Officer Incharge Records, Legal Council were all removed, which was a good move but their decisions were not reviewed. Public was asked to file a writ in the Lahore High Court (LHC). Once the writs are filed, the department then comes to the defence of its decisions by hiring expensive lawyers. When the corruption of the staff has been determined, quick relief to the public can be delivered by review of the cases decided by these unscrupulous officers. the CSC then managed to become Commissioner of Bahawalpur Division From there he was removed and made an OSD for lack of performance. I have been informed that he has now managed to get into the Provincial Ombudsman’s office to correct executive abuses, for which he was punished in the first place. the PM desires public inputs for promotion of civil servants which is a good move but the framework has to be developed to receive and then act upon them. At the end of the day it is the bureaucracy that gets the final laugh as it controls the paperwork and moves the files. In the decade of the 1960s a commission was set up for reform of the bureaucracy under Mr Justice A. R. Cornelius. Public inputs were sought where members interacted with the public at the YMCA Hall on the Mall. Far-reaching reforms were proposed in the colonial set-up but before the final recommendations could be published, the two civil service members leaked the findings to develop resistance against implementation. By far it was the most comprehensive effort at introducing reforms in the administrative machinery of the country. It was Justice Cornelius who then included the clause of Administrative Accountability in the 1972 Interim Constitution. Mafia infestation is also a reality in most departments but no one is willing to take them on. As Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) I had to personally deal with them but one cannot expect the blind to lead the blind. Most senior bureaucrats are
I
Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9
I
iban” used by previous administrations and then reused by journalists to question Pakistan’s intent. She maintained that “not taking any action against the taliban” was not synonymous with “backing” them since Pakistan was already preoccupied with the terror outfits of ttP and Al-Qaeda. to further her stance, it is necessary to mention that the ttP and Al-Qaeda were a blowback to Pakistan for its support to the USA, making the USA guilty rather than the other way round. Secondly, even if Pakistan had the luxury to take decisive action against the taliban, why would it do so? Why such know-it-all analysts forget each time who funded the mujahedeen (from whom emerged the taliban)? the question is so clichéd now, yet the likes of Christine Fair tend to religiously forget it, while ther are ones like Bolton, who in his recent oped for The Washington Post termed it as a mere “mistake”. Clearing the whole involvement of the USA in one word, while writing a thousand on Pakistan is evident of the academic frailty of these scholars. However, the market is full of books to improve memory skills, so next time I hope the eyes of Christine on her next visit to the bookstore turn towards them too, while for Bolton, Eating the Grass by Feroz Khan, is recommended, which explicitly explains the securest structures of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, considering his concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons falling into the hands of extremists, a view long dead, but desperately being revived again in the wake of the current situation. If the world had to fear any nuclear weapons though, they were the ones under the control of US President Donald trump, accompanied by Bolton himself, who both were right-wing extremists. thus, lecturing Pakistan on securing its nukes from extremists is not the correct thing to do for a right winger who should focus on his own country’s policies leading to its deteriorating international clout. though, yes, Pakistan was in on it in 1989, but the benefits for the USA were far more than those for Pakistan, a fact acknowledged by Zbigniew Brzezinski himself, who in an interview proudly claimed that the disintegration of the USSR and the freedom of Eastern Europe were the biggest successes for the USA and were worth any price. By being in the game financed by the USA, Pakistan naturally developed a working relationship with the taliban which was supposed to continue unless Pakistan was also perfidious like the now-sole superpower that abandoned both its allies, Pakistan and the Mujahedeen. Interestingly, it was not only Pakistan, and the Mujahedeen, the superpower turns away its eyes quite frequently as witnessed in the case of those
Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545
I
Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk
I
Kurds who were left at the mercy of turks after they helped the USA eliminate ISIS. Since the attitude is considered normal in the USA, the same was apparently expected of Pakistan that it would disengage entirely with the taliban, but why? Was it even feasible with someone sitting right next door? I wonder if Pakistan would have entirely disengaged in all domains with the taliban, how worse the situation in Afghanistan would be today with no peace talks between the taliban and the USA, coupled with India’s inimical presence in that region. At least, there is hope now (facilitated by the extended troika) about “economic integration” of Afghanistan; something missing from the Afghan discourse for ages now. though, if any reader is bored or is in the mood to read fiction, I would recommend searching for the works of Christine Fair who is gradually losing credibility owing to her enmity against Pakistan evident in her recent pieces and interviews after the US withdrawal. I wonder if RAW is hiring any research analysts, she must be a clear fit! Why cannot Bolton, Fair and their like, including Stephen tankel, realize that the USA could not have stood a single day in a region with China on one side, and Russia on another, two of the USA’s staunch competitors, without Pakistan being its ally, and if they are still illusioned that they would have taken Pakistan back to the stone age, then that bubble should burst after their defeat against a shalwar-kameez-dressed unlettered milia. thus, the recent episodes should be enough for the USA to realize that Pakistan’s alignment with it was a privilege and not a right. the USA should be pleased with Pakistan for its unconditional support against Al-Qaeda (many leaders of which were arrested with the help of Pakistan), rather than being ungrateful by blaming Pakistan for its own defeat. What sort of air support was provided to the taliban by Pakistan? What sort of sophisticated Pakistan-made weaponry was captured from the taliban? How many SSG commandos were caught fighting in disguise as taliban? How many internal ops-plans of NAtO were leaked to the taliban by Pakistan (that was not aware of them either)? Basically, how, other than not attacking the taliban, providing shelters to their families on humanitarian grounds and its intel agency having working relationship with the taliban (something all agencies do for a living), did Pakistan aid the taliban in defeating the 20+ finest armies of the world are questions for the answer of which I shall wait (maybe a lifetime). The writer can sarimfatmi1@gmail.com.
Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk
be
reached
at
Thursday, 2 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
PM reiterates commitment to protect minorities’ rights
Plight of Muslims in India The Muslim have their own caste-like divisions
aMjeD jaaveD
A
MID Delta-IV onslaught, Muslim persecution in India continues unabated. A Kashmiri truck driver, Rayees Ahmed, and his conductor, Salman Dar, were beaten by a fanatical Hindu mob in Damtal area of Himachal Pradesh. What was their offence? their offence was that “Islam zindabad” was written on their truck. the phrase looks innocuous to the ordinary passerby, But, it sounded incendiary to the fanatical Hindu. the Indian Muslims have little say inside or outside the Indian parliament. they dare not raise questions about their plight inside the parliament or outside. their leaders are corrupt and fiddle the government’s line barring indulgence in pettifoggery on non-issues. Even questions devoid of political implications, such as those about Haj or other modes of worship, are asked by non-Muslim members of the legislatures. Never did they dare say a word in support of Kashmir’s freedom movement or rights of other persecuted minorities in India. the Muslim are uneducated. they are unlike the Christians who have had their chief ministers and defence ministers. they have created a niche in Hindu society by sheer dint of their education, competence, and participation. the miserable condition of the Muslim is well documented in several studies. Muslims are one of the six minorities (14.2 per cent in India’s Census 2011). But, they are underrepresented in every realm of life. the ascendance of majoritarian Hindutva since Narendra Modi first came to power in 2014 “compounded the Muslim’s socio-economic misfortune, arguably born of chronic neglect by the state, with a new sense of deliberate political marginalisation and active persecution.” the Sachar Commission report in 2006 highlighted that Muslims lagged in terms of such parameters as income, employment and literacy, as compared to other minorities. the report pointed out that some 31 per cent (about one third) of Muslims fell below the poverty line. twenty-five per cent of Muslim children did not go to school. their representation in Indian Administrative Service and Police Service was a mere 1.8 per cent and four percent in provincial police services. According to the Sachar Committee Report, conditions of the Muslim in India are worse than those of dalits (Untouchables). But, the Muslim community itself is to blame for its current plight. the Muslim literacy rate ranks well below the national average and the Muslim poverty rate is only slightly higher
than that of the low-caste Hindu. Muslims make up only four percent of the undergraduate student body in India’s elite universities. they fall behind other groups in terms of access to credit. this is despite the self-employed Muslim population exceeding other groups. Sedition laws have become handmaidens of India’s government under Narendra Modi to stifle dissent, incarcerate political opponents or persecute minorities, particularly the Muslim. Shouting a slogan, wall chalking, a social post of azadi (liberty), wearing a prayer cap, or offering prayer on adjoining roads when a mosque is overcrowded, could attract sedition charges. Even interfaith marriages or cow-related offences could be tried as sedition. the Hindu-monk chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, had directed his administration to try cow-related offences under the National Security Act. Some states have passed love-jihad laws to prevent interfaith marriages. the over-ebullient Hindu extremists even haul such people to the police stations as have been happily married long before enactment of the law banning inter-faith marriages. We look upon the Indian Muslim as a homogeneous caste-free community. But, they too are stratified on the lines of the Hindu caste system. Fifteen percent ashrafia or nobility (Syed, Sheikh, Mughal, Pathan, etc or native upper caste converts like Rangad or Muslim Rajput, taga or tyagi Muslims, Garhe or Gaur Muslims, etc), descendents of the Arab or the Afghan, dominate 85 per cent low-caste Muslim ajlaf (backward muslim) together with arzal (dalit Muslim). the ‘high-caste’ Muslim, hand in glove with ruling political Brahmin-dominated parties, reap benefits. the low castes are left in the lurch. In case of communal riots, the low-caste Muslims bear the brunt. the low caste Muslim suffer double persecution. One at the hands of the fanatic Hindu and secondly at that of the ‘syeds’. During the 1990s, All India Backward Muslim Morcha of Dr Ejaz Ali, and the All India Pasmanda Muslims Mahaj of Ali Anwar from Bihar, and the All India Muslim OBC Organisation of Shabbir Ansari from Maharashtra, highlighted baneful dichotomy of the Muslim society into two broad groups. Voracious readers may go through Ali Anwar’s Musawat Ki Jang (2001) and Masood Alam Falahi’s Hindustan Mein Jaat Pat aur Musalman (2007). these books document the over-representation of the “syeds” in Islamic organisations and institutions (Jamat-e-Ulema-eHind, Jamat-e-Islami, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Idaara-e-Sharia etc.), governmentrun institutions for minorities (Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Maulana Azad Educational Foundation, and Urdu Academy). In the forefront of rebellion against “syedism” are Muslim Dalit and tribal Muslim communities — Kunjre (Raeen), Julahe (Ansari), Dhunia (Mansuri), Kasai (Qureishi), Fakir (Alvi), Haj-
jam (Salmani), Mehtar (Halalkhor), Gwala (Ghosi), Dhobi (Hawari), Lohar-Badhai (Saifi), Manihar (Siddiqui), Darzi (Idrisi), and Vangujjar the caste structure of the Muslim in India mocks the typical model of an egalitarian Muslim society. the ‘Syeds’, like the Brahmin, practise segregation and social distancing from the low castes. the abhorrence to low-caste Muslims is manifested in the existence of separate burial grounds, the practice of forcing lower Muslims to stand in the back rows during congregational prayers in certain regions, and the practice of untouchability against Dalit Muslims. As per 2011 Census, Muslims constitute about 14.2 per cent of India’s population. this means that Ashrafs should have a 2.1 per cent share in the country’s population. But their representation in the Lok Sabha was around 4.5 per cent. On the other hand, backward Muslim’s’ share in the population was around 11.4 per cent but they had a paltry 0.8 per cent representation in Parliament. Of the 7,500 elected representatives from the first to the 14th Lok Sabha, 400 were Muslims. Of them 340 were from Ashraf communities. Only 60 backward-caste Muslims were elected in 14 Lok Sabhas. the BJP has no space for Pasmanda Muslims. the situation will be the same in the 17th Lok Sabha, too. For instance, only one out of seven Mahagatbandhan’s Muslim candidates in Bihar is a Pasmanda and both the BJP-led NDA’s candidates are Ashraf. In Bihar, the population of Ashraf community is about four percent of the state’s entire population. Yet they were given 15 per cent representation among the Mahagatbandhan candidates. In Uttar Pradesh, only one of the nine Muslim candidates fielded by the Congress is a Pasmanda. the Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded two Pasmanda candidates out of six Muslims and one Pasmanda is fighting on a Samajwadi Party ticket (out of four Muslims). the so-called high castes like Syeds, Sheikhs, Mughals and Pathans do not want the subordinated Muslim castes like Ansaris, Dhuniyas or Qureshis to rise to their level. Whenever Pasmanda Muslims try to contest an election, the Ashraf Muslims taunt them as Dhunia, Julaha, Kalal, Kunjra or Kasai. they conspire to ensure their defeat. the Ashraf candidates preach that it devolves on Muslims to vote for them by way of Islamic duty. the Muslim in India are resigned to their fate. they consider persecution in Hindu majoritarian India as natural. Aside from persecution from the fanatical Hindu, they suffer persecution from their own upper-caste Muslim leaders who are the government’s stooges.
The Muslim in India are resigned to their fate. They consider persecution in Hindu majoritarian India as natural. Aside from persecution from the fanatical Hindu, they suffer persecution from their own upper-caste Muslim leaders who are the government’s stooges
The writer is a freelance journalist, has served in the Pakistan government for 39 years and holds degrees in economics, business administration, and law. He can be reached at amjedjaaved@gmail.com
PRIME MINIStER Imran Khan has said the observance of ‘National Minorities Day’ is reiteration of State’s commitment towards safeguarding the rights of the minority communities of Pakistan as equal citizens and providing them with an enabling environment to excel in every walk of life. “the commemoration of this day at governmental level is also an acknowledgment of the important role that our minorities have been playing toward development and progress of Pakistan,” the prime minister said in a message on the National Minorities Day being observed across the country on Wednesday. With ‘Riyasat-e-Madina’, the prime minister said, as their role model and the principles, enunciated by Father of the Nation as the sole guide, his government firmly believed that no society could continue its march towards its goal of establishing an inclusive socio-economic development if minority communities were denied their rights and relegated to the second-class citizens. “We believe that inter-faith harmony and protection of vulnerable is not only essential for building a moderate and progressive society but is also an effective bulwark against the rising tide of extremism, hate and crimes against weaker segments of society,” he added. He further said that in line with the promises made in their manifesto, they had been undertaking every possible effort to promote inter-faith harmony and instill a sense of confidence among the minority communities about protection of their constitutional, legal and societal rights. “We have empowered our National Commission for Minorities to play its mandated role in an effective manner. We are committed to implement 5% job quota reserved for minorities in government services. Our parliamentarians, civil servants and other members of minority communities, working in governmental and non-governmental domain not only add value to the overall business of the state but also represent moderate face of our society,” he observed. the prime minister further said the day was an occasion to reiterate their commitment and work earnestly to promote inter-faith harmony and work as one nation for those ideals that distinguished them among the comity of nation. “I am confident that our minority communities will continue to work with the same zeal for socio-economic development and prosperity of the country,” he further added. He also directed all officials concerned to ensure completion of all projects within the time-lines, committed by them, as he was keen to inaugurate them as soon as possible for the welfare and benefit of the people of Karachi. Sohail ali Khan iSlamabad
Why Covid-19 only ? tHERE is no denying that our country Pakistan is in the grave of several different problems like hunger , poverty , unemployment and many more . these all issues are very old , still they are deprived from solutions . Furthermore , after the approach of Covid-19 , our government has neglected the all issues are existed in our country since some decades rather they are paying the full attention on Covid-19 crisis . However , hunger virus , empty stomach and homelessness are not less than Covid-19 pandemic ; everyday hundred of thousands people die in Pakistan due to these problems which are just neglected. thus , I urge to federal government to concentrate on these issue to solve then later on Covid-19 pandemic . abdul Rahman ShahbEER KhaiRabad
International youth day SIR: Youth play the most effective role in strengthening any country. It is to them that a nation builds up or demount. Looking forward to this advantage, Pakistan is one of those few countries that have the Largest young population in the world. Meanwhile, 64% of Pakistan’s population is below the age of 30.though Pakistan can reach its peak through the power of such youngsters, we are not even able to at least educate or employ half of them. And so on, there are infinite skills hidden in our youth that go unrecognized. Perhaps, tokyo Olympics 2020 is a clear indication to this. Disappointingly, just like Muhammad talib stated, “Countries with small population are bagging medals while Pakistan lags”. Clearly, we are missing it somewhere tk enhance our youth or work for their development. Hence, International Youth Day is observed every year on 12th August. this day is celebrated globally to shift focus towards the enhancement and protection of youth in the society. In conclusion, I call the government of Pakistan to work for the betterment of its youth and let them be the economical, educational and emotional strength of our country. Moreover, I admire our youth and the proud Olympians of Pakistan (talha talib and Arshad Naseem) for letting our heads up. maRia naSEEm TuRbaT
Unemployment tHE ratio of jobs versus the graduates who are annually completing their particular degrees, are not maintaining an equilibrium function in the country for the candidate’s relief. In Pakistan, there is a great deficiency of jobs. In our country two things are extra-ordinarily found common; first “Unemployment” and second “disappointment”. But the matter of the fact is that that majority of people do not amplement self-help processes ( )پآ ددم ینپاfor fulfillment of their expenses.thus, according to the statistics from 2008 to 2020, the ratio of unemployment is increasing with the increase of fresh graduates every year. Analysis shows that in upcoming years the Unemployment ratio will directly increase. Hence, the government may announce a maximum number of jobs so that the ratio of graduates may be satisfied to the ratio of jobs given. And the government may also form such a national organization which would enlighten the people with new ideas of self-help. For the purpose to start mini- businesses and small investments. Such techniques of self-help would really give relief to a one-third of country’s unemployment, rather more. habib ullah aman TuRbaT
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
08 WORLD VIEW
OVER TWO DECADES, US’S GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR HAS TAKEN NEARLY 1 MILLION LIVES AND COST $8 TRILLION THE COSTS OF WAR PROJECT’S LATEST ESTIMATES HOLD THAT 897,000 TO 929,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED DURING THE WARS. OF THOSE KILLED, 387,000 ARE CATEGORIZED AS CIVILIANS, 207,000 AS MEMBERS OF NATIONAL MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES, AND A FURTHER 301,000 AS OPPOSITION FIGHTERS KILLED BY US-LED COALITION TROOPS AND THEIR ALLIES interCept
T
MURTAzA HUSSAIN
hE Us-LED global war on terror has killed nearly 1 million people globally and cost more than $8 trillion since it began two decades ago. These staggering figures come from a landmark report issued Wednesday by Brown University’s Costs of War Project, an ongoing research effort to document the economic and human impact of post-9/11 military operations. The report — which looks at the tolls of wars waged in Iraq, syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, somalia, and other regions where the U.s. is militarily engaged — is the latest in a series published by the Costs of War Project and provides the most extensive public accounting to date of the consequences of open-ended U.s. conflicts in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, referred to today as the “forever wars.” “It’s critical we properly account for the vast and varied consequences of the many U.s. wars and counterterror operations since 9/11, as we pause and reflect on all of the lives lost,” said the project’s co-director, Neta Crawford, in a press release accompanying the report. “Our accounting goes beyond the Pentagon’s numbers because the costs of the reaction to 9/11 have rippled through the entire budget.” The staggering economic costs of the war on terror pale in comparison to the direct human impact, measured in people killed, wounded, and driven from their homes. The Costs of War Project’s latest estimates hold that 897,000 to 929,000 people have been killed during the wars. Of those killed, 387,000 are categorized as civilians, 207,000 as members of national military and police forces, and a further 301,000 as opposition fighters killed by U.s.-led coalition troops
and their allies. The report also found that around 15,000 U.s. military service members and contractors have been killed in the wars, along with a similar number of allied Western troops deployed to the conflicts and several hundred journalists and humanitarian aid workers. The question of how many people have lost their lives in the post-9/11 conflicts has been the subject of ongoing debate, though the numbers in all cases have been extraordinarily high. Previous Costs of War studies have put death toll figures in the hundreds of thousands, an estimate tallying those directly killed by violence. According to a 2015 estimate from the Nobel Prize-winning Physicians for social Responsibility, well over 1 million have been killed both indirectly and directly in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan alone. The difficulty of calculating death tolls is made harder by the U.s. military’s own refusal to keep track of the number of people killed in its operations, as well as the remoteness of the regions where many of the conflicts take place. Like its previous studies, the death toll calculated by the Costs of War Project focuses only on deaths directly caused by violence during the global war on terror and does not include “indirect deaths, namely those caused by loss of access to food, water, and/or infrastructure, war-related disease” that have resulted from the conflicts. The report’s footnotes also state that “some of the people classified as opposition fighters may actually have been civilians as well, since there are political incentives to classify the dead as militants rather than civilians” — a caveat that dovetails with the U.s. government’s own confessed practice of labeling any “military-age males” killed in its operations as combatants unless proved otherwise. such practices have continued across multiple administrations. A recent investigation from the military-focused news site Connecting Vets included leaked video and accounts from the 2019 drone campaign in helmand province in Afghanistan. The story
included testimony from former drone operators who said that they had been given the green light to kill anyone seen holding a walkie-talkie or wearing a tactical vest in the province, which had poor security and lacked reliable cell phone service. For some U.s. officials licensed to authorize drone strikes, frustrated by their inability to achieve strategic victory or even favorable negotiating terms with the Taliban, the “metric for success was racking up a body count.” The Costs of War Project report states that its findings about deaths in the wars are conservative, leaving many still uncounted. Although nearly 1 million people can be said with confidence to have been killed since the global war on terror began, even that staggering figure is, in the words of Crawford, the project co-director, “likely a vast undercount of the true toll these wars have taken on human life.” ECONOMIC COSTS: The economic costs tallied by the Costs of War report include $2.3 trillion spent by the U.s. government on military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, $2.1 trillion in Iraq and syria, and $355 billion in somalia and other regions of Africa. An additional $1.1 trillion has been spent on domestic security measures in the United states since 2001, bringing direct expenditures from the war on terror at home and abroad to an astronomical $5.8 trillion. Even that, however, does not represent the full expenses imposed by the wars. Tens of thousands of U.s. soldiers have returned from foreign war zones maimed and traumatized, turning many into long-term dependents of the federal government. The cost of providing disability and medical care for these veterans is likely to exceed $2.2 trillion by 2050 from its current post-9/11 total of $465 billion, bringing the total economic bill of the wars to $8 trillion. The report compiles several different sources to give a total for how much the post-9/11 wars have cost, including appropriations for war-related expenses by the de-
partments of Defense and state; increases to the Defense Department’s baseline operating budget; interest payments spent on borrowing; money obligated for future Veterans Affairs services; and Department of homeland security spending for preventing and responding to terrorist attacks. Even this thorough accounting does not give the full picture of U.s. expenditures: The report’s total figure of $8 trillion does not include money spent on war zone humanitarian assistance and economic development, nor does it factor in future interest payments that will be incurred on the massive deficit spending used to pay for the wars. Many will find the astronomical financial cost of the global war on terror galling, not just because of how relatively little it has produced in return, but also because of the discrepancy between what the current price tag of the wars has run and what U.s. officials initially claimed would be required. The war in Iraq provides one sobering example. In september 2002, Lawrence Lindsey, then-chief economic adviser under President George W. Bush, estimated that the “upperbound” expenses for the looming invasion and occupation would run between $100 and $200 billion. Later that year, Mitch Daniels, then-director of the Office of Management and Budget, provided an even more humble estimate of the costs, saying that war in Iraq would likely run U.s. taxpayers between $50 and $60 billion.
“MILLIONS OF LIVES AND TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS LATER, WHO HAS WON?” In reality, the invasion and occupation of Iraq — just one of a number of conflicts fought by the U.s. across the world since 9/11 — has wound up costing trillions of dollars while destabilizing the Middle East and breeding secondary conflicts that have continued to draw the U.s. in at further expense and loss of life. Current events have grimly underlined how the situation has grown out of control. The recent airport terrorist attack in Afghanistan, which killed over a dozen U.s. service members and around 170 Afghans, was claimed by a local branch of the Islamic state, a terrorist group that did not exist at the start of the global war on terror and was birthed amid the chaos created by the U.s. occupation of Iraq. The conflicts appear to have no end in sight, even as the U.s. makes plans to extricate itself from its 20-year occupation of Afghanistan. “What have we truly accomplished in 20 years of post 9/11 wars? Millions of lives and trillions of dollars later, who has won? Who has lost, and at what price?” said stephanie savell, co-director of the Costs of War Project. “Twenty years from now, we’ll still be reckoning with the high societal costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars – long after U.s. forces are gone.”
What does the Kremlin really think about Afghanistan? THE KEY QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER MOSCOW IS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH A COMBUSTIBLE SITUATION ALONG ITS SOUTHERN FLANK THAT IS UNFOLDING FAR MORE QUICKLY THAN ANYONE MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED Carnegie
I
PAUL STRONSKI
s Russia poised to fill the vacuum created by the chaotic U.s. departure from Afghanistan and enhance its clout in neighboring Central Asia? Don’t be so sure. Even though Moscow has publicly cheered the removal of U.s. and NATO troops from the region, Russian officials are sober-minded enough to appreciate the downsides of their departure. The key question now is whether Moscow is equipped to deal with a combustible situation along its southern flank that is unfolding far more quickly than anyone might have expected. While Russian officials routinely assert that Moscow is rightfully the region’s chief security provider, it remains unclear whether Russia is up to that task, let alone whether it has the desire to do the job effectively. Russia’s greatest asset and biggest advantage in a Taliban-dominated Afghanistan are low expectations. The Kremlin’s main goal will be to try to ensure that the Taliban prevents extremists from causing problems in neighboring Tajikistan and elsewhere in Central Asia. Moscow will be prepared to absorb a few spillover cases of extremism—when Russian policymakers deem it in their interests, they have shown a willingness to claim that a terrorist attack either didn’t occur at all or wasn’t even a terrorist attack in the first place.
Russian leaders will face a much stickier challenge if the self-proclaimed Islamic state or other organized extremist groups begin once again to target Central Asia or Russia itself from Afghanistan. This is precisely the scenario that Russian policymakers have worried about and tried to avoid since 2001—and it is the reason why, until 2015, Russia played a quiet but significant role in supplying the U.s.-led coalition in Afghanistan by way of the so-called Northern Distribution Network, which allowed NATO to transport equipment and supplies through Russian territory. Beyond purely defensive goals, the Russians want and expect little from Afghanistan. Their long-term task will be to maintain Moscow’s influence in Central Asia as the reemergence of the Taliban and religious fundamentalism potentially shake up the region’s balance of power and security dynamics. Russia is likely to find a healthy demand for the security assistance that it claims as its strong suit. To this end, the Russian military has already held joint training exercises multilaterally via the Collective security Treaty Organization (CsTO), a Russian-led military alliance of former soviet states, and bilaterally in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and even the ever-elusive Uzbekistan, which traditionally has resisted Russia’s Eurasian integration agenda. NOT SUCH A HELPFUL FRIEND: Yet Russia’s track record as a security provider for CsTO allies and regional partners is surprisingly thin. Unlike the U.s. military, which has spent the past two decades working by, with, and through foreign partners on counterterrorism missions, the Russian military operates in a totally different fashion. Recent history across the former soviet space
from Ukraine to Central Asia highlights that Moscow often is an unreliable, unpredictable, or ineffective partner. Russia stayed on the sidelines of the 2020 war and subsequent 2021 border confrontation between Azerbaijan and Moscow’s CsTO ally Armenia. When the government of Kyrgyzstan asked for help quelling ethnic riots in 2010, Moscow had no appetite for intervening. similar intercommunal violence persisted for days along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border in the spring of 2021, even as Russia’s minister of defense visited the Tajik capital for a meeting with counterparts from CsTO members. As if to underscore the ineffectiveness of that body, which Moscow created to reassert influence over its former internal empire, both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the opposing sides of that brief border war, are CsTO members. Other players including China and Turkey are likely to be more active and influential than Russia will be in both Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia. Financially, Russia can’t compete with China in parts of Central Asia that need to develop local economies and create jobs—an essential task for the region’s long-term stability. Moscow will also want to stay on good terms with Pakistan, the Taliban’s main sponsor, without alienating India. Moscow almost certainly reckons, based on its experience in syria and elsewhere, that such balancing acts are manageable. But they are a far cry from the level of control the Kremlin enjoyed in Central Asia before the soviet collapse. DESPITE ALL APPEARANCES, RUSSIA IS WORRIED: The bombast and gloating of Russian propaganda over the humiliation of the United states in Afghanistan are just that: bravado directed primarily at a domestic audience. At the official level, Moscow has no illusions
about the threats resulting from the fall of former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and the government he led. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister sergei shoigu, and other officials place little stock in Taliban assurances that Russian interests in Afghanistan will be protected. Instead, they point to the threat from uncontrolled weapons transfers to the Taliban, the threat of extremists among Afghan refugees crossing into Central Asia, and concerns about the drug trade. The majority of the opium and heroin consumed in Russia comes from Afghanistan through Central Asia, creating a large public health problem. In at least one respect, the Kremlin and its media propagandists reinforce each other’s messages: if security threats to Central Asia or Russia arise out of the Taliban takeover, they will be the fault of the United states. By preassigning blame, the Kremlin is trying to give itself an excuse should it have to resort to cross-border strikes inside Afghanistan itself. As one Russian expert in the post-soviet states has suggested, Russian officials’ repeated denials that they intend to send troops to Afghanistan or resort to using force in the country raise suspicions that precisely such a possibility—with all the unwelcome comparisons to the soviets’ past misadventure in Afghanistan—weighs heavily on their minds. Moscow has its own sad and humiliating history in the country, and the Russian people have not forgotten it. Paul Stronski is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Russia and Eurasia Program, where his research focuses on the relationship between Russia and neighbouring countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
BUSINESS 09
KARACHI corporate corner Samsung Electronics announces pre-orders for Galaxy Z Fold3, Z Flip3
BaSmaTi Gi CaSE To LaNd iN EU CoURT aS diaLoGUE dEadLiNE NEaRS ENd ISLAMABAD
P
LAHORE: Samsung Electronics has announced that preorders for devices part of the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold3 & Z Flip3, along with an array of other innovative products. Available for the smartphone enthusiasts and lovers of the innovative smartphone tech, the new launches available for pre- orders include new S Pen Fold Editions for Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and Galaxy Buds 2 – the lightest and smallest ear buds in the entire Galaxy Buds Series. Be the first one to get your hands on it! Pre-order now! Customers can now pre-order their Galaxy Z’s on the Samsung online shop. The Galaxy Z Fold3 is priced at Rs294,999. The Galaxy Z Flip3 can be ordered for Rs194,999. On the purchase of the Galaxy Z Fold3, you will get an e-voucher worth Rs32,000 which you can redeem to get accessories like the Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Buds2, a Leather Flip Cover, Flip Cover with S pen, S pen Fold Edition, Galaxy SmartTag+ and a 35W Power Adapter Duo. If you purchase the Galaxy Z Flip3, you will also receive an e-voucher that will be worth Rs24,000 through which you can get accessories like a Leather Cover, Galaxy SmartTag and a 35W Power Adapter Duo. On pre-ordering your favorite foldable devices, you will also be eligible for Samsung Care+, through which you can save up to Rs80,000 on the purchase of the Galaxy Z Fold3 and up to Rs45,000 on the purchase of the Galaxy Z Flip3 on screen replacements with a 1-year warranty. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. PRESS RElEASE
NTC holds maiden meeting to harmonise taxes across country ISLAMABAD APP
The first meeting of the National Tax Council (NTC) was held on Wednesday to harmonise taxes and reduce cost of doing business in the country. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin presided over the NTC meeting, according to press statement issued by the finance ministry. The meeting was attended by Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, KP Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, Balochistan Finance Minister, Sindh Secretary Finance, Sindh Board of Revenue chairman, secretary Finance Division, FBR chairman and other senior officers. Speaking on the occasion, Tarin stressed upon the need for greater cooperation between the federal and the provincial governments in matters relating to harmonisation of general sales tax (GST). He expressed the hope that under the NTC umbrella, both the federal and provincial governments would move towards harmonising taxes across multiple jurisdictions to facilitate businesses and reduce the cost of doing business in the country. Tarin urged the participants to work together on the pending taxation matters so that an arrangement relating to harmonisation of GST amongt provinces and the federal government could be finalised at the earliest. On the occasion, the Finance Secretary highlighted the TORs of NTC and the progress achieved so far whereas the FBR and respective provincial finance departments gave input on various taxation issues which came under discussion. The provincial finance ministers welcomed the initiative and assured to move ahead under the umbrella of NTC for the betterment of the country and to build a progressive economy.
GHUlAM ABBAS
AKISTAN and India may fight the case of exclusive rights to the Geographical Indication (GI) of basmati rice in European Union (EU) courts as the time period extended for bilateral negotiation and resolving the case amicably comes to an end this week. According to sources, the two rival neighbors have so far made no progress in reaching an amicable resolution of the dispute within the time period given by the European Commission (EC) as the Modi-led government refuses to budge from its rigid stance. Pakistan has opposed Indian claims of exclusive rights of holding the GI for basmati in the EU as Islamabad considers the product as a joint product of the two countries. However, the Indian side is reportedly reluctant to accept joint ownership of the product despite the fact that the aromatic rice is produced in both countries. According to sources, the commission had granted three months time to both countries for consultation, which was later extended for another three months until the first week of September, 2021, over India's request. Now, if the two parties are unable to reach an agreement by the end of this week, a trial will begin before the tribunal of the European Commission DG Agriculture. In such a case, the fight for basmati may continue for about a decade, causing mutual damage as basmati exports of both countries will be heavily
EXPERTS FEAR CASE MAY DRAG ON FOR DECADE, DENT EXPORT OF BOTH COUNTRIES disrupted until the conflict is resolved. As per experts, the practical solution for the two neighbouring countries is to submit an application for joint ownership since India and Pakistan are the only two basmati rice producers in the world. Speaking to Profit, leading exporter and former vice president of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Taufiq Ahmed Khan, said that there was a sliver of hope for reconciliation. “The positive thing we noticed during the proceedings [in the European Commission] is that the importers and traders of basmati rice in Europe are in favour of joint ownership of the GI tag by India and Pakistan. These traders will not support the case going in favour of any one country as it would directly impact their businesses in a negative way”. Khan stressed that both countries should resolve the issue without wasting time and money in EU as joint ownership of the GI tag for basmati rice is not only logical but also mutually beneficial; however, he regretted that only Pakistan has made an effort to this end. According to officials privy to the matter, apart from India and Pakistan, Nepal has also become a party in the case by also submitting an opposition to India's application in the EU.
Like Pakistan, Nepal has also claimed the GI right on basmati paddy in response to India seeking an approval to receive GI certification for the same from the political and economic union of 27 member countries. Nepal claims that the rice variety has been in production in the South Asian region, including Nepal, for ages. However, it does not grow fine rice or basmati in large volumes and the growing demand is met through imports from India. An official at the Ministry of Commerce confirmed that both Pakistan and Nepal have hired international consulting firms to fight their case in the EU. It may be recalled here that Pakistan registered basmati as GI product after approval of the GI Law of the country after a delay of decades. It had registered its GI for basmati in 2020 after India had falsely claimed its produce of basmati rice to be sole and original in an attempt to hinder Pakistan’s trade in the EU in September 2020. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) was given the task of registering all merchant profiles and trade routes and with the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO). The EU had approved India’s application in its official journal, and then claimed basmati rice as an Indian origin product, even though the same rice is produced in Pakistan on a large scale. India, to support its claim of exclusivity, had referred to various reports and dictionaries to show that the basmati is of Indian origin and conveniently left out the part that the same rice is widely produced in Pakistan.
Pakistani E&P consortium bags exploration deal in UAE LAHORE STAFF REPORT
A Pakis¬tan Petroleum Limited (PPL)-led consortium of four public sector exploration and production (E&P) entities has secured a major exploration opening — Offshore Block 5 — in Abu Dhabi’s second competitive exploration block bid round, involving an investment of about $400 million. The exploration concession agreement was signed by PPL MD and CEO Moin Raza Khan, on behalf of the consortium, and the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Managing Director and Group CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber on August 31. The consortium has be¬en awarded Offshore Block 5 in Abu Dhabi’s second competitive exploration block bid round. Offshore Block 5 covers an area of 6,223 square kilometres
and is located 100 kilometres north east of Abu Dhabi city. Besides PPL, who is the operator during the exploration phase, the consortium consists of three major Pakistani E&P companies: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL). In case of a successful commercial discovery during the exploration phase, the consortium will have the right to a production concession to develop and produce commercial discoveries. ADNOC will have an option to acquire a 60 per cent stake during the production phase of the concession. The term of the production phase is 35 years from the commencement of the exploration phase. Weeks ago, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) permitted these four companies to invest a total of $400mn ($100mn
by each company) in Aug’21 for 5 years by issuance of Corporate Guarantees in favor of ADNOC and Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA). About two years ago, the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet had allowed the consortium to go for Abu Dhabi exploration with their initial investment out of their own resources. Although the block offered by ADNOC falls within the prolific area known for its rich hydrocarbon reservoirs, in case of no discovery, the total exposure will be borne by the consortium without any liability on the Pakistan government. Commenting on the development, Federal Minister for Energy, Hammad Azhar, said: “While Pakistan and UAE share long and friendly bilateral relations, this award is a new beginning for both on the energy front.
Rupee tumbles to 166.39 The rupee fell for a second consecutive session, crossing 165 levels and depreciating Rs0.43 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Tuesday due to heavy demand from the importers, closing at Rs166.39. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency had closed at Rs165.96 against the US dollar on Monday. The greenback saw an increase by Rs1 in the interbank on August 25 to close at an 11-month high against the rupee; with the latest drop, the rupee has depreciated 9.2 per cent since hitting a recent high of Rs152.28 against the US dollar on May 14, 2021. Local media reports quoted dealers saying that the
increased demand for oil and industrial imports outweighed waning dollar inflows from exports and remittances. Local media reports state that authorities are letting the rupee depreciate to discourage rising imports and encourage exports in an attempt to narrow down the widening trade deficit; however, fear of higher current account deficit (CAD) in FY22 is convincing buyers to book more dollars for future imports. It is pertinent to mention here that the country’s the forex reserves of the country are at the peak. Moreover, Pakistan set to hold staff-level talks with the IMF on resuming the programme this month. EWS DESK
LPG price increases Rs5 per kg The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has notified an increase of Rs5 per kilogramme in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for the month of September. According to a notification issued by the country’s oil and gas regulator, one kilogramme of LPG will now cost Rs175. The LPG cylinder used for household purposes will be available for Rs2,060 after an increase of Rs58 while the commercial cylinder will be sold at Rs7,926 after a hike of Rs223. Meanwhile, state-run Pakistan State Oil (PSO) made a new record on Tuesday by awarding a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo of Brent (about $17.86 per mmBtu) – the most expensive so far – for delivery on Sept 26-27. “PSO has decided to award the below mentioned cargo for supply of LNG,” PSO announced on its website. Vitol was the single bidder for the Sept 26-27 cargo. Earlier, PSO had rejected slightly higher bid of 27.54pc of Brent by the same single bidder for delivery on Sept 24. The previous record of the highest LNG price was that of $15.93 per unit (22.13pc of Brent) from Qatar Petroleum for Aug 29-30 delivery. On Aug 24, another staterun firm Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) had also received very expensive bids for seven LNG cargoes for October and November ranging $17.1449 and $22.6 per mmBtu. PLL has not yet awarded contract for any of the cargoes, bids for which are still valid until next week, and has gone into emergency re-bidding for five cargoes. MONITORING REPORT
Oil climbs ahead of OPEC+ meeting, EIA data MELBOURNE/SINGAPORE AGENCIES
Oil prices recovered on Wednesday, after a US industry report showed crude inventories fell more than expected last week, steadying after overnight losses from the impact of Hurricane Ida on US refineries. Prices rose ahead of the OPEC+ meeting at 1500 GMT where the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and allies are expected to stick to a plan to add 400,000 barrels per day (bpd)
each month through December. Brent crude futures for November gained 49 cents, or 0.7%, to touch $72.12 a barrel by 0414 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for October was at $69.00 a barrel, up 50 cents, or 0.7%. Tuesday’s report from the American Petroleum Institute (API) that showed a biggerthan-expected drop in US crude inventories was bullish and is supporting prices, Avtar Sandu, a senior commodities trader at Phillips Futures said. US crude stocks fell by 4 million barrels
for the week ended Aug. 27, according to two market sources, citing API figures on Tuesday. Ahead of the weekly Energy Information Administration report due at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) on Wednesday, a Reuters poll of analysts estimated crude stocks would drop 3.1 million barrels. However, US crude prices are expected to remain under pressure as offshore oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico is gradually recovering, but refinery operations will likely take longer to return to normal, analysts said.
A total of 2.3 million bpd of refining capacity, or 13% of US capacity, was shut in Louisiana due to Hurricane Ida, the US Department of Energy estimated. At the same time, about 94% of oil and natural gas production remained suspended in the US side of the Gulf of Mexico. Power outages are likely to slow reopening of the processing plants, but Exxon Mobil’s 520,000 bpd Baton Rouge complex was preparing to restart on Tuesday. “We see a risk that the loss of US refinery demand will be greater and more prolonged
than the loss of crude supply,” Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of oil markets at Rystad Energy, said in a note, adding that it could weigh on WTI prices through September. Despite an expected swift return of US crude production, OPEC+ expects the market to be in deficit at least until the end of 2021, OPEC+ sources said. “This should provide comfort to the group that they can proceed with their planned monthly 400,000 bpd increase in production,” ANZ Research analysts said in a note.
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
10 FOREIGN NEWS
KARACHI
QaTar warnS iSolaTing Taliban could furTher deSTabiliSe afghaniSTan
Q
DOHA REUTERS
ATAR’S foreign minister warned that isolating the Taliban could lead to further instability and urged countries to engage with the hardline movement to address security and socioeconomic concerns in Afghanistan. The US-allied Gulf Arab state has emerged as a key interlocutor to the Taliban, having hosted the group’s political office
since 2013. “If we are starting to put conditions and stopping this engagement, we are going to leave a vacuum, and the question is, who is going to fill this vacuum?,” Sheikh Mohammed said in Doha, alongside his German counterpart, Heiko Maas. No country has recognised the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan after their capture of Kabul on August 14. Many western states have urged the group to form an inclusive government and to respect human rights.
“We believe that without engagement we cannot reach […] real progress on the security front or on the socioeconomic front,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding that recognising the Taliban as the government was not a priority. German Foreign Minister Maas told reporters Berlin was willing to help Afghanistan but that international assistance comes with certain prerequisites. The Taliban, which have held talks with members of the previous Afghan government and others in civil society, have said they would soon announce a full cabinet.
Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed said the group had showed openness towards the idea of an inclusive government. The Taliban were known for harsh rule from 1996 to 2001 when they enforced a hardline interpretation of Islamic law and repressed women, including banning them from study and work. The Taliban have sought to alleviate concerns by committing to respecting individual rights and affirming that women will be able to study and work under their rule. Sheikh Mohammed said isolating the
WHO monitoring new coronavirus variant named 'Mu' GENEVA AFP
The World Health Organisation has said it is monitoring a new coronavirus variant known as "Mu", which was first identified in Colombia in January 2021. Mu, known scientifically as B.1.621, has been classified as a "variant of interest", the global health body said Tuesday in its weekly pandemic bulletin. The WHO said the variant has mutations that indicate a risk of resistance to vaccines and stressed that further studies were needed to better understand it. "The Mu variant has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape," the bulletin said. There is widespread concern over the emergence of new virus mutations as infection rates are ticking up globally again, with the highly transmissible Delta variant taking hold – especially among the unvaccinated – and in re-
Three explosive drones destroyed over Yemen, Saudi-led coalition says DUBAI REUTERS
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi group said it had intercepted three explosive-laden drones over Yemen on Wednesday, a day after shrapnel from a drone destroyed over Saudi Arabia wounded eight and damaged a civilian plane. The three drones, intercepted and destroyed in Yemeni airspace, had been fired by the Houthis and were aimed at civilian targets, according to coalition statements reported by Saudi television channels Al-Arabiya and Ekhbariya. The Saudi-led coalition said on Tuesday it intercepted a Houthi drone targeting Abha International Airport, scattering shrapnel in the vicinity of the airport in southern Saudi Arabia which wounded people and damaged a plane. The United States condemned the Abha airport incident, calling on Houthi authorities to uphold a ceasefire and engage in UNled peace negotiations. The Houthis have not commented on the incidents reported on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the Iran-aligned group regularly fires drones and missiles into Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015, backing forces of the ousted government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi fighting the Houthis.
gions where anti-virus measures have been relaxed. All viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19, mutate over time and most mutations have little or no effect on the properties of the virus. But certain mutations can impact the properties of a virus and influence how easily it spreads, the severity of the disease it causes, and its resistance to vaccines, drugs and other countermeasures. The WHO currently identifies four Covid-19 variants of concern, including Alpha, which is present in 193 countries, and Delta, present in 170 countries. Five variants, including Mu, are to be monitored. After being detected in Colombia, Mu has since been reported in other South American countries and in Europe. The WHO said its global prevalence has declined to below 0.1 percent among sequenced cases. In Colombia, however, it is at 39 percent.
Before Afghanistan collapse, Biden pressed Ghani to ‘change perception’ WASHINGTON REUTERS
In the last call between US President Joe Biden and his Afghanistan counterpart before the Taliban seized control of the country, the leaders discussed military aid, political strategy and messaging tactics, but neither Biden nor Ashraf Ghani appeared aware of or prepared for the immediate danger of the entire country falling to insurgents, a transcript reviewed by Reuters shows. The men spoke for roughly 14 minutes on July 23. On August 15, Ghani fled the presidential palace, and the Taliban entered Kabul. Since then, tens of thousands of desperate Afghans have fled and 13 US troops and scores of Afghan civilians were killed in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport during the frenetic US military evacuation. Reuters reviewed a transcript of the presidential phone call and has listened to the audio to authenticate the conversation. The materials were provided on condition of anonymity by a source who was not authorized to distribute it. In the call, Biden offered aid if Ghani could publicly project he had a plan to control the spiralling situation in Afghanistan. “We will continue to provide close air support, if we know what the plan is,” Biden said. Days before the call, the US carried out air strikes to support Afghan security forces, a move the Taliban said was in violation of the Doha peace agreement. The US president also advised Ghani to get buy-in from powerful Afghans for a military strategy going forward, and then to put a “warrior” in charge of the effort, a reference to Defense Minister General Bismillah Khan Mohammadi. Biden lauded the Afghan armed forces, which were trained and funded by the US government. “You clearly have the best mil-
itary,” he told Ghani. “ You have 300,000 well-armed forces versus 70-80,000 and they’re clearly capable of fighting well.” Days later, the Afghan military started folding across provincial capitals in the country with little fight against the Taliban. In much of the call, Biden focused on what he called the Afghan government’s “perception” problem. “I need not tell you the perception around the world and in parts of Afghanistan, I believe, is that things are not going well in terms of the fight against the Taliban,” Biden said. “And there is a need, whether it is true or not, there is a need to project a different picture.” Biden told Ghani that if Afghanistan’s prominent political figures were to give a press conference together, backing a new military strategy, “that will change perception, and that will change an awful lot I think.” The American leader’s words indicated he didn’t anticipate the massive insurrection
Taliban during their last rule 20 years ago led to the current situation. Since the Taliban took Kabul, there has been “tremendous engagement” on evacuations and counterterrorism, which delivered “positive results,” he said. He added that talks on Qatar providing assistance to the running of Kabul’s airport were ongoing and no decision had been made. Germany’s Maas said, “There is no way around talks with the Taliban,” adding that the international community could not afford instability in Afghanistan.
and collapse to come 23 days later. “We are going to continue to fight hard, diplomatically, politically, economically, to make sure your government not only survives, but is sustained and grows,” said Biden. The White House Tuesday declined to comment on the call. After the call, the White House released a statement that focused on Biden’s commitment to supporting Afghan security forces and the administration seeking funds for Afghanistan from Congress. Ghani told Biden he believed there could be peace if he could “rebalance the military solution.” But he added, “We need to move with speed.” “We are facing a full-scale invasion, composed of Taliban, full Pakistani planning and logistical support, and at least 1015,000 international terrorists, predominantly Pakistanis thrown into this,” Ghani claimed. Afghan government officials, and US experts, have accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban, without present-
ing evidence, and painting it as key to the group’s resurgence. Pakistan’s embassy in Washington denies those allegations. “Clearly the myth of Taliban fighters crossing from Pakistan is, unfortunately, an excuse and an afterthought peddled by Mr. Ashraf Ghani to justify his failure to lead and govern,” an embassy spokesman told Reuters. Reuters tried to reach Ghani’s staff for this story, in calls and texts, with no success. The last public statement from Ghani, who is believed to be in the United Arab Emirates, came on August 18. He said he fled Afghanistan to prevent bloodshed. By the time of the call, the United States was well into its planned withdrawal from Afghanistan, which Biden had postponed from the May date set by his predecessor, Donald Trump. The US military had closed its main Afghanistan air base, at Bagram, in early July. As the two presidents spoke, Taliban insurgents controlled about half of Afghanistan’s district centers, indicating a rapidly deteriorating security situation. Afghanistan was promising a shift in its military strategy, to start focusing on protecting “population centers” – major cities – rather than fighting to protect rural territories. Biden referred approvingly of that strategy. He said that doing so would help not just on the ground but in the “perception” internationally that was required to shore up world support for the Afghan government. “I’m not a military guy, so I’m not telling you what a plan should precisely look like, you’re going to get not only more help, but you’re going to get a perception that is going to change […],” Biden said. Ghani, for his part, assured Biden that “your assurance of support goes a very long way to enable us, to really mobilize us in earnest.” In a little over two weeks after Biden’s
call with Ghani, the Taliban captured several provincial Afghan capitals and the United States said it was up to the Afghan security forces to defend the country. “These are their military forces, these are their provincial capitals, their people to defend,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on August 9. On August 11, US intelligence reports indicated Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan’s capital in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90. Instead, the fall happened in less than a week. The Biden-Ghani call also underscored persistent political infighting that plagued the Afghan government. When Biden asked him to include former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a press conference, Ghani pushed back. “Karzai would not be helpful,” he said. “He is contrary, and time is of the essence, we cannot bring every single individual […] We have tried for months with President Karzai. The last time we met for 110 minutes; he was cursing me and he was accusing me of being a US lackey.” Biden paused before responding: “I’m going to reserve judgment on that.” Karzai could not be reached for comment, despite calls and texts to one of his aides. SECOND CALL WITH TOP STAFF: In a follow-up call later that day that did not include the US president, Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, General Mark Milley and US Central Command commander General Frank McKenzie spoke to Ghani. Reuters also obtained a transcript of that call. In this call, too, an area of focus was the global perception of events on the ground in Afghanistan. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Ghani “the perception in the United States, in Europe and the media sort of thing is a narrative of Taliban momentum and a narrative of Taliban victory. And we need to collectively demonstrate and try to turn that perception, that narrative around.” “I do not believe the time is our friend here. We need to move quickly,” McKenzie added. A spokesperson for McKenzie declined to comment. A spokesman for Milley did not respond by publication time.
Thursday, 2 september, 2021
spoRTs 11
kaRaChI
Bowlers help Bangladesh claim first t20 win over new Zealand DHAKA AFP
B
ANGLADESH beat New Zealand for the first time in Twenty20 internationals, skittling out the Kiwis for 60 in the first match on Wednesday. Shakib Al Hasan made 25 as Bangladesh chased down their target in 15 overs to win by seven wickets and lead the five-match series 1-0 in Dhaka. But it was the bowlers who set up victory with Mustafizur Rahman taking three to dismiss New Zealand for their joint-lowest T20 total -- the same score against Sri Lanka in 2014 at Chattogram -in 16.5 overs. Skipper Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls scored 18 each while the rest of the batters failed to get into double digits. Spinners Nasum Ahmed, Shakib and pace bowler Mohammad Saifuddin took two wickets each. Mahedi Hasan struck in the first over with debutant Rachin Ravindra out for a golden duck after being caught and bowled by the off-spinner. Shakib bowled Will Young for five and leftarm spinner Nasum then got two wickets in one
over including Colin de Grandhomme, for one, to reduce New Zealand to 9-4. Latham and Nicholls put on 34 runs for the fifth wicket but Saifuddin broke the stand with the captain's wicket to rattle New Zealand further. Debutant Cole McConchie was out for nought and Saifuddin sent back Nicholls as the New Zealand batting fell like a pack of cards. Bangladesh, who bowled out Australia for 62 last month to seal the T20 series 4-1 in Dhaka, took down New Zealand for the lowest ever total against them. In reply, Bangladesh lost their openers for just seven with Mohammad Naim falling to McConchie and Liton Das stumped out to Ajaz Patel's leftBANGLADESH arm spin. 3 (SHAKIB 25, FOR 62 Ravindra cut short PATEL 1-7) BEAT NEW Shakib's stay at the wicket before Mushfiqur Rahim, who ZEALAND 60 (LATHAM 18, made 16, and skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, who scored NICHOLLS 18, MUSTAFIZUR 314, took the team home. 13, NASUM 2-5, The second T20 is on FriSAIFUDDIN 2-7) BY day with all the matches to be SEVEN played at the same venue.
Djokovic takes first unsteady step toward calendar slam NEW YORK REUTERS
Novak Djokovic took a first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam on Tuesday as the Serb laboured into the second round of the US Open with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 win over dashing Danish teenager Holger Rune. On paper, the contest was a total mismatch - an 18-year-old qualifier making his Grand Slam debut against a player chasing a 21st major title. While the outcome was exactly what was expected, the effort needed by Djokovic to see off the fearless Dane, who battled to the end despite suffering cramp, was not. "I started great. Played a really, really good first set," said Djokovic. "After that, I don't know, I was 4-3 serving in the second set, everything was working well, but then I just lost the first serve. "I had until tonight tons of experience playing on this court, for him it was the first one. "Still you get nerves. You still are feeling a little bit rusty at the beginning." The match got underway amid a somewhat flat atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium but the crowd were chanting the little-known Dane's name after he stunned Djokovic to win the second set. Aside from that, it was a controlled effort from the 34-year-old Djokovic, far different from the Serb's last match on Arthur Ashe Stadium court which ended with him being disqualified after swatting a ball in frustration that struck a line judge. 'CRAZY EXPERIENCE': The stone-faced world number one was all business from the start, breaking
his opponent at the first opportunity and rolling through the set in just 26 minutes. Playing his first event since a disappointing Tokyo Olympics there were signs of rust and a lack of intensity, particularly in a sloppy second set when Rune broke him twice and forced the set to tie-break that he easily won. But there was never any panic from Djokovic, who turned up the pressure in the third with an early break to regain control as Rune began to suffer cramp. As Rune grimaced with every step, Djokovic showed his ruthless side, moving the youngster from line-to-line and taking the set 6-2. Rune was determined to battle his way to the end but a Djokovic victory was now certain and the Serb wrapped up the match by taking the fourth set 6-1. "It was a crazy experience, playing against Novak on Arthur Ashe is probably one of the dream come true," said Rune. "To be able to win one set as well was great." The Dane said his fitness struggles made winning "impossible". "I had high belief in myself throughout the whole match," he added. "Unfortunately my fitness let me down. I started cramping already in the beginning of the third set. I knew if I had to win, I really had to fight for every point but with my body at this point, it was impossible." Bianca Andreescu overcame stomach pain and a stiff challenge from Viktorija Golubic to advance 7-5 4-6 7-5 into the second round. The 21-year-old, making her return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since she won the tournament in 2019, got all she could handle from the Swiss in the nearly three-hour affair on a hot and
humid night in New York. But the sixth-seeded Andreescu's seven aces and punishing groundstrokes ultimately proved too much for Golubic. The Canadian yelled "Come on" and pumped her fist after Golubic sent a forehand wide on match point to seal the win. Few knew what to expect from Andreescu coming into the year's final Grand Slam tournament. After defeating Serena Williams in the 2019 final, Andreescu's 2020 Grand Slam campaign was written off by injury and sickness that included everything from tearing the meniscus in her left knee to testing positive for Covid-19. This year, she has managed just one win at a Grand Slam tournament a first-round victory over Mihaela Buzarnescu at this year's Australian Open. That was followed by firstround exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon. "It's definitely emotional," Andreescu said in an on-court interview after the match. "I didn't play here last year and I honestly didn't play anything in 2020. I've been struggling a lot this past year so for me, I'm just thinking about all those struggles and how it's all worth it. "Winning on this court again is just incredible." Andreescu needed a medical time out midway through the second set to attend to an upset stomach, but said it turned out to be fine. "My food was just rumbling in my stomach and I felt like I had to throw up, which is random because I ate like, five hours ago," she said. "It was totally fine after a couple games but it was a little tough." Next up for Andreescu is a second round clash with American Lauren Davis on Thursday (today).
Taliban approve Afghanistan’s first cricket Test match since takeover AFP The Taliban have approved Afghanistan’s first cricket Test match since their takeover, raising hopes that international matches will continue as usual under the new rule. “We have got approval to send the team to Australia,” chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board Hamid Shinwari told AFP.
During their first stint in power, before they were ousted in 2001, the Taliban banned most forms of entertainment — including many sports — and stadiums were used as public execution venues. The Taliban do not mind cricket, however, and the game is popular among many fighters. The Test match, to be played in Hobart from Nov 27 to Dec 1, was
scheduled for last year but was put off due to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions. It will be Afghanistan’s first Test in Australia. Before the Australia tour, the Afghanistan team will feature in the Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from Oct 17 to Nov 15. Shinwari also confirmed
Afghanistan’s Under-19 cricket team will tour Bangladesh for a bilateral later this month. Since the evacuation of the US and Nato forces from Afghanistan after the Taliban swept into Kabul last month, there were fears that cricket and other sports would be hit. But ACB officials categorically said that cricket was supported by the Taliban.
pakistan announces odi squad for new Zealand series NEWS DESK The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday named a 20-member squad for the three ICC Cricket World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals against New Zealand to be played in Rawalpindi on September 17, 19 and 21. According to a PCB statement, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed failed to retain his spot in the national side. Moreover, batsmen Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha and Sohaib Maqsood also failed to make the cut. The cricketing body included uncapped wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris, fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Shahnawaz Dahani, wrist-spinner Zahid Mahmood, and middle-order batsmen Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah in the squad. "We have continued to ensure that we give opportunities to high-performing players while looking into the future so that we can develop a strong bench-strength," the PCB statement quoted Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim as saying. Pakistan will play three ODIs against New Zealand at the Pindi Cricket Stadium while the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore will stage the five T20Is scheduled to take place from September 25 to October 3. SQUAD: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imamul Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood.
Joe Root reclaims top spot in ICC Test rankings NEWS DESK Joe Root's unstoppable run-making in the series against India has carried him to No. 1 in the ICC Test batting rankings, displacing Kane Williamson at the top, ESPNcricinfo reported. Root tops the Test batting rankings for the first time since December 2015, and is
just one rating point off his career-best aggregate of 917, which he also achieved back in 2015. Three Tests into the India series, Root has three centuries and a fifty to his name, for a tally of 507 at 126.75. Speaking on the eve of The Oval Test, Root said: "It [the news of going to No. 1] is a nice thing to hear. My main focus is on trying to keep scoring runs and get
us across the line in this series. As nice as it is, there's still so much hard work to do and the focus doesn't change. It's all about continuing to try and keep getting better, continue scoring runs and hopefully setting up games to win Test matches. "It's obviously nice but it's not something I have as a goal or a main focus in what I'm trying to do, but I'm obviously proud to
hear that I've achieved that. It would be nice to be able to stay there now and continue playing in the way I am." The series is currently tied 1-1 - Root having carried England's batting all through so far - with two Tests to play. Other gainers from the series include England's spearhead James Anderson, who has moved back into the top five of the Test bowling rankings following his
match haul of four in England's win in Headingley. And from the India camp, Rohit Sharma moves up to No. 5 among the batters, pushing Virat Kohli down to No. 6 - Rohit's numbers in the series currently read 230 runs at 46.00, compared to Kohli's 124 at 24.80. This is the first time since November 2017 that a batter other than Kohli is the top-ranked Indian on the table.
Thursday, 2 September, 2021
PRAyeR tIMIngs
NEWS
COAS lAudS effOrtS Of PAkiStAni AthleteS in tOkyO OlymPiCS
C
HIEF of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has met with athletes who represented Pakistan at the Tokyo Olympics, Geo News quoted the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) as saying. According to the report, General Bajwa met with Arshad Nadeem, who had participated in the javelin throw event, weightlifter Talha Talib, and Khalil Akthar and Gulfam Joseph, who had participated in the shooting competitions. The sportsmen thanked the COAS for his interaction with them and recognition of their efforts. The COAS appreciated the athletes for their efforts. He said that the athletes’ participation in the Olympics has inspired the whole nation, particularly the youth. "Army has always supported sports," General Bajwa said, adding that the players have brought honour for themselves by representing Pakistan at such a level. The army chief emphasised that the nation is also proud of the athletes and their participation has brought pride to Pakistan. The COAS assured the players of the Pakistan Army's support in their future endeavours. Last month, Nadeem and Talib were honoured by their parent department, Wapda, with an extravagant cash prize of Rs2.5 million each for giving impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics. Arshad’s coach Fayyaz-ul-Hasan Bukhari had also received a cash prize of Rs500,000. Both the ath-
letes were also invited by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, who had handed each of them a cheque of Rs1 million. A simple ceremony in this regard was held at the Wapda House. Both the young athletes had finished fifth place in
the finals of their respective disciplines at Tokyo Games. Speaking on the occasion, Arshad had said Wapda had played a great role in bringing him to this stage, and also thanked IPC Minister Dr Fehmida Mirza, nation and media for their tremendous support before and after the Tokyo Olympics. neWs desK
FAjr SunriSe
Zuhr
ASr MAghrib iShA
4:51
12:35
4:04
6:09
7:00
8:19
Syed Ali Geelani passes away ISLAMABAD MIAn ABRAR
Veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, 91, passed away at his Srinagar residence on Wednesday evening, according to family sources. Under strict house arrest for around a decade, Geelani developed "breathing complications" on Wednesday and breathed his last, the family sources said. Geelani, a resident of Sopore, was battling with severe lung ailments and dementia. He was looked after by his sons, who were allowed by the administration to visit him. There is no official word on the cause of death by the Illegally Occupied regime of India in Jammu and Kashmir. As the news broke from local mosques in Srinagar, the occupational police and military forces encircled the residence of Syed Ali Geelani and threatened the bereaved family to handover the body so as they could silently bury him, denying a public funeral to the most loved leader of Kashmir. Internet service was snapped and curfew was put in place to keep public away from Geelani's funeral. Prime Minister Imran Khan posted a tweet to mourn the sad demise. "Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people and their right to selfdetermination. He suffered incarceration and torture by the Indian state but remained resolute," he wrote. *We in Pakistan salute his courageous struggle and remember his words: "Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan Humara hai". The Pakistan flag will fly at half-mast and we will observe a day of official mourning," Imran Khan added. Chairman Kashmir Committee Shehryar Khan Afridi also expressed his condolences on the sad demise. "Indian police is trying to snatch body from Gillani Sb’s family to deny a public funeral. Brave Kashmiris are defying curfew to attend funeral. Indian regime would be responsible for any untoward incident. People must defy curfew and prove their love for voice of voiceless," tweeted Shehryar Afridi.
Pakistan rejects US congressman’s accusations over Kabul fall ISLAMABAD AnAdolu Agency
Pakistan on Wednesday rejected accusations by a US congressman against Islamabad over the fall of Kabul, saying the former Afghan government collapsed due to its internal problems. In a letter addressed to the Republican Congressman Michael G. Waltz, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Washington Asad Majeed Khan said his country’s leadership consistently said it has no favourites in Afghanistan and would work with any government that has the support of Afghan people. “The swift collapse of the Afghan government has, if anything, proven the futility of investing more effort and money into finding a military solution to a political problem,” Majeed wrote in his letter also posted on Twitter. On August 13, Waltz sent a letter to US President Joe Biden, stating: “The United States should leverage our resources to influence Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s military strategy is dictating the Taliban. At the least, Pakistan is complicit with Taliban advance and is choosing not to coordinate with the ANSF. At worst, the Pakistani
military and intelligence services may be directly aiding the Taliban offensive. Accordingly, the United States must immediately cut off all aid to Pakistan. Additionally, I ask that your administration also consider sanctioning Pakistan unless they change course and make greater efforts to prevent the Taliban from using their border region to regroup between firefights.” “The contention that Pakistan’s ‘military strategy’ was somehow the decisive factor in the defeat of the 300,000-strong Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) – trained and equipped at the cost of at least $83 billion to the American taxpayer – does not square with the US government’s own assessments about the issues of low morale, desertions, and ‘ghost soldiers’ that had long plagued the ANDSF,” Majeed noted. “It is, therefore, unfortunate that your letter mischaracterises Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that his country continued to support the formation of a broadbased government in Kabul that represents Afghanistan’s ethnic diversity. “It may interest you to learn that on the very day that President Ghani abandoned his people and fled
abroad, Pakistan was hosting a diverse group of Afghan politicians as part of its continuing efforts to promote a common understanding on Afghanistan’s political future,” the ambassador added. The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan after taking the control of the capital Kabul on Aug. 15, forcing the president and other top officials to leave the country. On Tuesday, Biden said the assumption that the Afghan government would be able to hold on for a period of time beyond military drawdown turned out not to be accurate. “We were ready when they and the people of Afghanistan watched their own government collapse and their president flee amid the corruption and malfeasance, handing over the country to their enemy, the Taliban, and significantly increasing the risk to US personnel and our Allies,” he said. On Monday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) urged the “rapid and secure” reopening of the airport serving Kabul after the US forces complete their withdrawal. The UNSC resolution called on the relevant parties to work with international partners to take steps to strengthen security and prevent further casualties.
Taliban say they have surrounded Afghan resistance fighters in Panjshir, call for peace The Taliban have surrounded the only remaining province resisting its rule, a senior leader said on Wednesday, calling on rebels to negotiate a settlement with the group. Since the fall of Kabul on Aug 15, mountainous Panjshir has been the only province to hold out against the Taliban, although there has also been fighting in neighbouring Baghlan province between Taliban and local militia forces. Under the leadership of Ahmad Massoud, son of a former Mujahideen commander, several thousand members of local militias and remnants of army and special forces units have been holding out against the Taliban. In a recorded speech addressed to Afghans in Panjshir, senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Motaqi called on the rebels to put down their weapons. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is home for all Afghans,” he said. The Taliban have declared an amnesty for all Afghans who worked with foreign forces during the past two decades but crowds fearing reprisals have continued to flock to the borders in an attempt to flee the landlocked country.
Motaqi said the Taliban had made many efforts to negotiate with leaders of the opposition forces in Panjshir, “but unfortunately, unfortunately, without any result”. NO REASON TO FIGHT: Taliban forces are making preparations around the four sides of the Panjshir valley and there is no reason to fight, Motaqi said, adding that the anti-Taliban forces should keep in mind that it had not been possible to defeat the Taliban even with the support of Nato and US forces. “But we are still trying to ensure that there is no war and that the issue in Panjshir is resolved calmly and peacefully,” Motaqi said. The remarks came after at least seven Taliban fighters were killed during an attempt to advance into the valley, according to two resistance leaders. A spokesman for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, which groups the forces in the Panjshir valley, said on Wednesday Taliban forces had launched an offensive two days ago, and had been attacking in three or four different areas but had so far been pushed back. ReuteRs
Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 66-C, 1st Floor, 21st Commercial Street, Phase-II (Extension), DHA Karachi and printed at Ibn-e-Hassan Printing Press, Hockey Stadium, Karachi, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 021-35381208-9. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk