Soon From LAHORE & KARACHI A sister publication of CENTRELINE & DNA News Agency www.islamabadpost.com.pk ISLAMABAD EDITION

IslamabadWednesday, March 17, 2021 Pakistan’s First AndP Only DiplomaticO Daily STPrice Rs. 20 Naval chief meets Javed Miandad RCCI shows mily leadership of opposes PCB’s concerns on Kingdom of Bahrain club reg fee new restrictions Detailed News On Page-06 Detailed News On Page-06 Detailed News On Page-04 Briefs Blinken Zardari asks speaks on North Korea Nawaz to DNA WASHINGTON: US Sec- retary of come back State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday Says PPP will not go for resignations; the United States would calls for collective movement continue to work with al- against the sitting government lies towards the denuclear- ization of North Korea. Blinken made the remarks Ansar Mahmood Bhatti at a bilateral meeting with Long march his Japanese counterpart ISLAMABAD: Former President and PPP Toshimitsu Motegi in To- Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has called postponed kyo, saying that his visit was upon the PML leader Nawaz Sharif to come meant to reaffirm the US-Ja- back to the country and add a new force to Staff Report ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed briefing Prime Minister Imran Khan pan alliance, Blinken said. the PDM movement. During the PDM ses- on his recent visit to Qatar. – DNA He said democratic values sion on Tuesday everybody was taken aback ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Move- were under threat in places when former President made this demand. ment (PDM) has postponed a long march like Myanmar and China. Sources privy to the meeting confided that against the government. After the PDM Pak buys Maryam Nawaz was almost stunned when meeting, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of she heard Asif Zardari asking Nawaz Sharif the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Opposition Chinese ‘PM wants e-voting PDM is to come back. Upon this demand she retort - Alliance, came for a press conference. ed “ Zardari sahib will you ensure safety of He said that 9 parties were in favour of vaccine divided: Mian sahib if he returns to Pakistan? resignations in the meeting and PPP as soon as possible’ Asif Zardari according to sources further has asked for time for this. Maulana Fa- Asad Umar said resignations from the assemblies zlur Rehman said that the long march of DNA March 26 should be considered postponed The cabinet also approved Ramadan Relief Package was not a viable option. His contention ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on till the response of PPP. The PDM chief DNA was that government can be given tough Tuesday has purchased worth 7.8 billion rupees on 19 essential items then abruptly left the gathering, leaving time while remaining part of the system. coronavirus vaccine from ISLAMABAD: Minister for facilitate the common peo- the PDM’s Tuesday meeting China for the first time. Planning, Continued on Page 06 Zubair Ahmed ple during the holy month in Islamabad, saying that Continued on Page 06 According to the health Development through the network of Utili- “political orphans” of the ministry sources, the Pa- and Special ISLAMABAD: Prime Min- ty Stores across Pakistan. alliance will never accept an- kistani authorities have Initiatives ister Imran Khan wants The government has voiced ything. Praising PM Imran signed an agreement with Asad Umar elections to be conducted the demand for an electron- Khan, the minister said ever Chinese company Sinop- on Tuesday Belarus envoy discusses through an electronic sys- ic voting process ever since since he got elected to pow- harm for vaccines. said the opposition was pre- tem as soon as possible, allegations of horse-trading er, the prime minister has The company will provide tending unity just to save said Minister for Science and rigging were exchanged been concerned with solving the vaccine to Pakistan in personal interests as the cooperation with minister and Technology Fawad between the government and the problems of the poor. phases, however, the first Pakistan Democratic Move- Chaudhry Tuesday. Sitting the Opposition parties after Touching upon the econom- batch of five million coro- ment (PDM) was disinte- beside federal minister Ham- the recently-held Senate elec- ic situation of the country, Invites Hammad Azhar to visit Belarus navirus doses from China grated. Talking to a private mad Azhar, Chaudhry said tions and the election for the Chaudhry said it was no easy was expected to land in Is- news channel, he said there the prime minister sought post of Senate chairman. task to pull the government Staff Report lamabad on Tuesday. The was no ideology and consen- an update every week on “The PTI’s politics is based out of an economic crisis. sources told that frontline sus among the PDM except shifting the electoral pro- on accountability and trans- “Out of 85 enterprises, 51 ISLAMABAD: Ambassador health workers and elderly that to protect corruption of cess to electronic machines. parency of the polls,” he said. are encountering losses,” he of Belarus Andrei Metelit- people will get vaccinated their leaderships. The minis- The federal cabinet also “The government’s team is said. “We will hold an audit sa met with Muhammad on priority basis. It is to ter said the Pakistan Muslim approved Ramadan Relief working to ensure transpar- of 10 important institutions Hammad Azhar, the Federal be mentioned here that the League-Nawaz and Pakistan Package worth 7.8 billion ru- ent elections [in future].” that have been reporting Minister for Industries and campaign to vaccinate peo- Peoples Party had no con- pees on 19 essential items to The minister spoke about losses,” added the minister. Production Division of Paki- ple above sixty years and fidence on each other and stan. During the meeting the health workers against coro- both their leadership were sides discussed the state of navirus is already underway. trying to use each other. Air Chief pays farewell Virus cases bilateral cooperation in in- ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Belarus Andrei dustry and avenues of inter- Metelitsa in a meeting with Industries Protesters calls on COAS, DG ISI continue PDM action between Belarus and Minister Hammad Azahar. – DNA Pakistan in this area. to swell leaders to be The interlocutors paid ing Group on industry, as on cooperation in the field storm Yemen Shujaat Hamza particular attention to the well as preparation for sign- of industrial, scientific and presidential RAWALPINDI: Air disappointed issues of holding the third ing of an amended inter- Chief Marshal Mujahid Staff Report meeting of the Joint Work- governmental agreement Continued on Page 06 palace Anwar Khan, Chief of ISLAMABAD: In an alarm- Staff Report Air Staff (CAS), on his ing sign, the national posi- farewell visit, called on News Desk tivity ratio of Pakistan shot ISLAMABAD: Special As- Pakistan, India water General Qamar Javed past 7% on Tuesday after sistant to ADEN: Hundreds of angry Bajwa, Chief of Army over 2,500 cases were re- Punjab Chief Yemeni protesters on Tues- Staff (COAS) at GHQ, ported in the last 24 hours. Minister on talks on March 23 day stormed the presiden- on Tuesday. COAS Daily data issued by the Information A delegation officials including the FO Spokesman tial palace in the southern thanked the CAS for his services to the Nation during a long and National Command and and Broad- city of Aden, according to illustrious career. COAS also appreciated CAS’s dynamic leader- Operation Centre (NCOC) casting Dr Zahid Hafeez will attend the meeting in New Delhi local sources. ship and professionalism displayed during op “Swift Retort” and showed that 35,303 tests Firdous Ashiq Awan Tues- critical support rendered in fight against terrorism. Because of Delhi. The previous session of talks was Demonstrators broke into were conducted in the day predicted that leaders the Maasheeq Presidential his immense efforts and quality leadership, Pakistan Air Force country in the last 24 of Pakistan Democratic Abid Raza held in Lahore, two years ago. today is a force second to none. Earlier on arrival at GHQ, the Pakistan will present its objections over Palace amid public anger hours out of which 2,511 Movement (PDM) would over the lack of services, CAS was presented Guard of Honour at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. returned as positive taking soon face disappointment in LAHORE: The water talks between offi- India’s contentious water projects on Seperately, CAS Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan paid cials of Pakistan and India will be held on Chenab river, sources said. Indus Wa- poor living conditions and the positivity ratio to 7.1%. their propaganda campaign depreciation of the local a farewell call on Director General Inter Services Intelligence While, the positivity ratio launched against the ruling March 23 and 24 in New Delhi. A dele - ter Commissioner Mehr Ali Shah has Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid. DG ISI Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed gation of Pakistani officials including In- said that Pakistan’s delegation will at- currency, the sources said. in the federal capital has party to topple the system. received the Service Chief. DG ISI thanked the Air Chief for dus Water Commissioner Mehr Ali Shah tend the two-day session in New Delhi. Presidential guards failed reached 7.7%, the District In an interview with a pri- his contribution in enhancing the professional capability of PAF and the Foreign Office Spokesman Zahid to stop the protesters from Health Officer said. The vate television channel, during his illustrious career. CAS also appreciated ISI’s perfor- Hafeez will attend the meeting in New Continued on Page 06 forcing their way into the DHO said that 414 cases she said disgruntled lead- palace, the sources said. mance in guarding and furthering national interests. came out positive. ers of PDM were facing po- litical differences in their meetings that has also cre- ated a wide space in their relationships. “Mistrust and confusion among the PTI Govt’s austerity drive yields positive results leaders of PDM has widen day by day,” she said. Information Ministry spearheaded by Federal Minister Shibli Faraz plays its role in proper projection of govt activities and various developmental projects tax payer money was also en- expenditures for the fiscal years ised by PM Imran Khan. The fed- and staff working at PMO and PM. Another massive cut was Inside... Special Correspondent sured thus setting an example 2018-19 and 2019-2020, this eral Budget 2019-2020 volume 1 demand for ERE related expens- placed on “Tour Expenses” of Pak needs qualified of a responsible leadership. It is news lacks factual data and de- titled Current Expenditures se- es in 2019-2020 showed a slight worth Rs.1.2 millions. Moreo- technologists to gear ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minis- also a step forward towards Ria- void of any supporting evidence rial no 13 PMO (page 302-310) increase that is an outcome of an- ver, an amount of approximately up industrialization ter had promised to set an exam- sat-eMadina. from official sources. clearly states a decrease in ex- nual increments which is a basic Rs.20 million was reduced from – Page 02 ple of austerity while using pub- Similarly, Travel & Transport In the age of social media, where penditures by PMO as compared right of government employees “Miscellaneous expenditures”. Egypt keen to boost lic funds by the Prime Minister’s Head Tax payers Saved 10M out misinformation spreads with the to previous fiscal year. regardless of their posting which The most important and promi- trade relations house and Prime Minister’s of- of allocated budget. Entertain- speed of light, it is expected In any budget there are two types is also a cause of slight increase nent reduction was shown under with Pakistan fice. The Prime Minister fulfilled ment & Gifts Tax payers Expend- of traditional media to dig into of expenditures 1) Employees in total budget from previous “Discretionary Grants” where – Page 03 his promise and has significantly iture of Rs.1000 were allocated facts before running a story. Ac- Related Expenses (ERE) 2) Op- year. 2: The demand estimates only Rs. 1000 were allocated reduced the expenditures to save to this head compare to 1.5M 4. cording to the official data from erating expenses (OE). As far for the fiscal budget 2019 -2020 (just to keep the head of A/c Tariq Sadiq elected as the precious public money. The new president, IIA Physical Assets Tax payers Rs. finance ministry, the expendi- as ERE is concerned, these are under the head of operating alive) from original estimate of – Page 04 Prime Minister also set an ex- 4M were saved under this head. tures for PMO has actually been the expenses that comprised of expenses amounted to approx. Rs. 1 Million. ample for the other government Tour Expenses Tax payers Rs. reduced significantly as prom- pay and allowances of officials Rs.218460000 (218 million,) The expenditure on “Wages of Saudi Arabia and functionaries to save the public 1.2M were spent out of allocat- while actual allocated budget Household Servant” was cut by Iran have not money wherever possible. ed budget of 20M. Discretionary was approx. Rs. 46,399,000 (46 approximately Rs. 30 million that always been foes The Strategic Communication Grant Tax payers Rs.1000 were million), huge cut from proposed shows PM is adhering to his vi- – Page 05 Wing of this Ministry has tabu- allocated against Rs. 1M 7. Wag- demand estimate. Similarly, a sion of austerity. Under “Prime Naval chief meets lated data, which reflected saving es of House hold servants Tax considerable reduction was done Minister’s Estate Garden Estab- top mily leadership made by the Prime Minister’s of- payers Expenditure under this under “travel and transportation lishment” a reduction of approx. of Bahrain fice and Prime head were cut down by Rs. 30M. head” worth of approx. Rs. 10 mil- Rs. 10 million was done. – Page 06 According to the data prepared Likewise, Prime Minister’s Es- lion. In addition to that, a visible PM Imran Khan has kept his Pakistan must develop and shared with various depar- tate Garden Establishment was reduction of budget can be seen words by reducing expendi- export potential: temtns of the Ministry and the done and tax payers Saving of Rs. under the head of “Entertain- tures of his office so that a min - President Arif Alvi relevant quarters, the expendi- 10M was made ment & Gifts” from 1.5 million imum burden may be placed on – Page 07 ture Rs. 46M were used against Busting the myth of enhance to just only RS. 1000. (that too to exchequer. This action of PM the allocation of Rs. 218M Pro- expenditure at PMO in a recent keep head of account alive). Imran Khan has set an example Pakistan’s biggest viding an example to rest of the industries have been programme on a private chan- As far as expenditures on “Phys- for all other political leaders to evading tax: PM Khan government to rationalize their nel, it was alleged that PM office ical Assets” are concerned, a re- reduce unnecessary expendi- – Page 08 expenditures caring leadership. has, in contradiction to austerity duction of approx. PKR 4 million tures while not compromising Effective and efficient use of measures, increased the budget/ was done on the instructions of on their performance. IslamabadPOST 02 NATIONAL Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Uzbekistan Briefs delegation Pak needs qualified technologists visits Karachi Forest dept Port plants 820,919 to gear up industrialization ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan saplings delegation visited the Kara- Ishfaq Mughal chi Port and witnessed con- across division tainer and cargo handling at FAISALABAD. Pakistan FAISALABAD: The division- Karachi Port Trust (KPT). must produce a chain of The delegation was headed al forest department has highly skilled and qualified planted 820,919 saplings so by Deputy Chairman of Uz- technologists to gear up the bekistan Railways, Akmal far against the fixed target pace of industrialization, of planting over 3 million Kamalov, said in a press said Engineer Hafiz Ihtash- release issued here on Tues- saplings in the division dur- am Javed, President Fais- ing the current tree planta- day. alabad Chamber of Com- During the visit, the delega- tion drive. merce & Industry (FCCI). Divisional Forest Officer tion was briefed by Chair- Addressing FCCI Standing man KPT on port opera- Muhammad Ali Butt said Committee on Institute of here Tuesday that 771,076 tions. Electrical & Electronics En- Ambassador of Uzbekistan plants had been sown gineers (IEEE), he stressed against the total target of Oybek Usmanov and Fed- the need to further improve eral Secretary, Ministry of 1.5 million saplings on the industrial academia linkag- government and private Maritime Affairs Rizwan es. He said that societal val- Ahmed were also present lands in district Toba Tek ues have created a pompous Singh. on the occasion. trend of producing doctors KPT assured the Uzbek He said that 8,700 saplings and engineers by downgrad- had been planted over side that they had sufficient ing technologists and other capacity to handle Uzbek the government land and professionals deemed nec- nurseries against the fixed trade at Karachi Port. essary to strengthen the in- The Head of delegation target of planting 128,000 dustrialization process. He trees in the district. Deputy Chairman of Uzbek- said that it is a change that istan Railways Akmal Kam- He said that defence and FCCI and IEEE have ac- chinery for the last 8 years technologists generally lack facilitate masses and hence told that an EU company for Science & Technology other law-enforcement agen- alov and Ambassador Oybek knowledged the importance but still we have to invite requisite skill and exper- our engineers should also demanded 2.5 million euro Mr. Fawad Chaudhry which Usmani said that they were cies would plant 246,000 of technologists and are reg- technologists for trouble tise. Regarding his practical make concerted efforts to as its equity for a joint ven- could be utilized for the saplings, while 1.13 million exploring the potential of ularly organizing awareness shooting from China and experience as engineer, he fulfill the needs of the huge ture. He stressed the need collective benefits of the KPT and in the near future, plants would be sown on pri- sessions to harness the other European countries said that he gave his début population of 220 million. to enhance the membership country and community. vate lands and farms in the a significant volume of Uz- skills and expertise of the manufacturing textile print- from his own factory and He said that engineers of IEEE to get latest tech- He also requested office bekistan cargo and contain- district. technologists in addition to ing machinery. He said saved approximately 30% generally dig “Out of Box” nologies from the devel- bearers of the local chapter Moreover, 49,843 new sap- ers would be availing KPT elevating its social status. that trouble shooting is a of electricity just by imple- solutions while technolo- oped countries and replicat- of the IEEE to give its sug- facilities. An interaction lings have been planted Engineer Hafiz Ihtasham common phenomenon but menting fundamental elec- gists ensure expeditious ing the same in accordance gestions in writing so that against the total target of with the maritime business Javed told that the textile the technologists from oth- tricity laws. implementation on it. He with the local needs. He proper steps could be taken partners was also held at 1.5 million saplings in dis- printing sector has been er countries have capacity Continuing, he said that also mentioned problems said that he has good rela- to ensure speedy implemen- trict Faisalabad. – APP Port Dignitary House. using basic printing ma- to settle it down while our engineers are supposed to in technology transfer and tions with Federal Minister tation on the same. Federal Minister for Mari- time Affairs, Syed Ali Haid- Sindh to er Zaidi assured the Uzbek 73 shopping delegation of an enabling engage private environment to promote hospitals, labs maritime development. malls, restaurants, The Uzbekistan Ambassa- for vaccination dor informed the Federal schools sealed Minister Syed Ali Haider for violating Corona SOPs Zaidi that they were fast Athar Sufi Staff Report while shopping malls were tracking this project and fined Rs 39,000, marriage Minister reciprocated that KARACHI: Sindh Cabinet FAISALABAD: The district halls Rs 25,000 and restau- this maritime initiative has accorded approval to en- administration sealed 73 rants Rs 20,000. The Dep- would be fast tracked and gage private hospitals and shopping malls, marriage uty Commissioner said that facilitated. – APP labs for mass Covid-19 vacci- halls, restaurants and pri- the current wave of Corona nation across the province. vate schools in one day is more dangerous than The cabinet meeting, held for violating Corona SOPs, ever so businessmen and Sanitation in Karachi on Tuesday with while imposing a fine of Rs the citizens should ensure charges Chief Minister Syed Murad 78,000 and issuing warn- implementation of SOPs Ali Shah in the chair, was ings to several others. Dep- in all cases. He said that approves for informed that the Provincial uty Commissioner Muham- there would be no compro- Health Department has so mad Ali informed that week mise on protection of lives Faisalabad far received a total of two is being observed to ensure of the people. He said that hundred forty-one thousand implementation of corona the work of vaccinating sen- doses of vaccine. during which action is being ior citizens against corona DNA The meeting was attended taken against violators for vaccine has been expedit- by provincial ministers, ad- FAISALABAD: The meet- non compliance of SOPs. ed. He urged the business ing of the Human Resource visor law, chief secretary He said that 2 marriage community to co-operate in and concerned secretaries. Committee of the Board ISLAMABAD: Students of different institutions are protesting against online classes and closure of halls, 28 shopping malls and the implementation of Coro- of Directors of Faisalabad COVID Mass Vaccination: educational institutions infront of national press club Islamabad. – DNA 20 restaurants were sealed na SOPs. The Sindh Cabinet has de- Waste Management Com- cided to engage private pany was held at the FWMC hospitals and laboratories Complex. Deputy Commis- in COVID-19 Mass Vacci- 37 children of martyred sioner / Chairman Board nation programme and en- CDA demolishes various of Directors Muhammad courage the private health FESCO employees get Ali presided over the meet- sector to import COIVID-19 ing. During the meeting vaccine, allocate human re- appointment letters the matters related to the illegal constructions provision of sanitation ser- sources and establish vacci- of FESCO martyred em- nation centers, especially in lowed anywhere in the city. vices in new areas were DNA ployees here on Tuesday, Staff Report Water supply remains partially suspended: Capital discussed while approval Karachi. he said, “We are optimistic The health department Development Authority (CDA) told the citizens that water was also given to impose FAISALABAD: Faisalabad about our youth, adding that ISLAMABAD: Anti encroachment campaign of Capital supply in various sectors will remain partially suspended sanitation charges in these told the cabinet that during Electric Supply Company newly inducted employees COVID-19 pandemic, the Development Authority (CDA) is underway. Various ille- from March 18 to March 20 due to work of repairing and areas. During the meeting, (FESCO) chief executive should serve the depart- gal constructions were demolished during operations on provincial response to com- changing of 36 inch dia water pipeline. it was decided to continue officer Engr. Arshad Munir ment sincerely and service Tuesday. The Enforcement department of CDA demolished bat coronavirus was charac- The sectors which will face the suspension of water supply action against those dump- said the glorious tradition of the consumers should be a boundary wall while conducting an operation in Dhoke include sector G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, F-7, and F-8. However, terized by mixed public and ing garbage in residential of immediate recruitment of their motto. Tahli Bari Imam. supply will remain open with break of one day during the private delivery of care. The and commercial areas. He the children of martyred em- He also directed the new- Similarly, a sale point of construction material was demol- said period. private health sector played also directed to run a pub- ployees would be continued ly appointed employees to ished at IJP road near Pindora Chungi. Heavy machinery CDA will give its best to complete work as soon as pos- a critical role in providing lic awareness campaign on in future because they were perform their duty with full of RWO which was deployed at Sangjani toll plaza GT road sible, so that citizens may get smooth water supply. The essential health services, standard sanitation, usage proud of the department. dedication and honestly so was removed. According to the administration of CDA, the residents of said sectors are requested to store water for especially when the public etiquette in public toilets, Addressing a function of that they could prove them- operations against encroachments and illegal construc- using during the days of no water supply. Water should be sector was so overwhelmed water conservation and san- distributing appointment selves as the best choice for tions will be continued. used carefully. Citizens should cooperate with CDA in this with COVID-19 patients itation. CEO Kashif Raza letters among 37 children the department. Encroachments and illegal constructions will not be al- regard. catered the need to test Awan, GM Operations Col patients for COVID-19 as (retd) Emad Gill, Dr. Sha- well as the isolation and faqat Gill, Muzammil Sultan treatment of patients who DHQ Sargodha and other members were UNHCR appreciates int’l also present in the meeting. required hospitalization and critical care. Deputy Commissioner said facing saniwtation that further steps should be support for Afghan refugees taken to raise the standard Heavy taxes on of cleanliness in the city so ing center. Countries within problems that the city looks clean and PFY declared Bureau Report the delegation have been take action against them beautiful in all respects as contributing to technical Mehboob Ahir and put and end to the drug per the expectations of the alarming for ISLAMABAD: UN refugee and vocational training as cartel. The people present citizens. textile export agency (UNHCR) on Tues- part of UNHCR’s sustaina- SARGODHA: Due to weak- at saraha hospital also said day appreciated the com- ble livelihoods programmes ness odf in-charge MS doc- that the past performace Daraz mitment of international for Pakistani host commu- tors and in-charge security of inspector zaheer ahmed, community to continue Nazir Siyal nity and Afghan refugee guards. We don’t have time Mehr Mohammad Yousaf launches Pak support to Afghan refugees youth. the waiting room in the civil ASI and constable Moham- KARACHI: Importers and and host communities in Pa- Yoshida said that the field hospital is designed for the mad Nawaz of he concerned Day sale traders of Polyester Fila- kistan. visit was an opportunity for families of the patients. It is police station factory area ment Yarn (PFY), which is “Pakistan has been hosting the delegation members a strong hold of drug deal- was in front of the gate. the basic raw material of Afghan refugees for forty to see how their support ers. The relatives of the They should also be taken Nazir Siyal textile industry and small long years, many of them Ambassador of Spain handing over a technical was being translated into patients coming from out- special care of. So tha they KARACHI: Daraz launches & medium units, has hoping to return home and vocational training certificate to an Afghan tangible benefits for host side are also very worried. also have no trouble. its first mega sale of 2021 termed excessive rise in when they see conditions refugee at a NAVTTC institute. – DNA communities and refugees Relatives often steal mobile Motorcyclist killed: A on the occasion of Pakistan prices in local markets as improve inside Afghani- in Pakistan. communities.” met with Afghan refugees and other belongings from 35-year-old man was killed in Day, with leading brands catastrophic for exports and stan,” said UNHCR Repre- The Commissionerate for drug addicts and have no Yoshida made these re- and Pakistani host commu- a road accident in Khushab and local sellers. The plat- appealed to Prime Minister sentative, Noriko Yoshida, Afghan Refugees was also one to ask. Women from marks during a field visit nity members in Haripur police limits. form has an assortment of Imran Khan to take steps to adding “But Pakistan de- represented during the outpatients have also been in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ac- to listen their stories and Police said on Tuesday that 15 million products across save the industry from ca- serves more of our support. field visit. They helped pro- harassed and involved in companying a delegation of how they live together side motorcyclist,Muhammad 100+ categories, providing tastrophe and demanded to Today’s visit to a refugee vide further information wrongdoing. several European countries by side as communities, as Farhan,resident of Ochal- its users all kinds of prod- abolish all taxes on import village in Haripur shows the about the local reality that They have no one to asl i,was on his way to work – including Belgium, Hun- well as their outlook on the ucts at the tip of their fin- of PFY. international community’s Afghan refugees face, and them. Worked but took no when a speeding dumper gary, Italy, Poland, Spain, future. gers through the Daraz App. They feared that if the gov- resolve and solidarity to the impact of both humani- action. The relatives of the truck hit the two-wheeler Sweden, Switzerland as well In Kalabat Township, the With more and more con- ernment does not immedi- meet the needs of Afghan tarian and development as- patients have appealed to near Katha Sughral morr as the European Union. delegation also visited a vo- sumers turning online for ately allow duty-free import refugees and their host UNHCR and the delegation cational and technical train- sistance. the higher athurities to and managed to escape. of PFY, Pakistan will lose a their shopping needs, Daraz large number of export or- strengthened its commit- ders. ment to its users with in- In an appeal to Prime Min- creased safety, wider prod- ister Imran Khan, Khawar ucts ranges, better offers Noorani, deputy conven- Pak-Arab forum to promote ties with Arab countries and special sale campaigns er standing committee and individuals. Ummah. “If the security and sta- he said, Pakistan was raising and faster deliveries than on imports, Federation Raja Pervaiz He said the relations with the bility of Saudi Arabia comes un- the voice of the entire Muslim usual. of Pakistan Chambers of Arab countries were getting der threat, the Muslim Ummah Ummah and the Islamic world at During the Pakistan Day Sale at Daraz, sellers from Commerce & Industry ISLAMABAD: The formation stronger and Pakistan’s foreign cannot remain silent,” he added. world forums. every corner of the country (FPCCI), former chairman of Pak-Arab Forum was being policy in that regard was being Pakistan, he said, welcomed At the request of Prime Minis- will be selling their prod- Pakistan Yarn Merchants worked out for promoting tour- praised everywhere. Ashrafi reconciliation between the Gulf ter Imran Khan and the World ucts at the best possible Association(PYMA) and ism, strengthening economic, said Pakistan’s stance on the countries and Qatar and wanted Islamic League, the Sri Lankan prices. Moreover, leading Khalid Iqbal Gader, former cultural and religious ties with issue of Islamophobia and to make an end to differences government had allowed the FMCG brands such as Uni- vice chairman PYMA, said the Arab Islamic countries, said Namoos-e-Risalat had been rec- among other Islamic countries Muslims’ burial permission for Special Aide to Prime Minister ognized in the entire Muslim with one another. coronavirus victims, he said. lever, P&G, and Nestle will that local manufacturers of be available on dMart, the PFY have failed to meet the on Religious Harmony and Mid- world. The problems of Islamic coun- Replying to a question, he said it dle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir “There is a need to streamline tries could only be solved wais unfortunate that the issue platform’s specializedon- export oriented industry line grocery channel, which demand and SMEs, but de- Mehmood Ashrafi on Tuesday. cohesive and coordinated strug- through dialogue, he said. “Wars of Hijab was creating problems Talking to the media, Ashrafi gle to eliminate the menaces of only bring destruction and for the Muslims everywhere, in- saw exceptional growth and spite this, the government demand last year and con- protecting them, had im- said Pakistan desired unity and Islamophobia, extremism and countries in wake of hostilities cluding Europe. be, the stronger the Muslim Um- tributed the most to orders posed a regulatory duty on solidarity among all the Islamic terrorism at world level,” he and warlike situations can’t Ashrafi said that talks could be countries, which must develop mah emerged, said Ashrafi. on Daraz. Additionally, new PFY imports, which is total- said. build.” held with the opposition to erad- a joint strategy to eradicate ex- He said Harmain Al-Sharifain brands like Maahru have ly unfair. The stronger the Organization Together with the Organization icate corruption and for develop- tremist organizations, groups of Islamic Cooperation would were the center of the Muslim of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), ment of the country. also been featured. 03 IslamabadPOST

METROLITEWednesday, March 17, 2021 SNGPL, Briefs SSGC detect Egypt keen to boost trade Rs 8.855b Developers gas theft offer NPHP ISLAMABAD: The two- 189 sites to state owned companies, relations with Pakistan Sui Northern Gas Pipelines build houses Limited (SNGPL) and Sui ISLAMABAD: The public The ambassador of Egypt Tarek Dahroug expressed these views in a Southern Gas Company and private sectors of the meeting with The Chairman of Pakistan Cultural Forum Zafar Bakhtawari, (SSGC), have collectively country have offered 189 detected around 430,194 sites to build low cost hous- Ahsan Bakhtawari and Waqar Bakhtawari gas theft cases causing pil- ing units to provide afforda- ferage of 13,266 MMCF (Million Cubic Feet) gas ble accommodation for the taff eport lower middle class under S R worth Rs 8.855 billion dur- ing the last five years. Naya Pakistan Housing Pro- ISLAMABAD: The last vis- gramme (NPHP). During a period from 2016- it of Foreign Minister of 17 to 2019-20, the compa- Out of these, 57 sites have Pakistan Shah Mehmood been offered by private sec- nies have also registered Qureshi to Egypt was fruit- as many as 1,606 FIRs tors to build around 104,912 ful to enhance bilateral houses and 132 sites have (First Information Reports) ties between two coun- against the gas pilferers, been offered by the govern- tries. There is a need for ment sectors which are be- according to an official doc- more such visits to further ument available with APP. ing evaluated, an official in expand cooperation .The the Ministry of Housing and As per the break-up, the gas ambassador of Arab Repub- utilities detected 51,401 cas- Works told APP. lic Egypt Tarek Dahroug He said the present govern- es, pilferage of 3,814 MMCF expressed these views in a gas of Rs 2,369 million and ment intends to build a total meeting with of five million housing units started legal proceedings The Chairman of Paki- against 457 thieves in 2015- to cater for the needs of the stan Cultural Forum Zafar shelter less and low-income 16. In 2016-17, they regis- Bakhtawari, Ahsan Bakhta- tered 261 FIRS, identified people in the country. wari and Waqar Bakhtawari The official said the gov- 85,317 theft cases involving at his residence in Egyptian leakage of 2,457 MMCF gas ernment has received so embassy. He further said far over two million appli- amounting to Rs 1,250 mil- that Gen.Nadim Raza the lion. cations, out of which 1.8 Chairman Joint Chief of million are eligible. He said Similarly in 2017-18, the Staff Committee would also companies spotted 85,466 that various schemes are visit Egypt this month to being launched to initially cases, theft of 1,881 MMCF promote the defence coop- gas worth Rs1,009 million accommodate these appli- eration between two coun- cants. and registered 263 FIRs tries. against pilferers. He said the housing Zafar Bakhtawari discussed schemes by Naya Pakistan In 2018-19, they detected the matter of mutual bene- 110,058 cases, faced 3,086 Housing and Development fit and cooperation with the Authority (NPHDA) in Is- MMCF gas theft of Rs 2,296 ambassador of Egypt in- ambassador hoped that di- ism industry and Egyptian Bakhtawari showed keen more visits of Businessmen mission of Egypt and com- million and registered 257 lamabad and Lahore are cluding the establishment being finalized. The official rect airlink would enhance Airlink would start its oper- interest to develop econom- would be beneficial to boost mercial counselor of Egypt FIRs, while in 2019-20 the of Direct Airlink between the relation between two ation in Pakistan very soon. ic ties and further added trade and investment op- embassy were also present companies identified 97,952 said that so far, 6769 houses Egypt and Pakistan. The have been completed under countries including Tour- Ahsan Bakhtawari & Waqar that the Direct Airlink and portunities. Deputy Head of at the meeting. cases, pilferage of 2,028 various schemes. The offi- MMCF of gas amounting to cial said that it is expected Rs 1,930 million and regis- that within short period of Pakistan Day sales tered 368 FIRs. time, remaining planned PR to recover Rs8375 mil A senior official privy to housing schemes will be attract buyers in capital petroleum sector develop- launched. Many of the eligi- ments told APP that in line ble applicants who have opt- ISLAMABAD: With only Talking to APP, she said, with the government strat- ed for housing units in Is- less than a week left in the “I have planned to make from various departments egy to reduce line loss, the lamabad and Lahore would celebrations of Pakistan online orders for summer gas companies were taking be allotted units. – APP Day, famous brands in the clothes for me and my fam- Pakistan Railways has retrieved around 439.8 acres precious all possible measures to federal capital have started ily taking advantage of this bring down the Unaccount- offering sales on dresses, biggest sale at the advent land worth billions of rupees from private individuals under its ed For Gas (UFG) ratio PNCA to shoes and other accesso- of the summer season to anti-encroachment operation across the country gradually in the coming ries to give an opportunity buy summer stuff in bulk to years. – APP launch “Seen to the buyers for having avoid frequent visits to the ISLAMABAD: Pakistan provincial departments for 230.33 acres land in Pun- occupied by the individuals Studio” good stock of required stuff markets”. Railways (PR) was making recovering the outstanding jab, 115.92 acres from Khy- and under illegal occupa- at the very start of the sum- “The online shopping fa- all out efforts to recover amount. ber Pakhtunkhwa, 81.81 tion of various government Satrang Art ISLAMABAD: The Paki- mer season. cility offered by different the outstanding amount of To a question, he said that acres from Sindh and 11.74 departments. Gallery stan National Council of the The trend of online shop- brands, shopping marts and Rs8375million payable by Pakistan Railways has re- acres from Balochistan. The official said the cam- Arts (PNCA) would launch ping from the official web- food outlets have made the the departments of the fed- trieved around The official paign was being monitored organizes its own “Seen Studio” on sites of the famous brands lives of citizens quite easier eral and provincial govern- 439.8 acres pre- said that out of by the Divisional Super- March 20. is already in practice by a especially at the time when ments on account of using cious land worth the total land, intendents, Headquarters exhibition PNCA Director General Dr. large number of people es- staying at home and less- its different services. billions of rupees 66.687acres office and Ministry of Rail- Fouzia Saeed while talking pecially women in capital ening social interaction is The federal departments from private in- were commer- ways. ISLAMABAD:The Satrang to APP said that the “Seen city which is also required a best possible precaution had to pay an amount dividuals under cial, 285.9 acres The Standard Operating Art Gallery has organized Studio” an out of box ven- at this time to prevent from to keep ourselves safe from of Rs709.084 million, its anti-encroach- were residential Procedure (SOP) and joint a day-long exhibition ti- ture to celebrate all kind of risk of catching COVID-19. the prevailing pandemic provincial departments ment operation and 87.213 acres procedure order have been tled “Heraa Khan: Losing modern and traditional mu- Samina Mushtaq, a house situation”, Shaista Ameen Rs1980.217 million and au- across the coun- were the agricul- issued since for strict im- Earth”. sic forms in a unique way. wife said, “It is in the larger said. tonomous and private bod- try during the last two and tural land of the Pakistan plementation of this policy, The Losing Earth was a The prominent folk singers interest of the citizens to She said these brands ies Rs5685.736 million, an half years. The official said Railways. the official added. timely and significant exhi- including QurbanNiazi, Ban- adopt preventive measures must take steps for pro- official in the Ministry of the encroachment oper- He said the government He said that First Informa- bition, which was highlight- oRehmat, Zarsanga, Ustad in wake of the increasing moting awareness about Railways told APP. ation has been launched was taking several steps to tion Reports (FIRs) were ing the rampant devastation Abdul Sattar Tari Khan, cases of COVID-19. Online prevention from this threat On the directives of Min- with the assistance of rail- retrieve encroached land being lodged and cases to the environment, as a di- FazalJutt, Salman Ahmed shopping is the best way by bounding the buyers ister for Railways Azam way police and district ad- from the land grabbers in- were registered and sent to rect consequence of human and others would perform to protect ourselves and to purchase the stuff Khan Swati, he said the ministrations. cluding detailed survey was Pakistan Railways Judicial excesses and behaviors” in the studio. others from this infectious online and not to visit the Ministry of Railways has Giving details, he said being carried out to iden- Magistrates for expeditious said a press release issued “A platform for our viewers virus”. outlets. – APP approached the federal and the department retrieved tify the encroached land, trial. – APP here. to experience the diverse The show, which was com- musical range”, she said. posed of a new body of She said the PNCA audi- Women with work, marks a different ence would enjoy different direction for Heraa, who is music in episodes produced diabetes at an exceptionally skilled min- by “Seen Studio”. risk of heart iature artist. Beautiful jew- Dr. Fouzia said that the stu- el-like paintings depict the dio would explore the crea- disease increasing threat to wildlife tive musical stage of Paki- ISLAMABAD: Women, who and nature, as well as chang- stan National Council of the are under 55, with Type-2 ing ecologies and the visible Arts. – APP diabetes are at greater risk effects of global warming. of developing coronary heart Heraa is building a sustain- Law-GAT to disease, a new study suggests. able practice and is inviting The study indicates that wom- her viewer to engage with enroll as an en, who are less than 55 years her thoughtful works and and Type-2 diabetes, had a educate themselves about advocate tenfold greater risk of having this crisis. ISLAMABAD: The High- coronary heart disease over Heera Khan is Lahore based er Education Commission the next two decades, with artist. The exhibition was (HEC) has announced to lipoprotein insulin resistance attended by diplomats and conduct Law Graduate As- (LPIR) proving to be a strong, a large number of people sessment Test (LAW-GAT) predictive biomarker as well. from different walks of life. for eligibility to get enrol- “We’re going to see, unfortu- Adviser to the Prime Minis- ment as an advocate with nately, younger and younger ter on Climate Change Ma- bar council. people having heart attacks,” lik Amin Aslam also visited The objective of the assess- said co-author Samia Mora, the exhibition. – DNA ment test is to ensure prop- Associate Professor at Har- er scrutiny and evaluation of vard Medical School in the a law graduates desirous to US. “When a younger individ- CTP check join the legal profession so ual has a cardiovascular event, over speeding that only competent individ- it will affect their quality of life uals possessing necessary going forward, their produc- on city roads basic knowledge of law may tivity, and their contribution enter the legal profession to society,” Mora added. RAWALPINDI: City Traffic for practicing law, the of- For the study, published in Police (CTP) issued 1328 ficial sources told APP on the journal JAMA Cardiolo- challan slips on over speed- Wednesday. gy, the researchers analyzed ing and imposed fines on Therefore, the sources more than 50 risk factors in the rules violators during said, a law graduate only 28,024 women. – DNA the February. becomes eligible to apply to ISLAMABAD: CDA worker busy in routine work at roadside greenbelt along 9th Avenue. – APP According to Chief Traffic a Bar Council for enrolment Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi as an advocate if he/she Rai Mazhar Iqbal, CTP were qualifies the assessment checking over speeding on test to be conducted by various roads of the district the Higher Education Com- PTCL gets recognition for progressive practices and taking action in accord- mission, having been so ance with the law against authorized by the Pakistan The organization’s growing commitment to diversity and inclusion in terms of gender representation the violators. Bar Council, pursuant to He informed that the squad the aforementioned Order and development opportunities to PWDs has further fostered a workplace culture of inclusiveness conducted operations of the Supreme Court and ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecom- ers and employees, said a news mitment to diversity and inclusion On the occasion, Group Chief GDIB standards to align organi- to check over speeding read with the Section 26(cc) munications Company Limited release. Email bulletins, digital in terms of gender representation Human Resource Officer, PTCL zational policies for sustainable through speed cameras on of Legal Practitioners and (PTCL) got recognition for its screens, IVR messages and SMS and development opportunities to & Ufone, Syed Mazhar Hussain, financial and social performance. main roads particularly old Bar Council’s Act 1973 and progressive practices in Inclu- alerts are some of the many ways Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) said, “We are proud to have won Approximately 30 companies Airport Road, New Airport rules of the PBC. sive Communication and Social the company chooses to facilitate has further fostered a workplace these two prestigious awards by were honoured in various cate- Road and in other sectors They informed that the Responsibility at the Global Di- two-way communication. Pulse culture of inclusiveness. Global Diversity and Inclusion gories at the prestigious awards including Taxila, Kalar person having passed Bach- versity and Inclusion Benchmark surveys are conducted to gauge With the launch of the Justuju In- Benchmarks (GDIB). We are fully ceremony in Karachi. Syedan and Meharabad. elor’s degree in Law or Standards (GDIB) Awards 2021. feedback and interventions are ternship Program for PWDs this committed to foster a culture of With such recognition, the GDIB The CTO said that CTP had equivalent from a universi- Being a large organization with designed to ensure optimum cus- year, PTCL committed to go only diversity and inclusion in not only awards motivate companies to be- formed a special camera ty recognized by HEC/PBC a nationwide reach of staff and tomer service. forward with its pledge for excel- making PTCL a more inclusive come more inclusive, diverse and squad to check over speed- are eligible to apply. Accord- customer-base, it is a tremen- Furthermore, the company’s so- lence. PTCL employee volunteer place, but we are also taking con- agile. PTCL being honoured in ing on various roads and ing to them, the test will dous feat to be acknowledged for cial responsibility practices have force; PTCL Razakaar has set a scious steps in making our society the list of winners is a testament the step had helped con- consist of Multiple Choice communication practices that are put PTCL at a unique spot among benchmark for corporate philan- at large more inclusive as well.” to its commitment towards its em- trolling fatal road acci- Questions (MCQs). –APP effectively tailored to the diverse its contemporaries. thropy and continues to spread These awards recognize and en- ployees as well as the community dents considerably in the characteristics of our custom- The organization’s growing com- smiles year after year. courage organizations that use at large. – APP district. – APP IslamabadPOST 04 TWIN CITIES Wednesday, March 17, 2021 President for Briefs enhanced ties with RCB starts Bangladesh ‘Quran Garden’ Khayam Abbasi ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday said Pa- Ibrar Khan kistan highly valued its ties RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi with Bangladesh and want- Cantonment Board (RCB) ed to further expand coop- on Tuesday inaugurated eration by using the existing ‘Quran Garden’ here at Raja bilateral mechanisms. Akram Road, established He stressed the need for under ‘Plant for Pakistan’ improving commercial and campaign. President Can- cultural relations with Bang- tonment Board Brig. Ijaz ladesh and promoting Politi- Qamar Kiani and Canton- cal Consultations at Foreign ment Executive Officer Secretary Level and Joint (CEO) Muhammad Umar Economic Commission. Farooq Ali Malik were chief The President made these guests on the occasion. remarks while talking to Saplings of the plants which the Pakistan’s High Com- are mentioned in the holy missioner to Bangladesh Quran were particularly Imran Ahmed Siddiqui planted in the garden. here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Brig. Ijaz Qamar Kiani ad- Dr Alvi asked the High dressing the participants Commissioner to work for said that ‘Plant for Pakistan’ improving bilateral ties be- is not only a campaign rath- tween the two countries. He er it has become a passion underscored the need to en- which was increasing day by hance commercial relations, day in all the seasons. business-to-business coop- He appreciated the ar- eration and people-to-peo- rangements made by both ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr. Imran Ahmad Siddiqui, called on President Dr.Arif Alvi, at Aiwan-e-Sadr. – DNA ple contacts for the mutual the Boards, Rawalpindi and benefit of the two countries. Chaklala to provide free sap- He urged the need to en- lings to the citizens during hance bilateral cultural and end of last week. political exchanges as well The President Cantt board as increase cooperation in also lauded the response the field of sports to fur- given by the residents say- Tariq Sadiq elected as ther cement cooperation ing “I visited the distribu- between the two sides. tion points set up to provide free saplings and witnessed, Cultural overwhelming response of the citizens who are now portion of motivated and enthusiastic new president, IIA to make the plantation cam- mega festival paign a success.” AGM of Islamabad Industrial Association (IIA) was held at its office at Islamabad Industrial He said, “I am confident postponed that as a result of the strug- Association. Industrial Association’s sub-trade bodies from manufacturing, Automobiles, gle we are making, Pakistan Pharmaceutical, Oil, Marble, and Flour commended the tireless efforts of M Akram Farid DNA will become a lush green country in near future.” ISLAMABAD: The first Cultural portion of mega ten-day festival “Derajat Islamabad 2021” postponed on Tues- day due to third wave of Dialogue to Covid-19 pandemic. A 10-day grand ‘Derajat fes- hold objective tival’ was planned by Khy- ber Pakhtunkhwa govern- discourse ment to start from March 20 in Dera Ismail Khan Shaheen Hanif with having variety of at- tractive cultural activities ISLAMABAD: The Islam- to amuse citizens. abad Security Dialogue, a MPA Faisal Amin Khan two-day international con- Gandapur told APP that ference, being organized three-day 4 x 4 Jeep Rally by the National Security Industrial Association (IIA) President of Islamabad the various Memorandum services for Industry. that apart from solving In- will be held from March 26 Division will bring together to March 28 with SOPs and local and global intellectuals DNA was held at its office at Industrial Association has of Understanding (MoUs) Akram Farid threw light on dustry problems the main Islamabad Industrial As- worked tirelessly to bring have been signed with the evolution of Industry in Is- objective of the Association negative tests of COVID for together for an objective all participants. discourse on traditional and ISLAMABAD: The out-go- sociation. Industrial Asso- industry and trade of Is- major defense establish- lamabad and the Industrial was to develop a soft image ing President of Islamabad ciation’s sub-trade bodies lamabad in line with the ments in various respects, Association itself. He high- of industry. The Associa- He said that the decision non-traditional national se- was taken in a meeting of curity issues. The two-day Industrial Association Mian from manufacturing, Auto- requirements of construc- today Islamabad’s industry lighted main problems of tion kept liaison with Trade Akram Farid’s services for mobiles, Pharmaceutical, tion and development and is one of the most impor- Industry and briefed on ef- Bodies, Chambers of Com- COVID Task Force Khyber international conference be- Pakhtunkhwa. ing held from March 17 to 18 industrial development are Oil, Marble, and Flour com- modern times.He has al- tant in Pakistan. forts made to resolve them. merce and other Industrial would be inaugurated by the unforgettable. Establish- mended the tireless efforts ways worked day and night A graceful event in the Farid briefed the house on Associations. Prime Minister whereas the ment of Industrial Estate of M Akram Farid. to solve the problems of the honor of M. AkramFarid, achievements made so far There was a great potential Rupee second day session would be under his leadership is a Islamabad Industrial Associ- industrialists on priority the outgoing President and acknowledged the co- for Business community to opened by the Chief of Army historic achievement. ation is the sole represent- basis. The Islamabad Indus- of the Association held in operation of CDA and CBR join hands for indigenous extends gains Staff General Qamar Javed Tariq Sadiq, new President ative of the Industrialists trial Association, led by its which changeover ceremo- in this regard. The achieve- production for defense Bajwa, said an official of Na- of Islamabad Industrial As- in the Capital Area and the senior vice president Nasir ny take place. During his ments regarding included organizations. The Asso- against dollar tional Security Division. sociation (IIA) vowed he neighboring Industrial Es- Qureshi and vice president address, the President IIA improving security, tax ciation has done a lot for ISLAMABAD:The exchange The opening session will will take forward the mis- tates including Kahuta In- Mirza Muhammad Ali, has paid tribute to the servic- matters, corporate social environment as well. Instal- rate of Pakistan rupee hold extensive discussions sion of Mian Akram Farid dustrial Triangle. played a significant role in es of lateFaridoonKhatak responsibilities (CSR) and lation of pollution control strengthened by 28 paisas on diverse issue ranging to solve the problems. Leading industrialist and highlighting the industri- (late), the Senior Vice welfare of people associated plants in steel industry and against the US dollar in the from Comprehensive Na- The Annual General Meet- social figure of Islamabad al identity of Islamabad.It President (SVP) and un- with Industry, he said. plantation of 50,000 sap- interbank trading on Tues- tional Security, security ing (AGM) of Islamabad Mian Akram Farid as the is worth mentioning that derlined his meritorious The President IIA apprised lings are worth mentioning. day and closed at Rs156.71 challenges in a transforming as compared to the previous global and regional environ- day’s closing of Rs156.99. ment to Pakistan’s security Al-Khidmat According to Forex Associa- imperatives, and the coun- RCCI shows concerns on NTC to ensure tion of Pakistan, the buying try’s perception among the to expand and selling rates of dollar comity of nations. The ses- in the open market were sion will be moderated by new COVID-19 restrictions scope of safe, secure recorded at Rs156.7 and National Defence University. services Rs157.3 respectively. The second session will The govt should focus on implementation Similarly, the price of euro shed light on the vision of virtual meetings was depreciated by 42 pai- Economic Security and the of SOPs and traders assured full cooperation Khayam Abbasi ISLAMABAD: Since the third wave of coronavirus (COV- sas and closed at Rs186.88 importance of economic di- ID-19) is considered the most lethal, the National Telecommu- against the last day’s trading plomacy. President, Center crease in Covid cases. RAWALPINDI: President nications Corporation (NTC) has started providing safe and Raja Pervaiz The government should Khidmat Foundation Punjab of Rs187.30, the State Bank for Aerospace and Security secure services to ensure conducting virtual meetings. Taking of Pakistan reported. Studies (CASS) former Air focus on implementation North Rizwan Ahmad has precautionary measures, the government is mulling to restart RAWALPINDI: The Rawal- The Japanese Yen remained Chief Marshal (R) Kaleem of COVID SOPs and trad - said that they are expanding virtual meetings of important nature including NCOC, ECC, pindi Chamber of Com- unchanged to close at Saadat will convene the ses- ers assured full coopera- the scope of services and Federal Cabinet etc. It is also being considered to organize merce and Industry (RCCI) Rs1.43, whereas a decrease sion with a diverse panel of tion here. partnership at the provincial online parliamentary bodies` meetings of different ministries. President Nasir Mirza has of Rs 2.29 was witnessed in local and international ex- He said that a uniform pol- level. Together with national Talking to the APP, NTC Managing Director Brig (Retd) expressed concerns on Pun- the exchange rate of British perts and economists. icy should be adopted in all institutions, corporate sector Viqar Rashid Khan said the NTC would continue to provide jab Government notification Pound, which was traded at the cities across the coun- and international NGOs will safe and secure services to the government without any on lock-down amid COV- Rs216.54 as compared to its try to deal with the Covid serve the underprivileged for interruption in the current third wave of COVID-19. “Like ID-19 third wave. last closing of Rs 218.83. Pygopagus epidemic. Smart lockdown which short and long term previous practice (in corona crisis), NTC will continue to In a statement, RCCI Pres- The exchange rates of Emir- policy should be formulat- planning has been completed. provide its services,” he maintained. The NTC, he said, dur- twins ident Nasir Mirza said that ates Dirham and Saudi Riyal ed in collaboration with Pakistani youth dedicated to ing COVID-19 pandemic first and second waves, has proac- closing shops at 6 pm will decreased by 08 paisas each already in decline will be se- the stakeholders. the spirit of service will vol- tively provided Data Hosting platform and Video Conference successfully increase the rush which to close at Rs 42.66 and Rs verely hampered if business Rawalpindi and Islama- unteer thousands of youth in System to the federal government for conducting PM office, will increase the chanc- 41.78 respectively. – APP separated closure is observed for Sat- bad are twin cities. Under the first phase. He expressed Cabinet, ECC and NCOC meetings in a secure environment. es of more Corona cases. urday and Sunday. Smart Lockdown, the clos- these views while addressing a The MD said that, NTC was probably one of the few federal RAWALPINDI: Six-month- Ramadan is approaching. He further added that cus- ing hours of shops should meeting of the Board of Direc- government ‘s organizations which has recovered from a RWMC old female conjoined twins We have to understand the tomers normally shop on be kept the same, he de- tors held at Khidmat Complex. loss making entity to a profitable, as it has earned a re- Merab and Manahel were ground realities, he added. weekends due to not finding manded. Provincial SG Namir Hassan cord profit of Rs578 million in last FY 2019-20 especially kicks off recovering at Holy Family The business community time on working days. He said that only by adopt- Madani, SVP Syed Atiq-ur-Re- during COVID-19 pandemic without any allotment of funds/ Hospital after surgeons suc- of Rawalpindi has serious cleanliness However, closing busi- ing a uniform policy can hman, VP Majid Mahmood resources from the government. In order to facilitate PM’s cessfully separated them concerns over the lockdown nesses on Weekend will Corona be dealt with ef- Bhatti, Provincial Deputy initiative “AAP KA WAZIRE AZAM AAP KAY SAATH” to in a marathon surgery the notification from the Punjab drive only cause more rush at fectively. The Rawalpindi Secy Gen Syed Majid Hus- directly talk to the people, the NTC has provided a tele- other day. government. markets on other days Chamber stands with the sain Shah and other directors com platform through master number 051-9210809. – APP RAWALPINDI: The Rawal- Talking to APP on Tuesday, Business activities that are and lead to a further in - business community. also spoke on the occasion. Dr Mudassar Gondal, head pindi Waste Management of surgery of the Pediatric Company (RWMC) and Al- Surgery Department at bayrak on Tuesday formal- the Holy Family Hospital ly kicked off multi-faceted (HFH), a team of doctors and multi-purposed cleanli- including anesthesia team Nepalese ACSC delegation visits ISSI ness and public awareness comprising Dr Ahmed campaign against dengue and Dr Ayesha headed by Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry briefly covered Pakistan’s quest for regional connectivity. and corona pandemic Prof Jawad Zaheer and He highlighted the transformation in the foreign policy orientation of Pakistan from geo-politics among the people living surgeons Prof Nadeem in localities of Rawalpindi Akhtar comprising of As- towards geo-economics and the economic opportunities for the South Asian nations city and its suburbs. sistant Professor Dr Yasir During their door-to-door the ISSI Dr. Saif ur Rehman towards geo-economics and needs to play a larger role Shehzad and Senior Resi- campaign on first day, the hujaat amza Malik were also present on the economic opportunities by the virtue of its larger dent Dr Mudassar Abbas S H residents, shopkeepers, the occasion. Director Chi- for the South Asian nations. share of the landmass and Siddique, successfully dis- traders and mosque cler- ISLAMABAD: Institute of na-Pakistan Study Centre, He emphasized Islamabad’s economic power. sected and reconstructed ics in Dhoke Kashmiryan Strategic Studies Islamabad Dr. Talat Shabbir gave out firm resolve in refraining Later, Dr. Talat Shabbir mod- the spinal cord. locality of UC-23 were (ISSI) hosted 47-member welcome remarks and brief- from meddling in the do- erated an interactive ses- He said pygopagus twins requested by the special delegation of the Nepalese ly introduced the objectives, mestic affairs of neighbour- sion, where officers from the were born six months ago teams to follow the SOPs Army Command & Staff Col- scope and achievements of ing countries. During his Nepalese Army Command & at the HFH with a common regarding COVID-19 i.e to lege. Director General ISSI, the Institute. remark, Ambassador Aizaz Staff College actively partici- sacrum and a common sub- wash hands with soap for Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad underscored the pivotal pated. DG ISSI Ambassador arachnoid space, and their 20 seconds, observe so- Chaudhry delivered a talk to Chaudhry briefly covered importance of the South Aizaz responded to the ques- vaginas and anal canals cial distancing minimum the visiting delegates where- Pakistan’s quest for regional Asian region and expressed tions of the delegates. shared a common posteri- up to six feet, wear face as the Chairman Board of connectivity. He highlight- his concern over persistent Major Shobit of the Nepa- or wall called as pygopagus masks, avoid participa- Governors ISSI Ambassador ed the transformation in the lack of connectivity among lese Army thanked the In- congenital twins in medical tion in gatherings, cover Khalid Mehmood and Direc- foreign policy orientation of its South Asian Countries. stitute for making arrange- terminology. – APP nose and face having flu tor India Study Centre of Pakistan from geo-politics He also stressed that India ments for the event. or cough. – APP Wednesday, March 17, 2021 05 IslamabadPOST Pakistan’s First And Only Diplomatic Daily Suspicious suicide Editor-in-Chief: Ansar Mahmood Bhatti Electoral controversy Deputy Editor: Abid Raza ITH the mysterious death of Shahzaib, a seventh ITH the political landscape in Pakistan fraught grader allegedly arrested for pointing a gun at po- ABC CERTIFIED with turmoil, the government extended a hand lice officers, the Gharbi police station has become W Vol: 01 Issue: 302 W to the opposition, opening up room for possible the subject of controversy. With opposing claims over what mediation and discussion on electoral reforms. However, exactly happened, an investigation has been launched to un- Email: [email protected] the ruling party also officially went after the Election cover the truth. Regardless, special attention needs to be Phone: 051-2266165 / 051-2261960 Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday, asking all directed towards the prevalence of increasingly gross mis- Off: Awan Plaza, Block 18-A, G-8 Markaz Islamabad of its members to resign after—according to the govern- conduct of police officers, how exactly the child died and ment—the public had lost trust following the outcome of why juvenile specialists weren’t present to handle the case. the Senate elections. The government’s offer may not be While the official investigation is underway, the entire reciprocated by the opposition. The PDM alliance is busy staff of the police station has been suspended in light of plotting its next move. A long march is likely. The question the magnitude of the incident and the drastically differ- of resignations is one on which various parties in the alli- ent accounts of the series of events that led to Shahzaib’s ance are still reportedly divided over. death. The police officers claim that the boy committed If resignations come, it is likely that the strategy to seek a suicide while in captivity but failed to mention the pre - cise details as to how it all unfolded. Meanwhile, his fa - no-confidence motion for the National Assembly speaker ther addressed his suspicions of his son being tortured to might also not come to pass. Either way, engaging with death in the custody of the police. In both narratives, it is the government does not look to be a consideration for the police which comes off as supremely suspicious and the opposition at this point. is thus, implicated. If nothing else, this highlights how With the ECP, the government would be well-advised to faulty and fraudulent our official processes are. keep the electoral watchdog away from the political do- Any minor arrested should not only be handled in a man - main. The callout was unnecessary and harsh, given that ner governed by the law but should also be handed over even under the government’s own supervision, the elec- to juvenile specialists immediately. Furthermore, they tion for the Chairman was also marred with controversy. should always have an adult, preferably a relative, present PTI’s press conference on ECP was clear in indicating that with them at all times. It is only such an environment that this was a political response to the electoral outcome, and enables the procedure of apprehending cases much more not an official reference. And while the party claims that transparent. Straying away from this results in a loss of all other political outfits would back this call, it is unclear credibility of state institutions that are supposed to retain where this belief comes from. The ECP, as stated before, the trust of the public instead of violating it. is to act under its constitutional mandate. The govern- It is vital that the government questions the deplor - ment’s request to make ballot papers traceable would not able police culture exhibited in this case to uncover have changed much in any case, since it is reported that why this was condoned, who the perpetrators were the ruling party is aware of which members of parliament and why an innocent minor was even near a situation voted against party lines. A better strategy would be to involving potential torture and violence. censure those that defied the stance by PTI’s leadership. Saudi Arabia and Iran have not always been foes The roots of today’s “Sunni-Shia conflict” are often sought its Shia population and its oil reserves. Riyadh launched a tionwide protests against his regime. Saudi Arabia did the oppo- Mustafa Menshawy / in the disagreements over the succession of Prophet Mu- bloody crackdown to end the upheaval, which resulted in site. It dispatched its army to help the Bahraini monarchy regain Simon Mabon hammad as the leader of the Muslim community (whether it the death of dozens of civilians. Meanwhile, the clerical es- control of the streets, but in Syria, it backed the armed opposi- should have been kept within his family or not). The subse- tablishment issued a flurry of anti-Shia publications portray- tion, providing it with generous military and financial assistance. quent killing of his grandson, Hussein ibn Ali, at the hands ing the protests not as Muslim but as a Shia conspiracy in In pursuing these goals, Saudi Arabia and Iran embraced the of forces loyal to the Umayyad caliph Yazid in the Battle an attempt to blunt the revolutionary appeal of the Iranian use of sectarian rhetoric and allegiances, to complement the Despite this hostility, of Karbala of 680AD is seen as having solidified the split Revolution. Meanwhile, Iran itself faced ethnoreligious up- deployment of military force in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen. between the Shia and the Sunni. The Shia are said to per- heaval, as Arab communities in Khuzestan province – where While the conflicts in these three countries easily lend them- however, there is a glimmer ceive the Sunni as supporters of power usurpation by the 80 percent of the country’s onshore oil reserves are located selves to a Sunni-Shia rivalry interpretation, the reality in all Umayyads and responsible for the death of a succession of – rose up to demand autonomy and an end to their marginal- three is much complicated. The example of Yemen perfectly of hope that the situation can Prophet Muhammad’s true heirs, while the Sunni perceive isation. The Arab uprising was violently suppressed by the illustrates the fallacy of the sectarian argument. Just as in the the Shia as “apostates”, deviating from “true Islam”. security forces, with more than 100 people killed. 1960s, “Wahhabi Riyadh” and “secular Tehran” backed the improve. Since the dynamics In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Safavid dynasty gradually After the death of Khomeini in 1989, relations between the pro-imamate Zaidi Shia forces out of political considerations transformed Sunni Iran into a bastion of Shia Islam. Then, in two countries began to improve. In January 1990, when a rather than religious ones, after 2011, they supported various of Iranian-Saudi relations the 18th century, the House of Saud embraced the ultraconser- devastating earthquake in the Iranian city of Manjil took the political players depending on their current interests. After vative Sunni Wahabiyya doctrine. These two developments are lives of tens of thousands, Riyadh rushed in to send aid to the supporting Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh (himself a have been highly influenced considered by some to mark the onset of sectarian Saudi-Iranian ravaged areas. In 1991, the two countries resumed their dip- member of the Zaidi sect) for years, Saudi Arabia, along with rivalry. In recent years, both Tehran and Riyadh have actively lomatic relations, just as the United States launched the First other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries brokered a by the intervention of third used religious language in their hostile rhetoric towards each Gulf War against Iraq, whose Baathist regime was a nemesis deal for him to step down in 2011. By 2014, Saleh had made a other. They have also sought to channel their influence through to both the House of Saud and the Islamic Republic. In May comeback to Yemen and allied with the Houthis, a Zaidi armed parties, mostly the US, it proxies, seemingly along sectarian lines, prompting some to 1997, Iran’s newly elected reformist President Mohammed group, who he had previously tried to obliterate, only to betray talk about a “rebirth of the Shia-Sunni divide”. But to look at the Khatami undertook a tour of Arab countries and paid a visit to them as an opportunity to reconcile with Riyadh emerged. is possible that the new tensions between the two countries solely through the prism of the Saudi port city of Jeddah, where he met King Fahd. At the And even though Saudi Arabia launched a war against the sectarianism would yield flawed conclusions. The line between end of the meeting, they issued a joint communique in which Houthis in 2015, declaring them an Iranian proxy, it did en- administration in Washington Sunni and Shia Islam has been historically and theologically they pledged “non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, gage with the group in the months after Saleh’s overthrow, as blurred at times and has not always been such a divisive ele- respect for national sovereignty and independence and peace- it tried to shape the outcome of Yemen’s political transition. could have a positive effect ment. Furthermore, historical events and developments of the ful coexistence derived from the ties of religion and heritage Iran, for its part, approached leftist forces and separatists in past 60 years demonstrate that religious sentiments are by far which bind the states of the region”. the south, trying to expand its influence in Yemen. and alleviate tensions. not the main factor in decision-making in Riyadh and Tehran. In December 1997, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah travelled to The Arab Spring and the Iranian-Saudi escalation of tensions The main considerations on both sides of the Gulf have Iran to attend a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Con- have also inevitably spilled over onto the domestic scene in both Indeed, Washington might been regional influence and internal stability. Both coun- ference and was greeted by Khatami, who symbolically kissed countries. In Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, protests broke tries have had the resources and ambition to seek regional him on both cheeks. The Saudis made it clear that “if the two out inspired by the Arab uprisings. The monarchy felt threat- realise that some form security and hegemony and both have had a weak spot – a governments have the political will, there are no limits to coop- ened and again launched a bloody crackdown, claiming the pro- of collaboration between religious/ethnic minority based in their oil-rich provinces. eration with Iran”. The US invasion of Iraq and the fall of the testers were “terrorists”, “Iranian agents” and “fifth column”. And whenever their interests have not clashed directly, there Baathist regime in 2003 opened a new chapter in Iranian-Saudi Iran has also witnessed similar disturbances by ethnic minor- Iran and Saudi Arabia have been quite a few moments of positive engagement and relations. Under the leadership of the more hawkish President ities in Khuzestan and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces and by collaboration between the two countries. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was elected in 2005, Iran was disaffected youth and ordinary citizens in Tehran and other big might be beneficial to With the onset of the Cold War, the United States looked to quick to use its extensive links to the anti-Baathist opposition – cities. The Iranian government has repeatedly accused Sau- regional powers in the Middle East to establish a solid front part of which it had long hosted – to establish a strong foothold di Arabia of agitating unrest among its Arab population and its regional interests against the expansion of Soviet influence and secure the ex- in weakened and fragmented Iraq. Reeling under heavy US and sponsoring violence, such as the 2018 attack on the Islamic port of oil from the Gulf region. As a result, Iran – under the UN sanctions, the Islamic Republic sought to curb US presence Revolutionary Guard Corps’ parade in Ahvaz. HE outbreak of the Arab Spring triggered a num- Pahlavi dynasty – and Saudi Arabia became part of the United and influence on its western border and become the main player Despite this hostility, however, there is a glimmer of hope that ber of conflicts and regional tensions in the Middle States’ “twin pillar” to provide regional security. In the 1960s shaping Iraqi affairs. Over the next few years, Tehran managed the situation can improve. Since the dynamics of Iranian-Saudi T East, which over the past 10 years, have acquired and 70s, the two countries collaborated closely and enjoyed to establish extensive influence over the security sector and var- relations have been highly influenced by the intervention of third an increasingly sectarian tinge. At the forefront of what good relations. The Egyptian army’s intervention in the Yemen ious political forces (both Shia and non-Shia) in Iraq. Elsewhere parties, mostly the US, it is possible that the new administration some analysts have identified as “Sunni-Shia conflict” War (1962-70) to back the coup led by Arab nationalist officers in the Arab world, it sought to gain the support of ordinary Arabs in Washington could have a positive effect and alleviate tensions. have been Saudi Arabia and Iran. Emboldened by the frag- also brought Riyadh and Tehran together, as they backed the by emphasising its commitment to the Palestinian cause and op- Indeed, Washington might realise that some form of collaboration mentation of states across the region, Riyadh and Tehran forces fighting to preserve the rule of the Zaidi King-Imam. position to Western imperialism. As one Shia scholar put it, at between Iran and Saudi Arabia might be beneficial to its region- have sensed an opportunity to increase their own standing Some fighters loyal to the imamate travelled from Saudi Ara- the time the Iranian foreign policy was “Sunni”. al interests. President Joe Biden has already signalled that he is in the Middle East and have entered a fierce competition bia to Iran to receive training. Sharing long borders and his- In Saudi Arabia, however, Iran’s growing influence in Iraq was looking into rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, which his predecessor for regional influence. The frequent use of religious rheto- torical and tribal ties with Saudi Arabia, Yemen represented perceived as a major threat. Saudi officials repeatedly urged pulled out of. This has provoked a mixed reaction in Tehran and ric and loyalties in proxy conflicts has led some observers a “red line” for the Saudis. The Iranians, for their part, feared the US to stay engaged in the region and even asked Wash- alerted some US allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia. How- to conclude that this competition is mainly sectarian in the influence of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s ington to launch military strikes on the Iranian nuclear pro- ever, a nuclear deal could be an opportunity to get both countries nature and stems from a historical Sunni-Shia struggle. pan-Arabism, which was stirring anti-Shah sentiment in Iran’s gramme to “cut off the head of the snake”. A few years later, on the negotiating table. There are already proposals to include But a closer examination of recent history demonstrates Arab-populated oil-rich province of Khuzestan. The Iranian rev- the outbreak of the Arab Spring pushed the hostility between Riyadh in any future talks with Tehran. Finding a way of balancing that this is by far not the case. In this article, we challenge olution of 1978-79 shook the region and soured Iran’s relations Saudi Arabia and Iran to a new level. Each of them sought to the competing interest – and fears – of Riyadh, Tehran and Wash- the “ancient hatreds” thesis and contend that the present with the House of Saud. Supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini shape the outcomes of the Arab uprisings to favour their inter- ington is not an easy task but understanding the ways in which the sectarian tensions are predominantly a political construct directly called for the overthrow of American-backed Arab rul- ests, and in doing so adopted seemingly contradictory policies. rivalry plays out is essential. One thing is certain, while religion serving the domestic and regional agendas of the two coun- ers and sought to export revolutionary activity under the ban- They backed some uprisings while opposed others. Iran sup- has a role to play, this rivalry is more about politics and regional tries. Tensions between Sunni and Shia groups and coun- ner of an “uprising of all Muslims” guided by his leadership. ported the protests in Bahrain in the name of respecting the security than “ancient hatreds”. That is why, peace – or at least tries have often been portrayed as deeply ingrained and a Of particular concern for Saudi Arabia was the outbreak of “will of the people”, but was quick to send military support and some degree of normalised relations – is quite possible. consequence of historical and theological antagonism. protests in its Eastern Province, home to the majority of personnel to Bashar al-Assad in Syria, as he tried to crush na- – Courtesy: Al Jazeera A better way forward for Afghanistan FGHANISTAN news channel TOLOne- meetings with a view to relaunching the peace solution. The international community may now Yasar Yakis ws last week disclosed the contents of a process. One of them was proposed at the minis- reassess the entire process of the Afghan crisis, A letter that US Secretary of State Antony terial level with the participation of Russia, China, bearing in mind that the country has been at war Blinken had written to Afghan President Ashraf Pakistan, Iran, India and, of course, the US. The for more than 40 years. It might be more appro- Ghani. It concerned the slowness of progress State Department declined to disclose whether priate to look for nonmilitary options. The US in the peace process and the US’ intention to these countries were consulted beforehand. If last year disclosed its military budget for the Af- withdraw its forces from Afghanistan by May 1. not, some of them may decline the invitation sim- ghan crisis. In 18 years — from 2001 to 2019 — it This was one of the first major concrete steps ply because this news was prematurely divulged. amounted to $778 billion. This does not include of the Biden administration in terms of foreign We also learned from Blinken’s letter that the the funds spent by the other countries that con- policy. Both the content and narrative of the second set of meetings is scheduled at the senior tributed soldiers to the International Security letter varied from the established diplomatic officials’ level and that it will be held in Turkey in Assistance Force in Afghanistan. More impor- practice. Since it was signed by the secretary of the coming weeks. The State Department also tantly, it does not include the human suffering, state, it should have been addressed to Blinken’s declined to disclose whether Turkey had agreed casualties and damage caused to the physical in- counterpart, the foreign minister of Afghanistan, to host such a meeting. I presume that, if Ankara frastructure. One may wonder whether Afghan- or it had to be signed by President Joe Biden and was informed beforehand, irrespective of wheth- istan would not have suffered less if this $778 addressed to Ghani. er it would agree to host the meeting, it would billion had been channeled into education and Blinken’s letter stated: “We are considering the have jubilantly announced it to demonstrate how agriculture. It is, after all, a mainly agricultural The time to act is now. full withdrawal of our forces.” The established Turkey could be helpful to the US in its initia- country. It is not easy to quench the defense in- If the emphasis could practice in international relations requires that, tives. Meetings between senior representatives dustry’s thirst, but if even a fraction of the US when such an important step is being consid- of the Afghan government and the Taliban are military budget for the war in Afghanistan were be shifted from military ered, it is more appropriate to present the move at present taking place in Doha, Qatar, but the allocated to agricultural development, Afghan so- as a common decision of the two countries. Taliban is doing everything it can to drag the pro- ciety could be transformed. Together with an em- assignments to civilian As a reaction to this unilateral approach, Amrul- cess out. The Biden administration may believe phasis on education, this could transform Afghan lah Saleh, the first vice president of Afghanistan, that Turkey has stronger leverage with the Tal- society completely and the country would cease and developmental said: “They (the US) make decisions on their iban and that more concrete progress might be to be a den for terrorists. troops, not on the people of Afghanistan. We will achieved by moving the meetings from Qatar to This opportunity has been missed, but we may assistance, Afghanistan never accept bossy and imposed peace.” Ghani, Turkey. If this assumption proves to be true, the now turn to the next generations. The time in turn, said that the future transition of power Afghan peace process may be revitalized. If not, to act is now. If the emphasis could be shift - may become a completely would occur via elections based on Afghanistan’s the limits of Turkey’s leverage will be displayed. ed from military assignments to civilian and different country in just constitution, not plans made by “others.” The US The US will not lose anything in either case. developmental assistance, Afghanistan may should have avoided such an exchange of harsh Blinken’s letter also says that US military as- become a completely different country in just one or two generations sentences. In the letter addressed to the Afghan sistance will continue after the withdrawal of one or two generations. authorities, there was a reference to two sets of its troops, so the emphasis is still on a military – Courtesy: Arab News IslamabadPOST 06 WORLD / SPORTS Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Pakistan Briefs team to Miandad undergo opposes 4 rounds PCB’s club of testing reg fee Abid Raza LAHORE: Pakistan men’s News Desk cricket team will undergo four rounds of COVID-19 test- KARACHI: Batting maestro ing before their departure for Javed Miandad on Sunday the South Africa series. In urged the Pakistan Cricket the first phase, players and Board (PCB) not to charge officials will be tested for the any fee from the cricket virus today in their respective clubs willing to register cities. The squad will then themselves with the board. gather in Lahore on March In an exclusive interview, 18 for the second phase of the former cricketer re- the COVID-19 tests. quested the PCB’s high-ups The third and fourth rounds to provide all sorts of finan- will take place on March 21 cial support to the clubs un- and 24 respectively, while til city or provincial associa- the squad will depart for tions can afford to support South Africa on March 26. these grassroots nurseries. The training camp of the Miandad said he was sur- national squad will be held prised to learn that the in ‘Bio-secure Bubble’. clubs were being asked to KABUL: Pakistan ambassador to Afghanistan calls on Noor Rahman Akhlaqi, Afghan minister of refugee return (MORR). PCB has also approached submit different types of Minister appreciated Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees. Both discussed need for close engagement the Punjab government for fees for registration. on plans for dignified return and reintegration of refugees in Afghanistan. – DNA approval of the camp. PCB “These clubs are tradition- hopes to get permission for al nurseries of cricket and the camp. Note, the Punjab were rendered idle for the government has suspended last two years,” he said. sports activities due to in- “How could they generate creasing cases of COVID-19 finances to meet the PCB across province. conditions for registration? Naval chief meets top mily Instead, the PCB must start supporting all those clubs Messi which are active and have participated in the last rec- equals most ognised Club Championship leadership of Bahrain appearance (Fazal Mehmood Trophy).” The batting legend added that During the separate meetings with mil- record the PCB must appoint a team DNA itary leadership of the Kingdom of Bah- of professional accountants in rain, matters related to maritime security each of the associations and MANAMA: Chief of the Naval Staff Admi- and bilateral defence collaborations were Sports Desk start helping clubs financially ral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi is on of- discussed. ficial visit to Bahrain. During the visit, the The Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Na- BARCELONA: Barcelona to get them back on track. “It superstar Lionel Messi is the responsibility of the Naval Chief called on Commander-in-Chief vy’s initiative of Regional Maritime Secu- Bahrain Defence Forces (BDF) H.E Field rity Patrol and contributions of Pakistan equaled club legend Xavi city or provincial associations Hernandez’s appearance to generate club activities,” Marshal Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khal- Navy to maintain peace and order at In - ifa, Commander Bahrain National Guard dian Ocean Region. The dignitaries great- record in the club, play- he said. “Till the time these ing in his 767th match for associations start generating (BNG) His Royal Highness Major Gen ly appreciated role and contributions of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Pakistan Navy in maintaining peace and the Spanish powerhouse funds, the PCB should look on Monday evening. “Leo after the financial require- Khalifa, Commander Royal Bahrain Naval stability in the region. Forces (RBNF) Rear Admiral Mohammed Later, the Naval Chief also called on the Messi keeps setting new ments of the clubs. The mem- highs and with his appear- bers of every club need crick- Yousif Al Asam and Deputy Commander US Deputy Commander HQ NAVCENT, Rear NAVCENT Rear Admiral Curt Renshaw, in Admiral Curt Renshaw and discussed ance in the starting XI et gear and extra expenses to [eleven] against Huesca play club matches.” separate meetings. shared commitment towards maritime Upon his arrival at RBNF Headquarter, the security. on Monday, he adds an- Admiral was received by Commander RBNF It is expected that the visit of Chief of other special record to his Pakistan, and a ceremonial Guard of Honour was pre- the Naval Staff to Bahrain would greatly collection, setting a club sented to the Naval Chief on the occasion. enhance bilateral cooperation between record of 767 appearances India water A comprehensive briefing was also given to both the countries in general and navies in a Barça shirt,” Barcelona the Admiral regarding RBNF. in particular. said on its website. talks on... Barca thrashed Huesca 4-1 at Camp Nou Stadium as Messi From Page 01 scored two goals. In addition, “We stand our stance with Cultural cooperation between Toyota Gazoo Barcelona did a video to pay regard to four contentious tribute to the Argentine su- Indian hydro electric pro- perstar as both former and jects including Pakal Dul Racing thrills at current Barcelona players and Ratle power project,” Pakistan, Belarus discussed praised him in this video.

Shah said. In the previous MINSK: Today, Ambassador of Pakistan to Belarus Sajjad Haider Khan accompanied by the Deputy Head of the 8th Hub Rally “Leo #Messi, touching the sky round of talks in Lahore, #Messi767,” Barcelona said Mission Abdullah Amin visited Creative Center in Borisov. The centre is almost 90 years old with around 6000 HUB: The 8th Toyota Hub Rally culminated here amidst officials from both the students. The Head of the Education Department of Borisov region Ms Sadovskaya Irina, Director of the on Twitter. Messi will be the countries had failed to gain huge fanfare after an exhilarating, adventure filled two record holder in this field if he Creative center Ms. Luzhkovskaya Galina, Deputy Director Ms. Kaminskaya Svetlana also attended the event. days. Organised yearly under the Toyota Gazoo Racing any progress over the river Ms Marina Laikova, Head of the Literature project “Oktava” together with “Vir” ensemble performed the song plays against Real Sociedad in water dispute and had end- umbrella, the Hub rally was sponsored by Indus Motor a La Liga match on Sunday. about the friendship of Belarus and Pakistan as well as the poem of a Pakistani poet translated into Belarusian, Company (IMC) in collaboration with the company’s ed in a stalemate. the young poets represented their verses that were translated into English, the students of the Center also A pure Barcelona product, The Permanent Indus dealer, Toyota Highway Motors. The event included the Xavi, 41, played for Barca in prepared a dancing, vocal and musical program, the Fashion theatre demonstrated the stylized Belarusian cos - country’s renowned motorsports celebrities participating Commission (PIC) was tumes. The Ambassador also visited the exhibition of the Decorative and Applied Arts, created by the members 1998-2015. Former Spanish formed under the Indus in the race, including women racers, who displayed their midfielder Xavi left Barcelo- of the center. The two sides agreed to develop bilateral cultural ties through series of activities in the fields of driving prowess to the tee. Water Treaty which in- music, dance, painting, poetry and fashion shows. – DNA na in 2015 to join Qatar’s Al- cludes Indus commission- Also at the event, the “Fast Fun Fest” organized by IMC Sadd. Then he retired from ers of both the countries. was another crowd puller where motor enthusiasts got the game in 2019. The treaty specifies that the opportunity to explore and unleash the adventure the waters of three east- spirit of the Toyota Hilux Revo and Fortuner. Participants ern rivers namely Ravi, had a chance to enter a competition which required com- Zardari Beas and Sutlej, had been pleting the track in minimum time. reserved for India where- The Rally route extended as far as the Gaddani coast asks Nawaz as western rivers, namely where a 50 km track was prepared to excite off-roading Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, aficionados. The total winning purse this time was more to come... are for Pakistan. than Rs 2 million, doubled compared to 2020. The conundrum arises on Commenting on the event, CEO IMC, Ali Asghar Jamali, From Page 01 the Indian claims that it said “First of all my congratulations to all the winners. Asif Zardari was of the view has unrestricted rights I think everyone on the track did a wonderful job. Mot- that leaders should not be to develop hydroelec- orsports in Pakistan is a trend fast picking up pace. The afraid of jails. He said he tric power projects on thrill and the adrenalin rush the sport generates, is un- himself had spent 14 years the western rivers. The matched. At Toyota we call it the ‘waku-doki’ experience. in jail. Leaders should lead meeting will also review I am happy to see that the turn out this year has been from the front therefore the objections to two new great, a welcome respite in the COVID-19 era”. – DNA Nawaz Sharif should come Indian hydropower pro- back to lead the movement. jects – 19MW Darbak and Zardari’s demand went 24MW Naimu Challing. Two UAE crickets viral immediately leaving the participants nonplused. Everybody present in the Long march banned for 8 years meeting wanted to know KARACHI: United Arab Emirates (UAE) players Mo - that who leaked this infor- postponed hammad Naveed and Shaiman Anwar Butt have been mation to the media. banned from all forms of cricket for eight years. Both Maryam Nawaz seemed From Page 01 were found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corrup - quite uneasy with the state- PML-N Vice President Mar- tion Code by ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal. “The bans ment and tried to convince yam Nawaz to address the are backdated to 16 October 2019, when they were pro - the parties and especially conference, flanked by PPP’s visionally suspended for attempting to corrupt match - Asif Zardari that Nawaz Yousaf Raza Gillani. Maryam es of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 in Sharif life was in danger said that she does not wish the UAE,” ICC said in a statement. in Pakistan. This devel- for speculations to rise so The tribunal after a full hearing and presentation of written opment appears to have will not be speaking about and oral argument found both Naveed and Shaiman guilty of: caused serious dents in the the time sought by PPP. She Article 2.1.1 – for being party to an agreement or effort to already fragile PDM, which spoke, however, of PPP Pres- fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, was still in a state of shock ident Asif Ali Zardari’s re- progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match or matches after defeat in the Senate marks whereby he had asked at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. Article 2.4.4 chairman election. Nawaz Sharif to return to – Failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches PDM chief Fazalur Rehman Pakistan and reportedly said or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under also raised issue of deputy to him that the party’s resig- the Code at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. chairman election in which nations will only be handed in Naveed was also found guilty of breaching the following two his candidate Ghafoor Haid- when he comes back. counts of the Emirates Cricket Board Anti-Corruption Code eri got seven less votes. He Maryam denied such an for Participants of a cricket league in Dubai. – DNA asked the PDM parties why exchange having taken their candidate could not place, saying: “No, that is win despite having majority not what he said. He sim- in the Senate. ply said that Mian sahab Analysts believe Asif Zard- you must come back and so ari’s demand is well calcu- must everyone else so we Anchors XI wins by 2 runs against ICCI XI lated and timely. PPP has can struggle together.” man and others as team members. lat Hussain with 57 runs was the XI. The Anchors XI won the match Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islam- more stakes in the system Staff Report Anchors XI won the toss and elect- top scorer from Anchor XI and by 2 runs as ICCI XI could score abad Chamber of Commerce & In- rather than PML N there- Belarus ed to bat. They put up a target of Hamid Mir remained not out at 28 155 runs in the allotted 15 overs dustry said that the sports events fore it wants to move cau- ISLAMABAD: The Sports Com- 158 runs in 15 overs for ICCI XI runs. Muhammad Rizwan with 41 with the loss of 4 wickets. were an important source of keep- tiously especially on the envoy ... mittee of Islamabad Chamber of with the fall of only 3 wickets. Ta- runs was the top scorer from ICCI Speaking at the occasion, Sardar ing people healthy and generating issue of resignations. PPP Commerce & Industry (ICCI) economic activities. He said that insiders told that party is From Page 01 organized a Family Gala friendly sports activities would enhance quite wary of the state- technical cooperation. Mu- cricket match between Anchors XI the immunity in people against ments of Nawaz Sharif hammad Hammad Azhar and ICCI XI at Shalimar Ground, the Covid-19 pandemic and should against the establishment received an invitation from F-6, Islamabad. Asim Raza was be encouraged. He said that after particularly. Petr Parkhomchik, the Min- the captain of Anchors XI while the improvement in the coronavi- They are of the view that ister of Industry of Belarus, Hamid Mir, Talat Hussain, Kashif rus situation, ICCI would organize Nawaz delivers hard-hitting to visit Belarus in order to Abbasi, Samar Abbas, Syed Mohsil more matches of various sports. tirade against the establish- get acquainted with lead- Ali and others were in the team. He also appreciated the efforts ment while sitting abroad ing Belarusian industrial Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Presi- of ICCI Sports Committee for or- and the opposition parties companies and to discuss dent, Islamabad Chamber of Com- ganizing a friendly cricket match on ground have to face the issues of strengthening merce & Industry was the captain between anchor-persons and busi- consequences. The PPP industrial cooperation be- of ICCI XI with Zareef Khan, Ch. ness community in a successful therefore wants him to tween the countries on the Nasir Mehmood, Asif Shah, Mu- manner. At the end of the match, come back to Pakistan and topics of mutual interest. hammad Rizwan, Malik Mohsin, prizes were distributed amongst then say whatever he wants Zia Khalid Chaudhry, Kashif Us- the top performers. and PDM will be with him. IslamabadPOST 07 BUSINESS / WORLD Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Ex Chinese Briefs minister Pakistan must develop export indicted on N Korea corruption warns US to charge ‘avoid causing potential: President Arif Alvi BEIJING: Li Jinzao, former a stink’ vice minister of culture and Nazir Siyal tourism, has been indicted Foreign Desk on a charge of taking bribes, KARACHI: “The initiatives according to the Supreme Kim Jo Yong, the powerful undertaken by Employ- People’s Procuratorate sister of the North Korean ers’ Federation of Paki- (SPP). leader, has threatened to stan(EFP) and its Vision Li was accused of taking scrap inter-Korean co-oper- are vivid examples that a advantage of his former ation as she condemned on- focused and pragmatic ap- positions to seek gains for going military drills between proach is crucial if Pakistan others in qualification ap- South Korea and the United has to march on the avenue proval, project contracting States, and cautioned the of prosperity. Pakistan must and job promotion among US against “causing a stink” develop the export poten- other matters, and accept- if it wants peace, state me- tial of indigenous resources ing huge sums of money and dia reported on Tuesday. and products and strive for gifts in return, the SPP said The statement comes a value addition. I would also in a statement released on day before America’s top advice the Economic Coun- Tuesday. diplomat and defence chief, cil to develop linkages and Li’s case has been handed who are currently in Japan, synergies with countries over to the Shenyang Mu- are scheduled to arrive in that are involved in mining nicipal People’s Procura- Seoul. and exports of minerals. torate of Liaoning Province “We take this opportuni- EFP should also take maxi- for review and prosecution ty to warn the new US ad- mum advantage of the tech- upon the designation of the ministration trying hard to nological advancements and SPP after the National Su- give off powder smell in our best mining processes while pervisory Commission con- land,” Kim said in a state- at the same time advocate cluded its investigation, the ment carried by state news investment in the mining statement said. agency KCNA. “If it wants value addition sector. It is The prosecution has been to sleep in peace for coming of utmost importance that filed to the Intermediate four years, it had better re- minerals are not wasted People’s Court of Shenyang, frain from causing a stink at away due to presently used schemes. The double digit sle-free, and more produc- role models and examples tionality’s. members with labor relat- it added. The prosecutors its first step.” obsolete mining processes growth in Large Scale Man- tive so that the red-tape, the of excellence. He added Earlier, Ismail Suttar, Pres- ed legal and management had informed the defendant US Secretary of State An- and equipment. This is of ufacturing, the encouraging lethargy, and the element of that strong efforts are es- ident EFP, in his welcome issues. EFP organizes var- of his litigation rights, inter- tony Blinken and Defense pivotal importance in the rise in exports, the uptick in corruption are immensely sential to increase exports address stated that this ious signature local and rogated him and listened to Secretary Lloyd Austin are economic progress of Pa- foreign direct investment, minimized. These actions because Pakistan needs a is the first time that any international events such the opinions of the defense expected to focus on foreign kistan”. This was stated by the feel-good increase in of the government have al- formidable inflow of Dol- Pakistani Head of State as on OSH, Industrial Re- counsel, according to the and security policy during President Dr. Arif Alvi at the Stock Exchange Index, ready borne fruit and have lars and Euros to fuel the has graced any EFP event. lations, Child Labor, Skill statement. – APP their time in northeast Asia. the EFP Employer of the the reduction in non-essen- been commended by the in- growth of the economy. Introducing EFP, he dis- Development, Cotton Sup- The timing of Kim’s com- Year Award 2020. tial imports, and the em- dustrial and business com- He further said that EFP, closed that from 1950 to ply Chain, Compliance of ments – the first direct ad- Dr. Alvi added that it is the phasis on new sectors such munity too. Pakistan wants being the Apex Body of 2017, the EFP domain is International Labor Stand- Countrywide dress to the new US admin- responsibility of employers as tourism and hospitality, to develop all sectors on a Employers, must take the based around Industrial Re- ards by MNEs, etc. and also bank strike istration since Biden took to ensure that their workers etc. speaks volumes of the top priority basis. lead and shoulder the re- lations, Human Resource training programs in vari- office in January – seems are provided better working determined efforts of the President Alvi added that sponsibilities of motivating Development, ILO, Inter- ous cities. EFP is a constit- hits India for designed to ensure that conditions and well-being government to increase and he is profoundly happy the private sector to estab- national Organization of uent of ILO, member of In- North Korea will be at the through Occupational Safe- improve the economic envi- that EFP is honoring top lish more industries and Employers, and the Labor ternational Organization of 2nd day top of Blinken and Austin’s ty and Health standards ronment. The government employers since last eight undertake projects to max- Departments. The EFP Employers, Confederation agenda when they land in and that workers should be has now initiated a process years and that he is san- imize employment, foreign is involved in labor legis- of Asia Pacific Employers Seoul, said Ramon Pacheco able to avail all benefits un- to make its activities more guine that these employ- exchange earnings, and lation, worker’s welfare and South Asian Forum of WEB DESK Pardo, a Korea expert at der various worker welfare transparent, more has- ers would continue to be adherence to global condi- agencies, and assisting the Employers. NEW DEHLI: Banking King’s College London. services across India were hit Tuesday for the second Uganda Thai PM gets Astra- straight day in wake of a countrywide two-day strike opposition against the proposed privat- Zeneca jab as country ization of two public sector leader banks and retrograde bank- resumes rollout ing reforms, officials said. arrested istering China’s Sinovac The strike that began on KAMPALA:Ugandan oppo- DNA vaccine, with millions more Monday saw scores of bank sition leader Bobi Wine was imported doses expected employees taking to streets arrested on Monday as he BANGKOK: Thailand’s in the coming months. But across several states and took part in a protest in the prime minister on Tuesday it was expected to add the raising slogans urging the capital, according to a post received the AstraZeneca Oxford/AstraZeneca injec- government to stop privati- on his Twitter page. vaccine as the Southeast tion to its vaccine options zation of banks. The 39-year-old pop- Asian nation began the on Friday, before health au- The strike was called by star-turned-presidential con- drug’s rollout, lifting a sus- thorities abruptly suspend- United Forum of Bank Un- tender last week had called pension that was triggered ed it as a precaution. ion (UFBU), an umbrella on Ugandans to “rise up by European nations rais- By Monday, it had cleared body of nine bank unions in peacefully and unarmed” ing safety concerns. its use after the World India. against President Yoweri The country became the Health Organization, the According to UFBU, nearly Museveni who won a sixth first outside of Europe to European Medicines Agen- a million bank employees term in office following dis- temporarily delay the Cov- cy and many countries, in- participated in the protest puted elections in January. id-19 vaccine after several cluding Britain and Canada, and abstained from work. “Bobi Wine arrested as he EU nations -- including Ire- declared it safe for use. Reports pouring in from var- led MPs and other leaders land, the Netherlands and “Today, we will start injec- ious states across India said in a peaceful protest against Denmark -- moved to delay tions on another vaccine. banks remained shut for the the abduction, torture and it due to reports that some I think it will create con- second straight day. murder of his supporters,” recipients had suffered fidence for people to get The strike comes about a said the post, written by an BANGKOK: Thailand’s Prime Minister has received a shot of the COVID-19 blood clots. the vaccine,” Thai premier month after federal finance account administrator. vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca. – DNA Thailand is already admin- Prayut Chan-O-Cha said. minister Nirmala Sithar- Around 15 MPs and activists aman, while presenting from Wine’s National Unity the country’s budget, an- Platform (NUP) political Sweden suspends nounced the privatization party, wearing business suits Changan gains foothold in of two public sector banks and red ties, took part in (PSBs) as part of the gov- the brief protest which was AstraZeneca vaccine ernment’s disinvestment quickly halted by police of- STOCKHOLM: health of blood clots, but FHM Pakistan automotive market plan. ficers and soldiers. Bystand- authorities said Tuesday stressed that no such seri- Due to the strike, services ers cheered their support for 20 dealerships around the period. buy a new luxury car or a such as deposits and with- they had suspended the ous side effects had been Zubair Ahmad country. The Changan Khy- “Changan Khyber Motors used car with fewer options the small group of protesters use of AstraZeneca’s Cov- confirmed in the Scandi- drawal at banks, cheque but did not join the demon- ber Motors dealership was had 55 units of quota in for the same price,” Shah clearance and loan approv- id-19 vaccine, following navian country. ISLAMABAD: With established in Peshawar in Alsvin, which was pre- said. stration itself. – APP the example of many oth- The European Medicines als would be affected. How- eye-catching designs, luxu- mid-2019. booked in just 36 hours,” he Interactions with different ever, ATMs are likely to re- er EU countries after re- Agency is to hold a special ry amenities and affordable “Despite corona pandemic, added. drivers in Peshawar revealed ports of possible serious meeting on Thursday to main functional. Pakistan’s prices, Master Changan Mo- we have sold around 300 He said that Alsvin contains that Changan M9 and M8 The ongoing bank strike will side effects. decide whether measures tors (MCM) assembled vehi- units of Changan in 2020,” Euro-5 engine, which is in- are popular and demanding textile The Public Health Agency are needed. affect people as banks were cles, have gained a foothold Mansoor Khan, Sale Ex- troduced for the first time mini-loaders in KP. Both are already closed on March (FHM) said it was halting The World Health Organi- in Pakistan’s automotive ecutive MCM Peshawar in Pakistan. “The Bluecore powerful light trucks with exports the use of the vaccine “as zation has meanwhile said 13 (the second Saturday in market. told Gwadar Pro. “The way Technology engine of good cargo capacity and fuel India is a holiday for banks) a precautionary measure” countries should continue According to Gwadar Pro, potential customers are Changan offers both efficien- average. “The vehicle comes increase 6.69% following reports of “sus- to use the jab, saying no and March 14 (Sunday), Pakistan’s Master Group coming to the dealership, cy and environment friendli- with a powerful engine and leading to a four-day break ISLAMABAD: The exports pected side effects”. association between blood and Changan carmaker from I expect Changan cars and ness,” Mr. Khan said. above all it is fuel-efficient,” Sweden’s state epidemiol- clots and the vaccine had in regular banking opera- of textile commodities wit- China in a joint venture es- pickups to get a major share Muhammad Shah, who has said Ijaz Ahmed who owns tions.UFBU said the strike nessed an increase of 6.69 ogist Anders Tegnell told been found and that the tablished the MCM in 2017 in KP’s auto market very pre-booked Alsvin sedan, M9 PICKUP. He said drivers national news agency TT benefits of the jab out- is supported by nine banks percent during the first in Karachi. soon,” he said. said it was truly the smart- could open all three sides of unions. eight months of the current that 10-20 cases in Eu- weighed the risks of any Changan chose Pakistan to Mansoor Khan said that est choice in this category the M9’s bed, which is quite rope of post-jab haemor- side effects. Reports said apart from fiscal year as compared to assemble right-hand-drive Changan Alsvin, the ‘smart’ of cars. handy during loading and un- bank unions, all the unions the corresponding period of rhages were the main con- The World Health Or- vehicles and shortly took big sedan has taken the au- “The main competitive ad- loading. cern and needed further ganization has also said in four general insurance last year. The textile exports leaps into the Pakistani auto- tomotive market by sur- vantage of Alsvin is its price, It is the level of his satis- companies will be on strike were recorded at $9,999.770 investigation. it would convene its ex- motive market. prise. When MCM opened which is almost equal to the faction that Ijaz Ahmad has Other EU countries have pert panel on Tuesday to on March 17 and all the un- million in July-February Presently, the annual pro- pre-booking, according to price of a used Japanese pre-booked KARVAAN MPV ions in life insurance corpo- (2020-21) against the ex- suspended the use of the review the vaccine’s duction capacity of the plant him, 17,000 units of Alsvin hatchback car,” he said. Plus, the mid-sized van for vaccine amid reports safety. – APP ration will observe strike on ports of $9,372.819 million is 30,000 units. Changan has were booked in a very short “It is up to the customer to his family. March 18. in July-January (2019-20), showing growth of 6.69 per- cent, according to latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statis- tics (PBS). The textile commodities that Armenia to pay for all damages to Azeri heritage contributed in trade growth damage. We will force them,” Al- the road. The Hadrut-Jabray- included knitwear, exports DNA iyev said. il-Shukurbayli highway starts of which increased from The president added that re- from Hadrut settlement and pass- $2090.039 million last year BAKU: President Ilham Aliyev search by local and foreign scien- es through Jabrayil region and to $2467.006 million during has said that Azerbaijan will urge tists will continue in the cave in joins the Hajigabul-Minjivan-Zan- the current year, showing Armenia to compensate for the the future. gazur corridor in Shukurbayli vil- growth of 18.04 percent. damages it inflicted on the coun- “Azykh cave is located on Azer- lage. Its length is 43 kilometres. Likewise, the exports of try’s historical heritage, Azertag baijan’s territory. After that, Road bridges will be built along yarn (other than cotton has reported. Azerbaijani scientists and foreign this four-lane road, Azertag said. yarn) increased by 7.70 per- He made the remarks as part of scientists invited by them in the As part of the visit, Aliyev visit- cent, from $18.879 million his visit to liberated Fuzuli and future will conduct research here ed ancient Albanian churches in to $20.333 million where- Khojavand regions on March 15. legally,” he said. Hunarli and Tug villages vandal- as, exports of bed wear in- First Vice-President Mehriban As part of his visit to the region, ized by the Armenians. creased by 13.71 percent Aliyeva and their daughter Leyla the president laid the foundation Speaking about the church in from $1597.868 million to Aliyea accompanied the presi- of the Fuzuli-Hadrut and Had- Hunarli village, Aliyev said Arme- $1816.882 million. dent during the visit. rut-Jabrayil-Shukurbayli high- nians’ attempts to Armenianize The exports of towels in- “Now we will enter the Azykh ways. the church failed. creased by 16.31 percent, cave. This cave was discovered He said that the construction of “The Armenians wanted to Ar- from $525.048 million to by Azerbaijani scientist and ar- the highway is of great impor- menianize this church as well $610.684 million; exports chaeologist Mammadali Husey- tance for the restoration of the and wrote articles in Armenian, of tents, canvas and tarpu- nov in 1960, and since then re- liberated areas. but they could not. Now, if it lin grew by 33.27 percent, search has been conducted here. “This is not the first project. were an Armenian church, would from $61.704 million to It is one of the oldest human set- Several road projects are already they put it in such a situation? It $82.230 million; ready made tlements in the world, belongs to underway. The restoration of looks... as if it were stable. This is garments by 2.56 percent, the history of Azerbaijan, is our the liberated lands has begun. our ancient historical monument, from $1961.293 million to historical treasure. Armenia ille- The road from Fuzuli to Shusha the temple of our Udi brothers,” $2011.505 million; madeup gally worked in this cave, illegally is being built, the Victory road he said. articles, excluding towels brought scientists from abroad. is being built. At the same time, built from Horadiz to Zangilan. In gun,” he said. the new Hadrut-Jabrayil-Shukur- The president stressed that the and beadwear by 15.14 per- They have caused great damage the construction of the Barda-Ag- Armenians insulted the ancient cent, from $439.460 million short, despite the fact that four The Fuzuli-Hadrut road origi- bayli highway. The 13-kilo- to this cave and our historical dam road will be completed in months have passed since the nates from the Victory [Fuzu- metre road will have four lanes. Albanian temples just as they did to $505.986 million. – APP heritage. They will pay for all this the near future. The road will be war, great creative work has be- li-Shusha] road and connects to Road bridges will be built along with the mosques. IslamabadWEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021 | P WWW.ISLAMABADPOST.COM.PKOST NA-75: Briefs ECP holds Pakistan’s biggest industries Punjab govt Seven coal responsible miners have been evading tax: PM Khan ISLAMABAD: The Supreme killed in Court of Pakistan has reject- Imran Khan said big sector of economy including tobacco, ed the ruling PTI’s plea to Balochistan suspend the Election Com- cement and sugar were witnessing mass tax evasion, adding that sugar industry mission of Pakistan’s (ECP) DNA decision ordering re-election alone did not pay the tax of Rs 400 billion in five years in NA-75 Daska. QUETTA: Seven miners A three-judge bench of the were killed in a blast at the Sindh High Court that the mass tax evasion, adding that sug- proper payment of duty and taxes. Supreme Court led by Justice a coal mine in the south- DNA non-imposition of the automated ar industry alone did not pay the On Electronic Voting Machines Umar Ata Bandial was hear- western Pakistani province system would incur loss of bil- tax of Rs 400 billion in five years. (EVM), the Prime Minister said ing the PTI appeal against the of Balochistan on Monday ISLAMABAD: “Some of the big- lions to the country”. The Sindh In tobacco industry, he said, only the system was important to en- ECP’s ruling on the Daska night, the second such dead- gest industries in Pakistan have High Court issued a stay order on 19 percent of the tax was paid by sure transparency in general polls by-election. ly incident in the region in been evading taxes for decades,” FBR’s proposed tax mechanism, two big companies while the 40 and check corrupt practice of As the proceedings began on a week. Prime Minister Imran Khan said. for which the Prime Minister percent was being evaded result- vote-purchase. He termed provi- Tuesday, the PTI’s counsel A build up of methane gas in Chairman a meeting of the Feder- mentioned that FBR had given ing in loss of billions to the coun- sion of online voting for overseas urged the bench to suspend the mine in the Torghar gas al Cabinet on Tuesday, the Prime assurance to roll out the system try. Pakistan a priority of his govern- the ECP decision which was field in the district of Harnai Minister said that industries such by June. He said tax evasion led to imposi- ment and stressed an effective rejected by Justice Bandial, caused an explosion as the as sugar, fertilisers, and ciga- He said FBR had been making tion of indirect taxes by the gov- strategy for its implementation. who remarked “Election Com- workers were inside, Dep- rettes have been conveniently efforts for last 15 years to imple- ernment which inflated the prices The Prime Minister sought pro- mission of Pakistan (ECP) is a uty Commissioner Sohail evading taxes. “For the last five ment the Track & Trace (T&T) of commodities of everyday use. gress reports in every cabinet constitutional institution.” Anwar Hashmi said. years, the Federal Board of Rev- System, however regretted that The FBR’s Track & Trace system meeting on the matters of instal- Justice Bandial further said “Rescue teams recovered enue has been trying to bring a the move was “sabotaged” every aims at providing minimum hu- lation of EVM and voting process “The re-election will be held the bodies of all seven coal track and trace system.” time. Prime Minister Imran Khan Imran Khan said big sector of man interface, preventing leakage for overseas Pakistanis. The feder- anyway. The court will only miners this morning, who The Prime Minister asked Barris- addresses the meeting of federal economy including tobacco, ce- of revenue, under-reporting sales al cabinet discussed several devel- decide whether it will be held burnt to death as a huge fire ter Farogh Naseem to “convince cabinet on March 16. ment and sugar were witnessing of specified goods and to ensure opment projects on the agenda. in the whole constituency or broke out in the mine after in limited polling stations.” the blast,” Chief Inspector Houthi He further said “We will hear of Mines Shafqat Fayyaz the case as the apex court re- said. Fayyaz said the work- ballistic missiles spects the Election Commis- ers who lost their lives were target KSA sion.” Meanwhile, the Elec- working at a depth of about tion Commission of Pakistan RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi 1,500 feet when the explo- (ECP) on Tuesday submitted fighters have fired two bal- sion occurred, adding that a reply in Supreme Court, listic missiles at Saudi Ara- mine has been closed and a declaring Punjab government bia, both of which landed in probe has been ordered into responsible for mismanage- uninhabited border areas in the incident. ment during by-election in the country’s south, accord- On March 12, eight miners NA-75 Daska. ing to the Saudi-led coali- were trapped around 1,000 The ECP told the apex court tion fighting the rebels. feet below ground in a mine that the polls were made In a statement carried by in the district of Marwar, controversial by deploying Saudi state-run Al Ekhbari- near the border with Af- selected officers in the area. ya TV, the coalition said ghanistan, when a buildup On March 5, the PTI had the missiles were launched of methane gas exploded. challenged in the Supreme from the northern Yemeni Six workers were killed and Court the ECP’s decision of province of Saada on Tues- two other rescued. re-election in NA-75 Daska af- day. The coalition said it ter declaring as null and void responded by destroying a ECP declares the outcome of the February bunker for ballistic missiles 19 by-election. PPP’s plea not in Saada and launchpads PTI candidate in the by-elec- from which the missiles tion Asjad Malhi had filed a maintainable were fired. petition in the apex court, “We are taking operational pleading the court to nullify measures to neutralise and Khayam Abbasi the ECP’s decision. In his destroy sources of threat to petition, Malhi contended ISLAMABAD: The Election protect civilians,” it added. that the ECP did not take into Commission of Pakistan There was no immediate account the facts while pro- (ECP) has rejected the Pa- comment from the Houthis. nouncing the decision since kistan People’s Party (PPP) Seperately, the Sau- it did not properly scrutinize petition against the issuance di-led coalition in Yemen the available record. – DNA of funds to lawmakers by said Tuesday it had shot Prime Minister Imran Khan down an explosive-laden after declaring it as not main- drone fired by Houthi rebels Fayyaz tainable. BAKU: Pakistan ambassador to Azerbaijan Bilal Hayee in a meeting with his counterpart ambassador towards southwestern Saudi A three-member bench head- Ali Alizada to discuss bilateral issues requiring follow up on both sides. – DNA Arabia. – DNA Chohan says ed by Irshad Qaiser heard the petition against the issu- PDM is dead ance of funds to the National COVID-19 Assembly (NA) lawmakers. Lanka says burqa and buried After the conclusion of the claims 58 NAB: Maryam’s arguments, the Election LAHORE: Punjab’s Provin- Commission of Pakistan ban “a proposal” more lives cial Minister for Prisons has (ECP) reserved its verdict COLOMBO: After criticism from allied states regarding statements attempt said that after today’s devel- earlier in the day regarding Sri Lanka’s decision to impose a ban on Muslim women ISLAMABAD: The nation- opments, the Pakistan Dem- the maintainability of a peti- covering their full faces in public, the country on Tuesday al tally on Tuesday of total ocratic Movement is dead tion challenging the issuance said that it was “merely a proposal....under discussion.” active COVID-19 cases was and buried. He said that the Sri Lanka’s minister for public security, Sarath Weerase- recorded 23,355 with 2,511 to hinder probe government is not afraid of of funds to the lawmakers by the premier. kera, had said on Saturday it would “definitely” ban the more people tested posi- rebellious sentiments, and al Accountability Bureau PDM’s planned long march During the hearing, Nayyar full-face covering worn by some Muslim women on nation- tive for the deadly virus and Saifullah the purpose of issuing these (NAB) for making an issue on March 26. Hussain Bukhari told the al security grounds, pending cabinet approval. 1,307 people recovered from statements was to throw about her statements and In an exclusive interview ECP bench that NA lawmak- “The government will initiate a broader dialogue with all the disease during the last ISLAMABAD: The Nation- a spanner in the ongoing questioned who gave the with Dunya News, Fayyaz- ers used to cast votes for parties concerned and sufficient time will be taken for nec- 24 hours. Fifty-eight corona al Accountability Bureau investigations against the accountability watchdog ul-Hassan Chohan said that electing senators and a cor- essary consultations to be held and for consensus to be patients have died during (NAB), Lahore on Tuesday Sharif family in connection the right to judge her state- Nawaz Sharif is sitting out- rupt practice was made by reached,” it said in a statement. Muslims make up around past 24 hours, 55 of whom strongly rebutted the al- with corruption cases. ments. side the country trying to be- the issuance of funds to the a tenth of the population in majority-Buddhist Sri Lanka. were under treatment in legations levelled by Paki- The spokesperson said She was speaking to the come the next Nelson Man- legislators. Bukhari said that The statement follows criticism from Pakistan’s ambassa- hospitals and three out of stan Muslim League-Nawaz PML-N vice-president media at her Jati Umra res- dela or Imam Khomeini, but the prime minister violated dor to Sri Lanka, Saad Kattak, who said in a tweet on Mon- hospitals in respective quar- (PML-N) Vice-President through her inflammatory idence in Lahore, before a he is unwilling to make the the law by issuing funds to day a ban “will only serve as injury to the feelings of ordi- antine or home, according to Maryam Nawaz against the statements provoked peo- hearing in the Lahore High sacrifices that those two lawmakers. nary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe”. the latest update issued by Bureau on print and elec- ple’s sentiments so much Court on a NAB petition for leaders made. The ECP member from the Ahmed Shaheed, a Maldivian diplomat currently serving the NCOC. During the last tronic media. so that this led to the law cancellation of her bail in He said that Asif Ali Zardari Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or 24 hours most of the deaths In a statement, a spokes- and order situation as was the Chaudhry Sugar Mills has rightly demanded the Irshad Qaiser, questioned Belief, said a ban was incompatible with international laws had occurred in the Punjab man for the Bureau said that the case in August 2020 (CSM) case. return of Nawaz Sharif, who Bukhari whether he has that protect religious belief and freedom of expression. followed by Khyber Pakh- the PML-N vice-president when she had stormed the “Who gave you the right wants to sit comfortably in filed the petition personal- Several Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan and tunkhwa. Out of the total 58 was nominated in Chaudhry anti-corruption watchdog’s to judge statements? Your London and make PPP’s ly or on behalf of a political Bangladesh, are among the 47 nations that will vote on Sri deaths occured during last Sugar Mills and money Lahore office along with job was to supposedly stop workers and leaders sacri- party. Qaiser further ques- Lanka’s human rights record at a United Nations session 24 hours, 24 of the deceased laundering cases, and that her party activists. Further- corruption. Now that you’ve fice for his corruption and tioned whether the premier in Geneva next week. A UN resolution passed against Sri had died on ventilators dur- she tried to incite people to more, he added, the NAB failed in that, you have dishonesty. announced the funds as the Lanka could allow for prosecutions of government and ing their treatment. violence whenever she was had nothing to do with any changed your responsibili- The Minister said that Asif head of the state or as a chief military officials involved in ending a decades-long civil Some 35,303 tests were con- summoned in connection political party and its sole ties?” Zardari has made it clear to of a political party. war in 2009, and Colombo is sensitive to anything that ducted across the country with these cases. aim was to ensure the pros- She said the various insti- the PML-N leadership that Another ECP member Nisar may impact voting there, according to a person familiar on Monday, including 8,511 He further said Maryam’s perity of Pakistan and its tutions such as the army they will have to take part Durrani remarked, “Is there with the developments. Almost a third of the 47 nations in Sindh, 13,727 in Punjab, statements against state in- people. and the courts had their in the political struggle and any scheme announced by are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, 6,205 in KP, 5,369 in ICT, stitutions such as the NAB, On Monday, PML-N Vice own spokespersons so who work alongside his party, the prime minister for the which last year criticised a Sri Lankan policy to forcibly 398 in Balochistan, 377 in judiciary and law-enforce- President Maryam Nawaz had appointed NAB as the adding that one has to die lawmakers?” cremate coronavirus victims in the country. – Agencies GB, and 716 in AJK. – DNA ment agencies were full of lashed out at the Nation- spokesperson. to become a martyr. – DNA Pak-Afghan economic cooperation key to peace Dr.Mohammad Afzal Hadeed, chairman of the Balkh provincial parliament, received the Pak delegation as the conduit for Pakistan’s for having played a key role DNA trade to and from Afghani- in resolving lingering bilater- stan”, the governor told the al and transit issues as well MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Mo- delegates visiting as part of as pushing for visa relaxa- hammad FarhadAzeemi, Center for Research and Se- tion. This has been greatly Governor of Afghanistan’s curity Studies’ track II initia- beneficial particularly for northern Balkh province tive Beyond Boundaries. patients who find it more says durable peace can open “This also creates demand convenient and cheaper to many doors to trade and for direct flights between get treatment in Pakistani economic development but Mazare Sharif, Islamabad hospitals instead of going it should not be the primary and Peshawar”, Azeemi said elsewhere. condition. in a strong recognition of the Both leaders also expressed “Our northern neighbours new visa regulations under their gratitude to Pakistan are pursuing peace in Af- which all Afghans are getting for having established a full- ghanistan via economic ac- one-year multiple entry visas fledged engineering faculty tivity. They have told us we – a move that has begun re- at the Balkh University, will not wait for peace to habilitating Pakistan’s image something other countries return but instead will incen- in Afghanistan. emulated later, they said. tivize it through economic Dr.Mohammad Afzal Ha- Ms.Shandana Gulzar and projects in Afghanistan,” deed, the chairman of the Ms. Nafisa Khattak, who are Azeemi told a Pakistani Balkh provincial parliament, both active members of the TrackII delegation including also received the delegation PAPFG, informed governor four parliamentarians at his at his office and expressed Azeemi and Chairman Ha- office in Mazare Sharif, the his gratitude to Pakistan for deed of the strong desire provincial capital. the visa relaxation as well as within the Pakistani parlia- Azeemi thanked Pakistan’s Islamabad’s support to the ment of friendly and fric- new liberal visa policy and peace process. tion-free relations with Af- said this offers new opportu- Hadeed also thanked the ghanistan through economic nities for transit and bilater- Pak-Afghan Parliamentary cooperation in sectors such al trade. “We wish this could Friendship Group (PAPFG) as agriculture, health and happen with Mazare Sharif led by Speaker Asad Qaisar education. Published by Ansar Mahmood Bhatti, Printed at Rohani Art Press, Islamabad: Ph: 051-2266165, Email: [email protected]