EpaperLHR_21-03-22 by Pakistan Today

Monday, 22 March, 2021 I 7 Shaban, 1442 I Rs 40.00 I Vol XI No 263 I 48 Pages I Lahore Edition

Fazl, MaryaM vow to resist PPP’s eFForts to clinch oPP leader’s slot in senate g

PDM To BE PRESEnT DuRInG MARyAM'S nAB HEARInG, SAyS FAzl ISLAMABAD

staff report

HE efforts to keep the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) united suffered a major blow on Sunday as the opposition alliance President Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Muslim leaguenawaz (PMl-n) decided to resist a bid by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to bring in its own nominee as leader of the opposition in the Senate. With an aim to keep the PDM on the same page, head of the opposition alliance, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, called on PMl-n Vice President Maryam nawaz and opposition leader of Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz in Jati umra. As per details of the meeting, Jamiat ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JuI-F) head met the PMl-n leaders to discuss future strategy regarding long march and resignations from the parliament. It emerged that Fazl and Maryam decided during the meeting to resist the PPP’s bid to secure the leader of opposition’s slot which in principle had been awarded by the alliance to the PMl-n’s nominee, Senator Azam nazir Tarar. PDM has postponed the long march for an indefinite period after the PPP, a key member of the alliance, refused to resign from assemblies and stressed to continue the movement from within the parliament.

Fazl has said that apart from PPP, all parties have agreed on giving resignations from assemblies. He said that PPP has sought more time for consultation on the issue. PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali zardari had said that be it long march or no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, former prime minister and PMl-n supreme leader nawaz Sharif must return to Pakistan. “This is not the first time that the democratic forces have encountered rigging,” he said and added he had spent 14 years of his life in jail. After the meeting at Jati umra, the two senior leaders of the opposition alliance addressed the media, where Fazl said that the PDM would be present during Maryam nawaz’s hearing on March 26 with the national Accountability Bureau (nAB) in a show of solidarity. “The apparent reasons cited by nAB have exposed the bureau for the puppet institution it is. It has approached the court for cancellation of [Maryam’s] bail on the basis that she speaks against institutions. “So the institution has been formed not to combat corruption but to serve other institutions,” he said. Fazl maintained that the workers of the PDM will number in the thousands. Furthermore, he shot down any rumours of a rift within the alliance after the appointment of yousaf Raza Gillani was

appointed as the leader of the opposition in the Senate. “PDM is not only united, through mutual consultations we have matters under control. We all have to move ahead forward. The nine parties that have a particular ideology will request the PPP to respect their viewpoint,” he said. Fazl said that nine parties of the PDM are united on one principle while the PPP has yet to make a decision. He added that the PDM would wait for the decision of the PPP’s Central Executive

Committee (CEC) – which will meet in April – so that the alliance can move forward effectively. “The PDM is united and we are trying to resolve our internal issues mutually. We are trying to find a solution and we are ready to consider further the arguments of the PPP. We will effectively improve our issues with the PPP and will wait for the decision of the PPP CEC. We will tell the PPP to agree on the decision of nine parties,” he said. He said that the PDM is united and

Asad Umar rules out new lockdown as coronavirus cases rise ISLAMABAD staff report

Minister for Planning and Development Asad umar on Sunday said that the government is not considering a new lockdown to curb coronavirus infections, despite a steady rise in new cases over the past month. Speaking on a television programme, Asad, who also heads the national Command and operation Centre (nCoC), said: “A full lockdown is not the solution.” “We attempted to explain this to the public during the first wave [of the coronavirus] but achieved little success. you cannot shut down an entire country and steal the livelihoods,” he stressed. However, the minister hinted at “targeted restrictions” and said that the government will take only those measures that will not threaten people’s livelihoods. He further said that the nCoC had identified and conveyed information related to coronavirus hotspots with provinces. But he ad-

mitted the implementation of these smart lockdowns was not satisfactory. His comments came a day after Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed reportedly issued a statement — and later retracted — suggesting the country will enter a new lockdown on Monday to combat the contagious disease. The national coronavirus transmis-

sion rate inched down to 8.74 per cent on Sunday — from 9.46 per cent a day earlier — government data showed, as the country reported 3,667 new cases in the last 24 hours after conducting 41,960 tests. Meanwhile, 2,092 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, while the total recoveries stood at 581,852.

ISLAMABAD The federal cabinet has decided to set a maximum retail price of the Russian and Chinese Covid-19 vaccine injections, being imported by the private sector as the country deals with the third wave of coronavirus cases. In this regard, the proposal to set a price cap for the two vaccines had been put forward by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). According to a local media report that cited a notification by the Health Ministry, the maximum sale price of Sputnik V Russian vaccine has been fixed at Rs8,449 for two doses, while China’s Convidecia would be sold at no more than Rs4,225 per injection.

Earlier in February, China had approved its first single-shot Covid-19 vaccine for general use, which Pakistan has priced at Rs4,225.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

coronavirus in

Pakistan

In all, 626,802 cases and 13,843 deaths linked to the coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan since February last. 44 more deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, including 30 in Punjab and six in Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP). A breakdown of the total cases showed that 263,058 cases were detected in Sindh, 197,177 in Punjab, 79,245 in KP, 19,327 in Balochistan, 51,414 in Islamabad, 4,972 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and 11,609 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). “An nCoC meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday at which we will review the situation, and if it does not improve, a decision of stricter measures can be announced,” Asad had announced on Friday. He had also said that hospital beds were filling fast and warned of stricter curbs if health guidelines were not followed. “The new strain [first found in the united Kingdom] spreads faster and is more deadly,” he had said in a tweet.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Govt sets bar on prices of Russian, Chinese vaccines staff report

we have to move together while the people of Pakistan will stand by the sovereignty of the country. He said that there was a detailed discussion with Maryam on the situation facing the country. “nAB has summoned Maryam nawaz on March 26. I wonder whether the nAB has been tasked to serve and represent the state institutions? The reasons given for Maryam nawaz’s nAB summoning have exposed the nAB. PDM workers and leaders will be present on the occasion of Maryam nawaz’s appearance in nAB,” he warned. Fazl maintained that the government’s actions have become a threat to national defence and inflation has broken the people at large. “The government has set a new record in inflation and price hike. The recent hike in electricity tariff is terrible as power price has been increased by Rs 6/unit. This would add to the woes of the people,” he said. on the occasion, the PMl-n VP said: “I am sure [anyone who opposes this] can be made to understand that when a decision in principle is made, there is no need to revisit it.” Speaking to the media after the meeting, Maryam said that the alliance leadership was trying to ensure that all the parties in the PDM remain united.

The government has determined the price of Gam-Covid-Vac (Viral Vector 5 and Viral Vector 26) at Rs8,449 per pack of two injections, Rs16,560 per pack of four injections, Rs40,555 per pack of 10 injections and Rs81,110 per pack of 20 injections. In March, the government had approved $200 million loan as part of its overall plan to immunise nearly 70 million people against the virus during the current year. Moreover, the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have offered loans to low and middle income countries to procure vaccines. The WB has recently restructured its worth $153 million Covid-19 related loan, which the health ministry said would be sufficient to cover over 10.5 million population.

CONFIRMED CASES:

626,802

LAST UPDATED AT 8:36 AM ON MARCH 21, 2021

DAY'S DEATH TOLL:

NEW CASES:

3,667

RECOVERED:

DEATHS:

581,852 13,843 SINDH:

PUNJAB:

263,058

197,177

KP:

BALOCHISTAN:

AJK/GB:

ISLAMABAD:

79,245

19,327

11,609/4,972 in today’s issue

51,414

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Monday, 22 March, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

50 yearS OF SInO-US dIPLOMatIc tIeS: KISSInger LaUdS PaKIStan’S ‘Secret dIPLOMacy’ In cOnnectIng chIna and US ISLAMABAD

Senator MuShahiD SayS it’S an honour for PakiStan to Play Pivotal role in China-uS tieS

Akif RAshiD

S China and United States observe 50 years of diplomatic relations, eminent diplomat Dr Henry Kissinger Sunday praised Pakistan for its key role in ending the stalemate and connected both China and the US through secret diplomacy. China Development Forum, a high-level annual event organised by China’s State Council in Beijing, organised a webinar on ‘50 Years of China-US Relations’ with keynote speeches from former US Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger and Senator Mushahid Hussain on Pakistan’s pivotal role in arranging Dr Kissinger’s secret journey to China in 1971.

The China Development Forum was attended by a large number of high-ranking officials, policymakers, economists, opinion and business leaders in Beijing, while Dr Kissinger and Senator Mushahid spoke virtually from New York and Islamabad respectively. Recounting the memories, Dr Kissinger elaborated how former President Yahya Khan had acted as a go-between China and the US, communicating secretly with then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and then US President Richard Nixon, which led to Dr

Faisal Mosque reopened for prayers after one day Faisal Mosque in the federal capital was reopened for congregational prayers after one day of closure by the authorities due to violations of the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs). Islamabad assistant commissioner had visited the mosque on Saturday to review the situation. He had warned that the mosque would be closed again if coronavirus SOPs were not observed. Islamabad authorities on Saturday had closed to the general public the city’s largest mosque as the capital is seeing a surge in coronavirus infections. “Faisal Mosque is being closed down for the general public,” Islamabad Additional Deputy Commissioner Rana Waqas Anwar had said in a tweet a day earlier, adding that prayers at the mosque would continue at a “limited scale.” Faisal Mosque can accommodate 250,000 worshippers at one time. The mosque’s triangular prayer hall alone can squeeze in 100,000 people. It is the largest mosque in South Asia and the fourth largest in the world. Islamabad, a city of nearly 1.2 million, has imposed a series of new restrictions and partial lockdowns in the past few days to stop the spread of coronavirus. News Desk

Official previously removed by PM Imran posted again in Lahore The government has posted Captain (r) Muhammad Usman Younis as the Lahore commissioner. The official took to microblogging website Twitter to make the announcement on Sunday. “Posted as Commissioner Lahore,” he tweeted. It is worth mentioning here that that Captain (r) Usman, who was previously the Lahore DCO, was relieved from his duty as the director general of Punjab Food Authority (PFA) in 2018 after Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed office for his alleged involvement in the Model Town carnage. The premier had taken the decision after speaking to Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Allama Tahirul Qadri, following which he directed the Punjab chief minister and asked him to remove the officials accused in the case. On June 17, 2014, at least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured when the police opened fire to disperse protesting PAT workers during an anti-encroachment operation outside the residence of Dr Qadri. News Desk

Markets to remain open on Sundays in six Punjab cities In a revised schedule of lockdown restrictions, the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department allowed markets in six cities of the province to remain open on Sundays. According to the notification, traders will keep markets closed on Friday and Saturday and reopen on Sundays until 6pm. The government issued the revised notification on the request of deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, Khanewal and Dera Ghazi Khan. News Desk

CorreCtion On Saturday, in our story titled "What happens if God forbid a serving Prime Minister of Pakistan were to pass away", we erroneously printed that the Constitution was clear about this matter but the fact is that it contained the relevant specific provisions until 1985 when it was removed. We regret the error and have corrected the statement in our online edition.

Kissinger’s path-breaking secret journey in a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane from Islamabad to Beijing on July 9, 1971. Dr Kissinger described how the first message from China was in the form of a handwritten note which was personally dictated to him in the White House by the then Pakistani Ambassador in Washington, Agha Hilaly. Speaking next after Dr Kissinger, Senator Mushahid , representing Pakistan, said that this historic breakthrough in ChinaUS relations became possible due to the

“indispensable role of Pakistan which enjoyed the trust of both China and the United States, whose then-president, Richard Nixon, had tremendous affection and goodwill for Pakistan”. Senator Mushahid said that Pakistan’s then-president, General Yahya Khan, once entrusted with this task by both President Nixon and premier Zhou Enlai, undertook this sensitive mission with ‘military precision, secrecy and deception’, with an official announcement of a decoy visit by Dr Kissinger to Nathiagali on the pretext that ‘the American official was resting due to an upset stomach’, while he had secretly flown to Beijing. Mushahid said that President Yahya relied only on a two-man team of his top diplomats, Foreign Secretary Sultan Mohammed Khan and Pakistan’s

Spirit of Nowruz ‘more vital than ever’: Guterres UNITED NATIONS AgeNcies

The United Nations Secretary-General has called on everyone to draw inspiration from Nowruz – the day that celebrates the arrival of the spring season – to strengthen solidarity among communities, as the world looks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. In a message on Sunday commemorating the International Day of Nowruz, Secretary General Guterres recalled that last year, Nowruz celebration coincided with the early days of an unprecedented and devastating global pandemic. “This year, the Nowruz spirit is more vital than ever.” “Today, we can start to see light at the end of the tunnel … As the world comes together to defeat Covid-19, Nowruz serves as an inspiration to recover and rebuild in a more just and durable way, in harmony with nature,” he added. Nowruz, which marks the first day of spring and the renewal of nature, is celebrated by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been

celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions. In his message, Guterres also noted the importance of solidarity between communities and generations, highlighting that the commitment in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to “leave no one behind” is more essential than ever. “I offer my best wishes to everyone marking Nowruz. May this day advance happiness, health and harmony to all.” In 2009, Nowruz was inscribed on the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a festivity of rich diversity promoting peace and solidarity across regions and generations. The following year, the UN General Assembly welcomed its inclusion on the list and recognised 21 March as the International Day of Nowruz. It also urged member states to raise awareness about and to organize annual events in commemoration of the festivity, as appropriate.

Preparations in full swing to celebrate Pakistan Day in befitting manner on Mar 23

RAWALPINDI APP

The preparations are in full swing here to celebrate Pakistan Day on March 23 in a befitting manner as the day celebrated across the country to mark the passing of the Lahore Resolution, when a separate nation for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire was demanded on March 23, 1940, in Lahore. With the 74th Pakistan Day just two days away, elaborate arrangements are underway to celebrate it with great national zeal and patriotic spirit. As Pakistan Day holds a significant place in the history of Pakistan, the Armed Forces have been busy in rehearsals and drills at Shakarparian parade ground to celebrate the day in a spectacular way. Armed forces troops and other departments were being seen busy in rehearsals and making other administrative arrangements for the day, to be held in a dignified and respectful manner. Residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were also

taking a keen interest in the rehearsals and visiting nearby areas such as Faizabad and I-8 interchanges to witness aerobatics manoeuvres of fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Participating troops included foot columns of Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, PAF, Frontier Corps, Northern Light Infantry, Mujahid Force, Islamabad Police, TriServices Lady officers, Tri-Services Armed Forces Nursing Service, Girls Guide, Boys Scouts, Special Service Group from three Services, mechanized columns of Armored Corps, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Signals, Engineers, Army Strategic Force Command, Camel Band and Presidents Body Guard. Special ‘dua’ ceremonies would be organised at the Mosques after Fajar prayers, seeking solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country. According to a District Administration spokesman, over 1000 male and female students of Rawalpindi also participated in full-dress rehearsals held on March 19 and 21. He informed that Station Commander Rawalpindi Brig. Ijaz

Qamar Kiani during his visit to Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Dhoke Kashmirian and Government Girls Higher Secondary School Shimla Islamia had given an invitation to the students to participate in full-dress rehearsals of the Pakistan Day parade. Rawalpindi Commissioner Capt (r) Muhammad Mehmood, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Capt (r) Anwarul Haq and Additional DC Abdullah Mehmood were also present in the ceremony organised under ‘Plant for Pakistan‘ spring plantation campaign 2021. Appreciating the keen interest shown by the students in the plantation campaign, the Station Commander had given the invitation. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi District Police and Rawalpindi City Traffic Police (CTP) had chalked out special plans to ensure holding such a megaevent in a magnificent manner. Strict security measures had been taken in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid any untoward incident. Rawalpindi CTP had finalised all the arrangements to facilitate the motorists of twin cities on March 23.

Ambassador to the US Agha Hilaly. “It was an honour for Pakistan to play such an important role in the shaping of history, as Dr Kissinger’s visit to China led to a tectonic shift in the global balance of power in 1971. The normalisation of relations had been beneficial for not just China and the US but also Asia and the world,” Senator Mushahid said. He said that China had helped the US win the Cold War and the US helped China come out of isolation which led later to China’s reform and opening-up policy that has transformed China. Senator Mushahid concluded that 50 years later, one lesson of China-US relations is that cooperation is good for both the countries and there is no room for outmoded policies like containment or a new Cold War.

Pakistan-Iran border points closed for two weeks QUETTA: The land border crossing points between Pakistan and Iran at Taftan were closed down on Sunday for two weeks in view of Persian New Year celebrations. Nowruz, or “new day” in Persian, is an ancient celebration and the most important date in the calendar when families gather and exchange gifts. Both Friendship Gate and the Transit Gate crossing points were shut down. According to Zahoor Baloch, an official, Iranian authorities had closed down both the border gates for 14 days in connection with Nowruz celebrations. Iran and Pakistan, which share 959 kilometres border, have in recent years held interactions at various levels to increase border crossings for facilitating trade and movement of people. stAff RePoRt

Pakistan ranked 105 in world happiness report ISLAMABAD: The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network has released the World Happiness Report 2021 and Pakistan has been ranked at 105 out of 149 countries in the list. Finland has been ranked as the world’s happiest country for the fourth consecutive year followed by Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and Norway. Pakistan has been ranked happier than India (139). Bangladesh is on 101st and China on 84th, according to the report. People in warravaged Afghanistan are the most unhappy, followed by Zimbabwe (148), Rwanda (147), Botswana (146) and Lesotho (145). The United States (US) is on 19th for happiness despite being one of the richest countries in the world. The World Happiness Report is a survey of the state of global happiness that ranks 149 countries by how happy their citizens think themselves to be. The countries are ranked on the basis of questions from the Gallup World Poll. The results are then correlated with other factors, including GDP and social security. Meanwhile, according to a report by money website, Expensivity, money can’t buy happiness, as the saying goes, but varying levels of income can lead to positive wellbeing depending on the cost of living and where you live in the world. The global average of the price of happiness is $85,000 a year, according to Expensivity, which calculated the cost of happiness for 160 countries by combining data from Purdue University’s Happiness, income satiation and turning points around the world report, purchasing power ratios from the World Bank and cost-of-living figures in cities. The cost of happiness in South-East Asia is below the global average of $85,000 in every country, ranging from $15,643 in Pakistan to $46,078 in Singapore. Happiness in India costs $20,235 a year, while in China, it is much higher at $70,848. The Purdue University study, which is based on data from the Gallup World Poll of 1.7 million people, found that there is an ideal level of money that could make a person happy – and it varies around the world. Meanwhile, other countries where happiness comes at a high price include Australia at $135,321, Israel ($130,457) and Switzerland ($128,969), where the cost of living is considered high, the Expensivity report said. tLtP

Monday, 22 March, 2021

LAHORE

Faraz UrgeS OPP nOt tO MISgUIde PeOPLe On cOrOnavIrUS, vaccInatIOn ISLAMABAD

tLtP

EDERAL Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz on Sunday urged the opposition parties, specifically Jamiat-Ulema-eIslam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, not to misguide the people about the coronavirus and its vaccination. Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Faraz said that the third wave of the coronavirus is appearing to be more dangerous. Dispelling the rumours about the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccination, Faraz said that the people should get themselves vaccinated against the virus. He appealed to the nation to observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) in fighting the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Commenting on Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) press briefing earlier in the day, he said that the government is not worried about their plans but they should do something positive that can serve the masses in the coronavirus pandemic. Faraz said that the nation’s prayers and good wishes for the recovery of the prime minister show people’s trust and love for Imran Khan.

NEWS

Minor girl allegedly raped in gujranwala GUJRANWALA

inforMation MiniSter SayS haleeM being PuniSheD for exPoSing SinDh governMent'S CorruPtion

He said that as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran, the government is striving to save the lives and

livelihood in this crucial period. He said, “We are taking every step to control the inflation and trying to

expand the targeted subsidy policy to facilitate general masses.” He said, “Under our universal healthcare programme, we are going to provide health cards across Punjab on the pattern of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).” Faraz said that Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh is being punished for lifting the veil off of the corruption and ‘dark truths’ of the Sindh government. Terming the PTI’s leader as a ‘tiger’, the minister added that the Sindh government’s entire machinery is trying to harm him. The minister further called Sheikh a ‘soldier’ of PM Imran Khan. “Imran Khan’s beliefs against corruption and injustice will be upheld with full force,” he added. “Sindh’s infrastructure has been ruined and educational institutions have become cattle pens,” Faraz said, adding that Sheikh will continue to be the voice of the people of Sindh. The information minister’s comments came as Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab Firdous Awan visited the incarcerated PTI leader at the Karachi jail, along with his daughter.

Covid-induced disruptions raise child, maternal deaths in Pakistan, South Asia: report ISLAMABAD

Broadsheet commission completes probe ISLAMABAD iNP

The commission set up to investigate the Broadsheet LLC case has completed its investigation, reports said on Sunday. The one-man inquiry committee, comprising Justice (r) Azmat Saeed Sheikh, has prepared a 100-page report based on its investigation which will be submitted to the cabinet either on Monday or Wednesday. Justice Sheikh was appointed as the head of the inquiry committee to probe the issue of the UK-based asset recovery firm. The cabinet, in its meeting on January 19, had decided to form a new inquiry committee on the recommendation of an inter-ministerial committee that had earlier been constituted by Prime Minister Imran Khan to look into the saga. The statements of several personalities and the documentary evidence collected during the investigation are compiled separately in the report. The commission was instituted in January and it launched its probe on February 9. Earlier, reports had suggested the government was reluctant to extend cooperation to the inquiry commission. Only the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), of which Justice Sheikh once remained a part, had provided the relevant record to it. The panel is yet to receive the information it has sought from the office of the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), the reports added. The inquiry commission has recorded testimonies of international law expert Ahmer Bilal Sufi as well as Shahid Baig, who served as director audit and accounts at Pakistan High Commission in London when Islamabad paid a penalty to the Broadsheet on the order of a British court. The commission has so far recorded testimonies of a total of 18 witnesses.

tLtP

Severe disruptions in health services due to the Covid-19 pandemic may have resulted in an additional 239,000 child and maternal deaths in South Asia last year, the United Nations agencies said in a report. In a new report that covered Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said that the impact also included sharp drops in the number of young children treated for severe acute malnutrition as well as in childhood immunizations. According to George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, the fall-off of these critical services has had a devastating impact on the health and nutrition of the poorest and most vulnerable families. “It is absolutely vital that these services are fully restored for children and mothers who are in desperate need of them, and that everything possible is done to ensure that people feel safe to use them,” he stressed. The region also suffered increased levels of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity due to the pandemic, further undermining public health, the report

said. The report also found that about 420 million children were out of school due to the pandemic and its related control measures. It warned that 4.5 million girls are likely to never return to school and are at particular risk due to deteriorating access to sexual and reproductive health and information services. “Given the cultural and social context of South Asia, the suspension of these services is deepening inequalities and is likely to lead to an increase in the number of maternal and neonatal deaths”, Bjorn Andersson, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific said. “There are also likely to be an additional 3.5 million unintended pregnancies in this region”, he warned. Wider impact of Covid-19 also included increased risk of child marriage and stunting – impaired growth and development due to poor nutrition and health. The UN agencies called for prioritizing essential health services for pregnant women, adolescents and young infants, as well as strengthening supply chains for the delivery of vaccines and other essential childhood medicines. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO regional director for South-East Asia, underlined that maintaining essential health services is vital for the region’s Covid19 response strategy.

President alvi says Covid-19 vaccination ‘a must’ ISLAMABAD stAff RePoRt

President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday said that anticoronavirus shots were “a must” as he sought to warn people against “skeptics” of the vaccine. “It is given in two doses & takes a few weeks to become effective. In most cases it is 100% effective & in remaining, [the] severity of infection is greatly reduced which increases survival rate,” the president said in a tweet. “Beware of those who create doubt, as they know not.” His tweet comes a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan tested positive for Covid-19 — two days after receiving his first vaccine dose, prompting high skepticism about vaccine safety. Khan, 68, received his first of the two prescribed shots of a coronavirus vaccine on Thursday. When news of him testing positive for the contagious disease came out, the rumour mills went abuzz with speculation that the prime minister contracted the disease after vaccination. But health experts say it is likely Khan was infected

prior to being vaccinated. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national health agency of the United States, says the vaccine does not infect patients with the disease, but those who may have contracted the virus before they are vaccinated can become ill after a shot because it takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity. However, Ministry of National Health Services, soon after the news of PM Imran contracting the disease broke out, clarified that he had not been “fully vaccinated” when he was diagnosed with the coronavirus. It said that the prime minister had only received the first dose of the vaccine and that too merely two days ago, further explaining that the time frame was too soon for any vaccine to become effective. Antibodies develop 2-3 weeks after the second dose of 2-dose Covid vaccines. President Alvi and his spouse, Samina Alvi, were inoculated on March 15, days after the second phase of the vaccination process started in the country in which people over 60 years of age are receiving shots. The couple had arrived at a vaccination center on Java Road after receiving the intimation from 1166 service where he had registered on February 15.

tLtP

A nine-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two men in Gujranwala on Sunday. According to police, two men after taking the girl to the house located in Shahzada Colony in Gujranwala allegedly raped her. The girl was moved to the Civil Hospital for a medical check-up. Later, on the complaint of relatives of the victim girl, the police arrested the accused namely Faizan and Ali Naveed. Last week, a 16-year-old girl was raped at gunpoint in Okara, a district of Punjab. The rape victim girl said she was kidnapped at gunpoint and later was sexually assaulted by two men who recorded the video. The incident took place in Okara’s village of 91-R. According to the police, a case had been registered on the complaint of the victim’s family after the rape was confirmed in the medical report of the victim.

Journalist shot dead in Sindh: police ISLAMABAD MoNitoRiNg RePoRt

Police were investigating the killing of a local journalist by an unknown gunman at a barbershop in Sindh, officials said. Ajay Lalwani, 31, a reporter for a local television station and an Urdu language newspaper, was shot multiple times while having his hair cut at a barber shop Thursday, said Ashiq Mirani, a police official. Mirani said Lalwani died in a hospital late on Thursday night. The shooting took place in the Saleh Pat area of Sukkur. Mirani said that Lalwani was associated with Royal News television station and a newspaper but that it wasn’t immediately clear if he was killed because of his “professional duties.” “We are looking into all aspects of the matter, collecting evidence from the scene and recording statements from witnesses to pinpoint the cause of the offense,” he said. The officer said that witnesses saw a single gunman open fire on Lalwani but that other assailant could have been involved. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the incident and demanded the culprits be brought to justice. “Police in Sindh province must waste no time investigating the killing of journalist Ajay Lalwani and apprehending those responsible,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “It’s critical that the investigation be led by officers who are able to maintain public confidence, given the long history of tensions between local journalists and the police in Sukkur.” Journalists in Sukkur have repeatedly held demonstrations against police to protest the filing of sedition charges against journalists who report on the alleged corruption of the provincial government; sometimes these demonstrations are met with police violence, CPJ said. Ifran Ali Samo, Sukkur’s senior superintendent of police (SSP), announced the formation of a team to investigate the killing.

Mentally disabled woman gang-raped in Faisalabad NEWS DESk A woman with a mental disability was gangraped by at least two men in Faisalabad and her widowed mother has accused police of causing delays in taking action against the culprits. The incident took place in the Haji Abad neighbourhood of the city, said the police, and the first information report (FIR) was registered against the suspect at the Nishatabad Police Station. While the incident itself took place three days ago, the police have so far provided no medico-legal report, said the widow. Furthermore, the mother asserted that the police have yet to send the DNA samples to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) in Lahore for further tests.

Monday, 22 March, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

PDM’s Politics of long March to lick the Dust: BuzDar LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

unjab Chief Minister Sardar usman buzdar has claimed that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), which was conspiring to create anarchy in the country, has itself become a victim of chaos. In a statement on Sunday, the chief minister said that the alliance of opposition parties has fallen apart on resignation issue and is not able to face the people. after the failure of politics of resignations, the politics of

the long march will meet the same fate, he claimed. “The PDM is a gang of selfish people and they have no agenda. These elements are a gang of cabal,” he further said. Coming down hard on the PDM, the chief minister said that truth always prevails, and humiliation is the fate of liars. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) only believes in public service and has been serving the people without any discrimination for the last two-and-a-half years. buzdar maintained that the negative politics of those who were creating hurdles in national development has met its logical end,

adding the PDM is stuck in a dead-end. People cannot be hoodwinked by rejected elements anymore, he further said. The former rulers failed to deliver in 30 years what the present government has done in its two-anda-half years of tenure, the CM said, adding that the opposition does not refrain itself from negative politics even in the crucial times of the coronavirus pandemic. advising the people to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) against Covid19, bazdar said that masks and precautionary measures are essential to remain safe from the coronavirus. Those who are violating standard

operating procedures (SOPs) are also becoming a threat of coronavirus for others. The CM said that the increase in the coronavirus patients is extremely alarming and the third wave of the coronavirus has become more dangerous. In order to avoid sanctions, the people have to abide by the SOPs, he added. He further said that more steps can be taken to make the lives of the people safer. buzdar said that the increase in coronavirus patients is building pressure on the public health system. Prevention is better than cure, he added.

Driver burnt alive in rickshaw fire SHEIKHUPURA: a driver was burnt alive when a rickshaw carrying LPG cylinder caught fire after accident on Sunday. a rickshaw loaded with LPG cylinders turned turtle at Sangla Hill Road in asgharabad area of Sheikhupura. The gas cylinders exploded after accident due to which rickshaw caught fire and driver was burnt alive. The police and rescue teams reached the scene of accident and shifted the body to the hospital. INP

Pti cancels nationwide public gatherings amid third wave ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to cancel its public gatherings nation-wide amid rising Covid-19 cases in the country. The party announced that it would not hold any sort of public gathering, rally or event in the wake of the third wave of the Covid-19 in the country. It is pertinent to mention here that the virus cases have witnessed a surge in the country, and it claimed 44 more lives in Pakistan during the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 13,843. The latest statistics of the national Command and Operation Centre (nCOC) showed the Covid-19 has claimed 44 more lives and 3,677 fresh infections were reported during the period. INP

two under custody robbers killed in firing by accomplices BUREWALA: Two under custody robbers were allegedly killed in firing of accomplices while being taken for spotting and recovering looted valuables. Police said that it was taking two under custody robbers for recovery of looted valuables when their accomplices attacked the police party near basti naseemabad at Luddan Road, Vehari. both robbers identified as Sajid alias Sajhi s/o Khan Muhammad and Saleem s/o Muhammad Yar were killed in firing. The attackers fled the scene after retaliatory firing of police. Police said that the killed robbers arrested a couple of days earlier were involved in robberies, murder and receiving extortion. INP

aeDB plans to operationalise 16 wind, solar power projects in 2021 ISLAMABAD: Sixteen wind and solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 860MW are likely to be made fully operational in the current year. according to alternative Energy Development board (aEDb), these projects are placed in three categories. The aEDb is actively promoting and facilitating the promotion of alternative and renewable energy technologies in the country. Meanwhile, the government has taken foreign banks on board to raise funds from a possible foreigncurrency bond offering. The government has mandated Deutsche bank aG, jPMorgan Chase and Co, Credit Suisse Group aG, Standard Chartered Plc and Emirates nbD bank PjSC, according to a media report last week. The expected size of dollar-denominated Eurobonds will be $750 million to $1 billion, adding the happening would be around this month. Pakistan is looking to raise funds after reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on resumption of a $6 billion bailout programme that was secured in 2019 to avoid bankruptcy. Pakistan is also separately planning to issue a $500 million green note in the next few months to help boost its development of hydroelectric power. This will be the first such foreign bond to help the government achieve its ambition of increasing the share of renewable energy to 20 percent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. TLTP

ISLAMABAD: An eye-catching view of the federal capital. ONLINE

Punjab giving Rs80bn subsidy on wheat flour: Aleem LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab Senior Minister abdul aleem Khan has said that the government has increased the support price of wheat from Rs1,400 rupees to Rs1,800 per 40kg to benefit the farmers. In a statement on Sunday, the senior minister, however, said that the price of flour will not be changed despite increase in the support price of the wheat. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to ensure supply of flour at low-cost flour to citizens at all costs and,

hence, a subsidy of Rs80 billion is being provided to maintain flour price at current rate. aleem claimed that a huge amount has been spent due to which a bag of flour has been sold at a fixed price of Rs860 all over Punjab. He said that even today ample quantity of flour is available at the same price in all the districts of Punjab. The minister said that the decision of the prime minister to increase the price of wheat is historic, which will benefit 70 per cent of the rural population and there will be benefits for farmers who will not only get the best com-

pensation for their hard work, but they will also get more prosperity. The senior minister said that the Punjab government will ensure the supply of low-priced flour even during the month of Ramzan and the required wheat has already been set aside. He pointed out that the Sindh government should also come up with a wheat subsidy plan for the common man and ensure low price atta for the common citizens. He further said that the supply of wheat to the flour mills in Punjab at government rates would continue throughout the year so that they would continue to supply cheap flour in the market without any hindrance.

8 projects underway to double hydropower generation: WAPDA ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Water and Power Development authority (WaPDa) is constructing as many as eight projects in the water sector for optimal utilisation of the precious resource of water. according to a spokesman for the authority, these projects include Diamer basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam (Stage-I), nai Gaj Dam, Sindh barrage, Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-I), Tarbela 5th Extension and Keyal Khawar Hydropower Project. He said that these projects are scheduled to be completed one by one from 2022 to 2028-29. He said that the completion of these projects will cumulatively add about 11 million acre-feet to the gross water storage of the country pushing it from 13 MaF to 24 MaF, sufficient to irrigate another 1.6 million acres of land in the country.

The spokesman said that after the completion of these projects, the installed hydro power generation capacity of Pakistan will be doubled to cross 18,000 MW with an addition of 9000 MW. It is pertinent to mention here that Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Water and Power Development authority's (WaPDa) long-term foreign- and local-currency issuer default ratings at 'b-' and its outlook is stable. WaPDa's main business is the operation and maintenance of hydropower stations as well as the construction of new power stations, said the international rating agency this week. It made up 95 per cent of the nation's hydroelectric power capacity and 24 per cent of total capacity in 2020. according to the national Electric Power Regulatory authority (nEPRa), hydroelectric power capacity continues to expand and will reach to around 35 per cent of total capacity by 2028.

“We maintain our 'very strong' assessment regarding WaPDa's ownership structure and control mechanism,” said Fitch. WaPDa is a parastatal entity that operates based on the government's guidelines. The government owns 100 per cent of WaPDa and has a tight grip on its overall operation, including financing. The Public accounts Committee (PaC) conducts annual audits of WaPDa. according to Fitch, WaPDa is Pakistan's largest hydropower supplier. It accounted for 95 per cent of the hydropower capacity in the country and is responsible for flood control and water supply. The nEPRa plans to expand hydropower's share of total electricity generation to 35 percent by 2028, which will bolster the social-implications of a default by the entity. “We expect a severe service disruption should WaPDa fail because there is limited alternative hydroelectric capacity available,” said Fitch.

Monday, 22 March, 2021

LAHORE

NEWS

As US schools shuttered, student mental health cratered, Reuters survey finds SAN FRANCISCO

COvid ReSURgenCe mAy hAUnt PSX deSPite POSitive develOPmentS

AGECNIES

KARACHI

A few weeks after San Francisco’s school district moved to remote learning last year in hopes of halting the spread of the coronavirus, Kate Sullivan Morgan noticed her 11-year-old son was barely eating. He would spend days in bed staring at the ceiling. The mother formed a pod with three other families so the students could log on to their online classes together. That helped, but her eldest remained withdrawn and showed little interest in his hobbies, such as playing piano and drawing. Then her younger son, then 8, started to spiral down. “He would scream and cry multiple times per hour on Zoom,” she said. “It was all really scary and not in keeping with his personality.” She scaled back her job as a healthcare regulatory attorney to be there for her sons. In December, with schools in San Francisco still closed, the family packed up and moved more than 1,700 miles, to Austin, Texas, so the children could attend school in person. “Kids are resilient, but there is a breaking point,” Sullivan Morgan said. With schools nationwide locked down amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the mental health consequences on students have come into a sharp focus. Reuters surveyed school districts nationwide in February to assess the mental health impacts of full or partial school shutdowns. The districts, large and small, rural and urban, serve more than 2.2 million students across the United States. Of the 74 districts that responded, 74% reported multiple indicators of increased mental health stresses among students. More than half reported rises in mental health referrals and counseling. Nearly 90% of responding districts cited higher rates of absenteeism or disengagement, metrics commonly used to gauge student emotional health. The lack of in person education was a driver of these warning signs of trouble, more than half of districts said. The stresses didn’t affect only students: 57% of responding districts reported an increase in teachers and support staff seeking assistance. School closures have affected districts in every state. In the spring of 2020, all U.S. K-12 public schools closed, at least temporarily, to help slow the spread of Covid-19. As of February, 57% of students attended public schools that were completely or partially closed, according to Burbio, a service that tracks school openings. Some school boards, teachers union leaders and parents still advocate full or partial school closures to protect the health of children or to prevent community spread. Yet research over the last year has shown that public schools that follow social distancing guidelines typically experience low rates of spreading Covid. “Though outbreaks do occur in school settings, multiple studies have shown that transmission within school settings is typically lower than – or at least similar to – levels of community transmission, when mitigation strategies are in place in schools,” said a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. “The majority of cases that are acquired in the community and are brought into a school setting result in limited spread inside schools, if comprehensive mitigation strategies are in place.” Severe cases among children comprise less than one tenth of one percent of all deaths, the CDC said. Of the 36,860 overall child deaths over the last year, 216, about a half percent, involved Covid-19. In Rhode Island, virtual students were more likely to test positive for Covid than students attending inperson, state education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green told researchers and doctors in January. “It’s really important to have data,” InfanteGreen said. “Most of the cases we’ve seen have been outside of school.” Dimitri Christakis, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children's Research Institute, said the Reuters survey affirms concerns he has had since schools stuck with remote learning. “We’ve done our children a tremendous disservice,” Christakis said. As students stay sheltered in their homes, away from friends and teachers, other Covid-related factors can cause the stresses to cascade.

TLTP

HE rising cases of Covid-19 during the third wave of coronavirus in the country may haunt the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) this week despite positive developments. The decision of the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to maintain the policy rate at 7 per cent as well as upward projection of growth rate to 3 per cent and expectation that current account deficit will remain below 1 per cent of GDP for FY2021 will impact the bourse positively. Again, appreciation of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar may also have positive impacts. Pakistani rupee was closed at Rs155.97 against the US dollar in the interbank on Friday last with a gain of Rs1.17 last week, while it has gained Rs3.11 against the dollar since February 19. The lowering oil prices in the inter-

national market, with Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the mostwidely traded benchmarks, fell 7 per cent last week to $64.53 and $61.42 per barrel, respectively, can provide some cushion to the stock market. On the other hand, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may finally revive Pakistan’s stalled loan programme on March 24 as the government rushes to show progress on 32 conditions after keeping those pending for over a year. The IMF executive board could meet this week to approve Pakistan’s request for completion of second to fourth reviews and modify many performance criteria and structural benchmarks that have been agreed at the staff level. The approval of four reviews and readjustment of deadlines to deliver on some of the pending conditions would pave the way for the release of third loan tranche of $500 million. Total disbursements by the IMF after approval of the next loan tranche will be close to $2 billion out of the $6 billion programme.

During the last week, after a good start with an increase of 970 points on the first day, the benchmark KSE-100 took a volatile turn, however, it settled with a gain of 1,113 points (+2.54 per cent) during the departed week at 44,901-mark. According to the analysts, the prime reasons why the benchmark index remained impulsive was in the anticipation of the interest rate increase in MPS and the negative impact of a government measure to abolish tax exemptions. The benchmark index was lifted by the performance of technology & communication, which contributed around 296 points to it. The sector remained in focus as it was the most battered down sector over the last week amidst the FBR proposed to change in the tax treatment of the IT sector. This was followed by commercial banks, which contributed 214 points owing to the increase in the yield of government bonds, the report added. Company-wise, the scrips of TRG, HBL, SYS, UBL and PSO closed the week in the green zone, as they gained 227, 140,

66, 64 and 60 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the KSE All Share market cap increased by $1.36 billion (+2.75 per cent) over the week, being recorded at $50.95 billion as compared to a market cap of $49.59 billion recorded last week. Foreigners accumulated stocks worth USD3.04 million compared to a net buy of USD3.64 million last week. Major buying was witnessed in Commercial Banks (USD6.46 million) and Cement (USD1.52 million). On the local front, selling was reported by Banks (USD11.21 million) followed by Companies (USD8.18 million). That said, average daily volumes and traded value for the outgoing week were up by 11 per cent and 4 percent to 483 million shares and USD144 million, respectively. The benchmark KSE-100 index is currently trading at a PER of 6.8x (2021) compared to Asia Pac regional average of 12.2x while offering a dividend yield of around 6.8 per cent versus 2.8 per cent offered by the region.

Fazl, Maryam vow to resist PPP’s eﬀorts to clinch Opp leader’s slot in Senate CONtINued FROm pAge 01 “There is no room for change after anyone’s defeat. All PDM parties supported Yousuf Raza Gillani in the Senate elections but it has been decided in principle that the opposition leader in the Senate will be from PML-N. In principle, all parties will abide by this decision. I have also spoken to Fazl regarding this issue,” she said. PML-N VP further said that baseless reports of differences between her and Hamza were spread. “Lies are a curse. Reports of differences between Hamza and me are shameful,” she said. Attacking Prime Minister Imran Khan, Maryam said that his “incompetence” has gripped the entire country and the PDM will not allow the government to come out of the mess at any point. The PML-N vice president added that the talks are underway between PPP and PML-N over the NA-249 election in which PML-N candidate Miftah Ismail is a contender. “We will let you know when a decision is reached,” she said. In reply to a question about the so-called rift, Maryam said that the future of Prime Minister Imran is not tied to that with that of the PDM, but with his own performance. Maryam said that the PDM will demand an answer to this “incompetence” from the government and will “fully represent and safeguard” the

interests of the people. “We will not allow the government to escape from the backdoor,” she said. Separately, the PML-N VP on Sunday, while pointing fingers at the NAB, said that she was not afraid of imprisonment. Addressing PML-N Youth Convention in Lahore, she said that she was not speaking against the institutions but was exposing the anti-graft watchdog and she will definitely appear before the Bureau on March 26. Maryam said that everyone said PML-N’s game was over but we defeated the government in their stronghold, adding that despite being on the same page, the government could not win a single by-election. The PML-N VP said that the anti-graft agency accused her of speaking against the institutions but who gave them the power to judge her statements. She said: “Time has gone when the NAB would arrest whenever it wanted, adding that the Bureau arrested her when she was with her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Mian Sahib said you should have waited for Maryam to come out and asked ordered them [NAB] to arrest the daughter in front of the father.” “I have rendered many sacrifices and it is time to take stock of all the sacrifices that she had made,” she added. She went on to say that the PML-N supremo had been ousted over a mere iqama,

adding that the vision of her party is to end load-shedding, complete China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and spread motorways around the country, while the vision of PM Imran is eggs, cows, hens and justifying every step taken against the constitution. During the, she claimed that former prime minister Nawaz has been receiving threats that she [Maryam] would be killed if she does not stop making fiery speeches. “I told Nawaz Sharif that life and death are in the hands of Allah, not in the hands of NAB [National Accountability Bureau] or the government,” she said. Maryam said that those who would say that Nawaz’s politics has come to an end “are now scared of him while he is sitting in London”. She claimed her father Nawaz, the three-time former premier, was removed from power in 2017 over false allegations. A prominent political leader of the country told me that Nawaz was removed from power by “selectors” because he became very popular among the masses, Maryam claimed. Referring to late accountability court judge Arshad Malik, Maryam said that he had also admitted that he had announced a verdict against Nawaz in assets beyond means case “under duress”. She said that now attempts were being made to intimidate PML-N members to change their political loyalties.

FAO warns of unprecedented threat of food shortages ISLAmABAd TLTP

Natural disasters, climate change, and grain and livestock diseases are exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on agriculture and food security, says a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report. The study highlighted that agriculture underpins the livelihoods of over 2.5 billion people – most of them in low-income developing countries – and remains a key driver of development. “At no other point in history has agriculture been faced with such an array of familiar and unfamiliar risks, interacting in a hyperconnected world and a precipitously changing landscape,” the report said. “Agriculture continues to absorb a disproportionate share of the damage and loss wrought by disasters. Their growing frequency and intensity, along with the systemic nature of risk, are upending people’s lives, devastating livelihoods, and jeopardising our entire food system.” According to the report, from 2008 to 2018, billions of dollars were lost as a result of declines in crop and livestock production in the aftermath of disasters. Loss over the period amounted to $30 billion for sub-Saharan and North Africa, and slightly lower for Latin America and the Caribbean, at $29 billion. During the same period, Asia experienced crop and livestock production loss valued at a notable $49 billion. The United Nations warned earlier that more than a billion people could be driven into extreme poverty by 2030, due to the severe long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Asad Umar rules out new lockdown as coronavirus cases rise CONtINued FROm pAge 01 PUBLIC GATHERINGS, VISITORS BANNED IN QUETTA: The district administration of Quetta on Sunday imposed a ban on public gatherings and tourists’ entry into the provincial capital in view of a third wave of coronavirus pandemic. The Quetta deputy commissioner said action will be taken against those found flouting the restrictions. The statistics released by the NCOC on Sunday morning showed 203 new coronavirus cases in Balochistan took the tally to 19,327. Balochistan government spokesman Liaquat Shahwani had earlier said the third wave has hit the country with intensity, but “by the grace of God our province is safe”.

Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Shahwani had said the government was strictly implementing the guidelines and creating awareness about the disease. He further said: “We have not decided about imposing smart lockdown or other restrictions so far, but will take decisions to close markets, schools and other institutions according to the situation.” 77PC OF REGISTERED ISLAMABAD RESIDENTS VACCINATED: In Islamabad, 77 per cent of people, who registered for Covid-19 shots, have been administered the vaccine, a health official said. Islamabad District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Zaeem Zia said that 26,676 people, who applied during the ongoing second phase of the drive, have been fully vaccinated.

“In Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, 7,871 people were administered jabs. While in Polyclinic Hospital, 2,944 people received the drug,” APP quoted him as saying. “At the CDA Hospital, 3,743 people were administered the doses […] 4,818 people in Tarlai Rural Health Centre; 2,337 in Federal General Hospital and 201 people at the Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Center (IHITC),” he said. A total of 47,167 people have so far signed up for the vaccination in Islamabad, the DHO added. In a notification issued Saturday, Dr Zia had said that all adult vaccination centres in the capital will remain closed on Sundays and on public holidays. The notification said that Covid-19 vaccination shall not be held on Sundays and na-

CmYK

tional holidays in any vaccination centre with effect from March 18, even in hospitals/health facilities that are otherwise functional on Sundays and national holidays. The NCOC had on Saturday announced that the Covid-19 vaccination centres will remain closed on Sundays and public holidays across the country. It also advised citizens not to visit the vaccine centres for vaccination on Sundays and public holidays. OVER 10,000 GET SECOND VACCINE DOSE IN KP: In KP, over 10,000 healthcare workers received the second dose of the vaccine. The province has administered coronavirus vaccine shots to 10,451 elderly people over the age of 60, its health department said in a statement.

In the last two days, 1,546 people were administered the second shot. Whereas, in the last 24 hours, 1,665 health workers have been inoculated the dose. In total, KP administered the second dose to 10,370 health workers, according to the health department. NCOC TO DECIDE ON SCHOOLS’ CLOSURE: Meanwhile, it emerged on Sunday that an important session of the NCOC is scheduled for Monday, wherein the forum will take a decision on schools’ closure and exams. Violations of coronavirus SOPs have been reported in schools where examinations are being conducted, prompting the NCOC to summon a meeting to take a decision to curb the spread of the virus.

Monday, 22 March, 2021

06 COMMENT

Selfless Unity: Essence of the Pakistan Day

PDM phone-ins

Widening fissure within the alliance

He refusal of former Prime Minister Nawaz to take a call from former President Asif Zardari does not bode well for the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Indeed, it may well mark the end of this attempt of the parties they lead, the PML(N) and PPP respectively, to cooperate in the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan. There was an air of inevitability about the refusal, for it was not likely that anyone would take the call of someone who had just called them out over still being abroad while expecting legislators in Pakistan to resign from the House as part of a protest movement. When there is weight given to the fact that there has been a clash between recently bailed Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz and PML(N) vice President Maryam Nawaz, it is interesting that the alliance is not fracturing along generational or party lines, but along lines of those who favour or oppose cooperation with the umpire. Whereas Mr Sharif’s own abrasiveness has caused him to name the COAS and he DG ISI and blame them for imposing Mr Khan upon the country, it seems that this brand of naming and shaming is supported only by Mr Nawaz, not by brother Mian Shehbaz, who has taken over as party chief, nor by Mr Hamza Shehbaz. Mr Zardari is clearly falling within the latter’s group, with the result that the PDM must define itself before it proceeds any further. An objective assessment would show the PDM that it was as far away from its goal as it was when it held it first rally last year, whether the goal is the avowed one of ousting Mr Khan, or whether it is the one ascribed to it by Mr khan, that of preventing the accountability of the heads of the PML(N) and the PPP. It needs a single-mindedness of purpose at present missing. The direct attacks on top military officials by Mr Sharif will not yield any of the desired results, if supporters of those officials continue to be so close to them that they affect the alliance’s decision-making. There are still many bridges that the PDM has to cross. It will not cross them until it is clear not just in its objective, but in its methods, and about its target.

The lessons are still to be learned

Sajjad Shaukat

very year, the people of Pakistan celebrate the 23rd of March as Pakistan Day, with great enthusiasm and zeal. But, this time, this very day has come at a time when Pakistan is facing multi-faceted internal and external challenges, which are worrying all the citizens. It was due to the selfless practical unity among the Muslims under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that Pakistan became a tangible reality on August 14, 1947. But, that unity started declining after passing through various crises, and the result was separation of east Pakistan in 1971, and its gaining independence as Bangladesh, as India manipulated differences between east Pakistan and West Pakistan. Now, more than 19 months have passed. But, Indian fanatic government led by the extremist Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued military lockdown in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. In this regard, Modi-led government unilaterally abrogated the special status of Indian-Occupied Kashmir on 5 August 2019 when Indian Parliament revoked Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution. The act split Indian-Occupied Kashmir into two territories to be ruled directly by New Delhi. The purpose was to turn the Muslim majority into a minority. Indian fanatic rulers are also escalating tensions

Old methods How is accountability to be conducted?

ML(N) MNA Javed Latif and former PeMrA Chairman Absar Alam do not seem to have much in common, but both are in hot water for having criticized state institutions. While Mr Latif is trouble because of his statement that his party would not say ‘Pakistan Khapay’ if something happened to party vice President Maryam Nawaz, Mr Alam has received a summons from the FIA over tweets he sent, supposedly criticizing a certain institution. It should not be forgotten that these institutions are paid for by the taxpayer, and if any attempt to hold them accountable is to be treated as unpatriotic criticism, there will arise a certain unhelpful circularity in the argument. It is perhaps inevitable that critics will provoke hostility and defensiveness among the objects of their criticism, but at the same time, to allow any criticism to be dismissed as merely motivated by lack of patriotism is to shut the doors thereby of any improvement. The use of the weapon, of questioning the very patriotism of anyone who differs, has cost the country quite heavily in the past. The steps taken by the judiciary to enforce the rule of law, are all going to go waste unless these latest cases are treated as they should be, attempts to use national laws for partisan ends. Criticism of the government is not supposed to mean criticism of the state. Any attempt to penalize such criticism merely causes the weakening both of the state, and the institutions that are supposed to be protected. When people see that institutions are acting oppressively against individuals, this creates a revulsion in other members of the public against that institution. This has unfortunate consequences, not the least being that the accusation of treason becomes debased, and generally debased. Long gone was the era when the roman emperor Tiberius would say, “I don’t care if they hate me, so long as he obey me.” Now, judgement must be won at the bar of public opinion.

Soreh Badshah’s resistance lives on in memory Nothing could deter the courage and conviction of the Pir Pagar, or the Hurs Syed tahir raShdi

He 78th death anniversary of Pir Sabghatullah Shah rashdi, better known as ‘Soreh Badhah’ (the victorious King) was observed with traditional zeal across the country both by political followers and representatives of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and the followers of the Pir Pagara. Tribute continue to pour in for the great Soreh Badshah because of the nature of his death. He was hung to death on March 20, 1943, over a military court verdict of the colonial regime. even today, the spirit of his followers and supporters is alive, and on his death anniversary they remembered how neither lucrative offers nor repressive measures of the colonial power could distract him from his mission. right before his hanging, artial law was imposed in those areas where the Pir was influential, and where the members of Hur Jamaat were residing. Soreh Badshah launched the freedom movement against the colonial powers at the age of 21, while the colonial rulers made ruthless efforts to crush the Hur uprising and killed hundreds of followers. With a 108-year-long history, the Hur Movement in Sindh (1843-1951) is filled with thousands of valorous stories of mujahids (freedom fighters). The movement was initially kicked off by Sibghtullah Shah Badshah against the British colonialists, which was later on continued by his son Sibghtullah II Soreh Badshah, who chanted the famous slogan “Watan ya Kafan, Azadi ya Mout,” meaning “Land or a coffin, freedom or death” – no doubt uttered in his love for his motherland and national identity, and in remembrance of his great father. Soreh Badshah as a leader vowed to strive to

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with Pakistan to divert attention from the drastic situation of Indian-Occupied Kashmir and continued shelling inside Pakistani side of Kashmir by violating the ceasefire agreement of 2003 in relation to the Line of Control (LoC). So, externally, Pakistan’s armed forces had been boldly responding to India’s unprovoked firing at the LoC. recently, the Directors General of Military Operations of Pakistan and India have agreed to strictly observe the 2003 ceasefire agreement at LoC and other sectors, including Working Boundary from the midnight of February 24 and 25, this year. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the extremist ruling party BJP, had got a landslide victory in the Indian general elections 2014 and 2019. During the election campaigns, the Hindu majority was mobilized on ‘hate Muslim’ slogans and ‘anti-Pakistan’ jargon. Hence, Modi continues anti-Muslim policies. So, he is unpredictable and can, again, take a U-turn, which could result in violation of the recent ceasefire agreement, as the Indian past record also shows. Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has repeatedly stated that in order to divert attention from various internal crises and the border dispute with China, New Delhi can arrange another Pulwama-type false flag terror attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir to justify a military adventure against Pakistan. Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran Khan have frequently said that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully ready to meet any Indian prospective aggression. Internally, Pakistan’s armed forces and country’s primarily intelligence agency ISI have successfully broken the back of the foreign-backed terrorists. Peace has been restored in the Balochistan province and Karachi, as well as other vulnerable regions. Despite it, in the recent past, terrorist attacks particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Balochistan which is central point of the ChinaPakistan economic Corridor (CPeC) show that the CIA-led Indian rAW, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency National Directorate of Security and Israeli Mossad are destabilising Pakistan and want to damage the CPeC project which is part of China’s OBOr or BrI, as the US and India have already opposed this project. However, Pakistan’s armed forces; particularly the Army, are facing multiple threats of grave nature externally and internally. And security agencies have been coping with a different war, as the enemy employs subversive activities

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fulfill his dreams through a peaceful struggle. It is worth mentioning here that the Hur movement was launched by Sibghatullah Shah-I and it reached a crescendo under the Sibghatullah Shah-II known as Sooriah Badshah. Sibghatullah-I had sent his followers to Syed Ahmed Shaheed to fight alongside him against Sikhs. The fighters since then came to be called Hurs (free men). When Sibghatullah-II became Pir Pagara in 1922, at the age of 12 years, he resumed the struggle against British rule. He believed that British officers’ behaviour towards Hur Jamat and the Sindhi people was unreasonable. He resented their behaviour and started to publicly support Indian independence. He organised a campaign against the colonial government and encouraged others to do the same. As a result, martial law was imposed to control the Hur movement. Pir Sahib established Gring Bungalow as his general headquarters. He recruited and trained followers to continue an armed struggle. Their slogans were, as mentioned earlier, “homeland or coffin” and “freedom or death” The movement inflicted considerable damage on government infrastructure until Pir Pagara was arrested on Oct 24, 1941 and sent to jail. In 1942, prominent Hur leaders were arrested and the government bombed Pir Pagaras bungalow, Makhi forest and family shrine. Hurs were arrested in thousands along with their families and kept in concentration camps till 1952. Pagara and his followers fought against the colonial government for 108 years, from 1843 to 1951. The “Lahore mail” railway train was derailed by Hurs on 16 May 1942. When Hurs attacked the army and police they raised the slogan of “Bhej Pagaara”. In an effort to rush the Hurs, their center Gring Bungalow was bombarded and destroyed on 26 May 1943. Pir Soreh Badshah was arrested on 24 October

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of various kinds which include both internal and external crises. In this context, General Bajwa has repeatedly stated that Pakistan is facing the challenge of hybrid war. Pakistan is also facing grave crises and problems like corruption, soaring prices, energy-shortage, unemployment, crimes, lack of health facilities, and dependence upon the US-led developed countries, IMF and World Bank for financial aid. Meanwhile, the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic has affected Pakistan in wake of the country’s fragile economy. In this connection, civil and army institutions are implementing comprehensive plans for treatment of the patients and to further stop the spread of this novel virus. But, by ignoring all these problems, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) launched a movement to topple the government of PTI led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, though a rift has been created among the leaders of PDM, who postponed the March 26 long march to Islamabad. Nevertheless, the 23rd of March 1940 was a watershed in the history of the Subcontinent, when the All India Muslim League passed the resolution in Lahore for the creation of an independent state. Now, it is popularly called the Pakistan resolution. earlier, in his address to the Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930, the idea of a homeland for Muslims in their majority areas had been envisioned by the poet Allama Sir Muhammad Iqbal, and had become the aspiration of Indian Muslims. In fact, the British colonialists in connivance with majority Hindu population had manipulated and targeted Muslims through every possible way. In that background, Muslims started struggle for a separate state. Prior to the Lahore session of Muslim League, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had specified to this historical congregation of the Muslims, the watch-words of ‘Faith, Unity and Discipline’ which were not only necessary for waging the battle for an independent homeland, but also for present Pakistan. Nonetheless, the government, the opposition leaders, including all other segments of society must act upon the essence of the Pakistan Day by showing selfless national unity which is very necessary to pull the country out of the ongoing serious crises and to meet the Indian war-mongering designs. Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations and can be reached at: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

1941 and imprisoned in Seoni in India. The Hurs intensified their activities against the colonial government by attacking police stations, government buildings and railway stations as well as telephone and irrigation systems to paralyse society and to pressure the colonial government to release their spiritual leader. Dargah Sharif and the bungalow in Pir Jo Goth were destroyed in 1943 In 1942 important leaders in Sindh Prant were arrested. Pir Sahib Pagara was brought from Seoni to Sindh in January 1943 and was detained in the central jail in Hyderabad. The Hurs established the Makhi forest as their base. The colonial government then began bombing Gring Bungalow, Makhi Forest and Dargah Sharif. They arrested thousands of Hur followers along with their families and kept them imprisoned until 1952. The Hurs have a rich history of resistance. During the period of colonial rule (according to voice of Sureh by Lutaf Mangrio and Nadeem Wagan), Pir Pagaro declared his community “Hur” (free). The colonial government made efforts to supress the movement, which resulted in an armed response from the Hurs. Ultimately the colonial government passed the Hurs Act, where all followers of the movement were declared criminals and army officers were allowed to shoot suspected members on sight. The Hurs continued their campaign even after the hanging of Pir Sahib, right up to the time of Pakistan’s independence. Pir Pagaro Syed Sibghatullah Shah II was hanged on 20 March 1943 and the British left the South Asia four years later on 14 August 1947. After the end of British rule, Pir Pagaro’s two sons, who were in British custody in england, were released and came back to lead their community. Sindh was a province in the newly independent Pakistan. The sons of Sibghatullah Shah Shaheed, Pir Syed Shah Mardan Shah rashdi-II alias Pir Syed Sikandar Ali Shah rashidi and Pir Syed Nadir Ali Shah rashidi were brought to Pakistan in December 1951 after long negotiations. The elder son, Pir Syed Shah Mardan Shah-II became the new Pir Pagara on 22 February 1952. The writer is a freelance writer based in Shahdadpur Sindh Pakistan. He is studying BSc Pakistan Studies at the University of Sindh and can be reached at syedtahir926@gmail.com.)

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Monday, 22 March, 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

Celebrating Ramadan with COVID- SOPs AS we all know ramadan is coming and with the increasing percentage in corona cases it seems we need to celebrate ramadan by following certain important suggestions. First step should be that we must stay at home and prepare our “sahur” and “iftar” with simple recipes at home. No need to buy samosas and pakoras, instead we can purchase good quality fruits. regarding prayers we can arrange jama’at at home as most of our houses have more than 3 members which is the basic necessity for praying in jama’at. The holy nights of the last decade could also be celebrated at home without intermingling with outsiders to keep our selves safe from the emerging virus. If vaccination is possible we should go for it before the starting of holy month. As we all know that eid shopping is the most crowded factor seen which can spoil all our preventions so there is a suggestion that we could opt for online shopping as presently everything is available online through reliable stores. These are certain minor suggestions by which we can celebrate the holy month of ramadan safely. SyEDa EMaN FaTIMa KaRacHI

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Post Pulwama: India’s antiPakistan propaganda unfurls In the battlefield of narrative, India’s lies continue to be exposed MuhaMMad uSaMa khalid*

He beginning of 2019 was an eventful year in the modern history of the subcontinent. Both the nuclear armed neighboring states in the region, Pakistan and India, had indulged in a military standoff in the wake of an attack on the Indian paramilitary troops in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIO J&K). The incident is commonly known as ‘Pulwama Attack’. However, the tensions between India and Pakistan were not provoked by this mere assault on Indian paramilitary personnel, rather it can be observed prior to the Pulwama crisis. Since both the nuclear armed arch-rivals have fought four wars in the last seventy odds years of their existence as modern states. The developments that unfurled following the attack, however, were of real concern. Pressure of the mainstream Indian mainstream and public was building up on the federal government, prompting the BJP regime to take certain actions, acceptable enough to calm public rage and shut journalists’ mouths. Therefore, on the night of February 26, 2019 some Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets illegally crossed the LoC and dropped their payload on an uninhabited area of Balakot. While, the Indian intent was not to just drop the payload and run away, instead it was a rapid and timely response by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) that coerced them to runaway for the sake of face saving. In the aftermath of such a blunder by the IAF, the Bollywood-inspired Indian media projected it as a victory and started an overt propaganda against Pakistan by falsely claiming to have killed more than 300 militants. Some doctored videos were circulated claiming to be of a so-called successful Balakot air strike, but ground realities exposed Indian assertions as mere lies and deceit on the very same morning. However, the very next day on February 27, 2019, the Pakistan Air force conveyed its message loud and clear to India that it was capable of retaliatory strike, after it had locked the Indian military command bases in the IIO J&K, but consciously hit the barren lands near them. The dodge fight ended with the shoot down of one IAF fighter jet (MiG 21) and captured its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan varthaman. Pakistan’s actions were very calculated in the situation. From retaliatory strikes to Abhinandan’s capture and eventual release, it shows that Pakistan is timely prepared for any sort of military actions, if its sovereignty is under threat. But Pakistan’s response was not only limited to the on ground situation, but also in other areas, because India was also waging a battle of narratives against Pakistan. The fabrication of Indian propaganda against Pakistan since after the Pulwama attack had taken a new shift in the post Balakot air strike time. India’s overconfident newscasters, journalists, and analysts were por-

traying the strikes as if they had conquered the whole of Pakistan. Pakistan also played very sensibly. Pakistan army accompanied foreign journalists and diplomats to the sites of the strikes and showed them the exact location where the payload was dropped. After this, some prominent voices even from within India have been heard blatantly criticizing the Indian government and security institutions for such a security lapse that resulted in the Pulwama incident. Arundhati roy, a well-known Indian author and commentator, bluntly denounced the Indian government’s official stance and declared Pulwama attack a major intelligence failure. As far as February 26 developments are concerned, roy said that it was a false flag operation that Modi Sarkaar did for covering up its failure and used such operation for his election campaign. Meanwhile, in the year 2019, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was strongly campaigning to retain power for a consecutive second term, to which the Modi-led BJP had been busy constructing antiPakistan rhetoric to take an upper hand in the upcoming general elections. Similarly, in the realm of media, Arnab Goswami - a prominent Indian talk show anchor - was acting as BJP’s right hand, created a fiery profile of Modi and appraised his hardcore Hindutva nationalist polices, as well as whole-heartedly admitted that he helped BJP on multiple issues. Whereas, the recent leaked chats of Arnab Goswami, in the wake of TrP scandal, revealed that the Balakot air strikes were conducted to make the public believe that government had taken stern action against the so-called perpetrators. The exact words of Goswami’s leaked WhatsApp chat, that occurred between him and Partho Dasgupta who was a CeO of a TrP company BArC at that time, are, “ On another note something big will happen.’’ on the same day he further typed, “ Bigger than a normal strike. And also on the same time something major on Kashmir. On Pakistan the government is confident of striking in a way that people be elated.” That preconceived episode, ultimately, relieved the Modi government of public pressure. Arnab Goswami is quite popular not just

among the ruling party of India, rather due to his fluent english speaking quality, he is being listened to and praised by the youth of the country, too. Arnab has been working as living propaganda machine of ruling Indian Party for the past six years. even, on the day of the Pulwama attack also, in a WhatsApp message chats with Partho Dasgupta, Arnab in jubilation said that he and his media network were ahead of all the media outlets in the coverage of the Pulwama attack. He further communicated that the attack had won him a lot of TrPs which is a great achievement for not only him, but for the channel also. Despite being relatively on a weaker side internationally, Pakistan had still very handsomely managed to counter the Indian propaganda. Pakistan’s strategy was very simple and precisely accurate enough to counter such an ominous allegations. Against any of the Indian allegations, Pakistan openly welcomed international observatory groups and journalists to come and see the on ground realities. However, the recent leaked chats of Arnab Goswami uncovered a villainous intents of India that how it has been using Pulwama attack, which in the first place happened due its intelligence failure, in maligning Pakistan. Though, the war of narrative is naive for both the regional nuclear armed neighbors, but the developments that unfolded in the recent past has clearly depicted Pakistan as victorious because Pakistan acted rationally and responded timely according to the situation.

Indian allegations, Pakistan openly welcomed international observatory groups and journalists to come and see the on ground realities. However, the recent leaked chats of Arnab Goswami uncovered a villainous intents of India that how it has been using Pulwama attack, which in the first place happened due its intelligence failure, in maligning Pakistan.

The writer is an undergraduate student at the department of Strategic Studies in the National Defence University, Islamabad. He is an avid reader and interested in national and international political and security issues.

THIS is to draw the attention of government authorities as the third wave of coronavirus hit the country and government is imposing lockdown in many cities. The month of ramazan is ahead and prices of fruits, vegetables and other grocery items are already high. This is difficult for people to buy nowadays and in ramazan they will be much more pricey to buy for ordinary people. The government authorities are requested to control the food prices and monitor the situation of shops and markets to give people a relief in the month of ramazan. aSMa ZULFIqaR KaRacHI

Response to locusts We had a devastating attack of locust swarms a long time back. The government at that time took every possible step to prevent its settlement in any area, especially on crops. In cities and villages, people came out with anything they could get hold of to make noise to scare off the locust. People from all walks of life and from every age and gender came together to do whatever they could to prevent loss of crops by locust swarms. It was this unity and zeal of people that kept the damage at a minimum. When I see the lackluster response of the government and people to locust attacks on crops today, I feel that we have lost the spirit of fighting such disasters as one. Politicians do less practical work and are more compulsive talkers, indulging in irrelevant and frivolous matters. The government of Sindh did not take timely measures to handle the locust issue during the COvID pandemic. Raja Shafaatullah ISlamabad

Stop hurting kids A girl, 8, was tortured to death in Pakistan after accidentally freeing expensive parrots from their cage.Zohra Shah, an unpaid domestic worker, was killed in the affluent neighbourhood of rawalpindi, Pakistan’s fourthlargest city.The physical abuse came after Zohra Shah freed some caged parrots that angered her employers who beat her to death and later left her at a hospital when the staff called the police. Police arrested the Bahria Town residents, Hassan Siddiqui and his wife, following the girl’s death. reports state that the two are being kept at the rawat Police station.Twitter has been trending with hashtag #JusticeForZohraShah where people are showing their anger towards the incident and asking for Jusitce for the little girl.Child Abuse is unfortunately a common occurrence in Pakistan which tries to cover itself under the guise of religion but it is shocking and sad that pedophilia or child abuse is rampant in Pakistani society.Firstly, in a conservative society like Pakistan, an open discussion about child abuse is a good sign. However, reports of many international rights organisations suggest that girls, if they are abused in conservative societies, try to hide it from their family members and friends.Horrific details entailing incidents of child sexual abuse in Pakistan have emerged in a report compiled by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Sahil recently.Above all, it is a matter of our beloved children. aRooj NaEEm RawalpINdI

National savings scheme cut The government has drastically cut down the profits of National Saving deposits . This has affected many people . The prominent among these are senior citizens who do not receive any pension and they only survive on the monthly profit on their life time saving invested in the National Saving schemes , such as Behbood and other certificates . These senior citizens , especially in their seventies and eighties are unable to work any longer . ENgR RIaz bhutta lahoRE

Locust attack LOCUSTS, which move in swarms of up to 50 million, have led to the worst plague in Pakistan in recent history, with damages costing billions of dollars and causing fears of long-term food shortages. This year’s locust infestation is a continuation of 2019’s outbreak in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia, which is said to be the worst in decades. As farmers described an unprecedented presence of the insatiable pests, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned of a serious infestation that can lead to a major threat to food security. The FAO estimates losses as high as $2.2 billion to agriculture from locust this year to winter crop and nearly $ 2.89 billion for summer crop. haRum Shuja KaRachI

Monday, 22 March, 2021

08 WORLD VIEW RESIDENTS OF WEALTHY AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE NEARLY 400 MILLION VACCINES DELIVERED SO FAR. UNDER CURRENT PROJECTIONS, MANY OF THE REST WILL HAVE TO WAIT YEARS

Rich countRies signed away a chance to vaccinate the woRld “WE’RE GOING TO START OFF MAKING SURE AMERICANS ARE TAKEN CARE OF FIRST,” MR. BIDEN SAID RECENTLY. “BUT WE’RE THEN GOING TO TRY AND HELP THE REST OF THE WORLD”

New York Times

Selam Gebrekidan and matt apuzzo

n the coming days, a patent will finally be issued on a five-year-old invention, a feat of molecular engineering that is at the heart of at least five major Covid-19 vaccines. And the United States government will control that patent. The new patent presents an opportunity — and some argue the last best chance — to exact leverage over the drug companies producing the vaccines and pressure them to expand access to less affluent countries. The question is whether the government will do anything at all. The rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, achieved at record speed and financed by massive public funding in the United States, the European Union and Britain, represents a great triumph of the pandemic. Governments partnered with drugmakers, pouring in billions of dollars to procure raw materials, finance clinical trials and retrofit factories. Billions more were committed to buy the finished product. But this Western success has created stark inequity. Residents of wealthy and middle-income countries have received about 90 percent of the nearly 400 million vaccines delivered so far. Under current projections, many of the rest will have to wait years. A growing chorus of health officials and advocacy groups worldwide are calling for Western governments to use aggressive powers — most of them rarely or never used before — to force companies to publish vaccine recipes, share their know-how and ramp up manufacturing. Public health advocates have pleaded for help, including asking the Biden administration to use its patent to push for broader vaccine access. Governments have resisted. By partnering with drug companies, Western leaders bought their way to the front of the line. But they also ignored years of warnings — and explicit calls from the World Health Organization — to include contract language that would have guaranteed doses for poor countries or encouraged companies to share their knowledge and the patents they control. “It was like a run on toilet paper. Everybody was like, ‘Get out of my way. I’m gonna get that last package of Charmin,’” said Gregg Gonsalves, a Yale epidemiologist. “We just ran for the doses.” The prospect of billions of people waiting years to be vaccinated poses a health threat to even the richest countries. One example: In Britain, where the vaccine rollout has been strong, health officials are tracking a virus variant that emerged in South Africa, where vaccine coverage is weak. That variant may be able to blunt the effect of vaccines, meaning even vaccinated people might get sick. Western health officials said they never intended to exclude others. But with their own countries facing massive death tolls, the focus was at home. Patent sharing, they said, simply never came up. “It was U.S.-centric. It wasn’t anti-global.” said Moncef Slaoui, who was the chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed, a Trump administration program that funded the search for vaccines in the United States. “Everybody was in agreement that vaccine doses, once the U.S. is served, will go elsewhere.” President Biden and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive branch, are reluctant to change course. Mr. Biden has promised to help an Indian company produce about 1 billion doses by the end of 2022 and his administration has donated doses to Mexico and Canada. But he has made it clear that his focus is at home. “We’re going to start off making sure Americans are taken care of first,” Mr. Biden said recently. “But we’re then going to try and help the rest of the world.” Pressuring companies to share patents could be seen as undermining innovation, sabotaging drugmakers or picking drawn-out and expensive fights with the very companies digging a way out of the pandemic. As rich countries fight to keep things as they are, others like South Africa and India have taken the battle to the World Trade Organization, seeking a waiver on patent restrictions for Covid-19 vaccines. Russia and China, meanwhile, have promised to fill the void as part of their vaccine diplomacy. The Gamaleya Institute in Moscow, for example, has entered into partnerships with producers from Kazakhstan to South Korea, according to data from Airfinity, a science analytics company, and UnICEF. Chinese vaccine makers

have reached similar deals in the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Indonesia. Addressing patents would not, by itself, solve the vaccine imbalance. Retrofitting or constructing factories would take time. More raw materials would need to be manufactured. Regulators would have to approve new assembly lines. And as with cooking a complicated dish, giving someone a list of ingredients is no substitute to showing them how to make it. To address these problems, the World Health Organization created a technology pool last year to encourage companies to share know-how with manufacturers in lower-income nations. not a single vaccine company has signed up. “The problem is that the companies don’t want to do it. And the government is just not very tough with the companies,” said James Love, who leads Knowledge Ecology International, a nonprofit. Drug company executives told European lawmakers recently that they were licensing their vaccines as quickly as possible, but that finding partners with the right technology was challenging. “They don’t have the equipment,” Moderna’s chief executive, Stéphane Bancel, said. “There is no capacity.” But manufacturers from Canada to Bangladesh say they can make vaccines — they just lack patent licensing deals. When the price is right, companies have shared secrets with new manufacturers in just months, ramping up production and retrofitting factories. It helps when the government sweetens the deal. Earlier this month, Mr. Biden announced that the pharmaceutical giant Merck would help make vaccines for its competitor Johnson & Johnson. The government pressured Johnson & Johnson to accept the help and is using wartime procurement powers to secure supplies for the company. It will also pay to retrofit Merck’s production line, with an eye toward making vaccines available to every adult in the United States by May. Despite the hefty government funding, drug companies control nearly all of the intellectual property and stand to make fortunes off the vaccines. A critical exception is the patent expected to be approved soon — a government-led discovery for manipulating a key coronavirus protein. This breakthrough, at the center of the 2020 race for a vaccine, actually came years earlier in a national Institutes of Health lab, where an American scientist named Dr. Barney Graham was in pursuit of a medical moonshot. ‘WE’D ALREADY DONE EVERYTHING’: For years, Dr. Graham specialized in the kind of long, expensive research that only governments bankroll. He searched for a key to unlock universal vaccines — genetic blueprints to be used against any of the roughly two dozen viral families that infect humans. When a new virus emerged, scientists could simply tweak the code and quickly make a vaccine. In 2016, while working on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, another coronavirus known as MERS, he and his colleagues developed a way to swap a pair of amino acids in the coronavirus spike protein. That bit of molecular engineering, they realized, could be used to develop effective vaccines against any coronavirus. The government, along with its partners at Dartmouth College and the Scripps Research Institute, filed for a patent, which will be issued this month. When Chinese scientists published the genetic code of the new coronavirus in January 2020, Dr. Graham’s team had their cookbook ready. “We kind of knew exactly what we had to do,” said Jason McLellan, one of the inventors, who now works at the University of Texas at Austin. “We’d already done everything.” Dr. Graham was already working with Moderna on a vaccine for another virus when the outbreak in China inspired his team to change focus. “We just flipped it to coronavirus and said, ‘How fast can we go?’” Dr. Graham recalled. Within a few days, they emailed the vaccine’s genetic blueprint to Moderna to begin manufacturing. By late February, Moderna had produced enough vaccines for government-run clinical trials. “We did the front end. They did the middle. And we did the back end,” Dr. Graham said. Exactly who holds patents for which vaccines won’t be sorted out for months or years. But it is clear now that several of today’s vaccines — including those from Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, novavax, CureVac and Pfizer-BionTech — rely on the 2016 invention. Of those, only BionTech has paid the U.S. government to license the technology. The patent is scheduled to be issued March 30.

Patent lawyers and public health advocates say it’s likely that other companies will either have to negotiate a licensing agreement with the government, or face the prospect of a lawsuit worth billions. The government filed such a lawsuit in 2019 against the drugmaker Gilead over H.I.V. medication. This gives the Biden administration leverage to force companies to share technology and expand worldwide production, said Christopher J. Morten, a new York University law professor specializing in medical patents. “We can do this the hard way, where we sue you for patent infringement,” he said the government could assert. “Or just play nice with us and license your tech.” The national Institutes of Health declined to comment on its discussions with the drugmakers but said it did not anticipate a dispute over patent infringement. none of the drug companies responded to repeated questions about the 2016 patent. Experts said the government has stronger leverage on the Moderna vaccine, which was almost entirely funded by taxpayers. new mRnA vaccines, such as those from Moderna, are relatively easier to manufacture than vaccines that rely on live viruses. Scientists compare it to an old-fashioned cassette player: Try one tape. If it’s not right, just pop in another. Moderna expects $18.4 billion in vaccine sales this year, but it is the delivery system — the cassette player — that is its most prized secret. Disclosing it could mean giving away the key to the company’s future. By last spring, with the Moderna vaccine in its earliest trials, vaccine science had clearly become a nationalistic competition. World leaders joined the W.H.O. in April to raise $8 billion for Covid-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, but China and the United States were notably absent. “There should be no division in order to win this battle,” President Emmanuel Macron of France said. Yet European governments had backed their own champions. The European Investment Bank lent nearly $120 million to BionTech, a German company, and Germany bought a $360 million stake in the biotech firm CureVac after reports that it was being lured to the United States. “We funded the research, on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Udo Bullmann, a German member of the European Parliament. “You could have agreed on a paragraph that says ‘You are obliged to give it to poor countries in a way that they can afford it.’ Of course you could have.” A PEOPLE’S VACCINE: In May, the leaders of Pakistan, Ghana, South Africa and others called for governments to support a “people’s vaccine” that could be quickly manufactured and given for free. They urged the governing body of the World Health Organization to treat vaccines as “global public goods.” Though such a declaration would have had no teeth, the Trump administration moved swiftly to block it. Intent on protecting intellectual property, the government said calls for equitable access to vaccines and treatments sent “the wrong message to innovators.” World leaders ultimately approved a watered-down declaration that recognized extensive immunization — not the vaccines themselves — as a global public good. That same month, the World Health Organization launched the technology-access pool and called on governments to include clauses in their drug contracts guaranteeing equitable distribution. But the world’s richest nations roundly ignored the call. In the United States, Operation Warp Speed went on a summertime spending spree, disbursing over $10 billion to handpicked companies and absorbing the financial risks of bringing a vaccine to market. “Our role was to enable the private sector to be successful,” said Paul Mango, a top adviser to the

FOR MONTHS, THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN UNION HAVE BLOCKED A PROPOSAL AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD WAIVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR COVID-19 VACCINES AND TREATMENTS. THE APPLICATION, PUT FORWARD BY SOUTH AFRICA AND INDIA WITH SUPPORT FROM MOST DEVELOPING NATIONS, HAS BEEN BOGGED DOWN IN PROCEDURAL HEARINGS then health secretary, Alex M. Azar II. The deals came with few strings attached. Large chunks of the contracts are redacted and some remain secret. But public records show that the government used unusual contracts that omitted its right to take over intellectual property or influence the price and availability of vaccines. They did not let the government compel companies to share their technology. British and other European leaders made similar concessions as they ordered enough doses to vaccinate their populations multiple times over. “You have to write the rules of the game, and the place to do that would have been these funding contracts,” said Ellen ’t Hoen, the director of Medicines Law and Policy, an international research group. By comparison, one of the world’s largest health financiers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, includes grant language requiring equitable access to vaccines. As leverage, the organization retains some right to the intellectual property. Dr. Slaoui, who came to Warp Speed after leading research and development at GlaxoSmithKline, is sympathetic to this idea. But it would have been impractical to demand patent concessions and still deliver on the program’s primary goals of speed and volume, he said. “I can guarantee you that the agreements with the companies would have been much more complex and taken a much longer time,” he said. The European Union, for example, haggled over price and liability provisions, which delayed the rollout. In some ways, this was a trip down a trodden path. When the H1n1 “swine flu” pandemic broke out in 2009, the wealthiest countries cornered the global vaccine market and all but locked out the rest of the world. Experts said at the time that this was a chance to rethink the approach. But the swine flu pandemic fizzled and governments ended up destroying the vaccines they had hoarded. They then forgot to prepare for the future. THE INTERNATIONAL VIEW: For months, the United States and European Union have blocked a proposal at the World Trade Organization that would waive intellectual property rights for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments. The application, put forward by South Africa and India with support from most developing nations, has been bogged down in procedural hearings. “Every minute we are deadlocked in the negotiating room, people are dying,” said Mustaqeem De Gama, a South African diplomat who is involved in the talks. But in Brussels and Washington, leaders are still worried about undermining innovation. During the presidential campaign, Mr. Biden’s team gathered top intellectual property lawyers to discuss ways to increase vaccine production. “They were planning on taking the international view on things,” said Ana Santos Rutschman, a Saint Louis University law professor who participated in the sessions. Most of the options were politically thorny. Among them was the use of a federal law allowing the government to seize a company’s patent and give it to another in order to increase supply. Former campaign advisers say the Biden camp was lukewarm to this proposal and others that called for a broader exercise of its powers. The administration has instead promised to give $4 billion to Covax, the global vaccine alliance. The European Union has given nearly $1 billion so far. But Covax aims to vaccinate only 20 percent of people in the world’s poorest countries this year, and faces a $2 billion shortfall even to accomplish that. Dr. Graham, the n.I.H. scientist whose team cracked the coronavirus vaccine code for Moderna, said that pandemic preparedness and vaccine development should be international collaborations, not competitions. “A lot of this would not have happened unless there was a big infusion of government money,” he said. But governments cannot afford to sabotage companies that need profit to survive. Dr. Graham has largely moved on from studying the coronavirus. He is searching for a universal flu vaccine, a silver bullet that could prevent all strains of the disease without an annual tweak. Though he was vaccinated through work, he spent the early part of the year trying to get his wife and grown children onto waiting lists — an ordeal that even one of the key inventors had to endure. “You can imagine how aggravating that is,” he said. Matina Stevis-Gridneff and Monika Pronczuk contributed reporting.

Monday, 22 March, 2021

BUSINESS 09

LAHORE

LOwER OiL PRiCE HALvES SAudi ARAMCO'S nET PROFiT

corporate corner

ISLAMABAD

LAHORE: The University of Central Punjab signed a MoU with SMEDA to collaborate and extend cooperation for the promotion and development of young entrepreneurs, particularly women entrepreneurship. PR

LAHORE: Smart Phone production facility established by Airkink was inaugurated by Federal Minister of Industries and Production Hammad Azhar. PR

TLTP

AUDI Aramco, the world's largest oil-exporting company, has reported that its 2020 net profit fell by 44 percent to $49 billion. The company attributed the decline to "the impact of lower crude oil prices and volumes sold, and weakened refining and chemicals margins", in a statement to the Tadawul Stock Exchange where its shares trade. "In one of the most challenging years in recent history, Aramco demonstrated its unique value proposition through its considerable financial and

operational agility,” Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said in a statement on Sunday. “Looking ahead, our long-term strategy to optimise our oil and gas portfolio is on track and, as the macro environment improves, we are seeing a pick-up in demand in Asia and also positive signs elsewhere,” the top official said. “As the enormous impact of Covid19 was felt throughout the global economy, we intensified our strong emphasis on capital and operational efficiencies," said Nasser. "As a result, our financial position remained robust and we declared a dividend of $75 billion for 2020. We remain confident that we will emerge on the other side of this pan-

NA body for expediting work on Gwadar International Airport GWADAR APP

KARACHI: NICVD Healthcare Network wins 15 awards for International Corporate Social Responsibility 2021. PR

BOP, PMRC issue Pakistan’s first Musharakah based Sukuk worth Rs3.1bn LAHORE: The Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company (PMRC) and its Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) have issued a first of its kind Sukuk of Rs3.1 billion for the promotion of housing finance in Pakistan, jointly led by Pak Kuwait Investment Company (PKIC) and the Bank of Punjab (BOP). The Sukuk is the first of its kind and is based on Shirkah-tul-‘Aqd. Issued at a profit rate of 8.25 per cent for 3 Years; this Sukuk will enable Pakistan to ensure affordable housing for low- and middle-income groups. The investors include HBL (Islamic Banking), Askari Commercial Bank (Islamic Banking), Bank Islami, PKIC, BOP and Karandaaz Pakistan. PMRC will utilise the proceeds of this Sukuk for further development of Shariah Compliant residential mortgage financing as well as Housing Finance Portfolio (HFP) of eligible Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs). PRESS RELEASE

Pakistan’s ‘homework’ to exit FATF grey list complete: Hammad Azhar Federal Minister of Industries and Production Hammad Azhar has said that the government’s ‘homework’ to help Pakistan leave the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list has been completed. Speaking to the media on Sunday, the federal minister said Pakistan was put on the grey list because of the previous governments but that the PTI regime would soon help remove the country from it. Speaking of inflation, the federal minister said that food is “becoming more expensive around the world but the PTI regime is driving the economy forward”. MONITORING REPORT

demic in a position of strength," he said. The sharp slump in the company’s full-year net income totalled 44 percent compared to the previous year, when profits amounted to $88.19 billion. In 2018, the oil firm reported profits of $111.1 billion. The result was slightly below the projections of $48.1 billion, but is still the highest among the world’s public corporations. Despite the massive drop in net income, Saudi Aramco managed to maintain its $75 billion dividend payout. Saudi Aramco reportedly produced the equivalent of 9.2 million barrels per day of crude oil over 2020. Capital expenditure was down in 2020 to $27 billion, against $32.8 billion in the

The parliamentary committee on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Sunday recommended expediting the process of completion of New Gwadar International Airport and avoid an unnecessary delay either by Pakistan or China. The committee presided over by its chairman, Sher Ali Arbab, directed that institutional efforts should be expedited so that the Chinese can be asked to meet the given timelines for the project. The meeting was attended by MNAs Mr Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, Noor Alam Khan, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Zahid Akram Durrani and Muhammad Aslam Bhootani. The chairman observed that the new airport possesses utmost importance for attracting investors and truly exploiting the strategic location of Gwadar. The meeting was apprised about the progress of New Gwadar International Airport,

which the chairman said would prove conducive in effective operationalisation of Gwadar port if approved timely. The committee was also briefed on various infrastructure, energy and socio-economic development projects for Gwadar under the CPEC framework, in addition to briefings on Gwadar Port Free Zone, East Bay Expressway and PakChina Technical and Vocational Institute. The meeting was informed that the Gwadar Free Zone Policy has been approved. The policy provides potential incentives for imports and exports and will pay way for further triggering economic activities in Pakistan. The committee, while expressing concerns over the difficulties faced by local fishermen at Gwadar, recommended that their issues be resolved at the earliest. Furthermore, given the importance of Gwadar for the successful implementation of CPEC, the committee decided to convene a special meeting to sort out energy related issues with other stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the specific projects.

ADB seeks focus on SDGs amid pandemic recovery ISLAMABAD: A renewed focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be essential as countries seek to rebuild from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, says ADB’s first report showcasing its contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Commenting on the report on Monday, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said that achieving the SDGs will require vast sums of finance to be mobilised from the widest range of sources in support of the agenda at a time when governments face mounting pressure on their budgets and soaring public debt. “In 2021, as we map a path to recovery from the pandemic, we must refocus on the SDGs. ADB’s investments must meet the highest standards of sustainable development and deliver real results that help countries realize the vision set out in Strategy 2030 and rebuild for the SDGs,” Asakawa further said. The year 2020 was to be the start of a decade

of action to accelerate progress on the SDGs, but the Covid-19 pandemic has threatened the region’s prospects for achieving the goals. Asia and the Pacific were already off track to meet these ambitious goals before the pandemic began. The ensuing crisis is estimated to have pushed 162 million people in the region back into poverty, and economic growth in developing Asia contracted for the first time in 60 years. At the same time, there has been limited progress on SDGs that protect the environment, and the region is at the front lines of the climate change crisis. There is a huge financing gap to make the SDGs a reality. A green, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable recovery from Covid19 that aligns with the SDGs will be imperative, the report said. The report explained ADB’s institutional approach to integrating the 17 SDGs and their associated targets into its strategies, programs, and financing under its long-term Strategy 2030 through its seven operational priorities. TLTP

previous year. The company reportedly expects capital expenditure in the year ahead to be cut, and it lowered its guidance for spending to $35 billion from the previously planned $45 billion. The coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc across the global economy, sparked an unprecedented collapse in crude prices, inevitably dragging down production volumes and refining margins. Earlier, Exxon Mobil, the largest US oil and gas corporation, posted its first annual loss, while shares in European energy majors like Royal Dutch Shell and BP plummeted to multi-year lows last year. TLTP

OGRA warns of stern action against LPG profiteers ISLAMABAD APP

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has warned of stern action against those found involved in overcharging and less filling of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders. In this regard, OGRA spokesman Imran Ghaznavi in a press statement released on Sunday advised LPG consumers to check the quantity of the commodity considering the total weight of the filled cylinder minus the weight of the empty cylinder as it is mentioned on each cylinder. He said the cylinders should be weighed before accepting delivery from distributors. He further said that the authority had directed all LPG marketing companies as well as distributors to install accurate weighing scales for correct measurement, besides ensuring that cylinders carried markings that should be clearly readable by a common eye. In case, the spokesman said, any LPG marketing company or distributor was found involved in less filling or overcharging, the matter would be dealt with in accordance with Rules 18, 19 and 29 of the LPG Rules, 2001. Moreover, the general public has been advised to lodge their complaints if they have been swindled with OGRA at the number 051-9244397 during office hours. The authority can also be reached through email: infolpg@ogra.org.pk for further necessary action.

Apple, Epic Games CEOs on list of witnesses in Fortnite case NEW YORK AGENCIES

Apple Inc and Epic Games have listed their chief executive officers as potential witnesses in a case between the iPhone maker and the video game developer over the App Store payment system, court documents showed. Apple and Epic Games, creator of the popular game Fortnite, have been in a legal battle since last year when Epic Games tried to avoid a 30 per cent App Store fee by launching its own in-app payment system. The move prompted Apple to ban Fortnite from its store. In addition to CEO Tim Cook, Apple also named software chief Craig Federighi and App Store Vice President Matt Fischer on a tentative list of witnesses submitted to the US District Court Northern District of California Oakland Division, a copy of which was seen by Reuters. Epic Games listed its founder and CEO Tim Sweeney, its game store manager Steve Allison, and Thomas Ko, head of online business strategy, among its own witnesses for the trial. “The chorus of developers speaking out against Apple and their anticompetitive practices has become louder,” Epic Games said in a statement. Apple did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, but told Bloomberg in a statement that it felt “confident the case will prove that Epic purposefully breached its agreement solely to increase its revenues.”

HBL creates history: becomes first Pakistani bank to open branch in Beijing KARACHI PRESS RELEASE

HBL became the first Pakistani bank to open a branch and serve clients in Beijing, China’s capital city. The inauguration ceremony for HBL Beijing was attended by clients, regulators and senior executives of the Bank from across HBL’s international network. From Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Deputy Governor Jameel Ahmad, HBL Chairman Sultan Ali Allana, HBL President and CEO Muhammad Aurangzeb, along with senior executives and HBL’s customers,

virtually joined the ceremony. HBL Beijing offers a full range of products and services for the bank’s esteemed clients. HBL remains grateful to the governments of Pakistan and China and the regulators for the trust and confidence they have reposed in the bank, through the opening of the branch. HBL has created history by being the first and only bank from Pakistan to have a branch in Beijing and one of the three banks from South Asia and the MENA region to offer end-to-end RMB intermediation in China. Upon commencement of business,

HBL Beijing has become HBL’s second branch and its managing branch in China; both branches in Beijing and Urumqi are equipped with foreign exchange and RMB license to better facilitate customers’ requirements in multiple currencies. HBL’s presence in China will allow the bank to interact with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and leading financial institutions involved in CPEC and across Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) corridors. China is a very important market for HBL not only in terms of the business in China and CPEC but also for Chinese companies working on projects in countries across the HBL network.

CMYK

“HBL’s journey in China began in 2005 when we established our Representative Office in Beijing. This was followed by the establishment of branch operations in Urumqi in 2017 and today we mark the commencement of our branch operations in Beijing. It is an extremely proud moment for us as we enhance our China franchise, and we look forward to playing a leading role in facilitating regional trade and serving our valued customers throughout HBL’s international network,” Chairman Sultan Ali Allana said. Commenting on the branch opening, HBL President and CEO Muhammad Aurangzeb said, “China is the second home

market for HBL and we will grow our business in the country. China remains the lynchpin of HBL’s international strategy. We are grateful to the regulators for having granted us the branch license. They are very supportive of developing marketbased capabilities and encouraging financial institutions like HBL to provide clients with best-in-class product and services. HBL is the largest executor of CPEC related financing in Pakistan, and the Bank’s presence in China has put us in a unique position to connect our clients across the HBL network directly with the businesses in China.”

Monday, 22 March, 2021

10 FOREIGN NEWS Is ClAIMs resPonsIbIlIty For kIllIng 33 MAlIAn soldIers DAKAR: IS West Africa affiliate claimed responsibility on Sunday for an ambush last week that killed 33 Malian soldiers, according to a statement published by the SITE Intelligence Group. Fourteen soldiers were also injured in Monday’s attack near the northern town of Tessit, near the border with Niger, according to Mali’s army. The terrorist said in a statement that its fighters captured three vehicles as well as weapons and ammunition, according to SITE. The group has claimed responsibility for previous attacks on either side of the border that have killed dozens of Malian and Nigerien soldiers. It also carried out the 2017 ambush in the Nigerien village of Tongo Tongo that killed four American special forces troops and five Nigerien soldiers. AGENCIES

syrIAn ArMy shellIng oF hosPItAl kIlls seVen In rebel held northwest syrIA: wItnesses ISTANBUL/AMMAN: Seven civilians were killed and at least 14 medics were injured when artillery shelling from a Syrian army outpost hit a hospital in a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria on Sunday, medics and rescuers said. They said a woman and a child were among those killed when several mortar rounds hit the hospital in the city of Atareb which was taken out of service. Turkey’s defence ministry earlier said on Sunday five people were killed and 10 injured in an artillery attack by Damascus-backed forces on a hospital in the northwest Syria, where they have a military presence. Videos received by Reuters from two witnesses showed a ward damaged and civil defence rescuers carrying blood-stained patients outside. Reuters could not verify their authenticity. Fighting between Syrian army forces and rebels has subsided since a deal a year ago ended a Russianled bombing campaign that had displaced over a million people in the region which borders Turkey after months of fighting that killed several thousand civilians. AGENCIES

blast kills one in restless Iranian border area DUBAI: An explosion killed one person and injured three others on Sunday in a southeastern Iranian town that was the centre of bloody unrest last month, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. A Revolutionary Guards statement quoted by the agency blamed what it called terrorist groups for the blast in a square in Saravan, near the border with Pakistan. Earlier this month a U.N. human rights spokesman said at least a dozen people and possibly up to 23 had been killed in Saravan and other parts of Sistan-Baluchestan province where Revolutionary Guards and security forces used lethal force against fuel couriers from ethnic minorities, and protesters. The shooting of people carrying fuel across the border led to protests that spread from Saravan to other areas of Sistan-Baluchestan, including the capital, Zahedan. Sistan-Baluchestan’s population is predominantly Sunni Muslim, while most Iranians are Shi’ite. Iran has some of the lowest fuel prices in the world and there is some fuel-smuggling to neighbouring countries. The impoverished province has long been the scene of sporadic clashes between security forces and separatist militants and smugglers carrying opium from Afghanistan, the word’s top producer of the drug. AGENCIES

Iran's supreme leader says us promises have no credibility for tehran DUBAI: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday Iran did not trust US promises on lifting sanctions and that Tehran would only go back to its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal after Washington fully ends the sanctions. “We trusted America at the time of (former US President Barack) obama and fulfilled our commitments. But they didn’t. The Americans said on paper that sanctions will be lifted, but they didn’t lift sanctions in practice,” he said in a speech on state TV. “Their promises have no credibility for us.” AGENCIES

LAHORE

MyAnMAr Protesters VoICe deFIAnCe As juntA reMInds oF ‘externAl threAts’

AGENCIES

EMoNSTRAToRS in Myanmar maintained their unflinching opposition to military rule on Sunday despite a rising death toll at the hands of security forces as the junta appeared equally determined to resist growing outside pressure to compromise. one man was killed and several were wounded when police opened fire on a group setting up a barricade in the central town of Monywa, a doctor there said as a community group issued a call on Facebook for blood donors. The violence has forced people determined to resist a return to military rule after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy to think up novel ways to make their stand. Protesters in nearly 20 places across the country staged candle-lit protests on Saturday night and into Sunday, from the main city of Yangon to small communities in Kachin State

in the north and the southernmost town of Kawthaung, according to a tally of social media posts. Hundreds of people in the second city of Mandalay, including many medical staff in white coats, marched before sunrise in a “Dawn protest”, video posted by the Mizzima news portal showed. “Failure of the military regime, our cause our cause ... federal democracy, our cause our cause,” the crowd chanted as the sky was beginning to brighten and birds called from the trees lining the otherwise deserted streets. Protesters in some places were joined by Buddhist monks holding candles while some people used candles to make the shape of the three-fingered protest salute. others came out later on Sunday, including the crowd in Monywa, where police opened fire. “Sniper, sniper,” people can be heard shouting in a video clip shortly after the man was shot in the head and

more shots rang out. The spokesman for the junta was not available for comment but has previously said security forces have used force only when necessary. With the latest killing, the death toll since the coup rose to at least to 248, based on a tally by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The military has said at two policemen have been killed in the protests. ‘FoREIGN INSULTS’: Western countries have repeatedly condemned the coup and the violence. Asian neighbours, who have for years avoided criticising each other, have also begun speaking out. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, in some of the strongest comments yet by a regional leader, said on Friday the violence should stop immediately. He called for an urgent meeting of Southeast Asia’s regional grouping, of which Myanmar is a member. Malaysian Prime Minister

Thousands of Israelis protest against Netanyahu ahead of election AGENCIES Thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Saturday, calling for an end to his leadership just three days before the country’s fourth election in two years. Protesters filed through streets closed to traffic by police, waving flags, banging drums, blowing horns and shouting chants to replace the 71-year-old conservative. The crowd was larger than many previous antiNetanyahu protests over the past year, with Israeli media reporting it numbered about 20,000.

Crowd was larger than many previous anti-netanyahu protests over the past year Though his right-wing Likud is expected to emerge as the biggest party in the March 23 ballot, opinion polls predict no clear winner with a majority in parliament or able to form a government - similar to the three previous elections. Pressure has mounted in the election run-up on Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption and accused by critics of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic.

Netanyahu is hoping the success of his government’s rapid Covid-19 vaccination programme, which has allowed much of the economy to open after three lockdowns, along with a series of normalization agreements with Arab countries, will give him the boost needed to secure a majority in parliament. Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, all of which he denies.

India’s Serum to delay further vaccine shipments to Brazil, Morocco, Saudi NEW DELHI AGENCIES

The Serum Institute of India (SII) has told Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Morocco that further supplies of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will be delayed due to surging demand at home and as it works through a capacity expansion, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The news comes as India, the world’s biggest vaccine maker, is being criticised domestically for donating or selling more doses than inoculations conducted at home, despite reporting the most number of coronavirus infections after the United States and Brazil. India is currently seeing a second surge of cases, taking its total to about 11.6 million. The latest delays, first reported by the Times of India, came to light days after Britain said it would have to slow its Covid-19 vaccine roll-out next month as SII was likely to deliver more doses later than expected. SII has supplied half of the 10 million doses recently ordered by Britain. Brazil has already received 4 million doses from SII, Saudi Arabia 3 million doses and Mo-

rocco 7 million, according to India’s foreign ministry. The three countries had ordered 20 million each. Reuters could not immediately contact representatives for the countries or determine if they had agreed to a revised delivery schedule. SII, the single-biggest maker of vaccines, declined to comment. It has partnered with AstraZeneca, the Gates Foundation and the Gavi vaccine alliance to make up to a billion doses for poorer countries. The source, who declined to be identified, said SII was working on expanding its monthly production to 100 million doses by April/May, from 60 million to 70 million now, suggesting supplies could improve then. SII was originally supposed to sell vaccines only to middle- and low-income countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, but production issues at other AstraZeneca facilities forced it to ship to many other countries as well on the British company’s behalf. India has so far donated 8 million doses and sold nearly 52 million doses to a total of 75 countries, mainly the AstraZeneca shot made by SII. India has administered more than 44 million doses since starting its immunisation campaign in the middle of January.

China steps up Covid-19 vaccination, considers diﬀerentiated visa policies AGENCIES BEIJING

China has accelerated its vaccinations against Covid-19, administering 10 million doses in around a week, and is considering varied visa policies based on vaccination and virus conditions in different countries, officials said on Sunday. The country had administered 74.96 million vaccine doses as of Saturday, health commission spokesman Mi Feng told a news briefing. That is up from 64.98 million as of March 14. China aims to vaccinate 40% of its 1.4 billion people by the middle of the year, according to state media and a top health adviser. China was among the first countries to

Muhyiddin Yassin backed the call saying he was appalled by the persistent use of lethal violence against civilians. Singapore has also expressed disapproval. The military has shown no sign of being pressed into back-tracking on its coup, which derailed a slow transition to democracy in a country that was under strict military rule from a 1962 coup until the generals initiated reforms a decade ago. The junta says a Nov. 8 election won by Suu Kyi’s party was fraudulent, an accusation rejected by the electoral commission. The military leaders have promised a new election but have not set a date. Coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday visited the Coco islands, one of Myanmar’s most strategically important outposts, 400 km (250 miles) south of Yangon, and reminded members of the armed force there that their main duty was to defend the country against external threats.

begin administering vaccines last year and has been exporting millions of doses, but its vaccination rate has fallen behind those of such countries as Israel and the United States. More than 70 million doses of Sinovac Biotech’s shot have been administered globally, a company spokesman told the news conference, without specifying how many of those had been administered in China. Beijing is considering differentiated policies for visa issuance, flights and controls on the numbers of people arriving in China based on vaccination progress and the Covid-19 situations in different countries. “We do not exempt vaccinated people from testing and isolation measures for the time being,” said Feng Zijian, vice director of Chinese Center for Disease Control and

Prevention (China CDC). But he said China will pay attention to international progress in developing “vaccine passports” and could adjust virus curbing measures after the domestic population reaches a high level of immunisation. China’s full-year vaccine production can fully meet the needs of entire country, said Ministry of Industry and Information Technology official Mao Junfeng. He said the supply of materials for vaccine production, including glass vials and syringes, is “relatively stable”. Countries with high proportions of elderly people should be prioritised for vaccination, said Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at China CDC. If all countries push forward with their

vaccination programs at the same pace, it is possible that each country might reach just 10% or 30% immunity, not enough to protect the population, Wu explained at the China Development Forum in Beijing on Saturday evening. “We need to reach 70%-80% in one country as soon as possible, then a second country, then a third country,” Wu said. China has approved four locally developed vaccines for general public use from Sinovac, CanSino Biologics and two units of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm). A fifth vaccine developed by the Institute of Microbiology of Chinese Academy of Sciences was approved for emergency use last week.

AstraZeneca counters Indonesian Muslims’ concerns over Covid-19 vaccine JAKARTA: AstraZeneca said on Sunday its Covid-19 vaccine contains no pork-derived ingredients, countering an assertion in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, that the drug violates Islamic law. Indonesia’s highest Muslim clerical council, the Indonesia Ulema Council, said on its website Friday that the vaccine is “haram” because the manufacturing process uses “trypsin from the pork pancreas.” Still, the council approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for use given the pandemic emergency. But AstraZeneca Indonesia spokesman Rizman Abudaeri said in a statement: “At all stages of the production process, this virus vector vaccine does not use nor come in contact with pork-derived products or other animal products.” The council and the country’s food and drug agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Indonesian authorities on Friday approved the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine after reviewing reports that it had caused blood clots among some recipients in Europe. AGENCIES

Israel takes Palestinian FM's VIP pass over ICC meeting, official says Israeli authorities confiscated the VIP border pass of Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki upon his return to the West Bank from a meeting at the International Criminal Court, a Palestinian official said on Sunday. Ahmed al-Deek, an official at Maliki’s office, told Reuters the Israeli move was linked to Maliki’s meeting with ICC lead prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at her office in The Hague on Thursday. Israel’s Walla news website cited unnamed Israeli officials who said Maliki’s ICC visit was the reason for the revocation of his VIP card, an Israeligranted pass that enables dozens of senior Palestinian officials to move freely through border crossings. Spokespeople for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. AGENCIES

Monday, 22 March, 2021

SPORTS 11

LAHORE

Fit-AGAin SHADAB KHAn eAGeR to oveRCoMe PooR BowLinG FoRM

AGENCIES

FTER recovering from his groin injury, Shadab Khan - the Pakistan limited-overs vice-captain - has set his focus on reviving his bowling form as his primary objective. As for his batting, he wants to mould that part of his game as per the team's demands, clear in his head that his role in the team is of a "bowling allrounder." His bowling form has taken a hit for a few seasons now, but Shadab believes it was the pain from the injury that was having an adverse effect on him. In his first two years of international cricket that began in 2017, Shadab averaged 18.59, with an economy rate of 6.84 and 44 wickets in T20Is, but thereafter his last nine wickets since October 2019 when Sri Lanka toured Pakistan - have come at an average of 42.33 and an economy rate of 8.46. "There were injuries, but now I am fully fit and putting a lot of hard work with the ball and I am expecting to get a better result," Shadab said. "I still haven't moved away from my role as a bowling allrounder. Bowling is crucial as I started my career in 2017 with the Champions Trophy, and my bowling was the highlight there. I am very much focused to have it back. Batting is a plus point and if my team is demanding something from me as a batsman,

T20I AND ODI VICE-CAPTAIN ACKNOWLEDGES HIS ROLE IS THAT OF A BOWLING ALLROUNDER then it's a good skill to have. "I know I wasn't up to the mark and haven't done well with the ball lately that is mainly because of the groin injury. My bowling action takes a lot of energy and causes pain and was directly affecting it. Batting is different and it wasn't affected by my injury, so it gave an impression that I am into batting only. But I still see myself as a bowling allrounder. I have evolved with the bat, but there were mistakes identified this year as I was struggling in the PSL. Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach) and Younis Khan (batting coach) are working in the nets to rectify that." He had missed the home white-ball series against Zimbabwe late last year when he first complained about his groin injury but had recovered in time for the New Zealand tour. The problem, however, got worse during a tour game in Christchurch, but he was cleared to lead Pakistan in the T20Is after Babar Azam picked up a finger injury. Shadab was later ruled out of the Test series and remained with the squad for his rehabilitation. He returned to the field during PSL 2021 but averaged 56.50 with the ball in four games taking only two

Pakistan Army wins international adventure completion RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army team has won the gold medal at the 4th International Adventure Completion held in Nepal, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday. According to the military’s media wing, the Pakistan Army team took part in the competition for the first time and clinched the gold medal and the title of the “Best International Team.” As many as 20 teams from various countries participated in the four-day international adventure completion. The event took place from March 18 to March 21 in Nepal, said ISPR. The competition was aimed at testing the physical endurance and mental agility of the participants. Last year on October 15, the Pakistan Army had won an international military drill competition, known as the Pace Sticking Competition, for a third consecutive year in the United Kingdom. According to the military’s media wing, Pakistan Army had won the Pace Sticking Competition held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in UK. “This is the 3rd consecutive year that Pakistan has won this competition. The Pakistan Military Academy represented the Pakistan Army at the event,” ISPR had said. STAFF REPORT

Guardiola hails City's incredible run in last four months LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said the team's remarkable form over the last four months has been one of their greatest achievements after their quadruple bid remained intact following Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final win over Everton. City beat Everton 2-0 following late goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne to reach the semi-finals of the competition. Guardiola's side have won 29 of their last 33 games in all competitions during the last four months, securing three draws and losing only once during the spell. City are running away with the Premier League title thanks to a 14point lead, face Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final next month and are up against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last eight. "What we have done is more than remarkable. It's incredible," Guardiola said. "One of the greatest achievements we have done together. "When you win a lot of games like we have in the last four months, it's because you can adapt. That pleases me the most. "In this winter time, playing every three days, with incredible commitment in every competition, I don't have any words to express that. "(But) we haven't won anything yet, so we will be focused and we will see how far we arrive in the competitions." City travel to Leicester City on April 3 after the international break. AGENCIES

wickets for 8.69 runs per over. His batting, meanwhile, turned heads, with a strike rate of 144.73 in T20s in the last 12 months, across the PSL, the National T20 Cup, and the T20Is against England and New Zealand. But the allrounder wants to get back to his old way with the ball. He is preparing for the South Africa series with a training camp currently undergoing at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan do not have a spin-bowling coach but Shadab said Waqar Younis is good enough to work with his bowling. In the camp, he is understood to have bowled spells that are longer than four overs to regain confidence. "His primary job is to pick up wickets and win games for Pakistan," Waqar said. "He is our premier cricketer and with the ball in hand, he can do wonders for the team. With the bat, it's a bonus and we do consider him as an allrounder with bowling as his main role. "Unfortunately, he has been struggling with the injury but he is a fighter and gives his all for the country, even when he is in pain. Because of the pain, his bowling was not in control. But I am

making him bowl a little longer in the nets to get his method right and he is getting his rhythm back. I am hopeful he will do the job for Pakistan." With Shadab's fluctuating returns, the selectors couldn't resist looking for other options. In his absence last year, Pakistan got in legspinners Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood in the side along with left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. Shadab has, however, remained the side's vice-captain and acknowledges that nobody's spot in the starting XI is guaranteed. "I know there is big competition around me which I see as a healthy one for the team," Shadab said. "It's not my team, it's Pakistan, and if the team is winning with me or another player that is eventually what we all want for the country. The team right now has become so rich that we have back-ups for every position. It's a good sign for a good team in the world. Such competition is useful. It puts a bit of pressure on every player, but that anyway is always there when you play international cricket. "And there should be pressure all the time. It keeps you alive and you enjoy playing in it. The sense of competition is important as well. Like how good Usman is doing in his career since he got in and look at Zahid's debut. And Nawaz is picking up his chances well. So I know that we all know that whoever performs will remain in the team."

Juve coach Pirlo 'happy' to continue with Ronaldo next season MILAN AGENCIES

Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo insisted Saturday he was happy to continue next season with Cristiano Ronaldo whose contract expires in 2022. The Portuguese forward's future has been under scrutiny after Juventus crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 for the second consecutive season. "For now we have not thought about it, Cristiano still has a year left on his contract with us and we are happy about that," Pirlo said ahead of Sunday's league game against Benevento. "We're extremely focused on this

end of the season. He has already scored a lot of goals and is beyond discussion." Zinedine Zidane opened the door to Ronaldo returning to Real Madrid on Monday, admitting a comeback is "possible" for the striker. Meanwhile, Ronaldo, the top scorer in Serie A this season with 23 goals, posted a message on Instagram to thank Juventus after being named the best player in Italy by the players' association on Friday. The 36-year-old promised "the whole Juventus universe that we will continue to work until the last day because we can still, all together, have reasons to celebrate this season". In Serie A,

Juventus are third, 10 points behind leaders Inter Milan, as they push for a 10th consecutive league title. "It's an important match because it comes just before the international break, it's a fundamental game for our season," said Pirlo of their game against 16th-placed Benevento. "We are facing a team that is not going through a good period at the moment, but knows how to express themselves on the pitch and I know the coach, Filippo Inzaghi, whom I always follow with affection. He is doing a good job and I have great respect for him." "We have to win game after game, bring home the three points and put pressure on Inter."

Kohli to reinvent himself as T20 opener with World Cup on mind AHMEDABAD AGENCIES

Virat Kohli plans to reinvent himself as a T20 opener with an eye on the 20-overs World Cup at home later this year, the India captain said after the team’s series victory against England. Kohli joined deputy Rohit Sharma at the top in Saturday’s decider. Their 94-run opening stand helped India amass 2242, their highest total against England. It was only the eighth time in 84 innings that Kohli opened batting, but what worked against the world’s top-ranked team should succeed in the format’s showcase tournament as well, said the 32-year-old. “I am going to open in the IPL as well,” Kohli, who leads Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said at the presentation ceremony after India clinched the decider by 36 runs. “I’ve batted at different positions in the past, but I feel we have a very solid middle order, and now it’s about your two best players getting the

maximum number of balls in T20 cricket. So I would definitely like to partner Rohit at the top.” “If we have a partnership and we both are set, then you know that one of us is going to cause some serious damage. That’s exactly what we want.” It also would allow India’s middleorder batsmen to play with much more freedom, said Kohli, who made 80 not out and was adjudged player of the series. “It augurs well for the team and I would like this to continue, and hopefully continue that form through to the World Cup.” Former India player VVS Laxman said Sunday’s performance should be the “template for the T20 World Cup”. Former England captain Michael Vaughan felt the KohliRohit combination could be as effective as the prolific Indian opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in the past. “Can’t be a better opening combo on the eye than @imVkohli & @ImRo45! Could easily match @virendersehwag & @sachin_rt if they stick with this combo,” tweeted Vaughan.

Lewandowski will 'stay patient' with Bundesliga record in reach BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski said he will "stay patient" in his bid to break Gerd Mueller's Bundesliga record of 40 goals in a single season after the Bayern Munich striker netted a hat-trick on Saturday. Lewandowski is on 35 league goals this season and closing on Mueller's record set in 1971/72 for Bayern, after scoring three times in 21 minutes during a 4-0 thrashing of Stuttgart in Munich. "It's a big challenge to always be ready in the head and always be hungry for goals," said Lewandowski, who has netted 42 times in all competitions this term. All four goals came after Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies was shown a red card in only the 12th minute. Poland striker Lewandowski has eight Bundesliga games left to equal Mueller's record, which many thought would never be broken. "I think from game to game, not about how many more goals I need. I don't want to think about it (the record) too much," added Lewandowski. He is set to be the Bundesliga's top-scorer this season for the fourth straight season and the sixth time in total. "The strain is high, playing every three days," he added. "Now comes the national team and then we are also in the Champions League. That is important. I have to stay patient." Holders Bayern will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last eight in a repeat of last year's final. AGENCIES

Bank AL Habib’s 10th Rashid D Habib Memorial Golf to tee off on March 25 KARAchI: Bank AL Habib’s 10th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament will be played from 25th till 28th March, 2021 at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC). Prior to this, a two-day match for local professionals and caddies of KGC, the 20th Rashid D. Habib Memorial Golf Tournament, will be played on 23-24 March, 2021, with the aim to support and develop professional golf at KGC. The Rashid D Habib memorial National Professional Golf Tournament is one of the leading golf events for professional golfers in Pakistan. Bank AL Habib has been sponsoring this tournament annually, since 2000. Pakistan’s top golfers will compete in the Professionals category – including ranked Number 1, Muhammad Shabbir, Number 2, Ahmed Baig and the defending champion & current Pakistan Number 3, Matloob Ahmed who will be eyeing hat-trick this year. Muhammad Munir, Muhammad Ashfaq and Waheed Baloch will also participate in the tournament. COVID SOPs will be strictly followed during the tournament. These tournaments carry a total prize money of Rupees 7.9 Million, including Appearance Money to be distributed amongst the Top Five Professionals and Top Three Senior Professionals of the country. In addition, a Toyota Corolla and a Suzuki Alto is also at stake for players, who achieve a Hole-In-One. The tournament is likely to include top 130 professional golfers of Pakistan. The prize distribution ceremony will be held on 28th March 2021 at KGC. PRESS RElEASE

Benzema is the business, crows Zidane VIGO AGENCIES

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane sung the praises of Karim Benzema after the French forward's two goals helped his side to a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday and continued a prolific goalscoring run stretching to six consecutive games. "Thanks for asking about him, because he is the business," Zidane told reporters. "For people who like football Karim is a joy to watch, everyone enjoys watching him and his team mates enjoy playing with him. We just hope he continues like this as

he makes the difference, and he knows his team mates are important too." Benzema had scored crucial goals in Real's last two league outings to secure a draw at title rivals Atletico Madrid and a comeback win over Elche and then netted the opening goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Atalanta in the Champions League. But he showed no signs of tiredness as he put his side on the way to a victory to keep the heat on leaders Atletico, scoring the opener in the 20th minute by controlling a pass from Toni Kroos then slotting into the bottom corner. He combined with Kroos again 10 minutes later to score his

CMYK

second, then providing an assist for Marco Asensio to clinch the victory in stoppage time after Santi Mina's goal had pulled Celta back into contention. "What he did today was spectacular and I'm delighted for him because he's a real worker and he always wants to do more," Zidane added. Benzema has scored eight goals in his last six matches in all competitions and is the third top scorer in La Liga, with 17 strikes. But unlike the majority of Real's squad, Benzema will not be joining his national side next week for World Cup qualifiers. He has not been selected by France

since being suspended in 2015 for his involvement in a conspiracy to blackmail former international team mate Mathieu Valbuena. On talent alone, Zidane said he did not understand Benzema's continued omission from the France side. But he is also grateful his talismanic forward will get a rest ahead of the final stretch of the season, as his side will fight for the title with Atletico and Barcelona and face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals. "I don't understand it, many people don't understand it, but speaking as the coach of Real Madrid, it's better for us this way," Zidane added.

Monday, 22 March, 2021

pRayeR timings

NEWS

CAA enACts tRAvel CuRbs to hAlt new CovId-19 vARIAnts ISLAMABAD

staff RepoRt

HE Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) imposed a complete ban on travel from 12 countries in a bid to curb the spike of coronavirus cases as the country on Sunday recorded 3,667 new cases. The aviation regulator notified a fresh list of countries categorised into A, B and C after the emergence of the South African and Brazilian strains of the disease and imposed a complete ban on travel from 12 countries, categorised as C. The travel restrictions and a ban on inbound passengers from 12 countries will remain effective from March 23 (Wednesday) to April 5. Botswana, Brazil, Columbia, Comoros, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia have been placed in category C.

The PCAA, in its notification, said that there will be a complete travel ban on inbound travel to Pakistan from category C countries, including withdrawal of exemptions earlier provided to certain

categories of travellers like Pakistani passport holders. The temporary measure is being introduced in continuation to the steps being taken to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the

country, it said. The regulator also updated its category C, for inbound travellers and shifted the United Kingdom (UK) from category C to category B. The CAA said that the international travellers from category A countries do not require Covid-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test before entry into Pakistan. Australia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam have been placed in the category A. The international travellers from countries not specified in category A require a Covid-19 test before commencement of travel to Pakistan. The notification said that all countries which are not specified in A and C fall in category B.

US Defence Secretary meets Afghan president amid peace process review KABUL agencies

United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in an unnanounced visit to Kabul on Sunday, as Washington reviews the peace process there and its planned troop withdrawal. Austin said on Twitter he had come to “listen and learn”, on his first trip to Afghanistan since his appointment. “This visit been very helpful for me, and it will inform my participation in the review we are undergoing here

with (U.S. President Joe Biden),” he added. The meeting comes at a crucial time for the Afghan peace process ahead of a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of US troops agreed by the insurgent Taliban and the administration of previous U.S. President Donald Trump. Biden told ABC News on Wednesday that the deadline would be tough to meet and that his administratiin was consulting with allies and in the process of making a decision. The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has also been travelling in the region in recent weeks with proposals including an interim Afghan

government and a summit in Turkey to jumpstart the peace process. Negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Qatar’s capital Doha have struggled to gain momentum and violence has risen. The Taliban said on Friday they would like to see the process sped up but warned Washington against keeping troops in Afghanistan beyond their agreed withdrawal date. Afghanistan’s presidential palace said on Sunday Austin and Ghani discussed the peace process and concerns over rising violence.

ISLAMABAD: A view of closed shops in Aabpara Market in line with government's directives to curb the spread of coronavirus during the third wave. online

FAJR SUNRISE

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Govt sets bar on prices of Russian, Chinese vaccines The federal cabinet has decided to set a maximum retail price of the Russian and Chinese Covid-19 vaccine injections, being imported by the private sector as the country deals with the third wave of coronavirus cases. In this regard, the proposal to set a price cap for the two vaccines had been put forward by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). According to a local media report that cited a notification by the Health Ministry, the maximum sale price of Sputnik V Russian vaccine has been fixed at Rs8,449 for two doses, while China’s Convidecia would be sold at no more than Rs4,225 per injection. Earlier in February, China had approved its first single-shot Covid-19 vaccine for general use, which Pakistan has priced at Rs4,225. The government has determined the price of Gam-Covid-Vac (Viral Vector 5 and Viral Vector 26) at Rs8,449 per pack of two injections, Rs16,560 per pack of four injections, Rs40,555 per pack of 10 injections and Rs81,110 per pack of 20 injections. In March, the government had approved $200 million loan as part of its overall plan to immunise nearly 70 million people against the virus during the current year. Moreover, the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have offered loans to low and middle income countries to procure vaccines. The WB has recently restructured its worth $153 million Covid-19 related loan, which the health ministry said would be sufficient to cover over 10.5 million population. news desk

India quietly commissions first ballistic missile tracking vessel: report ISLAMABAD: Joining an elite club of nations with access to nuclear missile tracking vessels, the Indian Navy secretly commissioned the highly secretive Ocean Surveillance Ship, bestowing it with the code name VC-1118. Reports suggest that this move will boost India’s ballistic missile defence system as well as systematically improve ways of increasing its electronic warfare capabilities. The vessel has been under construction since 2014 and was commissioned in October 2019 without any public ceremony, according to The Economic Times. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic delayed the commissioning process by a few months, but the vessel passed all its trials before being put into service. To realise the strategic importance of the move, one has to understand that India is only the fifth country in the world – after the US, France, China, and Russia – to operate such a vessel, which will prove to be a great tool for monitoring the developmental trial of its domestic missile programme. But its main use will be to act as an ‘early warning’ ship for incoming missile launches on the country, increasing the effectiveness of the ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield already in possession with the Indian army. Such a tool will prove to be handy in the long run, since both of India’s immediate neighbours – Pakistan and China – are armed to the teeth with nuclear warheads. tltp

Furore after Modi critic quits top Indian university ‘under political pressure’ ISLAMABAD agencies

The resignation of one of India’s most prominent intellectuals and a fierce government critic from a top university has sparked student protests and worries about freedom of speech in the world’s biggest democracy. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a respected scholar on political theory and constitutional law, had long been dismayed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, firing off stinging editorials and speeches denouncing the “death of liberalism”. The Oxford and Princeton alumnus had already stepped down as vice-chancellor of Ashoka University in 2019, reportedly because the trustees were worried by his outspoken views, but remained a political science professor. But last week he threw in the towel, saying that the board of the university — founded in 2014 as a bastion of the liberal arts and India’s answer to the Ivy League — saw him as a “political liability”. “My public writing in support of a politics that tries to honour constitutional values of freedom and equal respect for all citizens,

is perceived to carry risks for the university,” he said in his resignation letter. Ashoka’s founders met Mehta recently and said they could no longer protect him in the “current political environment”, the Indian Express daily reported. According to the university’s student newspaper, Mehta’s resignation was endorsed by the board because it would speed up efforts to acquire land needed for an expansion. ‘POLITICAL PRESSURE’: The university has yet to comment on the controversy but matters escalated on Thursday when Arvind Subramanian, a former chief government economic advisor, resigned from Ashoka in solidarity. That the university “can no longer provide a space for academic expression and freedom is ominously disturbing”, media reports cited his letter of resignation as saying. Students have held several days of demonstrations at the Ashoka campus outside New Delhi, calling for a boycott of classes. The university faculty also issued a statement saying Mehta’s departure “raises urgent questions about the university’s commitment to academic freedom as well as its internal processes”.

More than 150 academics worldwide including from Columbia, Yale and Oxford said in an open latter that they were “deeply distressed” that Mehta had resigned “under political pressure”. They said that the values of “free inquiry, candour, and a rigorous distinction be-

tween the demands of intellectual honesty and the pressure of politicians, funders, or ideological animus … come under assault whenever a scholar is punished for the content of public speech.” ‘ELECTORAL AUTOCRACY’: Under Modi, authorities have made increasing use

of laws dating back to the colonial era to arrest people for “sedition” including a 22year-old climate change activist last month. Even comedians have felt the heat with one, Munawar Faruqui, arrested in January just before he went on stage on suspicion that he planned to insult Hindu gods. Incoming social media rules could see any online content deemed objectionable removed within 36 hours and tech companies forced to disclose the origin of any “mischievous tweet or message”. Indian democracy was this month downgraded to “partly free” from “free” by the Freedom House think-tank. “Rather than serving as a champion of democratic practice and a counterweight to authoritarian influence from countries such as China, Modi and his party are tragically driving India itself toward authoritarianism,” Freedom House said. The V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg said in a recent report that India had turned into an “electoral autocracy”. The government rejected the reports, with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar hitting out at the “hypocrisy” of the “self-appointed custodians of the world”.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk