Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 I 8 Muharram, 1443 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XII No 48 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition PAkistAn cAlls for inclusive PoliticAl government in AfghAnistAn g Islamabad urges world to work together to ensure long-term peace in Kabul

said. “It is now time for the international Casualties reported amid community to work together to ensure an inclusive political settlement for long term peace, security and development of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghanistan (and) the region,” the state - ment added. The NSC noted positively Afghans attempt to flee that major violence has been averted and called on all parties in Afghanistan to ReuteRs control to evacuate American and al - respect the rule of law, protect fundamen - lied staff. US troops, who are in charge tal human rights of all Afghans, and ensure Thousands packed into the Afghan of the airport, earlier fired in the air to that Afghan soil is not used by any terrorist capital’s airport on Monday, rushing scatter the crowd, a US official said. organisation against any country. the tarmac and pushing onto planes Officials were not immediately avail - Prime Minister Imran Khan directed in desperate attempts to flee the able to comment on the deaths. that all possible facilities be made avail - country after the Taliban overthrew CONTINUED ON PAGE 05 able to repatriate Pakistanis, diplomats, the Western-backed government. US journalists and staff of international organ - soldiers fired warning shots as they isations seeking to leave Afghanistan. The struggled to manage the chaotic Afghans clung to prime minister lauded the ongoing efforts evacuation. of the Pakistan embassy in Kabul and the At least five people were killed in plane fall from sky state machinery in this regard. Kabul airport as hundreds of people amid airport chaos IsLAMABAD latest developments in Afghanistan and The NSC reiterated Pakistan’s stance tried to forcibly enter planes leaving Mian abrar their possible impact on Pakistan and the that the conflict in Afghanistan never had the Afghan capital, witnesses told News Desk region. The overall security situation in the a military solution. The ideal time to end Reuters. It was, however, not clear hILe Taliban consolidated region was also discussed. the conflict through negotiations might whether the victims were killed by Some chaotic scenes were their hold across The NSC noted that Pakistan is a vic - have been when the US/NATO troops gunshots or in a stampede. One wit - recorded on camera when thou - Afghanistan, the civil and tim of the decades-long conflict in were at maximum military strength in ness who spoke to Reuters said he sands of civilians desperate to military leadership of Pak - Afghanistan and therefore desires peace Afghanistan. “Continuation of foreign mil - had seen the bodies of five people leave Afghanistan rushed to the istan on Monday called for and stability in the neighbourhood. It was itary presence for a longer duration now being taken to a vehicle. Kabul airport after the Taliban Wformation of an inclusive government in emphasised that the world must recog - would not have yielded a different out - captured the capital and Tolo News quoted sources as say - Kabul and urged the international com - nise the sacrifices made by Pakistan over come. Therefore, endorsement by the ing that some people were killed prompted the United States’ mili - munity to work together to ensure an in - the last four decades. Biden administration of the previous US and wounded by gunfire at the air - tary to suspend evacuations on clusive political settlement for long term The participants reiterated that Pak - administration’s decision of troops with - port on Monday morning as crowds Monday. A short video that went peace, security and development of the istan remains committed to an inclusive drawal is indeed a logical conclusion to continue to grow. viral on social media showed neighbouring country. political settlement in Afghanistan as the this conflict,” the statement concluded. Meanwhile, all commercial flights Afghans, who had clung on to the The agreement was made at a spe - way forward, representing all Afghan eth - were suspended at hamid Karzai In - underbelly of a US military trans - cial meeting of the National Security nic groups. FM urges Afghan ternational Airport in Kabul, according port plane, falling from the air - Committee (NSC) held here at the Prime “It was reaffirmed that Pakistan would to a statement by the airport authority. craft. “Locals near Kabul airport Minister house to deliberate on the continue to work with the international leadership to reach BBC reported that US troops were tak - claim that three young men who emerging situation in Afghanistan. community and all Afghan stakeholders to comprehensive ing control of Kabul’s international air - were holding themselves tightly The NSC meeting was chaired by facilitate an inclusive political settlement port and the US military had secured on to the tires of an airplane fell Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended in the country. It was stressed that the prin - political settlement the site. The publication added that on top of people’s houses. by senior cabinet members and services ciple of non-interference in Afghanistan US troops had taken over air traffic CONTINUED ON PAGE 05 chiefs. The participants were briefed on must be adhered to,” an official statement STORY ON PAGE 03

coronAvirus in Government launches uniform MORE INSIDE PAkistAn education curriculum Taliban declare CONFIRMED CASES: g Prime Minister Imran stresses importance end to war as they of breaking ‘shackles of slavery’ overthrow Afghan 1,102,079 News Desk government Prime Minister Imran Khan on STORY ON BACK PAGE Monday said launched the Sin - gle National Curriculum (SNC), China says ready LAST UPDATED AT 7:23 AM ON AUGUST 16, 2021 saying that it would prove an important milestone in trans - for ‘friendly DAY'S DEATH TOLL: NEW CASES: forming the nation into a “uni - fied entity, rooted in common morals and ethos”. relations’ with 72 3,669 “A uniform curriculum will guide the nation in one direc - Taliban after Kabul tion and converge the diversi - takeover RECOVERED: DEATHS: fied energies in achieving the common goals of progress,” STORY ON BACK PAGE the prime minister said at the 989,013 24,478 launch of the first phase of SNC at the PM house. PIA suspends Kabul The premier formally second and third phases, the of intellectual inferiority or supe - flight operations SINDH: PUNJAB: launched the online portal with grades 6 to 8 (2022-23) and riority complexes. english, he the uniform syllabus, which has grades 9 to 12 (2023-24) will fol - said, did not remain limited to been developed by the Na - low the new curriculum, respec - a language to learn knowl - over security 412,165 372,750 tional Curriculum Council, Min - tively. Prime Minister Imran said edge, but became a status istry of Federal education and that the launch of SNC was the symbol. concerns KPK: BALOCHISTAN: Professional Training in consulta - fulfillment of his 25-year-old “Breaking the shackles of STORY ON PAGE 02 tion and collaboration with ed - dream to end educational dis - minds is more difficult and we ucation departments of all parity among different sections are determined to bring the na - 152,625 31,583 federating units of the country. of society. tion out of such complexes,” he Parliament’s joint Under the first phase, the he regretted that the differ - said, stressing that no nation AJK/GB: ISLAMABAD: Single National Curriculum has ence of Urdu and english- could rise until it relied on its session on Afghan been implemented for grades medium schooling resulted in original values and morals. issue sought 29,452 / 9,396 pre-1 to 5 starting the current creating a wide gulf among dif - 94,108 academic year, whereas in ferent social classes with the ills CONTINUED ON PAGE 05 STORY ON PAGE 02 Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 02 NEWS ISLAMABAD PIA susPends KAbul flIght oPerAtIons over securIty concerns NewS DeSk takeover. after consultation with the Ministry of stranded nationals and foreigners from Authority announced Kabul airspace had Reports quoting spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs and Afghan Civil Aviation. Kabul airport but the situation changed been released to the military. HE Pakistan International Airlines national flag carrier, Abdullah Khan, cited The flights have been postponed indefinitely swiftly as thousands fled to get out of Kabul Furthermore, civilian aircraft were on Monday halted evacuation that the Kabul operation has been suspended to protect passengers, crew, and assets, the at the earliest. advised to reroute as any transit through operation from Kabul as panicked at Hamid Karzai International Airport in statement said. Commercial flights from the Afghan Kabul-controlled airspace, which includes mobs try to flee the besieged Afghan wake of the uncertain security situation. On Sunday, Pakistan International capital were canceled till further notice all of Afghanistan, was likely to be t capital following the Taliban Officials said the decision was taken Airlines started three special flights to lift earlier today as Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation uncontrolled.

Pakistan will continue efforts to encourage women education in Parliament’s joint session on Afghan issue sought

Afghanistan: fawad ISLAMABAD Given the rapidly changing scenario in Afghanistan and made them a part of the resolution. The resolution TLTP and the region, the committee urged the government to read that Pakistan’s interests are consistent and clear, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting take parliament into confidence through immediately adding that Pakistan has been supporting the unity, Chaudhary Fawad Hussain on Monday said that A day after Kabul fell to the Taliban, the Senate Defence convening a joint session to discuss the situation and territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue its efforts to encourage women Committee while asking the government to convene a propose a way forward so that Pakistan and Afghanistan Secondly, it said, Pakistan has been promoting a peaceful education in Afghanistan. In a telephonic conversation joint session of parliament urged the United States and can be partners in peace and progress. political transition in Afghanistan through an inclusive with Malala Yousafzai, he said that Pakistan is also the NATO countries to learn lessons from the “The government should take effective measures to broad-based consensus so that a new civil war can be providing educational facilities to children of Afghan experience of Afghanistan. prevent regional spoilers, like India, from taking advantage prevented. Thirdly, it continued by stating that Pakistan refugees as about six thousand Afghan children are While passing a resolution on Afghanistan, the of the situation to the detriment of peace in the region and maintains that the territory of Afghanistan should not be studying in Pakistan. Malala informed the minister committee chairman, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the security of Pakistan,” the statement quoted Sayed as used to destabilise any neighbouring country or used as a about international concerns on women rights in observed that Pakistan’s long-standing stance that there saying. In the resolution on Afghanistan, the committee base for cross-border terrorism against Pakistan. Afghanistan and said that Pakistan should play an is no military solution to the situation in Afghanistan took note of the evolving situation in the neighbouring Referring to India’s role in Afghanistan, the active role to promote women education in Afghanistan. has been vindicated. He said the principle of “might is country and expressed full solidarity and support to the committee noted that government-prepared dossier on She said that she has also written a letter to the prime right” is unacceptable and contrary to international law people of Afghanistan in their quest for lasting peace. “India State Terrorism” in November 2020 clearly minister of Pakistan in this regard. News Desk and the United Nations (UN) Charter. “Peace, security and stability are inextricably intertwined stated that the Indian intelligence, RAW, has been While asking to learn lessons, the committee urged between Pakistan and Afghanistan and no other country operating 87 training camps against Pakistan, 66 on Pakistan consistently plays the international community, particularly the United has higher stakes for peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan,” Afghan territory and 21 on Indian territory. Nations, as well as the OIC, European Union and other the resolution read. As an “expression of Muslim “The Senate Defence Committee urges the constructive role in Afghanistan, international organisations to remain actively engaged brotherhood”, it added, Pakistan continues to be a “model international community to take note of these facts,” the in Afghanistan for the promotion of peace and host”, having hosted the largest number of refugees for the members said, adding Pakistan has been a peace leads humanitarian efforts: fM reconciliation as well as the reconstruction of the war- longest duration in history. During the meeting, the facilitator and a source of regional stability and would ravaged country. committee outlined Pakistan’s interests in Afghanistan continue to play its role. ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said that Pakistan always demonstrated a constructive role in Afghanistan which included its efforts in facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process besides, many other economic and humanitarian efforts. “Our mission in Timeline: Key dates in Afghanistan war since 2001 Kabul is working tirelessly to issue visas, to evacuate diplomats, NGO workers, media personnel etc.;” the that are marred by massive fraud, low turnout and would leave Afghanistan by May 2021, provided the foreign minister on his twitter handle posted while AFP Taliban attacks. insurgents start talks with Kabul and adhere to other regarding the latest situation in Afghanistan as the With the Taliban back in control of Afghanistan, here In 2009, President Barack Obama, who had security guarantees. foreigners and locals scrambled to leave Kabul airport. is a recap of landmark events in the war-torn country campaigned on a pledge to end the Afghanistan war, A power-sharing deal ends the bitter Ghani- The foreign minister, in a related tweet said, it was since the group’s first regime was toppled in the 2001 doubles the number of US troops to 68,000. In 2010, it Abdullah feud in May. Abdullah takes the role of unfortunate that Pakistan was, once again, denied the US-led invasion: reaches around 100,000. leading the peace negotiations. opportunity to speak at the United Nations Security 2001: 9/11 and ‘war on terror’ Osama bin Laden is killed on May 2, 2011 in a US Talks begin in September but violence surges and Council meeting held on Monday over Afghanistan. President George W. Bush launches his “war on special forces operation in Pakistan. the Taliban are blamed for a wave of targeted killings. “After Afghanistan, it is undeniably Pakistan that has been terror” in response to the September 11 attacks that On June 22, Obama announces the beginning of a May 2021: Foreign troops withdrawal a victim of decades of this conflict,” he further posted. APP killed around 3,000 people, with airstrikes on troop withdrawal, with the departure by mid-2012 of On May 1, 2021 the US and Nato start withdrawing Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. 33,000 soldiers. their 9,500 soldiers, of which 2,500 are American. Pcr test facility starts at The Taliban government had sheltered Osama bin 2014: Nato exit In May, the Americans withdraw from the Laden and his Al Qaeda movement, which In June 2014, Ashraf Ghani is elected president, but Kandahar airbase. Islamabad airport masterminded 9/11. voting is marred by violence and a bitter dispute over On July 2, Bagram airbase — Afghanistan’s In power since 1996, the Taliban are soon defeated claims of fraud. biggest, and the nerve centre of the US-led coalition’s ISLAMABAD: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and flee the Afghan capital, Kabul, on December 6. In December, Nato ends its 13-year combat mission operations — is handed over to Afghan forces. Monday said that the facility of rapid PCR tests has been Hamid Karzai is appointed to lead an interim but a number of troops remain to train the Afghan President Joe Biden says that the US troop started at the Islamabad International Airport for UAE- government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military. withdrawal will be completed by August 31, before the bound flights. The passengers, carrying passport and (Nato) begins to deploy its International Security The following year, the Taliban make their greatest 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. ticket of UAE-bound flights, could avail the PCR test Assistance Force. military advances since being ousted. May-August 2021: Taliban blitz facility at the airport within in less than two hours. The 2004: First presidential election The Islamic State, a militant group, also becomes The insurgents launch lightning attacks across airport with the cooperation of some authentic Afghanistan’s first election under a new system is active in the region. Bloody attacks multiply, notably Afghanistan, capturing vast stretches of the hinterland laboratories is providing state-of-the-art services to the held on October 9, 2004, with an enthusiastic turnout in Kabul. as the final foreign troops begin their withdrawal. passengers to avoid any hassle. “As many as 2050 of 70 per cent. Karzai wins 55 percent of the vote. 2020: US-Taliban deal, disputed election The Taliban capture their first provincial capital, passengers have so far been provided the facility of PCR The Taliban regroup in the south and east and Ghani is declared victorious for a second term on Zaranj in the southwest, on August 6. test. The test will be available at the airport till the next launch an insurgency. February 18, 2020, an announcement rejected by his Other major cities fall within days, including policy,” the CAA spokesman told Pakistan Today. “The 2008-2011: US reinforcements rival and former minister Abdullah Abdullah, who vows Kandahar and Herat — Afghanistan’s second- and passengers have expressed satisfaction over the PCR test As attacks multiply, the US command in 2008 asks to form his own parallel government. third-biggest cities, respectively. facility. The passengers flying from Pakistan to Abu for more troops and the first reinforcements are sent. On February 29, the US and the Taliban sign a Most of the north, west and south is under Taliban Dhabi and Sharjah are carrying results of rapid PCR Karzai is re-elected on August 20, 2009 in elections historic deal in Doha under which all foreign forces control by August 13. tests conducted within the airport’s premises,” he added. “This facility is also available at airports in Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan and Sialkot. All the labs Jo yeh nahin to mujhay taysha-e hunar bhi na day are located within the premises of these airports,” said Kaundti hain bijliyan charon taraf Dr Irtaza. MiAN AbrAr New vistas in Urdu poetry Ho Khuda haifz mray gulzar ka Laga kay jan ki bazi sar-e saleeb-e sitam SyeD AFSAr SAjID classical aura of Meer and Momin. (Roo’ey ghazal say Sikha raha hun jahan ko jasaratein karna rang-e-taghazzul mita’ey ja/Is ahd-e nau mein kuch to Waqt kay badalnay mein Nusrat Siddiqui and Qamar Raza Shahzad belong to the naya hona chahiyey). Hath say nikalnay mein late 20th century generation of Urdu poets who still Nusrat Siddiqui’s style is aphoristic. His diction Talnay ya na talnay mein hold their ground because of the richness and versatility seems to thrive on a concise terseness rather than an Kafi dayr lagti hai of their poetic genius. There are many points of ambiguous prolixity. He firmly believes in art’s Ya phir aisa hota hai commonality between the two alongside an equal subservience to life but without any semblance of Dayr hi nahin lagti measure of diversity. Their popularity in literary and propaganda or didacticism. In his view, poetry seeks (‘Dayr Savayr’ – nazm) non-literary circles owes a great deal to their originality truth which is couched in the aesthetics of rhythm, ITMAM-E-HUJJAT: Qamar Raza Shahzad is a in expression and content backed by a strong sensation, and imagery. The socio-political undertones veteran poet now. His emergence as a young, innovative commitment to their vocation as a poet. In the line of of his poetics tend to place him above the common lot poet dates back to 1980s when he frequently Eliot, perhaps they too deem ‘the proper fusion of of many of his contemporaries. Nostalgia, an egalitarian participated in ‘mushairas’ in Multan and its adjoining meaning in language’ as the prime function of poetry, concern for the common man, an adroit usage of areas besides appearing in various literary journals and far from being self-revelatory. Their poetic works also paradox, a ratiocinative expatiation of the vibes of love, magazines across the country. Within the span of a seem to reiterate their belief in the medium of art as a seething note of discontent about the socio-moral decade or so he was able to establish his credentials as ‘exploration of experience’. incongruities rampant in his surroundings, and a a young Urdu poet with a fresh diction and accent, MATA-E-DARD: It is Nusrat Siddiqui’s fifth verse (Habib) Jalibian proneness to protest (but in a mild voicing his poetic perceptions and concerns in the collection (2020) in a series after Lamha-e-Maujud tone) are the distinctive features of Nusrat’s poetics context of the Zeitgeist. (1986, 1992), Tray Tulu Ka Lamha (2004), Roop whence the raison d’etre of his art as a versifier. Itmam-e-Hujjat, a compilation of Qamar’s nazm Ghazal Kay (2008), and Taqazay (2015). He is a Reproduction of a few verses from his present (70), is his seventh verse collection in a row after popular poet deeply concerned with the worries and collection —- which comprises his divine poetry, Piyas Bhara Mushkeeza (68), Haara Hua Ishq (72), woes of the common man. His imagery expatiates on ghazal, and nazm —- might enable the reader to have a Yad Dihani (76), Kamhushi (72), Bargah (75), and the age-old dialectics of class struggle. But he does not fairer idea of the form and content of his verse. Shash Jihaat (75) —- all six collections of ghazal. feign to be an ideologue. In a soft but studied accent, Yeh zindagi hai sulagti rahey to achcha hai Unlike the introversive subjectivity of ghazal, nazm is he vents his grief, resentment, and protest against social Kisi ka dard sahi apni aankh tar rakhna basically rooted in objectivity —- its subjects are men, injustice, oppression, exploitation, and evils of sorts Maey nay chalna jinhain sikhaya tha matters and materials. Qamar Raza Shahzad as a with utmost conviction and commitment. His ghazal is Ab who mujh say bhi tayz chaltay hain humanist voices the pain and penury of the deprived immersed in a melodic strain reminiscent of the Shaoor-e-fun bhi day logon ko aey mray Khaliq and down-trodden. Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 ISLAMABAD NEWS 03 pakistan committed FM urges AFghAN leAdership to reAch to sovereignty of coMpreheNsive politicAl settleMeNt saudi Arabia: pM ISLAMABAD APP NewS DeSk region as well. durable peace in the larger national economic assistance for the The foreign minister said that “our interest. He said that all segments of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed OREIGN Minister Shah ultimate goal is a peaceful, united, Afghan society are equally important in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s commitment and support for the Mahmood Qureshi has urged democratic, stable and prosperous achieving the ultimate goal of peace. Later briefing media, he said that sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. Afghan leadership to use this neighbour”. He also said that “we also need to Pakistan will continue its efforts for safe Talking to Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Armed historic opportunity for reaching He said that a comprehensive dialogue continuously monitor the anti-peace evacuation of foreign missions, media Forces General Fayyadh bin Hameed Al-Rowailly, the a broad-based and is the only political way for resolution to elements, who are trying to mislead the workers and NGOs’ staff working in prime minister underlined the importance Pakistan Fcomprehensive political settlement of the Afghan issue, and Pakistan is world about Pakistan’s reconciliatory Afghanistan. attached to Saudi Arabia in broadening mutual Afghan issue. committed to play a constructive and role, which has been acknowledged He said that 380 citizens of Denmark cooperation and strengthening the people-to-people Talking to a delegation of Afghan reconciliatory role in this regard. internationally”. have so far been evacuated from contacts. During the meeting, views were exchanged leaders in Islamabad on Monday, he said Foreign Minister Qureshi said that The foreign minister also urged the Afghanistan and shifted to Pakistan, who on a range of important issues of common interest. that all stakeholders must work together Pakistan hopes that the entire Afghan international community to come will leave for their country after PM Imran expressed confidence that the recently for a better future of Afghanistan and the leadership will undertake efforts for forward and provide cooperation and completion of due process. established Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC) would play a catalytic role in fostering enhanced bilateral cooperation in all fields. He welcomed the Saudi delegation and conveyed his Judicial remand of warm regards to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Increase in technology sector’s export and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He added Zahir Jaffer extended that the people of Pakistan always accorded special reverence to the Saudi leadership. The prime minister till Aug 30 in Noor expressed satisfaction over the robust defence top priority of govt: PM relationship between the two countries, and hoped that Mukadam case bilateral defence cooperation would grow further in NewS DeSk the years ahead. He also expressed Pakistan’s support PM SUGGESTS USE OF DRONES TO for resolving the conflict in Yemen through dialogue ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that increase TLTP and diplomacy, and appreciated Saudi efforts in this in exports in technology sector is one of the priorities of CHECK CAPITAL’S ENCROACHMENTS regard. General Al-Rowailly acknowledged the the government. Talking to Special Technology Zones excellent collaboration and appreciated the A magistrate of Islamabad Saqib Jawad on Authority Chairman Aamir Hashmi in Islamabad on Monday extended judicial remand of Zahir professionalism of Pakistan armed forces. Pakistan Monday, he said that the government is providing The prime minister emphasised the need of a single Zakir Jaffer, the principal accused in last and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic facilities to the manpower associated with information regulatory body to ensure effective implementation of all month’s gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam till fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, technology. rules and building bylaws in the federal capital. August 30 as the investigation officer failed to shared history and mutual support. Regular and high- The progress in Islamabad Technopolis project was On clean and green environment, he urged massive submit a charge-sheet (challan) against him and level exchange of visits is a reflection of excellent discussed in the meeting. others involved in the case. The court also sent tree planting campaign and asked the city administration relations between the two countries. The Special Technology Zones Authority chairman the owner of counseling center Therapy Works to incentivise the exercise to ensure full participation of informed the premier that local and foreign companies Tahir Zahoor and his five employees to Adiala local people in protection of green areas. are taking keen interest to invest in technology zones. Jail in Rawalpindi on 14-day judicial remand. The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Asad saudi cgs extends full Mukadam was found beheaded at a residence in He said that technology zones will be established in Umar, Special Assistant for Capital Development Islamabad’s upscale F-7/4 sector on July 20 in a the federal capital as well as in all provincial capitals. Authority’s Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan, CDA Chairman support to pakistan’s case that has sparked public outrage and grabbed Separately, Prime Minister Imran directed Aamer Ali Ahmed, MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz and media attention unlike any other recent crime formulation of a systematic plan to check encroachments senior officials. efforts for regional peace against women. The victim was the daughter of in the federal capital, including the use of drone The CDA chairman in a briefing on encroachments Shaukat Mukadam, Pakistan’s former technology. Chairing a meeting on civic problems of said the main reason was lack of a unified regulatory RAwALPINDI ambassador to South Korea and Kazakhstan. The Islamabad, the prime minister stressed the need for framework, which was divided among the CDA, the APP key suspect Zahir Jaffer, who is on judicial utilising modern technology to put in place in-time registrar of Societies and the Securities & Exchange remand in Adiala Jail in Islamabad’s twin city of measures to stop encroachment. Commission of Pakistan. A high-level military delegation led by Kingdom of Rawalpindi, was apprehended from the crime Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff (CGS) General scene, his home, on the day of the murder. He Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili Monday called on had reportedly been practicing as a Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed psychotherapist after enrolling in a certification Bajwa at the General Headquarters. During the course with Therapy Works. Police say a team CM Buzdar announces to launch air meeting, geo-strategic environment, security from the counselling center was already at the situation in Afghanistan and matters of mutual crime scene when they arrived on July 20, having interest were discussed, including bilateral defence been summoned by Jaffer’s parents, who are also ambulance service cooperation and Training Exchange Programme, said under arrest. Islamabad police on Monday brought an Inter-Services Public Relations press release. In Jaffer to the Islamabad district courts where judicial LAHORe myriad people in more than 96 lakh emergencies which view of the evolving regional security situation, the magistrate Saqib Jawad marked his attendance INP are a unique honour for the institution, he added. Saudi CGS expressed full support for Pakistan’s through a court order. The accused was kept in The chief minister appreciated that more than 20 efforts for peace in the region. The dignitary judicial lockup in the court and not presented Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has thousand rescuers of Punjab and other federating units acknowledged Pakistan Army’s achievements in war before the judge. Later, the court extended his announced to start rescue air ambulance service adding have completed their training from the academy which against terrorism and contributions for regional judicial remand till August 30. The police did not that Punjab is the first province to start this service. enjoys the honour of being the first certified search and peace and stability. Saudi CGS thanked Pakistan submit a detailed charge-sheet in the court today, He was chairing the passing out ceremony of 393 rescuers team by the United Nations. Army for its sustained assistance in training of Saudi Monday, saying the investigation of at least nine rescuers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 73 rescue workers He, however, regretted the board meeting was not held Armed Forces and expressed his desire to enhance suspects in the case was still underway. However, of Koh-e-Suleman area of DG Khan at emergency for 10 long years, adding that the PTI government took bilateral defence collaboration. the judicial magistrate allowed police to conduct a services academy Thokhar Niaz Beg on Monday. several initiatives for the betterment of the organization DNA test of Zahir Jaffer’s two employees, a Addressing the participants, Buzdar said that budget while holding regular board meetings. Meanwhile, rescuers’ security guard and cook, who were present in the has been allocated for air ambulance in the current fiscal service structure has been created to generate promotion house on the day of the murder. Meanwhile, the year and assured to sympathetically review the approval opportunities, the CM affirmed. The government has given court rejected post arrest bail application of of risk allowance for rescuers on the pattern of Punjab the status of an administrative department to rescue 1122 Therapy Works owner Zahoor, saying they were police and added that work will be started for restoration while giving the powers of a Secretary to DG, he said. involved in offences which falls under prohibitory of frozen allowance since 2017. Buzdar appreciated that the rescuers have shifted thousands clause. “Accused Tahir Zahoor was in contact Meanwhile, the government has also expanded the of coronavirus patients to hospitals and quarantine centres with the parents of the accused and as a result of scope of rescue service to 86 tehsils while motorbike during the pandemic. The government will continue to that contact a team was sent to the crime ambulance service is extended to 27 districts, he provide resources for giving the best emergency services to scene,” the court said in its order on Sunday, continued. It is sanguine that rescue 1122 has rescued the people, the CM concluded. referring to the Therapy Works’ employees. Why didn’t they fight? Speed of Afghan collapse surprised even the Taliban

AFP Wall Street Journal. The remaining troops eventually Taliban. fled for the provincial capital, which itself collapsed Afghan forces did put up strong resistance in some The Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan was the weeks later. areas such as Lashkar Gah in the south, but they were result of not only their strength on the battlefield and a Troops on the front line in Afghanistan’s second- facing the Taliban without US air strikes or military strategy that began in the rural provinces but of a largest city Kandahar were given “one cardboard box support. Confronted with smaller but highly motivated collapse of morale among an underserved Afghan full of slimy potatoes” for an entire police unit’s daily groups of Taliban insurgents, many soldiers and even military. rations last week, the New York Times reported. entire units simply deserted or surrendered, leaving the WHY DIDN’T THE AFGHAN ARMY FIGHT? Kandahar police said before the city fell they hadn’t Islamists to capture city after city. Despite the $83 billion and two decades the US been paid in six to nine months, according to the Meanwhile, US intelligence assessments were spent equipping and training the Afghan army, in many Washington Post, making Taliban offers more tempting. woefully optimistic. The Taliban could take over Kabul provinces the military appeared to evaporate in the face Taliban insurgents mixed threats and bribery, along within 90 days, US officials estimated last week. Some of Taliban insurgents. with propaganda and psychological warfare, as they 72 hours later, Kabul had fallen. With more than 300,000 personnel and equipment took city after city – some with barely a shot fired – Even the Taliban were reportedly surprised at how that was more advanced than the Taliban arsenal, eventually capturing the capital. quickly they were able to take control of some Afghan army forces were formidable – on paper. In Beginning last year, Taliban leaders started offering provinces. reality, they had been plagued by corruption, payoffs, desperate troops money in exchange for weapons, HOW DID THE US FUEL A TALIBAN VICTORY? poor leadership, lack of training and plummeting morale according to the Washington Post, in meetings and deals For some, Afghanistan’s collapse was 20 years in for years. dubbed “ceasefires” by Afghan officials. “Over the next the making, as mistake after mistake was made in the Desertions were common and US government year and a half, the meetings advanced to the district Western nation-building project. But the final nail in the inspectors had long warned that the situation was level and then rapidly on to provincial capitals, coffin of the Afghan government came last year when unsustainable. culminating in a breathtaking series of negotiated former US president Donald Trump signed a deal with The government outpost in Imam Sahib, a district surrenders by government forces,” the Post wrote. the insurgents to withdraw US troops by May 1. of Kunduz province, held out for two months against And yet as foreign troops began their final For the Taliban, it was a sign that their victory was the Taliban. But resources and supply runs soon withdrawal based on a Trump administration deadline imminent after nearly two decades of war. For Afghans, dwindled. “In the last days, there was no food, no water set for May 1, Washington and Kabul were confident it was a betrayal and meant their abandonment by the and no weapons,” trooper Taj Mohammad, 38, told the the Afghan military would put up a fight against the international community. Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 04 NEWS ISLAMABAD PSX ShEdS 257 POintS dUE tO AFghAn SitUAtiOn KARACHI KSE-100 Index, 24 closed up 72 closed 14 points and ANL with 13 points. TLTP down, while 1 remained unchanged. The sectors propping up the index were The overall market volumes increased fertilizer with 7 points, paper & board with HE Pakistan Stock Exchange by 38.45 million to 251.81 million shares. 3 points, engineering with 2 points, glass & (PSX) continued with bearish and Total volume traded for the KSE-100 Index ceramics with one point and real estate in - low volume trend for the third was 88.22 million shares. The number of vestment trust with one point. The most straight day on Monday, with the total trades increased by 14,455 to 103,266; points added to the index was by EFERT benchmark KSE-100 Index shed - and the value traded increased by Rs0.87 bil - which contributed 12 points followed by tding 257.05 points (-0.54 percent) to close lion to Rs10.15 billion. Likewise, the market BAHL with 8 points, ENGRO with 5 points, at 46,912.79 points. capitalisation decreased to Rs19.19 billion. POL with 5 points and UNITY with 5 points. The market opened on a negative note Among scrips, WTL realised total vol - According to experts, the local bourse re - by shedding 35 points and remained nega - umes of 22.21 million shares, followed by treated as investors closely watched geopo - tive for almost the whole session. The KSE- TELE (19.38 million) and TRG (13.72 mil - litical implications of Afghan Taliban’s 100 Index moved in a range of 500.9 points, lion). Stocks that contributed significantly to taking over their control in Afghanistan. This showing an intraday high of 47,173 points the volumes include WTL, TELE, TRG, situation has pushed the investors’ interest and an intraday low of 46,672.1 points. ANL and TREET, which formed 32 percent into panic selling, they added. Among other indices, the KSE All Share of total volumes. However, recovery was seen in the last Index shed 217.13 points (-0.67 percent) to Sector wise, the index was let down by hours where the index found support from close at 32,052.33 points, while All Share Is - cement with 66 points, power generation & the major technical levels. On the news lamic Index shed 137.21 points (-0.59 per - distribution with 28 points, textile composite front, LSM marked a growth of 14.85 per - cent) to close at 22,947.2 points. with 28 points, commercial banks with 19 cent in FY 2020-21 (16-year high) and APG A total of 379 companies traded shares points and oil & gas exploration companies has improved Pakistan’s rating after fulfill - in the stock exchange, out of them shares of with 19 points. The most points taken off the ing 35 out of 40 recommendations of FATF 100 closed up, shares of 262 closed down index were by LUCK which stripped the against money laundering, terror financing while shares of 17 companies remained un - index of 28 points followed by HUBC with and others, said a market closing note by changed. Of the 97 traded companies in the 17 points, PPL with 15 points, CHCC with Pearl Securities. POS customers to pay Rs1 Gold slips to Rs93,800 per Crude prices for each invoice: FBR fall over 1pc due to KARACHI TLTP 10gm amid dollar’s rebound demand concerns The tax authorities have made it mandatory to pay Rs1 NEWS DESK on each invoice obtained against the purchase through According to experts, gold took a U-turn from the point of sale (POS) machines installed by the tier-1 21-day EMA while portraying the latest pullback Global crude prices remained on downward slide for the retailers. Obtaining a POS invoice and getting verified is amid bearish MACD. However, a four-month-old third straight session and dropped over one percent on necessary for a customer to qualify a prize scheme horizontal area surrounding $1,755 should restrict Monday due to demand concerns over spread of the announced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). the immediate downside ahead of dragging gold delta variant of the coronavirus in China, the world’s “The POS service fee of Re1/invoice shall be collected prices to $1,738 and the $1,700 threshold. biggest oil importer. At 1050 hours GMT, Brent, the by the Tier-1 retailers from the customers and shall be They said in a case where oscillators keep international benchmark for two-thirds of the world’s deposited along with the monthly sales tax return,” the favouring the downtrend past $1,700, the latest low oil, shed $0.85 (-1.20 percent) to reach $69.74 a barrel. FBR said. The POS service fee collected each month near $1,687 and the yearly bottom surrounding Similarly, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) would be deposited by the Tier-1 retailers in a separate $1,676 will be the key to watch. Alternatively, 21- reached $67.52, down by $0.92 (-1.34 percent). The head of account, it added. The FBR issued instructions day EMA and a two-month-long horizontal line, re - price for Opec Basket was recorded at $71.32 a barrel to operationalise the guidelines issued through SRO NEWS DESK spectively around $1,784 and $1,790, guard the with 1.13 percent increase, Arab Light was available at 1006(I)/2001, dated August 9, 2021. Through another commodity’s short-term upside, they added. $71.88 a barrel with 0.72 percent decrease, while the SRO 1005(I)/2021, the revenue board issued a Gold prices snapped four-day uptrend in the inter - They said that the dollar’s latest recovery could price of Russian Sokol slipped to $70.77 after shedding procedure for the prize scheme. Under this, the national market on Monday amid the US dollar’s be linked to the worsening coronavirus conditions 1.10 percent. According to experts, Chinese factory customers of integrated Tier-1 retailers, whose names rebound. At 1130 hours GMT, gold in the interna - that, in turn, challenge the global economic re - output and retail sales growth slowed sharply in July, as and computerised national identity cards (CNICs), tional market was available at $1,773.50 per ounce bound from the pandemic. It’s worth observing that flooding and fresh outbreaks of Covid-19 disrupted notified through a random computerised draw, would be after shedding $7.20 as compared to its closing the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and the business activity. China’s crude oil processing last entitled to prize in respect of their purchases from the value on Friday last. global ire over the same joins the US-China tussles month also fell to the lowest level on a daily basis since tier-1 retailers. As per the Sales Tax Act, 1990, the tier-1 Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of yellow to weigh on the risk appetite. They said that given May 2020 as independent refiners cut production in the retailers are those operating as a unit of a national or metal in Pakistan decreased to Rs93,800 after shed - the lack of major data/events, coupled with the risk- face of tighter quotas, elevated inventories and falling international chain of stores; a retailer operating in an ding Rs200. The closing prices of the yellow metal aversion-backed USD rebound, gold is likely to re - profits, they said. Doubts about the speed of economic air-conditioned shopping mall, plaza or centre, in the country remained Rs94,000 on Friday last. main pressured. recovery were also heightened after U.S. consumer excluding kiosks; a retailer whose cumulative electricity sentiment dropped sharply in early August to its lowest bill during the immediately preceding 12 consecutive in a decade, a University of Michigan survey showed months exceeds Rs1.2 million; a wholesaler-cum- late last week. The International Energy Agency (IEA) retailer, engaged in bulk import and supply of consumer last week said that rising demand for crude oil reversed goods on wholesale basis to the retailers, as well as on course in July and was expected to increase at a slower the retail basis to the general body of the consumers; a Bitcoin jumps to $47,521 as rate over the rest of 2021 because of surging Covid-19 retailer, whose shop measures 1,000 square-feet in area infections from the Delta variant. or more or 2,000 square-feet in area or more in the case of retailer of furniture; and a retailer who has acquired crypto market turns bullish point of sale for accepting payment through debit or credit cards from the banking companies or any other Unisame hails SME digital payment service provider authorised by the State NEWS DESK 78% of crypto investors in Singapore hold Bank of Pakistan. Ethereum, and 69% have Bitcoin. business loan scheme The cryptocurrency market remained bullish on Ethereum’s rising popularity can be attributed to Monday, with the market capitalisation increasing by the increase in the number of deflationary blocks NEWS DESK SECP asks firms to file UBO 4.8 percent to $2.12 trillion as of 1145 hours GMT. being produced since EIP-1559 went live with the The price of Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryp - London hard fork. Around $165 million worth of The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) declarations tocurrency, reached $47,521 after gaining 3.07 per - ETH has been burned in the past ten days. As more has felicitated State Bank of Pakistan Governor Reza cent. With this increase in price, the market Ethereum is pulled out of circulation, analysts note a Baqir on the proposed launch of the SME Aasan NEWS DESK capitalisation of the BTC has reached $892.8 billion. rise in total value locked (TVL) on DeFi and a spike Business Loan Scheme. Likewise, ethereum (ETH) price gained 4.04 in volume of Ethereum staked in the ETH 2 contract. According to a statement issued on Monday, Unisame The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan percent to reach $3,293. With this increase in price, Ethereum has outperformed Bitcoin in terms of President Zulfikar Thaver said that it is reported that the (SECP) has, once again, advised companies to submit the market capitalisation of ETH has reached transaction volume, daily trade volume and return central bank will launch the SME Aasan Business Loan Declarations of their Ultimate Beneficial Owners $385.5 billion. Similarly, the price of Cardano on investment, according to data from the Scheme for up to Rs10 million loan without collateral (UBOs), through filing of Form 45, as required under (ADA) – now the third-ranked cryptocurrency after Blockchain Centre. Further, as the Ethereum net - and eight banks will be selected for the purpose. He said Section 123A of the Companies Act, 2017. Bitcoin and Ether – reached $2.17 with 1.89 per - work heads toward the “merge,” the upgrade that it is learnt that the markup rate will be 9 percent per The procedure for companies to obtain, maintain and cent increase in its price. Its market capitalisation swaps the current proof-of-work (PoW) consensus annum inclusive of the handsome bank spread of 8 update information about their ultimate beneficial has reached $70.2 billion after this increase. On the mechanism with energy-efficient and secure proof- percent for the banks coming forward to offer services owners is specified in the Companies (General Provision other hand, XRP gained 0.08 percent to reach of-stake (PoS), Ether’s inflation is expected to under the scheme. Thaver said that this is indeed a big & Forms) Regulations, 2018, said a press release. $1.28. The market capitalisation of XRP stands at drop, leading to deflation. Traders expect “defla - step to facilitate the sector and Unisame is proud of the To ensure standards of transparency in the ownership $128.1 billion after this increase. tion” to positively impact Ethereum’s price, which SBP’s positive initiative. The State Bank of Pakistan has and control structure of corporate entities, the Similarly, Dogecoin (Doge) price jumped by makes it more attractive than Bitcoin. played a positive role during the pandemic and government had introduced amendments to the 16.51 percent to reach $0.351. With this increase According to analysts, Ethereum’s next price rescheduled loans and influenced commercial banks to Companies Act 2017. These amendments made it in price, the market capitalisation of Doge reached target is $4,000, and this is a significant psycholog - facilitate the sector beyond expectations, he added. mandatory for every company to obtain information of $45.8 billion. A recent survey by cryptocurrency ical level for the altcoin’s price rally. There is a Now, this step will facilitate the SMEs and enable the its UBOs, and file a declaration to this effect with the exchange Gemini revealed that Ethereum is the surge in Bitcoin reserves on exchanges; however, banks to offer SME Aasan Business loans will go a long SECP on the prescribed format i.e. Form 45. most popular cryptocurrency in Singapore. Nearly in the case of Ethereum, the opposite is true. way in the development of the sector, he further added. SRB extends dates for sales tax payment, returns filing NEWS DESK turns for July 2021 up to August 27, 2021. Federal Board of Revenue has extended the date of The provincial tax authority extended the date, payment and submission of sales tax & federal excise The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has extended the last considering holidays on account of the Independence return for the tax period of July 2121. date for the payment and sales tax returns filing for Day and Ashura. Earlier last week, the Federal Board The FBR said the date of payment of sales tax and July 2021. of Revenue (FBR) extended the last date for payment federal excise return, which is due on August 15, 2021 In a circular issued on Monday, the SRB said that and filing return for the month of July 2021. has been extended up to August 23, 2021. Furthermore, taxpayers can make payment of sales tax on services According to a circular, in exercise of the powers the date of submission of sales tax and federal excise for the period of July 2021 up to August 24, 2021. Fur - conferred under Section 74 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 return, which is due on August 18, 2021 has been ex - ther, the taxpayers can file their monthly sales tax re - and Section 43 of the Federal Excise Act 2005, the tended up to August 24, 2021, added the FBR. CMYK Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 ISLAMABAD NEWS 05 ECC approvEs subsidisEd ElECtriCity, rlNG for Export sECtors neWS deSK After due deliberations, the ECC such use. The sub-committee was di - sue international exploration and pro - approved the continuation of electricity rected to present its recommendations duction opportunity in Abu-Dhabi, HE Economic Coordination and gas subsidies for export-oriented before ECC within 30 days for further United Arab Emirates. Committee (ECC) of the fed - sectors to support the momentum of deliberation. Minister for Privatisation Muham - eral cabinet has approved the growth in exports during the fiscal year The ECC considered and approved mad Mian Soomro, Minister for Na - continuation of electricity and 2021-22. Speaking on the occasion, the a summary presented by the Power Di - tional Food Security & Research Syed gas subsidy for export-ori - finance minister emphasised the need to vision for extension of incremental con - Fakhar Imam, Minister for Industries etnted sectors to support the momentum incentivise export-oriented sectors in sumption package for K-Electric and Production Makhdoom Khusro of growth in exports during the fiscal order to take national exports to the next industrial consumers of X-WAPDA Bakhtiar, Minister for Energy Muham - year 2021-22. Finance Minister Shaukat level. At the same time, the finance DISCOs & K-Electric and application mad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Eco - Tarin presided over the ECC meeting on minister stressed the need to rationalise of incremental consumption package nomic Affairs Division Omar Ayub Monday. usage of energy inputs. for BI(Non ToU) consumers of X- Khan, Adviser to the PM on Commerce The Ministry of Commerce pre - For this purpose, the ECC consti - WAPDA DISCOs and K-Electric at the Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the sented a summary regarding continua - tuted a sub-committee comprising min - rate of Rs.12.96/kwh from 1st July 2021 PM on Institutional Reforms and Aus - tion of concessional rates of electricity ister for energy, minister for industries to 31st December 2021. terity Dr Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on Fi - and RLNG to export-oriented sectors. & production, advisor on commerce, The ECC also approved another nance and Revenue Dr Waqar Masood, The secretary commerce briefed the deputy chairman Planning Commission, summary by the Petroleum Division re - SAPM on Power & Petroleum Tabish committee that extension of conces - additional secretary (CF) finance and garding NOC for issuance of the parent Gauhar, and other senior officers par - sional rates of electricity and RLNG is other relevant officials for presenting a company guarantees/corporate guaran - ticipated in the meeting, while Gover - important for sustained increase in ex - plan to resolve the issue of continued tees by each of the consortium compa - nor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr ports by providing energy at regionally use of gas by some units for power gen - nies, on a joint and several basis, in Reza Baqir also participated through competitive rates. eration and non-cooperation in audit of favour of ADNOC and SCFEA to pur - video link. efforts on to discover new oil, gas reserves to meet demand: Hammad Ferozsons Laboratories celebrates Independence Day by lighting Frere Hall emerald green. PR

is located in Khairpur district. Nowshera Block, cov - Govt Gives nod to oGdCL to expLore oiL, Gas in 5 bLoCks ering an area of 1,711.06 sq-km is located in Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi and Nowshera. KE ready to facilitate neWS deSK The exploration licences and petroleum conces - The minimum firm work commitment for these sion agreements were signed by Dr Arshad Mah - blocks is $13.32 million for the period of three years. customers during Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar has said that nat - mood, secretary of the Petroleum Division, Abdul The companies are obligated to spend a minimum of ural gas resources are depleting by 10 percent every Jabbar Memon, director general of the Petroleum $30,000/annum in each block on social welfare year and efforts are underway to discover new re - Concessions, on behalf of the government of Pak - schemes. The annual social welfare obligation in re - 9th and 10th of serves of oil and gas in the country to meet the increas - istan, and Shahid Saleem Khan, managing director spect of these five blocks is $150,000. ing demand. of the OGDCL. The OGDCL is a public limited company engaged The minister said this while addressing a cere - The government executed the petroleum conces - in exploration and production activities in the country Muharram mony on Monday, wherein the government executed sion agreements at Elsover Block No 3372-26 for the last five decades. It holds the largest share of five petroleum concession agreements and exploration (Hazro); Block No 2972-7 (Vehari); Block No 2972- oil, 41 per cent and gas, 36 percent of the total reserves KaraCHi licences with the Oil and Gas Development Company 8 (Sutlej); Block No 2668-23 (Khewari East); and in the country. Its percentage share of total oil and gas PRESS RELEASE Limited (OGDCL). Block No 3471-1 (Nowshera). production in Pakistan is 47 per cent and 29 per cent, Hammad said that these efforts will bear fruits for Hazro Block, covering an area of 653.74 sq-km is respectively. As part of its plan to facilitate its valued consumers on the country in the form of additional hydrocarbon re - located in Attock district, Swabi, Haripur while Vehari The OGDCL is the operator of 46 exploration li - the occasion of Muharram-ul- Haram, K-Electric has an - serves during the next few years. The minister said the Block, covering an area of 2,487.28 sq-km is located cences and working interest owner in seven other ex - nounced that it will undertake all efforts to maintain an execution of the exploration licences and the petroleum in Bahawalpur district, Vehari and Lodhran and Sutlej ploration blocks operated by various E&P uninterrupted supply of power at major locations on the concession agreements will not only enhance invest - Block, covering an area of 2,312.56 sq-km is located companies. It is currently producing 36,058bpd of 9th and 10th of Muharram. The utility has established ment in the petroleum sector but will also contribute in in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Vehari and Khanewal. oil, 1,023 mmscfd of gas, 778 tonnes of LPG and 51 Regional Command and Control Centers and positioned bridging the energy demand and supply gap. Khewari East, covering an area of 1,451.53 sq-km tonnes of sulphur per day. resources at the Commissioner of Karachi’s Control Room and at the Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell for constant vigilance and monitoring of the electricity situa - tion around-the-clock. Furthermore, the utility has de - ployed specialized staff at procession routes for rapid Casualties reported amid chaos at Kabul response against any emergency situation. KE’s field teams have also been placed on high alert and will be available to rectify any localised fault. The utility also clarified that such power interruptions should not be con - airport as Afghans attempt to flee strued as load-shed. With respect to preparation, spokesperson KE said, “We have been making our best Continued from page 01 After waiting six hours, she heard shots from the military controlled the airspace. efforts to exempt areas where Majalis and processions are outside, where a crowd of men and women were try - The speed of the Taliban offensive through taking place since the beginning of Muharram and we in - The Taliban swept into Kabul on Sunday after ing to climb aboard a plane. She said US troops the country appears to have stunned US offi - tend to continue that over the next 2 days as well.” Cog - President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, bringing sprayed gas and fired into the air to disperse the cials. Just days before the insurgents entered nizant of the presence of Covid-19 and potential forecasts a stunning end to a two-decade campaign in which crowds after people scaled the walls and swarmed Kabul with little if any resistance, a US military for rain, KE Spokesperson also cautioned consumers to the US and its allies had tried to transform onto the tarmac. Gunfire could be heard in the voice assessment predicted it could take months for continue taking safety measures to protect themselves Afghanistan. messages she sent to The Associated Press. the capital to fall. and loved ones, stating, “In addition to wearing masks The country’s Western-trained security forces col - The US Embassy has been evacuated and the Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesperson, tweeted and maintaining social distancing, we remind consumers lapsed or fled in the face of an insurgent offensive that American flag lowered, with diplomats relocating to that fighters had been instructed not to enter any to keep a safe distance from electric infrastructure includ - tore through the country in just over a week, ahead of the airport to aid with the evacuation. Other Western home without permission and to protect life, property ing poles and substations, especially during processions. the planned withdrawal of the last US troops at the end countries have also closed their missions and are fly - and honour. The Taliban have also said they will stay In the event of rain, please take shelter indoors and reach of the month. ing out staff and nationals. out of the upscale diplomatic quarter housing the US out to our customer care channels for any queries or com - Massouma Tajik, a 22-year-old data analyst, de - By morning, Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Author - Embassy complex and the posh villas of US — allied plaints.” KE’s customer care platforms are available 24/7 scribed scenes of panic at the airport, where she was ity issued an advisory saying the civilian side of the former warlords who have fled the country or gone and include the call centre 118, 8119 SMS service, and hoping to board an evacuation flight. airport had been closed until further notice and that into hiding.. social media channels. Afghans clung to Government launches uniform education curriculum plane fall from Continued from page 01 said that for the first time in the country’s ment with Sustainable Development and Garrison boards. history, the national curriculum had been Goals, the Quaid and Iqbal’s vision, a The provincial and area workshops sky amid airport chaos His comments about how how cultural im - launched in Punjab, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, focus on values, respect for diversity in were subsequently held in all federating position is tantamount to “mental slavery” Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad cultures and religions, and the develop - units. Finally, a National Conference was Continued from page 01 and how Afghans had “broken the shackles Jammu and Kashmir. He said consultations ment of 21st century skills including ana - held in Islamabad where consensus on the of slavery” came as the Taliban effectively would be made with the Sindh government lytical, critical, and creative thinking. final draft of the curriculum was secured. as well for its implementation. The process for developing the SNC The model textbooks based on the One of the locals confirmed this and said that took control of Afghanistan after days of He said that several developed coun - entailed both a comparative review with SNC besides the teacher training modules the fall of these people made a loud and terri - rapid advances in the country. tries including the United Kingdom, curricula from other countries and consen - have also been developed for grades Pre-1 fying noise,” a local news agency, Asvaka, He expressed satisfaction that in the new China, Germany and Japan followed their sus building within Pakistan following a to 5. These have been shared with all fed - tweeted. Reportedly, at least five people were curriculum, special emphasis had been laid own national curriculum, adding that a uni - consultative process. erating units to support timely implemen - killed after gunfire at the airport. According on the teachings of Holy Prophet (Peace be form framework would help the Pakistani As a first step, multiple comparative tation of the SNC on the ground. Under to Reuters, a US official said that the US upon Him) as an inspiration of ethics and students a level-playing field in academics. studies were conducted to align an SNC SNC, English will be taught as a language troops fired in the air to deter people trying morality. He mentioned that the minorities National Curriculum Council Director Dr draft with international standards. These with a focus on skills. In Islamiat, new to enter in a military flight evacuating US would also be taught about their religions. Mariam Chughtai said that the new syl - standards were taken from curricula fol - themes of “Muamilaat” and “Islam aur diplomats and embassy staff. Two gunmen The lauded the strenuous hard work of labus would act as a ‘living document’ lowed in Singapore, United Kingdom, daur-e-hazir ke taqazay” have been added. were killed by the US forces there over the Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and with always room for improvement and Malaysia and Indonesia, and findings in - The experts from all factions of Ittehad past 24 hours. A witness told Reuters that it his team in materialising the vision of a would be made accessible for all students corporated in the SNC draft. Tanzimat Ul Madaris Pakistan were part of was unclear if they had been shot or killed in single national curriculum. However, he across the country through technology. A consultative process with stakehold - the consultation. To ensure intra-faith har - a stampede while a Pentagon spokesperson directed to reduce the time frame for im - The SN will focus on Pakistan’s con - ers across Pakistan followed, including mony, the SNC focuses on what is com - said there were indications that one US sol - plementation of second and third phases stitutional framework, national policies representation from the public sector, pri - mon between schools of thought and dier was wounded. and make efforts to get them implemented in six months. Education Minister Shafqat with their aspirations and standards, align - vate sector, madaris, and the cantonment avoids promoting religious differences. CmYK Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 06 COMMENT from such a grave tribulation; but in yet another man - To recognize or ifestation of God being Ar-Raheem, those who per - severe under such trials are promised recompense in On being thankful the next life. According to the Quran, it is a conse - not to recognize quence of God’s mercy that He will bring all souls to the Day of Resurrection. As for the here and now, the Need for Taliban to neutralise terrorists The foundation of religion barring one. These attributes are Ar-Rahman and Ar- very fact of feeling a sense of injustice when encoun - HE Taliban have taken over most of Afghanistan in a Raheem. (The Faatiha , for example, despite consist - tering a blind man means one takes God’s universal little more than a week and have entered Kabul ing of only a handful of verses, starts with Bismillah mercy for granted (even if one is not conscious of it) without facing resistance. This has stunned the world and includes a verse mentioning both the attributes.) and is therefore shocked to find an exception. T On a related note, there is and raised questions as to how things went so bad so fast in Both Ar-Rahman and Afghanistan under the US watch. The Taliban’s control over Ar-Raheem are derived from a popular narrative that seeks Afghanistan after twenty years will have both short term and the same root which means to explain God away. It goes long term implications for its neigbouring countries, mercy or beneficence, with something like this: God is a particularly Pakistan. the definite article ‘Al’ Armchair philosophers figment of man’s imagina - Pakistan will be required soon to take a decision (which becomes ‘Ar’ here) often take issue with this. They tion. The primitive man did regarding the recognition of the new government in Kabul. meaning ‘The’ – anybody not understand the science With terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan can be Rahman or Raheem point out (correctly) behind thunder, lightning, increasingly targeting minorities, law enforcement personnel but only God is Ar-Rahman floods, fire, hurricanes, earth - and those working on CPEC projects in Pakistan, many and Ar-Raheem. Ar-Rahman that there are any number of quakes, and the like. This would question the Taliban’s policy regarding these terrorist refers to God’s universal misfortunes suffered by people, lack of understanding caused networks. Pakistan’s concerns are shared by many other mercy for everybody while him to be afraid of all these countries that include the US, Russia, China and Ar-Raheem refers to His and they argue that things. It was this fear that re - Afghanistan’s several other neigbours. Statements from the mercy for those interested in it is therefore not correct to say sulted in his inventing the Taliban that they would not allow anyone to use Afghan a special relationship with concept of a deity (or deities) territory against other countries would satisfy few. As new HASAN AFTAB SAEED Him; the former comes with that God is universally who, he hoped, would protect Zealand PM Jacinda Arden put it, ‘it’s going to be all about the flavour of the intensity of him from the threat of these actions, not the words’. The Taliban have to satisfy Pakistan His beneficence and the lat - Beneficent. The problem with phenomena. Leaving the and other concerned countries how they intend to deal with ter of its permanence. this line of reasoning is that larger debate of ‘God creat - the terrorists operating from their soil. PPRECIATIOn of Almighty’s favours is Armchair philosophers ing man’ vs ‘Man inventing While the Taliban’s victory has been less bloodstained the basis of Islam. Without this foundation often take issue with this. any statement that is true of God’ for another day, let us than was being expected, fears remain that they might there is no question of the superstructure. They point out (correctly) each member of a group examine the above argument reimpose policies that in the past alienated Afghan ethnic So it is that the very first chapter of the that there are any number of on its own merits. If one is groups and minority sects, denied jobs to women and Quran (the Faatiha or the opening) starts misfortunes suffered by loses its significance afraid of losing one’s life, Aby expressing gratitude to God. A Muslim is sup - people, and they argue that family, health, or peace of education to girls while stifling media freedom. Ruthless treatment of a major section of population led in the past to posed to recite this short chapter at least seventeen it is therefore not correct to altogether. Individual mind, then it is obvious that international boycott of the white dominated South Africa. times every day as an integral part of his mandatory say that God is universally misfortunes, far from he not only is blessed with all Countries can also be denied recognition if they continue to prayers. In another place, the Quran explicitly states Beneficent. The problem these things to start with but host terrorists who pose danger to neighboiurs. that God’s favours will only increase if one is appre - with this line of reasoning is invalidating any thesis, help also appreciates their value The Taliban may claim that for the last twenty years they ciative of the blessings he already enjoys. As per the that any statement that is make the case in the first place. and wants them to continue. had been fighting the US supported government that ruled Quran, the opposite of being thankful for God’s mer - true of each member of a That he fears for something Kabul and were not in a position to open another front cies is kufr , which is the word the book employs for group loses its significance to be taken away from him against the terrorists operating from Afghanistan. now that rejecting (or not acknowledging) the truth. altogether. Individual mis - means that there is already they are in power, it is their duty to ensure that their territory The Quran makes it clear that while we cannot fortunes, far from invalidat - something for him to be is not used to launch attacks inside any other country. wrap our heads around the nature or essence of God ing any thesis, help make the case in the first place. thankful for. Therefore, the ‘fear’ argument breaks Unlike Afghanistan, Pakistan was created to become a or how He acts, we can have an idea about some of In other words, exceptions prove the rule. Take blind - down as soon as it is subjected to a little scrutiny. This modern federal democracy with Islamic concept of people’s His qualities or attributes, albeit strictly from our ness, for example. Eyesight is a blessing precisely be - is because gratefulness always precedes fear; there is welfare high on its agenda. It is for the PTI government to point of view and within the constraints of our limited cause it is possible, and indeed it happens to be the no possibility of fear without being blessed first. ensure that extremist tendencies that endanger democracy understanding. The Quran mentions many of these case, that some do not have it. As a wise man once and pluralist values are brought under control by urgently attributes. Two of them, which occur frequently in the remarked, God took away the eyesight of some so The author is a connoisseur of music, literature, implementing the national Action Plan. text proper, are also part of the Bismillah verse, which that those with eyes do not remain blind to Him. This and food (but not drinks). He can be reached at is included at the start of every chapter of the Quran is not to trivialize the hardship of somebody suffering www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed Single National Curriculum Gender gap in voting persists in Pakistan Not implementable in its current state Women attendance at the polls still worryingly low will not bring forth any change, so it is useless to n an effort to end disparity within the education system, come forward and show their presence. They have the PTI government has launched a Single national failed to understand that the problems of females are Curriculum (SnC), aimed at bringing uniformity among to step out with confidence and partake in political best understood by their own self rather than the male I counterparts. Activists say that only women can bet - the syllabi of private schools, public schools and madrasahs. activities. As a concept, this is a step in the right direction as it would It has been found through a survey that some ter put an end to their own issues and hence they help introduce a more modern and mainstream standard of women do not participate in elections as they lack should get themselves eligible to vote in decision- education to a section of society that currently has to settle for national ID cards and find it difficult to move to dis - making forums. something much inferior and obsolete for the modern world. tant places to get them registered as citizens and on The recent Global Gender Gap Index Report electoral rolls. Observers have revealed that often the 2021 by World Economic Forum ranked Pakistan at However, the manner in which the SnC has been developed rd th and the methodology driving its implementation is simply not husbands do not have an understanding of the im - 153 out of 156 position. These and other stats are going to garner the results that are being envisaged. The portance of vote and its future impact, therefore highlighted by activists to urge women participa - clubbing together of social studies and science under the women do not feel encouraged about their presence tion, especially given that gender equality is one of common head of ‘general knowledge’, to be taught from in the elections. Those who own ID cards have been the prime purposes of Sustainable Development grade one through three, is in itself problematic as the observed to note vote owing to an array of reasons, Goals (SDGs). According to SDG 5, ensuring significance of both subjects in early learning years will be including a lack of aware - “equality is not only a fun - undermined if they are not taught separately. To add insult to ness on political change or damental human right, but a injury, it will be taught in Urdu, making the understanding of even their male guardians necessary foundation for a crucial scientific concepts such as gravity and photosynthesis not allowing them to vote. peaceful, prosperous and The electoral disparity Analysts say that another fact sustainable world.” for example much harder to grasp for young kids who do not MEHMil KHAliD KuNwAr possess the requisite linguistic skills early on to make sense of is yet another offshoot of that contributes towards low Experts say that women what is being said in classrooms. Pakistan being an extremely can be encouraged to partic - Additionally, it seems a lot of liberty has been taken by patriarchal society where voting turnout of women is the ipate in national elections those preparing the course material of compulsory subjects, OMEn in Pakistan gained the right to women often do not have hidden agreements that are regularly through rigorous who have peppered books with unnecessary religiosity. One vote in 1956, almost a decade after the their personal choices or state policy. A relevant step only needs to glance over the content of an SnC grade-four country’s creation. Historians maintain opinions and their husbands made between the elders of a taken by the state in this di - English workbook to spot how the crucial components of that gaining the right to vote in a newly or guardians own their lives. village and political parties in rection was introducing a composition, comprehension and creative writing have been established state was a big achieve - According to a survey, 30.4 clause in Election Act 2017, mWent for women, that too in a patriarchal society. percent of men in the coun - according to which in the layered over by Islamic history content. While private certain constituencies. This schools will somehow navigate around these changes, taking Since then, successive governments have strived to try maintained that it was constituencies where advantage from the fact that there is not much disruption in bring about various reforms to create an inclusive po - not appropriate for women practice is widely present in women voters comprise less the way of their teaching protocols, it is the public schools litical environment for women. But observers say is - to express their thoughts on former FATA region where the than 10 percent turnout, the with their lack of resources and the madrasahs that will have sues persist in granting women electoral rights. politics while 64 percent election commission can de - a much tougher time grasping what has been introduced and According to nadra chairman, Tariq Malik, it has said it was not appropriate elder chief takes the most clare the results of the elec - made compulsory so rapidly and abruptly. neither has the been discovered over 10 per cent gender gap is found for women to appear as po - important decisions. tion null and void and call capacity nor the infrastructure to effectively teach the SnC at in 80 districts of Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s litical party workers. for a reelection. Through the their respective schools and establishments. The very fact Bannu district alone, the gender gap was reported as Analysts say that an - clause was lauded by rights that there are enough stringent structural deficiencies high as 52 per cent. Activists say that in a democratic other fact that contributes groups, yet observers say its prevalent in the national education system in the way of country such a massive difference in political partici - towards low voting turnout implementation has re - satisfactorily absorbing the changes that will be brought pation of both genders sends alarming signals, calling of women is the hidden agreements that are made be - mained quite unsatisfactory. about by the SnC should be reason enough for a rethink of for the authorities to address the issue on war-footing. tween the elders of a village and political parties in “The ECP’s gender-specific policies must go to - the entire exercise. How can there be any ‘singularity’ if the Experts have noticed that until recently the incum - certain constituencies. This practice is widely present gether with initiatives to develop a political culture adoption of this new system is not sufficiently implementable bent government has taken a few measures to ensure in former FATA region where the elder chief takes the that encourages the participation of women,” notes in madrasahs and public schools? the equality of women in voting. Since 2017, 10.7 mil - most important decisions. Activists maintain that re - analyst Sara Mahmood. lion women had been registered with nadra, providing striction of women to the boundaries of the house has “The government should also urge mainstream them the platform to participate in policymaking. prevented them from acting as strong “agents of political parties to make women’s involvement a key Sharing the details of the reforms exclusively change” in the country. aspect of campaigns.” made for women Tariq Malik said that “258 nadra reg - Former federal secretary Rukhsana Shah ex - Activists say nadra should enlist all the areas of Dedicated to the legacy of late Hameed Nizami istration centres have become operational, 10 mega - pressed her disappointment on the lack of political will the country where women lack national ID cards and centres are working 24/7 and 53 centres are operating in the government to propose the solutions. “[The gov - send them text messages to get registered. They say Arif Nizami (Late) with double shifts.” Arrangements have been made by ernment] did not appear to have the capacity to develop that there should a general drive or campaign Founding Editor nadra to ensure women get registered at a fast pace to an alternative narrative to the rampant obscurantism launched by nadra, stressing upon the “rapid regis - narrow the existing gender gap as soon as possible. proliferating throughout the country,” she said. tration of women” and issuing their ID cards. Yousaf Nizami The government says it is taking stringent meas - Many women in Pakistan believe that their situ - Editor ures to bring about reforms in the country in order to ation cannot be improved, and they are bound to live The writer is a polymer engineer with a profound provide an enabling environment for women to vote. around problems forever. Observers say that due to interest in politics. She works on social issues and M. A. Niazi Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Umar Aziz However, critics argue that it has yet to deal with the illiteracy and lack of awareness they have convinced gender bias. She can be reached on Twitter Joint Editor Joint Editor Executive Editor religious and social constraint placed around women themselves that their participation in the elections @mehmilkhalid Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965 I Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 I Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 I Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk I Email: [email protected] Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 COMMENT 07 Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. e-mail: [email protected] Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively Pakistan and Bangladesh Economic ties TWO south Asian counties with Muslim majority are trying to reduce gap that other countries has taken advantage of. Pakistan and Bangladesh are making a push to build diplomatic, economic, cultural ties that could upend decades of historic arrangements in the region. number of developments have been made for diplomatic ties. For instance, as Bangladesh PM Haseena sent Haribhanga mangoes as a gift to Imran khan which is a sign of development in terms of relations. Almost half of the population of South Asia is under poverty. It is sad that many South Asian countries are seen to prefer distant countries as trade partners instead of their closest neighboring economies. A 2018 study by the World Bank strongly argues that regional cooperation in South Asia can power the entire region to grow faster and improve Standards of living. It has been estimated that in 2015, the trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan has a potential to be valued at $1,376M. but instead of it only $837M. was recorded. It is because of the gap between trade potential and actual trade which is attributed to the gap in bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Hence it is stated that a stronger regional cooperation for sustainable peace and prosperity can be achieved through the improvement of bilateral ties and people to people exchange. The reason for enhancing bilateral trade with neighboring countries can be explained by the price hike of onion in Bangladesh in 2019 which reached at TK 300(USD 3.54). Onion prices were hiked at a hike because of Indian government banned export of onions to Bangladesh. To bring down the price of Onion, Bangladesh started to import onions from other countries like China, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. It was an important lesson The Kashmir Premier League for Bangladesh from the price hike of onions, that not depending solely on KPL is boosting the local economy through one country for any essential item, and enhancing bilateral relations with Challenges and Economic Opportunities the creation and circulation of money. The busi - neighboring countries is a must to curb the price of essentials. ness of the hotels, restaurants, sports industry Currently, Bangladesh’s volume of exports to Pakistan is very small. It multiplied with zero and his dreams have dashed and dozens of others are earning profits with the is as small as $72 million which is just 0.2% of her total export. And out. Bottom line is that BCCI was playing a zero- start of the league. Kashmir is known for its cul - import from Pakistan is small as well which is $784 million and it is just sum game based on propaganda and has been ex - tural foods such as Wazwan, Gushtaba, Kulcha, 1.3% of Bangladesh’s overall imports. And from Pakistan’s side it is 3.3%. posed to the cricket fraternity. tandoori baqerkhani, Kashmir yakhni, etc. Trade between both countries are on only a few things like Textile fiber, Indeed it is a big achievement for Pakistan and Therefore Kashmiri foods is attracting players paper yarn and woven fabrics. Other major exports are Tobacco, Cotton, Azad Kashmir to start KPL in the beautiful and and other tourists. The textile industry is earning apparel and clothing accessories which constitutes nearly 90% of enchanting city of Muzaffarabad, and all credit revenue by making shirts, caps, and other ac - Bangladesh’s imports from Pakistan. Bangladesh and Pakistan should sign goes to the government of Pakistan and Azad cessories for cricket lovers. Many local vendors a bilateral free trade Agreement. The reconciliation process between two Kashmir. The state institutions have ascertained are increasing their earnings by selling these countries, indubitably, is a welcome step. There is dire need for policy that Kashmiri people have the freedom to partici - items. Furthermore, the government is earning shifts by both governments to resolve the old issues in an expeditious pate in games and millions of rupees manner to meet new challenges posed by the emerging world order. sports. This is the reason through ticket selling. Mujeeb-ur-rahMan that slogan opted for It is worth empha - Lahore KPL is Kha lo Azadi se sizing that any type of (Play with freedom). Indeed it is a big achievement the sport where both Moreover, international for Pakistan and Azad Kashmir rich and poor partici - A closer look at Jinnah’s players such as Her - pates together leads to schelle Gibbs, Matt to start KPL in the beautiful and shared prosperity in Dr. SAMiNA SABir Prior, Tillakaratne Dil - enchanting city of term of employment vision of Pakistan shan, Owais Shah, and creation and redistribu - th Phil Mustard and inter - Muzaffarabad, and all credit tion of income in soci - THIS year we are celebrating 75 birthday anniversary of Pakistan, but ASHMIR Premier League (KPL) is a national commentators ety. KPL type events what Jinnah envisioned for Pakistan as a state remains a distant dream. The professional T20 league founded in are actively promoting goes to the government of have a positive transi - debate about the nature and character of the Pakistani state has never been 2020 and it consists of six franchises KPL. People across the Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. tory impact on the in - more intense than it is today. Some still voice the demand for a theocratic namely Mirpur Royals, Kotli Lions, globe can watch and come of daily wage state while others argue that religion has nothing to do with the business of Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions, enjoy matches through The state institutions have earners, vendors, micro- state. Since Jinnah did not write a book or monograph, the main clues to MKuzaffarabad Tigers, and Overseers Warriors re - the eyes of cameras on his thinking are to be found in his speeches. Let us clear some fog about ascertained that Kashmiri enterprises, and rick - spectively. CEO of KPL is Ch. Shahzad Akhtar, PTV Sports and Geo Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan through his speeches. shaw and taxi drivers th and Arif Malik is the founding president, Ex- super. Moreover launch - people have the freedom to respectively. Further, The first speech was delivered on 11 August 1947 when the first cricketer and legend Wasim Akram is the Vice ing of KPL in Azad Constituent Assembly elected him as their first President and the second we are expecting that th President of KPL. Kashmir has referred a participate in games and the successful launching on 14 August, which is now celebrated as Independence Day in India tried to politicize the game of cricket by favorable memorandum sports. This is the reason that of KPL would have en - Pakistan. If we put together these two of Jinnah’s speeches in crucial provoking international players to not playing for to the world community couraging and spillover month of August 1947 we can glimpse his vision for the state he had KPL 2021. For instance, veteran cricketer Her - including diaspora slogan opted for KPL is Kha lo created. The most significant and most moving speech was the one impacts on other sports th schelle Gibbs blustered the news that the Board of based on Pakistan and activities, for instance, given on 11 August as it was outpouring of ideas on the state and the Azadi se (Play with freedom). th Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was involved Azad Kashmir that Azad hockey, football, volley - nature of society. On 11 August Jinnah said to his people “you are free: in desisting him from playing for the KPL. More - Kashmir is a safe and ball, etc. you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or over, English player Monty Panesar has dropped peaceful territory. Such Above all, KPL to any other places of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong the decision from playing in KPL at the request of authorizations lead to provides a podium to to any religion or caste or creed, that has nothing to do with the BCCI as he was threatened to cancel his visa for the promotion of tourism in Azad Kashmir that the local talent bursting into the world stage. fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one India and he won’t be able to see his grandparents. would be a great source of generation of revenue PSL has hunted the many unknown players, rec - state; now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and However, Gibbs is playing in KPL without suc - for the government and promotion of local cultural ognized them, and provided the opportunity to you will find that in course of time, Hindus would cease to be Hindus, cumbing to the pressure of BCCI and a big round and archeological activities. Economists coined it play at the national and international level for and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in religious sense because of applause for him. Despite the politicization of as sports tourism that has ripple effects on the Pakistan. They are enjoying the fame, recogni - that is the personal faith of each individual but in the political sense as the game of cricket, the league is going on as per economy through the creation of employment op - tion, and rising the name of Pakistan. KPL will the citizen of the state”. the schedule and it has delivered the message of portunities. Moreover, KPL would have a long- also provide the platform to the local players to From this powerful passage comes a vision of a brave new world. The peace and harmony to the world community. India term effect on the spirits of those desiring to invest seek opportunities to publish their talent and words were Jinnah’s: the thought and belief were an inheritance from the could not tell the international community that it and do business in AJK. Many of the residents of play for Pakistan. Prophet (SAW) who said thirteen centuries before that “all men are equal has held people in the complete siege in Indian Kashmir are settled in Europe, America, Australia, in the eyes of God and your lives and properties are all scared and in case Occupied Kashmir after the abrogation of article Canada, and many other states, and KPL has at - The writer is an Assistant Professor of you should attack each other’s life and property. Today I trample under my 370 on August 5, 2019. However, all confusions tracted the next generations to visit their home Economics at the University of Azad Jammu and feet all distinctions of caste, color and nationality”. This is the vision of an and anecdotes created and spread by BCCI have country to enjoy its culture. Kashmir Islamic society which would be equitable, compassionate, and tolerant, and from which the poison of corruption, nepotism, mismanagement and inefficiency would be eradicated. If Pakistanis could follow these ideals, Jinnah would be confident of the future. Jinnah specifically did not want a theocratic state run by mullahs. Jinnah made his position clear in a broadcast to the people of the United States of America recorded in February, 1948 : In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priest with a divine mission. We have non- Muslims- Hindus, Christians and Parsee- but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizen and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan. Acceptance of minorities in the statements of Jinnah is also very significant as he had regularly reminded his Muslim audience of what Islam maintains. He said, ‘our own history and our Prophet have given the clearest proof that non- Muslims have been treated not only justly and fairly but generously’. Unfortunately, in today’s Pakistan there is an extreme discrimination on the basis of religion and there are certain laws which are instrumentalised by the religious lot and by sectarian and violent groups. There are centers of intolerance against minorities. Therefore, we need to keep our Quaid’s legacy alive and endeavor to achieve a state of affairs consistent with his ideals, principles and vision that constitutes Jinnah’s Pakistan. Mian rauf Lahore Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 08 WORLD VIEW Where Are the tAlIbAn And AfghAnIstAn heAded After the fAll of KAbul? Stratfor WorldvieW over the next several days and weeks — the answers to dullah Abdullah and former Prime Minister Gulbuddin rity Council recognized their first government in the which will shape the next phase of the Afghan situation. Hekmatyar likely to forge with the Taliban? In their at- late 1990s. China is particularly important to watch in HE Taliban is now in Kabul, and negotiating Is Ghani planning to set up some sort of anti-Taliban tempts to gain domestic and international legitimacy, will this regard. Beijing has engaged with the Taliban and for the peaceful transfer of power from a col- political or military force in Uzbekistan, and will he be the Taliban seek to keep aspects of the current bureau- laid out its expectations of any future government — lapsing Afghan government to the reinstated Is- able to gain any international support? cracy or offer political concessions to powerful local deny sanctuary for Uyghur militants, protect Chinese lamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Afghan Ghani has come under criticism from several offi- leaders to avoid a prolonged civil war? business and infrastructure interests, limit the spread of President Ashraf Ghani has fled to Uzbekistan, cials who have stayed in Kabul for fleeing, but he re- Insurgency and governance are not necessarily the cross-border militancy from spilling into Central or twhile former President Hamid Karzai, former Chief Ex- fused to step down as president. It is possible that as same skill sets, and the Taliban may find itself struggling South Asia and compromising China’s Belt and Road ecutive Abdullah Abdullah and former Prime Minister several Western nations have asserted that they will not to maintain its internal cohesion and manage the com- Initiative. Beijing may well recognize the reality of the Gulbuddin Hekmatyar are reportedly in talks with the recognize Taliban rule, Ghani is positioning himself as plex human landscape of Afghanistan. If the Taliban Taliban over the preferences of Western powers, just as Taliban to facilitate the transition. the nucleus of an Afghan government in exile. His de- wants international recognition and engages in at least recently we have seen China reengaging with the new Taliban officials have reportedly told their forces to clining support in Afghanistan may make this moot, but limited commerce with its neighbors, it will need to set military leadership of Myanmar, effectively accepting take up security positions inside Kabul, but not to enter we will also watch the Uzbek government to see if it up a functioning bureaucracy. Forging selective power the military as the legitimate government. But while people’s houses or engage in revenge attacks, and have will allow an opposition force to be established within sharing arrangements may give it access to a trained Chinese diplomatic recognition would be a major offered an amnesty for those who worked with the its borders. Any reconstitution of a northern Alliance workforce and reduce the likelihood of anti-Taliban in- breakthrough for the group, it would require the Taliban Afghan government or even with foreign forces. Reports opposition to the Taliban would need to include Uzbek surgency, but it will also require additional political com- to exert more influence or control over foreign militant of looting have emerged, and shots fired near the airport and Tajik militia. promises by the Taliban. elements inside Afghanistan, something it may not be reportedly stopped commercial flights. Several Western With the collapse of the Afghan police and security Will the Taliban facilitate the peaceful evacuation of fully capable of doing. embassies have closed or evacuated staff, and earlier re- forces, where are the former soldiers and police going, foreign personnel from Kabul after they complete the What are the implications for other militant groups ports noted that the United States was calling on any re- and where are their weapons? Are they fleeing transfer of power? in Afghanistan, namely, al Qaeda and the Islamic State maining citizens in Kabul to shelter in place given the Afghanistan, shifting sides, or just reverting to their eth- If they are seeking legitimacy, then they may well Khorasan Province? status of the airport. nonetheless, the Taliban is seeking nic and tribal affiliations, and thus becoming the nuclei do so. It is unclear, however, if the Taliban have complete Unverified reports indicate that the Taliban have to shape the narrative that their accession to power is le- of numerous localized militia? control over all of their forces and fighters, and there freed dozens of prisoners, including some ISKP mem- gitimate — a message for both inside Afghanistan and The Taliban has taken control of most of may be some seeking to exploit foreigners caught behind bers. The Taliban have used foreign fighters in its cause, beyond its borders. Afghanistan, at least nominally. But much of that has the lines in Afghanistan. and in the past have sheltered transnational militants. It The speed of the Taliban’s final advance suggests been due to the collapse of the Afghan security forces, Which countries are likely to recognize the Taliban- has also, however, fought the rise of the Islamic State less military dominance than effective political insur- not necessarily their defeat. Afghanistan remains a led government? Has Taliban outreach to Beijing, in Afghanistan, seeing it as a competing power center. gency coupled with an incohesive Afghan political complex ethnic and tribal society with local interests, Moscow, Tehran and the Gulf paved the way for formal, numerous prisons have been overrun and emptied, or system and security force struggling with flagging and long-term control requires authority over the use or even unofficial, recognition? have seen prison breaks, so the Taliban will not only see morale. In many cases, local officials and forces sim- of force. If soldiers and police have retained their Pakistan has sent mixed messages, but the apparent its own fighters freed, but potentially competing mili- ply melted away or directly handed power to the Tal- weapons and shifted allegiance from the nation to their inevitability of Taliban control may leave Islamabad tants. If the Taliban are serious about gaining some as- iban, a pattern that largely seemed to be repeated in locality, then this presents a lingering civil war chal- and Afghanistan’s other neighbors little option but to pect of international recognition, even regionally, it will the final move on Kabul. lenge for the Taliban. Such local militia forces may also deal with the Taliban, even if they don’t grant formal be forced to act quickly to rein in other militants. This As the Taliban looks to formalize its control over provide levers for foreign powers to exploit to keep the diplomatic recognition. If China or Russia were to rec- will add to the likely simmering unrest that is likely to Afghanistan and seeks legitimacy domestically and in- Taliban off balance. ognize the Taliban, that would be a major victory for plague Afghanistan as the Taliban transitions from in- ternationally, we will be considering several questions What sort of negotiated settlement are Karzai, Ab- the group, as no permanent member of the U.n. Secu- surgency to rule. Why Afghan forces so quickly laid down their arms OPPOSING AFGHAN FACTIONS HAVE LONG NEGOTIATED ARRANGEMENTS TO STOP FIGHTING  SOMETHING THE US EITHER FAILED TO UNDERSTAND OR CHOSE TO IGNORE While the coming months and years will reveal what the U.S. government did and didn’t know about the state of Afghan secu- rity forces prior to U.S. withdrawal, the speed of the collapse was predictable. That the U.S. government could not foresee — or, perhaps, refused to admit — that belea- guered Afghan forces would continue a long-standing practice of cutting deals with the Taliban illustrates precisely the same Politico Magazine naivete with which America has prosecuted ANATOL LIEVEN the Afghanistan war for years. The central feature of the past several n the winter of 1989, as a journalist weeks in Afghanistan has not been fighting. for the Times of London, I accompa- It has been negotiations between the Taliban nied a group of mujahedeen fighters and Afghan forces, sometimes brokered by in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province. At local elders. On Sunday, the Washington one point, a fortified military post be- Post reported “a breathtaking series of nego- cIame visible on the other side of a valley. As tiated surrenders by government forces” that we got closer, the flag flying above it also resulted from more than a year of deal-mak- became visible — the flag of the Afghan ing between the Taliban and rural leaders. Communist state, which the mujahedeen In Afghanistan, kinship and tribal con- were fighting to overthrow. nections often take precedence over formal “Isn’t that a government post?” I asked political loyalties, or at least create neutral my interpreter. “Yes,” he replied. “Can’t they spaces where people from opposite sides can see us?” I asked. “Yes,” he replied. “Should- meet and talk. Over the years, I have spoken n’t we hide?” I squeaked. “no, no, don’t with tribal leaders from the Afghanistan- worry,” he replied reassuringly. “We have an Pakistan border region who have regularly arrangement.” presided over meetings of tribal notables, in- Afghanistan has a tradition to which the giances), either took their men over to the to snowball.” I remembered this episode three years cluding commanders on opposite sides. Taliban have adhered closely — and which mujahedeen, fled or went home — and were Afghan society has been described to me later, when the Communist state eventually One of the key things discussed at such helps explain the speed of their success. allowed to do so by the victors. Kabul was as a “permanent conversation.” Alliances fell to the mujahedeen; six years later, as the meetings is business, and the business very The Taliban will summon an enemy garri- captured intact by the mujahedeen in 1992, shift, and people, families and tribes make Taliban swept across much of Afghanistan; often involves heroin. When I was traveling son to surrender, either at once or after the as it is being captured by the Taliban now. In rational calculations based on the risk they and again this week, as the country collapses in Afghanistan in the late 1980s, it was an first assaults. If it does so, the men can ei- the later 1990s, while in some areas the Tal- face. This is not to suggest that Afghans who in the face of another Taliban assault. Such open secret that local mujahedeen groups ther join the besiegers or return home with iban faced strong resistance, elsewhere made such decisions are to blame for doing “arrangements” — in which opposing fac- and government units had deals to share the their personal weapons. To kill them would enemy garrisons also surrendered without a what they felt to be in their self-interest. The tions agree not to fight, or even to trade sol- local heroin trade. By all accounts, the same be seen as shameful. On the other hand, a fight and in many cases joined the Taliban. point is that America’s commanders and of- diers in exchange for safe passage — are has held between Taliban and government garrison that fought it out could expect no Deals between Afghan and Taliban ficials either completely failed to understand critical to understanding why the Afghan forces since 2001. quarter, a very strong incentive to surren- forces during the U.S. war have been de- these aspects of Afghan reality or failed to army today has collapsed so quickly (and, The power of kinship led to a common der in good time. tailed in works like War Comes to Garmser report them honestly to U.S. administrations, for the most part, without violence). The arrangement whereby extended families The Soviet-backed Afghan state sur- by Carter Malkasian and An Intimate War by Congress and the general public. same was true when the Communist state have protected themselves by sending one vived for three years after the Soviet with- British soldier Mike Martin. A report by the We can draw a clear line between this collapsed in 1992, and the practice persisted son to fight with the government army or po- drawal, and in fact outlasted the USSR itself Afghanistan Analysts network describes lack of understanding and the horrible de- in many places as the Taliban advanced later lice (for pay) and another son to fight with — a telling commentary on the comparative such an agreement in Pakhtia province in gree of surprise at the events of the past sev- in the 1990s. the Taliban. This has been a strategy in many decrepitude of the “state” that the United 2018: “Haji Ali Baz, a local tribal elder, told eral days. America didn’t predict this sudden This dense web of relationships and ne- civil wars, for example, among English States and its partners have attempted to cre- AAn that it was agreed that the govern- collapse, but it could have and should have gotiated arrangements between forces on op- noble families in the 15th-century Wars of ate since 2001. During my travels with the ment’s presence would be limited to the dis- — an unfortunately fitting coda to a war ef- posite sides is often opaque to outsiders. the Roses. It means that at a given point, one mujahedeen, I was present at a hard-fought trict centre, and neither side would venture fort that has been undermined from the start Over the past 20 years, U.S. military and in- of the sons can desert and return home with- battle at Jalalabad in March 1989, in the im- into the areas controlled by the other. This by a failure to study Afghan realities. telligence services have generally either not out fearing persecution by the winning side. mediate wake of the Soviet withdrawal, agreement resulted in all of the government understood or chosen to ignore this dynamic These arrangements also serve practical when Afghan government forces beat off a security posts outside the district centre Anatol Lieven is a senior fellow at the as they sought to paint an optimistic picture purposes. It is often not possible for guer- massive mujahedeen assault. being dismantled. In the words of Haji Ali Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft of American efforts to build a strong, loyal rilla forces to hold any significant number But after the USSR collapsed and Soviet Baz, this led to the end of the fighting, which and author of Pakistan: A Hard Country. Afghan army. Hence the Biden administra- of prisoners of war. Small numbers might be aid ended in December 1991, there was very had ‘caused a lot of trouble for the people.’” From 1985 to 1998, he worked as a tion’s expectation that there would be what held for ransom, but most ordinary soldiers little fighting. Government commanders, Most recently, as described in the Wash- journalist in South Asia, the former Soviet during the Vietnam War was called a “decent are let go, enlisted in the guerrillas’ own starting with Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum ington Post Sunday, after the Biden admin- Union and Eastern Europe and covered the interval” between U.S. departure and the ranks or killed. (who since 2001 has been on the American istration declared in April that U.S. forces wars in Afghanistan, Chechnya and the state’s collapse. Thus, as in medieval Europe, side, illustrating the fluidity of Afghan alle- were withdrawing, “the capitulations began southern Caucasus. Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 ISLAMABAD BUSINESS 09 SBP LAUnchES SME FinAncE SchEME SAnS coLLAtERAL KARACHI lending, i.e., without collateral to the SMEs. in the SME lending, after which the SME fi - finance models, low usage of appropriate specialise in lending to the SME sector. In - TLTP SAAF is a refinance and credit guarantee nancing by the banks is expected to be sus - technology needed for the SME finance and terested banks will be selected through a facility, which has been developed through tainable without the central bank or the the lack of acceptable security. transparent bidding process to offer conces - The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Mon - a wide-ranging consultative process and is government support. The SME sector plays a The SMEs; therefore, often turn to exor - sionary refinance facilities, which would day introduced an innovative initiative to im - aimed at assisting the SMEs that are credit - pivotal role in Pakistan’s economy and is es - bitantly expensive informal credit and face also carry partial risk coverage from the gov - prove access to finance for the Small and worthy but are still unable to access finance, timated by the Small and Medium Enterprises impediments to growth. The majority of the ernment of Pakistan. Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in collabora - as they cannot offer the security required as Development Authority (Smeda) to contribute SMEs in the informal sector that do not have The banks winning through this bidding tion with the federal government with the collateral by the banks. 40 per cent to GDP and 25 per cent in export collaterals are currently borrowing in cash or process will need to invest in human re - aim of enabling businesses who cannot offer The SBP will provide refinance to the earnings. However, despite this the SMEs kind at the rates of at least 25 per cent. This sources, technology and processes to suc - security/collateral to access bank finance, a banks, while the government of Pakistan will find it difficult to access formal bank finance, scheme is primarily targeted to such SMEs. cessfully develop expertise and capability to statement said on Monday. support via partial credit guarantees to the as the SME financing stood at Rs444 billion To overcome these challenges, the State attract the SME finance market. To partici - The central bank said this initiative has participating banks. This support is being pro - as of March 31, 2021, which is only 6.6 per Bank has adopted a fresh and innovative ap - pate in SAAF, interested banks will submit been brand named, “SME Asaan Finance” or vided initially for three years to facilitate in - cent of the total private sector credit. proach to address both the SMEs and the expressions of interest (EoIs) to the SBP to SAAF to emphasise the SME facilitation vestments by the banks in technology, This is due to several reasons, including bank issues. The central bank will provide build their SME loan portfolio during the feature of this scheme and to provide clean infrastructure and team building specialised relatively higher loan losses, high costs bank refinancing only to those banks that desire to three-year validity period of the scheme. Prices of petrol, Torkham border reopened for diesel stay unchanged commercial activities NEWS DESK PESHAWAR enter Pakistan. Niaz Mohammad, an exporter, said that the cur - The government has kept prices of petrol and AZIZ BUNERI Mohammadullah, a truck driver said that deliver - rent situation has dealt a severe blow to the Pak- diesel unchanged with effective form August ing goods in Afghanistan has become very a chal - Afghan trade as Pakistani traders aren't taking the 16 for next fortnight. According to a notifica - The Torkham border which was closed for several hours lenging task during the transition of power in the war risk of supplying goods to Afghan markets. He said tion issued by finance ministry, the ex-depot by the Pakistani authorities after the Taliban took control torn country. that Kabul will order goods from other countries in price of petrol was kept unchanged at of Nangarhar province on Sunday was reopened for trade Khyber Khan, another driver who transports fresh these circumstances. Rs119.80 per litre and that of high speed vehicles on Monday. fruit from Afghanistan, said that there are hundreds of It is pertinent to mention here that after the Taliban diesel (HSD) at Rs116.53. However, the price According to sources in Customs, after the reopen - freight vehicles on the road from Kabul to Torkham at captured Nangarhar, the Pak-Afghan border, Torkham, of kerosene was increased by 81 paisa to ing Torkham Gate, stranded export and transit vehicles present. He said most of the vehicles are facing prob - was completely closed for all kinds of traffic and pedes - Rs88.30 from Rs87.49 per litre and that of were cleared and sent to Afghanistan. Similarly, vehi - lems due to customs clearance as there is no staff on trians and a heavy contingent of Pakistan security forces light diesel oil (LDO) by Rs1.10 to Rs85.77 cles with import goods from Afghanistan such as fresh the Afghan side of the border to clear goods due to Tal - has been deployed at the gate, including Pakistan Army from Rs84.67 per litre. Under a revised mech - fruit, vegetable and dry fruits were also allowed to iban's take over. troops, FC, police personnel, who are on high alert. anism, oil prices are revised by the govern - ment on a fortnightly basis to pass on international prices published in Platt’s Oil - gram instead of previous mechanism of monthly calculation on the basis of import cost Sale, purchase of of Pakistan State Oil (PSO). Afghan currency Tarin for strengthening Pak-Canada banned in Pakistan business, economic linkages LSM sector grew MONITORING REPORT ISLAMABAD number of Pakistani diaspora and peo - medium and long term plans in 14 pri - at 16-year high in APP ple to people contacts contribute an im - ority areas and it was his firm belief that A ban has been imposed on the sale and pur - portant component of the bilateral these plans would bring about a turn - chase of Afghan currency in Pakistan after the Federal Minister for Finance and Rev - relations. He briefed her about the re - around of the economy and establish it FY21: Dawood developing situation in Afghanistan that saw the enue Shaukat Tarin on Monday said that cent economic developments and initia - on a more sound footing. Taliban taking over the capital city of Kabul, Canada was one of the major develop - tives, saying that enhancing revenue On the occasion, the Canadian high ISLAMABAD local media outlets reported on Monday. There ment partners of Pakistan, stressing the collection, boosting exports, increasing commissioner thanked the minister for APP will be a complete ban on the sale and purchase need to further strengthening business remittances and making the energy sec - his time and informed him that the busi - of Afghan currency in the wake of the ongoing and economic linkages between the two tor sustainable were the foremost prior - ness community in Canada saw great Prime Minister, Adviser on Commerce and In - developing situation. The Taliban declared the countries. During a meeting with High ities of the current government. investment potential in wind power vestment, Abdul Razak Dawood on Monday war in Afghanistan was over after they took Commissioner of Canada for Pakistan, "In addition to these, the govern - generation, power transmission systems said the Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) control of the presidential palace in Kabul as Wendy Gilmour, who called on him ment would promote agriculture, hous - as well as mining sector in Pakistan. sector grew at a 16 year high level of 14.85 US-led forces departed and Western nations here, the minister stated that Pakistan ing and SME sector while Kamyab She stated that government’s sup - per cent in FY21. The de-industrialisation that scrambled on Monday to evacuate their citi - had long-standing and multi-dimen - Pakistan Programme would be its sig - port in these areas would attract Cana - was taking place in Pakistan has now been re - zens. Hundreds of Afghans invaded the airport’s sional ties with Canada. nature project," he added. dian investors to bring their businesses versed and this has been made possible gov - runways in the dark, pulling luggage and Extending a warm welcome to the The minister added that for inclu - to Pakistan. Shaukat Tarin assured the ernment’s pro-industry policies, the adviser jostling for a place on one of the last commer - Canadian high commissioner, the fi - sive and sustainable growth, the gov - wendy Gilmour of his support for at - said this on his official twitter account here. “I cial flights to leave the country before US nance minister said Canada has a large ernment was preparing various short, tracting investment in Pakistan. am glad to share that the LSM sector grew at forces took over air traffic control on Sunday. 16 years high level of 14.85 per cent in FY 21. The de-industrialisation that was taking place in Pakistan has now been reversed and this has UAE's flydubai been made possible by the government’s pro- Brent oil may fall to $69.07 industry policies.” Dawood said the growth suspends Kabul flights was led by textiles, food, beverages, tobacco, DUBAI SINGAPORE suggests a completion of the bounce. chart, oil may retest a support at $68.43. petroleum, and pharmaceutical, chemical, The wave b ended at $69.07, which A break will not only cause a fall AGENCIES AGENCIES mineral, automobile, fertilizers and iron and works as an immediate target. into $64.15-$66.29 range, but also steel products. Earlier this month it was re - United Arab Emirates (UAE) airline flydubai Brent oil may fall to $69.07 per barrel, The bounce may extend, if the oil confirm a reversal of the uptrend ported that Pakistan’s exports grew by 17.3 suspended flights to Afghanistan's capital Kabul as suggested by its wave pattern. manages to stabilize around $69.07. from the March 23 low of $60.27. per cent to $2.35 billion in the first month of on Monday, a spokesperson told Reuters, after The bounce from the Aug. 9 low of Otherwise, the contract may soon re - Each reader should consult his or her the fiscal year 2021-22 (1MFY22) i.e. July as the Taliban entered the city. A last return flight $67.60 adopted a three-wave mode. The visit the low of $67.60. own professional or other advisers compared to the same period last fiscal year from Kabul to Dubai was operated on Sunday wave c is much shorter than the wave a. Resistance is at $70.46, a break for business, financial or legal advice (1MFY21). after which services have been suspended until This relation, along with the deep above which could lead to a gain into regarding the products mentioned in further notice. $70.89-$71.32 range. On the daily the analyses. fall from the Aug. 12 high of $71.90, Rupee continues Stocks mostly down as China recovery slide against US dollar in weakens, on Afghan fallout interbank market LONDON issues in Asia generally, while geopolitical On the economic front, retail sales in Raymond Yeung, chief economist for MONITORING REPORT AGENCIES concerns have also surfaced following the China expanded 8.5 percent in July year- Greater China at ANZ Banking Group, developments in Afghanistan and the im - on-year and industrial output was up 6.4 said the figures "suggest the economy is The United States (US) dollar Monday wit - Stock markets mostly retreated on Monday plications for the future of the region." percent, according to figures released by losing steam very fast". nessed a spike in interbank against Pakistani as weak Chinese economic data, fears of a Growth in China's retail sales and in - Beijing's statistics bureau, with both fig - Surging infections linked to the Delta rupee at the start of the day. According to de - resurgent coronavirus and the Taliban's dustrial production slowed in July, official ures below analyst estimates. variant of the coronavirus "also adds extra tails, the US dollar surged by 20 paisa, reach - victory in Afghanistan gnawed at investor data showed Monday, with a rebound of Lockdowns and other movement re - risk to August's activities", he added. ing Rs164.20 in the interbank. On Friday, the sentiment. Covid-19 dragging on demand in the strictions brought in to combat the coun - The resurgence of the virus in China last trading day of the previous week, the Pak - Europe's main equity indices were world's second biggest economy after the try's recent coronavirus outbreaks have was "weighing on investors' nerves now, istani rupee appreciated by just one paisa lower after widespread falls across Asia. US. In Japan, the third largest, the econ - been blamed for hampering economic per - especially when one looks at the evolution against the US dollar. According to the State Oil prices were down more than 1.0 omy rebounded slightly during April-June. formance along with a series of deadly of outbreaks in the region from Australia Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency percent, while the dollar mostly firmed Market watchers were also closely fol - floods. to Singapore to Japan and everywhere in closed at Rs164 against the greenback, regis - against its main rivals. lowing developments in Afghanistan. "The spread of domestic outbreaks and between", said Jeffrey Halley, senior mar - tering appreciation of one paisa over the previ - "Weaker economic data emanating US troops fired shots into the air and natural disasters have affected the econ - ket analyst for Asia Pacific with OANDA. ous close of Rs164.01. The Pakistani rupee from China has spoiled the mood, with all commercial flights were cancelled at omy of some regions, and economic recov - "If anyone can break the trend, it is had touched an all-time low of 168.43 against lower readings on retail sales and industrial Kabul airport Monday as thousands of ery remains unstable and uneven," China," he added. the greenback last year in August before re - production raising questions on whether Afghans crowded onto the tarmac in the National Bureau of Statistics spokesman "But widespread outbreaks and restric - couping some losses to hit a 22-month high of the recovery momentum can be main - hope of catching any flight out after the Fu Linghui told a press briefing. tions would be a game-changer for the Asia Rs152.95 in April, 2021. The local unit rose tained," noted Richard Hunter, head of weekend Taliban takeover. But he added that "the national econ - recovery, and one could argue, the global by 6.2 per cent or Rs10.51 against the US dol - markets at Interactive Investor. European stocks log best winning omy continues to stabilise and recover" one as well when one considers the impli - lar in the currency market during the fiscal "In addition, there remain some health streak since 2006 overall. cations to supply chains." year 2020-21 that ended on June 30. Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 10 FOREIGN NEWS ISLAMABAD Malaysian PM MuhyiDDin resigns as PoliTical crisis escalaTes KUALA LUMPUR functions and advise the king until a new gence and extended lockdowns. precarious since he took office with a slim ReuteRs prime minister is appointed. Muhyiddin's resignation is likely to re - majority in March 2020, appointed by the "I hope a new government can be turn the post to the United Malays National king after joining hands with parties defeated ALAySIA'S Muhyiddin formed immediately so that the administra - Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia's 'grand in the 2018 polls, including UMNO. yassin stepped down as prime tion of this country is not disrupted," he said old party', which was voted out in a 2018 But he has been beset by coalition in - minister on Monday after in a televised speech. election after being tarnished by graft accu - fighting due to tension with UMNO, which months of political turmoil cul - "The next two months is crucial, as we sations, though it remained influential. balked at playing second fiddle, and recently minated in the loss of his ma - expect to achieve herd immunity in Octo - TOP CONTENDERS: It was unclear if a withdrew its support for him. A last-ditch ef - jMority, but his resignation is likely to open ber," Muhyiddin added. new prime minister can be picked soon, said fort to gain opposition support fell through. another chapter of instability in the absence Malaysia's infections and deaths per mil - Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, a law ex - Muhyiddin had said the recent crisis was of any obvious successor. lion rank as the region's highest in the pan - pert at International Islamic University of brought on by his refusal of demands such Muhyiddin's resignation ends a tumul - demic. It was not immediately clear who could Malaysia. as dropping graft charges against some indi - tuous 17 months in office, the shortest stint form the next government, as no lawmaker has "There is no one currently who could viduals. of a Malaysian leader, but hampers efforts to a clear majority in parliament. The opposition command a majority, so they are now coerc - "I will never conspire with the kleptocrat reboot a pandemic-stricken economy and bloc and the biggest party are split on support ing each other to support the candidate that group, interfere with the independence of the curb a resurgence of Covid-19 infections. for their prime ministerial candidates. they are putting forward," he said. judiciary and turn my back on the federal The Southeast Asian nation's king ap - to command a majority. "There is no clear replacement, which The top contenders to be prime minister constitution merely to remain in power," he pointed Muhyiddin as the caretaker prime Malaysia's ringgit currency fell to a one- raises uncertainty further, and that means include Muhyiddin's deputy Ismail Sabri said in Monday's speech. minister until a new one is found, but did not year low on the news and the stock market more economic stagnation," said Trinh yaakob, veteran lawmaker Tengku Raza - UMNO politicians faced with corruption set a timeline. (.KLSE) slipped. Nguyen, a senior economist at Natixis in leigh Hamzah and former foreign minister charges include former premier Najib Razak King Al-Sultan Abdullah ruled out elec - Muhyiddin said he resigned along with Hong Kong, adding that political uncertainty Hishammuddin Hussein, all from UMNO. and party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. tions because of the pandemic, saying he his cabinet after losing majority support in had become the new normal in Malaysia. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim could They have denied wrongdoing and were would invoke his constitutional power to ap - parliament. As caretaker, he added, he will The central bank slashed its 2021 out - also stake a claim. among those who withdrew support for point a prime minister he believes is likely have no cabinet, but will perform executive look last week because of the disease resur - Muhyiddin's grip on power had been Muhyiddin this month.

Death toll rises to 70 from Turkey floods, 47 reported missing

ISTANBUL ReuteRs

Flash floods that swept through towns in Turkish Black Sea provinces have killed 70 people and emergency workers continue to search for 47 missing people, authorities said on Monday. The floods last week brought chaos as torrents of water tossed dozens of cars and heaps of debris along streets, destroyed buildings and bridges, closed roads and damaged electricity infra - structure. Sixty people died as a result of floods in Kastamonu province. Another nine people died in Sinop and one in Bartin, the Disaster and Emergency Management Direc - torate (AFAD) said. Forty-seven people were reported missing in Kastamonu and Sinop, it said. Drone footage showed mas - sive damage in the town of Bozkurt in Kas - tamonu province, where rescue teams searched demolished buildings at the week - end. More than 2,000 people were evacuated from affected areas, some with the help of helicopters and boats, AFAD said. Weather forecasters warned of further flooding due to expected heavy rainfall on Monday in Aiden Joel, 7, stands at the names of victims at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Black Sea provinces to the east of the re - on the day Taliban insurgents entered Afghanistan's capital Kabul, in New York City. ReuteRs gions affected last week. Haiti hospitals overwhelmed by quake victims as death toll hits 1,297

PORT-AU-PRINCE economic downturn aggravated by fierce gang swiftly. "May solidarity from everyone ReuteRs violence, and a political crisis that has en - lighten the consequences of the tragedy," he gulfed the troubled nation after the assassina - told pilgrims and tourists at his Sunday Haiti's hospitals were swamped on Sunday tion of President Jovenel Moise on July 7. blessing in St. Peter's Square. by thousands of injured residents after a dev - Churches, hotels, hospitals and schools However, Haiti's government appealed astating earthquake the day before killed at were badly damaged or destroyed, while the to aid organizations against setting up least 1,297 people as authorities raced to walls of a prison were rent open by the vio - makeshift camps and urged them to work bring doctors to the worst-hit areas before a lent shudders that convulsed Haiti. Some through the planning ministry, an apparent major storm hits. 13,694 houses were destroyed, the civil pro - attempt to avoid the mistakes made follow - The 7.2 magnitude quake on Saturday tection agency said, suggesting the toll could ing the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed thousands of homes and buildings rise further. In Les Cayes, a seafront town of killed tens of thousands of people. in a Caribbean nation which is still clawing some 90,000 people, rescuers in red hard Many Haitians prepared on Sunday to its way back from another major temblor 11 hats and blue overalls pulled bodies from the spend a second night sleeping in the open, years ago and is reeling from the assassina - tangled wreckage of one building, as a yel - traumatized by memories of that magnitude tion of its president last month. low mechanical excavator nearby helped to 7 quake 11 years ago that struck far closer to Southwestern Haiti bore the brunt of the shift the rubble. Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel the sprawling capital, Port-au-Prince. blow, especially in the region in and around Henry, who flew to visit Les Cayes, praised At Port-au-Prince airport, international the town of Les Cayes. Haiti's Civil Protec - the dignity shown by people there even in aid workers, doctors and rescue workers tion Agency said the toll from the disaster the midst of their suffering. boarded flights to Les Cayes. A US Coast mote areas. In difficult-to-reach villages video posted on social media, one gang had climbed to 1,297 and the hospitals that "They are affected but resilient. They Guard helicopter ferried the wounded. many houses were fragile and built on slopes leader said the armed groups had declared a were still functioning were struggling to fight to survive," he said, thanking interna - The rescue and aid efforts will be com - vulnerable to landslides, said Alix Percinthe, truce along the route to Les Cayes. cope as some 5,700 people were injured. tional agencies and foreign governments for plicated by Tropical Depression Grace, from the ActionAid charity. Chandler said boats and helicopters were In the northwestern city of Jeremie, an - their support. Nearby countries, including the which is expected to lash Haiti with heavy He said one local leader had informed being used to bring in aid but the govern - other badly hit area, doctors treated injured pa - Dominican Republic and Mexico, rushed to rainfall on Monday. Some 75 to 100 milli - him there were 47 deaths in his area not yet ment was working to establish safe access by tients on hospital stretchers underneath trees send desperately needed food and medicines liters of rainfall was expected, which may reported to regional authorities. road. A first convoy of aid had made it and on mattresses by the side of the road, as by air and across Haiti's land border. Colom - trigger landslides and cause some rivers to HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR: Footage through by land to the region of Les Cayes. healthcare centers have run out of space. bia sent search and rescue personnel. flood, Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said. of Saturday's aftermath posted on social The United Nations called for a "human - "We do have a serious issue," Jerry The United States dispatched vital sup - "We ask the population to remain vigi - media showed residents reaching into nar - itarian corridor" to be established so that aid Chandler, the head of Haiti's Civil Protection plies and deployed a 65-person urban search- lant," the agency added. row openings in piles of fallen masonry to can pass through gang-held territories. Agency, told Reuters. "There are very im - and-rescue team with specialized equipment, Thousands of people sleeping in the pull shocked and distraught people from the Following Moise's assassination, which portant facilities that are dysfunctional as we said Samantha Power, the administrator of streets would be exposed to the torrential debris of walls and roofs that had crumbled authorities have alleged was carried out by a speak and those that are functional are re - the United States Agency for International rains amid a rising risk of water-borne dis - around them. Access to the worst-hit areas group of largely Colombian mercenaries and ceiving an overflow of patients," he said. Development (USAID). eases, said Chandler, the head of the agency. was complicated by a deterioration in law Haitian accomplices, Prime Minister Henry The challenge facing Haiti has been exacer - From the Vatican, Pope Francis urged The death toll is expected to rise as tele - and order that has left key access roads in said officials would aim to hold elections for bated by the coronavirus pandemic, a severe the international community to show support phone network has been down in more re - parts of Haiti in the hands of gangs. In a a new president as soon as possible. Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 ISLAMABAD SPORTS 11 RoaCh steeRs West IndIes to dRamatIC WIn oveR PaKIstan kINgsToN heem Ashraf, Kyle ReuteRs Mayers fell to the WEST same combination INDIES 253 EST Indies held their nerve four balls later 8BRATHWAITE 97, HOLDER 58, as tailenders Kemar Roach and a spectacu - and Jayden Seales guided lar diving AFRIDI 47599 AND 168 FOR 9 them to a thrilling one-wicket catch saw 8BLACKWOOD 55, ROACH 30 NOT win over Pakistan in the first Blackwood WTest in Jamaica on Sunday. out for 55 off OUT, AFRIDI 47509 BEAT PAKISTAN Roach scored 30 and Seales two in an Hasan Ali. 217 8FAWAD 56, HOLDER 3726, unbeaten 17-run partnership as the home When SEALES 37709 AND 203 8AZAM 55, side reached their target of 168 for the loss Jason Holder of nine wickets after the West Indies had was bowled by SEALES 5755, ROACH 37309 bowled Pakistan out for 203 in their second Hasan, tea was BY ONE WICKET innings, with Seales taking 5-55. taken with the Fortunes ebbed and flowed dramatically Windies needing 54 to throughout the fourth day with 14 wickets win and Pakistan requiring three falling before Roach stroked the winning wickets. runs through the covers. The match continued to fluctuate in the The West Indies looked to have little evening session with three dropped catches chance when they lost their last recognised contributing to Pakistan's failure to wrap up batsman Joshua da Silva with 26 runs still the tail. required and two wickets left, but Roach Earlier, the 19-year-old Seales became took up the challenge with a confident bat - the youngest West Indian to get a Test match ting display. five-wicket haul, beating Alf Valentine's 71- It was never going to be an easy chase year-old record, as he rolled over Pakistan's after Shaheen Shah Afridi removed the lower order after they resumed at 160-5. Windies' top three batsmen cheaply to leave Roach took the first wicket of the the home side reeling at 16-3 before a 68-run morning, then Mayers snagged that of cap - fourth wicket partnership between Roston tain Babar Azam, who top-scored with 55, Chase and Jermaine Blackwood offered before Seales wrapped up the remaining them hope. three wickets. Imran Butt, however, began a series of The second and final Test is also behind stunning slip catches to turn the tide back closed doors at Sabina Park, Kingston start - Pakistan's way as Chase went for 22 off Fa - ing on Friday.

Medvedev dominates Opelka to win ATP Toronto Masters Kusal Perera tests positive for Covid-19 ToroNTo “Daniil played great, as expected. AFP He was flawless. I had one chance to News Desk break early and I don’t think that Daniil Medvedev neutralized the attack would have changed much. Sri Lanka batter Kusal Perera has tested positive for Covid- of American serving giant Reilly “It was a little windy and a little bit 19 and will now have to isolate for at least ten days, ESPN - Opelka on Sunday, dominating 6-4, 6-3 swirlier out there, so it was really cricinfo reported. The development should not, at this stage, to win the ATP Toronto Masters. tough to be consistently powerful. rule him out of the limited-overs series against South Africa The world number two Russian Even when I hit some big shots, he at home in the first half of September. Perera had also missed needed just 87 minutes, limiting his countered well. the home series against India in July with a shoulder injury, 2.11m opponent to just eight aces and “It was very tough to disrupt him and was just preparing to make a comeback to competitive breaking him three times while saving at all.” cricket when a test on Sunday showed him to be positive for all four break points he faced. Medvedev said he went into the the virus. "The protocol when someone tests positive is that Medvedev, aided by 34 unforced er - match with a plan to combat Opelka’s we keep them isolated for ten to 14 days, and then we'll do a rors from Opelka, became the first big delivery. cardiac assessment," Dr Daminda Attanayake, the Sri Lanka Russian to win a Canadian trophy since “The goal was to get as many balls team's chief medical officer, told ESPNcricinfo. "If he comes Marat Safin 21 years ago. back as possible, not go for crazy back okay from the cardiac assessments and other tests, that I The winner was playing a fifth ca - shots, make him move and make him don't see why we should keep him away from the South reer final at the Masters 1000 level. doubt,” Medvedev said. Africa series." The Sri Lanka squad is expected to enter a “When I was starting I could barely “The more balls you put back the biosecure bubble around August 25 in preparation for the have dreamed of a Masters final,” he more pressure you put on the oppo - South Africa series. As Perera will already be in isolation, he said. Now I’ve played five of them and nent.” will be allowed to enter the bubble once his isolation period won four. “I’m just happy,” he added. Medvedev, Opelka and their teams is concluded. Although the virus is not expected to keep Per - “I want to achieve more, I want to play were due to take a private plane laid on era out of the series, Attanayake did suggest that it was not better.” by organizers in order to reach next yet clear whether his shoulder injury had healed sufficiently Medvedev, who will be the top seed in the world. 2019) and I won just three games,” he week’s Cincinnati Masters, 660 kilo - for him to return to international cricket. South Africa are at next week’s Cincinnati Masters, the “It was a great week for him, he recalled of a title tilt against Rafael meters away, later in the evening. scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20s, all in final major tuneup for the US Open that fought to the end,” Medvedev said. Nadal. Medvedev said that if offered the Colombo. The first of those games is set for September 2 and starts August 30, had praise for Opelka, Playing a first Masters final is never Opelka said he was outplayed from chance, he would not turn down a glass the last for September 14. the US number one who is ranked 32nd easy. My first was in Canada (Montreal, the start by the top seed. of celebratory champagne in flight. Originally published on ESPNcricinfo Federer to undergo more knee surgery, will be out 'for many months'

PArIs That defeat was only his 14th at the All England years on tour, he will leave behind a career decorated by AFP Club in 119 matches, and the first time he had been 103 titles -- only Jimmy Connors with 109 has more -- a beaten in the tournament in straight sets since a first- combined 310 weeks at number one and more than $130 Roger Federer said on Sunday he will undergo further round exit at the hands of Mario Ancic in 2002. million in prize money alone. knee surgery and admitted he "will be out for many It was also the first time he had lost a set 6-0 at Wim - Later Sunday, the US Open confirmed Federer's months", a decision which casts further doubt on his fu - bledon and just the third time at a Slam. withdrawal from the final Grand Slam event of the year ture in tennis at the age of 40. "I've been doing a lot of checks with the doctors on with his spot in the draw taken by Tallon Griekspoor of "I will be on crutches for many weeks and out of the my knee," he added on Sunday. the Netherlands. game for many months," 20-time Grand Slam title win - "I hurt myself further during the grass-court season Nadal remains a doubt for the US Open where he is ner Federer said in a video posted on his Instagram ac - and it's just not the way to go forward. a four-time champion. count. The decision immediately rules him out of the US "They told me to feel better I'll need surgery. I de - The 35-year-old Spaniard suffered a foot injury in Open, where he has been champion five times and which cided to do it." his semi-final loss to Djokovic at the French Open in starts in two weeks' time. After turning 40 last weekend, Federer said he was June. "I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return learning to adjust to the fact that recovering from niggles The Spaniard skipped Wimbledon and the Olympics to the tour in some shape or form," added Federer. takes two weeks rather than two days. and played just one match in Washington earlier this "I am realistic, don't get me wrong. I know how dif - "It was different before. The questions were simple: month before withdrawing from the Toronto and Cincin - ficult it is at my age to go through another surgery. I will what is my place in the ranking? What will my next tour - nati Masters events. try it. I want to be healthy, I want to be running around." nament be?", he told Blick newspaper. Djokovic is also skipping Cincinnati after his disap - Federer, who has played just 13 matches in 2021, un - "Today, it's more difficult: how do I feel when I start pointing Olympics campaign. derwent two knee surgeries in 2020 when he played only training again? What are my goals? How to reconcile all The field, headed by Russian Daniil Medvedev, is six times. He had already pulled out of the Tokyo this with the family? What does the rest of the team say? He was already well past 36 and the second oldest without resting world number one Novak Djokovic plus Olympics to rest his knee. "I am much more enthusiastic than before, the atti - man to clinch a Slam title. injured Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Federer withdrew from this year's French Open after tude is different. It's really completely different from 10 Since then, Novak Djokovic has claimed eight more "Things are changing. Bodies are breaking down in - reaching the fourth round and was knocked out in the years ago." majors and old rival Rafael Nadal has picked up four. stead of top players being overtaken by tennis quarter-finals of Wimbledon, a tame 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 Federer captured his most recent major at the 2018 Both now stand level on 20 Slams with Federer. (progress)," said three-time major winner Andy Murray loss to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. Australian Open. Should Federer be preparing to bow out after 23 in Cincinnati on Sunday. Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 Prayer Timings FAJR SUNRISE ZUHR ASR MAGHRIB ISHA NEWS 4:01 5:31 12:12 4:57 6:52 8:22

about the future of women and girls. The UN also said the Security Council would meet over Afghanistan on Monday. Taliban declare end To war as They In Washington, opponents of US Presi - dent Joe Biden’s decision to end America’s longest war, launched after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, said the chaos was caused by a fail - ure of leadership. overThrow afghan governmenT Biden has faced rising domestic criti - cism after sticking to a plan, initiated by his reuTers On Monday, most people hid in their of dollars, melted away. “I’m in a complete state of shock,” said Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, to homes as the Taliban deployed fighters at Al Jazeera broadcast footage of what it Sherzad Karim Stanekzai, who spent the end the US military mission by Aug 31. HE Taliban declared the war in major intersections. There were scattered re - said were Taliban commanders in the presi - night in his carpet shop to guard it. “I know Senate Republican leader Mitch Mc - Afghanistan over after taking con - ports of looting and armed men knocking on dential palace with dozens of armed fighters. there will be no foreigners, no international Connell blamed Biden for what he called a trol of the presidential palace in doors and gates, and there was less traffic Naeem said the form of the new regime people who will now come to Kabul.” “shameful failure of American leadership”. Kabul while Western nations than usual on eerily quiet streets. Fighters in Afghanistan would be made clear soon, For the tens of thousands who have “Terrorists and major competitors like scrambled on Monday to evacuate could be seen searching vehicles at one of adding the Taliban did not want to live in iso - sought refuge in Kabul in recent weeks, the China are watching the embarrassment of a tTheir citizens amid chaos at the airport even the city’s main squares. lation and calling for peaceful international overwhelming mood was one of apprehen - superpower laid low,” McConnell said. as a tense calm gripped the capital. Taliban fighters ride on a police vehicle relations. sion and fear. “I am worried there will be a Naeem said the Taliban would adopt an President Ashraf Ghani fled the country outside Hamid Karzai International Airport “We have reached what we were seek - lot of fighting here,” one doctor who arrived international policy of two-way non-interfer - on Sunday as the militants entered the capital in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 16. — ing, which is the freedom of our country and with his 35-strong family from Kunduz told ence. “We do not think that foreign forces virtually unopposed, saying he wanted to Reuters the independence of our people,” he said. AFP, asking not to be named. “I would rather will repeat their failed experience.” avoid bloodshed, while hundreds of Afghans The fighters also went around the city, “We will not allow anyone to use our return home, where I know it has stopped.” A US State Department spokesperson desperate to leave flooded Kabul airport. collecting weapons from civilians “because lands to target anyone, and we do not want The militants sought to project a more said early on Monday that all embassy per - “Today is a great day for the Afghan people no longer need them for personal pro - to harm others.” moderate face, promising to respect sonnel, including Ambassador Ross Wilson, people and the mujahideen. They have wit - tection”, a Taliban official said. A Taliban leader told Reuters the insur - women’s rights and protect both foreigners had been transferred to Kabul airport, mostly nessed the fruits of their efforts and their sac - “We understand people kept weapons for gents were regrouping from different and Afghans. New Zealand Prime Minister by helicopter, to await evacuation and the rifices for 20 years,” Mohammad Naeem, personal safety. They can now feel safe. We provinces, and would wait until foreign Jacinda Ardern called for the Taliban to up - American flag had been lowered and re - the spokesman for the Taliban’s political of - are not here to harm innocent civilians,” the forces had left before creating a new gover - hold human rights and said the world was moved from the embassy compound. fice, told Al Jazeera TV. official told Reuters. nance structure. watching: “It’s going to be all about the ac - Hundreds of Afghans invaded the air - “Thanks to God, the war is over in the City resident Saad Mohseni, director of The leader, who requested anonymity, tions, not the words.” port’s runways in the dark, pulling luggage country.” the MOBY group media company, said on said Taliban fighters had been “ordered to Many Afghans fear the Taliban will re - and jostling for a place on one of the last In a video posted to social media, Tal - Twitter that Taliban soldiers had come to his allow Afghans to resume daily activities and turn to past harsh practices in their imposi - commercial flights to leave before US forces iban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar also company compound to enquire about the do nothing to scare civilians”. tion of Sharia law. During their 1996-2001 took over air traffic control on Sunday. announced his movement’s victory. weapons kept by his security team. “Normal life will continue in a much rule, women could not work and punish - “This is our airport but we are seeing “Now it’s time to test and prove, now It took the Taliban just over a week to better way, that’s all I can say for now,” he ments such as stoning, whipping and hang - diplomats being evacuated while we wait in we have to show that we can serve our na - seize control of the country after a lightning told Reuters in a message. ing were administered. complete uncertainty,” said Rakhshanda Ji - tion and ensure security and comfort of sweep that ended in Kabul as government Central Kabul streets were largely de - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lali, a human rights activist who was trying life,” he said. forces, trained for years and equipped by the serted early on a sunny Monday as waking urged all parties to exercise the utmost re - to get to Pakistan, told Reuters in a message United States and others at a cost of trillions residents pondered their future. straint, and expressed particular concern from the airport.

“We hope that our collective efforts will help bring lasting peace, progress and pros - Pakistan says political solution to perity to Afghanistan,” it added. China says ready for ‘friendly relations’ On Sunday, FO said it has no plans to shut down its embassy in Kabul and added with Taliban after Kabul takeover Afghan conflict ‘indispensable’ that Islamabad was monitoring the situation in the Afghan capital as the situation deteri - AFP region of Xinjiang. But a top-level Taliban orated rapidly in the country. delegation met with Chinese Foreign Min - FOREIGN OFFICE SAYS ENDING DECADES5LONG CONFLICT IS The spokesperson said the Pakistani na - China is ready to deepen “friendly and ister Wang Yi in Tianjin last month, prom - tionals in the war-torn country were being cooperative” relations with Afghanistan, ising that Afghanistan would not be used SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY assisted and there were no plans to close the a government spokeswoman said on as a base for militants. In exchange, China embassy as of yet. Monday, after the Taliban seized control offered economic support and investment News desk idly evolving situation in Afghanistan”. The Taliban declared the war in of the country. for Afghanistan’s reconstruction. The FO further said that Pakistan has Afghanistan over after taking control of the Beijing has sought to maintain unoffi - On Monday, China said it “welcomed” A day after Kabul fell to the Taliban and consistently emphasised that a political so - presidential palace in Kabul while Western cial ties with the Taliban throughout the the chance to deepen ties with Afghanistan, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani fled the lution is “indispensable” to resolve the situ - nations scrambled on Monday to evacuate US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, which a country that has for generations been capital, the Pakistan Foreign Office said that ation, adding that Islamabad will continue to their citizens amid chaos at the airport as spurred an advance by the hardliners across coveted for its geo-strategic importance by it was imperative for Afghan leaders to work play its constructive role in promoting this frantic Afghans searched for a way out. the country that saw them capture the cap - bigger powers. “The Taliban have repeat - together to address the evolving situation goal. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country ital Kabul on Sunday. edly expressed their hope to develop good “and craft a way forward for sustainable According to the statement, achieving on Sunday as fighters from the group entered China shares a rugged 76-kilometre relations with China, and that they look peace and stability in Afghanistan”. lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the capital virtually unopposed, saying he border with Afghanistan. forward to China’s participation in the re - In a press statement on Monday, the FO bringing an end to the four-decade-long con - wanted to avoid bloodshed, while hundreds Beijing has long feared Afghanistan construction and development of spokesperson said Islamabad continued to flict was a shared responsibility of the inter - of Afghans desperate to leave flooded Kabul could become a staging point for minority Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokes - “closely follow the developments in the rap - national community. airport. Uyghur separatists in the sensitive border woman Hua Chunying told reporters. ‘Unfinished Problem’ World leaders react to Taliban’s reclaiming of Afghanistan The AssociATed Press States in Afghanistan must usher in durable to acknowledge what the international com - after NATO troops withdrew, CDU party Afghan military cannot or will not hold its peace in the neighbouring, war-wracked munity has called for — human rights and chief Armin Laschet said: “It is evident that own country. And an endless American pres - The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has country. “The military defeat and the US the safety of their people,” Ardern said at a this engagement of the international commu - ence in the middle of another country’s civil raised alarm at the global level, with world withdrawal from Afghanistan should offer an news conference in the capital Wellington nity was not successful. It is the biggest de - conflict was not acceptable to me.” leaders clamouring for the protection of opportunity to restore life, security and lasting today. bacle that NATO has suffered since its ‘All abuses must stop’: UN human rights and bringing an end to armed peace in that country,” Raisi said, quoted by Taliban takeover of Kabul was founding, and we’re standing before an United Nations chief António Guterres aggression in the war-torn country. his office. The president’s statement, quoted ‘unexpected’: Russia epochal change. “ on Monday expressed concern, saying the Some sought introspection, terming it a by Reuters, came after the Taliban seized con - The Kremlin envoy on Afghanistan has World is concerned over rapid devel - conflict in Afghanistan was forcing hundreds collective failure, while others implored the trol of Kabul, but it did not mention the Tal - said Russia will evacuate some of its em - opments in Afghanistan: QatarQatar For - of thousands to flee amid reports of serious Taliban to uphold human rights. Yet others iban nor the fall of the Afghan capital. bassy staff in Kabul in order not to create too eign Minister Mohammed Bin human rights violations. held out an olive branch, looking to establish China says ‘ready for friendly relations’ big a presence. Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in a statement on ‘We are heartbroken’: Canadian PM relations with the new regime, whose leaders with Taliban Zamir Kabulov told the Ekho Moskvy Monday, said: “There is international con - Trudeau Canadian Prime Minister Justin were ousted from the seat of power around China is ready to deepen “friendly and radio station that some of roughly 100 Russ - cern about the fast pace of developments Trudeau, while speaking to reporters on Sun - two decades ago. cooperative” relations with Afghanistan, a ian embassy staff will be placed on leave or and Qatar is doing its utmost to bring a day, said Canada is “constantly monitoring ‘It’s failure of the world’: UK government spokeswoman said on Monday, evacuated in some other fashion just in order peaceful transition, especially after the the rapidly evolving situation” to get the lat - The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan is after the Taliban seized control of the coun - not to create too big a presence. vacuum that happened.” est developments on the ground in a “failure of the international community”, try. “The Taliban have repeatedly expressed Kabulov, according to Reuters, also said ‘Taliban must cease violence’: Australia Afghanistan. “We are heartbroken at the sit - Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace their hope to develop good relations with that the Taliban’s swift takeover of the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morri - uation the Afghan people find themselves in said on Monday, assessing that the West’s in - China, and that they look forward to China’s Afghan capital was somewhat “unexpected”. son said on Monday that the country was today,” he was quoted as saying by the Chi - tervention was a job only half-done. participation in the reconstruction and devel - He said Russia was too optimistic in its working to get more than 130 of its citizens nese media outlet Global News. “All of us know that Afghanistan is not opment of Afghanistan,” Reuters quoted for - assessment of the quality of the armed forces and people who have been granted humani - “Our ongoing work to bring Afghans to finished. It’s an unfinished problem for the eign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying trained by the Americans and Nato. tarian visas out of Afghanistan after the Tal - safety in Canada under [the new Special Im - world and the world needs to help it,” he told as telling reporters. Kabulov said that the Russian ambassa - iban seized control of the country. migration Measures program] remains a top BBC television. “We welcome this. China respects the dor to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov will meet “As a partner committed for many years priority, and we will continue to work in He maintained the 20-year intervention right of the Afghan people to independently a Taliban representative on Tuesday to discuss to helping Afghanistan build its future, we close collaboration with partners and allies by US-led forces in Afghanistan “wasn’t a determine their own destiny and is willing to security for the diplomatic mission, adding are deeply concerned at the potential for fur - on this commitment.” waste, it wasn’t for nothing” but accused continue to develop… friendly and cooper - that the outside perimeter of the embassy is ther loss of life and suffering,” Morrison said Meanwhile, more than 60 countries have Western powers of being short-sighted in ative relations with Afghanistan.” already being guarded by the Taliban. in a statement. issued a joint statement saying Afghans and policy matters. Hua called on the Taliban to “ensure a We must focus on rescue mission: He called for the Taliban to cease all vi - international citizens who want to leave “If it’s a failure, it’s a failure of the in - smooth transition” of power and keep its German chancellor olence against civilians, treat Afghan gov - Afghanistan must be allowed to depart and ternational community to not realise that you promises to negotiate the establishment of an German Chancellor Angela Merkel said ernment officials and elected leaders with added that airports and border crossings don’t fix things overnight,” Reuters quoted “open and inclusive Islamic government” Germany’s focus must be on its evacuation dignity and allow people to leave the country must remain open, the US State Department him as saying. and ensure the safety of Afghans and foreign operation in Afghanistan. “without threat or hindrance”. said late on Sunday. “I’m afraid when you deal with a coun - citizens. After a meeting with the leaders of her ‘The clock has run out’: EU Commis - According to Reuters, the US govern - try like Afghanistan, that is 1,000 years of New Zealand PM ‘implores’ Taliban to CDU Party, Express.co.uk quoted her as say - sion EU Commission Vice President Mar - ment and countries including Australia, history effectively and civil war, you manage uphold human rightsPrime Minister Jacinda ing: “We are witnessing difficult times. Now garitis Schinas said in a tweet: “The clock Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Re - its problems and you might have to manage Ardern of New Zealand on Monday im - we must focus on the rescue mission.” has run out on how long we can wait to adopt public of Korea, Qatar and the UK said in a it for 100 years.” plored Taliban leaders to uphold human Meanwhile, the head of German Chan - the complete overhaul of Europe’s migration joint statement that “those in positions of US ‘defeat’ in Afghanistan a chance for rights in Afghanistan by allowing women to cellor Angela Merkel said the withdrawal of and asylum rules we need.” power and authority across Afghanistan bear lasting peace: Iran continue in work and education and to let Western troops from Afghanistan was the ‘Endless US presence in Afghanistan not responsibility — and accountability — for Iran’s new President Ebrahim Raisi on foreigners and Afghans who want to leave “biggest Nato debacle” since the founding of acceptable:’ Joe Biden”One more year, or the protection of human life and property, Monday said that the “defeat” of the United the country go. “I would just again implore the alliance. five more years, of US military presence and for the immediate restoration of security those who made these moves in recent days With the Taliban sweeping to power would not have made a difference if the and civil order.” Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad, for PT Print (Pvt) Limited. 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