EpaperKHI_21-11-4 by Pakistan Today

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 I 28 Rabi-ul-Awwal, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 126 I 12 Pages I Karachi Edition

PM announces Rs120bn subsidy Package to Mitigate inflation iMPact

rime minister imran Khan on Wednesday addressed the nation and announced “the country’s biggest ever” subsidy package worth rs120 billion, providing 30 percent discount on ghee, flour and pulses to support 130 million people for ebbing away the impact of inflation from them. the prime minister, in his televised address to the nation, said that 20 million families would benefit from the subsidy package to be funded jointly by the federal and provincial governments. under the package, the beneficiaries would avail a 30 percent discount on ghee, flour and pulses for next six months. he said that the package is apart from the ongoing different programmes under the ehsaas initiative worth rs260 billion, affecting 120 million families. he said that under the package, interest-free loans of up to rs500,000 will be provided to citizens to start businesses and a similar amount of loan will also be provided to farmers.

he said that the government has asked the construction sector to increase the salaries of workers. “under the package, four million families will be able to build houses without interest,” he said, adding that rs1,400 billion have been allocated for the Kamyab Pakistan Programme (KPP) with the aim to provide opportunities to the deserving and uplift 3.7 million households across the country. he also said that a health-insurance programme will be introduced in Punjab from December. special assistant to Prime minister on Poverty alleviation Dr sania nishtar said, “ehsaas and the national Bank of Pakistan have developed a technology-based targeted subsidy disbursal programme. the system will digitise parts of the retail sector and there will be use of real time data for decision making. the use of a digital platform in this programme will help us track utilisation of subsidy by each beneficiary at product and geography levels, which will provide much needed transparency in the

coRonaviRus in

Pakistan

CONFIRMED CASES:

1,274,578

LAST UPDATED AT 9:39 AM ON NOVEMBER 3, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

561

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

1,223,531 28,477 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

470,690

440,542

KPK:

BALOCHISTAN:

178,204 AJK/GB: 34,487/10,391

33,274 ISLAMABAD:

106,990

process. this process will help make beneficiaries and store owners more digitally adept. the participating store owners will be required to open bank accounts, which will help increase financial inclusion, and settlement payments made through raast will help increase scale of digital transactions in Pakistan.” talking about assistance from foreign countries, the premier thanked china and saudi arabia for financially assisting Pakistan. he also talked about coronavirus situation across the world and said that, unlike other countries, the Pakistani government made strategic decisions related to the imposition of lockdowns and saved factories from closing down, besides ensuring continuation of agricultural activities. “[Due to the government’s policies], cotton production increased by 81 percent, rice 13.6 percent, corn 8 percent, sugarcane 22 percent, and wheat 8 percent., while record-breaking motorcycle and tractor sales were witnessed in the country. Farmers are using more urea, indicating that the conditions are getting better. When farmers are happy, the production increases and benefits the country,” he said. “our policies prevented the economy from collapsing. the World Bank, the World health organisation, and the World economic Forum all praised our policies amid the pandemic. yes, we are facing inflation in the country but you [media outlets] should also look at what the government is doing to alleviate the situation. Due to factors, which are not in the hands of the government, petrol prices will have to be increased further. if we do not increase the price of petrol, the deficit will increase. the global oil prices have risen to 100 percent, while the price of petrol in india is rs250 per litre. oil and ghee prices have doubled worldwide, and since we import these items, what can we do about the prices?” news desk

Dollar falls below Rs170 against rupee in intra-day trading g

LocaL currency cLoses at over one-month high

the rupee appreciation continued on Wednesday with the us dollar declining by a fresh rs0.57 to rs169.97 in the inter-bank market during intra-day trading. With a fresh increase of 0.34 per cent, the currency has gained around rs5.30 against the greenback during the last six sessions. While it has appreciated by 3.12pc since its all-time low of rs175.27 recorded on october 26. according to market experts, deposits worth $3 billion from saudi Fund for Development has reversed the downtrend by improving the forex reserves whereas the market also has clarity regarding imF now and the trade deficit has also declined. it may be recalled that the real effective exchange rate (reer) – the country’s cost of trade with the world – fell to 93-94 when rupee crossed rs175 mark against the greenback. news desk

Implementation of ‘toughest’ FATF plan nearing completion: minister ISLAMABAD app

minister for energy hammad azhar Wednesday said that Pakistan was close to completing the action plans given by the Financial action task Force (FatF) to ensure compliance in line with its standards. “two of the toughest action plans were given to Pakistan and we showed excellent performance in a short span of time; now we are near to completing both tasks,” he said while addressing the participants of first assessors’ course here at the national FatF secretariat. azhar, who is also chairman of Pakistan’s anti-money Laundering (amL)/combating the Financing of terrorism (cFt) group, said that Pakistan was playing a key role in the global fight against terrorism, its financing, and also money-laundering. he said Pakistan had learned a lot from the challenge of being on the grey list and had converted it into an opportunity to improve the existing system. “the assessors’ course is part of our learning as we want Pakistan to have the local capacity to assess public and private institutions dealing with financial flows.” through this course, the minister vowed that Pakistan would continue with improvement processes for regional and world safety even after completing the FatF’s action plans. he expressed confidence that Pakistan’s assessors, after getting training, would not only be able to represent the country at an international level but also provide services to other countries. “the course is a good development which

shows Pakistan’s increasing compliance and commitment towards the FatF. Pakistan’s system is much more compliant to FatF as compared to most countries present on the platform. our enforcement measures are far effective than them,” he said. With these measures, azhar said, Pakistan’s future generations would benefit due to the lasting peace in the region and world. “it will help check menaces like money-laundering through which billions of dollars of poor countries are illegally shifted to other countries every year,” he added. FatF secretariat Director general (Dg) national, Khawaja adnan Zahir, in his welcome address to the concluding session of the first 9-day assessors course, highlighted the importance of the training for law enforcement agencies and other departments, keeping in view the massive challenges the country has faced over the last three years. During the past decade, he said, the global amL/cFt landscape had changed tremendously and regulatory checks have increased. “the economic and political image of many countries has been tainted because of issues like money laundering and terrorism financing,” he said, adding Pakistan had throughout been one of the most affected countries from these issues due to numerous reasons. moreover, FatF secretariat Director national rizwana Qazi presented a detailed briefing on working and objectives of the secretariat and structure of the training course that was attended by officers from different departments.

more inside

Biden thanks Imran for joining pact to slash methane emissions STORY ON BACK PAGE

textile exports hit alltime high of $6.04bn in 4mFy22 STORY ON PAGE 02

Shehbaz alleges that PM Imran is provoking ministers to attack ECP STORY ON BACK PAGE

First cargo consignment from uzbekistan arrives via torkham border STORY ON PAGE 03

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

TExTilE ExporTs hiT All-TimE hiGh of $6.04BN iN 4mfY22 SAPM GILL HAILS GROWTH IN EXPORTS DESPITE PANDEMIC

STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN’S textile exports surged to an alltime high of $6.04 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year (4MFY22) led by the value-added sector, as per the latest figures of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) and All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). The export of textile products registered 25.6 per cent growth in October FY22 compared to the corresponding month of FY21, whereas export of textile goods

posted a growth of almost 9pc against $1.49 billion export in the preceding month of September of the current financial year. Speaking with a local media outlet, APTMA (South Zone) Chairman Asif Inam attributed the phenomenal growth in the export of textile goods to subsidised energy tariffs, which provided a big relief to the textile sector on account of cost in addition to increased demand after COVID-19 related restrictions were lifted around the world. He said all-textile categories especially the value-added sector has posted high growth in exports except

Govt to revoke president’s power to remove NAB chief: report NEwS DESK The federal government has decided to revoke president’s power to remove National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman by introducing an amendment in the relevant ordinance, a news outlet reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the government will amend the National Accountability (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, which had granted president the power to remove NAB chairman. On Monday, President Dr Arif Alvi had signed the National Accountability (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and brought further changes to the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021. The National Accountability (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 had allowed incumbent NAB chief Justice (R) Javed Iqbal to continue in office until his successor is appointed. It had also enabled the president to reappoint the incumbent chairman or extend their tenure. The law ministry had issued the ordinance following the approval from President Alvi.

for yarn as the textile sector had largely shifted focus towards end products for export purposes. Article continues after this advertisement nam further said that huge investment came in the textile sector recently, which was unmatchable in the last twenty years. Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Wednesday said country’s exports, construction and large scale manufacturing witnessed record growth despite worse global recession.

Credit Suisse to tighten the reins after string of scandals ZURICH/FRANKFURT Agencies

Credit Suisse will unveil a new centralised structure on Thursday in an attempt to bring its far-flung divisions to heel and draw a line under a string of scandals that have cost the Swiss bank billions of dollars, two sources said. Over the past year, Credit Suisse has been fined for arranging a fraudulent loan to Mozambique, tarnished by its involvement with defunct financier Greensill, racked up $5.5 billion in losses when US family office Archegos collapsed, and been rebuked by regulators for spying on executives. Credit Suisse drafted in seasoned banker Antonio Horta-Osorio as chairman in April to stop the rot and he will lay out his charter to reform Switzerland’s second-biggest bank on Thursday when it presents third-quarter results. One key change is expected to be the

creation of a single wealth management division that caters to a global elite, centralising oversight at the bank’s headquarters in Zurich, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Article continues after this advertisement Under the current structure put in place six years ago, wealth management straddles three divisions: a Swiss business, an Asia-Pacific arm catering mainly to rich Chinese and an international arm based out of Switzerland. Merging the wealth division would make Credit Suisse simpler and potentially pave the way for cost cuts. It would also rein in local bankers who have enjoyed much autonomy, making them more answerable to senior managers who have often been blindsided by the risks that triggered past scandals, the sources said. One of the people told Reuters that managers at the bank’s headquarters had

become very risk averse and they did not want to give leeway to local bankers, regardless of how much profit they were making. A spokesman for Credit Suisse declined to comment. ShareS Suffer: Credit Suisse’s financial humiliation stands in stark contrast to its cross-town rival UBS. In the wake of massive losses and a bailout during the financial crisis, UBS successfully pivoted away from investment banking to wealth management and is now the world’s largest wealth manager with $3.2 trillion in invested assets. Its shares have climbed 57% in the past 10 years while Credit Suisse has slumped 53% over the same period. Shareholders have deserted Credit Suisse this year following the slew of bad headlines. Its shares are down 12% while UBS is up 36% while Wall Street rivals are riding high on the back of a boom in equity trading and M&A. Andreas Venditti, an analyst at Swiss

Babar Azam clinches position of top-ranked batsman in ICC T20I rankings: PCB NEwS DESK Babar Azam has clinched the top spot in the latest ICC Men’s T20 International (T20I) Batting Rankings, according to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “In the rankings that were announced last week, England’s Dawid Malan (831 points) led Babar (820 points) by 11 points. Since the last announcement, Babar has notched up half-centuries against Afghanistan (51) and Namibia (70), whereas Dawid Malan had scores of eight against Australia and six against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the statement said. “Contrasting performances in the past week has meant Babar has turned the 11-point deficit into a 36point lead over Malan. As such, Babar is now the only batter to sit inside the 800-point mark on 834 points, while Malan has slipped to 798 points.” The PCB statement went on to reveal that it was the sixth time that the Pakistan captain has topped the T20I batting charts. “It is a good little motivation to be back on top of the T20I rankings. But the bigger picture is that these performances have helped Pakistan to rise to No 2 and become the first side to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021,” the statement read. Azam went on to add that “Our focus firmly remains to maintain the standards we have set in this competition and finish the tournament like we have started so that we can properly celebrate [the] team and individual achievements” The PCB further stated that

Azam’s return to the top ranking came in the same week as Pakistan led India into the second position of the T20I rankings after their fivewicket victory over Afghanistan. “The champion batter is already ranked No 1 in ODIs (one day internationals) and seventh in Tests, which is a testament to his talent, skill and consistent performance across all formats,” the PCB statement said about Azam. It is pertinent to note that Babar Azam overtook Indian captain Virat Kohli to become the number one-

ranked ODI batsman in the world in April, while usurping another record from Kohli, becoming the fastest cricket player to reach the milestone of 2,000 runs in the T20I format, having accomplished the feat in just 52 innings compared to the Indian captain’s 56. The same year, in May, Azam was voted the ICC’s Men’s Player of the Month for April 2021. The PCB statement also revealed that Mohammad Rizwan was merely two points away from breaking into the top three of the T20I batting rankings.

private bank Vontobel, said it would take more than “minor changes and a new divisional set-up” at Credit Suisse to reverse the trend. The expected revamp at Credit Suisse has also encouraged some highprofile dealmakers to approach the bank’s senior management to suggest it merges with a rival, another person with knowledge of the matter said. Those ideas have been rejected so far, however, the person said. Nonetheless, the prospect of a challenge by investors demanding the break-up of the bank, or that its shrinking market value makes it a target for a hostile foreign takeover, have long troubled managers, sources told Reuters earlier this year. ‘Warning SignalS’: With a market value of $28 billion, Credit Suisse is worth less than half of UBS and a fraction of Wall Street giants such as JPMorgan weighing in at half a trillion dollars.

Ether scales $4,600 to record high, bitcoin trails SINGAPORE Agencies

Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, hit an all-time high on Wednesday, catching up with bitcoin’s rally and riding on news of wider blockchain adoption. The ether token, which underpins the ethereum blockchain network, rose to as high as $4,643 in Asian hours, breaching the previous day’s $4,600 and taking the week’s gains to more than 10%. In the days since bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, hit its record high of $67,016.5 on Oct. 20, other tokens on the base layer of blockchain networks, known as Layer 1 networks, have gathered momentum. Bitcoin (BTC) was trading around $63,078 and is up about 117% this year, while ether is up six-fold. “Since the market reversal at the end of September, ether’s strength has been moving in stride with BTC and other majors,” said Ryan Rabaglia, managing director and global head of trading at digital asset platform OSL. “Ethereum has been the clear winner of the Layer-1s for what we believe will be a substantial shift in a potentially prolonged market sentiment uplift. Ethereum will also continue to play a major role in the NFT and metaverse ecosystem build out,” he said. The steady stream of news on cryptocurrency adoption by banks, growth of non-fungible tokens on virtual gaming platforms, launch of bitcoin futures-based US ETFs and a need among investors for diversification in an uncertain interest rate environment have pushed several blockchain tokens, including bitcoin and ether, higher since October. Smaller tokens too have seen rising interest after Facebook Inc rebranded itself into Meta to focus on building the “metaverse”, a shared virtual environment. Australia’s largest bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said on Wednesday it will become the country’s first to offer retail clients crypto services. According to digital assets researcher CryptoCompare, assets under management (AUM) in digital investment products rose 45.5% in October to a record high of $74.7 billion.

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 | KARACHI

firsT cArGo coNsiGNmENT from UzBEkisTAN ArriVEs ViA TorkhAm BordEr STAFF REPORT The first consignment of four cargo trucks carrying yarn from Uzbekistan has arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday through Torkham border. National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, FC IG Major General Adil Yamin, Commandant Khyber Rifles Col Rizwan and the Uzbek delegation, headed by Lt Gen Victor Makhmudov, were present on the occasion to receive the first cargo consignment, marking the start of trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan via Torkham border. Speaking on the occasion, National Security Advisor Moeed Yousaf said that

Pakistan is strengthening ties with all neighbouring and regional countries, including Uzbekistan. He said that that trade ties with Uzbekistan are being boosted, adding that efforts are being made to enhance trade ties with all regional countries. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan and Uzbekistan had signed a protocol on the establishment of the Joint Security Commission. Makhmudov and Yusuf had participated in the signing ceremony and led their respective delegations. The signed protocol covers wideranging security-related matters of mutual interest and establishes a coordination mechanism between Pakistan’s National Security Division and Security Council of Uzbekistan.

Court indicts Ali Wazir, 10 others in anti-state speech case NEwS DESK An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi on Wednesday indicted eleven accused, including Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir, in a case related to anti-state speech made at a rally in the provincial capital. The court framed charges against Ali Wazir, who is also a member of National Assembly, Noorullah Tareen, Baseerullah, Ahsanullah, Sher Ayoub Khan, Muhammad Sher Khan, Javed Raheem, Muhammad Tahir alias Qazi Tahir, Ibrahim Khan, Naimatullah alias Adil Shah and Muhammad Sarwar under sections 120-B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or abetting the waging of war against Pakistan), 121-A (conspiracy to commit offences punishable under section 121), 124-

A (sedition), 153 (wantonly provocating with the intent to cause riot), 153-A (promoting enmity

between different groups), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 188 ( disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. All of the accused pleaded not guilty and will be facing a trial. The police had file the case against Ali and several of the party’s leaders, including PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen, MNA Mohsin Dawar, Muhammad Shafi and Hidayatullah Pashteen, due to usage of derogatory language against security forces at a rally on December 6, 2020. However, at the last hearing, the court had declared Pashteen, Dawar and two others proclaimed offenders in the case.

Opposition jeers at govt’s relief package, calls it ‘a joke’ STAFF REPORT Shortly after PM Imran Khan announced a Rs120billion relief package for 20 million for most-vulnerable families of Pakistan on Wednesday, Opposition leaders criticised it and called it “acceptance of the government’s failure and “nothing but a joke”. Following suit, former senator and PPP leader Sherry Rehman termed PM Imran Khan’s address to the nation a “bizarre speech”, and called the premier the “Blame Minister of Pakistan”. Taking to Twitter, Rehman criticised the prime minister and said that she chose the name “blame minister” for him as he has been shifting blames on the former governments and international markets for the rise in inflation and prices of oil, gas, and other essential items. She said that global oil prices were higher during the PPP’s tenure but local petrol prices were “half” as compared to the current petrol prices. “Bizarre speech by the Blame Minister of Pakistan. Says all the unprecedented inflation, tsunami of oil, gas prices, essentials is becoz [sic] of the past govts & international markets. PPP faced higher global oil prices over 130 $ per barrel but local petrol was half of today prices,” wrote Rehman. She continued: “Basically he took no responsibility for the economic crisis, skyrocketing inflation, unprecedented public debt, plummeting rupee and just said ‘get ready for more price hikes.’ And oh, a ‘relief package’ for 2 crore out of 22 crore people. Which package? Ghee prices rose as he spoke.” Similarly, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated that the PM’s package is “too little for 200 million people.” “PM’s package is nothing but a joke. PM claims few families will benefit from 30% discount for only 6 months on ghee, flour & lentils. In 3 yrs, ghee increased [by] 108%, flour 50% & gas 300%,” he wrote. “30% is too little, too late for 200 million ppl facing historic inflation, poverty & unemployment.” PPP leader Shazia Marri said that PM Imran Khan was compelled to speak to the nation because of the protest the Opposition parties, along with the citizens, are recording. She said that the economic murder of people is being committed.

“There is a historic rise in the unemployment and inflation in Pakistan and a historic depreciation of the rupee,” said Marri, adding that today’s address was a forced address where PM Imran Khan “tried to make excuses”. She said that 68% of families in Pakistan are unable to afford basic food items. Ameer Jamat-i-Islami Syed Siraj ul Haq said that the premier “did not accurately portray the facts in his speech.” “If you want to compare inflation with the United States and Europe, then mention the facilities available to the people of these countries,” Haq wrote on Twitter. “Inflation and unemployment in Pakistan are higher than [other countries] in the region. The government’s boat is sinking and it is itself responsible.” PML-N leader and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair said that offering subsidies on the products is the “acceptance of the failure” that the government couldn’t control the prices. Zubair, in a conversation with Geo.tv said that it seemed like it is August 2018 when PM Imran Khan has just taken office and he was making announcements for the implementation of the plan put forward by him regarding the economy. “He must have forgotten that it is the time for his return, not the time when he assumed office,” said Zubair. Speaking about the subsidy announced by PM Imran Khan, Zubair said that someone has to pay for the discount offered to the people. “In the end, the government will cover it by increasing taxes or taking more loans or printing more notes which will increase the inflation,” he said. Zubair admitted that the prices have increased in the international market but the premier should have given an explanation that every country in the region is importing all the same items that Pakistan is importing. Why is it Pakistan that is the most affected when it comes to the overall inflation, Zubair asked. He said that there is only one justification and the reason behind the inflation in Pakistan and that is the government’s “incompetence, unprofessionalism, and lack of capacity to deliver”. Referring to PM Imran Khan’s comparison of Pakistan with India over the petrol prices, Zubair said that the PM should have taken into account the difference of income

per capita. Earlier, at the beginning of his address, the premier thanked China and Saudi Arabia for financially assisting Pakistan and said that had the country become a defaulter, the rupee would have depreciated more and inflation would have skyrocketed. The prime minister also shed light on the coronavirus situation across the world and said that, unlike other countries, the Pakistani government made strategic decisions related to the imposition of a lockdown and saved factories from closing down and agricultural activities were continuing as usual. “[Due to the government’s policies], cotton production had increased by 81%, while recordbreaking motorcycle and tractor sales were witnessed in the country. “Urea was used 23% more by the farmers, indicating that the conditions were getting better. And when the farmers are happy, the production increases, and in return, it benefits the country,” he said. In construction, there are Rs600 billion projects underway, as we had incentivised it, he said, adding that in the industrial sector, the large scale manufacturing had increased by 13% — more money and more jobs in the country. “We had [allowed] construction industry to operate; we tried to save our exports as if they would have stopped, then the dollar would have gone up against the rupee,” he said. “Our policies prevented the economy from collapsing,” he said. “The World Bank, the World Health Organisation, and the World Economic Forum, all praised our policies amid the pandemic.” While speaking about the ongoing inflation in the country, he told media outlets that while it is their right to criticise the government, they should opt for a balanced approach when reporting on inflation.

NEWS

Netizens take light jabs at michael Vaughan for misspelling Babar Azam’s name NEwS DESK Pakistanis trolled former England skipper Michael Vaughan on Tuesday after he misspelt Babar Azam’s name in a tweet. Soon after, Pakistani Twitter made light of the situation and took digs at the former English skipper. Vaughan took to Twitter to praise the Pakistani skipper after Azam scored yet another half-century in the T20 World Cup. “Babar Adam,” tweeted Vaughan with numerous clapping emojis to applaud the batsman, getting his name wrong. It was not long before Pakistani Twitter users started taking light jabs at Vaughan. A Twitter user wondered what was the point of being born in England when one could not even get a simple spelling correct. Another user gave the former England captain some of his own medicine, changing his name to “Michael Awan”. Similarly, another user offered to handle some of Vaughan’s “security issues”. It is pertinent to note that Babar Azam broke a few records against Namibia when he scored yet another half-century. Babar and Rizwan scored 113 runs for the first wicket partnership against Namibia, their 5th century-stand as batting partners — the most by any batting partners ever in the shortest format of the game.

india defeats Afghanistan by 66 runs NEwS DESK Early wickets by Bumrah and Shami have seemed to put Afghanistan under pressure as they attempt to chase India’s mammoth 211-run target in the T20 World Cup fixture in Abu Dhabi Wednesday. Earlier, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul hammered halfcenturies to guide India to a towering 210 for two in a must-win Twenty20 World Cup match against Afghanistan on Wednesday. Sharma (74) and Rahul (69) put on an opening partnership of 140 to lay the foundation for the tournament´s highest total so far in the Super 12 match in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan had posted 190-4 in their opening win against Scotland. Sharma took five balls to get going with a boundary off skipper Mohammad Nabi and then tore into the bowling attack. India raced to 53 in the first six overs of powerplay to signal their intent in a competition where they need to win all three remaining matches to have any chance of making the semi-finals. Rohit reached his fifty with a boundary off fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and then hit a six to bring up the 100 for the opening stand. Sharma, who had scores of zero and 14 in India´s two losses, smashed the bowlers all around the park for eight fours and three sixes in his 47-ball knock before losing his wicket to Karim Janat. Rahul soon followed his partner to the dugout after being bowled by Gulbadin Naib on a slower yorker.

04 NEWS 4th November 2021 (LHR)_Layout 1 11/4/2021 12:07 AM Page 1

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 | KARACHI

04 NEWS

CoMPlaiNaNT uNMaSkS CorruPT PaTwariS iN lahorE, dEMaNdS aCTioN LAHORE

Shahab omeR

UNJAB’S Board of Revenue (BOR) and the Lahore district administration have failed to stop the corruption of patwaris as a citizen has lodged a complaint before a BOR senior member against the patwaris, who had allegedly received bribes in the matter of mutations of properties, Pakistan Today learnt on Wednesday. According to details, Asad Sheikh, a citizen, alleged in the complaint that approximately Rs50,000 per case are being received as bribe money in Lahore district under the guise of confirming inheritance mutation and the recipients of bribe money are patwaris of Cantt, Raiwind, Shalimar, City and Model Town. According to the complainant, the patwaris use delaying tactics in proceed-

ings if they are not paid the bribe money, forcing the legal heirs to pay such huge bribe money for their legitimacy. The patwaris receive bribe money directly or through their private secretaries [munshis]. Sheikh provided details of more than 100 inherited mutations in five tehsils of Lahore with the application and claimed that if these transfers are inves-

Pakistan monitors Turkey-hosted naval drills in Eastern Mediterranean ANKARRA Staff RepoRt

The Eastern Mediterranean 2021 exercise being hosted by the Turkish navy started. Some 5,000 personnel and 36 ships from 10 countries will participate in the exercise, which runs until November 12, Lt. Col. Cuneyt Talayman said at a briefing on the Turkish navy’s TCG Bayraktar. Various scenarios will be simulated to prepare public and civil bodies for disaster response efforts, the official said. The exercise also aims to evaluate the preparedness of the Turkish navy, he added. Talayman said 26 ships of the Turkish navy will be part of the drills, along with maritime patrol planes, helicopters, and teams of naval special forces. Turkey’s air force, army, and coast guard will also join the exercises, he added. The drills will be monitored by 11 observers from Pakistan, Iraq, Bahrain, Libya, Nigeria, Oman and Ukraine.

33 nabbed in drug trafficking case Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan seized 2225.556 Kg narcotics valuing US $ 151.396 Million internationally, arrested 33 culprits including 2 x women and impounded 17 vehicles while conducting 38 counter-narcotics strikes throughout the country. The seized drugs comprised 64.095 Kg Heroin, 1803.555 Kg Hashish, 301.67 Kg Opium, 1.850 Kg Amphetamine, 53.406 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 600 x Ecstasy Tablets (0.330 Kg) and 0.650 Kg weed. ANF Balochistan, recovered 653.13 Kg drugs in 6 operations while arrested 7 accused and seized 3 x vehicle. The seized drugs comprised 638.1 Kg Hashish, 2 Kg Opium, 13 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice) and 50 x Ecstasy Tablets. ANF Punjab, recovered 103.336 Kg drugs in 8 operations while arrested 3 accused and seized 1 x vehicle. The seized drugs comprised 4.63 Kg Heroin, 97.200 Kg Hashish and 1.506 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice). ANF KPK, recovered 1307.1 Kg drugs in 13 operations while arrested 10 accused and seized 8 x vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 17.065 Kg Heroin, 979.765 Kg Hashish, 290.67 Kg Opium ,1.850 Kg Amphetamine , 17.75 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice) and 2 x 30 Bore Pistol along with 57 x rounds. ANF Sindh, recovered 135.1 Kg drugs in 6 operations while arrested 7 accused including 2 women and seized 4 x vehicles. The seized drugs comprised 32 Kg Heroin, 72 Kg Hashish, 9 Kg Opium, 21.15 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 0.650 Kg Weed and 550 x Ecstasy Tablets (0.300 Kg). ANF North, recovered 26.89 Kg drugs in 5 operations and arrested 6 accused while seized 1 x vehicle. The seized drugs comprised 10.4 Kg Heroin and 16.49 Kg Hashish. All cases have been registered at respective ANF Police Stations under CNS Act 1997 and further investigations are under process. pR

tigated, it will be easy to know what difficult circumstances the heirs have to go through from the registration of the transfer of inheritance to the approval stage. With the application, Sheikh provided details of mutations made by 14 patwaris posted in different locations of Shalimar while the names of four patwaris of Cantt, three of Raiwind, 22 of

City and 14 of Model Town, and the list of inheritance mutations made by them were also attached. Sheikh demanded in the application that the record of these mutations should be immediately seized by the BOR and an investigation should be started so that corruption could be stopped immediately. “By filing cases against the elements involved in corruption, the victims should get their money back,” he demanded. However, a senior member of BOR informed this scribe that the board has instructed all the assistant commissioners to set up public information desks and resolve all matters of inheritance transfers under their supervision. “When all these works are carried out under the supervision of assistant commissioners, corruption in the Patwar Khanas will be eliminated automatically and the work of public will also start on priority basis,” he said.

Zardari seeks acquittal in graft cases under amended NAB law ISLAMABAD INp

Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday filed a plea for his acquittal in more accountability references against him under the second NAB amendment ordinance. Zardari has submitted pleas for his acquittal in Park Lane, mega-money laundering and Thatta Water Supply references in the accountability court of Islamabad. The court issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over the petitions from the former president and sought its reply over the matter. The accountability watchdog informed the court that it has yet to receive gazette notification of the third amended ordinance of the NAB.

“The court’s work being affected due to absence of the gazette notification,” the accountability judge said. Zardari has also filed a petition for his acquittal under the Toshakhana reference. The NAB prosecutor pleaded to the court to reject the acquittal plea of the former president. It is to be mentioned here that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the accountability court from indicting Zardari in an Rs8 billion suspicious bank transactions case. A division bench of the high court in its written verdict has restrained the accountability court from framing charges against Zardari in the suspicious transaction of Rs8.3 billion references. The court summoned a reply from NAB on Zardari’s petition by November 18 and adjourned further hearing of the case.

Suspect in Noor murder removed from courtroom over foul-mouthed attack on judge ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad Wednesday forcefully removed from the courtroom the prime suspect in the murder of the daughter of a former diplomat after he launched a foulmouthed tirade at the duty judge from the dock. Noor Mukadam, 27, was found murdered at the residence of one Zahir Zakir in Sector F-7/4 of Islamabad in July. Zakir, widely believed to be the killer, was arrested the same day for his purported involvement in the gruesome incident. A first information report registered on the complaint of Ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam, Mukadam’s father, nominated Zakir under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Zakir’s parents — Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee — domestic staff and six workers of Therapy Works — an Islamabad-based organisation providing mental health services that employed Zakir and Adamjee — were arrested days later on charges of abetting the murder. A total of 12 people have been facing the probe on multiple charges. During the hearing, which was presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani, all suspects in the case were presented before the court. Shortly after the hearing started, Zakir started to say “Hamza” out loud, directing at no one in particular. Staff RepoRt

QS ASIA UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2022

NUST retains No. 1 position among Pakistani HEIs; ascends 2 positions to stand at #74 in Asia ISLAMABAD: Staying on its upward trajectory among Asian universities, the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) has retained its No. 1 position among the Pakistani Higher Education Institutions for the 5th year on the trot, as per QS Asia University Rankings 2022. NUST has ascended 2 positions from the last year’s ranking of #76, thereby landing amongst the top 11% universities in Asia. In addition, the university has taken a leap of 17 positions in the last five years, from #91 in the 2018 Asian rankings, to the present position of #74 in the 2022 rankings, which is the fastest elevation by any Pakistani university during

this period. As many as 687 Asian universities are ranked in the latest edition of Asian Rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds, one of the most widely cited and prestigious university ranking agencies in the world. QS rankings are carried out based on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citation per paper, paper per faculty, staff with PhD, and internationalisation. It also merits mention that NUST is among the top 400 global universities, as per QS World University Rankings 2022 announced earlier this year. pR

CMYK

khushhali Microfinance Bank acknowledged as best microfinance bank by iBP ISLAMABAD: Khushhali Microfinance Bank was acknowledged as the ‘Best Microfinance Bank of the Year’ by the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) at the ‘6th Pakistan Banking Awards 2021’ ceremony held at a local hotel on Friday. This event marks the 4th consecutive accolade received by KMBL in the microfinance industry as it once again emerges as the best financial institution in Pakistan. SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir and the IBP president graced the award ceremony as the chief guests. The leading banks of Pakistan and key stakeholders of the banking sector also attended the prestigious event. Pakistan Banking Awards is a gracious initiative to recognise the efforts made by the banking and financial sector for the overall growth and development of the national economy. The award was presented to Khushhali Microfinance Bank owing to the highest market share, consistent growth, profitability, customer satisfaction and other high-performance factors during the year. Khushhali Microfinance Bank President Ghalib Nishtar expressed his feelings by saying, “It gives us great joy to accept this award for the 4th consecutive year today. The microfinance sector has grown tremendously from a mere thousand to millions, and we are proud that a vast majority has opted to invest their faith with KMBL. We are committed to fulfil the promise to deliver the optimum level of services to our valuable clients for the years to come”. pR

Book launch of Steering the Pakistani wheel held at Beach luxury hotel KARACHI: A launch of the first book on the Pakistan automotive landscape was held at the Beach Luxury Hotel on Friday 29th October 2021. Authored by Murtaza Y. Mandviwalla, “Steering the Pakistani Wheel” is a 100 year history of the Pakistan automotive landscape. Attended by over 200 persons, including CEO’s of Automotive companies, Auto Parts makers, Dealers, Auto financiers, Insurers, enthusiasts and the academia. Speakers included Polad M, Polad, a senior member of the automotive fraternity, Dr. Junaid Ahmed a well-known author and academic, Masafumi Harano the Managing Director of Pak Suzuki Motor Company, and Saquib Shirazi, CEO of Atlas Honda. Javed Jabbar, who has also written the foreword to the book, presented his concluding remarks. This was followed by a vote of thanks by the author who announced that all proceeds of the book would be donated towards a training in the automotive landscape. The book is available at Liberty Books and through their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/steeringthepakistaniwheel. pR

Sindh governor inaugurates 220 kV grid station Jhimpir-i KARACHI: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail along with US Consul General, Mark Stroh and Deputy Managing Directors NTDC today inaugurated the 220 kV grid station Jhimpir-I. This investment from the United States will add 780 megawatts (MW) clean energy generated by wind power plants to the national grid of Pakistan. The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), supported the effort by constructing transmission lines and a grid station in Jhimpir wind corridor of Thatta District in Sindh. With this major support by USAID, the private sector wind power generation companies are now selling electricity to the national grid. This achievement demonstrates that with strategic government support, the energy sector can be a driver of local and national economic growth. It is pertinent to note that, since 2010, USAID has partnered with the Government of Pakistan to add more than 3,900 MW to the national grid. These investments are benefitting more than 47 million Pakistanis. pR

Participants of National Security workshop visit air headquarters Participants of 23rd National Security Workshop from National Defence University visited Air Headquarters, Islamabad today. The contingent was led by Major General Ehsan Mehmood Khan, DG ISSRA, NDU. A briefing on “Organization of PAF and nature of its operations” was given to the visiting participants of National Security Workshop. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force while addressing the participants said that Air and Space power has always been the decisive enabler of operations in the land and maritime environments. Referring to the regional geopolitical environment, he said that PAF is fully cognizant of the security challenges and is actively pursuing its operational development plans. He further added that Pakistan Air Force attaches utmost importance to its operational preparedness and remains ready to respond to any challenge to the national security. Later, the Air Chief also interacted with the participants of Security Workshop and answered their questions. The visiting members of National Security Workshop included parliamentarians, faculty members and senior military as well as civil officers. pR

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

IslaMabad WItnesses COntInuOus InCrease Of denGue fever Cases

ISLAMABAD

staff report

SLAMABAD has been experiencing a continuous increase in dengue fever cases as 94 more patients were reported in the last 24 hours, health authorities said Wednesday. One more dengue patient died in the capital, local media reported Wednesday morning, taking this year’s total death toll from the disease in the city to 15. Islamabad District Health Officer Zaeem Zia told local media that 56 cases were diagnosed in the suburbs of Islamabad and 38 in the urban areas. According to the health authorities, the total number of dengue fever cases this year has reached to 3,737 in the capital with 2,140 reported in the suburbs and 1,597 in the urban parts. The city’s district health officer told local media that 784 residual spray and 98 fogging actions were carried out in different parts of Islamabad during the past 24 hours to counter the spread of the disease and wipe out the potential breeding sites of the mosquito larvae.

Modi’s plane to use Pakistani airspace after returning from G20, COP26 summits tomorrow

SC summons federal and provincial health secretaries in lieu of increasing breast cancer cases

KARACHI news desk

Narendra Modi’s Boeing 777 plane will use Pakistani airspace tomorrow morning on its way back from Italy and Scotland, where the Indian premier took part in the G20 and COP26 summits respectively. As per the details, around 3pm, the 300ER, K7066 will enter Bahawalpur and cross Turbat and Panjgur to reach New Delhi. It will then land at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Spokesperson Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that the Indian PM had been allowed to pass through the Pakistani airspace tomorrow. Earlier, Modi’s aircraft crossed the Pakistani airspace and reached Italy to attend the G20 summit, after obtaining permission from Islamabad. It is to note that Modi’s plane entered the Pakistani airspace using the same route and reached Italy via Iran and Turkey, after New Delhi requested permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use the airspace. It merits mention that the two-day summit of the Group of 20 was held in Rome to endorse a global agreement for a minimum 15 per cent corporate tax. The Indian PM had to travel to Italy to attend the meeting, for which it was required to use Pakistani airspace. After attending the summit, the Indian premier travelled to Glasgow to attend COP26, a climate change summit. As per reports, Modi is one of the 120 leaders who have gathered in Glasgow for the two-week conference. It is pertinent to note that it isn’t the first time than an Indian plane has requested to use the Pakistani airspace, the Indian commercial aircrafts had used Pakistani airspace earlier as well.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday summoned the federal and provincial health secretaries while taking notice of the soaring breast cancer cases across the country. The SC heard the case after taking notice of the rising number of breast cancer patients. A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed noted that no government hospital had the tools for detection of the disease, facilities of mammography or breast cancer treatment. Adding to that, the CJ noted that majority of women are unable to afford costly treatment of the disease. Over the lack of treatment mechanism, the expressed dismay over the lack of treatment by giving directive to the authorities to induct women in panels of specialists treating the disease while calling for segregation of women patients at all hospitals.

After issuing summons to the federal and provincial health secretaries, the apex court adjourned the hearing for a month. It is pertinent to note that breast cancer fatality rates in Pakistan are highest in Asia. At least 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every year across the country. Annually, around 40,000 women lose their life to it. It merits mention that last month, the CJ had inaugurated the building of the Pink Ribbon Hospital which is the first-ever dedicated breast cancer hospital not only in Pakistan but around the world. Justice Ahmed at the occasion questioned how the deaths of over 40,000 women due to breast cancer each year could be neglected. He stated that every institute and department should consider this matter immediately and establish breast cancer hospitals across the country for an early diagnosis and prompt treatment. news desk

Website launched to highlight violence against journalists A collective forum of editors and news directors has launched a website to record what they declared as a government crackdown against the media. The team of Editors for Safety (EFS) in collaboration with the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) launched Monday the Pakistan Journalists Memorial website on the eve of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, which is marked on November 2, at the Karachi Press Club. EFS is a collective forum of editors and news directors representing a large number of newspapers, television channels and online news portals that focuses exclusively on issues related to violence and threats of violence against the media in Pakistan. The online archive will provide a permanent, updated record of cases that “capture the atrocities” with which perpetrators of such violence operate. Jahanzaib Haque, who designed the portal said it was not the first memorial created by his team. “The first one like it was about the Army Public School attack victims, information for which was not easy to gather because it was so painful. The next one was about the Quetta attack on lawyers in which we also lost journalists. Here, the PFF did most of the work, which was also not easy as it required sensitivity,” a news report quoted Haque as saying. “I don’t usually do the writing and edits for our website but for this particular site, I personally sat down to do all that. The data, the stories of each fallen journalist is horrifying, it affects you,” he said. According to journalist Ghazala Fasih, the figures shared by PPF suggest 76 journalists have been murdered since 2002. A report of the Freedom Network launched on the eve of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, said that nearly two dozen journalists in Pakistan were charged in the last two years and most of them were prosecuted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), introduced in 2016 ostensibly to combat cybercrime. Zaffar Abbas, Dawn editor and EFS founding chairperson, said the body was not a trade union or NGO. They only stood for the journalists’ community. “There is the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. All do their work. But our only goal is to protect journalists,” he said. Monitoring report

Police oﬃcials call for inquiry into flawed security plan for TLP protest Around 60 police officers deputed at GT Road in Sadhoki to stop the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protesters to move ahead have asked Punjab Police InspectorGeneral Rao Sardar to launch an inquiry into the “flawed security plan” for the protest. Police officials who were facing the protesters head on in Hafizabad held their senior cadre responsible for the poor security arrangements. As per sources, a letter had been written to the IGP on Tuesday in which the the police officials have highlighted the senior officers’ negligence, and blamed the district police and other law enforcers for the failure of security plan, resulting in death of at least seven police officers. The personnel demanded for constituting a committee to identify those who were responsible for this ‘cowardice’ in this intense clash between the police and the TLP protestors. According to sources, the police officers asked as to why the back-up force failed to

show up when the frontline was struggling with pushing back the violent protesters. They went on to state that the committee should also investigate whether the security plan matched the requirements, while adding that was replicating the plan of other security branches feasible in the case as well? The personnel also called for registering criminal cases against those responsible for putting the lives of the frontline officials at stake. “It is the time that instead of running the department on bureaucratic orders of individuals, it is run on scientific grounds,” they stated in the application. An officer deputed in Hafizabad, SI Khalid Nawaz Warya eloborated in the letter that he, along with 60 other policemen, stopped the movement of a large number of protesters and pushed them back bravely. However, after two hours of clashes, depletion of supplies of tear gas shells and other equipment begun. He added that the clashes had also resulted into multiple injuries to his

fellow officials. Officer Warya went on to reveal that when the situation got worse, the backup force flee from the scene. Resulting in the forward force to multiply their efforts. In this regard, IG Rao Sardar held a meeting at the Central Police Office (CPO), where the role of police officers from Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala was pointed out. IG Rao went on to jeer at the senior officers for bringing bad name to police, and issued a warning to ‘incompetent officials’. It has been further revealed by sources that PM Imran Khan has asked Punjab CM Usman Buzdar to justify how the protesters managed to exit Lahore despite presence of forces like the Anti-Riot Force (ARF). During the meeting, the failure of Lahore police to stop TLP supporters outside their headquarters, failure of the reinforcements at Sadhoki GT Road and inability to stop their movement inside Lahore over the passage of two days was brought to light. The performance of the intelligence

CMYK

wing of Lahore police also came in question during the meeting. Adding to that, senior police officers have also reportedly held the provincial government responsible for its policy of dealing with the protesters.

Lastly, reservations have been expressed by the command over the signing of an agreement with the TLP leadership, which is blatant ignorance of the loss of lives of the police officers during the protests. news desk

06-07 Comments - 4th November 2021_Layout 1 11/4/2021 12:20 AM Page 1

Thursday, 4 November, 2021

06 COMMENT

Constitution or revolution, no agitation

NAB chairman and PM’s mercy Accountability may go out the window

N terms of policymaking, the PTI relies primarily on presidential ordinances, bypassing the conventional process of tabling a law in both Houses of Parliament and getting it passed from there. The most extreme example of this convenient and imperfect preference to lawmaking is the PTI government’s National accountability Bureau Ordinance (NaBO) that has been amended for a third time in less than a month, making a mockery of parliamentary norms in the process. The latest amendment gives powers to the President to remove the National accountability Bureau (NaB) chairman, taking powers away from the Supreme Judicial council. The PTI has been looking for a legal path to extend the current NaB chairman’s tenure, but has been unsuccessful so far. Making the termination of the NaB chairman the prerogative of the executive through a shabbily framed law passed temporarily as an ordinance suggests that the PTI is nervous over how much differently it would be treated by a new setup. This is a valid fear considering how the outgoing chairman has run NaB as an unapologetically partisan institution focused solely on opposition party leaders and bureaucrats who worked with them when they were in power. The third NaBO amendment only further discredits the NaB as an effective accountability watchdog out to curb corruption, and is rather increasingly being perceived as an extension of the government. Bullying tactics that are fueled by the fear of prolonged incarcerations without sufficient proof of arrest coupled with highhandedness and harassment during interrogations is all the NaB is now known for. With virtually nothing to show for the plethora of selective investigations, arrests and detentions it has made in the past three years, its reputation as the current regime’s attack dog is all but evident and clear. The original NaB Ordinance promulgated by General Musharraf is an inherently flawed law that gave him sweeping powers to punish political opponents under the farce of accountability. No government that has since followed attempted to meaningfully amend this law and rather used it against their respective rivals as well. The PTI, a party whose core message was to address ‘rampant corruption’, has gone down the same route with much more intensity, but without any results. With two years left in its tenure and a lot of political uncertainty in the air, its multiple amendments to the NaB Ordinance come off as an attempt to secure itself from what it has meted out to others rather than a meaningful attempt at reform.

Unsafe roads in AJK

Lack of unity among Muslims

The consensual constitution must be followed

Dr FariD a Malik ONSTITUTION-MakING was a big challenge in the land of the pure. It is perhaps the only country in the world which had to enact four constitutions (1956, 1962, 1972, 1973) before arriving at the consensual document. On 14 august 1973, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged on the world map with Zulfiqar ali Bhutto as the Prime Minister. after ayub khan’s dictatorial rule (1958 to 1969) and his self-defeating industrialization, and there was a big sigh of relief. The democratic era was short-lived (1971 to 1977). The third usurper took control of the country taking advantage of the political divide. The constitution came under attack, people-friendly clauses were either unilaterally changed or ignored. In return for his desired amendment (Eighth) he agreed to restore democracy. When Muhammad khan Junejo as PM tried for civilian supremacy, he was sacked by the usurper under the draconian article 58(2b). The dismissal was challenged in the Supreme court, as fresh elections were announced, but his government was not restored. Under fundamental human rights the constitution has about 24 clauses (8 to 28 ) which are largely ignored, including article 25-a which has declared literacy as the right of the citizen. It was kept in abeyance till it was restored in the 18th amendment.

The latest accident is the fifth in a month

Competing state interests keep Muslim disunited

HE crash of a Rawalpindi-bound coaster in Sudhnoti district of azad Jammu and kashmir, which killed 22 nd injured another eight when it plunged into a ravine on Tuesday, is not the first, and will definitely not be the last, as it points up a number of the problems that occur that lead to such terrible accidents. aJk has been experiencing a rash of such accidents. Four people each were killed in accidents in Poonch and Neelum Districts, while 10 were injured in a third in Muzaffarabad district. The basic problem remains one of a lack of inspection. Road travel is not supposed to be unsafe; getting from Point a to Point B is not supposed to be potentially fatal. The problem starts with the failure to license the drivers honestly, or for there to be any oversight of whether they are trained for the torturous mountain roads of the free state. Then there is the roadworthiness of the vehicles. It must also be examined whether the interval between inspections might be too long. Has it been taken into consideration that aJk’s roads are harder on vehicles than the plains? There also does not appear to be enough attention paid to roadworthiness. This is particularly crucial in the winter, when aJk will experience rain and snow, and which willmake the roads there even more treacherous. all of these inspections are the responsibility of provincial governments, and all four provinces are areas which have similar problems, while Gilgit-Baltistan is probably a more extreme case. Punjab and kP abut aJk, and those areas have the same terrain, and thus similar vehicular and road problems. aJk, Gilgit-Baltistan, kP and Punjab must all work round-the-clock to make sure that drivers and their vehicles are ready for the coming winter, as well as check their roads. Lives are too precious to be3 thrown away because of mere laziness, or the cupidity of vehicle owners, who want to turn a quick buck by overworking their drivers and abusing their vehicles, paying off the officials supposed to inspect, so that they can get away with murder.

Waqas Bhatti

ack of unity or support from other Islamic countries is a debate that is gaining traction in recent times. There are about 56 countries and 1.3 billion Muslims in the world but they lack unity. This is because, unfortunately, all the Muslim countries are at loggerheads with one another owing to geopolitical, economic, and security reasons. The division of interests has hindered Muslim unity that is needed to protect their diminishing global interests. This has allowed the West to further drive a wedge among Muslims. This has been formulated to smartly divide Muslims so that they do not pose an appalling threat to the political, economic, and cultural hegemony of the West. The failure in solving the most pertinent issues is a very fine depiction of the disunity and lack of support from Islamic countries. The kashmir issue captures the popular imagination of Muslim leaders globally. Moreover, If we look into the afghan crisis there is no unity among Muslim countries to curtail the afghan crisis. Further, the role of the Muslim world about Uyghur Muslims has proved to be a failure. according to the United Nations, human rights officials estimate that 1 million or more Uyghurs, kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities are detained at camps in a huge chinese detention system. Many former detainees allege they were subjected to attempted indoctrination, physical abuse, and even sterilization. In 2019, nearly 37 nations, in a letter sent to the UN Human Rights council and the UN High commissioner for Human Rights, defended china’s Xinjiang policy. The letter charged the Uyghur Muslims with

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By august 2016 every 5 year old should have been in school to achieve universal primary coverage, the first step towards a literate nation. Without human development no nation can grow. Despite constitutional guarantees, people of the republic continue to squander their lives in the darkness of ignorance. No debate has ever taken place in the legislature. anti-people amendments have been made to deny relief to the masses. In the original document, article 212 was legislated for the formation of administrative accountability courts which was removed in July 1979. While the 18th amendment was a brave attempt to restore the constitution in its original form, some infringements remain. We the students of the 1960s and 1970s decided to challenge dictatorship. There were pitched battles on the streets. Despite the use of force, we held our ground till the first dictator was toppled. The first free and fair election on the basis of adult franchise was a major milestone in our struggle for democracy. Not much is written about this electoral contest as it dismembered Quaid’s Pakistan. In the Western Wing, Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) emerged as the frontrunner. The elected assembly met in the old State Bank building in Islamabad which is now the headquarters of NaDRa. First it was this legislature that formulated the 1972 Interim constitution followed by the permanent version in 1973. In the 1965 Presidential elections, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah demanded restoration of the 1956 constititution to save the federation. She got overwhelming support in the Eastern Wing which had rejected ayub khan’s imposed the 1962 constitution that was built around the dictator. The 1973 document was a gift to the nation by the genuinely elected political leadership which must be followed in letter and spirit. Bhutto was very confident that no one would ever defy article 6 of the constitution by toppling elected governments but it happened twice (Zia in July 1977, Musharraf in October 1999). Finally when Musharraf crossed the line the second time he was charged for treason, a charge he still faces till today. Finally the constitution had prevailed. In the land of the pure it has now become a routine matter to derail the democratic order through street agitation every eight to 10 years. It seems to be

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spreading terror and extremism and justified china’s actions as counter-terrorism measures aimed at deracializing Uyghur Muslims. Notably, 16 of the 37 countries have a large Muslim population, including Saudi arabia, United arab Emirates, Pakistan, algeria, Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Oman, Qatar, Syria, kuwait, Somalia, and Sudan. The countries are also members of the Organization of Islamic cooperation (OIc), representing 1.9 billion Muslim people. That explains why even the OIc is silent on the Uyghur genocide. There are several causes why Muslim countries lack unity. Improper management and equality among Islamic countries hampers the Islamic countries from being united. There is sheer nepotism, sectarianism, and corruption in several Islamic countries. Major populations in asia and africa live in poor economies. Whereas the world’s wealthiest nations, the Gulf arabs, have relatively small populations. They won’t distribute their wealth equally to the rest in the spirit of pan-Islamism. This is one of the factors that create a lethal impact on unity. One of the major causes is also a lack of leadership. There is no Muslim leader in the world that could unite the Muslim world together. That is why there is division among Islamic countries. Further, there has been a major conflict and wars among Islamic countries that have fueled disunity among them. For instance, the Saudi-Iran rivalry is a supreme factor of disunity. The rivalry today is mainly a political and economic struggle worsened by religious differences, and sectarianism in the region is exploited by both countries for geopolitical purposes as part of a larger conflict. Iran is largely Shia Muslim, while Saudi arabia sees itself as the leading Sunni Muslim power. Moreover, the Iraqi invasion of kuwait war also played a vital role in dividing the Muslim world. This war was called the Persian Gulf War, also known as the First Gulf War, (1990–91), an international conflict that was aroused by Iraq’s invasion of kuwait on 2 august 1990. Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, ordered the invasion and occupation of kuwait with the obvious aim of obtaining that nation’s large oil reserves, canceling a large debt Iraq owed kuwait and expanding Iraqi power in the region. The Syrian war was another factor for Muslim disunity. The Syrian civil War is an ongoing brutal conflict in Syria between pro-democratic insurgents and Syrian President Bashar al-assad’s longstanding dynastic regime. The war has been a source of significant unstableness in the Middle East since 2011, and the resultant civilian displacement and refugee exodus constitute one of the worst humanitarian crises in

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an organized effort to strengthen the status quo and weaken the constitutional order. It has been revealed that there are always hidden hands working behind the scenes in most of these protests. It has now been revealed that the 1977 PNa (Pakistan National alliance) movement was pre-planned to derail the democratic order. Despite our advanced ages, we the hardened activists of the 1960s marched again for the rule of law in the 2007 Lawyer’s Movement but what we got in return, was the lawlessness of the Black coats. as it is said, khothi rahe borh thallay “ (the donkey remains under the tree). This donkey business must come to an end for the country to move forward. No more bluffs by unpopular and propped-up political players who have no agenda to serve the nation. In 1968 the call was for People’s Power which was delivered through the 1970 free and fair election and the 1973 constitution that followed. The movement in 1977 was called for enforcement of ‘Nizam-eMustafa’, but what we got were Zia’s Dark ages which continue till today. In 2007 it was called the struggle for the rule of law but we lost whatever little we had. Personally, I think we need a revolution as we have badly failed to follow our own unanimously agreed constitution. Unless the prevalent system is seriously challenged as it was in the brief democratic period (1971 to 1977) the ‘Donkey Business’ will continue to defy change through street agitation to release the built-up frustration and pressure. There were three major revolutions in the last century (Bolshevik 1917, chinese 1949, Iranian 1979), and any one of the three models can be adopted to dismantle the colonial hegemony imposed on us. Street agitation has proven to be a conspiracy against the people, which is why it lacks mass public support. The choice is clear cut ‘constitution or Revolution’, but then after the smoke clears, we would still need a framework to run the state, that is, another constitution on top of the four that we have already tried. Shahid khaqan abbassi, the ex-PM, has suggested the formation of a ‘Truth and Reconcillation commission’ to seek forgiveness for the past sins and then follow the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for all times to come. It seems to be a better option to move forward. The writer is ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at: fmaliks@hotmail.com.

modern history. The hatred which prevails in the Western media is a major reason for disunity in the Islamic world. The Western media has always shown a negative picture of the Islamic world. The Western media has badly affected culture, education, and language. Therefore, there are ways forward by which this issue can be resolved. The first one is the OIc must play its role to curtail this menace. It is the second-largest organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The OIc should not be biased and it must play the role to unite the Muslim world. Secondly, If Muslims all over the world expand cooperation in political, diplomatic, economic, educational, social, and cultural fields, and promote commercial relations amongst themselves, they can appear as one of the most powerful and cohesive groups in the world. By doing so, they will bring stability to international political, economic, and security systems as well. In the current age of interdependence, cooperation at regional and international levels is essential for improving peace and stability in the world. Nations collaborate in their national interests. When national interests of nations coincide with or complement each other, cooperation amongst these nations is a natural outcome in their interstate relations. Such cooperation is exemplified in the form of regional or international organizations in the field of politics, commerce and trade, defense and security, and environmental protection, and so on. The cooperation in defence and security is manifested in the shape of various alliances, coalitions, collective security, and collective defense arrangements/pacts. The cooperation must be implemented. This is a panacea to this ill. Thirdly, there is another way forward that Ijtihad should be implemented to minimize sectarianism. Many Muslims believe that they must choose between Islam and modernity or between Islam and democracy, but serialize choices. To reinterpret Islam for the 21st century, the practice of ijtihad (interpretation and reasoning based on the sacred texts) must be revived. Religious scholars effectively discontinued the practice of ijtihad 500 years ago. But the beliefs of interpretation are well organized and the need for contemporary interpretation is compelling. Islamic countries should establish Islamic media to portray the real image of Islam in the world like Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia have decided to jointly launch an English language television channel dedicated to confronting Islamophobia and removing “misperceptions” about Islam. To conclude, every Islamic country needs to accept cultural and religious differences. Every Islamic country should promote brotherhood among one another. The writer can be waqasbhatti7496@gmail.com

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06-07 Comments - 4th November 2021_Layout 1 11/4/2021 12:20 AM Page 2

Thursday, 4 November, 2021

COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

Illicit tobacco trade

Financial possibilities of Naya Pakistan

Dr rajkuMar singh

FTER taking the oath of office, Imran khan first faced the domestic financial challenge which he inherited as a legacy of the previous government. It was a twin balance of payment and debt crisis with a large current account deficit as well as a fiscal deficit. To address the issue, khan’s government on the one hand sought a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and on the other slashed the government’s subsidies spending in the energy sector along with unveiling an austerity budget to check the fiscal deficit and controlling government borrowing in the global market. In addition, Pakistan, in collaboration and consultation with the IMF, took several steps to improve the overall conditions of the country’s economy and gained significant stabilization by raising tariffs to collect higher tax revenue and devaluing the currency and imposing heavy import duty which helped curtail the current account deficits. These steps for improvement registered a hopeful situation for the balance of payments and debt crises in 2020, by narrowing down the deficit to less than one percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and stabilizing the central Bank’s foreign exchange reserves in the same year. Pakistan, apart from implementing IMF-guided reforms, achieved concrete gains on THE business operating climate and introduced several policies to improve the continuing situation. In 2019, Pakistan earned a record revenue from domestic taxes without raising any tax in import taxes, resulting in improvement of its world ranking and achieving a primary surplus, although the economists of the country gave the credit for this to an increase in non-tax revenues rather than an increase in tax revenues, yet this growth in tax collection continued in the first

quarter of the fiscal year 2021. In respect to economic policy, the government introduced from January 2020 the second phase of the china-Pakistan Free Trade agreement and as a result of renegotiation with Beijing Islamabad began to receive many concessions on Pakistani exports of goods and services which ultimately reduced the burden of tariff on Pakistan. The agreement with china was termed as a significant milestone in the country’s foreign policy as it expanded Pakistan’s trade with a country, earlier known for cooperation in the defence and security fields. at the time Imran khan assumed office in Pakistan he found the country economically poor and weak with multiple problems, such as flawed energy policies, a spiraling fiscal deficit, a grossly inadequate tax to Gross Domestic Product ratio, multiple bailouts by international agencies and under-investment in the education, health and skills sectors which have marred the sustainable growth of the nation. In particular, Imran’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), also identified antiquated governance and all-pervasive corruption, and lack of political leadership, as the reasons for the longterm decline in the economy. With the coming of Imran khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, he set forth a reform programme for various sectors of the economy and the creation of a fiscal space of nine percent of Gross Domestic Products along with a five perent increase in tax collection two percent reduction in wasteful expenditure and two percent reduction in public sector spending on losses of public sector enterprises. For the future, the government projected a target of a growth rate of six percent, inflation to be brought down to seven percent, the fiscal deficit to be brought down to 4.5 percent, tax revenue to be raised by 15 percent and a fourfold increase in welfare spending. The ongoing welfare schemes required financial help from outside the country, and from whom it should be procured, was a dilemma before the new government. One such option was to look to the IMF, but due to pressure from the USa, it felt some limitations and the imposing

In respect to economic policy, the government introduced from January 2020 the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and as a result of renegotiation with Beijing Islamabad began to receive many concessions on Pakistani exports of goods and services which ultimately reduced the burden of tariff on Pakistan.

of tough conditions were imminent in the context. The next option was to move towards the People’s Republic of china whose $62 billion dream projects were already in progress and called the china-Pakistan Economic corridor (cPEc). although, initially and afterwards, the Government of Pakistan has continuously supported the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) scheme, the other recipients of BRI loans have expressed anxieties in paying chinese debt and its high interest rates. In reference to the Pakistani cPEc, the NGO centre for Global Development has also warned that chinese development schemes may add to Pakistan’s risk of debt distress. In the circumstances, Islamabad could either return to the IMF or further increase its volume of chinese debt. as the Trump administration of the USa was very hard on Pakistan due to its failure to tackle Islamic extremism, the former might put pressure on the IMF to ensure that its loans given to Islamabad, were not used to repay the chinese loan, taken in the context of the BRI. Pakistan is also reluctant in receiving IMF loans because it would compel Islamabad to disclose the terms attached to china-Pakistan Economic corridor. In the situation, non-availability of funds for Imran khan will cap Imran’s election commitment of an Islamic welfare state along with removing inequalities in Pakistan. Initially for months, the Government of Pakistan avoided an IMF loan due to strict conditions attached with it and arranged for loans from Saudi arabia, the United arab Emirates and china, but as they all were insufficient to meet the needs of Islamabad and the economy of Pakistan worsened further, it went to the IMF in 2019 for the 22nd time in the history of Pakistan and asked for a loan of SDR 1 billion. The International Monetary Fund, although it sanctioned the said loan with such conditions as a hike in the energy tariff, the removal of the energy subsidy, an increase in taxation, the privatization of public entities and fiscal adjustments to the budget. In addition, Pakistan also gave a concrete assurance that it would not divert the IMF loan to service its chinese debt. In fact, Beijing is the biggest donor to Pakistan after the IMF, which is around $19-20 billions of the total $ 90 billions of the debt and liabilities of Pakistan and this has increased from the year 2015. according to an estimate, by 2024, Pakistan will have to pay back to china $100 billion on the total investment of $ 18.5 billion which china has made in bank loans and 19 early harvest projects under the china-Pakistan Economic corridor (cPEc).

In addition, Pakistan also gave a concrete assurance that it would not divert the IMF loan to service its Chinese debt. In fact, Beijing is the biggest donor to Pakistan after the IMF, which is around $19-20 billions of the total $ 90 billions of the debt and liabilities of Pakistan and this has increased from the year 2015.

The writer is head of the political science department and dean of the Social Sciences faculty of the B.N.Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar, India. He can be reached at rajkumarsinghpg@gmail.com

aS a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen, I feel it is high time we started talking about the harmful implications of the illegal cigarette trade in Pakistan. It’s a matter of concern to know where these counterfeit cigarette brands come from and, even more importantly, who is benefiting from their distribution and sale. There are illegally sourced or manufactured cigarettes in every corner shop that are kept hidden behind counters, and sold only to trusted acquaintances. I would like to know how or when it will be possible to eliminate these illegal threats to the wellbeing of our beloved nation’s economy. Pakistan is among one of the largest consumers of tobacco in the world – at the end of 2020, around 28 million Pakistanis of 15 years and above were smokers. Millions of young people (the future of Pakistan) are being hooked on narcotics abuse through cigarettes, other hazardous products leading to deaths of thousands every year from tobacco related diseases – the majority of these from lung and other cancers, strokes, ischemic heart, other cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. In the face of this reality, the merchants of death are present even in elected houses, shamelessly intimidating the FBR and other lawenforcement agencies of dire consequences if they are touched. This rampant illicit trade is not possible without political patronage and control of the law-enforcement agencies through money power. The legitimate question is how twice the FBR awarded a contract for licence of a track and trace (T&T) system of tobacco products by not following the rules. The first one was in violation of the World Health Organisation’s Framework convention on Tobacco control (WHO FcTc) Protocol, which sets out a clear strategy for the implementation of comprehensive, industry-independent T&T systems for tobacco. The then chairman of the FBR claimed that the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder and as per rules. However, the Islamabad High court declared it unlawful with the directions that “the FBR is at liberty to initiate a fresh bidding process strictly in accordance with the law” The second one of Rs25 billion was suspended by the Sindh High court on a writ petition on March 13, 2021. The court has issued notices to the FBR and the federal government, fixing the case hearing for april 5, 2021. The prime minister showed annoyance but did not fix responsibility for irregularities committed twice by the FBR. Is it lack of capacity or was it a deliberate act? Many eyebrows are raised. In both the cases, the concerned were not sacked, and no inquiry was conducted to unveil the forces behind it. It was alleged in the media that one official of the FBR was transferred from Peshawar to Quetta for raiding a factory producing counterfeit cigarettes. The factory owner accused the FBR of blackmailing him. On September 25, 2020, there was a protest in Islamabad by civil society and lawyers joining hands with residents of Muzaffarabad and other parts of azad Jammu & kashmir (aJ&k) against production/sale of counterfeit cigarettes, with serious health implications and causing revenue loss of billions of rupees to the Department of Inland Revenue (aJ&k) and the FBR. The solution is proper monitoring of Green Leaf Threshing units (GLTs) – the main link in supply chain of 75,000 plus farmers, 500,000 plus retailers and 45 plus manufacturers. Only 11 GLTs are supplying raw material to cigarette manufacturers. It is strange that the FBR with its huge workforce cannot monitor just a few GLTs as per chapter XVI of the Federal Excise Rules 2005. AmmAr muzAffAr KArAchi

Double standards THE Financial action Task Force (FaTF), an inter-governmental body, was founded by the Group of Seven (G7), a bunch of global elite, after the fall of the Soviet Union to pursue the dream of being powerful forever in order to dictate the world at large. Within its scope are efforts to combat money-laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Initially, it was believed to be a neutral body, but later it was exposed as biased because the handpicked developed countries changed its course. Pakistan has had its interactions with the FaTF over the years and is currently placed on the ‘grey list’ apparently for reasons that run deeper than what they look like on the surface. In what is known as FincEN files scandal, leaked documents involving transactions worth about $2 trillion have already shown how some of the world’s biggest banks allowed criminals to move ill-gotten money around the world. Leading Western banks have been some of the main facilitators of money-laundering. Besides, according to the FincEN files, London is the hub of major money-laundering activities. It was reported to have links with about 3,000 such companies, and the recently released Pandora Papers prove the point. The global institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), maintain close liaison with handpicked developed countries that house the world’s largest multi-national corporations under the patronage of international investors. Therefore, the global establishment puts pressure on the developing countries to adopt its recommended policies in return for aid or loans, hence controlling their respective national policies. If a domestic policy of a developing country is against their interests, they jointly lobby and exert pressure to have it changed. The recent tough talks with the IMF point to the pressure and influence of the global institutions. Besides, the compliance of Pakistan with the FaTF agenda has been appreciated by Marcus Pleyer, the president of the watchdog, who said Pakistan had fulfilled 95 per cent of the requirements. By his own remarks, Pakistan was given one of the most challenging plans. Despite all the efforts, Pakistan could not get itself off the grey list. Similarly, the biggest ‘grey’ area in FaTF is the listing of countries. If someone looks at the criteria percentage given to various countries, it gets stranger. For example, the percentage of partially compliant and noncompliant status given to Pakistan is 20pc, and it has been placed on the grey list, while Lithuania and South korea also scored 20pc, but found a place on the ‘white list’. The stronghold of the core countries in FaTF creates inequality among those on the periphery. Ironically, the cIa supplied weapons and ammunition to the afghan Mujahideen against the Soviets, and the United States declared them freedom-fighters. Later, the same group which transformed into the Taliban was declared terrorists because of shifting american interests in the region. Rationally speaking, if the FaTF is really serious about dirty money being used in terror financing, it should ask the US why the cIa funded and weaponised the Mujahideen. SolAngi AnwAr rAnipur

08 WORLD VIEW 4th November 21_Layout 1 11/3/2021 10:13 PM Page 1

Thursday, 4 November, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW

FAcEbook FAIlEd to rEmovE ISlAmophobIc contEnt In IndIA

tiMe

BiLLY PeRRiGO

N a video posted to facebook in November 2020, an extremist priest called for Hindus to rise up and begin killing Muslims in India. “People need to learn that this is not the time to protest, but the time to go to war,” said Narsinghanand Saraswati, who has been named by at least one international watchdog as an extremist hate preacher. “This is a global war where Islam’s jihadis are fully prepared. It’s our choice if Hindus should fight or not. But Muslims will not spare Hindus.” “It’s time for every Hindu to invoke the warrior in them,” Saraswati said in Hindi in the facebook video. “The day Hindus take weapons and start killing these Love Jihadis, this Love Jihad will come to an end. Until then, we can’t stop it.” With 1.4 million views as of late October this year, the video was one of the top posts on facebook about “Love Jihad,” a popular Islamophobic conspiracy theory that suggests Muslim men are attempting to wage a holy war against Hinduism by marrying and converting Hindu women to Islam. facebook banned the QAnon conspiracy theory in October 2020, designating it a “militarized social movement.” But the company has not applied the same definition to Love Jihad, which began as a fringe conspiracy theory but began to enter the Indian political mainstream around 2016 after being taken up as a narrative by Hindu nationalist groups. facebook is aware of the danger and prevalence of the Love Jihad conspiracy theory on its platform but has done little to act on it, according to internal facebook documents seen by TIME, as well as interviews with former employees. The documents suggest that “political sensitivities” are part of the reason that the company has chosen not to ban Hindu nationalist groups who are close to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “We make decisions on content based on whether they violate our policies, not because of someone’s political position, party affiliation, or political point of view,” facebook said in a statement. “We have removed several pieces of ‘Love Jihad’ content on the platform that violated our policies and will continue to remove violating content as we become aware of it.” This story is partially based on whistleblower frances Haugen’s disclosures to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which were also provided to the U.S. Congress in redacted form by her legal team. The redacted versions were seen by a con-

FACEBOOK IS AWARE OF THE DANGER AND PREVALENCE OF THE LOVE JIHAD CONSPIRACY THEORY ON ITS PLATFORM BUT HAS DONE LITTLE TO ACT ON IT sortium of news organizations, including TIME. Many of the documents were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. facebook has deemed India a “tier one” country—its highest ranking in a tier system that decides how the company prioritizes its resources building safety systems in countries at risk of violence. But the documents show that facebook spends only a small minority of its total investment in the safety of its platforms on languages other than English, and on jurisdictions outside the U.S. In India, facebook’s biggest market, with more than 300 million users, the company has been accused by watchdogs and opposition politicians of wilfully turning a blind eye to incitement to violence by Hindu nationalists. facebook only removed the video of Saraswati calling for Hindus to eradicate Muslims after TIME asked about it in late October. “We don’t allow hate speech on facebook and we remove it when we find it or are made aware of it,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “We know our enforcement is not perfect and there is more work to do, but our regular transparency reports show we are making progress combating these issues.” ‘POLITICAL SENSITIVITIES’ MAY HAVE PLAYED A ROLE: In one internal company presentation, which is undated but includes a screenshot of a post from March 2021, facebook employees wrote that they had carried out research that found “a high volume of Love Jihad content” on the platform. Groups and pages on facebook, it said, are “replete with inflammatory and misleading anti-Muslim content,” a problem exacerbated by what the report said was a lack of algorithms that work to detect such content in the languages Hindi and Bengali.” TIME was unable to ascertain when the report was written. In a statement to TIME, facebook said it had brought in algorithms in early 2021 to detect incitement to violence in Hindi and Bengali, and that it has had algorithms to detect hate speech in these languages since 2018. But those algorithms appeared not to have detected or flagged the video of Saraswati for deletion, even though it had amassed 1.4 million views. Political factors may be at play in the company’s handling of Hindu nationalist content, the internal facebook presentation suggested. Much Love Jihad content, it said, was “posted by pro-BJP and pro-RSS pages.” The

RSS is the largest Hindu nationalist group in India, with close ties to the government. The presentation acknowledged that the RSS regularly shares “fear-mongering, antiMuslim narratives [targeting] pro-Hindu populations with V&I [violence and incitement] content,” which is against facebook’s rules. The presentation says that “political sensitivities” meant that RSS had not been designated as a dangerous organization by the company—a designation that would have resulted in the group being banned from facebook’s platforms. “We have yet to put forth a nomination for designation of this group given political sensitivities,” the presentation says. In October, the Intercept revealed facebook’s list of banned terrorist and hate groups and individuals. The list includes hundreds of Islamist groups from all over the world but just one Hindu extremist group, the Sanatan Sanstha. Saraswati, the preacher who called for Muslims to be killed, is not on the list. The internal facebook presentation reveals that employees knew content shared by Hindu nationalist groups posed a risk to vulnerable populations. One slide in the presentation suggests the posts fall under the term “politicized hate,” which the report defines as “a term used to describe a category of discriminatory practices from political parties which target vulnerable populations often done in a coordinated, authentic way.” (In this context, “authentic” means that the people posting are not using fake accounts.) One former facebook employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear that being named could invite retaliation, told TIME that some employees had raised the issue of the Love Jihad conspiracy theory as early as 2019, but that the company had decided against banning it from the platform, choosing instead to down-rank the content in users’ feeds. facebook did not respond to a question from TIME asking for confirmation that it currently down-ranks Love Jihad content rather than deleting it. It also did not respond to questions asking what signals the company uses to inform algorithms that could detect such content, and in what languages those algorithms are operational, if any. In a statement, the company said: “We’ve invested significantly in technology to find hate speech in a variety of different lan-

guages, including Hindi and Bengali. As a result, we’ve reduced the amount of hate speech that people see by half this year.” Still, a TIME review of public-facing facebook posts reveals that Love Jihad conspiracy theory content remains wildly popular on facebook, even in 2021. Of all the posts on the platform that contain the Hindi term for “Love Jihad,” the top one, with 16.3 million views, is a fictionalized video shared by BJP worker Pradeep Tyagi in february of this year. The video depicts a woman meeting a man at a Hindu temple and falling in love. They marry, only for the woman to find out the man is a Muslim. He forces her to wear a burqa and begins physically abusing her. He is shown receiving a wad of cash from an imam (an apparent allusion to the conspiracy theory that Muslim men are being paid large sums of money by religious officials to convert Hindu women). When the woman tries to run away, the man beats her, covers her in gasoline, and sets her alight. She is shown dying in agony in the hospital, covered in blood. The video ends with the same man returning to a temple and meeting a new woman. The clear implication is that he is beginning the process of so-called Love Jihad all over again. FACEBOOK’S INACTION OVER HINDU EXTREMISM: One civil society organization told TIME that it is tracking a group of at least 27 “highly toxic” pages that regularly post Love Jihad content, whose videos had cumulatively been viewed more than 1 billion times as of October 2021. The Indian diaspora-led foundation, called The London Story, told TIME it has reported these pages and the content they share to facebook but that the company had not removed any of the posts or accounts. Many of the pages are run by “vigilantes,” says Ritumbra Manuvie, a legal scholar who is the foundation’s policy and research director. Some of the page administrators include their WhatsApp contact number on their pages, she says, and encourage their followers to report Muslim men perpetrating so-called Love Jihad against Hindu women. To date Manuvie’s impression has been that “facebook is just not bothered,” she tells TIME. She said that her group had shared evidence of the 27 pages’ activity with foley Hoag, a Boston-based law firm hired by facebook to carry out a forthcoming assess-

ment of its human rights impact in India. “We did say very categorically that facebook is providing these tools to vigilante armies who are using them to gather bigger crowds,” she says. facebook said it was carrying out a review of the pages after TIME asked the company about Manuvie’s complaint. facebook’s apparent tolerance of the Love Jihad conspiracy theory, Manuvie says, often results in the company turning a blind eye to rhetoric that could radicalize users into committing violent acts—and has likely already resulted in real-world harm. In one video from January, which Manuvie says she reported to facebook but which remains online, a spokesperson for the Hindu nationalist group Karni Sena threatens violence against people who engage in interfaith marriage. “If anyone subscribes to this kind of thinking … we will beat you so bad you won’t be able to comprehend it,” the spokesperson, Mahipal Singh Makrana, says in the video, which has received 1.5 million views on the platform. In the video, Makrana refers to a specific alleged Love Jihad incident in the village of Kolai, in the northwest-Indian state of Rajasthan. He explains that he and his “regional spokesperson” would visit the village to support the family of the alleged Love Jihad victim in the coming days, and threatened: “If someone has to die, it will be the other, not them.” He is speaking Hindi in the video. There appear to be no reports of that specific incident leading directly to real-world violence in the village of Kolai, but mob attacks against Muslims are on the rise in India, and many participants appear to use Love Jihad as justification. A viral video posted in August documented a terrified 8year-old girl clinging to her father, a 45-yearold Muslim man, as he was beaten by a mob chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” a Hindu nationalist slogan. One of the man’s relatives had been accused of marrying a Hindu woman to convert her to Islam. The mob threatened to kill the man and his family members, as his young daughter pleaded with them to stop. Three men were arrested after the mob attack, which was reportedly coordinated by the Bajrang Dal, one of the biggest Hindu extremist groups in India, which is close to the ruling party. The Bajrang Dal regularly posts Love Jihad misinformation on its facebook pages. The Journal reported in 2020 that facebook had chosen not to ban the Bajrang Dal, citing risk to facebook’s business prospects in India. With reporting by Abhishyant Kidangoor / Hong Kong.

An intellectual biography of Edward Said

Middle east Monitor

MuhaMMad hussein

f there was one figure central to postcolonial studies and the intellectual force behind the Palestinian meeting with Western academia, it was undoubtedly the late Edward W Said. Although he was an American citizen –his father having fled to the US to escape Ottoman conscription in World War One – Said was born in Jerusalem in 1935 and raised in Cairo. He was very much an international and intercultural figure from his youth. Despite his education in famed Western institutions such as Princeton and Harvard Universities, as well his academic career at Columbia University, Said was also involved intricately in the life of the “Near East”, and was all too familiar with its cultural and intellectual rhythms. Through ground-breaking writings such as his book Orientalism (1978), he delved into the West’s psyche and exposed some of its deep-seated prejudices towards the region and its people. His unique ability to traverse both the East and West and their intellectual currents is put down to his “earlier nomadic existence [which] helped explain his shifting cultural allegiances.”

Throughout his career, Said was the figurehead of the Palestinian cause in the West as well as one of the most effective intellectuals of the 20th century whose legacy lives on. Even though he was an Anglican Christian, he was an outspoken defender of the Muslim world and Islamic culture, making him both controversial and beloved to many. Anyone who knows anything about Edward Said, knows all of this. What many do not know, though, is that mental anguish plagued him throughout his life to such an extent that he was never without therapeutic help. Nor do many know about his complex familial pressures and disputes, and how others aside from himself viewed them. Timothy Brennan’s Places of Mind: A Life of Edward Said, however, is the biography which reveals all of those niche and curious details. Drawing on never-before published materials, including interviews with his family members, intimate friends and colleagues, as well as his unpublished poetic and fictional works – not to mention the federal Bureau of Investigation’s (fBI) files on him – Brennan paints a detailed portrait of Said. It is no surprise, therefore, to learn that the author was a student of Said, was advised by him and was a close friend. As such, Brennan is a suitable fit as a biographer of the Palestinian intellectual. While rightly praising Said, throughout the book the author points out his flaws and reveals certain fallacies. Indeed, at times he even comes across as being rather harsh towards his old friend’s shortfalls, although that could very well be proof of the critical nature of an unbiased biography. Another aspect that the reader cannot escape is the long and exhausting analyses of Said’s study of literature and the ideas he wrestled with in his academic career. from the descriptions of his relationship with each of his mentors and their influences on him to his numerous works on literary criticism, this biography leans heavily towards the academic side of Said’s life. An example of this is when Brennan outlines the impact of two such mentors – Richard Blackmur and Arthur Szathmary – and compares the impact they had on the

studious Said. While Szathmary had a “more general” influence and taught him “the essentials of critical thinking”, the author states that during Said’s undergraduate years “the more lasting influence came from Blackmur.” Brennan also refers to Said’s character that later often made him controversial amongst peers and others in his field generally, pointing out that the ideas which “made his mentors unorthodox may seem obscure today, but [they] energised Said immensely.” Unlike the young Said, however, the mentors were fixtures in the corridors of academia and were therefore “sponsored by an establishment that protected and rewarded them for being acceptably edgy.” Such detail is to be expected, as Said’s entire career was in academia – particularly comparative literature – and Brennan is in the same field, but it comes at a price. Readers have to endure such analyses throughout the book, and this may not be an easy read for those who simply want to know more about the subject’s life. It is something of an intellectual biography. Above all, this extensive account of Said’s life shows the overwhelmingly human and vulnerable side of the man, while also shedding light on certain tensions with some members of his family. An example of this is when Brennan mentions how he “claimed that his father never wrote him ‘a truly personal letter,’ rather dictating them to his secretary and signing them ‘Yours truly, W. A. Said’.” When his father Wadie asked him once to be more welcoming of visiting relatives and to contact a business associate in the US on his behalf, the young Said “replied that he was ‘rather tired of being told what a bad person I am, and how I am always falling short of the standards of… a good brother, son, etc.’ He added, ‘I think the time has come to start lecturing my sisters about how they should treat me in a way more properly befitting an older brother.’” This incident is also one of the instances where Brennan points out Said’s flaws and exaggerations, revealing that his father’s request was found in one of the numerous “personal letters from his father, filled with hurt and insecurity” and which “are readily found among his [Said’s] papers.”

While the biography provides such insights into Said’s personal life and wounded perceptions, it also does due justice to his struggles with the Palestinian question. These included his shift from supporting the much-propagated “two-state solution” to backing the arguably more practical “one-state solution” following the disastrous Oslo Accords. The book elaborates on his relationship with the powerful reactionary concept of Third-Worldism, especially at a time when national liberation and anti-colonial movements continued to evolve in the changing world towards the end of the Cold War era. In many ways, Places of Mind… highlights the unfortunate fact that, almost two decades since Edward Said’s death in 2003, the Palestinian cause and its narrative remain muddled. Neither his warnings nor advice appear to have been heeded.

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 | KARACHI

NEWS

corporate corner adamjee life partners with sindh govt to improve healthcare infrastructure Karachi: Adamjee Life and the government of Sindh have collaborated to improve the infrastructure of state led health dispensaries in the province. This initiative is part of the Nigehbaan CSR platform of Adamjee Life that has led various education, environmental and health programs in the past. Adamjee Life has always been a strong advocate of advancing Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Goals (SGD’s) and has pledged to provide assistance to the state in other such initiatives as well. During the unveiling of the renovated facility, Adamjee Life General and Corporate Affairs HR GM Ahson Nasim received a token of gratitude from District Health Officer Central Dr Bashir Ahmed Mangi. Following the unveiling of the new facility, representatives from both sides paid a visit to the facility. Speaking on the occasion Ahson Nasim stated, “As a socially responsible entity, we feel this initiative is our national duty and a symbol of our commitment to the country. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Sindh for their support in making this collaboration a success. We hope that this initiative will result in a measurable impact and help citizens receive prompt healthcare facilities.” Karachi DHO Central Dr Ahmed Mangi stated, “In Collaboration with the Government of Sindh & Adamjee Life, “This renovation should benefit not only our patients but our staff as well. We know improved continuity of care will be very valuable to our beneficiaries and we are very thankful to Adamjee Life for their pledge as support.” Pr

CoP 26: nestlé Pakistan joins race to Zero lahOrE: Nestlé Pakistan has become a member of United Nations-backed Race to Zero, a global campaign that aims to rally leadership and support from a wholeof-society actors in order to ensure a resilient zero carbon recovery that unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. By taking the Race to Zero pledge, members commit to halving global emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Nestlé recognizes that Climate Change is the society’s greatest challenges. It has already started to impact people around the world in various ways; long-term changes in weather and crop patterns, hotter temperatures and increased droughts which can lead to more poverty, shortage of food and more health risks. Waqar Ahmad, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Pakistan said, “Nestlé Pakistan will be taking action across agriculture value chain and our operations. The major interventions will be to reduce emissions in our milk value chain, promote reforestation, switch to 100% renewable energy and work with farmers to shift to regenerative ways of growing food,” Mr Ahmad said. Regenerative agriculture is the first step that Nestlé Pakistan is taking on its journey toward regeneration; to help protect, renew and restore the environment, improve the livelihoods of farmers and enhance the resilience and well-being of communities and our consumers. Pr

shell Pakistan joins forces with tPl trakker to launch ‘shell telematics’ with vehicle trackers Karachi: Shell Pakistan Limited has collaborated with TPL Trakker Limited to launch Shell Telematics, an all-inone fleet management solution for corporate customers, a first of its kind in Pakistan. Through this collaboration, a customer’s Shell Fleet Card will be linked with the TPL Trakker in their vehicle to generate a comprehensive picture of fleet performance and driver efficiency. Customers will be able to view month-on-month fuel consumption, distance travelled, mileage of each vehicle, all on one platform, so that they can identify inefficiencies and underperformance, replacing manual reconciliations from different sources. With a set of unique instant alerts, such as location mismatch alert, Shell Telematics can help customers identify potentially fraudulent transactions. Pr

Waqar siddiqui to lead shell business in Pakistan Karachi: Waqar Siddiqui has been appointed as the Chief Executive & Managing Director of Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) with effect from November 1. Waqar joined SPL in 2001 and has since held several roles locally and internationally at senior leadership positions. In his 24 years of oil downstream experience, he has successfully guided Shell companies through organizational change, strategy development, mergers/acquisitions and achieving consistent performance delivery. His last role before returning to Pakistan was Managing Director of Shell Downstream Retail in PT Shell Indonesia. Waqar has been a Director on the Board of SPL since 2019. Waqar holds a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and MBA in Marketing. In addition, he holds academic and professional accreditations from Harvard Business School and University of British Columbia. Pr

KP Cabinet aPProves firstever food seCurity PoliCy PESHAWAR

Mian abrar

hyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approved the first ever Food Security policy and plan which is amongst one of the Flagship project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government spanning over a period of ten years with a huge financial allocation of rS:236 billion. Chief Minister KP will personally review the implementation status of the project on monthly basis. The approval was accorded during a cabinet meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan. The meeting was also attended by Cabinet members, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, SMbr, Additional Chief Secretary and administrative secretaries. briefing Media persons regarding the decisions of the cabinet, Provincial Minister Kamran bangash accompanied by newly–inducted Minister Arshad Ayub said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the first province to approve the much-needed Food Security Policy to address shortage of wheat, sugar and other food items. he declared it a landmark achievement which will not only suffice the province in food items but would also generate employment opportunities in the province. briefing the media about the salient features of the food policy, Kamran bangash stated that southern part of the province had great potential for achieving the goal of Food Security where irrigational channels particularly CrbC scheme and other water courses will be channelized, Public –Private partnership will be encouraged, woman participation will be ensured to alleviate poverty and generate employment opportunities. The project is expected to generate billions in revenue on annual basis. Kissan Card worth rS:55 billion

QINGHAI, KP BECOME SISTER PROVINCES WHILE XINING & PESHAWAR AS SISTER CITIES is part of this policy, Kamran bangash remarked. The cabinet, in prior consultation with Public Service Commission KP, also declared the recent screening test conducted by Public Service Commission KP for induction into the Provincial Management Service (PMS) as null and void and allowed all the candidates to directly appear in the written examination. This decision, will ensure maximum competition as mere screening test is not sufficient for syllabus related examination aimed at evaluating the ability of the candidates. Kamran bangash further stated that the cabinet also discussed in detail the ensuing local bodies elections in the backdrop of decision of the Peshawar high Court viz-a-viz holding of the NC/VC elections on party basis. he added that provincial government had great respect for judiciary and election Commission of Pakistan and is fully prepared for holding of Local bodies elections. The cabinet formed a four members cabinet committee comprising Taimour Salim Jhagra, Shaukat yousafzai, Shahram Khan Tarakai, and Kamran bangsah to discuss modalities as well as work out technical issues with the election Commission of Pakistan. In light of the decision of APeX court, the cabinet also approved regularization of 519 employees of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education Foundation and their subsequent merger into the Directorate of higher education. The cabinet, keeping in view the Covid emergency situation also approved monthly fee concession for the students to provide relief to the parents under the epidemic control and emergency Act 2020. The schools charging more than rs. 6000 monthly fee will provide 20% concession while school charging less than rs. 6000 monthly fees will pro-

vide 10% concession in the fee. It merits a mention here that the government had earlier announced fee concession which had been extended for another three months. The cabinet also allowed one-time exemption in KPPrA rules for purchase of high quality goats from Turkey. The cabinet approved re- constitution of KP information Technology board in additional to approving fresh positions for Counter Terrorism Department in merged Districts. The cabinet with a view to facilitate more people also approved the extension of Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) to 23 additional SeMI UrbAN UNION Councils. Previously, WSSP was confined to only 42 union councils. The provincial cabinet also approved to extend the jurisdiction of Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) to all phases of hayatabad, regi Model Town (All zones), GT road Peshawar, Motorway confluence till motorway to Toll Plaza, Kohat road upto Peshawar urban limits, Nasir bagh road, Warsak road, Charsada road, all areas where horticulture work have been carried out including Nowsehra , Akora and Jehangrira areas, and all areas notified under section-iv of Gandahara City. The Chief Minister, on this occasion stated that performance of PDA will be properly monitored. The cabinet meeting approved to declare Chinese province Qinkghai and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as sister provinces and Xining and Peshawar as sister cities. The cabinet also approved to transfer 15 kanal land of the Forest reserved land to Gallyat Development Authority for outsourcing of the already established rest Places. The cabinet, on this occasion, approved amendments in the Tourism Act 2019, in order to ensure better management and development.

The cabinet approved to bring four union councils of tehsil balakot, Kewai, Ghanool, Mohndri, and Khagan back into the jurisdiction of Kaghan Development Authority. In order to extend financial assistance to the artists, the provincial cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserving Artist Welfare endowment Fund bill 2021. The cabinet, on this occasion, approved the nomination of hassan Fareed as Director board of directors, rashakai special economic Zone Development and Operation Company. The provincial cabinet also accorded approval to the appointment of Said Mahmood as Vice Chairman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa board of Investment and Trade for a period of three years and Ayaz Ali, CeO Interlink Communication Pvt. Ltd. as its Additional Member. The cabinet also empowered NADrA to issue succession certificates to legal heirs of movable and immovable properties. This step will facilitate the public to a larger extent to easily get the certificate. The Chief Minister directed the concerned quarters to take up the matter with NADrA authorities to establish facilitation counters at Divisional level for facilitation of public. The cabinet also approved the establishment of Upper Swat Development Authority. This will help in the promotion of Tourism in beautiful valley of Swat. The cabinet approved a supplementary grant of rs.300 million as fertilizer subsidy. The Chief Minister directed the cabinet members to prepare a schedule of visit to their respective areas, hold “Khulee Katcheries” and resolve the problems of the masses, concerning their respective departments, at their door steps. Chief Minister also directed P&D Department to link preparation of PC-I for construction of small dams with Command Area Development as well as construction of water courses and water channels.

savyour and foodpanda announce partnership to provide cashback on online orders Karachi: Savyour, Pakistan’s first cashback app, has partnered with leading food and grocery delivery platform, foodpanda to allow their users across Pakistan to save money in the form of cashback from every order they place. As a fast-growing cashback platform, Savyour provides online shoppers the opportunity to earn cashback on hundreds of local brands across multiple categories. Through this partnership, Savyour users will be able to maximize their savings by earning cashback on top of ongoing deals, discounts and bank promotions running on foodpanda’s platform. Furthermore, they will gain access to foodpanda’s overall base of over 20,000 restaurants, pandamart, homechefs and shops. The cashback would be applicable on orders that are paid online as well as cash on delivery. Foodpanda will benefit by utilizing a local marketing platform which is performance driven, and tap into Savyour’s rapidly growing user base to drive incremental reach. Pr

urea prices do not have any impact on food inflation Karachi: Food inflation is one of the biggest challenges being confronted by the government. However, the situation is not unique to Pakistan as global food prices have jumped by 34 per cent between July 2020 and June 2021, owing to a surge in oil prices, supply chain disruptions and unfavorable weather conditions. This was stated by in a media briefing by Engro Fertilizers CFO Imran Ahmed, who highlighted that the fertilizer industry is playing a critical role in ensuring food security and managing food inflation in Pakistan through adequate and affordable supply of urea at one fifth the international prices. Reports suggest that globally the food prices have soared to its highest point in a decade and that has translated locally, where the prices have even been adversely impacted by rupee devaluation on top of global price increases. He stressed that urea prices do not have any impact on food inflation as only 2.6pc of farmers wallet is spent on urea. According to calculations, every Rs50 per bag increase in urea price has an impact of only 1 paisa on the price of a ‘roti’. The impact of a Rs50 per bag increase in urea price on other agri commodities like rice, sugar, maize, potato, tomato and banana is all within 10 paisas per kg. The local fertiliser industry has shielded farmers from a steep rise in international urea prices as domestically produced urea is currently priced at 2012 level. Urea is available in Pakistan at a significant discount of 81 percent, equivalent to Rs7500 per bag, compared to the international rates. As a result, farmers are getting an annualised benefit in excess of Rs350 billion and the country is expected to save $3 billion in import substitution during 2021. Pr

i Can-Cer vive: breast cancer awareness event by sehat Kahani at british High Commission islamabad: Sehat Kahani on Tuesday conducted I CAN-CER VIVE, an event to honour breast cancer survivors and raise awareness about Breast Cancer at the British High Commission. The event was graced by the Health Minister Sindh-Dr.Azra Fazal Pechuho,Exsecretary health,Dr. Fazallulah Pechuho and Mike Nithavrianakis-The Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi. The event honoured five breast cancer survivors highlighting their struggle through a video documentary and presenting them a token of resilience. The event also hosted a panel of renowned doctors, Dr Naila Zahid -leading Consultant Oncologist at Liaquat National Hospital, Dr Kausar RehmanConsultant Breast Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at South City Hospital and Sanaa Ahmed mental health expert represents the Mental Healthcare portfolio for British Asian Trust in Pakistan. The panel was moderated by Dr Iffat Zafar Aga,COO Sehat Kahani .The panelists discussed the importance of fighting the disease with the body and mind. They encouraged women to reach a doctor immediately in case they find any signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer. Chief guest Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho mentioned that the bill for telemedicine has been passed from the assembly so that companies such as Sehat Kahani can play its role in helping more patients . Pr

Thursday, 4 November, 2021 | KARACHI

10 FOREIGN NEWS

ChInA ACCUses Us of ‘lACK of TrAnspArenCy’ over sUbmArIne ACCIdenT BeIJING

AgeNcies

HINA on Tuesday accused the US of a lack of transparency and responsibility regarding an accident in the South China Sea involving a Navy submarine last month. At a daily briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the US should provide full details of the incident that has revived a dispute between the two countries over the strategic waterway. “We once again urge the US to give a detailed account of the accident,” he said. Two US Navy officials said the service had determined the nuclear-powered USS Connecti-

cut struck a seamount, or underwater mountain. The Navy has yet to fully explain how or why the sub struck the seamount or to reveal the extent of damage to the Seawolfclass submarine. Wang described what he called a lack of transparency and responsibility by the US in following up with the incident. He said the US has so far failed to offer a clear explanation” of what the Navy nuclear submarine was doing in the area, as well as the specific location of the accident, whether it was in another country’s exclusive economic zone or even territorial waters, whether it caused a nuclear leak or damaged marine environment. China claims sovereignty over virtually

the entire South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars of international trade pass each year. Six governments claim islands, atolls and exclusive economic zones in the sea, while the US insists that freedom of navigation be maintained, reinforcing that with regular military flights and naval patrols and training missions around the region. The Navy has said the submarines nuclear reactor and propulsion system were not damaged. The collision caused a small number of moderate and minor injuries to the crew. USNI News, which was first to report that the submarine had struck a seamount, said damage to the forward section of the sub included its ballast tanks.

Dreams on hold: Afghan girls, women desperate to get back to class kABUL AgeNcies

Taliban ban Afghans from using foreign currencies AFP News Desk

Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced a ban on the use of foreign currencies on Tuesday, threatening further disruption to an already ailing economy. Since the group seized power in mid-August, the national currency the Afghani has depreciated and the country’s reserves are frozen abroad. With the economy teetering banks are running short of cash and the international community has so far refused to recognise the new government. Meanwhile, many transactions inside the country are conducted in US dollars, and in areas close to southern border trade routes Pakistani rupees are used. But, in a press statement, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid declared that from now on anyone using foreign currency for domestic business would be prosecuted. “The economic situation and national interests in the country require that all Afghans use the Afghani currency in every transaction,” he said. “The Islamic Emirate instructs all citizens, shopkeepers, traders, businessmen and the general public to henceforth conduct all transactions in Afghanis and strictly refrain from using foreign currency.”

To fill her days and keep her mind occupied, university student Hawa sits by the window in her Kabul home and pores over a book. Like hundreds of thousands of other Afghan girls and young women, the 20year-old Russian literature undergraduate has not been allowed to return to her studies since the Taliban seized power in midAugust. And like many of her peers, she is feeling a mixture of frustration and anger that her aspirations to study and work are being thwarted. “We are not born to sit at home,” Hawa told Reuters in her family’s house in the Afghan capital, where she has been cooped up spending her days drawing, reading and doing chores. “If we can nurture babies we can provide for our families too. In this situation, I do not see my dreams coming true.”

The hardline Islamist Taliban movement, which stormed to power earlier this year after ousting the Western-backed government, has allowed all boys and younger girls back to class, but has not let girls attend secondary school. Most public universities are not functioning at all, or only partially. Officials have tried to assure Afghans and foreign donors that people’s rights will be honoured, including allowing girls to go to school and women to study and work once details on how to do so in accordance with Islamic law are thrashed out. They have also blamed the international community for cutting off aid, making it harder to fund the reopening of schools and universities for all. More than three months into their rule, that has not happened, and some are skeptical of a group that, when it was last in power from 1996-2001, banned all girls from school and women from paid employment. Fewer than 40% of Afghan girls

attended secondary school in 2018 even though it was allowed then, according to the most recent figures from UNESCO. Much of the country remains deeply conservative, despite 20 years of Westernbacked rule and billions of dollars in foreign aid aimed partly at promoting equality and civil rights. But in urban centres in particular, girls and women have enjoyed greater freedoms since 2001, and they are reluctant to let them go. “Those of us who went to university and also had jobs, were helping our families, of course nothing will come of us, because they (the Taliban) say that whatever we studied in the last 20 years is useless,” Hawa said. Across town, 17-year-old Sahar is also stuck at home. She wants to become an engineer, but, for now at least, has to learn at home as best she can. “I am trying to continue my lessons at home but nevertheless the environment at school, the classroom, our friends and

Search suspended for three missing French climbers in Nepal kATHMANDU AFP

Rescuers on Wednesday suspended their hunt for three French climbers missing in the Himalayas after an avalanche, with little hope of finding the men alive when the search resumes later this week. The group were attempting to scale Mingbo Eiger, a 6,000-metre (19,700-feet) peak near Mount Everest in Nepal, and were last heard from via satellite phone

from their camp eight days ago. Bad weather has hampered efforts to locate the men and Ang Norbu Sherpa, a member of the search and rescue team, said the area could have been buried in a depth of snow the size of a five-storey building. “As we could not make any progress in tracing the missing climbers, we have decided to stop the search operation,” he told AFP on Tuesday. “We will continue the search after

three or four days.” The three young climbers — Thomas Arfi, Louis Pachoud and Gabriel Miloche — were part of an eight-strong expedition. They had split into two groups to tackle different summits. The French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs (FFCAM) had already conceded on Monday that the chances of finding the trio were “practically zero”. It said the men appeared to have abandoned their summit attempt and turned

India ramps up Himalayan border defences after deadly China clashes New DeLHI AFP

On the winding road up to India’s Himalayan frontier is a postcard view of gushing streams and tranquil lakes — punctuated occasionally by the sight of artillery barrels and military bunkers. A year after deadly high-altitude clashes with Chinese soldiers, India is ramping up its border defences along a treacherous mountain range that has long been a flashpoint between the two countries. Arunachal Pradesh straddles the other side of the Himalayas from Tibet and shares a common Buddhist cultural heritage with its northern neighbour. The Dalai Lama fled through the state in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in his homeland

teachers is something different compared to being at home.” She proudly showed Reuters around her old classroom – a school manager on the premises that day allowed Sahar in. “I would love to come back to my class, resume my studies, to be with my classmates and teachers,” she said, looking wistfully around the room where desks and benches gathered dust. When her younger brother and sister return from school each day, Sahar helps with their homework. “They … come home and do their homework, talk about their classmates and their studies. But I feel sad inside that I can’t go to school myself.” Her sister Hadia, who is 10, has noticed that some of her former teachers and classmates are no longer around – she assumes they were among thousands of Afghans who fled Kabul in the chaotic weeks that followed the Taliban’s conquest.

and has lived in India ever since. Beijing also claims ownership of Arunachal Pradesh — which it refers to as South Tibet — and briefly occupied most of the territory, three years after the Buddhist leader’s flight, in a short but bloody war. Tensions have flared again since mid-2020 when troops from both nations fought a hand-to-hand battle further west along their shared frontier in Ladakh, leaving at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead. Each side routinely sends patrols into areas claimed or controlled by the other, and India has also accused China of establishing permanent settlements near the border. “We have observed some infrastructure development on the Chinese side,” Lieutenant General Manoj Pande told journalists during a rare press tour through the region last

month. “That has led to (a higher) number of troops that are now located or placed there.” New Delhi has responded by scaling up its defences in Arunachal Pradesh, deploying cruise missiles, howitzers, US-made Chinook transport choppers and drones built in Israel. Fatal geography: Officers in the region say last year’s clash highlighted the urgent need to fortify the military’s frontier presence, after fruitless talks with Beijing to ease the border build-up on both sides. Temperatures around the remote strategic hamlet of Tawang — one of the closest towns to Tibet, and a potential chokepoint for any advancing forces — often drop below zero and the thin mountain air is starved of oxygen. Nearby military outposts can be cut off from the outside world for en-

tire weeks in the winter. “The region’s geography is against humans,” an Indian army brigadier told AFP. “It can be fatal if one isn’t fully fit, trained or acclimatised.” Army engineers are building a huge road tunnel at 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level, expected to open next year, to link the area to arterial routes further south and expand the reach of soldiers. “These tunnels […] will mean allweather connectivity for locals and security forces deployed in Tawang,” said Colonel Parikshit Mehra, the project’s director. A similar project is underway in Ladakh beneath the rocky terrain of the Zojila mountain pass — otherwise impassable during winter months — that would help troops quickly mobilise at the border from India’s huge garrison in occupied Kashmir.

back when the avalanche hit, with rescuers earlier locating bags and equipment belonging to the team. Climbers have started returning to Nepal after the coronavirus pandemic forced a complete shutdown of its mountaineering industry last year and devastated the tourism-dependent economy. The Himalayan nation of 30 million people re-opened to tourists and scrapped quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreigners in September.

India, UK security advisers to discuss Khalistan, extradition of businessmen News Desk Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his United Kingdom counterpart Boris Johnson agreed to ask their respective National Security Advisers (NSAs) to meet in London to discuss matters pertaining to the Khalistan movement and the long-pending extradition of embattled tycoons Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, The Tribune reported. Britain is home to an influential Sikh community and Indian leaders claim there are some groups there that are ambitiously sympathetic to the cause of Khalistan. Sikh groups began agitating for a separate homeland in India in the 1970s. India’s then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, sent the military into the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine for Sikhs, to flush out fighters there at the height of the revolt in 1984. A few months later, Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards at her home in Delhi. Over the weekend, over 30,000 members of the British Sikh population took part in the Khalistan referendum voting in London near the Parliament in a massive show of support for the cause of a separate homeland. “PM Johnson, I think agrees fully that some of these groups need to be reined in and that clearly, steps have to be taken to see how such activity which under no means is democratic, or constitutional should be or could be used to address these recent incidents,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Thursday, 4 Novemer, 2021 | KARACHI

SPORTS 11

PakiStaN caN ‘take oN’ aNy team iN t20 SemiS: RiZwaN DUBAI

AFP

ICKETKEEPER-batsman Mohammad Rizwan vowed Pakistan can beat any team in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals after they romped into the last four with another clinical win over Namibia on Tuesday. Rizwan was deservedly declared man of the match for his 50-ball 79 not out as he put on 113 with skipper Babar Azam (70) to take Pakistan to an imposing 189-2 in their 20 overs. Namibia managed 144-5 in their 20 overs to lose by 45 runs in Abu Dhabi. With four wins in as many Super 12 games Pakistan became the first team to reach the last four from Group 2.

Pakistan will face the runners-up of Group 1, likely to be Australia or South Africa. But Rizwan said his high-flying team don’t see who they are opponents are. “We don’t see the rival team,” said Rizwan. “Whoever comes in the semi-finals we can take them on and the way our team is doing we will win that as well.” This becomes Rizwan’s second man-ofthe-match award after he knocked 79 not out against arch-rivals India in their opening game. Rizwan said Pakistan had entered the Namibia match with a different plan, batting first after winning the toss. “We want to see how we do if we bat first and the plan given to us by coaches was to score 190 plus and thankfully we man-

aged that,” said Rizwan. Pakistan were off to a slow start, scoring just 59 runs in the first ten overs before smashing 130 in the next ten. “I think Namibian bowlers bowled the first six overs very well and that is why we did not get quick runs but later on Babar and I got acceleration and that helped,” said Rizwan. He and Babar also put on an unbroken 152-run stand to overhaul India’s below-par total. “People used to say that we are not power hitters but we are managing and thanks Almighty doing well,” said Rizwan of the opening stands with Babar. “We support each other and that is paying good rewards.” Pakistan next face Scotland in their final group game, in Sharjah on Sunday.a

Djokovic survives scare to battle past Fucsovics in Paris PARIS AFP

World number one Novak Djokovic endured a tough return to the ATP singles circuit but battled through to beat Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday. The 34-year-old 20-time Grand Slam champion had said on Sunday his greatest fear was lack of match practice having not played since Daniil Medvedev dashed his dreams of a Grand Slam sweep in the US Open final in September. The Serbian’s fears were borne out as Fucsovics put up a sterner test than the ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’ one he had produced when they met in the Wimbledon quarter-finals earlier this year. “It is my return to competition after almost two months of not playing in an official tournament,” said Djokovic. “Thus it was difficult to get into my rhythm but I am happy it is a decent win.” Djokovic barely had to engage a second gear when cruising to the first set in 38 minutes with the loss of just two games. But Fucsovics broke early to go 3-1 up in the second, energising the evening crowd at Bercy. Djokovic served to save the set to love at 5-3, but the Australian, French and Wimbledon champion was unable to prevent Fucsovics serving out to take the match to a decisive set. Djokovic, though, pulled it together in the third set

and broke his 29-year-old opponent to go 4-2 up. Djokovic had a match point on Fucsovic’s next service game as he turned the screw but the Hungarian saved it and stayed in the contest by winning the game to trail 3-5. Djokovic, though, made no mistake when he served for the match to see off his 40th-ranked opponent and progress to the third round. He will play the winner of the all-French clash between Adrian Mannarino and mercurial Gael Monfils. Earlier another seed had had a tough time of it as well. Felix Auger-Aliassime set up a second-round clash with Domink Koepfer, conqueror of Andy Murray, after coming from a set down to beat Italian qualifier Gianluca Mager 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. The 21-year-old Canadian ninth seed needed five match points to do so against a dogged opponent, who played way above his world ranking of 66. Auger-Aliassime will need to be on his mettle when he faces Koepfer who saved seven match points against

world number one Murray on Monday before sealing victory with his first. “The end of the first set was disappointing but I reacted well,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I bounced back in the second set. “After returning so well, I created occasions and I won the second set and then I finished very well. “So the match was indeed with an upward phase which was positive for me.” Auger-Aliassime has been very much also on an upward phase including reaching the US Open semi-finals although aided by his quarter-final opponent Carlos Alcaraz retiring from the match with a thigh injury. The 18-year-old Spaniard, though, has recovered and showed real toughness in overcoming Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 in a thrilling see-saw encounter which lasted seven minutes shy of three hours. Herbert, fired up by a partisan crowd, had saved two match points but then limply handed victory to Alcaraz with his 10th double fault of the match.

Concussed Pucovski ‘unlikely’ to make Ashes opener for Australia CANBERRA AFP

Australian batting prodigy Will Pucovski is unlikely to play in the first Ashes Test against England after failing to recover from a concussion, his state coach said Wednesday. The 23-year-old, who was hit on the head in the nets last month, has pulled out of Friday’s domestic match between Victoria and New South Wales. “He hasn’t quite recovered as well as hoped for this game from the

concussion […] no doubt it’s a setback, I’d say now it’s unlikely he’ll play in the first Test,” Victoria coach Chris Rogers said. The Ashes start in Brisbane on December 8 but Rogers said that the best-case scenario was Pucovski returning towards the middle of the five-Test series. Pucovski is regarded as one of Australia’s best prospects but his career has been blighted by a string of concussions and mental health issues, limiting him to just one Test appearance. The setback leaves Australia mulling who to partner

David Warner to open the batting against England, with Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head the leading contenders. Rogers said Pucovski would not be rushed into the Test arena before he was ready. “All the people in these conversations understand we’ve got an immense talent on our hands and we want him to be playing in three to five to 10 years,” he said. “These are the decisions we’re going to make in his best interests and hopefully we can set him up to play for a long career.”

Guptill leads New Zealand to 16-run win over Scotland DUBAI AFP

Martin Guptill hit 93 and became only the second man to pass 3,000 Twenty20 International runs as New Zealand defeated Scotland by 16 runs at the World Cup on Wednesday. New Zealand made 1725 before Scotland battled to a respectable 156-5 off their 20 overs. The Kiwis’ second win in three matches in the Super 12 stage kept them on course for the semi-finals. Pakistan have already reached the last four from Group 2 leaving New Zealand, Afghanistan and India to fight for the last qualifying spot. Tournament favourites India have to beat Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi later Wednesday to avoid elimination after two losses in two games. Put into bat, 35-year-old opener Guptill put on 105 for the fourth wicket with Glenn Phillips. Guptill made his runs off 56 balls with six fours and seven sixes. His first six off Alasdair Evans in the sixth over allowed him to pass 3,000 runs in the format, second only to India captain Virat Kohli. Phillips made a steady 33 off 37 balls before he was dismissed by Brad Wheal. The Scottish bowler also accounted for a weary Guptill off the next ball of the 19th over as the opener attempted to cart him over long on. Guptill now has 3,069 runs in T20 Internationals while Kohli leads the way on 3,225. Despite taking two wickets in two balls, Wheal conceded 40 runs off his four overs. New Zealand, who earned their first points of the tournament with an eight-wicket mauling of India last time out, hit 35 from the first four overs, 24 of those off Wheal. But Safyaan Sharif then sent back Daryl Mitchell for 13 and, four balls later, claimed the key wicket of skipper Kane Williamson for nought. At the midway point, the Black Caps were 70-3 before Guptill completed his 18th T20 half century off 35 balls with another six, his 150th in the format. Sharif was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with 2-28. In reply, the Scots were on course for victory after 10 overs when they were 76-2. Matthew Cross made a useful 27, hitting five boundaries in five balls at one stage off Adam Milne.

Australia hoping not to rely on rivals England at World Cup DUBAI AFP

Say it quietly ‘Down Under’, but Australia may need a favour from old enemy England if they are to reach the T20 World Cup semifinals. With England effectively assured of their semi-final place with four wins out of four in Group 1 of the tournament, Australia and South Africa are left to scramble over

the last spot. At the moment, the Proteas have six points from four games while Australia are on four points from three matches. However, after an eight-wicket mauling by England in their last match after being dismissed for 125, Aaron Finch’s team took a hit on their run-rate which will be the tiebreaker should they finish level on points with South Africa. On Thursday, Australia will look to even

up their points and runs when they face a hapless Bangladesh side who have lost all four matches. Despite their precarious position, the Australians, who still have the West Indies to face, insist they are not looking to England to help them out when Eoin Morgan’s men take on South Africa in their last group game on Saturday. “No, we’re purely thinking about the two games we have to win. Sometimes that’s

really good because you know you have to win those games,” said left-arm spinner Ashton Agar on Wednesday. “We go into every game thinking that you have to win. It’s something that helps you move on from the England game. “I think that’s really important, to move forward, to put that one behind us because England played incredibly well, and obviously they beat us pretty convincingly.” Australia, who have never won the T20

World Cup, have so far defeated South Africa by five wickets and Sri Lanka by seven wickets, continuing the overall trend of teams fielding first coming out on top in the humid conditions of the Gulf. “We’ve practiced bowling with wet balls. I think that’s something you have to prepare for coming to this part of the world,” said Agar, who took one wicket and made 20 runs in the game with England, his only appearance so far.

Thursday, 4 November, 2021

pRayeR timiNgS

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FAJR SUNRISE

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ASR MAGHRIB ISHA

5:23

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Shehbaz allegeS PM IMran IS ProvoKIng MInISterS to attacK ecP

EADER of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday alleged that PM Imran Khan is provoking federal ministers to “frontally attack” the election commission. As per the reports, PM Imran recently asked his ministers to back Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry and Minister for Railways Azam Swati who were served notices by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after they levelled serious allegations against the ECP. “Imran Khan’s advice to his ministers to ‘support’ two of their cabinet colleagues is a provocation to frontally attack Election Commission,” Shehbaz stated. “He is targeting ECP at a time of massive internal and external challenges. He cannot be allowed to browbeat our institutions into submission,” Shehbaz added. As per sources, the prime minister in a meeting held yesterday told federal ministers to support Swati and Chaudhry and asked them to accompany them to ECP whenever they are summoned.

It is pertinent to note that in September, Swati had accused the ECP of taking money from companies that make EVMs during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee for Parliamentary Affairs. On the other hand, Fawad Chaudhry stated that ECP has become headquarters for the Opposition, and

that the chief election commissioner is “acting as their mouthpiece”. Pertaining to the allegations, the ECP served notices to both Chaudhry and Swati on September 16 seeking explanation over the matter, from both the ministers for accusations against CEC Sikander Sultan Raja and the commission.

Both the ministers, on September 23, requested for an extension from the ECP to submit their replies. On September 28, the ECP granted the federal ministers more time to submit their replies regarding the allegations they had levelled. However, in a hearing of the case on October 27, the ECP issued a show case notice to both Swati and Chaudhry. A two-member bench comprising ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Mohammad Jatoi heard the case in Islamabad. The ECP officials stated that this is the second notice given to Swati. Earlier, Swati has been sent two show-cause notices, one with Chaudhry and the other with Adviser to Prime Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan. The ECP officials directed the issuance of show-cause notices to Chaudhry as well and adjourned the hearing against him till November 16. It is pertinent to note that the hearing of the case against Swati was adjourned till November 16. However, no lawyer appeared before the ECP on behalf of Chaudhry. NewS DeSk

15 killed, 10 injured as passenger van falls into ravine in Kashmir ISLAMABAD: 15 people were killed and 10 others critically injured when a passenger van fell into a ravine in Kashmir on Wednesday, police said. The van carrying 25 people fell into a deep ravine when the driver tried to negotiate a sharp turn in the mountainous terrain of Kotli district in the region, Rizwan Younus, a policeman in the district who was dispatched to the accident site, said. He said the accident happened at about 10:00 am and the van was completely destroyed in the incident. Rescue work is underway and the bodies and the injured are being recovered by volunteers and rescue officials. “The condition of all of the recovered injured people is very serious and doctors at a nearby hospital are trying hard to save them,” he added. The van was on its way to Rawalpindi city in east Punjab province from a town in Kotli district when the accident happened, Younus said. “The fan fell deep into the ravine, far away from the road after sliding off from the mountain, and it is taking rescue teams a lot of hardship to recover the injured and the bodies,” he added. Staff RepoRt

Government to allow outlawed TLP to contest elections ISLAMABAD ReuteRS

The government has freed more than 1,000 detained activists of a proscribed militant group, and will release another 1,000 later this week, and allow the movement to contest elections, under a deal with the government struck to end weeks of violent clashes, negotiators on both sides said. In return, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has agreed to shun the politics of violence and withdraw its longstanding demand to have France’s ambassador expelled over the publication of caricatures of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) by a French satirical magazine, they told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The caricatures have triggered repeated demonstrations by the group to protest the blasphemy. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government banned the TLP after its protests turned violent earlier this year, designated it a terrorist

group and arrested its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi. The government and the movement said at the weekend they had reached an agreement to help end the clashes, but neither side gave details. Two members of the TLP’s negotiating team and one from the government side told Reuters the centrepiece of the deal was to lift the ban and allow the group to contest elections. “The state has acknowledged that the TLP is neither a terrorist group nor a banned outfit,” another member of the TLP negotiation team, Bashir Farooqi, separately told a news channel. In addition, the government has agreed not to contest the release of the group’s jailed leader as well as nearly 2,300 activists and to remove their names from a terrorist watch list, the three negotiators told Reuters. Punjab Minister for Law Raja Basharat said nearly 1,000 of the activists had already been released. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry did

not respond to a request for comment. The settlement came after seven police officers were killed and hundreds more were wounded as they confronted thousands of TLP demonstrators marching up GT Road highway from Lahore to Islamabad. The group, which can mobilise thousands of supporters, was born in 2015 out of a protest campaign to seek the release of a police guard who assassinated former Punjab governor in 2011 over his calls to reform blasphemy legislation. It entered politics in 2017 and surprised the political elite by securing over 2 million votes in the 2018 election. The next national election is scheduled for 2023, and analysts expect political groups to start gearing up from early next year. Despite the agreement, TLP demonstrators have refused to clear the GT Road, which they have blocked for more than two weeks until the government showed good progress on the agreement, its leaders said.

Biden thanks Imran for joining pact to slash methane emissions GLASGOW Staff RepoRt

President Joe Biden offered his thanks to Prime Minister Imran Khan after the latter joined an effort led by the United States and European Union to slash emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane 30 percent by 2030 from 2020 levels, an initiative aimed at tackling one of the main causes of climate change. Methane is the main greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. It has a higher heat-trapping potential than CO2 but breaks down in the atmosphere faster — meaning that cutting methane emissions can have a rapid impact in reining in global warming. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Malik Amin Aslam met with Biden on the sidelines of the COP26 summit in Glasgow. “A pleasure to interact with President Biden at COP26,” Aslam tweeted. He added the president thanked Khan for committing to the pledge. Aslam led the Pakistan delegation at the conference. He was accompanied by Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul.

Pakistan became the first South Asian country to sign up for the global pledge. More than 100 countries pledged to cut emissions of methane to avoid dangerous warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. Aslam also met with German Parliamentary State Secretary for Development Aid Dr Maria Flachsbarth. During the meeting, both nations decided to launch Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Initiative to further common climate goals. “Germany has announced €150m in pursuance of climate agreement with Pakistan, and has agreed to assist & partner Pakistan in Clean Energy Development and nature-based solutions,” Aslam said. Among the new signatories was Brazil — one of the world’s biggest emitters of methane. The pledge now includes six of the world’s 10 biggest methane emitters: the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Mexico. China, Russia, India and Iran, also top-10 methane emitters, have not signed up. Those countries were all included on a list identified as targets to join the pledge, first reported by Reuters.

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