E-Paper PDF 4 October (LHR)

CMYK

Friday, 4 October, 2019 I 4 Safar-ul-Muzaffar, 1441 I Rs 20.00 I Vol X No 94 I 16 Pages I Lahore Edition

PM, COAS tell buSineSSMen nOt tO wOrry ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

s the state of the economy continues to worsen, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army staff (COAs) General Qamar Javed Bajwa sought to allay concerns of the dismayed business tycoons, assuring them that the government would address their reservations and will take measures to facilitate their business growth. In a meeting with the top business leaders on Thursday, PM Imran said that the government would facilitate the business community with all possible facilities.

The delegation comprised Mian Mansha, Bashir Ali Muhammad, Khalil sattar, Khalid Mehmood, shahid Abdullah, Arif Habib, Musaddiq Zulqarnain, Usman Khalid Waheed, sikandar Mustafa, Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Ali Habib and Javed Afridi. The PM’s meeting with the businessmen came a day after a delegation of Pakistan Business Council (PBC) called on army chief Gen Bajwa to share reservations over the government’s failure to stop the economy from going downhill as well as the witch-hunt in the name of accountability.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

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Imran says GOvt wIll FOrm BOdy Over BusInessmen’s reservatIOns, hInts at reInInG In naB

naB chief says will refer all tax evasion cases to FBr g

antI-GraFt watchdOG assures traders It wOn’t Overstep Its mandate STORY ON PAGE 02

Pakistan, Taliban urge revival of peace talks g

pm meets talIBan deleGatIOn, says pakIstan wIll cOntInue tO play Its rOle FOr aFGhan peace

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi welcomes Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

STORY ON BACK PAGE

Fazl to march on Islamabad on Oct 27 STORY ON BACK PAGE

Ex-Indian PM to attend Kartarpur corridor ceremony, report claims

STORY ON BACK PAGE

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Gen Bajwa tells tycOOns tO hanG In there as ImprOved Internal securIty wIll Bear FruIts sOOn

Friday, 4 October, 2019

02 NEWS KP medics to hold another protest at LRH today PESHAWAR: The Grand Health Alliance has announced protest at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) again on Friday, a week after police beat and detained its members, as the province-wide strike of medics continued for the eighth day on Thursday. “The alliance has been under pressure from its members to withdraw emergency services but its leaders want to use this as last option towards ending their standoff with the health department,” sources said. The three Peshawar-based medical teaching institutions including LRH, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex received 15,000 patients per day. About 1,500 patients on an average per day were operated on and more than triple of this number underwent investigations in these hospitals. However, all these procedures have been suspended due to strike. The GHA has also got rare support from the private health sector this time because most consultants have closed their clinics first against the thrashing of general surgeon Dr Ziauddin at Khyber Teaching Hospital and use of police force against their colleagues during the protest. The consultants also donate funds to the GHA activists, who have kept the show alive. They have been able to shut down all services at the hospitals throughout the province. The number of patients in hospitals has also dropped and beds are getting empty after lingering of the strike. Apart from invoking essential service law by the government and similar orders by medical teaching institutions, the district health officers and medical superintendents are asking the employee to remain present at their duty places and seek prior permission before leaving but there is a complete suspension of healthcare activities in the province. No efforts are in sight from the government to calm down protesting medics and resume health services at more than 1,500 government-owned facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The accidents and emergency wards of the public sector hospitals received a double number of patients as compared to normal days as people reverted there after finding the OPD closed.

“Withdrawal of emergency service is the last option and it may be discussed in the next meeting after two days,” GHA spokesman Dr Hazrat Akbar told Dawn.

According to him, they demand action against the police for baton charging, wounding and detaining peaceful demonstrators at LRH on Friday last. STAFF REPORT

NAB cHief sAys wiLL RefeR ALL tAx evAsioN cAses to fBR LaHore

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STAFF REPORT

ATIONAL Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal on Thursday assured traders and manufacturers that the watchdog is acting on their complaints and will not be a cause for disruption in their businesses.

Defending the watchdog’s actions in the recent past, Iqbal said NAB has never liked to overstep its jurisdiction and that the reason for it being ‘over active’ was because the authority had received a lot of money laundering cases from the country’s top court. “I am presenting myself to you for my own accountability. Review the past two years and tell me at what stage and what mistakes we made,” he said, stating that the bureau had not taken on any tax evasion cases against businesses, re-

ferring them to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) instead.

Iqbal said that when he took over as NAB chairman in October 2017, he had asked for a list of all cases taken up previously, adding that he had already assured traders that tax evasion cases would be taken back.

However, the NAB chief made it clear that there was a big difference between money laundering and tax evasion. “If they [ongoing cases against business owners] solely concerned tax evasion, they would not come to us from various courts,” he said as he explained why NAB was pursuing some businesses.

The NAB chairman assured the traders that the next time they invited him, there would be no tax evasion cases with the bureau, adding that all such cases would be referred to the FBR instead. Additionally, he said that NAB had never interfered with bank default cases unless a bank had

AGENCIES

Amid growing anger and misery in Indian Occupied Kashmir, the conflict there is turning messier, with people suffering as the disputed territory remains under the repressive military lockdown, now nearing two months, according to The New York Times.

The NYT Tuesday front paged an article, depicting the exasperating conditions in which people are living without phone and internet services as gun-totting security personal patrol the streets threatening to shoot any one who broke the curfew, which has been in force since August 7, when India’s annexed occupied Kashmir.

The newspaper carried 22 large photos interspersed in the article taken by its photographer, Atul Loke, who spent four weeks in Kashmir over two trips in August and September and his account of the situation was written by Jeffrey Gettleman, the Times’ bureau chief in New Delhi.

Here is what the photographer saw, as published in the Times: “Sporadic protests keep breaking out. Security officers blast shotguns

government, this is one hundred per cent an incorrect impression.”

Iqbal said that the citizenry never believed that “certain people”, in what seemed to be a reference to major political leaders currently embroiled in NAB cases, would today be in NAB custody, be answering NAB’s questions or facing the courts. “NAB should be given the credit it deserves,” he said.

Discussing plea bargains, the NAB chairman said: “Till I don’t approve it, there can be no plea bargain.”

Additionally, Iqbal said that he decides when an individual is allowed to turn into an approver. He said that either the approvers come to Islamabad or he goes to them. They are first asked if there was any force or illegal incentive for them to be made an approver, after which they check if they were in their senses when they made the statement, which is then is read out to them.

Suspect in judge video scandal goes missing ISLAMABAD: A case was registered on Thursday after a suspect in the investigation into a video leak scandal involving former accountability court judge Arshad Malik went missing along with his family.

According to the FIR registered at the Lohi Bher police station in Islamabad on the complaint of Khurram Yousuf’s brother-in-law under Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Yousuf, along with his wife and

three children, were missing for a week. He said that their house was locked and phones had been powered off. The complainant alleged that Nasir Janjua, another suspect in the video scandal, was responsible for this, adding that his brother-in-law had been very worried about the case and had been in touch with Janjua. He called for their recovery.

On September 7, a judicial magistrate had set free three suspects including Janjua, Yousuf and Mahar Ghulam Jilani from the Federal Investiga-

Kashmiris seething with anger as India’s harsh lockdown continues neW YorK

referred them to the authority, which he said happens when their settlement negotiations with parties in a case are unsuccessful.

With regards to Panama Papers cases, the NAB chairman said they remain active. However, in the instance of certain cases, information and records from foreign countries had been received more quickly than others, therefore, they had been expedited. Iqbal then turned to an impassioned appeal to defend NAB’s actions, reminding his audience that every person was first answerable before God and then before their own conscience.

“Do you think that after 35 years of judicial service, I would take any step that is for anyone’s pleasure?” he asked. He said his first loyalty was to God, and then towards Pakistan and its people.

“If anyone of you thinks that NAB is affiliated with the current

ANTI-GRAFT WATCHDOG ASSURES TRADERS IT WON’T OVERSTEP ITS MANDATE

and tear gas into crowds. Dozens of demonstrators have been seriously wounded. Many are scared to go to the hospital, fearing they will be arrested.

Instead, they stumble into nearby mosques, their faces bloody, their bodies shaking, to be wiped down and bandaged by sympathetic volunteers.

“The Indian security forces have arrested thousands of people. Most are being held without charges under what is called preventive detention.

Almost Kashmir’s entire leadership class — democratically elected representatives, teachers, students, intellectuals, and prominent merchants — is now behind bars.

“The arrests and the blockade have left Kashmiris feeling unsettled, demoralized and furious. Zahida Jan, a high school student, collapsed in grief just talking about her older brother, Fayaz Ahmed Mir, who was arrested in front of her in early August. The family says he is innocent. His job was driving a tractor in apple orchards. They say the reason authorities arrested him was that he had joined a protest nine years ago. They have no idea where he is.

“Children as young as 8 have poured into the streets. With schools

tion Agency’s (FIA) custody after a report from the agency showed that no evidence was found against them in connection with an investigation into the video leak scandal. Earlier in the same week, the three men had been picked up in connection with judge Malik’s FIR against them for allegedly pressurising and blackmailing him. Following their release, a cybercrimes court had ruled that the order for their discharge from the case “does not amount to acquittal”. STAFF REPORT

PM, COAS tell businessmen not to worry Continued from page 01

closed, they have little to do. Many hang around the mosques. Among the slogans they bark out is: ‘There is only one solution. Gun solution! Gun solution!’

Several young men have claimed that they were tortured by security forces. The Indian government has denied it. The young men, who were arrested on suspicion of aiding the militants, said government soldiers hung them upside down, hit them with bamboo sticks, applied electric shocks and forced them to drink large amounts of a noxious liquid. A month after he said he was tortured, Abid Khan, a shopkeeper, showed deep black lines on his buttocks. He said four soldiers stripped him naked, pinned him down and beat him again and again with wooden poles.

But the tensions are no longer as simple as protesters versus security officers. Kashmiri separatists are conducting their own clampdown, threatening or even attacking civilians in a campaign to destroy any semblance of normality that may be trying to creep back…” Indian officials have not indicated when they will lift the security restrictions or release people who have been jailed, the newspaper said.

CMYK

‘IMRAN SAYS BODY TO RESOLVE TYCOONS’ ISSUES’: During the meeting, the prime minister said a committee, comprising corporate personalities, was being formed to address their concerns. Imran said that Pakistan’s development was linked to the economy and added that the government was committed to providing “all possible facilities” to the business community for profitable business activities.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to PM on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Gillani and other officials. The issue of reported harassment at the hands of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was also discussed by the tycoons in the meeting with PM Imran. The business community is concerned that NAB’s investigations were impacting business activity in the country.

Prime Minister Imran said a strategy has been prepared to remove the business community’s reservations about the functionality of the NAB. ‘IMPROVED SECURITY WILL HELP ECONOMY’: The much-hyped meeting between the top general and business tycoons “in order to bring stakeholders on one platform to formulate recommendations for a synergistic way forward” took place on Wednesday night at the General Headquarters (GHQ). According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Bajwa told the business leaders that

“improved internal security environment” has “created space for increased economic activity”. The army chief briefed the business community and the government’s economic team over the improved security situation in the country, saying: “National security is intimately linked to the economy while prosperity is a function of a balance in security needs and economic growth.”

“Accessibility and responsiveness of the government economic team to the business community and the displayed understanding between public and private institutions is a good sign for the desired positive trajectory in economic activity,” Gen Bajwa, who is also part of the National Development Council, was reported to have told the audience. The ISPR said that the seminars and discussions in question were held “in order to bring stakeholders on one platform to formulate recommendations for a synergistic way forward”.

The government’s economic team, on the other hand, had apprised the attendees about the initiatives and measures being taken by the government to facilitate business and stabilise the economy. The business community also pitched in with its suggestions to improve the ease of doing business. The businessmen assured that they would cooperate with the authorities to ensure that government policies are implemented and would “play their part” by paying taxes and investing in a “socially and economically responsible manner”.

According to a media report, the army chief also floated an idea of an internal commission, that includes army officers, to address the issues faced by the business community of the country.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

PML-N deNies sHeHBAz RefUsed to PARticiPAte iN fAzL’s ‘AzAdi MARcH’

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neWS deSK

AKISTAN Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Marriyum Aurangzeb has denied news reports regarding the non-participation of party president Shehbaz Sharif in the ‘Azadi march’ organised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl (JUI-F).

In a statement, she said the news quoting sources about meeting between party supremo Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif in Kot Lakhpat jail was “just a lie”.

“The airing of news about nonparticipation of Shehbaz Sharif in the Azadi march is unfortunate,” she said, adding that media should not air news regarding the party leadership without verification.

She said that during the meet-

ing with Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz informed him about the consultation done by the party with the Pakistan People’s Party and JUI-F regarding the anti-government protest.

“The final announcement re-

Langlands school students protest against principal CHITRAL: Students of Langlands School and College on Thursday staged a protest against the school principal Carey Schofield, who is a British national, over multiple issues at the school. The students and some of their teachers gathered outside the deputy commissioner’s office and chanted slogans “Go Carey Go”. They were also carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the school principal and in support of their demands. The protesting teachers alleged that the policy of the school is against timings, human rights and education policy of Pakistan. They said that due to these issues, the strength of the students has reduced from 1,100 to 700. They alleged that Miss Carey did not attend the school for 10 months when she could not get a visa, but still, she withdrew over Rs10.5 million from the bank. A student of the school told this scribe that the contract of providing uniforms and stationery to students has been given to the son-in-law of an influential person. He said the uniform which is available in the open market for Rs4,000 is given to the school students for Rs10,000 compulsories. Another student said the Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) had announced not to collect fees for vacations, but Miss Carey not only takes fees, but also imposes fines in case of delay. He alleged that flatterers get facilities at the school, while others are ignored. He also shared that there is no fee concession even if two brothers are enrolled in the same class. A leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shahid Ahmed told that the chief minister had given a grant of Rs1200 million for the school for the construction of hall and hostel. He said no one knows where that money has gone. He alleged that a structure has been built in the name of a staff house, but teachers can’t enter that building and the principal’s personal guests stay there. He alleged that Miss Carey don’t take any class in the school.

Teachers and parents also held a meeting with additional deputy commissioner at the DC office and briefed him regarding their grievances. The ADC assured them that their complaint and grievances would be communicated to Deputy commissioner who is on leave as well as DC Chitral will hold a meeting with provincial chief Secretary to discuss these issues. The protesting students and teachers demanded the chief minister, Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Chief Justice Peshawar High Court (PHC) to conduct an inquiry against Miss Carey. They warned that they will stage even larger protests if their demands were not accepted. Later on, the students disbursed on the assuring of ADC that he must take action and will initiate an inquiry in this regard. INP

garding the PML-N’s participation in the JUI-F-led march will be made by Shehbaz Sharif,” she said.

Earlier, a private news channel had reported that Shehbaz Sharif had refused to participate in the ‘Azadi

march’ citing health concerns.

According to the channel’s report, Shehbaz informed Nawaz about the decision of the party’s central executive committee to not take part in the JUI-F’s protest movement.

According to the report, the former prime minister instructed his younger brother to call an all-parties conference to finalise arrangements for the ‘Azadi March’ along with bringing the PPP chairman on board and consulting with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the date of the proposed march.

Nawaz also urged Shehbaz to take a leading role in the Azadi March to which the former reportedly refused, citing his ailing health condition, and recommended names of national party leaders such as former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal for the task.

Drug test to be made mandatory for teachers, students in Islamabad iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT

The government plans to make drug tests mandatory for school staff and students in Islamabad, Minister of State for Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi told a Senate panel on Thursday.

In a session of the Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics Control, Afridi asserted that no person responsible for propagating drugs to the youth would be spared even if they are members of the parliament. He further claimed that the government is working on legislation to punish the possession and distribution of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth or ice.

Narcotics Control Secretary Amjad

Javed Saleemi informed the Senate committee that a record was being maintained of criminal entities involved in the narcotics trade. He added that the system helps track drug peddlers and their facilitators. The minister added that the ministry had collected data of “drug dealers and money launderers” from over 250 international law enforcement agencies.

He also claimed that former Interpol president Ronald Robin and the United Arab Emirates authorities were seeking Pakistan’s help on the matter. The Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) minister lamented at the attention given to Rana Sanaullah’s arrest when authorities had detained over 2,000 suspects over narcotics trade. He insisted that the anti-narcotics team followed Sanaullah for three weeks before arresting him.

ASF officials face the heat for giving protocol to Jahangir Tareen ONE OFFICIAL TRANSFERRED, OTHERS TO FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION

iSLamaBad SHAHZAD PARACHA

The Airport Security Force (ASF) has transferred a sub inspector from Bahawalpur Airport to Turbat Airport while others will face disciplinary action for giving special protocol to Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Kahan Tareen.

Sub Inspectors Muhammad Arshraf, Aslam Bhatti and Sarfraz Hussain gave special treatment to the PTI leader at Bahawalpur Airport, which annoyed the highups of the department, who initiated an investigation against the official.

The director general (DG) of ASF concluded that the Ashraf and Bhatti should be reprimanded severely for violating the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) by excluding the senior PTI leader from body search and extending him illegal protocol to and from the apron whereas Hussain should be reprimanded severely for not conducting a body check of the PTI leader.

The DG also ordered further action against the officials.

Media bodies join hands against special tribunals iSLamaBad STAFF REPORT

A joint meeting of media organisations namely All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) unanimously rejected the federal government’s decision to set up special media tribunals.

The meeting which was held in the federal capital on Thursday was attended by heads of media organisations who expressed profound concern over

what they said were the “federal government’s attempts to curb media freedoms and increase restrictions”.

Senior representatives of media organisations who were in attendance included APNS President Hameed Haroon, CPNE President Arif Nizami, PBA Chairman Shakeel Masood, Zohaib Malik from PFUJ (Barna), Pervez Shoukat from PFUJ (Dastoori), Mumtaz A. Tahir from PFUJ (Workers), APNS vice president, APNS secretary-general, APNS joint secretary, APNS finance secretary, CPNE secretary-general, CPNE vice president, Daily Pakistan

Chief Editor Mujibur Rehman Shami, Daily Dawn Chief Editor Syed Zafar Abbas, Daily Sahafat Chief Editor Khushnood Ali Khan, Daily Tijarat Chief Editor Asif Zuberi, Daily Business Recorder publisher, Daily Ausaf editor, and PFUJ workers.

The meeting; therefore, called upon the government to immediately withdraw the anti-media decision whereas it was also decided that appropriate action including protests and the formation of a standing committee that handles the issue would be taken to protect the sanctity of journalists all over the country.

CMYK

NEWS

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opposition using fazl for political gains: firdous Special Adviser to Prime Minister on Media and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Thursday took a jibe at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, advising him to take up the Kashmir issue if he “wants the public to stand with him”. Awan, through her Twitter account, said: “Maulana! Be wary of the underlying motives of the two political parties who are using you.” “That those telling you that they are with you are actually trying to make you a scapegoat for their own personal and political gains.” “How can a person who claims to have his hands on the nerve of politics not see what the public demands at the moment.”

She said that “Fazal’s partners” wanted to “turn him into a sacrificial animal and were baiting him in”. NEWS DESK

Abbasi’s lawyers allowed to meet him in jail on wednesdays ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Thursday fixed Wednesday for the legal team of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to meet him in jail for consultations.

AC-I Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the judgment on a petition, filed by Khaqan Abbasi’s sister Barrister Sadia Abbasi, seeking court permission to hold meetings with the accused. The petitioner had stated in the plea that the court had already fixed ‘Friday’ for the family members of the accused to meet him in jail and that it was difficult for lawyers to meet Abbasi on the same day. She urged the court to fix a separate day for Abbasi’s lawyers to meet him for legal consultations. Assistant Jail Superintendent Adeel appeared before the court and said that lawyers could meet the accused every Wednesday for to which the court accepted the request of the petitioner. Abbasi is being held at Adiala Jail on judicial remand in an investigation pertaining to the LNG import agreement case. Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail was also arrested by NAB in the same case. INP

ecP rejects plea against Pti ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected an application seeking cancellation of registration of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the charges of money laundering, declaring the plea “nonmaintainable”. The two-member bench headed by ECP Punjab Member Altaf Ibrahim Qureshi heard the application against the ruling party. The applicant Muhammad Azeem Khan Afridi appeared before the ECP and claimed that as many as 115 PTI candidates from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were involved in money laundering. He called upon the ECP to cancel the party registration over giving tickets to these money launderers. Separately, the commission also rejected an application seeking annulment of the Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party (PJDP)’s registration. INP

fo spokesman slams slander campaign against new UN envoy ISLAMABAD: The slander campaign against the appointment of Munir Akram as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations is reprehensible, said Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal on Thursday. In a weekly briefing, the spokesman was asked to comment on Dr Maleeha Lodhi’s removal and allegations against the new envoy. “Why was Dr Maleeha Lodhi removed as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations despite the prime minister’s successful visit that she ably arranged? Why was Mr Munir Akram appointed in her place despite allegations against him and when will he proceed to New York?” asked a reporter. Dr Faisal said: “I believe that Dr Maleeha Lodhi was replaced after the completion of her tenure”. Rejecting the allegations against Pakistan’s new envoy, he said, “Unfortunately, there has been a slander campaign against the appointment of Ambassador Munir Akram, which is reprehensible”. He said that Akram is a distinguished and experienced member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan and an eminent diplomat. “His contributions are internationally acknowledged and recognized. He will assume his duties in New York soon,” the FO spokesman said. STAFF REPORT

04 LAHORE

Friday, 4 October, 2019

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Four injured in rain, windstorm-related incidents SHEIKHUPURA INP

At least four people including two women were injured when rain followed by windstorm lashed different areas of Sheikhupura on Thursday. Due of rain, roof of a mudstone made house located near Sheranwala Chowk caved in resultantly two people Waqas 24, and Muhammad Amir 20, were critically injured. Two women Munawar Bibi 45, and Anosha 15, were injured when shuttering of under construction house fell over them in Gujar Town area of Narang Mandi district Sheikhupura. The injured of both incidents were shifted to different hospitals of respective areas.

LAHORE: Drop in temperature as heavy rain lashes provincial capital. ZUBAIR MEHFOOZ

IGP orders Internal InquIry aGaInst corruPt PolIce offIcIals LAHORE

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STAFF REPORT

NSPECToR General Police of Punjab (IGP) Captain (r) Arif Nawaz Khan ordered the speedup of internal accountability in all formations of Punjab Police.

The IGP also ordered departmental action against officials and officers involved in corruption, misconduct, and carelessness.

Additional Inspector General Pun-

jab Highway Patrol (PHP) Manzoor Sarwar Chaudhary issued directions to complete inquiries against such officers in this regard and ensured strict departmental action, acting on which 47 officers and officials have been dismissed from service.

According to details. A departmental inquiry was done against PHP officials involved in corruption. officials charged with corruption were called in orderly room for further hearing after which Senior Superintendent of Police

(SSP) Headquarters Mehmood ul Hassan issued orders for their dismissal. officials dismissed on account of carelessness, misconduct and corruption include 1 Inspector, 7 ASIs (Assistant Superintendents), 2 Head Constables and 37 Constables while 6 other officials were punished according to the severity of their misconduct.

At this occasion, Addl IG PHP Manzoor Sarwar Chaudhary said that there is no place in the police

for black sheep who gave a bad name to the entire institution adding that anyone involved in corruption, misconduct or abuse of authority would be routed out. He further said that the department appreciates and encourages dutiful and good officials who are serving the people with honesty and integrity.

He added that crime-free patrolling police will continue to render its services as highway security is a top priority.

Punjab bureaucracy undergoes major reshuffling LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Punjab bureaucracy on Thursday underwent major reshuffling as Captain (r) Mehmood was appointed forest secretary and Dr Raheel Siddiqui was made additional chief secretary of urban development. Nabeel Javed was posted as secretary of Women’s Development Department (WDD) while Erum Bokhari was appointed Secretary School Education Department. Sajid Zafar was given additional responsibility as secretary of Higher Education Department in Punjab. Earlier this year while hinting of a bureaucratic overhaul in the province, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had called on public servants to commit themselves to arduous, result-oriented work.

“Now that when the bureaucracy has been given full liberty for doing work, we want results,” CM Buzdar said while addressing a meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Lahore. CM Buzdar unveiled a 19-point agenda which he said would lead to good governance and prosperity. The chief minister also called on the police and public administration to work in close coordination to tackle the province’s problems.

Govt keen about oral health: Dr Yasmin LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that the government is keen about provision of the best oral health. Addressing the inaugural session of the first UHS International Dental Conference held at the Expo Centre here on Thursday, she said that almost all diseases entered in a human body through mouth so dental hygiene and dental problems were one of major issues. "A lot is needed to be done in the dental hygiene sector," he said. She said that a Student Child Health Programme was being introduced in the province in which examination of eyes, ear and teeth would be the basic tests. Dr Yasmin said that the main focus of the Punjab health department was on the preventive health of people. She informed the conference that almost all seats of dentists in the hospitals across the province had been filled. She said that the government was planning to launch a campaign to give awareness about the dental protection. She said that newly constructed building would soon be handed over to the College on De'Montmorency College of Dentistry Lahore. APP

CMYK

Rana Sanaullah withdraws bail petition in narcotics case LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday wrapped up a bail petition by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah after he withdrew his plea, saying complete case facts are yet to be disclosed. During the hearing, headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, defense counsel Azam Nazir Tarar maintained that facts are yet to be disclosed in the trial court; therefore, his client wants to withdraw the bail petition. An investigation officer of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had been made respondent in the petition which claimed that the PML-N leader is being “politically victimized” owing to his criticism of the incumbent government.

The petition claimed that the first information report (FIR) against Sanaullah was registered with a delay, and the quantity of recovered heroin was changed from 21kg to 15kg making the case suspicious. The FIR was registered under section 9 (C) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment or a jail-term that may extend to 14 years along with a fine up to Rs1 million. However, the section states if the quantity of the narcotic exceeds 10kg the punishment shall not be less than life imprisonment. Some other provisions of the Act and the Pakistan Penal Code were also added to the FIR to charge the suspects for attacking the personnel of the ANF and obstructing them from performing their official duty.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

PAKIStAN wANtS PEACE, HArmoNy IN rEgIoN: PrESIdENt ALvI LAHORE

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addressing the issues before dental problems take root in a patient, as a little dental care can save people from contracting diseases,” he added. He said that dentistry education was not a separate subject in Pakistan until the 1990s, but now several dental colleges were producing dentists every year.

He said that dentists and doctors should serve people at least for the first five or six years after their education. The president said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was an example of service to people, and that was why he was living a satisfying life.

“Nations start building themselves when they start thinking of uplifting the weak and poor people of society,” he added.

APP

RESIDENT Arif Alvi on Thursday said that Pakistan is a peaceful country and its people wanted peace in the region, whereas hostile attitudes were being blatantly displayed on the other side of the border.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the 1st UHS International Dental Conference, organised by the University of Health Sciences at Expo Centre, here. President Alvi said that Pakistani people followed principles of peace and hospitality.

Congratulating the university on holding the conference, he said

that more work was needed in the health sector, especially in dentistry in Pakistan. He urged dentists to spread awareness about dental hy-

SHC orders NAB to file reference against Lanjar

by Nov 7

giene and preventive measures in society, instead of only extending treatment of dental diseases.

“Your primary target should be

Hazardous air pollutants exceed WHO safe air quality standards ISLAMABAD

KARACHI

APP

STAFF REPORT

Hazardous pollutants of particulate matter of 2.5 microns has exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environment Quality Standards (NEQS) standards as ambient quality in the federal capital was reported to have deteriorated.

According to recent air quality report released by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) have not only exceeded the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 35 micrograms per meter cube (mg/m³) rather also the World Health Organization (WHO) fine particu-

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file reference against former provincial law minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and it also extended his interim bail till the 7th November. A two-member bench of the SHC heard the interim bail plea of Lanjar. At the outset of hearing, a NAB prosecutor sought more time for filing reference against Lanjar and said we have sent a daft to the NAB headquarter. The court directed him to file a reference against Lanjar till the 7th November and submit its report. During the hearing, the counsel for NAB said that Lanjar owned a bungalow in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority area which was not mentioned to the election commission of Pakistan.

Besides, the court was informed that Lanjar’s assets were beyond his known means of income. He said Lanjar has used to transfer amount of public funds in his accounts though his front men. He said former minister had embezzled funds of Medical Collage Nawabshah and others funds. He said an amount of Rs30million of public and college funds was transferred to Lanjar’s account.

late matter of 2.5 microns 24 hours mean of 20 micrograms per meter cube.

Pollution level comprising particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) has exceeded the permissible ratio of 35 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m³) which is recorded 39.35 mg/m³, the highest ever in the federal capital.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report states air pollution causes a huge number of premature deaths. PM 2.5 is a hazardous pollutant that can penetrate into human blood through lungs.

According to the daily ambient air quality report of Islamabad by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 24 hours average ratio of nitro-

gen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2) were 16.43 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/ m³) and 11.82 mg/m³ respectively against the respective National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 80 mg/m³ and 120mg/m³. The data was recorded by calibrated air quality monitors fixed at particular positions with proper readings.

However, concentrations of PM2.5 during day and evening times were recorded slightly high, whereas the overall ambient air quality of the federal capital was not healthier today.

Any other data from any source presenting ambient air quality of Islamabad has not been verified or approved by the PAK-EPA, the report added.

QADIR WASN’T ASSOCIATED WITH ZTBL, CLARIFIES KSSL Master of spin, Abdul Qadir, was not associated with the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) but was an employee of the Kissan Support Services Pvt Ltd (KSSL), the company clarified in a notice issued on Thursday. According to the notice, Qadir was offered employment in KSSL as adviser/consultant for sports activities, particularly cricket, on September 14, 2015 at a salary of 1,70,000 instead of the 475,000 figure quoted in media reports. He continued to withdraw his salary till his contract ended in February 2019, the notice added. The notice further stated that the legend cricketer was offered a new contract in February 2019 with a salary of Rs300,000 but he refused the offer, opting for other engagements instead.

“From February 2019 onward, he was not associated with KSSL and did not render any services to the company, therefore, no salary arrears are pending,” the notice concluded. NEWS DESK

NEWS

05

IHC seeks reply in ECP members’ appointment case ISLAMABAD APP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday served notices to respondents on a plea filed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), challenging the appointment of new members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case filed by PML-N’s leaders Murtaza Javed Abbasi and Dr. Nisar Cheema against the appointment of Khalid Mehmood Siddiqui and Munir Ahmed Khan. The petitioners’ counsel Jahangir Jadoon claimed that the appointment of the two members was made in violation of law. He stated that legal procedure had not been followed in the practice. He prayed the court to set aside the notification dated August 22, for the appointment of new members and declare it as null and void. The IHC chief justice asked the petitioners that whether these two names were discussed in parliamentary committee or not. The lawyer replied that the same were discussed in the meeting but had not been recommended for the appointment. The court sought reply from respondents and adjourned hearing of the case till October 11.

Prime accused in Karachi gang-rape case imprisoned KARACHI STAFF REPORT

A local court on Thursday sent to jail the prime suspects of an alleged gang rape case, reported a local news outlet.

According to sources, the alleged crime was committed in Karachi’s Shadman Town, wherein several culprits along with the main accused were involved. According to details, suspects were brought in court one by one in front of the complainant woman for an identification parade.

The woman identified two of the suspects before the judicial magistrate. The court subsequently ordered the medical report of the woman to be presented and sent the accused to jail on judicial remand. Last week, a woman was allegedly gang-raped by six men who forcefully entered her house in North Karachi. The police took timely action and arrested all six men nominated in the First Information Report (FIR). The arrested persons include Danish, Sarfaraz, Razzak, Naeem, and Kamran.

During initial investigations, it was revealed that two of the detainees worked for the police department. Sarfaraz was deployed at the West Zone intelligence branch office, while Danish was a driver at the Superintendent Police (SP) office in Gujrat. All suspects confessed their crimes under police custody, sources claimed.

Researchers warn India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 100 million NEW JERSEY AGENCIES

The year is 2025 and militants have attacked India’s parliament, killing most of its leaders. New Delhi retaliates by sending tanks into Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Fearing it will be overrun, Islamabad hits the invading forces with its battlefield nuclear weapons, triggering the deadliest conflict in history — and catastrophic global cooling, with temperatures not seen since the last Ice Age. This scenario was modelled by researchers in a new paper published on Wednesday, which envisaged more than 100 million immediate deaths, followed by global mass starvation after megatons of thick black soot block out sunlight for up to a decade.

It comes at a time of renewed tensions between the two South Asian rivals, which have fought several wars over the Kashmir Valley and are rapidly building up their atomic arsenals.

They currently each have about 150 nuclear warheads at their disposal, with the number expected to climb to more than 200 by 2025.

“Unfortunately it’s timely because India and Pakistan remain in conflict over

Kashmir, and every month or so you can read about people dying along the border,” Alan Robock, a professor in environmental sciences at Rutgers University, who co-authored the paper in Science Advances, told AFP. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrapped the autonomy of occupied Kashmir in August, following which his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan warned the United Nations last week that the dispute could escalate into nuclear war.

The two countries last fought a border conflict in February, but they pulled back from the brink after Pakistan returned a downed pilot to India.

India has a “no first strike” policy, but reserves the right to mount a nuclear response to any hit by weapons of mass destruction.

Pakistan has declared it would only use nuclear weapons if it could not stop an invasion by conventional means or were attacked first with nuclear weapons.

The authors wrote that although their scenario had Pakistan pulling the trigger first, they did not mean to imply they believed this was more likely.

Based on their current populations and the urban centres that would be likely targeted, the researchers estimated up to 125 million could be killed if both coun-

tries expended the bulk of their highest yield weapons.

Around 75-80 million people were killed in World War II. This most extreme scenario would involve the use of 100 kiloton weapons, more than six times as powerful as the bombs dropped on Hiroshima.

A single airburst from such a bomb could kill two million people and injure 1.5 million — but most of the deaths would occur from the raging firestorms that followed the blast.

CMYK

“India would suffer two to three times more fatalities and casualties than Pakistan because, in our scenario, Pakistan uses more weapons than India and because India has a much larger population and more densely populated cities,” the paper said.

As a percentage of its urban population, though, Pakistan’s losses would be about twice those of India.

But nuclear Armageddon would be only the beginning.

The research found that the firestorms

could release 16 million to 36 million tonnes of soot (black carbon) into the upper atmosphere, spreading around the world within weeks.

The soot in turn would absorb solar radiation, heating the air up and boosting the smoke’s rise.

Sunlight reaching the Earth would decline 20 to 35 per cent, cooling the surface by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius and reducing precipitation by 15 to 30pc.

Worldwide food shortages would follow, with the effects persisting up to 10 years. “I hope our work will make people realise you can’t use nuclear weapons, they are weapons of mass genocide,” Robock told AFP, adding the paper lent more evidence to support the 2017 UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Johann Chacko, a columnist for Quartz India and doctoral student at SOAS in London, said the work “helps the global community evaluate the cost of nuclear war for everyone, not just the combatant nations,” particularly its climatic impacts.

But, he added: “There’s very little in the history of Indo-Pakistan kinetic conflict to suggest that leadership on either side would continue escalating until they annihilated the other.”

Friday, 4 October, 2019

06 WORLD VIEW OMER AZIZ

T

GLOBE AND MAIL

he photographs reveal the contours of a mask. By now, millions of people have seen the image: a man wearing dark brown makeup and a turban on his head, grinning into the camera. A spirit of conviviality and blissful unawareness reigns. Other people are present, but no one else has blackened their skin.

The man in question, of course, is Justin Trudeau, 29-years-old at the time and living one of the most privileged lives in the entire land. The pictures are horrifying, and each one unmasks the man with the darkened skin. A brown friend sent me the photo. “This is how you lose an election,” he said. I saw the picture and my throat constricted. Anger, shame and hurt pulsed in my temples. I had supported Mr. Trudeau, admired his tenacity and goodwill, and worked for his government. his father was the reason my father was even allowed here. And yet, there he was, native son of wealth and privilege, having sung all the right tunes about diversity to get elected, caught engaging in one of the most humiliating forms of racist mockery. It felt like a personal betrayal. I thought back to the children in the school playground who used to shout “Paki” at me. I thought of the scraps and fights and bruises and broken teeth. I thought of the kids in my university who dressed up in insulting costumes and drunkenly revelled in appropriating other people’s cultures for the night. even as an adult, I carry this shame around with me, do what I must to hide it, run from it, dissemble it. I thought of all the brown and black kids who must be wondering or suppressing the questions of why our leader did what he did. The flip-side of brownface and blackface are the actual brown and black faces ashamed of who they are. These photos and video are not to be taken lightly. They are extreme manifestations of racist derision. Brownface and blackface arise out of minstrelsy and colonialism, taking the ancient form of domination by humiliating people the white man has conquered, wearing their distorted faces as masks for one’s amusement.

Wearing brownface is an intentional act, satiating the white man’s fetish for appropriating the colour and the attire of the dispossessed, to serve his own fantasies.

British culture, wrote the historian Nupur Chaudhuri, had a “long heritage of negative sentiments toward dark-skinned persons. The ultimate negative symbol is the devil – black, hairy, horned, and hoofed.”

The many masks of JusTin Trudeau THE SOCIOLOGY, THE HISTORY, THE ECONOMICS, THE PRIVILEGE, THE POWER, THE WHITENESS: NONE CAPTURE HOW RACISM DISLODGES THE BODY, CRACKS BONES, SHATTERS IDENTITIES, TURNS THE MINORITY INTO AN ALIEN IN HIS OWN SKIN An ugly history bellowed out of Mr. Trudeau’s gaze. The question is not whether Mr. Trudeau was filled with racist hatred, and the response to this cannot be, “But Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is worse.” The Liberal Leader wore blackface. Let’s start there. he said on Tuesday that he has not worn it since 2001, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was an adult who mocked people of colour for sport. he was innocent in a way that would be touching if it were not so repulsive. he is innocent, just like the country that seems to be shrugging this off. It is the innocence which constitutes the crime, a punishing innocence that cannot be easily forgiven. ever since Mr. Trudeau entered national politics, the actor-turned-leader had worn a mask that had been fitted so well for so long that part of him must have assumed its form. What lay underneath was the distempered face, the real face, the one that had been concealed. he came from a rarefied social class that existed independently of real people’s lives, growing up in the prime minister’s official residence, surrounded by foreign dignitaries. he would have met heads of state from Africa and South Asia. It strains credulity to believe that he did not know exactly what he was doing when he blackened his skin.

Racism among the elite is hidden behind correctly phrased sentences and polite nods to fashionable ideas. People who have had the best of everything their whole lives also need you to know they have the best opinions. This Canadian variant of racism is more insidious than the American: Protected by politeness, racism can be perpetuated under a shield of good intentions. This is also textbook neo-colonialism: The white man will govern us for our benefit, and anyone who opposes him will be slandered, or worse. Look at the plight of Indigenous peoples. Look at the racial makeup of who is incarcerated, detained, deported.

In Mr. Trudeau’s rise to power, there were other signs of a mind corrupted by privilege. The paid speeches he gave while an MP, despite his six-figure salary and trust fund. he told an American magazine that he wanted to box a “scrappy tough-guy senator from an Indigenous community.” The

mistreatment of the former attorney-general. The costumes in India. What was evident was not just blindness, but a deliberate unwillingness to see, one that has caused our country great harm. This brownface episode has made many people suddenly wake up to the reality that Canada may be racist. White Canadians may feel uncomfortable by all this, but minorities in this country have been dealing with discomfort since they looked in the mirror as children.

I am a prisoner of my own experience here. It had been my dream to work for Mr. Trudeau’s government on foreign policy. I had worked hard and earned the right to serve my country. I headed to Ottawa feeling optimistic and hopeful. But as soon as I got there, I felt that something was fundamentally wrong. everyone with real power was white and looked the same – unacceptable for a movement pledging racial diversity as a core principle. Condescending attitudes were regularly revealed.

Minorities were undermined, ghettoized.

The casual disregard of the privileged was systemic. I felt like I could not breathe.

After several months, I decided to

leave of my own free will. It is still one of the hardest decisions I have made, and felt more like jumping off a building. The hurt ran deep. Friendships were broken. I felt that I had failed and my reality had been distorted beyond my recognition. Weeks passed, my mental health worsened. I became isolated. When I worked up the courage to make some tepid critiques of the India trip online, a senior person from the Prime Minister’s Office wrote to me.

Perhaps they finally wanted to listen?

No. I was told that no one trusted me there from the beginning, that I was in it for my own reasons and that I was self-regarding in my criticism. I was stunned. For months afterward, I blamed myself. I thought perhaps they were right – that I was another uppity brown person who was too impatient. I questioned my own reality, and once again the internalized racism ravaged my mind. After all of that, to discover that Mr. Trudeau had a fondness for wearing my skin on his face. I had been played. All of us had. We often speak of racism as though it is a purely emotional phenomenon, but racism manifests itself in the body, and the

A 2001 yearbook photo of Justin Trudeau in brown face while teaching at West Point Grey Academy.

body responds to it like a virus. Cortisol levels spike, increasing the chance of almost every conceivable illness. An enormous amount of mental energy is expended trying to understand other people’s slights and to keep oneself under mental surveillance.

Your sense of reality becomes permanently distorted. You question your own dignity and worth. The sociology, the history, the economics, the privilege, the power, the whiteness: None capture how racism dislodges the body, cracks bones, shatters identities, turns the minority into an alien in his own skin. And for people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and work their way to the elite – always having to be twice as good – their cells visibly age faster because of the stress response in dealing with discrimination. They have the longest distance to fall. Racism is not a play thing or a wedge issue to be weaponized. It is the tragic story of our lives.

Canada, like the United States, remains a divided country. Official statistics do not reveal this, but segregation exists first in the mind, especially of those who have been blind their whole lives. Whiteness is a shelter from the realities of the world, realities Mr. Trudeau and his kind never faced until now because the joke was always on somebody else. Apologies are not enough; they are a beginning, not an end. What we need now is a national reckoning of the sort we have never had.

People must be held accountable in all parties. Painful grievances must be aired, uncomfortable truths spoken.

No one is free from their history, and silence is another form of lying. We must force ourselves to see the “Other” in our midst, truly see them. Our country has lied to itself enough already. Real change will happen only when Mr. Trudeau and his class have the courage to open their eyes and take a good look at what they’ve been missing. Until that day comes, we will remain in an infantile and morally duplicitous state of innocence.

Omer Aziz is the author of the forthcoming book, Brown Boy: A Story of Race, Religion, and Inheritance. He was a policy adviser to the minister of foreign affairs.

No need to glorify Gandhi, evaluate his failures too TO SUGGEST THAT GANDHI WAS PRO-MUSLIM AND ANTI-HINDU WAS A DELIBERATE LIE OF THE SANGH PARIVAR. GANDHI WAS A STAUNCH HINDU WHO ENSURED THE HEGEMONY OF THE BRAHMANICAL ELITE IN THE POWER STRUCTURE

COuntER CuRREnts VIDyA BhushAN RAwAt

Mohan Das Karmchand Gandhi would have turned 150. The entire nation is celebrating his birthday.

There was an edit page article by Narendra Damodar Das Modi on Gandhi in the New York Times whose cover page ironically showed the situation in Indian held Kashmir. his home minister who was in West Bengal warned that all the ‘infiltrators’ i.e. Muslims will be out as he ‘assured’ hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs will be made citizens of India and need not to worry at all. The government is already making ‘detention’ centers everywhere so that it can keep the ‘termites’ in them.

Gandhi was the leader of India’s freedom struggle who tried to play the role of a patron saint and ‘conscious’ keeper of Indian society focused on two issues prominently. One was the hindu-

Muslim unity question and the other was the removal of untouchability. It need to be seen where India is on both these fronts and whether Gandhi’s ideological moorings and usage of religion in public life did not result in the growth of the religious right in India. how do we bring people together and it can’t be just a lunch together ? Removal of untouchability is not possible just by going to ‘harijan’ Bastis, as Gandhi said. When you never challenge the religious supremacy and counter it with humanist arguments, with reasoning and rationality, you won’t be able to fight against forces of obscurantism.

Gandhi was isolated and dejected in his last years. his efforts to douse the flames of communal violence in Noakhali, in Bengal succeeded but the communal polarisation in the Indian subcontinent continued. Today, all of us are a majoritarian society where dissent and minority rights are always questionable and unwelcome.

The problem with those who make Gandhi a ‘superman’ or a Pope, don’t want to discuss the complete ideological failure of Gandhi in this regard. None deny his role in politically moblising people against the British Raj but it is equally known well that he used religious symbols to mobilise the people. everybody

knows that he was a deeply conservative hindu who would be proud of his hinduness. everyone knows that he had madness towards his ‘brahmacharya’ or ‘celibacy’ question and many of the Congress leaders those days were uncomfortable with his madness. Can you imagine if Gandhi were alive today what would have happened? how would the Sanghi media have reacted to his actions?

All the regions where Gandhi intervened to protect ‘farmers’ or ‘poor’ only remain the same. Find out what is the reality in Champaran, Chauri Chaura and Avadh, where he intervened in the farmers’ movement in Uttar Pradesh. If Gandhi’s ideology had any strength, we would not have the rampant caste discrimination, violence against Dalits and political leadership in the hands of the powerful feudal castes in these regions. Gandhi’s interventions in all these regions ensured complete elimination of the leadership of the marginalised and diverted the original issues.

Gandhi has been glorified for propagating Ahimsa i.e. non violence. Over two thousands years back Buddha propagated non violence which ensured a huge empowerment of India’s marginalised.

I don’t think, Gandhi’s nonviolence empowered India’s marginalised. It actually helped India’s powerful savarna castes to maintain their

hegemony in all the levers of power as well as in society. You cannot bring equality by glorifying a rigid system which disempowered the Dalits and other marginalised.

Untouchability is the biggest sin said Gandhi but also felt that Shastras could not be changed or should not be challenged at all. he went to the extent that if you didn’t have faith in Shastras, go and join other religion. how do we remove untouchability and caste discrimination without challenging the supremacy of religion or ‘varna vyavastha’. The thing is that all those who claim to be Gandhian did not follow Gandhi but loved the privileges that come with it. The prime time locations, big ashrams, government patronages and everything. Gandhi was patronised by the state to keep the caste hegemony intact. Today, the over emphasis on Gandhism is again an attempt to keep that hegemony intact.

Is it wrong to assess Gandhi with his success and failures? Why is that any dissent about Gandhi considered a blasphemy? I don’t subscribe to those who abuse Gandhi and denigrate him. his role was pivotal. he was influential and could have brought huge changes in our social structure if he was not blinded by the ‘sacred supremacy of the religious laws of the brahmins. his political battles had huge number of Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs,

Muslims though they did not get much in terms of empowerment as Congress remained in the firm grip of India’s savarna castes with a few exceptions of other community leaders. Gandhi’s excessive usage of religious morality did not help anyone.

Today, the hindutva protagonists who are promoting ‘Why, I killed Gandhi’ by Nathuram Godse, are claiming Gandhi’s legacy. Politics, they say, is the art of managing contradiction. So they want to keep Gandhi too and Godse too.

What a duplicity of ideas. While we condemn Nathuram Godse and his brahmanical friend for killing Gandhi but at the same point of time, it can be said that Gandhi’s death made him immortal. The fact is that Gandhi’s assassination by the hindutva terrorist actually made him a ‘shaheed’.

To suggest that Gandhi was pro-Muslim and anti-hindu was a deliberate lie of the Sangh Parivar.

Gandhi was a staunch hindu who ensured the hegemony of the brahmanical elite of the socialist kind in our power structure.

Sanghis know it well now and hence they don’t oppose Gandhi because they know Gandhi is the best bet to keep the savarna power intact. The Congress know it too.

Gandhi was truthful to his dharma. he was true to his perception and never pretended but

we do not subscribe those positions. We respect his role in bringing people together but it is not essential for everyone to respect whatever he said and no purpose is served by deliberately denigrating him. Gandhi and Gandhiism have to be countered ideologically. It need to be exposed through research, through its own pages but physical abuse will only strengthen it. I do not look at Gandhi for his Ahimsa as Buddha was far superior and bigger. end of the day, Gandhi’s ideological bankruptcy on defending the caste order only protected the brahmanical interests but it was Dr Ambedkar who saved his life by signing the Poona pact. he was killed by the brahmin Godse whose interest Gandhi was serving. So you see the irony, those who are accused of being antiGandhi actually saved him and those whose interest he served actually killed him. Can you imagine what would have happened if Gandhi was either killed by a Dalit or Muslim? Imagine it and then you will find the hypocrisy of our political class.

On his 150th birth anniversary, we need to evaluate with his failures, a mere glorification will not serve any purposes.

Vidya Bhushan Rawat is a social activist.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

North Korea says missile test was 'New' submariNe-baseD lauNch

PYONGYANG

N

AGENCIES

ORTH Korea says its latest weapons test was of a submarine-launched ballistic missile that marked a “new phase” in its defence capability, just days before the resumption of stalled nuclear talks with the US. The test was by far the most provocative since Pyongyang first began a dialogue with Washington in 2018, and marked a significant step in North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, analysts said.

A proven submarine-based missile capability would take the North’s arsenal to a new level, allowing deployment

far beyond the Korean peninsula and a second-strike capability in the event of an attack on its military bases.

“The new-type ballistic missile was fired in vertical mode” on Wednesday in the waters off Wonsan Bay, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, identifying the weapon as a Pukguksong-3.

“The successful new-type SLBM testfiring comes to be of great significance as it ushered in a new phase in containing the outside forces’ threat,” it added.

The North’s leader Kim Jong Un sent “warm congratulations” to research units involved in the launch.

Kim has personally supervised recent land-based missile tests.

Photos carried by the official Rodong

Sinmun newspaper showed a black and white missile emerging from the water and appearing to shoot into the sky.

The images also showed a small towing vessel next to the missile, which analysts said indicates the test was conducted from a submersible barge rather than an actual submarine, and that the system was in its early stages.

Ankit Panda of the Federation of American Scientists called it Pyongyang’s longest-range-capable solid-fuel missile, adding Wednesday’s launch was “unambiguously the first nuclear-capable missile test since November 2017”.

“Kim Jong Un’s ‘rocket men’ kept busy during the diplomatic charm offensives of 2018-2019,” said Panda.

The North carried out a successful test of the solid-fuel Pukguksong-1, also known as KN-11, in August 2016, which flew around 500 kilometres.

In July, North Korean state media had published pictures of Kim Jong Un inspecting a new type of submarine that also showed a poster of the Pukguksong-3 on a wall, fuelling concerns that Pyongyang was pushing ahead with an SLBM programme.

Tokyo said a part of Wednesday’s missile landed in waters within Japan’s exclusive economic zone — a 200-kilometre band around Japanese territory.

Washington voiced alarm, with a State Department spokesperson calling on Pyongyang “to refrain from provocations” and “remain engaged in substantive and sustained negotiations” aimed at bringing stability and denuclearisation.

Trump lashes out at rising impeachment storm WASHINGTON AGENCIES

A bellicose Donald Trump unleashed furious attacks Wednesday on the impeachment inquiry launched against him by Democrats, amid an intensifying standoff between the president and Congress.

Trump — accused of leaning on Ukraine’s president to dig up dirt on one of his main 2020 election rivals — resorted to coarse language in his broadsides against the investigation and his adversaries conducting it.

Democrats should be “focused on building up our Country, not wasting everyone’s time and energy on BULLSHIT, which is what they have been doing ever since I got overwhelmingly elected in 2016,” Trump tweeted. Adam Schiff, the impeachment probe’s Democratic point man in the House of Representatives, told reporters there is a “real sense of urgency” to press forward.

Trump has fought back in terms once inconceivable for a president, including his claim late Tuesday that this is “not an impeachment, it is a COUP.” He amplified the message Wednesday standing alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the White House, branding the impeachment process — announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week — as a “hoax.”

Trump assailed Schiff, declaring the

FOREIGN NEWS 07

Four police officers killed in Paris stabbing, attacker shot dead PARIS: A man wielding a knife stabbed and killed four officers at the police headquarters in the heart of central Paris on Thursday, before being shot dead. The premises were cordoned off after the lunchtime attack in the historic centre of Paris, usually thronged with tourists, and dozens of police and emergency vehicles had converged at the scene, AFP journalists reported. At least one metro station in the vicinity of the building, which is close to Notre-Dame cathedral and other major tourist attractions, was closed. Sources told AFP the attacker was shot dead by police in the courtyard of the building, where he was employed. The man worked in an administrative capacity but it was not immediately clear what his precise work role was. An emergency message was broadcast over loudspeakers at the courthouse next door, announcing “an attack” at the police headquarters and stating the area was “under surveillance”.

SCENES OF ‘PANIC’: Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, who was due to visit Turkey later on Thursday, postponed his trip to visit the scene of the attack. “People were running everywhere, there was crying everywhere,” said Emery Siamandi, and interpreter who was in the building when the attack happened. “I heard a shot, I gathered it was inside,” he told AFP. “Moments later, I saw police officers crying.

They were in a panic.” Investigators suspect a workplace dispute sparked the deadliest attack on police in France in years, sources said, but there were no immediate further details. The Paris prosecutor is at the scene, but anti-terror agencies have not been involved at this stage. “Did he snap, or was there some other reason?

It’s still too early to say,” Loic Travers, head of the Alliance Police union for the Paris region, told BFM television. There was no immediate indication of the possible motives of the attacker. France has been rocked since 2015 by a succession of attacks blamed on jihadists, which have included both large synchronised assaults and isolated knife and gun attacks, killing more than 250 people. AGENCIES

US to collect DNA of all undocumented migrants

House Intelligence Committee chairman “a low life” who should be arrested for “treason.”

But at the same time Trump acknowledged he may yet cooperate with the latest move by Democrats, who threatened to subpoena the White House for documents related to the president’s efforts to get Ukraine to probe a political rival.

“We’ll work together with ‘shifty’ Schiff and Pelosi and all of them and we’ll see what

happens,” he said.

Trump insists he did nothing wrong in a July phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and on Wednesday got support from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who said he saw “nothing compromising” in the conversation.

Given Trump’s controversial history with Putin, it was unlikely that the Kremlin leader’s backing would do much to calm waters in Washington.

WASHINGTON: The US government plans to collect the DNA of all migrants detained after entering the country illegally, officials said Wednesday. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is developing a plan to take DNA samples from each of the undocumented immigrants and store it in a national database for criminal DNA profiles, they said. Speaking to journalists on grounds of anonymity, DHS officials said the new policy would give immigration and border control agents a broader picture of the migrant and detainee situation. And stored on the FBI’s CODIS DNA database, it could also be used by others in law enforcement and beyond. “It does enhance our ability to further identify someone who has illegally entered the country,” said one official. “It will assist other organizations as well in their identification ability.” Officials said they were in fact required to take the DNA samples by rules about the handling of arrested and convicted people that were issued by the Justice Department in 2006 and 2010, but which had not been implemented. They said the program for collecting DNA was still being developed, and they did not have a date set for implementation. Collecting and storing the DNA of people simply detained and not tried or convicted of a crime has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates. “Forced DNA collection raises serious privacy and civil liberties concerns and lacks justification, especially when DHS is already using less intrusive identification methods like fingerprinting,” Vera Eidelman, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. AGENCIES

Britain and EU trade blame over new Brexit plans LONDON AGENCIES

Britain and the EU on Thursday traded claims about who would be responsible for the failure of a new Brexit deal unveiled by London as the country faces a messy exit from the bloc at the end of October.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the bloc’s failure to listen to his new proposal would result in it sharing the blame for a likely chaotic divorce.

Johnson has until October 31 to try to muster support for a fresh approach, which focuses on complicated proposals for preserving a free-flowing border between British-run Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit. But he is facing headwinds across European capitals and his own parliament.

Failure to get both the 27 EU leaders

and UK lawmakers to back his plan will result in either a crash exit for Britain or a third Brexit delay this year.

Johnson reaffirmed on Thursday he had no intention of seeking an extension despite parliament’s instruction to do so should he fail to secure a new agreement over the next two weeks.

“We have shown great flexibility without our European friends,” Johnson told parliament one day after publishing the details of his long-awaited plan.

“If our European neighbours choose not to show a corresponding willingness to reach a deal, then we shall have to leave on October 31 without an agreement — and we are ready to do so.

“But that outcome would be a failure of statecraft for which all parties will be held responsible.” Yet European Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud insisted it was up to Britain to come up

with a plan that worked for everyone.

“There are problematic points in the United Kingdom’s proposal and further work is needed. But that work needs to be

done by the United Kingdom and not the other way around,” she told reporters in Brussels on Thursday.

UK Brexit minister Steve Barclay has

said all real talks had to start by this weekend to stand any chance of securing a deal before EU leaders meets in Brussels on October 17-18. “We need to move forward at pace, intensively,” he told BBC radio. “All sides recognise that the alternative, no-deal, is disruptive.”

But Johnson was reminded of the challenges ahead when opposition lined up to denounce his proposals.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called Johnson’s plan “not workable” and “reckless”.

The pro-European Scottish National Party’s parliamentary leader Ian Blackford called the proposals “half-baked”.

“Secure an extension or resign,” he demanded. Businesses across Europe fear a “no-deal” Brexit could plug up long-established trade routes and unsettle financial markets for weeks and possibly months.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

08 COMMENT

Different paths to overthrowing democracy

Adjustment and the business squeeze

Democracy may be under threat in its oldest bastions

Government’s vindictiveness adds complications

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he way the IMF’s representatives have been allowed to implement the adjustment, has not only made the common man cry out but also led industry to near collapse. Running the businesses is becoming increasingly untenable on account of rising costs and falling sales. In September inflation jumped to 11.4 pc while early this week a further hike was allowed in the electricity tariff by 83 paisa per unit. Factors like high debt service costs, rising costs of inputs and a collapsing market have taken the toll of industry.

PTI chief Imran Khan was catapulted into power amidst euphoria created by party songs promising the moon and tributary slogans celebrating the party leader as a Messiah. The PTI leadership had simplistic answers to complex economic issues. Failures of unrealistic policies led a panicked leadership to go after bureaucrats considered close to the previous government with the result that files continued to pile up as government servants avoided taking decisions.

On the one side the PTI government maintains that the nAB is independent while on the other it has continued to egg it on to act more forcibly against political opponents, concentrating on fewer cases and punishing them at the earliest. As governments make policies that affect businessmen and government departments award them contracts, a number of industrialists who were supposed to have been beneficiaries are also being investigated by nAB, spreading panic in the community.

This too has added to the tribulations of the industrialists.

A group of industrialists met the COAS as he is a member of the Pakistan Business Council. They were referred to the Prime Minister who has promised to set up a committee to resolve their reservations. But unless the PTI leadership changes its vindictive mindset there is going to be little improvement in the situation. Those in the bureaucracy who are reluctant to take decisions because of the fear of nAB must not be treated as agents of the PPP or PML-n. Businessmen who signed contracts with the previous government should not be summoned by nAB. Character assassination of those in the media who are critical of government policies has to stop.

Royal visit Security must not be stinted

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hOUGh Pakistan has not just been independent of the UK for 72 years, and has even been a republic for 63, it is still hospitable for British Royals. There is a certain appropriateness in the impending visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as it is the first visit to Pakistan by a member of the Royal Family, the last being in October 1997, when the Duke’s grandmother, Queen elizabeth II, visited Pakistan, just a few months after the visit by her estranged daughter-in-law (and the Duke’s late mother), the Princess of Wales visited to inaugurate the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer hospital. The Duke and Duchess will be in Pakistan from October 14 to 18.

While Queen elizabeth’s visit had come 36 years after her previous visit in 1961, Princess Diana’s had been her third, previous visits having come in 1991 and 1996. It was as a precursor to their visit that the Duke and Duchess had been hosted by Prince Karim Agha Khan at the Agha Khan Centre in London on Wednesday, a fortnight ahead of their visit. They not only were given a sample of Pakistani cuisine, but also got the opportunity of meeting a wide cross-section of people from the Pakistani diaspora, which is both numerous and of long standing.

True, Pakistan being a republic has no reason to be too delighted by a visit from the great-grandson of its last emperor, but being an upholder of the tradition of hospitality, it will have to give an appropriate welcome. It is particularly welcome at this juncture, as it will put Pakistan in the world news for a reason other than terrorism, something which is important not just because the present government wants to give a boost to tourism, but also because it would be useful to subtract one of the reasons given by foreign countries to argue against investing in Pakistan.

Clearly, it is not enough merely to talk about the country’s soft image. The terrorists will be defeated most comprehensively by a return to normalcy, best illustrated by a visit by the Cambridges. It is also shown by the ongoing tour of the Sri Lanka cricket team. Just as there is no stinting of security measures, to avert the kind of attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, so there must be complete security for the Cambridges.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

Joint Editor

Executive Editor

Deputy Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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at Penpoint M.a. NiaZi

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T is perhaps a coincidence that US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who both have the most egregious hairstyles in their country’s politics, are both facing crises which might throw into doubt the safeguards of the democratic process. however, both are proponents of an ultra-nationalist, virtually fascist, ideology that is suspected of undermining the democratic process, and establishing a tyranny. It is perhaps no coincidence that the crises they are facing reflect methods by which democracy might be overthrown. however, both beg questions.

Donald Trump is accused by a whistleblower of asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son hunter, in exchange for the release of military aid. As Biden is currently the Democratic frontrunner, and predicted by all polls of beating Trump handily if he contests against him as the Democratic nominee, that request was both political and involved using the taxpayers’ money improperly.

The question that arises is what happens if the public elects an amoral person President, and that person sees no harm in using the public office for private ends.

Boris Johnson, on the other hand, is faced with a less personal, more institutional problem. his freedom of action has been circumscribed. It was established that he could not dissolve when his motion to do so failed to get the approval of two-thirds of the Commons. After appeals to the UK Supreme Court, his prorogation of Parliament was not allowed to stand, leaving him in a rather ridiculous position, as a Prime Minister who can neither dissolve nor prorogue. he is thus stuck with a house that has so far failed to take any action on Brexit. except of course to pass a law ordering the Prime Minister to write a letter to the european Union asking for an extension of the withdrawal date, if it and the UK have failed to agree on a deal that would allow the British departure to be peaceful and create the circumstances for a smooth future relationship.

In Trump’s case, the system is coming up against the US Constitution, which has made the

removal of the President a political process rather than a judicial. The house of Representatives is supposed to frame the Articles of Impeachment, and the Senate to vote on them after a trial, in which a two-thirds majority is needed to remove. Three Presidents have had Articles of Impeachment voted against them by the house, President Andrew Jonson in 1868, President Richard M. nixon in 1974, and Bill Clinton in 1999. Johnson and Clinton faced an impeachment trial in the Senate, where they were not convicted (Johnson only surviving by one vote) while nixon chose to resign.

In each case, Presidents have seen the votes go on party lines. At present, while the Democrats are in a majority in the house, the Republicans are in the Senate. So while articles of impeachment may well be voted upon, conviction is virtually impossible. however, it should be noted that one result of Andrew Johnson’s impeachment was that he was not re-nominated for the Presidency. That could conceivably happen to Trump. nixon resigned, but not because he couldn’t bear the ignominy of the process, but because he did the math, and realised that he would be convicted.

That meant losing his pension. he also received a pardon from his successor, Gerald Ford, for all the crimes he may have committed. Impeachment would have laid him open to criminal prosecution, which he wanted to avoid. The only situation in which this could happen to Trump would be if the American public grew so disgusted with him that Republican Senators felt that not voting against him would cost them reelection. That is what happened to nixon.

Whether Trump might resign in such a situation is unknown, but so far the poll numbers do not bring him to this situation.

If US democracy handles the situation properly, it will indicate that presidents cannot misuse their office. however, if trump has done wrong, and not only gets away with it, but is re-elected, a door is opened to the conversion of democracy into authoritarian tyranny. This has happened in history, with one example being the conversion of Roman democracy into an empire. One of the bulwarks against tyranny, and the one through which the suborners worked, was the Senate.

And an important tool was populism. It should perhaps not be forgotten that suborners also used religion, and Julius Caesar was elected Pontifex

Maximus. Trump is not head of a church, but he enjoys the support of the Religious Right. Like Caesar, Trump too is accompanied by a miasma of scandal.

One of the factors Trump should remember is that the apparent nonchalance with which he gets away with his sexual misbehaviour was helped by Clinton’s impeachment, which was about his suspicious relations with a White house intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton not only got away with having an extramarital relationship, but having Ms Lewinsky placed in the Defence Department.

One failed impeachment proved that the sexual had passed into the private. Gone were the days when nelson Rockefeller was greeted by cries of “You dirty lover” at the 1964 Republican Convention, when he appeared with his second wife, whom he had married after divorcing his first. If this impeachment fails, the principle established by the Watergate scandal, that the president cannot use his office for private means, will be jettisoned.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson seems to have been exploring another way into dictatorship, by his failed prorogation. Because there is no written Constitution, the British Supreme Court, itself a new-fangled kind of thing, has relied on a kind of ‘basic structure’ doctrine, to assert that Parliament cannot be interrupted in its right of oversight. Parliament will not accept the ‘nodeal’ Brexit that Johnson seems to want. he is being brought to the point where he may disobey the law, by not writing the eU for an extension. even if Johnson does not disobey the law, there is a chance that he has opened the way for a successor. even in World War II, there was not a similar crisis of democracy. Though there were nazi sympathisers aplenty in both the UK and the USA, the question of overthrowing the norms by which the two countries were governed did not arise. It should not be forgotten that Fascist parties seize power through elections, but never before have the homelands of democracy been thus ideologically threatened. Both Trump and Johnson may be outsiders, but they have both seized control of an existing party. The parties need to think about how this happened. But it might already be too late.

M.A. Niazi is a member of the staff.

Policy options for Pakistan There must be military and economic measures taken MuhaMMad Sohail ahMed

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hen the Indian fascist leadership, as rightly pointed out by our leadership, made its illegal, immoral and unconstitutional move to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, it was expected that there would be some missiles fired as the situation heated up.

A clampdown in Indian occupied Kashmir continues, with people dying for not being able to get medicine, children crying for food, women being harassed and humiliated by the Indian Army, and what else is required to move us? What if there is a missile strike on an economic target on Indian territory? Is it likely to wake up the Indian security forces to some extent, the world community to a larger extent? Will, it not put a check on unabated atrocities on the Muslims of Indian occupied Kashmir? But before such retaliation or punitive actions by Pakistan, a missile strike got materialised on the Saudi oil wells of Khurais and Abqaiq supposedly by the Yemeni houthi rebels. The interesting part is the timeframe in which drone technology was used to launch missiles from a ten-drone squadron flying from the Yemeni border. A four-year war where the Saudi and UAe coalition is continuously pounding the rebels, the response using drone-launched missiles is extremely difficult without foreign support.

Who is the beneficiary of this development, and how, needs to be Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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analysed? The stakeholders are Saudi Arabia which has incurred a financial loss. Iran did not lose much except the rhetoric from Donald Trump, which otherwise continues. The USA did not lose as it is no more dependent on oil supplies from the Gulf. With the advent of shale technology and the existing oil reserves, it is rather producing oil causing a reduction in oil prices in the world market.

The USA has however benefitted as it has found new Army deployments in Saudi Arabia and UAe. The drone-launched missiles appear to have defeated the Patriot missile defence system which the Saudis have, as it was conceived to engage ballistic missiles coming from high altitude. Pakistan has also developed cruise missiles to defeat anti-missile systems. Interestingly, the Indian government is going for the S-400 system through a purchase order of $5 billion. each system costs about $1billion. Another benefit is the testing of new technology in the real battlefield environment in that the drones flown by the USA in Somalia have been shot down by the rebels using improvised rocket launchers. Future drone development would take this factor into account.

Besides the Organisation of Islamic Countries and the USA, the main focus of Pakistan has been on Saudi Arabia and UAe, whose foreign ministers visited Pakistan to take stock of the situation in Kashmir and assist Pakistan in helping Muslim brothers and sisters in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Unfortunately, the missile strikes on Saudi

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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oilfields have indirectly benefitted India which is trying to distract the world community in general and Muslim community in particular from the issue of Kashmir.

During the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, for an address in the Un General Assembly he took up the Kashmir inferno with the US President. however, there was not much of a response on the issue. The prime minister has been requested to sort out the problem between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The body language of the Indian and our leadership at houston public gathering is an indication that there will be no support to PAKISTAn on Kashmir issue. Joe Biden, one of the Democrat candidates for the 2020 presidential nomination hinted at the strategy of establishing bases in Pakistan after withdrawal from Afghanistan. The plan can be better implemented by the USA through emboldening India, thereby generating a serious war-like situation to attempt a footprint in Pakistan. This is similar to the Yemen-Saudi conflict and missile strikes ending up providing a casus belli to US forces deployment in Saudi Arabia and UAe. The Indian government is bloodlessly treading on a dangerous path as it is easy to work on a single track of ‘hindutva Doctrine’ which was formulated before the advent of nuclear weapons and drone technology. Indian COAS Gen Bipin Rawat, in his statement, revealed the Indian government intention to invade Azad Jammu and Kashmir as the next step after the annexation of Indian occupied Kashmir. he stated

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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that if the government asked him to conduct such an operation, the troops were prepared and waiting for the bidding. however, he should look at the map to find out that if the Indian army moves towards Pakistan it should not get surprised from the missiles hitting it in the rear, arriving from the missiles launched from the seaward side of the Arabian Sea. The Pakistan navy should suffice for his misadventure before Pakistan army or air forces give him a befitting response.

Pakistan should keep the focus on Indian-occupied Kashmir to bring an end to illegal occupation of Kashmir. Any requests to Pakistan on mediation efforts in the region such as Afghanistan, Iran or Saudi Arabia should be linked to open support on Kashmir. The economic and military response to article 370 abrogation is to repeal the boundary between Pakistan and Indian occupied Kashmir and elsewhere. Air space and Pakistan’s exclusive economic Zone utilisation by Indian commercial entities should be checked to put economic pressure on the Indian government. Import of all Indian goods should be banned.

On the diplomatic front, besides highlighting the matter at official levels, Pakistani diaspora should be mobilised through foreign missions of Pakistan to highlight Indian atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir and for the long-awaited joining of Kashmir with Pakistan.

Muhammad Sohail Ahmed is a retired commodore of the Pakistan Navy and can be reached at msohailyz@gmail.com

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Friday, 4 October, 2019

COMMENT 09 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

Jinnah’s ‘Purana Pakistan’

An outsider’s view of China’s progress 70 years and the story is not over

SultaN MehMood hali

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eOPLe’S Republic of China (PRC) has traversed a path akin to a roller coaster ride. Being one of the most ancient civilisations, it led the quest for development and progress. Invention of the Chinese characters several millennia ago, cerebral accomplishments in an era of great intellectual accomplishments, referred to as “the period of one hundred masters and schools of thought” and the advent of prominent thinkers such as Laozi, Confucius and Mozi, exploring a wide range of topics from the universe to the earth, and from man’s relations to nature propelled China to great heights of progress.

Despite the era of prosperity ushered by the ancient Silk Road, unfortunately, myopic feudal rulers of the 18th and 19th centuries closed the doors of China in boastful ignorance, leaving the country in the quagmire of a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. Frequent foreign invasions brought great social turmoil, poverty and deprivation. Following centuries of strife, the Chinese people were prompted to take their destiny in their own hands and unshackle the bonds of slavery.

The long years of servitude left indelible scars on the minds of the Chinese, who cherish not only their own freedom but also pursue a policy of peace, non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and do not tolerate others interfering in their own affairs.

The PRC has achieved success as well as committed errors in its process of development.

China’s “reform and opening-up” was launched under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, whose far-reaching futuristic economic policies blazed a new trail of establishing socialism with Chinese characteristics, focusing on building a socialist market economy, democracy, an advanced culture, a harmonious society and a sound ecosystem, upholding social equity and justice, promoting all-round development of the people, pursuing peaceful development, completing the building of a moderately prosperous

society in all respects and eventually achieving modernisation and ensuring prosperity for all.

These are noble goals but without grudging the rise of China, it is important to observe that the PRC has reached out to the Occident as well as the Orient to build bridges and taking them along on the road to development and prosperity. each Chinese leader has carried the torch forward, building on the work of his predecessor, providing course correction where necessitated. Chairman Mao Zedong led the arduous journey to freedom and establishing modern China. Deng Xiaoping’s pecuniary design propelled the PRC on the rapid path of economic progress. now President Xi Jinping, who is cognisant of the fact that China’s reform has entered a deep-water zone, where problems crying to be resolved are all difficult ones, but with firm resolve who has moved the reform forward. he has quoted a Chinese saying; we must “get ready to go into the mountain, being fully aware that there may be tigers to encounter”. This highlights the principle laid down for reform: to act with courage while moving forward with steady steps. With the deepening of reform, China will continue to undergo profound changes, which not only provide strong momentum for China’s modernisation drive, but also bring new development opportunities to the world.

Strategic decisions were made at the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to comprehensively deepen China’s reforms, and over 330 implementing steps covering 15 sectors were introduced. The 1.3 billion Chinese people are venturing to realise the Chinese Dream of great national renewal. While the PRC pursues its own dream, it is endeavouring to take the rest of the world along in the pursuit of their individual dreams, merging them where prudent and undertaking to rebuild the international economy, which took a battering in the near past.

At the 19th CPC national Congress, wide ranging revisions to the Constitution were made, which juxtapose Xi’s thought with MarxismLeninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, The Theory of the Three Represents and Scientific Outlook on Development.

Xi has already inscribed his name in the annals of history by fulfilling his determination to steer the people of China out of poverty by the end of 2020. This is no mean achievement as this scribe, who first visited China in 1974 when the country was still struggling to survive, and has made numerous visits since, is witness to the progress achieved in leaps and bounds.

Despite the current trade conflict with the USA, China is bent upon moving forward. President Xi appears to be guided by the saying that “The wise man seeks common ground while the unwise one clings to differences”.

Multi-faceted development projects like the advent of establishing the BRICS and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the mega development project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), merit mention. These initiatives are based on the principle of “Towards a Community of Common Destiny”. There is an old Chinese saying that “a good neighbour is

not to be traded for gold”. China has taken a strong liking to this proverb and is trying to inject new vitality into peripheral diplomacy by taking its neighbours along on its own path of development. This noble task is easier said than done because China has a very diverse neighbourhood ranging from the most impoverished to some of the most opulent states. Some which express open hostility while others have hidden agendas to pull China down.

The rise of China is guided by a cogent and practical top-level design complemented by a time-table and a road map, being executed with contemplation and deliberation. There has been criticism of China’s defence budget, but President Xi has elaborated that it conforms to the just demands of the national defence buildup of such a major country, but he reassures that China will never follow the path of big powers which seek hegemony once they grow strong, nor will the PRC repeat its historical tragedy of being enslaved and colonised under the threat of big powers’ strong weapons after the Opium Wars. Thus, China pursues a goal of developing a national defence strength that is sufficient to defend itself from external threats. Xinjiang’s miscreants are being dealt with a strong hand while social uplift is unaffected.

The trade war launched by the USA against China is being dealt with maturely by President Xi. Instead of retaliating in kind or responding with rhetoric, China is making progress at its own pace. The advent of smart cities, breakthroughs in quantum physics and artificial intelligence, the Chinese hypersonic passenger/cargo aircraft which will reduce flight time from Beijing to new York to two hours are major developments. The Occident is now approaching Chinese scientists to get hold of the technology. Accusations of hacking and stealing Western technology were perhaps true when the West had isolated the PRC for over 22 years, recognising tiny Taiwan as the Republic of China. Today the shoe is on the other foot.

China had resolved that it would not take back its own territories like Taiwan, hong Kong and Macau by force, but build itself up economically and technologically and these territories will return to the fold of the mainland of their own accord. The West may try to rock the boat by instigating protests in hong Kong, but it is to no avail as such machinations have been exposed and the people will themselves sift through the chaff of propaganda and seek the grain of truth.

The policy of the PRC towards its neighbours stems from the adage that one may choose one’s friends but has no choice of neighbours, Thus the PRC adheres to the ideas of “affinity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness” for its relations with neighbouring countries. This is the rationale behind China’s continued rise. I wish the PRC well on the 70th Anniversary of its inception.

Sultan Mehmood Hali is a retired Group Captain and author of the book Defence & Diplomacy. Currently he is a columnist, analyst and TV talk show host.

MARTIn Luther King Jr once said ‘almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world a better place’. Jinnah wanted the Pakistanis to respect our minorities. I want to reiterate that Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to give minorities their due rights. he envisioned following the model of the state of Medina. Mr Khan’s zeal was witnessed when he proposed that Dr Atif Mian was the panacea for the economic calamity of Pakistan. he desired to see Dr Atif as the Finance Minister in his ‘naya Pakistan’.

The desire was a rhetorical. nevertheless, Mr Khan coerced Dr Atif to resign from the economic Advisory Council, owing to his faith; which is indifferent to our economy. Consequently, Dr Imran Rasul resigned in protest.

This robbed our economic Council of competent members. however, Jinnah would have daunted the government’s decision because he guaranteed justice, equality, and opportunities for the minorities. Jinnah was a protagonist of minority rights. he stood for the Muslims when they were a minority in the colonial India. Jinnah must have been disenchanted following this inauspicious decision.

The premier idealises Jinnah and pledged to withhold the values of the father of our nation. The white part of our flag denotes Pakistan’s minority. One need not be a Muslim to serve this country. Any person regardless of their religion is capable of serving his/her state without prejudice.

Unfortunately, our government has unceasingly disdained almost every other Pakistani, who had the audacity to choose a dissimilar trajectory since the demise of Mr Jinnah.

Pakistan loses her chance to prosper when every Joginder nath Mandal, Sir Zafarullah Khan, Abdul Salam and in this case Dr Atif is left to the mercy of the bigots in the country.

This is a startling moment for our homeland. The food for thought is that can our nation flourish with this myopic attitude and is Pakistan alike India when it comes to minorities? Ostensibly, those who claim to be the harbinger of revolution, need to aspire for the Pakistan of 1947 i.e., ‘Purana Pakistan’.

BArriSTEr ArSALAN CHAudHry Narowal

AIDS in Pakistan AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by a virus that affects the body’s immune system leading to its collapse and thus having the person vulnerable to a number of infections or cancers. These injection or caners are very unusual in any one whose immune system is working normally. But when they occur is person as a result of the AIDS virus. he is said to have AIDS. AIDS is recently the most advanced stage disease caused by this virus. The virus which causes AIDS is found primarily in the blood, semen or vaginal fluid of an infected person, and is spread when any of these substance enter another person’s body (blood storm) the virus has also be isolated in the laboratory from tears and saliva of same infected individuals AIDS is caused by a various names by Different groups of researchers human Lymphotropic Virus, type III – Lymphadenopathy associated virus.

Aids related virus internationally it is most commonly called the human immunodeficiency Virus (hIV) will be the term used Throushoot the reminder If this virus gets into the blood stream, it infects and destroys while blood cells called hapa.T.C, CUS these while blood cells are very important to the body’s immune system because they help direct the fight against disease. Once the cells are infected the immune system cannot function properly.

Infection with this virus does not always lead to AIDS. hIV may appear to remain in good health for a long time, it is not yet known now many people will go on to develop illness hIV spread. hIV is spread primarily in the blood. Semen or vaginal fluid of an infected person, and is spread when any one of these enters into another person’s body through. Sexual connect with an infected person, showing contaminated needles or syringe for the use of intravenous drugs.

An infected mother who transmits the virus to the baby before or at birth, or through breast feeding the transfusion of infected blood or blood products. There is no evidence that AIDS can be transmitted through air, water, food or caused body contact although the virus has been focused in vary small trees in tears, saliva.

There have been no cases to with these body fluids the amount of virus present may be too small to cause infection. no currently these are no drugs available anywhere that have been approved or that have been shown to care AIDS although the search for an effective treatment is being pursed languorously.

The Silent Spread of hIV in Pakistan, according to the reports the number of registered hIV AIDS patient in the federal capital 25,000, while 11,000, people in Punjab, 8000, people in Sindh 23, 70 peoples in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 13, 34 peoples in Balochistan registered for the disease.

It started that average annual death ratio of hIV patient was 6,400 in 2018; may 21, 2019 on national by health care at least 35 more cases of hIV were confirmed in the ongoing blood screening process.

TAHirA FArzANd Nursing instructor, PGCN, Lahore

Friday, 4 October, 2019

10 FOREIGN NEWS

Death toll rises to 19 as iraq protests spreaD across south BAGHDAD

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AGENCIES

HE death toll from mass rallies in Iraq against corruption and unemployment rose to 19 on Thursday, as the leaderless protest movement spread to virtually all of the south.

Braving live fire, tear gas and local curfews, Iraqis flooded the streets for a third day in the biggest challenge yet to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi.

The embattled premier ordered a ban on all movement across the capital starting at 5:00 am (0200 GMT), but dozens of protesters defied the order and gathered in Baghdad’s emblematic Tahrir (Liberation) Square.

“We slept here so the police don’t take the place,” one demonstrator told AFP before riot police fired into the air in a bid to disperse them.

The protests began in Baghdad on Tuesday but have since spread to cities across the mainly Shiite south.

On Thursday, medics and security sources told AFP that four protesters were shot dead in the southern city of Amarah, another in the province of Dhi Qar and a sixth in Nasiriyah. The deaths bring the overall toll from three days of demonstrations to 19, including one police officer, a figure confirmed by Iraq’s Human Rights Commission.

Nearly 800 protesters and security personnel have been wounded.

Focused on Aramco IPO after restoring oil output, says Saudi Arabia WASHINGTON AGENCIES

Saudi Arabia has fully restored oil output after attacks on its facilities last month and is now focused on the listing of Saudi Aramco, its energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said. The kingdom’s oil production capacity now stands at 11.3 million barrels per day, he told a Moscow energy conference on Thursday, adding: “We all rose to the challenge”. “We have stabilised production capacity, we are at 11.3… We still have the kit and the tools to overcome any future challenges.” The listing of Aramco is the centrepiece of Saudi Arabian plans to shake up its economy and diversify away from oil. Bankers from around 20 international and domestic financial institutions are now working on the company’s plan to sell 1 per cent of Aramco in Riyadh before an international sale in 2020 or 2021.

Bangladesh PM in New Delhi on 4-day visit, expected to sign trade, investment accords DHAKA AGENCIES

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Thursday for a four-day long visit during which she is expected to sign agreements on increasing trade and investment and improving regional connectivity. Hasina is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and is also scheduled to address a World Economic forum meeting. During her visit, Hasina is also expected to seek support for her country’s plan to push Myanmar to take back Rohingya Muslims who fled violence and repression there in what has become one of Asia’s largest refugee crises in decades.

Most of the Rohingya took refuge in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is looking for cooperation from India, China and Japan to speed up the process. An estimated 40,000 Rohingya also have taken refuge in parts of India.

Tensions have been exacerbated by a near-total internet blackout, the closure of government offices in Baghdad and calls by firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr for “a general strike.”

Before dawn twin explosions hit the Green Zone, where some ministries and embassies are located and which was struck by two rockets last week, a security source in the area told AFP. The apparent attack came hours after security forces sealed off the compound “until further notice” just a few months after reopening it to the public, fearing angry protesters would overrun it.

In the city of Kut, two protesters were killed overnight after they tried to storm a local government office, medics and security sources told AFP. Another two demonstrators died further south in Nasiriyah, scene of the deadliest violence so far.

Riot police have used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds in an attempt to force protesters away from main squares or government buildings.

The worst violence has taken place at night and Iraqis have braced themselves for larger gatherings once darkness falls on Thursday.

The previous evening in Baghdad, marches from different neighbourhoods attempted to converge on Tahrir Square.

But with internet access virtually shut off, demonstrators have struggled to communicate with each other or post footage of the latest clashes.

Approximately 75 percent of Iraq is “offline” after major network operators “intentionally restricted” access, according to cybersecurity monitor NetBlocks.

In the Shiite holy city of Najaf and in Nasiriyah on Wednesday, security forces fired on protesters and announced curfews. The protests appear to be largely spontaneous so far, with angry crowds carrying Iraqi flags and shunning any involvement by the country’s main political players.

Many traditional figures have ex-

pressed their support for the movement, with Sadr urging “peaceful demonstrations.”

He was behind the last round of major protests in Baghdad in 2016, when his supporters stormed the Green Zone, but his involvement appears much more limited this time.

On Wednesday night, the top United Nations official in Iraq, Jeanine HennisPlasschaert, met with some protesters in Baghdad to call for “direct dialogue” between them and government officials.

Facebook suffers legal blow in EU court over hate speech SILICON VALLEY AGENCIES

Facebook on Wednesday was dealt a major blow in the EU’s top court, which ruled that national courts in Europe can order online platforms to remove defamatory content worldwide.

In a closely watched judgment, the European Court of Justice said EU law “does not preclude” courts from ordering “the removal of information or to block access worldwide,” a statement said.

The decision will be seen as a victory for EU regulators, who are ambitious to see US tech giants meet tightened European standards over hate speech and offensive content.

Last week, the same court decided that Google was not legally

compelled to apply the EU’s strict “right to be forgotten” rules globally, in a victory for the search giant.

The latest case was brought originally to an Austrian court by Greens party politician Eva Glawischnig, who requested the removal of Facebook posts that the judges found defamed her and could be seen by users of the social network around the world.

A higher Austrian court referred the case to the EU’s top court for an opinion and the judgment, which cannot be appealed, will now be used as a reference Europe-wide.

In addition to the deletion of messages, the Greens had demanded Facebook provide information to determine the identity of people in fictitious accounts that often carried the most virulent comments.

The original complaint concerns messages from one of these fictitious accounts, which according to the Greens, had called Eva Glawischnig a “corrupt” person and which the social network refused to delete.

With the decision, Facebook and similar platforms such as Twitter, face a greater obligation to monitor their content and take down content found to be offensive or hateful.

EU-wide, so far online giants that also include Google’s Youtube, have agreed to voluntarily takedown hateful or dangerous content, including those linked to terrorism, within 24 hours.

However, the EU is expected to propose tougher Europe-wide measures that could include fines if Facebook and others fail to comply with orders.

Lake Maracaibo polluted by a permanent black tide CARACAS AGENCIES

Smelling like an oil refinery, the vast expanse of Lake Maracaibo has become polluted by its own reserves of crude as Venezuela’s economic collapse has left wells and pipelines in ruin.

This huge body of water, in the country’s northwest, covers 13,200 square kilometers (5,000 square miles) and empties into the Caribbean, but it is covered by what locals call a “permanent black tide.”

It’s a hazard not just to the lake’s fauna and flora, but also to the livelihoods of the people who rely on its wildlife. Fisherman Giovanny Villarreal says much of his daily catch goes to waste.

“Half of our catch reeks of oil.

As no-one buys it, we throw it back

into the water,” he said, displaying a basket of crabs.

His home in Cabimas on the lake’s eastern shore is built on stilts to guard against flooding, but the family suffers from other problems.

“Sometimes we can’t sleep for the smell of gas produced by the oil,” said Villarreal. “It gets into our lungs, especially the children.”

The pollution is visible everywhere. The water is fluorescent green while the shores are dotted with thick black gunk. High up in a palm tree, a bird haplessly tries to clean its wings of sticky oil. “Look, thanks to the southern wind, there’s oil everywhere,” said Paul, a fisherman neighbor of Villarreal’s who declined to give his surname.

His boat’s hull is covered with a coat of oil while his fishing nets have

turned black. “When we go out fishing, we come back stained by oil,” he said. “What makes it even worse for our health is that we wash with petrol to remove the oil.” Ironically, the oil that sits deep underground beneath the lake is how Maracaibo, Venezuela’s second city, and the surrounding area made its fortune.

NO ONE LISTENS TO US: Venezuela’s oil production stood at 3.2 million barrels a day 10 years ago, it’s now down to less than one million. The oil price crash of 2008 hit the sector hard, as have US sanctions and a lack of infrastructure investment. Lake Maracaibo has been badly affected.

“We’re producing 160,000 barrels a day, that’s a sixth of the production from just six years ago,” said Ochoa.

“The ability to preserve the right to protest is a sign of political and democratic maturity. Moreover, the use of force only fuels the anger,” she said in a statement.

“De-escalation is urgently needed.”

The violence has drawn criticism from Iraqi President Barham Saleh, and parliament has demanded an investigation. The protests follow months of simmering frustration over chronic power cuts, water shortages and state corruption.

But anger over youth unemployment, which stands at around 25 percent, or double the overall rate, according to the World Bank, appears to have set off this particular round of demonstrations.

“We want jobs and better public services. We’ve been demanding them for years and the government has never responded,” said Abdallah Walid, a 27year-old protester.

Demonstrations over similar issues engulfed the southern city of Basra last summer and effectively ended Abdel Mahdi’s predecessor Haider al-Abadi’s chances of a second term.

The incumbent now faces a similar challenge just weeks before his government completes a year in power.

He called for the curfew after convening his national security council for an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

Abdel Mahdi has blamed the violence on “aggressors who… deliberately created casualties,” a statement that infuriated protesters.

Killer Japanese fungus found in Australia PERTH: One of the world’s deadliest fungi has been discovered in Australia’s far north for the first time — thousands of miles from its native habitat in the mountains of Japan and Korea. The Poison Fire Coral fungus was discovered in a suburb of Cairns by a local photographer and subsequently identified by scientists, James Cook University announced Thursday. Several people have died in Japan and Korea after mistaking the bright red fungi for edible mushrooms that are used in traditional medicine, and brewing it into a tea. James Cook University mycologist Matt Barrett, who confirmed the identity of the toxic mushroom found in Australia, said the discovery extends its known distribution “considerably”. Poison Fire Coral is the only known mushroom with toxins that can be absorbed through the skin, and causes a “horrifying” array of symptoms if eaten, including vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and numbness. If left untreated, it can cause multiple organ failure or brain damage leading to death. AGENCIES

Voter says Canada party head should cut off turban to look Canadian TORONTO: The head of a Canadian political party, who is Sikh, was interrupted at a Montreal market on Wednesday by a passerby who told him to take off his turban to “look like a Canadian,” according to video seen on TV. Jagmeet Singh, the head of the New Democratic Party and a member of the Canadian parliament, is a practicing Sikh who is known for his colourful turbans. He is the first leader of a Canadian federal political party who is an ethnic minority. Singh was meeting with voters at a public market when an older man stopped him. “You know what?

You should cut your turban off. You’ll look like a Canadian,” the man told Singh.

“Oh, I think Canadians look like all sorts of people. That’s the beauty of Canada,” the left-leaning politician replied. “In Rome, you do as the Romans do,” the member of the public told Singh, who was born in Canada. AGENCIES

Friday, 4 October, 2019

BUSINESS 11

Egyptian companiEs mull invEsting $1bn in pakistan ISLAMABAD

E

EGYPTIAN BUSINESSMEN LAUD IMRAN KHAN'S LEADERSHIP, SAY THEY ARE KEEN TO INVEST IN PAKISTAN'S ENERGY SECTOR, PM'S HOUSING SCHEME

STAFF REPORT

GYPTIAN businessmen on Thursday expressed confidence in the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his businessfriendly policies, saying that the Egyptian companies were keen to invest heavily in Pakistan.

A delegation of leading Egyptian businessmen had called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. "The business community of Egypt fully recognises the vision and leadership qualities of PM Imran Khan and wants to contribute in translating his vision of Naya Pakistan into reality," they maintained.

The delegation, which was highly appreciative of the prime minister's speech during the 74th session of UN General Assembly, said the way Imran Khan raised his voice with argument for the protection of the rights of Muslims was laudable.

El Sewedy Electric, a renowned Egyptian company, on the occasion expressed its intention of investing $500 million in Pakistan's energy sector. The delegation members stated that the Egyptian companies were keen to in-

vest up to $1 billion in Pakistan over the next one year in the energy sector as well as the prime minister's five million housing project.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while welcoming the interest shown by Egyptian companies to invest $1 billion in Pakistan, said that the government would fully facilitate Egyptian investors and en-

PM’s China visit to focus on CPEC expansion: minister ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of China Yao Jing called on Planning, Development & Reform Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar on Thursday to discuss the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China. The two dignitaries expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen the friendly ties between the two strategic partners. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan and Planning Secretary Zafar Hasan were also present in the meeting.The planning minister said that the upcoming visit would further bolster bilateral trade and economic ties between the two neighbours. He stated that during the visit, expansion of the CPEC framework, including cooperation in agriculture, industrial and socio-economic sectors, would be discussed. “China is a close and strategic partner of Pakistan and bilateral partnership between the two countries will continue to set new benchmarks in future. It is in this backdrop that Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting China,” the minister maintained. He stated that CPEC offers enormous potential to boost national economy and reduce poverty. The pace of CPEC projects has accelerated ever since the incumbent government came into power, he added. Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing appreciated the planning minister for gearing up the momentum on CPEC portfolio. He expressed satisfaction on the pace of CPEC projects and said that ongoing phase of CPEC would bring about socio-economic benefits for the people of Pakistan.

During the meeting, various CPEC projects, including the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Karachi-Peshawar Main-Line 1 and upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, which would be held in Islamabad in November, were also discussed. STAFF REPORT

trepreneurs so that they could carry out profitable trade activities in the country.

The PM noted that there was huge potential to translate the existing brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries into strong economic ties.

He called for the promotion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries at all levels so that the common

challenges faced at the international level, particularly the negative propaganda against Islam, could be tackled.

Appreciating the services of Egypt's Jamia Al-Azhar, the PM said that in order to tackle the challenges faced by Islam, there was a need to further promote cooperation among Islamic countries in the area of education. Highlighting Pakistan's new energy policy, he said that the incumbent government has been striving hard to promote renewable energy sector, adding the interest shown by Egyptian companies in this regard was encouraging.

The prime minister, while talking about the health sector said, "Since the present government had the vision of a disease-free Pakistan, there is also a need to have enhanced Pak-Egypt cooperation in the area of healthcare."

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Egyptian Ambassador in Pakistan Ahmed Fadel Yacoub, Special Assistant to PM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Anwar Ali Haider and Board of Investment Chairman Zubair Gillani were present on the occasion.

Pakistan, Egypt agree to enhance agricultural ties ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Egyptian businessmen, led by Ambassador Ahmed Fadel Yacoub, called on National Food Security & Research Minister Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan on Thursday to discuss matters pertaining to investment in the agri-food sector. The minister noted that Pakistan and Egypt shared common agricultural traditions, stressing the need for exchange of research & techniques between the two countries. “Pakistan imports two-thirds of its required DAP from various countries; Egypt is welcome for any joint venture to establish a plant in Pakistan,” he suggested.

“Pakistan can benefit from Egyptian research and development in various crops like cotton.” Envoy Fadel Yacoub said Pakistan could consider the acknowledgement of scholarships from Egyptian agriculture universities. He stressed the need for a visit of Pakistan’s agricultural specialists & scientists to the pioneer agriculture research centres of Egypt so that opportunities in the field of agriculture, particularly agriculture research, could be furthered. STAFF REPORT

MARKET DAILY

Jazz refutes AGP's report, PSX surges on higher says Warid merger legal volumes, KSE-100 'JAZZ RECENTLY PAID $224.5M AS PARTIAL LICENCE FEE TO PTA FOR gains 388 points RENEWAL OF WARID'S LICENCE' KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Bulls dominated the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) once again on Thursday, as the indices continued to move in the upward trajectory while volumes inflated to the highest level witnessed this year.

Foreign investors, on the other hand, turned out to be net sellers on Wednesday with a net sale of $1.21 million.

As per media reports, heads of the country’s leading business houses met with Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa to highlight their concerns regarding Pakistan’s economy.

According to the latest figures released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), inflation surged to 11.40pc in September 2019, an increase of 0.9pc when compared with the preceding month.

Meanwhile, the cement sector posted a growth of 11.50pc in September. Domestic sales surged by 11.58pc while exports rose by 11.60pc. Cement sales stood at 4.27 metric tonnes in September 2019, compared to

3.83MT in September 2018.

The KSE-100 Index marked its intraday high of 32,833.54 after gaining 470.19 points. It closed higher by 388.90 points at 32,752.25. The KMI-30 Index gathered 746.30 points to settle at 52,254.84, while the KSE All Share Index gained 258.48 points, ending at 23,794.56.

The overall market volumes were recorded at 324.26 million (highest in 2019).

K-Electric Limited (KEL +9.07pc) topped the volume chart followed by Unity Foods Limited (UNITY +7.58pc) and Dost Steels Limited (DSL +28.49pc). the scripts had traded 35.77 million shares, 22.75 million shares and 11.87 million shares respectively.

The sector that kept the KSE-100 Index bullish included banking (+90.04 points), cement (+65.11 points) and fertiliser (+55.11 points). Among the companies, Habib Bank Limited (HBL +31.05 points), Lucky Cement Limited (LUCK +27.55 points) and Engro Corporation Limited (ENGRO +23.58 points) contributed maximum points to the index.

Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited (Jazz), in its clarification regarding the Auditor General of Pakistan’s report that questioned the merger of Warid into Mobilink, has stated the merger was in line with the rule of law and that all involved authorities accorded the requisite approvals at the time.

“According to regulations, operating licences of two mobile operators cannot be merged, which is why Jazz accepted all financial liabilities and responsibilities of Warid Telecom.

Under this understanding, Jazz recently offered $291 million and paid $224.5 million as partial licence fee payment to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for renewal of Warid's

licence,” Jazz spokesperson said.

It is pertinent to mention that in the audit year 2017-18, the AGP had found the merger of Warid into Mobilink “in violation to the laws and regulations of the PTA)”, alleging that not only undue favour was awarded to Mobilink but the illegal merger also caused a loss to the national exchequer.

“PTA had allowed merging the services of both companies but the licences were not merged,” the audit revealed.

“This shows that Mobilink availed the benefit by operating two licences and spectrums without paying the additional cost/fee to PTA.” The AGP further noted that the future status of the licence issued to Warid Telecom was not taken into consideration despite the fact that Warid Telecom’s licence was expiring in 2019. “So an attempt to allow undue advantage to the telecoms was made as the national exchequer was deprived of the renewal fee.” BuSinESS dESk

SBP reserves plunge 8.5pc to stand at $7.7bn The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan plunged 8.54pc on a weekly basis, slipping below the $8 billion mark, according to data released by the central bank on Thursday.

On September 27, the foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $7,741.6 million, down $723.7 million compared with

$8,465.3 million in the previous week. The decline in reserves was on account of debt repayments by the government, SBP added.

The overall liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $15,003.7 million.

Net reserves held by banks amounted to $7,262.1 million.

Oil extends losses to near two-month low as economic gloom weighs NEW YORK AGEnCiES

Oil fell more than 1pc on Thursday, extending the week's losses as markets were pressured by concerns about weakening global economic growth and oil demand, as well as by signs of excess supply despite OPEC-led cuts.

The global Brent benchmark and US crude tumbled to the lowest level seen since early August, plunging lower as weak US economic figures were released.

US services sector growth slowed to its most anemic pace in three years last

month, and job growth in the largest slice of the American economy was the weakest in half a decade, a survey of purchasing managers showed.

Eurozone business growth stalled in September, a survey on Thursday showed, a day after the US announced import tariffs on European Union products. US crude inventories rose 3.1 million barrels last week, more than forecast.

"It is simply impossible to predict where the next significant price support will come from as the focus is firmly on economic developments," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM.

"And those are anything but optimistic,' he added.

Brent crude LCOc1 fell 82 cents to $56.87 a barrel by 10:38 a.m. EDT (1438 GMT), after touching $56.15, its lowest since Aug 7. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 was down $1.03 at $51.61, after hitting a session low at $50.99.

Lending oil some support were hopes that the United States and China might make progress in resolving their trade dispute and figures showing output in the United States - which has been the fastest source of supply growth - fell in July.

"Next week US-China trade talks remain the unknown variable which could lend a modicum of support," said Stephen Innes, market strategist at AxiTrader. The talks are set to resume on Oct 10.

This year, Brent has risen about 7pc, supported by supply cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, plus involuntary outages such as a drop in Iranian and Venezuelan exports due to US sanctions.

Nonetheless, concern about the worsening economic outlook has overshadowed support from the supply side and

the prospect of further output disruption in the Middle East appears of limited concern to investors.

Brent spiked to $72 a barrel on Sept 16 following attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil installations that shut more than half of the country’s output. But both oil benchmarks are now below their pre-attack levels after the Saudi authorities resumed output.

"Crude oil does not want to price a geopolitical premium," said Olivier Jakob, analyst at Petromatrix. "With the lack of strong economic data, it is difficult to develop a bullish theme."

Friday, 4 October, 2019

12 BUSINESS CORPORATE CORNER

LAHORE: Fatima Group’s Fertilizer Division Director and Advisor to CEO Muhammad Abad Khan addresses a ceremony organised by Fatima Fertilizer. PRESS RElEASE

KARACHI: USAID Chief Financial Adviser Sheraz Ashraf and Senior Executive Vice-President Tariq Jamali, along with their team, recently paid a visit to the National Bank of Pakistan’s head office. PRESS RElEASE

Monsoon Tree Plantation Drive launched in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: With its commitment to the Prime Minister’s ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ initiative, the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) and the Ministry of Climate Change along with Nestlé Pakistan kicked-off the Monsoon Tree Plantation campaign at Ankara Park, Islamabad. Speaking on the occasion, Nestlé Pakistan Chief Executive Officer Samer Chedid said, “We appreciate prime minister’s efforts towards a ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ and are fully committed towards this initiative. Since March, we have planted 25,000 trees across the country and are dedicated to achieving our target of 50,000 trees by Spring 2020 in partnership with Clean Green Pakistan.” Malik Amin Aslam, Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change, highlighted, “I would like to acknowledge and thank Nestlé Pakistan for their commitment towards Clean Green Pakistan and I am delighted to continue this partnership as it will help us to meet our objectives and add to the green cover of the country. PRESS RElEASE

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to PM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar and Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri co-chair a meeting to mutually granularise the eligibility criteria of the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships Scheme, one of the important Ehsaas initiatives. PRESS RElEASE

ministEr dEfEnds powEr tariff hikE, slams pml-n for flawEd policiEs

p

BUSINESS DESK

OWER Minister Omar Ayub Khan said on Thursday that the recent hike in power tariff would have no bearing on 75 per cent of the domestic consumers.

Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, he said the increase would help the government fetch a revenue of Rs80 billion.

Slamming the policies of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government, the minister said the power tariff was kept unchanged for about a year and a half only to win over voters.

He reiterated that the government would spend Rs25 billion on the improvement of the power system.

The minister mentioned that the flow of circular debt has reduced from Rs38 billion per month

In one of the decisions on Wednesday, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet "approved the additional charge of Rs0.30 per unit" for all consumers of electricity except residential consumers of less than 300 units per month, said an official statement.

In another decision, the NEPRA approved an increase of Rs1.66 per unit under automatic monthly fuel price adjustment for electricity consumed in August to generate about Rs23 billion in additional revenue to the power distribution companies.

NEPRA Chairman Tauseef H Farooqi had confirmed at a public hearing that the regulator was asked at the highest level to allow tariff increase of an average 53-paisa per unit. He said the NEPRA team had worked day and night to deliver on commitments given to the IMF.

KSA restores full oil output after attacks, focused on Aramco IPO MOSCOW AGEnCiES

Saudi Arabia has fully restored oil output after attacks on its facilities last month and is now focused on the listing of state oil giant Saudi Aramco, its energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Thursday.

The kingdom’s crude oil production capacity is now 11.3 million barrels per day, he said, adding that the attacks, which halved the crude output of the world’s top exporter, were an attempt to ruin Saudi Arabia’s reputation as “a reliable, secure and dependable oil supplier”. “We all rose to the challenge,” he told a Moscow energy conference.

The Sept 14 attacks targeted the Abqaiq and the Khurais oil plants, causing a spike in oil prices, fires and damage and shutting down 5.7 million bpd of production, or more than 5pc of global oil supply.

Saudi Arabia has managed to maintain supplies to customers at levels before the attacks by drawing from its huge oil inventories and offering other crude grades from other

fields, Saudi officials have said.

“We have stabilized production capacity, we are at 11.3 (million bpd)... We still have the kit and the tools to overcome any future challenges,” Prince Abdulaziz said.

One of challenges for the kingdom now was the listing of Aramco, a centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s plans to reform its economy and diversify away from oil, he added.

“We want to make sure that it is the most successful IPO,” he said, adding that the kingdom is working on diversifying its energy resources and adding both renewables and nuclear power. “As far as I am concerned... we moved on, we flipped the page and (are) rising up to the new challenge,” he said.

Bankers from around 20 international and domestic financial institutions are now working a plan to sell about 1-2pc of Aramco by 2020-2021 in Riyadh, before an international listing, sources have told Reuters.

Prince Abdulaziz, a veteran oil official and a son of the king, was last month named as the kingdom’s energy minister.

‘CPEC energy projects to generate 11,000MW power by 2026’ ISLAMABAD APP

KARACHI: Hamdard Foundation Pakistan President Sadia Rashid confers a certificate on a student to recognise her performance in the Matric and Intermediate Examinations of Karachi Board. PRESS RElEASE

to Rs35 billion within a span of three months.

"There is no load-shedding on 80 per cent of the feeders, while the government is taking steps to control electricity theft and introduce new renewable energy projects in the country," he stated, adding that the incumbent government was bearing the brunt of flawed policies of the past.

"All our steps are as per the laws of the land."

Khan cleared that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is an independent power regulator, operating without any kind of pressure.

It is pertinent to mention that in dramatic shocks to power consumers, the government on Wednesday increased electricity tariff by a cumulative Rs2.50 per unit ahead of first quarterly review with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment Chief Executive Hassan Dawood Bhat said on Thursday that electricity generation through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects would reach 11,000 megawatts by the year 2026.

“This will help cater to the increasing energy needs of the future,” he said while talking to APP, adding that CPEC was leading the country towards new heights of progress and prosperity.

He said that Pakistan was fast becoming a

business-friendly country as evident from the World Bank’s recent report, which included Pakistan among top 20 business reformers of 2019.

He attributed this progress to the CPEC, under which the government has accorded top priority to the industrial sector.

He said that Pakistan has opened its doors for international investors and has been facilitating businesses and investment in the country.

He said that it has been clarified in the joint working group of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform that Rashakai Special Economic Zone would be built under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Amer Tufail appointed as SNGPL managing director The Board of Directors of the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) has assigned the charge of managing director to Amer Tufail following the retirement of Mahmood Zia. The notification of giving additional charge of MD to Amer Tufail, deputy managing director of the SNGPL, was issued on Thursday as per the BoD decision. Mahmood Ahmad Zia had been appointed as SNGPL MD earlier this year. He worked for the past 31 years in distribution, construction, operations and maintenance of gas pipeline departments of the company. BuSiEnESS dESk

Sh Rasheed inaugurates new freight train in Karachi Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Thursday inaugurated a new freight train in Karachi, Radio Pakistan reported. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Sheikh Rasheed said, “During the first year of the incumbent government, the traffic of freight trains has been doubled while the number of passenger of Pakistan Railways has also been increased.” The minister vowed the speed of the passenger trains would be enhanced to 200 kilometres per hour. “A new signal system on the railway lines will also be launched soon.” Earlier in the day, Sheikh Rasheed had claimed that Pakistan Railways would run bullet trains in the country under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure. BSuinESS dESk

PM's adviser stresses need to unlock SME potential ISLAMABAD APP

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood said on Thursday that the 'Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP)' programme had come at the most appropriate time when Pakistan was geared toward the finalisation of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Policy.

Speaking to the participants of the first stakeholders' consultation on GRASP, the adviser said that the small and medium enterprises make up the bulk of businesses in Pakistan, hence in order to achieve

coherent, broad-based and sustainable economic growth, there was a need to focus on SMEs and unlock the potential in livestock and horticulture besides other sectors in the country.

He also appreciated the European Union's support for Pakistan's development, especially through GSP-plus and various other development programmes.

The adviser underlined that GRASP would strengthen SMEs in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan which are associated with livestock, dairy and horticulture.

He also emphasised that livestock, dairy and horticulture, which account for 70pc of value-

added agriculture, have particularly strong potential for growth, climate adaptation and increased participation of women.

"SMEs in these sectors face major challenges," he noted.

Milko Van Gool, Head of Development Cooperation of EU in Pakistan said, "GRASP aligns with the rural development and economic cooperation initiatives of the EU in Pakistan as it would help SMEs in horticulture, livestock and dairy sectors become more competitive by making improvements at all levels of the value chains.

"These consultations would help in adapting to the federal and

provincial context in Pakistan for maximum impact on the lives of people in Sindh and Baluchistan."

International Trade Centre's Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Chief Robert Skidmore highlighted that the contributions of development partners would help Pakistan achieve a measurable reduction in poverty and increase in economic growth, besides creation of more job opportunities.

ITC officials Olivier Marty and Owais Khan were also present. The nine-month inception phase of the project began in June 2019. This project is funded by EU in Pakistan and is implemented by ITC.

5 EatEriEs to try in DHa LaHorE tHat wErE away froM your sigHt

M

By Rohama Riaz

OST of us are in severe pang of guilt for the fact that we never heard of these few amazingly delicious food outlets and our busy and hectic schedules do not let us enjoy our “free time” in the most coziest places around the town. At the same time, most of us are guilt-

tripped for not trying these best places in the vicinity and probably there is a big possibility that we did not even know about them. It is time to get out of this blame game because The Daily Paperazzi has got some top of the range food places that are away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life at Lahore and we are here at your service to provide you a few glimpses from the best eateries that are scrummy and nummy at

the same time with definitely the best ambiance.

Please do not forget that theses places are located in Phase 6 & 8 of DHA, Lahore; a little far away from the mainstream food courts in Defence phase 1,2,3 or 5.

We have chosen 5 restaurants and we are sure that you are going to love these restaurants that are a real fusion of desi, Continental and Chinese cuisines etc.

PATLI GALI

SLATE EATERY

HASHTAGCHAICAFE

After searching a lot on Foodies R Us, I got to know about this over-hyped place that is home to best desi cuisine. If you are dying to give your taste buds some real touch of traditional food; this place has got you covered. We loved their appetizer serving which was the Zeera water served in small shot glasses. The scrumptious shots were accompanied by a finger-licking Qeema Naan as an appetizer.

For the desi cuisine loves, you are going to love their delicous chicken Karahi and Palak Paneer.

Who else does not love big chunks of paneer?

Well, we all do (secretly). The Daily Paperazzi’s best was the Tomato Paneer.

The story does not end here. Later on, we were served with hot Lamb chops along with Beef Cheese Burger.

Since each food is incomplete without some meetha and that too in a traditional style, yes, we were provided with some delicious gulabjamun that were a total bliss at the end.

In our opinion; The staff was extremely helpful, friendly and they knew how to make their customers feel comfortable.

This is a 10\10 from our side, people. Go and check it out if you haven’t already.

It rarely happens to have s o m e restaurants w i t h mind-blowing good techniques learnt from some highly engaging international courses on cooking and hotel management; This is what Sara (the head chef) has brought to her eatery. We remember the time when we saw her being super kind to her customers because there was some issue with the food. It is high time that we started understanding that customer is always right (no matter what).

Now coming back to their blissful menu; their classic cinnamon and chocolate-dipped Churros are a pure haven.

If we talk about their Lotus Biscoff Sundae, then, hands down this is definitely the best ice cream I have ever tried so far. The best part about this eatery is their extraordinary service into putting an extra effort and bring the best on table along with extremly reasonable prices. With the government changing and ruining our budget, places like Slate are always here to keep us sane whenever we want to get into a good food coma.

Chai- Yes, at first, this was the word that instantly took my attention. I will not lie that the best thing about the place was definitely a cup of chai but I cannot just completely ignore the much hyped Hi-Tea platter that is a perfect order for two. Easy on the pocket and fulfilling at the same time; these are the two things that totally lack in most of the restaurants but this place has not disappointed us at all.

T h i s place is highly recommended for a great and economical get-together. The ambiance and customer service is the best part of this place.

DONJON PIZZA

Starting from a lavish drink called Angel Eye drink (mini shots) and proceeding to some best seller in their restaurant; guess what was the first dish? It was Tempura prawns. Never in my bad dreams, I would experience seafood except for fish. But, they were kind enough to replace that with some succulent Cordon Bleu along with a mustard sauce. Yes, I liked that. We totally loved their drinks i.e. Revitalizer and Gobbler. The mouthwatering session ended with our favorite signature Three Milk Cake and Cheese cake dipped in strawberry sauce.

Overall, it was a great experience. Always remember, the good service can overshadow any mishaps that happen in a restaurant and from our side, their service gets 9\10.

After people’s huge recommendation, we had to try this over-hyped place and to our surprise, it was not bad at all. We got to try their Fajita, Donjon Classic, Donjon Signature, and Beef Pepperoni. The only thing that they need to learn is how to interact with their customers. Yes, their unprofessional behavior put me off but, I really hope that they would work towards it but regardless of what happened; their pizzas definitely deserve a try and we are pretty sure that you are going to love each from their different varieties.

HOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

BLVD 56

Stay tuned for more honest reviews at The Daily Paperazzi.

There's a word for animals with partial pigment loss. Albinism is the congenital absence of any pigmentation or coloration, but leucism is a different rare condition where some pattern or color remains.

Two-Buck Chuck once won a top wine award.

Trader Joe's 2002 Charles Shaw Shiraz beat out 2,300 other wines to win a prestigious double gold medal at the 28th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition, so don't feel bad stocking up on the bargain brand.

If Facebook was a country, it would have 1 billion more people than China.

At 2.3 billion monthly users, Facebook dwarves China's (1.4 billion) and India's (1.3 billion) populations. Even Instagram has three times as many people as the U.S. now. The United Kingdom's 66 million people stands on par with Twitter.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Reveals New Character

Spider-Man Saved Thanks To Tom Holland Ranveer Singh gifts himself a Rs 3 cr and Jon Watts Lamborghini, goes for a spin

Disney reveals first look at a new character for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with Babu Frik.

The character is described a “tiny droidsmith” who “works among the Spice Runners of Kijimi and can reprogram or modify virtually any droid, regardless of the security measures protecting its systems.”

Droids known to be in the movie include BB-8 and the new "pet" droid D/O, so possibly Babu Frik could be involved with reprogramming one of those or a First Order droid such as BB-9E. Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker gets released December 20, 2019 directed by J.J. Abrams and stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, and Billy Dee Williams. Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga.

Spider-Man is officially back in the MCU, for at least Spidey 3 and one more Marvel movie, and fans have Tom Holland and director Jon Watts to thank.

Regarding Tom Holland, the 23-year-old actor is reported to have made multiple appeals to both Disney and Sony. Worth a note is that following the Spider-Man announcement, Tom Holland was also announced to star in the new Sony Uncharted film.

It's said Tom Holland appealed to both Disney CEO Bob Iger and Sony film chairman Tom Rothman during the negotiations to get Spider-Man back in the MCU, which followed talks breaking down in August.

According to THR, Tom Holland began flexing his Spidey muscles following the D23 Expo, and he leaned on Sony's Tom Rothman to restart talks with Disney, as it is said talks were considered dead, but since Holland has a bit of clout due to the Uncharted film, he pushed Rothman to reopen negotiations.

Likewise, Holland performed a bold move when he contacted Iger to get involved in talks with Sony as well.

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Actor Ranveer Singh has bought a new mean machine and was seen drivig the red car on Mumbai roads. The actor is now the owner of a red Lamborghini Urus and was spotted in a jolly mood as he took to the steering wheel in a matching velvet hat.

The stylish car comes at a price of around Rs 3 crore in India and is called world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle. It was spotted without a permanent registration number as the actor took it out on its maiden ride.

Ranveer was spotted during the day at filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s office. He was in sky blue pants and hoodie along with quirky shades and had a boombox by his side. His wife and actor Deepika Padukone was also seen in the city at a dubbing studio. She was in a vest and loose denims with a beige overcoat.

The couple have a lot to celebrate this year. While Ranveer’s Gully Boy has been announced as India’s official entry for the Oscars, Deepika is the only Bollywood actress to have made it to the Business of Fashion list.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

14 SPORTS

KLopp demAnds more As sALAh sAVes LiVerpooL from sALZburg shoCK

L

Willian grabs Chelsea winner as Lampard hails impact of young stars chelsea

london

Agencies

Agencies

Willian's brilliant late strike gave Chelsea a precious 21 win away to Lille on Wednesday that they will hope kickstarts their Champions League campaign, but it was the young stars in Frank Lampard's side who stole the show again. The Brazilian volleyed home in the 78th minute to decide the game under the roof at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on what was his 300th appearance for the club. Tammy Abraham had earlier put Chelsea in front on his 22nd birthday with his eighth goal already this season, only for Victor Osimhen to equalise for Lille. Chelsea are now off the mark in Group H after losing at home to Valencia a fortnight ago, although it is Ajax who continue to top the section with a maximum six points. "Overall it was a good game. It's never an easy place to play. Give it to the team, what a fantastic performance," Abraham told BT Sport. Lampard's team face Ajax next and will do so with renewed belief after this victory. "It is such a tough place -- the roof was on, the crowd were up for it, the speed in their team and on the counter-attack especially was very evident, so we had to be ready for it and I thought our performance was really good," said Lampard. It was a game decided by one of the most experienced players on the pitch but which was bristling with exciting young talent as these clubs adjust to seeing their standout players -- Eden Hazard on one side, Nicolas Pepe on the other -- depart in the close season. Lampard fielded two 24-year-olds as well as four more players aged 22 or under in his line-up here, as teenager Reece James started as a right wingback in a 3-4-1-2 system. James only made his top-team debut for the club a week ago in a League Cup tie against fourth-tier Grimsby Town. His secondhalf replacement, Callum Hudson-Odoi, set up the winner. "This isn't a game for niceties, we have to go and win these matches and improve all the time and there were loads of signs of team improvement tonight, and individuals," Lampard added. "The young players are responding and they have to keep doing it because the Champions League level is something else." Much has been made of Lampard's promotion of youth this season in response to Chelsea's transfer ban, although their team here also featured N'Golo Kante, with the France midfielder returning from his latest spell out.

Indeed, the average age of Chelsea's team at kick-off was actually a year older than that of Lille.

IVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp believes even the European champions have plenty of room for improvement after surviving a huge Champions League scare to beat Salzburg 4-3 after blowing a three-goal lead.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring against his former club before Andy Robertson and Salah put the holders in command inside the first 36 minutes before Salzburg bared their teeth.

The Austrian champions' teenage striking sensation Erling Braut Haaland was only fit enough for a place on the bench, but they still packed a punch going forward and were rewarded when Hwang Hee-Chan pulled a goal back just before half-time.

Takumi Minamino and Haaland, just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, then brought Salzburg level on the hour mark.

However, Salah had the final word as the Egyptian smashed home the winner 21 minutes from time.

"We opened the door and they were running through, chasing through the door," said Klopp.

"It's better to learn the lessons during the game than talk about it after it.

"It was a very important lesson for us to learn.

I knew before we have to improve and now everyone knows."

Liverpool were under pressure to make fortress Anfield count after losing 2-0 to Napoli on matchday one.

Klopp's men lost all three of their away group games last season, but won all three of their home games to sneak through before going on to win the competition for a sixth time.

SLICK ATTACKING FOOTBALL: Normal service looked set to be resumed as the holders roared into a 3-0 lead thanks to some slick attacking football.

"I thought we were outstanding in the first 30 minutes," added Klopp.

"The momentum changed and it was really difficult to get a foot in the game. We had to wait until they had scored the third goal, then we were

able to strike back."

The Reds are well aware of Salzburg's pedigree of developing fine young players, and it was one of their former alumni that opened the scoring as Mane exchanged passes with Roberto Firmino before slotting into the far corner.

Another fine team move made it 2-0 as one full-back, Trent Alexander Arnold, crossed for another in Robertson to convert just his second ever Liverpool goal like a striker.

Salah was then on hand to finish from close range after Cican Stankovic could only parry Firmino's header back into the danger area.

Salzburg have now scored 51 goals in their first 12 games this season and were given hope as Liverpool eased off the accelerator towards the end of the first half.

The visitors' fightback began in earnest when Hwang left Virgil van Dijk on the floor as the South Korean turned inside and fired into the far corner.

Klopp was growing visibly frustrated on the touchline as his side failed to cope with Salzburg's pressing and incisive passing through midfield and even the German could not find a solution at halftime as Salzburg came out flying.

The second Salzburg goal was coming and finally arrived when Minamino volleyed in from Hwang's cross.

Haaland, who scored a hat-trick on his Champions League debut in the 6-2 thrashing of Genk on matchday one, was then introduced and instantly offered an even more direct threat.

The Norwegian should have scored when he fired into the side-netting with just Adrian to beat, but moments later the 19-year-old tapped in at the back post after a purposeful break from the impressive Minamino.

Anfield was shocked, but not silenced and the home fans helped rouse the Liverpool into a response of champions.

Salah was quickest to react to a Firmino knockdown inside the area and smashed past the onrushing Stankovic to restore Liverpool's lead and secure a vital three points.

"At 3-3 we had put a lot into it, maybe our guys were a little bit tired and it's an incredible team we're playing against," said Salzburg's American manager Jesse Marsch.

"The important thing is to learn from this loss to give ourselves a chance to get out of this group."

Messi denies Barcelona rifts after Inter victory Barcelona Agencies

Ziyech stunner helps Ajax ease past Valencia Tirin Agencies

Hakim Ziyech's brilliant goal sent Ajax on their way to an impressive 3-0 victory at Valencia on Wednesday as last season's semi-finalists took control of Champions League Group H. Ziyech's stunning strike gave Ajax an eighth-minute lead at Mestalla, before Daniel Parejo missed a penalty for the hosts and Quincy Promes made it two. An excellent team goal, finished off by Donny van de Beek, capped another eye-catching display by Ajax as they continued to make light of losing Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt to Barcelona and Juventus in the close season respectively. "In the first half, Valencia were much better, in my eyes. We didn't defend well," the 22-year-old Van de Beek told uefa.com. "The second half was much better -- we made nice goals and winning 3-0 away is really nice. We made the chances and finished them well. In the end, we could have had one or two goals more." Erik ten Hag's men now lead the group by three points from Valencia and Chelsea after the Londoners edged out Lille 2-1 in France in Wednesday's other game. Ajax beat Lille 3-0 in Amsterdam a fortnight ago and have now stretched their unbeaten away run in the Champions League, including qualifiers, to 13 matches. "I still believe we have some things to improve, but we can play such fantastic football," said Ajax coach Ten Hag. "At times on the sideline I can really enjoy us playing football. Not many teams can do this at Mestalla." It was Valencia heaviest European home loss since a 3-0 reverse against Swansea City in the 2013-14 Europa League group stage, and their worst in the Champions League for 15 years, dating back to a 5-1 thrashing by Inter Milan. "It's a tough loss. It's a heavy defeat –- maybe not deserved but that's what happened," said Valencia coach Albert Celades. "We had chances in the first half but didn't take them, but we played well.

They were more clinical than us in front of goal."

Lionel Messi insisted on Wednesday there are no problems between him and Antoine Griezmann or between the players and Barcelona's board.

Messi returned from injury to make his second start of the season against Inter Milan in the Champions League as Barca came from behind to win 2-1.

Speaking after the match, Messi was asked about his relationship with Griezmann, who had said on Tuesday it was "difficult" to establish a connection with the Argentine while he had been injured.

"Obviously we have no problem," Messi said. "There is a good relationship with everyone, the dressing room is united. We needed this victory and hopefully now we can kick on and continue in this way."

Luis Suarez scored a sensational double at Camp Nou and it was Messi that supplied the Uruguayan's 85th-minute winner, with a pass at the end of a weaving run down the right.

Barcelona now sit level on four points with Borussia Dortmund in Group F. There have also been suggestions of a rift between Barcelona's players and the board, with Gerard Pique implying last weekend that articles critical of the team had come from higher up the club, however Messi denied the relationship had soured "We are fine. The important thing is to talk about the triumph of today and against Getafe," he said.

"We have Sevilla now to finish well before the international break. We will try to win it because it creates a mess when there is no football so we want to finish well and go out on a high before the break."

From legend to disgrace: Salazar used athletes as 'guinea pigs' new York Agencies

Top track coach Alberto Salazar, banned for four years following a doping probe, used athletes as "guinea pigs", the US Anti-Doping Agency's chief Travis Tygart told German broadcaster ZDF on Wednesday.

The World Athletics Championships, currently taking place in Doha, has been rocked by the scandal and Salazar has been stripped of his accreditation for the event.

Salazar has denied ever doping his athletes and says he will appeal.

Tygart told ZDF that athletes in Salazar's Nike-backed Oregon Project (NOP) training group were kept in the dark about the substances they were given, including whether they were illegal.

Tygart said the methods used by Salazar and doctors working with

NOP were "simply unacceptable".

"The athletes really had no idea what they were being given, the dosages, whether the methods were prohibited or not. They were simply

CMYK

sent to a doctor and told, 'you've got to listen to the doctor'."

Tygart said he hoped Nike, which has long sponsored Salazar, would review their cooperation with

the coach.

"I hope Nike sees this as a wakeup call," Tygart said, Nike has backed Salazar in his decision to appeal the ban, adding: "Nike does not condone the use of banned substances in any manner."

Two members of the Oregon Project have won gold medals at the world championships in Doha, including American Donavan Brazier, who powered to victory in Tuesday's 800 metres final in a championship record time.

However, none of the athletes taking part at the world championships linked to Salazar's group have been found guilty of doping offences, and none were implicated in USADA's 134-page summary of the case.

Alongside Salazar, Jeffrey Brown, a Texas endocrinologist who treated athletes at the Oregon training hub in Portland, was also suspended for four years.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

SPORTS 15

CoLes steps doWn As pAK Women’s teAm heAd CoACh islaMaBad

p

APP

AKISTAN women’s team head coach Mark Coles has stepped down from the post citing family reasons and would be returning to New Zealand next week. Coles took over the responsibilities in October 2017 and had a contract until the end of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Australia 2020 to be held from February 21 to March 8, says a press release issued here.

Coles said it was with a very heavy heart that he stepped down from the coaching role, something which he had enjoyed tremendously.

"However, at this time my family responsibilities are such that they need my undivided attention and focus," he said.

“I have been thinking about this for some time and taking into account Pakistan has some critical assignments in the next few months, I thought it was fair to convey my decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board, so that they have enough time to find a replacement."

He said, he had enjoyed his stay

in Lahore and working with the women’s team as well as all those who are associated with women’s cricket. “I would miss working with all these girls and will always remain their supporter and well-wisher. I have no doubts the Pakistan national women’s team will continue to make an upward progress,” he said.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan said he was fully aware of Cole’s personal reasons and appreciate that de-

stokes wins pCA players' player of Year award london Agencies

Ben Stokes has been voted the Professional Cricketers' Association players' player of the year after starring in England's maiden World Cup win and repeating his heroics during the Ashes series. Somerset's Tom Banton picked up the PCA young player of the year award, while England bowler Sophie Ecclestone collected the women's prize. Highlights of the English cricket season for Stokes included an unbeaten 84 in the World Cup final and a sensational 135 not out to win the third Test against Australia at Headingley. All-rounder Stokes, 28, was England's top run-scorer in the Ashes, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Speaking at the PCA awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, Stokes told the Press Association: "In terms of reflection, I think there will come a time where I will be able to take it all in but I don't think that will come until I retire really because it all comes so thick and fast. "This will definitely be a summer that I will be able to look back on forever." He added: "Winning the World Cup was an amazing feeling to be a part of -- seven weeks of hard toil to then walk away with the World Cup was brilliant, and then a great Ashes series to be part of." England Test skipper Joe Root paid tribute to his "awesome" team-mate, who is the Test vice-captain. "He's a massive driving force of this team, one of the senior players across the board," Root said. Young player of the year Banton has been included in England's Twenty20 squad for the winter tour to New Zealand after amassing more than 1,000 runs across the two domestic limited-overs competitions.

spite pressing matters, he remained committed to Pakistan and the national women’s team. "I would like to thank Mark for his contribution during his tenure. But family has to come first and in this relation, I understand and accept the reasons for his departure, though it is sad to see him leave at a time when the team has started to show signs of significant improvement,” he said.

The Pakistan national women’s team achieved major results during

Coles’ tenure as head coach.

They are presently sitting fifth in the ICC Women’s Championship and have an outstanding chance of qualifying directly for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021.

Under his watch in 50-over cricket, Pakistan lost 2-1 to New Zealand, beat Sri Lanka 3-0, lost 1-0 to Bangladesh, lost 3-0 to Australia, defeated the West Indies 2-1 and drew 1-1 with South Africa.

In the shortest format this year, Pakistan women narrowly lost 2-1 (in Super Over) to the West Indies and 3-2 to South Africa.

Also during his time, Sana Mir became the most successful ODI spinner in the world, Javeria Khan and Bismah Maroof were named to lead a multi-nation Women’s Global Development squad and Nida Dar became the first Pakistan woman player to earn a contract in the WBBL. The recruitment process for Coles’ successor would commence shortly.

Meanwhile, the PCB has appointed batting coach Iqbal Imam as interim head coach for the upcoming series against Bangladesh, which will be played from October 26 to November 4 in Lahore.

Indian women's cricket sensation needed boy's haircut to play MuMBai Agencies

India's 15-year-old women's cricket sensation Shafali Verma had to get her hair cut like a boy so that she could get into the local academy to train, her father told AFP. Now India's cricket establishment is relying on Verma, who made her Twenty20 debut for the national team against South Africa last month and will soon go on a tour of the West Indies.

The teenager has become known for her aggressive batting. But her father Sanjeev Verma told of the struggle to get her daughter accepted in games.

"I introduced her to cricket when she was eight or nine. I used to take her to play neighbourhood teams on Sundays," he said.

"Most teams refused to play against her. They said that she could get hurt and that I would complain if that happened.

"Even when I insisted she was my daughter and I was

okay, most didn't agree," said Verma, who makes jewellery in Rohtak near New Delhi.

That is when he decided to give her a "boy's haircut" to trick opponents.

"At eight or nine, all kids look the same. After the haircut, most didn't even notice she was a girl and she started playing regularly at weekends," he said.

The father said he was never worried about seeing her play against male teams, believing it would improve her skills.

But when he tried to get professional training, he hit a new equality obstacle when academies refused to take Shefali.

"Most in town refused to take a girl. I eventually found one which took boys and girls. It was eight kilometres (five miles) from our house and she used to cycle there for training each day," the proud parent added.

Father and daughter are "diehard fans" of Sachin Tendulkar, holder of many scoring records and a legend in Indian cricket. "I have always been a Sachin fan and I made sure that I introduced her to his batting very early. We watched so many Sachin innings together," he said.

With Shafali already in the national team, at least two other members of the Verma family hope to find cricket success.

Shafali's 17-year-old brother, Sahil, also hopes to rise through the ranks. "Even my youngest daughter Nancy, 6, has started playing cricket. Both of them are inspired by their sister. I just hope she plays for national team for a long time and is part of the first Indian women's team to win the World Cup," he said.

osaka 'angry relaxed' after reaching China open quarters Beijing Agencies

Naomi Osaka said Thursday that she was "angry relaxed" after the Japanese tennis player set up a potential first meeting with US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in Beijing. The 21-year-old, the reigning Australian Open champion, won the last 10 games against unseeded American Alison Riske to surge into the last eight at the China Open, 6-4, 6-0. Osaka and Andreescu, two young stars of women's tennis, will meet if the 19-year-old Canadian wins her match later Thursday against American qualifier Jennifer Brady.

Osaka has not dropped a set in three matches in the Chinese capital and also did not lose a set on the way to winning her home Pan Pacific Open last month. It is in contrast to the stuttering form the world number four endured after winning the Australian Open at the start of the year. "I'm relaxed, but I'm a little bit angry, it's an angry relaxed," said Osaka, asked what was behind her recent success in Japan and now China.

"I know after Australia I was like, 'I'm going to have fun'. It was not fun; I did not have fun." The Japanese said she took a week off after her last 16 defeat at the US Open, where teenager Andreescu went on to triumph over Serena Williams in the final. "I was sorting out my thoughts," said Osaka, adding that she has "self-diagnosed ADHD" because "if I tell myself to relax, I play three-set matches. "Out here, if you see, I'm kind of 'angry' right now, I can get through straight-set wins."

murray disappointment at China open crowds, atmosphere Beijing Agencies

Andy Murray expressed disappointment about crowds at the China Open tennis, where some of the best players in the world have competed in front of swathes of empty seats. Poor attendances have been in the sporting headlines because of sparse turn-out at the World Athletics Championships in Doha. And at the ongoing China Open in Beijing, the biggest matches have played out to rows of unoccupied seats at the cavernous Diamond Court, the main arena. "I think as the tournament goes on you tend to get better crowds towards the end of the week," Murray said after his last-16 match on Wednesday. "Last couple of days in terms of atmosphere it's been not as good as you would like," added the former number one, 32, who is on the comeback trail from career-saving hip surgery. The three-time Grand Slam champion praised the tournament as a whole, but said: "I don't know if I'm complaining about it, but I'd like it to be bigger crowds and nicer atmospheres. "That normally comes as the week goes on," added the Briton. The China Open did not immediately comment on Murray's remarks when approached by AFP. At last week's inaugural Zhuhai Championships in southern China, a senior ATP official said that the country would not be given more and bigger tournaments until it produced "top" players.

Agarwal double ton guides India to 502 against South Africa VisakhapaTnaM Agencies

The 28-year-old Agarwal put on a record 317-run opening stand with open-

ing partner Rohit Sharma to set the tone for India's dominance.

Opening batsman Mayank Agarwal completed a double century Thursday as India put South Africa's bowlers to the sword in the first Test.

Agarwal made 215 out of India's 502 for seven declared in Visakhapatnam.

South Africa then lost cheap wickets before the second day ended, reaching 39 for three at the close, with Ravichandran Ashwin leading a spin rout of the top order.

Ashwin bowled Aiden Markram for five and Theunis de Bruyn caught behind for four. Nightwatchman Dane Piedt was bowled middle stump by Ravindra without scoring.

Opener Dean Elgar, on 27, and Temba Bavuma, on two, were at the crease, with their side needing another 264 to avoid a follow-on.

CMYK

"We are very happy with the way we have played in the first innings but there is no room for complacency," Agarwal told reporters.

"We are going to make sure that since we have the upper hand we will keep coming back keep putting the pressure on South Africa."

He added: "It was great batting alongside him (Sharma). It was good that we can get these big partnerships for India early on. It's nice obviously... getting a 300-run partnership feels great."

The right-hand batsman smashed six sixes and 23 fours in a 371-ball knock, using the reverse sweep to good effect as he made his mark in just his fifth Test.

Agarwal eventually fell to part-time spinner Elgar before leaving to handshakes from South African players.

He said that "long-distance running" and batting for long hours in the nets dur-

ing practice was the reason behind his marathon knock.

Sharma fell for 176, stumped off Keshav Maharaj before lunch. Sharma, who resumed the day on 115, smashed the ball to all parts of the ground.

India then suffered two quick blows.

Cheteshwar Pujara went for six and skipper Virat Kohli for 20.

Paceman Vernon Philander bowled Pujara on the first delivery of the second session. Debutant spinner Senuran Muthusamy had Kohli caught and bowled as his maiden Test wicket.

Jadeja, who made 30 not out, and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who hit 21, gave useful support in building up the huge total.

Maharaj took three wickets from 55 overs of left-arm spin and said it was among the "toughest" conditions he had bowled in.

Friday, 4 October, 2019

NEWS

Pakistan, taliban urge revival of Peace talks Fm QUreshI says speedy resUmptIon oF talks wIll help brIng ‘peace, stabIlIty and prosperIty For FUtUre generatIons oF aFghanIstan’

Islamabad says redUctIon oF vIolence by all partIes necessary to provIde enablIng envIronment For talks revIval

ISLAMABAD

a

STAFF REPORT

delegation of senior Afghan Taliban leaders on Thursday held separate meetings Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood, as both sides called for the resumption of talks on a peaceful resolution for the war in Afghanistan.

The appeal, made during a rare Taliban visit to Islamabad, comes after months-long US-Taliban negotiations collapsed in September and President Donald Trump announced the talks with the insurgents were “dead”.

The timing of the Taliban visit, which coincided with that of Washington’s special peace envoy for Afghanistan, who was also in Islamabad on Thursday for “consultations” with Pakistani officials, appears to indicate Pakistan is seeking to help restart the talks.

In the meeting with the Taliban mission, PM Imran stressed the need for peace in Afghanistan, which he termed was crucial for regional stability, said sources. He also assured that Pakistan would continue its efforts for peace in Kabul.

Earlier, FM Qureshi met with the 12member Taliban team, headed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban and head of their political office

in Qatar. The Pakistani side also included intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood and others. A TV footage showed Gen Hameed hugging members of the Taliban delegation, including Baradar, who was released in 2018, years after he was detained in a joint operation carried out by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the CIA. He was released to facilitate the peace process in Afghanistan.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said both sides agreed on Thursday that the peace process should be resumed as soon as possible.

According to the statement, Qureshi “reiterated Pakistan’s commitment and continued strong support” for all efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in Afghanistan. It said that during the talks,

it was “emphasized that reduction of violence by all parties to the conflict was necessary to provide an enabling environment for resumption of the peace process at an early date.”

Later, Qureshi told a gathering at a seminary in the central city of Multan that Pakistan was eager to see the resumption of US-Taliban talks but without naming anyone, warned “there are and there will be spoilers” who prefer unrest and chaos.

Before coming to Pakistan, the Taliban delegation traveled to Russia, China and Iran. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the delegation arrived in Islamabad late Wednesday.

Shahbudin Dilawar, an ex-Taliban ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said in a post on the official Taliban website, that the talks with Pakistan “will be focused on political issues.” Those issues include

education and health care for millions of Afghans living in Pakistan, as well as Taliban, demand that an unspecified number of Afghans arrested in Pakistan “whose crimes are not serious” be released.

Meanwhile, a local media outlet reported that the Taliban also held delegation-level talks with US Special Envoy for the Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad at the US embassy in Islamabad.

Khalilzad had spent the last year negotiating a peace deal with the Taliban, which seemed imminent until Sept. 7, when the talks collapsed amid a surge in deadly Taliban attacks across Afghanistan _ including one that killed a U.S. soldier _ and Trump declared the talks were over.

Since then, Pakistan has urged both sides to resume the talks. Qureshi on Thursday also vowed that Pakistan would continue to support all efforts to achieve permanent peace in Afghanistan, which the foreign minister described as essential for Pakistan’s own development and progress.

The Taliban-US talks, which Pakistan sincerely backed, had “laid a firm ground for achieving a sustainable peace deal in Afghanistan,” Qureshi said, urging their speedy resumption for the good of “peace, stability and prosperity for future generations of Afghanistan”.

Fazl to march on Islamabad on october 27 JUI-F chIeF says party In toUch wIth opp partIes, decIsIons taken aFter consUltatIon ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Despite a request by his allies to defer the ‘Azadi March’ till November, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman on Thursday said his party will begin its anti-government movement on October 27.

The JUI-F is not taking a solo flight, said Fazl, clarifying the party was “in touch with all the other parties and making decisions in consultation with them”.

A day earlier, he said he will consult his party’s central executive committee to review the decision to hold the march in October instead after a visiting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation urged him for postponement of the event.

After a “fruitful” meeting with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) on Wednesday, he said he met Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari earlier in the day and that some very “positive developments took place during our meeting”.

He, however, failed to give a clear answer on whether the major opposition parties will join his march on Islamabad.

“The entire country is showing up.

The trader community will be there. Doctors, lawyers are coming. We are in direct contact with people from all walks of life.

I can speak for the readiness all these people have shown.”

A reporter then pressed the JUI-F chief for whether the above-mentioned people will include representatives from PPP and PML-N, to which he said, “InshaAllah“. The march will initiate on Oct 27 — observed as Black Day across the world marking Kashmiris’ sufferings.

During the central executive committee of the party, it was decided to start the long march towards the federal capital on this day as a token of complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people, added the JUI-F chief. “This will be an Azadi march.

Groups of people from all over the country will embark on this journey which will culminate in Islamabad, where we will send the government packing,” he said. “We will

gather at D-Chowk,” he said, adding, “We are not ones to disperse easily.”

He said the JUI-F and its allies will send this government home as it is “the result of a fake election and fake results”.

The JUI-F chief said that all opposition parties had rejected the July 25, 2018 elections and had called for fresh elections. “As a result of this illegal government and its incompetencies, the country’s economy has sunk […] traders have shut down businesses as a result of heavy taxation. The Muslims are in anguish over the state of religion in the country,” he continued, alluding to the party’s use of religion card against the Imran government.

It may be noted here that the PPP had expressed reservations over the method — the use of religion– employed by Fazl for the imminent march against the government.

A statement issued by the PPP said that party chairman, Bilawal BhuttoZardari, has “welcomed the announcement of [a] march by Maulana Fazlur Rehman towards Islamabad on the 27th”.

“It was agreed upon in principle between both leaders that the PTI government’s failure in addressing core issues confronting the nation have left the oppo-

sition with no choice but to take to streets,” said Bilawal’s spokesperson Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar in the statement.

According to the statement, Bilawal has convened a meeting of the PPP core committee next week in Islamabad, during which “the extent to which and modalities of how PPP can support the march” will be worked out.

The PML-N is also expected to issue a statement on the matter soon.

Meanwhile, to convince the PML-N, JUI-F leaders have requested Punjab Home Department for permission to meet former premier Nawaz Sharif at Kot Lakhpat jail on Thursday.

The letter, dated Oct 2, was written by JUI-F Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, parliamentary leader Maulana Asadur Rehman and the parliamentary leader in the KP Assembly Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani.

However, the home department has not responded to the request so far.

According to a party spokesperson, if the meeting takes place, the leaders will inquire after Sharif’s health and will also deliver party Fazal’s “special message”.

Nawaz is currently serving his sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al Azizia corruption case.

army top brass vow to counter Indian aggression with befitting response RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army’s Corps Commanders on Thursday reiterated their resolve to give a befitting response to any Indian misadventure or aggression being conveyed through irresponsible media statements by Indian military commanders. Resolve to this effect was expressed at a conference presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, held at General Headquarters (GHQ), said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release. The meeting reviewed the security situation at the Line of Control (LOC) and the ongoing crisis in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK). The military high command commended the government’s highlighting of Indian occupation in Kashmir at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and called for effectively countering antiPakistan propaganda in international circles. “Pakistan Army is fully configured, prepared and determined to defend the honor, dignity and territorial integrity of the country at all costs. Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and no compromise shall be made which denies the right of self-determination to our brave Kashmiri brethren,” COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said. APP

SC to form bench for implementation of 2014 verdict on minorities’ rights ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday proposed to form a bench to implement the 2014 judgement in the protection of religious minorities’ rights case.

A three-member apex court bench resumed hearing the case and sought a report from the federal and provincial governments in the matter within a month. The matter for the formation of the implementation bench was later referred to Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. In its landmark 2014 judgement, authored by then chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani, the apex court had suggested a framework for the protection of minorities.

One of the recommendations in the verdict was also the creation of a national council to oversee the matters of the minorities. The SC on Thursday stressed that the commission for minorities’ rights should be given a space for its office with all the required staff.

During the hearing, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA and Hindu Council Chairman Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani prayed upon the court that “the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) should be from the minority group.” STAFF REPORT

Ex-Indian PM to attend Kartarpur corridor ceremony, report claims Former India prime minister Manmohan Singh has accepted Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s invitation to attend the historic event of the opening of Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan, reported India Today on Thursday.

However, other media outlets said the ex-premier would not visit the opening reception which is scheduled to be held on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib in November.

According to NDTV, Manmohan Singh will only visit the Kartarpur shrine to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanakn, not the inauguration ceremony that is to be held in Pakistan.

The Indian Punjab CM invited President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manmohan Singh to join the first to attend the event, said reports.

Amarinder Singh met President Kovind, PM Modi and Manmohan Singh separately in Delhi on Thursday to extend invitations to the three leaders.

“Manmohan Singh has also agreed to join the first all party ‘Jatha’ to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara and attend the mega event to mark the historic occasion,” the media outlet reported.

Modalities of the visit are yet to be finalised with Pakistan.

On Sept 30, Pakistan Foreign Minis-

ter Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the country would extend an invitation to Manmohan Singh for the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor.

In a video statement, the foreign minister had said Islamabad decided to invite Manmohan Singh after consultations with all stakeholders.

The foreign minister had underscored that the Kartarpur corridor opening was a special occasion and Pakistan wanted the former Indian prime minister to be part of the historic moment.

The Kartarpur corridor, which will be the first visa-free route between Pakistan and India, is expected to open on November 11. NEWS DESK

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore. Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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