“(It was) the month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (be- tween right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…”

~ [al-Baqarah 2:185] Thewww.theasiantelegraph.net Asian TelegraphABC CERTIFIED /asian_telegraph Friday, April 23, 2021 | Vol: XII, Issue: 01 Ramadan 9th, 1442

/asian_telegraph w us /theasiantelegraph

/asian_telegraph w us /theasiantelegraph /company/theasiantelegraph ollo

/company/theasiantelegraph F /asian_telegraph/asian_telegraph w us /theasianteleg/theasiantelegraphraph /company/theasiantelegraph .theasianteleg.theasiantelegraph.netraph.net Price Rs 8| Pages 4 ollo F

w us /theasiantelegraph /company/theasiantelegraph .theasiantelegraph.net ollo

/company/theasiantelegraph F .theasiantelegraph.net ollo

F .theasiantelegraph.net Afghan Ambassador Quetta blast, Enemies Louds Pakistan’s role in of Pakistan want to conflict prevention in destabilize country: region, relentless support Interior Minster for Afghan Peace Process Five killed, 11 injured in suicide attack in Pakistan calls for orderly, responsible with- Quetta; says Interior Minster drawal of US troops from Afghanistan ISLAMABAD Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on ISLAMABAD Thursday said that Quetta hotel blast was a His Excellency Mr Najibullah Ali Khil, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan called on General Qamar Addressing a press conference here, the minister Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, suicidesaid that attack external leaving elements five are dead trying and to 11destabilize injured. today. During the meeting, matters of mutual in- Pakistan and cannot digest progress of Pakistan. terest, regional security situation including Afghan He revealed that 200,000 to 300,000 social media Peace Process, enhanced bilateral security and accounts were formed from India in last 10 days defence cooperation and effective border manage- to target Pakistan. He also strongly condemned ment between the two brotherly countries were dis- the Quetta blast and said that he has directed Chief cussed. COAS reiterated that peace in Afghanistan Secretary to investigate the incident the minister said the Ministry of Interior had directed all 22 means peace in Pakistan. Our sole aim is helping law enforcement institutions under its jurisdiction, Afghan’s achieve a peaceful, sovereign, democratic, which include the FC, Rangers, Coastal Guards and stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Visiting digni- others to remain on high alert. He said Pakistan was tary appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for con- a great nation and with the help of its great armed flict prevention in the region and relentless support forces and intelligence agencies, will thwart all evil provided in Afghan Peace Process. It is noted that President, PM vow to subvert terrorism designs as well as conspiracies being hatched in Pakistan has called for an orderly and responsible India, against it. withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan to avert The minister said that out of the 11 who were any security vacuum. Responding to a question resurface in country injured, six had left the hospital after getting treated at his weekly news briefing in Islamabad today while two are reported to be in critical condition. Gov’t giving preferential treatment to Reforms in tax system: PM The minister said that Balochistan and Gwadar (Thursday), the Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid are future of Pakistan and China is closest friend Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan has consistently been ISLAMABAD hold an in-depth investigation into the bomb business besides achieving self-dependence. of Pakistan. To a question, the interior minister supportive of the ongoing Afghan peace process. He President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister blast incident and consider all aspects in this Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zai- said Pakistan is committed for peace in Afghanistan Imran Khan on Thursday strongly condemn- di, Minister for Information and Broadcast- for the past few days and is safe. He rejected and prosperity of the Afghan people and we sup- ing the terrorist attack in Quetta vowed minister personally monitored the situation ing Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, SAPM Usman clarifiedspeculation the that Chinese the Chinese ambassador ambassador was in was Quetta at not to let such cowardly incidents disturb port the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led settlement regard.till late night. According Four topersons PM Office, were thekilled prime and Dar and senior management of four banks the hotel when the blast took place, saying that the of the situation. Answering another question, the the peace of country. President Dr Alvi said 12 injured as a Vehicle Based Improvised attended the event. The representatives of diplomat was somewhere else. He said an elected “enemies of the nation” wanted to create in spokesperson said Pakistan wants resolution of all Explosive Device (VBIED) blew up in the National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, prime minister, a great army and 220 million people the country unrest through their nefarious parking of Quetta’s Serena hotel Wednesday Bank Al Falah and Habib Bank, and the mari- were the guardians of the nation. “We know how to outstanding disputes with India through dialogue designs. He said the culprits, who commit- of which Kashmir is the core issue. He said India’s night. Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan time affairs ministry signed the documents live and die for this country,” he said. He reiterated ted this heinous act in the blessed month of said that the reduction in poverty and uplift illegal and unilateral acts of 5 August 2019 vitiated Ramazan, were the enemies of country and in the poor’s living standard would be the Jawan Program. The prime minister appreci- terrorism after laying down thousands of lives. The the environment and now onus is on India to cre- Islam. The president prayed for the departed yardstick to gauge the success of his govern- to provide loans to fishermen under Kamyab- thatminister armed said forces a forensic of Pakistan investigation won fight was against being ate enabling environment for meaningful and result souls to rest in peace and for the grant of pa- ermen who, he said, said usually lived a hard conducted into the attack and the terrorists have tience to the bereaved families. oriented dialogue. atedlife. He the said initiative the MoU aimed was at in uplifting light of the the PTI’s fish In a separate message, the prime minister term, my success would be as how many struggle which was going to complete its 25 said the nation would remain alert to all in- ment after its five-year term. “Whenpeople have I will been go steered to masses out afterof poverty, five-year not years on upcoming Sunday. not been identified yet. ternal and external threats. “Our nation has how many have become richer,” the prime The prime minister proudly mentioned the minister said addressing an MoU signing recently published UNDP report which re- and we will not to allow this scourge to rise ceremony between private banks and Minis- - madeagain,” great he wrote sacrifices in his intweet. defeating The prime terrorism min- try of Maritime Affairs here. Under the MoU, ber Pakhtunkhwa province during 2013 to ister said he was deeply saddened by the loss four private banks would provide easy loans flected2018. Due the to reduced the very level reason, of poverty he said inthe Khy PTI of innocent lives in the condemnable and got two-third majority in the next election cowardly terrorist attack. Earlier, PM Imran latest equipment like boats, onshore freez- just because the life of the common man had Khan also directed the Ministry of Interior to toers theand fishermen others for to value enable addition them purchase in their improved. VoM COVID-19 Summit PAKISTAN HIGHLY VALUES Pakistan attains 0.5 million SinoVac Pakistan, China maintained ‘exemplary cooperation’ RELATIONS WITH SAUDI during pandemic: Foreign Secy Vaccine from China ARABIA:ISLAMABAD PRESIDENT the need to ensure equitable and affordable President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday PAF special plane carrying 0.5 mil- occupied in four major areas including Multan Pakistan Participates in Six Country Vice Foreign supply of vaccine for the developing coun- lion consignment of SinoVac Vaccine 85 percent, Mardan 100 percent, Gujranwala Ministers’ Video Conference said Pakistan highly valued its ties tries. He emphasized that notions of stig- with Saudi Arabia and wanted to fur- from China arrived at NurKhan Air- 88 percent and Lahore 82 percent. The maxi- ISLAMABAD matization and insinuations on the origin of ther strengthen bilateral relations in base Islamabad on Thursday. mum Oxygen beds (alternate oxygen provid- Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood repre- virus must be dispelled. All countries should diverse fields.Talking to Pakistan’s ISLAMABAD ing facility other than ventilator administered sented Pakistan in the China, Afghanistan, uphold multilateralism to fight this pandemic ambassador-designate to Saudi Arabia According to NCOC, the consignment is pro- as per medical requirement of COVID patient) Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka with WHO playing the leading role, he added. Lt Gen (retd) Bilal Akbar here at the Ai- cured on payment. Prime Minister Imran Khan was also occupied in four major areas of Now- six-country Vice-Foreign Ministers’ Video The Foreign Secretary reiterated that Paki- wan-e-Sadr, the president said the two has convened meeting of the National Coordi- shera 67 percent, Gujranwala 85 percent, Pe- Conference on COVID-19. The conference stan would continue to deepen coopera- countries shared bonds of history, cul- nation Committee on Covid-19 to review the shawar 74 percent and Swabi 67 percent. was hosted by Chinese Assistant Foreign tion through this platform with the regional ture and faith, and held commonality pandemic situation in the country. He was Around 559 ventilators were occupied else- Minister Wu Jianghao. Vice-Foreign Minis- countries, in pursuance of common develop- of views on regional and international talking to Planning Minister Asad Umar and where in the country while no COVID affected ters/Foreign Secretaries from Afghanistan, mental goals.He also briefed the participants issues. Special Assistant on National Health Services person was on ventilator in Gilgit Baltistan Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka also partici- about the third wave of COVID-19 in Pakistan Emphasizing the need to facilitate Paki- Dr. Faisal Sultan, who called on him in Islam- (GB) and Balochistan. Some 57,591 tests were pated in the Conference. and highlighted the measures taken by the stanis residing in Saudi Arabia, the abad on Thursday.. They gave a detailed brief- conducted across the country on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary appreciated China’s initia- Government of Pakistan to save lives, secure president asked the ambassador-des- ing to the Prime Minister on the latest Covid including 12,881 in Sindh, 28,829 in Punjab, tive to set-up this Forum. He said that today’s livelihoods and stimulate the economy. ignate to help address the issues being situation in the country. The national tally on 8,007 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 5,344 Conference was taking place at a time when Pakistan looks forward to the next engage- faced by the Pakistani community. Thursday of total active COVID-19 cases was in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 1,096 the region was battling against the pandem- ment of the Forum at the Foreign Ministers’ The president congratulated Lt Gen recorded 84,935 with 5,857 more people test- in Balochistan, 348 in GB, and 1,086 in AJK. ic. He underscored that the pandemic had level. (retd) Bilal Akbar on his appointment ed positive for the deadly virus and 3,986 peo- Around 676,605 people have recovered from inflicted huge human and economic costs on as Pakistan’s envoy to Saudi Arabia and ple recovered from the disease during the last the disease so far across Pakistan making it a the world, and the global community needed expressed confidence that he would 24 hours. Ninety-eight corona patients have - solidarity and cooperation to fight the pan- make concerted efforts for further died during past 24 hours, 91 of whom were ery ratio of the affected patients. Since the demic.The Foreign Secretary underlined that strengthening bilateral economic and under treatment in hospital and seven out of significantpandemic outbreak,count with a overtotal 90of percent778,238 recov cases Pakistan and China maintained exemplary investment cooperation. the hospital in their respective quarantines were detected that also included the perished, cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. President Alvi asked the ambassador- or homes, according to the latest update is- recovered and under treatment COVID-19 pa- Both countries stood by each other and main- designate to make all out efforts to- sued by the National command and Operation tients so far, including AJK 16,026, Balochistan tained close communication and coordina- wards the exchange of high-level visits Centre (NCOC). During the past 24 hours, most 21,242, GB 5,215, ICT 71,533, KP 109,704, tion. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, between the two countries. of the deaths have occurred in the Punjab fol- Punjab 279,437 and Sindh 275,081. About Pakistan and China carried forward the mo- He also highlighted the need to raise lowed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Out of the to- 16,698 deaths were recorded in country since mentum of development and construction of the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied tal 98 deaths occurred in the last 24 hours 28 the eruption of the contagion. Around 4,562 CPEC. He lauded China’s remarkable achieve- Jammu and Kashmir at all available fora of them had died who were under treatment have perished in Sindh among three of them ment in eradicating extreme poverty. in Saudi Arabia. on ventilators. The maximum ventilators were died in hospital on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood stressed US Climate Change Summit Energy Market President Biden calls for 50% reduction in US Oil extends losses on US stock build, pandemic concerns greenhouse gas emissions at climate summit Organisation of the Petroleum set by Obama administration in 2015. “No nation can solve this crisis on our Exporting Countries (OPEC) and al- The virtual summit is aimed at re- An administration official who briefed own,” he said. “All of us, and particularly lies led by Russia, a group known as newing America’s leadership on reporters ahead of Thursday’s summit those of us who represent the world’s OPEC+, are due to meet next week, climate change and rallying other did not detail how the White House largest economies, we have to step up.” but major changes to policy are un- world leaders to set their own ag- plans to achieve the 50% reduction in A second administration official said likely, Russia’s deputy prime minister gressive targets. Pope Francis and emissions. The briefing was conducted the White House expects other world and OPEC+ sources said Bill Gates are among the featured on the condition of anonymity. “We see leaders to follow Biden’s announcement LONDON/WASHINGTON speakers multiple paths to reaching this goal,” with their own new commitments for Oil prices extended their losses into WASHINGTON the official said, noting, for example, combating climate change. “We were a third day on Thursday as a surprise President Joe Biden pledged to cut U.S. that Biden has pledged to make the U.S. looking for people to make announce- build-up in US crude inventories and a greenhouse gas pollution in half by power sector 100% carbon-pollution ments, to raise their ambition, to indi- resurgence of Covid-19 cases in India 2030 at a virtual climate summit free by 2035. cate next steps that they intend to be and Japan raised demand recovery Thursday, outlining an aggressive target The virtual summit is aimed at renew- taking to help solve the climate prob- concerns.Brent crude futures fell ing the market sentiment is also the week, but major changes to policy are that would require sweeping changes ing America’s leadership on climate lem,” the official said. The summit will $0.44, or 0.67%, to $64.88 a barrel by fact that the Covid-19 pandemic is unlikely, Russia’s deputy prime minis- to America’s energy and transportation change and rallying other world lead- stretch over two days and will include 1041 GMT, having dropped by $1.25 on spreading again at a fast pace in India ter and OPEC+ sources said. sectors. “These steps will set America ers to set their own aggressive targets. sessions on financing, innovation and Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate and Japan despite hopes that vaccina- Adding to the bearish sentiment is on a path of a net-zero emissions econ- Pope Francis and Bill Gates are among other topics. (WTI) US crude futures were down tions would improve the infection situ- progress on talks between Iran and omy by no later than 2050,” Biden said the featured speakers. In his opening re- But Biden’s climate change agenda $0.38, or 0.62%, at $60.97 after los- ation.” India, the world’s third-largest world powers to resurrect the 2015 as the White House opened the two-day marks, Biden noted the U.S. represents faces obstacles at home and abroad. ing $1.32 the previous day. US crude oil user, on Thursday reported the nuclear accord, said PVM oil analyst summit, attended by 40 leaders from less than 50% of the world’s emissions. Republicans have vowed to fight his oil stockpiles unexpectedly edged world’s highest daily increase to date Tamas Varga. Iranian oil exports could around the world. “Scientists tell us that proposals that shift the U.S. energy higher by 594,000 barrels in the week with 314,835 new coronavirus cases. jump and add to crude oversupply this is the decisive decade, this is the sector away from coal and other fos- to April 16, the Energy Information Japan, the world’s fourth-largest oil should a deal be reached. decade we must make decisions that sil fuels in favor of renewable energy. Administration said on Wednesday. importer, is expected to announce “It is the same old story, brighter oil will avoid the worst consequences of a Meanwhile, U.S. allies and adversaries Analysts had expected a drop of 3 mil- a third wave of lockdowns affecting balance for the second half of the year climate crisis,” Biden said. have raised questions about whether lion barrels, a survey showed. Tokyo and three western prefectures, competes with the current gloomy The White House’s goal of reducing Biden’s policies will outlast his presi- “An unexpected and high increase in media reported. Organisation of the reality,” Varga said. “At the moment, greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to dency, given the Trump administra- US inventories fuelled concerns over Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) the latter is winning, but it is only 52% percent, from a baseline of 2005 tion’s rollback of U.S. climate change weak demand,” said Rakuten Securities and allies led by Russia, a group a question of time before this trend emissions, is nearly double the target policies. analyst Satoru Yoshida. “What is hurt- known as OPEC+, are due to meet next reverses.” Friday, April 23, 2021

www.theasiantelegraph.net

Editor-in-Chief: Amna Malik US-China Escalated Naval Hostility in South-China Sea Editor: Muhammad Hassam Assistant Editor:Syed Mushahid Naqvi time militia ships far out in South China Sea is its territory, a claim which is contested by Phone: + 92 51 2814017 Offce # 407/408, 4th Floor, Evacuee deemed to put further strain in relations be- smaller island states. US State Department tween the two states, in context of their right- spokesperson Ned Price speaking on the con- Trust, Agha Khan Road, F-5/1 Islamabad ful claims to maintain military presence via sequentiality of this law to regional peace deploying military vessels in South China Sea. has said, “allowing the coastguard to destroy The Philippines has also voiced its concerns other countries’ economic structures and to to the Chinese vessels and drilling incursions use force in defending China’s maritime claims in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) indicat- in disputed areas, strongly implies this law Pakistan-Iran Relations Noorulain Naseem ing at a possible diplomatic dispute of Manila could be used to intimidate the PRC’s mari- arising with Beijing to arise soon. Philippine time neighbors”. akistan and Iran have been successful in keeping close et again exhibiting its dominance and defense department’s spokesman Arsenio Chinese strategy regarding the South friendship in spite of having differences in their inter- exercisingY its claim over the South China Andolong was heard mentioning this earlier China Sea has already been mentioned by national inclinations and policies in the past. There Sea, Beijing recently carried out drilling to in April 2021; “As the situation (in the South Washington as that of being ‘low-intensity have been conflicts between the both over some mat- explore hydrocarbons in area which is con- China Sea) evolves, we keep all our options coercion against its weaker and smaller coun- ters like trans-border terrorism, sectarian crimes, sidered disputed economic zones in sea, open in managing the situation, including terparts in the region, as it maintains de facto Afghanistan, Arab policy etc. However, at present between China and rival claimant states of leveraging our partnerships with other na- control and incrementally claims control over economic interests is getting priority over political issues. The Taiwan and Philippines. In reaction to this tions such as the United States,”. Previously in waters and EEZs claimed by other states. The PPTI-led government is revamping Pakistan’s ties with its neigh- Chinese feat, soon afterward the USA also de- 2016, China refused to heed by the ruling that US has sided with Japan and the Philippines bouring countries and other significant actors based mutual inter- ployed its assault ship, ‘USS Makin Island’ in The Permanent Court of Arbitration reached over this issue, sending its Naval ships and ests. There is also shift in the policy of Pakistan from geopolitics strait of Malacca, claiming its right to navi- against China’s claim on the Spratly Islands coastguards to maintain presence and contest to geo-economics. In this context, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr. gate in high seas. This according to US was while deciding between the Philippines and Chinese dominance in the region. The island Shah Mahmood Qureshi has concluded his two-day visit to Iran. under the principle of freedom of navigation China on the issue. Meanwhile, the US insists states including Taiwan and the Philippines After concluding his visit to Iran, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood exercised in international waters that do not on maintaining freedom of navigation and look up to the US to balance power with China Qureshi has said that relations between Pakistan and Iran have fall in territorial waters of any state. China’s securing sea lines of communication (SLOCs) in the region. This opportunity could easily taken a direction of positivity and cooperation. Mr. Qureshi has claim over South China Sea to be its territo- in South China Sea. US has also indicated its be exploited by the US to coerce these states further stated that the Iranian president had acknowledged that rial waters have repeatedly in the past, been interest to draw a mutually agreed code of to enter into more defense agreements with bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran had improved re- contested by surrounding states of Malaysia, conduct for navigating these waters to avoid the US and make a confrontation of US with markably over the last two-and-a-half years. In his meetings with the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Brunei. confrontation between concerned states that China legitimate in the future especially when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif These states began claiming islands and eco- hold economic and strategic interests in these it comes to claiming rights to navigate, patrol, and the speaker of the Iranian Parliament focused on strengthening nomic zones in South China Sea as early as in waters. On the other hand, China just passed carry out economic activities and securing bilateral relations and enhancing people-to-people contacts. The 1970’s due to the large undersea hydro car- local legislation through which it has author- communication lines across the South China two sides have discussed the regional security situation, includ- bons reservoirs and rich fishing resources in ized Chinese maritime law-enforcement fleets Sea. ing the latest developments in the Afghan peace process and the these waters. With the US Navy and Marine to use force on foreign ships entering Chinese Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Iranian counterpart has also corps continued presence in Indo-pacific, the waters that include the disputed waters which The Author is a Lecturer at IR department dep NUML updated Mr. Qureshi regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of recent extensive deployment of Chinese mari- have been claimed by the state to come under University, Islamabad Action (JCPOA) talks with the United States. They also deliberated on strengthening regional cooperation under the umbrella of the Economic Cooperation Organisation. The visit of FM Qureshi will Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect The Asian Telegraph point-of-view not only increase cooperation between Pakistan and Iran on re- gional issues but it will also further enhance Pakistan’s bilateral ties with Iran in trade, investment, liaison and border management. Today in History The Nexus of Terrorism ndia has been the main sponsor of terrorism in Pakistan over the decades. It were the Indian terrorists who were April 23, 1564 - William Shakespeare born caught during the 1980s and 1990s planting bombs all over ccording to tradition, the great was eight years his senior and pregnant but unfounded stories have him stealing published poem, and he dedicated it to the Pakistan. Thousands of people were killed or maimed in such English dramatist and poet William at the time of the marriage. Their first deer, joining a group of traveling players, young Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd earl of explosions, which especially targeted the Punjab province. AShakespeare is born in Stratford- daughter, Susanna, was born six months becoming a schoolteacher, or serving as Southampton. In 1594, having probably With the advent of the new century, India collaborated with upon-Avon on April 23, 1564. It is impos- later, and in 1585 William and Anne a soldier in the Low Countries. The first composed, among other plays, Richard III, proxies in another neighbouring country and renewed its deadly sible to be certain the exact day on which had twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet, reference to Shakespeare as a London The Comedy of Errors, and The Taming of Iattacks on Pakistan. This time again the whole country was targeted he was born, but church records show Shakespeare’s only son, died 11 years playwright came in 1592, when a fellow the Shrew, he became an actor and play- and bombs planted in markets, religious places, schools, shrines that he was baptized on April 26, and later, and Anne Shakespeare outlived her dramatist, Robert Greene, wrote deroga- wright for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and government offices. Terrorism got a new dimension with sui- three days was a customary amount of husband, dying in 1623. Nothing is known torily of him on his deathbed. It is believed which became the King’s Men after James cide attacks, which killed tens of thousands. In fact, the TTP was time to wait before baptizing a newborn. of the period between the birth of the that Shakespeare had written the three I’s ascension in 1603. The company grew financed, sponsored and run by the Indian government with its Shakespeare’s date of death is conclusively twins and Shakespeare’s emergence as a parts of Henry VI by that point. In 1593, into England’s finest, in no small part be- RAW’s firmly established launch pads in Afghanistan and enjoying known, however: it was April 23, 1616. playwright in London in the early 1590s, Venus and Adonis was Shakespeare’s first cause of Shakespeare, who was its princi- support from other quarters also. Pakistan has gone through a long He was 52 years old and had retired to pal dramatist. It also had the finest actor phase of terrorism, it has finally defeated the terrorism on its soil. Stratford three years before.Although few of the day, Richard Burbage, and the best As Pakistan has established peace in its territory and the fencing plays have been performed or analyzed theater, the Globe, which was located on of Pak-Afghan border is also about to complete, therefore, India as extensively as the 38 plays ascribed to the Thames’ south bank. Shakespeare also wants a final try to destabilize Pakistan through its proxies William Shakespeare, there are few surviv- stayed with the King’s Men until his re- such as TTP and BLA. Recently, TTP has been reorganized by the ing details about the playwright’s life. This tirement and often acted in small parts. Indian premier intelligence agency RAW to initiate a new wave of dearth of biographical information is due By 1596, the company had performed terrorism in Pakistan. The recent blast at Quetta’s Serena Hotel primarily to his station in life; he was not the classic Shakespeare plays Romeo and can be seen in this context. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has a noble, but the son of John Shakespeare, Juliet, Richard II, and A Midsummer Night’s claimed responsibility for the Quetta attack. The attack has resulted a leather trader and the town bailiff. The Dream. That year, John Shakespeare was into martyrdom of five people and at least twelve people have been events of William Shakespeare’s early granted a coat of arms, a testament to his injured. The regime in Afghanistan is not capable of handling these life can only be gleaned from official re- son’s growing wealth and fame. In 1597, terrorist groups, in fact, they are facilitating the RAW-backed prox- cords, such as baptism and marriage William Shakespeare bought a large house ies against Pakistan. The government of Pakistan should highlight records. He probably attended the gram- in Stratford. In 1599, after producing his Indian sponsored terrorism through media and diplomatic chan- mar school in Stratford, where he would great historical series, the first and second nels. Moreover, in self-defence, a ruthless military operations can have studied Latin and read classical lit- part of Henry IV and Henry V, he became be launched inside Afghanistan to permanently silence the Indian erature. He did not go to university but a partner in the ownership of the Globe assets in Afghanistan. at age 18 married Anne Hathaway, who Theatre.

The author is an independent researcher and Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk agree on Alumnus of Quaid-e-Azam University. His D.I.C.E. Awards: Indie Game ‘Hades’ Takes Top areas of interest are International Relations, bitcoin’s green credentials Geo-politics and Maritime Affairs BRUSSELS soon after the release of a White Paper from Honors Tesla chief Elon Musk has agreed with Mr Dorsey’s digital payment services firm RIYADH best adventure game of the Twitter boss Jack Dorsey, who has said Square, and global asset management busi- The 24th annual D.I.C.E. year. that bitcoin “incentivises” renewable en- ness ARK Invest. Awards, presented by the Meanwhile, Marvel’s Spider- ergy, despite experts warning otherwise. Entitled “Bitcoin as key to an abundant, Academy of Interactive Arts & Man: Miles Morales took The cyrptocurrency’s carbon footprint is clean energy future”, the paper argues that Sciences, took place in a vir- home the award for outstand- as large of some of the world’s biggest cit- “bitcoin miners are unique energy buyers”, tual format on Thursday. Top ing achievement in char- ies, studies suggest. But Mr Dorsey claims because they offer flexibility, pay in a cryp- honors went to rogue-like acter for its lead, Morales, that could change if bitcoin miners worked tocurrency, and can be based anywhere with dungeon crawler Hades for the Brooklyn-born son of hand-in-hand with renewable energy firms. an internet connection. “By combining min- game of the year, game direc- a Puerto Rican mother and One expert said it was a “cynical attempt to ers with renewables and storage projects, tion and game design, as well Black American father, who greenwash” bitcoin. China, where more than we believe it could improve the returns for as best independent game and rather reluctantly explores his two-thirds of power is from coal, accounts project investors and developers, moving best action game. The game is superhero abilities. A total of for more than 75% of bitcoin mining around more solar and wind projects into profitable developed and published by 57 games released in 2020 re- the world. territory,” it said. Author and bitcoin critic San Francisco-based studio ceived nominations this year, The mining process to generate new bit- David Gerard described the paper as a “cyni- Supergiant Games. Naughty with the winners chosen by a coin involves solving complex mathematical cal exercise in bitcoin greenwashing”.“The Dog’s action-adventure The panel of industry leaders. The equations, which requires large amounts of reality is: bitcoin runs on coal,” he told the Last of Us Part II, a sequel to show was co-hosted by Kinda computing power. New sets of transactions BBC. 2013’s The Last of Us, won Funny podcast host Greg are added to bitcoin’s blockchain (the ledger two of its 11 nominations; for Miller and Jessica Chobot, host that records the cryptocurrency’s transac- outstanding achievement in of Expedition Unknown on the tions) every 10 minutes by miners from story and animation. Discovery Channel. around the world. In a tweet on Wednesday, Sucker Punch’s sweeping The D.I.C.E. Awards (Design, Mr Dorsey said that “bitcoin incentivises re- open-world samurai epic Innovate, Communicate, newable energy”, to which Mr Musk replied Ghost of Tsushima, which Entertain) have recognized “True”. The BBC is not responsible for the snatched up 10 nods this year, achievements in video games content of external sites. The tweet comes won four awards including since 1996.

Covid vaccine: Margaret Keenan praises ‘incredible’ rollout ISLAMABAD April. The first person in the world to be given the Those considered most at risk - people aged Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has called the rollout 70 and over, care home residents, healthcare of the mass vaccination programme “incred- workers and people required to shield - were ible”. Margaret Keenan, 91, was given the offered a jab by mid-February. News of Ms vaccine at University Hospital in Coventry in Keenan receiving the first jab in December December. She said having the jab was “the prompted headlines across the world and a best thing I ever did.” Latest figures show huge response on social media. At the time more than 33 million people in the UK have she described the experience as a “whirlwind” received at least one dose of a coronavirus and sales of a charity t-shirt she was wearing vaccine. tripled overnight. In an online chat with NHS chief executive Sir Matron May Parsons, who administered Simon Stevens, the grandmother originally the injection to Ms Keenan, said on the call: from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, urged any- “Vaccinating Maggie was a little spark of light one who has not yet been vaccinated to come the midst of the darkness, and now I feel like forward. “There’s nothing to it, you don’t feel the dawn is coming. “It’s almost unbelievable anything” she said. that we’ve managed to roll out the vaccine so She praised staff who have helped with the successfully.” When she was asked what she rollout of the vaccines: “They’re incredible, I was most looking forward to in the future, cannot find words to say. They’re incredible Ms Keenan told Sir Simon “a little holiday... with what they’ve done.” First vaccines are I’m not greedy”. now being offered to people below the age Sir Simon ended the call by saying: “Maggie, of 50 after the UK government hit its target you’ve been an inspiration. May, you’ve set of offering a first jab to everyone in the top the whole of the health service on the path priority groups - all those over the age of 50, towards this hugely successful vaccination plus those in high-risk categories - before 15 rollout. “Thank you both so much.” Friday, April 23, 2021

www.theasiantelegraph.net KSE-100 extends decline over rising infections vestor sentiment and they continued to book profit. country. Traded volumes decreased from 388 mil- Earlier, trading began on a positive note, however, lion shares to 329 million shares (-15% day-on-day) an unimpressive economic picture, in the wake of while traded value dropped 18% at $104 million. worsening Covid-19 situation, wiped out the gains Stocks that contributed significantly to the vol- and dragged the market down. The index fell steadily umes included Ghani Global Holdings (+7.5%), TRG Miley Cyrus mocks past throughout the day, but late session buying erased Pakistan (-0.9%), WorldCall Telecom (-5%), Unity some of the losses. At close, the benchmark KSE- Foods (-3.3%) and Telecard Limited (+7.5%), which relationships in viral 100 index recorded a decrease of 376.93 points, accounted for 38% of the total volume. In other news, or 0.83%, to settle at 44,929.61 points. Arif Habib British High Commissioner Christian Turner said that Instagram video Limited, in its report, stated that growing cases of the UK would fully support Pakistan in the Financial coronavirus, particularly in major cities, made the Action Task Force (FATF). Moreover, decent activity Benchmark index sheds 376.93 points to investors perturbed for a second day. Despite healthy was witnessed in Engro (+1.2%) and UBL (+4.1%) close at 44,929.61 earnings announced by companies during the ses- following their result announcements. “We recom- Bureaau Report sion, the KSE-100 index went down by 424 points, it mended investors to avail the downside as a buying KARACHI said. At close, the index stood down by 377 points. opportunity in cement, refinery and steel sectors,” The Pakistan Stock Exchange extended its decline on Exploration and production, cement and steel stocks the analyst said. Overall trading volumes fell to 328.9 Thursday and the KSE-100 index dropped 377 points contributed the most to the decline, whereas banking million shares compared with Wednesday’s tally of as Covid-19 cases continued to surge across the na- sector stocks recorded a pickup in prices. Notable 387.9 million. The value of shares traded during the tion. A day ago, National Command and Operation companies which declared results were Engro and day was Rs15.9 billion. Shares of 390 companies were Centre (NCOC) Chairman Asad Umar warned of a UBL, which made the announcement at the begin- traded. At the end of the day, 92 stocks closed higher, complete lockdown in major cities of Pakistan to ning of the session including dividend declaration. 276 declined and 22 remained unchanged. Ghani contain the virus. This announcement, in particular, However, selling pressure brought stock prices down Global Holdings was the volume leader with 36.4 mil- dented investor spirits and they preferred to remain by the end of trading, the report said. JS Global ana- lion shares, gaining Rs2.32 to close at Rs33.37. It was on the sidelines. Investors also took cue from a lyst Muhammad Mubashir said that the possibility followed by TRG Pakistan with 30.2 million shares, gloomy Covid situation in neighbouring India, which of a complete lockdown in major cities kept the losing Rs1.59 to close at Rs171.63 and WorldCall posed a threat to Pakistan’s health system as well. market under pressure throughout the day as the Telecom with 26.9 million shares, losing Rs0.08 to A persistent fall in international oil prices triggered index lost 377 points (-0.8% day-on-day) to close close at Rs1.53. Foreign institutional investors were Los Angeles sell-off in local oil sectors, which closed entirely in at 44,930. NCOC on Wednesday warned of more re- net sellers of Rs82.8 million worth of shares during Miley Cyrus has poked fun at her relationship history the red. A host of encouraging financial results, an- strictions and a complete lockdown in major cities the trading session, according to data compiled by the in a new Instagram video. The clip, which appears to be nounced during the trading session, failed to lift in- to control the worsening Covid-19 situation in the National Clearing Company of Pakistan. a stunt to promote the remix of Australian singer Kid Laroi’s hit Without You, featuring the Can’t Be Tamed star US sees strong demand for Chinese Riyadh property prices rise 2% in Q1 as a guest vocalist, shows the Miley posturing alongside goods in early 2021 even as rents fall pointed headlines from the past few years. As Miley lip- syncs her parts of the song, the newspaper cuttings play Bureaau Report on-year during the expo. Chinese Bureau Report JLL said in the report. It out on a screen behind her, referring to her marriage BEIJING clothes, digital products and cos- RIYADH said that strong govern- with Liam Hemsworth, fling with Kaitlynn Carter and The US ranks first in active users and metics have been among the hottest Property prices in the ment support helped to romance with Cody Simpson. turnover growth among all countries items with the highest demand by US Saudi capital edged higher boost demand for residen- So there I go, can’t make a wife out of a h*e,” Miley on alibaba.com according to recent companies, the data showed. This in the first quarter even as tial property in the first mimes. “I’ll never find the words to say I’m sorry but I’m Saudi Tourism data provided by the platform. This shows that US companies, particu- rental rates eased, JLL said. three months of the year. scared to be alone,” she adds. Kid Laroi’s Without You has shows the reliance of US industries larly medium and small-sized busi- Riyadh’s residential sale New mortgage loans for in- been one of the biggest Australian hits of the year so far Development Fund joins on Chinese supplies despite the lin- nesses are pragmatic. Their demand prices registered an annual dividuals jumped by 33,000 and peaked in the top 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. gering political uncertainty between for Chinese products has not been increase of 2 percent for contracts in January 2021, The video is not the first time Miley has made light of with Riyad Bank on the world’s two largest economies. blocked by the Trump administra- apartments and villas. By it said. her former partners. Last year the singer released a video US consumers constituted the larg- tion’s provocations of a trade war or contrast, rental rates re- The total value of mort- for her song Prisoner with Dua Lipa, which features a $346m Madinah project est group of active buyers on alibaba. their accusations against China on ported yearly declines of 1 gages increased to SR16.4 message flashing at the end reading: “In loving memory Bureaau Report com in March with a growth of 91 the origins of the pandemic, accord- percent for apartments and billion, according to the of all my exes, eat sh*t”. VoM RIYADH percent year-on-year. It is followed ing to alibaba.com’s General Manager villas, it said. Some 7,700 Saudi Arabia Monetary Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development by the UK, Canada, Australia and Zhang Kuo.“ homes were handed over Agency (SAMA). Stacey Dooley ‘doesn’t Fund (TDF) has teamed up with one of Brazil according to data from the during the period, the bro- The Riyadh office market the Kingdom’s largest banks to co-fund a platform. US buyers also recorded ker said. remains under pressure want to marry’ Kevin SR1.3 billion ($346 million) development in the fastest growth in trade turnover “Looking ahead, the gov- with average lease rates Madinah. Knowledge Economic City (KEC) with Chinese manufacturers during ernment initiatives that are across a basket of Grade A Clifton has agreed to borrow SR782 million from alibaba.com’s March Expo 2021, pushing Riyadh to be the & B office spaces in the city TDF and Riyad Bank to develop Knowledge the platform’s largest annual online business hub of the region falling by 2 percent over City Hub, a 68,000 square meter site about trade event. In total, Alibaba’s trade are expected to spur local the quarter compared to a six kilometers from the Prophet’s Mosque, turnover rose by 129 percent year- and international demand,” year earlier.

will be repaid over 13 years with collat- TDFeral in said the inform a statement. of plots of Theland financingfrom the Bus-sized sinkholes appearing in Turkey threaten company’s land portfolio, according to a harvest is made up of a mall, commercial, residen- stocktial and exchange entertainment filing. Knowledge services and City a 325-Hub Bureaau Report electricity bills. “We usually would water the land create underground systems that redirect water to the room 5-star hotel, which KEC said would be KARAPINAR twice a year but now we’re doing it five or six times,” plains that would otherwise end up in the seas. Murat managed by Hilton. Construction is due to Sinkholes wide enough to swallow a bus dot the said Hazim Sezer, a 57-year-old farmer in Karapinar. Akbulut, head of ZMO’s Konya branch, said this could start in August 2021 and to be completed drought-stricken breadbasket of the Turkish plains, But Gundogdu said some farmers still turn to illegally offer a “significant solution” for Konya, whose Beysehir worrying farmers as they spread and creep closer to using groundwater for their crops. If not addressed, Lake has seen its water reserves shrink to 123 million 2024. “This agreement is one of several residential homes. “The drought situation is getting drought will hurt farmers and consumers “as much tons from 450 million tons in 2020. bysuccessful end 2023 agreements with the hotel with finished local inbanks May worse,” said farmer Tahsin Gundogdu, whose harvest as, if not worse” than the economic shock of the coro- This drop “will lead to real irrigation issues for the aimed at providing investors with attractive includes potatoes he sells to the US food giant PepsiCo. navirus pandemic, said Baki Remzi Suicmez, head of plain,” Akbulut said. Nearly 77 percent of Turkey’s - The 57-year-old has seen the huge holes yawn open in Turkey’s Chamber of Agricultural Engineers (ZMO). water is consumed by the agricultural sector, Suicmez DUBAI ments into this promising sector,” Qusai Al- the past 10 to 15 years as the overuse of groundwater “Until last year, we had never seen drought like this,” told AFP. Turkey is actually facing two types of drought. Stacey Dooley thinks she doesn’t want to marry partner financial solutions that encourage invest for irrigation takes its toll. Dizzyingly deep, they appear farmer Kamil Isikli agreed, adding he was more opti- The first is meteorological, due to dry weather, and Kevin Clifton. The 34-year-old journalist and TV pre- - when underground caverns created by drought can no mistic for 2021 after rain fell earlier this year. “Farmers the second is hydrological, which means water levels senter, who met the professional dancer in 2018 when Fakhri,ment to chiefdelivering executive on the officer National of TDF, Tourism said longer contain the weight of the layer of soil above. no longer have enough money from one month to the are low in streams, reservoirs and groundwater lev- they were paired up together on Strictly Come Dancing, inStrategy, a statement. increasing “It exemplifies the GDP contributionour commit This puts farmers in a bind. Attempts to get water by next to pay their bills,” Isikli said. “They can’t afford els. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his first confessed that marriage isn’t for her during a recent of the tourism sector from 3 percent to 10 other means are more expensive, cutting farmers’ in- anything anymore.” Sezer urged the government to water forum last month, promising to “renew and episode of her show Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over. Talking percent by 2030 and creating 1 million new comes. But continued reliance on groundwater will improve the agricultural irrigation systems.” Suicmez to a family who are members of a community called jobs.” Separately, Knowledge Economic City likely make the problem only worse. Professor Fetullah said a lot depended on the weather in April and May, Tradwives, in which women give up their careers to said it had also agreed terms for the man- Arik has counted around 600 sinkholes in the Konya because “if there isn’t enough rain in those months, in become a traditional housewife, Stacey said she would agement of the Madinah Gate Fund Project plain, where he heads the Sinkhole Research Center at nearly all areas where there is dry farming, the risk never want to be reliant on a man. “Kev and I have been Development with Riyadh Capital. Madinah the Konya Technical University nearly double the 350 of agricultural drought will continue.” But even abun- together for two years. I don’t think I want to get mar- Gate is a vast redevelopment of land ad- counted last year. Experts want the government to do dant spring rain will not make the problem go away, ried. I think I’d be more interested in starting a family jacent to the Haramain High Speed Train more to address extreme drought, blaming the lack of Suicmez warned. This winter also saw fears over low than getting married,” she explained. Station in the city. It will include a 4-star a proper water management policy for Turkey’s woes. water levels in dams, although Agriculture Minister “I can’t think of anything worse than being a Tradwife. hotel and a bus station connected directly Trying to cut groundwater use, farmers have been Bekir Pakdemirli insisted last month the problem had I would be useless, completely and utterly useless. He’d to the train station. forced to water their fields more, leading to higher been solved by rainfall. divorce me in a heartbeat. Of course, I’m not going to become a Tradwife, I can’t think of anything I would least rather do than obeying a man,” Stacey continued. She said she felt marriage meant that even if you were unhappy in the relationship, you’d still have to “stick around”. “It makes you more vulnerable. I don’t want to Neville, Carragher show unity find myself totally reliant on a man because that means Distrust grows between PCB and PSL if I’m not happy and I don’t feel fulfilled and complete, in football’s fight against I might have to stick around,” Stacey shared. “Whereas franchises the life I’ve chosen, I can do as I please. I appreciate Bureau Report any gaps and advise as to the rea- that franchises owners are not European Super League that probably sounds very selfish.” KARACHI sons why the bio-secure environ- happy with the aforementioned The distrust between the Pakistan ment did not remain Covid-free. development as they believe it will Bureau Report in the end, with the whole thing fall- Vanessa Hudgens met boy- Cricket Board (PCB) and the The independent panel recently increase the distrust between im- MADRID ing apart less than 48 hours after it Pakistan Super League (PSL) fran- submitted its report to PCB portant stakeholders of the event. The European Super League, the was announced. First Chelsea and friend Cole Tucker during chises seems to be growing after Chairman Mr Ehsan Mani but sur- One franchises official said: “We four little words turned European then Manchester City got cold feet, the former refused to share the prisingly the board has not shared have come to know that franchises football on its head for 48 hours something Neville had predicted virtual meditation group fact-finding report regarding PSL the report with the PSL franchises. have been blamed in the report for and nowhere more so than England elsewhere. No matter, the one-club 6 postponement with the fran- According to sources, the board the postponement of PSL. However, where six of the 12 initial signato- man was certain enough of his feel- chise owners. The sixth edition of is concerned about the reported PCB is to blame for whatever hap- ries for the proposal call home, for ings that he called for United to be PSL was postponed on March 4, due being leaked to media. Hence, they pened.” According to sources, no now at least. Manchester United, docked points and spoke of his deep to multiple Covid-19 cases among have asked the franchises to come franchises owner has gone to the Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, shame at the club he made 400 ap- players and support staff, with 20 to PCB headquarters in Lahore, if PCB headquarters to read the re- Spurs and Chelsea were the guilty pearances for. “But I’m ashamed matches remaining. On March 7, they want to view the findings in port yet. Only one managerial level parties in a move that rocked the of them, absolutely ashamed - for distinguished infectious disease the report. Sources further added employee of a franchise has made game to its core with fans, gov- two reasons,” he said. “Firstly, experts Dr Syed Faisal Mahmood the trip to Gaddafi Stadium till now. erning bodies, the other clubs and that they would want to sign up and Dr Salma Muhammad Abbas PCB’s Director Media Samiul Hasan players speaking out against the to a competition that is franchise were appointed as independent Burney, when contacted, said: “We proposition of a closed shop for football essentially, with no promo- members of the two-person fact- have informed all the franchises the biggest clubs on the continent. tion or relegation, almost like that finding panel, who had been tasked that they can come to Gaddafi None of the stakeholders have been right to play the biggest games all to carry-out a holistic and detailed Stadium to view the report. Those more vocal than the players-turned- the time - that’s not the ethic and review of the Covid-19 Standard who have not seen the report as of pundits, with former Manchester ethos Manchester United was built Operating Procedures for the yet, the doors of Gaddafi Stadium United boss Gary Neville leading on. “Forget the owners. They have Pakistan Super League 6, identify are open for them.” the charge. “The proposal will get nothing to do with this football club. kicked out because the fans will They’re just custodians,” Neville said hate it, the governments will hate of the owning Glazer family, the US Peshawar Zalmi excited to be ‘first team from it, FIFA will hate, UEFA will hate it, owners of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Dubai the Premier League have come out Buccaneers, who took over control Vanessa Hudgens and her baseball star beau Cole Tucker Pakistan’ to play in Saudi Arabia already and say they hate it, you’ll at Old Trafford in a much protested met during a virtual meditation group. The High School KARACHI friendly match against Peshawar Zalmi. SACF ac- play, so it’s a good sign for Saudi cricket,” Akmal hate it, I’ll hate it,” he said on the purchase in 2005. Joel Glazer is Musical star confirmed their relationship on Instagram Players from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) cepted the challenge. A date for the match has yet added. Speaking to Arab News, Peshawar Zalmi Gary Neville Podcast. “And they named as the vice-president of the back in February, and revealed she first connected with the franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, have said they were to be announced. Peshawar Zalmi have won the captain Riaz said a friendly match between his are so disconnected from reality to Super League and United are under- Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop over Zoom during the Covid-19 excited to be “the first team from Pakistan” to title of Pakistan’s hugely popular Pakistan Super team and the Saudi team would be a “great op- think they could put this forward at stood to be leading the way among pandemic. “Me and Cole met on a Zoom meditation group. play a friendly match in Saudi Arabia. Earlier League once, and been a runner-up twice since portunity.” “It’s really good that a country like any time, let alone now. Honesty, I’d the English clubs. Neville dismissed Very random, yes, Zoom, you’ve got to love it,” the 32-year-old this month, franchise owner Javed Afridi wished the tournament’s launch in 2016. Arab News Saudi Arabia is taking interest in cricket, because say I’ve got no words for them but the Glazers in the grander history told Entertainment Tonight. the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) the Pakistan has been an international media part- they are well known for football mostly. So, it’s a I’ve had a lot of words. “It won’t go of the club, but claimed they had let The actress described her new beau as “perfect” for her, in- best over its media partnership with Arab News, ner for Peshawar Zalmi since 2020. “This will be great challenge for us as well. And it’s going to be through, not a chance. He was right down its traditions. sisting she was making it her priority to remain “grateful for and challenged the Saudi cricket team to play a the first team of Pakistan to go and play in Saudi a fun game, honestly, to play against the Saudis, everything”. She added: “He’s just kind of perfect for me. I am Arabia,” Kamran Akmal, a wicket-keeper batsman so they will get some experience as well,” Riaz (happy). I really am. I think that it’s also so important to stay who opens the innings for the team, told Arab added. He said he hoped Saudi Arabia would de- grateful for everything that you have in life. I’ve been making News in an interview last week. “International velop a good team in the coming years and that that a priority, and I feel like it’s just been making magic hap- players will come (to Saudi Arabia) to play cricket. Peshawar Zalmi would have some role to play in pen all the more.” The Princess Switch star was first linked to So, they will also get experience ... This is a good their development. “Because in Peshawar Zalmi, Tucker in November last year, when they were spotted holding sign when players like Wahab Riaz (Peshawar you know, a lot of Pakistan and international hands during an outing in Los Angeles. Hudgens later went Zalmi captain) and international players like players are playing. So that will give them (Saudi Instagram official with the relationship on Valentine’s Day, Saqib (English bowler) will go there ... their young team) some confidence, that will give them some posting a snapshot of the pair kissing. “It’s you, it’s me, it’s us. players will get good experience.” “They (Saudi experience,” Riaz said. “And then I think with the @cotuck,” she wrote, to which Tucker sweetly replied in the Arabia) will get to know how to improve cricket, passage of time, they will start working on their comments: “Big love. VoM how the environment should be, how other teams skills and they will become better.” Friday, April 23, 2021 The Asian Telegraph www.theasiantelegraph.net

UNO failed to establish More than 40 Million regional peace by children vaccinated during resolving Kashmir issue: AJK President the second nationwide AJK President said Mr. Salvini has always immunisation campaign supported the right to self-determination of Programme has witnessed a great reduction in Kashmiris number of polio cases since January 2021 MIRPUR : ISLAMABAD President Sardar Masood Khan has said the United Nations, which was established af- received vaccination during the second nation- has miserably failed to settle the Kashmir Morewide anti-poliothan 40 million campaign children of the under year. fiveThe yearscam- terdispute World despite War II theto resolve passing world of over conflicts, seven paign was conducted from 29 March to 2 April decades. “Despite being on the agenda of in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Security Council for 73 years, no prog- from 11 to 15 April in Balochistan. During the ress has been made to implement UNSC campaign, more than 285,000 “Sehat Tahafuz” resolutions on Kashmir that recognized frontline workers visited families and caregiv- the right to self-determination of the Kash- ers going house-to-house and ensured vaccina- miris and called for the holding of plebi- tion of children from the crippling poliovirus. scite in Jammu and Kashmir,” President said in a statement issued to the media The programme is successfully achieving its here on Thursday. Commenting on intensi- targets to build the immunity of children that remain at risk of polio. “While we focus on new forces in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, vaccines, such as COVID-19, there remains a fiedpersistent atrocities human being rights committed violations, by Indian and need to ensure routine vaccinations are not change of the demography of the occu- missed. We know many children have missed pied state, he said all this happens simply their vaccines and it is critical to accept vac- because of the lassitude of the United Na- cines every time they are offered by the teams,” tions. Describing the silence of the United said Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Special Assistant to Nations on the plights of Kashmiris as very unfortunate, President Masood said that the Prime Minister (Health), highlighting the this international body was turning back importance of the polio vaccine. “Polio work- from its charter and the very purpose of ers are our real heroes, who made this critical establishment. campaign successful and achieved 100 percent About the US Commission on International Multilateral Diplomacy results amid third wave of COVID-19 pandemic Religious Freedom’s call for India to be in the country.” “Programme has witnessed a blacklisted for violating religious free- FM holds delegation Level talks with Iranian great reduction in number of polio cases since doms, President Sardar Masood Khan said January 2021. Only one wild polio case has that the people of Jammu and Kashmir who been reported in Pakistan over the last four are being discriminated against by India’s counterpart extremist fascists’ government, welcomes months. It is a result of tremendous efforts and this demand. He said that the US Commis- Turkish, Afghan, Pakistani FMs to meet in Istanbul hard work of our teams,” said Dr. Shahzad Baig, sion on Religious Freedom in its report for Coordinator of the National Emergency Opera- TEHRAN the Foreign Minister highlighted convergence of Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan, the Foreign the second year in a row said that religious Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood tions Centre, Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI). freedom was being trampled in India and views between Pakistan and Iran on the shared “The support of parents, community leaders, Qureshi held delegation-level talks with Foreign objective of an inclusive politically negotiated talks, the two Foreign Ministers will review Occupied Kashmir. The President of Azad Minister Dr. Javad Zarif in Tehran. During the security forces, media and religious leaders Kashmir said that the party currently in settlement. The Foreign Minister briefed For- Officethe entire said spectrumin a statement. of bilateral During relations the bilateral and discussion, the two Foreign Ministers reviewed eign Minister Zarif on Pakistan’s initiative to discuss preparations for the 7th Session of helped our frontline workers to reach children power in India believes that India is a the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, high- in need and is highly commendable.” country of Hindus only where Muslims, combat Islamophobia and thanked for Iran’s the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council lighting the commonality of views on important support in this regard. It was agreed that the (HLSCC), which will be held in Turkey this year. The Sehat Tahhafuz Helpline 1166 and 24/7 Sikhs, Christians, and followers of other regional and international issues. Foreign Min- religions have no right to live. President two countries would continue to collaborate The two sides will also discuss the regional se- WhatsApp Helpline 0346-777-65-46 helped - closely to counter rising trend of Islamophobia. curity situation. In the trilateral meeting with parents assist in reporting missed children Khan welcomed the announcement by the lateral relations in all areas to the mutual advan- former Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and Prior to the delegation-level talks, the two For- the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Afghani- during the campaign, and all reported missed istertage ofQureshi both the reaffirmed countries. resolve The Foreign to enhance Minister bi eign Ministers signed MoU on Establishment of stan, the Foreign Minister will discuss the latest Member of Parliament Matteo Salvini for underlined that vast potential existed which children received the vaccination. The po- raising the issue of the worst human rights Border Sustenance Marketplaces. developments in the Afghan peace process, ex- lio vaccination campaigns are imperative for could be tapped to further strengthen trade Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked for Iran’s sup- change views on achieving the shared objectives violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and economic relations. He called for regular building immunity among children, preventing in the European Union. VoM port to border markets, which will help the lo- of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan through an exchanges of relevant mechanisms to tap their cal population on both sides by providing them Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political process possible death or lifelong paralysis. Report by true potential. The Foreign Minister expressed with formal means to engage in mutually ben- and highlight Pakistan’s valuable efforts to- Sohail Majeed Butt satisfaction over the close coordination at the wards this end. The fraternal relations between multilateral fora on issues of common interest. border crossing point at Mand-Pishin was also Pakistan and Turkey are deeply embedded in Drawing the attention to the human rights situ- eficialhighlighted commerce. as a step The towards opening facilitating of international people common faith, culture and history and under- ation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & on both sides of the Pakistan-Iran border. For- pinned by exceptional mutual trust and respect. Kashmir, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed eign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will pay a The Foreign Minister Qureshi’s visit to Turkey gratitude for Iran’s steadfast and vocal support is part of regular high-level exchanges between to the Kashmiris, especially at the highest level. invitation of Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlüt Foreign Minister Qureshi also discussed region- two-day official visit to Turkey on Friday on the visited Pakistan in January 2021 and the two al security situation with particular focus on lat- During the visit, the Foreign Minister will have theForeign two Ministers countries. also Foreign met Ministeron 29 March Çavuşoğlu 2021 est developments in the Afghan Peace Process. Çavuşoğlu,bilateral talks the with Foreign his OfficeTurkish said counterpart Thursday. on the sidelines of 9th session of Heart of Asia- Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference in Du- peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, a trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of shanbe, Tajikistan. VoM Reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent support to a CPEC Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. He will also participate in Quarterly performance EAC meeting Balochistan CM, Chinese Envoy vows commitment for review of ministries, divisions EAC calls for building public sentiment for further uplifting infrastructure development of Gwadar initiated sustainable, inclusive economic growth fruits, saffron and precious stones, according to a ISLAMABAD of KP: Says Chinese Envoy report published by Gwadar Pro. The performance review of ministries Finance Minister stated that EAC is a ing was also attended by the leading In a meeting here with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Gover- well-informed and well-represented representatives from the private cor- China keen to investISLAMABAD in five extraordinary fields and divisions during the third quarter Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has said nor Shah Farman, the envoy expressed full support of fiscal year 2020-21 has been initiated forum comprising of official and pri- porate sector. In his opening remarks, effective steps are being taken for infrastructure of the embassy for promoting the natural resources with a series of meetings by Peer Review vate representatives the Finance Minister welcomed all the of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Chinese companies, development, provision of health, education and Committee under the chairmanship of ISLAMABAD official and private members and em- drinking water in Gwadar. Talking to a delegation Federal Minister for Industries and phasized the importance of evolving Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Lt. general Special Assistant on Establishment She- led by the Chinese Envoy in Pakistan Mr. Nong Rong hzad Arbab in Islamabad. FBR, Water Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, consensus on macro-economic stabili- who called on him in Quetta, Jam Kamal said that saidAsim an Saleem official Bajwa statement. (retd) Chairman was also China-Pakistanpresent on the Federal Minister for National Food zation measures and reform agenda for occasion. The Chinese Ambassador showed great Resource Division, Railways Division, completion of Gwadar International Airport will Security and Research Syed Fakhar an inclusive and sustained economic start a new era of development and prosperity in Aviation Division and National Health said the statement. During the meeting, the Gover- Services, Regulation and Coordination Imam, Federal Minister for Economic growth after taking all stakeholders on the region. The Chief Minister said a master plan is Affairs Division Omar Ayub Khan, board. The EAC will follow a consultative being executed for the development of coastal areas interestnor apprised in working the ambassador in the five fieldsof investment for investment, oppor- Division presented their performance of the province while several steps have been taken reports today (Thursday). The ministries Adviser to the PM on Commerce process and suggest policy initiatives to for promotion of tourism. Jam Kamal said there are furnished the status of their targets in the Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to optimize and further strengthen the fi- various investment opportunities in the province. tunities in five extraordinary fields of the province. performance reports. The Review Com- the PM on Institutional Reforms and nancial and economic policies aimed at He assured that all possible facilities will be pro- mittee gave their feedback on the per- Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain, SAPM on enhancing public welfare. The Finance vided to the Chinese investors in Balochistan. On formance of ministries. On the occasion, Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Minister formulated sub-groups and this occasion, the Chinese Ambassador said that a Development Syed Zulfiqar Abbas assigned areas for further deliberation 150 bedded hospital is being constructed at Gwa- Shehzad Arbab said this feedback will help ministries in the completion of their Bukhari, SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and directed to firm-up proposals after dar Port. He said the Chinese companies will be en- and Social Safety Dr. Sania Nishtar, seeking input from all concerned. The couraged to invest in various sectors in Balochistan. quarterly and annual targets. The report of the performance review of the minis- SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, Finance Minister emphasized to present Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said Chairman BOI and Governor State Bank short, medium and long-term plans with that China was greatly interested in investing in tries and divisions will be presented to of Pakistan Dr. Reza Baqir participated respective timelines for an effective way - the Prime Minister. VoM wa province including olives, honey, fresh and dry as official members. The EAC meet- forward. VoM five extraordinary fields of the Khyber Pakhtunkh Global Market Geopolitics UN restates it is not involved in Syrian Gold slips from 2-month peak, palladium presidential election holds near record high are inclusive of all Syrians including mem- it led to the adoption of a vision of the fu- Secretary-general’s spokesman bers of the diaspora.” Pressed on whether ture for Syrians. He said “free and fair elec- Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury said the vote is not part of the or not his comment means the UN does not tions” based on the provisions of Security yield was pinned below 1.6%, re- political process set by Security consider the elections to be free and fair, Council Resolution 2254 still “seem far into ducing the opportunity cost of hold- Council resolution Dujarric said: “I think my words on Syria the future.” ing non-yielding bullion. The dollar NEW YORK were pretty clear,” and reiterated his previ- Assad has been accused by Western coun- held near multi-week lows. “There The UN on Wednesday reiterated that it is ous comments. tries, including members of the Security is slightly weaker physical demand not involved in the upcoming Syrian elec- Geir Pedersen, the UN’s special envoy for Council, of deliberately delaying the draft- (for gold) at these higher prices,” tions and has “no mandate to be.” In came Syria, has been working to support efforts ing of a new constitution to avoid UN- said Nicholas Frappell, global general after the Syrian parliament announced on to draft a new constitution as part of the supervised elections. Last month Linda manager at ABC Bullion Wednesday that President Bashar Assad political process aimed at ending the war Thomas-Greenfield, the permanent US LONDON will run for re-election on May 26 in what and ensuring free and fair elections, super- representative to the UN, asked the inter- Gold eased from a two-month high will be the second presidential election vised by the UN, in which all Syrians can national community to “not be fooled by on Thursday as investors awaited held during the decade-long civil war in vote, including refugees. During a Security upcoming Syrian presidential elections. European Central Bank chief Christine the country. “(Syria’s) elections have been Council briefing last month, however, he These elections will neither be free nor Lagarde’s conference, while supply called under the auspices of the current acknowledged that due to a lack of “true fair. They will not legitimize the Assad re- worries kept palladium near a record constitution and they’re not part of the po- engagement” by the Syrian regime, the po- gime. They do not meet the criteria laid out peak hit in the previous session.Spot litical process established under Resolution litical process has not succeeded in bringing in Resolution 2254, including that they be gold was down 0.3% at $1,787.34 per policy, the effect of that is rising gold an all-time high of $2,891.20 per ounce 2254,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman about any tangible changes as yet, nor has supervised by the UN or conducted pursu- ounce, after hitting its highest since prices,” he added. on Wednesday. Many analysts expect a for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. ant to a new constitution.” Feb. 25 at $1,797.67. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield further run towards $3,000. “For our part, we will continue to stress the Barbara Woodward, the British envoy to U.S. gold futures were down 0.3% at was pinned below 1.6%, reducing the Higher palladium prices reflect the importance of a negotiated political solu- the UN, said the UK “stands with the Syrian $1,787.30. “We will see another shot at opportunity cost of holding non-yield- tight supply situation, Commerzbank’s tion to the conflict in Syria. people to deliver all the steps enshrined in $1,800 as the sentiment has improved. ing bullion. The dollar held near multi- Fritsch said, adding the market is set to “Resolution 2254 mandates the UN to fa- Resolution 2254: a nationwide ceasefire; We have not seen any further exchange week lows. “There is slightly weaker show a sizeable supply deficit this year cilitate a political process that culminates unhindered aid access; the release of those traded fund outflows,” Commerzbank physical demand (for gold) at these partly on account of the robust demand in the holding of free and fair elections in arbitrarily detained; conditions for safe ref- analyst Carsten Fritsch said. higher prices,” said Nicholas Frappell, from the automotive industry. accordance with a new constitution, ad- ugee return; and free and fair elections pur- “There’s also a perception that central global general manager at ABC Bullion. Silver fell 0.7% to $26.38 per ounce ministered under UN supervision to the suant to a new constitution — all of which banks are not going to do anything Meanwhile, palladium eased 0.7% to and platinum was down 0.8% at highest international standards, and that represent the only way out of this conflict.” in changing the ultra-loose monetary $2,855.93 an ounce, having surged to $1,204.16.

Printed at Rouhani Art Press, Published by Amna Malik for Melange Media Group from office # 407/408, 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust, Agha Khan Road, F-5/1 Islamabad