Volume X1, Issue-4, April 2021

April in History Pakistan’s standing in the global rankings April 8, 1950: Liaquat-Nehru Overview agreement is signed in New Delhi Pakistan observed a slight improvement in the overall international rankings in 2018 covering socio-economic and for Inter-Dominion problems. political outcomes of the country. Several elements complemented the prospects including successful democratic April 18–24, 1955: Pakistan transition,efficient counter-terrorism measures leading to enhanced peace and security, and foreign direct investment participates in the Bandung inflows under CPEC, among others. Albeit, decoupling economic growth from human development suggests that the Conference. country needs to enhance its scores in health, education and standard of living by ensuring political will, equitable April 22, 1961: Government financing and efficient governance to ensure parallel growth for marginalized segments as well. Civil and political liberties must grow hand in hand to ensure a conducive environment for democratic dialogue and accountability which institutes Film Awards. ultimately supports its nation building process. April 6, 1970: Firstordinance factory is inaugurated at Ghazipur. DEMOCRACY INDEX April 21, 1972: Martial Law lifted; constitutional rule is re- Pakistan ranked 112th out of 167 countries in the Democracy Index scoring 4.17 out of 10 in 2018 compared to 4.26 in 2017. stored in the country. Hamoodu- ur-Rehman is sworn in as Chief Index from 0 (authoritarian regime) to 10 (full democracy) Justice of Pakistan. Compiled based on indicators covering: Electoral process and pluralism, Civil liberties, Functioning of government, Political participation, and Political culture. April 10, 1973: 1973 Constitu- tion of Pakistan enacted by the HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX National Assembly. April 6, 1978: First of the 13 vol- Pakistan ranked 150th out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index scoring ume exhaustive Urdu Dic- 0.562 out of 1.000 in 2018 compared to 0.560 out of 1.000 in 2017. tionary is published by Index from 0 (low development) to 1 (very high development) Taraqqi-i-Urdu Board. Compiled based on indicators covering: life expectancy, education, and per capita income April 8,1982: Jahangir Khan wins British Open Squash PRESS FREEDOM INDEX Championship. Pakistan ranked 139th out of 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index scoring April 20, 1988: Jahangir Khan 43.24 out of 100 in 2018 compared to 43.55 in 2017. wins seventh Squash title in a row. April 25, 1991: Jahangir Khan Index from 0 (most press freedom) to 100 (least press freedom) creates history by winning Compiled based on indicators covering: pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and infrastructure. British Open Squash title for the record tenth consecutive time. TERRORISM INDEX April 26, 1992: Pakistan's Alam Channa enters Guinness Book Pakistan ranked 5th out of 163 countries in the Terrorism Index scoring 8.18 out of 10 in 2018 compared to 8.40 in 2017. of World Records as the tallest man in the world. Index from 0 (lowest impact) to 10 (highest impact) April 15, 1999: Pakistan Compiled based on indicators covering : Total number of terrorist incidents in a given year, total number of conducts test of a nuclear capable fatalities caused by terrorism in a given year, total number of injuries causedby terrorism in a given year and the approximate level of total property damage from terrorist incidents in a given year. short range ballistic missile, Shaheen. ECONOMIC FREEDOM INDEX April 16, 1999: Pakistan won Coca-Cola Cup nal at Sharjah Pakistan ranked 131st out of 180 countries in the Economic Freedom Index scoring crushing India by 8 wickets 54.4 out of 100 in 2018 compared to 52.8 out of 100 in 2017. April 26, 2006: Pervez Musharraf Index from 0 (repressed) to 100 (free) lays foundation stone of Diamir Compiled based on indicators covering: Market openness, Regulatory efficiency, Bhasha Dam. Government size and the rule of law.

Positive Post is a strategic effort to project achievement and contributions of Pakistan. While showcasing Greenwich University’s cultural diplomacy initiatives, it also encapsulates a compilation of different developments complementing Pakistan’s socio-cultural, economic and Political outcomes. KRC delegate as lead discussant at the UNGA's High-Level Political Forum Review 2021

KRC's delegate Ali Jillani's was countries by reducing debt distress, selected as the lead discussant at the curbing illicit financial flows, and UN General Assembly's High Level protecting state policy space to safe- Political Forum (HLPF) Review guard public interest. This should 2021. He addressed the consultation also emphasize the need to redress involving over 150+ Member States prevalent inequalities, within and delegations on behalf of Major among countries, affecting the most Groups and other Stakeholders marginalized. (MGoS). Mr. Jillani thanked H.E. Mr. Alexander Marschik, Perma- Para 12: We welcome the para but nent Representative of Austria and would emphasize the need to effec- H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent tively engage MGoS in the plan- Representative of Senegal, co-facili- ning, implementation and review of tators for the intergovernmental ne- the processes of the Multistakehold- gotiations for the ECOSOC and ers' forum. HLPF review process, as per Gen- in the official delegations for the Para 40: We would prefer not to list eral Assembly resolutions 74/298, Specific comments section 2: VNR process. The role of regional each of the marginalized groups sep- 67/290, 70/299 and 72/305, for en- We would also like to propose the forums could also be enhanced for arately here as it may not be exhaus- hanced civil society integration and review of goal 16 (Peace, Justice and efficient follow up and review: tive but if that is the intention then reassured the vital contribution that Strong Institutions) alongside goal we would like to ensure the inclu- MGOs could make. He emphasized 17 as a cross cutting focus every year. 1) Submission of interim VNRs to sion of older persons, migrants & that stronger, action-oriented out- We would also like to emphasize the regional forums as well as intro- refugees, people with disabilities and comes for both HLPF and concretized analysis of interlinkages ducing regional VNR follow up those affected by HIV in the listing. ECOSOC could be achieved to address structural impediments as mechanism through the political leadership they well as systemic barriers to the Finally, in para 43, we call for the in- provide for various constituents and achievement of SDGs. We appreci- 2) HLPF should systematically in- clusion of 'stakeholders assessment intergovernmental entities across ate the cross-cutting issues reflected tegrate regional forum outcomes of the progress' in the reporting UN systems. Here is an overview of in the draft, and would like to add with a flowback into the regional, process as well as uploading shadow his intervention: prioritization of human wellbeing, sub-regional and national levels. reports alongside VNRs on UN expansion of democratic spaces, cor- websites. Specific comments section 1: porate accountability and redress of In the MGoS section, we appreciate Para 4: We appreciate the spirit in inequalities of wealth, power and re- the clear commitment on 'meaning- He appreciated the co-facilitators' the language here. It would be great sources. ful participation of a diverse and in- commitment to the ECOSOC and if the ECOSOC deliberations could We appreciate the emphasis on in- clusive range of major groups and HLPF reforms and their inclusive actually focus on the reduction of clusion of civil societies in the VLR other stakeholders' under the self- approach to the process. global economic and financial risks process, and recommend that it organizing principle 'in all aspects of for developing and least developed should flow up with their inclusion its work'. 2 Pakistan’s Economy Shows Signs of a Nascent Recovery

Notwithstanding, the recent rise in recovery,” said Derek H. C. Chen, COVID cases, Pakistan has been World Bank Senior Economist for showing signs of a fragile economic Pakistan. recovery with a gradual resumption of economic dynamism, according The policy measures that can be to a new World Bank report. considered include enhancing pri- vate sector access to formal finance, Pakistan’s economic growth is in particular for Micro, Small & expected to reach 1.3 percent in Medium Enterprises, streamlining FY2021 and strengthen to an aver- regulatory and administrative re- age of 2.7 percent for FY2022-23, quirements to ease compliance according to the Pakistan Develop- costs, and providing support to ment Update released today. The firms in digitizing and establishing baseline economic growth forecast, an online presence. however, is highly uncertain, espe- foundation for a more robust, inclu- Pakistan’s private sector will be key cially given the third and more- sive and sustainable recovery,” said to informing the design of new pol- The Pakistan Development Update contagious wave of the pandemic Najy Benhassine, World Bank icy measures or refining existing is a companion piece to the South currently circulating in the country. Country Director for Pakistan. "In- ones to prevent widespread long- Asia Economic Focus, a twice-a- Private consumption is estimated to creasing competitiveness and stim- term firm closures and job losses. year World Bank report that exam- have picked up over July to Decem- ulating private investment and This edition of the Pakistan Devel- ines economic developments and ber 2020, in part due to the record exports will require continued opment Update also presents the prospects in the South Asia region increase in remittances inflows, so- macroeconomic stability, mainte- findings of two waves of World and analyzes policy challenges faced cial assistance support from the nance of a market-determined ex- Bank Business Pulse Surveys and by countries. The Spring 2021 edi- Ehsaas program, the government’s change rate, and improving the suggests several key policy measures tion titled South Asia Vaccinates, construction package, and a return business environment to enable all to further support the recovery of launched on March 31, 2021, shows to pre-COVID mobility levels firms, particularly SMEs, to access the private sector and the Pakistani that economic activity in South from September 2020. Investment markets and compete openly in a economy. Asia is bouncing back, but growth is also estimated to be recovering, as leveled playing field. The potential is uneven, recovery remains fragile, machinery imports and cement for a strong recovery and a growth "Despite some recovery in the pri- and the economic outlook is precar- sales both recorded double-digit acceleration is there. Reforms to vate sector, many firms remain vul- ious. The report also focuses on the growth rates during this period. make it happen need to be further nerable and require support to different dimensions of vaccine de- sustained.” prevent closures and further job ployment and provides a cost-ben- "It is crucial to sustain the positive losses. Policy measures that prevent efit analysis of vaccination in the reform momentum to continue to Given the scope and magnitude of permanent firm closures and fur- region. boost the competitiveness of Pak- the COVID-19 crisis, understand- ther job losses will contribute sig- istan’s economy and lay a strong ing how the pandemic affected nificantly to sustaining the Courtesy: World Bank.com

Pakistani climbers summit Nepal’s 8,091m Annapurna peak

Two men, Sirbaz Khan and Heroes to get the respect, recogni- Muhammad Abdul Joshi, became tion, and appreciation that they de- the first Pakistani climbers to sum- serve.” mit the 8,091-metre high Anna- purna peak in Nepal on Friday. This summit is dedicated to our big brother and the best mountaineer They began the first push to the Pakistan ever produced: Muham- summit on April 13 but didn’t suc- mad Ali Sadpara, he added. ceed as the ropes were not fixed to the top. The second push began the Photo: Instagram/Saad Munawar next day, which again was unsuc- Mount Annapurna is known as the cessful as the duo ran out of ropes. 10th highest of all the 8,000m Following this, a helicopter was peaks in China, Nepal, and Pak- called to bring them down to Camp istan. It is said to be one of the most IV of the peak at 6,900m. treacherous mountains to climb.

According to the team’s social The summit was dedicated to Kamran on Bike left for Nepal ear- The three countries are home to the media updates, Friday evening, mountaineer and porter, Muham- lier this month. 14 highest peaks in the world. The amid “thunderstorms” and “tons of mad Ali Sadpara, who lost his life world’s tallest mountain Everest snow”, Khan and Joshi left from the in the winter expedition to K2 in In a social media post, Munawar (8,848m) is located in Nepal. There base camp again. At 1:17pm today, late March. said, “This is not the success of the are five 8,000m peaks in Pakistan they became the first Pakistanis to climbers only but (of ) the moun- i.e. K2, Gasherbrum 1 and 2, Broad stand on top of Annapurna. The Joshi, Khan, expedition manager taineering community of Pakistan. Peak, and Nanga Parbat. climbers hail from Hunza. Saad Munawar and photographer Time has come for our Unsung Courtesy: Samaa 3 PM appoints Farrukh Habib information Introducing e-voting machines to make state minister election process credible: PM Khan

Prime Minister said on despite massive rigging of polls. Sunday that the main objective behind the formation of Pakistan The prime minister said he Tehreek-e-Insaf was to bring power- demanded the then government Prime Minister Imran Khan has In a cabinet shuffle earlier this ful and corrupt people before the law. open four constituencies, but these appointed PTI MNA Farrukh month, was given demands fell on deaf ears. Conse- Habib state minister of charge of the information ministry The prime minister said this in a quently, he said, his party organized Information. which was previously overlook by video message on the 25th founda- a 126-day-long sit-in in Islamabad, Shibli Faraz. The later was recently tion day of his party. He said he but no attention was given to Habib will be working alongside re-elected to the Senate from came into politics to ensure the electoral reforms. newly - appointed Information Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has been supremacy of law in the country. The PTI government is now Minister Fawad Chaudhry. The given the science and technology working on introducing interna- former will take his oath for the portfolio now. The youth played a cardinal role in tionally recognized electronic office. PTI’s rise and acceptability among voting machines, he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan has the masses, according to PM Khan.

In 2018, Habib was appointed made multiple changes to the The October 30, 2011 rally in These machines will make the federal parliamentary secretary of cabinet after the Senate elections. Lahore took him and his party to election process credible and Pakistan Railways. Courtesy: Samaa new heights of popularity. He said it everyone would accept the results, led to the party’s victory in Khyber PM Khan added. Pakhtunkhwa in the 2013 elections, Steel Mills gears up to produce 50,000 Courtesy: Dawn cylinders of oxygen KMC issued notice on the poor condition Efforts are being made to revive the oxygen plant of Pakistan Steel of Karachi roads Mills to meet shortages during the third wave of coronavirus.

A technical team reached PSM on the instructions of the federal government.

A meeting was chaired by PSM CEO Shuja Hassan to look into to the possibility of reviving the defunct oxygen gas plant.

“The plant will be restored soon,” the CEO said. “The machinery the oxygen plant. The Sindh High Court issued Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Shah required in the plant will be Thursday notices to the city and Faisal Colony and Civic Centre installed. Pakistan Army engineers According to experts, 50,000 cylin- provincial governments over the flyovers, Liaquatabad flyover, will assist in the process of reviving ders of oxygen can be extracted poor condition of Karachi’s flyovers Jinnah Tower, Quaidabad the plant.” daily from the plant. The biggest and roads. flyover, Nipa Chowrangi, and the problem will be the immediate University Road.

The Federal Industry and Produc- availability of spare parts. The A petitioner approached the court He remarked that the expansion tion Division formed the three- corroded parts need to be replaced. and said that roads are deteriorat- ing by the end and must be joints need to be repaired. member technical team: CEO repaired. Shuja Hassan, K.B. Ali of the En- The plant has not been in use since The court has asked the authorities gineering Development Board and 2015. to submit their replies in the case. The petition mentioned the Saad Alam, the operations head of Courtesy: Samaa Courtesy: Samaa 4 PM Imran Khan launches Rehmatul Lil Alameen NCOC meeting the federal minister for Scholarship Programme across Pakistan education and professional training

Prime Minister Imran Khan on The program will be implemented Thursday launched the Rs27.93bn in 129 public sector universities After NCOC meeting the Federal A level and AS exams have been Rehmatul-Lil Alameen scholarship across the country. Minister for Education and cancelled as well. Only exception program across Pakistan. Professional Training Mr. Shafqat is given to A2 exam that will take A budget of 27.93 billion rupees Mahmood said that no exams will place under strict SOPs. The program will help the has been approved for this take place in the country till 15th students of underprivileged National-level program which will of June, 2021 decides NCOC. Courtesy:www.mofept.gov.pk segments of society access under- be used in the next five years. graduate education. The provinces are also pursuing Karachi family launches mobile restaurant to The premier, while addressing the the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen tackle unemployment amid pandemic inauguration ceremony of the scholarship program. scholarship programme, said that the federal government will spend The scholarship program will be Rs5.5 bn every year on 70,000 launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, scholarships. for which the budget allocation will be Rs427 million. “No nation can progress without education,” the premier asserted, In Punjab, the annual budget of one adding that the country cannot billion rupees has also been develop unless the powerful are approved for this scholarship brought under the rule of law. program. Courtesy: The News England to play Tests in Pakistan next year:

Fawad Chaudhary While the coronavirus pandemic Chinese food and it was well affected the livelihood of many peo- received here with customers ple across the country, a Karachi coming from distant areas." family has turned it into a blessing by setting up a mobile restaurant to The business is good here, he says. make ends meet. The menu includes several dishes. The chef says dried chiken chilli is Mohammad Abbas has 34 years of his most popular dish. experience as a chef, yet he was let go of by his employer during the “This was my husband's idea. He pandemic. was quite worried and decided to start his own venture," Abbas' wife But Abbas did not shy away and in- said. "I told him that we will sup- stead opened a mobile restaurant port him.” Federal Minister for information The federal minister made the with his family on Tariq Road. It and Broadcasting Fawad Chaud- announcement on Twitter after has since gained the attention of About the operations, she said her hary has revealed that England will meeting with the British many people. daughter issues slips while she hands tour Pakistan again next year for a High Commissioner to Pakistan parcels to women. Her son delivers full Test series. Christian Turner. "I have been working at a restaurant food to men, Abbas' wife said. for some time," he told SAMAA The Eoin Morgan-led side is al- The news will be an exciting one TV. "It has been been 34 years. Abbas, however, said that he faces ready scheduled to visit the country for the cricket fans in the country When the lockdown was imposed, a few problems as his mobile in October for a two-match series as England have not visited Pak- I decided to set up a soup cart and restaurant is parked roadside ahead of T20I World Cup in India. istan since 2005. it became a hit. I started selling Courtesy: Samaa Courtesy: Samaa

5 Pakistan Calls in Army to Help Contain COVID-19 Spread

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran assist you in addressing, and fur- Khan deployed the army into cities ther circumventing, the current Friday to assist in enforcing coro- health conditions," Edhi wrote. navirus public safety restrictions to Health workers attend to a patient contain the pandemic outbreak, at the Jumbo COVID-19 hospital warning the country may soon be in Mumbai, India, April 22, 2021. facing a health crisis similar to that India reported the world's highest of neighboring India unless the daily tally of COVID-19 cases for current tide of infections is the second day Friday, surpassing reversed. 330,000 new infections amid an alarming shortage of oxygen for Khan addressed the nation after patients and beds in hospitals chairing an emergency meeting of across the world's second most his top advisors as the number of populous country. COVID-19 infections soar across workers to impose a nationwide imposed partial lockdowns in virus the country of about 220 million lockdown to contain the spread of hotspots, closing all educational "Pakistan's Edhi Foundation, people. the virus. But Khan added the gov- institutions in areas with a five per- founded by the late great Abdul ernment may not resist those calls cent positivity rate, banning public Sattar Edhi, has done what most of "I have also asked the Pakistan for long. gatherings, sports events and wed- the world's richest governments army to now come out on the ding ceremonies. have declined to do: Extend an streets and help our law enforce- "If our circumstances become the offer of assistance to an Indian na- ment, our police to ensure people same as India, then we will have to The restrictions were further tight- tion deeply in need," tweeted are strictly following (COVID-19) close down cities. We really don't ened Friday, restaurant dining was Michael Kugelman, deputy Asia SOPs (standard operating proce- want to do that because we know banned after 6 p.m., and only es- program director at Washington- dures), including wearing masks," that the poor suffer the most when sential trade allowed after those based Wilson Center. "This is the he said. lockdowns are imposed," Khan hours. example that must be set, and that said. the world must see. Officials said hospitals in major Help offered to India Pakistani cities, including the cap- Federal Minister , who The devastating health crisis in the ital, Islamabad, are nearly filled to heads the national response to the Meanwhile, Pakistan's prominent neighboring country, prompted capacity with coronavirus patients. outbreak, said authorities were Edhi charity has offered to send its people in Pakistan to take to Twit- Pakistan has recorded more than struggling to maintain the much- ambulances and medical staff to ter expressing sympathy and soli- 784,000 confirmed COVID-19 needed supply of oxygen to hospi- help Indian authorities deal with darity with Indians, and urging the cases, including at least 17,000 tals across Pakistan for COVID-19 the devastating health crisis. Khan government to offer help to deaths, since the start of the pan- patients, as the number of cases India, Pakistan's arch-rival. The demic early last year. Officials said soars. Faisal Edhi, the head of the Edhi hashtag #IndiaNeedsOxygen be- Friday 144 deaths and nearly 5,900 Foundation, said he had conveyed coming a top trend Friday. new cases of infection had been re- "We have reached 90% capacity of his offer through a letter to Indian ported in the last 24 hours. oxygen supplies and a big chunk of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tensions between India and it is being used to treat patients Pakistan, the two nuclear-armed Tighter restrictions with coronavirus infection," Umar "We sympathize with you greatly rivals, have gradually eased since Pakistan's prime minister said peo- said while speaking alongside and during this strenuous time, we February when their militaries ple are still violating social distanc- Khan. would like to extend our help in agreed to restore a mutual truce in ing rules, noting that so far, he has the form of a fleet of 50 ambu- the disputed Kashmir region. resisted calls from health care The Pakistani government has lances along with our services to Courtesy:www.voanews.com

Mohammad Rizwan moves into top 10 of ICC T20I rankings

In-form Pakistan wicketkeeper- In the latest ICC T20I batsman batsman Mohammad Rizwan has rankings, Rizwan gained gain five made his maiden entry into the slots to reach the 10th position, top 10 of the International Cricket overtaking the likes of England Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Play- captain Eoin Morgan and India ers Rankings. opener Rohit Sharma.

The 28-year-old achieved this feat Rizwan is the second-highest after unbeaten knocks of 82 and ranked Pakistan batsman in the 91 in the first and third fixtures of list, only behind captain Babar the three-match T20I series Azam who is now in third place. against Zimbabwe. Courtesy: Samaa 6 PM Khan to launch low-cost housing project in Sargodha

Prime Minister Imran Khan will lay affordable among all categories. the foundation stone of a low-cost housing project in Sargodha. It will Pakistan allots houses to 1,500 be a part of the Naya Pakistan labourers, widows Housing Scheme. On March 18, the PM inaugurated Under the scheme, the Frontier Labour Colony Phase-I and Phase- Works Organization will construct II in Islamabad on Thursday. The 1,175 houses at six locations. The government allotted houses to government has so far received 1,518 labourers and widows under 33,528 applications for the scheme. the scheme.

The PM has inaugurated new People earning less than Rs500,000 housing schemes in different cities were given ownership rights of as part of the government’s plan of these homes. Around 3,000 indi- providing housing to all. The next day he laid the foundation amount people can borrow under viduals registered themselves under stone of a housing project in Lahore. the central bank’s markup subsidy the Workers Welfare Fund. Of On April 8, the PM broke ground At least 35,000 apartments will be for the housing finance scheme. The them, 1,500 were handed over these on a new residential building in built by the Lahore Development government has also doubled the houses and flats through a draw. Islamabad. Farash Town Authority under the project . limit for smaller houses, 125 square

Apartments will be completed in yards or apartments with a covered The project spreads over 2,560 acres two years, he said while addressing Housing loans area of 1,250 square feet, to Rs6 of land and comprises 1,008 apart- the inauguration ceremony. “We On March 26, the government an- million and removed price caps in ments and 500 houses. This project want to provide subsidised houses nounced that people borrow up to both these categories. was launched before but was aban- to those who can’t afford it. Banks Rs10 million to finance a house of doned due to a lack of funds. The are not willing to give loans to poor 125 to 250 square yards (5 to 10 It even slashed the markup rate to government collaborated with the people.” The project will help us marla) or an apartment with a cov- 3% for housing units that fall in Workers Welfare Fund and com- provide houses to 2,000 people who ered area of 2,000 square feet. projects approved by the Naya Pak- pleted the project under the Naya never thought they could afford a istan Housing Development Au- Pakistan Housing Programme. house. The government has doubled the thority, making it the most Courtesy: Samaa Bajwa, Blinken discuss peace process as US readies to quit Afghanistan Hours after Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa said that Pakistan will (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa always support an Afghan-led and and US Secretary of State Antony Afghan-owned peace process based Blinken held a telephonic conver- on the mutual consensus of all sation on Wednesday, the top stakeholders. Washington diplomat announced a coalition of NATO-led troops in During the conversation, Blinken Afghanistan will leave the country also acknowledged Pakistan’s con- in coordination with a planned tinuous efforts for peace and stabil- withdrawal by September 11. ity in the region and pledged to further enhance bilateral relations, “We will work very closely together Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Blinken’s announcement comes the statement added. in the months ahead on a safe, de- Kuninori Matsuda, in a meeting ahead of a formal announcement of liberate, and coordinated with- with COAS Bajwa at the General the end of two decades of fighting. Blinken, who according to a State drawal of our forces from Headquarters (GHQ) on Wednes- Around 7,000 non-US forces from Department statement is in Brus- Afghanistan,” Blinken said, stand- day, praised Pakistan’s role for peace mainly NATO countries, but also sels to “reaffirm the US commit- ing alongside NATO Secretary- and stability in the region, particu- from Australia, New Zealand, and ment to the Transatlantic alliance”, General Jens Stoltenberg. larly Afghan peace process, and

Georgia, outnumber the 2,500 US said in Belgian capital it was time vowed to further enhance ties with While NATO foreign and defence troops in Afghanistan but still rely for NATO allies to make good on Pakistan. ministers were scheduled discuss on US air support, planning, and its mantra that allies went into their plans later on Wednesday via leadership for their training mission. Afghanistan together and would Gen Bajwa said that Pakistan values video conference, a senior NATO leave together. its relations with Japan and ac- diplomat told Reuters that no ally In a statement, Inter-Services Pub- knowledges its efforts for regional was expected to oppose US Presi- lic Relations (ISPR) said, during “I am here to work closely with our stability. dent Joe Biden’s formal announce- the phone talk, Gen Bajwa and allies, with the [NATO] secretary- ment for a complete US withdrawal Blinken discussed the Pakistan- general, on the principle that we The army chief and the ambassador of troops by September 11. brokered Afghan peace process and have established from the start: In discussed the regional security situ- bilateral cooperation in various together, adapt together and out to- ation and measures to enhance bi- JAPAN PRAISES PAKISTAN’S fields. gether,” he said in a televised state- lateral cooperation in various fields. ROLE FOR AFGHAN PEACE: ment at NATO Headquarters. Courtesy:Pakistan Today 7 Qibla Ayaz Reappointed as CII Chairman

With the nomination of 11 new members on the University of Peshawar, including the Dean Friday, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) of Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Studies. reached its maximum strength, paving the way for Dr Qibla Ayaz, one of those appointed, to He has been lauded for bridging the gap be its chairman. between religious scholars and modern researchers. President Dr approved the reappoint- ment of Dr Ayaz as chairman of the Council of As per the law, the CII should have a minimum Islamic Ideology (CII). of eight and maximum of 20 members, includ- ing its chairman.

Ayaz had served as the chairman of the CII The basic criterion for the appointment of CII from 2017 till 2020. The president approved the members is that they should represent various appointments on 12 vacant seats of the CII schools of thought, having knowledge of the under Article 228 of the Constitution, according principles and philosophy of Islam as enunciated to a press release issued by the President House. in the Holy Quran and Sunnah or having an

understanding of the economic, political, legal The president also appointed Dr Umair Junaid Amin, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, or administrative problems of Pakistan. Mahmood Siddiqui of Karachi University, Mufti Muhamamd Zubair, Syed Habib Irfani Pir Abul Hassan Muhammad Shah of Bhera and Maulana Nasim Ali Shah. It is considered that at least two of the members Sharif, Hassan Haseebur Rehman, Maulana of the council have to be sitting or retired judges Hameedul Haq Haqqani as members of the The Council of Islamic Ideology is a constitu- of the Supreme Court or high court and one Council. tional body that advises the legislature whether member should be a woman, while at least four or not a certain law is repugnant to Islam, members should be scholars who have remained Other Council members appointed by the pres- namely to the Qur'an and Sunna. engaged in Islamic research or instruction for at ident included Allama Muhammad Hussain least 15 years. Akbar, Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Pirzada Dr Qibla has held several important positions in Courtesy:Express Tribune

Pakistan's exports reach decade-high of $2.3b in March

Exports for March in Pakistan reached a decade- .“The export growth of 29.3% over March, 2020 high of $2.3 billion, with monthly figures should not be considered as it is misleading since showing growth year-on-year and over the there was a lockdown last year,” Dawood said. previous month, Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Razak Dawood said For the nine-month period of July-March of the Thursday. current fiscal year, exports increased 7% to $18.6 billion as compared to $17.4 billion in the “It’s extremely important as there is significant “[The] ministry of commerce is glad to share that corresponding period last year, according to the shortfall in cotton production this year. Lack of according to provisional figures, in March 2021 Ministry of Commerce’s data. cotton will result in reduced textile output and our exports increased to $2.345 billion. This is an hence exports,” Saad Hashemy, an executive of increase of 13.4% over February 2021. It is the Due to a shortage in cotton, exports are expected Karachi-based BMA Capital said. monthly highest in last 10 years,” Dawood wrote to get an upset. Cotton is the main industrial on Twitter. input of textile industry that accounts for more Although some analysts said banning Indian than 60% of total exports. cotton would not deprive Pakistan’s textile “This is also the first time since 2011 that exports industry of the raw material, they still believe have crossed the $2 billion mark for six consecu- The government is uncertain about giving a cross-border trade is more cost-effective. tive months,” she said. go-ahead to cotton and yarn import from India,

the world’s largest cotton producer. Analysts said “Eventually we will be importing from China and The commerce adviser, however, termed the textile industry’s growth is tied with cotton im- Europe as we are doing it right now,” said Tahir annual growth as misleading because last year’s port from India to keep up momentum of textile Abbas, head of Research at Arif Habib Limited. lockdown kept the industrial wheel extremely slow exports from the country. Courtesy:GEO.TV

Patron: Ms. Seema Mughal Greenwichians interested Vice Chancellor in contributions! Editor: Shoot an email to the editor, Dr Sabir Ahmed including your name, Pakistan - Mauritius Assistant Professor Greenwich University, DK-10, 38th Street, Darakshan, Phase VI, roll number and your work at Defence Housing Authority, Karachi-75500, Pakistan Graphics & Layout: [email protected] UAN: (021)111-202-303; Tel: (021) 35840397-98; Fax: (021)35851910 Shazia Anwar Email: [email protected] ; URL: www.greenwich.edu.pk